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

Would You Let Your Seven Year Old Daughter Take Up Boxing?
Niall talks to Karl Deeter about a family disagreement sparked by the influence of Katie Taylor.
Around 80,000 fans are expected at Croke Park this Saturday night to watch Taylor take on undefeated French fighter Flora Pili, but one listener says Katie’s success has caused a row at home.
His seven year old daughter is a huge Katie Taylor fan and now wants to join her local boxing club. Her dad thinks it would be fantastic for her confidence, discipline, fitness and ability to defend herself. His wife completely disagrees.
She worries that what starts as a childhood hobby could turn into a serious passion, with their daughter continuing to box into her teenage years and potentially exposing herself to serious injury. In her view, boxing is simply too dangerous and “barbaric” to encourage in a young child.
So is she right to put her foot down, or is she preventing her daughter from discovering a sport she might genuinely love?
We celebrate Katie Taylor as one of Ireland’s greatest sporting heroes, but would you actually be comfortable watching your own son or daughter step into a boxing ring?
Niall discusses the dilemma with Karl Deeter.

Would A United Ireland Referendum Create More Problems Than It Solves?
Niall talks to election candidate Eddie Punch about the growing debate over whether the time has come for a referendum on a united Ireland.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has insisted he is “very aware of every word in the Good Friday Agreement” and says he will abide by it “100%”. His comments follow criticism over remarks made during a visit to Belfast, when he suggested that a referendum on Irish unity was currently “off the table”.
But is he right to believe that now is simply not the time?
Niall and Eddie examine the enormous political, economic and practical questions that would come with reunification. Who would fund Northern Ireland’s public services and healthcare system? What happens to the financial support currently provided by Westminster? What would become of thousands of people employed directly or indirectly by the British state? Would Ireland adopt one currency across the island immediately, and what happens to politically sensitive issues such as the national flag and anthem?
There is also the question of consent. Whatever the result of a referendum, a significant section of the population could feel alienated or betrayed, with concerns that an increasingly heated constitutional debate could inflame community tensions.
So, should the people of Northern Ireland be given the opportunity to vote on their constitutional future, or could holding a border poll now create far more problems than it solves?
Niall discusses it with election candidate Eddie Punch.

Should Drivers Be Forced Off the Road at 80?
Niall talks to podcaster and restaurateur Paul Treyvaud about a listener’s difficult dilemma involving his 85 year old father, who still insists on driving despite growing concerns about whether he is mentally sharp enough to be safe behind the wheel.
The listener says he has repeatedly tried to persuade his father to give up driving, but he refuses to hand over the keys. He now believes there should be a firm legal cut off, once you turn 80, your driving days should be over.
But would that be fair?
For many older people, driving represents independence, freedom and the ability to live life on their own terms. Should someone lose that simply because they reach a particular birthday, even if they remain perfectly capable behind the wheel?
Or should older drivers face regular medical and practical assessments to prove they are still fit to drive?
Niall and Paul discuss where the balance should lie between personal freedom and public safety, and ask what families can realistically do when an elderly parent refuses to accept that it may be time to stop driving.
Have you ever had to persuade an elderly parent or relative to give up the car, and what happens when they simply refuse?

Niall talks to Cork Councillor Albert Deasy about Ireland’s new Health Referral Scheme, which came into effect on 1 September.
Under the new system, Gardaí can refer eligible adults caught for a first drug possession offence to the HSE instead of prosecuting them or issuing an adult caution. Supporters say it could prevent people from being dragged into the criminal justice system over personal drug use and instead direct them towards health services.
But the rollout has already raised serious questions. Some frontline Gardaí say they only learned about the scheme through media reports, with official guidelines arriving on the day it was introduced and little or no training provided beforehand.
Niall asks how such a significant change in drug policy could be introduced without properly preparing the Gardaí expected to implement it.
Possession of illegal drugs remains a criminal offence, so technically this is not decriminalisation. But is Ireland now moving towards decriminalisation in practice?
Is treating personal drug possession primarily as a health issue a sensible and compassionate approach, or does avoiding prosecution remove an important deterrent and send the message that illegal drug use carries few consequences?
Niall discusses the controversy with Cork Councillor Albert Deasy and asks: should someone caught with illegal drugs for personal use still face prosecution?

Should Parents Feel Guilty About Going On Holiday Without The Kids?
Niall talks to journalist Laura Perrins about a listener’s holiday dilemma that has caused quite a row at home.
The listener says she was furious when her husband suggested they escape together on a surprise two week holiday to the Maldives, leaving their three young children at home. He thought he was planning the ultimate romantic getaway for just the two of them, but luckily he had not booked or paid for anything because his wife has flatly refused to go.
She says she could never relax on a beach thousands of miles away while her children were at home, but her husband believes couples need time together and that two weeks away without the kids would be good for their marriage.
So, is she being unreasonable? Should parents be able to enjoy a proper holiday without their children, or once you have young kids are two week romantic getaways simply off the table?
Niall discusses the dilemma with journalist Laura Perrins and asks whether parents should feel guilty about leaving the children behind.