Enjoy your coffee break by catching up on all the morning’s top news, every morning at 10:30am on TheLiberal.ie
#1 Seanad: John McNulty thanks supporters, as it emerges that he may take up the vacant Seanad seat, if he is elected.
A lot of people had already voted for him before the cronyism controversy arose, and these ballots cannot be re-issued.
McNulty is now in the rather unusual position of having to ask TDs and Senators who have not yet cast their ballot to not vote for him.
#2 Weather: Met Eireann has this morning issued a rainfall warning for seven counties. Dublin, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork and Waterford are expected to have between 25 and 40mm of rain, with local spot flooding possible in places.
Elsewhere, brighter weather is expected, with just a few scattered showers. Temperatures will remain between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius.
#3 Ebola: NBC cameraman becomes infected with the deadly disease in Liberia.
A 33-year-old freelance cameraman working for the network has caught Ebola and reportedly quarantined himself. He will soon be flown back to the United States for treatment.
In the meantime, the first patient confirmed to have Ebola in the US remains ill in isolation. It is understood that he became infected in Liberia after helping a sick pregnant woman who later died.
Ebola has spread to several West African countries. The current infection rate in Sierra Leone remains very high, with an estimated 10 people per hour contracting the virus.
#4 Alice Gross: Postmortem analyses on the teenager’s body prove inconclusive. The cause of death remains undetermined.
The missing youngster’s body was found in the river Brent in West London earlier this week. According to police sources, “significant efforts had been taken to conceal the body.”
The main suspect in this murder case, convicted murderer Arnis Zalkalns, 41, who was filmed cycling along the same route shortly after Alice, remains at large. He has not been seen or heard from since the day the teenager disappeared.
#5 Islamic State: Australia is the latest country to join the fight against the extremist organization.
The ministerial cabinet has today authorized the deployment of a 600-strong contingent, including special forces, and also the use of airstrike against approved targets.
The role of the special forces personnel is said to “help Iraqi forces with the planning and coordination of operations”, rather than an active combat deployment.