5 stories you need to know about today

1. Ireland unsure of Plan B in event of Brexit

Ireland's most important relationship is with the UK and relations between senior politicians and civil servants, say people on both sides, have never been better.  But Ireland's interest in the referendum is not entirely altruistic – extensive analysis conducted by Irish officials since Cameron first made his pledge of an "In-Out" referendum has concluded that Brexit poses a major threat. Much of that threat is unquantifiable but it would certainly present security, commercial and political difficulties for Ireland.  If the British decide to leave, said one senior official, it would dominate the Government's term of office in the way that the financial crisis dominated Brian Cowen's ill-starred 2008-2011 administration. "It is at the very top of the new Government's agenda," said one senior mandarin. Another adds: "Nothing is more important." So what is the Irish government doing to prepare for a potential Brexit? What can it do?

2. Resignation black the new red for Labour’s Joan

The familiar red jacket had been decommissioned. In its place, a different statement piece.  The colour was resignation black and Joan Burton was stepping down. It was a tough day for her.  In the summer of 2014, Joan made history by becoming the first female leader of the Labour party. There were emotional scenes in Dublin's Mansion House when she was elected.  Yesterday, the tears weren't far away either, but for a different reason.  Labour's disastrous election performance signalled the end of Joan's brief tenure in charge. She knew, everyone knew, she had to go. Yet for a time, rumours persisted that she was considering a campaign to stay and fight on as leader. That's what happens when people are given too much time to think.

3. Texan Republicans weigh in on transgender bathroom debate

Just weeks after North Carolina signed into law a provision banning transgender people from using bathrooms that do not match the gender on their birth certificate, Republicans in Texas have indicated that the state will provide the backdrop for the next chapter in this controversial debate. With several months to go before the 85th Texas legislative session even begins, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, backed by a number of leading Texan Republicans, has focused his early efforts on Target, the retail giant which just announced it would permit transgender customers to "use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity". Target was the first national retailer to make such a move but it has met with opposition in a state which the supermarket chain counts in its top three for total sales and revenue.  Patrick said recently he would boycott any business that "allows men to use women's bathrooms".  Meanwhile,   North Carolina is suing the US department of justice over its attempts to bar the state upholding the "bathroom Bill" requiring transgender people to use public toilets corresponding with the sex listed on their birth certificates. Canadian singer Bryan Adams and rock star Bruce Springsteen have cancelled concerts in opposition to bans on transgender people from choosing bathrooms consistent with their gender identity.

4. Sanders beats Hillary Clinton in West Virginia

Vermont senator Bernie Sanders won the West Virginia Democratic primary keeping alive his long-shot chance of beating front-runner Hillary Clinton in the party's US presidential race. The self-professed democratic socialist decisively won his second state victory in a row adding to his win in Indiana last week, stealing the momentum from the former secretary of state but still facing a slim chance of closing Mrs Clinton's comfortable lead among delegates. Businessman Donald Trump, the last remaining candidate in the Republican race, easily won the West Virginia and Nebraska primaries, strengthening his hand heading into talks tomorrow with Republican leaders in Washington who are unhappy with his hostile takeover of the party. Despite his almost inevitable ascent to the Republican nomination, Mr Trump (69) continued to campaign in West Virginia and Nebraska last weekend as he chased the 1,237 delegates he needs to be formally named the Republican candidate in November's presidential election.

5. Roddy Doyle’s 10 tips for budding writers

It's there in front of you - the blank space with the blinking cursor or the empty page in a notebook. Your fingers grasp the pencil or the pen; your hands hover over the keyboard. There's so much to say but how to start and, once started, how to keep going? That's the challenge. You and only you can do it, and you wouldn't have it any other way.  Here, Roddy Doyle gives some timely advice on how to write.

Misc:

How the Government should tackle the housing crisis: We need rent control and a larger plan to deliver social housing

Precision and artistry on display at impressive NCAD fashion show: Level of craftsmanship, creativity and innovation at event shows potential of graduates

Amhrán na bhFiann author had to sue State for royalties: Peadar Kearney, the man who wrote The Soldier's Song and a veteran of the 1916 Easter Rising, was living in such penury in the 1920s that he was forced to sue the State for royalties.

Man on trial over €1.1m robbery came to Ireland for 'no reason': Irmantas Paulauskas (38) accused of taking 208 diamond rings and 32 Rolex watches

Eurovision 2016: Old stereotypes persist in song contest semi-final:  Swedish hosts show Common European Sense of Humour show has failed

Couple sued by Mark Pollock fail to overturn £2m award: Blind adventurer suffered catastrophic spinal injuries after 25-foot fall from upstairs window