Headlines

 Ireland News Today, Tuesday 23 June 2026

Truth News Ireland 

Here are the main stories making headlines across Ireland right now:

1. Jeffrey Donaldson Found Guilty

Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, was convicted Monday at Newry Crown Court of one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency against two women when they were children, between 1985 and 2008. He denied all charges.

Donaldson, who led the DUP from 2021 to 2024 and was NI’s longest-serving MP, stepped down after his arrest in March 2024. He spent his first night in Maghaberry Prison and faces a “lengthy” prison term at sentencing. His wife Eleanor was found to have aided and abetted him but was ruled unfit to stand trial. 

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin called the crimes “evil and horrific”.

2. Heatwave Hits Ireland

Met Éireann says Ireland is in the middle of an “atypically hot spell”. Temperatures are set to hit 30C in some areas, with sunny, dry conditions forecast today. Thurles saw 26C this morning. 

3. Tragedy in Newry

A six-year-old girl died after being struck by a van in Newry. Gardaí and PSNI have appealed for witnesses. 

4. Housing and Cost-of-Living Pressure

Advocacy groups claim the Housing and Residencies Bill 2026 will lead to a bigger homelessness crisis. The Central Bank warned today that Irish workers’ real wages could fall if inflation hits 5% in 2027, after energy costs rose 15% in April and 12% in May. 

5. Other Headlines

- UL Student Centre Wins Award:

 University of Limerick’s €34m student centre, built partly with student “Leave a Legacy” fees, won a Royal Institute of Architects award for public buildings.

- Contraception Prescriptions: 

Pharmacists are set to renew contraception prescriptions under planned legislation.

- Redress Calls: 

Women are calling for redress over historical abuse at a Co Cork school.

- Revolut Refunds: 

Revolut will reimburse nearly 112,000 Irish customers over incorrect ATM charges.

-Rugby: 

Ireland captain Caelan Doris and Tommy O'Brien ruled out of Nations Championship due to injury.