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Louth TD Calls for Urgent Reform of Emergency Health Services - 29/01/2026
Louth TD Joanna Byrne has called for urgent reform of Ireland’s emergency mental health services, warning that the current system is failing people in crisis and placing lives at risk.
Speaking ahead of a Sinn Féin motion on emergency mental health care, Deputy Byrne said tens of thousands of people present to emergency departments each year while experiencing severe mental distress or suicidal ideation.
“People in mental health crisis are being forced into chaotic and overcrowded emergency departments that are simply not designed to meet their needs,” she said
Deputy Byrne highlighted what she described as a “postcode lottery” in access to care, noting that 11 counties currently do not have a Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) service. County Louth has just one SCAN nurse, she said.
She also pointed to infrastructure deficits nationally, stating that eight emergency departments do not have appropriate spaces for mental health crisis assessments.
Deputy Byrne joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.
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06:57|Work is expected to start on Ballymakenny Village - a new retail centre on the Ballymakenny road in Drogheda in the next few months.With thousands of new residents moving into the Northern Cross route area there are currently no shops or amenities in the locality apart from the M1 Retail Centre.Most people either have to walk a good distance or drive to Yellowbatter, Hardman's Gardens or Kierans Corner to get to a shop.Local politicians are expecting the building work on the development to begin shortly.Mayor of Drogheda, Michelle Hall, joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.
Concerns Raised by Louth Councillor Over Potholes at M1 Retail Park - 29/01/2026
06:52|A councillor has raised concerns about the growing number of potholes around the M1 Retail Park with the daily surge of traffic in the area.Councillor Eric Donovan has raised the issue with the company that owns the retail park and is hoping something can be done about it.He said: "The M1 Retail Park is getting a bit out of hand recently with the defects on the road between the two roundabouts."Through the Council I have contacted the company who operates the M1 RP and I am hopeful this will be addressed in a timely manner."Local motorists are also complaining about the state of the road at the Hill of Rath roundabout which is also said to be in bad condition.Sinn Fein Councillor in the area, Eric Donovan, joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.