Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Midlands Today August 6th 2026

Gardaí are highlighting the dangers of handling illegal vapes following an incident that left two officers hospitalised in Edenderry, while launching a countywide Community Safety Survey to identify local concerns in Offaly.

The GAA community is paying tribute to former President Liam O'Neill of Trumera, remembering his lifelong contribution to Gaelic games, education and community development in Laois.

New research from Barnardos shows the cost of sending children back to school is placing increasing financial pressure on families, with calls for more affordable uniforms, digital devices and wider access to Government supports.

Families across Offaly are once again raising concerns over school transport, with renewed claims that children are being left without school bus places ahead of the new academic year.

Midlands MEP Ciaran Mullooly is calling for stronger country-of-origin labelling on imported beef, arguing consumers deserve greater transparency and Irish farmers should be better recognised for their high standards.

The Irish Travel Agents Association is urging holidaymakers heading to southern Europe to stay alert as wildfires continue to affect parts of Spain and France, while stressing that disruption remains localised.

The Association of Irish Local Government is condemning a targeted campaign of harassment against female councillors after reports of repeated abusive and sexually explicit phone calls to elected representatives across the country.

A major wildfire in Mountmellick prompted the evacuation of nearby residents as firefighters battled flames fuelled by prolonged dry conditions, with Laois remaining under a high fire risk warning.

ESB Networks has officially opened its new Bracklone 110kV Substation near Portarlington, a major infrastructure project designed to strengthen electricity capacity for homes, farms and businesses across the Midlands.

Midlands Today LIVE from Graiguecullen

Fáilte Ireland has launched a new three-year strategy aimed at increasing tourism revenue by 7%, with a major focus on attracting more visitors to regions like the Midlands and extending stays beyond Dublin.

The RNLI is urging people to remember its "Float to Live" advice after a fisherman survived nearly two hours in the River Shannon thanks to his lifejacket, calm thinking and the actions of a local family.

A controversial solar farm on the Laois-Kildare border has been approved despite strong local opposition, with campaigners saying their concerns over road safety and the impact on the community were overlooked.

New planning exemptions now allow homeowners to build modular garden cabins of up to 45 square metres without planning permission, alongside a range of other changes aimed at making home improvements easier.

Laois councillors have criticised new Government housing targets, arguing the county needs far more affordable and family-sized homes than currently planned.

Family-owned Camsaw Group is investing €15 million in a new logistics headquarters in Portlaoise, a project expected to create more than 20 additional jobs in the Midlands.

Midlands politicians are calling for greater investment in neurology services at Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar, amid growing waiting lists and continued concerns over access to specialist care.

The Rutland Centre has launched its first outpatient addiction treatment programme outside Dublin, bringing specialist addiction and gambling recovery services to Athlone and the wider Midlands.

A doctor has avoided a prison sentence after a court heard a catastrophic tyre failure was the primary cause of the crash on the M6 near Rochfortbridge that claimed the life of his six-year-old daughter.

Community safety leaders in Laois are calling for stronger e-scooter laws, backing an under-18 ban while seeking greater legal protections and enforcement powers for Gardaí.

A nationwide hosepipe ban comes into effect as prolonged hot, dry weather continues to put pressure on Ireland's drinking water supplies, with restrictions set to remain in place until late August.

Pressure is mounting on the HSE to provide a clear timeline for restoring and expanding surgical services at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, after agreeing to review plans again in six months.

An Offaly family says surgery delays are leaving 18-year-old Tyra Briggs in constant pain, with her mother claiming repeated postponements are worsening her condition and quality of life.

The Government's Summer Economic Statement outlines an €8.5 billion Budget 2027 package, with promises of tax measures to reward workers alongside increased investment in public services and infrastructure.

Calls are growing for an investigation into the decision to relocate the planned Midlands Regional Hospice site away from the grounds of Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore.