Back in 1973, there were few other choices than oil to keep the wheels of industry and transport turning. Since his return to office in January 2025, US president Donald Trump has worked hard to repay his fossil fuel industry sponsors. Second, the hyper-volatility of fossil fuel prices make them a lousy long term economic bet, and give real momentum to concerted efforts to finally break our addiction to these deadly substances. Even in Ireland, solar is hugely valuable. The carbon tax is vital in helping us transition away from fossil fuel dependence by funding home retrofits and tackling energy poverty.

“We built renewable energy into our County Development Plan as far back as 2009. “That is an enormous contribution from one county,” McCormack said. With Bord na Móna and the ESB historically based in the county, Offaly developed the grid infrastructure that now makes it a natural location for large-scale renewable generation. “Offaly should not be expected to keep taking and delivering more while other counties have done very little so far. Renewable development must be carefully planned so that it does not disturb or damage these archaeology-rich areas.

The woman accused of shooting at Rihanna's home while she and her family were inside was hit with 14 charges, including for attempted murder, on Tuesday. Hochman said the 35-year-old woman could face up to life in state prison if convicted of the crimes, which occurred on Sunday. According to Hochman, Ortiz was charged with three counts of shooting into an inhabited dwelling because Rihanna's property includes two dwellings, while Ortiz allegedly also shot at a neighbor's home. The DA said the 10 counts of assault were for each person allegedly in the line of fire from Ortiz. She is accused of firing at Rihanna's property at the neighboring home with an AR-15–style rifle from her white Tesla.

Seizures of high-powered e-scooters and scramblers spike, but no crackdown on shops selling illegal vehiclesMajor jump in seizures of illegal e-scooters and scramblers in wake of death of Grace LynchStill no state agency willing to crack down on retailers selling overpowered scooters that can travel well above legal 20kmh limitMedic warns of catastrophic brain injuriesCouncillor calls for clarity on laws around selling illegal vehiclesMany sales reps found to be openly selling E-Scooters that can reach 80kmphSarah O'Mahony and Conor Feehan Yesterday at 06:30Garda seizures of illegal high-powered e-scooters, scrambler bikes, e-bikes, mini-motorbikes and quads have multiplied since last year, figures obtained by the Irish Independent show.

Arsenal pull off rescue act as Kai Havertz breaks Bayer Leverkusen hearts - 5 talking pointsBAYER LEVERKUSEN 1-1 ARSENAL: The German side thought they would take a narrow lead into the second-leg but Kai Havertz late penalty levelled the Champions League tieView 4 Images Kai Havertz returned to haunt Bayer Leverkusen as he scored a late equaliser for Arsenal (Image: UEFA via Getty Images)Bayer Leverkusen ended Arsenal's perfect record in the Champions League and left the Premier League leaders needing to overturn a first-leg deficit after they were beaten in Germany. ‌It means Mikel Arteta's side will need to beat the Germans next week at the Emirates if they want to justify their tag of Champions League favourites. Andrich was booked on three minutes, but that didn't stop him clattering into Gyokeres shortly after. View 4 Images The Bayer Leverkusen captain was free to head home the game's opening goalKai the main guyIt was written in the stars wasn't it? ‌And so when Arsenal were awarded a penalty with minutes remaining it seemed fitting that Havertz would be the man to step up.

Photograph: Getty ImagesThe rate of at risk of poverty increased last year, to 12.6 per cent, the highest it has been in the past five years, according to the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) assessment on household income. Among its key findings were that the “at risk of poverty rate” was 12.6 per cent, up from 11.7 per cent in 2024. It’s higher than the 10.6 per cent rate in 2023 and previous years (12.5 per cent in 2022 and 11.8 per cent in 2021). If these measures were excluded from income, the at risk of poverty rate would have been higher, 14.9 per cent in 2025, the CSO found. The median household disposable income in 2025 was €61,666, up by €2,744 compared with 2024.

Kai Havertz 'sorry' for Bayer Leverkusen amid furious Arsenal penalty backlashKai Havertz scored a controversial late penalty for Arsenal upon his return to Bayer Leverkusen and the forward has now spoken out after finding the back of the netView 2 Images Kai Havertz converted a late penalty for Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)Kai Havertz admitted he felt sorry for his Bayer Leverkusen rivals after netting a late penalty against his former side. Havertz, who made 150 appearances for Leverkusen before a move to Chelsea, muted his celebrations. Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook pageBukayo Saka concern raised as Mikel Arteta hooks Arsenal star vs Bayer Leverkusen READ MORE :Arsenal pull off rescue act as Kai Havertz breaks Bayer Leverkusen hearts - 5 talking points READ MORE :The goal was a crucial one for Arsenal, having battled back from 1-0 down following Robert Andrich’s opener. The Bayer Leverkusen captain hit out at the decision to award Arsenal their spot kick. View 2 Images Kai Havertz levelled matters for Arsenal against Bayer Leverkusen (Image: Getty Images)‌Meanwhile, Leverkusen boss Kasper Hjulmand was left far from happy with the decision.

According to Opta, Ireland’s expected goalkicking (xGK) success is 83.5 per cent in this year’s Six Nations. Four of Ireland's highest xGK misses in this year's Six Nations. Unfortunately, the xGK data for games this season before the Six Nations is not available. However, we can look at more basic figures to suggest that Ireland has a problem with reliability across the board. When Crowley missed three kicks against Gloucester in the Champions Cup for instance, these did not harm the side’s chances of winning given the final score of 31-3.

Ferbane’s Paddy Claffey pictured with his grandsons, Pat and Adrian, and his great-grandsons, Shay and Paudie, during his 104th birthday celebrations last April. WATCH: Viral clips resurface of Ireland's oldest man Paddy Claffey from OffalyFerbane man Paddy Claffey has been making headlines across the country as Ireland's Oldest Man prepares to lead the Clara St Patrick's Day parade. One clip from 2022 shows "hardy" Paddy "driving quads and turning turf" much to the delight of viewers. A third commenter said: "[He's] definitely a country man turning his turf. "[You can] take the man out of the mart, but never take the mart out of the man," Shane wrote on the video.

AFL superstar Kysaiah Pickett has split with his partner Ardu Cubillo and left the club to spend time in Darwin to deal with personal issues as telling clues about the break-up surface on social media. Pickett and Cubillo have a young daughter Belleny, who was born in April 2024. Incoming Melbourne coach Steven King suggested Pickett will make regular trips to Darwin throughout the footy season. '(They should know) family is equally or more important than a game of footy, and we can make the two co-exist. Drafted with pick No.12 in 2019, Pickett has booted 201 goals from 126 games and won a premiership in 2021.

Jeff Brazier has reportedly been left blindsided after his sons Bobby and Freddy made the decision to continue their reality TV show without him. The Daily Mail revealed in January that the This Morning presenter, 46, had pulled out of the Osbournes-style fly-on-the-wall documentary series after yet another fall-out with his offspring. And now an insider has explained that Jeff feels 'blindsided' and has been left 'fuming' by their decision. Jeff Brazier has reportedly been left blindsided as sons Bobby and Freddy continue reality TV show without him amid family tension'The thing he doesn't get is that the boys are actually bigger stars than him now; it's a hard pill to swallow. Elsewhere, in December, Jeff revealed that his seven-year marriage with his wife, Kate, had sadly come to an end.

The Wicklow-born Delany remains Ireland’s last Olympic gold medallist in athletics, and to this day his Melbourne glory ranks among the greatest ever achievements in Irish sporting history. Delany’s gold medal run in Melbourne at age 21 also made him a worldwide athletics star of his time. I don’t do maybes, but it is terrifying to think about my life if I hadn’t won that Olympic gold medal. I can’t actually conceive it.”[ Happy 90th birthday, Ronnie Delany: from Wicklow’s fields to Olympic goldOpens in new window ]Ronnie Delany winning the 1,500 metres at the Melbourne Olympic Games of 1956 sparked huge interest in the sport at home. Paying tribute, Lochlann Walsh, President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland said: “Ronnie Delany was one of Ireland’s greatest Olympians and a defining figure in Irish sporting history.

Ronnie Delany, an Olympic gold medallist for Ireland over 1500m in 1956, has died at the age of 91. In 1961, he also won gold over 800m at the World University Games in Sofia. Ronnie Delany turns 90 today. “I was saddened to hear of the death of Irish Olympic champion and running great Ronnie Delany today," Minister O'Donovan said. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ronnie Delany - an iconic figure of Irish sport and a thorough gentleman.

Global Citizen, with Kielan Woods up, jumps the last on their way to winning the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase in 2022. Photo: David Fitzgerald/SportsfileWoods hoping for hat trick of Grand Annual successesAthlone jockey Kielan Woods will be at the starting line for the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase at 4.40pm in Cheltenham today (Wednesday), hoping for a sensational third win in the race. Woods is on board Ben Pauling’s Personal Ambition in the two-mile chase today, having already won the race on two occasions. Woods rode 28/1 outsider Global Citizen to victory in 2022, having partnered Croco Bay into the winner’s enclosure in the same race in 2019. At 2pm, he will ride Sixmilebridge in the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

When adjusted for inflation, real household income increased by 2.4pc. The gap between Ireland’s highest and lowest earning households remains stark, with the poorest 10pc of households bringing in €329 a week compared with €3,496 for the richest 10pc, according to the CSO. The consistent poverty rate stood at 4.7pc in 2025, slightly lower than 5pc recorded in 2024, though still higher than 3.6pc in 2023. Among those aged under 18, the consistent poverty rate was 7.8pc, though this was down from 8.5pc the previous year. The SILC survey is the measure of household income and living standards, collecting data on earnings from employment, social welfare and other sources.