theirishtimes--2020-05-22--Micheál Martin predicts a government will be formed within two weeks

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said he expects a government to be formed with Fine Gael and the Green Party by the first week in June .
Mr Martin said a new Government was a “ doable proposition ” within the next two weeks , but the formation talks had taken longer than he expected .
“ They are serious .
There is a lot of discussion going on and there is a good programme going on , ” he said .
“ We should get there not by the end of next week , but shortly after that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off on a government , barring disagreements.
” Mr Martin told the Late Late Show there was earnestness on all sides and that last Sunday ’ s meeting between the three parties had cleared the air after a series of public spates .
He described himself , Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan as different people , but said they were “ respectful and understanding of each other ’ s challenges ” .
He admitted being “ very disappointed ” by the election result when Fianna Fáil finished with the greatest number of seats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expectation that the party might get 50 seats , and they fell behind Sinn Féin in terms of first-preference gains .
“ We expected a greater number of seats .
We wanted another three or four seats , ” he said .
“ There is no such thing as a first-preference popular vote in Ireland .
We are a proportional electoral system.
” Mr Martin said the surge in support for Fine Gael , showing the party at 35 per cent in some polls , was a “ natural occurrence ” given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid-19 crisis started .
Mr Martin said it was a “ myth and an unfair assertion ” that the Green Party was anti-rural Ireland .
Many of its policies on biodiversity and putting together alternative income streams for beef farmers who are currently struggling could benefit rural Ireland , he suggested .
He singled out newly elected Fianna Fáil Cork South-West TD Christy O ’ Sullivan as one who was “ as green as they come ” .
“ The last time that the Greens were in power with Fianna Fáil , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural Ireland and for farming , ” he said .
Mr Martin said the results of February ’ s election showed that people wanted change .
“ The election taught us one thing .
People were not happy with Irish society as it was .
They couldn ’ t get a house , they couldn ’ t get access to a quality health service and a lot of young people are concerned about their environment , ” he said .
He identified housing , a fairer health system and climate change as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Martin said he has been living in Dublin since the Covid-19 crisis started and has not seen his family since then .
He described it was a strange time for politicians , as most of them attended functions .
Despite being a TD for 30 years , Mr Martin said he had never been able to explore Dublin properly until now and he was now able to exercise more and to read more in the evenings .

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin: ‘The last time that the Greens were in power with Fianna Fáil, a lot of good was done for rural Ireland and for farming.’ Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said he expects a government to be formed with Fine Gael and the Green Party by the first week in June.
Mr Martin said a new Government was a "doable proposition" within the next two weeks, but the formation talks had taken longer than he expected.
“They are serious. There is a lot of discussion going on and there is a good programme going on,”he said.
“We should get there not by the end of next week, but shortly after that. In early June we could sign off on a government, barring disagreements.”
READ MORE
Mr Martin told the Late Late Show there was earnestness on all sides and that last Sunday’s meeting between the three parties had cleared the air after a series of public spates.
He described himself, Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan as different people, but said they were "respectful and understanding of each other's challenges".
He admitted being “very disappointed” by the election result when Fianna Fáil finished with the greatest number of seats (38) although there was an expectation that the party might get 50 seats, and they fell behind Sinn Féin in terms of first-preference gains.
“We expected a greater number of seats. We wanted another three or four seats,” he said.
"There is no such thing as a first-preference popular vote in Ireland. We are a proportional electoral system."
Mr Martin said the surge in support for Fine Gael, showing the party at 35 per cent in some polls, was a “natural occurrence” given the exposure that Government Ministers have had since the Covid-19 crisis started.
Rural Ireland
Mr Martin said it was a “myth and an unfair assertion” that the Green Party was anti-rural Ireland. Many of its policies on biodiversity and putting together alternative income streams for beef farmers who are currently struggling could benefit rural Ireland, he suggested.
He singled out newly elected Fianna Fáil Cork South-West TD Christy O’Sullivan as one who was “as green as they come”.
"The last time that the Greens were in power with Fianna Fáil, a lot of good was done for rural Ireland and for farming," he said.
Mr Martin said the results of February’s election showed that people wanted change. “The election taught us one thing. People were not happy with Irish society as it was. They couldn’t get a house, they couldn’t get access to a quality health service and a lot of young people are concerned about their environment,”he said.
He identified housing, a fairer health system and climate change as the critical issues facing the next Government.
Mr Martin said he has been living in Dublin since the Covid-19 crisis started and has not seen his family since then.
He described it was a strange time for politicians, as most of them attended functions. Despite being a TD for 30 years, Mr Martin said he had never been able to explore Dublin properly until now and he was now able to exercise more and to read more in the evenings.


theirishtimes--2020-05-22--Thinking Anew – A story of love and respect

Tomorrow is the feast of the Ascension .
The Catholic Church in Ireland moved the feast to the Sunday after the traditional Ascension Thursday , which was the 40th day of Easter .
The Anglican Church in Ireland continues to celebrate it on the Thursday .
St Augustine , who lived between AD 354 and 430 , says that the Ascension has been celebrated since Apostolic times .
It is the day when we celebrate in faith the definitive withdrawal of the visible physical presence of God from the world .
Jesus came from the Father , returns to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Holy Spirit .
May 31st is Pentecost Sunday .
On that day we will celebrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the world .
While tomorrow ’ s feast is about Jesus ’ s return to the Father , it throws a great light on the Triune God .
God is about community , the Father , Son and Holy Spirit .
Apologies for the sexist language , but everything we say about God is said in human language , said analogically , and also said in a language couched in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tomorrow ’ s feast points us to community .
Just as it is almost impossible to say anything about God , so also is it to say anything about the Trinity , because the Trinity and God are one .
But I think it ’ s fair to say that it points us to an understanding of the importance of community , our interrelatedness with one another .
Last Sunday at the Dominican Priory in Tallaght , Fr Donagh O ’ Shea in his sermon mentioned that people who experienced the London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nostalgic terms .
He said that during that time Londoners learned to realise how important fellowship and solidarity were to survive .
Years later they came to realise how they missed that fellowship .
And so too in the time of Covid-19 we are realising our dependence on one another .
We are also realising our own fragility .
We are being made aware of how easy it is to lose ourselves chasing rainbows , which of their nature are transient .
Over these last weeks I have heard some people say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is anything but .
It was heartening last Sunday to hear former president Mary Robinson talk on Miriam O ’ Callaghan ’ s RTÉ programme about how Covid-19 is pushing us to be more empathetic and compassionate towards our neighbour .
But she stressed that it is also exacerbating the inequalities that exist in our own society and across the world .
She went on to say that it is making more visible the interconnectedness of poverty , and migration .
She said that here in Ireland the plight of refugees and migrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We have an unequal world .
We don ’ t want to go back to business as normal , ” she said .
And just some few hours earlier , former US president Barack Obama said during an online commencement address to graduate students of historically black colleges and universities : “ Let ’ s be honest , a disease like this just spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with in this country.
” The God story is centred on community .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect .
It is reached in its sublime perfection in God .
It is our privilege and obligation to work on it , to shadow it here in this world .
And I ’ m inclined to say that if we are not involved in that , so many other aspects , that seem part of Christian living , are some sort of a game , an exercise in fake carry-on , in other words a sham .
And it happens ever so easily .
Before Jesus ascends into heaven he tells his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told them .
He also gives them great assurance when he tells them that God will be with them and their descendants till the end of time .
And that too is interesting .
How often are we inclined to think that God has left us .
Again , by saying that we are giving ourselves an importance that we simply don ’ t have .
Is it odd for me to say that I learned so much about the feast of the Ascension by reading and listening to the words of Mary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a story in that too .

Barack Obama: “Let’s be honest, a disease like this just spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with”.
Tomorrow is the feast of the Ascension. The Catholic Church in Ireland moved the feast to the Sunday after the traditional Ascension Thursday, which was the 40th day of Easter. The Anglican Church in Ireland continues to celebrate it on the Thursday. St Augustine, who lived between AD 354 and 430, says that the Ascension has been celebrated since Apostolic times.
It is the day when we celebrate in faith the definitive withdrawal of the visible physical presence of God from the world. Jesus came from the Father, returns to the Father and then sends the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. May 31st is Pentecost Sunday. On that day we will celebrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the world.
While tomorrow’s feast is about Jesus’s return to the Father, it throws a great light on the Triune God. God is about community, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Apologies for the sexist language, but everything we say about God is said in human language, said analogically, and also said in a language couched in history.
The spectacular and great significance of tomorrow’s feast points us to community. Just as it is almost impossible to say anything about God, so also is it to say anything about the Trinity, because the Trinity and God are one.
READ MORE
But I think it’s fair to say that it points us to an understanding of the importance of community, our interrelatedness with one another.
Last Sunday at the Dominican Priory in Tallaght, Fr Donagh O’Shea in his sermon mentioned that people who experienced the London Blitz, later spoke about it in nostalgic terms. He said that during that time Londoners learned to realise how important fellowship and solidarity were to survive. Years later they came to realise how they missed that fellowship. And so too in the time of Covid-19 we are realising our dependence on one another. We are also realising our own fragility.
We are being made aware of how easy it is to lose ourselves chasing rainbows, which of their nature are transient.
Over these last weeks I have heard some people say that Covid-19 is a great leveller. It is anything but.
It was heartening last Sunday to hear former president Mary Robinson talk on Miriam O’Callaghan’s RTÉ programme about how Covid-19 is pushing us to be more empathetic and compassionate towards our neighbour. But she stressed that it is also exacerbating the inequalities that exist in our own society and across the world. She went on to say that it is making more visible the interconnectedness of poverty, and migration. She said that here in Ireland the plight of refugees and migrant workers is worse because of Covid-19.
“We have an unequal world. We don’t want to go back to business as normal,” she said.
And just some few hours earlier, former US president Barack Obama said during an online commencement address to graduate students of historically black colleges and universities: “Let’s be honest, a disease like this just spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with in this country.”
The God story is centred on community. It’s a story of love and respect. It is reached in its sublime perfection in God. It is our privilege and obligation to work on it, to shadow it here in this world. And I’m inclined to say that if we are not involved in that, so many other aspects, that seem part of Christian living, are some sort of a game, an exercise in fake carry-on, in other words a sham. And it happens ever so easily.
Before Jesus ascends into heaven he tells his disciples to observe all that he has told them. He also gives them great assurance when he tells them that God will be with them and their descendants till the end of time. And that too is interesting. How often are we inclined to think that God has left us. Again, by saying that we are giving ourselves an importance that we simply don’t have. Is it odd for me to say that I learned so much about the feast of the Ascension by reading and listening to the words of Mary Robinson and Barack Obama? And there is a story in that too.


theirishtimes--2020-05-22--Garda role in enforcing Covid-19 restrictions untenable, say senior officers

The Garda ’ s role in enforcing Covid-19 restrictions has become untenable and the force should return to more regular policing duties , senior officers have told The Irish Times .
A number say they believe the time has come to bring an end to the Garda Covid-19 enforcement role , which they claim has become unrealistic and unworkable .
The issue is expected to be raised by Garda representative bodies at a teleconferencing meeting with senior management next Tuesday .
Sources said there was support for the move in the upper echelons of the Garda but that senior management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government and the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) .
“ When the measures were at their most restrictive it was much clearer and you could enforce them but the situation is very different now , ” one Garda source told The Irish Times .
That source added that as more businesses open , including retail outlets and restaurants , the situation would only become more confused and unworkable .
“ If you look at the smoking ban in pubs , it ’ s not the gardaí who enforce that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s time to examine that now for Covid-19 and the gardaí return to regular policing.
” Another Garda source pointed out the force had no powers to enforce the 2m social distancing measure , explaining it was advice rather than an enforceable regulation .
“ When restaurants re-open , do gardaí go in there and check that people are 2m apart ?
If they ’ re not , what power do gardaí have to enforce that ?
They have no powers , ” he said .
“ So you either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole enforcement piece , or you stop Garda enforcement and move responsibility on to people themselves and business owners , ” he said .
Other sources said it was clear very large numbers of people were going walking or meeting in parks and other locations in groups .
They believed it was not possible for gardaí to break up such a large volume of meetings , especially when they had no power to take action against those not socially distancing but who were within 5km of home .
The Association of Garda Sergeants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was essential Garda members had clarity on the regulations so a “ uniform policing approach ” could be taken .
Garda Representative Association ( GRA ) general secretary Pat Ennis said : “ Further consideration needs to be given to the application of the relevant regulations and the practicality of enforcing them .
That ’ s likely to increase those difficulties as the lockdown unwinds.
” In reply to queries , Garda headquarters said : “ The enactment of legislation is the responsibility of the legislature .
The enactments of the regulations is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Executive .
An Garda Síochána does not comment on these functions.
” A number of Garda sources said while enforcement of the 5km in relation to those playing in golf clubs was being regularly reported in the media , there were no more concerns about golf clubs than any other element of the enforcement challenges now arising .

Gardaí at a checkpoint in Dublin on Friday. Senior officers claim enforcing Covid-19 restrictions has become unrealistic and unworkable for the force. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
The Garda’s role in enforcing Covid-19 restrictions has become untenable and the force should return to more regular policing duties, senior officers have told The Irish Times.
A number say they believe the time has come to bring an end to the Garda Covid-19 enforcement role, which they claim has become unrealistic and unworkable.
The issue is expected to be raised by Garda representative bodies at a teleconferencing meeting with senior management next Tuesday. Sources said there was support for the move in the upper echelons of the Garda but that senior management were obliged to follow the wishes of the Government and the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
“When the measures were at their most restrictive it was much clearer and you could enforce them but the situation is very different now,” one Garda source told The Irish Times. That source added that as more businesses open, including retail outlets and restaurants, the situation would only become more confused and unworkable.
READ MORE
“If you look at the smoking ban in pubs, it’s not the gardaí who enforce that, it’s the health authorities. It’s time to examine that now for Covid-19 and the gardaí return to regular policing.”
Another Garda source pointed out the force had no powers to enforce the 2m social distancing measure, explaining it was advice rather than an enforceable regulation.
“When restaurants re-open, do gardaí go in there and check that people are 2m apart? If they’re not, what power do gardaí have to enforce that? They have no powers,” he said.
“So you either ramp up those Garda powers and the whole enforcement piece, or you stop Garda enforcement and move responsibility on to people themselves and business owners,” he said.
Uniform approach
Other sources said it was clear very large numbers of people were going walking or meeting in parks and other locations in groups. They believed it was not possible for gardaí to break up such a large volume of meetings, especially when they had no power to take action against those not socially distancing but who were within 5km of home.
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said it was essential Garda members had clarity on the regulations so a “uniform policing approach” could be taken.
Garda Representative Association (GRA) general secretary Pat Ennis said: “Further consideration needs to be given to the application of the relevant regulations and the practicality of enforcing them. That’s likely to increase those difficulties as the lockdown unwinds.”
In reply to queries, Garda headquarters said: “The enactment of legislation is the responsibility of the legislature. The enactments of the regulations is matter for the relevant Minister of the Executive. An Garda Síochána does not comment on these functions.”
A number of Garda sources said while enforcement of the 5km in relation to those playing in golf clubs was being regularly reported in the media, there were no more concerns about golf clubs than any other element of the enforcement challenges now arising.


theirishtimes--2020-05-22--Man (48) charged in connection with €70,000 heroin seizure in Cork city

A 48-year-old man has been remanded on bail after he was charged in connection with a €70,000 heroin seizure in Cork earlier this week .
Patrick O ’ Leary of Mount Vernon Terrace , St Luke ’ s , Cork was charged with two offences following the seizure by the Cork City Divisional Drugs Squad .
Mr O ’ Leary was charged with possession of heroin and possession of heroin for sale or supply at the same address on May 21st , 2020 .
Det Garda Jeremy Murphy gave evidence of arrest , charge and caution and told the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reply to the charges .
Det Garda Murphy said gardaí had no objection to bail on conditions and defence solicitor , Joe Cuddigan said his client accepted the conditions .
Judge Mary Dorgan remanded Mr O ’ Leary on his own bond on condition that he abstain from all intoxicants and be of sober habits while on bail .
She also ordered that he reside at his home address , sign on twice daily at Mayfield Garda station and abide by a 9pm to 6am curfew at that address .
She also ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobile phone number and keep it both charged and in credit so that gardaí can contact him 24 hours a day .
And she also ordered that he would notify gardaí of any change of address and agree not to apply for a passport or any other travel documents .
Mr O ’ Leary confirmed he was willing to abide by these conditions and the judge remanded him on bail to appear on June 24th for the DPP ’ s directions .

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded Patrick O’Leary on his own bond on condition that he abstain from all intoxicants and be of sober habits while on bail.
A 48-year-old man has been remanded on bail after he was charged in connection with a €70,000 heroin seizure in Cork earlier this week.
Patrick O’Leary of Mount Vernon Terrace, St Luke’s, Cork was charged with two offences following the seizure by the Cork City Divisional Drugs Squad.
Mr O’Leary was charged with possession of heroin and possession of heroin for sale or supply at the same address on May 21st, 2020.
Det Garda Jeremy Murphy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the court that Mr O'Leary made no reply to the charges.
READ MORE
Det Garda Murphy said gardaí had no objection to bail on conditions and defence solicitor, Joe Cuddigan said his client accepted the conditions.
Judge Mary Dorgan remanded Mr O'Leary on his own bond on condition that he abstain from all intoxicants and be of sober habits while on bail.
She also ordered that he reside at his home address, sign on twice daily at Mayfield Garda station and abide by a 9pm to 6am curfew at that address.
She also ordered that he would supply gardaí with a mobile phone number and keep it both charged and in credit so that gardaí can contact him 24 hours a day.
And she also ordered that he would notify gardaí of any change of address and agree not to apply for a passport or any other travel documents.
Mr O’Leary confirmed he was willing to abide by these conditions and the judge remanded him on bail to appear on June 24th for the DPP’s directions.


theirishtimes--2020-05-22--Stormont insists Westminster should fund Troubles victims’ pensions

The North ’ s First Minister has insisted it is up to the UK government to fund a compensation scheme for victims of the Troubles which has been delayed amid deadlock over who should cover the estimated £100 million ( €112 million ) cost .
Legislation to provide a pension scheme for people who suffered physical or mental injury “ through no fault of their own ” as a result of the Troubles was introduced by the Northern Ireland Secretary of State in January , and was due to open for applications on May 29th .
“ This pension went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were set in Westminster , ” Arlene Foster said on Friday .
“ Therefore we take a very clear view in relation to the funding.
” But the UK government maintains the scheme should be paid for out of Northern Ireland ’ s block grant – the money the Northern Executive receives from Westminster to fund public services in the North .
“ The agreement as it stands is that this would paid from the bulk [ block ] grant that is with the Northern Ireland Executive , ” the North ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the BBC ’ s The View programme .
The Northern Ireland Victims Commissioner , Judith Thompson , said the delay was “ shameful.
” “ People have died on the road to this place and more will die without seeing it if we don ’ t move , ” she said .
Ms Foster said the Executive was “ committed to delivering this pension ” but “ we do have to deal with the funding , it ’ s quite a lot of money and therefore we do need to be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” She also said the structures to administer the scheme – which it emerged this week have not yet been set up – would be implemented shortly .
“ The department will be designated in the very near future , ” she said .
On Friday victims ’ campaigners took the first step towards legal action against the Northern Executive over the delays in implementing the scheme .
Alan McBride , of the WAVE Injured Group , submitted a pre-action protocol letter asking for an explanation of the Executive Office ’ s failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduction of a pension scheme .
Depending on their response , he said , “ a decision will be made whether or not to go for a Judicial Review of the Executive ’ s conduct.
” Mr McBride , whose wife Sharon and father-in-law Desmond Frizzell were killed in the IRA bombing of Frizzell ’ s fish shop on Belfast ’ s Shankill Road in 1993 , has campaigned for the payment for more than a decade .
“ For far too long the severely injured have been the forgotten victims of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They have to live with the catastrophic life changing injuries inflicted on them .
“ All they want is some recognition of the great harm that was done to them and these payments would do that and give them a degree of independence and dignity .
He said it was “ shameful that some of the most vulnerable in society still have to fight for what ’ s right , but fight they will , through the courts if necessary ” .
Mark Thompson , of victims ’ group Relatives for Justice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run as high as £200 million , and this would “ undoubtedly place a huge burden ” on the Executive budget .
“ The British government took all these decisions and then placed these on the desk of the incoming Executive and walked away .
“ These matters need resolved and the only way to do that is for the British government to get into the room with the Executive Office and sort it out – that is , to put in place a proper pension for the injured that is inclusive and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

NI First Minister Arlene Foster said the Executive was ‘committed to delivering this pension’. Photograph: Kelvin Boyes/PressEye/PA Wire
The North’s First Minister has insisted it is up to the UK government to fund a compensation scheme for victims of the Troubles which has been delayed amid deadlock over who should cover the estimated £100 million (€112 million) cost.
Legislation to provide a pension scheme for people who suffered physical or mental injury "through no fault of their own" as a result of the Troubles was introduced by the Northern Ireland Secretary of State in January, and was due to open for applications on May 29th.
"This pension went through the Westminster parliament, the regulations were set in Westminster," Arlene Foster said on Friday. "Therefore we take a very clear view in relation to the funding."
But the UK government maintains the scheme should be paid for out of Northern Ireland’s block grant – the money the Northern Executive receives from Westminster to fund public services in the North.
READ MORE
"The agreement as it stands is that this would paid from the bulk [block] grant that is with the Northern Ireland Executive," the North's Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis, told the BBC's The View programme.
The Northern Ireland Victims Commissioner, Judith Thompson, said the delay was "shameful." "People have died on the road to this place and more will die without seeing it if we don't move," she said.
Ms Foster said the Executive was “committed to delivering this pension” but “we do have to deal with the funding, it’s quite a lot of money and therefore we do need to be able to make sure that we can deliver.”
She also said the structures to administer the scheme – which it emerged this week have not yet been set up – would be implemented shortly. “The department will be designated in the very near future,” she said.
Legal action
On Friday victims’ campaigners took the first step towards legal action against the Northern Executive over the delays in implementing the scheme.
Alan McBride, of the WAVE Injured Group, submitted a pre-action protocol letter asking for an explanation of the Executive Office's failure to comply with the legislation requiring the introduction of a pension scheme.
Depending on their response, he said, “a decision will be made whether or not to go for a Judicial Review of the Executive’s conduct.”
Mr McBride, whose wife Sharon and father-in-law Desmond Frizzell were killed in the IRA bombing of Frizzell's fish shop on Belfast's Shankill Road in 1993, has campaigned for the payment for more than a decade.
“For far too long the severely injured have been the forgotten victims of the Troubles,” he said. “They have to live with the catastrophic life changing injuries inflicted on them.
“All they want is some recognition of the great harm that was done to them and these payments would do that and give them a degree of independence and dignity.
He said it was “shameful that some of the most vulnerable in society still have to fight for what’s right, but fight they will, through the courts if necessary”.
Mark Thompson, of victims' group Relatives for Justice, said the cost of the scheme could run as high as £200 million, and this would "undoubtedly place a huge burden" on the Executive budget.
“The British government took all these decisions and then placed these on the desk of the incoming Executive and walked away.
“These matters need resolved and the only way to do that is for the British government to get into the room with the Executive Office and sort it out – that is, to put in place a proper pension for the injured that is inclusive and that the British government fund it.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-22--U2’s Bono lobbied government on housing, database shows

U2 frontman Bono lobbied the government in recent weeks to establish a “ broad-based , special housing policy task force , ” according to public records filed on Friday .
Under his given name , Paul Hewson , an entry was created in the State ’ s lobbying database for the period covering January 1st to April 30th this year .
It shows he had a phone call with Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe at some point in that period .
A description of the lobbying activity states it was “ facilitating discussion of the housing crisis in Ireland and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special housing policy task force ” .
Mr Hewson , who has in the past faced criticism for how U2 organise their tax affairs in the Netherlands , has been active in Ireland ’ s efforts to secure personal protective equipment and other material needed in the fight against Covid-19 .
He made calls to Chinese billionaire Jack Ma , founder of Alibaba , Apple chief executive Tim Cook , Mark Benioff of US software company Salesforce , and Walmart chief executive Doug McMillon .
It is thought that the lobbying on housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time as Mr Donohoe was seeking Bono ’ s help , along with other prominent Irish people , on this effort .
It is not the first time Mr Hewson has sought to influence public policy in the state ; in 2016 , he lobbied the then minister for the environment Alan Kelly , indicating his support for “ the idea of a world class film studio in Dublin ” .
That effort was followed up with another phone call to Simon Coveney in 2017 , who was then minister for housing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was done in support of a project to build such a studio on the Poolbeg Peninsula in Dublin ’ s docklands .
James Morris , of Windmill Lane Studios , and Alan Maloney , who produced the Oscar-nominated feature film Brooklyn , said in 2016 that they could provide 3,000 jobs at a docklands film studio .
Speaking to The Irish Times in 2016 , the pair said they were “ delighted to have the support of Bono who has been a tireless campaigner for the creative arts , for investment in Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the creative industries ” .
His only other foray into lobbying the government , according to records filed on the lobbying register , came in 2017 , when he held a meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar , Mr Coveney - by then in the Department of Foreign Affairs - and Mr Donohoe , alongside Martin Fraser , the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach , to discuss overseas development aid .

It is not the first time Bono has sought to influence public policy in the state. File photograph: AFP/Getty Images
U2 frontman Bono lobbied the government in recent weeks to establish a “broad-based, special housing policy task force,” according to public records filed on Friday.
Under his given name, Paul Hewson, an entry was created in the State's lobbying database for the period covering January 1st to April 30th this year. It shows he had a phone call with Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe at some point in that period.
A description of the lobbying activity states it was "facilitating discussion of the housing crisis in Ireland and the potential establishment of a broad-based, special housing policy task force".
Mr Hewson, who has in the past faced criticism for how U2 organise their tax affairs in the Netherlands, has been active in Ireland's efforts to secure personal protective equipment and other material needed in the fight against Covid-19. He made calls to Chinese billionaire Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, Apple chief executive Tim Cook, Mark Benioff of US software company Salesforce, and Walmart chief executive Doug McMillon.
READ MORE
It is thought that the lobbying on housing policy may have occurred around the same time as Mr Donohoe was seeking Bono’s help, along with other prominent Irish people, on this effort.
It is not the first time Mr Hewson has sought to influence public policy in the state; in 2016, he lobbied the then minister for the environment Alan Kelly, indicating his support for "the idea of a world class film studio in Dublin".
That effort was followed up with another phone call to Simon Coveney in 2017, who was then minister for housing, with the same goal. The lobbying was done in support of a project to build such a studio on the Poolbeg Peninsula in Dublin's docklands.
James Morris, of Windmill Lane Studios, and Alan Maloney, who produced the Oscar-nominated feature film Brooklyn, said in 2016 that they could provide 3,000 jobs at a docklands film studio. Speaking to The Irish Times in 2016, the pair said they were "delighted to have the support of Bono who has been a tireless campaigner for the creative arts, for investment in Ireland - and has a global reputation in the creative industries".
His only other foray into lobbying the government, according to records filed on the lobbying register, came in 2017, when he held a meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Mr Coveney - by then in the Department of Foreign Affairs - and Mr Donohoe, alongside Martin Fraser, the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, to discuss overseas development aid.


theirishtimes--2020-05-22--‘Rapid and sustained increase’ in children reporting domestic violence since Covid-19

There has been a “ rapid and sustained increase ” in the number of children reporting domestic violence to child protection services since the Covid-19 lock-down period began , the Policing Authority has said .
It added the child protection services had expressed concern that the level of risk to children , both in the home and online , was higher than normal during the lock-down period .
“ More time spent online during this period brings an increased risk of child protection issues , both in terms of engagement with adults online and peer to peer online bullying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garda ’ s response was “ overwhelmingly positive , without exception ” .
While it has praised the Garda for the professionalism of its Covid-19 policing operation , including in the areas of domestic violence and community policing , the authority has also voiced concern about aspects of the Garda ’ s work since the lockdown began .
It said in some cases where spit-hoods had been used on suspects , to prevent them spitting at gardaí , the suspects had spat in Garda cars or on the ground rather than directly at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardaí had been spat at in an “ abhorrent ” manner no use of hoods had been recorded .
And it noted some incidents in which pepper spray and batons were used on suspects who also had spit hoods placed over their heads which added “ risk ” and “ discomfort ” for suspects .
In a sample of 15 cases where spit hoods were used , 12 of the suspects who exhibited signs of intoxication while an unspecified small number of cases involved people who appeared to have “ mental health issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its first report on a hood being used on a suspect under the age of 18-years .
However , there had been an overall decline in the use of hoods ; from 17 cases in the week to May 9th to seven cases in the week to May 16th .
Under Operation Faoiseamh , the Garda ’ s dedicated domestic violence operation during lock-down , as the crime had increased by more than 20 per cent , there had been “ excellent interventions which have resulted in quicker access to safety and protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , exceptions to this including “ failure to arrest when there is clear evidence of a serious assault and the breach of an order ” , which can include barring and safety orders .
In other cases there had been “ a refusal ( by gardaí ) to remove the perpetrator until the victim had given a statement , despite a clear breach of an order ” .
The Policing Authority welcomed the fact that new powers conferred on the Garda for the duration of the Covid-19 period , including the power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used as often ; 38 times in the week to May 9th and 18 times in the week to May 16th .
However , authority chairman Bob Collins said the inability of the Garda to offer more detail about the circumstances in which the powers were used was “ a source of considerable disappointment ” .
It would “ encourage ” Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to provide more information , such as on gender and ethnicity of suspects .
“ The easement of the restrictions in recent days is greatly to be welcomed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will pose difficulties for the Garda Síochána in its policing task , ” Mr Collins noted .

There has been a “rapid and sustained increase” in the number of children reporting domestic violence to child protection services since the Covid-19 lock-down period began, the Policing Authority has said.
It added the child protection services had expressed concern that the level of risk to children, both in the home and online, was higher than normal during the lock-down period.
“More time spent online during this period brings an increased risk of child protection issues, both in terms of engagement with adults online and peer to peer online bullying,” the authority said, adding the Garda’s response was “overwhelmingly positive, without exception”.
While it has praised the Garda for the professionalism of its Covid-19 policing operation, including in the areas of domestic violence and community policing, the authority has also voiced concern about aspects of the Garda’s work since the lockdown began.
READ MORE
It said in some cases where spit-hoods had been used on suspects, to prevent them spitting at gardaí, the suspects had spat in Garda cars or on the ground rather than directly at gardaí. In some other cases where gardaí had been spat at in an “abhorrent” manner no use of hoods had been recorded.
And it noted some incidents in which pepper spray and batons were used on suspects who also had spit hoods placed over their heads which added “risk” and “discomfort” for suspects.
In a sample of 15 cases where spit hoods were used, 12 of the suspects who exhibited signs of intoxication while an unspecified small number of cases involved people who appeared to have “mental health issues”. The authority had also received its first report on a hood being used on a suspect under the age of 18-years.
However, there had been an overall decline in the use of hoods; from 17 cases in the week to May 9th to seven cases in the week to May 16th.
Operation Faoiseamh
Under Operation Faoiseamh, the Garda’s dedicated domestic violence operation during lock-down, as the crime had increased by more than 20 per cent, there had been “excellent interventions which have resulted in quicker access to safety and protection for victims”.
There were, however, exceptions to this including “failure to arrest when there is clear evidence of a serious assault and the breach of an order”, which can include barring and safety orders. In other cases there had been “a refusal (by gardaí) to remove the perpetrator until the victim had given a statement, despite a clear breach of an order”.
The Policing Authority welcomed the fact that new powers conferred on the Garda for the duration of the Covid-19 period, including the power of arrest, were not now being used as often; 38 times in the week to May 9th and 18 times in the week to May 16th.
However, authority chairman Bob Collins said the inability of the Garda to offer more detail about the circumstances in which the powers were used was “a source of considerable disappointment”. It would “encourage” Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to provide more information, such as on gender and ethnicity of suspects.
“The easement of the restrictions in recent days is greatly to be welcomed but there is a concern that it will pose difficulties for the Garda Síochána in its policing task,” Mr Collins noted.


theirishtimes--2020-05-22--Teachers enter uncharted territory in grading Leaving Cert students

The white-knuckle ride that is the Leaving Cert for the class of 2020 continues apace .
The Association of Secondary Teachers ’ Ireland ( ASTI ) ’ s direction to members on Thursday evening not to engage in awarding students calculated grades had plunged the “ Plan B ” for the examinations into fresh uncertainty .
The union ’ s concerns focused on the strength of a legal indemnity for teachers in the event that they were sued by students or parents over their calculated grade .
Its legal advice was that teachers could , potentially , have been liable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs in the event of a case against them .
In the end , a series of clarifications from the department was enough to reassure the union that teachers would not be left defending legal actions on their own .
A key clarification centres on the fact that the Chief State Solicitor ’ s Office will act for the teacher in every instance in which the indemnity applies .
This means teachers will not have to engage their own personal legal advisers and incur associated costs .
A teacher will only be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cases where they have performed in a professional , or bona fide , manner in relation to applying calculated grades .
So – however unlikely it may be – a negligent and underperforming teacher who has no record of student achievement over recent years might not be able to avail of the indemnity , for example .
The ASTI had been seeking a “ 100 per cent ” indemnity , a point which some department sources took to mean an indemnity for all teachers under all circumstances .
Legal sources say this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the State could never be seen to offer indemnity in cases where a person does not discharge their professional duties .
ASTI sources dispute this say the `` 100 per cent '' related to cover for legal costs for members who do carry out their professional duties .
Department of Education sources were keen to point out the indemnity deal itself has not been changed or expanded .
Similarly , this is dispute by the ASTI which says a key element of the indemnity deal which could have led to legal costs for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perhaps , it is no surprise there was a last-minute wobble by some in the teaching unions .
The indemnity concerns reflect wider uncertainty within the profession over what lies ahead .
The profession now enters uncharted territory as it begins the process of assigning grades for what may be the most important exam in the lives of most of the 61,000 candidates .
Teachers will be required to use their professional judgment and face an unprecedented level of responsibility in their role as assessors .
While a final obstacle seems to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions around the grading process .
In particular , there is growing uncertainty about whether some students will be able to get a valid calculated grade .
These are students who are being home-schooled , some external candidates and those taking a subject outside their school without a tutor .
In the case of students studying subjects outside school , the school principal will be requested to get sufficient evidence from an external teacher on which to base an estimate for a calculated grade .
However , if they can not get this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student on a “ case-by-case ” basis .
However , if the evidence is not available , a grade will not be issued .
Thousands of students take subjects outside school and it is uncertain how many of these have tutors or anyone who has been keeping records of their achievement .

A teacher will only be able to use the indemnity in cases where they have performed in a professional, bona fide, manner in applying calculated grades.
The white-knuckle ride that is the Leaving Cert for the class of 2020 continues apace.
The Association of Secondary Teachers' Ireland (ASTI)'s direction to members on Thursday evening not to engage in awarding students calculated grades had plunged the "Plan B" for the examinations into fresh uncertainty.
The union’s concerns focused on the strength of a legal indemnity for teachers in the event that they were sued by students or parents over their calculated grade.
Its legal advice was that teachers could, potentially, have been liable for up to a third of legal costs in the event of a case against them.
READ MORE
In the end, a series of clarifications from the department was enough to reassure the union that teachers would not be left defending legal actions on their own.
A key clarification centres on the fact that the Chief State Solicitor’s Office will act for the teacher in every instance in which the indemnity applies.
Negligent staff
This means teachers will not have to engage their own personal legal advisers and incur associated costs.
A teacher will only be able to use the indemnity, however, in cases where they have performed in a professional, or bona fide, manner in relation to applying calculated grades.
So – however unlikely it may be – a negligent and underperforming teacher who has no record of student achievement over recent years might not be able to avail of the indemnity, for example.
The ASTI had been seeking a "100 per cent" indemnity, a point which some department sources took to mean an indemnity for all teachers under all circumstances.
Legal sources say this was never realistic on the basis that the State could never be seen to offer indemnity in cases where a person does not discharge their professional duties.
ASTI sources dispute this say the "100 per cent" related to cover for legal costs for members who do carry out their professional duties.
Department of Education sources were keen to point out the indemnity deal itself has not been changed or expanded.
Similarly, this is dispute by the ASTI which says a key element of the indemnity deal which could have led to legal costs for teacher was dropped at their behest.
Perhaps, it is no surprise there was a last-minute wobble by some in the teaching unions.
The indemnity concerns reflect wider uncertainty within the profession over what lies ahead.
Professional judgment
The profession now enters uncharted territory as it begins the process of assigning grades for what may be the most important exam in the lives of most of the 61,000 candidates.
Teachers will be required to use their professional judgment and face an unprecedented level of responsibility in their role as assessors.
While a final obstacle seems to be cleared, there are still some unanswered questions around the grading process.
In particular, there is growing uncertainty about whether some students will be able to get a valid calculated grade.
These are students who are being home-schooled, some external candidates and those taking a subject outside their school without a tutor.
In the case of students studying subjects outside school, the school principal will be requested to get sufficient evidence from an external teacher on which to base an estimate for a calculated grade.
However, if they cannot get this evidence, the department will examine each student on a “case-by-case” basis. However, if the evidence is not available, a grade will not be issued.
Thousands of students take subjects outside school and it is uncertain how many of these have tutors or anyone who has been keeping records of their achievement.


theirishtimes--2020-05-22--Gsoc appeals for witnesses to Garda gun discharge at checkpoint

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission ( Gsoc ) is appealing for witnesses to an incident in Co Cork where a 47-year-old man was injured when a garda fired his gun at a checkpoint .
The man suffered a minor gunshot wound to his shoulder in the incident which happened at the Spa on the Mitchelstown Road , leading into Mallow , at about 8.30pm on Thursday .
Gsoc investigators visited the scene on Thursday night after the matter was referred to it from the Garda , following the discharge of the firearm .
The initial Garda report suggested the incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a garda signalled for the driver to pull in at a checkpoint .
It further suggested the car was driving towards an unarmed officer , prompting a member of the Armed Support Unit to fire a single 9mm shot from his regulation-issue Sig Sauer handgun at the car .
Gsoc investigators travelled to Mallow on Thursday night to examine the scene and supervise a forensic examination of the car by Garda technical experts .
It understood that Gsoc plan to interview both occupants of the car as well as up to 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Cork city divisional drugs squad , who were operating the checkpoint , arrested two men at the scene under section 2 of the Criminal Justice ( Drug Trafficking ) Act 1996 .

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) is appealing for witnesses to an incident in Co Cork where a 47-year-old man was injured when a garda fired his gun at a checkpoint.
The man suffered a minor gunshot wound to his shoulder in the incident which happened at the Spa on the Mitchelstown Road, leading into Mallow, at about 8.30pm on Thursday.
Gsoc investigators visited the scene on Thursday night after the matter was referred to it from the Garda, following the discharge of the firearm .
The initial Garda report suggested the incident happened when a car failed to stop after a garda signalled for the driver to pull in at a checkpoint. It further suggested the car was driving towards an unarmed officer, prompting a member of the Armed Support Unit to fire a single 9mm shot from his regulation-issue Sig Sauer handgun at the car.
READ MORE
Gsoc investigators travelled to Mallow on Thursday night to examine the scene and supervise a forensic examination of the car by Garda technical experts.
It understood that Gsoc plan to interview both occupants of the car as well as up to 12 gardaí involved in the operation.
Officers from the Cork city divisional drugs squad, who were operating the checkpoint, arrested two men at the scene under section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.


theirishtimes--2020-05-22--Exemption of travellers from island of Ireland from UK 14-day quarantine welcomed

Travellers from Ireland will be exempt from the 14-day self-isolation period which is to be introduced in the UK from June 8th .
The measures , which were announced by the UK government on Friday to prevent the spread of coronavirus , will not apply to people arriving from the island of Ireland .
The North ’ s first minister , Arlene Foster , welcomed the exemption of the Common Travel Area from the restrictions and described it as a “ generous move by the UK government ” .
She said it was something she hoped “ the Republic of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that we can make sure people can travel across the British Isles ” .
The quarantine period for arrivals from outside the Common Travel Area will apply across the UK , including Northern Ireland , though as a devolved administration it will be responsible for setting its own enforcement policies .
Minister for Health Simon Harris , said on Friday that anyone arriving into Ireland from overseas would be required to self-isolate for 14 days and must provide the government with their contact details by completing a Public Health Passenger Locator Form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fill out part of the form .
Discussions about the measures , he said , were ongoing with ministerial counterparts in Belfast and London .
The Department of Health ( DoH ) in Northern Ireland reported three further coronavirus-related deaths on Friday , bringing the total number of deaths recorded by the DoH in the North to 504 .
A further 23 positive cases of coronavirus were identified , with total cases now standing at 4,504 .
Figures released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency ( NISRA ) showed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Ireland fell for its third consecutive week , as of the week ending May 15th .
NISRA recorded 664 deaths involving coronavirus up until that date , 40 per cent more than the number reported by the DoH in their daily statistical bulletin , which noted 472 deaths in the same period .
The DoH figures include all deaths recorded by Health and Social Care ( HSC ) Trusts where there has been a positive test for coronavirus .
These are mainly hospital deaths .
The NISRA figures are released weekly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover deaths in all settings and include all fatalities which mention coronavirus on the death certificate , whether or not there was a positive test for Covid-19 .
According to NISRA , just over half of the coronavirus-related deaths in the North in the week ending May 15th took place in care homes .
32 - 52.5 per cent - were in care homes , 27 were in hospital , one was in a hospice and one was at a residential address .
It is the fourth week that there have been more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Northern Ireland .
However the number of care home fatalities has fallen for the second week in a row .
Speaking at the Northern Executive ’ s daily coronavirus briefing on Friday , Ms Foster said it was not yet time to relax restrictions further and urged people to continue to observe social distancing guidelines ahead of a bank holiday weekend in the North .
“ Do not try to pre-empt the lifting of other restrictions , ” she said .
“ Your patience and behaviour has driven down the R [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the key to the lifting of more restrictions .
”

Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster urged the public not to try to pre-empt the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. Photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA Wire
Travellers from Ireland will be exempt from the 14-day self-isolation period which is to be introduced in the UK from June 8th.
The measures, which were announced by the UK government on Friday to prevent the spread of coronavirus, will not apply to people arriving from the island of Ireland.
The North's first minister, Arlene Foster, welcomed the exemption of the Common Travel Area from the restrictions and described it as a "generous move by the UK government".
She said it was something she hoped “the Republic of Ireland government will also implement as well so that we can make sure people can travel across the British Isles”.
READ MORE
The quarantine period for arrivals from outside the Common Travel Area will apply across the UK, including Northern Ireland, though as a devolved administration it will be responsible for setting its own enforcement policies.
Minister for Health Simon Harris, said on Friday that anyone arriving into Ireland from overseas would be required to self-isolate for 14 days and must provide the government with their contact details by completing a Public Health Passenger Locator Form. People from Northern Ireland will have to fill out part of the form.
Discussions about the measures, he said, were ongoing with ministerial counterparts in Belfast and London.
The Department of Health (DoH) in Northern Ireland reported three further coronavirus-related deaths on Friday, bringing the total number of deaths recorded by the DoH in the North to 504.
A further 23 positive cases of coronavirus were identified, with total cases now standing at 4,504.
Hospital deaths
Figures released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) showed that the number of coronavirus-related deaths registered in Northern Ireland fell for its third consecutive week, as of the week ending May 15th.
NISRA recorded 664 deaths involving coronavirus up until that date, 40 per cent more than the number reported by the DoH in their daily statistical bulletin, which noted 472 deaths in the same period.
The DoH figures include all deaths recorded by Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts where there has been a positive test for coronavirus. These are mainly hospital deaths.
The NISRA figures are released weekly and are based on death registration. They cover deaths in all settings and include all fatalities which mention coronavirus on the death certificate, whether or not there was a positive test for Covid-19.
According to NISRA, just over half of the coronavirus-related deaths in the North in the week ending May 15th took place in care homes. 32 - 52.5 per cent - were in care homes, 27 were in hospital, one was in a hospice and one was at a residential address.
It is the fourth week that there have been more deaths in care homes than in hospitals in Northern Ireland. However the number of care home fatalities has fallen for the second week in a row.
Speaking at the Northern Executive’s daily coronavirus briefing on Friday, Ms Foster said it was not yet time to relax restrictions further and urged people to continue to observe social distancing guidelines ahead of a bank holiday weekend in the North.
“Do not try to pre-empt the lifting of other restrictions,” she said. “Your patience and behaviour has driven down the R [reproduction]rate, and that is the key to the lifting of more restrictions.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-22--Man jailed over false application for Irish citizenship

An Albanian man in his 40s has been sentenced to three years in jail , with 18 months suspended , for making a false declaration in a successful application for Irish citizenship .
In the first such conviction of its type , the man , who pleaded guilty , was sentenced at a hearing in Longford Circuit Court on Friday , according to the statement issued by the Garda Press Office .
It did not give the man ’ s name or address .
The man entered the State in 2001 using the alias of a national of Kosovo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was granted temporary permission to remain in the State in 2007 , the statement said .
He made an application for citizenship which was granted in 2014 , with citizenship and an Irish passport all being granted to the man under the pretence of his being a national of Kosovo , the statement said .
The conviction followed an investigation by the Garda National Immigration Bureau , with assistance from the Passport Office , the Immigration Service Delivery , the Irish Citizenship Department , and gardaí based in Castlepollard and Mullingar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Citizenship and an Irish passport were granted to a man pretending to be a Kosovo national.
An Albanian man in his 40s has been sentenced to three years in jail, with 18 months suspended, for making a false declaration in a successful application for Irish citizenship.
In the first such conviction of its type, the man, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced at a hearing in Longford Circuit Court on Friday, according to the statement issued by the Garda Press Office. It did not give the man’s name or address.
Temporary permission
The man entered the State in 2001 using the alias of a national of Kosovo, and sought asylum under a false name. He was granted temporary permission to remain in the State in 2007, the statement said.
He made an application for citizenship which was granted in 2014, with citizenship and an Irish passport all being granted to the man under the pretence of his being a national of Kosovo, the statement said.
READ MORE
The conviction followed an investigation by the Garda National Immigration Bureau, with assistance from the Passport Office, the Immigration Service Delivery, the Irish Citizenship Department, and gardaí based in Castlepollard and Mullingar, Co Westmeath, the statement said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-22--Bord na Móna welcomes report into transition away from peat in the midlands

Bord na Móna has welcomed the first report by the Just Transition commissioner Kieran Mulvey which envisages the midlands turning away from peat and into a renewable energy hub .
The company announced in November that it was exiting peat production at its two peat-powered generating plants at Shannonbridge , Co Offaly and Lanesboro , Co Longford by the end of this year in response to an accelerated transition for its staff .
Reacting to the result , Bord na Móna chief executive Tom Donellan said Mr Mulvey ’ s report was an “ apt reminder ” of its contribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in promoting the green economy .
“ The report notes the importance of our Brown to Green strategy that involves a €1.6 billion investment and development programme with a particular emphasis on green projects , using our landbank to help Ireland make progress on climate action , ” he said .
He stressed that Bord na Móna will remain a major employer in the midlands employing people through the accelerated development of its renewable energy assets most notably wind power .
At least 300 people engaged in peat harvest will be deployed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involving tens of thousands of hectares of peatland as a biodiversity and as an amenity .
Mr Donnellan said the Government , local authorities , the ESB and local training institutions will ensure that the future is not just a “ retreat from peat but the dawn of a new , sustainable , green economy centred on the Midlands ” .
Fianna Fáil TD for Offaly , Barry Cowen said the crux of the issue was funding and work should begin immediately to ensure the release of the €11 million in funding which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also called on the Government to urgently address the loss in rates sustained by Offaly County Council , which will drop by 25 per cent , and in Longford by 15 per cent as a result of the power station closures .
Mr Cowen said the next government must increase the money available through the Just Transition fund and that will be supported if Fianna Fáil are in power .
“ At every turn we ’ ve seen an acceleration of the decarbonisation process which far outstrips any investment in the midlands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been aware of the decarbonisation process .
We knew what was coming , but no one was prepared for the brutal way in which it would be implemented , with blow after blow coming for workers in the midlands over the past number of years .
“ We know that to sit on our hands now would risk damaging the midlands for decades to come and potentially damage future efforts to decarbonise .
We have one chance to get the Just Transition right and we must take it .
”

At least 300 people engaged in peat harvest will be deployed by the company in a peatland rehabilitation programme. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times.
Bord na Móna has welcomed the first report by the Just Transition commissioner Kieran Mulvey which envisages the midlands turning away from peat and into a renewable energy hub.
The company announced in November that it was exiting peat production at its two peat-powered generating plants at Shannonbridge, Co Offaly and Lanesboro, Co Longford by the end of this year in response to an accelerated transition for its staff.
Reacting to the result, Bord na Móna chief executive Tom Donellan said Mr Mulvey's report was an "apt reminder" of its contribution to the region and its future role in promoting the green economy.
"The report notes the importance of our Brown to Green strategy that involves a €1.6 billion investment and development programme with a particular emphasis on green projects, using our landbank to help Ireland make progress on climate action," he said.
READ MORE
He stressed that Bord na Móna will remain a major employer in the midlands employing people through the accelerated development of its renewable energy assets most notably wind power.
At least 300 people engaged in peat harvest will be deployed by the company in a peatland rehabilitation programme involving tens of thousands of hectares of peatland as a biodiversity and as an amenity.
Mr Donnellan said the Government, local authorities, the ESB and local training institutions will ensure that the future is not just a "retreat from peat but the dawn of a new, sustainable, green economy centred on the Midlands".
Fianna Fáil TD for Offaly, Barry Cowen said the crux of the issue was funding and work should begin immediately to ensure the release of the €11 million in funding which is in place for reskilling.
He also called on the Government to urgently address the loss in rates sustained by Offaly County Council, which will drop by 25 per cent, and in Longford by 15 per cent as a result of the power station closures.
Mr Cowen said the next government must increase the money available through the Just Transition fund and that will be supported if Fianna Fáil are in power.
“At every turn we’ve seen an acceleration of the decarbonisation process which far outstrips any investment in the midlands,” he said.
“Everyone had been aware of the decarbonisation process. We knew what was coming, but no one was prepared for the brutal way in which it would be implemented, with blow after blow coming for workers in the midlands over the past number of years.
“We know that to sit on our hands now would risk damaging the midlands for decades to come and potentially damage future efforts to decarbonise. We have one chance to get the Just Transition right and we must take it.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-22--Farmer faces extension of bankruptcy after High Court ruling

The High Court has ruled the bankruptcy of a Co Monaghan farmer , who had a number of cattle shot by members of the Defence Forces , should be extended .
In a judgment published this week , Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington ruled the bankruptcy of John Hoey , from Carrickmacross , should be extended over his lack of cooperation with the official in charge of his bankruptcy , Official Assignee Chris Lehane .
She invited further submissions concerning the length of the extension and said , if there was further cooperation by Mr Hoey with Mr Lehane , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extension .
The matter is due back before the court next month .
Mr Hoey was declared bankrupt on foot of a petition brought by John Kelly Fuels Ltd for €262,000 in February 2016 .
He was due to exit bankruptcy 12 months later but remained a bankrupt pending the outcome of Mr Lehane ’ s extension application .
Represented by Bernard Dunleavy SC , Mr Lehane sought an order under Section 85 of the 2015 Bankruptcy ( Amendment ) Act that the bankruptcy be extended by between six to ten years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 15 years from the date of adjudication of bankruptcy .
Mr Lehane claimed Mr Hoey has failed to cooperate by failing to provide a Statement of Affairs detailing all of his assets and had moved a substantial amount of farm machinery from his farm and hid them on the grounds of a local hotel .
It was also alleged Mr Hoey attempted to hide payments received from a meat factory and had hidden cash on his property , which was recovered following a search of the premises .
The court also heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and safety and to prevent the spread of TB , Mr Lehane had reluctantly used Defence Forces marksmen to humanely destroy five of Mr Hoey ’ s cows .
The animals had gone wild , dangerous and could not be captured , Mr Lehane said .
Mr Hoey , represented by Eanna Mulloy SC , instructed by solicitor John Geary , denied he had not cooperated with Mr Lehane and claimed he had furnished Mr Lehane with a statement of affairs .
He said , between his bankruptcy adjudication in February 2016 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for was “ literally wiped out and destroyed ” by Mr Lehane and his agents .
Mr Hoey rejected Mr Lehane ’ s claims in relation to shooting of the cattle and said he remains “ haunted ” after witnessing the cattle being shot in July 2016 .
In her judgment , Ms Justice Pilkington said she was satisfied Mr Hoey had hidden cash on his property that had not been disclosed to the OA and had failed to furnish any proper explanation for that .
The moving of assets , the proceeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factory and the non-disclosure of the cash found by Mr Lehane formed a sufficient basis for finding Mr Hoey had not cooperated with Mr Lehane concerning the realisation of his assets , she held .
She was prepared to extend Mr Hoey ’ s bankruptcy and would receive submissions in that regard , she said .

Farmer John Hoey rejected Mr Lehane’s claims in relation to shooting of the cattle and said he remains ‘haunted’ after witnessing the cattle being shot in July 2016. Photograph: Pat Byrne
The High Court has ruled the bankruptcy of a Co Monaghan farmer, who had a number of cattle shot by members of the Defence Forces, should be extended. In a judgment published this week, Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington ruled the bankruptcy of John Hoey, from Carrickmacross, should be extended over his lack of cooperation with the official in charge of his bankruptcy, Official Assignee Chris Lehane.
She invited further submissions concerning the length of the extension and said, if there was further cooperation by Mr Hoey with Mr Lehane, that could well determine the length of any extension. The matter is due back before the court next month.
Mr Hoey was declared bankrupt on foot of a petition brought by John Kelly Fuels Ltd for €262,000 in February 2016. He was due to exit bankruptcy 12 months later but remained a bankrupt pending the outcome of Mr Lehane’s extension application.
Represented by Bernard Dunleavy SC, Mr Lehane sought an order under Section 85 of the 2015 Bankruptcy (Amendment) Act that the bankruptcy be extended by between six to ten years. The maximum extension that can be sought is 15 years from the date of adjudication of bankruptcy.
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Mr Lehane claimed Mr Hoey has failed to cooperate by failing to provide a Statement of Affairs detailing all of his assets and had moved a substantial amount of farm machinery from his farm and hid them on the grounds of a local hotel.
It was also alleged Mr Hoey attempted to hide payments received from a meat factory and had hidden cash on his property, which was recovered following a search of the premises.
The court also heard, in the interests of public health and safety and to prevent the spread of TB, Mr Lehane had reluctantly used Defence Forces marksmen to humanely destroy five of Mr Hoey’s cows. The animals had gone wild, dangerous and could not be captured, Mr Lehane said.
Mr Hoey, represented by Eanna Mulloy SC, instructed by solicitor John Geary, denied he had not cooperated with Mr Lehane and claimed he had furnished Mr Lehane with a statement of affairs. He said, between his bankruptcy adjudication in February 2016 and May 2016, everything he had worked for was “literally wiped out and destroyed” by Mr Lehane and his agents.
Mr Hoey rejected Mr Lehane’s claims in relation to shooting of the cattle and said he remains “haunted ” after witnessing the cattle being shot in July 2016. In her judgment, Ms Justice Pilkington said she was satisfied Mr Hoey had hidden cash on his property that had not been disclosed to the OA and had failed to furnish any proper explanation for that.
The moving of assets, the proceeds of sale of cattle to the meat factory and the non-disclosure of the cash found by Mr Lehane formed a sufficient basis for finding Mr Hoey had not cooperated with Mr Lehane concerning the realisation of his assets, she held. She was prepared to extend Mr Hoey’s bankruptcy and would receive submissions in that regard, she said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-22--Drug touted by Trump increases death risk in Covid-19 patients, global study finds

The malaria drug hydroxychloroquine , which US president Donald Trump says he has been taking and has urged others to use , was tied to increased risk of death in hospitalised Covid-19 patients , according to a large study published in the medical journal Lancet .
In the study that looked at over 96,000 people hospitalised with Covid-19 , those treated with hydroxychloroquine or the related chloroquine had higher risk of death than patients who were not given the medicines .
The authors said they could not confirm if taking the drug resulted in any benefit in coronavirus patients .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is needed , ” they wrote .
This study was not a placebo-controlled trial .
Demand for decades-old hydroxychloroquine has surged as Mr Trump repeatedly pushed for its use against the coronavirus , urging people to try it .
“ What have you got to lose , ” he said .
This week , Mr Trump said he has been taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventative medicine , despite a lack of scientific evidence .
The Lancet study authors suggested the medicines should not be used to treat Covid-19 outside of clinical trials until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Covid-19 patients .
The US Food and Drug Administration has said hydroxychloroquine should only be used for hospitalised Covid-19 patients or those in clinical trials .
The drug has been tied to dangerous heart rhythm problems .
The Lancet study looked at data from 671 hospitals , where 14,888 patients were given either hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine , with or without the antibiotic macrolide , and 81,144 patients who were not treated with those drugs .
– Reuters

The malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, which US president Donald Trump says he has been taking and has urged others to use, was tied to increased risk of death in hospitalised Covid-19 patients, according to a large study published in the medical journal Lancet.
In the study that looked at over 96,000 people hospitalised with Covid-19, those treated with hydroxychloroquine or the related chloroquine had higher risk of death than patients who were not given the medicines.
The authors said they could not confirm if taking the drug resulted in any benefit in coronavirus patients.
“Urgent confirmation from randomized clinical trials is needed,” they wrote. This study was not a placebo-controlled trial.
READ MORE
Demand for decades-old hydroxychloroquine has surged as Mr Trump repeatedly pushed for its use against the coronavirus, urging people to try it. “What have you got to lose,” he said.
This week, Mr Trump said he has been taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventative medicine, despite a lack of scientific evidence.
The Lancet study authors suggested the medicines should not be used to treat Covid-19 outside of clinical trials until those studies confirm their safety and efficacy for Covid-19 patients.
The US Food and Drug Administration has said hydroxychloroquine should only be used for hospitalised Covid-19 patients or those in clinical trials. The drug has been tied to dangerous heart rhythm problems.
The Lancet study looked at data from 671 hospitals, where 14,888 patients were given either hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, with or without the antibiotic macrolide, and 81,144 patients who were not treated with those drugs. – Reuters


theirishtimes--2020-05-23--Covid-19: Taoiseach insists no change from two metre social distancing advice

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said “ that there is no change to the advice to maintain a physical distance of two metres , ” according to his spokesman .
“ The public health advice from Nphet stands , ” he said .
Earlier this week the State ’ s chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said the two metre distance was something that would be kept under review , when questioned at a daily Nphet press briefing .
At a lengthy meeting of the Cabinet on Friday evening , several Ministers advocated for social distancing rules to be reduced from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organisation ( WHO ) coronavirus guidance around social distancing advises people to keep “ a distance of 1 metre ( 3 feet ) between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
” Public health advice in Ireland opts for a recommendation people keep two metres from others , to avoid the spread of droplets from one person to another .
Minister for State with responsibility for disability issues Finian McGrath raised the prospect of Ireland moving to the requirement to keep one metre from others , at a Cabinet meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cabinet colleagues were supportive of the move , which would make it easier for schools , restaurants , pubs and other small businesses to re-open and adhere to public health advice .
The issue will be discussed at a meeting between Cabinet members and Dr Holohan next week .
There was some pushback at the Cabinet meeting over the “ ultra-cautious ” approach taken by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) to the easing of lockdown restrictions , one source said .
The proposal to reduce the social distancing advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they said .
Commenting at the briefing last Tuesday , Dr Holohan said Nphet would not “ rule out ” a review of the two metre rule .
The guidance around social distancing would be kept under “ continual review , ” he said .
Dr Cillian de Gascun , director of the national virus reference laboratory , said he would have “ concern ” about reducing the distance “ at this point.
” Speaking at the same briefing , he said the current distance was based on knowledge about how far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then potentially infect someone else .
However , he acknowledged moving to a one metre distance “ would make life easier in certain circumstances .
”

Electronic signs in the Phoenix Park in Dublin give advice on social distancing. Photograph: Crispin Rodwell
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said "that there is no change to the advice to maintain a physical distance of two metres," according to his spokesman.
“The public health advice from Nphet stands,” he said.
Earlier this week the State's chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said the two metre distance was something that would be kept under review, when questioned at a daily Nphet press briefing.
At a lengthy meeting of the Cabinet on Friday evening, several Ministers advocated for social distancing rules to be reduced from two to one metres between people.
READ MORE
World Health Organisation (WHO) coronavirus guidance around social distancing advises people to keep "a distance of 1 metre (3 feet) between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing."
Public health advice in Ireland opts for a recommendation people keep two metres from others, to avoid the spread of droplets from one person to another.
Minister for State with responsibility for disability issues Finian McGrath raised the prospect of Ireland moving to the requirement to keep one metre from others, at a Cabinet meeting on Friday.
A small number of Cabinet colleagues were supportive of the move, which would make it easier for schools, restaurants, pubs and other small businesses to re-open and adhere to public health advice.
It is understood the issue will be discussing during a general meeting on public health measures between Cabinet members and Dr Holohan next week.
There was some pushback at the Cabinet meeting over the “ultra-cautious” approach taken by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) to the easing of lockdown restrictions, one source said.
The proposal to reduce the social distancing advice was not “shot down” outright, they said.
Commenting at the briefing last Tuesday, Dr Holohan said Nphet would not “rule out” a review of the two metre rule. The guidance around social distancing would be kept under “continual review,” he said.
Dr Cillian de Gascun, director of the national virus reference laboratory, said he would have “concern” about reducing the distance “at this point.”
Speaking at the same briefing, he said the current distance was based on knowledge about how far droplets can travel from a person, and then potentially infect someone else.
However, he acknowledged moving to a one metre distance “would make life easier in certain circumstances.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-23--UN grants exemption to allow Irish troops to return from Lebanon

Hundreds of Irish soldiers banned by the United Nations from returning home from Lebanon during the coronavirus crisis are to be reunited with their families next month , it has been confirmed .
The UN has granted a special exemption to the 115th Irish Battalion , currently on a peace-keeping mission in the region , so that troops can travel back to Ireland in two groups , on June 21st and June 29th .
Around 360 members of the Defence Forces had been due to end their six-month Unifil mission in the Middle East earlier this month .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rotations on April 5th because of the Covid-19 outbreak .
Vice Admiral Mark Mellett , Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces , sought an exemption on the travel ban for Irish troops .
The Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also lobbied the UN at its headquarters in New York .
The UN initially indicated they could return home in late June and early July , but the dates have been brought forward , under strict conditions , including that the troops self-isolate on their return and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Battalion is mostly drawn from the 3rd Infantry Battalion , stationed at Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny .
Members are mostly from the south east , including Kilkenny , Carlow , Kildare , Wexford and Waterford .
Under the conditions of the rotation , a 116th Batallion – which will replace the 115th in the overseas mission – will be quarantined at a Defence Forces training camp before being deployed to Lebanon .
Minister with Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe said he hopes the newly confirmed dates for the rotations will “ ease the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
“ The minister acknowledges the assistance and understanding of the UN in granting the exemption during this very complex time , ” a spokesman for the minister said .

Hundreds of Irish soldiers banned by the United Nations from returning home from Lebanon during the coronavirus crisis are to be reunited with their families next month, it has been confirmed.
The UN has granted a special exemption to the 115th Irish Battalion, currently on a peace-keeping mission in the region, so that troops can travel back to Ireland in two groups, on June 21st and June 29th.
Around 360 members of the Defence Forces had been due to end their six-month Unifil mission in the Middle East earlier this month.
But the UN ordered a suspension of all military rotations on April 5th because of the Covid-19 outbreak.
READ MORE
Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, sought an exemption on the travel ban for Irish troops.
The Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also lobbied the UN at its headquarters in New York.
The UN initially indicated they could return home in late June and early July, but the dates have been brought forward, under strict conditions, including that the troops self-isolate on their return and their replacements are quarantined.
The 115th Battalion is mostly drawn from the 3rd Infantry Battalion, stationed at Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny. Members are mostly from the south east, including Kilkenny, Carlow, Kildare, Wexford and Waterford.
Under the conditions of the rotation, a 116th Batallion – which will replace the 115th in the overseas mission – will be quarantined at a Defence Forces training camp before being deployed to Lebanon.
Minister with Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe said he hopes the newly confirmed dates for the rotations will "ease the impact of the delayed reunion with families".
“The minister acknowledges the assistance and understanding of the UN in granting the exemption during this very complex time,” a spokesman for the minister said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-23--Man arrested in Newry following cross-border police operation

A man has been arrested after he attempted to evade police in Newry following a cross-border operation .
The PSNI received a report from gardaí that a red VW Golf was heading towards the Fathom Line area of Newry shortly before 8pm on Friday .
Gardaí said the driver was involved in an incident across the Border and may have been in possession of a suspected firearm .
PSNI Inspector Stewart said that officers set up a vehicle check point in the area , but the vehicle failed to stop and made off at high speed .
Inspector Stewart added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Ferryhill Road , when the driver attempted to make off from the scene and struck both a wall of a property and two police cars .
“ There were no reports of any serious injuries during the incident and no firearm was located , as police detained the male in the area.
” The 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol on breath , dangerous driving , failing to stop for police and using a motor vehicle without insurance .
He is currently in police custody .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no serious injuries which may have occurred yesterday evening , ” Insp Stewart added .

The PSNI said the suspect’s car hit two police vehicles. File Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
A man has been arrested after he attempted to evade police in Newry following a cross-border operation.
The PSNI received a report from gardaí that a red VW Golf was heading towards the Fathom Line area of Newry shortly before 8pm on Friday.
Gardaí said the driver was involved in an incident across the Border and may have been in possession of a suspected firearm.
PSNI Inspector Stewart said that officers set up a vehicle check point in the area, but the vehicle failed to stop and made off at high speed.
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Inspector Stewart added: “Police then located the vehicle on the Ferryhill Road, when the driver attempted to make off from the scene and struck both a wall of a property and two police cars.
“There were no reports of any serious injuries during the incident and no firearm was located, as police detained the male in the area.”
The 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol on breath, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and using a motor vehicle without insurance. He is currently in police custody.
“We are fortunate that there were no serious injuries which may have occurred yesterday evening,” Insp Stewart added.


theirishtimes--2020-05-23--Man (30s) charged in connection with drug seizure in Mallow

Gardaí have charged a man in connection with a drug seizure on Thursday evening in Mallow , Co Cork .
@ @ @ @ @ in his mid-30s , was charged on Friday night and is to appear before a @ @ @ @ @ Court on Saturday .
A second man in his late 40s arrested over the seizure @ @ @ @ @ Mallow Garda Station , under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice ( Drug Trafficking ) @ @ @ @ @ incident at Spa , Mitchelstown Road on Thursday a garda fired his gun at a @ @ @ @ @ minor gunshot wound to one man ’ s shoulder .
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission @ @ @ @ @ an investigation into the circumstances in which the firearm was discharged .

A 35-year-old man has been charged with possession of cocaine following a search by gardaí at a checkpoint in Mallow, Co Cork earlier this week.
Stephen Murphy was brought before a special sitting of Cork District Court on Saturday after gardaí seized €2,000 worth of cocaine on Thursday.
Mr Murphy was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Mitchelstown Road, Mallow, on May 21st.
Insp Pat Murphy told the court that gardaí had no objection to Mr Murphy, a native of Passage West in Co Cork, getting bail once certain conditions were met.
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Det Garda Liam Finn outlined the conditions sought by gardaí, including that Mr Murphy resides with his uncle at Ardmore Estate, Passage West.
He said gardaí were asking Mr Murphy to abide by an 11pm to 7am curfew when staying at the address, and that he sign on every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at Anglesea Street Garda station in Cork city.
They were also asking him to provide a mobile phone number that he could be contacted on at all times.
Judge Colm Roberts warned Mr Murphy that if gardaí were unable to contact him on his mobile he risked losing bail and being taken in custody.
Det Garda Finn said Mr Murphy should have no contact directly or indirectly with Keith O’Donovan (47) of Gurranebraher, Cork city, and he should not leave the jurisdiction or apply for travel documents to do so.
Judge Roberts made it a condition of Mr Murphy’s bail that he would not commit any offence while on remand.
Defence solicitor Joe Cuddigan said his client was willing to abide by all the conditions sought by gardaí, including being contactable at all times.
Insp Murphy said gardaí were seeking a month-long remand and Judge Roberts remanded Mr Murphy on his own bond to appear again on June 17th.
A 47-year-old man detained by gardaí at the same checkpoint in Mallow on May 22nd remains in Garda custody after his arrest for suspected drug trafficking.


theirishtimes--2020-05-23--Woman held as cocaine valued at €50,000 seized in Roscommon

Gardaí  have arrested a woman and seized cocaine valued at €50,000 in Co Roscommon .
The woman , who @ @ @ @ @ , was detained after a van was stopped and searched on the N5 at Tulsk @ @ @ @ @ .
She was taken to at Castlerea Garda station where she is being held under @ @ @ @ @ Justice ( Drug Trafficking ) Act 1996 .

A photograph issued of the cocaine seized in Co Roscommon on Friday. Photograph: Garda Press Office
Gardaí  have arrested a woman and seized cocaine valued at €50,000 in Co Roscommon.
The woman, who is in her late teens, was detained after a van was stopped and searched on the N5 at Tulsk at about 7.30pm on Friday.
She was taken to at Castlerea Garda station where she is being held under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.