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Behind the Story

RTÉ News
Ireland
Donald Trump
Gaza
European Union
RTÉ
Ukraine
Israel
United States
Climate Change
Jim Gavin
Keir Starmer
Russia
Artificial Intelligence
Dublin
Venezuela
Fianna Fáil
Iran
Hamas
Cocaine
FIFA

Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as Fran McNulty, Paul Cunningham and some of RTÉ's top journalists digest the news stories of the day. Expect deep dives, analysis, interesting guests, and maybe even some laughs along the way.

Email: behindthestory@rte.ie

New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

PublishesDailyEpisodes217Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Latest Episodes

Take-away chips, cans of tomatoes, petrol and Netflix - just some of the products that have increased in price and have hit people's pockets. Consumer journalist Caitríona Redmond joins Paul to explain why everything seems to be increasing in price i... more

A new drama series, The Murder of Mr Moonlight will be coming to screens next year. Commissioned by RTÉ, the cast includes Brendan Coyle as Bobby Ryan, aka Mr Moonlight who was murdered by Patrick Quirke in 2011. Arrested in 2013 and found guilty by ... more

Tough talk from EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hung over the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Wicklow. On Tuesday, Germany blamed Russia for a failed drone attack on Leipzig airport in August. Minister for Foreign Affairs Hel... more

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris gave some details today on the new state-backed personal investment account which aims to make investing more accessible to the wider public. Financial planner and podcaster Eoin McGee joins Laura Fletch... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Kate Williams
Historian at the University of Reading and royal history expert
University of Reading
Episode: 'Reverse Megxit' - Harry and Meghan's return to the UK
Ruth Gleeson
Strategic communications director at Core
Core
Episode: 'Reverse Megxit' - Harry and Meghan's return to the UK
Jerry Kennelly
Documentary filmmaker
RTÉ
Episode: Synthetic drugs, vapes and a closer look at the Healy-Rae row
Dr. Matthew Sadlier
Consultant Adult Psychiatrist, Mater Hospital; President of the Irish Medical Organisation
Irish Medical Organisation
Episode: Synthetic drugs, vapes and a closer look at the Healy-Rae row
Niamh Hourigan
Professor of Sociology
Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
Episode: The fatal M9 crash and social media 'likes'.
Donal O'Hare
Researcher on youth behaviour
University College Dublin (UCD)
Episode: The fatal M9 crash and social media 'likes'.
Robin Schiller
News and security correspondent
Irish Independent
Episode: The fatal M9 crash and social media 'likes'.
Adrian Deacy
Joe Deacy's father
Deacy family
Episode: Who killed Mayo GAA fan Joe Deacy?
Bobby McDonald
Former Secret Service agent
Secret Service
Episode: Trump's Great 'Catering Truck' Escape!

Host

Fran McNulty
Lead journalist and frequent host with coverage across politics and current events; frequently anchors multiple segments.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 63 ratings
  • A look at Irish politics and global news with incredibly light politically vacant analysis.

    Podchaser
    3
    Seán
    a year ago
  • Fergus Finlay

    Your podcast is great. Love the banter between you…a must for every great podcast. Second Captains is another favourite for the same reason. Particularly enjoyed your chat with Fergus Finlay. Always keen to hear his inside track on politics. He’s informed, honest and fun. Like your podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Caroline Heffo
    Irelanda year ago
  • Are drones changing the Russia-Ukraine war?

    Patrick Brury always great to listen to- good to hear an episode on this hugely consequential war

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    avavshsoksavsm agsvsbsa
    Irelanda year ago
  • 👍 great podcast

    Really like the podcast, concise, topical and entertaining. The 3 hosts work so well together and the fact it’s 20-30mins long is ideal.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    seanregankk
    Irelanda year ago
  • Fabulous topical podcast

    Really love this podcast. Very topical, great banter between the journalists. Really helps explain the current stories in the news.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Markmah47
    Irelanda year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Consistently explains complex stories in an accessible way.
Hosts work well together with insightful guest interviews.
Crisp, topical, and well-paced—ideal for quick commutes.
Engaging mix of policy depth and live reporting.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#108
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#20
Ireland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The fatal M9 crash and social media 'likes'.
Q: What do we know about the five youths who died and the women and child who were injured?
Robin Schiller confirms four of the five youths were initially found dead at the scene, with a fifth discovered later; the two women from St. Luke's General Hospital and the seven-year-old boy were among the injured, with the injuries severe but non-fatal at the time of reporting.
The fatal M9 crash and social media 'likes'.
Q: Can you talk us through the timeline of the crash and what happened in the hours leading up to it?
Robin Schiller explains how there were reports of break-ins targeting vehicles, a black BMW linked to those incidents, a police pursuit that was stood down before the crash, and finally the vehicle driving the wrong way on the motorway leading to the fatal collision.
Synthetic drugs, vapes and a closer look at the Healy-Rae row
Q: Is Spice the same as cannabinoids?
Spice was a synthetic cannabinoid, with many different compounds labeled under that name, and it represents the broader issue of synthetic cannabinoids being distinct from natural cannabis.
Who killed Mayo GAA fan Joe Deacy?
Q: What changed in the investigation after the post-mortem results?
The post-mortem revealed blunt force trauma, which upgraded the case to a murder investigation, altering the trajectory and focus of inquiries.
Who killed Mayo GAA fan Joe Deacy?
Q: Talk to us about Joe Deacy first.
Joe was a 21-year-old who loved life, deeply connected to Mayo and West Ham, and someone who brought together different circles of friends; the night in question led to injuries that were initially misinterpreted, delaying the transition from accident to murder.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Behind the Story

What is Behind the Story about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A fast-paced, policy-forward show that blends domestic Irish issues with international politics, tech, and culture. Across recent episodes, conversations span leadership changes in the UK, Ireland's evolving public policy—ranging from digital wallets and housing to retirement age and legal aid—and timely cultural touchpoints, all anchored by RTÉ journalists and on-the-ground correspondents. The format typically pairs sharp hosts with expert guests and frontline reporters, delivering concise analysis, practical context, and accessible storytelling in a 25-minute window. A notable strength is the mix of hard policy debate with vivid on-site reporting from UK, EU, and Irish environments, plus thoughtful historical or cultural segments that enl... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Behind the Story?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Behind the Story:

1. The Indo Daily
2. In The News
3. Today with David McCullagh
4. Path to Power
5. Brendan O'Connor

How many episodes of Behind the Story are there?

Behind the Story launched a year ago and published 217 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Behind the Story?

Recent guests on Behind the Story include:

1. Kate Williams
2. Ruth Gleeson
3. Jerry Kennelly
4. Dr. Matthew Sadlier
5. Niamh Hourigan
6. Donal O'Hare
7. Robin Schiller
8. Adrian Deacy

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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