‘I knew nothing about this island’: From Venezuela to Ireland
Meza-Silva moved to Ireland from Colombia in 2017. Though she moved to Ireland from Colombia, she was born in Venezuela, a country with which she has a complicated relationship. Her parents moved to Venezuela in the 1980s from Colombia. When she moved to Ireland, Meza-Silva worked in manufacturing, and it came as quite a surprise to her that it was such a male-dominated industry. However, they are planning a trip to Venezuela next year as Meza-Silva hasn’t been there since shortly after her father died.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 09:44 UTC
Drones passed within 500m of naval ship during Zelenskiy visit
Defence Forces officers have pushed back, arguing the ship’s mission, along with the mission of LÉ Aoibhinn which was closer to shore, was to ensure the safe transit of the Ukrainian aircraft and that this was successfully completed. Furthermore, the rules of engagement in place for the mission stated the ship could not open fire on aircraft in international waters unless they posed a threat to the ship. “It would have been nice to shoot down at least one for evidential value,” said one security source. One security source said it was unfair to compare the situation to the sighting of five drones over a French nuclear submarine base last week which saw French troops open fire. [ Rogue drones during Zelenskiy visit part of ‘co-ordinated threat’ to Europe, says MinisterOpens in new window ]One naval source not involved in the incident said they would have been happy to order the drones be shot down based on their behaviour and proximity.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 09:40 UTC
‘It used to be you sent in something small’: Christmas presents for teachers in Ireland
How do parents and teachers really feel about Christmas gifts for teachers? “I organise the parents’ gift for the fabulous Montessori teachers.” There are six teachers, she says. Susan, a parent of three, feels things have “gotten out of hand” when it comes to Christmas gifts for teachers. That in itself is the reward.”She questions how Christmas gifts for teachers became the norm, but adds, “a class present is so much better than individual presents. “There is absolutely no need for parents to gift teachers at Christmas, especially post-primary.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 09:34 UTC
Prison fight may be linked to Edenderry firebomb attack that killed Tadhg Farrell (4) and Mary Holt (60)
There is evidence Saturday’s attack on the family home in Edenderry, Co Offaly, was carefully planned. Mary Holt (60) and Tadhg Farrell (4) were killed in the house fire in Edenderry, Co Offaly. A garda places flowers outside the house that was targeted in a firebombing attack at the weekend. Photograph: Dara Mac DónaillThe murder investigation team in Tullamore Garda station is trying to determine if Saturday’s attack was related to previous incidents. There is evidence Saturday’s attack was carefully planned.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 09:32 UTC
Trump to move to phase two of Gaza ceasefire plan next month, Israel committee told
Photograph: Omar Al Qattaa/AFP via Getty ImagesIsrael’s parliamentary foreign affairs and defence committee was told on Monday that US president Donald Trump intends to move to phase two of the Gaza ceasefire this month. Israel had said it would only agree to such a scenario after the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza have been returned by Hamas for burial. Hamas and Red Cross officials were searching for the remains of police officer Ran Gvili in Gaza City on Monday. Israel retained control of 53 per cent of Gaza under the first phase of Mr Trump’s plan. Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told a diplomatic conference in Doha over the weekend that the Gaza ceasefire is at a critical moment.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 09:31 UTC
Flu: What are the symptoms and when should I stay out of the office?
What are the symptoms of flu? Flu symptoms include a cough, blocked nose and sore throat, says Dr Scott Walkin, the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) and HSE clinical lead for infection control, said. Dr Walkin said people who have the flu should stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus to those who are particularly vulnerable. Furthermore, there have been nine flu deaths this winter season so far. The flu season this year has arrived earlier in Ireland and across Europe.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 09:02 UTC
Auto-enrolment pensions: Accounting body raises GDPR concerns over employer portal
Illustration: Paul ScottChartered Accountants Ireland (CAI) has raised data protection concerns relating to the new online employer registration portal for the incoming auto-enrolment pensions system. In accountancy practices, firm principals typically hold full certificates, while staff members use sub-certificates with restricted access to specific tax numbers, the CAI highlighted in the email. This means that sub-certificates, despite being restricted on ROS, appear to have unrestricted visibility on the auto-enrolment portal,” Ms Clohisey said in the email. Even unintended visibility of who is enrolled constitutes a potential data breach under EU general data protection regulation (GDPR) principles, it said. A spokeswoman for the department said that employers, as data controllers, are responsible for data access.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 09:01 UTC
Big firms taking greater slices of services markets pose threat to consumers, CCPC warns
Bigger firms are taking a greater slice of markets for services in the Republic, posing a threat to consumers, regulators warn. The problem is not explicitly linked to high prices, Brian McHugh, commission chairman, explained. Listen | 38:18The findings could prompt reviews of professions including accountancy, law and vets, next year, Mr McHugh noted. However, Mr McHugh acknowledged that they had acted on others. “Competitive markets are vital for a health economy,” Mr McHugh pointed out.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 09:01 UTC
Private healthcare providers ‘could face staffing shortages amid widening pay gap’
Excel Healthcare says 26,000 doctors and about 76,500 nurses and midwives are employed in IrelandThe healthcare sector is facing staff shortages in the coming year with long-term vacancies remaining unfilled, a report by Irish recruiter Excel Healthcare said. Excel credited this to requirements to balance the number of non-EU staff, challenges in securing visas and housing shortages. The largest pay hikes, the guide found, were for more junior healthcare staff. She said the gap between public and private sector pay levels was making it “even harder for private employers to compete”. Excel Healthcare found the number of nurses and midwives employed in Ireland increased by 5.5 per cent in the past year to about 76,500.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 09:00 UTC
A Labour of Love: Untangling Truth from Myth
Surely insisting on a united Ireland was what the later Civil War was all about? There are also two pocket-guides, one an outline of the Civil War and the other an account of the complex Treaty talks in London in 1921. Certainly not to justify some Civil War “side”. I have never been aligned with any of “the Civil War parties” and carry no baggage for them. Eastwood Books/Wordwell produced my four most recent titles, while Merrion Press published the Griffith volume.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 09:00 UTC
Volodymyr Zelenskiy says European allies close to finalising revised US peace plan
Mr Zelenskiy said the “strongest” guarantees Ukraine could get would be from the US. European leaders used the meeting to raise the financial pressure on Moscow as they declared “positive progress” in plans to use frozen Russian sovereign assets. Downing Street said there had been “positive progress made to use immobilised Russian sovereign assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction”. “The prime minister will update president Zelenskiy on our wider support,” the officials had said before the meeting. “That includes through the use of the value of immobilised Russian sovereign assets.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 08:43 UTC
Family in caravan with no water or toilet allegedly told they are not homeless
Photograph: Getty Images/iStockA Co Limerick family living on the side of a busy road in a caravan without running water or a toilet has been given High Court leave to challenge a decision by Limerick County Council that allegedly found they are not homeless as they have a “roof over their heads”. Mr Kinsley told Mr Justice Simons that the family were members of the Traveller community, had three young children and had a history of housing applications. Counsel said the family were told in person they were deemed not to be homeless by a council official as they had “a roof over your head”. Counsel said that solicitors’ letters written to the council by the Free Legal Advice Centre, who represent the family, had gone unanswered. The refusals of offers led to the family being told by the council’s homeless action team that they were therefore not entitled to service.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 08:24 UTC
The Irish Times view on Thailand and Cambodia: truce under pressure
Cambodian villagers fleeting from their homes close to the border with Thailand. Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodia over the weekend after border clashes that killed one Thai soldier and a series of what Thailand describes as “provocations” by Cambodia, including laying landmines in disputed territory. The century-old conflict centres around a border dispute, notably involving one of the biggest flashpoints, the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, which Cambodia claims based on a 1907 map created during French colonial rule. The International Court of Justice awarded jurisdiction of the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but Thailand has continued to maintain a military presence in the area. While Thailand continues to press diplomatically for recognition of its claim, Cambodia wants the ICJ to rule again.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 08:18 UTC
Lowe set for Leinster return but Snyman and Ringrose could miss Leicester trip
James Lowe will return to training for Leinster and is in line to play against Leicester at Welford Road on Friday night. Photograph: James Crombie/InphoJames Lowe will return to training and is expected to be available for selection on Friday for Leinster‘s trip to play Leicester at Welford Road (kick-off 8pm). Snyman shipped a shoulder injury and a final decision will be made later in the week, while Ringrose had a cramp related issue. Will Connors will return to training as he continues his recovery from an arm injury, again with a final decision on his availability to be made later in the week. There were no further updates on Cormac Foley, Hugo Keenan, James Culhane, Jamie Osborne, Ryan Baird and Andrew Porter.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 01:32 UTC
Fota Wildlife Park to reopen before Christmas after avian flu outbreak
Fota Wildlife Park in Cork is set to reopen in time for ChristmasFota Wildlife Park in Cork has confirmed it will reopen in time for Christmas after a ten-week closure due to an outbreak of avian flu originating from wild birds. Director Aileen Tennant said she was “delighted to confirm” the park will reopen on December 20th following an outbreak of avian flu among some of the birds in the park in October. Fota Wildlife Park closed as a precautionary measure on October 14th due to an outbreak of avian flu among the park’s Greylag geese, which form part of its bird collection, which comprises 21 species and 168 individuals. Ms Tennant confirmed Fota had carried out measures to prevent the spread of avian flu from wild birds to its captive bird population. Ms Tennant urged people to continue to support Fota Wildlife Park, which is a registered conservation charity, in the run-up to Christmas by donating, purchasing gift vouchers, sponsoring an animal or prebooking online tickets.
Source:The Irish Times
December 09, 2025 01:04 UTC