Today’s headlines: Leo Varadkar succeeds Micheál Martin as Taoiseach today; Private Sean Rooney was shot point blank by his killers

Here are this morning’s top headlines.

Leo Varadkar vows to offer “hope and shelter and a fair start for all” as Micheál Martin’s successor

Leo Varadkar is set to promise his second term as Taoiseach will focus on offering “hope and shelter” when he succeeds Micheál Martin this afternoon.

Sean Rooney was ‘shot at close range’ as his killers are suspected to have gained entry through the rear window in Lebanon

Soldier Sean Rooney has been ‘shot at point blank range’ as his killers are suspected to have gained entry through the rear window in Lebanon

McKillen vs. Qatari Royals: The real estate mogul could face his toughest fight yet in a row with former billionaire allies

The Belfast-born businessman is not one to back down – just ask the Barclay brothers, writes Shane Phelan

Pepper now says it will offer fixed-rate mortgages to troubled borrowers as interest rates rise

Mortgage services company Pepper, which works on behalf of Vulture Funds, said it will offer fixed rates to customers unable to afford multiple rate hikes.

Pilot parachuted to safety from military jet crash in North Texas

“Icy conditions across Europe” could mean some travel disruptions at Dublin Airport this weekend

Passengers flying to and from Dublin Airport have been warned there could be further disruption this weekend due to severe weather across Europe.

Real estate stocks are suffering despite booming real estate prices

Property and construction stocks have been among the underperformers on the Irish stock market this year, including the country’s largest private landlord, Ires Reit, which fell nearly 37 percent.

A Dublin nurse recovers from a kidney transplant and saves a five-year-old boy

The boy’s family have said he would not be with them this Christmas if not for his neighbour, who also recently received life-saving intervention.