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Secondary School Principals Paying Private Firm to Tackle Cyber Bullying and Online Threats - 23/03/2026
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Secondary schools are paying a private social media monitoring company to get harmful content removed from social media, with demand for the service nearly doubling in recent months.
The National Association of Principals and Deputies (NAPD), which represents around 1400 school leaders, confirmed it is paying a “substantial” amount for tech experts to help with the problem.
Dublin-based social media monitoring firm RiskEye has been employed to track cyber bullying and harmful incidents online and liaise with the platforms to get content removed.
In the 28 weeks since the start of this academic year, 400 calls have come through the NAPD’s confidential support line from principals and deputies looking for help. One in three of these calls are related to harm on social media.
Director at the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, Paul Crone, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.
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Slane Residents Speak to LMFM About Concerns Regarding Two-Night Concert Annouced for Slane Castle This Summer - 24/03/2026
19:48|We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Fianna Fail Councillor in Slane and Slane resident, Wayne Harding, who spoke to us about a public meeting which took place last night in Slane in relation to the announcement of a two-day concert which will take place in Slane Castle in July. Residents of the Slane area are concerned that the organisers of the concert have offered “little to no comfort” for residents as to how this will affect them. One local resident emailed LMFM yesterday in relation to the situation, and we heard all about this and about why residents are so concerned and frustrated.We also spoke to a resident from Slane to find out what exactly is going on here and what she would like to see happen, and also about last nights public meeting.Local Councillor Paddy Meade also joined us and expressed his frustration at only finding out about the public meeting at the last minute through local residents.
Illegal Parking Surges in Dundalk & Drivers Taking Massive Risks - 24/03/2026
07:46|Poor parking in Dundalk is being fuelled by motorists who are “willing to take the risk” that they will avoid penalties, a meeting of Dundalk Municipal District has heard.Councillor Maeve Yore asked for an update on how illegal parking is being tackled, while Councillor Ciaran Fisher highlighted what he described as persistent and worsening issues in the town centre. He urged the council to consider widening the remit of traffic wardens so they can monitor areas just outside the pay‑parking zone, where some of the worst problems have been reported.Councillor Fisher joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.
Owners of Demolished Meath House Swear Not to Interfere with Ongoing Clean-Up Works at Site - 24/03/2026
07:50|The owners of a now-demolished house built without planning permission almost two decades ago have sworn in the High Court not to interfere with ongoing clean-up works at the site.Chris and Rose Murray appeared before Judge Richard Humphreys yesterday after gardaí arrested them at the Four Courts on foot of a court order for their attachment.The Murray’s arrest followed the judge’s finding that they were in civil contempt of undertakings to give Meath County Council vacant possession of their house at Faughan Hill, Bohermeen, Co Meath.News & Investigations Correspondent at The Irish Independent, Amy Molloy, joined us on The Agenda this morning to give us all the latest on this.
**Emotional Joanna Byrne Speaks Out for First Time Since Being Removed as Chair of Drogheda United - 24/03/2026**
22:51|It was announced yesterday that Drogheda United owners, the Trivela Group, have removed SF Louth TD Joanna Byrne from her role with the club as co-chairperson.Last month, Deputy Byrne claimed the club's board of directors said her position was untenable, following her statement around the Republic of Ireland v Israel fixture in the UEFA Nations League.This morning on The Agenda Deputy Byrne spoke out for the first time since being removed as Chair of the club.Joanna opened up to LMFM about the whole situation since it all kicked off last month, and became very emotional while talking about how much the club meant and still means to her.
Louth Bus Operator Warns Rising Fuel Costs Could Put School & Rural Services Under Pressure - 23/03/2026
11:19|Two coach operators say rising fuel prices will have knock-on effects on schools who may no longer be able to afford buses for football matches or tours if the industry is forced to pass on costs.John Halpenny from Halpenny Coaches in Dundalk joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us about how they’re affected by this. We were also joined by Gareth O’Toole, who is the Chief Executive at Nolan Coaches, who is experiencing the same problem as John and many other coach operators in Ireland.
More Than Seven in Ten Migrant Workers in Ireland Exploited Under Employment Permit System, Major New Survey Reveals - 23/03/2026
04:47|Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) has warned that there are "systemic and widespread" breaches of employment rights being experienced by migrant workers across Ireland.MRCI has published a report, Tied to Exploitation: The Experience of Migrant Workers in Ireland, which includes a survey of over 1,000 employment permit holders.According to MRCI, the findings paint a deeply troubling picture where workers are routinely underpaid, overworked, harassed and denied basic rights.MRCI Director Neil Bruton joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this report and its findings.
"The War Against Youth Vaping has Begun" - 23/03/2026
10:20|Louth Fianna Fáil TD Erin McGreehan has welcomed the launch of a new youth vaping and nicotine prevention campaign led by the HSE, stating that “education is the first line of attack in the war against vaping.”The campaign comes at a time when vaping among young people under the age of 18 has risen in recent years, with approximately one in five now reporting that they vape.The social media campaign, launched by HSE Tobacco Free Ireland alongside Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, aims to highlight the risks associated with youth vaping and nicotine use.Deputy McGreehan joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.
Major National Survey Makes Recommendations to Strengthen Hot School Meals Programme - 19/03/2026
12:07|A new survey about the Government's hot school meals programme has found that three-quarters of respondents reported their children do not enjoy the variety of food.The survey, commissioned by Fine Gael, also found that parents were very critical of how the food is presented as well as the nutritional content.There were also concerns about the origin of ingredients used for the meals, including meat. The survey ran from 6 January to 18 February and received almost 8,000 responses.Fine Gael senator Linda Nelson Murray says that the survey was extensive and showed that as well as having more choice, children also wanted more time to eat their school meals.Senator Nelson Murray joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.