Number of Irish citizens seeking consular help abroad at highest level since Covid pandemic
A smoke plume rises from a fire at Dubai International Airport, where Irish citizens have sought consular help. Consular requests to other Gulf region embassies included Egypt, with 21 cases, and nine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She said the 5,110 cases of consular assistance over the past 15 months included help provided to citizens throughout a number of crises. The Tehran embassy provided help in 37 cases last year and for 24 citizens to date in 2026. The New Delhi, India embassy helped 67 Irish citizens this year with five consular requests in 2025.
Source:The Irish Times
March 23, 2026 07:32 UTC
Ken Early: Caution and stop-start play are taking all the fun out of football
Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty ImagesKepa Arrizabalaga was always going to start the League Cup final. It was an indictment of the 2025/26 Premier League season. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. Tiredness is the traditional answer and yes, it is a factor, though one that is compensated for by the Premier League clubs’ enormous economic advantage. As the rest of the Premier League teams have repudiated his once-dominant style, Guardiola has looked a dispirited figure.
Source:The Irish Times
March 23, 2026 07:32 UTC
Is a plumbing career the answer to surviving AI?
Just 18 per cent saw software developers and 11 per cent accountants as resilient professions. City & Guilds, which has almost three-quarters of the plumbing qualification market in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, reports a significant increase in the number of people studying for plumbing credentials. Completed apprenticeships nearly doubled to 859 in the year to October 2025, with an uplift in other plumbing qualifications. While middle-class parents might see plumbing as a safe career, are they prepared for their offspring to forgo university and enter the trades? The Jobber survey found only 7 per cent of parents would prefer their child pursue a trade or vocational programme.
Source:The Irish Times
March 23, 2026 07:32 UTC
Professor sacked for sending texts, poems and a photo of himself in his boxers to a student WINS his job back after university's 'mistake'
Prof Matthai, now 63, was axed after it emerged he had sent a female PhD student romantic texts and a suggestive photo of himself back in 2017. Deputy President Alan Colman found the university's decision to fire Prof Matthai seven years after the fact was excessive. But this week the bench rejected them all, concluding that Deputy President Colman, in weighing harshness, had not strayed 'outside the range of reasonable discretionary decisions'. But the bench agreed with the weight Deputy President Colman put on the professor's clean professional record following the incident. Among other things, she alleged Prof Matthai had 'sexually and mentally abused her' for 14 months.
Source:Daily Mail
March 23, 2026 07:32 UTC
My fear rose up and my trust faltered on the mountain – The Irish Times
I’ve always wanted to walk along this wall, my husband says. I bike everywhere and do a lot of yoga, working for good balance as I approach later life. I follow my husband, suppress the urge to remark that it’s not a tightrope and we could move faster. A drink of water didn’t help and even chocolate wouldn’t keep the mountains and sky in place. Some time around when my kids’ fear diminished, when they started to trust their own muscle and bone, my fear rose up and my trust faltered.
Source:The Irish Times
March 23, 2026 07:31 UTC
Jamie Redknapp slams Mikel Arteta decision as 'monumental error' costs Arsenal dear
Jamie Redknapp slams Mikel Arteta decision as 'monumental error' costs Arsenal dearArsenal manager Mikel Arteta was called out by pundits for choosing to start Kepa Arrizabalaga over David Raya in the Carabao Cup final following the keeper's costly errorView 2 Images Jamie Redknapp was not impressed with Mikel Arteta's decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga over David Raya in the Carabao Cup final (Image: Sky Sports)Jamie Redknapp pointed the finger at Mikel Arteta following Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final after the Spaniard's decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal backfired. Unfortunately for the former Chelsea keeper and Arsenal, it was his mistake on the hour mark that gifted Nico O'Reilly the opening goal of the game. And Redknapp was quick to question Arteta after the final whistle, saying that going with Kepa over Raya was a "monumental error". "The difference between Raya and Kepa is so big, so in a big game, you're thinking, 'you've got to go with Raya'. Look, we can talk about it after [the game], but ultimately we're talking about it because [going with Kepa over Raya] cost Arsenal the game."
Source:Daily Mirror
March 23, 2026 07:29 UTC
Douglas Tidy Towns volunteers remove antisemitic graffiti from trail
Locals in a Cork suburb have been forced to remove a slew of racist and antisemitic graffiti from a scenic trail. Ken Rooney, the communications officer with Douglas Tidy Towns, said a group of eight volunteers gathered to remove the graffiti as quickly as possible. “One of our volunteers spotted it and texted into our WhatsApp group at about 8.15am on Friday,” said Mr Rooney. “There must be zero tolerance of it,” said Mr Ó Laoghaire. “I commend the Tidy Towns [volunteers] for acting so swiftly.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 23, 2026 07:08 UTC
Cork vault last hurdle on long road back to Broadway
Only Hurley’s mishit effort from outside the 40-metre arc was worth double the value and it pushed Cork five points ahead. Scorers for Tyrone: M. Donnelly (0-6); E. Jordan (0-5, 2 frees, 1 tp); D. Canavan (0-4, 1 free); D. McCurry (0-2); C. Daly, C. Kilpatrick (0-1 each). TYRONE: O. O’Kane; C. Quinn, P. Teague, B. Cullen; N. Devlin, B. McDonnell, J. Clarke; B. Kennedy (c), C. Kilpatrick; S. O’Donnell, R. Cassidy, B. McDonnell; D. McCurry, M. Donnelly, E. Jordan. CORK: P. Doyle; S. Meehan, D. O’Mahony, M. Shanley; B. O’Driscoll, T. Walsh, L. Fahy; C. O’Callaghan, I. Maguire (c); P. Walsh, S. McDonnell, S. Sherlock; C. Jones, D. Sheedy, M. Cronin. Subs: B. Hurley for D. Sheedy (53); R. Deane for P. Walsh (59); R. Maguire for L. Fahy (61); S. Walsh for S. McDonnell (66); D. Buckley for I. Maguire (69).
Source:Irish Examiner
March 23, 2026 07:08 UTC
Live: International Energy Agency open to releasing more oil; Trump issues deadline
The country has stepped up its attacks on Russian oil and gas infrastructure since the start of the Iran war with a view to depriving Russia of revenue from surging energy prices. Trump warned Iran had two days to fully open the vital Strait of Hormuz, which is effectively closed for most vessels with little prospect of naval protection for shipping. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan lost 2.5 per cent, while Chinese blue chips dropped 1.9 per cent. - ReutersIEA open to releasing more oil stocksThe International Energy Agency is consulting with governments in Asia and Europe on the release of more stockpiled oil “if necessary” due to the Iran war, executive director Fatih Birol said this morning. The war on Iran had taken 11 million barrels of oil per day from global supply, more than the two prior oil shocks combined.
Source:The Irish Times
March 23, 2026 06:59 UTC
Iran war could push tens of millions globally into acute hunger – The Irish Times
The war could also drive tens of millions around the world into acute hunger. But the war’s economic impact is already severe, particularly for poorer countries where higher energy costs and a shortage of fertiliser are pushing up food prices and threatening millions with hunger. The United Nations World Food Programme warned last week that if it persists, the war could push an additional 45 million people into acute hunger. This could see a repeat of what happened after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when global hunger reached a record level as food prices shot up quickly but were slow to come down. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, where tens of millions of small farmers rely on subsidised fertiliser to boost crop yields, are especially vulnerable.
Source:The Irish Times
March 23, 2026 06:55 UTC
Golders Green 'antisemitic hate crime' sees four ambulances set alight in arson attack
Golders Green 'antisemitic hate crime' sees four ambulances set alight in arson attackJewish Community Ambulance service vehicles were set alight in the early hours in what police have confirmed was an 'antisemitic arson attack' as they launch an investigationView Image Footage on social media appears to show the fire in Golders Green (Image: X)Police have launched an investigation following an 'antisemitic arson attack'. Four ambulances belonging to the Jewish Community Ambulance service were set on fire in Golders Green, Northwest London. Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Metropolitan Police confirmed that four Hatzalah ambulances were on fire in what they have described as a hate crime. The force are carrying out enquiries and have said they are currently looking for three suspects, based on CCTV footage.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 23, 2026 06:36 UTC
Why it took months for the world to declare ‘likely’ famine in Gaza – The Irish Times
On August 22nd, 2025, the IPC finally declared a “likely” famine in part of Gaza. By the time the IPC declared famine in Gaza, the very worst was already over. A daily record of famine deaths is available thereafter. Still, the recorded starvation deaths mean that there was a famine, short-lived but nevertheless real. But the price data and the data on starvation deaths support the case for a famine.
Source:The Irish Times
March 23, 2026 06:33 UTC
‘My body was worn out’: Migrant worker in Ireland got just two weeks’ holidays over two years
'The hours were extremely difficult – 50 to 60 a hours week at least,' says Sam, who arrived into Ireland on a general employment permit. Sam (a pseudonym used for this article to protect his identity) arrived into Ireland in November 2020 on a general employment (GE) permit. “Then the hours were extremely difficult – 50 to 60 a hours week at least. A total of 1,019 responses were received and assessed as a representative sample of the estimated 38,000 GE permit holders. It is more than half of migrant workers like me.
Source:The Irish Times
March 23, 2026 06:30 UTC
Two Premier League stars left bloodied after saving man from 'racist attack'
The alleged assault took place at around 2am in Richmond, only miles from Brentford's home base. The unnamed Brentford players helped calm the situation before the police arrived, but both were left with injuries, according to witnesses. The Telegraph reports that the two players were travelling back from Leeds, where Brentford had claimed a goalless draw at Elland Road. Neither of the players involved in halting the alleged assault were left with serious injuries and both were thought to be healthy come Sunday. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Police attended a report of an assault on Queen’s Road, Richmond at around 02:00hrs on Sunday, 22 March.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 23, 2026 06:29 UTC
Conor Meany on basketball: Top four dominance continues
It was the final step in the great escape for Neptune, that included multiple big plays from Sam Henderson over the past week. Killorglin had so many close calls this year, it was fitting that they got relegated on another close call. That proved the case as Ballincollig’s win over Limerick Celtics was the closest first-round result (91-83). After last year’s shock playoff loss to St Paul's, in which they shot 15% from three, they aimed to get more shooting through Alyssa Frescas. Liffey Celtics stun St Paul'sA year after they were the Cinderella story in the Super League play-offs, it was St Paul’s turn as a top seed to be stunned in the first-round, as the seventh seed Liffey Celtics beat St Paul's 71-65.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 23, 2026 06:21 UTC