The Briefing - Your Friday morning news catch up

Welcome to your Friday morning briefing. Let us ensure you're up to speed on what's happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

Fri, 04 Apr, 2014 - 01:00

Peter O’Dwyer

BRIEFING TOP STORY

ENDA KENNY SAYS CONTENTS OF TAPES IN BAILEY CASE ARE 'STARK

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has described as “stark” and of “serious concern” the contents of taped conversations in relation to the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier as it emerged there were more than 130 such recordings made by gardaí.

IRISH NEWS

ANIMALS'DEATHS AT CLIFFS 'PLANNED AND SINISTER

A live horse was discovered near where rotting carcasses of around 17 animals were found at the base of cliffs in what has been described as a “planned and sinister” act.

FG AND FF NECK-AND-NECK IN LATEST POLL

The government parties have both suffered drops in support in the last four months, despite the exit from the bailout.

WORLD NEWS

FORD VOTES AGAINST MOTION FOR OLYMPIAN ATHLETES

What could be controversial about the city of Toronto congratulating Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes? Ask Rob Ford. The Toronto mayor on Wednesday cast the sole “no” vote on a city council motion to offer the athletes kudos.

11 MEMBERS OF 'VILIGANTE' FAMILY JAILED AFTER TORTURING PREGNANT WOMAN AND PARTNER

Eleven members of the same family who kidnapped and tortured a couple, including a heavily-pregnant woman, who they falsely suspected of murdering a widow have been jailed by a UK court today.

SPORT

DONNCHA: TOULOUSE STILL HURTING

Donncha O’Callaghan has warned his team-mates not to underestimate the motivation driving Toulouse in this weekend’s Heineken Cup quarter-final.

FOLLOW UP: UKRAINIAN PLAYER TELLS OF TEAMMATE'S EFFORTS TO SAVE A PERSON'S LIFE

Last weekend we brought you the incredible story of Jaba Kankava saving an opposing player’s life during a Ukrainian league game. Now a teammate has given his account of the incredible incident.

BUSINESS

GREEN REIT 'PLANS TO TAP MARKET'

Green REIT is close to tapping the market for about €300m in funding to finance future investments, the Irish Examiner has learned.

VIEWPOINTS

RWANDA REMEMBERS ITS 'DEEP DARKNESS'

Twenty years ago, it is said, one person died every 10 seconds over 100 days as genocide gripped Rwanda, says Hannah McNeish.

SHOWBIZ

JONAS BLASTS BIEBER'S 'ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR'

Joe Jonas believes Justin Bieber's father is to blame for his recent "animal behaviour".

TOP FEATURES

CORK '91 - WHEN NIRVANA CAME TO TOWN

To mark tomorrow’s 20th anniversary of Kurt Cobain’s death, Des O’Driscoll looks back on the day in 1991 when the late singer’s band played a support slot at Sir Henry’s in Cork.