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

Crowds gathered last night for the Bantry Macra na Feirme Christmas Charity Tractor Run, held in support of the Bantry Inshore Search & Rescue Association and West Cork Rapid Response. Karlis Dzjamko via Alamy Karlis Dzjamko via Alamy

IRELAND

• Two people died and a number of people were injured following a collision involving a bus, a lorry and a car in Co Meath this morning.
• A jury unanimously convicted a Kerry man of murdering his 75-year-old mother, rejecting his claim that he should be found not guilty by reason of insanity having strangled her to death at her home three years ago.
• Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan poured cold water on the prospect of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch becoming a TD after the notorious gangland figure told supporters in recent days that he definitely intends to run again.
• European Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner, said Ireland is a “frontrunner” in terms of its preparation to adopt the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and that Citywest international protection centre is an example of “best practice”.
• An apprentice electrician who was cleared of murder received a wholly suspended sentence for assaulting a man while two others beat that man’s friend to death on a Dublin street.

INTERNATIONAL

Costumed participants pose for photos as visitors enjoy the opening day of the traditional Christmas Market in Frankfurt, Germany. © Matias Basualdo / ZUMA Press Wire © Matias Basualdo / ZUMA Press Wire / ZUMA Press Wire

#NON RUNNER: A federal judge dismissed the criminal cases brought against former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, two prominent foes of President Donald Trump.

#NOT FOR US: The Kremlin said that Europe’s counter-proposal to a 28-point US plan to end the Ukraine war was “unconstructive” and did not work for Russia.

#GAZA: The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US and Israeli-backed private organisation that provided aid for Palestinians in Gaza but was criticised by the UN, said today it is ending its mission.

PARTING SHOT

Pictured at the unveiling of the restored Howth Station Canopy was Rob Stapleton, Iarnród Éireann, Sutton Station Manager,Bob Love, Iarnród Éireann, Building & Facilities Asset Compliance Manager,Regina Cleary Ianród Éireann Buildings & Facilities,Helen Lahert Howth Tidy Towns,Cllr. David Healy, Howth-Malahide Representative on Fingal County Council and Naoise Ó Muirí TD. Iarnród Éireann Iarnród Éireann

A PIECE OF Irish railway history has been brought back to life as Iarnród Éireann today announced the completion of the full restoration of the Howth Station Canopy, a protected cast iron structure first installed in 1898.

After more than a century of exposure to coastal weather, this original feature of the station was identified for restoration during a specialist investigation in October 2023.

Over the past 24 months, a team of 200 Iarnród Éireann specialists from across Ireland have collaborated to dismantle, repair, and reconstruct the canopy, preserving one of Dublin’s most recognisable pieces of railway heritage.