By Sarah Gill
19th Oct 2023
19th Oct 2023
Your speedy summary of today's must-read stories.
Cork floods
A clean-up operation is under way in towns and villages in east Cork and west Waterford hit by flooding during Storm Babet. Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment Simon Coveney said the Government will provide support through its Humanitarian Assistance Scheme. Cork County Council said that more than 100 properties were inundated with water after a month’s rain fell in less than 24 hours.
President Michael D Higgins to meet Pope Francis
Today, President Michael D Higgins will meet Pope Francis during a private audience in the pontiff’s library at the Vatican. It is anticipated that President Higgins will discuss a number of issues of shared interest with Francis, including climate change, migration, poverty, food security, the rights of indigenous people and global peace. It will be the fourth meeting between Mr Higgins and Francis.
Swimming restrictions
Swimming restrictions hit over half of all Irish bathing waters this summer. While almost 80% of our bathing water was classed as excellent in 2022, a wave of bans have hit swimming spots across the country in recent years due to water quality issues linked to pollution, algae and our changing climate. Despite legal requirements to improve bathing water quality, there are still 26 spots around Ireland where raw sewage is pumped into the environment and 15 wastewater treatment plants that fail to meet EU standards. Swimmers are especially impacted when these factors are combined with heavy rain.
Conor McGregor
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor will not face charges over allegations of sexual assault at a basketball match in Florida. Prosecutors and the Irish fighter’s lawyer said the case has been dropped following a police investigation. Mr McGregor, 35, denied the claims from a woman that he assaulted her in a toilet at the Kaseya Centre in Miami in June.
Dáil Éireann hears of ‘a humanitarian catastrophe’
The world is about to witness a humanitarian catastrophe, the Dáil has been told. Yesterday, the Dáil heard over three hours of statements on the outbreak of violence in Israel and Gaza, with the Tánaiste reiterating the Government’s line that, while Israel has a right to defend itself, it does not have a right to breach international law. “It is critical that statements from the European Union, United States, and other partners retain a perspective of a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution,” Micheál Martin said.
Also Read
