The Agenda

The parents of a 14-year-old girl killed in the Creeslough explosion say they're 'hurt' by the Minister for Justice’s refusal to meet with them - and they just want answers.Tragic Letterkenny teen Leona Harper was one of 10 people killed when an Applegreen station collapsed amid a massive explosion which occurred in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on October 7, 2022.This week Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan refused a further meeting with the families of those who died, saying he did not wish to jeopardise the advanced Garda investigation and adding that his job is "not to be sensitive".Speaking yesterday Leona’s parents Donna and Hugh Harper said they were “deeply disappointed” by those words and are urging the Minister to change his mind. They also told of their fear that they may become ‘another Stardust’—where they are left waiting years for answers.Leona’s dad Hugh joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

Louth is set to have at least five designated Community Support Centres to act as emergency hubs during prolonged or severe weather events, power outages, or other local emergencies.At a recent meeting of Louth County Council, Green Party councillor Marianne Butler said the centres will play an “incredibly important” role as severe weather events become more frequent.The meeting heard these venues will provide a safe place for people to go if they lose electricity, and need to charge phones or access other supports.She noted that the council has already ordered three generators for use at Community Support Centres.Councillor Butler joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

A Government charge of €800 for a seat on a charter flight from the Middle East has been described as “a shakedown, not an evacuation”.The Government said it is bearing a “portion of the cost” for the Oman evacuation charter flight, but failed to answer questions about the scale of the contribution.The press release from Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee announcing the evacuation flight on Friday from Muscat, the capital of Oman, said it would benefit “vulnerable citizens”.But after details of the €800 cost for adult passengers emerged, Senator Patricia Stephenson said: “This is a shakedown, not an evacuation.”The Foreign Affairs spokeswoman for the Social Democrats added: “Desperate people, stuck in a war zone, should not be asked for €800 by their own government so they can get home to safety.Senator Stephenson joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

An advocacy group has warned residents and visitors in the United Arab Emirates that posting, reposting, or commenting online about the ongoing regional conflict could expose them to prosecution under the country’s cybercrime laws.Detained in Dubai said the legislation was broadly framed and could be “enforced rapidly”, particularly during periods of heightened regional tension.Penalties for breaches can include fines of up to €65,000, imprisonment, and travel bans.Foreign nationals, including visitors and tourists, may be particularly vulnerable, with even the sharing of third-party footage or commentary on social media potentially leading to detention, said the group.Founded in 2008 by legal advocate Radha Stirling, Detained in Dubai campaigns on behalf of expatriates and tourists, who it says have faced judicial abuses in the UAE and wider Gulf region.Radha ijoined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

The Government will charter a flight from Oman in the coming days for Irish people to return from the Middle East, Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has said.The flight will accommodate 280 people.The most vulnerable people are being identified among 2,000 people who have contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs crisis management centre and who requested help leaving the Middle East.People who are chosen to travel on the chartered flight will be transported to Oman by bus, the minister confirmed.Minister McEntee joined us on The Agenda to talk to us some more about this.

A Louth TD has urged the Government to establish a cross‑border Assessment of Need (AON) scheme to help reduce lengthy waiting times for children requiring early intervention services.Raising the issue in the Dáil this week, Deputy Butterly called on the Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to consider a dedicated cross‑border pathway, similar to existing arrangements for dental and surgical treatments. Such a scheme, she said, would allow families to access timely assessments when domestic waiting lists become unmanageable.Deputy Butterly told the Dáil that demand for Assessments of Need has surged in recent years, driven by population growth and an increasing number of families seeking vital supports for their children.Deputy Butterly joined os on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more abbout this.

Andrew McGinley, whose three children were killed by their mother who was suffering from mental illness, has announced that the work of a charity established in their honour is coming to an end.Mr McGinley’s children – Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) – were killed by their mother, Deirdre Morley, at their home in Newcastle, Co Dublin, on January 24, 2020, when she was suffering a psychotic and depressive episode.Ms Morley, a nurse, was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. Mr McGinley has since set up projects in his children’s names which reflect their personalities and aspirations.One of those, As Darragh Did, will formally wind up its operations.Andrew joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

A Drogheda councillor has warned that older people are avoiding walking in an area of the town at night, where public lighting is out of order.Labour's Pio Smith wants the local authority to meet the contractor as soon as possible.There are issues with accessing The Glen to carry out repairs due to ground flooding.Councillor Smith says it's unacceptable that several lights have not worked for weeks.Councillor Smith joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.