While the evaluation held its first public session with expert advisers and academics on Wednesday, it has yet to confirm dates for meeting with families. These were expected to begin in February.

Care Champions, the advocacy group representing dozens of families, pointed out the family meetings are to be in private anyway.

“There is a jarring contrast between the live roundtable for professionals and the private forums for families,” Majella Beattie,Founder of the Care Champion group, said

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this month, the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments both announced bans on greyhound racing. 

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said the Government has no intention of doing likewise. 

However, the Greyhound Action Ireland spokesperson told us that cutting State funding would have a similar impact. 

Nuala told us about how she remains especially concerned about the welfare of the dogs, noting many of them sustain serious injuries every year from injuries sustained while racing, and Nuala joins us on the line now to talk to us some more about all of this.

we were joined Chairman of the Irish Greyhounds Owners & Breeders Federation, Damien Matthews, who is a greyhound owner, trainer and breeder based in Newry - Damien felt that the interview with Nuala on Tuesday was a little one-sided and he is going to give us his thoughts on what was said now. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gardai from the Dundalk Roads Protection Unit put a policing operation in place after observing so-called boy racers “driving in a dangerous manner and placing the public at risk over the weekend along the border

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Both Louth County Council and Meath County Council were totally opposed to any such move and were terrified of losing land or income.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Donal O’Shea, who is HSE’s clinical lead on obesity, has warned that it was “a flawed narrative” if parents think it is okay to indulge for one day.

He has also said in the past that such an attitude was flawed because the food and drinks industry wanted to increase the daily consumption of ultra-processed foods and used occasions such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter to promote them.

Professor O’Shea joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Speaking outside Leinster House, Saoirse Alyward said: “Jax was a four pound baby, he had to have a post-mortem, I had to bury him, my 11-year-old daughter was at his graveside, yet the law says he doesn’t exist."

In January 2024, the mother was rushed to Wexford General Hospital after being injured in a three-vehicle collision on the main Wexford/ Rosslare road. 

Saoirse was 31 weeks pregnant and had to have an emergency c-section, but when she woke up she was told her son Jax was stillborn.

Saoirse joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the March meeting of the Ashbourne Municipal District, Sinn Féin councillor Helen Meyer called on Meath County Council to contact the National Transport Authority (NTA) to discuss plans for increasing bus services in the town.

In response, Meath County Council said its role is limited to assisting the NTA with infrastructure such as bus stops, while the operational aspects of bus services remain the responsibility of the NTA and bus operators.

Speaking afterwards, Cllr Meyer said she “strongly disagrees” with the idea that the council’s “only responsibility is to assist in providing bus services”.

Councillor Meyer joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour councillor Pio Smith told the March meeting of Louth County Council that the issue is leaving residents unable to "live in peace in their own homes". 

It comes as Louth County Council has launched its new tenant engagement strategy to tackle antisocial behaviour across the county. 

We heard more about all of this on The Agenda this morning.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Called Operation Encompass, the idea is that the child concerned will receive the help and support they need.

It will allow teachers and school staff to understand what a child has experienced and to offer immediate and compassionate support on the following school day.

The announcement of the new Drogheda pilot scheme was made at a cross‑border meeting attended by the Gardaí, the PSNI, school leaders, education partners and officials from both jurisdictions.

Louth Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly joined us in-studio this morning on The Agenda to tell us more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ally McDermott says the moment was “the scariest thing” to have ever happened to her.

She had been crossing the road with her twin daughters, aged two and a half, when a car travelling above the speed limit drove through a red light.

She said another pedestrian had already pressed the button at the crossing and, when she heard the beeping signal, she began to cross with her daughters, holding one child on each side.

She said that when she reached the footpath, she stood still, “completely shocked”.

Ally joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this shocking incident.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this month, the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments both announced bans on greyhound racing. 

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said the Government has no intention of doing likewise. 

However, Greyhound Action Ireland spokesperson Nuala Donlon says cutting State funding would have a similar impact. 

Nuala says that she remains especially concerned about the welfare of the dogs, noting many of them sustain serious injuries every year from injuries sustained while racing.

Nuala joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three United Nations peacekeepers from Indonesia were killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon after a bloody weekend in which Lebanese journalists and medics were killed in Israeli strikes.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Sinn Fein TD for Louth, Ruairi Ó Murchú, who over the past number of weeks has been speaking with family members and friends of Irish troops in Lebanon, who are very concerned about the welfare and safety of their loved ones in Lebanon as tensions in the Middle East rise. 

There are currently 379 Irish troops serving in Lebanon, with many being from Dundalk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Ireland birth certificates are only available when pregnancy loss happens after 23 weeks.

This new plan is proposed as an alternative way to record a child but will not be a birth certificate.

Senator Linda Nelson Murray has personal experience with this issue

Senator Nelson Murray lost 5 babies and says there was never any question that she would get involved in this. 

Linda joined us on the Agenda this morning and bravely shared her story of infant loss and told us all about the "Certificate of Loss" and what it would mean for parents like herself and her husband.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week outside Leinster House, Rural Ireland Against Fox Hunting gathered for a protest to demand TDs ban hunting with dogs. 

Late last year, a bill proposed by People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger was voted down by the Dáil. 

124 TDs from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Aontú voted to keep fox hunting legal, while 24 TDs voted in favour of a ban. 

Meath farmer and ‘Rural Ireland Against Fox Hunting’ spokesperson Donna Mullen says she hoped TDs would reconsider, describing the practice as “just cruel”.

Donna says that she also worries about her own animals whenever she sees the hunt arrive on her land, and she joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deputy Toibin joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The couple, originally from Latvia, and their two young children, had been sleeping in their car in a council‑owned car park after being unable to access emergency accommodation.

The couple first settled in Galway before their children were born. They moved east, hoping it would help them build a more secure future. He took a job in Drogheda, and they eventually found a rented home in Lusk, Co Dublin, and welcomed two children — a daughter, followed nearly two years later by a son.

But their stability began to unravel when their landlord, who accepted rent only in cash and referred to them merely as “guests”, told them they had to leave.

We heard all about this shocking story this morning on The Agenda.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Six additional primary schools in County Louth have been awarded DEIS Plus status, bringing the total number of schools included in the new scheme to seven. However, none of those schools are located in Drogheda.

The announcement forms part of a €48 million annual investment aimed at tackling educational disadvantage under the Government’s DEIS Strategy to 2035, due to be formally launched by Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton.

Deputy Nash joined us in-studio this morning on The Agenda to talk to us some more about this. 

We were also joined by Aine Carthy, who is the Principal of St Pauls NS in Drogheda and Sarah Bradley, who is the Principal of St Joseph’s CBS.

We also spoke to Deputy Nash about the D Hotel contract being renewed to continue as IPAS.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The contract for the use of the D Hotel in Drogheda as an IPAS centre, has reportedly been extended for a further 12 months.

The hotel has been an accommodation centre for asylum seekers since March of 2024.

We also spoke to Independent Councillor in Drogheda, Paddy McQuillan, who is outraged by this news and says this leaves Drogheda "very short of hotel space and hotel rooms".

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we talked about the Government cutting taxes on both diesel and petrol - we asked if the Government are doing enough to tackle this issue.

We also discussed the D Hotel in Drogheda and whether it should remain as an IPAS Centre or be returned to its former use as a hotel….

And, a possible outright ban on sunbeds? Should there be a ban or would this push it underground and cause more problems?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Surging energy prices have seen the latest Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index record a reading of 56.7 in March, sharply down on the 65.2 figure for February and the lowest since March 2023.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Minister for Foreign Affairs & Meath-East Fine Gael TD Helen McEntee, who spoke to us about alll of this.

We asked the Minister if she belives Government are doing enough to address and tackle the cost of fuel in Ireland.

We also discussed school places, or lack tehreof, in Dunshaughlin, after local frustrated parents marched on The Dail yesterday in relation to this.

We also spoke about the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, as locals in the Meath-East area (particularly Ashbourne) say they are also affected by the noise from planes taking off and landing into Dublin Airport.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The group says that recent jumps in energy costs are affecting us all, but it need not be this way and that it’s worth taking time out to imagine an alternative.

Noel Hogan, Chairperson of the Drogheda Cycling Goup, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunbed Working Group has formally called on the Government to ban the use of commercial sunbeds, saying existing modelling shows it would lead to a reduction in the number of deaths from skin cancer.

The recommendation by the Government-appointed working group to outright ban their use would require the Government to introduce new bespoke legislation to prevent people from using sunbeds in commercial premises or private homes, where the service is purchased.

However, the proposal would not ban their use by private individuals, or the purchase or hire of a sunbed for personal use.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Emma Rodahan, Founder & chairperson of the Sunbed council of Ireland, to get her thoughts on this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gardaí said they attended the scene of the incident which occurred between the evening of Monday, 23 March and the morning of Tuesday, 24 March.

This is the most recent case of antisemitic graffiti in the area, following another similar incident in December.

A local councillor in the area, Paddy Meade, has said this is the 11th such incident over several years.

The graffiti includes the word "Jew", the Star of David symbol and the word "rats".

Councillor Meade joined us in-studio this morning on The Agenda to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The call follows a number of recent court cases in which men were jailed for violent attacks on their partners, with courts hearing that forcing women to take abortion pills formed a core element of the abuse. The lawmakers described this pattern as “deeply troubling” and said “the Government cannot continue to ignore the warning signs.”

The statement calling for the special taskforce was issued by Independent TD Carol Nolan, Independent Senator Sharon Keogan and Senator Sarah O’Reilly of Aontú. It follows the recent sentencing in Letterkenny Circuit Court of a man in his 20s to nine years in prison for coercing a woman to ingest abortion pills against her will, before locking her in a room and threatening violence if she did not comply. 

Meath-based Independent Senator, Sharon Keogan, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have spoken to local politicians, local parents and local pre-school owners about how bad the situation is and how it is affecting both parents and children in the area.

It was announced last night that The Department of Education and Youth has sanctioned the opening of a second Junior Infants class at a primary school in Dunshaughlin.

One of the parents in the area, Aine McKenna (who have spoken to various times about the situation) received a call last night from Minister Helen McEntee in relation to this, but Aine says that still no real answers or solutions are being provided with many parents still being left without a place for their child.

Aine and other parents from the area will this morning go into Dublin city to march on the Dail in relation to this - they want solutions and they want them now.

Aine joined us on The Agenda this morning to give us an updateon the whole situation and to tell us about their protest.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish Independent Travel Editor Pol Ó Conghaile this week contacted Irish travel agents to see how we are rethinking trips to and through the Middle East, what the alternatives are, and where prices are rising.

Pol joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about all of this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sky has obtained the names, addresses and bank details of 304 dodgy-box subscribers from a court case against a distributor of the services.

It says that it intends to use the information “to take legal actions against the resellers and some of the end users”.

Legal proceedings have already started against two of the 12 resellers, Sky says.

Tech Editor at The Irish Independent, Adrian Weckler, is on the line with us now to tell us more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Louth County Council is to write to the Department of Justice and the D hotel in a bid to establish the future plans for the premises.

The Drogheda hotel has been an accommodation centre for asylum seekers since March of 2024.

This morning on The Agenda we spoke to Labour TD for Louth, Ged Nash, to get the latest on all of this.

We also spoke to Deputy Nash about his calls for Government to to immediately introduce a 10% reduction in public transport fares and expand access to working from home.

Deputy Nash said that while the temporary cuts to excise duty are welcome in a crisis, they do not go far enough to permanently reduce costs for workers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The huge growth in population in Dunshaughlin in recent years which has seen many young families move into new housing developments in the area has led to a shortage of primary school places.

During the broadcast we received a message from another mother from Dunshaughlin named Sara, who is also a parent with no school place for her child in September. 

Sara told us that she has been forced to accept a place for her child in a school outside the area, but the logistics of it would make life very difficult for her, and Sara joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

We were also joined by Caitlín Kennedy, who is the owner of Naíonra Na Ríthe in Dunshaughlin, and she tols us about how she sees first-hand the knock-on effects this is having on local children in Dunshaughlin.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, the small car park beside the main entrance was full every day, with a line of eight to ten cars queuing to get in.

Many of the drivers said they had no choice because they had elderly relatives who couldn’t walk far and needed to be left as close as possible to the hospital.

Security staff at the hospital said they were doing their best to help patients, but the lack of car parking was an HSE issue and not their responsibility.

Senator Alison Comyn said she has received a number of complaints about the issue and will be raising it with the HSE.

Senator Comyn joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The standardised average rent in existing tenancies in Louth for the third quarter of 2025 was €1,230, an increase of 2.5% year on year, according to the latest RTB Directors Report.

Sinn Féin TD for Louth, Ruairí Ó Murchú said the eviction notices were ‘extremely worrying’ and ‘reflect what is being brought to my constituency office in Dundalk’.

He said that the figures ‘confirm the risk to renters’ that Sinn Féin and other opposition parties had warned the government about ahead of the adoption of new rental market rules that came into effect on March 1.

Deputy Ó Murchú joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Councillor in Slane and Slane resident, Wayne Harding, who spoke to us about a public meeting which took place last night in Slane in relation to the announcement of a two-day concert which will take place in Slane Castle in July. 

Residents of the Slane area are concerned that the organisers of the concert have offered “little to no comfort” for residents as to how this will affect them. 

One local resident emailed LMFM yesterday in relation to the situation, and we heard all about this and about why residents are so concerned and frustrated.

We also spoke to a resident from Slane to find out what exactly is going on here and what she would like to see happen, and also about last nights public meeting.

Local Councillor Paddy Meade also joined us and expressed his frustration at only finding out about the public meeting at the last minute through local residents.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Councillor Maeve Yore asked for an update on how illegal parking is being tackled, while Councillor Ciaran Fisher highlighted what he described as persistent and worsening issues in the town centre. 

He urged the council to consider widening the remit of traffic wardens so they can monitor areas just outside the pay‑parking zone, where some of the worst problems have been reported.

Councillor Fisher joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris and Rose Murray appeared before Judge Richard Humphreys yesterday after gardaí arrested them at the Four Courts on foot of a court order for their attachment.

The Murray’s arrest followed the judge’s finding that they were in civil contempt of undertakings to give Meath County Council vacant possession of their house at Faughan Hill, Bohermeen, Co Meath.

News & Investigations Correspondent at The Irish Independent, Amy Molloy, joined us on The Agenda this morning to give us all the latest on this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last month, Deputy Byrne claimed the club's board of directors said her position was untenable, following her statement around the Republic of Ireland v Israel fixture in the UEFA Nations League.

This morning on The Agenda Deputy Byrne spoke out for the first time since being removed as Chair of the club.

Joanna opened up to LMFM about the whole situation since it all kicked off last month, and became very emotional while talking about how much the club meant and still means to her.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The National Association of Principals and Deputies (NAPD), which represents around 1400 school leaders, confirmed it is paying a “substantial” amount for tech experts to help with the problem. 

Dublin-based social media monitoring firm RiskEye has been employed to track cyber bullying and harmful incidents online and liaise with the platforms to get content removed.

In the 28 weeks since the start of this academic year, 400 calls have come through the NAPD’s confidential supp­ort line from principals and deputies looking for help. One in three of these calls are related to harm on social media.

Director at the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, Paul Crone, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Halpenny from Halpenny Coaches in Dundalk joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us about how they’re affected by this. 

We were also joined by Gareth O’Toole, who is the Chief Executive at Nolan Coaches, who is experiencing the same problem as John and many other coach operators in Ireland.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MRCI has published a report, Tied to Exploitation: The Experience of Migrant Workers in Ireland, which includes a survey of over 1,000 employment permit holders.

According to MRCI, the findings paint a deeply troubling picture where workers are routinely underpaid, overworked, harassed and denied basic rights.

MRCI Director Neil Bruton joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this report and its findings.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The campaign comes at a time when vaping among young people under the age of 18 has risen in recent years, with approximately one in five now reporting that they vape.

The social media campaign, launched by HSE Tobacco Free Ireland alongside Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, aims to highlight the risks associated with youth vaping and nicotine use.

Deputy McGreehan joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The survey, commissioned by Fine Gael, also found that parents were very critical of how the food is presented as well as the nutritional content.

There were also concerns about the origin of ingredients used for the meals, including meat.

The survey ran from 6 January to 18 February and received almost 8,000 responses.

Fine Gael senator Linda Nelson Murray says that the survey was extensive and showed that as well as having more choice, children also wanted more time to eat their school meals.

Senator Nelson Murray joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Oireachtas transport committee met to discuss new laws brought to Cabinet last month, which would end the existing restrictions at the capital's airport.

The legislation will give the transport minister powers to either revoke or amend the existing 32m passenger cap. It also precludes the introduction of a future cap on passengers for Dublin Airport.

Dublin Airport operator Daa has repeatedly called for the cap to be lifted, stating there is a need to increase the number to 40m per year.

The Children’s Rights Over Flights group said that the Government's bill was bad for the environment and the health of local people, and called for it to be withdrawn.

Celestine O’Reilly from Children’s Rights Over Flights joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this and about how the hearing went yesterday.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The shocking claim was made in the Dail by Drogehda-based TD Ged Nash — the town where the pervert medic carried out a terrifying reign of sexual abuse for 40 years.

So far 400 victims have gone public, but there’s hope more will come forward as a new scoping inquiry into the horrific scandal, led by Lorcan Staines SC, gets underway.

Deputy Nash hopes that the scoping inquiry will deliver accountability for those who looked the other way when they knew what was going on — and that a full State investigation into the scandal could take place.

Deputy Nash joined us in-studio on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon Harris said measures would be signed off at the next Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

The Tainaiste said that "fairness" must be at the centre of the response. The Tánaiste said the Government understands the pressures that families and businesses are under.

Fuels for Ireland says fuel-pricing cannot be managed through periodic interventions in response to each new crisis.

CEO Kevin McPartlan says they welcome the government's planned response to rising fuel prices - but the greater challenge is how to provide for long-term decision-making.

Kevin joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the March meeting of the MD, Sinn Féin councillor Fionnan Blake called on Meath County Council to fund and deliver a public swimming pool for the area, saying the lack of leisure facilities has been raised with him on several occasions.

In a response, the local authority said the swimming pool project is not included in its Capital Investment Plan and therefore will not be assessed within the next 12 months.

Councillor Blake said there are a limited number of pools available across County Meath, noting that there are eight in total when hotel and gym facilities are included, but only three local authority pools — located in Kells, Navan and Trim.

Councillor Blake joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The initiative is designed to make opening a business in Drogheda more achievable by connecting entrepreneurs with practical guidance, local expertise and financial supports available to new businesses.

A key incentive is Louth County Council’s Commercial Rates Waiver Scheme for 2026, which offers substantial savings for businesses locating in eligible vacant town centre premises.

The scheme applies to commercial premises that have been vacant for more than 12 months and aims to encourage a wider range of businesses to locate in the town centre.

We were joined in-studio this morning on The Agenda by President of Drogheda's Chamber of Commerce, Miriam Simon, to find out more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The devices, which would track inmates on temporary release or bail, were due to be rolled out by the end of last year, but no viable responses were submitted for a tender to supply the service.

The Irish Independent reports the Department of Justice has since made changes to the request for tender, with a pilot expected to be operational this year.

Fianna Fail MEP, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a statement released yesterday, Meath County Council said it is "currently acting on foot of a High Court order issued on Monday 16th March 2026, in relation to the property at Bohermeen.

"The Court directed that An Garda Síochána assist the Council in taking possession of the property, which has now been secured.

The owners of the property lost a last ditch legal bid last August aimed at preventing the demolition of their large Faughan Hill, Bohermeen, home built in “wilful breach” of planning laws almost 20 years ago.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Public Affairs Correspondent at The Irish Independent, Amy Molloy, to find out more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It will be her second trip to her home country this year and she is currently raising funds and collecting aid to bring with her.

She will be hosting a fund raising afternoon tea in the Castle Arch Hotel tomorrow (Friday) between 3 and 6pm and is planning a coffee morning in Brogans on the 20th.

Luba is hoping to raise enough money to buy another van to help deliver humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senator Alison Comyn said she observed buckets being used to catch rainwater when she visited the school following a recent spell of heavy rain.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Local councillor Declan Power highlighted one such incident where a vehicle was parked directly in a taxi lane, even backing over a traffic flexi bollard.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we were joined by:

1. John Sheridan - Fianna Fail - Ardee
2. Fionnan Blake - Sinn Fein - Dunshaughlin
3. Paddy Meade - Fine Gael - Laytown-Bettystown LEA

This morning we discussed:

1. Migration into the country must be to the benefit of Irish people, Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has privately told Government ministers
2. Fine Gael councillor Paddy Meade, who joined us today, was assaulted in a pub by a man who spat in his face. Councillor Meade has raised concerns about the risks public representatives may face due to their role
3. A local councillor in Louth has urged the Government to give local authorities the power to shut down vape shops.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Councillor Moore says that the decision to reintroduce state exam fees would heap further pressure on Meath and Louth families already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, and must be reversed, and he joined us on Teh Agenda tis morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On his social media platforms Deputy O’Flynn wrote:

“St Patrick’s Day is Ireland’s national day. It marks the feast of our patron saint and celebrates Irish history, Irish music and Irish culture.

Everyone is welcome to celebrate with us. 

Ireland has always been welcoming… But the day should remain about Ireland.

Turning St Patrick’s Day into a global “celebrate every culture” festival misses the point. Every nation deserves one day each year that honours its own heritage. Ireland deserves the same”.

Deputy O'Flynn told us exactly why this event struck him and why he has called it out.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The campaign will run for the next three weeks and features the real-life story of immigrants to Ireland from Ukraine, Syria and India.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Labour TD and spokesperson on justice, home affairs and migration, Alan Kelly, who told us more about this campaign and about why it is so important that we all acknowledge and highlight the contribution of migrants in Ireland.

We were also joined CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Teresa Buczkowska, who spoke to us about Ireland’s new immigration strategy. 

Migration into the country must be to the benefit of Irish people, Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan recently privately told Government ministers, and we got Teresa’s thoughts on all of this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

However, despite warnings about the dangerously fast vehicles, no state agency is yet taking responsibility for cracking down on shops and online retailers openly selling them, even as leading medics warn of an epidemic of head injuries among young people.

Rates of e-scooter injuries among children have soared, with Temple Street Children’s Hospital saying since 2021 there has been a fourfold increase in the numbers presenting with such injuries.

Gardaí in Dundalk, Co Louth, reported late last month that they encountered an eight-year-old travelling on an e-scooter at speeds of up to 30kmh and impounded the vehicle.

We found out more about all of this on The Agenda this morning.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to the recent Management Report, five families and 27 singles and couples – exited emergency accommodation for reasons such as moving into private rentals, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, hospital treatment, or returning to family and friends.

Commenting on the figures at the March meeting of the local authority, Independent councillor Alan Lawes said mental health issues are one of the reasons people are being terminated from emergency accommodation.

He also called for greater support for people with addictions who find themselves homeless.

Councillor Lawes joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sinn Fein Councillor Maria White tabled a motion calling on Meath County Council to commit to the purchase and installation of the devices in libraries in the district to support community wellbeing during the darker months of the year.

Light-therapy boxes are commonly used to help people experiencing seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other forms of low mood linked to reduced daylight during the winter months.

Introducing the motion, Councillor White said the initiative would help communities prepare for the darker winter months and support people who struggle with low mood due to reduced daylight.

Councillor White joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rise in the number of people vaping is a cause of huge concern among the medical profession, with the HSE warning that vapes “may cause diseases such as heart disease, lung disease and cancer”. 

Some young vapers have had such a negative reaction that they were taken to hospital by ambulance. 

Independent Councillor for Dundalk and Carlingford, Ciaran Fisher, said he has grave concerns about the “proliferation and saturation” of vape shops.

Councillor Fisher joined us on The AGenda this morning to talk to us some more about this now.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Minister of State for European Affairs & Meath-East Fianna Fail TD Thomas Byrne also signalled that the Government would be open to examining supports for those hit by higher costs, suggesting an assessment of that would be done “over the next week or so”.

Several Coalition sources downplayed the possibility of any assessment being completed in the next week, and suggested specific support packages had not been discussed. Nonetheless, there is a recognition within the Coalition that the longer the conflict goes on, the more pressing a case for intervention becomes.

Minister Byrne joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us moe about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The attempts, by the board of the club, to remove Deputy Byrne from her position come following her statement, issued in her capacity as Sinn Féin spokesperson on Sport, where she stated that Ireland should not play Israel in the Nations League.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian O'Connor, originally from Rathmullen Road and now living in Lucan, was on a dream family trip with his wife Deirdre and her family in Dubai when the war with Iran broke out.

They had gone on the holiday with Love Holidays with her 92‑year‑old father Terry Carmody, her 17‑week‑pregnant daughter Marie‑Ann Whelan and her husband Aaron Bannon‑Whelan.

One day sports‑mad pensioner Terry was playing golf and the next day they were taking cover in the basement of their hotel from drone and missile attacks.

Ian joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about his nightmare experience.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The cost of a litre of motor fuel has already crossed €2 on many fuel forecourts, with prices reaching levels not seen since the summer of 2022 and the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A sustained 30 cent per litre hike will see the average motorist worse off by just over €300 a year, while a 20 per cent jump in domestic energy costs will add another €600 to annual bills. The increased cost of oil is also expected to have a knock-on effect on the price of food and other consumer goods.

Consumer Affairs Correspondent & Pricewatch Editor at The Irish Times, Conor Pope, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The men are seeking a ruling that he is personally liable for decisions to plant car bombs in London and Manchester in 1973 and 1996.

They are suing him for a nominal £1 in damages for "vindicatory purposes".

Adams has stated he had "no direct or indirect" involvement and has repeatedly denied ever being in the IRA.

The civil case is being heard by Mr Justice Swift at the Royal Courts of Justice and is listed to last for seven days.

We were joined on The AGneda this morning by Station Manager & Reporter at U105 in Belfast, Peter McVerry, who gave us all the latest on this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The public meeting was for worried parents who have so far been unable to secure a junior infants place for their child for the coming school year took place on Thursday night (5th March) in the Parish Hall in Dunshaughlin. This was organised by local parents Aine McKenna, Lucia Onofri, and Ciara McCormac who invited all parents, guardians, and community members affected to attend.

The huge growth in population in Dunshaughlin in recent years which has seen many young families move into new housing developments in the area has led to a shortage of primary school places, something parents say should have been foreseen and planned for.

At the start of the meeting, Aine McKenna said “we need solutions and we need them now”.

Aine joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this, and we werev also joined by another local mother named Rainia, who is also having the same issue and also attended the public meeting.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Endometriosis, affecting over 200,000 women, is where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body. It can have a big impact on women leading to symptoms such as severe pain and fatigue.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Trim mum, Sarah Costello, who almost died during routine surgery for endometriosis.

We are also joined by Amie Berns, who is also living with a debilitating case of endometriosis and has been campaigning for education, awareness and better heath-care for many years. 

Sarah and Amie bravely shared their personal stories of living with a debilitating case of endometreosis, which has affected their day-to-day lives massively and their quaility of life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Thursday, Dublin Zoo launched its 'mams go free' offer for Mother's Day to help families celebrate moms around the country, offering a complimentary adult ticket when a full paying adult or child ticket is purchased online next Sunday.

As part of the launch campaign, Dublin Zoo recruited Irish social media star and TV presenter James Patrice as the ambassador for the takeover, who donned his well-known Malahide Mammy character, which the zoo has said is rooted in "humour and fun".

Despite a mostly positive reaction to the campaign, there has been a backlash across social media from some politicians and members of the public, who slammed the campaign, including Independent Ireland TD Ken O'Flynn and Senator Sharon Keogan, taking umbrage with the use of the 'Malahide Mammy' character for the light-hearted campaign.

Deputy O’Flynn joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hauliers are now preparing for possible protests across the country in the coming days, as fuel prices continue to soar due to the war in the Middle East.

The hauliers warned that “they would close down Dublin until the politicians listened” — and said supermarket prices will inevitably rise in the coming days, with supply disrupted.

“Every tax increased upon us ends up as an increased cost on the supermarket shelves,” Ger Hyland, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), has said. 

Mr Hyland said it was the view of an IRHA meeting on Saturday that the fallout from spiralling energy prices due to the Middle East war will be “worse than 2022”. He said protests could be held within “a matter of days”.

Ger joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we were joined by:

• Fine Gael Councillor in Dundalk, John Reilly
• Aontu Councillor in Navan, Emer Toibin
• Fianna Fail Councillor in Dundalk, Shane McGuinness

This morning we discussed:

1. Taoiseach says 'no excuse' for price gouging as minister requests probe into gouging - we discussed price of diesel/petrol and flights home from Middle East.
2. Is it time for the media to stop reporting on Enoch Burke and his family? One judge has branded them a "circus".
3. Working from home - should an employee have the right to choose? Do you believe it makes employees more or less productive?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victoria told LMFM about how they have heard bombs going off and have seen drones being shot down.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Victoria, who gave us an update on their situation and tell us about how things are looking now - she said it's getting very scary. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bills, the Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Standing Charges) Bill 2026, are co-sponsored by Sinn Féin Deputies Darren O’Rourke, Pa Daly, Louis O’Hara and Réada Cronin.

Deputy O'Rourke joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Minister of State with responsibility for international development and the diaspora Neale Richmond said he was disappointed by the claim, which Senator Patricia Stephenson made - we spoke to Senator Stephenson yesterday on the programme.

The United Arab Emirates city and other countries in the Middle East have witnessed bombings in the days following the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

Minister Richmond said officials in the region and at the crisis consular centre have worked very hard to arrange for 300 Irish citizens to board a plane tomorrow from Muscat to Dublin to complement another Emirates commercial flight last night.

Minister Richmond joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The proposal was raised at the March meeting of the Drogheda Borough District, where Councillor Ejiro O’Hare Stratton said that establishing formal structures such as a ‘West Street Committee’ to guide the regeneration was now “imperative.”

"We really need a West Street committee, a joint partnership with everyone affected. The council needs to sit down and look at how we solve this problem,” said Cllr. O’Hare Stratton.

She said there had been “a lot of negative feedback on social media” about West Street, adding that a “call to action” was needed to resolve the challenges facing the street.

Councillor O’Hare Stratton joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tragic Letterkenny teen Leona Harper was one of 10 people killed when an Applegreen station collapsed amid a massive explosion which occurred in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on October 7, 2022.

This week Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan refused a further meeting with the families of those who died, saying he did not wish to jeopardise the advanced Garda investigation and adding that his job is "not to be sensitive".

Speaking yesterday Leona’s parents Donna and Hugh Harper said they were “deeply disappointed” by those words and are urging the Minister to change his mind.

They also told of their fear that they may become ‘another Stardust’—where they are left waiting years for answers.

Leona’s dad Hugh joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At a recent meeting of Louth County Council, Green Party councillor Marianne Butler said the centres will play an “incredibly important” role as severe weather events become more frequent.

The meeting heard these venues will provide a safe place for people to go if they lose electricity, and need to charge phones or access other supports.

She noted that the council has already ordered three generators for use at Community Support Centres.

Councillor Butler joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Government said it is bearing a “portion of the cost” for the Oman evacuation charter flight, but failed to answer questions about the scale of the contribution.

The press release from Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee announcing the evacuation flight on Friday from Muscat, the capital of Oman, said it would benefit “vulnerable citizens”.

But after details of the €800 cost for adult passengers emerged, Senator Patricia Stephenson said: “This is a shakedown, not an evacuation.”

The Foreign Affairs spokeswoman for the Social Democrats added: “Desperate people, stuck in a war zone, should not be asked for €800 by their own government so they can get home to safety.

Senator Stephenson joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A notice of motion to that effect was tabled at Monday’s monthly meeting of the council by Aontú Councillor Dave Boyne. 

Councillor Boyne said the call was being made “due to that person’s conflictual behaviour”. “That person is supposed to be promoting all things to do with Irish food, the quality of Irish food. That person is off gallivanting about getting meat in from other countries so in my opinion he has to go. It’s completely against what he should be doing”.

The motion was seconded by Independent Cllr Noel French who said Irish farmers were operating to the highest international standards for food safety. 

Councillor Dave Boyne joined us on The Agenda his morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Detained in Dubai said the legislation was broadly framed and could be “enforced rapidly”, particularly during periods of heightened regional tension.

Penalties for breaches can include fines of up to €65,000, imprisonment, and travel bans.

Foreign nationals, including visitors and tourists, may be particularly vulnerable, with even the sharing of third-party footage or commentary on social media potentially leading to detention, said the group.

Founded in 2008 by legal advocate Radha Stirling, Detained in Dubai campaigns on behalf of expatriates and tourists, who it says have faced judicial abuses in the UAE and wider Gulf region.

Radha ijoined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The flight will accommodate 280 people.

The most vulnerable people are being identified among 2,000 people who have contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs crisis management centre and who requested help leaving the Middle East.

People who are chosen to travel on the chartered flight will be transported to Oman by bus, the minister confirmed.

Minister McEntee joined us on The Agenda to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raising the issue in the Dáil this week, Deputy Butterly called on the Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to consider a dedicated cross‑border pathway, similar to existing arrangements for dental and surgical treatments. Such a scheme, she said, would allow families to access timely assessments when domestic waiting lists become unmanageable.

Deputy Butterly told the Dáil that demand for Assessments of Need has surged in recent years, driven by population growth and an increasing number of families seeking vital supports for their children.

Deputy Butterly joined os on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more abbout this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mr McGinley’s children – Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) – were killed by their mother, Deirdre Morley, at their home in Newcastle, Co Dublin, on January 24, 2020, when she was suffering a psychotic and depressive episode.

Ms Morley, a nurse, was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. Mr McGinley has since set up projects in his children’s names which reflect their personalities and aspirations.

One of those, As Darragh Did, will formally wind up its operations.

Andrew joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour's Pio Smith wants the local authority to meet the contractor as soon as possible.

There are issues with accessing The Glen to carry out repairs due to ground flooding.

Councillor Smith says it's unacceptable that several lights have not worked for weeks.

Councillor Smith joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This morning on The Agenda, Adrian spoke to **Niamh**, who bravely opened up about her struggle to secure care for her 24-year-old son, who has experienced severe mental health difficulties since 2019.

Niamh bravely told us about how her sons erratic behaviour has the whole family living in fear and about how the system has failed them.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The operation, carried out on Saturday evening, saw 54 adults and nine children deported. The children were part of family units.

It’s the second charter removal operation this year and the eighth since such flights resumed in 2025.

Titilayo Oluwakemi Oyekanmi and her three sons, Samuel, Joseph and Genesis, came to Ireland in late 2023 from South Africa. Their asylum application was rejected and a subsequent appeal was unsuccessful. 

The family received a deportation order in April 2025. The boys had been attending schools in Dublin, and were members of a number of local sports clubs.

Glencullen-Sandyford Green Party Councillor Oisín O’Connor hit out at the Department’s “lack of compassion” in relation to the deportation of the Oyekanmi family, and Councillor O'Connor joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The couple only discovered that they were going to be stuck in Qatar while they were having lunch waiting for their flight to Dublin.

Johnny and Victoria told LMFM about how they have heard bombs going off and have seen drones being shot down - they have no ida when they will be able to go home.

Victoria also told us about they dont even have any access to their luggage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Multiple Gulf states have come under attack as Iran vowed to carry out its "most intense operation" ever in retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The Minister said that a large number of Irish citizens, in particular in the UAE, have already registered with the department's citizen registration platform, and she encouraged others in the region to do the same.

Minister McEntee joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to give us all the latest on this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We had our first ever segment of ‘The LMFM Roundtable’, where we were joined in-studio by 4 contributors from different parts of Louth and Meath to discuss and debate the big stories of the week.

This week we were joined by:

• Fine Gael Councillor in Ashbourne, Alan Tobin
• Independent Councillor in Navan, Alan Lawes
• Mayor of Drogheda & Labour Councillor, Michelle Hall
• Fianna Fail Councillor in Dundalk, Emma Coffey.

We discussed the anti-social behaviour in Oriel Park last week, road safety after a Meath girl was tragically killed in a hit and run, and Monday marked 4 years since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sinéad Gibney, the Social Democrats sports spokesperson, wrote to the broadcaster asking them not to support Israel’s “sportswashing endeavours” ahead of the country’s Nations League match with Ireland in October.

“Last year, RTÉ took a laudable stance in response to Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest by opting to not broadcast or participate in the 2026 competition,” Gibney wrote.

“I’ve asked that RTÉ now make the same commitment in this case. It is unconscionable to support the sportswashing endeavours of a country whose regime is committing genocide and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians by broadcasting and legitimizing their sporting pursuits.”

In response, RTÉ has maintained that it has contractual “and therefore binding legal obligations” to show the match.

The broadcaster said it is the Football Association of Ireland’s (FAI) responsibility to make decisions regarding participation. The FAI said Ireland will fulfil the fixtures.

Deputy Gibney joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It comes after Sinn Féin councillor for Dundalk/Carlingford Fiona Mhic Concoille tabled a motion at the February meeting of Louth County Council for the local authority to examine the feasibility of converting attics in council-owned houses. 

Councillor Mhic Conchoille said the move would act as a "practical and cost-effective means of increasing bedroom capacity for existing tenant families". She said such attic conversions are estimated to cost in the region of €30,000-€50,000, in comparison to €300,000-€350,000 for new-build units.

The Sinn Féin councillor said giving families the option to convert attics would reduce pressure on the housing transfer list and would allow three-bedroom houses to function as four-bedroom homes where appropriate.

Councillor Mhic Choncoille joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drogheda United Football Club have been handed a hefty punishment, arising out of the disorder seen at Oriel Park in Dundalk this day last week. 

Flares were thrown from the away end onto the newly laid surface in Dundalk, with significant damage being done to the synthetic astroturf pitch. 

A 12 year-old boy also suffered burns to his face during the pre-match display. 

Last night, the Football Association of Ireland's Independent Disciplinary Committee announced record sanctions were being handed down to the Drogs as a result of their supports behaviour. 

The punishment includes 

• A fine of €15,000;
• A ban on Drogheda United FC supporters attending the Club’s next four away fixtures; and
• A ban on Drogheda United FC supporters attending all fixtures at Oriel Park for the remainder of the 2026 season.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by LMFM Sports Reporter Colum Corrogan to find out more.

We also spoke to Minsiter for Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, to het his reaction to all of this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie McConalogue disagreed with Sports Minister Patrick O'Donovan's suggestion of a collective punishment over the issue.

It came after significant damage was done to the playing surface of Oriel Park in Dundalk following the throwing of flares at a recent game.

Minister McConalogue says a blanket approach to something like this won't work.

Minister McConalogue joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The controversial asylum legislation made its way through the Dail last night in part due to significantly shortened debates.

Opposition parties have criticised the lack of time for debate with eight hours last week in a single Dáil committee stage session and four hours last night.

Deputy Matt Carthy says the Government's quick rejection of their "community impact assessment" amendment shows they're not listening to the concerns of the people.

Deputy Carty joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Louth TD told the Dáil that rainfall events that were once one-in-a-century, are now becoming much more frequent. 

He warned that there is "huge strain on already stressed infrastructure, road networks and flood defences". 

"The severity of the storms and the impacts we are experiencing are going to become ever more complicated and we need to do more to adapt, mitigate and manage," he said. 

Deputy Nash said that dozens of "critical" flood defence projects have been "in the system for almost a decade", and he joined us in-studio on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

We also discussed the protests that took place all across the country yesterday after the Government U-turn on SNA cuts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The demonstrations were called before the Government moved late Monday evening to reverse the planned changes. The Government last week paused a review and reallocation of SNAs for the coming school year after it caused concern and outrage among parents, teachers and SNAs.

One of the locations where a protest took place was in Ashbourne, so I decided to go along and check it out. 

The protest was led by Sinn Fein Councillor Maria White, who is also a school principal at junior school which has 5 autism classes and 20 SNA’s.

Councillor White joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us about how the protest went last night in Ashbourne, and about why it was so important to her to be a part of it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, Fionnán Sheahan of the Irish Independent appeared on Virgin Media’s The Tonight Show. Of all the panellists, he was the only one wearing ashes on his forehead - something many viewers noticed at home. 

Fionnan says he had been surprised by the negativity directed at him afterwards. 

His issue isn’t so much with the reaction, because that's just the moron hurlers on the ditch on social media,” he said. 

What surprised him was the sane and sensible people saying, ‘Oh, but you should expect to be slagged off in a situation like that’.

Fionnan joined us on The Agenad this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The issue was raised at this month’s meeting of Louth County Council, where Councillor Sionnain McCann questioned what supports are available to tenants - whether in social housing or HAP-supported accommodation—who must flee their home due to domestic abuse.

Councillor McCann said people escaping violent or abusive situations can find themselves in a difficult position when seeking help, as they are still technically considered housed and therefore may not qualify for homeless services.

She asked whether training is available to ensure staff can appropriately support those who find themselves in such situations.

Councillor McCann joind us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last month on The Agenda we heard about the involvement of very young children in drug activity in Drogheda, with reports that children as young as seven are being exploited by criminal networks.

There are also growing fears locally that the violence associated with previous drug feuds in Drogheda could re-emerge. Community members in several housing estates have voiced anxiety that younger individuals are now being groomed to take on roles within organised drug activity.

Councillor Smith told us more about this event, and also about how big a problem the drugs scene is in Drogheda at the moment and what could be done to clamp down on it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Black Axe gang operates as a mafia-style organisation which originated in Nigeria and has an estimated 30,000 members across dozens of countries worldwide, including having members here in Ireland.

The homes of 11 senior gang members, also known as the Neo Black Movement (NBM), were raided.

Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times, Conor Lally, joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From day one of the invasion, fierce Ukrainian resistance has kept Russia from achieving its goal of dismembering the Ukrainian state.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by a Ukrainian woman named Santa, who fled Ukraine 4 years ago when the war broke out and she says "Ireland is now by home".

Santa told us about the day she fled Ukraine with her son, and told us about how things have been in Ireland for them both since.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukrainian cities continue to face sustained bombardment from Russian missiles and drones. Targeted attacks on critical energy infrastructure have left millions of civilians facing rolling blackouts without power and heating in sub-zero temperatures, while ceasefire negotiations stall.

The European Union’s representative on foreign policy, Kaja Kallas, on Monday said she was not optimistic that peace talks would yield any results “in the coming weeks and months”.

We are joined on The Agenda by Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence & Meath-East Fianna Fail TD, Thomas Byrne, to find out more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Speaking in advance of Tuesday’s Dáil debate on Sinn Féin’s Dáil motion, Deputy O’Rourke said that while the reversal is necessary, it does not fix the broken system that put children with additional needs in jeopardy in the first place.

He said the government’s actions over the past fortnight had caused enormous upset, and showed a total lack of respect for SNAs, schools, students and their families. He also questioned whether the €19m extra funding the government pledged tonight is new money or a reallocation from the existing education budget.

Deputy O’Rourke joined us on The Agena this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The young girl was killed after being struck down while out walking with her dog on Saturday evening after 8pm on the Slane Road in the town.

The driver fled the scene but a man in his 20s has since been arrested by investigating gardaí.

In an update this morning, a garda spokesperson has confirmed that the man has been released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Crime Editor at The Irish Sun, Stephen Breen, to find out more about this horrific incident and about the GoFundMe which has been set up for Mia’s family.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The boy sustained burns to his face and hand but was not hospitalised. During the game flares were fired at the newly laid artificial playing surface leaving over 30 burn marks, which may see the Boynesiders sanctioned in the coming days. Before the match, flares had been fired when rival fans clashed outside Clarke train station on the Carrick Road.

Drogheda United and Dundalk also issued a joint statement yesterday condemning crowd trouble at Friday night's Louth derby, which resulted in major damage to the pitch at Oriel Park

This morning on The Agend we spoke to Minister for Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, who condemned these "gougers" with the flares who destroyed the game for everyone.

Minister O'Donovan also has called for any investment into artificial pitches to be pulled.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Health Professions Admission Test is an examination used to help universities select students who apply to study medicine. 

It lasts for 2.5 hours and tests applicants on logical reasoning, problem solving, interpersonal understanding and non-verbal reasoning. 

Dr Matthew Sadlier says he does not believe that some of the skills assessed in the HPAT are needed in a medical career, noting that some doctors have no need of interpersonal understanding - or ‘bedside manner’ - as they never deal with patients.

Dr Sadlier also doubts very much that a person’s bedside can be accurately assessed in an HPAT exam, and he joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The boy sustained burns to his face and hand but was not hospitalised.

During the game flares were fired at the newly laid artificial playing surface leaving over 30 burn marks, which may see the Boynesiders sanctioned in the coming days. Before the match, flares had been fired when rival fans clashed outside Clarke train station on the Carrick Road.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by LMFM's Pat O’Shaughnessy, who is a friend of the family of the young boy who was hit by the flare, and he told us more about what happened and about how the boy is doing.

We spoke to by CEO of Dundalk FC, Joe McGuinness.

We were also joined by eye-witness Patrick O’Connor, who says himself and his children were in the middle of it as the flares were being thrown, and we spoke to Barry Kenny from Irish Rail, who told us all about the damage that was caused at the train station by the flares.

We also heard from Sin Fein TD for Louth, Ruairi O Murchu, who is questioning the level of security at these matches and how to stop this happening again in the future

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) heard that there are about 53,000 beds available in the system at the moment.

Just under 36,000 are designated for international protection, with the remainder set aside for refugees from the Russia/Ukraine conflict. Of those, some 4,500 are vacant.

However, many of them are unavailable for use — either due to the need for refurbishment or their placement as spare units within family complexes — officials from the Department of Justice told the PAC on Thursday.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by John Lannon, CEO of Doras, to get his thoughts on this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The claim was made by Senator Alison Comyn in the Seanad, and she is demanding that the Justice Minister, Jim O'Callaghan, intervene to resolve the issue.

She said she had received a plethora of emails in recent days from concerned residents worried that crime is spiralling out of control in East Meath.

One email was entitled ‘Scared In Our Own Home’ and the author revealed: “Within the last month there have been at least three attempted break-ins on the roads—of cars and homes—the most recent one last night.

Senator Comyn joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Councillors were told during a presentation by the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) that all political parties are facing issues getting people to run in the next local and general elections. 

A spokesperson for AILG said parties are particularly struggling to recruit female candidates as online abuse is "predominantly leaning towards females". 

Mayor of Drogheda, Cllr Michelle Hall said she had been subjected to "a lot of online abuse" which she said was "very difficult to deal with". 

Mayor Hall said receiving online abuse was a "normal occurrence" and criticised social media companies saying they had "refused to work" with her in an effort to take abusive posts off their platforms.

Mayor Hall joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joanna Byrne remains as co-chair of the club despite claiming she was asked to resign on Monday due to her calling on the FAI to boycott the Nations League games against Israel later this year.

Ms Byrne was speaking in her role as full-time serving Sinn Féin TD for Co Louth. She was to the fore in recommending the takeover by the club of US firm Trivela in 2023 but, now that the relationship has become fractured, the parties are left with three options.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Sinn Fein TD for Louth and party colleague, Ruairi Ó Murchú, who gave us his thoughts on all of this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

However, she stressed the urgent need for interim flood defence measures while the major projects in areas like Ardee, Drogheda, and Carlingford are progressing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aontú’s Cllr Emer Tóibín says:

“I am deeply concerned over talk of Special Needs Assistants (SNA) Cuts and Redeployment.

I have been contacted by so many SNA’s over the last few days who have told me that this government appears to be fundamentally narrowing the definition of what qualifies a child for SNA support.

Under the revised deployment model introduced through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), allocation is now based almost exclusively on tightly defined primary care needs such as toileting, feeding, significant medical interventions, mobility or serious safety risks.

Emotional regulation, sensory overload, communication difficulties, transitions, anxiety, or a child’s inability to cope in a busy mainstream classroom may no longer meet the threshold unless linked to intensive care needs.

Councillor Toibin joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teachta O’Rourke is seeking a debate on the issue in the Dáil this week and is calling on the Minister for Education, Hildegarde Naughten, to take urgent action to ensure that every child in the area has access to a school place.

He said:

"Families in Dunshaughlin are facing yet another crisis as it becomes increasingly clear that there will not be enough school places for local children this September. At this stage, if no additional capacity is added to the local schools beyond what is currently planned, we could have many children without a school place come September. One local school has been unable to accommodate more than 80 children, for example”. 

Deputy O’Rourke joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Duncan Morris, who was in Stamullen in Co Meath, had taken the High Court action over being excluded from the redress scheme.

They are two of an estimated 19,000 survivors excluded from the payment scheme, including those who spent less than six months in homes as well as those who were boarded out.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by John Duncan Morris.

We also spoke to Alison O'Reilly from The Irish Examiner who has been following this story from the beginning.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Meath-East Fine Gael TD said there is already a law in place that allows the Defence Forces to do this if there are “concerns” and her proposal specifically relates to Russian “shadow fleets”.

The Minister said the details are set to be fine-tuned with engagement needed from other colleagues. She added that the proposal comes following discussions at the Munich Security Conference with countries such as Iceland and Canada.

Minister McEntee joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

We also discussed the Irish holidaymakers heading to Cuba who have been told to contact their travel agents “immediately” after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) changed their travel advice for the country.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Politicians racked up almost €60,000 on their tabs during the year in the parliament’s two pubs: the Visitors’ Bar and the Members’ Bar, exclusively for current and former Oireachtas members.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The motion, tabled by Cllr Kevin Callan at February’s meeting of Drogheda Borough District, comes as the national Local Democracy Taskforce prepares to publish its recommendations this spring.

Cllr Callan said the timing offered “a genuine pathway” to reverse some of the sweeping changes introduced under the Local Government Act 2014, which abo

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The former Basketball Ireland and FAI chief (who is from Athboy) had tabled a motion calling on the European body to suspend Israel from competition over the country’s actions in Gaza last November.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The figure was revealed at Monday night’s meeting of Drogheda Borough District, where councillors were told that repeated weather warnings in January and early February had left the county’s road network “riddled with potholes”.

The discussion prompted Fine Gael councillor Anne Marie Forde to renew her call for Louth County Council to make an “evidence‑based” case to Government for additional support every year, arguing that the county’s roads carry a disproportionate volume of cross‑border traffic.

“We really need to push this agenda… to get more money for the council for our roads. They are in an awful state,” she said.

Cllr Forde proposed sending a letter to Government, signed by all Louth councillors, setting out the evidence for increased funding. She noted she had first raised the issue last year and stressed that road conditions were a countywide concern, not just a Drogheda issue.

However, Labour councillor Pio Smith rejected the idea, arguing that a Parliamentary Question from a TD would yield a quicker response, and Councillor Smith joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

We also spoke to Councillor Anne-Marie Ford.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A brave domestic abuse survivor has revealed to LMFM how she exposed her ex-’s coercive control by secretly recording him and admitted: “I have invisible scars.”

Rachel Barry kept a diary and notes on her phone of ex-partner Ian’s disgusting abuse.

The mum of three’s decision to document her abuse led to the ­software engineer, 45, pleading guilty to coercive control in May 2025.

Rachel, who married Barry in 2005, has now waived her right to anonymity and hopes to encourage other victims to come forward.

Rachel joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about her harrowing story and about how what she went through still affects her to this day.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin said that Stakeknife’s identity is “clear to everybody”. 

He further said that Scappaticci was implicated in “grotesque and serious crimes committed for and with the Provisional IRA”. 

Martin said this included 14 murders and 15 abductions. 

Scappaticci was from West Belfast and died in 2023. He has never been identified by the British Government due to their policy of ‘Neither Confirm Nor Deny’ regarding intelligence practices. 

We were joined on The Agenda by Reporter at The Journal, Eimer McCauley, who told us more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At a Special Delegates Conference in Co Kilkenny yesterday four “urgent motions” were passed by the Garda Representative Association (GRA) as a response to its dispute with the Government over allowances and pay.

Frontline gardaí will not ­engage in “voluntary overtime” on the three days, inclusive from March 16 next, it was decided. This means there will be a ­potential shortage of gardaí to police the festivals and parades that take place across the ­country on St Patrick’s Day.

Assistant General Secretary at the GRA, Tara McManus, joined us on The Agenda this morning to tellus more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Midlands Northwest MEPis seeking that the EU formally recognise nitrous oxide as an emergency psychoactive substance of concern, incorporate it into the EU’s Early Warning System and accelerate its classification under new EU chemical rules. 

Her calls follow revelations that more than €8.6 million worth of gas has been seized in Ireland since 2020.

Across the EU, Member States have reported a sharp rise in severe poisonings and deaths linked to the recreational use of nitrous oxide and the HSE has previously found that one in four drug users at Irish festivals were using the substance. 

We were joined on The AGenda this morning by Nina Carberry, who spoke to us some more about this

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The council has made a submission to the Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan, which aims to reduce the amount of time spent in homeless emergency accommodation by children and their families.

The National Women’s Council wants stronger legal protections for women and children in situations of domestic, gender-based, or sexual abuse to be able to remain in the family home.

It says that women seeking to escape domestic violence with their children “are faced with stark choices — often having to choose between homelessness or returning to their abuser”.

Ivanna Youtchak, Senior Policy Coordinator for violence against women at the NWC (National Women’s Council), joined us on The Agenda to tell us more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s after a majority of MEPs in the European Parliament agreed to the move during a contentious debate today in Strasbourg, where they also sought to further tighten migration policy via the creation of a list of countries prohibiting people from seeking asylum in the EU.

The list – comprising Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco and Tunisia – was blasted by left-wing and left-of-centre groups as risking human rights breaches and putting people’s lives in danger.

The measures will now be forwarded to the European Council and, if brought into effect, would speed up the processing of asylum claims and accelerate returns for some from the listed countries.

Of Ireland’s 14 MEPs, three Fine Gael members – Seán Kelly, Regina Doherty and Nina Carberry – voted in favour of the safe countries proposal, and

Regina Doherty joined us on Teh Agenda this morning to talk to us in more detail about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fine Gael councillor Sharon Tolan said she woke to more than 100 hostile comments after highlighting what she described as a serious public safety issue.

Some of the messages included sexist remarks, with one reading: “Get back to the kitchen, you retarded c**t”.

Despite the attacks, Councillor Tolan said she would not be deterred from raising issues affecting her community, and Councillor Tolan joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawyers acting for survivors of the north Dublin nightclub inferno in which 48 young people died, say the survivors have been treated with “contempt” by the Department of Justice as promises made to them have been “reneged on”.

In a statement on Tuesday, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said he was “very conscious” the 45th anniversary of the tragedy was “imminent” as he announced a scheme of ex gratia recognition payments to survivors injured in the blaze.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Stardust survivor Antoinette Keegan, who described the compensation being offered as a "huge insult".

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking to social media last night, Ashbourne Chamber posted this message:

“We regret to confirm that we are unable to organise a St Patrick’s Day Parade in Ashbourne in 2026. 

With so many of our committee retiring, we simply do not have the resources to organise such a large scale and complex event. 

If however, there are any organisations that feel they have the resources to take on the organisation of this event, please email us on info@ashbournechamber.ie

We would like to thanks High Street Ashbourne and our many other supporters for their continued support”

Deputy Toole told us all about what is going on here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The youngsters are gathering in groups around local retail units and harassing pensioners.

One 90-year-old woman living alone had her door kicked as a teenager tried to force his way into her house last week.

The incident was caught on a security camera, and the victim could be seen cowering behind a curtain as the attempted break-in took place.

The teenager was wearing a jacket with the hood pulled up and could not be identified.

The Duleek Street area is full of elderly people, many of whom live alone.

We heard more about this harrowing story this morning on The Agenda.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The defendant’s property was searched as part of an investigation in 2015 after gardaí in Navan were informed about a video of concern uploaded by an IP address belonging to the accused.

The video downloaded at the address in Navan town was flagged to gardaí in October 2014 by German authorities.

Louise Hickey from The Irish Independent has been covering this harrowing story and joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Councillor Sarah Beasley said she was "horrified" by a string of "inhumane cases where horses died as result of abject cruelty and serious neglect", and she claimed organisers are using social media to encourage the practice as well as betting on illegal races.

Sulky racing has traditionally, but not solely, been an activity by members of the Traveller community.

However, Councillor Beasley said: "I'm not calling out any community. I'm calling out an activity that kills horses, endangers the public, and enriches criminals".

Councillor Beasly joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deputy Nash says that for local economic reasons, the government must allow the deal to expire on the agreed date, and that the hotel needs to be restored to full tourism use to help boost Drogheda. 

Deputy Nash spoke with Minister for Migration Colm Brophy this week, and has been raising the expiration of the contract with the Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, for weeks now, via Parliamentary Questions.

Deputy Nash spoke to us in more detail about all of this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aontú's Emer Tóibín says she is baffled by confirmation from the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’ Brien that the Deserted Wife’s Allowance/Benefit is not a qualifying payment.

With almost 4,500 women in Ireland currently in receipt of the payment, she says they’re being deserted by the Government and are literally being left out in the cold.

It closed to new applicants in 1997 and Councillor Tóibín says she will write to the Minister to seek absolute clarity on eligibility criteria, and she wants to know if women who receive another qualifying payment, for example Fuel Allowance, might qualify.

Councillor Toibin joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour TD Eoghan Kenny, who introduced the bill said he hopes it will help protect school communities and the overall health of students.

A former teacher, Deputy Kenny, who lives with epilepsy, described the Bill as both professionally and personally significant.

He said: "Having worked in our classrooms and having experienced epilepsy in my own life, I understand how important it is that schools are prepared for medical emergencies.

"Awareness is important, but awareness must lead to action. Every student and every staff member deserves to feel safe and supported in their school community."

Deputy Kenny joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The statistics emerged at the local authority’s January meeting, following a question submitted by Independent Councillor, Ciaran Fisher, revealing that over the last eight years the rate of tenant refusals was highest in Dundalk followed by Drogheda and Ardee.

Councillor Fisher asked for a breakdown of the percentage of refusals the council have received yearly since the introduction of the CBL system, which is the portal used by tenants to bid for social housing when it is advertised by Louth County Council.

The meeting heard the CBL system is designed to give tenants the freedom to bid on social houses in areas “they actually want to live in.”

Councillor Fisher joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Swimming Pool Gap Analysis report, funded by the Department of Sport and published by Swim Ireland found that Ireland has just one public pool per 81,000 people, compared with one per 14,000 in Scotland.

Meath’s eight public swimming pools serve a population of more than 220,000. Three of these pools are hotel-based, while the remaining five operate on a pay-as-you-go basis. All eight currently have waiting lists for lessons, highlighting the pressure on existing facilities.

Sinn Féin TD for Meath East, Darren O’Rourke, said the findings confirm what many parents across the county already experience first-hand, and Deputy O’Rourke joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.       

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Councillor Lawes posted a picture of a homeless man from Meath named Patrick, whose tent, sleeping bag and clothes were all destroyed in the torrential rain and is calling on Meath County Council to make homeless people the priority during weather warnings. 

We were also joined by Patrick himself, the Navan man who councillor Lawes posted about, and Patrick told us his story and about how the weather has affected him and destroyed all of his possessions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PEACEPLUS is a €1.1 billion cross-border programme which aims to promote peace and reconciliation between Northern Ireland and the border counties. 

The Louth MEP acknowledged that there is already an existing €4.7 million in 'PEACEPLUS' funding for the county, which is supporting the delivery of the Louth Local Community Peace Action Plan across 15 projects.

Nina Carberry joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A county-by-county analysis shows that 58,080 adult vapers nationwide would return to smoking if the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill proceeds with a ban on all vape flavours except tobacco. 

The findings raise serious concerns about the public-health consequences of the proposed legislation, particularly the risk of ex-smokers returning to cigarettes, which remain the leading cause of 6,000 preventable deaths in Ireland every year.

Ken Heffernan, spokesperson for Respect Vapers and former smoker, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Proposals to implement an outright ban on scrambler use in public places, including roads, was approved by Cabinet yesterday Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the legislation will be called Grace’s Law.

The ban comes after Grace Lynch, 16, was killed after being struck by a scrambler while crossing the Ratoath road in Finglas on January 25. Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said the outright ban will make enforcement easier for gardaí, as they will be able to seize any scrambler being driven in a public place.

Minister Canney joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about all of this. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest European Parliament Euro­barometer survey shows 75pc of those surveyed in Ireland said they were “highly worried” about uncontrolled migration flows. This compares with 65pc of those surveyed for the study across the EU.

A total of 13pc of Irish respondents were “moderately worried”, while 12pc said they were “not or slightly worried”.

More than 1,000 Irish people were interviewed as part of the survey last November, with 26,453 face-to-face interviews conducted with citizens across EU member states for the report.

CEO of The Immigrant Council of Ireland, Teresa Buczkowska, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Boyne Task Force Bill aimed to co-ordinate efforts from four  councils, government, Uisce Eireann as well as local landowners, NGOs and community activists.

Deputy Nash said when he was informed the bill would be opposed by the government he was left "shocked and frankly bewildered". 

“The government claimed that the River Boyne Task Force, which the Bill seeks to establish, is not needed. It then went on to list dozens of schemes and structures responsible for varying elements of the river’s management." 

“It is ironic that this is the very problem the Bill seeks to address. None of the structures listed by the government have as their sole priority, the protection and preservation of the Boyne.

Deputy Nash joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a motion in the Dáil last night, the party said that Irish farmers and their representative organisations have lost confidence in Larry Murrin.

The party contends that if he continues as chairperson it will undermine public confidence in Bord Bia, and damage Ireland's reputation as a world leader producing food that adheres to the highest standards.

The Government has rejected calls to remove Mr Murrin from the prestigious post.

Sinn Fein TD for Louth, Ruairi Ó Murchú, joined us on The Agebnda this morning to talk to us some more about this. 

We also discussed the latest on the Mercosur deal and Deputy Ó Murchús questions in relation to infrastructure after the recent flooding as a result of Storm Chandra.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Louth Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly raised the issue during a recent debate on bus services.

Deputy Butterly said: “When I want to take a bus or train from Belfast to Dublin, Dundalk or Drogheda, the routes have improved. By rail or bus, they are absolutely excellent and even on the hour”.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest figures from the Department of Housing found over 5 thousand children were living in emergency accommodation in December.

That's a 15 per cent rise on the previous 12 months.

Louise Bayliss, Head of Social Justice and Policy at St. Vincent De Paul, says families with teenagers find this time of year particularly hard and Louise is on the line with us now to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With thousands of new residents moving into the Northern Cross route area there are currently no shops or amenities in the locality apart from the M1 Retail Centre.

Most people either have to walk a good distance or drive to Yellowbatter, Hardman's Gardens or Kierans Corner to get to a shop.

Local politicians are expecting the building work on the development to begin shortly.

Mayor of Drogheda, Michelle Hall, joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Speaking ahead of a Sinn Féin motion on emergency mental health care, Deputy Byrne said tens of thousands of people present to emergency departments each year while experiencing severe mental distress or suicidal ideation.

“People in mental health crisis are being forced into chaotic and overcrowded emergency departments that are simply not designed to meet their needs,” she said

Deputy Byrne highlighted what she described as a “postcode lottery” in access to care, noting that 11 counties currently do not have a Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) service. County Louth has just one SCAN nurse, she said.

She also pointed to infrastructure deficits nationally, stating that eight emergency departments do not have appropriate spaces for mental health crisis assessments.

Deputy Byrne joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Councillor Eric Donovan has raised the issue with the company that owns the retail park and is hoping something can be done about it.

He said: "The M1 Retail Park is getting a bit out of hand recently with the defects on the road between the two roundabouts.

"Through the Council I have contacted the company who operates the M1 RP and I am hopeful this will be addressed in a timely manner."

Local motorists are also complaining about the state of the road at the Hill of Rath roundabout which is also said to be in bad condition.

Sinn Fein Councillor in the area, Eric Donovan, joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The shock revelation was made by Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly who was informed of the problem by a number of teachers in the locality.

She said: "Following on from engagement with a number of schools in Drogheda, I have growing concerns that increasingly children as young as seven are being used as drug mules and as young as 10 to engage in drug pushing.

It is understood when teachers went to one house to find out what exactly was going on they found the mother, an addict, like a zombie in bed.

Other children in the area were being used to deliver drugs in their school bags so the Gardai wouldn't discover them.

Deputy Butterly joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marcella described the devastating damage that has been done by Storm Chandra.

Marcella, who was very frustrated and angry with the situation, called out local politicians live on air and asked why flooding like this is still going when this has happened so many times before.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1998, the Real IRA detonated a bomb in the County Tyrone town, killing 29 people and injuring a further 220. 

Among the dead was Philomena Skelton, who was a 39 year old mother of four children. 

On the day of the bomb, she and her family had driven into the town to go shopping for school uniforms. While Ms Skelton died, her husband and children escaped unharmed. 

Kevin Skelton said he had been saddened to learn that Northern Ireland’s three decades of conflict has been turned into a boardgame.

Kevin joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The group of TDs and Senators released a joint statement today saying that they met Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, following the tragic incident in Finglas on Sunday, where 16-year old Grace Lynch died as a result of a collision involving a scrambler.

The group says in its statement: "In light of the recent tragic events in Finglas over the weekend, Fianna Fáil Senators and TDs, from Dublin and Louth, met Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, over the illegal use of scramblers in our communities.

Deputy McGreehan joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Met Éireann forecasters warned the worst is not over and said flood risks will “persist for the rest of the week”, due to continued rainfall and slow drainage. However, Wednesday is due to be a bright and breezy day with sunny spells.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Climate and Science Correspondent at the Irish Times, Caroline O’Doherty, to find out more.

We also took a trip across the North-East to find out how different areas have been affected.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It has come to the attention of Cllr Sarah Reilly (Fine Gael) and Cllr Sean Drew (Fianna Fáil) that there are plans to close Kells Garda Station during night-time hours. The councillors have also learned that as part of a nationwide restructuring model there is no longer a Garda Superintendent stationed in Kells. The new model reportedly involves the downgrading of several regional stations across the country, with smaller stations expected to close during overnight periods.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Evidence shows increasing misuse, particularly among young people, with serious consequences for health and community wellbeing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.