February 21: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Housekeeper’s husband arrested over murder of Irish bishop in Los Angeles
A 65-year-old man has been arrested by police in Los Angeles in connection with the murder of Irish Bishop David O’Connell. Carlos Medina was arrested by police following a stand-off with police at his home in the Torrance area of LA. Medina is the husband of Bishop O’Connell’s housekeeper. He has previously done work at the Bishop’s residence, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna told a press conference. Cork native Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell was shot at his east LA home on Saturday. Bishop O’Connell, 69, was from Glanmire in Cork and was ordained as a priest in 1979 before moving to Los Angeles County where he worked for the rest of his life. He became an auxiliary bishop in 2015. Luna told the press conference that detectives received a tip on Sunday evening at around 7pm that there was a person of interest who lived in the Torrance area. This person was identified as Medina. “Detectives were told by the tipster that they were concerned because Medina was acting strange, irrational and made comments about the Bishop owing him money,” Luna said.
The Journal

Reduced bonus child benefit payment to form part of slimmed-down cost-of-living package
A reduced bonus of €100 per child on top of child benefit will be paid as part of ongoing cost-of-living measures to be signed off by Cabinet on Tuesday. There will be €200 paid to welfare recipients such as pensioners, carers, lone parents, disabled people and others as a once-off bonus as a further €1.25 billion in cost-of-living supports are to be approved following crunch talks between senior Ministers and Coalition leaders on Monday. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys also secured €100 on top of the back to school allowance, with the social protection element of support worth a total of around €400m. There was no additional €200 electricity credit agreed, but excise cuts to petrol and diesel will be phased out rather than go off a cliff edge at the end of this month, amid fears of panic buying.
The Irish Times

Two men due in court in connection with death of Limerick man Dylan McCarthy
Two men have been charged in connection with the death of Co Limerick man Dylan McCarthy who was fatally assaulted in Monasterevin, Co Kildare, last August. Talented sportsman, Mr McCarthy (29), from Kilmallock, sustained fatal injuries when attacked at a pub in Monesterevin on Sunday, August 21. He was rushed to Tallaght University Hospital but later died from his injuries. Mr McCarthy had travelled with family from his native Kilmallock to the Kildare town to celebrate the birth of his godson and nephew Liam. Gardaí have confirmed that two men have been charged in connection with the fatal assault that led to his death and they will appear before Naas District Court this morning.
Independent.ie

Garda injured after being struck by missile in Dublin
A garda was injured when he was struck by a missile after intervening in a dangerous driving incident in Dublin today. Two garda vehicles received significant damage. Gardaí were taking part in a policing plan surrounding a funeral in the Cherry Orchard/Ballyfermot area when they observed a number of dangerous driving and reckless endangerment incidents. In a statement this evening, gardaí said the officer struck with a missile had received medical treatment. It is understood he was struck in the face by a bottle after intervening to help an elderly woman. Videos shared on social media showed people on motorbikes, scramblers and horse and carts on the street. An Garda Síochána said a policing plan remains in place in the area “to ensure the safety of local residents”. It’s expected to remain in place overnight.
RTÉ

382 deaths among those using Dublin homeless services since 2018
Almost 400 people who had accessed homeless accommodation services have died in the past five years, new figures show. The highest number of deaths were notified in 2021 at 115, while the second highest was last year, with 95 people passing away while in use of services. Fr Peter McVerry said the Government needs to improve access to addiction services, mental health services, and emergency accommodation, which he believes will reduce the number of deaths among homeless people. Data shows that 25 people died between 2020 and 2022 while placed in ‘shielding’ — accommodation for those either with Covid-19 or at risk of contracting the virus. The figure of 382 deaths was obtained by Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín from Dublin City Council, and does not include homeless people who may have died while sleeping rough.
The Irish Examiner

Ukraine war – latest: Putin admits ‘very difficult time for Russia’ in major speech
Vladimir Putin says Russia is facing a “very difficult” time at the moment and he is delivering today’s address in “very difficult context”. In a bid to defend his ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine, the Russian president goes on to say troops have been working to “ensure security” on the country’s “historic lands”. He claims Ukrainians have been waiting for Russians to “come to their help” and his forces have done “everything possible” to resolve “this problem in a peaceful way”. It should be noted that these claims are unfounded and Ukraine insists Russia is waging a war against the country, and it wants to remain a country independent of Moscow. Putin continues to claim that although Ukraine had asked for help, it then went “behind our backs” and “a completely different scenario was being prepared”.
Sky News

Venice canals start to run dry as low tide and lack of rain hit
Weeks of dry winter weather have raised concerns that Italy could face another drought after last summer’s emergency, with the Alps having received less than half of their normal snowfall, according to scientists and environmental groups. The warning comes as Venice, where flooding is normally the primary concern, faces unusually low tides that are making it impossible for gondolas, water taxis and ambulances to navigate some of its famous canals. The problems in Venice are being blamed on a combination of factors – the lack of rain, a high pressure system, a full moon and sea currents
The Guardian

Tributes to Laois man killed in freak accident in New Zealand
The Chairman of Clough Ballacolla GAA has paid tribute to Sean Clear who died in a freak accident in New Zealand. Sean, whose father Tom was a former Chairman of Clough Ballacolla, died while working on machinery in New Zealand last Friday. A mechanic by trade, he was due to celebrate his 25th birthday today.
Leinster Express

Today’s forecast
Mostly cloudy early today with patches of mist or drizzle along with a few bright spells. Rain will develop in the west early this afternoon and will move eastwards across the country, not reaching the east until late evening. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees with moderate to fresh and gusty southerly winds. Breezy early tonight with outbreaks of rain or drizzle. Rain will clear eastwards overnight and it will turn noticeably colder. Clear spells and scattered showers will follow as the rain clears, some of the showers will be heavy with hail and thunder. There is potential for some wintry showers over the hills by Wednesday morning with frost and ice possible as minimum temperatures fall to between -1 and +3 degrees.
Met Éireann