Good morning — here’s your concise Irish morning briefing.
IRISH TIMES - Reykjavik hotel death trial: The trial of Ming Ting Mancel opened in Iceland, hearing evidence of an apparent collective suicide plan involving a Dublin-based family. Mancel is charged with murdering her daughter, Catherine, while her husband, Emeric, also died the same night. - Birmingham Six campaigner honoured: Former MP, journalist and novelist Chris Mullin, who played a key role in overturning the wrongful convictions of the Birmingham Six, has been knighted in the British honours list. - School supports dispute: A teenager with ADHD, autism and other conditions is suing the Minister for Education after an application for specialist electric chairs for classroom use was allegedly refused because he attends a fee-paying school. - Extradition arrest in Cork: German-Pakistani national Khalid Kurshid (57), wanted in Germany over alleged kidnapping offences, was arrested in a Cork city massage parlour. Gardaí told the High Court his daughter is a high-risk missing person. - Leaving Cert week wrap: Core subjects and major options (including French, history, biology) are now complete after a tough week, with higher-level history described as particularly challenging. - Leaving Cert art review: Teachers say the higher-level visual studies paper was thoughtfully structured, contemporary, and largely predictable, addressing criticisms of last year’s paper while still posing some challenges. - Parnell Square trial: A language school receptionist testified to “chaos” during the November 2023 incident in Dublin, with a woman screaming “the kid is dead.” Riad Bouchaker denies eight offences, including the attempted murder of three children. - Leaving Cert German praised: The higher-level German paper was widely seen as fair and accessible, with clear language and familiar grammar/vocabulary. - Nurse struck off: The High Court cancelled the registration of nurse Prisca Ngozi Umeobi after findings of professional misconduct and poor performance related to patient care at the Mater Private in 2021. - Limerick crash linked to alleged hit: Gardaí believe two Swedish men were en route to a feud-related contract killing in Munster when they caused a fatal crash while turning around. One man died; a loaded pistol and balaclava were found, and the driver fled on foot. Three others were injured.