IRE - The Irish Times

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1. Tensions rise over Belfast City Hall Palestinian flag after judge rejects bid to take it down

   Flag was erected as gesture of support after council passed motion

2. M50 congestion can only be fixed through Government policy change, says TII

   Sean O’Neill says traffic on the motorway have supassed Celtic Tiger numbers

3. Secret Teacher: I handled that PT meeting incorrectly, even though I stand over what I said

   Smiling like a self-assured Bond villain, the mother leaned in – ‘they don’t think they’re succeeding in your class’

4. Rank and file gardaí ‘delighted’ with introduction of Tasers

   Irish Council for Civil Liberties expresses concerns and says move will change force’s relationship with public

5. Major expansion planned at Rosslare to transform port into offshore energy hub

   Planning application for €220 million development to be lodged next week

6. ‘He is being excluded’: Irish mother tells of upset and anger after son denied citizenship

   Waterford native is infant’s genetic mother, but her Welsh wife carried the baby and gave birth to him

7. Murderer who was unlawfully at large from Derry prison for nine months back in custody

   James Meehan (56), convicted of killing of Jim McFadden, failed to return to Magilligan Prison from day release

8. Court to rule this month on challenges over superjunior ministers’ Cabinet attendance

   High Court decision on December 19th has potentially significant implications for Government

9. Christmas bonus welfare payments of up to €289.30 to be paid to 1.5m people this week

   The bonus is worth 100 per cent of their payment, meaning recipients will get a double-payment of their welfare amount

10. Murderer takes legal challenge over claims of prejudice against his efforts to get into an open prison

    Double-killer Derek Wade says Portuguese extradition warrant is affecting his parole efforts