Here's What Happened Today: Sunday

The most important Irish and international stories you need to know today.

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

jockey-darragh-okeeffe-and-trainer-henry-de-bromhead-after-winning-the-william-hill-each-way-extra-handicap-chase-at-navan-racecourse-in-county-meath-ireland-picture-date-sunday-february-8-2026 Jockey Darragh O'Keeffe and trainer Henry de Bromhead after winning the William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Chase at Navan Racecourse in County Meath. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

IRELAND

A man in his 70s died after the car he was driving crashed on a regional road in Co Tipperary this afternoon.
A new facility for homeless-specific healthcare and addiction treatment will officially open in Dublin City this week, but is yet to receive funding to operate at full capacity.
Minister Hildegarde Naughton said she is “disappointed” in protests led by farmers and the Irish Farmers’ Association against the leadership of Bord Bia chief Larry Murrin.
Residents of the flood-hit village of Passage East in Co Waterford met with Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran and other representatives today, where they expressed their frustration at inaction and a lack of urgency surrounding flood relief and defences.
Broadcaster Ryan Tubridy said he would be “a lot more attentive” to his contracts and finances if he could change the past.

INTERNATIONAL

sanae-takaichi-center-japans-prime-minister-and-president-of-the-ruling-liberal-democratic-party-ldp-puts-pins-marking-the-names-of-candidates-who-won-lower-house-elections-at-the-ldp-headquart Sanae Takaichi, Japan's prime minister and president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), puts pins marking the names of candidates who won lower house elections, at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo. Kim Kyung-Hoon / Pool Photo via AP Kim Kyung-Hoon / Pool Photo via AP / Pool Photo via AP

#LONDON: Irishman Morgan McSweeney has resigned as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff after claiming “full responsibility” for advising Starmer to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US.

#RIGHT TURN: The governing party of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has secured a more than two-thirds majority in a key parliamentary election, Japanese media reported.

#WINTER OLYMPICS: Lindsey Vonn was airlifted from the slopes after she crashed out of the women’s downhill at the Winter Olympics, failing in her audacious bid to medal in her favoured discipline at the Milan-Cortina Games.

PARTING SHOT

val-di-fiemme-italy-20260208-thomas-maloney-westgaard-from-ireland-during-the-mens-cross-country-20-km-skiathlon-at-lago-di-tesero-during-the-winter-olympics-in-milano-cortina-2026-photo-terje-pe Thomas Maloney Westgård pictured at the Winter Olympics in Italy. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

TEAM IRELAND’S THOMAS Maloney Westgård has finished in 35th place in the men’s 10km + 10km skiathlon at the Winter Olympics in Predazzo, Italy.

Making his third appearance at the Winter Olympics, Maloney Westgård crossed the line three minutes and 13 seconds behind gold medallist Johannes Høsflot Klæbo of Norway, to take 35th place out of 73 competitors.

Maloney Westgård, who was born in Norway and whose mother is from Galway, told RTÉ Sport that it was a difficult race, but he was proud to represent Ireland.