Morning Briefing – Local Irish News
Irish Times - Lisburn security alert: PSNI are dealing with a security alert on Hillview Avenue, Lisburn, Co Antrim. Homes have been evacuated, the public is asked to avoid the area, and Lagan Valley Island has opened for shelter. - Tattle Life libel case setback: A £300,000 damages award to Neil and Donna Sands over abusive comments on gossip site Tattle Life was set aside after a Belfast High Court judge ruled the site’s founder was not shown to have been aware of proceedings. The couple vow to continue their campaign against online abuse. - Familial abuse trial: Defence teams urged a Central Criminal Court jury to scrutinise evidence reliability in a case against six men facing 20 charges, most relating to a deaf main complainant. Closing speeches concluded Wednesday. - Childcare capacity push: An alliance led by the National Women’s Council and Siptu says an extra €30m in Budget 2026 could fund a pilot to create 3,000 new childcare places and model public delivery. - NEIC leadership change: Former ICTU general secretary Patricia King replaces Jim Gavin as independent chair of the North East Inner City Initiative’s Programme Implementation Board, effective immediately. - Church abuse disclosures: Notices across Anglican dioceses warn of “serious safeguarding disclosures” about the late Rev Kesh Govan, alleging grooming and sexual abuse of girls in England before he served in Co Wicklow (pre-2004). Findings followed an Australian probe into his later ministry there. - Courtroom photo allegation: A High Court judge sought information after a claim that a senior garda shared a photo taken inside a courtroom of a whistleblower and companions, contrary to court rules. - Oliver Bond flats plan scrapped: The Department of Housing halted Dublin City Council’s regeneration plan for the 391-flat Oliver Bond complex, citing value-for-money concerns. Residents and councillors say they are devastated. - Ethical education training: From 2027, primary teacher-training colleges will teach and certify delivery of ethical education for multi-denominational schools under the new Aitheantas framework. - State oil reserve release: About 1.6m barrels from Ireland’s strategic reserve will be released in coming weeks as part of a global supply effort, reducing cover from 90 to 80 days, NORA will tell the Public Accounts Committee.
Irish Independent - Historic abuse sentencing: Lisdoonvarna retailer Noel Jordan (59) was remanded in custody pending sentence for sexually abusing a primary school boy in the 1980s. The victim declined a €20,000 “remorse” payment brought to court. - Hantavirus cruise outbreak: Eight confirmed or suspected cases, including three deaths, are linked to a luxury cruise birdwatching trip. The rare Andes strain—capable of human-to-human transmission—was identified. Two UK returnees are self-isolating; the Canary Islands refused the ship docking. - Teacher struck off: A secondary teacher who lied about a long-term relationship with a former Leaving Cert student has been removed from the teaching register and barred from reapplying for at least five years; Instagram images were central to the case. - Oliver Bond regeneration axed: Government says DCC’s plan to overhaul the 1936-built complex does not offer value for money, despite longstanding issues with damp, mould and antisocial behaviour. Residents had expected larger, amalgamated homes. - Also noted: - Entertainment: Victoria Smurfit, Aidan Turner and cast preview the return of 1980s-set drama Rivals. - Media: Ryan Tubridy says he has had no contact from RTÉ and is focused on his current work. - Sport feature: Jan Aage Fjortoft recalls a 1995 clash with Roy Keane. - Culture/opinion: A column on masculinity in gay culture; review of Clare McGlynn’s study on extreme pornography.