By Sarah Gill
19th May 2023
19th May 2023
Your speedy summary of today's must-read stories.
Stardust inquests
The final pen portraits have been heard at the Stardust inquests after 15 days of testimony from family and friends of the 48 people who died in the 1981 nightclub fire. Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane said: “There was extreme sadness, of course, but occasional humour, which was equally moving given the loss that has been experienced. The presentations brought home to all of us […] the impact of this disaster on so many lives.” The court will sit again on Tuesday, when the jury will be instructed on how the court will proceed.
G7
The United States and its G7 allies have rolled out new sanctions against Russia’s “war machine”, targeting Moscow’s lucrative diamond trade, as it is expected that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will join the summit in Japan in person. The G7 is now looking to tighten the screws further, strengthening existing sanctions, closing loopholes and subjecting more Russian firms and their international partners to punitive restrictions.
Specialist gardaí to question teens over Navan hate crime
Specially trained gardaí are set to interview the boys involved in the violent assault of a 14-year-old schoolboy in Navan, Co Meath, this week.
Boston Scientific to create over 400 jobs
Boston Scientific has announced it is to create over 400 new jobs over the coming years as part of an €80 million investment in its site in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. The investment will increase office and manufacturing space, while also transitioning the site to use over 90 per cent of its energy from renewable sources.
Adults urged to examine social media use
An anti-bullying expert has urged adults to examine how they use social media, as the video of an unprovoked assault on a teenager in Navan has received over 5m views. The 14-year-old was walking home from school on Monday when he was attacked by several boys, and a “stomach-churning” video of the incident was circulated online. The assault is currently under investigation by gardaí, who said the boy suffered “serious facial injuries”. Calls are increasing for the Government to step up its efforts to crack down on the sharing of such content online, and there are also demands on social media companies to take action.
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