Teenager warms of Vaping dangers after health scare
A teenage boy nearly died after vaping caused a catastrophic reaction in his lungs, according to doctors.  Ewan Fisher became so ill he was put on a type of life support  needing an artificial lung to keep him alive.  His doctors say vaping is "not safe", although health bodies in the UK say it is 95% safer than tobacco. Vinny talked to Dr George O'Neill and local YouTuber and vaper - Daniel.
5m Nov 12, 2019
5m
Is it time to ditch packed lunches for veggie dinners to combat childhood obesity?
Ban packed lunches and give out free veggie meals to kids! That's the suggestion from a perhaps unlikely source - the Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith. The TV star who regularly judges fat and sugar stuffed cakes on Channel 4,  wants kids to eat lentils, salads, eggy plates and frittata. She also told The Sunday Times that parents are to blame for kids being fussy eaters. So, is this a g...
9m Nov 12, 2019
9m
Vinny chats to 9 year old Georgia about being diagnosed with Diabetes at age 4
November is Diabetes awareness month. That prompted mum Shannan to contact the show about her daughter Georgia. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 5 years ago, Georgia was able to inject herself at the age of 4.
9m Nov 12, 2019
9m
Polling suggests Leavers & Remainers in GB would ditch NI for their preferred Brexit solution – should Unionists be concerned?
A new poll suggests that a majority of leavers and remainers in Great Britain  would be prepared to ditch Northern Ireland if they got their preferred version of Brexit  Four out of ten GB voters polled said they cared little, or not at all, about Northern Ireland. Vinny got the reaction of News Letter deputy editor Ben Lowry and the Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib.  
7m Nov 12, 2019
7m
Cheesy Christmas songs banned in one English shop – Just Bah Humbug or should more do the same?
Cheesy Christmas songs have been banned by a shop in York, to stop staff going "stir crazy". The York Gin shop has decided to axe Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody" for the sake of staff morale. What do you think at home? Aren't these songs a part of Christmas?  Or do you get so tired of hearing them that by the time Christmas arrives, you can't ...
8m Nov 12, 2019
8m
Should NI drivers face heavier fines for dangerously overtaking cyclists?
Cyclists call it a "punishment pass"That's when a driver comes way too close when sweeping past a rider. From today, drivers in the Republic are facing heavier fines for the offence  of dangerously overtaking a cyclist.  The penalty is going up from 80 to 120 Euro, plus three penalty points.  Should NI follow suit? Vinny was joined by the commentator and cyclist Malachi O'Doherty and taxi drive...
27m Nov 12, 2019
27m
Fallout from the big YouTuber boxing grudge match – a showbiz success story or did it demean the sport?
One of the biggest events in internet history took place at the weekend. It was the boxing grudge match between British YouTuber KSI and his American rival Logan Paul. The event has come in for criticism from some who say it's all a money making exercise and demeans the real sport. So is this real sport? And even if it's not - is it the future?  To discuss this, Vinny talked to commentators Mik...
12m Nov 11, 2019
12m
Is Belfast taking its tourists for granted?
Dirty streets, booze bikes - and similarities with Bennidorm! That's why one columnist thinks Belfast is becoming the last resort for tourists. Belfast Telegraph columnist Lindy McDowell suggests we are taking our visitors for granted. Does she have a point? Have we got complacent? And are we deluding ourselves that visitors leave here content?  Vinny got the views of UUP Cllr Jim Rodgers and t...
9m Nov 11, 2019
9m
DUP Westminster candidate says online trolls will not break her
There was support from across the political spectrum at the weekend  for an election candidate who was subject to personal abuse. DUP Upper Bann election candidate Carla Lockhart has thanked those who offered support. Discussing this with Vinny was News Letter's political editor Sam McBride and the journalist Amanda Ferguson.  
15m Nov 11, 2019
15m
Could Tory pledge to protect NI veterans from legal action lead to de facto amnesty including former paramilitaries?
The Prime Minister has unveiled a plan to end prosecutions of former soldiers for killings in Northern Ireland.  Boris Johnston wants to amend the Human Rights Act so that it does not apply to any incidents before October 2000, when the Act came into force.  The move follows a high profile campaign by senior Tories and army chiefs to stop what they call a "with hunt" against army veterans who s...
29m Nov 11, 2019
29m
Michael O’Neill set to say goodbye to the Green & White army ahead of move to Stoke City
Against the odds he led the Green and White Army to the Euros in 2016. And he's just two games away from taking them to next year's European finals.  But this morning Michael O'Neill is on the brink of quitting as Northern Ireland football manager to take charge at Stoke City.  Vinny was joined by is Mark McIntosh and former Northern Ireland international and Stoke City player Gerry Taggart.
4m Nov 08, 2019
4m
Advice NI warns Northern Ireland could be on brink of a welfare mitigations disaster
Experts warn of a looming crisis of child poverty,  hunger and mass evictions caused by end of mitigations for bedroom tax and benefit cap.  These measures will end in March 2020 - a date campaigners are describing as a "cliff edge".
18m Nov 08, 2019
18m
‘A complete mess’ – Caller Shamara shares story of her A&E experience with ill father
Putting what is happening in our hospitals, waiting lists, and now the nursing strike & industrial action - into context.  Shamara contacted the show via Facebook about her seriously ill dad.
15m Nov 08, 2019
15m
Nurses in NI strike vote to strike for the first time in 103 years
Nurses have "spoken clearly" - that's the message from the Royal College of Nursing's director after members voted to strike. It's the first time in the College's 103-year-history that such action has been taken in the UK. So, do you think nurses should strike? Is it their only option? Do they have your support? Or could it put patients at risk? Vinny spoke to Phil Kelly from Labour NI, NI Cons...
30m Nov 08, 2019
30m
Is it too early for Christmas cheer in November? Hugh Grant hits out at coffee chain PRET over early festive celebrations
Christmas music, Santa hats - festive cheer - but is it too soon – in early November? Actor Hugh Grant has lashed out at coffee shop chain PRET, Tweeting - ‘Christmas hats and music off please @Pret. Try again in four weeks.  It doesn’t make us merry or spend more. It makes us GNASH.’ But does he have a point? Or is it all Bah Humbug? Vinny got reaction from commentators Lata Sharma and Emma Wo...
7m Nov 07, 2019
7m
The Ulster Farmers’ Union hits out at Tesco's over an advert for their new vegan range. Does the ad demonise meat as a food group or is eating meat vital to our diets?
The Ulster Farmers’ Union has hit out at Tesco's over an advert for their new vegan range. They say the advert demonises meat as a food group and undermines scientifically supported public health messages which show that eating red meat is vital to maintaining a healthy, balanced diet. Vinny spoke to beef farmer Libby Clarke and John Carmody from The Animal Rights Action Network. Tesco Statemen...
16m Nov 07, 2019
16m
There have been almost 100 attacks on Irish language signs in the Mid Ulster area. Now – they’re using CCTV to catch the culprits.
Tens of thousands of pounds. That's the cost to rate payers after almost 100 attacks on Irish language signs in the Mid Ulster council area over the last two years. The story is today's Irish News front page. In one case, CCTV was erected because one sign was targeted 12 times in recent months. The signs have been de-faced and pulled from the ground. Vinny spoke to Commentator Malachi O'Doherty...
22m Nov 07, 2019
22m
The end of an era as Lady Sylvia Hermon decides not to run in North Down. What will be her legacy and who will replace this long standing MP?
End of an era-that's the front page headline in today's County Down Spectator. It refers, of course, to the shock decision of Lady Sylvia Hermon to stand down as an MP after 18 years in the North Down seat. The independent unionist announced last night that, with "enormous sadness", she would not contest next month's Westminster election.  So does that leave the door wide open for the DUP? Or c...
32m Nov 07, 2019
32m
"Northern Ireland - Embrace A Giant Spirit", a new campaign launched to attract thousands of visitors from overseas
Tourism chiefs have launched a new marketing campaign to attract thousands of visitors from overseas.  The slogan - "Northern Ireland - Embrace A Giant Spirit" was launched by Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland at a big global travel conference in London a few days ago. But it has received a mixed response from local travel writers here. Vinny spoke to local travel writer Tim Hedgley and Heidi McAl...
16m Nov 06, 2019
16m
"People know who these people are - but knowing and proving are two very different things"
Kevin Lunney, a director of Quinn Industrial Holdings, was driving from work to his home in Kinawley when he was abducted seven weeks ago. He was found 22 miles away beside a road in County Cavan. For the first time he's spoken about what happened to Jim Fitzpatrick for BBC Spotlight. Vinny spoke to Jim Fitzpatrick, and got reaction from journalist Allison Morris.  This report contains disturbi...
4m Nov 06, 2019
4m
A Christmas General Election is weeks away -but would you ban elections posters in your town and city centres?
The president of the Strabane Chamber of Commerce - Martin Gallen - is calling on election candidates to make the town centre a ‘poster free zone’ this Christmas. With the Westminster election taking place during December for the first time in almost 100 years, traders feel that an influx of candidates’ posters would detract from the efforts to make the town centre as festive and welcoming to s...
14m Nov 06, 2019
14m
"A long road with many knock backs... It's been hard and heartbreaking for victims." Jon McCourt from Survivors North West reacts as MPs pass bill to compensate victims of historical institutional abuse
MPs have passed a bill that will provide compensation to victims of historical institutional abuse. It had been feared Parliament would be dissolved for the election before the legislation could receive royal assent, but the government fast-tracked it through the Commons in just over an hour. The Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith spoke about Jon McCourt, of the Survivors North West group....
10m Nov 06, 2019
10m
Nolan exclusive - PSNI paid out more than £1.1m in compensation to the public over the past three years.
A Nolan Show exclusive this morning. We can reveal that the PSNI paid out more than £1.1m in compensation to the public over the past three years. Over half of the pay outs were for what's called "wrongful acts" by police officers. These include assaults by police, wrongful arrest and wrongful detention. Last year, there were 165 compensation claims settled for wrongful acts costing more than £...
18m Nov 06, 2019
18m
Kevin Lunney, a director of Quinn Industrial Holdings, gives @BBCSpotlightNI's Jim Fitzpatrick an exclusive interview about his brutal abduction and torture
Kevin Lunney, a director of Quinn Industrial Holdings, was driving from work to his home in Kinawley when he was abducted seven weeks ago. He was found 22 miles away beside a road in County Cavan. For the first time he's spoken about what happened to Jim Fitzpatrick for BBC Spotlight.  Vinny spoke to Jim Fitzpatrick. There are some disturbing details in what you are about to hear. Some people, ...
18m Nov 06, 2019
18m
More speculation over pacts and alliances in the upcoming Westminster election
Yesterday Sinn Fein announced it wouldn't run in the south Belfast constituency, where the SDLP's Claire Hanna and Alliance's Paula Bradshaw are hoping to secure the remain vote. There have now been calls from a former Ulster Unionist chairman for the party to stand aside in favour of the DUP candidate Emma Little Pengelly. And we can confirm this morning that the Green Party will be formally e...
21m Nov 05, 2019
21m
Marks and Spencer allow shoppers to use changing rooms they feel most comfortable with. Are you happy with mixed sex changing?
Would you be happy to get changed in mixed sex changing rooms? Marks and Spencer have upset some shoppers after they said that customers' can use whatever changing rooms that they feel most comfortable with' in their stores. Meanwhile Center Parcs have said transgender visitors cannot use the changing rooms of their choice unless they have gone through a “full transition”. Vinny spoke to commen...
13m Nov 05, 2019
13m
New report reveals almost 30,000 medical testing procedures were carried out on live animals in 2018 in NI. Do you agree with animal testing?
Is it time to end animal testing - in Northern Ireland? A new report from the Department of Health has revealed that 28,790 medical testing procedures were carried out on live animals in 2018. That is up from 24,756 the previous year. A near 20% rise. Animal rights campaigners have criticised the numbers - but do you agree?  Or do possible benefits for our own health - outweigh the negatives? V...
30m Nov 05, 2019
30m
"A gentle 'every body's uncle' sort of man" - @FrBrianDarcy pays tribute to broadcasting legend Gay Byrne
The broadcaster Gay Byrne has died at the age of 85. He had been ill for some time. Many will remember him as the presenter of The Late Late Show which first aired on RTE back in 1962. Vinny spoke to Father Brian D'Arcy who paid tribute.
11m Nov 05, 2019
11m
Should the voting age be dropped to 16- Would you back the age change?
Vinny spoke to Former Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik and commentator Andre Walker
11m Nov 04, 2019
11m
Home Office apologise to Glentoran boss over his wife’s visa application
Last month we heard from Glentoran boss Mick McDermott whose wife had to return to Dubai to start her visa application after the family had relocated back here. Karla had to spend 6 weeks away from her family while waiting on her application. Vinny spoke to Mick, who has some good news...
3m Nov 04, 2019
3m
The biggest show in the country comes to the rescue of a Ballymoney woman over a turkey leg.
She was looking for a Turkey leg for her soup in her local Tesco in Ballymoney-but it turned out to be a bit of an ordeal. Helen spoke to Vinny... 
4m Nov 04, 2019
4m
Daughter in plea to Housing Executive over elderly father’s bathroom.
Linda got in touch on behalf of her father over issues he was having with the Housing Executive repairing his bathroom. Our reporter Nicola Weir went to meet with them.
5m Nov 04, 2019
5m
NI health service is 'deteriorating to the point of collapse' because of a funding crisis - Westminster Committee report warns.
Fresh concerns over Health services in Northern Ireland. They risk getting to "the point of collapse" without a long-term funding strategy to support transformation, that is according to a report by a Westminster committee.  Vinny spoke to Former Chief Executive of the Health and Social Care Board. It added that the services are "lacking adequate financial support or strategic guidance".
9m Nov 04, 2019
9m
SDLP confirm they will not contest North Belfast seat in General Election
The SDLP will not be contesting the Westminster seat in North Belfast for the first time in the party's history. It is one of three constituencies which it will not fight in a bid to secure the seat for pro-remain candidates.  The UUP also announced a u-Turn they will not be standing in North Belfast. Vinny spoke to former SDLP Cllr Mairia Cahill and Former SDLP SPAD Brendan Mulgrew.
12m Nov 04, 2019
12m
General Election battle-lines redrawn as UUP and SDLP stand aside in North Belfast.
The SDLP will not be contesting the Westminster seat in North Belfast for the first time in the party's history. It is one of 3 constituencies which it will not fight in a bid to secure the seat for pro-remain candidates.  The UUP also announced a u-turn, they will not be standing in North Belfast. Here is what Steve Aiken told me last week.
32m Nov 04, 2019
32m
Peacemaker, soldier, hostage, human rights ambassador - @BradleyGJ's journey has been anything but dull
We talk a lot on this programme about Troubles victims and survivors and how their experiences continue to impact their lives decades later. Everyone's journey is different - and Glenn Bradley's has certainly been a rollercoaster. Now a globetrotting businessman who works in ethical trade and human rights, he grew up in working class West Belfast - on the frontline of the conflict. He's survive...
20m Nov 01, 2019
20m
Incoming UUP leader Steve Aiken refuses to say if he will run 18 candidates in the upcoming election.
Is Steve Aiken about to do a u-turn before he even becomes party leader? Last week he ruled out an electoral pact with the DUP and yesterday the Belfast Telegraph published a letter signed by Unionist calling for a single unionist candidate in North Belfast. On the View last night he refused to say if his party will stand in every constituency. Vinny got reaction from political commentators Chr...
8m Nov 01, 2019
8m
With Ireland knocked out of #RWC2019 - will you be cheering on England in the final? Or anyone but England?
When it comes to supporting a rugby team, there's an unwritten rule for some - anyone but England! In just over 24 hours England and South Africa will kick-off in the final of the Rugby World Cup. Both teams, of course, are previous winners of the Webb Ellis trophy. So with Ireland knocked out of the Rugby World Cup - along with the Scots and the Welsh - who will you be cheering for tomorrow mo...
8m Nov 01, 2019
8m
Anger among public sector workers over pay squeeze
There's anger among public sector workers here over pay this morning. On the face of it there was good news yesterday, as the dept of Finance announced it was scrapping the one percent pay cap. That meant in theory workers could get bigger pay rises. But the department also said any of those pay rises must come from existing departmental budgets. Those are obviously under a enormous strain, thi...
38m Nov 01, 2019
38m
Bristol could become the first UK city to ban diesel cars, over concerns of pollution.
Should we ban diesel vehicles in Belfast City Centre, at certain times of the day? It is one part of proposals to tackle air pollution in Bristol - where they want to introduce a zone which bans all diesel cars from 7am to 3pm. With rising concerns over pollution here - should we do the same? Vinny spoke to Green Party Councillor Aine Groogan and taxi driver Ken Kelly.
23m Oct 31, 2019
23m
Should children trick or treating to be given fruit instead of sweets?
Happy Halloween! It's a celebration that is loved by many - but others aren't as excited by the annual event. For some, it's a chance to dress up in scary costumes and indulge in copious amounts of sweets collected from the popular Halloween custom of trick-or-treating. But should we give trick or treating children fruit- rather than sweets? After all, the tradition of giving kids a bucketful o...
15m Oct 31, 2019
15m
Northern Ireland public service pay tops private sector by almost one third. Why is the gap so big?
Fancy a 33% percent increase in your salary? One way to get it could be getting a job in the public sector. New figures reveal workers there earn nearly a third more than their private sector counterparts. The average wage for the public sector is £625 compared to a £479 weekly wage for those in the private sector. But why do public sector workers earn so much more? And how does our reliance on...
38m Oct 31, 2019
38m
Peter Hain reacts as Historical Institutional Abuse Bill unlikely to become law before Parliament dissolves.
 "I fear it could become a casualty of this rush to a general election" - Peter Hain reacts as Historical Institutional Abuse Bill unlikely to become law before Parliament dissolves.
4m Oct 30, 2019
4m
Are words like "overweight" and "obese" offensive? Or simply fact?
'Words like "overweight" and "obese" are offensive' – that’s according to a 'body positive coach' in a new BBC TV programme. 'Who Are You Calling Fat?' is exploring what life is like for plus-size people. In it nine people move in together to share their experiences. Victoria is part of a 'body positive movement' where some celebrate being overweight. Do we need fat activists? Are words like 'o...
16m Oct 30, 2019
16m
Historical Institutional Abuse Bill unlikely to become law before Parliament dissolves for election.
It looks unlikely that the Historical Institutional Abuse Bill will become law before Parliament dissolves next week for the election. On Monday peers called for the bill - which would set up a compensation scheme for victims of abuse in care homes and other institutions - to be given accelerated passage. But it looks like there won't be enough time for it to pass its remaining stages in the Co...
4m Oct 30, 2019
4m
Election expert predicts parties other than Tories and Labour will have a record number of MPs in upcoming General Election.
 Election expert predicts parties other than Tories and Labour will have a record number of MPs in upcoming General Election. Vinny spoke to Conservative MP Nigel Evans and Labour MP Tony Lloyd.   
21m Oct 30, 2019
21m
It's being called the most important election the UK has ever faced. But will it be another Brexit referendum in all but name?
MPs are gearing up for Britain's first pre-Christmas election campaign in nearly a century, after voting overwhelmingly to go to the country on the 12th of December, to try to seek a way out of the Brexit impasse. Boris Johnson said the public must be "given a choice" over the future of Brexit and the country.  Jeremy Corbyn has pledged that Labour will take on what he called 'the vested intere...
29m Oct 30, 2019
29m
MPs' call for a debate on the ban of fireworks
Is it time to ban the sale of fireworks? That is the call from some MPs'. The SNP’s Alison Thewliss has asked for a debate in the Commons to discuss the issue further. The Commons leader - Jacob Rees-Mogg responded: "We could ban absolutely everything and have no fun, which is basically what socialists always want to do." But with their use in anti-social behaviour,the danger to life, and upset...
9m Oct 29, 2019
9m
Horrible but happy? New study reveals narcissists might be happier
New research from psychologists at Queen's University reveals that while nacissism might be a dark trait, it can lower stress levels and reduce chances of depression.  The study looks at why narcissism appears to be on the rise in politics, social media and celebrity culture. Vinny discussed this with Dr Kostas Papageorgiou and Siobhan O'Connor. 
12m Oct 29, 2019
12m
Victim Campaigners raise concerns over NIO consultation on victims’ pensions
There are serious concerns from Victims Campaigners over a consultation from the Northern Ireland Office on proposed requirements for victims injured during the Troubles, "through no fault of their own". Regulations to enable the pension payments to be made must be finalised by the end of January 2020. But there are concerns over dates that qualify  and whether people injured in the Republic - ...
15m Oct 29, 2019
15m