Irish Government updates employment-permit processing dates, signalling peak-season backlog
Revenue Officers seize €230,000 of cocaine at Dublin Airport, underline strict customs enforcement
Spike in Jordanian asylum claims tied to UK visa policy change, Irish officials say
Latest News
Gardaí intercept ‘extremely significant’ car bomb near Northern Ireland border, heightening cross-border security
Gardaí seized a “hugely significant” car bomb in County Monaghan on 22 July and charged a 25-year-old woman on 24 July, disrupting an alleged dissident-republican plot to target Northern Ireland. The operation has triggered intensified security on cross-border road corridors, meaning business travellers face more checkpoints and possible delays during Ireland’s EU Presidency.
Dublin braces for EU Environment Ministers’ summit as Gardaí roll out security cordon
Rolling road closures and drone flight bans are in effect around Dublin Castle today as Ireland hosts the EU Environment Ministers’ summit (23-24 July 2026). Gardaí say disruptions will be localised, but commuters and business travellers should allow extra time when moving through Dublin 2, 4 and 8. The operation foreshadows further mobility pinch-points during Ireland’s EU Presidency through December.
DETE updates employment-permit processing dates: Critical Skills now at 8 July 2026
Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has advanced its published work-permit processing dates: Critical Skills files are now at 8 July, General Employment Permits at 17 June and Trusted Partner renewals at 15 July 2026. The incremental improvement eases pressure on employers trying to secure talent before the autumn but lower-salary sectors still face delays. ([enterprise.gov.ie](https://www.enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/current-application-processing-dates/current-processing-dates-for-employment-permits.html?utm_source=openai))
High-speed Dublin–Holyhead ‘Swift’ sailings cancelled again as ferry operator cites “operational reasons”
All Dublin Swift catamaran crossings on 24 July have been cancelled, forcing passengers onto slower conventional ferries and squeezing freight capacity. Travellers should rebook or allow additional time, while employers may need to adjust cross-border assignments. Irish Ferries hopes to resume the high-speed service tomorrow.
First direct Shanghai–Dublin service takes off, opening new gateway for Chinese tourism and trade
China Eastern Airlines has begun a thrice-weekly non-stop service between Shanghai and Dublin, adding 45 000 annual seats and shaving hours off existing routings. Tourism Ireland says the flight will accelerate the rebound of Chinese leisure and business traffic, while exporters and multinationals gain a faster gateway to Asia. ([tourismireland.com](https://www.tourismireland.com/news-and-press-releases/press-releases/article/chinese-media-and-travel-trade-explore-ireland-following-inaugural-shanghai-to-dublin-flight))
Gardaí foil ‘extremely significant’ car-bomb plot near Northern Ireland border
Irish police stopped a car on the N2 in County Monaghan and seized an explosive device believed destined for Northern Ireland, arresting two suspects. While the border remains open, Gardaí and the PSNI have stepped up patrols, and logistics firms are bracing for spot-checks that could delay cross-border freight and commuter traffic. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/18e8045f2230bb652e639e896ea2a8c1?utm_source=openai))