Department of Housing data indicated the total amount of units commenced last year was 16,412 units. The Department of Housing said 3,065 commencement notices for new homes were lodged, the highest rate for any month last year. It comes as AIB’s latest purchasing managers’ index for the construction sector shows new orders returned to growth in December due to an increase in client demand. Date from the Department of Housing indicated the total number of units commenced in 2025 was 16,412 units. “This strong jump in the delivery of new home starts at the end of 2025 is very encouraging and signals the uptick in confidence in the construction sector,” Minister for Housing James Browne said.

The midfielder clashed with Albert Stuivenberg, known as 'AirPod Albert', and claimed he 'doesn't know what the hell he's on about' in an expletive-laden rant at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. Rice begins the sequence by saying 'just go,' and Gabriel steps in to say to Stuivenberg: 'Stop, please stop, please stop'. Then, according to Freeman, Rice blurts out: 'Oh for f***'s sake', at which point Gabriel asks him to be 'calm'. The video ends with Gabriel saying: 'Calm, hey stop, hey calm.' Stuivenberg joined Arsenal in 2019 alongside Mikel Arteta and is known as 'AirPod Albert'Daily Mail Sport has contacted Arsenal for comment.

The initial yellow Met Office warning covered parts of London and the south of the UK from 9am until 10pm on Thursday, and says heavy rain falling on saturated ground may lead to some surface water flooding. An update issued early on Thursday also included the Midlands, south west, and eastern England in the warning, which now also advises of strong winds. Storm Goretti brought gusts of almost 100mph and a rare red warning for “dangerous, stormy” winds in the south-west of England last week. Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has three flood warnings in place for England, meaning flooding is expected, along with 40 flood alerts where flooding is possible. The yellow weather warning says flooding of a few homes and businesses is possible, while bus and train services will probably be affected with longer journey times and there could be flooding on roads.

According to the Department of Housing, there were over 176,000 new homes commenced between the start of 2021 and the end of 2025. In terms of the commencements throughout 2025, 5,074 were across the four Dublin local authorities while 1,501 were in Cork City. The lowest number of homes commenced were in Leitrim at 52. Housing minister James Browne said the increase in commencements in December was “very encouraging and signals the uptick in confidence in the construction sector”. MMCThe department also released data on the number of commencements that intend to use modern methods of construction (MMC).

The latest Troy Parrott hat-trick has proved costly for Ajax after the club vowed to refund supporters following the humiliating 6-0 loss to Parrott's Alkmaar in the Dutch Cup. The Ireland striker shone in front of his international boss Heimir Hallgrimsson, who visited the Netherlands on a scouting mission to check on Parrott's form. The Dubliner obliged leaving the famed Amsterdam club counting the cost of their biggest defeat as a professional club. Ajax player Youri Regeer added: "It wasn't Ajax-worthy today," "As a club and as a group of players, we have to compensate for the tickets. Of completing another hat trick following his Ireland heroics in Budapest, Parrot said: "It's very special.

We finally have our first look at Derry Girls' creator Lisa McGee's new comedy series — and it looks like a cracker. A show about friendship, memory and what happens when life doesn’t turn out quite like you’d expected." There will be eight episodes of the comedy thriller,Roísín Gallagher ( The Dry) will star as Saoirse, Sinéad Keenan ( Unforgotten) as Robyn and Caoilfhionn Dunne ( Love/Hate) as Dara. Eagle-eyed viewers might also catch a guest appearance from Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Erin in Derry Girls, in the trailer... though she promises she is only there for "a flying visit". There will be eight episodes of the comedy thriller, all released on Friday, February 12.

From leading police in the region’s second city of Londonderry, Mr Burrows went on to head up the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s discipline branch. After completing 22 years’ service, he established himself as a political commentator before being co-opted by the Ulster Unionist Party to fill an Assembly seat vacancy in North Antrim last year. His profile on the UUP website describes him having working as a police officer nationally, but predominantly in Northern Ireland with the PSNI. Mr Burrows went on to serve as chief inspector operations for Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, and finished his policing career as head of the PSNI’s discipline branch. Over the last six months, Mr Burrows quickly became one of the most outspoken MLAs.

Double cleanse, alwaysCleansing is the foundation of any effective skincare routine. Double cleansing ensures makeup, SPF, sweat, oil and pollution are thoroughly removed. Even if you don’t wear makeup, SPF and daily pollution still require a double cleanse at night. Picture: Nina ValExtending your skincare routine to your neck is crucial. Without sunscreen, the benefits of the rest of your skincare routine are reduced.

The spending on GAA county teams has slowed down but the total figure for the 32 counties climbed to a new record of €45.6 million last year. Cumulatively, Connacht and Ulster counties spent less on their teams last year than 2024, and half of them, seven of their 14 counties, reported savings in that area. Despite reaching a second successive All-Ireland SHC final, Cork were able to reduce their overheads by €178,000. Spending on county teamsIn his annual report released on Tuesday, Munster GAA chief Kieran Leddy was optimistic about the licensing initiative being a form of equalisation. “How can a county that spends €1m on preparations of its teams be expected to compete with a county that can spend twice that?”

Equal1, the Irish quantum computing company that was spun out from University College Dublin (UCD), has raised $60 million (€52 million) to further develop its quantum computing technology and deploy its new quantum server for data centres. Quantum computing uses the theories of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems that might stump classical computers. Quantum computing is expected to unlock up to $100 billion in value. It could also help AI computing infrastructure become more sustainable in its energy use, working as a tightly integrated accelerator. “Equal1 is already making its mark in silicon-based quantum technology and we look forward to working with Equal1 as it enters its next phase, helping to realise its vision for the advancement of quantum computing technology in Ireland.”

Masters champion Rory McIlroy believes Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour is indicative of a decline in LIV Golf. “It’s not as if they made any huge signings this year, is it?” the Northern Irishman told The Daily Telegraph. “I mean, they could re-sign Bryson for hundreds of millions of dollars, but even if they do, it doesn’t change their product does it? I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” he told Sky Sports. This week’s Dubai Invitational is being played in remembrance of promising young golfer Emanuele Galeppini, and in memory of the 40 people who tragically lost their lives in Crans Montana on New Year’s Day.

Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe cuts asking price of owned club to attempt saleManchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly slashed the asking price for French club OGC Nice from as he seeks to complete a sale after nearly seven years of Ineos ownership. View 2 Images Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reduced the asking price for Nice (Image: (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images))Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has dramatically reduced the asking price for French club OGC Nice as he attempts to offload his stake in the team, it is claimed. ‌Ratcliffe put Nice on the market last year, but potential investors were reportedly unwilling to meet the asking price for the Ligue 1 side. This comes at a time when United face their own challenges and turbulence under the part-ownership of Ineos and Ratcliffe. "I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United.

Currently, women in Scotland who are more than 20 weeks are forced to travel to England to access abortion care, except in exceptional circumstances such as foetal anomaly or serious risk to the mother’s life. READ MORE:Data published by the UK Government shows that 175 women resident in Scotland had abortions in England and Wales in 2023, up from 168 in 2022. Previous figures from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) show that in 2023 it treated 88 women who lived in Scotland but could not access abortion care locally due to a lack of provision. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are working urgently with NHS Boards, National Services Scotland, and other key stakeholders to ensure that women can access later stage abortion care in Scotland. “It is right that women should be able to access abortion services within Scotland in a timely, safe and equitable manner.

Liverpool transfer news: Marc Guehi price emerges as star enters Liverpool contract talksArne Slot has endured a stop-start season and may be tempted to dip into the transfer market over the coming weeks as Liverpool look to hit formView 3 Images Marc Guehi is one of the most sought-after players in the Premier League (Image: Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)Liverpool are back in Premier League action against Burnley this weekend and rumours continue to circulate in the January transfer window. With this in mind, Mirror Football takes a closer look at all the big transfer news coming out of Anfield. ‌Marc Guehi price tag confirmedView 3 Images Marc Guehi has a whole host of potential suitors (Image: Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)According to transfer expert Florian Plettenberg, Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner wants between £35m and £40m for central defender Marc Guehi if they sell him in January. ‌Guehi almost joined Liverpool on deadline day last summer but Palace blocked the transfer at the last minute. After a stressful summer, I’m just trying to enjoy being a part of it, and being a Liverpool player.

Noelle Murray in action for Shelbourne against Athlone Town at Tolka Park last year. Athlone Town confirm signing of experienced strikerAthlone Town have confirmed the signing of former Shelbourne striker Noelle Murray. Athlone Town women's first team manager John Sullivan has acted quickly to fill the void left by the departed Kelly Brady who signed for English WSL 2 club Crystal Palace last weekend. The much lauded 36-year-old has enjoyed a celebrated career in the Women's National League having made 214 appearances for the Shelbourne, scoring on 120 occasions. As a Shelbourne player she has won both the Premier Division and FAI Cup on three occasions and Sullivan will be hoping that her experience will prove crucial to Athlone Town's ambitions for the 2026 season.