People overestimate number of migrants in Ireland, study findsJames CoxPeople are "misjudging" and "misconceiving" immigration statistics here, according to a new study. Data from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) finds most citizens believe more than a quarter of the population were born abroad, which is not true. Participants estimated that 28 per cent of the population was born abroad, though the highest official figure is 22 per cent. Mr Timmons said: "While most people do not hold negative attitudes toward immigration, those who do tend to strongly underestimate migrants’ economic contribution. In reality, there are fewer migrants living in Ireland than people think, and far more come for work and education than people believe.”

Perhaps a signing comes out of the blue or is tempted by the lure of the Premier League. Nemanja Matic helped make Chelsea champions in Jose Mourinho's second spell 18 months after his arrival. Well, Cahill only went and lifted the Champions League trophy in his first season after playing a crucial part in the club’s remarkable run to glory. ‌He did not maintain that sort of scoring average over the next four seasons but few mid-season Premier League acquisitions have had quite the effect Cisse had. He then played his big part in Liverpool’s first Premier League title in 30 years.

Over 27,000 people attended last Saturday’s anti-Mercosur protest in Athlone, according to the event’s organisers Independent Ireland. And the message came back to us that we need to move forward on this with action and not words,” Mullooly added. The MEP addressed the next vote on the Mercosur at the European Parliament, which he said is a route to defeating the trade deal. “We will have another vote of no confidence in the von der Leyen Commission next week in Strasbourg. To continue the momentum from last weekend’s protest, Mullooly said farmers should canvases their local TDs and Senators at constituency offices on opposition to the deal.

The Moriarty tribunal’s final report found that Michael Lowry 'secured the winning' of the 1995 mobile phone licence competition for Esat Digifone when minister for communications. File photograph: CollinsThe Moriarty tribunal has entered its 30th year after racking up more than €78m in costs, prolonging the work of the payments to politicians inquiry established in 1997 that published its final report in 2011. Mr Lowry, an Independent TD since 1997, leads the group of eight Regional Independent TDs who support the Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael Coalition. Mr O’Brien and Mr Lowry have always rejected such findings. At the same time, the department declined to say whether Mr Justice Moriarty was still tribunal chairman.

Ray McGrath, Chair of the Judging Panel from Stripe, presents the 1st Junior Group Award to Killian Dromey and Rachel Carroll, from Tullamore College, County Offaly, for the project “The Infection Detector: How Cabbage Juice Tracks Infections Using a Natural pH Indicator.”PHOTOS: Offaly schools shine at Stripe Young ScientistA total of six Offaly projects exhibited at this year's Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. Phosphoproteins and Polymers-An Analysis of Casein Plastic from Gallen Community School which focused on the product of casein plastic made from cows milk and comparing its properties such as durability to regular plastic. Use of Casein Plastic in Packaging from Killina Presentation Secondary School which explored whether casein plastic can be used for food packaging, experimenting with its tolerance to different temperatures. Pictured is student Kathleen Foy from Killina Presentation Secondary School in Offaly, with their project, 'Use of Casein Plastic in Packaging', at the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. The pressure to specialise', at the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

Carol Nolan TD at the Education Committee calling for more school building works. Local TD warns of rising barriers to third-level education for Offaly familiesOffaly Independent TD Carol Nolan has raised concerns over the increasing financial pressures faced by families in Offaly and the wider Midlands in supporting their children to attend third-level education. According to the survey, around 59% of students from DEIS schools entered third-level last year, down from 64% in 2024. She warned that the cost-of-living crisis has evolved into an “access crisis” for families in Offaly and the Midlands, contributing to a widening social divide. That is a complete betrayal of the social contract on the part of the state,” Deputy Nolan concluded.

This began a series of lies that left Mr Blake without his life savings. In October 2021, O’Brien and Mr Walsh paid Mr Blake €22,000 in a settlement. In the statement, Mr Blake described how the fraud left him feeling traumatised, embarrassed, scared, and isolated. Mr O’Carroll said she has two adult daughters, with whom she has a “strained relationship” due to her legal issues. According to Mr O’Carroll, O’Brien has a low risk of re-offending and intends to work in the equestrian industry post-release.

Federer was 27 when he finally claimed his first and only French Open title to complete the feat, and he said: "It's like Rory (McIlroy) going for the Masters, those things are tough. "But at his young age to be able to complete the career Grand Slam would be crazy. "The rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner I think is a great one, they play incredible tennis," said Federer. It's been an incredible tournament for me and one of my favourite places to play tennis." I'm nervous, I'm excited, I'm happy I'm here."

‌With a new place to call home, the Friedkin Group's first full season as owners of Everton has so far been satisfactory. ‌Jack Grealish has become a player renewed at Hill Dickinson Stadium and the promise of £40m man Tyler Dibling remains untapped. ‌With goals clearly an issue, rumours have suggested that Fenerbahce's Youssef En-Nesyri could be snapped up for £20m. View 4 Images En-Nesyri is reportedly on Everton's radar (Image: Getty)However, En-Nesyri is already 28 and the price mooted for an ageing player may not be a wise financial choice. This is because the Daily Mail reports United could return and try to re-sign Garner this window in a cut-price deal, thanks to his expiring contract.

There are a number of important changes to access programmes for 2026, aimed at creating more opportunities for disadvantaged young people to access higher education. The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a national alternative admissions scheme open to students who are underrepresented in higher education due to their socioeconomic background. The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a similar admissions scheme open to students who, as a result of having a disability, have experienced additional educational challenges. Separate from grants or financial assistance, the HEAR and DARE schemes aim to provide targeted support to students who may not traditionally go on to third-level education. The DARE scheme also offers reduced points places to students who, as a result of having a disability, have experienced additional educational challenges.

Autistic students considering third-level education often face unseen challenges that can have serious negative effects on their college experience. There are five accredited autism-friendly HEIs in Ireland, (DCU, NCI, ATU Sligo, IT Dundalk and RCSI) with more in the pipeline. Inform the college: Letting the college Disability Support Service know you are autistic means they can put supports in place. Defer to prepare: “Some students defer their college place and do a level 5 to prepare for college. Many HEI’s have online resources like maps to orient and information to support autistic students like UCC’s Autism & Uni Toolkit or UCD’s Campus Explorer app.

BARRISTER Brendan Grehan at home in Kilkerrin. Photo: Ray RyanA life at the barBarrister and Kilkerrin native Brendan Grehan reflects on his legal careerIN different circumstances, Brendan Grehan could have perhaps made a living as a gold miner in Australia. He was called to the bar in 1989, having spent two years studying to become a barrister at King’s Inns in Dublin after returning from Australia. “He invited me to go out to the mines, but he said I’d need a truck licence. I actually had a truck licence from Chicago where I’d gone in previous summers.

Man Utd told Luis Enrique has one major demand before taking over as managerParis Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique has been linked with the Manchester United job once Michael Carrick's interim period comes to an endView 2 Images Luis Enrique has been linked with the Manchester United job (Image: Julian Finney - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images)Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique would jump at the chance to take the Manchester United hot seat - provided he's given free rein to rebuild the squad. The ex-Middlesbrough manager impressed United's hierarchy in discussions and will be backed by coaches Steve Holland and Travis Binnion at Old Trafford. One of those being linked is PSG's Enrique, who still has 18 months remaining on his deal with the French champions. He told Boyle Sports: "If there's an opportunity to get Luis Enrique, absolutely Manchester United have to go for it. View 2 Images Luis Enrique led PSG to Champions League glory in May (Image: 2025 Getty Images)"I think that's a challenge someone like Enrique would relish.

A grieving daughter said her father's funeral procession was ruined by a 'disrespectful' driver who overtook the hearse and almost hit two people. It could have caused an accident, because the bagpiper was on foot, and the funeral director was on foot. Then all of a sudden this car just comes along and overtakes the hearse and luckily didn't hit the funeral director. 'In my 42 years I've never been in a funeral car, I've never even been in one of those cars. 'As the funeral director walking ahead of the hearse, there was no way the driver could see me clearly.

Independent Ireland intensify pressure on EU-Mercosur dealIndependent Ireland representatives Ciaran Mullooly and Michael Fitzmaurice have unveiled a significantly strengthened, action-focused strategy to defeat the proposed EU-Mercosur trade agreement, following a live social-media briefing from Leinster House viewed by thousands across the country. During the briefing, Mr Mullooly confirmed major developments at European level, including fresh political pressure in Strasbourg. "This will be the fourth motion of no confidence in von der Leyen or her Commission since I joined the European Parliament. That issue will probably be debated on Monday, and it’s expected a vote will take place on Thursday next week," Mullooly said. Action speaks louder than words, and I will be watching very carefully to see what happens next week," Mullooly concluded.