Russian invasion of Ukraine condemned
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has joined world leaders in condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Russian forces invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on Thursday, confirming the West's worst fears with the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War II.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says his aim is to demilitarise and 'denazify' Ukraine.
In a specially convened press conference at Government Buildings, Micheal Martin called the actions of Russia “an outrageous and moral breach of the most fundamental and basic principles of international law”.
He said the EU would introduce “severe” sanctions against Russian leaders.
For all the latest updates on the escalating situation in Ukraine, follow this live blog.
Irish citizens in Ukraine urged to find secure shelter
The Department of Foreign Affairs has urged all remaining Irish citizens in Ukraine to seek shelter in a secure place. It advised citizens not to move around the country in the coming hours and to follow the advice of local authorities.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney branded the Russian military assault on Ukraine a “murderous act of aggression” and said it appeared the time for diplomacy was now over.
He said two Irish families are currently in Ukraine for surrogacy services and that Irish officials are working with them. Ireland’s diplomatic team in Kyiv had moved to a safe place, he said.
“We have been planning for this for a while. There are contingency plans in place. And we will obviously act in a way that maintains the safety of our people,” he said.
Consumer confidence falls amid Ukraine crisis
Tensions in Ukraine have led to a drop in consumer confidence in Ireland over the past month.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine and how the world reacts could have wide-ranging repercussions for the European economy, from rising energy and food prices to economic sanctions that hit trade and investment.
A new report from KBC suggests pandemic savings may not deliver a boom in 2022.
However, it is still thought that pandemic savings could be adding an estimated 5 per cent to Irish house prices.
Investigations continue into Tallaght shooting incident
A man in his 50s is still being questioned after a shooting on farmland in Co Dublin.
It is understood that Gardaí are not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting, which has left a man in his 30s in a critical condition.
The incident happened at about 1pm on Tuesday at Hazel Grove, a rural part of Tallaght near the Mount Seskin area.
Witnesses are being urged to come forward.
Public consultation begins for Dart+ Coastal North
Iarnród Éireann has announced that public consultation has opened for the Dart+ Coastal North route which is set to extend Dart services from Malahide to Drogheda.
The new service is being planned as part of the Dart+ Programme which aims to increase train service frequency and capacity in the Greater Dublin Area.
It follows funding being announced by the National Transport Authority under Project Ireland 2040.
According to Iarnród Éireann, Dart+ Coastal North will allow more trains to run, and more commuters to switch to public transport. It will expand train services between Drogheda and Dublin City Centre, including Howth to Howth Junction.
