Fever pitch has begun for soccer fans all over the world with last night's Qatar World Cup finally kicking off - albeit swaddled in controversy. The Indo Daily finds out more about this year's event, and previous World Cup scandals. Host: Fionnán Sheahan. Guest: Dan McDonnell

Stay in the know, on the go. The Indo Daily brings you in-depth, 20 minute stories that fit into your day.

Heard the news? The Indo Daily takes you beyond t…

The Indo Daily

Qatar-strophe: the FIFA World Cup 2022, its new controversies, and old scandals


­Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson apologised to one of his alleged victims at a church retreat in the mid-1990s, a court heard today. Jurors were also told second complainant wrote letter to two defendants about the secret ‘she had to keep’ The prosecution delivered its opening address in the Donaldson trial on Wednesday. The former DUP leader is on trial at Newry Crown Court for alleged historical sexual offences. The 63 year-old has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.

­

This Indo Daily Extra is brought to you by our sister podcast The BelTel where Allison Morris was in court and speaks to Ciaran Dunbar.

­

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

­Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson apologised to one of his alleged victims at a church retreat in the mid-1990s, a court heard today. Jurors were also told second complainant wrote letter to two defendants about the secret ‘she had to keep’ The prosecution delivered its opening address in the Donaldson trial on Wednesday. The former DUP leader is on trial at Newry Crown Court for alleged historical sexual offences. The 63 year-old has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.
­
This Indo Daily Extra is brought to you by our sister podcast The BelTel where Allison Morris was in court and speaks to Ciaran Dunbar.
­
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>

Extra – Jeffrey Donaldson trial: Jury hears complainant wrote to defendants over “secret” 

Tommy Fleming has for decades been a star of international acclaim. The Sligo singer has played to sold out crowds, toured with Phil Coulter, and enjoyed much of his success with his wife Tina by his side.

­

Tommy called Tina the “most decent and loving” person he knew, while Tina said her relationship with him was “special and fulfilling”. But last year, the cracks in their life together started to show.

Details of their separation, of Tommy’s affairs and drug use, of his “living a lie”, have been aired in a leaked phone call recording and explosive interviews from both Tommy and Tina.

Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Darragh Nolan, multimedia reporter with the Irish Independent, to look at the full story of Tommy Fleming.

­

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

Tommy Fleming has for decades been a star of international acclaim. The Sligo singer has played to sold out crowds, toured with Phil Coulter, and enjoyed much of his success with his wife Tina by his side.
­
Tommy called Tina the “most decent and loving” person he knew, while Tina said her relationship with him was “special and fulfilling”. But last year, the cracks in their life together started to show.
Details of their separation, of Tommy’s affairs and drug use, of his “living a lie”, have been aired in a leaked phone call recording and explosive interviews from both Tommy and Tina.
Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Darragh Nolan, multimedia reporter with the Irish Independent, to look at the full story of Tommy Fleming.
­
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>

The very public break-up of Tommy Fleming and Tina Mitchell 

Carrie Jade Williams. Sadie Harris. Lucy Fitzwilliams. Jade Cookes. Samantha Black. Rebecca Fitzgerald.

­

These are just some of the fabricated identities used by serial con artist Samantha Cookes.

­

In 2024, her Walter Mitty-style life finally collapsed as online communities, journalists and a WhatsApp group of victims cross-referenced the inconsistencies in her story, joining the dots that authorities had missed.

­

In March 2025, Samantha Cookes was jailed for three years for deception and theft.

­

Yet her story keeps getting fresh chapters.

­

On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Katie Byrne is joined by Alan Bradley, documentary filmmaker and author of new book Unmasking Samantha Cookes: The Many Lives of a Serial Fraudster, to discuss the breadth and the impact of an incredible deception.

­

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

Carrie Jade Williams. Sadie Harris. Lucy Fitzwilliams. Jade Cookes. Samantha Black. Rebecca Fitzgerald.
­
These are just some of the fabricated identities used by serial con artist Samantha Cookes.
­
In 2024, her Walter Mitty-style life finally collapsed as online communities, journalists and a WhatsApp group of victims cross-referenced the inconsistencies in her story, joining the dots that authorities had missed.
­
In March 2025, Samantha Cookes was jailed for three years for deception and theft.
­
Yet her story keeps getting fresh chapters.
­
On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Katie Byrne is joined by Alan Bradley, documentary filmmaker and author of new book Unmasking Samantha Cookes: The Many Lives of a Serial Fraudster, to discuss the breadth and the impact of an incredible deception.
­
We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. 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>

Qatar-strophe: the FIFA World Cup 2022, its new controversies, and old scandals

In 1 playlist(s)

The Indo Daily

Social links

Recent clips