Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

A second outbreak of meningitis has hit a university in the UK. Canterbury Christ Church University confirmed that one of its students is now affected. Over the last few days there has been an outbreak at the University of Kent which has led to 20 cases and two deaths so far…Ciara is joined by Dr Brendan O’Shea, who is a Kildare GP and Assistant Adjuvant Professor in Public Health and Primary Care at Trinity College Dublin to explain how concerned we should be in Ireland about this outbreak, and what people can do to protect themselves.

Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams took the stand again today in the UK, where it is being alleged that he is liable for IRA bombs between 1973 and 1996. Three bombing victims from across the period allege that Adams was a leading member of the Provisional IRA at the times of the bombings and are seeking £1 in damages. Joining Shane to give the latest on the trial from today is Britain Editor at the Irish Times, Mark Hennessy.

A survey found that almost half of divorcees said that their partner's night-time snoring contributed to their break-up, with similar numbers saying it was a dealbreaker when dating. So, what is the solution?Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss is Frances Kelleher, Dating Expert and Life Coach.

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the rest of the week's action…

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Shane to discuss Instagram’s decision to scrap end-to-end encryption with its private message service…

Israel says it has killed Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib, in an overnight attack on Tehran. He had held multiple senior posts in the regime leadership. A number of retaliatory attacks from Iran have followed, including on Tel Aviv, where Journalist Paul Kearns currently is. He joins Shane to discuss.Image: Reuters

Has the Tricolour lost the meaning that its creators intended? Should it be replaced?Joining Ciara to discuss is Conor D McGuinness, Sinn Féin TD for Waterford and party Spokesman on Rural Affairs, Community Development and an Ghaeltacht.

It has been estimated that more than a 100 million euro in damages has been caused by fires in waste sorting centres and bin lorries over the past three years.The Irish Waste Management Organisation says that there are growing concerns over vapes being discarded with household rubbish. This is all while Cork City Council are examining the number of vape shops opening in the city.Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been investigating, and joins Shane to discuss.

The Joint Committee on Transport this morning heard from residents surrounding Dublin Airport as part of its scrutiny of the Bill, which would see the passenger cap at Dublin Airport lifted. Last month, Cabinet approved the Bill, which would see the thirty two million passenger limit abolished, but residents remain concerned at how this is being done and the impact on them and their homes…Dr Niamh Maher of Saint Margarets The Ward Residents Group spoke to the Committee this morning, and joins Ciara to discuss.

With St Patrick’s Day tomorrow, how can you manage children around parades, especially if they have sensory issues?   Psychotherapist Iseult White joined us on the Hard Shoulder to discuss.

Gerry Adams was back in the High Court in London today for his civil trial, in which he is being sued by three victims of IRA bombings in England, who argue that he was “directly responsible” for IRA bombs between 1973 and 1996.  Gerry Adams denies this and all allegations being made against him. Enda Brady, London based Journalist joined Ciara Kelly on the show with the latest.

Last night Jessie Buckley bagged the best Actress Oscar, the first time an Irish woman has won in this category. Henry McKean was backstage at the Academy Awards, with Amy Madigan who won Best Supporting Actress and Tallaght man Richie Baneham winning his 3rd Oscar for Special Effects in Avatar. Henry sent us this report from the Hollywood Hills…

European countries have resisted Trump’s demand for help to clear the Strait of Hormuz. Shane Coleman was joined on the show by Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast.  

Following last night's historic win for actress Jessie Buckley who became the Country’s First Best Actress Oscar Winner for her performance in Hamnet, Ireland has joined in the Celebrations with President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheal Martin, both congratulating her on this achievement.   Jessie’s brother, Killian Buckley joined Shane Coleman on the show to discuss.

Why do we insist on fighting over who splits the bill in Ireland? Do we feel we are doing it to be polite or because we feel obligated to suggest we pay? Esther Mc Carthy, Columnist with The Irish Examiner and Mary Mc Carty, Irish Independent Columnist, joined Ciara Kelly on the show to discuss.

Thousands of people are expected to visit Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day this year, with many of us also on the move across the day, either to attend parades around the country or to visit family on our national holiday.  Despite this, most of our public transport services are running weekend or bank holiday timetables. So, we’re asking should Train, DART, Bus and Tram providers be offering a full operating schedule for what will be one of the busiest public transport days of the year.   Mark Gleeson, of Rail Users Ireland and Social Democrats Spokesperson on Transport and Jennifer Whitmore joined Ciara Kelly on the show to discuss.

Jamie O’Hara, Newstalk reporter travelling with An Taoiseach, joined Shane Coleman on the show with the latest on the St Patrick’s Day events in the US.

This week, Ciara and Shane were joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

As the conflict in the Middle East goes on, attention continues to be distracted from the war in Ukraine. With fuel prices sky-rocketing around the world the US has temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian oil. Despite Iran being a Russian ally, this sanction lifting is a huge boost for Vladimir Putin.Shane is joined by Professor of Politics at DCU and author of ‘Unfinished Empire: Russian Imperialism in Ukraine and the Near Abroad’ Donnacha Ó Beacháin to discuss what this means for Putin…

Earlier in the week The Hard Shoulder spoke to Rob Cass, who co-designed the website onemillionhomes.ie, looking at housing across the country when it comes to young people being able to buy their first home.He named Drogheda as an area that is leading the way for housing, so why can’t we follow it?Joining to discuss is Tom Phillips, Managing Director of Tom Phillips and Associates and Adjunct Associate Professor of Town Planning in UCD.Image: Discover Boyne Valley