Latest news with #Mullooly
Agriland
a day ago
- Business
- Agriland
‘No upside for Ireland' in US-EU trade deal
Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly has slammed the US-EU trade agreement saying that 'there is no upside for Ireland'. US President Donald Trump met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for announced the agreement following talks yesterday (Sunday, July 27) during Trump's visit to Scotland. The agreeement will see a baseline tariff applied of 15% applied to EU goods entering the US. Trade MEP Mullooly said that the trade deal imposes permanent tariffs on Irish exports to the US and deals a major blow to Ireland's agri-food and beverage sectors. 'By any stretch of the imagination, this is not a good deal for Ireland. 'It's a damaging agreement for our exporters, and it appears EU leadership has simply capitulated to the US on this issue, ' he said. The Midlands North-West MEP was also critical of the Irish government's response to the agreement. 'I'm not sure how the Irish government could call this a good deal: it's certainly not for Irish companies – now facing 15% tariff hikes. 'We are still facing ongoing uncertainty. The nightmare of instability continues for distillers. [President] Von der Leyen has admitted that there is still no deal, at least not until the next round of negotiations. 'This means the uncertainty is far from over for companies like Drumshanbo Gin, Tullamore Dew, and dozens of others. When will it end?,' he added. Ireland The MEP claimed that Ireland, as the most export-dependent economy in the EU, stands to lose more than any other member state under the terms of the new deal. He said the tariffs will affect approximately €1.9 billion worth of Irish agri-food and beverage exports, with an estimated annual impact of €285 million. 'This agreement leaves our producers less competitive in the US market. These are not theoretical numbers – this is real money lost from Irish businesses, rural communities, and jobs,' Mullooly said. The MEP said he will be writing to both the Irish government and the EU Commission to demand urgent support, including: A financial rescue package for industries most affected by the new tariffs Increased promotional budgets, both at national and EU level, to help Irish producers retain market share in the US 'We cannot allow key Irish industries, dairy, prepared foods, beef, and seafood-to absorb this shock unaided. They need a safety net and a strategy. 'The government and the EU must step up without delay,' Mullooly said.
Daily Record
11-07-2025
- Daily Record
Scots man 'slept like a baby' after ex-partner jailed for stabbing him multiple times
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. The man shared his relief after Darragh Mullooly was sentenced last week. A Scots man said he "slept like a baby" for the first time in almost two years after his ex-partner was jailed for stabbing him multiple times. Darragh Mullooly, 37, stormed into the Edinburgh flat he shared with his 41-year-old victim, before launching the frenzied attack on September 9, 2023. The man was also struck on the head during the horror incident in the kitchen. Despite initially denying the charges, Mullooly later pleaded guilty and was convicted of assault to severe injury. He was expected to be sentenced in June, but the case was deferred for reports. He returned to court on Friday, July 4 where he was sentenced to 20 months in prison, Edinburgh Live reports. The victim revealed, following the sentencing, that it was the first time he had seen his former partner "visibly scared" as he admitted his relief nearly two years on from the attack. Speaking anonymously, he said: "It's nothing to be happy about but he got what he deserved in a sense. "I hope he learns from this as I don't think he's ever had to face the consequences for his actions. He has always got away with his behaviour and this time he hasn't. "I'm just happy it's done. I woke up on Saturday and for the first time in two years I had no anxiety. I didn't have to worry about what he was posting and potentially seeing him in town. My biggest fear was bumping into him on a night out. "I will never forgive him and that makes me sad, but he showed no remorse. I've slept on the sofa for nearly two years because I can't sleep in the bed but since Friday I've slept like a baby, it's insane. "I feel fresh and like this weight has been lifted off me. I feel like my old self and I can go out and do stuff. Previously I was a bit lethargic and was constantly looking over my shoulder." Edinburgh Live previously reported how Mullooly had returned to the flat in the capital's Craigleith area on September 9, 2023, to find his belongings outside after his partner's decision to end their relationship. Realising the door was on the latch and he couldn't get in, he tried to force his way in, then closing the door on his victim's hand once it opened slightly. He then hit him on the head and repeatedly stabbed him in the flat's kitchen. Mullooly changed his plea ahead of a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, which was initially due to begin on January 1 this year. He admitted to one charge of assault to severe injury aggravated by involving abuse of his partner or ex-partner. He was also subject to a 15-month non-harassment order, preventing him from approaching or contacting his victim. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The man was left with physical and emotional scars, and managed to escape into the street after managing to call the police amid his terrifying ordeal. He was in hospital for five days and did not work for two months while attending appointments for his recovery and therapy sessions to address his trauma. He recalled the moment he saw his blood-stained clothing and said: "Darragh you've just stabbed me." He continued: "After he stabbed me multiple times I managed to get away and I think I was just filled with adrenalin as it was an out of body experience. "When I got away from him I just felt wet. I looked down and I was just covered in blood. We had a dining table between us and I just remember looking up and saying to him 'Darragh you've stabbed me' and I thought in that moment he would snap out of it. "I thought he'd look and think 'what have I done'. He looked at me with stone cold rage and said 'it's nothing less than what you deserve'. At that point I thought he was going to kill me. "If you can look at the person you've been in a relationship for four and a half years with and were going to marry and say that to them and be that cold - that's the sort of person he is." Images showed his serious injuries, with stab wounds to his upper body and bruising on his arms and hands.
The Journal
28-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Ban on short-term lets under 90 days being considered by EU commission
A BAN ON short-term lets under 90 days is being considered by the EU in its response to the housing crisis. The proposal may be included in the report by the EU to enforce a minimum letting period on homes, vice chair of the European Parliament's committee on housing and MEP Ciaran Mullooly has said. It is understood that the European Commission, which is seeking to tackle the affordability crisis in Europe, is taking a cautious approach to making any changes to short term let regulations due to the EU's lucrative tourism sector. New regulations with short-term lets will soon come into effect in Europe, which will force platforms such as Airbnb and to register properties in order to establish the number of active listings. The data will be used by the Commission to determine if European intervention is needed, a senior source said, but the EU is concerned that any interventions could have a harsh impact on the tourism industry. Advertisement Similar concerns have been highlighted in Ireland following the announcement of a potential ban on planning permissions for short-term lets in towns with populations of more than 10,000 . Independent Ireland's Mullooly believes a limit on the length of terms allowed for listings will be proposed by the European Parliament's housing committee report later this year. He told The Journal in Brussels that while the committee is 'limited' in what it is able to propose, it is seeking to take some action to address short-term lets, and their impact on the local housing supply. Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, a substitute member of the committee, said there is nothing that should be counted out by politicians when drafting the final report. He added that there is also a need to standardise tenants' rights in Europe. The Commission is of the view that it is the role of the Irish government to regulate the local housing market, while its housing policy will explore methods to boost financing and delivery of housing. It has already conceded that state aid rules for local authorities will be relaxed to increase the construction of social homes. It is understood that it will also seek to guarantee money from lenders so firms building new housing have security in their funding. The EU cannot directly set housing targets and does not have the power to regulate the property market in individual member states. However, it is possible for the commission to provide better access to funds and underwrite loans to improve delivery . 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
Irish Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish MEP 'hasn't a clue' about Swedish House Mafia as lyrics used in AI letter
Irish MEP Ciaran Mullooly said he would use AI again after he admitted to using it in an open letter to Ursula Von der Leyen. Last month, the Independent Ireland politician said he used AI to draft a letter urging the EU to deliver more aid to Gaza. The letter bizarrely contained lyrics from Don't You Worry Child, a song by electronic music group Swedish House Mafia. Asked by the Irish Mirror in Brussels if he was a fan of the house group, he laughed and said: 'I haven't a clue who they are, my son has given me a hard time over it.' However, the MEP insists that the portion of the letter which contains the lyrics 'Don't you worry, don't you worry child, see heaven's got a plan for you', wasn't written by AI. He says these lyrics were written in an email to him about the conflict in Gaza. Mr Mullooly continued: 'The first part of the letter we used AI, we put our hands up. The second part of the letter, you can search all you want, you won't find the monologue that Donal from my office wrote, he wrote it after reading 1,000 emails. 'I asked him to read 1,000 emails and then he wrote it and he thought it summed up the vulnerability of children. He is a musician and he spotted a line in one of the emails and he wrote about that and I thought he did it in a very powerful way. I make no apologies, it got the attention of the people.' Mr Mullooly, who was formerly a journalist in RTÉ, said he will continue to use AI in his work as an MEP. The letter, which was sent to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, tells the fictional story of a young girl called Gazi, who lives in Rafah. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week However, it does not say that the story isn't true, and Mr Mullooly appeals to the President to help the girl who has been displaced. In the letter, the MEP pleads to Von der Leyen: "Will you tell her, 'Don't you worry, don't you worry child, see heaven's got a plan for you?' "Will you assure her that Europe remembers its promise, that we will not let another generation of children perish when we have the means to act?"
The Journal
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Political parties scramble to introduce policies around AI use after Swedish House Mafia-gate
IRISH POLITICAL PARTIES are beginning to develop policies around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) after MEP Ciaran Mullooly revealed he used it to write a letter to the President of the European Commission. In the letter, which urged the EU to deliver more aid to Gaza, the Independent Ireland MEP inadvertently quoted the house music group Swedish House Mafia and recounted a fictional story of a girl in Rafah without indicating that she was not real. Following this, The Journal contacted all political parties represented in Dáil Éireann to see if they have policies or guidelines in place around the use of AI for public representatives. No party currently does. While the Labour Party said it has been working on guidelines since earlier this year, other parties were left scrambling after Mullooly's AI-assisted letter made headlines. The Social Democrats, Fine Gael and Independent Ireland all said they are currently working on developing policies, while the Green Party is also examining the idea as part of a strategic plan. A Sinn Féin source admitted that the Mullooly story was sent around to TDs as a 'cautionary tale' but said the party does not currently have any guidelines around the use of AI. Despite the slow uptake from political HQs on the issue, many TDs were more vocal about their feelings on the use of the technology in public life. When asked if they use AI to assist their work as a TD, just four current members of the Dáil admitted that they do. Independent TD Barry Heneghan used AI to create a song as part of his election campaign and said he uses a mix of programmes now as a TD, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft 365 Co-pilot, depending on the work he wants to streamline. Fianna Fáil's Paul McAuliffe, Fine Gael's John Paul O'Shea and Labour's Conor Sheehan all said they use programmes like ChatGPT and Co-pilot on occasion to help with admin tasks, but all were of the view that it shouldn't be used for drafting speeches or public statements. Advertisement 'I think transparency is important in this job. It's still up to TDs to stand over what they say and do, and AI can make mistakes and add things in that you would never say,' Heneghan said. He added: 'If you trusted it for your whole speech, it doesn't sound human in my opinion.' Independent Ireland TD Ken O'Flynn compared AI to the printing press and said his party supports the 'responsible use' of the emerging technology. 'Whether to improve communication or streamline workflows, like the printing press or the personal computer, artificial intelligence may face scepticism in its early stages but if history has shown us anything, it is that new tools often begin with controversy and end with positive transformation.' Most other TDs we contacted said they do not use AI to assist with their work, although many parties said staff sometimes use it for research purposes or admin. When asked if politicians should have to disclose when they have used AI to draft a speech or statement, most TDs we contacted said yes. A spokesperson for Independent Ireland said it 'would not be a bad idea in the interests of transparency', while Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman went further and said it should also be disclosed when politicians use it to alter images of themselves. A number of TDs said it came down to being honest with constituents, while others, like People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy, said he was against its use on environmental grounds. Labour TD Duncan Smith argued that it is lazy for TDs to use AI. The Dublin Fingal East TD said he doesn't use it because he has 'no interest in selling my constituents short'. 'When people elect you to represent them, it should actually be you and the team you put together to work with you, representing your constituents. 'I think TDs using AI are displaying laziness at best and I think it shows a lack of respect to the people who have elected you to the Dáil, who rightfully expect you to be putting in the work,' he said. 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
