Number of Irish J1 students travelling to US drops by 25pc as social media vetting kicks in
There has been a 25pc drop in young people travelling from Ireland to the US on student visas, US authorities recorded last month.
Preliminary data from the tourism office within the US Department of Commerce shows Denmark saw an even steeper decline in May compared to the same month last year, with a 32pc drop in student visa arrivals.
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Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Four people arrested following cocaine seizure worth €31m in Cork
The significant drugs haul is understood to have been brought ashore in the early hours of Tuesday morning after being collected by a 'landing crew'. A Joint Task Force had been established after intelligence was received about the maritime drug smuggling effort and involved gardaí, the Defence Forces and Revenue. Detectives from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) stopped a van in Courtmacsherry, Cork, this morning as part of the investigation. A significant amount of cocaine, believed to be around 500 kilos, was recovered. While the weight of the drugs has yet to be confirmed, the initial figure indicates a street value of around €31 million. Two men, aged in their 30s and 40s, were arrested and are currently being held on organised crime offences. They have been described as the 'landing crew' of the operation who collected the drug shipment after it was brought to shore by another cell commonly referred to as the 'collection crew'. Elsewhere, the Irish Naval ship the LE William Butler Yeats responded to the departure of a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) from Broadstrand, Courtmacsherry. The LE William Butler Yeats had been on patrol in the area as part of the Joint Task Force operation. Maritime patrol aircraft from the Irish Air Corps provided overhead surveillance during the operation. Two Naval Service RIBs with members of the armed 'maritime interdiction team' were launched from LE William Butler Yeats and intercepted the suspect vessel off the coast of Cork. The suspect vessel was detained by Revenue Customs Service and the two men were taken on board the LE William Butler Yeats. The LE William Butler Yeats returned to Haulbowline Naval Base and both men, also aged in their 30s and 40s, were arrested by gardai and detained at a Garda Station in Co Cork under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. Drug smuggling networks have been using cell structures in recent years to compartmentalise operations and protect the overall criminal network involved. Those involved in the operation included Scottish nationals and gardaí are inquiring if the drugs were destined for the UK market. In a statement gardaí said: 'A Joint task Force Drugs Interdiction operation is ongoing at this time in Co. Cork. 'This morning Gardaí from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau stopped a van in the Courtmacsherry area of County Cork and a large quantity of suspected Cocaine has been recovered (exact quantity and value yet to be determined). 'Two males (30s and 40s) have been arrested and are currently detained in a Garda Station in Co. Cork under section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007. 'The operation is supported by the Joint Task Force partners, Revenue's Customs Service, the Irish Naval Service, and local Gardaí and the Irish Air Corps. 'As this is an ongoing operation no further details are available at this time. 'Further updates will be provided in due course.' Tánaiste Simon Harris, who is also Defence Minister, said today: 'I have been briefed by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces on today's significant joint-agency operation in Cork. 'I want to commend members of An Garda Síochána, Defence Forces, Naval Service and Revenue for their close collaboration in securing such a successful outcome.' While Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan posted on X: "Another major cocaine seizure worth up to €35m by @GardaInfo this morning. "Excellent cooperation involving Gardaí, @defenceforces and Revenue, and another example of our work to disrupt the criminal gangs involved".
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Give this man a raise' say Ryanair passengers as cabin crew play 90s hit on way to popular party island
RYANAIR passengers were left in stitches after cabin crew played a major 90s hit on the way to a popular party island. Charleen Murphy posted a clip on 2 Charleen Murphy posted a clip on TikTok of her flight to Ibiza Credit: Journalist Collect 2 One of the cabin crew played the 90s hit 'We're going to Ibiza' Credit: Journalist Collect The Hold My Drink podcast host was flying with In the clip, a Ryanair cabin crew played the Vengaboys hit We're Going to Ibiza over the speakers as the plane was preparing for take-off. And Charleen, along with other passengers and even a member of cabin crew, began to cheer and sing along to the chorus. She said: ' READ MORE IN TRAVEL 'He played this song over the speaker.' The clip has quickly gathered thousands of views and comments from followers who are loving the holiday atmosphere. We're Going to Ibiza! was released by the Dutch group Vengaboys in March 1999 and topped the UK and Irish Singles Chart. And the song became a huge Most read in News Travel People have taken to the comment section to share their thoughts. One person wrote: 'Get me on this flight.' 'It's very important' - Ryanair's 'baggage sizers' warning to Irish passengers ahead of busy Easter break amid €75 fine Another said: 'This is iconic.' This comes after an Irish couple say they have found the best staycation spot in the country with a private pod and their own hot tub – and there are even alpacas and deer on site. BEST STAYCATION SPOT JC's Hideaway is a cosy countryside retreat tucked away on Umrycam Road in Located just 30 minutes from Each pod comes with a private balcony and a hot tub, making it a must-visit for couples planning a weekend break during the summer. And one content creator on She said: "We headed over to JC's Hideaway at Umry Calm Farmstay and it was absolutely amazing, to say the least. "It was so, so beautiful, and the views were something else." The couple got a fabulous pod with their own private hot tub overlooking the Irish countryside, surrounded by nothing but fields and rolling hills. After checking in, the pair got into their tub and had a few And the content creator revealed that guests are handed menus from all of the nearby
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Irishman cycles 2,000km from Spain to Glastonbury (and he's going to cycle home to Sligo too)
ON 28 MAY, Ollie White got on his bike and set off from the Spanish capital of Madrid. His lease had just concluded, he had finished up at his job, and it felt like a 'natural end' to his life in Spain. The 25-year-old had been living in Spain for three years, he told The Journal : one year in Valencia and two in Madrid. He had booked his ticket to attend Glastonbury some time before, and it seemed like the perfect time to travel before heading home to Sligo. The cycle from Madrid to Glastonbury spanned 2,150km and took White 28 days to complete. Along the way, he camped 90% of the time, staying in hostels where needed. 'Unless there was some specific reason, like I needed to charge [my devices] or I needed the shelter, or I needed something, I would just find a spot in the woods or in a field and just put my tent up, and I'd be grand,' he said. The cyclist spent most nights along the journey sleeping in a two-man tent. Ollie White Ollie White He arrived at Worthy Farm on Tuesday night, 24 June, and stayed for the weekend. For him, Kneecap's performance was one of the highlights of the festival. 'I would say it will be the most memorable gig of the weekend,' he said. 'It was incredible. The atmosphere, the sea of Palestinian flags, tricolours, so many Irish people. Advertisement 'And just to hear the Irish language being enjoyed by well over 30,000 people, it was honestly spectacular. I just think [Kneecap] really took that moment, and they really articulated themselves very well. Obviously there's so much controversy around them at the moment, but the overriding message they were spreading was 'all we want is peace'.' White documented his journey on social media. He had previously been working as a content creator in Spain. 'I wanted to raise money for two important causes, and I wanted to split it between two, because I wanted to make an impact in Sligo, where I'm from, and then an impact on a global level.' Ollie White Ollie White White chose the organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and North West Hospice in Sligo. The funds raised are being split evenly between both causes. He explained that he had been aware of Médecins Sans Frontières since he was a student in secondary school, when a former student working for the healthcare charity came to speak to his class. 'I was really amazed by what he was doing, basically risking his life to provide medical aid for people in the most dire situations,' White said. 'In the last year and a half, with everything going on in Palestine – and different countries around the world who we were less aware of – I wanted to do something for Palestine, and I knew Doctors Without Borders were providing really important medical aid.' He added that he has seen the important work carried out by North West Hospice and sees the value it brings the community. Now in Bristol after the end of the festival, White plans to cycle around the UK for a while with a friend and visit some family based in various areas before returning to Ireland for a number of months. After that? 'South America,' he said. 'Maybe towards the end of this year.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
