First deployment of devices to regular patrol officers in Dublin and Waterford An Garda Síochána is launching a historic trial scheme today that will see 128 selected uniformed officers in Dublin and Waterford equipped with Tasers for the first time. The six-month pilot program marks the first time officers on regular patrol have been given … Read more
Naval Service Recruitment Improves but Falls Short of Ambitious 2028 Targets Personnel numbers rise to 784 but service needs over 1,000 additional sailors by 2028 The Naval Service has seen improved recruitment in 2025, with personnel strength rising to 784 from 719 at the end of last year, though the service remains well short of … Read more
Met Éireann warns of flooding risk and difficult travel conditions Met Éireann has issued a yellow weather warning for counties Kerry and Galway as severe thunderstorms are expected to affect the areas today. The warning, which came into effect at 9am, will remain in place until this evening. Thunderstorms are expected to accompany heavy rainfall, … Read more
Revenue warns claims submitted after year-end will not be processed The deadline to claim tax refunds for 2021 ends this month, with Revenue warning that claims received after December 31, 2025, will not be processed. Taxpayers must file returns online by the year-end deadline to claim refunds for overpaid PAYE or USC, qualifying expenses including … Read more
Patient care sector hit hardest as recruitment delays stretch to six months Cork’s community healthcare sector is facing a severe staffing crisis with more than 235 unfilled positions seriously affecting patient care and hospital operations, according to official figures. The vacancy breakdown reveals systemic shortages across multiple categories: Patient care staff: 117.87 vacancies (highest shortage) … Read more
Government launches action plan toward €200 monthly childcare costs, with changes taking effect September 2026 Thousands of Irish families will receive increased childcare subsidies under changes to the National Childcare Scheme announced today by Children’s Minister Norma Foley. The minister launched the government’s “Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan,” setting out a pathway toward … Read more
Historic infrastructure project will affect 300,000 customers from next year Electricity tariffs in Ireland will increase from next year as part of funding for the country’s largest-ever national grid upgrade, with monthly bills rising by up to €1.75. The historic infrastructure project will cost approximately €18.9 billion (not $19 billion as initially reported), with the … Read more
ICTU cites 18.9% inflation over four years as workers’ purchasing power erodes The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has demanded pay increases of up to 6% for next year, citing sustained inflationary pressures and erosion of workers’ purchasing power over recent years. ICTU recommended private sector unions seek pay rises between 4.7% and 6%, … Read more
UK’s leading digital bank with 13 million customers to challenge Revolut in Irish market Digital bank Monzo has secured full banking licenses from the European Central Bank and Central Bank of Ireland, enabling European expansion with its headquarters based in Dublin. The British online bank, founded in 2015 and based in London, has nearly 13 … Read more
Campaigners say “overnight erasure” of reopening project betrays south-east region and ignores capacity crisis Plans to reopen the Wexford-Waterford rail line have been scrapped after the project was omitted from the government’s new transport prioritisation strategy, sparking anger from campaigners who say years of advocacy may have been “erased overnight.” Hopes were high after the … Read more
€7 million de Havilland Twin Otter arrives from Switzerland, flies first mission near Dundalk and Cavan Ireland’s new garda surveillance aircraft has arrived and conducted its first flight—a patrol near the border region this morning—The Journal has learned. The de Havilland Canada-6 Twin Otter Guardian 400 arrived from Switzerland on Saturday to its base at … Read more
Historic infrastructure project will power 300,000 new homes, 1 million EVs, and renewable energy expansion Electricity customers in Ireland will see monthly bills rise by up to €1.75 from next year as part of the country’s largest-ever electricity distribution network upgrade, with total costs reaching €18.9 billion over five years. The Commission for Regulation of … Read more
Royal London study warns pension system assumptions increasingly disconnected from reality The number of people over 65 living in rented accommodation has doubled over the past decade, threatening to push tens of thousands of elderly Irish residents into poverty as housing costs consume pension income, according to a Royal London Ireland study. The report highlights … Read more
Safety message emphasizes dangers of overhead wires as festive season begins ESB Networks has urged the public not to hang Christmas lights from electricity poles, warning that overhead wires are live and extremely dangerous. In a safety message for the festive season, the utility company emphasized that people should never take risks when it comes … Read more
Cabinet to review plan this week following Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil resolution on property value caps The Cabinet will discuss extending the vacant property refurbishment grant to 2030 this week after Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil resolved a dispute over limits on the value of eligible properties. Fine Gael blocked a Cabinet memo on … Read more