🗣️ "It is instrumental in the in the process of a functioning democracy." Following the revelation that former Fine Gael minister Ivan Yates provided media training to Fianna Fáil, The Group Chat discuss transparency in the media. 📺 The Group Chat | 10pm | Virgin Media One & Virgin Media Play

Education Minister Helen McEntee has launched a new government policy aimed at strengthening the use of the Irish language in schools. She said the initiative will play an important role in helping Irish become more of a “living, breathing language” in everyday school life. #VMNews

Dublin’s first dementia-inclusive shopping centre has been launched. It's an initiative from The Alzheimer's Society of Ireland, in partnership with Frascati Centre in the Blackrock area of the capital. #VMNews

Labour leader Ivana Bacik says “common sense should prevail” in the case of a Cork primary school that lost a teacher last month. Parents and pupils at Cloughduv NS have been protesting, calling on the Education Minister to recognise the village’s unique circumstances. #VMNews

A consultant paediatrician told the murder trial of a four-year-old boy that medical staff “gasped” when they saw his injuries. The defendant, his father’s partner, has admitted manslaughter but denies murder. The following report contains distressing details. #VMNews

Two men have been arrested in Co. Laois as part of a cross-border terrorism investigation involving Gardaí and the PSNI. [1/2]

Tánaiste Simon Harris has ruled out holding a referendum on abolishing the Triple Lock, despite opposition claims that Catherine Connolly’s election, after campaigning on neutrality, shows a public mandate to retain it. #VMNews

The Central Bank has fined crypto company Coinbase €21.3 million for breaching anti-money laundering rules. It found the firm failed to properly monitor more than 30 million transactions for money laundering or terrorist financing over a 12-month period. [1/2]

Evan Ferguson has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for this month’s World Cup Qualifiers against Portugal and Hungary despite earlier concerns over injury. Celtic striker Johnny Kenny misses out on the squad despite a recent run of good form. #VMNews

Two men in their 20s have been arrested in connection with the fire at a building housing International Protection applicants in Drogheda on Halloween night. Gardaí say investigations are ongoing. #VMNews

Another bird flu outbreak has been confirmed in a turkey flock in Co Meath, the second this week after a case in Carlow. Minister Martin Heydon says poultry products remain safe to eat and urged the public not to handle sick or dead wild birds. #VMNews

Two men in their 20s have been arrested in connection with the investigation into a fire at a building housing International Protection applicants in Drogheda, Co Louth, on Halloween night. [1/2]

A golden toilet artwork titled ‘America’ is expected to fetch up to $10 million at auction. The 18-karat gold piece, created by the artist behind the viral banana duct-taped to a wall, is a satire on art and U.S. culture. More on #VMNews

Israel says Zohran Mamdani’s New York mayoral victory won’t affect relations between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. The far-left lawmaker has accused Israel of genocide. His win was welcomed by Palestinians in Ramallah. More on #VMNews

The housing charity Threshold has reported a significant increase in renters seeking help due to the risk of homelessness. A new report released this morning highlights that the main issue facing tenants who contacted the charity is landlords selling their homes. More on #VMNews

Outgoing President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina have welcomed President-elect Catherine Connolly and her family to Áras an Uachtaráin. Connolly will be inaugurated as Ireland’s 10th president next week. #VMNews

Former Fastway workers have gathered at Leinster House calling for government support after the courier company’s closure. They say they have been left in limbo, unable to seek work or claim benefits without affecting their redundancy. #VMNews

A man and a woman have avoided jail for their role in what a judge described as an “elaborate romance fraud”. Both were described as “money mules” who were a small cog in a sophisticated operation. #VMNews

BREAKING: A second outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed in a commercial turkey flock near Kells, Co Meath. Restriction zones have been established. This follows confirmation of the disease in a flock in Co Carlow yesterday. More on #VMNews

A woman has gone on trial accused of murdering a four-year-old boy in 2021. The defendant has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denies murder. Neither can be named for legal reasons. The following report contains details that viewers may find upsetting. #VMNews

Portiuncula Hospital has apologised to the family of Maria Fitzpatrick, who died in 2009 after two misreported smear tests. The High Court heard today that if Maria Fitzpatrick was referred for further investigation she "would be alive today". #VMNews

Tánaiste Simon Harris says he’ll urge the authorities in Mauritius to revisit the case of Michaela McAreavey, who was killed there on honeymoon in 2011. Harris met with her husband and the Harte family, saying it’s “vital that we explore every single avenue,” [1/2]

Learner drivers who have held a car permit for four years will be required to sit a driving test before renewing it, under new rules aimed at closing an 11-year loophole. 🧵 [1/2]

At least nine people have died and eleven others are injured after a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after take-off from Louisville Airport in Kentucky. The aircraft came down in an industrial area, triggering explosions and a massive fire. #VMNews

Democrats are celebrating sweeping victories in key races across the United States - seen as the first electoral test of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. #VMNews

Former Fastway workers have gathered at Leinster House calling for government support after the courier company’s closure last week. They say they have been left in limbo as they are unable to seek new work or claim social welfare without affecting their redundancy. #VMNews

Outgoing President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina have welcomed President-elect Catherine Connolly and her family to Áras an Uachtaráin. Connolly will be inaugurated as Ireland’s 10th president next week, as Higgins’ 14-year tenure comes to an end. #VMNews

The UN World Food Programme warns of a "marathon recovery" for nations hit by Hurricane Melissa. Jamaica is rushing to rebuild after the Category 5 storm devastated its western region. More on #VMNews

An energy facility in Kharkiv has been damaged in a Russian drone strike, the latest in Moscow’s campaign on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as winter nears. Several homes were also hit, though no injuries were reported. More on #VMNews

A UN summit in Qatar has heard Sudan’s war is “spiralling out of control” after paramilitary forces seized El-Fasher in Darfur. Aid groups warn of civilians trapped or missing amid reports of mass killings and assaults. More on #VMNews

Live from 10pm, @kierancuddihy.bsky.social will be joined by Timmy Dooley TD, Matt Carthy TD & Mick Clifford to discuss: 🚨Is Government rhetoric on immigration changing? 🚨Political fallout from Ivan Yates' media training 🚨NYC mayoral election #TonightVMTV

David Beckham has been knighted by Britain's King Charles for his contributions to sport and charity. The 50-year-old former England, Manchester United, and Real Madrid midfielder received the honour in a ceremony at Windsor Castle. #VMNews

A man’s been jailed for 15 months in connection with the stabbing of two pigs on the Thornton Hall site in Dublin last year. Darren Jackson pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty, with the judge saying that his actions were debased. #VMNews

The Dáil returned amid criticism of government immigration policy after Citywest riots and the Drogheda fire, with Opposition TDs accusing ministers of hardening rhetoric. #VMNews

A jury has been sworn in for the trial of a woman accused of murdering a four-year-old boy five years ago.  The defendant has pleaded not guilty to murder, but has admitted to manslaughter. The case is set to continue this week. #VMNews

The Criminal Assets Bureau had its busiest year in 2024, auctioning off 20 properties linked to crime, marking a record for the bureau.  High-end cars and luxury goods were also sold, generating hundreds of thousands of euros. #VMNews

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley says his team's experience will help them as they head into a big week. After a 5th league title, they play AEK Athens on Thursday, then return to Dublin for the FAI Cup final against Cork City at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. #VMNews

An Post has unveiled its 2025 Christmas stamps, featuring new designs by Irish studio Unthink. The postal service is urging people to post early ahead of the busy festive season. 🧵 [1/2]

Fota Wildlife Park has confirmed it will remain closed until at least November 30th due to an ongoing avian flu outbreak. 12 cases of avian influenza have been confirmed within the park, resulting in 73 birds being humanely euthanised. [1/2]

Former US Vice President Dick Cheney, who served under George W. Bush during the Iraq war, has died aged 84. A dominant figure in Republican politics, he later made headlines for endorsing Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris for president. #VMNews

The Taoiseach says it was “no secret” that his party received media training from Ivan Yates. But the Tánaiste says he was “frustrated” that Yates’ comments during the presidential campaign caused damage to his party while working for a coalition partner. #VMNews

A man has been jailed for 15 months for stabbing two pigs at the Thornton Hall site in Dublin last year. Darren Jackson pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty. The judge described his actions as “debased,” saying the attacks reflected a disturbing level of cruelty. #VMNews

Ireland are training ahead of their clash with Japan at the Aviva Stadium this weekend. Andy Farrell’s side are hoping for their first win in the Autumn Nations Series after last week’s defeat to the All Blacks in Chicago, with mixed injury news from camp. #VMNews

Former US Vice President Dick Cheney has died aged 84, according to a statement from his family. Cheney served as vice president under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009 and was a central figure in shaping America’s “war on terror.” [1/2]

Voters in New York City are heading to the polls in a historic mayoral race. Zohran Mamdani, 34, leads the field and could become the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor. Donald Trump has endorsed rival Andrew Cuomo, warning of funding cuts if Mamdani wins. #VMNews

At least 20 people have died and hundreds injured after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan near a populated city. Officials warn the death toll is expected to rise. More on #VMNew

A medieval tower in central Rome collapsed during renovation work, seriously injuring at least one worker. Three workers were rescued, while one remained trapped. Firefighters ended the operation safely. More on #VMNews

A garda convicted of assaulting a teenager four years ago has offered €10,000 in compensation. The victim, who suffered a fractured skull, is currently in prison and couldn’t be contacted. Sentencing has been adjourned until February. More on #VMNews.

Former Kilkenny hurler DJ Carey has been jailed for five and a half years for conning 22 friends out of almost €400,000 by pretending he had cancer. The judge said he “cannot imagine a more reprehensible fraud.” More on #VMNews

🗣️“A lot of them are very angry, very mad, very bitter with him.” John Crowley, a friend of DJ Carey, says while many in Kilkenny are angry, others still admire the former hurler after his sentencing for fraud. More on #VMNews