S&P upgrades Ireland to within one notch of triple-A for first time since 2009
“This is the first upgrade of Ireland’s rating from S&P since May 2023 and is the first time that S&P has rated Ireland at AA+ since 2009,” the agency said in a statement. “Today’s S&P rating upgrade to AA+ is another positive development for Ireland,” said Dave McEvoy, director of funding and debt management at the NTMA. “It reflects positive international investor sentiment and further improvements in Ireland’s debt metrics, with Irish bonds now trading close to core European sovereign issuers. S&P rated Ireland at as low as BBB+, seven levels below AAA, but three steps above “junk”, during the worst of the downturn. Two of the world’s three main credit ratings agencies – Fitch and Morningstar DBRS – currently have an AA stance on Ireland.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 22:56 UTC
Gerry Adams says civil case ‘verged on show trial’ and ‘should never have been brought’
Gerry Adams speaking to the media in Belfast on Friday after the civil case taken against him in London's high court was discontinued. Out of the sunshine stepped Gerry Adams, the former Sinn Féin leader, who hours earlier had seen a civil case taken against him by three men injured in IRA bombings in England “discontinued”. He said he had attended “out of respect” for them but it “verged on a show trial” and “should never have been brought”, he said. It was “clearly ... an unorthodox and strategically important political case taken for that purpose”. Adams told reporters that during his two days of evidence he “categorically rejected all of the claims being made”.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 22:47 UTC
League of Ireland – as it happened: Dundalk foil leaders Bohs, wins for St Pat’s and Rovers, as Drogs draw in Derry
Shamrock Rovers go just three points off top as Danny Grant and Aaron Greene sink resilient GalwayLeague title wins are built on efficient and unremarkable wins like this one.
Source:Irish Independent
March 20, 2026 22:32 UTC
‘Colonel’ and ‘major’ of global money-laundering ring jailed
Ogbuefi was also convicted of 32 counts of money laundering and seven of conspiracy to launder money. The jury also convicted Silvester of five counts of money laundering, two of attempted money laundering, four of conspiracy to launder money and one of using a false instrument. During the sentence hearing, Judge Martin Nolan suggested to the investigating garda that the men were a “colonel and a major”, which Det Garda Steven Kelly agreed with. Evidence suggested both men were receiving requests, often from phone numbers in Nigeria, to launder money from different types of frauds. Mr Devally asked the court to view Ogbuefi as being “appointed to a position of local authority in a wider organisation”.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 22:31 UTC
Google says former employee trying to ‘sully’ tech giant’s name in race bias claim
Former accounts strategist Eyob Van Haute has brought a complaint against Google under the Employment Equality Act, 1998. “I think my dismissal was not the result of fair and consistent assessment of performance,” Van Haute told the WRC. Van Haute said that in quarter one of 2025 he secured an overall “core score” of 93 per cent. When adjudication officer Orla Jones asked whether that was his evidence on the claim, Van Haute said it was. Mallon added that Van Haute had only given the first name of one alleged comparator and had not identified anyone he claimed had discriminated against him.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 22:30 UTC
England release new 2026 World Cup kits as Nike opt for bold away strip
England release new 2026 World Cup kits as Nike opt for bold away stripEngland have officially unveiled their new kit for the World Cup in the summerView 2 Images England have unveiled their home and away kit for the 2026 World Cup. (Image: England)England has revealed their home and away kits for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup. The words 'Happy and Glorious' feature on the collar of Nike's latest kit partnership, while they will wear red in the newly-released away kit. Buy the latest England kits and merch This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Various Prices England Official Store Buy Now on England Official Store Product Description England fans can pick up the latest Three Lions kits and merchandise at the England Official Store.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 20, 2026 22:27 UTC
Munster tie down second row Conor Ryan until 2028
Conor Ryan has signed a two-year contract extension with Munster which will keep him at the province until at least 2028. The 22-year-old second row is the latest Munster player to take the less trodden path to professional rugby. He signed a one-year development contract last summer and featured against an Argentina XV at Thomond Park in November. He impressed to the extent that he secured a one-year development contract this season. “Our clubs are a cornerstone of Munster Rugby and Conor’s elevation is further proof of the importance of our clubs in developing players.”
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 22:08 UTC
Concern over legal costs brings Gerry Adams’s eight-day London high court odyssey to end
On a number of occasions during eight days in the high court, Judge Jonathan Swift queried if he should hear from both legal teams as to whether the case itself was an abuse of process. In English and Welsh civil law, a judge is able to stop, stay or strike out a case if they decide the legal process – in this case a civil claim for personal injuries damages – is being used unjustly or improperly. But once the judge raised the issue of abuse of process, it was clear that the costs order would be reviewed if Swift decided to throw it out on those grounds, she said. The claimants had raised £110,000 from a crowdfunding campaign that, to quote Ganesh, received many small donations of “three quid or a fiver”. Throughout the case, the Adams side was confident, if frequently irritated by the nature of the evidence put before the court from a former IRA member, Shane Paul O’Doherty, and ex-soldiers and police.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 22:00 UTC
Teenager Murphy the hero as Cork City continue blistering start
SSE Airtricity First Division: UCD 0 Cork City 1Cork City earned a massive three points at the UCD Bowl in an enthralling end-to-end encounter with 16-year-old Cillian Murphy being the hero as his first senior goal proved the difference. And back at the scene of when they last secured the First Division title the visitors, as expected, made a dominant start. Looked dangerous on the counter attack the Students' own flying winger, Stephen Mohan, created havoc himself and forced some bodies-on-the-line defending as the frenetic start showed no signs of slowing. The talented teenager made no mistake and swept the ball home expertly to become one of the youngest goalscorers in Cork City’s history. The longer the second half continued with just the one goal deficit, the potential for a nervy finish grew.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 21:59 UTC
Connacht stun Ulster to boost playoff hopes with fourth-win-in-a-row
Ulster 19 Connacht 26Connacht stunned Ulster in Belfast to fully deserve their bonus point result and make it four victories on the bounce for Stuart Lancaster’s side to boost their play-off hopes. That incident led to a penalty for Ulster which Murphy put deep into Connacht’s 22. Zac Ward got five back for Ulster on 64 minutes when he bamboozled Sean Naughton after being supplied by Stockdale. Ulster: M Lowry, W Kok, J Stockdale, B Carson, Z Ward, J Murphy, Doak; A Bell, T Stewart, S Wilson, I Henderson, J Hopes, D McCann, M Rea, J Augustus. Connacht: S Naughton, S Jennings, C Forde, B Aki, F Treacy, J Carty, C Reilly; B Bohan, D Heffernan, F Bealham, J Joyce, D Murray, J Murphy, C Prendergast, S Jansen.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 21:59 UTC
Teenager who sued over hospital care at birth settles action for €850,000
University Hospital Galway: The settlement, which was reached after mediation, is without an admission of liability. Photograph: Eric LukeA teenage girl who sued over the hospital care she received after her birth has settled a High Court action for €850,000. The girl, who cannot be named by order of the court, has neurodevelopmental difficulties, Judge Paul Coffey was told on Friday. Through her father, the girl sued the HSE over the care provided by University Hospital Galway. He said he had no hesitation in approving the settlement and wished the teenager the very best for the future.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 21:56 UTC
AIL preview: In-form Terenure host Lansdowne with playoffs in sight
The race for the playoffs heats up in Division 1A, especially at Lakelands Park where Terenure host Lansdowne in a typically significant clash between two in-form sides. The losers will feel the squeeze given Cork Constitution, in fifth on 43 points, host already-relegated Nenagh Ormond at Temple Hill ahead of meeting Terenure and Lansdowne. Division 2A: Ballymena v Galway Corinthians, Eaton Park; Banbridge v Shannon, Rifle Park; Dungannon v Wanderers, Stevenson Park; Greystones v Old Crescent, Dr Hickey Park; MU Barnhall v Cashel, Parsonstown. Division 2B: Enniscorthy v Skerries, Alcast Park; Galwegians v Clogher Valley, Crowley Park; Navan v Malone, Balreask Old; Sligo v Rainey, Hamilton Park; UL Bohemian v Buccaneers, UL 4G. (5pm); Railway Union v UL Bohemian, Park Avenue, (5pm); Tullow v Cooke, Rathoe Road (5pm); Wicklow v Galwegians, Ashtown Lane (5pm).
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 21:48 UTC
'My soulmate, my safe place': Wife pays moving tribute to Ukrainian man killed in Cork stabbing incident
Mr Zhyvytskyi was attacked just metres from his home in Camden Court on Carroll's Quay in the Lower John St and Knapp’s Square area. He had left his home to get food in the nearby Shandon St area, but was stabbed as he walked the short distance home. Mr Zhyvytskyi is survived by his wife Viktoriya, and their young daughter. In a moving tribute on Rip.ie, Viktoriya wrote that her husband’s family will carry him in their hearts forever. On Thursday evening, a 42-year-old man accused of murdering Mr Zhyvytskyi by allegedly stabbing him in the chest was brought before Cork District Court.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 21:43 UTC
Fears of prolonged shock to global oil and gas prices deepen amid Middle East attacks
The latest attacks follow days of Iranian strikes on regional energy infrastructure that has roiled global markets. Attacks on refineries and gasfields in the Middle East have compounded fears the escalating war in Iran and the wider region may lead to a prolonged shock to global oil and gas prices, even if shipping routes are unblocked. European gas prices jumped by 35 per cent on Thursday as Iran and Israel traded strikes on sites involved in the production and supply of oil and gas. Energy prices have since steadied after Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu said on Thursday night that the “war will end sooner than people think”. Taoiseach Micheál Martin arrives ahead of rountable during the EU Summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on March 19th.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 21:38 UTC
All 71 jobs lost as Scottish food firm in £5m liquidation
George Lafferty, of BTG, was appointed provisional liquidator of Enterprise Foods Limited by Hamilton Sheriff Court, after a petition by the company. The 35-year established Scottish wholesale food supplier "entered liquidation after failing to refinance debts of more than £5m". The business, which was based at Reynolds Avenue in East Kilbride and traded as Localist, was a food service business that helped numerous Scottish suppliers, producers and farmers to sell goods to major retail and food service customers. “There are many small suppliers to the business that are owed money, and the loss of this route to market will also have a serious knock-on effect to these food producers as well." He added: "We are working to assess all claims and establish whether there will be any dividend paid to unsecured creditors, but it is not likely to be significant, given the level of secured debts in the business.
Source:The Herald
March 20, 2026 21:31 UTC