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February 17, 2026 11:31 UTC

‘I bid €50,000 over the guide price… Was the rival buyer even real?’‘Rumours are swirling that the rival was a phantom… and now I’ve gone sale agreed but I fear I’m going to get gazumped by a developer. What legal comebacks do I have?’'Just because someone has placed a higher bid does not mean that their bid will be accepted'. Photo: Brian FarrellMary Frances Fahy Today at 06:30Query: Dear Mary Frances, I’m writing because I feel like I’ve been completely played in a recent bidding war for a piece of land (less than 20ac) and an old cottage near my home village.

February 17, 2026 11:30 UTC

Jurgen Klopp’s agent claims Man Utd and Chelsea wanted former Liverpool bossBy Mark Walker, Press AssociationJürgen Klopp’s agent has claimed Manchester United and Chelsea both made an approach for the former Liverpool boss after he left Anfield. Marc Kosicke also claimed in an interview with Transfermarkt that the 58-year-old German could have managed England after leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season. United and Chelsea both strongly deny having made approaches to Klopp, either personally or via an agent, the Press Association understands. “Before joining Red Bull, Jurgen could have coached the USA or England. Probably also Germany, if Julian Nagelsmann hadn’t already been there.”He added: “Even Chelsea and Manchester United inquired, although Jurgen had clearly stated that he would not coach any other club in England.

February 17, 2026 11:30 UTC

Using ingredients that contain more fibre and protein content will instantly transform pancakes into a far healthier incarnation. 'Another way would be to just use your normal recipe but not put sugar in your pancakes at all. If you want to add a little bit extra to get more protein and fibre, that's quite an easy thing to do.' Embrace 'complex' ingredientsCrucial to this healthier take on pancakes is the complexity of the ingredients we use. Those key pillars of protein and fibre - fibre especially - are central to the balance of the gut, which, Ms Garry says, thrives on a diverse diet.

February 17, 2026 11:25 UTC

The court had heard yesterday the man had, in fact, not broken the law despite giving the girl his number at an amusement arcade. But there, Ms Blumgart made a six-word cutting remark, telling the defendants: "This isn't Lord of the Flies." The 16-year-old boy followed closely behind Mr Cashford for 850 metres while he walked on the seafront with the girl. Jurors were shown shocking mobile phone footage recorded by the girl as the two boys pounced on Mr Cashford. As the Press Association reports, the three defendants will be sentenced at a later date, expected to be in April.

February 17, 2026 11:04 UTC

Donley started Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Sunderland which saw the Yellows knocked out of the FA Cup in the fourth round. Donley played in the central attacking midfield role behind striker Will Lankshear who is also on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. READ MORE: Oxford United exit FA Cup after defeat to SunderlandAlthough they did not pull up any trees, the two linked up nicely at times in Sunday's defeat to the Black Cats. READ MORE: Oxford United boss frustrated at Sunderland FA Cup decisions"I enjoyed it," the Northern Ireland international continued. I just want to keep playing games and hopefully the goals and assists can come along with that."

February 17, 2026 11:04 UTC

‌Representatives of the Spurs board, including chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, met with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust on February 3, just over a week before Thomas Frank’s dismissal as head coach. Dissatisfaction is a high among the fanbase, with Spurs sitting 16th in the Premier League with 12 matches to go, five points above the relegation zone. It is into this situation that Igor Tudor has been parachuted after the sacking of Frank. His first match will come against rivals Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday. Tottenham are winless in their last eight Premier League games and have won just two from their last 17 in all competitions.

February 17, 2026 10:48 UTC

A Co Laois tillage farming couple who created a carbon sink in 2025 while producing premium gluten-free oats have been crowned Tirlán Grain Grower of the Year. Bobby and Denise Miller, growers from Rathmore, Stradbally, were crowned Tirlán’s top tillage farmers at a special event at Cork’s Castlemartyr Resort and Midleton Distillery Experience. “It's known for its high bushel, which helps them to process it in the mill; the high bushel makes life easier for them and gives them a better quality product,” Mr Miller said. “I’d hate to have to turn my back on tillage farming… We don’t want to go down that route; it’s in the blood,” Mr Miller said. The awards aim to recognise the very best of Tirlán’s grain suppliers and celebrate excellence across barley, wheat, oats, beans and oilseed rape.

February 17, 2026 10:19 UTC

Everyone’s talking about: Co-dependent relationships. What are they and how do I know if I’m in one? During the ‘Wuthering Heights’ press tour, Margot Robbie said she developed a co-dependency with Jacob Elordi, feeling unnerved when he wasn’t on set – but is this a healthy thing? We ask the expertsJacob Elordi and Margot Robbie grew close on the 'Wuthering Heights' setEmer Harrington Today at 06:30During the press tour for the new film “Wuthering Heights”, Margot Robbie, who plays Cathy, said she developed a “co-dependent” relationship with her co-star Jacob Elordi, who portrays Heathcliff.

February 17, 2026 10:16 UTC

Also, the effect lasted for days and was followed by a sudden, tremendous tiredness.”He said a lot of players were reluctant to take them. Taking advice from senior players, they hid them under their tongues and spat them out in the toilet. Perhaps as a joke or by coercion, he took one of the white pills that was going around. All the living greats from HH’s Grande Inter were hauled into court, one by one, to give testimony. When I asked his brother, Sandro, about HH’s doping programme, I discovered that his stance has softened since he first refused to accept his brother’s whistle-blowing campaign almost two decades earlier.

February 17, 2026 10:12 UTC

Even Chelsea and Manchester United inquired, although Jurgen had clearly stated that he would not coach any other club in England." I love what I do right now, I don't miss coaching. I don't miss standing in the rain two-and-a-half, three hours. I don't miss going to press conference three times a week, having 10-12 interviews a week. I don't miss that."

February 17, 2026 10:11 UTC

Schools have warned that a “flabbergasting” move to cut back on special needs assistants (SNAs) in mainstream schools will set the education system back 30 years. This is despite the overall number of SNA posts in the school system, including special classes and special schools, set to increase from September 2026. The town is expected to lose at least 10 SNA posts from its primary schools in September. On Monday, education minister Hildegarde Naughton and special education minister Michael Moynihan both encouraged schools to engage in the NCSE appeals process. A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said the NCSE will undertake approximately 1,000 SNA reviews in schools this school year.

February 17, 2026 10:08 UTC

A recent survey revealed that most farmers were pessimistic about the likelihood of bovine TB being eradicated within the next 10 years. The research included interviews with 60 farmers across Ireland, followed by a survey which included 824 participants. It was discovered through the survey that the perceived effectiveness of preventative or biosecurity actions was the strongest predictor of whether a farmer actively engaged and implemented them. Knowledge of TB, awareness of the recommended actions and previous experience with TB were not associated with biosecurity behaviour. The study concluded that communications should focus on evidence-based narratives about the effectiveness of recommended measures while avoiding lengthy or overly technical material.

February 17, 2026 10:06 UTC

News from last week’s informal EU leaders’ summit suggests that a long-discussed “multi-speed Europe” may finally move from theory to reality. If deeper integration is now open to those member states willing to pursue it, Ireland should not hesitate. European unity is no longer about commerce or culture – it is about survival in a hostile world. As German chancellor Friedrich Merz declared this week at the Munich Security Conference, the international order “no longer exists”. Eamon Kearney, Baldoyle, Dublin 13Shameful behaviour of ‘keyboard warriors’ just exposes their ignoranceWhat a contest between Ireland and Italy.

February 17, 2026 10:05 UTC

Hedgerows Ireland has warned of “very serious” long‑term impacts from the growing use of heavy mulching heads on mature hedgerows, as the hedge‑cutting season draws to a close at the end of the month. Hedgerows Ireland, alongside the IFA and ICMSA, is lobbying for improved incentives in the next CAP to support “more sustainable and less intensive hedge management practices”. While Moore acknowledges that “every hedge is different and one size doesn’t fit all”, the group argues that some basic principles can protect hedge health. The group also advises leaving old or ancient hedges uncut, rejuvenating gappy hedges by coppicing or hedge‑laying on a very limited rotation, leaving margins of uncultivated land beside hedges, and avoiding fertiliser and pesticide drift. Above all, the group warns farmers to “avoid mulching heads for hedge maintenance”, describing them as “very destructive” and likely to reduce mature, productive hedges “to pulp” with resulting losses in wildlife habitat and carbon storage.

February 17, 2026 10:04 UTC