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2nd May 2025 Highland Radio Broadcast

To kick off the summer season the fascinating Jury trial taking place in Victoria, Australia was referenced by our contributor Seamus Gunn this morning where a 50-year-old Australian, Ms. Erin Patterson faces 3 murder charges and attempted murder as she stands accused of killing 3 relatives, while injuring another by serving a lunch contaminated by poison mushrooms. It may very well be the stuff of screen play in years to come but for now the trial is captivating not only for an Australian audience but a worldwide one. Seamus Gunn outlined that while it was accepted that the deaths did occur as a result of poisoning, it is claimed by the Defence that it was all a tragic, terrible accident, and that Ms. Paterson did not mean to hurt or harm anyone. The evidence that she is facing would seem to be circumstantial but a couple of aspects were highlighted, being the disposal of the food dehydrator used to dry out the mushrooms being linked to her and a claim that she had purchased the product in a food store but the prosecution maintained that mobile phone data suggested that she travelled to an area where death cap mushrooms grew. The dehydrator can be linked to Ms. Patterson according to the prosecution by way of fingerprints and it is also claimed that there were traces of death cap mushrooms found on it. There are further claims that Ms. Patterson’s had invited her guests to lunch to inform them that she was diagnosed with cancer. She also invited her ex-husband, but he did not attend. The prosecution maintains that she did not have cancer, this point is hotly contested by the Defence. Greg Hughes highlighted the circumstantial nature of the evidence, and our contributor agreed but thought that there were some strands of the Defence that may not add up which could be telling. Ultimately this will be a matter for the Jury to decide, the case continues. 

The Q&A as always is available to listen to below:

4th April 2025 Highland Radio Broadcast

As we head towards Easter and following Liberation Day in the USA the topic up for discussion was President Donald Trump’s dismissing upwards of 75 years of global trading systems with the introduction of sweeping tariffs across the board. Our contributor Seamus Gunn was intrigued that there had not been more analysis of the figures and in particular how the tariffs have been computed in relation to trade surpluses and deficits. He was of the view that if they were correct then there could be no surprise in America taking such a course of action but he had his doubts, particularly referencing the situation in Ireland where on the last figures published  by the CSO (Central Statistics Office) showed Ireland having a surplus of 70 Billion for goods sold into the USA while the USA had 163 Billion of services to Ireland which he maintained left Ireland in a deficit position of 93 Billion while now being hit with a European tariff rate of 20%.

Greg Hughes referenced manufacturing industries in Asia in the context of the low costs of production, with which the USA could not compete. Gunn referred to the car industry once very strong in Ohio and Detroit and how the industry has suffered over the years to such an extent that it is no longer the automobile centre that it once was. If the game plan was to promote growth in this area, he thought that the labour cost would be prohibitive and there may have to be a rethink on the 25% tariff on cars coming in. A concern was expressed for the ordinary US citizen as to how this will impact in their pockets. The changes to date with the cutbacks in the service industry and now the introduction of tariffs was likely to further escalate the growing disquiet among consumers in the US. Gunn’s view was that the policy was an attempt to have a global open trade market where supply and demand would dictate price. As this will play out in the coming weeks there are many nervous economists watching on. 

As ever a wide and varied Q&A followed. 

7th February 2025 Highland Radio Broadcast

As Spring approaches the show kicked off this morning on the case making the news in the UK, being the Lucy Letby convictions of July 2024 when she was convicted of the murder of 7 babies, the attempted murder of another 7 and handed down 15 whole of life sentences which she is currently serving following her employment as a neonatal nurse in the Countess of Chester Hospital in the years 2015-2016. Our host referenced the Report of Dr. Shoo Lee eminent Neonatologist being one of 14 leading experts who concluded during the week that there was no medical evidence that Lucy Letby murdered the babies. Our contributor Seamus Gunn said that their conclusion was that the deaths were due to either natural causes or bad medical care which was a stark finding given the fact that the Trial had lasted some 8 months and there had been 2 attempts to overturn the convictions which were rejected by the Court of Appeal. He said that it would now be up to the Criminal Cases Review Commission to assess whether the new evidence was sufficient to merit another referral to the Court of Appeal herein. Seamus Gunn said that the central allegation was that Letby had murdered the babies by injecting air into their bloodstream and poisoning them with insulin and that the technical evidence claimed was largely that of 1 retired Consultant Paediatrician. He said that the headline now from a 14 strong panel of Neonatologists and Paediatricians from around the world is that no scientific proof of this exists. They found no medical evidence supporting malfeasance causing death or injury. He said that he thought on the presentation by their lawyer Mark McDonald that they were optimistic that the CCRC would refer the cases back to the Court of Appeal. It was Seamus Gunn’s view that this was no quick process giving that another case in similar circumstances in which the same lawyer was acting, has been ongoing for some 19 years. He said that with the level of public interest and sensitivity the CCRC will be very careful in their consideration of the reports from the experts now to hand. He said that it should not be lost on the public that the Appeal Courts had already viewed the substantial evidence and concluded that the convictions were safe. There have also been 2 separate Jury Trials who have formed the same conclusions. Not only was there technical evidence but there was circumstantial evidence considered at the Trials. There is little doubt that this matter shall be back in the public domain when the CCRC reports further. Our contributor stressed that this was likely to take some considerable time. 

A very varied Q&A followed, which can be listed to below

10th January 2025 Highland Radio Broadcast

To kick off 2025 the forthcoming inauguration of Donald Trump and his ambitious plans and social media influences aired on the Greg Hughes Show, Seamus Gunn opening with the line “we are heading into unchartered waters” with the sabre-rattling of Donald Trump in eyeing up Greenland, the Panama Canal and the Gulf of Mexico, to be followed by Canada. Greg Hughes was of the view that this was a negotiation position taken up by Trump to strengthen his hand while Seamus Gunn countered that the President elect had no business in Greenland, that he was delving into European territory, while Putin was watching closely. He said that it was fascinating to observe the role that social media was now playing in world politics, referencing the U-turn by Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, changing his attitude to Trump as his inauguration looms and starting to beat the drum of deregulation. Elon Musk of X was also referred to with the vast influence he has with over 200 million followers.

Greg Hughes highlighted the point that the sentiments being expressed in relation to regulation and the sovereignty of countries and protecting their own lands was shared by a lot of people, but while our contributor Seamus Gunn readily accepted the point, he said that it was the hijacking of the social media platforms with fake news to influence vast numbers of followers on right wing issues that he objected to and that he thought had to be curtailed. He referenced the new EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath from Ireland and the brief that he now had to enforce on the Digital Services Act, making the point that by the time they came around to investigating an overamplification of content on a social media platform, the damage could already have been done and if it was in the context of an election, then the result could be in place before any action is taken. No doubt this will be a hot topic going forward in 2025. 

The full discussion and Q&A that followed can be listened to below:

6th December 2024 Highland Radio Broadcast

For the final show of 2024 it was fitting that the general election results would be touched on by our contributor Seamus Gunn with Greg Hughes on the 9 ‘til Noon Show. Seamus Gunn in considering the results put forward the point that unfortunately while Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael put a package together, with a definite path to government, the left of center could not come together prior to the election to give a viable alternative. He was of the view that if the electorate had been approached, in this manner by Sinn Féin and those similarly aligned parties, then a viable alternative could have been considered. He said that it now leaves the 2 historical government parties of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael together with another (likely Independents) to seek to put together a government for the next 5 years. He thought that it was an opportunity lost for the left, that it could have been addressed pre-election and that while post-election some type of coming together was being discussed, it was too little, too late. 

With Christmas in the offing, the Q&A that followed was lively and varied. This can be listened to below. 

Highland Radio Broadcast 8th November 2024

As we move into the penultimate show of the year, it would be remiss not to have opened the show with the outcome of the US election and the resounding win for Donald Trump and the Republican party. Seamus Gunn our contributor made reference to the old Chinese proverb May you live in interesting times which he thought could be quite apt in interpreting the comprehensive victory. He recalled that in 2020 the Republicans lost 6 of the swing states while this time around they won all 7, such the margin of the victory. The polls were referred to in particular as to how they had it wrong in the evaluation of the 2 candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, in saying that up to the 11th hour pundits were not prepared to call it. 

He was of the view that it came down to Donald Trump pitting the economy and immigration against Kamala Harris representing democracy and women’s rights. Greg Hughes made the point that Trump secured significant women’s votes despite bad publicity, while Seamus Gunn’s thinking was that Donald Trump was able to muddy the waters on the abortion issue to leave the margin quite small in favour of Harris but that interestingly on Democracy the electorate was split 50/50.

He said that the key was the economy, that those people who were angry voted in their droves for the Republicans. He noted that the message from Trump was quite simple; “are you better off now or were you better off 4 years ago?” while he said that he engaged the young voters in promising no tax on tips, which he thought was nearly impossible to follow through on. Between that and serving McDonalds, this struck a common chord, while the Harris team could only follow suit on the no tax on tips but never came to terms with the simple economy message for which he had a free advertisement every time an individual went into a shop, i.e. people were better off 4 years ago. He also commented on the interpretation of the long ques of polls, which the Democrats thought were in their favour, but in fact it seemed to be the opposite. 

While it is too early to forecast the fall out, our contributor referenced a potential dark cloud for Ireland if Trump followed through on his promise of 20% tariffs, mentioning that Ireland is a major exporter to the USA and the proposed reduction in the corporation tax rate to try to attract back the multi-nationals. Greg Hughes contended that multi-nationals are very well served in this country with young, dedicated and highly qualified staff, Seamus Gunn countering that they were the biggest single contributor to the Irish economy so if they left this would have serious consequences. 

As the US segment came to a close, the questions and answers that followed covered various topics.

Highland Radio Broadcast 30th August 2024. Trump v Kamala Harris Debate

With Autumn fast approaching the changes in the US political front were considered on the Greg Hughes Show with our contributor Seamus Gunn quoting “It’s all changed, changed utterly” in describing Kamala Harris’ ascent to the Democratic nomination. While back in July Donald Trump was ahead in the polls and seemed to be moving in the direction of a second term in the White House, Harris is now marginally in front following President Biden’s retirement from the race. Kamala Harris’ first interview on CNN news was referenced by our contributor who said that she was now laying out her stall which was not diametrically opposed to Biden’s agenda when he was in the contest. Seamus Gunn said that she had been a State Prosecutor in California and would be well versed in dealing with migration and would likely firm up on it while continuing to support Israel but also pushing for a settlement. He noted that inflation was coming down and he was at a loss to understand why the Trump camp were not focusing more on the economy. Greg Hughes countered by saying that his advisors could not keep him on point. Both agreed that the name calling, and personal insults were not likely to work for Trump on this occasion and that he would have to at some point back up his elaborate statements with facts. The point about her change of attitude about fracking was also made, particularly in Pennsylvania when previously she was in favour of a ban on this activity. Seamus Gunn said that it was refreshing to see that she was considering having a Republican on her cabinet which was an example of her forward-thinking mentality. 

He thought that when she would come up against Donald Trump in the first of their debates in September next, she would have the facts and figures to back up her claims, putting any general statements on his part under scrutiny. He said that the approach that the Harris camp was adopting was to portray her as a down to earth person with whom anyone could have a conversation about the issues of the day. He thought that the Trump campaign had gone somewhat flat from interpreting the body language, that the Republicans had not come to terms with the Harris candidacy. There was also reference to the incident in the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia earlier in the week, which our contributor considered was an error on the Trump side as Federal Law prohibited taking photographs in such settings. The role of A.I. with misinformation and disinformation was also considered and the likely impact that this could have on the outcome of the election.

As it enters its final months, the race is certainly hotting up. 

The Q&A that followed is available to listen to below:

Highland Radio Broadcast 5th July 2024

Before the summer recess, the Joe Biden performance in the Atlanta debate with Donald Trump was referenced by our contributor Seamus Gunn describing it as unedifying on both sides. He thought that the handling of it by CNN left questions to be answered as there was no real time facts check run simultaneously, which may have highlighted some of the claims by Donald Trump which were untrue. He thought that it was an opportunity missed and that the Biden of some 4 years back would have honed in on Trump’s inaccuracies. One would have expected that his advisors would have been aware of his capabilities as he had been a number of days in Camp David in prep for the engagement. A point was made that he could lose it, not in the debate, but in the aftermath with his explanation of fatigue, referencing that he almost “fell asleep on stage”. Seamus Gunn was at a loss to understand why his handlers would have exposed him to this situation, with Greg Hughes countering that they had not been upfront with the electorate to date if Joe Biden was compromised in his capacity. The discussion continued with Gunn expressing surprise that the Democrats some years back did not groom an obvious successor, such as his Vice President Kamala Harris which he thought could yet occur as the sentiment was growing that Biden should stand down but to date he has indicated that he is going to continue, but this all may change, Seamus Gunn referencing an interview scheduled for later today on ABC television. No doubt as the summer moves on, there will be a lot more to play for on this stage.

A lively Q&A followed which can be listened to below

Highland Radio Broadcast 7th June 2024

With the approach of summer, the woes of Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden were discussed, while Donald Trump has his own legal troubles and more to follow, Hunter Biden is defending a prosecution in Delaware charged with 3 counts, possession of a Revolver, declaring that he wasn’t a drug user and illegally having the gun for 11 days. Greg Hughes raised the point of the evidence being circumstantial, Gunn believing that the 12th October 2018 may have some relevance for the jury in considering the evidence, in light of the discovery of the revolver days later in the glove compartment of his truck by his ex-girlfriend, previous wife of his deceased brother Beau. Seamus Gunn thought the prosecution would have to establish that he was under the influence on the date of the acquisition, while the Defence claimed that he had come out of rehab and was clean at that time. The events as described by Hallie Biden, disposing of it after she panicked, putting it into a shopping bag, going to a grocery store and throwing it in a rubbish bin only for it to be discovered by an 80-year-old senior citizen who was seeking out recyclables in the bin were bizarre in the extreme. It was also worth remarking that there had been a Plea Bargain between the parties to deal with this matter and also a Tax Charge to be tried later in the year but that this collapsed without any explanation, as far as he was aware in the public domain. In the meantime, President Biden, who was on D-Day commemoration ceremonies in France, stated that he will not pardon his son, if convicted. A verdict to follow on this within days. 

Since our broadcast, it is noted that Hunter Biden was convicted on the 11th June on all 3 counts, with sentencing to follow.