The true-life story of Jenny James and the Atlantis commune in Burtonport, County Donegal, has it all: primal scream therapy, free love, Garda raids, political controversy and a tragic death in Colombia.

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to bestselling Irish author Carmel Harrington about her 14th novel, The Nowhere Girls. The story follows Vega, an investigative journalist determined to uncover the truth about her own past after discovering she was one of two children abandoned on a Dublin train platform in 1995. Her journey stretches from 1990s Dublin to the countercultural communes of Vermont in the 1960s, and on to an Irish commune in the wilds of Connemara.

While researching the book, Carmel came across the story of the Screamers. Drawing on archive documentaries and first-hand accounts, she reflects on the blurred line between communal living and coercive control — and why children born into such environments often carry the deepest consequences.

The Nowhere Girls is published by Headline.

Step inside Carmel Harrington’s world — explore her novels, latest releases and the story behind the stories on her official website:

👉 Visit Carmel Harrington’s website: http://carmelharrington.com/

There, you’ll find everything from book details to news and events, straight from the source.

Stripe is back in the headlines — and this time the numbers are eye-watering. The Irish-founded fintech company is reportedly arranging a tender offer that would value it at around 140 billion dollars, a dramatic jump from last year and a figure that puts it among the most valuable private tech firms in the world.

So, what exactly is Stripe? If you’ve ever paid for something online — from shopping to subscriptions to gig work — there’s a strong chance Stripe powered the transaction behind the scenes. Founded by Patrick and John Collison from Co Tipperary, the company set out to make online payments radically simple for developers. That simplicity turned into a global payments infrastructure business operating in more than 100 markets, with dual headquarters in Dublin and San Francisco.

In this episode, Ciara Doherty is joined by Charlie Taylor, Technology and Innovation Editor at the Business Post, to explore the extraordinary story of how two teenage coders built a fintech giant

Bord Bia is at the centre of one of the most explosive rows in Irish farming in years. Protests outside and inside its headquarters. A Dáil motion calling for the chair to go. Farmers, Sinn Féin and the government pulling in opposite directions.

At the heart of it all is Larry Murrin, Bord Bia chair and CEO of Dawn Farms, and the revelation that a small share of the company’s beef is sourced from Brazil. Supporters say it’s a standard global supply chain practice. Critics say it shreds the credibility of Ireland’s food brand.

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by Francess McDonnell of Agriland, who has been tracking the controversy from the start and has spoken directly to Murrin, and by Thomas Hubert, editor of The Currency, on the politics, the pressure on government, and what this row tells us about power, trust and fault lines in Irish agriculture.

🌍 The backstory behind the beef fight

Brazilian beef, EU trade rules, and the Mercosur deal didn’t come out of nowhere. In our recent explainer, we looked at how a Brussels trade agreement became a lightning rod for farmers — and why it still looms over today’s Bord Bia crisis.

🎧 Listen back here: https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/newstalk-daily/beef-business-and-a-brussels-bust-up

Irishman Seamus Culleton has been held by US immigration authorities for nearly five months — despite a valid work permit, a US citizen wife, and no criminal record. From Boston to upstate New York to Texas, his family describes a nightmare of overcrowded cells, paperwork disputes, and relentless uncertainty.

Seamus says he never signed deportation papers; Immigration and Customs Enforcement – the notorious ICE – claims otherwise; a judge agrees. Seamus remains trapped between two parts of the same system — one processing his green card, the other trying to remove him.

On today’s podcast, Ciara Doherty speaks to his sister, Caroline Culleton, about the emotional and physical toll this ordeal has taken on Seamus and the family. The story highlights broader concerns over rising deportations of Irish citizens in the US and the human impact behind the statistics. If you or someone you know has faced similar challenges, we’d like to hear from you.

Email the Newstalk Daily team anytime at newstalkdaily@newstalk.com

Norway’s royal family is facing an unprecedented storm. At the centre is Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who stands accused of multiple sexual offences while denying the gravest charges against him. His case has intensified after a fresh arrest on suspicion of assault and threats with a knife, just as his trial continues in Oslo.

Complicating matters further, newly released documents have revealed links between the Princess and convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, drawing intense public scrutiny. While these are separate issues, they combine to create the most serious crisis the monarchy has faced in generations.

From the dynamics of the courtroom to the wider implications for the royal family, Newstalk Daily explores how Norway is responding to scandal, legal drama, and questions of public trust. Journalist Lars Bevanger joins Ciara Doherty from Tromsø to break down the trial, the Epstein files, and what it all means for the monarchy’s future.

The inquest into the death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe continued this week, more than five years after he disappeared. Noah was 14 years old when he went missing in June 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. He left home on his bicycle on a Sunday afternoon. In his backpack was a laptop and a copy of Jordan Peterson’s book, 12 Rules for Life. He never returned.

Six days later, his body was found in a storm drain. A post-mortem examination concluded that Noah had drowned. A police investigation was launched, but no criminal charges have ever followed.

In recent weeks, a long-delayed inquest has heard evidence into the circumstances surrounding Noah’s disappearance and death. Jurors have listened to the original 999 call made by Noah’s mother, Fiona. Friends have discussed his intelligent, quirky personality; witnesses have given evidence about their recollections of that day; and police officers involved in the original investigation have begun outlining their actions and decisions.

Ciara Doherty is joined by Declan Harvey, who has been covering the inquest for BBC Northern Ireland and through a dedicated daily podcast, to explain what the jury has heard so far and what evidence is still to come.

📺 Follow the inquest: BBC ‘State of Us’ series

Declan Harvey reportS for BBC Northern Ireland as part of the State of Us series, with regular updates from the inquest.

👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL38qrXdJ0lkN8zTvJ2p4IR-Ykv3bYgwgP

Peter Mandelson has weathered scandal before — but this time the reaction has been visceral. His resignation from the House of Lords follows intense public anger over revelations about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender whose crimes continue to reverberate through global politics.

Allegations that Mandelson shared sensitive information, lobbied on Epstein’s behalf, and accepted financial support connected to Epstein have triggered fierce scrutiny. UK prime minister Keir Starmer has referred elements of the case to British police, while honours and privileges linked to Mandelson are being withdrawn, amid growing pressure that this is not just about judgment but accountability.

With Epstein’s victims never far from the public mind, questions of power, access and moral blind spots are unavoidable. Guardian policy editor Kiran Stacey joins Ciara Doherty to examine why this scandal has cut deeper than the rest — and whether the ultimate survivor of British politics has finally run out of road.

The future of Ireland’s Triple Lock is moving from political argument to legislative reality. Following a Cabinet decision last week, the Government is preparing to bring the Defence Amendment Bill before the Oireachtas — setting up one of the most consequential debates about Irish neutrality in decades.

The Triple Lock currently requires Government approval, a Dáil vote, and a UN mandate before Irish troops can be deployed overseas. Ministers argue the UN Security Council is increasingly paralysed, making the system unworkable in a world of rising global tensions. Critics say removing the UN element would quietly weaken neutrality and lower the threshold for overseas military involvement.

On today’s Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty is joined by John O’Brennan, Professor of European Politics at Maynooth University, and Niamh Ní Bhriain from the Transnational Institute. They debate whether this is a technical reform or a fundamental shift in Ireland’s foreign and defence policy.

Have your say by emailing newstalkdaily@newstalk.com.