Omagh bombing survivors' attempt to compel inquiry in the Republic will be opposed, High Court hears
Emmet Tunney and Shawneen Conway, both survivors of the 1998 dissident republican bombing, say the Government is obliged to establish a public inquiry in circumstances where state authorities allegedly held 'actionable intelligence' relating to the attack.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
7 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tanaiste provides major update on kidnapped Gena Heraty in Haiti
An Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has said 'intensive and ongoing efforts' aimed at securing the release of Gena Heraty and eight other hostages being held captive in Haiti, are continuing this evening. Ms Heraty, a native of Westport in Co Mayo, who is in her mid-50s, oversees the Sainte-Helene orphanage in the commune of Kenscoff, about 10km southeast of the capital, Port au Prince. The facility is operated by the humanitarian organisation 'Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs' (Our Little Brothers and Sisters). Ms Heraty was among eight staff kidnapped, as well as a three-year-old child, at around 3.30am on Monday (7.30am Irish time) in what has been described as a 'planned attack,' by Kenscoff Mayor Masillon Jean. In an updated statement on Monday evening, An Tanaiste provided an updated statement saying 'intensive and ongoing efforts aimed at securing the release of Gena, as well as the eight other hostages being held captive in Haiti, are continuing this evening.' 'This is an extremely sensitive case; one that is being worked on tirelessly by our teams in Dublin, Washington and London,' An Tanaiste said. 'Throughout the day, both my officials and I have been in close contact with Gena's family. 'We are also in touch with local authorities and Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs, the organisation Gena works for. 'This evening, I want to reiterate our commitment to ensuring everything possible is done to bring about the release of Gena, her co-workers and indeed the three-year-old child at the centre of this case. 'Gena is a deeply courageous and kind-hearted person who has given so much of her life to the humanitarian work that she cares so much about. 'As Tánaiste, I treat the safety and well-being of all our citizens with seriousness and sensitivity. 'When further updates are available, they will be provided.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Conor McGregor declares intention to enter Irish presidential race
Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor has announced that he intends to seek to become the next president of Ireland — but wants to change how the nomination process works to enable him to do so. McGregor, who last week lost his appeal against a High Court jury's finding that he raped Nikita Hand, made the announcement on social media on Monday evening. Anyone who wishes to become president must secure nominations from at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least four local authorities. McGregor is alleging that this "presents a significant barrier to democratic participation". He claimed: "This system, while intended to ensure a degree of political influence among candidates, inadvertently restricts the direct voice of the Irish electorate. In light of this, I propose a petition advocating for a modification of the nomination process to allow my name be included on the ballot. In his post, McGregor said that citizens of Ireland should have the "unhindered right to determine the candidates who appear on the presidential ballot." He said he is therefore asking people to sign a petition to change the constitutional law. The current President, Michael D Higgins, was inaugurated for his second term on November 11, 2018. Therefore, the next presidential election is scheduled to take place on or up to 60 days before November 11, 2025. Two confirmed candidates so far There are just two confirmed candidates in this year's presidential race so far: Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness — a former European Commissioner and MEP — and left-wing Galway West Independent TD Catherine Connolly. Riverdance star Michael Flatley is also said to be interested in running and will seek a nomination, a court has heard. The choreographer's barrister made the announcement last month during a High Court case he has taken in relation to works carried out at his mansion in Co Cork, the Castlehyde. Meanwhile, Nikita Hand has lodged a new civil action against McGregor as well as a couple he intended to call to give evidence in his appeal, before he withdrew the application in what were described as "mysterious circumstances". Ms Hand is suing McGregor as well as Samantha O'Reilly and Steven Cummins for damages in an action filed last week. It is understood that she alleges they engaged in malicious abuse of the process of the court.
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
€16 electricity price hike fear for EVERY Irish household as data centre costs cut amid €250 budget energy credit calls
SINN Fein is demanding the Government intervene and stop another price increase on electricity bills. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities is preparing to increase the network cost on bills to pay for future capital investment. 2 Sinn Fein's energy spokesman, Meath TD Darren O'Rourke 2 Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said they are not prepared to come up with a package of energy credits to help families in this years budget Credit: Getty Images - Getty Yet at the same time the price of power for the big data centres around the country, which use up a large percentage of the Irish supply, are to be reduced. Sinn Fein slammed the proposed price increase for consumers and price cut for the data centres and said the timing is all wrong - especially with over 300,000 householders in arrears. It wants the Government to come up with a package of energy credits to help families in the forthcoming 2026 October Budget. The party's energy spokesman, Meath TD Darren O'Rourke, fumed: 'The CRU is preparing to hike the network costs that you have to pay but to cut them for data centres. 'The same data centres are hoarding more and more of the energy we produce, stalling the delivery of badly needed homes and putting our grid under real pressure. 'Big energy companies are intent on continuing to jack up their energy prices, all while raking in eye-watering profits. 'The Government pretends these issues are outside of their control but they are not. They are political decisions. 'They need to scrap the cut to costs for data centres and crucially use this Budget to bring forward badly needed support to help families and small businesses who are struggling with sky high energy costs. 'The Budget must include energy credits and extend the reduced VAT on electricity and gas bills until the end of the year.' Energy Minister Darragh O'Brien has already firmly ruled out energy credits to help with electricity and heating bills in October's budget. He said the €250 credits handed out to every Irish household as part of Budget 2025 cost the State €3.5billion. But the Fianna Fail man said the lower nine per cent VAT rate on gas and electric should be retained to avoid hiking energy prices further. Speaking to the Independent, he said: "I will be bringing an interim report to Government in advance of the Budget and we will assess that as to what measures can be taken. IRISH CUSTOMERS PAYING MORE "I think the vat reduction from 13.5 per cent to nine per cent is a very important one, one that I would like to see extended into next year. That decision will be taken at Budget time." Recent figures from Eurostat showed that Irish consumers are paying on average €350 a year more for their electricity than most European countries. Irish people pay on average €1,800 a year for their electricity - 30 per cent more than the rest of the EU. The proposed increase at the moment from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities will add at least €6 a year on household customer bills. The money will be used to pay for ESB Networks and Eirgrid's proposed €14billion investment over the next five years to upgrade their networks in Ireland to meet current and future demand. Both ESB and Eirgrid are seeking €16 a year on bills. The final decision will be made later in the year.
