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RTÉ Cyber Security Alert: Investigation Underway – The Irish Times

by Priya Shah – Business Editor July 28, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

RTÉ Investigates Potential Cyber Threat: National Cyber Security Center Issues Alert

Dublin, ireland – Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, is currently scrutinizing a potential cybersecurity incident following a weekend alert from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).The NCSC, a key division within the Department of Justice tasked with monitoring online threats to the state, reportedly contacted RTÉ with information regarding a possible cyber attack.

An RTÉ spokesperson confirmed the broadcaster was “contacted by the NCSC over the weekend regarding information it had become aware of” and is “currently reviewing this information and assessing its veracity.”

Sources familiar with the situation indicate that the NCSC’s alert pertains to a threat that may target multiple state bodies, with an apparent deadline of August 4th. It is understood that up to seven organizations could be affected,and the NCSC believes RTÉ is among those possibly targeted. While the exact nature of the threat remains undisclosed, speculation suggests a ransomware element could be involved.Despite the alert, sources emphasize there is currently no high degree of alarm surrounding the situation.This advancement comes at a time of heightened awareness regarding Ireland’s cybersecurity defenses, especially in the wake of the crippling 2021 cyber attack on the Health Service Executive (HSE). That incident, which disrupted numerous health service systems, resulted in significant data breaches, and incurred costs exceeding €100 million, has led to over 470 legal proceedings against the HSE, according to figures from last year.

The head of the NCSC previously cautioned that Ireland faces a “far greater” risk of significant cyber attacks than previously experienced. In 2023, the NCSC processed over 5,200 reports, leading to 721 confirmed incidents and 309 investigations. The majority of these incidents were classified at the lower end of the NCSC’s five-level seriousness scale, with none reaching the top two categories.

The department of Justice has stated that the NCSC does not comment on operational matters. The outcome of RTÉ’s review and any further developments are awaited.

Keywords: RTÉ, Cyber Security, National Cyber Security centre, NCSC, Cyber Attack, Ransomware, Ireland, State Bodies, HSE Cyber Attack, Data Breach

July 28, 2025 0 comments

Entertainment

‘I honestly don’t know the secret’ – Brendan O’Carroll on enduring success of RTÉ’s ‘Mrs Brown’s Boys’ as new series kicks off next week

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor July 23, 2025

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

‘Mrs. Brown’s Boys’ Returns with True-Life Chaos

Creator Brendan O’Carroll Credits Family for Show’s Enduring Appeal

The beloved comedy “Mrs. Brown’s Boys” is set to launch its sixth season on RTÉ One next week, promising more of Agnes Brown’s attempts to navigate her boisterous family in a changing world.

New Season’s Hilarious Mishaps Unveiled

In the upcoming season’s premiere, viewers will witness Agnes unexpectedly gain fame after taking over her daughter Cathy’s podcast. Meanwhile, Grandad announces his intention to move into a care home, and Agnes finds herself as a driving instructor for her friend Winnie, with predictably chaotic results.

“Believe it or not, most of the storylines are based on true events.”

The Secret to Mrs. Brown’s Success? Real Life, Says O’Carroll

Creator and star Brendan O’Carroll, 69, remains modest about the show’s sustained popularity, now in its fourteenth year. “I honestly don’t know the secret to the enduring success of Mrs Brown’s Boys,” he admitted. “I write and perform what I think is funny and just hope that somebody somewhere watching gets a laugh out of it.”

O’Carroll revealed that the outlandish plots are often rooted in his own family’s experiences or anecdotes shared by others. “The ideas for these episodes are no different from the previous 53 episodes,” he stated. “Everybody has a story, and it’s quite common for someone in a family to say in the middle of a family disaster, ‘This is like an episode of Mrs Brown’s Boys’.”

Brendan O’Carroll in Mrs Brown’s Boys

The inspiration for Agnes herself stems from O’Carroll’s mother, Maureen, whose strong personality and wit, honed working on Dublin’s Moore Street, heavily influenced the character. “I love being Agnes,” O’Carroll shared. “I’m not lying when I say I could not play any of the characters better than the actors who play them now.”

The show’s live studio audience is considered crucial to its dynamic. “All this needs now is the audience,” O’Carroll quoted director Ben Kellett, adding, “They follow every move, every line and add so much to our performances. We would be lost without them.”

The show’s Christmas special previously garnered 8.24 million viewers in the UK, demonstrating its broad appeal despite critical reviews. The series began its life on stage in 1992, with O’Carroll and his family developing it into the television hit it is today. A recent report indicated that the average UK household now spends over 30 hours a week watching TV (Ofcom, 2024), highlighting the enduring popularity of broadcast entertainment.

‘I honestly don’t know the secret’ – Brendan O’Carroll on enduring success of RTÉ’s ‘Mrs Brown’s Boys’ as new series kicks off next week — Brendan O’Carroll in the new series of ‘Mrs Brown’s Boys’. Photo: BBC

July 23, 2025 0 comments

Entertainment

Woman found trying to enter Lidl on Fair City set after being sent by Google Maps

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor July 21, 2025

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

Google Maps Sends Shopper to TV Set

Soap opera’s fake grocery store mistaken for real outlet

A shopper’s reliance on technology led to an unusual detour when Google Maps directed her to the fictional Lidl store on the set of the popular Irish soap opera, Fair City.

A Navigational Mishap

The mix-up occurred on the RTÉ campus in Dublin, where the soap’s producers have recreated a small-scale main street for the fictional suburb of Carrigstown. This set includes various buildings, among them a Lidl supermarket.

It appears the mapping service had erroneously pinpointed the studio prop as a genuine retail location, prompting the woman to seek her groceries there on Monday.

Met a lady outside RTÉ trying to get in to do her shopping in the Lidl on the Fair City set this evening. It’s listed on Google Maps. I gave her directions to Tesco. pic.twitter.com/w5RZjbdYiq

— David Murphy (@davidmurphyRTE) July 21, 2025

David Murphy, RTÉ’s Economics and Public Affairs Editor, shared the amusing incident on his X account. He encountered the woman attempting to access the set for shopping.

“Met a lady outside RTÉ trying to get in to do her shopping in the Lidl on the Fair City set this evening. It’s listed on Google Maps. I gave her directions to Tesco.”

—David Murphy, RTÉ Economics and Public Affairs Editor

Tech Glitches and Real-World Blunders

The anecdote drew humorous reactions online. One commenter quipped about Joe Duffy providing directions, while another shared a similar experience with a misdirected search for a Lidl in Booterstown. Such errors highlight the occasional disconnect between digital mapping and physical reality. In 2023, reports indicated that inaccurate GPS data had led tourists astray in various locations worldwide, underscoring the ongoing challenges in mapping complex, evolving environments (BBC News, 2023).

Fair City’s Fictional Facade

Fair City, a long-running drama series, utilises its Dublin studio lot to create the visual landscape of Carrigstown. The Lidl store on the set is a recent addition, replacing a former Spar shop within the show’s narrative.

The RTÉ campus in Dublin serves as the production site for Fair City.

While the situation provided a moment of levity, it also served as a reminder of the importance of verifying digital navigation results with real-world context.

July 21, 2025 0 comments

Entertainment

Crazy levels of speculation’ about who will step in to replace Joe Duffy – The Irish Times

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor July 18, 2025

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

RTÉ to Launch Search for Joe Duffy‘s Successor on Liveline; Salary Cap Set at €250,000

RTÉ has announced it will commence a process in the coming months to select a new host for its popular radio program, Liveline, following the departure of Joe Duffy.An proclamation regarding the successor is anticipated in the autumn.

Among the individuals reportedly in contention for the role are current presenters Cormac Ó hEadhra and Sarah McInerney, who co-host Drivetime. Colm Ó Mongáin is also said to be a strong candidate, having recently served as a stand-in host. Oliver Callan,the current host of the 9am-10am slot,is another name being discussed,despite being a relatively new addition to the radio centre. Dermot Whelan, a former Today FM presenter, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate by bookmakers.

The incoming host will see a significant reduction in salary compared to Joe Duffy, who was the highest earner at RTÉ. Last year’s figures revealed Duffy’s earnings to be €351,000,substantially more than Claire Byrne,who reportedly earned approximately €280,000. RTÉ director General Kevin Bakhurst, who earns €250,000, has stated his intention to implement a salary ceiling of €250,000 across the organization.

None of the individuals mentioned responded to queries from The Irish Times.

July 18, 2025 0 comments

Entertainment

Content Writing Tips: Improve Your Skills & Productivity

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor July 13, 2025

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

It hasn’t taken Joe Duffy long to throw off the shackles that came with being one of RTÉ’s best-known figures for decades.

With a tilt at the presidency ruled out soon after his 37-year stint in Montrose ended late last month, Duffy has now gone from being a public service broadcaster to a private detective of sorts as part of a promotion for retailer Lidl.

In episode one of the “Value Beyond Belief” series, Duffy, sporting a suit and hat, enters a Lidl store as a screechy film noir style score plays, though he’s more like Frank Drebin in The Naked Gun than Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep.

“I promised myself I was out. No more talk. No more questions. Just an average Joe,” he says. “But questions, they don’t take no for an answer.”

The 69-year-old, the highest-paid person at RTÉ in 2023, earning €351,000, is now free to pair up with brands as his extracurricular activities no longer fall under the broadcaster’s Register of External Activities. Here he is unashamedly leaning into his past work as a consumer champion on Liveline.

“Come on, Veronica. Talk to Joe,” says Duffy in one clip posted on the retailer’s social media accounts, as he sits over a polygraph machine interrogating a Lidl staff member about a consumer discount case.

Duffy also investigates an “an anonymous tip from a Ballinasloe woman named Margaret Mary O’Brien” who has reported value so good that it “must be a conspiracy”.

Kennedy Summer School chairwoman Eileen Dunne at the announcement of the event’s programme for 2025. Photograph: Mary Browne

Trump antagonist and Gatsby celebration coming to Wexford

Table of Contents

Trump antagonist and Gatsby celebration coming to Wexford
Ireland’s biggest stud retires
O’Gorman stands up for the Green, Green Grass of Home

Another RTÉ alumnus has been demonstrating there is life after the State broadcaster, with Eileen Dunne serving as chairwoman of the Kennedy Summer School, which takes place in New Ross, Co Wexford next month.

The former newscaster, who retired in 2022 after more than 40 years on our screens, left some people scratching their heads when she appeared in promotional photographs for the event.

She donned a flapper dress and gloves to showcase an event, which generally focuses on global affairs, Irish politics and former US president John F Kennedy, who visited his ancestral home outside New Ross in 1963.

However, the choice of outfit makes more sense on reading the programme, which this year includes sessions covering the centenary of F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.

“Our 2025 line-up embraces ideas that cross borders and generations, inviting us to reflect on Irish identity, global affairs, literature, and the pressing challenges of our time,” Dunne said. “In doing so, we honour the Kennedy family’s legacy by fostering rigorous debate, cultural dialogue, and a spirit of civic curiosity.”

A White House staff member reaches for the microphone held by CNN’s <a href= — A White House staff member reaches for the microphone held by CNN’s Jim Acosta as he questions US president Donald Trump. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

The event will feature interviews with author Colm Tóibín and former CNN broadcaster/Donald Trump antagonist Jim Acosta; sessions on local journalism and Stem subjects; and discussions on the changing face of Irish America and the upcoming Irish presidential election.

The summer school is still going strong in its 13th year, which would have delighted its founder, Noel Whelan, the barrister and Irish Times columnist who died aged 50 in 2019.

Invincible Spirit’s 'remarkable' career at the <a href= — Invincible Spirit’s ‘remarkable’ career at the Irish National Stud came to an end in 2024. Photograph: Irish National Stud

Ireland’s biggest stud retires

Cash cow is possibly not be the right term to use when talking about horses, but the Irish National Stud is seeking a new one after the retirement of a “living legend” from covering duties.

The Co Kildare operation incurred an operating loss after tax and depreciation of more than €1.8 million last year as Invincible Spirit’s “remarkable” run came to an end.

According to his profile on the stud’s website, the stallion was introduced at a fee of €10,000 but “his ability to produce fast, durable racehorses” saw this rise to €35,000, €100,000 and then €120,000 before later becoming a private matter.

The stud’s 2024 annual report notes how Invincible Spirit, who sired 22 individual Group 1 winners, was in 2017 responsible for some “70 per cent of the entire company’s revenue”. This fell to 40 per cent in 2020 and to less than 2 per cent last year as the 28-year-old’s workload wound down.

Progress has been made in finding a replacement, the stud says, “but the reality is that investments in stallions … take time to bear fruit”. Phoenix of Spain, now “one of the most popular stallions in Ireland”, covered 217 mares last year, “testament to the excellent results of his first crop”.

As for Invincible Spirit, the stud’s chief executive, Cathal Beale, says little will change for “unquestionably the greatest stallion to have ever stood at the Irish National Stud”.

“He will live out his days being looked after by the same people, being turned out every day to the same paddock and being given the same exceptional care. He retires as a living legend.”

Fans making their way to one of Zach Bryan's concerts in Dublin's <a href= — Fans making their way to one of Zach Bryan’s concerts in Dublin’s Phoenix Park last month. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins

O’Gorman stands up for the Green, Green Grass of Home

Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman has long been keen to see that the Phoenix Park, one of the foremost amenities in his Dublin West constituency, is well looked after.

“The size of the Phoenix Park means it acts as a ‘green lung’ for Dublin city … It provides a key environmental space, both for humans and wildlife,” the former minister wrote last year in response to an Office of Public Works (OPW) strategic review regarding the park.

He was clearly an interested party as tens of thousands of people, many in cowboy hats and boots, descended on the park recently for country musician Zach Bryan’s run of three concerts – the first big shows staged there since 2018.

So much so that, in a parliamentary question this week, O’Gorman asked Minister of State Kevin “Boxer” Moran if he was satisfied the park “was returned to an ‘as found’ condition, as was promised to residents” following the gigs.

Without offering a straight yes or no, Moran said concert promoter Aiken Promotions engaged a litter collection company to pick up any related rubbish and returned the site to the OPW on June 28th “subject to identified remedial works” due to be completed in the coming week.

“These works include grass seeding, and it will take some weeks for the grass to germinate and grow,” he said. “All costs for these works will be covered by the concert organiser.”

The single Something in the Orange helped Bryan become a household name, but it’s the safe return of the Green, Green Grass of Home that O’Gorman will be looking out for.

July 13, 2025 0 comments