More than half a million drivers across Ireland now have penalty points on their licenses, with hundreds facing automatic six-month driving bans, according to the latest data from the Road Safety Authority. The monthly report, which provides figures through the end of April 2025, reveals that 512,791 motorists currently have active penalty points on their … Read more
Transport emissions in Ireland decreased by just 1.2% last year despite advancements in electric vehicle adoption and biofuel usage, according to a new report from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The modest reduction highlights how the country’s “over-reliance on private vehicles continues to erode progress” toward meeting climate targets, the national sustainable energy … Read more
The government has allocated €10,200 to tackle the growing problem of invasive freshwater turtles that have been abandoned in Irish waterways by pet owners. Eight local authorities – Cork City, Cork County, Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire, Fingal, Kildare, South Dublin and Wicklow – will each receive €1,275 to develop “control protocols” for these non-native species. … Read more
A new static speed camera will become operational on the N80 in Co Carlow between Barristown and Levitstown starting at midday this Friday, May 23. The installation brings the total number of operational static speed cameras across Ireland to seven, with others already functioning on the N17 in Mayo, N59 in Galway, N13 in Donegal, … Read more
County Kerry horticulturist Billy Alexander has secured his third gold medal at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London for his ambitious fern collection display. Alexander, who owns Kells Bay Gardens, described himself as “speechless” and “over the moon” following this morning’s announcement by the judging panel. His exhibit, titled “Wilde Kells Bay Gardens,” … Read more
The Social Democrats are introducing legislation that would reduce Ireland’s voting age from 18 to 16, potentially allowing younger citizens to participate in this year’s Presidential Election. TD Aidan Farrelly, the party’s spokesperson for children, equality and youth, will table the “Reduction of Voting Age to Sixteen Years Bill 2025” today, marking his first proposed … Read more
A status yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Laois and Offaly, bringing an end to the recent spell of clear blue skies and sunshine across Ireland. The alert, which came into effect shortly after 1pm Monday, warns of scattered thunderstorms with potential lightning strikes and spot flooding until 8pm this evening. … Read more
The government is implementing a series of measures to address growing concerns about student attendance rates, with a new pilot program set to launch in 60 schools nationwide. Education Minister Helen McEntee described current absenteeism figures as “really alarming” and indicated she is “determined” to tackle what has become a troubling post-pandemic trend affecting schools … Read more
Average asking rents across Ireland rose by 3.4 per cent between January and March this year, surpassing €2,000 per month for the first time, according to the latest Daft.ie report. The average monthly rent now stands at €2,053—up from €765 in 2011 and 48 per cent higher than pre-Covid levels. Dublin remains the most expensive … Read more
Drinks giant Diageo has announced a $500 million cost-saving program as it prepares to absorb an estimated annual hit of €133 million from US tariffs. The maker of Guinness and Johnnie Walker revealed it expects to mitigate approximately half the impact through existing plans and is developing additional measures to offset the remaining costs. The … Read more
Ireland is set to enjoy temperatures that could exceed those in Ibiza this weekend, with parts of Connacht potentially reaching 26 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Met Éireann predicts unbroken sunshine across the entire country throughout the weekend. The fine weather is expected to continue into early next week, with most areas remaining dry and sunny … Read more
Health professionals have expressed serious concern over what they describe as public “indifference” to the widespread availability of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), a synthetic cannabinoid linked to psychotic episodes in teenagers that remains easily accessible in shops across Ireland. An investigation by the Irish Examiner successfully purchased HHC products—including jelly edibles and flavored vapes—from retailers in towns … Read more
A record-breaking 89 Irish beaches and 10 marinas have received prestigious Blue Flag status for the 2025 bathing season, according to environmental organization An Taisce. The new total surpasses the previous record of 85 beaches, reflecting improved coastal management across the country. County Kerry leads with 15 Blue Flag designations, followed by Donegal with 14. … Read more
Sky has issued an apology to customers after many experienced technical problems with their Sky Q boxes unexpectedly switching to standby mode during television viewing last night. The company confirmed this morning that the issues have been resolved, but is advising customers whose boxes remain stuck in standby mode to perform a simple restart procedure. … Read more
Northern Ireland’s M1 motorway has been closed in both directions following an incident involving an overturned lorry carrying approximately 40 cattle, causing major disruption to traffic between Belfast and Dungannon. Emergency services including firefighters and specialist animal rescue teams are currently at the scene working to safely remove the cattle from the vehicle. Two veterinarians … Read more