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

The Rural Ireland Against Fox Hunting group staging a protest against the practice outside the Dáil. Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

IRELAND

• Five members of a Dublin criminal gang were jailed for between three and 8.5 years for an assault in which the victim was branded with the word “RAT” on his face and torso.
• The new Children’s Hospital is not on track to be handed over to the State by builders BAM by the end of April, the health committee has heard.
• The ESRI said higher energy prices due to the conflict in the Middle East will see the rate of inflation for this year rise to 3.2%.
• A marketing executive with a radio network was released on bail after appearing in court over a seizure of €110,000 worth of cannabis at his Dublin office building.
• A solicitor representing three Limerick road policing gardaí called for a public inquiry after prosecutions against three more gardaí charged with perverting the course of justice were withdrawn.
• The Supreme Court heard that the concept of dignity is not a right that can be breached, and therefore cannot form the basis of litigation in Irish courts.
• A working group set up by the government recommended a ban on commercial sunbed use in Ireland.
• Michael Healy-Rae got into an argument with a radio presenter on the issue of fox hunting ahead of a protest against the practice held at Leinster House.
• A man who was seriously injured when he crashed while driving an electric scrambler bike in Co Clare on Saturday died.

INTERNATIONAL 

Pro-government supporters chant slogans and wave Iranian flags during a rally, in a square in western Tehran, Iran. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#MIDDLE EAST: Iran rejected the ceasefire proposal sent by the United States, according to Iranian state television, which cited an unnamed senior official who said Tehran has put forward its own proposal.

#SOCIAL MEDIA: A jury in the US found both Meta and YouTube liable in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit that aimed to hold social media platforms responsible for harm to children using their services.

#NANCY GUTHRIE: US television host Savannah Guthrie said she and her family are in “unbearable agony” after her mother was apparently kidnapped nearly two months ago.

#UK: Two men were arrested in London this morning in connection with an arson attack on four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community service.

PARTING SHOT

Sean O'Shea, father of Ireland international Dara, enjoys a trip down memory lane in Prague.

Ahead of Ireland’s World Cup play-off against Czechia tomorrow, David Sneyd spoke to Dara O’Shea’s father Sean in Prague. 

“Oh Jesus, to me, this is like heaven, I’d be going to the matches myself, anyway, even if Dara wasn’t involved, so, it’s kind of a joy to watch him,” Sean said.

“He’s a great lad. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. He’s more sense than I have.”