EACH WEEKDAY EVENING, TheJournal.ie brings you the five stories you need to know before you hit the road.

1. #ELECTION 2014: Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness is the latest candidate to be elected, taking a seat in Midlands North West.

2. #DRUGS: A study has found the Ireland has the third-highest incidence of drug-induced deaths in Europe.

3. #DEATH THREAT: Labour Senator Lorraine Higgins said she has complained to gardaí after a Facebook user told her she would be “hatcheted in the face”.

4. #TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER: Speaking of Labour, it looks like either Alex White or Joan Burton will be replacing Eamon Gilmore as party leader.

5. #SEX CHARGES: Rolf Harris has told a court that he is a “touchy-feely” person, as he gave evidence for the first time in his sexual assault trial.

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The 5 at 5 5 minutes, 5 stories, 5 o’clock.

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.