Your Friday lunchtime catch-up
TOP STORY
At least 42 people, mostly elderly tourists starting off on a day trip, have been killed after a bus and truck collided on a rural road in wine country in south-west France. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said: "Forty-two people were killed in atrocious conditions in this bus in flames after this very violent frontal collision... It’s a terrible shock for the area, for (the region) Aquitaine, for France.”
IRELAND
The Finance Minister Michael Noonan has said there were discussions in 2012 about putting a plan together to use the army to secure banks. Michael Noonan’s comments come after the Taoiseach claimed yesterday he had been told to put the army on standby to guard banks and ATMs as one weekend approached.
As many as 40,000 commuters faced major disruption this morning as Irish Rail drivers went on strike. Last-ditch talks to avoid the work stoppage collapsed at the Workplace Relations Commission last night.
A judge has told two warring brothers that their deceased parents “would be turning in their graves” if they knew the two of them were in court. Daniel was before the court accused of assaulting his brother at Carnanes, Kilrush on October 14, 2014, and of the criminal damage of the windscreen of Michael’s tractor. Michael was before the court accused of the criminal damage of the rear window of Daniel’s Land Rover. The Hayes brothers both deny the charges against them.
WORLD
A Jewish Israeli man was shot and killed in a scuffle with Israeli soldiers who suspected he was a Palestinian attacker, police said, in a reflection of the nervous mood that has gripped Israelis amid a spate of near-daily stabbings.
A nurse quarantined at a New Jersey hospital because she had contact with Ebola patients in West Africa is suing the state governor and health chiefs, saying they held her illegally against her will. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey and a New York firm filed the federal civil rights lawsuit in Newark for Kaci Hickox.
SPORT
The Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) have broken their silence about the resignation of Billy Walsh, a day after the coach flew to the US to take up his new role with Boxing USA. The organisation has been at the centre of a storm of controversy since Walsh stepped down as head of Irish boxing’s High Performance Unit on Monday.
Betrayal. It’s the one word that leaps out from the pages of Jim McGuinness’ book Until Victory Always — A Memoir. Broken into four sections representing each year he was in charge of Donegal, it would be wrong to give the impression that the 2012 All-Ireland-winning manager’s account is full of insult and anger. His passion for Glenties and Donegal comes across abundantly clear.
RUGBY WORLD CUP CENTRE
Tommy Bowe may not play again this season as the injury list from Ireland’s unsuccessful World Cup campaign continues to grow. The Ulster winger has been pictured on crutches because of ligament damage sustained during the loss to Argentina and may face more than six months out of action.
For more latest news, views and banter visit our Rugby World Cup Centre HERE
BUSINESS
The European Investment Bank is to provide a €100m loan for redevelopment of Dublin Port. The funding will part-finance the €280m Alexandra Basin project which aims to allow the capital’s port handle 60 million tonnes of cargo by 2040.
Troubled insurance group FBD moved to calm investor fears yesterday by maintaining its confidence in returning to profitability by the end of next year.
ANALYSIS
Carrickmines Fire: The white coffin of baby Mary Connors looked tiny in the hearse that was more suited to a casket three times its length and twice its width, but her little cousin did his best to fill the space around it with kisses, writes .
LIFESTYLE
volunteered for three days at a refugee camp in Calais and found the dire conditions, and the indifference of officialdom, are shameful
VIDEO
It has been revealed that Mark Hamill pitched the idea of an evil Luke Skywalker to the Force Awakens director JJ Abrams.
VIRAL
The first image of Pluto’s moon, Kerberos, has been revealed. It now joins the list of Pluto’s four other moons - Charon, Nix, Hydra and Styx.
Award-winning singer Adele has said it is a “dream come true to make music for people to hear”. The singer sent fans into a frenzy when she posted about her much-anticipated third album, 25, on her Instagram account earlier in the week. She debuted her first single, Hello, on Nick Grimshaw’s radio show, with the cinematic video for the song also being released shortly.
TECHNOW
While many Star Wars fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Star Wars: Battlefront, footage has emerged of the cancelled Star Wars Battlefront 3, which showcases what it might have been like.
The Queen of Ireland is a new documentary about Panti and the struggle for marriage equality but its also a great laugh.
Samsung first showed off the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic a few weeks ago, but is now ready to share pricing and availability details.
SHOWBIZ
The Irish Film and Academy (IFTA) held its annual award ceremony last night with a star-studded red carpet line-up. One of the biggest winners from the night was Brendan O’Carroll who received a Lifetime achievement award for Comedy and a standing ovation.
MOST READ RIGHT NOW
This clip from a boxing match that took place a week ago has gone viral because of the actions of the victor. Willis Meehan was cruising to victory against Leamy Tato in the heavyweight bout in New Zealand, so much so that he pleaded with the referee to stop the fight.
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