Your Thursday morning news round-up

Water charge-dodgers are being given effective tax rebates of €100 each that could cost the State tens of millions of euro; Two people have survived a helicopter crash in Co Longford; Bertie Ahern is set to launch a defence of his economic record; Greek MPs have voted overwhelmingly to approve a harsh austerity bill. Here’s this morning’s irishexaminer.com round-up.

Thu, 16 Jul, 2015 - 01:00

TOP STORY - IRISH WATER

Water charge ‘farce’ to cost State millions

Water charge-dodgers are being given effective tax rebates of €100 each despite refusing to pay the levy in a “financial farce” that could cost the State tens of millions of euro, opposition TDs have warned.

IRELAND

VIDEO: Two escape injury in Longford helicopter crash

Two people have survived a helicopter crash in Co Longford.

Bertie Ahern set for banking inquiry appearance

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is set to launch a vigorous defence of his economic record when he returns to Leinster House today.

Rape victim hits out at George Hook’s comments

A woman raped by her boyfriend in her sleep has hit out at broadcaster George Hook for his “crass, outdated and insulting” comments while discussing her case on radio.

SPORT

Jordan Spieth takes a shot at golfing history

Jordan Spieth begins his bid for a third consecutive major victory at The Open today fully aware he is on the brink of golfing history but equally determined to cast it from his mind once he reaches the first tee at St Andrews.

WATCH: Louis van Gaal eager to offload Valdes

Louis van Gaal has said Victor Valdes will be sold because he refused to play for Manchester United’s reserves last season.

WORLD

Austerity vote paves way for massive Greek bailout

Greek MPs have voted overwhelmingly to approve a harsh austerity bill demanded by bailout creditors, despite significant dissent from members of prime minister Alexis Tsipras’ left-wing party.

Israel warns of right to defend itself

Benjamin Netanyahu has stepped up his criticism of the US-led nuclear deal with Iran.

ANALYSIS

VICTORIA WHITE: Left-wing Alexis Tsipras forced to admit that capitalism is right for Greece

People may not like bankers or capitalism, but they like being better-off and won’t vote to be poorer, says Victoria White

LIFESTYLE

A look at how the punk movement touched Cork

A new movie on The Damned forms part of a season of punk films in Cork. Ellie O’Byrne speaks to the director and hears about the movement on Leeside

EXAMVIRAL

WATCH: Too-tall lorry gets stuck on one-way street in Cork

We’d hate to have been the unlucky driver of this lorry.

WATCH: Dublin boy is unbelievably lucky to escape being knocked down

A child in Dublin was extremely fortunate to escape being knocked down in an incident captured on video yesterday.

Sassy Siri now cleverly shuts down people asking about Bruce Jenner

It wasn’t too long ago when Siri was making fools of people and really letting them have it emotionally when you asked her to divide 0 by 0.

TECHNOW

GAMING

Big News - #PSNow has appeared on the Irish #PlayStationNetwork | http://t.co/i7coN188Wf (GM) pic.twitter.com/fUjSmE3ROH
— Irish Examiner Lifestyle (@IELifestyle_) July 16, 2015

#VIDEO: #AmyPoehler and #TinaFey are #Sisters in hilarious trailer | http://t.co/jrHyOTC01t (GM) pic.twitter.com/H60CgCcAHT
— Irish Examiner Lifestyle (@IELifestyle_) July 16, 2015

#Samsung #GalaxyA8 officially launches - a superthin phablet http://t.co/bUMkfyPj8r (PSR) #TechNews pic.twitter.com/fLmn0pTExS
— Irish Examiner Lifestyle (@IELifestyle_) July 16, 2015

BUSINESS

Shareholder meeting set to approve IAG takeover of Aer Lingus