The Indo Daily

Irish Independent

Stay in the know, on the go. The Indo Daily brings you in-depth, 20 minute stories that fit into your day.

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20 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes20

Newest first

Yesterday · 23 min
Daniel Kinahan's podcast tell-all: Conspiracy theories and a media 'meltdown'
Daniel Kinahan is languishing behind bars in Dubai as he awaits extradition to Ireland, but the exiled cartel boss is speaking out – as a podcast guest. Having famously teased a previous audio sit-down with Kinahan that never made it to air, broadcaster James English insists he finally has a world exclusive, and a box-office one at that. English has released snippets of the apparently forthcoming interview, in which Kinahan states that he believes he’s “already got life in prison”, that he expects to receive “character assassination”, and that he doesn’t have “a hope of getting a fair trial”. Kinahan also alluded to potential attempts on his life while in custody. On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Katie Byrne is joined by Crime World journalist Neil Fetherstonhaugh to look at how a PR machine runs in the criminal underworld, and Daniel Kinahan’s latest attempt to control his narrative. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thursday · 25 min
'Baddie of the Bailout': How 'Fingers' Michael Fingleton built 'the world's worst bank'
Michael Fingleton was one of the most controversial figures of the Celtic Tiger. As the longtime boss of Irish Nationwide, he oversaw reckless lending that ultimately left taxpayers with a €5.4 billion bill. But was he simply the face of a wider banking culture, or the true "baddie of the bailout"? Deputy Business Editor John Burns joins Dave Hanratty to examine the man behind one of Ireland's most infamous banking collapses. 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.
Wednesday · 24 min
Who are the New IRA in 2026 and what are they capable of?
The seizure last week of a bomb containing almost 400g of Semtex plastic explosive has put the New IRA back on to the front pages after a lull in violence. Two people connected to the political group Saoradh have been charged in relation to the incident. The sophisticated device has fuel fears that the group has gained access to fresh stocks of military-grade explosives. The New IRA has been long been associated with but the group also has a presence in Dublin. Who are the New IRA and what are they capable of? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Robin Shiller, News and Security Correspondent with the Irish Independent. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tuesday · 22 min
Inside the Jared Leto investigation as Hollywood star denies sexual misconduct allegations
Just a heads-up – this episode contains references to alleged sexual assault and may not be suitable for everyone, so please take care when listening. Jared Leto is an Oscar winner, a rock star, a cult leader and now the focus of serious questions. The 54-year-old has been seen onscreen in the likes of Fight Club, American Psycho, and Blade Runner 2049, while also finding the time to tour the world with his band Thirty Seconds to Mars. But a BBC investigation has revealed an array of allegations against the actor, with a new documentary presenting the accounts of 10 different accusers. The allegations against Leto span more than a decade and include claims of sexual assault, grooming and inappropriate behaviour with underage girls. Leto has categorically denied the claims. Is his gilded career in jeopardy or is the Hollywood of 2026 more comfortable overlooking such a scandal? On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Kevin Doyle is joined by Alice McShane, director of BBC documentary Jared Leto: Hollywood's Dark Secret, to hear how the investigation came together, and by the Irish Independent's Dave Hanratty to look at Jared Leto's career to date. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monday · 24 min
If the AI bubble bursts, how badly could Ireland be hit?
Artificial intelligence is fuelling a stock market boom unlike anything seen before, with tech giants spending trillions in a race to dominate AI. But what if the hype doesn't live up to the promise? Kevin Doyle is joined by Irish Independent columnist Richard Curran to ask whether we're watching the next financial bubble inflate, and what an AI crash could mean for Ireland's jobs, economy and future. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 31 · 24 min
Jim O’Callaghan v the Lawyers: The high-stakes legal aid showdown
Jim O'Callaghan is a politician with leadership ambitions and a reform agenda. But in his bid to overhaul Ireland's legal system, he has picked a high-stakes fight with a formidable adversary: the lawyers of Ireland. It has been a month since solicitors withdrew their services in a deepening row over criminal legal aid fees, and tensions look to be escalating. At the heart of the controversy is a new flat-fee payment model introduced by the Justice Minister, which he argues is necessary to control the spiralling cost of legal aid. For O'Callaghan, the stakes could hardly be higher. The minister has made the legal reform a cornerstone of his leadership ambitions. A victory could bolster his credentials as a future Fianna Fáil leader, but a stalemate could turn into a political crisis. And while the political battle intensifies, it is those seeking access to justice who may be paying the highest price. On today’s Indo Daily, Tessa Fleming is joined by two of the Irish Independent’s political team, Mary Regan and John Downing, to unpack the growing dispute, the political stakes and what it could mean for the future of the man at its centre. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 30 · 19 min
Extra: Is Daniel Kinahan suddenly on his way back to Ireland?
Word on the street is that Daniel Kinahan is suddenly being prepped for extradition from Dubai. The 49-year-old could be back in Ireland in a number of weeks, likely prompting one of the biggest security operations in the recent history of the State. So, what awaits Kinahan when he finally arrives home? On this Extra episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Eimear Rabbitt, news editor with Crime World, who breaks down the latest developments on this fast-moving story. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 30 · 27 min
The Ulm 5: An Irish activist, the €1m in damage and the alleged German ‘show trial’
Five activists. One defence company. €1 million in alleged damage. An Irish man now faces up to five years in prison in a German trial that's raising difficult questions about protest, civil disobedience and the limits of the law. Kevin Doyle examines the Ulm Five case with BBC journalist Bethany Bell and Daniel Tatlow-Devally's father, Conor Devally. 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.
July 29 · 25 min
Extra: Glen Hansard dead at 56
Academy Award-winning artist and leader of The Frames, Glen Hansard, has died at the age of 56. The renowned singer-songwriter was killed in a motorcycle crash in Dublin in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Once the news broke, tributes quickly followed – Hansard was a hugely popular figure, not just in the Irish music scene, but also on the international stage. On this Extra episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by senior features writer and music critic at the Irish independent John Meagher to look back on the life of Glen Hansard. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 29 · 19 min
The alleged New IRA bomb plot, the law student and the museum worker
A “significant” bomb built for “catastrophic” damage, and a suspected plot to bring violence to the streets of Derry. It was the stuff of Ireland’s past, but events last week clearly illustrated that it is also Ireland’s present. The foiling of an alleged New IRA plot to detonate a bomb was a stark reminder of the dissident republican activity that quietly continues on both sides of the border. At the heart of the case are two suspects: Simon O’Donovan (44), an employee at the National Museum in Collins Barracks, and Isobella Perrie Sullivan (25), a law student. On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Ken Foy, crime correspondent at the Irish Independent, to look at how the plot was uncovered – and what comes next. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 28 · 20 min
The German ex-con, the Irish bankruptcy and the €2.6m Spanish mansion
The famous residents of an exclusive suburb just outside Barcelona have included footballers like Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta, and international pop stars like Shakira. Recent World Cup winner Lamine Yamal is currently enjoying the spoils of a multi-million euro purchase there. But a German businessman’s address in the neighbourhood has now scuppered his chance of application to be declared bankrupt in Ireland. Last year, 44-year-old former convict Denis Melcher, who had amassed debts of close to €8m, convinced Ireland’s High Court to adjudicate him bankrupt. As part of this process, Melcher submitted a sworn statement in which he declared that he was living in a modest rental home in Carlow. However, at the time, Melcher was secretly spending €8,500 per month to lease a four-storey mansion overlooking Barcelona, with an option to purchase the property for €2.6m. The revelation has raised fears that the Irish bankruptcy regime is now seen as an easy target for foreign nationals looking to shed colossal debts. On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent Legal Affairs Editor Shane Phelan to examine the implications of this curious case. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 27 · 24 min
Amy Winehouse: Talent, tragedy and the curse of the '27 Club'
Amy Winehouse’s time at the top was brief, but her impact was anything but. With era-defining tracks like Rehab and Back to Black, she laid bare her life through brutally honest songwriting, delivered in a voice that was as soulful as it was unforgettable. But alongside the awards and global success came something darker. Winehouse’s rapid ascent was shadowed by addiction, relentless scrutiny, and a tabloid culture that often seemed to feed off her struggles. And the media machine didn’t stop after Amy Winehouse tragically passed away aged just 27; if anything, it found new gears to crank up. Her death, though tragic, was not altogether unexpected for those who had watched her very public battle play out in real time. Fifteen years on, is the entertainment industry more protective of its stars? On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Tessa Fleming is joined by Phil Udell, music lecturer at Ballyfermot College of Further Education and artist manager with Word Up Collective, and by Ian Winwood, music journalist and author of Bodies: Life and Death in Music, to look at the legacy of Amy Winehouse. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 26 · 24 min
Sex, lies and blackmail: the murder of Gerry McGinley
On a spring morning in June 2001, an eight-year-old girl gathered moss for her grandmother’s hanging baskets in a forest near Ballinamore in Co Leitrim. The child let out a scream: she had discovered a body. The remains belonged to Enniskillen businessman Gerry McGinley, and it was clear that he been murdered. He had been killed by his own wife Julie and her lover. But it wasn’t a simple tale of adultery. It involved hotel sex with strangers, lies, blackmail and videotape – and included many prominent people in Fermanagh. Today's Indo Daily was originally released on April 14, 2026, and is brought to you by our sister podcast The Bel Tel, as Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Andrew Madden. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 25 · 21 min
Ireland pledges another €125m to Ukraine – what will it be spent on?
Taoiseach Micheál Martin put boots on the ground in Ukraine this week, travelling to Kyiv for a quick tete-a-tete with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Mr Martin was there to lend Ireland’s support – to the tune of a further €125m, no less - and it really does seem like the Ukrainian president could use a helping hand right about now. As the war with Russia rumbles into a fifth year, Mr Zelensky is facing new battles on the home front, as political rivals and vocal protestors wield their own weapons. His decision to sack popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov led to street demonstrations, while the president also dismissed Ukraine’s army commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi just days later. Is the leader once hailed as “the spirit of Ukraine” gradually losing his grip on power? On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent senior journalist Sean Pollock for a look at the political, military and everyday life in Kyiv. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 24 · 24 min
RTÉ suits replace stars: Who are the new names making the big money?
The days of stars topping the poll of highest earners at RTÉ are gone. Back in 2023, RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst pledged to rein in the broadcaster’s highest earners, promising the day would come when nobody would earn more than him. In the latest list of RTÉ’s top 10 earners, it looks like his plan has finally taken shape. So as the stars slide down the RTÉ rich list, who are the suits now commanding the biggest salaries at RTÉ? What could it mean for the broadcaster's future as commercial rivals continue their hunt for talent? And can a new slate of drama productions win back a waning audience? On today’s Indo Daily, Tessa Fleming is joined by Ireland editor Fionnán Sheahan and entertainment correspondent Melanie Finn to unpack RTÉ's latest salary figures and examine whether its reforms are doing the job. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 23 · 24 min
The Mayo Curse – priests, witches and sporting hokum
After a five-year wait, Mayo are back in the All-Ireland football final, but whispers of the famous curse, which supposedly condemned the county to endless defeat, can still be heard. Legend has it that the celebrating team of 1951 disrespected a local funeral and became the subject of a damning and highly effective hex that has kept the Sam Maguire Cup from their grasp ever since. So, is the old tale fact or fiction? Or is it just a handy excuse to explain away decades of heartbreak? On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Tessa Fleming is joined by Frank Roche, the Irish Independent's Gaelic games correspondent, to debate supernatural sabotage – and to ask if Mayo can finally overcome their demons this Sunday. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 22 · 26 min
Andrew and Tristan Tate's falling empire – 59 charges, Miami jail and UK extradition fight
This episode of 'The Indo Daily' contains references to rape and sexual assault, and may not be suitable for everyone, so please take care when listening Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan, like to talk about male empowerment and freedom, yet both are currently shackled away from the outside world. Arrested last weekend by US authorities, the pair are unlikely to find that the confines of a Miami jail cell measure up to the lavish lifestyle they routinely flaunt online – but that’s their home for now. The reason? A volley of 38 new charges, including rape and sex trafficking, courtesy of the Crown Prosecution Service in the UK, with an extradition attempt to follow. The brothers now face a total of 59 charges, all of which they deny. So, where to now for Andrew and Tristan Tate? On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Isabella Kwai, reporter with the New York Times, to break down the complexities of the criminal investigation into the Tate brothers – and to question what made them such prominent public figures in the first place. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism You can read Isabella Kwai’s reporting on the Tate brothers here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 21 · 27 min
Can new UK prime minister Andy Burnham heal British politics?
Speaking during his inauguration speech on Monday, new UK prime minister – the seventh in the last 10 years, if you're keeping score – Andy Burnham spoke of his mission to "bring back hope" and to make Britain "believe again". Good luck to him. Burnham knows the job ahead is unlikely to be an easy one, but he's put the work in to get here, from emerging as a fresh-faced MP at the turn of the century to failed attempts to take over the Labour leadership in 2010 and 2015, to finally ascending to the lofty halls of No 10 Downing Street. But is Burnham inheriting a poisoned chalice, given the increasingly fractured nature of present-day British politics? How did he go from "King of the North" in Manchester to the top job in London? And can he handle Donald Trump any better than Keir Starmer did? On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Daniel Boffey, Chief Reporter with The Guardian, to discuss the new UK PM's rise to power and why he's likely to call a general election sooner rather than later. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 20 · 17 min
"Only able to be identified by his DNA" – the ruthless gangland killing of Paul Byrne
As the 2000s came to a close, gang violence in Ireland was a common problem. In the summer of 2009, Paul ‘Frank’ Byrne, who was not considered to be a major criminal but was associated with a serious criminal gang, was seen getting into a wine-coloured Mitsubishi Carisma. It would be the last time the 20-year-old was seen alive. Byrne’s remains were discovered a little over a year later in a forest in Co Wicklow, identified only via DNA analysis. Seventeen years later, those responsible for his murder remain at large. The investigation remains open, with gardaí making a fresh push for information. Will those in the know ever come forward? On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent crime correspondent Ken Foy to look at the murder of Paul ‘Frank’ Byrne and where the authorities hope to finally make a crucial breakthrough. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 19 · 31 min
Where did Jeffrey Donaldson’s fortune go – and can he afford an appeal?
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson earned massive sums over a successful career. But the Belfast Telegraph understands the now convicted pedophile's fortune is ebbing away – and that he still has a mortgage on his Dromore home. He has to pay a legal bill of half a million pounds – can he afford an appeal? Today's Indo Daily is brought to you by our sister podcast The BeTel as Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.