Templemore protest

This weekend, Tipperary locals are set to protest outside the gates of the Garda college in Templemore after authorities stopped the community from using the college’s swimming pool. Up until recently, the pool was used by members of the public to learn to swim when not in use by the recruits, and Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill has said that anger has peaked after local businesses have been impacted following decisions to remove long-term agreements for them to provide services to the college.

thejournal.ie

Minister McEntee opens consultation on scheme to disregard historic convictions of gay and bisexual men

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, has launched a public consultation that will inform the development of a scheme to disregard historic convictions related to consensual sexual activity between men. McEntee said: “We want to ensure that any potential scheme is as effective and accessible as possible so that we can exonerate those impacted by these outdated laws and address some of the lingering harms of the past.” Responses will inform the final recommendations of a Working Group who are examining the development of a scheme to disregard convictions for consensual sexual activity between men prior to decriminalisation in 1993.

gov.ie

Search for Columba McVeigh remains paused

The search for the remains of 19-year-old Columba McVeigh from Donaghmore in Co Tyrone — last seen in November 1975 — is to be halted over the winter, as persistent and torrential rain will make the bog too dangerous for contractors and archaeologists to continue to work on. The teenager is one of 16 people who were officially classified as ‘Disappeared’ after going missing in the ’70s and ’80s, and is believed to have been killed and secretly buried by the IRA in 1975.

Newstalk

No Northern Ireland election before Christmas

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris confirmed that no election will take place in Northern Ireland before Christmas this year following discussions with North party leaders. He said that he has had “valuable conversations with people across Northern Ireland, including business and community representatives. I have listened to their sincere concerns about the impact and cost of an election at this time”. No date for an Assembly election has yet been set.

Irish Times

Mass layoffs at Twitter HQ

Elon Musk is making his presence felt as the new Twitter CEO with a speculated 50% reduction in staff set to be actioned this morning. In an email delivered to staff yesterday, the company said, “In an effort to place Twitter on a healthy path, we will go through the difficult process of reducing our global workforce on Friday.” Those who will keep their jobs will get an email to their work account, those being laid off will receive a notification to their personal email.