AI Job Losses in Ireland Likely to Hit Women and ‘Younger Workers’ Hardest, Says Report
Ireland’s cabinet approved a National Economic Social Council report outlining a coordinated response to the rapid rollout of artificial intelligence. The report warns that 63% of Irish jobs are in highly AI‑exposed occupations, with women and younger workers at greatest risk of displacement, and notes slower employment growth in AI‑exposed sectors. To mitigate risks, the government plans a new AI Office, a national AI fellowship, an AI skilling platform, and an international AI summit during its EU Council presidency. The report also highlights threats to public discourse, citing the X “nudification” incident that produced millions of sexualised images.
Oil Price Climbs Above $110 for First Time in Three Weeks as US-Iran Peace Efforts Falter
Oil prices rose above $110 per barrel for the first time in three weeks as US‑Iran peace talks stalled, leaving the Strait of Hormuz largely shut. The lack of diplomatic progress revived fears that higher energy costs will force central...
Large Increase in Number of Complaints over Disability Discrimination at Work
Complaints alleging disability discrimination in Irish workplaces jumped 52% in 2025, rising from 410 to 622 under the Employment Equality Acts. Including goods and services cases, total disability complaints reached 915, representing nearly a third of all equality complaints filed...
US Envoys Travel to Pakistan for Peace Talks; Iran Says Direct Negotiations Not Planned
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in Islamabad to convey Tehran’s position on restarting US‑Iran peace talks, while the United States dispatched special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan. Iran’s foreign ministry stressed there will be no direct...
Tax Evasion, AI Use and an Irish Sprinter’s Bikini Photos: Specsavers ‘War’ Reaches the High Court
A High Court judge has urged Specsavers and Sean Power, co‑owner of its Ennis store, to end a protracted legal "war" that spans tax‑evasion claims, alleged expense fraud, AI‑generated filings, and the use of sprinter Ciara Neville's bikini photos in...
‘It’s a Pretty Substantial Disaster’: More Flight Cancellations Likely as Fuel Crisis Bites
European airlines are scrambling as jet‑fuel prices surge past $2.50 per gallon, driven by the Red Sea crisis and oil futures above $100 a barrel. Lufthansa cancelled 20,000 short‑haul flights, while KLM grounded 150 flights, citing financial infeasibility. Carriers such...
AI Boom Threatens to Cause ‘Significant Upheaval’ for Irish Tech Jobs
Ireland’s government warned that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence could cause significant upheaval in the nation’s tech‑heavy labour market within the next decade. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said officials are already tasked with gauging AI’s impact as companies like Meta cut...
MasterChef’s New Presenter Anna Haugh: ‘I’m Really Proud I Come From Tallaght’
Anna Haugh, the Dublin‑born chef‑owner of London’s Myrtle, joins Grace Dent as a new presenter on the BBC’s revamped MasterChef. The pair replace former judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode after misconduct investigations, marking a fresh, all‑woman lineup. Haugh uses the...
Duo Behind Michelin-Starred Variety Jones to Open New Casual Restaurant This Weekend
The Higgs brothers, chefs behind Dublin’s Michelin‑starred Variety Jones, are launching a new casual eatery called Mongoose on April 26. Located at 78 Thomas Street – the original Variety Jones site – the 28‑seat restaurant will serve a concise à...
New Irish Rail IT System Is ‘a Slowly Developing Shambles’, Says Dáil Committee Chairman
Ireland’s Dáil Public Accounts Committee warned that Indra Group’s €200 million‑plus (≈$215 million) next‑generation contactless ticketing programme is at risk after the contractor’s train traffic‑management system ran into severe delays and cost overruns. Over €31 million (≈$33 million) has already been spent on the...
‘It Doesn’t Make Sense’: Seasoned Drivers Treated Like Learners Due to Ireland’s Licence Rules
Melissa MacKinnon and Michael Hogan, seasoned US drivers, discovered that Ireland does not allow a direct exchange of US licences, forcing them to undergo a two‑year re‑licensing process. Their experience reflects a broader trend: a 96 percent rise in US‑to‑Ireland relocations...
Larger €9bn Surplus Forecast Increases Pressure on Coalition for Spending Increases
Ireland’s latest fiscal forecasts show the general government surplus jumping from about €5 billion ($5.5 bn) to over €9 billion ($9.8 bn) for 2024, driven by stronger growth and data‑centre investment. The projection lifts the spending ceiling by €700 million ($763 m) to €118.5 billion ($129 bn) and...
Student Who Sued UCD on Study Issue After Alleged Rape Loses Bid for Costs
A medicine student who sued University College Dublin over an alleged rape was denied an award of legal costs after the High Court ruled she bore some responsibility for the publicity that led UCD to seek a variation of the...
Will Ryanair Have to Follow Aer Lingus and Cut Flights?
Aer Lingus announced the cancellation of 430 summer flights, citing mandatory aircraft maintenance, but industry observers suspect soaring jet‑fuel prices and supply worries are the real drivers. The move comes as European carriers such as KLM and Lufthansa also trim schedules...
Sadhbh O'Neill: The Simple Text Message that Helped France Reduce Its Electricity Usage by 10%
France’s grid operator launched the Ecowatt app, sending colour‑coded text alerts that prompted households to shift usage away from peak periods. The campaign, part of a 15‑point “energy sobriety” plan, trimmed electricity consumption by 10% in December 2022. Across the EU,...
How to Invest in Crypto, CFDs and Private Equity
Alternative investments—crypto, private equity and contracts for difference (CFDs)—are gaining attention among affluent Irish investors seeking diversification. Crypto remains volatile, with Bitcoin swinging over 10% in March 2024, and regulators warn of high risk and no compensation protection. Private‑equity access...
Trump Claims Iran to Suspend Nuclear Programme, with Deal to End War ‘Mostly Complete’
President Donald Trump announced that Iran has agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely and that a deal to end the U.S.-Iran war is "mostly complete." Simultaneously, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz open for commercial traffic during the 10‑day...
Ammi and Martina Burke Appeal Criminal Contempt of Court Finding
Ammi and Martina Burke, mother and sister of jailed teacher Enoch Burke, are appealing a High Court ruling that found them guilty of criminal contempt after a two‑week jail term for disruptive conduct at a February hearing. They argue the...
High Court Strikes Down Central Bank Sanction over ‘Serious Errors’ in Investigation of Fund Manager
The Irish High Court struck down a Central Bank prohibition that barred a former fund‑management chief executive from holding senior roles in regulated financial services. Judge David Barniville found the regulator’s investigation riddled with serious procedural errors, including the absence...
International Protection Bill Passed in Dáil Vote After Three-Hour Debate
Ireland’s Dáil approved the International Protection Bill by an 86‑62 vote after a three‑hour debate, marking the most extensive overhaul of the country’s asylum law. The legislation aligns Irish rules with the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, tightening eligibility, speeding...
One-Week Ceasefire in Lebanon Expected to Take Effect as US-Iran Truce Efforts Continue
The United States is pressuring Lebanon to adopt a one‑week ceasefire that could begin Thursday, synchronizing with the tentative US‑Iran truce set to expire on April 22. Tehran has framed the Lebanon pause as a prerequisite for a broader framework agreement...
How Other Countries Are Responding to Surging Oil Prices - and Why Spain Is in a Good Position
Rising oil prices triggered by the Iran‑Houthi conflict have prompted a patchwork of policy responses across Europe. The United Kingdom, grappling with high debt, has resisted new fuel‑duty cuts beyond a £5 bn ($6.3 bn) annual program, while Germany introduced a two‑month...
Child Psychiatrist Jailed for Sexual Abuse of Teen Has Registration Cancelled by High Court
The Irish High Court ordered the permanent cancellation of child psychiatrist Amirul Mohd Yunos’s medical registration after he pleaded guilty to multiple sexual offences involving a teenage girl. Yunos, who worked at a CAMHS centre in Clonskeagh, is serving an 8½‑year...
Bawag: What Can Irish Consumers Expect?
Bawag, Austria’s fourth‑largest bank with a €72 billion (≈ $78 billion) balance sheet, is expanding in Ireland after its Cerberus‑backed acquisition of PTSB and the mortgage lender MoCo. The bank plans to accelerate cost‑cutting, targeting a cost‑income ratio below 60 % by 2028, while...
Fuel Protesters Appear in Court over Alleged Dangerous Driving on M1 in Co Louth
Two truck drivers were brought before Louth District Court in Drogheda on Tuesday, charged with dangerous driving after a fuel‑protest blockade on the M1 in County Louth. The incident, which occurred Monday evening, is the first court case linked to...
Irishman Anthony Whelan Appointed to Senior Job in European Commission
Anthony Whelan, an Irish senior civil servant and former adviser to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has been appointed head of the European Commission’s competition directorate. The role places him at the helm of the EU’s most influential antitrust and...
‘I Will, Yeah’: How a Very Irish Phrase Presented a Challenge for an Immigrant Doctor
Migrant doctors in Ireland highlighted cultural misunderstandings that can jeopardise patient care, such as a common Irish phrase that led a GP to miss a smoking‑cessation intervention. At an Irish Medical Organisation conference, doctors from Sudan, Sri Lanka and Pakistan shared...
An Post Customer Finds His Parcel in Green Bin After Second Attempt to Send It to France
An Post admitted a serious service failure after a customer’s parcel destined for France was found in a green bin on a second delivery attempt. The mishap, reported alongside a similar incident, prompted the postal operator to issue a public...
Does It Make Sense to Walk Away From My Tracker Mortgage Rate?
A retired couple in Ireland with a €78,400 (≈$85,500) tracker mortgage at 3.1% is weighing a switch to a five‑year green fixed rate from AIB, likely around 3.2%, or a comparable offer from PTSB at 3.0%. The tracker adds roughly...
Inside the New York Apartment of Samantha Barry, the Irishwoman Headhunted by Anna Wintour: ‘I Really Wanted a Working Fireplace’
Samantha Barry, global executive director of Glamour, bought a one‑bedroom pre‑war co‑op in Gramercy, Manhattan after a three‑month search. She insisted on a walkable commute to her Condé Nast office and a working fireplace, sealing the deal with a personal letter...
David McWilliams: Is Ireland the Worst Run Country in Europe?
Economist David McWilliams argues that Ireland is Europe’s most mismanaged economy, pointing to unchecked spending and weak cost control. He highlights the national children’s hospital, originally budgeted at €650 million (≈$715 million), which ballooned to €2.24 billion (≈$2.46 billion) by 2025 – a 220%...
‘I Love My Job, but the Loneliness Is Hard’: Reality of Life as a Travel Influencer
Ireland’s top travel influencers—Éadaoin Fitzmaurice, Cassie Stokes, Brinsley McNamara, Stephanie Barry Woods and Niamh Flynn—reveal a mixed reality of high‑profile social media reach, lucrative brand deals and personal challenges. While average creators earn €30,000‑€60,000 (≈$32k‑$65k) and a few hit six‑figure salaries, the work demands constant algorithm...
Netanyahu Faces Domestic Backlash in Israel as Iran Conflict Enters New Phase
Israel’s cease‑fire with Iran ended a five‑week campaign that fell short of its three stated goals: regime change, eliminating the nuclear threat, and crippling Iran’s missile program. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu highlighted military successes but acknowledged the conflict is not...
New Critical Infrastructure Laws Will Block Climate-Based Legal Challenges
Ireland’s Critical Infrastructure Bill, slated for enactment by July, will bar legal challenges to public infrastructure projects on climate grounds. Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers argues the measure will cut “unjustified” lawsuits and accelerate water, transport and energy projects...
Netflix Documentary on Killing of Jason Corbett Nominated for Emmy
Netflix’s documentary "A Deadly American Marriage"—co‑produced by journalist Brian Carroll—has been nominated for an Emmy. The film revisits the 2015 killing of Irish‑born Jason Corbett in North Carolina, the subsequent legal battles, and the 2024 release of his wife and...
Fuel Protests Set to Cause Disruption on Major Routes Across Ireland Today
A national fuel protest erupted across Ireland today, with convoys assembling from 7 a.m. and converging on major motorways such as the M50, M1 and M7. Demonstrators are targeting soaring diesel, petrol and heating‑oil prices linked to the Middle‑East war and...
More Houses Bought by Council for Social Housing in Dublin Face Demolition
Dublin City Council used compulsory purchase powers to acquire two derelict houses on Ferguson Road over seven years ago, intending them for social housing. After emergency stabilisation in 2012, the properties suffered severe subsidence, leading the council to deem demolition...
US Airlines Warned Minister that Dublin Airport Cap Breached Treaty
US airline coalition Airlines for America warned Irish Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien that Dublin Airport’s 32 million‑passenger annual cap could breach the US‑EU Open Skies agreement. The letter, sent in April, cautioned that enforcing the limit or diverting traffic to other...
Business Post Lost €2.9m in 2023, but CEO Points to Return of Profits Since Then
The Business Post Group posted a €2.88 million (≈ $3.16 million) loss for 2023 despite a 14 percent revenue increase to €23.1 million (≈ $25.2 million). CEO Enda O’Coineen said the 2024 accounts will show a €2 million (≈ $2.18 million) profit and that 2025 pre‑adjusted profit also reached €2 million....
Ministers Warned of Delays in Writing EU Rules Into Law as Presidency Approaches
Irish ministers have been cautioned about delays in transposing EU directives into national law ahead of Ireland’s EU Council presidency in July. The European Commission currently has 48 infringement cases against Ireland, down from 60, covering areas such as water...
Sinéad O'Sullivan: We Need a National Strategy for the Fuel Crisis. Here Are Four Things We Can Do Now
Recent Middle East conflict has driven heating oil prices in Ireland from about $545 to over $1,090 per fill within a month. The Irish government responded with a €250 million ($273 million) relief package, including excise cuts and a diesel rebate, but...
New National Concert Hall Boss: ‘I Hope to Be Here for the Grand Reopening’
Nigel Flegg, the new chief executive of Dublin’s National Concert Hall, says the Irish government has removed funding obstacles for a €78 million ($85 million) redevelopment slated to begin in 2026, with the building vacated by 2028 and a target reopening in...
‘The Spy Is the Boring Guy in a Suit’: Inside the State’s Military Intelligence Service
The Irish Military Intelligence Service (IMIS) has opened a new, high‑security headquarters at McKee Barracks and is reshaping its structure, technology and training. A modern intercept suite and a revamped organisational model aim to support Ireland’s upcoming EU Council presidency...
Estimated Price Range of €339,000 to €839,000 for Social-Housing Units in Meath Development
Glenveagh has priced 159 social‑housing units for Meath County Council at €79.16 million (approximately $86 million). The homes range from €339,258 ($369,000) for a studio to €839,281 ($915,000) for a four‑bedroom end‑terrace. The 92‑acre Moygaddy site, part of a €376 million ($410 million) master...
Temple Bar Publican Gets Green Light for Hotel Facing on to Dame Street
Dublin City Council has approved a planning application by Tom Cleary’s Chambers Properties Ltd for a new 43‑room hotel on Dame Street, part of the historic Temple Bar district. The revised scheme trims the original 47‑room proposal and redesigns the fifth‑floor addition...
TD Calls for Car-Pooling Parking Bays at Motorway Junctions to Help Commuters Cut Costs
Irish commuters are feeling the pinch of rising fuel prices even after recent government excise cuts, with few viable alternatives to solo driving. A TD has called for the creation of dedicated car‑pool parking bays at motorway junctions to help...
Tracy Clifford Dropped From 2FM Slot After 10-Year Run to Make Way for New Line-Up
RTÉ 2FM announced that veteran presenter Tracy Clifford will leave her afternoon slot after a decade on air, making way for a refreshed daytime schedule that launches on May 5. The new lineup expands the breakfast show to 10 a.m. and introduces a...
Pádraig O’Hora: ‘My Answer Isn’t in the Pub. My Answer Is in the Sea or It’s on the Mountain’
Mayo Gaelic football star Pádraig O’Hora is preparing to summit Mount Everest in May 2024, after a series of extreme endurance challenges including a recent climb of Aconcagua. He frames the expedition as a mental‑health antidote, partnering with the Mayo...
Taoiseach Concerned at Reports Aughinish Plant Supplying ‘Russian War Effort’
Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed concern after an Irish Times investigation linked the Aughinish Alumina plant in County Limerick to Russia’s war effort. The refinery, owned by Russian‑controlled Rusal, ships large volumes of raw alumina to Russian smelters, where it becomes aluminium...
My Daughter Has Ireland’s Most Popular Name, but I Decided on It 30 Years Ago
Lily has become Ireland’s most popular baby name, topping the CSO list for 2025 with over 300 registrations. The name’s rise began in 1997 and accelerated, especially in Dublin and surrounding counties. The article intertwines this trend with a personal...