The Journal

‘Kind and gracious’: Tributes paid to Niamh O'Brien, Irish dancer and wife of Michael Flatley

The 52-year-old dancer, who was married to Michael Flatley, died peacefully in Dublin on Monday.

The 9 at 9: Wednesday

Budget reaction, drug smuggling by drone and Israelis remember the 7 October attacks…

'I have nothing left to give': emotion and tears as Messi retires from Argentina team

Fans paid fervent tribute to perhaps the greatest player to grace a football pitch.

As Israel marks the third anniversary of Hamas's 7 October attack, bombs continue to fall on Gaza

At the Kfar Aza kibbutz, mourners sat in silence as they watched the raising of an Israeli flag.

Trump to speak to Putin over reported plague death at Russian laboratory

The US and World Health Organization have called on Moscow to provide more information about the death of a 28-year-old laboratory technician.

Eva Marie Saint, star of North By Northwest and On The Waterfront, has died aged 102

Saint had one of the most spectacular debuts in Hollywood history, alongside Marlon Brando.

Russian plague death: What is plague and how dangerous is it?

A Russian researcher has died after working at a plague research centre. But while the disease has a terrifying history, modern medicine has changed the picture dramatically.

Budget 2027: What changed at midnight - and what we'll have to wait for

Some key promises came to fruition, while other increases and extensions weren’t as generous as expected.

Where's the protest gone? No rows, no riots, and not even a 'hup ya boy ya'

Jack GPT or Torture Chambers? The public expenditure minister did get a few new nicknames out of the day.

Cost of Disability payment just reinstates old support government had scrapped, say advocates

Campaigners also took issue with the payment being tied to social welfare, arguing that working disabled people also incur costs.

Christa Pike conscious and speaking after failed execution in Tennessee

The statement from her lawyers is the first indication that Pike has improved since an ambulance took her from a Nashville prison last Wednesday.

Man charged over alleged drone drugs delivery at Midlands Prison in Portlaoise

The arrests were made this afternoon by gardaí.

Eye tests are supposed to be free, so why does Specsavers charge for them?

Many Irish customers have complained about upselling in Specsavers – but ‘advanced’ eye tests may be a good idea for some.

Budget ignores spending 'speed limit' and uses ‘high-risk’ receipts to fund plans, warns watchdog

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council said the budget puts the public finances on a “worse trajectory” by “repeatedly breaking established spending limits”.

Children as young as three are up in court in Trump's America

Across America under Trump’s policies, children are being brought before immigration judges and asked to make decisions they are far too young to understand.

A few hundred euro, delayed childcare cuts and the missing culture card: This was a 'meh' budget

The government is this evening hoping that it has done enough to avoid public criticism.

Here's What Happened Today: Tuesday

The most important Irish and international stories you need to know today.

The government is spending €15m 'to keep pub doors open' - but the final plan is not settled

During his budget speech in the Dáil on Tuesday, Simon Harris said he will be developing a scheme to assist publicans

Ireland U21s earn stunning win over England to clinch Euro play-off

Tommy Lonergan was the two-goal hero as Ireland sunk the back-to-back European champions at Turner’s Cross.

Murder trial hears family of alleged murder victim contacted gardaí when they found buried fabric

Kurt Ryan (33) from Moylish Crescent in Limerick is charged with the murder of Lee Slattery at Delmege Estate, Knockalisheen Road in Limerick in May 2010.

Nearly 500 arrested and tear gas fired in mass protests against school conditions

The Interior Ministry estimated that 256,000 people took part in demonstrations across the country on Tuesday, including 56,000 in Paris.

Which of today's budget measures were just a repeat of previous announcements?

There were a few instances where what was outlined had been announced before.

Celebrities including Noel Gallagher and Susan Sarandon sign letter backing Garvaghy residents

Gallagher and Sarandon are joined by global stars like The Smiths’ Johnny Marr, The Jam’s Paul Weller and Madness frontman Sugg.

After weeks of headlines, whatever happened to the culture card?

A similar card already exists in other European countries like Spain, France and Italy.

Condé Nast has named Ireland the friendliest country in Europe

The publishing giant behind magazines Vogue, GQ and The New Yorker published its 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards today.

'An insult' and 'more Westlife than Fontaines DC': The opposition has laid into the budget

The Social Democrats’ Cian O’Callaghan called it “totally devoid of ambition”.

Chambers rubbishes any suggestion AI used in budget speech after TD labels him 'Jack GPT'

There was a lot of name calling in the Dáil today in response to the budget.

Military and garda groups launch attack on allocation for national security in Budget 2027

Defence gets €1.6 billion and Justice gets €5.9 billion.

FactCheck: Three claims from opposition TDs who criticised this year's budget

Today’s announcement prompted a series of claims from opposition TDs about what the government did – and didn’t – do.

Rate of deemed disposal tax on investment funds to reduce to 35% from January

Finance Minister Simon Harris acknowledged to The Journal that the rule is “something we need to move beyond”.

Earn €30k, €45k, €60k or €90k? Here's what the budget means for these incomes

The 5 at 5: Tuesday

Five minutes, five stories, five o’clock…

Last year's package 'landed like a lead balloon' - so is anyone happy with Budget 2027?

It’s a bit of a ‘one for everyone in the audience’ budget this year – but the coalition can argue that they’re making progress on some election promises.

Check your wages: Use our calculator to find out how Budget 2027 will affect your pay

There is a headline change to the higher rate of tax.

The WHO says the risk of the plague to Europe is 'very low'

A worker at the anti-plague institute in Siberia reportedly died of pneumonic plague causing alarm

Uefa probe into Ireland v Israel tunnel bust-up after spitting claim

The row took place at half-time in the 1-1 draw in Backa Topola.

Budget 2027 and childcare: here's which families benefit most and who is losing out

The government decided to prioritise cutting the cost of childcare for families with younger kids.

Carbon tax on home heating slashed and planned increases are no more

Despite the cut, Minister for Climate Darragh O’Brien has insisted the government is still “committed” to the carbon tax.

Budget 'falls desperately short of what students need', says union

The government cut the annual student contribution charge by €150 in Budget 2027.

State pension and Jobseekers’ payments to rise by €10 per week from next year

The increase is provided for in Budget 2027.

The higher tax band won't kick in until you earn €46,500

Harris also announced increased personal, employee, and earned income credits.

The new investment scheme is finally announced - and people can put a maximum of €12k a year into it

Minister for Finance Simon Harris announced details of the scheme in Budget 2027.

A5 road from the Tyrone border to Derry set for major upgrade after Belfast court ruling

The plan was originally rejected by the Belfast High Court due to an apparent conflict with climate laws.

Cigarettes to hit €20 a box for the first time from midnight tonight

The increase will mean the cost of a packet of 20 cigarettes has increased by €2.50 in the last three budgets.

Armed gardaí shot an XL Bully dog after it killed Limerick woman, inquest hears

Nicole Morey was killed in the fatal attack at her home in June 2024.

Rent tax credit rises by €150 and rent-a-room scheme expanded to garden cabins

The rent credit has increased to €1,150 for single people and €2,300 for couples from 2027.

From income tax cuts to another euro on cigarettes: Here are the main points of Budget 2027

The pen picks from today’s budget speeches.

Germany's former spy chief arrested on suspicion of espionage and treason

It is alleged that August Hanning used classified intelligence to “draft an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service”.

Court upholds Lisa Smith's conviction for membership of Islamic State

The court rejected all grounds raised by Smith and the ex-soldier’s appeal was therefore dismissed.

Have you stuck the heating on yet this month?

The time to turn on the heating is drawing near…

'It's a closure for us': Cork man who went missing in 1992 is located deceased in the UK

Patrick ‘Patsy’ O’Sullivan’s brother said he had been living in the UK under a new name.

The Lost Sportswriter: Vincent Hogan interview

Sinead O’Carroll and Niall Kelly are joined by the much-admired sportswriter for a far-reaching chat.

ASOS does not believe customers payment information was accessed after 'unauthorised activity'

ASOS said said personal informational, such as names and contact details, “may have been accessed” .

Budget 2027 includes income tax band change, carbon tax freeze, and price hike on cigarettes

The government announced the details of Budget 2027 today. Opposition weren’t particularly impressed.

The Tories want to build 'Britannia Shield', essentially 'a British Iron Dome'

Israel’s Iron Dome system can shoot down short-range rockets fired from up to 70km.

Trump approves firing squad execution for Fort Hood mass shooter

Nidal Hasan’s execution will be the first carried out by the US military since 1961.

The FOI Files: How laws on family reunification were tweaked to make them more difficult to waive

Records from the Department of Justice show how they made it harder for immigration officials to waive the rules in exceptional humanitarian circumstances.

Inheritance tax thresholds to increase across all categories

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris have expressed strong views on the inheritance tax system, dubbing it unfair in recent years

The 9 at 9: Tuesday

Primary teachers to strike, France braces for more protests, and what’s in the budget?

Israel puts army on alert and claims Hamas planning 'terrorist' attack on 7 October anniversary

Since a “ceasefire” was declared last October, Israeli forces have killed more than 1,440 people in Gaza.

Mental health support is unaffordable for almost half of young adults in Ireland, research finds

Other barriers included not prioritising mental health, uncertainty about how to support it, and a lack of time.

France braces for more student protests as tens of thousands expected to turn out in Paris

The office of the country’s prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, has called for “peaceful” gatherings.

Forget the iced coffees, job interviews have lost the run of themselves

From noisy cafés and rain-soaked football pitches to teddy bears and ChatGPT, interview etiquette has become trickier to navigate, from both sides of the desk.

'We are sorry': OpenAI apologises to Australia for hacking government health service data

OpenAI did not raise the alarm with the Australian government until September.

Where will the money to fund Ireland's ambitious defence investment plans come from?

Gears move slowly when the figures are in the billions, but where will the money for Ireland’s mooted defence spending be found?

Hear Me Out: Are UAPs (UFOs) real?

Are aliens real? And if they are, why don’t they want to hang out with us?

British novelist and former Conservative politician Jeffrey Archer dies aged 86

His editor at Harper Collins said he was “phenomenally hard-working”.

Here's What Happened Today: Monday

The most important Irish and international stories you need to know today.

'My heart is broken': Niamh O'Brien, Irish dancer and wife of Michael Flatley, dies aged 52

“She was the most loving mother, wife and person, and our lives will never be the same without her,” Michael Flatley said in a statement.

Help to Buy set to increase to €35k and everything else we know about what is in Budget 2027

It has also been agreed that the State pension will increase by €10 per week.

Ten psychiatrists unavailable to assess man charged with murder, court hears

The court heard that some psychiatrists said they were too busy, whilst others queried the status of payments under the new legal aid scheme.

The FAI’s communications misstep: Where was Uefa while the Irish squad took the heat?

The FAI’s decision to play Israel became the focus of public anger, but Uefa’s failure to act on the concerns raised by Ireland along the way, deserves much greater scrutiny.

'Appalling injustice' - academics call on Taoiseach to intervene over visas for Gazan students

Four Gazan students have taken up their cases in the courts following the denial of their visas, despite having university places and scholarship funding to come to Ireland.

'What car will I ferry my two teenagers and two babies around in?'

Our readers get expert answers.

Man says he 'didn’t feel guilty' about manslaughter of mother-of-two, court hears

Joseph Butler (43) will be sentenced later this month for the manslaughter of Paula Canty at The Belfry, Bridewell Lane in Mallow, Co Cork.

Accusations of trash talk and hypocrisy: How Israeli media covered Sunday's match

The fixtures between the two nations were controversial from the time they were first announced.

Harris says culture card 'not dead in the water' as government meets to finalise Budget 2027

The Minister for Finance also said the government wants to help first time buyers, but that his views on exempting them from stamp duty have not changed.

Zach Bryan wears 'Free Palestine' T-shirt at stadium weeks after Ed Sheeran-Macklemore tour dispute

Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium, had accused Macklemore of hate speech for saying “Free Palestine”.

The 5 at 5: Monday

Five minutes, five stories, five o’clock…

Ireland to face cooler temperatures tomorrow after highs of up to 21 degrees today

Tuesday is to start off cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, Met Éireann said.

Aontú proposes scrapping USC on first €25k earned and increasing home carer tax credit

Aontú says a credit for parents who are minding their child at home should increase to €4,000.

Some solicitors are going to do ‘extremely well’ out of fee changes, O'Callaghan says

The justice minister defended his approach to the reforms as solicitors staged another walkout from the Central Criminal Court on the first day of the new legal term.

Daniel Kinahan appears before Special Criminal Court

Kinahan’s lawyer Mackin did not attend the court because of unexpected circumstances.

Debunked: Despite claims online, burning turf has a significant carbon footprint

Rates of peat burning have dropped to less than a sixth of what it was in 2010.

Ticketmaster's trial over Oasis ticket prices delayed while company seeks expert report

It was originally thought the four-day hearing would be held in December.

'Croke Park hours' and primary teaching pay: The numbers behind the work-to-rule action

Primary school teachers who are part of their largest representative union have begun work-to-rule action over pay.

'We stay in Kyiv': Irish diplomats vow to stay in Ukraine despite Russian threat of strikes

Russia warned diplomats and foreigners to leave Kyiv as it increased targeting the Ukrainian capital.

The Journal has launched a subscription service - here's why you should join

We’ve been busy, and we want you to access everything we have to offer, no interruptions, no limit.

Have you ever been to Glastonbury Festival?

Next year’s festival has already sold out.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor takes legal action against police over search warrants

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on 19 February and interviewed under caution.

Irishman dies in Madrid after being hit by taxi

The 52-year-old died in the early hours of Sunday morning in the neighbourhood of Arganzuela.

The 9 at 9: Monday

Primary teachers’ industrial action, Ireland v Israel fallout and the right comes out on top in Brazil…

Spain's prime minister calls snap election as pressure mounts due to housing protests

Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Madrid and other cities in Spain on Saturday to demand affordable housing.

Judgment reserved in legal challenge to Drumcree Orange Order parade

The court heard submissions today from barristers representing Garvaghy Road residents and the Parades Commission.

Hallgrimsson: 'I felt that was kind of the intention to try to intimidate us'

Heimir Hallgrímsson reiterates stance that Ireland and Israel should be kept apart in future as he discusses alleged spitting incident and leaks from own camp.

US bombers pulled from RAF Fairford in face of ‘some threats’, says Trump

Speculation about the motives behind the incident ranged from terror threat to fuel thievery.

'Get off your screen, but also do your homework on this tablet', says confused parent

Parents are already fighting a daily battle over screen time. So why are we increasingly under pressure to sign our children up to educational apps?

Jair Bolsonaro's son Flavio tops presidential vote as the right makes big gains in Brazil

Flavio Bolsonaro was a little-known senator a few months ago when his father anointed him his political heir.

Primary school teachers begin work-to-rule as union confirms second strike date

Teachers will no longer provide extra supervision before and after school.

Are social media firms fronting up to public scrutiny? Not always

In most European countries, tech companies can decline invitations to answer to parliamentary committees, just as they can here.