Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
CW: Contains personal stories that some listeners may find upsetting.
This week Israel broke the ceasefire with devastating consequences, killing over 100 people, including 46 children. Somehow most western media is reporting that they've now reinstated it. We live in terrible times. Our guest, Hala Al-Khatib is a 20-years-old writer and poet from Gaza and she speaks of the horrors that her neighborhood and all of Gaza went through on October 28, 2025.
While Israel carried out the latest massacre, Hala was holding her breath; the IOF tanks visible from what is left of her destroyed home.
Earlier in the genocide, she was injured along with some family members when Israel targeted a home on the other side of the street of her parents house. Her parents house now hosts her two sisters, who lost their spouses and homes, and her aunt who lost her home too. Despite all these difficulties, she is still hopeful and has plans for the future. Tune in for the full story.
Constantin Gurdgiev podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-142410024

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
On the 30th of January 1972 a young Tony Doherty was playing marbles on the Bogside in Derry when word reached him that his father, Paddy had been shot. In the hours, weeks, months and years ahead the families of those who were murdered and injured on that day marched, campaigned and dragged the British State into apologising for what became known around the world as Bloody Sunday.
Yesterday that journey (seemingly) ended when the mass murderer called Soldier F was found not guilty. Tony joins me to talk about the trial, the outcome, the Irish presidential campaign and much more.
Dion Fanning podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-142188516
MEP Lynn Boylan podcast is out now here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-142349510

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this belter of an Echo pod we combine for the first time ever Mr irishelectionprojections.com's Harry McEvansoneya and thegist.ie's Simon McGarr and is was even more fun than I'd hoped. We talk about the main 3 stories arising out of Catherine Connolly's historic victory and the reasons much of legacy media seem to want to focus on the least important one.
We talk winners, losers and the disconnect that this campaign has exposed between politics, media and the public.
The Dion Fanning podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-142188516

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this Reboot Republic, Rory is joined by tortoise shack editor and producer, Tony Groves and Mr irishelectionprojections.com, Harry McEvansoneya, to talk about the Presidential Election, the broad Left-unity movement that may emerge and the far right in Ireland. We also pit Rory's enthusiasm against Tony's cynicism and Harry looks at what lessons might be learned from what was a bit of a mad campaign.
Harry's latest:https://irishelectionprojections.com/2025/10/21/2025-presidential-election/
Bloody Sunday, Soldier F and British Justice with Tony Doherty out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141945374

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Noor Abu Mariam, is a Business Administration student, a writer, and the social media manager for Gaza Great Minds School. She is passionate about using storytelling and digital media to share the voices and experiences of people in Gaza. She shares how she saw body parts for the first time in her life while being displaced to the south from Al-Shatii refugee camp. Noor was displaced at least 15 times and despite all the upheaval she hopes to finish her degree and continue her graduate studies. She recounts how she lost her friend and aunt and how the last two years have changed her. Tune in for the full story
The Presidential election podcast with Rory Hearne and Harry McEvansoneya is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141790100

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Dr Cian Ó Concubhair is Assistant Professor in the Dept of Law in NUI Maynooth, lecturing in Criminology and Criminal Justice. His doctoral research examined police-media relations, and the power of news media and policing. So as the presidential election has gotten more 'law and order' political media coverage than ever before, I thought he'd be the perfect guest to talk us all through it, and I wasn't wrong. I really enjoyed this and got a lot out of it. Listen/watch and don't worry about me spilling water all over the place!
Latest from on the ground in Gaza with Noor Abu Mariam:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141721859

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Baraa Qandeel is a Palestinian poet, translator and writer from Gaza. She works in marketing and has suffered immensely during the genocide losing friends and family, and surviving an airstrike nearby that left her in shock for hours. She joins us from Gaza to talk about the ceasefire and what people around her think about it. She discusses conversations amongst her friends about their experiences in what she calls 'triggering sessions.' Tune in for more
The Fionnan Sheehan vs Heather Humphreys vs Martin pod is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141563126
Please support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-good-news-140335712

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this Echo Chamber Podcast, Sinn Féin's Housing Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin sits down with Tony to talk about Catherine Connolly, left unity, the groups that are shaping the government's housing policy and why social housing can be beautiful. He also correctly calls Tony deranged. But they don't fall out...
Baraa'h Qandeel in Gaza on the "ceasefire" is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141438094
Please support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-good-news-140335712

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this explosive Echo Chamber Podcast, Prison Office Whistleblower, Noel McGree, talks about his eviction into homelessness following his proven and legally tested accusations of mass fraud and misogyny in the Irish Prison Service. Noel talks candidly about his devastating experiences and of how he has been failed by many including former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and current Fine Gael presidential election candidate, Heather Humphreys. This is an interview that I'm very sad to say was necessary, but that you do not want to miss.
The Willa White podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141104503
The 'Smear the Bejaysus' podcast is out now here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141038145

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this Echo Chamber Pod we’re joined by Mr Irish Election Projections himself, Harry McEvansoneya to discuss the Irish presidential election, the Jim Gavin fiasco, the Jim O’Callaghan leadership campaign, the momentum behind Catherine Connolly and media coverage of the election so far.
For more from Harry go to https://irishelectionprojections.com/
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-good-news-140335712

Please join us at patreon/com/tortoiseshack
Comedian, satarist, activist and Corkman, Tadhg Hickey spent over six weeks at sea as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Their attempt to open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza was illegally intercepted in international waters by Israel and he, alongside the rest of the volunteers, then spent almost a week in an Israeli "terrorist" prison. He joins us to talk about the entire experience, including descriptions of humiliations and torture, and to discuss how even in failing to deliver the aid, the flotilla was successful in ways that the Israeli State cannot block.
Watch this podcast here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-140896423
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-good-news-140335712

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Roaa Aladdin Missmeh is a Palestinian from Gaza who loves reading books and finds solace in them. Having left Gaza only a few weeks ago, she is currently doing her Master's degree in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics in Dublin. She shares with us her story of genocide, her journey out of Gaza and her need to tell the story of her people. Tune in for more.
The Presidential Election podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-140724971
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-good-news-140335712

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this podcast you'll hear from Independent TD Barry Heneghan, both before and after (via pre-recorded message anticipating his abduction) his illegal abduction in international waters by Israeli forces, alongside the rest of the humanitarians who were participating in the Thousand Madleens to Gaza flotilla. Barry talks about entering the so-called 'red zone,' the treatment of the Sumud flotilla participants and his communications with his family just hours before his ship was illegally boarded. We hope he and all the participants are safe, treated humanely and are released home very quickly.
Eoin Ó Broin on Housing, the nothing budget and the Presidential Election Pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-140192205
Please donate to Dignity for Palestine here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-good-news-140335712

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In what is being called an "opportunity to regularise employment misclassification" the Revenue Commissioners are to grant a two year amnesty to employers who engaged in bogus self employment. The repercussions this will have for the workers (across many industries) who have been denied benefits, entitlements and pay for the years outside of this 'opportunity' seem not to matter a jot.
To add insult to injury it turns out that Arthur Cox, the legal firm representing RTE against bogus self employed workers, is using this “opportunity” as a marketing tool for their business.
Arthur Cox Sales Pitch
This tangled web involves media, the govt, the legal profession and even current Fine Gale presidential candidate, Hearther Humphreys. We unpick it all here.
Eoin Ó Broin on Catherine Connolly, Housing and Left Unity podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-140192205
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-good-news-140335712

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Ruba Khalid Al-Faleet is a Palestinian writer, artist, and poet based in Gaza. Her work explores the intersection of identity, resistance, and the poetics of survival under siege. As an active member of the Gaza Poets Society and a contributor to the Resilient Voices digital storytelling project by the British Council, Ruba uses her voice to document lived realities, reclaim narrative agency, and build bridges through creative expression. Her art and poetry are deeply intertwined—each piece a visual and verbal testament to what endures when language is all that remains. She joins us from Gaza to share her story.
The When Tony met Simon Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-140180209
Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-good-news-140335712

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Here's everything we know about the huge success - and it is a huge success - of the Sumud Flotilla and what is still happening at sea to break the siege of Gaza. I'm joined also by Independent TD Barry Heneghan, who is onboard the Thousand Madleens Flotilla, which is a few days behind the Sumud and is determined to sail on for Gaza no matter what the next few days bring.
The Video Version of this podcast is available here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-140257804
Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-in-139268758

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In his long overdue return, journalist with El Pais in Latin America, Nicholas Dale Leal, talks Argentina's chainsaw libertarian nightmare, Brazil not bending the knee to Trump, Venezuela vs the US regime change bollixology and the grim rise of fascism in the US. This is belter of a podcast.
The Arthur Cox Sales Pitch Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-140027928
Nicholas' recent piece here: https://english.elpais.com/usa/2025-09-22/more-deportations-but-far-from-the-largest-in-history-nine-months-of-trumps-immigration-crusade-in-charts.html?sma=elpaisenglishedition_2025.09.25&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=elpaisenglishedition_2025.09.25
Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-in-139268758

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this podcast I am joined from Nuseirat, Gaza by a very tired Dr Musallam Abukhalil, to discuss the latest developments on the ground, his day job in the barely functioning Nasser Hospital and the work of the amazing volunteer team he helped to setup, Dignity for Palestine. The Doc explains the strain the latest displacement is putting on the services they provide and outlines the help they need. You can help from as little as $3. So please click the link below and give what you can.
Donate now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-in-139268758
Video version of this podcast is available here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-139814952

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Chris Andrews is a Sinn Féin Senator and he's taking part in his fifth Gaza Flotilla. His ship was struck four times last night by Israeli drones. Despite this he and his fellow Sumud Flotilla shipmates, including over 20 Irish people, remain undeterred and committed to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. He joins us from his ship to talk all about it. Yousef also covers the latest news from Gaza City, where the relentless destruction and bombing drives thousands out in what many fear is a permanent exodus. There's also an update from Ty Gickey ;)
The Argentina Bailout podcast with El Pais's Nicholas Leal is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-139738780
Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-in-139268758

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Paddy McGuire is the (mad?) man behind the viral RareWitch-PetalReaction videos that excoriate the media, politics, racist movements and liberal doggies of Northern Ireland. In a rare interview with a Free-Stater he talks to me about his process, his inspiration/frustration and the artistic dysfunction of trying to shoehorn messages of solidarity into 90 second animations about the Belfast Live House.
The Catherine Connolly Hamas "controversy" podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-139542482
The Flotilla Attack Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-139635747
Support Dignity for Palestine: https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-in-139268758