Fuel protests force cancellation of high-level Government trip to Canada
Micheál Martin and the Government’s planned trade mission to Canada will be cancelled as fuel protests across the country continue, it is understood. The Taoiseach was due to travel to Canada on Sunday for several days of engagements in Ottawa Toronto, along with trade minister Helen McEntee, higher education minister James Lawless, enterprise minister Peter Burke, agriculture minister Martin Heydon, and junior minister Timmy Dooley
Source:Irish Examiner
April 10, 2026 14:51 UTC
The dos and don’ts of travel insurance in troubled times
Travel insurance allows you prepare for the unexpected: People with their luggage walk past heavy traffic on Dublin's M50 towards the airport as fuel protests block the road. And one of the key ones is taking out travel insurance. [ Travel insurance – don’t leave home without itOpens in new window ]In spite of that, as many as one in three holidaymakers had no travel insurance, rising to almost half of those under the age of 35. The cheapest policies we priced offered cancellation cover worth €1,000 – which wouldn’t make much of a dent in a family holiday overseas – while the cancellation cover for the most expensive of those policies was €6,000. Someone who hits 70 or 75 can often be simply denied insurance altogether, even if they have no known medical issues.
Source:The Irish Times
April 10, 2026 14:48 UTC
Cork fire service warns fuel scarcity could impact staffing and response
Emergency services in Cork remain “stable” amid fuel scarcity, despite predictions that more than 200 fuel stations across the county are expected to run dry this morning. Victor Shine, second officer with Cork City Fire Brigade the Irish Examiner that while their fleet of emergency trucks is not currently in danger of running low on fuel, “it is always a concern”. “We have a minimum supply of fuel ourselves that we fuel in-station, but we do need trucks to keep us topped up. “We’re hoping that wherever the protests are, they will continue to allow emergency vehicles through,” said Mr Shine. “People are now going from main roads to secondary roads, travelling at the same speed they would on main roads, and road traffic collisions are increasing due to that.
Source:Irish Examiner
April 10, 2026 14:47 UTC
The man running the Irish firm selling roughly 12 million burgers a week to McDonald’s
The plant at Carroll’s Cross produces roughly 12 million burgers a week for McDonald’s, some of which go to Britain and France. Niall Browne, Dawn Meats chief executive, at the group head office in Grannagh. 'When you look at all the essential amino acids and vitamins and minerals in red meat it’s actually very good for human health.' With the addition of Alliance, Dawn Meats will now process 1.6 million cattle, eight million sheep and 70,000 venison. Reading: “I’m on the Dunnes book at the moment by Matt Cooper.”Something we might expect: He loves eating red meat.
Source:The Irish Times
April 10, 2026 14:45 UTC
A 'labour of love' as Athlone Town groundsman
Athlone Town football club groundsman, John West, celebrates 50 years in the role this year. A 'labour of love' as Athlone Town groundsmanA "labour of love" is how John West describes his 50 years serving as groundsman with Athlone Town football club. Previous Next Image 1 of 2 Athlone Town groundsman John West is pictured with his award presented to him by the club to mark his 50th anniversary in the role. Image 2 of 2 John West with Shay Hickey after John received a plaque to honour his 50 years as Athlone Town groundsman at a First Division game earlier this season. Athlone Town repeated their league winning feat in the 1982-83 season and with a positive mood around the club West said it was a "pleasure" to be groundsman.
Source:Irish Independent
April 10, 2026 14:37 UTC
Dr. Klint Pleasant ready to 'listen and learn' as SMC president
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, CanadaZip Code
Source:The Herald
April 10, 2026 14:35 UTC
Government open to talks with fuel protesters but blockades must end first, Taoiseach says
Fuel price protesters said on Thursday night that they had secured a meeting with Government Ministers on Friday. Traffic at a standstill on the N7 southbound at Johnstown due to fuel protests. People with their luggage walk past heavy traffic on Dublin’s M50 northbound due to vehicles taking part in the third day of a fuel protest. She condemned the Government move to bring in the Defence Forces, saying it was wrong to “escalate and aggravate” the situation. [ Business leaders call on Government to ‘enforce law and order’ and end fuel protest disruptionOpens in new window ]
Source:The Irish Times
April 10, 2026 14:32 UTC
Four key ideas revealed in bid to improve standards of Lincolnshire’s roads
Four key ideas revealed in bid to improve standards of Lincolnshire’s roadsWith the state of roads high on the agenda, here's how leaders are planning to tackle itView Image Workers during a surface dressing programme in 2023 (Image: Lincolnshire County Council)A new strategy to tackle some of Lincolnshire’s smaller, unclassified roads has been approved in a bid to improve standards. One of the big focuses of the next three years will be to bring unclassified roads – which are often used for local access – up to scratch. Just over 21 per cent of unclassified roads currently require some sort of maintenance. The average age of traffic lights is 26 years, which means it becomes more difficult to repair malfunctions when they happen. AI could also be used to gather traffic data and maximise the time spent on green lights.
Source:Daily Mirror
April 10, 2026 14:31 UTC
Taoiseach: 'Unelected and self-appointed people can't determine who gets oil in this country'
Saying people do not fully understand how serious the crisis is becoming, he added that “unelected and self-appointed people can't determine who gets oil in this country”. The Taoiseach said Ireland is at risk of losing its oil supplies as other countries scramble for fuel amid a global crisis. A large Garda presence is in place at Whitegate Oil Refinery on Friday morning. “We have an oil refinery that's processing product to finished product level. “It's not up to, with the greatest respect to everybody, unelected and self-appointed people [who] can't determine who gets oil in this country, can't determine who gets to hospital, can't determine who gets to the Rotunda via O’Connell Street.”The Taoiseach said there is currently no need to deploy the Defence Forces to Whitegate Oil Refinery, as it appears that tankers can go in.
Source:Irish Examiner
April 10, 2026 14:30 UTC
Jimmy ready to roll out the red carpet
Jimmy Glynn has been rolling out the red carpet for teams from the West of Ireland for as long as he can remember. “There are hotels beside Jake’s Saloon, and I would have developed a good rapport with them over the years. Given Dunmore’s proximity to the Roscommon border, it’s understandable that Jimmy has a “soft spot” for the Primrose and Blue. Back in New York, times have changed, especially since Covid which cost Jimmy two of his bars. We talk to invited guests and a few random people having a pint and some food,” highlighted Jimmy.
Source:The Herald
April 10, 2026 14:28 UTC
Putin declares 32-hour ceasefire in Ukraine war for Orthodox Easter
Russian president Vladimir Putin has declared a 32-hour ceasefire in Ukraine over the Orthodox Easter weekend. “In connection with the approaching holiday of Orthodox Easter, a ceasefire is declared from 1600 on 11th April to the end of the day of 12th April,” the Kremlin announcement said. Putin’s move follows Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s proposal earlier this week to observe a pause in attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure over the Orthodox Easter. Zelenskiy said early on Friday that Ukraine would act in accordance with an Easter ceasefire. We proposed a ceasefire during the Easter holiday this year and will act accordingly,” Zelenskiy said on Telegram.
Source:The Irish Times
April 10, 2026 14:26 UTC
Moate man 'honoured' to be new CEO of Irish Rural Link
Moate man 'honoured' to be new CEO of Irish Rural LinkMoate native Briain Smyth has been appointed as the new chief executive of Irish Rural Link, succeeding Seamus Boland who served in the role for more than two decades. Irish Rural Link is based on the Clara Road in Moate and works to support and advocate for communities in rural areas. Irish Rural Link pointed out that Mr Smyth was "rooted in the farming and rural community of Westmeath" and that he lives in the Moate area with his spouse. "The conversation about rural Ireland's future must be bolder, and Irish Rural Link intends to lead it. Irish Rural Link will be an unambiguous voice for that partnership, and I look forward to leading that work," he concluded.
Source:Irish Independent
April 10, 2026 14:26 UTC
'Swift action needed by government'
PROTESTORS at Galway docks on Thursday evening. 'Swift action needed by government'Protestors not afraid of army moving inMANY protestors are entering their fourth day at Galway docks where they were joined by supporters overnight. As yet, there hasn’t been any sign of direct intervention of the Galway blockade by An Garda Siochana or the Defence Forces. “It is always important for me as a local representative in Galway to engage with my constituents. We need swift action from the government to stop this happening and that is what I will be calling for.”
Source:The Herald
April 10, 2026 14:20 UTC
Win tickets to the 50th Anniversary Tour by Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and a two-night stay at the Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane.
For 50 years, LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO have been delighting audiences of all ages with sell-out performances showcasing their fabulous sense of fun and their flawless classical technique. This convention-breaking corps de ballet pirouettes their way through beloved classics, turning tradition on its head with dazzling precision and uproarious humour. Win a memorable night of dance in the magnificent setting of Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, with a pre-show dinner and two-night stay for two at the four-star Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane, enjoying breakfast the following morning. Dublin Dance Festival’s 2026 Edition will take place in venues throughout the city from 30 April – 16 May 2026. Visit Dublin Dance Festival’s website for more information.
Source:The Irish Times
April 10, 2026 14:17 UTC
ADRIAN THRILLS: Pet Shop Boys strip it back to ballads and B-sides in wonderfully intimate London gig
Pet Shop Boys at Electric BallroomRating:(FIVE STARS)Verdict: Wonderfully intimate and ballad-filledCelebrated as pop royalty thanks to hits such as West End Girls and It's A Sin, the Pet Shop Boys have spent the past four years on the road, burnishing their credentials as Britain's most successful ever musical duo. Tonight we're showing the other side of the Pet Shop Boys. Conversely, it was also easy to see why certain tracks, such as Bet She's Not Your Girlfriend, stayed as B-Sides. In the summer, the big hits will be back – but this was a wonderfully intimate, enterprising detour. Pet Shop Boys play Lytham Festival, Lytham St Annes, on July 4 (lythamfestival.com).
Source:Daily Mail
April 10, 2026 14:14 UTC