NEED TO CATCH up? The Journal brings you a round-up of today’s news. 

Healthcare workers hold a silent protest in support of Palestine in Dublin city centre today Conor Ó Mearáin / RollingNews.ie Conor Ó Mearáin / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

IRELAND

• Mairead McGuinness has said that severe post-viral syndrome led to her withdrawing from the presidential race last August 
• Holly Cairns has taken aim at the government in her keynote speech at the Social Democrats’ national conference this evening 
• ‘Derisory’ payments for expert witnesses, such as psychiatrists, are causing problems at trials 
• There are calls for UCD to revoke an award it gave to renowned linguist Noam Chomsky following fresh details of his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein 
• Tánaiste Simon Harris said most parents support banning social media for children under a certain age and want to see the government taking action on it
• An Irish skier has finished 34th in the downhill alpine skiing event at the Winter Olympics in Italy. 
• A man is in a critical condition after being hit by a car in Louth in the early hours of this morning 
• A plaque has been unveiled at the childhood home of writer Brendan Behan in Dublin
• Majella O’Donnell has spoken about her stay in a psychiatric hospital and urged people to be as open to speaking about their mental health illnesses as they are with other illnesses. 

INTERNATIONAL 

Supporters of the Iranian opposition hold a protest in central Berlin calling for political change in Iran Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#UKRAINE The US wants Ukraine and Russia to end their war by June, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. 

#TRUMP US president Donald Trump has distanced himself but refused to apologise for a video posted on his social media account that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys. 

#AUSTRALIA Police in Australia say they have identified a suspect in the disappearance of a young boy from a remote farm almost five months ago. 

PARTING SHOT

A 27-year-old Roscommon nurse has arrived in Sydney after cycling across three continents and raising over €150,000 for hospice and suicide prevention services. 

Fergal Guihen left Ireland in March 2024 and arrived in Sydney this morning after travelling through 28 countries in almost two years. 

Speaking upon his arrival at Sydney Opera House, he said that he originally thought the journey would take one year, and that it was the toughest thing he’s ever done. 

Guihen arriving in Sydney this morning @inis_lens @inis_lens