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, 30 May, 2014 - 01:00

Kelly O'Brien

BRIEFING TOP STORY

MCCABE CLAIM OF HARASSMENT TO BE PROBED

The Garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe has been told by interim Garda commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan that his allegations of harassment will be independently investigated by an officer of his choice.

IRISH NEWS

CABINET FREEZES MEDICAL CARD REVIEWS

The Government has frozen the review of discretionary medical cards and said that, under a new policy, eligibility for all cards will take account of medical conditions.

SMALL BOMB EXPLODES IN DERRY HOTEL AS OFFICERS ATTEMPT TO DEFUSE

A “suspect device” exploded in a hotel in Derry while specialist officers were urgently working to defuse it, police have said.

WORLD NEWS

UKRAINE REBELS SHOOT DOWN MILITARY HELICOPTER

In another devastating blow to Ukraine’s armed forces, rebels shot down a troop helicopter, killing at least 12 soldiers.

SISTERS RAPED, KILLED AND HUNG FROM TREE

Two teenage sisters in rural India were raped and killed by attackers who hung their bodies from a mango tree, which became the scene of a silent protest by villagers angry about alleged police inaction in the case.

SPORT

O'NEILL ULTRA-KEEN TO RETAIN ROY

Martin O’Neill says he will do all he can to try to persuade Roy Keane to stay on as his assistant, but seems resigned to the notion the job of managing Celtic is an offer the Cork man simply won’t be able to refuse.

DOYLE: NO ONE CAN MATCH ROBBIE, AND MAYBE NEVER WILL

Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle has admitted that Robbie Keane’s “incomparable” goalscoring exploits may never be beaten.

BUSINESS

CLAIM BOOTS UNDERPAID UK TAX BY £1.3BN

Anti-poverty advocates have asked the British government to investigate the offshore tax arrangements of Alliance Boots, alleging that the pharmacy chain operator has underpaid by as much as £1.3bn (€1.6bn).

VIEWPOINTS

NEW LABOUR LEADER WILL NEED A DIFFERENT WAY OF DOING BUSINESS

POLITICS can be a sad business, and I don’t just mean for the electorate. There was a palpable air of sadness in Iveagh House last Monday as Eamon Gilmore announced that he was going to stand down as leader of the Labour Party.

SHOWBIZ