Whenever somebody wants to get something off their chest, the advice is often: “Talk to Joe”. Writing with raw honesty, Joe here recounts his difficult upbringing in working-class Ballyfermot.

He paints a poignant, heart-breaking picture of family life with a hard-drinking father and hard-working mother. Joe writes with candour about the death of his youngest brother Aidan and about his often difficult relationship with another brother, Brendan. Aspirations for a better life were rarely encouraged in Ballyfermot. Despite this, Joe was determined to escape to a different future.

He became one of the first from his area to enter the hallowed halls of Trinity College Dublin, where he developed a strong sense of social justice. After a stint working in the probation service, Joe eventually moved into a career in broadcasting, first as producer and then roving reporter on The Gay Byrne Show, before finally finding his niche on Liveline.

’Beautifully written, honest and thoroughly enjoyable. A great read’ Gay Byrne. Paperback edition.