Developer Sean Mulryan, Athlone Town investor and chairman Nick Giannotti, and Ballinasloe councillor Evelyn Parsons. 2025: The Year In QuotesA look back at some of the stories of 2025, through quotes which appeared in the Westmeath Independent. - Kilbeggan songer-songwriter Larissa Tormey after the song she co-wrote, Laika Party, was chosen as Ireland's 2025 Eurovision entry. HOUSING CRISIS"Calls, emails, texts, messages, it's all housing, housing, housing. I can't help but feel it's a broken system," - Athlone councillor Aengus O'Rourke speaking last June about Ireland's housing crisis.

Unsurprisingly, perhaps, given the nature of his business, he was quick to point to the value of travel insurance for those planning to head off to the sun – or the snow – in the weeks and months ahead. But although Whelan has skin in the game, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) does not and it too has been anxious to stress both the importance and the value of travel insurance in recent days. Too many people think their private health insurance or the European Health Insurance Card – which allows an EU citizen be treated like the citizens of whatever EU country they are in – removes the need for travel insurance. Then there is the reality that some private hospitals overseas will ask for travel insurance policy details in the first instance, and having them to hand can save a lot of hassle at the time. That takes us to the small print, and when it comes to travel insurance the devil is often in the detail.

Westmeath’s Matthew Whittaker on the attack as Offaly’s Jack McEvoy gives chase during the O'Byrne Cup semi-final at TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar last Saturday. Westmeath team confirmed for O'Byrne Cup finalWestmeath senior football manager Mark McHugh has named his starting team to contest the O'Byrne Cup final against Kildare in St Conleth's Park Newbridge tonight (Friday) at 7.30pm. The team shows four changes to that which defeated Offaly in the semi-final of the competition on Saturday last. There is a new centrefield pairing for the final with Athlone's Ray Connellan being joined by Harry Niall of Moate All Whites. Westmeath will be hoping to seal their first O'Byrne Cup title in seven years, while the Lilywhites are striving for their first competition success since 2014.

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Angie Best shared an emotional update from her hospital bed as she undergoes unusual 'mistletoe' chemotherapy treatment following her recent cancer diagnosis. Angie also showed her scepticism at traditional cancer treatment methods as she reposted a meme branded 'the cancer scam'. Mistletoe therapy - so called because it uses extracts from the European mistletoe plant - is an alternative cancer treatment that has been used in Europe for decadesAngie also showed her scepticism at traditional cancer treatment methods as she reposted a meme branded 'the cancer scam'What is mistletoe therapy? Bowel cancer affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum. According to Bowel Cancer UK, more than 41,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK.

I visited beautiful British market town - but locals say there's 1 issueHistoric market town on the edge of Dartmoor has a Victorian arcade, independent shops and cafes - but locals say the town has changed. ‌Nestled almost at the county's heart and perched on northern Dartmoor's fringe sits the market town of Okehampton. The Visit Okehampton website notes that the town's "prominence began in the Saxon era". The town centre is a delight, boasting quality fabric shops, unique independent stores, a Victorian shopping arcade, and local cafes and bakeries. The Visit Okehampton website paints a vivid picture of the arcade: "The Victorian Arcade in Okehampton is a truly fascinating place."

Ulster Unionist MLA Jon Burrows, alongside MLA Diana Armstrong who is backing his bid and running to be deputy leader herself, on steps of Parliament Buildings (David Young/PA)Current deputy leader Robbie Butler ruled himself out earlier in the day. Mr Burrows is expected to be formally ratified at an extraordinary general meeting of the party on January 31. “The people of Northern Ireland deserve a strong, confident, and pragmatic Ulster Unionist Party, one that delivers for them, addresses the current challenges in Northern Ireland with honesty, and strengthens the union in the long term. “Politics across Northern Ireland needs to reconnect with ordinary people and be relentlessly focused on bettering their lives.”He paid tribute to Mr Nesbitt as a “natural leader who cares profoundly about both the union and our party”. “We have much to be proud of in Northern Ireland, but there is also much to address, and that task is urgent.

We’ve come this far with it, and it’s been beautiful, but unfortunately we’re not really moving the dial that much. Also don’t meddle with the billionaires, don’t meddle with the system. Protestors outside the Scottish Labour HQ in Glasgow (Image: Newsquest)"One big thing I’m definitely learning recently is that free speech is so important and it’s being taken away from people all the time. “It's about convincing people that we’re all in the same situation struggling to make ends meet while there’s a tiny cluster of billionaires, and free speech is key. "You can use the historical comparison of the abolitionists trying to end slavery, the powers that be were trying to shut down all free speech on that side.

Andrew Winfield for the brand said: "Cars are an important way of getting around, so it's crucial we take good care of them. The findings also showed drivers typically replace their vehicle every five years - though 21% have stuck with the same motor for at least a decade. The primary motivation for switching vehicles for 46% of drivers was simply wanting something different, while 42% said they'd only change if their current vehicle became undriveable. Gen Z motorists are the most meticulous about keeping their vehicles pristine, with 22% cleaning weekly – more than any other age group. "It appears some still have reservations about whether to change to electrified vehicles, but with technology advancing it's a great time to make the switch."

Firms must submit a disclosure by Friday, January 30, and pay any tax liabilities in full, or ask for a Phased Payment Arrangement (PPA). Revenue gave companies two years’ grace to regularise their payrolls, taking account of that Supreme Court ruling, but there is now just two weeks left to the deadline. It meant that firms which misclassified employees as contractors in 2024 and 2025 had a chance to disclose this, and make a settlement for income tax, PRSI and USC. “Revenue is aware that some businesses that are reviewing the status of employees/contractors are concerned that they will not have fully completed the review by the 30 January deadline,” the tax authority said. The Supreme Court judgment introduced a five-step process for companies when they are deciding if a worker is an employee or a contractor for income tax purposes.

Delegates will seek private capital for housing targetsMIPIM is one of the largest property and real-estate investment conferences. Photo: GettyThe Government is organising an Irish pavilion at a property investment conference in the south of France in March, in a bid to compete more aggressively for private capital to help fund housing.

‘I feel my heart has been split in two’ – Gazan women in Ireland plead for husbands to be evacuatedMost of the medically evacuated families were reunited in October, but three fathers remain trapped in GazaGhada Nabil Abdul Rahim Barakat with her daughter, Jouri. Photo: Gerry MooneyLaura Lynott Today at 06:30Three fathers remain trapped in Gaza while their wives and children – some of whom are facing complex, ongoing medical treatment in Ireland – wait for a reunion that has not come.

PAC chairman John Brady, of Sinn Féin, expressed worry that another tech project was causing signifi­cant overruns. Yet anger at such budget blow-outs using public money does not appear to be reflected in state efforts to hold those responsible to account. Public confidence in how taxpayers’ money is being used is under strainLast May, we had the fiasco of the Dáil bike shed. A review found that while some of the practices in the Public Spending Code were followed, no “value- for-money assessment” was carried out. It could and probably has.”Public confidence in how taxpayers’ money is being used is under strain.

JanuaryVigil by George Saunders (Bloomsbury)The author of the masterful Lincoln in the Bardo explores a similarly liminal milieu in his latest novel. FebruarySaoirse by Charleen Hurtubise (Eriu)The Dublin-based American impressed with her debut novel The Polite Act of Drowning, published in 2023. The Visit by Neil Tully (Eriu)A real-life event is the background for this intriguing novel from the Cork-based debut author. Doireann Ní Ghríofa’s novel ‘Said the Dead’ is one of the most eagerly awaited books of the year. In her latest novel, O’Farrell turns her attention to her native Ireland and a story inspired by her own family history.

Emotional Gordon Ramsay wiped away tears as he prepared to give his daughter Holly away in a sweet video from her wedding to Adam Peaty. Gordon and Holly gave a glimpse into the moments before in a clip shared to Instagram on Friday. Greeting his daughter ahead of her ceremony, he broke down in tears after seeing her in her gown for the first time. Holly captioned the update: 'A moment we have talked about since I was a little girl, I’ll always be your bug. The publication went on to claim that Gordon couldn't resist a sly dig at Adam's absent parents he told his daughter Holly: 'Shame you don't have the same.'