EVERY MORNING, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you need to know as you kick off your day.
1. #MAGDALENES: Survivors of the Magdalene Laundry system have been invited to contact the Department of Justice as the redress process begins today. The move comes after the Taoiseach’s formal apology to the women in the Dáil yesterday evening. Describing the practice of sending girls and women to the laundries as “a national shame” and quoting a line from a song ‘Whispering Hope’, Enda Kenny choked up before concluding, “Let me hope that this day and this debate – excuse me – heralds a new dawn for all those who feared that the dark midnight might never end.”
2. #SOUTH AFRICA: Oscar Pistorius is back in court today to hear if he will be granted bail by the South African magistrate. The 26-year-old athlete stands accused of the pre-meditated murder of model Reeva Steenkamp. The Paralympian insists he did not intend to shoot his girlfriend.
3. #LIGHT UP: Gardaí have set up check points around the country today to intercept drivers who have broken, missing or inappropriate lights on their vehicles. Motorists who do not satisfy legal requirements will be hit with an on-the-spot fine of €60.
4. #TALKS: As tensions between rank-and-file gardaí and senior management mounts, Commissioner Martin Callinan is to meet with the central executive of the Garda Representative Association this morning. Members want to “convey their dire financial circumstances” amid talks on pay cuts and reform.
5. #HACKED OFF: Apple is the latest tech company to admit it was targeted by hackers. However, the firm insisted no data was stolen during the attack.
6. #CHILD BENEFIT: An expert group report on child benefit is to be published today. According to the Irish Times, it recommends a two-tier system which would qualify only families earning less than €25,000 for maximum payments.
7. #ROADS: Four adults and three children were injured in a three-car collision on the M50 last night. Gardaí say the man drove his car the wrong way down the southbound section near Sandyford.
8. #MORTGAGES: The Irish Independent reports on its front page that up to 300,000 homeowners could see their mortgage interest payments rise as AIB plans to increase its variable rates.
9. #AN DAINGEAN: After an eight-year fight, Kerry’s most well-known tourist hotspot will get its name back. To the confusion of many, Dingle was abolished in 2005, and replaced with An Daingean or Daingean Uí Chúis. Councillor Seamus Cosaí Fitzgerald told TheJournal.ie that the change is important to help tourists find their way.
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