Morning briefing: HSE fails to assess 2,500 kids for disability. Catch up on all the headlines
IRELAND
The HSE failed to process as many as 2,500 applications from parents to have their children’s needs assessed on foot of a disability — despite a legal requirement to do so within six months.
Public sector unions who “have power and can strike” should not be rewarded with pay increases, one minister has said.
Legendary Irish broadcaster Gay Byrne has revealed that he may have prostate cancer. The 82-year-old told listeners to his RTÉ Lyric FM show yesterday evening that he will “not be with listeners next week” as he undergoes further tests in hospital.
Luke Aherne prefers light switches to toys and “does something with his eyes” that the two-year-old’s mother Melanie says is a giveaway to his condition.
The Cork Sexual Violence Centre has been given permission to reproduce a tattoo that Lady Gaga commissioned for herself and the 50 other abuse survivors who sang with her at this year’s Oscars.
WORLD
Up to 100 firefighters have tackled a blaze that engulfed a garden centre, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air in west London.
Rescuers have finished searching the last of 14 mangled train carriages that derailed in northern India, killing at least 133 people and leaving more than 200 injured.
Ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy has conceded defeat in the race to choose the conservative nominee for next year’s French presidential election.
SPORT
Munster Rugby legend Paul O’Connell has warned against the notion of ‘God-given talent’ or ‘born naturals’ in sport and life, writes Jimmy Woulfe.
Little over three weeks ago, Ballyea travelled to Ennis in search of a first county title. This morning, they rise as Munster champions.
Less on the scoreboard than in Soldier Field maybe, but Saturday’s renewal between Ireland and New Zealand matched the drama of Chicago in pretty much every other way and even sprinkled a painful dose of controversial incidents along the way with it.
Wayne Rooney can — and did — protest all he wishes about the unfair treatment he received over “Wedding-gate” but the fact remains that, with every passing week, the Manchester United and England captain is proving ever more dispensable for club and country alike.
OPINION
Not even the bulldog on a trampoline in the John Lewis ad can match the robin as an object of affection at Christmas, writes Terry Prone
Trust the American people, says avowed liberal John Lloyd, who believes the US Constitution is one of the reasons why the new administration won’t be as bad as feared
BUSINESS
Workers in the public service shouldn’t overestimate what the State can afford, or underestimate how much those in the private sector have suffered, writes Kyran Fitzgerald.
Facebook plans to create an extra 500 jobs in the UK when it opens a new headquarters in London next year, the US social media giant has announced.
LIFESTYLE
Submarine inventor John Phillip Holland tested one of his first prototypes in a North Mon pond, writes Ailín Quinlan
SHOWBIZ
Clint Eastwood has claimed too many people are labelled heroes because of political correctness.
VIDEO - OUR CHOICE
Model enthusiast and event organiser, Micheál Ó Murchú, talks about this year's Model Fest.
TECHNOW
: Dishonored 2 is pretty much a triumph of design.
: There's a pretty major cameo in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
: The latest Doro phone is about to make its debut in Ireland with Vodafone.
MOST READ RIGHT NOW
Legendary Irish broadcaster Gay Byrne has revealed that he may have prostate cancer. The 82-year-old told listeners to his RTÉ Lyric FM show yesterday evening that he will “not be with listeners next week” as he undergoes further tests in hospital.
