Darren J. Prior – Near FM

The Hidden Story: Children, Development, and FASD – A Challenge for Irish Society. – Dr. Liam Curran (Near FM 2026)

DJP August 6, 2026

In this intervew, Dr. Liam Curran discusses the need for Ireland to adopt a professional, evidence-informed approach to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). He identifies four priority areas for action: prevention; screening and assessment; care and placement decisions; and the legal and…

Strengthening of Legislation and Garda Enforcement needed for Puppy Farms – Near FM Report (2026)

DJP July 6, 2026

1) Linda Martin, The Dublin Dog Hub. (https://www.dublindoghub.ie/) 2) John O’Callaghan, Dog Advocacy Ireland. (https://dogadvocacyireland.ie/) 3) Jennifer Whitmore TD, The Social Democrats Wicklow. https://youtu.be/6Gjc0t4MHkw Near FM, 6th July 2026.

Why isn’t the National Lottery including scratch cards treated as forms of gambling? – Frank Houghton, TUS – Near FM (2026)

DJP July 2, 2026

Darren J. Prior spoke to Frank Houghton, Principal Investigator of the Tobacco, Alcohol and Gambling Research Group at the Technological University of the Shannon TUS, about the National Lottery and how the bi-weekly lotto and scratch cards are a pervasive form of…

Westmeath County Council have an excellent opportunity to deliver big for Mullingar – Jason McKevitt (Near FM June 2026)

DJP June 30, 2026

Darren J. Prior spoke to Jason McKevitt Mullingar historian and history teacher about the Westmeath County Council-owned building on Church Avenue in Mullingar that could if the council are willing be converted into a museum or interpretative centre displaying to visitors about…

🔊 New UK law on smoking cigarettes and vapes to come into Northern Ireland – Near FM (2026)

DJP June 17, 2026

Darren J. Prior spoke to Doreen Regan a Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Officer within the Regional Tobacco Team at PHA NI about the UK Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026.

Understanding FASD in Ireland: A Dialogue with Dr. Liam Curran on Social Work Practice, Challenges, and Opportunities – Near FM (2026)

DJP June 4, 2026

Across health, social care, education, and community services, professionals and caregivers are increasingly encountering children, young people, and adults whose needs cannot be understood through a purely medical lens. Complex neurodevelopmental conditions, adverse childhood experiences, disability, trauma, and social disadvantage intersect in…

Will the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 in Ireland be enforced properly by Regulator? Frank Houghton, TUS – Near FM (2026)

DJP May 29, 2026

Darren J. Prior spoke to Frank Houghton the principal investigator of the tobacco, alcohol and gambling research group at the Technological University of the Shannon TUS about the Irish Gambling Regulation Act 2024; Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland and the big reach…

Rail line to Navan & Update on Another Couple of National Irish Railway Projects – Near FM (2026)

DJP May 22, 2026

Darren J. Prior spoke to Barry Kenny Head of Corporate Communications at Iarnród Éireann/Irish Rail about the planned restoration of the railway line to Navan. And Darren asked Barry for an update on the other DART+ railway projects including on the planned…

Africa Day Ireland Flagship Event, Royal Hospital Kilmainham – Global Solidarity, Near FM (2026)

DJP May 17, 2026

Report by Darren J. Prior:

Irish Dept. of Health leaves funding of FASD Services at crisis point / Major International Conference – Near FM (2026)

DJP May 16, 2026

Darren J. Prior spoke to Tristan Casson-Rennie CEO of FASD Ireland about the prevalance of FASD in Ireland which Tristan and others thinks effects approximately 10% of the population and which is higher again amongst our prisoner population in the country. The…

Cúrsaí iarnróid sa lá atá inniu ann – Fergus O’Dowd – Near FM (Bealtaine 2026)

DJP May 13, 2026

Labhair Darren le Fergus O’Dowd Iar-Theacha Dála do Chontae Lú faoin maoiniú nua ar an líne iarnróid idir Baile Átha Cliath agus Béal Feirste. Chuir Darren cúpla ceist ar Fhergus freisin mar gheall ar teacht an Luas go Corcaigh agus cúrsaí iarnróid…

Palliative Care and Hope on Wheels Ambulances Project in Uganda – Miriam Donohoe – Near FM (2026)

DJP May 13, 2026

Darren J. Prior spoke to Miriam Donohoe, an Irish woman based in Uganda, about the Hope on Wheels 11 ambulances that they received from the HSE project. And she told me about what else they would like to achieve in the area…