Here's What Happened Today: Wednesday

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.

NEW FLOUR MILLS0003 Government today announced a scheme to support the establishment of new flour mills. At the announcement at Bread 41 on Pearse street Dublin were Tom Cusack, Head of Food at Enterprise; Minister Peter Burke; TD Robert Troy, and Minister Martin Heydon.

IRELAND

More than half of the 374 children included in a review into mental health services in North Kerry were found to be at risk of harm.
Limerick woman Áine O’Reilly was a “brilliant” nurse who spent her life putting others before herself, mourners heard.
Limerick’s directly elected mayor John Moran said he was advised to “walk away” from the office, but insisted he’s “too stubborn and too passionate” to resign, amid a row with several councillors.
The median cost of buying a home in Dublin is now €500,000, according to latest figures released by the Central Statistics Office.
Drogheda United’s co-chairperson Joanna Byrne claimed that the club’s board have said her position is untenable following her calls for a boycott of Ireland’s Nations League games with Israel.
The advertising regulator said that artificial intelligence generated images on property listings are “not likely to mislead” if properly flagged.

INTERNATIONAL

several-people-during-the-burial-of-the-sardine-18-february-2026-in-madrid-spain-the-burial-of-the-sardine-brings-the-carnival-to-an-end-coinciding-with-ash-wednesday-in-a-celebration-that-this People pictured during the burial of the sardine in Madrid today. The burial of the sardine brings the carnival to an end, coinciding with Ash Wednesday, in a celebration that this year reaches 253 years of history. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#STEPHEN COLBERT: US late-night host Stephen Colbert accused CBS of refusing to broadcast his interview with a Democratic Senate candidate over fears it would violate regulatory guidance from president Donald Trump’s administration.

#NEW ORLEANS: US actor Shia LaBeouf was arrested and charged with two counts of simple battery after reportedly assaulting two people in New Orleans, according to US media reports.

#LISBON: Vinicius Junior said “racists are cowards” after the Brazil forward was allegedly abused during Real Madrid’s Champions League win over Benfica.

PARTING SHOT

YESTERDAY EVENING SAW a protest group of around 100 swarm the doorstep of the swanky and newly-opened Hoxton Hotel in Dublin 8.

It followed tensions between the hotel and its neighbour Yamamori Izakaya over alleged noise complaints.

Andrea Horan writes that it seems to be yet another tipping point reached for the people of Dublin, who have had enough of their city being sold off and taken over by the highest bidder.