Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

The government is set to launch a statutory inquiry into scoliosis and spina bifida care at children's health Ireland. Yesterday the health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Tánaiste Simon Harris announced they would be recommending the inquiry to cabinet next week. The announcement came after they met with Gillian and Stephen Morrison Sherratt, the parents of Harvey Morrison.  Harvey, who had scoliosis and other health issues tragically died in July after facing long delays for surgery. Gillian Sheratt, Mum of Harvey Morrison  spoke to Pat this morning.

The Government, this morning, launched its new housing plan: Delivering Homes, Building Communities’. The plan commits to over 300,000 new homes by 2030 and increasing social and affordable homes. James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Fianna Fáil joined Pat to discuss the new housing plan.

Ruth Lawrence was yesterday found guilty of the murders of Anthony Keegan and Eoin O'Connor between April and May 20214. Following the murders, Lawrence spent eight years under the radar in South Africa. She was arrested by an elite South African police unit in 2023 before being extradited in May 2024.Frank Greaney, our Courts Correspondent was covering the trial and joined Pat to discuss this further

The appetite for weight-loss drugs, known as glp-1 agonists, has been insatiable since they hit the market a decade ago. In 2024 global spending on them reached $54bn, a figure that is sure to rise in the coming years. As pharmaceutical firms elbow each other for a slice of the pie, the number of options will grow in 2026 All to discuss with Professor Luke O Neill , Professor of Biochemistry at the school of Immunology, Trinity College.

Johnny Smacks and Johnny B, who together, of course, are The 2 Johnnies. They’ve just announced they’re return to St. Anne’s Park in Dublin for ‘Pints in a Field 4’ on Saturday the 6th of June 2026, with tickets going on sale tomorrow. Johnny and Johnny joined Pat in studio this morning

As President Trump signed a bill last night reopening the government, a tranche of documents released yesterday further implicated the president with the deceased sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein. Joining us to discuss is Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at University of Galway, and a columnist with the Journal.ie.

The Gardai have charged 29 people as part of a major clampdown on retail crime. Operation Táirge is a garda investigation into theft, handling stolen goods, criminal damage and assaults on shop staff in Dubin's north inner city. In the face of this  'Dublin Town' are switching on their Christmas Lights tonight across 24 streets. Henry McKean reports on shoplifting and what shops have to cope with. He sent us this report.   

What are the health conditions women need to look out for at every stage of life? Dr Caoimhe Hartley takes us through the conditions to be aware of and tells us about Blackrock Health’s new women’s health clinic.

New speed limits are set to be introduced across Dublin city in an attempt to make the city safer. The 30kmh speed limit currently applies in parts of the city centre in Dublin 1, Dublin 2, Marino in Dublin 3 and Irishtown and Ballsbridge in Dublin 4. But will this work across our capital city?All to discuss with Olivia Kelly, Dublin Editor of The Irish Times.

Professor Nick Maynard has spent 15 years engaging in surgical volunteering in Gaza, including during the most recent conflict. Professor Maynard leading consultant Upper GI Surgeon based in Oxford, with more than 25 years of experience in his field. He is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Oxford University joins Pat this morning discuss his work in Gaza, and an upcoming fundraising talk for the Medical Aid for Palestinians Charity.

A Garden from Ireland for the White House, a proposal for a symbolic gift from Ireland to the United States.  It would celebrate the friendship between the two countries, their shared history. Diarmuid developed the idea while the US was enjoying the Obama administration, but President Joe Biden’s Irish heritage added an extra layer of possibility.Diarmuid told Pat all about this idea and journey.

Cooking healthy, balanced meals everyday can take up a lot of time for people, especially when you’ve a busy schedule. But Clodagh McKenna's new cookbook, Clodagh's Happy Cooking: 100 Easy, Speedy, Healthy Recipes for Good Mood Food, includes easy recipes with ingredients that you can find in your cupboard. From juices and teas, soups and breads to snacks and treats. 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has privately vowed to fight any challenge to his leadership that may come after this month’s budget or next May’s local election. For more on this Pat was joined by Tim Bale, Professor of Politics, Professor of Politics, Queen Mary University of London.

With restrictions on vapes such as banning single use vapes, mandating that vapes be hidden in shops,  and restriction on flavoured vapes, are we doing enough, or too much, to tackle vaping? All to discuss with John Crown Consultant medical oncologist St Vincents Hospital Group, Professor of Translational Cancer Research DCU & UCD Professor.

There’s a whole graveyard of badly handled remakes and “reimagining’s” of beloved classics that just didn’t live up to their legacy. Some weren’t disasters exactly, but they lost the sparkle, magic, or wit that made the originals timeless.  All to chat about with Lisa Cannon, Head of Studio at DMG Media.

In 2019 a couple were found guilty of procuring female genital mutilation, otherwise known as FGM, sentenced to prison and their children removed from their care. Now, they are fighting to clear their name. First Conviction from RTÉ Documentary on One and RTÉ Investigates chronicles their quest for justice. Joining Pat in studio to discuss the details was Pamela Fraher, Reporter, RTÉ Investigates and also James McGuill, Solicitor.

As COP-30 takes place in Brazil, scientists there detail what happened in the heart of the Amazon Basin in 2023. We hear how lake temperatures surged past 40 °C. Also, researchers in Kansas have been researching what is know as the legacy effect in microbes. They found microbes in soil were able to remember past drought and share properties with new plants to make them better equipped to survive similar conditions. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland on this week's 'Green Scene'All with thanks to Repak.

New car buyers are placing their 2026 orders now. Why does January matter so much, and is it worth buying new at all? All to chat with Conor Faughnan, Transport Consultant. 

Catherine Connolly Inauguration, Party leadership criticised for focus on ‘parachuting in’ famous names .Fine Gael spin doctors got €1,000 ‘gifts’ for election campaign volunteer work .Housing plan aims to deliver 90,000 ‘starter homes’ over five years Government has pledged overall delivery of more than 300,000 new homes by end of 2030.All to discuss with Sean Defoe, Political Correspondent and Host of Let me Explain Podcast.

On this week’s Tech Slot, Jess Kelly will review the brand new Google Pixel4 Watch and also answers listener's tech queries.All with thanks to Renault.