EVERY WEEKDAY EVENING, TheJournal.ie brings you the five stories you need to know before you head out the door.

1. #WHISTLEBLOWERS The Taoiseach has defended Minister for Justice Alan Shatter’s handling of the whistleblower controversy, saying Shatter “is not one to mislead the house, no more than any other Minister”. Here is Shatter’s Dáil statement on the controversy in full.

2. #CRITICISM During the same Dáil sitting, Minister Alan Shatter was slammed in a scathing attack by Deputy Mick Wallace, who repeated his call for Shatter and Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan to resign. He also said the parliament will be a ‘sham’ if Shatter remains in his position.

3. #THE TROUBLES Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson has threatened to leave the Government over the release of James Downey in the Hyde Park case. Robinson said he wants a full inquiry into agreements made by the government over ‘on the run’ suspects.

4. #OFFALY Two 19-year old males have been arrested as part of the investigation into the murder of Toddy Dooley in Edenderry on 16 February. They are being held at separate garda stations and can be questioned for up to 24 hours.

5. #UK A boy aged 14 is charged with raping his mother on Sunday in Blackpool. He is the youngest ever person to be charged with the crime in the UK and his case will be held in court on 11 March.