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

Sean FitzPatrick arriving at the Criminal Courts of Justice this morning for the start of the Anglo Irish Bank Court case. Pic: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

IRELAND

• The first day of the Anglo trial took place – it is expected to last for four months.
• Two Passport Service employees were arrested in a new fraud investigation, it was confirmed.
• A Limerick staff sit-in entered its 17th day today.
• Health Minister James Reilly said the deaths of babies in Portlaoise hospital were “disturbing”, in an emotional moment in the Dáil.
• €160,000 worth of cannabis plants were seized in Kerry, nobody was arrested.
• Stardust campaigners refused to leave Government Buildings, saying they wanted to meet the Taoiseach.
• A Judge took part in a neknomination – and admitted it was “foolish” to do.
• Flood warnings were extended to all rivers, with no end to the rain in sight.
• A gay rights student protest took place at the Russian Embassy in Dublin.
• The gardaí are monitoring the potential radicalisation of Irish residents in the Syrian conflict.
• The details of RTÉ’s payout over the homophobia controversy won’t be discussed in the Dáil by Minister Pat Rabbitte.
• However, RTÉ’s head of television, Glen Killane, explained the Iona payout to staff in an email.

WORLD

Waves crash over the harbour wall in Newhaven, Sussex. Pic: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

#VATICAN Philomena Lee met with the Pope alongside Steve Coogan at the Vatican today.

#UN The UN released a report denouncing the Vatican for allowing priests to rape children.

#UK A gas explosion in Essex flattened houses and injured at least 10 people.

#AUSTRALIA Almost 1,100 Irish nationals have been deported from Australia over the last three years.

#USA The New York City mayor won’t take part in its St Patrick’s Day parade because of the ban against signs for gay rights.

#USA Four people were arrested in connection with drugs found in the late Philip Seymour Hoffman’s home, according to police sources.

INNOVATION

Pic: Google Play

• Tried Flappy Bird? It’s the number one free app on Google Play’s app store, but it sends some people into a fury… [TheGuardian]
• Could satellites be the key to global WiFi coverage? It appears so…

PARTING SHOT

If you ever wondered whether bullies can change, this story of what happened after a man proposed to his boyfriend might just convince you that the good will out. Sniff. [DailyEdge.ie]