NEED TO CATCH up? TheJournal.ie brings you a round up of today’s news.

IRELAND

Ballot papers being council in the RDS in Dublin this morning Sam Boal Sam Boal

• The first local councillors have been elected as counting has begun across the country today. You can follow our live coverage here.
• Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said he’ll be “ecstatic” if his party wins three seats in the European election, as RTÉ/TG4′s exit poll shows strong support for his colleagues.
• Social Democrats Ellie Kisyombe says she is disappointed with how her party leadership handled a review into her candidacy.
• An off-duty garda has died after getting into difficulty while diving off the Wexford Coast. 
• Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has hit out at the government for the handling of the plebiscite on whether Cork city should have a directly elected mayor. 
• A memorial service for Trinity professor Seamus Lawless, an Irishman who died while climbing Mount Everest, will be held on Monday, the family has confirmed.
• A Real IRA leader who plotted an explosion during the State visit of Britain’s Prince Charles in 2015 has died in prison.
• Some fans who attended last night’s Spice Girls concert in Croke Park have complained about the gig’s sound quality.
• Gardaí have appealed for information on a mountain bike they believe was used in the murder of a man in Darndale during the week. 

INTERNATIONAL

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania arriving in Tokyo, Japan earlier today UPI / PA Images UPI / PA Images / PA Images

#TORIES: UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has entered the race to replace Theresa May as Prime Minister. 

#EVEREST: A British climber has died on Mount Everest amid increasing concerns of overcrowding and congestion on the world’s highest mountain.

#ABORTION: A US federal judge has blocked Mississippi’s strict abortion law which would have banned the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy.

#MISSING: An American yoga instructor who spent two weeks lost in the wilds of Hawaii and survived on plants and water has been found alive.

PARTING SHOT

As noted above, a number of councillors have been elected this evening as the counting of votes has gotten underway.

Here’s a look at some of the winners celebrating today: 

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