Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Jobs blow for Offaly as abattoir plan collapses — a Chinese-backed consortium abandons plans to expand the Banagher abattoir, scrapping up to 110 permanent jobs and a major construction boost after years of planning battles and legal challenges.

Safety fears, farming anger and Mercosur pressure — concern grows ahead of the release of convicted rapist Patrick “The Tinder Rapist” Nevin; farmers mobilise for a 10,000-strong protest in Athlone as evidence emerges that Brazilian beef treated with banned hormones entered the Irish food chain; and EU momentum builds to push the Mercosur deal through.

Property pressure and Midlands life — MyHome.ie figures show house prices continue to climb across Laois, Offaly and Westmeath; Carlow prepares to host Ireland’s latest canicross and bikejoring event; and Tullamore Tradfest returns with dozens of events celebrating traditional music.

Domestic abuse refuge setback sparks outrage — Laois councillors and TDs react with fury after Government funding is refused for a long-promised refuge for women and children, leaving Laois without a shelter nearly four years after it was listed as a priority.

Community safety, care and responsibility — concerns rise over anti-social behaviour on a Westmeath bus route involving children as young as 11; an Offaly man is honoured for his 500th platelet donation; and local authorities face criticism over vandalism to Portlaoise’s e-bike scheme.

Climate reality and looking to the skies — Ireland admits it will miss its 2030 emissions targets as extreme weather becomes more pronounced, while Midlands astronomy experts look ahead to a landmark year for lunar exploration and 13 full moons in 2026.

Energy costs and inequality under fire — Laois TD Brian Stanley highlights the case of a pensioner and cancer patient denied grant aid to replace a broken gas boiler, as he accuses Government policy and carbon taxes of disproportionately hurting low-income and rural households struggling with soaring energy bills.

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Venezuela crisis through local eyes — a Venezuelan living in Portlaoise reacts to the dramatic US arrest of Nicolás Maduro, as international tensions escalate and questions mount over sovereignty, oil interests and global security implications.

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Community services, safety and everyday disruption — concerns grow over Athlone’s litter ranking, the sudden loss of An Post services at Blueball Spar leaves elderly residents stranded, road safety figures remain stark after a deadly 2025, and animal welfare groups condemn the handling of a horse carcass left for days on an Athlone roadside.

Farmers mobilise as Mercosur showdown looms — Midlands MEP Ciaran Mullooly outlines plans for a major national protest in Athlone against the EU–Mercosur trade deal, warning it poses an existential threat to Irish beef farming as political pressure mounts on the Government to honour its opposition pledge.

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Global tensions and local analysis — security expert Declan Power unpacks the dramatic arrest of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, escalating threats from US president Donald Trump, and the wider implications for global security, oil markets and international law.

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Road deaths, litter and community safety — new RSA figures show 2025 was the deadliest year on Irish roads in almost a decade, with fatalities rising across Laois, Offaly and Westmeath; Athlone loses its clean status in the latest IBAL survey while Tullamore climbs to fifth nationally; and Gardaí urge renewed vigilance as winter conditions set in.

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