Morning Report: The day's lead stories

Good morning. Here’s a look at the top stories you need to know, in the Irish Examiner’s Morning Report.

1.”There are 21 million people in slavery as we sit here. I just hope 150 years from now our ambivalence will not allow another film-maker to make this film,” director Steve McQueen told a packed Royal Opera House last night as he accepted the BAFTA for best film for his epic ‘12 Years a Slave’.

2. Gardaí are investigating the deaths of three people in separate incidents over the weekend in counties Dublin, Laois and Offaly.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter is under growing pressure over allegations he misled the Dáil

3. Justice Minister Alan Shatter is under mounting pressure to appear before an Oireachtas committee to explain why he failed to inform the Dáil of key details given to him by the Garda Ombudsman.

4. Former Leinster and Ireland rugby player Neil Francis has caused quite a stir with comments regarding gay people and sport over the weekend. The pundit claimed that “very often” gay people have no interest in any kind of sport.

Head of the new Child and Family Agency Gordon Jeyes

5. A person’s criminal record should be wiped clean once they turn 18, according to the head of the Child and Family Agency Gordon Jeyes.

6. A leading Irish disease expert has claimed that there is “reasonable evidence” that overhead powerlines increase cancer risk in children.

Clare's Seadna Morey battles for possession during yesterday's National Hurling League opener against Kilkenny in Ennis

7. The National Hurling League got underway over the weekend with wins in Division 1A for All-Ireland champions Clare, Galway and Tipperary while Cork and Limerick played out a hard-fought draw in Páirc Uí Rinn in Division 1B.