This week in Ireland
Ireland's government is advancing the Occupied Territories Bill, a move to ban trade with Israeli settlements, while a significant national security story unfolded with a civil servant accused of leaking confidential information to a foreign agency. Domestically, Dublin Airport anticipated its busiest day, but workers protested at Meta's headquarters over potential job losses, reflecting a mixed economic picture. Crime and justice also featured in headlines, including a murder charge in Co Galway and a large cannabis seizure.
About Ireland
Ireland, a vibrant island nation in Western Europe, is renowned for its rich Celtic culture, stunning green landscapes, and a dynamic, modern economy. Its global role is notable for a strong diaspora and as a hub for major tech and pharmaceutical companies. The country's news landscape is characterized by a free and independent press, with public broadcaster RTE playing a significant role, and recent defamation law reforms have further strengthened journalistic protections.
Visiting Ireland
Media landscape
Ireland boasts a free and independent press, with a diverse range of national and regional outlets. Public broadcaster RTE is a key player, and recent defamation law reforms have enhanced press protections, fostering a robust media environment.
Look for both national broadsheets like The Irish Times for in-depth analysis and regional papers for local perspectives, as many English-language outlets also feature Irish-language content.
Sources we track 2
Ireland’s NTA proposes wider access for pets on public transport
Small dogs, cats and other pets could gain wider access to Ireland’s buses, trains and Luas services under proposals from the National Transport Authority. The proposed policy would allow small animal…
Central Bank urged to clarify Ireland’s position on Israeli bonds
Ireland’s Central Bank is under pressure to explain whether it has again become responsible for approving Israeli state bond prospectuses after Luxembourg ended its authorisation at midnight. Luxembou…
Starmer to stand down as MP, triggers by-election
Sir Keir Starmer will leave Parliament as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, triggering a by-election in the London constituency. In an interview with the Camden New Journal, the former British prime …
Ireland’s New World Champions Receive a Heroes’ Welcome Home
Friends and family rowed into Cork Airport to welcome Ireland’s newest world champions, Zoe Hyde and Margaret Cremen, home from the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam. The pair won gold in the wo…
‘It was crazy’: Family left homeless after tenancy fell through
For Aisling Dekker, a failed Housing Assistance Payment tenancy meant driving her children two hours to school each morning from emergency accommodation far outside Dublin. The family shared one room …
G20 Ministers Dismayed by Russia’s Return to the Meeting
The return of Russia’s finance minister to the G20 table overshadowed a meeting intended to focus on the global economy. Anton Siluanov’s presence in Asheville marked his first in-person attendance at…
Second Member of Leaving Certificate Maths Reform Group Resigns
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabhain has become the second academic to leave the group working on Ireland’s revised Leaving Certificate mathematics courses, raising fresh questions about how the curriculum is be…
US Supreme Court lets Trump continue building $400 million White House ballroom
The US Supreme Court has cleared the way for Donald Trump to keep building his $400 million White House ballroom, giving the president a major victory in a project he has promoted as “a gift” to the A…
Cancer outcomes in Ireland improve over three decades, study finds
Cancer patients in Ireland are living longer than they did three decades ago, with the country’s overall five-year survival rate for invasive cancers rising to 66% for people diagnosed between 2019 an…
Jade and Austen included in Met Éireann’s 2026-27 storm names
Austen, Boelo and Chloe will lead the list of names used for storms over the coming winter, followed by 18 other names including Jade, Laoise, Nicola and Wende. Met Éireann published the 21-name list …
RTÉ 100: From shortwave broadcasts at the GPO to push notifications
When Éamon de Valera launched Ireland’s television service on New Year’s Eve 1961, he welcomed the new medium while warning that it could profoundly influence public thought and action. RTÉ News is re…
Russian strike on Kyiv and surrounding areas kills four
A large Russian missile and drone attack killed at least four people in Kyiv and the surrounding region, Ukrainian officials said, as authorities tightened security ahead of children’s return to schoo…
Former gang leader found guilty of murdering Tupac Shakur
A decades-old mystery surrounding Tupac Shakur’s killing ended with the conviction of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, a former gang leader accused of organizing the drive-by attack on the influential rapper. A…
US Supreme Court allows Trump’s White House ballroom project to proceed
The US Supreme Court has cleared the way for continued construction of President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom, removing a lower-court order that had halted the work. The conservative-majority c…
Woman shot by police after stabbing two people in New York’s Times Square
A woman who authorities say stabbed two people in New York’s Times Square was shot by police after allegedly rushing at officers with two knives, according to local reports. The suspect was taken to h…
Youth Employment Has Not Fully Recovered From Financial Crash, Report Says
Ireland’s youth unemployment rate has improved since the financial crash, but the country has not restored the number of young people in work, according to a report commissioned by the National Youth …
The Traitors Ireland: Secrets, suspicions and a shock
Edelle entered the Traitors’ ranks with an unusual disadvantage: she knew she had been recruited, but not who her fellow Traitors were. The episode opened by revealing her appointment as the castle’s …
Elderly Patient in Abuse Video Was Not Woman Initially Identified, HSE Says
The family of the elderly woman shown in a disturbing video has asked for privacy after the HSE confirmed it had identified and met them. The footage appears to show a healthcare worker calling the pa…
Fears Grow for 160 Jobs at PayPal’s Irish Operation
PayPal is planning to eliminate 164 roles in Ireland, putting nearly 12% of its Irish workforce at risk, according to Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú. The company employs almost 1,400 people and has offi…
Podcast: What is the new investment account scheme?
Ireland’s new personal investment account is designed to move more household savings out of cash accounts and into investments such as bonds and shares. The state-backed scheme will include a tax-free…
Daring jet fly-past over Springboks stadium sparks heated debate
Two passenger jets swept over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium just before South Africa’s match against New Zealand, passing above 56,000 rugby fans and igniting a debate over the limits of sports spectacle an…
Pair charged over €1.9 million cocaine handover in Dublin car park
An alleged cocaine handover in a Dublin car park involved a Smyths Toys shopping bag, 18 kilograms of cocaine and two men who had parked beside each other, a court heard. Gardaí from the Dublin Crime …
SIPTU votes for public sector strike action over pay
SIPTU members in Ireland’s public sector have voted overwhelmingly to authorize industrial action, including strikes, as a dispute over pay and outsourcing guarantees intensifies. The ballot covered m…
How will the State's savings & investment account work?
Ireland’s planned savings and investment account will offer consumers a tax incentive to put money into investments rather than leave it in bank deposits that typically pay negligible interest. Financ…
Argentina great Messi announces international retirement
Lionel Messi has announced the end of his international career after 21 years with Argentina, closing a chapter that brought the country its third World Cup title in 2022. The 39-year-old captain made…
ChatGPT becomes first AI chatbot to face tougher EU rules
ChatGPT has become the first AI chatbot to face the European Union’s toughest digital-platform rules, after Brussels classified it as a search engine to bring it under the Digital Services Act. The Eu…
Legal aid fee dispute at a standstill, Ireland’s Law Society says
A dispute over legal aid fees in Ireland has entered another month with no agreement, and the Law Society says victims have been left in limbo. More than 100 Dublin-based solicitors agreed last week t…
Nearly 20 missing after ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus, killing eight
Nearly 20 people remained missing on Monday after a ferry capsized off northern Cyprus, killing at least eight. Divers joined the search for survivors in waters more than 500 meters deep. The double-h…
Fontaines D.C. tease 2027 show at Slane Castle
Fontaines D.C. left Electric Picnic audiences with more than the memory of their headline set. A slide pointing to Slane appeared on the screens as the Dublin band brought the festival to a close on S…
“Everything is lost”: Inside Nepal’s devastated flood zone
“The water appeared around the corner like smoke,” Gita Devi Kalwar said as she recalled the floods that struck Bidur in Nepal’s Trishuli River Valley. Residents shouted for people to run as the water…
‘Everything is lost’: Wildfires scar Ireland’s Wicklow landscapes
“Everything is lost here,” said Ann Fitzpatrick, standing over land scorched by fires in Dublin’s Wicklow Mountains. The blaze burned for more than 20 days during the summer, leaving 240 hectares char…
A Jungle War Emerges in Southern Ukraine’s Vanished Reservoir
The former Kakhovka Reservoir has turned into a battlefield where soldiers struggle to see even the people fighting beside them. Tall reeds, scrub and willow thickets now cover the flood plain, creati…
Nepal buries dead as rescuers seek thousands missing
Nepal began burying hundreds of recovered bodies while families continued searching for thousands of missing relatives after a glacial collapse unleashed a massive flood across the Himalayan region. T…
NATO’s Arctic moves pose a ‘direct threat’ to Russia, Lavrov says
Russia has described NATO’s expanding Arctic presence as a direct threat, warning that military activity in the far north could lead to an armed confrontation with catastrophic consequences. Foreign M…
Calls for 'full cost review' into Govt carbon tax plans
Fuels for Ireland is calling for a full review before the Government changes the planned path for carbon-tax increases. The campaign group said ministers should not weaken the policy without examining…
US strikes Iranian island in first attacks since July
The United States struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island, a US official said, marking the first known American attack on Iran since late July. The official said Iranian Revolutionary Guard force…
Tánaiste on US visit to meet with G20 finance ministers
Simon Harris is travelling to North Carolina for a two-day meeting with G20 finance ministers as Ireland continues its role in the EU presidency. The Tánaiste and finance minister will attend alongsid…
Over 20 feared missing after flash flood in Grand Canyon
More than 20 people may be missing after a flash flood hit the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch area of Grand Canyon National Park, according to the National Park Service. The service said it was…
The Traitors Ireland: Suspicion Starts Immediately in Episode One
Suspicion began before the 23 contestants even reached Slane Castle. Players started managing the information they revealed in their cars, hiding jobs and personal details that might make them appear …
US strikes Iranian island in first attacks since July
The United States has carried out its first known strikes on Iran since late July, hitting two launchers on Larak island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a US official. The official said US force…
Electric Picnic 2026: Biblical rain, dancing families, surprise acts and beloved covers
The rain arrived with such force that two festivalgoers seeking refuge in a canvas-covered pizzeria found themselves questioning whether it was a restaurant or a spa. Water pushed through the shelter …
The Saw Doctors Bring Mayo’s All-Ireland Champions on Stage at Electric Picnic
Mayo’s All-Ireland champions walked onto the Electric Picnic Main Stage as The Saw Doctors performed “Green and Red of Mayo,” giving a drenched crowd one of the festival’s most memorable moments. Thou…
Lola Young delivers raw, studio-perfect pop in surprise Electric Picnic set
Lola Young's surprise appearance at Electric Picnic on Saturday quickly answered key questions about the Main Stage lineup and potential festival appearances by other artists. Her hour-long performanc…
Fórsa union members vote to accept Oberstown agreement, pause industrial action
Members of the Fórsa trade union employed at the Oberstown Children Detention Campus in Dublin are set to halt their industrial action following a vote to accept proposals aimed at resolving a dispute…
Brown says united Ireland inevitable 'in the long-term'
Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown believes that a united Ireland is an inevitable outcome in the long term. However, he stressed that this unification must be a gradual process, built upon mu…
Hope and horror: Families in Nepal await news of missing
Kathmandu, Nepal – The walls of Kathmandu's largest hospital have become a canvas of hope and heartbreak, plastered with colorful posters bearing the smiling faces of the missing. These photographs, d…
Man arrested after man found dead, child seriously injured in Co Tyrone house
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after a grim discovery at a house in County Tyrone. Police Service of Northern Ireland officers responded to an incident at a proper…
Kellie Harrington leads 14-strong Irish boxing team for European Elite Championships
Double Olympic champion Kellie Harrington headlines a 14-strong Irish boxing team selected for the European Elite Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, next month. This competition will be Harrington's fi…
Ex-RTÉ Presenter Keith Walsh Sues Broadcaster Over 'Unfair Dismissal'
Former RTÉ 2FM presenter Keith Walsh has initiated legal action against the national broadcaster, filing a High Court summons over claims of unfair dismissal and long-term misclassification of his emp…
Russian Drone Strike on Kyiv Warehouse Kills 27, Injures 42
At least 27 people died and 42 were injured when a Russian drone strike on a warehouse near Kyiv triggered a significant detonation, regional officials announced Saturday. The attack, which occurred l…
Meta agrees to $18bn settlement over US claims of addictive platforms, data misuse
Social media giant Meta has agreed to a massive $18 billion settlement with US states, resolving claims that it designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive and misled consumers about their safety.…
Ireland faces deep-rooted issues in child care system, report suggests
As the news cycle shifts focus from the M9 crash, the enduring tragedy for the affected families remains. The crash, which claimed the lives of five teenagers, including three from the Traveller Commu…
Irish opposition TDs question government's stance on carbon tax amid energy crisis
The Irish Dáil buzzed with a new season's energy, but the focus quickly turned to the contentious issue of energy costs and potential government policy shifts. Opposition parties universally criticize…
Iceland votes on reviving EU membership talks amid geopolitical and domestic concerns
Voters in Iceland are participating in a referendum that could reignite membership talks with the European Union, a process frozen more than a decade ago. The decision comes at a time of heightened ge…
Nepal and China face ongoing rescue efforts after devastating floods
Rescue teams in Nepal and China are engaged in a desperate search for thousands of people missing in the wake of devastating floods and debris flows that ravaged the Himalayan region. The disaster, de…
Trump announces deal for huge US stake in Venezuelan oil reserves
The Trump administration has announced a significant agreement to gain majority control over a substantial portion of Venezuela's vast oil reserves. President Donald Trump revealed on the social media…
Far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos detained by U.S. immigration officials
British far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for allegedly overstaying his visa, according to records released Friday. Yiannopoul…
Celtic's European collapse highlights domestic complacency
Falkirk awaits Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, a stark contrast to the European stage where the club suffered a humiliating 5-1 collapse against LASK, ending their Champions League ambitions. The …
Canada Responds 'Elbows Up' to US Lake Ontario Renaming Dispute Amid Trade War
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has firmly stated that Lake Ontario will retain its name, directly challenging a move by US President Donald Trump to rename it 'Lake America.' This assertion comes…
CMAT cancels Paris gig due to illness and flight disruption
Irish singer CMAT has been forced to cancel her scheduled performance at the Rock en Seine festival near Paris on Friday due to a combination of illness and logistical disruptions. In an Instagram pos…
Wicklow doctor agrees to comply with suspension order
Dr. Regine Grah, who operated a private practice in Bray, has pledged to adhere to a High Court order that suspends her from practicing as a General Practitioner. This suspension will remain in effect…
Harsher penalties proposed for dangerous driving, including wrong-way travel
The Irish government is moving to implement tougher penalties for "aggravated" dangerous driving, with a focus on offenses such as deliberately driving the wrong way on a motorway. Minister of State a…
Ireland considers AI technology to combat wrong-way driving on motorways
Ireland is exploring the use of artificial intelligence technology to enhance safety on its motorways, particularly in response to the growing problem of wrong-way driving. Minister of State at the De…
Gardaí Appeal for Information After Woman's Body Discovered in Dublin Park
An investigation is underway after the body of a woman in her 20s was discovered in Ravensdale Park, Kimmage, south Dublin, earlier this week. Gardaí were initially called to the scene on Tuesday, and…
Kyiv endures second day of Russian drone attacks
Kyiv faced a relentless barrage of Russian drones for a second consecutive day, with aerial attacks striking over a dozen apartment buildings and storage depots. The sustained assault has severely dis…
Defence Forces set up 'Octagon' command hub for Trump's Ireland visit
The Irish Defence Forces are establishing a dedicated joint command and control center, codenamed "the Octagon," to manage security operations for U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Ireland in two…
Spain's interior minister urges calm after Ceuta clashes over migrants
Spain's interior minister has appealed for calm following clashes between residents and police in the north African enclave of Ceuta. The protests are directed against migrants who have remained in th…
Greece Scrambles F-16s After Suspected Turkish Drone Enters Airspace
Greece scrambled F-16 fighter jets in response to a drone, believed to be of Turkish origin, that penetrated its airspace near the northeastern port of Alexandroupolis. The incursion occurred close to…
AI's arrival in Ireland signals 'period of uncertainty' but also opportunity, minister says
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke has acknowledged that Ireland faces a "period of uncertainty" as artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly penetrates the economy and expands across businesses. He stat…
Killarney Cleans Up After 'Unprecedented' Flash Flooding
Killarney, Co. Kerry, is beginning the arduous task of cleaning up after experiencing "unprecedented" flash flooding that submerged large parts of the town and its environs. The severe downpours on Th…
Iceland's EU referendum: Fishing industry at the heart of a divisive debate
At the Tor fish processing plant in Hafnarfjörður, workers are busy processing cod, haddock, and plaice, destined for export. This scene underscores the critical importance of the fishing industry, wh…
Karoline Leavitt departs White House after high-profile, abrasive tenure
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made a brief, low-key appearance at the podium on Thursday, accompanied by her husband and children for a family photograph. This marked a quiet end to her…
Flooding reported in Kerry as rain warnings expire
Parts of Killarney experienced flooding following torrential downpours, prompting a response from Kerry County Council. The council reported several affected roads, including a closure on the N22 near…
Dáil to delay planned increases in motor fuel excise duty
The Irish Dáil is set to convene today for an emergency sitting to postpone planned increases in motor fuel excise duties. These increases were originally scheduled for September and October, but the …
Irish Mortgage Approvals Hit 15-Year High in July, Driven by First-Time Buyers
Mortgage approvals in Ireland surged in July, reaching their highest monthly levels in at least 15 years, as reported by the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). This significant increase was…
Nepal floods: Death toll reaches 469 as hopes for survivors fade
Rescue teams in Nepal are digging through mud and debris in towns devastated by flash floods two days prior. Hopes of finding survivors are fading as the confirmed death toll has reached 469 people. N…
Killarney hit by worst flooding in a lifetime as orange rain warning issued for Dublin
Killarney, a town in Co Kerry, Ireland, was inundated with "torrential downpours" on Thursday evening, causing what the local mayor described as "the worst flooding in a lifetime." Kerry County Counci…
Kremlin dismisses NATO attack reports as 'scare stories'
The Kremlin has labeled as "scare stories" recent US media reports alleging that Russia could potentially attack NATO members. This response comes after a rare visit to Moscow by CIA Director John Rat…
Dublin Solicitors Vow to Continue Service Withdrawal Amid Fee Dispute
Dublin's criminal defence solicitors have unanimously decided to extend their withdrawal of services into the upcoming month, signaling a continued impasse with the Minister for Justice over a new fee…
Shamrock Rovers crash out of Europe after costly own goal
Shamrock Rovers' season is rapidly unravelling after their elimination from the UEFA Conference League, following a costly own goal in their second-leg playoff against Finnish side KuPS. The 1-0 defea…
Trump Renames Lake Ontario 'Lake America' Amid Trade Tensions
In a move that further strains U.S.-Canada relations, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as 'Lake America.' The announcement, made from the Oval Office, direct…
Irish woman and New Zealand husband found dead in Spanish villa hot tub
Spanish authorities are awaiting the results of post-mortem examinations to shed light on the deaths of an Irish woman and her husband, whose bodies were discovered in a hot tub at a rented villa in C…
Man arrested after €1.6 million of cannabis seized in joint operation
A significant seizure of cannabis, valued at approximately €1.6 million, has led to the arrest of a man in his 40s in Co Louth, Ireland. The operation involved multiple agencies, including Revenue Cus…
9/11 mastermind trial set for June 2028
A US air force judge has scheduled the military trial for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the man accused of masterminding the September 11th, 2001 attacks, and three co-defendants to begin on June 5, 2028. A…
Live Champions League draw: League phase pairings to be drawn in Monaco
The stage is set in Monaco for the highly anticipated draw of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase, a significant event for 36 participating clubs, including five from the English Premier Le…
Canada 'welcomes' US stance on French language in trade talks
Canada's lead negotiator in trade talks with the United States has expressed optimism regarding Washington's stance on protecting French language and Canadian culture, as Ottawa simultaneously exempte…
Ireland Opens First Psychosocial Research Hub for Childhood Cancer Survivors
Barretstown, a therapeutic recreation center for families affected by serious illnesses, is launching Ireland's first psychosocial clinical research hub. This initiative aims to make social and emotio…
UEFA to file criminal complaint against FIFA President Infantino
UEFA intends to lodge a criminal complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, escalating a dispute over a now-abandoned plan to transfer commercial rights linked to major tournaments. European f…
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham urges Northern Ireland politicians to focus on problem-solving
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Northern Ireland for his first visit, urging local politicians to shift their focus from "points scoring" to "problem solving." During his half-day trip,…
Ireland Leads EU in Paid Streaming Subscriptions
Irish consumers are leading the European Union in their appetite for paid streaming services, with nearly two-thirds of internet users subscribing to film, television series, or sports content. Accord…
Unite warns of 'winter of strikes' in public sector over pay dispute
Public sector workers in Ireland are poised for a "winter of strikes" as major trade unions report overwhelming support for industrial action over pay. The Unite trade union announced that its members…
UK Airport Data Breach: 8.7 Million Customers Affected in Cyber Attack
Approximately 8.7 million customers have had their data accessed following a cyber security incident affecting three major UK airports: Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands. Manchester Airpo…
Irish Higher Education Minister backs calls to reform CAO points system
Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless has voiced his support for reforming the CAO points system, aligning with growing calls from student, parent, and teacher representative groups.…
Taxi sector sees highest driver numbers in a decade
The Irish taxi industry is experiencing a significant boom, with the number of licensed drivers reaching a ten-year high. Last year alone, 1,893 new taxi licenses were issued, bringing the total fleet…
VHI hikes health insurance premiums by 2.75% citing inflation
The VHI is raising its health insurance premiums again, with an average increase of 2.75% set to take effect from October. Ireland's largest private health insurer stated that the hikes are a necessar…
Mexico arrests man for killing influencer on livestream
Mexican authorities have arrested a man in connection with the killing of social media influencer Cesar Gastelum, who was shot dead during a livestream on August 4. The incident took place in Culiacan…
Glacier Collapse Likely Triggered Nepal-Tibet Floods, Experts Say
A catastrophic glacier collapse in the mountains of Nepal, near the Tibetan border, is the likely cause of the devastating floods that have impacted both regions. Experts believe a massive chunk of ic…
South Korea Urges Meta to Apply Teen Protection Measures Globally
South Korea's media regulator is urging Meta Platforms to extend its recently proposed measures for protecting young users to a global scale. The Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) state…
Nearly 1,500 missing as rescuers struggle to reach survivors of Nepal-Tibet flash floods
A catastrophic flash flood, triggered by the collapse of a glacial wall of mud and rock into a Himalayan river, has left nearly 1,500 people missing across Nepal and China's Tibet region. Authorities …
US judge dismisses X's lawsuit challenging New York's hate speech disclosure law
A US District Court judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk's social media platform X, which aimed to overturn a New York state law demanding transparency in how companies handle hate speech…
