RTÉ News

The collapse of a major bridge in Baltimore is an "unthinkable tragedy," the mayor of the US city said, calling the incident "ongoing." The governor of Maryland has declared a state of emergency after the bridge collapsed, sending an unknown number of people into the harbour below. The container ship struck the four-lane bridge at around 1.30am local time (5.30am Irish time). Baltimore officials said at least seven vehicles plunged into the water but could not give an exact figure. 📲#rtenews

Ireland's Eurovision entry, Bambie Thug, says it has been 'amazing' to see children and young people connect with their music and message of inclusivity. Bambie is one of the favourites to make it through tonight's semi-final at the Malmö Arena in Sweden. #bambiethug #eurovision #eurovisionsongcontest #eurovision2024 #inclusivity #malmo #rtenews

Messi the dog, star of Anatomy of a Fall, got his own seat at the Oscars this year. The seven-year-old border collie was very well-behaved and could even be seen clapping for winners amongst the star-studded crowd. #academyawards #oscars #messi #anatomyofafall

"It's unbelievable that somebody from Macroom has qualified for the Eurovision!" Locals in Bambie Thug's hometown of Macroom in Co Cork reflect on their qualification for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. #eurovision #eurovision2024 #bambiethug #macroom #cork #rtenews

Rescuers who saved a young girl at Dún Laoghaire in south Dublin yesterday evening after she was apparently swept out to sea have said her calm demeanour in the water, as well as the jacket she was wearing, helped her to survive. The child, who is believed to be around seven years of age, was taken to hospital to be treated for her injuries which have been described as non-life threatening. A multi-agency rescue operation was launched after the alarm was raised at around 8.20pm. A number of members of the public attempted to enter the water to rescue the girl before Dún Laoghaire Coast Guard, the RNLI and Rescue 116, along with a number of other emergency services, attended the scene. 📲#rténews

Podcaster and influencer Keelin Moncrieff has told RTÉ’s Prime Time how she cannot afford to buy a house near her family, despite making a “substantial salary”. Explaining that she had moved home to live with her parents, Moncrieff said the Government needed “to take accountability for the lack of housing.” According to one recent EU survey, more than two in three young adults in Ireland are living with their parents. The EU statistics agency, Eurostat, said that 68% of 18-34-year-olds in Ireland lived with their parents – in sharp contrast to rates in many of our European neighbours. 📲#rtenews #primetime #housing #housingcrisis #livingathomeinyour20s

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said it is "clear at this stage" that the proposed amendments to the constitution have been defeated. #rtenews #referendums #ireland #politics

Watch the moment a motorcyclist is flung 25ft in the air while competing at the North West 200 in Co Antrim. Paul Cassidy escaped serious injury after a collision, landing in someone’s garden on top of a car. In a post on Facebook he thanked “everyone for all support...the medical staff did a cracking job.” #NorthWest200 #NW200 #motorbike #rtenews

Residents at Lough Funshinagh have described flooding in the area ‘a human rights issue where there is now a real danger to human life’ High winds have caused wave overtopping flooding the basement of one house. In a statement Roscommon County Council said that they and the OPW are maintaining and monitoring flood defences on a continuous basis and particularly during the current storm event. "Defences have held so far but wave action and overtopping is a concern at one location. On a more positive note, rainfall has not been significant today so far. Roscommon County Council is also in continuous contact with residents." 📲#rténews #stormkathleen

An Irishman who was in Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre when today's Sydney attack took place has described feeling 'sheer fear' as events unfolded. Niall Naughton, a Co Clare man living in Sydney, was in a shop dressing room when he learned that something was happening. Six people were killed and several others injured in the knife attack. #sydney #bondi #rtenews

Springer spaniel PJ spotted a potential playmate during his walk in Kilkee, Co Clare, yesterday. The persistent pooch was unperturbed by the fact that his new friend was actually a statue of silver screen legend Richard Harris, who was born in Limerick. Despite the lack of any response, PJ's excitement did not wane as he dropped a stone and pawed at the statue’s trousers and foot. Richard Harris died in October 2002 after a career that saw him garner two Oscar nominations as well as a Grammy award and Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival. He gained a young generation of fans for his portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies.

Amazon has announced that it will launch a new dedicated store in Ireland next year, Amazon.ie. The company says the new website will allow customers to browse products "with clearer, local pricing, and without additional customs charges." 📲#rténews #amazon

The World Irish Dance Championships are underway in Glasgow with thousands of dancers set to compete over the course of the weeklong event ☘️ #irishdance #irishdancing #irishdancer #glasgow #rtenews

Four people have been taken to hospital as a number of horses are running amok in central London, authorities in the British capital have said. Footage posted by social media users showed a saddled white horse seemingly covered in blood running through the street alongside another black one. The Telegraph newspaper said the horses belonged to the Household Cavalry, part of the British army, and that they had run loose while exercising at Horse Guards Parade, a ceremonial parade ground in central London. “We are aware of a number of horses that are currently loose in central London and are working with colleagues, including the Army, to locate them,” London’s Metropolitan Police said on X. 📲#rténews #horses #london

A motorist travelling at 209km/h in a 100km/h zone in Co Cavan was among over 1,800 drivers detected speeding over the St Patrick's Bank Holiday weekend. #roadsafety #drivesafe #ireland #rtenews

The Taoiseach Simon Harris has invited the families of the 48 Stardust victims to a meeting tomorrow morning. The families called for a State apology after yesterday's verdicts of unlawful killing were delivered at the inquests into their deaths. For Maria Carey, today has been about remembering her sister Caroline and her unborn baby. #stardust #stardusttragedy #dublin #rtenews

🐍 Legend has it that St Patrick banished snakes from Ireland but a Co Cork man recently found evidence to the contrary when he spotted one slithering alongside the tracks near Kent Station. Colm Twohig contacted the Opinion Line on Cork's 96FM to say that he was out walking with a colleague when he came across a snake, thought to be a non-venomous escaped family pet. Mr Twohig and his co-worker Siobhan Horgan had gone to see the new points system at the railway track at the end of Myrtle Hill when they noticed something unusual on the ground. "We were looking at it and walked over towards it and next thing it moved. "'Cripes, what’s that?’ I said. It had to be a snake. You wouldn’t expect to see a snake down around here."

What do people in New York make of the portal art installation connecting the Big Apple to Dublin? 👀 The livestream has been temporarily closed after a series of incidents involving "inappropriate behaviour". Meanwhile, the artist behind the project has appealed to "the lovely people of Ireland" to remember there could be children watching on the other side. #newyork #newyorkcity #dublin #portal #art #artinstallation #publicart #livestream #artist #artistsoftiktok #rtenews

For the first year ever, Dublin’s St Patrick’s Day Festival has introduced a ‘relaxed space’ along the parade route for neurodivergent people and their families. The Rosney family, including Darragh and Cormac who have autism, are looking forward to watching the parade from this new area 🇮🇪☘️ #StPatricksDay #StPatricksFestival #SPF24 #Ireland #rtenews #Ireland #Autism

This rescue is not one for people with claustrophobia. Scottish farmer Marian Porter squeezed through this tight tunnel to save two Scotch mule lambs who wandered off. At the end of the clip, both lambs are reunited with their mother. This rescue took place at Easter Dawyck farm in Scotland. Gary Thornborrow, who filmed the incident, said: "All farmers go to extreme lengths to care and look after their livestock on a regular basis and rescue missions like this we do without a second thought. "We're overwhelmed with the support and messages on social media, we’re hoping to do a something later in the year in connection with the rescue and try to raise some money for charity." #rtenews #lamb #sheep #rescue #farmtok