Simon Harris urges against ‘any acts that would put peacekeepers at harm' after UNIFIL position in Lebanon hit with IDF fire
All Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon are 'safe and well' following 'aggressive postures adopted by the Israeli Defence Forces' in recent days, which included a UN peacekeeping position being hit with direct fire and Irish personnel being among those observed by an 'unwelcome' laser light.
Irish personnel performing a patrol with the Lebanese army last night noted 'the presence of a laser light near their position; this frequently indicates that they were being observed using an optical sight which includes a laser light module,' a spokesperson for the Irish Defence Forces said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
40 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Who will lead Sinn Féin if Mary Lou McDonald runs for President?
Speculation is intensifying around who could take over the leadership of Sinn Féin amid growing signs that Mary Lou McDonald may launch a bid for presidency. The 56-year-old party leader has refused to rule herself out of the running, prompting a surge in political chatter. Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, McDonald was asked directly about her intentions for the upcoming presidential election but remained tight-lipped, refusing to rule out a potential bid. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. Pic: Fran Veale As Fine Gael begins its search for a presidential candidate, with Mairead McGuinness and Seán Kelly expected to run, focus has now shifted to Sinn Féin and what it would do if Mary Lou McDonald turned her attention to the presidency. According to BoyleSports, McDonald's odds to become Ireland's next President have dramatically shortened from 20/1 to 6/1, making her the third favourite behind Mairead McGuinness (EVS) and Independent TD Catherine Connolly (4/1). McGuinness, a former Vice President of the European Parliament, is seen as the favourite in Fine Gael's race. She previously lost out to Gay Mitchell for the nomination in 2011, but this time has gained high-profile support – including from Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, who said he'd be 'very proud' to see her as President. Mairead McGuinness. Pic: Isopix/REX/Shutterstock Seán Kelly, a fellow MEP and former GAA President, has also shown strong interest in the role. 'I could do a lot,' he said last month, confirming that colleagues had approached him to run. If McDonald steps aside to run for president, the focus will shift to who could lead Sinn Féin into the next general election, where the party is expected to make a serious push for power. BoyleSports has released updated odds for the next Sinn Féin President, with Pearse Doherty emerging as the clear favourite at 4/11. Doherty, the party's finance spokesperson and one of Sinn Féin's most experienced figures in the Dáil, has long been seen as a natural successor. Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos Michelle O'Neill follows at 5/1. The current First Minister of Northern Ireland was once tipped as Sinn Féin's likely presidential candidate, but that now seems less likely. O'Neill remains a major figure in the party and would offer continuity, especially given Sinn Féin's strong support in the North. Michelle O'Neill. Pic:Eoin Ó Broin, the party's high-profile housing spokesperson, is coming in at 6/1, followed by Matt Carthy at 8/1 and David Cullinane at 10/1. A possible leadership change in Sinn Féin comes at a crucial moment in Irish politics. The next presidential election will likely take place between September 13 and November 10. Fianna Fáil hasn't decided if they will enter, and Labour considered former Liveline host Joe Duffy, but he said no. So, the race is still wide open. Independent TD Catherine Connolly is trying to become the left's main candidate. Former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood is interested but hasn't got much support from Fianna Fáil. If Mary Lou McDonald runs for president, Sinn Féin will need a new leader, meaning the fight to replace her could be just as interesting as the presidential race.
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Wife of one of 10 men charged in Cork drugs case died of cancer while he was in custody, court told
The wife of one of 10 men charged in connection with a suspected multi-million euro drug smuggling operation through West Cork last year died of cancer while he was detained for the alleged offence. A psychological report for Juan Antonio Gallardo Barroso, aged 56, of no fixed address in Spain, was requested at the Special Criminal Court by defence barrister Cathal McGrealy, BL. Mr Barosso's wife died of cancer during his time in detention in Ireland and he has been suffering ongoing psychological issues, Mr McGrealy said. Justice Karen O'Connor extended her sympathies to Mr Barroso and acknowledged that this must have been extremely difficult for him. She extended legal aid for the psychological report to be commissioned. Mr Barroso is next due in the Special Criminal Court on Wednesday at 11am with a Spanish interpreter. "Progress" on the case is expected soon, Mr McGrealy said. Four men charged in connection with the same suspected multi-million euro drug smuggling operation are now set to have their sentence hearings on July 21. Gardaí arrested the 10 men in March last year during operations in the villages of Tragumna and Leap near Skibbereen in West Cork, where a jeep, camper van, articulated truck, and rigid inflatable boat were seized as part of the suspected drug smuggling operation. File picture Dutch national Kiumaars Ghabiri, aged 52; Spanish nationals Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, aged 45 of no fixed address, Spain; and Anuar Rahui Chairi, aged 42, from Marbella; and Serbian national Aleksander Milic, aged 46, also appeared in the Special Criminal Court on Monday. The men were flanked by Dutch, Serbian and Spanish interpreters. Their sentence hearings had been scheduled for Modnay in the Special Criminal Court but they were adjourned. They are four of 10 men charged with conspiring with one another to import controlled drugs in excess of €13,000 on dates between February 27 and March 14, 2024, both dates inclusive. The alleged offence is contrary to Section 15 B(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Gardaí arrested the 10 men in March last year during operations in the villages of Tragumna and Leap near Skibbereen in West Cork, where a jeep, camper van, articulated truck, and rigid inflatable boat were seized as part of the suspected drug smuggling operation. Remaining accused The only Irish national arrested as part of the operation, Sean Curran, aged 38, with an address at Carrickyheenan, Aughnacloy, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, also appeared in court on Monday. He is on bail and was remanded on continuing bail on the same terms until he is to appear again on July 21 at the Special Criminal Court when a trial date may be set. The court heard that on that date, lawyers would 'have a better idea' about how long the trial should take. His co-accused Pedro Pablo Ojeda Ortega, aged 36, of Cadiz, represented by Brendan Grehan SC instructed by solicitor Eddie Burke, asked for his client's case to be put to July 21 when sentence hearings are already scheduled for some of his co-accused. It may be possible that some progress has been made on the case at that stage, he said. Angel Serran Padilla, aged 40, of Malaga, represented by Michael Bowman SC, will also be before the Special Criminal Court on July 21. Progress is also expected on his case at that time. Justice O'Connor also extended legal aid for a psychological report to be prepared for Mr Padilla. Two other men charged regarding the offences, Ali Ghasemi Mazidi, aged 50, with an address in the Netherlands, and Raul Tabares Garcia, aged 48, of Cadiz in Spain, are also to have trial dates set on July 21 in the Special Criminal Court. Their trials are likely to take four to six weeks, the court previously heard. The men were arrested following dramatic garda raids in West Cork on March 14, 2024. An articulated truck and a SUV were intercepted at Tragumna Pier and a Zefiro campervan was surrounded and stopped by detectives around 15 km away in the village of Leap. The men were before the Hon. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, Her Hon. Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge Marie Keane at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Monday. Read More Bilingual barrister comes to aid of 'nervous' translator in Special Criminal Court
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Government told to conserve sites or species to retain nitrates derogation
The European Commission has told the Government that in order for Ireland to retain a nitrates derogation for farmers from next year it must demonstrate efforts to conserve designated sites or species under the EU's Habitats Directive. Previously the Commission has traditionally just sought evidence of progress in relation to water quality, however, with Ireland now the only country left in the EU seeking a nitrates derogation the criteria have been expanded. It is understood the Commission contacted the Government in recent weeks about the change, with Irish officials now working on an updated plan, which is expected to be submitted to the EU in the middle of July. Under the Nitrates Directive, farmers have to ensure that the total amount of nitrogen from organic manure applied to their land does not exceed 170kg per hectare per year. The directive aims to reduce water pollution caused by nitrates used in agriculture, and EU member states are required to monitor water quality and identify areas that drain into polluted waters or are at risk of pollution. Due to the country's unique grass-fed farming model, Ireland has a derogation allowing use of up to 250kg for some farmers but it expires at the end of the year, with the EU set to vote on new limits for 2026-2029. The EU is reportedly putting pressure on Ireland to get its plan in as quickly as possible so that it can be considered ahead of negotiations and a vote later in the year. Under the Habitats Directive any project likely to have a significant effect on a designated site or species must be subject to assessment. For Irish farmers seeking a derogation, this would mean that if they are grazing cattle near a Natura 2000 site the area would need to assessed before it was granted. Natura 2000 is an EU network of 27,000 core breeding and resting sites for rare and threatened species, as well as some rare natural habitat types, which are protected in their own right. Based on correspondence from the European Commission - and legal advice to the Government - to secure the next nitrates derogation Ireland will have to demonstrate compliance with the Habitats Directive when granting individual farmers a derogation. Plans for this assessment process include monitoring and studying 46 catchment areas (with an average catchment size of 150,000 hectares) across the country. These sites would be assessed by experts, including ecologists, before a derogation is granted. Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said that "in developing such a plan, I am committed to engagement and have held a series of stakeholder meetings with that in mind". "My officials have also engaged with the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group where the matter was discussed this morning," he said. "It is important stakeholders are aware of the issues emerging from the discussions and how Ireland is working to fulfil its legal requirements and provide the Commission with the assurances it needs to justify granting our next derogation." If Ireland's nitrates derogation is lowered, farmers would have to take measures such as culling cows, exporting slurry, or acquiring more land to abide by lower limits.
