DUNDALK’S FREE NEWSPAPER Amy ready to chase LA Olympic dream Page 2
Funding approved for €6.5m Women’s Aid Refuge
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Dundalk’s young scientists impress in RDS Page 15
Wednesday, 14th January, 2026. Vol. 19, Issue 2 • 9A, Crowe Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth Tel: 042 932 0888 | Email: editorial@dundalkleader.com; advertising@dundalkleader.com
Farmers send message to EU over beef deal By Paul Byrne
OVER 100 farmers made their way to Market Square last Saturday morning to take part in a rally in support of their counterparts in Athlone where thousands gathered to show their opposition to the controversial Mercosur trade agreement which was passe din the EU last week. The Mercosur Trade Agreement with the EU involves four Mercosur countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Irish beef farmers are concerned that the deal could threaten their exports to Europe due to the introduction of lower-cost Brazilian beef. The deal will allow Mercosur countries to
export 99,000 tonnes of beef to the EU at a reduced tariff of 7.5%, compared to standard tariffs of around 40 to 45%. Farmers say that this will create unfair competition in the market, as they say that Mercosur producers operate under looser environmental, animal welfare and food safety rules. Last Friday (January 9), a majority of EU member states voted in favour of the deal. Ireland were one of just five countries in the EU who voted against the deal (alongside France; Hungary; Poland and Austria) while Belgium abstained. Continued on Page 2
Tommy marks 150 years of the Redemptorists in Dundalk. Tommy Sloane presents Fr Brendan Callanan with a model van he made to mark the upcoming anniversary of 150 years since the Redemptorists came to Dundalk. See Page 11.
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