The Hard Shoulder

This week, Shane was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Every year the Jack and Jill Foundation undertake their Incognito Art Sale, where some of the biggest names create art works on an anonymous basis to help raise money for families caring for children with complex medical needs… One man who over the years became synonymous with the annual campaign was the late and great Paul Costelloe. Shane is joined by Paul's son, William, who has recently become the Creative Director of the Paul Costelloe brand, to discuss. Image: Jack and Jill

Smart watches are something that many of us are wearing, but are they really a good tool for our health and fitness, or just something we’re focusing on too much to our detriment? Joining Shane to discuss is Stephen O’Rourke, Clinical Specialist in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at the Mater University Hospital, Dublin, with a specialist focus on spinal care and lower back pain.

Yesterday, the Public Accounts Committee heard about a surge in violence at the Mater Hospital in Dublin, with the Chief Executive telling the committee that anti-social behaviour had “increased exponentially” and, coupled with overcrowding in general, is becoming more of a factor in retention of staff within the health service. Dr Mick Molloy is Chair of the Consultants Committee of the IMO, and joins Shane to discuss.

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the rest of the weekend action…

A proposed bill to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose to end their lives will not become law, after the House of Lords ran out of time to debate the numerous amendments. Joining Shane to discuss is Rebecca Wilcox, daughter of Journalist and Presenter Esther Rantzen and assisted dying campaigner. Image: Reuters

Taylor Swift has been crowned Spotify’s most-streamed artist of all time, followed by Bad Bunny. The streaming service unveiled its first-ever all-time rankings to celebrate 20 years since its launch, but how has it changed the music industry? Joining Shane to discuss this is Pat Carty, Arts Journalist and Broadcaster.

Cycling Ireland says that there is a “safety crisis” as more than half of cyclists say Irish roads have become more dangerous… Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Shane to discuss.

Dublin City Council has set aside more than €10 million to refurbish its Wood Quay office building, despite planning to move to a new location in 2029… Mannix Flynn, Independent Councillor and Candidate in the upcoming by-election for Dublin Centre joins Shane to discuss.

Mobile phone operators in the UK have warned the government that they may be forced to ration phone signal and data speeds to combat higher energy prices caused by the conflict in Iran. Should we be worried? Shane Coleman was joined on the show by Elaine Burke, Host of the For Tech’s Sake Podcast to discuss.

Should we remove tolling booths from all tolled roads? My next guests things so and says it is "archaic" that trucks, buses, and cars are still being forced to stop, queue, and pay at toll booths. That’s according to Fianna Fail MEP for Ireland South, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú. The EU Transport Committee MEP said Ireland is behind its EU counterparts who have free-flow tolling systems and describes toll booths as outdated concepts that cause traffic delays, minor accidents, millions of euros in wasted diesel and millions of tonnes of carbon emissions. Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Fianna Fail MEP for Ireland South and member of the European Transport Committee joined Shane Coleman on the show to discuss.

Why do we find other people's habits annoying, from queue jumping, chewing loudly, playing videos without headphones, being late & putting feet on seats on public transport? Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin joined us on the show to discuss.

Voters in the constituencies of Galway West and Dublin Central will go to the polls on Friday the 22nd May in two by elections to elect a new representative to Dáil Éireann. The seat in Galway West comes from the election of Catherine Connolly as President, while the Dublin Central seat has been vacated by Paschal Donohoe following his move to the World Bank. Professor Theresa Reidy of the Department of Government and Politics at UCC joined us to look ahead to both contests.

The threat of Islamist terrorism and actions taken by 'lone wolves' is of significant concern, Ireland's security watchdog has warned. The new report also highlights the dangers of extreme right and extreme left-wing terrorism. The legislation designed to give Ireland’s investigative and security agencies the powers to minimise those threats he described as being weak and outdated. So, what amendments do we need to make? Cormac O'Keefe, security Correspondent with the Irish Examiner joined us on the show to discuss.

Becoming a father for the first time can be quite the daunting experience and while there is a lot of joy that comes with it, it also comes with a lot of change to your life too. So how can that change be best managed, and just how significant can it be? Shane Coleman was joined by our own correspondent dads: political correspondent Sean Defoe and courts correspondent Frank Greaney.

Some parts around the country are set to hit up to 20C this weekend, with warm weather and sunny spells forecast. Matthew Martin, Meteorologist with Met Eireann gave us an update on the weather forecast.

The redevelopment of St Stephens Green Shopping Centre has been approved by Dublin City Council. The plans will see the façade of the Dublin shopping centre removed as it currently is with its Mississippi Steamboat design in favour of a glass and red brick façade. But are we erasing an important part of the architecture of our capital city or just something that didn’t look so great anyway? Shane Coleman was joined by Carole Pollard, Architect and Editor of the book Irish Cities in Crisis, and Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Ireland’s new rail traffic management system is facing serious criticism, after costs rose from an expected €19.5 million to more than €31 million with no part of the system delivered yet. Concerns have been raised at the Dáil Public Accounts Committee, where the project has been described as a “slowly developing shambles.” Grace Boland, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal West joined Shane Coleman on the show to discuss.

Heart disease affects thousands of people in Ireland every year, but what are the early warning signs to look out for that you are having a cardiac trouble? Joining Shane to discuss is Paul Stoneman, Cardiology Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Honorary Clinical Lecturer at the RCSI and heart-transplant recipient, Sharon Butler.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about. This week, Simon joins Shane to discuss how to wear tattoos and facial hair in work!