By Sarah Gill
07th Dec 2023
07th Dec 2023
Your speedy summary of today's must-read stories.
Budget 2024
Ireland’s fiscal watchdog has slammed what it described as an “everything now” approach in Budget 2024, accusing the government of poorly budgeting its expenditure. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has released its latest report, in which it analyses the government’s spending plans for next year. The Council is not impressed with the Budget that was announced in October — particularly in the area of health. The Council is accusing the government of taking an “everything now” approach of “tax cuts, a ramp-up in capital spending and current spending increases” — which, it says “repeats Ireland’s past mistakes”.
Threats to Fine Gael Senator
Longford-based Senator Micheál Carrigy has criticised the judicial system, and says the sentence handed down to a man who harassed him did not go far enough. He plans to discuss the experience he had navigating the courts system—which he claims is not putting victims front and centre—with the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee. On Tuesday, Judge Bernadette Owens handed down a five-month prison sentence which was suspended for a period of 18 months to David Larkin. The 43-year-old pleaded guilty last year to harassment of Carrigy, who said he had been harassed via social media and had also received text messages and a voicemail. He said Larkin “put on a deep voice” and said his children would be “sterilised”.
Two women charged in connection with Odhrán Kelly murder
Police in Northern Ireland have charged two women in connection with the death of 23-year-old nursing assistant Odhrán Kelly. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the 43-year-old and 36-year-old women have been charged with assisting an offender and are due to appear before Lisburn Magistrates’ Court today. The two women join two 31-year-old men who have also been arrested as part of the police investigation.
Las Vegas university shooting
Three people have been killed and another seriously injured by a gunman who was shot dead by police at the University of Nevada Las Vegas yesterday. “Three of the victims are confirmed deceased,” Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill has said. He also reported that a fourth victim had been critically injured by the shooting but that condition was later upgraded to stable. The identity of the gunman was not immediately released, but CNN and the Los Angeles Times, quoting law enforcement sources, said he was a 67-year-old career college professor with links to schools in Georgia and North Carolina.
Seychelles declares state of emergency
Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan declared a state of emergency, ordering all citizens except essential workers to stay at home, after a blast at a store and flooding due to heavy rainfall. “Following an explosion at the CCCL explosives store that has caused massive damage… and major destruction caused by flooding due to heavy rains, the President has declared a State of Emergency for today the 7th December,” the presidency said in a statement. “All schools will be closed. Only workers in the essential services and persons travelling will be allowed free movement. This is to allow the emergency services to carry out essential work.”
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