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

IRELAND

The booklet that will be distributed by the Electoral Commission with details of the upcoming referendums. Jane Matthews Jane Matthews

• Parnell Square accused was back in court as judge heard of the ‘seriousness and complexity‘ of case.
• Ireland has ‘once in a generation’ chance to decriminalise personal drug use, Paul Reid said.
• A probe into RTÉ’s Toy Show the Musical found sponsorship was overstated by €75,000.
• The future of St John of God’s care facilities are in limbo as the charity faces ongoing financial crisis.
• Academic staff voted for industrial action over dispute at technological universities.
• A cabinet subcommittee met to discuss longer-term plan to accommodate asylum seekers.
• Ireland’s Covid-19 inquiry will involve a ‘no-blame‘ approach.
• Ryanair revealed it purchased 25 homes for cabin crew staff in Swords housing estate.
• Revenue saw a ‘significant’ rise in Irish cocaine seizures while Europe shifts focus in heroin trade.
• Extreme weather events show Ireland’s vulnerability to climate change, report says.
• A bog body discovered in Derry today is believed to be over 2,000 years old.
• Nearly 33,000 homes delivered last year, uncertainty remains over social and affordable targets.
• Ireland was found guilty of failing to ensure safe drinking water by EU court.
• Voters were warned to know fact from opinion as Electoral Commission kick starts referendum campaigns.
• Social Protection Minister published the Bill reforming child maintenance to benefit lone parents.
• Bus and rail fare increases in Cavan, Wicklow, Kildare and Meath were slammed by TDs.

INTERNATIONAL

Darya Trepova has been sentenced to jail for 27 years today at a court in St Petersburg, Russia. PA PA

#UKRAINE: Zelensky called for an inquiry after Kyiv accused of downing plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners.

#JAPAN: Japanese court sentenced a man to death for arson attack at anime studio that killed 36.

#FRANKFURT: ECB said it will keep interest rates at 4%, with goal of returning inflation to 2% over time.

#RUSSIA: Russian court sentenced a woman to 27 years over bomb that killed pro-war blogger.

#UNITED KINGDOM: Nottingham killer who stabbed three people, including Grace O’Malley-Kumar, was sentenced to indefinite detention in hospital.

PARTING SHOT

The remains of a body found in a bog in Derry today. PSNI PSNI

Human remains from over 2,000 years ago were discovered in a bog in Bellaghy, Co Derry today.

An excavation has determined that the partially-preserved body was likely of a male aged between 13 and 17.

A kidney found at the bog in Bellaghy, Derry. PSNI PSNI

The investigation first uncovered a tibia and fibula and a humerus, as well as an ulna and radius bone of a lower left leg and right arm respectively.

Further excavation revealed more bones in the area belonging to the same individual, including a lower left arm and a left femur, which were protruding from the ground.

Excavators in Bellaghy, Derry. PSNI PSNI

Finger bones and fingernails were also found.

You can read the full story here.