Five things you need to know today

Morning briefing: Macron, a bionic hand, the phoenix miracle, a suspended doctor and gorse fires

Blue skies  at Poolbeg, Sandymount, Dublin on Sunday. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Blue skies at Poolbeg, Sandymount, Dublin on Sunday. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times

Macron has shown grit and guileOpens in new window ]

On the campaign trail: three gaffes alienated struggling French people from Macron. Photograph: Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images
On the campaign trail: three gaffes alienated struggling French people from Macron. Photograph: Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images

It is just possible that Macron’s youth, energy, pragmatism, optimism and, yes, benevolence, will infuse France with a new spirit. One hopes so, for it feels like the last chance, writes Lara Marlowe, our Paris Correspondent.

Surgeon suspended over allegationsOpens in new window ]

A consultant surgeon in the Ireland East Hospital Group has been suspended after allegations were made of poor management of up to 18 of his patients, two of whom died. The cases include alleged care failings in the case of a gynaecology patient with sepsis who subsequently died.

fastest-growing little country in EuropeOpens in new window ]

Ireland is on course to be the fastest growing economy in the euro zone for a fourth straight year, according to Davy Stockbrokers. In its latest economic outlook the firm predicts that gross domestic product (GDP) will grow 5 per cent in 2017, up from a previous forecast of 3.7 per cent. This is well ahead of the current consensus forecast for 1.7 per cent growth across the euro area as a whole.

finished handOpens in new window ]

Niamh Boyle developed a life-threatening infection after the birth of her fourth child and subsequently developed sepsis.
Niamh Boyle developed a life-threatening infection after the birth of her fourth child and subsequently developed sepsis.

“After eight months without the use of my left hand it felt fantastic being able to do tasks with it again,” said Niamh Boyle (32) who developed the life-threatening infection after the birth of her fourth child last year. A bionic hand has allowed a young mother to do essential everyday tasks for the first time since losing fingers to sepsis.

READ MORE

Mayo family of five lose homeOpens in new window ]

The house destroyed by fire at Kiltimagh, Co Mayo. The blaze caught hold on Friday afternoon last after flaming embers carried on the wind from roadside trees landed on the roof.  Photograph: Keith Heneghan/Phocus
The house destroyed by fire at Kiltimagh, Co Mayo. The blaze caught hold on Friday afternoon last after flaming embers carried on the wind from roadside trees landed on the roof. Photograph: Keith Heneghan/Phocus

A Mayo family of five is homeless following a weekend gorse and forestry fire that destroyed their two-storey thatched home. Firemen and neighbours with hoses and buckets of water were unable to prevent the roof of Noel and Bernice Brennan’s house near Kiltimagh, catching fire.

And finally... Bad at maths? It is not cute. It is stupid, shameful and, if you have any position of responsibility at all, it is dangerous, writes Lucy Kellaway.