Reboot Republic - Rory Hearne by Tortoise Shack Media

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to Poet and teacher Mikey Cullen about his experience on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which attempted to break the siege of Gaza. He explains the illegal actions of Israel in kidnapping EU citizens in International waters, the violence they inflicted, and the hope and humanity the Flotilla carried. We also discuss why Ireland cannot play the Israel soccer match #Stopthegame CW: Listeners should note some of this maybe be triggering. For support contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre: https://www.drcc.ie/support/ The Jim O'Callaghan Humpty...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack This Reboot Republic Podcast, is a deep dive into the environmental and societal impacts of data centres and AI development in Ireland. Rory and Dr Ciaran O'Carroll analyse the rapid expansion of data centre infrastructure, its economic benefits (if any?), and the urgent need for sustainable and equitable strategies. This podcast outlines the finance chaos of Data Centres and why the bill for them keeps falling on the public to pay. Mikey Cullen from the Gaza Flotilla podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-160504651 Support the Hind Rajab Centre:https://www.ionadhindrajab.org/

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory is joined by Economist with SIPTU, Michael Taft, to discuss the global economic outlook, the impacts the various crises are having on Ireland and the steps our Government (in housing, energy and health) can take to protect people from the worst of a worsening situation. Michael also delves into the issues facing the low and middle-income workers and has a quick-win progressive suggestion for how to address their genuine needs. The Left Unity Debate with Sinn Féin's David Cullinane:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-160123801 The Liam C...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to Tony about the massive rent increases caused by the Government's new rental policies, Micheal Martin's thinskinned replies in the Dáil and the disturbing killing of Yves Sakila on Henry Street in Dublin. Join CATU: https://catuireland.org/ Black and Irish:https://blackandirish.com/ Philip O'Connor on violence podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158808490 Adam SpiceBag Doyle podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158702753

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Hope, Courage and Community This Reboot Republic episode explores public attitudes towards migration, the rise of hate and far-right mobilisation in Ireland, and how communities are responding. Experts from the Hope and Courage Collective, Niamh McDonald and Edel McGinley join Rory to discuss the findings of their new report 'Ireland in Focus 2025, Mind the Gap,' which highlights the influence of online hate, shifting narratives, the gap between perception and reality and the importance of community resilience. https://hopeandcourage.ie/ireland-in-focus-2025 https://hopeandcourage.ie/social-media-hate-analysis James Leonard on Building Community interview:https://www...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with economist and Director of NERI, Tom McDonnell about the current energy crisis, its global implications, and practical solutions for Ireland. The conversation covers energy security, renewable infrastructure, housing, and the need for a state construction company to address Ireland's housing crisis. It's all about inflation. We also discuss why a state construction company is needed, its benefits and why we wouldn't be in this housing crisis if it was set up a decade ago. Stormont on the Brink pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157551108 Journalist...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic episode, Rory interviews Joe Guinan about the current geopolitical turbulence, the economic implications of the war, and the potential of community wealth building as a transformative alternative to the current financial system. Joe Guinan is President of The Democracy Collaborative. His focus is on political economy, strategy, and economic system change, and he is co-author (with Martin O’Neill) of The Case for Community Wealth Building (Polity, 2020). Bohemian's Cooperatives is launching this week. The Bohemian Cooperatives: Building Community Wealth - a three-year strategy to develop a grassroots community wealth bu...

In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to Poet and teacher Mikey Cullen about his decision to join the new flotilla heading to break the siege on Gaza. We talk about history repeating itself - how genocide continues in Gaza by Israel despite international law, our common commitment to never again, and finding meaning and purpose in a world where social media tries to commodify us into turning against each other and blaming the other instead of the billionaires destroying our societies and the planet. Barry Heneghan Debate pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-155860288 Trump's Board of Peace pod:https...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory and Tony discuss the costs of Trump's war - Israel's ongoing attacks on Lebanon, the fuel protests, the need for societal solidarity and how they reflect a deep distress amongst people struggling with the cost of living and where this is all headed. They draw the parallel between government arrogance and lack of compassion on Homelessness and evictions, which are at record levels, to their dismissive response to the scenes on our streets. Hubris? Maybe. But not unfounded until now. Prof Richard Murphy on the global energy...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory discusses with Dr Phil Lawton of Trinity College the Government's latest housing proposals to remove planning restrictions on living in back-gardens & allow them to be rented. Phil sets out the international experience of back garden/lane dwellings - and the key differences with Ireland. He sets out real concerns with what the Government is proposing in terms of bad planning and what may become of these in the future. We discuss the intensification of the financialisation of housing with the Minister for Housing, in partnership with institutional investors...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to Louise Bayliss of the St Vincent De Paul about what they are hearing and seeing from the 260,000 people contacting them looking for support. We look at child poverty, and ask why is it still so bad - almost 1 in 5 children go hungry at some point. We also discuss normalising homelessness and what needs to change. Louise Bayliss is Head of Social Justice and Policy at the St Vincent de Paul. The Shed-sit podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154676562 Iran, Shadow Banking...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack This Reboot Republic again delves into Ireland's housing crisis, government policies, and the influence of international investment on the economy. Rory and Tony analyse the systemic issues, the role of private sector interests, the government fund festival vs the mass evictions that are occuring and the potential solutions for sustainable, green and public owned development. Cuba podcast with El Pais journalist in Latin America, Nicholas Leal here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153943715 Former US Green Beret, Anthony Aguilar podcast here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-153986148 Song by Cabin proceeds to Ionad...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory talks with Keire Murphy, policy officer with the ESRI about their recent research on public attitudes on immigration in Ireland and how that compares to the reality. We also discuss what factors influence people's views, and how this can be changed, from tackling disadvantage to local communities working to engage new communities. We also have a chat with Keire about her own experience as a renter in her 30s and her views on the new rental measures. Will supply ever bring down rents??? Latest Reboot Pod on...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic Rory speaks to Joan Carthy of the Irish Wheelchair Association about the cost of living crisis facing disabled people and their campaign for an emergency cost of disability winter payment. Joan explains how disabled people feel like they were pawns in the election after promises were made by Government but then their supports were cut in Budget 2026. Joan talks about the reality of having to choose between heating and eating and their campaign and determination to change things. Editors note: The campaign has received support from Affordable Ireland. The...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory chats to producer Tony about the biggest changes to Ireland’s rental market in a generation, the Government’s response (or lack of) to the recent floods and the need for the opposition to make the public believe that it doesn’t have to be this way when it comes to the current politics of mediocrity. The Epstein Files and the dearth of good reporting:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-150004285 Poet Paula Meehan pod is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-150317193 Support Dignity for Pa...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with activist, campaigner and commentator Jenny Maguire about her recent column that laid out the need for the broad left to focus on building a coalition that is based on a more hopeful vision and less prone to infighting around identity politics. This is a great conversation with a great voice and The Flash even makes a guest appearance. The Irish Spy Deel (sic) podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-149241136?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory chats with UCD Professor Aidan Regan about the gap between Ireland’s global leading GDP and the average person’s economic outlook. Aidan argues that this imbalance contributes to the growing polarisation in our society and politics and he also talks about how exposed our economic miracle is to the whims of the man in the White House. Read more here:https://democracychallenged.com/2025/12/17/irelands-gdp-is-a-mirage-household-living-standards-tell-the-real-story/ Comrade Mark Carney, Davos and Inequality podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148762978 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patr...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this tortoise shack special, Tony sits down with immigration lawyer and (sadly) Corkman, Cathal Malone, to talk about Ireland's immigration system, the hardening political rhetoric, the lived reality and lots more. This is a must-listen for anyone who is concerned by statements from our elected officials and even more so for those who think our Government are just talking "common sense." Elon Musk podcast with author Jacob Silverman is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148385638 Support ‘Ocras’ here: https://chuffed.org/project/165535-ocras-hunger-striker-support-fund Ireland’s GDP is a mirage podcas...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory is joined by producer Tony Groves to talk the reality of our homelessness crisis, the horror of AI/X Grok's CSAM, Simon Harris joining Jim O'Callaghan on the anti-immigrant bus, Climate Action getting binned by government and why the Left needs to focus on kitchen table issues in 2026. Editors Note: Rory subsequently abandoned his twitter/x account. Ireland’s GDP is a mirage podcast with Prof Aidan Regan is out now here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-148284291 The Immigration "Debate" Podcast with Lawyer Cathal Malone is out no...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with Ber Grogan, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland about what are real reasons for the ongoing rise in homelessness, finding hope in solutions like a ban on evictions, and is it fair to call out landlord greed to get the market rent & the HAP trap. Venezuela Podcast with el Pais journalist Nicholas Dale Leal:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-146527115 Support Simon here:https://www.simon.ie/donate/

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory talks with leading author and researcher Conor McCabe about the Irish economy - is this really record economic growth? How does foreign direct investment mislead what is really going on, how it shapes our policy and leaves us wondering why are things so difficult for so many if this is record economic growth. We also talk about how Governments turned housing into a global asset class and created our housing disaster. Constantin Gurdgiev's Christmas Special is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-145972391 The Sanctuary Runners Donation...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic Podcast, Rory chats with tortoise shack editor Tony Groves about the government's new housing plan, that is so impressive that the Minister for Housing, James Brown, didn't even bother hanging around to answer questions on it in the Dáil. This is a short insight into what is and more importantly is not in the "plan." The Philip O'Connor in Stockholm podcast is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-143333372 Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory is joined by tortoise shack editor and producer, Tony Groves and Mr irishelectionprojections.com, Harry McEvansoneya, to talk about the Presidential Election, the broad Left-unity movement that may emerge and the far right in Ireland. We also pit Rory's enthusiasm against Tony's cynicism and Harry looks at what lessons might be learned from what was a bit of a mad campaign. Harry's latest:https://irishelectionprojections.com/2025/10/21/2025-presidential-election/ Bloody Sunday, Soldier F and British Justice with Tony Doherty out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141945374

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Editors Note: This was a member-only podcast from Sept, but members asked for it to go out for free, so here it is. In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks who is buying our homes with Lorcan Sirr, Senior Lecturer in TUD. Lorcan breaks down who exactly is buying up newly built homes in Ireland - the answer is - increasingly it's not first time home buyers - it's investor funds & the state. We discuss the market supply myths and what needs to be done to get affordable homes built at scale. Eoin Ó Broin p...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Leilani Farha is a human rights lawyer, host of PushBack Talks, founder of Right to Housing organisiation, The Shift, former UN Special Rapporteur for the Right to Adequate Housing and most importantly a Tortoise Shack fan. She rejoins us to talk about the ongoing global financialisation of housing, the ways some cities have pushed back, what the genocide in Gaza says about international law and why she still believes human rights are worth fighting for every single day. Milei Meltdown podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-139738780 Donate to...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory talks with Tanya Ward, Director of the Children’s Rights Alliance about the reasons underlying the shocking figure that 1 in 5 children in Ireland are in poverty after housing costs are paid. We discuss the impact of the housing costs – as families are forced into food poverty and overcrowding, the impact on children of growing up in poverty, and the solutions – investment in early years intervention and targeted measures at low income families and areas of disadvantage. Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-in-139268758

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory talks with Khalid El-Astal, who was born in Belfast in 1993, and Melissa Murphy who is part of the Kildare Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Khalid is now living in Ireland with his two young children, Ali and Sara, who were injured in an Israeli airstrike that struck their home in October 2023, killing their mother, grandmother and uncle. His brothers Abdurrahman and Abdullah — both Irish citizens born in Belfast — remain trapped in Gaza, along with their father, Professor Ali El-Astal, who lived in Belfast for eight years while completing his PhD...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack We Tell Our Stories Hani Mahmoud decided 23 months ago to shift from academia and to stand in front of the camera in order to tell the story of Gaza and its people. He works as the Aljazeera English correspondent in Gaza, becoming one of the most important journalists alive, sharing with the world a story that would otherwise go untold or manipulated. Tune in to learn about Hani, his work and the people of Gaza, from whom he takes his strength to continue. Tadhg Hickey on the Drone Strike on the Global Sumud...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack When journalist and accidental genocide correspondent, Abubaker Abed, left Gaza a few months ago the only thing certain was that he would continue to speak up and report on what is happening in his homeland. He rejoins us to discuss his advocacy, campaigning and reasons for hope in the face of so much suffering. Latest on the Drone Strike on the Global Sumud Flotilla with Paul Murphy in Tunis is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138492264 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory chats with Sean McCabe who is Head of Climate and Sustainability at Bohemians Football Club about the potential for community wealth building and cooperatives to create a sustainable more equal economy. We chat about the work that's happening in Spark the Bohs communities cooperative initiative, and hear about a growing community wealth building movement from Cleveland to Mondragon to Dublin. We're looking for hope in a new and better way for our society and environment- this is it! Enjoy. The latest Reboot Republic podcast with Palestinian journalist Abubaker...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to Louise Bayliss, Head of Social Justice & Policy with the St Vincent De Paul. 250,000 people sought support from SVP last year showing the scale of on going cost of living crisis. We discuss the stigma of poverty and its continued pervasiveness despite this country's wealth. The 11,000 volunteers with SVP shows hope in so many people working for social justice and giving practical support to people - a counter to the rising hate. We also discuss the cost of poverty, how investing in targeted measures is a social...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory discusses the new apartment standards the Government have brought in with Orla Hegarty of the UCD School of Architecture and Planning. Orla outlines the major flaws in these new guidelines, around creating liveable homes, and analyses the Governments justifications as lacking evidence. These will boost speculative developers profits and create tenements of the 21st century charged at unaffordable rents. Creating a dystopian city and urban spaces Latest Echo Chamber RTE-An Post podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-134177046 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with Orla O Connor who has recently announced that she is leaving her role as Director of the National Women's Council of Ireland. We talk about Orla's 23 years of experience of campaigning for women's equality and social justice in the National Women's Council, the learnings and lessons of campaigns like the Repeal Referendum, intersectionalism and what is or should be a vision for feminism today - for all women, from those in homelessness to needing childcare, to care workers, and the need to come together to challenge...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack “In 2015, while at home looking after our new baby, my wife received a letter from the Department of Social Protection telling her that she needed to attend a social welfare office to be photographed for a Public Services Card or have her child benefit payment cut off. As she did not want to drag an infant out to a government office she solved this problem the sensible way. She handed me the letter and said "Deal with that."” These are the opening lines of the latest Gist with friend of the shack, digital righ...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack What are the new rental measures? In this Reboot Republic podcast Rory and Dr Michael Byrne from UCD break down the latest rental measures and explain what they are, what is the likely impact on rents and supply, and who will actually benefits. The verdict? TBD. The Week in Housing newsletter is a weekly one-page analysis of new housing research and policy. Read it here: https://theweekinhousing.substack.com/ The illegal Public Services Card with Simon McGarr:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131317106 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to economist Michael Taft about the impact of tariffs on the Irish economy and jobs, our over dependence on US multinational investment, how we can create a diversified strong indigenous economy, the importance of collective bargaining, workers rights and wages, cooperative and community led enterprise and civil society and progressive parties working together in Raise the Roof. Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic Rory & Tony talk to the incredible young Gazan journalist Abubaker Abed about his journey from Gaza to Ireland, the importance of solidarity and speaking up, the daily reality of surviving a genocide, and what Ireland can do to show a common humanity when the world turns its backs on the Holocaust of the 21st Century. Liam Cunningham on Gaza and the cost of speaking out:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-129443800 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic Rory & Tony discuss The national housing disaster - how it is worsening and while its an acknowledged emergency, the government appear to be about to bend to the landlord lobby and lift the minimal protection that exist for renters . Rory outlines the rent cap protest he's organising for Wednesday evening and Tony sets out the investor model and why its unreliable. Do check out Dr Michael Bynre's https://theweekinhousing.substack.com/ Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641 The Abubaker Abed podcast is out now...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Listeners know tortoise shack regular John Harris as that fella who writes about politics and hosts one of them podcasts for the Guardian. Many of you will have seen his award winning series Anywhere But Westminster. So when he told me a few years ago that he was working on a book about his neurodivergent and autistic son James, I knew it would be a great read. I was wrong, it's a brilliant read. John joins me know to discuss the book, autism, family ups and downs and how music not only helped...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic Rory and Tony take a critical eye to the big issues of the week discussing Rorys idea on a state savings scheme to build affordable homes, the emotional pain of Gaza and solidarity, what does the latest poll tell us about the state of the parties and how the government is u turning again on commitments this time on living wages & workers protections. The John Harris podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-127125764 Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702