2025 was certainly eventful. The Tonight Show looks back at the stories, moments, people and villains that defined the year.

Guest presenter Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Shane Coleman, Newstalk Breakfast Presenter; Liz Carolan, Tech and Democracy Journalist; and Larry Donnelly, Lawyer and Political Columnist, to reflect on the political highs and lows of 2025 — including who had the strongest year and who struggled the most.

A year in review — on The Tonight Show.

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The long-awaited report into Fianna Fáil’s presidential campaign has finally been published. It confirms that senior party figures were warned on two occasions — just days before the selection vote — about concerns involving Jim Gavin and a tenant issue. He was asked about it and professed no recollection. The report states: “Nothing further was done.”

Joining the discussion are Fianna Fáil Minister of State Niall Collins, Sunday Times columnist Alison O’Connor, and public affairs consultant and former Fianna Fáil adviser Derek Mooney. Gavan Reilly, Virgin Media News Political Correspondent, reports from Leinster House where a special party meeting is underway.

Also covered: the Government has approved plans for a new hospital with its own emergency department for the Midwest, following serious concerns about patient safety at University Hospital Limerick highlighted in a HIQA report.

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A senior EU official has linked last week’s drones over Dublin Bay to “hybrid attacks from Russia”, marking the first public accusation of its kind. With Ireland set to host the EU presidency next year, how secure are we? John Mooney, Investigations Editor with The Sunday Times, former TD and retired Army Officer Cathal Berry, and Euronews Europe Correspondent Shauna Murray join the debate.

Later, the panel examines the rise of violent drug gangs in rural Ireland, following the tragic deaths of four-year-old Tadhg Farrell and his grand-aunt Mary Holt in an arson attack linked to Midlands drug intimidation.

Plus: Storm Bram batters the country, leaving thousands without power. We get the latest from Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather.

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The Government is set to pilot a new digital age-verification system aimed at strengthening online protections for children. Minister for Communications Patrick O'Donovan says the tool will be vital in tackling harmful content and improving online safety. We discuss the implications with Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne, Social Democrats TD Sinead Gibney, and Adrian Weckler, Tech Editor with the Irish and Sunday Independent.

Later, hospitals across the country tighten visitor restrictions as a new flu strain hits “fast and hard,” raising concerns about mounting pressure on the health system. Professor Christine Loscher, Immunologist at DCU, breaks down what this means for the weeks ahead.

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On The Tonight Show with Fionnán Sheahan:

From ‘vetocracy to democracy’ - the government’s new Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan promises a cultural shift in Irish planning. We ask whether these reforms can finally rebalance individual rights to object with the need to deliver major public projects.

And as the Herzog Park controversy reignites debate over historical links and colonial origins in place names, we explore whether Ireland is entering a wider national discussion about how we commemorate our past.

🏛️ Ryan O’Meara TD, Fianna Fail

🎓 Orla Hegarty, Architect, Assistant Professor UCD

📰 Louise Burne, Political Correspondent, Irish Examiner

💼 Michael O’Flynn, CEO & Chairman, O’Flynn Group

📰 Ronan McGreevy, Author and journalist, The Irish Times

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On The Tonight Show with Fionnán Sheahan:

Ireland hosts a wartime president as Volodymyr Zelensky arrives for a state visit, coinciding with reports that Moscow is weighing amendments to a US-backed peace plan.

Plus, rumours are mounting that Gerry “The Monk” Hutch is preparing another bid for office in next year’s Dublin Central by-election.But what are his chances?

🏛️ Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State

🏛️ Marie Sherlock TD, Labour

📰 Harry McGee, Political Correspondent, The Irish Times

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The Cabinet approves tougher asylum and citizenship rules, while Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan promises more changes ahead.

At the same time, Ireland’s fiscal watchdog warns the Government to save more and stop “budgeting like there’s no tomorrow.”

Debating the impact: Niall Collins, Gary Gannon, Naomi O’Leary, and Seamus Coffey.

Big decisions. Big consequences — on The Tonight Show.

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IOn this episode, the cost of living surges back into focus as the price of home heating oil jumps by €80 in a single month, bringing the average cost of a 1,000-litre fill to around €980 — more than €200 higher than across the border. Fionnán Sheahan is joined by first-time TDs Catherine Callaghan (Fine Gael), Louis O’Hara (Sinn Féin), and Eoghan Kenny (Labour) to debate the pressure on households and what solutions are actually on the table.

As the show marks one year since the general election, our panel reflects on what has — and hasn’t — been achieved, and the realities of delivering on political promises from inside the Dáil.

Later, with Ukraine backing a US-supported peace plan and Russia signalling it may walk away, we assess whether a historic breakthrough is within reach. We go live to Washington for the latest with correspondent Toni Waterman.

A year of political promises, surging household costs, and shifting geopolitics — all on The Tonight Show.

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