The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

Peadar Tóibín on the Collapse in Government Support and the Rise of Aontú
Is the Irish Government losing the confidence of the people? And if a general election were called tomorrow, would it bring real political change or simply deliver more of the same?
In this episode, Niall Boylan is joined by Peadar Tóibín TD, leader of Aontú, to discuss the latest opinion poll showing a significant decline in support for the Government and growing momentum for smaller political parties.
The latest figures put Fianna Fáil on just 16%, down two points in a month, while Aontú has climbed to 9% and Independent Ireland to 7%. Combined, the two smaller parties now command the same level of support as Fianna Fáil, raising questions about whether Ireland's traditional political establishment is beginning to lose its grip on voters.
Meanwhile, Tánaiste Simon Harris has seen his personal approval rating fall to a record low of 30%, a dramatic decline from 45% in early 2025.
With public frustration mounting over housing, immigration, the cost of living and the direction of the country, is it time for the Government to face the electorate?
Niall challenges Peadar Tóibín on whether Aontú can turn growing support in the polls into actual Dáil seats, whether his party would consider entering government with Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, and what Aontú would genuinely do differently if given the opportunity.
But there's a bigger question: Would another general election actually change anything?
Could voters simply return another Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael coalition, or would a Sinn Féin-led alternative involving the Social Democrats, Labour and other left-wing parties offer a different direction? And where would Aontú and Independent Ireland fit into that political landscape?
Are voters genuinely ready to abandon the established parties, or will dissatisfaction once again fail to translate into real change at the ballot box?
Niall and Peadar discuss the future of Irish politics, the growing appeal of alternative parties and whether Ireland is heading towards a political shake-up.

Is Free Speech Under Attack in Ireland? Kirk Loco Breaks His Silence After Court Victory
Is freedom of speech becoming a thing of the past in Ireland? Are ordinary people increasingly afraid to speak their minds for fear of being prosecuted, publicly vilified or having their lives destroyed?
In this episode, Niall Boylan is joined by campaigner Kirk Loco, who has been cleared of a criminal charge arising from a social media post in which he claimed an asylum seeker had exposed himself to a teenage girl on a bus.
But while Kirk has walked away from court cleared of the charge, he says the personal consequences have been devastating.
Speaking in court, Kirk described the enormous toll the ordeal had taken on his mental health, his marriage, his family relationships and his friendships. He revealed that he had attempted to take his own life following what he described as two years of persecution by political opponents, including graffiti near his home branding him "racist scum".
In an extraordinary twist, Elon Musk's social media platform X funded Kirk's legal defence, describing its involvement as part of its commitment to protecting freedom of expression.
Niall speaks directly to Kirk about his arrest, the investigation, his experience of the justice system, the devastating personal consequences and his reaction to finally being cleared.
But this case raises a much bigger question: Is free speech genuinely protected in Ireland, or are people being intimidated into silence?
Has the law become a weapon to silence controversial opinions? Is there a growing culture of censorship and self-censorship? And regardless of whether you agree with Kirk's political views, should anyone face such consequences for expressing themselves online?
A revealing and deeply personal conversation about freedom of expression, the justice system and the price of speaking your mind in modern Ireland.

Ireland is facing a population crisis as birth rates continue to fall, raising serious questions about the country's economic future, ageing population and who will support the next generation of pensioners.
RTÉ’s new documentary series Ireland’s Population Crash, presented by Miriam O’Callaghan, explores why Irish people are having fewer children and what the consequences could be. Miriam, herself a mother of eight, admits she once worried about overpopulation but now believes she has more than done her bit!
In this episode, Niall is joined by economist and financial commentator Karl Deeter to discuss whether Ireland is heading towards a demographic disaster.
With birth rates well below replacement level, the Government sees immigration as part of the solution. But is relying on immigration a sustainable long-term strategy? What happens if some new arrivals require significant State support rather than immediately contributing more in taxes than they receive in services? And are high housing costs, childcare expenses and the cost of living making it increasingly difficult for Irish couples to afford children?
Niall and Karl examine the economic realities behind Ireland’s declining birth rate, the pressures on pensions, healthcare and social housing, and whether successive governments have failed to make raising a family affordable.
Is immigration the answer to Ireland’s population crash, or should the Government be doing far more to encourage people already living here to have children? And who will pay the bills when Ireland grows old?
A thought-provoking discussion about Ireland’s demographic future and the difficult decisions facing the country.

RTÉ Wants The Public To Come Up With Ideas For Its Future. Isn't That What We Pay The Executives For?**
RTÉ is asking the Irish public to help shape its future, with research company Ipsos conducting an online survey seeking suggestions on how the national broadcaster can improve its services.
But after years of controversy, financial scandals, declining public confidence and continued questions about how taxpayers' money is spent, is RTÉ now admitting it doesn't know how to fix itself?
In this episode, Niall is joined by journalist and broadcaster Ken Murray to discuss whether RTÉ needs genuine reform or a complete overhaul.
With executives and high-profile presenters earning substantial salaries, Niall asks why the people being paid to run the national broadcaster appear to be turning to the public for fresh ideas. Shouldn't developing a vision for RTÉ's future be part of their job?
Is RTÉ delivering value for money? Has it lost touch with ordinary Irish people? Is there enough political balance and diversity of opinion in its news and current affairs coverage? And should taxpayers continue funding a broadcaster that so many believe needs radical change?
Niall and Ken examine whether RTÉ can regain public trust, whether its management structure needs reform and what a modern public service broadcaster should actually look like.
If you were handed the keys to RTÉ tomorrow, what would you change? Would you cut executive salaries, scrap certain programmes, reform its news coverage, reduce public funding or privatise parts of the organisation?
And perhaps the biggest question of all: If RTÉ's highly paid executives need the public to tell them how to run the broadcaster, what exactly are we paying them for?
A lively discussion about the future of Ireland's national broadcaster and whether RTÉ can ever win back the confidence of the Irish public.

In this episode, Niall Boylan takes calls from listeners about a relationship dilemma that raises an interesting question. Can you have a happy, committed relationship without ever living together?
A woman who has been dating a man for several months says they're both divorced, get on brilliantly and genuinely enjoy each other's company. But there's a problem. He's beginning to hint that they should move in together, and she's not sure she wants that.
Having already been married, she's built a comfortable, independent life and has no desire to go back to cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, organising appointments and effectively becoming a housekeeper for another grown man.
She loves the companionship, the romance and the freedom of having her own space. But is it fair to expect a committed relationship while refusing to share a home?
Niall asks whether women, particularly those who have already raised families and been through divorce, are becoming less willing to sacrifice their independence for a relationship. Or is this woman unfairly assuming that moving in with a man automatically means taking responsibility for looking after him?
Is she protecting her independence, or does she simply want all the benefits of a relationship without the compromises?
And what about the man? Is he entitled to expect that a serious relationship will eventually lead to living together?
Niall hears from callers on both sides of the debate, including those who believe couples are happier living apart and others who argue that sharing a home is an important part of building a future together.
Would you move in with a new partner later in life, or have you reached an age where you simply couldn't be bothered living with someone else?
Is living apart the secret to a happy relationship, or is it just being single with benefits?