In The News

Ireland is to buy hundreds of new armoured vehicles and artillery pieces from France, a move that will significantly expand the capabilities of the Irish Army to conduct on-island defence.

The deal is expected to be worth €600 million and is the biggest investment in Army equipment in the history of the State. It is one of several deals with French suppliers to provide a range of equipment and services with an estimated €2billion spend.

The coming years will see Ireland work in closer co-operation with our European neighbours on security matters.

Irish Times crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher explains why Ireland has chosen France as its supplier of choice for the modernisation of our defence capabilities.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.
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When gardaí raided the homes of 11 senior members of the Black Axe crime organisation this week they found more than they expected.
As well as data-crammed mobile phones and laptops, they found merchandise emblazoned with the logo of the international fraud and money laundering gang.

The caps and bags – the sort of memorabilia a golf club might offer – feature “Ireland” and also slogans such as “Ireland Zone, Stay Safe”.

The gang has a significant operation in Ireland, having been linked to the theft and laundering of €94 million since 2020. Gardaí have arrested 636 people in relation to Black Axe activities, with 1,400 potential suspects. The gang originates in Nigeria.

Also seized was something that will be of interest to law enforcement agencies around the world: a copy of the gang’s constitution. Security sources believe it is the first time the document has ever been found by a police force in a western country.

Irish Times crime and security correspondent Conor Lally explains how the Black Axe gang operates in Ireland and the threat its growing membership poses.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Andrew McNair.
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On Sunday, authorities in Mexico attempted to capture the notorious cartel boss known as “El Mencho”.

They tracked Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes down to a cabin in the western state of Jalisco – his stronghold – and he was fatally wounded in the raid. The firefight also killed several of his heavily-armed accomplices, including his likely successor.

He was head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), known for trafficking vast quantities of fentanyl and cocaine into the US.

In 2025 it was designated a foreign terrorist organisation by Donald Trump‘s administration.

His death prompted waves of violent retaliation as the cartel put on a show of strength in areas far beyond Jalisco and into tourist hotspots.

The authorities have calmed the situation – for now – but fears are mounting that more violence will erupt as the cartel seeks to regroup after the death of its leader.

And that has brought the soccer World Cup – just months away – into sharp focus with questions about the ability of the Mexican authorities to keep soccer fans safe.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon.
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Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Tucson, Arizona, home on January 31st when her son-in-law dropped her off there after an evening at her daughter’s house nearby. She lived alone.

Just hours later it is believed she was abducted from her home, her disappearance reported by friends the following day when she failed to show up for a church service.
As the daughter of Savannah Guthrie, presenter of NBC’s Today show, she is well-known to audiences having appeared several times on screen.

Every step of the investigation by local police and the FBI has been poured over by US media and true crime amateur sleuths.

But the mystery remains. More than three weeks later, Nancy Guthrie is still missing.

Richard Ruelas reporter from Arizona Republic has been covering the case from the beginning, visiting the scene many times and following every development.

He explains why this case has gripped the US.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.
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Former British prince Andrew's fall from grace continued last week with his arrest as part of an investigation into whether he abused power by sharing confidential information with his friend Jeffrey Epstein.

Up to now the scrutiny of Andrew's relationship with the notorious Epstein has focussed on allegations of sexual exploitation. But this affair has shifted the focus onto Andrew's conduct while working as a trade envoy for Britain. In that time he travelled the world at British taxpayers expense, promoting British business but also making plenty of connections that he would use to his own advantage.

So what did Andrew get up to in those years? And how much did his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, and his brother King Charles know about the way he was behaving and the people he was associating with? The answers could determine the future of the Royal Family.

On today's In the News podcast we talk to Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled, a biography of Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
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