Connacht are “getting there” but still face an uphill battle to secure a top-eight finish in the URC. Running out of games, Stuart Lancaster’s side is now looking to build on last weekend’s win over Ulster as they return to Dexcom Stadium to face Ospreys on Saturday (kick-off 2.15pm). Ospreys are such a tough team to beat, we know that from the Challenge Cup game.”With the club’s future still in doubt, Lancaster expects Ospreys to come to Galway “fighting for their life”. Photograph: James Crombie/InphoLancaster also paid tribute to outhalf Jack Carty, who announced his retirement on Tuesday after 15 seasons at Connacht. A product of the Connacht pathway system through Buccaneers RFC and Marist College, he was Connacht captain from 2022-2024.

A man has been found dead following a fire at the same house where a boy and his great-aunt died in a previous arson attack. Irish national police said they are investigating 'all the circumstances' of the fire at Castleview Park in Edenderry, County Offaly, which occurred just three months after a fatal blaze at the same property. An Garda Siochana said in a statement: 'The body of an adult person has been discovered inside the premises. 'A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death, which will determine the course of any Garda investigation.' In December 2025, four-year-old Tadhg Farrell and his great-aunt Mary Holt were murdered after a fire was deliberately started at the property.

The late John FlanaganChamber honours late John Flanagan with Remembrance AwardTullamore & District Chamber of Commerce paid tribute to the late John Flanagan at the 2026 Chamber Business Awards on Friday night, presenting a special Remembrance Award in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to business, community and public life in Tullamore. The award was presented during a poignant moment in the ceremony, where members of the Flanagan family were invited to the stage to accept the honour on his behalf. Born in Cappincur in 1931, John Flanagan’s journey was one defined by determination, vision and a strong work ethic. He was a passionate advocate for collaboration, leadership and the importance of a strong local business voice. Beyond his professional and public life, John Flanagan was remembered as a devoted family man.

EU and Australia agree free trade and defence agreementsThe European Union and Australia have agreed on a Free Trade Agreement, as well as a Security and Defence Partnership, the European Commission has announced. ​The Free Trade Agreement was agreed at a meeting in Canberra between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. ​This will give European exporters access to the Australian market, including the removal of 99% of tariffs on EU goods to Australia. ​“With these dynamic new partnerships on security and defence, as well as trade, we are moving even closer together. These agreements put in place lasting, trust-based structures to support peace and security through strength, driving prosperity through rules-based trade, and working together to uphold global institutions.

In the Dáil on Tuesday night, the Government's financial resolution to cut excise passed by 118 votes to 39, with only Sinn Féin and Independent TD Carol Nolan voting against. Prices at the pumps will be cut by between 15c and 20c until the end of May as the Government moves to tackle soaring costs for motorists and hauliers. He said the Government had "done nothing" for four weeks and that the package announced on Tuesday was "too little, too late". He said the Government could have cut excise further and had done nothing to address the cost of home heating oil. People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger said she was concerned to hear that measures for hauliers and bus companies would be backdated.

Body discovered after fire at house where two died in December arson attackGarda are investigating all the circumstances of a house fire that occurred this morning at a domestic residence in Castleview Park, Edenderry, Co. Offaly. The body of an adult has been discovered inside the premises, which is the same house where Mary Holt and Tadhg Farrell were murdered in December 2025 in an arson attack. A post mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death, which will determine the course of any Garda investigation. Gardaí in Tullamore are appealing for any person with any information on this house fire to contact An Garda Síochána. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

The body of Christopher ‘Crunchie’ Holt, aged in his sixties, was found after a blaze at the house in the early hours of Tuesday. However, family members and friends of Mr Holt paid tribute to him. It is understood gardaí believe Mr Holt died in a tragic incident and that the fire may have been accidental. Although the house had been boarded up since December’s fire, it is understood Mr Holt was living in the kitchen as the rest of the home was uninhabitable. Alongside a series of images of Mr Holt, she wrote: “Fly high with the angels.

How Liverpool players past and present responded to bombshell Mohamed Salah announcementMohamed Salah announced on Tuesday he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, with players past and present paying tribute to the Reds legendView 2 Images Mohamed Salah has announced he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the seasonLiverpool players past and present have paid tribute to Mohamed Salah following confirmation that he will depart the club at the end of the season. Following Salah's announcement, a host of Liverpool players - both former and current - responded and paid homage to the departing Reds icon. Alexis Mac Allister added a clapping emoji, Harvey Elliott penned "legend" along with a crying and a red love heart emoji, whilst Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk commented with a red love heart and clapping emoji. ‌Jordan Henderson, now at Brentford, responded with a king and red love heart emoji, Florian Wirtz posted a folded hands and red love heart emoji, and Ryan Gravenberch wrote "legend" with a red love heart emoji. Darwin Nunez added a red love heart and king emoji, Ibrahima Konate declared, "The King", whilst Joe Gomez posted two red love heart emojis and Steven Gerrard contributed a red love heart emoji of his own.

EXCLUSIVE: Theo Walcott urges Max Dowman to snub World Cup if Thomas Tuchel picks Arsenal gemTheo Walcott, who was named in England's 2006 World Cup squad as a fresh-faced 17-year-old, hopes Max Dowman will sit out of this summer's tournament in North AmericaView 3 Images Thomas Tuchel says the door is open for Max Dowman to make England's World Cup squadEighty five days out from England's World Cup opener against Croatia in Texas, Thomas Tuchel has plenty to deliberate. Tuchel is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to end England's gruelling 60-year wait for glory. ‌For that reason, he is refusing to rule out utilising a unique secret weapon in North America: Arsenal's 16-year-old wonderkid Max Dowman, whom the German has already described as a "game-changer." At 17 years and 75 days, Theo Walcott remains England's youngest-ever debutant, however, Dowman would obliterate that long-standing record if he were to receive the nod this summer. ‌But he was later overlooked by Fabio Capello for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and also missed the 2014 tournament in Brazil following knee surgery.

'Violence erupted' in pub after man threw punter's lighter on the floorZac Creighton knocked one man to the floor and threw a glass into the face of another who stepped in to break up the troubleView Image Zac Creighton's police mugshot (Image: Derbyshire Police)A man threw a bottle in the face of a reveller during a fight at an Ilkeston pub. ‌Both the victim and a second man required hospital treatment after being assaulted by 33-year-old Zac Creighton at the Borough Arms in the early hours of July 20, last year. “Violence had erupted when Zac Creighton reportedly threw down a lighter onto the floor after borrowing it from another man. “He then knocked one man to the floor and threw a glass into the face of another who stepped in to break up the trouble. ‌But the defendant’s fingerprints were discovered by officers on the guard, leading to his arrest.

Raoul Peck has good reasons to tackle the life of George Orwell and the lessons to be learned from Orwell’s political writings. A scene from Orwell: 2+2=5. You have to feel it as an audience.”Raoul Peck and Damian Lewis in Cannes for a screening of Orwell: 2+2=5. Photo: Valery HACHE / AFPInevitably, US president Donald Trump — a master purveyor of fake news — looms large in Orwell: 2+2=5. Israel has made peace and will make peace again.”He may as well have been repeating the Orwellian catchphrase from Nineteen Eighty-Four: “War is Peace”.

VW recalling 100,000 EVs over battery issuesMichael McAleerVolkswagen is recalling nearly 100,000 electric vehicles, citing problems linked to battery modules. The recall notices affect nearly 75,000 vehicles from Volkswagen’s ID. To date, VW has recorded 18,403 Irish sales of its ID range of electric cars, while Cupra registered 1,578 Borns here since its launch. A software update will be run on the vehicles brought in, the high voltage battery will be inspected, and if needed, individual modules of the battery will be replaced. Customers will be contacted in the coming days to arrange the necessary steps and schedule an appointment with their service centre, the company said.

Married At First Sight (Mafs) relationship coach Mel Schilling has died aged 54, weeks after announcing that doctors could no longer treat her cancer. Schilling – known for offering relationship advice on the hit Channel 4 reality dating show – died on Tuesday “surrounded by love”, according to a family statement. A statement from her husband Gareth said: “Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love. “To most of you, she was Mel Schilling — matriarch of Mafs and queen of reality TV. Channel 4 paid tribute to the relationship coach, in a statement shared on Instagram, describing Schilling as someone who “radiated joy, warmth and optimism”.

Smyths Toys assured parents that the overall risk is low, however the manufacturer is recalling the affected items as a precaution. Smyths Toys has said trace levels of asbestos have been detected in a range of dig toys made with blocks of sand containing gem stones, pirates’ treasure and dinosaur eggs that it has been selling. The toys come as blocks of sand and include excavation tools that children can use to dig out the toys buried in the boxes. “Testing has shown that the material inside some products may contain trace levels of asbestos,” the recall notice said. They are the Dino Dig Sensory Bin; a Gold Dig It Kit; a 10 piece Dig It Out Dinosaur Eggs kit, a Dig It Up Pirates Treasure Set; a Gem Dig Kit 8 Pack; a Pocket Play Gold Treasure Chest Dig It kit and a Gem Dig Kit 12 Gem Pack.

Passenger data of people flying in and out of Ireland from the EU will be collected by the Government under a plan agreed at Cabinet. The changes concern the statutory framework for processing passenger name record (PNR) data by the Irish passenger information unit within the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration. The regulations require airlines to transfer PNR data for flights entering or leaving Ireland from non-EU countries to the Irish passenger information unit. The EU directive also provided the option for member states to extend the requirements to airlines in respect of “intra-EU flights” — flights operating within the EU. Mr O’Callaghan said that currently “PNR data only extends to those flying to and from Ireland from outside the EU”.