Woman arrested over Westmeath car fire
Gardaí have arrested a woman in her 40s in connection with an investigation into a fatal car fire in Co Westmeath.
Two children, a two-year-old infant and a five-year-old girl, were killed in the incident which took place on Friday, September 9th at Lacken, Multyfarnham.
The mother of the children was airlifted from the scene to hospital for treatment of serious injuries from the fire.
Emergency services were called when another motorist came upon the burning car on a minor road at Lacken, between Coole and Multyfarnham.
The vehicle was on fire in the centre of the road and the driver who was first on the scene tried to rescue those inside before the emergency services arrived.
Taoiseach pledges more resources in west Dublin after Garda car rammed
The Taoiseach has pledged more resources in west Dublin after a Garda car was rammed by another vehicle in an incident described as “unacceptable”.
Micheál Martin said a multi-layered response and a “bottom-up approach” is needed to deal with antisocial behaviour in parts of the capital.
The incident in the Cherry Orchard suburb took place at 7.30pm on Monday, and a clip has been widely shared on social media.
No appetite to increase pension age beyond 66
There is no appetite to increase the pension age beyond 66 years, the Taoiseach has said.
A tiered pensions system is set come into effect in January 2024 under which people will be able to draw down their state pension at any point between 66 and 70.
People will receive a higher weekly pension payment for each additional year they work.
Keeping the pension age at 66 will result in pay-related social insurance (PRSI) increases, with a 10-year plan to be announced next year.
Eamon Ryan rules out price caps on energy charges
Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan has ruled out introducing price caps on energy charges this winter.
The Green Party leader accused Sinn Féin of “following a Tory government approach”, adding that the approach was not the right one.
He also said that people will not have to go without light and heat this winter.
Mr Ryan made the remarks in the Dáil in response to Donegal TD Pearse Doherty calling on the Government to cut electricity prices to pre-crisis levels to help families with rising energy costs.
Mr Doherty said people across the country were afraid because they do not know what is “coming down the road”.
He said: “It’s easy to see why people are afraid. It’s so simple. Just look at what they’re facing: rents are going up, food is going up, energy going up, and the fear is especially real when it comes to the extortionate electricty bills that households face.”
Taoiseach labels Putin's mobilisation speech 'very grave'
The Taoiseach has described the Russian president's speech last night as "very grave".
Michéal Martin said Vladimir Putin is trying to coerce Ukrainians into voting to join Russia, in four occupied regions.
The Russian president threatened the West with nuclear weapons if it continues to "blackmail" his country.
Mr Martin said it's more important than ever for Europe and the West to remain resilient and support Ukraine.
"I'm very, very concerned about it. It's a grave speech in terms of the import of what he is saying, it's an attempt to annex territory from Ukraine, and coerce people in Ukraine.
"The veiled threat of nuclear deployment is a very serious one, and I think the West and the European Union has to be very resilient in support of Ukraine."
