President Catherine Connolly speaks out against war on eve of Taoiseach’s St Patrick’s Day White House visitThe President released a statement last week that has been tied to US-Israeli attacks in the Middle EastPresident Catherine Connolly. Photo: SportsfileTabitha Monahan Today at 01:01“The normalisation of war can never be accepted,” President Catherine Connolly has said in her first St Patrick’s Day address to the nation, as Taoiseach Micheál Martin prepares to meet US president Donald Trump in Washington.

President Catherine Connolly: Now, more than ever, we must renew our commitment to peace and diplomacy. Photograph: InphoPresident Catherine Connolly has said the “normalisation of war can never be accepted” in her first St Patrick’s Day message since taking office. In her St Patrick’s Day message, the president struck a more reflective tone while again emphasising the importance of diplomacy and humanitarian principles. “Patrick’s story invites us to respond with hospitality and kindness to those suffering the consequences of war and displacement,” she said. “We understand that peace is not merely the absence of war but also the presence of justice,” she said.

Crisp giant Walkers is recalling packets of crisps over allergy concerns, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed. The manufacturer is taking their Honey Hot Crisps 6 packs off the shelves due to worry that the crisps may contain Cheese and Onion seasoning. The seasoning, which is not mentioned on the product's label, could contain milk - a possible risk to anyone with an allergy or lactose intolerance. It said: 'This product may contain milk making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to milk or intolerance to milk or milk constituents. 'If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to milk do not eat it.'

Ireland U-20s head coach Andrew Browne gave credit to his staff after Ireland produced their most complete performance to swat the Scots aside and finish second in the Six Nations. Ireland’s attack was humming as it has been the whole tournament, but keeping their opponents scoreless for 60 minutes will be the most pleasing thing heading into the World Championships in the summer.

So is there anything more depressing than being out and about and seeing a baby, not yet taking their first steps, but already glued to a smartphone? While there is a growing awareness of how parents using smartphones around their children can affect social and emotional development and language learning, there is a lack of data on actual use of devices by infants and toddlers. They were spoken to by adults and stimulated by an unmediated view of the world around them. However, if legislating for smartphone use in teens has proved to be a tricky proposition, how do we regulate it in infants, or more pertinently, the adults who are giving them the devices? Our children are growing up in a technology-driven world and we are still struggling to navigate that.

An appeal against the development of 140 apartments on the site of the former Bessborough mother and baby institution is expected to be lodged this week. “Bessborough has been a monument to tragedy and neglect, to a cold State and to a dark past,” he said. However, the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home Support Group, which has 700 members, is opposed to any development at Bessborough until the estate has been forensically examined. Labour Party city councillor Peter Horgan said he intends to lodge an appeal against the planned development this week. The other submission was made by Carmel Cantwell on behalf of the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home Support Group.

In Rwanda, extreme weather caused by the climate crisis is now a regular part of life. Every generation of women faces unique challenges, but in Rwanda, I witnessed the defining pressure of the climate crisis shaping lives today. Recent flooding here in Ireland has reminded us that no country is immune to the climate crisis. But for millions of mothers like Uwamahoro and her neighbours, the climate crisis turns that task into a daily struggle. We must raise our voices, push for systemic change, and ensure that families do not have to choose between a child's education or their next meal.

It was always unlikely that anything of that sort would happen during the Taoiseach’s visit, and the same is true this year. It is true that Trump’s erratic, stream-of-consciousness performances during these encounters leave open the possibility of unforeseen pitfalls. But the choreographed amiability of the occasion affords the visiting Taoiseach a measure of protection. The calculation is that there is little to be gained and much to lose from provoking the unpredictable occupant of the White House. In seeking to repeat the feat tomorrow, he must attempt to avoid the embarrassing obsequiousness that some other visiting heads of state have shown.

Hours after his brutal Mother's Day snub, Brooklyn Beckham cut a carefree figure as he joined his wife Nicola Peltz for his godfather Elton John's Oscars viewing party on Sunday. It came as David shared a gushing tribute to Victoria on Mother's Day morning and shared a throwback picture of her while she was pregnant. He penned in the post: 'Happy Mother's Day to the most amazing mummy..... You are an inspiration in all the ways a mum should be to our 4 amazing children... Have a special Mother's Day because if there's one person that deserves it it's you. Brooklyn has yet to post to mark Mother's Day amid the feud.

Sharon Osbourne looked in great spirits as she was joined by her son Jack at Elton John's Oscars viewing party on Sunday. In a sweet red carpet shot, Sharon looked up at her son as they exchanged a knowing look together. Sharon kept it stylish for the evening in a black suit with open collar white shirt and white rose brooch. Meanwhile Jack looked dapper in an all black suit and appeared surprisingly bright eyed considering his busy few weeks. Revealing her name Jack captioned the post: 'Introducing Ozzy Matilda Osbourne' in a heartfelt tribute to the late rockstar.

Greg James cried when his mum left him a voice note during his Red Nose Day challenge on Sunday, as his dad recovers from a stroke. In the message, she said: 'Hello sweetheart, it's Mother's Day, and I'm so lucky to be your mum. And Greg said his father is 'fighting hard' and would be taking 'small steps' on the road back to recovery. In the message, she said: 'Hello sweetheart, it's Mother's Day, and I'm so lucky to be your mum. At the time, Greg said that despite everything that's going on, he was still pressing ahead with his Red Nose Day challenge.

Some infants are being plonked in front of a screen for more than three hours per day, a damning study has warned. Researchers have found that nearly three-quarters of nine-month-old babies watch programmes on a TV, smartphone or tablet on a daily basis. The average screen time reported in the study was 41 minutes, rising to 47 minutes for those in single-parent households. But some are exceeding three hours of screen time a day, the experts warned. While 80 per cent of babies with no screen time go on trips outside every day, this falls to 60 per cent for babies with over three hours of daily screen time.

The Premier League Match Centre has explained why Ross Barkley's controversial goal against Manchester United was allowed to stand. Replays showed that Barkley's team-mate, Amadou Onana, was standing in an offside during the goal and had potentially obstructed United goalkeeper Senne Lammens' line of vision. There was also a debate over whether the ball had made contact with Onana's backside before flying in. On commentary for Sky Sports, Gary Neville thought that he'd seen Onana admit that the ball had indeed struck him. United, meanwhile, are back in Premier League action next Friday, travelling to Bournemouth.

DUP accused of pursuing ‘wrecker’s agenda’ in Executive by Sinn Féin chairmanBy Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press AssociationThe DUP has been accused of pursuing “a wrecker’s agenda” in the Northern Ireland Executive by the national chairman of Sinn Féin. Declan Kearney accused the Democratic Unionist Party of trying to “block and frustrate positive progress” in the powersharing institutions. The Sinn Féin MLA made the comments in an article written for the Republican publication An Phoblacht. “Sinn Féin activists know this because they tell us in discussions at their doors. British indifference provides cover for the DUP in its efforts to block and frustrate positive progress within the north’s political institutions.

CCTV captures Jane, 56, in The Potteries Centre - and she's not been seen sincePolice are appealing for sightings of missing JaneView Image Jane has disappeared since leaving The Potteries Centre, in HanleyA shopper has not been seen since leaving The Potteries Centre - six days ago. Jane lives in Leeds and was reported missing on Monday 9 March. ‌But she has not been seen since CCTV captured her in The Potteries Centre, in Hanley, on Tuesday 10 March. It is thought she could still be in Stoke-on-Trent with a white bald man in his 50s. Anyone who has seen Jane, or knows where she is, should call the police on 101, quoting incident number 1,629 of 9 March.