What the papers say: Wednesday's front pages
Ottoline Spearman
The export of parts made in Ireland for Russian suicide drones, and a play about the life of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch are some of the stories on Ireland's front pages on Wednesday morning.
An Irish Times investigation has found that around 10 tonnes of components for so-called 'kamikaze drones' are being made by Irish companies that are supplying parts to Russia. This is despite EU export bans introduced following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Meta has also urged Ireland to block the proposed EU social media law, the Digital Fairness Act, which proposes banning addictive features such as 'infinite scroll'. And the review of Special Needs Allocations for schools has been paused by the Minister for Education following substantial backlash from teachers, parents, and unions.
Plans for the social media ban for under 16 is the splash of the Irish Examiner. Cabinet is set to meet this after to consider a new digital and AI strategy, which is understood to contain a focus on online safety. The Irish Examiner reports that it understands the plan will confirm Ireland’s intention to introduce legislation to restrict social media for under-16s.
A council tenant who was hit by a piece of masonry that fell two storeys has said that he is "lucky to be alive", according to The Echo.
The Irish Independent reports that the Government is reviewing whether it can move ahead with a new critical care wing at the Rotunda hospital, despite the planning body's decision to overturn it.
The Irish Daily Mirror reports that gardaí, in their search for Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob, are digging in an area close to where Larry Murphy was caught trying to murder a victim.
A new play about Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, who will be running in the Dublin Central by-election, has been branded a "party political broadcast", according to the Irish Daily Star.
The Irish Daily Mail reports judges' warnings over solicitors using AI to compose legal submissions, after three had to be thrown out as they were strewn with errors.
Heather, detained Irishman Seamus Culleton's daughter, has said that she doesn't have much sympathy for his plight as it is a "mess of his own making", The Herald reports.
The Belfast Telegraph covers the remarkable story of around 40 pupils, who climbed through a roof hatch to safety after the bus they were on veered off a road in Newry.
