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

IRELAND

Spice Girls Fans (back, l-t-r) Bella Flynn, Celine Buckley, Lisa Donohoe and Amanda Mulvaney, (front, l-t-r) Kellie Buckley and Gemma Collins. Tom Honan Tom Honan

• Turnout started out low in the European and local elections and in the divorce referendum.
• A no-deal Brexit is “more likely than it’s ever been”, Tánaiste Simon Coveney said
• Galway native Kevin Hynes died while climbing Mount Everest
• Over 33,000 speed checks were carried out in Ireland – here are some of the speeds people were caught travelling at
• The Bernard Shaw has been refused permission to continue operating its iconic exterior beer garden and dining area.

INTERNATIONAL 

L-t-r: Theresa May at the beginning of her term in office as Prime Minister, and Theresa May today, when she announced her resignation. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

#THE END OF MAY: Theresa May has announced she will step down as Conservative leader on 7 June, paving the way for a Tory leadership contest. 

#FRANCE: A parcel bomb exploded in the French city of Lyon. There were a number of injuries, but no fatalities were reported, President Emmanuel Macron said.

#ME TOO: Disgraced Hollywood produced Harvey Weinstein has reportedly reached a provisional $44 million settlement with alleged victims and creditors. 

PARTING SHOT

Theresa May’s Brexit deal was voted down in the worst House of Commons defeat in modern history; but her short tenure in office won’t be shorter than Gordon Brown’s – and more than that, it’s actually part of a pattern.

British broadcaster Michael Crick said that for the past seven decades, the UK has seen “a substantial, long-serving Prime Minister followed by lesser figure from same party who lasts roughly half as long”.

He cites: “Churchill-Eden; Macmillan-Home; Wilson-Callaghan; Thatcher-Major; Blair-Brown; Cameron-May. Only Heath breaks the pattern.”

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