EVERY WEEKDAY EVENING, TheJournal.ie brings you the five stories you need to know before you head out the door.

1. #DEATH: The body of a man was recovered from an Arklow beach this afternoon after a car drove off the pier and entered the water earlier today. The second occupant, a female, was rescued from the vehicle and taken to St Columcille’s Hospital for treatment.

2. #MADNESS: Three county council workers have been suspended for filling a pothole in what was viewed to be an unsafe manner.

3. #BANKING: State-owned Permanent TSB has reported losses of €922 million for 2012. The majority of the losses came as a result of loans that the bank does not expect to have repaid.

4. #GARDAÍ: Garda sergeants and inspectors voted today to seek to have Uzi submachine guns reissued to detectives. TheJournal.ie reported last weekend that members felt like “sitting ducks” since the weapons were withdrawn in March 2012.

According to RTÉ News, Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan told gardaí at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors that members are not immune from economic reality and reductions in public spending. He warned that delegates should be professional in the way they carry themselves.

5. #SNEACHTA: Met Éireann’s weather warning has been extended until 9am tomorrow as sleet and snow showers are expected this evening and overnight. Maybe we could lend some to Sochi?