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

IRELAND

Ella Rose (4) from Blackrock joined hundreds of people at a protest of childhood professionals outside Leinster house today. Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

• A dangerous prisoner made a violent escape from custody.
• Irish Water denied claims that water metering is to be stopped in Dublin.
• A man in his 50s was shot in Wicklow after opening the door to two gunmen.
• A man was rushed to hospital after falling over railings outside Diceys Bar.
• Plain pack cigarettes will be in the shops by May 2017.
• Roseanne Brennan staged a sleep out protest outside Leinster House.
• Shoppers are spending more on Henry Street than Grafton Street.
• The Cabinet’s signed off on the Children and Family Relationships Bill.
• Childcare professionals marched for more investment in childhood care.
• An elderly couple were tied up and robbed by a gang.
• Sick days cost €490 million a year.

The aurora borealis as they are commonly known at Dunstanburgh Castle in Northumberland. PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

INTERNATIONAL

#GREECE: Euro leaders are giving Greece until Friday to sign up to bailout deal.

#UK: Three men were arrested in connection to a popular illegal film download website.

#LONDON: Police in London released a video of a woman grabbing a toddler by the throat.

#USA: A mother in Phoenix asked thieves to return her baby’s ashes stolen during a burglary.

#UK: Jon Snow of Channel 4 News smoked high potency cannabis… for science.

INNOVATION

• Want to learn code? Here’s how… 
• Mad scientists at MIT are building chairs that assemble themselves. [Wired.com]

PARTING SHOT

Dawson Riverman (13) was born without fingers on his left hand. Here’s how life has improved with his ‘superhero hand’. [The New York Times]