While Christmas Day has passed and you're probably thinking more about taking your decorations down than buying more, the Christmas sales are the perfect time to pick up some new pieces for a fraction of the price. From baubles and ornaments to larger items like faux trees and wreaths, there's no better time than the sales to update and restock your Christmas decor – especially if your current collection has passed its best or you've had a few breakages this year. If the thought of endlessly scrolling through sales pages seems rather daunting, we've found the best the sale has to offer. Here, we've curated the perfect shortlist filled with fabulously festive designs. From faux Christmas trees and garlands to timeless stockings and charming ornaments, there's plenty left in the Christmas decoration sales to elevate next year's holiday schemes. 1. McGee & Co If you're in the market for a new faux Christmas tree, the holiday sales always offer incredible discounts. With more than 50% off, this pine-inspired design is not only pre-lit (perfect if hanging the lights always feels like a chore) but also features a dusting of snow. Jingle bells were back in a big way this year, and they aren't going anywhere anytime soon. So, these hanging bells in a brass finish are the perfect decor piece to pick up in the sales with a huge discount. They can be hung from door handles or layered on top of stockings and other decor. We always say a high-quality Christmas garland is a worthy investment, so this McGee & Co. offering at half price is an absolute steal! The natural design means it feels authentic and can be integrated into any Christmas home, whether you prefer Scandi style or vintage Christmas decor . If you've had any breakages this year, it's probably a few glass baubles that have taken the hit. Good news – McGee & Co has a few pieces left in the sale, like this pearl glass baubles. A timeless colorway, this set of 21 should last you a long time – even if you love a couple each year! Beautiful ornaments for layering or to spruce up a small space, these Christmas tree ornaments – which have been a huge hit this year – have gone into the sale for half their original price. The set of three comes in a traditional, rich green hue – simple yet oh-so-stylish. Prefer a richer, warmer color palette for your Christmas tree? These rich brown baubles hit one of this year's biggest color trends – they're glamorous and sophisticated, and offer a nod to vintage style. There are also 21 ornaments in this set, perfect for a full tree design. 2. Anthropologie Whether you have a new addition to your household or your current stockings have seen better days, these stockings are a great price for a personalized design. Offered in red velvet with white and green details, they currently have 50% off. Burgundy may have been a big Christmas decor trend this year, but it's actually incredibly timeless. Rich, warm, and elegantly festive, this velvet glass drop garland is a timeless piece to add to your collection. It's an utterly sophisticated color combination. If there's one thing Anthropologie are known for during the holidays, it's their elegant yet unique tree ornaments. A gold finish with subtle pearl embellishments, you can spell out a festive phrase or personalize your decor with the family's initials. An outdated Christmas decoration making a huge comeback this year, tinsel's revival is a much more tasteful style than in previous years. And this tree topper is a unique way to bring the trend into your designs. It also lights up to add a festive sparkle to your scheme. If you prefer to embrace a more colorful Christmas scheme, these baubles are the perfect buy. This glass set features four different color ornaments, each with etched detailing and gold starts. Perfect for introducing color and interest without overwhelming your tree. Who says your stocking holder can't be part of your decor? Instead of a hidden hook, this gold celestial stocking holder sits atop your mantel to multi-task as a holder and a decor piece. It looks so charming layered into a garland – and for just $29, you really can't go wrong! 3. Wayfair For a faux tree that looks elevated but doesn't cost a fortune, the Christmas sales are a great place to look. In Wayfair's holiday sale, this full, bushy spruce has been created to take on the look of a real tree. If antiqued silver is more your style, this set of 12 ornaments will be right up your street. Featuring three different styles, all in this aged silver design, they look far more expensive than they are, especially the sale price! While a plain wreath is a lovely base if you want to layer in your own decorations, a design already decorated is much easier. This faux wreath is ready-decorated with clear lights, classic red berries, and rustic pine cones. 4. Lulu and Georgia If you prefer pared-back, minimalist Christmas decor , these checkered stockings are a beautiful choice, the subtle design adds a touch of warmth and visual interest and can work in plenty of interior design styles . They also layer well with other colorful and patterned stockings. There's not much left in Lulu and Georgia's holiday sale, but this set of six rainbow trees is still available in the green colorway. Whether you weave them into your Christmas table decor, a mantel wreath, or display them on an entryway table, it's the perfect time to add them to your decor. Garlands can be quite the investments, so when you can get them in the Christmas sales, you totally should. We love this mini ceramic bead garland design. It's perfect for draping along or layering into a luscious green garland across a mantelpiece or banister. 5. Pottery Barn This faux tree has been one of Pottery Barn's best sellers this holiday season, so if you haven't already, now is your chance to buy it at a reduced price. It's an easy decor piece that you don't even have to decorate! Festive dinnerware sets always wind up in the sale, like this holly berry-themed set. With bowls, plates, and mugs all still available, it's the perfect opportunity to start planning next year's table design. Paper ornaments don't only look great hung on your Christmas tree, but they are also so easy to store away each year. Rather than the usually plain designs, these are embellished with gold glitter. Whether you're on the lookout for a new faux tree, want to update the family's stockings, or simply fancy some new ornaments to mix with the old, there are plenty of Christmas decoration sales to find what you need with amazing savings. 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Tim Walz accepts turkey presentation as he eases back into his duties as Minnesota's governor
The TC3 Tire Inflator is a n "All-Round Inflation Pro" that will impress offroading fanatics and daily commuters alike with its enhanced features. GARDEN GROVE, Calif. , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As a leading brand in the automotive industry, AstroAI has consistently focused on the needs of adventurers, expanding its tire inflator range to cater to everything from daily trips to off-road adventures. Creating the AstroAI TC3 tire inflator was about more than just building a portable tire inflator. It was about solving real challenges faced by drivers and adventurers alike, and that's where TurboRise TM technology comes in. After months in development, AstroAI's long-awaited TC3 Tire Inflator Kickstarter campaign launched today. Kickstarter Launch AstroAI is celebrating the launch with a limited - time " Super Early Bird " sale, offering 53% off for the first 180 TC3 purchases. It will be available for purchase through the Kickstarter page from November 25th to Christmas Day. Ivy Ming , the product manager of the TC3, focused on developing a solution that could handle heavy-duty tires quickly and efficiently. "When we first set out to design the TC3, we found that traditional lithium-ion tire inflators often felt short in speed and capability, especially when handling larger tires. It slowed down the inflation process", said Ming. To ensure the TC3 outperformed the market average, the team optimized 4 key performance features. 6 Versatile Inflation Modes The TC3 is an "All-Round Inflation Pro" capable of flawlessly handling inflation in any scenario. With 6 available inflation modes, users can apply this versatile gadget on everything from car and bike tires to RVs and pickup trucks. Campers will also make great use of the TC3 by using any of the included inflation nozzles to fill up air mattresses, tents, swimming rings, sports balls, and more. Adventurers will find endless use for this incredibly convenient tire inflator. The Groundbreaking TurboRise TM Technology With the integration of AstroAI's advanced TurboRiseTM Technology, the TC3's motor performance sustains the demands of heavy-duty and everyday inflation alike. Highly-developed manufacturing techniques and premium materials create cylinders and motors that fill up SUV tires in minutes. Engineers also increased the cylinder diameter, boosting motor speed by 20% and significantly increasing reliability. With the TC3's automatic shutoff, there's no need to worry about overinflation; it automatically shuts off once it reaches the preset air pressure. Powerful Detachable Battery A 20V, 4000mAh lithium-ion battery also backs this tire inflator's increased runtime. When fully charged, drivers can inflate up to 7 tires from 30PSI to 45PSI. The detachable battery is also removable and provides emergency charging for other electronics. With a powerful 45W USB-C port, the battery is capable of quickly recharging phones, tablets, and other devices. The PD 45W USB-C port supports both charging and discharging, letting drivers recharge the battery quickly- making it perfect for on-the-go use. 70 m2 Extended Flashlight Range The TC3's upgraded 600-lumen flashlight is bigger, brighter, and a better performer. Illuminating up to 70 square meters and outshining the competition, the TC3 features three modes- High (600LM), Medium (480LM), and SOS. With this combination of portability, power, and ease of use, the TC3's flashlight is perfect for nighttime emergencies, campsite navigation, and more. About AstroAI AstroAI was founded in 2016 with a vision to provide a first-rate customer experience through high-quality products and excellent service. AstroAI has become a top brand in automotive tools and accessories, receiving awards and recognition for the tire inflator, jump starter, tire inflator gauge, and more. For more information, please visit the AstroAI website . AstroAI [email protected] Visit us on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn TikTok SOURCE AstroAISome tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to increase visas for highly skilled workers from other nations. Related Articles National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant recently won a federal class-action lawsuit that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A Bloomberg investigation found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Question: Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? Caroline Freund, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy YES: Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research YES: After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? James Hamilton, UC San Diego YES: Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Phil Blair, Manpower YES: Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates NO: While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth YES: We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Not participating this week: Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist Have an idea for an Econometer question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com . Follow me on Threads: @phillip020
LUKE LITTLER stormed into the quarter-finals of the Players Championship Finals with a 10-3 win over Danny Noppert. The Nuke, 17, breezed into the third round earlier in the day with a 6-23 victory over Ritchie Edhouse - having already beaten Rob Cross 6-0 in his opening match . 2 Luke Littler moved into the quarter-finals with a convincing win over Danny Noppert Credit: Rex 2 Danny Noppert had no answer to Littler's scintillating display Credit: Rex Edhouse was left applauding Littler after he hit double bullseye to complete a 120 checkout. And it was more exhibition stuff from the teenager in the evening session as he booked a last-eight clash with Mike De Decker. Littler won the opening two legs before Noppert pegged him back to level at 2-2. That sparked the world championship runner-up into life as he proceeded to claim six legs on the spin to effectively put the match to bed. READ MORE ON LUKE LITTLER LUK AT THAT Luke Littler leaves opponent applauding with moment of genius Noppert pulled one back to add some respectability to the scoreline, before Littler finished it off. Littler averaged a breathtaking 104.70 to Noppert's 88.92. But the supreme talent batted away talk of breaking 16-time world champion Phil Taylor's records when asked in his post-match interview. He said: "It’s crazy to think about trying to beat Phil Taylor’s records of 16 world titles. But I guess I’ll just have to keep going for years and years!" Most read in Darts BERT BATTERS SCOTS Storm Bert wreaks havoc across Scotland as weather bomb kills 3 in UK MY LORD Rangers poised to name new chairman as Lord emerges as main contender for top job RANGERS 1 DUNDEE UTD 1 Snow joke as Clement gets blizzard of abuse over more dropped points COLD BEERS SPFL side spotted going for a PINT after their bus got stuck in the snow CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS On the potential of a nine-dart finish, he added: "Every time I start any leg with a 180 they expect me to follow up. "Tomorrow if I do get a shot it’s going to be treble 17 for double 15, so I’ll switch it up." IMPERIOUS LITTLER WHITEWASHES CROSS Littler also took the time to speak about his next opponent, De Decker. He said: "I’m sure it will be another great game. Obviously at the Grand Slam it was incredible to be a part of that game against Mike. "I’ll go back now and chill out on my phone and play a bit of my Nintendo Switch. Go to bed and up early." Reacting to the performance, one darts fan said: "Different class to anyone right now." While another added: "Didn’t get out of second gear, such maturity from Littler 🎯🎯🎯." And a third said: "No contest, different class again." Littler has won both of his previous meetings against De Decker. The latest of those came last week at the Grand Slam of Darts where the pair battled it out in an epic. Read more on the Scottish Sun FESTIVE FIZZ Coca-Cola Christmas truck in Scotland: Dates, locations & all you need to know AND RELAX Scots seaside hotel with outdoor hot tub and firepit named UK's top spa resort Littler trailed 8-4 but came roaring back to claim a 10-9 win in the last-16 clash. He then went on to win the tournament - his first ranking title.
The Kremlin fired a new intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine on Thursday in response to Kyiv's use this week of American and British missiles capable of striking deeper into Russia, President Vladimir Putin said. In a televised address to the country, the Russian president warned that U.S. air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile, which he said flies at ten times the speed of sound and which he called the Oreshnik — Russian for hazelnut tree. He also said it could be used to attack any Ukrainian ally whose missiles are used to attack Russia. “We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities of the countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities,” Putin said in his first comments since President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the green light this month to use U.S. ATACMS missiles to strike at limited targets inside Russia. Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed that Russia’s missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate range missile based on it’s RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. “This was new type of lethal capability that was deployed on the battlefield, so that was certainly of concern," Singh said, noting that the missile could carry either conventional or nuclear warheads. The U.S. was notified ahead of the launch through nuclear risk reduction channels, she said. The attack on the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro came in response to Kyiv's use of longer-range U.S. and British missiles in strikes Tuesday and Wednesday on southern Russia, Putin said. Those strikes caused a fire at an ammunition depot in Russia's Bryansk region and killed and wounded some security services personnel in the Kursk region, he said. “In the event of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond decisively and in kind,” the Russian president said, adding that Western leaders who are hatching plans to use their forces against Moscow should “seriously think about this.” Putin said the Oreshnik fired Thursday struck a well-known missile factory in Dnipro. He also said Russia would issue advance warnings if it launches more strikes with the Oreshnik against Ukraine to allow civilians to evacuate to safety — something Moscow hasn’t done before previous aerial attacks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov initially said Russia hadn’t warned the U.S. about the coming launch of the new missile, noting that it wasn't obligated to do so. But he later changed tack and said Moscow did issue a warning 30 minutes before the launch. Putin's announcement came hours after Ukraine claimed that Russia had used an intercontinental ballistic missile in the Dnipro attack, which wounded two people and damaged an industrial facility and rehabilitation center for people with disabilities, according to local officials. But American officials said an initial U.S. assessment indicated the strike was carried out with an intermediate-range ballistic missile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post that the use of the missile was an "obvious and serious escalation in the scale and brutality of this war, a cynical violation of the UN Charter.” He also said there had been “no strong global reaction” to the use of the missile, which he said could threaten other countries. “Putin is very sensitive to this. He is testing you, dear partners,” Zelenskyy wrote. “If there is no tough response to Russia’s actions, it means they see that such actions are possible.” The attack comes during a week of escalating tensions , as the U.S. eased restrictions on Ukraine's use of American-made longer-range missiles inside Russia and Putin lowered the threshold for launching nuclear weapons. The Ukrainian air force said in a statement that the Dnipro attack was launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region, on the Caspian Sea. “Today, our crazy neighbor once again showed what he really is,” Zelenskyy said hours before Putin's address. “And how afraid he is.” Russia was sending a message by attacking Ukraine with an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of releasing multiple warheads at extremely high speeds, even if they are less accurate than cruise missiles or short-range ballistic missiles, said Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank. “Why might you use it therefore?” Savill said. "Signaling — signaling to the Ukrainians. We’ve got stuff that outrages you. But really signaling to the West ‘We’re happy to enter into a competition around intermediate range ballistic missiles. P.S.: These could be nuclear tipped. Do you really want to take that risk?’” Military experts say that modern ICBMs and IRBMs are extremely difficult to intercept, although Ukraine has previously claimed to have stopped some other weapons that Russia described as “unstoppable,” including the air-launched Kinzhal hypersonic missile. David Albright, of the Washington-based think tank the Institute for Science and International Security, said he was “skeptical” of Putin’s claim, adding that Russian technology sometimes “falls short.” He suggested Putin was “taunting the West to try to shoot it down ... like a braggart boasting, taunting his enemy.” Earlier this week, the Biden administration authorized Ukraine to use the U.S.-supplied, longer-range missiles to strike deeper inside Russia — a move that drew an angry response from Moscow. Days later, Ukraine fired several of the missiles into Russia, according to the Kremlin. The same day, Putin signed a new doctrine that allows for a potential nuclear response even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. The doctrine is formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment to use nuclear weapons. In response, Western countries, including the U.S., said Russia has used irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and behavior throughout the war to intimidate Ukraine and other nations. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that Russia’s formal lowering of the threshold for nuclear weapons use did not prompt any changes in U.S. doctrine. She pushed back on concerns that the decision to allow Ukraine to use Western missiles to strike deeper inside Russia might escalate the war. ′′They’re the ones who are escalating this,” she said of the Kremlin — in part because of a flood of North Korean troops sent to the region. More than 1,000 days into war , Russia has the upper hand, with its larger army advancing in Donetsk and Ukrainian civilians suffering from relentless drone and missile strikes. Analysts and observers say the loosening of restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western missiles is unlikely to change the the course of the war, but it puts the Russian army in a more vulnerable position and could complicate the logistics that are crucial in warfare. Putin has also warned that the move would mean that Russia and NATO are at war. “It is an important move and it pulls against, undermines the narrative that Putin had been trying to establish that it was fine for Russia to rain down Iranian drones and North Korean missiles on Ukraine but a reckless escalation for Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons at legitimate targets in Russia,” said Peter Ricketts, a former U.K. national security adviser who now sits in the House of Lords. ___ Associated Press writers Jill Lawless and Emma Burrows in London, and Zeke Miller and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report. ___ Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraineTanner, Charles connect for 2 TDs and Robert Morris tops Stonehill 31-13
Game industry predictions for 2025 | The DeanBeat
US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems?A 46-YEAR-OLD former model who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of a mother of two had consumed 12 alcoholic drinks, which included cocktails, prosecco, wine and gin, in the hours before the crash. Ms Sheila Dunne (50) who was described by her daughter as a “an amazing woman — worth her weight in gold” died following a single vehicle crash in Sarsfield Court in Glanmire in Cork last February. Her husband Ted had died of Covid 19 in February of 2021. The death of Ms Dunne left their two children without any living parent. The special educational needs assistant was just 1.5km from her home in Glanmire when the crash that ended her life occurred. Jennifer Thomas of Oakfield View, Glanmire, Co Cork appeared before Cork Circuit Criminal Court today having pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Sheila Dunne on 11 February last. Defence counsel Tom Creed, SC, told Judge Helen Boyle that “unfounded social media rumours” and inaccurate newspaper reports had circulated in the wake of the crash. He said that “malicious rumours” had spread in Cork that the body of Sheila Dunne had been moved in the vehicle. Investigating garda Dt Garda Mark Durcan confirmed that there was no truth to any suggestions that Jennifer Thomas or any other person had moved the body of Sheila Dunne following the crash. Detective Garda Durcan said that the collision occurred at 7.30pm on 11 February last at Sarsfield Court in Glanmire in Cork. Ms Thomas had been socialising with Sheila, her friend of over twenty years, from lunchtime that day when they went for a meal at a restaurant in Douglas in the city. They went to a bar in Blackrock in Cork and then on to a bar in Glanmire prior to getting in to Jennifer’s jeep. Dt Garda Durcan said that in the minutes before the crash occurred, Jennifer fell asleep before the wheel twice whilst stopped at traffic lights. On one occasion, a passerby observed that Jennifer was asleep and knocked on the window of the jeep telling her to park up. Instead she did two U turns in a matter of minutes and drove on the wrong side of the road at Hazelwood Road in Glanmire. She knocked down traffic cones as she drove towards Sallybrook and narrowly missed knocking down two pedestrians on the footpath. Dt Garda Durcan said that Ms Thomas took a left-hand bend at Sarsfield Court in Glanmire and failed to straighten up entering a grass verge. The Bluetooth system in the car automatically called the emergency services. Speed was not a factor in the case. Dt Garda Durcan said that Ms Thomas was wearing her seat beat when the collision occurred. However Sheila Dunne was not. He indicated that the impact of the collision led Sheila, who was in the front passenger seat, to fall on top of Jennifer Thomas. Dt Garda Durcan said that roof had to be cut off the vehicle in order to extricate the women. He stated that when gardai arrived at the scene Jennifer Thomas was asked who was driving. She said that she was and then she “got erratic” and was unable to give a definitive answer. She then said that Sheila Dunne was driving as she had “more control.” When she was shown CCTV at a later date by gardai, Ms Thomas accepted that she was driving. She also said she had no recollection of the collision due to concussion. However, there was no medical evidence of concussion. Ms Dunne died in hospital two days after the crash. Lilley Dunne, the 23-year-old daughter of Sheila Dunne, said in her victim impact statement that she came to court with a “shattered heart” weighed down heavily by the loss of her “rock of a mother” Sheila. Lilley delivered her own victim impact statement and said she would forever miss her precious mother whom she described as a “pillar” in the community. She said that she was speaking on behalf of herself and her younger brother. “I stand before you today as his voice and to outline the devastation we have both endured. I want to try and express as vividly as I can how this tragic event has destroyed my life, my brother’s world and our family unit as we know it.” Lilley said that she and her brother head already suffered the “unbearable” loss of their father Ted. “Now to experience the agonising loss of Mom, feels like a cruel twist of fate that I cannot comprehend. “On 9 February, 2021 my dad died unexpectedly from Covid. We had to watch him take his last few breaths as they removed his ventilator, and then on 13 February, 2024 I had to watch this all over again: watch my Mom’s heart slow to a halt. “This experience is what I can only describe as hell. My beautiful Mom was taken from us far too soon at the young age of fifty. In a car crash caused by a reckless decision made by a selfish individual. This choice has altered our lives forever. “We spent two days at my mom’s bedside hoping for a miracle. Out of respect, I made the decision to allow Jennifer to come in to say goodbye to my Mom. Knowing what I know now my decision would have been different.” Ms Dunne said that Jennifer’s absence of remorse had made the “grieving process so much more challenging.” “It is incredibly painful to know that someone would withhold the truth in such a devastating way and it makes it harder to heal from this loss.” Lilly said that her mother would miss all the special milestones of her life such as her wedding and watching her become a mother.” Ms Dunne insisted that Jennifer’s “malicious lies” trickled out to the “media vultures.” “Compounding our grief. Newspapers and social media outlets covered the story and reported that my Mom was the driver of the car. Jennifer’s complete fabrication painted a picture of my Mom, Sheila, that was far from the truth sensationalising the tragedy and worsening our family suffering.” Ms Dunne added that the life of her mother was “robbed” from her. “She has only started to live her life again after Dad’s passing. She will never get the opportunity to finish her bucket list, to see out the drams she had for her future or to watch TJ and I grow up.” Sheila’s mother Esther O’Brien said that she was “heartbroken” to have lost her daughter to a drunk driver. “This loss has not only shattered my life but has also left two precious grandchildren without their mother. My daughter was my biggest support. She was always there for me, providing love, care and companionship. We shared a deep bond, and she was my confidante, my source of strength. “Losing her has taken away my main support system at a time in my life when I need it most. This is something no mother could anticipate. I grapple with anger and sadness — not just for my daughter but also for the reckless choice that led to this loss. It is hard to trust and feel safe in the world when someone’s selfish decision has had such devastating consequences.” The court heard that Ms Thomas had ten previous convictions for road traffic offences, larceny and misuse of drugs. Defence barrister Tom Creed, SC, said that his client’s previous convictions for larceny and misuse of drugs occurred when she was a teenager. He emphasised that witnesses who arrived at the scene of the crash described his client as being distraught at the possibility that Sheila could have died. “(One eye witness) said she (Jennifer) was saying ‘please wake up please wake up’ to Miss Dunne. They tried to calm her. She (Jennifer) was saying ‘How can I live without her?” She was concerned for her friend. She (Jennifer) was hysterical. She was saying ‘look after Sheila.’ She appeared to be confused.” He said that unfortunately following this accident all sorts of “unfounded allegations” circulated in Cork. “One was that a phone call was made for someone to come to scene to move bodies. One was that she (Ms Thomas) was arrested for a charge of perverting course of justice which was never case. She voluntarily came to the station.” Mr Creed said that his client has suffered from long term mental health difficulties and often wishes that she died during the crash. He added that Ms Thomas was hugely remorseful for her actions. Mr Creed said that his client accepted that getting behind the wheel drunk was an “outrageous” thing to do. Judge Boyle offered her sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. She said that the family had painted a “wonderful picture” of Sheila. Judge Boyle reserved her decision in the case. Sentencing will take place on Thursday. Ms Thomas was remanded in custody pending her sentencing on Thursday. She was warned that she was facing a custodial sentence. Meanwhile, other charges faced by Ms Thomas, including one count of drink driving and three counts of dangerous driving, will remain at the district court as they are deemed to be summary charges. The summary charges consist of allegations that Ms Thomas was under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle at Sarsfield Court, dangerous driving at Hazelwood Road, Sarsfield Court and Sallybrook, and falling to produce her driver’s licence.
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MIAMI — Damian Lillard scored 37 points and handed out 12 assists, and the Milwaukee Bucks wasted a 22-point second-half lead before beating the Miami Heat 106-103 in an NBA Cup game on Tuesday night. Brook Lopez scored 13 points and Bobby Portis had 11 for the Bucks, who have won five in a row and moved back to the .500 mark — 9-9 — for the first time since they were 1-1. The Bucks (3-0 in Cup play) also moved a half-game ahead of Detroit (2-0) in the East Group B standings. Jimmy Butler scored 23 points for Miami, which got 18 from Tyler Herro, 17 from Terry Rozier and 16 from Bam Adebayo. The Heat tied the game at 96-96 on a layup by Butler and got within one point on three later occasions, but never led. The Heat — who were outscored 60-30 from 3-point range — fell to 1-2 in Cup play. The Bucks played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, a late pregame scratch because of swelling in his left knee. Takeaways Bucks: Lillard finished with at least 35 points and 10 assists for the 30th time, pulling into a tie with Allen Iverson for ninth-most in NBA regular season history. Oscar Robertson has the record with 121. Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) loses control of the ball as Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard, behind, defends during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Miami. Credit: AP/Lynne Sladky Heat: Miami has faced deficits of 22 points or more in two of seven home games this season. It happened six times in 41 home games last season. Key moment AJ Green made back-to-back 3-pointers for Milwaukee in the final minutes, both of them coming immediately after Miami scored to get within one. His late 3s gave Milwaukee leads of 101-97 and 104-100. Key stat Lillard's 37 points were the second most by a Bucks player against Miami in regular-season play. Mo Williams scored 38 on Feb. 3, 2007. Up next Bucks: Host Washington on Saturday. Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince (12) drives to the basket during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game against the Miami Heat, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Miami. Credit: AP/Lynne Sladky Heat: Visit Charlotte on Wednesday.
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