Wildfires rage across Spain as heatwave scorches Europe
Wildfires are raging across northeastern Spain as Europe comes to terms with a scorching heatwave.
Germany, France, Poland and the Czech Republic have all recorded new national high temperature records for June today.
The record heat has seen a huge fire spanning 5,500 hectares breaking out on hilly terrain near the Ebro River about 75 miles (121km) west of Barcelona.
The Spanish military has sent a unit of 120 specialists to help local firefighters battle the flames, which have sent thick plumes of smoke high into the air above the Catalonia region.
Talks ongoing at Workplace Relations Commission
The Minister for Finance has insisted he can’t offer health support workers any deal that breaches the public sector pay agreement.
Talks are continuing at the Workplace Relations Commission this evening aimed at averting three further strike days due to take place at 38 hospitals and health centres next week.
Thousands of surgeries and appointments were cancelled after 10,000 health support staff took to the picket lines for the first in a series of planned 24-hour strikes yesterday.
The HSE said facilities found it “challenging” to maintain essential patient care during the height of the action.
An Post to shut Cork Mail Centre with 240 jobs at risk
An Post is to close its Cork Mail Centre in Little Island with up to 240 jobs at risk.
The centre is to be fully closed by March 2020 following a phased shut-down.
The company says 161 part-time and 79 full-time employees are to be offered the choice of re-deployment or a severance package.
"The consolidation of letters operations will see the closure of the Cork Mails Centre (CMC) in Little Island, Cork with the loss of 216 jobs (affecting 240 people)," it says.
Swimming bans lifted at three of four Dublin beaches
Swimming restrictions for three Dublin beaches have been lifted - but the ban remains in place at Sandycove Beach for now.
Prohibition notices were issued for four beaches along the Dublin coast in recent days.
Rainfall on Sunday and Monday led to waste water overflow at a number of treatment facilities and pumping stations in the bay area of south Dublin.
That's believed to have led to water quality issues at a number of bathing areas, leading to swimming bans at four beaches.
Councillor and rally driver Manus Kelly remembered in Donegal
The funeral of the late Councillor and rally champion Manus Kelly has taken place at St Columba’s Church, Glenswilly in County Donegal.
Large crowds gathered to say their goodbyes to the 41-year-old who lost his life while participating in the Donegal International Rally last weekend.
Alongside the gathered family members and friends were Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin, Minister Joe McHugh and the Taoiseach’s Aide De Camp.
Father Paddy Dunne told mourners he left a smile in people's hearts.
