Author Louise O’Neill on the grief of her break-up, recovery and her 100 date experiment

Sharon Lynn lost her brother Martin in an unprovoked one-punch attack outside his own front door in Dublin in 2023. His killer has never expressed any remorse. Cian Gallagher was killed in a similar attack in Tallow, Co Waterford in 2022. After his assailant punched him, he boasted to passersby that he had knocked him out "like Conor McGregor". Cian never woke up – he spent eight days in intensive care at Cork University Hospital before he died. Both men died in entirely unprovoked attacks. Both were non-violent, contributing to society positively. Their siblings are now campaigning for a focus on these random attacks, emulating the Australian model. They want to see awareness campaigns, a focus on prevention, and guidelines for consistent sentencing. In today's episode they share their families' struggles with the criminal justice system; the reality of trying to grieve while undergoing gruelling court proceedings; and how the attacks shattered their belief in justice. They talk about masculinity, and how their experiences have highlighted the contrast between good men and those who glorify violence. Sharon and Bryan are the guests on today's episode of The Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast. See Ann Murphy's reporting in the Irish Examiner for more on this story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Thursday, discovery of a man’s body in a quiet recreational area outside Mallow town raised alarm. The man, who had been shot at point blank range in what’s suspected to be an execution-style killing has since been identified as Cork city native Paul ‘Bosco’ O’Connor. Gardai have made one arrest in their investigation into his death. Irish Examiner Southern Correspondent Liz Dunphy is today’s guest. Man murdered in Mallow may have been killed in professional 'execution' hit Mallow murder investigation after Cork man Paul ‘Bosco’ O’Connor found dead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gardai have raided two homes in the Waterford area as part of their investigation into the horrific arson attack on a family home in the Birchwood estate on Tuesday morning. Couple Philip and Kim English and their sons, 12 year old Callum and 8 year old Jayden, were killed in the fire, while their two other children remain in critical condition in hospital.

”We do wish that our children will go before us because we are so terrified at what they will face and how they will have to do it alone."

'Flamboyant' Mallow chef Patsy O'Sullivan vanished in 1992 at the age of 35. His family learned recently after three decades of searching, that he had been living with his husband in London since 1994, having taken his husband's name, Aldridge. Patsy died in 2024, leaving their questions unanswered, but thanks to his carer Tina, they have been united with the Aldridge family, who can fill in the missing pieces of his life. Before his disappearance Patsy had been hospitalised with mental health issues, but his brother Jerry's biggest fear was always that somebody else had harmed his soft, gentle brother. Patsy's family were aware of his sexuality, but it was never acknowledged or discussed. In today's episode, Jerry recalls the "physical and mental" abuse Patsy received due to his sexuality – and remembers avoiding his brother's company in public for fear of the abuse that would be directed at him. Declan Flynn had been murdered because of his sexuality in Fairview Park in 1982, and it was a crime in Ireland to be gay until 1993. Jerry O'Sullivan is Deirdre's guest on today's episode of the Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast. Family of Cork man found dead in London after 34 years say they now have closure Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.