Latest from Irish Daily Mirror
Irish Daily Mirror
30 minutes ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
EU response to US tariffs will be firm, quick and robust, Commissioner promises
The European Union's response to US President Donald Trump implementing 30 per cent tariffs on European products will be "firm, quick and robust", Commissioner Michael McGrath has said. Mr Trump threatened the EU and Mexico with a 30 per cent tariff on imports to the US from August. The US president warned he would impose even higher import taxes if either of the US trading partners decided to retaliate. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded by saying the EU prefers a negotiated solution on trade with the United States, and that the bloc would extend its suspension of countermeasures to US tariffs until early August. Mr McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, said that negotiations have been "particularly intensive" in recent weeks and they are working to the revised deadline. He said that EU negotiators will leave "no stone unturned" in getting the best deal possible for the bloc. "We remain in a process and we have been negotiating intensively with the US administration for several weeks now, and that was preceded by further discussions, really going on a number of months," Mc McGrath told RTE Radio 1. "But they have been particularly intensive in recent weeks, and we believe that progress has been made. "We are working towards the revised deadline of August 1. We are particularly conscious of the need, insofar as possible, to remove uncertainty for businesses because we know how damaging that is to international trade, to the prospects and the investment decisions of companies, tariffs are ultimately paid for by somebody along the supply chain, most likely by the end consumer. "We have two and a half weeks left before the new deadline within which we will leave no stone unturned as a European Union to get the best possible deal for our companies." He said that if the 30 per cent tariff is introduced by the US, the EU has measures in place to respond. "The European response will be firm, it will be quick and it will be robust," he added. "We have been preparing for a range of different scenarios for many months, and so the European Union has been keeping all of the member states, including Ireland, regularly informed of developments, there have been ongoing consultations. "I want to underline the importance of unity. What we have been doing in relation to countermeasures is preparing for different scenarios. "There are two different sets of packages of countermeasures that amount to the imposition of tariffs of exports from the US into the EU of over €90 billion. "We do not wish for that to come to pass, but in the event that it does, then we will need to respond if the US proceeds unilaterally with the imposition of tariffs of the order that President Trump has flagged in his letter over the weekend. "But we have a range of instruments and tools." He also said that the EU was in a "strong position", and that the importance of US companies accessing the European market should not be understated. Describing it as a "an exceptionally lucrative market" for the US, he said both sides want to have terms of trade that work for everyone. Meanwhile, Europe Minister Thomas Byrne said Ireland wants to see a trade deal between the European Union and the US agreed as soon as possible. Mr Byrne is at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on Trade in Brussels on Monday. Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic is updating ministers in Brussels on the negotiations. Mr Byrne said: "We want to see a deal between the EU and the US agreed as soon as possible, including, if possible, in advance of the August 1 deadline. "The Irish Government strongly supports the efforts of trade commissioner Sefcovic. "We remain cautiously optimistic about reaching agreement in principle on a framework agreement in the coming days." Other items on the agenda at the summit include a discussion on ongoing bilateral trade negotiations and EU-China trade relations. Mr Byrne said: "Now, more than ever, we need to expand our trade and diversify our markets. "An ambitious trade agenda, with new partners around the globe, is in our overall interests. "But in pursuing this agenda, we must maintain EU standards on food safety, animal and plant health, as well as remain faithful to our European values of supporting better environmental and human rights standards around the world."
Irish Daily Mirror
43 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Conor McGregor fiancée Dee Devlin makes feelings clear after mystery woman snog
Dee Devlin has put on a united front after Conor McGregor was pictured kissing an unknown woman. The ex-UFC champ was caught on camera getting up close and personal with a bikini-clad lady on a Fort Lauderdale beach over the weekend. In the images seen by the Irish Mirror, McGregor put his hand on her thigh, had his arm slung over her shoulder, and seemingly planted a kiss on her lips. His fiancée, Devlin, has posted on social media for the first time since the photos surfaced. But she made no mention of them in her upload, instead celebrating McGregor's 37th birthday on Monday. She reposted a tribute from a fan page on her Instagram story that said: "Happy Birthday to the person who always keeps Dee entertained and makes her smile." The post included a montage of the couple in their joyous moments. The pair have been an item for 16 years, got engaged in 2020, and have four kids together – sons Conor Jr, eight, Rian, four, Mack, one, and their daughter Croia, six. Their partnership has weathered its fair share of storms, notably McGregor's civil rape case. Last November, a High Court civil jury found him civilly liable for assaulting Nikita Hand. He faced allegations of "brutally raping and battering" Ms Hand at a hotel in south Dublin back in November 2018. McGregor maintained that their sexual interactions at the Beacon Hotel were consensual. The jury sided with her, with €248,603.60 in damages awarded. McGregor has mounted an appeal against the ruling that got underway earlier this month. Once again standing united with McGregor as they exited the High Court last year, Devlin later expressed her unwavering support on social media: "My man and I have created a beautiful life together. I love him I trust him and I BELIEVE HIM! "Our four beautiful children whose smiling faces and happy hearts are testimony to the man he is and who we are! No one is entitled to comment on our relationship - we trust one another and love one another. "Nothing or nobody will change that. Our family stands strong!" McGregor has now been absent from the UFC for over four years. His last fight, a second successive defeat to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, saw him break his leg. He has teased fans with talks of a comeback several times since, yet his anticipated June 2024 clash with Michael Chandler was scrapped and wasn't rescheduled.
Irish Daily Mirror
43 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gregg Wallace's damning MasterChef report in full: sex slurs to state of undress
Gregg Wallace's role on MasterChef became unsustainable after a seven-month investigation confirmed 45 out of 83 allegations of misconduct. The majority of complaints against him involved sexual language and humour, while a smaller number concerned "being in a state of undress", with multiple women alleging he exposed himself without wearing undergarments. Additionally, one allegation of "unwanted physical contact" was substantiated among complaints of groping by Wallace. The findings follow a seven-month inquiry by law firm Lewis Silkin, which interviewed 41 complainants among 78 witnesses to verify the 83 allegations against Wallace. Most complaints related to incidents between 2005 and 2018, when Wallace received a 90-minute reprimand from former head of unscripted content Kate Philips, now the BBC's director of content. The complaints were categorised into seven areas: inappropriate comments (jokes and innuendo), sexually explicit comments, being in a state of undress, sexualised comments made to or about someone, cultural insensitivity or racism, bullying, and unwanted physical contact. Back in December 2024, an initial group of 13 women stepped forward, igniting the launch of the review process. Now, BBC News has disclosed that the number of women lodging complaints against Wallace has surged to 50 – with allegations linked to MasterChef being referred to the investigative team. The enquiry unveiled that numerous incidents now under complaint were originally dismissed at the time. "Mr Wallace was consistently described as energetic, humorous, and generally able to put contestants at ease, which contributed to the show's success," the report admitted, reports the Mirror. "However, these interactions and some comments made within earshot of contestants or colleagues sometimes resulted in offence and/or left people feeling uncomfortable. Sometimes other people who were present laughed along. Occasionally these comments were called out in the moment by people who heard them, but very often they were not." Regarding the findings, the report acknowledged Wallace's recent autism diagnosis as pertinent, yet insufficient to retain his role as a presenter. "Mr Wallace's neurodiversity diagnosis is considered highly relevant in the context of the findings made, particularly regarding his use of humour as a 'masking' technique and his difficulty in reading social cues, the review states. "Mr Wallace accepts that his diagnosis may help to explain some of his actions, but he does not wish to hide behind it." Banijay CEO Patrick Holland, who previously held the role of controller at BBC2, has stated that the report offers "much needed clarity" on Wallace's conduct spanning two decades. Regarding Wallace's autism, Holland remarked that the condition cannot be used as an excuse to retain his position. He elaborated: "Whilst acknowledging Mr Wallace's autism diagnosis, which is relevant to certain behaviours identified in the report, and accepting that the production could have done more to identify, manage and communicate patterns of inappropriate behaviour, the volume and consistency of substantiated allegations, ranging between 2005 and 2024, make Gregg Wallace's return to MasterChef untenable." Holland expressed confidence that measures are in place to prevent a recurrence of such issues. "Whilst it makes for uncomfortable reading, highlighting failures in legacy reporting and HR procedures, it also provides valuable insight to ensure that going forward everyone working on our productions feels safe and supported, and that inappropriate behaviour is quickly and professionally dealt with," he commented. Following the acquisition of Endemol Shine in 2020, Banijay announced the immediate implementation of "an additional externally run whistle blowing service across all our productions with immediate effect". He expressed his regret that in the past, individuals with grievances felt powerless to come forward and offered an apology for it: "We are extremely sorry to anyone who has been impacted by this behaviour and felt unable to speak up at the time or that their complaint was not adequately addressed." Emphasising a fresh start, he mentioned that the programme's team is eager to resume work, leaving these issues in the past. "MasterChef is a much-loved show which year in, year out, changes the lives and careers of contestants, amateur and professional alike. It's made by a brilliant team of outstanding professionals, and we look forward to bringing more exceptional cooking to screens in the coming months and years." Karen Baxter, heading up investigations at Lewis Silkin, noted her findings that Wallace had altered his conduct post-2018 following a chat with the BBC brass. She shared: " There is evidence which shows that Mr Wallace took some proactive steps to modify his behaviour, seek guidance from colleagues on his choice of language, and to remove himself from work-related social situations." Wallace, in anticipation of the report's release last week, spoke up: "I have taken the decision to speak out ahead of the publication of the Silkins report – a decision I do not take lightly." His words were marked by a sense of urgency to defend his name, stating: "After 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others. "I have now been cleared by the Silkins report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me. "The most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation." The investigation revealed that, before 2024, there had been a total of 11 complaints lodged about Wallace either to the production company or to the BBC or both - despite 19 individuals claiming to have filed a complaint. Of these 11, three were actually observations or comments rather than a complaint, it was discovered. Out of the remaining eight, most were addressed informally until the BBC stepped in response to a specific allegation in 2017 - which was when Wallace attended a meeting with his agent and was warned by Kate Phillips of "the need to change his behaviour". Report author Baxter notes: " Mr Wallace took steps to heed that warning." She also observed that Wallace had been "co- operative and forthcoming" with the process, having been interviewed three times by the Investigation Team, totalling more than 14 hours. The investigator found that when concerns were reported to the production company, they tended to address them on an individual basis, which meant that it was not considered in context with any previous allegations, or against what had been observed by senior members of staff. She discovered a lack of "retain records" regarding actions taken, especially in the earlier period from 2005 to 2011. Employees were not properly briefed on the escalation process for complaints, which would have allowed them to voice concerns when incidents first occurred. Furthermore, she noted that issues were not consistently communicated to the presenter, leaving Wallace "was not necessarily aware" that his conduct had caused offence. Even when matters were formally addressed, Wallace wasn't always informed, with the report stating, "Issues were still not always raised clearly and directly with Mr Wallace, to the extent that he remained unaware of some, (although not all), of these concerns."
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Two people, 20s, rescued off coast of Donegal after dinghy blown out to sea
Two people were rescued off the coast of Donegal after their dinghy was blown out to sea yesterday. Emergency services were dispatched to Pollan Bay, a 2.5km beach located on the north-western tip of the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal, on Sunday afternoon, after the two people aged in their 20s got into difficulty. Lough Swilly RNLI were tasked by Malin Head Coast Guard to launch both boats just before 4pm on July 13, with Rescue 118 and members of Gardaí also being dispatched to the scene. Both boats quickly made their way to the area and the casualties were picked up by the Atlantic 85 and taken to the shore where they were met by an ambulance and Gardaí. Joe Joyce from Lough Swilly praised the fast acting crew members: "There was a lot going on in Buncrana with the Donegal game on, the music festival and the town was really busy. "The volunteer crew did well launching both boats so quickly. There was an off-shore wind blowing, today's outcome could have been so different." Gardai confirmed that both occupants of the dinghy were picked up by the RNLI and returned to shore and no injuries have been reported at the time of writing. A Garda spokesperson told the Irish Mirror: "Gardaí assisted emergency services at the scene where a small dinghy boat was blown out to sea by strong winds on Sunday, 13 June, 2025 at Pollan Beach, Ballyiffen, Co. Donegal." If you are in difficulty in or on the water or see someone in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Concern' grows for Cork teenager last seen before weekend
Gardaí have launched an urgent search appeal for a missing Cork teenager, as concern grows for his well-being. Jonathan Herrera, aged 15, is reported missing from his home in Killeens, Cork. Jonathan was last seen in Killeens at approximately 11am on Thursday morning, July 10. Jonathan is described as being approximately five feet six inches tall with a slim build, brown hair and brown eyes. Gardaí and Jonathan's family are concerned for his well-being and have appealed for anyone with any information on his whereabouts to contact authorities. A Garda spokesperson said: 'Gardaí are appealing to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 15-year-old Jonathan Herrera who is reported missing from his home in Killeens, Cork since Thursday 10 July'. They added: 'Anyone with information on Jonathan's whereabouts is asked to contact Mayfield Garda Station on 021 455 8510, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.'
