Latest news with #IndoDaily
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
The Indo Daily: The Miami Showband Massacre – ‘They tried to wipe out the entire band'
The Irish showband scene was in full flight. The bands, who performed to thousands of people every night, brought a new lease of life both north and south of the border, creating superstars such as Dickie Rock, Big Tom and Joe Dolan. And, at the peak of their prowess was The Miami Showband, a phenomenon so beloved they were affectionately dubbed 'The Irish Beatles'. It seemed as if nothing could go wrong for them. But all that changed on July 31, 1975. Five members of the band were travelling from a gig in Banbridge, Co Down, to Dublin late that night when they were stopped by what they thought was a routine army checkpoint. What transpired shook not just the showband scene, but left a lifelong trauma on the musicians, their families and those who loved them. On today's Indo Daily, Tessa Fleming is joined by former Sunday Independent news editor Liam Collins, and Des Lee, surviving member of The Miami Showband and author of 'My Saxophone Saved My Life', as they discuss one of the darkest nights in Irish music history: the Miami Showband Massacre.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
The Indo Daily: 'Prison rules didn't really exist' – Former Governor of infamous Maze prison on dealing with Michael Stone, Billy Wright and Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair
He was the senior governor in charge of the prison on the 27th December 1997. That was the day that LVF Godfather Billy Wright was murdered inside the prison wall. The INLA assumed responsibility for the killing shortly after. The incident had a profound effect on William McKee's life and career, changing his life forever. McKee has faced multiple murder attempts and had to relocate houses several times due to his career. His new book, which mixes fact and fiction, is called 'Collusion: Inside the Maze'. It features a fictional exploration of the events surrounding the murder in the high-profile prison. Today's Indo Daily comes from our sister podcast The BelTel, as William McKee joins Ciarán Dunbar to talk about what working on the day of Billy Wright's murder was like, his relationships with paramilitary prisoners inside the prison, and the attempts on his life as a result of his career.
Irish Independent
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
The Indo Daily: Trump's broken promises: Why the Epstein files are causing a MAGA meltdown
And yet, Epstein's influence - and the mystery surrounding his alleged 'client list'— is more alive than ever and is driving a wedge through Donald Trump's MAGA movement. During his election campaign last year, Trump promised to release Epstein-related files if elected, stirring hopes among his base that powerful elites complicit in Epstein's sex-trafficking network would be exposed. In February, Trump's attorney general Pam Bondi fanned the flames, saying the alleged client list was 'sitting on my desk right now to review'. But last week, the US justice department and the FBI declared that Epstein's death was conclusively ruled a suicide, and that no such client list exists. The announcement triggered outrage within MAGA ranks. Many of Trump's staunchest supporters are now accusing the administration of a cover-up and backpedalling on its promise to uncover the truth. Trump lashed out at his own base, dismissing the Epstein files as a 'hoax'. With pressure mounting, can Trump ride out the backlash, or will his refusal to deliver on the Epstein files fracture the movement he built? And can he pivot attention, as he often does, back to safer ground, like tariffs and trade wars? On today's Indo Daily, Tessa Fleming is joined by Lorcan Nyhan, Head of Training at the Communications Clinic, and Nikki McCann Ramirez, Political Reporter with Rolling Stone, to ask whether Donald Trump can ride out the Epstein storm or will this be the conspiracy that sinks him?
Irish Independent
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
The Indo Daily: DJ Carey's Texas trips, Cancer Care and the Croke Park Conundrum
DJ Carey was hailed as the 'GAA's first superstar', a nine‑time All‑Star and twice Hurler of the Year. But behind the accolades, a deception played out across continents. Going from fame to infamy, the sporting hero has pleaded guilty to 10 counts of deception after an alleged cancer diagnosis helped him extract over €400,000 by duping generous friends and even tapping into wealthy circles in Texas during trips to Dallas – all the time he was chasing aid he didn't need. Now the GAA finds itself at a crossroads as it prepares to honour him at this weekend's All Ireland Final. Today on the Indo Daily, Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Amy Molloy, Social Affairs Correspondent with the Irish Independent, and Colm Keys, Irish Independent GAA correspondent journalist, to look at the depths of DJ's deception and ask if the GAA - an institution built on community and trust – can afford to look the other way.
Irish Independent
30-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
The Indo Daily: Investigation – sick certs over WhatsApp that are 'open to exploitation'
A quick visit to your GP should do the trick, leaving you with the vital document to present to your boss. Job done, back to bed, get well soon. However, recent years have seen a new method emerge, with numerous online outlets providing a digital version of the all-important medical certificate - without the need for rudimentary practices like an in-person consultation. The Department of Social Protection doesn't approve of such methods, but your employer has little choice but to go along with it. A new investigation by the Irish Independent explores the process of applying for a digital sick cert, the pros and cons of taking this approach and the potential risks and exploitation in play. On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent multimedia reporters Darragh Nolan and Maeve McTaggart, and by social affairs correspondent with the Irish Independent Amy Molloy, to break down their examination of an increasingly popular digital system.
