Latest news with #RayMcMahon
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
ICS Mortgages to cut variable rate mortgages by 0.2%
ICS Mortgages is to cut all of its owner occupier variable rate mortgages by 0.2%. The lender - which is owned by Dilosk - said the new rates will be effective from August 1. It said the reduction applies across all loan to value bands for new and existing owner occupier variable rate customers. ICS said the cut reflects its commitment to supporting customers and forms part of its broader strategy to continue to offer flexible, transparent and customer-focused mortgage solutions. "We are pleased to introduce these rate reductions as part of our ongoing efforts to deliver value and support to our customers. At ICS Mortgages, our mortgages remain innovative and responsive to our customer's needs," Ray McMahon, Chief Commercial Officer at ICS Mortgages, said. But ICS said there will be no changes to interest rates for former Ulster Bank Flexible Mortgage customers who migrated to Dilosk. Earlier this week, AIB units EBS and Haven said they were cutting interest rates on their non-green mortgages by up to 0.50% for new and existing customers.
The Irish Sun
02-08-2025
- The Irish Sun
Man & woman rushed to hospital after horror two-car crash on main street of busy Irish village as gardai seal off route
A MAN and a woman have been rushed to hospital following a two-vehicle crash on the main street of a small Irish village. The collision took place on the Main Street of Kerrykeel village in Co The driver of a car, a man in his 40s, was rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital in a condition understood to be serious. His passenger, a girl in her late teens, did not require immediate hospital treatment after being assessed at the crash scene. The driver of the second car involved in the crash, a woman who is aged in her 70s, was also taken to hospital for assessment. READ MORE IRISH NEWS The extent of her injuries is not known at this time. Gardai have sealed off the main street of the village and have started an investigation into the circumstances of the crash. In a statement this afternoon, a spokesperson for the force urged anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. A spokesperson said: "Gardai at Milford are appealing for witnesses following a two-vehicle collision in Kerrykeel, County Donegal, on Saturday, 2nd of August 2025. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN "Shortly after 10:45 am, Gardai and emergency services responded to a two-car collision on the R246 at Main Street, Kerrykeel. Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads "The driver of one of the cars involved, a man in his 40s, was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital where his condition is understood to be serious. "His passenger, a female in her late teens, did not require immediate hospital treatment. The driver of the second vehicle, a woman in her 70s, was also taken to hospital for assessment. "The scene has been preserved for examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and traffic diversions remain in place. "Gardai are urging anyone who witnessed the collision or has relevant camera footage, including dash cam, from the area at the time to come forward. 'ONE OF BUSIEST WEEKENDS ON ROADS' "Anyone with information is asked to contact Milford Garda Station on (074) 915 3060, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station." The statement added: "Investigations are ongoing." Gardai and the RSA have teamed up to urge everyone to take on the roads over this bank holiday weekend. Chief Superintendent Ray McMahon said: "This is one of the busiest weekends on the roads. Not just for motorists, but at this time of year, it's one of the busiest weekends for cyclists and pedestrians. "We ask everybody to be very conscious of our vulnerable road users, our cyclists and our pedestrians. "We're asking people to slow down, we're asking people to just plan their journey ahead. Some will have long journeys this weekend, so take your time and take your breaks. "Don't be using mobile phones or anything that might distract you while driving. We really do not want to be visiting another family with terrible news this weekend." Officers will be "out in force" until Wednesday with extra checkpoints and "considerable more enforcement" in relation to speeding, mobile phone use and seatbelts. Chief Supt McMahon added: "Please drive carefully and drive responsibly.' 1 The serious crash took place on the R246 at Main Street in Kerrykeel Credit: GOOGLE STREETVIEW
The Irish Sun
01-08-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Irish drivers warned of WORST time to travel amid ‘busiest weekend on road' warning & M50 motorway traffic chaos NOW
IRISH drivers are being warned to avoid travelling on the roads as traffic ramps up ahead of the bank holiday weekend. The Drivers are being urged to slow down and take care on the roads as we enter the August And thousands heading to the All Together Now Festival in Waterford have been urged to be vigilant on the roads as millions take to the roads over the busy bank holiday this weekend. Met Eireann have also warned people to be vigilant as we prepare for vicious Storm Floris to make landfall on Sunday night and bring "dangerous travelling conditions" into Monday. Currently, traffic remains congested on the M50 between J4 Ballymum and J5 Finglas after a southbound collision. READ MORE IN MOTORS The incident has since been cleared but delays remain in the area. M50 users face more delays southbound at J4 Ballymun due to a breakdown blocking the third lane. A crash northbound on the M8 between J14 Fermoy and J13 Mitchelstown has also been cleared but traffic delays remain in the areas after the incident shut both the hard shoulder and lane one. Cops have warned that this is "one of the busiest weekends on the roads". MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Gardai and the RSA appealed to road users to take action and be careful on the roads this weekend as they revealed the best and worst times to drive. Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads According to the RSA's half-yearly report, which analyses fatalities between January 1 and July 27, there are certain times that are more dangerous on the roads. The report found that 27 per cent of fatalities occurred between 12pm and 4pm. In comparison, 26 per cent occurred between 8pm and 4am when traffic volumes tend to be lower. Friday to Monday saw the highest level, so it's important to be careful during this weekend - especially as the roads are set to be busier. MORE CHECKPOINTS The fatalities recorded so far this year saw a record number of those aged between 46 and 65 killed - the highest number in six years. There has been a year-on-year reduction in the number of young people aged 25 years old or younger being fatally injured in collisions, with a quarter of the 95 people in this age range. This shows a reduction of 14 compared to last year. The figure is comprised of 35 drivers, 22 pedestrians, 17 motorcyclists, eight cyclists, eight passengers and one e-scooter rider. These numbers show an increase among vulnerable road users including cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists. And over half of all fatalities occurred on 80km/h and 100kmh roads. Gardai have vowed to be "out in force" with extra checkpoints and speed checks across the bank holiday weekend. 'ONE OF THE BUSIEST WEEKENDS' Speaking at this morning's road safety briefing on the N17 in Co He said: "Simple measures like putting your phone away, slowing down, and paying attention to the road, could make the difference that prevents a tragedy.' Chief Superintendent Ray McMahon said: "This is one of the busiest weekends on the roads. "Not just for motorists, but at this time of year, it's one of the busiest weekends for cyclists and pedestrians. "We ask everybody to be very conscious of our vulnerable road users, our cyclists and our pedestrians. "We're asking people to slow down, we're asking people to just plan their journey ahead. "Some will have long journeys this weekend, so take your time and take your breaks.| He urged people not to use mobile phones or anything that can prove a distraction while driving. The road cop added: "We really do not want to be visiting another family with terrible news this weekend." FESTIVAL PLEA The Road Safety Authority will be on hand at Curraghmore Estate as the All Together Now Festival takes place in The appearance is part of their The The team will be reinforcing two major messages at the Never drive under the influence of Always wear your seatbelt RSA's Director of Partnerships and External Affairs, Sarah O'Connor, explained: "Through engaging and interactive activations, we're reminding "We want everyone to enjoy the music and the atmosphere, but support and help people make smart choices about how they During RSA's appearance at the festival, they will have the FlineBox. This self-service breathalyser is powered by Dräger sensor technology – the same used by 1 The roads are set to be even busier this bank holiday weekend Credit: Alamy
RTÉ News
31-07-2025
- RTÉ News
Motorists urged to 'drive carefully' over Bank Holiday weekend
A road safety campaign is under way across the country for the August Bank Holiday weekend. The dedicated road traffic enforcement operation began at 7 o'clock this morning and will continue until 7am on Wednesday. Gardaí say bank holiday weekends are one of the busiest periods on Irish roads, and are also one of the periods during which road users are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision. So far this year, 95 people have lost their lives on Irish roads. A motorcyclist in his 20s died in a road crash in Co Waterford late last night. An Garda Síochána is appealing to all those that will be taking to the roads this long weekend to slow down and take extra caution. Chief Superintendent Ray McMahon urged drivers to "slow down and plan their journey ahead". Speaking to RTÉ News at a garda checkpoint in Claremorris, Co Mayo, he advised road users to take breaks if they have long journeys ahead of them and to put their mobile phones away. "We really do not want to be visiting another family with terrible news," he said. "We're going to be out in force right from today straight through until next Wednesday with extra checkpoints and considerable more enforcement in relation to speeding, mobile phones and seatbelts. "Please drive carefully and drive responsibly." Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Sean Canney, urged motorists to wear their seatbelts and put their mobile phones away. "Do not drink and drive, do not take drugs and drive, and above all, drive at a speed that you can control your car," he said. "I ask everybody, whether they're driving day or night, to be careful on the roads. Make sure that you've full control of your vehicle. "Drive safely, cycle safely, be safe." Sarah O'Connor, Director of Partnerships and External Affairs with the Road Safety Authority, advised drivers to "consider their actions" on the roads this weekend. She said that while they have seen a decrease in passenger and driver fatalities in the last six months compared to previous years, there have been rises in fatalities among motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians. "We are all vulnerable road users at different points in the day and the week. We need to take really great care and observe very, very carefully when we share our roads, especially across this Bank Holiday weekend," she said. "We can all take care this Bank Holiday weekend. Never drink and drive, never take drugs and drive, put on your seatbelt, take great care and slow down. We can prevent serious injuries and fatalities this weekend."
Irish Independent
25-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
ICS Mortgages cuts rates despite ECB pausing reductions
The new variable rates are available from the start of August. The reduction is just 0.2 percentage points. ICS, which is the trading name of Dilosk, said the reduction applies across all loan to value bands for new and existing owner occupier variable rate customers. Chief commercial officer at ICS Mortgages Ray McMahon said: 'We are pleased to introduce these rate reductions as part of our ongoing efforts to deliver value and support to our customers. At ICS Mortgages, our mortgages remain innovative and responsive to our customer's needs.' But ICS said there will be no changes to interest rates for former Ulster Bank Flexible Mortgage customers who migrated to Dilosk. Earlier this week, AIB units EBS and Haven said they were cutting interest rates on their non-green mortgages by up to 0.50pc for new and existing customers. The latest ICS Mortgages, EBS and Haven reductions are being implemented despite the European Central Bank (ECB) leaving its interest rates unchanged this week after eight previous reductions. Many experts reckon the ECB is now finished its rate-cutting actions. However, some market watchers say their could be one more 0.5 percentage point reduction in ECB rates later in the year. The Frankfurt-based central bank is on hold as it waits to see how big a blow US President Donald Trump's tariffs will inflict on the economy before deciding whether to cut rates again. Bank boss Christine Lagarde said: 'The economy has so far proven resilient overall in a challenging global environment. 'At the same time, the environment remains exceptionally uncertain, especially because of trade disputes.' The ECB has already cut rates eight times since June of last year and Ms Lagarde said after the last policy meeting on June 5 that the central bank is 'getting to the end of a monetary policy cycle'. Inflation has fallen from double digits in late 2022 to 2pc in June, in line with the ECB's target. A stronger euro, which lowers the price of imports, and softer global prices for oil have helped keep inflation moderate. The stronger euro, up 13pc this year, has attracted attention as a potential damper on growth.
