Keir Starmer to meet President and Taoiseach amid protocol row
Post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland are expected to dominate discussions when Sir Keir Starmer meets with political leaders in Dublin on Thursday.
The UK Labour leader’s talks with President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheál Martin follow discussions with the British-Irish Chamber in Dublin.
His first visit to Ireland while at the helm of the UK opposition comes as the UK government proposes controversial legislation to override the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Mr Starmer, who will visit Belfast as part of the trip, will also meet with Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe.
On Friday, the Labour leader will be in Belfast to meet political leaders in Stormont, where he is expected to call for compromise and negotiation to end the political deadlock over the return of the powersharing Executive.
Man (30s) struck by car in Dublin
A man, aged in his 30s, is in a serious condition in hospital after he was struck by a car on Old Navan Road, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15 yesterday evening.
He was taken to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown and later transferred to Beaumont Hospital where his condition is described as serious. The driver of the car was uninjured.
The Old Navan Road was closed yesterday evening while Garda Forensic Collision Investigators conducted a technical examination of the scene. The road has since reopened.
Irish households set for mortgage hikes as ECB plan to increase rates
Homeowners on variable or tracker rates look set to face higher repayments soon.
The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to indicate today that it will be raising interest rates by a quarter of one per cent from July.
The ECB move is an attempt to dampen inflation which is running at over 8 per cent in the eurozone, way above the bank's target of just 2 per cent.
Economist Jim Power believes a number of interest rate rises are on the cards.
Mr Power told Newstalk: "I think we'll see another quar
ter of one per cent increase in September, and it's not going to end there. I would expect over the next 12 months in total ECB interest rates are likely to increase by around 2 per cent."
Tayto Park founder Ray Coyle dies aged 70
Tayto Park founder Ray Coyle has died aged 70.
In a short statement, his family said Mr Coyle died on Wednesday “peacefully, surrounded by his family”.
The businessman, from Meath, is well known for his work with Largo Food Snacks Group.
The organisation included brands such as Tayto, King crisps and Hunky Dory. N
Mr Coyle also opened Tayto Park theme park and zoo in Ashbourne, Co Meath. This has become one of the country's one of the country's main visitor attractions.
Mr Coyle is survived by his wife Roz, his son Charles and his daughter Natalya.
