Construction has begun on a multimillion-euro Garda divisional headquarters for Co Cork in Macroom. It marks a significant investment in policing and community safety across the county, said Garda commissioner Justin Kelly. Mr Kelly said An Garda Síochána had proudly served Macroom from a mid-19th century station for more than 100 years, but a new building was required to meet the modern policing needs of the region. An Garda Síochána's Co Cork division serves a population of more than 500,000 people, encompasses one-eighth of Ireland’s national roads network, and is bounded by one-sixth of the national coastline. Mr O’Callaghan and Mr Kelly both paid tribute to the late Fine Gael councillor Michael Creed, who passed away last Sunday, as someone who had long advocated the building of a new Garda station for Macroom.

Cork Airport is primed for charter planes to bring football fans on direct long-haul flights to the World Cup in Mexico and the US if Ireland can negotiate the play-offs and reach the summer showpiece. “There will be capacity for large jets leaving from Cork for Mexico or for Atlanta,” said Cork Airport general manager Niall MacCarthy. We need 24-hour bus services for Cork Airport," he said. "We need to safeguard now for a future Luas to Cork Airport. There’s universal public demand long term for a Luas connection to Cork Airport, as shown by the consultation feedback.

But a new survey has revealed how driving is leaving many Gen Z absolutely petrified. Changing a flat tyre was the biggest fear, while parallel parking, hill starts, and merging onto a motorway were also found to terrify hundreds of young drivers. The findings will come as no surprise to many Gen Z, who regularly post about their driving phobias on TikTok. Changing a tyre was the task Gen Z feared most, followed by jump–starting the car, and parallel parking. Other basic tasks feared by Gen Z include filling up tyres, checking oil levels, and even using a car wash – which filled 12 per cent with dread.

Premier League referees 'losing faith' in VAR changes after Man City fiascoPremier League refs have lost faith in the semi-automated offside system, that was introduced this season, after a huge blunder in a recent Carabao Cup clash which led to a lengthy delayView 2 Images Premier League refs have lost faith with the semi-automated offside system - which came in this seasonPremier League referees are losing faith in the new semi-automated offside technology that was introduced for this season - with a disallowed goal for Manchester City proving to be the tipping point. However it is the Premier League that agreed a contract with provider Genius Sports on behalf of the referees’ body, PGMOL. ‌Unlike the rest of the VAR services, which use camera feeds from broadcasters, the Genius system has its own network of cameras. When it was first introduced a Premier League statement said that in “most cases” the system would “significantly decrease” delays in reaching verdicts. Article continues belowVAR has been in the Premier League since 2019 and there continues to be divided opinions on whether it has been beneficial to the game.

These include the reciprocal and top-up tariffs imposed on many countries, including the European Union. The ruling does not cover the tariffs imposed on specific sectors, such as steel, aluminium, the automotive sector and so on. So far this is unclear and the supreme court did not rule on this. Trump imposed the reciprocal tariffs on the EU and these have now been deemed illegal. And a setback for Trump as it is the first time he has got serious pushback from the US supreme court, which has a conservative majority.

Tyneside nurse's 'lucky escape' after tree falls on BMW during dog walkRachel Alvers came back from a dog walk on Wallsend Burn to find her electric car written off after a tree fell on itView 3 Images Rachel Alvers' BMW IX1, after it was crushed by a tree in Wallsend. (Image: Rachel Alvers)A North Tyneside nurse believes she had a "lucky escape" after a tree fell on her car as she walked her dog. ‌Rachel, 49, and her partner Scot Brown, 57 had driven to Crow Lane in Wallsend for their daily dog walk with 11-year-old puggle Oscar. ‌View 3 Images Rachel Alvers' BMW IX1, after it was crushed by a tree in Wallsend. ChronicleLive has approached the Newcastle NHS Foundations Trust and Rachel's car insurance company, Linkfield Accident Management.

Asos co-founder Quentin Griffiths dies after fall from apartment block in ThailandMultimillionaire Quentin Griffiths, 58, who co-founded Asos fell to his death from his 17th floor apartmentView ImageQuentin Griffiths, the co-founder of online fashion giant Asos, has died after falling from a block of flats in Thailand. Emergency services attended the scene after receiving reports of a body lying on the ground by the apartment block, and Mr Griffiths has since been identified as the man who died. ‌It is understood that Mr Griffiths, was by himself at the time, his room was locked from the inside, and there was no trace of any break-ins. Mr Griffiths was arrested last year and quizzed by detectives after his Thai ex-wife claimed he had stolen £500,000 from the company they both ran. ‌A source close to Mr Griffiths' family told the outlet: "It’s a real mystery.

Mr Burke challenged the position on the basis that Ms O’Brien had not resigned and argued the DAP was still in existence. Mr Justice Cregan struck out the proceedings, and ordered Mr Burke be liable for the day’s costs. Padraic Lyons SC, for the DAP, said Mr Burke may normally be entitled to expenses as a lay litigant. It was at this point that Mr Burke did not follow Mr Justice Cregan’s order for him to sit down and he was returned to Mountjoy Prison. Mr Justice Cregan said matters relating to unfairness “fall away” because a new panel will have to be appointed.

Photograph: Andria Lo/The New York TimesThirteen local authorities have ceased using the social media platform X, or are reviewing its use, amid ongoing controversy about the company’s AI tool Grok being used to create non-consensual sexual images. Last month, Dublin City Council became the first local authority to suspend the use of the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, following a Green Party proposal. Sligo County Council said it suspended its use earlier this month. Councils cited recent controversies surrounding content on the X platform, including the creation of sexualised images of children. “Often, to be most effective, this information is required in real time, eg during a storm, road closures, or road gritting,” said Roscommon County Council.

The Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain: Thomas Plamberger told the court he had climbed the mountain four times before their ascent in January 2025. Getty Images/RooM RFAn experienced mountaineer has been found guilty of negligent manslaughter for leaving behind his girlfriend on the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain, where she subsequently died. Plamberger told the court he had climbed the mountain four times before, three times in winter conditions, before their ascent on January 19th. The judge said Plamberger, as de facto climb leader, made a series of poor decisions. Plamberger denies he was he climb leader and that he made all decisions together with his late girlfriend.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) increased at a 1.4% annual rate in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to data estimates released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) at the Commerce Department. Overall, the economy expanded by 2.2% last year, lower than the 2.8% growth in 2024, according to the BEA. BEA estimates the federal government shutdown created a reduction in services provided by the federal government that subtracted about 1.0 percentage point from real GDP growth in Q4. The 2025 U.S. federal government shutdown lasted 43 days, running from October 1, 2025, through November 12, 2025, making it the longest shutdown in American history. Independent Women’s Forum’s Center for Economic Opportunity aims to educate the public about how government policies impact people’s opportunities for economic development and upward mobility.

Kobbie Mainoo's Man Utd team-mate in no doubt after response to Ruben Amorim snubManchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo found himself on the peripheries during a difficult few months under former manager Ruben AmorimView 2 Images Kobbie Mainoo was considering leaving Man Utd after being ostracised by Ruben Amorim (Image: Paul Currie/Shutterstock)Diogo Dalot has told Kobbie Mainoo that getting frozen out at Manchester United will make him a better and stronger footballer. ‌The England midfielder had become fed up with how former boss Ruben Amorim had treated him. Amorim refused to pick Mainoo for months on end, and left him stuck on the sidelines considering his future. View 2 Images Diogo Dalot is confident Mainoo will become a better player after his experience‌FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! ‌While Mainoo was out of the team under Amorim, Dalot remained a constant presence - despite often bearing the brunt of criticism from supporters.

Boy injured at derelict Plymouth Debenhams after falling 15ft through skylightPolice have issued an urgent plea after he was rushed to hospitalView 4 Images File photo: Inside the derelict ex-Debenhams building in Plymouth city centre, December 2025 (Image: Submitted)A teenage boy was rushed to hospital after falling through a skylight at a derelict building in Plymouth. ‌Emergency services were called to the scene at the disused Debenhams store on Royal Parade at 5.35pm yesterday (Thursday, February 19). ‌It is understood that the 14-year-old boy was climbing on or around the building when he plummeted approximately 15ft to the third floor. "The 14-year-old from Plymouth fell through a skylight at the now-closed Debenhams on Royal Parade. View 4 Images Inside the derelict ex-Debenhams building in Plymouth city centre, December 2025 (Image: Submitted)‌Inspector Greg Bridgett added: “There are clear dangers and safety concerns associated with climbing on or around empty or derelict locations.

Brothers attacked clubgoer as he celebrated daughter's 18th birthdayThey avoided jailView Image (Image: Matt Gilley/PlymouthLive)Two brothers have been sentenced after they attacked a stranger in a bar as their victim was celebrating his daughter's 18th birthday with his family. ‌Mr Billing said he had been an outgoing person but now suffers from anxiety and depression following the attack. Judge Robert Linford said the incident happened in September 2022 and that there had been an 'inexplicable' three-and-a-half-year delay in the case reaching a conclusion. ‌Defence barrister Mike Brown said something triggered the incident between the older brother, a marine engineer, and the victim. He sentenced the brothers, who live and work in Plymouth, to a 12-month community order, 140 hours of unpaid work and told them to pay £500 each in compensation to Mr Billing.

Huge UK garage chain to close 86 branchesThe company said it is conducting an extensive review of its business structure and operationsView Image The chain operates across the countryATS Euromaster is to close 86 of its branches across the UK, putting 400 jobs at risk. The garage company said overcapacity, rising costs, and sluggish economic growth are to blame for the closures, which represent a third of its UK operations. ‌An ATS spokesperson said: "In a UK automotive aftermarket context of overcapacity, increasing costs and sluggish activity and growth. ATS Euromaster intends to review its current operating model and has put in place a proposal to close non-profitable service centres. In January, Mark Holland, operations director at ATS Euromaster, stated: "Across the market fleets are not spending on SMR to the same level.