1. Prison officers are paid for overtime they did not work
Prison officers are receiving the equivalent of almost two weeks' pay each year for overtime hours that they have not worked, a report has found. The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) warned that changes made more than a decade ago to cut prison officers' overtime are producing "substantially less" savings than expected.
2. Archbishops row over Maynooth after ‘gay subculture’ claims
Clear division has emerged between the Catholic archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin and his fellow archbishops over the suitability of St Patrick's College Maynooth for training priests. It came as the authorities at Maynooth said they have "has no concrete or credible evidence of the existence of any alleged 'active gay subculture'".
3. North Korea fires ballistic missile into Japanese waters
North Korea launched a ballistic missile on Wednesday that landed in or near Japanese-controlled waters for the first time, the latest in a series of launches by the isolated country in defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
4. Leo Varadkar issues warning over rise in welfare payments
The Minister for Social Protection has warned there is limited scope for increases in welfare payments in this year's Budget. Leo Varadkar said the "fiscal space" available to the Government was tight and priorities in the area of housing and justice could hamper any room for movement.
5. Nassau Street corner to undergo retail revamp
Two investment companies looking to extend Grafton Street-style shopping on to adjoining Nassau Street are to seek planning approval next month for about 7,432sq m (80,000sq ft) of retail space. The companies hope it will appeal to international traders looking for large stores in Dublin city centre.
And finally: On the centenary of Roger Casement's tragic execution, Eileen Battersby recalls the rebel's adventurous life.