1471. Race Riots and a Lack of Leadership in Loyalism

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack For weeks now we've seen housing experts, industry insiders and academics try and fail to make sense of the Government's new on/off housing plans. So in this podcast, housing expert and academic, Prof Lorcan Sirr, attempts (and fails) to decipher the chaos and put some shape on the entire crisis that has ssen homelessness rise to almost 16,000 people in this "wealthy" country of ours. I think it's really good and that Lorcan almost gets there. Almost. My sincere apologies to Orla and Mel. Martin vs RTE at the WRC podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-132760206 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-132827532

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The news keeps coming and it don't stop coming. In this member-only pod Martin explains in proper detail why even the highly paid broadcaster, Sarah McInerney is a victim of RTE’s rogue employment practices and then we look at the Leo Varadkar vs Keir Starmer, Kneecap situation, as well as some thoughts on the troubling US-Israel attacks on Iran and the devastating results of the US-Israeli Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Liam Cunningham on Displaced in Gaza is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131053187 Donate to dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack “In 2015, while at home looking after our new baby, my wife received a letter from the Department of Social Protection telling her that she needed to attend a social welfare office to be photographed for a Public Services Card or have her child benefit payment cut off. As she did not want to drag an infant out to a government office she solved this problem the sensible way. She handed me the letter and said "Deal with that."” These are the opening lines of the latest Gist with friend of the shack, digital rights expert, solicitor Simon McGarr and he joins us now to discuss a good day for our rights. Simon has threatened to take away my collection of Spicy Sauces unless I add the link to his always must-read Gist:https://www.thegist.ie/simon/ Liam Cunningham on Displaced in Gaza is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131053187 Donate to dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack It was a great pleasure to be rejoined in the shack by writer, commentator, activist and mammy, Elaine Crory. It’s just a pity that it was to discuss the (bullsh1t) “protect our women” race-riots that have taken place in Ballymena, Larne and in other parts of the North. Elaine breaks it down in her brilliant way and explains why this is something that goes beyond flags and into deprivation, inequality, poverty and a lack of leadership in the politics of these areas. Liam Cunningham on Displaced in Gaza is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131053187 Donate to dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack On June 12th, 2025, people from around the world will participate in the Global March to Gaza, from Cairo to Rafah crossing marchtogaza.net, in an apolitical, peaceful, coordinated, civilian action, demanding immediate humanitarian intervention in Gaza. Joining us on the podcast are two of the remarkable people who are participating from Ireland, Maureen Almai and Geraldine Murphy. Please listen to hear why they are going, what is planned and how we can all help. Dr Michael Byrne and Rory Hearne on the new Housing Plan is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131305435 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode Martin is joined by RTE worker Maebh Keary and his workers rights comrade, Matt McGranaghan to discuss RTE's latest day in the Oireachtas. Whilst there seems to be media consensus that they emerged unscathed, Maebh, Matt and Martin pick out some of the most interesting moments and go a little deeper into what some statements actually mean for workers at RTE, the govts comfort levels with rogue employment practices and for the public purse. An exclusive interview with Liam Cunningham on Displacement in Gaza is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131053187 The Des Cahill Top Talent podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131076785

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack On this episode we are joined in the tortoise shack by activist, podcaster and former US army veteran, Greg Stoker and actor and activist Liam Cunningham to talk Gaza, the military industrial complex, the freedom flotilla and the intersectionality between all struggles for human rights and freedom. We also discuss international law, the occupied territories bill and more. The Yousef Aljamal in Belfast podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-130618100 The Frances Black podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-130406374 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this echo chamber pod Martin and Tony are joined by Madrid-based journalist Eoghan Gilmartin to discuss the huge power blackout in Spain, how it’s been weaponised by the far right, what impact it and similar events are having on politics and ask if the last lefty leader standing, Pedro Sanchez, can navigate his government through it all. Check out Eoghan's podcast Sobremesa here:https://open.spotify.com/show/7ogRBLVUKaIUahKnlbkJsz The Liam Cunningham podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-129443800 Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Alexa Moore is the Policy Campaigns and Communications Manager at the Rainbow Project in Northern Ireland. She's also an LGBTQ activist and a formidable Trans woman. She joins us to talk about Trans Rights on the island of Ireland, the UK Supreme Court decision, the turbulent politics of this time and why Brexit is actually a good thing for LGBTQ people in the North. Exclusive RTE Media Committee Podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-130160241 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Lexi Alexander is the daughter of a Palestinian father and German mother; she is also a former World Kickboxing Champion and close-quarter-combat instructor, who worked her way up from stunt woman to Oscar-nominated director. In fact you've probably watched a few episodes of that kickass show that she directed. (Tony was a big Arrow fan) But when the genocide in Gaza continued and barely any of her peers spoke out, she decided to walk away from Hollywood and move to Ireland. So you know we had to chat with her and this is what we hope will be the first of many conversations with the talented, smart, steadfast, outspoken and kickass, Lexi Alexander. The Spanish Blackout Inquisition Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-129598733 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641