@NewstalkFM

There are calls for a bonfire in Belfast to be removed over safety concerns. Unionist residents in the area say this is a political move and an attack on their culture. @sinnfeinireland MLA for West Belfast, Pat Sheehan tells @TheHardShoulder that this bonfire needs to go.

Spending on private emergency accomodation in Dublin has increased by over €97 million since 2022. Figures from DCC show 23 providers are now operating 104 facilities. Private emergency accommodation accounts for around 70% of all homeless accommodation in Dublin.

More than €170m was spent on private emergency accommodation in Dublin last year, in 2022 it was over €73m. There are 104 of these facilities in Dublin and they are operated by 23 providers. €86m has been spent so far this year. @NewstalkFM .

More than €360million was spent on emergency accommodation last year, according to Focus Ireland. Councils are now considering building their own homeless accommodation. Sinn Féin’s @EOBroin tells @PatKennyNT some of the costs involved. @NewstalkFM

RT @oasis: It has begun

It’s estimated families are now spending an extra €3,000 a year on groceries. Farmers are calling for extra supports to help with increased production costs. Tim McGlynn tells @TheHardShoulder some of his rising costs. @NewstalkFM

Petrol bombs are being thrown at the PSNI for a third night in Ballymena. Water cannons have just arrived to try and disperse the crowd. @NewstalkFM

Tensions remain high in Ballymena after two nights of rioting. Over 30 PSNI officers have been injured and several homes have been burnt out. Sinn Féin MLA for North Antrim, Philip McGuigan fears there could be more violence tonight. @NewstalkFM

Tickets for @Metallica in Dublin go on sale at 10am tomorrow. The band will play at the Aviva Stadium on the 19th and 21st of June 2026. I got to experience the M72 world tour in Philadelphia with @mcd_productions. Hear my report for @NTBreakfast below.

Campaigners are calling for equal parental rights for same-sex couples. @equalchildren is meeting with the Minister for Health to discuss these issues today. Ranae von Meding told @PatKennyNT that many inequalities still exist 10 years on from the referendum.

The Muslim National School in Clonskeagh reopens this morning. Security is in place and the car park is cordoned off as the Islamic Cultural Centre remains closed. @NTBreakfast

The gap between Catholic marriages and civil ceremonies is narrowing. There were 6,425 Catholic ceremonies and 6,392 civil ceremonies in Ireland last year, according to the CSO. Fr. Iggy O’Donovan is not surprised with the decline. @NewstalkFM @TheHardShoulder

More than 2,000 pubs have closed in Ireland over the past 20 years. I’ve been meeting with rural publicans to hear about the challenges facing the sector. Hear from the @VFIpubs and more on @PatKennyNT shortly.

With Trump’s tariffs looming, it reminds me of when I was told by his party colleague they did not want to “penalise” companies. Speaking at the RNC in July 2024, former Republican presidential candidate, Asa Hutchinson told me he wanted to calm concerns on this issue.

Over 100 people took part in Ireland’s first EU Modex exercise today. The multi-agency event in the Wicklow Mountains tested the country’s capabilities to tackle wildfires. Hear from the responders involved on @TheHardShoulder.

Heathrow Airport hopes to run ‘full operation tomorrow’. I’ve been meeting with passengers at Dublin Airport who have had their travel plans disrupted. Hear from them and DAA on @TheHardShoulder shortly.

RT @NewstalkFM: Around 100,000 people are expected to visit Ireland this week for St Patrick’s Day celebrations. @JoshCrosbie3 on #NTBK.ht….

Energy and climate academics have written to the Taoiseach warning against a move to LNG. I spent time in North Kerry meeting with locals about the proposed Shannon LNG project for @PatKennyNT. FG Cllr, Michael Foley is calling for clarity on the government’s position to LNG.