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THE mandatory retirement age of serving garda officers has been increased from 60 to 62 years. Taking effect today, the new regulations come under Ireland’s Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation Act 2024. They also apply to members of the defence forces, firefighters and prison officers, for whom the changes took effect last month. Speaking as the legislation came … [Read more...] about Garda mandatory retirement age increased to 62

THE Pontins holiday company has issued a formal apology to the Irish Traveller community for discriminating against them at its holiday parks across Britain. An investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) into discriminatory practices in place at Pontins, revealed a list of ‘undesirable guests’ in operation from 2013-2018, featuring 40 Irish names, who were … [Read more...] about Pontins issues formal apology to Irish Travellers over discrimination at sites across UK

TWO institutions have made payments into Northern Ireland’s redress scheme for victims of historical abuse. The Good Shepherd Sisters religious order and the Barnardo’s charity both made a payment into the scheme over the summer, the Northern Ireland executive has confirmed. Both organisations were found to have systematically failed children in its care by the Hart Report, … [Read more...] about Two institutions make payments to Northern Ireland’s historical abuse redress scheme

A PERMANENT memorial has been unveiled in the US honouring the links between Ireland and the Choctaw nation. The Eternal Heart sculpture has been installed at the Choctaw Capitol Grounds in Oklahoma. Created by Choctaw nation tribal member Samuel Stitt, the eight-foot structure features a Celtic trinity shape intertwined with a heart, and it has been placed so that it faces in … [Read more...] about Celtic memorial unveiled honouring ‘enduring friendship’ between Ireland and Choctaw nation

POLICE have launched an investigation after racist and sectarian graffiti was spray-painted onto new build homes in Derry. A number of properties were targeted in the Church Brae area of the city, the PSNI have confirmed. Graffiti, described as “racist and sectarian” by the police force, was daubed on the walls of a series of unoccupied homes sometime overnight on Sunday, … [Read more...] about Racist and sectarian graffiti spray-painted on homes in Derry