The Big 6 - Thursday 29th April

Every evening at 6 O Clock WLR brings you the 6 biggest stories of the day

The Cabinet has signed off on a plan to significantly ease Covid-19 restrictions over the coming weeks, after a meeting this afternoon. The plan is based on the acceleration of the vaccination programme and Covid-19 cases remaining low, with a senior Minister warning it will be revised if there is a spike in infections. An official announcement is being made around now by Taoiseach Michael Martin.

The Technological University for the South East looks set to go ahead now as both governing bodies of IT Carlow and Waterford IT have approved the merger. It comes as the governing body of IT Carlow today approved the merger. On Tuesday of this week Waterford IT's governing body did the same, paving the way for the application to move forward.

Youngsters and anti-social behaviour are behind a spate of fires around the county recently, it’s claimed. The fire service has dealt with 110 outdoor fires so far in the month of April. While predominantly gorse fires, there are also many instances of bins being set alight and fires being started in fields and on scrubland.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who wants to report a crime relating to their stay at a Mother and Baby home to contact them. An Garda Siochana says there is insufficient detail in the Mother and Baby Homes Commission report to launch criminal investigations because individuals aren't identified

The manager of Waterford's Mount Congreve Ray Sinnott says they're delighted to be reopening. The gardens, along with the outdoor café and shop, will be open from Thursdays to Sundays from today, but all visitors will have to book online first. Click here to pre-book your visit.

Actor Moe Dunford, who has starred in Dublin Murders, Rosie and Patrick's Day, was in his home town of Dungarvan today to do some promotional work for the town. He posed for a photo with the mayor of Waterford City and County Damien Geoghegan, who is a childhood friend.