This Week

This Week - 23 August 2026

A look at events making the news in the past week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oberstown Director calls for early intervention to tackle youth offending

After the recent crash on the M9 there has been huge scrutiny on young people who are engaging in crimes and the devastation it causes. Meanwhile staffing levels at youth detention centres are regularly too low to ensure safe detention conditions. Karen was joined by Damien Hernon, Director of Oberstown Children Detention Campus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planned increases in excise duty will not go ahead - Government

On Friday the government confirmed that the planned phasing out of excise cuts on fuel will be halted, and that it will agree the next steps this coming week, when the Dáil will be recalled for one day. Karen spoke to The Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke and Emma Howard, Economics Lecturer at TU Dublin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EU countries, UK call on Israel to halt West Bank settlement project

Ireland is among several countries calling for a stronger international response against Israel, following the publication of a tender to construct 1,200 illegal housing units in occupied Palestine. Karen spoke to Channel 4's foreign correspondent Secundar Kermani. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least 16 killed in Russian drone strikes on Ukraine

Ukraine will mark its independence from the Soviet Union tomorrow, the fifth Independence Day since Russia's invasion began in February 2022. The surge in attacks on Ukraine have pushed civilian deaths in the war to their highest since the first months of the war. Karen spoke to journalist Emmanuelle Chaze, who is in Kyiv. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran denounces new US sanctions as Hormuz trade stalls

Iran has condemned plans by the U.S. to announce new sanctions that could put further strain on the Islamic Republic. Earlier this week the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged US allies to support Washington's efforts to "squash" the Iranian economy and collapse the regime. Karen spoke to BBC's Middle East Correspondent Sebastian Usher. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Number of deaths after crash involving car driving on wrong side of M9

Several people are dead after a head-on collision involving a car driving on the wrong side of the M9 motorway in County Kildare. The crash happened at Moone on the M9 Northbound lane at Junction 3 at around 3am this morning. RTÉ reporter Eleanor Burnhill was at the scene for us this lunchtime, and told Justin what she saw. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate O'Connor wins European heptathlon gold in Birmingham

The medals gleamed, the records fell, and dreams long chased were finally caught. From the roar of the track to the waters of the pool, this was a week of Irish sporting brilliance. Justin was delighted to be joined on the line from Birmingham by European Champion Kate O'Connor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sexual Violence Centre calls for new legislation to tackle spiking

Sexual violence campaigners have said the spiking of drinks - giving someone drugs or alcohol without their knowledge or consent - is far more widespread than official figures suggest, and they've called for stronger measures to tackle it. RTÉ reporter Karen Creed has been looking at the scale of the problem, and told Justin of her findings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Galway's Cathal Murray: All-Ireland winners shouldn't need to raise money for holiday

In the aftermath of the All Ireland Camogie Final last week the Galway Manager Cathal Murray urged the president of the Camogie Association to create a fund to help All Ireland finalists pay for a team holiday. Justin was joined by Brian Molloy, the President of the Camogie Association. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full schools causing children to miss out on school transport scheme

Some children are being denied a place on the Government's school transport scheme because they are not attending the nearest school, often because the school itself is full. Justin was joined by RTÉ reporter Sally-Ann Barrett and the Minister of state in charge of school transport Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West Michael Moynihan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Week - 16 August 2026

A look at events making the news in the past week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tullamore Show celebrates its 35th year

Tens of thousands of people are flocking today to the Tullamore Show near Bluebell County Offaly as the agricultural showcase celebrates its 35th year. The packed programme of events features livestock competitions, trade exhibitions and family entertainment. RTÉ Agriculture Correspondent Aengus Cox joined us for a preview. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Aaron McKenna shines to become world champion on homecoming

In Boxing, Aaron McKenna has become the new middleweight champion of the world. The County Monaghan fighter said his dream is now a reality after he defeated Etinosa Oliha of Italy by unanimous decision of the judges at the 3Arena in Dublin last night. Aaron spoke to Aisling about his achievement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Shortfall in special education places for children as schools prepare to reopen

Ireland's primary schools are to reopen at the end of August. But once again this year many autistic children who were promised a school place for September will remain at home. Aisling spoke to Labour's spokesperson on health and TD for Dublin Central Marie Sherlock. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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FIFA complain of a campaign to 'undermine' Gianni Infantino

FIFA's reputation has taken a kicking in recent weeks following its President Gianni Infantino's ill-fated bid to sell off part of the men's World Cup. Aisling spoke with Miguel Poiares Maduro, former Chair of FIFA's Governance and Review Committee and dean of the Catholic Global School of Law in Lisbon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Kinahan extradition under way as Government jet leaves UAE

Daniel Kinahan is due back on Irish soil this evening, after being arrested and then extradited on the Government jet from Dubai. Aisling was joined by Crime Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mirror and Irish Daily Star Paul Healy and Former Asst Garda Commissioner Micheal O'Sullivan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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'We were just teenagers' - women recall abuse while babysitting

On July 27th last, two brothers from Co Westmeath who sexually assaulted teenage girls in the mid-nineties were identified for the first time. Three of the women spoke to RTÉ Midlands Correspondent Sinéad Hussey, and she joined Aisling on the line with a report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Ebola spreading in DRC 'faster than any previous outbreak' - WHO

There have now been more than 3,400 confirmed cases of Ebola across the Democratic Republic of the Congo - including more than 1,500 related deaths, with five provinces of the country now impacted by the outbreak. Adam spoke to Trish Newport, emergency coordinator with Médecins Sans Frontières, who is currently based in Bunia, DRC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NAMA: The developers, the banks and the fallout

The National Asset Management Agency was dissolved at midnight on Friday. It spent more than 16 years managing down the bad loans it took from Irish banks at the height of the financial crisis. Patrick Honohan, former governor of the Central Bank at the time that NAMA was established, joined Adam in studio for a post-mortem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.