Westmeath hurlers facing crucial game against Meath
Westmeath manager Joe Fortune will be hoping that his team record their first win in this year’s Joe McDonagh Cup when they face Meath on Saturday. After three games, Meath are rock bottom in the table with three defeats and a score difference of minus 60. Westmeath are second from bottom with one point on the board and a score difference of minus 12. Westmeath have generally had a slightly higher profile than Meath in the small ball game over the years, but there has seldom been much between the teams in head-to-head clashes. Now remind me again, how did that ‘surely win’ game end?
Source:Irish Independent
May 16, 2024 06:25 UTC
Duncan goal crucial as U20 footballers reach final
Westmeath captain Brian Cooney (Westmeath) led by example against Limerick.All photos: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.netDuncan goal crucial as U20 footballers reach finalWestmeath 1-15, Limerick 2-5Previous Next Image 1 of 7 Westmeath captain Brian Cooney (Westmeath) led by example against Limerick. All photos: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net Gerry Shanahan Image 2 of 7 Rory Cole (Westmeath) on the ball against Limerick. Gerry Shanahan Image 3 of 7 Goalkeeper Senan O’Driscall (Westmeath) in action in Semple Stadium. Gerry Shanahan Image 6 of 7 Player of the match Daragh Lowry (Westmeath). Gerry Shanahan Image 7 of 7 Jack Duncan (Westmeath) scored a vital goal against Limerick in Semple Stadium on Saturday.
Source:Irish Independent
May 16, 2024 06:25 UTC
Local businesses urged to get their share of new SME supports
Minister for Enterprise, Peter Burke, Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, and Minister Hackett launch new SME supports at Government buildings. Local businesses urged to get their share of new SME supportsSmall and medium-sized businesses across the region have been encouraged to make sure they don’t miss out on broad suite of cost-reducing measures that were launched this afternoon. The package includes an extension to the €257 million Increased Cost of Business Grant, a €54 million cut in Employer PRSI and €10 million in new enterprise measures. Minister for Enterprise, Peter Burke, Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, Minister of State Pippa Hackett spoke at Government Buildings at the event. This will save approximately €125 per table for hotels, restaurants, public houses or other businesses where food is sold for consumption on the premises.
Source:Irish Independent
May 16, 2024 05:11 UTC
Young people most likely to get in debt with loan sharks, as data shows more turn to illegal lending
In comparison, 1.08 million people were estimated to have turned to loan sharks in 2022, according to the Centre for Social Justice. Borrowing from an illegal money lender is never a good idea, and it's crucial this illegal activity is reported. 'No matter how friendly they may seem at first, loan sharks often resort to violence and intimidation and are extremely dangerous individuals,' Hartley said. 'Borrowing from an illegal money lender is never a good idea, and it's crucial this illegal activity is reported.' It appears that some borrowers simply aren't aware of the risks that loan sharks pose, however.
Source:Daily Mail
May 16, 2024 04:38 UTC
My mortgage was declined because the home isn't in a 'saleable' area: What can I do?
Neither did my mortgage broker who provided an agreement in principle. But just as a mortgage lender can decide not to lend to a certain individual, so too can it decide not to lend on a particular property. But it doesn't necessarily mean that no lender will offer a mortgage on a property in that particular area. It would be worth speaking with a mortgage broker to see if they can recommend a different lender that uses a different surveying firm. For expert advice, we spoke to Chris Sykes, technical director at mortgage broker Private Finance, and Ben Fuller, associate at mortgage broker SPF Private Clients.
Source:Daily Mail
May 16, 2024 02:06 UTC
Increase in ‘palpable sense of menace’ towards politicians in Ireland
Almost three-quarters of TDs and senators who responded said they experience abuse on social media frequently. None of us wants to see that.”The taskforce’s report made several recommendations, including establishing an engagement forum with social media companies and Gardai and offering a social media monitoring service to politicians and their staff. When asked, Ms O’Sullivan said it was “regrettable” that the social media site X, formerly Twitter, was “unavailable” to engage with the taskforce. “Those two years have left an imprint in our society that I believe has amplified an anger and a feeling about the Dail from a very small number of people. “I’ve had to contend with that but, as I said, it comes from a small number of people, and the overwhelming majority of people engage very civilly, really appropriate with politicians.
Source:The Herald
May 15, 2024 22:16 UTC
What is inflation? What causes it? Here's how it's defined and what the latest report means
The latest inflation readings showed a mixed bag as drops in grocery and used car prices balanced out increases in rent and gasoline. Meanwhile, on a monthly basis, costs rose 0.3%, below the 0.4% rise the previous month but above the 0.1% to 0.2% readings that prevailed last fall. Grocery prices dropped 0.2% after flatlining the previous two months, gasoline prices rose 2.8% and used car prices declined by 1.4%. Rent, measured in March, rose .4% month over month. Inflation is the decline of purchasing power in an economy caused by rising prices, according to Investopedia.
Source:The Herald
May 15, 2024 22:15 UTC
Fraudsters are brazenly advertising fake banknotes on social media, currency firm warns
And there are concerns the fraudsters are taking the most vulnerableResearch by No1 Currency shows they are paying to advertise onlineFraudsters are brazenly advertising counterfeit banknotes on social media, even offering 'bulk buy' discounts for their fake cash, to the most vulnerable, a major currency firm warns. Social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram and X are awash with carefully targeted adverts offering free postage and discounts on counterfeit notes. However, research by travel money firm No1 Currency found that some scammers are paying for sponsored posts to appear on the social media timelines of vulnerable people. Simon Phillips, managing director at No1 Currency said: 'It is worrying to see organised criminals advertising so brazenly on social media. Have you spotted dodgy ads for fake banknotes on social media?
Source:Daily Mail
May 15, 2024 21:28 UTC
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Brown Thomas Arnotts fashion buying director Shelly Corkery leaves to ‘explore new opportunities’
Brown Thomas and Arnotts staff have been informed that fashion buying director Shelly Corkery will leave the business on Friday to “explore new opportunities”. Ms Corkery, who hails from Cork, had been with the Irish retailer for 24 years, serving as its fashion buying director for the past four years. In a note to staff, Brown Thomas Arnotts chief executive Donald McDonald said Ms Corkery had contributed “immensely to the success” of the business. I absolutely gave my all to Brown Thomas and adored my job, continuing the vision of the Westons and Paul Kelly [her husband] that was so special. I love fashion and working with my team and it has been a huge part of my life.
Source:The Irish Times
May 15, 2024 20:45 UTC
Teenage boy sentenced for repeated sexual abuse of his young cousin
Isabel HayesA teenager who repeatedly raped his “defenceless” younger cousin in their mutual grandparents' house has received 18 months detention. The court also heard that the teenager himself is alleged to have been the victim of sexual offending while living with his mother. The little boy told his mother that the abuse started when he was aged seven and his cousin touched him while he was in his grandparents' sitting room. He also said his cousin told him not to tell anyone. He also said that he had himself been the victim of sexual abuse from a young age before he came to live with his father.
Source:The Herald
May 15, 2024 19:56 UTC
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Woman’s 30-year ‘vendetta’ against brother over farm is ‘worst example of weaponisation’ of courts
A High Court judge has described a woman’s 30-year pursuit of a “vendetta” against her brother in a dispute over a small family farm in Co Sligo as the “worst example of the weaponisation of the courts” he has seen. In 1961, he said, there were 400 per cent more District Courts than High Courts in the State. There are now 51 High Court judges in the State, five times more per head than in England and Wales. Mr Justice Twomey said it was the Oireachtas, not judges or lawyers, which determines the rules for calculating legal costs that have set High Court costs at millionaire levels. Any reduction in legal costs would make the system better for the litigant but “might not be regarded as being in the interests of the legal profession”.
Source:The Irish Times
May 15, 2024 19:14 UTC
Golden Virginia owner Imperial Brands bolstered by higher tobacco prices
Higher tobacco prices helped Imperial Brands achieve its best organic sales growth in more than a decade. The Golden Virginia and Rizla brand owner revealed net revenues from tobacco and next-generation products rose by 2.8 per cent in the six months ending March. It anticipates net revenues growing by low-single-digits at constant currency levels and adjusted operating profits being 'close to the middle' of its mid-single digit range. Bomhard is spearheading a five-year strategy at Imperial focused on growing market share in its core markets and developing non-tobacco products. Imperial Brands shares were 2.9 per cent higher at 1,878.5p on Wednesday morning, making them one of the FTSE 100 Index's top risers.
Source:Daily Mail
May 15, 2024 14:22 UTC
Travel Junk Fees Are a Virus With No Easy Fix
Getting upset at junk fees is like getting upset at the flu. Junk fees exist because they work, and they won’t go away until they stop working. Recent federal interventionIn April, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rolled out new consumer protections for air passengers, including rules aimed at stymying junk fees. Herd junk fee immunityHalting the junk fee pandemic could also require another change: fed-up consumers. The article Travel Junk Fees Are a Virus With No Easy Fix originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Source:Irish Independent
May 15, 2024 14:21 UTC
Owners of period homes spend TWICE as much on maintenance, says Zoopla
The property portal revealed that period homeowners are spending more than twice as much in upkeep costs compared to non-period households. Over a fifth of British homeowners live in period homes, according to Zoopla, which it defines as properties built before 1919. Zoopla says the drain from the continuous repair bills has caught many period homeowners out. Zoopla found that the owner of the average period household has spent £12,865 on this since the start of 2022. Zoopla's Daniel Copley thinks that homebuyers should seriously consider alternatives to period homes, however.
Source:Daily Mail
May 15, 2024 11:15 UTC
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Dublin pizza restaurant ranked 15th in top 20 European pizzerias
Little Pyg was the only Irish eatery named in the Top 50, featuring among other renowned pizzerias across the continent. It was also named as Ireland’s best pizza restaurant for the second year in a row. 50 Top Pizza is known as the biggest pizza organisation in the world, with more than 2,000 inspectors. Next, however, the team will be heading to Naples in September, having received a “golden ticket” to the Pizza World Championship on foot of ranking in the top 20 at the Pizza Europa Awards. Little Pyg is a sister restaurant of Dublin’s well-known Pygmalion and serves cocktails alongside its food menu.
Source:The Irish Times
May 15, 2024 09:05 UTC