A listener contacted the show with a dilemma that has caused a major disagreement in her household. Her daughter wants to celebrate the end of her Leaving Cert exams by having a party at the family home. The problem? She wants alcohol to be available for her friends. The listener says her daughter is almost 17 and most of the teenagers who would attend are also 17. She has already spoken to some of the other parents and says many of them don’t see a problem with it. In fact, some believe it’s safer for teenagers to drink in a controlled environment under adult supervision than to sneak off somewhere else.

On today’s podcast, Niall talks to journalist John McGuirk from Statement International about the shocking death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, a case that has sparked outrage across Britain and reignited debate about knife crime, policing and public trust.

For generations, Irish people have looked beyond our shores in search of a better life. Whether it was for work, opportunity, adventure or simply a fresh start, millions left Ireland and built new lives around the world. Today, the global Irish diaspora is estimated to be between 70 and 80 million people claiming Irish heritage.

Birth rates across the Western world are collapsing, families are getting smaller, and in many countries more people are now dying than being born. On this episode of The Niall Boylan Podcast, Niall is joined by journalist Laura Perrins to discuss what many are calling a demographic crisis. Laura argues that a combination of factors is driving fertility rates down, including the rising cost of living, housing shortages, improved education for women, contraception, abortion, smartphones, changing social habits and what she describes as the rise of “useless men.”

Niall Boylan and AJ Walshe talk about the stories of the week as well as just some good laughs. 

Ireland’s Disability Numbers Spark Heated Debate

One of the biggest talking points this week was the claim that close to one million people in Ireland now classify themselves as having a disability, potentially almost one in four of the population. The discussion exploded online after comments by the Taoiseach in the Dáil referencing the upcoming Census figures. Critics questioned why Ireland’s figures appear significantly higher than international averages reported by organisations such as the World Health Organisation and compared with the United States.

On today’s show, Niall talks to callers about the latest Census figures which are expected to show that almost 1 million people in Ireland now identify as having a disability, a figure that works out at close to 1 in 4 people in the country.

On today’s show, Niall talks to social commentator Karl Deeter, Stephen Delaney and callers about the growing controversy surrounding the Ireland vs Israel football match due to take place in the Aviva Stadium this October.

A worried mother contacted Niall Boylan after a massive family argument erupted over their 16 year old daughter wanting to stay overnight at her boyfriend’s house for the first time. The mother says she is terrified at the idea and believes 16 is far too young for sleepovers with a boyfriend, especially overnight and out of her sight. Her biggest fear is that her daughter could end up pregnant at such a young age and she says once certain decisions are made, there is no going back.

Journalist Laura Perrins joins Niall Boylan to talk about, or more accurately give out about, Ireland’s controversial Deposit Return Scheme. What was supposed to be a simple environmental initiative has instead left many consumers frustrated, with complaints about long queues, broken machines, extra charges on shopping bills and people storing bags of sticky cans and bottles in their homes waiting to cash them in.