1. Shatter puts pressure on Enda Kenny over Dáil record
Former minister for justice Alan Shatter has said it is "not tenable" for Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Government to continue to accept a report which led to his resignation from cabinet. Mr Shatter has also sought to increase pressure on Mr Kenny by repeating his demand that he correct the Dáil record over the Guerin report, which the former TD said led the Taoiseach to "encourage" him to resign. Mr Kenny last night declined to say he would do so, citing a legal issue as a reason. The report, which Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has denied was "media managed", includes complaints that relate to the Sylvia Roche Kelly murder case. Her husband writes that issues raised by his experience of the case go to the heart of how Garda complaints are dealt with by the force
2. Many states question Irish record on abortion at UN
Over 40 states raised the Irish failure to ratify the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations in Geneva. The rights of people with disabilities, access to abortion services and prisoners' rights were most frequently raised at the UN meeting, where Ireland faced questioning on its human rights record. The marginalisation of Travellers, racism, domestic violence and non-Christian children's access to education were also issues that featured prominently. Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald led a delegation of 22 senior civil servants from across government departments to the UN for Ireland's second examination under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process.
3. Clinton struggles to knock Sanders out as socialist keeps winning
Vermont senator Bernie Sanders won West Virginia's Democratic primary on Tuesday but his second straight victory over frontrunner Hillary Clinton does little or nothing to halt her march to the Democratic presidential nomination. While the Republican race appears all but over with Donald Trump beating the last of 16 opponents last week, the Democratic primary is still far from finished, notwithstanding Clinton's strong lead. Sanders's continued state victories leave Clinton struggling to defeat an opponent running as a populist and raises questions about her chances in the November ballot. Trump's decisive victories in West Virginia and Nebraska – where Texas senator Ted Cruz and Ohio governor John Kasich, who dropped out of the race last week, remained on the ballot – removed any doubt about a possible protest vote against the New York businessman that would reflect internal party divisions.
4. Man intercepted on way to have sex with boy (14), court told
A 29-year old man was intercepted by gardaí on his way to a hotel to have sex with a boy last Monday, a court heard. The accused man was arrested at 9am on Tuesday, and brought before Limerick District Court on Wednesday night. He is charged with sexually exploiting a child, contrary to Section 3 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act. The offence is alleged to have happened on a date between January 3rd, 2015, and February 10th, this year. During a lengthy bail application the man broke down and informed the court his family were not aware he had been arrested. The man was "intercepted by gardaí" at a Garda traffic stop put in place after they received a complaint from the boy's mother, the court heard.
5. Byrne hopes to ‘do a Leicester’
Nicky Byrne's team are wearing badges that say "Shhh!". Byrne is under strict instructions from his vocal coach to rest his voice before his performance at the second Eurovision semi-final on Thursday. "As you can imagine, it's almost impossible," Byrne tells me before this moratorium. He talks a mile a minute and must navigate a succession of events and press conferences. "The opportunity to say nothing is absolutely nil." He has other ways to express himself. Since arriving in Stockholm he's had an Irish tricolour hung outside his hotel window which overlooks a dual carriageway. "In rush hour in the mornings, they look up and see the Irish flag."
Misc
Larry Goodman's business empire to be explored in court: The ownership and control of the business empire of Larry Goodman, including the role played by a foundation in Liechtenstein, are to be examined in court following a High Court ruling.
Sweaty Gerard Depardieu is watchable but Netflix's Marseille is a hot mess: This cliched French political drama is close to an undercooked soufflé
Discovery of police files opens new chapter on Rising era: Records found in Clontarf attic detail arrests of Larkin and Connolly during Dublin lockout
One in five rule out home ownership, study shows: Survey of more than 3,000 by online brokers 123.ie highlights pressure tenants are under
Receptionist says she was sent home for not wearing heels: Temp sets up petition asking for it to be illegal to require women to wear certain shoes
French government avoids no-confidence move by rebels: Spectre of French government falling recedes after left-wing rebels fail to muster sufficient numbers
Helping the app generation turn their backs on household chores: Dublin start-up is one of a new crop offering services enabled by technology
