It is a web-based maritime surveillance platform that tracks vessels at sea using Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder data. The platform cross-references live vessel positions in real time against official EU and NATO sanctions lists to identify known or suspected shadow fleet ships operating anywhere in the world. “I came up with the idea when I saw an article about the shadow fleet operating near Ireland. "It came as a shock when I looked on my ship tracking app and discovered that there were eight shadow fleet vessels operating around Ireland's EEZ that were listed on NATO or EU sanctions lists. "So I took a look online to see if there was any website or app that tracked the shadow fleet globally.

It is 'impossible to estimate how much damage and destruction' had been caused by the importation of such a large quantity of cocaine, Judge Karen O’Connor said. File photograph: Dave MeehanThe Special Criminal Court has jailed seven cocaine smugglers for terms between 10½ years and 12 years, with the presiding judge saying she must impose a “significant deterrent” to international criminal operations that use Ireland’s coastline to import drugs, causing immeasurable damage. The judge said the circumstances of the case indicated the operation was planned by an international drugs cartel operating at a very high level. All seven entered guilty pleas that on dates between December 18th, 2024, and January 15th, 2025, both within and outside the State, they did conspire with others to import into the State drugs in excess of €13,000. The three-judge court imposed a sentence of 10½ on Costello, Watson, Lao, Ampo and Pangahin.

Czechia have appointed 26-year-old Wolves defender Ladislav Krejčí as their new captain for Thursday’s meeting with Ireland, stripping Tomás Soucek permanently of the armband. The West Ham United midfielder was disciplined by the Czechia FA after his team failed to applaud their fans following the facile 6-0 win over Gibraltar in November. New manager Miroslav Koubek, in conjunction with general manager, legendary former midfielder Pavel Nedvěd, hinted last week at a new appointment and the big reveal has finally occurred. Wolves remain bottom of the table, 13 points off safety and on the brink of relegation. “I have said several times that I do not want to be the captain,” said the Bayer Leverkusen forward earlier on Monday.

Scientists say the speed of a person's speech, not just how quickly they can recall a word, could be an early warning sign of dementia. Early signs of Alzheimer's disease — which affects more than six million Americans — may include changes in talking speed that reflect underlying brain decline. But the strongest link between speech and brain health was the speed at which the words came out when a person was talking, not the hesitations or length of gaps between words. A growing body of research shows that speech is a hallmark warning sign of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia. While six million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, roughly 10 million have mild cognitive impairment, often a precursor to a dementia diagnosis.

Down will accept the Division 3 National Football League cup with Allianz ribbons if they win Saturday’s final against Wexford in Croke Park. In the event Down win on Saturday, county chairperson Maureen O’Higgins said captain Odhrán Murdock will accept the trophy. “There are two teams playing here and we won’t be disrespectful with regard to what ribbons are on the cup. We will accept the cup if we are fortunate enough to win it.”O’Higgins confirmed the Down board had granted permission for the “No to Allianz” protest on Sunday. There was courtesy afforded to both parties.”Several other protests occurred outside National League venues this past weekend including Castlebar, Galway and Thurles.

Video: Fearne Cotton reveals 'guilt' over being a 'working mum' as she opens up about the pressures to be financially responsible - following ex Jesse Woods' post-divorce money woesFearne Cotton reveals 'guilt' over being a 'working mum' as she opens up about the pressures to be financially responsible - following ex Jesse Woods' post-divorce money woes. The broadcaster, 44, and the musician, 49, announced their separation in December 2024 after ten years of marriage. The former couple share two children, son Rex, 12, and daughter Honey, nine.

UK food company collapses into liquidation as staff made redundantEast Kilbride-based company Enterprise Foods Limited has collapsed into liquidation - as many as 71 staff have been made redundant after 35 years in businessView 2 Images The firm has gone into liquidation (stock) (Image: GETTY)A major UK food company has collapsed into liquidation after being in business for 35 years. Scottish firm Enterprise Foods Limited helped suppliers and producers get goods onto the shelves of major retailers. As many as 71 staff have been made redundant after it went bust. The East Kilbride-based company traded as Localist and fell into financial difficulty after failing to refinance debts of more than £5million. George Lafferty of BTG was appointed provisional liquidator on Wednesday after a petition was lodged by the company.

There are more people born in the United States living in Scotland than people from Ireland, Wales, South Africa, Australia, China. Over the 20-year period, the number of Americans living in Edinburgh effectively tripled, rising 199%. Compared to 2001 figures, the number of Americans living in those council areas rose by around a modest 27% in both cases. And there is the question of national identity, which is described by the Scottish Government as follows: “National identity is a feeling of attachment to a nation. In total, around 17,000 people claimed some kind of American national identity during the 2022 census.

Ms Reeves is expected to announce support for those struggling with their bills in the wake of the US-Israeli offensive against Iran. Oil prices spiked following the US-led offensive, but have started to come down, reaching 104 dollars a barrel on Monday. Mr Doogan said: “While independent Ireland acts, Westminster can’t once again leave citizens in the cold. “With full control over our energy resources, we can bring energy bills down.”Speaking to a Parliamentary Liaison Committee on Monday, Sir Keir said: “I can reassure the committee that we haven’t any meaningful concerns about energy supplies. “For household energy bills, it is important for me to reiterate that they will be cut because of the measures we took in the budget last year and then held until the end of June.

The musician, who hails from Northern Ireland, will receive the recognition at the Jazz FM Awards 2026 next month. The ceremony in central London will bring together leading artists from across the worlds of jazz, soul and blues to celebrate the genre’s heritage and its continuing evolution, organisers said. Previous recipients of the lifetime achievement award include Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett and Ahmad Jamal. He said: “Jazz and blues have always been at the heart of the music I love and the music I make. “It is a privilege for the Jazz FM Awards to honour such a singular and enduring talent with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.”Other acts nominated at the awards include Raye for soul act of the year and Ezra Collective, who are up for The Innovation Award.

Edinburgh locals scream 'get out' as driver's car bursts into flamesCrews were called to the scene of the fire. Hoseason Gardens in Clermiston (Image: Edinburgh Live)Locals screamed "get out" after a woman's car burst into flames while she was in it. Emergency services are now responding to the car fire which took place on an Edinburgh residential street. ‌The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were alerted to the blaze at around 6.36pm on Monday, March 23. ‌An image from the scene shows a fire fighter beside a burnt out vehicle parked in a driveway.

Frank Lampard tipped for stunning Chelsea return with Liam Rosenior pressure growingChelsea legend Frank Lampard's stock is at an all-time high as his Coventry City side close in on promotion - and he's now been tipped to make a stunning Stamford Bridge returnView 2 Images Frank Lampard has Coventry on course for promotion - and he's now been tipped to make a stunning return to Chelsea (Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Nicky Butt reckons Chelsea should consider trying to lure Frank Lampard back to Stamford Bridge in the summer as pressure continues to grow on the Blues' current head coach, Liam Rosenior. ‌Lampard, a Chelsea legend and the club's all-time leading goalscorer from his playing days, enjoyed an 18-month spell as manager between 2019 and 2021. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt said: "Do you think if Frank Lampard gets promotion with Coventry they could go back in for Frank? ‌"It wouldn’t be a stupid thing to go and get Frank Lampard back in charge of Chelsea for me. I think Lampard would find it easier working with better players, it would be easier for him to get his messages across to more technical players.

Yellow wind warning issued for five countiesMet Éireann has issued a yellow wind warning for five counties on Tuesday. A warning will be in place for Clare, Mayo, Kerry, Galway, and Limerick from 5 pm on Tuesday until midnight. Monday night will be cloudy and breezy with scattered outbreaks of rain, turning heavy across parts of the Midwest and West. Tuesday night will be wet and unsettled with showers widespread throughout and fresh to strong northwesterly winds. Some of the showers may turn wintry, especially on higher ground, with the lowest temperatures of one to four degrees.

Teams have still not explored all the attacking possibilities of the new rules, according to Football Review Committee member James Horan. “It was a game where I thought both teams were conservative in how they attacked,” said Horan. They cut back and took the safe option.”Speaking after the game, Galway manager Pádraic Joyce was critical of how “pedestrian” they were in attack. “There are so many different things. It is predictable the way Galway attacked; if they added that bit of variety, they would become a different beast.”

Michael Gillespie, General Secretary of the TUI and a former teacher of Physics, Science and Maths at St Brendan’s Community School in BirrStress and burnout fuelling teacher retention crisis, says Birr’s Michael GillespieMichael Gillespie, General Secretary of the TUI and a former teacher of Physics, Science and Maths at St Brendan’s Community School in Birr, has said that stress and burnout are two of the leading causes of the teacher retention crisis. The Teachers of Ireland Survey 2026 by schooldays.ie has revealed growing concerns about workload, resources, and whether teachers’ voices are being heard by policymakers. A total of 1,838 responses were received to the question of whether teachers feel their voices are heard by government and policymakers. In too many cases, stress and burnout are driving these highly qualified graduates away," said Mr Gillespie. However, there is no room for complacency given the myriad pressures and demands facing teachers in increasingly complex school and societal contexts.