AGP Executive Report

Housing Watch: Galway has 1,968 homes under construction, the fifth-highest county total in Ireland, with 2,235 new address points added over the past year—though the big question now is whether delivery can keep pace. Local Safety: Gardaí have kicked off a Bank Holiday roads policing operation focused on speeding, drink/drug driving, mobile use and seatbelts, with 105 road deaths recorded so far in 2026. Women Under Attack: The Association of Irish Local Government says hundreds of female councillors have been targeted by persistent, distressing harassing calls, and urges anyone affected to report it to gardaí. Legal Aid Shake-up: Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has proposed fresh changes to how solicitors are paid for free legal-aid cases, aiming to end a long-running dispute. Water Quality: The EPA warns many private water supplies aren’t being monitored and calls for mandatory registration, as E. coli failures persist in rural schemes. Culture & Loss: Oscar-winning Irish musician Glen Hansard has died in a motorcycle crash in Dublin, prompting tributes from across Ireland’s music world.

Tragic Dublin Loss: Oscar-winning Irish musician Glen Hansard has died aged 56 after a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Lucan, west of Dublin, with Gardaí appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage as investigations continue. Global Tributes: Tributes have poured in from major artists including Bono and Bruce Springsteen, who praised Hansard as a “great musician” and “angelic presence.” Road Safety Push: An Garda Síochána is running a major August bank holiday road policing operation from 30 July to 4 August, targeting speeding, phone use, drink/drug driving and seatbelt non-compliance. Sport—European Nights: Shelbourne host Nõmme Kalju in the Conference League second-leg with a 5-2 aggregate lead, while Bohemians travel to Kosovo to face Ballkani after a 2-1 advantage. Local Environment: Castlemartyr Resort in east Cork has been fined €10,000 after a pollution spillage killed more than 100 fish in the Kiltha river.

EU Fisheries Talks in Cork: Ministers meet under Ireland’s EU Presidency in Cork to shape the next phase of the Common Fisheries Policy, balancing fish-stock recovery with coastal livelihoods and calls for simpler rules. Childcare Pressure in the South East: A Tramore campaign says some parents can’t return to work due to a shortage of 150+ childcare places, urging a new public childcare system in the budget. AI in Healthcare: HIQA says any new AI use in health and social services must be safe and trustworthy first, with clear accountability and governance. OpenAI Expands in Dublin: The firm plans to relocate and add 250 jobs at its Dublin European HQ, boosting its “OpenAI for Ireland” programme. Road Safety Crackdown: Gardaí launch an August Bank Holiday operation targeting speeding, drink/drug driving, phone use and seatbelts as deaths rise. Local Community Sport: Drum/Clonown/Monksland win Connacht Community Games titles, with teams progressing to All-Ireland finals in Carlow. Research on Alzheimer’s: TCD-led work suggests microglia help stabilise brain networks, warning that indiscriminate suppression could backfire.

Ireland Cricket: Jai Moondra earns a maiden ODI call-up for Ireland’s five-match home series against Afghanistan starting August 5 in Bready, with Ben Calitz and Byron McDonough also among new faces as injuries shape the squad. Women’s Golf: The AIG Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes is set to be a showdown between familiar major winners and first-time contenders, with Charley Hull and Lottie Woad among the names to watch. European Football: Shamrock Rovers’ Europa League hopes take a hit after a 2-1 win over Ararat-Armenia wasn’t enough to overturn the first-leg deficit; they’ll now face Egnatia in Tallaght. Local Sport & Community: Sligo Rovers captain Will Fitzgerald joins Shamrock Rovers for a reported club-record €75,000 ahead of the League of Ireland deadline. Crime & Justice: Tom Hassett (72) has been jailed for eight years for historic sexual abuse of a girl in the early 1980s. Health & Rights: A Co Kilkenny woman with Friedreich’s ataxia has launched a judicial review over delays in HSE approval and funding for a drug that could slow the condition. EU Politics: Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz again presses for major EU budget cuts in talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dublin. Tech & Business: Fenergo launches Fen-AI, an agentic AI platform aimed at automating bank onboarding and compliance while keeping humans in control. Road Tragedy: A child has died days after a Cavan crash that also killed the mother, with Gardaí appealing for dash-cam and witness footage. Culture: Desmond Egan’s 1946 documentary “By Corrib Waters” is now streaming free on the IFI Player.

All-Ireland Football: Mayo’s 75-year wait is over. RTÉ says 944,000 watched the final on TV (peak 1.1m), with 566,000 on RTÉ Player, as Joe Brolly argued Kerry “switched off” after a blistering start and Mayo surged 1-19 to 0-12 after the early lead. Local Sports & Community: Rosemount GAA is offering free heart screening for 12-18s on Friday, Aug 7, with the Dillon Quirke Foundation. Housing & Cost of Living: A SCSI report warns a couple on €113k are priced out of family homes in Dublin commuter counties like Kildare, Wicklow and Meath, even with Help to Buy. Consumer Safety: Ireland will align furniture flammability rules with the EU’s GPSR, revoking the 1995 domestic furniture fire-safety order. Culture & Language: Irish language phrases have been added to Disneyland Paris’ “It’s a Small World” ride for the first time. Travel & Transport: Cork commuters face Garda-facilitated traffic restrictions during informal EU fisheries meetings in the city and at Charles Fort, Kinsale. Health & Science: A major genetic study links fibromyalgia to new long-term pain-processing risk factors.

All-Ireland Football: Mayo’s 75-year wait is over. Andy Moran told tens of thousands at MacHale Park in Castlebar “they won’t laugh at us anymore” after the Sam Maguire triumph over Kerry, with an estimated 40,000-plus at the homecoming. Local Politics & Housing: Waterford border area sees new homes as Minister John Cummins opens Abbeymount (16 homes) in Ferrybank and Churchview (25 homes) in Kilmacow. Courts & Abuse: Former Irish Olympic swimming coach George Gibney was branded a “monster” in victim statements at Dublin’s Central Criminal Court as sentencing follows convictions. Regulation & Online Gambling: Soft2bet-linked online casino activity is under investigation as regulators react to the “Soft2bet Files,” with at least one sex-themed site reported offline. Business/Tech: TE Connectivity in Galway is rolling out a new automated 3D-printing process for catheter shafts. Community & Culture: Galway County Council adopts a five-year Arts Plan to boost grants, repurpose vacant buildings, and build Tuam as a creative hub.

All-Ireland Football: Mayo are back in the spotlight after ending a 75-year wait for the Sam Maguire Cup, beating Kerry 1-20 to 1-17 at Croke Park, and the celebrations continue with a huge homecoming in Castlebar tonight at Hastings Insurance McHale Park (gates 3pm, team presentation 6pm, traffic diversions and no alcohol/flares). Local Sport & Culture: The Sunday Game named Ryan O’Donoghue Footballer of the Year after his starring role in the final, while tributes pour in from home and abroad, including Joe Biden (“Sam is coming home”) and Oasis’ Liam and Noel Gallagher. Housing Policy: Government plans to expand the Land Development Agency’s powers, including wider compulsory purchase, closer work with local authorities, and a lower population threshold for towns, aiming to speed up delivery of thousands of homes. Business & Energy: Dublin-headquartered DCC Energy has agreed a takeover deal to go private, backing a bid from KKR and Energy Capital Partners worth up to £5.75bn. International: Egypt welcomed Ireland’s ban on imports from Israeli settlements. Everyday Ireland: An €8.2m Irish Lotto jackpot was won in Offaly.

All-Ireland Football: Mayo ended a 75-year wait for Sam Maguire with a 1-20 to 1-17 win over Kerry at Croke Park, sparking scenes of relief and joy across the county and beyond, with tributes pouring in including from former US President Joe Biden. GAA Reaction: Kerry boss Jack O’Connor said Mayo had “more energy… more legs, more hunger,” while Mayo captain Jack Coyne urged young fans to “dream big” after the historic turnaround. Tuam Investigation: Forensic teams began examining remains connected to the St Mary’s Mother and Baby Home in Tuam as survivors seek answers about the deaths of hundreds of children. Online Radicalisation: Gardaí identified adolescents linked to an “obsessed with violence” extremist network and referred them to Tusla after a Europol-led operation targeting violent extremist content. Health & Services: Doctor365 launched a new blood test and health screening service in Cavan Town, expanding walk-in and out-of-hours care. Sports Elsewhere: India swept Zimbabwe 3-0 in T20Is, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 81 and Mayank Yadav’s impact in the final match.

All-Ireland Camogie: Cork booked a sixth straight Senior Camogie final with a 2-16 to 0-17 win over Tipperary, powered by a dominant first half and goals from Amy O’Connor and Millie Condon; they’ll face Galway in Croke Park on August 9. Croagh Patrick & Road Safety: The Archbishop of Tuam urged pilgrims on Reek Sunday to travel safely, tying the day’s message to modern car safety features and the need for breaks on long journeys. Gardaí & Historic Abuse: Former FAI coach Eamonn Collins, arrested over alleged historic sexual abuse, has been released and a file is being prepared for the DPP. Dublin Port Drugs: Gardaí and Revenue seized cannabis worth about €7.84m (392kg) at Dublin Port, with forensic testing expected. Road Safety Data: Ireland’s NCT says 71,308 cars (about 7.7%) tested in the first half of 2026 were “dangerously defective,” the highest level recorded. Sport Spotlight: Anthony Joshua survived a shock early wobble to stop Kristian Prenga, while Ireland’s All-Ireland football final build-up continues ahead of Kerry vs Mayo. Weather: Met Éireann warns the settled sunshine is fading, with more cloud and outbreaks of rain returning.

FAI Safeguarding Probe: A former FAI coach in his 60s has been arrested in a Garda investigation into historic sexual abuse allegations involving women players, sparked by the Girls in Green documentary and now being handled by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. Drugs at Dublin Port: Gardaí and Revenue seized about 392kg of suspected herbal cannabis at Dublin Port, worth roughly €7.84m, with samples now going to Forensic Science Ireland as investigations continue. Housing Planning Update: A €55m Cavan housing scheme near Cavan Town has lodged an amendment application to Cavan County Council, seeking changes to 25 duplex apartments (including swapping some one-beds to larger two-bed homes) without altering footprints or external appearance. Energy Project Tensions: A Cavan councillor says landowners report Eirgrid is using entrances without the right permission for the North-South interconnector, warning it could become “very, very serious.” Sport—Camogie: Cork beat Tipperary 2-16 to 0-17 to reach a sixth straight All-Ireland senior camogie final, with first-half goals from Amy O’Connor and Millie Condon. Athletics—Dublin: Rhasidat Adeleke won 200m at the Irish nationals in Santry to qualify for next month’s European Championships in Birmingham.

Health Policy: New law signed this week is set to let pharmacists renew contraception prescriptions monthly after an initial GP visit, with rollout expected before end-2026 once training, protocols and IT updates are ready. Justice & Safety: A 25-year-old law student in Co Kildare has been granted bail after explosives were found in a car near the border, while another suspect remains in custody. Business & Security: A confidential Government report says Aughinish Alumina has struggled to sell alumina across Europe due to concerns over Russian ownership, with claims about “confidential data” disputed by an unpublished report. Community Fundraising: Children at Risk in Ireland (CARI) is launching a Lough Derg kayaking challenge on 5 September to support specialist therapy and family services. Local Life & Culture: Dublin City Council begins a pilot providing free sunscreen in 12 city parks. Sports (Ireland): The Galway Races kick off Monday (27 July) with big crowds and a packed entertainment programme. International: UN human rights chief Volker Türk wins a second term despite US, Russia and Israel opposition.

Ukraine Support: Ireland has pledged a further €125m in bilateral aid for Ukraine, with the Taoiseach meeting President Zelenskyy in Kyiv and discussing reconstruction and Irish firms’ potential role. Russia Alumina Probe: Irish officials say they found no definitive link between Aughinish Alumina exports and Russian weapons, but the review was inconclusive, so results are being shared with the EU Commission. Rail Upgrade: Iarnród Éireann has launched the FourNorth programme to add tracks and boost capacity on the Connolly–Malahide corridor, aiming to cut bottlenecks and improve reliability. Justice & Rights: The High Court heard arguments that defendants were unfairly detained amid a legal aid row, after solicitors withdrew services over fee reforms. Public Safety: Met Éireann warns of “absolute drought” across much of Ireland, with many stations seeing very little rain and limited forecasts. Garda Intake: 206 new Garda recruits were sworn in at Templemore, including Roscommon footballer Kayleigh Shine. Sport (All-Ireland): Kerry and Mayo meet in the SFC final at Croke Park on Sunday, with heavy focus on early momentum and key forward matchups. Criminal Case: A 25-year-old law student has been charged over a suspected New IRA explosives plot after a car was intercepted near the border.

Language Rights & Work: A former FSAI communications officer told a tribunal he faced “microaggressions” over Irish, including being asked if he was a Sinn Féin member, and claims he was penalised after raising concerns about Irish-language errors. Water Shortage: A hosepipe ban is now in force nationwide until 26 August, with Uisce Éireann urging households to cut unnecessary use as hot, dry weather strains supplies. Local Politics: Westmeath councillor Aengus O’Rourke has been elected president of the Association of Irish Local Government, succeeding Mary Hanna Hourigan. National Parks & Fire Safety: Proposed new rules could bring €1,000 on-the-spot fines for disposable barbecues in national parks, after wildfires including Killarney. Business & Sustainability: Hatch Blue has invested $2m in Bray startup Nernst Electric to develop on-site oxygen generation for fish farms. Health: Research highlights people self-prescribing doxyPEP for STI prevention, raising concerns as guidance lags behind demand. Sport (Ireland): Horse Racing Ireland reports positive trends in Irish racing in the first half of 2026, including higher prize money and a jump in new owners. Sport (Global): India’s Shreyas Iyer won his first T20I as captain, beating Zimbabwe by seven wickets.

Aviation Jobs: Ryanair has announced a €50m investment in Shannon Airport for a new four-bay maintenance hangar and an Engineering Academy, with plans for 400 skilled jobs if planning approval goes through. Ukraine-Ireland Business: Taoiseach Micheál Martin met Ukrainian leaders in Kyiv, discussing Irish firms’ role in reconstruction as the EU approved a 21st sanctions package against Russia, with focus on winter readiness and energy repairs. Cost of Living Watch: Fuel prices could rise again as conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine push up wholesale refined fuel costs, with diesel up sharply in recent weeks. Local Courts: A Co Meath developer has had €14m owed to Nama written off for a €37,000 payment under a court-approved personal insolvency plan, while a mortgage is restructured. Agriculture & Health: Teagasc is hosting a new conference on supporting women in farming, while new vet medicine rules are squeezing co-op margins. Sport (All-Ireland): Kerry name an unchanged side for the final against Mayo, with Paul Geaney on the bench; meanwhile, Mayo hype and Tyrone’s Ulster form are in the spotlight. Weather: North Wales has declared a drought as heat and dry conditions bite, with Ireland already under a hosepipe ban.

Water Restrictions: Uisce Éireann’s six-week hosepipe ban starts in Mayo from midnight, with the nationwide Water Conservation Order now running until Aug 26 as hot, dry weather strains supplies. Farm Support: €1.5m is being paid out under the Fuel Income Support Scheme to farmers and agricultural contractors, with payments rolling out across Meath and Louth and expected to reach about €27m nationally. Justice System: Minister Jim O’Callaghan says he’ll meet the Law Society over disruption caused by new flat-fee legal aid payments from 1 July, after solicitors withdrew services and cases were adjourned. Politics/Ukraine: Taoiseach Micheál Martin arrives in Kyiv for talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Ukraine’s EU accession and Ireland’s support. E-scooter Debate: Cork councillor Oliver Moran warns new e-scooter rules won’t help without enforcement, citing child injuries and licensing/insurance concerns. Culture & Community: A new exhibition, “Irish Republicanism and the Gays,” opens at Áras Uí Chonghaile, while Cork’s Spirit of Mother Jones Festival kicks off with “Songs of Struggle, Songs of Hope.” Public Health: Forensic examinations begin on remains found at the Tuam mother-and-baby home site, with DNA samples taken from people who believe they’re related.

Tuam Mother-and-Baby Home Update: Excavators have recovered the remains of 22 more infants at the former St Mary’s site in Tuam, bringing the total found there to 99 since searches began last year, with coffins recovered from an area previously covered by gravel and used as a driveway. Forensic Work Continues: Investigators say hand-excavation is ongoing and they’ve collected seven additional DNA reference samples, taking the total to 62, as they work to identify children who died between 1925 and 1961. Government Budget Watch: The Department of Finance has published Ireland’s Summer Economic Statement 2026, setting out a €8.5bn package for Budget 2027 discussions—€7.0bn in spending and €1.5bn in new tax measures. EU/Foreign Affairs: Ireland’s foreign minister Helen McEntee spoke by phone with Kuwait’s foreign minister, discussing bilateral ties and regional developments, as Ireland holds the EU Council presidency. Sport (Europe): Bohemians beat Ballkani 2-1 in the Conference League qualifier, with Ross Tierney scoring a late winner at Dalymount.