Every evening at 6 O Clock WLR brings you the 6 biggest stories of the day
1. Most significant cyber attack on the Irish State - HSE site hacked
The Health service IT systems could take days to return to normal, following a cyber attack this morning. The HSE says thousands of appointments might have to be cancelled if the problem continues into next week. The ransomware attack has been labelled a “major incident” by the HSE chief executive and the Irish Government called it “possibly the most significant cyber attack on the Irish State”.
2. NPHET says Covid is shrinking as R number falls to below 1
The Covid-19 pandemic is ‘shrinking’ and the R number is below 1, according to NPHET. 425 new cases and four additional deaths have been reported today. The five-day moving average is 417 cases, which is almost exactly the same as this day last week.
3. Plans for North Quays could be known by next week
It's expected we will find out next week if the development of Waterford's North Quays is going ahead as planned. The importance of the development to our neighbouring counties has also been highlighted today in light of the concerns. New Ross Councillor Michael Sheehan told Déise Today that their county plan depends on the success of the region as a whole.
4. Poots elected next leader of the DUP
The Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has beaten Jeffrey Donaldson by 19 votes to 17 to become the next leader of the DUP. He takes over from Arlene Foster who announced last month that she was stepping down. Poots has vowed to establish a “unionist convention” to maximise support for the pro-Union position and unionist representation in next year’s Assembly elections.
5. Freedom of Waterford for Henry de Bromhead
Waterford horse trainer Henry de Bromhead is to be bestowed with the freedom of Waterford City and County. The honour comes after the Knockeen man’s tremendous successes at Cheltenham and Aintree this year.
6. 99 Problems: Tramore shop-owner says Brexit has led to a shortage in flakes
Over the past number of months, the implication of the UK leaving the European Union has been felt by shops and businesses in the Republic who would have regularly imported products from Britain. For shops that sell 99 ice-creams like Beach World in Tramore, there has been a massive scramble to stock up on Cadbury’s Flakes.
