Latest news with #DamienStoran
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Climate
- Sunday World
Orange warning issued for forest fires as temperatures could hit highs of 27C
Persistent gorse fires have been burning this week at Ticknock in Cherywood, Co Dublin Carter (6) with mum Jen Moylan (left) and her friend Leah Mullen enjoy the sun at Burrow Beach in north Dublin. Photo: Collins Firefighters tackled a gorse blaze in Ticknick, Dublin, as smoke drifted across the hills. Photo: Damien Storan The Department of Agriculture has issued a Condition Orange Forest Fire warning ahead of the hot weather this weekend which could see temperatures climb as high 27C. It warns of the dangers to resources and public safety 'arising from vegetation fires, on and around forests and other public recreation sites, especially those close to urban areas'. The Department has urged visitors to forests and parks not to stage barbeques or camp fires in wooded areas over the weekend, with the extended period of low precipitation increasing the likelihood of fire. The warning comes as a result of extended periods of low precipitation and low to moderate wind conditions which have the capacity to significantly increase the risk of wildfire initiation and spread. Firefighters tackled a gorse blaze in Ticknick, Dublin, as smoke drifted across the hills. Photo: Damien Storan News in 90 Seconds - August 15th It comes as Dublin Fire Brigade has been fighting the Ticknock gorse fire today in Cherrywood. Smoke could be seen drifting across the nearby M50 and surrounding area. Such fires, particularly on high ground, can spread quickly if they are driven by winds, and fighting them is a challenge due to difficult terrain and a lack of local piped water supplies, meaning fire brigades have to pump their tanks full and transport water to the fire sites. Overnight lows will hit 10C to 14C before another dry, sunny day is expected on Saturday to kick off the weekend. Some showers will move over Munster and into Connacht tomorrow, though temperatures will reach highs of 21C to 27C. Saturday night is likely to be mild and humid with some early showers, and temperatures not falling below 14C to 17C. The coming days will continue to be warm with a 'fair amount of dry weather and some showers', according to Met Éireann. Sunday will begin dry and sunny, though scattered showers will move in from the southwest around noon and mainly impact Munster and Connacht through the afternoon and evening. Some showers could turn heavy and possibly thundery as highs of 19C to 25C is expected, before dropping to lows of 14C to 17C during a humid night after showers die out. Monday will follow a similar pattern of warm, sunny spells and scattered showers – mostly in Munster and Connacht – that could turn heavy and thundery as highs hit between 19C to 25C. Further sunny spells and scattered showers is expected on Tuesday, again mostly in Munster and Connacht. Met Éireann expects the rest of next week to continue to bring dry weather with a mix of sunny spells and showers, and slightly cooler temperatures with highs of 17C to 21C.
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Climate
- Sunday World
Ireland on alert for wildfires as dry hot weather set to continue for weekend
WEATHER WARNING | Met Eireann forecaster Rebecca Cantwell said it would be dry and warm until the early days of next week Firefighters tackling a gorse blaze in Ticknick, Dublin, earlier this week. Photo: Damien Storan. Dublin Fire Brigade units from across Dublin have been fighting the fire at Ticknick Park, Cherrywood which has resulted in smoke drifting across the nearby M50 at certain times. Crews worked using a combination of hand tools, backpack sprayers and lightweight wildfire hose to fight the fire. In addition a wildfire jeep was deployed to tackle the fire in inaccessible areas. And with the weather forecast predicting dry conditions and temperatures above 20 degrees for the weekend and into next week, the danger of further gorse fires and wildfires is something the Department of Agriculture is monitoring. Such fires, particularly on high ground, can spread quickly if they are driven by winds, and fighting them is a challenge due to difficult terrain and a lack of local piped water supplies, meaning fire brigades have to pump their tanks full and transport water to the fire sites. Met Eireann forecaster Rebecca Cantwell said it would be dry and warm until the early days of next week apart from a few scattered showers on Saturday and Sunday, but said winds would be light, which makes wildfires easier to control. 'Most places will be dry with plenty of sunshine with temperatures in the low to mid 20s, but for Friday those temperatures could reach 26 or 27 degrees in the southeast. This will continue until the early days of next week when it is predicted the temperatures will drop to normal levels for the time of year,' she said. 'The soil moisture deficit in the South and East is now around 50mm, leaving the ground very dry,' Ms Cantwell added. Gorse fires create smoke pollution and present an immediate danger to the environment and wildlife. They have at times come close to homes leading to the necessity for the Air Corps to be brought in using helicopters carrying water-filled 'bambi buckets' to assist fire brigades in preventing their spread. Such was the case in Howth in July 2021 where a fire burned for more than a week on Howth Hill between Carrickbrack Road and Howth Golf Club. In July 2022, a helicopter was also used to fight a gorse fire on the Roche's Hill area, also know as Flagstaff Hill/Mullins Hill, on Killiney Hill in south Dublin. The forestry service Coillte has also deployed helicopters to fight forest fires. Forest Fire Danger Notices are issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine during the main wildfire risk season from March through to September. These notices provide forest owners and land managers with advance warning of high fire risk weather conditions and permit appropriate readiness measures to be taken in advance of fire outbreaks. 'Forest Fire Danger Notices are based on daily Met Eireann Fire Weather Index, European Forest Fire Information System, and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts outputs, with additional processing and analysis by the Department of Agriculture. Fire Danger is monitored daily by the department using these forecasts,' a Department spokesperson said. 'Fire Danger Notices are issued nationally without regional variations, and like other forms of weather warnings, they are colour coded and conform to international practice for these types of warnings. Increasing levels of preparation and vigilance are required as the risk conditions scale from Green through to Red. 'Condition Yellow is the default fire risk condition throughout the main fire season, regardless of weather. Currently there are no plans to issue a Fire Danger Notice given current weather patterns, however this may change as new forecasts become available,' they added. A nature-based approach has been adopted by some local authorities by placing goats on lands at risk of fire so that they graze on vegetation. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, in partnership with the Old Irish Goat Society, currently has in place the DLR Goat Grazing Project at Killiney Hill and Roches Hill. This initiative uses a trained herd of Old Irish Goats to support wildfire prevention and habitat restoration through conservation grazing. 'The goats are securely fenced and monitored using GPS collars, ensuring they remain within designated grazing areas and are protected from off-leash dogs. Grazing areas are small and rotated periodically, with minimal impact on park users. 'This nature-based approach is part of the DLR Wildfire Management Plan, developed in collaboration with wildfire experts, ecologists, Dublin Fire Brigade, and local communities. Public response has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong support for this environmentally friendly solution that helps safeguard public spaces,' said a DLRCC spokesperson. A similar scheme has been used by Fingal County Council in Howth.
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Chief suspect IDed in ‘targeted' hit-and-run before scuffle & car ramming as ‘simmering' Balbriggan feud details emerge
GARDAI have identified a chief suspect in a targeted hit-and-run which claimed the life of a man in his 20s last night. Detectives believe the incident is linked to an ongoing dispute which has been "simmering" in recent weeks in Balbriggan, north Co 3 The victim in his 20s was hit by a car on Railway Street Credit: Collins Dublin 3 The incident is believed to be linked to an ongoing dispute in Balbriggan Credit: Collins 3 Bystanders raised the alarm and emergency services attended the scene Credit: Damien Storan The victim in his 20s was Bystanders raised the alarm and emergency services attended the scene, but the man was pronounced dead. Senior sources confirmed that gardai have identified a chief suspect in the case. Read more in News The man, in his 40s, knew the victim well but he has yet to be arrested. A source told the Irish Sun: "This is all part of a dispute among people all known to each other. "It's been building up for some weeks and this has now greatly escalated it, with a man's life lost." This morning, the body remained at the scene as the Garda Technical Bureau carried out their examination . Most read in Irish News The victim's remains were removed just before 11am ahead of a post mortem taking place. A second scene outside Balbriggan Garda Station remains sealed off, also with two damaged cars at the scene. Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads Local Councillor Tony Murphy told "And what I would offer my condolences to the deceased family and friends in the first instance is one thing for the town to wake up to news like this. "But it's another thing for a family to wake up to the devastating news that they've lost one of their family members. "I trust 100 per cent of the Gardaí in Balbriggan that they will unravel whatever has happened in this situation and that they will take the appropriate action." GARDA APPEAL A spokesman said: "Gardai and emergency services were alerted shortly after 9pm on Monday, 23 June 2025, following a serious road traffic collision on Railway Street, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, in which a pedestrian was struck by a car. "The vehicle involved failed to remain at the scene. The pedestrian, a man in his 20s, received emergency treatment but was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later. "The scene remains preserved pending examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Local traffic diversions are currently in place. "Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward. "Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the area at the time are asked to make it available to Gardai. "Anyone with information is asked to contact Balbriggan Garda Station on 01 666 4500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station."
Sunday World
24-06-2025
- Sunday World
Young man dies following hit-and-run in Dublin
The incident occurred on Railway Street in Balbriggan, shortly after 9pm yesterday evening The scene of the incident in Balbriggan on Monday night. Photo: Damien Storan. The scene of the incident in Balbriggan on Monday night. Photo: Damien Storan. A man in his 20s has died after a hit-and-run in Co Dublin on Monday night. Gardaí and emergency services were alerted shortly after 9pm on Monday following the serious incident on Railway Street, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, in which a pedestrian was struck by a car. The vehicle involved failed to remain at the scene. The pedestrian, a man in his 20s, received emergency treatment but was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. The scene of the incident in Balbriggan on Monday night. Photo: Damien Storan. News in 90 Seconds - June 24th The scene remains preserved pending examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Local traffic diversions are currently in place. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward. Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the area at the time are asked to make it available to Gardaí. Anyone with information is asked to contact Balbriggan Garda Station on 01 666 4500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
The Irish Sun
01-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Soaring shopping bills hitting Irish as supermarkets profit – new laws will give watchdog power to tackle price gougers
INFLATION and the cost-of-living crisis is an ever-increasing strain on many Irish households. Recent CSO stats show that prices here continue to climb. 3 The cost-of-living crisis is an ever-increasing strain on many Irish households Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 Ged Nash says the government must act on soaring grocery prices Credit: Damien Storan Inflation soared in 2022 to reach 9.2 per cent, mainly due to greater demand for oil and gas after the Energy prices surged again in the aftermath of It then remained well above the Some parts of the READ MORE ON COST OF LIVING Writing in IT'S time to get a grip on grocery prices and the Bill I brought to the The Unfair Prices Bill addresses the ever-spiralling cost of the weekly shop. It seeks to give new enforcement powers to the Most read in The Irish Sun This is something I've been arguing with the government over for two years, and I'm pleased they at last appear to be listening and did not vote against my Bill. That's a start. Cost Crisis Hitting Irish Businesses And Causing Closure Havoc For too many of the big international multiples, their pricing policy remains a mystery as does their Irish profits. We have theories, and some facts. But the truth is, we simply don't know exactly why the prices of basic goods in supermarkets here remain high. PROFIT MARGINS This Bill will put an onus on the consumer watchdog to collect and publish key data on the price of the shop, and in doing so the new draft law will make it a First and foremost, it will force the big businesses we all shop with to be more transparent. It will keep them honest. At a time when The cost of COSTS RISING The price of a pound of butter has risen by close to €1 over the past year to an average of €4.69, a jump of more than 26 per cent, according to Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures. Beef, milk, cheese and lamb prices have all shot up in the last year and the latest figures from consultancy group Kantar shows price inflation in supermarkets is now running at 5 per cent, double what it was last year. All of this, when average wage growth looks set to come in at under 4 per cent this year. In other words, the hard-earned Cumulatively, grocery prices are up as much as 30 per cent over the past three years. 'GREEDFLATION' IS GROWING This means that a typical family is paying about €2,000 more for groceries a year. At the same time, the incomes of farmers and food producers are being squeezed, and the only winners are the supermarkets. The suspicion that 'greedflation' is at work is growing. In Ireland in 2025, we have hard-working parents opting to feed their children over themselves while food producers and multinational supermarkets rake in profits. As I've said many times, you can't eat good GOVERNMENT HELP NEEDED The government must help those who need it most. For the most part, this means investing in making our public services work better, and fairer wages for However, it also means governments making smart, pro-consumer interventions. So many of our state's watchdogs have a bark that's as weak as their bite and that is because they don't have the underpinning legislation to sink their teeth into those acting against the public interest. My Bill will give them the teeth to let them do what they were set up to do — protect the consumer against profiteering of big business. 3 The price of a pound of butter has risen by close to €1 over the past year Credit: Getty Images - Getty
