theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Storm Ellen: 104,000 without power following strong winds and downpours overnight

There are 104,000 homes , businesses and farms without power after Storm Ellen swept over Ireland overnight and left a trail of destruction in its wake .
According to the ESB ’ s Power Check website , there are scores of faults across the country with counties Cork , Tipperary , Westmeath , Longford and Limerick worst affected .
An estimated 32,000 homes and businesses are without power in Co Cork while 1,400 locations around the country are impacted .
Earlier this morning , 194,000 properties were without power , but ESB Networks said this had been reduced to 104,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the faults can be found on the Power Check website .
ESB Networks has said while power will be restored to thousands of people by Thursday evening , some homes in areas of the south , west and midlands will remain without electricity .
Earlier , ESB Networks said it is advising customers impacted by outages that they should “ prepare to be without electricity for a number of days ” .
“ It is very important that any customers who use electrically powered medical devices should contact their healthcare professional to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a spokesman for the ESB said .
Repair crews were being deployed this morning in the most affected areas and where safe to do so , “ assessing the damage so that they can restore power as quickly and effectively as possible ” .
“ In addition to safety procedures associated with power restoration , crews are also working under all national Covid-19 protocols with respect to hygiene , social distancing and PPE , ” the spokesman added .
Derek Hynes , operations manager for ESB Networks , said the earlier figure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest figure ever for damage .
He told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland on Thursday that the highest number without power ever was in 2017 following Storm Ophelia when there were 385,000 , followed by Storm Darwin in 2014 when there were 280,000 without power .
However , this is the first time there has been such loss of power at this time of year , the impact will be different because trees are in full leaf , he explained .
Met Éireann on Thursday morning issued a status yellow wind warning for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wicklow , Meath , Cork , Kerry and Waterford .
The warning is valid between 5pm on Thursday and 5am on Friday .
A status yellow rainfall warning has been issued for the entire country today and tonight , valid between 9am on Thursday and 5am Friday .
In Co Cork , flooding has been reported in Skibbereen , Kinsale , Middleton and Bantry .
Met Éireann had issued a status red storm warning for Cork with winds predicted to hit over 150km/h between 9pm and midnight on Wednesday .
The alert proved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and power lines all over Munster .
Cork was particularly badly hit as winds , measured at one stage as gusting at 143km/h at Roches Point at the mouth of Cork Harbour , brought down power lines all over the county .
Jim Molloy , acting director of Services and Roads with Cork County Council , said the local authority had responded to 50 call outs overnight for fallen trees in east Cork and 30 in relation to flooding , mostly in Skibbereen .
It had been “ very tempestuous ” last night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a lot of chaos.
” Major routes have been cleared , but he advised motorists to exercise extreme caution and to be alert for fallen trees and spot flooding .
Among the areas badly hit were Fermoy where more than 1,800 homes were affected ; Macroom where almost 1,500 premises were affected ; Cloyne in east Cork where almost 2,000 customers were affected ; and Riverstown near Glanmire where more than 1,000 customers were affected .
In Cork city , Douglas was particularly badly hit with almost 2,500 customers affected , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left without power and 700 homes around Carrigaline in south Cork were also affected .
There were smaller outages in Kilworth , Rathcormac and Whitechurch .
More than 250 customers near Youghal were left without power , while in Tallow in Co Waterford more than 500 customers were affected .
Near Dungarvan , 1,200 customers were impacted , along with 300 customers near Waterford city as high winds wreaked havoc .
While Cork bore the brunt of the high winds , there are also power outages in Co Tipperary with 1,100 homes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The north of the county was also hit with more than 900 customers affected in Templemore and more than 800 in Toomevara .
More than 2,000 customers were affected around Ballyhale in Co Kilkenny and more than 1,600 near Tullamore in Co Offaly .
In Athy , Co Kildare , 400 customers were affected , while there were smaller outages in Bagenalstown in Co Carlow , Clonroche in Co Wexford ; Ballybunion in Co Kerry ; and Athenry , Co Galway .
Storm Ellen brought with it heavy rains and Skibbereen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Bridge Street flooding to a depth of several inches before members of the Skibbereen unit of the Cork County Fire Service backed up by west Cork Civil Defence cleared the street .
Local Cork South West TDs Holly Cairns of the Social Democrats and Christopher O ’ Sullivan of Fianna Fáil both posted footage on their Twitter accounts of the flooding in Skibbereen , with flood waters racing down Bridge Street in the centre of town .
Mr O ’ Sullivan tweeted : “ This shouldn ’ t be happening in Skibbereen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire town should be dry even in this intense rainfall .
.
.
The flood committee flagged that this area needed more protection .
OPW need to provide answers .
”

County Cork has taken a beating overnight from Storm Ellen experiencing high rainfall extreme wind speeds and flooding. An estimated 40,000 homes and businesses are without power across the county as a result.
More than 50,000 homes, businesses and farms are still without power after Storm Ellen swept over Ireland the previous night, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
ESB Networks warned on Thursday that customers impacted by outages needed to “prepare to be without electricity” into Friday and “potentially beyond that”, after about 194,000 properties were affected by power outages due to the storm.
Co Cork was particularly badly hit by Storm Ellen, with flooding reported in Skibbereen, Kinsale, Midleton and Bantry. There was further flooding in low-lying areas of Cork city centre on Thursday evening, after high spring tides.
Cork City Council had issued a warning earlier on Thursday that there was still a significant risk of flooding in parts of the city centre amid high tide levels, and said it had a limited stock of gel bags and sandbags available for collection by members of the public and businesses.
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Winds in Co Cork reached almost 145km/h at the mouth of Cork harbour during Storm Ellen, which brought down trees and power lines across Munster. Major routes were cleared following the worst of the weather, but motorists were urged to exercise extreme caution and be alert for fallen trees and spot flooding.
Jim Molloy, acting director of services and roads with Cork County Council, said the local authority had responded to 50 callouts on Wednesday night for fallen trees in east Cork and 30 in relation to flooding, mostly in Skibbereen. It had been “very tempestuous” night, he said, with the storm causing “a lot of chaos”.
Weather warnings
Met Éireann’s status yellow rainfall warning, which was issued on Thursday morning for the whole country, is scheduled to end at 5am on Friday, along with a status yellow wind warning for Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Cork, Kerry and Waterford.
However, the forecaster warned that it would continue to be “unseasonably wet and very windy” until Friday evening, with strong and gusty southwest winds.
A fallen tree in Cabinteely, Co Dublin on Thursday. Photograph: Lawrence Hill/Twitter/PA Wire
“Strong winds at times may result in unsafe conditions and some disruption, especially over high ground, lakes and sea areas,” said Met Éireann.
Widespread, heavy showers are expected on Friday morning, but they will become more scattered during the afternoon and evening, with some sunny spells developing and highest temperatures ranging from 16 to 20 degrees, it said. Winds will stay strong, particularly along coastal areas.
Saturday is due to be a cool and windy day, with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers and highest temperatures between 15 to 20 degrees. Sunday is also expected to be quite cool, with scattered outbreaks of rain and some sunshine.
ESB crews, who worked to restore power to 140,000 customers on Thursday, will remobilise at first light on Friday morning to work to restore power to properties around the country still without power.
A full list of the faults can be found on the Power Check website.
The ESB urged customers still affected who usually use electrically powered medical devices to contact their healthcare professional to make alternative arrangements as the network worked to restore power to homes and businesses. The network also reminded customers not to approach broken lines or damaged poles and to keep children and animals away from them.
Derek Hynes, operations manager for ESB Networks, said the highest number of properties left without power ever was in 2017 following Storm Ophelia, when there were 385,000 impacted properties. This was followed by Storm Darwin in 2014, when there were 280,000 without power.
However, this is the first time there has been such loss of power at this time of year, Mr Hynes told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, adding that the impact will be different because trees are in full leaf right now.
Met Éireann reported that mean wind speed record for August was broken during the storm.
An Post tweeted that it was experiencing some disruption to its services, particularly in the west and southwest, following the storm.
In a statement on Thursday, it said that it had initially been unable to open 28 local post offices on Thursday morning, largely due to power failures. It said it would work through the night to “ensure service resumption as quickly as possible”.
Cork County Fire Service and Civil Defence personnel operating flood pumps in Skibbereen after flooding caused by Storm Ellen overnight. Photograph: Niall Twomey West Cork Civil Defence
Skibbereen flooding
The town of Skibbereen in west Cork was particularly affected by the downpours, with Bridge Street flooding to a depth of several inches before members of the Skibbereen unit of the Cork County Fire Service, backed up by Cork West Civil Defence, cleared the street.
Other areas badly hit by the storm included Fermoy, where more than 1,800 homes lost power; Macroom, where almost 1,500 premises were affected; Cloyne in east Cork where almost 2,000 customers were affected, and Riverstown near Glanmire where more than 1,000 customers were affected.
In Cork city, almost 2,500 customers in Douglas were affected by outages, while more than 400 customers in Bishopstown and 700 homes around Carrigaline in south Co Cork were also affected. There were smaller outages in Kilworth, Rathcormac and Whitechurch.
The Regal Centre/O'Keeffe Furniture on Davis Road in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, after part of the roof lifted off the building. Photograph: RTÉ
There were also power outages in counties Tipperary, Kilkenny, Offaly, Kildare, Carlow, Kerry and Galway.
Local Cork South-West TDs Holly Cairns of the Social Democrats and Christopher O’Sullivan of Fianna Fáil both posted footage on their Twitter accounts of the flooding in Skibbereen, with flood waters racing down Bridge Street in the centre of town.
Mr O’Sullivan tweeted: “This shouldn’t be happening in Skibbereen. Millions spent on flood protection – the entire town should be dry even in this intense rainfall . . . The flood committee flagged that this area needed more protection. OPW need to provide answers.”
Cork County engineer Kevin Morey told RTÉ Radio 1’s News at One that the flood relief scheme in the town was designed to protect against river flooding, and the flooding amid Storm Ellen was a result of the overwhelming of a drain system.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Concern over capacity on school buses after new Covid-19 rules

There are growing concerns over whether there is enough capacity on schoolbuses to ensure children can be transported safely when schools reopen at the end of the month .
The current Department of Education advice to parents is that that school bus services should operate as normal with no social distancing , while secondary students would have to wear face masks .
However , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) advised the Government this week that secondary students must now maintain social distancing while on school buses , in line with wider rules on public transport .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ union has raised fresh concerns that dozens of bus routes do not have the capacity to bus children to school safely on public routes .
In a letter to the heads of the three main public transport providers , the National Bus and Rail Union ( NBRU ) outlines concerns over the capacity of more than 62 separate Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann routes and seeks clarity on how physical distancing will be policed in the interest of transport workers .
The routes “ most heavily affected ” by school commuting patterns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 11 across Donegal , Cavan , Galway and Sligo .
Some of these operate similar routes .
“ It is one thing to set the capacity levels at 50 per cent…when the demand for public transport is at a minimum , it is entirely a different matter altogether when the current travel patterns are going to be added to significantly when the schools return , ” states the letter from NBRU general secretary Dermot O ’ Leary .
Transport authorities , meanwhile , are considering diverting buses on public routes to assist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity for schoolchildren .
A spokesman for the National Transport Authority said services will be monitored closely and if capacity becomes an issue vehicles would be deployed from less-heavily used routes .
The change in public health advice for secondary students , meanwhile , appears to have caught the Government by surprise .
On Monday , Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn advised the Government that for secondary school students , “ strict distancing should be ensured in line with that on public transport along with the wearing of face coverings ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where possible .
Transport companies should ensure hand sanitiser is provided at transport hubs.
” Speaking on RTÉ radio on Wednesday , Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said fresh guidance raised the prospect that public transport would have to be doubled , which was “ not possible ” .
He agreed in principle that students should be socially distanced and said further information on the subject “ has to be [ finalised ] in the coming week ” .
Bus Éireann provides separate , dedicated school bus services for the Department of Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide operators .
Dublin Bus said several additional routes would be returning to service from month ’ s end .
“ Service levels in the bus network will be monitored over the coming months .
Additional PSO services may be added where demand requires subject to the approval of the NTA , ” it said .
“ The safety of our customers and employees is paramount.
” School students also make use of Irish Rail services , notably the Dart in Dublin and the northern commuter line .
Currently , Irish Rail services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent capacity , compared to the maximum 50 per cent allowed , but traditional peak time , or rush hour volumes , have fallen so there is believed to be scope in the system for school children .
Full schedules are currently operating on the Dart and will return to other services by the end of the month .
It is understood passenger numbers across services declined noticeably in number after the Government appeal on Tuesday for people not to use public transport .

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has agreed in principle that students should be socially distanced on school transport and and said more information on this ‘has to be [finalised] in the coming week’. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill/The Irish Times
There are growing concerns over whether there is enough capacity on schoolbuses to ensure children can be transported safely when schools reopen at the end of the month.
The current Department of Education advice to parents is that that school bus services should operate as normal with no social distancing, while secondary students would have to wear face masks.
However, the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) advised the Government this week that secondary students must now maintain social distancing while on school buses, in line with wider rules on public transport.
In addition, the main transport workers’ union has raised fresh concerns that dozens of bus routes do not have the capacity to bus children to school safely on public routes.
READ MORE
In a letter to the heads of the three main public transport providers, the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) outlines concerns over the capacity of more than 62 separate Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann routes and seeks clarity on how physical distancing will be policed in the interest of transport workers.
The routes "most heavily affected" by school commuting patterns are in Dublin (51 routes) and 11 across Donegal, Cavan, Galway and Sligo. Some of these operate similar routes.
“It is one thing to set the capacity levels at 50 per cent…when the demand for public transport is at a minimum, it is entirely a different matter altogether when the current travel patterns are going to be added to significantly when the schools return,” states the letter from NBRU general secretary Dermot O’Leary.
Transport authorities, meanwhile, are considering diverting buses on public routes to assist with school transport following concerns over the capacity for schoolchildren.
A spokesman for the National Transport Authority said services will be monitored closely and if capacity becomes an issue vehicles would be deployed from less-heavily used routes.
The change in public health advice for secondary students, meanwhile, appears to have caught the Government by surprise.
On Monday, Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn advised the Government that for secondary school students, "strict distancing should be ensured in line with that on public transport along with the wearing of face coverings".
“Primary school students should distance where possible. Transport companies should ensure hand sanitiser is provided at transport hubs.”
Speaking on RTÉ radio on Wednesday, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said fresh guidance raised the prospect that public transport would have to be doubled, which was "not possible".
He agreed in principle that students should be socially distanced and said further information on the subject “has to be [finalised] in the coming week”.
Bus Éireann provides separate, dedicated school bus services for the Department of Education which are in the main subcontracted to provide operators.
Dublin Bus said several additional routes would be returning to service from month’s end.
“Service levels in the bus network will be monitored over the coming months. Additional PSO services may be added where demand requires subject to the approval of the NTA,” it said. “The safety of our customers and employees is paramount.”
School students also make use of Irish Rail services, notably the Dart in Dublin and the northern commuter line.
Currently, Irish Rail services are operating at between 30 and 35 per cent capacity, compared to the maximum 50 per cent allowed, but traditional peak time, or rush hour volumes, have fallen so there is believed to be scope in the system for school children.
Full schedules are currently operating on the Dart and will return to other services by the end of the month.
It is understood passenger numbers across services declined noticeably in number after the Government appeal on Tuesday for people not to use public transport.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Seven whales beached in Co Donegal have died

Seven whales out of a group of eight that became stranded on a beach in Co Donegal have died , the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group ( IWDG ) has said .
The group said it had been providing palliative care to the bottlenose whales , which were beached at Rossnowlagh on Wednesday .
A spokesman said “ very little ” could be done to help the “ deep-diving offshore species ” , which are the largest member of the beaked whale family .
The group said euthanasia of whales of this size very difficult without the drug Immobolin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that shooting requires highly trained personnel .
Nicola Coyle , a volunteer with the group , told Newstalk Breakfast the volunteers stayed late into the night with the last living whale .
The whales are from “ quite an elusive species ” and live far off shore , she said , adding it was unusual to see them so close to land .
The volunteers tried to keep the public away from the whales to make the mammals ’ situation as stress free as possible .
“ The first thing is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the whales as possible – the guards were very , very helpful in doing that .
And then it ’ s a matter of making sure that it ’ s positioned alright and keeping noise levels really , really low.
” The volunteers applied wet materials including towels and curtains in an attempt to keep the last living whale hydrated ; this was similar to palliative care , she admitted .
“ As first responders for the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group that ’ s one of the things that we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as we arrive to see what ’ s the best course of action , ” she said .
“ If we know that we can ’ t refloat them , which in this case it was very clear that that wasn ’ t going to be an option , then our job is to try and keep them as happy as we possibly can .
”

Seven whales out of a group of eight that became stranded on a beach in Co Donegal have died, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has said.
The group said it had been providing palliative care to the bottlenose whales, which were beached at Rossnowlagh on Wednesday.
A spokesman said “very little” could be done to help the “deep-diving offshore species”, which are the largest member of the beaked whale family.
The group said euthanasia of whales of this size very difficult without the drug Immobolin, which is not available in the Republic and that shooting requires highly trained personnel.
READ MORE
Nicola Coyle, a volunteer with the group, told Newstalk Breakfast the volunteers stayed late into the night with the last living whale.
The whales are from “quite an elusive species” and live far off shore, she said, adding it was unusual to see them so close to land.
The volunteers tried to keep the public away from the whales to make the mammals’ situation as stress free as possible.
“The first thing is to try and keep as many people away from the whales as possible – the guards were very, very helpful in doing that. And then it’s a matter of making sure that it’s positioned alright and keeping noise levels really, really low.”
The volunteers applied wet materials including towels and curtains in an attempt to keep the last living whale hydrated; this was similar to palliative care, she admitted.
“As first responders for the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group that’s one of the things that we do. So we assess the situation as soon as we arrive to see what’s the best course of action,” she said.
“If we know that we can’t refloat them, which in this case it was very clear that that wasn’t going to be an option, then our job is to try and keep them as happy as we possibly can.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Two people arrested as drugs worth €53,000 seized in Cork

Gardaí arrested two people and seized suspected drugs worth €53,000 in Cork city on Wednesday evening .
Gardaí from the Mayfield drugs unit were carrying out a patrol on the north side of Cork city as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealing .
At about 7pm gardaí saw the occupants of a car involved in what was believed to be a drugs transaction in the Boherboy Road area of Mayfield .
Gardaí stopped the car and carried out a search .
They found €1,000 worth of cannabis herb split into deals .
A further €2,100 of cannabis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the car .
The occupants of the car , a man and a woman in their 30s , were both arrested and brought to Mayfield Garda station .
They are being detained under Section 2 of Criminal Justice ( Drug Trafficking ) Act , 1996 .
As part of the investigation gardaí later carried out a search at a house in Ballincollig , Cork .
During the search Gardaí seized €50,000 of cannabis herb and €250 of cocaine .
Gardaí also seized a vacuum packer , plastic bags and a sum of cash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis , a Garda spokesman said .

Gardaí made two arrests following the discovery of a quantity of suspected drugs in Cork on Wednesday. Photograph: An Garda Síochána
Gardaí arrested two people and seized suspected drugs worth €53,000 in Cork city on Wednesday evening.
Gardaí from the Mayfield drugs unit were carrying out a patrol on the north side of Cork city as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealing.
At about 7pm gardaí saw the occupants of a car involved in what was believed to be a drugs transaction in the Boherboy Road area of Mayfield.
Gardaí stopped the car and carried out a search. They found €1,000 worth of cannabis herb split into deals. A further €2,100 of cannabis herb was located in the boot of the car.
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The occupants of the car, a man and a woman in their 30s, were both arrested and brought to Mayfield Garda station. They are being detained under Section 2 of Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
As part of the investigation gardaí later carried out a search at a house in Ballincollig, Cork. During the search Gardaí seized €50,000 of cannabis herb and €250 of cocaine. Gardaí also seized a vacuum packer, plastic bags and a sum of cash.
All of the suspected drugs will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis, a Garda spokesman said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Storm Ellen: Up to 40,000 Cork homes left without power

Up to 40,000 homes are without power in Cork with the county receiving the full brunt of Storm Ellen overnight .
The AA has warned extreme caution is needed , with trees down across the county and severe flooding in Skibbereen and Bandon .
Gusts of well over 100km/h were recorded in the southwest of the county .
A gust of 143km/h was recorded at Roches Point in Cork .
The fire brigade assisted a woman in labour who was on the way to hospital from Crosshaven overnight amid Storm Ellen .
Victor Shine , second officer at Cork City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home from work shortly after midnight when he came across Cork County Fire Brigade assisting an ambulance call for a woman in labour .
Mr Shine told the Opinion Line , on Cork ’ s 96FM , that he had to “ roll up the sleeves ” .
“ I came across that lady first in labour in the car , and access out of Crosshaven was completely blocked by trees in all directions .
So we just handled the situation until the arrival of the ambulance .
The lady was removed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baby boy now .
“ I was trying to encourage her to use my name [ to name the child ] or Storm something really exciting !
“ Mr Shine said the City Fire Brigade received more than 35 calls about fallen trees .
“ Some of the calls were a little bit more interesting with a car on top of trees due to the driver maybe coming across it without observing it on the road .
It was removed very quickly and the driver was able to go home safely .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mahon .
“ We also had a caravan where a roof came off with some people inside , and some people had to be made safe .
The caravan was secured and people removed .
A lot of automatic car alarms went off with strong winds.
” Cork City Council has reported that crews attended 40 emergency callouts relating to fallen trees and debris .
There were reports of of multiple trees down in areas of the county – including in Skibbereen , Midleton and Fermoy .
Debris was reported northbound on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Ring Road .
Many major routes , including the N22 road to Killarney and the N25 road to Waterford , were badly impacted by falling trees .
Some of the worst impacted areas in the county include Skibbereen , Kanturk , Mitchelstown and Macroom .
Routes that were most hit include the N22 East of Lissarda , the N25 at Lakeview in Midleton , the N72 west of Fermoy and the R624 at Fota .
David Joyce .
director of services with Cork City Council , told Cork ’ s 96FM motorists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If you come across something that is dangerous or something that has fallen please notify Cork City Council .
We have the crews on standby and in place to go and address these issues .
“ They should ring our customer services unit at 021 4924000 .
That will be manned by trained operatives who will take your call and send it out to the frontline staff.
” Bus Éireann has said there are diversions and delays on all their routes in the city and county this morning .
Locals reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle of the road between Mogeely Village and Killeagh , with trees also blocking the road between Conna and Rathcormac .
The road to Rochestown Nursing Home in the city was blocked as a result of fallen trees .
Motorists on the old Mallow Road in Cork city contacted gardaí amid reports of a trampoline on the road heading from Blackpool to Whitechurch .
The road to Ballymaloe House in the county was also impassable due to fallen trees .
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney tweeted that power was gone in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiencing “ heavy rain and some violent gusts ” .
Jim Molloy of Cork County Council told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland that it was a tough night in the county .
“ It caused a lot of chaos in the county in particular .
We had about 50 [ callouts ] for trees and about 30 for flooding events primarily around Skibbereen which was badly hit .
They were the primary events .
Most of the trees down were in east Cork , but again the whole country was affected .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drivers get on the road .
There is lot of trees and debris on the roads .
Precaution is the word of the day , ” Mr Molloy said .
In a statement ESB said crews are being dispatched in the most affected areas where safe to do so , assessing the damage so that they can restore power as quickly and effectively as possible .
However , the ESB indicated some customers could be without electricity “ for a number of days.
” “ It is very important that any customers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their healthcare professional to make alternative arrangements if necessary.
” All public parks will be inspected for damage and fallen trees before being opened and may open later than usual this morning .
Powerlines are down in a number of locations .
People should not approach damaged power lines and should ring the ESB immediately on 1850 372 999 .
To report a fallen tree , people should ring Cork City Council ’ s Customer Service Unit on : 021 492 4000 .

Up to 40,000 homes are without power in Cork with the county receiving the full brunt of Storm Ellen overnight.
The AA has warned extreme caution is needed, with trees down across the county and severe flooding in Skibbereen and Bandon.
Gusts of well over 100km/h were recorded in the southwest of the county. A gust of 143km/h was recorded at Roches Point in Cork.
The fire brigade assisted a woman in labour who was on the way to hospital from Crosshaven overnight amid Storm Ellen.
READ MORE
Victor Shine, second officer at Cork City Fire Brigade, was on his way home from work shortly after midnight when he came across Cork County Fire Brigade assisting an ambulance call for a woman in labour.
Mr Shine told the Opinion Line, on Cork’s 96FM, that he had to “roll up the sleeves”.
“I came across that lady first in labour in the car, and access out of Crosshaven was completely blocked by trees in all directions. So we just handled the situation until the arrival of the ambulance. The lady was removed to hospital where I expect she has a baby boy now.
“I was trying to encourage her to use my name [to name the child] or Storm something really exciting ! “
Mr Shine said the City Fire Brigade received more than 35 calls about fallen trees.
“Some of the calls were a little bit more interesting with a car on top of trees due to the driver maybe coming across it without observing it on the road. It was removed very quickly and the driver was able to go home safely. It was an exceptionally old historical tree in Mahon.
“We also had a caravan where a roof came off with some people inside, and some people had to be made safe. The caravan was secured and people removed. A lot of automatic car alarms went off with strong winds.”
Cork City Council has reported that crews attended 40 emergency callouts relating to fallen trees and debris.
There were reports of of multiple trees down in areas of the county – including in Skibbereen, Midleton and Fermoy. Debris was reported northbound on the M8 Cork-Dublin road and on the N40 South Ring Road.
Many major routes, including the N22 road to Killarney and the N25 road to Waterford, were badly impacted by falling trees.
Some of the worst impacted areas in the county include Skibbereen, Kanturk, Mitchelstown and Macroom.
Routes that were most hit include the N22 East of Lissarda, the N25 at Lakeview in Midleton, the N72 west of Fermoy and the R624 at Fota.
David Joyce. director of services with Cork City Council, told Cork’s 96FM motorists need to exercise extreme caution this morning.
“If you come across something that is dangerous or something that has fallen please notify Cork City Council. We have the crews on standby and in place to go and address these issues.
“They should ring our customer services unit at 021 4924000. That will be manned by trained operatives who will take your call and send it out to the frontline staff.”
Bus Éireann has said there are diversions and delays on all their routes in the city and county this morning.
Locals reported a shed roof had landed in the middle of the road between Mogeely Village and Killeagh, with trees also blocking the road between Conna and Rathcormac. The road to Rochestown Nursing Home in the city was blocked as a result of fallen trees.
Motorists on the old Mallow Road in Cork city contacted gardaí amid reports of a trampoline on the road heading from Blackpool to Whitechurch. The road to Ballymaloe House in the county was also impassable due to fallen trees.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney tweeted that power was gone in his home town of Carrigaline with the area experiencing “heavy rain and some violent gusts”.
Jim Molloy of Cork County Council told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that it was a tough night in the county.
“It caused a lot of chaos in the county in particular. We had about 50 [callouts] for trees and about 30 for flooding events primarily around Skibbereen which was badly hit. They were the primary events. Most of the trees down were in east Cork, but again the whole country was affected.
“There are still reports coming in as drivers get on the road. There is lot of trees and debris on the roads. Precaution is the word of the day,” Mr Molloy said.
In a statement ESB said crews are being dispatched in the most affected areas where safe to do so, assessing the damage so that they can restore power as quickly and effectively as possible. However, the ESB indicated some customers could be without electricity “for a number of days.”
“It is very important that any customers who use electrically powered medical devices should contact their healthcare professional to make alternative arrangements if necessary.”
All public parks will be inspected for damage and fallen trees before being opened and may open later than usual this morning.
Powerlines are down in a number of locations. People should not approach damaged power lines and should ring the ESB immediately on 1850 372 999.
To report a fallen tree, people should ring Cork City Council’s Customer Service Unit on: 021 492 4000.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Gardaí have negative view of Travellers, survey finds

Not a single frontline Garda surveyed on attitudes towards Travellers had a favourable view of the community , according to an internal study of the organisation .
Gardaí also had similarly poor views of the Roma community , with almost 75 per cent of frontline members surveyed expressing poor opinions of its members , according to the study published this year , a copy of which was obtained by The Irish Times .
The main purpose of the study by Insp David McInerney was to evaluate the role of the garda ethnic liaison officer ( ELO ) programme , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are now known as diversity officers , serve as contact points in the Garda for vulnerable minorities and investigate allegations of hate crimes .
Insp McInerney interviewed 182 gardaí from across the organisation , comprising 111 ELOs and 71 frontline gardaí , between 2012 and 2014 .
“ In most cases , the respondent ELOs and frontline officers displayed a one-sided and largely negative view of Travellers , ” he said .
Garda headquarters said it had enacted numerous initiatives aimed at combatting discrimination since the interviews were carried out .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study in a positive light and said it showed the success of the Garda ’ s ethnic liaison programme in improving opinions of minorities .
The study shows that gardaí who regularly interact with minorities as part of their work invariably have more positive views of them compared with gardaí on general duties .
It also quotes several gardaí making negative comments about Roma and Traveller people .
“ You ’ d spot them a mile off and they ’ re always up to no good , ” one frontline garda said of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causing trouble for us , ” said another about the Traveller community .
Asked to rank ethnic minorities , excluding Travellers , in order of preference , frontline gardaí placed the Roma community last out of six , below “ Arabs ” and “ Blacks ” .
Asked if they had a good or very good opinion of Travellers before joining the Garda , zero per cent of both frontline officers and ELOs said yes .
Some 45 per cent of ELOs and 40 per cent of frontline officers said they had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the remainder indicating a neutral opinion or declining to answer .
When asked about their opinion after joining the Garda , 32 per cent of ELOs said they had a good opinion of Travellers .
However , this figure remained at zero for frontline officers , while the proportion with a “ very poor ” opinion rose by 10 per cent .
While some ELOs said interacting with Travellers in their job boosted their opinion of the community , comments from some other frontline members were less positive .
“ Sure why would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we would get is hassle…opening up a hornet ’ s nest , ” said one midlands Garda on encountering Travellers on his daily patrols .
Regarding the Roma community , 73 per cent of frontline gardaí and 43 per cent of ELOs had poor or very poor opinions .
Zero frontline gardaí and 4 per cent of ELOs had positive opinions .
Opinions of other ethnic minorities were somewhat better .
However , significant proportions of frontline gardaí still had negative views of Indian and Pakistani people ( 21 per cent ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black African ( 30 per cent ) .

Gardaí who regularly interact with minorities as part of their work have more positive views of them compared with gardaí on general duties. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos
Not a single frontline Garda surveyed on attitudes towards Travellers had a favourable view of the community, according to an internal study of the organisation.
Gardaí also had similarly poor views of the Roma community, with almost 75 per cent of frontline members surveyed expressing poor opinions of its members, according to the study published this year, a copy of which was obtained by The Irish Times.
The main purpose of the study by Insp David McInerney was to evaluate the role of the garda ethnic liaison officer (ELO) programme, which he established in 2001. ELOs, who are now known as diversity officers, serve as contact points in the Garda for vulnerable minorities and investigate allegations of hate crimes.
Insp McInerney interviewed 182 gardaí from across the organisation, comprising 111 ELOs and 71 frontline gardaí, between 2012 and 2014.
READ MORE
“In most cases, the respondent ELOs and frontline officers displayed a one-sided and largely negative view of Travellers,” he said.
Garda headquarters said it had enacted numerous initiatives aimed at combatting discrimination since the interviews were carried out. It said it viewed the results of the study in a positive light and said it showed the success of the Garda’s ethnic liaison programme in improving opinions of minorities.
The study shows that gardaí who regularly interact with minorities as part of their work invariably have more positive views of them compared with gardaí on general duties.
Negative comments
It also quotes several gardaí making negative comments about Roma and Traveller people. “You’d spot them a mile off and they’re always up to no good,” one frontline garda said of Roma. “They’re always causing trouble for us,” said another about the Traveller community.
Asked to rank ethnic minorities, excluding Travellers, in order of preference, frontline gardaí placed the Roma community last out of six, below “Arabs” and “Blacks”.
Asked if they had a good or very good opinion of Travellers before joining the Garda, zero per cent of both frontline officers and ELOs said yes. Some 45 per cent of ELOs and 40 per cent of frontline officers said they had a poor or very poor opinion, with the remainder indicating a neutral opinion or declining to answer.
When asked about their opinion after joining the Garda, 32 per cent of ELOs said they had a good opinion of Travellers. However, this figure remained at zero for frontline officers, while the proportion with a “very poor” opinion rose by 10 per cent.
While some ELOs said interacting with Travellers in their job boosted their opinion of the community, comments from some other frontline members were less positive.
“Sure why would we go up to them when all we would get is hassle…opening up a hornet’s nest,” said one midlands Garda on encountering Travellers on his daily patrols.
Regarding the Roma community, 73 per cent of frontline gardaí and 43 per cent of ELOs had poor or very poor opinions. Zero frontline gardaí and 4 per cent of ELOs had positive opinions.
Opinions of other ethnic minorities were somewhat better. However, significant proportions of frontline gardaí still had negative views of Indian and Pakistani people (21 per cent), Arabs (30 per cent) and Black African (30 per cent).


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--‘At the moment it feels like an act of bravery to cycle to school’

A west Dublin primary school is appealing to two local authorities and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to urgently install safe cycling infrastructure ahead of its reopening .
Parents and the principal at Riverview Educate Together in Dublin 12 say there are no segregated cycle paths on any of the roads approaching the school , with many children aged four to eight having to cycle through the notoriously busy Walkinstown Roundabout while travelling there .
For six months prior to the school closures a group of parents had cycled with their children from Iveagh Gardens off the Crumlin Road to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using the “ bike bus ” system .
This works by having a designated route with “ bus stops ” where parents and children can join the convoy .
Aodhán King , who cycles with his son Mattie ( 7 ) , says the “ D12 Bike Bus ” route could be reduced from 5km to just over 3km if safe infrastructure was provided .
“ The most direct route is through Crumlin Village , but it isn ’ t safe , with no space allocated to cyclists , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ us almost 2km out of the way .
It doesn ’ t have any segregated cycling paths either , but it ’ s wide enough that the parents can cycle beside the children and provide a buffer.
” While the majority of drivers pass safely , Mr King said , the experience remains daunting .
“ You do get a number of close passes and cars flying past at speed , but a lot of the problems could be solved if there were appropriate segregated cycling infrastructure and lead times for cyclists at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gates ” from local parks , which force cyclists to dismount and can not be accessed by some types of bike , would also help cycling access to the school , he said .
While Riverview is in the South Dublin County Council area , many of the approach roads originate in the Dublin City Council area , which has caused difficulties in persuading either local authority to “ take ownership ” of the issue , says Roisín Kelly , who cycles to school with Sadhbh ( 8 ) .
“ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been positive , but we are now seeing another September coming around and we haven ’ t had any change.
” School principal Margaret Burke has written to Mr Ryan , the Green Party leader , to highlight the urgency of the school ’ s needs .
“ So much of the Covid advice we are getting is around active travel and the need to walk and cycle to school , ” she said , adding that the installation of segregated cycling in Dublin 12 would benefit not only Riverview but up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ At the moment it feels like an act of bravery to cycle to school .
With safe infrastructure it wouldn ’ t feel like that.
” The city council said it had assessed the route and “ will be implementing all possible interventions to improve safety ” .
South Dublin County Council said cycling infrastructure improvements in the vicinity of the school were planned , and public consultation would begin in the final quarter of this year .
“ Due to statutory obligations projects are planned by South Dublin County Council years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the D12 Bike Bus route from the border with the city council area “ will be considered as a future scheme ” .

Cyclists and cars near Riverview Educate Together school on Limekiln Road in Dublin 12. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan
A west Dublin primary school is appealing to two local authorities and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to urgently install safe cycling infrastructure ahead of its reopening.
Parents and the principal at Riverview Educate Together in Dublin 12 say there are no segregated cycle paths on any of the roads approaching the school, with many children aged four to eight having to cycle through the notoriously busy Walkinstown Roundabout while travelling there.
For six months prior to the school closures a group of parents had cycled with their children from Iveagh Gardens off the Crumlin Road to the school on Limekiln Road every Friday using the “bike bus” system. This works by having a designated route with “bus stops” where parents and children can join the convoy.
Aodhán King, who cycles with his son Mattie (7), says the “D12 Bike Bus” route could be reduced from 5km to just over 3km if safe infrastructure was provided.
READ MORE
“The most direct route is through Crumlin Village, but it isn’t safe, with no space allocated to cyclists,” he said. “Going through the Walkinstown Roundabout takes us almost 2km out of the way. It doesn’t have any segregated cycling paths either, but it’s wide enough that the parents can cycle beside the children and provide a buffer.”
While the majority of drivers pass safely, Mr King said, the experience remains daunting.
“You do get a number of close passes and cars flying past at speed, but a lot of the problems could be solved if there were appropriate segregated cycling infrastructure and lead times for cyclists at junctions.”
The extremely busy Walkinstown Roundabout. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/The Irish Times.
The removal of “kissing gates” from local parks, which force cyclists to dismount and cannot be accessed by some types of bike, would also help cycling access to the school, he said.
No change
While Riverview is in the South Dublin County Council area, many of the approach roads originate in the Dublin City Council area, which has caused difficulties in persuading either local authority to "take ownership" of the issue, says Roisín Kelly, who cycles to school with Sadhbh (8).
“We have engaged with both councils and they have been positive, but we are now seeing another September coming around and we haven’t had any change.”
School principal Margaret Burke has written to Mr Ryan, the Green Party leader, to highlight the urgency of the school’s needs.
“So much of the Covid advice we are getting is around active travel and the need to walk and cycle to school,” she said, adding that the installation of segregated cycling in Dublin 12 would benefit not only Riverview but up to 10 other schools in the area.
“At the moment it feels like an act of bravery to cycle to school. With safe infrastructure it wouldn’t feel like that.”
The city council said it had assessed the route and “will be implementing all possible interventions to improve safety”.
South Dublin County Council said cycling infrastructure improvements in the vicinity of the school were planned, and public consultation would begin in the final quarter of this year.
“Due to statutory obligations projects are planned by South Dublin County Council years in advance of construction occurring.”
It said the D12 Bike Bus route from the border with the city council area “will be considered as a future scheme”.


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--Judge criticises Justice Department for not implementing part of refugee regime

A High Court judge has criticised the Department of Justice and Equality for not implementing an aspect of the State ’ s refugee regime , saying it was a way of undermining the rule of law .
Mr Justice Richard Humphreys said that when a department has “ second thoughts ” about the desirability of a new law it can seek to have it amended or repealed , and that such approaches are not problematic .
He said “ other options that , conversely , undermine the rule of law to a greater or lesser extent , would be to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not permanent period ” or to “ commence the legislation , but simply do nothing to implement it ” .
“ This last is the least acceptable of the options , but unfortunately it ’ s the one chosen by the Department of Justice and Equality here , ” the judge added .
Mr Justice Humphreys was referring to the failure to establish a panel of medical experts to be used to examine applicants for refugee status .
The International Protection Act 2015 , which became law on December 30th , 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ shall ” establish such a panel .
However , when a solicitor acting for a man from Albania who is seeking refugee status asked the department in July 2017 if such a panel had been established , he “ never got a clear answer , ” Mr Justice Humphreys said in a ruling published this week .
“ Unhappily that lack of clarity was to continue right through to the last day of the hearing of the present proceedings.
” He said it was not appropriate that the department should be unwilling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I was only told by the [ department ] unambiguously that there was no panel at the eleventh hour.
” The man alleges that as a member of the Albanian police in 2011-2013 he suffered at the hands of criminals arising from his association with the demolition of illegal buildings .
He says that in August 2013 there was an attempt on his life during which he sustained severe physical injuries .
Two years later he was again threatened , and he sought refugee protection in the State in January 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represented by Michael Conlon SC , had not had a fair and lawful consideration of his application to be referred to the panel of medical experts because the non-existence of the panel would have influenced the response to his request .
“ It would require an unreal level of mental contortion for the [ international protection officer ] to say in effect ‘ we will ignore the non-existence of the panel and now give pure and pristine consideration to your request to be referred to the panel , entirely uninfluenced by the non-existence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process and delay that would have to be undergone if your request were to be granted ’ .
” Mr Justice Humphreys ordered the department to establish a panel by December .
He also ordered a stay on processing the Albanian man ’ s case until after the panel had been established and his application was referred to it .

A High Court judge has criticised the Department of Justice and Equality for not implementing an aspect of the State’s refugee regime, saying it was a way of undermining the rule of law. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien
A High Court judge has criticised the Department of Justice and Equality for not implementing an aspect of the State's refugee regime, saying it was a way of undermining the rule of law.
Mr Justice Richard Humphreys said that when a department has "second thoughts" about the desirability of a new law it can seek to have it amended or repealed, and that such approaches are not problematic.
He said “other options that, conversely, undermine the rule of law to a greater or lesser extent, would be to leave the legislation uncommenced for an indefinite but not permanent period” or to “commence the legislation, but simply do nothing to implement it”.
“This last is the least acceptable of the options, but unfortunately it’s the one chosen by the Department of Justice and Equality here,” the judge added.
READ MORE
Mr Justice Humphreys was referring to the failure to establish a panel of medical experts to be used to examine applicants for refugee status.
The International Protection Act 2015, which became law on December 30th, 2015, states that the Minister for Justice “shall” establish such a panel.
However, when a solicitor acting for a man from Albania who is seeking refugee status asked the department in July 2017 if such a panel had been established, he “never got a clear answer,” Mr Justice Humphreys said in a ruling published this week.
“Unhappily that lack of clarity was to continue right through to the last day of the hearing of the present proceedings.”
He said it was not appropriate that the department should be unwilling to admit to a central factual proposition. “I was only told by the [department] unambiguously that there was no panel at the eleventh hour.”
The man alleges that as a member of the Albanian police in 2011-2013 he suffered at the hands of criminals arising from his association with the demolition of illegal buildings.
He says that in August 2013 there was an attempt on his life during which he sustained severe physical injuries. Two years later he was again threatened, and he sought refugee protection in the State in January 2016.
The judge said the man, represented by Michael Conlon SC, had not had a fair and lawful consideration of his application to be referred to the panel of medical experts because the non-existence of the panel would have influenced the response to his request.
“It would require an unreal level of mental contortion for the [international protection officer] to say in effect ‘we will ignore the non-existence of the panel and now give pure and pristine consideration to your request to be referred to the panel, entirely uninfluenced by the non-existence of that panel or by the laborious process and delay that would have to be undergone if your request were to be granted’.”
Mr Justice Humphreys ordered the department to establish a panel by December. He also ordered a stay on processing the Albanian man’s case until after the panel had been established and his application was referred to it.


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--New IRA ‘top-tier’ suspects arrested in cross-Border operation

People suspected of being members of the “ top tier ” of the New IRA were detained during a cross-Border operation targeting the paramilitary organisation on Tuesday .
Seven men and two women , aged between 26 and 50 , were arrested in Derry , Armagh and Tyrone .
Security sources said a PSNI and MI5 investigation , supported by the Garda , had been ongoing for more than a year , with covert surveillance focusing on suspects .
“ Some of these people are suspected as the top tier of the [ New IRA ] organisation and a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation for over a year , ” one source said .
“ These are suspected as being at army council level – at the top and organising things.
” The New IRA is the largest dissident terrorist organisation on the island of Ireland and has been bolstered of late by defections from the Continuity IRA .
The arrests represent a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the group that murdered journalist Lyra McKee last year in Derry .
The group is also suspected of conspiring to kill senior Sinn Féin figures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February said police had advised her that the New IRA was planning a car bomb attack on a Sinn Féin member .
This came after she and Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly attended a PSNI recruitment event .
Garda teams backed by armed members searched properties in Dublin , Laois , Cork and Kerry early on Tuesday as part of Operation Arbacia , but no arrests were made in the State .
In a follow-up operation on Thursday , the PSNI searched four premises linked to republican political party Saoradh .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posts .
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray said its terrorism investigation unit searched properties in Belfast , Dungannon , Newry and Derry as part of in investigation into the New IRA .
“ The properties were searched under [ the Terrorism Act ] legislation as part of Operation Arbacia , a community safety operation , ” she said .
PSNI officers secured a three-day extension to the period they could detain the suspects arrested on Tuesday , meaning they can be held for questioning without charge until Saturday .

Members of the PSNI and the Gardai. File photograph
People suspected of being members of the “top tier” of the New IRA were detained during a cross-Border operation targeting the paramilitary organisation on Tuesday.
Seven men and two women, aged between 26 and 50, were arrested in Derry, Armagh and Tyrone. Security sources said a PSNI and MI5 investigation, supported by the Garda, had been ongoing for more than a year, with covert surveillance focusing on suspects.
“Some of these people are suspected as the top tier of the [New IRA] organisation and a huge amount of work has gone into the investigation for over a year,” one source said. “These are suspected as being at army council level – at the top and organising things.”
The New IRA is the largest dissident terrorist organisation on the island of Ireland and has been bolstered of late by defections from the Continuity IRA.
READ MORE
The arrests represent a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the group that murdered journalist Lyra McKee last year in Derry. The group is also suspected of conspiring to kill senior Sinn Féin figures.
North’s Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill: in February she said police had advised her the New IRA was planning a car bomb attack on a Sinn Féin member. Photograph: Michael Cooper/PA
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill in February said police had advised her that the New IRA was planning a car bomb attack on a Sinn Féin member. This came after she and Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly attended a PSNI recruitment event.
Garda teams backed by armed members searched properties in Dublin, Laois, Cork and Kerry early on Tuesday as part of Operation Arbacia, but no arrests were made in the State.
In a follow-up operation on Thursday, the PSNI searched four premises linked to republican political party Saoradh. The party confirmed the raids in social media posts.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray said its terrorism investigation unit searched properties in Belfast, Dungannon, Newry and Derry as part of in investigation into the New IRA.
“The properties were searched under [the Terrorism Act] legislation as part of Operation Arbacia, a community safety operation,” she said.
PSNI officers secured a three-day extension to the period they could detain the suspects arrested on Tuesday, meaning they can be held for questioning without charge until Saturday.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--The Irish Times view on the nursing homes expert panel report: 'What were we to do?'

‘ What were we to do ?
” The question asked by a staff member at a nursing home that had seen three residents die from Covid-19 in 12 hours and another three within a further 48 .
The quote , from Thursday ’ s 200-page report of the nursing homes expert panel , captures the sense of despair of the whole sector .
The report covers well the devastation caused by the pandemic on nursing homes and the emotional toll the illness , fatalities and associated lockdown had on staff , residents and their relatives during the depth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March and April .
Nursing homes account for 56 per cent of more than 1,700 total virus deaths in the State , and the report describes the experience of some homes suffering so many deaths coming so quickly after each other , as “ both shattering and frightening.
” The authors , led by UCD ’ s Prof Cecily Kelleher , rightly stress the pandemic ’ s psychological effect and that staff “ now need to be supported and cared for.
” The report seems largely to concede there was little that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into vulnerable , congregated settings populated with elderly people deeply susceptible to catching the virus and dying given how novel it was and its initially-unknown asymptomatic spread .
There is little analysis - or indeed criticism - of the HSE ’ s decision not to test all those being transferred from hospitals to long-term residential care facilities until June 19th , long after the damage was done and Covid-19 clusters had reached more than 200 nursing homes .
The assessment that the pandemic peaked in nursing homes in late April seems strange too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known after mass testing was belatedly ordered from April 17th .
The report is careful not to point a finger of blame in determining what more could have been done to prevent the virus getting into nursing homes .
There are stronger forward-looking recommendations , which should help prepare nursing homes for the coming winter .
These include single-site employment contracts to stop staff moving between homes , and testing for all those transferred from hospitals before admission to a nursing home .
Increased integration into the wider health system and the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and finances of private and voluntary nursing homes , which make up 80 per cent of the 576 homes in the State , are among the most important recommendations .
The State must ensure far greater oversight into what happens in all nursing homes , including the privately owned facilities , to ensure that what happened this year is not repeated .

‘What were we to do?” The question asked by a staff member at a nursing home that had seen three residents die from Covid-19 in 12 hours and another three within a further 48 . The quote, from Thursday’s 200-page report of the nursing homes expert panel, captures the sense of despair of the whole sector.
The report covers well the devastation caused by the pandemic on nursing homes and the emotional toll the illness, fatalities and associated lockdown had on staff, residents and their relatives during the depth of the crisis in these care facilities in March and April.
Nursing homes account for 56 per cent of more than 1,700 total virus deaths in the State, and the report describes the experience of some homes suffering so many deaths coming so quickly after each other, as “both shattering and frightening.”
The State must ensure far greater oversight into what happens in all nursing homes, including the privately owned facilities
The authors, led by UCD's Prof Cecily Kelleher, rightly stress the pandemic's psychological effect and that staff "now need to be supported and cared for."
READ MORE
The report seems largely to concede there was little that could be done to prevent the virus getting into vulnerable, congregated settings populated with elderly people deeply susceptible to catching the virus and dying given how novel it was and its initially-unknown asymptomatic spread.
There is little analysis - or indeed criticism - of the HSE’s decision not to test all those being transferred from hospitals to long-term residential care facilities until June 19th, long after the damage was done and Covid-19 clusters had reached more than 200 nursing homes.
The assessment that the pandemic peaked in nursing homes in late April seems strange too when the accurate case count was only known after mass testing was belatedly ordered from April 17th. The report is careful not to point a finger of blame in determining what more could have been done to prevent the virus getting into nursing homes.
There are stronger forward-looking recommendations, which should help prepare nursing homes for the coming winter. These include single-site employment contracts to stop staff moving between homes, and testing for all those transferred from hospitals before admission to a nursing home.
Increased integration into the wider health system and the need for greater transparency of operation, funding and finances of private and voluntary nursing homes, which make up 80 per cent of the 576 homes in the State, are among the most important recommendations.
The State must ensure far greater oversight into what happens in all nursing homes, including the privately owned facilities, to ensure that what happened this year is not repeated.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Covid-19: NUI Galway students must sign pledge to ‘behave responsibly’

All students at NUI Galway are to be required to sign a new pledge to adhere to public health advice and to “ behave responsibly ” .
Any breach of the guidelines may be considered an act of misconduct and could trigger disciplinary processes .
Signing the community promise will be a requirement for students registering for the forthcoming academic year .
Staff are also to be asked to sign-up .
The text of the community promise - formally known as “ cúram dá chéíle ” - requires that signatories take personal responsibility for ensuring they are up to date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Students are also required to report any Covid-19 symptoms and follow guidance to self-isolate and get a test .
The pledge also asks that signatories show “ empathy , respect and due consideration to others ” at university and that they “ look out for my friends and those I live , learn or work with ” .
Signatories will be asked to “ respond in an open , positive , and respectful manner - listening carefully to understand the concern , and changing my behaviour to remove it ” .
It adds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wilfully and repeatedly breaching university guidance is an act of misconduct and could lead to me being subject to disciplinary processes as outlined in the student code of conduct .
If I see situations that are contrary to guidance , I will remove myself from those situations as soon as possible.
” NUI Galway president Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said the university was asking students and staff to buy-in to the need for a deepened sense of maturity and responsibility for the collective good for the new academic year .
“ We are asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of our university community , to behave appropriately , to consider others , to follow our advice and public health guidelines , to act responsibly and to respect everyone in the university and the wider community , ” he said .
“ This commitment asks students to respond in an open , positive , and respectful way if their actions are challenged and to avoid scenarios and environments that run counter to these principles.
” He said the community promise was a “ big ask ” and making it a success was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the basis for a collective good .
It has the power to be a guiding light - for the university , as more than an academic institution , to show solidarity with the wider community and reduce the spread of Covid-19 .
What keeps us apart can be the very thing that brings us together .
”

All students at NUI Galway are to be required to sign a new pledge to adhere to public health advice and to "behave responsibly".
Any breach of the guidelines may be considered an act of misconduct and could trigger disciplinary processes.
Signing the community promise will be a requirement for students registering for the forthcoming academic year. Staff are also to be asked to sign-up.
All students at NUI Galway (pictured) are to be required to sign a new pledge to adhere to public health advice and to ‘behave responsibly’.
The text of the community promise - formally known as “cúram dá chéíle” - requires that signatories take personal responsibility for ensuring they are up to date with the latest public health information.
READ MORE
Students are also required to report any Covid-19 symptoms and follow guidance to self-isolate and get a test. The pledge also asks that signatories show “empathy, respect and due consideration to others” at university and that they “look out for my friends and those I live, learn or work with”.
Signatories will be asked to “respond in an open, positive, and respectful manner - listening carefully to understand the concern, and changing my behaviour to remove it”.
It adds: “I understand and accept that wilfully and repeatedly breaching university guidance is an act of misconduct and could lead to me being subject to disciplinary processes as outlined in the student code of conduct. If I see situations that are contrary to guidance, I will remove myself from those situations as soon as possible.”
Maturity
NUI Galway president Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said the university was asking students and staff to buy-in to the need for a deepened sense of maturity and responsibility for the collective good for the new academic year.
“We are asking each student to sign up to be part of our university community, to behave appropriately, to consider others, to follow our advice and public health guidelines, to act responsibly and to respect everyone in the university and the wider community,” he said.
“This commitment asks students to respond in an open, positive, and respectful way if their actions are challenged and to avoid scenarios and environments that run counter to these principles.”
He said the community promise was a “ big ask” and making it a success was a bigger challenge.
“But it is the basis for a collective good. It has the power to be a guiding light - for the university, as more than an academic institution, to show solidarity with the wider community and reduce the spread of Covid-19. What keeps us apart can be the very thing that brings us together.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Numbers visiting nursing home residents to be restricted

The number of visitors nursing home residents are allowed is to be restricted to four nominated people in the coming days .
Dr Ronan Glynn , acting chief medical officer , said the “ small change ” would be required to limit the size of a residents ’ network of visitors for the next three weeks .
The number of times those four individuals can visit residents will not be restricted .
The change was discussed at a meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) on Thursday .
Public health officials also discussed plans for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for coronavirus following the planned reopening of schools , Dr Glynn said .
This could include taking a swab of saliva , or a swab from just inside of the nose , rather than the standard coronavirus test .
Dr Siobhán Ni Bhrian , the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) integrated care lead , said public health guidance around children returning to school would be released next week .
The guidance would include how to keep school uniforms clean , but Dr Ni Bhrian said she recognised “ it would be hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wash the uniform every night.
” Professor Philip Nolan , chair of NPHET ’ s modelling group , said he believed the anxiety over schools reopening was “ misplaced.
” School classrooms were a controlled environment and “ not a big driver ” of coronavirus transmission , he said .
Under new restrictions over-70s are encouraged to limit their social interactions .
Families would have to exercise their “ individual judgement ” around whether grandparents should mind children after schools reopen , Dr Glynn said .
This should include an assessment “ based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ and ] the health of the child , ” he said .
There have been a further 136 cases of coronavirus confirmed in the State and one more death , NPHET said .
This brings the total number of Covid-19 related fatalities to 1,776 , and the total number of confirmed cases to 27,676 .
NPHET also discussed on Thursday the possible lifting of the restrictions on the three midland counties which were introduced earlier this month .
Of the 136 news cases , 51 were in Dublin , 24 in Kildare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tipperary , seven in Cork , six in Limerick and Wexford , five in Meath , with the rest spread across nine other counties .
The results of a study carried out over June and July estimated the national prevalence of Covid-19 was 1.7 per cent of the population .
This meant three times more people had contracted the virus than had been recorded in the number of confirmed cases .
Dr Derval Igoe , principal investigator on the study , said this was a positive sign , as other countries who conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to their confirmed cases .
The results meant “ the vast majority ” of the Irish population remain susceptible to the virus , she said .
The study tested for Covid-19 antibodies in participants aged between 12 and 69 , in Dublin and Sligo .
Some 33 per cent of people who had antibodies from the virus reported that they had lost their sense of taste or smell , Dr Igoe said .
Prof Nolan said public health officials were seeing a “ sustained high level of new cases being confirmed per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three counties , now we are looking at 15 or 16 counties where the incidence is high , ” Prof Nolan said .
There was a growing number of cases being transmitted in “ an unknown way out in the community , ” he said .
However , Prof Nolan said the R-number , which is the reproductive rate of the virus , has now dropped to around 1.2 .
Following a recent number of “ explosive outbreaks ” , in sites such as meat plants , the R-number had increased to around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now falling , he said .

Dr Ronan Glynn said the ‘small change’ would be required to limit the size of a residents’ network of visitors for the next three weeks. Photograph: iStock
The number of visitors nursing home residents are allowed is to be restricted to four nominated people in the coming days.
Dr Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical officer, said the “small change” would be required to limit the size of a residents’ network of visitors for the next three weeks. The number of times those four individuals can visit residents will not be restricted.
The change was discussed at a meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Thursday.
Public health officials also discussed plans for an “alternative way” of testing children for coronavirus following the planned reopening of schools, Dr Glynn said.
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This could include taking a swab of saliva, or a swab from just inside of the nose, rather than the standard coronavirus test.
Dr Siobhán Ni Bhrian, the Health Service Executive (HSE) integrated care lead, said public health guidance around children returning to school would be released next week.
The guidance would include how to keep school uniforms clean, but Dr Ni Bhrian said she recognised “it would be hard for a family of four children to wash the uniform every night.”
Professor Philip Nolan, chair of NPHET’s modelling group, said he believed the anxiety over schools reopening was “misplaced.” School classrooms were a controlled environment and “not a big driver” of coronavirus transmission, he said.
Judgement
Under new restrictions over-70s are encouraged to limit their social interactions. Families would have to exercise their “individual judgement” around whether grandparents should mind children after schools reopen, Dr Glynn said. This should include an assessment “based on the health of the grandparent, [and] the health of the child,” he said.
There have been a further 136 cases of coronavirus confirmed in the State and one more death, NPHET said.
This brings the total number of Covid-19 related fatalities to 1,776, and the total number of confirmed cases to 27,676.
NPHET also discussed on Thursday the possible lifting of the restrictions on the three midland counties which were introduced earlier this month.
Of the 136 news cases, 51 were in Dublin, 24 in Kildare, 12 in Kilkenny, 11 in Tipperary, seven in Cork, six in Limerick and Wexford, five in Meath, with the rest spread across nine other counties.
The results of a study carried out over June and July estimated the national prevalence of Covid-19 was 1.7 per cent of the population. This meant three times more people had contracted the virus than had been recorded in the number of confirmed cases.
Dr Derval Igoe, principal investigator on the study, said this was a positive sign, as other countries who conducted similar surveys had found tenfold increases when compared to their confirmed cases. The results meant “the vast majority” of the Irish population remain susceptible to the virus, she said.
Reproductive rate drop
The study tested for Covid-19 antibodies in participants aged between 12 and 69, in Dublin and Sligo. Some 33 per cent of people who had antibodies from the virus reported that they had lost their sense of taste or smell, Dr Igoe said.
Prof Nolan said public health officials were seeing a “sustained high level of new cases being confirmed per day.”
“We were looking at three counties, now we are looking at 15 or 16 counties where the incidence is high,” Prof Nolan said. There was a growing number of cases being transmitted in “an unknown way out in the community,” he said.
However, Prof Nolan said the R-number, which is the reproductive rate of the virus, has now dropped to around 1.2.
Following a recent number of “explosive outbreaks”, in sites such as meat plants, the R-number had increased to around 1.6 earlier this month, but was now falling, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Kildare traders query logic of extending county lockdown

It looked like any other summer ’ s evening in Maynooth , Co Kildare on Thursday - people drinking pints on outdoor chairs and dining along restaurant terraces .
But a quick look behind the veneer reveals something else entirely .
At Picaderos on the Main Street , a bustling outdoor seating area that holds up to 18 people gives way to a strikingly empty restaurant inside .
“ At this stage I am just wondering if we [ should ] just close the door altogether , ” says a dejected general manager Martin McMahon who has just learned of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emergency Team to extend Kildare ’ s lockdown .
“ If this goes on for another two weeks or a month we are going to have to make a decision.
” Picaderos has been surviving on its outside seating area but the weather has not been kind .
Even with the awnings , Mr McMahon says , the rain finds its way in .
It is one blow after another .
Their takeaway orders are down too and he wonders why north Kildare , less affected by Covid-19 , is suffering by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Angela McMahon , director of McMahon ’ s pub restaurant , is just as demoralised and she also believes county boundaries have been applied too bluntly , sweeping aside businesses with them .
“ What ’ s the logic ?
Surely geography should have been a key measure .
Businesses that are nowhere near these meat plants are bearing the brunt .
Why don ’ t they use a map ?
” Like other employers , she is worried about her staff and the constant strain of not knowing when things will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to eight customers sitting outside are all they can rely on .
She took over the pub in February and entered lockdown in March having just given up a full-time job .
“ It ’ s very stressful , ” she says .
People pass in the streets under sheets of rain .
Local film maker Ciaran Hickey puts on his mask before he talks .
He says there is a sense that Kildare is being singled out but he understands the public health necessity .
“ If [ the extension of restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough .
It ’ s probably going to be another two weeks which is a bit extravagant , ” he says , explaining that the goodwill evident in March is quickly fading .
Under a tree in the town square , locals Amy and Eric are looking for some shelter to drink their takeaway pints .
“ It ’ s really negative ; it ’ s affecting all the businesses ; it ’ s affecting everyone ’ s morale , ” Amy says .
She has been unable to return to work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit ‘ Why us ?
How come it ’ s Kildare , Laois and Offaly that they are picking on ?
’ because even though there are clusters ... you are still getting people travelling from Dublin to the midlands and bringing it out here .
“ Is Kildare going to be able to survive if they keep us in lockdown ?
” They have lived here for over 30 years .
Eric thinks there should be stricter measures at the meat plants .
“ We have got old people in our estate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see their grandkids coming in , ” he says .
“ It ’ s all happening now outside the window .
It ’ s devastated communities.
” Allan Shine , chief executive of the Kildare Chamber , who spoke to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly in advance of the NPHET decision , said : “ The public health is obviously the number one priority , but the economy must be a very close second , ” “ I said to the Minister that there has to be a conversation very shortly about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we get a vaccine because that conversation is definitely needed .
We can ’ t have a scenario where businesses continually open and then are forced to close .
That will have a detrimental effect , especially on the tourism and hospitality sector.
” Mr Shine noted the Minister did not express the same concern for the other two counties in lockdown - Laois and Offaly .
Fianna Fáil senator Fiona O ’ Loughlin , who represents Kildare South , said while local residents recognised the need to stop the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult time for Kildare ” .
“ People are stressed , they ’ re despondent .
It ’ s been so difficult for people , for our businesses , for our wonderful local hotels , who are absolutely top class and were just getting back into some level or normality , ” she added .

It looked like any other summer's evening in Maynooth, Co Kildare on Thursday - people drinking pints on outdoor chairs and dining along restaurant terraces. But a quick look behind the veneer reveals something else entirely.
At Picaderos on the Main Street, a bustling outdoor seating area that holds up to 18 people gives way to a strikingly empty restaurant inside.
“At this stage I am just wondering if we [should] just close the door altogether,” says a dejected general manager Martin McMahon who has just learned of the recommendation by the National Public Health Emergency Team to extend Kildare’s lockdown.
“If this goes on for another two weeks or a month we are going to have to make a decision.”
READ MORE
Martin McMahon, general manager of Picaderos restaurant in Maynooth. Photograph: Mark Hilliard
Picaderos has been surviving on its outside seating area but the weather has not been kind. Even with the awnings, Mr McMahon says, the rain finds its way in. It is one blow after another.
Their takeaway orders are down too and he wonders why north Kildare, less affected by Covid-19, is suffering by the Government imposed restrictions.
Down the road, Angela McMahon, director of McMahon’s pub restaurant, is just as demoralised and she also believes county boundaries have been applied too bluntly, sweeping aside businesses with them.
“What’s the logic? Surely geography should have been a key measure. Businesses that are nowhere near these meat plants are bearing the brunt. Why don’t they use a map?”
Like other employers, she is worried about her staff and the constant strain of not knowing when things will get better. For now, six to eight customers sitting outside are all they can rely on.
She took over the pub in February and entered lockdown in March having just given up a full-time job. “It’s very stressful,” she says.
People pass in the streets under sheets of rain. Local film maker Ciaran Hickey puts on his mask before he talks. He says there is a sense that Kildare is being singled out but he understands the public health necessity.
“If [the extension of restrictions] is a week, okay fair enough. It’s probably going to be another two weeks which is a bit extravagant,” he says, explaining that the goodwill evident in March is quickly fading.
Film maker Ciaran Hickey says there is a sense that Kildare is being singled out but he understands the public health necessity. Photograph: Mark Hilliard
Under a tree in the town square, locals Amy and Eric are looking for some shelter to drink their takeaway pints.
“It’s really negative; it’s affecting all the businesses; it’s affecting everyone’s morale,” Amy says. She has been unable to return to work in Dublin.
“We all feel a bit ‘Why us? How come it’s Kildare, Laois and Offaly that they are picking on?’ because even though there are clusters... you are still getting people travelling from Dublin to the midlands and bringing it out here.
“Is Kildare going to be able to survive if they keep us in lockdown?”
They have lived here for over 30 years. Eric thinks there should be stricter measures at the meat plants.
“We have got old people in our estate now, [who would] love to see their grandkids coming in,” he says.
“It’s all happening now outside the window. It’s devastated communities.”
Allan Shine, chief executive of the Kildare Chamber, who spoke to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly in advance of the NPHET decision, said: “The public health is obviously the number one priority, but the economy must be a very close second,”
“I said to the Minister that there has to be a conversation very shortly about how we can live with Covid until we get a vaccine because that conversation is definitely needed. We can’t have a scenario where businesses continually open and then are forced to close. That will have a detrimental effect, especially on the tourism and hospitality sector.”
Mr Shine noted the Minister did not express the same concern for the other two counties in lockdown - Laois and Offaly.
Fianna Fáil senator Fiona O’Loughlin, who represents Kildare South, said while local residents recognised the need to stop the spread of the virus, it was “a very difficult time for Kildare”.
“People are stressed, they’re despondent. It’s been so difficult for people, for our businesses, for our wonderful local hotels, who are absolutely top class and were just getting back into some level or normality,” she added.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Body of Belfast-born priest recovered four days after US boating accident

The body of Belfast-born priest Fr Stephen Rooney has been recovered four days after he was reported missing following a boating accident in the United States .
Fr Rooney , who was the pastor at St Joseph ’ s parish in Trenton , Michigan , and parishioner and friend Robert Chiles died after Mr Chiles ’ boat capsized on the Detroit River near the island of Grosse Ile on Sunday .
Seven children and three adults were rescued .
The Archdiocese of Detroit said on Thursday that it was with “ great sadness ” that it shared the news that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found .
Mr Chiles ’ body was recovered on Wednesday .
Prayers had been said for Fr Rooney and Mr Chiles in Michigan and in the Short Strand area of east Belfast , where Fr Rooney grew up and where his family still live .
He had been a priest in the Detroit area for more than 30 years , but returned frequently to Belfast .
Sinn Féin Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile and councillor Mairéad O ’ Donnell said the entire community in the Short Strand had stood in solidarity with the Rooney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Short Strand community is very proud of Fr Stephen and proud of the impact he had on so many others , ” they said in a statement .
“ Fr Stephen may have left the Short Strand to fulfil his vocation but the Short Strand never left him .
“ Like so many others across Belfast and throughout Ireland , as well as in Detroit , Michigan and the United States , we are devastated by the tragic loss of Fr .
Stephen Rooney .
”

The body of Belfast-born priest Fr Stephen Rooney has been recovered four days after he was reported missing following a boating accident in the United States.
The body of Belfast-born priest Fr Stephen Rooney has been recovered four days after he was reported missing following a boating accident in the United States.
Fr Rooney, who was the pastor at St Joseph's parish in Trenton, Michigan, and parishioner and friend Robert Chiles died after Mr Chiles' boat capsized on the Detroit River near the island of Grosse Ile on Sunday. Seven children and three adults were rescued.
The Archdiocese of Detroit said on Thursday that it was with “great sadness” that it shared the news that Fr Rooney’s body had been found. Mr Chiles’ body was recovered on Wednesday.
Prayers had been said for Fr Rooney and Mr Chiles in Michigan and in the Short Strand area of east Belfast, where Fr Rooney grew up and where his family still live. He had been a priest in the Detroit area for more than 30 years, but returned frequently to Belfast.
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Sinn Féin Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile and councillor Mairéad O'Donnell said the entire community in the Short Strand had stood in solidarity with the Rooney family since he was reported missing.
“The Short Strand community is very proud of Fr Stephen and proud of the impact he had on so many others,” they said in a statement.
“Fr Stephen may have left the Short Strand to fulfil his vocation but the Short Strand never left him.
"Like so many others across Belfast and throughout Ireland, as well as in Detroit, Michigan and the United States, we are devastated by the tragic loss of Fr. Stephen Rooney."


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Kildare should stay in lockdown but not Laois and Offaly, says NPHET

The lockdown of Laois and Offaly can be lifted but the restrictions in Kildare to stem the spread of coronavirus should continue , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) has recommended .
The State ’ s health experts handling the response to the pandemic have advised the Government that Kildare ’ s lockdown should not be lifted due to the high level of cases in the county .
NPHET declined to say how it had advised Government to act in relation to the unprecedented lockdown of the three counties , imposed two weeks ago and due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a substantially higher number of Covid-19 cases reported in Kildare compared with the infections in Offaly and Laois since the local lockdown was announced in response to a surge in the number of cases linked to meat processing and food production companies in the area .
Political sources confirmed the State health team ’ s advice to Government following their meeting on Thursday .
The Cabinet has yet to sign off on the recommendation at a meeting on Friday .
Fine Gael TD for Laois-Offaly and former government minister Charlie Flanagan , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this month as “ draconian ” , welcomed the recommendation that activities can be widened across his constituency from next week .
Speaking on Thursday , Dr Ronan Glynn , acting chief medical officer , said he would not comment on what NPHET ’ s advice to Government had been on the local lockdowns .
“ In the last 14 days there was 455 cases in Kildare , 81 in Offaly , 41 in Laois , ” he said .
The actions taken by the public in those three counties had helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country ” from the spread of the virus , he said .
“ I am very , very satisfied with the buy-in and the willingness of the people within those counties to adhere to the guidelines.
” Dr Glynn said that it was “ an incredibly difficult set of measures for one part of the country to have to accept given that it came so quickly , and given that it hadn ’ t happened previously.
” “ It ’ s clear that people all across those three counties have made a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of weeks , and my message tonight is to say thank you for doing that , ” he added .
Laois and Offaly will still be subject to the same public restrictions limiting indoor and outdoor contacts with others that were announced by the Government on Tuesday .

Medical staff member at a Covid-19 testing centre at Keaden Hotel in Newbridge, Co Kildare, earlier this week following the spate of outbreaks in Kildare. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
The lockdown of Laois and Offaly can be lifted but the restrictions in Kildare to stem the spread of coronavirus should continue, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has recommended.
The State’s health experts handling the response to the pandemic have advised the Government that Kildare’s lockdown should not be lifted due to the high level of cases in the county.
NPHET declined to say how it had advised Government to act in relation to the unprecedented lockdown of the three counties, imposed two weeks ago and due to lapse on Sunday.
There has been a substantially higher number of Covid-19 cases reported in Kildare compared with the infections in Offaly and Laois since the local lockdown was announced in response to a surge in the number of cases linked to meat processing and food production companies in the area.
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Political sources confirmed the State health team’s advice to Government following their meeting on Thursday. The Cabinet has yet to sign off on the recommendation at a meeting on Friday.
Fine Gael TD for Laois-Offaly and former government minister Charlie Flanagan, who criticised the lockdown of the three counties earlier this month as “draconian”, welcomed the recommendation that activities can be widened across his constituency from next week.
Speaking on Thursday, Dr Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical officer, said he would not comment on what NPHET’s advice to Government had been on the local lockdowns.
“In the last 14 days there was 455 cases in Kildare, 81 in Offaly, 41 in Laois,” he said.
The actions taken by the public in those three counties had helped to “protect the rest of the country” from the spread of the virus, he said.
“I am very, very satisfied with the buy-in and the willingness of the people within those counties to adhere to the guidelines.”
Dr Glynn said that it was “an incredibly difficult set of measures for one part of the country to have to accept given that it came so quickly, and given that it hadn’t happened previously.”
“It’s clear that people all across those three counties have made a very significant effort to comply over the past number of weeks, and my message tonight is to say thank you for doing that,” he added.
Laois and Offaly will still be subject to the same public restrictions limiting indoor and outdoor contacts with others that were announced by the Government on Tuesday.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Irish Georgian Society co-founder Desmond Guinness dies

Desmond Guinness , a descendant of Arthur Guinness and co-founder the Irish Georgian Society , has died aged 88 .
The society said Desmond Guinness had “ boldly championed the cause of Ireland ’ s architectural heritage at a time when it faced great challenges through neglect and threat of demolition from new development ” .
Desmond Guinness , who was the great-great-great-great grandson of Arthur Guinness and an heir to the Guinness brewing fortune , helped to establish the society in 1958 in response to plans to demolish Georgian houses at Kildare Place in Dublin .
The society ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guinness saved “ numerous buildings ” through his “ ardent campaigning and educating ” despite encountering hostility from some quarters .
He said that thanks to this hard work “ we are surrounded by a rich legacy of historic buildings saved to be celebrated as an integral part of our culture and identity ” .
Mr Cahill said Desmond Guinness was a “ conservation hero ” who inspired thousands of people around the world to support the society ’ s work .
The society also highlighted the work of Desmond Guinness ’ former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the society and died in 1989 .

Desmond Guinness, a descendant of Arthur Guinness who co-founded the Irish Georgian Society, has died aged 88. File photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times.
Desmond Guinness, a descendant of Arthur Guinness and co-founder the Irish Georgian Society, has died aged 88.
The society said Desmond Guinness had “boldly championed the cause of Ireland’s architectural heritage at a time when it faced great challenges through neglect and threat of demolition from new development”.
Desmond Guinness, who was the great-great-great-great grandson of Arthur Guinness and an heir to the Guinness brewing fortune, helped to establish the society in 1958 in response to plans to demolish Georgian houses at Kildare Place in Dublin.
The society’s executive director Donough Cahill said Desmond Guinness saved “numerous buildings” through his “ardent campaigning and educating” despite encountering hostility from some quarters.
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He said that thanks to this hard work “we are surrounded by a rich legacy of historic buildings saved to be celebrated as an integral part of our culture and identity”.
Mr Cahill said Desmond Guinness was a “conservation hero” who inspired thousands of people around the world to support the society’s work. The society also highlighted the work of Desmond Guinness’ former wife, Mariga Guinness, who co-founded the society and died in 1989.