In The News

The trial of Jeffrey Donaldson began on Wednesday with the jury warned they would hear about “difficult and traumatic incidents” the two alleged victims claim they experienced as children.

By the end of the second day, Thursday, they had heard more of the substance of those alleged incidents, including watching a video of a police interview with the witness known as Complainant A.

She and the other witness, Complainant B, allege sexual abuse by Donaldson when they were children.

The jury heard how Donaldson wrote to Complainant A, saying he regretted “all the hurt, pain and distress” he had caused.

The former DUP leader, one of Northern Ireland’s most high-profile politicians, is accused of 18 offences – one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency with or towards a child, and 13 counts of indecent assault – between 1987 and 2008. The 63-year-old denies all charges.

Eleanor Donaldson (60), who has been judged medically unfit to stand trial, is charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the charges. She denies the charges.

Irish Times Northern Editor Freya McClements is reporting from Newry Crown Court. She tells Bernice Harrison about what the jury has heard so far, how Donaldson's defence lawyer questioned Complainant A, and what comes next.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.
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Aggressive driver behaviour, speeding, poor cycling infrastructure and the increased size of vehicles are deterring women from getting on their bikes, research by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has found.

Most women in Ireland can cycle and have access to a bike, but are only half as likely as men to choose cycling as a mode of travel, according to the Empowering Women to Cycle report.

And all those jibes about women being worried about “helmet hair”? They don’t hold up in the research.

Half those surveyed said unsafe roads were a barrier to cycling. And then there was the fear of being on the receiving end of verbal abuse from drivers.

So what has to change to encourage women to cycle?

Irish Times Dublin editor and daily cyclist Olivia Kelly explains.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Andrew McNair with additional research by Ellen Clusker.
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Just a few years ago Meta’s workforce in Ireland was about 3,000. When the newly announced round of job cuts are complete, the tech giant’s headcount at its Irish bases will be halved.

The reasons for the job losses – the cuts are part of a global redundancy programme – have not been made public but AI is widely acknowledged as a driver. But how?

And Meta isn’t the only company shedding jobs. The Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp owner joins a list that incudes Amazon, Oracle and Covalen with several tech giants with major footprints in Ireland expected to follow.

In a country which depends so much on global tech giants to prop up the economy, it's a worrying prospect.

But is the IMF right in its pessimism about how AI is going to impact the Irish economy?

Irish Times economics columnist Cliff Taylor explains the AI effect.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.
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If the junior infants in St Joseph’s Primary School in Dundalk, Co Louth want to know something they can ask AI.

An AI voice assistant named Merlyn will tell them the answer, type it on a digital whiteboard with photos and illustrations and prompt them to delve deeper into the subject.
Every class is being taught how to use AI because St Joseph’s is taking part in a Merlyn AI pilot programme alongside 48 schools across Ireland.

It’s easy to see why getting its technology into Irish schools could lead to a big financial win for Merlyn Origin, the US tech company behind Merlin, if it can ultimately persuade the Department of Education to adopt its technology for all schools. But what’s in it for the students? How can pupils be prepared for an AI driven world?

Do teachers have the training to guide pupils in the use of AI. And how is AI impacting on education, particularly at senior cycle?

Irish Times education correspondent Niamh Towey explains.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.
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Jeffrey Donaldson (63) was arrested and charged with sexual offences in March 2024. The former DUP leader and MP is accused of 18 offences – one count of rape, four of gross indecency with or towards a child, and 13 of indecent assault on a female, on dates between 1987 and 2008.

His wife Eleanor Donaldson (60), is charged with aiding and abetting her husband but she has been judged to be unfit to stand trial and will instead face a trial of the facts.
Why was the trial, which was originally due to begin in March 2025, postponed twice? And how will the court case unfold following jury selection in Newry on Tuesday?

Freya McClements, Northern Editor of The Irish Times, explains the case and the delay.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.