5 things you need to know today

1. Gerry Adams defends use of N-word

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams Gerry Adams has defended using the N-word in a tweet about film Django Unchained in which he compared the struggle against slavery in the US to the plight of Irish nationalists.  The Louth TD faced an angry backlash from Twitter users on Sunday when he posted a tweet to his 110,000 followers using the n-word in connection with the Quentin Tarantino film. Mr Adams online posts, which have since been deleted, were picked up by the international press, including the Washington Times.

2. Nearly 600 cyclists fined under new penalty regime

Almost 600 cyclists were given on-the-spot fines for breaking red lights, cycling without lights or in pedestrianised areas, or for one of four other offences in the first six months of a new penalty regime. The number of fines issued to cyclists was described as "on the high side" by Green Party councillor and chairman of the council's transport committee Ciarán Cuffe, who suggested gardaí would better off pursuing drivers who broke speed limits and parked in cycle lanes. Indeed, regular commuters into the city often complain of poorly maintained surfaces and badly designed cycle lanes.

3. Leonardo da Vinci drawings to go on display in Dublin

A special exhibition of 10 original drawings produced by Leonardo da Vinci will go on show at the National Gallery of Ireland on Wednesday.  The works come to Dublin from the Royal Collection owned as sovereign by Queen Elizabeth II. This is the first time that da Vinci works from the Royal Collection have been put on display outside the UK. Of course, if you can't make it to the exhibition, you can view them here.

4. Frances Fitzgerald tipped to become next tánaiste

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald is favourite to be appointed tánaiste by Enda Kenny if a Fine Gael-led minority government is put in place.  Ms Fitzgerald is also expected to be appointed Fine Gael deputy leader, a post vacant since its holder James Reilly lost his seat in the general election. She is also likely to retain the justice portfolio. It might not be plain sailing for Kenny & co today as  independent TDs have warned that their agreement on a programme for government this week cannot be taken for granted ahead of a meeting with Fine Gael negotiators this morning. Meanwhile, a singer-songwriter, a surfing champion, a guitarist and LGBT campaigner, a disability crusader, a former party leader and eight former TDs are part of the colourful new Seanad. One interesting statistic to emerge following the general election is one that points to a narrowing of the gap between voter turnout in working-class and middle- class areas of Dublin city. The numbers point to increased political mobilisation among working-class voters, according to Dr Adrian Kavanagh, geographer at NUI Maynooth.

5. Leicester City’s statistics just do not add up

As  Claudio Ranieri and Louis van Gaal embraced at the end of Leicester's draw at Manchester United, the Sky camera sneaked up and earwigged on their conversation. Those watching on TV could hear Ranieri telling Van Gaal: "You are doing fantastic job. Fantastic." Van Gaal's eyes shone with gratitude. You wondered how Alex Fergusonmight have reacted to being told he was doing a fantastic job by the manager of a relatively small club that had somehow ended up 17 points ahead of Manchester United in the league table. Tottenham are left with no room for error tonight when they travel to Stamford Bridge as anything less than win for Mauricio Pochettino's side will crown Leicester champions. Back home, with seventy minutes gone on May Day everyone in Semple Stadium was riveted to their seats. Davy Fitzgerald said a replay between Waterford and Clare was the right outcome while Nicky English said the defensive nature of both teams was frustrating to watch but Waterford now have the edge

Misc

Opinion: Criticising Israel is not the same as being anti-Jewish: Opposition to Israel must not be confused with the evil hatred of Jewish people

Opinion: We face uneasy truths about the media after Hillsborough: Where will the trivialisation of reality and abandonment of sources, facts, and substantiation leave online news outlets?

Court judgment will restrict our ability to enjoy wild places: Landowners, who gladly allowed access to the Irish countryside, now likely to desist because of fears about litigation

Australian confirms his identity as Bitcoin creator - BBC: Craig Wright says he is creator of controversial digital currency Bitcoin, ending years of speculation