Gardaí have recovered equipment which may have been used to dismember the body of murder victim Kenneth O'Brien.

The Irish Independent is reporting that a number of items were found when garda divers recovered a bag from The Royal Canal near Maynooth yesterday.

Meanwhile DNA results are expected later on several body parts taken from the Grand Canal near Sallins in Co Kildare.

Detectives believe the remains are those of Dubliner Kenneth O'Brien.

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Coastal communities along the west and south coasts are bracing themselves for possible flooding due to high tides and gale force winds.

A flood warning from Met Éireann came into force in the early hours of this morning and applies to coastal areas of counties Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway and Mayo.

A Status Yellow wind warning is also in place for the entire country - with gusts of 110 kilometres per hour.

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The Environment Minister is bringing a number of proposals on housing before what could be one of the last Cabinet meetings before the election.

Under one scheme the government would pay 30% of the rent for low earners.

To qualify people would have to be spending 30% of their net income on rent, but not be eligible for social housing.

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The Irish Times is reporting that the points for many third level courses are expected to rise this summer.

The CAO is expecting over 80,000 students to apply this year - the largest number since it was established over 40 years ago.

Experts say points will most likely increase in a range of high demand courses - such as science, technology and business.

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The Government's announced €5 million in funding for the Health Innovation Hub today.

The project - which is based at UCC - partners companies with the health sector who hope to develop new products and services.

The hub has already been involved in creating new infection control systems and has been in operation since 2012.