IrelandMorning Briefing

Your top stories on Monday: Israel embassy closure will not stop Ireland from pursuing ICJ case over Gaza; young Irish most likely in EU to struggle with languages

Here are the stories you need to start your day including; rape case involving Irish rugby players sparks debate in France; loophole sees driver banned for 24hrs

The 2 Johnnies descend on stage on Saturday night for their live podcast at the 3Arena in Dublin. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/The Irish Times
The 2 Johnnies descend on stage on Saturday night for their live podcast at the 3Arena in Dublin. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/The Irish Times
Israel embassy closure will not deter Ireland from pursuing ICJ case over Gaza

Ireland will not be deterred from pursuing its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the Gaza conflict after the Israeli government announced on Sunday it was closing its embassy in Dublin, the Government has said.

Confirming the decision on Sunday, the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs said: “The decision to close the Israeli embassy in Dublin was made in light of the extreme anti-Israel policy of the Irish Government.”

News in Ireland

  • Young Irish are most likely in the EU to struggle with foreign languages: Young adults in Ireland are the least likely in the European Union to know a foreign language, latest official figures show.
  • Loophole sees driver banned for 24 hours for mobile phone use: A legal loophole has led to a driver who admitted using a mobile phone while driving being given a 24-hour driving ban and avoiding reaching the penalty points threshold involving a ban of up to six months.
  • Rape case involving Irish rugby players sparks debate in France: The seven women and a solitary man who stood outside the courthouse in Bordeaux didn’t know the woman who’d brought charges against the five rugby players, but they had a simple message for her and other survivors of rape: “We believe you.”
  • New online safety code in the crosshairs as Elon Musk’s X takes media regulator to the High Court: In September, Taoiseach Simon Harris had a message for social media companies. The world of self-regulation was changing, he said.
  • Weather forecast: Monday will be largely dry with some bright spells. There will be showers also, mainly in the west and north but some may travel further east this afternoon. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees. Tonight will be largely dry as showers die out with clear spells. Cloud will increase from the west overnight and some rain or drizzle will develop by morning. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees.
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Christmas

You can’t remind people enough of the importance of not shopping hungry and making lists Photograph: iStock
You can’t remind people enough of the importance of not shopping hungry and making lists Photograph: iStock

Opinion

Work

Sports

The most memorable women's sporting moments of 2024.
The most memorable women's sporting moments of 2024.

World

  • Ukraine food train delivers to places where preparing a meal is impossible: Maria Shpionova’s day starts at 4am in the cold and dark of a Ukrainian winter’s night, but at least she doesn’t have to travel far to work.

Life & Style

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