Breaking News
Cause of fish kill on Blackwater river in Cork ‘has not been identified’ – report
Read more on post .
A large fish kill in the Blackwater river in Cork cannot be explained, the final report on the incident has concluded.
Some potent substance killed 32,000-42,000 fish – mostly prized salmon and trout – last month but multiple agencies involved in the investigation cannot say what it was.
Seven days may have passed between the incident that led to the kill and the first tests of possible sources.
The report by the agencies says the substance likely entered the river as early as August 5th and dead fish were spotted on August 9th but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) only became aware of the situation on August 12th. That date was the first day the EPA took samples from discharge flows from industries near the river and its tributaries.
The subsequent investigation also involved Inland Fisheries Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Cork County Council, Uisce Éireann, the Marine Institute, the Departments of Environment and Agriculture and the HSE.
Their joint report says dozens of industrial and commercial sites were inspected, multiple samples of water, fish and other river creatures were taken and 900 potentially damaging substances were tested for, but no conclusive results emerged.
“Despite the significant investigation by members of the inter-agency group, the pollutant or the source, that caused the fish mortalities has not been identified,” they said.
The most they could determine was an approximate time and location of the original incident.
“It may be concluded that a waterborne irritant likely entered the river Blackwater around 5/6 August, around 72 hours before the first mortalities were observed on 9 August 2025,” the report states.
This likely happened “at an unidentified point most likely upstream of the uppermost limit of Inland Fisheries Ireland observed mortalities (main channel between Gortmore and upstream of Roskeen Bridge 13 August)”.
However, it “dissipated quickly rendering it undetectable in water samples and fish tissue samples”.
Most of the dead fish were found around Mallow but dead and injured fish were found from Banteer, 22km upstream of Mallow, to Castletownroche, 17km downstream.
Anglers reported distressing scenes of dead and dying fish with multiple marks and lesions, swollen eyes and damage to their gills.
While the investigation identified no pollution source, the report says North Cork Creameries, the largest licensed facility near where the fish kill occurred, will continue to be closely monitored by the EPA after it found recent breaches of its licence.
[ Rules to protect Ireland’s fragile rivers are being repeatedly breachedOpens in new window ]
The report confirmed “non-compliances were detected in the wastewater treatment plant discharge from North Cork Creameries in the June to August period and were serious and entirely unacceptable”.
The licence breaches arose primarily due to a lack of organised management or control of wastewater treatment plant activities at the co-op, which discharges in the Allow, a tributary of the Blackwater.
The EPA also found “a lack of appropriate expertise to resolve significant operational issues, a failure to appropriately generate, manage, maintain and use critical data sets to inform corrective actions and a disregard for licence requirements and licence limits”.
“These compliance issues have not yet been fully resolved by the licensee, and the EPA is rigorously pursuing the enforcement of the licence breaches arising as a matter of priority and urgency, in line with its compliance and enforcement policy,” it added.
In April this year North Cork Creameries was convicted on eight counts for exceeding ammonia and nitrogen levels and fined €11,000 in a case brought by the EPA.
Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries Timmy Dooley said the investigation had been “exhaustive” and the findings provided reassurance that the incident was “a short-lived event, with no evidence of ongoing pollution risks”.
Read more on post.
A suspected drone sighting briefly shuttered a Danish airport this morning for the second time in a few hours, after the country’s prime minister said the flights were part of “hybrid attacks” that may be linked to Russia.
Drones have been seen flying over several Danish airports since Wednesday, causing one of them to close for hours, after a sighting earlier this week prompted Copenhagen airport to shut down.
That followed a similar incident in Norway, drone incursions in Polish and Romanian territory and the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets, which raised tensions in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
“Over recent days, Denmark has been the victim of hybrid attacks,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said yesterday in a video message on social media – referring to a form of unconventional warfare.
She warned that such drone flights “could multiply”.
Investigators said they had so far failed to identify those responsible, but Ms Frederiksen stressed: “There is one main country that poses a threat to Europe’s security, and it is Russia.”
Moscow said yesterday that it “firmly rejects” any suggestion that it was involved in the Danish incidents. Its embassy in Copenhagen called them “a staged provocation”, in a post on social media.
Denmark’s Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard earlier said the aim of the attack was “to spread fear, create division and frighten us”.
He added that Copenhagen would acquire new enhanced capabilities to “detect” and “neutralise drones”.
Denmark will later today join other EU countries, mostly along the eastern border with Russia, in the first talks on proposals to build a “wall” of anti-drone defences in the face of the tensions with Moscow.
Drones have been seen flying over several Danish airports since Wednesday, causing one of them to close for hours, after a sighting earlier this week prompted Copenhagen airport to shut down.
That followed a similar incident in Norway, drone incursions in Polish and Romanian territory and the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets, which raised tensions in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
“Over recent days, Denmark has been the victim of hybrid attacks,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said yesterday in a video message on social media – referring to a form of unconventional warfare.
She warned that such drone flights “could multiply”.
Investigators said they had so far failed to identify those responsible, but Ms Frederiksen stressed: “There is one main country that poses a threat to Europe’s security, and it is Russia.”
Moscow said yesterday that it “firmly rejects” any suggestion that it was involved in the Danish incidents. Its embassy in Copenhagen called them “a staged provocation”, in a post on social media.
Denmark’s Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard earlier said the aim of the attack was “to spread fear, create division and frighten us”.
He added that Copenhagen would acquire new enhanced capabilities to “detect” and “neutralise drones”.
Denmark will later today join other EU countries, mostly along the eastern border with Russia, in the first talks on proposals to build a “wall” of anti-drone defences in the face of the tensions with Moscow.
Russia sabotage warning
Drones were spotted on Wednesday and early yesterday morning at airports in Aalborg, Esbjerg, Sonderborg and at the Skrydstrup air base before leaving on their own, police said.
Aalborg airport, located in northern Denmark, was initially shut down for several hours, and closed again for about an hour from late last night into early this morning due to another suspected sighting.
“It was not possible to take down the drones, which flew over a very large area over a couple of hours,” North Jutland chief police inspector Jesper Bojgaard Madsen said about the initial Aalborg incident.
The head of Denmark’s military intelligence, Thomas Ahrenkiel, told a news conference the service had not been able to identify who was behind the drones.
But intelligence chief Finn Borch said: “The risk of Russian sabotage in Denmark is high.”
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told a news conference the flights appeared to be “the work of a professional actor… such a systematic operation in so many locations at virtually the same time”.
He said it had posed “no direct military threat” to Denmark.
Ms Frederiksen said Thursday that she had spoken with NATO chief Mark Rutte about the incidents.
Lund Poulsen said the government had yet to decide whether to invoke NATO’s Article 4, under which any member state can call urgent talks when it feels its “territorial integrity, political independence or security” are at risk.
French President Emmanuel Macron said his country stood ready “to contribute to the security of Danish airspace”.
Copenhagen is set to host a summit of European Union leaders next week.
Read more on post.
Anna LewisBBC Wales
Handheld scanners will be used to search children suspected of having a weapon in Cardiff schools under new guidance.
The guidelines, which are thought to be the first of their kind in Wales, deal with what happens when a child is thought to be carrying a weapon, and the next steps if one is found.
Cardiff council said it had been designed after calls by head teachers for up-to-date advice to keep students and staff safe, following growing concerns about knife crime in schools.
Sarah Merry, the council’s cabinet member for education, said while she understood parents “may feel anxious about the idea of searches”, they would not be part of a daily school routine or “done lightly”.
In 2013, the Welsh government introduced a power which allowed schools in Wales to screen pupils for a knife or other weapons, and to search pupils suspected of carrying a weapon.
New guidance sent to parents in Cardiff states a search may be necessary if staff have a “reasonable” suspicion that a young person has a weapon in school.
During a search, it added two members of staff would be present, and that in most cases a “search wand” would be used to remove any physical contact.
“Parents or carers will be informed following a search and the reasons for the search will be explained,” the guidance adds, with the purpose of the search also explained to the student.
Under the guidelines, if a weapon is found then an incident review meeting should be arranged within five school days of the incident with “at least one daily welfare check”.
The young person should not be allowed to go to school until this meeting has taken place, while a “trauma-informed investigation” would then take place to understand why the young people brought the weapon into school and the next steps that should be taken.
According to Cardiff council, the guidelines recognise “there are often complex reasons why a young person might carry a weapon” and encourages schools to work with families and other services so support can be put in place.
The guidelines have been rolled out to all primary, secondary and special schools after being developed through consultation with children, and co-produced with partners including South Wales Police, youth services and violence prevention experts.
Merry, who is also council deputy leader, said: “Head teachers have been asking for revised support in this area and it’s absolutely right that we’ve worked closely with them to create something practical and useful.
“It is also part of our review following incidents in other parts of the country and gives schools the tools they need to keep everyone safe – it’s not about creating fear; it’s about building confidence.”
As well as guidance on weapons, each school in Cardiff has appointed a violence prevention lead, who are senior staff members that will take part in specialist training to prepare them for real-life situations involving weapons or threats to safety.
Other actions taken to keep schools safe include lockdown rehearsals to help schools prepare for emergencies, and using the curriculum to “build a culture of respect and safety”.
This post was originally published on this site.
Tánaiste Simon Harris has met with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in Washington DC.
The meeting at the Department of Commerce was an opportunity to discuss the dynamic economic, trade and investment relationship between Ireland and the US.
It was also a chance to take stock on the implementation of the EU-US Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair and Balanced Trade agreed in July.
They discussed the potential of expanding the list of goods that are exempt from the baseline 15% tariff rate.
Ireland has a particular interest in this as it relates to the spirits and med-tech sectors. They also discussed the issue of non-tariff barriers as well as the ongoing Section 232 investigations on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.
They exchanged views on the impact of the expansion of the Section 232 measures on certain steel and aluminium given the impact of these on a number of Irish manufacturers, particularly in the agri-tech sector.
Mr Harris raised the recent proposal by the US to raise the cost of H1B visas applications, and noted the importance of pathways for high-skilled workers, innovators and job creators to live and work in the US.
More broadly the meeting was an opportunity to discuss the mutually beneficial economic relationship between Ireland and the US, and how it can be protected and deepened in the time ahead.
The Tánaiste took the opportunity to update Mr Lutnick on the economic impact report: Ireland and the USA: a shared economic story – which he launched.
The report shows the impact of Irish companies investing across all 50 states.
- Danish airport closes again after reported drone sighting
Read more on post. A suspected drone sighting briefly shuttered a Danish airport this morning for the second time in a few hours, after the country’s prime minister said the flights were part of “hybrid attacks” that may be linked to Russia. Drones have been seen flying over several Danish airports since Wednesday, causing one… Read more: Danish airport closes again after reported drone sighting - School scanners for pupils thought to have weapons
Read more on post. 27 minutes ago ShareSave Anna LewisBBC Wales ShareSave Handheld scanners will be used to search children suspected of having a weapon in Cardiff schools under new guidance. The guidelines, which are thought to be the first of their kind in Wales, deal with what happens when a child is thought to… Read more: School scanners for pupils thought to have weapons - Tánaiste discusses Irish-US economic ties in WashingtonThis post was originally published on this site. Tánaiste Simon Harris has met with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in Washington DC. The meeting at the Department of Commerce was an opportunity to discuss the dynamic economic, trade and investment relationship between Ireland and the US. It was also a chance to take stock… Read more: Tánaiste discusses Irish-US economic ties in Washington
- Police hear more than 70 complaints in missing ashes probeRead more on post. 53 minutes ago ShareSave ShareSave Police have received reports from more than 70 people regarding the practices of a funeral directors as they continue their investigation into missing ashes. Operation Koine was launched in April last year following reports relating to the former A Milne Independent Funeral Directors in the Glasgow… Read more: Police hear more than 70 complaints in missing ashes probe
- Search under way for fisherman missing off Sligo coastThis post was originally published on this site. A multi-agency search is ongoing for a fisherman missing off the coast of Mullaghmore, Co Sligo. A member of the public alerted the Malin Head coordination centre yesterday evening to a fishing vessel aground about 4km south of Mullaghmore Head. It is believed that the fisherman fell… Read more: Search under way for fisherman missing off Sligo coast
- Larry Donnelly: In this three-way race for president, everything is still to play forRead full article on post. AND THEN THERE were three. At last, we know that the Irish electorate will choose one of three – Catherine Connolly, Jim Gavin and Heather Humphreys – on 24 October when deciding who will succeed Michael D Higgins as Uachtarán na hÉireann. . Before getting down to analysis of the… Read more: Larry Donnelly: In this three-way race for president, everything is still to play for
- Trump announces new tariffs on pharmaceuticals from OctoberRead more on post. US president Donald Trump announced a fresh round of tariffs, including a 100 per cent duty on branded or patented pharmaceuticals starting on October 1st unless a company is building a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in America. No levies will be applied to pharmaceutical imports if companies have broken ground on a… Read more: Trump announces new tariffs on pharmaceuticals from October
- Trump announces new 100% tariff on some imported pharmaceuticalsThis post was originally published on this site. US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump has announced a raft of import taxes, including 100% on branded pharmaceutical drugs, to start on 1 October. Other measures will include 50% on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, 30% on upholstered furniture and 25% on heavy trucks. The additional tariffs risk intensifying… Read more: Trump announces new 100% tariff on some imported pharmaceuticals
- Kneecap ban from Canada not raised with Canadian Prime Minister Mark CarneyThis post was originally published on this site. TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said he did not raise the case of Kneecap being banned from entering Canada with the country’s Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday as there have been no requests for representations to be made on their behalf. Kneecap have been banned from entering Canada for… Read more: Kneecap ban from Canada not raised with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
- State exploring ways to exclude fast food from VAT cutRead more on post. The Government is said to be exploring ways of excluding multinational fast-food chains from a reduced rate of VAT aimed at shoring up the hard-hit hospitality sector. The Government has signalled that it will reduce VAT on restaurants and food-serving businesses in the budget from 13.5 per cent to 9 per… Read more: State exploring ways to exclude fast food from VAT cut
- Cardinals lose to late field goal againRead the full article on post. Seattle Seahawks 23-20 Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals were beaten by a last-ditch field goal for the second time in five days as they went down 23-20 to the Seattle Seahawks. Having lost 16-15 to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, when Eddy Pineiro made a 35-yard kick with… Read more: Cardinals lose to late field goal again
- Europe can end the run of home dominance at the Ryder Cup – the competition needs them to do itThis post was originally published on this site. Gavin Cooney reports from Bethpage Black, New York AND SO THE talking can finally stop and the heckling and hectoring can begin. The five-day build-up to the first tee shot of the Ryder Cup is a kind of Olympiad of Guff, where the captains explain their various… Read more: Europe can end the run of home dominance at the Ryder Cup – the competition needs them to do it
- Triple captain Haaland? The FPL talking pointRead the full article on post. 13 minutes ago Comments Anybody fancy a gameweek six triple captain? Erling Haaland is in sparkling form and with an ‘easier’ home match against Burnley for Manchester City this weekend, many an FPL manager will be considering using their triple captain chip. FPL expert Pras – and the guys… Read more: Triple captain Haaland? The FPL talking point
- England’s memories of losing World Cup final in 2022Read the full article on post. England players remember the closing moments of the 2021 Rugby World Cup final, which was delayed and played in November 2022, when a late stolen lineout gave New Zealand victory on home soil. Watch England v Canada in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, 27 September (15:00… Read more: England’s memories of losing World Cup final in 2022
- Fireworks and leaking toilets – Rooney on Man Utd away daysRead the full article on post. Getty Images 1 hour ago Chelsea’s away dressing room was too hot. Liverpool’s was too cold. Sunderland’s once proved a nasty surprise for Manchester United’s players from some leaking toilets on the floor above. Those are some of the stories Wayne Rooney has revealed when remembering some of his… Read more: Fireworks and leaking toilets – Rooney on Man Utd away days
- The Best Affordable Luggage for 2025, According to Our EditorsThis post was originally published on this site.From sleek carry-ons to roomy duffels, these budget-friendly pieces are durable, well-designed, and perfect for travel on a budget.
- The Best Affordable Luggage for 2025, According to Our EditorsThis post was originally published on this site.From sleek carry-ons to roomy duffels, these budget-friendly pieces are durable, well-designed, and perfect for travel on a budget.
- The 15 Golden Rules of PackingThis post was originally published on this site.Don’t unzip your suitcase without reading these tips.
- 17 Best Pieces of Kids Luggage for Young TravelersThis post was originally published on this site.Road-tested by little ones for comfort and durability.
- 17 Best Pieces of Kids Luggage for Young TravelersThis post was originally published on this site.Road-tested by little ones for comfort and durability.
- Des Cahill sounds wistful as Mary Wilson and Áine Lawlor leave Morning IrelandRead more on post. On the surface it seems like a normal show, but an unusual atmosphere suffuses Wednesday’s Morning Ireland (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays): a party atmosphere. Or a good-natured social gathering, at any rate, as its long-serving presenters Mary Wilson and Áine Lawlor are surprised by the unexpected arrival of the sportscaster Des… Read more: Des Cahill sounds wistful as Mary Wilson and Áine Lawlor leave Morning Ireland
- The Paul Thomas Anderson Movie Quiz: Who is not on the Boogie Nights soundtrack?Read more on post.
- Kneecap band member’s London court hearing moved to other side of city after floodingRead more on post. A London hearing on Friday in a case involving Kneecap’s Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been moved from Westminster Magistrates Court to another venue 21km (13 miles) away. The UK’s Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed to The Irish Times the hearing in the case, in which he is accused of… Read more: Kneecap band member’s London court hearing moved to other side of city after flooding
- The Hack review: Great story of the British tabloid phone-hacking scandal is let down by wackinessRead more on post. There are certain fields in which the UK remains a world leader, and among them is public service drama. That is, scripted television that aspires to something beyond mere entertainment and which, when done properly, turns television into a singular instrument for social commentary. That point was proved with Mr Bates… Read more: The Hack review: Great story of the British tabloid phone-hacking scandal is let down by wackiness
- John Boyne wins novel of the year in FranceRead more on post. In The Irish Times this weekend, John Banville tells me about his latest novel, Venetian Vespers. Ned Guinness writes about his new book, Guinness: A Family Succession: The True Story of the Struggle to Create the World’s Largest Brewery. Frank McNally recalls his decision-making days in the Department of Social Welfare… Read more: John Boyne wins novel of the year in France
-
Culture3 days agoTaylor Swift’s new cinema outing generates more than €12million in just 24 hours
-
Politics3 days ago
European Parliament snubs Orbán with vote to shield Italian MEP from Hungarian arrest
-
Health4 days ago
EU renews support for WHO’s Universal Health Coverage Partnership
-
Culture3 weeks ago
Life, loss, fame & family – the IFI Documentary Festival in focus
-
Environment6 days ago
Key oceans treaty crosses threshold to come into force
-
Culture3 days ago
Twilight at 20: the many afterlives of Stephenie Meyer’s vampires
-
Culture2 months ago
Fatal, flashy and indecent – the movies of Adrian Lyne revisited
-
Culture1 week ago
Farewell, Sundance – how Robert Redford changed cinema forever
