Russian sanctions criticised
Irish MEP Clare Daly has attacked the European Union for being what she called a “tool” of Nato and the “military industrial complex”, accusing it of engaging in “more war” to stop the war in Ukraine and criticising sanctions on Russia.
People Before Profit also expressed opposition to sanctions on Wednesday, with four TDs refusing to clap for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy after his address to the Oireachtas due to disagreement with his calls for Nato involvement in the war and more sanctions on Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made a historic address to TDs and senators on Wednesday morning, noting Ireland has not remained neutral over the disaster Russia has inflicted on his country.
His address was followed by impassioned speeches by other politicians, with the Taoiseach saying he is certain Ukraine will prevail in the war and the Tánaiste warning Russia that its actions against the Ukrainian people will never be forgotten or forgiven.
The Russian Ambassador to Ireland had declined an invitation to attend the address.
Today in the courts
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a 16-year-old accused of murdering Urantsetseg Tserendorj in January 2021 after spending more than eight hours deliberating.
Elsewhere, a man with 56 previous convictions who broke a glass bottle over an unsuspecting man's head during a violent street robbery was jailed for five years.
Another man was jailed for nine months for sexually abusing three children while they slept, with the three victims telling the court of the devastating effects of the abuse on their childhood and adult lives.
A man accused of murdering teacher Ashling Murphy has separately been served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.
Concern for low-income households
The Taoiseach has warned there is only “uncertainty” for the rest of the year, as the country deals with the soaring cost of living.
Micheál Martin said he fully accepts the enormous pressure inflation is putting on families, and he is “very concerned” about low-income households.
It comes as the Central Bank revised down its forecast for economic growth this year and pushed up its inflation projections, predicting that a reduction in real incomes will weigh on spending in the coming quarters.
Inflation has continued to climb in the Republic and hit an estimated 22-year high of 6.9 per cent last month, according to Eurostat.
Second Covid booster
The Government has announced that those aged 65 year and over as well as those who are immunocompromised will receive a second booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
NIAC has issued new advice that people in those cohorts should receive a second booster jab, four to six months after they were first boosted.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says the HSE will now work on the rollout of the latest dose for those who need it. Work has been ongoing between the Department and HSE regarding the Covid-19 mid-term vaccination strategy.
The recommendations were made last night by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) to the chief medical officer (CMO).
Wind warning in force
A status yellow warning for wind has come into force for four counties in the north and west.
Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo are under the warning since 1pm today, with it set to run until 9pm tonight.
Met Éireann has warned of very strong winds from the south-west that could make driving conditions difficult.
Wednesday was forecast to be windy nationwide with widespread heavy showers, merging to longer spells of rain in places, with the chance of hail and thunder.
