Today's top Irish news stories:

Many Irish J-1 students in dire straits as they struggle to find housing and work in U.S.

Nothing could match the feeling of excitement and exhilaration as myself and seven friends neared the end of the tortuous U.S. immigration procedures in Dublin Airport…READ MORE
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Prime Minister Enda Kenny says he is a Catholic but not a Catholic leader during abortion debate

Prime Minister Enda Kenny said that while he is a Catholic, he is not a Catholic leader. The Taoiseach  said, “I am now being branded by personnel around the country as being a murderer. I’m going to have on my soul the death of 20 million babies. I’m getting medals, scapulars, plastic foetuses, letters written in blood, telephone calls all over the system and it’s not confined to me.” Kenny's comments came after two earlier meetings the same day where the progression of abortion legislation was discussed. ..READ MORE

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Defense claims James ‘Whitey’ Bulger was 'never an informant' because of his Irish heritage


Alleged Boston mob kingpin James Whitey Bulger's lawyer JW Carney has offered a novel defense of his client this week. According to AP, Bulger's lawyer claimed his client would have never cooperated with the FBI as an informant because he is of Irish descent, 'and the worst thing an Irish person can do is become an informant.'..READ MORE

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Waterford community in mourning as sea tragedy claims 3 brothers in fishing accident

A shocking tragedy hit the small fishing village of Passage East in County Waterford on Wednesday when three brothers drowned at sea. Brothers Paul (50), Kenny (47) and Shane Bolger (45), drowned after the 18ft fishing punt they were working in overturned…READ MORE

                                    

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Manhattan Diary: Marco Rubio: 'If immigration bill gives Cubans immigration rights, it kills the bill. I'm done' - VIDEO

Senator Marco Rubio today vowed that he will vote against the immigration reform bill that he co-authored if the amendment allowing US citizens to sponsor their Cuban born partners is not removed…READ MORE

                            

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