Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

Bassam Aramin and Rami Elhanan are fathers from either side of the Palestinian Israeli conflict, united by each having lost a daughter to the conflict. Despite their loss, they work together to promote peace and reconciliation in their region, and their organisation, parents circle families forum, has been nominatated for the 2026 Nobel peace prize.

Joining Pat to run through the main stories in the Sunday papers is Political Correspondent with The Irish Times, Ellen Coyne

Irish dancing has long been seen as one of Ireland's most recognisable and wholesome cultural exports, but in recent years, that image has been shaken by allegations of cheating and corruption at the very highest levels of competition. In her new book dirty dancing, journalist Ellen Coyne traces how a so-called “feis-fixing” scandal exposed deep-rooted issues within what many describe as an insular and intensely competitive world, where the line between cultural tradition and elite sport has become increasingly blurred.

What’s the connection between the fuel protests and young people emigrating to Melbourne? Sinead O'Sullivan is an Irish business economist, formerly of the Harvard Business School, who posted her theory online, and it was soon being discussed by Steve Bannon on his podcast. She joins Pat to discuss.

Joining Pat to discuss some promising advances in treating pancreatic & ovarian cancer is Dr Luke O’Neill.

Forty-one years ago, John Corcoran was murdered in West Cork. Corcoran was an IRA member and a secret garda informer. No one has ever been charged with his murder. No inquiry has been held. J.P. O’Sullivan was the special branch detective who recruited Corcoran as an informer, and he believes there has been a huge cover-up of garda involvement in Corcoran’s murder at the highest level. J.P. has written a book about it called 'Veil of Silence', and joins Pat to discuss.

Pat is joined by Billy Hann, CEO of Dublin, to look at where the service stands - from their current recruitment drive to plans for expanding routes and fleet capacity, alongside the challenges of rising fuel costs, decarbonisation, congestion in the city, the misuse of bus lanes, and ongoing concerns around antisocial behaviour.

Joining Pat to go through what has been a tumultuous week for Michael Martin and the government more broadly is Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News at Mediahuis Ireland.

While a ten-day ceasefire has been agreed to by Lebanon and Israel, the humanitarian situation is still deteriorating, with more than a million people displaced and critical infrastructure under strain. On the ground, overcrowded shelters are becoming flashpoints of a different kind of crisis, where access to basic care, particularly for older people and those with disabilities, is increasingly out of reach. What’s emerging is not just a story of conflict, but of a system struggling to cope with the scale and complexity of human need. Sally Hayden, award-winning journalist with The Irish Times, joins Pat to discuss.

As volatility grips global energy markets, a stark divide has opened up across Europe’s electricity prices. Ireland now finds itself at the very top of the cost table, while Spain, once equally exposed to energy shocks, has emerged as one of the cheapest. So, what’s driving this growing gap? Naomi O'Leary, Europe correspondent of The Irish Times & Lisa Ryan, Professor in Energy Economics in the School of Economics at UCD, join Pat to discuss.

Rory McIlroy heads into the final day at Augusta having relinquished a commanding lead on Saturday, but can he recover to go back-to-back and retain the green jacket? Philip Reid, Golf Correspondent of The Irish Times, joins Pat to discuss.

More than 300 children in Ireland are currently waiting for life-changing wishes. The figure comes as Make-A-Wish continues to expand its reach, granting 229 wishes in 2025 - its highest number to date - thanks to the generosity of the Irish public and corporate partners. This year's nationwide fundraising campaign is now up and running, which will culminate in a dedicated donation day on Friday, April 17th. To discuss, Pat is joined by Susan McQuaid O'Dwyer, CEO of Make-A-Wish & Emma Dempsey, Make-A-Wish fundraiser.

Even if a fragile peace holds, Lebanon now faces a long and deeply uncertain road to reconstruction, against the backdrop of wider regional tensions involving Iran and a ceasefire that many fear could still collapse. Joining Pat to discuss is Fawaz Gerges, professor of international relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

One of the world’s leading AI companies has abruptly withdrawn a powerful new tool over concerns it could be exploited for large-scale hacking. It’s the latest sign of just how quickly this technology is advancing, and the risks that come with it. So what exactly triggered this decision, and how seriously is the cybersecurity world taking it? I'm joined now by Kevin O’Loughlin of Nostra, one of Ireland’s leading cyber security firms, to unpack the story and what it could mean for the future of online security.

American Catholics form an important voting bloc in U.S. elections and, as mid-term elections approach, having the church onside is an important strategic goal for Donald Trump. However, in a high-level meeting between US Department of War officials and the Vatican’s U.S. ambassador, a serious fallout appears to have occurred. Joining Pat to discuss is Elise Ann Allen, a senior correspondent in the Vatican for Crux, an independent Catholic news outlet specialising in Vatican and global church news.

Joining Pat to run through the main stories in the Sunday papers is Sinead O’Carroll, Editor at TheJournal.ie. Also joining Pat to discuss whether fuel protest talks can deliver de-escalation, or whether the crisis is set to deepen, is Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare, Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Marine.

Hungary goes to the polls today in what many are calling a pivotal moment for the country and for Europe more broadly. The election is being closely watched in Brussels and beyond, with questions around democratic standards, media freedom, and Hungary’s relationship with the European Union all at stake. Joining Pat to discuss is Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator at the Financial Times.

Joining Pat to discuss some of the science that underpins the cold plunge and saunas is Dr Luke O’Neill.

It was a week which began with a foul-mouthed rant threatening the complete destruction of Iranian civilisation but ultimately ended in a ceasefire. But how long will it last, and will Israel go along with it? Joining Pat to discuss is Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin.

Joining Pat to get the latest on the fuel protests taking place around the country are Josh Crosbie, Newstalk reporter in Dublin city centre; Sarah Madden, Newstalk reporter at Dublin Airport; Seamus Whelehan, Producer Reporter with the Neil Prendiville Show on Red FM in Cork; and David Raleigh, Limerick-Based freelance journalist in Foynes.