Met Éireann issues status yellow wind warning for three counties, while entire country under wind warning later in the week

The construction sector recorded its first expansion in activity last month since April of last year with commercial building remaining strong and the residential sector returning to growth, the latest AIB Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) shows. The PMI said that anecdotal evidence from the survey indicated that the rise in construction activity was in response to improving demand conditions. “Construction firms continued to face sharply rising input costs, with panellists reporting higher metals prices in particular. Irish construction firms continue to be optimistic about the prospect of increasing activity levels over the coming 12 months. “Expectations of further increases in new orders supported ongoing confidence in the year-ahead outlook for construction activity.

The bulletproof vest Gerry Adams wore on his way to court in London on Monday morning suggested he wasn’t entirely sure of the welcome he might receive. They were injured in the Old Bailey bombing of 1973 and the London docklands and Manchester attacks of 1996, respectively. The case was set for 10.30am on Monday morning in the chancellor’s court – court 16 – in the RCJ on the Strand, a 10-minute walk east from Trafalgar Square towards Fleet Street. She made a valiant attempt to say the name of former IRA leader Seán Mac Stíofáin (Studd’s try was more like “Mac-stye-fin”). Craven argued there was “no credible evidence” to suggest Adams had anything to do with the Old Bailey, docklands and Manchester attacks.

Ireland's oldest department store has served area for almost 190 yearsIn an era when many consumers have been swapping shop windows for browser windows, the retail core of Athlone, and other towns, has been in a struggle to remain vibrant. This week, we talk to ROSIE BOLES, who heads up Ireland's oldest department store, right here in Athlone. Ireland’s oldest department store, Burgess of Athlone, has been a local institution for almost 190 years. Established in 1839 by 21-year-old Thomas Burgess, the store remained in the Burgess family until 1951 when Robert Boles purchased it. “While everyone else was making banana bread and sourdough, we were on the phone asking people if they’d ever thought about going into retail,” Rosie said.

Harry Redknapp claims that Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis branded Robbie Keane “useless” and vowed to tune out of a match at Manchester United if the Irishman started. Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart was even cited as having a walk-on role in the episode. “He says, ‘I like that forward line of yours, [Aaron] Lennon, Van der Vaart and [Roman], Pavlyuchenko. I said, ‘What’s it got to do with Rafael van der Vaart? ‘If Robbie Keane plays tomorrow, I won’t even watch it on television.’ That choice is up to you, Joe,’ I said.

‌NATO defences were forced for a second time to intercept an Iranian ballistic missile hurtling towards Turkey - a popular holiday destination for Brits. And Iranian missiles have targeted the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain’s Juffair area multiple times. On CBS News Hegseth confirmed that U.S. forces were not on the ground in Iran and added: “But we reserve the right. Israel also targeted Iranian fuel storage facilities in Tehran over the weekend - the first known attack on Iran’s oil infrastructure since the start of the war. Iran continued to bombard Israel and overnight, air raid sirens were triggered in the centre of the country, the south, and the coastal region.

A week before his death, Seán Ó Sé was making plans for this weekend’s National Concert Hall performance by Ceoltóirí Chualann and Cór Cúil Aodha. Séan Ó Sé and Cór Cúil Aodha performing at Shane MacGowan's funeral in Nenagh in 2023. “It’s one of those nights to remember that won’t be repeated very easily,” said Peadar, whose friendship with Ó Sé spanned six decades. “Because we’ve lost Seán Ó Sé, in a nod of respect to him we’ve taken his songs and married them to different individual singers in the choir who’d be able to carry his huge [vocal] range. Cór Cúil Aodha and Ceoltóirí Chualann with Peadar Ó Riada.

Five Iran women's football players 'granted asylum' in Australia after Donald Trump pleaDonald Trump has taken to social media to update people on the status of players from the Iran women's football team after urging Australia to grant them asylumView 2 Images Donald Trump had urged Australia to grant members of the Iran women's football team asylum (Image: Pool/ABACA/Shutterstock)The President of the United States Donald Trump has claimed that Australia has granted asylum to five members of the Iran women's football team on social media. ‌Players refused to sing the nation's national anthem prior to their opening game in the Women's Asia Cup last week, sparking fears they could be punished should they return to Iran. ‌He wrote: "Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman's (sic) Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. It remains unclear if any further players will remain in Australia. ‌Trump added: "I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women's Soccer Team.

Photograph: AFP via Getty ImagesThe global economy is not as exposed to higher oil prices as it was in the 1970s, when events in the Middle East twice tipped the world into recession. But the latest increase in oil – and gas – prices is still a threat to the global economy and particularly to a small energy importing economy like Ireland. This will determine the level of disruption to global oil and gas supplies and the extent of wider consequences to shipping, travel and international confidence. The comments led energy prices to fall sharply lower, with oil falling back below $90 a barrel in a day of extraordinary volatility. Energy prices had reached a level which would cause economic problems .

It was the State's case that Juris Kokenbergs died after his head was "stomped" on and blows "rained down on him" during an assault by his friend Tomas Cypas. The jurors had the option of returning three verdicts in relation to the murder charge against Cypas, namely; guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. Cypas said Mr Kokenbergs "came at" him first and had "started the punches", so he acted in self-defence. He denied stamping on Mr Kokenbergs' head during the assault. The trial heard evidence that three areas of blood-staining with DNA matching that of Mr Kokenbergs were found on the defendant's runner.

Fears have been raised for freedom of speech after Labour launched a major crackdown on Islamophobia. The Government announced on Monday the creation of an official definition of 'anti-Muslim hostility' and the country's first tsar to tackle it in a £4million drive. The Government also said that the definition – published alongside a long-awaited strategy on social cohesion - is not becoming law and does not mean that all anti-Muslim hostility would constitute a crime. Founder of the Free Speech Union Lord Young pointed out that a previous definition of Islamophobia put forward by a Parliamentary group was also non-statutory but had a 'profoundly chilling effect on free speech'. He went on: 'The fact that the new definition is of 'anti-Muslim hostility' not 'Islamophobia' won't stop it being used to silence legitimate criticism of Muslims or Muslim organisations.

Quantity in today’s market matters almost as much as quality and for a 331-acre hill West Cork hill farm — new to the market with Clonakilty-based auctioneers Hodnett Forde Property Services — this idea seems to be borne out by the level of interest in it so far. The holding is at Derryriordane, amidst the beguiling hills near such well-known spots as Gougane Barra, Inchigeelagh and Ballingeary. Some of the lands near the house and yard on the 331-acre farm, Derryriordane, Inchigeela. The 331-acre farm 'comprises about 50 acres of reasonably good pasture land, with the remaining lands consisting of rough grazing'. “It’s on the market 10 days or so and is already under offer.”The guide price is an enticing €800,000 (€2,400/acre).

"So I experienced pain for 13 years before I was diagnosed," she said. Dr Aoife McSweeney, obstetrician, gynaecologist and endometriosis surgeon at CUMH, and with the supra-regional endometriosis centre, agreed. Excision is seen as the gold-standard treatment for deep disease and also used with superficial type lesions. “But so is the back-up, the ability to communicate back to clinicians in Ireland, that’s there’s data-capture and that there’s follow-up with patients. However, she said there was still “need for expansion of community services”, including access to specialist physiotherapists for women with endometriosis.

EXCLUSIVE: Prince William quickly changes subject with Anne at first major event since Andrew arrestAn expert lip reader has analysed an exchange between Prince William and Princess Anne at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey this afternoonView 4 Images The Royal Family at the 2026 Commonwealth Day Service (Image: Getty Images)Prince William's cryptic comment to Princess Anne at the Royal Family's first major joint engagement since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been spotted by a lip reader. ‌The royals gathered in forced at Westminster Abbey this afternoon for the annual Commonwealth Day service. King Charles and Kate Middleton were also in attendance, alongside Anne's husband Sir Tim Laurence. The BBC said: “Our decision not to broadcast the Commonwealth Day ceremony in the same way we've done in previous years reflects the difficult choices we have to make in light of our funding challenges. "BBC News plans to cover the service across its platforms, including the BBC One bulletins and rolling news channel.”

Yves St Laurent fell in love with Marrakesh. For the initial four days, ferocious rain prevented St Laurent from leaving his hotel. “Marrakesh,” St Laurent said, “has opened me to colour.”I’m standing in the museum that attests to the deep relationship between the city and the couturier. The exterior of the Musée Yves St Laurent is equally arresting. Skip the queues for the Musée Yves St Laurent, Jardin Majorelle and Berber Museum by buying your tickets online.