Episodes

  • Jim O’Callaghan’s Criminally Ignorant ‘Cost Saver’

    Jim O’Callaghan’s Criminally Ignorant ‘Cost Saver’
    Jul 3 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, solicitor Cathal Malone discusses the impact of proposed (resulting in dozens of solicitors walking out) changes to Ireland's criminal legal aid fee structure, the long-time underfunding of the justice system, and the broader implications for access to justice. The conversation highlights the disconnect between policy intentions and real-world effects on vulnerable populations. Minister Jim O'Callaghan's run of doing Crazy Jim O'Callaghan stuff continues. Elaine Crory on Jeffrey Donaldson, Sexual Violence and Rape Myths:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-162722611 Author of If You Cannot Say Genocide, Yahia Lababidi podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-162503281
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    38 mins
  • If You Cannot Say Genocide

    If You Cannot Say Genocide
    Jul 7 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Yahia Lababidi is an Arab American poet and essayist of Palestinian descent, and the author of sixteen books. His work appears in Liberties, Salmagundi, The Threepenny Review, Dissent, The New Statesman, The New Arab, and DAWN, among others. His recent books include Palestine Wail (Daraja Press, 2024), written in the first months of Israel’s assault on Gaza, and What Remains to Be Said (Wild Goose Publications, 2025). His forthcoming essay collection, If You Cannot Say GENOCIDE: Essays on Conscience and Witness, will be published by New Village Press in October 2026 and distributed by NYU Press. He divides his time between the United States and Colombia. The Book is available here:https://nyupress.org/9781613323045/if-you-cannot-say-genocide/ The Venezuelan Earthquake podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-162431599
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    36 mins
  • Breaking the Silence: Jeffrey Donaldson, Sexual Violence and Society in Ireland

    Breaking the Silence: Jeffrey Donaldson, Sexual Violence and Society in Ireland
    Jul 7 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony is rejoined by Writer, Commentator and Community Advocate, Elaine Crory to discuss the Jeffrey Donaldson case, sexual violence, challenges within the justice system, and societal issues across the island of Ireland. They explore the impact of political power, rape myths, and systemic failures on justice and social progress. The Whistleblowers Podcast - In Their Own Words:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-163145416 The Venezuelan Earthquake podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-162431599
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Venezuelan Earthquake, Mexico’s World Cup and Colombia’s Right Wing Political Pivot

    Venezuelan Earthquake, Mexico’s World Cup and Colombia’s Right Wing Political Pivot
    Jul 9 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony and Mexico-based Colombian journalist with El Pais, Nicholas Dale Leal, discuss the recent natural disasters in Venezuela, the political landscape in Colombia, and the economic reforms in Cuba. They explore the impact of these events on local populations and the broader implications for Latin America. They also discuss Nicholas's visit to the Azteca Stadium. The Whistleblowers - In Their Own Words out now:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-163159955 Palestinian Writer and Public Health expert Asmaa Dwimah podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-163325467
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    50 mins
  • Public Health in Gaza and Bearing Witness

    Public Health in Gaza and Bearing Witness
    Jul 14 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Asmaa Dwimah is a Palestinian writer, poet, artist and dentist from Gaza. She is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Public Health in London. In this PalCast she shares her experience of life in two worlds, her writings and exploring loss, resilience, identity and bearing witness. MEP Lynn Boylan podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-163437304 The EU Presidency Podcast with Rory Hearne:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-163350431
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    32 mins
  • Justice For The Children – No Building Over Bessborough

    Justice For The Children – No Building Over Bessborough
    Jul 15 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony speaks with activist, artist and Cllr Noelle Brown, who is herself a survivor of the Mother and Baby Homes, about the ongoing issues surrounding mother and baby homes in Ireland, focusing on the recent planning permission granted for a development over the Bessborough site, where many children are buried and where at least 859 of their remains are still missing. They explore the historical injustices, the fight for justice, and the importance of preserving sites of conscience. Lynn Boylan on the EU, Ryanair and Hare Coursing:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-163437304 The Exclusive Whistleblowers series:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-163159955
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    23 mins
  • Drug Use – Harm Reduction vs State Snobbery

    Drug Use – Harm Reduction vs State Snobbery
    Jun 30 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Senator Lynn Ruane returns to talk about the cross-party Oireachtas Committee Report on Drug Use. She discusses the report's recommendations, harm reduction, decriminalisation, and trauma-informed care, emphasising the need for evidence-based policies and community-led initiatives to reduce drug-related harm. We also get into the Government and Garda response. Do not skip this one. Petro Speech: https://portside.org/2022-09-24/colombian-president-gustavo-petro-calls-end-war-drugs-historic-un-address Oireachtas Report:https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/committees/34/drugs-use/ Constantin Gurdgiev on Trump, the AI economy and more:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-161617099
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    44 mins
  • The Housing Crisis and a Broad Left Government with Eoin Ó Broin

    The Housing Crisis and a Broad Left Government with Eoin Ó Broin
    Jun 29 2026
    Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Eoin Ó Broin is back to discuss Ireland's housing crisis, recent legislative changes, and strategic solutions to address homelessness and housing affordability. We also get involved in cross-party efforts (or lack thereof), policy reforms, quick wins, and urgent actions needed to improve housing conditions. There’s also chat about his role on the Sinn Féin front-bench and Eoin’s feelings about the new Barak Obama centre. Lynn Ruane podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-162385343 Reporting from Occupied Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-162124288
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    49 mins