October 03: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

‘A historic moment’: Adoptees can access information about their birth from today under new law
People who were adopted, boarded out or subject to an illegal birth registration can access birth certificates and birth and early life information from today. The Information and Tracing Act, which was signed into law earlier this year, provides a full and clear right of access to information for people who have questions about their origins. It also allows enables people to access this information where their parent has died, and for access by the next of kin of a child who died in an institution. Under previous legislation, adopted people were not entitled to their birth certificate or to information about their families of origin. Under the new law, even if a biological parent says they don’t want their child to get their birth cert or related information, the adopted person will still get access. The Act also introduced a range of new measures to support people affected by illegal birth registration, including free counselling.
The Journal

Gardaí seek help tracing missing Dublin woman (39)
Gardaí are appealing to the public for help in tracing the whereabouts of 39-year-old Mary Beatty. Mary was last seen in the Ballymun area of Dublin 9 on Sunday. Mary has been missing from the area since 1pm on Sunday, October 2. She is described as being 5’5” in height with a slight build, brown hair and blue eyes. Gardaí and Mary’s family are concerned for her wellbeing. Anyone with information on Mary’s whereabouts is asked to contact Ballymun Garda Station 01 666 4400 on the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Independent.ie

Columba McVeigh: New search for remains of IRA victim
A new search is to be carried out for the remains of a man the IRA abducted, murdered and secretly buried almost 50 years ago. Columba McVeigh is one of the so-called Disappeared. Investigators working for the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) will be at Bragan Bog, near Emyvale, in County Monaghan on Monday. There have been five previous searches of the area since 1999. The new search will concentrate on a two-acre site, part of which is covered by forest.
BBC

‘Protected wild animal’ status for basking sharks from today
New regulations giving the basking shark ‘protected wild animal’ status under the Wildlife Act come into effect from today. The order was signed by Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan, and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue. Where an animal like the basking shark is protected under the act, it is an offence to hunt or injure it, unless done so under permission or licence granted by the department. It is also an offence to willfully interfere with, or destroy, the breeding or resting places of such species.
RTÉ

Gardaí to launch large court security operation ahead of Regency Hotel shooting hearings
A large security operation is expected to take place around the Criminal Courts of Justice on Monday in advance of trial proceedings surrounding the 2016 Regency Hotel shooting. The proceedings, including the trial of Gerry Hutch, are expected to be adjourned as a result of developments in the case over the last week. Mr Hutch (58) is due to go on trial alongside several other men, including former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall, for their alleged role in the infamous gun attack during which David Byrne (34) was shot dead at a boxing event. The attack was carried out by criminals using automatic weapons while impersonating armed gardaí and was a significant escalation in the Hutch-Kinahan feud which is linked to up to 20 murders.
The Irish Times

Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng U-turn on scrapping 45% tax rate
Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng have abandoned a plan to abolish the top rate of income tax for the highest earners in an astonishing U-turn. The Chancellor acknowledged that their desire to axe the 45% rate on earnings over £150,000 in a move to be paid for by borrowing had become a “distraction” amid widespread criticism. He issued a statement, hours before he had been due to defend the plans at the Conservative Party conference, saying: “We are not proceeding with the abolition of the 45% tax rate.” “We get it, and we have listened,” he added. British Prime Minister Liz Truss tweeted: “We get it and we have listened. “The abolition of the 45pc rate had become a distraction from our mission to get Britain moving. “Our focus now is on building a high growth economy that funds world-class public services, boosts wages, and creates opportunities across the country.”
The Irish Examiner

Today’s forecast
Today will be mostly cloudy with the best of any bright intervals in the southeast. Many areas will be dry. However, outbreaks of rain will affect western and northwestern counties, becoming persistent at times near northwestern coasts. Highest temperatures of 15°C to 18°C with fresh gusty southerly winds. Tonight, rain in the west and northwest will become heavier and more persistent. It will extend eastwards across the country overnight with fresh gusty southerly winds and lowest temperatures of 11°C to 14°C.
Met Éireann