Abuse survivors urged to come forward
Survivors of abuse by the Spiritan religious order have been urged to come forward to tell their story.
Independent experts have been appointed to engage with victims and survivors of historical abuse at schools and institutions run by the Spiritan Congregation, formerly the Holy Ghost Fathers.
Fr Martin Kelly, on behalf of the Spiritan Congregation, offered a public apology to all victims and survivors who were abused.
SSE Airtricity profits
SSE Airtricity has said it will forego all profits this year in order to provide support to its domestic customers.
The energy firm saw its operating profits rise to €17 million in the first half of its financial year, up from a loss of €3.4 million the same time last year.
SSE Airtricity raised its prices for customers in October, with electricity bills increasing by over 35 per cent, and gas 39 per cent.
Thomas Dooley murder
Two people have been charged in relation to a murder in Co Kerry last month.
Thomas Dooley (43) was stabbed a number of times while attending a funeral at Rathass Cemetery on October 5th.
A teenage boy and a man in his 20s were arrested on Tuesday and appeared before Tralee District Court on Wednesday morning.
Tax reforms
The State’s fiscal watchdog has said a series of contentious new taxes is one way to help wean Ireland off relying on corporation taxes and to address its aging population.
In September, the Commission on Taxation and Welfare proposed “substantial” increases in land and property taxes, VAT hikes, congestion charges in urban areas, and the phasing out of relief on private health insurance premiums.
The “broad-brush” assessment, published by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, found that if all the tax changes recommended were implemented, it would increase revenues by around 5.3 per cent of the national income.
