Denise O'Sullivan in action against France's Grace Geyoro during tonight's Women’s World Cup Qualifier at Tallaght Stadium. Photo: Sam Barnes/SportsfileHere is how Ireland performed in their opening World Cup qualifier as Carla Ward’s side fell to a 2-1 defeat against France in front of a record 8,376 crowd at Tallaght Stadium.

While the deportation was legal, what happened in the weeks leading up to it raises urgent questions about how this State enforces deportation orders and the cruelty of the system which is now in place. The law allows those with deportation orders to be detained for up to 56 days to facilitate removal. The prison system, already under strain, was plainly not equipped for such an intake. No one disputes that the State should have the power to enforce deportation orders, but enforcement must be humane. We are at a crossroads in history where international law and human rights are being eroded by the day.

Overcrowding in direct provision centres increased last year and 96 adult asylum-seekers have been forced to live in tented accommodation, according to an overview report on inspections. In addition, nearly a third of accommodation centres inspected by Hiqa had significant health and safety concerns, including fire safety, structural issues, mould and pests. There are currently 30 accommodation centres under Hiqa’s remit, around 10pc of accommodation settings for people seeking asylum in Ireland. “When combined with limited options for residents with status or valid permission to remain in Ireland to move out of their accommodation centres, overcrowding continued to be a feature of many centres,” the report stated. “Despite these ongoing challenges, our report found that many residents had positive experiences of living in accommodation centres.

Facebook was down with widespread reports of people being unable to log in to the social media platform. The DownDetector website shows a massive spike in Facebook users reporting problems accessing the site in both the UK and US at around 9.40pm. By 9:47pm there had been more than 1,600 reports of trouble getting onto Facebook in the UK. Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

But, mercifully, the game exploded into life during an enthralling final 15 minutes as both sides found their cutting edge. But they were unable to beat a Wolves side who have lost 20 of their 29 league games prior to Tuesday evening. And for any top Premier League clubs looking to refresh their engine room, Gomes should be at the top of the list. They were full of running and excellent defensively here, albeit largely non-existent as an attacking threat until their late goals. But Gomes' goal suddenly jolted thingd into life; Salah struck minutes later to set up a frenetic finale, plundering his first Premier League goal since November.

As well as the spread of the conflict, its duration will be the vital determinant of the extent of the economic impact. Oil and gas prices have risen as a result and share and bond markets are nervous. The economic cost is very much a secondary concern to the huge human cost of the spreading war. Higher oil prices will hit at the petrol pumps and on home heating bills, even if there is no justification for companies which have jumped the gun by implementing significant increases already. In turn, this would add to the political debate about supports for households facing higher energy costs.

Nations League A: Republic of Ireland 1 (McCabe 12) France (Malard 71,79)Melvine Malard came off the French bench to spoil what was bubbling into a famous night for Irish football. Inside two minutes, Lyon winger Kadidiatou Diani pinned down McCabe, forcing the Ireland captain to concede a corner. Following a brilliant block by Mustaki, the resulting corner was not cleared as Malard arrowed a third French shot through the thicket of green bodies. REP OF IRELAND: Brosnan; Mannion, Patten, Hayes, Mustaki, McCabe; O’Sullivan, Connolly (Barrett 85), Sheva; Murphy; Carusa (Larkin 70). FRANCE: Picaud; De Almeida (N’Dongala 69), Samoura, Lakrar, Morroni (Malard 69); Geyoro, Jean-Francois (Ebayilin 86), Karchaoui; Diani (Sombath 86), Mateo (Katoto HT), Baltimore.

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said it was important that the independent governance review into the board of Bord Bia was “swift and clean” and covers areas of concern raised by the IFA. Heydon told RTÉ Radio’s Today with David McCullagh show that Larry Murrin would continue to be the chair of Bord Bia during the review but “as a sign of good faith” he would not chair a meeting on March 25th which falls during the review. Heydon anticipated the review would be completed by April 30th. Because we export 90 per cent of the food and drink we produce, this debate has been focused very much on the domestic market which is only 10 per cent of farmers’ food and drink. For the chairman to stay in place during the review was “completely wrong” and undermined the review, he added.

‌Missile strikes launched by the US and Israel at the weekend have led to question marks over Iran's status for the World Cup. ‌“With what happened today and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the cup,” he said. ‌But US Soccer CEO JT Batson told Sky News that the World Cup co-hosts are "very supportive" of Iran playing in the tournament later this year. Richarlison hits out at 'fake' World Cup statement as Tottenham star angrily responds READ MORE :He said: “Fifa president Gianni Infantino shared over the weekend the intention of a safe and secure World Cup where all teams are participating. “We had the finals draw in Washington in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating.

Expats in Dubai have hit back at gloating trolls and insist the influencer haven is 'absolutely fine' despite Iran's suicide drone bombardment across the Gulf. Despite feeling safe in the city, Ms Calder acknowledged that they are in 'uncertain times'. 'You look outside your bedroom window and there's multiple missiles going over your head.' Former Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne yesterday sprang to the defence of British expats and influencers in Dubai. President Mohammed bin Zayed, 64, and Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, 43, were spotted at Dubai Mall located next to the Burj Khalifa in the city's downtown area yesterday evening.

FT: Ireland 1-2 FranceWhat a finish as Ireland are inches from a leveller at the death with Denise O'Sullivan's effort cleared off the line! It would have been a deserved point for Carla Ward's side but they begin the campaign empty handed after Melvine's Malard's brace secured a big three points for the top seeds. It's an away clash against the Netherlands next for Ireland on Saturday night. Stay tuned for David Kelly's match report from Tallaght and all the latest reaction to tonight's opening World Cup qualifier.

During an implementation dialogue event Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) offered an on-the-ground impact of EU-led directives. In December 2025, the European Commission put forward a proposed environmental simplification package. The package aims to ensure EU environmental goals are achieved in more efficient, less costly and smarter ways, with a focus on industrial emissions, circularity and environmental assessments. Progressive court judgments in the Birds, Habitats and Nitrates Directives have created massive uncertainty, imposed increasing costs and, in some instances, prevented normal farm practices and development. Ms Doyle said: “Our engagement with DG Environment in relation to environmental files affecting farmers, including simplification of the Nitrates and Habitats Directive and the Nature Restoration Law remain a core IFA priority.”

A man “frozen in grief” since his father died in a nursing home during the covid-19 lockdowns has called for a wider and more public inquiry into those years. “I haven’t cried since my father died, I’m frozen in grief,” he said. "I also support Care Champions and their plea for care partner legislation.”The group remains concerned failings in care are still happening. Picture: Moya NolanLorraine Lamb’s mother died in Cavan General Hospital in 2023 with an inquest last year returning a verdict of medical misadventure. She called for Government to hold a statutory covid inquiry and implement care partner legislation.

The nomination was brought to Tuesday's Cabinet meeting by agriculture minister Martin Heydon. As a result, Phil Hogan’s name will now go forward as the Irish candidate for the UN position," a statement said. It is expected that Mr Hogan will cover any additional personal or campaign-related costs. At the time, Mr Hogan did apologise for attending the golf society dinner, but always maintained he did not breach covid quarantine rules. Mr Varadkar and Mr Martin went on a “populist wave of indignation” in the wake of 'Golfgate' and forced his resignation, Mr Hogan said in a 2022 interview with RTÉ's Sean O'Rourke.

Newly-qualified paramedics have only been offered 16-week contracts and must reapply for their own jobs despite previous commitments for permanent contracts. The course includes two years of work around the country with the National Ambulance Service while training. In past years graduates were offered permanent jobs on their training bases. Read More Family forced to drive 90km to hospital as ambulance service could not respond to emergency, Dáil hearsThey were “completely blindsided” by the new plan. “Full-time, permanent contracts are available for all year-three graduates completing training with the National Ambulance Service in 2026,” she said.