Deposit of €142,000 for prospective Ipas centre must be returned, High Court rules
The High Court has ordered the return of €142,500 deposit paid by a company that wanted to buy a former small hotel to turn it into an International Protection Accommodation Service (Ipas) centre. Photograph: Bryan O'BrienThe High Court has ordered the return of €142,500 deposit paid by a company that wanted to buy a former small hotel to turn it into an International Protection Accommodation Service (Ipas) centre. Mr O’Neill, in his own proceedings against Outeniqua, sought specific performance of the contract and damages. In a judgment, Mr Justice Oisín Quinn said Outeniqua was entitled to an order for the return of the deposit. Outeniqua sought the return of the deposit but this was refused and High Court proceedings followed.
Source:The Irish Times
January 31, 2026 14:10 UTC
Don't let the SNP do even more damage to Scotland come May election
The SNP will boast about ‘free’ prescriptions, yet in England over 90% of prescriptions are dispensed without charge, while in Scotland millionaires receive them. And then there is ‘free’ university tuition, which results in a tight cap on the number of Scottish students at Scottish universities, and leaves these universities in deep financial trouble. The party that perpetrated these, and other, failures wants you to vote for it to do Scotland even more damage. Without hesitation, and to his horror, I answered that I would, if I thought it would damage the SNP. Scottish universities are poorly compensated for state paid degree fees, and rely on foreign students to make ends meet.
Source:The Herald
January 31, 2026 14:07 UTC
Wind farm jobs - push to give rural areas a share of renewables bounty
However, a key issue has surrounded establishing training courses, apprenticeships and skills facilities that can be easily accessed by people in rural areas where the bulk of the wind energy industry operates. The Scottish Government’s new offshore wind action plan, Powering Progress Together, sets out a 12 point agenda to train the specialist electricians, engineers and technicians considered key to the expansion of the sector. The facility is considered crucial to helping Scotland’s capacity in Global Wind Organisation-accredited training and to create a stronger pipeline of wind technicians to meet demand. The plan also confirms a new Level 5 Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship, and ‘work ready’ programmes bringing together colleges, training bodies, Energy Skills Partnership (ESP) and others to boost existing provision and develop further initiatives. Key roles include wind turbine technicians, high-voltage engineers, cable engineers, electrical managers and design engineers and managers.
Source:The Herald
January 31, 2026 14:04 UTC
Hundreds of political prisoners to be released following amnesty bill
Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez on Friday announced an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists detained for political reasons. “May this law serve to heal the wounds left by the political confrontation fuelled by violence and extremism,” she added in the pre-taped televised event. Ms Rodriguez made her announcement before some of the officials that former prisoners and human rights watchdogs have accused of ordering the abuses committed at Helicoide and other detention facilities. The Venezuelan-based prisoners’ rights group Foro Penal estimates that 711 people are in detention facilities across the South American country for their political activities. Ms Rodriguez said the “general amnesty law” will cover the “entire period of political violence from 1999 to the present.” She also explained that people convicted of murder, drug trafficking, corruption or human rights violations will not qualify for relief.
Source:Irish Examiner
January 31, 2026 14:01 UTC
Kieran Shannon: What happens when two finalists go back to war?
In the opening minutes of that 2005 All-Ireland final the finger of a Tyrone player ended up in Colm Cooper’s eye. Once Jim Gavin came along though, he completed bucked the dynamic between All-Ireland finalists playing each other in the following year’s league. Defeating the team that had edged them in the 2013 All-Ireland final could mark the most significant signpost and scalp of them all. In 2019 they failed for the first time to reach a league final under Gavin, losing to a Tyrone team they had beaten in the previous year’s All-Ireland final. McGuinness has obviously worked on something.” Darran O’Sullivan who soldiered with O’Connor for many league campaigns is of a similar mind.
Source:Irish Examiner
January 31, 2026 13:51 UTC
He broke down in tears surrounded by stoic classmates: Truth behind 'black boy joy' video that captivated America
An Atlanta Netflix star shared the emotional moment her son graduated from college after years of struggle. Lori Hanford's 23-year-old son Sean graduated from Kennesaw State University in Georgia on December 19 with a degree in Entrepreneurship. She captioned the video of Sean's graduation 'black boy joy' and it quickly went viral with more than 200,000 likes on Instagram. Anytime Sean wanted to give up, his mother told the outlet he got a text from a pastor or even Steve Harvey himself, encouraging him to keep up the hard work. Hanford told WSB-TV reporters that she shared the now viral moment to show other young black men what can be accomplished.
Source:Daily Mail
January 31, 2026 13:36 UTC
Trump and CEOs: speaking up, or just playing it safe?
Corporate America has been very careful in its 'criticism' of what has been happening in Minneapolis. Yes, more than 60 Minnesota CEOs signed a joint letter urging “an immediate de-escalation of tensions” after the shooting. Altman went further, telling staff that “President Trump is a very strong leader” and would hopefully “rise to this moment”. ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods learned the cost of plain speaking when he recently described Venezuela as “uninvestable”, prompting Trump to threaten retaliation. Corporate leaders will probably continue to play it safe, saying enough to try to reassure staff, but not enough to risk retaliation.
Source:The Irish Times
January 31, 2026 13:32 UTC
The world has put too many financial eggs in a country run by a basket case – The Irish Times
All the world’s financial eggs are precariously perched in one highly speculative basket, in a country run by someone who could be described – sticking with the basket analogy – as a complete basket case. On the eve of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, $10 trillion of foreign money was deployed in US shares, real estate and bonds. A realignment of global risk is on the cards and this means money leaving the US and returning home. Such “hope” value can only be sustained as long as more and more foreign money comes in at the bottom of the pyramid to maintain valuations at the top. London was the epicentre of global money, accounting for about two-thirds of all trade in international capital.
Source:The Irish Times
January 31, 2026 13:31 UTC
Dublin could host ‘Davos on tour’ event this spring, according to organisers
Larry Fink, the interim co-chair of the WEF’s governing board, caught delegates at this year’s summit off-guard when he suggested the event could expand its footprint, name-checking Dublin as a potential stage. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty ImagesDublin may host a “Davos on tour” event this spring, with consideration being given to holding an event in conjunction with the World Economic Forum (WEF), which organises the gathering of global business and political leaders. It is understood Dublin Castle has been identified as a potential location for an event in May. However, the Department of Finance said it has no involvement in any dialogue around such an event. A spokesman for the WEF said it intends to continue holding its annual meeting, which will remain its yearly flagship event, in Davos.
Source:The Irish Times
January 31, 2026 13:30 UTC
‘My comrades are struggling and freezing and dying.’ Exhaustion is sapping Ukraine’s spirit – The Irish Times
“I am thinking about my comrades in the dugouts who are struggling and freezing and dying,” she said. Lieut Yulia Mykytenko: 'Ukraine is alone, fighting Russia with our blood'An estimated 250,000 Ukrainians still live in free Donetsk. Ukraine’s defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov said this month that 200,000 Ukrainian soldiers had deserted, and two million men had evaded conscription. Trump’s chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff, said on Thursday that talks between Ukraine and Russia will resume “in about a week”. The White House says Trump agrees that Ukraine should give up Donbas, but that he would not strong-arm Zelenskiy.
Source:The Irish Times
January 31, 2026 13:30 UTC
Harry Maguire’s options with Man Utd contract ending as he could follow Scott McTominay
This outcome is not certain, and Maguire may yet sign a new contract given his generally reliable performance this season. Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more. Should he wish to remain in England, there will undoubtedly be a number of interested Premier League clubs. Everton were also linked with the player during the summer of 2023, and the Toffees have a history of signing former United players.
Source:Daily Mirror
January 31, 2026 13:29 UTC
Kevin Rudd issues stern denial of meeting Jeffrey Epstein - after millions more files released
In a lengthy statement, Dr Rudd vehemently denied ever corresponding with the convicted US sex offender or visiting any of his houses. But Dr Rudd strongly denied ever meeting Epstein and said there was no evidence that the former prime minister had accepted any invitation made to him. Others indicate there were attempts by mutual acquaintances of Jeffrey Epstein to introduce him to Dr Rudd. 'No introduction ever took place, and there is no evidence of any direct contact between Jeffrey Epstein and either Dr Rudd or his office.' 'Dr Rudd's legal team is prepared to launch legal action against any defamatory statements asserting any kind of personal relationship between Dr Rudd and Epstein.'
Source:Daily Mail
January 31, 2026 13:27 UTC
Naomi Campbell wraps up in animal print coat as she enjoys luxury shopping trip in Mayfair
Naomi Campbell wrapped up warm as she enjoyed a luxury shopping trip at Gucci in Mayfair, London on Friday. The model, 55, donned an animal print faux fur coat for the outing which she wore over a black turtle neck top and matching trousers. Pope Francis died in April this year at the age of 88. Naomi wrote alongside a snap of the holy place: 'Couldn't be in Rome without paying my respects to Pope Francis. Earlier this summer, Bikini-clad Naomi showcased her age-defying physique as she enjoyed a lavish trip to Ibiza.
Source:Daily Mail
January 31, 2026 13:14 UTC
Parts of Wexford and Kilkenny flooded as rainfall lightens and warnings pass
Clean-up operations are under way in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, after the river Slaney burst its banks during Storm Chandra this week. Parts of Wexford county remain underwater on Saturday following a deluge, with Bridgetown and Our Lady’s Island among the worst affected. The lake has also flooded on to the road past the petrol station heading towards Carne. Council roads crews are responding to flooded and closing roads where required and are asking road users “not to pass road closed or road flooded signs, do not drive into flood waters”. An emergency response payment is available to those living in residences impacted, while the Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme is available to businesses and organisations.
Source:The Irish Times
January 31, 2026 13:06 UTC
Behind the Michelin veil: what does it take for a restaurant to add a star?
For many diners, the Michelin Guide still conjures a very specific image: hushed diningrooms, tasting menus that run longer than some marriages and plates arranged with tweezers. Type “best restaurants Dublin” into Tripadvisor and you get a neat, confident-looking list, shaped by thousands of opinions and star ratings. In 2023 it was the turn of Ahmet Dede of Dede, in Baltimore, west Cork (co-owned with Maria Archer), to secure a second Michelin star. “The one star is good food, delicious food. “To become a three-star restaurant is to basically say that this is one of the best restaurants in the world.
Source:The Irish Times
January 31, 2026 13:02 UTC