Your lunchtime news bulletin.

A large fire broke out this morning at a recycling centre in Glanmire, Co Cork last night.

The former tax office in Cork city centre is to be demolished within weeks, after it was the scene of two fires in two days.

A FEW months ago in this slot I wrote the following about Nóirín O’Sullivan: “She could well argue that her biggest problem is dumb luck. If she had been commissioner at any other time in the force’s history, she might well be considered to be doing a fine job.”

In 2010, a journalist wrote: “If I don’t write about Irish involvement in one of the most seismic events in the 20th century — the continental defeats of France and Britain in May-June, 1940 — who, pray, will?”

The scheduling of controversial columnist Kevin Myers as a moderator at a talk on censorship in Limerick strikes as a “provocative, calculated” move by the organisers, a professor at the University of Limerick has said.

In a personal response to the Kevin Myers controversy, Joe Leogue criticises how mutual appreciation within an industry allowed that writer and others to get away with bileful commentary.

Kevin Myers has apologised for the anti-semitic remark that saw him sacked as a columnist from the Irish edition of the Sunday Times.

BBC presenter Vanessa Feltz has described a Sunday Times column written by Kevin Myers as "horrifying racism".

Sunday Times Ireland columnist Kevin Myers will not write again for the paper, a spokesman said.

As computers get creative, a new exhibition addresses the blurring of the lines between humanity and the digital world, writes Jonathan deBurca Butler.

Another historic and protected Georgian building in Cork has been gutted by fire.

Pope Francis has blessed the eyes of a five-year-old Ohio girl who suffers from a rare genetic disease that is gradually robbing her of her sight.

Castletroy 15 St Clement’s 0: Castletroy fully deserved their 15-point victory over Limerick rivals St Clement’s in the Munster Schools Senior Cup at Rosbrien yesterday but if anything, it was the losing side that emerged with their reputation considerably enhanced after a serious competitive encounter.

The largest secondary teachers’ union, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (Asti), decided last night to continue its current industrial action against junior cycle reforms.

Douglas 3-12 Sarsfields 0-13: Shane Kingston’s incredible comeback from injury was the springboard for Douglas to claim a first Rebel Óg Premier 1 MHC title as they surged away from Sarsfields in the closing stages at Páirc Uí Rinn last night.

Holders Sarsfields go into tonight’s Rebel Óg Premier 1 MHC final against Douglas in Mallow at 8.15pm (the venue last night changed from Páirc Uí Rinn due to weather conditions) with nine of the side which claimed victory after a replay against Killeagh/Ita’s last year.

Parents will be watching the rollout of a reformed college entry system very closely to ensure the desired effects of easing the long-running points race are achieved, education leaders have been told.

St. Michael’s 1-11 Mallow 1-10

Schoolbook publishers say they brought out new editions of just over one-in-50 titles last year and income from sales is down despite the continuing rise in student numbers.

A Garda operation in Dublin against serial burglars resulted in a 54% increase in break-ins to homes in Cork City and suburbs.

A six-month covert Garda operation targeting heroin dealers in Cork sends out a strong message that offenders will be caught and brought before the courts, senior gardaí said last night.

Detectives in England who were searching for triple murder suspect Jed Allen will shift their attention to the circumstances of the killings after the 21-year-old was found dead following the death of his six-year-old sister, their mother and her partner.

Nearly 90 people have died from heroin and other opiates in Cork City in the past 11 years, according to coroner Myra Cullinane.

A coroner has warned people engaging in autoerotic asphyxiation that the practice is “fraught” with danger and can cause instantaneous death.

One of the biggest personnel shake-ups for years has taken place in the ranks of An Garda Siochána with six officers being promoted to the rank of chief superintendent and a further 34 inspectors elevated to superintendent.

Defending light-welter champion Dean Walsh retained his title after edging out 2011 European gold medallist Ray Moylette at the Elite Championships at Dublin’s National Stadium last night.

An academic researcher who contributed significantly to the growth of the Men’s Shed movement in Australia — where it all began — has admitted to being highly impressed by the growth of the organisation in Ireland.

The head of the body representing second-level students’ parents says teacher unions should talk to them before planning a second strike over reforms to the junior cycle.

IT’S A LONG way from the Arctic that Cormac James was reared. Born and raised in Ballincollig in Cork — when he was still Cormac McCarthy — Cormac James has lived in Montpellier in France for the past 12 years.

Gunshot residue was on the hand, waistband and shirt of an 18-year-old man killed by a St Louis police officer, authorities said.

CAR COMEBACK

With young people targeted for data theft 35 times more often than adults, students are being advised to ensure their mobile and desktop devices are secure both at school and at home as they enter a new academic year.

Boxing: Ireland will be involved in three finals at today’s European Union Elite Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Ireland’s Elite boxers are guaranteed at least three bronze medals at the European Union Elite Championships after recording a hat-trick of quarter-final wins in Bulgaria yesterday.

A college friend was convicted of trying to protect Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev by agreeing with another friend to get rid of items they took from his room three days after the attack.

By Niall Murray Education Correspondent

A parents’ leader has called on teacher unions and Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to resolve the dispute over junior cycle reform.

Oscar Pistorius was accused of making a "sinister" comment to a friend of Reeva Steenkamp in the courtroom yesterday after his murder trial was adjourned for the day.

Oscar Pistorius has been accused of making a “sinister” comment to a woman at his murder trial when it adjourned for the day.

It was national title number seven for Belfast's Paddy Barnes as he scored a unanimous decision over Hughie Myers at the Men's Elite Boxing Championships in Dublin.