Gardaí suspect fatal Westmeath car fire started deliberately
Gardaí investigating a car fire in Co Westmeath, which left two children dead and their mother seriously injured, strongly suspect that the blaze was started maliciously.
Lynn Egar (40s) and her son Michael (2) and daughter Thelma (5) were in their car on a rural road near Multyfarnham last Friday afternoon when the vehicle was engulfed by flames.
According to The Irish Times, the Garda investigation being carried out by detectives based at Mullingar Garda station is criminal in nature and arson is the main line of inquiry.
The family’s home in Rathowen, Co Westmeath, some 10km from Multyfarnham, was sealed off as part of the inquiry and detectives were trying to piece together the movements of Ms Egar and her two children before the incident.
'Designated driver' denies breaking garda's nose at Garth Brooks gig
A “designated driver” for a group of Garth Brooks fans at Saturday's sell-out gig in Croke Park has been accused of breaking a garda's nose during the country music star's concert.
Gary Doyle (27), of Kinallen Road, Ballyward, Castlewellan, Newry, Co Down, appeared before Judge Bryan Smyth at Dublin District Court on Monday and was released on €1,000 bail pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Gardaí charged him with assault causing harm to the officer at Croke Park on September 10th, but the court heard he denies the allegation.
Garda Sergeant Elaine Murtagh told Judge Bryan Smyth she arrested the man at 10.05pm on Saturday at the stadium in Dublin.
He was taken to Store Street Garda station in the city centre.
The court heard his reply to the charge after caution was: "I didn't do it". He was refused station bail and was conveyed in garda custody to the court on Monday.
Taoiseach to attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral
The Taoiseach has confirmed he will travel to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in London next week.
Micheál Martin also confirmed he will attend a memorial service for the late British monarch in Belfast on Tuesday alongside President Michael D Higgins.
Mr Martin said: “I will be going to Belfast tomorrow, the President and I we have been invited to the memorial service and we will go to that tomorrow.”
Mr Martin was speaking at the Fianna Fáil party think-in in Mullingar.
His confirmation came as a special sitting of the Stormont Assembly took place to hear tributes from both unionist and nationalist parties.
Speaking first, Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill said the queen’s life and legacy will be “fondly remembered by many people around the world”.
Survey finds 70% of young people considering emigrating
More than seven in 10 young people aged 18-24 are considering moving abroad because they think they would enjoy a better quality of life elsewhere, according to a new survey.
The research was carried out by RED C on behalf of the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), and was published on Monday.
NYCI, the representative body for voluntary youth organisations in Ireland, has expressed concern at the findings of the survey which "show the severe impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on young people in Ireland," and is calling for action from the Government to prevent young people from moving abroad.
Cost-of-living crisis now the public's biggest concern
The cost-of-living crisis is now the biggest concern for people ahead of the upcoming Budget, with housing a close second, according to a new survey.
The first instalment of the Taxback.com Taxpayer Pre-Budget 2023 Survey, on 1,500 adults from throughout the country, found that over one in three (35 per cent) people believe inflation should be the biggest priority of the Government in the upcoming Budget.
The housing crisis is also weighing heavily on people’s minds with almost one in three (32 per cent) citing housing as the biggest issue facing the Government in Budget 2023.
Huge concern around rising prices represents a "marked change" on the results of Taxback.com’s pre-Budget survey last year, when housing was the overriding concern for 47 per cent of people.
