More than 60% of cash-strapped Irish households cannot cover the cost of essential household bills and are having to dip into credit cards, overdrafts, and loans just to make ends meet.

Four in five Irish people are worried about the cost of energy this winter, according to the independent price comparison and switching service Switcher.ie.

Energia has become the fourth Irish energy supplier to increase electricity prices in the past month.

Most Irish consumers are in the dark about early exit penalty fees on essential household contracts, and it could be costing them dearly.

Almost eight in ten (78%) of Irish consumers want to switch provider for at least one household essential this year - but most fail to do so, according to a new survey.

Almost 1m Electric Ireland customers are to get discounts of between 4% and 8.5% automatically applied to their bills by the end of the summer.

A new energy company has entered the market here, bringing greater choice of supply for electricity consumers.

Cash-strapped households could see energy bill price hikes due to recent spikes in wholesale gas and electricity prices.

Cash-strapped households could see energy bill price hikes due to recent spikes in wholesale gas and electricity prices.

Up to 28% of children, aged eight to 13, have had occasional or daily contact with a stranger on social media, messaging and gaming platforms, an Irish cybersafety charity has warned.

The new sports channel Eir Sport has acquired the exclusive Irish rights to the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

More than three quarters of people decided not to switch their broadband provider last year — despite half admitting they are unhappy with their service.

More than 1m Electric Ireland residential customers are to benefit from a 5.2% cut in their electricity bills thanks to the company’s third unit rate price reduction in less than two years.

More than one third of Irish people spend in excess of 20 hours a week online, with social media the main driving force behind internet use.

More than a third of Irish people are spending over 20 hours online per week, according to the results of a new survey.

A price war is looming after SSE Airtricity became the second energy supplier in less than a week to announce gas and electricity price cuts.

Thousands of households face a bleak, cold winter because of fears over a huge increase in the levy on electricity prices.

There are signs of a gradual recovery in family finances with a slight increase in the number of people who have more than €100 left at the end of the month once all their bills are paid.

Consumers could be in line for a cash break, with experts predicting that the electricity price war will result in savings for hard-pressed households.

Thousands of Bord Gáis electricity customers are to be hit with a 2.2% price hike from March as its winter price freeze comes to an end.

One-third of Irish people spend more than 20 hours online every week, with broadband now the second most prevalent utility bill in Irish homes.

More than 300,000 households will get a welcome winter break from energy price hikes after Bord Gáis Energy said it is to freeze prices for the winter.

Airtricity is to hike electricity prices by 3.5% from Nov 1, adding almost €40 a year to customer bills.

The majority of consumers are unhappy with the broadband speeds that their internet providers are supplying them with.

Household gas bills will rise from next month following a decision by the energy regulator to sanction an increase.

Almost three quarters of Irish households have gone cold in their homes this winter in a bid to keep their energy bills down.

More than half of all Irish households are being forced into debt in order to pay everyday household bills.

A goal and a point in the final minute of added time gave Westmeath victory over luckless Down at Páirc Esler Newry yesterday.

CHAMPIONS Kerry lead the way on this year’s Christy Ring Cup Champion 15 with four players rewarded for their performances on the side that claimed honours in last June’s final against Wicklow in Croke Park.

RESOLUTE Armagh stunned Down in yesterday’s Ulster SHC semi-final at wintry Casement Park to push the Mourne men out of the race and book themselves a place in the decider against Antrim.

Down 1-14 Antrim 5-08

Down 3-15 Laois 3-11

Clare 5-22 Down 0-06

Down 2-11 Carlow 0-14, Portaferry

Down 2-17 Derry 1-15

Down 4-21 Mayo 0-14

Kildare, Carlow, Kerry and Down were victorious in the opening round of the 2009 GAA Christy Ring Cup as the competition got underway this afternoon.

Laois 1-13 Down 0-10

Down 5-16 Derry 1-15, Casement Park

Down manager Ger Coulter has opted to make three changes to his team for tomorrow's Ulster SHC semi-final replay against Derry (Casement Park, throw-in 3.30pm).

Derry 0-16 Down 1-13