Abandoned puppies, a goose entangled on discarded fishing line, runaway rabbits, dozens of homeless kittens and a lurcher dog in a shocking condition were among the rescue missions conducted by the ISPCA over the past month.

The warning comes as gardaí in Granard, Co. Longford, are investigating an organised crime gang involved in the international sale and distribution of stolen machinery and vehicle parts.

Twenty-two soldiers have been taken to five hospitals in Dublin following the multi-vehicle accident on the M50 this morning, according to the Defence Forces.

A Dublin man accused of fatally stabbing another man has told a jury in the Central Criminal Court that the knife had fallen out of the victim's pocket.