The Briefing - Your Wednesday morning news catch up

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

Wed, 23 Apr, 2014 - 01:00

Peter O’Dwyer

BRIEFING TOP STORY

TEACHERS ROW WITH RUAIRI QUINN SET TO INTENSIFY

A row between teachers and Ruairi Quinn over the education minister’s abolition of the Junior Certificate looks set to deepen after he accused their unions of lacking trust in their professionalism.

IRISH NEWS

PROFITS OF TOBACCO SMUGGLERS ARE HIGHER THAN COURT IMPOSED FINES

Criminal gangs are earning profits equal to almost a thousand times the fines imposed on smugglers by the courts, according to the tobacco industry.

IRISH WATER TO FUND 1,000 LOCAL AUTHORITY REDUNDANCIES

Irish Water is to be given money to fund over 1,000 voluntary redundancies at local authorities.

WORLD NEWS

COUPLE WHO HELD HANDS AT BREAKFAST FOR 70 YEARS DIE A MERE 15 HOURS APART

A couple who held hands at breakfast every morning even after 70 years of marriage have died 15 hours apart.

FERRY BODIES SEARCH MOVES TO CABINS; DEATH TOLL 150

The official death toll in the South Korea ferry disaster reached 150 today as the grim work of recovering bodies from the submerged vessel continued.

SPORT

50 DAYS TO GO TO THE WORLD CUP

It’s 50 days to the World Cup and here are 50 of the biggest talking points.

RYAN: UNFAIR TO POINT THE FINGER AT DONAL O'GRADY

Limerick hurling manager TJ Ryan last night issued a statement expressing his dismay at the crisis which has rocked the county following the shock departure of Donal O'Grady on Sunday night.

BUSINESS

CITCO SALE TO BE COMPLETED IN DAYS

The sale of Cork-based Citco to Clearstream for roughly €50m is expected to be completed over the next couple of days, the Irish Examiner has learned.

VIEWPOINTS

INTERNET DEFAMATION: WHO IS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ONLINE COMMENTS

As the legal profession struggles to catch up with the age of social media, the question of who is responsible for defamatory remarks on websites is constantly evolving, says Hugh McCarthy.

SHOWBIZ

GARTH BROOKS PROMOTERS APPLY FOR LICENCE

Organisers of the Garth Brooks concerts have finally submitted a planning application for the gigs.

TOP FEATURES

BURYING YOUR PET WITH DIGNITY, RESPECT AND LOVE

Young students may well have come up with a solution to pet burial. Jonathan deBurca Butler takes a look at Peffins, which has been nominated at this year’s Student Enterprise Awards.