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Shaun Brady: The murder that shocked an Irish community in the heart of America
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An Irish chef living in the US has been killed after being shot outside his own business in Kansas City.
Shaun Brady, originally from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, was the co-owner of Brady’s KC, a popular restaurant in the Brookside area of Kansas City, Missouri.
Brady was a popular and well-known figure in Kansas City's large and vibrant Irish community.
His friend and Kansas City resident Pat O'Neill talks to Bernice Harrison about how the violent loss of Shaun has shocked the community.
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Why Irish voters love a 'celebrity candidate'
24:11|From GAA superstar Jack Lynch who became taoiseach to RTÉ journalist George Lee whose political career was brief – for decades Irish voters have been presented at the polls with a range of well-known names.If the recent celebrity-filled European elections are anything to go by, the candidate list for the next general election will include a sprinkle of high profile names which the parties hope will break through the noise because of their name recognition among with voters.Well-known TV presenters Grainne Seoige and Alison Comyn have already been signed up by Fianna Fáil to go before the electorate, while others, particularly sporting names will likely emerge as the weeks go on as all parties hunt out candidates with strong name recognition.But why does that matter? And just because someone is glowing on the red carpet or the pitch, does it mean they’ll be good on policy?Irish Times political correspondent Harry McGee explains why familiar names are so appealing to political parties and the electorate.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan.How a ‘global forum’ promising billionaires became a small Dublin event with muffins
24:14|Anti-female genital mutilation advocates expected high-profile speakers at a packed Dublin conference – they found a small room in a hotel with 25 people and were left with large bills.Last February, the Cycle of Life Global Forum was billed as an international conference to help eradicate FGM. In exchange for large sums of money, attendees from as far away as Kenya and the US were expecting to hear from high-profile speakers such as Richard Branson, Denis O’Brien and Auma Obama.But what greeted them was far more underwhelming.The event was organised by Sean Collins-McCarthy, a self-described “Social Entrepreneur, Strategy Advisor, Filmmaker and Media Pioneer”.Irish Times journalist Olivia Kelly investigated and tells In the News what went on behind the scenes at Cycle of Life.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.Can an Irishman fix Keir Starmer’s premiership after 100 days of disaster?
20:22|With the appointment this week of Cork-born Morgan McSweeney as his chief of staff, British prime minister Keir Starmer must be hoping for some calm after a turbulent first 100 days in office.As the brains behind Starmer’s leadership campaign, McSweeney (47) is credited with having brought the prime minister to power.After a landslide win in July, Starmer’s first three months should have been spent consolidating that popularity and delivering on the pre-election promises of a selfless, calm and steady government with none of the drama of the previous administration.Instead there has been a stream of bad news stories and self-inflicted wounds.It’s not the image he projected when in opposition while bashing the Tory government for similar behaviour.Irish Times London correspondent Mark Paul looks back at Starmer’s difficult first three months, explains why McSweeney, a master strategist, is now in the top job and what banana skins await the new Labour leader in the coming months.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon.The child protection controversy engulfing Sinn Féin
24:20|Sinn Féin would likely be taking every opportunity this week to lambast the government in the wake of the budget and with a general election on the cards. Instead, it's being hounded for answers about a child sex abuse controversy in the north. It centres around former press officer, Michael McMonagle, who last month pleaded guilty to 14 counts in a Derry court, and who was given employment references by two party press officers while still being investigated by the PSNI. Now questions are being raised about who knew what, when, and why the information wasn't shared in line with child safeguarding best practice? Northern editor, Freya McClements, untangles the complicated timeline and explains why the controversy isn't going away.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.Why would Russia want 'agents of influence' inside the Irish political system?
16:54|Last weekend, The Sunday Times reported that an unnamed Irish politician had been working for Russian intelligence as "an agent of influence” within the Oireachtas. Although the news “came as no surprise” to Taoiseach Simon Harris, it is one of the most serious national security issues in recent history.Gardaí have now compiled a list of members of the Oireachtas and other people, including those in academia, that they believe have been targeted by Russians in Ireland seeking to exploit them for information gathering and destabilising the State.But how are they approached? And how is their co-operation encouraged by local Russian operatives? Also, why would the Kremlin consider an Irish politician a valuable asset?Jack Horgan-Jones tells In the News how such approaches are made and how politicians have reacted to reports that one of their own has allegedly been influenced by Russia.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon.Car theft in Ireland: Are international gangs to blame?
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