The Gardaí have confirmed that three people were taken to Letterkenny University Hospital as a precaution.

The crash involved a Bus Éireann Expressway bus, which was carrying up to 13 passengers.

The road has been closed, and local diversions are in place. Motorists are advised to find alternative routes. Bus Éireann staff are at the scene, helping those involved in the crash.

A spokesperson for Bus Éireann said an investigation will be carried out.

“Bus Éireann can confirm that one of our coaches on Route 64, from Sligo to Derry, was involved in a collision this morning just after 10am at Manorcunningham.

“Local emergency services and Bus Éireann staff are at the scene, providing all necessary support. The collision will be investigated according to our usual procedures.

“The safety of our passengers, staff, and the public is very important to Bus Éireann. We thank the Gardaí and emergency services for their quick response to the incident.”

The 2024 US Presidential Election has been one of the most contentious and closely watched in recent history. Early polls indicated a tight race between former President Donald Trump and incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris. A notable poll from Iowa showed Harris overcoming Trump, highlighting the unpredictable nature of this election.

Donald Trump, born June 14, 1946, in New York, has carved out a uniquely controversial path in American politics. Bursting onto the political scene with his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump secured the White House by winning the Electoral College, even as he lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton. His presidency was defined by sweeping policy changes, two historic impeachments, and a deeply polarizing leadership style.

Despite his 2020 election defeat to Joe Biden, Trump remained a dominant force within the Republican Party, ultimately launching his 2024 presidential bid. His campaign centers on key issues like immigration, economic reform, and national security.

The 2024 campaign saw several high-stakes interactions between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, as both candidates fiercely competed in crucial battleground states. Trump energized his base with rallies in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, while Harris focused her efforts on Michigan and Pennsylvania. The race was filled with intense and heated exchanges, with Trump frequently attacking Harris’s policies and leadership, adding to the electrified atmosphere of the campaign.

As Election Day unfolded, voters across the nation turned out in record numbers. Polling stations began to open at 13:00 GMT, with the first polls closing at 01:00 GMT on Wednesday morning. Early results showed a neck-and-neck race, with both candidates claiming victories in various battleground states. The first exit polls released indicated that key issues for voters included the economy, healthcare, and the state of democracy.

In a surprising move, Donald Trump declared victory before the final votes were counted. Addressing his supporters in Florida, Trump stated, “This is a magnificent victory for the American people,” and claimed to have won the popular vote. His declaration came amid ongoing vote counts in several key states, adding to the election’s tension.

As the vote count continued, both campaigns prepared for potential legal battles. The focus remained on seven crucial swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and North Carolina. These states were expected to determine the final outcome of the election, with both candidates making their final pushes in these regions.

Key Dates and Events

• November 5, 2024: Election Day, with polling stations opening at 13:00 GMT and the first polls closing at 01:00 GMT on November 6.
• November 6, 2024: Ongoing vote count and early results continue to come in, with both campaigns closely monitoring the situation.
• Mid-December 2024: The Electoral College is expected to meet to formally cast their votes for the President and Vice President.
• January 6, 2025: Congress will convene to count the Electoral College votes and officially declare the winner of the election.
• January 20, 2025: Inauguration Day, where the newly elected President and Vice President will be sworn into office.

According to reports, the alert was triggered when two children were approached and threatened by an individual near the school premises. The nature of the threat has not been disclosed, but it was deemed serious enough to warrant immediate action. The school administration decided to close the school for the day to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

Local authorities were promptly notified, and an investigation is currently underway. Gardaí have increased their presence in the area to provide reassurance to the community and to gather any information that might help identify the individual responsible for the threat.

Parents were informed of the situation through an emergency communication system, and many expressed their shock and concern. One parent mentioned that the safety of their children is paramount, and they hope the authorities will resolve the issue swiftly.

The school has stated that it will remain closed until further notice while security measures are reviewed and enhanced. Counseling services are being offered to students and staff affected by the incident.

This event has highlighted the importance of school safety and the need for robust security protocols to protect children. The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

As the investigation continues, the school and local authorities are working closely to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. 

Minister for Education Norma Foley described the findings as “truly shocking”¹. The report marks the first time the scale of child sexual abuse allegations in these schools has been disclosed, based on information supplied by religious orders and survivors. The inquiry found that over half of the alleged abusers are known to be deceased. Special schools were particularly affected, with 17 such institutions recording 590 allegations involving 190 alleged abusers.

The report includes distressing testimonies from survivors, many of whom were speaking out for the first time. Survivors recounted experiences of being molested, stripped naked, raped, and drugged. These incidents predominantly occurred between the early 1960s and the early 1990s, with the highest number of reported incidents in the early to mid-1970s.

In response to the report, the government has announced plans to establish a commission of investigation with wide-ranging powers. This commission will be tasked with examining the cases of sexual abuse at these schools and will work on appointing a chairperson and drawing up its terms of reference immediately. The inquiry has also recommended that the government consider a redress scheme for survivors and approach relevant religious orders about contributing to this scheme.

Minister Foley expressed deep gratitude to the survivors for their courage in coming forward. She emphasized that their contributions were invaluable to the scoping inquiry and the resulting report. The government’s move to establish a commission of investigation is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the historical injustices faced by survivors and ensuring that such abuses are never repeated.

The revelations have sparked a national conversation about the need for accountability and justice for the survivors of these horrific abuses. As the commission of investigation begins its work, the hope is that it will bring some measure of closure and justice to those who have suffered for so long.

The protests initially started as a movement against the government’s job quota system but quickly escalated into widespread anti-government demonstrations. Students, activists, and opposition parties have been at the forefront, demanding Hasina’s resignation and an end to her 15-year rule. The situation intensified over the weekend, with violent clashes between protesters and security forces in Dhaka and other major cities.

On Sunday, the violence reached a peak, with reports of at least 98 people killed in a single day. The government responded by imposing a nationwide curfew and shutting down internet services in an attempt to control the situation. Despite these measures, the protests continued to grow, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets.

In a dramatic turn of events, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister were evacuated from her official residence, Ganabhaban, to a safer location. Reports indicate that they were flown to India in a military helicopter. The army chief, Waker-Uz-Zaman, is expected to address the nation soon, with speculation that the military might take control to restore order.

The resignation of Sheikh Hasina marks the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics. She has been a dominant figure in the country’s political landscape, serving as Prime Minister since 2009. Her tenure has been marked by significant economic growth and development, but also by allegations of authoritarianism and human rights abuses.

The international community is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh. There are concerns about the potential for further violence and instability in the region. Human rights organizations have called for restraint and dialogue to resolve the crisis peacefully.

The violence erupted in several towns and cities, including Liverpool, Hull, Bristol, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Blackpool, and Belfast. Far-right groups organized demonstrations that quickly descended into chaos, with missiles thrown, shops looted, and police officers attacked. In Liverpool, bricks, bottles, and flares were hurled at police, resulting in injuries to several officers.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the violence and pledged full support to the police to take action against extremists attempting to sow hate. He emphasized the distinction between the right to freedom of expression and violent disorder.

The unrest has been fueled by false information spreading online, suggesting that the suspect in the murders was a radical Muslim migrant. This misinformation has sparked anti-immigration protests, with demonstrators shouting Islamophobic slurs and clashing with counter-protesters advocating for unity and tolerance.

In Sunderland, anti-immigration demonstrators threw stones at police near a mosque, overturned vehicles, and set a car alight. The police have increased their presence in anticipation of further violence, and mosques have tightened security.

The situation has been described as the worst unrest in the UK in 13 years, reminiscent of the riots in 2011. The government and police are working to restore order and address the underlying issues that have led to this surge in violence.

The protests have not only caused physical damage but have also deepened social divides. Far-right groups, including the English Defence League and Patriotic Alternative, have been identified as key players in organizing these demonstrations. They have used social media to spread false claims about the suspect’s identity and background, further inflaming tensions.

In response to the escalating violence, the government has announced a national response linking police forces across the country through shared intelligence and the expanded use of facial recognition technology. This coordinated effort aims to prevent further outbreaks of violence and ensure the safety of all citizens.

The unrest poses a significant challenge to Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership, as he navigates the complex landscape of public order, misinformation, and social cohesion. The Prime Minister has called for unity and urged the public to reject the divisive rhetoric of extremist groups.

As the UK braces for more potential protests, the focus remains on restoring peace and addressing the root causes of the unrest. The tragic events in Southport have highlighted the urgent need for accurate information and responsible discourse in the face of crisis.

On the morning of July 15, 2024, emergency services responded to reports of fires at the site. Footage shared on social media showed parts of the site, including construction machinery and pallets, engulfed in flames. The Dublin Fire Brigade dispatched three fire engines and a turntable ladder to tackle the blazes. Gardaí closed Malahide Road in both directions and implemented local diversions.

The situation escalated into a public order incident, with Gardaí deploying the Public Order Unit and using pepper spray to control the crowd. Protesters threw missiles and petrol bombs, resulting in injuries to several Gardaí and a security guard, who was hospitalised. A Garda car was set alight, and other vehicles were damaged during the clashes.

Fifteen people were arrested and charged in connection with the disturbances. They are due to appear before a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice. The Department of Integration condemned the violence, emphasizing that the site was intended to house up to 500 international protection applicants.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee expressed her outrage at the criminal behavior, vowing to bring those responsible to justice. Taoiseach Simon Harris also condemned the actions, stating that they were designed to sow fear and division. He stressed that such actions should not be legitimized by describing them as protests.

The unrest has sparked a broader conversation about the treatment of asylum seekers and the rise of anti-immigrant sentiment in Ireland. Local residents and officials are calling for calm and urging the community to support integration efforts. The Department of Integration reiterated its commitment to providing safe and secure accommodation for those seeking asylum in Ireland.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by asylum seekers and the need for a balanced approach to integration and community safety. The government and local authorities are working to address these issues and ensure that such violent incidents do not recur.