President Higgins has responded to criticism of his recent comments about education in the North, saying that the position was taken “out of context”, rejecting the idea that he had insulted anybody. Mr Higgins told The Late Late Show that separating children in the North according to their religious denominations is to abandon them “to…
Category: Irish News
Political silence on false diagnosis abortion case unjust, says Tóibín
Government inaction over what may be the first illegal abortion in Ireland since the abortion legislation was introduced is “deeply concerning”, said the Aontú leader. The Government is to carry out a review on abortion legislation soon, and yet the political establishment are staying silent about a “glaring injustice” within the legislation, TD Peadar Tóibín…
Dún Laoghaire plans criticised by Church for blocking housing
The Archdiocese of Dublin and religious orders have criticised Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown council regarding a new plan which would limit the development of housing in the local authority area. The Dominican Sisters said the new zoning “discriminates against religious” and was “unacceptable” in a submission to the council. “There are 4,500 people on the housing list in…
NI adopts IHRA definition of antisemitism
The Northern Ireland Assembly has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism despite opposition from Sinn Féin and People Before Profit. The DUP’s motion to adopt the definition was backed by members of the Assembly last week, a move which brings them in line with dozens of other countries. Sinn Féin proposed…
Archbishop Nearly welcomes Knock inclusion in pandemic prayer marathon
Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam has welcomed the inclusion of Knock, the international Marian Shrine, as one of thirty shrines around the world invited by Pope Francis to be part of the Pope’s marathon of prayer for the end to the pandemic. In a statement, Archbishop Neary said that Knock Shrine ”welcomes the Holy Father’s…
Apostolic Nuncio sends ‘deepest sympathies’ after Irish citizen killed in Burkino Faso
A Cork-man who is the Pope’s representative in Burkino Faso has extended his “deepest sympathies” after a Zambian-born Irish citizen was killed by terrorists in the African country. Conservationist Rory Young, co-founder and president of anti-poaching organisation Chengeta Wildlife was killed on Monday while leading a wildlife protection patrol in Arly National Park, He was…
Mass ban lifted as public worship permitted from May 10
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed that a controversial ban on public worship will be lifted on May 10, meaning Catholics will be free to attend Mass without fear of criminalisation. Worshippers in the Irish Republic have been forbidden to attend Mass for 27 of the last 30 weeks, the Government moving recently to make it…
Archbishop calls halt to First Communion plans
EXCLUSIVE Theologians criticise Government over-reach Chai Brady and Jason Osborne Archbishop Dermot Farrell has insisted that parishes in Dublin must abandon plans to hold First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies, warning that it may be the autumn before public health rules allow the celebrations to go ahead. In a letter to priests obtained by The…
Church urged to defy Government and restart Mass
The bishops have been urged by Catholic businessman Declan Ganley to reopen churches and begin Masses from Saturday in an act of peaceful civil disobedience, as “every other avenue has been tried”. “We have to, we’re not going to get our cases heard in anything like a timely manner,” Mr Ganley told The Irish Catholic.…
Priest criticises Green Party’s Ciaran Cuffe for ‘cheap shot’
A Dublin priest has criticised remarks made by Green Party MEP Ciaran Cuffe, who said the Church should use the proceeds of a 2019 land sale to build social housing rather than the likes of pastoral initiatives. Fr John Gilligan PP said: “Politicians need to be realistic. It’s easy to throw out these cheap shots…


Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady



Michael Kelly


