Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

Anti-government protests have been taking place across Serbia in recent months with students at the heart of the protest calling for change. Pat discussed why these protests are taking place with Ingrid Gercama, Freelance journalist covering the Balkans.

Emmanuel Macron last week announced the move of the Mona Lisa to a new space in the Louvre for the first time in decades. Newstalk's Reporter Simon Tierney talks about the storied history of the world's most famous painting. Including the times it was stolen and vandalised over the years and exactly why it became so famous in the first place.

Donald Trump has been steamrolling through with his agenda after just two weeks in office. But where are the Democrats when all of this is happening? Is there an effective opposition? To look at this and the prospect of EU tariffs is Larry Donnelly of the University of Galway and columnist with The Journal.

The Iraqi Parliament is passing a law that will permit children as young as nine to marry. There are calls for the law to be abolished, as activists warn it could legalise ‘child rape’. According to UNICEF, one in five girls globally marry as children. Pat spoke to Juliane Schmucker, Head of Programming at Plan International Ireland.

The end of the Dáil Technical Groups speaker rights, results for the Seanad after a marathon count and the EU reaction to Trumps tariffs. Editor of the Business Post Daniel McConnell brings us the latest in politics.

We look back on the big news stories of the week with our Friday Forum. Joining Pat today was Marie Sherlock, Labour TD for Dublin Central  Shane Moynihan, Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Mid West and Christina Finn, Political Editor, The Journal. 

Executive Chef of The Anantara Marker Hotel Gareth Mullins talks us through sweet and sour King prawns with steamed jasmine rice dish perfect for a long weekend.

In 2023, 21 year old Joe Drennan was killed in a hit and run in Limerick. Yesterday, his killer was sentenced to a concurrent sentence to run alongside a drive by shooting sentence. Joe’s mother, Marguerite spoke to Pat this morning.

A new law went into effect yesterday, preventing UNRWA from operating in Israel and Palestinian territories. This move is expected to leave tens of thousands of residents in occupied West and East Jerusalem without access to education, healthcare and other essential services. We speak to Juliette Touma, UNRWA Communications Director.

Head of Training at the Communications Clinic Lorcan Nyhan unpicks how Melania Trump is shaping her image from first lady to boss lady.

As life expectancy increases, many are questioning whether Ireland should set a mandatory age for retirement. Should you be forced to retire if you wish to continue working? What does the law say about age discrimination and equality?  All to discuss with Clíona Kimber, co-author of Cyberlaw and Employment.  

The International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants against Taliban Leaders over the persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan. Speaking to Pat this morning was Pashtana Durrani, an Afghan activist who is defying Taliban rule by running the country’s first digital school network, providing education to girls and boys.  

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said that online pornography is driving violence against women. His comments come after it was reported Gardai received 1,600 domestic violence-related calls each week over the Christmas period. Pat discusses this further with Peadar Tóibín, Leader of Aontú.

In 2018 the government introduced new legislation around domestic violence. A year later Ireland ratified the Istanbul Convention a European legal commitment which aims to combat violence against women.But is the state meeting their legal obligations?Newstalk Reporter Jessica Woodlock has been looking into the referral process for perpetrators of domestic violence.

VHI announces an average price increase of 3% across its health insurance plans from 1st March 2025. We speak to Dermot Goode Insurance Expert at Total Healthcover.ie a Lockton company about this increase and what it means for customers.

Sperm cells carry traces of childhood stress, epigenetic study finds. Fathers may carry traces of their childhood trauma in their sperm cells, a new study finds. Prof Luke O'Neill brings us the details of this study.

Former Leader of the Green Party Eamon Ryan joined Pat in studio. Up for discussion was promoting  roads-based solutions to traffic problems and his career post politics. 

When a politician is embroiled in scandal, they often resign or move to the shadows of the media spotlight. But as time passes, can a comeback be made? Gabija Gataveckaite from the Irish Independent looks at the art of the political comeback. 

David Robert Grimes brings us through what Irish schools can learn from Finland about tackling media literacy early on and shares how fake cancer cures are being peddled on hugely popular podcasts.

Donald Trump has paused US Aid programmes around the world. One country this is already having an impact in is Ukraine. With more on this, Pat spoke to Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine Correspondent, RFI and France 24.