In 2022 Paola Sanchez, wanting to check out men she met online, created a Facebook group called “Are We Dating the Same Guy”. Its sisterhood-fuelled goal was to create a private space where women could “empower each other and keep each other safe from dangerous and/or toxic men”. It quickly grew. Most US cities now have their own Are We Dating the Same Guy group and it has spread outside the US with a reported 3.5 million members in more than 200 groups sharing red flags about men. The group for Dublin has nearly 50,000 members. Lawsuits have followed with men claiming they have been defamed, and in the latest one, in LA, Stewart Lucas Murrey is suing more than 50 women saying they “conspired to harm [his] reputation”. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/brittany-shammas/?itid=ai_top_shammasb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brittany Shammas</a> and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/marisa-iati/?itid=ai_top_marisa.iati" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marisa Iati</a>, from The Washington Post, reported on the impact of the group; on some of the men featured, and on what happens when the rules of the group are broken. They tell In the News about the ongoing court cases and the value of such a site in a world where women report feeling frightened while engaging with online dating apps. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.

'He seemed pretty smug and arrogant' - Inside the secret online dating groups where women review men

On Monday, Taoiseach Simon Harris called a meeting the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to discuss the rising number of deaths on Irish roads. Mr Harris said road safety was a “top priority” and announced actions to crackdown on careless and dangerous driving and additional RSA funding. So far this year, sixty-three people have died in road accidents across the country, an increase of 14 on the same period last year. And while the RSA has welcomed the new 30 minute mandatory road safety policing directive, questions remain as to why road-related deaths are going in the wrong direction. Have Irish attitudes towards road safety and drink driving changed in recent years? And, is the RSA campaign aiming for no road-related deaths or serious injuries by 2050 actually achievable? Irish Times head of audience David Labanyi and reporter Mark Hilliard join the podcast to discuss the RSA’s legacy and the steps needed to make Irish roads safer.Presented by Sorcha Pollak.

Rising road deaths: What will it take to make Irish roads safer?

A training manual provided to eir employees by parent company Eircom warned them that they would face disciplinary proceedings if they obeyed Irish laws covering customer complaints. The same manual also outlined a series of “trigger words” that would allow people calling the company with complaints to have their concerns dealt with in an expeditious fashion. If those words were not used, the concerns raised by customers frequently went nowhere. In a case taken against the company by the communications watchdog ComReg before Dublin District Court, the telecommunications company pleaded guilty to 10 breaches of the law related to its failures to acknowledge customer complaints, to provide a complaint response within 10 working days, and to provide an email address to progress a complaint after 10 working days. These are requirements of regulations governing the telecoms sector. But now eir says the documents were taken out of context and that ComReg made 'incorrect claims'. What is not in doubt is that customer mistreatment by telecoms companies is nothing new, says Consumer Affairs Correspondent Conor Pope.

'A terrible thing' - why Eir's mistreatment of customers was more than just irritating 

In 2016 US diplomats in Cuba’s capital reported a range of mysterious symptoms that were soon experienced by colleagues in other parts of the world. Staff reported bloody noses, headaches, stomach issues, vision problems and hearing strange sounds. The phenomenon was quickly dubbed the Havana Syndrome and investigations began to try to ascertain its origin – or if it was a real illness at all. Now, a new report led by US TV investigative show 60 Minutes has said Russian intelligence is responsible, that it is a hybrid warfare tactic.The finding contradicts a US government report last year which suggested that the “anomalous health incidents” were not caused by an energy weapon or foreign enemy. Julian Borger, Guardian world affairs editor tells In the News how the latest report is being received in the US – and Moscow. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.

Havana Syndrome - all in their heads or a Russian spy attack?

In the most recent murder case where cannabis use was judged to be a factor, <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2024/03/09/what-is-cannabis-induced-psychosis-the-condition-behind-insanity-murder-case/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the court ruled</a> that Diego Costa Silva killed his wife while in a state of cannabis-induced psychosis at their home in Finglas, Dublin on November 4th, 2021. A jury found him not guilty of Fabiola De Campos Silva’s murder, by reason of insanity. His was one of a number of murder cases to come before Irish courts in the past year where cannabis-use was judged to be a factor. Dr Colin O’Gara, head of addiction services at St John of God Hospital in Dublin, tells In the News about the dangers of new, more potent strains of cannabis, what is cannabis-induced psychosis and the link between use of the drug and existing mental health issues. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.

How cannabis-induced psychosis can cause deadly harm

With Olivia Kelly

In August two more sections of the quays in Dublin will become no-go areas for private cars. When the “bus gates” open on Aston Quay on the southside of the river, and Bachelor’s Walk on the northside, private cars will no longer be able to complete their journey from one of end of the city’s quays to the other. They are the first measures of the <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/dublin/2024/04/08/bus-gates-on-dublin-quays-to-be-implemented-in-august/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dublin City Centre Transport Plan</a>, which will restrict motorists driving “through” instead of “to” the city centre.Some knotty problems still need to be ironed out - most notably how will Diageo transport Guinness from where it is made at St James’s Gate to the port for export if it can’t use the straightest route down the quays. And what is a bus gate anyway? Are taxis allowed use them? And cyclists? Dublin Editor Olivia Kelly explains the plan - and how it is a key part of a strategy to make Dublin a move liveable city. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.

What Dublin's new 'bus gates' will mean for your journey through town

And what do we know about his running mate Nicole Shanahan?

<a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/world/us/2024/03/27/robert-kennedys-vice-presidential-pick-will-broaden-his-appeal-in-race-to-white-house/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Robert</a> F Kennedy jnr is on the campaign trail, attempting to get on the ballot for the US presidential election. A scion of the Kennedy political dynasty, he had hoped to challenge Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination but when that hope faded, he announced he would continue as an independent candidate. The long-time environmental lawyer is the son of the former US attorney general and senator Robert F Kennedy, and a nephew of president John F Kennedy. He’s also a controversial figure not least for his anti-vaccine activism. Dr Pippa Malmgren, former economic adviser to president George W Bush explains how RFK jnr could shake up the presidential race and tells why Americans who don’t want either Donald Trump or Biden just might be persuaded to vote for him. Last week he announced his running mate and Irish Times Washington correspondent Keith Duggan explains why he chose California lawyer <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/world/us/2024/03/27/robert-kennedys-vice-presidential-pick-will-broaden-his-appeal-in-race-to-white-house/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nicole Shanahan,</a> ex-wife of Google co-founder Sergei Brin. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.

Who is the Kennedy running for US president?

The Inside Politics team recap a big day in politics 

Today on In the News we bring you an excerpt from another episode of our sister podcast, Inside Politics. Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray joined host Hugh Linehan to talk about Simon Harris's appointment as Taoiseach and the details of his minimal Cabinet reshuffle. Did he go far enough to satisfy Fine Gaelers or voters looking for change? But first, they discuss the news that the reconstituted Government's first act will be to recognise the statehood of Palestine. You can listen to the full episode on the Inside Politics podcast feed or on <a href="irishtimes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">irishtimes.com</a>. New episodes of Inside Politics are available each Wednesday and Friday wherever you get your podcasts.

A new Taoiseach, new Ministers and a new policy on Palestine 

On Tuesday, Simon Harris will be officially voted into office by TDs in Dáil Éireann and become the new Taoiseach. Harris, who is the youngest ever Taoiseach at 37, will then reveal his Cabinet reshuffle, by which he hopes to signal a fresh start for the Government and for the Fine Gael party. But can the Wicklow TD turn youthful enthusiasm into meaningful action? And how will he decide bring on his Cabinet picks? We ask Political Editor Pat Leahy about what we've learned about Harris since he took over as Fine Gael leader and the challenges that lie ahead for Ireland’s new Taoiseach. Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan.

The challenges facing Ireland's youngest, most untested Taoiseach

In The News is a daily podcast from The Irish Times that takes a close look at the stories that matter, in Ireland and around the world. Hosted by Sorcha Pollak and Conor Pope.

In The News is a daily podcast from The Irish Times that takes a close look at the stories that matter, in Ireland and around the world. Presented by Bernice Harrison and Sorcha Pollak.

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