IRELAND

Irish medical experts condemn Trump's 'demonstrably false' claims linking paracetamol to autism

Irish medical experts condemn Trump’s ‘demonstrably false’ claims linking paracetamol to autism

Medical professionals, scientists and autism advocates in Ireland have strongly rejected US President Donald Trump’s claims linking paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism, describing his statements as scientifically unfounded and potentially harmful to public health. At a press conference yesterday, Trump told pregnant women to “fight like hell” to avoid taking Tylenol (paracetamol) except in … Read more

Avian influenza detected at Cork's Lough wildlife sanctuary

Avian influenza detected at Cork’s Lough wildlife sanctuary

Cork City Council has confirmed an avian influenza outbreak at the popular Lough Wildlife Sanctuary following the discovery of multiple dead birds that tested positive for the virus. Members of the public visiting the south Cork city amenity are being urged not to touch sick or dead wild birds or handle bird feathers found in … Read more

Maria Steen secures second ministerial backing as Presidential bid reaches critical juncture

Maria Steen secures second ministerial backing as Presidential bid reaches critical juncture

Independent junior minister Marian Harkin has become the second government minister to sign presidential nomination papers for barrister Maria Steen, bringing the conservative campaigner closer to securing a place on the ballot. Ms Steen now has 12 of the required 20 Oireachtas nominations, with two more TDs and senators expected to sign today according to … Read more

Regulatory delay may have fueled Ireland's widespread HHC cannabis use

Regulatory delay may have fueled Ireland’s widespread HHC cannabis use

Ireland’s delay in banning a semi-synthetic cannabis product may have contributed to its rapid spread across the country, according to new research showing that HHC use became “widespread” in a relatively short timeframe. Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) remained legally available through vape shops and high street stores until the Government banned its sale in July 2024, despite … Read more

Grocery price inflation surges to 6.3% as back-to-school shopping drives up food costs

Grocery price inflation surges to 6.3% as back-to-school shopping drives up food costs

Grocery price inflation has jumped to 6.3% over the past three months, up from 5.4% just 12 weeks ago, as families face increased pressure from back-to-school spending and rising energy costs. New figures from consumer insights group Worldpanel by Numerator show that the weekly food shop has become significantly more expensive, with the increase coinciding … Read more

Nationwide rent pressure zone announcement triggers mass landlord exodus

Nationwide rent pressure zone announcement triggers mass landlord exodus

The Government’s announcement of nationwide rent pressure zones has sparked a sharp increase in landlords selling their properties, with some areas reporting that over 80% of recent sales are from exiting landlords. The Real Estate Alliance Average House Price Index reveals that the June announcement was followed by an immediate spike in landlord sales across … Read more

Winter fuel allowance payments begin this week for 410,000 households

Winter fuel allowance payments begin this week for 410,000 households

The first payments of this winter’s Fuel Allowance Scheme are set to commence this week, providing crucial support to hundreds of thousands of Irish households during the colder months. The means-tested payment will be distributed over 28 weeks to approximately 410,000 households across the country, offering financial assistance to help cover heating costs during the … Read more

TD calls proposed 65 cent minimum wage increase 'stingy' despite retailer concerns

TD calls proposed 65 cent minimum wage increase ‘stingy’ despite retailer concerns

A proposed 65 cent per hour increase to the minimum wage in next month’s budget has been criticized as inadequate by a TD, despite retail industry warnings that such a rise would severely impact their businesses. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy described the Low Pay Commission’s recommended increase as “stingy” and insufficient for addressing … Read more

Amazon Alexa masters Irish expressions with help from comedian Aisling Bea

Amazon Alexa masters Irish expressions with help from comedian Aisling Bea

Amazon has partnered with comedian Aisling Bea to teach Alexa Ireland’s most popular words and phrases, allowing the voice assistant to explain local expressions in an Irish accent. From today, customers can ask “Alexa, teach me some Irish sayings” to hear definitions of Ireland’s best-loved expressions read back to them. The update includes the country’s … Read more

Met Éireann partners with UCD to launch AI-powered weather forecasting centre

Met Éireann partners with UCD to launch AI-powered weather forecasting centre

Met Éireann and University College Dublin have established Ireland’s first artificial intelligence centre dedicated to weather forecasting, aiming to improve prediction accuracy amid increasing climate change risks. The AIMSIR (AI for Meteorological Services, Innovation and Research) centre has been launched with a €5 million investment from the national weather service, bringing together over 60 UCD … Read more

Circle K announces nationwide 20 cent per litre fuel discount for today

Circle K announces nationwide 20 cent per litre fuel discount for today

Circle K has announced a significant fuel discount offering customers 20 cent off per litre at participating service stations across Ireland for one day only. The promotion runs from 6am until midnight today and is available exclusively to Circle K Extra members at all participating locations nationwide. Customers who are not already members can download … Read more

Litter pollution worsens across Ireland with 60% of areas affected

Litter pollution worsens across Ireland with 60% of areas affected

Litter pollution is deteriorating across Ireland, with cigarette butts and chewing gum remaining the primary sources of contamination, according to new government research released today. The 2024 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System found that almost 60% of all surveyed areas contained some level of pollution, representing a 3% increase from the previous year. The comprehensive … Read more

Ireland requires over 1,000 new nursing home beds annually until 2040

Ireland requires over 1,000 new nursing home beds annually until 2040

Ireland will need between 15,000 and 20,000 additional nursing home beds by 2040 to meet growing demand from an aging population, according to new ESRI projections to be presented at the Nursing Homes Ireland conference on Thursday. The lower projection of 15,000 beds translates to an average requirement of over 1,000 new beds each year … Read more

EU freezes €32 million in Israel funding and proposes trade deal suspension over Gaza war

EU freezes €32 million in Israel funding and proposes trade deal suspension over Gaza war

The European Union has suspended bilateral support for Israel worth up to €32 million and proposed suspending parts of Israel’s special trade agreement with the bloc, citing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, froze payments that would have provided Israel with an average of €6 … Read more

Median Irish house price hits €374,999 as property costs rise 7.5% annually

Median Irish house price hits €374,999 as property costs rise 7.5% annually

House prices across Ireland continue their relentless climb, with the median cost of a home now standing at €374,999 following a 7.5% increase in the year to July 2025. The Central Statistics Office’s Residential Property Price Index showed a slight cooling from the 7.9% annual growth recorded the previous month, though prices remain on a … Read more