Latest news with #ConorO'Neill
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First Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
EU member Ireland moves against Israel over Gaza clean-up operation, to ban imports from occupied areas
If the bill is passed, Ireland would make importing goods from the occupied regions of Palestine a criminal offence. However, the law will not seek a boycott of Israeli products read more A drone view shows displaced Palestinians sheltering in tents set up near the rubble of buildings destroyed during the Israeli offensive, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City on February 17, 2025. Reuters File Ireland has moved to table a bill that would ban imports from the occupied territories of Palestine, a first such move by an EU member to curtail products made by Israeli settlements in Gaza. 'Given the scale and gravity of what we're now seeing with the deprivation of aid and the bombardment of Gaza … this is an appropriate course of action to take,' Simon Harris, the country's deputy prime minister, told the Financial Times. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The settlements consist of residential, agricultural, and commercial developments in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, located beyond Israel's internationally recognised borders. How will it affect trade? If the bill is passed, Ireland would make importing goods from the occupied regions of Palestine a criminal offence. However, the law will not seek a boycott of Israeli products. A ban on exports from the occupied territories is largely symbolic, given that trade is limited to physical goods like dates, oranges, olives, and some timber, with a total value of just €685,000 over the four years from 2020 to 2024. Conor O'Neill, the head of advocacy and policy at Christian Aid Ireland, said, 'This is a massive welcome step, it is the first time a trade measure of this kind has been applied to Israel by any EU country. After decades of saying and repeating that illegal settlements are totally illegal and that the EU is opposed to them, this is the first time that words are being matched with action.' EU reviews deal with Israel Last week, the EU ordered a review of its cooperation deal with Israel and Britain halted trade talks with it as European nations took a tougher line over the Gaza war. France renewed its commitment to recognise a Palestinian state, a day after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu angrily hit back at Britain, France and Canada for threatening action over his country's military offensive and blockade of Gaza. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said 'a strong majority' of the 27 member states at a foreign ministers' meeting backed the move in a bid to pressure Israel. 'Countries see that the situation in Gaza is untenable, and what we want is to really help the people, and… to unblock the humanitarian aid so that it will reach the people,' Kallas told journalists. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
Irish Post
12-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Cybersecurity firm's new AI service provides ‘optimal partnership between technology and expertise'
AN Irish-founded cybersecurity firm has launched a new service which uses AI to improve their offering while reducing the cost to clients. This month Bristol-based OnSecurity launched the first AI-augmented pentesting service to hit the market – which they say offers the perfect solution for their clients. 'The new service combines the creativity and expertise of human security professionals with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, optimising the entire security testing process from initial reconnaissance to final reporting,' the firm, which was founded by Kildare native Conor O'Neill, explains. Alongside this service, the firm has also introduced a continuous assurance subscription model that provides year-round security monitoring and validation between traditional penetration test. Conor O'Neill is the founder and CEO of OnSecurity "The pentesting industry has operated on the same model for decades, with rising costs but minimal innovation in delivery," said O'Neill, who hails from Leixlip. "Our AI-augmented approach challenges this status quo by enhancing what our experts do best while automating repetitive tasks, resulting in more thorough testing at a significantly lower price point. 'The hybrid approach ensures consistent methodology application across all assets while maintaining the creative problem-solving abilities of human experts. "The integration of AI enables broader and deeper testing across applications and infrastructure.' "This isn't about replacing humans with AI," O'Neill added. "It's about creating the optimal partnership between technology and expertise. "We're using AI and automation to amplify our security experts' efforts, ensuring they spend most of their time on high-impact, high-quality testing. The AI handles low-impact or tedious and repetitive work, as well as comprehensive reporting, freeing our human testers to apply their creativity and judgement where it matters most. "This hybrid approach means we're delivering superior results while reducing costs—a win-win for our clients." See More: Launch, OnSecurity, Pentesting
The Irish Sun
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Punchestown Festival CEO reveals HUGE number of pints to be sold over five-day horse racing bonanza
AN estimated 132,000 pints will be knocked back over the course of the Punchestown Festival as punters bask in the welcome sunshine. The five-day meet 2 It's always a highlight in the Irish jumps calendar and this year is no exception with 20,000 punters expected through the gates between today and Saturday Credit: Alamy 2 The featured race of day one will be the William Hill Champion Chase at 6pm That gaudy drinks number was just one of several eye-catching figures predicted around the extent of revelling that's set to unfold across the midlands venue. As regards food to go with all of those beverages, it's estimated that three and a half tonnes of fresh vegetables, 60 kilos of artisan cheeses and 15,000 canapés and desserts will be served by staff. To cope with the demands of their biggest annual showcase, Festival organisers employ a total of 68 chefs and 760 hospitality staff. Read More On Irish Sport Punchestown CEO Conor O'Neill hailed: "There is something really special about the buzz ahead of this year's Punchestown Festival. "It's even more than the brilliant achievements by our horses, jockeys, owners and trainers throughout the season. 'It's the local and national enthusiasm and pride that are reflected not only in bookings and sales but in requests for information, signage, inquiries about how they get involved. 'People Make Punchestown and there is a great appetite and goodwill for the event this year even more than previous. Most read in Horse Racing "Combine this with a forecast that we can only wish for and we are in for a magic week." Tuesday's card is highlighted by the clash of Marine Nationale and Fact to File in the Champion Chase. America's oldest horse racing track lays abandoned after closing down following 170 years of history Ahead of that tussle, Marine Nationale trainer Barry O'Connell The bookies have Mullins' star the 5-4 favourite for the €300,000 Grade 1 contest, but the Kildare-based trainer and former stockbroker reckons the bookies have got the market wrong. Connell said: 'He's actually improved from Cheltenham, both physically and mentally. 'I couldn't be any happier. All I can say is that we're ready for it. 'We're the champion chaser and if Fact To File and Willie want to take us on, bring it on. "I'd imagine it will be one of the races of the week.' Mullins has a brilliant record in the Grade 1 feature winning six out of the last seven renewals, but Connell is not worried and thinks Marine Nationale has improved from his Cheltenham victory. He added: 'We've been playing catch-up all year with Marine Nationale. 'He missed most of his novice season so that's why you're seeing such a rate of improvement from race to race this season and that's why I think he can improve again from Cheltenham to Punchestown. 'He basically had no race at Cheltenham. He dawdled around and then took off from the back of the last. He didn't even take a blow after it. "Mentally and physically he has been in super shape since the Champion Chase. I couldn't be any happier.'
Irish Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Punchestown Racing bosses share how much drink will be consumed this week
Almost 20,000 punters are set to quaff thousands of glasses of champagne and pints and enjoy a lavish dinner at the Punchestown Racing Festival this year, racing bosses have revealed. The Kildare racecourse will open its turnstiles to more than 100,000 horse racing fans when the jump season kicks off on Tuesday until Saturday, May 3. Racing organisers have revealed that 17,000 hospitality guests from 806 companies - including 164 from the UK - will enjoy seasonal menus crafted by a 68-strong team of chefs, supported by over 760 hospitality staff. Three and a half tonnes of fresh vegetables, 60 kilos of artisan cheeses, and 15,000 exquisite canapés and desserts will be served across the five days. A team of almost 300 bar staff will pour an estimated 132,000 pints, measure 20,000 shorts and fill 8,000 champagne glasses. Punchestown CEO Conor O'Neill said: "There is something really special about the buzz ahead of this year's Punchestown Festival. It's even more than the brilliant achievements by our horses, jockeys, owners and trainers throughout the season. 'It's the local and national enthusiasm and pride that are reflected not only in bookings and sales but in requests for information, signage, inquiries about how they get involved. 'People Make Punchestown and there is a great appetite and goodwill for the event this year even more than previous. Combine this with a forecast that we can only wish for and we are in for a magic week,' he added. Style lovers will once again flock to the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition, open to all, taking place over the first four days and culminating in the grand final on Ladies Day, Friday May 2. Fresh for 2025 is the sustainable theme of Something Old/Something New focusing on conscious fashion choices. New to the Style Council judges are multi-award winning sustainable designer Aoife McNamara and acclaimed stylist Isabel Gleeson. Further additions include the Bollinger Concierge marquee where Kildare-based beauty brand Ayu will have a host of professional make-up artists offering make-up top-up and professional advice. Vision Ireland will have specially curated rails of pre-loved designer garments to showcase just how stylish sustainable fashion can be. Organisers are anticipating over 100,000 visitors across five spectacular days, with festival fans traveling from across Ireland, the UK, Italy, United States and even Australia to be part of this world-class celebration of sport and culture at the home of Irish jump racing. Across 40 races, featuring 12 Grade 1 contests and €3.5 million in prize money, the Punchestown Festival once again delivers the very best in jump racing. All indications are that major showdowns are guaranteed with old rivals, young pretenders and redemption missions on the cards. The opening day features a massive clash between Cheltenham heroes Marine Nationale and J.P. McManus's Fact To File. The Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup will see superstar Galopin Des Champs take on a challenge from the impressive Spillane's Tower whilst Friday's Boodles Champion Hurdle is being billed as the race of the season with Constitution Hill confirmed to meet State Man and Golden Ace amongst others. Headlining the action is an incredible line-up of training and riding talent including the unstoppable Irish and recently crowned British champion trainer Willie Mullins along with his son, Grand National winning rider Patrick Mullins, champion jockey elect Paul Townend, top trainers Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead, Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer Gavin Cromwell and the ever popular Rachael Blackmore among those in action. What is particularly evident at the entry stage is the significant increase in UK trained runners at the festival with numbers returning to the heights last seen in 2008. Festival friends and regulars Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Jonjo O'Neill, Harry Derham and Anthony Honeyball are joined by new names and faces to sustain the visitor involvement for the future. The UK contribution is integral to the festival as it not only generates vastly increased interest and TV viewer numbers from across the Irish sea but also each horse running brings with them owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms and associated entourages that require accommodation, hospitality and entertainment in the locality. Over 20% of the festival attendance hail from outside of Ireland so the event is a major contributor to the Kildare tourism numbers and campaign. The track team have prepared, mowed, aerated, fed and watered over 170 acres of racing ground or the equivalent of around 42 Croke Park pitches. The main team of five men have crafted 330 metres of hand filled steeplechase fence, 180 sections of handmade hurdles and erected just under 10 kilometres of white racing rail all to provide what is essentially a fresh racetrack each of the five days
Belfast Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Tyrone Under-20s out to maintain fine form in Ulster Semi-Final clash with Derry, says Eoin McElholm
Derry and Donegal claimed automatic places in the last four by emerging as group winners while Tyrone have looked accomplished to date having overcome Antrim by 2-24 to 0-10 with several players figuring on the scoresheet as their team bossed the match. Conor O'Neill, Liam Og Mossey, Lorcan McMurray, Ruairi McCullagh, Noah Grimes and Eoin McElholm were among the players who currently have key roles in taking the Red Hands a step closer to a place in the Final. Indeed, McElholm in particular has not only been showing fine form with the Tyrone Under-20 side but he has been drafted into the senior squad. He has also come under the gaze of Australian Rules scouts but for the moment he is fiercely committed to Tyrone on every front. In chalking up their impressive win over Antrim, Tyrone underlined their versatility and scoring power with McElholm very much to the fore. 'The Under-20 title is something that we cherish and we want to try and land it again. There have been some high-scoring games in the competition to date which is probably down to the two-pointers from the new rules,' said McElholm. 'There is no doubt that a few teams are very focused on the Ulster title and the indications are that we could have great Semi-Finals and Final. It is good to see so many players getting a chance to shine. The Under-20 Championship holds a special appeal here in Ulster and it will be very interesting to see which two teams reach the Final.' Like Tyrone, Derry are also in fine scoring form and in beating Cavan by 1-26 to 2-13 en route to tonight's game they underlined their zest for scores with Johnny McGuckin, Eamon Young and Jude Bryson leading the way. Cavan looked promising in the first-half with Matthew Smith, Matthew Costello, Lorcan Reilly and Cormac Galligan imposing themselves on the scoreboard but when Derry stepped on the accelerator in the second-half the Breffni outfit were left in their slipstream. Cavan, though, had an earlier 2-26 to 1-13 win over Down which has helped to keep them in the frame for the title. They certainly showed their scoring touch and fitness in coming out on top in some style in that particular game. Donegal, too, powered their way into the Play-Off Semi-Finals with Shane Callaghan, Seanan Carr and Conor McCahill all particularly prominent in picking off scores in their team's progress to date. The trio have underpinned the team's accuracy but with the tempo about to be stepped up scores might just be more difficult to come by.
