Gardaí target drink-driving, drug-driving amid road-death toll up on 2023 – The Irish Times

On August 26, 2025, Reform UK leaders Nigel Farage and Zia Yusuf announced a controversial deportation policy targeting asylum seekers arriving illegally by small boats, proposing to disapply the UN Convention Against Torture for up to five years to facilitate mass deportations. The policy aims to effectively abolish the current asylum system by declaring those who arrive illegally ineligible for asylum, significantly altering the UK's stance on international refugee protection. Want More Context? 🔎

Nigel Farage and Zia Yusuf from Reform UK outlined their strategy to combat illegal migration, revealing that migrants would be offered financial incentives to leave the country, while also detailing penalties for those who attempt to return illegally. Their approach aims to deter unlawful entry and encourage voluntary departures, emphasizing stricter immigration control. Want More Context? 🔎

In 2019, 21-year-old Bethany Rae Fields was killed by her ex-partner, Paul Crowther, who had a history of dangerous behavior and was later convicted of manslaughter due to a schizophrenic episode. In her memory, her mother, Pauline, launched the BRF campaign (Believe. React. Fast) to urge police to take women's concerns seriously and advocate for change in violence against women. Want More Context? 🔎

Nigel Farage has proposed dramatic plans for the mass detention and deportation of illegal immigrants if Reform UK wins the next general election, including building facilities to hold 24,000 people and scrapping various human rights conventions. The controversial measures aim to expedite the removal of asylum seekers without allowing them to claim asylum, raising significant legal and ethical concerns. Want More Context? 🔎

Justyna Czoska, 52, and Wojtek Kowalkowski, 49, tragically died in a helicopter crash during a flying lesson on the Isle of Wight when the aircraft spiraled to the ground. A third person also lost their life, while one individual is hospitalized; a fundraising page has been established to help repatriate the couple's bodies to Poland. Want More Context? 🔎

Protests against asylum seekers outside hotels in the UK have sparked significant public discourse, with volunteers highlighting the humanity of residents like Hadnan from Afghanistan and Kevin from Namibia, who face fear and isolation due to the protests. Kevin emphasizes that government policies prevent asylum seekers from working, contributing, and integrating into society, contrary to public perceptions. Want More Context? 🔎