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

Niall speaks to Irish Daily Mail journalist Ken Murray about the newspaper’s front page revelation that more than 16,000 people arrived at Dublin Airport without passports or valid travel documents between 2020 and 2025.
Figures obtained from the Department of Justice show that 16,307 undocumented passengers arrived during that period, with a record 4,968 arriving in 2022 alone. The total does not include arrivals at Cork, Shannon or Knock airports, meaning the true nationwide figure could be considerably higher.
How are passengers boarding international flights with passports, only to arrive in Ireland without them? Are documents being deliberately destroyed during flights to conceal identities, nationalities or travel routes? Why has the Government not required airlines to retain secure copies of passengers’ documents before departure?
Niall and Ken also examine Ireland’s failure to enforce deportation orders. Between 2020 and 2025, 9,142 orders were signed, but only 969 deportations were carried out. Does the State know how many of those ordered to leave remain in Ireland, and why is there such an enormous gap between issuing an order and enforcing it?
Has Ireland become a soft touch with what is effectively an open border crisis? Can the Government regain control of the immigration system, or will the financial cost, political division and social unrest continue to grow?

Niall speaks to journalist Laura Perrins about the arrival of Britain’s new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, and his promise of a ten year plan to transform the country.
In his first speech outside Downing Street, Burnham declared that Britain had taken “some wrong turns” since the 1980s, particularly through privatisation and the weakening of local government. He has promised greater public control over essential services, with lower transport costs and capped fares among the first measures reportedly under consideration. AP News
Laura argues that Burnham appears determined to turn back the clock on more than 40 years of economic policy. She asks whether conservatives would be treated so sympathetically if they claimed that life was better four decades ago, and why looking to the past is considered reactionary when it comes from the right, but progressive when it comes from the left.
Niall and Laura examine whether price caps and greater state control can genuinely address Britain’s economic problems, or whether Burnham is reviving socialist policies that have already failed.
The discussion then turns to Ireland. Is the country governed better today, or was it better before the enormous social and political changes of recent decades, including divorce, same sex marriage, abortion, green policies and the wider liberalisation of Irish society?
Is looking to the past always backward, or are there occasions when a country must return to what previously worked?

Welcome to the brand new podcast where broadcaster Niall Boylan and his wife, Karen, discuss everything and anything. From the biggest stories in the news to the arguments taking place in bedrooms, kitchens and family WhatsApp groups, absolutely nothing is off the table.
This week, Niall and Karen discuss whether married couples should keep their money separate and when adult children should finally be told to leave home.
The listeners have also been in touch with some extraordinary marital dilemmas. One woman discovered that her husband had been secretly wearing her underwear and using her make-up. Another husband feels as though he is married to an entire committee because his wife shares every argument with her friends. Meanwhile, one woman wants her husband to cut contact with a former girlfriend, but he insists they are now simply friends.
Expect disagreements, uncomfortable confessions, plenty of laughter and an honest husband versus wife perspective on relationships, marriage and modern life.
Welcome to Don’t Call Me Darling, where Niall and Karen may not always agree, but neither of them will be keeping quiet.

Niall speaks to Fatima Gunning, journalist with Gript Media, and Noel O’Flynn about calls for Gardaí to receive greater legal protection when pursuing suspected criminals.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan says he wants legislation progressed to protect Gardaí involved in pursuits of cars, scramblers, e-bikes and e-scooters. Pointing to the UK, where police officers have “specific statutory protections” when pursuing suspects during the course of their work, O’Callaghan said: “I would like to see something like that within the Irish legal system.”
The debate comes as Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly revealed that ten Garda members are currently before the courts over alleged careless or dangerous driving incidents arising during the course of their duties.
Niall, Fatima and Noel ask whether criminals are exploiting Garda reluctance to give chase, knowing that officers could face prosecution, lose their driving licences or even destroy their careers if a pursuit goes wrong.
However, greater legal protection cannot mean complete immunity. If a Garda drives recklessly and an innocent pedestrian or motorist is seriously injured or killed, who should be held responsible? Should the law judge a Garda’s driving against the actions of an appropriately trained police officer facing the same circumstances, as happens in Britain?
Should Gardaí acting in good faith be protected from prosecution, or could the proposed legislation place innocent members of the public at greater risk? Details of Jim O’Callaghan’s remarks

Niall speaks to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín about new figures revealing that 6,329 people have been receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance for more than ten years.
The figures also show that almost 39,000 people have remained on the payment for at least two years, approximately 21,000 for four years or more and around 9,000 for over eight years. This is happening while Ireland’s unemployment rate stands at approximately 5 per cent.
Tóibín argues that there is “no shortage of jobs out there” and insists that social welfare must remain a safety net rather than “become a lifestyle”. He estimates that supporting more than 6,000 people for over a decade may have cost the State as much as €800 million and is calling for penalties where someone chooses to remain unemployed despite being capable of working.
Under the existing rules, a person receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance must be capable of working, available for full-time employment and genuinely seeking work. So how can thousands of people apparently satisfy those conditions continuously for more than a decade?
Niall and Peadar discuss whether long-term recipients should be required to accept suitable employment, training, voluntary work or a community placement. Should payments be reduced or eventually withdrawn from those who repeatedly refuse reasonable opportunities?
They also consider the other side of the argument. Long-term unemployment can involve poor health, age, inadequate skills, family responsibilities, addiction, housing difficulties and jobs that are simply unavailable in a person’s area. The figures alone do not prove that all 6,329 recipients are refusing to work or fraudulently claiming benefits.
Where should Ireland draw the line between protecting people who genuinely need assistance and continuing to support those who may simply have no intention of working? Would you report somebody you knew was claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance while secretly working for cash?