The finalisation of Ireland’s National Security Strategy — first due over four years ago — should be an “urgent” priority for the Government, experts have said. The strategy would analyse international and domestic security threats, set out security priorities and detail the mechanisms and agencies tasked with carrying out those objectives. It was the responsibility of the National Security Analysis Centre (NSAC), set up in the Department of Taoiseach in 2019. NSAC was downgraded in 2025 to the National Security Secretariat. The Department of Defence said the minister 'will shortly' receive the National Maritime Security Strategy and that a 'decision on its publication' will be made soon after.

Fourth-year student Aoibheann Daly from Kerry, pictured with her mother Anne, won the overall prize at the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition on Friday for her development of a diagnostic tool for brain cancer. That tool, GlioScope, has now won the Kerry teenager the overall prize at the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (YSTE). She takes home prize money of €7,500 and will represent Ireland at the EU Contest for Young Scientists in Kiel, Germany, later this year. Currently in transition year, she is doing work experience with a gynaecologist. “Having people believe in your work, work that you are passionate about, makes you believe in yourself.”Liam, now in third year of his applied psychology degree, also in UCC, was also enjoying the excitement.

Darren Fletcher disagrees with Ruben Amorim after controversial 'entitled' Man Utd claimsManchester United interim boss Darren Fletcher has defended the club's young players after sacked head coach Ruben Amorim questioned whether some academy youngsters were "entitled"View 2 Images Darren Fletcher has defened Manchester United's young players (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)Darren Fletcher has come to the defence of Manchester United's academy and its young players, refuting claims of entitlement that were made by Ruben Amorim. ‌Despite a spate of injuries, Amorim was hesitant to rely on the club's younger players. ‌As the under-18s coach for United, Fletcher is well-positioned to assess the academy's operations. He played for Manchester United. Article continues belowJoin our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football.

A 61-year-old man urinated over six boxes of shoes at a Cork city centre store and now he has pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to charges, including causing criminal damage to the property. “On October 3, 2024, he was highly intoxicated at Guiney’s on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, at 2.30pm. He proceeded to urinate on six boxes of shoes causing damage to them before leaving the shop. The total value of the shoes was €200.”On two more recent occasions in Cork City the same man, Kevin White, was found to be so intoxicated that he was a danger to himself or others. Mr Burke consulted with him briefly and said he would take the option of the probation bond.

A Limerick born Monsignor based in Brooklyn has described the recent ramp up of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the US as “terrifying for all communities”. Her death comes as ICE continues to make thousands of arrests following President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Their actions often take place in public settings which is leading to resistance in communities across America. He is also a lawyer working in the courts with immigrants including the Irish for legal papers. He added that changes to immigration brought in under the Trump administration have left communities “terrified”.

Keir Starmer confirmed last week that he was not consulted in advance of the US strike on Caracas. Photograph: Jack Taylor/AFP/GettyFormer British prime minister Harold Wilson used to say that a week was a long time in politics. “The events in Venezuela have shown that the prime minister is on the outside looking in, not respected abroad,” said Kemi Badenoch, leader of the opposition Tories. In return the UK leader has secured carve-outs from some of Trump’s trade tariffs and promises of technology investment. “The prime minister set out his position on Greenland,” said the sparse official readout from the UK side, which was circulated at 10.39pm.

Ruth Medjber’s life stories: ‘I know I am broken, but I love what I am’In a year-long project, photographer Ruth Medjber is asking 365 ordinary people to share their extraordinary tales. Here, she meets Pat Barrett, who speaks eloquently about his late mother, Mary TheresaPat Barrett photographed by Ruth Medjber for the series, Sin Scéal Eile. Ruth Medbjer Today at 06:30I meet Pat Barrett in the Gravediggers pub in Dublin on what was supposed to be a quiet afternoon, but I don’t think that pub ever has a quiet spell. We first met while working in a record store on Henry Street. We sit in the snug, get a round in and chat like it’s old times.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has made ten changes to his side that defeated Munster for their EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Cheetahs at the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam on Sunday (3.15pm Irish time). There is a first Ulster start for Bradley McNamara in the back line.

Elon Musk’s ex-partner, and mother of one of his children, had such images generated of her. “This came up on my timeline and I know I shouldn’t look but all of the Grok asks underneath... It would take you a very long time simply to scroll down a minute’s worth of AI generated content. "Anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content." Regulators in France, the UK and India among others, have put the pressure on X as global outrage ramped up.

The Mercosur trade deal has for years been a contentious flashpoint between efforts to expand the union’s global influence and the powerful farming lobby in many European countries. What is the Mercosur trade deal? Her party colleague Sean Kelly did not respond to questions, but all other Irish MEPs have committed to vote against it. Irish farmers are concerned about the extra 99,000 tonnes of beef the deal will allow Mercosur countries to sell into the European market. In a statement after the vote, Tánaiste Simon Harris said Ireland would continue its opposition to the Mercosur deal as the ratification process moves to the European Parliament.

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Actor Paul Mescal has revealed he will do his own singing when he plays Paul McCartney in an upcoming series of films about The Beatles. Speaking to British GQ, Mescal confirmed he would be doing his own singing and added: “I’ve learned so much. Mescal also said he had met McCartney on two occasions, adding: “He’s the most brilliant man. Mescal is also known for his roles in Gladiator II (2024), Netflix romantic drama Normal People and Aftersun (2022). The full interview can be read in the February issue of British GQ available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday January 27.

US Department of Transport urged to curtail flights from Ireland to US unless passenger cap is removedThe new White House administration is expected to loosen regulation on cryptocurrencies. Photo: GettyThe US Department of Transport has given the Irish government 14 days to respond to a request that the White House curtails the number of transatlantic flights from Ireland to America unless the passenger cap at Dublin Airport is removed. This week, Airlines for America (A4A) made a formal complaint to the US Department of Transport regarding the passenger cap. It has complained to Washington that the Irish government is restricting the amount of passengers that can use Dublin Airport. Irish Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien has accused senior civil servants of blocking efforts to have the cap removed.

By comparison, Argos sales slipped by 1 per cent and by 2.2 per cent in the crucial festive period. As Sainsbury's gears up for another year of fierce competition with discounters Lidl and Aldi, could Argos prove too much of a distraction? Argos is becoming a thorn in Sainsbury's side after poor Christmas sales, say analystsWhy is Argos struggling? While it grew its market share in homewares, electricals and toys, there was 'subdued' spending on higher ticket items like furniture and a weak gaming market. 'Without the clothing and general merchandise contributions including Argos, investors would have been singing from the rooftop about Sainsbury's Christmas performance.

Firefighters tackling ‘significant’ blaze on industrial estate in Co DownBy Claudia Savage, Press AssociationFirefighters are tackling a blaze at an industrial estate in Bangor. Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said there are eight engines on site at the incident on Balloo Way. The initial call was made to emergency services at 3.34 pm on Friday. “I want to pay tribute to the firefighters and all emergency personnel responding in difficult circumstances,” he said. He added: “My thoughts are with everyone involved, including those working to bring this incident under control.”