This week's podcast covers all the fallout to the great spoiled vote of 2025: Simon Harris's migration u-turn, Micheál Martin's jeopardy, the Galway West by-election, and the state of Ireland's right wing politics.
Click here to watch a video of this episode.
https://youtu.be/BIFEpzGDBiE
00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections
02:00 Post-Election Fallout in Ireland
07:01 The Impact of Spoiled Votes
15:50 Leadership Challenges in Fianna Fáil
19:23 Government Performance and Legislative Initiatives
28:20 Emerging Voices in Fianna Fáil
30:39 Immigration Discourse and Political Responsibility
36:39 Media Dynamics and Political Debate
42:06 The Challenge of Left-Wing Politics
46:33 Reflections on Political Engagement and Voter Sentiment
John and Sarah break down the two biggest stories of the week, discussing all aspects of the Citywest sexual assault and subsequent riots, and then examining the myriad ways that Fine Gael managed to blow the Presidential Election.
00:00 Introduction to Current Events in Ireland
03:25 The Disturbing Incident in Citywest
12:08 Failures of TUSLA and Child Protection
18:02 Cultural Context of Immigration and Crime
26:16 Political Reactions and Media Coverage
35:38 The Presidential Election Dynamics
58:21 Predictions and Final Thoughts on the Election
John and Sarah ask: Is Judge Martin Nolan unfairly maligned or justly criticised? Also, Independent Ireland backs Simon Harris; The Deposit Return Scheme humiliates voters; and Fine Gael flounders towards humiliation.
00:00 Overview of Current Events in Politics
02:42 The Motion of Confidence in Simon Harris
11:15 The Deposit Return Scheme Controversy
20:14 Discussion on the Gender Recognition Act
29:22 Donald Trump's Recent Peace Deal
30:52 Judicial Sentencing and Child Abuse Cases
41:35 Presidential Election Predictions
John and Sarah discuss Joe Brolly's latest descent into awfulness, debate Catherine Connolly's eventful week, and discuss a budget that was described as "prudent" yet ended up as anything but.
John and Sarah react to the Jim Gavin news: His scandal, Fianna Fáil's incompetence, what it does to Micheál Martin, and why the civil service will be laughing.
00:00 The Fallout of Jim Gavin's Withdrawal
02:54 Political Implications for Fianna Fáil
05:32 The State of the Presidential Race
08:28 Voter Sentiment and Political Cynicism
10:57 The Role of Media and Public Perception
13:58 Consequences for Micheál Martin
16:36 Financial Mismanagement and Political Accountability
19:22 The Future of Irish Politics
22:18 Final Thoughts and Reflections
This week John & Sarah turn their attention to the most popular topic with Irish pols and media and ask: What's with the Gaza obsession? Also, reflections on Barbie Kardashian and ten years of Gender Recognition. And the latest from the boring boring election:
John and Sarah bring you the inside account of the last days of the Steen campaign, and chew the fat about what the three-candidate race says about Irish democracy. Also: Some thoughts on saying whatever the F**k you want on RTE.
In an action-packed episode, John and Sarah recap the case of Daniel Aruebose, discuss John and Eoin Hayes' blackface scandals, analyse the Joe Brolly wars and attempts to murder David Quinn, and dissect the Maria Steen nomination fight.
John and Sarah spend most of this week's episode talking about the murder of Charlie Kirk, the pathology of those cheering it, and where we go from here.
Sarah returns to her chair this week, and shares her tale of accident and emergency horror. Also: Why she's not high on Jim Gavin's chances, the media's double standard on Graham Linehan, and reflections on the great flag wars.
With Sarah still sadly indisposed, John and Laura discuss the stories of the week: The big engagement in America, the controversy around Dr. Umar Al Qadri, the CSO migration numbers.. and that Sunday Indo article about how the nation loves Michael D.
With Sarah away, Laura Perrins joins John and gives him a thorough education in why his support for delivery drones is wrong. They also discuss crime in Dublin, Maria Steen's Presidential prospects, and Laura goes off on Kneecap and Sally Rooney.
John and Sarah react to big news in the Presidential race, assess Gareth Sheridan's first week campaigning, talk free contraception. And also: Why Simon Harris's personal brand may never recover from breaking "Kayfabe".
Sarah re-joins the podcast this week from her Cretan retreat, and she and John discuss topics ranging from the tragic - the death of Harvey Sherrat - to the controversies around assisted suicide and the Mise Eire event, to the love lives of Pamela Anderson and Bonnie Blue.
With Sarah away, John is joined by Laura Perrins. They discuss the state of Britain, where immigration has become the defining political issue, as well as the Dublin Stabbing, the Tuam nuns, the progressive war on western history, and Laura's occasional desire to just keep walking.
John and Sarah discuss the ethics of marital infidelity, the government breaking promises to themselves on spending, Tony Holohan's Presidential bid, and Molly Malone's bronze boobies.
This week's podcast begins pretty serenely with a discussion of the Presidential election, before John absolutely loses it over the state of the country. When Sarah calms him back down, they discuss the Tuam babies.
John and Sarah start the podcast talking about Jeffrey Epstein, and proceed to have an enormous row about conspiracy theories. Also: Javier Milei's progress in Argentina, re-running referendums, and prickly cyclists.
The settlement between Ryan Casey and the BBC on foot of comments by Kitty Holland dominates this week's podcast. Also: The state of the parties, the Presidential sweepstakes, and are school summer holidays too long?
John and Sarah ask if the Irish Government is addicted to pointless statements on the middle east, discuss the ubiquity of the Pride Flag, and ask why RTE's current affairs shows are so poor. Also: Sarah's favourite new Netflix show is revealed:
