The Irish man handpicked by Gianni Infantino, solar eclipse and EU presidency hospitality

Plus: 14 young cattle die of dehydration on Tipperary farm

Listen | 09:14
Stacks of solar eclipse viewing glasses on sale in a shop specialising in behavioural optometry in Paris on Tuesday. Photograph: Lou Benoist/AFP via Getty
Stacks of solar eclipse viewing glasses on sale in a shop specialising in behavioural optometry in Paris on Tuesday. Photograph: Lou Benoist/AFP via Getty

Who is Dan O’Toole, the Irish Fifa executive at the heart of deal to sell off World Cup? The Dubliner was reportedly handpicked by Gianni Infantino to work on his controversial Wold Cup sell-off plan. Gavin Cooney is profiling him today.

Jars of honey harvested from the roof of the Department of Justice – but no loud trad music – were ordered up for visiting dignitaries during the Irish EU presidency last month, internal records show.

Fuel prices have risen substantially in August with further increases expected in the coming months. The price of diesel in Ireland has risen by 11 per cent in August to an average of €1.92 per litre, up 19 cents from July, according to AA Ireland’s latest fuel price analysis.

Fourteen young cattle died of dehydration last week at a farm owned by Coolmore Stud after the animals’ drinking water supply was disconnected. The incident occurred at a farm in Brodeen, Co Tipperary, near the world-famous Coolmore Stud in Fethard owned by businessman John Magnier.

READ MORE

Many places in Ireland are looking good for the solar eclipse on Wednesday evening – the most complete until 2090.

OUR PODCASTS