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

IRELAND

Sam Boal Sam Boal

• Storm Agnes lashed the country today as multiple Orange and Yellow warnings for wind and rain came into effect. Thousands were left without power as a result of the storm. 
• Gardaí said that the suspected cocaine seized from a vessel of the Irish coast has a value of €157 million but that the street value could be much higher. It was the country’s largest ever cocaine seizure, gardaí said. 
• A woman accused of spraying an unknown chemical substance to “temporarily blind” a Dublin garda has been further remanded in custody pending possible extra charges.
• Cork County Council said it will continue to support the Ironman triathlon event in Youghal next year. Two people died while participating in the swimming portion of the race last month. 
• The Government confirmed that two referendums on gender equality and the family are expected to take place next year.
• Green Party minister Catherine Martin welcomed plans by the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) to investigate the use of the National Stadium by a Christian group last night.
• Bank of Ireland said customers who withdrew more money than they had available the night of the ATM ‘glitch’ will have six months to repay the bank before fees or interest kick in. 
• Former Stardust manager Eamon Butterly told an inquest that the locking and unlocking of exit doors at the nightclub was his joint policy with door staff.
• Tributes were paid following the tragic death of Clare teenager Sarah Mescall.

INTERNTIONAL 

Campaigners take part in a Stop Rosebank emergency protest outside the UK Government building in Edinburgh. Jane Barlow Jane Barlow

#SEXISM Actor Laurence Fox and host Dan Wootton have both been suspended by GB News after comments Fox made about a female journalist on Wootton’s programme last night. 

#TRAVIS KING The US soldier who illegally crossed the heavily armed border into North Korea was taken into American custody, US officials confirmed.

#ROSEBANK The UK’s largest untapped oil and gas field was given the green light for development and production by the British regulator, prompting anger from environmental campaigners.

#REFUGEES The UN’s refugee agency rejected comments made by the British Home Secretary where she called for the definition of who qualifies for international protection to be “tightened”. 

PARTING SHOT

In today’s Voices article, teacher Eoghan Cleary talks sex education.

‘The new sex ed curriculum is being misrepresented by a small but loud group’