Latest News

IRISH motorists are being warned that some current speed limits are being reduced on a number of roads – in a bid to lower the risk of accidents and fatalities.

Speed limits on some rural roads are being reduced by 25 per cent.

Getty Images - Getty

Drivers who don’t slow could be hit with fines and penalty points from Friday, February 7.

They will be slapped with three penalty points and a fixed charge fine of €160.

The changes for rural local roads will mean that current 80km/h limits will be dropped to 60km/h.

Motorists will soon spot the new speed limit signs that will have replaced existing ones.

A sign with a white circle and three diagonal black lines will mean that your speed must change from 80km/h to 60km/h.

Drivers in urban areas, which include built up parts as well as housing estates and town centres, will also see speed limit changes later this year.

In these urban core spots, speed limits will be reduced to 30km/h.

And the speed limit on national secondary roads will also drop from 100km/h to 80km/h.

Irish government officials said the changes are a part of the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 to achieve zero road deaths or serious injuries by 2050.

They said: “Introducing more consistent and appropriate speed limits will help to improve road safety in Ireland.

“These changes are being made under the Road Traffic Act 2024.

“The Act follows a number of key recommendations from the Speed Limit Review, which was undertaken by the Department in 2023.”

Government said there was a “strong downwards trend” in the number of fatalities on our roads between 2006 and 2021.

The number of road deaths fell from 365 fatalities in 2006 to 132 in 2021, which was our safest year on record.

Fianna Fail politician Jennifer Murnane O’Connor took to social media to warn motorists.

She said: “Drivers need to prepare for changes to speed limits on our roads!

“Default speed limits on rural local roads will decrease from 80km/h to 60km/h. and these limits will come into effect on Friday the 7th of February 2025!

“New speed limit signs will replace existing ones to reflect this change.

“The meaning of the Rural Speed Limit sign (a white circle with three diagonal black lines) will change from 80km/h to 60km/h as well.

“Later in 2025, the speed limit in urban cores, which include built up areas as well as housing estates and town centres, will reduce to 30km/h.

“The speed limit on national secondary roads will also reduce from 100km/h to 80km/h.”

Alamy

THE mum of an eight-year-old girl who died following an incident in her Wexford home last month has told how her “heart is broken into a million pieces”.

Little Malika Noor Al Katib died from injuries sustained during an incident in her home on Upper William Street, New Ross on December 1 at around 11.30 pm.

Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Malika’s mother, Aisha Al Kattib is continuing to recover from injuries sustained in the same incident.

And speaking to the New Ross Standard, Aisha told how the entire community came together to show her support in her time of grief.

She said: “I am very grateful for all the kind messages and how New Ross came together as a community to help each other.”

The devastated parent said kind-hearted people left flowers, cards and teddies outside the home she lived in with her little girl after the tragedy.

And she told how little Malika was “pure love”, describing her as a compassionate and confident child who “never wanted anyone to be hurt or feel pain”.

Aisha said: “My heart is broken into a million pieces and taste of life is gone from me without my daughter.”

“Everyone knows Malika and I lived in New Ross for four years, peacefully and happily. We loved being here. I have the best neighbours in the world and I am so grateful.

“Malika came from a multinational, multi-religion family, but most of us are Irish and are very proud of the fact of being Irish.

“Thank you to the kind, open minded people who were caring and compassionate.

“And also, the people who know myself and my beautiful daughter Malika Noor, which means ‘princess of light’.

“She definitely was my light throughout her whole life and even now, her strength lives on in me.”

Aisha confirmed that once she has healed from her injuries she will be organising a memorial for Malika.

Malika was laid to rest on Saturday, December 14, in Kilbarry Cemetery, Waterford.

Mohammad Al Shaker Al Tamimi, 34, of Lower William Street in New Ross, Co Wexford, appeared in court on December 4 charged with the murder of his daughter and the attempted killing of her mother.

He was further remanded in custody after appearing via video link at Wexford District Court on January 14.

Family Handout/PA Wire

Read more

CONOR McMANUS has opened up on why he retired from inter-county football – admitting “my heart wanted to go on”.

The Monaghan talisman bid farewell on January 17 after a career that spanned 18 seasons following his 2007 debut against Roscommon.

Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

His retirement came just eight days before the Farney beat Cavan in their opening game in Division 2 of the Allianz League on Sunday.

A hip injury plagued the latter years of the 37-year-old’s career, ultimately forcing him to “listen to my head and my body”.

Speaking to Declan Bogue of The42, he explained: “I wanted to play for Monaghan. You didn’t know where you were at.

“I suppose in the last two years, I probably showed myself what I could get out of it, even the hip being the way it is.

“That’s why the decision took as long as it did this year. I gave it every chance and I wanted to make the call before the league started.

“I didn’t want it to be… someone might even say it was too close to the start of the league.”

McManus won his first of two Ulster championships in his debut year while he also collected three All-Stars.

The 37-year-old also won two National League titles, four Railway Cups, and four International Rules series.

Between 2008 and 2024, he scored 9-291 and was named at number 15 on the GAA Football Championship Team of the Last 25 Years.

‘Mansy’ added: “I don’t look back with many regrets in that I have gone as hard as I could, for as long as I could.

“Would I have liked to have gone and done another year with Monaghan? Yes. 100%. It wasn’t an easy decision.

“In my heart I wanted to go again but my head and my body were telling me otherwise and eventually I had to listen to them, whereas I haven’t listened to them the last couple of years.

“I would have loved nothing more to go another season, but I didn’t want to just be there.

“I think too much of Monaghan just to be in there for the sake of keeping in there.”

WHAT A MANSY

Monaghan GAA paid tribute to him as a “magician on the ball” who was known for his “unparalleled skill”.

A statement read: “I must say, it has been a privilege to witness such exceptional talent performing day in and day out for his club and county.

“He stands out as one of the finest players to have graced our fields and stadiums over the past quarter-century.

“His skill places him among the very best and he has served as an inspiration to countless young athletes.

“His legacy will endure forever in Monaghan and throughout the national GAA community.

“In addition to his remarkable abilities on the pitch, he was equally impressive off it, always finding time for fans after games.

“It was common to see Conor surrounded by supporters from opposing teams after matches also.

“Thank you for the unforgettable memories and the grace you brought to the game.”

There’s no sugarcoating it: Workout equipment is expensive. Stocking up on basic items like mats, resistance bands, and dumbbells can rack up a hefty bill—unless you know where to look. And right now, shoppers are turning to Five Below. The discount retailer just released a new Pilates line that includes shaker bottles, workout cushions, mini yoga wheels, pilates rings, free weights, and more.

"Wellll I’m going today because the Pilates ring is $20 on Amazon," said one shopper in the comments section of TikToker Grace Smith's recent videovideo. "Your sign to become a pilates princess for less," @ambarskye captioned her own video.

Best of all, almost every item costs $5 or less. But if you want to get your hands on some, we recommend getting to Five Below as soon as possible because some items are already selling out—the Pilates ring was not available online at the time of writing, and much of the gear was no longer available in the cute pink color. For now, here are seven top picks.

RELATED: 7 Best Amazon Lululemon Dupes, According to Real Shoppers.

​1. Pilates Fitness Bar

You don’t need a gym membership to get a full-body workout. This Pilates bar can be used to perform squats, kicks, standing rows, lunges, push-ups, and various stretches. You can also use it to make basic Pilates moves more challenging with the addition of resistance. Simultaneously, you’ll be working on your balance and coordination.

​2. Dumbbells

Dumbbells are sneakily expensive. For example, at Target, expect to pay about $10 for a single five-pound dumbbell. At Five Below, these cute black or pink weights are half that price. The one-pound dumbbells are just $2, while the eight- and ten-pound weights are $5.95 (compared to $14 and $17.50, respectively, at Target).

3. Yoga Mats

No pilates home studio is complete without a cushy yoga mat. This one measures 24 inches by 68 inches, and has a non-slip texture, so you don’t have to worry about sliding out of place.

​4. Yoga Blocks

There's a lot of crossover between yoga and Pilates, so these Yoga blocks are likely to come in handy for both types of fitness classes.

5. Fitness Ball

If it’s a six-pack you’re after, then you might need this exercise ball. It targets ab muscles while also improving balance and posture. A fitness ball is an easy way to make a simple exercise, like sit-ups, a million times harder.

6. Resistance Bands

Many a Pilates class uses resistance bands to increase the intensity of certain moves. This three-pack of bands comes in light, medium, and heavy intensities, so you can take things at your own level.

7. Thigh Trainer

Remember these from 30 years ago? Well, the thigh trainer is back, and Five Below has one for just $5.

8. Wrist Weights

Don’t underestimate the power of one-pound wrist weights—you’ll be feeling the burn within seconds. These from Five Below have an adjustable fit and are designed with reflective paneling for safety at night. Wear them outside of pilates, too, while styling your hair or doing chores for a quick but effective arm workout.

9. Foam Roller

Stretching is essential to any Pilates practice, and this foam roller will help massage your sore muscles to prevent stiffness and injury.

10. Kettlebells

Kettlebells more your thing? Grab an eight- or ten-pound weight for just $5.95 at Five Below. On Amazon, Kettlebells are close to or more than $20.