Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Court verdict and mental health focus — A jury returns a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity in the Ballyfin Demesne murder trial of Henry McGowan, with expert psychiatrists concluding he was experiencing a psychotic episode when he killed his father.

Storm recovery, animal welfare and Arctic chill — Communities rally behind Maureen Folan after Storm Éowyn destroyed her Connemara home; Offaly TD Carol Nolan calls for a zero-tolerance crackdown on illegal sulky racing following the death of a pregnant horse; and Met Éireann issues a nationwide cold weather alert as temperatures plunge below freezing.

AI, sport and Midlands ambition — Debate grows around AI’s impact on jobs and dating ahead of Valentine’s Day; Offaly GAA outlines new grassroots development plans; and Condron Concrete backs Clonbullogue’s Alex Dunne as he steps up to Formula 2 in his push toward Formula 1.

AI on the march – and who pays the price? — Caricature artist Niall O’Loughlin warns that viral AI trends could threaten real livelihoods, while public bodies are told to brace for laptop shortages and rising costs as AI “gigafactories” disrupt global supply chains.

Drugs strategy, school food and mental health failures — Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor unveils a draft National Drugs Strategy built on a health-led approach; Ali’s Kitchen questions the quality of State-provided school lunches; and Jacinta Graham speaks out about her son’s five years in uninterrupted psychiatric seclusion.

Flood fears, online abuse and cultural loss — Councillor Aisling Moran says Laois residents are living in constant anxiety over river maintenance and worsening floods; Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke condemns AI “nudification” tools as digital abuse; and tributes pour in following the death of actor James Van Der Beek.

Comedy, class and body politics — Ballymore comedian Alison Spittle opens up about illness, weight-loss medication, misogyny and working-class life as she tours her award-winning show Big, reflecting on dignity, stigma and why body neutrality matters more than body positivity.

Climate law, commuting and public safety — former minister Eamon Ryan reacts to a landmark Supreme Court ruling on the Coolglass Wind Farm, putting public bodies on notice over climate obligations; Laois County Council reveals long daily commutes draining talent from the county; and a tribunal finds the long-used firefighter “beep test” discriminates against women and older recruits.

Violence, justice and remembrance — the National Women’s Council calls for stronger protections to keep women and children in their homes amid domestic abuse; the jury hears disturbing details in the Ballyfin Demesne murder trial; road policing numbers fall sharply despite rising fatalities; and the Friends of Julia campaign pushes for the release of 1,304 names buried at St Loman’s Hospital.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Ancient remains and modern questions — State Pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis explains how human remains found on Carbury Island in Lough Ree were identified as ancient, shedding light on Ireland’s long history of burial sites and the science used to determine whether bones are of forensic interest.

Mental health crisis behind prison walls — RTÉ Investigates exposes Ireland’s psychiatric care scandal, with families — including one from Offaly — describing how severely mentally ill people are being held in prisons instead of hospitals, amid record waiting lists for the Central Mental Hospital and devastating consequences.

Education, love and life in the Midlands — Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton responds to concern over new special-school admissions rules; new research ranks Midlands counties in Ireland’s “love luck” index ahead of Valentine’s Day; and local life ranges from wrestling entertainment in Laois to housing-market stress and community updates.