MORNING BULLETIN: Garda chiefs blocked probe into college scandal; 400,000 calls answered by Childline last year

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IRELAND: The head of the gardaí’s internal audit unit has said his “direct superiors” tried to block a probe into the Garda college scandal, “withheld” information and tried to “undermine” his position when the inquiry began.

IRELAND: Shifting care out of hospitals and into the primary care, community setting is at the heart of a plan to radically transform Irish healthcare.

IRELAND: Childline answered nearly 400,000 calls for help last year. The vast majority were made out of hours when there is no one else to speak to.

WORLD: The Trump administration believes China is using "back channel networking" with North Korea in a bid to persuade Kim Jong Un to stop nuclear and ballistic missile tests, the United Nations' US ambassador has said.

BUSINESS: Pharmaceutical giant Merck’s announcement of 330 jobs for Cork and Carlow is evidence that multinationals’ fear of US president Donald Trump’s policies are easing — but there could be a threat to Ireland looming from French president Emmanuel Macron, an economist has warned.

SPORT: Cathal Barrett has been dropped from the Tipperary panel. The All-Star defender, who is currently recovering from a knee injury, is believed to have been omitted for a disciplinary breach.

SPORT: Jamie Heaslip believes all five Leinster players could feature in next month’s Lions Tests against New Zealand — but fears the Munster and Ulster contingent face a tougher battle to earn starting spots.

... SOME DISTRACTION

FEATURES: Some of Cork’s hosts tell us why they are sharing their homes on the room and house share platform, Airbnb.

SHOWBIZ: US comedian Kathy Griffin has been forced to “beg” for forgiveness after clutching what appeared to be Donald Trump’s bloody, severed head.

ARTS: A group of friends has impressed Twitter with the crazy dance moves they showed off at their 30th high school reunion.