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

IRELAND

The launch of the Metrolink today. Sam Boal Sam Boal

• The National Transport Authority has confirmed that the Metrolink project will not continue south of the Charlemont Luas stop in Dublin.
• Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that no one can condone the actions of Lisa Smith, but that she has an innocent child
• An investigation was launched at a Cork maternity hospital after a mother was found dead on the floor of her room with her infant underneath her
• The first police officers on the scene where three teenagers died following a crush on St Patrick’s Day in Cookstown “withdrew to await further police support”
• Murder accused Patrick Quirke denied to Gardaí that he was trying to “take Mary Lowry to the cleaners” by demanding €20,000 from her, the court heard
• Only 6% of people believe that John Delaney should continue to be involved with the FAI, a new poll found.

INTERNATIONAL

A steam train winds its way across the Dorset countryside. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

#EU: The European Parliament approved new controversial EU copyright rules that hand more power to news publishers and record companies against internet giants.

#BREXIT: The DUP’s Sammy Wilson has said that he would prefer a year’s extension to Theresa May’s Brexit deal.

#US: prosecutors have dropped all charges against television actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of lying to police about a fabricated racist and homophobic hate crime. 

PARTING SHOT

Is Brexit stressing you out? Try this soothing video of sounds of the Withdrawal Agreement (yes, you heard that right).