24th July 2026
10th July 2026 Highland Radio Broadcast
As we head towards the long vacation, the Greg Hughes Show opened with the discussion on the rebranding of Palm Beach International Airport to be known henceforth as the President Donald J. Trump International Airport in Florida following legislation enacted by Governor Ron DeSantis on the 9th of July; PBI becomes DJT International.
Seamus Gunn had some reservations about such developments which while not unusual, he was of the view that naming airports after prominent figures was generally purely honorary and symbolic while there was no commercial opportunity arising. He said that he did not think that it was typical for a company associated with the induvial to be filing trademarks as it was not a business venture. He was of the opinion that it was another example of the use of the Trump name to promote the Trump legacy, using the branding to perpetuate the name going forward. He said that he also would not rule out another generation of Trumps being put on the ticket by way of succession. Greg Hughes made the valid point that after the current encumbrance has left the office, it is quite likely that action shall be taken to remove his name which has already occurred in the John F. Kennedy Memorial Centre for the Performing Arts following a Court ruling in May. He said that interestingly staunch adversary to Donald Trump Senator Bernie Sanders has brought in The Stop Executive Renaming for Vanity and Ego Act. While this may not pass through congress, if it did, it would be ironic in that it would have to be signed by the current President. If not passed now, it may be used in the future. His apprehension was that this rebranding could be used to further promote Trump’s style of politics. While a simple rebranding would not normally garner attention, the circumstances of this action are once again not the norm.
As always, the full interview and Q&A that followed can be listened to below.
12th June 2026
5th June 2026 Highland Radio Broadcast
This morning on the Greg Hughes Show the European Commission’s decision to take Ireland to the ECJ claiming a failure to implement enforcement of EU Rules when it comes to peat cutting opened the show with Seamus Gunn. He referenced that this matter has been ongoing for some considerable time as formal notice issued from 2019 followed by an opinion and now this was at the referral stage. Greg Hughes was interested in what the ramifications would be for the country. Gunn referenced the latest legislation of 2022 in respect of peat cutting on raised bogs which was brought in under a Smokeless Fuel Scheme through a Statutory Instrument. He said that traditional peat cutting which has been part of Irish heritage remains legal but that large commercial enterprises for the extraction of peat and sale in special areas of conservation and national heritage areas were prohibited. He said that there were now strict rules in place referencing Environmental Impact Legislation which was initially brought in by the EU and which Ireland has been slow to implement and enforce. He said that the tradition of turbary rights should not be jeopardised but that the EU were focused on the Irish compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and the alleged default on the part of the State herein. He said that the fines could be significant and referenced a previous windfarm case in the West of Ireland in 2003 when a peat landslide gave rise to a case taken by the EU against the State which resulted in a fine of € 5 million with € 15,000.00 per day for continuing breaches which ultimately led to a total levy of around € 17 million out of State coffers. Greg Hughes made the interesting point that fossil fuels, peat briquettes, etc, are being imported from as far afield as Egypt and many other countries. Gunn thought that this would not attract the attention of the EU as they would meet the smokeless fuel criteria, Greg Hughes said that ultimately it is the taxpayer that pays, though Gunn said that the fine was initially collectable from the State. He said that it could result in further stringent implementation and enforcement going forward.
This topical subject may touch a cord with many traditionalists in rural Ireland.
The full interview and Q&A that followed can be listened to below:
15th May 2026
Justice Media Awards Shortlist Nomination 2026
The Greg Hughes Show has been shortlisted for the Justice Media Awards.
The Justice Media Awards recognise outstanding print, broadcast, and online journalism that contributes to the public’s understanding of justice, the legal system, and access to justice issues, and received a record 674 entries across its 16 award categories, with a total of 158 entries shortlisted.
Highland Radio’s The Greg Hughes Show received two nominations in the Broadcast Journalism (radio – local) category.
The entries titled ‘Convictions, Support, and Survival: Three Sexual Assault Cases Brought to Justice in Donegal’ and ‘Legal Matters with Seamus Gunn on The Greg Hughes Show’ were noted by the Law Society in making their nominations.
The award winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Dublin on Thursday, June 11th.
11th May 2026
1st May 2026 Highland Radio Broadcast
The May Day Greg Hughes Show opened with the spotlight being put on the Second Flotilla that sailed from Barcelona in Spain on the 12th of April with 170 plus activists heading to Israel on 20 Boats to further highlight the blockade that continues to prevent essential aid to the Palestinians of Gaza. Our contributor Seamus Gunn referenced that Israel had taken a preemptive strike on this occasion and that while the last Flotilla got to the shores of Israel, this one was headed off at the island of Crete out in the Mediterranean. He said that while Israel would claim that the blockade of Gaza is legal under international law, that they are preventing the smuggling of arms into the region, this was not an argument that would hold up to any scrutiny. He said that the goal as is also being highlighted by the World Health Organization is to establish a humanitarian corridor for access to the strip to get aid in but that the Israelis had a stranglehold on the area and all borders going into it. Our host Greg Hughes referenced them being held to account while Gunn opined that it was only Spain who had vociferously condemned the interception, that they had summoned the Israeli Charge D’affaires to record its’ protest with the detention of the vessels.
He was firmly of the view that the activists including those Irish on board should be applauded and supported for keeping the spotlight on Gaza, reminding listeners that over 70,000 Palestinians have lost their lives.
Greg Hughes mentioned Donald Trump having his own blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, our contributor making the point that we are no longer shocked by such acts and that we have become tolerant of them. While this may be the new world order, he was of the view that this was more likely the new world disorder.
The Q&A that followed covered a wide variety of topics.
16th April 2026
10th April 2026 Highland Radio Broadcast
With Easter in the rearview mirror the show kicked off this morning with Greg Hughes and Seamus Gunn chatting on the blockades being created by the fuel protestors nationally and the impact this is having throughout the country. Gunn explained the balancing act between peaceful assembly which is protected in our constitution as against unlawful obstruction, which is an offence under the Public Order Act when one prevents or interrupts free passage of a person or a vehicle in a public place, which he said was happening in our capital city and across forecourts services in the country. He said that what started as a call to “shake up the government” had gained significant momentum from Tuesday and while there was mention of dialogue today between the parties, he thought that it was quite vague in how this was being portrayed as to the participants. He said that the aim of the protestors was quite simple; to cap fuel prices and remove carbon tax. Greg Hughes made the point about how the carbon tax was calculated, referencing GDP which is measured in respect of Tax Returns to the exchequer and mostly contributed to by multinationals, thereby indicating an inaccurate assessment of the actual GDP of the country. Gunn thought that this was an argument that should be made at EU level as this was the jurisdiction for setting the rate. This argument has been ongoing for some time. Greg Hughes was of the view that if a cap was put on fuel costs and carbon tax addressed then the matter could be resolved. Our contributor Gunn thought that it may not be quite as simple but that it would be an element of a settlement. He referenced the fact that all the constituencies were well represented within the Dáil and he had a reservation about an apolitical organisation driving an agenda that could be considered a matter for the politicians to address.
There is no denying the national momentum, but Gunn referenced those that are hardest hit by such blockades, crippling business and denying services, while the host thought that the outcome was not likely to be positive if fuel was not dealt with at this point.
As always, the full interview and Q&A that followed can be listened to above.
24th March 2026
6th March 2026 Highland Radio Broadcast
On a lively show with the arrival of Spring, World Order was touched upon by our contributor Seamus Gunn referencing the attack on Iran last weekend when the US Military joined with Israel and attacked more than 1,000 targets in Iran and killed many of its top officials particularly the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei which has brought mixed reactions not only in Iran but on the world stage. Our contributor stated the pros and cons of the legality of the acts of aggression, referencing the U.N. Charter that only permits the use of force against another nation if it has been authorised by the security council or in self-defence which he thought would be difficult to justify. On the other hand, the USA have been very strong in their argument that the attack was not only justified but necessary for maintaining global security and to eliminate a nuclear threat which he thought was somewhat contradictory as last summer following a military strike by the US into Iran, it claimed that they had obliterated Iran’s nuclear program. His concern was that with the normalisation of unilateral force being used on foreign states, referencing US forces’ incursion into Caracas some 2 months ago to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and fly him to New York to face justice, he was apprehensive that this was becoming the New World Order and the United Nations or it’s security council no longer had the weight or influence it once enjoyed. Greg Hughes was of the view that Iran may prove more resistant than is expected by the USA, a point readily acknowledged by Gunn. He said that the assassination of a Supreme leader in another nation following an act of aggression which Iran believe had no justification, could galvanise their efforts to resist this attack. In the same vein, he was of the view that the terrorism acts by Iran on other states, not associated, but only linked to the USA, would not bear scrutiny under the charter. Our contributor thought that this was a slippery slope to be on and it was indicative of how the world has changed. He thought that it was interesting that congress was meeting this week in relation to justification for the war, but he said that under the World Powers Resolution for unauthorised military action, it was only congress that could declare war but that unauthorised military actions could be sanctioned by the President for up to 60 days, a point which is presently being addressed in congress.
Various topics were covered in the Q&A that followed and you can listen to the full interview below.
17th February 2026
6th February 2026 Highland Radio Broadcast
As we head towards Spring, the show opened with a discussion on the showbiz case very much to the fore in the Belfast High Court in the week gone by between Switzer Consulting Limited and Michael Flatley, the Lord of the Dance Creator. It seems that an agreement with Switzer Consulting Ltd that they were to receive a management fee in respect of the production of the show at a multitude of venues across Europe and the USA has unravelled and the parties are now polarised and in particular Michael Flatey’s continuing involvement in it. Our contributor Seamus Gunn outlined the background and the various different injunction applications to initially prohibit Michael Flatley’s involvement in the 30th Anniversary Show scheduled for the 3 Arena on the 5th being reversed last Friday by the High Court, only to prompt Switzer Consulting to then announce that the show was to be cancelled earlier in the week. This triggered a further application to the High Court to guarantee that the show would proceed. Greg Hughes enquired as to how the relationship had broken down and Gunn said that it was being alleged by Switzer Limited that they had reservations about the promoter’s financial standing and his reputation within the industry among promoters in respect of discharging his financial responsibilities. Following a counter application by Switzer Consulting Limited an agreement was reached whereby undertakings were given that they would provide the stage, set and costumes for the show at the 3 Arena in Dublin on the basis that they would be returned to them the following day. Our contribution Seamus Gunn was of the view that this matter has some way to go to be resolved but, in the meantime, Michael Flatley appeared at the 3 Arena at the opening of the Lord of the Dance to great applause when he stated “It has been a rocky road to Dublin”. More to come on this no doubt.
A wide and varied Q&A followed that can be listened to below:
18th January 2026
9th January 2026 Highland Radio Broadcast
At the start of a New Year, new season and new Greg Hughes Show format Seamus Gunn opened the discussion on the USA‘s recent activities in Venezuela and also referenced the incident in Minneapolis which resulted in the death of Renee Good on Wednesday of this week, who was shot by an ICE agent which has caused consternation in the state of Minnesota. He said that it was difficult to know what the US agenda was going forward as he reminded listeners of the UN Charter signed in 1945 in San Francisco where the members signed up to a Treaty to maintain world order, particularly referencing the use of force on another State in the context of the abduction of Nicolas Maduro by US special agents last weekend and in particular how this has not been called out by many of the leading European powers who have not been unequivocal in its condemnation. He pointed out that it was accepted by the UN that force could be used in circumstances such as self-defence or when authorised by the security council, neither of which applied in this instance.
He thought that the threat of using force to acquire Greenland could also amount to a breach of the UN Charter. Gunn’s apprehension was the erosion of International Law and the double standards that were now being applied. He wondered what interest the US President had in Greenland as he already has extensive military facilities under a Treaty from the early 1950s. The perceived threat from China and Russia seemed somewhat extreme. The attraction of precious minerals may not be that practical in light of the cost of extraction.
Greg Hughes made the pertinent point that despite the Venezuelan incident, the stock markets had remained very stable. Our contributor Seamus Gunn thought that this went further than stock markets in that for many decades Europe had placed too much reliance on the US for defence and now could not afford to lose it. He opined as to whether Trump’s foreign policy was to deflect serious issues within the US itself.
No doubt there will be more to follow as the year progresses.
The first Q&A of the year can be listened to below:
15th January 2026
5th December 2025 Highland Radio Broadcast
As the Curtain falls on the Nine Til Noon Show for 2025, our contributor Seamus Gunn opened this morning on the topic of the ongoing peace initiative in Ukraine referencing the comparison in history to “Peace for our time” when Neville Chamberlain returned from Munich in 1938 having come to an agreement with Adolf Hitler over Germany’s accession of part of what was then Czechoslovakia and what transpired as a result. Gunn said it was remarkable that history was now repeating itself, referencing Vladamir Putin’s move into Ukraine in February 2022 and his forceful incursion into 20% of the country to date. Greg Hughes brought up the point that pre-2022 there were significant issues between Russia and Ukraine and that Russia would maintain that they are only protecting their property rights in annexing what they claim to be rightfully theirs. Gunn thought that the current peace initiative had many strands and significant areas in which agreement would be extremely difficult as the Russians were insisting on Ukraine not pursuing their NATO Membership, reducing their armed forces to 300,000 and that they be allowed to retain as their own, property in the area currently controlled by it in Ukraine and the whole of the Donbas region. Greg Hughes mentioned about the war mongers in Europe and following the money to which our contributor responded that there was circa € 300 Billion in a frozen assist fund, mostly in Belgium, that Europe wanted to put towards reparations in Ukraine while the US see this fund as potential for it being used to invest in Russia which would ultimately be for the benefit of both super powers. While talks continue, Gunn made the point that this was in the backdrop of not only populations being displaced but thousands of children being deported to areas such as North Korea to indoctrinate them in their beliefs which he said in 2023 resulted in the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant for Mr. Putin and his commissioner.
As we approach the end of 2025 and 4 years of war, peace remains evasive.
The Q&A that followed is available to listen to below..
Season’s Greetings to all our clients and listeners.
15th November 2025
7th November 2025 Highland Radio Broadcast
On the penultimate show for 2025 the report from the Central Bank on the cost of Motor Insurance was up for discussion. Greg Hughes referenced the point in relation to repair costs and the impact they are having on premiums. Seamus Gunn said despite the ongoing discussion and contributions from Alliance for Insurance Reform and Insurance Ireland, none have explained how what is reported as a 9% increase in the cost of motor insurance could be justified when the average cost of claims had only increased by 3%. It would seem that the difference has not been analysed to date. Gunn said that while insurance profits were down to around 4% for 2024 from 12% in 2022, damage claims now accounted for 54% of settled claims’ costs which was in stark contrast to Injury Claims which, over the same period, were down in or around 30% on 2020 values. Our contributor said that on his interpretation he did not see this saving being passed on to the consumer as policy premiums continued to rise. He said that for some time the legal profession was being highlighted as adding significantly to the costs of claims due to litigation but he was of the view that legal costs could be avoided if the insurance companies were more proactive in dealing with claims at an earlier stage and engaging positively to settle. The statistics speak for themselves and while insurance companies can continue to complain, they still are reaping the profits, yet no one explains the difference of 6% our contributor referenced at the start of the discussion today. He also thought that there could be more scrutiny in dealing with the damage/repair claims which are having such an impact on the cost of cover. In the meantime, the ordinary consumer continues to pay while there are still many questions left unanswered.
The varied Q&A that followed can be listened to below.