Author name: oisinkelly

It has emerged the Health Minister has spoken to Praveen Halappanavar in the wake of the leaking of a draft report of the investigation into the death of his wife Savita. In the Dáil this morning the Public Expenditure Minister described the leak as shameful, unacceptable and hurtful. There were concerns that legal challenges could

450 new jobs are on the way at online retailer eBay in Dundalk. The jobs are in customer services, sales and compliance and are part of the the shared operations of the company with PayPal. The announcement is being made by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Jobs Minister Richard Bruton in Dublin this morning in

Further results of tests on beef in the UK are expected in the coming days. The Food Safety Authority (FSA) there has been carrying out tests on samples and the results are expected tomorrow. It comes as the European Commission announced it is introducing random DNA testing on processed meats. The Commission will contribute half

NEW YORK, Feb 14, 2013 (AFP) – The boards of American Airlines and US Airways approved a merger Wednesday to create the largest US airline once American exits bankruptcy court, sources close to the negotiations said. The merger will be formally announced Thursday morning, these people told AFP. The newly-formed company, keeping the name American

This Valentine’s Day Fota Wildlife Park is calling on the public to lend a hand to two young romantics. Santiago the Visayan warty pig arrived at the zoo at the end of last summer and was soon followed by a female friend towards the end of last year. However his star-crossed lover has not yet

Purchasers of houses will face a fine of up to five hundred euro if they fail to disclose if the previous owner undervalued it for the property tax. The coalition is also planning to charge the tax on local authority housing and has offered only a limited number of exemptions. Sinn Fein’s Finance Spokesperson Pearse

EU Agriculture Ministers have arrived in Brussels this evening to discuss the horsemeat scandal. The meeting which is being chaired by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney will focus on the steps needed to bring the controversy to an end. Earlier the European Union Health Commissioner Tonio Borg said monitoring meat production is a matter for individual

Almost a quarter of the population experienced 2 or more types of enforced deprivation in 2011. Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show the numbers experiencing deprivation have increased from 22.6% in 2010 to 24.5%. The average disposable income in the State in 2011 was just over €21,000. This is a decline of more

Irish troops are to be deployed to Mali as part of a European military training mission. 8 members of the Defence Forces will partner with UK soldiers as part of the European Union operation. The mission to Mali will be responsible for providing the Malian Armed Forces with training and advice. In total 200 European

A 26-year-old man has appeared before Tullamore District Court charged with the burglary at the home of an elderly woman. Richard McCann, with an address at Harbour View in Tullamore is charged with the burglary and with handling 2 sets of keys stolen from the pensioner’s home at St. Brigid’s Place in Tullamore on Monday.

PARIS, Feb 13, 2013 (AFP) – French construction firms Vinci and Bouygues said Wednesday they had evacuated as a precaution around 80 employees from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine after a section of the roof collapsed. The two companies are working on constructing the sarcophagus structure covering the reactor that exploded in 1986

VATICAN CITY, Feb 13, 2013 (AFP) – Pope Benedict XVI made his first public appearance on Wednesday since his shock resignation announcement, asking thousands of cheering pilgrims at the Vatican to “keep praying for me”. The frail 85-year-old pontiff was greeted by a standing ovation and chants of “Benedetto”, his name in Italian, at his

Pressure has been put on convicted killer Joe O’Reilly to show what evidence he has to back up his claim that his case should be declared a miscarriage of justice. The 40-year-old is serving life for killing his wife Rachel at their home in Naul, Co. Dublin in October 2004. He lost an appeal against

St. Patrick’s Day will be seen from space this year as the Egyptian pyramids go green on March 17th. They will join the list of iconic landmarks around the world that turn emerald for St. Patrick’s Day. Tourism Ireland has also announced that the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil has joined its “Global Greening”

Nearly half of the population is in receipt of a medical card. According to Health Service Executive (HSE) figures in the Irish Examiner today, GP-only and full medical cards now number around 2 million and they will cost tax payers €2.5 billion this year. There has been a rise of 38% in the number of

The infection that contributed to the death of Savita Halappanavar went undiagnosed for 3 days at Galway University Hospital according to a draft report into her death. The report shows that staff at the hospital should have considered a termination for Savita days before her death. Possible infection day Savita was admitted The report –

The Minister for Communications says gardaí are not being treated less favourably than other public sector workers. Pat Rabbitte is urging members of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) to return to Croke Park discussions on pay cuts. He says that threatening ‘Blue Flu’ action is not appropriate. Three branches of the GRA have already voted

Every Wednesday the Holy Father holds a general audience with groups of faithful and pilgrims. This is a more poignant address as it’s said to be one of his last before his retirement.

A very wet but mild day ahead. There will be heavy rain at times in the North and some dry spells in the South and South East. It will turn wet again in the afternoon and evening but staying mild with temperatures between 10-12 dgrees.

Opposition parties are being accused of using the Magdalene Laundries report to score political points. The claim was made by Labour Junior Minister Kathleen Lynch during a Dail debate last night of a Fianna Fail motion calling on the government to apologise immediately to survivors of the Laundries. Minister Lynch claimed that Sinn Fein had

3 University College Dublin (UCD) students who threw eggs at the Taoiseach will appear before a disciplinary committee today. They launched the attack on Enda Kenny in a protest over student fees as he officially opened the student centre in the college on November 29th. The eggs missed their intended target but UCD Vice-President for

Ireland could be set for a jobs boost as a result of new trade talks between the US and Europe During his first State of the Nation address since his re-election, US President Barack Obama confirmed negotiations would begin to launch the world’s largest free trade zone. Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore

Its reported a SWAT team moved in on Christopher Dorner before he set the building on fire. A Sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Bachman confirmed that one deputy had been killed and another injured in an exchange with mr Dorner. He had been on the run since last week when he allegedly killed three people. Ms. Bachman,

The Finance Bill will include a range of supports for the small business sector – as well as measures to tackle tax evasion. It will also give effect to tax reliefs for the film and TV industry and the excise rebate for the transport sector. The legislation will be accompanied by a seperate bill on

The meeting has been called by Ireland, as holders of the EU Presidency, and will be chaired by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney. The meeting gets underway at 4.30pm Irish time this afternoon. Ireland and the UK are to put together their own response to the crisis – while the EU formulates a wider plan. Henry

Barack Obama has anchored his State of the Union address on those specific domestic priorities. He has also confirmed that the US will open talks with Europe to launch the world’s largest free trade zone. Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore’s welcomed the announcement, saying it “opens up enormous untapped potential” to boost

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has warned of a ‘disaster’ for farmers due to flooding. Representatives from the IFA are attending the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht to discuss impact of flooding on farmers. It says the problems and difficulties encountered by farmers due to flooding will take centre stage. Cathaoirleach

The Taoiseach says a Dáil motion by Fianna Fáil calling for an apology for the women of the Magdalene Laundries shows “scant regard” for those who lived and worked in the laundries. Enda Kenny has already signalled during a meeting with some women yesterday that he will deliver an apology during a Dáil debate next