The weekend has finally arrived and good weather has come with it - with temperatures likely to hit 28C in parts of Ireland today.
People are being warned however to limit their contacts and be wary of the worsening Covid-19 situation countrywide after over 1,000 confirmed cases two days in a row.
Here are the main headlines from the Irish Mirror on this Saturday morning;
Teen dead in Monaghan crash
A teenager has died after a horror two-car crash in Co Monaghan overnight.
The smash happened on he N2 in Tullybuch, Clontibret at 11:30pm.
Emergency services rushed to the scene but the driver of one of the cars, a male teenager, was pronounced dead.
No further details have been given about the occupants of the other car - but there is not believed to be any other serious injuries.
A garda spokesperson said: "The N2 remains closed at Tullybuck today to allow for Forensic Collision Investigators to conduct an examination of the scene. Local diversions are in place.
"Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward. Gardaí are also appealing to anyone who was in the Tullybuck, Clontibret area yesterday evening between 11.15pm and midnight to contact them."
Glorious weather forecast
Temperatures are set to hit 28C across Ireland today on one of the hottest days of the year so far.
And in more good news, forecasters are predicting no end in sight for the terrific weather with all of next week seeing sweltering conditions.
The national forecaster is expecting sunshine right across the country today although there is expected to be the odd isolated shower.
A Met Eireann forecaster said: "Any low cloud or mist will clear quickly this morning to leave a mostly sunny and very warm day but cloud may linger near northwestern coasts, while there is a very slight chance of a isolated shower in the southwest this evening.
"Highest temperatures generally ranging 24 to 28 degrees with light variable winds falling calm at times inland. Slight cooler though in the northwest, where cloud persists, and along coast where sea breezes develop.
"A very mild, muggy night, with a mix of clear spells and low cloud. Temperatures will only drop to 12 or 13 degrees across Ulster and north Connacht, holding milder elsewhere with lows not falling below 14 degrees. Some mist and fog will form once again in light northerly or variable breezes."
Unexpected boost for pubs
Pints at the bar have not yet been ruled out ahead of indoor dining reopening later this month.
It would be an unexpected bonus for small, rural pubs, where often older customers prize the intimate experience at the bar, as it was thought unlikely in recent days.
Fáilte Ireland and hospitality stakeholders will meet again early next week to finalise the revised guidelines for indoor dining ahead of the expected reopening on July 26.
And there is still some hope that regulars who have not been able to get their elbows on a bar could be back on their stools for the first time in over 17 months from Monday week.
The negotiations adjourned Friday with no firm decision made on this point, according to sources involved in the talks this week.
