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

IRELAND

Taoiseach Micheál Martin signing the book of condolence for Pope Francis at the residence of the Apostolic Nunciature to Ireland. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

• Housing completions increased in the first quarter of this year – largely driven by apartments finally being built following delays in the last three months of 2024.
• A woman in her 60s died after being struck by a lorry while she was walking in Co Mayo.
• The Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland in Clonskeagh is temporarily closed following an incident over the weekend.
• A man appeared in court in connection with the death of Willie Moorehouse in Wicklow in January.
• A Garda investigation began after the body of a man was discovered at an apartment in Athy this morning.
• Billionaire businessman Denis O’Brien has received €5.8m from the State Claims Agency for legal costs associated with the Moriarty Tribunal.
• Suspended Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes called for the Occupied Territories Bill to be enacted.
• More than 1.2 million people signed a petition by a pro-choice campaign calling on the European Commission to propose financing “safe and legal abortion”.
• Daniel O’Donnell announced he will headline a concert on Saturday to raise funds for a Co Donegal church that was burned down on Monday morning.
• An Post offered to send mass or sympathy cards to the Vatican for free for people who wish to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis.

INTERNATIONAL

People gather in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#VATICAN: Over 90,000 people filed into St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects to Pope Francis ahead of his funeral on Saturday.

#WAR IN UKRAINE: US President Donald Trump condemned Russian strikes on Kyiv that killed 12 people and urged Vladimir Putin to “stop” and “get a peace deal done”.

#FRANCE: A teenage girl died after she was injured in a knife attack while at school in Nantes, President Emmanuel Macron has said.

#KNEECAP: UK counterterrorism police are reviewing footage of Kneecap performing in London in November after complaints.

PARTING SHOT

Leonie the orangutan. Dublin Zoo Dublin Zoo

Dublin Zoo announced the death of Leonie, its “much-loved” 44-year-old orangutan. 

Leonie arrived at the zoo in 1984 from Rotterdam Zoo along with her mate Sibu, who died last year.

Dublin Zoo team leader Ciarán McMahon said the “quiet matriarch’s” health had declined in recent months due to age-related issues, leading to the zoo making the decision to “let her go peacefully”.