Ivan Yates gave media coaching to Taoiseach, Jim Gavin and five other Fianna Fáil ministers
Six senior Fianna Fáil politicians, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, were also given media training by Mr Yates. “In relation to the general election, he did one session with Micheál Martin during the general election campaign. Mr Yates also provided training to Minsters Darragh O’Brien and James Browne during the same campaign,” Fianna Fáil said in a statement. Controversy has surrounded Mr Yates since it emerged he provided coaching to Mr Gavin before the candidate ended his presidential bid. In a statement on Monday morning, Fianna Fáil said Mr Yates had not worked with the party beyond September 29th.
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 22:51 UTC
I started strength training in my 60s - here are the seven things I learned in one year
At least, that’s my rationale for why everywhere I looked online last year, the merits of strength training “for the older woman” were being flagged. But through one year of doing small group training sessions three times a week, here are seven things I’ve learned:1. Her study, High Intensity Strength Training in Nonagenarians, which showed how in just eight weeks they became stronger and more mobile, began to change the medical view of older people’s frailty. However, being unable to think of anything else except keeping going during strength and conditioning sessions was a novelty. The circumstances that drove me to start strength training in small group classes were changed utterly by the death of my husband, Philip, in June.
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 22:33 UTC
Ryan Baird, combative and inventive, was a ray of light on a gloomy day for Ireland
Peter O’Mahony’s retirement invited Baird to make a down payment on the Ireland number six jersey during the summer. Baird was one of the few Ireland players who could reflect on their 80-minute performance with a degree of personal satisfaction, despite the disappointing nature of a 26-13 defeat. Ryan Baird of Ireland knocks the ball away from Josh Lord of the All Blacks during a lineout in Saturday's Test match at Soldier Field, Chicago. Photograph: Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesBeirne’s ejection meant Baird had to run a lineout without a secondrow for 20 minutes. He also came up with a couple of vital steals on New Zealand throws five metres from the Irish line.
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 22:32 UTC
Drogheda arson attack: ‘The house is on fire. Please answer’
CCTV shows the moment a fire is started on the stairs of the International Protection Accommodation Service centre, Drogheda. Three women say they and their children have been left traumatised by a suspected arson attack at an International Protection accommodation centre in Drogheda, Co Louth. The women, who have been moved 12km away to the Mosney accommodation centre, on Sunday said they had hardly slept since the incident. She showed missed WhatsApp calls and messages from her older child from 8.11pm onwards pleading with her to answer. Photograph: Bryan MeadeThe families were brought to a large house near Termonfeckin on Friday and moved to Mosney on Saturday.
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 22:31 UTC
‘I think life is too short not to spend your money; I mean, you can’t take it with you’
I’ll save up money, be delighted with myself, then find something to blow it all on, like a holiday! Is there anything you regret spending money on? I see money as something that goes into your account and back out, then back in and back out. Life is too short to think about that particular kind of regret, and I also think life is too short not to spend your money. I lost nearly €30,000’Opens in new window ]What is your best habit when it comes to money?
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 22:30 UTC
Owen Doyle: Unwarranted Tadhg Beirne dismissal highlighted a problem in rugby officiating
Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne after his yellow card was upgraded to a red card during Saturday's Test match against New Zealand at Soldier Field. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/InphoThe relatively new 20-minute red card and bunker system were severely tested in Soldier Field last Saturday. His upgrading of Tadhg Beirne’s yellow to a red card was wrong – plain and simple. A huge amount of preparatory work is done by elite match officials in the area of in-game sanctions. Photograph: Gary Carr/InphoThere were other things in the performances of the match officials which should have been picked up.
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 22:18 UTC
Finland’s aurora borealis, husky mushing and wintry wilderness bring a dream to life
I consider baling, but then I remind myself that I chose to do this – that it has been my dream for years to see the Northern Lights (aurora borealis), go husky mushing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and – yes – snowmobiling across a pristine wintry wilderness. (The Finnish word for the Northern Lights, “revontulet”, translates as “fire fox”.) Day two, and we’re off to spend the morning with fourth-generation Sámi reindeer herder Juha West and his octogenarian dad, Sulo. Getting there: The Aurora ZoneAurora borealis over Menesjärvi, Inari, FinlandBeing complete Lapland novices, we enlisted the help of Allan Cooper of specialist Northern Lights tour operator The Aurora Zone. We chose the Menesjärvi – Wilderness Auroras trip: three days, four nights.
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 22:10 UTC
‘The naked party was joyful and relaxed’: End of an era as legendary Berlin queer club closes
People party at the 'Last Cheers, Queers' closing event at the SchwuZ club on November 1st in Berlin. “The Schlager naked party was always more joyful and relaxed than elsewhere, like the SchwuZ in general. In recent years the SchwuZ became a lightning rod for growing culture wars in the queer community over diversity, inclusivity and visibility. Previous regulars, in particular white German gay men, reported being turned away. “Everyone talks about the queer community,” said Dirk, “but I don’t think we all even want to party together.”
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 22:09 UTC
Number of babies born to women aged 45 and over rises 80% in 10 years - CSO
Photograph: Getty ImagesA record high of 408 babies were born to women aged 45 years and above in 2023, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). [ Births to women aged 40 and over increased by 21.5% in 10 yearsOpens in new window ]A record number of babies were born to women aged 45 years and above in 2023, the CSO report said. Twin children and singleton children had similar levels of daily physical activity. Almost a quarter of twin children reported exercising to lose or avoid gaining weight, compared to 31 per cent of singleton children. Almost two-thirds of twin children said they had never engaged in disruptive behaviour at school, compared to 57.6 per cent of singleton children.
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 21:58 UTC
Man appears in court over false social media claims about migrant
The social media content was created and shared in June last year. File imageA man has appeared in court charged in connection with the alleged sharing of false information on social media relating to an international protection applicant. He was granted bail and is scheduled to appear at Bray District Court again on December 8th next. The social media content at the centre of the case was allegedly shared in June 2024. The post claimed the man was a migrant and had exposed himself to women and girls on the bus journey before falling asleep.
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 21:49 UTC
Ukrainian refugees coming to Ireland will have State-provided accommodation cut to 30 days
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said there has been 'a significant increase in the number of Ukrainians arriving into Ireland since September this year'. Photograph: CollinsNewly arrived Ukrainian refugees are to have their time in State-provided accommodation cut to 30 days under plans agreed by Ministers on Monday evening. A Cabinet committee meeting on migration agreed to cut the number of days that the State offers to new arrivals from Ukraine from 90 days to 30. Ministers were also due to consider proposals for accommodation charges for asylum seekers who have permission to work in Ireland. He told RTÉ he was proposing to reduce the length of time new arrivals are provided with accommodation.
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 21:47 UTC
Powerful earthquake kills at least 20 in Afghanistan
Locals in Samangan, Afghanistan, walk among debris of a partially collapsed building following an earthquake that devastated the region. The US Geological Survey said the earthquake hit at a depth of 28km near Mazar-e Sharif, a city of about 523,000 people famous for its shrines and historic sites. The Blue Mosque sustained significant damage following an earthquake in Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan. The earthquake disrupted power across the country, including to the capital Kabul, national power supplier Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat said in a statement. Aid group Save The Children said the latest earthquake added to the humanitarian burden on the country, arriving just before winter when temperatures can drop below freezing.
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 21:41 UTC
You can’t buy your way out of the terrible situation we have all created – The Irish Times
In the same way that not all drivers can be, as most of us apparently imagine ourselves, better or safer than average, not everyone can live in areas with lower than average air pollution. We shouldn’t have school playgrounds next to big highways, but also we shouldn’t have anywhere it’s not safe to breathe. Even if you don’t care about social justice or the lives of children poorer than yours, air pollution moves. Their weight grinds down the roads, producing more particulates than lighter vehicles, they’re environmentally costly to make – and also, air pollution still moves. The structural problems are so big they’re painful and frightening to consider, but the answer isn’t to buy more stuff or try to spend your way to individual protection.
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 21:40 UTC
Lessons for Ireland from German unification
The process of German unification was poorly managed because it happened so rapidly. Unification has not produced a unity of minds, and the former East and West Germany continue to have very different political preferences. Those who advocate for an early referendum on Irish unification can learn lessons from the German experience. Reunification and adoption of the euro would mean rapid price convergence North and South, with northern prices rising rapidly. Any move to unification in the near future could prove very serious for an unprepared Northern Ireland economy.
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 21:34 UTC
Ryanair profits surge 42% to €2.54bn as airline increases fares 13% over last year
Ryanair profits topped €2.5 billion in the six months to the end of September. The carrier’s profits climbed 42 per cent to €2.54 billion in the six months to the end of September. Passenger numbers rose 3 per cent to 119 million over the same period and revenues increased 13 per cent to €9.82 billion. Mr O’Leary (64) said he is open to staying at the airline beyond the end of his current contract. The airline also announced a dividend of 19.3 cent a share which will be paid to shareholders in February.
Source:The Irish Times
November 03, 2025 20:34 UTC