Marianne Smyth claimed to be on the IRA’s Army Council, a satanic priestess and to be Jennifer Aniston. The American was convicted of swindling more than £115,000 (€132,936) from four victims, including Derry GAA star Dermot McNicholl. Today’s Indo Daily comes from our sister podcast The BelTel.

Host: Olivia Peden                                                      Guest: Kurtis Reid

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Marianne Smyth: The American conwoman who claimed to be Jennifer Aniston and a member of the IRA Army Council

Amy Winehouse’s time at the top was brief, but her impact was anything but.

With era-defining tracks like Rehab and Back to Black, she laid bare her life through brutally honest songwriting, delivered in a voice that was as soulful as it was unforgettable.

But alongside the awards and global success came something darker.

Winehouse’s rapid ascent was shadowed by addiction, relentless scrutiny, and a tabloid culture that often seemed to feed off her struggles.

And the media machine didn’t stop after Amy Winehouse tragically passed away aged just 27; if anything, it found new gears to crank up.

Her death, though tragic, was not altogether unexpected for those who had watched her very public battle play out in real time.

Fifteen years on, is the entertainment industry more protective of its stars?

On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Tessa Fleming is joined by Phil Udell, music lecturer at Ballyfermot College of Further Education and artist manager with Word Up Collective, and by Ian Winwood, music journalist and author of Bodies: Life and Death in Music, to look at the legacy of Amy Winehouse.

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

Amy Winehouse’s time at the top was brief, but her impact was anything but.
With era-defining tracks like Rehab&nbsp;and Back to Black, she laid bare her life through brutally honest songwriting, delivered in a voice that was as soulful as it was unforgettable.
But alongside the awards and global success came something darker.
Winehouse’s rapid ascent was shadowed by addiction, relentless scrutiny, and a tabloid culture that often seemed to feed off her struggles.
And the media machine&nbsp;didn’t&nbsp;stop after Amy Winehouse&nbsp;tragically&nbsp;passed away aged just 27; if&nbsp;anything,&nbsp;it found new gears to crank up.
Her death, though tragic, was not altogether unexpected for those who had watched her very public battle play out in real time.
Fifteen years on,&nbsp;is&nbsp;the entertainment industry more protective of its stars?
On&nbsp;this episode of The Indo Daily,&nbsp;host&nbsp;Tessa Fleming is&nbsp;joined by Phil Udell, music lecturer at Ballyfermot College of Further Education and artist manager with Word Up Collective, and by Ian Winwood, music journalist and author of Bodies: Life and Death in Music, to look at the legacy of Amy Winehouse.
The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at <a href="https://www.independent.ie/service/our-journalism/a/98708550.html">independent.ie/ourjournalism</a>

Amy Winehouse: Talent, tragedy and the curse of the '27 Club' 

On a spring morning in June 2001, an eight-year-old girl gathered moss for her grandmother’s hanging baskets in a forest near Ballinamore in Co Leitrim. The child let out a scream: she had discovered a body.  The remains belonged to Enniskillen businessman Gerry McGinley, and it was clear that he been murdered.  He had been killed by his own wife Julie and her lover.  But it wasn’t a simple tale of adultery. It involved hotel sex with strangers, lies, blackmail and videotape – and included many prominent people in Fermanagh.

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Today's Indo Daily was originally released on April 14, 2026, and is brought to you by our sister podcast The Bel Tel, as Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Andrew Madden.

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

On a spring morning in June 2001, an eight-year-old girl gathered moss for her grandmother’s hanging baskets in a forest near Ballinamore in Co Leitrim. The child let out a scream: she had discovered a body. &nbsp;The remains belonged to Enniskillen businessman Gerry McGinley, and it was clear that he been murdered. &nbsp;He had been killed by his own wife Julie and her lover. &nbsp;But it wasn’t a simple tale of adultery. It involved hotel sex with strangers, lies, blackmail and videotape – and included many prominent people in Fermanagh.
­
Today's Indo Daily was originally released on April 14, 2026, and is brought to you by our sister podcast The Bel Tel, as Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Andrew Madden.
­
The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism

Sex, lies and blackmail: the murder of Gerry McGinley  

Taoiseach Micheál Martin put boots on the ground in Ukraine this week, travelling to Kyiv for a quick tete-a-tete with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mr Martin was there to lend Ireland’s support – to the tune of a further €125m, no less - and it really does seem like the Ukrainian president could use a helping hand right about now.

As the war with Russia rumbles into a fifth year, Mr Zelensky is facing new battles on the home front, as political rivals and vocal protestors wield their own weapons.

His decision to sack popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov led to street demonstrations, while the president also dismissed Ukraine’s army commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi just days later.

Is the leader once hailed as “the spirit of Ukraine” gradually losing his grip on power?

On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent senior journalist Sean Pollock for a look at the political, military and everyday life in Kyiv.

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

Taoiseach Micheál Martin put boots on the ground in Ukraine this week, travelling to Kyiv for a quick tete-a-tete with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Mr Martin was there to lend Ireland’s support – to the tune of a further €125m, no less - and it really does seem like the Ukrainian president could use a helping hand right about now.
As the war with Russia rumbles into a fifth year, Mr Zelensky is facing new battles on the home front, as political rivals and vocal protestors wield their own weapons.
His decision to sack popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov led to street demonstrations, while the president also dismissed Ukraine’s army commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi just days later.
Is the leader once hailed as “the spirit of Ukraine” gradually losing his grip on power?
On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent senior journalist Sean Pollock for a look at the political, military and everyday life in Kyiv.
The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at <a href="https://independent.ie/ourjournalism" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="https://independent.ie/ourjournalism">independent.ie/ourjournalism</a>&nbsp;

Marianne Smyth: The American conwoman who claimed to be Jennifer Aniston and a member of the IRA Army Council

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