Episodes

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony and Mexico-based Colombian journalist with El Pais, Nicholas Dale Leal, discuss the recent natural disasters in Venezuela, the political landscape in Colombia, and the economic reforms in Cuba. They explore the impact of these events on local populations and the broader implications for Latin America. They also discuss Nicholas's visit to the Azteca Stadium. The Whistleblowers - In Their Own Words out now:https://ww...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony is rejoined by Writer, Commentator and Community Advocate, Elaine Crory to discuss the Jeffrey Donaldson case, sexual violence, challenges within the justice system, and societal issues across the island of Ireland. They explore the impact of political power, rape myths, and systemic failures on justice and social progress. The Whistleblowers Podcast - In Their Own Words:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/p...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Yahia Lababidi is an Arab American poet of Palestinian descent and essayist, and the author of sixteen books. His work appears in Liberties, Salmagundi, The Threepenny Review, The New Statesman, The New Arab, and DAWN, among others. His recent books include Palestine Wail (Daraja Press, 2024), written in the first months of Israel’s assault on Gaza, and What Remains to Be Said (Wild Goose Publications, 2025). His forthcoming essay collection, If You Ca...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, solicitor Cathal Malone discusses the impact of proposed (resulting in dozens of solicitors walking out) changes to Ireland's criminal legal aid fee structure, the long-time underfunding of the justice system, and the broader implications for access to justice. The conversation highlights the disconnect between policy intentions and real-world effects on vulnerable populations. Minister Jim O'Callaghan's run of doing Cra...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Senator Lynn Ruane returns to talk about the cross-party Oireachtas Committee Report on Drug Use. She discusses the report's recommendations, harm reduction, decriminalisation, and trauma-informed care, emphasising the need for evidence-based policies and community-led initiatives to reduce drug-related harm. We also get into the Government and Garda response. Do not skip this one. Petro Speech: https://portside.org/2022...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Eoin Ó Broin is back to discuss Ireland's housing crisis, recent legislative changes, and strategic solutions to address homelessness and housing affordability. We also get involved in cross-party efforts (or lack thereof), policy reforms, quick wins, and urgent actions needed to improve housing conditions. There’s also chat about his role on the Sinn Féin front-bench and Eoin’s feelings about the new Barak Obama centre. Lynn Ruane podcast:https://www....

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode, Tony is joined by PBP TD Paul Murphy to dig into the lay of the land in Irish politics, the current left-wing strategies for change, future coalition possibilities, and the influence of global corporations on our current political realm. Paul explores and gives his take on the challenges and opportunities for building a progressive government in Ireland that does not include Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. Contantin Gurdgiev on US politics a...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sondos Sabra is a Palestinian writer from Gaza and co-author of Voices of Resistance, currently pursuing a master’s degree in Creative Writing in the UK. She joins us to discuss her experience of the genocide, the harsh reality of the famine she endured, the loss of several of her family and the heartache of planning for a future when everything is stuck in a worsening present. Paul Murphy wants to go into Government podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tor...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "This week Jim O'Callaghan, the Minister for Justice, stood up and explained why his plan to give the Garda Síochána powers to use AI to surveil the public didn't need the safeguards set down in EU law." Tony and solicitor Simon McGarr jump into the recent legislative proposals and developments surrounding biometric data and AI law in Ireland. Simon examines the implications of new bills, what these mean in terms of EU regulations and laws, and the pot...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony and Nicolas Dale Leal, a Mexico-based journalist with El País, discuss the intersection of politics, football, and current events in Latin America and beyond. They examine the impact of protests during the World Cup in Mexico, the political landscapes in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil, and the influence of global figures such as Bukele and Lula. Nicholas gives his assessment of the Colombian Presidential Election and th...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack “The People's Forum on Peace and Neutrality has been organised in a context where the EU policy of rearmament, with an increased reliance on weapons production, calls in to question its origins as a peace project and its commitment to UN authority, diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution.” Joining me this evening from the Neutrality Roadshow is Rory Rowan and (legend) Niamh Ní Bhrian to discuss the even this weekend that’ll feature the likes of Fran...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Mohammed R. Isdodi is an English language student from Al-Azhar University whose studies were interrupted by the war. He rejoins us from a "hub" in Gaza City to update us on the latest situation on the ground, the struggle for basics like clean water and his work with others of telling their stories of the last almost three years. He offers a poignant insight into something he has written about the Gaza he walks through today and the one that exists no...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony is rejoined by writer, commentator and activist, Emma DeSouza to analyse the recent riots, racially motivated violence and social unrest in Northern Ireland. Emma explores the underlying causes, societal impacts, and the role of social media, political rhetoric and some mainstream media players. They try to emphasise the importance of community resilience, constructive dialogue and the need to improve the lot of eve...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack special, Tony speaks with writer, columnist, community advocate and Belfast woman, Elaine Crory about the recent riots in the city, community resilience in the face of political failure, and the complex issues surrounding violence and social cohesion in Northern Ireland. She explains how community members stepped up, showing solidarity while the State played the blame-game and they discuss the role of Loyalist Paramilitaries infl...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Time and time again, the disabled and carer community are left behind. When the Government found over 700m for the fuel protests, while saying they couldn't pay out an emergency 145m cost of disability payment the message was loud and clear; you don't matter enough in our economic model. Joining us on the podcast to discuss the inherent unfairness of our divide and rule system, which means people compete for resources, are Head of Advocacy with the Iri...

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 t...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Mohammad AlTurk is a young English Translator in Gaza. He joins us from Gaza City to discuss the current situation on the ground and to tell his story of the past two and a half years. He also shares his hope for the future. 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 It's been a testing time for the broad left and the vote-left-transfer-left movement, and with the speculation swirling around about internal disputes within Sinn Féin, it was the perfect time to be joined by their party spokesperson for health, David Cullinane. We discuss the state of left unity, leadership speculation, and the tell-all book about the party, and we delve into their positions on immigration and the perception that they pivoted to the r...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Longtime listeners would be well aware of the annual left-a-palooza that is the Robert Tressell Festival. This year, it’s going bigger by moving to the RDS. Joining me to talk all about the events and why this political and cultural space matters are two of the organisers, Trade Unionist, Claire O’Connor and Filmmaker Graham Seely. Tickets and details:https://tressellfestival.ie/ Liam Cunningham Ep 1600 Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-excl...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The Cuba humanitarian crisis shames the world. Yet not even their allies or nearest neighbours are helping in any meaningful way. Joining me to discuss this is Nicholas Dale Leal, a Mexico-based Colombian journalist with El País. We also have some potentially good news in Colombia, some eye-raising news about the CIA operating in Mexico in the lead up to the World Cup. The Liam Cunningham Ep 1600 is out now exclusively:https://www.patreon.com/posts/pat...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Longtime listeners will be well aware of the environmental disaster that is Lough Neagh and the work of journalist and returning guest Tommy Greene in exposing it. Tommy talks us through the latest Lough updates and then tells us about a story that links a US mining company, King Charles, Peter Mandelson and a goldmine in the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains of Tyrone. A real eye opener. The Cost of Disability Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/pa...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Palestinian teacher, academic and plain-talker, Arwa Alzraiy was a PhD Student in Durham before October 7th. She had returned to Gaza to collect data as part of her studies just before the genocide began. She joins us now from Gaza to talk truthfully about the reality of the current situation, the plight of the students she teaches and how even the subjects discussed in the makeshift classrooms are controlled by Israel. This is a must-listen episode wi...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Activist, artist and creator, Adam SpiceBag Doyle, has made waves in Irish media and politics. But his biggest challenge is building and sustaining a centre for displaced children in Gaza, Ionad Hind Rajab. He joined me to discuss the latest Sumud Flotilla, his journey from fundraising to becoming the Director of a school in Gaza and more. The latest on Lough Neagh podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-158877807 For more visit:https://...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Tá an ghrian ag scoilteadh na gcloch, so of course we're inside looking at what just happened in Dublin Central and Galway West. And to do so, I am delighted to be joined by Mr irishelectionprojections.com Harry McEvansoneya and Data and Digital Rights expert, solicitor, Simon McGarr, to dig into the results, the data, the party positions and what can (and won't) be learned from the outcomes. This is a bumper podcast with two of the best guests and one...