What the papers say: Friday's front pages

Eva Osborne

News of Israel’s security cabinet approving a plan to take over Gaza City features heavily across the front pages of Irish newspapers on Friday.

Israel’s security cabinet last night was set to approve a plan to attack Gaza city, forcing more than 800,000 residents from their homes, The Irish Times reports.

Prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu told ministers that the current military approach has failed to bring about the release of hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

The Irish Examiner reports on the how the use of painkillers has jumped, with a 25 per cent rise in opioid use and 50 per cent increase in medication containing oxycodone.

Experts have warned of addiction risks and also found Irish people use far more pain medication than patients in England, and called for better access to other types of treatment here.

The Echo's front page features a story regarding a total of 7,072 paediatric appointments and surgeries being cancelled in Cork University Hospital over the last five years, according to HSE figures.

Gardaí have carried out a search of a military barracks as part of a child sexual exploitation investigation, according to the Irish Independent.

The couple facing possible charges over alleged perjury in Conor McGregor's failed appeal have said they are not liars, the Irish Daily Star reports.

The same story takes centre stage on the front pages of the Irish Daily Mirror, which also reports on Sesko looking to seal his €85 million Manchester United deal.

The Irish Daily Mail reports on the recent spike in youth unemployment perhaps being a bad omen for the country's finances.

The Herald leads with a new report claiming drug dealing is taking place in a number of primary schools in the Dublin 15 area.