The Front Pages
All of this morning’s major broadsheets have published comments from the parents of murdered schoolgirl Michaela Davis following the court appearance of the man charged with her murder, Jonathan Byrne.
‘Parents grieve ‘needless loss’ of tragic Michaela’ – the Irish Independent.
‘Our worst fear’ – the Irish Examiner.
‘Family issues statement on ‘needless loss’ of daughter’ the Irish Times.
Michaela’s parents, Deirde and Brendan, said, “The needless loss of a young child, the awful tragedy of a girl barely beginning life. This situation is not and never will be about the crime or the perpetrator – it’s about Michaela, and the realisation of a parent’s worst fear to lose a child so full of life.â€
Michaela had just started secondary school in Luttrellstown Community College last week. Her life, however, was cut short.
Jonathan Byrne, from Lohunda Downs in Clonsilla, west Dublin has been charged with murder and he is due back in court at the end of the week for a remand hearing.
Tales from the Tabs
Simon Cowell’s luxurious £1million Spanish villa has been trashed by the X Factor contestants he is currently mentoring.
Cowell is reportedly furious with the wannabes and has told them they will have to pay for the damage to his pad out of their first roalty cheques.
He said: “It will teach them a lessonâ€.
The show’s chief judge has been given the bands to mentor this year, the Daily Star reveals.
But the groups went on the rampage at his luxury seaside pad in Marbella, Spain, where they were supposed to be having intensive training.
The Sports Pages
It’s the final day of the football transfer window and expect dealings to get frantic.
Arsenal have double their bid to £4million for Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, reports the Sun. If Shay Given goes on loan to the Cottagers then it is inevitable that Arsene Wenger will get his man.
Javier Mascherano struck a deal with Barcelona yesterday and has finally left Liverpool in an £18million switch to the Nou Camp.
And in injury news, it looks like Robin van Persie could be sidelined for a month with a new ankle problem.
