The MOTH NEWS Podcast

Who is Shawna Coxon? Inside Ireland’s protest response
Fuel protests swept across Ireland in a matter of days, tractors on roads, blockades at key infrastructure, Garda intervention, and the Defence Forces deployed to restore movement.
Now, as the situation begins to ease, the focus shifts.
What actually happened, and how was it handled?
In this episode, Keith Walsh, Oscar and Al break down the response to the protests, including the role of senior Garda leadership, the shift from protest to “illegal blockade,” and the model used to manage disruption.
We’ll also examine the political fallout, the changing narrative, and what it all tells us about how the State responds when pressure builds.
Plus:
▪️ Internal government tensions following the vote of no confidence
▪️ The Media Minister’s rapid reversal on reviewing protest coverage
▪️ Voices from across the country reacting to the week that was
This isn’t just about fuel. It’s about power, pressure and what happens next.

MOTH News Special
Fuel protests have escalated rapidly across Ireland, tractors on roads, blockades forming, clashes with Gardaí, and now the Defence Forces deployed to assist in clearing disruption.
But this story isn’t just about rising fuel prices.
It’s about pressure, and how the State responds when that pressure turns into protest.
In this live MOTH News Special, Keith Walsh and Al break down everything that’s happened over the past week, from the first protests to today’s critical moment.
We examine the Government’s response, the decision to deploy military support, and how Ireland compares to similar protests across the world.
We’ll also take a step back to look at the system behind the response, from Ireland’s legal foundations to how law, order and protest intersect in moments like this.
Plus, voices from across the country reacting in real time.
This is a factual, grounded look at a fast-moving situation, and the question at the centre of it:
Where does this go next?

Fuel protests are gathering pace across Ireland — with farmers, hauliers and transport operators warning of growing pressure on the roads and across the economy.Are these protests the start of something bigger?Today’s programme focuses on the rising cost of fuel, the response from Government, and whether more industries could follow as pressure builds.We’ll look at what’s happening on the ground, what’s driving the protests, and what it could mean for supply chains, construction, and everyday life.We also begin with a reminder of what we’ve learned so far from the Noah Donohoe inquest, ahead of proceedings resuming next week.And later, we examine the question of who is benefiting financially from the IPAS accommodation system — and the wider issues of transparency and oversight.This is a fact-based discussion about pressure, protest, and where things may be heading.

Date: April 2, 2026
‍Hosts: Keith Walsh, Oscar Virdee, and Al
With a bank holiday on the horizon, the MOTH News team gathers for a special Thursday broadcast to tackle a unsettling question: Is Ireland drifting toward a new kind of lockdown?
As fuel prices skyrocket and economic pressure mounts, we aren't being told to stay home by the government—but our bank accounts might be giving the order anyway. In this episode, we explore the "Energy Lockdown" and what it means for the country.
The Noah Donohoe Inquest: A brief update on the week's legal proceedings, including the news that hearings will now extend into May.
The Cost of Connection: Oscar Virdee shares a personal account of how rising fuel costs are already altering behavior, from choosing trains over cars to the difficult decision of skipping family visits due to travel expenses.
Ireland’s Economic Pulse: A deep dive into the news round-up, covering fuel price volatility, hauliers under fire, and the ESRI’s warning that we are living in "non-normal times."
Industry in Crisis: We analyze the stark warnings from James Geoghegan regarding potential shutdowns at Dublin Airport and Dublin Port, and the "worst-case scenarios" facing the construction and farming sectors.
The Political Divide: We break down the friction between the Government’s targeted supports and Sinn Féin’s calls for more aggressive intervention, featuring analysis from Al on Micheál Martin’s position and our structural dependence on fossil fuels.
Business Bites Back: Reaction to Michael O'Leary’s characteristically blunt assessment of a "do-nothing government."
The Big Question:At what point does an energy crisis stop being about the price at the pump and start becoming a functional economic shutdown?
Join Keith, Oscar, and Al as they break down the news that matters.
Inside This Episode:

Today’s programme begins with the latest developments from the inquest into the death of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe.
We examine key evidence heard this week — including missed CCTV, unavailable footage from a funeral home, and questions raised around how the early investigation was carried out.
We also look at a new report highlighting how children in deprived areas are being drawn into criminal activity from a young age, and the lack of support structures that follow.
Later in the show, we cover a major development in France, where prosecutors have searched the offices of Edmond de Rothschild bank as part of an investigation linked to the Epstein files.
From there, we explore the wider question of how global networks of finance, politics and influence operate — and how Ireland fits into that picture in the aftermath of the financial crash.
We also briefly touch on the Gerry Adams civil case, which concluded shortly after last week’s programme.
This is a fact-based discussion focused on evidence, context, and the questions that remain.
📺 Live at 11AM
🎙️ With Keith Walsh, Oscar Virdee & Al
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