What the papers say: Thursday's front pages
Ellen O'Donoghue
A variety of stories, ranging from crime and environment stories to politics, feature on Irish front pages on Thursday.
The Irish Times lead with Irish efforts to sanction Israel likely to be blocked at Thursday's EU summit, Tusla hiring security guards to restrain children during violent episodes, and large-scale illegal peat extraction still taking place.
The Irish Examiner lead with gardaí carrying out at least two controlled deliveries of firearms since 2007, in which they used garda-held decommissioned weapons to catch people trying to import firearms, Nato backing an increase in defence spending, Cork's Green Glens Arena bidding to halt the eviction of 123 Ukrainians, and a major student accommodation plan for the former Good Shepherd Convent in Sunday's Well.
The Irish Independent lead with Fine Gael being poised for an internal battle to pick a presidential hopeful when nominations open in the coming days.
The Echo lead with more gardaí expected for Cork and planning permission being granted for a 957-bed development for students on Blarney Street.
The Herald lead with a Dublin criminal who blew his hand off in a failed pipe bomb attack, having fled to the North despite requiring surgery.
The Belfast Telegraph lead with a judge telling double killer Hazel Stewart to accept that she will be serving out her sentence in prison after her third appeal attempt failed.
The Irish Daily Mail lead with peat worth €40 million being illegally extracted and exported from sites in seven counties.
The Irish Daily Star lead with a 3D-printed gun being seized in Inchicore and gardaí believing they prevented a gangland hit as a result.
The Irish Daily Mirror lead with it costing the Government €4,500 to name the new Children's Hospital the National Children's Hospital Ireland.
