Fine Gael's Seán Kyne has narrowed the gap to Independent Ireland candidate Noel Thomas in the Galway West by-election.

Results from the ninth count show Kyne is now just 325 votes behind Thomas.

The decisive moment will come when Fianna Fáil candidate Cillian Keane transfers his 2,581 votes to Kyne.

If this happens, the gap will be reduced to 329 votes, potentially securing Kyne's lead.

The final two candidates, Labour's Helen Ogbu and Social Democrats' Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich, are expected to favour Kyne over Thomas.

Donegal's Jim McGuinness is facing disciplinary action after a half-time altercation with Kerry's Diarmuid O'Connor during their All-Ireland football championship win.

The referee, Seán Hurson, did not take action at the time, but the outcome of any potential ban will depend on his match report.

This incident has drawn comparisons to a similar altercation that led to Dublin manager Ger Brennan receiving a 12-week suspension.

However, the circumstances are not identical, as Brennan was sanctioned by the referee at the time.

McGuinness's fate will be decided by the Central Competitions Control Committee, who will consider the referee's report when making their decision.

A new National Planning Statement on rural housing aims to bring clarity and consistency to the current patchwork of county-level policies.

The proposed changes would ease restrictions on one-off homes in rural areas, allowing more people to build in locations where they have family ties or work.

Factors such as prior residency and economic or social need would be given greater weight in the planning process.

The plans are expected to be brought to Cabinet in early June and will be open to public consultation and environmental assessment.

Offaly secured a notable victory over Kildare in the Leinster Championship, sending them to the All-Ireland knockout stages.

The win, combined with Dublin's victory over Kilkenny, eliminated the Cats from the championship.

Offaly dominated the game, leading by three points at halftime and extending their lead with five consecutive points.

Kildare's chances were further diminished when Cathal McCabe was sent off in the 37th minute.

Offaly's Eoin Cahill was instrumental in the win, scoring several crucial points.

The team's goal came when Kildare goalkeeper Paddy McKenna delayed his clearance, allowing Brian Duignan to score into the empty net.

Offaly's victory was compounded by news of Dublin's goal against Kilkenny, securing their knockout stage spot.

A Northern Irish couple's loss has led to a global charity helping families bring their deceased loved ones home.

Eithne and Colin Bell founded the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust after their son Kevin's sudden death in a hit-and-run incident in New York in 2013.

The charity was initially run from their kitchen table and has since grown to become the only organisation of its kind in the world.

With over 2,500 repatriations, the trust pays for every transportation cost, supporting families across Ireland.

The charity's work is a testament to the couple's love and dedication to their son's memory.

The Munster Senior Hurling Championship saw Cork take a commanding lead over Clare at half-time, with a nine-point gap between the sides.

In the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, Dublin dominated Kilkenny with a 26-point margin.

Meanwhile, Limerick and Tipperary were neck and neck in their match, with Limerick's Peter Casey and Tipperary's Eoghan Connolly trading scores.

The Tailteann Cup also saw action, with Fermanagh defeating Wexford and Antrim facing off against Tipperary.

Australian comedian Sam Campbell has created a unique sitcom called Make That Movie, where he invites the public to share their unusual movie ideas.

He and his team then develop these ideas into real feature films within the framework of a reality TV show.

Each episode concludes with the film's premiere, showcasing the team's creative and often bizarre interpretations of the public's suggestions.

Campbell has been given creative freedom to turn his own ideas into reality, with the production company taking a hands-off approach.

Global oil prices are approaching a critical threshold that could lead to inflation, shortages, and recession.

The cost of a barrel of crude has fluctuated significantly since Iran responded to US and Israeli aggression by closing the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite appearances, the market is on the cusp of a 'non-linear adjustment', or chaos, due to several factors, including a record release of strategic oil reserves and rerouting of Gulf production.

However, the International Energy Agency warns that oil stocks are being depleted at an unprecedented rate, and several analysts predict that prices could surge to crisis levels, causing 'demand destruction' and economic damage.

Alberta's premier, Danielle Smith, has announced a referendum on the province's future, sparking concerns about potential economic instability.

The question, which asks whether Alberta should remain a province of Canada or separate, has been criticized for its confusing syntax.

This move is reminiscent of the UK's Brexit vote, where a poorly thought-out referendum led to significant economic and social repercussions.

Experts warn that a similar outcome in Alberta could have catastrophic consequences, particularly given the current tensions between the US and Canada.

A person who experienced bullying on a school bus as a child reveals how it affected their life choices.

They started a new school in a small village in Buckinghamshire after their family moved from Dorset.

The bullying began shortly after their fifth birthday and continued for some time.

The person recalls feeling confused and unsure of what was happening, which made it difficult for them to navigate the situation.

As they grew older, they worked hard to leave the intimidation of their childhood behind.

However, when they met the person they wanted to marry, those memories resurfaced and had a significant impact on their life.

The experience of being bullied has left a lasting impact on their life decisions and continues to affect them to this day.