In The News The Irish Times

The Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan, is stepping down after 13 years at the helm. However, the Transport Minister is staying on as a member of the Cabinet, as the government enters its final phase in power. He says it will be up to the next leader of the party to decide if he remains in that role. The Greens lost their European seats and half their councillors in the local and European elections earlier this month. It was a poor result but it wasn’t quite the collapse that had been speculated upon. After Leo Varadkar’s shock departure in March as the leader of Fine Gael, and this latest announcement, is the prospect of an early general election even closer? And who is likely to succeed Ryan as the party leader?
Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.

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Last April, Jonathan Creswell’s trial for the rape and murder of 21-year-old Katie Simpson opened in Derry’s Crown Court.   
 
But as we heard in yesterday’s episode, it only sat for one day. 
In today's episode, part 2, journalist Tanya Fowles explains how the prosecution's opening statements painted a terrifying picture of what really happened to Katie Simpson at the hands of her sister's long term boyfriend. And we also hear how Creswell, a manipulator and serial abuser, used the women in his life to help cover up his crimes.
Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.





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In August 2020, in a small housing estate in Derry, 21-year-old Katie Simpson was found in a critical condition. According to the man who discovered her, her brother-in-law Jonathan Creswell, the young woman had attempted suicide.
Six days later, Katie died in hospital from her injuries. The community was shocked that this outgoing and talented showjumper had taken her own life.
But all was not as it seemed. The publicly charismatic and well-connected Creswell, a jockey and former showjumper, had a dark and violent past.
Although the PSNI were quick to treat this case as suicide, news of Katie’s death raised suspicions within the community.
Journalist Tanya Fowles tells In the News how she tried again and again to raise the alarm about Creswell – but it took until March 2024 for the violent abuser to appear in court in Derry to face charges of rape and murder.
Why did it take so long to bring him to justice and why did the trial end after just one day?
Presented by Bernice Harrison, produced by Suzanne Brennan.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the UK banned ownership of XL Bully dogs – with certain exemptions – on February 1st, In The News explored whether Ireland should also consider a similar ban, particularly in the wake of the disfiguring of a nine year old boy in Co. Wexford. But authorities were slow to act, until this week which saw the funeral of 23-year-old Nicole Morey in Limerick. She died having been attacked at her hall door by one of her four pets, a massive XL Bully. This episode is an edited version of our February podcast. Listen to dog behaviour expert Nanci Creedon explaining how, where and crucially, why this relatively new type of dog was bred. She now says that it is time for a ban, until more data is gathered.
Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan and Suzanne Brennan.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the fast fashion behemoth, Shein, prepares to float on the London Stock Exchange, there's renewed focus on the company's sustainability credentials and conditions for garment workers. Undercover footage from last year's Channel 4 documentary 'Untold: Inside the Shein machine' exposed breaches of Chinese labour laws and Shein's own code of conduct.
The company insists it is "investing tens of millions of dollars in strengthening governance and compliance" across its supply chain. But despite concerns, budget-conscious Shein shoppers are enticed by the low prices and highly sophisticated algorithm. We speak to Irish consumers Isobel and Rosie, as well as British journalist Iman Amrani who fronted the Channel 4 programme.
Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Aideen Finnegan.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's all over bar the shouting in the local elections while in the European elections, counting is continuing in centres around the country. Sinn Féin has been left licking its wounds after a poor showing while Independents are the big winners in local government. Members of the far-right have made a foothold in mainstream politics for the first time and there appear to be more floating voters than ever before. Irish Times political correspondent, Jennifer Bray, has described the local elections as some of the most intense she's ever covered. She breaks down the five key messages we can take from Friday's vote.
For an even deeper dive into how MEPs might shape European policy over the next five years, check out last week's explainer with Europe Correspondent Jack Power.
Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.