The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

Host Niall is joined by Cormac Lucey, Chartered Accountant and Sunday Times economics columnist, to discuss his provocative piece, “The Government is Gaslighting Us Over Immigration.” In it, Lucey argues that political leaders are downplaying the pressures mass immigration is placing on housing, healthcare, schools, and infrastructure—despite Ireland’s population growing by 50% since 1990.

With callers phoning in throughout the show...

In this episode, host Niall opens the phone lines to hear what listeners think about the upcoming presidential election — and just how messy the campaign trail is likely to get. Should a candidate be judged for something they said 20 years ago, or should the focus remain on their views and actions today? Callers weigh in from all sides, sharing passionate arguments, personal perspectives, and real-world examples. Some believe the p...

Host Niall is joined by John McGuirk, editor of Gript Media, to discuss a new taxi company in Belfast that’s making headlines for offering a women-only service with female drivers. The company claims the initiative will help women feel safer while traveling, but not everyone agrees. The phone lines light up as callers share their views: many women support the idea, saying it offers peace of mind, while some male callers argue it un...

Host Niall dives into one of the most controversial questions facing communities today: Should the public be informed if a convicted sex offender or paedophile moves into their area after release from prison? Inspired by laws like Megan’s Law in the United States, the phone lines light up with passionate callers eager to share their opinions.

Some listeners argue that transparency is a matter of safety, insisting, “Parents have a ri...

When Niall picks up the phone this week, he’s met with a caller in tears. Her beloved rescue Labrador, Max, snapped at her 6-year-old son—leaving only a small cut, but igniting a storm at home. Her husband says Max is dangerous and must be put to sleep. She says it was an isolated incident and that Max deserves a second chance. With the vet appointment looming, she turns to Niall for help.

The phone lines light up with strong opinio...

On this episode, Niall dives into a question that’s dividing opinion: Has Ireland’s public transport gotten so bad that we now need a dedicated police force to patrol it?

It follows news from Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien that recruitment for a new uniformed Transport Security Unit could start by the end of next year. The force would be separate from the gardaí but have powers of arrest, detention, and possibly pursuit — simila...

In this episode, Niall tackles a controversial question: Should parents be fined when their children commit crimes?

It comes as new figures show the number of children referred to the Irish Probation Service in 2024 hit its highest level in ten years — with 609 cases involving 12 to 17-year-olds, a 10% jump from the previous year. The rise is part of a wider trend of increasing youth crime, sparking debate over how to address the pr...

In this powerful episode, Niall sits down with Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín to discuss the tragic case of nine-year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt, who died at the end of July after waiting years for a scoliosis operation. Peadar outlines the failures in Ireland’s healthcare system that left Harvey without the care he desperately needed and explains why he is calling for then–Health Minister Simon Harris to resign over the tragedy.

Afte...

In this episode, Niall opens the lines to discuss a hot-button issue: Child Benefit. Currently set at €140 a month per child and paid universally—regardless of income—this payment also increases for twins, triplets, and other multiple births. But should wealthier families earning over €100,000 a year still receive it? Or should that money be redirected to boost payments for low-income families instead?

Callers from all walks of life...

When a distressed parent emails Niall about her 20-year-old daughter joining OnlyFans, the phone lines light up. In the studio, Niall is joined by Samaria — an OnlyFans creator and performer — to unpack the controversy.

Callers share raw, unfiltered views:

Some say it’s empowering for women to control their image, set their own prices, and earn financial independence without traditional job constraints.

Others see it as a dangerous pa...

In this episode, Niall puts the question to listeners — and to guest Karl Deeter — whether more investment in the Irish language is money well spent. The conversation kicks off with Deputy Ryan O’Meara’s proposal for a mandatory Gaeltacht course for all Leaving Cert students, aimed at boosting fluency and transforming attitudes towards Irish.

Callers weigh in with a range of views:

One argues that a Gaeltacht experience could make Ir...

In this heated and often hilarious episode, Niall opens the phone lines to listeners with one thing in common—they’ve all been clamped. Whether caught overstaying in a private car park or parking illegally on city streets, they share their stories of frustration, fury, and, in some cases, acceptance.

Some callers vent about predatory private clamping companies, sky-high release fees, and the feeling of being “targeted for profit.” O...

In this thought-provoking episode, Niall speaks with the author of a recent article that questions the direction of Ireland’s education system—and, more broadly, our national identity. The discussion focuses on the updated early years curriculum Aistear, which curiously credits babies as participants in its development, and introduces the idea of raising “agentic global citizens.”

Are we losing sight of what it means to be Irish? Is...

In this episode of the show, Niall dives into one of Ireland's most controversial legislative proposals — the Occupied Territories Bill. The bill would ban trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, a move hailed by some as a powerful stand for human rights — and criticised by others as a dangerous gamble with Ireland’s economy and international trade.

Is this a bold act of moral leadership? Or could it ...

In today’s thought-provoking episode, Niall opens the phone lines and asks a big question: Are zoos still relevant in the 21st century — or is it time we phased them out?

As the debate heats up, callers from across the country weigh in with passionate and diverse opinions.

📞 One caller defends zoos, saying they play a vital role in conservation and education — giving children a chance to connect with animals they’d never otherwise s...

On today's show, Niall opens the phone lines to discuss a heated dilemma from a listener that's got families divided.

After a tough year and tight finances, a husband surprises his wife with a fully paid two-week holiday to Alicante. Sounds perfect… until she realizes it’s just for the two of them — no kids.

Now she's furious, calling it selfish and saying she’d never leave her children behind for a sunny getaway. Her husband says it...

In this thought-provoking episode, Niall sits down with barrister Dominic Wilkinson to unpack the current status of hate speech laws in Ireland and the growing pressure from the European Union to implement legislation that many see as controversial and deeply unpopular.

Ireland has taken a step back from enacting full hate speech laws, opting instead to split the legislation from hate crime provisions. Yet, EU scrutiny is mounting —...

In this episode, Niall sits down with Chris O’Reilly from the Liberty Soup Run, a grassroots group that has been serving Dublin’s homeless community for the past 7 years. With 30 volunteers and two vans operating five nights a week, Liberty Soup Run provides not only food but a vital lifeline to people living rough on the streets.

Chris shares powerful insights into the day-to-day work of the team, the challenges they face, and the ...

In this thought-provoking episode, Niall sits down with outspoken journalist Ian O'Doherty to unpack the controversial crackdown on so-called "dodgy boxes" — devices that allow illegal streaming of sports, movies, and premium TV content.

With the Data Protection Commission now engaging with Sky over the company's use of personal data to pursue illegal streamers, questions are swirling. Is this a legitimate fight against copyright th...