July 04: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Gardaí deployed to Greek island to help investigations into Irish teens’ deaths
Gardaí have been dispatched to the Greek Island of Ios to aid in the investigations into the deaths of two Irish teens in separate incidents. Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall, both aged 18 and both students of St Michael’s College in South Dublin, died within 24 hours of each other while on a holiday with classmates celebrating the end of the Leaving Certificate. Initial indications suggest Mr O’Donnell died as a result of a fall sustained as he returned from a night out. Mr Wall participated in the search for Mr O’Donnell and collapsed suddenly at the island’s port shortly after his classmate’s body was located on rocky ground on Sunday morning. It is understood Mr Wall previously had health issues with his heart, with one source confirming he had a successful heart operation about three years ago. It is likely the postmortem examination, which will take place in Athens, will investigate whether these prior health issues could have been a contributory factor in his death.
The Irish Times

Wider, more extensive external review of RTÉ planned
Minister for Media Catherine Martin has said the external review into RTÉ is about rebuilding trust both with the public and staff, and making sure “we get the answers that are needed”. She said she has had extensive engagement with stakeholders and has decided to broaden the scope of this examination. It is understood that external review will involve two strands – governance and culture, including treatment of staff. Two teams of three people will be allocated to each strand, which will be conducted at the same time.
RTÉ

Man’s death after falling from cliff in Portrush ‘not being treated as suspicious’
A man has died after falling from a cliff in Portrush.
Emergency services were tasked to the incident on Ramore Head in Portrush shortly after 7pm on Monday night. The PSNI said the man’s death was not being treated as suspicious. “Officers attended along with our colleagues from other emergency services, including HM Coastguard. Sadly, the man died at the scene,” said a spokesperson. Coastguard teams; including the Rescue 199 helicopter from Prestwick, were involved in the attempted rescue operation alongside the PSNI and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
Belfast Telegraph

Budget to favour public services with €4bn extra for core spending
A significant cut to childcare costs, along with structural changes to the sector, will form part of October’s budget. As the Government today prepares to unveil the broad parameters of the budget, it is understood Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman is pushing for a cut of up to 25% in childcare costs, as well as Deis-style scheme for early years care.
The Irish Examiner

Three store on Dublin’s Henry Street ramraided in early morning burglary
A Garda investigation is underway after a Three store on Dublin’s Henry Street was ramraided by a Mercedes overnight. A Garda spokesperson stated: “Gardaí are investigating an incident of burglary and criminal damage at a business premises on Henry Street, Dublin 1, Tuesday 4th July 2023. The incident occurred in the early hours of this morning.”
The Journal

More than 900 Ryanair flights cancelled in space of a single month with 160,000 passengers affected
About 160,000 passengers were impacted after Ryanair cancelled more than 900 flights last month amid disruption from air traffic control strikes across France, the low cost carrier has said. French air traffic controllers staged a series of strikes last month, with the latest, a 34-hour walkout ending on June 30, marking their 60th day of strike action this year. The Dublin-based airline was among the most heavily impacted by the industrial action, with flights cancelled across a number of airports and other routes also disrupted by aircraft or crew in the wrong locations. It said it operated more than 96,250 flights last month but that “regrettably” more than 900 flights were cancelled, “mainly due to ATC (air traffic control) strikes”. The last French strikes in June were in response to President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the country’s pension age from 62 to 64 and come as part of industrial action across a raft of sectors that has crippled the country since the start of the year.
Independent.ie

Thousands of Palestinians flee Jenin refugee camp after major Israeli raid in West Bank
Thousands of Palestinians have fled the Jenin refugee camp after the Israeli army launched a major operation in the occupied West Bank, a senior Palestinian official has said.
The Guardian

Today’s forecast
Sunny spells today. Showers in the west and north will spread southeastwards and become widespread this afternoon, some heavy or prolonged with spot flooding. Isolated thunderstorms and hail possible, especially in Leinster and east Munster. Highs of 14 to 18 degrees, with moderate to fresh west to northwest winds. Heavy showers in the southeast will clear early in the night. However, further light showers will spread from the Atlantic over the west of the country, but turning largely dry with clear spells in the east. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 11 degrees, in light west to southwesterly winds with a few mist patches in places too.
Met Éireann