Every morning, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you need to know as you start your day.
1. #CORK: The family of the young woman and child who were killed in a house fire in Cork at the weekend has spoken of their devastation at their deaths. Dawn O’Dwyer told the Star that she managed to get three children out of the house and believes her sister Helena went back to rescue her nephew Ryan. Helena’s father has appealed to the public to help the gardaí find those responsible for the blaze.
2. #TREATMENT: Two-year-old Irish boy Liam Heffernan is set to become the youngest person to undergo pioneering brain surgery in New York to tackle Batten’s Disease, the PA reports. His sister Saoirse, 5, died from the disease just a few months ago.
3. #CHERNOBYL: A number of ceremonies and candle-lit vigils are due to be held today in Ukraine to mark the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, which saw radioactive substances released into the air and forced the permanent evacuation of the nearby city Pripyat.
4. #VACCINATIONS: Following last week’s warning over measles outbreaks in Europe, the HSE’s National Immunisation Office has said it is concerned about the drop in numbers of children getting vaccinations against deadly diseases. The Irish Times reports that the organisation said that the figure for people getting Hib boosters, PCV and Men C vaccines are down.
5. #SYRIA: More deaths have been reported in Syria after the government sent troops into Deraa and Douma amid continuing political unrest. Over 350 people have died since the violence erupted last month. Meanwhile, the US is considering sanctions against Syria and has called on US citizens to leave the country “immediately”.
6. #PRISON BREAK: Of over 450 prisoners who escaped from Kandahar’s main prison down a 320 metre tunnel yesterday, Afghan police claim to have recaptured 26, al Jazeera reports. The prisoners are believed to be Taliban militants.
7. #ASH CLOUD: An independent investigation into the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud which caused significant disruptions to European air travel last year has found that the aviation authorities’ decision to ground flights was justified. Tests found that the ash was capable of causing damage to airline windows and engines, the Guardian reports.
8. #EDUCATION: Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has ruled out any reversal to controversial education cuts, but said that there will not be any small school closures.
9. #STUNT: A ‘human canonball’ stuntman has died during a public performance in Kent, England, at the weekend. The BBC quotes witnesses saying that the safety net appeared to collapse after the 23-year-old was launched, failing to protect him from the 30 foot fall.
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