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

IRELAND

Santa got Government approval to enter Irish airspace on Christmas eve today. Alamy Alamy

• A woman in her 30s was found dead in a home in Gorey, Co Wexford
• The Taoiseach was in Brussels as EU leaders sought to strengthen Ukraine ahead of Trump presidency
• Meanwhile, at home, Labour walked away from government formation talks with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael
• Gardaí launched an investigation after an asylum seeker was attacked by group of men in Athlone
• Trump’s Doonbeg golf resort profits doubled to €2 million in 2023
• A second man was charged over assault of two gardaí in Dublin as one victim still in critical condition
• The Advertising watchdog upheld complaints against ads run by Pippa O’Connor and Rosanna Davison
• A male cyclist in his 50s died following a crash in Castleknock Village, Dublin
• South Dublin County Council became the first in Ireland with a majority female councillors
• The Taoiseach granted Santa permission to enter Irish airspace on Christmas Eve
• Mayo GAA made a second voluntary disclosure to Revenue
• A human rights watchdog called on McEntee to clarify reason for pausing asylum decisions for Syrians

INTERNATIONAL

Gisele Pelicot's ex-husband and all men who were accused of raping her without her knowledge were all found guilty in a French court today. Alamy Alamy

#FRANCE: Ex-husband of Gisele Pelicot and all other defendants were found guilty in French mass rape trial

#YEMEN: Israel launched multiple strikes against ports and infrastructure in Yemen, killing at least nine people

#NEW YORK: Man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare chief to appear at extradition hearing

#GAZA: A human rights watchdog said Israel restricting water access in Gaza constitutes ‘act of genocide’

PARTING SHOT

@stakelum Just listen to that chorus!🎶 Blessed to have such talent in Thurles 👏 #choir #oholynight #ursuline #tipperary #thurles #stakelum ♬ original sound - Stakelums

Linked video here

A talented secondary school choir in Tipperary has gone viral for their rendition of ‘O Holy Night’, which has generated hundreds of thousands of views and worldwide praise this week.

Students from Ursuline Secondary School, an all-girls school based in Thurles, Co Tipperary, were joined by members of local primary school Scoil Angela and a large audience for their annual carol service on Tuesday night in Thurles Cathedral.

The festive school event also featured an orchestra, as well as members of the local St Angela’s Academy of Music.

The service, an annual tradition for the school, featured an evening of traditional carol singing, with one standout performance of ‘O Holy Night’ gaining massive traction on social media.