On October 12 1984, the Provisional IRA attempted to assassinate then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher at the Grand Hotel in Brighton, killing five people including the Conservative MP Sir Anthony Berry and injuring more than 30. The Act provided some legal immunity to perpetrators of crimes in Northern Ireland during the Troubles in return for their co-operation with a truth recovery body – the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). On coming into Government after the election, Labour pledged to repeal the Act but has said it will retain the ICRIR. “Now, I didn’t serve in the Troubles, but I did serve in Northern Ireland, and I understand them. “You have my absolute commitment that individuals will get the correct welfare and appropriate legal support to any individual that needs to go through legal proceedings.”

US premiere of Offaly film takes place at Californian festival this SaturdayIndependent Irish film A Simple Killing will premiere at the 25th Newport Beach Film Festival in California this Saturday, October 19. The short film, which was written by Mark Conway and directed by Jason Branagan, was funded by the FilmOffaly Short Film Award through the Offaly Arts Office. The film was first premiered at the esteemed Raindance Film Festival in London on Friday, June 28 - and now has the opportunity to find a new audience on the opposite side of the globe. The Newport Beach Film Festival is proud to present two specially curated screenings to highlight Irish short films. This year’s program reflects Ireland's exceptionally strong creative talent,” said Gregg Schwenk, CEO of the Newport Beach Film Festival.

Thwarted, the Vikings depart, leaving one behind, who cannot swim, has no sword, and must negotiate his way out of trouble. The scene is set for an engrossing drama of Christian versus pagan, encompassing the nature of love, shame and honour. A story of friendship, identity and music, it is accompanied by an album of songs, performed by the author. (Image: 4th Estate)Nobody’s EmpireStuart MurdochFaber & Faber, £20The debut novel from the frontman of Belle & Sebastian, Nobody’s Empire is set in early 1990s Glasgow. (Image: Faber & Faber)

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I really love coming away and getting games…“I think (captaining Northern Ireland) can only help me. Conor Bradley has scored three goals in his last six games for Northern Ireland (Jane Barlow/PA)“I just want to keep going, keep progressing and just keep getting better. “I think (playing for Northern Ireland) just improves me. We have to learn how to keep clean sheets and win games when we go away from home. We want the game to have intensity, so the onus is on us to create that type of game.”

Fingal County Council has warned members of the public to be vigilant about a scam involving fake QR codes attached onto parking meters. While Aontú councillor Emer Tóibín said a similar scam took place in Navan, Co Meath, involving fake QR codes attached onto genuine QR codes on parking meters. Several councils in the UK have made similar warnings about scam QR codes on parking meters. False QR stickers have been overlaid on genuine QR codes which redirect to a fake payment website. We are removing any affected signage and have notified customers via our website and on social media channels to be vigilant of false QR codes on pay and display parking meters.

Donohoe questions credibility of McDonald’s knowledge of complaint against StanleyBy Gráinne Ní Aodha, PASinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald’s account that she did not know the nature of a complaint made against Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley “is not really credible”, Paschal Donohoe has said. An internal party disciplinary processes was set up to investigate a complaint made against Mr Stanley, a TD for Laois-Offaly since 2011, at the end of July by a longstanding member of the party. Mr Stanley announced his resignation from Sinn Féin on Saturday and said he would run as an independent in the next general election. Sinn Féin said the complaint and a “serious” counter-allegation were referred to An Garda Siochana on Sunday. Asked about the issue, Mr Donohoe said that while he understands legal “sensitivities”, it was “imperative” that the party was transparent.

High-profile no-shows, unforced blunders and pre-budget concerns had raised fears that Labour's highly anticipated investment summit would prove a damp squib. US tech firms announce £6.3bn investment as part of the UK's data centre infrastructure driveBusinesses announce fresh UK investmentFour US tech firm revealed plans to invest a combined £6.3billion to build data infrastructure in the UK. DP World has revealed a £1 billion plan to expand the London Gateway container port at the Government's investment summit. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and chief executive of DP World, said the group's major investment 'underlines DP World's long-term commitment to the UK'. Meanwhile, Manchester Airports Group detailed a £1.1 billion investment programme to improve and expand Stansted airport's terminal building.

Due to the recent revelation, the charity is now emphasising the fact that baby bath seats are not safety devices. Figures also revealed that 88% of parents have used a baby bath seat, and almost two-thirds (64%) of those with children under one currently do so. RLSS UK is therefore working to increase parents’ understanding of the purpose of baby bath seats to help promote safer bath times for all families. “Of ten infants that drowned in the bath in the last four years, seven were using a bath seat. Regardless of whether you are using a bath seat during bath time, we always advise parents and carers to keep young children within arm’s reach in water.

Imposing sentence, Mr Justice Hunt said these charges sprang out of the death of Keith Walker in what appeared to have been an “unfortunate case of mistaken identity”. He suspended the final four years of the sentence having regard to mitigating factors in the case, including O’Connor’s guilty plea. Conspiracy to murderHe imposed a sentence of seven years for the conspiracy to murder charge, with both sentences to run concurrently. Before imposing sentence, Mr Justice Hunt noted it had only been possible to access messages on the devices thanks to recent advances in technology. However, he said in light of O’Connor’s guilty plea, the court had decided to “refrain from going down that road”.

Operating profits at the Irish arm of takeaway food delivery service Deliveroo last year increased by 8.5% to €1.35m as revenues further increased. The revenue increases of last year and 2022 have failed to keep pace with the breakneck 64% increase in revenues during the pandemic-hit 2021. The directors say the company’s gross profits increased by 18%, from €17.96m to €21.27m, “reflecting both increased demand and the scalable unit economics of the business model". At the end of December last, the firm's accumulated profits totalled €6.89m, while the company's cash funds fell from €26.98m to €26.07m. Deliveroo today works with 160,000 restaurant and grocery partners in 10 markets around the world.

The Republic of Ireland’s first dedicated phase 1 clinical trials unit has been opened at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin. START Dublin is a collaboration between the Mater Hospital, University College Dublin, and the START Centre for Cancer Research (‘START’) based in San Antonio, US. START is the largest early phase oncology clinical trials network globally. Opening the new unit today, Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, said: “It gives me great pleasure to officially open the Republic’s first dedicated phase 1 oncology clinical trials unit. As the sole dedicated early phase clinical trials unit in the Republic, START Dublin offers an immediate opportunity for sponsors, with access to a robust patient population.

WATCH the shocking moment armed thugs smash a white van as the driver flees the onslaught outside of a Tesco store. The chaotic scenes erupted on Stockport Road, Manchester, forcing a major road closure as footage captured the aftermath of a violent altercation. Greater Manchester Police cordoned off the area to ensure public safety while they investigated the bizarre incident. Authorities have established road closures at the junctions of Hyde Road, Ashworth Lane, and Underwood Road as they continue their investigation. Meanwhile, in another shocking road rage incident, footage has been revealed of a white van driver who appears to punch a £178,000 Ferrari and call its owner a "dozy piece of f***ing s***".

The boys aged around 14 to 17 years old got into an argument outside the shop in Wantage Market Square at around 7.05pm on Friday, October 11. The window was smashed leaving one of the boys with an injury to his hand, police have said. READ MORE: Locals' shock after woman raped near Oxford Shark HousePolice said they have been able to identify the injured male and can confirm he received the appropriate medical treatment. Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 and quote the reference number 43240490583. If it is not an emergency, police say people should report it to the force online or via the control room.

Ferbane's Fairgreen area in west OffalyFerbane Town Team to host information gathering workshopThe Ferbane Town Team, which was set up to develop a comprehensive plan for the west Offaly town over the next ten to twenty years, is set to host its first information gathering workshop nexty week. The newly-formed Ferbane Town Team was establised following a drop-in clinic in July where a call was issued for volunteers from various local groups and organisations to get involved in the future planning of Ferbane. The team is supported by the Town Regeneration Officer from Offaly County Council, in partnership with Offaly Local Development Company, Laois Offaly Educational Training Board, and An Garda Síochána. Earlier this year, €30,000 was awarded to Ferbane by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Town Centre First Policy, with the funds to be used to support the Town Team and to develop the Town Centre First Plan for Ferbane. More information regarding the Town Centre First policy can be found on offaly.ie or by clicking the following link https://www.offaly.ie/town-centre-first-policy/