Pictured (L to R) Ivy (2) and Anna Gundersen (5) in Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

IRELAND

• Residents told to move from their homes a week before Christmas say they won’t leave
• The HSE issued a tender for a surveillance system following the Áras Attracta exposé
• A man armed with a knife was arrested after a struggle during a robbery 
• An appeal for witnesses was issued after a man was beaten at a bus stop
• A man is in critical condition after being hit by a car in Co Down
• A man was charged over the robbery of an armed cash-in-transit van
• Anti-water charge protests took place in Dublin and Donegal 
• Senators debated the Water Services bill into the wee hours of this morning
• New opinion polls showed that support for Labour and Fine Gael is dropping.

INTERNATIONAL

Around 250 people dressed in Santa Claus costumes pose for photographers before a parade in the streets of Vallauris, southeastern France AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

#AUSTRALIA The mother of seven of the eight children killed in Cairns has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

#USA A dog accidentally shot his owner during an incident in Wyoming

#NORTH KOREA North Korea says it had nothing to do with the Sony attack – and wants a joint probe with the US.

#LOCKERBIE Scotland’s top prosecutor has reaffirmed his belief that Abdelbaset al-Megrahi is guilty of the deaths of 270 people in the Lockerbie bombing. [BBC]

#GUANTANAMO BAY After a decade in the military prison, four Afghan detainees are being sent home. 

INNOVATION

• Looking for a new app or three? Here are five worth downloading this week.
• Hopefully you won’t be given any fake goods for Christmas, but just in case you need to check, this guide might be of help. [BBC]

PARTING SHOT

How prepared for Christmas Day are you? Put yourself to the test with this quiz…