What the papers say: Friday's front pages

Ellen O'Donoghue

Several topics feature on Irish front pages on Friday, including former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson's alleged sex offences trial and Aughinish Alumina lobbying the EU.

The Irish Times lead with consultants taking legal challenges over a ban on private care, Aughinish Alumina lobbying the EU for public funds, and the Residential Tenancies Board chairman resigning after two years of a five-year term.

The Irish Examiner lead with the ESRI urging targeted energy supports, there being no addiction nurses in prisons for inmates, and the Government preparing to limit access to homeless services.

The Irish Independent lead with over 200,000 homes being affected by a solar panel meter glitch.

The Echo lead with the former Port of Cork commercial manager saying that the planned Luas bridge would bring an end to any more city centre maritime festivals, and more than 1,000 young people across Cork and Kerry waiting for appointments with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

The Belfast Telegraph and Irish Daily Mirror lead with the alleged sex offences trial of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson.

The Herald lead with a New York Times investigation alleging that MMA fighter Conor McGregor used "powerful, banned drugs" after breaking his leg in a 2021 fight.

The Irish Daily Mail lead with Government departments run by Fine Gael ministers having to cough up almost €75 million more than their Fianna Fáil counterparts to fund the €646 million bailout in Education.