Here's What Happened Today: Friday

26 Jun 2026, 19:10 by Diarmuid Pepper, https://www.thejournal.ie/author/diarmuid-pepper/ · TheJournal.ie

NEED TO CATCH up? The Journal brings you a round-up of today’s news.

IRELAND

Ireland's newly redesigned passport under a black light at official unveiling. It features imagery inspired by Ireland's landscapes, wildlife, culture, and public-selected designs such as the Irish wolfhound. RollingNews.ieRollingNews.ie

A Status Orange thunderstorm warning was issued for Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, while higher temperatures are to continue into Saturday.
The DUP announced it has commissioned a “specialised and detailed independent review” into its former leader Jeffrey Donaldson after he was convicted of 18 sexual offences.
A Gazan family brought to Ireland under the government’s medical evacuation programme say they face imminent eviction from their Dublin accommodation and relocation to rural Kilkenny, despite the complex medical needs of their two sons.
A teenager was hospitalised with ‘serious injuries’ following a hit-and-run collision involving a scrambler.
Trinity Hospitality, the leaseholder for the Hoxton Hotel, and nightclub Yamamori Izakaya reached an agreement after a months-long noise dispute.
A motorcyclist in his 30s died following a single-vehicle collision in Co Leitrim on Thursday morning.
The number of people in emergency accommodation decreased by 101 last month, to stand at 17,447.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there won’t be a cliff edge for households and businesses when it comes to the restoration of excise on fuels.
Plans to change the payment model for criminal legal aid work will lead to an “exodus” of solicitors from the area of practice, the president of the Law Society of Ireland said.
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan’s case against the government over a law enabling the ratification of the EU-Canada trade deal will begin in July.

INTERNATIONAL

People stand in the rubble of buildings that fell in Caracas, Venezuela AlamyAlamy

#VENEZUELA: The toll from the back-to-back earthquakes that devastated Venezuela this week has climbed to at least 920 dead and 3,360 injured.

#UKRAINE: The EU proposed stopping granting Ukrainian men of fighting age refugee protection to settle in the bloc. Brussels said the change follows a request from Kyiv, whose army has struggled with manpower shortages.

#HEATWAVE: Europe is roasting under scorching temperatures this week, with red alerts issued for cities across the continent, and The Journal spoke to Irish people feeling the heat abroad.

PARTING SHOT

Ireland's Matt Hollard, third from left, celebrates bowling out India's Ishan Kishan. Liam McBurney / PA / AlamyLiam McBurney / PA / Alamy / PA / Alamy

Ireland stunned T20 world champions India with a landmark 34-run win in their series opener in Belfast on Friday.

Matt Hollard (3-28) and left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys (3-38), who opened the bowling, did the bulk of the damage as Ireland’s men enjoyed their first win over India in any format.

Earlier, Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker led from the front with 50 and Gareth Delany made 49 in the hosts’ total of 182-9 in their full 20 overs.

The teams return to Stormont for the series finale on Sunday.

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