ireland

Nearly 8,000 apply for special school places despite plan for just 3,000
Nearly 8,000 apply for special school places despite plan for just 3,000
5,895 applicants are already enrolled in schools and have places within the system but have been recommended for a place in a special school or special class

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Depressed woman talking to her pchychologist closeup
Garda search of therapist's home for counselling notes 'an appalling abuse of power'
Search of therapist’s home sparks fears over confidentiality, consent, and use of counselling notes in sexual offence trials

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Chanellor Merz Meets Irish Prime Minister Martin
'Vigilance and security' needed to combat terror threats from 'lone wolves', Taoiseach says 
Micheál Martin said such attacks are 'probably the number one danger in Ireland'

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Little patient at dentist office.
Dental waiting lists have led some children with complex needs to self-harm because of the pain
For children with complex needs who may be non‑verbal or unable to articulate pain, signs such as refusing food or self‑harming are often the only way parents or carers realise something is wrong

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

computer class
Oireachtas committee hears how Estonian schools use AI app to boost critical thinking
Estonia’s education system is trialling an AI app that prompts critical thinking instead of supplying direct answers

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Mater Hospital
Hospital's €48m deficit is 'actually underfunding' by the Government, PAC told
The hospital told the Public Accounts Committee that adding to the deficit in any way would risk leaving it exposed to sanctions under company law

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Garda stock
About 270 gardaí off duty every day last year due to injuries suffered at work, new figures show
Overall, members of An Garda Síochána took almost 270,000 sick days last year

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

HSE Temple Street spinal surgery review
Girl in critical condition after Westmeath crash involving car and pedestrian
Young girl remains in critical condition after evening collision in Clonmellon, as gardaí seek witnesses and dash-cam footage

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Temperatures to hit 20C this weekend with sunshine and scattered showers
Temperatures to hit 20C this weekend with sunshine and scattered showers
A mix of sunshine, warm temperatures and occasional heavy showers is forecast, with highs reaching 20C in places

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Spring Economic Statement
Harris rules out mini budget but leaves door open to energy credits this winter
Government resists calls for fresh cost-of-living measures now but signals targeted supports could return later this year

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Mike Nesbitt meeting
Work resumes on New Children’s Hospital project following evacuation
It is understood the evacuation was prompted by a fire but that the damage is not considered substantial

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Ireland faces evolving terror threats including Islamist and far-right risks, report finds
Ireland faces evolving terror threats including Islamist and far-right risks, report finds
Oversight judge warns of evolving terror risks and calls for modernised surveillance laws with stronger safeguards for civil liberties

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Pedestrian, 60s, dies following collision involving bus at Dublin Airport
Pedestrian, 60s, dies following collision involving bus at Dublin Airport
The incident happened shortly after 12.10am at Corballis Road

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

EU data law is restricting criminal investigations, says oversight judge 
EU data law is restricting criminal investigations, says oversight judge 
Judge George Birmingham said the current situation is 'less than satisfactory'

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

UKRAINE-RUSSIA-CONFLICT-WAR-DEFENCE-INDUSTRY
‘Ukraine’s future, post-war, is in Europe and the European Union’
Meanwhile Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been busy shuttling between European capital cities and drumming up more support for Ukraine

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Oversight judge calls for modern powers to combat changing threats to Ireland's security
Oversight judge calls for modern powers to combat changing threats to Ireland's security
Security Correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe looks at the first report of the new Independent Examiner for Security Legislation

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Number of properties to rent through HAP more than halved since December 
Number of properties to rent through HAP more than halved since December 
Under the HAP scheme, people are allowed to source private rented accommodation for which the rent is paid by their local council

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Teenage boy with school bag going home from school
School 'a hostile place of hurt and pain' for Traveller children, new research finds
UCC study found Traveller children experience discrimination, segregation from their peers, and negative relationships with teachers

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

BRENDA O CONNELL & MAGS ROGERS
Neurological patients outside Dublin face 'stark inequalities' in care, experts warn 
The HSE’s model of care plan for neurology is now 10 years old

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

A child’s Irish homework
Group calls for legislation mandating provision of education as Gaeilge 
Excluding schools in the Gaeltacht, 2.5% of students can complete their education through Irish

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Shoulder patch of a soldier from the Irish Army on camouflaged uniform.
Gardaí launch inquiry as Defence Forces officer accused of attacking woman with bottle at party
The man has been placed on special leave 'on a without-prejudice basis'

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Department has no control over school book about tree that doesn't sustain Ireland's ecology
Department has no control over school book about tree that doesn't sustain Ireland's ecology
The book about the Sitka Spruce, which was sent to all primary schools last week, also features a foreword by former forestry minister Michael Healy-Rae expressing 'hope' that the story will help the reader 'see forests in a new way'

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

By-elections will be referendum on a Government left with little wriggle room
By-elections will be referendum on a Government left with little wriggle room
With public anger at the cost of living and the Government's response to the fuel protests, the timing of the by-elections in Dublin Central and Galway West could not be worse for the Coalition parties

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Pond in Mazidagi dried up due to drought and extreme heat
Extreme heat and drought threatening world's food systems
Rising temperatures and water shortages put livestock at risk from organ failure and cardiovascular shock, while crop yields begin to decline above 30C

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Irish Cabinet meeting
Taoiseach to ministers: 'Listen to backbenchers' amid youthful disquiet
Three young TDs who last week warned that the “social contract” between Fianna Fáil and the younger generation was “strained”

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Immigration bill
President signs international protection bill into law without Supreme Court referral
New legislation tied to EU migration pact enacted, with president opting against pre-emptive Supreme Court review of constitutionality

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Garda leave and days off 'will be cancelled' with resources stretched
Garda leave and days off 'will be cancelled' with resources stretched
Gardaí are already suffering from burnout, the GRA said

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Care system for adult children with disabilities after parents die 'cruel and heartless', Dáil committee told
Care system for adult children with disabilities after parents die 'cruel and heartless', Dáil committee told
Tony Murray — founder of the advocacy group Before We Die and father of Aoife, who is 42 and living with an intellectual disability — said 'nothing is in place' for their children when parents in his position die

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

new houses
First-time buyers may be set for stamp duty relief
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said any decision on stamp duty relief would form part of October's budget

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Foot of newborn baby
Number of babies with RSV 'collapsed' after immunisation programme began
Meanwhile, the shingles vaccine for older people is not publicly funded despite being 'safe and effective', the Oireachtas health committee has heard

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Grace Lynch funeral
Workers squeezed after ‘wrong call’ in Budget 2026, Sinn Féin says
Mary Lou McDonald told Micheál Martin there was “real anger” amid working families

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Young man jeans back side pocket to carry condoms taking in hand condom from jeans isolated on white background, safe sex concep
Top condom producer faces 'very fragile situation', with prices to rise by up to 30% due to war in Iran
Karex, which produces more than five billion condoms annually, says it has no choice but to pass on rising freight costs to consumers

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Irish government cabinet meeting
Leo Varadkar previously warned against 'creating an artificial divide' between rural and urban Ireland
During a 2021 speech, made when he was tánaiste, he said he had always 'rejected attempts to create such a split

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Chanellor Merz Meets Irish Prime Minister Martin
Majority believe Government not doing enough to cut reliance on fossil fuels
A majority of people think the Government is not doing enough to cut Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels, as it was urged to convene a national dialogue of stakeholders to ensure this is our “last fossil fuel crisis”.

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Pioneering knee surgery
One in three hip and knee replacement patients had obesity, audit finds
An analysis of more than 43,000 joint replacement surgeries over the past decade shows growing levels of obesity, while complication and mortality rates remain low

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Woman with red manicure holding blister with contraceptive hormonal pills in her hands closeup
'Significant gaps' in free contraception scheme
Women over 35 are ineligible  as are asylum seekers and undocumented women, the National Women's Council says

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

European Union Flags
EU members reject proposal to suspend EU-Israel Association Agreement
Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia called for the suspension over alleged war crimes in Palestine and Lebanon

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Cork principal denies being drunk in school and says 'social media trolls' targeted him
Cork principal denies being drunk in school and says 'social media trolls' targeted him
Aidan Breathnach claims to have been the victim of an 'orchestrated campaign'

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

ieExplains: Building and renting out modular cabins
ieExplains: Building and renting out modular cabins
Government pressing ahead with plans to allow people to build modular cabins in their back gardens without planning permission

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Louise Burne: Government making budget promises in age of uncertainty
Louise Burne: Government making budget promises in age of uncertainty
For the second year running, the Government’s economic planning is being framed by global instability

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

nurses in the hospital corridor
Overcrowded hospitals leaving nurses 'running on fumes', says INMO
'We used to be shocked when we saw 500 patients on trolleys in the middle of winter, but we’ve never seen over 500 patients daily in the spring, coming into the summer.'

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Middle East conflict
Senator hits out at ‘delay tactics’ in enacting Occupied Territories Bill
'We are legally obliged to pass this bill. The International Criminal Court have said this — every country is legally obliged to pass this bill'

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Opposition leaders compare rental units in gardens to tenements and bedsits
Opposition leaders compare rental units in gardens to tenements and bedsits
Government plans to exempt garden homes between 32 and 45sq m from planning permission

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Richmond Village housing development
Government support for construction sector ruled out for now
A €505m package of supports was announced earlier this month to deal with rising fuel prices and unrest

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Spring Economic Statement
No recession forecast for Ireland but Budget 2027 will require tough trade-offs, ministers warn
Government forecasts continued economic growth despite global risks, but warns Budget 2027 will require spending restraint and difficult fiscal choices

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Funeral of David Byrne
Kinahan cartel pursuit will continue 'relentlessly' after arrest, says Garda Commissioner
Garda Commissioner says investigations into the Kinahan cartel will continue, with focus on victims and wider organised crime networks

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Gardaí arrest two juveniles after robberies on Dublin canal greenway
Gardaí arrest two juveniles after robberies on Dublin canal greenway
Targeted policing operation follows reports of robberies along busy commuter route, with seizures and arrests made in multiple areas

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Defence Forces places officer on leave after woman alleges he hit her with bottle 
Defence Forces places officer on leave after woman alleges he hit her with bottle 
The man involved in the incident is alleged to have hit the female air corps member with a wine bottle and was going to hit her again when he was overpowered

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Garda at centre of ‘bike gate’ receives standing ovation at GRA conference
Garda at centre of ‘bike gate’ receives standing ovation at GRA conference
Garda conference hears criticism of lengthy suspensions as officers cleared of wrongdoing receive strong support from colleagues

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Tax revenues receipts
Government predicts €1.2bn budget deficit and says inflation could reach 6.7% in 2026
Department outlines scenarios showing energy disruption could push prices higher, with economic risks weighted toward downside pressures

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Lord Henry Mount Charles funeral
City dwellers have higher incomes than people living in countryside, CSO finds
The statistical breakdown comes after comments from former taoiseach Leo Varadkar last week on the rural and urban divide

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

New savings schemes should be simple and tax-free for young adults, says think tank
New savings schemes should be simple and tax-free for young adults, says think tank
Think tank says simple design, incentives, and youth-focused tax measures are key to boosting investment uptake nationwide

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Irish students shine at one of world's most prestigious maths events
Irish students shine at one of world's most prestigious maths events
Students Aifric Barron, Charlotte Walmsley, Roisin Spratt, and Siobhan McGale represented Ireland at the European Girls Mathematical Olympiad

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Middle East conflict
TD who gave reference to sex offender should come forward, say leaders
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris said they did not know who the TD was

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Chambers warns ministers 'to control their spending' as impact of Middle East war deepens
Chambers warns ministers 'to control their spending' as impact of Middle East war deepens
Spring economic forecast to be unveiled later today by finance minister and Tánaiste Simon Harris, and public expenditure minister Jack Chambers

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Modular homes: Government drops plans to cap rental income on back-garden units
Modular homes: Government drops plans to cap rental income on back-garden units
Move comes amid a warning that the measure could lead to a proliferation of 'poor quality, very expensive' rental units

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Sad boy standing alone in the hallway
Cabinet to discuss inquiry into child sex abuse in schools 
Hildegarde Naughton will tell Cabinet colleagues the four appointments will include a senior legal consultant and child safeguarding experts

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Four more postnatal hubs to open after success of first five 
Four more postnatal hubs to open after success of first five 
'Every single community in this entire country should have something like this... it's just invaluable' one mother told researchers

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Waiting Room
Food preservative linked to increase in suicides, study finds
The study published in 'BMJ Public Health' stems from a review of 164 cases in Ireland and Britain 

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Immigration bill
President Connolly considers referring migration bill to Supreme Court
Justice minister called plan 'a pivotal step in our implementation of a rules-based migration and asylum system'

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Education Feature
Sinn Féin calls for 'Sláintecare' on future of special education for children with additional needs
Party to bring forward motion to call for urgent and 'fundamental shift' in how the State provides for children with additional educational needs

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Pension Retirement Income compensation Office Business Concept
Two dozen ex-ministers and civil servants yet to start paying off incorrect pension deductions
Documents provided to the Public Accounts Committee show there is still €94,361 owed to the National Shared Service Office

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

AI prompt chat bot. Search website to generate data, text or image. Man using computer with artificial intelligence app. Virtual
Approach the topic of AI with 'considerable cynicism', expert says
Professor Barry O’Sullivan of the school of computer science and IT at UCC says 'major obstacles still exist to building systems that really compete with the capabilities of humans'

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Taoiseach visit to US
£40,000 St Patrick’s Day trip to US ‘worthwhile’, says minister in North
Gordon Lyons acknowledged 'difficult period' financially but said Stormont should not 'gut' arts and culture budget

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Blackrock College abuse
Experts appointed to historical school sex abuse commission
That inquiry was launched in 2022 after brothers Mark and David Ryan revealed abuse they suffered at Blackrock College in Dublin

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

HSE paid eight influencers €30,000 to take part in anti-vaping campaign
HSE paid eight influencers €30,000 to take part in anti-vaping campaign
HSE said its research shows younger people are 'harder to connect with through traditional media channels and advertising campaigns'

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

People building modular homes in back gardens will be able to rent them on private market
People building modular homes in back gardens will be able to rent them on private market
Micheál Martin said he didn't think people 'would build something costing up to €80,000 if it was only to be used for a son or a daughter who might leave after two or three years'

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Arthritis sufferers 'need earlier diagnosis, better communication, and stronger supports'
Arthritis sufferers 'need earlier diagnosis, better communication, and stronger supports'
People with more severe symptoms now are 'nearly twice as likely to wait over a year for their first rheumatology appointment' as those in better health

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Richmond Village housing development
Taoiseach denies pushing Michael Healy-Rae out of Government
Michael Healy-Rae and his brother Danny Healy-Rae voted against the Government in a confidence motion last Tuesday

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Irish Cabinet meeting
TD who gave reference to accused in child sex abuse trial should come forward, Tánaiste says
Simon Harris said he was not aware of who the TD in question is

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Jobs, life expectancy and religion: Census 1926 reveals how much Ireland changed in a century
Jobs, life expectancy and religion: Census 1926 reveals how much Ireland changed in a century
Central Statistics office compared Census 1926 figures with those from Census 2022 to show how different life was in Ireland 100 years ago

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Harris insists he still wants beneficial tax changes in next budget
Harris insists he still wants beneficial tax changes in next budget
The Spring Economic Forecast will be discussed at Cabinet on Tuesday and will outline the parameters of Budget 2027, which will be announced on October 6

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Patients in a Galway hospital terrorised by 'scary' seagull attacks
Patients in a Galway hospital terrorised by 'scary' seagull attacks
“I had just exited my car when this seagull descended, wings flapping, shrieking wildly."

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Investigations launched into 12 cases of garda domestic and sexual abuse misconduct
Investigations launched into 12 cases of garda domestic and sexual abuse misconduct
One of the victims was arrested four times on foot of complaints made against her by her husband, whom she claims was coercively controlling her

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Middle aged asia people old mom holding hands trust comfort help young woman talk crying stress relief at home. Mum as friend lo
'Complex and prolonged' assessment of need system in urgent need of reform, report says
Among a slew of recommendations, the Oireachtas committee called for a funded workforce and service capacity plan

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Mourne Mountains wildfire
Dozens of firefighters tackle blaze at derelict building in Ballycastle
Some 42 firefighters were battling the blaze at the derelict building at The Diamond in Ballycastle on Sunday night

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

A woman and a male instructor during driving lessons
'Operational reasons' the most common excuse for 50,000 cancelled driving tests since 2023
Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin said that, while there will always be occasions when staff cannot come to work, the RSA needed to be adequately staffed to ensure tests could go ahead

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Taoiseach: 'I don’t believe that’s acceptable' as TD provides character reference in sex abuse trial
Taoiseach: 'I don’t believe that’s acceptable' as TD provides character reference in sex abuse trial
Micheál Martin said he did not know the identity of a TD who provided a reference for a former government adviser who was jailed for the sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old boy

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

DEIRDRE MCLAUGHLIN
‘I don’t believe someone who has done something like that should ever be released’
Deirdre McLaughlin’s sister Siobhán was murdered by her husband Brian Kearney in 2006 and he is serving a life sentence but Deirdre believes he should not get released from prison

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

FILE PHOTO Six car insurance have signed a legally binding commitment to reform their competition compliance, after an investiga
One in 15 vehicles on Irish roads uninsured or unregistered in 2025
Mibi has now called for the introduction of continuous vehicle coverage to help reduce the number of uninsured vehicles on Irish roads

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Energy bills
Household electricity prices could rise by up to 9% by summer, minister warns
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) said the volatility of market gas prices is likely to continue, making it 'impossible to predict how the retail market will react'

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Coronavirus - Mon Feb 8, 2021
Drink-driving arrests 'tiny fraction' of amount of people who admit to it, says Alcohol Action Ireland
The Department of Justice has confirmed there were 9,582 arrests across 2024 and 2025 for drink-driving, with 4,715 arrests made in 2024 and 4,867 arrests made in 2025

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Baby Stock
'I'm still waiting': Uncertainty around parental rights remains two years after assisted reproduction legislation was passed
The delay means that parents of children already born through surrogacy and are living here, still cannot access the legal recognition envisaged under the act

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Recreating the travel experience of 19th century railways
Recreating the travel experience of 19th century railways
The 171 Slieve Gullion steam train continues to benefit from the dedication of experts who make its nostalgia-fuelled trips possible two years after its return to the tracks

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

'I will lead Fianna Fáil into next elections,' Micheál Martin insists. 
'I will lead Fianna Fáil into next elections,' Micheál Martin insists. 
Several TDs suggested that the mood of the so-called 'middle ground' of the party had shifted, adding that more people would be willing to back a motion of confidence

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Ireland stock
More than €7,000 in expenses from TDs and senators did not have supporting evidence, audit finds
The latest report by independent auditors commissioned by the Houses of the Oireachtas confirmed that all the money had subsequently been refunded to the State

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

€17m in emergency payments spent helping people bury loved ones over past two years
€17m in emergency payments spent helping people bury loved ones over past two years
The Department of Social Protection said additional needs payments were made in cases where a person was faced with expenses they could not pay from their own resources

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Close up human hand pointing to photo in photo album
Publication of 1926 census records ‘allows us to step back in time’ – Taoiseach
The National Archives officially released records at midnight, after the expiry of the 100-year limitation on their publication under the Statistics Act 1993

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Middle East conflict
Government ‘acutely aware’ of pain and fear caused by rising fuel prices
Fianna Fáil and the coalition government are “acutely aware” of the “real pain and fear” caused by , the Taoiseach has said.

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Sharp increase in asylum appeals in 2025
Sharp increase in asylum appeals in 2025
There was a 74% increase in the number of appeals from people refused asylum last year, figures show

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026

The monthly finances
Pensions: A third of Irish workers had no pension cover in 2025 – CSO
Just one in five workers aged 20–24 has any pension cover, CSO figures show, with women more likely than men to have supplementary pensions

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026

Moya Brennan remembered at funeral as ‘First Lady of Celtic music’
Moya Brennan remembered at funeral as ‘First Lady of Celtic music’
The musician and songwriter, who played the harp with the Grammy award-winning Celtic fusion pioneers Clannad, died peacefully at the age of 73 earlier this week

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026

Fishing vessel is conducting an industrial catch of wild marine products using deep-sea trawl.
EU gives Ireland green light for fishing industry bailout over fuel crisis
What the new measure could mean for the Irish fishing industry is at least up to around €3.5m per month until July

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026

Solar panels. Power station. Blue solar panels. Alternative source of electricity. Solar farm. The source of ecological renewabl
Government 'very open' to plug-in solar panels
Plug-in solar panels can be plugged directly into a mains socket for energy generation

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026

Team Ireland - Milano Cortina 2026 Homecoming and Olympic Exhibition at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport
Patrick O'Donovan: 'I probably made a hames of what I was trying to say'
Patrick O'Donovan was called an 'absolute disgrace' for suggesting RTÉ’s fuel protests coverage was 'lopsided'

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026

Dublin city centre incident
Industrial action 'inevitable' without meaningful talks on pay, Government warned
Government must meet unions 'halfway' on supports for PAYE workers

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026

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