View this email in your browser Business Today Thursday, 06 August, 2026 Editor's Note Good morning, reader Peter Jackson, the man who turned Paddy Power from a UK and Irish kingpin into global gambling powerhouse, Flutter, only to be undone by the swing to prediction markets, will step aside after nine years as CEO, writes Barry O’Halloran. The news came as Flutter announced a $296 million (€256 million) loss in the three months to June 30th, and cut full-year forecasts. McCloskey’s pub on Morehampton Road in Donnybrook has been refused permission to retain a 136 sq m retractable barrel-roofed awning over its existing beer garden. An Coimisiún Pleanála ruled the application would give rise to an unacceptable level of noise disturbance for residential properties in the vicinity. Gordon Deegan reports. Sticking with hospitality, the group behind the Sligo Park Hotel and the Dublin’s Mespil Hotel paid out just under €5.2 million in combined dividends last year to the Kidney family that owns the properties, with the Sligo business paying the larger share, writes Stephen Conneely. Continue Reading Dominic Coyle   TOP BUSINESS STORIES Work If you think you got your job on merit, I’m afraid I have some bad news Business Irish firms raise €296m in VC funding, but three deals account for lion’s share Business Sligo Park and Mespil hotels pay €5.2m in dividends to family owners Economy Services sector upbeat about prospects for year ahead as activity grows strongly Business Andrew Yaxley and Geoff Byrne swap roles amid Tesco Group reshuffle Olive Keogh How doughnuts helped an Irish founder break into the US healthcare system MORE BUSINESS STORIES Business Actavo pays €10m dividend to shareholders, including Denis O’Brien Business Flutter shares slump as CEO Peter Jackson to leave gambling giant next month Economy State pays Deloitte €10.45m for advice on managing migrant response and costs Business Fáilte Ireland spending €10m to boost number taking short domestic breaks Do you have questions about becoming an Irish Times subscriber, or about your subscription? You'll find handy guides in our FAQs, and you can manage many aspects of your subscription in the My Account section. Never miss a business story Subscribe now for just €1 for your first month SUBSCRIBE