Behind the Story
Episodes
Government spending and what do we think of Taylor Swift?
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the budget approaching, David, Fran and Katie look at how much the government has to spend. They are joined by Albert Dolan, Fianna Fail TD who h...
Social media scrutiny - how are tech giants responding to complaints?
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Katie and Fran discuss how drone footage has flown one presidential candidate into stormy skies. They also ask Brian O'Donovan if the Appeals Centre E...
Bitch and putt: verbal abuse at Ryder Cup as Irish golfers swing it for Europe
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After one of the most gripping final rounds in Ryder Cup history, Katie, Fran and David tee off a discussion with golf commentator Greg Allen about th...
Kneecap, Eurovision and the rise of authoritarianism!
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As a terror charge against Kneecap's Mo Chara is dropped by a London court, David and Evelyn discuss the case and the decision by Eurovision organiser...
Revealing the secrets of the Traitors
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The producers of The Traitors Ireland join David, Katie and Fran for a deep dive behind the scenes of the hit TV show. Last night's finale clocked up ...
RFK and the growing influence of MAHA
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
MAHA or Make America Healthy Again has grown in influence since Robert Kennedy Jnr became US Health Secretary. But what is the movement? Alex Stockton...
Jimmy Kimmel suspension and your phone data for sale!
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the backlash to the suspension of US chat host Jimmy Kimmel grows, Trump's attack on the media is escalating with threats to revoke broadcast licen...
People not 'units' - are Ireland's housing targets wrong?
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New figures released today show house prices are still increasing across the country but at a slightly lower rate. While at the same time, the number ...
BONUS - A day at the Ploughing!
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fran, Katie and David hit the road to Tullamore for the first day of the Ploughing.Joining them to discuss all matters farm related are Agriculture Co...
How Tommy Robinson's protest gained so much support
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Saturday, up to 150,000 people took to the streets of London to join a rally organised by far right activist Tommy Robinson. The size of the crowd ...
Charlie Kirk suspect turned into police by family
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The murder of political activist, Charlie Kirk shocked America but in the past twenty four hours, there have been some astonishing developments; the s...
Russian drones in Polish airspace and the suspicious death of Liam Farrell
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Poland and NATO scramble fighter jets to intercept Russian drones in Polish airspace, the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk says his country is...
Threats to the Tánaiste and what is going on in France?
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the Gardaí continue to investigate bomb threats to Tánaiste Simon Harris' home, David and Katie discuss the increasing number of threats against ...
Missing, presumed dead: the search for the young boy in Donabate
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the search continues for a young boy, presumed dead, Social Affairs correspondent Ailbhe Conneely joins Katie and David to discuss the disturbing c...
The 'silent, quiet crisis' of endometriosis
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Lisa Tierney-Keogh along with other endometriosis sufferers met the Minister for Health earlier this week to highlight the lack of treatment fo...
Tricolours, Traitors and FF Presidential hopefuls
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The national flag is showing up on lamp posts across Dublin and concerns are rising that the tricolour is being hijacked by anti immigrant groups. Dav...
Inside the business of live music events and David has news!
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As thousands of music fans descend on Stradbally for Electric Picnic, business reporter Adam Maguire joins Katie and David for a closer look at the li...
Reflections on the CAO and warnings about E-scooters
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As CAO offers reach students today, David, Katie and Fran reflect on demographic pressure and grade deflation which has had an impact on this year's L...
Security, defence and who is Agent Cobalt?
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill called for the removal of the Triple Lock at the Béal na Bláth commemoration evoking memories of ...
Safety measures needed for AI Therapy [Part 2]
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Barry O'Sullivan, an expert on AI, joins Katie and Paul to discuss the dangers of AI Therapy, which is becoming increasingly popular amongst...
The dangers of AI Therapy [Part 1]
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Reiley's 29 year daughter, Sophie took her life in February this year. Her parents later discovered that Sophie had been using an AI therapy cha...
Threats to Irish lawyer working on the Jimmy Lai case
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The international lawyer working on the Jimmy Lai case, Caoilfhoinn Gallagher, says she won't be intimidated by threats to her. Katie and Paul do a de...
Why there needs to be a contest in the race for the Arás
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the main political parties are still deciding whether they will run a candidate in the Presidential Election, columnist and former Senior Advisor t...
Why has chocolate got so expensive? You can blame ‘climateflation’.
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With food prices increasing and even your bar of chocolate costing more, Fiona Mitchell and Louise Byrne speak to Dr Ciaran O’Carroll, Lecturer on S...
Why meeting Trump in Alaska is 'handing Putin victory'
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the Trump-Putin summit approaches, presenters Carole Coleman and Louise Byrne speak to Keir Giles, senior consulting fellow of the Russia and Euras...
Fresh insights into that Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new book coming out this week gives further insight into Britain’s Prince Andrew’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.Journalist Laura Burns, who...
What next for Gaza as Netanyahu orders military takeover of Gaza City?
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Israel's Security Cabinet approves a plan to take over Gaza City, Fran McNulty and Juliette Gash discuss what this means for the people of Gaza ami...
New charity to help families with concerns over how a loved one died
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
James Brannigan, a retired detective, tells Fran how he hopes his new charity The Katie Trust will help families who fear their loved one's death was ...
Why Ireland’s seas 'urgently' need more legal protection
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The damage to the seas around Ireland has been branded “alarming” by marine biologist Rebecca Hunter.She joins Fran to outline why Ireland needs i...
Nikita Hand sues Conor McGregor and the best protest songs
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
RTÉ's Legal Affairs Correspondent Orla O'Donnell joins Fran and Evelyn to discuss Conor McGregor losing his appeal against a High Court jury's findin...
The Aussies tackle YouTube and should you buy an EV?
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Australia is adding YouTube to sites covered by its world-first ban on social media for teenagers, reversing an earlier decision to exempt the platfor...
Tariffs at Turnberry and what happens next?
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A transatlantic trade deal is being hailed and criticised across EU capitals.The EU and US have avoided a trade war after agreeing to a 15% tariff rat...
Gaza starves and reports from inside the West Bank
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After another devastating week in Gaza, dominated by reports of malnutrition in the enclave, Fran and David discuss the latest developments. They are ...
Marty Morrissey and the frenzy for All-Ireland tickets
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the annual hunt for All-Ireland final tickets reaches its peak, GAA Correspondent Marty Morrissey joins Fran and David to discuss how tickets are a...
Will Dublin's Metro ever get built?
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ahead of an imminent planning decision on Dublin's proposed underground rail system, Eastern Correspondent Samantha Libreri joins David & Fran to ...
Trouble for Trump over the Epstein files
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Conspiracies, claims and counter claims regarding the release of the Epstein files have reached fever pitch in Washington DC. In a climbdown, Presiden...
Russia, Ukraine and why Putin won't retreat
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Putin refuses to bend to international pressure to agree to peace talks with Ukraine. His determination to control Ukraine continues unabated. Fr...
Trump, tariffs and the possible impact on dairy and whiskey
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At the weekend, President Trump announced that a 30% tariff would come into effect for EU goods going into the US from August 1st. David and Katie are...
BONUS - "Breaking the Airwaves" our AI song!
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Breaking the Airwaves" the AI generated song about the Behind the Story podcast [from Friday's episode]! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
Media vs Machine - how is AI impacting news and music?
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The online journalism and entertainment sectors - from news websites to music streaming services - are facing new challenges with the rise of Artifici...
How water shortages could affect house building
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the public is urged to conserve water in several counties, David and Katie speak to Public Affairs Editor, David Murphy about the shortage of water...
"There was a lot of blood"
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When she was a small child, Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan lived in a home where domestic abuse was commonplace. On one particular night, her mother's...
Inside the McGregor appeal
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In an unexpected turn of events at the Court of Appeal, Conor McGregor withdrew the so called new evidence. McGregor is appealing the finding of...
The politics of college fees and tears in Westminister
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David, Katie and Fran take a look at the politics behind the row over college fees. Earlier this week, Minister for Higher Education James Lawless con...
A stormy year for Starmer
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Labour's win over the Tories last summer was described as a 'loveless landslide' and as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer marks one year in office, David...
A school beating, defence spend and 27 dresses!
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A school beating that lingered: Paul Cunningham reveals his personal story of what happened to him as a ten year old child and how recent changes to c...
NY Mayor's race and where have all the nightclubs gone?
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The race to become the next Mayor of New York took a surprising turn when a relative unknown candidate topped the Democratic primary - David, Katie an...
Saipan the movie and US-Israel-Iran conflict
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the trailer drops for Saipan the movie, Fran and Katie discuss who they supported in the Roy Keane v Mick McCarthy row from World Cup 2002. Th...
Presidential Election: The most brutal race of all
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As some well known names rule themselves out, while others express interest in running for the Presidency, Fran, David and Katie discuss the mos...
Kneecap in court, Iran and Euromillions advice!
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Westminister Magistrates Court had never seen a scene like it – tunes were blaring, chants were sung, hundreds turned up to support Kneecap’s Liam...
Tattle Life and changing tourism trends
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Following a report today by Consumer Affairs Correspondent Aengus Cox, Katie, Fran and David talk about why people may be avoiding Greece and Spain an...
Former FBI agent on the Annie McCarrick case and Israel’s strikes on Iran
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kenneth Strange is a former FBI agent who is friends with the family of Annie McCarrick who went missing from her Dublin home in 1993. A suspect ...
Ballymena riots and the online forces at play
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There have been calls for calm following two nights of riots that saw 32 PSNI officers injured. The riots started out as a protest on Monday night lin...
Leaving Cert uncertainty over classroom chatbots
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the country’s biggest teaching unions voted against Leaving Cert reform at the weekend citing resources and capacity. But another concern is ...
Care concerns in nursing homes, Trump and Musk’s big, beautiful breakup
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A documentary by RTÉ Investigates revealed multiple examples of care failings at one of Ireland’s leading nursing home providers. Fran a...
Are drones changing the Russia-Ukraine war?
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Operation Spider’s Web was a Ukrainian attack that saw more than 100 drones target strategic bomber aircraft at sites deep inside Russia. The countr...
Is Ireland heel-dragging on climate action?
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The latest EPA report shows that Ireland will at best achieve a 23% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, which is substantially lower than t...
Inside Richard Satchwell's murder trial
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fran and Katie are joined by legal affairs correspondent, Orla O'Donnell and by Prime Time's Barry Cummins to reveal the inside story of the Richard S...
The O'Farrell family's fight for justice, crisis at CHI and RTÉ at Oireachtas
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fourteen years after Shane O’Farrell was killed by a driver who should have been in jail at the time, his family have finally received an apology. K...
Surge in scams, and Springsteen annoys Trump
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The latest garda figures have shown a surge in online fraud, as more fake websites, ticket hoaxes, and phishing texts are popping up. Fran and David a...
Trump gets sour with Apple and the EU and exploring the manosphere
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Katie and Fran chat about Donald Trump's latest threat to slap the EU with a 50% tariff on goods which could kick in as early as June 1st. They a...
Are Israel's allies running out of patience?
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s Behind the Story Fran and David are joined by The Independent’s Chief Foreign Correspondent Bel Trew to discuss a week which saw many o...
Inside the Michael Gaine case, and the UK-EU deal
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
RTÉ's Southern Editor Paschal Sheehy joins David and Fran from Kerry to give them an insight into the investigation into Michael Gaine's death.There ...
Varadkar goes horse-riding and would banning kids from social media work?
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Katie reflects on comments by former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the TV show ‘Uncharted’ on how he used to get regular abuse both in person and onli...
The curious case of Ursula von der Leyen’s WhatsApps
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Europe's highest court has sided with the New York Times after it challenged the EU Commission on its witholding of texts between its President Ursula...
Trump’s crypto schemes, ‘worthless’ deals, and Qatar’s wooden horse?
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
US President Donald Trump is embarking on a visit to the Middle East this week, and as he steps onto his plane it’s another one from the Qataris tha...
The Good, The Bad and The AI
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week the Government published new AI guidelines for the public sector, which got David, Katie, and Fran thinking about the tech’s rapid growth....
Gaza aid blockade, Eurovision and Conclave
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David, Katie and Fran discuss the Gaza aid blockade and RTÉ's call for discussion around Israel's participation in next week's Eurovision. The trio a...
Trump's golf buddy wants Irish Ambassador gig
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fran and Katie are joined by reporter Jackie Fox to talk US politics, as the country is in the process of selecting its next ambassador to Ireland. Tr...
Where do Kneecap go from here?
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fran, David and Katie discuss the recent controversy around the band, Kneecap. The band claims their controversial remarks were taken out of context, ...
Behind the Story - Trailer
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as three of RTÉ’s top journalists, David McCullagh, Katie Hannon and Fran McNulty digest some of t...