This Week - 23 August 2026

A look at events making the news in the past week.

Oberstown workers protest over staffing shortages

After the recent crash on the M9 there has been huge scrutiny on young people who are engaging in crimes and the devastation it causes. Meanwhile staffing levels at youth detention centres are regularly too low to ensure safe detention conditions. Karen was joined by Damien Hernon, Director of Ober…

Planned increases in excise duty will not go ahead - Government

On Friday the government confirmed that the planned phasing out of excise cuts on fuel will be halted, and that it will agree the next steps this coming week, when the Dáil will be recalled for one day. Karen spoke to The Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke and Emma Howard, Economics Lecturer at TU…

EU countries, UK call on Israel to halt West Bank settlement project

Ireland is among several countries calling for a stronger international response against Israel, following the publication of a tender to construct 1,200 illegal housing units in occupied Palestine. Karen spoke to Channel 4's foreign correspondent Secundar Kermani. 

At least 16 killed in Russian drone strikes on Ukraine

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 Emmanuel…

Iran denounces new US sanctions as Hormuz trade stalls

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…

Number of deaths after crash involving car driving on wrong side of M9

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…

Kate O'Connor wins European heptathlon gold in Birmingham

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.

Sexual Violence Centre calls for new legislation to tackle spiking

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 t…

Galway's Cathal Murray: All-Ireland winners shouldn't need to raise money for holiday

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.