Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

The Gardai have charged 29 people as part of a major clampdown on retail crime. Operation Táirge is a garda investigation into theft, handling stolen goods, criminal damage and assaults on shop staff in Dubin's north inner city. In the face of this  'Dublin Town' are switching on their Christmas Lights tonight across 24 streets. Henry McKean reports on shoplifting and what shops have to cope with. He sent us this report.   

What are the health conditions women need to look out for at every stage of life? Dr Caoimhe Hartley takes us through the conditions to be aware of and tells us about Blackrock Health’s new women’s health clinic.

New speed limits are set to be introduced across Dublin city in an attempt to make the city safer. The 30kmh speed limit currently applies in parts of the city centre in Dublin 1, Dublin 2, Marino in Dublin 3 and Irishtown and Ballsbridge in Dublin 4. But will this work across our capital city?All to discuss with Olivia Kelly, Dublin Editor of The Irish Times.

Professor Nick Maynard has spent 15 years engaging in surgical volunteering in Gaza, including during the most recent conflict. Professor Maynard leading consultant Upper GI Surgeon based in Oxford, with more than 25 years of experience in his field. He is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Oxford University joins Pat this morning discuss his work in Gaza, and an upcoming fundraising talk for the Medical Aid for Palestinians Charity.

A Garden from Ireland for the White House, a proposal for a symbolic gift from Ireland to the United States.  It would celebrate the friendship between the two countries, their shared history. Diarmuid developed the idea while the US was enjoying the Obama administration, but President Joe Biden’s Irish heritage added an extra layer of possibility.Diarmuid told Pat all about this idea and journey.

Cooking healthy, balanced meals everyday can take up a lot of time for people, especially when you’ve a busy schedule. But Clodagh McKenna's new cookbook, Clodagh's Happy Cooking: 100 Easy, Speedy, Healthy Recipes for Good Mood Food, includes easy recipes with ingredients that you can find in your cupboard. From juices and teas, soups and breads to snacks and treats. 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has privately vowed to fight any challenge to his leadership that may come after this month’s budget or next May’s local election. For more on this Pat was joined by Tim Bale, Professor of Politics, Professor of Politics, Queen Mary University of London.

With restrictions on vapes such as banning single use vapes, mandating that vapes be hidden in shops,  and restriction on flavoured vapes, are we doing enough, or too much, to tackle vaping? All to discuss with John Crown Consultant medical oncologist St Vincents Hospital Group, Professor of Translational Cancer Research DCU & UCD Professor.

There’s a whole graveyard of badly handled remakes and “reimagining’s” of beloved classics that just didn’t live up to their legacy. Some weren’t disasters exactly, but they lost the sparkle, magic, or wit that made the originals timeless.  All to chat about with Lisa Cannon, Head of Studio at DMG Media.

In 2019 a couple were found guilty of procuring female genital mutilation, otherwise known as FGM, sentenced to prison and their children removed from their care. Now, they are fighting to clear their name. First Conviction from RTÉ Documentary on One and RTÉ Investigates chronicles their quest for justice. Joining Pat in studio to discuss the details was Pamela Fraher, Reporter, RTÉ Investigates and also James McGuill, Solicitor.

As COP-30 takes place in Brazil, scientists there detail what happened in the heart of the Amazon Basin in 2023. We hear how lake temperatures surged past 40 °C. Also, researchers in Kansas have been researching what is know as the legacy effect in microbes. They found microbes in soil were able to remember past drought and share properties with new plants to make them better equipped to survive similar conditions. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland on this week's 'Green Scene'All with thanks to Repak.

New car buyers are placing their 2026 orders now. Why does January matter so much, and is it worth buying new at all? All to chat with Conor Faughnan, Transport Consultant. 

Catherine Connolly Inauguration, Party leadership criticised for focus on ‘parachuting in’ famous names .Fine Gael spin doctors got €1,000 ‘gifts’ for election campaign volunteer work .Housing plan aims to deliver 90,000 ‘starter homes’ over five years Government has pledged overall delivery of more than 300,000 new homes by end of 2030.All to discuss with Sean Defoe, Political Correspondent and Host of Let me Explain Podcast.

On this week’s Tech Slot, Jess Kelly will review the brand new Google Pixel4 Watch and also answers listener's tech queries.All with thanks to Renault.

In 1974, then Assistant National Director for Simon Ireland, nurse Alice Leahy authored a comprehensive study entitled ‘Medical Care for the Vagrant in Ireland’ where she noted the gaps that separated medical staff from the socially deprived group, resulting in medical problems going untreated. This report led to the founding of ‘Trust’, now known as Alice Leahy Trust which is now marking its 50th Anniversary.All to chat with its founder Alice Leahy.

In 2020, 21-year-old showjumper Katie Simpson was murdered by her sister’s abusive partner. Yet it took 5 months of persistence from suspicious nurses, Katie’s concerned family and friends, and an investigative journalist for the PSNI to open an investigation into her death. Nicola Tallant discusses her new book on the murder of Katie Simpson with Pat on the show.

Aviva are going to renew their sponsorship of the Aviva stadium by another five years. It will bring their sponsorship of the stadium to 20 years. We hear about the legacy 15 years of great sporting and cultural moments especially as the home of Irish Soccer and Rugby. The evolution into a world class sporting venue and what the future brings.All to discuss with Declan O’ Rourke, Aviva Insurance Ireland CEO.

What can we do to protect our children from bullying? Does the rise of cyberbullying mean that children can never truly be safe? To mark Anti Bullying week this week. Pat was joined on the show by by Rena Maycock, the founder and CEO of Chirp, an anti-cyberbullying software, to discuss what we can do about bullying.

Catherine Connolly’s inauguration takes place today in Dublin Castle. Catherine Connolly will be Ireland’s tenth president, and the third woman to serve in the role, following her victory over Heather Humphreys in October.   Joining us live from Dublin Castle is Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent and host of the ‘Let me Explain’ Podcast, to give us a closer look. 

Dana Abu Koash, is the International Humanitarian Law coordinator with the Palestine Red Crescent Society, based in Ramallah, the West Bank. Dana is in Dublin for the Irish Red Cross, International Humanitarian Law Conference, ‘From Commitments to Action: Protecting Humanity in Crisis’ which took place on Thursday. Dana discusses the perspective of someone working on the ground in Palestine.