theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Girl served drink containing ‘corrosive cleaning fluid’ at holiday centre

A drink bought by a woman for her 13-year-old daughter in a holiday centre was contaminated with a corrosive cleaning fluid , the Circuit Civil Court has heard .
Barrister Harrriet Meagher told the court that Kareena Hoollah , who is now 15 , fully recovered from the burning sensation she felt on her tongue about two weeks after the incident .
Judge John O ’ Connor was told by Kareena ’ s solicitor Peter Duff , during a virtual hearing of the case , that the incident happened while she and her mother , Babita Hoolah , visited the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The court heard that on June 17th , 2018 , Ms Hoollah bought her daughter a frozen ice drink known as a Slush Puppy .
Ms Meagher said Kareena took a mouthful of the drink and spat it out after feeling a burning sensation in her mouth .
It transpired that the drink had been contaminated with a corrosive cleaning fluid , the court heard .
Counsel said Kareena ’ s mother tested and swallowed some of the drink and both had to be taken by ambulance from Trabolgan to Cork University Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2018 , where an accident and emergency doctor noted corrosion on Kareena ’ s tongue .
Kareena , of The Green , Whitfield Manor , Bettystown , Co Meath , later attended her GP , Dr Vicki Merchant , at Strand Medical Centre in Laytown .
Dr Merchant , in a medical report to the court , said Kareena suffered from a burning sensation on her tongue following the incident , especially while eating .
The symptoms cleared up within two weeks , she said .
Judge O ’ Connor heard that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trabolgan Holiday Centre and the Injuries Board assessed her damages at €3,000 .
The judge said that although the assessment and subsequent settlement offer were not very generous , he would approve the offer together with District Court costs .
Ms Meagher and Mr Duff had both recommended the court ’ s acceptance of the assessed damages .

The court heard that on June 17th, 2018, Babita Hoollah bought her daughter Kareena a frozen ice drink at Trabolgan Holiday Centre which contained a corrosive cleaning fluid. File image: iStock.
A drink bought by a woman for her 13-year-old daughter in a holiday centre was contaminated with a corrosive cleaning fluid, the Circuit Civil Court has heard.
Barrister Harrriet Meagher told the court that Kareena Hoollah, who is now 15, fully recovered from the burning sensation she felt on her tongue about two weeks after the incident.
Judge John O’Connor was told by Kareena’s solicitor Peter Duff, during a virtual hearing of the case, that the incident happened while she and her mother, Babita Hoolah, visited the Trabolgan Holiday Centre in Co Cork.
The court heard that on June 17th, 2018, Ms Hoollah bought her daughter a frozen ice drink known as a Slush Puppy.
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Ms Meagher said Kareena took a mouthful of the drink and spat it out after feeling a burning sensation in her mouth. It transpired that the drink had been contaminated with a corrosive cleaning fluid, the court heard.
Corrosion
Counsel said Kareena’s mother tested and swallowed some of the drink and both had to be taken by ambulance from Trabolgan to Cork University Hospital in the early hours of June 18th, 2018, where an accident and emergency doctor noted corrosion on Kareena’s tongue.
Kareena, of The Green, Whitfield Manor, Bettystown, Co Meath, later attended her GP, Dr Vicki Merchant, at Strand Medical Centre in Laytown. Dr Merchant, in a medical report to the court, said Kareena suffered from a burning sensation on her tongue following the incident, especially while eating. The symptoms cleared up within two weeks, she said.
Judge O’Connor heard that Kareena, through her mother, sued Trabolgan Holiday Centre and the Injuries Board assessed her damages at €3,000.
The judge said that although the assessment and subsequent settlement offer were not very generous, he would approve the offer together with District Court costs. Ms Meagher and Mr Duff had both recommended the court’s acceptance of the assessed damages.


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Thunderstorms to follow hottest day of year with highs of 28 degrees expected

Thursday looks set to be the hottest day of the year so far with highs of 28 degrees , but it will spark severe thunderstorms .
Met Éireann has issued a status yellow warning for the whole country from Thursday at 4pm until Friday morning at 9am .
The thunder warning is also operating in Northern Ireland .
The highest temperatures are likely to be recorded in the Dublin area on Thursday afternoon surpassing the previous high of 27.1 degrees which was recorded on June 1st in Mount Brown , Co Roscommon .
Heavy thunderstorms are expected to develop later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe downpours , hail and spot flooding .
Due to the localised nature of thunderstorms some parts of the country will remain dry .
The thunderstorms will herald a dramatic change in the weather with temperatures plummeting in parts of the country by up to 10 degrees .
It will still be warm and humid in the eastern half of the country on Friday with highs of 24 degrees , but turning cooler and fresher in most of Connacht and Munster with temperatures only ranging from 15 to 19 degrees .
Saturday will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showers , the showers quickly becoming widespread , heavy and frequent .
Temperatures will be between 14 and 18 degrees at best , highest in the southeast .
Sunday will see further showers although they will become somewhat less frequent as the day goes on .
The first day of the general lifting of travel restrictions will see dry weather , but it will be cooler than normal for the time of year and unsettled weather with rain and showers will continue in to the early days of next week .

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow thunder warning for the whole country from Thursday evening until Friday morning at 9am. The thunder warning is also operating in Northern Ireland.
A temperature of 26.3 degrees was recorded at Oak Park in Kilkenny on Thursday, while a temperature of 25.3 degrees was recorded at the Phoenix Park in Dublin. The highest temperature of the year to date has been 27.1 degrees, which was recorded on June 1st in Mount Brown, Co Roscommon.
Heavy thunderstorms were expected to develop later on Thursday and Thursday night, with some severe downpours, hail and spot flooding.
Due to the localised nature of thunderstorms some parts of the country will remain dry. The thunderstorms are expected to peak at between midnight and 2am on Friday morning.
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They will herald a dramatic change in the weather, with temperatures plummeting in parts of the country by up to 10 degrees.
It will still be warm and humid in the eastern half of the country on Friday, with highs of 24 degrees, but turning cooler and fresher in most of Connacht and Munster, with temperatures only ranging from 15 to 19 degrees.
Saturday will start out with sunny spells and isolated showers, with the showers quickly becoming widespread, heavy and frequent. Temperatures will be between 14 and 18 degrees at best, highest in the southeast.
Sunday will see further showers, although they will become somewhat less frequent as the day goes on.
The first day of the general lifting of travel restrictions on Monday will see dry weather, but it will be cooler than normal for the time of year, and unsettled weather with rain and showers will continue in to the early days of next week.


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Q&A: Everything you need to know about mandatory face masks

Face masks are to become mandatory on public transport as the Government moves to increase capacity on bus , train and Luas services as more people return to work .
Here , we run through everything you need to know about wearing face coverings and the new rule .
What do they do and why are they a good idea ?
First of all , it ’ s important to note that wearing face masks does not offer you complete protection against Covid-19 and should not be treated as a substitute for all the other precautions people are supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and social distancing .
Their main function is to help stop you spreading the virus to another person if you are carrying it without your knowledge and moving around in the community .
The virus is spread through cough or sneeze droplets so by covering your mouth and nose you reduce the odds of spreading the virus .
Why is this being made mandatory all of a sudden ?
The Government has insisted masks will become more important as coronavirus restrictions are lifted .
The two-metre social distancing rule for public transport operators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead , operators will be allowed to run at 50 per cent capacity .
This means there will be more people using buses , trains and trams and so the risk of spreading the virus is greater .
Fair enough .
When does this new measure come into effect ?
The issue was discussed at a Cabinet sub-committee meeting on Wednesday and it is expected the mandatory mask rule will take effect in the next week or two .
Okay , where can I get one then ?
Masks can be picked up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also order them online .
How much do they cost ?
You can buy disposable masks for less than a euro , or you can buy reusable masks , made of cloth , for less than €5 .
Alternatively , if you want to go upmarket with a designer face mask , various companies offer masks with different designs and creations .
Prices vary but you can pick up a pack of three for about €20 in Boots .
Seems reasonable enough .
So how do you wear them ?
Firstly , avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loops to fit it .
Make sure it covers the nose and goes under the chin .
It should also fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face and be secured with ties or ear loops .
Avoid touching the mask while using it and , if you do , wash your hands .
How do you take them on and off safely ?
You should clean your hands with soap and water beforehand .
Then , take it off using the elastic tags without touching the front .
Will I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The disposable masks are designed for single use and should be disposed of afterwards in a bin .
The reusable masks can be used about 50 times but should be washed after each use .
The advice is to put reusable masks straight into the washing machine after use .
Is there any advice on how to wash them ?
Yes .
They need a hot wash over 60 degrees with detergent .
If using a washing machine , you should be able to wash and machine dry it without damage or change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to sterilise it .
You can also wash it by hand .
Seems straightforward enough .
When will I know to throw it out ?
You should throw out a cloth face covering when it no longer covers the nose and mouth ; has stretched out or damaged ties or straps ; can not stay on the face ; or has holes or tears in the fabric .
Are there any exceptions to wearing them ?
Cloth face coverings are not suitable for children under the age of 13 and anyone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incapacitated ; is unable to remove it without help ; has special needs and who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing it .
Health authorities have instructed people not to stigmatise those who are observed without them .
Where exactly will this be applicable ?
The rule will apply to all public transport , so that ’ s the rail network including the Dart and intercity services , as well as all public bus services , including Dublin Bus , and the Luas .
We will have to wait and see whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to private bus operators and taxis .
How will this be policed ?
The truth is we don ’ t really know yet .
Dermot O ’ Leary , the general secretary of the National Bus and Railworkers Union , has said this will be a difficult issue , but that it should not be a job a bus driver or frontline worker on the rail network should have to deal with .
“ The last thing we want is conflict between drivers and passengers or between passengers , ” he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardaí , the transport companies and the National Transport Authority .
However , the gardaí have said they do not comment on proposed regulations so we will have to wait until all this is formalised before we know more .

Face masks are to become mandatory on public transport as the Government moves to increase capacity on bus, train and Luas services as more people return to work. Here, we run through everything you need to know about wearing face coverings and the new rule.
What do they do and why are they a good idea?
First of all, it’s important to note that wearing face masks does not offer you complete protection against Covid-19 and should not be treated as a substitute for all the other precautions people are supposed to be taking, such as regular hand-washing and social distancing.
Their main function is to help stop you spreading the virus to another person if you are carrying it without your knowledge and moving around in the community.
The virus is spread through cough or sneeze droplets so by covering your mouth and nose you reduce the odds of spreading the virus.
READ MORE
Why is this being made mandatory all of a sudden?
The Government has insisted masks will become more important as coronavirus restrictions are lifted. The two-metre social distancing rule for public transport operators will soon cease to apply and, instead, operators will be allowed to run at 50 per cent capacity.
This means there will be more people using buses, trains and trams and so the risk of spreading the virus is greater.
Fair enough. When does this new measure come into effect?
The issue was discussed at a Cabinet sub-committee meeting on Wednesday and it is expected the mandatory mask rule will take effect in the next week or two.
Okay, where can I get one then?
Masks can be picked up in any pharmacy, or you can also order them online.
How much do they cost?
You can buy disposable masks for less than a euro, or you can buy reusable masks, made of cloth, for less than €5.
Alternatively, if you want to go upmarket with a designer face mask, various companies offer masks with different designs and creations. Prices vary but you can pick up a pack of three for about €20 in Boots.
Seems reasonable enough. So how do you wear them?
Firstly, avoid touching the mask itself and use the loops to fit it. Make sure it covers the nose and goes under the chin. It should also fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face and be secured with ties or ear loops. Avoid touching the mask while using it and, if you do, wash your hands.
How do you take them on and off safely?
You should clean your hands with soap and water beforehand. Then, take it off using the elastic tags without touching the front.
Will I need a new mask every day?
The disposable masks are designed for single use and should be disposed of afterwards in a bin. The reusable masks can be used about 50 times but should be washed after each use. The advice is to put reusable masks straight into the washing machine after use.
Is there any advice on how to wash them?
Yes. They need a hot wash over 60 degrees with detergent. If using a washing machine, you should be able to wash and machine dry it without damage or change to the shape. You do not need to sterilise it. You can also wash it by hand.
Seems straightforward enough. When will I know to throw it out?
You should throw out a cloth face covering when it no longer covers the nose and mouth; has stretched out or damaged ties or straps; cannot stay on the face; or has holes or tears in the fabric.
Are there any exceptions to wearing them?
Cloth face coverings are not suitable for children under the age of 13 and anyone who has trouble breathing; is unconscious or incapacitated; is unable to remove it without help; has special needs and who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing it. Health authorities have instructed people not to stigmatise those who are observed without them.
Where exactly will this be applicable?
The rule will apply to all public transport, so that’s the rail network including the Dart and intercity services, as well as all public bus services, including Dublin Bus, and the Luas. We will have to wait and see whether the Government decides to apply the rule to private bus operators and taxis.
How will this be policed?
The truth is we don’t really know yet. Dermot O’Leary, the general secretary of the National Bus and Railworkers Union, has said this will be a difficult issue, but that it should not be a job a bus driver or frontline worker on the rail network should have to deal with.
“The last thing we want is conflict between drivers and passengers or between passengers,” he said, adding there is a role for the gardaí, the transport companies and the National Transport Authority. However, the gardaí have said they do not comment on proposed regulations so we will have to wait until all this is formalised before we know more.


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Victoria Fountain in Dún Laoghaire vandalised with paint

Gardaí are investigating after a statue commissioned to commemorate the royal visit of Queen Victoria to Dún Laoghaire in 1900 was vandalised with red paint on Wednesday .
In a short statement , a Garda spokesman said : “ Gardaí are investigating an incident of criminal damage that occurred on the Queens Road , Dún Laoghaire , Co Dublin at 9.55pm on June 24th.
” The incident relates to the Victoria Fountain which was commissioned to commemorate the royal visit in 1900 , but the queen died before it was erected .
The fountain itself is covered with a pierced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Victoria is detailed in profile on the monument , together with birds and other ornamentation .
The fountain was one of a large number celebrating Queen Victoria , erected in Ireland and throughout other British colonies , to a standardised design by Glasgow manufacturers Walter McFarland & Co .
Located at the bottom of Marine Road , the cast-iron fountain lost its 15m ( 18 ft ) high canopy when it was vandalised by members of the IRA in 1981 .
The group responsible claimed to be acting on behalf of the H-Block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the damage caused to it .
The board of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company voted unanimously in 2000 to restore the fountain as part of the programme of upgrading the harbour .
It was grant-aided by the Heritage Council as a project of historic and architectural importance .
However , work on the site was stopped in 2002 after construction workers received threats .
Workmen were approached by individuals and told if they didn ’ t stop work “ men in balaclavas would deal with them ” .
The construction company employing them decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Donal Marren of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and chairman of Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council , told The Irish Times at the time of his regret that work on the Victoria Fountain had to be suspended .
“ This is deeply upsetting to us all , ” he said .
“ An exact cast-iron replica of the original fountain is now completed and ready for delivery to Dún Laoghaire Harbour .
We have planned to unveil the newly-restored fountain on December 15th.
” A spokeswoman for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident and that it would be undertaking “ a clean-up of the monument ” on Thursday .

The Queen Victoria fountain in Dún Laoghaire was vandalised with red paint on Wednesday. Photograph: Liz Rafferty
Gardaí are investigating after a statue commissioned to commemorate the royal visit of Queen Victoria to Dún Laoghaire in 1900 was vandalised with red paint on Wednesday.
In a short statement, a Garda spokesman said: “Gardaí are investigating an incident of criminal damage that occurred on the Queens Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin at 9.55pm on June 24th.”
The incident relates to the Victoria Fountain which was commissioned to commemorate the royal visit in 1900, but the queen died before it was erected.
The fountain itself is covered with a pierced dome supported by eight arches. Queen Victoria is detailed in profile on the monument, together with birds and other ornamentation.
READ MORE
Photograph: Liz Rafferty
The fountain was one of a large number celebrating Queen Victoria, erected in Ireland and throughout other British colonies, to a standardised design by Glasgow manufacturers Walter McFarland & Co.
Located at the bottom of Marine Road, the cast-iron fountain lost its 15m (18 ft) high canopy when it was vandalised by members of the IRA in 1981. The group responsible claimed to be acting on behalf of the H-Block prisoners. Several men were jailed for the damage caused to it.
The board of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company voted unanimously in 2000 to restore the fountain as part of the programme of upgrading the harbour. It was grant-aided by the Heritage Council as a project of historic and architectural importance.
However, work on the site was stopped in 2002 after construction workers received threats.
Photograph: Liz Rafferty
Workmen were approached by individuals and told if they didn’t stop work “men in balaclavas would deal with them”. The construction company employing them decided to cease work indefinitely on the project.
Donal Marren of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and chairman of Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council, told The Irish Times at the time of his regret that work on the Victoria Fountain had to be suspended.
“This is deeply upsetting to us all,” he said. “An exact cast-iron replica of the original fountain is now completed and ready for delivery to Dún Laoghaire Harbour. We have planned to unveil the newly-restored fountain on December 15th.”
A spokeswoman for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said the local authority was aware of Wednesday’s incident and that it would be undertaking “a clean-up of the monument” on Thursday.


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Man arrested after security guard stabbed in Kildare supermarket

A man has been arrested after a security guard in a supermarket was stabbed in Co Kildare on Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ 5.30pm when a man entered a supermarket in Kildare Town and was approached by a @ @ @ @ @ him attempting to steal an item .
The man then produced a knife and stabbed @ @ @ @ @ is in his 30s , before fleeing the scene in the direction of the Dublin @ @ @ @ @ received non-life threatening injuries and was treated at the scene .
Following enquiries , gardaí @ @ @ @ @ suspect ’ s description walking on the Dublin Road a short time later .
After @ @ @ @ @ the man produced two knives and attempted to assault the Garda members .
The man @ @ @ @ @ .
One Garda member was injured during the arrest but did not require hospital treatment @ @ @ @ @ aged in his 40s , is currently being detained at Kildare Garda Station under the @ @ @ @ @ the Criminal Justice Act 1984 .

One Garda member was injured during the arrest but did not require hospital treatment.
A man has been arrested after a security guard in a supermarket was stabbed in Co Kildare on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at about 5.30pm when a man entered a supermarket in Kildare Town and was approached by a male security guard who observed him attempting to steal an item.
The man then produced a knife and stabbed the security guard, who is in his 30s, before fleeing the scene in the direction of the Dublin Road.
The security guard received non-life threatening injuries and was treated at the scene.
READ MORE
Following enquiries, gardaí observed a man matching the suspect’s description walking on the Dublin Road a short time later.
After gardaí approached the suspect, the man produced two knives and attempted to assault the Garda members. The man was disarmed and subsequently arrested.
One Garda member was injured during the arrest but did not require hospital treatment.
The male suspect, aged in his 40s, is currently being detained at Kildare Garda Station under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
Investigations are ongoing.


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Health service pays tribute to Defence Forces for support during Covid-19

The Defence Forces , including the Naval Service ’ s LE Eithne , “ did a wonderful job ” in helping the Health Service Executive in Cork during the Covid-19 crisis , a leading HSE executive has declared .
The LE Eithne left its berth in Cork on Wednesday to return to the Naval Service ’ s headquarters in Haulbowline , where it had arrived on March 20th ready to be used as a testing centre .
In the end , the LE Eithne was not needed as a test centre , but its crew , along with army personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cork , offered supports to frontline health workers throughout .
Health officials yesterday gathered to bid farewell to the LE Eithne , joined by ambulance personnel , senior gardaí , Cork City Fire Service and local politicians .
The LE Eithne , under Commander Caoimhín Mac Unfraidh , had sailed into Cork on March 20th to serve as a testing centre for Covid-19 , as happened with the LE James Joyce in Dublin and the LE William Butler Yeats in Galway .
Gerry O ’ Dwyer , Group CEO of the HSE South/South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forces had transported people for tests , offered essential maintenance and set up tents at the Mercy University Hospital .
“ The Defence Forces provided us with transport and with training for donning PPE and they also provided vehicles to move patients to various centres and they also supporting the ambulance service with testing.
” “ We didn ’ t do any testing here on the LE Eithne but they held equipment for us – it was a back-up in case we needed to expand our testing .
They did a wonderful job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr O ’ Dwyer said .
Geraldine McCarthy , chairperson of the HSE South/South West Hospital Group , said the Defence Forces had provided invaluable support to local hospitals and medical outlets in helping curtail the spread of Covid- 19 in the region .
“ Back ( in March ) Covid-19 was an unknown quantity – nobody really knew what the risks were , ” declared the LE Eithne ’ s Commander Caoimhín Mac Unfraidh .
“ The original briefings were very grim for this region – we were expecting over 800 bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eithne ’ s crew and facilities were going to be required to assist in handling that , ” he said .
“ So we are very lucky our health service got a grip on this and we were happy to be actively deployed to support those doctors and nurses in the front line .
”

The LE Eithne left its berth in Cork to return to the Naval Service’s headquarters
The Defence Forces, including the Naval Service's LE Eithne, "did a wonderful job" in helping the Health Service Executive in Cork during the Covid-19 crisis, a leading HSE executive has declared.
The LE Eithne left its berth in Cork on Wednesday to return to the Naval Service’s headquarters in Haulbowline, where it had arrived on March 20th ready to be used as a testing centre.
In the end, the LE Eithne was not needed as a test centre, but its crew, along with army personnel from One Brigade at Collins Barracks in Cork, offered supports to frontline health workers throughout.
Health officials yesterday gathered to bid farewell to the LE Eithne, joined by ambulance personnel, senior gardaí, Cork City Fire Service and local politicians.
READ MORE
The LE Eithne, under Commander Caoimhín Mac Unfraidh, had sailed into Cork on March 20th to serve as a testing centre for Covid-19, as happened with the LE James Joyce in Dublin and the LE William Butler Yeats in Galway.
Gerry O'Dwyer, Group CEO of the HSE South/South West Hospital Group, said the Defence Forces had transported people for tests, offered essential maintenance and set up tents at the Mercy University Hospital.
“The Defence Forces provided us with transport and with training for donning PPE and they also provided vehicles to move patients to various centres and they also supporting the ambulance service with testing.”
“We didn’t do any testing here on the LE Eithne but they held equipment for us – it was a back-up in case we needed to expand our testing. They did a wonderful job with a total can-do attitude,” Mr O’Dwyer said.
Geraldine McCarthy, chairperson of the HSE South/South West Hospital Group, said the Defence Forces had provided invaluable support to local hospitals and medical outlets in helping curtail the spread of Covid- 19 in the region.
Wednesday's ceremony was attended Cork University Hospital CEO, Ger O'Callaghan, Mercy University Hospital CEO, Sandra Daly and South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, CEO Helen Donovan.
“Back (in March) Covid-19 was an unknown quantity – nobody really knew what the risks were,” declared the LE Eithne’s Commander Caoimhín Mac Unfraidh.
“The original briefings were very grim for this region – we were expecting over 800 bodies in this region alone and the LE Eithne’s crew and facilities were going to be required to assist in handling that,” he said.
“So we are very lucky our health service got a grip on this and we were happy to be actively deployed to support those doctors and nurses in the front line.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Brexit: Port of Larne preparing to become border control post, says Wilson

Almost six hectares of land [ 14 acres ] could become a border control post at the port of Larne from next year , the area ’ s MP has told the House of Commons .
The DUP ’ s Sammy Wilson produced a letter during Prime Minister ’ s Questions on Wednesday which he said instructed the port ’ s management to prepare for it to become a border control post .
The letter stated that “ 14 acres of land has been looked at for car parking , for lorry parking and for construction , ” the East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some checks on agri-food products entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain .
In a command paper setting out its approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol published last month , the UK government said it expected to designate Larne port for live animal imports , and expanded infrastructure would be needed at some other locations for the purpose of agri-food checks .
It said there would be not be construction at points of entry where no plant or animal health checks are currently carried out .
In his question to British prime minister Boris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explain “ how Northern Ireland can remain a full part of the United Kingdom if people coming from the rest of the UK into Northern Ireland have to pass through a border control post ?
” “ Would he advise management to tear this letter up as well ?
, ” he asked .
The UK prime minister , Boris Johnson , replied that he had not seen the letter , “ but I can tell him absolutely categorically that there will be no new customs infrastructure for the very simple reason that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely clear in black and white that Northern Ireland is part of the customs territory of the whole of the United Kingdom.
” The Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie raised the UK prime minister ’ s response at a meeting of the Northern Assembly ’ s Executive Office committee later on Wednesday , with the junior minister , the DUP ’ s Gordon Lyons , responding that Mr Johnson had “ made it very clear there ’ s not going to be any new infrastructure .
“ We have legal obligations under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the measures that are going to have to be put in place there , but we want to make sure that we minimise friction and we minimise disruption and we ’ re completely united around the Executive table in regards to that.
” His fellow junior minister , Declan Kearney of Sinn Féin , added that allowance had to be made for the “ mixed messages that comes from the British government ” and the “ confusion ” between border control posts and customs infrastructure .
The Sinn Féin MLA and former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilson had asked “ specifically about border control posts in Larne and the British prime minister answered him about customs infrastructure .
It ’ s like an apple and a banana , two different things.
” Mr Kearney said the Department of Agriculture , Environment and Rural Affairs ( DAERA ) had been designated as the lead department and was in compliance with the requirements set out in the Protocol .
He said its current focus was on ensuring that the plans for the control posts would be ready by the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenging ” , he said , but “ the intention is to as close as possible meet the terms of the Protocol by the first of January .
”

Almost six hectares of land [14 acres] could become a border control post at the port of Larne from next year, the area's MP has told the House of Commons.
The DUP's Sammy Wilson produced a letter during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday which he said instructed the port's management to prepare for it to become a border control post.
The letter stated that "14 acres of land has been looked at for car parking, for lorry parking and for construction," the East Antrim MP said.
There are already some checks on agri-food products entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain. In a command paper setting out its approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol published last month, the UK government said it expected to designate Larne port for live animal imports, and expanded infrastructure would be needed at some other locations for the purpose of agri-food checks.
READ MORE
It said there would be not be construction at points of entry where no plant or animal health checks are currently carried out.
In his question to British prime minister Boris Johnson, Mr Wilson asked him to explain "how Northern Ireland can remain a full part of the United Kingdom if people coming from the rest of the UK into Northern Ireland have to pass through a border control post?"
“Would he advise management to tear this letter up as well?,” he asked.
The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, replied that he had not seen the letter, “but I can tell him absolutely categorically that there will be no new customs infrastructure for the very simple reason that, under the protocol, it is absolutely clear in black and white that Northern Ireland is part of the customs territory of the whole of the United Kingdom.”
The Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie raised the UK prime minister's response at a meeting of the Northern Assembly's Executive Office committee later on Wednesday, with the junior minister, the DUP's Gordon Lyons, responding that Mr Johnson had "made it very clear there's not going to be any new infrastructure.
“We have legal obligations under the Protocol in regards to agri-food and some of the measures that are going to have to be put in place there, but we want to make sure that we minimise friction and we minimise disruption and we’re completely united around the Executive table in regards to that.”
His fellow junior minister, Declan Kearney of Sinn Féin, added that allowance had to be made for the "mixed messages that comes from the British government" and the "confusion" between border control posts and customs infrastructure.
The Sinn Féin MLA and former MEP, Martina Anderson, said Mr Wilson had asked "specifically about border control posts in Larne and the British prime minister answered him about customs infrastructure. It's like an apple and a banana, two different things."
Mr Kearney said the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) had been designated as the lead department and was in compliance with the requirements set out in the Protocol.
He said its current focus was on ensuring that the plans for the control posts would be ready by the end of the month. The “timescales are challenging”, he said, but “the intention is to as close as possible meet the terms of the Protocol by the first of January.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Up to 70% reduction in number of breast cancer checks during Covid-19, says professor

Oncologist professor John Crown has said there has been a reduction of between 50 per cent and 70 per cent in the number of breast biopsies , breast procedures and breast cancer diagnoses during the time of Covid-19 .
This means there will be “ a pent-up demand ” for cancer services , he told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
The health service now has to unwind from the structures imposed by Covid-19 and it was very important that screening services resume , he added .
The HSE has said it expects the backlog of cervical cancer screening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be cleared by October after screening resumes next month .
The HSE set out plans to reopen medical services unrelated to the coronavirus disease at a media briefing with the first of the three main cancer screening services to restart on July 13th .
The first letters for cervical screening will be sent out on July 6th with one-year recall tests and new participants being prioritised first .
Screening services including BreastCheck , CervicalCheck as well as those for diabetic retina and bowel cancer were suspended on March 27th due to risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern to Prof Crown was the patients who were “ sitting at home with symptoms not seeking treatment.
” There needs to be a strong message to those people to see their GP who will refer them for diagnosis , he added .
“ With cancer most diagnoses are made by surgeons , patients are referred by their GP for investigation , a biopsy removal or a lump or an abnormal sore or some other area by a surgeon and when the diagnosis of cancer has been established they get sent on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other specialities for treatment .
“ At the moment what is happening is the number of new patients coming through has dropped dramatically .
I was conferring with my breast surgery colleagues , getting some numbers from them last night , basically what we have had is a 50-70 per cent reduction in the number of breast biopsies , breast procedures and breast cancer diagnoses during the time of Covid .
“ So it is certain that there is pent-up demand , that there are patients there who have either not gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting to access the next point which is from GP to biopsy which is not happening as quickly as it normally does .
Inevitably as we open up we ’ re going to find that there ’ s going to be an increased demand.
” Prof Crown said that the pandemic had highlighted the fact that Ireland has “ a very , very public hospital system with the smallest number of specialists , the smallest number of intensive care beds , many things which were uncovered by Covid , things which did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , things which had been allowed to fester for 15 , 20 and in some cases 30 years .
“ I do hope Covid is a wake-up call to people that they will need to understand that we need to have the fundamental reform of the health system .
”

The first letters for cervical screening will be sent out on July 6th with one-year recall tests and new participants being prioritised first. Photograph: Getty
Oncologist professor John Crown has said there has been a reduction of between 50 per cent and 70 per cent in the number of breast biopsies, breast procedures and breast cancer diagnoses during the time of Covid-19.
This means there will be "a pent-up demand" for cancer services, he told RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland.
The health service now has to unwind from the structures imposed by Covid-19 and it was very important that screening services resume, he added.
The HSE has said it expects the backlog of cervical cancer screening tests built up during the Covid-19 pandemic to be cleared by October after screening resumes next month.
READ MORE
The HSE set out plans to reopen medical services unrelated to the coronavirus disease at a media briefing with the first of the three main cancer screening services to restart on July 13th.
The first letters for cervical screening will be sent out on July 6th with one-year recall tests and new participants being prioritised first.
Screening services including BreastCheck, CervicalCheck as well as those for diabetic retina and bowel cancer were suspended on March 27th due to risk of contracting Covid-19
‘Strong message’
What was of great concern to Prof Crown was the patients who were "sitting at home with symptoms not seeking treatment." There needs to be a strong message to those people to see their GP who will refer them for diagnosis, he added.
“With cancer most diagnoses are made by surgeons, patients are referred by their GP for investigation, a biopsy removal or a lump or an abnormal sore or some other area by a surgeon and when the diagnosis of cancer has been established they get sent on to us and to other colleagues in radiation and other specialities for treatment.
“At the moment what is happening is the number of new patients coming through has dropped dramatically. I was conferring with my breast surgery colleagues, getting some numbers from them last night, basically what we have had is a 50-70 per cent reduction in the number of breast biopsies, breast procedures and breast cancer diagnoses during the time of Covid.
“So it is certain that there is pent-up demand, that there are patients there who have either not gone to their GPs yet or who are waiting to access the next point which is from GP to biopsy which is not happening as quickly as it normally does. Inevitably as we open up we’re going to find that there’s going to be an increased demand.”
Prof Crown said that the pandemic had highlighted the fact that Ireland has “a very, very public hospital system with the smallest number of specialists, the smallest number of intensive care beds, many things which were uncovered by Covid, things which did not happen in the heat of the emergency, things which had been allowed to fester for 15, 20 and in some cases 30 years.
“I do hope Covid is a wake-up call to people that they will need to understand that we need to have the fundamental reform of the health system.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Man who spat at garda saying he had Covid-19 given community service

A 19-year-old man has been ordered to do 240 hours community service in place of five months in jail after he admitted spitting at a garda and telling him he had coronavirus and he hoped he would catch it too .
Adam Olden of Leamlara Close , Togher , Cork pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to assaulting a garda in the course of the garda carrying out his duty at Leamlara Close in Togher on March 29th last .
Olden also pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening , abusive or insulting behaviour likely to lead to a breach of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small amount of cannabis on the same occasion .
Sgt Kevin Joyce of Togher Garda Station told how gardaí had been called to the Olden family home in the early hours of the morning by Olden ’ s father following a domestic dispute with his son who was very intoxicated .
“ An issue had arisen at the time between Mr Olden his parents – it had been ongoing for some time and they could not control him and on this night , Mr Olden ’ s father asked him to leave and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A guard was escorting him from the house and walking behind him when Mr Olden turned around and spat at him , hitting him in the face and neck – he shouted a number of times he had coronavirus and he hoped he would get it.
” Sgt Joyce said the garda spat at by Olden could not get tested immediately because of the backlog of cases so he and his partner , also a garda , had to be taken off operational duties and had to self-isolate for a fortnight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and annoyed at what happened , he feels it was a once-off , a momentary act of madness rather than any premeditated act and he is conscious he is only 19-years-old and has damaged his reputation.
” Sgt Joyce said that he called to Olden ’ s house the following night and it appeared to him that Olden did not grasp the seriousness of what he had done and it took some time for seriousness of his situation to dawn on him .
Sgt Joyce confirmed to defence solicitor , Eddie Burke , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 , had no previous convictions and had never come to Garda notice before this incident or indeed since and had abided by all his bail terms .
He also agreed with Mr Burke that Olden had suffered a huge amount of negative commentary on social media as a result of his actions and it could take him some time to come to terms with the impact of that commentary .
Mr Burke said that his client was deeply apologetic for his actions and , while he wasn ’ t offering it as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 7pm that evening until the incident at 2.45am and had consumed 18 to 20 bottles of Budweiser .
He was also conscious of the shame he had brought both on himself and his parents who were standing by him , said Mr Burke , as he reminded Judge Olann Kelleher that his client had no previous convictions and pleaded for leniency .
Judge Kelleher said it was a serious matter and Olden had subjected the garda to a harrowing and upsetting experience by spitting at him and telling him that he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this garda and his family , ” he said .
He said it was an offence that would warrant a custodial sentence in the normal course but , given he had no previous convictions and his youth , he said he was willing to give him a community service order instead .
He sentenced him to 240 hours community service in lieu of five months in jail but warned him that if he failed to complete every single hour of the community service , he would find himself serving the five-month jail term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for possessing cannabis and he gave him a two-month suspended sentence for engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour towards the gardaí .

A 19-year-old man has been ordered to do 240 hours community service in place of five months in jail after he admitted spitting at a garda and telling him he had coronavirus and he hoped he would catch it too.
Adam Olden of Leamlara Close, Togher, Cork pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to assaulting a garda in the course of the garda carrying out his duty at Leamlara Close in Togher on March 29th last.
Olden also pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour likely to lead to a breach of the peace and to possession of a small amount of cannabis on the same occasion.
Sgt Kevin Joyce of Togher Garda Station told how gardaí had been called to the Olden family home in the early hours of the morning by Olden's father following a domestic dispute with his son who was very intoxicated.
READ MORE
“An issue had arisen at the time between Mr Olden his parents – it had been ongoing for some time and they could not control him and on this night, Mr Olden’s father asked him to leave and called gardaí,” he said.
“A guard was escorting him from the house and walking behind him when Mr Olden turned around and spat at him, hitting him in the face and neck – he shouted a number of times he had coronavirus and he hoped he would get it.”
Sgt Joyce said the garda spat at by Olden could not get tested immediately because of the backlog of cases so he and his partner, also a garda, had to be taken off operational duties and had to self-isolate for a fortnight.
“While the guard was very upset and annoyed at what happened, he feels it was a once-off, a momentary act of madness rather than any premeditated act and he is conscious he is only 19-years-old and has damaged his reputation.”
Sgt Joyce said that he called to Olden’s house the following night and it appeared to him that Olden did not grasp the seriousness of what he had done and it took some time for seriousness of his situation to dawn on him.
Sgt Joyce confirmed to defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, that Olden, who did not have Covid-19, had no previous convictions and had never come to Garda notice before this incident or indeed since and had abided by all his bail terms.
He also agreed with Mr Burke that Olden had suffered a huge amount of negative commentary on social media as a result of his actions and it could take him some time to come to terms with the impact of that commentary.
Mr Burke said that his client was deeply apologetic for his actions and, while he wasn’t offering it as an excuse, he had been drinking since 7pm that evening until the incident at 2.45am and had consumed 18 to 20 bottles of Budweiser.
He was also conscious of the shame he had brought both on himself and his parents who were standing by him, said Mr Burke, as he reminded Judge Olann Kelleher that his client had no previous convictions and pleaded for leniency.
Judge Kelleher said it was a serious matter and Olden had subjected the garda to a harrowing and upsetting experience by spitting at him and telling him that he had coronavirus. "He caused havoc for this garda and his family," he said.
He said it was an offence that would warrant a custodial sentence in the normal course but, given he had no previous convictions and his youth, he said he was willing to give him a community service order instead.
He sentenced him to 240 hours community service in lieu of five months in jail but warned him that if he failed to complete every single hour of the community service, he would find himself serving the five-month jail term.
Judge Kelleher also fined Olden €300 for possessing cannabis and he gave him a two-month suspended sentence for engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour towards the gardaí.


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Face masks should be mandatory in Irish shops, says immunologist

The wearing of face coverings should be made mandatory in Irish supermarkets , an immunologist has said .
Kingston Mills professor of experimental immunology at Trinity College Dublin , said the requirement to wear masks on public transport , expected to be signed off by the Government today , should also be extended to shops as Ireland eases coronavirus lockdown measures .
“ The requirement ( face masks on public transport ) should extend to supermarkets .
I ’ ve read reports that it ’ s ( compliance ) 41 per cent , but I ’ ve been to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only one wearing a mask .
It ’ s more like five per cent , ” he told Newstalk Breakfast .
Meanwhile , the general secretary of the National Bus and Railworkers Union ( NBRU ) , Dermot O ’ Leary has said he acknowledged outgoing Minister for Transport Shane Ross “ is doing the right thing ” by making face masks compulsory on public transport .
Mr O ’ Leary told the same radio programme that he had made many complaints about Mr Ross over the years , but in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was doing something positive .
However , Mr O ’ Leary expressed concern that while the wearing of face masks was going to be compulsory , there was still an issue with capacity .
“ Next Monday people will be returning to work , it ’ s going to be difficult , social distancing is going to present many challenges.
” Mr O ’ Leary also said that it was going to be difficult to police the capacity issue and face masks , this was not a job that a bus driver or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to deal with , he added .
“ The last thing we want is conflict between drivers and passengers or between passengers.
” There is a role for the gardaí , the transport companies and the National Transport Authority , he added .

The wearing of face coverings should be made mandatory in Irish supermarkets, an immunologist has said.
Kingston Mills professor of experimental immunology at Trinity College Dublin, said the requirement to wear masks on public transport, expected to be signed off by the Government today, should also be extended to shops as Ireland eases coronavirus lockdown measures.
“The requirement (face masks on public transport) should extend to supermarkets. I’ve read reports that it’s (compliance) 41 per cent, but I’ve been to the local supermarket and often I’m the only one wearing a mask. It’s more like five per cent,” he told Newstalk Breakfast .
Meanwhile, the general secretary of the National Bus and Railworkers Union (NBRU), Dermot O'Leary has said he acknowledged outgoing Minister for Transport Shane Ross "is doing the right thing" by making face masks compulsory on public transport.
READ MORE
Mr O’Leary told the same radio programme that he had made many complaints about Mr Ross over the years, but in this case he was optimistic that the Minister was doing something positive.
However, Mr O’Leary expressed concern that while the wearing of face masks was going to be compulsory, there was still an issue with capacity.
“Next Monday people will be returning to work, it’s going to be difficult, social distancing is going to present many challenges.”
Mr O’Leary also said that it was going to be difficult to police the capacity issue and face masks, this was not a job that a bus driver or frontline staff on the rail network should have to deal with, he added.
“The last thing we want is conflict between drivers and passengers or between passengers.”
There is a role for the gardaí, the transport companies and the National Transport Authority, he added.


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Ireland needs to ‘rapidly upscale’ before second wave, committee to hear

An infectious diseases specialist will on Thursday warn the Oireachtas about a second wave of Covid-19 and call on the Government for greater healthcare investment over the coming weeks “ to rapidly upscale in emergency department capacity and isolation room facilities in hospitals.
” Professor Paddy Mallon , an infectious diseases consultant at St Vincent ’ s and UCD , will tell the Covid-19 special committee that a highly effective programme of rapid testing , contact tracing and community actions must become a priority “ in maintaining our national biosecurity.
” The medic will tell TDs that as society reopens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility for controlling the virus to the State and if the programme of testing and tracing “ fails to work effectively , we risk losing the gains provided to us through the sacrifices of the Irish people.
” “ We are still in the midst of a national public health emergency and our citizens are at no less risk of severe illness and death if they contract Covid-19 infection now than they were back in March , ” Prof Mallon will tell the Oireachtas committee .
He will tell say that there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to learn from the lessons of the first wave and that this time must be used “ wisely to improve our infrastructure.
” “ Failure to learn , or delays in planning and resourcing for what is ahead , would not only be potentially negligent but would be a travesty to the memories of those who have died from Covid-19 , some avoidably , during the first wave , ” Prof Mallon will say in his opening statement .
He will call for networks of medical specialists to be established operating regionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ scalable , rapid regional responses to both current and future threats as they arise and evolve ” and the rapid implementation of national guidelines .
The HSE ’ s chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry will tell the committee that a critical project for a new model of contact tracing and testing that will operate for the next 18 months and beyond will run over the summer months with a target implementation date in late August .
It will be “ flexible for any potential surges ” of the diseases that may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closures will have a “ real risk of regression ” for many vulnerable children with complex needs , the Department of Education has warned .
At a meeting of the Covid-19 special committee on Thursday , a senior department official will say that the loss of the regular school routine , social interaction with friends , access to teachers and vital supports are presenting risk of harming the learning , the social and emotional development , and wellbeing of these children .
There are about 14,000 children attending special schools or special classes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland , the support group for children with disabilities , said its survey of members found that most parents are struggling to educate and support their vulnerable children at home .
It says support from schools has been variable , from “ excellent to almost non-existent ” , while plans for a summer catch-up programme continues to exclude some cohorts of children with disabilities and has been characterised by “ poor planning leaving schools and families frustrated and in the dark ” .

Paddy Mallon, consultant in Infectious Diseases in St Monicas ward on the Nutley Wing for Covid-19 patients at St Vincents University Hospital. Photograph: Alan Betson
An infectious diseases specialist will on Thursday warn the Oireachtas about a second wave of Covid-19 and call on the Government for greater healthcare investment over the coming weeks "to rapidly upscale in emergency department capacity and isolation room facilities in hospitals."
Professor Paddy Mallon, an infectious diseases consultant at St Vincent's and UCD, will tell the Covid-19 special committee that a highly effective programme of rapid testing, contact tracing and community actions must become a priority "in maintaining our national biosecurity."
The medic will tell TDs that as society reopens, the public is handing back some responsibility for controlling the virus to the State and if the programme of testing and tracing “fails to work effectively, we risk losing the gains provided to us through the sacrifices of the Irish people.”
“We are still in the midst of a national public health emergency and our citizens are at no less risk of severe illness and death if they contract Covid-19 infection now than they were back in March,” Prof Mallon will tell the Oireachtas committee.
READ MORE
He will tell say that there is “a very narrow window of opportunity” to learn from the lessons of the first wave and that this time must be used “wisely to improve our infrastructure.”
“Failure to learn, or delays in planning and resourcing for what is ahead, would not only be potentially negligent but would be a travesty to the memories of those who have died from Covid-19, some avoidably, during the first wave,” Prof Mallon will say in his opening statement.
Medical specialists
He will call for networks of medical specialists to be established operating regionally under a common governance structure to enable “scalable, rapid regional responses to both current and future threats as they arise and evolve” and the rapid implementation of national guidelines.
The HSE's chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry will tell the committee that a critical project for a new model of contact tracing and testing that will operate for the next 18 months and beyond will run over the summer months with a target implementation date in late August.
It will be “flexible for any potential surges” of the diseases that may come, he will say.
School closures will have a “real risk of regression” for many vulnerable children with complex needs, the Department of Education has warned.
At a meeting of the Covid-19 special committee on Thursday, a senior department official will say that the loss of the regular school routine, social interaction with friends, access to teachers and vital supports are presenting risk of harming the learning, the social and emotional development, and wellbeing of these children.
There are about 14,000 children attending special schools or special classes with special or complex needs.
Inclusion Ireland, the support group for children with disabilities, said its survey of members found that most parents are struggling to educate and support their vulnerable children at home.
It says support from schools has been variable, from “excellent to almost non-existent”, while plans for a summer catch-up programme continues to exclude some cohorts of children with disabilities and has been characterised by “poor planning leaving schools and families frustrated and in the dark”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-25--Catching the worm: A look into the heart of the scientific process

The stuff of great science is invariably an infuriating mix of chance ; observation , much graft , frustration in trying to get experimentation right to deliver reliable results and replication .
And if you are lucky , there is dramatic progress and an ultimate breakthrough that contributes to knowledge and perhaps even the benefit of humanity .
The scientific endeavour of William C Campbell , Ireland ’ s only winner of the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine , is notable for all those elements , book-ended by frustrations and triumphs which he calmly embraces , while always retaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next stepping stone of discovery .
His memoir , published by the Royal Irish Academy , captures the essence of that in a few paragraphs : “ For me the wonderful thing about this process of going from a soil sample to a chemical agent that can reduce the burden of disease is that while it was an incredibly complex and technically difficult endeavour , it originated in a very simple experiment .
Complexity was built on simplicity .
That is a critical lesson .
“ We fed that mouse an unknown amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be there , and we watched what happened .
From that experiment we found the key to what became a blockbuster anti-parasitic drug.
” He admits it was quite a jump to take a drug that treats heartworm in dogs and use it to treat river blindness in humans .
But it wasn ’ t done in one giant leap ; “ it was a series of insights and hunches that slowly but surely joined the dots and , just as in the discovery of ivermectin itself , it involved many people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basic biology ” .
Perhaps the most unexpected bit is winning that Nobel Prize in 2015 when aged 85 and well into an enjoyable retirement .
“ The Nobel news brought me rapidly back out of it , and I soon discovered that being a Nobel laureate is not for the faint of heart .
Since then I have been kept busy , perhaps as busy as before , ” he recalls .
He won the Nobel Prize with Japanese scientist Satoshi Omura for work in defeating the roundworm , which causes tropical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in developing countries , notably in Sub-Saharan Africa .
More than 50 per cent of adults in African village communities were being infected , which triggered migration away from fertile areas because of their link with waterways .
They shared the prize with pharmaceutical chemist Tu Youyou , the first female Chinese Nobel laureate .
It was awarded for their discoveries leading to therapies against parasitic diseases .
The drama went beyond the lab when in 1987 , nine years after Campbell first floated the idea , his employer ( of 33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would distribute ivermectin without charge wherever it was needed .
With help from the World Health Organisation and many NGOs , it helped to combat “ forgotten diseases of forgotten peoples ” .
How the veterinary form of ivermectin was discovered is an incredible story in itself .
In the late 1960s Omura , a microbiologist at Tokyo ’ s Kitasako Institute , was hunting for new antibacterial compounds and started to collect thousands of soil samples from around Japan .
He cultured bacteria from samples , screened the cultures for medicinal potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labs in New Jersey , where his collaborator Campbell tested their effect against parasitic worms affecting livestock and other animals .
One culture was remarkably effective , a new bacterial species Streptomyces avermictilis .
The active component named avermectin was chemically modified to increase its activity and safety .
The new compound , ivermectin , became an animal health product in 1981 and soon was a top-selling veterinary drug .
In spite of decades of searching , it remains the only source of avermectin ever found .
Campbell ’ s early education was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ramelton , Co Donegal .
His father , a Presbyterian , local shopkeeper and vendor of farm supplies , employed a live-in tutor Miss ( Elizabeth ) Martin .
There was never a mention of science but she infused in him a liking for words and knowing things .
The spark of scientific curiosity was fired-up at Campbell College boarding school , where he struggled with physics and chemistry ; “ biology , though , was what saved my bacon ” , thanks to the inventive and engaging approach of teacher Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease picked up from an agricultural fair on a school outing was his first introduction to the world of helminthology – the study of parasitic worms and treatments against them though the true significance of that emerged later .
He went to Trinity College in 1948 , having switched at the last moment from medicine to natural sciences .
Ireland ’ s only other Nobel laureate in sciences , Ernest Walton , singularly failed at teaching him physics – “ no fault lay at his feet , though for my difficulty in grappling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More significantly , the renowned parasitologist JD Smyth fostered his life-long interest in parasitic worms .
It led to a PhD in the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a career with the pharmaceutical company Merck in the US – he still lives in Massachusetts .
His career is outlined in beautifully measured writing , and marked by qualities of restraint and humility – the science matters most and it ’ s a team game .
Curiosity is to the fore rather than compassion , but that is not to say the latter is absent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the sciences , arts and philosophy as a proven practitioner of art and poetry .
He developed an interest in painting as a recreation that was to become an expression of his scientific fascination with parasites .
It did not come out of the blue .
As a student of zoology in Trinity he would draw complex diagrams of skeletal and anatomical structures .
It was how he committed to memory “ the bones of the gannet and the skull of the Tasmanian devil ” .
Campbell makes a powerful case for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empirical research – unfortunately regarded as “ old hat ” .
While he feels its demotion was to the detriment of his career in the end , more importantly it has been to the detriment of global health .
Irish Times science contributor Dr Claire O ’ Connell , who wrote the book with Campbell , says she has always admired his modesty and attention to detail .
“ I think it is good to tell the stories of scientists and science .
Last year , I was at the World Conference of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A theme that kept coming up was the importance of reporting on the process of science as well as the discoveries.
” What comes through in Catching the Worm is sometimes it takes a long time to make discoveries and figure out how they can be applied , she notes .
“ In the case of ivermectin , it took a large team of people working together with different backgrounds and insights , and careful checking all along the way .
Bill described how you wouldn ’ t let yourself get too excited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – it was welcome news but there was often still a long way to go.
” O ’ Connell is acutely conscious of the importance of bringing human stories into science communication .
“ One of the insights that Bill offers in the book is when things perhaps aren ’ t panning out quite as you expected , to keep working on what interests you and on what you love to do .
I ’ ve been thinking about that quite a bit during the Covid-19 pandemic , and finding solace and purpose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Coinciding with his 90th birthday and publication of his memoir , the RIA and the RDS will present the Catching the Worm podcast – William C Campbell in conversation with Prof Luke O ’ Neill of Trinity College and Dr Claire O ’ Connell – on Sunday , June 28th at 8pm via www.ria.ie/catchingtheworm

The stuff of great science is invariably an infuriating mix of chance; observation, much graft, frustration in trying to get experimentation right to deliver reliable results and replication. And if you are lucky, there is dramatic progress and an ultimate breakthrough that contributes to knowledge and perhaps even the benefit of humanity.
The scientific endeavour of William C Campbell, Ireland’s only winner of the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, is notable for all those elements, book-ended by frustrations and triumphs which he calmly embraces, while always retaining his focus on pushing on to the next stepping stone of discovery.
His memoir, published by the Royal Irish Academy, captures the essence of that in a few paragraphs:
“For me the wonderful thing about this process of going from a soil sample to a chemical agent that can reduce the burden of disease is that while it was an incredibly complex and technically difficult endeavour, it originated in a very simple experiment. Complexity was built on simplicity. That is a critical lesson.
READ MORE
“We fed that mouse an unknown amount of an unknown substance that might not be there, and we watched what happened. From that experiment we found the key to what became a blockbuster anti-parasitic drug.”
He admits it was quite a jump to take a drug that treats heartworm in dogs and use it to treat river blindness in humans. But it wasn’t done in one giant leap; “it was a series of insights and hunches that slowly but surely joined the dots and, just as in the discovery of ivermectin itself, it involved many people with different backgrounds and a deep understanding of basic biology”.
Prof William Campbell receiving the Nobel medal from King Carl XVI Gustaf in Stockholm in December 2015
Perhaps the most unexpected bit is winning that Nobel Prize in 2015 when aged 85 and well into an enjoyable retirement. “The Nobel news brought me rapidly back out of it, and I soon discovered that being a Nobel laureate is not for the faint of heart. Since then I have been kept busy, perhaps as busy as before,” he recalls.
He won the Nobel Prize with Japanese scientist Satoshi Omura for work in defeating the roundworm, which causes tropical diseases including river blindness affecting millions of people in developing countries, notably in Sub-Saharan Africa. More than 50 per cent of adults in African village communities were being infected, which triggered migration away from fertile areas because of their link with waterways.
They shared the prize with pharmaceutical chemist Tu Youyou, the first female Chinese Nobel laureate. It was awarded for their discoveries leading to therapies against parasitic diseases.
The drama went beyond the lab when in 1987, nine years after Campbell first floated the idea, his employer (of 33 years) Merck Research Laboratories announced it would distribute ivermectin without charge wherever it was needed. With help from the World Health Organisation and many NGOs, it helped to combat "forgotten diseases of forgotten peoples".
Prof Campbell with fellow researchers Dr Ken Brown and Dr Mohammed Aziz when Merck & Co announced its donation of invermectin for use against river blindness in 1987. Photograph: Merck & Co
How the veterinary form of ivermectin was discovered is an incredible story in itself. In the late 1960s Omura, a microbiologist at Tokyo's Kitasako Institute, was hunting for new antibacterial compounds and started to collect thousands of soil samples from around Japan. He cultured bacteria from samples, screened the cultures for medicinal potential and sent them 10,000km away to Merck labs in New Jersey, where his collaborator Campbell tested their effect against parasitic worms affecting livestock and other animals.
One culture was remarkably effective, a new bacterial species Streptomyces avermictilis. The active component named avermectin was chemically modified to increase its activity and safety. The new compound, ivermectin, became an animal health product in 1981 and soon was a top-selling veterinary drug. In spite of decades of searching, it remains the only source of avermectin ever found.
Donegal upbringing
Campbell's early education was in the converted attic of his home in Ramelton, Co Donegal. His father, a Presbyterian, local shopkeeper and vendor of farm supplies, employed a live-in tutor Miss (Elizabeth) Martin. There was never a mention of science but she infused in him a liking for words and knowing things.
The spark of scientific curiosity was fired-up at Campbell College boarding school, where he struggled with physics and chemistry; "biology, though, was what saved my bacon", thanks to the inventive and engaging approach of teacher Robert Wells.
A leaflet on liver fluke disease picked up from an agricultural fair on a school outing was his first introduction to the world of helminthology – the study of parasitic worms and treatments against them though the true significance of that emerged later.
He went to Trinity College in 1948, having switched at the last moment from medicine to natural sciences. Ireland's only other Nobel laureate in sciences, Ernest Walton, singularly failed at teaching him physics – "no fault lay at his feet, though for my difficulty in grappling with 'hard sciences'." More significantly, the renowned parasitologist JD Smyth fostered his life-long interest in parasitic worms. It led to a PhD in the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a career with the pharmaceutical company Merck in the US – he still lives in Massachusetts.
His career is outlined in beautifully measured writing, and marked by qualities of restraint and humility – the science matters most and it’s a team game. Curiosity is to the fore rather than compassion, but that is not to say the latter is absent. He is great advocate of crossover between the sciences, arts and philosophy as a proven practitioner of art and poetry.
He developed an interest in painting as a recreation that was to become an expression of his scientific fascination with parasites. It did not come out of the blue. As a student of zoology in Trinity he would draw complex diagrams of skeletal and anatomical structures. It was how he committed to memory “the bones of the gannet and the skull of the Tasmanian devil”.
Parasite Window 2, a painting by William C Campbell
Empirical research
Campbell makes a powerful case for drug discovery that has a place for empirical research – unfortunately regarded as “old hat”. While he feels its demotion was to the detriment of his career in the end, more importantly it has been to the detriment of global health.
Irish Times science contributor Dr Claire O'Connell, who wrote the book with Campbell, says she has always admired his modesty and attention to detail. "I think it is good to tell the stories of scientists and science. Last year, I was at the World Conference of Science Journalists in Lausanne, Switzerland. A theme that kept coming up was the importance of reporting on the process of science as well as the discoveries."
What comes through in Catching the Worm is sometimes it takes a long time to make discoveries and figure out how they can be applied, she notes. “In the case of ivermectin, it took a large team of people working together with different backgrounds and insights, and careful checking all along the way. Bill described how you wouldn’t let yourself get too excited when an experiment had a good result – it was welcome news but there was often still a long way to go.”
O’Connell is acutely conscious of the importance of bringing human stories into science communication. “One of the insights that Bill offers in the book is when things perhaps aren’t panning out quite as you expected, to keep working on what interests you and on what you love to do. I’ve been thinking about that quite a bit during the Covid-19 pandemic, and finding solace and purpose in writing about science and about scientists.”
Coinciding with his 90th birthday and publication of his memoir, the RIA and the RDS will present the Catching the Worm podcast – William C Campbell in conversation with Prof Luke O'Neill of Trinity College and Dr Claire O'Connell – on Sunday, June 28th at 8pm via www.ria.ie/catchingtheworm


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Coronavirus: Dublin councils express concern as rates waiver scheme set to expire

A Government scheme which pays the councils rates of businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic will expire tomorrow .
Dublin local authorities said the scheme , which has been in place for three months , must be extended if councils are to continue to provide essential public services .
However , no decision has been made to extend the scheme and the Department of Local Government said a “ review of options to support enterprise and employment , and associated local authority funding implications ” has yet to be completed .
Under the rates waiver scheme , the Government agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27th to June 27th to local authorities on behalf of businesses “ forced to close due to public health requirements ” .
However , local authorities said they are unlikely to see a return of payments from businesses , as even those that have reopened will continue to struggle financially .
The four Dublin local authorities receive significantly less in central Government funding proportionately than their rural counterparts and rely on rates for between a third and half of their budgets .
“ It is clear that many businesses will be impacted beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled reopening dates , reduced capacity related to social distancing and their reliance on what one assumes , will be an uncertain and gradual return in public confidence in the near term , ” Daniel McLoughlin chief executive of South Dublin County Council said .
“ The extension of the three month rates waiver to six months is , in my view , the minimum necessary to protect local Government funding and to support the reopening of business , ” he said .
Dublin city chief executive Owen Keegan said there was was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiver scheme to be resolved .
“ Somebody may have seen their turnover collapse but were not forced to close .
A lot of businesses may be trading , but may not be profitable , ” Mr Keegan said .
The city council had expected to take in just over €357 million in rates this year – about a third of its income .
About €250 million of that remains outstanding .
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council director of finance Helena Cunningham said the long-term impact of the virus on rates income could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It is widely predicted that Covid-19 could be with us for at least another 12 months so the financial impact could be felt for some time.
” The ability of the council to recover and function would “ depend on the extent to which compensation is made available and the extent to which the council ’ s income level is maintained ” , she said .
Fingal County Council also said it was critical support was maintained for the long term .
The Department of Local Government said the “ Government is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the scope and application of the waiver ” and the position would be reviewed “ as part of a wider review of options to support enterprise and employment , and associated local authority funding implications , once the unwinding of public health restrictions has advanced ” .

A Government scheme which pays the councils rates of businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic will expire tomorrow.
Dublin local authorities said the scheme, which has been in place for three months, must be extended if councils are to continue to provide essential public services.
However, no decision has been made to extend the scheme and the Department of Local Government said a “review of options to support enterprise and employment, and associated local authority funding implications” has yet to be completed.
Under the rates waiver scheme, the Government agreed to directly pay commercial rates from March 27th to June 27th to local authorities on behalf of businesses “forced to close due to public health requirements”.
READ MORE
Struggle
However, local authorities said they are unlikely to see a return of payments from businesses, as even those that have reopened will continue to struggle financially.
The four Dublin local authorities receive significantly less in central Government funding proportionately than their rural counterparts and rely on rates for between a third and half of their budgets.
"It is clear that many businesses will be impacted beyond the 27th of June by virtue of scheduled reopening dates, reduced capacity related to social distancing and their reliance on what one assumes, will be an uncertain and gradual return in public confidence in the near term," Daniel McLoughlin chief executive of South Dublin County Council said.
“The extension of the three month rates waiver to six months is, in my view, the minimum necessary to protect local Government funding and to support the reopening of business,” he said.
Dublin city chief executive Owen Keegan said there was was also an issue of eligibility for the waiver scheme to be resolved.
“Somebody may have seen their turnover collapse but were not forced to close. A lot of businesses may be trading, but may not be profitable,” Mr Keegan said.
Long-term impact
The city council had expected to take in just over €357 million in rates this year – about a third of its income. About €250 million of that remains outstanding. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council director of finance Helena Cunningham said the long-term impact of the virus on rates income could be "considerable" for the council.
“It is widely predicted that Covid-19 could be with us for at least another 12 months so the financial impact could be felt for some time.” The ability of the council to recover and function would “depend on the extent to which compensation is made available and the extent to which the council’s income level is maintained”, she said.
Fingal County Council also said it was critical support was maintained for the long term.
The Department of Local Government said the “Government is currently preparing further guidance for local authorities on the scope and application of the waiver” and the position would be reviewed “as part of a wider review of options to support enterprise and employment, and associated local authority funding implications, once the unwinding of public health restrictions has advanced”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Covid-19: HSE is to end €20m emergency lease at Citywest Hotel complex

The HSE is to end its €20 million lease of facilities at the Citywest Hotel complex in Dublin which it had been using during the Covid-19 emergency .
Minister for Health Simon Harris said at a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday night that the agreement would come to an end in October .
The Citywest complex , which has capacity for some 1,700 beds , had been available for self-isolation and as a step-down facility for Covid-19 patients .
The deal is expected to cost the HSE more than €20 million .
However , there had been concerns about the level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been put .
The Health Budget Oversight Group – comprising senior officials of the Department of Public Expenditure , Department of Health and the HSE – was told in early May that the occupancy rate at the Citywest Hotel complex was “ currently low ” .
Minutes from a later meeting in May noted “ a growing number of questions regarding the occupancy rate of Citywest Hotel at the time and potential alternative uses for the facility ” .
Mr Harris said he informed the Cabinet on Thursday that it was the HSE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lease on Citywest .
He said the HSE will discuss in the coming weeks what to use the facility for .
Separately it has emerged that no further public patients will be admitted to private hospitals after next Tuesday under the agreement which saw the State take over their facilities during the Covid-19 crisis .
No subsequent follow-on agreement has yet been agreed .
Private hospitals said on Thursday that talks with the HSE were continuing .
The Government decided at the end of May that it would not extend the current three-month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a further two months .
The Cabinet at the end of May decided to mandate the HSE to enter into talks on a new agreement with private hospitals to come into effect from July which would allow the State to take control of 100 per cent of their facilities if it was required to deal with any future surge in Covid-19 cases .
The Government also instructed the HSE to engage with the private hospitals to secure ongoing access to private hospitals in collaboration with the National Treatment Purchase Fund ( NTPF ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public patients obtaining treatment .
The association representing private hospitals said on Thursday that the current agreement between them and the HSE would expire next Monday .
“ After that time we will see the recommencement of normal activity at all of the country ’ s private hospitals .
Continuity of care will remain a priority for any remaining public patients still being treated or recuperating in private hospitals after this date and any transfer of care requirements will be carefully managed by way of locally agreed arrangements with the appropriate hospital group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public admissions will occur after this date under the auspices of the agreement which expires on June 30th .
“ Talks are still ongoing between the Private Hospitals Association and the HSE in respect of future private capacity requirements in respect of Covid-19 over the medium and longer term.
” It is understood that the Government may seek to tackle the growing public hospital waiting lists – which will be exacerbated by the Covid-19 restrictions in the health system , where fewer procedures are likely to take place – by ramping up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals .
However , under the NTPF model , the State buys packages of care , including private hospital accommodation and treatment for patients by consultants .
The State does not employ the doctors or hospital staff .

The HSE is to end its €20 million lease of facilities at the Citywest Hotel complex in Dublin which it had been using during the Covid-19 emergency.
Minister for Health Simon Harris said at a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday night that the agreement would come to an end in October.
The Citywest complex, which has capacity for some 1,700 beds, had been available for self-isolation and as a step-down facility for Covid-19 patients.
The deal is expected to cost the HSE more than €20 million.
READ MORE
However, there had been concerns about the level of use to which the facility had been put. The Health Budget Oversight Group – comprising senior officials of the Department of Public Expenditure, Department of Health and the HSE – was told in early May that the occupancy rate at the Citywest Hotel complex was "currently low".
Minutes from a later meeting in May noted “a growing number of questions regarding the occupancy rate of Citywest Hotel at the time and potential alternative uses for the facility”.
Mr Harris said he informed the Cabinet on Thursday that it was the HSE’s intention not to extend the lease on Citywest. He said the HSE will discuss in the coming weeks what to use the facility for.
Private patients
Separately it has emerged that no further public patients will be admitted to private hospitals after next Tuesday under the agreement which saw the State take over their facilities during the Covid-19 crisis.
No subsequent follow-on agreement has yet been agreed. Private hospitals said on Thursday that talks with the HSE were continuing.
The Government decided at the end of May that it would not extend the current three-month agreement covering nearly 20 private hospitals for a further two months.
The Cabinet at the end of May decided to mandate the HSE to enter into talks on a new agreement with private hospitals to come into effect from July which would allow the State to take control of 100 per cent of their facilities if it was required to deal with any future surge in Covid-19 cases.
Private hospitals
The Government also instructed the HSE to engage with the private hospitals to secure ongoing access to private hospitals in collaboration with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to address essential needs including delays in public patients obtaining treatment.
The association representing private hospitals said on Thursday that the current agreement between them and the HSE would expire next Monday.
“After that time we will see the recommencement of normal activity at all of the country’s private hospitals. Continuity of care will remain a priority for any remaining public patients still being treated or recuperating in private hospitals after this date and any transfer of care requirements will be carefully managed by way of locally agreed arrangements with the appropriate hospital group and public hospitals.
“No further public admissions will occur after this date under the auspices of the agreement which expires on June 30th.
"Talks are still ongoing between the Private Hospitals Association and the HSE in respect of future private capacity requirements in respect of Covid-19 over the medium and longer term."
It is understood that the Government may seek to tackle the growing public hospital waiting lists – which will be exacerbated by the Covid-19 restrictions in the health system, where fewer procedures are likely to take place – by ramping up the operation of the NTPF in the private hospitals.
However, under the NTPF model, the State buys packages of care, including private hospital accommodation and treatment for patients by consultants. The State does not employ the doctors or hospital staff.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Covid-19: Inquiry will be needed into State’s handling of pandemic, Varadkar indicates

Foreign travel restrictions will be eased from July 9th with travellers permitted to move between certain countries with similar low levels of coronavirus infection .
A green list will be published detailing which countries people can travel between without having to abide by the 14-day quarantine .
Following a Cabinet meeting in Dublin Castle , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed the country will , from Monday , move to phase three in the easing of the lockdown , which will see the vast majority of the economy and society reopen .
On travel , Mr Varadkar said checks and controls would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ports and the passenger locator form would go online .
“ There will be a green list of countries produced by July 9th .
If you are flying or going by boat to countries that are on the green list in Ireland , the 14-day quarantine will not apply.
” Mr Varadkar said .
“ There will be an expanded list of exceptions .
There are exceptional employees who need to come into the country.
” He said the list of countries would be co-ordinated at a European level .
“ I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of countries will be reviewed and may change every two weeks , ” he added .
Mr Varadkar said countries experiencing a second wave may be taken off the list .
He also cautioned against people travelling abroad before July 9th : “ The advice at the moment is that people shouldn ’ t engage in any non-essential travel off the island and that stands.
” Testing at airports has also not been ruled out , Mr Varadkar said , but that it is “ far from straightforward ” .
Furthermore , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made on a list of accepted countries today , the Government would not be removing the 14-day quarantine requirement on travel between Ireland and the UK .
Mr Varadkar said he expected to see more “ spikes ” and outbreaks of coronavirus but that he did not believe the major cause of that would be a return to international travel .
The Cabinet also agreed to make it mandatory to wear face masks on public transport .
Minister for Health Simon Harris said there would be sanctions for those who did not abide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be worked out over the next seven to 10 days .
From Monday , the country will move to phase three in the easing of the lockdown which will see hotels , cafes , restaurants , pubs serving meals , hairdressers , gyms , galleries and museums reopening , many sporting activities resuming and travel restrictions within the State lifted .
“ From Monday we will lift travel restrictions right across this country and reunite with desperately-missed friends and family , ” Mr Harris said .
“ It will be a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taoiseach has also signalled that he believes there will need to be an inquiry into Ireland ’ s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic when the virus is contained .
“ I do think when this is all over we are going to have to have some sort of assessment or inquiry what was done right or wrong.
” He said it would have been good to have done testing “ sooner ” in nursing homes .
“ As it turned out , we were the first country in the world to test all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it been possible , we would have done it sooner and perhaps saved more lives in nursing homes.
” At what was likely to be the final Cabinet meeting of the current Government , Ministers also agreed to allow churches accept more than 50 people indoors .
Under the roadmap , gatherings are to be limited to 50 people indoors and 200 people outdoors until July 20th .
At this point it will rise to 100 people indoors and 500 people outdoors .
“ Mr Varadkar said the specific protocol is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will be very much policed by them ” .
The Government also agreed to extend the school meals programme over the summer months .
Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said she wanted the funding to be available over the summer period “ to support children who do not have access to nutritious food to enable them to continue to receive meals during the summer school holidays ” .
A grant scheme to help those who are self-employed or sole traders to get back to work was also approved .
Mr Varadkar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate to hold a “ memorial day ” in honour of those who have lost their lives to Covid-19 and frontline workers but that the discussion was premature as the pandemic is ongoing .

In potentially his last address as Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar has thanked the people of Ireland for the sacrifices they made during the Covid-19 pandemic. Video: RTÉ
Foreign travel restrictions will be eased from July 9th with travellers permitted to move between certain countries with similar low levels of coronavirus infection.
A green list will be published detailing which countries people can travel between without having to abide by the 14-day quarantine.
Following a Cabinet meeting in Dublin Castle, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed the country will, from Monday, move to phase three in the easing of the lockdown, which will see the vast majority of the economy and society reopen.
On travel, Mr Varadkar said checks and controls would also be stepped up in airports and ports and the passenger locator form would go online. “There will be a green list of countries produced by July 9th. If you are flying or going by boat to countries that are on the green list in Ireland, the 14-day quarantine will not apply.” Mr Varadkar said.
READ MORE
“There will be an expanded list of exceptions. There are exceptional employees who need to come into the country.” He said the list of countries would be co-ordinated at a European level. “I do need to caution people that the list of countries will be reviewed and may change every two weeks,” he added.
Mr Varadkar said countries experiencing a second wave may be taken off the list. He also cautioned against people travelling abroad before July 9th: “The advice at the moment is that people shouldn’t engage in any non-essential travel off the island and that stands.”
Testing at airports has also not been ruled out, Mr Varadkar said, but that it is “far from straightforward”. Furthermore, he said if a decision was to be made on a list of accepted countries today, the Government would not be removing the 14-day quarantine requirement on travel between Ireland and the UK.
Mr Varadkar said he expected to see more “spikes” and outbreaks of coronavirus but that he did not believe the major cause of that would be a return to international travel.
Masks
The Cabinet also agreed to make it mandatory to wear face masks on public transport. Minister for Health Simon Harris said there would be sanctions for those who did not abide by the new measures and the details would be worked out over the next seven to 10 days.
From Monday, the country will move to phase three in the easing of the lockdown which will see hotels, cafes, restaurants, pubs serving meals, hairdressers, gyms, galleries and museums reopening, many sporting activities resuming and travel restrictions within the State lifted.
“From Monday we will lift travel restrictions right across this country and reunite with desperately-missed friends and family,” Mr Harris said. “It will be a week of immense emotion and joy.”
The Taoiseach has also signalled that he believes there will need to be an inquiry into Ireland’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic when the virus is contained.
“I do think when this is all over we are going to have to have some sort of assessment or inquiry what was done right or wrong.” He said it would have been good to have done testing “sooner” in nursing homes.
“As it turned out, we were the first country in the world to test all nursing-home residents and staff.
“Had it been possible, we would have done it sooner and perhaps saved more lives in nursing homes.”
At what was likely to be the final Cabinet meeting of the current Government, Ministers also agreed to allow churches accept more than 50 people indoors.
Under the roadmap, gatherings are to be limited to 50 people indoors and 200 people outdoors until July 20th. At this point it will rise to 100 people indoors and 500 people outdoors.
“Mr Varadkar said the specific protocol is going to be worked out with churches and “it will be very much policed by them”.
School meals programme
The Government also agreed to extend the school meals programme over the summer months. Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said she wanted the funding to be available over the summer period “to support children who do not have access to nutritious food to enable them to continue to receive meals during the summer school holidays”.
A grant scheme to help those who are self-employed or sole traders to get back to work was also approved.
Mr Varadkar also said he believed it would be appropriate to hold a “memorial day” in honour of those who have lost their lives to Covid-19 and frontline workers but that the discussion was premature as the pandemic is ongoing.