Golfgate
A case against two politicians and two hoteliers on charges of breaching the Covid-19 regulations after allegedly organising the controversial Oireachtas Golf Society dinner last August in Galway has been adjourned.
Galway East Independent TD Noel Grealish (55), former Fianna Fail senator Donie Cassidy (75), John Sweeney (60) and his son James Sweeney (32), owners of the Station House Hotel, did not appear in court.
The accused were all represented when the case was called so were not obliged to attend the first hearing.
Man jailed over abuse of daughter
A father who sexually abused his daughter over a seven-and-a-half year period after first blackmailing her has been jailed for 17 years.
David Masterson (56), sent text messages under the guise of being another person to his daughter demanding that she engage in sexual acts with men.
When the victim showed the messages to her father he told her that she would have to do these things because his job was at risk.
Indoor dining guidelines
The final touches are being made to new guidelines for the reopening of indoor dining on Monday, which have yet to be published. It’s been 494 days since some premises, including many pubs, served any customers.
It is expected there will be no time limits, table service only and closing time will be at 11.30pm. There will also be guidance on ventilation, air flow and Co2 monitors.
Despite the new rules, the proprietor of one of Dublin’s best-known gay bars, Pantibar, has said he will not reopen indoor facilities until all his young staff are vaccinated against Covid-19.
Covid latest
The threat of the Delta variant is one “big hurdle” the country has to overcome in its battle against Covid-19, according to the chief executive of the HSE.
It comes as a Donegal Covid-19 test centre has seen a swab positivity rate of 28 per cent, which is one of the highest rates in the country.
There were eight fully vaccinated people admitted to hospital with Covid-19 in the most recent 24-hour period, according to figures published by the HSE on Thursday morning.
An immunovirology expert has predicted that Ireland will “get on top” of the surge in Delta cases “some time in August”. Professor Liam Fanning told Newstalk radio that within two to three weeks there will be a decrease in case numbers.
'Tropical night'
Met Éireann has said that last night was provisionally the first “tropical night” in Ireland for 20 years, with the Valentia weather station in Kerry not observing any temperature under 20.5 degrees.
A status yellow high temperature warning in place for Ireland has been extended by the forecaster. Originally due to expire at 9am on Friday, it will run for a further 24 hours and remain in place until 9am on Saturday, with maximum temperatures of up to 30 degrees.
One mother is warning parents to be sure suncream has had a chance to soak in, after her son suffered second-degree burns following a day at the beach.
Lake incidents
A young mother has drowned in a Co Cavan lake while trying to rescue her child.
It is understood that the woman, aged in her late 20s, got into difficulty after entering the water at Lough Gowna at about 9.30pm on Wednesday.
Separately, a 55-year-old man has died after entering a lough in Co Fermanagh. Police confirmed they were called to an incident at Lough Melvin on Wednesday.
