Gript Media Podcasts

John McGuirk is joined by Gript Media's Fatima Gunning, who sat through nearly all of the McGregor trial, and Laura Perrins, former criminal barrister, to talk through the evidence and verdict in the the civil case that captivated the nation.

John and Sarah talk the latest twists in Russia and Israel, Blindboy's new RTE documentary, and the latest twists in the very, very, very unexciting general election.    

"Derek Blighe should have been in that debate" - John and Sarah discuss the RTÉ debate, and the campaign where all the parties agree and are having fake rows about nothing of importance.

John and Sarah bemoan their lack of recognition at the national media awards, review another boring few days in the greatest election of our age, Donald Trump's cabinet nominees, and why John is not a fan of Micheál Martin.

With the election campaign underway, John and Sarah review the major issues of the first few days. Which appear to be Michael O'Leary, and whether the country wants new energy or change.

John gets a deserved spanking from Sarah over his Trump Derangement Syndrome, The US election gets thoroughly analysed, and a look forward at the very short three weeks campaign to come here in Ireland.

"I've never seen a race like this" - John McGuirk talks to legendary Republican strategist Karl Rove about what to expect tonight as the Harris/Trump votes come in, and what key counties to watch in Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

John and Sarah discuss the new Cillian Murphy "Ireland was awful" movie and it's predictable acclaim; offer final thoughts on the Trump/Harris campaign, and discuss issues that won't come up in Ireland's general election:

John and Sarah discuss the latest developments in sex ed, the passage of the hate crime bill, the government clearing the decks for an election, and why John has full blown Trump derangement syndrome, god love him.

With an election due to be called any day now, John and Sarah review the state of the opposition. Also: Councils ban Bibi, Roderic escapes scrutiny, and tragedy in Argentina.

Sarah and John discuss the spy in the Oireachtas, Sinn Fein forgetting how to do politics, Scary Movies, Scarier Sex Education, and the Government buying the media in a packed podcast this week.

So let's have a chat about DCU's training course for SPHE teachers and where it's coming from. https://gript.ie/photos-inside-the-dcu-sphe-course-fisting-writing-sex-scenes-porn-terms-examined/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqeAMtxbrsM

John and Sarah walk through the budget, John's row with an unfortunate Fine Gael canvasser, the latest celeb muck from Philip Schofield and P. Diddy, and the horrifying case of the woman allegedly tortured in Dublin.

In the aftermath of the defeat of the hate speech legislation, John and @sarahcatryan unleash a torrent of what some might consider hate speech towards the bike shed, the children's hospital, various members of the Government, and President Higgins.

John and Sarah examine the contradiction between Fine Gael's standing in the polls and the state of Scoliosis treatment for children. Also: Simeon Burke and the law library, Micheal Martin's endless leadership, and did Israel blunder in Lebanon?

The big debate in America; The big windfall at home; Another clue about the election date; and Ireland's useless opposition misses again - John and Sarah round up the week.

If anything Oasis tickets should cost more; Tony Blair on populism and leadership; Phil Hogan back in FG because why try something new; and a bike shed is not important.

John and Sarah discuss the SPHE book that set tongues wagging; the world's most expensive bike shelter; what may be the world's most expensive sex abuse enquiry; and why some stories impact you emotionally more than others.

Amnesty International Ireland seems to be on a short road to going bankrupt; a Junior Cert schoolbook on how liking traditional music and being a controlling bigot are basically the same thing; and the latest opinion poll.

John and Sarah discuss the latest developments in the Enoch Burke case, the nude cyclists and the Mayor of Cork, Kamala Harris finally agreeing to an interview, and the latest revival of the hate speech bill.

Georgia's ruling party gets democratic and everyone freaks out; Ukraine invades Russia; and Sinn Fein's spurned lovers in the NGOs.

John and Sarah discuss beauty contests this week: The upcoming election, during which politicians will flash their ankles. The Democratic Convention, which attempted to entice us to Kamala, and the Rose of Tralee, which has nothing to do with beauty at all:

England's recent unrest; the economic advisor to the Taoiseach has said that tech firms leaving Ireland could make "austerity look like an episode of Care Bear;" and sometimes a warning shot isn't enough and other unpopular views. https://gript.ie/gardai-fail-to-provide-explanation-as-to-why-public-order-unit-did-not-display-identifying-numbers/ https://businessplus.ie/economy-2/wiped-out-advisor-ireland/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm23y7l01v8o

Sarah and John review a week that featured big revelations about government spending, plans to abolish same sex schools, a big love island breakup, and a disagreement over olympic breakdancing.

Gary and Michael return from their time in the wilderness to discuss wind energy, a newly proposed tax credit designed to stop young people fleeing the country, and the likely outcome of Ireland's overreliance on multinationals to keep the economy afloat. https://www.thejournal.ie/offshore-wind-farm-ireland-2030-targets-6457011-Aug2024/   https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/08/1152841   https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-pte/profileoftradingenterprises2022/   https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yd3g1vw79o

In what should be silly season, John and Sarah discuss a surprisingly busy week: Riots in the UK, an anti-media rebellion for Kellie Harrington, a new VP nominee for Kamala Harris, and Simon Harris goes to war with Elon Musk.

John and Sarah discuss the controversy around the Olympic games, the riots in Southport, the death of Edna O'Brien, and ask whether it's time to revisit the way the state engages with Travellers after the Dooley murder in Kerry.

John and Sarah discuss Sinn Fein's new immigration policy, the fantasy of "public service broadcasting", Catherine Martin's bad press conference, and the pitfalls of the Trump versus Kamala Harris election.

John and Sarah discuss events in Coolock, which has John "f*cking livid", as well as the attempt on Donald Trump's life, why Sarah adores JD Vance, and why Sinn Fein's apology to its voters likely won't work.

The failed assassination of Donald Trump, how it happened and what it might mean. 

John and Sarah discuss a week of implosions, including the implosion of Independent Ireland, the disintegration of Joe Biden's campaign, and yet more lenient sentences in our mess of a justice system. Unfortunately, technical difficulties mean this week's audio is sub-par: We apologise.

Let's talk about the Media Commission's new Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion strategy and how it pushes junk science whilst tying public funding of media outlets to their willingness to cover issues in the 'right' way. https://www.cnam.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CnaM_Gender-Equality-Diversity-and-Inclusion-Strategy.pdf

John and Sarah discuss the fallout from the Biden debate debacle; Independent Ireland's woke turn; the rise to power of Ebun Joseph, and the many many people who simply aren't having children.

European politics; FF's confusion; France goes to the polls; Chevron falls; and the Trump v Biden debate.

John is on holiday; Sarah is taking refuge in the loving arms of Taylor Swift; and both are in absolute despair at the events of the week in the Oireachtas ranging from standing ovations to baby finance ministers.  

John and Sarah react to the Cathal Crotty case, and Fine Gael's continued claims to be the party of law and order. Also: Eamon Ryan's departure, Michael O'Leary is far right now, and Micheál Martin is feeling left out.

John McGuirk talks to co-host Sarah Ryan about what it was like to spend 3 days at the RDS, only to come out on the losing side; what the elections might mean for the future of a "right" in Ireland; and why Holly Cairns has something to be sorry for.

A review of how the various parties did, or are doing, in the locals and the European elections.

As voters cast their ballots, John and Sarah review the election campaign, and stick their necks on the line with predictions for each of the Euro constituencies, and the local elections. 

John McGuirk rounds up his series of interviews with candidates seeking election to the European Parliament by talking to accountant and businesswoman Michelle Smith, running an energetic but (according the polls) long shot campaign in Midlands North West

Senior Counsel UNA MCGURK talks to John McGuirk about what it was like to be "cancelled" for her views on the Covid 19 pandemic, why she's worried about national sovereignty, and why she's running on a shoestring budget for the EU Parliament.

Donald Trump is a convicted felon, but we'll see how long that lasts; the asylum process; and Gary and Michael give their predictions as to the likely winners of the upcoming European Elections. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rapists-dodge-deportation-by-applying-for-asylum-in-prison-036jzs8p6

"Covid was a profound political shock for me.. that did change how I view the role of the state and politics" - Michael McNamara discusses his journey from the Labour Party to being one of Ireland's most outspoken Independents, and why he's now running for the European Parliament

John and Sarah discuss the implications of the surrogacy bill; The slow motion car-crash that is the children's hospital; Michael D. Higgins' continued abuse of his office; and the very very bad verdict on Sinn Fein from the doorsteps

In the latest in his interviews of EU candidates, John McGuirk talks to Niall Boylan about whether Independent Ireland is really a political party; Why he'd turn the boats in the Mediterranean around; Why he's for peace in Ukraine; and whether supporting farmers comes at the expense of Dubliners.

An election without an election campaign; polls show SF continuing to drop but FF are languishing; and yet another FOI drop shows the Government being warned about the consequences of their recent referendums passing.

John meets Stephen O'Rourke, an independent candidate seeking an EU parliament seat in Dublin, to talk about immigration, mental health, drug addiction, and what it's like being a small independent candidate trying to get a message out in a crowded field.

With two weeks until polling day, John and Sarah take stock of the state of the EU and local election campaign. Also: Will recognising palestine help the Government? And Sarah argues that young women are in "a crisis".

In the latest in his candidate interview series ahead of the June 7th local and EU elections, John McGuirk chats to Derek Blighe, leader of the new Ireland First party. They discuss what it means to be "far right", what to do about energy, and much more:

Ahead of the June 7th EU elections, John McGuirk talks to long-shot Independent candidate for Ireland South Mary Fitzgibbon about whether she has a real chance to win, why she says we all need to have more children, and why reversing emigration is important to her as a parent.

Ahead of the June 7th EU elections, John McGuirk talks Independent candidate Peter Casey about why Ireland isn't neutral; why he plans to seek the Presidency again if elected; and what he thinks he can achieve as an MEP.