NEED TO CATCH up? TheJournal.ie brings you a roundup of today’s news…

Private David Ashe of the 43 Infantry Group boards the UN Charter aircraft in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel as they prepare to depart to Syria. (Photocall Ireland)

IRELAND

• A large crowd gathered outside Athlone courthouse as a man appeared in connection with an alleged sexual assault on two young girls in Athlone.
• Appeals were made to locate missing actor Gerry McCann.
• A Dublin stationery shop caused controversy by refusing to allow a display of same-sex wedding cake toppers.
• The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General revealed that nearly €100 million was incorrectly paid out by the Department of Social Protection last year.
• An opinion poll indicated that this Friday’s Seanad referendum will pass, but a fifth of people don’t know how they’ll vote.
• A man appeared in court charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of Emmet Connolly in Cootehill, County Cavan on Saturday.
• The trust that runs Glasnevin Cemetery announced it was seeking submissions for a chapel that will be built in honour of those who died in the 1916 Rising.
• A survey revealed that Irish consumer confidence is at a six-year high.
• The family of Peggy Mangan thanked the public for their support over the last week.
• The Coombe maternity hospital said that it had completed a review of its menu for patients, after the poor standard of meals was highlighted by TheJournal.ie.
• Two people were killed in a crash near the Ring of Kerry this afternoon.

INTERNATIONAL

Authorities inspect the wreckage of two Chicago Transit Authority trains that crashed today. (AP Photo/M Spencer Green)

#CHICAGO 48 people were injured as two trains, one an out-of-service train, collided near Chicago. Reports suggested that one of the trains may have been stolen, though this remains unconfirmed.

#SHUTDOWN US President Barack Obama said that he was “not at all” resigned to a shutdown of the federal government, as a midnight deadline to extend spending looms.

#ALL SAINTS Popes John XXIII and John Paul II will be made saints in an unprecedented joint ceremony on 27 April next year, the Vatican announced.

#IRAQ Dozens were killed and more than 120 injured in a spate of car bomb attacks across Iraq.

INNOVATION

• In news that will come as a Godsend to diabetes sufferers, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a “wearable pancreas”. The device promises to monitor and maintain blood sugar levels in patients with Type 1 diabetes. [Geek.com]
• Outgoing Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer gave a typically emotional and boisterous speech as he prepares to depart the company. [The Guardian]

PARTING SHOT
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore today unveiled the new designs for Irish passports. The new look documents include images of Irish landmarks, as well as the musical notes from the national anthem and poetry. (Photocall Ireland)

Here’s what happened yesterday