Frefighters battle huge blaze spreading through gorse in Northern Ireland’s Mourne Mountains

More than 60 firefighters battle huge blaze spreading through gorse in Northern Ireland’s Mourne Mountains The gorse fire in the Slieve Donard area has been going since Friday morning  Pictures overnight showed the blaze on pitch-black mountains over Newcastle Officials told people to avoid Glen River and Bloody Bridge River access points Firefighters were withdrawn late … Read more

Boris Johnson confirms backing for UK and Ireland’s joint-bid to host the 2030 World Cup

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed the Government is hoping to bring the World Cup to the UK for the first time since 1966 and will pledge £2.8million in funding for a joint-bid with Ireland. Buoyed by the success of the coronavirus vaccine rollout – the UK hit the milestone of vaccinating 20million people last … Read more

Northern Ireland’s lockdown exit plan is to be revealed TODAY

Northern Ireland’s lockdown exit plan is to be revealed TODAY – but five-step strategy will NOT include dates like England’s roadmap with progress onto next stage based on Covid data The initial phase of easing plan is understood to be titled ‘cautious first steps’   Some primary school children in Northern Ireland will return to class on … Read more

Ireland’s coronavirus cases soar to a record high and the R rate could be THREE

Ireland’s coronavirus cases soar to a record high and the R rate could be THREE amid fears mutated super infectious strain is ripping through country Professor Philip Nolan reported the R rate could be between 2.4 and 3 in Ireland He warned the country is experiencing the fastest rate of virus growth to date In … Read more

Northern Ireland’s leaders agree one-week lockdown extension as they end four days of argument

Northern Ireland’s leaders have tonight agreed a one-week lockdown extension, sources say. It comes after four days of arguments between lawmakers, and hours after they realised the original Covid rules were due to end a day later than they had originally thought.  The new rules will see an extension of the current circuit-break lockdown followed … Read more

Gordon Brown says Joe Biden will take Ireland’s side in Brexit talks

Gordon Brown today insisted Joe Biden will be a ‘great friend of Britain’ as he predicted the President-elect could visit the UK twice in his first year in the White House.  Mr Brown said he believed Mr Biden will come to the UK in 2021 to attend a meeting of the G7 in the summer … Read more

Coronavirus Ireland: How does Ireland’s lockdown differ from Northern Irish circuit breaker?

The Republic of Ireland has imposed far stricter lockdown restrictions than those in Northern Ireland, including closing gyms, churches and non-essential shops. People in the Republic also can only go within three miles (5km) of their home for exercise, with no such rules in the North despite ‘unnecessary travel’ being banned. Irish retail groups slammed … Read more

Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill is self-isolating

Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill is self-isolating after a family member tested positive for coronavirus Michelle O’Neill, who is being tested herself, will need to restrict her movements It means the deputy first minister will work remotely from her Co Tyrone house Other Stormont members will have to self isolate if O’Neill tests … Read more

Subway sandwiches do not meet legal definition of being BREAD, Ireland’s Supreme Court rules 

Subway sandwiches are too sugary to meet the legal definition of being BREAD, Ireland’s Supreme Court rules The sandwiches could not be categorised as a staple food, Supreme Court ruled Due to their high sugar content, which stands at 10pc of weight of flour in dough Ruling ends a 14-year battle by the global takeaway … Read more

EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan is told to ‘consider his position’ by Ireland’s political leaders

EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan is told to ‘consider his position’ by Ireland’s political leaders after he attended golf dinner with more than 80 people in breach of Covid guidelines EU commissioner Phil Hogan attended golf dinner with 80 people on Wednesday Two senior Irish politicians have resigned after details of the dinner came to … Read more