NEED TO CATCH up? TheJournal.ie brings you a round-up of today’s news.

IRELAND

The scenes earlier at the annual Fianna Fáil Easter 1916 commemoration Leah Farrell / Rollingnews.ie Leah Farrell / Rollingnews.ie / Rollingnews.ie

• The Citizens’ Assembly recommended that abortion be allowed without restrictions up to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
• The Bishop of Elphin said that the Sisters of Charity will have to obey the rules of the Catholic Church if they become the owners of the new maternity hospital.
• A “significant explosive device” was found outside the gates of a school in Belfast.
• A motorcyclist with a provisional licence was clocked at over 200km/hr in New Ross today.
• Labour leader Brendan Howlin hit out at the “sham” government and the “racist” Trump.
• A Dart driver shared his fear of hitting people on the tracks.
• A month after the GamerCon fiasco, customers are still waiting to get their money back.
• The story of Ireland from 1916 to 2015 has been told through the faces of its people.
• Gardaí in Naas were trying to track down the owner of two horses found wandering on a road.

INTERNATIONAL

Ballot papers bearing the names of candidates in the French Presidential election Kay Nietfeld DPA / PA Images Kay Nietfeld DPA / PA Images / PA Images

#FRANCE ON THE BRINK: The French people took their first steps towards electing a new President today, with voter turnout high across the country.

#PARTY PROMISES: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn vowed to introduce four new public holidays in the UK if he becomes Prime Minister after the upcoming election.

#STANDOFF: North Korea “detained third US citizen” as tensions rise in the region.

PARTING SHOT

In 1973, UK band The Kinks released a concept album about a comedian who is funded by big business, becomes a dictator and uses the media as a tool of political and social control.

A parable for our times?

The band’s lead songwriter and vocalist Ray Davies talks Sunny Afternoon and Donald Trump in this interview with the BBC.

And for the day’s that it in it, with people running through the streets of the UK capital for the London Marathon, here’s one of The Kinks’ most enduring hits.

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More