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

Taylor D with Pat Dennigan (CEO Focus Ireland), Ingrid Garacki (Focus Ireland) and drummer Cian Cross performing at Make Some Noise for Focus Ireland in St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre. Rolling News Rolling News

IRELAND

• A review has found that “institutional misogyny” contributed to “clear warnings signs” being missed in the initial PSNI investigation following the death of showjumper Katie Simpson.Ayoung man who killed a pensioner with an MMA-style kick, causing him to fall to the ground and suffer a fatal head injury, has been jailed for five years.
• Local fire authorities have issued 150 fire safety notices in the last five years over concerns with “potentially dangerous” buildings, The Journal Investigates has revealed.
• A man in his late 30s remains in a critical condition following a serious overnight assault in Cork.A garda who fatally struck a man with his car and failed to remain at the scene has been remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing.

  The first authorised treatment for epidermolysis bullosa (butterfly skin) in Ireland has been made available.

• Legislation to remove guardianship rights from convicted killers will be brought before Cabinet tomorrow for approval.
• Enoch Burke will remain in prison after refusing to obey a court order banning him from trespassing at Wilson’s Hospital School.
• The Data Protection Commission has opened an investigation into online retailer Shein over the transfer of customers’ personal data to China, while Coimisiún na Meán has launched two investigations into Meta over concerns about how users interact with its social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram.

INTERNATIONAL

Activists seen at the Resistance Red Carpet Protest Against Jeff Bezos and the Met Gala. Alamy Alamy

#HANTAVIRUS: The World Health Organisation suspects human-to-human transmission following a presumed hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

#IRAN: Donald Trump has urged Iran to “do the smart thing” and make a deal with the United States to end the war, saying even as a ceasefire teetered that he did not want to kill more Iranians.

#GERMANY: A car ploughed into a crowd in the historic centre of the eastern German city of Leipzig on Monday, killing two people and injuring several others, authorities said.

#MET GALA: The brightest stars in Hollywood, music, sports and style hit the red carpet on Monday for the Met Gala, the Manhattan charity ball that doubles as fashion’s biggest night.

PARTING SHOT

Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

It’s May – and that means we’re fast approaching peak wedding season in Ireland.

Fridays are still the most popular day to get married, while August remains the most popular month, according to Central Statistics Office data for the 19,898 marriages in 2025.

The data shows not much has changed since 2024, but the ages of brides and grooms continue to inch upwards.

The average age for men who got married last year was 38, up from 37.7 in 2024. For women, it was 36.1, up from 35.9.

Compared to ten years prior, 2015, this is a jump of almost three years in age for men and women (from 35.3 for men and 33.2 for women).

Read more about the changing marriage trends here.