national

National News Briefs

4,000 people to be granted Irish citizenship today

Around 4,000 people from over 100 countries will become Irish citizens today.

They will be awarded their certificates of naturalisation at four separate ceremonies at the Convention Centre in Dublin.

Their new-found status entitles them to an Irish passport and grants them a vote in Irish elections.

__________________________________

Oliver to launch Taste of Dublin festival

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver will officially launch this year's Taste of Dublin festival later today.

The four-day event is expected to attract 30,000 food fanatics and give the local economy a €1m boost.

Visitors to the Iveagh Gardens will also be invited to take part in beer and wine tastings and will have the opportunity to learn from the chefs themselves.

______________________________________

No winner of Lotto jackpot

There was no winner of last night's Ltto jackpot worth €7,272,167.

More than 34,000 players won cash prizes, however.

Saturday's Llotto jackpot is now headed for around €8m.

____________________________________

Motorists warned as heavy rainfall expected

AA Roadwatch is advising drivers to take extra care on the roads as heavy rainfall is expected later.

Up to 40mm of rain is due to fall over the next 24 hours, according to forecasts from Met Éireann.

Gale force winds are also expected to batter parts of the country and there have been warnings of local flooding.

The Irish Coastguard is also warning people to stay away from shorelines.

_______________________________________