Morning briefing â local Irish news
IRISH TIMES - Hantavirus evacuation: Two Irish passengers from the affected MV Hondius cruise ship were flown home from Tenerife by the Air Corps and will isolate in an HSE facility under EU protocols. They were accompanied by HSE medics. - Tipperary tragedy: Mother Monika Kubasiewicz (30s) and her infant were found dead in Carrick-on-Suir; gardaĂ treating it as a personal tragedy arising from a medical emergency. Postmortem completed; a file will go to the coroner. - Waterford industrial fire: A major blaze at the old Jute factory in the Tycor Business Centre destroyed multiple premises. DG Foods owner described âa lifetimeâs work down the drain.â Investigations are under way; the area is near homes and other businesses. - SeĂĄn Cox meets Mo Salah: The Dunboyne man, seriously injured in an unprovoked 2018 attack before a LiverpoolâRoma match, presented a Dunboyne GAA jersey to Salah during a visit. - Protection order granted: A mother living in a refuge with young children obtained a protection order against their father, citing alcohol and cocaine abuse and fears for safety. - Council website oddity: Dublin City Councilâs meeting agendas and calendars are hosted on a .co.uk domain (dublin.moderngov.co.uk), prompting bemusement; core services remain on dublincity.ie. - EV charging dispute: Dublin homeowners who installed on-street charging arms face planning enforcement amid a regulatory ban; one appeal is with An CoimisiĂșn PleanĂĄla and owners call for swift rules reform to support EV uptake. - Ross Castle legacy: US developer George McLoughlin, who with his wife restored Ross Castle in Moycullen from ruin, left an estate valued at âŹ1.75m after his death in June 2024. - Bealtaine revival: Hundreds gathered at the Hill of Uisneach, Co Westmeath, for a fire procession marking the Celtic start of summer.
IRISH INDEPENDENT - Hantavirus flight lands: A government jet repatriated Irish nationals from the MV Hondius to Baldonnel; passengers had disembarked in Tenerife amid the outbreak and will be monitored. - Budget signals: The Taoiseach and Social Protection Minister say tax cuts and an increased Living Alone payment are priorities for the next budget, alongside disability supports, child poverty measures and cost-of-living relief; a new Cost of Disability payment is being examined. - By-election language row: Sinn FĂ©inâs Galway West candidate Mark Lohan said he cannot debate as Gaeilge, contradicting party leader Mary Lou McDonaldâs prior claim. - Connacht SFC: Roscommon beat Galway 3-21 to 2-22 to lift the Nestor Cup, with standout displays and jubilant home-crowd scenes. - IranâUS: Tehran says it has responded to a US peace proposal; Donald Trump claims Iran wants a deal âvery badly.â - Opinion: A columnist argues choosing motherhood in oneâs 50s is selfish, sparked by Cameron Diazâs recent baby news. - Tech and society: Nearly one in 10 Irish adults report forming relationships with AI chatbots; raises questions about accountability and potential sentience. - LGFA controversy: Handling of a racism claim criticized, heightening tensions post-Connacht Ladies SFC final. Mayoâs Hannah Reape received a red card; Galwayâs Eva Noone strongly denies allegations. - Lifestyle: Burren chocolatier Kasha Connolly on co-building an innovative factory and a nearby Scandi-style, green-roof home. - Cost of living: A reporterâs attempt to live for a week on the âŹ299.30 state pension underscores how hard it is to get by without additional income.