NEED TO CATCH up? The Journal brings you a round-up of today’s news.

IRELAND

Pictured at event held to announce line-up for International Literature Festival Dublin taking place 16 -25 May were James O’Connor (11), Fiadh Finnegan (6), and acrobat Ali Stanger. Julien Behal Photography Julien Behal Photography

• The HSE issued a public health alert that passengers on a train from Dublin to Sligo on Friday may have been exposed to measles.
• The Opposition behaved in a “juvenile and despicable” manner during the Dáil speaking rights row, according to Michael Lowry.
• Meanwhile, members of the Opposition participated in a Dáil walkout today at the beginning of the new and unpopular Other Members’ Questions slot.
• As Donald Trump prepared to impose tariffs, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald told the Dáil that the EU should not impose counter-tariffs on the US. 
• Four Senators sought to introduce an arms embargo on Israel through a bill blocking the exportation and transit of weapons through Ireland to the country.
• A number of women arrested and cautioned by gardaí after being removed from a protest at the gates of Leinster House are seeking legal advice as they consider making a complaint to Garda watchdog body GSOC. 
• A Bill seeking to make catfishing a criminal offence was reintroduced today, in an attempt to acknowledge and punish the “damaging” practice.
• A teenage boy was charged with assault after a 15-year-old girl was hit on the head by a brick in Belfast yesterday evening.
• The CSO expressed confidence in its data for the tourism industry, following pushback from tourism bodies over figures recording that the number of foreign visitors to Ireland over the past year had plunged by almost one-third.
• The number of personal injury claims submitted to the Injuries Resolution Board last year rose by 1% to 20,318 – but remained below pre-pandemic levels.
• A man in his 70s died following a fire at an apartment block in Monaghan town yesterday evening.
• Conradh na Gaeilge slammed opposition by the DUP to Irish language signage in Belfast’s Grand Central Station, claiming their “mask has slipped”.
• Temperatures are set to climb into the 20s and sunny spells are to continue into next week, according to Met Éireann.

INTERNATIONAL

Elon Musk and Donald Trump in the Oval Office in February. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#TARIFFS: The Irish Government is braced for the impact of Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, which are anticipated to have a significant impact on the Irish economy. You can follow along live here.  
#GAZA: Israel said it would expand its military operations and seize “large areas” of the Gaza Strip where rescuers said 34 people were killed in Israeli strikes, including on a UN building.
#WISCONSIN: Trump was dealt a blow by voters in Wisconsin yesterday after they elected a liberal judge to the state’s Supreme Court, despite his billionaire advisor Elon Musk pouring millions into the race to sway the polls.
#US SENATE: US Senator Cory Booker finished delivering a marathon speech that lasted for over 25 hours to highlight Democrats’ objections to Trump’s sweeping actions.
#RIP: Actor Val Kilmer, a leading star of the ’80s and ’90s, died of pneumonia late last night in Los Angeles.

PARTING SHOT

Are you planning a staycation? 2018 image of Mike Keohane enjoying the hot Seaweed Baths in the rain in Snave, Cork Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

CSO figures show a 30% drop in foreign visitors to Ireland in February 2025 compared to last year.

The data is continuously collected at international ports and airports.

The CSO plans to meet with Tourism Ireland and other industry bodies to discuss the data this Friday.

With a drop in foreign visitors to Ireland, we wanted to know: Will you take a holiday in Ireland this year?

Take part in our poll here or see how others have been voting.