Here's What Happened Today: Friday

21 Aug 2026, 20:31 by Ottoline Spearman, https://www.thejournal.ie/author/ottoline-spearman/ · TheJournal.ie

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

IRELAND

The horse and carriage bearing the coffin of 16-year-old Alex McCarthy arrives at the Church of the Holy Family in Askea, Carlow, ahead of the funeral mass today. Eamonn Farrell / RollingNews.ieEamonn Farrell / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

Funerals were held today for three of the five teenagers who died in a wrong-way crash on the M9 last weekend. Joe Carthy (15), Alex McCarthy (16) and Kamil Pustkowski (17) were all laid to rest today.
Hundreds of people attended a prayer vigil held for the family injured in the crash on the M9 last weekend. Sister Niamh and Alma Kinsella, Ella Hendricken and their seven-year-old nephew, Yemi, are seriously injured and remain in hospital.
The government will not stop existing fuel supports in September as previously planned, and will extend them beyond September. The Dáil will be recalled two weeks early to bring in these changes.
A large scale garda manhunt through west Dublin on Thursday stemmed from an operation targeting an organised burglary gang on the M50. Four people were arrested.
Over 70,000 students received their Leaving Cert results today, with a drop in the number of top marks awarded this year.
The Road Safety Authority has published advice on its website for drivers who encounter a car travelling towards them in the wrong direction, after initially saying earlier this week that it was “not in a position” to do so.
TikTok has been asked for the second time to attend an Oireachtas committee meeting to discuss the role of their videos in a fatal crash involving a car driving the wrong way on Sunday.
The death of a Brazilian woman at an apartment in Limerick City has sparked a full-scale garda investigation.
More than half of a group of 59 Palestinian students awarded scholarships were refused permission to enter the country.

INTERNATIONAL

Police and emergency personnel at the school in Fagersta, Sweden. Fredrik Sandberg / TT News Agency via APFredrik Sandberg / TT News Agency via AP / TT News Agency via AP

#DAILY MAIL Prince Harry and Elton John are among the household names that will have to pay more than £9.5 million (€11.09 million) to the Daily Mail’s publisher in the first round of legal costs after losing their High Court case, involving allegations of unlawful information-gathering.

#SEX TRAFFICKING TRIAL Michael Jeffries, the former chief executive of Abercrombie & Fitch is mentally competent to stand trial, a US federal judge has ruled. He faces sex trafficking charges after being admitted to hospital for months for dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms.

#SWORD ATTACK An 18-year-old with a sword has killed one person and seriously injured two others in an attack at a school in central Sweden.

PARTING SHOT

Ethel Caterham, 117, said I look forward to seeing what next year brings. onathan BradyPAonathan BradyPA

The world’s oldest person is celebrating her 117th birthday after a year of “many firsts”, including meeting the King and holding his hand.

Ethel Caterham, who lives at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey in the UK is spending the day with her family and friends to mark the occasion on Friday.

In a statement, she said: “Thank-you for all of the kind birthday wishes. Even at 117, I’ve had many firsts this year, from stroking a llama to holding hands with the King.

“I’ve had a lovely day celebrating with my family and friends, and I look forward to seeing what next year brings.”