theirishtimes--2020-07-05--Crowds gathering in Dublin city centre ‘ugly image’ for the capital, say vintners

The lack of social distancing in large crowds socialising over the weekend on Dame Lane in Dublin city centre presented an “ ugly image ” for the city , the head of the Licensed Vintners Association ( LVA ) has said .
The problem was “ separate ” to the reopening of pubs that can operate as restaurants , and related to “ street drinking , ” Donall O ’ Keeffe , LVA chief executive said .
Video footage circulating on social media showed a large crowd socialising and drinking on Dame Lane , with some playing live music , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing rules .
The LVA , who represent Dublin publicans , wished to “ condemn the behaviour , ” Mr O ’ Keeffe said .
It comes as publicans risk the immediate closure of their pubs and losing their liquor licences if they are found breaching Covid-19 public health measures during new inspections on pubs .
Garda Headquarters in Phoenix Park , Dublin said it had instructed gardaí across the country to begin inspections in pubs from 7pm to ensure they were adhering to the public health measures – a significant ramping-up of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During the coronavirus lockdown Dame Lane has been a spot for impromptu street parties , but the problem was “ getting worse , ” Mr O ’ Keeffe said .
People were gathering with alcohol purchased from some pubs operating a “ takeaway ” service , and nearby supermarkets , he said .
“ Nobody is social distancing , there are no toilet facilities , it is a terrible image for the city centre and for the trade , ” he said .
“ I ’ d be calling on the businesses involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ The crowd attracts a crowd … I ’ d be calling on the gardaí to move people on , ” he added .
Pubs are permitted to reopen on July 20th , however following lobbying from the industry premises that can operate as restaurants could resume trading earlier from June 29th .
There are strict guidelines in place for pubs that have reopened , in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19 .
Customers must be served a substantial meal costing at least €9 , with time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and table service only .
Pygmalion , a popular cocktail bar and restaurant on South William Street , was involved in a controversy over lack of social distancing in a queue into the premises last weekend .
Video footage shared on social media showed a uniformed garda telling a staff member “ absolutely nobody is social distancing in this line ” and “ you can ’ t control the line , you close up , simple as that ” .
Commenting in recent days Paul McGlade jnr , owner of Pygmalion , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obviously we can do better .
We had markings [ on the ground ] to respect social distancing and extra security guards.
” Another person diagnosed with Covid-19 has died , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) reported on Saturday .
This brings to 1,741 the total number of deaths related to the disease in the Republic .
Nphet also reported a further 11 new cases of the disease , bringing the total number of confirmed cases here to 25,509

Emergency legislation should be fast-tracked giving gardaí extra powers to close down businesses responsible for selling alcohol to on-street drinkers, the Restaurants Association of Ireland has said.
The association made the call on the Ministers for Health and Justice, saying it was needed to prevent a resurgence of coronavirus infections and after large crowds gathered on some streets this weekend.
Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the association, said the scenes captured on video and posted on social media over the weekend showing crowds of drinkers ignoring physical distancing outside pubs in Dublin city centre “must stop.”
Gardai walking around the streets in Dublin City Centre to make sure pubs are not breaking the guidelines on social distancing, serving food or time limits etc
Yet this is allowed on Dame Lane..... pic.twitter.com/4inEgsY2Rm — Barry Whyte (@BarryWhyte85) July 4, 2020
“On-street drinking needs to cease as quickly as possible and the Garda needs to be given extra powers. The guidelines are not the law,” he said.
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“Gardaí objecting to the licences is well and good in September but if there is a second wave in three weeks’ time, that doesn’t make a blind bit of difference. We need to get control of this quickly.”
Mr Cummins expressed fears that the hospitality industry might be closed down as a result of this behaviour if it contributes to an increase in Covid-19 infections in the coming weeks.
Many of his members, which include gastropubs and cafes, were furious that some businesses were jeopardising the hospitality sector when restaurants had spent large sums of money investing in protective equipment and training for staff so that they could open safely for customers, he said.
”For those that have done the right thing over the last seven days, who prepared and got their staff trained and made their businesses, it is absolutely, totally wrong,” he said.
”Environmental health officers have the power to close down a premises instantly under food safety regulation and they don’t have the powers to close down a business in the worst health crisis the world has seen in modern times.”
‘Ugly image’
Earlier, the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) said the lack of social distancing in large crowds socialising over the weekend on Dame Lane in Dublin city centre presented an "ugly image" for the capital.
The problem was "separate" to the reopening of pubs that can operate as restaurants, and related to "street drinking," Donall O'Keeffe, LVA chief executive said.
Video footage circulating on social media showed a large crowd socialising and drinking on Dame Lane, with some playing live music, and little adherence to two metre social distancing rules.
The LVA, who represent Dublin publicans, wished to “condemn the behaviour,” Mr O’Keeffe said.
It comes as publicans risk the immediate closure of their pubs and losing their liquor licences if they are found breaching Covid-19 public health measures during new inspections on pubs.
Garda Headquarters in Phoenix Park, Dublin said it had instructed gardaí across the country to begin inspections in pubs from 7pm to ensure they were adhering to the public health measures – a significant ramping-up of the approach that had been planned.
‘Getting worse’
During the coronavirus lockdown Dame Lane has been a spot for impromptu street parties, but the problem was “getting worse,” Mr O’Keeffe said.
People were gathering with alcohol purchased from some pubs operating a “takeaway” service, and nearby supermarkets, he said.
“Nobody is social distancing, there are no toilet facilities, it is a terrible image for the city centre and for the trade,” he said.
“I’d be calling on the businesses involved and the customers to reconsider their decisions,” he said. “The crowd attracts a crowd … I’d be calling on the gardaí to move people on,” he added.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, The Stag’s Head, one of the pubs in the Dame Lane area said it “would like to reaffirm that we have remained closed since the 15th of March.”
The pub said it looked forward to reopening on July 20th, and it “will be following all social distancing protocol for the safety of our staff and patrons.”
Pubs are permitted to reopen on July 20th, however following lobbying from the industry premises that can operate as restaurants could resume trading earlier from June 29th.
There are strict guidelines in place for pubs that have reopened, in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Customers must be served a substantial meal costing at least €9, with time limits of 105 minutes per group, and table service only.
Pygmalion, a popular cocktail bar and restaurant on South William Street, was involved in a controversy over lack of social distancing in a queue into the premises last weekend.
Video footage shared on social media showed a uniformed garda telling a staff member “absolutely nobody is social distancing in this line” and “you can’t control the line, you close up, simple as that”.
Commenting in recent days Paul McGlade jnr, owner of Pygmalion, said “we are trying our best but obviously we can do better. We had markings [on the ground] to respect social distancing and extra security guards.”
Another person diagnosed with Covid-19 has died, the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) reported on Saturday.
This brings to 1,741 the total number of deaths related to the disease in the Republic.
Nphet also reported a further 11 new cases of the disease, bringing the total number of confirmed cases here to 25,509


theirishtimes--2020-07-05--Arson attack at home in Dundalk leaves five in hospital

Gardaí are investigating what they believe was an arson attack on a home in Dundalk , Co Louth on Sunday morning , which resulted in five people being taken to hospital .
The fire at a house in the town ’ s Clontygora Court was spotted about 3.35am by local residents who also reported hearing a loud bang .
The five occupants of the house were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital , Drogheda , with what are described as non-life threatening injuries .
No other injuries were reported and the fire was extinguished by local Fire Services .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident .
The scene is currently preserved for a technical examination and a full investigation is under way .
Gardaí in Dundalk said they were appealing for any witnesses to the incident or anyone with information to come forward .
They are also appealing for any road users who may have camera footage ( including dash-cam ) who were travelling in the areas of Clontygara Court and Hoey ’ s Lane between 3am and 4am to make this footage available to gardaí .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 , or any Garda Station .

The scene is currently preserved for a technical examination
Gardaí are investigating what they believe was an arson attack on a home in Dundalk, Co Louth on Sunday morning, which resulted in five people being taken to hospital.
The fire at a house in the town’s Clontygora Court was spotted about 3.35am by local residents who also reported hearing a loud bang.
The five occupants of the house were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, with what are described as non-life threatening injuries.
No other injuries were reported and the fire was extinguished by local Fire Services.
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The house was significantly damaged during this incident. The scene is currently preserved for a technical examination and a full investigation is under way.
Gardaí in Dundalk said they were appealing for any witnesses to the incident or anyone with information to come forward.
They are also appealing for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the areas of Clontygara Court and Hoey’s Lane between 3am and 4am to make this footage available to gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388 400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.


theirishtimes--2020-07-04--Ireland’s weather: Warning of disruption as wind alert issued for 19 counties

A wind warning has been issued for 19 counties as “ unseasonably windy ” weather sweeps across Ireland on Sunday .
Met Éireann issued the status yellow warning for Counties Cavan , Monaghan , Donegal , Dublin , Kildare , Longford , Louth , Wicklow , Offaly , Westmeath , Meath and Clare as well as for all of Connacht .
The warning is valid from 11am to 6pm .
In the North a similar warning is in place for Counties Antrim and Derry until 4pm .
“ Later this morning and through the afternoon , westerly winds will reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with gusts of 80 to 100km/h associated with any thundery downpours .
Some disruption may occur ” , the Met Éireann warning published on Sunday morning said .
Yesterday the forecaster issued a weather advisory for the weekend due to “ unseasonably windy ” weather .
The national forecaster has also issued a blight warning , with weather conditions conducive to the spread of blight becoming more widespread over the weekend .
A status yellow marine gale warning is also in place , with southwest winds expected to reach gale force 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Bloody Foreland to Howth Head and on the Irish Sea .
Today will be cooler than of late , with temperatures of between 13 and 17 degrees .
Monday will be showery with temperatures not expected to pass 18 degrees .
While current indications are for a lot of dry weather from Wednesday over Ulster , Connacht and north Leinster with sunny spells , it will be cloudier further south with outbreaks of rain .
“ There is significant uncertainty in the further outlook at this stage , but the overall pattern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , the forecaster added .

A wind warning has been issued for 19 counties as “unseasonably windy” weather sweeps across Ireland on Sunday.
Met Éireann issued the status yellow warning for Counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Dublin, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath and Clare as well as for all of Connacht. The warning is valid from 11am to 6pm. In the North a similar warning is in place for Counties Antrim and Derry until 4pm.
“Later this morning and through the afternoon, westerly winds will reach mean wind speeds of 50 to 60km/h, with gusts of 80 to 100km/h associated with any thundery downpours. Some disruption may occur”, the Met Éireann warning published on Sunday morning said.
Yesterday the forecaster issued a weather advisory for the weekend due to “unseasonably windy” weather.
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The national forecaster has also issued a blight warning, with weather conditions conducive to the spread of blight becoming more widespread over the weekend.
A status yellow marine gale warning is also in place, with southwest winds expected to reach gale force 8 on Irish coastal waters from Loop Head to Bloody Foreland to Howth Head and on the Irish Sea.
Outlook
Today will be cooler than of late, with temperatures of between 13 and 17 degrees. Monday will be showery with temperatures not expected to pass 18 degrees.
While current indications are for a lot of dry weather from Wednesday over Ulster, Connacht and north Leinster with sunny spells, it will be cloudier further south with outbreaks of rain.
“There is significant uncertainty in the further outlook at this stage, but the overall pattern appears to maintain a changeable Atlantic regime”, the forecaster added.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Covid-19: HSE official noted ‘inadequate’ preparation in nursing homes

Senior HSE officials privately raised major concerns about coronavirus hitting nursing homes in late March , with one flagging their “ totally inadequate preparation ” and another saying it could be “ the biggest live risk ” facing the health service .
The correspondence reveals tensions between the HSE and the Department of Health during a crucial period in the pandemic , and was released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information act .
The HSE appealed for an “ urgent ” €60 million in extra funding to help private and voluntary nursing homes fight Covid-19 in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health .
A financial support package was announced more than a week later , by which time the number of clusters in nursing homes had risen from 22 to 57 .
Correspondence from David Walsh , HSE national director of community operations , warned officials “ this crisis is not in the future , it is happening now ” .
The funding proposal would amount to a payment of €250 a week per resident for nursing homes .
In response , department officials said a survey of 15 nursing homes had indicated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only need to be €68 a week per resident .
This would cover regular deep cleaning , extra personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and additional staffing requirements .
Mr Walsh told the department the nursing homes surveyed had no confirmed cases and said : “ I pity them when they arrive , based on their totally inadequate preparation.
” The senior HSE figure said feedback they were receiving was the resources required to fight outbreaks were “ very considerable ” .
Agency staff were only being supplied to nursing homes “ at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
Nursing home residents were the most vulnerable group in the country , he added .
“ A failure to protect them , as has happened in other countries , would be a matter of great public concern , ” Mr Walsh wrote .
The “ absence of a co-ordinated approach ” between the HSE and private nursing homes would have “ most serious consequences ” , he told department officials .
The coronavirus would go on to have a devastating impact on the nursing home sector over the following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,736 Covid-19 deaths in the State .
On March 28th , HSE chief operations officer Anne O ’ Connor emailed chief executive Paul Reid to state the financial support was needed “ with immediate effect ” , and was possibly the health service ’ s “ biggest live risk.
” Then-minister for health Simon Harris would announce a €72 million support package for nursing homes a week later , on April 4th .
Separately , correspondence shows several nursing homes warned the HSE that outbreaks were so bad providers feared they would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In an April 24th email , one nursing home said staff shortages had reached a “ critical ” point where a nurse had to offer to sleep in the facility and be woken if needed , to cover a shortage one night .
“ Our staff can not sustain double shifts much longer ” , and previous pleas for extra personnel had generated no response , they wrote .
“ I will not neglect the residents and if we do not get staff I will be asking you to find alternative accommodation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Another nursing home provider emailed Mr Harris on April 1st over an “ extremely critical ” outbreak , warning their limited availability of PPE for coronavirus wards was “ extremely dangerous to staff and residents ” .
Staffing levels were “ unsafe and we urgently need more support , ” they wrote .
“ If we do not get additional personnel and the other measures outlined , we can not provide safe care and will have no choice but to transfer out residents to the acute hospitals , ” they wrote .

The coronavirus would go on to have a devastating impact on the nursing home sector over the following weeks, resulting in 977 of the 1,736 Covid-19 deaths in the State. Photograph: RollingNews.ie
Senior HSE officials privately raised major concerns about coronavirus hitting nursing homes in late March, with one flagging their “totally inadequate preparation” and another saying it could be “the biggest live risk” facing the health service.
The correspondence reveals tensions between the HSE and the Department of Health during a crucial period in the pandemic, and was released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information act.
The HSE appealed for an “urgent” €60 million in extra funding to help private and voluntary nursing homes fight Covid-19 in a March 27th email to the Department of Health.
A financial support package was announced more than a week later, by which time the number of clusters in nursing homes had risen from 22 to 57.
READ MORE
Correspondence from David Walsh, HSE national director of community operations, warned officials "this crisis is not in the future, it is happening now". The funding proposal would amount to a payment of €250 a week per resident for nursing homes.
In response, department officials said a survey of 15 nursing homes had indicated the cost of extra coronavirus preparation measures would only need to be €68 a week per resident. This would cover regular deep cleaning, extra personal protective equipment (PPE) and additional staffing requirements.
Mr Walsh told the department the nursing homes surveyed had no confirmed cases and said: “I pity them when they arrive, based on their totally inadequate preparation.”
Feedback
The senior HSE figure said feedback they were receiving was the resources required to fight outbreaks were “very considerable”. Agency staff were only being supplied to nursing homes “at double cost where available at all”, he said.
Nursing home residents were the most vulnerable group in the country, he added. “A failure to protect them, as has happened in other countries, would be a matter of great public concern,” Mr Walsh wrote.
The “absence of a co-ordinated approach” between the HSE and private nursing homes would have “most serious consequences”, he told department officials.
The coronavirus would go on to have a devastating impact on the nursing home sector over the following weeks, resulting in 977 of the 1,736 Covid-19 deaths in the State.
On March 28th, HSE chief operations officer Anne O'Connor emailed chief executive Paul Reid to state the financial support was needed "with immediate effect", and was possibly the health service's "biggest live risk."
Then-minister for health Simon Harris would announce a €72 million support package for nursing homes a week later, on April 4th.
Outbreaks
Separately, correspondence shows several nursing homes warned the HSE that outbreaks were so bad providers feared they would have to cease operation and transfer residents elsewhere.
In an April 24th email, one nursing home said staff shortages had reached a “critical” point where a nurse had to offer to sleep in the facility and be woken if needed, to cover a shortage one night.
“Our staff cannot sustain double shifts much longer”, and previous pleas for extra personnel had generated no response, they wrote.
“I will not neglect the residents and if we do not get staff I will be asking you to find alternative accommodation for them,” the provider said.
Another nursing home provider emailed Mr Harris on April 1st over an “extremely critical” outbreak, warning their limited availability of PPE for coronavirus wards was “extremely dangerous to staff and residents”.
Staffing levels were “unsafe and we urgently need more support,” they wrote. “If we do not get additional personnel and the other measures outlined, we cannot provide safe care and will have no choice but to transfer out residents to the acute hospitals,” they wrote.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--No new Covid-19 deaths, but 18 new cases reported

The Department of Health reported no additional deaths from coronavirus and 18 confirmed new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday .
This is the fifth day of no reported daily deaths since the wave of infections peaked in mid-April and the first this month .
The death toll remains at 1,741 .
The 18 new cases , the highest number of daily new infections in six days , brings the total number of known cases in the State to 25,527 .
The Government ’ s latest figures on Covid-19 show that there were three admissions of infected people to hospital and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unit in the last 24 hours .
There were 22 cases of the disease in hospitals and 11 confirmed cases in ICUs .
The number of clusters – each defined as two cases or more – in private houses stands at 1,070 , including 718 in the east of the country .
The bulk of these outbreaks occurred in March and April .
New figures show Irish laboratories never hit the health service ’ s target of 15,000 coronavirus tests per day , even during the worst of the pandemic .
The early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by failures in the testing system , which led to a large backlog and delays of up to two weeks for results .
Public health experts have warned a robust testing system to identify quickly and then isolate confirmed cases of Covid-19 is essential to preventing a second wave of the virus .
The most tests processed by labs in one day was 11,504 on April 29th , followed by 10,374 the day before , according to figures released by the HSE to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall .
A spokeswoman for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the public health measures would prevent the requirement to ever undertake [ the capacity of ] 100,000 tests in a week .
Thankfully , this has been borne out.
” She said the HSE may see a demand for increased testing capacity again as the country opens up from lockdown .
Ms Shortall said despite ramping up testing capacity to meet demand , “ very little testing has been done so far for potential asymptomatic carriers ” .
“ There is an opportunity now to scale this up , especially among those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be taken full advantage of to get firmly ahead of the spread of this virus and prevent a second wave , ” she said .
Infectious disease expert Prof Gerry Killeen of University College Cork said eliminating Covid-19 from Ireland may only require a modest amount of additional effort based on new modelling .
Prof Killeen believes sustained and enhanced measures could eliminate the virus within months , while repeatedly imposing , lifting and re-imposing restrictions “ to merely suppress the epidemic ” until it burns out may be a dangerous gamble that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or even indefinitely ” .
“ It ’ s likely that Covid-19 could establish itself as a permanent disease with unpredictable waves every few years , ” he said .
“ On the economic front , incomplete suppression of the epidemic means extending the damage over years rather than months [ and ] asking business to spend more time operating under restrictions that push them into the red.
” Once the virus is eliminated , even “ the slightest easing of travel or importation controls could cause a rebound ” , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travellers , except those coming from countries that may be certified as free of local transmission by the World Health Organisation in the future .
“ At a time when so many decision-makers are considering tempting justifications for relaxing unpopular lockdown restrictions , it is now vital that the governments and citizens of every country instead embrace intensified containment , elimination and exclusion efforts , ” said Prof Killeen .
Meanwhile , the trade union movement has called on Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise , Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar to amend rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notifiable to the Health and Safety Authority as a serious occupational health and safety hazard .
“ Healthcare workers , workers in meat factories and the aviation sector continue to perform their duties in circumstances of serious and ever-present danger of contracting this disease , ” wrote Patrick King , general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in a letter to Mr Varadkar .
“ The situation in which they are , of necessity , placed is without precedent or parallel .
”

Sunday was the fifth day of no reported daily deaths in Ireland since the wave of infections peaked in mid-April. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
The Department of Health reported no additional deaths from coronavirus and 18 confirmed new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday.
This is the fifth day of no reported daily deaths since the wave of infections peaked in mid-April and the first this month. The death toll remains at 1,741.
The 18 new cases, the highest number of daily new infections in six days, brings the total number of known cases in the State to 25,527.
The Government’s latest figures on Covid-19 show that there were three admissions of infected people to hospital and one admission to a hospital intensive care unit in the last 24 hours.
READ MORE
There were 22 cases of the disease in hospitals and 11 confirmed cases in ICUs.
The number of clusters – each defined as two cases or more – in private houses stands at 1,070, including 718 in the east of the country. The bulk of these outbreaks occurred in March and April.
New figures show Irish laboratories never hit the health service’s target of 15,000 coronavirus tests per day, even during the worst of the pandemic.
The early weeks of the coronavirus outbreak were dominated by failures in the testing system, which led to a large backlog and delays of up to two weeks for results.
Public health experts have warned a robust testing system to identify quickly and then isolate confirmed cases of Covid-19 is essential to preventing a second wave of the virus.
The most tests processed by labs in one day was 11,504 on April 29th, followed by 10,374 the day before, according to figures released by the HSE to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall.
A spokeswoman for the HSE said: “It was hoped that the public health measures would prevent the requirement to ever undertake [the capacity of] 100,000 tests in a week. Thankfully, this has been borne out.”
She said the HSE may see a demand for increased testing capacity again as the country opens up from lockdown.
Ms Shortall said despite ramping up testing capacity to meet demand, “very little testing has been done so far for potential asymptomatic carriers”.
“There is an opportunity now to scale this up, especially among those working in high-risk settings. That should be taken full advantage of to get firmly ahead of the spread of this virus and prevent a second wave,” she said.
‘Intensified containment’
Infectious disease expert Prof Gerry Killeen of University College Cork said eliminating Covid-19 from Ireland may only require a modest amount of additional effort based on new modelling.
Prof Killeen believes sustained and enhanced measures could eliminate the virus within months, while repeatedly imposing, lifting and re-imposing restrictions “to merely suppress the epidemic” until it burns out may be a dangerous gamble that could “persist for years, decades or even indefinitely”.
“It’s likely that Covid-19 could establish itself as a permanent disease with unpredictable waves every few years,” he said.
“On the economic front, incomplete suppression of the epidemic means extending the damage over years rather than months [and] asking business to spend more time operating under restrictions that push them into the red.”
Once the virus is eliminated, even “the slightest easing of travel or importation controls could cause a rebound”, he said.
This would mean isolating all incoming travellers, except those coming from countries that may be certified as free of local transmission by the World Health Organisation in the future.
“At a time when so many decision-makers are considering tempting justifications for relaxing unpopular lockdown restrictions, it is now vital that the governments and citizens of every country instead embrace intensified containment, elimination and exclusion efforts,” said Prof Killeen.
‘Ever-present danger’
Meanwhile, the trade union movement has called on Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar to amend rules to make Covid-19 cases in the workplace notifiable to the Health and Safety Authority as a serious occupational health and safety hazard.
"Healthcare workers, workers in meat factories and the aviation sector continue to perform their duties in circumstances of serious and ever-present danger of contracting this disease," wrote Patrick King, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in a letter to Mr Varadkar.
“The situation in which they are, of necessity, placed is without precedent or parallel.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Covid-19: Personal tragedy of ‘terrible dimensions’ – loss of husband and son

On May 14th Mary Bartley Meehan was permitted to visit her husband , Ultan Meehan ( 79 ) , outside Kilbrew Nursing Home in Ashbourne , Co Meath .
The visit was specially arranged during lockdown on seats outside because she had lost her son and Ultan ’ s stepson , Adrian Bartley ( 52 ) , who also lived at Kilbrew , to coronavirus just six weeks earlier .
Adrian had Down ’ s syndrome and dementia .
Mary was “ deeply shocked ” at the “ horrific ” condition of her husband , who also suffered from dementia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his face .
“ I don ’ t think I will ever forget it , ” she told The Irish Times at her home near Navan .
Her husband was wearing a jumper belonging to her late son – the two men had shared a room at Kilbrew – and somebody else ’ s shoes .
The side of his face was black with congealed blood .
His nails were long and black from picking at his facial tumours , which had become an open wound and infected .
She would never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
Wearing full protective clothing to guard against Covid-19 , she felt compelled to take off her gloves and cut his nails herself ; her requests to the home had gone ignored , she said “ I know I shouldn ’ t have done it but I couldn ’ t leave him with those long nails scraping the wound that was bleeding , ” she said .
Visiting restrictions at nursing homes from early March meant Mary had been unable to bring her son and husband home at weekends since February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband , and cleaned his wound .
She knew how to calm him ; she gave him a sweet and put on some music .
On May 29th , two weeks after Mary visited and following sustained pressure from Mary , her advocate and a HSE social worker to have Ultan seen by a local GP , he was assessed .
A doctor referred him immediately to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown , Dublin , the location where Adrian had died two months earlier .
Medical records from May 29th – the day that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home was “ unable to manage ” the wound on Ultan ’ s face and that it had become infested with maggots .
On June 15th , with her husband ’ s health deteriorating rapidly , Mary was permitted to spend an hour with him .
By then , his wound was bandaged and he had been shaved .
“ His face was spotless clean , ” she said .
He died later that day .
A medical certificate put sepsis as the cause of death but also listed “ Covid in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health conditions .
On March 27th , the day Adrian was rushed from Kilbrew to hospital with severe breathing difficulties , a doctor at the hospital called the nursing home and directed that Ultan be tested immediately for Covid-19 given that the two men shared a room .
Ultan was a risk to others because , like many with dementia , he liked to wander around .
It took 17 days for the result to come back ; he was positive but had no symptoms .
Adrian tested positive for Covid-19 in Connolly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his condition deteriorated , Mary said her goodbyes to her son on a video call with two nurses .
“ I kept saying to him that he was going to see his daddy , ” she said , referring to her late first husband .
He died two hours later .
The story of Mary , her husband and her son has shocked those who tried to help them .
Mary ’ s advocate , Maureen Finlay , who works with Sage Advocacy , a support group for vulnerable adults , said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ultan be transferred to a hospital or hospice care went ignored ; the home said they were taking care of him , she said .
“ This is one of the worst and most horrific cases I have ever come across and I have dealt with some very difficult ones .
I was shocked .
I spent the night crying after seeing the pictures of Ultan , ” said Ms Finlay .
From April 1st , the day after Adrian ’ s death , to June 2nd , shortly after Ultan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ notices of concern ” to the HSE and the health service regulator , the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) , about Kilbrew Nursing Home .
On June 10th , Sage ’ s executive director , Mervyn Taylor , escalated matters , writing to then minister for health Simon Harris asking him to investigate the Co Meath home .
“ At a care level , it is probably as bad as I have seen .
The tragedy for Mary is just awful because she has lost a son and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a personal tragedy of terrible dimensions , ” Mr Taylor said .
The minister ’ s private secretary , Matthew O ’ Gorman , responded to Sage by email on June 26th , saying that the Department of Health had brought the group ’ s concerns about Ultan Meehan to the attention of the HSE , which had referred the case to the local safeguarding team .
Mr O ’ Gorman said Hiqa “ has no legal role in examining individual complaints ” but that it does take into account all information it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrying out inspections and this information informs “ a risk-based approach to regulation ” .
The HSE said it had “ no governance or oversight ” over private nursing homes as they were private organisations but that its safeguarding team had “ limited authority to provide oversight or to intervene in private nursing homes ” .
It directed any further queries to Hiqa .
Hiqa told The Irish Times in early June , prior to Ultan ’ s death , that it was aware of Sage ’ s concerns and had engaged with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relation to his care .
Fine Gael TD Fergus O ’ Dowd , who was made aware of details of the case , expressed concern about the lack of care and proper medical overview of Ultan .
“ How often did they look at his case ?
To have maggots in his wound is something you would see in the 18th century , not in Ireland today , not in a nursing home today , ” Mr O ’ Dowd said .
Hiqa carried out an inspection of Kilbrew on June 4th and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , chief executive of Kilbrew Nursing Home , said it had submitted a report to the regulator and “ awaited the outcome of a further review by Hiqa ” .
Mr Keeling declined to answer questions about Ultan ’ s medical condition during his wife ’ s visit on May 14th or why it took two weeks for him to be transferred to hospital .
“ It is not appropriate to go into clinical detail relating to any resident or their treatment , ” he said .
“ At all times , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to every resident , who each have a dedicated GP assigned to them.
” Mr Keeling , in his written responses , referred to the toll taken on Kilbrew from coronavirus .
Internal HSE figures in late May indicated there had been 15 confirmed or probable Covid-19 deaths at the home .
Kilbrew also lost nursing and care staff to illness and self-isolation .
The home had 59 residents in July 2019 and has a capacity for a maximum of 74 .
“ Kilbrew Nursing Home , like many others , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , and its managers and staff have and continue to work extremely hard to deliver best in care for all of its residents , ” Mr Keeling said .
Mary said the Covid-19 pandemic could not be used to explain the state she found her husband in when she last visited him at his nursing home .
“ That ’ s no excuse , ” she said .

Mary Bartley Meehan lost both her husband, pictured left, Ultan Meehan, and her son Adrian Bartley, pictured right, within 10 weeks of each other. They shared a room in Kilbrew Nursing Home in Ashbourne. Photograph: Alan Betson
On May 14th, Mary Bartley Meehan was permitted to visit her husband, Ultan Meehan (79), outside Kilbrew Nursing Home in Ashbourne, Co Meath.
The visit was specially arranged during lockdown on seats outside because she had lost her son and Ultan's stepson, Adrian Bartley (52), who also lived at Kilbrew, to coronavirus just six weeks earlier. Adrian had Down's syndrome and dementia.
Mary was “deeply shocked” at the “horrific” condition of her husband, who also suffered from dementia and was terminally ill with cancerous tumours on his face.
“I don’t think I will ever forget it,” she told The Irish Times at her home near Navan.
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Her husband was wearing a jumper belonging to her late son – the two men had shared a room at Kilbrew – and somebody else’s shoes.
The side of his face was black with congealed blood. His nails were long and black from picking at his facial tumours, which had become an open wound and infected.
She would never forget the smell from the wound, she said.
Wearing full protective clothing to guard against Covid-19, she felt compelled to take off her gloves and cut his nails herself; her requests to the home had gone ignored, she said
“I know I shouldn’t have done it but I couldn’t leave him with those long nails scraping the wound that was bleeding,” she said.
Visiting restrictions at nursing homes from early March meant Mary had been unable to bring her son and husband home at weekends since February. Most weekends, she bathed her husband, and cleaned his wound. She knew how to calm him; she gave him a sweet and put on some music.
Doctor assessment
On May 29th, two weeks after Mary visited and following sustained pressure from Mary, her advocate and a HSE social worker to have Ultan seen by a local GP, he was assessed.
A doctor referred him immediately to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, Dublin, the location where Adrian had died two months earlier.
Medical records from May 29th – the day that he was admitted – say the nursing home was “unable to manage” the wound on Ultan’s face and that it had become infested with maggots.
On June 15th, with her husband’s health deteriorating rapidly, Mary was permitted to spend an hour with him. By then, his wound was bandaged and he had been shaved.
“His face was spotless clean,” she said.
He died later that day.
A medical certificate put sepsis as the cause of death but also listed “Covid in April 2020” as one of several underlying health conditions.
On March 27th, the day Adrian was rushed from Kilbrew to hospital with severe breathing difficulties, a doctor at the hospital called the nursing home and directed that Ultan be tested immediately for Covid-19 given that the two men shared a room.
Ultan was a risk to others because, like many with dementia, he liked to wander around. It took 17 days for the result to come back; he was positive but had no symptoms.
Kilbrew Nursing Home in Ashbourne. Photograph: Alan Betson
Adrian tested positive for Covid-19 in Connolly Hospital. On March 31st, as his condition deteriorated, Mary said her goodbyes to her son on a video call with two nurses.
“I kept saying to him that he was going to see his daddy,” she said, referring to her late first husband.
He died two hours later.
Shock
The story of Mary, her husband and her son has shocked those who tried to help them.
Mary's advocate, Maureen Finlay, who works with Sage Advocacy, a support group for vulnerable adults, said that calls to Kilbrew in May requesting that Ultan be transferred to a hospital or hospice care went ignored; the home said they were taking care of him, she said.
“This is one of the worst and most horrific cases I have ever come across and I have dealt with some very difficult ones. I was shocked. I spent the night crying after seeing the pictures of Ultan,” said Ms Finlay.
From April 1st, the day after Adrian’s death, to June 2nd, shortly after Ultan’s admission to hospital, Sage issued four “notices of concern” to the HSE and the health service regulator, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), about Kilbrew Nursing Home.
On June 10th, Sage's executive director, Mervyn Taylor, escalated matters, writing to then minister for health Simon Harris asking him to investigate the Co Meath home.
“At a care level, it is probably as bad as I have seen. The tragedy for Mary is just awful because she has lost a son and a husband in 10 weeks. It is a personal tragedy of terrible dimensions,” Mr Taylor said.
Safeguarding team
The minister’s private secretary, Matthew O’Gorman, responded to Sage by email on June 26th, saying that the Department of Health had brought the group’s concerns about Ultan Meehan to the attention of the HSE, which had referred the case to the local safeguarding team.
Mr O’Gorman said Hiqa “has no legal role in examining individual complaints” but that it does take into account all information it receives including complaints from the public when carrying out inspections and this information informs “a risk-based approach to regulation”.
The HSE said it had “no governance or oversight” over private nursing homes as they were private organisations but that its safeguarding team had “limited authority to provide oversight or to intervene in private nursing homes”. It directed any further queries to Hiqa.
Hiqa told The Irish Times in early June, prior to Ultan’s death, that it was aware of Sage’s concerns and had engaged with Kilbrew and staff in Connolly Hospital in relation to his care.
Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd, who was made aware of details of the case, expressed concern about the lack of care and proper medical overview of Ultan.
"How often did they look at his case? To have maggots in his wound is something you would see in the 18th century, not in Ireland today, not in a nursing home today," Mr O'Dowd said.
Hiqa carried out an inspection of Kilbrew on June 4th and is compiling a report.
Further review
James Keeling, chief executive of Kilbrew Nursing Home, said it had submitted a report to the regulator and “awaited the outcome of a further review by Hiqa”.
Mr Keeling declined to answer questions about Ultan’s medical condition during his wife’s visit on May 14th or why it took two weeks for him to be transferred to hospital.
“It is not appropriate to go into clinical detail relating to any resident or their treatment,” he said.
“At all times, we work to provide the best of care to every resident, who each have a dedicated GP assigned to them.”
Mr Keeling, in his written responses, referred to the toll taken on Kilbrew from coronavirus.
Internal HSE figures in late May indicated there had been 15 confirmed or probable Covid-19 deaths at the home. Kilbrew also lost nursing and care staff to illness and self-isolation. The home had 59 residents in July 2019 and has a capacity for a maximum of 74.
“Kilbrew Nursing Home, like many others, has been under acute pressure in the midst of the pandemic, and its managers and staff have and continue to work extremely hard to deliver best in care for all of its residents,” Mr Keeling said.
Mary said the Covid-19 pandemic could not be used to explain the state she found her husband in when she last visited him at his nursing home.
“That’s no excuse,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Meath nursing home resident sent to hospital with maggots in facial wound

A Co Meath nursing home resident died two weeks after being admitted to hospital with an infestation of maggots in a facial wound that the care facility was unable to manage .
Sage Advocacy , a support group for vulnerable adults , said it was “ deeply disappointing and worrying ” that former minister for health Simon Harris did not launch an investigation into the care of Ultan Meehan ( 79 ) at Kilbrew Nursing Home in Ashbourne .
Mr Meehan was brought to hospital on May 29th , two weeks after his wife , Mary Bartley Meehan , raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband in during a May 14th visit .
She had discovered that the Co Meath man , who suffered from dementia and terminal cancer , appeared to have scratched facial tumours into an open wound .
When he was eventually transferred to Connolly Hospital in Dublin , medics found his wound infested with maggots and that the nursing home had been “ unable to manage ” him or his wound .
Mr Meehan died of sepsis on June 15th , 10 weeks after his step-son Adrian Bartley , Mrs Bartley Meehan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dementia , died in the same hospital of Covid-19 .
The two men had shared a room at Kilbrew .
Mr Meehan had tested positive for Covid-19 in mid-April and it was listed as a “ significant ” condition contributing to his death .
Mervyn Taylor , executive director of Sage , said the group had sent four “ notices of concern ” about the care of the men to nursing homes regulator Hiqa and the HSE between April and June .
A spokeswoman for Mr Harris said he was “ very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sage in the case and that his department made Hiqa and the HSE aware of them and “ was assured both were following up with the family ” .
Kilbrew chief executive James Keeling said the home worked to provide “ the best of care to every resident ” and that , like other homes , it was “ under acute pressure in the midst of the pandemic ” .
Hiqa is completing a report following a June 4th inspection at Kilbrew .
The Department of Health told Mr Taylor the HSE had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safeguarding team .

A Co Meath nursing home resident died two weeks after being admitted to hospital with an infestation of maggots in a facial wound that the care facility was unable to manage.
Sage Advocacy, a support group for vulnerable adults, said it was "deeply disappointing and worrying" that former minister for health Simon Harris did not launch an investigation into the care of Ultan Meehan (79) at Kilbrew Nursing Home in Ashbourne.
Mr Meehan was brought to hospital on May 29th, two weeks after his wife, Mary Bartley Meehan, raised concerns about the condition she found her husband in during a May 14th visit.
Mary Bartley Meehan lost both her husband, pictured left, Ultan Meehan, and son Adrian Bartley (pictured right). They were both residents in Kilbrew Nursing Home in Ashbourne. Photograph: Alan Betson
She had discovered that the Co Meath man, who suffered from dementia and terminal cancer, appeared to have scratched facial tumours into an open wound.
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When he was eventually transferred to Connolly Hospital in Dublin, medics found his wound infested with maggots and that the nursing home had been “unable to manage” him or his wound.
Mr Meehan died of sepsis on June 15th, 10 weeks after his step-son Adrian Bartley, Mrs Bartley Meehan’s son who had Down’s syndrome and dementia, died in the same hospital of Covid-19.
The two men had shared a room at Kilbrew. Mr Meehan had tested positive for Covid-19 in mid-April and it was listed as a “significant” condition contributing to his death.
‘Notices of concern’
Mervyn Taylor, executive director of Sage, said the group had sent four "notices of concern" about the care of the men to nursing homes regulator Hiqa and the HSE between April and June.
A spokeswoman for Mr Harris said he was “very concerned” about the issues raised by Sage in the case and that his department made Hiqa and the HSE aware of them and “was assured both were following up with the family”.
Kilbrew chief executive James Keeling said the home worked to provide "the best of care to every resident" and that, like other homes, it was "under acute pressure in the midst of the pandemic".
Hiqa is completing a report following a June 4th inspection at Kilbrew. The Department of Health told Mr Taylor the HSE had referred the case on to the local safeguarding team.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Teaching unions want more staff to reopen schools

Teachers ’ unions and school managers say a full reopening of schools will not be possible unless panels of substitute teachers are hired for schools .
Talks between the Department of Education and education partners are set to continue this week on the steps required to reopen schools safely in late August .
Senior Government sources say the reopening of schools at the end of August is the highest priority for the new Minister for Education Norma Foley , with one senior figure insisting schools would open “ come hell or high water ” .
But the teachers ’ unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their members , especially since official advice issued last week suggested that one-metre social distancing should be in place for older children .
Ms Foley said the guidelines provide a good platform for further discussion to allow for the “ optimum ” return to school .
She has declined to say definitively whether the guidelines will allow all students to return to education .
However , political sources pointed out that the advice was issued on an interim basis , and could be revisited as the department , school managers and teaching unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopening the schools .
One issue which will feature in the talks with the unions is the need for additional staff cover for sick leave , which unions says is likely to increase dramatically in the coming academic year .
This is on foot of official public health advice that anyone with potential symptoms of Covid-19 should stay away from work .
While classes at primary level are usually “ split ” between others if a teacher is sick , this will not be possible under new health guidelines .
The Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comprehensive level of staffing , including substitute for all absences , will be required ” .
It said a pilot scheme for panels of substitute teachers – who are hired full-time to cover absences – was needed nationwide to ensure schools can continue to operate .
School managers have also told the department that unless similar supports are in place , many schools may end up closing on a regular basis .
At second level , the Teachers ’ Union of Ireland has suggested trainee teachers should be fast-tracked into paid teaching to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students in the second year of the professional master of education programme should be able to work in the classroom as an exceptional measure .
It has also called for additional staff support for school principals to ensure the planning and preparation for a safe return to school for pupils , teachers and other staff can be advanced .
Separately , the Government is to consider on Monday expanding its “ summer programme ” of education support for hundreds of currently ineligible special needs pupils .
Controversy was sparked after it emerged that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were unable to access the programme .
It is understood that the new Minister of State with responsibility for special needs and inclusion , Josepha Madigan , is to request that the programme ’ s criteria be widened to include these students .
A memo is due to be brought to Cabinet on Monday altering the eligibility criteria which would allow almost 700 additional children participate in the programme for children with complex needs .
Currently , the number of eligible children in the programme is about 24,000 , about 9,000 more than @ @ @ @ @ @

Talks between the Department of Education and education partners are set to continue this week on the steps required to reopen schools safely in late August. File photograph: The Irish Times
Teachers’ unions and school managers say a full reopening of schools will not be possible unless panels of substitute teachers are hired for schools.
Talks between the Department of Education and education partners are set to continue this week on the steps required to reopen schools safely in late August.
Senior Government sources say the reopening of schools at the end of August is the highest priority for the new Minister for Education Norma Foley, with one senior figure insisting schools would open “come hell or high water”.
But the teachers’ unions have expressed worry about the safety of their members, especially since official advice issued last week suggested that one-metre social distancing should be in place for older children.
READ MORE
Ms Foley said the guidelines provide a good platform for further discussion to allow for the “optimum” return to school.
She has declined to say definitively whether the guidelines will allow all students to return to education.
However, political sources pointed out that the advice was issued on an interim basis, and could be revisited as the department, school managers and teaching unions continue to seek to agree a path to reopening the schools.
One issue which will feature in the talks with the unions is the need for additional staff cover for sick leave, which unions says is likely to increase dramatically in the coming academic year.
This is on foot of official public health advice that anyone with potential symptoms of Covid-19 should stay away from work.
While classes at primary level are usually “split” between others if a teacher is sick, this will not be possible under new health guidelines.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation said a “comprehensive level of staffing, including substitute for all absences, will be required”.
The reopening of schools at the end of August is the highest priority for the new Minister for Education, Norma Foley, senior Government sources said. Photograph: Alan Betson
It said a pilot scheme for panels of substitute teachers – who are hired full-time to cover absences – was needed nationwide to ensure schools can continue to operate.
School managers have also told the department that unless similar supports are in place, many schools may end up closing on a regular basis.
At second level, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland has suggested trainee teachers should be fast-tracked into paid teaching to support schools.
Specifically, it says students in the second year of the professional master of education programme should be able to work in the classroom as an exceptional measure.
It has also called for additional staff support for school principals to ensure the planning and preparation for a safe return to school for pupils, teachers and other staff can be advanced.
Support programme
Separately, the Government is to consider on Monday expanding its “summer programme” of education support for hundreds of currently ineligible special needs pupils.
Controversy was sparked after it emerged that students with Down syndrome in secondary school were unable to access the programme.
It is understood that the new Minister of State with responsibility for special needs and inclusion, Josepha Madigan, is to request that the programme’s criteria be widened to include these students.
A memo is due to be brought to Cabinet on Monday altering the eligibility criteria which would allow almost 700 additional children participate in the programme for children with complex needs.
Currently, the number of eligible children in the programme is about 24,000, about 9,000 more than the traditional July provision scheme.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Covid-19: Revellers flouting restrictions may face tougher controls

Tougher controls may be introduced for pubs amid growing concern about large groups of revellers flouting Covid-19 public health measures .
Concern grew over the weekend within An Garda Síochána about large groups of people congregating to socialise on the streets following the reopening of some pubs , with senior officers saying gardaí effectively had no power to police the problems .
A spokeswoman for new Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said , in response to queries : “ The guidelines are there to protect staff and customers .
Everyone has a responsibility to follow them .
Government are monitoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further steps now or in considering the next phase of lifting of restrictions if necessary.
” The issue came into focus following a large gathering of revellers on Dame Lane in Dublin city centre on Saturday , when hundreds of people congregated in the narrow street , where many people were drinking .
Even before the weekend , Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and his senior management team were concerned that gatherings of revellers , in pubs and on streets outside , were posing a health risk .
In response , plans to carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were upgraded to directing Garda members to inspect all pubs in their districts under the new Operation Navigation .
Dublin-based Garda officers said while Dame Lane had become popular for outdoor gatherings during the lockdown , crowds also gathered outside a number of venues at the weekend , with many people not socially distancing , yet gardaí who witnessed it were powerless to act .
“ We ’ ve been told to inspect the pubs to make sure people are taking account of the Covid-19 precautions , but if we find they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no power to do anything about it , ” said one source .
Gardaí can share concerns they have about pubs with the Health and Safety Authority ( HSA ) , which can apply to the High Court for a closure order on health risk grounds .
Gardaí can also take note of any examples of a pub being mismanaged and use that to object to the renewal of a pub ’ s licence at a later date .
However , there are no instant enforcement options open to gardaí that would allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or dispersal of a crowd .
Garda sources who spoke to The Irish Times said they believed the HSA , which polices the smoking ban , should assume responsibility for policing Covid-19 measures in pubs .
However , if the Garda was to continue carrying out inspections , new regulations were required so they could enforce the measures .
The same sources said many pubs had followed the Covid-19 guidelines meticulously and a large number of publicans who were now allowed to open had chosen not to .

Even before the weekend, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and his senior management team were concerned that gatherings of revellers, in pubs and on streets outside, were posing a health risk. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Tougher controls may be introduced for pubs amid growing concern about large groups of revellers flouting Covid-19 public health measures.
Concern grew over the weekend within An Garda Síochána about large groups of people congregating to socialise on the streets following the reopening of some pubs, with senior officers saying gardaí effectively had no power to police the problems.
A spokeswoman for new Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said, in response to queries: “The guidelines are there to protect staff and customers. Everyone has a responsibility to follow them. Government are monitoring the situation very closely and may take further steps now or in considering the next phase of lifting of restrictions if necessary.”
The issue came into focus following a large gathering of revellers on Dame Lane in Dublin city centre on Saturday, when hundreds of people congregated in the narrow street, where many people were drinking.
READ MORE
Even before the weekend, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and his senior management team were concerned that gatherings of revellers, in pubs and on streets outside, were posing a health risk.
Upgraded
In response, plans to carry out “spot checks” on pubs were upgraded to directing Garda members to inspect all pubs in their districts under the new Operation Navigation.
Dublin-based Garda officers said while Dame Lane had become popular for outdoor gatherings during the lockdown, crowds also gathered outside a number of venues at the weekend, with many people not socially distancing, yet gardaí who witnessed it were powerless to act.
“We’ve been told to inspect the pubs to make sure people are taking account of the Covid-19 precautions, but if we find they’re not doing that, we have no power to do anything about it,” said one source.
Gardaí can share concerns they have about pubs with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), which can apply to the High Court for a closure order on health risk grounds. Gardaí can also take note of any examples of a pub being mismanaged and use that to object to the renewal of a pub’s licence at a later date.
Enforcement
However, there are no instant enforcement options open to gardaí that would allow for the on-the-spot closure of a pub or dispersal of a crowd.
Garda sources who spoke to The Irish Times said they believed the HSE, which polices the smoking ban, should assume responsibility for policing Covid-19 measures in pubs. However, if the Garda was to continue carrying out inspections, new regulations were required so they could enforce the measures.
The same sources said many pubs had followed the Covid-19 guidelines meticulously and a large number of publicans who were now allowed to open had chosen not to.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Will all pupils return to school in September?

When public health guidelines for the safe reopening of schools were published this week , they worried Matt Melvin , principal of St Etchen ’ s National School in Kinnegad , Co Westmeath .
The guidelines state that a one-metre distance is required between pupils , with the exception of junior infants to second class .
“ We ’ d measured the classroom before and realised it wouldn ’ t be possible to fit all the children in class , ” he says .
“ Some of our classes have 30 pupils .
They wouldn ’ t fit and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reading of the guidelines states that the one-metre rule should apply for pods of pupils in classes “ where possible ” .
The caveat is seen as crucial by school leaders .
“ That will give us much more flexibility .
We wouldn ’ t be able to get everyone back if the one-metre rule is strictly enforced .
“ If you have a can-do attitude , I think it should be possible to get all the children back , ” Melvin says .
School managers , teachers ’ unions and parents have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health authorities .
There is a general sense that at primary level most schools should be able to accommodate the majority of pupils – though it will not be without challenges .
Irish National Teachers ’ Organisation ( INTO ) general secretary John Boyle said a strict enforcement of the one-metre distancing guideline would pose a major challenge with “ super-size ” classes .
“ No matter what way the maths is done , it will be very difficult to fit 35 or 36 children into an 80sq m room , not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classrooms , ” he says .
At second level there are also concerns .
Here , there is no such ambiguity in the guidelines , which state that there should be at least one metre , and ideally two , between students .
While classes are generally smaller at second level , many schools say their students and teachers are forced to operate in cramped settings which give little leeway for physical distancing .
Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland ( ASTI ) general secretary Kieran Christie warned that many schools would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines issued last Wednesday – but may resume on a “ restricted ” basis .
Teachers ’ Union of Ireland ( TUI ) general secretary John MacGabhann emphasised that schools should only reopen in a manner that guaranteed safety “ for children , students in the case of second-level schools , for parents , the broader community and , I say without apology , for our members ” .
The newly appointed Minister for Education Norma Foley has said the guidelines provide a platform for the “ optimum ” reopening of schools , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all pupils will be able to return .
In addition to physical distancing , there is an acknowledgement that school life will change significantly under the new guidelines .
In normal times , the schoolyard of St Etchen ’ s is a maelstrom of activity in the mornings .
Five hundred-plus pupils bounce around the schoolyard before teachers line them up and bring them into their classrooms at 9.15am .
Under the new guidelines , this will all stop next September .
Children will arrive at staggered times in the morning and head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children to school will be encouraged to stay in their cars to avoid groups gathering at the school gates .
Pick-up times will be staggered to minimise numbers outside the school at any one time .
“ There ’ s normally great excitement and optimism in the yard in the morning , ” says Melvin .
“ There ’ s lots of hustle and bustle .
Parents meet up and shoot the breeze ... it will be a shame to lose that , but the changes are very doable.
” A major concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be available to ensure schools can continue to function .
The number of staff on sick days is expected to rise significantly given that staff with any symptoms of Covid-19 – such as a fever or dry cough – are being advised not to attend school .
Groups such as the INTO and the Catholic Primary School Management Association have questioned how schools will remain open if the Department of Education does not provide for substitute teachers .
“ We won ’ t be able to function unless we have some flexibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ During Covid-19 they threw money at hospitals – quite rightly – and they performed excellently .
Our schools will do the same if we fund them .
But if we don ’ t , it will be chaotic .
We can ’ t divide classes among others if a teacher is sick .
It ’ s too risky .
At the moment , it ’ s like decision-makers are pretending that this won ’ t happen .
”

When public health guidelines for the safe reopening of schools were published this week, they worried Matt Melvin, principal of St Etchen's National School in Kinnegad, Co Westmeath.
The guidelines state that a one-metre distance is required between pupils, with the exception of junior infants to second class.
“We’d measured the classroom before and realised it wouldn’t be possible to fit all the children in class,” he says. “Some of our classes have 30 pupils. They wouldn’t fit and they share desks.”
However, a closer reading of the guidelines states that the one-metre rule should apply for pods of pupils in classes “where possible”. The caveat is seen as crucial by school leaders.
READ MORE
“That will give us much more flexibility. We wouldn’t be able to get everyone back if the one-metre rule is strictly enforced.
“If you have a can-do attitude, I think it should be possible to get all the children back,” Melvin says.
Challenges
School managers, teachers’ unions and parents have been digesting the guidance produced by the health authorities.
There is a general sense that at primary level most schools should be able to accommodate the majority of pupils – though it will not be without challenges.
Matt Melvin, principal at St Etchen’s National School, Kinnegad, Co Westmeath, says if you have a can-do attitude, it should be possible to get all the children back. Photograph: Alan Betson
Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) general secretary John Boyle said a strict enforcement of the one-metre distancing guideline would pose a major challenge with “super-size” classes.
“No matter what way the maths is done, it will be very difficult to fit 35 or 36 children into an 80sq m room, not to mention some of the smaller, older classrooms,” he says.
At second level there are also concerns. Here, there is no such ambiguity in the guidelines, which state that there should be at least one metre, and ideally two, between students.
While classes are generally smaller at second level, many schools say their students and teachers are forced to operate in cramped settings which give little leeway for physical distancing.
Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) general secretary Kieran Christie warned that many schools would not be back full-time – based on the guidelines issued last Wednesday – but may resume on a "restricted" basis.
Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) general secretary John MacGabhann emphasised that schools should only reopen in a manner that guaranteed safety “for children, students in the case of second-level schools, for parents, the broader community and, I say without apology, for our members”.
The newly appointed Minister for Education Norma Foley has said the guidelines provide a platform for the “optimum” reopening of schools, but has declined to say definitively whether all pupils will be able to return.
School life
In addition to physical distancing, there is an acknowledgement that school life will change significantly under the new guidelines.
In normal times, the schoolyard of St Etchen’s is a maelstrom of activity in the mornings.
Five hundred-plus pupils bounce around the schoolyard before teachers line them up and bring them into their classrooms at 9.15am.
Under the new guidelines, this will all stop next September.
Children will arrive at staggered times in the morning and head straight for class.
Parents who drive children to school will be encouraged to stay in their cars to avoid groups gathering at the school gates.
Pick-up times will be staggered to minimise numbers outside the school at any one time.
“There’s normally great excitement and optimism in the yard in the morning,” says Melvin.
“There’s lots of hustle and bustle. Parents meet up and shoot the breeze...it will be a shame to lose that, but the changes are very doable.”
A major concern for school leaders is whether additional staff will be available to ensure schools can continue to function.
The number of staff on sick days is expected to rise significantly given that staff with any symptoms of Covid-19 – such as a fever or dry cough – are being advised not to attend school.
Groups such as the INTO and the Catholic Primary School Management Association have questioned how schools will remain open if the Department of Education does not provide for substitute teachers.
“We won’t be able to function unless we have some flexibility on staffing,” says Melvin.
“During Covid-19 they threw money at hospitals – quite rightly – and they performed excellently. Our schools will do the same if we fund them. But if we don’t, it will be chaotic. We can’t divide classes among others if a teacher is sick. It’s too risky. At the moment, it’s like decision-makers are pretending that this won’t happen.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Leaving Cert student told he is not eligible for predicted grade

A Co Waterford Leaving Cert student has been told he is not eligible for predicted grades for one of the subjects he studied because he was self-taught and did not have a tutor .
Finn Robertson ( 17 ) , from Dungarvan , studied five subjects in school and taught himself higher-level business and higher-level politics because the two subjects were not available at his school .
He will receive a predicted grade for business because he attended grinds in January and February , but he has been told he will not receive an estimated grade for politics as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject .
In an email to his mother Alex Robertson , his school , Dungarvan CBS , said it “ has to be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence available to them to stand over the estimated mark being provided ” .
“ Unfortunately , the fact that Finn has sat the pre exam is not sufficient evidence to base an estimated mark in the subject Politics & Society .
The student ’ s learning has to have been guided by and overseen by a suitable tutor , ” the email said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ because her son sat the mock exam earlier in the year , which she says was marked by an external examiner .
“ The Government has catered for kids doing full-time school , they ’ ve catered for homeschoolers , they ’ ve catered for kids getting grinds , they ’ ve catered for kids in full-time school taking additional subjects , but Finn falls into no category .
His two subjects are not additional , they ’ re part of the standard seven , ’ she said .
The student said being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means he will not have enough points for college this year as he is taking ordinary-level maths .
He had hoped to study politics and journalism at the University of Limerick .
“ It has really taken a drag on my self-confidence .
Sitting the exams at a later date is something I will have to consider but it really isn ’ t something I want because it will mean I can ’ t go to college this year , ” he said .
Dungarvan CBS said all guidelines had been adhered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman said : “ For the system to be operated with integrity , and fairness to all students , there must be credible , satisfactory evidence from an appropriate source , on which an estimated percentage mark can be based .
“ However , it is the case that , despite every effort being made by schools and the calculated grades executive office , it will not be possible to provide a calculated grade for every student in every subject .
Such students will have an opportunity to sit the Leaving Certificate examinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The student says he intends to protest outside the Dáil on Monday , July 13th , in a bid to get the attention of policy-makers if the situation is not resolved .

Finn Robertson (17), from Dungarvan, Co Waterford, has been told he will not receive an estimated grade for higher-level politics as he was self-taught in the subject and did not have a tutor. Photograph: Patrick Browne
A Co Waterford Leaving Cert student has been told he is not eligible for predicted grades for one of the subjects he studied because he was self-taught and did not have a tutor.
Finn Robertson (17), from Dungarvan, studied five subjects in school and taught himself higher-level business and higher-level politics because the two subjects were not available at his school.
He will receive a predicted grade for business because he attended grinds in January and February, but he has been told he will not receive an estimated grade for politics as he had not begun private tuition for the subject.
In an email to his mother Alex Robertson, his school, Dungarvan CBS, said it "has to be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence available to them to stand over the estimated mark being provided".
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“Unfortunately, the fact that Finn has sat the pre exam is not sufficient evidence to base an estimated mark in the subject Politics & Society. The student’s learning has to have been guided by and overseen by a suitable tutor,” the email said.
Ms Robertson described the decision as unfair because her son sat the mock exam earlier in the year, which she says was marked by an external examiner.
“The Government has catered for kids doing full-time school, they’ve catered for homeschoolers, they’ve catered for kids getting grinds, they’ve catered for kids in full-time school taking additional subjects, but Finn falls into no category. His two subjects are not additional, they’re part of the standard seven,’ she said.
Points for college
The student said being ineligible for a predicted grade in politics means he will not have enough points for college this year as he is taking ordinary-level maths. He had hoped to study politics and journalism at the University of Limerick.
“It has really taken a drag on my self-confidence. Sitting the exams at a later date is something I will have to consider but it really isn’t something I want because it will mean I can’t go to college this year,” he said.
Dungarvan CBS said all guidelines had been adhered to when administering calculated grades. A departmental spokesman said: “For the system to be operated with integrity, and fairness to all students, there must be credible, satisfactory evidence from an appropriate source, on which an estimated percentage mark can be based.
“However, it is the case that, despite every effort being made by schools and the calculated grades executive office, it will not be possible to provide a calculated grade for every student in every subject. Such students will have an opportunity to sit the Leaving Certificate examinations when it is safe to do so.”
The student says he intends to protest outside the Dáil on Monday, July 13th, in a bid to get the attention of policy-makers if the situation is not resolved.


theirishtimes--2020-07-05--Ireland could eliminate Covid-19 ‘within months’ with tighter restrictions

Ireland can eliminate Covid-19 over the course of the summer but repeatedly imposing , lifting and reimposing restrictions is a dangerous gamble , according to an Irish expert in infectious diseases .
Prof Gerry Killeen said that it would only require a modest amount of additional effort to eliminate Covid-19 from Ireland over the coming months but failure to continue with strict restrictions could prove costly in the long term .
He warned that complete elimination of Covid-19 could only be achieved by preventing reintroduction from outside the country which would require a rigorous isolation programme for anyone coming here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fading epidemic may be just as dangerous as the silent onset , ” said Prof Killeen who works at the Environmental Research Institute at University College Cork .
Prof Killeen , who has worked in Tanzania and Kenya combating malaria as well as Zika and Dengue viruses , has conducted modelling analyses on how Covid-19 spreads and he is in no doubt about the risk it still poses .
He said that as Ireland gradually begins to emerge from lockdown , it should look to countries with ambitious national strategies to crush the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as China , Korea , Japan and Australia .
“ With their approaches to eliminating the virus with sustained and uninterrupted restrictions , their timelines to that exit point are about three months and New Zealand is already there , ” he said .
“ Countries like Ireland , France , Spain , Italy and the United Kingdom , where daily incidence rates have been slowly falling , may well have achieved 80 per cent suppression of transmission .
“ Their epidemics could slowly fizzle away if current measures were maintained , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their successes by pushing even just a little further past this crucial tipping point ?
“ Faster progress towards elimination would obviously be better and these timelines could be shortened if we were to push ahead now with even more stringent and effective restrictions.
” Prof Killeen , who has published his analysis in the journals , Infectious Disease Modelling and the European Journal of Epidemiology , has predicted Ireland ’ s recent rates of Covid-19 reduction could lead to zero cases over the summer .
However , he has warned that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lifting and reimposing restrictions until the epidemic hopefully burns itself out , through herd immunity , could see it lingering at great cost for many years .
“ It ’ s likely Covid-19 could establish itself as a permanent disease with unpredictable waves every few years , ” said Prof Killeen , adding failure to completely eliminate the virus now risks greater long-term economic damage .
“ On the economic front , incomplete suppression of the epidemic means extending the damage over years rather than months , asking business to spend more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them into the red.
” “ However , such a bold choice would require a dramatic rethink of our national strategy , broad support from the public at large , and co-operation with our trading partners across Europe and the rest of the world.
” Prof Killeen said that it was essential for politicians , health professionals , journalists and the general public that as many people as possible understand the stark consequences of the choices that lie ahead for Ireland .
“ Eliminating the virus within months would require only a modest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ merely suppressing the epidemic and allowing it to persist for years , decades or even indefinitely , ” he said .
“ Unfortunately , once we have eliminated the virus and can completely relax domestic restrictions , even the slightest easing of travel or importation controls could cause a rebound.
” Prof Killeen said that the complete elimination of Covid-19 from Ireland can only be maintained by preventing its reintroduction from outside the country which means more rigorous controls on those coming to Ireland from abroad .
“ That means isolation of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries that may be certified as free of local transmission by the World Health Organisation in the future , ” he said .
Failure to introduce rigorous isolation measures for people coming from countries that have not been certified free of local transmission by the WHO was “ essentially identical to doing nothing in the first place , ” he said .
Last month , a group of scientists wrote an open letter urging the Irish government to “ crush the curve ” on an all-island basis rather than pursuing the current “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was vital that both citizens and governments , who are considering relaxing unpopular lockdown restrictions , instead embrace intensified containment , elimination and exclusion efforts .
“ Unless we all respond constructively to the recent WHO appeal for genuine national unity and global solidarity , it appears unlikely that we can collectively defeat the Covid-19 pandemic .
”

People out in Dublin on Saturday evening after pubs reopened earlier in the week. Photograph: Gaillot et Gray/PA Wire
Ireland can eliminate Covid-19 over the course of the summer but repeatedly imposing, lifting and reimposing restrictions is a dangerous gamble, according to an Irish expert in infectious diseases.
Prof Gerry Killeen said that it would only require a modest amount of additional effort to eliminate Covid-19 from Ireland over the coming months but failure to continue with strict restrictions could prove costly in the long term.
He warned that complete elimination of Covid-19 could only be achieved by preventing reintroduction from outside the country which would require a rigorous isolation programme for anyone coming here.
"The quiet tail of a fading epidemic may be just as dangerous as the silent onset," said Prof Killeen who works at the Environmental Research Institute at University College Cork.
READ MORE
Prof Killeen, who has worked in Tanzania and Kenya combating malaria as well as Zika and Dengue viruses, has conducted modelling analyses on how Covid-19 spreads and he is in no doubt about the risk it still poses.
He said that as Ireland gradually begins to emerge from lockdown, it should look to countries with ambitious national strategies to crush the curve of their Covid-19 epidemics, such as China, Korea, Japan and Australia.
"With their approaches to eliminating the virus with sustained and uninterrupted restrictions, their timelines to that exit point are about three months and New Zealand is already there," he said.
"Countries like Ireland, France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, where daily incidence rates have been slowly falling, may well have achieved 80 per cent suppression of transmission.
“Their epidemics could slowly fizzle away if current measures were maintained, so why would these countries not build upon their successes by pushing even just a little further past this crucial tipping point?
“Faster progress towards elimination would obviously be better and these timelines could be shortened if we were to push ahead now with even more stringent and effective restrictions.”
Prof Killeen, who has published his analysis in the journals, Infectious Disease Modelling and the European Journal of Epidemiology, has predicted Ireland's recent rates of Covid-19 reduction could lead to zero cases over the summer.
However, he has warned that, on the other hand, repeatedly imposing, lifting and reimposing restrictions until the epidemic hopefully burns itself out, through herd immunity, could see it lingering at great cost for many years.
“It’s likely Covid-19 could establish itself as a permanent disease with unpredictable waves every few years,” said Prof Killeen, adding failure to completely eliminate the virus now risks greater long-term economic damage.
“On the economic front, incomplete suppression of the epidemic means extending the damage over years rather than months, asking business to spend more time, operating under restrictions that push them into the red.”
"However, such a bold choice would require a dramatic rethink of our national strategy, broad support from the public at large, and co-operation with our trading partners across Europe and the rest of the world."
Stark consequences
Prof Killeen said that it was essential for politicians, health professionals, journalists and the general public that as many people as possible understand the stark consequences of the choices that lie ahead for Ireland.
“Eliminating the virus within months would require only a modest amount of additional effort, compared to merely suppressing the epidemic and allowing it to persist for years, decades or even indefinitely,” he said.
“Unfortunately, once we have eliminated the virus and can completely relax domestic restrictions, even the slightest easing of travel or importation controls could cause a rebound.”
Prof Killeen said that the complete elimination of Covid-19 from Ireland can only be maintained by preventing its reintroduction from outside the country which means more rigorous controls on those coming to Ireland from abroad.
"That means isolation of all incoming travellers, except those coming from countries that may be certified as free of local transmission by the World Health Organisation in the future," he said.
Failure to introduce rigorous isolation measures for people coming from countries that have not been certified free of local transmission by the WHO was “essentially identical to doing nothing in the first place,” he said.
Last month, a group of scientists wrote an open letter urging the Irish government to "crush the curve" on an all-island basis rather than pursuing the current "long-term mitigation strategy."
Prof Killeen said it was vital that both citizens and governments, who are considering relaxing unpopular lockdown restrictions, instead embrace intensified containment, elimination and exclusion efforts.
“Unless we all respond constructively to the recent WHO appeal for genuine national unity and global solidarity, it appears unlikely that we can collectively defeat the Covid-19 pandemic.”