theirishtimes--2020-06-24--How gardaí uncovered a massive fraud network based in Ireland

Just under two years ago gardaí became inundated with requests for assistance from police forces in Europe all telling a similar story .
Somebody in a European country had made a purchase online – from a luxury watch to a caravan , tractor or classic car – but they had not received the goods or vehicle they had paid for .
In each case the money had left the purchaser ’ s bank account and had ended up in an account in the Republic .
The requests to track the money became so frequent that a special team was established @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to investigate what was going on .
The team of investigators , under Det Supt Michael Cryan , quickly determined that a Romanian international crime gang had set up shop in Ireland about a year earlier and was targeting victims in Ireland and across Europe .
They were offering non-existent vehicles and goods for sale at attractive prices that generated plenty of sales .
Since October 2018 , when the Garda investigation began , gardaí have established that at least 126 Romanian nationals physically present in the Republic have taken an active part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One gang member on Tuesday was handed down a 3½ year sentence for his role in the organised frauds in which the gang specialises .
At least 71 of the 126 people have opened back accounts in the State since 2017 using a total of 189 false identifications .
This has included passports and driver ’ s licences supported by forged utility bills or insurance policies to provide proof of address to banks .
Once the network of Irish accounts was up and running the gang offered non-existent goods and vehicles for sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across Europe .
When the unsuspecting buyers paid online , the money went into the Irish accounts .
The gang closely monitored all deposits into the accounts and they were withdrawn the same day , or the day after , in-branch in cash .
The vast majority of the money has never been found .
The gang involved is overwhelmingly male .
All of its members are from Romania and most come from Valcea .
The city has been dubbed “ Hackersville ” in the international media because so many international frauds have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 2018 , gardaí have uncovered the network of bank accounts in the State controlled by the gang and into which €4.7 million was deposited and then withdrawn .
Many of the gang members involved , and their accomplices based in other countries , have been linked to bank accounts across Europe into which €21.6 million has been paid , before being withdrawn , over the past three years .
In Ireland the gang was organised in five cells , in counties Dublin , Donegal and Cork .
Properties where members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been raided in recent years , yielding a vast array of false identifications and forged documents .
The gang is known for meticulous planning , with its members keeping receipts for day-to-day expenses and being reimbursed for same .
In the event members of the gang , even junior criminals , are jailed for periods after being arrested , the gang pays small sums of money into prisons for them to spend in jail tuck shops .
It also provides for the families of any of its members when they are in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartment in north Dublin were also travelling to Finland and running a fraud base there , using the same modus operandi .
Another cell , which operated between an address in Dublin ’ s south inner city and Wexford , was also operating a base in the UK and another in the Netherlands .
A third cell , based in Co Donegal , was also operating in Northern Ireland and Scotland .
When gardaí raided the properties in Ireland linked to the gang the evidence found there revealed a highly organised and disciplined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had been university educated in Romania .
Every bank account opened was given its own shoe box and in that box was stored a mobile phone and SIM card along with any financial or other documentation related to the account .
The same phone or SIM was only ever used to conduct business linked to one account .
That precaution ensured a phone or the person operating it could not be linked to other accounts or transactions across the criminal network .
While many of the bank accounts were opened using false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names of the account holders , or money mules .
These were Romanian people flown into Ireland for the purposes of opening one or more bank accounts .
If they simply opened accounts and then surrendered each one for use by the gang they would receive a once-off payment of €400 per account and fly back to Romania .
However , if they agreed to stay in Ireland and conduct the business linked to the accounts they opened , such as making withdrawals of cash in bank branches , they would be paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the gang .
When they flew to Ireland , transport would be provided to the airport in Romania and at the other end in Dublin , where they would be collected at the airport and taken to their accommodation .
Their flights and accommodation would be paid for in advance , and once they kept receipts for any other expenses incurred while in Ireland they would be reimbursed that money on their return to Romania .

Just under two years ago gardaí became inundated with requests for assistance from police forces in Europe all telling a similar story. Somebody in a European country had made a purchase online – from a luxury watch to a caravan, tractor or classic car – but they had not received the goods or vehicle they had paid for.
In each case the money had left the purchaser's bank account and had ended up in an account in the Republic. The requests to track the money became so frequent that a special team was established in the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau to investigate what was going on.
The team of investigators, under Det Supt Michael Cryan, quickly determined that a Romanian international crime gang had set up shop in Ireland about a year earlier and was targeting victims in Ireland and across Europe.
They were offering non-existent vehicles and goods for sale at attractive prices that generated plenty of sales. Since October 2018, when the Garda investigation began, gardaí have established that at least 126 Romanian nationals physically present in the Republic have taken an active part in the gang’s activities.
READ MORE
One gang member on Tuesday was handed down a 3½ year sentence for his role in the organised frauds in which the gang specialises.
At least 71 of the 126 people have opened back accounts in the State since 2017 using a total of 189 false identifications. This has included passports and driver’s licences supported by forged utility bills or insurance policies to provide proof of address to banks.
Secondhand websites
Once the network of Irish accounts was up and running the gang offered non-existent goods and vehicles for sale on secondhand marketplace websites in Ireland and across Europe. When the unsuspecting buyers paid online, the money went into the Irish accounts. The gang closely monitored all deposits into the accounts and they were withdrawn the same day, or the day after, in-branch in cash. The vast majority of the money has never been found.
The gang involved is overwhelmingly male. All of its members are from Romania and most come from Valcea. The city has been dubbed "Hackersville" in the international media because so many international frauds have been traced to the region.
Since October 2018, gardaí have uncovered the network of bank accounts in the State controlled by the gang and into which €4.7 million was deposited and then withdrawn. Many of the gang members involved, and their accomplices based in other countries, have been linked to bank accounts across Europe into which €21.6 million has been paid, before being withdrawn, over the past three years.
In Ireland the gang was organised in five cells, in counties Dublin, Donegal and Cork. Properties where members of the gang were living in those counties have been raided in recent years, yielding a vast array of false identifications and forged documents.
The gang is known for meticulous planning, with its members keeping receipts for day-to-day expenses and being reimbursed for same. In the event members of the gang, even junior criminals, are jailed for periods after being arrested, the gang pays small sums of money into prisons for them to spend in jail tuck shops. It also provides for the families of any of its members when they are in prison.
The cell members based in an apartment in north Dublin were also travelling to Finland and running a fraud base there, using the same modus operandi. Another cell, which operated between an address in Dublin's south inner city and Wexford, was also operating a base in the UK and another in the Netherlands. A third cell, based in Co Donegal, was also operating in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Highly disciplined
When gardaí raided the properties in Ireland linked to the gang the evidence found there revealed a highly organised and disciplined criminal network, populated by many members who had been university educated in Romania.
Every bank account opened was given its own shoe box and in that box was stored a mobile phone and SIM card along with any financial or other documentation related to the account. The same phone or SIM was only ever used to conduct business linked to one account. That precaution ensured a phone or the person operating it could not be linked to other accounts or transactions across the criminal network.
While many of the bank accounts were opened using false identification, others were opened in the names of the account holders, or money mules. These were Romanian people flown into Ireland for the purposes of opening one or more bank accounts. If they simply opened accounts and then surrendered each one for use by the gang they would receive a once-off payment of €400 per account and fly back to Romania. However, if they agreed to stay in Ireland and conduct the business linked to the accounts they opened, such as making withdrawals of cash in bank branches, they would be paid 5 per cent of everything they withdrew for the gang.
When they flew to Ireland, transport would be provided to the airport in Romania and at the other end in Dublin, where they would be collected at the airport and taken to their accommodation. Their flights and accommodation would be paid for in advance, and once they kept receipts for any other expenses incurred while in Ireland they would be reimbursed that money on their return to Romania.


theirishtimes--2020-06-24--Gardaí identify 126 members of crime gang operating in Ireland

Gardaí have identified 126 members of one of the largest ever organised crime groups working in the Republic which has laundered at least €4.7 million from its crimes in the State .
The same gang has laundered at least €21 million across Europe and is the focus of a major criminal justice inquiry throughout the European Union , The Irish Times has learned .
It is known for meticulous planning , with its members keeping receipts for day-to-day expenses and being reimbursed for same .
In the event members of the gang , even junior criminals , are jailed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pays small sums of money into prisons for them to spend in jail tuck shops .
It also provides for the families of any of its members when they are in prison .
Since late 2018 Det Supt Michael Cryan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau has led the Irish investigation into the gang , which has been organised into five “ cells ” in the Republic ; in Donegal , Cork and Dublin .
The gang ’ s members are all from Romania and most come from Valcea city in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One gang member on Tuesday was handed down a 3½ year sentence for his role in the organised frauds in which the gang specialises .
They offered non-existent goods for sale on trader websites in Ireland and across Europe including cars , caravans , farm machinery and luxury jewellery .
When unsuspected buyers purchased the vehicles or goods online , their money disappeared but their purchases never arrived .
The money paid by the victims went into bank accounts set up using fake identifications and other forged documents .
To date , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened since 2017 by 71 different gang members using 189 false identifications and into which €4.7 million has been paid and withdrawn in cash by the gang members .
The gang is also under investigation by police forces from the UK , Finland , Poland , Holland , Germany , Sweden , Spain , Croatia and Portugal .
It has been linked to bank accounts in Europe , excluding Ireland , through which €21.6 million has passed in the past three years .

Gardaí have identified 126 members of one of the largest ever organised crime groups working in the Republic which has laundered at least €4.7 million from its crimes in the State.
The same gang has laundered at least €21 million across Europe and is the focus of a major criminal justice inquiry throughout the European Union, The Irish Times has learned.
It is known for meticulous planning, with its members keeping receipts for day-to-day expenses and being reimbursed for same. In the event members of the gang, even junior criminals, are jailed for periods after being arrested, the gang pays small sums of money into prisons for them to spend in jail tuck shops. It also provides for the families of any of its members when they are in prison.
Since late 2018 Det Supt Michael Cryan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau has led the Irish investigation into the gang, which has been organised into five "cells" in the Republic; in Donegal, Cork and Dublin.
READ MORE
The gang's members are all from Romania and most come from Valcea city in the south central region of the country. One gang member on Tuesday was handed down a 3½ year sentence for his role in the organised frauds in which the gang specialises.
Trader websites
They offered non-existent goods for sale on trader websites in Ireland and across Europe including cars, caravans, farm machinery and luxury jewellery. When unsuspected buyers purchased the vehicles or goods online, their money disappeared but their purchases never arrived. The money paid by the victims went into bank accounts set up using fake identifications and other forged documents.
To date, the Garda has uncovered accounts in the Republic opened since 2017 by 71 different gang members using 189 false identifications and into which €4.7 million has been paid and withdrawn in cash by the gang members.
The gang is also under investigation by police forces from the UK, Finland, Poland, Holland, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Croatia and Portugal. It has been linked to bank accounts in Europe, excluding Ireland, through which €21.6 million has passed in the past three years.


theirishtimes--2020-06-24--Coronavirus: Ireland plans ‘air bridges’ with countries where Covid-19 is under control

Restrictions are likely to be eased only for those arriving into Ireland from countries which have brought coronavirus under control , despite a State-appointed taskforce calling for the existing two-week quarantine requirement to be dropped completely .
Government sources said Ministers were likely to stick with plans for so-called “ air bridges ” between Ireland and other countries which have brought the virus under control , with the issue potentially being discussed by Cabinet in the coming days .
The State-appointed Taskforce for Aviation Recovery on Tuesday called for the current requirement for those arriving into the State to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely .
An interim report from the group called for the quarantine to be dropped by July 1st , adding : “ A 14-day quarantine period makes non-essential and discretionary travel challenging , and inhibits business-related travel , which is critical for the Irish economy .
“ The taskforce notes that implementation of efficient test and trace regimes can provide effective alternatives to the current 14-day quarantine measure.
” Despite this , well-placed sources said any easing would apply only to travel from other countries where Covid-19 had been controlled .
And Taoiseach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Time on Tuesday night that Ireland needed to be very “ careful and cautious ” and the country would likely be “ paired ” with other countries which have tackled the virus .
Mr Varadkar has said the issue would be discussed by a Cabinet committee this week , with other sources suggesting it may also be discussed by the full Cabinet on Thursday , which could be the last such meeting of the Fine Gael-Independent minority administration .
While the taskforce argues that the Republic should lift travel restrictions “ ideally ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no date has yet been decided for the easing of restrictions , with one figure saying changes could be made “ potentially some time in July ” .
Two weeks ago , the Cabinet considered proposals to lift such restrictions to other EU states as early as the end of this month but did not take a decision .
Ministers are due to return to the issue this week .
Regulations that require those arriving in Ireland to tell the authorities where they will self-isolate are in place until July 9th , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force for even longer .
Industry figures have criticised the 14-day quarantine .
Ryanair chief executive Michael O ’ Leary dismissed it as impossible to implement .
The taskforce admits the Republic is “ significantly behind ” other EU member states in lifting Covid-19 travel restrictions , despite being as or more successful in containing the pandemic .
Meanwhile , all schools will be required to have designated isolation areas for any staff or pupils with symptoms of Covid-19 , according to new official guidance .
In addition , all teachers and special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to undergo Covid-19 induction training prior to returning to the classroom .
Staff will not be required to wear personal protective equipment with the exception of circumstances such as providing first aid or dealing with suspected Covid-19 cases .
However , masks should be provided to any staff member or pupil who has symptoms of the virus .
A department spokesman said these details were still being finalised in conjunction with public health officials and were due to be published later this week .
Minister for Education Joe McHugh has said his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with no requirement for physical distancing between pupils on the basis that many would not be able to return to school otherwise .

Regulations requiring those arriving in Ireland to tell the authorities where they will self-isolate are in place until July 9th. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Restrictions are likely to be eased only for those arriving into Ireland from countries which have brought coronavirus under control, despite a State-appointed taskforce calling for the existing two-week quarantine requirement to be dropped completely.
Government sources said Ministers were likely to stick with plans for so-called “air bridges” between Ireland and other countries which have brought the virus under control, with the issue potentially being discussed by Cabinet in the coming days.
The State-appointed Taskforce for Aviation Recovery on Tuesday called for the current requirement for those arriving into the State to be quarantined for 14 days to be dropped completely.
An interim report from the group called for the quarantine to be dropped by July 1st, adding: “A 14-day quarantine period makes non-essential and discretionary travel challenging, and inhibits business-related travel, which is critical for the Irish economy.
READ MORE
“The taskforce notes that implementation of efficient test and trace regimes can provide effective alternatives to the current 14-day quarantine measure.”
Despite this, well-placed sources said any easing would apply only to travel from other countries where Covid-19 had been controlled. And Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told RTÉ's Prime Time on Tuesday night that Ireland needed to be very "careful and cautious" and the country would likely be "paired" with other countries which have tackled the virus.
Mr Varadkar has said the issue would be discussed by a Cabinet committee this week, with other sources suggesting it may also be discussed by the full Cabinet on Thursday, which could be the last such meeting of the Fine Gael-Independent minority administration.
While the taskforce argues that the Republic should lift travel restrictions “ideally” by July 1st, well-placed sources say no date has yet been decided for the easing of restrictions, with one figure saying changes could be made “potentially some time in July”.
Two weeks ago, the Cabinet considered proposals to lift such restrictions to other EU states as early as the end of this month but did not take a decision. Ministers are due to return to the issue this week.
Regulations that require those arriving in Ireland to tell the authorities where they will self-isolate are in place until July 9th, with some sources suggesting they will be in force for even longer.
Industry figures have criticised the 14-day quarantine. Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary dismissed it as impossible to implement.
The taskforce admits the Republic is “significantly behind” other EU member states in lifting Covid-19 travel restrictions, despite being as or more successful in containing the pandemic.
School isolation areas
Meanwhile, all schools will be required to have designated isolation areas for any staff or pupils with symptoms of Covid-19, according to new official guidance.
In addition, all teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) will be required to undergo Covid-19 induction training prior to returning to the classroom.
Staff will not be required to wear personal protective equipment with the exception of circumstances such as providing first aid or dealing with suspected Covid-19 cases.
However, masks should be provided to any staff member or pupil who has symptoms of the virus.
A department spokesman said these details were still being finalised in conjunction with public health officials and were due to be published later this week.
Minister for Education Joe McHugh has said his preference is for schools to reopen fully with no requirement for physical distancing between pupils on the basis that many would not be able to return to school otherwise.


theirishtimes--2020-06-24--Schools to set up isolation areas for those with Covid-19 symptoms

All schools will be required to have designated isolation areas for any staff or pupils with symptoms of Covid-19 , according to new official guidance .
In addition , all teachers and special needs assistants ( SNAs ) will be required to undergo Covid-19 induction training prior to returning to the classroom .
Staff will not be required to wear personal protective equipment ( PPE ) with the exception of circumstances such as providing first aid or dealing with suspected Covid-19 cases .
However , masks should be provided to any staff member or pupil who has symptoms of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Department of Education School Covid-19 Response Plan , which is being circulated to schools ahead of the start of a summer catch-up programme for children with special needs .
Similar rules are expected to apply to all schools when they reopen to all students in late August and September .
The guidance , however , does not state what physical distancing rules will apply when schools reopen .
A department spokesman said these details were still being finalised in conjunction with public health officials and were due to be published later this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any staff or pupils with symptoms of the virus will be asked to leave safely or be transported home by a family member .
Public transport of any kind should not be used .
In addition , schools will be required to limit access to the building to essential workers only and keep a detailed log of people arriving in and out of school .
Handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers must be made available at multiple locations within the school facility and should be available in each classroom .
Staff will also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment and utensils such as cups , cutlery and plates .
Minister for Education Joe McHugh has said his preference is for schools to reopen fully with no requirement for physical distancing between pupils on the basis that many would not be able to return to school otherwise .
The department , meanwhile , has faced criticism for the delay in providing detailed guidance to schools on physical distancing just days ahead of the end of the academic year and the start of the summer catch-up programme .
Fórsa , the trade union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , warned that the absence of detailed guidance was deterring many schools and staff from opting in to the summer programme .
“ Without this guidance schools do not know how many students can attend , what PPE such as masks will be required , and what new hygiene regime will be required , ” it said , in a statement .
The Irish National Teachers ’ Organisation ( INTO ) said while some practical guidance had been issued to schools this week , it was imperative the department moved quickly to issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns of schools , teachers and parents .
It said those signing up to the summer programme must be confident that they can participate in this scheme in a safe manner , with thorough guidance available to school boards of management , principals and teachers who choose to participate .
The guidance comes as three new Covid-19-related deaths were reported in the Republic as well as 10 new confirmed cases .
The latest figures reported on Tuesday evening by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) bring total deaths to 1,720 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25,391 , as of midnight on Monday .
It said 18,368 tests for the virus had been carried out in the past week , of which 97 were positive .
This indicates a positivity rate of 0.5 per cent .
In Northern Ireland , meanwhile , no new cases were reported for the second time since mid-March .
However , the North ’ s Department of Health reported one more person with coronavirus had died , bringing the total number of fatalities to 546 .

Cleaning crews work to deep clean a primary school in Melbourne, Australia, after some students tested positive for Covid-19 this week. Photograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty
All schools will be required to have designated isolation areas for any staff or pupils with symptoms of Covid-19, according to new official guidance.
In addition, all teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) will be required to undergo Covid-19 induction training prior to returning to the classroom.
Staff will not be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) with the exception of circumstances such as providing first aid or dealing with suspected Covid-19 cases.
However, masks should be provided to any staff member or pupil who has symptoms of the virus.
READ MORE
The guidance is contained in a Department of Education School Covid-19 Response Plan, which is being circulated to schools ahead of the start of a summer catch-up programme for children with special needs.
Similar rules are expected to apply to all schools when they reopen to all students in late August and September.
The guidance, however, does not state what physical distancing rules will apply when schools reopen.
A department spokesman said these details were still being finalised in conjunction with public health officials and were due to be published later this week.
Under the latest guidance, any staff or pupils with symptoms of the virus will be asked to leave safely or be transported home by a family member. Public transport of any kind should not be used.
In addition, schools will be required to limit access to the building to essential workers only and keep a detailed log of people arriving in and out of school.
Handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers must be made available at multiple locations within the school facility and should be available in each classroom.
Staff will also be required to use and clean their own equipment and utensils such as cups, cutlery and plates.
Minister for Education Joe McHugh has said his preference is for schools to reopen fully with no requirement for physical distancing between pupils on the basis that many would not be able to return to school otherwise.
Criticism
The department, meanwhile, has faced criticism for the delay in providing detailed guidance to schools on physical distancing just days ahead of the end of the academic year and the start of the summer catch-up programme.
Fórsa, the trade union which represents 12,000 school staff including SNAs, warned that the absence of detailed guidance was deterring many schools and staff from opting in to the summer programme.
“Without this guidance schools do not know how many students can attend, what PPE such as masks will be required, and what new hygiene regime will be required,” it said, in a statement.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) said while some practical guidance had been issued to schools this week, it was imperative the department moved quickly to issue expert public health advice to allay any concerns of schools, teachers and parents.
It said those signing up to the summer programme must be confident that they can participate in this scheme in a safe manner, with thorough guidance available to school boards of management, principals and teachers who choose to participate.
New cases
The guidance comes as three new Covid-19-related deaths were reported in the Republic as well as 10 new confirmed cases.
The latest figures reported on Tuesday evening by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) bring total deaths to 1,720 and the total number of cases to 25,391, as of midnight on Monday.
It said 18,368 tests for the virus had been carried out in the past week, of which 97 were positive. This indicates a positivity rate of 0.5 per cent. In Northern Ireland, meanwhile, no new cases were reported for the second time since mid-March. However, the North’s Department of Health reported one more person with coronavirus had died, bringing the total number of fatalities to 546.


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Dublin city traffic back to 75% of pre-Covid levels

Traffic volumes in Dublin city have returned to 75 per cent of their pre-coronavirus levels , according to new figures from Dublin City Council .
The number of vehicles travelling in and out of the city at morning and evening peak times began to drop rapidly from the first week in March , hitting a low at the end of the month when strict Covid-19 restrictions on travel were introduced .
At that point , when travel was restricted to 2km except for essential reasons and most businesses were closed , traffic volumes fell to just over a third of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no change to the restrictions over the following month , traffic crept back to more than 40 per cent of normal levels at the start of May .
Since then , peak-time traffic has risen steadily as travel and business restrictions have eased , with the largest jump seen from the start to the middle of this month when most shops in the city centre reopened .
At the end of the first week in June , traffic was at about 60 per cent of its pre-pandemic volumes and by June 21st , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The rise in traffic has been matched by calls from the public for a reallocation of roadspace to cyclists and pedestrians .
Since April the council has been gradually implementing a Covid-19 “ mobility intervention programme ” .
Parking spaces and loading bays have been annexed for pedestrians , and segregated cyclepaths , protected by bollards , have been installed at a number of locations , including the Liffey quays .
The council is also phasing traffic out of College Green .
In recent weeks flower boxes were installed in front of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Green to protect cycling facilities from traffic .
While , on Wednesday morning the bus-stop lane on the opposite side of the road , from Trinity College to Church Lane , has been reallocated for footpath space .
Buses will now stop in what is an existing traffic lane , leaving one lane for traffic .
More than 700 requests for “ mobility measures ” including footpath widening , more space at bus stops , segregated cycling facilities , and contraflow cycle lanes have been made to the council since April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would take 100 years to resurface the city ’ s roads at the current levels of investment .
Government funding for the maintenance of the city ’ s 1,250km of roads has fallen from €7.65 million in 2011 to €5.78 million this year .
Over the same period road construction costs have increased by 50 per cent .

Road works continue on College Green, Dublin to removed a traffic lane and make cycling and walking in the city safer. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Traffic volumes in Dublin city have returned to 75 per cent of their pre-coronavirus levels, according to new figures from Dublin City Council.
The number of vehicles travelling in and out of the city at morning and evening peak times began to drop rapidly from the first week in March, hitting a low at the end of the month when strict Covid-19 restrictions on travel were introduced.
At that point, when travel was restricted to 2km except for essential reasons and most businesses were closed, traffic volumes fell to just over a third of their normal levels.
However, despite no change to the restrictions over the following month, traffic crept back to more than 40 per cent of normal levels at the start of May.
READ MORE
Since then, peak-time traffic has risen steadily as travel and business restrictions have eased, with the largest jump seen from the start to the middle of this month when most shops in the city centre reopened.
At the end of the first week in June, traffic was at about 60 per cent of its pre-pandemic volumes and by June 21st, it had hit 75 per cent.
The rise in traffic has been matched by calls from the public for a reallocation of roadspace to cyclists and pedestrians.
Since April the council has been gradually implementing a Covid-19 “mobility intervention programme”.
Parking spaces and loading bays have been annexed for pedestrians, and segregated cyclepaths, protected by bollards, have been installed at a number of locations, including the Liffey quays.
The council is also phasing traffic out of College Green. In recent weeks flower boxes were installed in front of the Bank of Ireland on the northbound side of the Green to protect cycling facilities from traffic.
While, on Wednesday morning the bus-stop lane on the opposite side of the road, from Trinity College to Church Lane, has been reallocated for footpath space. Buses will now stop in what is an existing traffic lane, leaving one lane for traffic.
More than 700 requests for “mobility measures” including footpath widening, more space at bus stops, segregated cycling facilities, and contraflow cycle lanes have been made to the council since April.
Meanwhile councillors were told on Wednesday it would take 100 years to resurface the city’s roads at the current levels of investment.
Government funding for the maintenance of the city’s 1,250km of roads has fallen from €7.65 million in 2011 to €5.78 million this year.
Over the same period road construction costs have increased by 50 per cent.


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Garda believe Kinahan’s efforts to rebrand himself have backfired

An announcement suggesting drugs gang leader Daniel Kinahan had lost his position advising and arranging fights for Tyson Fury would ensure the heavyweight boxer ’ s earnings were not impacted , Garda officers believe .
However , members of the Garda also believe Kinahan ’ s efforts to rebrand himself as a pro boxing deal-maker had backfired and had also undermined his position both in the sport and in the underworld .
While the 42-year-old Dubliner has been living in the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) , whose police and criminal justice authorities have been slow to aid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe Kinahan has “ red-flagged himself ” internationally .
“ He ’ s tried to relaunch himself as a key figure at the top of pro boxing but really he ’ s only brought a lot of attention on himself internationally ; the wrong sort of attention , ” one senior officer told The Irish Times , of recent coverage in British and US media detailing court cases linking Kinahan to the Kinahan organised crime group .
Gardaí are now hopeful the authorities in the UAE may become less tolerant of Kinahan ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the work of investigators in Ireland .
The High Court and Special Criminal Court have both accepted Garda evidence stating Kinahan was the leader of the Kinahan organised crime group which trafficked drugs and guns .
The Special Criminal Court accepted Garda evidence the Kinahan crime group was involved in execution-style murders in the context of feuding .
Kinahan has acted as an adviser to Tyson Fury for the past three years .
The week before last , Fury thanked Kinahan for arranging a two-fight deal next year under which he would face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the biggest in British boxing history , adding Kinahan had gotten the deal “ over the line ” .
A number of Irish and British politicians , including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar , immediately expressed concern about Kinahan ’ s emergence as a public figure in boxing and his efforts over a number of months to rebrand himself .
Yesterday the Telegraph newspaper in Britain published an interview with Fury ’ s boxing promoter , Bob Arum , who said Kinahan would no longer be involved in negotiations when Fury ’ s fights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own company , Top Rank , and Fury himself would make the deals , but added they both still “ love , admire and respect ” Kinahan .
“ Both Tyson and I have each discussed this with Dan and he is amenable and satisfied and wished us luck .
He only wants the best for Tyson Fury , ” Arum said .
In recent months an online book was published as well as a rap video and an online documentary , all suggesting Kinahan was a legitimate businessman who was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Government in Ireland .
In the weeks after that content was published it was announced Kinahan was working for KHK Sport , founded by a member of the Bahraini royal family , that he had brokered a deal between KHK Sport and MTK Global , had arranged a summit in Bahrain about the future of pro boxing and that he had also arranged the two-fight deal between Fury and Joshua .
However , just last week KHK Sports asked the Bahraini government to issue a statement explaining the firm had now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after his role was announced .
While Garda sources say Kinahan remains a significant figure in pro boxing , the fact he had been publicly distanced by KHK Sport and now distanced from working for Fury was clear evidence his efforts to emerge as a public figure of some note in professional boxing were failing .

Daniel Kinahan: Gardaí are hopeful the authorities in the UAE may become less tolerant of Kinahan’s presence there and more co-operative with the work of investigators in Ireland. Photograph: Collins
An announcement suggesting drugs gang leader Daniel Kinahan had lost his position advising and arranging fights for Tyson Fury would ensure the heavyweight boxer's earnings were not impacted, Garda officers believe.
However, members of the Garda also believe Kinahan’s efforts to rebrand himself as a pro boxing deal-maker had backfired and had also undermined his position both in the sport and in the underworld.
While the 42-year-old Dubliner has been living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), whose police and criminal justice authorities have been slow to aid the Garda, some security sources in Dublin believe Kinahan has "red-flagged himself" internationally.
“He’s tried to relaunch himself as a key figure at the top of pro boxing but really he’s only brought a lot of attention on himself internationally; the wrong sort of attention,” one senior officer told The Irish Times, of recent coverage in British and US media detailing court cases linking Kinahan to the Kinahan organised crime group.
READ MORE
Gardaí are now hopeful the authorities in the UAE may become less tolerant of Kinahan’s presence there and more co-operative with the work of investigators in Ireland.
The High Court and Special Criminal Court have both accepted Garda evidence stating Kinahan was the leader of the Kinahan organised crime group which trafficked drugs and guns.
The Special Criminal Court accepted Garda evidence the Kinahan crime group was involved in execution-style murders in the context of feuding.
Kinahan has acted as an adviser to Tyson Fury for the past three years.
The week before last, Fury thanked Kinahan for arranging a two-fight deal next year under which he would face Anthony Joshua.
He described the deal as the biggest in British boxing history, adding Kinahan had gotten the deal “over the line”.
Media coverage
A number of Irish and British politicians, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, immediately expressed concern about Kinahan’s emergence as a public figure in boxing and his efforts over a number of months to rebrand himself.
Significant media coverage followed, linking Kinahan to organised crime.
Yesterday the Telegraph newspaper in Britain published an interview with Fury’s boxing promoter, Bob Arum, who said Kinahan would no longer be involved in negotiations when Fury’s fights were being arranged.
Arum added that his own company, Top Rank, and Fury himself would make the deals, but added they both still “love, admire and respect” Kinahan.
“Both Tyson and I have each discussed this with Dan and he is amenable and satisfied and wished us luck. He only wants the best for Tyson Fury,” Arum said.
In recent months an online book was published as well as a rap video and an online documentary, all suggesting Kinahan was a legitimate businessman who was the victim of a conspiracy by the Garda and the Government in Ireland.
In the weeks after that content was published it was announced Kinahan was working for KHK Sport, founded by a member of the Bahraini royal family, that he had brokered a deal between KHK Sport and MTK Global, had arranged a summit in Bahrain about the future of pro boxing and that he had also arranged the two-fight deal between Fury and Joshua.
However, just last week KHK Sports asked the Bahraini government to issue a statement explaining the firm had now parted company with Kinahan, just weeks after his role was announced.
While Garda sources say Kinahan remains a significant figure in pro boxing, the fact he had been publicly distanced by KHK Sport and now distanced from working for Fury was clear evidence his efforts to emerge as a public figure of some note in professional boxing were failing.


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--A carbohydrate ‘Velcro’ to snare agents of disease

Lokesh , your research looks at the science of sugars in nature , can you explain ?
I ’ m interested in carbohydrates .
By that I don ’ t mean the sugars we eat , but rather the carbohydrates that help cells to sense and interact with their surroundings .
For example , plant and animal cells , bacteria , fungi and virus particles all have protein and carbohydrate structures called glycoproteins on their outer surfaces .
These glycoproteins have specific shapes that can lock together in a handshake between the surfaces .
If they fit together , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Does this happen in Covid-19 ?
Yes , the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 has spike-glycoproteins ( S-glycoprotein ) on its surface , and these can lock onto specific receptors on human cells .
This means the virus can get inside our cells .
Recent reports suggest that mutations in S-glycoprotein has helped the virus “ jump ” from animal to human host .
What have you been working on during the pandemic ?
One of the technologies I am involved in is a carbohydrate-based molecular “ Velcro ” to capture pathogens or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m the founder of a start-up called Aquila Bioscience , and we have developed a wipe that is coated with carbohydrates that grab hold of bacteria and viruses and potentially dangerous substances .
You can wipe your face and eyes and hands with this wipe , as well as surfaces .
It not only removes the agent , but also captures it so it can be tested .
We have been working with Defence Forces Ireland and the European Defence Agency on it , and during the pandemic we have shown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pathogens tested so far .
Testing of Covid-19 virus is ongoing in a defence lab in the US .
We are now piloting the wipes with frontline agencies .
What else do you look at ?
I see living organisms , including our bodies , as incredible sensor systems .
We don ’ t have a dashboard in front of us like in a car to tell us how various parts are performing , but we can look at a molecular level and figure out what is going on in health and disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the carbohydrates in mucus , a protective barrier that lines surfaces in our bodies .
We are also working on a large European project to find carbohydrate signatures in urine that can tell us about a person ’ s nutrition , and we have been exploring how chronic stress alters carbohydrates in the body .
You are vice-president for research at NUI Galway – what are your thoughts on research in the pandemic ?
I think the pandemic has shown the world that we are all deeply connected , and that research is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is part of the recovery .
The pandemic has fostered a wonderful culture of collaboration and I am excited to see , for example , biologists working with data scientists and looking for that deeper understanding of viral infection and our response to it .
But for researchers it is also a time of great uncertainty and stress , and we need to support them and help them face this with resilience as we learn to do our research in new ways .
And finally , what has been keeping you on an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am connecting with my family and getting out in the garden and going for walks when possible .
I also try to start each day by meditating , to bring a sense of stillness and clarity to myself , and recognising the anxiety around not having as much certainty or control in our lives as we may have thought we did .

Lokesh, your research looks at the science of sugars in nature, can you explain?
I’m interested in carbohydrates. By that I don’t mean the sugars we eat, but rather the carbohydrates that help cells to sense and interact with their surroundings. For example, plant and animal cells, bacteria, fungi and virus particles all have protein and carbohydrate structures called glycoproteins on their outer surfaces. These glycoproteins have specific shapes that can lock together in a handshake between the surfaces. If they fit together, this is a form of recognition or sensing.
Does this happen in Covid-19?
Yes, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 has spike-glycoproteins (S-glycoprotein) on its surface, and these can lock onto specific receptors on human cells. This means the virus can get inside our cells. Recent reports suggest that mutations in S-glycoprotein has helped the virus “jump” from animal to human host.
READ MORE
What have you been working on during the pandemic?
One of the technologies I am involved in is a carbohydrate-based molecular "Velcro" to capture pathogens or other agents that could be harmful. I'm the founder of a start-up called Aquila Bioscience, and we have developed a wipe that is coated with carbohydrates that grab hold of bacteria and viruses and potentially dangerous substances.
You can wipe your face and eyes and hands with this wipe, as well as surfaces. It not only removes the agent, but also captures it so it can be tested. We have been working with Defence Forces Ireland and the European Defence Agency on it, and during the pandemic we have shown that the "Velcro" captures all pathogens tested so far. Testing of Covid-19 virus is ongoing in a defence lab in the US. We are now piloting the wipes with frontline agencies.
What else do you look at?
I see living organisms, including our bodies, as incredible sensor systems. We don’t have a dashboard in front of us like in a car to tell us how various parts are performing, but we can look at a molecular level and figure out what is going on in health and disease.
So my lab is looking at the carbohydrates in mucus, a protective barrier that lines surfaces in our bodies. We are also working on a large European project to find carbohydrate signatures in urine that can tell us about a person’s nutrition, and we have been exploring how chronic stress alters carbohydrates in the body.
You are vice-president for research at NUI Galway – what are your thoughts on research in the pandemic?
I think the pandemic has shown the world that we are all deeply connected, and that research is a way out of Covid-19, it is part of the recovery. The pandemic has fostered a wonderful culture of collaboration and I am excited to see, for example, biologists working with data scientists and looking for that deeper understanding of viral infection and our response to it.
But for researchers it is also a time of great uncertainty and stress, and we need to support them and help them face this with resilience as we learn to do our research in new ways.
And finally, what has been keeping you on an even keel during the Covid-19 restrictions?
I am connecting with my family and getting out in the garden and going for walks when possible. I also try to start each day by meditating, to bring a sense of stillness and clarity to myself, and recognising the anxiety around not having as much certainty or control in our lives as we may have thought we did.


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Rise in far-right and Islamic extremism activity in Ireland last year, says Europol

Ireland saw a sharp increase in the activities of far-right and Islamic extremists last year , according to the EU ’ s joint police agency .
In the past Ireland usually only featured in the EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report in the context of dissident republican terrorism .
However , for the first time Europol , which compiles the report based on data from member states ’ police forces , has warned of increasing far-right activity in the State including the presence of “ known criminal elements ” and attacks on direct provision centres .
The report also states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ jihadi terrorism ” last year .
One of these was Lisa Smith , the Dundalk woman who returned from Syria with her daughter in December .
She is currently before the courts charged with membership of the Islamist terrorist organisation .
Four others were arrested on suspicion of financing Islamist terrorist activities .
The four - three women and one man - who were members of the same family , were arrested by the Special Detective Unit in January of last year .
They have not yet faced any charges .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ ethno-nationalist and separatist terrorists ” in Ireland , a category which usually includes dissident republicans .
This data point has led to confusion among security officials who spoke to The Irish Times on Wednesday .
They pointed out several arrests of suspected dissidents were carried out last year which are a matter of public record .
This includes Paul Casey and Robert O ’ Leary , who were arrested in Dublin by the Special Detective Unit in August in relation to a cross-Border investigation into the discovery of a car bomb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Belfast .
Proceedings against Mr Casey have since been struck out while Mr O ’ Leary remains before the courts charged with membership of an illegal organisation .
Europol and the Garda have yet to respond to queries about the apparent discrepancy in the report .
Dissident paramilitary groups remain the biggest threat on the island of Ireland .
There were 147 dissident arrests in Northern Ireland last year and 56 “ security-related incidents by dissident republican ( DR ) groups ” .
Islamic extremism , ethno-nationalism and left-wing groups remain the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of numbers of attacks .
Jihadis were responsible for 10 terrorism-related deaths and 21 attacks in the EU last year with far-right extremists responsible for three deaths and six attacks .
Europol warns there is also growing threat from right-wing extremism in Ireland .
Security sources say there has been a marked increase in extremist racist and white-national content being shared among internet users in Ireland .
In November , the database of the neo-Nazi Iron March website , whose members were notorious for advocating violence against minorities , was leaked online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The issue of direct provision also saw the involvement of far-right activists in protests in various towns last year .
One direct provision centre in Rooskey was set on fire twice last year while the car of Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny was set alight after he publicly supported a proposal to accommodate asylum seekers in Ballinamore .
Gardaí have not ascribed a motive for the incidents or arrested any suspects .
Europol said “ known criminal elements have been identified as affiliated with right-wing protests ” in Ireland and that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for online donations , partially in cryptocurrencies ” .
It receives most of its data from police agencies , indicating the Garda views far-right extremism as a growing threat here .
It has yet to respond to requests for comment .
According to Europol there is “ a strong international network involving right-wing extremists from Ireland , other European countries and the USA ” .
There is also evidence this activity has ramped up in Ireland since the start of the coronavirus pandemic , although it is not clear how much of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CVE , a London-based technology company focusing on violent extremism , studied thousands of tweets posted by users following an alleged assault incident involving a black suspect recently .
Many of the posts expressed racist or anti-immigration views , including advocating violence against black people .
Moonshot found only 39 per cent of the tweets were sent by Irish users , with 14 per cent coming from the UK and 18 per cent from the US .

The report also states that gardaí arrested five people people suspected of “jihadi terrorism” last year. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA
Ireland saw a sharp increase in the activities of far-right and Islamic extremists last year, according to the EU's joint police agency.
In the past Ireland usually only featured in the EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report in the context of dissident republican terrorism.
However, for the first time Europol, which compiles the report based on data from member states' police forces, has warned of increasing far-right activity in the State including the presence of "known criminal elements" and attacks on direct provision centres.
The report also states that gardaí arrested five people people suspected of "jihadi terrorism" last year. One of these was Lisa Smith, the Dundalk woman who returned from Syria with her daughter in December. She is currently before the courts charged with membership of the Islamist terrorist organisation.
READ MORE
Four others were arrested on suspicion of financing Islamist terrorist activities. The four - three women and one man - who were members of the same family, were arrested by the Special Detective Unit in January of last year. They have not yet faced any charges.
The report states there were no arrests of “ethno-nationalist and separatist terrorists” in Ireland, a category which usually includes dissident republicans.
This data point has led to confusion among security officials who spoke to The Irish Times on Wednesday.
They pointed out several arrests of suspected dissidents were carried out last year which are a matter of public record.
This includes Paul Casey and Robert O'Leary, who were arrested in Dublin by the Special Detective Unit in August in relation to a cross-Border investigation into the discovery of a car bomb under a police officer's car in Belfast.
Proceedings against Mr Casey have since been struck out while Mr O’Leary remains before the courts charged with membership of an illegal organisation.
Europol and the Garda have yet to respond to queries about the apparent discrepancy in the report.
Dissident paramilitary groups remain the biggest threat on the island of Ireland. There were 147 dissident arrests in Northern Ireland last year and 56 "security-related incidents by dissident republican (DR) groups".
Islamic extremism, ethno-nationalism and left-wing groups remain the biggest terrorist threat to EU countries in terms of numbers of attacks. Jihadis were responsible for 10 terrorism-related deaths and 21 attacks in the EU last year with far-right extremists responsible for three deaths and six attacks.
Europol warns there is also growing threat from right-wing extremism in Ireland. Security sources say there has been a marked increase in extremist racist and white-national content being shared among internet users in Ireland.
In November, the database of the neo-Nazi Iron March website, whose members were notorious for advocating violence against minorities, was leaked online, showing about a dozen Irish users.
The issue of direct provision also saw the involvement of far-right activists in protests in various towns last year. One direct provision centre in Rooskey was set on fire twice last year while the car of Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny was set alight after he publicly supported a proposal to accommodate asylum seekers in Ballinamore. Gardaí have not ascribed a motive for the incidents or arrested any suspects.
Protests
Europol said “known criminal elements have been identified as affiliated with right-wing protests” in Ireland and that “several high-profile right-wing extremist online figures ask for online donations, partially in cryptocurrencies”.
It receives most of its data from police agencies, indicating the Garda views far-right extremism as a growing threat here. It has yet to respond to requests for comment.
According to Europol there is “a strong international network involving right-wing extremists from Ireland, other European countries and the USA”.
There is also evidence this activity has ramped up in Ireland since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, although it is not clear how much of it comes from Irish based users.
Moonshot CVE, a London-based technology company focusing on violent extremism, studied thousands of tweets posted by users following an alleged assault incident involving a black suspect recently.
Many of the posts expressed racist or anti-immigration views, including advocating violence against black people.
Moonshot found only 39 per cent of the tweets were sent by Irish users, with 14 per cent coming from the UK and 18 per cent from the US.


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Why we should not be gambling with biodiversity

The warm days of summer , when we have them , are filled with the sounds of bees humming away in flowering bushes and the sweet smell of meadow grass .
Frost on an autumnal morning abruptly halts the growth of plants and sends the remaining insects into sheltered nooks and crannies .
The seasonal ebb and flow of nature is intimately linked to weather on a day to day basis and climate over longer time periods .
People born and bred in the tropics are shocked when they see an alien landscape of dead looking winter deciduous trees in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a reminder of how strongly climate shapes our view of what is natural and normal .
Changes in climate will change the rhythms of nature .
Biodiversity , the variety of different life forms in nature , will be altered .
Some Irish species will do well in the warmer summers we are having and the reduction in frost days over winter will lead to longer growing seasons for species which can take advantage of these higher temperatures .
Other species will respond poorly to longer and more intense summer droughts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reshuffling of the biodiversity deck , with a loss of some cards and a gain of others .
This great reshuffling of biodiversity will lead to changes in how ecosystem services , like water filtration and carbon capture , function in Irish landscapes .
Ecosystems , the collection of species in an area that interact with the physical environment , may collapse or change substantially .
If common species in woodlands , bogs , oceans and grasslands are affected by climate change we could see major disruptions in the supply of critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forestry , angling , marine and tourism industries .
For some ecosystems , change may be gradual and buffered by the long life span of some plants , animals and fungi .
For other ecosystems , changes will be abrupt and intense .
The capacity of ecosystems to resist and recover from climate change will depend on how many other pressures are affecting them .
Biodiversity is already declining due to the destruction of habitats through land use change , pollution , invasive species and overharvesting , even before the effects of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These pressures strongly limit how ecosystems can respond to climate change .
A bog which is already pushed to its biological limits through overharvesting , overgrazing and which is overrun with invasive Gunnera plants will be less able to respond to intense winter rain coupled with moisture sucking summer droughts .
Climate change is one of several direct threats to biodiversity .
There are other ties that bind climate and biodiversity together .
Nature provides solutions to move us away from the existential crisis of business-as-usual climate scenarios .
Plants along river @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us from erosion and flooding .
Green roofs and walls provide our urban spaces with clean air , insulation , flood protection and resources for pollinators .
Plants in forests , bogs , permanent grasslands and oceans pull carbon from the atmosphere and sequester or store it in their bodies as wood , as soil carbon and in seabed sediments .
To get the these benefits , we need to protect what we have by reducing pressures on biodiversity and to restore ecosystems where they have been removed or damaged .
There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are also win-lose scenarios where actions to mitigate climate change can lead to loss of biodiversity .
This would have the effect of prioritising the ecosystem service of carbon storage and sequestration above the integral values of biodiversity and the many other services it provides .
The biodiversity of the planet provides us with a deck of options for supporting our survival and wellbeing .
Some cards are more useful for one ecosystem service game than another .
We are playing many games simultaneously and in any one of those games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biodiversity is like maximising the number of different cards in your hand so you can respond to rule changes quickly and effectively .
In a rapidly changing system we should not be gambling with biodiversity by betting it all on yesterday ’ s game .
Yvonne Buckley is an ecologist and professor of zoology at Trinity College Dublin

The warm days of summer, when we have them, are filled with the sounds of bees humming away in flowering bushes and the sweet smell of meadow grass. Frost on an autumnal morning abruptly halts the growth of plants and sends the remaining insects into sheltered nooks and crannies.
The seasonal ebb and flow of nature is intimately linked to weather on a day to day basis and climate over longer time periods. People born and bred in the tropics are shocked when they see an alien landscape of dead looking winter deciduous trees in a seasonal climate like ours. It is a reminder of how strongly climate shapes our view of what is natural and normal.
Changes in climate will change the rhythms of nature. Biodiversity, the variety of different life forms in nature, will be altered. Some Irish species will do well in the warmer summers we are having and the reduction in frost days over winter will lead to longer growing seasons for species which can take advantage of these higher temperatures.
Other species will respond poorly to longer and more intense summer droughts and waterlogging in winter. There will be a reshuffling of the biodiversity deck, with a loss of some cards and a gain of others.
READ MORE
This great reshuffling of biodiversity will lead to changes in how ecosystem services, like water filtration and carbon capture, function in Irish landscapes. Ecosystems, the collection of species in an area that interact with the physical environment, may collapse or change substantially.
If common species in woodlands, bogs, oceans and grasslands are affected by climate change we could see major disruptions in the supply of critical ecosystem services that underpin our agricultural, forestry, angling, marine and tourism industries. For some ecosystems, change may be gradual and buffered by the long life span of some plants, animals and fungi. For other ecosystems, changes will be abrupt and intense.
Pressures
The capacity of ecosystems to resist and recover from climate change will depend on how many other pressures are affecting them. Biodiversity is already declining due to the destruction of habitats through land use change, pollution, invasive species and overharvesting, even before the effects of our current climate change trajectory are felt strongly.
These pressures strongly limit how ecosystems can respond to climate change. A bog which is already pushed to its biological limits through overharvesting, overgrazing and which is overrun with invasive Gunnera plants will be less able to respond to intense winter rain coupled with moisture sucking summer droughts.
Climate change is one of several direct threats to biodiversity. There are other ties that bind climate and biodiversity together. Nature provides solutions to move us away from the existential crisis of business-as-usual climate scenarios. Plants along river banks and in salt marshes can protect us from erosion and flooding.
Green roofs and walls provide our urban spaces with clean air, insulation, flood protection and resources for pollinators. Plants in forests, bogs, permanent grasslands and oceans pull carbon from the atmosphere and sequester or store it in their bodies as wood, as soil carbon and in seabed sediments.
To get the these benefits, we need to protect what we have by reducing pressures on biodiversity and to restore ecosystems where they have been removed or damaged. There are win-win opportunities for both climate and biodiversity.
There are also win-lose scenarios where actions to mitigate climate change can lead to loss of biodiversity. This would have the effect of prioritising the ecosystem service of carbon storage and sequestration above the integral values of biodiversity and the many other services it provides.
The biodiversity of the planet provides us with a deck of options for supporting our survival and wellbeing. Some cards are more useful for one ecosystem service game than another. We are playing many games simultaneously and in any one of those games the rules could change suddenly.
Maintaining biodiversity is like maximising the number of different cards in your hand so you can respond to rule changes quickly and effectively. In a rapidly changing system we should not be gambling with biodiversity by betting it all on yesterday’s game.
Yvonne Buckley is an ecologist and professor of zoology at Trinity College Dublin


theirishtimes--2020-06-24--People in Ireland becoming less anxious about health and shopping – survey

Irish people feel considerably more secure when out shopping than consumers in other countries and are growing less anxious about their health and the wider implications of the pandemic , according to a survey published on Wednesday .
People are also gearing up for more domestic travel but the vast majority are still afraid of flying , Deloitte Ireland ’ s State of the Consumer Tracker suggests .
The research shows that 58 per cent of consumers here are happy to shop in stores , putting Ireland in joint third in Europe for this measure with the global average at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent in the UK .
The survey found that a majority of Irish consumers were less worried than they had been the previous week , although 46 per cent said they remained concerned about their physical wellbeing .
Job loss remained a significant concern for 31 per cent of those polled , compared with 36 per cent two weeks previously , while 22 per cent of people said they were worried about making upcoming payments , compared with 24 per cent in the previous study .
The number of Irish consumers who plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent with 20 per cent actively seeking travel deals , compared with 16 per cent in the previous tracking study .
As the health crisis begins to improve , the data suggests that consumers are planning to travel domestically , with a 23 per cent increase in intended spend on vehicle fuel/oil and only a small increase in confidence in air travel .
All told , just 20 per cent are saying they would feel safe flying , up 1 per cent when compared with the previous survey .
The re-emergence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 45 per cent saying they were happy to spend more on convenience , consistent with the previous wave of research , but people are still hesitant when it comes to large purchases with 41 per cent saying they were still planning to delay big spending .
The latest bi-weekly survey , which tracks Irish consumers ’ attitudes towards personal wellbeing , financial concerns , travel and hospitality , transport and retail , was carried out among 1,000 Irish consumers – and a similar number in 17 other countries – between June 9th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second phase of exit from the Covid-19 lockdown .
The head of Deloitte Ireland ’ s consumer division Daniel Murray said that while consumer confidence “ continues to be steadily restored , the lasting damage of the Covid-19 crisis is still evident ” .
He highlighted the 46 per cent of people who remain worried about their physical wellbeing and pointed out it had only decreased by 4 per cent since the first State of the Consumer Tracker .
“ While Irish consumers may be holding back on purchasing new vehicles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly willing to spend on fuel , which may reflect an increasing interest in travelling domestically , ” Mr Murray said .
“ This presents an opportunity for more travel-related spend , for example on hotel stays , tourist activities , travel amenities and such .
This will provide a vital boost to the domestic hospitality industry in lieu of international tourism numbers being restored .
”

Research shows that 58 per cent of consumers are happy to shop in stores, putting Ireland in joint third in Europe. File photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Irish people feel considerably more secure when out shopping than consumers in other countries and are growing less anxious about their health and the wider implications of the pandemic, according to a survey published on Wednesday.
People are also gearing up for more domestic travel but the vast majority are still afraid of flying, Deloitte Ireland's State of the Consumer Tracker suggests.
The research shows that 58 per cent of consumers here are happy to shop in stores, putting Ireland in joint third in Europe for this measure with the global average at 51 per cent and just 41 per cent in the UK.
The survey found that a majority of Irish consumers were less worried than they had been the previous week, although 46 per cent said they remained concerned about their physical wellbeing.
READ MORE
Job loss remained a significant concern for 31 per cent of those polled, compared with 36 per cent two weeks previously, while 22 per cent of people said they were worried about making upcoming payments, compared with 24 per cent in the previous study.
The number of Irish consumers who plan to spend on travel increased by 12 per cent with 20 per cent actively seeking travel deals, compared with 16 per cent in the previous tracking study.
As the health crisis begins to improve, the data suggests that consumers are planning to travel domestically, with a 23 per cent increase in intended spend on vehicle fuel/oil and only a small increase in confidence in air travel.
All told, just 20 per cent are saying they would feel safe flying, up 1 per cent when compared with the previous survey.
The re-emergence of the “convenience consumer” has continued with 45 per cent saying they were happy to spend more on convenience, consistent with the previous wave of research, but people are still hesitant when it comes to large purchases with 41 per cent saying they were still planning to delay big spending.
The latest bi-weekly survey, which tracks Irish consumers’ attitudes towards personal wellbeing, financial concerns, travel and hospitality, transport and retail, was carried out among 1,000 Irish consumers – and a similar number in 17 other countries – between June 9th and 13th, when Ireland was entering the second phase of exit from the Covid-19 lockdown.
Lasting damage
The head of Deloitte Ireland's consumer division Daniel Murray said that while consumer confidence "continues to be steadily restored, the lasting damage of the Covid-19 crisis is still evident".
He highlighted the 46 per cent of people who remain worried about their physical wellbeing and pointed out it had only decreased by 4 per cent since the first State of the Consumer Tracker.
“While Irish consumers may be holding back on purchasing new vehicles and availing of public transport, they are increasingly willing to spend on fuel, which may reflect an increasing interest in travelling domestically,” Mr Murray said. “This presents an opportunity for more travel-related spend, for example on hotel stays, tourist activities, travel amenities and such. This will provide a vital boost to the domestic hospitality industry in lieu of international tourism numbers being restored.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-24--People Before Profit TD defends comments about judge

People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith has defended her online comments about a High Court judge following his ruling on minimum pay and entitlements for electricians .
On Tuesday , Mr Justice Garrett Simons found a sectoral employment order made by Minister for Business Heather Humphreys had been made outside her powers and was unconstitutional , thereby striking down a law guaranteeing minimum pay in the sector .
It followed a challenge taken by contractors against the order which set out pay rates , pension and sick pay entitlements in the electrical industry .
Ms Smith criticised the judgment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ declaration of war ” on any protections for workers .
“ That is scandalous and tells us a great deal about the judicial system in this country .
The irony that a judge earning over €210,000 a year can be worried that an electrician on €45,000 may be overpaid will not be lost on the workers affected.
” However , a post on Ms Smith ’ s Facebook page has drawn particular criticism .
In it , Mr Justice Simons is photographed in a meme with the wording “ This is Garrett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court judge .
He earns over €200,000 a year .
And he ’ s just put the boot into workers.
” Fianna Fail Meath East TD Thomas Byrne described it in a Twitter post as “ absolutely scandalous ” .
He said : “ [ There are ] lots of judgements I don ’ t agree with ( and most politicians wouldn ’ t agree with this one ) but politicising the judiciary in this way is a dangerous new gambit by the Irish far left.
” Other Twitter users compared Ms Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president Donald Trump and Hungary ’ s Viktor Orbán .
Another accused the TD of “ overstepping separations of power between the executive , legislative and judicial branches of gov ( ernment ) .
” However , speaking to The Irish Times , Ms Smith said she did not believe it was an overstep and did not regret it .
She said it was an attempt to “ put a human face on who is making the decisions on your life ” .
Many people , she said , see the judiciary as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Asked why she did not simply focus on the court ’ s ruling as opposed to the judge himself , she said : “ Because he made the ruling.
” She also defended her highlighting the judge ’ s salary saying many people would be “ shocked ” by it .
Ms Smith claimed judges are political appointees and are not accountable .
She said the ruling had the potential to spread into other sectors and was hugely problematic in terms of workers ’ rights .
The High Court action was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ireland ( NECI ) who claimed the SEO breached their rights and was unconstitutional .
They had argued it made it a criminal offence for them to employ workers on any less favourable terms than others did and represented a significant encroachment on the employers ’ freedom to contract .

People Before profit TD Bríd Smith: claimed judges are political appointees and are not accountable. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith has defended her online comments about a High Court judge following his ruling on minimum pay and entitlements for electricians.
On Tuesday, Mr Justice Garrett Simons found a sectoral employment order made by Minister for Business Heather Humphreys had been made outside her powers and was unconstitutional, thereby striking down a law guaranteeing minimum pay in the sector.
It followed a challenge taken by contractors against the order which set out pay rates, pension and sick pay entitlements in the electrical industry.
This is absolutely scandalous by Bríd Smith. Lots of judgements I don't agree with (and most politicians wouldn't agree with this one) but politicising the judiciary in this way is a dangerous new gambit by the Irish far left and shouldn't be entertained with any seriousness https://t.co/wFAdEnykR6 — Thomas Byrne TD - Meath East (@ThomasByrneTD) June 24, 2020
Ms Smith criticised the judgment, dismissing it in a statement as a “declaration of war” on any protections for workers.
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“That is scandalous and tells us a great deal about the judicial system in this country. The irony that a judge earning over €210,000 a year can be worried that an electrician on €45,000 may be overpaid will not be lost on the workers affected.”
However, a post on Ms Smith's Facebook page has drawn particular criticism. In it, Mr Justice Simons is photographed in a meme with the wording "This is Garrett Simons. He's a high court judge. He earns over €200,000 a year. And he's just put the boot into workers."
Fianna Fail Meath East TD Thomas Byrne described it in a Twitter post as "absolutely scandalous".
He said: “[There are] lots of judgements I don’t agree with (and most politicians wouldn’t agree with this one) but politicising the judiciary in this way is a dangerous new gambit by the Irish far left.”
Other Twitter users compared Ms Smith' comments to the behaviour of US president Donald Trump and Hungary's Viktor Orbán.
Another accused the TD of “overstepping separations of power between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of gov(ernment).”
However, speaking to The Irish Times, Ms Smith said she did not believe it was an overstep and did not regret it.
She said it was an attempt to “put a human face on who is making the decisions on your life”.
Many people, she said, see the judiciary as being “out in the ether”.
Asked why she did not simply focus on the court’s ruling as opposed to the judge himself, she said: “Because he made the ruling.”
She also defended her highlighting the judge’s salary saying many people would be “shocked” by it.
Ms Smith claimed judges are political appointees and are not accountable. She said the ruling had the potential to spread into other sectors and was hugely problematic in terms of workers’ rights.
The High Court action was taken by members of the National Electrical Contractors of Ireland (NECI) who claimed the SEO breached their rights and was unconstitutional.
They had argued it made it a criminal offence for them to employ workers on any less favourable terms than others did and represented a significant encroachment on the employers’ freedom to contract.


theirishtimes--2020-06-24--Garda ‘found itself again’ while free to police during Covid-19 pandemic

The Garda “ found itself again ” during the Covid-19 pandemic as gardaí were freed from a range of “ ancillary tasks ” that always fall to them but have “ nothing to do ” with its official role , Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said .
Mr Harris said members of the force were not given any direction or advice about improving the tone they took with the public during the crisis .
Instead , he said , when gardaí were in a position to shed tasks that normally fell to them to perform because of gaps elsewhere in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own and got back to its core policing functions .
“ We ’ ve been called off from our core responsibilities too much , ” he said .
“ There are functions we should be shedding… and I think Covid-19 brought some of these things to a head.
” He added some of the “ ancillary tasks ” that often fell to gardaí “ have very little to do… have nothing to do actually , with the functions that are set out in the Garda Síochána Act ” .
Mr Harris did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list was previously set out in a report by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland .
They included gardaí providing prison escorts and security in courts as well as serving summonses and appearing before the lower courts .
The commission said other non-core tasks that took up “ enormous ” amounts of time for gardaí included attending at minor traffic crashes and verifying the identities of people applying for passports and opening bank accounts .
Mr Harris explained the Garda was looking to shed responsibility for non-core tasks so it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made his remarks at a hearing of the Policing Authority on Wednesday in response to questions from authority member Vicky Conway .
She said feedback received by the authority from members of the public and community groups had focused on a perceived improved “ tone ” being taken by gardaí and she asked had members of the force been told to improve this .
Mr Harris said Garda members knew instinctively how to interact with the public and understood that people needed support and reassurance during the pandemic .
“ I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a change in mental gear for them , ” Mr Harris said of gardaí helping the public during the pandemic .
“ We didn ’ t have to say to our people ‘ you need to change your tone ’ .
“ People understood entirely what was expected of them when we said to them ‘ we ’ re here to reassure the community , we ’ re here to support them , go and seek out those who may need additional help and make sure they get it , either from ourselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
” Mr Harris said the recruitment of more civilian Garda staff to cover desk-bound work , which resumed this week , would free up more members for frontline policing .
The hearing heard that while crime had generally fallen during the pandemic , notifications to the Garda about images of child abuse being viewed online increased by 26 per cent in the period from March to May .

The Garda “found itself again” during the Covid-19 pandemic as gardaí were freed from a range of “ancillary tasks” that always fall to them but have “nothing to do” with its official role, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said.
Mr Harris said members of the force were not given any direction or advice about improving the tone they took with the public during the crisis.
Instead, he said, when gardaí were in a position to shed tasks that normally fell to them to perform because of gaps elsewhere in society, the force came into its own and got back to its core policing functions.
“We’ve been called off from our core responsibilities too much,” he said. “There are functions we should be shedding… and I think Covid-19 brought some of these things to a head.”
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He added some of the “ancillary tasks” that often fell to gardaí “have very little to do… have nothing to do actually, with the functions that are set out in the Garda Síochána Act”.
Mr Harris did not specify any of the tasks but a list was previously set out in a report by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
Minor crashes
They included gardaí providing prison escorts and security in courts as well as serving summonses and appearing before the lower courts. The commission said other non-core tasks that took up “enormous” amounts of time for gardaí included attending at minor traffic crashes and verifying the identities of people applying for passports and opening bank accounts.
Mr Harris explained the Garda was looking to shed responsibility for non-core tasks so it could better serve the public. He made his remarks at a hearing of the Policing Authority on Wednesday in response to questions from authority member Vicky Conway.
She said feedback received by the authority from members of the public and community groups had focused on a perceived improved “tone” being taken by gardaí and she asked had members of the force been told to improve this.
Reassurance
Mr Harris said Garda members knew instinctively how to interact with the public and understood that people needed support and reassurance during the pandemic.
“I don’t think this was in any way a change in mental gear for them,” Mr Harris said of gardaí helping the public during the pandemic. “We didn’t have to say to our people ‘you need to change your tone’.
“People understood entirely what was expected of them when we said to them ‘we’re here to reassure the community, we’re here to support them, go and seek out those who may need additional help and make sure they get it, either from ourselves or from other (agencies)’.”
Mr Harris said the recruitment of more civilian Garda staff to cover desk-bound work, which resumed this week, would free up more members for frontline policing.
The hearing heard that while crime had generally fallen during the pandemic, notifications to the Garda about images of child abuse being viewed online increased by 26 per cent in the period from March to May.


theirishtimes--2020-06-24--Masks to be made compulsory on public transport

Masks are to become mandatory on public transport as the Government moves to increase capacity on bus , train and Luas services as more people return to work .
Minister for Transport Shane Ross is set to bring proposals to Thursday ’ s Cabinet meeting which would make the wearing of masks on all public transport compulsory .
The Government ’ s messaging to the public around masks has been criticised and Ministers have insisted that the wearing of masks will become more important as coronavirus restrictions are lifted and Ireland exits lockdown .
The two metre social distancing rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apply and instead buses , trains and other public transport operators would be allowed operate at 50 per cent capacity .
Mr Ross , in what is likely to be one of his last moves as Minister for Transport at what it is expected to be the Fine Gael-Independent government ’ s last Cabinet meeting , will recommend that regulations be changed to enforce the new rule .
The issue was discussed at a Cabinet sub-committee meeting on Wednesday and it is expected that the mandatory mask rule will take effect in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date has been set .

Ministers have insisted that the wearing of masks will become more important as coronavirus restriction are lifted and Ireland exits lockdown. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Masks are to become mandatory on public transport as the Government moves to increase capacity on bus, train and Luas services as more people return to work.
Minister for Transport Shane Ross is set to bring proposals to Thursday's Cabinet meeting which would make the wearing of masks on all public transport compulsory.
The Government's messaging to the public around masks has been criticised and Ministers have insisted that the wearing of masks will become more important as coronavirus restrictions are lifted and Ireland exits lockdown.
The two metre social distancing rule for public transport operators would cease to apply and instead buses, trains and other public transport operators would be allowed operate at 50 per cent capacity.
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Mr Ross, in what is likely to be one of his last moves as Minister for Transport at what it is expected to be the Fine Gael-Independent government’s last Cabinet meeting, will recommend that regulations be changed to enforce the new rule.
The issue was discussed at a Cabinet sub-committee meeting on Wednesday and it is expected that the mandatory mask rule will take effect in the next week or two, although no date has been set.


theirishtimes--2020-06-24--Witness giving evidence as he wants ‘justice’ for Adrian Donohoe

A witness in the trial of a man accused of murdering a detective garda has said he decided to give evidence because he wanted justice for Adrian Donohoe and his family .
Daniel Cahill ( 28 ) , giving evidence to the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday via videolink from New York , denied several times that he feared he would be sent to a detention centre for people with no legal status in the US if he did not give a statement to gardaí .
“ I took this on myself because I have many friends who are law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this man , for Garda Adrian Donohoe ’ s family , ” he said .
Mr Cahill also said that he was not giving testimony to secure his own status in the US .
He said he is married to a US citizen and his status is determined by her and through a process with the Department of Homeland Security .
“ It is not determined by this court case , ” he added .
Mr Cahill told defence counsel Justin McQuade BL that Homeland Security officials would not have come to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t shot a guard ” .
Under cross examination , Mr Cahill denied being present during an assault on the man accused of murdering Det Garda Donohoe .
He also denied stealing Mr Brady ’ s telephone .
Mr Brady ( 28 ) , from New Road , Crossmaglen , Co Armagh , has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe while he was on active duty on January 25th , 2013 at Lordship Credit Union , Bellurgan , Co Louth .
He has also pleaded not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ €7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date at the same location .
In his direct evidence last Monday , Mr Cahill , a bartender , said the accused told him on three separate occasions that he shot a garda in Ireland .
On Wednesday he told Mr McQuade that he was aware that in 2015 there was an allegation that Mr Brady slept with a woman who was at the time going out with one of Mr Cahill ’ s friends .
Mr Cahill denied that he was one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Brady ’ s apartment while the accused was asleep in 2015 and assaulted him .
He said that he was working that night and there are pictures on Facebook to prove it .
“ I have never assaulted Aaron Brady in my life .
I have never put a hand on him , ” he said .
Mr Cahill said that Homeland Security agents searched his home some years ago looking for Dean Evans , who has since been jailed for life for the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly in Co @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he welcomed the agents into his home and allowed them to search it .
He told them he had not spoken to Evans in years and allowed them to check his phone .
They were satisfied when they left , Mr Cahill added .
When in July 2019 Homeland Security agents again called to his home , he said they asked if he would be wiling to speak to gardaí about Mr Brady .
They told him he did not have to and one agent , Mary Ann Wade , said Homeland Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said this was the only conversation he can remember having with Homeland Security at that time and said he was not aware that an enforcement and removal operations officer was part of the team that came to his home .
He denied on numerous occasions that he feared he would be sent to a detention centre if he did not give a statement about Mr Brady .
In a brief reexamination following two days of cross examination , Brendan Grehan SC , for the prosecution , asked Mr Cahill if he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not lied at all , ” he replied .
“ My recollection has got me on some aspects but I have not lied .
”

Aaron Brady (28) from New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe. File photograph: Collins
A witness in the trial of a man accused of murdering a detective garda has said he decided to give evidence because he wanted justice for Adrian Donohoe and his family.
Daniel Cahill (28), giving evidence to the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday via videolink from New York, denied several times that he feared he would be sent to a detention centre for people with no legal status in the US if he did not give a statement to gardaí.
“I took this on myself because I have many friends who are law enforcement officers and I wanted justice done for this man, for Garda Adrian Donohoe’s family,” he said.
Mr Cahill also said that he was not giving testimony to secure his own status in the US. He said he is married to a US citizen and his status is determined by her and through a process with the Department of Homeland Security.
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“It is not determined by this court case,” he added.
Mr Cahill told defence counsel Justin McQuade BL that Homeland Security officials would not have come to his door “if your client hadn’t shot a guard”.
Under cross examination, Mr Cahill denied being present during an assault on the man accused of murdering Det Garda Donohoe. He also denied stealing Mr Brady’s telephone.
Mr Brady (28), from New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe while he was on active duty on January 25th, 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth.
He has also pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbing some €7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date at the same location.
Three occasions
In his direct evidence last Monday, Mr Cahill, a bartender, said the accused told him on three separate occasions that he shot a garda in Ireland.
On Wednesday he told Mr McQuade that he was aware that in 2015 there was an allegation that Mr Brady slept with a woman who was at the time going out with one of Mr Cahill’s friends. Mr Cahill denied that he was one of a group of four men who entered Mr Brady’s apartment while the accused was asleep in 2015 and assaulted him. He said that he was working that night and there are pictures on Facebook to prove it.
“I have never assaulted Aaron Brady in my life. I have never put a hand on him,” he said.
Mr Cahill said that Homeland Security agents searched his home some years ago looking for Dean Evans, who has since been jailed for life for the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly in Co Meath on March 2013.
He said he welcomed the agents into his home and allowed them to search it. He told them he had not spoken to Evans in years and allowed them to check his phone. They were satisfied when they left, Mr Cahill added.
When in July 2019 Homeland Security agents again called to his home, he said they asked if he would be wiling to speak to gardaí about Mr Brady. They told him he did not have to and one agent, Mary Ann Wade, said Homeland Security was there to protect his rights.
Not aware
He said this was the only conversation he can remember having with Homeland Security at that time and said he was not aware that an enforcement and removal operations officer was part of the team that came to his home.
He denied on numerous occasions that he feared he would be sent to a detention centre if he did not give a statement about Mr Brady.
In a brief reexamination following two days of cross examination, Brendan Grehan SC, for the prosecution, asked Mr Cahill if he had lied in his evidence.
“I have not lied at all,” he replied. “My recollection has got me on some aspects but I have not lied.”
The trial continues.