Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
EVERY MORNING, TheJournal.ie brings you the nine stories you need to know as you start your day.
1. #MORTAGES: The Financial Regulator Matthew Elderfield has called on banks to stop increasing the standard variable rate on mortgages and warned he would seek a public policy response supporting his call if the banks do not comply, RTÉ reports.
2. #DOWNGRADED: The ratings agencies have been busy: Spain has been downgraded by Standard & Poor’s over weak growth prospects and the risks facing its banks, while Fitch has downgraded British banks RBS and Lloyds, as well as Switzerland’s UBS.
3. #GOING DIGITAL: You have just over a year to get your TV set ready for the switchover to digital television. Minister Pat Rabbittee has announced 24 October 2012 as the official date of completion for the change and the analogue television network in Ireland will be turned off that day. Here’s what you need to know about going digital.
4. #RACE FOR THE ÁRAS: This week’s RTÉ Prime Time presidential debate has generated over 100 complaints, with many regarding the questioning of Martin McGuinness, the Irish Times reports. The Sinn Féin-nominated candidate has described the event as “trial by television” and out of order. If you want to follow today’s campaign trail, check out TheJournal.ie‘s #Áras11 diary.
5. #CANCER CLINIC: A new prostate cancer clinic is to open at Letterkenny General Hospital early next month, meaning local patients will not have to travel to Galway for diagnosis.
6. #OCCUPY WALL STREET: New York officials have warned protesters at the Occupy Wall Street movement that they want them to move out of the park they are camped in for a clean-up of the area. However, protesters say that the move is a covert means of kicking them out of the park and that a number of people “are going to vigorously resist eviction”.
7. #ABDUCTED: Two Spanish aid workers with Medécins Sans Frontieres have been abducted from a refugee camp in Kenya by gunmen thought to be part of the al-Shabab militant group. The organisation said in a statement that it is “in contact will all the relevant authorities and is doing all it can to ensure the swift and safe return of our colleagues”.
8. #WIG OUT: From today, judges are no longer required to wear wigs of horsehair in court after a change in court rules which could see the state save €2,200 for every new judge appointed.
9. #UNMASKED: A ‘superhero’ who calls himself Phoenix Jones appeared in court yesterday to fight allegations he (real name Benjamin John Francis Fodor) broke up a fight using pepper spray. The Seattle Times reports that Jones/Fodor left court yesterday vowing to continue fighting crime. Here he is leaving court yesterday:
(AP Photo/Ted S Warren/PA Images)
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
R.I.P
So tragic. RIP.
What an amazing live band, hope they continue. Condolences to family and friends
R.I.P.
I’ll have a Mass said for him and will pray for him too. God bless you and may you rest in The Lord Taidgh Burke.
RIP Tadhg. Sincere condolences to his family and friends
So sad …. Poor guy Rest in peace
So not fair, rip .
Why would anyone hit the dislike button on comments sympathising
@john was thinking the very same,I’m starting to believe it’s the journal doing all this red thumbing to stir things up . Because for the life of me I can’t understand why ppl would dislike a comment like r.i.p ?
Terry, this is absolutely not the case.
Hi Aoife Ii know it’s not and I do apologise ,I was just annoyed with the fact that there are ppl red thumbing someone writing r.i.p disgusting individuals !!!
Because they are a crowd of red-thumbing sh”ts, especially whenever religion is mentioned.
Rip Taidgh. You will be missed. Sleep well
Patrick I am asking u as a close friend of Taidhg’s, for the second time to remove ur comments and stop commenting before his Mother see’s them. Taidhg was a back seat passenger in a tragic accident. He had no intention of leaving us. I’m asking u compassionately to remove your comments and stop hurting us even more.
Pa Curran, question, is there several commentators on here with the same christian name, if so I apologise on my behalf if any offence has been committed .
Terribly sad. R.I.P.
Its an unfortunate consequence of technology that people can post comments on a public forum for the world to see, they are completely removed, both emotionally and physically from the situation, they are often commenting on something they know nothing about. Its fine to express ones point of view or opinions for some topics but for others it can be down right heartless & disrespectful. This Man was someones Son, someones Brother, someones friend. When commenting on posts like these put yourself in the families situation before you post.
Very sad. May he rest in peace.
Rip so young very sad, thoughts with his family and friends
Not necessarily so William. RIP Taidgh .
Not necessarily so ,RIP Tadgh.
Very sad, heaven has gained a bass player, , :)
Niamh, terribly sorry for your loss.
Well done on having the strength to come on here and respond in such a dignified manner to such ignorance. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been seeing the awful things people will say, for what reason remains unknown.
When a young person dies in such tragic circumstances who was a friend, a son, a brother and clearly by your comment a much loved and respected individual it isn’t too much to ask that it might provoke a little more sympathy and mindfulness in people rather than being being so distasteful, rash and disrespectful.
Well said again.
His poor family . Sincere condolences. His mam sounds like a true angel donating his organs and thinking of others in this hard time.
have your say