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Breaking news, inquests, investigations, with special interest in the Fishing industry, the Defence Forces and avoidable hospital baby deaths.
Journalist. Social Justice Media Award winner. No fan of government by spin.
Articles by Neil Michael
Search ArticlesRussian Ambassador warns Ireland faces consequences for being 'accomplice in an outright theft'
Ireland will face “inevitable” consequences for supporting the seizure of Russian funds for use in Ukraine, Moscow’s embassy in Dublin has warned. Russia’s Ambassador to Ireland issued the warning after EU countries, including Ireland, formally adopted a plan earlier this month to seize profits from Russia’s frozen assets to fund weapons and aid for Ukraine.
'We feel abandoned': Midleton residents to protest over lack of interim flood relief after Storm Babet
More than 1,500 people are expected to attend a protest march this Saturday over the lack of interim flood relief measures in an area of Cork struck by “biblical” floods in Storm Babet. Organizers of the march and rally say they and fellow residents of Midleton and the surrounding area are “sick and tired” of what they see is a lack of action on the part of authorities.
Martin: Partnership with Nato does not affect Irish neutrality
Micheál Martin has again insisted Ireland is not joining Nato, and denied a recently-signed partnership agreement with it is “an erosion of our neutrality”. Instead, he said Ireland needs help from a variety of different bodies to not only protect itself but to help carry out international peace-keeping duties. The issue of neutrality came up repeatedly yesterday’s meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.
Government risking 'climate backlash' by failure to communicate with public, Dáil committee told
Academics have warned the Government is “fuelling” conspiracies about its climate goals and is also risking a “climate backlash” by not communicating these goals to people properly. Dr Alison Hough, who heads the Access to Justice Observatory of the Environmental Justice Network of Ireland, said implementation of goals could end up as problematic as the 2011 ban on turf cutting in Special Areas of Conservation.
UN secretary general renews call for 'immediate humanitarian ceasefire' in Gaza
UN secretary general Antonio Guterres has renewed his call for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces expand their operations in Rafah. Guterres also called for “the unconditional release of all captives held by Hamas as well as an immediate surge in humanitarian aid” into Gaza. Some 300,000 people have been forced to flee Rafah in recent days as Israel pushes further into the city, extending its evacuation order.
‘Ireland must take urgent action to meet electricity targets’ - CCAC
The Climate Change Advisory Council has said urgent action is required from Government if Ireland is to meet its 2030 electricity capacity targets and stay within the electricity sectoral ceiling. The council, which published its annual review of the electricity sector today, has warned that Ireland’s renewable electricity generation remains significantly below the required annual increase necessary to meet growing demand and simultaneously comply with the sectoral emissions ceilings.
GAA 'losing spectators' over paywalled games, warns minister
A junior minister has said the GAA needs to “re-examine” its decision to put games behind paywalls. Jack Chambers said GAAGO, the association’s joint premium streaming platform with RTÉ, is having a “major impact” on sports fans. The Minister of State at the Department of Transport made the comments when asked about annoyance among Munster fans that Saturday’s victory over Limerick by Cork was behind the GAAGO paywall. “The GAA do need to re-examine this,” he told presenter Áine Lawlor on RTÉ’s .
Large crowd assembles for 30th Cork Palestine solidarity march
The people of Ireland are standing on the right side of history in the Israeli-Palestine conflict, according to the Human Rights Watch Middle East Advisory Board. But while Ireland maybe about to officially recognise the Palestinian state, one of its leading members said today that the people of Palestine need “more actions than words”.
Student leader who forced Trinity climbdown is in talks with students of other universities
The student who led the successful five-day Trinity College protest over the Israeli invasion of Gaza is in talks with other student leaders around Ireland. Austrian-born László Molnárfi says he plans a series of workshops around the organisation and execution of student-led direct action.
Campaigner hits out at 'farcical' announcement on special education needs organisers
A campaigner for better special needs provisions has described as "farcical” an announcement that schools are to get better access to special education needs organisers. The announcement was made on Thursday by the Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister of State for Special Education Hildegarde Naughton as part of a revised structure of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
Bus Éireann highlights staff shortages with Cork 'the most challenging region' to get drivers
A lack of bus drivers and mechanics coupled with car congestion are threatening the operation of the country’s main bus companies, TDs have been told. They have also been told a "lack of enforcement of bus priority and of illegal bus stop use is a negative input" into the issues affecting the provision of bus services around the country. Bus Éireann CEO Stephen Kent says the company will need an extra 2,000 drivers to meet “unprecedented” demand over the next three years.
Watt says health workers 'must do better' as he hits out at 'unacceptable' waiting lists
More than 500,000 people on waiting lists is “unacceptable”, the Department of Health’s secretary-general has admitted. Robert Watt made the remark in answer to a question from People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny about how many people are waiting to be treated or assessed for treatment. In an update to the Oireachtas Health Committee on Wednesday about ongoing implementation of the health service's reform programme Sláintecare, he also admitted the country’s health workers “must do better”.
Defence Forces withdraws decision to discharge army corporal after he sought judicial review
The Defence Forces has withdrawn a decision to discharge an army corporal after he sought a judicial review. Military chiefs have also agreed to withdraw an army medical board ruling that Corporal Owen McLaughlin, a veteran who has served in Liberia, Kosovo, and Lebanon, was unfit to serve. Although the army informed Cpl McLaughlin’s legal team last week, the matter was formally resolved at a hearing in the High Court on Tuesday. The judicial review will now not go ahead.
Road death figures prompt calls for harsher punishments from campaginers
With the number of road deaths on course to be the worst for more than 10 years, a Government-initiated review of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is timely. The RSA’s stated mission is to save lives and prevent injuries by “helping reduce the number and severity of collisions” but the trend is going in the wrong direction. The Department of Transport has said the review is a comprehensive examination to “ensure the authority is fit for purpose”.
Bambie Thug on Eurovision: 'It’s still anybody’s game - but hopefully mostly mine'
They may be among the favourites to win this year's Eurovision Song Contest but Ireland’s entry Bambie Thug isn’t letting the pressure get to them. The singer, who hails from Macroom in Co Cork, is relatively unfazed by the mounting hype as they prepare for their "otherworldly performance" in the first of the semi-finals on May 7 in Malmo.
Ballymaloe House Hotel's Hazel Allen dies, aged 73
Hazel Allen, who ran the popular Ballymaloe House Hotel for many years, has died after a long illness. As well as running the famous East Cork hotel since the 1970s, the 73-year-old was also one of the founders of Ireland's Blue Book guide to historic guesthouses and restaurants. She was married to Rory Allen, son of the late Michelin star-winning head chef and co-owner of the restaurant The Yeats Room at Ballymaloe House, Myrtle Allen. Hazel was born on October 16, 1950, in Cullohill, Co Laois.
Parents of children as young as 10 calling national helpline over vaping concerns
Worried parents of children as young as 10 are calling the national helpline about vaping. More parents have called in the past four months about vapes and e-cigarettes than they did in the past year, Parentline said. It says that of the more than 2,000 calls the charity received from parents between January and April this year, 76 were from parents concerned about their children — some as young as 10 — vaping. This compares to just 10 in the same period last year.
Soldier found dead in Defence Forces air base at Baldonnell
An officer has been found dead in the Defence Forces air base at Baldonnell. The Defence Forces confirmed that Lieutenant Conal Sheeran of the Irish Air Corps was found "in an unresponsive state" by his colleagues in Casement Aerodrome. Lt Sheeran, 30, was a native of Westmeath who joined the Defence Forces in 2012 as a Recruit in 1 Infantry Battalion, before joining the 70th Air Corps Apprentice Class also in 2012.
Majority of victims of serious crimes knew their attacker, CSO data shows
The majority of victims of serious crimes knew their attacker, the latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows. Figures show that just over 70% of sexual assault victims in 2022 knew their attacker, while the suspected offender was known to 67% of victims of attempts or threats to murder, assault, or harass them. Of the victims of sexual assaults in 2023, 81% were women and about half of all victims were under 18 when the incident took place.
Irish people bank and shop online at higher rate than other EU countries, report finds
Ireland has one of the highest digital literacy rates in Europe, according to the European Union’s statistical office Eurostat. The 2024 edition of the report records that most of us now use internet banking and shop online, at a higher rate than most other countries. All 16-24-year-olds in Ireland bought goods and services online, while 94.9% of those in the 25-64 age group and 73.5% of those in the 65-74 age group also bought theirs online, in 2023.
Number of marriages falls in 2023 with almost a third having civil ceremonies
Just 35% of marriages were Catholic ceremonies, with civil ceremonies now accounting for 32%, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. The statistics also show that fewer people got married in 2023 than the year before and the average age of people getting married went up. Of the 21,159 marriages registered in Ireland last year, some 646 were same-sex marriages — up 4.5% from 618 in 2022.
Motorcyclist killed in suspected hit-and-run had absconded from jail
The motorcyclist killed in a suspected hit-and-run had absconded from an open prison last Saturday. Tom Connors, aged 35, had been sentenced to three years for the unlawful taking of a vehicle and was approaching the end of his sentence. He had only recently been transferred to Loughan House Open Centre prison in Co Cavan. Mr Connors, who is understood to have a young family and is from Bunclody in Co Wexford, had not been seen since he walked out of the prison on April 20.
'Our maternity system is broken': Campaigners demand Commission of Investigation into baby deaths
Campaigners for better maternity services have launched a national campaign to get Taoiseach Simon Harris to hold a Commission of Investigation into unavoidable mother and baby deaths in hospitals. An alliance made up of Safer Births Ireland, Feileacain, Aims Ireland, and the Birth Rights Alliance formally launched their call for the inquiry at an event in Leinster House hosted by Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Roisin Shorthall.
Ireland left behind when it comes to rolling out electric charging points
Ireland is at the back of the grid when it comes to rolling out electric charging points, according to a survey of 27 countries. The survey shows Ireland has met less than 50% of its targets, and is predicted to remain that far behind or be even worse by next year. The only countries to fare worse than us are the much smaller countries of Cyprus and Malta. As well as Germany, France and Spain, the list of countries who are above their targets include Estonia, Slovenia, Romania and Latvia.
Phased return to pre-covid Leaving Cert results to begin next year, minister says
Education Minister Norma Foley has announced a phased return to normal, pre-covid Leaving Certificate results will begin in 2025. However, for this year’s students there will be no change from last year, with grades to stay at the same level on average.
More ministers would ease pressure on 'overloaded departments' - Tánaiste
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said there is an argument for more ministers in a future government to ease the pressures on “overloaded departments”. The Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs was asked if there should be a separate Defence Forces Minister. He didn’t appear to think there was, but he said he felt other departments could do with extra ministers, like his Green Party government colleague Eamon Ryan’s Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
'Biblical' flooding spurs Midleton rebranding with new website
After flooding so bad one TD described it as “biblical”, businesses in Midleton are teaming up to “rebrand” the town and launch a new website. The town became synonymous with the worst of what Storm Babet threw at Ireland last October. However, if the town’s chamber of commerce has its way, the “negative” media coverage that the flash floods attract will soon be a thing of the past.
Two soldiers in mid-air parachute collision in Kildare
Two soldiers are understood to have been injured in a mid-air collision during a parachute training exercise in Kildare on Thursday. The incident is understood to have happened at around 5pm. A source said the two may have collided with each other after jumping out of an army helicopter, and then both plunged to the ground. The extent of their injuries — or whether or not they are life-threatening — is not clear. However, it is understood that one of the soldiers broke a thigh bone.
Court martial hears a soldier threatened to put a 'barrel' in the mouth of a more senior soldier and kill him
A court martial has heard a soldier threatened to put a “barrel” in the mouth of a more senior soldier and kill him after a “drunken” early-morning incident. A witness told the court they went to the senior soldier’s room after hearing an “unmerciful bang” and opened the door to find another soldier standing over him with his fists raised, asking him repeatedly “why did you do this to me?”.
Insurance industry has 'run out of excuses' for not reducing premiums
The insurance industry has “run out of excuses” not to give policyholders substantial reductions in their premiums after a landmark ruling in the Supreme Court. The court found that guidelines on personal injury awards, voted into force by Ireland's judges three years ago, are legally binding and remain in force, in a ruling that will affect thousands of personal injury cases currently awaiting judicial analysis. “The case is thus of systemic importance,” Supreme Court judge Peter Charleton said.
UL asks PAC to defer hearing into 'significant' overspends as president cannot attend
The University of Limerick (UL) has asked an Oireachtas committee to defer a hearing into “significant” overspends on student accommodation because its embattled president is unable to attend. Professor Kerstin Mey's unavailability comes as the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has demanded UL provide a report on a number of issues, including governance.
RTÉ executives spent thousands on dining out at some of the country's leading restaurants
Among the €175,000 RTÉ executives put on corporate credit cards in the space of five years were the bills for dining out in some of Ireland’s top restaurants. According to freedom of information records, money was also spent on flowers, hotels, bars, air fares and car hire during a period in which the cash-strapped national broadcaster was asking the State for more money to help it operate. Restaurants, hotels and bars in the most expensive areas of south Dublin were often frequented.
Road safety groups declare no confidence in RSA following spate of deaths
Nearly 30 road safety advocacy bodies have declared no confidence in the Road Safety Authority (RSA) after a spate of deaths in the first three months of 2024. The various bodies, including the Dublin and Cork Commuter Coalitions and multiple cycling and pedestrian organisations from across the country, have released a jointly-signed statement declaring themselves as having lost confidence in the RSA, which they say “is no longer fit for purpose”.
Claims former Irish troops training Libyan soldiers 'deeply shocking'
The Government and gardaí are investigating “deeply shocking” claims former Irish Defence Forces personnel have been training troops loyal to a Libyan army commander. The Defence Forces confirmed have now called in gardaí to examine claims that the former serving personnel engaged in weapons training in Irish army fatigues contrary to an ongoing UN arms and arms-related embargo in Libya.
Reallocation of unused fishing quota to Ireland could create 2,500 jobs
As many as 2,500 jobs could be created if the EU reallocated other member states’ unused fishing quota to Ireland, newly released figures show. Previously unpublished but official data on EU quotas show that in 2021 alone, around 43,000 tonnes worth an estimated €177m went uncaught by other member states. Industry representatives say figures would be higher if all 20 or so species of fish subject to quotas fished in all catching zones in EU waters were taken into consideration.
More needs to be done in schools to tackle road safety crisis, says campaigner
Road safety is a national crisis will not be tackled merely by having extra gardaí on the roads, a leading safety campaigner has said. Elber Twomey, whose husband, son and unborn daughter were killed when a suicidal driver drove into them in 2012, said more needs to be done in schools. She was speaking after junior minister Jack Chambers’ said there aren’t enough gardaí working on road safety.
Enforcement 'not the silver bullet solution': Garda responds to minister's road safety comments
A Limerick garda has responded to comments made by a junior minister about the numbers of gardaí assigned to road policing units. The minister with responsibility for road safety, Jack Chambers, told the he was concerned about insufficient numbers of gardaí assigned to road policing. He has “repeatedly” raised the matter with both Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and wants to see road policing units beefed up.
Soldier arrested after 'significant' quantity of drugs and cash seized at Cork barracks
Gardaí have arrested a soldier after a “significant” quantity of drugs and cash was found during a search at an army base in Cork. The arrested man, who is described as of “junior rank”, was followed by detectives as he drove in a military vehicle from Dublin to Collins Barracks. After he arrived, members of the Military Police closed the gates after him.
'Their smiles lit up the room': Tributes paid to mother and daughters killed in Mayo crash
The victims of Tuesday's fatal collision in Mayo have been hailed as "three beautiful, kind, loving, caring ladies". Una Bowden, 47, and her daughters Ciara, 14, and Saoirse, 9 were on their way back from seeing family when their car collided with an articulated lorry on the N17 Galway to Sligo road near Claremorris, Co Mayo. The vehicles involved are understood to have been travelling in opposite directions. The lorry driver escaped physical injury.
Hospitals urged to come clean about 'mistakes' to lower large payouts to patients
Hospital baby injury claims as well as the cost of so-called “slips and falls” in hospitals are expected to pass the €4bn mark in June. This is when figures on the State’s estimated outstanding liability for accidents in Irish hospitals are due to be published. But medical negligence lawyers claim the figures could be much lower if hospitals came clean about mistakes sooner.
Cork firms among Irish companies with 'poorest environmental performance'
Odour and noise accounted for 90% of all complaints to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last year, according to its latest enforcement report. Of the 1,200 inspections carried out at 535 licensed industrial and waste facilities, 91% were unannounced. The EPA identified 11 sites — most of which are in Munster — as national priority sites for enforcement in 2023. Most were in the food and drink sector (five) and waste sector (three).
Number of houses available to buy now at lowest level in at least 17 years, report states
The number of homes available to buy is now at its lowest level in at least 17 years and is well below half the pre-covid level, according to a new report. The latest Daft housing report states that there were just under 10,500 new and second-hand properties for sale as of March 1. That figure was 24% down on the number available in the first Daft Housing Report in 2007. Of the 10,500 houses available on March 1, approximately 9,700 were second-hand.
Commissioner stands by garda's four-year disciplinary process for loaning bike to pensioner
The Garda Commissioner has stood over the lengthy disciplinary process endured by a garda who loaned a bicycle to a pensioner during the covid-19 lockdown. The Justice Minister Helen McEntee has also refused to comment on criticism of the commissioner. Drew Harris had this week said the public did "not know the full story" about the investigation.
Asylum seekers moved into former Cork B&B as protests to continue
A group of 52 asylum seekers has taken up residence at a former B&B in Fermoy, Co Cork, which has been the scene of an anti-migrant protest since late last year. The group, which is made up entirely of families, was bussed to Abbeyville House in the town at approximately 2pm today and driven through the back entrance of the property. A small crowd of about 20 people had gathered outside the Tudor-style building to protest after news of the arrival broke on social media.
Staff at hospital in Waterford failed to fully investigate 'unexplained bruising'
A community hospital in Co Waterford failed to take all necessary steps to protect residents from abuse, despite evidence of “unexplained bruising”, according to Hiqa. An unannounced inspection at the HSE-run Dungarvan Community Hospital in Co Waterford last December found the centre's safeguarding policies and procedures were not being followed. The inspector noted that incidents of "unexplained bruising sustained by residents" were followed up in detail from a medical and nursing perspective.
‘Who would want the job?’ Public reaction to Leo Varadkar's decision to step down
English Market butcher Helen O’Callaghan reckons she wouldn’t last long as a TD — let alone a Taoiseach — and feels sorry for Leo Varadkar. “Who would want that job?” she asks as she nonchalantly chops meat with a large cleaver. “It can’t be easy to do that job, and I’d say it’s a tough job mentally. "Sure, God help him. He got a lot of abuse online and there is no job that pays enough money for anybody to take the abuse he was getting. “So, I feel sorry for him.
Group calls for review of instrument-assisted births that led to injuries
An advocacy group has called for a review of existing nationwide data around adverse events in instrument-assisted births. The call from Safer Births Ireland follows a review of nine such births in University Hospital Galway which included incidents where babies suffered fractured skulls during birth. This was after a suction cup was attached to their heads and pulled on to help in what is called a ventouse or vacuum-assisted delivery. The practice is still used in around 9% of births.
Defence Forces' medal parade interrupted by shelling in southern Lebanon
This is the moment shells started falling on villages near one of the two camps where Defence Forces soldiers are on peace-keeping duty in southern Lebanon. As a senior officer can be heard issuing orders at the assembled men and women of the 123rd Infantry Battalion on St Patrick’s Day, a video pans across to nearby villages and a large explosion can be seen in the background.
People could slow down effects of ageing if they spot warning signs of decline in middle age, study shows
Middle-aged people could slow down or even reverse the effects of ageing if they could spot warning signs of decline likely to come in their 60s and 70s, according to a new study. Researchers say while middle-aged people are as likely to suffer cognitive decline as older people, they stand a much better chance of being less affected if they get themselves treated.
Gardaí investigate sexual assault allegation against Defence Forces officer
Gardaí and Military Police officers are investigating a sexual assault allegation against a Defence Forces officer which is alleged to have happened on Saturday night. A female drinking with the officer earlier in the evening was invited back to his accommodation in Dublin. After the alleged assault, the woman involved left the officer’s accommodation and contacted gardaí. She returned with gardaí and the officer was questioned.
'Drug smugglers can come and go as they like in West Cork due to lack of checks'
West Cork native Joe Carroll is a great man for straight-talking, and he’s not short of an opinion when it comes to the importation of drugs along the coastline. “If you see shells, you’ll find eggs,” the Fianna Fáil county councillor quips when asked about drug smuggling in his constituency. “I’ve noticed a few people over the years getting very wealthy overnight,” he adds.
How a camper van and black SUVs disrupted life in West Cork
If it wasn’t for a lost dog, events that led to a series of arrests in West Cork might have turned out differently. At around 6.30am, a woman was walking her dog near Tragumna Beach when the dog ran off. She went after it and was just approaching the slipway when she saw a group of men gathered around a largearticulated truck. As soon as they saw her approaching in her hi-vis jacket, they sprinted past and around her. Some got into a cream-coloured English-reg camper van.
10 in custody after gardaí raid suspected drug smuggling operation in West Cork
Up to 10 men are in custody following a dynamic and dramatic garda operation in West Cork on Thursday triggered by a suspected drug smuggling operation onto a remote pier. The suspects, who were arrested at various locations near Skibbereen, were being held in garda stations in Cork for questioning about the alleged activity, under organised crime legislation. A campervan and an articulated truck have been seized for forensic examination.
Midleton businesses to set up early warning system to prepare for floods
Businesses in Midleton are preparing to take flood mitigation matters into their own hands by setting up a novel early warning system. A real-time warning system, inspired by New Zealand’s tsunami alert scheme, is to be set up in the East Cork town to give businesses a better chance to prepare for incoming flooding.
State paid out more than €10m to settle claims against Defence Forces
The State has paid out more than €10m in legal settlements of claims against the Defence Forces in the last four years but faces paying many times that amount in the coming years. The Department of Defence has admitted that there are a total of 482 current and “open” cases against the Defence Forces. These include personal injury claims and judicial reviews. It paid out some €10,698,855 in respect of cases taken by current or former members of the Defence Forces from 2020 to 2023.
'People talk about hospital beds. But there's babies dying around the country in hospitals'
A couple whose baby died in Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) nearly two years ago are backing calls for a commission of inquiry into avoidable baby deaths at the country's maternity hospitals. Baby Elijah O’Sullivan died on May 6, 2022, a day after his mother Rachel Harrington presented to the hospital’s emergency department. An inquest into his death on Thursday at Cork City Coroner’s Court heard that several opportunities to save the baby boy's life were missed.
Business studies, health, nursing, and medicine most popular first preference choices for students
Business studies, health, nursing, and medicine are the most popular first preference choices for this year’s Leaving Certificate students, according to the Central Applications Office (CAO). Of the 76,899 applications the CAO received by the February 1 closing date, 12,132 applications were for health-related honours degrees, 8,850 were for business and admin, and 7,169 were for arts honours degree courses.
More than 20.6 million cigarettes seized in Dublin and Cork in the last three days
Revenue has seized 20.6 million cigarettes in both Dublin Port and Cork Port in the space of three days. On Friday, Revenue officials — with the assistance of detector dog Rua — seized 7.3 million illicit cigarettes, branded ‘Lambert and Butler’. They were discovered when officers examined an unaccompanied trailer arriving from Zeebrugge, Belgium. That haul has an estimated value of over €6.1m, representing — according to Revenue — a potential loss to the Exchequer of €4.8m.
Couple 'heartbroken' after opportunities to save baby son's life were missed at CUMH
Missed opportunities at Cork University Maternity Hospital led to the “progressive” death of a baby boy, an inquest has heard. Elijah O’Sullivan died on May 6, 2022, a day after his mother Rachel Harrington presented to the hospital’s emergency department. It was, Cork City Coroner’s Court heard, the second time she had gone to the emergency department because her son had either stopped moving or was showing reduced movement.
HSE 'failed' children by not giving access to palliative care
The HSE “failed” terminally ill children towards the end of their lives by not giving them access to palliative care services close to home, chief executive Bernard Gloster has admitted. The HSE chief made the admission in an apology to families, who, he said, were “badly let down” and from whose experience the agency still has “so much to learn”.
New legislation criminalising 'sex for rent' introduced in the Dáil
Legislation to criminalise the sort of “sex for rent” scams first exposed by an reporter has been introduced into the Dáil. Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin wants to make it an offence for any landlord to seek sex in lieu of rent or to advertise to seek sex in lieu of rent. He has proposed that the legislation be part of an amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, he explained that reporter Ann Murphy broke the "sex for rent" scandal in 2021.
'Job cuts and price hikes' as fishing industry in crisis
Consumers will be hit with a hike to fish prices unless the State intervenes to tackle a crisis in Irish fishing, the industry has warned. The number of fish being processed by the main plants in Ireland is now at the lowest level ever recorded by the industry, sparking concerns about job losses and rising prices for consumers.
'Anger is an understatement': Midleton locals still fighting for promised funding
When Leo Varadkar visited Midleton in the aftermath of last October’s devastating floods, residents could have been forgiven for thinking financial aid would not be a problem. The Taoiseach said he was not visiting the east Cork town to “just express solidarity” but that he and his Government colleagues were “there to help”. There would not, he promised, be a cap on the State’s €10m Humanitarian Aid Fund, and shortly after he gave that assurance, an extra €3m was put into the fund.
Woman, 80s, seriously injured in hit and run involving a tractor in Tipperary
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a serious hit-and-run road traffic collision in Carrick On Suir, Co Tipperary on Friday. Shortly after 3.30pm gardaí and emergency services were alerted after a pedestrian was struck by a tractor at Sean Kelly Square. The tractor-driver failed to remain at the scene. The pedestrian, a female in her 80s, was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Waterford, where she is being treated for serious injuries.
Residents in fear as Storm Babet a 'calling card' for future flooding
Raindrops give Caroline Leahy the shivers the minute she hears them. Her chest tightens and she starts to panic. This is because the 38-year-old Cork city legal executive is one of hundreds of householders whose homes in and around Midleton were flooded last October. Like so many homes in the town, hers is also still in the throes of being rebuilt.
Objections to plant's plans to dump '5,000 double-decker buses' of mud into Shannon Estuary
Residents and environmentalists have objected to a Russian-owned refinery’s application to dump the equivalent of “5,000 double-decker buses” filled with mud into the Shannon Estuary. Futureproof Clare is one of the groups opposed to a bid by the Aughinish Alumina plant, to renew its permit for the loading and dumping of dredged material, as part of its maintenance operations.
UK visitors account for majority of tourists here in January
Most of the tourists and visitors who came to Ireland last month are from the UK, and they each spent just under €1,000 on their trips here. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), 42.3% of the 451,900 foreign visitors who departed Ireland on overseas routes in January this year were from Britain, 11.1% were from the US and 5.8% were from Germany.
Man, 20s, due in court in connection with arson attacks in Cork city
Gardaí have charged a man in connection with criminal damage following several fires at retail premises in Cork City at the weekend. Detectives arrested the man, aged in his 20s, as part of their enquiries into fires at city centre businesses on Sunday. He was later charged and is due to appear before Cork District Court on Wednesday.
Tusla must accept whistleblower's claims about unvetted care workers
Tusla has been told to accept as a Protected Disclosure claims that the agency outsources care of extremely vulnerable children to a private company employing unvetted care workers. Many of the children at the centre of the claims are considered to be at a high risk of abuse, exploitation or kidnap. The order to the child and family agency was made by the Office of the Protected Disclosure Commissioner.
Ringing the changes: Ireland's remaining public pay phones to be decommissioned this year
Ireland’s last remaining pay phone boxes are to be finally decommissioned by the end of the year. Utility firm Eir said the decision had been taken due to a rapid fall in demand for their use. A number of boxes will instead now be used to house defibrillators or be repurposed to hold electric vehicle chargers. Eir chief executive Oliver Loomes said: “The public pay phone was an important part of our lives for generations.
CUMH doctor admits baby would have been born alive with an earlier intervention
An obstetrician at Cork University Maternity Hospital has admitted an “earlier intervention” into what was repeatedly flagged as a high-risk pregnancy would have meant a baby would have been "born alive", an inquest has heard. The inquest was told failures were admitted to by CUMH at a meeting with Emma Cosgrove, whose son Kyle was born and declared dead about 40 minutes later at 2.45pm on September 9, 2020.
CUMH doctor admits baby would have been born alive with an earlier intervention
An obstetrician at Cork University Maternity Hospital has admitted an “earlier intervention” into what was repeatedly flagged as a high-risk pregnancy would have meant a baby would have been "born alive", an inquest has heard. The inquest was told failures were admitted to by CUMH at a meeting with Emma Cosgrove, whose son Kyle was born and declared dead about 40 minutes later at 2.45pm on September 9, 2020.
Danish MEP says rise of far right in Ireland will only continue
One of the European Parliament’s far-right politicians says the rise of the far right in Ireland is down to a failure among the “old political classes” here. Anders Vistisen said the rise of the far right also shows Ireland is now becoming more like Europe, where politicians are increasingly adopting right-wing policies on issues such as immigration.
Bereaved mother wants a public inquiry into hospital baby deaths
One of Ireland’s long-serving health advocates is backing calls for a public inquiry into hospital baby deaths. Róisín Molloy said it would be the "logical next step" after the ten-year maternity service reforms herself and husband Mark have fought for since their son Mark died in 2012. He was one of five babies who died in the Portlaoise baby deaths scandal, which broke in 2014, and which centred around deaths between 2006 and 2012.
Inquest hears Baby Grace died at Waterford hospital after 'medical mistake'
An inquest has been told a baby died after a “medical mistake” before she was born. This was according to a registrar who delivered Baby Grace Kirwan at University Hospital Waterford (UHW). On the second day of her inquest at the Cork City Coroner’s Court on Washington Street, Dr Mahmoud Mustafa said the fact that Baby Grace was in the breech — head first — position had gone undiagnosed until he was called on to assist in her delivery on August 6, 2022.
Mother got anonymous letter telling her mistakes were made before baby was born, inquest told
A woman received an anonymous letter after her baby daughter’s death, telling her mistakes had been made before she was born, an inquest has heard. The exact contents of the letter were not read out, but it was referenced while Charlotte Kirwan gave evidence at the inquest into the death in Cork University Maternity Hospital of her daughter, Baby Grace, on August 10, 2022.
Dunkettle Interchange: Last two pieces of mammoth road works are completed
The last two links of the revamped Dunkettle Interchange are to be opened on Monday, signalling the “substantial completion” of the mammoth upgrade of Cork’s busiest junction. The final links to open are on the N25 westbound and from Little Island to the M8 northbound, with Tánaiste Micheál Martin due to conduct an official opening of the overall project.
'Male, pale, and stale' is political blueprint in Europe, says Fine Gael MEP
A Fine Gael MEP has said the level of online abuse she gets has reached such a level that a member of her staff is now regularly monitoring social media sites for threats and intimidation. Maria Walsh said online abuse of politicians has gotten worse and has become “more sexual” and that she has reported it to social media platforms on several occasions.
Allocation of special education teachers for next academic year 'wholly inadequate'
Primary school principals have warned that the allocation of special education teachers (SETs) for the next academic year is wholly “inadequate”. A poll by the National Principals' Forum (NPF) has found that 76.4% of principals say allocations for 2024-2025 do not meet the needs for children with additional needs.
'We have to wake up and defend democracy' from rise of the far right, says former Justice Minister
Former Minister of Justice Frances Fitzgerald has urged voters to “wake up and defend democracy” against the serious implications of the rise of the far right in Ireland and elsewhere in Europe. She has also condemned arson attacks against potential homes for refugees as “totally unacceptable”. Her comments come as Gardaí have launched an investigation into an arson attack on Wednesday morning at a seven-bed bungalow in Leixlip, Co Kildare.
'Fight continues' as bid to get consent-based definition of rape admitted into EU law fails
A bid to get a consent-based definition of rape admitted into Europe’s first-ever EU-wide laws around violence against women has failed. There have been concerted moves over the past few months to overcome the legal argument that it does not fall under the banner of sexual exploitation. While 13 countries backed the inclusion of a consent-based definition of rape, there were not enough votes for it among members of the European Council.
Fishermen 'kept in the dark' over EU deal to allow Iceland fish in Irish waters
Fishermen have called for more openness on Iceland's bid to fish in Irish waters amid ongoing talks in Europe. Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation chief executive Patrick Murphy said the industry first heard rumours last June about informal talks taking place about Iceland fishing in EU waters. It is not clear when Irish officials were first approached about Iceland’s desire for access to EU waters to fish for blue whiting and mackerel.
EU Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly finds walking around Dublin 'scary'
European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly has admitted she finds walking around parts of Dublin "scary" and that she disagrees with recent claims that the capital is a safe city. Ms O’Reilly said that since the riots in Dublin in November "so many people here in Brussels and in Strasbourg have been asking: What's happening in Ireland? “It was something that was not unexpected, but then again, why should we be any different from any other European state?
Emily O'Reilly on the rise of the right and her election fears
Emily O’Reilly is not one for predictions, and who could blame her? The Dubliner, who has been the European Ombudsman since July 2013, says that if last year is anything to go by, she would prefer to stay away from predictions. “Who would have predicted covid?” she asks over the phone from her offices in the European Parliament's buildings in Strasbourg, on France’s eastern border with Germany. “Who would have predicted the possible comeback of Trump?
O’Reilly urges European Parliament to implement reforms of rules governing MEPs’ declarations of interest
European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly has urged the European Parliament to implement reforms of rules governing MEPs’ declarations of interest ahead of the forthcoming parliamentary elections. She said these reforms, brought in after the so-called Qatargate corruption scandal, need to be implemented “as quickly as possible”.
Skippers say €48m West Cork wharf expansion will not benefit Irish trawlers
A €48m expansion project at one of Ireland’s main fishing ports has been slammed by fishing industry representatives as little more than a “glorified parking lot” for trawlers. They also say the Dinish Wharf expansion at Castlewonbere Fishery Harbour Centre, which was opened on Thursday, will be of more use to large foreign vessels than Irish trawlers.
Health insurance to become 'unaffordable' for many policy holders
Health insurance is set to become "unaffordable" for many families and elderly policy holders in a matter of weeks in the face of a third hike in prices in the space of just one year. VHI has announced that it is increasing the cost of its plans by an average of 7% from the start of March. But added to the two previous hikes by the company in the last year, the actual increase could see hikes of up to €1,400 for an elderly couple and €500 for a family.
Gardaí probing claims unvetted care workers were given access to vulnerable children
Gardaí are looking into allegations that unvetted care workers were given access to vulnerable children at risk of abuse. The children involved were in the overall care of Tusla, which hired a private company to look after them on a temporary basis. But it has been alleged by a whistleblower that the private company used unvetted employees.
Baby boy’s 'preventable' death has changed couple’s life 'forever', inquest hears
An inquest has heard how a couple’s life has been changed “forever” because of their baby boy’s “preventable” death. Shane Rogers gave an emotional statement at the start of baby Noah O’Shea Rogers’ inquest at Wexford Coroner’s Court in Gorey on Tuesday morning. In it, he spoke of the couple’s anger that a serious high blood pressure condition was not diagnosed sooner and a plan put in place to deliver their son sooner.
Former army personnel consider legal challenge to Defence Forces tribunal
Current and former army personnel are backing plans for a legal challenge to the establishment of the Defence Forces tribunal of inquiry. Tánaiste Micheál Martin received Government agreement on the remit of the judge-led tribunal on Tuesday when Justice Ann Power was also announced as the judge. However, members of the Canary Movement, now renamed the Defence Forces Justice Alliance (DFJA), say they are opposing the tribunal in its current form because they believe it is unconstitutional.
Unvetted care workers subcontracted by Tusla were given access to vulnerable children at risk of abuse
Unvetted care workers subcontracted by Tusla were given access to vulnerable children at risk of abuse, it has been alleged. The child and family agency is investigating allegations that workers at a private firm to whom it outsources work with vulnerable children were not all fully garda vetted. The allegations have been made by a whistleblower who has made a Protected Disclosure to Tusla under the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022.
'We shouldn't stop the road we are on': Minister aims to keep connecting rural bus services
If there is one thing Eamon Ryan is not in short supply of it is ambition and vision. Understandably buoyed up by the latest figures which show a massive uptake of services on a rural transport network that he has actively trumpeted, he is also proud of what he is doing, and has yet to do. One of the keystones of what he regards as a “socially progressive” rural transport policy is the money being pumped into rural bus services.
‘Some way to go’ for Defence Forces abuse survivors
The Defence Forces tribunal terms of reference may well have been approved by Cabinet but there is “some way to go” before survivors groups such as the Women of Honour (WoH) are satisfied that they will be effective. However, they have been completely rejected by the Canary Movement, which is the biggest group of survivors and victims of abuse and mistreatment.
Women of Honour: Decision to bring terms of reference for Defence Forces tribunal to Cabinet a 'stunt'
The Women of Honour have said Defence Minister Micheál Martin's decision to bring the terms of reference of the forthcoming Defence Forces tribunal to Cabinet on Tuesday is “a stunt”. Diane Byrne said the group, which had previously called for the Defence Minister to be removed from the current process of setting up the tribunal to examine sexual, physical and emotional abuse within the ranks, do not know what the full terms of reference are.
Parentline gets more calls from men while vaping grows into 'a huge worry'
There has been an increase in the number of men calling the national parenting helpline as the number one concern remains aggressive children. Parentline is also due to reveal in their annual report for 2023 that — for the first time ever — parents are now calling about concerns around vaping. Parentline CEO Aileen Hickie, who will release the 2023 figures in full later this month, said: “Last year was our busiest year in our 42-year history. Calls were up 5% on last year to 6,147.
Cork town deemed second cleanest in Ireland as coffee cup littering on the rise across country
Coffee cup littering is on the rise in many parts of the country, leading to calls for a new levy to be fast-tracked on disposable cardboard cups. The annual Irish Business Against Litter (Ibal) results — a nationwide survey of the cleanliness of 40 towns and cities — found that coffee cup littering is widespread. Discarded coffee cups were found at over 30% of the 500 sites surveyed by Ibal inspectors.
Calls for levy on cardboard cups to be fast-tracked
Coffee cup littering is on the rise in many parts of the country, leading to calls for a new levy to be fast-tracked on disposable cardboard cups. The annual Irish Business Against Litter (Ibal) results — a nationwide survey of the cleanliness of 40 towns and cities — found that coffee cup littering is widespread. Discarded coffee cups were found at over 30% of the 500 sites surveyed by Ibal inspectors.
Mothers to call for national inquiry into baby deaths
A group of bereaved mothers will join advocates for better maternity services in calling for a national inquiry into the deaths and injuries suffered by newborns in maternity units. More than 20 mothers are so far behind the call for an inquiry, which will be made formally at a press conference near the Dáil in the coming weeks. A minute’s silence in memory of babies and mothers who have died in Irish maternity units over the past number of decades will also be held.
Download figures reveal impact of Ryan Tubridy's new UK radio show Original
Ryan Tubridy’s return to the airwaves in the UK coincided with 8,000 downloads of an app to listen to his show. According to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, the total downloads of the apps for the Q102 and Virgin Radio stations from last Monday to last Friday was more than triple the total for the preceding five days. Both of the apps were among the five most downloaded apps in Ireland in the Apple charts on one day last week.
End of an era: Cork's Baldy Barber announces sale of family business Original
The owner of one of Cork’s most famous barber shops has confirmed the business is up for sale. Mick Moriarty, whose father established the Baldy Barber in Cork’s city centre more than 86 years ago, said he is selling it because it no longer has enough customers to survive. While the pandemic played a role, so too did the operation of so-called “black market” hairdressers that emerged during the pandemic, Mr Moriarty said.