Journalists

Million green cards to be issued to motorists for travel to North 

Motorists have been urged to contact their insurers as more than one million green cards are expected to be issued so drivers can cross the Border after Brexit.

Fixing safety risks at Western Building Systems' schools to drag in to next year 

Work to tackle serious structural and health and safety concerns at 40 schools will not be completed with a "permanent solution" until next year, according to the Education Minister Joe McHugh.

'It's quite morbid with all the gunshot injuries' 

Deep within the bowels of the emergency department at Dublin's Mater Hospital is a radiology unit that doubles up as a forensic lab. It looks innocuous but is used to help those fighting crime. Think of hit TV shows like Bones, CSI and Cold Case Files and you are on the right track.

Credit card giant offers to 'speed up' welfare pay 

Credit card giant Visa has said it can reduce the "paper mountain" of cheques being issued to social welfare clients.

Globally acclaimed Irish architect Kevin Roche passes away at age 96 

The award-winning Irish architect Kevin Roche, famous for an illustrious portfolio of work on both sides of the Atlantic, has died aged 96.

Inheritance law for killers to be tested against past cases 

New laws to block killers benefiting from their crimes will be tested against cases where the killer may have been a victim of domestic abuse.

25 people to be deported after major probe into taxi scam 

Evidence gathered during a major probe in to a taxi scam has led to 25 people being issued with deportation orders for having no legal status in Ireland.

How Army veteran and Dundalk mum Lisa Smith came to be uncovered as she fled with son 

Visits to refugee camps are routine for journalists stationed in Syria or near its borders. Rarely do they meet women who are willing and able to speak in English about life under Isil's control.

First-time buyers face being turned away as exemptions 'to run out in weeks' 

Borrowers trying to buy a home this year are under increasing pressure to secure mortgages as banks are expected to meet annual caps within weeks.

Warning of snow and ice for second Sunday in a row 

Snow and ice are expected to return to our shores for a second Sunday in a row, with fans flocking to Ireland's Six Nations clash with France told to wrap up warmly.

Scouting Ireland fights to keep overnight trips after Tusla call 

Scouting Ireland is fighting to continue operating overnight trips that have been a rite of passage for generations of children after it questioned a series of recommendations made by Tusla to protect young scouts.

Fears raised about growing crime levels in the capital 

Fears have been raised about growing crime levels in the capital following a spate of shootings and drug related crime in recent weeks.

Scouting Ireland told by Tusla to consider ending overnight trips, Dáil hears 

Scouting Ireland has been told to reconsider organising overnight trips and review how children in its care are supervised in the wake of sex abuse allegations, the Children’s Minister has revealed.

'Ireland can count on the full support of France' despite clash over new digital tax 

France will continue to support Ireland in Brexit talks despite a clash between the two countries on how tech giants are taxed here, according to the country's finance minister.

Theresa May 'must explain why she wants Brexit delay' - says French minister as he declares support for Ireland 

British Prime Minister Theresa May will have to outline exactly why she wishes to delay Britain's exit from the European Union if her parliament demands she do so, France's finance minister said on Tuesday.

Taoiseach says Government 'acted in good faith' as 78,000 people wait for cervical tests 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he expects screening times for cervical cancer to return to normal, amid criticism for creating backlogs in the system with a “knee-jerk” reaction to the Cervical Check scandal last year.

Varadkar to put an end to ‘low-balling’ by bidding firms 

There are contractors who "quite frankly" should never be hired for another major project, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.

Leinster House refurbishment is the latest Government project to run over budget 

The refurbishment of Leinster House is the latest Government project to run over budget, with costs expected to rise above the estimated figure of €15m.

Flood relief schemes face delays as OPW asked to reallocate €3m of its budget to children's hospital 

The Office of Public Works has been asked to find €3m within its budget for reallocation to the overspend on the new National Children’s Hospital project.

Rent crisis: First sign of slowdown despite record prices 

Soaring rent prices are showing signs of slowing down for the first time in three years but remain at record high levels, according to a new housing report.

First sign of rents slowing down despite record prices 

Recent data shows record numbers of people are living in rented accommodation.

Hard border in Ireland could threaten post-Brexit US-UK trade deal - Congress warns 

US officials are said to hold "palpable concerns" about the impact of Brexit on Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement, as Tánaiste Simon Coveney met with congressmen and foreign ministers in Washington.

Row erupts in Dáil after Healy-Rae accuses Howlin of being a 'hyprocite' during poverty motion 

A major row erupted in the Dáil after Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae accused Labour leader Brendan Howlin of being a “hypocrite” during a debate on a motion calling on the Government to address child poverty.

Anti-abortion TDs say hospitals should not be exclusion zones for campaigners 

Anti-abortion TDs hit out at plans for exclusion zones outside hospitals where pregnancy terminations are carried out during a meeting in Leinster House today.

Pay, conditions and patient safety 'gone downhill' - nurses 

Nurses on picket lines said that pay and conditions have "gone downhill" and they would continue to strike until this situation was reversed.

Healy-Rae caught on camera driving in bus lane 

Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae has claimed he felt it was necessary to drive in a bus lane yesterday so he could lend his support to nurses.

Big push for talks as six more nurses' strikes loom 

A big Government push is under way to stop six more national nurses' strikes by getting their union back to talks today.

Death of man killed in hit-and-run to be reviewed by judge 

A judge has been told to carry out a review in to the death of Shane O’Farrell, who was killed in a hit and run by a man with convictions for theft, drugs and driving offences.

Senator Frank Feighan will not seek place on Fine Gael general election ticket in Roscommon-Galway 

Fine Gael senator Frank Feighan said he will not seek the party nomination to contest the next General Election in Roscommon-Galway.

Varadkar tells Dáil a payrise will not help retain nurses 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has told the Dáil there is no guarantee that granting nurses a pay rise will help address retention and recruitment issues in the health sector.

'I wanted to be able to jump out of the car and go to the nurses' – Michael Healy Rae defends driving in bus lane 

Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae has claimed he was en route to visit picketing nurses when he was filmed driving in a bus lane in south Dublin this morning.

Insurance brokers warn customers of risk to car policies post-Brexit 

Insurance brokers are advising customers to stay away from new policies with companies regulated in UK territories such as Gibraltar because of concerns over Brexit.

Psychiatric nurses begin overtime ban in dispute over pay 

Some 6,000 psychiatric nurses are to begin an overtime ban today as part of an escalating campaign of industrial action over pay.

'GAA not the ones causing rural decline' - president defends ticket price hikes 

The GAA president has launched a spirited defence of the association's decision to increase ticket prices, while blasting politicians for overseeing the decline of rural Ireland.

Horan praise for RTE's 'improved' GAA coverage 

GAA president John Horan praised RTé for their "improved" coverage of Gaelic Games as he addressed the Seanad yesterday.

'We will not apologise for doing good work on the ground' - GAA president responds to criticism over hike in ticket prices 

GAA president John Horan said the association will not apologise for the “doing good work on the ground” in the wake of criticism for increasing ticket prices.

Revealed: the most improved schools in Ireland for college entry 

THE schools which have most improved their record for sending students to college over the past decade have been revealed in an analysis of school league tables.

Mock wall erected on Border in protest against Brexit 

Anyone heading north via the Co Louth townland of Carrickcarnan will cross the border with Northern Ireland three times as it zigzags, snakes and dances with local roads.

Three schools maintain a perfect record 

This year's Sunday Independent School League Tables supplement marks the first time Irish schools have been analysed over a 10-year period and compared in terms of the number of students they send to college or university.

Fee-paying schools: do you get what you pay for? 

Parents will often wonder if paying extra for their child's education is worthwhile when so many of the country's non fee-paying schools perform exceptionally well when it comes to seeing students progress to third level.

Single-sex top of class with college success 

Single-sex schools outperform mixed learning environments in terms of how many pupils they send to third level.

'We try to plant the seed that it is possible to achieve whatever it is that they want' 

Over the past 10 years Assumption Secondary School in Dublin 12 has undergone a remarkable change that has seen it double the percentage of students it sends on to third level.

'It is important to recognise that different pathways will suit different people' 

Recognising the different pathways taken by students through education and beyond is what Galway Community College is all about.

Staying close to home still a big pull for students 

Students are more likely to choose a college or university close to home when they are moving on to third level after their Leaving Cert, an analysis of school league tables shows.

Why it is important to read these school league tables with care 

There is no correct way to choose a college place and, eventually, a career. The same must be said for picking a school, and it is important that those tasked with guiding youngsters through to their Leaving Cert remember there is more than one way to plot a path to further education or the workforce.

Decade of data reveals Ireland's most-improved schools 

A decade of data on school performance shows us which schools have most improved their record of sending students to college since 2009.

Major multinational employers concerned at language skills of Irish graduates 

Major multinational employers are concerned that Irish graduates from college and further education fall short in their ability to speak foreign languages.

Farmers hit out at Taoiseach's comments, claim it's 'open season' on 'undercutting' meat industry 

Farmers claim they are not being afforded a fair hearing as part of an "open season" undercutting beef producers.

Living costs now at Celtic Tiger levels 

The cost of living has returned to Celtic Tiger levels despite households seeing only marginal income gains in the last 10 years.

Households hit as price hikes mask sense of recovery 

Savings made on groceries are being wiped out by household bills and income tax pressures on working families since the collapse of the Celtic Tiger, a Sunday Independent analysis of Central Statistic Office (CSO) figures shows.

How Brexit could spark the return of the infamous 'booze cruise' to the UK 

A hard Brexit would lead to the return of the infamous 'booze cruise' to the UK, with extra passengers expected to board ferries in search of duty-free alcohol, a leading academic has said.

Facebook's love bombs as Denis takes soft approach 

Just weeks before he was forced to resign over his handling of the National Broadband Plan, former Communications Minister Denis Naughten told Facebook he was reassured by efforts to protect children on the platform, despite concerns young users faced mental health risks online.

Wayne O'Connor: 'Testing times for learners waiting 19 weeks' 

The Road Safety Authority's failure to meet its own targets is the root cause of letters and representations from politicians on behalf of constituents looking to sit their driving tests as soon as possible.

Eating-out costs to rise as VAT hike kicks in 

Consumers face increases of hundreds of euro a year on eating out and takeaway meals as restaurants seek to pass on a triple whammy of a VAT hike, wage increases, and other rising costs.

No new public transport garda unit 

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris will not set up a special unit to police public transport and combat anti-social behaviour, despite concerns from a leading safety authority.

'New housing crisis' on horizon as supply comes on stream in wrong areas 

The supply of traditional semi-detached houses will meet and "begin to exceed" demand in the New Year for the first time since the recovery from the economic crash more than a decade ago, according to housing experts.

Gatwick copycat drone attack could be halted quicker in Irish airspace - say aviation experts 

Aviation officials are confident a copycat drone attack similar to the one that grounded flights in Gatwick last week could be halted more quickly in Irish airspace. They say the location of Irish airports means it is easier to shoot down or tackle rogue objects here than it is in the UK.

Call for probe into hospital overspend 

Calls have been made for an immediate independent inquiry in to the cost of the new national children's hospital as the total bill is set to increase further before the project is completed.

Man shot dead may have had links to Estonian hitman 

Gardai were last night investigating if a man who was killed in a shooting in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, was an associate of an Estonian hitman with links to the Hutch-Kinahan feud.

Leading economist warns of exodus from Irish main streets as coffee shops take over 

A leading economist has warned of an exodus from Irish main streets in 2019, with traditional shopping spots to become saturated with an unsustainable number of coffee shops and restaurants.

'No foul play' involved in death of newborn baby girl found on Dublin beach 

A post mortem examination of a newly born baby, whose body was found on a beach on Saturday morning, has determined that no foul play was involved in its death.

Revealed: Ireland's most expensive markets as home values increase by €92k in five years 

Average values of homes in Ireland have increased by €92,000 in five years, according to a survey of the country's residential property wealth.

Alone in the sand and partially buried, a baby 

Apart from two dogs playfully grappling with the wind near the Martello tower in Balbriggan, North Dublin's picturesque coastline was deserted yesterday evening.

'We're unmotivated at placement' - college to meet regulator over pharmacy students' mental health fears 

Officials at University College Cork are to meet with the pharmacy regulator amid concern about mental health issues and a lack of motivation among young pharmacists coming in to the industry.

'It is a time for care and compassion' - community ready to support mother of baby discovered on Balbriggan beach 

The wider community of Balbriggan are ready to support the mother of a newly born baby discovered on a North County Dublin beach.

Transport boss admits motorists face delays as buses get priority 

Bus priority plans for Dublin will result in longer journey times for private motorists, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has acknowledged.

Shane Ross's new driving laws branded 'draconian and punitive' at FG party meeting 

Fine Gael members have shot down new driving laws proposed by Transport Minister Shane Ross at a parliamentary party meeting tonight.

Fianna Fáil guarantees no election in 2019 amid Brexit uncertainty as it extends confidence and supply arrangement 

There will be no election before 2020 after Fianna Fáil "reluctantly" concluded that Ireland cannot afford to have an election amid Brexit uncertainty.

'It was more of an acknowledgement' - Taoiseach reacts to Pope's letter on Tuam mother and baby home 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has labelled the Pope’s letter to Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone about the Tuam Mother and Baby Home as an “acknowledgement” instead of a response.

Teleporter used in killing due to be returned to farmer's family 

The teleporter used as a weapon in the death of a farmer in Co Kerry during a row over a crow banger is to be returned to the killer's family.

'The farm was his whole life ... all we wanted from this was a sense of justice' 

Anthony and Seamus O'Mahony often travelled together as they went about their daily chores along the boreen that leads to the historic Rattoo Round Tower - a local landmark that serves as a sentry to this part of North Kerry.

Coast Guard set to launch new safety regime 

The Irish Coast Guard (ICG) has outlined how it intends to improve safety standards after recognising the high risk to staff could lead to accidental loss of life.

Criticism of €5m spend on new diesel buses 

The Government has been criticised over plans to spend €5m on diesel buses and accused of reneging on commitments to address environmental concerns.

'It is going to benefit patients hugely' - Reilly opens primary care facility at centre of 2012 row 

Former health minister Dr James Reilly has defended his role in the opening of a controversial new Primary Care Centre in his constituency, saying his efforts have shown results.

Fianna Fáil tells government to 'get real' on transport 

Fianna Fáil has called on the government to halt the privatisation of public transport routes for five years until a full assessment of how bus links would be hit can be carried out.

Molly Martens' 'fantasy' self-defence appeal against Jason Corbett murder conviction deemed a 'fabrication' by lawyers 

US State Attorneys have issued a strong rebuttal against "self-defence" claims made by Molly Martens and her father, Thomas Martens, in appeals against their conviction for murdering Limerick man Jason Corbett.

Bertie Ahern says it's key Ireland and the EU supports Theresa May 

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has called on the Irish Government and the EU to support UK Prime Minister Theresa May, saying keeping her in office is key to getting a Brexit deal over the line.

HSE bosses work on plan to avoid pile-up of trolleys 

Plans to keep people away from hospital in a bid to avoid a pile-up of trolleys over the crunch Christmas period are being worked on by the HSE.

Irish photographer Condren steps in to capture life in the NYPD 

An Irish photojournalist has spent more than a year embedded with the New York Police Department to produce a candid account of the work carried out by police officers across the Atlantic.

Facebook says it shouldn't pay for a new watchdog to protect young online 

Multi-billion dollar tech firm Facebook says it should not pay to help set up a new watchdog to protect children online.

Children are being used as 'guinea pigs' by app makers, charity warns 

Children are being used as guinea pigs by the developers of apps and digital products without regulation, a leading charity has warned.

Government considers expanding BAI remit to regulate internet bodies 

Expanding the remit of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to monitor and regulate online platforms such as Facebook and Google is being considered by Government, officials have told an Oireachtas committee today.

Family of murdered Marie believe gardai closer to finding killer 

The body of Marie Tierney was discovered in a ditch on Christmas week, two months after she was last seen alive in 1984.

RTE admits gender pay gap needs 'clear work' 

RTE has admitted it has "clear work to do" if it wants to address its gender pay gap and "legacy issues", in a letter sent to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

Scale of cost to fix schools on safety list still being counted 

Skeletons, ghosts and even a few princesses giddy with excitement fled from schools on the outskirts of Ashbourne last Friday, set free for the mid-term break. The children were allowed to attend lessons in Halloween costumes for the final day of classes before the break.

Government is still working out cost of school repair bills 

Officials at the Department of Education say they are unable to put a cost on the scale of work needed to make Celtic Tiger-era schools safe as engineering inspections are carried out over the course of the weekend.

Dublin Archbishop 'surprised by the lack of understanding in Rome' about church abuse 

Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said he was surprised by the lack of understanding in Rome that the roots of the church abuse crisis were buried within its religious culture.

And so it's all over: The candidates count the cost of failed Áras bids with bills set to top €1m 

The defeated presidential candidates were counting the estimated €1m joint cost of their failed bids last night.

De Valera: New account of the Long Fellow's career applauded 

Former Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said one of Éamon de Valera's greatest achievements was to hold the loyalty of his party colleagues during his time in government.

Run to remember family and friends 

A five kilometre run in memory of lost loved ones will take place in Dublin's Phoenix Park next month.

Zappone's Italian lessons and message to the Pope on Tuam 

As Children's Minister Katherine Zappone welcomed Pope Francis at Aras an Uachtarain last summer, it was clear she had a message for him. She held him in place and spoke to him until she was confident her message was delivered.

Oireachtas axes Freeman campaign link 

Oireachtas officials have removed a weblink to the campaign site for Joan Freeman after being asked about its existence by the Irish Independent.

Minister issues State apology to Sgt McCabe 

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has issued a State apology to Garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe.

Profile 

The sitting MEP was born in Dublin, raised in Cork and represents Ireland South in Europe. She joined Sinn Féin in 2011 and has had a rapid ascent through the party’s ranks since then.

Profile 

The incumbent was the beneficiary of a late surge in the 2011 polls to beat Sean Gallagher in the previous Áras race. After the first count he had more than 39pc of the first preference votes and is expected to have an even bigger tally this time when the county votes on October 26.

Profile 

The Pieta House founder is an Independent Senator and mental health campaigner. She was nominated to the Seanad by former Taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2016. She is the chair of the Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Mental Health Care.

Profile 

Another former Dragons’ Den star, Mr Duffy is a public relations guru with a background in radio and business. The 58-year-old was born in Kildare, lives in Meath and has carried out much of his work in Co Louth.

Profile 

Mr Gallagher is a businessman and former political advisor who also contested the last presidential election in 2011. Then, he ran as an Independent candidate and finished second. However, his campaign was overshadowed by a fake tweet controversy during a live RTÉ debate which triggered a series of events that saw his numbers slip in the polls. He had been leading the presidential race prior to the show.

Profile 

The 61-year-old entrepreneur is best known for his time as an investor on RTÉ’s 'Dragons Den'. His background is in recruitment as the founder and former chief executive of US-based Claddagh Resources. He was born in Derry but spent much of his life abroad working in Australia and the US.

Justice Minister apologises to Maurice McCabe following Charleton Tribunal 

Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe has received a State apology from Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan in the wake of the findings of the Charleton Tribunal.

Guns sent from the US seized 

A joint operation between gardai and American Homeland Security has led to the seizure of three Glock handguns from packages being sent to Ireland from the US.

Officials question sport meetings 

Government officials questioned if it was "necessary" or "advisable" for Sports Ministers Shane Ross and Brendan Griffin to meet with representatives of leading sports bodies prior to drawing up a new national sports policy document.

Broadband plan hangs by a thread as rural Ireland pays the price 

When Denis Naughten travelled to New York to address the UN last July, he went out of his way to meet Facebook officials and lambaste them. Minutes and a transcript of the meeting later became public.

Cross-Border policing fears shared by Garda and PSNI 

Ggardaí and the PSNI have expressed concern about the impact of Brexit on rural crime in the Border region.

'Brexit is not an excuse to stall election... no party has a divine right to power' - says Fianna Fáil's Micheál Martin 

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has cranked up speculation on a general election by stating Brexit isn’t an excuse to avoid going to the polls.