At least nine Irish citizens have been detained by the Israeli military after an international flotilla trying to deliver medicine and food to Gaza was intercepted overnight, organisers have said.

Those detained were Sinn Féin Senator Chris Andrews, Catríona Graham, Louise Heaney, Sarah Clancy, Diarmuid Mac Dubhghlais, Cormac O'Daly, Colm Byrne, Thomas McCune and Tara O'Grady, according to the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Andrew Walsh from The Journal joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more ahout this and about what will happen next.

We also spoke to Meath woman Pam Lifely who has spent eight weeks taking part in a rolling fast with members of Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.

Pam told us all about why she is going this rolling fast and what she hopes to achieve in doing it.

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SIPTU members employed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have condemned the organisation’s decision to close a youth training scheme run out of a centre in Oriel Park, Dundalk, County Louth. The closure will result in the loss of two community development officer roles and leaves 28 trainees without a programme which was due to commence next week.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Robbie Purfield, said: “This move by the FAI is exactly what our members have been warning about. It is a case of the organisation pulling up the supports for grassroots football. It is perplexing to even see what the current management’s strategy is.

Robbie Purfield joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about what's going on here.

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Hundreds of people have come together in memory of Mark, Louise and Evan O'Connor, who were found dead at their home in Co Louth earlier this week.

Fr Gerry Campbell led the prayers at a candlelit vigil at the Stonetown Community Walking Track last night.

54-year-old Mark, 56-year-old Louise, and their 27-year-old son Evan were found dead at the O'Connor family home in the Drumgowna area on Monday morning.

This morning on The Agenda we heard some of what took place at the vigil.

We also spoke to Fianna Fail Councillor in Ardee, John Sheridan, who attended the vigil and was touched by the turnout for the O'Connor family.

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ADHD Ireland say they are proud to announce a wide range of events and initiatives taking place throughout October as part of ADHD Awareness Month. 

This year’s theme focuses on connection across life stages and aims to support children, parents/carers/guardians, adults and students living with ADHD.

The month-long programme includes an extensive online conference, a national watch party, and a new partnership with Maynooth University. 

The events are designed to provide practical information, expert advice and meaningful opportunities for individuals and families to connect.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Nicola Coss, National Service Development Manager with ADHD Ireland, who told us more about this.

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Ministers across several departments have clashed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) in recent meetings as fraught negotiations continue within Government over the tightest budget for years.

With less than a week before it is announced, no senior Minister had last night agreed their financial allocation for next year as the department holds firm on spending demands, according to several people involved in the process.

While there is an expectation that settlements will be agreed in the coming days, sources said this approach meant some big-spending departments were still locked in disagreement with DPER – including the departments of Health, Children, Housing and Social Protection.

Political Editor of The Irish Times, Pat Leahy, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this,

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The US government has shut down for the first time in nearly seven years, after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree a deal to keep the federal government funded.

A final round of voting in the US Senate on Tuesday failed to pass a proposal to keep the government funded beyond midnight.

The shutdown will hit some public services and lead to hundreds of thousands of federal workers being furloughed. It will also delay the release of vital data on the US economy.

Political Columnist at The Journal, Larry Donnelly, joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

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We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Independent Councillor in Navan, Alan Lawes, who took to social media over the past number of days to address the anti-social behaviour going on in Johnstown in Navan at the moment, particularly in the lead up to Halloween.

Alan told us about how teens in the area have been using fireworks to harrass, abuse and intimidate locals.

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Sinn Féin spokesperson on Sport and Louth TD Joanna Byrne TD, has said that grassroots football and support for Irish Football cannot suffer because of government annoyance with the FAI. 

Speaking after the FAI appeared before the Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Teachta Byrne said:

“The hearing was frustrating for all involved.  The FAI were invited to appear in response to the ‘Girls in Green’ documentary, but they provided Garda advice not to discuss the specifics of those cases until they are resolved.

Deputy Byrne joined us on the Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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The Irish Refugee Council has expressed serious concern over the announcement by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding a new incentive scheme designed to encourage voluntary returns for people with an outstanding application in the international protection process.

This morning on The Agenda we spoke to CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, Nick Henderson, who said that "dangling money in front of asylum seekers to get them to go home is wrong".

We also heard from Meath-West Aontu TD Peadar Toibin, who in contrast beleives this is a step in the right direction and will save the state significantly in the long run.

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Dundalk Chamber of Commerce recently attended the Chambers Ireland, Pre Budget Briefing for Oireachtas members ahead of Budget 2026.

Speaking after the event, Dundalk Chamber CEO John McGahon said “We had the opportunity to engage with Louth Oireachtas members on our Budget Submission and our thanks to Deputies Ruairi O’Murchu, Ged Nash and Senator Alison Comyn for their attendance on the day. 

They also met recently with Deputies Erin McGreehan and Paula Butterly on their submission.

Their principal concerns are in relation to the lack of infrastructure in many areas which reduces their competitiveness.

They say they would see an opportunity to work creatively with the Shared Island Fund and their designation as a hub within the National Development Plan. 

Paddy Malone from Dundalk Chamber of Commerce joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more about this.

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