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Behind the Story

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes188Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Behind the Story

Latest Episodes

As Ireland's takes over the Presidency of the EU, Paul Cunningham and Juilette Gash go inside Dublin Castle to see what's happening at the opening ceremony. RTÉ's Europe Editor, Tony Connelly and Irish Times Europe correspondent Jack Power discuss th... more

Cuts in excise on diesel and petrol are due to expire at the end of July, however the Government will decide over the next twenty hours what the timeline will be to gradually phase out the reductions. Political Correspondant Michéal Lehane joins host... more

It was this day 30 years ago that saw one of the most shocking killings in the history of the Irish state - the murder of crime journalist Veronica Guerin.

Fran is joined by the Irish Independent's Paul Williams to mark the anniversary.

Paul discus... more

The Joint Committee on Drugs Use has recommended the decriminalisation of possession of all drugs for personal use - Fran and Paul discuss exactly what is in the report and whether it will even come to pass.

Later, Lisbon-based journalist Alison Rob... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Pascal Sheehy
Special correspondent referenced in 1996 Evening News
Irish Independent
Episode: 30 years since the murder of Veronica Guerin
Alison Roberts
Longtime correspondent based in Lisbon
RTÉ
Episode: Will drug decriminalisation actually happen?
Liam Thorp
Political editor, Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Episode: What is Andy Burnham like?
Aengus Cox
News presenter
RTÉ
Episode: What is Andy Burnham like?
Jack McCarron
Talks on the Peter Thiel conference and related topics
RTÉ Prime Time
Episode: Burnham wins, Peter Thiel's Irish conference and one week of the World Cup
James Lyons
Former Director of Strategic Communications at 10 Downing Street
UK Government/Downing Street
Episode: Will Andy Burnham make it in Makerfield?
Gavin Cooney
Sports correspondent
Irish Times
Episode: The Ireland Israel match that won't be played in Dublin
Dierdre Heenan
Professor of Social Policy at Ulster University
Ulster University
Episode: Violence in the North and Dublin's illegal clamp cutters
Felgen Jose
Green Party Councillor
Green Party
Episode: Violence in the North and Dublin's illegal clamp cutters

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 63 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
#190
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#28
Ireland/News
Apple Podcasts
#212
Sweden/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Will Andy Burnham make it in Makerfield?
Q: If Burnham wins Makerfield, how quickly might that translate into a leadership move or PM ambitions, and what would that mean for Starmer?
Lyons predicts that while Burnham could disrupt Labour dynamics and possibly become PM, the process is unsettled and would depend on party support, timing, and broader political context.
Will Andy Burnham make it in Makerfield?
Q: How good has Sir Keir Starmer been on his word about supporting Andy Burnham and how does that shape the campaign?
Lyons notes that PMs historically don't campaign in by-elections, but Starmer did participate to some extent; the effectiveness and timing of that support remain debated and could influence public perception.
Will Andy Burnham make it in Makerfield?
Q: Andy Burnham, is this one of the most important by-elections in UK politics for quite some time?
James Lyons explains that the outcome matters immensely: a Burnham win could propel him toward the prime ministership, while a loss would raise serious questions for Labour about its leadership and trajectory.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
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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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These podcasts share a similar audience with Behind the Story:

1. The Indo Daily
2. Today with David McCullagh
3. In The News
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 188 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. Pascal Sheehy
2. Alison Roberts
3. Liam Thorp
4. Aengus Cox
5. Jack McCarron
6. James Lyons
7. Gavin Cooney
8. Dierdre Heenan

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