Justice Minister Helen McEntee has guaranteed to adopt plans to overhaul the taxi licence system swiftly following the sentencing of Raymond Shorten, guilty of raping two female clients in 2022. The taxi driver, Shorten (50), from Melrose Crescent, Dublin 22, was incarcerated for 17 years for sexually assaulting two women, aged 19 and 20 under different situations during 2022.
In Ireland, dispatches include:
– A US offender who faced charges for the January 6th riots at the US Capitol in 2021, has allegedly absconded to Ireland to evade imprisonment.
– Discussion: The choice to continue with the Dublin downtown transport plan is viewed as a victory across the board. Richard Shakespeare, the Dublin City Council chief executive, found deciding against a delay in the plan’s implementation straightforward, states Olivia Kelly.
– Opinion from Miriam Lord: Raymond Shorten’s appearance in court painted a picture of a pitiless, hazardous brute. The convicted rapist lacked the courage to face either his victim or anyone else. His image is that of a short, dowdy man with his head cast down, radiating a crushed spirit, in a navy polka dot tie and a freshly laundered white shirt.
– Recent tragedies and the ongoing search for a missing boy at the globally renowned Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare, demonstrate the difficulties in managing the cliff edge for local authorities, according to Andrew Hamilton.
– The Irish weather forecast from Met Éireann indicates sunny periods punctuated by sporadic showers, some heavy in Ulster and Leinster during the afternoon. As dusk falls, the west will see low cloud cover and drizzle, accompanied by strong coastal winds. Temperatures expected to be cooler than of late, reaching between 16 to 20 degrees.
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The Paris opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympics is attracting the attention of an estimated 1.5 billion spectators worldwide and will feature a lush display of sport and fashion. Irish Olympians have hinted at unpredictable apparel choices for the event, being keen to stand out among athletes from over 200 nations. Commenting on this, Deirdre McQuillan explores the influence of the city often referred to as the capital of fashion.
As the political landscape shifts, Stephen Collins criticises the risk undertaken by the four members of the Fianna Fáil political party, which may result in Ireland being saddled with an undesirable role in Europe. In contrast, Justine McCarthy remarks on the dissolution of past secrets with the passing of Eamonn Casey’s reign.
In business news, after recent industrial action leading to a pay dispute, Aer Lingus pilots have accepted a 17.75% pay rise, resulting in withheld pay returning.
Moving to sports, a comprehensive day-to-day guide has been released, detailing the participation of Irish athletes in the Paris Olympics. From athletics to badminton, and including rugby sevens, boxing, rowing, hockey and gymnastics, it spells out who will be competing and when.
In world news, Kamala Harris, US Vice-President, has been urging Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to help ease the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. Her call for a ceasefire deal implementing humanitarian aid is more aggressive than the preceding statement from US President Joe Biden.
Finally, on a lighter note, RTÉ’s Drivetime show has been creating buzz recently with its meticulous interrogations, flustering political and public figures including Eamon Ryan and Pearse Doherty. The current affairs show delivers a sharp blend of serious journalism and entertainment, pivoting from easygoing hosts to stern questioners as needed.