The Garda Band has cost Irish taxpayers more than €6 million since 2022, with the 24-member musical troupe performing at nearly 500 events at an average cost of over €12,300 per performance, new Freedom of Information figures reveal. The specialized unit, whose members hold police ranks such as inspector and sergeant but are not involved … Read more
Dublin’s annual India Day celebration has been postponed indefinitely following a series of unprovoked racist attacks targeting members of the Indian community, organizers announced as government ministers met with community leaders to address the escalating concerns. The Ireland India Council confirmed that Sunday’s festivities at Farmleigh House in Phoenix Park have been cancelled “out of … Read more
Ireland is set for another stretch of warm and humid weather this week, with temperatures reaching up to 26 degrees today before thunderstorms potentially bring relief from the sticky conditions, Met Éireann has forecast. The national weather service predicts that Munster and south Leinster will experience the warmest conditions today, with temperatures ranging between 21 … Read more
Primary schools will eliminate chicken nuggets, sausages, and other highly processed “cheat foods” from hot meal programs when the new academic year begins, as part of a comprehensive nutritional overhaul of Ireland’s school feeding initiative. Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary announced the changes following mounting concerns about the quality of food being served to children … Read more
HSE staff endured more than 25,700 physical, sexual, and verbal assaults over just four years, with some incidents causing fractures, trauma, and long-term disabilities, according to alarming new figures that highlight the deteriorating safety conditions in Irish healthcare facilities. The data reveals 41 incidents were categorised as major injuries, which can include losing a limb … Read more
Almost 2,000 motorists were fined in Dublin last year for illegally parking in disabled bays, marking a dramatic increase of nearly 700 penalties compared to 2023, new garda data reveals. The sharp rise in enforcement has prompted calls from disability advocates for technology-driven solutions to tackle the persistent problem of unauthorized parking in spaces reserved … Read more
Irish households completed 11,910 energy upgrades in the first three months of 2025, marking a two percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to new figures from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Government spending on energy efficiency schemes reached €76 million in the first quarter, representing a four percent year-on-year increase. … Read more
The National Ambulance Service has recorded 280 crashes and near misses involving emergency vehicles over a two-year period from 2023 to 2024, raising significant safety concerns for paramedics and patients alike. Among the most serious incidents was a collision involving a masked individual on a scrambler motorcycle who weaved through traffic before striking an ambulance … Read more
CCTV cameras installed in Dublin’s north inner city to combat illegal dumping have been met with skepticism from locals who doubt the surveillance will solve what they describe as a “disgraceful” problem. The cameras went live Monday on Belvedere Place, Sherrard Street Lower, and Summer Street North, with violators facing minimum €150 fines. Additional penalties … Read more
Ireland’s biggest private residential landlord, Ires Reit, has sold 16 apartments for €6.6 million in the first half of this year, achieving €1.6 million above their book value. The Dublin-based company secured more than 25% premium to book value on what CEO Eddie Byrne described as “underperforming assets.” The sales form part of the company’s … Read more
Up to 350 primary schools will not receive promised hot school meals in September due to procurement rule changes, with the earliest possible start date now pushed to mid-to-late October. The schools, eligible to join the Hot School Meals scheme for the first time this academic year, have been caught in bureaucratic delays after the … Read more
Public transport usage in Ireland reached an all-time high in 2024, with 343.6 million journeys recorded on state-subsidized services – an increase of almost 11% from the previous year. The National Transport Authority reported 33 million additional trips compared to 2023, marking the second consecutive year of record-breaking passenger numbers. The surge shows public transport … Read more
The cost of butter has jumped dramatically, with consumers paying €1.08 more for a pound of butter compared to July 2024, according to new Central Statistics Office data. The significant increase continues an upward trend reported earlier this year, when butter prices had already risen 70 cents by March compared to the same period in … Read more
Ireland has experienced a dramatic increase in prescription painkiller use over the past decade, with opioid prescriptions rising 25% and paracetamol prescriptions jumping 50% between 2014 and 2022, new RCSI research reveals. The surge contrasts sharply with England, where most pain medication classes declined during the same period. Some specific drugs showed even more alarming … Read more
The 150th Dublin Horse Show has commenced at the RDS in Ballsbridge, marking a historic milestone with five days of world-class equestrian competition featuring a €1.4 million prize fund across 168 competitions. Over 1,600 horses will compete throughout the week, attracting more than 120,000 spectators to witness the prestigious anniversary event. A special exhibition celebrating … Read more