The Pat Kenny Show

A look back on the new stories of the week on the Friday Forum. Joining Pat today was James Geoghegan TD, Fine Gael, Dublin Bay South, Senator Laura Harmon, Spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Disability, Labour, Cork South-Central, Cork City South West and Rose Conway-Walsh, Sinn Féin TD for Mayo.

The UK government acted “too little, too late”, according to a damning official report on the handling of Covid 19. We get the details of the report findings with The UK government acted “too little, too late”, according to a damning official report on the handling of Covid 19.

Executive Chef of The Anantara Marker Hotel Gareth Mullins talks through a classic Irish stew as the cold nights set in.

Enoch Burke is still at large after the High Court ordered him to return to prison for the fourth time. Gardai believe he’s hiding in his family home in Castlebar and have made multiple calls to the house, but Enoch still hasn’t presented himself. We get the latest on this with Legal Affairs Editor for the Irish Independent Shane Phelan.

Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Professor Politics, School of Law and Government, DCU and Author of Unfinished Empire joined Pat this morning to dissect Trump’s twenty eight point peace plan for Ukraine.

You’re likely to have frequently heard of the cryptocurrency bitcoin in the past number of years…but what about ‘stablecoins’? Aave is the world’s largest decentralised finance lending network and has just received a license from the central bank to trade here and across Europe. Tech Editor with The Irish Independent Adrian Weckler explains.

The Premier League returns as Arsenal remains top of the leaderboard.  While Ireland face a tough game against South Africa in this weekend's international test match this Saturday. And in Formula One all eyes will be on Lando Norris who could run away with the driver's championship in Las Vegas this weekend? 

Colm Boohig from Off The Ball brings us all the sport to look forward to this weekend.

In light of Trump's alarming increase in personal attacks on journalists. Newstalk's Simon Tierney takes a look at the tense relationship between American President's and the press.

One person has died after a small plane crash near Tramore in Co Waterford yesterday. A garda spokesperson said the victim was the sole occupant of the light aircraft. We discuss this further with Kevin Byrne, Lieutenant Colonel Retired and Airport Safety and Security Auditor   

Adapted from the best-selling novel by Irish Author Andrea Mara, new thriller series "All Her Fault" opens on a terrifying situation that eventually unearths the deep secrets of a community. We hear more in Boxed with John Fardy.

Are kids better off being looked after at home or in afterschool care? Research from the ESRI shows that kids in afterschool are more likely to partake in sport and have better reading scores.

“Before Amelia Earhart’s famous exploits and her infamous disappearance. A Limerick woman was the first true female trailblazer in aviation. The life of Mary, Lady Heath was both extraordinary and tragic, but her efforts to further the cause of female pilots, and women in sport, mark her as a true pioneer. Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill can tell us more:

Exit Strategy is the thirtieth thriller in the Jack Reacher novels and once again this addictive series continues. Some of us, just cannot get enough of Reacher, the all-American hero created and written by a bloke from Coventry. 

Guests Lee and Andrew Child chatted to Pat about the new book.

A recent study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US suggests that using AI makes students less smart. Pat discuss these findings with Professor Luke O Neill , Professor of Biochemistry at the school of Immunology, Trinity College.

A Russian spy ship is on course for Irish waters. But what do we know about the ship and its intentions in Irish Water. Pat discusses this with Conor Gallagher, Crime and Security Correspondent of The Irish Times and Commander Caoimhin MacUnfraidh Retired, 29 years with the Irish Naval Service.

We hear about the new digital product passport that’s going to help consumers check where a product is made. We ask will this effort help people shop more sustainably? All to chat with Jo Linehan Climate Journalist.

Ireland's drinking rate has been steadily declining for decades now - in fact, according to recent OECD data, Irish people aren't even in the top third of drinkers globally.  But as alcohol use has trended down, loneliness has trended up particularly among young people. 

So is there a social toll to be paid for our increasingly sober society and is there a defence to be made for moderate drinking? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports: 

For anyone who isn’t aware it’s national healthy skin month this November. Joining Pat to discuss how we can keep our skin healthy during the cold winter months is Consultant dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatologists Professor Nicola ralph.

Next year the short-term letting industry is expected to get a massive overhaul in an attempt to combat the housing crisis. New rules are set to be introduced on May 20, 2026, and yesterday legislation faced pre-legislative scrutiny at the Oireachtas committee on enterprise, tourism and employment.  

As reported by the Irish Independent, one woman spoke at the committee about how these new rules will cripple her income as it has been a lifeline for her family. Lorna Cahill has been renting out a granny flat in Co Clare for the last nine years and she joined Pat on th...

Edward James was one of the most enigmatic figures of the twentieth century, a poet, collector, patron and visionary whose life blurred the boundaries between art and dream. He was born in 1907 into immense privilege, the only son of William James, an American millionaire whose fortune had grown out of the railway industry, and Evelyn Forbes, a Scottish aristocrat celebrated for her beauty.

Diarmuid Gavin tell us about most enigmatic figures of the twentieth century.

It’s International Fraud Awareness Week, and we’ve teamed up with Bank of Ireland to help educate and inform how to protect our online profiles and land the simple message: Stop Think. Check.

To discuss this Pat was joined on the show by Dr Mary Aiken, Professor of Cyberpsychology.  

For more information check out Security Zone - Bank of Ireland Group Website.

From 25 years in the Garda Technical Bureau, former Detective John Sweetman has now launched a new GoLoud original podcast, Lines of Enquiry, detailing some of the cases he worked on including as a handwriting expert.  John joined Pat on the show to chat all about his work and the new podcast.

Name calling and tense press conferences. President Trump reacts to the release of the Epstein files. We discuss this and more with Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer with the University of Galway and Columnist with TheJournal.ie.

Paschal Donohoe, Incoming Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer, World Bank joined Pat in studio to chat about his new job and move to Washington.

We hear about in use in both Australia and Sweden, a smart speed bump only deploys when a car is actually speeding.

AI is getting smarter, both for the good guys and the bad guys. There is something of an AI arms race going on at the moment between fraudsters and those in the detection industry like insurers who are trying to stop them. 

All to discuss with Transport Consultant Conor Faughnan.

Australia’s last native shrew has been officially declared extinct, and it’s a sobering reminder of how human actions ripple through ecosystems. Also For months, eerie scenes have haunted South Australia's beaches dead sea creatures, foam-covered waters, and residents with breathing problems. Now, scientists have found the surprising culprit. A little-known algal species unleashing a powerful neurotoxin. But what triggered this deadly bloom and could it happen elsewhere? 

All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.

With thanks to Repak. 

You normally hear Joe Lynam bright and early at 6:30am on Breakfast Business, but recently he has been off the air following a very unexpected health event. Joe joined Pat to his story and talk about the importance of heart health.

Paschal Donohoe’s departure for the world bank may leave a significant leadership gap in Fine Gael, so does Simon Harris now have to watch his back? and will Gerry the Monk Hutch run in the by-election in Dublin Central?  All to discuss with Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent and Host of the Let me Explain Podcast.  

As Minister for Finance Pascal Donohoe announces his resignation, who are the runners and riders to replace him? Sean Defoe takes us through the possible replacements and Robert Troy, Minister of State at the Department of Finance discusses working with Pascal Donohoe.

Christmas is about connection, not perfection. But then December shows up and we all start sprinting and getting stressed. If Christmas is really about connection, how do we actually build that starting right now November is your secret weapon.

Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist explains.

On this week’s technology slot, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly talks about resetting the algorithm as we face into a busy few weeks on social media.

All with thanks to Renault.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to overhaul state energy companies following a corruption scandal that has rocked his government.But corruption scandals are not anything new to Ukraine having been a feature of its prewar history. corruption was, however, something Zelensky promised to clean up during the 2019 election. So how much of a feature has corruption been to Ukraine's recent history? All to discuss with Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine Correspondent, France24 and RFI.

Dublin Lord Mayor Ray McAdam reacts to the news that Pascal Donohoe, Minister for Finance is to resign to take up a position at the World Bank.

In 2026, Dr Norah Patten will become the first Irish person in space. Joining her on that mission is crewmate Dr Shawna Pandya where they will complete a research mission and travel on-board the Virgin Galactic's commercial spacecraft Delta. 

The two astronauts have taken time out of their busy schedule as they prepare for this mission to chat to Pat this morning.

Minister for Finance Pascal Donohoe is to resign from Government to take up a position at the World Bank. Jack Horgan-Jones brings us the breaking news. 

A 60-year-old woman has died and her husband is in a serious condition in hospital, after they were stabbed near their home in Cork city last night. We get the latest on this with Ralph Reigel, Southern Correspondent for the Irish Independent.

Our expert this morning Margaret Barrett of Mortgage Navigators who took a look at the hidden costs of buying a home and answers listener’s mortgage questions.

Last night, a fire was started in Kilmore West playground. The newly opened playground saw parts of it burnt out. After at least six years of pushing for this playground, it now has to close until it can be safely repaired and reopened. We heard from Cllr Alison Field Dublin Bay North The Labour Party.

Here to take us through an inside look at some of the biggest crime stories and scandals in Irish history is crime journalist and author Paul Williams. Paul has a brand-new book out now, titled ‘Crooks 2’, a sequel to his previous bestseller ‘Crooks’. ‘Crooks 2’ chronicles some of Paul’s most notorious exposés.  

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in Ireland with an estimated 1900 deaths per annum and its the second most common cancer in Ireland for women. While many associate this type of cancer with smokers, one in five diagnosed people have never smoked in their lives.  One of these people is Susan Leatham who was diagnosed in 2021 and Susan spoke to Pat this morning along with Helen Forristal, Director of Nursing with the Marie Keating Foundation.