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Behind the Story

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

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes180Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Latest Episodes

The Republic of Ireland's upcoming match against Israel will no longer be played in Dublin, a decision that has sparked debate far beyond football.

Fran McNulty and Evelyn O'Rourke are joined by Irish Times Sports Correspondent Gavin Cooney to discu... more

On today's Behind the Story, Paul and Fran examine the racist violence that erupted in Northern Ireland following a stabbing incident, exploring the scapegoating of migrants and economic insecurity in fuelling unrest, and how social media can amplify... more

Sean McGovern, one of the most senior figures in the Kinahan Organised Crime Group to be convicted in the Irish courts, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for directing the gang's activities in relation to the murder of Noel Kirwan and the atte... more

A row has broken out between the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and the Rotunda Hospital over the issue of public only consultants doing private work in the hospital. But what exactly is going on? Priscilla Lynch of the Medical Indepen... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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

Christopher Kirwan
Son of Noel Kirwan, victim in the case
Private citizen related to the case
Episode: The Kinahan lieutenant who directed murder
Priscilla Lynch
Clinical editor of the Medical Independent
Medical Independent
Episode: Row at the Rotunda and fight at Croke Park!
Vincent McAviney
Journalist invited to discuss the Southampton riots case (Henry Nowak murder)
The Times? (journalist referenced in episode)
Episode: A new scrappage scheme and how the murder of Henry Nowak sparked riots
Rob Harris
Sports correspondent with Sky News
Sky News
Episode: Looking ahead to the World Cup
Brian Taylor
Scottish political commentator and Herald columnist
Herald (Scotland)
Episode: A campervan, coffee machines and a slouch pouch onesie: Nicola Sturgeon's husband's spending spree!
Liz Carolan
Publisher of The Briefing, tech and democracy newsletter
The Briefing
Episode: Development in Kyran Durnin murder case and chatbots in elections
Dr. Eoghan Cunningham
UCD Connected Politics Lab
University College Dublin
Episode: Development in Kyran Durnin murder case and chatbots in elections
Nick O'Hare
Former Irish Olympian who competed in the 1996 Olympic Games
Irish Olympic team
Episode: Did the Gaza flotilla change the mood music? and the 'Steroid' Olympics!
Tara McIndoe-Calder
Senior Researcher
ESRI
Episode: Meta job losses, AI and RTÉ at the committee [again]

Hosts

Fran McNulty
Host of Behind the Story; RTÉ journalist and commentator.
Paul Cunningham
Host of Behind the Story; RTÉ journalist and broadcaster.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 64 ratings
  • A look at Irish politics and global news with incredibly light politically vacant analysis.

    Podchaser
    3
    Seán
    8 months 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
    Ireland10 months 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.

Appreciation for the short, 20–30 minute format and accessible explanations.
Listeners praise concise, topical episodes that are easy to follow.
Praise for strong banter between hosts and expert guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#205
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#44
Ireland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Kinahan lieutenant who directed murder
Q: What does the guilty plea mean for the state and for future prosecutions?
The guilty plea saved the state time and effort in trial, allowing the court to apply a headline sentence that reflects the gravity of directing a criminal organisation and the separate offences, while also considering proportionality and consecutive sentencing.
The Kinahan lieutenant who directed murder
Q: Paul, you're working on a piece for Tuesday's Primetime. Is this something you had planned?
Yes, the sentencing was anticipated and the team prepared a significant feature, including interviews with investigators and a senior Garda, to explain how the Kinahan Group operated and what the verdict means.
Looking ahead to the World Cup
Q: Talk to us about this investigation, Rob.
The guest outlines that the New York and New Jersey District Attorneys are examining whether fans were misled about ticket locations and whether FIFA's public statements contributed to price inflation, with a focus on the lack of a published price band for many matches and the implications for consumers.
Looking ahead to the World Cup
Q: Wouldn't we like FIFA, would it, to mislead and put a sugar coating on things, especially given its current leadership?
Rob Harris explains that there is significant public scrutiny of FIFA's statements on ticket availability and pricing, noting that while FIFA has framed the event as accessible, the reality includes variable pricing, resale markets, and potential confusion among fans which invites closer oversight.
Bertie caught on camera and shopping scams on the rise!
Q: What practical steps can listeners take to protect themselves?
Always verify the site by googling the brand and the offer, check for legitimate loading times and branding inconsistencies, and avoid clicking on ads that Direct you to dubious checkout pages; use trusted payment methods and consider researching reviews.

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?

The show offers sharp, concise discussions on current events with a strong emphasis on politics, international affairs, and media. Across episodes, the hosts thread together transatlantic diplomacy, European security, and the intersection of religion, policy, and public discourse, alongside practical policy debates like transport decarbonization, remote work, and energy economics. A consistent strength is bringing in expert guests—from constitutional attorneys and journalists to professors and policymakers—paired with clear, accessible explanations that connect global developments to local implications. A standout trait is the mix of fast-paced banter and thoughtful analysis, often anchored by timely events and a clear eye on how decisions ... 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. Path to Power
3. In The News
4. Today with David McCullagh
5. Brendan O'Connor

How many episodes of Behind the Story are there?

Behind the Story launched a year ago and published 180 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. Christopher Kirwan
2. Priscilla Lynch
3. Vincent McAviney
4. Rob Harris
5. Brian Taylor
6. Liz Carolan
7. Dr. Eoghan Cunningham
8. Nick O'Hare

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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