LUNCHTIME BULLETIN: Government must form committee before deciding on 8th amendment issue; Macron and Le Pen spark French revolution

Here's your lunchtime news bulletin.

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IRELAND: A former Bank of Ireland worker has been jailed for one year for stealing €144,000 from the bank between 2004 and 2012.

IRELAND: Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said today that he could not provide an indication of when legislation would be introduced in response to the Citizens Assembly's recent recommendations on the 8th amendment.

IRELAND: Fire-fighters have managed to bring a blaze in the Gougane Barra Valley in Cork under control.

WORLD: Centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right populist Marine Le Pen will battle it out for France's presidency, remaking the country's political landscape and setting up a showdown over its European Union membership.

WORLD: Al Qaida's leader has urged his followers and all militants in Syria to unite ranks and prepare for protracted jihad.

BUSINESS: United Drug has announced a €40m investment in technology and innovation at its headquarters at Citywest, Dublin.

SPORT: Wexford will not appeal Davy Fitzgerald’s eight-week ban for encroaching onto the field of play and clashing with Tipperary players.

... SOME DISTRACTION

SHOWBIZ: Reality TV star Ferne McCann has said she is “grateful” for the support she has received following news of her pregnancy as her ex-boyfriend is to appear in court charged in connection with an acid attack.

VIRAL: A 12-year-old boy who drove more than 800 miles has been arrested by police in Australia’s Outback.

FEATURES: Rather than being a surprise, that Prince Harry had counselling to help him deal with the death of his mother should be considered normal.