The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Arsenal travelled to Tottenham on Sunday and got their Premier League title challenge back on track with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over their North London rivals. The result leaves Spurs sitting in 16th in the table and 4 points above the relegation zone. Given their current form, is the prospect of relegation now very real? Elsewhere on Sunday, violence erupted in Guadalajara after the leader of the Mexican cartel known as "El Mencho" was killed. Should they qualify, Ireland's first group game for the 2026 World Cup will be in Guadalajara. Are more questions being raised about the suitability of the location of this year's tournament, and are we likely to see fewer fans at games due to unrest? Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with The Independent, speaks to Mat on The Last Word. Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the piece.

The BBC has removed its coverage of Sunday night’s BAFTA awards from iPlayer after a racial slur was broadcast on BBC One and remained uncorrected for a number of hours. It was said by John Davidson, a campaigner for Tourette syndrome, as Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan took to the stage to present an award. The broadcaster has since apologised for the controversy and said that the footage will be re-edited. Joe O’Shea and Elaine Burke speak to Matt on The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Passengers travelling between Ireland and Wales this week will be scanned with facial recognition technology as part of a pilot scheme that’s being rolled out across the UK. The move has received criticism, with Dr. Elizabeth Farries from University College Dublin saying that there are “established problems” with the technology. She, alongside travel commentator Eoghan Corry, speak to Matt on The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Over half of Irish workers feel that their pay does not fairly reflect the skills and effort that they bring to their role, according to a new survey published by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). Owen Reidy, general secretary of ICTU, and Neil McDonnell, chief executive of ISME, join The Last Word to discuss the level of job quality in the Irish employment environment. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

On the Week Trending, TV producer Paddy Duffy and journalist and podcast host Elaine Burke discuss the conviction of an Austrian climber for leaving his girlfriend to freeze to death. They also discuss the impending release of classified files in the US relating to alien life, and the celebration in stamp form of the Aran jumper. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Britain's royal family has been plunged into crisis following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor on suspicion of misconduct while in office. Nick Ferrari, presenter of Nick Ferrari at Breakfast on LBC Radio, joins The Last Word to discuss whether this latest development has damaged the monarchy irreparably. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

A new initiative is looking for members of the public to sign up to become 'hedgehog helpers' in a bid to protect the much-loved animal. John Gibbons joins The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest climate and environment news. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Paul Cullen, former Irish Times Health Correspondent, talks to Matt about Outsider, his memoir that charts his recovery from injuries sustained in a fall off a mountain in Germany and his search for his biological parents. While he had always known he was adopted, that fall was the propulsion for Paul's search to find out what had happened to him in his early years, and where and how he had spent the first few years of his life. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

On Thursday morning, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest comes after Thames Valley Police said they were assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material by Mountbatten Windsor with Jeffrey Epstein. The former prince, who turns 66 today, has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. Mark Paul, London Correspondent with the Irish Times, updates Matt on The Last Word. Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the piece.

Playwright, author and director, Una McKevitt is the latest inductee into the Last Word Culture Club. Una's play, Fair Deal, is running at the Peacock Stage at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. It's a satirical take on one last night in a Dublin family's home. Una outlines the idea behind her play and also talks to Matt about her favourite music, film, TV, books and more. To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

U2 have surprised fans by dropping a six-track EP, 'Days of Ash', which is their most political work in years with songs about the killing of Renée Good in the United States, the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and the persecution of women Iran. John Caddell joins Matt on The Last Word to listen to the EP and discuss the stories behind each of the tracks. Hear the full conversation by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, has been met with mixed reviews since its release last Friday. However, critics have lauded Charli xcx for her accompanying album and her ability to pivot away from her 2024 record 'Brat'. John Caddell and Dee Reddy speak to Matt on The Last Word to have their say. Elsewhere, Matt picks his all-time favourite songs by Irish artists as part of Today FM's search for the Top 100 greatest Irish songs. Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the chat.

US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has died aged 84. His death marks the last of the iconic civil rights leaders who were led by Martin Luther King Jr. Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the United States. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

A report from Sherry Fitzgerald found a 39,000 deficit in the number of student beds available to rent Matt is joined by USI/AMLE VP for the Dublin Region Daniel Walsh and Labour Spokesperson on Higher Education Senator Laura Harmon to discuss Hit Play on this page to listen now

Author Edel Coffey has published her third novel ‘In Glass Houses’. She joins Matt on The Last Word to talk about why writing crime fiction appeals to her, why female readers are drawn to the genre and how her time as a journalist has stood to her when coping with the pressure of meeting deadlines. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to chat about some great deals and incredible trips for adults looking to get away. Sarah has picked a wide range of holidays suitable for couples, friends and solo travellers. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

This week on The Week Trending, Matt is joined by Eoghan Tomas McDermott Managing Director at the Communications Clinic and News Reporter with the Irish Times Orla Ryan They discuss ongoing controversies at the Winter Olympics, the new €100 Culture Card Peter Chap Cleere wants to give to young people, the most popular items sold in the Dáil Bar and more Hit Play on this page to listen now

This week on The Last Word on the Environment John Gibbons joins Matt to celebrate 5 years. They discuss the past five years and what's next Hit Play on this page to listen now

The FAI has said that it will fulfil its Nations League fixtures against Israel later this year despite previously calling on Uefa to ban the team last year. The association faced pressure on Friday to boycott the ties by some politicians and fans. However, Fine Gael Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn said the onus should be on global governing bodies to implement sanctions where they see fit. She, alongside sports journalist Kieran Cunningham, speak to Matt on The Last Word about the issue. Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the discussion.

Over the last day Manchester United Co-Owner Jim Ratcliffe has been heavily criticised for comments he made including saying the UK has been 'colonised by immigrants'. Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Ratcliffe to apologised and the Man United Co-Owner said he was "sorry that my choice of language has offended some people". Matt is joined by Nick Ferrari from LBC radio to discuss Hit Play on this page to listen now