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cover art for Garda File 23 November 2023

Cork Today

Garda File 23 November 2023

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  • CorkToday 11 February 2025

    01:46:28|
    The family of the hit-and-run victim Joe Drennan is seeking to change the law in the wake of what they described as the ‘disgraceful’ nature of the concurrent sentence his killer received - Joe’s Aunt joins Patricia We hear a new report that shows how primary school children have unsupervised access to smark devices in their bedrooms, CybersafeKids join Patricia following their research We speak to the family who lost a husband & dad to pulmonary fibrosis People are beginning to switch mortgage providers to find the best rates We continue our conversation in relation to Panic Attacks with our regular show counsellor Joe Heffernan 
  • The feelings of a panic attack

    16:00|
    The feelings of a panic attack Patricia discussing with our show counsellor Joe Heffernan
  • Switching mortgage providers on the increase

    12:46|
    Switching mortgage providers on the increase Martina Hennessy from doddl.ie join Patricia Switching your mortgage: once a daunting, paperwork-ridden nightmare, now a savvy financial move. According to the Irish Independent and Doddle.ie’s Mortgage Switching Index, the value of switcher financing in Ireland skyrocketed by 45% last year. Why? Because homeowners are waking up, smelling the financial coffee, and realising they can save thousands by shopping around. Martina Hennessy, Chief Executive of Doddle.ie, explained the trend on C103, revealing just how much money is being left on the table by sticking with your current lender. Spoiler alert: it’s a lot.---Switching Isn’t Just for Utility BillsGone are the days when switching your mortgage felt like trying to climb Croagh Patrick in flip-flops. Banks have made it easier, faster, and far less painful. "We’ve seen switches completed in just 10 working days," says Hennessy, a huge improvement from the six-to-eight-week slog it used to take.The incentives are also bigger than ever. Banks are rolling out cashback offers (up to 2% of your mortgage value) to cover legal fees, and digital processes mean less paperwork and fewer headaches. Think of it as the financial equivalent of ordering your groceries online instead of queuing at the supermarket.---The Savings Are No JokeHere’s the kicker: the gap between the lowest and highest mortgage rates in Ireland is massive. Currently, the best rates hover around 3%, while the worst can exceed 6.15%. For the average mortgage of €334,000, that difference translates into savings of €7,000 a year—or nearly €600 a month. That’s not just pocket change; that’s holiday money, school fees, or the deposit on a second-hand car.As Hennessy puts it, “Imagine someone handing you €450 in cash every month. You’d take it, wouldn’t you?” Yet many homeowners are still reluctant to switch, clinging to old fears that the process is too complicated. Spoiler: it isn’t.---Green Homes, Green SavingsIf your home is energy-efficient, you’ve got even more reasons to switch. Many lenders now offer “green rates” for homes with strong Building Energy Ratings (BERs). Even if you’re not living in a solar-powered palace, rising property values could mean your loan-to-value ratio has improved, making you eligible for lower interest rates.---Repeat Switchers: The MVPs of Mortgage ManagementNot only can you switch your mortgage once, but you can do it multiple times. In fact, repeat switchers are Doddle.ie’s favourite clients. “It’s about reviewing your mortgage every few years,” says Hennessy. Fixed-rate periods typically last three to five years, and rolling onto a variable rate without shopping around is like leaving money on the table. Don’t do it.What About ECB Rate Cuts?While the European Central Bank (ECB) may cut rates this year, don’t expect it to drastically change your mortgage unless you’re on a tracker rate. Most Irish mortgages are tied to the Euribor rate, which has already adjusted for anticipated ECB cuts. So, if you’re holding out for a miracle rate drop, you might be waiting a while.In a time when everything costs more—groceries, energy, a pint at the pub—your mortgage is one area where you can claw back some much-needed cash. As Hennessy says, “Your home is your home; your mortgage is just a financial product.” Treat it like one. Shop around, save money, and stop paying more than you need to.So, Ireland, the message is clear: ditch the loyalty, embrace the switch, and start saving. Your wallet will thank you.
  • Cork family who lost a husband & dad to pulmonary fibrosis

    11:26|
    Cork family who lost a husband & dad to pulmonary fibrosis
  • Primary school children have unsupervised access to smart devices in their bedrooms

    11:56|
    Primary school children have unsupervised access to smart devices in their bedrooms
  • Farm family seek justice for Son & Brother

    12:22|
    Farm family seek justice for Son & Brother
  • CorkToday 10 February 2025

    01:41:58|
    We are joined by Minister of State at the Department of Education Michael Moynihan on the struggles parents face to obtain a school place for their child Farmers wish to form tree-cutting groups to protect power lines Further discussion on the delay in the HRT RolloutOn our Citizens Information segment, we talk about Getting Married What to do with used stamps!Nutritional advice this week with Anneliese
  • Nutritional advice with Anneliese 10 February 2025

    16:10|
    Nutritional advice with Anneliese 10 February 2025
  • Citizen Information Segment on Getting Married

    10:56|
    Citizen Information Segment on Getting Married