The Mick Clifford Podcast

As the destruction of Gaza by Israeli defence forces continues, bigger questions about how the world got to this point have gone unanswered. The plight of the Palestinian people has long been the issue that much of the west simply doesn’t want to know about. Businessman, author and migration activist Fintan Drury has written a book that melds history with polemic into a compelling narrative. Catastrophe – Nakba II is a timely examination of an issue that is turning into a major indictment of the west. Fintan Drury is this week’s guest on the podcast.    

In 2016 Alan Hawe murdered his wife Clodagh and their three children. The subsequent garda investigation was found to be deficient in a number of respects. Clodagh’s sister Jacqueline and their mother Mary pushed for a proper investigation. That was conducted but never published. Jacqueline, who wrote her memoir Deadly Silence on the case, believes it should be published in order to prevent any similar tragedies occurring in the future. Jacqueline is this week’s guest on the podcast.

The robbery of the Northern Bank in Belfast in December 2004 was both a criminal act and, most observors believe, a political act as it as carried out by the Provisional IRA at a time when Sinn Fein was negotiating on the basis that violent and criminal acts by the Provos were at an end. Acclaimed writer Glenn Patterson was in the city centre on the night it happened. His latest book The Northern Bank Job – The Heist and How they got away it is both a cracking read and a historical document of note. Glenn is this week’s guest on the podcast.

New mood-altering drugs are becoming available all the time but right now one in particular is eliciting huge concern among health professionals. Hexahydrocannabinol, or HHC as it is known, is widely available to buy over the counter in vape shops. Since it emerged as a serious drug a few years ago, doctors and addiction counsellors have been encountering major problems with its effects. Irish Examiner investigative reporter Ann Murphy has done some major work in the issue.

Sportswriter Eamonn Sweeney set out to write a book about the GAA championship but succeeded in tackling a condition that had dogged him for nearly two decades, and largely confined him to his west Cork home. He talks about his struggles, his love of the GAA and why he felt compelled on various match days to check out the Orthodox religions and dine on exotic foods.

It’s a long way from the disadvantaged enclave of Rialto in Dublin’s inner city to the rubble and humanitarian devastation of Gaza but John Whyte has seen both. Before joining the UNRWA refugee agency, John oversaw the regeneration of Fatima Mansions that is considered a template of how to tackle disadvantage in this country. Today, as senior deputy director of UNRWA his brief is to alleviate the catastrophe that Gaza is now turning into. During a recent visit home, John spoke to the podcast.

With health and fitness now a central part of modern life, a question arises as to whether gyms are suitably welcoming to women. Journalist and former PE teacher Cliona Foley has written in the Irish Examiner about her own experience and some disturbing research into the whole area that suggests society has a way to go yet. Cliona is this week’s guest on the podcast

Next Wednesday marks the 100th day in office for President Donald Trump, in this his second term. It differs greatly from his first, but more than that he has rushed to reshape the world, both within and without US borders. So how is he doing, will he succeed and is there any interest in stopping him bringing the US, and by extension the world, into a new reality. Scott Lucas, professor of US politics in UCD is this week’s guest.

In the midst of a housing crisis this state also has a large cohort of derelict or unused buildings. Some enlightened thinking and political willpower could use this resource to hugely positive effect but despite this there is still a way to go, particularly at official level. Judge Sherry and Frank O’Connor who run their design consulancy Anois have tracked this problem for four years and are now attempting to point a way forward towards solutions. Jude and Frank are this week’s guests on the podcast.