EVERY MORNING,TheJournal.ie brings you the nine stories you need to know as you kick off your day.

1. #PUBLIC TRANSPORT: A seven-year-old boy is undergoing treatment in Dublin after he was pricked by a used syringe while travelling on the DART, TheJournal.ie revealed this morning.

2. #JOBSWATCH: The government is planning to hold a special Cabinet meeting on job creation early next year as the Taoiseach expects serious improvements in the construction section.

3. #POPULAR: Speaking of Enda Kenny, the Fine Gael man saw his popularity ratings rise significantly this month, making him Ireland’s favourite party leader.

4. #WILD WILD WEATHER: Heavy, thundery showers and gusty winds are expected again today, wreaking more havoc on people’s Christmas travel and shopping plans. Irish Ferries has cancelled more of its swift sailings today.

5. #DRUGS: Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson could be the subject of a police probe as a result of her court testimony that she had taken cocaine on a number of occasions.

6. #NORTHERN IRELAND: Ex-IRA sniper Bernard McGinn was found dead in Monaghan yesterday, RTÉ News reports. It is thought he died of natural causes. The 56-year-old was released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement just months after starting three life sentences for murdering a British soldier.

7. #NAMA: The chairman of the PAC has told the Sunday Independent that NAMA will face a full public inquiry if it fails to be open and transparent about its operations.

8. #THE BIG SEATS: The same newspaper has also been talking to Aer Lingus officials who say they may consider introducing bigger seats for larger passengers in the future.

9. #THE REAL MCCOY: Legendary jockey AP McCoy was named RTÉ’s Sportsperson of the Year at a televised ceremony last night. Also on the winners’ list were the Clare hurling team, their manager Davy Fitzgerald and fan favourite Paul McGrath.