A woman who was attacked by a dog in a house in Carlow town on Tuesday remains in a serious condition in hospital. The woman was attacked by one of her own dogs in her home, it is understood. John McGuinness, Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow Kilkenny, said that urgent reform of Ireland’s legislation around dog ownership is needed. Dog wardens are currently woefully under resourced and need increased personnel and powers to enforce animal welfare legislation, he added. Sweden, for example, operates a system which heavily encourages dog owners to bring their dogs to socialisation and obedience training.

Algeria made it three wins from three in Group E of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea. Algeria had already sealed a safe passage through to the last 16 but a third victory ensured they finish on top of the group and a tie with DR Congo next. Burkina Faso returned to winning ways to book their spot in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations beating Sudan 2-0. Both teams were sat on three points coming into the contest with the winner going into the last 16 but a draw was enough for Burkina Faso with the superior goal difference. But Burkina Faso made life all the more comfortable for themselves when Lassina Traore put them in the lead 16 minutes in.

Graffiti daubed along a public road in County Louth has been condemned as “antisemetic hate speech which cannot be condoned in Ireland.”The graffiti was drawn on a rural route outside Ardee in Louth and included swastikas and statements which appeared to target the Jewish community. Louth County Council confirmed they have investigated the locations where the graffiti was reported, and are working to have it removed. Local Fianna Fail councillor, John Sheridan, told independent.ie: “Targeting the Jewish community is something that cannot be condoned. We know what it is like to be a minority, and we should respect those differences. The council strongly condemns the use of antisemitic language or imagery in any form.

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has paid tribute to Anthony Joshua's friends Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele, who died in a car crash in Nigeria. British heavyweight Joshua sustained injuries but is stable and conscious in hospital, according to Ogun State Government. In addition to being long-term friends of Joshua, Ghami acted as his strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele was a trainer. Retired cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew posted on X: "Thoughts and prayers to the families of these men. Two-time undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, British former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former world champion Wladimir Klitschko have also offered condolences during the past 24 hours.

The national minimum wage increases to €14.15 from today, as part of a number of budget measures kicking in to start the new year. It also includes a €10 rise in the maximum rate of most weekly social welfare payments, such as the State pension which takes effect from this month. To coincide with the minimum wage rise, the 2% rate band limit for USC increases to €28,700 from €27,382 from today. However, several other of the key Budget changes will not apply until later in the year. The increase in the income disregard for the carer’s allowance does not take effect until July.

A still from a video showing the remains of a drone which the Russian defence ministry claims was downed during an alleged Ukrainian attack on the Russian presidential residence. Kyiv says Moscow has produced no evidence to support its allegations and that Russia invented the alleged attack to ‌block progress at talks on ending the war in Ukraine. Reuters could not confirm the location and the date of the footage showing fragments ‌of a destroyed device. Russia had also launched an overnight drone attack on ‍Ukraine’s Odesa region, damaging residential buildings and infrastructure and injuring four ‍people, including three children, regional authorities said on Wednesday. “Strike drones attacked residential, logistics and energy infrastructure in our region,” Oleh Kiper, governor of the Odesa region, said on the ⁠Telegram messaging app.

Over 3,000 flu patients in hospital before Christmas as warning issuedFigures show a slight dip in the average daily number of beds occupied by flu patients – but England’s top doctor cautions ‘pressures on hospitals remain incredibly high’View 3 Images The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, said flu was 'continuing to be a challenge'. ‌England’s top doctor said there were signs of "calmer waters” but cautioned “pressures on hospitals remain incredibly high”. (Image: NHS)‌Amber cold health alerts are issued when the forecast weather is "likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services". Newly-published NHS England figures show an average of 3,061 beds occupied by flu patients daily in the week ending December 21, down from 3,140 the week before. The numbers include an average of 117 flu patients a day in critical care beds in the week ending December 21, down from 128.

Drug driver attempts to evade capture by getting young passenger to take test in their placeSeparately, two more drivers were arrested in Kilkenny for driving under the influence of cocaineA motorist in Kilkenny tried to get their passenger to take a drugs test in their place in an attempt to avoid being arrested for drug driving. Stock imageAisling Bolton-Dowling Yesterday at 07:40A driver who was behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs attempted to evade capture by trying to get their young passenger to take a drugs test in their place.

Gordon Ramsay has shared a sweet birthday tribute to his daughter Holly as she ditched the ongoing drama with her in-laws to jet off on honeymoon. '@hollyramsaypeaty & Jack there’s not enough words to explain how proud we are and watching you both grow into incredible individuals is such a joy! Father of the bride Gordon reportedly made a brutal dig at his new son-in-law's parents in his speech, leaving Adam's mother Caroline 'outraged'. As the rift rumbles on, Adam's mother Caroline shared her heartbreaking hope for 2026 as she took to Instagram to share some pointed reflective messages on Wednesday. They wanted Adam's family gone and they have succeeded.

Arne Slot has said Liverpool remain “a work in progress” in both full-back positions but backed Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to make their mark as his team stabilise. Slot admits Liverpool are still adjusting to the end of the Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson era with injuries and disruption limiting the impact of their designated successors, including Conor Bradley. Slot believes the summer signings Frimpong and Kerkez, from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively, will prove valuable assets for Liverpool, with their pace essential for the modern game. The Liverpool head coach said: “We had to make one change in that position because Trent left. That was not ideal for me as Trent was so important to this club and was very important for me last season.

Mark Feehily has shared an update with his fans following a period of ill health after battling several illnesses over the past few years. 'It's been quite difficult to watch my bands big World Tour launch knowing I won't be able to be there with you all to join the party. 'The 25th anniversary tour is gonna be a really special celebration of what we have all built and achieved together!' He continued: 'All of this really drives home the honest truth that I'm simply not ready to take on a massive world tour yet. Following on from the sell-out duo of London gigs, the world tour announcement has sent fans wild with a new teaser hitting Instagram on Thursday.

Punchestown draws the curtain on 2025’s racing calendar and the opening race, the Celebrating 175 Years At Punchestown Tote Beginners’ Chase, revolves around the stamina of former Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Slade Steel. To his credit, he didn’t give up, and was battling all the way to the winning line. Ballygunner Castle performed quite well on chasing debut and with a little improvement, he should be in the frame once more. Marginal preference is for the former, who was having his first run in almost nine months when running away with a novice handicap chase last month in Naas. Sammy Smart rates a danger following his big effort in defeat on last month’s return to action.

Tánaiste Simon Harris has been urged to withdraw comments about immigration and homelessness, which have been branded “dishonest and dangerous”. The most recently published homelessness report stated that 16,766 people were living in emergency accommodation in October 2025. Mr Ó Broin blasted the comments, stating that “rising homelessness is caused by bad government housing policy”. Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin blasted the comments, stating that 'rising homelessness is caused by bad government housing policy'. To access emergency homeless accommodation, you must be legally resident in the state.

The official second launch of the National Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy (2025-2030) was announced in December. The strategy outlines the importance of farmed animal biosecurity in Ireland, as well as ensuring all relevant stakeholders are aware of their role and responsibilities in practising effective biosecurity. Launching the new strategy, agriculture minister Martin Heydon said: “I am delighted to launch the second National Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy, a strategic plan for biosecurity over the next five years. Mr Heydon said: “Effective, consistent biosecurity practices protect and strengthen animal health and welfare, while also contributing to the improvement of animal production and quality. This highlights the ongoing threats we face.”The second strategy will complement the upcoming Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy and biosecurity measures in place in the aquaculture sector, as well as aim to reinforce other department and agency strategies and regulatory frameworks, such as the Climate Action Plan 2025.

Liverpool given official response to Jurgen Klopp return after his honest admissionJurgen Klopp has been linked with a return to Liverpool this season amid the Reds’ dire title defence under Arne Slot and his current employers Red Bull have now spoken outView 2 Images Klopp has been linked with a move back to Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)Red Bull chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff has vowed to ‘deal with’ any interest that Liverpool would have in taking Jurgen Klopp back to Anfield. ‌There have been suggestions that Liverpool could potentially turn to Klopp once more should they jettison Slot. ‌“Jurgen Klopp feels completely at home with us and has already learned a tremendous amount here,” he told German outlet Welt. Jurgen Klopp was our marquee signing, coming on a free transfer. View 2 Images Jurgen Klopp is current Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer (Image: Getty Images)‌Could Jurgen Klopp still return to Liverpool?