Hutch evasion
The police raid resulting in the arrest of Gerry Hutch in southern Spain on Thursday was the second time a specialist unit there had tried to move against the Dubliner.
However, though gardaí expected Mr Hutch to be detained earlier this year, the Spanish authorities were not successful on that occasion, according to The Irish Times.
The 58-year-old left Ireland 5½ years ago as the Kinahan-Hutch feud erupted in Dublin and gardaí believe he has spent most of his time since then in Spain, while also travelling to other European countries.
Infection rates
A further 1,978 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the Republic.
On Friday morning, there were 221 Covid patients in hospital, including 43 in intensive care units.
Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said 10,000 new cases have been reported over the last week.
“While we have very high incidence across Donegal, Monaghan, Mayo, Galway, Roscommon, Louth and Cavan in particular, incidence is rising across all 26 counties,” he said.
Vaccine compensation
The Government is working on establishing a compensation scheme for people who suffer injury caused by a State vaccination programme.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said there were no plans "for the introduction in Ireland of a Covid-19 specific vaccine compensation scheme" in parliamentary correspondence to Independent TD Catherine Connolly, according to The Irish Times.
However, he added a report from 2020 on medical negligence claims would be considered alongside a review conducted by the Health Research Board on vaccine injury redress schemes in other countries.
The Department of Health said work is underway to advance “policy development” on the matter.
Maternity hospital overcrowding
Differences in infrastructure in maternity units, overcrowding and vaccination rates are some reasons why hospitals have not eased restrictions on visitor guidelines, it has been claimed.
Peter Boylan, former master of the National Maternity Hospital (NMH), said the hospital is allowing unrestricted visits for partners of pregnant women because of a “huge” amount of development in recent years.
The Holles Street hospital confirmed there will be unrestricted access given to one partner of a pregnant woman in labour, attending an inpatient appointment, attending the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit and the 20-week scan.
Tallaght stabbing
A man has been remanded in custody after he was charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of Ademola Giwa in Tallaght, Dublin on Tuesday.
John Titiloye, 26, who replied “not guilty” when charged, appeared at Dublin District Court on Friday morning.
Mr Giwa, who was aged 25, was stabbed in the neck during a row at around 7.15pm in the Mac Uilliam Road area. Gardai responded to reports before he was rushed to nearby Tallaght Hospital, but he was pronounced dead a short time later.
A man in his 50s was also injured after he tried to intervene in the incident and suffered slash injuries to his face.
UN envoy role
The appointment of Katherine Zappone as a UN envoy is to be discussed by the Public Accounts Committee at a meeting in September.
The former children’s minister stepped back from the role of UN special envoy on freedom of opinion and expression after controversy arose around the manner of her appointment.
An event at the Merrion Hotel in Dublin, hosted by Ms Zappone and attended by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, six days before her appointment, caused a political storm and led to a clarification of pandemic rules around outdoor hospitality.
Taliban advances
Taliban insurgents control an estimated 65 per cent of Afghan territory, after making rapid advances against local forces who are largely fending for themselves as foreign troops withdraw.
Following are some of the major milestones in the Islamist militant movement's advance in recent months. Other deadly attacks occurred, some blamed on the Taliban and some on other jihadist groups including an offshoot of Islamic State.
Talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government on a political understanding that could lead to a peace deal, backed by the United States and its allies, have failed to make significant progress.
