The political party Aontú is set to have at least 20 candidates in the general election on February 8, according to Meath TD and party leader Peadar Tóibín. He says they hope to obtain 4% of the vote, which would mean about 40,000 first preferences – twice the amount needed for the party to begin…
An Irish missionary has decried the violence and kidnapping of religious in Nigeria as “complete anarchy”, after four seminarians were abducted last week in Kaduna state. Fr Kevin O’Hara SPMS, who is based in the country, said that “scores of priests and sisters have been kidnapped in the past few years”, with many being killed…
Capuchian friar Fr Bryan Shorthall has called for the next Government to prioritise tackling crime after a bag of human body parts was found near his church in his parish in Coolock, Dublin on Monday night. The bag was left near the church in Priorswood, outside a row of houses at Moatview Gardens and Moatview…
Recommendations given to Health Minister Simon Harris calling for ‘safe access zones’ which would make it illegal to hold vigils outside places that provide abortion have been dubbed “absurd” by the Life Institute. Director of the institute, Niamh Uí Bhriain said the Irish Council for Civil Liberties position on safe access zones is “nonsensical”. “The…
Mount Trenchard Direct Provision Centre in Co. Limerick will close at the end of February. It was previously highlighted by Doras Director John Lannon that people in the centre had little access to faith and were living in unsuitable living conditions. On Friday, January 10, 14 residents were transferred to Ennis, Co. Clare with the…
Knock Counselling Centre are launching a programme to help prevent and treat anxiety in young people and adolescents. The ‘Cool Kids’ programme, available for the first time in Ireland, is run over eight to ten sessions and teaches children aged 7-17 and their parents how to better manage the child’s anxiety. Peter Devers, Senior Psychotherapist said: “The programme supports participants in learning about their feelings, worries and anxieties…
About 1,000 school secretaries have said they will continue their battle for “fairness” and “equality” until their job is taken seriously by the Department of Education as they continue with work-to-rule strike action. The secretaries are at a disadvantage because they work in the voluntary, predominantly Catholic, sector. Secretaries from several Catholic schools told this…
Róise McGagh Prominent Irish priests have expressed deep disquiet at a Government plan to commemorate the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) amidst a growing move for a boycott, including three Government minister. Fr Paddy Byrne parish priest of Abbeyleix in Co. Laois told The Irish Catholic he was “horrified” by the plans to commemorate the RIC…
Róise McGagh Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry has stated that current leading parties in Northern Ireland will miss out on votes in the next election if they fail to come to an agreement and restore the government. “People are more concerned about hospitals than politics,” he said, emphasising the fact that the Northern Irish…
Veteran RTÉ broadcaster Larry Gogan has been remembered as a “terrific man” who had a “strong faith” after his death this week. Well-known priest Fr Brian D’Arcy CP said he knew Larry very well, and met him when he went to Mass with his children in Mount Argus, Co. Dublin – where Fr D’Arcy was…
Chai Brady