LAST UPDATE | 25 Aug 2025

GOOD MORNING. Here’s all the news to know as you start your day.

Peacekeeping in Lebanon

1. As Irish peacekeepers head out on patrol in the hills of south Lebanon today, diplomats in New York will be working to decide on whether their mission continues. 

Rents rising

2. Market rents rose by an average of 1.6% in the second quarter of the year – the eighteenth consecutive quarterly rise in rents. 

Vacant apartments

3. Over 100 apartments in Dublin 12 have been left vacant for more than three years over alleged building regulation violations, which the developer is disputing in court.

Toxic mushroom case

4. The only guest to survive a toxic mushroom lunch with Australian murderer Erin Patterson said he feels “half alive” without his wife – one of the killer’s three poisoning victims.

Student accommodation scams

5. Gardaí are warning  new college students to be wary of scams as they search for accommodation options ahead of the new academic year.

Irish dancing

6. Irish dancing is a significant part of Irish culture, but some former competitive dancers and parents have reservations about the Irish dancing world, describing it as “akin to beauty pageants”.

Social and affordable housing

7. The Housing Finance Agency (HFA) provided €709 million to support the delivery of social and affordable housing in the first half of the year.

Castlebar assault

8. Gardaí are investigating an alleged assault in Castlebar in the early hours of Saturday morning. 

Weather

9. As Ireland claims the remnants of Hurricane Erin, the country should feel a marked change in temperatures that spells the end of summer.