Your Wednesday morning news round up

Wed, 03 Jun, 2015 - 01:00

TOP STORY

Seven A1s but Brian feels chained to his degree

Brian O’Flynn believes the Leaving Certificate system is stacked against the students. He achieved all honours in his exams two years ago, and was awarded a scholarship by the Irish Government to attend the University of Edinburgh.

IRELAND

SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: Fears over ‘trafficking’ of children to the US

Concerns that up to 1,000 children may have been “trafficked” to the US from the Tuam mother and baby home in “a scandal that dwarfs other, more recent issues with the Church and State” were raised by the HSE in 2012.

MOST READ: Sister and brother shot at family event in Limerick

A young woman was shot and wounded along with her brother as they held a family gathering, and she only discovered she was pregnant when in hospital.

SPORT

Sepp Blatter exits stage but Fifa issues remain

"Poor Sepp Blatter," wrote John Cleese on Twitter last Friday. "Just a couple of hundred rotten apples, and he has to carry the can".

MOST READ: Paul O’Connell leaves with Munster blessing, says Garrett Fitzgerald

Munster Rugby chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald expects Paul O’Connell to make a final decision on his next career step in the coming fortnight, having today announced that the Irish captain will be released from his IRFU Munster contract following the Rugby World Cup.

WORLD

4 seriously hurt on Alton Towers rollercoaster

£18m rollercoaster with 14 loops has been shut on two previous occasions because of safety concerns

MOST READ: Tributes to Charles Kennedy after shock death at 55

Warm tributes have poured in from across the political spectrum to former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, whose death at 55 has shocked Westminster.

BUSINESS

Ryanair passenger numbers up 16%

Low-fare airline Ryanair carried an increased number of passengers last month.

MOST READ: Aryzta shares slump on fears for European sales

Revenues at food company Aryzta climbed by more than 13% to over of €970m over the three months to the end of April despite flat trading in one of its core markets.

VIEWPOINTS

GERARD HOWLIN: O’Brien uproar is a failure of courage, not a constitutional crisis

It is an essential public interest that the proceedings of the Oireachtas are reported, writes Gerard Howlin

LIFESTYLE

Sex by numbers: What do we know about the love lives of others?

AS a boy, Korey Kiepert built toy amusement parks. He made small, functional, rollercoasters in his bedroom and dreamt up inventive jumps.

EXAMVIRAL

WATCH: Dublin accident shows why you need to look both ways before crossing the road

Motorcyclist Martin McGowan captured an incident in Dublin that highlights the importance of being vigilant as a pedestrian.

MOST READ: VIDEO: Tuna, the adorable little dog who melted hearts worldwide, is releasing an autobiography

He’s an adorable Chihuahua-Dachsund (Chiweenie for short) who became an internet hit a few years ago, thanks to his pronounced overbite.

TECHNOW

We have an EXCLUSIVE RED BAND TRAILER from @WhatTedSaid debuting at 1pm CST! Don't miss it! http://t.co/q7XICtC0OD pic.twitter.com/mI6MtPS579
— AMC Theatres (@AMCTheatres) June 2, 2015

Ted 2 red band trailer 2 - the saga continues...

Ted was an hilariously over the top comic creation, playing like the best bits of Family Guy without any of the inhibitions associated with TV.

MOST READ: Fallout 4 is coming - major announcement due tomorrow

We had already heard that Fallout 4 was going to be at E3 2015, and now we know we're going to get more info ahead of the expo.

SHOWBIZ

We just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who voted for us! Still can't believe it. Busy day for us #bgt pic.twitter.com/YLfU2C92oY
— JulesMatisse+Friends (@JulesAndMatisse) June 1, 2015

Cowell ’felt an idiot’ over dog act

Simon Cowell has admitted he “felt like a bit of an idiot” after learning Britain’s Got Talent winner Jules O’Dwyer used a stunt double dog during the final.