A close reader from Cork, George Harding, writes to point out my recent two-column series A History of Ireland in Descriptions of Rain included “only one actual death” from precipitation. But as George points out, there is another notable death of the same era can also be attributed to rain. And although the victim there may not have been of Irish origin, the rain that did for him certainly was. George Boole (1815 – 64) is today remembered as the mathematician and philosopher who gave his name to Boolean Logic. George Boole died at Ballintemple on 8th December 1864, and is buried at the nearby St Michael’s Church of Ireland.

Garda whistleblower Lois West has said she felt like “a severed limb” who had just been “cut off” by her superiors after she raised her head “above the parapets” and testified to the Oireachtas about errors in homicide data. “They never wanted me back, I was too honest, I had too much integrity,” West told the Workplace Relations Commission on Thursday. West was joint deputy head of the Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS) at assistant principal grade before taking extended sick leave. At the resumed hearing of her case on Thursday, West said there had been plans to expand the GSAS to meet the needs of An Garda Síochána. She said that she went back to work and “struggled on”, before her face broke out in “a very severe case of perioral dermatitis”.

Police 'visit' North Staffordshire school after 'incident'The school has contacted parentsView Image Moorside High School in Cellarhead Road, Werrington (Image: Stoke Sentinel)A school has issued a message to parents after an 'incident in the local community'. Moorside High School, in Cellarhead, sent the message yesterday morning. ‌It comes as Staffordshire Police later 'visited' the school. Police officers visited school to reassure us and to confirm that at no point was there any risk to pupils or staff." Get even more North Staffordshire exclusives - and it is freeArticle continues below

People inspect damage after an Israeli strike that targeted a Hizbullah financial institution in the Beqaa valley, Lebanon. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) forces have advanced beyond the five outposts that were maintained on the Lebanese side of the border following the November 2024 ceasefire and the Lebanese armed forces have pulled back 10km north of the border. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or Unifil, remains deployed in its positions and has not interfered with IDF operations. The Israeli military also said it had launched targeted attacks in Lebanon. Israeli officials say the aggressive military operation against Hizbullah is placing significant pressure on the group among its Shia base.

There are many reasons that I’m grateful to have grown up in the digital age. Anyway, what I was really hoping to talk about today is one of the greatest developments of the digital age: ghosting. Putting yourself out there, underwired bras, having to come to terms with the fact that you actually like men. They don’t know how easy they have it. The ghosting win-winI don’t have time to be wasting on that kind of thing.

And that remains a cherished memory of my very first trip to Belfast. People visiting the beloved St George's Market, old market hall in Belfast. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Belfast is the Titanic Quarter. The Titanic Belfast building towers over the area, with its design featuring an angular ‘hull’ that stands at the same height as that of the ill-fated ship. The Titanic Quarter, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Belfast.

The Government has urged people not to abuse retail workers at forecourts across the country amid rising fuel prices linked to the war in Iran. Enterprise minister Peter Burke met representatives from the fuel industry on Friday, where discussions focused on rising prices driven by changes in the commodity values of kerosene, diesel, and petrol. Mr Burke said the engagement with the fuel industry had been “constructive”, adding that the abuse of retail workers also arose during discussions. “It was brought to my attention that retail workers have come under significant abuse in recent days. Little control of pricingKevin McPartlan, chief executive of Fuels for Ireland, said the meeting with Mr Burke was positive.

Nothing Compares 2 U played on RTÉ Radio One at the weekend. Author Colum McCann was on Brendan O'Connor's show, choosing some of his favourite tracks — an inspired choice of segment given the state of our world. McCann is a wise man; I could listen to him for days. But it was Sinéad O’Connor’s voice that took my breath away. I hear her voice now as that of a prophet, though it was not heard that way back in the day.

Netflix documentary climbs charts as viewers warn 'don't waste your time'A divisive documentary is climbing Netflix's most-watched charts despite viewers sharing brutal reviewsView 3 Images The divisive documentary landed on Netflix last week (Image: Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Netflix viewers have been left divided by a new documentary that is climbing the streaming giant's most-watched charts. ‌The Ozempic Effect originally premiered in 2025, but only landed on Netflix UK last Friday (February 27). Meanwhile, an IMDb user slammed: "The Ozempic Effect presents itself as a documentary, yet it plays more like a long sales pitch." View 3 Images The Ozempic Effect is streaming now on Netflix (Image: Netflix )‌Discussing the film, Kemp told Yahoo Canada: "When I started the film I was quite negative about [GLP-1s]. Article continues belowThe Ozempic Effect is streaming now on Netflix.

Donald Trump says he will only accept the "unconditional surrender" of Iran. The US and Israelis launched the attack last Saturday and killed the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khoumaini. The president appeared to rule out negotiations with Iran to end the conflict in the Middle East, saying that there will be no deal but “unconditional surrender” from Tehran. He said: "There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! Trump spoke dismissively of Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, being a front-runner to replace his father, calling him “a lightweight.” “We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump said.

‌At half-time of the 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, a couple of Spurs fans shouted across at the club analysts that they are 'taking the club down'. ‌The fans are disgusted by the club and in the 94th minute the travelling Palace faithful sang 'You're going to boo in a minute'. When asked if there was a discipline issue at the club Tudor bewilderingly responded: "There is no discipline issue at all. Their positions will be under scrutiny following the decisions made at a club that is lurching from one mess to another. Many inside the club fear for their jobs due to the cutbacks that would need to be made.

Italian media hand Tottenham a bleak warning after Igor Tudor's latest crushing defeatIgor Tudor's nightmare with Tottenham is showing no signs of letting up as his team sits dangerously close to the relegation zoneView 2 Images Igor Tudor has lost all three of his games in charge of Tottenham (Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)An Italian news outlet has delivered a bleak verdict on Tottenham's situation under Igor Tudor. Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook pageIt seems the severity of Tottenham's alarming form has caught attention even in Italy. ‌View 2 Images Tottenham are at risk of relegation (Image: Getty Images)"Even Tudor's charisma, already under scrutiny after their third defeat in three, risks not being enough. The outlet claimed Tottenham must rediscover their courage and self-belief to secure wins - qualities they have "stopped" showing. So, when the other players will come back, I’m sure we will have a good team and the victories will come back.

BBC confirms final ever series of 'brilliant' drama and fans don't have long to waitBoarders is returning for a third and final series and BBC bosses have dropped a trailer revealing what fans can expect from the scholarship students at St. Gilbert'sView 4 Images Boarders is returning for a third and final seriesA brand-new trailer for the third and final series of hit BBC comedy-drama Boarders has been released. ‌This final series sees the Boarders return to St Gilbert’s where the pressure is on. "I devoured all six episodes of this phenomenal series in record time, and I'm still reeling from the experience." ‌View 4 Images The first two series of Boarders are available to stream on BBC iPlayer nowThe first two series of Boarders are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now. Series three of Boarders will be available in full on BBC iPlayer from Sunday, March 15 at 6am.

The rise of social media influencers promoting the carnivore diet with its emphasis on eating as much beef, butter and bacon as you want is a dangerous example of dietary misinformation, according to a medical doctor in Cork University Hospital. “This carnivore diet can dramatically increase LDL cholesterol to three to five times the normal range for a healthy adult. “Electrolyte drinks are marketed at people to stay hydrated and boost their cognition but they are only for certain groups such as endurance athletes or those working outdoors in hot countries.”Influencers pushing high-fat, meat-only diets and electrolyte drinks spreading nutritional misinformation, conference told. He said it’s very easy for the public to be misled by social media influencers on nutritional advice. This leads to unnecessary fear and confusion, unsafe food practices, viral food consumption challenges and the promotion of restrictive diets, he said.

Gabriel Magalhaes hits back at Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler over Arsenal accusationsBrighton boss Fabian Hurzeler took aim at Arsenal during both his pre-match and post-match press conferences either side of his team's 1-0 defeat the Gunners on Wednesday nightView 2 Images Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes starred in Wednesday's triumph at BrightonGabriel Magalhaes insists Arsenal do not care about Fabian Hurzeler's fiery time-wasting accusations. ‌The German tactician later blasted Arsenal during his post-match press conference, claiming "only one team tried to play football." Now Gabriel has hit back, telling ESPN Brasil during a flash interview: “We don’t really care about what he says. I don’t see it, I don’t read it. Arsenal then travel to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday evening before hosting Everton in the top-flight next weekend.