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the morning lead
'Demons were following me': Call to make HHC illegal after users experience psychotic episodes
HHC, a semisynthetic cannabinoid derived from CBD, is widely available in Ireland.
There are growing concerns that HHC is triggering psychotic episodes in certain people
HHC vapes are widely available online, and in vape and CBD shops
"I was seeing and hearing things that weren't there. I was being followed around by demons," one man told us
the morning lead
'I spent 1,300 days there and I get nothing': Mother and Baby Home survivors consider legal action
Thousands of people are excluded from the Government’s redress scheme.
"It's a kick in the gut. It's like being victimised all over again," one woman said
A number of survivors are considering legal action over their exclusion from the scheme
St Joseph's baby home in Stamullen is not covered by the scheme, despite a recommendation to include it
Waiting Lists
Children 'suffering' as life-changing surgery delayed at Temple Street after spinal controversy
Parents and a consultant have raised concerns about the impact of long waiting lists on children’s quality of life.
Several hundred children are currently waiting for spinal and orthoepaedic surgery at Temple Street
Many children who require time-sensitive surgery have been waiting for months
The hospital has been embroiled in controversy since it emerged that one child died and others suffered serious post-surgery complications
Asylum Seekers
Palestinian man who slept on Mount Street came to Ireland to escape 'death at any moment'
Mohamed has been deeply affected by the situation in Gaza, describing it as a “massacre”.
Fine Gael
Govt insists election not needed in wake of Varadkar resignation
“After seven years in office, I am no longer the best person for that job,” Leo Varadkar said today.
Varadkar’s resignation as Fine Gael leader is effective immediately, but he will stay on as Taoiseach until his successor is elected by the party
A general election is not likely to be called, despite mounting pressure from the opposition
Fine Gael is expected to elect a new leader before the party's Ard Fheis on 6 April
the morning lead
'A slap in the face': Mother and baby home survivors told they need photo ID to apply for redress
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said applicants who don’t have photo ID will be “treated empathetically and on a case-by-case basis”.
The Government's long-awaited redress scheme finally opens for applications today
Many elderly survivors do not have a passport, driving licence or Public Service Card
One man was told his mother cannot apply without photo ID, but he could apply on her behalf if she died
lack of fundingIt could take over 60 years to set up enough early intervention psychosis teams, TD warns
the morning lead
'Everyone knows drugs are sold and people are intimidated in areas affected by poverty'
The North Inner City Drugs and Alcohol Task Force has been reestablished amid a national conversation about our approach to drug use.
The task force has been set up at a time when service providers in Dublin are bracing themselves for an increase in opioid use
Areas in the north inner city have long been "traumatised" by poverty and addiction, Dr Austin O'Carroll told us
He said the availability of naloxone was vital in preventing deaths during a recent spike in overdoses in Dublin and Cork
Ireland SouthSeán Kelly and John Mullins, former Bord Gáis CEO, to run for Fine Gael in European elections
Corporate Enforcement AuthorityMan and woman arrested in Dublin in connection with money laundering offences
Department of Education
'They're waiting for us to die': Industrial school abuse survivors say they need urgent support
Survivors have criticised the Government’s proposed support plan, saying it doesn’t address many of their concerns.
family and care amendments
Referendum Q&A: What will you be asked to vote on? And what exactly is a durable relationship?
People will next week be asked to vote on amending sections of the Constitution related to the family and the provision of care.
The votes, dubbed the Family Amendment and the Care Amendment, will take place next Friday
The Constitution currently only recognises families based on marriage and refers to a woman's place 'in the home'
Not up to speed on what the referendums are about? We've got you covered
the morning lead
'My son is not there anymore': How young people with psychosis are falling through the cracks
The earlier a person’s symptoms are treated, the better the outcome – but many people with psychosis or schizophrenia struggle to get access to care.
Karin Kenny believes her son Kielan's life would be very different if he had received early intervention for psychosis
He was previously in school but now needs full-time care and experiences weeks-long psychotic episodes
A new series by The Journal and Noteworthy will explore access to services for young people who experience psychosis
department of childrenControversial Mother and Baby Home redress scheme will open for applications next month
further delayReview into sex work law to be published later this year, four years after initial deadline
dublin city dorms
Person tried to get job at asylum seeker hostel to 'cause trouble and enact racial discrimination'
The individual was not hired after Dublin City Dorms carried out a background check.
A staff member at the centre raised security concerns with the International Protection Accommodation Services
Dublin City Dorms began operating as an accommodation centre in early 2023, having previously been a tourist hostel
The centre was among the buildings vandalised during the Dublin riots in November
March ReferendumsHere's how to register to vote (or update your information) ahead of next month's referendums
Legal loopholeNew law would compel members of Commissions of Investigation to appear before Oireachtas
birth information and tracingOver 2,800 applications to Tusla's tracing service still awaiting social worker allocation
the morning lead
St John of God services to be transferred to HSE unless extra funding is granted
The SJOG board is due to meet today to discuss its €32.5 million deficit.
SJOG is one of the biggest providers of intellectual disability and mental health services in the country
Staff have been informed that, unless extra funding is received, the process of transferring services will begin
The board said they are "doing all in our power to prevent this eventuality" but are running out of options
Explainer
Measles: What you need to know about the disease, vaccines and who is at risk
A man in Leinster died after contracting the disease amid fears of an outbreak here.
HPSC
Nine suspected measles cases reported in Ireland
Two or more cases of measles are classed as an outbreak.
Seven of these cases have been defined as 'possible' measles, while two are listed as 'probable' measles
The suspected cases, all involving children aged nine and younger, were reported between 28 January and 3 February
Yesterday it was confirmed that a man in Leinster died after contracting measles
Dublin Airport'I'm not rejecting science, I'm supporting the economy': DAA boss defends plan to increase flights
Child ProtectionTusla struggling to recruit social workers amid large increase in child welfare referrals, CEO says
the morning lead
Sex workers sent death threats after replying to text scam
Very few crimes against sex workers are reported to gardaÃ, an advocacy group said.
A number of people were threatened with physical or sexual violence
Foreign-national sex workers were targeted by the scam
"The texts and calls turned violent, people saying things like they were going to have a hitman kill them."
the morning lead
'Concerning' delays for mammograms as Dublin hospitals struggle to recruit staff
Beaumont Hospital is considering outsourcing some appointments to deal with the backlog, one patient was told.
Patients are concerned it is taking months to get an appointment for certain scans, potentially delaying a cancer diagnosis
Extra consultants are due to start working in the coming months, but staffing levels remain an issue
"It is unacceptable that a person should wait too long before getting access to a vital diagnostic appointment," the CEO of the Irish Cancer Society said
