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, 19 Sep, 2014 - 01:00

Denise O’Donoghue

BRIEFING TOP STORY

SCOTLAND SAYS NO

Alex Salmond’s dream of independence has been shattered after Scotland voted to stay part of the United Kingdom.

IRISH NEWS

HOSPITAL IT CRASH A MYSTERY, SAYS BOSS OF CUH

The boss of one of the country’s busiest hospitals has admitted he has no idea what is behind the ongoing computer difficulties that paralysed its laboratory IT system leading to concerns about the quality of patient tests and lost files.

BUDGET PRIORITY IS TO CUT 52% INCOME TAX RATE

The Taoiseach last night confirmed the Government’s priority to reduce the 52% income tax rate on low-and middle-income earners in the upcoming budget.

WORLD NEWS

BOTH CAMPS HOPING FOR UNITY IN VOTE AFTERMATH

As thick fog descended on the Scottish parliament building late yesterday afternoon, the country slipped into twilight before its future became clear at dawn today.

IRAN 'HAPPY' SINGERS GET SUSPENDED SENTENCES

Six Iranians arrested for appearing in a video singing along to Pharrell Williams’ hit song Happy were given suspended sentences of 91 lashes and six months in prison for obscene behaviour, a news website quoted their lawyer as saying.

SPORT

SPECIAL BRANCH CRACKS TO REVEAL SPY IN KERRY CAMP

GAA espionage reached a new level in Fitzgerald Stadium on Tuesday evening when a man scarpered having been spotted attempting to watch Kerry’s behind-closed-doors training session — from a tree!

'VOLCANIC' KEANE ADDS FIRE TO THE MIX AT VILLA

Alan Hutton insists Roy Keane’s "volcanic" personality has been key to Aston Villa’s impressive start.

BUSINESS

DISCOUNT RETAILERS TO CREATE 120 JOBS

More than 120 jobs are to be created in three locations across the country following announcements by two discount retailers.

VIEWPOINTS

DANGEROUS GAME TO CATEGORISE DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES OF RAPE

THERE is much that we tip toe around when discussing the issue of rape; much that’s left unsaid because it risks offending those who have already been so gravely offended by a rapist.

EXAM VIRAL

DANIEL RADCLIFFE PAYS A DEBT TO THE DUBLIN MINOR FOOTBALL TEAM

They say a Lannister always pays his debts and now that too can be said about Harry Potter.

SHOWBIZ

LIAM NEESON REVEALS HE'S TERRIFIED OF HEIGHTS

The 62-year-old actor admits he suffers from acrophobia and can't even manage to stand on a chair to fix a bulb in a lamp because of the extreme fear, but he insists he's not embarrassed by it because everyone has their own weaknesses.

TOP FEATURES

EAMONN MCDEVITT'S STORY TO BE TOLD THROUGH SIGN LANGUAGE

The tragic story of the shooting of Eamon McDevitt by the British army in 1971, and its impact on the deaf community, is being told through sign language, writes Caomhán Keane