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The number of homeless children at risk has soared according to reports at State chhild-protection watchdog Tulsa. 

This is due to concerns for their welfare and safety.

This comes in the aftermath of a family of five having to sleep in a Garda station for the night when there was no emergency shelter available to them. 

According to The Irish Times, the issue with homeless families having to sleep rough in cars has worsened in recent times.

In correspondence on April 30th from Focus chief executive Pat Dennigan to Minster Zappone, he said that the situation “has deteriorated over the last few weeks”. 

In April, 32 families were left with no choice but to approach Garda stations, as no emergency accommodation beds were available.

“Of these, 12 families (20 children) reported to us the following day they had slept rough, mostly in cars,” Mr Dennigan told Ms Zappone.

Mr Dennigan has explained that he may publish the actual numbers of families that had to report to Garda stations at night each month on their website.

“Our board has repeatedly expressed grave concern for the families in this position and also that our services are being caught in an unacceptable position by the failure of the wider system,” he said.

This is a crisis that looks like it isn't going to be solved any time soon.

Figures emerging from the Department of Housing show a recorded 9,872 people as homeless in June 2018, 3,824 of whom were children.

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If this study is anything to go by, we seriously need to have a long, hard look at the issue of consent in Ireland.

Shockingly, an NUI Galway study found that the majority of third-level students do not think 28 standard drinks makes a person too intoxicated to give sexual consent. 

The researchers gave 753 online participates two different scenarios which involved drink and being able to give consent to do the deed. 

So here's how the survey worked:

The online respondents were given the same story of two students of Neil and Carol.

They go home together after a night out on the town to celebrate exam results.

However, those who completed the survey were split into two groups: one was given a "moderate" drinking level and the other was a "heavy" drinking consumption.

For clarity's sake as our opinion will majorly vary on what "moderate" and "heavy" consumption of alcohol is –  we will called in the experts.

Drinkaware.ie states that 28 standard units adds up to around 12 pints of beer at four percent alcohol or 700ml of spirits at 40 percent.

Carol and Neil's story starts off with them bumping into each other at a night club where they're both celebrating exam results from their college course.

"By midnight Neil had had the equivalent of about 5 (10) pints of beer, when he bumped into Carol, also 21, who is in one of his classes at college. She had also been out celebrating with her friends since the early afternoon.

“She had been drinking vodka (the equivalent of 4 pints (8 pints) of beer altogether). They started talking at the bar. Neil bought Carol a drink."

It continues with Neil knowing that Carol lives in the same student accommodation, so offers to share a taxi with Carol at the end of the night.

In the club, things begin to heat-up between the pair.

"Neil started kissing Carol and touching her. She moved his hands lower on her body."

The story finished with: “They took a break and had one more drink (three rounds of drinks) before the nightclub ended. In the taxi on the way home at 3 am Carol closed her eyes and dozed off for a few minutes. When they got to Carol’s apartment, Neil woke Carol up and they went into his flat. He made her tea and put on some music. They were having a good time laughing and joking together.

“He took out a bottle of whiskey and they each had one shot (a few generous shots). Both at this stage were a bit unsteady (and slurring their words), they talked for another while and shared a bottle of Coke (Neil spilled the tea all over the table and Carol nearly fell off her chair getting up to go to the bathroom). Then they went to his couch and started kissing again.

“Soon they had each removed their clothes. Through his actions, Neil made it clear he wanted to have sex with Carol. She asked him to put on a condom first. He did so and they had sex,” it concluded.

The results have somewhat floored us.

Twenty percent of respondents in the moderate drinking group "agreed" or "strongly agreed" that Carol was too drunk to give her consent to sex, while 14 percent thought Neil was too drunk to give his.

In comparison, to the heavy drinking participates, 33 percent thought Carol was too drunk and 30 percent thought Neil was too.

Furthermore, in their evaluation of the results, the report said: “Even when 28 standard drinks were consumed, 67 percent of students did not agree that Carol was too drunk to give consent, and 70 percent of students did not see Neil as unable to give consent.”

The study also highlighted that student's opinions, more often than not, didn't differentiate between "moderate" and "heavy" in alcohol intake, despite the stories varying. 

"These findings suggest that it is urgent to achieve enhanced awareness among young adults in college of the impact of drinking on the capacity to give consent," said the report.

Dr Pádraig MacNeela at NUI Galway said in relation to the results:

“The survey findings show that the social environment in which consent takes place among college students is often unsupportive – most women experience harassment, a large majority of all students are dissatisfied with their sexual health education at school, and social norms for drinking minimise the true impact of alcohol on the capacity to give consent.”

The study was conducted as part of a SMART consent research report which is run in NUI Galway

If you want more information surrounding the work they do and consent, please click here.

The report was published on Tuesday by Minister of State for Education and Skills, Mary Mitchell O’Connor.

Sexual consent has been a hot topic in Ireland over the last year and this study has given us a lot to mull over.

It's crucial that you arm yourself with the right information surrounding what is consensual and what isn't.

Remember: Safe, protected and consensual sex is always the sexiest. 

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The hosepipe ban just got serious. A warning has been issued regarding the water supply in greater Dublin area.

Irish Water has upped its attempt to conserve water as they caution usage.

“"We've about 70 days of usable water left,” said head of Irish Water, Jerry Grant.

That calculated number of days is in accordance with Dublin’s population of 1.6 million people.

Despite recent showers, there has been significantly less rainfall when compared to the previous three years.

According to Met Éireann, when averaged together, the last three years have seen 165 mm of rainfall recorded during the months of May, June, and July.

This year there was only 63.9 mm across the summer months, showing a significant water shortage problem.

"About the 10th or 12th of May, we had 150 days storage in Poulaphouca [Reservoir]. It's an enormous resource of water and it saves the city year in, year out.

“We used 80 days of that storage in 83 days. In other words, almost nothing was contributed to the storage in that period,” the head of Irish Water explained.

The hosepipe ban and water restrictions remain in place around the country.

It has also been reported that Ireland is the worst performer in western Europe for pipe leakage from water main pipes. It showed a measurement of 49% leakage across the country.

As a result, a leakage reduction project is underway in Hospital Co. Limerick.

The greater Dublin area has been urged to continue to conserve water as often as possible.

Check out these everyday steps one can take to save water around the house on Water.ie.

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Gin and tonic has been having a prolonged moment, but there is another up-and-coming drink angling for the top spot.

The Aperol Spritz is here to conquer summer, with everyone from Ireland's foodie influencers to the ladies who brunch enjoying a sip of the stuff. 

The drink has been around for years, but summer 2017 is set to be the season of the spritz, and we're ready for a change. 

 

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According to new Google Trend data, the Aperol Spritz is currently leading the way in the trendiness charts for Irish summer drinkers.

The drink is at peak popularity, just ahead of gin, and has seen a meteoric rise to fame, as did it's juniper-blended nemesis. 

The distinctive orange drink first became popular back in the 1950s after the aperitif was imported from Italy. 

Vogue has dubbed the drink as the one to watch this summer, but what is in the beverage exactly? 

Well, the distinctive drink is made up of three parts Prosecco, two parts Aperol and one part sparkling water.

The advised garnishings include orange wedges and green olives. 

The beverage has been enjoyed on the continent for years, with 200,000 gallons of the orange aperitif being consumed in France in 2015, according to World Crunch, so Ireland is slightly behind the times when it comes to the latest Aperol popularity surge, but hey, we've got all summer to catch up.

 Irish style influencer and Head of Digital, Global Retail at Dior, trend expert Ashley McDonnell is based in Paris, and knows exactly why the drink is so popular across the channel. 

'Everyone knows we love wine in France. In the winter it's hearty reds, in spring a chilled white, and summer is all about a glass of rosé by the Seine,' she explained to SHEmazing

 

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'However, over the last few years our Italian neighbours have been providing us with their own take on a cocktail that involves a good grape but in the form of the unmistakable orange cocktail: Aperol Spritz.' 

'The perfect marriage of Prosecco, soda, a slice of orange and Aperol to top it all off is taking over in Paris.'

'It’s quickly becoming the beverage of choice especially as the city heats up again, bringing some of the Italian Dolce Vita to the City of Lights, a much welcomed freshness to the long hot summer ahead,' she finished. 

Aperol Spritz at the So Prosecco pop-up at Taste of Dublin

The drink even made an appearance at So Prosecco at Taste of Dublin, where the city's finest eateries congregated to showcase their trendiest and tastiest wares last weekend. 

As Well + Good put it, it's about the 'desire to get buzzed—not blitzed,' and with a summer of outdoor brunching and beer garden get-togethers ahead, we couldn't be more ready for the season of spritz. 

Drinks anyone? 

Feature image: Instagram / solomia.mika

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Gin and tonic has become the go-to drink for practically half the country. The popular beverage has exploded in popularity over the past few years, and we’re not surprised.

As much as we love a G&T, we have to admit that we feel quite overwhelmed when we go to order one at the bar. What gin should I ask for? What type of tonic am I in the mood for? Will they add fruit? Or glitter?

We are spoiled for choice these days, but picking the perfect drink is tricky. Luckily, the Irish Gin and Tonic Fest is here to help.

They have just released Ireland’s best gin and tonic, which is bound to make your nights out that little bit easier.

This year’s festival ran across the 32 counties of Ireland with a total of 132 venues taking part and 16 GIN events throughout the country.

The 2018 edition featured 26 Irish gins that hail from every province in Ireland and are made with a huge variety of both farmed and wild Irish ingredients.

The festival asked the public to vote for their favorite #IrishGnT on Twitter and Instagram or by posting on the Great Irish Beverages Facebook page, and the results are in.

Ireland’s best gin & tonic in 2018 is…

Russell's Saloon & Gin Emporium, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

Bar manager of Russell’s, Jean McGuinness was thrilled with the result: “Everybody is so curious about Irish gin these days and they were excited to meet the distiller of our festival gin.”

“Our choice of using fresh pear with the blueberries went down a storm with our customers as they said the garnish really brought out the fruit in the gin and the bitterness in the Fever Tree tonic."

We love the sound of Russell’s pear and blueberry gin. We’ll certainly have to visit them this summer!

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They were set to play the All-Ireland qualifier against Cavan this Saturday.

Nevertheless, it seems that all is not well with the Mayo ladies football team. 

Reports have just emerged that there has been a mass walk out, with 10 players leaving the squad.

The Mayo News has said that the dispute was caused by welfare issues. 

The players who have walked include captain Sarah Tierney, vice-captain Fiona MacHale and Cora Staunton.

The team selector Michel MacHale – who is the father of Fiona MacHale – has also left the set-up.

The paper reports that the players informed manager Peter Leahy of their decision and then the county board.

Public Relations Officer Susan Rodgers confirmed that players had left the squad in the last week.

''Mayo Ladies County Board can confirm that a number of players have departed the county panel. Preparations are ongoing for Saturday’s All-Ireland Qualifier against Cavan and we will not be making any further comment until that game is over,'' she confirmed. 

Mayo would have been considered championship contenders going into this season after losing last year's All-Ireland final to Dublin.

Watch this space but it sure looks like the future of the Mayo ladies football team is on uncertain ground for the time being.  

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President Michael D Higgins has said in a statement that he will run for a second term in the Áras.

Previously, the figure head had said on the night of his election in 2011 that he would not seek another term in the position.

However, in recent years he has changed his mind and it was widely speculated that he would seek re-election.

Last autumn, the president said he would set out his intentions by September 2018, on seeking a second-term.

Nevertheless in recent weeks, he signalled that he would make his position known this month. 

A statement issued today stated:

“President Michael D. Higgins wishes to confirm that he will be offering himself as an independent candidate, under Article 12.4.4 of Bunreacht Na hÉireann, when the Ministerial Order for a Presidential Election is made later in the year.

“The Government has been informed of this decision.

“The President’s programme of official duties and engagements continues.”

Would you re-elect Michael D Higgins? 

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Gardaí are seeking the public's assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 29-year-old Rachel Garland, who is missing from Sean McDermott Street, Dublin 1

She has been missing since approximately 10am yesterday morning Saturday 8th July, 2018. 

Rachel is described as 5'2" in height, slight build with light brown hair and blue eyes.

Rachel Garland

When last seen she was wearing navy blue denim jeans, a coral t-shirt and a blue denim shirt over the t-shirt and black runners. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Store Street Garda Station on 01 666-8000, The Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

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TripAdvisor has just revealed their 2018 "Very Best of Travel", chosen by millions of travellers. 

While Paris, London and Rome were appointed top destinations for 2018, the experience section includes activities taking place in USA, Canada, Italy and… Ireland.

At the tenth position, after a cooking class in Florence, a bike-tour in Berlin or a VIP experience in the Vatican, the travellers have chosen the Wild Wicklow Tour, including Glendalough from Dublin.

For €33, you can get an overview of the wild landscape of Wicklow County on a full-day guided tour. After boarding a coach bus in Dublin, the tour includes a stop at the Wicklow National Park, the monastic settlement at Glendalough, and Sally’s Gap, offering insightful commentary about each stop. 

To see the full top ten, click here or scroll below:

1. Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse with Local Market Tour in Florence, Italy

2. Berlin Bike Tour, Germany

3. New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour, USA

4. Sydney BridgeClimb, Australia

5. Vatican VIP Experience: Exclusive Breakfast at the Vatican with Early Access to Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, Italy

6. New Orleans Cooking Class, USA

7. Rotorua Maori Hangi Dinner and Performance, New Zealand

8. Best of Niagara Falls Tour from Niagara Falls, Canada

9. Vancouver to Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour by Bus, Canada

10. Wild Wicklow Tour including Glendalough from Dublin, Ireland

 

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Ireland has been enjoying plenty of sunshine and high temperatures over the past week. The public has certainly been making the most of this heatwave with thousands flocking to their local park and beach to soak up the sun.

Unfortunately, a group of beach-goers ruined one of Ireland’s most-loved beaches – Brittas Bay-over the weekend, leaving the local community disgusted.

Brittas Bay Beach Care shared a shocking video of the beach which has been covered in empty beer bottles, cans, plastic bags an, wrappers.

The video has already accumulated over 2,000 views and people are truly horrified by the state the beach was left in.

One user said: “People are disgusting. Bring your rubbish home or to the nearest bin if the bin is full bring it home. This is just shameful.”

“Lazy, dirty people,” another added.

The team had no choice but to organise a Beach Sweep, which will run from 7 pm to 8 pm this evening. They’re seeking the public’s help in tidying up the beach and one generous citizen has already kicked off the cleaning spree.

The Brittas Bay Beach Care team explained: “We just popped down to see how our beach is doing this morning at 9.30am, to find a beach visitor cleaning up the sand at the South Beach entrance. They had seen the news stories about beachgoers littering and wanted to do their bit, so bought some bags down!”

“They said they wanted their children to see this is unacceptable behaviour,” they added.

The team shared a vital message that everyone needs to remember when heading along to the beach during the heatwave: Leave only your footprints.

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From Tuesday, July 10, to Wednesday, July 11 Dublin will be welcoming two very regal visitors.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to visit our lovely capital, and they've got a jam-packed schedule.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting invaluable institutions in Irish life during their trip, so they are, of course, stopping by Croke Park.

 

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They'll mingle with figures from Ireland's sports, military, arts, and social enterprise sectors at a summer garden party at the British Ambassador's residence, BreakingNews.ie reports.

The couple also has the chance to learn all about the Republic's rich past during their visit to Trinity College, which is set to include a look at the Book of Kells.

Harry and Meghan will observe a moment of reflection at the Famine Memorial during their trip.

Afterwards, they will visit EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, which recounts the story of the 10 million Irish people who have spread across the globe.

The Duke and Duchess are set to speak with kids and young people participating in free coding workshops in DogPatch Labs, a co-working space for technology start-ups. They will also be talking with female tech entrepreneurs.

Their schedule is rounded out with official meetings with President Michael D. Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

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There’s something so glamorous about a night out at the theatre, whether you’re going to see a serious production of a well-loved classic or a witty show at your local theatre.

We must admit that seeing a musical at the theatre is one of life’s simple pleasures, so it's time to pop on your dancing shoes and break out those 80s dance moves as Whitney- Queen of the Night is coming to Irish theatres.

The electrifying show will make its way to The Waterfront Hall, Belfast on January 16 and will then head to Dublin’s Olympia Theatre on January 17, 2019.

Whitney Houston’s music lives on in this captivating theatre show consistently receiving standing ovations and rave reviews.

Whitney – Queen of the Night is a stunning celebration of the music and life of one of the greatest singers of our time. This award-winning production features a sensational line-up of musicians and artists, with a powerhouse and breathtaking performance from rising West End star Shanice Smith as Whitney.

Taking us on a magical rollercoaster ride through three decades of classic hit’s, Shanice, winner of Brit Idol and a graduate of the world famous Brit School (where the likes of Adele and Leona Lewis cut their teeth), has triumphed in the role and has astounded audiences wherever she plays.
 

Beautifully remembering the most highly awarded female artiste in the world ever, the music of Whitney Houston has touched most of us at some time in our lives. With hits that include, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, One Moment In Time, I’m Every Woman, My Love is Your Love, So Emotional Baby, Run to You, Saving All My Love, I Will Always Love You, and many more.

Share her life and get ready for the greatest love of all in Queen of the Night!

Tickets from €29 including booking fee go on sale this Friday, June 22.

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