The sad reality is that this Christmas week – and, indeed, every week – tobacco products continue to kill almost 100 people in Ireland. While the High Court’s decision is welcome, the reasonableness of strengthening tobacco retail control was never in doubt. In fact, a 2022 survey found that more than eight in 10 people in Ireland support a complete phase-out of tobacco product sales. A key focus for Christian Aid Ireland has been on raising awareness of another overlooked conflict, the humanitarian crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Christian Aid Ireland heard from our local partner how a number of people from one village drowned while attempting to flee by canoe.

Source: The Irish Times December 24, 2025 13:13 UTC