Courtroom shock and drug-crime fallout — a Birr primary school teacher admits faking two births to fraudulently claim maternity leave and benefit, while the father of murdered four-year-old Tadhg Farrell awaits sentencing in a major heroin case that exposes the deep roots of drugs and organised crime in the Midlands.

Safety, systems and public trust — experts warn faded road markings are causing learners to fail driving tests; the Government faces renewed scrutiny over unpaid Revenue liabilities by ministers; and housing starts plunge to their lowest level since 2016, reigniting fears over delivery and affordability.

Health, childhood pressure and modern risks — Sonya Quinn weighs in on “duvet days” and children’s mental health; surgeons warn nearly half of e-scooter crash victims end up in ICU; AI-generated explicit images spark urgent political action; and the Friday Panel tackles everything from rising pint prices to climate anxiety and digital habits.