A majority of consumers said they were “disappointed” with attempts to contain the cost of living, according to the latest Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Index for December. The sentiment index was steady but subdued last month, despite strong economic growth. Economist Austin Hughes, who oversees the compiling of the index, said the sentiment index reading was largely unchanged in December compared with the previous month. The Irish grocery chain has reduced the price on 500 staples by up to 10pc, in what experts said is good news for consumers. Consumers’ Association chairman Michael Kilcoyne called on rivals Dunnes, Tesco, Aldi and Lidl to react with similar price reductions to SuperValu.

A Dublin man killed his son in his own home before travelling to his ex-partner’s house and taking his life in the back garden of the property, gardaí believe. Mr O’Reilly continued to have access to his son in a shared custody arrangement with his ex-partner, the boy’s mother. Photograph: Colin Keegan/CollinsA friend of Mr O’Reilly’s visited the scene on Thursday, saying everybody in the area was “shocked” when news of the deaths emerged. He said Mr O’Reilly was well known in the area and sometimes earned a living fixing cars. The man added it was hard to reconcile his memories of Mr O’Reilly with the killing of Oisín.

Slower food price inflation might be making consumers less negative about living costs though, the report saysIrish consumers remain concerned about the uncertain economic outlook and the cost-of-living squeeze. The latest Credit Union consumer sentiment index was 61.2 last month, almost unchanged from the 61 rating reported for November. It was also by “some considerable distance below the near 30-year survey average of 83.6”, it said. At the same time, slower food price inflation might be making consumers marginally “less negative about living costs”, he said. “In circumstances where official inflation data released during the survey period showed a further pickup (from 3 per cent in October to 3.2 per cent in November), this result may appear slightly surprising,” Mr Hughes said.

It resembled a medieval court, with Trump cast as king and Europe reduced to grovelling courtier. [ Keir Starmer’s ‘see no evil’ Donald Trump strategy risks making him weakerOpens in new window ]The English language abounds with words to describe Europe’s Trump policy. One month after Fifa boss Gianni Infantino added to the Trump adulation cake by inventing a Fifa peace prize and awarding it to the US president, Trump invaded and captured the leader of a foreign country. Trump is breaking the 80-year-old transatlantic alliance and it is naive to think Washington’s antagonism toward Europe will disappear with Trump’s departure. Europe needs to toughen up and stop curtsying to an increasingly erratic US president.

Nuuk, Greenland: The Taoiseach has been clear about his approach in recent days, emphasising that Greenland ‘is part of Denmark and the European Union is rock-solid behind Denmark’. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty ImagesThe political landscape in Ireland and across the rest of the EU will be transformed if Donald Trump proceeds with his threat to annex Greenland. The Taoiseach has been clear about his approach in recent days, emphasising that Greenland “is part of Denmark and the European Union is rock-solid behind Denmark”. While it doesn’t have the military might of the US, the EU does have enormous power if its members stick together. There has been an American military presence in Greenland since the second World War.

Passports issued over Christmas recalled over printing errorBy Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press AssociationIrish passports issued over the Christmas break are being recalled due to a printing error. The error was due to a technical issue with a software update and affects passports issued between December 23rd and Tuesday. The Passport Service said it may cause issues at border control and apologised for the error, which was first reported by the Irish Times. “The Passport Service is aware of an issue affecting passports issued between 23 December 2025 and 6 January 2026,” a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said. “The Passport Service sincerely regrets this issue and apologises to affected citizens for the inconvenience caused.

Other frequently misplaced items include the TV remote (24 per cent), house keys (19 per cent) and earbuds or headphones (15 per cent). Almost a fifth (19 per cent) can 'never' find the document they’re looking for to send to their friends or family. While 31 per cent struggle to remember the folder or chat where the item they’re looking for lives on their devices. On average, people have more than 3,000 documents, photos or videos on their tech. “Staying on top of both physical and digital clutter is becoming an essential skill for modern life.”TOP ITEMS BRITS COMMONLY MISPLACE:

Ursula von der Leyen isn’t happy, but that’s a political hit the Government calculated was worth taking in opposing the EU-Mercosur trade deal. The Mercosur agreement looked to have sufficient support to get over the line for several weeks. [ EU governments approve landmark Mercosur trade dealOpens in new window ]What is the Mercosur trade deal? The Mercosur deal faltering would have hugely harmed Europe’s ambitions to be seen as a serious global player. Ironically, there was probably a sigh of relief in Government upon hearing the Mercosur agreement had been approved.

The Armada Hotel in Co Clare won last year's Local Business Award at The Irish Times Business Awards, run in association with Bank of Ireland. Galway-based food group Loughnane’s of Galway, retailer Furey Smyth Group, hotel group Address Collective, construction company Castle Group, and Meath-based Hanley Energy will be in contention for the award. [ Four companies shortlisted for Irish Times Deal of the Year awardOpens in new window ]Employing 350 staff, it has delivered projects for leading brands such as Center Parcs Longford, Boston Scientific, Google, Microsoft, Holiday Inn, Intel and MSD. The Local Business award is part of The Irish Times Business Awards, which is in its eighth year. The Irish Times Business Awards will take place on February 19th in the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin 2.

Adrian Weckler: Why aren’t we doing more to stop Grok’s virtual pornification? Questions must be asked over Ireland’s stuttering enforcement system and its response to Elon Musk’s social media platformBoth the developer and the platform should be held fully accountableAdrian Weckler Today at 06:30As you read this, thousands of images of women and girls – maybe people you know – are being virtually undressed by Grok, Elon Musk’s AI engine that operates publicly on the social media platform, X.

Ceno Bar and Restaurant announced this week it was shutting down for good, with its owners blaming Highfield House Hotel that adjoins it for a decline in customers. Highfield House has also been the site of weekly anti-immigration protests in recent months, causing further disruption. 'We formally invite the landlord, Southampton Council, and the Home Office to come together around the table to resolve this matter fairly, transparently, and in the public interest.' He said: 'Southampton City Council is aware of reports relating to the use of a vacant building adjoining Highfield House. 'This government will close every asylum hotel.

Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case to Cork District Court for the purpose of fixing a date for a hearing of the case. “Gardaí arrived at the scene and parked their patrol car in front of a house at Mill Park. Dean Oosterloo opened the door of the property and walked aggressively towards the patrol car. “He was repeatedly shouting in a threatening manner at the patrol car, 'Get the fuck out of the car'. When Dean Oosterloo turned, gardai saw that it was a knife he was holding — he was holding the knife backwards, with the blade end of the knife being tucked up inside his sleeve.

Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri facing same issue...Viktor Gyokeres could be nextMyles Lewis-Skelly has gone from an Arsenal fairytale to being left out in the cold and Mikel Arteta has to manage it, with his England World Cup dream rapidly fadingView 3 Images Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have both struggled for minutes at Arsenal this season (Image: Getty Images)Myles Lewis-Skelly was arguably the Premier League’s best breakthrough stories of last season. Lewis-Skelly, 19, is clearly still the same player but last season’s whirlwind has been replaced by a struggle to get into the Arsenal team. There is no chance of him going out on loan and Arsenal do not want to let Ethan Nwaneri go out either in this window. Yes, there is interest - but Arsenal’s best kids can learn from training with the best and working at the best standards. Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly are not alone in that.

Winners of this week’s lotto were Johnny Mahony, Mary Kelly, Erika Sweeney, Frank Regan, and Colm Coyne. Mary was one of the founding members of the Castlerea Lourdes Deanery, in 1972, with the late Paddy Vaughan, Michael Giblin and M.J. Finnegan. David and Evie Heskin at the Castlerea St. Kevin’s organised walk on St. Stephen’s Day in aid of Parkinson’s Ireland, Roscommon branch. Funeral Mass took place in St. Paul's Church, Kilmurray on Wednesday, December 31st with burial afterwards in Toberelva Cemetery, Castleplunkett. TULSK GAAThe club wishes all club members and supporters a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk sends 'champions' message after Arsenal stalemateLiverpool ground out a 0-0 draw away to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Thursday night and now their focus turns to the FA Cup, with Arne Slot's side hosting Barnsley in the third roundView 2 Images Virgil van Dijk's eyes are on winning the FA Cup (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)Virgil van Dijk insists the FA Cup will give Liverpool the chance to show why they are still reigning champions. Liverpool captain van Dijk admits it has been a frustrating season as they are losing grip on their title but says they are still determined to finish with a trophy. Van Dijk, who won the FA Cup in 2022, says they are ready to believe again and still have plenty of play for as they also have the Champions League in they sights. ‌Liverpool captain van Dijk said: “Any competition is important, but definitely the FA Cup is important. I am really looking forward to the FA Cup, and the Champions League, too.