Casualties reported after Russian invasion of Ukraine
Russian troops launched a broad assault on Ukraine from three sides in an attack that brought explosions before dawn to the country’s capital Kyiv and other cities.
In the eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, the city council said shelling had hit a residential area and the number of casualties was being ascertained.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is attending an emergency EU summit which intends to adopt the “most severe package of sanctions” ever considered, aiming “to hit Putin and his henchmen where it hurts most.”
For all the latest updates on the escalating situation in Ukraine, follow this live blog.
Rallies over Ukraine crisis
Dozens of Ukrainians gathered outside the Dáil on Thursday to express their anger at the Russian assault on their country.
The crowd chanted, waved Ukrainian flags and carried placards attacking the full-scale invasion launched by Russian president Vladimir Putin.
They were joined briefly by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who stopped to talk to some of those who had gathered on Kildare Street.
Mr Martin told the demonstrators that Ireland would work within the EU to respond to the crisis and promised to “keep in touch” with the Ukrainian community in Ireland to offer any help they require.
Fears over increasing cost of living
There are fears that the situation in Ukraine could impact the already high cost of living in Ireland.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine and how the world reacts could have wide-ranging repercussions for the European economy, from rising energy and food prices to economic sanctions that hit trade and investment.
Drivers are being warned to expect a hike in fuel costs as crude oil has hit its highest price in eight years.
While stock markets have slumped, oil prices have risen above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2014.
Calls for fencing around blowhole after death of student
A woman whose son fell 60 feet to his death down a blowhole while camping with friends near Garretstown beach in Co Cork has asked that the area where the accident occurred be closed off to prevent another tragedy from occurring.
Conor King (22) from Douglas, Cork died on April 24th, 2021 at around 11.30pm after he failed to realise he was so close to the blowhole and fell in. He was buried on what would have been his 23rd birthday.
His inquest on Tuesday heard the accident happened after an innocent day of fun with Conor’s group of friends. Death would have been almost immediate and Conor would not have suffered, the inquest heard.
Public consultation begins for Dart+ Coastal North
Iarnród Éireann has announced that public consultation has opened for the Dart+ Coastal North route which is set to extend Dart services from Malahide to Drogheda.
The new service is being planned as part of the Dart+ Programme which aims to increase train service frequency and capacity in the Greater Dublin Area.
It follows funding being announced by the National Transport Authority under Project Ireland 2040.
According to Iarnród Éireann, Dart+ Coastal North will allow more trains to run, and more commuters to switch to public transport. It will expand train services between Drogheda and Dublin City Centre, including Howth to Howth Junction.
Status orange wind warning issued for Co Donegal
A status orange wind warning for Co Donegal has been issued by Met Éireann.
The warning, which is due to take effect from 4pm on Thursday, is set to be in place until 7pm the same day.
Strong to gale force west to northwest winds are expected with severe gusts of up to 130 km/hr.
Meanwhile, a status yellow wind warning has been issued for counties Donegal, Leitrim, and Sligo from 1pm on Thursday until 8pm on Thursday evening.
Strong winds are forecast with gusts to reach speeds of 110 km/hr, while higher gusts are expected in Co Donegal in the late afternoon and in coastal areas too.
Co Mayo has also been issued with a yellow wind warning which is in place from 12pm to 6pm on Thursday.
