Prices in Ireland rose by 9.6% in the year
Prices in Ireland rose by 9.6 per cent in the year to July 2022, according to figures in the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP).
Ireland’s rise in inflation compares to an annual increase of 8.9 per cent in the Eurozone, in figures compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Annual estimates of inflation for eight of the 19 Eurozone countries published today were lower than the estimate of 9.6 per cent for Ireland while 10 countries had a higher rate.
Estonia had the highest estimated rate of annual inflation in July 2022 at 22.7 per cent, while Malta had the lowest at 6.5 per cent.
Rebekah Vardy loses ‘Wagatha Christie’ libel case against Coleen Rooney
Rebekah Vardy has lost the “Wagatha Christie” libel battle against Coleen Rooney over a viral social media post, after a UK High Court judge found it was “substantially true”.
In the October 2019 post, Mrs Rooney, 36, said she had carried out a months-long “sting operation” and accused Mrs Vardy, 40, of leaking “false stories” about her private life to the press.
The wife of former England star Wayne Rooney publicly claimed Mrs Vardy’s account was the source behind three stories in The Sun newspaper featuring fake details she had posted on her private Instagram stories.
Boy (9) with cerebral palsy settles action over care at birth for €14m
A nine-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who sued over the care provided to him and his mother at the time of his birth at Portiuncula Hospital, Galway has settled a High Court action for €14 million.
Henry James Nally, his counsel told the High Court, suffered a catastrophic injury and has diplegic cerebral palsy. He has to use a wheelchair and cannot speak or write properly.
The baby at the time of his birth at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, it was claimed, developed a Group B Streptococcus infection and then meningitis and septicaemia and became gravely ill.
Richard Kean SC with Esther Earley BL said it was the Nally’s case that antibiotics should have been administered to the mother, who had a high temperature, and the baby, which would have killed the bacteria in his brain.
Homelessness 'beyond crisis point' as figures reach 10,492
With 10,492 people in homelessness, the Simon Communities of Ireland have said things are 'beyond crisis point'.
Recommendations in their pre-budget submission include bringing 5,000 vacant properties back into use, through the Repair and Lease Scheme, for people in homelessness and on the social housing waiting list as well as increasing funding towards homeless prevention and reforming HAP rates.
The latest figures by the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government, show the number of people in emergency homeless accommodation has risen for the sixth consecutive month.
There were 10,492 men, women and children in homeless emergency accommodation in Ireland during the last week of June 2022.
This is an increase of 1.6 per cent (167 people) in one month and a 31 per cent increase (2,478 people) since this time last year.
It is only 22 away from the highest homeless figure recorded by the Department in October 2019 (10,514).
Vodafone criticised for 'mean-spirited' decision to cancel free calls for Ukrainian refugees
Vodafone's decision to cancel free calls and texts for Ukrainian refugees is "mean-spirited" and should be reversed, according to a Senator.
Following the Russian of Ukraine, launched by president Vladimir Putin on February 24th, Vodafone, Eir and Three offered Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland free chargers and Sim cards.
Vodafone has now ended the deal, with it being discontinued as of Tuesday, July 19th.
Fine Gael Senator Garret Ahearn said: "I am dismayed to learn that Vodafone Ireland is stopping the offer of vital connectivity services to refugees fleeing Ukraine who want to keep in touch with friends and family they have left behind."
A Vodafone spokesperson told BreakingNews.ie: "Vodafone have provided, and continue to provide, thousands of SIMs with free calls and texts in Ireland and a generous allowance for international minutes for up to three months. This programme supports the government initiatives to assist Ukrainian citizens arriving into Ireland.
"This was put in place back in when the war started and provides free access for a period to assist settlement into the country. Earlier this week we delivered 600 SIMS with credit and free access to Citywest for people arriving next week. Across Europe, the Vodafone Foundation has been coordinating a number of measures for refugees including, employee and charitable cash donations to support the UNHCR’s response in Ukraine and free connectivity, charging points and WiFi for those on the move through our Instant Network programme."
