The Agenda

A Dundalk councillor has said she was subjected to abuse on two separate occasions after challenging motorists who were parked in disabled parking bays in the town.Speaking at the September meeting of Dundalk Municipal District, Independent councillor Maeve Yore said the incidents occurred during the summer when she saw vehicles in designated disabled spaces.

Guest: Frances Haworth - CEO Willow Domestic Abuse Services in County MeathWillow Domestic Abuse Services (formerly known as Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services) launched its 2025 Annual Report, showing an increase in contact from women affected by domestic violence. There was a 20% increase in helpline calls from 1,376 to 1,661 between 2024 and 2025. A total of 188 women and children leaving situations of domestic violence and abuse stayed in refuge and a further 588 women were supported in the community through outreach and court accompaniment services. Their specialist children and youth team supported a further 77 children in the community.

In 2024 the three Associations announced the timetable to deliver full Integration by 2027. It was lauded as a momentous step towards unity, equality and inclusivity.The three bodies had been set to hold a Special Congress next month, with an agreed plan to complete integration by the end of 2027.It's understood the GAA was keen to push that date back by five years while remaining "fully committed" to the projectFormer President McAlesee said that change would create a "roadblock" and create "significant uncertainty" about integration.

Local TD and Minister, Thomas Byrne has sought firm assurances from ESB Networks that its programme of improvement works serving Bettystown, Laytown and Mornington will be completed within the promised timeframe and with the minimum possible further disruption to customers. ESB Networks has confirmed that the area experienced six unplanned outages during 2026, affecting all or a significant portion of the three communities. It has attributed the outages to several separate faults across the local network and indicated that major capacity and continuity works, including projects at Julianstown, are expected to be completed by the end of September.

the traffic again this morning and what a morning it has been on the roads. My next guest, Mayor of Drogheda Declan Power, had been booked this morning to highlight the issues of traffic congestion in Drogheda even before this morning's madness on the roads took place. He also wants to highlight the issue surrounding the M1 Retail Park and the constant build-up of traffic that we continue to see in that area.

The Irish Farmers Association led a delegation last week to meet the Minister for Finance Simon Harris and the Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers to discuss their pre-Budget submission.The association says that it has been a very tough year for farmers, with spiralling costs, lower commodity prices and the financial effects of the dry conditions.

One of the most well known and influential solicitors of recent times, James MacGuill, a Dundalk native, has passed away at the age of 63 following a short illness.Mr MacGuill was a former president of the Law Society of Ireland and was involved in many significant cases during a 40-year career.That included the case of parents from a French-speaking part of Africa who were wrongfully convicted and imprisoned in Ireland’s first-ever female genital mutilation trial.

Aontu leader - Peadar Tóibín has stated that needing foreign military help to secure a major defense summit on Irish soil highlighted stark underinvestment and exposed the gap between the government's rhetoric and actual defense capabilities, This has come to light as Minister for Defence Helen McEntee has defended Ireland’s security spending in the face of repeated questions at an informal gathering of EU defence ministers in Wicklow organised as part of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of Europe.  It emerged that a Royal Navy warship and helicopter is providing security backup at the event. Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has also  said the Government needs to stop wasting taxpayers money and called for temporary cuts to fuel prices to be made permanent. Aontú is preparing for its annual think-in in Co Derry on Saturday.Mr Tóibín said fuel is a stable, and not a luxury, good and that it was astounding that there are half a million people in energy arrears in the country.the Meath West TD said the Government is overspending by around a rate of between €4bn and €5bn a year and savings could be found there.He said: "In terms of capital infrastructure spends last year there was about €1.6bn of overspend."There's a complete lack of accountability in that sector. There's an enormous amount of waste."Indeed, I would say the Government is incinerating taxpayers' money at a rate in those terms."And even in health, we know that in health, the overspend so far this year is about €500m, which is quite incredible."Mr Tóibín said a recruitment embargo for administrative staff in the health service would save €250m a year.

Ryan Statement : After serious consideration, I have resigned from Independent Ireland and will contest the next Local Elections as an Independent candidate.This isn’t about party politics.It’s about people.I entered politics to give a voice to those who feel ignored and forgotten. That commitment has never changed.I believe County Louth deserves something different — strong, independent representation that puts Dundalk, Carlingford and our communities first.The campaign starts now.I may not hold an elected title, but you don’t need a title to stand up, speak out and fight for people. is bigger than one person.This is a movement built by the people, for the people.Co-Operative Housing Must Act – Residents of Halliday Mills Are Waking Up to Urine at Their Front Doors and Used Needles.”I received this deeply disturbing video this morning from a resident living in Halliday Mills. The resident shared the footage with me and stated that they are “sick of being ignored.”This text highlights unacceptable safety and quality of life issues raised by residents of Halliday Mills, including finding urine and used needles outside their homes. In response, an urgent meeting has been requested with the management and headquarters of the Co-Operative Housing Association to establish an action plan. If the association fails to address these concerns, peaceful and lawful protests will be organized to pressure them into taking action.