Gun found in Derry was McKee murder weapon
Police have confirmed that a gun found in County Derry last week was used to murder Lyra McKee.
The gun was uncovered alongside a “fully primed bomb” and ammunition during searches the Ballymagroarty area on Friday and Saturday.
This evening, the PSNI Major Investigation team confirmed the gun was the weapon used to kill the 26-year-old journalist as she covered riots in the Creggan area of Derry in April 2019.
PSNI Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said forensic tests on the Hemmerli X-Esse pistol confirmed it as the murder weapon.
Ryan apologises after using N-word during speech on racism
The Green Party leader has used the N-word in the Dáil chamber while discussing racism in Ireland
Eamon Ryan used the word while calling for the outrage over the killing of George Floyd to be directed towards efforts to counter racism in Ireland.
He has since apologised for using the word – noting that it was completely wrong to do so and that it should never be used.
In his speech, the Dublin Bay South TD set out four main ways the Government could begin to tackle racism in Ireland.
Health officials are recommending a new national campaign to encourage people to wear face masks.
Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan said the new campaign should focus on best practice in shops, on public transport and where social distancing is difficult.
Eight further coronavirus-related deaths were announced alongside eight new confirmed cases this evening.
It brings the death toll in the Republic to 1,703 with the total number of confirmed cases standing at 25,238.
Cancer screening won’t return until the end of summer
Cancer screening services are expected to be back up and running by the end of the summer.
Health Minister Simon Harris told the Dáil this afternoon, that dates for the reopening of the four national screening programmes will be released later this month.
Thousands of patients have missed out on screening services since BreastCheck, CervicalCheck, BowelScreen and Diabetic RetinaScreen were paused in March.
Minister Harris said they are expected to resume at the end of the summer and dates for their return would be released at the end of the month.
Officials contact UAE over Kinahan ties to boxing match
The Department of Foreign Affairs has contacted authorities in Dubai about a boxing match organised by Daniel Kinahan.
It comes after WBC champion Tyson Fury thanked the 42-year-old for his role in organising two major fights against four-franchise champion Anthony Joshua.
Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Labour leader Alan Kelly noted that the Dubliner had been named in the High Court as a leader and founder of the Kinahan organised crime gang.
The Taoiseach said officials had contacted their counterparts in the UAE about the plans.
