Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Tributes are being paid to legendary Irish singer and Banagher native Johnny McEvoy, who has died aged 81, with Mullingar musician Mick Foster reflecting on his life and musical legacy.

Talks aimed at averting another nationwide public sector strike are continuing, with workers preparing for rallies on Thursday as the Government insists further industrial action is unnecessary.

Plans for a housing development in Portlaoise have suffered a setback after An Coimisiún Pleanála rejected Laois County Council's application for a site purchased for €1.4 millio

Midlands Today LIVE from Milltownpass Community Centre

Tributes are being paid to legendary Irish singer and Banagher native Johnny McEvoy, who has died aged 81, with Mullingar musician Mick Foster reflecting on his life and musical legacy.

Concerns are being raised over road safety in Kilbeggan, with a local resident warning that speeding traffic and the lack of pedestrian crossings could lead to a serious accident.

Plans for a major housing development in Portlaoise have suffered a setback after An Coimisiún Pleanála rejected Laois County Council's application for a site purchased for €1.4 million.

Offaly-born EU official Séamus Boland is calling for a European housing emergency to be declared, warning that the worsening cost-of-living crisis could push millions more people into poverty.

Public sector unions face a crucial decision over an improved Government pay offer of up to 11%, with another nationwide strike planned for Thursday if an agreement cannot be reached.

Abbeyleix woman Emma Fogarty is preparing for the release of an HBO documentary exploring her life with the rare skin condition epidermolysis bullosa and her friendship with Hollywood actor Colin Farrell.

Offaly-born EU official Séamus Boland is calling for a European housing emergency to be declared, warning that the worsening cost-of-living crisis could push millions more people into poverty.

Abbeyleix woman Emma Fogarty is preparing for the release of an HBO documentary exploring her life with the rare skin condition epidermolysis bullosa and her friendship with Hollywood actor Colin Farrell.

Public sector unions face a crucial decision over an improved Government pay offer of up to 11%, with another nationwide strike planned for Thursday if an agreement cannot be reached.

Two charity shops operated by My Lovely Horse Rescue in Edenderry have been left badly damaged following break-ins, forcing both premises to close until further notice. A man has been arrested in connection with the incidents.

Public sector workers are preparing for another 24-hour strike next Thursday, with rallies planned across the country, including in Tullamore, as the dispute over Government pay proposals continues.

New research reveals that 60% of adults in Ireland have either experienced abuse themselves or witnessed someone else being abused, with psychological abuse, online abuse and coercive control among the most common forms.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner & David Hollywood

A Mullingar woman who admitted assaulting a female Garda during a violent altercation has been ordered to enter a 12-month peace bond. The Garda remains unable to return to full-time frontline duties more than three years after the attack.

Offaly TD Carol Nolan is demanding answers after it emerged that key financial transparency provisions of the Charities Act 2009 remain unimplemented, meaning charities are still not required to file financial statements with the Charities Regulator.

Concerns are being raised over road safety ahead of the National Ploughing Championships' move to Rathangan, with local councillors warning that significant work will be needed to prepare surrounding roads for the event.

A Garda was hospitalised after being struck by a firework in Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly, while councillors have condemned a separate Halloween attack on firefighters responding to an emergency call in Athlone.

More than 300,000 public sector workers are preparing for a second nationwide strike on November 12th after unions rejected a Government pay offer of 7.75% over two and a half years.

Clara, Moate and Rathdowney are among 26 towns selected for a new Government initiative aimed at transforming vacant shopfronts into businesses, creating jobs and revitalising town centres.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner