In this episode, Niall asks: Can you be a practicing Catholic and support abortion? The topic arises from a recent news story involving TD for Cork North-Central, Colm Burke, who was denied communion by Father Gabriel Burke due to his stance on abortion. This incident, which occurred during a funeral in Whitechurch, Co Cork, has sparked a significant debate.

Describing the event, Colm Burke said, "He gave me a blessing. I advised him that I was here to receive holy communion, and he said you are not getting holy communion. He then leaned forward and said, 'You have been excommunicated'." This incident has prompted Burke to seek clarification from the local diocese about his status within the church.

The Association of Catholic Priests condemned the actions of the priest, stating that it is not the role of a priest to judge the conscience of another person and emphasizing that abortion is a complex matter. Public representatives are tasked with balancing the rights of the unborn child and the decision-making rights of the mother.

Some callers fully support the priest's decision, arguing that practicing Catholics must adhere to the Church's teachings on abortion. Allowing politicians who support abortion to receive communion, they say, sends the wrong message about the faith's stance on the sanctity of life. "The Catholic Church has clear teachings about abortion, and it's within the priest's rights to withhold communion from those who publicly oppose these teachings," one caller states.

Other callers feel that religion should be about compassion and understanding. Denying communion, especially at a funeral, is seen as a harsh and public judgment. "It's not the place of the priest to excommunicate someone based on their political stance," one caller argues. They believe the Church should guide and support its members rather than shame them publicly, recognizing the complexity of the issue and trusting individuals to reconcile their beliefs and actions with their faith privately.

Niall wraps up the discussion by reflecting on the diverse opinions and the broader implications for the relationship between personal beliefs, religious practices, and political responsibilities.

In this episode, Niall discusses the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump with international security specialist Will Geddes. They analyze the significant security lapses that allowed the attacker, Thomas Matthew Crooks, to get dangerously close to Trump during a rally. Geddes provides detailed insight into the failures of the Secret Service and the need for improved security measures.

Will Geddes, with extensive experience in protecting high-profile individuals, describes the incident as "a shambolic mess from start to finish." He criticizes the lack of advanced planning and reconnaissance, stating that "there should be an enormous amount of advanced planning, looking at every conceivable chance and opportunity that could be exploited by someone with malintent."

Discussing the immediate response to the shooting, Geddes emphasizes the importance of swift action: "The most important first response is to take the principal off the X, meaning the spot where the threat is imminent. You don't allow him to rise again until the threat is completely neutralized."

Geddes also highlights the communication failures among law enforcement agencies, noting that "there was a good three-minute period between identifying the shooter and neutralizing him." This delay, according to Geddes, is unacceptable and points to significant operational weaknesses.

The conversation touches on the broader implications of this security breach, including the potential resignation of the Secret Service head, Kimberly Cheadle, and the need for a review of security protocols for high-profile political figures. Geddes concludes that "the closer we get to the election, the more volatile it will become," stressing the urgency of addressing these security flaws.

Niall kicks things off by speaking with Robbie Kane, a reporter from Dublin Live, who gives us the latest developments on the ground. The protest centres around the use of the old Crown Paints factory, which is being repurposed to accommodate hundreds of refugees. Local residents are up in arms, claiming the government has failed to communicate with them about this significant change. Determined to resist, they are making their voices heard.

We also hear from newly elected Councillor Gavin Pepper and Councillor Malachy Steenson. Both were present at the scene and provide live descriptions of the protest as it happened. Their insights offer a detailed perspective on the community's response and the dynamics of the protest.

Adding a personal touch, we have Dubliner Madeleine, who was also at the protest. She paints a vivid picture of the crowd, noting that most of the protestors were women, children, and grandparents. Madeleine highlights their fears about the potential impact on their community, especially concerning the sudden increase in population and the influx of many unfamiliar men.

Join us as we delve into this pressing issue, exploring the complexities and emotions driving the protest in Coolock. Tune in to hear firsthand accounts, expert analysis, and a thorough discussion on what this means for the local community and the broader implications for Dublin.