Five things you need to know today

Morning briefing: another Garda crisis, a whiff of blue blood and a controversial flag

Britain’s Prince Charles pucks the sliotarwatched by his wife Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, Henry Shefflin and Brian Cody, hurling manager during his visit to Kilkenny Castle on Thursday. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Britain’s Prince Charles pucks the sliotarwatched by his wife Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, Henry Shefflin and Brian Cody, hurling manager during his visit to Kilkenny Castle on Thursday. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

another deepening of the Garda crisisOpens in new window ]

The crisis engulfing Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan deepened yesterday when it emerged that she delayed informing the Garda's internal audit unit of financial irregularities at the Templemore Garda College after being instructed to do so by the Department of Justice.

2. The old Central Bank building won’t be protected after all

Dublin City Council has shelved plans to add the former Central Bank on Dame Street to the Record of Protected Structures to facilitate its new owners' development scheme.

Murray fails to make finalOpens in new window ]

Brendan Murray’s balloon has deflated. The Irish man sadly failed to make the final of the 62nd Eurovision song contest with ‘Dying to Try’.

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Before the voting finished, he had said, “whatever happens, I will always remember this.”

Palestinian flag is flyingOpens in new window ]

The Palestinian flag was erected on the roof of Dublin City Hall on Dame Street on Tuesday. People Before Profit councillor John Lyons proposed the motion to mark 50 years of Israeli occupation in the West Bank and to show the support of the international community for the Palestinian people. Former Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has said the flying of the Palestinian flag by Dublin City Council will do profound damage to the reputation of "our capital city and our country".

Whiff of pampered bluebloodsOpens in new window ]

The visit by the British Royals continues on Friday. Miriam Lord was with them yesterday and observes: "In the brief battle for the attention of five sporting superstars, it came down to a straight fight between the Duchess of Cornwall and a bucket of carrots. The carrots won hooves down."