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Tag: Ireland

  • Biden’s administration plans to renew travel restrictions on EU, Britain, Ireland, South Africa, others – Reports

    Biden’s administration plans to renew travel restrictions on EU, Britain, Ireland, South Africa, others – Reports

    U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration plans to renew travel restrictions on most non-citizens who have recently been in the European Union, Britain, Ireland, and Brazil, according to U.S. media reports.

    Along with extending travel restrictions the White House will impose restrictions on people who have been in South Africa, where a new variant of the coronavirus has caused concern among scientists, according to reports in CNN and NBC.

    The White House has already said that the administration plans to renew the travel restrictions, which former President Donald Trump ordered to end on Tuesday.

    “With the pandemic worsening, and more contagious variants emerging around the world, this is not the time to be lifting restrictions on international travel,” Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary tweeted earlier this week.

    “On the advice of our medical team, the Administration does not intend to lift these restrictions (on Jan. 26).

    “In fact, we plan to strengthen public health measures around international travel in order to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” Psaki added.

  • Over 7700 sign petition, demand justice for Nigerian, George Nkencho killed in Ireland

    Over 7700 sign petition, demand justice for Nigerian, George Nkencho killed in Ireland

    Over 7,757 persons have signed a petition seeking justice for a 27-year-old Nigerian, Mr George Nkencho, who was killed by police in Ireland.

    Recall TheNEwsGuru (TNG) had earlier published series of report on Nkencho who was shot dead by armed gardaí in west Dublin on Wednesday afternoon.

    A protest took place Thursday morning outside a garda station in Dublin following the fatal shooting of the 27-year-old Nigerian.

    In a video that surfaced online, some protesters knelt outside Blanchardstown Garda Station in memory of Nkencho.

    They also displayed placards with various inscriptions.

    It was learnt that shots were discharged at the Nigerian after apparent attempts to subdue him by two tasers and pepper spray proved unsuccessful.

    The online petition on change.org targets 10, 000 as of 7:00pm on Friday when TNG visited the website.

    The petition, titled, ‘Justice for the unlawful killing of George Nkencho #justiceforgeorge’, was started by Megan Lacey.

    It read, “A young black man was fatally shot dead by Garda on the 30th of December 2020. 12 Garda followed him home and shot him outside of his home three times. George Nkencho suffered from a mental illness. There were five Garda with guns and George was carrying a knife.

    “The Garda are trained to be able to deal with it these situations, and the fatal shooting of George was completely avoidable and unlawful.

    “The garda that have been trained to project our country have failed miserably. They are trained so that justice is always served. They need to take responsibility for their actions and the unlawful killing of George.

    “Help us get the attention of the Department of Justice. We want answers! We want justice for George.”

  • NiDCOM chair demands justice for killing of George Nkencho in Ireland

    NiDCOM chair demands justice for killing of George Nkencho in Ireland

    Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman /CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has demanded justice for Mr George Nkencho, a 27-year-old Nigerian killed in Ireland.

    Dabiri-Erewa in a statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Head of Media and Public Relations, condemned in strong terms the killing of Nkencho,

    She described as callous and wicked, the killing of the Nigerian by a police officer.

    The NiDCOM chair, therefore, called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.

    She appealed to the enraged Nigerian community in Ireland to exercise patience and wait for the outcome of investigation into the unfortunate incident.

    She condoled with the family of he deceased and the Nigerian community in Ireland over the incident and prayed God to give the family and friends the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • [Photos] Nigerian community stage mass protest in Dublin over fatal shooting of George Nkencho

    [Photos] Nigerian community stage mass protest in Dublin over fatal shooting of George Nkencho

    The Nigerian community in Ireland on Thursday staged a massive protest in Dublin over the killing of a Nigerian, George Nkencho by armed gardai on Wednesday.

    They (the Nigerian community in Dublin) are also pushing for criminal trial of Garda (policeman) who brutally killed Nkencho. They are also Instituting a civil case suing the An Garda Síochanna (The Irish Police).

    Already, a strongly worded petition is to be sent to the Prime Minister (Taoiseach) of Ireland and the Minister of Justice.

    The protesting group has also started a petition online [See]: ✍️ http://chng.it/r4tmy77q

  • Young Nigerian-Irish man, George Nkencho shot dead in Dublin

    Young Nigerian-Irish man, George Nkencho shot dead in Dublin

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  • Ireland to return €5.5m frozen Abacha loots to Nigeria

    Ireland to return €5.5m frozen Abacha loots to Nigeria

    Ireland has signed an agreement with Nigeria for the return of funds misappropriated by Nigeria’s former leader, the late General Sani Abacha, who ruled the country from 1993 until his death in 1998.

    The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) took part in an international operation linked to the case which led to the freezing of over $1 billion of assets worldwide, of which approximately €5.5 million was identified in a Dublin-based bank account.

    The funds were frozen in a bank account in Ireland by CAB in October 2014. After an application by the Nigerian authorities last year, the High Court earlier this year made an order providing for the return of these assets to Nigeria, subject to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two governments.

    Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said the return of the assets would be “a concrete demonstration” of Ireland’s commitment to international cooperation in the fight against corruption.

    The MoU, a first for Ireland, is in line with its international obligations as a signatory to the UN Convention Against Corruption.

  • JUST IN: Ireland elects new Prime Minister

    Micheal Martin, leader of Fianna Fail, has been elected Ireland’s prime minister, or Taoiseach, as part of a coalition deal struck involving a rotating premiership.

    Martin was voted in by 93 votes to 63 at a special parliamentary sitting in Dublin on Saturday.

    He will lead an unprecedented coalition government between arch-rivals Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, both on the center to center-right of the political spectrum, plus the smaller Green Party.

    The political alliance, which was struck on Friday, will bring together incumbent two parties that have dominated Irish politics since independence a century ago.

    Incumbent prime minister Varadkar, who is from Fine Gael, will return to the prime minister’s office in December 2022.

    Meanwhile, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, both from Finn Gael, are expected to keep their jobs as Martin announces his new cabinet.

    The Green Party, which won 12 seats in February’s parliamentary election, emerged as the kingmaker. It secured significant concessions, including a commitment to a 7% average annual cut in greenhouse gas emission as opposed to the current 2%.

    As part of the bargain, the new government will also stop issuing new licenses for the exploration and extraction of gas and focus on public transport infrastructure. “There’s work to be done, and we’re the ones to try and help make it happen,” said Greens leader Eamon Ryan.

    The coalition deal was first approved by Varadkar’s Fine Gael after it won the support of 80% of its members. “Fine Gael is going to enter a third term in government and this new coalition is united and strong, and up to the challenge,” Varadkar told reporters.

    Fianna Fail, which won the most seats in the 160-seat parliament, approved the deal with 74% approval. “We have chosen this route, it has many challenges,” said Martin, ahead of the vote. “But on the other hand, it’s also a moment of opportunity and a moment of hope for our people.”

  • Euro 2020: Switzerland revive chances with win, Ireland hopes hanging

    Euro 2020: Switzerland revive chances with win, Ireland hopes hanging

    Switzerland revived their hopes of qualifying directly for Euro 2020 with a nervous 2-0 win in rain-soaked Geneva on Tuesday which threw their group wide open.

    In the process they denied their opponents Ireland the chance to book their place early.

    Ireland would have qualified with a win but that never looked likely from the moment that Haris Seferovic gave Switzerland a 16th-minute lead.

    Ireland had a let-off when Ricardo Rodriguez saw a second-half penalty saved before an own goal by Shane Duffy in stoppage time ensured three points for the hosts.

    Ireland and Denmark top Group D on 12 points apiece with the Swiss one behind.

    However, Ireland have only one match left, at home to Denmark, while the Danes and Swiss still have two each to play.

    Switzerland have a much easier run-in as they host Georgia and visit Gibraltar in their final games.

    Switzerland took early control and Seferovic picked up a loose ball outside the penalty area and scored with a snapshot beyond Darren Randolph to put them ahead.

    Ireland had to wait 42 minutes for their first effort on target, a Duffy header from a corner which went straight to keeper Yann Sommer.

    Seferovic fired wildly over from a good position before halftime and, as the hosts became edgy, Ireland enjoyed a long period of pressure early in the second half.

    After Randolph turned a Fabian Schaer header onto the post, Switzerland won a penalty when Seamus Coleman blocked Breel Embolo’s shot with his hand and was sent off for a second bookable offence.

    Yet Rodriguez’s weak penalty from a stuttering run up was pushed onto the post by Randolph.

    Switzerland finally settled matters with the last kick of the game courtesy of Duffy, who slid Edimilson Fernandes’ shot into his own net.

    Georgia, who cannot qualify from the group, won 3-2 away to Gibraltar in the other game.

    Giorgi Kharaishvili and Jaba Kankava put Georgia 2-0 ahead after 21 minutes.

    But Gibraltar, still without a point, hit back to equalise through Lee Casciaro and Roy Chipolina in an eight-minute spell in the second half.

    It was all in vain, however, as Giorgi Kvilitaia grabbed Georgia’s winner six minutes from fulltime. (

  • Ooni visits Ireland, worships at RCCG, Jesus Center Dublin [ +Photos]

    Ooni visits Ireland, worships at RCCG, Jesus Center Dublin [ +Photos]

    Arole Oodua and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II on Sunday joined other congregants to worship God at the Jesus Center Dublin – the regional headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Ireland.

    According to reports, the Ooni who is on a 7-day visit to the Republic of Ireland will also be attending the 2019 TAIF International Art & Craft Festival themed ‘UNITING THE WORLD WHILE SUSTAINING THE AFRICAN IDENTITY.

    A statement signed by his Director of Media & Public Affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare who is also on the trip, the foremost African traditional ruler is scheduled to be in the the Republic of Ireland between 23rd to 30th June, 2019.

    He will during the visit meet with his Yoruba subjects and other Africans residing in the European country and also attend to several diplomatic activities toward strengthening the ties between Nigeria and Ireland.

    “Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II in his status as leading light in Africa and Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) will be involved in activities like; paying courtesy call to the Nigerian Embassy in Ireland, visiting selected museums & Ladyswell Shrine, as well as witnessing the formal inauguration of Arole Oodua Competition. He will also watch a scheduled football match between Afro Stars FC Vs. St Kelvin FC organized in his honour.

    “Other activities include; “Attending the opening ceremony of Tell Africa International Art & Craft Festival 2019, exhibitions, religious interdenominational services as well as attending the grand finale where the King & Exquisite award will be held.”

    The statement also added that the event which is coordinated by Tell Africa, an international cultural media outfit under the chairmanship of the monarch with Ms Gbemisola Bisi-Taiwo as CEO is supported by the House of Oduduwa and it is one among several cultural initiatives geared towards advancing the Yoruba and African culture.

  • Obafemi commits to Republic of Ireland

    Michael Obafemi has committed to playing for the Republic of Ireland at international level, putting an end to speculation he might deicde to represent Nigeria or England.

    The Southampton forward was born in Dublin to Nigerian parents, but grew up in London and is eligible to represent all three countries at international level.

    Obafemi, 18, was called up to the Ireland squad on November 6 for the friendly against Northern Ireland and the UEFA Nations League match against Denmark.

    Playerworks CSM, a football agency that represents Obafemi, released a statement on his behalf.

    “Due to current speculation surrounding Michael Obafemi and as Michael’s representatives, we would like to go on record to say that we are not in talks with either Nigeria or England, nor is it something we have ever pursued,” the statement read.

    “Since Mark O’Toole spotted Michael early on, he, along with the other staff at Ireland, have given Michael a great opportunity, which he has enjoyed immensely.

    “Michael was born in Ireland, so this is the country he naturally wants to play for.

    “Martin O’Neill has shown great faith in Michael and he wants to repay that faith by helping the team achieve success.

    “Michael is 100 per cent committed to Ireland and is looking forward to an exciting future with the national team.”

    Obafemi has appeared for Ireland at different age-group levels, but will only be tied to one nation when he makes a competitive appearance for the senior side.