theirishtimes--2020-12-26--Murder and burglary fell in 2020, but domestic violence rose

Following the murder of 17-year-old Keane Mulready Woods in mid-January , gardaí and residents in Drogheda had every reason to think 2020 was going to be a bad year .
The nature of the Drogheda youth ’ s murder – he was dismembered and the remains dumped around Dublin – was surely a sign the gang violence in the Co Louth town was escalating into a more deadly phase .
These fears seemed to be borne out in April when Dublin gangland figure Robbie Lawlor was shot dead .
Lawlor was one of the chief suspects behind the teenager ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Louth to brace for a wave of tit-for-tat killings .
Then , not much happened .
The obvious reason for the lack of follow-up violence is Covid-19 .
The thousands of Garda checkpoints and patrols put in place to enforce pandemic restrictions made any reprisal hit a very risky undertaking .
But it may not be the only reason .
Sources say the death of Lawlor , a notoriously violent and unstable criminal , was welcomed even by his own side of the feud .
He was a destabilising factor and bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for revenge .
In almost every other 2020 crime trend , from burglary to assault , the pandemic was undoubtedly the primary driving factor .
There were 74 homicides in the first three quarters of the year with about half of these relating to incidents of dangerous driving causing death .
To put this in context , Ireland ’ s worst recent year for homicides was 2007 with 152 deaths .
The list of this year ’ s homicides shows some clear trends .
After Lawlor ’ s death in April there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way gang related , that of Thomas McCarthy in Ballyfermot in Dublin in July ( the chief suspect has ties to organised crime ) .
Almost every other killing seemed to be the result of an altercation , domestic violence or severe mental health crisis .
One of the most shocking was the murder of trainee solicitor Mark O ’ Sullivan in his home in Kanturk , Co Cork in November .
Gardaí believe Mark ’ s father Tadg and brother Diarmuid killed him before taking their own lives in a dispute over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now before the courts , including the man accused of murdering Det Garda Colm Horkan with his own firearm in Castlerea , Co Roscommon in June .
The accused , who has been receiving treatment in the Central Mental Hospital since his arrest , is expected to go on trial in about a year .
Covid-19 has affected crime in obvious and not-so-obvious ways .
Property theft and home burglaries are down 32 and 44 per cent respectively since the start of the pandemic as businesses closed and people remained at home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the almost complete cessation of the night-time economy .
This is assumed to be to blame for a 12 per cent increase in assaults occurring inside the home .
These factors also led to some unexpected successes for gardaí .
The closure of cash businesses used by criminals to launder money , such as pubs and garages , forced them to stockpile cash in private homes .
This has led to more of it turning up in searches ; in the first 10 months of 2020 , gardaí seized €16.5 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
The same is true for drug seizures .
While the market for drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine remains strong , there has been a significant drop-off in demand for so-called party drugs including cocaine and ecstasy , leading to more of it being discovered by gardaí in the hands of dealers .
Opportunistic seizures of significant amounts of drugs and weapons were also made by Gardaí operating Covid-19 checkpoints At the start of the pandemic , rape and domestic violence groups feared a surge in violence against women forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the home with abusive husbands , partners or family members .
Those fears have been at least partially borne out .
Under Operation Faoiseamh , a dedicated operation targeting domestic violence during the pandemic , gardaí received 22,540 reports of domestic violence and related crimes , up almost 17 per cent on the same period last year .
Calls to domestic violence helplines are also at record levels .

Following the murder of 17-year-old Keane Mulready Woods in mid-January, gardaí and residents in Drogheda had every reason to think 2020 was going to be a bad year.
The nature of the Drogheda youth’s murder – he was dismembered and the remains dumped around Dublin – was surely a sign the gang violence in the Co Louth town was escalating into a more deadly phase.
These fears seemed to be borne out in April when Dublin gangland figure Robbie Lawlor was shot dead. Lawlor was one of the chief suspects behind the teenager’s murder, leading gardaí in Dublin and Louth to brace for a wave of tit-for-tat killings.
Then, not much happened. The obvious reason for the lack of follow-up violence is Covid-19. The thousands of Garda checkpoints and patrols put in place to enforce pandemic restrictions made any reprisal hit a very risky undertaking.
READ MORE
But it may not be the only reason. Sources say the death of Lawlor, a notoriously violent and unstable criminal, was welcomed even by his own side of the feud. He was a destabilising factor and bad for business meaning there was little appetite for revenge.
In almost every other 2020 crime trend, from burglary to assault, the pandemic was undoubtedly the primary driving factor.
There were 74 homicides in the first three quarters of the year with about half of these relating to incidents of dangerous driving causing death. To put this in context, Ireland’s worst recent year for homicides was 2007 with 152 deaths.
The list of this year’s homicides shows some clear trends. After Lawlor’s death in April there was just one murder which was in any way gang related, that of Thomas McCarthy in Ballyfermot in Dublin in July (the chief suspect has ties to organised crime).
Almost every other killing seemed to be the result of an altercation, domestic violence or severe mental health crisis. One of the most shocking was the murder of trainee solicitor Mark O’Sullivan in his home in Kanturk, Co Cork in November. Gardaí believe Mark’s father Tadg and brother Diarmuid killed him before taking their own lives in a dispute over inheritance.
Many of these cases are now before the courts, including the man accused of murdering Det Garda Colm Horkan with his own firearm in Castlerea, Co Roscommon in June. The accused, who has been receiving treatment in the Central Mental Hospital since his arrest, is expected to go on trial in about a year.
Pandemic
Covid-19 has affected crime in obvious and not-so-obvious ways. Property theft and home burglaries are down 32 and 44 per cent respectively since the start of the pandemic as businesses closed and people remained at home.
Public assaults dropped by 34 per cent due to the almost complete cessation of the night-time economy. This is assumed to be to blame for a 12 per cent increase in assaults occurring inside the home.
These factors also led to some unexpected successes for gardaí. The closure of cash businesses used by criminals to launder money, such as pubs and garages, forced them to stockpile cash in private homes. This has led to more of it turning up in searches; in the first 10 months of 2020, gardaí seized €16.5 million, up from €7.44 in all of 2019.
The same is true for drug seizures. While the market for drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine remains strong, there has been a significant drop-off in demand for so-called party drugs including cocaine and ecstasy, leading to more of it being discovered by gardaí in the hands of dealers.
Opportunistic seizures of significant amounts of drugs and weapons were also made by Gardaí operating Covid-19 checkpoints
At the start of the pandemic, rape and domestic violence groups feared a surge in violence against women forced to spend extended periods of time in the home with abusive husbands, partners or family members.
Those fears have been at least partially borne out. Under Operation Faoiseamh, a dedicated operation targeting domestic violence during the pandemic, gardaí received 22,540 reports of domestic violence and related crimes, up almost 17 per cent on the same period last year. Calls to domestic violence helplines are also at record levels.


Church services

National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland THE FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS - 09.15 EUCHARIST said .
11.15 EUCHARIST said @ @ @ @ @ Monday to Friday at 17.30 on the Cathedral website .
https : //www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/worship/video-stream/ .
For @ @ @ @ @ Laoghaire , Co Dublin The Methodist Church , Northumberland Avenue , Dun Laoghaire .
Our @ @ @ @ @ at www.dlmc.org

CATHEDRALS
National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland THE FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS - 09.15 EUCHARIST said. 11.15 EUCHARIST said. EVENING PRAYER is said Monday to Friday at 17.30 on the Cathedral website. https://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/worship/video-stream/. For further information visit www.stpatrickscathedral.ie
CHURCH OF IRELAND
Ardamine Group, Co Wexford Monamolin 9.00am (Morning Prayer) Clonevan 10.15am (Morning Prayer) Kilnamanagh 11.45am (Holy Communion)
READ MORE
Christ Church Bray Sunday 27th December 11am Said Morning Prayer (live-stream only www.churchservices.tv/christchurchbray)
METHODIST
Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin The Methodist Church, Northumberland Avenue, Dun Laoghaire. Our services can be accessed online at www.dlmc.org


theirishtimes--2020-12-26--Storm Bella to hit Ireland bringing heavy rain and strong winds

Met Éireann has issued a warning over strong winds and heavy rain as Storm Bella is due to hit Ireland on Saturday , bringing a risk of some flooding on the west coast .
The national forecaster has put a status yellow wind and rainfall weather warning in place from 3pm on St Stephen ’ s Day .
Storm Bella will bring heavy winds and rain from the late afternoon into the early hours of Sunday morning .
Met Éireann forecasts westerly winds from the storm will reach speeds of 50km/h-65km/h , and gusts of 90km/h-110km/h , potentially even higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the combination of strong winds , high waves and forecasted storm surge , there is a risk of coastal flooding along the west coast , ” Met Éireann has warned .
Heavy rainfall from the storm will move southwards across Ireland over the course of the day , and may cause localised spot flooding in some areas .
The wind and rainfall weather warnings will remain in place until 4am on Sunday .
The rain will be heaviest in the northwest of the country on Saturday afternoon , before moving in the direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between seven and 10 degrees .
“ Widespread rain with heavy falls bringing a risk of spot flooding , will gradually clear southwards tonight followed by scattered showers , ” the forecast said .
The heavy gusts will persist into the night , even reaching gale force winds in some western coastal areas .

Driving winds push storm vaves ashore at Lahinch, Co Clare, this evening as Storm Bella makes landfall. Photograph Press 22
Met Éireann has issued a warning for strong winds and heavy rain with a risk of spot flooding on the west coast as a consequence of Storm Bella.
The national forecaster put a status yellow wind and rainfall weather warning in place from 3pm on St Stephen’s Day. The storm is set to bring heavy winds and rain into the early hours of Sunday morning. Up to 1,500 homes are without power tonight as the impact of the storm is felt across the country, according to RTÉ.
Met Éireann forecasts westerly winds from the storm will reach speeds of 50km/h-65km/h and gusts of 90km/h-110km/h, potentially even higher near the west coast.
Windy with widespread heavy rain early tonight, gradually clearing to scattered showers from the northwest with some turning wintry. Lows of 0 to 3 degrees as very strong & gusty west to southwest winds ease overnight with patchy frost & ice forming in more sheltered locations. pic.twitter.com/XZIGIt3RDS — Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 26, 2020
“With the combination of strong winds, high waves and forecasted storm surge, there is a risk of coastal flooding along the west coast,” warned Met Éireann.
READ MORE
Heavy rainfall from the storm has been moving southwards across Ireland over the course of the day and may cause localised spot flooding in some areas. The weather warnings will remain in place until 4am on Sunday.
The rain was forecast to be heaviest in the northwest of the country on Saturday afternoon, before moving southeast.
Temperatures will be between seven and 10 degrees.
“Widespread rain with heavy falls bringing a risk of spot flooding, will gradually clear southwards tonight followed by scattered showers,” according to the forecaster.
The heavy gusts will persist into the night, even reaching gale force winds in some western coastal areas.
Met Éireann has also issued a status yellow snow and ice warning for Donegal and Leitrim on Sunday.
The forecaster said expected wintry showers on Sunday means a risk of icy stretches on roads and untreated surfaces. The warning is in place from 6am on Sunday until 8pm that night.
Donegal County Council advised that road gritters would not be in action on St Stephen’s Day evening, that people should “assume that no road is ice free”.
AA Roadwatch has advised motorists driving in these areas to “take extra caution in these conditions, slow down and avoid any harsh manoeuvres”.
The UK Met Office has issued a similar snow and ice warning across Northern Ireland for Sunday, due to rain, sleet and snow overnight creating icy surfaces on roads.
There is also a status orange marine warning in place due to gale force winds on Saturday and Sunday. Met Éireann has said winds could reach storm force 10 levels on Saturday in Irish coastal waters, and in the Irish Sea.


theirishtimes--2020-12-27--1990: The year that was

1990: The year that was

January 8th : Sinead O ’ Connor releases her second album which includes the hit single Nothing Compares 2 U. February 11th : Anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela is released from prison in South Africa after 27 years behind bars .
April 1st : The poll tax takes effect in England and Wales amid widespread protests .
May 17th : The World Health Organisation declassifies homosexuality as a mental disorder .
The date is now celebrated as International Day against Homophobia , Transphobia and Biphobia .
May 18th : East Germany and West Germany sign a treaty to merge their economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Republic of Ireland begin their first appearance at a Fifa World Cup with a 1-1 draw against England in Cagliari , Italy .
June 15th : The Dublin Convention is signed , setting in law EU rules on asylum applications .
June 20th : The Irish pound coin was introduced into circulation replacing the pound note .
July 1st : Huge crowds greet the Republic of Ireland team on their return from the World Cup .
On the same day , former South African president Nelson accepts the Freedom of the City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mansion House .
July 24th : The IRA kill three policemen and a nun in a bomb attack near Armagh .
July 30th : British politician and former MP Ian Gow is assassinated by a Provisional IRA car bomb outside his home in England .
August : Roddy Doyle ’ s novel The Snapper , second of The Barrytown Trilogy , is published .
August 24th : Writer Brian Keenan is released after 1,574 days in captivity in Beirut .
September 21st : This first episode of Winning Streak on RTÉ was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The presenter is Mike Murphy .
September 21st : Jim Sheridan ’ s film The Field is released featuring Richard Harris in the role of “ Bull ” McCabe .
October 24th : Patsy Gillespie , a Catholic man , is strapped into a car and forced to drive an IRA car bomb into a British army checkpoint where it is detonated , killing him and five British soldiers .
November 9th : Mary Robinson is elected the seventh president of Ireland .
She is inaugurated the following month as the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 : Margaret Thatcher announces she will not contest the second ballot of the leadership election for the Conservative Party .
She is succeeded by John Major .

The Ireland soccer team are greeted by some 500,000 fans at College Green following their World Cup campaign in 1990. Photograph: Frank Miller
January 1st: Ireland begins a six-month presidency of the European Community.
January 8th: Sinead O'Connor releases her second album which includes the hit single Nothing Compares 2 U.
February 11th: Anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela is released from prison in South Africa after 27 years behind bars.
April 1st: The poll tax takes effect in England and Wales amid widespread protests.
READ MORE
May 17th: The World Health Organisation declassifies homosexuality as a mental disorder. The date is now celebrated as International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
May 18th: East Germany and West Germany sign a treaty to merge their economic and social systems.
June 11th: The Republic of Ireland begin their first appearance at a Fifa World Cup with a 1-1 draw against England in Cagliari, Italy.
June 15th: The Dublin Convention is signed, setting in law EU rules on asylum applications.
June 20th: The Irish pound coin was introduced into circulation replacing the pound note.
Nelson Mandela accepting the Freedom of the City of Dublin at an open-air ceremony outside the Mansion House in July 1990. Photograph: Frank Miller
July 1st: Huge crowds greet the Republic of Ireland team on their return from the World Cup. On the same day, former South African president Nelson accepts the Freedom of the City of Dublin at an open-air ceremony outside the Mansion House.
July 24th: The IRA kill three policemen and a nun in a bomb attack near Armagh.
July 30th: British politician and former MP Ian Gow is assassinated by a Provisional IRA car bomb outside his home in England.
August: Roddy Doyle's novel The Snapper, second of The Barrytown Trilogy, is published.
August 2nd: Iraq invades Kuwait, triggering the Gulf War.
August 24th: Writer Brian Keenan is released after 1,574 days in captivity in Beirut.
September 21st: This first episode of Winning Streak on RTÉ was broadcast in conjunction with the National Lottery. The presenter is Mike Murphy.
September 21st: Jim Sheridan's film The Field is released featuring Richard Harris in the role of "Bull" McCabe.
October 24th: Patsy Gillespie, a Catholic man, is strapped into a car and forced to drive an IRA car bomb into a British army checkpoint where it is detonated, killing him and five British soldiers.
Mary Robinson became Ireland’s first woman president. Photograph: Jack McManus
November 9th: Mary Robinson is elected the seventh president of Ireland. She is inaugurated the following month as the first woman to hold the office.
November 22: Margaret Thatcher announces she will not contest the second ballot of the leadership election for the Conservative Party. She is succeeded by John Major.


theirishtimes--2020-12-26--Up to 1,500 homes without power as Storm Bella hits Ireland

Met Éireann has issued a warning for strong winds and heavy rain with a risk of spot flooding on the west coast as a consequence of Storm Bella .
The national forecaster put a status yellow wind and rainfall weather warning in place from 3pm on St Stephen ’ s Day .
The storm is set to bring heavy winds and rain into the early hours of Sunday morning .
Up to 1,500 homes are without power tonight as the impact of the storm is felt across the country , according to RTÉ .
Met Éireann forecasts westerly winds from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gusts of 90km/h-110km/h , potentially even higher near the west coast .
“ With the combination of strong winds , high waves and forecasted storm surge , there is a risk of coastal flooding along the west coast , ” warned Met Éireann .
Heavy rainfall from the storm has been moving southwards across Ireland over the course of the day and may cause localised spot flooding in some areas .
The weather warnings will remain in place until 4am on Sunday .
The rain was forecast to be heaviest in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before moving southeast .
Temperatures will be between seven and 10 degrees .
“ Widespread rain with heavy falls bringing a risk of spot flooding , will gradually clear southwards tonight followed by scattered showers , ” according to the forecaster .
The heavy gusts will persist into the night , even reaching gale force winds in some western coastal areas .
Met Éireann has also issued a status yellow snow and ice warning for Donegal and Leitrim on Sunday .
The forecaster said expected wintry showers on Sunday means a risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surfaces .
The warning is in place from 6am on Sunday until 8pm that night .
Donegal County Council advised that road gritters would not be in action on St Stephen ’ s Day evening , that people should “ assume that no road is ice free ” .
AA Roadwatch has advised motorists driving in these areas to “ take extra caution in these conditions , slow down and avoid any harsh manoeuvres ” .
The UK Met Office has issued a similar snow and ice warning across Northern Ireland for Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snow overnight creating icy surfaces on roads .
There is also a status orange marine warning in place due to gale force winds on Saturday and Sunday .
Met Éireann has said winds could reach storm force 10 levels on Saturday in Irish coastal waters , and in the Irish Sea .


theirishtimes--2020-12-26--Covid-19: North reports 20 more deaths as it enters six-week lockdown

Northern Ireland reported a further 20 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday as it entered a six-week lockdown to try to contain the virus .
The North ’ s Department of Health recorded 998 cases and 20 deaths over the past two days .
The first week of the new restrictions are the toughest yet , with a form of curfew in operation from 8pm , shops closed from that time and all indoor and outdoor gatherings prohibited until 6am .
Non-essential retail will be closed throughout the next six weeks , as will close contact services .
Hospitality outlets will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be banned , with elite athletes included in the prohibition for the first week .
Covid-19 infection rates remain high , with a more transmissible strain first discovered in southern England and London recently detected in Northern Ireland .
Stormont ’ s chief scientific adviser has said Northern Ireland would have witnessed thousands of Covid-19 deaths if no action had been taken to suppress coronavirus .
Prof Ian Young has said the already over-capacity health service would have been completely swamped in January .
He warned the number of Covid-19 inpatients would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of the month if no action had been taken .
Recently , queues of ambulances were witnessed at accident and emergency departments across Northern Ireland as patients were treated in car parks due to a lack of capacity inside hospitals .
At one point , 17 ambulances containing patients were lined up outside the emergency department at Antrim Area Hospital .
– PA

Non-essential retail in Northern Ireland will be closed throughout the next six weeks, as will close contact services. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP/Getty Images
Northern Ireland reported a further 20 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday as it entered a six-week lockdown to try to contain the virus.
The North’s Department of Health recorded 998 cases and 20 deaths over the past two days.
The first week of the new restrictions are the toughest yet, with a form of curfew in operation from 8pm, shops closed from that time and all indoor and outdoor gatherings prohibited until 6am.
Non-essential retail will be closed throughout the next six weeks, as will close contact services.
READ MORE
Hospitality outlets will be limited to takeaway services.
Organised sport will be banned, with elite athletes included in the prohibition for the first week.
Covid-19 infection rates remain high, with a more transmissible strain first discovered in southern England and London recently detected in Northern Ireland.
Stormont’s chief scientific adviser has said Northern Ireland would have witnessed thousands of Covid-19 deaths if no action had been taken to suppress coronavirus.
Prof Ian Young has said the already over-capacity health service would have been completely swamped in January.
He warned the number of Covid-19 inpatients would have soared to between 3,000 and 4,000 by the end of the month if no action had been taken.
Recently, queues of ambulances were witnessed at accident and emergency departments across Northern Ireland as patients were treated in car parks due to a lack of capacity inside hospitals.
At one point, 17 ambulances containing patients were lined up outside the emergency department at Antrim Area Hospital. – PA


theirishtimes--2020-12-26--Coronavirus: Six deaths and 1,296 cases reported in Republic

A further six coronavirus-related deaths and 1,296 Covid-19 cases have been reported in the Republic on the day the first vaccines arrived in the country .
The National Public Health Emergency Team said on Saturday there had now been 2,200 deaths as a result of the pandemic .
It is the second day in a row that the number of daily Covid-19 cases climbed above the 1,000 mark .
Before this week , the daily figure had not been above 1,000 since October 25th .
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said in a statement : “ Within a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning of December , we have now returned to the very high levels of Covid-19 circulating in the community that we have not seen since the peak of wave two of this disease .
This is very concerning.
” Earlier , the first shipment of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine arrived in the Republic .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the country would begin its vaccination programme next Wednesday with frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents set to get the jab first .
The first doses of the BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a secure location ahead of the rollout of the national Covid-19 vaccination programme .
“ After a difficult and different Christmas for many people , it is wonderful to see the first deliveries of Covid-19 vaccines to Ireland today , ” Mr Donnelly said .
“ The arrival of these vaccines to Ireland is a significant and positive ” he added describing it as a “ massive achievement by the scientific and medical communities [ which ] will save many lives ” .
He said the recent increase in cases had focused “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 ” and said the advent of “ safe and effective vaccines will help us to protect the most vulnerable in our society as we ramp up our immunisation programme ” .
He suggested that the vaccine promised “ a brighter year ” but stressed the “ need to be aware of the threat of Covid-19 ” and to follow all public health guidance “ and remember that every contact counts ” .
The chief executive of the HSE Paul Reid said the delivery was “ a welcome sight at what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to curb the devastating impact of Covid-19 ” .
He said it represented “ hope for us all as we move into a new year , but we must remember , we all still have our part to play ” .
Prof Brian MacCraith , chair of the Government ’ s taskforce on Covid-19 , added that after “ a truly horrible year , today ’ s arrival represents a bright new dawn of hope .
It ’ s a gateway of opportunity for Irish people to protect themselves against this awful virus.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Colm Henry pointed out that while the vaccine ’ s arrival was a very positive development “ it is critical that all of us keep in mind that the vaccine is not our first line of defence against Covid-19 ” .
He said the advice to the public remains the same “ in particular as we see increased community transmission and case numbers continue to rise ” .
The first batch of the vaccine is understood to contain 10,000 doses of the jab with the next shipment – of tens of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week of January .
It is envisaged by the HSE that 30,000 nursing home residents will be vaccinated , having received the required two doses , by the end of January .
After frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents are vaccinated , people over 70 ; other healthcare workers not in direct patient contact , people aged 65 to 69 and other “ key workers ” will be vaccinated in that order .
This will be followed by people aged 18 to 64 years with certain medical conditions ; who are residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or working in crowded settings .
Next to be immunised will be key workers in essential jobs who can not avoid a high risk of exposure ; people working in education , people aged 55 to 64 , other workers in occupations important to the functioning of society and those aged between 18 and 54 .
However , Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said mass inoculation against Covid-19 is unlikely to be possible until May or June as the vaccine will not be available in sufficient quantities until then .
Mr Martin said normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the earliest and the return to normal will be “ tentative ” .
“ I think the first six months of 2021 will see improvements but we certainly won ’ t have normality in the first six months as we knew it , ” he said in Government Buildings .
Mr Martin said European Union leaders had been briefed by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen that manufacturing vaccines “ will ramp up certainly [ in ] March onwards and she would have identified May-June as critical months in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said the expected volumes of vaccines in January and February were “ relatively low in terms of what would come subsequently .
But that ’ s where we ’ ll be dealing with nursing home residents and healthcare workers and key workers .
.
.
that will make a significant difference in itself .
If we can immunise and can protect those most vulnerable , that already begins to give us a greater freedom in terms of policy options and decisions we take .
”

The HSE takes delivery of the first doses of the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at a secure location in Ireland. Video: Twitter.com/Stephen Donnelly / eudebates.tv
A further six coronavirus-related deaths and 1,296 Covid-19 cases have been reported in the Republic on the day the first vaccines arrived in the country.
The National Public Health Emergency Team said on Saturday there had now been 2,200 deaths as a result of the pandemic.
It is the second day in a row that the number of daily Covid-19 cases climbed above the 1,000 mark. Before this week, the daily figure had not been above 1,000 since October 25th.
When is a fridge worth photographing? When it’s just had Ireland’s first #Covid vaccines put in it
The first doses have just arrived and many of them are sitting in that very, very cold fridge.
We’ll begin vaccinating in four days. #holdfirm. pic.twitter.com/T9zletiOBS — Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) December 26, 2020
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said in a statement: “Within a few short weeks of easing measures at the beginning of December, we have now returned to the very high levels of Covid-19 circulating in the community that we have not seen since the peak of wave two of this disease. This is very concerning.”
READ MORE
Earlier, the first shipment of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine arrived in the Republic.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the country would begin its vaccination programme next Wednesday with frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents set to get the jab first.
The first doses of the BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine are being stored in ultra-low refrigeration conditions at a secure location ahead of the rollout of the national Covid-19 vaccination programme.
"After a difficult and different Christmas for many people, it is wonderful to see the first deliveries of Covid-19 vaccines to Ireland today," Mr Donnelly said. "The arrival of these vaccines to Ireland is a significant and positive" he added describing it as a "massive achievement by the scientific and medical communities [which] will save many lives".
He said the recent increase in cases had focused “our collective minds on the continued challenge of Covid-19” and said the advent of “safe and effective vaccines will help us to protect the most vulnerable in our society as we ramp up our immunisation programme”.
He suggested that the vaccine promised “a brighter year” but stressed the “need to be aware of the threat of Covid-19” and to follow all public health guidance “and remember that every contact counts”.
The chief executive of the HSE Paul Reid said the delivery was "a welcome sight at what is a very difficult time in our efforts to curb the devastating impact of Covid-19".
He said it represented “hope for us all as we move into a new year, but we must remember, we all still have our part to play”.
Prof Brian MacCraith, chair of the Government’s taskforce on Covid-19, added that after “a truly horrible year, today’s arrival represents a bright new dawn of hope. It’s a gateway of opportunity for Irish people to protect themselves against this awful virus.”
HSE’s chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry pointed out that while the vaccine’s arrival was a very positive development “it is critical that all of us keep in mind that the vaccine is not our first line of defence against Covid-19”.
He said the advice to the public remains the same “in particular as we see increased community transmission and case numbers continue to rise”.
The first batch of the vaccine is understood to contain 10,000 doses of the jab with the next shipment – of tens of thousands of doses – due in the first week of January.
It is envisaged by the HSE that 30,000 nursing home residents will be vaccinated, having received the required two doses, by the end of January.
After frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents are vaccinated, people over 70; other healthcare workers not in direct patient contact, people aged 65 to 69 and other “key workers” will be vaccinated in that order.
This will be followed by people aged 18 to 64 years with certain medical conditions; who are residents of long-term care facilities, and living or working in crowded settings.
Next to be immunised will be key workers in essential jobs who cannot avoid a high risk of exposure; people working in education, people aged 55 to 64, other workers in occupations important to the functioning of society and those aged between 18 and 54.
However, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said mass inoculation against Covid-19 is unlikely to be possible until May or June as the vaccine will not be available in sufficient quantities until then.
Mr Martin said normal life will not return until the summer at the earliest and the return to normal will be "tentative".
“I think the first six months of 2021 will see improvements but we certainly won’t have normality in the first six months as we knew it,” he said in Government Buildings.
Mr Martin said European Union leaders had been briefed by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen that manufacturing vaccines "will ramp up certainly [in] March onwards and she would have identified May-June as critical months in terms of high volumes of vaccines coming in".
He said the expected volumes of vaccines in January and February were “relatively low in terms of what would come subsequently. But that’s where we’ll be dealing with nursing home residents and healthcare workers and key workers . . . that will make a significant difference in itself. If we can immunise and can protect those most vulnerable, that already begins to give us a greater freedom in terms of policy options and decisions we take.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-27--Covid-19 vaccinations to begin on Tuesday, a day earlier than planned, HSE says

The Irish vaccination programme and rollout of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine will begin on Tuesday , December 29th , HSE chief executive Paul Reid has said .
Mr Reid told RTÉ ’ s This Week programme that he expected the first vaccinations to take place on Tuesday , one day earlier than was previously anticipated .
Mr Reid was speaking after the first shipment of 10,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine arrived in Ireland on Saturday .
Asked why Ireland was not rolling out the programme straight away like other European nations , Mr Reid said the HSE ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a safe and effective way .
“ We want to build confidence very early and immediately with our own vaccine roll-out process .
We will start in four hospital locations with some very elderly residents.
” He said the initial three weeks would focus on a full vaccination “ sweep ” of nursing homes followed by another three week period where nursing home residents would receive their second Pfizer jab .
This first group to receive the vaccine are “ very vulnerable ” and the consent process is “ quite complex ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been trained to carry out vaccinations in the community while a further 1,500 vaccinators are to become available in the acute hospital system , said Mr Reid .
The HSE will then roll out its vaccination programme to GPs and pharmacies , he added .
Another 30,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine are due for delivery next week with 40,000 doses due each week through January and into February , said Mr Reid , adding that the State was “ in dialogue ” with Moderna regarding its delivery schedule and roll out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he is unsure why Covid-19 vaccines are being rolled out in Ireland at a slower rate than in other countries but insists that the State “ will catch up ” .
“ I don ’ t see it as a race .
I think it ’ s important we do it right , ” he told Newstalk ’ s On The Record programme on Sunday when asked about the delay .
Asked why the vaccine which arrived in Ireland on St Sephen ’ s Day would not be administered distributed until December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not 100 per cent sure ” but that it “ takes a couple of days to organise things ” .
“ While you could have done a few people in the initial days , the authorities thought it was better to start on Wednesday , start it properly , ” he said .
“ We ’ ve 10,000 doses .
We ’ ll have roughly 40,000 doses arriving every week from January , ” he said , adding that “ people living in long term care facilities , nursing homes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be the first to be innoculated .
“ I think we ’ ll start a little bit slower , but catch up .
We ’ re part of the European system .
We get 1.11 per cent of the vaccine and that ’ s proportional to our population .
I think we will start a bit slower than other countries.
” Mr Varadkar said he anticipated that the Moderna vaccine will be approved for use on January 6th .
“ That ’ s not part of the current schedule you see in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems to be a good chance that the AstraZenaca one will be approved by the end of January and that ’ s particularly important because we ordered a huge number of them , more so than we did from Pfizer.
” He said the vaccination scheme “ will be accelerated as those other vaccines come online ” .
Professor Sam McConkey , infectious diseases consultant , said on Sunday that he was “ very confident ” in the safety of the Pfizer vaccine and underlined that the public should not worry about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we can very , very confidently say this is a safe product , ” he told RTÉ ’ s Brendan O ’ Connor show .
“ It ’ s clear that the Pfizer vaccine prevents mild and moderate illness in young healthy people .
Now of course , mild and modern illness is not what we ’ re worried about , it ’ s death in the 90-year-olds .
How sure are we that it will be 90 per cent effective at preventing death in 90-year-olds ?
We don ’ t quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like it will prevent mild and moderate illness and probably some death .
“ There ’ s a time you have to move ahead with knowledge of safety , confidence in safety , and some very strong evidence of it preventing mild and moderate disease and a pointer towards preventing death .
“ So I feel this is a time for celebration .
It ’ s a new year , it ’ s Christmas , we need some hope .
The days are getting longer , the sun is shining , the storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their way .
I think we all need a little bit of hope.
” Prof McConkey said he expected there to be between three and five vaccine options available in the State within four to six months , adding that he hoped to gain more “ nuanced detail about the specific characteristics ” of different vaccines .
Some of the vaccines which are set to become available in the coming weeks may work better among children under two years of age while others may work better among young people or 90 year olds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn out to be stronger at preventing transmission which will be particularly important for those working in nursing homes “ whose main risk is not only to themselves but actually transferring as a vector the virus to people they ’ re caring for ” .
Europe began its cross-border vaccination programme on Sunday after the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine were delivered to EU member states .
Countries including France , Germany , Italy , Austria , Portugal and Spain are planning to begin mass vaccinations , starting with health workers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval by the EU is the Moderna vaccine , with authorisation expected on January 6th .
After that , the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine , which is considerably easier to administer as it does not require very cold storage as is the case with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna jabs , is expected to get EU approval in early January .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) recorded 1,296 new cases of Covid-19 on December 26th , the highest number of cases reported in a single day since the pandemic began .
Before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been above 1,000 since October 25th .
Some six coronavirus-related deaths were also reported on St Stephen ’ s Day , bringing to 2,200 the total number of deaths as a result of the pandemic .

The HSE takes delivery of the first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine on December 26th, 2020. Photograph: Marc O’Sullivan/AFP/Getty Images.
The Irish vaccination programme and rollout of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine will begin on Tuesday, December 29th, HSE chief executive Paul Reid has said.
Mr Reid told RTÉ's This Week programme that he expected the first vaccinations to take place on Tuesday, one day earlier than was previously anticipated. Mr Reid was speaking after the first shipment of 10,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine arrived in Ireland on Saturday.
Asked why Ireland was not rolling out the programme straight away like other European nations, Mr Reid said the HSE’s top priority was to begin vaccinating people in a safe and effective way.
“We want to build confidence very early and immediately with our own vaccine roll-out process. We will start in four hospital locations with some very elderly residents.”
READ MORE
He said the initial three weeks would focus on a full vaccination “sweep” of nursing homes followed by another three week period where nursing home residents would receive their second Pfizer jab. This first group to receive the vaccine are “very vulnerable” and the consent process is “quite complex”, he said.
Some 180 people have been trained to carry out vaccinations in the community while a further 1,500 vaccinators are to become available in the acute hospital system, said Mr Reid. The HSE will then roll out its vaccination programme to GPs and pharmacies, he added.
Another 30,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine are due for delivery next week with 40,000 doses due each week through January and into February, said Mr Reid, adding that the State was “in dialogue” with Moderna regarding its delivery schedule and roll out.
‘We’ll catch up’
Meanwhile, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said he is unsure why Covid-19 vaccines are being rolled out in Ireland at a slower rate than in other countries but insists that the State “will catch up”.
“I don’t see it as a race. I think it’s important we do it right,” he told Newstalk’s On The Record programme on Sunday when asked about the delay.
Asked why the vaccine which arrived in Ireland on St Sephen’s Day would not be administered distributed until December 30th, he said: “I’m not 100 per cent sure” but that it “takes a couple of days to organise things”.
“While you could have done a few people in the initial days, the authorities thought it was better to start on Wednesday, start it properly,” he said.
“We’ve 10,000 doses. We’ll have roughly 40,000 doses arriving every week from January,” he said, adding that “people living in long term care facilities, nursing homes and also staff who are working there” would be the first to be innoculated.
“I think we’ll start a little bit slower, but catch up. We’re part of the European system. We get 1.11 per cent of the vaccine and that’s proportional to our population. I think we will start a bit slower than other countries.”
Mr Varadkar said he anticipated that the Moderna vaccine will be approved for use on January 6th.
“That’s not part of the current schedule you see in the paper’s today and there seems to be a good chance that the AstraZenaca one will be approved by the end of January and that’s particularly important because we ordered a huge number of them, more so than we did from Pfizer.”
He said the vaccination scheme “will be accelerated as those other vaccines come online”.
Hope
Professor Sam McConkey, infectious diseases consultant, said on Sunday that he was “very confident” in the safety of the Pfizer vaccine and underlined that the public should not worry about the safety of the vaccine.
“I think we can very, very confidently say this is a safe product,” he told RTÉ’s Brendan O’Connor show. “It’s clear that the Pfizer vaccine prevents mild and moderate illness in young healthy people. Now of course, mild and modern illness is not what we’re worried about, it’s death in the 90-year-olds. How sure are we that it will be 90 per cent effective at preventing death in 90-year-olds? We don’t quite know that yet, but it seems like it will prevent mild and moderate illness and probably some death.
“There’s a time you have to move ahead with knowledge of safety, confidence in safety, and some very strong evidence of it preventing mild and moderate disease and a pointer towards preventing death.
“So I feel this is a time for celebration. It’s a new year, it’s Christmas, we need some hope. The days are getting longer, the sun is shining, the storm is over and the vaccines are on their way. I think we all need a little bit of hope.”
Prof McConkey said he expected there to be between three and five vaccine options available in the State within four to six months, adding that he hoped to gain more “nuanced detail about the specific characteristics” of different vaccines.
Some of the vaccines which are set to become available in the coming weeks may work better among children under two years of age while others may work better among young people or 90 year olds, he said.
Other vaccines may turn out to be stronger at preventing transmission which will be particularly important for those working in nursing homes “whose main risk is not only to themselves but actually transferring as a vector the virus to people they’re caring for”.
Europe began its cross-border vaccination programme on Sunday after the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine were delivered to EU member states. Countries including France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Portugal and Spain are planning to begin mass vaccinations, starting with health workers on Sunday.
The next vaccine set for approval by the EU is the Moderna vaccine, with authorisation expected on January 6th. After that, the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, which is considerably easier to administer as it does not require very cold storage as is the case with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna jabs, is expected to get EU approval in early January.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) recorded 1,296 new cases of Covid-19 on December 26th, the highest number of cases reported in a single day since the pandemic began. Before this week, the daily figure had not been above 1,000 since October 25th.
Some six coronavirus-related deaths were also reported on St Stephen’s Day, bringing to 2,200 the total number of deaths as a result of the pandemic.


theirishtimes--2020-12-27--‘What’s done is done’: When an Offaly boatman murdered his fare - a British officer

It was a Saturday evening and Martin Burke was in his father ’ s potato field , weeding .
The land , at Tinnakilly , sat on the Tipperary side of the River Brosna – not far from Birr , Co Offaly – previously known as Parsonstown and King ’ s County , respectively .
It was about 7pm on July 8th , 1865 , when a young man he knew – Laurence King – came into the field .
That wasn ’ t unusual .
King , aged in his 20s , visited the house from time to time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few potatoes in the same field .
What was unusual , however , were the claims he made .
King , Burke quickly realised , was drunk .
Though he staggered , he was able to walk and speak .
King produced from his pocket a shot pouch and a soda-water bottled filled with about a naggin of whiskey .
“ There was but one officer in the barrack , ” he said to Burke – referring to a British officer , and to the barracks at Birr .
“ And I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Martin ’ s brother Thomas had approached the pair .
“ God bless the work , ” said King , offering up some of the liquor .
He explained again that he was after “ downing ” a “ blue boy ” .
Thomas warned King he should be careful what he said , eliciting a cool reply from the drunk young man : “ What ’ s done is done.
” Thomas told him if what he said were true , that he ’ d be hanged as round as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s reply – that thousands of British soldiers were killed at the siege of Sebastapol – a bloody engagement in the Crimean War – did little to convince the Burkes of King ’ s newfound cold-bloodedness .
So , he showed them .
King led the way to a nearby pasture field .
By the side of a ditch , in the grass , the Burke brothers viewed a bundle containing a coat , trousers , waistcoat , a pair of boots and a double-barrelled gun .
The visitor gathered up his items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heading for town .
William Edwards was a private in the 5th Fusiliers , and acted as a servant to an officer – Lieutenant Henry James Clutterbuck .
On the morning of the day his master went missing , Edwards noticed some valuables on a table in the officer ’ s room : two sovereigns , four half sovereigns , and two or three shillings .
He saw a gold pocket watch on the chair beside the bed , too .
After Clutterbuck – himself a young man in the “ prime of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting on the river with a hired local named Laurence King .
When he left at about 4pm , the officer took with him the valuables on the table , a double-barrelled gun , a shot pouch and a dog .
The setter returned later that evening , wet and dirty .
Clutterbuck did not .
Edwards raised the alarm .
A search was mounted .
Of course , King was questioned .
It wasn ’ t a secret that Clutterbuck had been with him on the river on July 8th – in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d been fowling with King before .
King told the soldiers he had let Clutterbuck ashore at Mullin ’ s bog , and that he earned 2s 6d for his trouble .
The last he saw of the lieutenant , he was marching up the turf road , alive and well .
Cash rewards in the end totalling at least £80 at one point , were offered .
When a search of the surrounding bogs yielded no sign of the officer , the river was searched .
On Tuesday , July 11th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up-stream from the point at which King said he ’ d left him .
The officer was naked , bar his shirt , and face down in an area of the river about 12 feet deep .
Near Clutterbuck ’ s ear , at the back of his head , the men noted a two-inch-wide bullet hole .
The body was pulled from the river .
King – and his parents – were arrested .
His parents were later released , but the case against King was quite clear .
Even before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was reported in The Irish Times and elsewhere that spent shot had been found within his boat .
King ’ s trial for the murder of Lieutenant Clutterbuck took place at the King ’ s County Assizes on August 4th and 5th , 1865 .
The case drew huge attention , with The Irish Times noting on the second day : “ The entire courthouse , as on yesterday , was densely crowded.
” Clutterbuck ’ s colleagues were in attendance .
King pleaded not guilty , but the evidence was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several other locals had seen the two enter the boat , others heard shots , and others saw King on his own afterwards , with a double-barrel gun .
Another of the Burkes – Bridget – had all but seen the shooting .
According to the report in The Irish Times , she had been attending some geese in her family ’ s field , near the river , when she saw King with a man she didn ’ t know .
As they stepped onto a nearby boat , she heard a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King ’ s hand , while the other gentleman “ seemed to sink into the boat ” .
Bridget went home , apparently thinking nothing of it .
Mr Montgomery , for the defence , gave a 2 hour and 45 minute address to the jury ( “ a most able and eloquent speech ” ) in which he pleaded with them not to put any weight in the testimony of “ the Burkes ” .
A number of technical legal points were raised , the main one being the location of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presented , the alleged crime technically took place in Tipperary .
King , therefore , should have been tried there .
The Crown ’ s story – that King had shot Clutterbuck in the back of the head , in cold blood , and then robbed him – was believed by the jury .
After 90 minutes , they found him guilty , with a recommendation to mercy because he was drunk when he murdered the lieutenant .
The judge said he would not forward the recommendation and sentenced King to hang in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court for the first time , shouting through tears to an old man in the court room : “ Dan McNamara , remember me to my poor father.
” The points of law were considered .
It ’ s written on King ’ s case file – a note directed that his sentence was to be delayed until the appeals court considered them .
The conviction , in the end , was deemed legal .
A single letter seeking reprieve exists in King ’ s file ; a four-page plea that didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commutation of the sentence , instead appealing to the “ forgiving heart and generous mind ” of the Lord Lieutenant .
The writer sought mercy for the “ poor lad ” , who was “ but a youth , a boy ” .
At the top of the document , written in red ink , a short note summarises the reply : “ His Excellency finds no ground for any interference on his part.
” And so , King went to the scaffold .
In the days before his execution on September 6th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King turned to God and confessed to the killing , blaming the drink .
The hangman , not unusually , is unnamed .
The Irish Times reported that he was a soldier under sentence in Kilmainham “ for a criminal assault on a child of tender years ” .
The Belfast Newsletter painted a vivid picture of a “ villainous-looking scoundrel ” who arrived to Tullamore station in full uniform and handcuffs – and not to the pleasure of the locals .
Criminals performing hanging duties was not unheard of , nor was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would often require a police escort from the train to the jail – especially in Ireland and particularly if he was English .
King ’ s execution would be one of the last public hangings in Ireland .
Reports said he knelt at the scaffold and repeatedly kissed a crucifix held to his mouth , before speaking a few words of apology and then being hanged .
As sometimes happened , the hanging was not a successful one , with one report noting that it took five minutes for King to die .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its report Covering Clutterbuck ’ s inquest in July , had noted the sadness that the killing brought the locality .
“ The consternation and gloom caused by the finding of the body were something awful , and every one in the town seemed to feel as if a personal calamity had overtaken them , ” it said .
That feeling did not go unnoticed .
Lieutenant Clutterbuck ’ s body was returned to England and his father , Rev James Charles Clutterbuck – vicar of Long Wittenham , near Abingdon in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Times which was then circulated in other newspapers , in which he expressed gratitude to the police , soldiers and also for the conduct of the people of the town .

It was a Saturday evening and Martin Burke was in his father’s potato field, weeding. The land, at Tinnakilly, sat on the Tipperary side of the River Brosna – not far from Birr, Co Offaly – previously known as Parsonstown and King’s County, respectively.
It was about 7pm on July 8th, 1865, when a young man he knew – Laurence King – came into the field. That wasn’t unusual. King, aged in his 20s, visited the house from time to time, and his own father had a few potatoes in the same field. What was unusual, however, were the claims he made.
King, Burke quickly realised, was drunk. Though he staggered, he was able to walk and speak. King produced from his pocket a shot pouch and a soda-water bottled filled with about a naggin of whiskey. “There was but one officer in the barrack,” he said to Burke – referring to a British officer, and to the barracks at Birr. “And I am after shooting him.”
By this point, Martin’s brother Thomas had approached the pair. “God bless the work,” said King, offering up some of the liquor. He explained again that he was after “downing” a “blue boy”.
READ MORE
Thomas warned King he should be careful what he said, eliciting a cool reply from the drunk young man: “What’s done is done.” Thomas told him if what he said were true, that he’d be hanged as round as a juggler’s ball. King’s reply – that thousands of British soldiers were killed at the siege of Sebastapol – a bloody engagement in the Crimean War – did little to convince the Burkes of King’s newfound cold-bloodedness. So, he showed them.
King led the way to a nearby pasture field. By the side of a ditch, in the grass, the Burke brothers viewed a bundle containing a coat, trousers, waistcoat, a pair of boots and a double-barrelled gun. The visitor gathered up his items and left, crossing the river and heading for town.
***
William Edwards was a private in the 5th Fusiliers, and acted as a servant to an officer – Lieutenant Henry James Clutterbuck. On the morning of the day his master went missing, Edwards noticed some valuables on a table in the officer’s room: two sovereigns, four half sovereigns, and two or three shillings. He saw a gold pocket watch on the chair beside the bed, too.
After Clutterbuck – himself a young man in the “prime of his life” – left to go shooting on the river with a hired local named Laurence King. When he left at about 4pm, the officer took with him the valuables on the table, a double-barrelled gun, a shot pouch and a dog. The setter returned later that evening, wet and dirty. Clutterbuck did not.
Edwards raised the alarm. A search was mounted. Of course, King was questioned. It wasn’t a secret that Clutterbuck had been with him on the river on July 8th – in fact, reports indicate that he’d been fowling with King before. King told the soldiers he had let Clutterbuck ashore at Mullin’s bog, and that he earned 2s 6d for his trouble. The last he saw of the lieutenant, he was marching up the turf road, alive and well.
Cash rewards in the end totalling at least £80 at one point, were offered. When a search of the surrounding bogs yielded no sign of the officer, the river was searched.
On Tuesday, July 11th, Clutterbuck’s body was found, up-stream from the point at which King said he’d left him. The officer was naked, bar his shirt, and face down in an area of the river about 12 feet deep. Near Clutterbuck’s ear, at the back of his head, the men noted a two-inch-wide bullet hole. The body was pulled from the river.
King – and his parents – were arrested. His parents were later released, but the case against King was quite clear. Even before the Burkes’ testimony at his eventual trial, it was reported in The Irish Times and elsewhere that spent shot had been found within his boat.
***
King’s trial for the murder of Lieutenant Clutterbuck took place at the King’s County Assizes on August 4th and 5th, 1865. The case drew huge attention, with The Irish Times noting on the second day: “The entire courthouse, as on yesterday, was densely crowded.” Clutterbuck’s colleagues were in attendance.
King pleaded not guilty, but the evidence was damning. Many witnesses were called. Several other locals had seen the two enter the boat, others heard shots, and others saw King on his own afterwards, with a double-barrel gun.
Another of the Burkes – Bridget – had all but seen the shooting. According to the report in The Irish Times, she had been attending some geese in her family’s field, near the river, when she saw King with a man she didn’t know. As they stepped onto a nearby boat, she heard a shot fired from the gun held in King’s hand, while the other gentleman “seemed to sink into the boat”. Bridget went home, apparently thinking nothing of it.
Mr Montgomery, for the defence, gave a 2 hour and 45 minute address to the jury (“a most able and eloquent speech”) in which he pleaded with them not to put any weight in the testimony of “the Burkes”. A number of technical legal points were raised, the main one being the location of the supposed murder: judging by the evidence presented, the alleged crime technically took place in Tipperary. King, therefore, should have been tried there.
The Crown’s story – that King had shot Clutterbuck in the back of the head, in cold blood, and then robbed him – was believed by the jury. After 90 minutes, they found him guilty, with a recommendation to mercy because he was drunk when he murdered the lieutenant.
The judge said he would not forward the recommendation and sentenced King to hang in Tullamore. King broke down in the court for the first time, shouting through tears to an old man in the court room: “Dan McNamara, remember me to my poor father.”
***
The points of law were considered. It’s written on King’s case file – a note directed that his sentence was to be delayed until the appeals court considered them. The conviction, in the end, was deemed legal.
A single letter seeking reprieve exists in King’s file; a four-page plea that didn’t cite any legal grounds for a commutation of the sentence, instead appealing to the “forgiving heart and generous mind” of the Lord Lieutenant. The writer sought mercy for the “poor lad”, who was “but a youth, a boy”.
At the top of the document, written in red ink, a short note summarises the reply: “His Excellency finds no ground for any interference on his part.” And so, King went to the scaffold.
In the days before his execution on September 6th, as many condemned prisoners did, King turned to God and confessed to the killing, blaming the drink.
The hangman, not unusually, is unnamed. The Irish Times reported that he was a soldier under sentence in Kilmainham "for a criminal assault on a child of tender years". The Belfast Newsletter painted a vivid picture of a "villainous-looking scoundrel" who arrived to Tullamore station in full uniform and handcuffs – and not to the pleasure of the locals. Criminals performing hanging duties was not unheard of, nor was the mobbing of the executioner, who would often require a police escort from the train to the jail – especially in Ireland and particularly if he was English.
King’s execution would be one of the last public hangings in Ireland. Reports said he knelt at the scaffold and repeatedly kissed a crucifix held to his mouth, before speaking a few words of apology and then being hanged. As sometimes happened, the hanging was not a successful one, with one report noting that it took five minutes for King to die.
The King’s County Chronicle, in its report Covering Clutterbuck’s inquest in July, had noted the sadness that the killing brought the locality. “The consternation and gloom caused by the finding of the body were something awful, and every one in the town seemed to feel as if a personal calamity had overtaken them,” it said.
That feeling did not go unnoticed. Lieutenant Clutterbuck's body was returned to England and his father, Rev James Charles Clutterbuck – vicar of Long Wittenham, near Abingdon in the UK – penned a letter to the Times which was then circulated in other newspapers, in which he expressed gratitude to the police, soldiers and also for the conduct of the people of the town.


theirishtimes--2020-12-27--Covid-19: Ban on inter-county travel in effect after record daily case numbers reported

Travel between counties is now prohibited following the introduction of new Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions on Sunday .
People who had travelled outside their county of residence for Christmas are not asked to return home immediately but should remain in their county once they do .
The advice on indoor visits has also changed , with people only allowed to receive visitors from one other household .
This measure will remain in place until January 1st after which time , household visits will be banned completely .
Gastro-pubs and restaurants will remain shut having closed their doors on Christmas Eve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain open , the usual Christmas/January sales have been deferred .
It is understood the National Public Health Emergency team ( Nphet ) recommended in a letter last week that all non-essential retail outlets should close , with this and other restrictions to be considered by the Cabinet on Tuesday .
Nphet reported a record high 1,296 cases of Covid-19 on December 26th , the highest number recorded in a single day since the pandemic began .
It was the second day in a row that the number of daily cases passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen since October 25th .
Six coronavirus-related deaths were also reported on St Stephen ’ s Day , bringing the total to 2,200 .
Northern Ireland reported 998 cases and 20 deaths as the North entered a six-week lockdown .
Under the latest restrictions in the State , gyms , leisure centres and swimming pools may remain open for individual training only and non-contact training pods of up to 15 may take place outdoors .
Hotel guests booked in over Christmas must check out today and hotels are now only allowed to open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government members have continued to insist that schools will open as planned in January , however , sources have said that this position would be reviewed if daily case numbers accelerated into the thousands .
Golf and outdoor tennis can continue but no matches can take place except for professional and elite sports , horse , racing , greyhound racing and approved equestrian events behind closed doors .
Earlier this week , Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly told The Irish Times that new variants of the virus from South Africa and the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection rates across all age groups , meant “ it ’ s the most serious situation since I became health Minister ” .
Also on St Stephen ’ s Day , the first shipment of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine arrived in the Republic with the vaccination programme scheduled to begin on Wednesday , December 30th starting with frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents .
The first batch of the vaccine is understood to contain 10,000 doses with the next shipment containing tens of thousands of doses due to arrive next week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30,000 nursing home residents will be vaccinated , having received the required two doses , by the end of January .
After frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents are vaccinated , people over 70 ; other healthcare workers not in direct patient contact , people aged 65 to 69 and other “ key workers ” will be vaccinated in that order .
This will be followed by people aged 18 to 64 years with certain medical conditions ; who are residents of long-term care facilities , and living or working in crowded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be key workers in essential jobs who can not avoid a high risk of exposure ; people working in education , people aged 55 to 64 , other workers in occupations important to the functioning of society and those aged between 18 and 54 .
Internationally , Europe began its cross-border vaccination programme on Sunday after the first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine were delivered to EU member states .
Countries including France , Germany , Italy , Austria , Portugal and Spain are planning to begin mass vaccinations , starting with health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Britain , Switzerland and Serbia have already started in recent weeks .
The next vaccine set for approval by the EU is the Moderna vaccine , with authorisation expected on January 6th .
After that , the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine , which is considerably easier to administer as it does not require very cold storage as is the case with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna jabs , is expected to get EU approval in early January .
However , it has been reported that the UK regulator could approve the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab within days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that mass inoculation against Covid-19 was unlikely to be possible until May or June as the vaccine will not be available in sufficient quantities until then .
“ I think the first six months of 2021 will see improvements but we certainly won ’ t have normality in the first six months as we knew it , ” said the Taoiseach on Saturday .

Travel between counties is now prohibited following the introduction of new Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions on Sunday. File photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire.
Travel between counties is now prohibited following the introduction of new Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions on Sunday.
People who had travelled outside their county of residence for Christmas are not asked to return home immediately but should remain in their county once they do.
The advice on indoor visits has also changed, with people only allowed to receive visitors from one other household. This measure will remain in place until January 1st after which time, household visits will be banned completely.
Gastro-pubs and restaurants will remain shut having closed their doors on Christmas Eve and, while non-essential retailers are allowed to remain open, the usual Christmas/January sales have been deferred.
READ MORE
It is understood the National Public Health Emergency team (Nphet) recommended in a letter last week that all non-essential retail outlets should close, with this and other restrictions to be considered by the Cabinet on Tuesday.
Nphet reported a record high 1,296 cases of Covid-19 on December 26th, the highest number recorded in a single day since the pandemic began.
It was the second day in a row that the number of daily cases passed the 1,000 mark, a level not seen since October 25th.
Death toll
Six coronavirus-related deaths were also reported on St Stephen’s Day, bringing the total to 2,200.
Northern Ireland reported 998 cases and 20 deaths as the North entered a six-week lockdown.
Under the latest restrictions in the State, gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools may remain open for individual training only and non-contact training pods of up to 15 may take place outdoors.
Hotel guests booked in over Christmas must check out today and hotels are now only allowed to open for essential non-social and non-tourist purposes.
Government members have continued to insist that schools will open as planned in January, however, sources have said that this position would be reviewed if daily case numbers accelerated into the thousands.
Golf and outdoor tennis can continue but no matches can take place except for professional and elite sports, horse, racing, greyhound racing and approved equestrian events behind closed doors.
Earlier this week, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly told The Irish Times that new variants of the virus from South Africa and the UK, combined with a rapid rise in infection rates across all age groups, meant "it's the most serious situation since I became health Minister".
Vaccine
Also on St Stephen’s Day, the first shipment of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine arrived in the Republic with the vaccination programme scheduled to begin on Wednesday, December 30th starting with frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents.
The first batch of the vaccine is understood to contain 10,000 doses with the next shipment containing tens of thousands of doses due to arrive next week.
It is envisaged by the HSE that 30,000 nursing home residents will be vaccinated, having received the required two doses, by the end of January.
After frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents are vaccinated, people over 70; other healthcare workers not in direct patient contact, people aged 65 to 69 and other “key workers” will be vaccinated in that order.
This will be followed by people aged 18 to 64 years with certain medical conditions; who are residents of long-term care facilities, and living or working in crowded settings.
Next to be immunised will be key workers in essential jobs who cannot avoid a high risk of exposure; people working in education, people aged 55 to 64, other workers in occupations important to the functioning of society and those aged between 18 and 54.
Inoculation
Internationally, Europe began its cross-border vaccination programme on Sunday after the first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine were delivered to EU member states. Countries including France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Portugal and Spain are planning to begin mass vaccinations, starting with health workers on Sunday. Outside the EU, Britain, Switzerland and Serbia have already started in recent weeks.
The next vaccine set for approval by the EU is the Moderna vaccine, with authorisation expected on January 6th. After that, the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, which is considerably easier to administer as it does not require very cold storage as is the case with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna jabs, is expected to get EU approval in early January.
However, it has been reported that the UK regulator could approve the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab within days.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said this weekend that mass inoculation against Covid-19 was unlikely to be possible until May or June as the vaccine will not be available in sufficient quantities until then.
“I think the first six months of 2021 will see improvements but we certainly won’t have normality in the first six months as we knew it,” said the Taoiseach on Saturday.


theirishtimes--2020-12-27--Snow, ice and strong wind promised for west coast and midlands

Snow , ice and wind is forecast for much of the west coast and midlands on Sunday as the remnants of Storm Bella pass over Ireland .
Met Éireann has issued a status yellow warning for snow and ice in counties Cavan , Monaghan , Donegal , Longford , Louth , Leitrim , Roscommon and Sligo from 6am on Sunday until 7am on Monday .
There is also a status yellow wind warning in place for counties Donegal , Galway , Mayo , Sligo , Clare , Cork and Kerry as Storm Bella is expected to bring gusts of up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in place from 6pm on Sunday until 2pm on Monday , means there could also be coastal flooding due to storm surges and high winds .
The UK Met Office also issued a weather warning for counties Antrim , Armagh , Down , Fermanagh , Tyrone and Derry , which says that icy conditions are likley in many areas .
That warning is to end at around 3pm Sunday , with another due to come into effect later in the day .
“ An area of rain , sleet and snow will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential for icy surfaces and some travel disruption , ” according to the UK Met Office website .
Storm Bella passed over Ireland on Saturday night and early Sunday with rain and strong winds in many areas .
The ESB ’ s powercheck website showed a few hunderd customers in counties Clare , Limerick , Kerry , Waterford , Mayo , Donegal , Dublin and Waterford were without power on Sunday morning .
Met Éireann had forecast that the storm ’ s westerly winds would reach speeds of 50km/h-65km/h with gusts of 90km/h-110km/h @

A woman walks on Sandymount strand in Dublin as the wind picks up ahead of Storm Bella. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire.
Snow, ice and wind is forecast for much of the west coast and midlands on Sunday as the remnants of Storm Bella pass over Ireland.
Met Éireann has issued a status yellow warning for snow and ice in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Longford, Louth, Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo from 6am on Sunday until 7am on Monday.
There is also a status yellow wind warning in place for counties Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork and Kerry as Storm Bella is expected to bring gusts of up to 110km/h. This warning, which is in place from 6pm on Sunday until 2pm on Monday, means there could also be coastal flooding due to storm surges and high winds.
On Sunday afternoon AA Roadwatch reported that, just outside Mallow, the road between the Newberry Industrial Estate and the N72 (R621) remained impassable due to flooding.
READ MORE
The UK Met Office also issued a weather warning for counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry, which said that icy conditions are likely in many areas. That warning ended at about 3pm on Sunday, with another snow and ice warning coming into effect later in the day to last until 10am on Monday.
“An area of rain, sleet and snow will move south through Sunday night with the potential for icy surfaces and some travel disruption,” according to the UK Met Office website.
Storm Bella passed over Ireland on Saturday night and early Sunday with rain and strong winds in many areas.
The ESB’s powercheck website showed a few hundred customers in counties Clare, Limerick, Kerry, Waterford, Mayo, Donegal, Dublin and Waterford were without power on Sunday morning.
Met Éireann had forecast that the storm’s westerly winds would reach speeds of 50km/h-65km/h with gusts of 90km/h-110km/h.


theirishtimes--2020-12-28--Cabinet to discuss Brexit deal as sectors of economy face disruption

The Cabinet will meet earlier than scheduled , convening on Monday to discuss the Brexit deal struck on Christmas Eve .
It comes as senior political and industry figures warned that key sectors of the economy would face disruption despite the agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union .
Minister for the Marine Charlie McConalogue said there was “ no doubt ” that the trade deal would have a negative impact on the fishing industry .
Although he welcomed the deal , saying it had avoided the worst effects of no-deal , he said “ it will mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from April ” .
“ The Government is fully assessing the outcome of the deal from a fisheries perspective and is determined to ensure the sector is fully supported , ” he said .
“ Work on the full assessment of the outcome will continue over the coming days.
” In the short term , fishermen will be able to continue fishing under existing quota arrangements from January 1st until the end of March .
Government sources said that while Covid-19 and the State ’ s vaccination programme would probably be discussed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda would be the terms of the Brexit deal .
As different sectors continue to analyse the deal , Aidan Flynn , general manager of the Freight Transport Association Ireland , said the UK “ land bridge ” was “ still compromised ” .
Mr Flynn said that although the early days of January were usually quiet , volumes would increase into January and February .
“ As they increase , requirements to be compliant are going to cause delays , which we are of course concerned with.
” It comes as Boris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most hardline Brexiteers among Conservative MPs would vote for the deal when it comes before the House of Commons on Wednesday .
But his government warned businesses and citizens that they must prepare for new bureaucratic hurdles from January 1st if they are trading with or travelling to the EU .
Mr Johnson said he was not worried about the verdict of a “ star chamber ” of lawyers appointed by the European Research Group ( ERG ) of Eurosceptic Conservatives to study the text of the agreement .

The Cabinet will meet earlier than scheduled, convening on Monday to discuss the Brexit deal struck on Christmas Eve.
It comes as senior political and industry figures warned that key sectors of the economy would face disruption despite the agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Minister for the Marine Charlie McConalogue said there was “no doubt” that the trade deal would have a negative impact on the fishing industry. Although he welcomed the deal, saying it had avoided the worst effects of no-deal, he said “it will mean reductions in quota levels for some species from April”.
“The Government is fully assessing the outcome of the deal from a fisheries perspective and is determined to ensure the sector is fully supported,” he said. “Work on the full assessment of the outcome will continue over the coming days.”
READ MORE
In the short term, fishermen will be able to continue fishing under existing quota arrangements from January 1st until the end of March.
Land bridge
Government sources said that while Covid-19 and the State’s vaccination programme would probably be discussed on Monday, the main item on the agenda would be the terms of the Brexit deal.
As different sectors continue to analyse the deal, Aidan Flynn, general manager of the Freight Transport Association Ireland, said the UK "land bridge" was "still compromised".
Mr Flynn said that although the early days of January were usually quiet, volumes would increase into January and February. “As they increase, requirements to be compliant are going to cause delays, which we are of course concerned with.”
It comes as Boris Johnson has expressed confidence that even the most hardline Brexiteers among Conservative MPs would vote for the deal when it comes before the House of Commons on Wednesday. But his government warned businesses and citizens that they must prepare for new bureaucratic hurdles from January 1st if they are trading with or travelling to the EU.
Mr Johnson said he was not worried about the verdict of a "star chamber" of lawyers appointed by the European Research Group (ERG) of Eurosceptic Conservatives to study the text of the agreement.


theirishtimes--2020-12-28--Uptick in numbers studying remotely at third-level institutions

The number of students studying remotely in Irish third-level institutions increased significantly in the years before the Covid-19 pandemic , according to new research .
The Department of Education report , published on Monday , reveals those studying part-time or in flexible way , including remote online learning , has increased steadily , rising by more than a third from 6,015 in 2015 to 9,207 in 2018 .
The number of higher-education students studying on a flexible basis also increased by 17 per cent during the same time period .
The number of students studying part-time in higher education rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2018 .
But those receiving support in the form of grants in the past five years has dropped significantly , falling from 80,622 in 2015 to 71,347 in 2019 , according to Education Indicators for Ireland which is designed to map trends in the sector over a five year period .
The number of people taking up apprenticeships after secondary school more than doubled over the past five years , rising from 8,317 in 2015 to 17,829 in 2019 .
Numbers in full-time higher education , including universities , institutes of technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent to 185,474 between 2015 and 2018 .
At school level , the average pupil-teacher ratio in primary stood at 15.0 in 2019 while in secondary it was 12.8 .
The number of pupils in primary schools increased from 553,380 in 2015 to 567,716 in 2018 while secondary school figures rose from 345,550 to 371,450 during the same time .
Despite the increase in primary school students , the number of schools available to them dropped from 3,277 in 2015 to 3,240 in 2018 .
Two more schools were added to the list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary schools to 3,242 .
However , more than 55,000 additional permanent places have been made available in primary schools over the past five years .
The number of post-primary schools rose from 709 in 2015 to 723 in 2019 and more than 26,000 additional permanent places were made available .
The number of children in pre-school under the Early Childhood and Care Education ( ECCE ) scheme jumped significantly between 2015 and 2016 – from 77,449 to 120,843 – before steadily dropping each year since .
In 2019 , there were 105,978 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers have steadily risen over the past five years with 37,839 primary school teachers working in 2019 , compared to 34,576 in 2015 .
There are 29,093 secondary school teachers working compared to 25,123 five years ago .
The number of students taking a Leaving Cert programme has continued to rise with 86,347 sitting an LC programme in 2019 while the number of transition year students increased by more than 16 per cent between 2015 and 2019 .
The number of 6th year students studying at least one foreign language has continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 67 per cent of male leaving cert students studied at least one foreign language for in 2019 compared to nearly 85 per cent of 6th year girls .
Nine out of 10 students in Ireland attend primary schools with a Catholic ethos with 8 per cent of primary school students in Irish language schools .
Just half of secondary school students attend Catholic-ethos schools with 3.6 per cent in Irish language post-primary education .
In 2019 , there were 153 multi/inter denominational and 250 Irish-language primary schools with 352 multi/inter denominational and 69 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of students receiving direct support from a National Educational Psychological Service psychologist dropped by nearly 14 per cent between 2018 and 2019 while the number assessed under the Scheme for Commission of Pyschological Assessments has also significantly dropped in recent years , from 2,683 in 2016 to 966 in 2019 .
Significantly more boys than girls continue to take Stem-related courses at second level .
Some 72.5 per cent of 6th year boys took one or more Stem subject ( excluding maths and biology ) in 2019 compared to just 41 .
6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , more than 85 per cent of 6th year girls took one or more Stem subject when only Maths was excluded , compared to 90 per cent of 6th year boys .
Retention rates in Deis secondary schools to Leaving Cert level has hardly changed in recent years , with an 83.8 per cent retention level in 2019 compared to 82.7 per cent five years ago .
The percentage of early school leavers has marginally increased from 4.3 per cent in 2016 to 4.9 per cent last year .
There are nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country with 2,560 in special schools , 9,948 in primary schools and 3,291 in secondary schools .
The number of international students attending public and private third-level institutions increased by 17 per cent between 2015 and 2018 while the number of English language students increased by 12 per cent during the same time period .
In 2019 , 74 per cent of women aged 25-34 years had a post-secondary education or higher compared to 66 per cent of men of the same age .

In 2019, 74% of women aged 25-34 years had a post-secondary education or higher compared to 66% of men of the same age. File photograph: Getty
The number of students studying remotely in Irish third-level institutions increased significantly in the years before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new research.
The Department of Education report, published on Monday, reveals those studying part-time or in flexible way, including remote online learning, has increased steadily, rising by more than a third from 6,015 in 2015 to 9,207 in 2018. The number of higher-education students studying on a flexible basis also increased by 17 per cent during the same time period.
The number of students studying part-time in higher education rose by more 13 per cent between 2015 and 2018. But those receiving support in the form of grants in the past five years has dropped significantly, falling from 80,622 in 2015 to 71,347 in 2019, according to Education Indicators for Ireland which is designed to map trends in the sector over a five year period.
The number of people taking up apprenticeships after secondary school more than doubled over the past five years, rising from 8,317 in 2015 to 17,829 in 2019.
READ MORE
Numbers in full-time higher education, including universities, institutes of technology and colleges, rose by 3 per cent to 185,474 between 2015 and 2018.
At school level, the average pupil-teacher ratio in primary stood at 15.0 in 2019 while in secondary it was 12.8.
The number of pupils in primary schools increased from 553,380 in 2015 to 567,716 in 2018 while secondary school figures rose from 345,550 to 371,450 during the same time.
Despite the increase in primary school students, the number of schools available to them dropped from 3,277 in 2015 to 3,240 in 2018. Two more schools were added to the list in 2019 bringing the total number of primary schools to 3,242.
However, more than 55,000 additional permanent places have been made available in primary schools over the past five years.
The number of post-primary schools rose from 709 in 2015 to 723 in 2019 and more than 26,000 additional permanent places were made available.
The number of children in pre-school under the Early Childhood and Care Education (ECCE) scheme jumped significantly between 2015 and 2016 – from 77,449 to 120,843 – before steadily dropping each year since. In 2019, there were 105,978 children in ECCE pre-school childcare.
Teacher numbers have steadily risen over the past five years with 37,839 primary school teachers working in 2019, compared to 34,576 in 2015. There are 29,093 secondary school teachers working compared to 25,123 five years ago.
The number of students taking a Leaving Cert programme has continued to rise with 86,347 sitting an LC programme in 2019 while the number of transition year students increased by more than 16 per cent between 2015 and 2019.
The number of 6th year students studying at least one foreign language has continued to drop each year since 2015. Only 67 per cent of male leaving cert students studied at least one foreign language for in 2019 compared to nearly 85 per cent of 6th year girls.
Nine out of 10 students in Ireland attend primary schools with a Catholic ethos with 8 per cent of primary school students in Irish language schools. Just half of secondary school students attend Catholic-ethos schools with 3.6 per cent in Irish language post-primary education.
In 2019, there were 153 multi/inter denominational and 250 Irish-language primary schools with 352 multi/inter denominational and 69 Irish language secondary schools.
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
The number of students receiving direct support from a National Educational Psychological Service psychologist dropped by nearly 14 per cent between 2018 and 2019 while the number assessed under the Scheme for Commission of Pyschological Assessments has also significantly dropped in recent years, from 2,683 in 2016 to 966 in 2019.
Significantly more boys than girls continue to take Stem-related courses at second level. Some 72.5 per cent of 6th year boys took one or more Stem subject (excluding maths and biology) in 2019 compared to just 41. 6 per cent of 6th year girls. However, more than 85 per cent of 6th year girls took one or more Stem subject when only Maths was excluded, compared to 90 per cent of 6th year boys.
Retention rates in Deis secondary schools to Leaving Cert level has hardly changed in recent years, with an 83.8 per cent retention level in 2019 compared to 82.7 per cent five years ago. The percentage of early school leavers has marginally increased from 4.3 per cent in 2016 to 4.9 per cent last year.
There are nearly 15,800 special needs assistants working across the country with 2,560 in special schools, 9,948 in primary schools and 3,291 in secondary schools.
The number of international students attending public and private third-level institutions increased by 17 per cent between 2015 and 2018 while the number of English language students increased by 12 per cent during the same time period.
In 2019, 74 per cent of women aged 25-34 years had a post-secondary education or higher compared to 66 per cent of men of the same age.