Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

In Poland, TikTok accounts with AI-generated women have been advocating a Polish exit from the European Union and promoting far-right politics. So is anti-EU sentiment on the rise in Poland and are societies becoming more vulnerable to AI content? Pat discusses this further with John O’Brennan, Professor of European Politics, Maynooth University.

Ahead of Patrick Nevin’s release from prison, we speak to one of his victims who we are calling “Zara” who tells us her story. Listener discretion is advised.

Ireland is set to vote against the contentious Mercosur trade deal tomorrow, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have confirmed.  This may keep the peace within the coalition, but will it spell trouble for Ireland’s rapport with Brussels? Pat discusses this and more with Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post.

Another bout of cold weather is fast approaching us with Storm Goretti on the way. The storm has wreaked havoc already on the continent, with over 1,000 travelers stranded at Schiphol airport. In other news, the sanctioned Marinera Tanker was finally seized in the North Atlantic yesterday by US Forces, in conjunction with the UK Defence Ministry.Pat discusses this and more with Enda Brady, TV Anchor with TRT World.

The dark history of the white genocide myth. From 18th Century France to the Dreyfus affair, Enoch Powell, Rhodesia, the alt-right - and a chunk of current EU Leaders too!All to discuss with David Robert Grimes, Disinformation Expert, Author of The Irrational Ape.

How to take care of your skin in the winter months, cold weather and post Christmas indulgence. Professor Niki Ralph, consultant Dermatologist with the institute of dermatology gives us advice and guidance.

This spring, the man known as “The Tinder Rapist” will be free to leave the midlands prison in county Laois. Patrick Nevin, previously ofnow of no fixed abode, has been in custody since 2014 for the attack of three women over an eleven day period in 2014. We get the details from Stephen Breen, Crime Editor, The Irish Sun.

In 1636 for a few glittering months the tulip sat at the centre of the first great speculative bubble in European history. A single flower bulb, not even in bloom yet, had just changed hands for more than the price of a fine house with a garden on the smartest canal in Amsterdam. We now call it Tulip Mania, Diarmuid Gavin tells us more.

There’s something about the New Year that cinema understands better than almost anything else. That strange pause between who we were and who we might become. And some of the best films don’t just use New Year’s Eve as a backdrop they use it as a turning point.” Lisa Cannon, Head of Studio, DMG Media tell us all about these films.

Over the past number of days we have been focusing on events in Venezuela. Conditions on the ground continue to be unpredictable with the maduro regime essentially intact without him. Jeeny Maltese is a Venezuelan-Irish chef and has been watching events from afar but also attempting to make contact with friends and family back in Venezuela.

As most of us return to work this week a quarter of workers say they are unhappy in their jobs. With almost one in ten planning to hand in their notices in January, a new survey has revealed and work place trends for 2026.  Pat discusses this further with Donal O'Donoghue, Managing Director Sanderson Recruitment. 

Inspired by her father’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, former CNN and RTÉ journalist Fionnuala Sweeney, explores both the challenges and the constantly evolving therapies, for dementia, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the symptoms and how to live well longer.Professor Seán Kennelly, Head of the Institute of Memory and Cognition at Tallaght University Hospital and Consultant Geriatrician and Fionnuala both joined Pat to chat about the The Many Faces Of Alzheimer’s podcast.

Oil prices fell sharply last year, and they are expected to stay low for 2026. Sadly though, the Irish motorist isn’t going to see it. M50 a ‘cash cow’ as drivers pay higher tolls on increasingly congested roads. Total funds collected could have covered the construction cost more than 30 times over. All to discuss with Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator and Independent Motoring Expert for Carzone.  

European leaders show support for Greenland as U.S. increases its takeover overtures. We get the latest with Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief, Bloomberg.

The Taoiseach has described reports of the Grok artificial intelligence tool being used to create sexually explicit images of adults and children on social media as "shocking" and "unacceptable". Yet Irish authorities have refrained from tackling Elon Musk on this. We ask why with Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor at the Irish and Sunday Independent.

Today marks the third day of Taoiseach Michael Martin’s official visit to China.  Trade remains high on the agenda as well international relations following Donald Trump’s comments on possible military action in Greenland. He met with the Kerry Group along with WuXi Biologics, who employ about 700 people in Dundalk, and Trip.com, as this market could be very strong for Irish tourism.We get the latest from China with Newstalk Report Emily Keegan, Newstalk Reporter.

Finally we might have a way to stop nearly all microplastics from our laundry before they enter the environment. Thanks to a new fish-inspired filter that removes over 99 % of these tiny plastic fibres from washing machine wastewater. Scientists are now arguing that microbes underpin almost every ecosystem on the planet, from fertile soils to healthy oceans.All to discuss on this week's Green Scene with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

Government ministers are to return for their first Cabinet meeting after the winter recess. Issues such as immigration, data centres and the triple lock are all on the agenda today, and here to tell us more about it Pat was joined by Sean Defoe, Newstalk political correspondent and host of the Let Me Explain podcast.

Autonomous driving technology is expected to dominate the CES trade show in Las Vegas this week as investors bet that artificial intelligence will invigorate an industry beset by slow progress, high costs, safety incidents and regulatory scrutiny. For more on this Pat was joined by Jess Kelly Newstalk's Technology Correspondent.All with thanks to Renault.

No bottled water in school meal scheme would save €10 million. Ten million euros is what the state would save if they scrapped bottled water in the school meal scheme. That’s according to a review by the Irish Government Economic and evaluation service. We discuss this further with Joe Neville, Fine Gael TD Kildare North.