The Irish Times view on Ireland’s climate targets: a need for realism and new approaches
The recent revelation that energy saving technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels and heat pumps are increasingly the preserve of the wealthy is another blow to the Government’s climate action plan. The study examining these issues from Trinity College, Dublin found that EVs and heat pumps are five to seven times more prevalent in better-off areas than in lower-income neighbourhoods. The reality that Ireland is very unlikely to meet its targets should allow room for some more innovative thinking. New approaches are needed based on the incentives facing households and the complexity of the energy transition. Realism is needed here, but so too is acceptance of the need for new strategies to achieve as much as possible.
Source:The Irish Times
March 18, 2026 01:30 UTC
Morrisons investigates after pensioner and security guard grapple at Welsh store
Witnesses stated the gentleman, who requested anonymity, was confronted by a security officer as he departed the Neath Morrisons location ahead of the incident. Upon leaving the premises with his purchases, they reported the alarms activated and the footage captures a security officer approaching the gentleman. Store staff are then said to have emerged and intervened before the security guard returned inside the store. Commenting on the incident a spokesperson for Morrisons said it took the safety of its customers and staff very seriously. The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here’s how to sign up
Source:Daily Mirror
March 18, 2026 01:12 UTC
The Irish Times view on the White House meeting: Trump keeps the focus on Nato
The issue dominated his meeting yesterday with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, with media queries directed to the president, who repeatedly expressed disappointment that Nato help was not forthcoming, drawing a contrast with US support for Ukraine. With Ireland outside of Nato, the Taoiseach – after warm introductions – was left mostly on the sidelines, intervening to put the Irish position of seeking a peaceful way forward in both conflicts. He kept returning to the issue of Nato and its lack of support for his mission in Iran. He continued to insist in his White House meeting with the Taoiseach that the US would not be involved for much longer. Nato allies should only get involved in the context of a diplomatically brokered deal to unravel this illegal war.
Source:The Irish Times
March 18, 2026 01:06 UTC
Every Gazan student in Ireland is haunted by what they cannot express
Gaza lost and found,” she says. Mr Trump’s board of peace will set up a department of ‘Gaza lost and found’.”“But we survived.” Dima said. Genocide destroys languageTo look at us, you would think of typical student types having a Saturday together shopping. As for words like “lost” and “ceasefire”, we realised how the pain of genocide destroys language itself. Every Gazan student in Ireland is haunted by what they cannot express.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 18, 2026 01:05 UTC
Defence Forces must pay deserving cadets their true worth
Ireland asks a great deal of its Defence Forces cadets. Cadet pay remains the lowest in the Defence Forces, at just €503 per week, compared to €550 for a recruit, rising to €627 after 12 weeks. At a time when the Defence Forces are struggling with recruitment and retention across all ranks, that is a self-inflicted wound. The financial strain of living on cadet pay makes joining the Defence Forces less attractive, potentially limiting the pool of highly motivated candidates. Improving cadet pay is not just a matter of fairness, it is essential to attracting, supporting, and retaining talented personnel in the Defence Forces.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 18, 2026 01:01 UTC
‘Great people, great beer, it’s very nice here’ – Visitors from around the world descend on Dublin for St Patrick’s Day parade
About 3,000 people marched in this year’s paradeTourists soak up the warm atmosphere at St Patrick's Day Parade in DublinThe streets of Dublin city centre were covered in green this afternoon as tens of thousands of spectators packed the pavements on a crisp spring afternoon to catch a glimpse of this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade. “I’ve had some friends who have come for St Patrick’s Day and they kind of told me what to expect. “We [celebrate St Patrick’s Day] in Denmark as well. But this is a whole other thing.”A member of the Ohio State University marching band at the Dublin parade. “I actually found out in the car … My manager was like, ‘They asked you to be Grand Marshal’.
Source:Irish Independent
March 18, 2026 00:40 UTC
Enzo Fernandez opens door to Chelsea exit moments after PSG humiliation despite still having six years on deal
Enzo Fernandez cast doubt over his Chelsea future immediately after captaining them in their Champions League humiliation by Paris Saint-Germain, saying he does not know what will happen this summer. Fernandez has been linked with big moves, including to PSG, Real Madrid and most recently with Saudi Arabian sides. Enzo Fernandez has hinted he could wave goodbye to Chelsea in the summerSpeaking to ESPN Argentina, Fernandez said on his future: 'I don't know. There's the World Cup, and then we'll see.' Fernandez cost Chelsea a British-record £106.8million when signed in 2023 from Benfica, and he is believed to be contracted until 2032.
Source:Daily Mail
March 18, 2026 00:14 UTC
Health committee to hear of 'life changing' treatment for severe allergies
A mother of two from Clare who travels to France to get food allergy treatment for her children is to call for an action plan on allergy care on Wednesday. First aid programmes in schools and childcare settings should be funded by the government, Sheila Downes and other members of Allergy Action Ireland (AAI) will also tell the Oireachtas health committee. They have been going to France since November 2023 to access oral immunotherapy treatment. This parent-led action group will also call for more access to oral immunotherapy treatment. She is also having oral immunotherapy treatment to treat her egg allergy under consultant paediatric allergist Dr Juan Trujillo.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 17, 2026 23:56 UTC
Gerry Adams ‘pushed’ IRA into attacks in England, UK court told
The case against Adams is being taken by three victims of IRA bombings in England. Photograph/image: Elizabeth Cook/PA WireFormer president of Sinn Féin, Gerry Adams “pushed” the IRA into attacks in England in the 1990s in a bid to pressure the British government in negotiations, the High Court in London has heard. “I attended in my capacity as a representative of Sinn Féin, along with Dáithí Ó Conaill, the vice-president of Sinn Féin. “Throughout my life, opponents of Sinn Féin have repeatedly sought to conflate Sinn Féin with the IRA. As I have always stated, Sinn Féin and the IRA are separate organisations,” he said.
Source:The Irish Times
March 17, 2026 23:52 UTC
Staffys, Dachshunds and Frenchies amongst 67 breeds facing UK ban
Staffys, Dachshunds and Frenchies amongst 67 breeds facing UK banA 10-point checklist scoring a dog breed’s health could be imposedView Image Alert watchful Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Image: Getty Images)Staffordshire Bull terriers, Dachshunds and French Bulldogs are just three of 67 dog breeds which face being banned in the UK. The Innate Health Assessment (IHA) promotes healthy dog breeding and says that the proposed new legislation would mean banning corgis, dachshunds, Westies, chihuahuas and Shih Tzus. Obligatory use of the Innate Health Assessment would be an excellent first step towards ending cruel and exploitative dog breeding for good." Indeed, many breeds cited as at risk — including corgis and dachshunds — have already passed the assessment in practice." While the tool is currently voluntary, it is already being used by some councils to judge if breeders are producing healthy dogs, and could become law within five years.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 17, 2026 23:47 UTC
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Source:The Herald
March 17, 2026 23:34 UTC
Opposition unimpressed by Taoiseach’s failure to ‘call out’ US president
Taoiseach Micheál Martin with US president Donald Trump in the Oval Office on St Patrick's Day. Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty ImagesOpposition parties have strongly criticised Taoiseach Micheál Martin over his failure to “call out” US president Donald Trump’s foreign policy during the St Patrick’s Day meeting in the Oval Office. Taoiseach Micheál Martin defended migration in Europe and UK prime minister Keir Starmer in a meeting with US president Donald Trump. “[Martin] did not represent the views of the Irish people, who are appalled at Trump’s lawless and belligerent presidency,” she said. Both strongly criticised the Taoiseach for saying Trump is “doing his bit” for peace in the Middle East.
Source:The Irish Times
March 17, 2026 23:31 UTC
In one moment, all hope came crashing down... Man City's 2-1 defeat by Real Madrid could be the last time Pep Guardiola takes charge of the club in this competition, writes OLIVER HOLT
Rayan Cherki hit a snap-shot straight at Thibaut Courtois, Courtois produced a brilliant save from a Rodri thunderbolt and Dean Huijsen blocked a shot from Tijjani Reijnders. Haaland thought he had scored with a close-range shot but Courtois, again, produced a stunning save. This could be the last time Pep Guardiola manages Manchester City in the Champions LeagueAmid the chaos, Guardiola was booked for dissent. City kept pressing for a second, a goal that would at least give them victory on the night. Kylian Mbappe, who had been missing through injury in the first leg, came on for a cameo and was booked.
Source:Daily Mail
March 17, 2026 23:26 UTC
Cónal Thomas: Micheál Martin dodges Oval Office landmines as Donald Trump rifles off Iran war grievances
Taoiseach donned Irish and European colours, while robustly defending Keir Starmer, at traditional St Patrick’s Day meetingAlmost 40 minutes on the button, and just six of those were from the Taoiseach. Despite his best efforts to interject and direct the face-to-face in the Oval Office to the Irish media’s side of the room, this was Trump 101, with everything from Iran to China to windmills on the US president's hit list.
Source:Irish Independent
March 17, 2026 23:11 UTC
Arsenal quadruple dream alive as Eberechi Eze stunner downs Leverkusen
He's stepped up impressively and can add a Champions League stunner to his memorable moments this year. Flying the flag for EnglandAll that talk of the Premier League dominating Europe has quickly dried and come the end of Tuesday two had gone with only one remaining. Arsenal marched on as Manchester City and Chelsea both saw their Champions League hopes ended for at least another 12 months. But the Gunners are much more than a team who rely solely on deliveries into the box as Eze and Rice proved. Arsenal hold a huge advantage over Pep Guardiola's men in the Premier League and beating them on Sunday could be the final nail in their coffin - and the first part of an unprecedented quadruple.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 17, 2026 23:11 UTC