EVERY WEEKDAY EVENING, TheJournal.ie brings you the five stories you need to know before you head out the door.

1. #SHOOTINGS: Two men have been hospitalised after a rush hour shooting incident in Dublin this morning. A man in his 60s was shot in the stomach on Glasnevin Avenue, and a man in his 30s at nearby Hillcrest Park. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

2. #SNIPERS: The UN has confirmed that unidentified snipers have shot at its chemical inspectors, who are in the country to investigate claims that chemical weapons were used in a Damascus suburb last week. The mission is currently suspended as a result.

3. #PEATS: Well-known Dublin retailer Peats ‘World of Electronics’ has announced it is closing down with immediate effect. Staff were informed this morning that company has lost a prolonged battle to keep its head above water. 22 staff members are being made redundant.

4. #TECHNICAL GROUP The Government chief whip has told TheJournal.ie there are no plans to amend Dáil standing orders to allow Fine Gael rebel TDs to form a second ‘technical group’. The group of six deputies currently outside the parliamentary party have been attempting to gain more speaking rights.

5. #SMOKING: The 2004 workplace smoking ban didn’t succeed in convincing more people to quit, according to to a working paper from the ESRI think-tank. In fact – researchers found that compared to pre-ban figures, more employed people regularly smoked in 2007. There was a fall in smoking amongst those not employed.