Your Friday lunchtime news catch-up

Insurer Aviva has announced price hikes to its policies ranging from 5.5% to 10%, It is being reported that Paul O’Connell will sign a two-year deal with Toulon, and Irish WWE wrestler Sheamus is set to star as one of the main villains in the next Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie. Just some of the latest and most read stories on irishexaminer.com.

Fri, 29 May, 2015 - 01:00

Greg Murphy

TOP STORY

FF: Recall the Dáil to discuss issues raised by Murphy's comments

IRELAND

Aviva imposes hefty hike on premiums

Insurer Aviva has announced price hikes to its policies ranging from 5.5% to 10%.

Sergeant took his own life at local station

A young Garda sergeant used a Garda-issue gun to take his own life at his local station.

SPORT

Delaney ‘would love’ if Blatter was defeated

Chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland, John Delaney, is in Zurich for today’s FIFA presidential election.

MOST READ: O'Connell to sign for Toulon

It is being reported that Paul O'Connell will sign a two-year deal with Toulon.

WORLD

Thousands fewer children seriously ill since English smoking ban, research finds

Many thousands of children may have been spared serious illness and admission to hospital by the smoking ban in England, research has shown.

MOST READ: New species of human ancestor found

A fossil find adds another twig to the human evolutionary tree, giving further evidence that the well-known “Lucy” species had company in what is now Ethiopia.

ANALYSIS

MOST READ: What will the Marriage Referendum mean for children and schools?

As the dust begins to settle, Peter McGuire takes a look at the possible long-term outcome for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students.

EXAMVIRAL

VIDEO: Irish YouTuber takes on Hell and Back Challenge as part of Irish Bucket List

The Hell and Back Challenge claims to be ’Ireland’s Toughest Mental & Physical Endurance Challenge’. Would you dare?

MOST READ: VIDEO: Here’s one time Sepp Blatter did slip up

It was only a matter of time before this video began doing the rounds again

TECHNOW

Andy Serkis' #StarWars character revealed but does he fight for light or dark? http://t.co/ruKDAOzcXL PSR @andyserkis pic.twitter.com/c5O483iPAz
— Irish Examiner Lifestyle (@IELifestyle_) May 29, 2015

MOST READ: Andy Serkis' Star Wars mo-cap character revealed - but does he fight for the light or the dark?

British actor Andy Serkis is in Star Wars The Force Awakens - we've heard his voice and seen the cast list and now we have a little more information.

BUSINESS

€100m upgrade to Ringaskiddy Harbour gets planning approval

Planning permission has been granted for a €100m upgrade of Cork's Ringaskiddy Harbour.

MOST READ: G7 meets as Greek threats linger

Finance chiefs from the G7 economic powers discussed ways to revive the faltering global recovery yesterday as the US leant on Europe to reach a deal to avert a Greek bankruptcy.

LIFESTYLE