Road safety authority reports 105 motorcyclist deaths over five years with rural roads most dangerous

Road safety authority reports 105 motorcyclist deaths over five years with rural roads most dangerous

A new Road Safety Authority report has revealed that 105 motorcyclists died and 884 were seriously injured on Irish roads between 2020 and 2024, highlighting the disproportionate risks faced by two-wheeled road users. The comprehensive study found that motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all road fatalities and 12% of serious injuries during this period, despite … Read more

AIB requires staff to return to office three days weekly despite union opposition

AIB requires staff to return to office three days weekly despite union opposition

Allied Irish Banks has mandated that non-customer-facing employees return to office premises for three days per week from January 2026, ending the full remote working arrangements that have been in place since the COVID-19 pandemic. HR Manager Dave McCormack informed staff via email that the bank seeks to maintain “balance and flexibility” while increasing “in-person … Read more

Irish striker Evan Ferguson joins Roma on season-long loan deal

Irish striker Evan Ferguson joins Roma on season-long loan deal

Ireland international Evan Ferguson has completed a season-long loan move to AS Roma from Brighton & Hove Albion, with the Serie A club securing an option to make the transfer permanent for the promising 20-year-old striker. Ferguson’s career has been marked by early promise followed by setbacks. After joining Brighton from Dublin’s Bohemians at just … Read more

Ireland commits nearly €4 billion to defence and justice infrastructure over five years

Ireland commits nearly €4 billion to defence and justice infrastructure over five years

The Irish Government has allocated almost €4 billion for defence and justice capital spending over the next five years, representing massive increases in investment for both critical sectors under the updated National Development Plan. Defence spending will receive €1.7 billion between 2026 and 2030, marking a dramatic 144% increase from the €697 million allocated in … Read more

Ireland bans industrial Sprat fishing in coastal waters to protect marine ecosystem

Ireland bans industrial Sprat fishing in coastal waters to protect marine ecosystem

Ireland will prohibit industrial sprat fishing in its inshore waters from October 2026, marking a significant shift in marine conservation policy aimed at protecting a crucial species in the country’s marine food chain. The Cabinet approved the ban on Tuesday following a proposal from Marine Minister Martin Heydon and Minister of State for Fisheries Timmy … Read more

French rider edges Irish cyclist in thrilling Mont Ventoux stage finish

French rider edges Irish cyclist in thrilling Mont Ventoux stage finish

Valentin Paret-Peintre delivered France its first stage victory of this year’s Tour de France, narrowly defeating Ireland’s Ben Healy in a spectacular sprint finish atop the legendary Mont Ventoux during stage 16. After four grueling hours racing from Montpellier, the dramatic conclusion unfolded on the mountain’s notorious final slopes. Healy, who previously won stage six … Read more

Ireland commits €200 billion to infrastructure overhaul in decade-long investment plan

Ireland commits €200 billion to infrastructure overhaul in decade-long investment plan

The Irish Government has announced a massive €200 billion capital investment programme that will transform the country’s infrastructure over the next ten years, with electricity networks receiving unprecedented funding levels. Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers is expected to present the updated National Development Plan to Cabinet on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of weeks of intense … Read more

Disadvantaged communities show more negative views on immigration, study finds

Disadvantaged communities show more negative views on immigration, study finds

People living in socio-economically disadvantaged areas hold more negative attitudes towards immigration, particularly in communities that have seen increases in migrant populations since 2011, new research has revealed. The Economic and Social Research Institute study examined how community context shapes attitudes to immigration across Ireland, finding that local disadvantage levels play a significant role in … Read more

Bank of Ireland apologises after severe oil spill threatens Dublin wildlife haven

Bank of Ireland apologises after severe oil spill threatens Dublin wildlife haven

Bank of Ireland has issued a public apology following a major oil spill at Kilbogget Park in south Dublin that forced the emergency rescue of six swans and threatens one of the area’s key biodiversity sites. Wildlife rescuers described the incident as one of the worst oil pollution cases they have encountered, with toxic fumes … Read more

Dublin City Council approves property tax increase despite opposition

Dublin City Council approves property tax increase despite opposition

Dublin City councillors voted Friday evening to increase the Local Property Tax by 15 percent, generating an additional €16.5 million in revenue for the capital while adding financial pressure on householders already facing rising living costs. The expected vote means three of Dublin’s four local authority areas will now impose higher property taxes from next … Read more

Beachgoers warned of venomous fish hiding in Irish coastal waters

Irish swimmers and beach walkers are being urged to take precautions against weever fish, a venomous species that buries itself in sandy shallows around the entire coastline and delivers painful stings to unsuspecting victims. The small fish, most active between May and September when water temperatures rise, lurks beneath the sand with only its dorsal … Read more

Irish universities shift medicine entry requirements to favour leaving certificate results

Irish universities shift medicine entry requirements to favour leaving certificate results

Irish universities will significantly reduce the importance of the HPAT entrance exam for medicine programmes from 2027, placing greater emphasis on Leaving Certificate performance in a major overhaul of admission requirements. The Irish Universities Association announced that HPAT scores will be capped at 150 points, down from the current maximum of 300 points. Meanwhile, the … Read more

Dublin hospital plans AI system to reduce patient no-shows

Dublin hospital plans AI system to reduce patient no-shows

Beaumont Hospital in Dublin is investing up to €110,000 in artificial intelligence technology to tackle the growing problem of missed appointments, which currently affects more than 15% of its patient bookings. The hospital plans to launch a pilot programme using AI to predict which patients are likely to skip appointments or cancel at short notice. … Read more