Meath Gardaí have launched a crackdown on stockpiles of wooden pallets being gathered for Halloween bonfires, with a large collection recently removed in the Duleek area.

The operation was carried out in conjunction with Meath County Council, as authorities move to prevent potential fires, reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour and keep communities safe ahead of Halloween this Saturday.

Gardaí are urging parents and young people to be mindful of the dangers associated with bonfires, particularly when materials are gathered and stored in residential areas. They are also asking anyone with concerns about stockpiles to contact their local Garda station or the council.

Independent Senator Sharon Keogan, who is based in Duleek, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the crackdown, the concerns facing local residents and what more can be done to ensure Halloween is safe for everyone.

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The chairman of Athboy Celtic says he is in “disbelief” at the scale of the financial losses facing sports clubs, schools and charities following the collapse of construction firm Clearwater Construction and Landscaping last week.

The Meath club could be left out of pocket by around €150,000 after the company, which was building a new all-weather pitch at its grounds in Athboy, went bust.

A creditors’ meeting in Dublin heard that the company owed more than €2 million to clubs, schools, charities and suppliers nationwide, with little prospect of many recovering the money owed to them.

Athboy Celtic had already seen around eight weeks of work completed on the new pitch before the project came to a halt. Other affected organisations include football clubs and schools across the country, as well as a charity supporting adults with intellectual disabilities.

Bernard joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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The number of Gardaí patrolling roads across the country is being increased as road deaths continue to rise.

The latest recruitment drive has allowed experienced officers to transfer into Roads Policing Units, with further allocations planned nationwide.

It comes as 153 people have died on Irish roads up to October 25th this year, 13 more than during the same period last year.

With 188 road deaths recorded last year, there are growing concerns that the figure could reach 200 by the end of this year, particularly as November and December are traditionally among the most dangerous months on the roads.

Ralph Riegel, Southern Correspondent with the Irish Independent, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the increase in road deaths and whether additional Garda resources can help improve road safety.

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