An investigation is under way into allegations of drugs offences against a serving Garda.

The male Garda was arrested after he was allegedly found in possession of a small quantity of controlled drugs in the Dublin area.

He was later released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Garda has been suspended from duty pending the investigation.

***

The order allowing the presidential election to happen is likely to be signed today.

It has to be issued by the government before any candidates can lodge their nomination papers.

The nomination stage will likely close at the end of September, ahead of an election on the 25th or 26th of October.

***

The White House has lowered its flag in honour of US Senator John McCain for a second time, after being criticised for raising it too soon.

Donald Trump - who had publicly clashed with the fellow Republican - has now ordered flags to fly at half-mast on government buildings until the Arizona senator's burial on Sunday.

The official government stance appeared confused earlier, with only some of the flags lowered.

***

An international campaign for people who've suffered clerical child abuse, says factions in the Catholic Church are using victims for their own agenda.

It follows allegations from a former papal nuncio to the US that Pope Francis was told about a cover up of abuse and failed to act.

The pontiff has refused to comment on the claim.

Peter Isely from the campaign 'Ending Clergy Abuse' says victims refuse to be pawns in a power struggle in the Catholic hierarchy.

***

It's claimed the spiralling cost of transition year is leaving some parents in financial difficulties.

The Society of Saint Vincent De Paul says some schools are asking for up to €900 to cover the costs of extra activities in transition year.

It comes as the charity announced it has fielded more than 6,000 calls in recent months from parents who are struggling to pay back to school costs.