LAST UPDATE | 17 Mar

 GOOD MORNING.

Here’s all the news that you need to know as you start the day.

Oval Office meeting 

1. The Taoiseach is set to visit the White House later today for his bilateral meeting with Donald Trump. Micheál Martin is also due to meet with Vice President JD Vance today, as part of the traditional St Patrick’s visit to Washington DC. The traditional Shamrock Ceremony happens later this evening. Speaking to The Journal in the city last night, former Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the Oval Office visit was something Ireland “should not under any cirumstances let slip from our hands”. 

Cork attack

2. A man in his 30s has died after a suspected stabbing in Cork city yesterday. It’s understood the man managed to make his way back to his apartment in Camden Court in Carroll’s Quay having been stabbed in the city at about 7.30pm. Gardaí are investigating. 

War in Iran

3. Residents of Dubai and Doha, Qatar, woke to the sound of explosions this morning as air defences worked to intercept new waves of incoming Iranian fire. Israel also launched new strikes on Iran and Lebanon, as the war in the Middle East showed no signs of abating.

Racist abuse 

4. The IRFU is expected to make official complaints over three social media accounts believed to be based in Ireland and linked to the racist abuse of rugby player Edwin Edogbo last month. The 42 FM – a podcast from The Journal and The 42 – has learned that early investigations indicate that one of the account holders may be a member of a rugby club in Ireland. 

Dolores Keane 

5. President Catherine Connolly has been leading tributes to folk singer Dolores Keane, who has died aged 72. “She was one of the great voices of this island, and of the world,” Connolly said. 

Late opening? 

6. Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has not ruled out the possibility of allowing pubs to temporarily extend their opening hours for the World Cup if the Republic of Ireland qualifies. Pressure has been mounting on the government to change pub licensing laws, so Irish fans can enjoy the matches that will take place in Canada, Mexico and the United States in the summer, should Ireland qualify. 

No show explained 

7. The mystery of Sean Penn’s non-appearance at the Oscars has been solved. Turns out the veteran actor was on his way to Kyiv for what’s been described as a “personal visit”, which included a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

Green Day 

8. Planning a visit to a parade today? We’ve got you covered here, with our guide to the St Patrick’s events taking place in all the main cities. 

The outlook

9. Batten down the snakes – we’re in the for the usual blustery St Patrick’s Day conditions today, but it’s set to get much sunnier and warmer later in the week.