Exit polls predict Conservative Party majority in UK election
Voting is over in the UK General Election and exit polls indicate a strong majority for the Conservative Party.
According to the exit polls the Tories will have 368 seats with the Labour Party set to have 191.
The Scottish National Party is set to take home 55 seats with the Liberal Democrats taking 13.
According to the poll, the Green Party is in line for one seat with ‘Others’ taking in 22 seats
New Zealand recovery operation begins
A recovery team has landed on New Zealand’s on Whakaari or White Island to begin an attempt to recover the remains of those who died in Monday’s volcano eruption.
New Zealand Police Deputy Commissioner John Tims said the team landed at around 7am local time.
Ahead of the operation, a blessing for the victims was held at sea with representatives of the families attending.
Police had previously refused to travel to island as experts are warning that it remains highly volatile.
Man found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity
A man who killed a man and injured two others during a rampage in Dundalk last year has been found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Mohamed Morei, an Egyptian man with no fixed address in Ireland, was assessed by two experts who both felt the special verdict should apply.
24-year-old Yosuke Sasaki died after being stabbed once in the back by Morei in a totally unprovoked attack just after he left work in a factory in Dundalk on the morning of January 3rd last year.
Witnesses told gardaí they saw a man fitting the description of Mr Morei shouting at the sky and traffic with clenched fists.
Report calls for Direct Provision reform
The direct provision system needs “root and branch reform, preferably replacement”, according to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality.
In a new report on the system - which provides accommodation and essential services for asylum seekers here - committee members say direct provision is 'not fit for purpose'.
They highlight particular issues relating to children in the system, challenges faced by those in direct provision in accessing the labour market, and the 'inadequate supports and services' being offered to vulnerable people.
The committee is now calling for a shift towards providing 'own door' accommodation for those seeking international protection here, offering a mix of "independent and supported living to cater for the needs of all applicants."
Garda found guilty of cameraman assault
A Garda has been found guilty of assault causing harm to an RTÉ cameraman during a violent protest in Dublin in 2016.
Garda Sean Lucey, who has been stationed at Crumlin Village and Sundrive Garda Stations, was cleared of damaging his camera.
RTÉ cameraman Colm Hand and reporter Colman O’Sullivan were sent to cover two protests in Dublin city centre on February 6th 2016.
One was led by an anti-immigration group called PEGIDA, and there was a counter event involving anti-racism groups.
