Every evening at 6 O Clock WLR brings you the 6 biggest stories of the day
1. Waterford Gardai ask people not to gather for St Patrick's Day
Waterford Gardai have echoed a call from the Taoiseach Michael Martin for people to avoid gathering with others on St Patrick's Day tomorrow. In a statement, Micheál Martin said the opportunity to celebrate Ireland's national holiday will come again. Meanwhile a significant policing operation is in place as a number of protests are planned for tomorrow.
I was in Super Valu and saw heaps of people buying heaps of alcohol for tomorrow.....
— Samantha Kelly (@Tweetinggoddess) March 16, 2021
2. The benefits of the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine outweigh the risk of side effect
That's according to the European Medicines Agency who have been carrying out an investigation into the vaccine after reports of rare blood-clotting events. Meanwhile the administration of the Covid Vaccine to octogenarians is continuing in Waterford.
3. Government urged to scrap housing loan scheme
The Government is under pressure to scrap its controversial housing loan scheme after the Central Bank warned it could push up house prices. Darragh O’Brien, the housing minister, has been urged to focus on other measures instead of the shared equity scheme
4. De Bromhead and Blackmore make history at Cheltenham
Tipperary jockey Rachael Blackmore has become the first woman to win the champions hurdle on the opening day of Cheltenham. She did it in style on board Honeysuckle, trained by Waterford trainer Henry De Bromhead.
5. CJ Stander shocks rugby world with retirement announcement
Ireland rugby captain Johnny Sexton couldn't hide his shock during a press conference earlier today at the news that his teammate CJ Stander is to retire from Munster and Ireland at the end of the season. The South African born Munster flanker made the announcement in a statement released earlier today.
All professional sports people are told “you will know when the time is right to hang up your boots”. It’s a sentiment one cannot fully comprehend until that day arrives.
For me, that time has come, and I hereby publicly announce my retirement from all forms of rugby. pic.twitter.com/KK5zgWC0O1— C J Stander (@CJStander) March 16, 2021
6. ‘Paul Mescal effect’: O’Neills shorts see 20% increase in sales
According to O’Neills director, Paul Towell, the 20 per cent sales increase of O’Neills shorts last year “was one of the few bright spots in a very difficult year.” ‘Normal People’ break-out star, Paul Mescal made the €20 O’Neills shorts one of the most sought after fashion items of 2020.
