Here's What Happened Today: Thursday

Covid inquiry, Toy Show the Musical, rise in cocaine seizures, a 2,000-year-old body and dormont interest rates made headlines today.

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

IRELAND

vote this way The booklet that will be distributed by the Electoral Commission with details of the upcoming referendums. Jane Matthews Jane Matthews

Parnell Square accused was back in court as judge heard of the ‘seriousness and complexity‘ of case.
Ireland has ‘once in a generation’ chance to decriminalise personal drug use, Paul Reid said.
A probe into RTÉ’s Toy Show the Musical found sponsorship was overstated by €75,000.
The future of St John of God’s care facilities are in limbo as the charity faces ongoing financial crisis.
Academic staff voted for industrial action over dispute at technological universities.
A cabinet subcommittee met to discuss longer-term plan to accommodate asylum seekers.
Ireland’s Covid-19 inquiry will involve a ‘no-blame‘ approach.
Ryanair revealed it purchased 25 homes for cabin crew staff in Swords housing estate.
Revenue saw a ‘significant’ rise in Irish cocaine seizures while Europe shifts focus in heroin trade.
Extreme weather events show Ireland’s vulnerability to climate change, report says.
A bog body discovered in Derry today is believed to be over 2,000 years old.
Nearly 33,000 homes delivered last year, uncertainty remains over social and affordable targets.
Ireland was found guilty of failing to ensure safe drinking water by EU court.
Voters were warned to know fact from opinion as Electoral Commission kick starts referendum campaigns.
Social Protection Minister published the Bill reforming child maintenance to benefit lone parents.
Bus and rail fare increases in Cavan, Wicklow, Kildare and Meath were slammed by TDs.

INTERNATIONAL

Darya Trepova has been sentenced to jail for 27 years today at a court in St Petersburg, Russia. PA PA

#UKRAINE: Zelensky called for an inquiry after Kyiv accused of downing plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners.

#JAPAN: Japanese court sentenced a man to death for arson attack at anime studio that killed 36.

#FRANKFURT: ECB said it will keep interest rates at 4%, with goal of returning inflation to 2% over time.

#RUSSIA: Russian court sentenced a woman to 27 years over bomb that killed pro-war blogger.

#UNITED KINGDOM: Nottingham killer who stabbed three people, including Grace O’Malley-Kumar, was sentenced to indefinite detention in hospital.

PARTING SHOT

PSNI BOG BODY The remains of a body found in a bog in Derry today. PSNI PSNI

Human remains from over 2,000 years ago were discovered in a bog in Bellaghy, Co Derry today.

An excavation has determined that the partially-preserved body was likely of a male aged between 13 and 17.

Image 5 - kidney A kidney found at the bog in Bellaghy, Derry. PSNI PSNI

The investigation first uncovered a tibia and fibula and a humerus, as well as an ulna and radius bone of a lower left leg and right arm respectively.

Further excavation revealed more bones in the area belonging to the same individual, including a lower left arm and a left femur, which were protruding from the ground.

excevators Excavators in Bellaghy, Derry. PSNI PSNI

Finger bones and fingernails were also found.

You can read the full story here.