Shells collected during Captain Cook's third voyage, thought lost after being discarded by Newcastle University in the 1980s, have been rescued and are now set to be displayed at Chesters Roman Fort museum in Northumberland, England. The collection, which includes over 200 artefacts, was saved by Dr John Buchanan and later donated to English Heritage by his family. The exhibition will feature unique shells with historical significance, such as a thorny oyster from Jamaica and a 'Sunburst Star Turban' from New Zealand.

Patrick McDonagh, a 12-year-old Irish Traveller from Finglas, Dublin, tragically took his own life after being bullied. A documentary titled 'Patrick: A Young Traveller Lost' aims to shed light on his story and the broader challenges of the Traveller community, including high suicide rates. President Higgins and others provide personal testimonies in the film, which airs on RTÉ One. The documentary also features insights from Traveller voices and advocates for mental health awareness and anti-bullying initiatives.

Rosanna Davison has expressed her happiness about Ryan Tubridy securing a new radio job and reminisced about the empathetic way he conducted an interview with her on the Late Late Show regarding her miscarriages and surrogacy journey.

Tras Honan, the only woman to have served as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad since the foundation of the State, passed away at 93 in Co Waterford. President Higgins expressed his sorrow and praised her as a barrier-breaking Tipperary woman with a distinguished career. Honan was also remembered for her public service in Ennis and her roles as chairperson of Bus Éireann and Mercy Primary School's board. She was a Fianna Fáil member and had a significant presence in Clare politics. Honan is survived by her family, including her son T.V. and daughter Ann Honan-Croke.

The article discusses a recent drug seizure off the Wexford coast in Ireland, where a significant quantity of suspected drugs was found onboard the MV Matthew. The drugs are valued at €156 million. This incident is part of a series of substantial drug seizures by the Irish security authorities over the past thirty years. The photo accompanying the article is credited to Niall Carson and shows the MV Matthew being escorted into Cobh following the discovery.

Palestinian-Canadian doctor Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish has experienced profound loss due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with 25 of his family members recently killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. This tragedy echoes a past event in 2009 when three of his daughters and his niece were killed by a missile. Dr Abuelaish, originally from Jabalia Refugee Camp in Gaza, was the first Palestinian doctor to work in an Israeli hospital and has since become an advocate for peace and humanitarian support for Gaza. He has published a book, 'I Shall Not Hate', and founded The Daughters for Life Foundation in memory of his daughters, providing scholarships to young women in the Middle East. Now a professor at the University of Toronto, he remains connected to his Palestinian roots and continues to seek freedom for his people.

Killarney, a town in County Kerry, Ireland, has become the first in the country to ban single-use coffee cups. This initiative has been embraced by fifty businesses in the town, leading to a significant reduction in waste, with some businesses reporting a 30 percent decrease in rubbish bags. The move has sparked interest across Ireland as other communities watch to see the effects of this environmental policy.

Emily Hand, feared dead after a Hamas assault on Kibbutz Be'eri in Israel, is now believed to be held in a tunnel under Gaza. Her family and friends gathered to mark her ninth birthday, expressing hope for her return. Emily's father, Thomas Hand, spoke at a press conference, detailing the grim conditions of her captivity. The event featured balloons, cake, and sweets, with pink as the predominant color to symbolize Emily's youth. The crisis has resulted in over 11,000 deaths, and aid agencies warn of a humanitarian disaster due to low supplies in the region.

Storm Debi has caused significant disruption across Ireland, with over 34,000 people without power and a postwoman hospitalised in County Limerick. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar defended the 'red' weather warning issued by Met Éireann, noting that 100,000 homes were affected and prompt help will be provided to those hit by flooding, especially in Galway. The ESB Networks is working to restore power, while public transport and flights experienced cancellations and delays. Schools and childcare facilities were advised to delay opening, and the public was urged to exercise caution during the recovery phase. This is the fourth storm to hit Ireland since September, with Storm Debi being the most intense of the season.

Storm Debi caused significant disruption across Ireland, with over 34,000 people without power and a postwoman hospitalised in County Limerick. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar defended the 'red' weather warning issued by Met Éireann, noting that 100,000 homes were affected and prompt assistance was promised to those impacted by flooding, especially in Galway. ESB Networks deployed crews to restore power, but some areas remained without supply overnight. Public transport and flights experienced delays and cancellations, and schools and childcare facilities were advised to delay opening. The National Emergency Co-ordination Group described Storm Debi as the most intense storm of the season, with widespread trees down and coastal flooding.

Storm Debi caused heavy winds, fallen trees, and power outages across Ireland, with over 34,000 people remaining without power. A postwoman in County Limerick was hospitalized after being hit by debris but was not seriously injured. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar defended the 'red' weather warning issued by Met Éireann, noting that 100,000 homes were without power and pledged help for those affected by flooding, especially in Galway. The ESB Networks worked to restore power, with some areas expected to be without supply overnight. Public transport and flights experienced disruptions, and schools and creches were advised to delay opening. The National Emergency Co-ordination Group provided safety advice, and the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme will be extended to affected areas.

Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews have differing views on sending their children to boarding school. Williams prefers day school and wants to keep her options open for moving back to Ireland, while Matthews, an Etonian, is open to boarding school for their sons, Theodore and Otto, depending on their character. The couple, who married in 2018 and have three children, share insights into their lives through their reality show and podcast.

A report by the national housing charity Threshold highlights an increase in tenant queries about poor housing conditions, such as mould and broken heating systems. The charity proposes an NCT-style system to ensure rental property standards are met, citing legal requirements for landlords to maintain properties in a liveable condition. Threshold's CEO, John-Mark McCafferty, calls for an overhaul of local authority inspections to address inconsistencies and follow-up issues. The report also notes that over 900 households were helped to stay in their homes or find new housing, and 5,318 new households were at risk of losing their homes, with tenancy terminations being a significant challenge.

Ireland has matched its 2022 road death toll of 155 with two months remaining in 2023, following a fatal collision between a van and an e-scooter in Sligo that resulted in the death of a man in his 50s. The increase in fatalities is over 30% compared to the same period last year and nearly 40% higher than in 2019. The decline in Gardaí dedicated to traffic policing has raised concerns among road safety campaigners like PARC, which has proposed a nine-point plan to reduce road deaths. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Garda chiefs have expressed alarm at the rise in road deaths, with measures being discussed to address the issue. Junior Transport Minister Jack Chambers has signaled that mandatory drug testing for drivers involved in serious collisions will be introduced.

Met Éireann forecasts scattered heavy showers with possible thunder and flooding in Ireland, with temperatures ranging from 11 to 14C. Clear spells are expected following the showers, with temperatures dropping to 5 to 9C at night. The weekend will continue to see heavy showers and some sunny spells on Saturday, and more organized bands of heavy persistent rain on Sunday.

Ruhama's annual report, released in conjunction with EU Anti-Trafficking Day, reveals engagement with 497 individuals in the previous year, 68% of whom were new referrals and 147 identified as victims of human trafficking. The charity also assisted 212 individuals affected by prostitution and 138 at risk of sexual exploitation. CEO Barbara Condon emphasized the need for more action against sexual violence and exploitation. The report detailed a victim's experience of being trafficked to Ireland and the violence endured. Ruhama expanded services, including counselling, outreach, and job coaching through The Bridge to Work programme, and opened a new hub in Limerick. An additional €12 million was allocated in Budget 2024 to combat domestic and gender-based violence. Justice Minister Helen McEntee published a new National Action Plan to address human trafficking over the next four years.

Paris is experiencing a bedbug infestation affecting hotels, theatres, and public transport, coinciding with the arrival of thousands of Irish rugby fans for the World Cup. Social media videos reveal bedbugs in the Paris Metro and cinemas, and Airbnb rentals are also impacted.

Students from across Ireland will march in Dublin on October 4 to demand the government address the student accommodation crisis using the €65 billion 'rainy day' fund. The Union of Students in Ireland has called for 30,000 new student beds and free public transport, among other measures. USI President Chris Clifford criticized the government for hoarding funds while students struggle. People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd-Barrett supported the demonstration, calling for fair and accessible education.

Mark Ward TD, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, revealed that over 6,400 children have attended emergency departments for mental health issues since 2019, with nearly 1,000 cases this year alone. He criticized the government for inadequate investment in youth mental health care, leading to over 4,400 children on CAMHS waiting lists and over 16,000 awaiting primary care psychology services. He emphasized the need for early intervention and highlighted long wait times for high-risk children within CAMHS. The Irish Independent has reached out to the HSE and the Department of Health for comments.

Following a collision on the M50 where a vehicle sustained heavy damage, Dublin Fire Brigade commended the occupants for their quick thinking. The occupants had exited the vehicle and climbed over the safety barrier after their car broke down, which prevented any injuries when the collision occurred. The fire brigade reminded road users to always exit their vehicle and wait behind the crash barrier if they break down.