GE2020: Sinn Féin overtakes Fine Gael in latest opinion poll
Sinn Féin has overtaken Fine Gael to become the second most popular party, according to a new opinion poll.
A survey of a 1,000 voters was carried out by The Times Ireland and Panelbase between January 24th and 30th.
It has Fianna Fáil in the lead on 23%, followed by Sinn Féin in second on 21% and Fine Gael trailing on 19%.
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil accused of 'desperation tactics' as they clash over Sinn Féin
Posters for Fine Gael's Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fail's Micheal Martin in Dublin. Photo: RollingNews.ieThe Taoiseach has said he is not worried despite another poll which shows a downward trend for Fine Gael.
Leo Varadkar acknowledged that Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are ahead of Fine Gael, but added that it is very tight just one week ahead of the General Election.
Speaking this afternoon, he said: "Well, it's one poll and it's an online poll done by a company that hasn't done polls in Ireland before.
"If it's correct, it would see both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael losing seats in this election, which I think isn't something that anyone would have predicted a few weeks ago."
Man hospitalised following suspected hate crime in Co Kildare
A man in his 20s is recovering in hospital following a serious assault at Newbridge train station in Co Kildare yesterday.
The man was stabbed in what gardaí are describing as a hate crime.
He was attacked at about 6.40pm yesterday evening while waiting for a train with his boyfriend at the station.
Hundreds protest in Co Offaly calling for 'just transition' for Bord na Móna workers
Image: ICTUHundreds of people are protesting in Co Offaly this afternoon as part of a demonstration calling for a 'just transition' for Bord na Móna workers.
Organisers are accusing the Government of failing to deliver good quality replacement jobs as part of the move away from fossil fuels.
It comes after planning permission to transition the West Offaly power plant from peat to biomass over a number of years - starting in 2020 - was rejected by An Bord Pleanála.
Coronavirus: Death toll passes 250 as travel bans declared
259 people are now known to have died from the coronavirus in China.
Almost 12,000 people are also reported to be infected with the virus as authorities around the world work to prevent a global pandemic.
Three Irish people also remain quarantined in a British hospital, after being evacuated from Wuhan which is the epicentre of the outbreak.
