The Indo Daily

Who is Sam Altman and why does he matter so much to artificial intelligence? What do we really know about his views on risk, control and power in the AI race? Todays episode of the Indo Daily comes from our sister podcast The Big Tech Show, as Ellen Huet, features writer with Bloomberg News and host of the Foundering podcast, joins Adrian Weckler. Altman, CEO of OpenAI, runs the company behind ChatGPT. The episode explores his rise, his warnings about AI dangers and the controversies surrounding OpenAI. This podcast was first published on Wednesday March 11th 2026. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On 18 December 2022, 32-year-old Natalie McNally was found dead in her Lurgan home. According to her autopsy, she suffered multiple stab wounds, strangulation and several heavy blows to the head. She was also 15 weeks pregnant at the time. Her partner, Stephen McCullagh, is now on trial for her murder in one of the highest-profile cases Northern Ireland's courts have seen in years. Central to the trial is a gaming livestream which the prosecution allege was staged to create an alibi for the accused. Host: Fionnán Sheahan, Guest; Allison Morris We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This time last year, Taoiseach Micheál Martin was grasping an American-flag emblazoned short straw, playing second fiddle to Conor McGregor as our disgraced UFC representative took the St Patrick's Day podium. Now that the Taoiseach has been restored to March 17 parity, he has one hell of a job on his hands. What kind of reception awaits him in Donald Trump's Oval Office next week? Host: Kevin Doyle, Guest: Mary ReganSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Petrol prices are flashing past €2 a litre as conflict in the Middle East rattles global energy markets. From food bills to mortgage rates, the shockwaves could hit far beyond the forecourt. So are we facing a return to 1970s-style energy chaos, and how bad could it get?  Host: Fionnán Sheahan, Guests: Kim Bielenberg and Charlie Weston See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The enduring saga of Enoch Burke and his family has a fresh chapter, with Martina and Ammi Burke set for a stint behind bars. Last week, Justice Brian Cregan handed down an imprisonment order as he called for “a halt to this family circus”. Initial attempts to arrest Martina and Ammi Burke proved unsuccessful. So, what can they expect in prison? And what does the timeline of the entire Burke story look like? ­ Host: Tabitha Monahan Guest: Shane PhelanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International war probably wasn't the expectation when the Kinahan Cartel decamped to Dubai in a bid to escape the authorities, but it has arrived on their opulent doorstep, nonetheless. So, what does the joint US-Israel offensive on Iran mean for Daniel Kinahan and company? What are their connections to Hezbollah, and will they ever be extradited? Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Miles Johnson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In June 2025, when 78-year-old Sonia ‘Sunny' Jacobs, along with her carer Kevin Kelly (31) died in a house fire at the Connemara home she called her “sanctuary", it seemed like a tragically ironic end for a celebrated activist. But Jacobs was no stranger to life's juxtapositions. The well-liked and peaceful woman spent five years on death row in the US before her conviction over the murder of two police officers in Florida in 1976 was overturned after procedural errors were identified. Now, as a Florida inmate speaks out about the circumstances leading to her incarceration, we ask who was the real Sunny Jacobs? Host: Kevin Doyle, Guest: Eavan Murray This podcast was first published in June 2025. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As conflict in Iran pushes up energy prices, the Government faces mounting pressure over possible emergency supports. New rent reforms are already causing controversy in the Housing Minister's own constituency, while Phil Hogan re-emerges as Ireland's candidate for a top UN job. Tabitha Monahan and Conal Thomas chat through down a tense week in Leinster House. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phil Hogan, the former Fine Gael heavyweight, carved out a political career few could match. But in the middle of the Covid crisis, it all came crashing down and he was forced into resigning his post as EU trade commissioner following the notorious Golf-gate controversy. But now, out of nowhere, he's back. And this time he's a contender for a major role at the UN. So. is this a political phoenix rising from the ashes? Or is it a controversial political appointment that could come back to haunt the Government? Host: Tessa Fleming. Guests: Mary Regan and John Downing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bill and Hillary Clinton are back under the spotlight after explosive deposition tapes linked to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation were released. From Hillary's angry walkout to Bill's questions over flights and hot-tub photographs, the US power couple faced hours of grilling from a Republican-led committee. ­ Host: Dave Hanratty, Guest: Terry Sheridan ­ We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism ­See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before they were sworn enemies, Iran and the United States were close allies. So how did decades of cooperation descend into revolution, hostage crises, secret arms deals and nuclear brinkmanship? Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Professor Scott Lucas to trace the long and volatile history between Washington and Tehran and to ask what happens next as tensions rise once more. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Convicted child killer Ian Huntley is recovering in hospital following an assault by a fellow inmate at HMP Frankland. Huntley, who is currently serving a life sentence for the 2002 killing of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, has previously been a target of prison violence. On this episode of The Indo Daily, we look back at the horrifying case of the Soham murders. Host: Tabitha Monahan Guest: Martin BluntSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forty eight hours ago Israel and the United States launched Operation epic Fury - a major attack on Iran that killed Iran's Supreme Leaderi. The shockwaves from the US and Israeli strikes on Iran are still rippling across the region, with tensions high and retaliation under way. Today we examine the fallout from a deadly weekend in the Middle East and ask where President Trump's gamble could lead next. Host: Tabitha Monahan Guest: Gregg Carlstrom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our relationship with food and the dining experience has attracted a more focused spotlight in recent years, with sharply edited influencers – and the average punter – lighting up their accounts with mouth-watering content. If the queues outside the hippest eateries are any indication, we simply can't resist. But does the bite live up to the hype? Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guests: John Meagher and Bri Burke CarrollSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode of The Indo Daily was brought to you by our sister podcast, The BelTel. This podcast was first published on Friday, February 20th. ‘Don't call Jeffrey Epstein a paedophile' – that was the demand of a top NI lawyer to a London newspaper in 2011. Paul Tweed was brought in to try and limit the damage to the sex-offender's reputation after he was released from prison. The Belfast solicitor is one of the best-known libel lawyers in the UK and Ireland. He has told the Belfast Telegraph that he “categorically rejects the suggestion that he acted in any way inappropriately”, saying he acted within his professional and regulatory obligations. The Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland editor Sam McBride joins Ciarán Dunbar in the studio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government scrambles to contain the fallout from its SNA allocation controversy, announcing a late night funding reversal but has lasting damage already been done? Plus, Sinn Fein selects Janice Boylan for the crucial Dublin Central by election as Gerry The Monk Hutch gears up for another run. What does it all mean for the political landscape? You can listen to Indo Politics a day early on its own feed by searching Indo Politics See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Irish brothers and self-made billionaires Patrick and John Collison are shaking up the world of e-commerce. Rumours are swirling that Stripe, their online payments platform, is sizing up a takeover of rival PayPal - the original online payments company. So just how did two brothers from rural Tipperary build a tech giant now valued at almost €135bn? And what could this potential takeover mean for Ireland's tech sector and PayPal's 1,500 Irish employees? Host: Tessa Fleming. Guest: Adrian Weckler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The criminal Dublin collective known as the Gucci Gang appeared to be in ruins, only for a new leader to emerge – a man by the name of Mark Salmon. Clean cut and soft spoken, Salmon seemed an unlikely candidate for the helm, yet he has steadily built a violent and intimidating reputation in the pursuit of drug debt. But is his reign already over? ­ Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Ken Foy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In February 2022, just days before Russia invaded Ukraine, Ksenia Samotiy's mother drove her and her two younger siblings to the Polish border. They thought they would be gone for a few days. Four years later, the war continues. Now living in Dublin, Ksenia has returned to her hometown of Lviv for the first time since she fled. What did she find, and what does the future hold for Ukraine? ­ Host: Fionnán SheahanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There were dramatic developments in the Mike Gaine murder investigation on Tuesday morning following the arrest of 53-year-old Michael Kelley. The American was previously arrested in connection with the investigation last May. Irish Independent special correspondent Catherine Fegan joins The Indo Daily with the latest details. Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Catherine FeganSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The headlines keep coming following last week's arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The former prince was briefly immortalised in the Louvre, while UK officials aren't ruling out a judge-led inquiry into his links with Jeffrey Epstein. As calls grow for Mountbatten-Windsor to be formally dropped from the line of succession, we assess the long-term damage to the royal family – and where this story goes next. Host: Tabitha Monahan Guests: Enda Brady and Sinéad RyanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Description: Twenty years ago this week, the planned ‘Love Ulster' march ended in some of the worst riots ever witnessed in Dublin city centre. So how did a bright and busy Saturday afternoon descend into violence, disorder and chaos? We hear a first-hand account from a journalist who reported on the scene. ­ Host: Fionnán Sheahan | Guest: Neil FetherstonhaughSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eamon Dunphy welcomes Joe Molloy into his home for an in-depth discussion about the decisions facing Irish football ahead of the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel. Who should make the decision? What should it be? And what are the likely consequences? Host: Joe Molloy Guest: Eamon Dunphy This interview was originally broadcast on our sister podcast Indo Sport See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tricky week for the Government inside and outside of Leinster House goes under the microscope on the latest Indo Politics. On the agenda: public outcry at proposed SNA cuts, the planning permission row at the Rotunda Hospital, and the much-mooted social media ban for under-16s and how it might work, not to mention the Coalition tensions it's causing. Host: Tabitha Monahan Guests: Mary Regan and Maeve McTaggartSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The baffling disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has captivated America. The 84-year-old mother of television journalist Savannah Guthrie disappeared from her Arizona home earlier this month in what police believe was a targeted kidnapping. Nearly three weeks on, despite emotional public appeals from her family, puzzling ransom notes, and an army of online sleuths, authorities appear to be at a loss. What makes this case so different from the countless missing-persons investigations that come and go? And who is behind Mrs Guthrie's disappearance – and what do they want? Host: Tessa Fleming Guests: Terry Sheridan, John PistoleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested by UK police and taken into custody following dramatic events on Wednesday morning. The arrest came on the same day that Mountbatten-Windsor turned 66. Enda Brady brings us the latest developments. Host: Ciarán Dunbar Guest: Enda BradySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American woman Mackenzie Michalski was just 31 at the time of her death, in November 2024. What began as a night out in Budapest, in a well known tourist bar, would end hours later in tragedy. A South County Dublin man who stands accused of her murder continues to plead not guilty. He claims her death was accidental as a result of “sadomasochistic activities”, which he says the deceased woman had encouraged. Host; Fionnán Sheahan, Guest; Ali Bracken The following podcast contains discussion of death and sexual violence, and might not be suitable for all listeners. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A week ago, the nation was introduced to Seamus Culleton and his harrowing story of life inside an ICE detention centre in Texas. The Kilkenny man quickly gained the sympathy of Ireland's public and politicians, only for the tide to suddenly turn as new developments emerged. So, how did Seamus Culleton go from “perfect victim” to publicly scrutinised? And is Micheál Martin likely to push Donald Trump's immigration buttons when he visits the White House next month? Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Niall Donald See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coral Gables in Miami is the kind of coastal paradise you tend to see glistening on a postcard. It's also home to a $16m (€13.5m) mansion at the heart of a transatlantic romantic breakdown – one that prompted an explosive legal battle. But how did an Irish restaurateur get caught up in such an opulent dispute? Host: Tabitha Monahan Guest: John Mulligan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gerry ‘The Monk' Hutch has confirmed his intentions to run for public office once again following a remarkably close effort in the 2024 general election. Would a successful bid in the upcoming Dublin Central by-election represent the political heist of the century? What exactly does Gerry Hutch stand for? And does he genuinely want to be a politician? Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guests: Mary Regan and John DowningSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of The Indo Daily comes from our sister podcast The BelTel. Lauren Bradford-Clarke grew up believing her mother Lesley had taken her own life before finding out the truth – her father was a murderer. She was told her mum Lesley took her own life, eventually being told it was part of an apparent ‘suicide' pact with a man, Trevor Buchanan – the husband of the woman who would eventually become a mother-like figure to her. That woman was Hazel Stewart, how had been having an affair with Lauren's father, Colin Howell. Then 18-years after the deaths, Colin Howell walked into a police station and confessed to murdering them, implicating Stewart as his partner in crime. Dr Lauren Bradford-Clarke, now a criminologist, spoke with the Belfast Telegraph's Claire Williamson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has pushed through major rent reforms, softened its Airbnb crackdown and appointed a brand new housing supremo... all in one week. On this episode of Indo Politics, Tabitha Monahan and Conal Thomas unpack what the rent reset really means for tenants, why some towns are dodging the Airbnb squeeze, and whether the new housing tsar can actually speed up supply, or if it's just another layer of bureaucracy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten years on from the Regency Hotel shooting, a one-man play about Gerry ‘The Monk' Hutch is returning to the stage in the Ambassador Theatre after last year's sold-out run. Written and performed by Rex Ryan, son of the late broadcaster Gerry Ryan, the show charts the life of one of Ireland's most infamous and divisive figures. The Monk's name is etched into the public consciousness through an unprecedented gangland feud that reshaped the country's criminal landscape. So, does putting his story onstage risk humanising, even glamorising, a violent chapter in recent Irish history? ­ Host: Tessa Fleming, Guest: Rex RyanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fallout from the latest batch of Epstein files continues apace, with major developments in the entertainment industry and beyond. US pop sensation Chappell Roan has cut ties with her talent agency – an agency that boasts a wealth of Irish star names – after its boss was named in the files, while exiled royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faces renewed pressure regarding his relationship with Epstein. ­ Host: Kevin Doyle Guests: Dave Hanratty and Enda BradySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three years ago, Ryan Tubridy walked away from RTÉ at the centre of a scandal that shook Irish broadcasting to its core. Now, after a stint in London and a period out of the spotlight, Ryan Tubridy is back on Irish screens and back talking. So, is this really the start of a redemption arc, or just a carefully managed comeback? ­ Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Melanie FinnSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former justice minister Alan Shatter said he has been the target of a vicious and antisemitic smear campaign since Social Democrats justice spokesman Gary Gannon put up a social media post that linked him with Jeffrey Epstein. Mr Shatter, who was Fine Gael's justice minister from 2011 to 2014, said he has twice written to Mr Gannon and Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns in the last week seeking the withdrawal of false claims that he met Epstein while in office. It is understood Mr Shatter is considering taking defamation action against Dublin Central TD Mr ­Gannon. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns declined to comment on the issue on Sunday. Asked whether Mr Shatter will be receiving an apology from she or Mr Gannon, she told RTÉ's The Week in Politics: "This is potentially a legal matter so I can't comment on this." Mr Gannon was also contacted for comment Today on this Indo Daily Extra, Tabitha Monahan is joined by The Sunday Independent's Mark Tighe, to look at how a misinterpreted document, could now turn into a political and possible legal controversySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a rough week for UK prime minister Keir Starmer. First, he offered a direct apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking network while declaring that “none of us knew the depth and darkness” of the relationship between Epstein and former British ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson. Then came the resignations of Morgan McSweeney and Tim Allan. Can Mr Starmer hold onto his job? Meanwhile, the latest tranche of Epstein files contained references of a distinctly Irish nature – what are they, and what conclusions can we draw from them? ­ Host: Tabitha Monahan Guests: Enda Brady and Kim BielenbergSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ireland's high street – or main street if you prefer – has seen quite the evolution over the past hundred-odd years. Today, it is an arena of mixed fortunes. On one hand, the recent liquidation announcement of EuroGiant has thrown a popular discount chain's future into question. On the other, Dunnes Stores is just edging out Tesco as Ireland's most popular shopping store. Who gets the credit for such success? And what does it all mean for you, the valued consumer? Host: Fionnán Sheahan. Guests: Donal O'Donovan and John MeagherSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did weight-loss drugs move from medical niche to global phenomenon Aimee Donnellan, Reuters columnist and author of Off the Scales: The Inside Story of Ozempic and the Race to Cure Obesity, joins Karl Henry on this week's episode of The Real Health podcast. This episode of The Indo Daily is brought to you by our sister podcast, Real Health with Karl Henry See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whilst heavy rain and winds battered parts of the East coast this week, temperatures rose inside Leinster House. As Bord Bia chairman Larry Murrin appeared before the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee. The government continued to push through regulations on the ban on scramblers, and we now have a date for the upcoming by-elections in Galway West and Dublin Central. So how is the field shaping up? Mary Regan joins Tabitha Monahan to discuss the runners and riders in the upcoming by-elections. Host: Tabitha Monahan Guest: Mary Regan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 30th anniversary of Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance spectacle threatens to be overshadowed by turmoil behind the scenes. Those with tickets for the show in Dublin's 3Arena have likely had just one question on their minds this week - is this thing going ahead? Flatley has been locked in a spiky legal battle with Switzer, the events company contracted to run the multi-million-pound stage show. The drama peaked earlier this week when Switzer issued a statement cancelling the show with immediate effect – a move Flatley succeeded in overturning within hours. So, how did we get here? And is the show actually going ahead? Host: Tessa Fleming. Guests: Shane Phelan and Melanie FinnSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten years ago today, a gun attack at the Regency Hotel sent shockwaves through Ireland and marked a turning point in modern gangland history. In broad daylight, heavily armed men disguised as gardaí stormed a boxing weigh-in, killing David Byrne and triggering a violent feud that would leave Dublin gripped by fear for years to come. ­ Former senior garda Michael O'Sullivan looks back on the day that reshaped Irish organised crime, and its lasting consequences.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claire Byrne kicked off her new mid-morning broadcast gig this week, signalling a new chapter in Ireland's radio wars as Newstalk and RTÉ square up. In the space of just a few months, big names have switched sides and fresh schedules have been dreamed up. What's driving these moves? Who has the upper hand? And will audiences get a better product in the end?  Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guests: Declan Lynch and John MeagherSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazon stumped up $75m for a Melania Trump documentary that opened to dismal reviews and even worse box-office returns. So, why invest in such a precarious project? Who is the previously exiled director at the helm? And, in a bid to answer the “is it any good?” question, we went along to a sparse opening-day screening to deliver our review. Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Dave HanrattySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anne O'Brien saw her son leave for a holiday on a Greek island, only to return home in a coffin. For more than four years, the family of Niall O'Brien (21) have sought justice. Joseph Patrick Connolly (24), from Rostrevor, Co Down, was found guilty of fatal bodily harm when he punched Niall in the early hours of August 30, 2021. Connolly was found guilty after a court hearing in Ermoupoli, on the island of Syros. He received a six-year sentence, but was released on bail pending an appeal. “My son went to Ios to have the holiday of a lifetime and he came home to me in a coffin,” Mrs O'Brien told the court. Host; Ciaran Dunbar, Guest; Mark Tighe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We Irish have always talked about the weather. It's our great shared obsession - the small talk, the punchline and the meme that does the rounds when the rain refuses to stop. However, as increasingly violent storms batter our shores and flood our towns, for many across the country, what was once a national pastime has become a source of real anxiety. So, what does climate change actually look like on the ground in Irish communities? And can we keep up with a crisis that's moving faster than ever? Host: Tessa Fleming Guest: Alan Caulfield, assistant news editor with the Irish Independent This podcast was produced with funding from Coimisiún na Meán's Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a busy week in Irish politics. As the country reels from Storm Chandra, government ministers have accused Met Éireann of withholding information about the extent of the storm. The death of Grace Lynch has placed the Government's inability to police scramblers at the heart of political debate. Cónal Thomas joins Tabitha Monahan to discuss the Government's next steps in the wake of the tragedy, and to look ahead to ministers' St Patrick's Day assignments, but what will await the Taoiseach in Washington? Today's podcast comes from our sister podcast Indo Politics, where you can find new episodes every Friday. Host: Tabitha Monahan Guest: Cónal Thomas See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Oireachtas hearing descends into controversy as the CEO of Rowing Ireland fails to appear, fuelling fresh outrage over athlete welfare and accountability. Paul Kimmage joins Kevin Doyle to further unpack allegations of silence and a toxic high-performance culture at the heart of Irish rowing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retail royalty Brown Thomas and Arnotts have stood as big-ticket landmarks for shoppers on both sides of the River Liffey for generations, encountering new owners, fires, floods and even the War of Independence along the way. This week, however, they faced the wrath of a consumer watchdog and a date in Dublin District Court. How did a Black Friday misstep land them in trouble? And why did it only cost €1,000? Host: Kevin Doyle Guests: Adrian Weckler and James HanbySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in Minnesota has sparked deadly violence, mass protests and a fierce White House response. Is this law and order, or a dangerous slide towards authoritarian rule? Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guests: Scott Lucas and David SmithSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week marks 15 years of Micheál Martin as leader of Fianna Fáil. Having taken up the reins in the wake of the economic crash, he and the party clung on following a challenging general election. The 15 years that followed have been characterised by highs, lows and incredible endurance. So, how did Micheál Martin become the great political survivor? What comes next? And how he will he fare when an increasingly combative Donald Trump welcomes him back to the Oval Office? Host: Tabitha Monahan Guests: Fionnán Sheahan and John DowningSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.