fishing industry
A series of articles about the dying Irish fishing industry - one of Ireland's few remaining indigenous industries.
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articles
Defence Forces to probe air purifier service history after safety concerns raised
The Defence Forces have launched an investigation into the use and service history of a breathing air purifier used by Air Corps spray painters.Whistleblowers first raised issues about it after a contractor brought in to service it in July 2024 became alarmed about the condition of a number of filters on the apparatus, which was being used by spray painters when spraying aircraft and aircraft parts.As well as being concerned about the age of the red Domnick Hunter CO and CO2 Breathing Air Purifi...
Defence Forces warned it could be prosecuted for safety breaches over staff exposure to hazardous chemicals
The Defence Forces was warned it could be prosecuted over health and safety breaches in the air corps in 2023, more than seven years after issues were first raised.Health and Safety Authority (HSA) inspectors visited hangars and workshops at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, Co Dublin, in December 2023, and numerous issues were raised in relation to health and safety of staff.Details of the inspection have been released, as up to 20 men are taking a case against the State, claiming exposure to ha...
Public health expert calls for probe into 400 Air Corps deaths
One of Ireland’s leading public health experts has said there are grounds for an in-depth examination into the deaths of more than 400 serving and retired Air Corps personnel.Professor Anthony Staines believes there are indications that the death rates among the personnel — around 200 of whom died under the age of 65 between 1980 and 2026 — appear to be “excessively high”.Around 20 men are taking cases against the State amid claims they were exposed to hazardous chemicals while working for the A...
Legislation ‘absolutely failed’ children killed by their mother
Legislation “absolutely failed” three children killed by their mother, and the State owes it to their memory to reform the law, the Seanad has been told.Independent senator Aubrey McCarthy said that “ambiguity” across a variety of acts had “catastrophic” consequences for Conor, Darragh, and Carla McGinley. Their mother, Deirdre Morley, was found not guilty by reason of insanity of killing them at their home in Newcastle, Co Dublin, on January 24, 2020.An autopsy later found the children died by...
'Horrific' death of pregnant horse prompts call for crackdown on sulky racing
The Government needs to clamp down on sulky racing, and gardaí need to go after cruel horse owners, following "persistent neglect of animals in urban areas", the Seanad has heard.Senator Chris Andrews said it is particularly prevalent in Dublin among horse owners who claim to love their animals.He pointed to the recent “horrific” death of a pregnant horse after sulky races — which are currently illegal on public roads — on both the Dollymount Strand and at a stretch near the N4 in Ballyfermot.Wi...
Warning that 'flooding is a risk across the country'
Rain-sodden communities have been warned of the potential for further flooding, with heavy rainfall expected throughout the day.In many areas it will be falling on already saturated ground and rivers close to bursting banks.Met Éireann has issued several yellow-level warnings in which members of the public were told there is a flood risk in 17 counties.However, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management said: “Flooding is a risk across the country due to the current conditions."I...
Gardaí renew appeal in decade-long disappearance of Tipperary mother-of-four
Gardaí are renewing their appeal for public assistance in relation to the reported disappearance of a mother-of-four nearly a decade ago.
Although 37-year-old Bridget Madigan was reported missing from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, on June 17, 2016, Gardaí say she was last seen in the town on February 8, 2016.
Although 37-year-old Bridget Madigan was reported missing from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, on June 17, 2016, Gardaí say she was last seen in the town on February 8, 2016.
IMO criticises surgeon data plan as medicine 'does not lend itself to direct league tables'
Children’s Health Ireland (CHI)’s plan to reveal surgeon-specific outcome data to show how good they are has been described as “simplistic” by the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO).
The IMO says that, if it goes ahead, it could end up leading to “perverse incentives” for surgeons to perform better.
The IMO says that, if it goes ahead, it could end up leading to “perverse incentives” for surgeons to perform better.
‘Mind-numbingly slow’: Why Midleton residents are still waiting for flood relief
If life for people in and around Midleton is anything to go by since floods devastated their homes in 2023, those hit by Storm Chandra face years of frustration and delays.
Residents of the East Cork town and surrounding villages say they remain frustrated with the State’s response to Storm Babet, which struck in October 2023.
Residents of the East Cork town and surrounding villages say they remain frustrated with the State’s response to Storm Babet, which struck in October 2023.
Nearly 200 drivers arrested for being under the influence over bank holiday weekend
Gardaí caught just under 3,500 speeding drivers during its latest bank holiday road safety blitz, along with more than 300 uninsured drivers.
The highest volume of detections was on Bank Holiday Monday, with over 800 speeding detections — the worst of whom was a driver caught doing 190kph in a 100kph zone on the N4, Aughamore, Co. Leitrim.
The highest volume of detections was on Bank Holiday Monday, with over 800 speeding detections — the worst of whom was a driver caught doing 190kph in a 100kph zone on the N4, Aughamore, Co. Leitrim.
AI helping to transform breast cancer care in Ireland
Artificial intelligence is set to transform Ireland’s breast cancer care, with studies showing it is helping to detect up to 30% more breast cancer cases.
AI is able to improve breast cancer outcomes for patients as the technology can find more early signs of cancer faster than “imperfect” traditional methods.
AI is able to improve breast cancer outcomes for patients as the technology can find more early signs of cancer faster than “imperfect” traditional methods.
CHI chief vows to reveal consultants' surgery outcomes to public
The new chief executive at Children’s Health Ireland has vowed to reveal surgeon specific outcome data that will show how good they are at their job.
Lucy Nugent said the public will also have to be “educated” about how to interpret the data, so they can interpret it “appropriately”.
Lucy Nugent said the public will also have to be “educated” about how to interpret the data, so they can interpret it “appropriately”.
Drop in drink and drug driving checkpoints in Cork prompts call to ramp up testing
Mandatory drink and drug testing was down sharply in Cork last year compared to the previous 12 months, garda data shows.
The drop in testing across both city and county has led to calls for gardaí to reverse the decline and ramp up testing once more.
Comparing the third quarters of 2024 and last year, Cork city saw an 11% fall in the number of mandatory intoxication testing checkpoints carried out, with a 7% fall in the county.
In Cork city in the last quarter of 2024, some 810 were carried...
The drop in testing across both city and county has led to calls for gardaí to reverse the decline and ramp up testing once more.
Comparing the third quarters of 2024 and last year, Cork city saw an 11% fall in the number of mandatory intoxication testing checkpoints carried out, with a 7% fall in the county.
In Cork city in the last quarter of 2024, some 810 were carried...
'You’re a Cork man, aren’t you? You’re forever getting flooded': Taoiseach called on to do more
Taoiseach Micheál Martin says he “cannot wave a magic wand" to deliver flood protection schemes, as under-siege communities are set to spend the remainder of the week fearing the next deluge.
There are fears high tides later this week could bring further flooding to areas that were devastated by Storm Chandra.
There are fears high tides later this week could bring further flooding to areas that were devastated by Storm Chandra.
MEPs discuss HSE ransomware attack during 'frightening' debate
The 2021 ransomware attack on the HSE was top of a list of cyber attacks discussed in a “frightening” debate at the European Parliament recently.
MEPs at a hearing of the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) heard from a panel of experts warning about cyber threats to critical civil and military infrastructure across the EU.
MEPs at a hearing of the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) heard from a panel of experts warning about cyber threats to critical civil and military infrastructure across the EU.
Met Éireann to more accurately forecast flash floods with new weather radar system
Met Eireann’s ability to predict flash floods is set to be enhanced, with the conclusion of a new radar tendering process.
The national broadcaster has finalised a €816,000 contract to install and maintain five dual polarisation weather radar systems.
The national broadcaster has finalised a €816,000 contract to install and maintain five dual polarisation weather radar systems.
Social media use 'an increasing concern' for parents, says helpline
Social media use has driven a surge in calls to the national parent support helpline and is "an increasing concern" for parents.
Calls to Parentline about social media use more than doubled last year, up from 1.8% in 2024 to 3.5% of calls. Chief executive Aileen Hickie said it is “an increasing concern” for parents.
Calls to Parentline about social media use more than doubled last year, up from 1.8% in 2024 to 3.5% of calls. Chief executive Aileen Hickie said it is “an increasing concern” for parents.
Taoiseach to ask why HSE wanted to limit scope of inquests into deaths of children killed by mother
The Taoiseach has promised to ask why the HSE argued against a coroner extending the scope of inquests into the deaths of three children killed by their mother.
Micheál Martin was told in the Dáil by Independent TD Paul Gogarty that the legal move “requires an examination as to why the HSE sought to limit this inquest”.
Micheál Martin was told in the Dáil by Independent TD Paul Gogarty that the legal move “requires an examination as to why the HSE sought to limit this inquest”.
Children's charities warn that a social media ban could be 'a potential gift to abusers'
Children's charities have warned how the “unintended consequences” of a social media ban could end up as “a potential gift” to paedophiles.
Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Head of Policy and Public Affairs Fiona Jennings warned nobody really knows what impact a ban would have.
Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Head of Policy and Public Affairs Fiona Jennings warned nobody really knows what impact a ban would have.
Chef who was sacked by WhatsApp message awarded €3,000
A chef has been awarded €3,000 by the Workplace Relations Commission after she was dismissed via WhatsApp from the cafe where she worked.
In making the decision, it was ruled the cafe owner who sacked her had “jumped the gun”.
In making the decision, it was ruled the cafe owner who sacked her had “jumped the gun”.
Complaint lodged over handling of evidence in Deirdre Morley's trial for her children's murder
A man whose three children were killed by their mother has lodged a formal complaint to the DPP about the State prosecutor's handling of evidence at her trial.Andrew McGinley has lodged his complaint on four grounds, including one which covers issues he has around what medication Deirdre Morley was taking when she killed Conor, 9, Darragh, 7, and Carla, 3, at their Dublin home while suffering a psychotic episode.He believes detailed evidence about the variety and doses of prescription drug...
Children's charities warn that a social media ban could be 'a potential gift to abusers'
Children's charities have warned how the “unintended consequences” of a social media ban could end up as “a potential gift” to paedophiles.Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Head of Policy and Public Affairs Fiona Jennings warned nobody really knows what impact a ban would have.She said “perpetrators” will target children regardless of whether the platform they use is regulated or not.More than 4.7m social media accounts held by Australians deemed by online platforms as bein...
Chef who was sacked by WhatsApp message awarded €3,000
A chef has been awarded €3,000 by the Workplace Relations Commission after she was dismissed via WhatsApp from the cafe where she worked.In making the decision, it was ruled the cafe owner who sacked her had “jumped the gun”.A case for unfair dismissal was brought after the chef sent a WhatsApp voice note to her employer in November 2024, explaining her immigration permission was in the process of being renewed.She expressed uncertainty about whether she was entitled to work but later told the W...
'Speeds in excess of 190km/h': Kerry TD found guilty of dangerous driving in Cork
A TD has been disqualified for two years and fined €500 after being found guilty of dangerous driving on his way to a public event.Michael Cahill, of Rossbeigh, Glenbeigh, Co Kerry, overtook an unmarked garda car and was later observed driving “at speeds in excess of 190km/h and very close to 200km/h” while travelling southbound on the M8 near Mitchelstown.Fermoy District Court, sitting in front of Judge Colm Roberts, heard Garda Peter O’Loughlin recalled how he saw Mr Cahill’s brown Audi Q5 ove...
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