The Briefing - Your Thursday morning news catch up

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

Thu, 10 Apr, 2014 - 01:00

Denise O’Donoghue

BRIEFING TOP STORY

MOTHER WITH TERMINAL CANCER IS TOLD ARREARS MEAN MORTGAGE WILL NOT BE PAID OFF WHEN SHE DIES

A Kerry mother-of-two diagnosed with terminal cancer has been told that if she dies, her €110,000 mortgage won’t be paid off as she is €260 in arrears on her mortgage protection policy.

IRISH NEWS

HALLELUJAH FOR SINGING PRIEST AS HE TAKES NEW-FOUND FAME IN HIS STRIDE

A Meath priest who has become an internet sensation overnight has taken his new-found fame in his stride.

HIGGINS PRAISED PEOPLE FOR THEIR SACRIFICES

Irish people will be paying for the mistakes of the financial crash for generations to come, President Michael D Higgins has warned in a speech to London’s business elite.

WORLD NEWS

AUTOPSY INTO PEACHES'DEATH ‘INCONCLUSIVE’

An autopsy into the death of Peaches Geldof has proved inconclusive pending the results of toxicology tests.

STUDENT STABS 21 PEOPLE IN SCHOOL RAMPAGE

A 16-year-old student wielding two knives went on a stabbing rampage in the hallways of a Pittsburgh-area high school early yesterday, injuring 21 people, about half of them seriously, officials said.

SPORT

A TRIP INSIDE THE WORLD OF IRISH ROWING

On a pleasant day, the view from the National Rowing Centre is picture postcard perfection.

SKY SPORTS’ GAA DEBUT TO FEATURE KILKENNYS 'ROOFLESS STAND

Sky Sports’ GAA debut will feature a roofless stand as a new one won’t be ready in time for the Leinster SHC quarter-final between Kilkenny and Offaly in Nowlan Park on June 7.

BUSINESS

STATE 'NO CONTROL' OVER BANK BOSS'S PAY

The Government will not use its share in Bank of Ireland to oppose a €843,000 pay package for its boss, Richie Boucher, because to do so would be an “idle symbolic gesture” according to Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

VIEWPOINTS

THE HEALTH SERVICE NEEDS TO CHANGE AND NOW IS THE TIME

IN his recent thoughtful article on Universal Health Insurance published in the Irish Examiner, Ray Kinsella acknowledges that the Department of Health has “undertaken a huge volume of preparatory work” to underpin the introduction of UHI.

SHOWBIZ

ROBBIE REVEALS INSPIRATION FOR NEW TOUR

Robbie Williams' forthcoming tour is inspired by "classic old musicals". The 'Candy' singer's 'Swing Both Ways Live' shows begin in Budapest in two weeks' time, and he has promised something "very special" for the 46 European shows.

TOP FEATURES

LIFE WITH JOANNE: MY LITTLE SISTER WITH A BIG HEART

MANY people over the past few weeks have been asking me about life with my sister Joanne. It is fair to say she has done far more and achieved way more than the average person.