In The News

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.

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RTÉ’s announcement that the salary of Derek Mooney, one of its most well-known on-air staffers, had been publicly misrepresented for years sparked a very public controversy.

It prompted debate in the Dáil and an appearance for the broadcaster’s director general Kevin Bakhurst before the Oireachtas media committee.

At issue was how pay is calculated in the organisation, with the suspicion that, once again, when it comes to how the “talent” is being remunerated, the public are not being told the full story.

And with the DG before it, the committee took the chance to talk about other presenters and their pay, including Oliver Callan and the late Sean Rocks.

So what did we learn from the weeklong controversy that once again put the spotlight on RTÉ.

Irish Times media columnist Hugh Linehan explains what this latest controversy means and why it differs from others that have gone before.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.
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When two TDs left for bigger gigs last year it triggered elections to fill their places.

Fine Gael’s Pascal Donohoe left for a big job at the World Bank and Independent TD Catherine Connolly left for a bigger job in Áras an Uachtaráin.

Voters tomorrow will be faced with long ballot papers but the Irish Times IPSOS B&A poll suggests the early emergence of a small number of clear favourites in both constituencies.

But who are? How did the candidates perform in the last week of canvassing? And will the Government have a bad day at the polls?

Irish Times political editor Pat Leahy gives his take on what’s happening in these two large constituencies and predicts who will win.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon.
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On Friday at about 5pm, Yves Sakila(35) was pursued by security guards on Dublin’s Henry Street. He was suspected of shoplifting. As he ran down the street, it is believed he collided with an elderly man.

What happened next was witnessed by several bystanders and by thousands of others because of a distressing video posted on social media. It shows the Congolese man’s last minutes as he lay face down restrained by several security men.

When gardaì arrived on the scene, Sakila had been held on the ground for at least five minutes. The injured man, in his 80s, was also on the ground a few metres away.
Both were taken to hospital where Sakila was pronounced dead and the older man was operated on.

So what happened? The incident is being investigated by both the Garda and by Fiosrú, the police ombudsman. How will these investigations proceed? Sakila had lived in Ireland since he was a teenager, what else is known about him?

Irish Times crime and security editor Conor Lally explains.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.