Five things you need to know today

Dublin bus strike, ‘criminal firm’ in Co Clare, ambulance explosion and €1m homeless helpline

Dublin buses returning to Ringsend Depot on Thursday night in advance of planned strike action by bus drivers. Photograph: Dave Meehan/The Irish Times

1. Dublin Bus strike day five: 400,000 without transport

There will be 400,000 people searching for alternative transport in Dublin city today as Dublin Bus services came to a halt due to strike action at 9pm on Thursday.

This is the third two-day stoppage over the pay dispute and 13 further strike days have announced in the coming weeks.

We have details of alternative transport options here.

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US investigates ‘transnational criminal firm’ in Co ClareOpens in new window ]

An international “payments processing company” with a European office based in Shannon, Co Clare, has been designated a “significant transnational criminal organisation” by the US treasury.

The US department of the treasury’s office of foreign assets control (OFAC) alleged the company, PacNet Services , has “a lengthy history” of money-laundering by knowingly processing payments on behalf of a wide range of mail-fraud schemes that target victims in the US and globally.

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Ambulance service orders safety check after fatal explosionOpens in new window ]

The National Ambulance Service has ordered a safety check on all oxygen containers in vehicles after an explosion in the back of an ambulance yesterday left a patient dead and two paramedics injured.

Three separate investigations are underway into the fatal incident outside Naas General Hospital in Co Kildare.

The Garda Síochána, the Health and Safety Authority and the Health Service Executive are investigating the fire which broke out as the ambulance was unloading the elderly patient at the door of the hospital's emergency department at about 1.30pm.

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Dublin homeless helpline cost over €1m to run in 2015Opens in new window ]

The freephone line used by homeless people to access emergency accommodation in Dublin cost more than €1 million to operate last year, according to Dublin City Council figures.

Independent councillor Mannix Flynn said the cost was excessive and represented a “scandalous waste of money” which could be used to provide homes.

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Toddler in care after being found with her unconscious fatherOpens in new window ]

A toddler found soaking wet in a park with her drunk and unconscious father has been taken into the care of the State.

The Dublin District Family Court was told the girl was found by gardaí, wet through and in her buggy, last year.

A social worker from the Child and Family Agency told Judge Brendan Toale the child was living with her mother and maternal grandmother at the time.

The father had been minding her for a couple of hours, but had not returned her.

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