EVERY DAY, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you need to know with your morning cup of coffee.
1. #DISABILITY: The Department of Social Protection has confirmed a rise in the refusal rate of applications for the Disability Allowance. RTÉ reports that three out of every five applicants were rejected but a spokesperson for Joan Burton insisted that the criteria for eligibility has not changed.
2. #QUINN FAMILY: The five adult children of bankrupt businessman Seán Quinn have been granted €30,000 in monthly living expenses between them by the High Court, reports the Irish Times. The ruling comes as the youngest daughter Brenda accepts a job with a less-than-average salary of €25,000, according to the Irish Independent.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach Enda Kenny has criticised Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly for showing support to the beleaguered family. The former GAA president had said it was the association’s ethos to stand behind a “decent family”. Kenny warned him against commenting on serious matters before the courts, the Irish Daily Mail reports.
3. #BACK TO SCHOOL: Parents have told Barnardos that they are going without food and failing to pay bills so they can afford to send their children to school. A new survey found that the costs incurred by a teenager in secondary school average about €770. The corresponding back-to-school allowance is €250.
4. #RIP: American author, playwright and political commentator Gore Vidal has died at his Los Angeles home. He was 86.
5. #ROYAL VISIT II: Ireland may have to roll out the red carpet again as the Taoiseach has asked the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to make their first official trip to the Republic, reports the Irish Independent. Kate and William are said to be “enthusiastic” about the invitation, while Prince Charles and Camilla are “very keen” to come over too.
6. #SYRIA: The besieged city of Aleppo is running low on food and other necessities with three million residents struggling because of ongoing violence and power cuts. A report published by Amnesty International today said investigators found evidence of security forces firing on peaceful anti-regime demonstrations in the commercial hub, killing protesters, as well as bystanders and children.
7. #ROBBERY: A man in his 30s is due in court this morning in relation to a robbery at a Spar shop on James’s Street in Dublin on Saturday night. An employee of the store remains in hospital after he was stabbed with a blood-filled syringe during the incident.
8. #PSNI: Detectives in Northern Ireland are investigating a mortar attack on a routine police patrol in west Belfast. The PSNI said a shot was also reportedly fired at a police vehicle at about 4am last Friday. The Irish News reports that dissident republican group Oglaigh na hEireann (ONH) took responsibility for the attack in a coded statement to the newspaper.
9. #NOT TRYING: Eight Olympic badminton players have been charged with “not using one’s best efforts to win a match” after they were booed off court by angry spectators who were aware that they were trying to ‘throw’ their games to secure an easier draw.
For all your other London 2012 updates, TheScore.ie‘s Olympic breakfast should do the trick. Day five is set to be a big one for Team Ireland as sailing star Annalise Murphy goes in her fifth and sixth races in the Laser Radial class, while John Joe Nevin’s second fight begins at 2pm. Eoin Rheinisch hopes to go at least one better than he did in Beijing with his canoe slalom semi-final kicking off at 1.30pm and David McCann comes off the back of a decent road race on Saturday to participate in today’s time trial at.
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