Following the awful events in Birchwood last week, there continues to be much discussion about the scourge of drug-debt intimidation in Irish society.

How widespread is the problem in Waterford AND how can gardai help any person who finds themselves in difficulty?

This morning (Thursday), 'Deise Today' spoke to two senior gardai in Waterford dealing with this issue at the coal-face...Crime Prevention Officer Sgt Deirdre O'Neill PLUS a Waterford District Drugs Unit Sergeant.

You can listen back to their discussion with Damien by clicking on the 'play now' button...

Following the awful events in Birchwood last week, there continues to be much discussion about the scourge of drug-debt intimidation in Irish society.
How widespread is the problem in Waterford AND how can gardai help any person who finds themselves in difficulty?
This morning (Thursday), 'Deise Today' spoke to two senior gardai in Waterford dealing with this issue at the coal-face...Crime Prevention Officer Sgt Deirdre O'Neill PLUS a Waterford District Drugs Unit Sergeant.
You can listen back to their discussion with Damien by clicking on the 'play now' button...

Waterford gardai discuss drug debt intimidation...

He's one of the longest-serving local soccer club chairmen in the country.

And so this coming Sunday (Oct 25), it's fitting that Portlaw FC will re-name their home grounds in honour of local man John Corcoran, who has held the chair position for 50 years.

John, born and bred in Portlaw, is a passionate club chairman who has steered the club through five decades and continues to be hugely hands-on both at the club grounds and with overall club development.

The celebratory event, in his honour, kicks off this Sunday at 2pm when the official renaming ceremony taking place at the club grounds, with friends through the years, players and committee members past and present all invited to attend.

John was a studio guest on 'Deise Today' this morning (Thursday) and you can listen bck to his chat with Damien by clicking on the 'play now' button!...

 

 

He's one of the longest-serving local soccer club chairmen in the country.
And so this coming Sunday (Oct 25), it's fitting that Portlaw FC will re-name their home grounds in honour of local man John Corcoran, who has held the chair position for 50 years.
John, born and bred in Portlaw, is a passionate club chairman who has steered the club through five decades and continues to be hugely hands-on both at the club grounds and with overall club development.
The celebratory event, in his honour, kicks off this Sunday at 2pm when the official renaming ceremony taking place at the club grounds, with friends through the years, players and committee members past and present all invited to attend.
John was a studio guest on 'Deise Today' this morning (Thursday) and you can listen bck to his chat with Damien by clicking on the 'play now' button!...
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50 Years of Service: Portlaw honours soccer chairman John Corcoran!

*Lisa (not her real name) is a wife and mother from Waterford city.

Her husband is a recovering addict (he battled addictions to alcohol and drugs) AND while he is now doing well, the addiction brought the family to the brink - emotionally and financially.

The horrific events of the past week have firmly put a new focus on the issue of drug debt intimidation; a situation countless Irish - and Waterford people - are currently living with.

*Lisa (who has gone on to be a founder of 'Co-Anon Family Groups Ireland') was one of those people.

You can listen to her incredible story by clicking on the 'play now' button....

*Lisa (not her real name) is a wife and mother from Waterford city.
Her husband is a recovering addict (he battled addictions to alcohol and drugs) AND while he is now doing well, the addiction brought the family to the brink - emotionally and financially.
The horrific events of the past week have firmly put a new focus on the issue of drug debt intimidation; a situation countless Irish - and Waterford people - are currently living with.
*Lisa (who has gone on to be a founder of 'Co-Anon Family Groups Ireland') was one of those people.
You can listen to her incredible story by clicking on the 'play now' button....

Listen: *Lisa's story of living through drug debt intimidation....

Four coffins at the altar; the two parents on either side of their young boys...

And nearby on a table, a family photo of the six members of the family who have been devastated by the events of last week - parents gone, two children gone, and two children still critically ill in hospital. 

Yesterday afternoon, Philip, Kim, Callum and Jayden English were laid to rest after their funerals took place in the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly.

You can listen back to this morning's (Tuesday's) coverage of it on 'Deise Today' by clicking on the 'play now' button....

Four coffins at the altar; the two parents on either side of their young boys...
And nearby on a table, a family photo of the six members of the family who have been devastated by the events of last week - parents gone, two children gone, and two children still critically ill in hospital.&nbsp;
Yesterday afternoon, Philip, Kim, Callum and Jayden English were laid to rest after their funerals took place in the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly.
You can listen back to this morning's (Tuesday's) coverage of it on 'Deise Today' by clicking on the 'play now' button....

Devastation and heartbreak as Philip, Kim, Callum and Jayden laid to rest...

WATERFORD councillor John Hearne has been threatened by criminal figures in the past as a result of highlighting drug-related intimidation.

The Sinn Fein councillor says around 40 people have also come to him in the last three years because of this issue - and he knows of many, many cases where cars have been destroyed and people have been seriously attacked over debts owed to drug dealers.

John works closely with Waterford gardai and over the years has passed on much information to them about the activities of dealers and criminal gangs operating in and atround Waterford.

As the the investigations continue into this week's fatal arson attack in Birchwood, he spoke on 'Deise Today' this morning (Friday) about the wider issues of drug debt intimation which is believed to be the motive for the attack on the English family home.

You can listen back by clicking on the 'play now' button....

WATERFORD councillor John Hearne has been threatened by criminal figures in the past as a result of highlighting drug-related intimidation.
The Sinn Fein councillor says around 40 people have also come to him in the last three years because of this issue - and he knows of many, many cases where cars have been destroyed and people have been seriously attacked over debts owed to drug dealers.
John works closely with Waterford gardai and over the years has passed on much information to them about the activities of dealers and criminal gangs operating in and atround Waterford.
As the the investigations continue into this week's fatal arson attack in Birchwood, he spoke on 'Deise Today' this morning (Friday) about the wider issues of drug debt intimation which is believed to be the motive for the attack on the English family home.
You can listen back by clicking on the 'play now' button....

Listen back: Cllr John Hearne on drug-debt intimidation in Waterford

"A happy chap, a lovely guy, a nice footballer...

For three seasons, Alex O'Sullivan was coach at Johnville FC to the late Callum English (12) who lost his life in the arson attack on his family home at Birchwood on Tuesday morning last.

Alex and all in Johnville are devastated at the loss of Callum; a boy, Alex said, who always had a word to say if he met you on the street, who loved his soccer and his team at Johnville....and who always had a football in hand, match or no match.

The number 5 jersey which Callum wore as recently as last Saturday when his U-13 team played Ferrybank at home is now going to be "retired" following Callum's passing.

Alex spoke to Damien on 'Deise Today' this morning (Thursday) and you can listen back to his touching tribute to Callum by clicking on the 'play now' button.

"A happy chap, a lovely guy, a nice footballer...
For three seasons, Alex O'Sullivan was coach at Johnville FC to the late Callum English (12) who lost his life in the arson attack on his family home at Birchwood on Tuesday morning last.
Alex and all in Johnville are devastated at the loss of Callum; a boy, Alex said, who always had a word to say if he met you on the street, who loved his soccer and his team at Johnville....and who always had a football in hand, match or no match.
The number 5 jersey which Callum wore as recently as last Saturday when his U-13 team played Ferrybank at home is now going to be "retired" following Callum's passing.
Alex spoke to Damien on 'Deise Today' this morning (Thursday) and you can listen back to his touching tribute to Callum by clicking on the 'play now' button.

‘A happy chap’... Johnville coach’s tribute to Callum English (12)

FORMER Garda Sergeant Brian Willoughy has just brought out his latest book on his native Lismore.

Now living in Mullingar, Brian previously wrote 'The History of Lismore GAA Club'.

His new book, called 'From Ledger to Laptop - Lismore: A Business Heritage's is being officially launched in Lismore Castle on October 24 by RTE's Katie Hannon.

This morning (Thursday), Brian was a studio guest on 'Deise Today' talking about his latest project.

You can listen back to his chat with Damien by clicking on the 'play now' button.

FORMER Garda Sergeant Brian Willoughy has just brought out his latest book on his native Lismore.
Now living in Mullingar, Brian previously wrote 'The History of Lismore GAA Club'.
His new book, called 'From Ledger to Laptop - Lismore: A Business Heritage's is being officially launched in Lismore Castle on October 24 by RTE's Katie Hannon.
This morning (Thursday), Brian was a studio guest on 'Deise Today' talking about his latest project.
You can listen back to his chat with Damien by clicking on the 'play now' button.

Listen back: Brian Willoughby's new book on Lismore!

Over 300 protesters took part in a slow-drive protest in Kilmeaden on Saturday against the major data centre and energy development proposed near the village.

A convoy of cars, tractors, vans and other vehicles set off from Ballyduff National School on Saturday morning, travelling through Kilmeaden towards the Kingsmeadow Roundabout on the Cork Road, before returning through the village.

This morning, Damien spoke to Niall Power, local resident and member of the 'Kilmeaden Against Industrialisation Campaign group'.

You can listen back by clicking on the 'play now' button....

Over 300 protesters took part in a slow-drive protest in Kilmeaden on Saturday against the major data centre and energy development proposed near the village.
A convoy of cars, tractors, vans and other vehicles set off from Ballyduff National School on Saturday morning, travelling through Kilmeaden towards the Kingsmeadow Roundabout on the Cork Road, before returning through the village.
This morning, Damien spoke to Niall Power, local resident and member of the 'Kilmeaden Against Industrialisation Campaign group'.
You can listen back by clicking on the 'play now' button....

Listen back: Kilmeaden residents 'slow drive' against data centre plans

As widely reported this morning (Friday), RTE is likely to get the 20m it lost in the Budget if the broadcaster satisfies Government that its reform and redundancy programme is on track, senior Cabinet figures believe.

There were interventions from the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste yesterday after the revelation that the broadcaster had been left 20m short of the funding for next year.

A hastily-arranged meeting also took place between Minister Patrick O'Donovan and RTE bosses.

But what exactly is going on and is there possibly more to this story, as well as more to come?!

Damien spoke to Irish Times Political Editor Pat Leahy on 'Deise Today'.

You can listen back to their conversation by clicking on the 'play now' button... 

As widely reported this morning (Friday), RTE is likely to get the 20m it lost in the Budget if the broadcaster satisfies Government that its reform and redundancy programme is on track, senior Cabinet figures believe.
There were interventions from the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste yesterday after the revelation that the broadcaster had been left 20m short of the funding for next year.
A hastily-arranged meeting also took place between Minister Patrick O'Donovan and RTE bosses.
But what exactly is going on and is there possibly more to this story, as well as more to come?!
Damien spoke to Irish Times Political Editor Pat Leahy on 'Deise Today'.
You can listen back to their conversation by clicking on the 'play now' button...&nbsp;

Political journalist Pat Leahy and Damien discuss RTE funding controversy

It's been an integral part of the fabric of the local community for decades.

Dunhill National School in Co Waterford has a briliant track record for educating generations of local children.

And this weekend, it is celebrating 80 years in existence!

To mark the special anniversary, Damien was joined in studio for a chat this morning (Thursday) by the current principal, Fergus Cooper; parent and past-pupil Pauline Casey; AND well-known local woman Mary Harney who's a past pupil herself too!

You can listen back to the conversation by clicking on the 'play now' button!

It's been an integral part of the fabric of the local community for decades.
Dunhill National School in Co Waterford has a briliant track record for educating generations of local children.
And this weekend, it is celebrating 80 years in existence!
To mark the special anniversary, Damien was joined in studio for a chat this morning (Thursday) by the current principal, Fergus Cooper; parent and past-pupil Pauline Casey; AND well-known local woman Mary Harney who's a past pupil herself too!
You can listen back to the conversation by clicking on the 'play now' button!

Listen back: 80 years of Dunhill National School!

Déise Today is Waterford's flagship talk show. If it's happening in Waterford, it's being discussed on Déise Today. If you have a story to share with us, email deisetoday@wlrfm.com. Listen back here.

Déise Today is Waterford's flagship talk show. If it's happening in Waterford, it's being discussed on Déise Today. If you have a story to share with us, email <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:deisetoday@wlrfm.com">deisetoday@wlrfm.com</a>. Listen back here.

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