Latest headlines: children over five could get vaccinated; and Irish air traffic control was ‘close to closure’

Read the top 10 stories on Independent.ie this morning …

Taoiseach shows jabs on the way for over-fives

Micheál Martin has signaled that the state will vaccinate children aged five to 11 against Covid-19 if advised to do so after Pfizer said its vaccine was safe and highly effective in clinical trials.

“He pinned me on a bed, face down, and raped me”

A man who was sexually assaulted as a child by a senior member of the St. John Ambulance called for “real responsibility” for the organization, as a Garda investigation into the alleged pedophile’s activities intensifies.

Finding Michelle Smith, Part 3

Far too many people have been caught up in the web of the Smith controversy, writes Paul Kimmage in Part 3 of our special series. Listen to the podcast here:

Union: air traffic control was close to closure

A disruptive series of air traffic control (ATC) closures at Dublin Airport caused by a staff shortage was “narrowly averted” early yesterday morning, the union representing Irish controllers said.

The sad story of the skeptic who died of Covid

Joe McCarron was so sick he couldn’t breathe, but an obscure group convinced him to leave the hospital, writes Rodney Edwards

“I did all the tests in the sun, but we can’t find an answer” – Charlie Bird puzzled by “weird” illness

Broadcaster Charlie Bird spoke for the first time about the health issues plaguing him since last March.

Shane Lowry dedicates point to mom as four-ball retaliation gives Europe slim chance for Ryder Cup miracle

Shane Lowry led the second day of the Ryder Cup in Europe and insists he won’t give up with the United States just three and a half points away from the win before the final day.

Developer fined € 1,500 for assaulting Muslim tenant

The owner of a hotel that once housed asylum seekers was fined € 1,500 for assaulting a tenant.

“We believe that more victims will now come forward” – gardaí continues to investigate complaints against the late Anthony Flynn

The alleged sexual assault, cocaine use and secret taxis described in the Homeless Services report, writes Maeve Sheehan.

Varadkar home security review underway after ‘homophobic’ protest outside his home last weekend

Gardaí has ​​been alerted and attended the lunchtime protest last Sunday at the Dublin home that Mr Varadkar shares with his partner Dr Matt Barrett.