This Week

Ukraine will mark its independence from the Soviet Union tomorrow, the fifth Independence Day since Russia's invasion began in February 2022. The surge in attacks on Ukraine have pushed civilian deaths in the war to their highest since the first months of the war. Karen spoke to journalist Emmanuelle Chaze, who is in Kyiv. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran has condemned plans by the U.S. to announce new sanctions that could put further strain on the Islamic Republic. Earlier this week the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged US allies to support Washington's efforts to "squash" the Iranian economy and collapse the regime. Karen spoke to BBC's Middle East Correspondent Sebastian Usher. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several people are dead after a head-on collision involving a car driving on the wrong side of the M9 motorway in County Kildare. The crash happened at Moone on the M9 Northbound lane at Junction 3 at around 3am this morning. RTÉ reporter Eleanor Burnhill was at the scene for us this lunchtime, and told Justin what she saw. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The medals gleamed, the records fell, and dreams long chased were finally caught. From the roar of the track to the waters of the pool, this was a week of Irish sporting brilliance. Justin was delighted to be joined on the line from Birmingham by European Champion Kate O'Connor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sexual violence campaigners have said the spiking of drinks - giving someone drugs or alcohol without their knowledge or consent - is far more widespread than official figures suggest, and they've called for stronger measures to tackle it. RTÉ reporter Karen Creed has been looking at the scale of the problem, and told Justin of her findings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the aftermath of the All Ireland Camogie Final last week the Galway Manager Cathal Murray urged the president of the Camogie Association to create a fund to help All Ireland finalists pay for a team holiday. Justin was joined by Brian Molloy, the President of the Camogie Association. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some children are being denied a place on the Government's school transport scheme because they are not attending the nearest school, often because the school itself is full. Justin was joined by RTÉ reporter Sally-Ann Barrett and the Minister of state in charge of school transport Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West Michael Moynihan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A look at events making the news in the past week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tens of thousands of people are flocking today to the Tullamore Show near Bluebell County Offaly as the agricultural showcase celebrates its 35th year. The packed programme of events features livestock competitions, trade exhibitions and family entertainment. RTÉ Agriculture Correspondent Aengus Cox joined us for a preview. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Boxing, Aaron McKenna has become the new middleweight champion of the world. The County Monaghan fighter said his dream is now a reality after he defeated Etinosa Oliha of Italy by unanimous decision of the judges at the 3Arena in Dublin last night. Aaron spoke to Aisling about his achievement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ireland's primary schools are to reopen at the end of August. But once again this year many autistic children who were promised a school place for September will remain at home. Aisling spoke to Labour's spokesperson on health and TD for Dublin Central Marie Sherlock. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIFA's reputation has taken a kicking in recent weeks following its President Gianni Infantino's ill-fated bid to sell off part of the men's World Cup. Aisling spoke with Miguel Poiares Maduro, former Chair of FIFA's Governance and Review Committee and dean of the Catholic Global School of Law in Lisbon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Kinahan is due back on Irish soil this evening, after being arrested and then extradited on the Government jet from Dubai. Aisling was joined by Crime Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mirror and Irish Daily Star Paul Healy and Former Asst Garda Commissioner Micheal O'Sullivan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On July 27th last, two brothers from Co Westmeath who sexually assaulted teenage girls in the mid-nineties were identified for the first time. Three of the women spoke to RTÉ Midlands Correspondent Sinéad Hussey, and she joined Aisling on the line with a report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There have now been more than 3,400 confirmed cases of Ebola across the Democratic Republic of the Congo - including more than 1,500 related deaths, with five provinces of the country now impacted by the outbreak. Adam spoke to Trish Newport, emergency coordinator with Médecins Sans Frontières, who is currently based in Bunia, DRC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Asset Management Agency was dissolved at midnight on Friday. It spent more than 16 years managing down the bad loans it took from Irish banks at the height of the financial crisis. Patrick Honohan, former governor of the Central Bank at the time that NAMA was established, joined Adam in studio for a post-mortem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A year ago this weekend, on the back of a rise in physical attacks on Indian people, the Indian Embassy in Ireland warned its citizens here to take precautions for their personal security. So, one year on, have things improved? Adam spoke to Prashant Shukla, chair of Ireland India Council. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From today, companies will be obliged to make clear to customers when they are interacting with something artificial intelligence-driven. That's because transparency obligations included in the European Union's AI Act come into force today. Adam was joined by Niamh Smyth, Minister of State with responsibility for AI. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last month the HSE settled a case with a family affected by the delayed diagnosis of Huntington's Disease. Sinead's maternal grandfather was diagnosed in 2015; however, Sinead's mother, who began to display symptoms in 2010, did not receive a diagnosis until 2022. Adam spoke to Sinead and to consultant neurologist Professor Orla Hardiman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police in Germany are searching for a 21-year-old man believed to have Islamist links after a vehicle drove into a crowd near Berlin's Gay Pride celebrations. One person was killed and 16 others are reported as wounded, including three with life-threatening injuries. Fiachra was joined from Berlin by Irish Times journalist Derek Scally. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomorrow Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan will meet with Law Society of Ireland representatives to discuss the ongoing dispute over fees in the free criminal legal aid system. With neither side backing down, three more days of walk outs are due to take place from Tuesday. Fiachra was joined by Cork-based criminal solicitor Frank Buttimer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Friday, a hose pipe ban came into effect for the entire country and will remain in place until 26 August. In addition to the hosepipe ban, Uisce Éireann is urging people to avoid unnecessary water use until conditions improve. RTÉ reporter Eithne Dodd has been finding out how the hose pipe ban is impacting people's daily lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concerns have been raised over the Bessborough mother and baby home site in Cork City due to developer Estuary View Enterprises having received permission to build apartments on the controversial site. Fiachra spoke to Katherine Zappone, ex-children's minister who had responsibility for the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Firefighters continue to battle blazes at Slievenamon in Co Tipperary for the seventh day in a row while significant wildfires ravage continental Europe. Fiachra spoke to Will Hayes, Researcher in Wildfires at Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society at the University of London, about what could be causing the blazes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two separate road fatalities have occurred on Irish roads in the early hours of this morning: an e-scooter user in Navan, county Meath, and a man in his late teens in county Tipperary. RTÉ Eastern Correspondent Samantha Libreri joined Fiachra with the details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.