Josh Dunne murder trial
A food delivery cyclist who has spent over 500 days in custody accused of murdering 16-year-old Josh Dunne has been cleared of any offence in relation to the fatal stabbing by a unanimous Central Criminal Court jury.
The jury accepted George Gonzaga Bento's position that he was acting in self-defence after being attacked by a gang when he and a colleague tried to retrieve a stolen bike. He said he had pulled out a utility knife that he carried for cutting fruit and stabbed three people, including 16-year-old Josh.
They rejected the State's contention that Mr Bento had decided to take the law into his own hands, had exaggerated the threat posed by his attackers and knew at the time that the force he used was not necessary to repel the attack.
Living wage
The Government have unveiled plans to introduce a new living wage, replacing the current minimum wage model.
Following research conducted by the Low Pay Commission last year, a number of proposals have been put forward based on recommendations made in the commission's report.
These include setting the living wage at 60 per cent of the median wage of any given year.
Housing crisis
President Michael D Higgins has said Ireland’s housing policy is a “disaster” and has been the county’s biggest failure.
Mr Higgings was speaking on Monday during a visit to addiction charity Tiglin’s facility at Jigginstown Manor in Kildare, a centre for homeless young adults.
The president didn’t hold back his views in a speech about the state of housing, comparing the current housing system to the Poor Law system, abolished in 1925.
Dublin hotels
Hotels in Dublin are dealing with 'exceptional levels' of advanced bookings over the summer months, according to the Irish Hotel Federation (IHF).
This coincides with an unprecedented reduction in Dublin hotel room stock that would normally be available to supply tourism accommodation.
As a result, many hotels are nearing full capacity on busy days earlier than in previous years.
A total of 80 per cent of available Dublin hotel rooms for the month of June had already been booked in advance by the end of May.
Russia control
The city of Sievierodonetsk in eastern Ukraine has not yet been blocked off by Russian troops, but they control about 80 per cent of the area and have destroyed all three bridges leading out of it, an official said.
“There is still an opportunity for the evacuation of the wounded, communication with the Ukrainian military and local residents,” Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai told the Associated Press.
He acknowledged that Ukrainian forces have been pushed out to the industrial outskirts of the city because of “the scorched earth method and heavy artillery the Russians are using”.
