The Agenda

A 12-year-old boy’s life was changed in a matter of seconds after an e-scooter crash left him with life-changing injuries and fighting for his recovery. Mason Brennan suffered a traumatic brain injury, was airlifted to Temple Street Children’s Hospital and spent weeks in intensive care after undergoing emergency surgery.While he has made an incredible physical recovery, his mother says the emotional impact of the crash continues, with the trauma leaving lasting effects on her son and their family. Now, Seana Brennan is sharing their story and issuing a stark warning to other parents about the dangers of e-scooters — saying no parent wants to find themselves in ICU with their child.Adrian then shared his own shocking story of something he witnessedd yesterday in Dublin with a very young child on an Escooter. Seana joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us about all of this.

More than 16,000 people have arrived into Dublin Airport without passports or proper travel documentation since 2020, according to new figures. The numbers have raised questions over how passengers are able to board flights without the required documents and what checks are in place when they arrive in Ireland. Calls are now growing for stronger border controls and better verification systems.We heard more about this on The Agenda this morning.

A disabled man’s family says he was left feeling humiliated after being denied boarding on a Ryanair flight because of the size of his wheelchair. Jarek Marah, who has been paralysed since 2024 and requires 24-hour care, had only recently regained the confidence to travel abroad. His sister Dorota says the experience left him shocked and upset,Dorota joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Irish artists are calling for stronger protections against artificial intelligence, amid concerns that music and other creative work is being used to train AI systems without permission or payment. As TDs debate new copyright measures, musicians are warning that creators must have greater control over how their work is used. We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Dundalk musician David Keenan, who says several of his songs were used to train AI without his knowledge.

The Government has stopped short of an outright ban on e-scooters, instead introducing a series of tough new safety measures. From August, under-18s will be banned from using e-scooters, while helmets and high-visibility clothing will become mandatory. Later this year, riders will also need a driving licence and registration, with the Government warning that a full ban remains an option if the new rules fail to improve safety.This morning on The Agenda we heard more on this.

***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.