Every afternoon, TheJournal.ie brings you five things you need to know by 5 o’clock.

1. #COWEN: The Taoiseach remained under fire from his own party this afternoon, as he headed to a North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Armagh. Rumours that Fianna Fáil backbenchers are considering a second heave attempt continue.

Junior minister Conor Lenihan has said publicly that he thinks Cowen should resign, while TD Willie O’Dea said those who supported Cowen on Tuesday evening’s confidence motion should reconsider, RTÉ reports.

2. #LIMERICK: A 32-year-old man has been charged in connection with the hijacking of a car outside a shop in Limerick yesterday. A toddler was still in the car when it drove off, and his mother has spoken of her horror at realising what was happening.

3. #CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: We’re paying 26 per cent more for education and 13 per cent more for healthcare than we were four years ago at the height of the boom, according to figures released by the CSO. Data also shows that inflation increased to 1.3 per cent last year as a result of soaring oil and petrol prices.

4. #IRAQ INQUIRY: Former British prime minister Tony Blair has appeared again before the Chilcot Inquiry to explain why he ignored legal advice regarding the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Blair was recalled to the inquiry after it heard evidence from other witnesses which conflicted with his earlier testimony.

5. #DEAD BIRDS: A US state agency has admitted it killed hundreds of birds recently found dead in South Dakota. The US Department of Agriculture says it poisoned the birds after receiving complaints from a local farmer, who had been having trouble with thousands of starling defecating into his animal feed.