Andy Farrell says lack of mental sharpness at key times cost Ireland dearly in Chicago
“Obviously it’s disappointing to lose any game,” said Farrell, who had evidently expected more from his side. “When you play a top-tier side, a world-class side like New Zealand, you always want to judge yourself against that opposition. I thought our kicking game, stroke territory, being in the right part of the field [was good]. “I thought our fitness was pretty good. It’s what we talked about before the game, mental switch offs, mental sharpness, lapses of concentration for two or three seconds and you get hurt.
Source:The Irish Times
November 02, 2025 16:11 UTC
Jonathan Dowdall left prison and entered witness protection – probably never to be seen again
Two weeks ago, Jonathan Dowdall walked out of Limerick Prison and into the shadowy world of witness protection, a world he will probably have to occupy for the rest of his life. However, the State was still obliged to honour the final part of its agreement with him – admission into the Garda’s witness protection programme, officially known as the Witness Security Programme (WSP). Dowdall served nearly all his sentence in Limerick Prison, far away from Hutch’s Dublin support base. In 2005, O’Callaghan testified against two men in a murder trial and subsequently, at age 18, became the youngest person to go into Ireland’s witness protection programme. Judges have questioned whether granting protection to witnesses, many serious criminals themselves, is a form of inducement.
Source:The Irish Times
November 02, 2025 16:00 UTC
Hotels catering for families with autistic children: ‘Nobody looks or stares at you’
Luke has limited verbal skills and, in common with many autistic children, a tendency to abscond. For us, it’s much easier to stay in Ireland.”For some families with autistic children, going on a break can feel harder than being at home. Since 2023, one of these has been transformed into a sensory room, which is kitted out with mood cubes, weighted blankets, vibrating pillows and low levels of lighting. Ciara Barry of the Ashling says: “Some autistic people are sensitive to light, others to noise, others to touch. “What is essential for an autistic family coming on holiday can actually be good for everybody.”*Some names have been changed.
Source:The Irish Times
November 02, 2025 15:32 UTC
Woman refuses to leave hospital after 719 days, court hears
Patient has told the High Court she was suffering from multiple issues which have not been treated and is backed in her claims by her solicitors. Photograph: Bryan O'BrienAn elderly woman is refusing to leave a hospital where she has been an inpatient for 719 days even though she has been medically assessed as in need of no further treatment, the High Court heard. The hospital is seeking orders that she leave the hospital within 24 hours and be restrained from attending again pending further order, other than in a medical emergency. The solicitor also said the doctor who is purporting to discharge her now “is not and never was our client’s doctor”. Apart from contributing to the chronic overcrowding the hospital is experiencing, the daily cost of her stay is €1,322, the hospital said.
Source:The Irish Times
November 02, 2025 02:54 UTC
Ireland v New Zealand was a sight that caused sore eyes
Superimposed ads are shown on the surface of Soldier Field during the Ireland game against New Zealand. First, there were so many luminous yellow boots on the field, the players had a look of Laa-Laa from the Teletubbies. How the Soldier Field pitch looked without the superimposed ads. Appropriately, New Zealand had a Holland and Barrett in their side, which was a reminder to order eye health capsules. The game, then, was a sight that caused sore eyes.
Source:The Irish Times
November 02, 2025 02:52 UTC
Willie Mullins supplies Breeders’ Cup shock as Ethical Diamond secures a first win and $5m prize
Irish jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle rides the Willie Mullins-trained Ethical Diamond to victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf race at Del Mar in California. But even 6,000 miles away in southern California, the 69-year-old National Hunt maestro somehow managed to turn the Breeders’ Cup into his own backyard. The trainer said it was his idea to reach for the Breeders’ Cup stars and in paid off in spectacular style. O’Brien’s son Donnacha saddled a first Breeders’ Cup winner with Balantina in the Juvenile Fillies event. The horse racing industry never expected us to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Source:The Irish Times
November 02, 2025 02:38 UTC
May McGee, wife, mother and grandmother celebrated in words, poetry and song
May McGee in Floraville Gardens, Skerries, Co Dublin, with a statue erected in her honour earlier this year. Photograph: Alan BetsonA celebration in words, music and poetry of the life of Mary “May” McGee, who successfully took a 1973 Supreme Court case against the State’s ban on contraception, took place at Dardistown Crematorium in Dublin on Saturday. The committal took place to the sound of Frank Sinatra singing the 1960s hit I Did it My Way. Ms McGee is survived by her children Martin, Gerard, Sylvia, Sharon, Darren and Andrea, extended family and a large circle of friends. Ms McGee’s husband Shay, her co-litigant in the Supreme Court case, predeceased her in January 2024.
Source:The Irish Times
November 02, 2025 02:37 UTC
All Blacks punish tiring Ireland in final quarter as they run in three tries to seal the deal
Tadhg Furlong scores a try for Ireland during the game against New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago. Like Ireland, Jack Crowley did many things well, not least in his passing game, but in his game management he forced his hand a little. Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne dejected after being sent to the sin bin for a yellow card before it was upgraded to a red. SCORING SEQUENCE – 7 mins: Crowley pen, 3-0; 17: Furlong try, Crowley con, 10-0; 20: Savea try, B Barrett con, 10-7. Half-time 10-7; 57: Crowley pen, 13-7; 62: Williams try, B Barrett con, 13-14; 67: Sititi try, B Barrett con, 13-21; 77: Roigard try, 13-26.
Source:The Irish Times
November 02, 2025 02:21 UTC
Ivan Yates’s role on Path to Power podcast ends following presidential campaign revelations
Ivan Yates’s role as a co-presenter of the popular Path to Power podcast with Today FM broadcaster Matt Cooper has been ended “with immediate effect” after it emerged he had coached Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin during the recent presidential race. The former Fine Gael minister became a prominent figure in the campaign after he said that Fine Gael “should smear the bejaysus” out of Independent candidate Catherine Connolly. However, his undeclared involvement with Fianna Fáil caused difficulties for the creators of the Path to Power podcast, Today FM broadcaster Matt Cooper and NK Productions, owned by agent Noel Kelly. The former Fine Gael minister’s unwanted “bejaysus” advice to Fine Gael, his former political party, was seized upon by the Connolly campaign, even though he had no role in the Fine Gael campaign. Mr Yates has been contacted for comment.
Source:The Irish Times
November 02, 2025 01:48 UTC
Gazan doctor fears she will lose place on UCC course after visa application rejected
A doctor from Gaza fears she will lose her place on a Master’s course at University College Cork because she cannot secure a visa to come to Ireland. Ms Mansour said UCC “kindly” allowed her to delay her arrival to date, but she fears she will lose her place if the visa is not granted imminently. “I was forced to do that to continue and pursue my academic degree,” Ms Mansour said. The doctor, who did not wish to be named, said Ms Mansour “will not be a burden on the State”. The consultant said she believes there had been “a breakdown of communication somewhere” as Ms Mansour has provided as many documents as possible.
Source:The Irish Times
November 02, 2025 01:32 UTC
This ghostly creature landed on my window earlier this month. What is it?
This ghostly creature landed on my window earlier this month. They usually fly in July and August, but occasionally they have a second generation that flies in October. Photograph: E. HandThe birch trees in the local park have these large nest-like structures in the branches. Patricia Mc GoldrickIt is indeed a spider – a large four-spotted orbweb spider, Araneus quadratus. [ Two dragonflies tied up in afternoon delight in CorkOpens in new window ]Bat droppings on the windowsill of a house in Kilcornan, Co Limerick.
Source:The Irish Times
November 02, 2025 00:07 UTC
More than 50 years on, The Exorcist still possesses the United States
Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil, Max von Sydow as Fr Merrin and Jason Miller as Fr Karras in The Exorcist. Photograph: Silver Screen CollectionMemories of The Exorcist still possess the imagination and autumn pattern of Washington DC’s Georgetown University set more than 50 years on. And when the students don their Halloween Night gothic costumes, they have a timeless set in Healy Hall and the famous “Exorcist Steps as Insta” props. And Georgetown can claim a central role in a film which, upon its release in 1973, caused a genuine sensation across the United States. In that sense, the supernatural power which The Exorcist held over the United States of 50 years ago reflects a kind of collective naivety and the central role of religion then in everyday life.
Source:The Irish Times
November 01, 2025 17:01 UTC
First phone calls, staff and Áras invites - how will Catherine Connolly define her presidency?
President-elect Catherine Connolly must consider what her presidency will be and how the political programme which expresses it will be structured. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/ Getty ImagesAfter the count was concluded a week ago, Catherine Connolly and her team went to a private room allocated to them in Dublin Castle. Meanwhile, many audiences are theorising on this very question – looking for clues on what the Connolly presidency will look like. President-elect Catherine Connolly will likely look for people within the President’s Establishment who have Irish, it is understood. [ How is Catherine Connolly likely to approach foreign policy as president?Opens in new window ]First Minister Michelle O’Neill – who is, of course, not a head of state – may be among Catherine Connolly's first phone calls as president.
Source:The Irish Times
November 01, 2025 11:31 UTC
Tesla’s trillion-dollar plea: Won’t somebody think of Elon Musk?
That, in essence, is Tesla’s pitch as shareholders prepare to vote on Elon Musk’s proposed $1 trillion pay deal. “WE STAND WITH ELON,” declares @TeslaBoomerMama, a self-described “fangirl of Elon” and retail shareholder with over 200,000 followers on X. Musk already owns almost $200 billion in Tesla stock. [ Tesla chairwoman warns Musk could quit if shareholders reject $1tn pay dealOpens in new window ]The board has warned that if the package is rejected, Elon Musk might quit or lose interest. [ Picasso’s vertical paintings, Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar pay package, and the art of stock valuationOpens in new window ]
Source:The Irish Times
November 01, 2025 11:05 UTC