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, 31 Oct, 2014 - 00:00

Greg Murphy

BRIEFING TOP STORY

RISING TIDE OF PROTESTS AGAINST IRISH WATER

Anti-Irish Water momentum reached new heights yesterday as protesters forced it to abandon a meeting with public representatives and later demonstrated in a town where three householders were arrested for blocking meters installations.

IRISH NEWS

PENALTY POINTS ABUSES PROBE DUE IN 2 WEEKS

An internal Garda investigation into the second batch of alleged penalty points abuses is due to be completed in two weeks.

MOTHER VOWS HER STAND AGAINST IRISH WATER WILL GO ON DESPITE ARREST

A defiant mother of three who was arrested for the first time yesterday for blocking meter installation has vowed to continue protesting.

WORLD NEWS

APPLE CHIEF: BEING GAY IS ONE OF GODS GREAT GIFTS

Apple CEO Tim Cook says he’s proud to be gay.

SARAH PAYNE'S FATHER LOSES BATTLE WITH ALCOHOL

The children of Michael Payne, father of murdered schoolgirl Sarah, have paid tribute to him following his death after a long battle fighting drink problems.

SPORT

FAI MADE MISTAKES CONCEDES DELANEY

John Delaney has admitted the FAI made mistakes in their distribution of tickets to Irish supporters for the game against Scotland in Glasgow on November 14 and says that measures will be taken to try and ensure loyal followers of the national team don’t miss out on away games in the future.

DUAL STAR WALSH OPTS FOR HURLING WITH CORK

Cork football boss Brian Cuthbert is "disappointed" dual player Aidan Walsh has opted to play hurling only in 2015, but the manager has an eye on another dual talent, Alan Cadogan, who starred for the hurlers this year.

BUSINESS

SOFTWARE FIRM BACK IN PROFIT DESPITE DIP IN REVENUE

Irish software firm Openet last year returned to operating profit in spite of a dip in revenues to €95.44m.

VIEWPOINTS

CENTRIST POLITICS MUST CHALLENGE THE THREATS FROM BOTH EXTREMES

EARLIER this week the all-powerful, life-giving or life-denying European Central Bank published the results of its stress tests on 130 of Europe’s banks. Only 25 failed and just one — and what a welcome “just” that is — is Irish.

EXAMVIRAL

LAUREN,9, FROM DUBLIN IS EU DIGITAL GIRL OF THE YEAR

A young coder from Dublin has been named the EU Digital Girl of the Year at an awards ceremony in Rome today.

SHOWBIZ

BIEBER DEPRESSED OVER SPLIT WITH SELENA

Justin Bieber is reportedly "depressed" over his recent split from Selena Gomez.

TOP FEATURES

HORRIBLE HISTORIES: WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE IN A HAUNTED CASTLE

Residents of Ireland’s haunted castles tell Michelle Cooney what it’s like living among spirits and how their ghoulish guests are helping to raise the profile of their historic homes.