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

IRELAND

Deer in Phoenix Park today. The Dept of Agriculture has recommended the deer cull proceed as usual due to an exponential growth in the herd. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

• Ireland’s fiscal watchdog slammed what it described as an “everything now” approach in Budget 2024, accusing the government of poorly budgeting its expenditure.
• A Garda representative body leader appealed for training standards to be maintained as garda trainees will leave their studies in Templemore a month early. 
• Students at TU Dublin’s Grangegorman campus said they are “fearful” after an increase in “anti-social behaviour” in recent weeks, according to the Students’ Union.
• Two women were charged by police in Lurgan, Co Armagh, investigating the murder of a 23-year-old man on Sunday. 
• Dublin City twinned with Ramallah in Palestine after a formal City to City Friendship Agreement was signed.
• Over 54,000 complaints of domestic violence have been reported to gardaí so far this year, the Garda National Protective Services Bureau said.
• Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said it is “difficult” for her to use her powers to direct gardaí on new priorities without a request from the Commissioner.
• A developer received a demand for €500,000 in return for the withdrawal of an objection to a housing scheme, the Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik told the Dáil.
• A gang of teenagers surrounded an Indian student who was repeatedly kicked and punched during a “pile in” attack and beaten over the head with steel vice grips on the Luas in Dublin, a court heard.

INTERNATIONAL 

Sean Hathcock, right, kisses Michelle Ashley after the two left candles for victims of a shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#ARTICLE 99 UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres used a rarely exercised power, urging members of the UN Security Council to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire as the conflict in Gaza continues.

#LAS VEGAS Three people were killed and another seriously injured by a gunman who was shot dead by police at a US university last night.

#USA Members of the Republican party in the US Senate blocked the advance of tens of billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine and Israel last night.

#SEYCHELLES The Seychelles government declared a state of emergency, ordering all citizens except essential workers to stay at home, after a blast at a store and flooding due to heavy rainfall.

#UK Rishi Sunak insisted his new plan to revive the stalled Rwanda asylum scheme “blocks every single reason that has ever been used to prevent flights”.

#SOUTH AMERICA The UN Security Council said it would meet behind closed doors tomorrow to discuss rising border tensions between Guyana and Venezuela, following a request from Guyana.

PARTING SHOT

Kayleigh Whelan (10) from Ballymun switched on the Christmas lights at CHI Temple Street with the help of Santa and former Irish and Leinster rugby star Jamie Heaslip. Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

TEMPLE STREET CHILDREN’S Hospital welcomed some specials guests today as Children’s Health Ireland and Children’s Health Foundation kicked off the festive season.

Ten-year-old Kayleigh Whelan flicked the switch on the Christmas lights with a little help from Santa and former Irish rugby player Jamie Heaslip.