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

IRELAND

Shane MacGowan who was praised for his enormous influence on music following his passing today. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

• The death was announced of Shane MacGowan at age 65, leading to tributes from across Ireland and beyond to the hugely influential musician, songwriter and singer, who was best known for his work with The Pogues.
• A 49-year-old woman pleaded guilty to the murder of her two children, aged two and five, amid emotional scenes at the Central Criminal Court today.
• Gardaí criticised an Irish website which published details of the wrong man accused of the Parnell Square attack. 
• It’s set to be a cold few days ahead with a low temperature/ice warning in place for most counties today.
• The jury in the trial of Kyle Hayes, who denies assault and violent disorder, was asked by his barrister to “give him his life back” after he said the All Star hurler had waited four agonising years for the case be brought to trial.
• Cuts at RTÉ will see a minimum cut to expenditure of €10 million in 2024, including scaling the number of Fair City episodes aired a week from 4 to 3 from January onwards.  
• A row over the possession and use of several properties which are allegedly being used for raves, gigs and as a community centre on Dublin’s northside went before the High Court.
• A patron of the Stardust nightclub saw a woman running towards an exit “in a ball of flame”, an inquest has heard.

INTERNATIONAL

Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi, centre, is supported by her mother after she was released from prison by Israel, in the West Bank town of Ramallah. AP AP

#COP28 The gathering saw the first pledges to a new Loss and Damage Fund  as countries reached a long-awaited agreement. Lauren Boland reports from Dubai for The Journal.
#GAZA Israel and Hamas agreed to a day-long extension to ceasefire, as eight more hostages are released.
#RUSSIA The state’s conservative turn continued as it banned the “international LGBT movement,” claiming it was an extremist group in a move that cements a long crackdown on the community.

PARTING SHOT

Following the passing of Shane MacGowan, Tony Duffin reflects on the impact of Shane’s work on him during his time in London during the 1980’s.

He notes that one song by The Pogues served up an “accurate depiction of a life lived on the streets of London — sex work, begging, drug use, violence, chaos, disease and death”, but that this would prompt him to move into working in homeless and drug services.

“…Shane MacGowan was many things to many people. I want to tell you what he meant to me way back in 1980s London.”

You can read more here.

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