A doff of the Hot Press headphones to Cork-based journalist Jane McNamara who's just gone live on the likes of Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify with Modern Problem, an excellent podcast on the obscenity that is Direct Provision.
“Direct provision is real, and it is a reflection of who we are as a society,” reflects the former RedFM newsreader who now writes for The Echo newspaper. “With calls to ‘end direct provision’ growing louder as the pandemic plays out, it is more important than ever that we understand exactly what it is, and why and how it began. Modern Problem comes on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Direct Provision, at a time when it's becoming clear that the lives and humanity of those caught up in the system are being put at risk. It features testimonials from a number of people currently seeking asylum in Ireland, vox pops from the general public, as well as insights from experts such as Lucky Khambule of MASI and Fiona Hurley of NASC."
It features original music from Post Punk Podge, who came to Jane's attention via-a Hot Press story about his 'Stuck In The System' track, and Baby Witch, an Enniskillen native based in Dublin who's been compared to the likes of Cate Le Bon and Portishead and is currently recording her debut EP.

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I recently had the pleasure of composing the soundtrack for @modernproblempodcast In it, Jane Mc Namara dissects Ireland’s direct provision system for asylum seekers and in the second episode tells the story of a young family currently living in the system with a deportation order hanging over their heads. It’s live now on the Apple podcast app if you fancy taking a moment out of your hectic lockdown life to give it a listen 🌺 #ahmedandhelen #hiddenvillages #directprovision #20yearanniversary #rte #2fm #todayfm #kittyholland #bressie #davefanning #fiachnaobraonain #garethocallaghan #blindboy #postpunkpodge #maijasofia #juniorbrother #masiasylumseekersireland

A post shared by Baby Witch (@babywitchland) on May 24, 2020 at 9:59am PDT