Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Kinnegad is seeing major development, with a new library, playground, and 125-home estate approved—though residents raise concerns over traffic and childcare capacity. Tributes are being paid to writer and broadcaster Manchán Magan, who has died aged 55, remembered for his deep cultural work on Ireland’s language and land. Rehab Enterprises Portlaoise is hosting an open day to showcase employment opportunities for people with disabilities, highlighting Ireland’s poor record on disability inclusion.

Offaly podcasters John Lee and Martin Nutty are in studio as their Irish Stew podcast celebrates global Irish stories, while Mullingar baker Una Leonard shares her recovery journey and new cookbook. Ireland braces for ex-Hurricane Humberto, with winds of up to 200 km/h forecast—Met Éireann set to issue top-level warnings. Eight Laois schools join the “Free to Be Kids” pact, urging parents to delay smartphones until secondary school to protect childhood experiences.

Enterprise Minister Peter Burke says Budget 2026 will likely include a hospitality VAT cut and boosted R&D tax credits, as Novo Nordisk confirms 115 job losses in Athlone. Survivor Hazel Behan has warned the Oireachtas that new laws still risk exposing rape victims’ private counselling notes in court, calling for stronger protections. Health insurance premiums are rising again, with some families facing hikes of up to €600 as VHI, Laya and Irish Life increase prices for the second time this year.

Tipperary County Council has refused permission for a Roscrea asylum centre expansion, after strong local opposition and planning concerns. The first presidential debate saw Gavin come out most assertive, Connolly confident, and Humphreys cautious, setting a low-drama tone for the campaign. HSE hospitals spent over €5.5m on debt collectors in the past decade, with Tullamore alone paying €342k to chase unpaid patient bills.

Government will establish an Office of Veterans’ Affairs by year-end to coordinate services and advocacy for Defence Forces veterans. Offaly has jumped from one of Ireland’s lowest to highest counties for breastfeeding rates, credited to grassroots support from Cuidiú Offaly. A High Court ruling has halted plans for a 1,000-person asylum centre in Lissywollen, forcing current residents to leave by November.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

David Hollywood brings the latest happenings from around the Midlands and further afield

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

The family of Imelda Keenan, missing since 1994, say they’re devastated Gardaí won’t upgrade her case to murder, despite 30 years without answers. Longford’s Connolly Barracks has secured €7m for redevelopment, sparking renewed anger in Mullingar over Westmeath Council’s handling of Columb Barracks. A new State-backed pilot will cull invasive American mink around Lough Ree to protect threatened ground-nesting birds like curlew and grouse.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Will Faulkner is joined by two presidential candidates and The Tumbling Paddies LIVE from the final day of the National Ploughing Championships.

Join Will Faulkner and guests for Midlands Today LIVE from the second day of the National Ploughing Championships 2025 - Covering topics like Alzheimer's, nano-plastics effecting mental health, and the new initiative of the Aisling Murphy Memorial Fund.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Food inflation has hit a two-year high, with steak, lamb, dairy and fish prices soaring—economists warn high costs are now the “new norm.” Tullamore’s Bridge Shopping Centre marks its 30th anniversary, credited with sustaining town-centre life and creating thousands of jobs since 1995. RTÉ says it will boycott the 2026 Eurovision if Israel competes, calling participation “unconscionable” amid the war in Gaza.

A Kinnitty family is fundraising for 19-year-old Abi Markey, who needs life-saving jaw surgery in Germany after years of pain from a rare genetic condition. A TILDA study shows over a third of older adults have undiagnosed high blood pressure and nearly half have untreated high cholesterol, raising alarms for dementia and stroke risks. Offaly’s Gráinne Walsh and Mullingar’s Patsy Joyce have guaranteed World Championship boxing medals, joining Roscommon’s Aoife O’Rourke in Ireland’s medal haul.

Barry Cowen MEP says slashing CAP by 20% would be a disaster for farmers, as the European Parliament backs a stronger, simplified post-2027 policy. Energia customers face electricity hikes of up to 12%, while Electric Ireland cuts gas prices by 4%—a sharp contrast in the energy market. Poland has accused Russia of aggression after drones violated its airspace, forcing NATO intervention and shutting down Warsaw’s main airport.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner - Tuesday Sept 9th 2025

Mary Lou McDonald has ruled herself out of the presidential race, though Sinn Féin may still run or back a candidate. Ireland’s three main banks will launch “Zippay” in 2026, a Revolut-style instant payments service for five million customers. Fórsa has suspended strike action after securing a deal to negotiate pensions and entitlements for school secretaries and caretakers.