Why do so many speeding cases never end in a conviction?
If you're caught speeding in Ireland, you'd be forgiven for assuming a fine and penalty points are all but inevitable. But a new investigati...
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The Explainer
The Explainer is a new weekly podcast from TheJournal.ie that takes a deeper look at one big news story you need to know about. What's the background? Why is this in the news? Get the facts...
The Explainer Podcast Guide
Listen to The Explainer, a News & Politics podcast by The Explainer. Stream 418 episodes in English, follow new audio stories, and play episodes online on Radio and Podcast.
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20 of 418 episodesWhy is crack cocaine use soaring in Ireland?
For years, the conversation around problem drug use in Ireland centred on heroin. But on the streets of Dublin and beyond, a different drug...
What does a Limerick refinery have to do with a Russian sanctions row?
Alumina is the fine white powder needed to make aluminium, and Ireland is home to Europe's largest producer of it. Aughinish Alumina's owner...
How do Irish contestants keep stealing the spotlight on Love Island?
Even if you've never watched an episode of Love Island in your life, it has become almost impossible to escape the drama. This season, with...
Why is the latest Ebola outbreak so hard to contain?
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has just been declared a global health emergency, sparking alarm worldwide....
Why did rents just see a massive increase?
New figures suggest the rental market could be experiencing historic levels of strain. Rents surged by 4.4% between December and March, mark...
How will Eurovision boycotts impact the song contest?
The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is playing out this week, in the shadow of unprecedented controversy. Five traditionally par...
Is nuclear energy a realistic option for Ireland?
For decades, nuclear power has been the ultimate taboo in Irish energy policy, with proposals dating back to the late 1960s ultimately defea...
Will garden cabins actually help fix the housing crisis?
The government has announced plans to let homeowners build habitable units of up to 45 sq metres in their back gardens without planning perm...
How do you start tracing your family tree?
The recent release of the 1926 census has sparked a huge wave of interest in Irish family history. It was the first census taken after the f...
Will the government's fuel package actually work?
In response to the fuel protests, the government scrambled to announce a €505 million euro support package, slashing excise duties on petrol...
How far can a protest go before the State steps in?
Ireland's fuel protests have brought parts of the country to a standstill this week, with blockades at refineries and slow-moving convoys on...
The average Irish homebuyer is now 40 - what does this mean?
New CSO data shows the average age of a homebuyer in Ireland has hit 40. What does that mean for an entire generation stuck in the 'deposit...
Can Ireland really qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
It has been 24 long, long years since the Republic of Ireland men's team last played in a World Cup, but suddenly, the dream is alive again....
Why are Claire’s Accessories staff being left without pay?
For generations of teenagers, it was the go-to high street spot for ear piercings and fashion jewellery., but now, the iconic retailer Clair...
What is it actually like inside the White House on St Patrick's Day?
Every March, our news feeds are flooded with pictures of the Taoiseach, the US President, and a very famous bowl of shamrock. It’s a massive...
How bad could the looming energy crisis get?
The price of oil has surged again. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to shipping. Major Middle Eastern production hubs have de...
Is the US-led attack on Iran illegal?
Trump promised no more forever wars, but that didn't stop him wading into an intense bombing campaign against Iran - a conflict most America...
Why is Ireland asking foreign navies to patrol its waters?
With the EU Presidency looming and a massive funding shortfall in the Department of Defence, a new plan proposes something unprecedented: as...
Will a social media ban for under-16s actually work?
It’s a debate that is taking place at kitchen tables across the country: are smartphones and social media apps doing more harm than good for...