Fuel costs
A significant cut in the excise duty on fuel has been announced by the Government, with Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe confirming a cut of 20 cent per litre on petrol and 15 cent per litre of diesel.
The measure, introduced amid concerns about growing pressures on the cost of living, will last until August 31st, costing an estimated €320 million.
While Sinn Féin welcomed the Government’s recognition of the crisis afflicting consumers, party leader May Lou McDonald said the plan “doesn’t go far enough”.
Ukrainian refugees
More than 2,500 Ukrainian refugees have already arrived in Ireland, with children comprising a third of that number.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said around 400 Ukrainians are arriving in Ireland every day as they flee the Russian invasion of their country.
Speaking at Dublin Airport alongside Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys, Ms McEntee said two thirds of those arriving were female – many of whom had left husbands and fathers behind in Ukraine.
Ashling Murphy
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has formally directed that a man charged with the murder of teacher Ashling Murphy will face trial in the Central Criminal Court.
Jozef Puska (31) with an address of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, was initially remanded in custody on January 19th.
He is accused of killing the 23-year-old primary school teacher who was attacked while out running along the Grand Canal near Tullamore on January 12th.
Sligo burglary
Gardaí have arrested three men over a Co Sligo burglary that left 73-year-old pensioner Tom Niland on life support in hospital.
The aggravated burglary in Skreen, Co Sligo on January 18th led to a wide-scale Garda investigation, with gardaí previously saying “no stone will be left unturned”.
Officers have now arrested three men in the northwest region on suspicion of the burglary.
