The Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast

The disappearance of Jimmy O’Neill is one of Ireland’s longest running mysteries. The 16 year old messenger boy disappeared in 1947 after being accused of stealing a postal order, and his family’s decades-long search has only raised more questions than answers about the conduct of local Gardai at the time.With most of his surviving family long dead, Jimmy’s brother Frank continues to search for answers, following traces of Jimmy to Liverpool and beyond.Today’s guest on the Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast is Alison O’Reilly, and you can read her coverage of this case at irishexaminer.com.Brother of child missing since 1947 to address National Missing Persons Day eventJimmy O'Neill letter to be forensically examined 77 years after his disappearance

In his first visit to Ireland, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Ireland repeatedly for its “steadfast support” for his embattled country.Speaking in the Dáil, he said Ireland’s support for the thousands of Ukrainians who have sought protection here and for the country’s defence was rooted in a shared historical understanding.On today’s podcast, Irish Examiner political staff Paul Hosford and Louise Burne break down the visit, from President Connolly’s welcome at Áras an Uachtaráin to the statement from People Before Profit, who did not applaud the Ukrainian President’s speech.Listen now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Last week's 'Lancet' report on ultra processed foods (UPFs) established that ultra processed foods are damaging both our mental and physical health, across all the major organ systems of the body.Food writer Michelle Darmody says Ireland could be a leader in cleaning up our food systems, but we need a Minister for Food first Michelle is the guest on today’s episode of the Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast.Read Michelle’s article here Michelle Darmody: Ireland could lead the way in ultra-processed foods controlListen back: Podcast: I tried to give up ultra-processed foods — here's what happened

In August 2022, 75 year old mother of four Miriam Burns was found strangled and beaten in her Killarney home after family members asked neighbours to check on her. Her 55 year son Billy, who suffered from bipolar disorder and was known to abuse drugs and alcohol, was convicted of her murder in the Central Criminal Court on Monday. He will be sentenced on Friday.On today’s podcast, Deirdre speaks to court reporter Eoin Reynolds, whose reporting on this case you can read in the Irish Examiner and on irishexaminer.com.Jury rejects insanity defence and finds Kerry man guilty of murdering his mother.

There have been six chartered deportation flights out of Ireland so far this year. It comes as, against the backdrop of heated statements and debates, the Irish Government has been hardening its rhetoric on immigration.Earlier this month, the Irish Examiner was given a rare look behind the curtain of what happens as people are forcibly removed from the country as 52 Georgian nationals – including three families – were sent on a chartered plane to that country’s capital Tbilisi.Irish Examiner security correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe was the journalist who witnessed it all and he’s the guest on today’s episode of The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast.Inside Ireland’s deportation system: How gardaí carry out large-scale charter removals

A man in his twenties is in Garda custody today after the stabbing of Stella and Brian Gallagher at their home in Ballinlough on Monday night.Residents of the Shrewsbury Downs estate on the southside of Cork city heard a disturbance outside between 8 and 9pm on Monday night and were warned by Whatsapp message to remain in their homes and lock the doors.Irish Examiner reporter Ann Murphy has been covering this story and is the guest on today’s episode of The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast.'It is frightening': Neighbours in shock as couple named locally after fatal Ballinlough attack

The Holly Bough has been part of a Cork Christmas since 1897. With its unique combination of Cork folklore and history, photos from Corkonians here and abroad, puzzles, original writing and artwork, assembling it each year is a marathon task for Editor Mary Corcoran.On this bonus Holly Bough edition of the Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast, Mary and Deirdre delve into the detail of what makes the Holly Bough so special.

Growing numbers of new mothers are living in fear their babies will be taken from them by social services because they are homeless.One woman who spoke to the Irish Examiner remains in hospital with her baby after a C section, but is afraid that when she is discharged her baby will go into care.  In a statement, Tusla the Child and Family Agency said “Our goal is always to keep children within their family units whenever possible. It is important to emphasise that managing any referral of concern involves an extensive process."This process can include several steps including screening, preliminary inquiries, initial assessments, and appropriate onward actions. Actions may then lead to family support services, safety planning processes, or, as a last resort, taking the child into State care, either voluntarily or through a court order.”In September, 16,614 people were living in emergency accommodation, almost a third of them children. Over 3,000 women are now homeless, the highest number ever. The Government this week launched a new housing plan, promising 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030.Irish Examiner Reporter Alison O’Reilly joins Deirdre on today’s episode of the podcast. Homeless mums fear their babies will be taken into careSome 76 babies impacted by mothers taking drugs during pregnancy'I feel safe': How Anew helps pregnant homeless women and their babies   

23 year old Emer O’Loughlin was found dead in a burned-out mobile home in the Burren, Co Clare in April 2005. An inquest into her death last week established – 20 years on - that another person was involved in the young art student’s death.Her sister Pam O’Loughlin has been campaigning for Gardaí to treat Emer’s death as murder since the family learned in 2010 that she had been buried without a cause of death, her case treated as accidental. A forensic examination at that time established that she had been violently killed.23 year old Emer’s last known movements were to borrow a phone charger from neighbour John Griffin, a native of Mervue in Galway city.Griffin is the chief suspect in Emer’s death, but a series of bizarre events culminated in his disappearance off the island of Inis Mór.P am believes he faked his own death, and is hiding somewhere in Europe.In the years since Emer died, her mother has also passed away. Now her family, including her elderly father Johnny, hope that last week’s inquest may pave the way for a breakthrough in the case.Pam O'Loughlin is the guest on today’s episode of The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast.