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 Jul, 2014 - 01:00

Greg Murphy

BRIEFING TOP STORY

GARTH BROOKS: 5 SHOWS OR NO SHOW

Garth Brooks last night issued an ultimatum that he will play five concerts in Ireland later this month or "none at all".

IRISH NEWS

FAMILIERS THAT EARN €100K ARE STRUGGLING

Families with an income of more than €100,000 are not wealthy, but are "struggling" to make ends meet, according to Finance Minister Michael Noonan, who has ruled out further tax hikes.

GARDAÍ TO PROBE INSIDE LEAKS ABOUT ROMA GIRL

Interim Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan has launched an investigation into the disclosure to the media of personal information about one of the two Roma children removed by gardaí from their families.

WORLD NEWS

AUSSIE ADMITS SHAME ABOUT HER ABUSE OF ASIAN WOMAN

A woman who let loose with a torrent of racial abuse against an innocent Asian woman on a train in Australia says she is deeply ashamed of her behaviour.

POLITICIANS OUT BURST GETS 1M HITS

A Japanese politician has burst into tears during a press conference over questions about his spending on trips to a hot springs — and a video of it has gone viral.

SPORT

O'KEEFFE CAN'T UNDERSTAND APATHY OF CORK, KERRY FANS

Ger O’Keeffe has taken issue with Cork and Kerry’s stay-away supporters, suggesting they are more interested in the occasion than the football.

ORLANDO STILL BRINGS BONNER OUT IN HOT FLUSH

Ex-keeper still looking for answers 20 years after Ireland’s USA ’94 hopes ended in the furnace of the Citrus Bowl.

BUSINESS

EU SHOULD FOLLOW IRISH LEAD

Taoiseach Enda Kenny compared Ireland’s turning around of its economy with what was needed in the EU generally, but said the country had some way to go to secure lasting growth and job creation.

VIEWPOINTS

LABOUR LEADER WILL FACE DIFFICULT BATTLE

Joan Burton is expected to elected leader of Labour today and faces a challenge in rebuilding the party,writes Political Editor Mary Regan.

SHOWBIZ

HEADBANGING MOTOR HEAD FAN GETS CLOT ON BRAIN

Heavy metal really can do your head in, according to doctors who treated a Motorhead fan with a blood clot on the brain caused by headbanging.

TOP FEATURES

LIFE AFTER THE FINAL: WILL GREAT IRISH BAKE OFF WINNER TRACY RISE TO THE TOP?

As the winner of last night’s The Great Irish Bake Off enthuses about her future plans, Denise O’Donoghue hears from other cookery title holders about the hard work and focus needed to succeed