Fire-damaged Dublin bridge forces Luas red line closure until November

Fire-damaged Dublin bridge forces Luas red line closure until November

Dublin commuters face months of disruption as the Luas Red Line remains suspended between Connolly and The Point stations until the end of November, following fire damage to the Georges Dock bridge. An engineering assessment has determined the bridge is structurally compromised and must be demolished, prompting Transport Infrastructure Ireland to implement extensive replacement services … Read more

Over 5,000 children now homeless in Ireland as crisis reaches new peak

Over 5,000 children now homeless in Ireland as crisis reaches new peak

More than 5,000 children are now experiencing homelessness in Ireland for the first time, as latest figures reveal a total of 16,058 people living in emergency accommodation at the end of July. The Department of Housing’s monthly update shows 5,014 children and 2,343 families were homeless, marking the seventh consecutive month of increases this year … Read more

Unsettled weather to continue through weekend with heavy showers and thunderstorms

Met Éireann is forecasting continued unsettled conditions over the weekend and into next week, with persistent rain, heavy showers, and cooler temperatures expected across Ireland. Saturday will bring wet and blustery conditions as rain spreads northeastwards across the country, potentially turning heavy or thundery with localised flooding possible. The rain will gradually clear to showers … Read more

Children expected to contract four to five illnesses during school year, research shows

Children expected to contract four to five illnesses during school year, research shows

Children typically bring home four to five illnesses each school year, with many bugs appearing as early as October, according to new research from Holland & Barrett. The back-to-school health challenges create significant disruption for families, with parents missing an average of 3.4 workdays annually due to caring for sick children. This figure rises to … Read more

Mortgage approvals reach record €1.8 billion in July as first-time buyers drive market

Mortgage approvals reach record €1.8 billion in July as first-time buyers drive market

Mortgage approvals hit an all-time high of €1.77 billion in July, with first-time buyers accounting for the majority of activity in Ireland’s booming housing market. Banking & Payments Federation Ireland figures show 5,467 mortgages were approved during July, representing a 2.9% increase on the same period last year and a 12% jump from June. The … Read more

New US import tax on small packages takes effect, disrupting international shipping

New US import tax on small packages takes effect, disrupting international shipping

The United States has eliminated tariff exemptions on small international packages, requiring recipients to pay a 15% import tax on items valued over $100 (€85) as of today. The policy change significantly reduces the previous exemption threshold from $800 (€685) to $100, affecting millions of small shipments entering the US. The Trump administration justified the … Read more

Additional Asian Hornet sightings confirmed as response teams intensify monitoring efforts

Additional Asian Hornet sightings confirmed as response teams intensify monitoring efforts

More Asian Hornets have been discovered in Ireland following the confirmed sighting in Cork earlier this month, prompting intensified surveillance efforts to contain the biosecurity threat posed by the invasive species. The Department of Heritage confirmed that additional sightings have occurred since the initial Cork discovery, leading to expanded monitoring activities by specialized survey teams. … Read more

Hospital death rates from heart attack and stroke drop significantly over past decade

Hospital death rates from heart attack and stroke drop significantly over past decade

Irish hospitals have achieved substantial reductions in mortality rates for major conditions including heart attack and stroke, according to a new national audit examining outcomes across 44 acute hospitals. The National Office of Clinical Audit report reveals significant improvements in survival rates over the past decade, particularly for time-critical conditions where rapid treatment proves decisive. … Read more

Balbriggan residents advised to stay indoors as fire engulfs waste disposal plant

Balbriggan residents advised to stay indoors as fire engulfs waste disposal plant

Dublin Fire Brigade has urged residents in Balbriggan to remain indoors and keep windows closed this morning following a large fire at a local waste disposal plant. The emergency response began around 6:30am when fire services were alerted to the blaze. Nine units of Dublin Fire Brigade are currently battling the fire at the facility. … Read more

Inis Oírr receives €35.75 million as first project under revised National Development Plan

Inis Oírr receives €35.75 million as first project under revised National Development Plan

A major harbour infrastructure project on Inis Oírr, the smallest of the Aran Islands, has become the first initiative to receive funding under the government’s newly revised €275 billion National Development Plan. Gaeltacht Minister Dara Calleary and Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers traveled to the Gaeltacht island today to announce €35.75 million in funding for … Read more

Yellow rain warning issued for six western counties

Yellow rain warning issued for six western counties

Met Éireann has issued a yellow rain warning for six counties, effective from 6pm Wednesday until 6pm Thursday. The warning covers Clare, Donegal, Mayo, Leitrim, Sligo, and Galway, with forecasters warning of localised flooding, poor visibility, and difficult traveling conditions. Isolated thunderstorms are also possible during the warning period. Wednesday afternoon will bring sunshine and … Read more

Long-awaited Slane bypass faces judicial review challenge after planning approval

Long-awaited Slane bypass faces judicial review challenge after planning approval

The controversial Slane bypass project in County Meath is set to face a judicial review challenge, just months after finally receiving planning permission following a 12-year battle. Meath County Council confirmed that a member of the public intends to lodge a judicial review against the N2 Slane bypass, which received approval from An Coimisiún Pleanála … Read more

Government to spend €650,000 on wildlife control at military airbase to prevent aircraft strikes

Government to spend €650,000 on wildlife control at military airbase to prevent aircraft strikes

The Department of Defence will invest €650,000 in wildlife control measures at Casement Airbase in Baldonnel to reduce dangerous bird and hare strikes that threaten aircraft safety. The military facility houses the Irish Air Corps, Garda Air Support Unit, and the government jet used by the President, Taoiseach, and ministers for official business, making flight … Read more

Irish families face 'perfect storm' of rising energy, health insurance and food costs

Irish families face ‘perfect storm’ of rising energy, health insurance and food costs

Irish households are confronting a cascade of price increases across multiple essential services, with new hikes to electricity bills and health insurance premiums adding to already soaring food costs. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities has announced further increases to electricity network charges that will add an average of €29 to typical annual household bills, … Read more

Hot school meals programme delayed days before term starts due to procurement issues

Hot school meals programme delayed days before term starts due to procurement issues

Parents across Ireland have expressed frustration after being informed that the promised hot school meals programme has been delayed just days before schools reopen, despite government commitments made in last year’s budget. The Department of Social Protection announced earlier this month that up to 350 schools would not have access to the Hot School Meals … Read more