Breda thanked everyone who attended, sent birthday wishes and presents and the wonderful house parents for their kindness to her. Chris hopes you will enjoy his version of this great song. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BERNIECongratulations are extended to Bernie Sharkey, Church Road, Castlerea, on celebrating her 60th birthday on Wednesday, February 11th. THREEN NATIONAL SCHOOL ENROLMENTApplication forms for pupils wishing to enrol in Threen NS for September 2026 are now available from Regina, the school secretary. GOLF LOTTOThe winning bonus ball number in Castlerea Golf Club’s lotto for February 11 was number 36.

‘I was only a baby and you took my life away’ – family speak out after man who abused his five children and locked them away for days without food jailed for 20 years

‘No point’ in releasing end date of SNA allocation review now, minister says after ‘PR disaster’Staffing changes paused following mailing mix-upIndo Politics - ‘Flurry of calls’ when ministers realised ‘PR disaster’ on SNA provision was about to breakSenan Molony and Adrianna Wrona Today at 11:56There is "no point" in specifying the completion date for the review of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations, Minister of State at the Department of Education, Micheal Moynihan, said.

In the worst scenario, sea ice coverage around the Peninsula could plummet by 20 per cent by 2100. Like taking the ice cubes out of a cold drink, massive loss of sea ice will accelerate ocean warming, eroding the glaciers and ice shelves that threaten catastrophic sea level rise. These maps show the changes in sea ice coverage under a low (top), medium–high (middle), and very high (bottom) emissions scenario. The dark blue shows areas of more extreme ice lossScientists have laid bare Antarctica's worst–case climate scenario, as scientists predict that sea ice coverage could shrink by 20 per cent. However, krill are entirely dependent on sea ice, so their population shrinks along with the ice.

Hunt for new options to replace Gateshead Flyover's lost Five Bridges skate parkSkateboarding organisation Shred the North will carry out a study for Gateshead Council on how the Five Bridges skate park beneath the closed Gateshead Flyover can be replacedView Image Skateboarders at the Five Bridges skate park, Gateshead, in 2009 (Image: Simon Greener)New options to replace a lost skate park beneath the doomed Gateshead Flyover could be on the table by this summer, it is now hoped. But Gateshead Council has now confirmed it has secured funding to appoint skateboarding organisation Shred the North to carry out a study on how to replace the site. ‌Dave Apomah, head of the Shred The North community interest company, said: “We know how important Five Bridges was — not just locally, but nationally and internationally. It wasn’t simply a skate park; it was a unique, weather-protected space that supported a thriving, multi-disciplined community all year round. This weekend, the Native Skate Store in Newcastle is remembering Five Bridges by relaunching a commemorative skateboard design featuring an image of the defunct park.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was last night released from police custody where he spent 11 hours following his dramatic arrest at his home in Sandringham. The former prince became the first senior royal to be arrested in modern history after he was held on suspicion of misconduct in public office. As his arrest triggered arguably the biggest crisis in the monarchy for nearly 400 years, his brother, the King, insisted Andrew should be subject to the full force of British justice, saying: 'The law must take its course.' Searches of Andrew's former Royal Lodge home are continuing today as Andrew remains under investigation following his release. Follow the latest updates here

Spain's Constitutional Court on Friday rejected the appeal of a father against his paraplegic daughter's euthanasia bid, setting up a final decision at European level for the unprecedented legal saga. Spain is one of few countries to legalise euthanasia following a 2021 law that comes with strict requirements. The woman, in her 20s, was due to undergo the procedure in August 2024 after the euthanasia board in the northeastern Catalonia region supported her request. The Constitutional Court announced it had unanimously rejected the father's appeal against rulings by the Supreme Court and lower legal bodies to halt the euthanasia. Her case was the first to reach a Spanish court for a judge's consideration since the 2021 euthanasia law was passed.

Taking a break from rehearsals before opening night in Athlone Little Theatre this Friday, February 20 is the cast of 'A Murder Has Been Renounced' by Lee Mueller. The comedic murder mystery play continues until February 27. Tickets are almost sold out, so book now via www.athlonelittletheatre.ieOpening night nears for Athlone Little Theatre's new playAthlone Little Theatre’s 2026 season kicks off with a bang tomorrow night (Friday) with the hilarious murder mystery comedy A Murder Has Been Renounced by Lee Mueller. Not widely performed this side of the Atlantic, Athlone Little Theatre is delighted to bring this engaging tale to local audiences later this month. “While the play is essentially a murder mystery, the characters are thrown into a situation which has many comical elements,” says Joe.

It means that Lynch has become the first Irish skier to qualify for any final at the Winter Olympics. Really, really grateful to be here and to make the finals is a cherry on top for me. So to land that in my run was unbelievable and I'm really, really excited to be in finals right now. Landed so well, and I'm really, really excited." So yeah, I'm really, really grateful to be in the finals tonight and hopefully I'll be able to land it again.”This evening’s finals in Livigno take place at 6:30pm Irish time.

Minister of State for Education Michael Moynihan has confirmed schools approved for additional special-needs assistant (SNA) care will get the allocations they require. He told the Dáil if a school has gone through an SNA assessment “and it was clearly demonstrated in that school that there was additional care needed, that has to be stood over”. He added that if schools were losing their SNA it was always going to be from September 1st, 2026, “not now or not some time at Easter”. The Minister, who has responsibility for special education, was answering questions about the pausing of the controversial review of SNA allocations. It has to be done in conjunction with a redeployment plan for SNA, something that I believe is almost there.”

At the outset, Mr Justice Brian Cregan warned Mr Burke that he would direct gardaí to return him to Mountjoy Prison if he strayed beyond behaviour that the court deemed acceptable. She said Mr Burke was still on the payroll of the Department of Education. Ms Mallon was reading from a letter that had been sent to Mr Burke and he objected to this being read out in court. 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. The proceedings are scheduled to resume with Mr Burke attending via videolink on Friday afternoon.

12 'priority' projects to transform lives in Stoke-on-Trent - the listStoke-on-Trent City Council has published a 'phase one delivery plan' for its Future 100 prospectus listing 12 priority projectsView 2 Images Chatterley WhitfieldA bus rapid transit system, a green energy 'eco-park and the delivery of thousands of new homes are among 12 projects which could transform life in Stoke-on-Trent, council leaders say. Stoke-on-Trent City Council launched its Future 100 prospectus last year, coinciding with the centenary celebrations, setting out long-term missions for improving the quality of life in the Potteries. ‌The authority has now published a 'phase one delivery plan' for the prospectus, which lists 12 priority projects - ranging from major regeneration schemes to support for struggling families. The 12 priority projects are the result of those conversations. The Future 100 prospectus rejects that managed decline and replaces it with active intervention."

Met Éireann initally issued a Status Yellow thunderstorm warning for counties in the west but this expired by 11am. And, despite the rain forecast for the weekend, temperatures will stay mild and warmer than average. "Our weather is set to stay unsettled for the next little while with more rain, showers and blustery conditions to come,” she said. On Saturday night, rain will clear southeastwards early on, but will linger in the south and east, while the north and west stay clear and might see isolated showers. The night will continue blustery with a mix of clear spells and scattered showers, becoming more frequent in the west and southwest.

Midlands firm fined £750k after worker killed in horrific machine incidentThe 54-year-old suffered 'catastrophic injuries' at his place of workView 2 Images Nick Hardiman died following an incident at his workplaceA Midlands firm has been fined £750,000 after a worker was killed in an 'entirely preventable incident'. Nick Hardiman was working as a machinist at Halesowen's Somers Forge Limited when he became entangled in a 20-metre long lathe. Mr Hardiman, from Kidderminster, had been using handheld emery cloth to finish a rotating component which should never be done with such equipment. Somers Forge Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. In a statement, HSE Inspector Sophie Neale added: "This was an entirely preventable incident which has had tragic consequences.

Line of Duty star Brian McCardie left an estate of £70,000 after his sudden death aged 59, legal documents show. Sarah said: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brian James McCardie, beloved son, brother, uncle and dear friend to so many. Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio and executive producer Simon Heath said they had been 'honoured' to work with him. United Agents, which represented the actor, said: 'We are shocked and so deeply saddened by the tragic news of Brian McCardie's sudden death. He also featured in multiple TV roles, including the Agatha Christie adaptation of murder mystery Murder is Easy and the mini-series Titanic.