Morning Briefing – Irish Times
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Three arrested in north Belfast: PSNI detained three men (two in their 40s, one in his 30s) on suspicion of attempted murder after a serious assault inside a property in the Duncairn Parade area.
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Robbie Williams concert announced: The singer will play Thomond Park, Limerick, on July 6, 2027; tickets go on sale Friday. His last Irish show was a 2025 sell-out at Croke Park. Thomond Park’s concert capacity is about 30,000.
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Limerick hurlers’ homecoming: Tens of thousands welcomed the All-Ireland champions in a citywide celebration from Colbert station to Pery Square, with the victorious minor team also on stage. The side was hailed as “the best team in the world.”
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Belfast battery breakthrough: Queen’s University researchers unveiled a 3D-printed iron-based battery costing about £75, aimed at storing renewable energy at larger scales as a cheaper, more accessible alternative to lithium-ion.
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MV Matthew costs row: Fianna Fáil TD Séamus McGrath urged the Government to seek EU support to offset multimillion-euro costs of maintaining the drug-smuggling ship, which was sold for $1 after €16.84 million in upkeep; it carried €157 million worth of drugs.
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Prison transfer challenge: Paulo Nascimento, serving life for the 2002 murder of Grainne Dillon in Limerick, is challenging the State’s refusal to transfer him to Portugal to care for his ill mother.
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Childcare cost shock: Families using Fonthill Lodge services in Lucan and Clonee face childcare hikes of more than €400 per child per month from September as the provider exits the Government’s Core Funding scheme, affecting around 200 families.
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Brenda Fricker remembered: A book of condolence for the late Oscar-winning actor is open at Dublin’s Mansion House (10am–4pm, Monday and Tuesday). Lord Mayor Daryl Barron paid tribute to “one of the greatest Irish actors.”
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Tusla under fire: High Court Judge John Jordan said Tusla would be prosecuted if it were a parent, for exposing vulnerable children to extreme risk. Agency counsel acknowledged the criticism during the special-care list hearing, amid ongoing access issues.
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Rape sentence: Richard Murphy (48), described by a judge as a “danger to young girls,” was jailed for 11½ years for raping a 16-year-old who was with his son. He committed the offence while on bail for other sexual crimes, for which he is already serving time.