Every afternoon, TheJournal.ie brings you five things you need to know by 5 o’clock.

1. #FF HEAVE: Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has attempted to force the hand of Brian Cowen’s opponents within Fianna Fáil by tabling a motion of No Confidence in the government. Announcing his move this afternoon, Gilmore said it was “make-up-your-mind time” for the Green Party in deciding whether they wanted to keep Fianna Fáil in power any longer. Cowen continues his own meetings with cabinet meetings this afternoon and into tomorrow.

2. #IVOR: Senator Ivor Callely has won his High Court challenge against the decision of the Seanad Select Committee on Members’ Interests, which had recommended that he be suspended from the Seanad for twenty sitting days. The court found that Callely had not been provided the opportunity to defend himself against a political charge.

3. #SAINTHOOD: The Vatican has announced that the late Pope John Paul II is to be beatified in May, leaving him just one step away from Catholic sainthood. The move comes after Pope Benedict signed a document officially decreeing John Paul’s appearance in the dream of a French nun, who was then cured of Parkinson’s Disease, as a miracle. If a second miracle can be attributed to him, the path will be paved for sainthood.

4. #RIPPER: The Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe, has failed in his bid to overturn the court ruling that found he should never be released from jail. Sutcliffe, sentenced to 20 life sentences in 1981, was told the interests of justice required “nothing less than a whole-life order”.

5. #MICHAELA: The body of Michaela McAreavey has arrived back in Belfast, along with her widower John, ahead of her funeral next week. It has been announced earlier that Michaela’s funeral, to be held next Monday, will be attended by president Mary McAleese.