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"Alarming Increase in Forced Abortion", Says Female Members of All Party Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group - 26/03/2026
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Female members of the All Party Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group have called on the Government to establish a dedicated taskforce to tackle what they describe as an “alarming increase” in coercive abortion cases in recent times.
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
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Shock as Woman in Ballivor Says She is Now Showering Under Garden Hoses in Back Garden Due to Poor Water Quality
04:40|This morning on The Agenda we received a shocking call live on air from a resident in Ballivor named Amy, who told LMFM that ongoing problems with the local water supply have left her and her neighbours in an unacceptable situation, claiming the water quality has become so poor that they are now being forced to shower outside using a garden hose.The caller says residents have been dealing with issues for some time and that the situation has had a major impact on everyday life, with concerns about access to clean, reliable water in the area.This left Adrian and LMFM listeners stunned.
LMFM Debate: Uisce Eireann Urging Meath Residents to Report Neighbours Who Break Hosepipe Ban - 14/07/2026
15:12|Homeowners are being encouraged to report neighbours or anyone they see breaking the “hosepipe ban” as a water conservation order comes into force on Thursday for six counties for six weeks, including Meath.Uisce Éireann has confirmed that the order will be in place for Dublin and south Tipperary – as well as parts of Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow – until the end of Wednesday, August 26.The order bans hosepipes for watering gardens, cleaning cars and filling paddling pools and is being introduced to “safeguard public water supplies for essential purposes following a period of exceptionally warm and dry weather”.Breaching the order can lead to penalties, with offences carrying fines of up to €5,000.This morning on The Agenda we heard more about this.Adrian and Producer Katie got into a debate over whether or not people should report their neighbours.
Louth Woman Who Was Abused By Her Father Turns Her Pain Into Hope for Others - 14/07/2026
16:32|***TRIGGER WARNING: UPSETTING/DISTRESSING CONTENT****For years, Claire Smith carried the pain of a childhood stolen from her.The Louth mother of four says she endured a decade of sexual abuse at the hands of her father — an experience that left her with deep trauma, anger and a feeling that her suffering had gone unseen.In 2012, Claire made the brave decision to waive her right to anonymity as her father, Seamus Byrne, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing her. She says at the time she felt broken and devastated by the sentence handed down.But in the final moments of her father's life, Claire says something changed. As she learned he was dying, she found a way to forgive him — not because she had forgotten the harm he caused, but because she wanted to free herself from the weight of that pain.Now, Claire is turning her experience of survival into support for others, creating an app to help people through some of the darkest and most difficult moments in their lives.Claire joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.
Drogheda Locals Reach Breaking Point Over Ongoing Water Supply Crisis - 14/07/2026
14:47|A Drogheda woman says she has been left at breaking point after months of water supply problems at her home in Termonabbey. Lorraine Dunne says the situation has forced her to pay for a hotel, laundry services and has impacted her daily life and health. She joins us to share her experience and call for answers.Lorraine spoke to us on The Agenda this morning, and we also heard from neighbours of Lorraine, who are dealing with the same issues and are also at breaking point with it.
Louth TD Warns Demand is ‘Closing in on 400,000’ People in Region Still Without a Model 4 Hospital - 14/07/2026
06:18|Calls are growing to upgrade Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda from a Model 3 to a Model 4 facility, as pressure on services continues to increase across Louth, Meath and the wider North East.With the region's population now approaching 400,000, campaigners say the hospital is struggling to meet the demands of one of the country's fastest-growing areas. While the hospital already provides round-the-clock emergency care, surgery and maternity services, supporters of the upgrade argue it needs the additional funding, staffing and specialist services that come with Model 4 status.Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly says the hospital is already delivering what she describes as "Model 4 levels of performance" despite being funded and staffed as a Model 3 hospital. She believes the current designation no longer reflects the needs of the region or the volume of patients relying on the hospital.Deputy Paula Butterly joined us on The Agenda to explain why she believes the North East deserves a Model 4 hospital.
From Gaming to Gambling: The Hidden Risk to Young People Revealed - 14/07/2026
09:29|Parents are being urged to start talking to their children about gambling, as experts warn that more young people are being exposed to gambling-related harm through online platforms, gaming and social media.The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has launched a new public awareness campaign to help families recognise the warning signs of underage gambling and encourage early intervention. Research by the ESRI found that children who gamble are twice as likely to develop a gambling problem later in life.Experts say gambling is no longer confined to betting shops, with features such as loot boxes, in-game purchases and online betting making it easier than ever for young people to be exposed to gambling-style behaviour.Anne Marie Caulfield, Chief Executive of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the campaign, the signs parents should look out for, and why starting the conversation early is so important.
“Shame on You”: Survivor of Abuse Has a Powerful Message to McGregor Supporters - 13/07/2026
11:29|Despite the outcome of the civil case brought by Nikita Hand against Conor McGregor, his continued presence in the public eye and the support he continues to receive has sparked renewed debate.For survivors of domestic and sexual violence, seeing a high-profile figure remain celebrated and maintain a public platform has been deeply upsetting, raising questions about accountability and the messages sent to those who come forward.Priscilla Grainger and her daughter, Ainie, know the impact of domestic abuse all too well. After escaping a situation of abuse and violence, Priscilla and Ainie went on to establish Stop Domestic Violence Ireland, using their own experiences to support and advocate for victims and survivors. They supported Nikita Hand throughout her civil case and continue to stand by her today.Priscilla spoke out on The Agenda this morning about the reaction to McGregor’s return to the spotlight, saying “shame on you” to those who continue to support him, and questioning what that support says to survivors of domestic abuse.
Senator Labels Bonfire Display in Northern Ireland "Racist and Threatening" - 13/07/2026
07:03|In a tradition dating back more than 300 years, towering pyres have been lit every July in Northern Ireland to mark the Battle of the Boyne, which effectively cemented Protestant rule.They’re held in loyalist neighborhoods – communities that strongly support the union with the United Kingdom – and often carry a political message, with effigies of the pope, the Republic of Ireland’s flag and other symbols of Catholicism and Irish nationalism being burned in the past.But this year, in the village of Moygashel, County Tyrone, the flames found a new target.A replica mosque, with a figure holding what appeared to be an ISIS flag and banners on the tower reading “Secure our borders” and “End the threat of radical Islam,” was burned on Thursday nightSinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy says it's deeply disappointing that these controversies continue to arise year after year and believes they need to be addressed.Senator Murphy joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.
Cara Darmody's 50-Hour Fight for Ireland's Forgotten Children Living With Autism & Intellectual Disabilites - 13/07/2026
08:00|Fifteen-year-old disability rights campaigner Cara Darmody is preparing to spend 50 hours protesting outside the gates of Leinster House in a renewed effort to force action on the country's Assessment of Needs system. Beginning on Tuesday, Cara plans to sleep in a tent outside the Dáil for two nights, calling on the Government to introduce legally binding timelines to tackle growing delays.The protest comes as the latest figures show that more than 21,700 children are waiting beyond the statutory six-month deadline for an Assessment of Needs. Cara, whose campaigning previously helped secure the creation of "Cara's Fund" with more than €30 million in Government funding, says more urgent action is now needed.Cara Darmody joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us why she's returning to Leinster House and what she hopes this latest protest will achieve.