The 9 at 9: Sunday

GOOD MORNING. HERE’S everything you need to know as your day gets underway.

Peace talks

1. Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky are set to meet in Florida today for face-to-face talks on ending the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukrainian president Zelensky said security guarantees and territorial issues in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions would be among the topics of discussion.

Zelensky stopped in Canada to meet prime minister Mark Carney before heading to the US.

Clare

2. A teenage boy has died following a collision in Bunnahow, Co Clare this afternoon.

The 16 year old was driving a tractor on the R458 north of Crusheen.

Emergency services attended the scene of the single-vehicle crash, which happened shortly before 2pm, and the boy was pronounced dead there.

Snowstorm

3. Dublin Airport has warned passengers travelling to and from the United States that flights may be impacted by snowstorms.

A “state of emergency” was declared in New York yesterday as it braced for intensified snowfall.

St Patrick’s Day

4. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that while she is “mindful” of the Irish-US relationship, her party may boycott next year’s St Patrick’s Day visit again if the situation in Gaza does not improve.

This year, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald and Vice-President Michelle O’Neill boycotted the annual trip over the United States’ involvement in the genocide in Gaza.  

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State Papers 1

5. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern welcomed a group representing loyalist paramilitaries to Dublin 22 years ago and told them that his father had been a republican and “a good rebel”.

The meeting with the Loyalist Commission in Dublin was held in June 2003 and Ahern had said publicly afterwards that the meeting was important to build trust and confidence by engaging in dialogue.

Confidential minutes of the meeting between Ahern and the loyalists has now been made public for the first time.

State Papers 2

6. There was debate among Irish officials in 1995 over the appropriateness of President Mary Robinson attending events to celebrate 50 years since VE Day, given the “sensitivities” around Ireland’s neutral status both during World War II and since. 

Victory in Europe Day is commemorated on 8 May each year, with the 50th anniversary in 1995 being marked with significant events in Paris, Moscow and elsewhere. 

Behind-the-scenes preparations for President Robinson’s trip to Paris and Ireland’s wider participation in the event are contained in confidential documents from the Department of Foreign Affairs that have now been released to the National Archives under the 30-year rule. 

Peace talks

7. Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “immediate” ceasefire, pledging to end border clashes that killed dozens of people.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the announcement “as a positive step towards alleviating the suffering of civilians… and creating an environment conducive to achieving lasting peace”, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

At least 47 people were killed and more than a million displaced in three weeks of fighting with artillery, tanks, drones and jets, according to official tallies.

Attempted murder

8. Police in Northern Ireland have released a photo of a man they are seeking to speak with in connection with an alleged attempted murder of two people in Bangor, Co Down on Christmas Eve.

Two people were hospitalised after the incident at a home in the Chippendale Avenue area of the town.

Dry and cloudy

9. It will remain mostly dry but cloudier for the rest of the year, Met Éireann has said. Dry and cold weather is set to remain in most areas for the coming days, with some rain in place. 

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