Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Declan Power, Security and Defense Analyst from Mullingar, delves into the conditions of Trump's appeal for other countries to send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz "open and safe." A proud Irish night at the Oscars, St. Patricks day celebrations are in full swing and so is the RSA to make sure our roads are safe over the holiday, and Nicki Killeen, HSE Emerging Drug Trends Manager of drug awareness, teaches listeners and holiday enjoyers what to look out for and avoid over the celebrations.

Wedding registration backlog in Offaly — Bridge House Hotel duty manager Noel McCann says couples can no longer register marriages locally, with staff shortages forcing people to travel to other counties for appointments. Housing charity warns on short-term lets — Threshold says over 8,600 homes are now being used for short-term holiday rentals nationwide, compared to just over 2,100 available for long-term rent. Concerns over Pieta service changes in Athlone — CEO Stephanie Manahan responds after reports the Athlone Pieta centre will close as services move to a new outreach model.

Westmeath Lotto win revealed — The National Lottery confirms a €250,000 Lotto Plus 2 winning ticket was sold in Westmeath, with the lucky player urged to come forward and claim the prize. Illegal peat extraction concerns raised — Climate correspondent Caroline O’Doherty examines how Ireland exported almost €40 million worth of peat last year despite no legal large-scale commercial extraction operating in the country. Women’s health gap highlighted — Dr Sumi Dunne discusses new research showing many women feel unable to raise health concerns at work, often self-medicating or avoiding conversations about gender-specific health issues.

When is the best time to get married, and are smart meters as smart as they say? Meet young Midlands enterprise students as they discuss their new farming invention! And Mr. Fix it, all in today's episode of Midlands Today.

Fuel prices surge amid Middle East tensions — Fuels for Ireland CEO Kevin McPartlan outlines the sharp rise in heating oil, petrol and diesel prices as global energy markets react to escalating conflict. Athlone man finally heading home from Dubai — Terry Carmody’s family share their relief as the 91-year-old boards a flight home after being stranded abroad due to cancelled flights. Laois singer set for Times Square stage — Mountmellick folk artist Emer Dunne prepares to perform in New York for St Patrick’s Day celebrations, representing Ireland and the Midlands.

Fuel crisis fears grow — Irish Road Haulage Association President Ger Hyland warns soaring fuel prices linked to Middle East tensions could trigger protests and push Ireland into another cost-of-living crisis. Church fires and train vandalism investigated — Gardaí investigate suspected arson damage at two Westmeath churches and graffiti attacks on Irish Rail carriages in Athlone costing up to €60,000. Campaign for Irish names with fadas — The “I Am Not A Typo” campaign calls for new laws ensuring Irish-language accents can appear correctly on official records and digital systems.

Bressie on grief, mindfulness and mental health — Niall Breslin opens up about pregnancy loss, panic attacks and why sharing difficult stories is key to breaking stigma around mental health. New energy project boosts grid security — Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially opens a major battery storage and grid stabilisation system in Shannonbridge aimed at strengthening Ireland’s renewable energy network. Driving school warns of online car scam — Ballybrittas instructor Owen Reddy alerts the public to a fake Facebook page using his business name to take €1,000 deposits for non-existent cars.

Burke family members ordered to jail — Courts reporter Emily Keegan explains the High Court ruling ordering the arrest and committal of Martina and Ammi Burke for contempt of court. Heating oil prices surge — Energy expert Thomas Flynn discusses claims of “price gouging” as the cost of home heating oil jumps dramatically amid Middle East tensions. Detective awarded €270k after suspension — The Garda Representative Association reacts after a Midlands detective suspended for lending a bicycle during Covid wins a major damages settlement.

Deaf couple face €10k hearing aid bill — Danielle McLaughlin of Chime highlights the case of a working Portarlington couple struggling to afford hearing aids, as calls grow for a fully funded National Hearing Care Plan. Diesel prices could top €2 a litre — Irish Road Haulage Association President Ger Hyland warns Middle East tensions may push fuel prices higher, raising costs for transport, businesses and consumers. Irish family stranded abroad after cancelled flights — Monasterevin man Aaron Bannon Whelan describes being stuck overseas with his pregnant wife and 91-year-old grandfather after multiple flight cancellations.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Foster carers share life-changing journey — Castlepollard couple Alfie and Nicola Devine reflect on 18 years of fostering, the emotional highs and lows, and why respecting a child’s identity and culture is key. Are gel nail lamps safe? — The Irish Cancer Society’s Kevin O’Hagan outlines the low but potential risks linked to UV nail dryers and why regular users should take simple precautions. Major pharma boost for Athlone — Minister Peter Burke welcomes a €432m Novo Nordisk investment set to expand oral GLP-1 production and create hundreds of construction jobs in the Midlands.

School absences linked to Leaving Cert drop — ESRI researcher Dr Emer Smyth warns that missing 20+ days a year could cost students more than 80 Leaving Cert points and impact long-term health and career outcomes. Ryanair and Aer Lingus rank poorly — Irish Travel Agents Association VP Paul Hackett reacts after Ryanair finishes bottom in a UK short-haul survey, while Aer Lingus struggles in long-haul rankings. Pothole crisis sparks fury in Offaly — Sinn Féin Cllr Aoife Masterson says chronic underfunding has left roads in “abysmal” condition after her own tyre was blown out by a reported pothole.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Midlanders stranded in US blizzard — Birr native Michael Caman and other locals in New Jersey and Rhode Island describe being snowed in for days after Storm Hernando shut down cities and cancelled transatlantic flights. Electricity price gap under fire — Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan says it’s “grossly unfair” that Irish households are paying almost twice as much for electricity as data centres. Latte levy backlash grows — Offaly TD Carol Nolan calls for the proposed single-use cup levy to be scrapped, warning it would pile further costs onto small businesses and consumers.

A Westmeath footballer tackles homophobic hate online, rent prices and Better Health with midlands pharmacist Liam Butler are all coming up to today’s Midlands Today Show.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Domestic abuse calls surge in the Midlands — Longford-Westmeath TD Sorca Clarke calls for urgent Government action after figures show a 37% rise in domestic abuse calls across the region over four years. ‘Bóithrín na mBan’ to honour women in Mullingar — Matt Nolan’s long-standing tradition of planting oak trees in memory of women who died tragically is set to be formally recognised with a new road name in Westmeath. Taxi shortage row as rideshare ruled out — Offaly TD John Clendennen reacts after the Transport Minister confirms there are no plans to allow private rideshare drivers, despite watchdog warnings of a taxi supply crisis.

Social media ban for under-16s debated — Birr psychotherapist Stella O’Malley weighs in on Government plans to restrict under-16s from social media, as Ireland follows Australia and other countries amid growing concern about mental health, cyberbullying and online safety. Michael English on health scare and tour return — The country star opens up about his recent mild heart attack, his recovery, and why he’s back on stage — including his upcoming show at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel in Athlone. Banned driver avoids jail — again — Courts reporter Liam Cosgrove details how a Westmeath man with 27 previous convictions, caught driving without insurance for the eighth time while disqualified, escaped prison and was handed community service instead.

EU probes Shein under digital safety laws — Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly reacts as the European Commission launches a Digital Services Act investigation into Shein over alleged illegal products and addictive design features. SNA review paused after backlash — Senator Joe Flaherty welcomes the Government’s decision to pause changes to Special Needs Assistant allocations following widespread concern from parents and schools. TUS scientist earns top global honour — Athlone’s Prof Neil Rowan becomes the first academic in TUS history to receive a Higher Doctorate of Science, recognising three decades of world-leading research.

Flood zoning concerns raised — Offaly Cathaoirleach John Leahy responds after new figures show hundreds of flood-prone sites were zoned for development nationwide, with warnings that climate-driven rainfall is increasing risks. SNA cuts spark parent anger — Ballybrittas mum Aisling Donoher says her six-year-old son Dan could lose his one-to-one SNA support, leaving him unable to attend school if the proposed reductions go ahead. Community funds and energy reform — Climate Minister Darragh O’Brien says he’s open to “meaningful reforms” of renewable energy community funds, amid claims the current system isn’t benefiting local people.