Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Overcrowding at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore reaches “black escalation” status, prompting concerns over patient safety and growing pressure on services across the Midlands. A landmark education programme sees prisoners in Portlaoise complete Ireland’s first in-person university-level course delivered within a prison setting. Westmeath Rose 2026 Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh shares her experience of living with alopecia and supporting others through her hair loss community initiative.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Staff and students at Carlow College stage a public demonstration in a bid to reverse plans to close the historic institution and protect its educational programmes and jobs. Searches continue at a quarry on the Wicklow-Kildare border as gardaí investigate the cold-case murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob. New figures reveal more than half a million households are struggling with energy bill arrears, while hauliers are calling for fuel supports to remain in place amid continued global uncertainty.

A Midlands psychotherapist shares his personal battle with gambling addiction, revealing how losses of more than €100,000 left him contemplating suicide before rebuilding his life. New figures show over half a million Irish households are in energy arrears, prompting calls for urgent government action to tackle what is being described as an affordability emergency. Applegreen announces plans to create up to 450 jobs in Ireland through a major partnership that will bring Popeyes restaurants to locations across the country, starting in Portlaoise.

Homelessness remains at record levels, with the Housing Minister warning the crisis is likely to continue for several more years as demand outpaces supply. Laois County Council approves the rezoning of 25 land banks, paving the way for up to 8,000 new homes across the county. An Athlone man receives a suspended prison sentence and a two-year social media ban after threatening Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris online.

Survivor advocate Hazel Behan speaks out ahead of a Dáil debate on counselling notes in sexual violence trials, saying no victim should have to choose between healing and justice. Violent disorder erupts in Belfast following a stabbing incident, with homes and vehicles set on fire as political leaders condemn the unrest. Scientists and peatland experts gather in Tullamore for an international conference focused on renewable energy and the future management of Ireland’s peatlands.

A disturbing Offaly case returns to the spotlight as a convicted sex offender who threatened violent attacks against women and girls prepares for release from prison. Grant Engineering announces an €8 million investment in its Birr operations as demand grows for sustainable home heating technology. New figures show learner driver numbers continue to rise across Ireland, with concerns mounting over testing backlogs and road safety.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Midlands Today with David Hollywood - 05/06/2026

Midlands Today LIVE from Rathdowney

Midlands Today with David Hollywood

Concerns continue to grow over Ireland’s rising deer population, with increasing road collisions, crop damage and debate over how best to manage numbers. Gardaí renew appeals after violent scenes at a Portlaoise cemetery during a blessing of the graves ceremony left two people injured. Leaving Cert students across the Midlands share the pressure, nerves and routines helping them prepare as exams begin this week.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Midlands Today LIVE from Baggot's Centra, Clara

Midlands Today LIVE from the BnM Mount Lucas Wind Farm

Pope Leo warns artificial intelligence could become dangerously difficult to control, urging governments to slow the development of advanced AI systems. Ireland moves closer to banning imports from Israeli settlements in occupied territories as new legislation goes before Cabinet. The closure of a nearly century-old Portlaoise business sparks renewed concern over the future of traditional town centre retail.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

A man from Athlone admits threatening to kill Taoiseach Micheál Martin in a message sent through social media. A prison watchdog report describes the death of an inmate at Midlands Prison as “unconscionable” after delays accessing a cell during a medical emergency. Families affected by organ donation and Down syndrome awareness share powerful personal stories highlighting the importance of support and conversation.

New figures from Daft.ie show rents continuing to surge across Ireland, with Midlands tenants also facing rising housing costs. Two men are jailed after gardaí uncovered a major €14 million cocaine trafficking operation operating from a garage in Mountmellick. Concerns continue over Irish citizens detained by Israeli forces after a Gaza-bound aid flotilla was intercepted in international waters.

Families across the Midlands are calling for better ADHD supports, with parents saying many are struggling without enough local services or guidance. EPA figures show the vast majority of septic tanks inspected in the Midlands failed environmental checks, raising concerns about water contamination risks. An Offaly man says travelling to Spain for surgery through the EU healthcare scheme changed his life after waiting years for treatment in Ireland.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner & David Hollywood

Midlands Today LIVE from the BnM Energy Conference

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner & David Hollywood

Midlands Today with David Hollywood

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner & David Hollywood

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner & David Hollywood

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner & David Hollywood

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner & David Hollywood

Boy George talks style, Eurovision and his Irish roots. Ask and enjoy better health practice with a local pharmacist. Talks on ticket touting, and more. All in this episode of Midlands Today

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Midlands Today with David Hollywood

Midlands Today with David Hollywood

Builders warn housing delivery costs could rise further as construction firms seek access to Government fuel supports amid global price pressures. Gardaí investigate two violent assaults in Athlone, with one man hospitalised and another due in court following separate incidents. Plans for large-scale ‘energy parks’ on former Bord na Móna land could transform the Midlands economy with thousands of potential jobs.

A Canadian family thanks the Midlands community for its kindness after a serious road crash left one tourist in hospital with dementia-related complications. A shocking dangerous driving case hears how a young man travelling at extreme speed caused catastrophic injuries to his own brother in a Midlands crash. Energy price uncertainty continues, with warnings electricity and gas costs could rise again amid ongoing global fuel pressures.

A brutal Athlone stabbing case hears a victim was left fighting for his life after being attacked multiple times in a row over €20. A new scheme offering tax relief aims to boost regeneration in Athlone by encouraging refurbishment of vacant and rental properties. Digital bank Monzo launches in Ireland, promising more competition in the online banking market and new options for customers.

Two Midlands adventurers share the story of their epic overland journey from Ireland to South Africa in a 20-year-old vehicle. Illegal dumping continues to cost taxpayers millions, with calls for stronger enforcement to tackle the growing problem in rural areas. Concerns rise over increasing STI cases and online safety for young people, as new EU age-verification technology is developed.

The fallout of the confidence motion, falling fuel prices and the need for more swimming pools are all on the agenda for Wednesday’s Midlands Today Show. Mr. Fix It Brian Cloonan drops by for some banter and DIY solutions.

SIPTU warns further cost-of-living supports may be needed, as political pressure continues ahead of a Dáil confidence vote linked to fuel protests. A rare case of BSE is confirmed in Ireland, with officials stressing there is no risk to public health or the food chain. Road safety campaigners renew calls for stronger enforcement as families continue to live with the devastating impact of fatal collisions.

Government announces a €500 million support package to address rising fuel costs following nationwide protests and disruption. Concerns raised that a housing scheme aimed at tackling vacancy in towns and villages is failing to deliver, with just 32 sites developed so far. Emergency response highlights the work of Lough Ree RNLI volunteers, while further scrutiny continues over standards in Irish nursing homes.

A Midlands family shares the devastating long-term impact of a missed cervical cancer diagnosis, highlighting the lasting trauma caused by healthcare failings. Fuel protests continue as campaigners demand stronger Government action to address rising energy costs affecting workers and businesses. Offaly golfer Shane Lowry makes a strong start at the Masters, while local stories include a Parkinson’s fundraiser and a Midlands appearance on First Dates Ireland.

Fuel protests intensify across the country, with calls for greater Government action as rising energy costs continue to impact households and businesses. A Midlands engineer helps launch an innovative bracelet designed to relieve menopause hot flushes using advanced cooling technology. New research warns artificial intelligence could significantly impact high-skilled jobs and reshape Ireland’s labour market in the coming years.

An Offaly engineer helps launch a new cooling bracelet designed to ease menopause hot flushes, with the device entering the Irish market this week. A 91-year-old peace activist walks across Ireland highlighting concerns about military use of Shannon Airport and Ireland’s neutrality. New figures show a rise in violence against hospital staff, with growing concern over safety pressures in emergency departments.

NASA’s Artemis II astronauts make history by travelling farther from Earth than any humans before during a landmark lunar flyby mission. Rising fuel costs spark protests across Ireland, with drivers and hauliers warning the cost of living continues to put pressure on households and businesses. A Laois fundraiser aims to support the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, inspired by a young girl living with a rare neurological condition.

European authorities approve emergency funding to distil surplus French wine into industrial alcohol as demand for red and rosé declines. A Status Yellow wind warning is in place nationwide as Storm Dave is set to bring strong gusts and difficult travelling conditions this weekend. Legal action against users of illegal “dodgy boxes” is being considered, as broadcasters attempt to tackle widespread piracy of TV and sports content.

Farmers warn rising agri-diesel costs remain a major concern, with the IFA saying recent government measures don’t go far enough to ease pressure on the sector. Global tensions continue to impact Ireland, with fears the Iran conflict could disrupt jet fuel supplies and affect summer travel. New transport changes aim to improve rural mobility, with the NTA making it easier for Local Area Hackney drivers to operate within their communities.

Athlone celebrates its second €1 million lottery win in a week, with the latest Daily Million jackpot ticket sold in Monksland. Calls are being made to allow turf sales during the ongoing energy crisis, as households struggle with rising heating costs. Researchers at TUS Athlone are developing Ireland’s first evidence-based guidelines to support women returning to exercise after pregnancy.

A Kildare singer shares her experience of living with Bipolar II Disorder to mark World Bipolar Day, highlighting the importance of diagnosis and support. A €20,000 reward is offered to help recover a stolen container of donated Lego intended for children in Malawi. Gardaí raise concerns over the growing trend of online doxing targeting officers and their families.