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

A new Red C poll suggests that public attitudes towards Ireland's border are changing, with more than a third of voters saying they would support the return of a hard border with Northern Ireland if it helped tackle illegal immigration. The findings come amid growing concern over claims that some asylum seekers are travelling into the Republic via Northern Ireland after first arriving in the UK, raising fresh questions about how Ireland protects its borders.
On this episode, Niall is joined by journalist and former barrister Laura Perrins, whose writing on immigration, border security and Irish politics has sparked widespread debate through her Substack, The West Brit. Laura has argued that Ireland needs a more realistic conversation about immigration, asylum policy and the state's ability to control who enters the country.
Supporters of tighter border controls say protecting the integrity of the asylum system is essential and that failing to properly police the border only encourages abuse, putting further pressure on housing, public services and taxpayers. Critics argue that any move towards a hard border would risk damaging North South relations, undermine the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement and create political tensions that many believed had been left in the past.
So where should the balance be struck? Is it time to accept that stronger border controls are necessary to restore confidence in Ireland's immigration system, or would reintroducing a hard border create more problems than it solves?
Join Niall and Laura Perrins for a robust discussion on one of the most divisive political questions facing Ireland today.

Should your employer be allowed to tell you when it's time to retire?
On this episode, Niall opens the phone lines to discuss whether mandatory retirement ages should become a thing of the past.
The debate comes as new legislation has come into effect in Ireland giving many employees the right to refuse compulsory retirement before the State pension age of 66. Workers whose employment contracts require them to retire before 66 can now formally notify their employer that they wish to continue working. Employers must consider the request and can only refuse if they can objectively justify enforcing the retirement age. The changes are designed to give older workers greater choice and flexibility, while helping bridge the gap to the State pension.
With people living longer and remaining healthier than ever before, should age alone determine when someone's career comes to an end?
Supporters of abolishing mandatory retirement say experience is invaluable, many older people still have plenty to contribute, and in an ageing society the economy needs skilled workers to stay in employment for longer. They also argue that forcing somebody out of work simply because they reach a certain birthday is outdated and amounts to age discrimination.
Others disagree. They believe mandatory retirement creates opportunities for younger workers, helps organisations plan for succession, and recognises that some jobs become more physically and mentally demanding with age. Critics also argue that older employees staying in the workplace longer could slow career progression for younger generations.
So where do you stand?
Should retirement be a personal choice based on your ability to do the job, or should there still be an age at which it's time to step aside?
Niall hears from callers on both sides of one of the biggest workplace debates facing Ireland today.

On today's episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall is joined by podcaster and social commentator Elaine Mullally to debate one of the most controversial questions facing modern policing.
Should Gardaí have the power to seize your mobile phone without first obtaining a search warrant if they reasonably believe it contains evidence of a serious crime?
The debate has intensified following comments by former RTÉ broadcaster Joe Duffy, who argued that Gardaí should be able to confiscate mobile phones immediately if they suspect they contain vital evidence, even before obtaining judicial approval. Duffy suggested that waiting for a warrant can allow crucial evidence to be deleted or destroyed, prompting calls for stronger powers to help investigators tackle serious crime. His remarks have sparked fierce criticism from privacy advocates and some legal experts, who warn that allowing Gardaí to seize phones "on a hunch" could represent a significant erosion of civil liberties.
Smartphones now contain almost every aspect of our lives, from private messages and photographs to banking information, health records, location history, and confidential work documents. Supporters of stronger Garda powers argue that modern criminals increasingly rely on encrypted devices and that investigators need the ability to act immediately before evidence disappears. Opponents argue that innocent people should never risk having their most private information seized without independent judicial oversight.
Niall and Elaine discuss where the balance should lie between protecting the public from serious crime and protecting every citizen's right to privacy.
Should Gardaí be trusted with greater powers to seize mobile phones when they suspect criminal activity, or should a judge always have to approve it first? Join the debate as Niall also hears the views of callers from across Ireland.

On today's episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall is joined by journalist and Aontú communications officer Larissa Nolan to debate whether wheel clamping has outlived its usefulness.
Dublin City Council clamped more than 45,000 vehicles in 2024, making Ireland one of the few countries in Europe where wheel clamping remains a routine parking enforcement tool. While most European countries rely on fines, penalty points, or towing repeat offenders, motorists here can return to find their car immobilised until they pay a release fee.
Clamping was originally introduced to reduce the burden on the courts by avoiding prosecutions for unpaid parking fines. But in an age of instant online payments, automatic number plate recognition, and more efficient enforcement, is wheel clamping still necessary, or is it simply an outdated and heavy handed way of punishing motorists?
Niall and Larissa discuss whether clamping is an effective deterrent against illegal parking, or whether it unfairly leaves people stranded, causes unnecessary stress, and should be replaced with tougher fines for those who refuse to pay.
Should wheel clamping be outlawed, or is it the only language inconsiderate drivers understand? Join the debate as Niall also hears from callers with strong opinions on both sides of this divisive issue.

On this week's News Round Up, Niall is joined by his good friend and former producer AJ Walsh to take a look back at the biggest stories making headlines over the past week, some deeply serious, others downright bizarre.
They discuss the guilty verdicts against Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Lady Eleanor Donaldson, the growing calls to decriminalise all drugs for personal use, and the debate over whether single sex schools have a future in Ireland.
The conversation also turns to some of the week's lighter stories, including the Kentucky criminals caught with a bag labelled "Definitely Not a Bag Full of Drugs", the cow that brought the M1 motorway to a standstill, the latest cosmetic craze dubbed "Ozempic Ears", and new technology that could allow your car to decide whether you're fit to drive.
With plenty of laughs, a few disagreements and their usual honest opinions, Niall and AJ separate the serious from the ridiculous as they wrap up another unforgettable week in the news.