Every morning, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you really need to know by 9am.
1. #RED C POLL: The latest political opinion poll shows support for Fianna Fáil at a new record all-time low – with the country’s traditionally largest party now enjoying the support of just 13% of voters. The poll, conducted by Red C and commissioned by The Irish Sun, reveals that Sinn Fein has steamed ahead of Fianna Fail in popularity, enjoying 16% support.
2. #SNOWWATCH: More freezing temperatures, more travel disruption, more heavy snow forecast – and there’s no let up in sight, with Met Eireann warning the cold snap will last another week. Conditions have significantly worsened in the western half of the country overnight. Dublin airport is fully operational this morning, but intending passengers are being warned to expect more disruption. Meanwhile, Cork county council has lifted the ban on farmers spreading grit on secondary roads.
3. #MORTGAGES: Credit ratings agency Moody’s has constructed a profile of the typical person most at risk of defaulting on their mortgage: it shows they are likely to be self-employed, have borrowed at the peak of the boom in 2006 or 2007 and not live in Dublin or Cork.
4. #RECESSIONOMICS: One in three unemployed people have fallen behind in their debt repayments, a study by a financial advice company has shown.
5. #PRIVILEGED: Lower-paid civil servants are to keep their two ‘privilege’ leave days in return for giving up 30 minutes a week to cash their pay cheques. The Irish Independent reports that clerical officers will be offered extra annual leave, on top of their regular 20 days a year, in return for the removal of this ‘bank time’.
6. #COURTS: A mother of two who stole more than €8,000 from the bank account of an 87-year-old widow who was her friend avoided jail yesterday when she was given a three-year suspended sentence.
7. #DRUMM: Mark it in your diary: David Drumm will have to testify in court next week about his assets, and also his conduct running Anglo Irish Bank, as part of his bankruptcy proceedings in the US.
8. #BERLUSCONI: Leaked Wikileaks documents claim that the Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi’s partying left him a “complete mess”. Cables refer to “a growing list of scandals, adverse court decisions and health issues have weakened him…” and continues: “Cantoni said Berlusconi’s frequent late nights and penchant for partying hard mean he does not get sufficient rest. (Note: Berlusconi dozed off briefly during the Ambassador’s initial courtesy call in September and looked distracted and tired at an October 19 event attended by the Ambassador. End note.)”
9. #UGH Might be best to avoid this one if you’re eating your porridge – or were a member of the Republic of Ireland soccer team which played England in Italy in 1990. The Guardian reports that Gary Lineker has revealed that he took a poo on the pitch during the World Cup opener in 1990. Lineker told the paper, “Unless you know, you wouldn’t know. But when you know, you do know…I was not very well, I was poorly at half-time,” explains the great man, who – the Guardian notes “wore the number 10 shirt but now might be better known for a number two”. The Irish players were predictably unwilling to go near him afterwards, which probably explains why we only managed a draw.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say