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23rd Jan 2024
Your speedy summary of today's must-read stories.
57,000 remain without power as Storm Jocelyn to bring ‘severe’ gusts
Ireland faces further “severe and damaging” gusts as Storm Jocelyn tracks across the country later today, with around 57,000 customers still without power following Storm Isha. More than 178,000 premises have had power restored by ESB Networks since yesterday’s peak outages of over 235,000. The majority of outages are in the northwest.
RTÉ
DPP to make final decision on Ian Bailey as suspect for murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier
The Garda investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier will still result in a file being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) despite the death of chief suspect Ian Bailey, Garda sources have insisted. Sources said the DPP would still review the file and decide on whether charges would have been pursued if Mr Bailey, who died of a suspected heart attack last weekend, was still alive. They said they believed the DPP’s office would make a final determination on Mr Bailey as chief suspect after a Garda review of the case was fed into the criminal investigation. They added a final decision by the DPP had the potential to offer closure to Ms Toscan du Plantier’s family and for widespread public concern, especially in west Cork, to be allayed.
The Irish Times
Homeowners warned more mortgage rate rises are likely to be on the way
Homeowners should consider switching mortgage providers well in advance of the end of their fixed-term loans, as more rate rises may be in sight, mortgage brokers have warned. Despite most forecasts predicting that the European Central Bank (ECB) is done with rate rises for now, mortgage brokers have said the full impact of rate rises have not yet been fed through to consumers. In an effort to tame inflation, the ECB’s main lending rate was increased 10 times in the last year, sitting currently at 4.5%. Those rises have been passed on to mortgage holders in Ireland during that time, but brokers warn that there are likely further hikes to go before we see cheaper mortgage rates.
The Journal
First female admiral in 300 years elected at Royal Cork Yacht Club
Ireland may have the world’s oldest yacht club, but it has taken it over 300 years to elect its first female “admiral” or commodore. That bit of history was made last night, when Annamarie Fegan became admiral of the Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC) in Crosshaven, Cork harbour. Fegan, who was a coastal rower before she took up sailing later in life, had already set a first in the club several years ago when she became vice-admiral. The new executive returned at last night’s annual general meeting will include three female committee members for the first time.
Independent.ie
Blood test for Alzheimer’s disease could be as accurate as painful lumbar puncture, study suggests
A blood test could be just as good at detecting the signs of Alzheimer’s disease as painful and invasive lumbar punctures, research suggests. Measuring levels of a protein called p-tau217 in the blood could be just as accurate at detecting signs of the progressive condition, experts say. The protein is a marker for biological changes in the brain for people with Alzheimer’s disease, which is a form of dementia. The new findings have the potential to “revolutionise” diagnosis for people who are suspected to have Alzheimer’s, experts say.
Sky News
Illinois mass shooting suspect dies in Texas – police
A gunman suspected of killing eight people in the city of Joliet, Illinois, has died after a confrontation with law enforcement officials, police say. Police in Joliet said Romeo Nance, 23, is believed to have fatally shot himself after the confrontation near Natalia, Texas. He is suspected of killing eight people at multiple locations in Joliet. Seven of the victims were found in two nearby houses by police on Monday. The eighth was found earlier on Sunday.
BBC News
Today’s forecast
Today will be wet and windy as Storm Jocelyn tracks to the northwest of Ireland. Very strong and gusty southwesterly winds will develop through the day, with the strongest winds in the west and northwest and gales on coasts. There will be widespread rain during the morning and afternoon, followed by scattered showers in the evening. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees. Strong winds continuing for a time Tuesday night with the very strong and gusty southwest to west wind easing overnight. Clear spells and scattered showers at first, becoming isolated as the night goes on. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees. A Status Orange Wind warning is in place for Galway, Mayo and Donegal. A Status Yellow Wind warning has also been issued for other parts of the country including Clare, Kerry, Galway, Mayo, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, all of Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Roscommon as well as Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Derry
Met Éireann