Michael Fingleton was one of the most controversial figures of the Celtic Tiger. As the longtime boss of Irish Nationwide, he oversaw reckless lending that ultimately left taxpayers with a €5.4 billion bill. But was he simply the face of a wider banking culture, or the true "baddie of the bailout"? Deputy Business Editor John Burns joins Dave Hanratty to examine the man behind one of Ireland's most infamous banking collapses.

We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism

Michael Fingleton was one of the most controversial figures of the Celtic Tiger. As the longtime boss of Irish Nationwide, he oversaw reckless lending that ultimately left taxpayers with a €5.4 billion bill. But was he simply the face of a wider banking culture, or the true "baddie of the bailout"? Deputy Business Editor John Burns joins Dave Hanratty to examine the man behind one of Ireland's most infamous banking collapses.
We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at <a href="https://www.independent.ie/service/our-journalism/a/98708550.html">independent.ie/ourjournalism</a>

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'Baddie of the Bailout': How 'Fingers' Michael Fingleton built 'the world's worst bank'

Daniel Kinahan is languishing behind bars in Dubai as he awaits extradition to Ireland, but the exiled cartel boss is speaking out – as a podcast guest.

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Having famously teased a previous audio sit-down with Kinahan that never made it to air, broadcaster James English insists he finally has a world exclusive, and a box-office one at that.

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English has released snippets of the apparently forthcoming interview, in which Kinahan states that he believes he’s “already got life in prison”, that he expects to receive “character assassination”, and that he doesn’t have “a hope of getting a fair trial”.

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Kinahan also alluded to potential attempts on his life while in custody.

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On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Katie Byrne is joined by Crime World journalist Neil Fetherstonhaugh to look at how a PR machine runs in the criminal underworld, and Daniel Kinahan’s latest attempt to control his narrative.

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The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism

Daniel Kinahan is languishing behind bars in Dubai as he awaits extradition to Ireland, but the exiled cartel boss is speaking out – as a podcast guest.
­
Having famously teased a previous audio sit-down with Kinahan that never made it to air, broadcaster James English insists he finally has a world exclusive, and a box-office one at that.
­
English has released snippets of the apparently forthcoming interview, in which Kinahan states that he believes he’s “already got life in prison”, that he expects to receive “character assassination”, and that he doesn’t have “a hope of getting a fair trial”.
­
Kinahan also alluded to potential attempts on his life while in custody.
­
On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Katie Byrne is joined by Crime World journalist Neil Fetherstonhaugh to look at how a PR machine runs in the criminal underworld, and Daniel Kinahan’s latest attempt to control his narrative.
­
The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at <a href="https://independent.ie/ourjournalism" title="https://independent.ie/ourjournalism">independent.ie/ourjournalism</a>

Daniel Kinahan's podcast tell-all: Conspiracy theories and a media 'meltdown'

The seizure last week of a bomb containing almost 400g of Semtex plastic explosive has put the New IRA back on to the front pages after a lull in violence.

Two people connected to the political group Saoradh have been charged in relation to the incident.

The sophisticated device has fuel fears that the group has gained access to fresh stocks of military-grade explosives.

The New IRA has been long been associated with but the group also has a presence in Dublin.

Who are the New IRA and what are they capable of?

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Robin Shiller, News and Security Correspondent with the Irish Independent.

The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism

The seizure last week of a bomb containing almost 400g of Semtex plastic explosive has put the New IRA back on to the front pages after a lull in violence.
Two people connected to the political group Saoradh have been charged in relation to the incident.
The sophisticated device has fuel fears that the group has gained access to fresh stocks of military-grade explosives.
The New IRA has been long been associated with but the group also has a presence in Dublin.
Who are the New IRA and what are they capable of?
Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Robin Shiller, News and Security Correspondent with the Irish Independent.
The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at <a href="https://independent.ie/ourjournalism">independent.ie/ourjournalism</a>

Who are the New IRA in 2026 and what are they capable of?

Just a heads-up – this episode contains references to alleged sexual assault and may not be suitable for everyone, so please take care when listening.

Jared Leto is an Oscar winner, a rock star, a cult leader and now the focus of serious questions.

The 54-year-old has been seen onscreen in the likes of Fight Club, American Psycho, and Blade Runner 2049, while also finding the time to tour the world with his band Thirty Seconds to Mars.

But a BBC investigation has revealed an array of allegations against the actor, with a new documentary presenting the accounts of 10 different accusers.

The allegations against Leto span more than a decade and include claims of sexual assault, grooming and inappropriate behaviour with underage girls.

Leto has categorically denied the claims.

Is his gilded career in jeopardy or is the Hollywood of 2026 more comfortable overlooking such a scandal?

On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Kevin Doyle is joined by Alice McShane, director of BBC documentary Jared Leto: Hollywood's Dark Secret, to hear how the investigation came together, and by the Irish Independent's Dave Hanratty to look at Jared Leto's career to date.

The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism

Just a heads-up – this episode contains references to alleged sexual assault and may not be suitable for everyone, so please take care when listening.
Jared Leto is an Oscar winner, a rock star, a cult leader and now the focus of serious questions.
The 54-year-old has been seen onscreen in the likes of Fight Club, American Psycho, and Blade Runner 2049, while also finding the time to tour the world with his band Thirty Seconds to Mars.
But a BBC investigation has revealed an array of allegations against the actor, with a new documentary presenting the accounts of 10 different accusers.
The allegations against Leto span more than a decade and include claims of sexual assault, grooming and inappropriate behaviour with underage girls.
Leto has categorically denied the claims.
Is his gilded career in jeopardy or is the Hollywood of 2026 more comfortable overlooking such a scandal?
On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Kevin Doyle is joined by Alice McShane, director of BBC documentary Jared Leto: Hollywood's Dark Secret, to hear how the investigation came together, and by the Irish Independent's Dave Hanratty to look at Jared Leto's career to date.
The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at <a href="https://independent.ie/ourjournalism" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="https://independent.ie/ourjournalism">independent.ie/ourjournalism</a>

'Baddie of the Bailout': How 'Fingers' Michael Fingleton built 'the world's worst bank'

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