Every morning, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you really, really need to know with your bowl of cornflakes.
1. #FF HEAVE: Brian Lenihan is likely to kill off Micheal Martin’s challenge by declaring for Cowen today, numerous reports suggest. The Taoiseach is reported to be “absolutely convinced” he will emerge victorious from this evening’s vote. There is speculation this morning that Micheal Martin might ultimately make a bid for the leadership after an election. On last night’s Frontline programme on RTE, Mary Hanafin refused to say how she would vote, but said she’d tell the party in advance of today’s vote. She also reiterated that if there is a vacancy, she wants to be considered for it.
2. #TWINS: A three month old twin baby boy remains in a critical condition after being admitted to hospital in Cork on 9 January, suffering head injuries and rib fractures. He is understood to be on a ventilator after suffering a bleed to the brain, the Examiner reports. His brother also suffered head injuries and remains at CUH. Gardaí are investigating the incident that led to their hospitalisation. The babies live in the East Cork area with their family.
3. #AER LINGUS: Further flight disruption is expected as the row over new rosters continues. Aer Lingus is to begin meeting individual crew members this morning over the dispute, following warnings that they may be taken off the payroll as early as today. The Examiner reports that at least 12 staff operating out of Cork and Dublin have already been removed from duty. Impact said any move to suspend its members will lead to further disruption.
4. #SUICIDE MISSION: The Irish Times reports that a car salesman who became trapped underwater in a car after a customer drove the vehicle off a pier has told an inquest he only realised when they were “going over the side” that the man was “on a suicide mission”, an inquest heard yesterday.
5. #GE11: Economist David McWilliams is giving serious consideration to contesting the election in Dun Laoghaire as an independent under an umbrella expected to be known as the New Ireland movement, the Irish Times reports.
6. #BURGER BATTLE: Dublin restaurant Jo’Burger has been threatened with legal action by the HSE if it doesn’t stop serving burgers rare or medium rare, the Irish Times reports.
7. #DRUMM: Drumm should not get protection from his credit card debt, following a blow-out just before he filed for bankruptcy, Chase Bank has claimed. The bank is suing Drumm over €10,758 he racked up between July 31 and October 14, the date he filed.
8. #CRIME: The budget for tackling organised crime has been halved, the new garda commissioner has said. The Irish Times reports that funding for Operation Anvil for 2011 has been cut to €10 million, its lowest ever level.
9. #RICKY GERVAIS: Comedian Ricky Gervais has insisted he was not reprimanded for his choice of humour during the Golden Globes when he disappeared off stage for an hour during the set during what the Mirror calls his “marmite performance”. Did you love it or hate it? Make up your own mind here.
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