As the Guardian has reported:Nadhim Zahawi was rejected for a peerage by the Conservatives just weeks before he defected to Reform UK, Tory sources have told the Guardian. It is clear that Zahawi and Farage have revealed some truths that are not usually spoken about Reform. Reform does not care about standards of good governance. Reform does, therefore, conform to the standards of the Single Transferable Party and is truly neoliberal to its core: it exists to serve the interests of the wealthy alone. There can be no other explanation for the actions of Reform or Zahawi.

Dublin City Council has approved a plan by businessman Eamon Waters for an eight-storey hotel close to St Stephen’s Green. Officials have granted planning permission for a 73-bedroom hotel on the site known as Textile House on Johnson Place, which is opposite the Grafton Hotel, owned by Mr Waters. An Coimisiún Pleanála had refused planning to Mr Waters’ development company Grafton Residence UC last May for a new 61-bedroom hotel on the same site. Photo: Stephen Collins/CollinsToday's News in 90 - Tuesday January 13The portfolio of Mr Waters’ Sretaw Hotel Group includes the Chancery Hotel on Ship Street Great near Dublin Castle as well as the Grafton Hotel. Mr Waters sold his Beauparc Utilities group in 2021 for €1.4bn to Australia’s Macquarie Infrastructure Fund.

Peter Andre has shared a heartbreaking update on his mother's health after she was diagnosed with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's in 2023. In the caption alongside the video, Peter revealed his mother Thea, 89, who lives in Australia, is now unable to speak. Peter previously revealed his mother and father Savvas received a letter from the King after celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. In May, Peter posted an emotional moment he said farewell to his mother Thea in Australia as he prepared to fly back to the UK. I also love Australia.

Passenger numbers at Shannon Airport last year increased by 9pc to 2.3 million, the highest number in 16 years. Interim chief executive of the Shannon Airport Group, Ray O’Driscoll, said it had invested over €20m in projects that had a tangible benefit to passengers and its sustainability goals. Over the past 10 years, Shannon Airport Group has developed over one million square feet of space across the airport and its commercial property business. It is also due to complete construction of Blocks Y and Z at Shannon Airport Business Park. Mr O’Driscoll said: “We are far more than just an airport, and we are proud of the role The Shannon Airport Group plays in driving tourism, trade and economic growth.

SoccerDundalk FC’s transfer business coming to a conclusionWhile the new League of Ireland season is still just over three weeks’ away, Dundalk FC’s transfer business could be finished following the signing of Rob Cornwall on Tuesday.

Pat Crotty, CEO of the VFI, states: “Publicans are being hit from all sides, but drink costs are the biggest burden they face. This latest price increase from Diageo will put even more pressure on pubs that are already operating on extremely tight margins. Pubs are at the heart of local communities and suppliers depend on them for their route to market. “This isn’t just about the price of a pint,” says the VFI CEO, “It’s about the long-term viability of pubs across the country. If suppliers value the role pubs play in Irish life, now is the time to show it through meaningful support.

A garda helicopter was deployed in a recent incident whereby a vulnerable minor subject to a High Court secure care order was a passenger in a stolen vehicle, the court has heard. Highly troubled and vulnerable children aged 11 to 17 can be detained in a secure care unit, known as special care, on foot of a High Court order sought by Tusla. Of the existing 26 beds across the State’s three special care units, just 15 are operational due to severe difficulties recruiting and retaining staff. 'Unacceptable'On Monday, Mr Justice John Jordan, who manages the High Court’s special care list, reviewed the cases of the five children who are without a special care bed. The judge said Tusla’s non-compliance with special care orders was “completely and utterly” unacceptable.

I give these benefits significant weight. Williams finished a comfortable fifth in the team standings of the 2025 F1 championship with 137 points, 45 clear of next-best Racing Bulls. Williams had said during the planning process that for commercial and operational reasons, the facility would need to be approved "urgently", adding it is "critical" to the team's development programme. The team was founded by Frank Williams in 1977, who actually started the team in Didcot from Walter Wolf Racing. The Williams family owned and ran the F1 team through huge success and championship wins with Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve.

National Concert Hall: how the Hatch Street entrance of the venue's Discover Centre is due to look. Illustration: NCH/OPWThe Government is committed to supporting the long-planned redevelopment of the National Concert Hall (NCH) and money is “not an issue”, Minister for Culture Patrick O’Donovan has said. He was speaking at an event to mark the official start of construction on the NCH’s new €21 million Discover Centre. Artist's impression of the plaza of the forthcoming NCH Discover Centre. Minister for Communications Patrick O'Donovan (left) and Minister of State for the OPW Kevin Boxer Moran at the National Concert Hall, Dublin on Tuesday.

The impact of overcrowding at Mountjoy Jail on the physical and mental health needs of prisoners needs “urgent consideration” by the authorities, according to an official oversight body. It said overcrowding means that many cells are now double occupancy, although “only designed for single occupancy”. But it said it received prisoner complaints in the main A and B wings of “wet cell walls, of cold cells, of broken toilets, of leaking sinks and of unhygienic conditions”. Bunkbeds to accomodate a second prisoner in what shoud be a single cell in Mountjoy Prison. On the impact of overcrowding, the report said: “Prisoners spoke of the risk of resorting to substance abuse to alleviate isolation and depression.

Louise WalshA female-led mart which developed the first Irish online system to auction cattle from TB-restricted herds has hit over 1000 sales since its first sale six months ago. The new livestock sale option is facilitated through the MartEye app, and only CFUs are allowed to bid on the cattle from herds restricted under the Department of Agriculture TB eradication scheme. These include two drovers, who Lisa believes are the only female drovers at an Irish mart, and Lisa would love to see more women getting involved in this kind of work. As Ireland’s only female mart auctioneers, Lisa says the mart is first and foremost about business. "The mart is a big ecosystem — sellers, buyers, hauliers, onlookers, drovers, and the office staff all playing their part.

Gladiators to return for new season with three new gamesBy Carla Feric, Press Association Entertainment ReporterGladiators will return to the BBC for a new season this January, and will be throwing three new games into the mix. One of the new games is Destruction, in which players race down lanes of four 8ft barriers, through which they have to smash. Audiences will also see familiar Gladiator faces return to the Sheffield arena, including Apollo, Athena, Bionic, Comet, Cyclone and Diamond. Dynamite, Electro, Fire, Fury and The Giant will return for the new series alongside Hammer, Legend, Nitro, Phantom, Sabre, Steel and Viper. Made by Hungry Bear Media, the new series will include 11 one-hour episodes and a single one-hour Gladiators celebrity special.

Paul Mescal has revealed he is planning to 'slow down' his career to prioritise loved ones in a rare discussion about his personal life, including his relationship with girlfriend Gracie Abrams. He also admitted that spending time with Gracie in the US last summer has helped him develop a 'surprising' new passion. Speaking on the GQ video this week, Paul added that one of his 'greatest accomplishments' in life is his loved ones. Paul went on to reveal that his career achievements are fundamentally tied to the relationships he's built along the way. However, despite the huge career milestone, Paul suggested he may be stepping back from public life for a while.

One of the stories of the polytrack season, the Tony Mullins-trained Lahore Da King might be capable of completing a hat-trick in the DundalkStadium.com Apprentice Handicap in Dundalk. Promising apprentice Patrick McGettigan, who is based with Johnny Murtagh, takes over and can expect a good spin as Lahore Da King steps up in trip and attempts to defy the handicapper. In a competitive 0-70 contest, Lahore Da King gets the vote over Moyassr and Daonethatgotaway. Gelded since his only start, in a Killarney maiden back in May, Joseph O’Brien’s Dancingondiamonds makes plenty of appeal in the opening Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Maiden. Lahore Da King (Nap)2.30.

Iran’s ambassador designate was due to present his credentials to President Catherine Connolly at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin on Tuesday. Upon their arrival in Ireland new ambassadors must be officially welcomed by the President of Ireland. Iran’s ambassador-designate, Eshagh Al Habib, was due to present his credentials to President Catherine Connolly at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin on Tuesday. On his way into Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Mr Martin was asked how much of a threat Mr Trump’s remarks posed to Ireland. “It’s early days yet in respect of the March meeting,” Mr Martin replied.