April 17: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Provision of Dublin allowance for teachers and nurses would be ‘very, very challenging’, Tánaiste says
The provision of additional payments to teachers and nurses working in Dublin in order to address problems with recruitment and retention would be “very, very challenging” for the Government to agree to, Micheál Martin has said. The Tánaiste said the Government was aware of the challenge facing key staff in the education and health sectors as they compete for housing in the Dublin area amid shortages of available accommodation and high rents and would engage with unions on the issue, but that addressing the issue through pay would be difficult.
The Irish Times

Pensioner (78) targeted in brutal attack near home amid surge in violent carjackings around country
Gardaí are tackling a nationwide epidemic in car theft and violent hijacking offences this year, with the vast majority of offenders escaping without being arrested. Exclusive figures show more than 1,300 vehicles were stolen across the country up to the end of March, while 33 hijacking or attempted hijacking incidents have taken place so far this year.? An analysis of the figures shows that 429 vehicles were stolen last month – 422 in February while there were 452 incidents of vehicle theft in January.
Independent.ie

Abuse victims’ data stolen in ransomware attack
Four organisations that deal with victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse have had their data stolen following a ransomware attack on a company in Northern Ireland. The company, Evide, which is based in Derry and manages data for around 140 charities and non-profit organisations in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK, was targeted by cyber criminals last month.
RTÉ

Parents of Vivienne Murphy demand juvenile ICU for Cork as family share tragic story
Calls are being made for paediatric intensive care facilities for Cork after the parents of a girl who died following a Strep A infection highlighted how their daughter had to be taken to Dublin for treatment when critically ill. Vivienne Murphy, from Millstreet in north Cork, died on March 1, 2019 in Temple Street hospital in Dublin. Her parents Dermot and Lilly are concerned about the lack of ICU facilities for children outside of the capital.
The Irish Examiner

Court to deliver verdict today in Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch Regency murder trial
Gerard Hutch and two co-accused will learn today the verdict in the Special Criminal Court trial for the murder of David Byrne in a Dublin hotel. Hutch (59), last of The Paddocks, Clontarf, Dublin 3, denies the murder of Byrne (33) during a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel on 5 February 2016. Hutch’s two co-accused – Paul Murphy (61), of Cherry Avenue, Swords, Co Dublin and Jason Bonney (50), of Drumnigh Wood, Portmarnock, Dublin 13 – have pleaded not guilty to participating in or contributing to the murder of David Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on 5 February 2016.
The Journal

Alabama shooting: Four dead at Dadeville 16th birthday party
At least four people have been killed in a mass shooting at a 16th birthday party in the US state of Alabama. Twenty-eight people were injured, some critically, after shots were fired at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in the city of Dadeville on Saturday. High school senior Phil Dowdell, a star athlete, has been named by local media as one of the victims. President Joe Biden renewed his calls for tougher gun laws after the incident.
BBC News

Sudan death toll nears 100 as fighting rages and hospitals run short of supplies
At least 97 people have been killed and hundreds wounded as clashes spread across Sudan, and the World Health Organization (WHO) said some hospitals were running out of critical supplies to treat the injured. Fighting erupted on Saturday between army units loyal to Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s transitional governing Sovereign Council, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, who is deputy head of the council. It was the first such outbreak of fighting since both groups joined forces to oust the veteran Islamist autocrat Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The violence was sparked by a disagreement over the integration of the RSF into the military as part of a transition towards civilian rule to end the political-economic crisis sparked by a military coup in 2021.
The Guardian

Today’s forecast 
A good deal of cloud this morning with mist and fog in places, mostly breaking up through the morning leaving another pleasant day of sunny spells, though fog may linger near some southern and eastern coasts. A scattering of showers will also develop, mostly during the afternoon hours. Highest temperatures of 13 to 18 degrees, highest in the midwest and coolest along southern and eastern coasts due to light to moderate onshore breezes. Dry with clear spells early tonight, in light southeast breezes, mist and fog will set in, turning dense in parts. Low cloud will also increase along coastal counties of Leinster where patchy drizzle may develop at times locally. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees, but potentially a little cooler where clear spells persist.
Met Éireann