Podcast appearances and mentions of John Cooke

With E-Scooters now considered the most dangerous form of transport in Ireland - according to research from the Road Safety Authority - should basic training be a requirement before taking them on the roads? Drivetime reporter John Cooke went back to school this week to take part in a first of its kind E-Scooter Training Programme.

According to local representatives, drug menus are now being dropped through university student letter boxes in Limerick. John Cooke spoke to students in Limerick about the availability of drugs and we then hear from Sinn Fein TD Maurice Quinlivan, and Pauline McKeown, Chief Executive of Coolmine Addiction Services.

A public meeting will take place in Carrickmacross, in Co Monaghan this evening over what's been described as an "unprecedented level of unease" in the town in recent weeks. Drivetime's John Cooke joined us from Co. Monaghan ahead of tonight's meeting.

John Cooke, RTÉ Radio 1 reporter; Maria Walsh, Fine Gael MEP for Midlands–North-West; Kathleen Funchion, Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South; Ciaran Mullooly, Independent Ireland MEP for Midlands–North-West

John Cooke, RTÉ Reporter

Queues to file past the coffin of pope Francis will soon close ahead of his state funeral tomorrow that will see royalty and dignitaries from across the world, & hundreds of thousands of clergy & pilgrims attending. John Cooke has been hearing from those gathered in the Vatican.

John Cooke, RTÉ Reporter

The Vatican has announced that the public will be able to begin visiting Pope Francis's tomb at the Roman basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore "as early as Sunday morning". Thousands of pilgrims continue to wait in line to pay their respects to the late Pontiff ahead of his state funeral on Saturday. John Cooke gives us the latest live from Rome.

John Cooke, RTÉ Reporter / Catherine Pepinster, Journalist & religion commentator

Tens of thousands of mourners have begun saying their last goodbyes to Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica, as the remains of the late Argentine pontiff lie in state for the next three days. For the latest on today's events in Rome Sarah is joined by John Cooke who's in St Peter's Square.

Last minute preparations are underway to transfer the remains of Pope Francis from the chapel of his former residence to St. Peter's Basilica where he will lie in state for 3 days from tomorrow, ahead of his state funeral on Saturday. John Cooke reportes from Rome.

Report from John Cooke

The HSE has apologised for failings in care which led to the death of 76 year old Michael Cuddihy from County Limerick. He died from septicemia two days after being discharged from the overcrowded emergency department at UHL. Our reporter John Cooke was at Limerick Coroner's Court today.

John Cooke, RTÉ Reporter

A protest in Connamara is continuing outside a hotel in Carna, which has been offered as a potential accommodation centre for International Protection applicants. The Carna Bay Hotel has been housing Ukrainian refugees since 2022, but locals say they need the hotel back for tourism now. John Cooke was live from Co. Galway.

John Cooke reports from Thurles, Tipperary.

Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill's visit comes after publication of an interim HIQA report into whether the MidWest region needs a second emergency department and as the HSE faces the threat of industrial action. John Cooke reports.

Controversial plans in Ennis to develop retail and office buildings on the site of two of the town's main car parks have been put on hold. John Cooke reports.

'Give me a break' is the theme for this year's events to mark Young Carers Action Day. It has also prompted a new awareness campaign to recognise and support over 15,000 students trying to balance their studies with the responsibility of looking after a loved one at home. John Cooke was at the University of Limerick.

We've been hearing on Drivetime recently - many native Irish speakers are voicing frustration at being refused planning permission in their local communities - so Drivetime's John Cooke followed their campaign to council headquarters in Galway today.

This weekend members of the Roscrea Ramblers Club prepare to lead a “Sober Social Hike” in the Slieve Bloom Mountains on Sunday. It's the first of many public events planned by two lifelong friends from the town who've been speaking out about their own experiences of addiction to help others. John Cooke was in County Tipperary to meet them.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he had a "very warm" and "very good" meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Shannon Airport this afternoon. Drivetime's John Cooke is live from Shannon Airport.

From Verbal abuse to being followed and even spat at, or violent physical assaults including head-butting and being chased by cars at speed. These are some of the extreme incidents perpetrated against Traffic Wardens in the course of their duties. Drivetime's John Cooke took to the streets of Limerick to find out more…

Drivetime's John Cooke has been finding out about a project run by the probation service in Limerick called PALLS.

John Cooke, RTÉ Reporter

While the government is continuing plans to spend 9-million on smartphone pouches in schools, new research suggests restrictive policies do little to better health or academic outcomes for students. John Cooke visited an Ardscoil Mhuire school in Limerick & we hear from Dr Maria Michail from the School of Psychology at Birmingham University.

From Counselling Sessions to the Cow Shed! A unique social farming initiative for young people dealing with mental health issues. In a pilot project, seven young people and two nurses from the North Tipperary Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service put on their wellies for a ten-week session on a busy suckler farm. John Cooke reports.

For part two of his return visit to Roscrea - Drivetime's John Cooke has also been finding out what happened to a government supported proposal to open an alternative community hotel in the area.

It's just over a year since protests were mounted outside the Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea in Co. Tipperary in response to the sudden announcement that it would close to the public and become a Direct Provision Centre for International Protection Applicants. Drivetime's John Cooke tells us more.

The Taoiseach came in for criticism over the Government response to Storm Eowyn today as he met with families left without power, heat, water and phone communications for 5 days now. Drivetime's John Cooke spent the day in Co. Roscommon, where the Taoiseach spent time in some of the worst affected areas.

Local authorities have been working to establish those emergency response hubs in the areas that are most impacted by power and water outages caused by Storm Éowyn. Drivetime's John Cooke has been meeting families availing of badly needed services in Gort in Co Galway.

Uisce Éireann will press ahead with a long proposed 170km pipeline from the lower River Shannon through the midlands all the way to the capital. But not all those living along the route of the Shannon Pipeline or near the site of the proposed water extraction are convinced. John Cooke reports.

The new charge came intro effect just over a week ago, but with some Funeral Directors describing the move from a previously free service to 100 euro as "excessive" – several new online platforms are being launched to offer a rival service to RIP.ie. To talk us through some of the rival sites Drivetime's John Cooke.

As the low temperature warning looks set to last throughout the week - counties which experienced the brunt of the heavy snowfall fear further freezing conditions. Hazardous roads conditions, many communities have had the added challenge of powercuts and disruption to water services. Reporter John Cooke was live from Patrickswell in Co Limerick.

The Department of Housing has just released new figures showing that 1,866 new social homes were delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies in the third quarter of this year. Sinn Fein Housing spokesperson Eoin O'Broin spoke with John Cooke.

We all know the importance of the gift of a book at Christmas but what about the kids who'll be waiting for Santa in homeless accommodation or direct provision? Children's Books Ireland is asking for your support as they donate thousands of books to children across the country. Drivetime's John Cooke tells us more.

Funeral Directors are expressing concern about plans to introduce a 100 euro charge per death notice on the RIP.ie website. Drivetime's John Cooke has been talking to undertakers across the country.

Voting begins in General Election '24 at 7am tomorrow but some early voters have already had their say. John Cooke accompanied members of the Court Service on a visit to a nursing home in the Galway East Constituency to find out more.

Reporter John Cooke has been out and about along the Waterford Quays to meet with voters.

As Drivetime continues to travel the country ahead of General Election 2024, this evening we're hearing from the Kerry Constituency where our reporter John Cooke has been speaking with voters in the town of Tralee.

Reporter John Cooke has been out and about in Roscommon / Galway to get a sense of the issues that are dominating the campaign here.

Drivetime is hitting the road for the General Election to find out about the issues that will guide your vote on November 29th. We're on the road in the constituency of Mayo as John Cooke speaks to voters about their big issues for the General Election.

Earlier today announcing the Friday November 29th General Election date, Taoiseach Simon Harris reminded the Irish people to value thier vote and to use their voice. John Cooke asks shoppers in Galway for their political wish lists. And Barry Lenihan tells us what to expect over the coming weeks.

In the town of Ballaghaderreen, hundreds of people marched though the streets demanding a more visible Garda presence following recent incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour. The peaceful demonstration was sparked by reports of an alleged assault against a teenager on Halloween night. Our reporter John Cooke tell us more.

Average Speed Cameras have "Gone Live" ahead of the Bank Holiday rush on the N3 in Cavan and N5 in Mayo. John Cooke was on the roadside near Swinford in Co. Mayo.

Thousands of third level students walked out of lectures at colleges across the country today in protest over cost of living issues. The action was to highlight "anger" over what they described as "the complete lack of measures to support students in Budget 2025 " Drivetime's John Cooke was there for the Walkout at the University of Galway.

The Minister for Health has been asked for reasons as to why one of the country's main maternity hospitals is still operating pandemic-style restrictions on visitors for new mothers and their babies. Expectant parents have called for restrictions at the University Maternity Hospital Limerick to be eased, Drivetime's John Cooke tells us more.

A County Galway farmer has been convicted of assaulting Fianna Fail TD and Minister for Disability Anne Rabbitte by throwing a bag of Cow Dung at her at a public meeting last year. Drivetime's John Cooke was at the District Court in Ennis to follow proceedings.

Voters in Limerick made history in June of this year as they chose John Moran to become Ireland's first Directly Elected Mayor. As he approaches 100 days in office, John Cooke spent a day in the life of the Mayor of Limerick to find out what difference the new role can make.

The family of Clare man Patrick Nugent have expressed their hope that a new Garda investigation and the exhumation of his remains today will finally reveal the truth of how he died 40 years ago. The 23 year old died in unexplained circumstances following a party in February 1984. John Cooke has been speaking to Nugent family in County Clare.