Harry McGee

5 days ago | irishtimes.com | Harry McGee

Habemus Papam. What else? Who thought that St Peter’s Square would be the venue for a vibe that was almost rock concert-like and a pontifical selection process that provided the perfect comfort for political anoraks. The first American Pope. And definitely the first who is known (or was known until now) as Bob. So Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Prevost, at the age of 69 will be the person who fashions the destiny of the church, with 1.4 billion members, for the next decade.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Harry McGee

President Michael D Higgins has led the State’s annual commemoration of the Easter Rising by laying a wreath to commemorate those who died in 1916 at Arbour Hill, where many of the executed leaders were buried. The commemoration at Arbour Hill is the longest-running State ceremony to commemorate the Rising. This year marks the 101st holding of the ceremony, which began in 1923, shortly after the end of the Civil War.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Harry McGee

The price of president Donald Trump‘s tariffs for the Irish economy has been laid bare by the Department of Finance which predicts that it could lower new employment by as many as 25,000 jobs and dampen economic growth by as many as 1.5 points. The department, in a report to the European Commission, has warned of the “far-reaching” consequences for this country of US trade policy.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Harry McGee

The foreign ministers of six European countries, including Tánaiste Simon Harris, have signed a joint letter expressing “grave concern” about Israeli plans for a prolonged occupation of parts of Gaza. The letter has been signed by the foreign ministers of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Spain who say they strongly reject any territorial change in the Strip.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Harry McGee

Ireland will follow the lead of the UK and ban face masks, or coverings, being worn in public places on the basis that a garda suspects it is being used for criminal intent, or being used in an intimidatory fashion. Clause 86 of the UK’s Crime and Policing Bill – currently before parliament – will make it a criminal offence for a person to conceal their identity at a protest. A similar measure has been considered here.