EVERY WEEKDAY EVENING, TheJournal.ie brings you the five stories you need to know before you head out the door.

1. #ATHLONE: Up to 300 people gathered outside Athlone District Courthouse where two men were released without charge after their arrest on Saturday in connection with an alleged serious sexual assault on two young girls. A third man is still being held by gardaí.

2. #SEANAD: A new poll has shown that Friday’s referendum to abolish the Seanad is set to pass with 62 per cent of voters who’ve made up their minds saying they intend to vote ‘Yes’.

3. #IRAQ: Eleven car bombs across Baghdad today killed at least 37 people and wounded more than 120. Violence in Iraq killed 850 people in September alone.

4. #COOTEHILL: A man was due in court this afternoon charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of Emmet Connolly from Monaghan in Co. Cavan over the weekend.

5.#TRAIN CRASH: Police in Chicago are investigating the possibility that somebody hijacked a train in the city and crashed it into another this morning injuring dozens of people during rush hour.

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The 5 at 5 Tensions run high outside Athlone courthouse, Seanad poll points to ‘Yes’ and bombs across Baghdad.

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.