Irish Times
- Limerick concert halted: The Coronas cancelled their King John’s Castle show after guitarist Lar Kaye fell ill on stage; medics attended and Danny O’Reilly later told the crowd the band couldn’t continue.
- Illegal bird trapping: A NPWS-led raid in St Mary’s Park, Limerick, recovered a male bullfinch believed to have been illegally trapped; Gardaí and the NSPCA assisted in the ongoing investigation.
- Youghal Ironman inquest: A coroner recorded accidental death for Brendan Wall, 43, who drowned during the 2023 event; his family expressed disappointment with the verdict amid evidence of difficult swim conditions.
- Jeffrey Donaldson trial: The complainant rejected suggestions an apology letter related to an affair; court heard a listening device was planted in Donaldson’s wife’s car over suspicions, while a 2020 letter from Donaldson expressed regret.
- Clifden killing: Masuma Sohrabi, 31, an Iranian mother of two, was found dead with severe neck injuries at Waterloo Bridge; she had sought Garda and court protections from a violent relationship. Community members described her as warm and devoted to her children, having left Iran to escape repression.
- State accommodation costs: Spending on commercial accommodation for Ukrainian refugees and International Protection applicants was €300m in Q1, down €104m (26%) year-on-year, averaging €3.3m per day.
- Housing debate: Simon Harris pushed back against an EU committee chair’s claim Ireland’s housing crisis is among Europe’s most severe, after Irene Tinagli cited evictions, institutional investors and short-term lets as key pressures.
- Deposit Return Scheme row: Fine Gael councillor Eoin O’Driscoll, now working for Re-turn, has lobbied Minister Alan Dillon, prompting conflict-of-interest accusations; O’Driscoll previously worked with PR firm Teneo, which represents Re-turn.
- Rising homelessness: Emergency accommodation hit 17,548 people in April (up 31 month-on-month), including 5,604 children in 2,707 families; over half of families are headed by single parents. Charities warn school holidays are especially hard for homeless children.