The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Gary O’Hanlon, Executive Chef at the K Club and co-host of the ‘Dishing It Out’ podcast was the latest entry into The Last Word’s Culture Club. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear all his choices in music, TV, literature and film.

Today marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of 'The Liberator' Daniel O'Connell, perhaps Ireland's greatest ever politician. Mick Clifford, special correspondent with the Irish Examiner, certainly thinks so. He joins The Last Word to discuss the legacy of Daniel O'Connell. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Revenue has contacted 68,000 pensioners over their tax obligations in relation to their occupational pension. Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Independent, explained why some pensioners are being asked to file a tax return. He also explained why many renters believe the Government should support intergenerational living arrangements. This is where younger people live with older adults for lower rent in exchange for companionship and support. To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Professor Brian Caulfield from the Department of Civil Engineering in Trinity College Dublin and tech journalist Elaine Burke join The Last Word to discuss the future of driverless vehicles. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

US President Donald Trump has fired the head of the main agency for producing American jobs figures claiming she "rigged" weaker-than-expected employment data for political reasons. Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the United States. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may authorise a complete occupation of Gaza, according to reports. Chief International Correspondent at The Independent Bel Trew and Professor of Law, Queens University Aoife O’Donoghue join Matt to discuss the latest news and the aid situation in Gaza. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

More changes could be on the way for Gaelic football following an entertaining inter-county season marked by a number of new rules. Michael Foley, sportswriter with the Sunday Times, and Ray Silke, former Galway captain, join The Last Word to discuss the effect the changes had on this year's championship and what more can be done to improve the game. Catch the full chat by pressing 'Play' button on this page!

Out-going Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said he plans to publish The Crowe Report into roads policing. The report was commissioned following the receipt of anonymous correspondence from a Garda member working in the area. The report found that a number of gardaí assigned to roads policing were ‘openly hostile’ to doing their jobs. It further found senior garda members were afraid to ‘intervene’. Pat Leahy, Former Assistant Garda Commissioner and Leo Lieghio, Vice President Irish Road Victims Association joined Matt to discuss the revelations. To catch the full conversation, press the ‘play’ button on this page.

There have been calls for several streets in Dublin city to be pedestrianised over the last number of years, but does that lead to certain parts of the city being quieter – and therefore more dangerous – come nightfall? Architect and urban designer, Fedirico Minieri, and Janet Horner, Green Party Dublin City Councillor for Dublin North Inner City, spoke to Matt on The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

On Thursday, Conor McGregor lost his appeal against a High Court jury’s finding that he raped Nikita Hand in Dublin in 2018. In November 2024, the jury in a civil trial found he raped Ms. Hand in a hotel room. She was awarded just under €250,000 in damages. Frank Greaney, Today FM’s Courts Correspondent, spoke to Matt on The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

This Tech Thursday, Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss how you can upgrade and optimise your home WiFi. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Actor, broadcaster and entrepreneur Jennifer Zamparelli spoke to Matt about her upcoming role as narrator of the iconic Rocky Horror Show with Jason Donovan at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. From early influences, to recent releases, Jennifer also discussed her favourite music, books, movies and TV series. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

The number of foreign visitors to Ireland in June fell by 2% compared to last year, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office. The decline continues a worrying trend of falling visitor numbers between January and May compared with the same months in 2024. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest business news. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Five men who tortured a woman for three hours in Dublin last year have been jailed for between 8 and a half and 14 years. Natalie Ennis was abducted due to a row over missing drugs, despite not knowing anything about it. Braxton Rice (21), Mark McMahon (55), Mark Keogh (33), Sean Conroy (21), and Kian Walshe (22) were handed down sentences for using what Judge Pauline Codd called “sadistic” and “medieval” torture methods on Ms. Ennis. Frank Greaney, Today FM’s Courts Correspondent, spoke to Matt on The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece. Warning: Some details in this piece may be distressing for listeners.

All Together Now 2025 takes place at the Curraghmore Estate in Co. Waterford this weekend, with a host of huge acts set to take to the stage across the August Bank Holiday. Among the big names are Fontaines DC, CMAT, Bicep, Primal Scream and Wet Leg. Dee Reddy and John Caddell joined Matt on The Last Word for Tuesday's music slot. Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the chat.

Donald Trump has acknowledged for the first time that there is “real starvation” in Gaza and has told Israel to allow “every ounce of food” into the region. But how likely is Benjamin Netanyahu to listen? The Israeli Prime Minister has previously said that it is "bold faced lies" to say that his country is fuelling starvation in the region. Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the United States. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The will of the man believed to be Britain’s top agent inside the IRA will not be made public after the British High Court ruled that it should be sealed for 70 years. Freddie Scappaticci, also known as Stakeknife, denied the claims until his death in 2023. Richard O’Rawe, author of Stakeknife’s Dirty War, spoke to Matt to discuss the decision. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Elaine Burke and Joe O'Shea join The Last Word to discuss the latest news in TV and streaming including South Park's Donald Trump episode and the death of former wrestling star Hulk Hogan. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Marc O Sé, Eamonn McGee, Ray Silke and Will O'Callaghan review the All-Ireland football final which saw Kerry dominate from the start and beat Donegal. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

New analysis has found that a nurse and a garda with a combined salary of €107,000 would be unable to afford a 3-bed semi-detached house in a number of Ireland's main commuter towns. Niall Hodgins, vice president of the Garda Representative Association, and Phil Ní Sheaghdha, general secretary of the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation, join The Last Word to discuss what this means for essential workers. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!