By Sarah Finnan
27th Sep 2023
27th Sep 2023
Your speedy summary of today's must-read stories.
Focus Ireland recorded 30% increase in service users last year as homelessness rose
The number of people who used Focus Ireland’s services last year increased by 30% compared to 2021. The jump came as the number of homeless people in Ireland persistently rose and households struggled with cost of living increases. Around 16,000 people used the charity’s services in 2022, rising from 12,300 the previous year.
The Journal
College dropout levels climb amid ‘perfect storm’ of Covid disruption
Student dropout rates climbed across all third level colleges during the 2020-21 academic year, against the backdrop of a “perfect storm” of Covid disruption and disengagement linked to online learning. New figures show a total of 12% of first-year students, or more than 5,100, did not progress to the second year of their course, up from 9%, or about 3,600 students, the previous year.
The Irish Times
Three men being questioned after ‘significant’ seizure on cargo ship
Three men are still being questioned in connection with a multi-million euro suspected drugs seizure on a container ship off the coast of Cork. The MV Matthew, which originated in South America, was detained after it was taken by force by armed Defence Forces personnel and gardaí yesterday. A significant quantity of drugs has been found on board.
RTÉ
Number of gardaí involved in traffic policing declines while road deaths soar
The number of gardaí involved in dedicated traffic policing has declined over the same period in which deaths on Irish roads have soared by 24%. A total of 136 people have died in road traffic collisions so far this year – 26 more than for the same period in 2022. However, the current death toll is an alarming 36pc higher than for the same period in 2019.
Independent.ie
Inquests of mother and baby return medical misadventure verdict and narrative verdict
The jury in the inquests of a mother and child who died tragically have returned verdicts of medical misadventure and a narrative verdict. The case involved paediatric nurse Nicola Keane, aged 34, whose body was discovered at Lower Rd Strawberry Beds in west Dublin on October 22, 2020, at 3.45am.
The Irish Examiner
Trump liable for fraud, judge finds in New York civil case
Donald Trump “repeatedly” misrepresented his wealth by hundreds of millions of dollars to banks and insurers, a New York judge has ruled. The decision resolves the key claim made by New York’s attorney general in her civil lawsuit against the former president. “The documents here clearly contain fraudulent valuations that defendants used in business,” the judge wrote. It is a major blow for Mr Trump before the case goes to trial next Monday. An attorney for Mr Trump called the judge’s decision “a miscarriage of justice” in a statement on Tuesday evening.
BBC News
Untapped Rosebank oil and gas field north of Scotland approved for development amid row over climate damage
The UK’s largest untapped oil and gas field has been given the green light by the ergulator, amid warnings about the climate damage of new fossil fuel projects. Norwegian state oil giant Equinor expects to pump 325 million barrels of oil from Rosebank, 80 miles west of Shetland, from 2027.
Sky News
Hollywood writers agree to end five-month strike after new studio deal
Hollywood writers are officially ending their five-month strike, after union leaders approved an agreement made with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and sent the full details of the new contract to union members for ratification. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) said in a statement on Tuesday evening that writers would be free to work starting after midnight local time, while a ratification vote takes place on a new three-year contract with Hollywood studios that won concessions on writers’ payment, terms with streaming shows, and the use of artificial intelligence.
The Guardian
Today’s forecast
Storm Agnes will track northeastwards over Ireland today with disruption likely in places. It will be wet and very windy with strong to gale force southeast winds, veering westerly later in the day. Becoming extremely windy or stormy for a time in the east and south with the potential for severe and damaging gusts. Strong onshore winds and high seas will bring the risk of coastal flooding on eastern and southern coasts. Heavy rain extending nationwide through the morning with the likelihood of some localised flooding. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees. Staying windy for a time tonight with strong and gusty westerly winds gradually easing as Storm Agnes clears towards Scotland. Outbreaks of heavy rain in the northeast will give way to a mix of clear spells and scattered showers. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees. There are also Status Yellow and Status Orange wind and rain warnings in place for several counties across the country.
Met Éireann
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