April 18: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Irish EU Ambassador to Sudan ‘assaulted’ in his home
The Irish EU ambassador to Sudan, Aidan O’Hara, has been attacked in his home in Khartoum, the bloc’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said, as fighting between rival generals gripped the nation. “A few hours ago, the EU Ambassador in Sudan was assaulted in his own residency,” Mr Borrell wrote on Twitter, without detailing any injuries to the envoy. “Security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary responsibility of Sudanese authorities and an obligation under international law,” he added. EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali said that the 58-year-old Irish diplomat was “OK” following the assault.
RTÉ

Ombudsman finds HSE did not reimburse legitimate claims for treatment abroad
The HSE has been refusing to reimburse often elderly and vulnerable patients’ legitimate costs for going abroad to seek treatment because they couldn’t get the operations here, the Ombudsman has found. The delays in reimbursing patients or withholding of the funds due to them under EU health schemes drove patients into debt, said Ombudsman Ger Deering.
The Irish Examiner

Forever looking over his shoulder: As he walks free from court – what now for Gerry Hutch?
As Ireland enjoyed its Celtic Tiger years and people were buying up property in off-shore locations, among them were Ireland’s criminal fraternity. Gerard ‘The Monk’ Hutch, 60, was no different but his purchases were much more organised. Because his endeavours with the Hutch Organised Crime Group had netted a lot of hard currency, they had to be. That cash needed to be dealt with in a way that would remove it from the clutches of the Criminal Assets Bureau who had caught Hutch previously in a €1m tax evasion ruling. Sources said what Hutch did was send that money offshore and into property in Spain, the Spanish island of Lanzarote, Turkey and possibly to the southern United States. He is also understood to have bought property in the south-east of Ireland. He has extensive connections with Northern Ireland with a leading member of the gang operating a successful drug dealing enterprise in the region. His property interests in Spain are not just a bolthole – they provided hideaways for when the behaviour of his associates became too hot at home. Much speculation now revolves around where Hutch will head to – Garda sources said that the threat against Hutch is now even higher.
The Journal

National strategy to ‘free up roads’, reduce congestion and reliance on private cars
A national strategy aiming to “free up roads”, reduce congestion and a reliance on private cars will be drawn up following Cabinet sign off today. Transport Minister Eamon Ryan will seek permission from other senior ministers to develop the new “national demand strategy” after the plans received backlash from TDs several weeks ago and were delayed as a result. Green Government sources insisted the proposal will involve “widespread” public consultation.
Independent.ie

Man Charged With Shooting Black Kansas City Teen Who Went To Wrong House, Prosecutors Say
Missouri prosecutors announced charges Monday against an 85-year-old white man who allegedly shot a Black teen in the head last week after they said the teen mistakenly approached his home, in a case that has attracted national attention for its racial undertones.
Forbes

Alabama shooting: Phil Dowdell died saving sister’s life
A teenager who was among four people killed in a mass shooting at a 16th birthday party in Alabama died saving his sister’s life, say family. Phil Dowdell, 18, pushed the birthday girl, Alexis Dowdell, to the ground as gunfire erupted during the celebration at a dance studio in the community of Dadeville. “The last thing I told him was to stay strong,” Alexis told the BBC. Thirty-two other people were injured in Saturday night’s attack. Alexis said Phil had gone to get her after hearing that someone had a weapon.
BBC News

Today’s forecast
Low cloud, mist and fog will lift through the morning becoming sunny in most places today, and dry with a chance of showers in the west this afternoon. Moderate easterly breezes will keep temperatures towards the east coast between 11 and 14 degrees, but reaching 15 to 18 degrees further west. Mostly dry and clear tonight in light to moderate easterly or variable breezes. Not as misty or foggy as previous nights, with just isolated patches possible. Cloud will increase in the east and south towards morning. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees generally, dipping lower locally.
Met Éireann