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

IRELAND

A quiet Arrivals at Dublin Aiport. Leah Farrell / Rollingnews.ie Leah Farrell / Rollingnews.ie / Rollingnews.ie

• Public health officials have confirmed that a further five people have died with Covid-19 and 527 more positive cases have been recorded in Ireland.
• Northern Ireland has reported a further 640 Covid-19 cases and seventeen deaths.
• Pubs and restaurants are likely to close their doors on 30 December as Cabinet is expected to make a decision on new post-Christmas restrictions.
• Irish ambulance crews are supporting Northern Ireland’s ambulance service this weekend as health services in the North are put under strain.
• The DSPCA is urging the public to be wary of purchasing dogs at this time of year. 
• Former State pathologist Professor John Harbison has died.
• A man has been arrested after the seizure of cocaine and cash in Galway yesterday evening.
• Adventurer and author Tim Severin has died aged 80 at his home in West Cork.
• U2 band members disagreed over whether to go public with their €10 million donation for the purchase of PPE for frontline workers, according to Bono.

THE WORLD

Shutterstock / Alex Gakos Shutterstock / Alex Gakos / Alex Gakos

#FRANCE French president Emmanuel Macron, who has tested positive for Covid-19, is in a stable condition and working while self-isolating.

#VACCINE The Moderna Covid-19 vaccine has been given authorisation for use in the US by the country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

#BREXIT Fishing rights are now the main obstacle to securing a post-Brexit deal between the EU and UK.

#LOCKDOWN Several countries are heightening Covid-19 restrictions ahead of Christmas, including Italy, England and Scotland.

PARTING SHOT

Dublin's Brian Fenton and Mayo's Lee Keegan. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

Dublin has come out on top in the All-Ireland today, beating out Mayo in the final.

With Mayo suffering a difficult start, Dublin pulled ahead in the first half with 2-6 to 0-10 lead by half-time.

Dublin won the final for the sixth year in a row with a final score of 2-14 to 0-15.