EVERY DAY, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you need to know with your morning cup of coffee.
1. #FINAL COUNTDOWN: Two more full Cabinet meetings are taking place ahead of next week’s Budget: the first this morning, and the second on Sunday evening, after the Fine Gael Ard Fheis ends. Michael Noonan will announce the measures next Tuesday at 2.30pm.
2. #WARNING: In an unusual step, police in Northern Ireland are warning the public about a man they wish to speak with in connection with the murder of Barry McCrory on Shipquay Street in Derry yesterday. People are being warning not to approach the man and a picture has been released.
3. #GILLIGAN: Crime boss John Gilligan has issued a statement through his solicitor saying that he will not conduct any interviews with media outlets after his planned released from prison next week. Not even for a “million euro,” the Irish Independent is reporting this morning.
4. #LET’S TALK: There are renewed hopes for a solution to the political crisis in the US after what are being called “constructive” talks between Presidents Obama and Republican leaders overnight. No firm deal was struck, but more talks are planned.
5. #LEICESTER: Another suspect – a 22-year-old man – is due in court in Leicester today charged with murder in connection with the house fire that killed the family of Dublin-based doctor Muhammad Taufiq Al Sattar. Thousands turned out yesterday for the funeral of the neurosurgeon’s wife and three teenage children.
6. #ANGLO: Today is deadline day for offers to buy loans given by Anglo Irish Bank to some of the country’s best known companies, including the likes of TV3 and Arnotts. The bank, now known as the IBRC, is selling loans worth 3.5 billion, according to RTÉ. Unsold loans will go into NAMA.
7. #DUCKS: Locals in Edenderry have been left horrified after the heads of mallards and donated farmyard ducks were found in the Co Offaly town’s harbour in recent days. 22 of the birds are missing, The Irish Sun reports. Local councillor Noel Cribben said gardaí had been notified.
8. #NOBEL: The annual Nobel Peace Prize will be announced at 10am Irish time. favourite to take the prize is Pakistani schoolgirl campaigner Malala Yousafzai, who survived a horrific attack by the Taliban last year. However, there are 259 people on the list of contenders.
9. #MARA: The Irish Times reports that Love/Hate star Aidan Gillen (John Boy) and Tom Vaughan Lawlor (Nidge) paid a visit to Leinster House yesterday to research their new roles as, respectively, former Taoiseach Charles Haughey and his press officer PJ Mara, in an upcoming RTÉ drama.
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