The Explainer

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The Explainer is a weekly podcast from The Journal that takes a deeper look at one big news story you need to know about. What's the background? Why is this in the news? Get the facts behind the story from Ireland's biggest news website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FA 1 DIA

Why are hundreds of suspected suicides invisible in official stats?

Internal HSE figures obtained by The Journal Investigates reveal that hundreds of people have died by suspected suicide within weeks of being in contact with healthcare services. Families who have lost loved ones say the system is overwhelmed, and that patients are often discharged without adequate follow-up or are left waiting in chaotic environments that are ill-equipped to handle psychiatric emergencies. We speak to Patricia Devlin from The Journal Investigates. Help is available: You can contact Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 min
5 DE FEBR.

What's stopping flood defences from being built?

It's a heartbreakingly familiar cycle: devastated homeowners, ruined businesses, and politicians promising defences are on the way. For towns like Midleton and Enniscorthy, those promises have turned into years of waiting. With Storm Chandra bringing fresh devastation, why does it take so long to get flood relief schemes built? And could nature-based solutions offer an alternative? We're joined by Dr Fiachra O'Loughlin, assistant professor at UCD's School of Civil Engineering. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 min
28 DE GEN.

What exactly are the rules for scramblers and e-scooters?

The sound is instantly recognisable and, for many communities. can become a source of constant dread: the high-pitched whine of a scrambler bike tearing through a park or housing estate. Many are now asking: can gardaí do more to stop them? And why has the issue been left to bubble under the surface for so long? Widen the lens, and you'll also bring e-scooters into focus and why, despite legislation introduced in May 2024, confusion still reigns over what is legal, what is banned, and why injuries are on the rise. We’re joined by motoring expert Conor Faughnan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 min
22 DE GEN.

How is an Irish general driving EU defence strategy?

The warnings are getting louder, and we're hearing more and more often that Europe is in the grips of a hybrid war. But is the rhetoric matching the reality and the actions being taken by EU countries in the face of this? News Correspondent Niall O'Connor joins us to share insights from his recent sit-down interview with Sean Clancy, an Irish general who is heading up the bloc's defence strategy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 min
20 DE GEN.

Has Brand Beckham been destroyed by their own son?

We’ve all seen the headlines about "celebrity family feuds" before, but Brooklyn Beckham’s unprecedented six-page Instagram statement attacking his parents, David and Victoria, feels different. Kate Demolder, arts and culture journalist and co-host of the Culture Pigs podcast, examines this calculated demolition of one of the world's most carefully curated family brands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 min
14 DE GEN.

Is this the end of the Islamic Republic?

It began with anger over soaring prices, but it has spiralled into what may be the most serious challenge to the Iranian regime since the 1979 revolution. Crucially, this uprising began not with students or dissidents, but with the bazaari, Tehran's merchants and shopkeepers, long considered pillars of the Islamic Republic. We're joined by DCU's Paola Rivetti to ask: is the Islamic Republic finally on the brink? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 min
6 DE GEN.

Where will Donald Trump send the US military next?

The events of Saturday night in Caracas saw Donald Trump rip up the international rulebook again, if there even was any of it left to begin with. With a new national security strategy dubbed the "Don-roe Doctrine", the US is aggressively reasserting dominance over the Western Hemisphere and beyond. Threats have already been levelled at Colombia and Mexico, while tensions over Greenland have reignited a diplomatic firestorm with Denmark. Is this just rhetoric, or renewed American imperialism? We're joined by Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at the University of Galway and a political columnist with The Journal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 min
31/12/2025

Our best explanations of 2025

This week, we look back at some of our best episodes from the past year. What did we learn about how drugs like Ozempic actually work? Why are companies so determined to get people back to the office, even if the evidence shows remote work is as productive? And what happened when unknown drones were spotted over the Irish Sea? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 min

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The Explainer is a weekly podcast from The Journal that takes a deeper look at one big news story you need to know about. What's the background? Why is this in the news? Get the facts behind the story from Ireland's biggest news website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.