1. French judge issues new European warrant for Ian Bailey
French authorities investigating the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in west Cork nearly 20 years ago have issued a new European arrest warrant for suspect Ian Baileyafter obtaining an indictment order to put him on trial in France.
2. Irish boxer Michael O’Reilly fails drugs test
Irish middleweight boxer Michael O'Reilly has been notified of an alleged violation of a doping rule.
The boxer, who was included in the Olympic draw on Thursday morning, was informed of the alleged offence by Sport Ireland in the afternoon.
The athlete can now request to have a “B” sample tested but cannot participate in any competition or activity prior to the completion of an investigation.
3. Mary McAleese, Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen each paid €137,000 State pensions
Former presidents Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson and ex-taoisigh Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen received the largest State pensions paid to ex-office holders last year.
Ms McAleese received a pension of €137,749 in 2015. Ms Robinson was paid €121,158. Mr Ahern and Mr Cowen received pensions of €83,918 as officeholders.
4. Garda Traffic Corps depleted by 38 members in 18 months
The number of gardaí posted to the Garda Traffic Corps dropped by 5 per cent in the 18 months to May, new figures show.
There were 711 officers assigned to the traffic corps in May 2016 compared with 749 at the end of 2014, a decline of 38 gardaí.
The figures come amid growing concern over the rise in road deaths this year.
5. State gave Irish Water €100m in 2015 to cover funding gap
The Government gave Irish Water nearly €100 million in working capital last year to help it bridge the shortfall left by the non-payment of bills, Department of Finance papers revealed last night.
They also showed Irish Water paid the State €6.2 million in interest and guarantee fees on loans that helped the utility fund the installation of water meters around the country.
And finally: How the restructuring of the GAA's senior football championship will benefits clubs as group stages are set to replace the quarter finals.