98fm's Dublin Talks

Four years on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has Ireland’s welcome worn out? Adrian and Jeremy read a message from Andre, a Ukrainian dad who fought for six months, now runs a coffee shop here, pays tax, and says the online “go home” abuse is getting worse.Live callers are split: some say “keep the workers, send the rest back”, others argue refugees are being scapegoated while the housing crisis rages on. From ARP payments and “entitlement” claims to PTSD, jobs, and whether people should be forced home when the war ends — the debate gets heated fast.Plus: another Opinions Matter travel mug giveaway at the end of the episode

A SPAR shop in Cabra has had enough — staff say they’ve been racially abused, sprayed with drinks, and even had eggs thrown at them, and they’re begging parents to find out where their kids are at night. But the debate goes up a notch when we hear from “Des”, a Dublin 24 shop manager who posted CCTV-style photos of kids he says were robbing his shop… and then had furious parents at his door threatening to sue. So what’s the answer when Gardaí “won’t” (or can’t) act? Name and shame minors online… or is that completely out of order, no matter what they’re doing? Live callers don’t hold back.

This weekend episode of Opinions Matter is a totally unedited bit of madness you don’t hear on the main show.Adrian, Jeremy and Katie go from debating the Angelus (how many “dongs” are there, and who even watches it?) to Jeremy’s very questionable altar-boy memories — bell ringing rules, “tabernacles”, trousers… and Father Thomas the drinker!!!!Then it’s onto Katie’s MRI horror story (claustrophobia, panic buttons and being told to stay still), the great coffee-mug row, and the weird reality of being recognised in “the normal shop”.Plus: lipstick marks on mugs, funeral “strangers”, and whether swearing in a eulogy is ever acceptable.

On this episode, a listener Slams "Braindead parents who are convinced that schools are trying to brainwash kids in LGBT Ideology"

A group of five Travellers say they were turned away from a Howth restaurant after booking a table – told their reservation was cancelled and “you’re not getting in tonight”. It raises a massive question: do pubs, bars and restaurants have the right to refuse anyone, anytime… or is that just discrimination dressed up as “management reserves the right”?We spoke to Kathleen, a Traveller in her 50s who says she’s been refused her whole life. Others in hospitality argue venues are wary because of past trouble.

Gardaí are investigating a Limerick sting by “Justice Reborn” – a paedophile hunter group that confronted a man they claim was sexually messaging who he thought was a 13-year-old… and streamed the whole thing live on Facebook.So do you support these groups taking the law into their own hands… or are they risking violence, getting the wrong person, and wrecking any future court case? Adrian’s main issue: why broadcast it live and potentially prejudice a trial.Callers are split down the middle. Some say the guards don’t have the resources and the public needs to know who these creeps are. Others warn about entrapment, fair trial rights, and innocent people being destroyed online.

Racist abuse aimed at Irish rugby player Edwin Edogbo blows up online after the Six Nations win over Italy – so bad the IRFU had to shut off comments. Born and raised in Cobh, Co. Cork to Nigerian parents, the 23-year-old is Irish… so why are some people losing their minds over that?Adrian, Jeremy and callers tear into the vile comments, the “heritage” argument, and the cowards hiding behind anonymous accounts. Angela (a Munster supporter who knows the family) and Aine (raising a mixed-race child in Ireland) bring it home in a powerful, emotional chat.Plus: another Opinions Matter travel mug giveaway question at the end.

A UK nursery abuse case sparks a massive row on Opinions Matter: should men be banned from working in crèches to “protect children”? One article claims 91% of child abuse is carried out by men — but is banning men logical safeguarding… or just ridiculous?Callers are all over the place. Trevor says it’s “a woman’s job” and doesn’t trust male childcare workers, while others argue it’s discrimination, that vetting isn’t perfect, and that women can abuse too.Plus: another Opinions Matter travel mug giveaway at the end.

Welcome to Opinions Matter Extra – the totally uncut, completely random bit you normally don’t hear before the live show properly kicks off.Jeremy tells the story of being pulled in by the Gardaí with his kids in the car… and the panic that followed, blue lights and all. Adrian, of course, turns it into headlines and takes the absolute piss.There’s also a full-on row over “masticating” on mic, Jeremy’s buttonless ASOS cardigan (Katie is in stitches), a rant about people tagging dead people on Facebook… and an angry voice note from Vivienne that nearly breaks the internet.

Things took a weird and creepy turn today live on air during a topic about a strange and creepy message that a male listener (claiming to be Katies biggest fan) sent to Katie yesterday on her own private Facebook page... Adrian was calling out the message and the man who sent it (and men who message women like this in general)... But when the guy himself phoned in to tell us why he sent the message and things got even weirder.... and listeners were both shocked and furious!! At first we actually thought it was someone joking

Gerry “The Monk” Hutch says he’s running again — this time for the Dublin Central by‑election — and we ask the big question: would you want someone like him as a TD in Dáil Éireann?Callers are absolutely split: some say “he can’t be any worse than what’s in there” and want to “give him a chance”, others say he has no policies, no plan, and shouldn’t be anywhere near power — especially with CAB still chasing nearly €800k.Plus: another Opinions Matter travel mug giveaway question at the end.

A petition with over 25,000 signatures is trying to stop a so-called “mega/super mosque” being built in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal — and we asked the simple question: what exactly is the problem with a place of worship?With live callers and voice notes flying in, we hear everything from “it doesn’t affect your life, don’t go” to blunt admissions of not wanting mosques in “my country”.Irish Muslim pharmacist Fadiya joins us with an honest, powerful perspective on growing up Muslim in Ireland, while others argue about planning, immigration, “Islamification” and fear.Plus: another Opinions Matter travel mug giveaway question at the end.

On this explosive episode we spoke to people who want child benefit capped at 2 kids. Things then took a turn when a caller with no children said it should be scrapped...and sparks flew.

On this episode we discussed how seven “very sick” Palestinian children who need “urgent” treatment arrived in Ireland at the weekend, as part of a fifth medical evacuation mission to treat critically ill children from Gaza in Irish hospitals.We were shocked by the amount of callers saying they should not be brought here and that we need to "treat our own children first"

An biting incident in a creche on Dublin's northside caused uproar on this episode, with our Katie going into meltdown mode and calling for the "biter" to be thrown out of the creche! No Joke... You'll need headache tablets for this one

The big question on this episode: Is the state doing enough to protect children from addict parents? Jeremy reveals what he witnessed last night in a shop involving a young child and a "strung out" mother.

Warning - Distressing content. Following the horrific incident involving a sulky race with a pregnant horse, we heard from many angry and upset callers. Then Terry called in and our jaws dropped when we heard him try to defend Sulky racing as "tradition"

Less than 2 weeks after the tragic death of a teenager in Finglas, on today's episode we hear a first hand account of yet another incident involving teens on scramblers. This time in a Crumlin/Drimnagh park

Its actually not the Millionth episode of Opinions Matter EXTRA.. But who reads the titles?! On this episode.... did you know that everyone has a nickname that they don't know about?! Jeremy's friend is just back from Turkey and has one! Also, we discover why some people have "port-Tunnel-phobia"!

A conversation about kids imtimidating adults outside shops in Dublin 24, took a disturbing turn when a story came in of a local woman being threatened with sexual assault..... by a child.