The Agenda

***TRIGGER WARNING: LISTENERS MAY FIND CONTENT UPSETTING/DISTRESSING*** A survivor of child sexual abuse says Sinn Féin must answer questions over its handling of historic abuse allegations involving an IRA member, accusing the party of hypocrisy following its criticism of the DUP over the Jeffrey Donaldson case. Paudie McGahon joined us in-studio this morning on The Agenda to discuss his experience, his claims that allegations against his abuser were not properly reported, and why he believes all political parties must be held accountable when it comes to protecting victims.   

Luke Combs delivered a major night of music at Slane Castle, with thousands of fans describing the concert as an unforgettable experience and praising the atmosphere and organisation. However, the event also sparked criticism from some attendees and locals, with complaints about sound quality, overcrowding, traffic delays and a lack of toilet facilities, which led to reports of people urinating in public areas. This morning on The Agenda, we heard both the positive and negative reactions from those who attended and from a Slane resident as the debate continued over the overall concert experience.

Concerns have been raised after a fire was lit in the sand dunes at Bettystown Beach over the weekend, with locals warning about the impact of anti-social behaviour and the potential danger posed to the area. We found out more about this on The Agenda this morning. 

A quiet summer evening in Skerries turned violent after a car was driven at a group of people during a public order incident, leaving three people injured and requiring hospital treatment. The incident has shocked the local community, with Fine Gael TD Grace Boland, who also lives in Skerries, describing it as completely out of character for the town.  Deputy Boland joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the concerns and reaction locally.

Concerns over e-scooter safety are growing, with calls for tighter regulation and greater checks on products being sold in Ireland.Amazon has removed an e-scooter from its Irish website after concerns were raised that the model was not compliant with Irish regulations, while other retailers have also been urged to review the products they have available.The concerns centre around some models being capable of speeds above the legal limit of 20 kilometres per hour on Irish roads. The issue comes as the Government considers further action following a number of serious incidents involving e-scooters, including injuries to children and young people.Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy, who chairs the Oireachtas Transport Committee, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the safety concerns, regulation and what action may be needed.

A brave survivor’s powerful story sits at the heart of The Agenda today as Larry Torris spoke openly about the abuse he suffered at the hands of convicted paedophile Michael Shine, and what this long-awaited moment of recognition means for him.Following the Government’s approval of a Commission of Investigation into Shine’s decades-long abuse at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, we heard from Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill on what the investigation will involve, Adrienne Reilly of Dignity4Patients on the impact for survivors, and Labour TD for Louth Ged Nash on the importance of truth, justice and accountability.This extremely powerful interview with Larry shines a light on the reality of Shine’s crimes, the devastating impact they have had on survivors, and the lifelong consequences of the abuse endured by so many.

Slane is ready for a country music takeover as thousands of Luke Combs fans descend on the village for two sold-out shows.This morning on The Agenda, we heard from locals on the excitement, the impact on the community, and got some essential advice for anyone travelling to the concerts this weekend.

The Cooley community is coming to terms with a devastating road tragedy after an elderly married couple lost their lives in a two-car collision on the Dundalk to Carlingford Road yesterday afternoon.The crash happened on the R173 at The Bush, near Riverstown, shortly before 3.10pm. The couple, who are understood to be from the Cooley area, were pronounced dead at the scene. Two people travelling in the second vehicle were airlifted to hospitals in Dublin with critical injuries. Gardaí have since reopened the road and are appealing for witnesses as their investigation continues.Local councillor Antoin Watters joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the impact this tragedy has had on the local community.

More than 6,300 people have been receiving Jobseeker's Allowance for over a decade, sparking fresh debate about Ireland’s welfare system.Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss calls for tougher rules, possible penalties for long-term claims, and how to balance supporting those in need with encouraging people back into work.