The number of forensic accountants needed to be “significantly increased” to make up the current shortfall in expertise, the commission report said. “The lack of resources and specialisation remains a challenge in investigating and prosecuting corruption cases,” it said. READ MOREFunding to hire an extra five forensic accountants had been provided, but the commission report said this was considered “insufficient” by Garda. EU officials noted the total number of gardaí assigned to investigate corruption offences had decreased since 2022. “This allocation is considered insufficient by the police to conduct complex investigations in a timely manner,” the commission report said.
Source:The Irish Times
July 25, 2024 16:56 UTC
High Court reportersA businesswoman has failed in a High Court challenge to Ireland’s laws on drugs relating to the sale of products containing a small amount of the psychoactive ingredient of cannabis. Denise Lynch, who since April 2021 operated the 'D Hemp Shop' at Market Street, Cootehill, Co Cavan, and a related online shop, had brought the challenge against the Minister for Health, the Garda Commissioner, the Government of Ireland and the State. Ms Lynch’s shop and home were searched by gardai in September 2021. She was later charged with the unlawful possession of cannabis and cannabis resin and with the possession of cannabis and cannabis resin for sale or supply. In the meantime, she brought her High Court challenge.
Source:The Herald
July 25, 2024 16:01 UTC
Shane O’Donnell, David Reidy, and Shane Meehan lead the team into Active Ennis Tim Smythe Park with the All-Ireland Championship and League trophies. Photo: Eamon WardThe homecoming celebration took place at Active Ennis Tim Smythe Park (formerly known as the Fair Green) in Ennis, and Clare County Council confirmed that over 35,000 fans attended the event, representing a record-breaking number for the county. Follow Independent Clare on FacebookThe team arrived in Ennis after stopping at Wolfe Tones GAA Club and in Clarecastle village, where they also received a warm welcome. He added: “One of the greatest things you can possibly do as a player is probably captaining your county during an All-Ireland championship. We hope you were able to follow the end of the homecoming on Facebook live.”Fans also reported technical issues at the sound system in Tim Smythe Park as those further away could not hear properly what was being said.
Source:Irish Independent
July 25, 2024 15:37 UTC
Ireland to face Fiji in quarter final after defeat to New ZealandIreland will meet Fiji in the Men's Rugby Sevens quarter-final tonight after a heartbreaking defeat to No 1 ranked New Zealand in the final Pool A game by 14-12 this afternoon. Jordan Conroy picked up an injury in scoring a try just before half time to give Ireland a 12-0 interval advantage and went off the pitch. However, New Zealand scored a try straight after the break to narrow the deficit. And although Ireland were camped on the New Zealand line towards the end before conceding a penalty from which New Zealand went the length of the pitch to score a try to equalise matters in the final minute, before adding the drop-goal conversion. Ireland now play Fiji, back-to-back Olympic champions, in the quarter final, at 9pm tonight, whilst New Zealand, after topping the group ahead of Ireland, meet South Africa in their quarter final.
Source:Irish Independent
July 25, 2024 15:12 UTC
Emergency repairs which prompted Daingean road closure 'could last until October'A road repair project which has caused the closure of the Derrygowley road in Daingean over recent months may not be completed until "September or October," a local councillor has been told. Fianna Fáil's Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick said he had been contacted by numerous residents from the Daingean area regarding the ongoing closure of the Derrygowley Road, which was due to infrastructural damage of a local bridge at the edge of the town. Offaly County Council advertised the road closure, and published a diversion route map online, in mid-May, saying the closure was "for the purpose of essential road repairs". "I stressed the importance of having this road reopened to the public and especially before the schools reopen by the end of August," said the local representative. "I will continue to seek a quick resolution to this situation by keeping pressure on Offaly County Council and the area office in Edenderry," concluded Cllr Fitzpatrick.
Source:Irish Independent
July 25, 2024 15:10 UTC
Kenneth FoxA multi-agency search is due to resume this morning for a young boy reported missing at the Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare. The land, air and sea search has been underway since Tuesday afternoon, when its understood the boy became separated from his family, who are holidaying here from overseas. Watch officers at the Coast Guard’s marine rescue coordination centre on Valentia Island in Kerry promptly mounted a search operation after being alerted. the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard launched their Delta rigid inflatable boat while gardaí responded to the area. The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 115, was also tasked to the incident while the Aran Islands RNLI all-weather lifeboat was also requested to assist.
Source:The Herald
July 25, 2024 12:59 UTC
British Gas owner Centrica’s profits have fallen sharply from record highs during the energy crisis, as Britain transitions to a 'more normalised' gas and electricity market. It said around £500million of the fall was due to the absence this year of energy crisis allowance payments. Energy companies have come under fire from consumer groups for their outsize profits in the wake of the energy crisis. O’Shea added that he hopes the UK’s new state-owned energy investment firm, GB Energy, could be an investment partner to Centrica on some projects in future. While other suppliers were squeezed by the energy crisis, Centrica’s wholesale operation meant it was a direct beneficiary of an increase in oil, gas and electricity prices.
Source:Daily Mail
July 25, 2024 11:19 UTC
ShinAwil boss Larry Bass praised the pair – “Johnny B” O’Brien and “Johnny Smacks” McMahon – for their versatility. “Hosting live TV and reading autocue was something that was totally new to the two lads, but they took direction really well,” Bass told The Irish Sun. He added that Snapshot is “a big entertainment show” which could be broadcast on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night. In an interview with Brendan O’Connor following their departure from RTÉ radio, they admitted that “something had to give” when it came to their busy workload. In any case, brace yourselves: it looks like The 2 Johnnies are not quite ready to give up on their TV dreams.
Source:Irish Independent
July 25, 2024 09:17 UTC
Argentina match against Morocco suspended for an hour due to disorder from crowdBy PA Sport StaffArgentina’s match against Morocco at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard was suspended for over an hour following a reaction from the crowd when Cristian Medina scored a late equaliser. Morocco led the Group B clash 2-1 and in the final stages of the game Argentina hit the frame of the goal twice before midfielder Medina struck in the 16th minute of stoppage time to level the match. However, his equaliser sparked objects being thrown onto the pitch and players were taken off for their safety. The match was suspended for over an hour (Silvia Izquierdo/AP) Photo by Silvia IzquierdoFans were then asked to leave the stadium with a message being projected on screens that read: “Your session has been suspended, please leave the stadium.”After over an hour without play, the game resumed behind closed doors with three minutes left on the clock and Medina’s 106th-minute leveller was chalked off for an offside in the build-up. The game finished 2-1 to Morocco thanks to Soufiane Rahimi’s brace.
Source:Irish Independent
July 25, 2024 06:18 UTC
Croghan's Charles Malone (right) with past international Toastmasters president Ted Corcoran at the Toastmasters District 71 event held in Portlaoise recently. Offaly man completes successful year in Toastmasters roleCharles Malone, from Croghan, has just completed a successful year as a divisional director of the Toastmasters organisation. Toastmasters is a non-profit public speaking group which welcomes people who wish to improve their speaking and leadership skills. Among the distinguished leaders within the Toastmasters community is Charles Malone from Croghan, who is a member of Tullamore Toastmasters. Charles recently completed his tenure as director of Toastmasters' Division F Director, which covers counties including Offaly, Westmeath, Longford, Galway, Mayo, Cavan, Monaghan.
Source:Irish Independent
July 25, 2024 03:45 UTC
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Source:The Herald
July 25, 2024 02:02 UTC
Why the BBC is showing less live coverage of the Paris OlympicsBy Casey Cooper-Fiske, PA Entertainment ReporterThe Paris Olympics are set to begin on Friday but the BBC will be showing less live coverage than in previous years. BBC iPlayer will also be showing Olympics Extra coverage of events from 8am to 11pm. It came into effect during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, when the BBC received a large number of complaints about the lack of live coverage. Eurosport channels will be showing live coverage from 7am to 10:30pm daily, with seven pop-up channels being created to provide extra coverage. BBC Radio 5 Live will also be providing live coverage, while the BBC Sport website will have clips of the action and interviews.
Source:Irish Independent
July 25, 2024 00:31 UTC
James Topping’s side scored six tries to beat Japan 40-5 in their second pool game at the Stade de France tonight. This follows their 10-5 opening win over South Africa this afternoon to complete a clean sweep of wins on the opening day. The two wins set Ireland up for a historic place in the quarter-finals tomorrow night. Earlier today, Ireland edged out South Africa 10-5 in a tense opening pool A game. While South Africa scored a late try through their captain Selvyn Davids, Ireland held on for a 10-5 win.
Source:Irish Independent
July 24, 2024 21:22 UTC
Gerry Buckley, the late Páidí Ó Sé and former Westmeath Examiner sports editor John FitzSimons at a presentation to mark Westmeath's success in 2004. The right man at the right timeCelebrating the 20th anniversary of Westmeath's Leinster successby Gerry BuckleyI will always remember the precise moment in October 2003 when I heard that Páidí Ó Sé was to become the new Westmeath senior football manager. Indeed, another friend will vouch that I had been similarly excited when Jack Charlton unexpectedly got the Irish job in 1986. Two specific memories flash back about the trip which copper-fastened my belief that Páidí was the right man at the right time. A great memory from 2004: Poggy Lynn, S&C coach and Páidí Ó Sé, manager, about to embrace after their victory over Dublin in Croke Park.
Source:Irish Independent
July 24, 2024 20:02 UTC
Ireland 10 South Africa 5James Topping’s side beat South Africa 10-5 in a nervy opening pool A game at the Stade de France this afternoon. South Africa were reduced to six players for two minutes when Ryan Oosthuizen got a yellow card midway through the second half for a high tackle on Gavin Mullin. Ireland made the most of their player advantage with the irrepressible Terry Kennedy cutting through the South Africa defence to score his first try of these Olympics. While South Africa scored a late try through their captain Selvyn Davids, Ireland held on for a 10-5 win. South Africa: C Grobbelaar, R Oosthuizen, Z Davids, Q Nortje, T Leyds, S Davids, S van Wyk.
Source:Irish Independent
July 24, 2024 17:40 UTC