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

IRELAND

Santa posing with Army band at Mercy University Hospital during Kinsale & District Lions Club Annual Christmas Toy Drop to Cork Hospitals. John Allen John Allen

• Four-year-old Tadgh Farrell, who was killed in a fire attack on a home in Co Offaly, was today remembered as having a “smile that could light any room”.
• Gardaí made four arrests in Midlands Prison in connection with an alleged prison assault that is suspected of being associated with the double murder of Mary Holt and Tadgh Farrell.
• A man in his 40s died following an incident at a construction site in Ringsend in Dublin.
• A new measure that is set to be rolled out by the communications regulator next year aims to tackle scam calls from international numbers.
• Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said “sensitive engagement” with families of victims of road traffic accidents is needed before a ban on roadside memorials.
• Liam Neeson denied being against the use of vaccinations after receiving backlash for participating in a documentary film that questioned their legitimacy.
• Half of the country is set to come under Status Yellow weather warnings for rain over the weekend.
• Two protests in west Dublin are expected to cause traffic disruption tomorrow on what is likely to be a busy shopping day in the run-up to Christmas. 
• A woman in her 70s was killed in a single-vehicle collision in Limerick yesterday, while a pedestrian in his 30s was killed this morning following a collision involving a car and a bus in Co Kildare. 
• John Magnier was ordered to pay the estimated €4 million-plus costs of his failed 19-day legal challenge to the sale of a Co Tipperary estate to a rival bidder.
• People began queuing for Christmas vouchers from a Dublin charity last night at 10pm, over eight hours before the vouchers were given out this morning. 
• A hearing into Enoch Burke’s 2023 dismissal by Wilson’s Hospital School will take place tomorrow after the teacher failed in a last-minute bid to have it postponed.
• “It’s not easy.” That’s what Catherine Connolly admitted as she referred to her campaign promise that Irish would be a working language in Áras an Uachtaráin during her term.
• A group of masked masked men beat a man in his 70s with bats and tried to set him on fire during an attempted murder in Co Armagh last night.
• Uisce Éireann is going to submit a planning application next week for the largest-ever water project in Irish history.
• Charlie McGettigan said he plans to hand back his Eurovision trophy in solidarity with the 2024 winner.

Donald Trump with Jeffrey Epstein while talking to model Ingrid Seynhaeve at 1997 Victoria's Secret party in New York. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#EPSTEIN FILES: Democratic lawmakers released a new cache of photos from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that includes images of US President Donald Trump and former president Bill Clinton.
#GAZA: Heavy rain brough by Storm Byron flooded Gaza, bringing yet more hardship to displaced people.
#CHINA: EU Finance Minister agreed to impose a €3 duty on low-value imports into the bloc from July 2026 to help tackle a flood of small parcels ordered via the likes of Shein and Temu.
#AUSTRALIA: Online discussion site Reddit launched a legal challenge to Australia’s social media ban for under-16s, just days after the landmark law came into effect.
#UK: Britain’s King Charles announced that his cancer treatment is being reduced in the new year.

PARTING SHOT

Eric Roberts, from Donegal, is a well known social media personality.

Ireland AM host Eric Roberts was revealed as the sixth contestant on the newest season of Dancing with the Stars, which will begin next month.

Paudie Moloney from The Traitors Ireland and former Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh are some of the contestants already announced for the upcoming season, while the next three celebrity dancers will be revealed on The Late Late Show tonight.

Roberts, from Donegal, is a well known social media personality, particularly on TikTok and Instagram, where he has over one million followers.

Earlier this year, he published a children’s book Gary the Stinky Goose, which was inspired by his work as a special needs assistant, and by his nephew Oisín who has cerebral palsy and autism.

The TikTok star said he is both excited and terrified to appear on the show.

“I’ve been a fan of the show for years and some of my friends have taken part and told me how amazing the experience is and also how difficult it can be!” he said.