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National News Briefs

Call for inspections on disabled people's state-funded homes

It is being claimed today that more than 10,000 disabled people are living in publicly funded homes that do not face state inspection or regulation.

The figure includes a combination of adults and children.

Officials say a new regulatory system should be established by the middle of next year.

The Minister of State for Disability Kathleen Lynch said that draft standards put forward by the Health Information and Quality Authority are to be put on a statutory footing.
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Blind journalist to paddle length of Shannon for charity

A blind journalist is planning to paddle the length of the river Shannon from today and until Sunday in aid of charity.

Wesley Bourke is aiming to cover 100 kilometres a day with his paddling partner in the first three days of the challenge.

The pair is raising funds for Wesley's former school, ChildVision, which is Ireland's only national education centre for blind children.  
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Funeral of fourth victim of Offaly crash today

The fourth victim of last week's crash in Co Offaly that claimed the lives of three brothers and their friend will be laid to rest today.

Lee Bryan, 24, will be remembered at St Paul's Church in his hometown of Portarlington before he's laid to rest in the adjoining churchyard this afternoon.

Darren Doyle was buried yesterday alongside his two younger brothers, David and Ryan in Tallaght.

The four young men died after the car they were travelling in and a minibus were in collision near Tullamore last Friday.

Up to 500 mourners packed into a the Sacred Heart Church in Tallaght yesterday to bid their final farewells to three young brothers.

They had been watching John Joe Nevin fighting in the Olympics before tragedy struck.
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No winner of midweek Lotto jackpot

There was no winner of last night's €5,835,936 Lotto jackpot.

More than 40,000 players won prizes, including four winners of €25,000.

There were no winners of the Lotto Plus 1 or Plus 2 jackpots.

Saturday's jackpot is now heading towards €6.5m.
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