Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Seven non-native skunks were captured and destroyed after being discovered near a protected raised bog, amid concerns over the potential threat they posed to native wildlife and breeding birds. Westmeath and Longford have emerged as Ireland’s strongest broadband hotspots, with both recording 96% coverage for gigabit fibre broadband, as rural counties outperform many urban areas. A woman has appeared before Athlone District Court accused of allowing her Westmeath home to be used for drug-taking during an incident in which a two-year-old girl consumed cocaine and was left critically ill.

Mullingar businesswoman Una Leonard shares the story of her late mother Pauline and the vital support her family received from the Irish Cancer Society’s Night Nursing service, which provides free end-of-life care at home. US President Donald Trump is expected to visit Ireland next week, with plans for meetings with President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin before travelling to Doonbeg for the Irish Open. A strengthening “supersized” El Niño is expected to bring increased risks of extreme heat, drought and flooding around the world, with its effects forecast to continue well into 2027.

Public service unions are warning of potentially widespread industrial action, with Fórsa backing strikes amid demands for measures to protect workers’ pay against rising prices. TUS has unveiled an ambitious €750 million development masterplan to 2040, including major new research, teaching, student and sporting facilities at its Athlone campus. The HSE has been fined €645,000 over serious data protection failures involving sensitive medical records, including documents stored in poor and insecure conditions at St Loman’s Hospital in Mullingar.

Ireland’s pub industry continues to decline, with a quarter of pubs closing since 2005. Offaly has lost more than a third of its pubs, while Laois and Westmeath have also seen significant closures. A new recruitment drive is creating 30 caregiver jobs across Laois and Kildare, as demand grows for home care services that allow people to live more independently. Parents of young people involved in criminal activity need greater support rather than punishment, according to former prison governor John Lonergan, amid calls for penalties to tackle youth antisocial behaviour.

The Government is considering tougher prison sentences for motorists caught intentionally driving the wrong way on motorways, following a 32% increase in reported incidents this year and the fatal M9 crash. New research into the historic Stations of the Cross at Multyfarnham Friary has revealed some of its figures were modelled on famous faces, including Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. A new State-backed savings and investment account is being developed to encourage Irish people to invest more of their savings, with a similar scheme for children also being considered for the future.

Midlands Today LIVE from Electric Picnic

Renewed calls are being made to properly recognise the bravery of the 156 Irish soldiers who fought in the Siege of Jadotville, with 33 soldiers originally recommended for bravery awards never receiving them. Concerns are growing over illegal HHC vapes and their impact on young people, amid reports of teenagers experiencing serious mental health problems linked to the highly addictive substance. Offaly has the highest commercial vacancy rate in Leinster, with more than a quarter of commercial properties in Edenderry vacant, while Mountmellick also ranks among the worst affected towns.

Tributes are paid to country music legend Dolly Parton following her death at the age of 80, with Irish country stars sharing memories of her music, career and lasting influence. Castlepollard residents and businesses are calling for an increased Garda presence following a rise in antisocial behaviour, vandalism and intimidation in the town. Electric Picnic returns to Stradbally with 80,000 people expected to attend, as organisers unveil new additions to the festival ahead of the gates opening.

Questions are being raised about how society supports young men following the M9 tragedy, with calls for greater focus on early intervention, youth work, mentoring and tackling the factors that can lead to dangerous behaviour. Leaving Cert students across the Midlands receive their results, as attention turns to CAO offers and the next steps for the Class of 2026. The Government is facing pressure to postpone upcoming fuel and carbon tax increases amid concerns motorists and households could face further rises in petrol, diesel and home-heating costs.

Questions are being raised about how society supports young men following the M9 tragedy, with calls for greater focus on early intervention, youth work, mentoring and tackling the factors that can lead to dangerous behaviour. Leaving Cert students across the Midlands receive their results, as attention turns to CAO offers and the next steps for the Class of 2026. The Government is facing pressure to postpone upcoming fuel and carbon tax increases amid concerns motorists and households could face further rises in petrol, diesel and home-heating costs.

CJ Sheeran Group announces a €6 million expansion at its Mountrath headquarters, creating 15 new jobs and significantly increasing its logistics and pallet production capacity. A Midlands community is rallying behind Abi Markey, with three local men taking on the gruelling Kerry Way Ultra to help fund specialist treatment for her rare genetic dental condition. Calls are growing for intentionally driving the wrong way on a motorway to be treated as a serious criminal offence following the fatal M9 crash, as communities continue to support those injured in the tragedy.

Westmeath Rose Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh celebrates being crowned the 2026 International Rose of Tralee after making a powerful impression by removing her wig on stage and speaking openly about living with alopecia. Universities are criticising the handling of visa applications for Palestinian students from Gaza, after more than half of a group awarded scholarships to study in Ireland were refused entry. Irish shoppers could face additional charges on goods bought from outside the EU, while new EU packaging regulations are also raising concerns about the potential costs for small businesses.

Tullamore Credit Union are launching their first student bursary, where 5 students will get €1,000 each to help them in their third level journey. Tullamore Credit Union are also offering reduced rate loan specifically for education. Head of Loans, Olive Jordan and Member Engagement Controller, Catriona Lawlor, joined Will Faulkner on Midlands Today to give our listerners more information on their initiatives.

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland warns that retaining teachers is becoming as difficult as recruiting them, with growing administrative workloads, burnout and staff shortages affecting schools. Garda representatives are calling for greater pursuit training and legal protections following the fatal M9 crash, as the Justice Minister pledges additional resources to tackle dangerous driving. A critically endangered bee has been discovered in Offaly for the first time, with the Silver-sided Nomad Bee recorded in Ireland for the first time in 26 years.

The ongoing drought is putting severe pressure on Midlands farmers, with reduced grass growth, rising feed costs and fears of a fodder shortage prompting calls for an emergency response from Government. Westmeath Rose Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh shares how losing her hair to alopecia at 15 inspired her advocacy work and her plans to become a wig maker supporting others experiencing hair loss. Banagher actor Michael Hough discusses starring in Netflix’s new adaptation of Little House on the Prairie, where he plays railroad worker Eli James.

The parents of eight-year-old Oisín Gill from Rathdowney say they are desperate to secure a suitable school place for their son, who has been out of school since 2025 amid a shortage of special education places. Household costs remain under pressure, with inflation at 3.4% in July as electricity, mortgages, home-heating oil and other expenses continue to weigh on consumers. Questions are being raised about Ireland’s prison system after Alison Chawke was released under the community return scheme less than a month after being jailed, amid severe overcrowding in the country’s prisons.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Calls are being made for consent education to begin from pre-school age, with children taught about personal boundaries and given age-appropriate choices around physical contact. Daingean community groups outline ambitious plans for the town, including the €3.4 million redevelopment of the historic Town Hall, new sporting facilities and efforts to improve local amenities. Hauliers are warning against plans to unwind fuel excise cuts as diesel and petrol prices continue to rise, amid concerns over the impact on motorists, businesses and the wider cost of living.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Daniel Kinahan has been extradited from Dubai to Ireland and remanded in custody, facing a charge of directing the activities of a criminal organisation between 2015 and 2017. Four Westmeath women who were sexually abused as teenagers speak about their decades-long journey to justice, the backlash they faced after coming forward, and why they want other survivors to seek support. New crime figures show Westmeath had one of Ireland’s highest overall crime rates in 2025, including the country’s highest rate for assaults and threats, despite burglaries falling nationally.

Concerns are growing over rising fuel costs, with the fuel industry and road hauliers urging the Government not to reinstate excise duties, warning the move would place further pressure on rural households and businesses. Plans for a new domestic violence refuge in Laois have moved a step closer, with proposals to increase capacity from eight to ten units awaiting final ministerial approval. Killenard entrepreneur Barry Moroney explains how artificial intelligence helped him launch ApexGolf, an innovative app designed to help amateur golfers improve their game.

Midlands Today August 6th 2026

Gardaí are highlighting the dangers of handling illegal vapes following an incident that left two officers hospitalised in Edenderry, while launching a countywide Community Safety Survey to identify local concerns in Offaly. The GAA community is paying tribute to former President Liam O'Neill of Trumera, remembering his lifelong contribution to Gaelic games, education and community development in Laois. New research from Barnardos shows the cost of sending children back to school is placing increasing financial pressure on families, with calls for more affordable uniforms, digital devices and wider access to Government supports.

Families across Offaly are once again raising concerns over school transport, with renewed claims that children are being left without school bus places ahead of the new academic year. Midlands MEP Ciaran Mullooly is calling for stronger country-of-origin labelling on imported beef, arguing consumers deserve greater transparency and Irish farmers should be better recognised for their high standards. The Irish Travel Agents Association is urging holidaymakers heading to southern Europe to stay alert as wildfires continue to affect parts of Spain and France, while stressing that disruption remains localised.

The Association of Irish Local Government is condemning a targeted campaign of harassment against female councillors after reports of repeated abusive and sexually explicit phone calls to elected representatives across the country. A major wildfire in Mountmellick prompted the evacuation of nearby residents as firefighters battled flames fuelled by prolonged dry conditions, with Laois remaining under a high fire risk warning. ESB Networks has officially opened its new Bracklone 110kV Substation near Portarlington, a major infrastructure project designed to strengthen electricity capacity for homes, farms and businesses across the Midlands.

Midlands Today LIVE from Graiguecullen

Fáilte Ireland has launched a new three-year strategy aimed at increasing tourism revenue by 7%, with a major focus on attracting more visitors to regions like the Midlands and extending stays beyond Dublin. The RNLI is urging people to remember its "Float to Live" advice after a fisherman survived nearly two hours in the River Shannon thanks to his lifejacket, calm thinking and the actions of a local family. A controversial solar farm on the Laois-Kildare border has been approved despite strong local opposition, with campaigners saying their concerns over road safety and the impact on the community were overlooked.

New planning exemptions now allow homeowners to build modular garden cabins of up to 45 square metres without planning permission, alongside a range of other changes aimed at making home improvements easier. Laois councillors have criticised new Government housing targets, arguing the county needs far more affordable and family-sized homes than currently planned. Family-owned Camsaw Group is investing €15 million in a new logistics headquarters in Portlaoise, a project expected to create more than 20 additional jobs in the Midlands.

Midlands politicians are calling for greater investment in neurology services at Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar, amid growing waiting lists and continued concerns over access to specialist care. The Rutland Centre has launched its first outpatient addiction treatment programme outside Dublin, bringing specialist addiction and gambling recovery services to Athlone and the wider Midlands. A doctor has avoided a prison sentence after a court heard a catastrophic tyre failure was the primary cause of the crash on the M6 near Rochfortbridge that claimed the life of his six-year-old daughter.

Community safety leaders in Laois are calling for stronger e-scooter laws, backing an under-18 ban while seeking greater legal protections and enforcement powers for Gardaí. A nationwide hosepipe ban comes into effect as prolonged hot, dry weather continues to put pressure on Ireland's drinking water supplies, with restrictions set to remain in place until late August. Pressure is mounting on the HSE to provide a clear timeline for restoring and expanding surgical services at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, after agreeing to review plans again in six months.

An Offaly family says surgery delays are leaving 18-year-old Tyra Briggs in constant pain, with her mother claiming repeated postponements are worsening her condition and quality of life. The Government's Summer Economic Statement outlines an €8.5 billion Budget 2027 package, with promises of tax measures to reward workers alongside increased investment in public services and infrastructure. Calls are growing for an investigation into the decision to relocate the planned Midlands Regional Hospice site away from the grounds of Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore.

Garda representatives are calling for greater legal protections and training for officers enforcing new e-scooter laws, as tougher rules come into effect from August. The Rahaine Trail Blazers discuss efforts to preserve public access to a local bog in Rochfortbridge, while raising concerns over proposed wind turbine developments in the area. Community volunteers are working to restore the Rochfortbridge Community Centre, with hopes of reopening the historic building as a hub for local events this September.

The Government plans a major crackdown on e-scooters, including banning their use by under-18s, making helmets and hi-vis clothing mandatory, and introducing licensing and registration later this year. An Offaly farmer recounts the terrifying night he confronted armed intruders at his home, renewing concerns over rural crime and community safety. A Tullamore recruitment company announces 30 new jobs as it expands through the acquisition of a specialist HR recruitment agency, while discussing how AI is reshaping the jobs market.

New figures show more than half of convicted offenders reoffend within three years of leaving prison, prompting renewed debate about rehabilitation and reducing repeat offending. An Offaly farmer speaks out after confronting masked burglars targeting his home, reigniting concerns over rural crime and the right to protect property. Farm Safety Week gets underway with a renewed call for farmers to prioritise safety and avoid unnecessary risks during one of the busiest times of the year.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Midlands Today LIVE from Moneygall

A former Garda sergeant says Ireland must do more to identify and stop perpetrators of domestic abuse, as new figures show a rise in the number of women killed in violent circumstances this year. The ongoing heatwave prompts fresh weather warnings, with temperatures set to reach 30°C, increasing concerns around wildfires, water shortages and public safety. Bernard Westman shares his deeply personal story of surviving a suicide attempt, hoping to encourage others to seek help and show that recovery is possible.

Firefighters battle a major forest fire near Milltownpass, forcing the closure of part of the M6 while crews work to bring the blaze under control amid the ongoing heatwave. Uisce Éireann introduces a hosepipe ban for six counties as prolonged hot weather places significant pressure on water supplies, with fines for persistent breaches. Intel announces a €5 billion investment in its Leixlip campus, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Ireland and securing thousands of high-tech jobs.

The Athlone community is mourning the tragic death of 15-year-old Martin Greene, with renewed calls for water safety during the ongoing heatwave. Savers are being urged to review where they keep their money, as billions of euro sitting in low-interest accounts continue to lose value due to inflation. Pressure is mounting for tougher regulation of e-scooters and e-bikes following a series of serious accidents, including children being admitted to intensive care.

Midlands Today July 10th 2026