The Mick Clifford Podcast

Irish Examiner reporter Sean Murray joins Mick to chew over some of the big stories from 2024, from failed referendums to shock resignations, from foregone conclusions to an earthquake election. And then there was the story that showed our capacity in this country to act the ejit and never know when to stop.

Tis the season to huddle around family, friends and community, but what of those who are exiled far from home? Many Irish people spend Christmas overseas, some by choice, others through necessity, but one group do so in the interests of keeping peace. Ireland’s defence forces personnel are based in various hotspots, but particularly the Middle East. So what is Christmas like for them, and their families at home? Irish Examiner columnist Colin Sheridan has extensive experience serving overseas and he tells us what it’s like at this time of year.

From an early age Ciaran Prior was exposed to the spectre of premature death but once he joined An Garda Siochana it became part of his job. Mid career Ciaran became a member of the first regional crime scene investigation units and in that capacity he became a frequent sight at scenes of serious crimes including murder. His book Traces Of Truth is both a police procedural and a personal reflection of his life, and on life and death in general. Ciaran Prior is this week’s guest on the podcast.

The election is over, the votes counted, seats filled. So what now? The people have spoken but what have they said? How long will it take to put a government together? Joining the podcast to look briefly over the election and into the future is Gary Murphy, the head of DCU’s Department of government and politics.

It’s the second day of the general election count, the period in which the whole picture clears up to present the reality of the next Dail. Irish Examiner Political Editor Elaine Loughlin joins Mick to sketch out the national picture and who are the big winners and losers. She will also talk about the rise over the two days of the count of the candidacy of Gerry ‘the Monk’ Hutch and how it all fell apart in the end.

Irish Examiner Political Editor Elaine Loughlin and Special Correspondent Mick Clifford give their analysis of the key stories emerging from the GE24 Election Count as the day continues to throw up some surprises across the country.  Keep up with all that’s happening in count centres across the country in our General Election hub

With just a few days to polling day we take a final look at the campaign with Irish Examiner political correspondent, Paul Hosford.Who to look out for? Who is up and who is down? What shape will the next coalition take? Are we there yet? Tune in and kick back

Hosted by Irish Examiner columnist Mick Clifford, the Election Watch podcast brings UCC experts and students together to examine topics that matter to students ahead of the 2024 General Election. This is the third part of the special podcast series coming directly from the UCC campus as we hear from a generation who could shape the result of this General Election.  In this episode Mick talks to Irish Examiner's Eoin English, Hannah Daly, Professor of Sustainable Energy and student Mohammed Naeem who is the UN Youth Delegate for Ireland on the issue of climate change. 

With just a week left before polling day, we take a look at where everybody and everything stands in the general election campaign. Has any issue really emerged to shape the narrative? Who is having a good election? Who is not? And which entities are most likely to form the next government. Irish Examiner Political Editor Elaine Loughlin joins the podcast to give the rundown on where exactly we are at.