Central Bank governor Gabriel Makhlouf wans rates could go up next month
Central Bank governor Gabriel Makhlouf didn’t rule out an increase in interest rates next month should data signal the need for such a step, though said it’s impossible to commit with uncertainty so high. The ECB governing council member told Bloomberg Television that he “can well understand” markets bets for two hikes this year — which is part of the ECB’s baseline. He stressed, though, that he and his colleagues will take a calm and careful approach to formulating any response.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 10:32 UTC
Brianna Parkins: I won’t make my life harder. I’ll take the lift, eat biscuits, choose easy
A wise philosopher (Patrick Freyne) at a party once told me the world is divided into biscuit eaters and biscuit hiders. If a packet of biscuits was opened and demolished in 24 hours, did it even exist if no one else got to eat any? They will ask silly questions like: “Where have the delicious chocolate coated biscuits that I bought a week ago gone? People are injecting themselves with bootleg peptides and GLP-1s bought from the internet. I will eat the biscuits.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 10:32 UTC
A decade after boxing betrayed him, it’s now or never for Michael Conlan
Conlan arrived in Rio as favourite to take the gold, having won the World Championships in Qatar the previous year. In 2021, too late for it to be of much use to Conlan, the McLaren report on boxing was published. Michael Conlan makes his feelings clear following his highly controversial defeat to Vladimir Nikitin at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil. Prior to Gill, he lost in world title fights against Leigh Wood in 2022 and Luis Alberto Lopez in 2023. “When you think he hasn’t won a world title, it doesn’t feel real.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 10:32 UTC
‘How can they put us out on the street?’: Sligo retirement village residents face eviction
Sick, elderly and disabled people living in a Co Sligo retirement village have described the moment they learned they were due to be evicted as “gut-wrenching” and “very frightening”. Stewart lives in one of 27 purpose-built special needs houses in the Sonas Retirement Village in Enniscrone. That’s what everyone kept telling us to do years ago – move into a retirement village. It felt this was final.”Justin Carroll (58), who has MS, at his home in Sonas Retirement Village in Enniscrone, Co Sligo. Independent councillor Joe Queenan has been advocating on behalf of the residents with the landlord and Sligo County Council, but to no avail.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 10:31 UTC
Tusla believes young person in its care is an adult
Tusla plans to call six or seven witnesses to the section 32 inquiry to determine the age of the young person in its careTusla believes a young person in its care, who came to Ireland as an unaccompanied asylum seeker last year, is an adult. Brian Barrington, barrister for the teenager’s court-appointed advocate, said Tusla had carried out an “assessment of eligibility for services” – in effect “an assessment of whether [the young person] is or is not a child”. He said legally the young person remained a minor. “The court will determine if [the person] is a child or an adult. A date for the section 32 inquiry into the young person’s age could be expected to be set on Tuesday, he said.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 10:31 UTC
Hallgrímsson: 'Séamus Coleman proved me wrong over international career revival'
Heimir Hallgrímsson admits he was “proven wrong” by Séamus Coleman’s international revival which fuelled Ireland snaring next week’s World Cup playoff berth. Coleman’s inactivity at Everton convinced the Ireland manager to drop his captain for the start of the campaign but the 37-year-old started all four qualifiers upon his recall, culminating in November’s late victory over Hungary. “Let’s just make this easy - Séamus proved me wrong,” said Hallgrímsson when asked yesterday by the Irish Examiner why his selection criteria has altered. “I said I wanted to sign even after the (World Cup) tournament but there was big pressure from the association for me to sign before these playoff matches,” he explained. The striker’s ankle problem required surgery last week, the extent of which means unfortunately, like Josh Cullen, the World Cup will come too soon if Ireland progress.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 10:30 UTC
Fuel costs may be reduced next week with hauliers set for talks on finer details
Fuel costs may be reduced next week after indications from hauliers that excise cuts will be included in a suite of measures to be announced by the Government. However, government sources insisted on Thursday night that nothing had been decided and all options were still on the table. Asked after the meeting if ordinary motorists would benefit, Mr O’Brien said he could not go into specific details. "If the government were to increase the diesel rebate, they would only be supporting one sector and short-changing the general public. “Any measures that the Government takes next week need to fulfil two primary objectives,” Mr Harris told Mr Doherty in the Dáil.
Source:Irish Examiner
March 20, 2026 10:30 UTC
Unions ‘deeply concerned’ over Aer Lingus disciplinary procedures
Unions have clashed with Aer Lingus over disciplinary investigation procedures at the airline that they say disadvantage workers and are legally flawed. Aer Lingus, in some circumstances, removes names and other details from documents used in disciplinary proceedings, investigations and meetings with witnesses. Fórsa is demanding a meeting with airline management with an “absolute expectation” that this will put a stop to such practices, says Connell. Fórsa included a copy of Connell’s letter to Aer Lingus management in the newsletter, setting out the union’s concerns at the disciplinary practices. It also advises anyone attending witness meetings to clearly state that they “do not consent” to their statements being used for any other purpose than that of a witness meeting.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 10:30 UTC
England squad announcement: Thomas Tuchel leaves Man United star OUT as he names 35 players in 'competition for plane tickets' in last chance fight for World Cup places
Arne Slot tweaked his system against Galatasaray - and Mo Salah had his best game this season. This is why Egyptian's new role gets the best out of him, masks his flaws... and could even prolong his Liverpool career, writes LEWIS STEELE
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 10:26 UTC
Northern Lights possible to see in UK over next few nights
They are most visible in Scotland, northern England, North Wales, and Northern Ireland, but during intense solar storms, the lights can be seen much further south. However, over the next few nights, the Met Office has said that sightings of the Northern Lights are “most likely” across Scotland but also “perhaps” into northern England too. Timelapse of the Northern LightsIn a post on X, the forecaster shared on Thursday evening (March 19): “Keep an eye out as there is a chance of seeing the northern lights over the next couple of nights. Is 2026 a good year for the Northern Lights in the UK? “Oxygen produces green and, at higher altitudes, rare red auroras, while nitrogen creates blue and purple hues.”Have you ever seen the Northern Lights in the UK?
Source:The Herald
March 20, 2026 10:24 UTC
Kate's secret message to Camilla, Charles' kind gesture and 'diplomatic' jokes about jollof rice: All the moments you missed from the first Nigerian state visit in 37 years
And one lip-reader has claimed that the pair exchanged some sweet words, with Kate complimenting Camilla's appearance. Speaking to the Daily Express, Nicola Hickling said she believes Kate opened the conversation with: 'Good morning, how are you? Camilla as sophisticated in a pink wool crepe dress by Fiona Clare and a pink beret shaped hat by Philip Treacy. JOKES ABOUT JOLLOFIn moment of levity during his speech, the King also spoke about one of Nigeria's most beloved exports - jollof rice. The King and Queen then arrived at the Royal Dais in central Windsor, near the castle.
Source:Daily Mail
March 20, 2026 10:22 UTC
Conor Murray: Pay-off for Ireland’s risky Six Nations move will be seen in World Cup 2027
Ireland's Tommy O'Brien celebrates a try with Jack Crowley during the Six Nations win over Scotland. The state of Irish rugby – and the sport itself – is on an upward curve after an enormously entertaining Six Nations. It was a risky move, to use so many untested players, but the pay-off could be seen Down Under in 2027. Arguably Ireland’s strongest area, what with Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy and James Ryan impressing on last summer’s Lions tour of Australia. Darragh Murray makes his mark for Ireland by scoring a try against Scotland in the Six Nations.
Source:The Irish Times
March 20, 2026 10:17 UTC
John Scally: Dolores Keane was the original Galway girl and a true giant of Irish music
John Scally: Dolores Keane was the original Galway girl and a true giant of Irish musicFolk singer, who died this week at the age of 72, had magical voice and a brilliant careerDolores Keane performing on stage. Photo: Mick Hutson/RedfernsJohn Scally Yesterday at 06:30I thought of Jeremy Irons on Monday. When the Oscar-winning actor and Irish resident was a guest on the BBC’s Desert Island Discs, he spoke about how one of the joys of coming to live in Ireland was getting to discover Irish music.
Source:Irish Independent
March 20, 2026 10:03 UTC
1930s home gets an Italian job in Stoneybatter
“I was offered a job in tech here and we were trying to find somewhere to live before we moved. It was a long journey.”The front door of 2 Temple Villas, Arbour Hill, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7The couple settled here in 2018 and later bought No2 Temple Villas, a 1,270 sq ft three-bedroom semi-detached home in Dublin’s Stoneybatter, which was built in 1934. “We worked with an Italian architect to make it as light-filled as possible.”The kitchen and island unit at 2 Temple Villas, Arbour Hill, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7When designing the interior, they attempted to marry Italian and Irish culture. The modern bathroom at 2 Temple Villas, Arbour Hill, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7Fabrizio likes to garden and has planted numerous flowers in pots and shrubs. One of the bedrooms at 2 Temple Villas, Arbour Hill, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7But with two young children and a dog, they now need more space.
Source:Irish Independent
March 20, 2026 10:03 UTC
Arsenal and Man City fans given urgent warning over £1k Carabao Cup final fines
Arsenal and Man City fans given urgent warning over £1k Carabao Cup final finesA new law comes into force ahead of Sunday's Carabao Cup final at WembleyView 3 Images Arsenal and Manchester City fans would face heavy penalties if they breach the new law (Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Supporters of Arsenal and Manchester City have been warned they face hefty fines and banning orders if they try to enter Wembley Stadium without a ticket. The Premier League's top two meet in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. Offenders will be arrested and face a Football Banning Order of up to five years and a fine of up to £1,000. Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook pageCrime and Policing Minister, Sarah Jones, said: "Football fans should be able to enjoy the game without feeling unsafe or threatened. In response to the shame scenes at the Euro 2020 final, the Football Association commissioned Baroness Louise Casey to undertake an independent review into the carnage.
Source:Daily Mirror
March 20, 2026 10:02 UTC