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, 09 Jul, 2014 - 01:00

Robert McNamara

BRIEFING TOP STORY

BROOKS' DECISION TO PULL PLUG COSTS €50M

As Garth Brooks’ record run at Croke Park went from five nights, to three, to none, to fiasco, the hospitality industry has been left reeling with losses estimated at €50m and Ireland’s reputation in ruins.

IRISH NEWS

TV LICENCE CRACKDOWN TO FOCUS ON CABLE DATA

TV service providers have reacted with caution to plans which allow An Post access to customer subscription data in a crackdown on licence fee evaders.

MINISTER WARNED TO ACT ON MORTGAGE ARREARS

A "significant" spike in family home repossessions is looming unless ministers get a grip on the mortgage debt crisis, an Oireachtas report has warned.

WORLD NEWS

SCIENTISTS'FINGER DEVICE READS TO THE BLIND IN REAL TIME

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are developing an audio reading device to be worn on the index finger of people whose vision is impaired, giving them affordable and immediate access to printed words.

KIDNAPPER COULD STRIKE AGAIN, SAY MCCANNS

The McCanns fear that their daughter Madeleine’s kidnapper may "strike again" and believe he or she will have been "laughing" at claims that they hid their daughter’s body.

SPORT

NIKE TO CUT TIES WITH UNITED

Manchester United will have a new kit supplier next year after American sportswear giant Nike opted not to extend its lengthy association with the club.

BRAZIL POST-MORTEM BEGINS

Brazil woke up to a new footballing catastrophe this morning, 64 years after it experienced the ’Maracanazo’ when the hosts lost in the final of the first World Cup on their soil.

BUSINESS

DRAGON FIRM TO PAY €4K TO SACKED SALES ASSISTANT

The Employment Appeals Tribunal has ordered RTÉ Dragon, Ramona Nicholas’s pharmacy group to pay €4,000 to a female sales assistant the business unfairly dismissed.

VIEWPOINTS

HEALTH PROBLEMS

WHEN he took on the role of health minister more than three years ago, a confident James Reilly stated that he chose the portfolio because he wanted the challenge of reforming a dysfunctional health service.

SHOWBIZ