A stunned and frustrated Ronan O’Gara could only marvel at the overwhelming performance of hosts Toulouse after seeing his La Rochelle succumb to a 60-14 defeat in the final Top 14 match of 2025. In light of what happened next, it’s easy to forget La Rochelle had scored first. But then: “Imprecision, poor kicking, high balls, and a Toulouse team with (Antoine) Dupont in good form. “I think that's Toulouse, isn’t it?” O’Gara said. “I need to choose a team that I hope can beat Toulon at home“I think this is the biggest defeat of my coaching career.

Over 200 organ transplants took place in 2025The HSE have confirmed 202 organ transplants have taken place in 2025. The HSE’s Organ Donation Transplant Ireland Office (ODTI) said this was from 68 deceased and 29 living organ donors and their families. The average donor age in Ireland is in the 40s, which is much younger than in countries where organ donation and transplant rates are higher. "I also want to thank the transplant centres, organ donation nurse managers, ICU staff, Organ Donation Transplant Ireland and all those who work in our services and raise awareness around organ donation. "Together we can continue to advance towards ensuring the best outcome and care for the patients waiting for the life-changing gift of an organ transplant."

Paraglider rescued from 5* hotel roofVideo footage shared widely online shows the paraglider colliding with the hotel roof. A paraglider was rescued after crashing onto the second-floor roof of a luxury hotel in Co. Fermanagh yesterday. Video footage shared widely online shows the paraglider colliding with the hotel roof. Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) responded quickly, with several fire appliances, including the Specialist Rescue Team, arriving at the scene. The Lough Erne Resort also issued a statement confirming the incident, noting that the paraglider had collided with part of the hotel’s main complex.

Last chance to nominate local community heroesWith less than one week remaining, insurance company AXA is calling on the people of Westmeath to submit nominations for the Community Hero Awards before the deadline for entries at 4pm on Monday, January 5. This initiative celebrates individuals who have made a significant impact in their communities, while supporting vital causes across Ireland. Members of the local public are invited to nominate someone who has shown exceptional leadership, innovation, or creativity in helping others. The four award categories for which nominations can be submitted are road safety, mental health, women’s safety and wellbeing and sustainability. Nominations should be submitted online at www.axa.ie in 150 words or less, explaining how the nominee has positively impacted their community in one of the four categories.

AI is widely recognised as the core technology in an emerging industrial revolution that will probably transform every facet of the global economy. In considering that question, it is important to bear in mind that no industrial revolution has ever emerged outside advanced democratic capitalism. To assess its place in the next industrial revolution, one must consider two critical issues. While a “DeepSeek moment” may capture our attention, achieving long-term competitiveness and fostering a genuine industrial revolution is another matter entirely. After all, AI is not a remedy for deflation – and deflation itself is fundamentally incompatible with any industrial revolution.

A riot broke out during the friendly match between Republic of Ireland vs England at Lansdowne Road in Dublin in 1995. Photograph: INPHO/Billy SticklandThere were not enough gardaí present at Lansdowne Road stadium in Dublin to prevent a riot from breaking out during a notorious abandoned friendly match against England 30 years ago, according to newly released records. The fixture on February 15th 1995 had to be stopped after 27 minutes when some English fans, located in the upper section of the west stand, tore up seats and fittings and threw them at the people below. The Republic of Ireland were leading 1-0 in the friendly match when the unrest broke out. Ministers were told the violence was “targeted, planned and intended” and “the segregation of English fans was inadequate”.

Most Europeans believe their country’s state pension system will soon become unaffordable — but they also think the current scheme is not generous enough, and do not support options for overhauling it such as raising the retirement age. Many people acknowledge state pension schemes are in trouble: majorities of between 61% and 52% in Italy, France, Germany and Spain said theirs was already unaffordable, as well as 45% of respondents in Poland. Retirees were more optimistic about their country’s capacity to fund its state pension system. Pensioners in Britain were particularly upbeat, with 62% saying they think their state pension is affordable, against only 27% of their non-retired counterparts. Proportions ranging from 20% in Britain to 38% in Poland felt the state pension age should be 60, while 22% (Italy) to 45% (Britain) felt it should be 65.

The funeral of a man killed in a Cork crash before Christmas will take place in his native India on Tuesday. A fundraising campaign set up to cover the costs of repatriation of the 34-year-old's remains to India, as well as his funeral and future costs for the family, raised over €103,000. His funeral will take place in his native Kambammettu region of India on Tuesday, in the presence of family and friends. A Christmas and New Year celebration planned by members of the Indian community in Fermoy for January 2 in Conna community hall has now been cancelled as a mark of respect. "We write this with tears in our eyes, knowing we will never forget what you have done for us.”

Tullamore native Fiona O'Malley has been appointed CEO of SonasTullamore native appointed to new charity CEO roleTullamore native Fiona O'Malley has been appointed CEO of Sonas, the country's largest domestic refuge group. O'Malley departs the role of Turn2Me CEO following a four year period at the helm of the national mental health charity. During her tenure, Turn2Me strengthened its position as a national mental health charity, expanding access to free online counselling and support services at a time of growing demand for mental health care. O’Malley brings a broad background across journalism, communications, advocacy, law and leadership within the charity sector. After returning to Ireland in 2015 following more than four years in London, she took up a communications role with the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).

A Burmese python at the National Reptile Zoo in Kilkenny (PA/Bairbre Holmes)Mr Hennessy said the animals were living “in about two inches of their own faeces”. Despite dogs needing to be licensed, in Ireland, there is very little regulation around the ownership of dangerous animals by private individuals. The rest are registered in County Down, along with three ring-tailed lemurs; there are 31 venomous snakes. James Hennessy of the National Reptile Zoo in Kilkenny (PA/Bairbre Holmes)He has also been called out to properties where crocodiles were being kept. He said his reptile zoo is the only place in Ireland that holds anti-venom, and only for the species they have.

Footage shows an Ahmed al-Ahmed wrestling a firearm from an alleged gunman at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Mr Ahmed picked it up and pointed it at the gunman, who retreated to his son on a nearby footbridge. Family members have watched over Mr Ahmed as he has recovered and been visited by wellwishers and dignitaries. “He said that a lot of people from the government, from different backgrounds, different religions, different ethnicities, visited him and congratulated him,” Ms AlKahil said. A fundraiser for Mr Ahmed via GoFundMe has raised 2.5 million Australian dollars (€1.4 million).

“This place was built for 1,200 refugees,” says Mohammed Abu Srour at the Aida Camp outside of Bethlehem. For a long time, Samira wanted to start a psychotherapy unit in the Aida Youth Centre — but funding was always an issue. Samira Abu Srour in the new psychosocial unit at the Aida Youth Centre. “The gym is helping people to be more social and to build the community,” says Mohammad Alazza, the director of the Lajee Centre in Aida Camp. The Belfast rap band have recently partnered with the Bohemian Football Club in Dublin to create a football jersey which will help support the construction of a music studio in Aida Camp.

Helping others for just a few hours a week could slow memory loss and help ward off dementia, a major new study suggests. Carrying out simple acts of kindness – from formal volunteering to helping friends or neighbours – may slow cognitive decline by up to 20 per cent, researchers have found. Participants completed three assessments measuring immediate memory, working memory and mental processing speed, with higher combined scores reflecting better brain health. Those who helped others in either way experienced 15 to 20 per cent slower cognitive decline than those who did not. Helping others can help slow cognitive decline, helping people stave of dementia, study findsHe added: 'What stood out to me was that the cognitive benefits of helping others weren't just short–term boosts.

Photograph: Tom HonanComments by the Catholic Primate that seizing assets from religious orders to fund redress schemes could be seen as “political opportunism” has been rejected by Opposition politicians. Only three of eight religious orders contributed to a redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes. “We need to be careful about political opportunism,” he said. “I would reject any such view of political opportunism,” said Sinn Féin’s spokeswoman on children, Claire Kerrane. This is the consequence of decades of inaction by religious orders.

Connacht confirm signing of Ciaran Frawley from LeinsterMichael BoltonConnacht have confirmed the signing of Ireland international Ciaran Frawley ahead of next season. The Leinster utility back has been linked with a move to the province, and Connacht have confirmed he will join on a two-year deal. Speaking on the move, Ciarán Frawley said: "I’m really excited to have the opportunity to represent Connacht on and off the field from next season. "I’ve loved my time at Leinster, and I’m really appreciative for all the support from the fans, coaches and teammates over the last 7 years. He will be a big asset in the years ahead, and personally, I am really excited about working with him again.”