A 34-year secret shrouded in shame paved the way to teach children about the horrors of our past
She arrived into Cork Harbour, where she was met by a man in a suit, who put her into a black car and transferred her to Bessborough mother and baby home. William was six weeks old, one of 923 children who died at the Bessborough mother and baby home. [ Call for former Bessborough mother and baby home site to be converted into memorial gardenOpens in new window ]– – – – – – – – – – – – – -I interviewed Madeleine in May of last year. I also met survivors from the Magdalene laundries and the mother and baby homes, many of whom were interested in sharing their stories. On November 11th, she was part of a delegation to the European Parliament where the issue of the mother and baby homes was discussed.
Source:The Irish Times
November 30, 2025 13:30 UTC
‘No new gifts, please’: Meet the parents who swap rather than shop
Photograph: Alan BetsonIn Dublin, the WhatsApp group Swapsies Inchicore – one of several swap groups in the capital – has about 500 members. They first started making use of swap groups when Fujita became pregnant with their daughter, Emiko, who is now one year old. “When we didn’t know what we needed, swap groups provided a place to go and talk to people and get advice,” says Desmond. The same is true of using the swap groups. “There’s also a monthly clothes swap in Durrus,” she says.
Source:The Irish Times
November 30, 2025 13:30 UTC
Woman’s ex-partner threatened to ‘burn alive’ their son
A woman in Dublin who alleged her ex-partner threatened to “burn alive” their young son has been granted a protection order after a court heard he is “capable of anything”. She told the court she has “dealt with” her ex-partner for several years, and they have a son – of preschool age – together, who he “threatened to burn alive”. The woman told judge Furlong her husband has been “abusing me very badly” in recent months, saying she is “suffering” daily. The woman alleged that her husband is “very aggressive and angry” and “beats me” at times. The woman said she was seeking a protection order and not a barring order, which would have seen him removed from the family home.
Source:The Irish Times
November 30, 2025 13:30 UTC
Four shot dead at child’s birthday party in California
The scene of a shooting in Stockton, California, where four people were killed. Photograph: EPAFour people died after 14 people were shot at a family gathering in Stockton in northern California on Saturday night, police said. The shooting took place at a child’s birthday party, Stockton’s vice-mayor, Jason Lee, said in a Facebook post. Police said they received reports shortly before 6pm local time of a shooting that occurred near the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in Stockton. The shooting occurred inside a banquet hall, which shares a car park with other businesses.
Source:The Irish Times
November 30, 2025 13:22 UTC
Venezuela denounces ‘colonialist threat’ as Trump orders airspace closed
In a statement, the Venezuelan government said Trump’s comments were a “colonialist threat” against their sovereignty and violated international law. The government also said it demanded respect for its airspace and would not accept foreign orders or threats. Deportation flights to Venezuela have been a significant point of contention for the Trump administration, as it continues to engage in its mass deportation programme. The president told military service members this week that the US would “very soon” begin land operations to stop suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers. The Trump administration has accused the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, of involvement in drug trafficking, a charge he has denied.
Source:The Irish Times
November 30, 2025 13:06 UTC
Yellow warnings for rain in three counties with wet night ahead
Met Éireann is predicting a week of wet weather to come. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA WireYellow weather warnings for rain have been issued for three counties in Ireland on Sunday, with persistent and heavy rainfall expected. Outside the affected counties, a wet night is in store for most, with widespread rain turning heavy at times, according to Met Éireann. For the week, Met Éireann predicts a mixture of sunshine and showers at first before spells of rain in the second half. The picture appears unsettled for Friday and next weekend, with more rain and showers arriving from the Atlantic.
Source:The Irish Times
November 30, 2025 13:04 UTC
Michael D Higgins rounds on Trump for ‘piggy’ remark and lack of courtesy
'If people are not willing to accept basic principles of courtesy that are there to enable discourse, you are moving into the realm of hatred.' Michael D Higgins was speaking at the Other Voices festival in Dingle on Friday. Photograph: CollinsFormer president Michael D Higgins has termed a climate of prevailing “anti-intellectualism” as a threat to the world, urging people to question “the most outrageous abuses of human rights, language, and basic ethics”. “How can you address a woman in [the media] profession as ‘Piggy?’” he said. Mr Higgins later told The Irish Times that Ireland was taking the wrong approach to the immigration debate.
Source:The Irish Times
November 30, 2025 01:45 UTC
Man (21) charged with attempted murder of PSNI officer
Photograph: Niall Carson/PA WireA man has appeared in court accused of attempting to murder a police officer in Northern Ireland with a knife. Mr Carlin appeared via video-link from the custody suite at Waterside PSNI station. A detective constable told the court she could connect Mr Carlin to the offences. The detective constable said officers then entered the property and Mr Carlin was standing with one arm behind his back in the livingroom. The detective said Mr Carlin lashed out a second time and an officer was stabbed below the knee.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 23:14 UTC
In a normal country, Donald Trump and Steve Witkoff would be tried for treason – The Irish Times
Steve Witkoff: The White House special envoy at the inauguration of Donald Trump (left) as US president. US president Donald Trump gave Volodymyr Zelenskiy an ultimatum: sign off on the “peace plan” by Thanksgiving Day, November 27th, or lose all US support. Indications that the White House had adopted a Russian plan as its own shocked Ukrainians, Europeans and much of Trump’s Republican Party. In conversation with Ushakov, Witkoff accepted Russia’s demand for all of Donetsk. He should be fired.”In a normal country, Trump and Witkoff would be tried for treason.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 22:31 UTC
Munster’s unbeaten record ended as Stormers pull off dazzling comeback win
Matthee’s second penalty was a reward for mincing the Munster scrum while a man down. However, the visitors got a deserved second try, Matthee’s beautifully weighted crosskick was caught by right wing Maart who won the race to the tryline. The Stormers’ outhalf tagged on a super conversion to make it 21-20 with a little over 10 minutes remaining. SCORING SEQUENCE – 5 mins: Matthee pen, 0-3; 7: Beirne try, Crowley con, 7-3; 11: Matthee pen, 7-6; 19: Hodnett try, Crowley con, 14-6; 28: Crowley try, Crowley con, 21-6. 58: Smith try, Matthee con, 21-13; 68: Maart try, Matthee con, 21-20; 71: Nel try, Matthee con, 21-27.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 21:38 UTC
AI creating a jobs drought for young people, and it will only get worse, recruiter warns
James Reed, who employs more than 4,500 people at Reed recruitment firm, said vacancies had collapsed in the UK. Photographer: Hollie Adams/BloombergArtificial intelligence is creating a “jobs drought” for graduates and younger people seeking entry-level employment, and things are only going to get worse, according to James Reed, chair of Reed, the world’s largest family-run recruitment firm. “The truth is we haven’t even hit rock bottom yet in terms of decreasing numbers of vacancies – and this holds for all our markets, including Ireland.” he said. Also, unlike previous, cyclical downturns in employment numbers, this is occurring independently of economic performance. Many, many people are already having a hard enough time as it is, and despite the promises from its advocates, I can’t see how AI is going to create jobs.”
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 19:43 UTC
Kate O’Connor’s father Michael wins 2025 Coaching Achievement Award from World Athletics
Kate O'Connor with her parents Michael and Valerie during the Athletics Ireland awards ceremony. World Athletics have recognised Michael O'Connor with Coaching Achievement Award. Photograph: Sam Barnes/SportsfileWorld Athletics have recognised Michael O’Connor with the 2025 Coaching Achievement Award for his role in his daughter Kate’s success when winning four medals from her four championship appearances. The award will be presented in Monaco on Sunday evening, along with the other World Athletics honours for 2025, with O’Connor singled out for his “athlete-centred philosophy” and outstanding commitment to athlete development. Kate made Irish multi-event history this year, becoming just the sixth Irish athlete to win a World Championship medal outdoors with her heptathlon silver in Tokyo in September.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 19:04 UTC
Car hits pedestrians in Foxrock after mounting footpath
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses after a car mounted a footpath in Foxrock, south Dublin. Photograph: Derek Hudson/GettyGardaí are appealing for witnesses after a car mounted a footpath in Foxrock, south Dublin and struck two teenage pedestriansThe two injured pedestrians, who were boys in their mid-teens, were taken to hospital. The car mounted the footpath on the N11 at Foxrock at around 7.30pm on Friday evening and collided with a lamp-post and bin, according to reports to gardaí. The driver, a man in his 20s, was also taken to hospital to be medically assessed. Gardaí in Dún Laoghaire are appealing for witnesses to the incident, including drivers who may be able to supply dashcam footage.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 18:53 UTC
Beauty queens: the women behind Ireland’s booming make-up, skin and hair brands
We’re in 80 premium stores at the moment, with a soon-to-launch partnership with Boots.”Claire FullamRemi Scalp CareClaire Fullam, founder of Remi Scalp Care, channels her hair loss experience into creating effective hair and scalp care solutionsClaire Fullam, founder of Remi Scalp Care, knows hair loss first-hand. Now, as a clinical trichologist and entrepreneur, she channels that experience into creating effective hair and scalp care solutions. Since its launch, Remi has been redefining hair care by focusing on the foundation - the scalp. Drawing on Fullam’s clinical expertise and lived experience, the brand offers targeted solutions for scalp health, hair loss support and hair regrowth. It was a turning point.”[ From scalp to skin: new autumn beauty launches from Irish brandsOpens in new window ]Fullam is optimistic about the year ahead.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 18:39 UTC
Putin hosts Hungary’s Orban for talks on energy and Ukraine
Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orban and Russia's president Vladimir Putin shake hands during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on November 28th. Mr Orban said he wanted detailed talks on Russian oil and gas supplies, calling them vital for Hungary’s energy security. In televised remarks, Mr Putin told Mr Orban he would still welcome the meeting in Budapest and thanked him for offering the venue. The talks came as Mr Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff prepares to meet Mr Putin in Moscow next week in a renewed push to end the war. “We very much hope that the peace proposals on the table will lead to a ceasefire and peace,” Mr Orban said.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 18:06 UTC