New model of care could reduce ADHD waiting lists for children
Photograph: CollinsA new model of care is needed to reduce waiting lists for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other neurodivergent conditions who are often “pushed to the back of the queue”, the Government Minister with responsibility for mental health has said. Minister of State Mary Butler described 2026 as a “pivotal” year for mental health, largely due to the forthcoming enactment of the Mental Health Bill. “And when you have somebody who’s involuntarily detained, they are ill, they’re very, very ill. About 50,000 people per year seek mental health support for the first time through EDs, some of whom do not receive timely treatment and leave. “Often in the evening times, non-consultant hospital doctors are doing their rotation in the emergency department and they may not be specialising in mental health,” she said.
Source:The Irish Times
February 03, 2026 18:02 UTC
Growth in data centre systems to drop off, Goodbody expects
Data centres and artificial intelligence were 'another big component' of the key deals in 2025 as the AI wave 'continued to permeate'. Growth in data centre systems is expected to be less than half of that which it was last year, according to an analysis by Goodbody Stockbrokers. Data centres and artificial intelligence (AI) were “another big component” of the key deals in 2025 as the AI wave “continued to permeate”. “Demand for data centre capacity is significant,” the report said. Analysing the major hyperscalers, the direction of travel for AI capital expenditure “continues to rise universally”, the report said.
Source:The Irish Times
February 03, 2026 18:01 UTC
A powerful itch: Bulls using electricity poles for relief among 1,500 outages due to animals
A bull scratching itself was one of dozens of cases involving cattle and horses using ESB infrastructure to ease their itch, according to an internal log of incidents from November 2024 to October 2025. Photograph: GettySwans flying into overhead wires and bulls using electricity poles as scratching posts are among the more unusual causes of power cuts that have occurred around Ireland. It was one of dozens of cases involving cattle and horses using ESB infrastructure to ease their itch, according to an internal log of incidents from November 2024 to October 2025. Other animals implicated in power outages included squirrels, mice and rats, as well as one disconnection to remove a bee nest. Birds caused “a lot of damage” during one incident in Cratloe in Limerick, according to the log from ESB Networks.
Source:The Irish Times
February 03, 2026 17:54 UTC
OpenAI’s ChatGPT push triggers senior staff exits
OpenAI is prioritising the advancement of ChatGPT over more long-term research, prompting the departure of senior staff as the $500 billion (€423 billion) company adapts to stiff competition from rivals such as Google and Anthropic. The changes at OpenAI mark an important shift for a group where ChatGPT emerged from a research preview in 2022 before igniting the generative AI boom. Led by chief executive Sam Altman, it is evolving from a research lab into one of Silicon Valley’s biggest companies. That means the company must prove to investors it will earn the revenues needed to justify a $500 billion valuation. Over the past year, other projects unrelated to language models have been wound down, one person said.
Source:The Irish Times
February 03, 2026 17:46 UTC
Trump calls for Republican officials to ‘take over’ elections
“We should take over the voting, the voting in at least many – 15 places. The president’s claims of election fraud have been debunked over and over, by both independent reviews and Republican officials. A review of the 2024 election by the Trump administration that began last year had found little evidence of widespread voting fraud by noncitizens as of last month. Trump’s escalated remarks about elections come at a moment when Democrats have outperformed the GOP in a series of contests. Trump has made little secret of his interest in expanding the federal government’s role in administering American elections.
Source:The Irish Times
February 03, 2026 17:44 UTC
Football chiefs to vote on drastic new measures to clamp down on time-wasting by goalkeepers and during substitutions
IFAB are to hold their annual meeting in Wales, where ballot on a proposal which would allow referees to countdown throw-ins and goal kicks. In circumstances where the official believes time-wasting is going on, they could susbequently give a five-second countdown with their fingers. Because, unlike outfield players, goalkeepers cannot be forced off the field, such behaviour can often give teams the opportunity to regroup. A proposal to ensure an outfield player would have to lead the field for 30 seconds when goalkeepers require treatment has been raised. The board will also vote on whether players can be permitted to wear jewellery, as long as it is covered by tape.
Source:Daily Mail
February 03, 2026 17:36 UTC
Prostate cancer: I had a medical to renew my driver's licence and discovered I had cancer
Prostate cancer: I had a medical to renew my driver's licence and discovered I had cancerSince Joe Coyle got his prostate cancer diagnosis, he’s used his love of the outdoors and leading hikes to urge men to get their prostate checkedJoe Coyle wearing his 'Get Your Prostate Checked' T-shirt on a hikeKathy Donaghy Today at 06:30A requirement that he do a medical to update his driving licence led to a prostate cancer diagnosis for Joe Coyle. Since then, he’s walked hundreds of miles to remind men of the importance of getting their prostate checked.
Source:Irish Independent
February 03, 2026 17:33 UTC
Walmart’s market value hits $1 trillion for the first time
Walmart’s market capitalisation has surpassed $1 trillion, putting the largest US retail chain in an exclusive club dominated by tech groups. Photograph: Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesWalmart’s market capitalisation has surpassed $1 trillion (€850 billion), putting the largest US retail chain in an exclusive club dominated by tech groups. Walmart’s market valuation remains well below the $2.6 trillion of Amazon market, the biggest company in ecommerce. Nvidia tops the list, with a market value of about $4.5 trillion, followed by Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet and Broadcom. Eli Lilly briefly joined the $1 trillion club last year but has slipped below the threshold over the past few months.
Source:The Irish Times
February 03, 2026 17:17 UTC
Teagasc hosts ‘Meat Matters’ food innovation event
Industry leaders, policy makers and researchers convened at the Teagasc Food Innovation Gateways event recently in Dublin. The event ‘Meat Matters: Shaping the Future of Fresh, Value-Added, and Meal Innovation’ brought leaders from across the meat and prepared consumer food sectors to explore future innovation opportunities in fresh meat, value-added products and meal solutions. Dr John Coreavy, founding director of Meat Technology Ireland (MTI), an Enterprise Ireland and industry co-funded technology centre, also gave a talk at the event. The programme featured contributions from industry, Bord Bia, Meat Industry Ireland, Government, and leading researchers, alongside panel discussions focused on innovation in fresh meat and on sustainable opportunities in value-added meats and meal solutions. Director of Teagasc, Professor Frank O’Mara, said: “As the national body for agri-food research and innovation, Teagasc plays a convening role in bringing together industry, research, and policy to address shared challenges and opportunities.
Source:Irish Examiner
February 03, 2026 17:13 UTC
Inquest hears of discovery of Noah Donohoe’s mobile phone
The inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe has heard about the moment the schoolboy’s mobile phone was discovered while he was missing. The woman who found the phone told Belfast Coroner’s Court she tried to use it to call Noah’s mother before contacting police. Adelaide Armstrong told Belfast Coroner’s Court she was walking in Castleton Park on June 22 2020, the day after Noah disappeared, when she saw a black mobile phone lying in a grassy area. She told the court: “I think I actually tried ringing that number first, and was just ringing out. “And then I saw another number, and I tried to ring that, that was the police.”
Source:Irish Examiner
February 03, 2026 17:04 UTC
FDA issues urgent recall of biscuits over plastic shard choking hazard
The recall is limited to Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits 5.5oz products produced between July 2025 and September 2025. No other Gerber products are included in the recall and no illnesses or injuries have been reported in connection to the notice. The recalled biscuits (pictured above) are intended for babies 10 months and olderThe Arrowroot Biscuits are intended as 'baby's first biscuit' for infants 10 months and older. Gerber issued the recall after receiving consumer complaints of 'choking incidents.' BATCH CODES OF GERBER BISCUITS 5198565504 5202565504 5203565504 5204565504 5205565504 5209565504 5210565504 5211565504 5233565504 5238565504 5239565504 5239565505 5240565505 5245565505 5246565505 5251565505 5252565505 5253565505 5254565505 5258565505 5259565505 Advertisement
Source:Daily Mail
February 03, 2026 17:03 UTC
Electric cars overtake petrol and diesel as EV sale jump 49%
Toyota is the best-selling car brand with 5,347 registrations, while its Yaris Cross is the best-selling model. Photographer: Milan Jaros/BloombergElectric cars are now outselling both petrol and diesel models in the new car market. Diesel now has just 12.5 per cent of the new car market, largely due to the limited number of new models offered with this engine. Hyundai topped the segment with 1,086 registrations, ahead of Volkswagen, Kia, BYD, Renault and Skoda. The best-selling electric cars this year are the VW ID.4, Hyundai Inster, Kia EV3, and Hyundai’s Kona EV and its Ioniq 5.
Source:The Irish Times
February 03, 2026 16:57 UTC
IFI launches new recruitment drive for 66 seasonal posts
IFI launches new recruitment drive for 66 seasonal postsInland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) has today launched a new national recruitment drive to hire 66 temporary staff. A total of 47 Seasonal Fisheries Officers and 19 Fisheries Research Assistants are to be deployed across 16 counties from April. Starting salaries of €32,299, per annum pro rata, are on offer, and Seasonal Fisheries Officers can also earn up to €3,910 extra via an unsocial hours allowance. "We are seeking Seasonal Fisheries Officers from diverse backgrounds for a six-month period. Those interested in IFI’s seasonal vacancies can see more information and application details here.
Source:Irish Independent
February 03, 2026 16:39 UTC
Fighting for survival - The great British Zoos at threat of extinction
The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust - who run the Channel Islands zoo - have announced plans to implement a 10-year strategy to ensure its long term survival. London Zoo launched a cost cutting voluntary redundancy schemes last yearThe founder of Jersey Zoo the late Gerald Durrell. John Miskelly, a former trustee of the zoo, said he was deeply concerned by the plans to rehome the colony adding that it was an animal Jersey Zoo should be looking after. 'The Durrell ten-year strategy is the next chapter after our Rewild our World strategy concluded at the end of 2025. The new strategy will shape the next decade of our conservation work at Jersey Zoo and around the world.'
Source:Daily Mail
February 03, 2026 16:37 UTC
Child treated for injuries after fire breaks out at Waterford hotel
A child had to be treated for injuries after a fire broke out at The Sands hotel in Tramore on Monday night. Brigade units from Tramore, Dunmore East and Waterford city were alerted to a fire at the Sands Hotel, Tramore at 10.17pm on the evening of February 2, confirmed the chief fire officer with Waterford City and County Council. Gardaí assisted emergency services and said that a male infant was treated for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening at this time. Separately, Green Watch and Waterford City Fire Service Retained Crews recently attended a difficult domestic fire in the city. The Sands Hotel, Tramore, Co Waterford.
Source:Irish Independent
February 03, 2026 16:35 UTC