Page 20 - John Downing News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Francie Gorman takes the microphone and pledges that if he does win he will prioritise defending incomes and the better communication nationally of rural communities’ concerns. We are in the Tullamore Court Hotel and the hall is packed with farmers curious to hear from the two contenders who want to lead the Irish Farmers’ Association for the coming four years which will see the challenges for farm families become even more stark.

One of my happiest memories of being in France is of the day I sat in a corner of a rural cafe and successfully earwigged large chunks of a conversation among the locals. Their topic of choice focused on the United States, and the most strident man in the company, inevitably called Serge, was particularly scathing.

Irish people do not lack compassion for the beleaguered people of Ukraine fleeing here from war – but we may soon lack the cash to support them.

As Israel plans a full-on invasion of Gaza, pressure on both sides in this horrific conflict will intensify. Prepare to hear more about the “rules of war and international law.” But what are these – and what relevance can they have in this all-out war in a very confined space?

Irish people do not lack compassion for the beleaguered people of Ukraine fleeing here from war – but we may soon lack the cash to support them.