Anti-viral pill
The first anti-viral pill for Covid-19 that can be taken at home has been approved for use in the UK.
Molnupiravir is for people who have had a positive Covid test and have at least one risk factor for developing severe illness, such as obesity, being over the age of 60, diabetes or heart disease.
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said the drug is safe and effective at reducing the risk of hospital admission and death in people with mild to moderate Covid who are at extra risk from the virus.
Corruption charges
A Detective Garda and a businessman have been listed to appear before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for trial next February, charged with corruption offences.
The case, involving allegations that Detective Garda David Bourke allegedly took a bribe from Stephen O’Sullivan in return for passing him information about a garda probe into his business, has been listed for trial before a judge and jury at Court Number 7, on February 14th, 2022.
Det Bourke (50) with an address in Co Limerick, is accused of two charges relating to “corruptly obtaining” a payment or gift from Mr O’Sullivan (39), a director of Bawn Motors car sales business, located on Ballysimon Road, Limerick.
Covid restrictions
The Covid adviser for the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), Dr Mary Favier, has said that she fears further restrictions are inevitable as the number of cases of Covid-19 continues to rise.
“It is so depressing to think about it,” she told Newstalk Breakfast.
“We need to find ways to work around it.”
Her comments come as the State recorded a further 3,174 cases of Covid on Wednesday.
Dr Favier pointed out that Ireland’s “tipping point” was lower than other European countries due to the underfunding of the health service for many years.
Climate Action Plan
Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath has defended the Government’s Climate Action Plan warning that “none of this is going to be easy” but was necessary to protect the planet for future generations.
The fundamental question is why it was necessary, he told Newstalk Breakfast.
“We must do this, but it will require a transformative change. We will have to bring people with us, not bludgeon them.”
Major changes across all sectors will be needed, he said, and the Climate Action Plan is a road map towards that.
Finglas arrest
A man has been arrested after a woman's body was discovered at an apartment in north Dublin.
Gardaí were called to the premises in the Charlestown area of Finglas on Thursday morning.
On entry to the apartment, the body of a woman aged in her 30s was discovered having suffered fatal injuries.
Brexit protocol
Two youths have been arrested following “disgraceful” disorder in Belfast after a rally against the Brexit protocol.
Police came under attack with missiles and fireworks close to a peaceline on Wednesday evening.
The disorder came on Lanark Way in the loyalist Shankill Road area, there was also disorder on the nationalist Springfield Road side of the peace wall.
