LAST UPDATE | 15 Mar 2025

GOOD MORNING.

Here’s all the news you need to know as you start the day.

The Burkes

1. The Burke family made headlines this week after they travelled to Washington DC and were removed from a gala attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Thursday night.

In our main story this morning, Stephen McDermott examines how the family’s cause has been taken up by religious groups in the US. In particular, their activities needing to be seen in the context of a wider culture war crusade by the religious right against LGBTQ+ people internationally.

Ukraine peacekeeping

2. British prime minister Keir Starmer will host further talks on a peacekeeping force for Ukraine today after warning Vladimir Putin not to play games with a proposed ceasefire.

Starmer is expected to hold a video call with as many as 25 potential members of the “coalition of the willing”, nations that could take part in any peacekeeping operation.

North Sea ship crash

3. The Russian of the container ship which crashed into a US oil tanker in the North Sea has been charged over the death of a crew member.

The Solong’s master Vladimir Motin, from Primorsky, St Petersburg, in Russia, will appear at a court in Hull today charged with gross negligence manslaughter according to local British police.

Taoiseach meets Jewish groups

4. Over in Washington DC, representatives from three Jewish organisations met with Micheál Martin yesterday, where the Taoiseach was questioned about claims of “antisemitism and vilification of Israel” in Ireland.

Following reports yesterday that a number of Jewish organisations had pulled out of the meeting, Martin’s plans to talk to Jewish leaders in the US still went ahead.

Meath baby death

5. Gardaí are examining the circumstances surrounding the death of a baby at a home in Co Meath.

Dublin school to close over funding shortage

6. The principal of a Dublin school has said it will have to close because it can no longer afford to pay basic bills.

Sacred Heart Junior School in the Killinarden area of Tallaght is said to have “suffered massive underfunding for many years” due to cuts from the Department of Education.

Magazine Fort

7. The Magazine Fort in Dublin’s Phoenix Park will have a temporary reopening this summer.

Members of the public will be able to enter the almost 300-year-old fort as part of a series of events being held at heritage sites across the country.

Six Nations

8. Ireland close out their Six Nations campaign with a game against Italy this afternoon at 2.15pm.

They need to hope England and France slip up in their games to have any chance of retaining the title.

You can keep up with the coverage here.

St Patrick’s Day cooking

9. Given the weekend that’s in it, Jonny Murphy shares some simple recipes for St Patrick’s Day.

The former rugby player has written a new book filled with recipes for serving at home.