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

IRELAND

The aftermath of Storm Agnes at Muckross House and Gardens, Killarney National Park, clearing and cutting up branches after yesterday's storm. Valerie O'Sullivan Valerie O'Sullivan

• A seventh person was arrested as part of a Garda investigation following a multi-agency operation that led to the seizure of €157 million worth of cocaine from a cargo ship after it was boarded by Army Rangers on Tuesday.
• You can read more about the above seizure here, where our reporter Niall O’Connor spoke to several sources on how gardaí captured the MV Matthew. 
• The Chief Exec of Children’s Health Ireland “stepped back” from the serious incident review into the use of non-medical grade ‘springs’ in children’s spinal surgeries, after she learned “last month” of a letter purportedly sent to her in 2020 flagging concerns about the practice. 
• Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said gardai will be expected to comply with a roster change planned for 6 November. It comes after rank-and-file gardai threatened to withdraw their labour if the standoff is not resolved.
• Leo Varadkar was criticised for referencing the TV programme Benefits Street during a discussion on disability payments in the Dáil yesterday, when he appeared to imply that some social welfare recipients are not genuine.
• Father Peter McVerry said that the appointment of inspectors by a housing regulator following financial concerns raised at the Peter McVerry Trust is due to a “cashflow problem”.  
• Multiple staff members in the Irish Prison Service are currently under investigation amid allegations they used fuel cards registered to State vehicles for their own cars.
• Patience has run out with the DUP’s blockade of the Stormont Assembly, Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill has said. 

INTERNATIONAL

The felled the tree at Sycamore Gap, next to Hadrian’s Wall PA PA

#LONDON A teenage boy remains in custody being questioned by detectives after a 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death on her way to school.

#ROTTERDAM Two people have been been killed and a teenager is fighting for her life after a 32-year-old gunman opened fire at a house and a hospital in Rotterdam this afternoon.

#HADRIAN’S WALL A teenage boy was arrested in connection with the cutting down of one of the UK’s most photographed trees.

#GB NEWS Laurence Fox apologised for his comments made on GB News about journalist Ava Evans, saying “I’m sorry for demeaning you in that way”.

#AI ChatGPT will soon to be able to search all information on the internet live, OpenAI has announced. It used to only have access to data up until September 2021.

#NEW RULES The BBC set out new rules for flagship presenters after a tweet by Gary Lineker prompted an impartiality row.

PARTING SHOT

Michael Gambon Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Actor Michael Gambon has died at the age of 82, his family has confirmed.

The four-time Bafta winner was born in Cabra and started his stage acting career in the Gate Theatre in Dublin.

He became a household name when he took on the role of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series.

President Michael D Higgins was among those to pay tribute to Gambon, calling him “one of the finest actors of his generation” in a statement this afternoon.

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More