Highlights from The Hard Shoulder

This week, Ciara and Shane were joined by Mick Clifford, Investigative Reporter with the Irish Examiner and author and Broadcaster Meghan Scully to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Today was the third day of the trial of 52-year-old Riad Bouchaker, of no fixed address, at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.Bouchaker appeared before the Central Criminal Court charged with the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, and assault causing serious harm to a care worker, at Parnell Square East in Dublin City on November 23rd, 2023.He has pleaded not guilty to 8 charges in total.Newstalk Reporter Alex Rowley joins Ciara to give the latest updates.

We all know that having caffeinated drinks before you go to sleep is bad for your sleep cycle, but how bad is it exactly? And how much caffeine should you have in a day to sleep well?Joining Shane and Ciara to answer this and more is Sleep Practitioner, Researcher, and author Lucy Wolfe.

A recent Times of London article found that younger generations are more likely to employ someone to keep their home tidy and scrub the oven, due to ‘cleanfluencers' raising the standards people have for the perfect home…Joining Shane and Ciara to discuss this trend is cleaning expert and TikToker, Ann Russell.

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…

The Football Association of Ireland have just announced today that the upcoming football match between Ireland and Israel will be played outside of Ireland in a neutral venue, and that fans would not be allowed to attend. This comes as the ‘Stop the Game' campaign called for the game to be boycotted.Joining Shane to discuss this further is Patrick O'Donovan, the Minister of Culture, Communications, and Sport.

How would you feel if your romantic dinner was interrupted by screaming children? If you're a parent, you're used to it, but it raises the question: where is it appropriate to bring your young children in public?Joining Ciara to discuss is Niamh O'Reilly, Freelance Journalist and Parenting Columnist for The Journal and Saoirse Hanley, Features Writer at the Independent...

The EU Migration Pact comes into force today, two years after it was adopted by member states and the European Parliament. The pact has received much criticism from refugee organisations, who said its legal safeguards for those seeking protection are not sufficient.Joining Shane to discuss this is Nick Henderson, CEO of The Irish Refugee Council.

As America gears up for its 250th birthday, Donald Trump has ensured that the celebration will be very memorable. That's because he has allowed a huge UFC-style fighting cage, nicknamed ‘The Claw', to be built on the lawn of the White House, with a fight happening this Sunday to celebrate his 80th birthday.Joining Ciara to tell more is Terry Sheridan, the Senior Director of News at WSHU Public Radio.Image: Reuters

The public consultation on the preferred Cork Luas route from Ballincollig to Mahon Point closes at 5pm today, and with this, Bishopstown GAA Club says it's not prepared to allow the Luas to cut through its grounds…Joining Shane to discuss this is Labour Councillor for Cork-City South West, Ciara O'Connor.

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and Chris Wasser, Arts Journalist and Sunday Independent Film Critic joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

It's great that you can drive anywhere with the help of Google Maps and SAT-NAVs, but how much should you trust them? Road safety charities have been warning drivers to be cautious of SAT-NAV reroutes that take drivers on rural roads…Joining Ciara to discuss is Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent.

Fórsa, the country's largest public sector trade union, will present research on the benefits of remote working to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC).Reduced commuting time, greater productivity and lower work-related expenses were among the main benefits.But, are people really more productive working remotely?Joining Shane to discuss is Peter Cosgrove, Managing Director of Futurewise.

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 week's action…

The United ‌States will hit Iran “very hard tonight” and will soon take control of the Middle Eastern country's oil ⁠and gas infrastructure and ‌markets, US ‌president Donald Trump said today on Truth Social…Joining Ciara to discuss this further is Adam Parsons, Sky News Middle East Correspondent.

Tonight will mark the start of the 2026 World Cup, as Mexico takes on South Africa in Mexico City. But what precautions are the authorities taking to ensure it goes off without a hitch?Joining Shane from Mexico to give the lay of the land is Security Analyst Stephen Woodman.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff' - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about.This week, Simon joins Ciara and Shane to discuss how to properly eat pizza!

We all know how important a balanced diet is for your health, but do we all really need three square meals a day?Sarah Keogh is a Registered Dietician, and joins Shane to discuss.

Grow it Yourself Ireland is calling on the Government to implement a national rollout on food education for children in schools, citing ultra-processed foods and declining food literacy.Joining Shane to discuss this is Mick Kelly, Founder of GIY Ireland.

The trial of 52-year-old Riad Bouchaker, of no fixed address, opened before the Central Criminal Court in Dublin today, following an attack that occurred in Parnell Square in November of 2023.Joining Ciara to give the latest updates is Newstalk Courts Correspondent and host of the ‘All Rise' podcast, Frank Greaney.

For this week's Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent joins Ciara to discuss the new update for the HSE health app, and what it means for you.

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 week's action…

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, or Ifac, have criticised current Government spending, and have warned that we will need to borrow money if we are to invest in wealth funds.Joining Ciara to discuss is Ifac's Chairperson and Lecturer of Economics in UCC, Seamus Coffey.

Houses were stormed and set alight, buses were hijacked and burned in a night of protests in Belfast after a knife attack in the city on Monday, which saw the victim lose one eye.Joining Shane to discuss these protests is Paul Givan, DUP MLA and Northern Ireland's Education Minister and Claire Hanna, Leader of the SDLP and MP for Belfast South and Mid-Down, to discuss.

The consulting company Deloitte just released a report which noted that more than half of Gen Z and Millennials are putting off major life decisions because of their finances. But, this isn't a new phenomenon - it seems that every week there is another story on how Gen Z are worried about their future financial affairs…Joining Ciara to discuss this is Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk and Consumer Columnist with the Irish Independent.

The Climate Change Advisory Council has today called for the Government to start actively considering the feasibility of relocating families affected by coastal erosion. They are pushing for new legislation to provide funds and a plan for how to implement a “managed retreat”.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Lisa McDonald, a Fianna Fáil Councillor from Rosslare in Wexford and coastal protection campaigner.

The family of the Belfast knife attack victim, Stephen Ogilvie, has appealed for calm following last night's violence in Belfast, which saw people forced to flee their homes, with multiple cars and homes set alight…For more on this, Shane is joined by Barry Whyte, Newstalk's Chief Reporter and Peter Shirlow, Director at the University of Liverpool's Institute of Irish Studies.

Every week for The Ultimate Guide on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world.This week, Fionn joined Ciara and Shane to give the ultimate guide on travelling Europe by rail!

Are Irish people against online grocery shopping? - Meghan O'Halloran ReportsIreland's three biggest supermarket chains, Dunnes, Tesco and Supervalu all operate their own grocery delivery services. Deliveroo has also weighed in, allowing customers to order from up to three different shops at once, only paying one delivery free.With all of this choice available to Irish consumers - are there reservations they hold about ordering groceries online?Newstalk's Meghan O'Halloran has been investigating, and joins Shane and Ciara to discuss.

The Government's controversial plans to reform the triple-lock system are before the Cabinet today, with Minister for Defence Helen McEntee's Defence Amendment Bill looking for approval.Joining Shane to discuss this further is Irish Times Political Correspondent, Harry McGee.

Kathryn Stockett, author of the New York Times bestselling novel and basis for the Academy Award-winning film ‘The Help' joins Ciara to place her favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Galway has been ranked as the sixth most expensive city for rent prices in Europe. As of last month, the average rent for an apartment in Galway City was €2,100…Joining Shane to discuss this is Shane Forde, Fine Gael Cllr for Galway City East.

A Sinn Féin motion calling for the October 4th fixture in the Aviva stadium in Dublin to be boycotted will be brought to the Dáil this evening.With the party saying that humanitarian conditions in Gaza mean the “international community cannot continue with business as usual”.Joining Shane with more on this is Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Sinn Féin TD for Cork South-Central and Party Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a "brutal" knife attack in Belfast at 10:30pm last night.A video circulating online shows the attack before a number of people, including one wielding a hurley stick, confronting the apparent attacker until the police arrived.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Brian Kingston, Belfast North DUP Member of Local Assembly.

The Republic of Ireland will play France in their final game of the 2027 Women's World Cup qualifying Group at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble on Tuesday. A win would see Carla Ward's side through to the World Cup Finals next year...Joining Shane to discuss ahead of the match is Méabh De Búrca, Pundit and former Ireland International.Image: FAI

Today, the commission into the sexual abuse committed by pedophile Bill Kenneally released a report outlining a “clear and serious dereliction of duty” by Gardaí, even by the standards of the time.Joining Ciara to discuss is Ralph Reigal, the Southern Correspondent for the Irish Independent and Barry Murphy, one of the survivors of Keneally's sexual abuse.If you have been affected by anything you have heard in this item, help is available. You can contact One in Four on their helpline: 01 662 4070.

Merchants Quay Ireland opened Ireland's first supervised drug injecting facility in December 2024, but more centers may open in the near future. TDs have called for Cork to open an injection centre, and the Department of Health has confirmed interest in opening centres in both Cork and Limerick.Joining Shane to discuss is Eddie Mullins, the CEO of Merchants Quay Ireland.

Childcare seems to be a constant issue for parents around the country, but while most are focused on the price of care, some parents are finding créche closures becoming increasingly common.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Elaine Dunne, the Chairperson of the Federation of Early Childcare Providers and a parent who has experienced repeated closures…

Israel and Iran have traded strikes for the first time since the ceasefire was agreed in April, threatening to drag the Middle East back into a wider war, with the US President Donald Trump telling both sides to stop “shooting”.Joining Ciara to discuss is Bel Trew, The Independent's Chief International Correspondent and David Blevins, Sky News US Correspondent.Image: Reuters

Journalist Ruth Medjber today wrote an article in today's Irish Independent on the difficulties she has faced in finding a GP. So, why is it so difficult, and what needs to change?Joining Shane to discuss is Brendan O'Shea, Kildare GP and Medical Director at KDOC.

For this week's Kids Clinic, Ciara and Shane are joined by Ollwyn Moran, M.Ed. from CogniClinic & CogniKids (cogniclinic.ie) to discuss how to properly parent adolescents who are rebelling and pushing boundaries.

A jury has been sworn in for the trial of Riad Bouchaker, who is accused of trying to murder three children in Dublin city centre three years ago.Frank Greaney, Newstalk's Courts Correspondent and host of the podcast ‘All Rise', joins Ciara with the latest updates.