Highlights from The Hard Shoulder

This week , Ciara and Shane were joined by Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy and Freelance Journalist Niamh O'Reilly to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists...

The announcement comes after far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said that "all of Lebanon must burn" after Israel's military announced the deaths of four soldiers there. The agreement was also supposed to halt the fighting between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Washington has expressed frustration at Israel's ongoing campaign there. To give us the latest on this, Ciara and Shane were joined by Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast .

Enoch Burke has had his application to disqualify the panel investigating his alleged misconduct denied. Mr. Burke also had an application to remove the chair specifically, due to their alleged bias against him, was also denied. Newstalk's chief reporter Barry Whyte gave Ciara and Shane the latest.

Off The Ball's John Duggan joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Uisce Éireann has urged households across the country to help conserve water in the coming months, saying demand can quickly increase as temperatures rise. Dr. Jenny Lawler from the DCU Water Institute joined Ciara and Shane to tell us how and why we should do this.

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan reiterated his belief that Dublin is “very safe” and this comes after some high profile incident and killings in the city centre in recent weeks And a new survey of six countries shows that while people think crime is increasing – stats show it is decreasing and this is the same for Dublin, with many disagreeing with Minister O'Callagahsn sentiments of a safe city.Criminologist Triona O'Connor joined Ciara and Shane to discuss.

Most grocery shopping trips are the same, bring list, find items, head to check out. But not when you take your business to a certain German retailer. The Lidl middle aisle has been delighting Irish customers with leaf blowers, scuba suits and electric chainsaws for more than 20 years. But is it a force for good or bad?Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden reports.

Andy Burnham has set up a potential showdown with Keir Starmer after convincingly winning the Makerfield byelection, paving the way for his return to Westminster and a likely tilt at the Labour leadership. Ciara and Shane were joined by Former political secretary to Tony Blair & Senior Adviser at Global PR Company Burson, John McTernan

The National Transport Authority (NTA) must take the lead in delivering a clear public transport plan when concerts take place across Dublin, a Fine Gael TD has said.Deputy Grace Boland said concertgoers are left often stranded after major events because of the lack of reliable and cohesive public transport. Deputy Boland joined Ciara and Shane this evening to discuss.

New reports emerged today that the OPW are installing 6 new ‘eco-toilets' in the Phoenix Park, which will be open to the public. But are there enough public toilets in cities around the country?Shane and Ciara were joined by Oliver Moran, a Cork City Councilor for the Green Party, and Clodagh Ní Mhuirí, a Dublin City Councillor for Fine Gael.

Chris Wasser, Arts Journalist and Sunday Independent Film Critic and Podcaster and Entertainment journalist, Dee Reddy joined Ciara and Shane to chat about some must watch media this week. Image: Disney/PA

Hundreds of athletes from around the country are making their way to Dublin for the start of the Special Olympics Summer Games.It is the first time in eight years that the national games have been staged, after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted plans to hold the last scheduled event in 2022.Newstalk reporter Henry McKean went to Tallaght Stadium for the opening of the games.

Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in years, hitting the Russian capital's oil refinery for the second time this week. “We don't want this war, we never did, and everyone knows it, and our partners know it,” Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a voice message sent to reporters on a WhatsApp group. “But if Ukraine burns, your Moscow will burn.” Ciara and Shane were joined by Dr. Patrick Bury, Defence Expert at the University of Bath and Former NATO Analysis.

Do other drivers habits rub you up the wrong way and are you guilty of seeing red on your daily commute? Our resident Psychiatrist, Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin joined Ciara and Shane to find out just this!

Ireland to face Kazakhstan in Women's World Cup playoffs, the World Cup continues, and the US Open tees off! Off The Ball's football correspondent Ben Symes joined Ciara and Shane to give them the latest updates.

A new report by the Oireachtas Committee on Housing has urged The Government to consider reintroducing an emergency ban on no-fault evictions to help tackle homelessness. The committee backs a recommendation from the Housing Commission for a referendum to be held on adding a right to housing to the constitution. Ciara and Shane were joined by Rory Hearne, Social Democrats Spokesperson for Housing, Local Government and Heritage; the Gaeltacht and TD for Dublin North-West and FF Spokesperson on Housing and TD for Cork South–Central Seamus McGrath.

Everybody loves a holiday, whether it's a big trip abroad or an Irish stay-cation. But can a strange hotel room throw off your holiday mood?Jennifer Sheahan, Irish examiner columnist and former Home of the year winner along with Mary McCarthy, columnist at Irish Independent join Shane and Ciara to share their hotel views!

Polls have opened today in the historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer's future.Shane and Ciara were joined by Political Commentator and Columnist for the I newspaper, Adam Boulton.

With summer well and truly upon up and windows finally being left open in homes up and down the country, you may have noticed an increase of flies, moths and other critters buzzing around your kitchen.Collie Ennis, Biodiversity officer Trinity College Dublin joined Ciara and Shane to tell us how we can put a stop to unwanted insects in our homes.

The government has spent €1.3 billion on modular buildings for schools in the past five years. One TD told the Public Accounts Committee that these modular prefabs, were not conducive to teaching or learning, that they were "a blight on communities across this country” and should not be seen as a permanent solution to classroom space.John Boyle, the Irish National Teachers Organisation General Secretary and Eoin Dolan, Principal of Mother of Divine Grace National School in Finglas joined Ciara and Shane to discuss their function.

Closing speeches have concluded today at the trial of Jeffrey Donaldson. Jamie O Hara is in Newry and joined Shane and Ciara with the latest.

The trial of Riad Bouchaker continued today at the Central Criminal Court - he is on trial charged with the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, and assault causing serious harm to a childcare worker.The jurors heard from some first responders today who outlined what they did to assist one of Riad Bouchaker's alleged victims - A 5 year old girl.Frank Greaney, Newstalk's Court Correspondent, joined us with the latest

It's good to talk, we're told, but in a world of increased automation, where our phone can even be our therapist, we're slowly being silenced. So writes, Kathy Donaghy in the Irish IndependentBut, are we losing our social skills, manners and even the ability to say a simple hello?Joining Shane and Ciara was Journalist and writer Kathy Donaghy to discuss

US President Donald Trump has said that the US will 'go back to bombing' if no deal is agreed with Iran in 60 days in a news conference before leaving the G7 summit in Évian, France Shona Murray, Euronews Europe correspondent, joined Ciara and Shane with the latest on the G7

Gardaí searching for the remains of Deirdre Jacob and Jo Jo Dullard, who were abducted and murdered in the 1990s, have returned to a site in Co Wicklow where excavations were carried out in an operation earlier this year. Fr Willie Purcell, who is the Parish priest of Clara in Kilkenny, and also a close friend of Jo Jo Dullard's family. He Spoke to Ciara and Shane.

For this week's Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent, joins Ciara and Shane to discuss the follow-up to the Social Network, The Social Reckoning. Aaron Sorkin's latest cinematic take on Facebook's fortunes

Faster action is needed, as water quality shows little overall improvement in 2025, that's according to the latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency. Joining Shane and Ciara was the President of the Irish Farmers' Association, Francie Gorman to react to the findings of the report.

It causes divide among housemates, family members and spouses – from bananas & condiments to chocolate. But what should be stored in the fridge and what is okay to pop into the cupboard? Joining Shane and Ciara was Dr Primrose Freestone, Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology in University of Leicester 

The 2026 World Cup has picked up where the 2022 edition finished, with the two most impressive performances in the competition so far coming from the finalists four years ago, France and Argentina.Shane and Ciara were joined by Off The Ball Football Correspondent Ben Symes to discuss what is in store for us today!

Irish guidelines on what constitutes low-risk alcohol consumption may need to be reconsidered based on latest research, according to a new report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).HIQA's Deputy Director of Health Technology Assessment, Michelle O'Neill and Frank Murray Chair of The Alcohol Health Alliance Ireland and Liver specialist, joined Shane and Ciara to discuss the report and its findings' implications.

Dublin City Council has suggested limiting access to the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) to people with are registered with a domestic waste collection company contract as a means of dealing with “opportunistic” bin scavenging.The Council also suggest that with the DRS, there had been “no significant difference” in total street sweepings collected in the city.Janet Horner is a Councilor for Dublin North Inner City and Cathaoirleach for The Green Party. She joined Shane and Ciara to discuss the current issues the Deposit Return Scheme is bringing to the city.

The Hard Shoulder's Ultimate Guide and as ever, our travel guide Fionn Davenport, Travel journalist and Lonely Planet author, joining Ciara and Shane in studio.

Final legal arguments in the Jeffrey Donaldson trial began today. The prosecution has said both women buried memories of being abused and developed coping mechanisms to allow them to get on with their lives, during her closing speech to the jury. While the defence told the jury, the case comes down to the word of both complainants against the word of his client, due to a lack of evidence against him. The 63-year-old former DUP leader has denied 18 charges of historic sexual abuse against two alleged victims. His wife Eleanor has pleaded NOT guilty to five charges of aiding and abetting and faces a trial of facts. Newstalk reporter Jamie O Hara was at Newry Crown Court today and joined Ciara and Shane.

The service, designed to give patients faster access to treatment while easing pressure on GP surgeries and hospitals using community pharmacists are now able to assess patients and prescribe certain prescription only medicines for a range of common conditions. Despite this, almost half of people don't know about the scheme. Community pharmacist and health advocate with Wondercare.ie, Sheena Mitchell joined Ciara and Shane this evening to discuss.

Australia's weather bureau has warned that an El Niño weather pattern has formed in the tropical Pacific and could intensify to become one of the strongest in seven decades. Forecasters expect the stronger weather event to bring excessive rains to the Americas and hot, dry conditions in Asia where crop planting is already being disrupted, raising concerns about food supplies in the world's most populous region. Ciara and Shane were joined by policy advisor to the environmental pillar Oisin Coughlan.

The trial of Riad Bouchaker, who has pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including the attempted murder of three school children, continued today in Dublin Frank Greaney, Newstalk Courts Correspondent and host of the Podcast All Rise joined Ciara and Shane for the latest updates.

The removal of the Dublin Airport passenger cap has been approved today, which will allow the Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien to change or scrap the controversial restriction over the number of passengers passing through the airport. The current cap limits the number of people who can travel through Dublin Airport to 32 million a year. It is expected to become law before summer recess in mid-July Minster for Climate, Environment and Energy and Transport, Darragh O'Brien joined Ciara and Shane in studio.

“Women don't understand the real reason men talk about football. Nothing can fill an awkward silence quite like talking about VAR or that ludicrous display last night”, so says Michael Deacon who was writing in The Telegraph last week. With The World Cup now in full swing what is it about football that is the common ground for men to talk about? Off the Balls, Mick Mc Carty joined Ciara and Shane to discuss.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste are to both vote in favour of a Sinn Féin Bill being proposed which would see the removal of the mandatory three-day wait period for women seeking abortion in early stages of pregnancy Sinn Fein's bill is to come before the Dáil tomorrow This comes after Social Democrats' Bill proposing abortion law changes was defeated in a Dáil vote in the last month

France has been upping fines for men going shirtless in public, but how does this translate to Irish spaces? Around 20 towns are clamping down on locals and tourists from baring their chests in city centres. The glamorous resort of Deauville has hiked up its token fine of £15 (€17) to a heftier £130 (€150). Editor of Cork Beo, Joe O'Shea joined Ciara and Shane to discuss.

Residents in the Dublin 6 area have objected to a proposed tennis dome at the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club, describing it as a “colossal glowing orb” saying it will lower the value of their homes. Architect and former president of the royal institute of Ireland and chair of the Dublin democratic planning alliance Robin Mandal joined Shane and Ciara to discuss if this is nimbyism.

This weekend was an outright attack on the system for those with hayfever.It was the perfect storm for hayfever, with summer sunshine and a light breeze shifting pollen in the bucketloads around the place.Joining Ciara to discuss why some are so-badly affected and how to alleviate the symptoms, is Dr Iseult Sheehan, Clinical Director of Allergy Ireland.