Here's What Happened Today: Friday

20 Mar 2026, 20:45 by Jane Moore, https://www.thejournal.ie/author/jane-moore/ · TheJournal.ie

NEED TO CATCH up? The Journal brings you a round-up of today’s news.

Mark Keane and Molly Guifoyle from the Irish Chambers Youth Orchestra in Limerick rehearing before taking part on the second day of the Feis Ceoil in the RDS Dublin. RollingNews.ieRollingNews.ie

IRELAND

The demolition of a Co Meath home at the centre of a 20-year-long planning dispute began.
A UCD assistant professor appeared in court on charges relating to using software to hack students’ data.
The government is set to reduce the remission period for cancer survivors seeking mortgage protection from seven years to five years.
A 19-year-old man appeared in court charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Limerick nurse Aine O’Reilly.
Gardaí are making enquiries about the activities of people involved in “Epstein Files” themed floats at several St Patrick’s Day parades in the north west of the country.
Dublin City Council is considering introducing a tourist levy of up to €5 per night on visitors staying in the capital.
A man in his 70s was charged in connection with an investigation into a suspected illegal cockfighting event in Co Monaghan.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland was hit with a discrimination complaint alleging that it failed to inform a blind woman that her home was being acquired and demolished to make way for Metrolink.

INTERNATIONAL

Iranians follow a truck carrying the flag draped coffins of Iran's intelligence minister Esmail Khatib and, according to Iranian officials, his wife and daughter, during a funeral procession in Tehran. Alamy Stock PhotoAlamy Stock Photo

#IRAN: The head of the International Energy Agency said that the US-Israel-Iran war is “the greatest global energy security threat in history”.

#IRA BOMBINGS: Gerry Adams said a civil case taken against him by three victims of Provisional IRA bombings that was discontinued today “verged upon a show trial”.

#INVASION PLANS: Denmark planned to blow up runways in Greenland if the US followed through on Donald Trump’s threat to attack the island earlier this year, according to reporting from Danish public broadcaster DR.

#RIP: Hollywood action star Chuck Norris died at the age of 86.

PARTING SHOT

The coffin of folk singer Dolores Keane arrives at St Patrick and St Cuana Church in Kilcoona, Co Galway. Alamy Stock PhotoAlamy Stock Photo

The funeral of singer Dolores Keane, who died on Monday aged 72, heard that she used her talent to bring “joy and comfort to the hearts of so many”.

Her funeral mass took place at St Patrick and St Cuana Church in Kilcoona, Co Galway this afternoon. Mourners at the service included President Catherine Connolly and her predecessor Michael D Higgins.

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