Episodes

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...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Journalist in Stockholm, Philip O'Connor, is a long-time Brazilian Jiujitsu practitioner. So when he wrote his piece below, On Violence, and outlined the hard reality of what took place on Henry Street, we decided we'd have a wider conversation about it all. Philip ties together all of the strands from policing, to security, to media framing and to systemic racism. Do listen. Philip's piece:https://philipoconnor.com/on-violence/ The SpiceBag Podcast:ht...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack James Leonard is no stranger to the tortoise shack. Yet this is his first-ever appearance in the shack, and it is, like the man himself, really great. We talk about his post 2 Norries work, including collaborating internationally to raise awareness about the carceral experience, his work in Cork in building life-long learning initiatives and his work in Local Govt where he sees the friction between politics and community development. Thanks for the cha...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Hussam Tannera is a teacher, father and a survivor of the Gaza genocide. He shares his experience taking care of his two children while trying to live as best a life is possible in Gaza today. He tells us an uplifting and ingenious story about starting a coffee brand despite the lack of coffee beans. Many of us take eating meat for granted, but Hussam tells us an entirely different personal story during a prolonged period of starvation. Tune in for ful...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack As promised, Mr irishelectionprojections.com Harry McEvansoneya is back to make sense of the Galway West and Dublin Central by-elections. Sense (from Groves) is maybe a bit of a stretch. Will Fine Gael's Ray McAdam get Soc Dem's Dan Ennis elected or will Gerry Hutch's transfers turn everything upside down? Will Labour pull of a shock in Galway? Enjoy or endure. There is no in between. James Leonard podcast here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-excl...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack It's been another clown-show in UK politics over the last couple of weeks. Re-joining me to wade through the mud is Prof Richard Murphy. He analyses the recent Local Elections and the state of the Labour Party. We discuss the attacks on the Green's Zack Polanski and explore the need for a vision beyond the politics of mediocrity. This is a great example of Richard's ability to cut through the bullshit and it's why he's a listener favourite. Don't miss ...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode we dive into the "Cut Taxes" narrative that is dominating our economic and political media at the moment with NERI Economist, Ciaran Nugent. We dig into Ireland's topsy-turvy fiscal policies, the reality of our personal tax system, Ireland's tax (avoidance) system, the housing crisis, our weak energy transition, and the impact of international policies on Ireland's future. We also look at the current prominent economic debates, tired ol...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Writer, columnist and political commentator Elaine Crory rejoined me on the tortoise shack to talk Stormont and the mood music of a managed decline. She breaks down why the politicians MUST stay the course and not betray their constituents and the reasons for the latest opinion poll data that shows a 60%+ lead for the Irish unity with EU membership question. This is a belter of a chat with a great voice we need to hear from. The Hope, Courage and Commu...

Malak Hijazi is an English Literature graduate, writer, historian of displacement and journalist from Gaza. She joins us from Gaza City to share her story, describe life under the ongoing genocide and explain why she is compelled to record what is happening to her people despite the danger to herself. A remarkable young woman. Don’t miss it. Stormont on the Brink pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-157551108 The Hope, Courage and Community podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/p...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this tortoise shack special episode, Tony speaks with community development expert and big ideas guy, Rob Cass, about Ireland's housing crisis, the data-driven solutions, and the importance of measuring and implementing effective and proven policies to build a sustainable future for young people and communities. It's not Urban vs Rural - it's old locking out the young. For more see:https://onemillionhomes.ie/ Stormont on the Brink pod:https://www.pa...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack It’s 2026, Gerry Hutch has left his second home of Lanzarote to run as a candidate in the upcoming Dublin Central byelection and Daniel Kinahan is in a Dubai prison cell fighting not to be sent back to Ireland to face justice. Irish sports legend Katie Taylor is looking to book her swansong fight in Croke Park. all the while the Regency shooting hangs like a cloud over everything. It’s all a bit surreal. Joining me on the shack to discuss it all is spo...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Infectious disease expert, UCC's Prof Adjunct and Hospital Consultant, Niall Conroy, recently returned from his second home of Sierra Leone, where he witnessed first-hand the impact of the cuts by the likes of Trump, Musk and others are having on some of the most vulnerable people in the world. This is both a necessary eye-opening conversation about epidemics, pandemic prevention and why we might be sleepwalking into more problems. Niall's children mal...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode, Tony and Mr Judge Street Journal, Timmy Facciola, explore the first 100 days of Zoran Mamdani's NYC mayoralty, political strategies, and the evolving landscape of New York City politics. Timmy also breaks down his phone call with President Trump. They also touch on international issues, sports (NBA briefly), and personal passions (Timmy's fishing), providing current affairs and personal stories that get a little loose. We'll have to re...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Khaled Al-Qershali is a writer and journalist from Gaza, focusing on personal narratives and reporting on the humanitarian impact of conflict. He has published articles and essays in outlets such as The Electronic Intifada, The Washington Report of Middle East Affairs, and The Independent. His work highlights stories of resilience, survival, and the lived experiences of civilians under occupation. He joins us from Gaza City to share his story and his h...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Independent (Govt) TD Barry Heneghan came over to the tortoise shack to discuss his decision to vote confidence in the government, his reasons and redlines for what he deems government stability and why he believes that his voters will understand his position even as the cost of living crisis continues to worsen. Editors Note: Recorded for members 17th April The case for Community Wealth Building Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-1...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sonia Borwick has worked caring for people in their homes for over two decades. Now, like many of her Section 39 colleagues, she is paid less than she was almost 20 years ago. Worse still, she’s been suspended from her workplace because, in my opinion, she has continued to raise the issue. She joined me in the tortoise shack to talk about her experience and need for workers to stand together. NERI's Tom McDonnell on the Energy Crisis and Solutions Pod:...

Please join me at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Editor's note: This podcast contains details that you might find upsetting. Amira Attiya, a writer and a student of translation from Gaza, tells the story of how she lost her three siblings—one of them was kidnapped, killed, and even fed to dogs—and that of her father, who was burned with white phosphorus during the Cast Lead operation. Amira was displaced 12 times, and has spent the past two years in a tent. Despite this, she is about to graduate from...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this in-depth conversation, Tony talks with listener favourite, Professor Richard Murphy, about the stark reality of the global energy crisis and the lack of political courage in the era of Trump madness. They explore the current global economic crisis, energy shortages, food security, and the failures of governments to build resilience. They also analyse the impact of geopolitical tensions, market failures, and the urgent need for systemic change t...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Despite knowing everything about everything, I decided to ask for another opinion on the fuel protests. So here's an in-depth interview with the wonderful Saoirse McHugh, who discusses the recent protests, the systemic issues in agriculture, energy, and social policy, and explores potential solutions for a sustainable future. The conversation highlights the influence of powerful (shady) interest groups, EU policies, and the urgent need for systemic cha...

For More Please visit AFSC.org The Occupation Killed My Grandchildren and Dispersed My Family is written by Yusra Salem Abu Awad and narrated by Bernadette Devlin McAliskey "Where is the United Nations? Where are the world’s nations? Where are those who stand with us? I raise my voice with all Palestinians. My scattered children, I hope to meet them safely soon." Bernadette Devlin is a lifelong civil rights activist and leader. We are very grateful for her contribution to this audiobook. To purc...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dr. Belal Alakhras is a lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) who was born and raised in Gaza. His research focuses on settler colonial studies, conflict resolution, and the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East and Southeast Asia and the escalating war on Iran. In this episode, he talks about his experience watching the genocide unfold in Gaza from afar and how it feels heavier than he'd imagined. He also offers his exper...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Timmy Facciola is a freelance journalist who worked previously with the New York Times and Politico. He now covers the new Mayor Zohran Mamdani from his excellent substack https://judgestreetjournal.substack.com/ He made his first ever podcast appearance on the shack earlier and we discussed his work, the mad king Trump, the Jewish communities feelings towards Mayor Mamdani and why local journalism is so important in this global news obsessed era. Rory...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Solicitor and Digital Rights expert, Simon McGarr re-joins me to discuss the recent legal woes for Big Tech, the novel legal argument that challenges their business model, the Government's attempts to improve online safety and why what Ireland is planning to do with its EU Presidency is at odds with tackling online disinformation and misinformation. Spoiler: It's deeply ironic that we're arguing for less Big Tech regulation, while complaining that the ...

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Editors Note: Contains strong language from a part of the protest The fuel protests have caused havoc to people's travel plans and made many turn on the protests. But Dublin City Councillor, Conor Reddy went along twice and despite what you see in the video at the start, he was able to find common ground with many there and engage in civil debate and conversations even with those of whom he disagreed. We have many crises facing this country and if we d...