1. Call for freeze on Garda resources if no reform
The Garda should only receive further investment if poor management practices are addressed, the new Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe has been told. In briefing documents, senior civil servants in the Minister's department warn against allocating further resources to the Garda unless management introduces "a far-reaching reform programme". "We strongly feel that further investment in the force should only happen in the context of a proper reform programme," the briefing says. "An Garda Síochána need to address poor management and resource allocation practices."
2. Irish gangs join British to control Europe’s drug gateways
What is the dominant ethnic gang in Europe's main drug- trafficking route? The Russian Mafia? The Turkish Connection? Bloodthirsty Albanian crime lords who would cut your throat as soon as look at you? No. They are all main players, mind you – along with the Chinese triads, West Africans and Eastern Europeans – but they're not the top players. People in Ireland will be surprised to discover who the number one dominators are: the Irish cartels that have shipped far and wide over the last decade and more. Today, organised crime is one of Ireland's most effective exports.
3. Border controls on Irish entering Britain ‘inevitable’ post-Brexit
Border controls between the island of Ireland and Britain are inevitable if there is a Brexit, according to official sources on both sides of the Irish Sea. http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/border-controls-on-irish-entering-britain-inevitable-post-brexit-1.2665284 A strict new regime for travel between the two islands is already under consideration if the UK votes next month to leave the European Union. The impossibility of sealing the 500km border between Northern Ireland and the Republic has put the focus on new travel arrangements. Meanwhile, a British withdrawal from the European Union after the Brexit referendum has replaced fears of a global economic slowdown as the main danger to Irish economic growth, a market sentiment survey of Irish financial analysts by CFA Society Ireland has revealed.
4. How fascist is Donald Trump?
The comparison was inflammatory, to say the least. William F Weld, a former governor of Massachusetts, equated Donald Trump's immigration plan with Kristallnacht, the night of horror in 1938 when rampaging Nazis smashed Jewish homes and businesses in Germany and killed scores of Jews. But if it was a provocative analogy, it was not a lonely one. Trump's campaign has engendered impassioned debate about the nature of his appeal and warnings from critics on both the left and the right about the potential rise of fascism in the United States. More strident opponents have likened Trump to Hitler and Mussolini. Supporters and opponents of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump clashed in the city of San Diego in California at the weekend http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/dozens-arrested-during-clashes-at-donald-trump-rally-1.2664747during one of the largest counter-protests organised against him.
5. Bono joins Bruce Springsteen on stage at Croke Park
Bono joined Bruce Springsteen on stage during his second Croke Park gig on Sunday night. The U2 frontman joined Springsteen and the E Street Band for a rendition of Because the Night to the delight of most of the crowd. Springsteen wrote the song with Patti Smith. Springsteen's Friday night show was deemed a resounding success despite some complaints about the sound quality. He performed for 3½ hours in front of an emotional crowd converting a few agnostics along the way.
WEATHER: Temperatures are expected to reach 22 degrees today and the sunny weather is set to remain until Thursday at least, with highs of 24 degrees.
Misc:
Time for renters to make themselves heard: Renters' stories on Twitter make sobering reading but they need to speak with one voice
Daryl Murphy and David Meyler get last chance to impress O'Neill: Back-up for Seamus Coleman looks to be straight fight between Hull man and Christie
10 things to do this bank holiday weekend: Una Mullally rounds up the best things to do this bank holiday weekend
Five things to watch on television this week: Top Gear gets back on the road, Alan Partridge explores the 'schasm' in the UK between 'the 'haves and the haven'ts', RTE looks back to Euro 88
Chinese washing powder firm apologises for racist video: Firm initially blamed foreign media after advert sparked allegations of racism
