The Indo Daily

The Sallins train robbery was one of the most daring and lucrative heists in the history of the Irish State. And for Osgur Breatnach, a journalist and activist, it was the beginning of an ordeal that haunts him to this day. He was arrested that morning in 1976, as one of six accused of carrying out the robbery. One week before Christmas of the same year, he and his co-accused were brought into the Special Criminal Court and charged with the crime. It would become one of the most dramatic and longest-running criminal trials in the history of the State. In the final episode of this two-part Indo Daily documentary special, Kevin Doyle revisits the Sallins Train Robbery, speaking to Osgur Breathnach about the trial of the ‘sleeping Judge’, living with PTSD, and why he feels a public inquiry is justified for he and his co-accused. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the night of March 30th, 1976, a gang of armed men held a family hostage in rural County Kildare and derailed a mail train carrying the equivalent of over €1 million in cash and valuables. It was one of the most audacious robberies in the history of the Irish state—but today, it is remembered for very different reasons. What followed was one of the longest and most controversial trials in the history of the Irish state—one that would see Osgur’s conviction overturned, but not before spending 17 months in Portlaoise prison. The IRA would later claim responsibility for the Sallins robbery, and nearly five decades on, Osgur is still seeking justice for his treatment in the Bridewell Garda station and wrongful conviction. Host; Kevin Doyle. Guest; Osgur Breathnach See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pope Francis has died following a period of poor health. It comes one day after his last official duties, including an appearance at the Easter Sunday blessing in the Vatican, and a brief meeting with US Vice President JD Vance. We look back at his trip to Ireland in 2018, examine his legacy and also ask what happens next as the Catholic Church searches for a new pontiff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever landed on Shrewsbury Road on the Monopoly board, you’ll know it costs a pretty penny. Real life is no different, so what does the leafy, affluent area of Dublin tell us about price tags, property deals and prosperity in Ireland today? Host: Ellen Coyne Guest: John Burns See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They were the broadcasting behemoths who helped Sky Sports and Premier League football change the media landscape forever. The wisecracking duo of Richard Keys and Andy Gray were arguably as famous as the footballers they provided the commentary track for, but at the peak of their punditry prowess, a series of scandals changed the pair’s fortunes forever. Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Dave Hanratty This episode was first released in June 2024 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On an otherwise quiet Wednesday in the village of Abbeylara, County Longford, in April 2000, a man by the name of John Carthy was agitated, pacing his childhood home. Shouting through the window, his cries were barely audible at times over increasing howls of wind. He was armed with a double-barrelled shotgun, which had already been discharged numerous times in the direction of the Gardaí who surrounded the house. By the time Holy Thursday evening arrived, John Carthy would be dead. Mr Carthy, who suffered from bipolar depression and had spent several periods in psychiatric care, fired 30 shots from his home as negotiators tried to mediate with him. The Abbeylara siege, which lasted 25 hours, resulted in Gardai from the ERU discharging four bullets by two separate officers. A judicial inquiry chaired by Mr Justice Robert Barr published a damning report on the Abbeylara siege in 2006. It criticised major shortcomings in the Garda operation, stating that scene commanders had "little training" and "no practical experience" of an armed siege situation. Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Ralph Riegel See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Description: In recent weeks, China has remained resolutely defiant in the face of Donald Trump's "on again, off again" tariff policy. As the trade war between two global superpowers rumbles on, is it possible that America's traditional trade partners are rethinking old alliances? And who is Xi Jingping, the Chinese president hoping to trump his US counterpart? Host: Ellen Coyne | Guests: Kerry Brown and Erin HaleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jackie Healy-Rae Jr has landed himself a role as special adviser to junior minister Michael Healy-Rae, who, yes, just so happens to be his father. Jackie also holds the distinction of being the first such special adviser with a criminal record. Should the conviction have blocked his path? And what does the Taoiseach think? Host: Kevin Doyle Guests: Fionnán Sheahan and Sinead Kelleher See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In April 2005, 43-year-old Irene White was found dead at her home in Dundalk, in what is now regarded as one of the most violent and frenzied killings in Irish history. The mother of three had been stabbed 34 times. The subsequent investigation would last for over a decade, eventually leading to the conviction of two men: Anthony Lamb and Niall Power—both of whom claimed they were acting under orders. Host: Tabitha Monahan Guest: Retired Detective Sergeant Pat Marry See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in the late ‘90s when David Gray put pen to paper on the song Babylon, he probably didn’t intend for the lines ‘Let go your heart / Let go your head’ to be taken quite as literally as many modern-day revelers now seem to. Indeed, such was the overly rowdy atmosphere at Gray’s recent Dublin show that the musician felt the need to take to social media to politely scold them. He told followers “I don't think I've ever heard the audience as, as rowdy as that, and bit outta control in a way”. Today on this episode of The Indo Daily, two “culture snobs” chat with Tabitha Monahan about declining public standards at concerts, the cinema, the theatre - just about anywhere. Host: Tabitha Monahan, Guests; Dave Hanratty and John MeagherSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has created rolling news stories since he retook the presidential oath back in January. But for a brief period in October 2024, it was his wife who was generating the headlines. Melania Trump's debut memoir has been described by reviewers as "deeply weird", "truly bad" and "a brazen whitewash of a presidency". Despite the reviews, the book has delivered surprising revelations about her political views and her life with Donald Trump. *This podcast was first released in October 2024* Host: Fionnán Sheahan. Guests: Sheila Flynn and Gina London See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The combination of a record cocaine bust, rogue fruit importers, corrupt officials and minor royalty might sound like the plot of a blockbuster movie but for Spanish police investigating the country's largest ever cocaine seizure - they were all part of a complex web of drug smuggling and money movement. Host: Fionnán Sheahan | Guest: John Mulligan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Donald Trump’s ultra-aggressive tariff plan now in place, the world’s markets are in meltdown and the global economy has become a bloodsport. But what effect will the high-stakes and fast-changing news have on you and your wallet? And how will Ireland’s economy react to a looming pharma tariff? Host; Kevin Doyle; Guests; Donal O’Donovan and Jeff Mason See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A spy trail of secret messages, codewords and a phone smashed with an axe in an extraordinary tale of alleged corporate espionage is unfolding in front of the High Court. The story of Dublin man Keith O’Brien made international headlines when his employer, a major US HR services firm, set a “trap” to identify how confidential information was being leaked – and the saga is not over yet. His 13-page confession was read to the High Court last week, where he told how he spied on his multinational employer for a rival for a fee of over €5,000 month. That is, until he was caught. Host: Fionnán Sheahan. Guests: Maeve Sheehan and Shane Phelan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The last recorded sighting of Kerry farmer Mike Gaine was at a Centra store in Kenmare on March 20. After that, he disappeared. Despite an extensive search, the mystery of what happened to the 56-year-old sheep farmer remains unresolved. Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guest: Catherine Fegan You can read more about this podcast in Catherine Fegan’s article on the Irish Independent. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Meagher tells the story of “Clara” from Co Cork, who found out that the “boringly normal” man she was planning to marry had been using the image of a black man he had found on a dating app to form online relationships with multiple women. Host: Ellen Coyne Guest: John Meagher You can read more about this podcast in John Meagher’s article on the Irish Independent Listen to John Meagher's previous Indo Daily podcast about how his identity was stolen and used that on a number of dating apps to Catfish multiple women See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the breaking news on Friday afternoon that Russell Brand has been formally charged with rape and sexual assault by UK authorities, we speak with TRT World presenter Enda Brady in London, to detail the charges and look to what comes next. Host: Tabitha Monahan Guest: Enda BradySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian and actor Willa White reflects on an incredible life story that saw him beat the odds to survive drug addiction, and why his time in prison played such an important part. Willa brings his play The Examination to the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin this month. Host: Dave Hanratty Guest: Willa White See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been teased, it's been hyped, and now we know what Donald Trump meant when he talked about Liberation Day. In a sprawling speech that trapezed across the globe, Trump singled out the countries and regions he claims have wronged America—delivering blow after blow at their economies. So, how has Ireland fared on a day that businesses and government leaders have dreaded for months? Okay for now, is the short answer, as Irish pharma companies are spared from the tariff list. But is this dodged bullet just a stay of execution? ­ Host; Kevin Doyle, Guest: John Burns See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former TD and junior minister Finian McGrath has revealed that Michael Lowry wasn’t Barry Heneghan’s first choice to be leader of the Regional Independent Group. He assesses the damage to Verona Murphy following the vote of confidence in the Ceann Comhairle, and outlines why he has despaired at the recent scenes insider Leinster House. Host: Kevin Doyle Guest: Finian McGrath See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.