theirishtimes--2020-12-23--Less than 10% of Covid-19 passenger locator forms successfully followed up

Less than 10 per cent of Covid-19 passenger locator forms filled out by those entering the country in the first week of December were successfully followed up by phone call , figures show .
The forms are required in order to confirm people ’ s location in the country to assist with any necessary contact tracing .
Once here , people are initially contacted via text message and , when they do not respond , are supposed to receive a phone call .
Figures obtained by Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall show that from November 30th to December 6th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which 2,490 were successfully followed up by phone , a rate of 9.7 per cent .
During that week , 23,552 people arrived into the country by air and just over 11,000 came in and out of the country by boat ( arrival specific figures are unavailable ) .
“ We have a situation where less than 10 per cent of the passenger locator forms are being followed up successfully with phone calls , ” Ms Shortall said .
“ If we don ’ t have vigilant monitoring of incoming passengers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can control our borders to prevent the importation of the virus and the new strain .
We have never had proper monitoring since the pandemic began , and yet again we have mixed messaging about testing and self-isolation for people travelling.
” The same data shows that through the three main airports , 128,039 people arrived between October 26th and December 6th , and 43,861 people moving in and out by boat .
In the same period , 128,118 forms were correctly filled out while 16,742 were either incorrect , ineligible or invalid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40,080 calls , 16,439 or which ( 41 per cent ) were successful .
There were also almost 47,000 text messages .
In response to queries on traffic and passenger follow-ups , the Department of Health focused on November during which it said more than 99,600 forms were submitted .
Several categories of traveller are exempt including those transiting directly on to Northern Ireland .
“ Address verification is completed by sending an interactive text message requesting that travellers verify their place of address submitted on the Covid-19 passenger locator form .
Follow-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not respond to the text , ” the Department said in a statement .
“ If they are not available at the first call , further attempts may be made to contact each passenger who is in scope for follow up calls.
” During November over 30,000 arrivals verified their address via text .
A further 27,000 follow-up phone calls were attempted with contact made in 11,054 cases .
“ Address verification was completed for 79 per cent of passengers in scope for these follow up engagements , ” the Department said @

Figures obtained by Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall show that from November 30th to December 6th, 25,636 correctly completed locator forms were submitted of which 2,490 were successfully followed up by phone, a rate of 9.7 per cent. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Less than 10 per cent of Covid-19 passenger locator forms filled out by those entering the country in the first week of December were successfully followed up by phone call, figures show.
The forms are required in order to confirm people’s location in the country to assist with any necessary contact tracing.
Once here, people are initially contacted via text message and, when they do not respond, are supposed to receive a phone call.
Hospital Report
Figures obtained by Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall show that from November 30th to December 6th, 25,636 correctly completed locator forms were submitted of which 2,490 were successfully followed up by phone, a rate of 9.7 per cent.
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During that week, 23,552 people arrived into the country by air and just over 11,000 came in and out of the country by boat (arrival specific figures are unavailable).
“We have a situation where less than 10 per cent of the passenger locator forms are being followed up successfully with phone calls,” Ms Shortall said.
“If we don’t have vigilant monitoring of incoming passengers, it is hard to see how we can control our borders to prevent the importation of the virus and the new strain. We have never had proper monitoring since the pandemic began, and yet again we have mixed messaging about testing and self-isolation for people travelling.”
The same data shows that through the three main airports, 128,039 people arrived between October 26th and December 6th, and 43,861 people moving in and out by boat.
In the same period, 128,118 forms were correctly filled out while 16,742 were either incorrect, ineligible or invalid.
During that time, there were 40,080 calls, 16,439 or which (41 per cent) were successful. There were also almost 47,000 text messages.
Exemptions
In response to queries on traffic and passenger follow-ups, the Department of Health focused on November during which it said more than 99,600 forms were submitted.
Several categories of traveller are exempt including those transiting directly on to Northern Ireland.
“Address verification is completed by sending an interactive text message requesting that travellers verify their place of address submitted on the Covid-19 passenger locator form. Follow-up phone calls are made to those that do not respond to the text,” the Department said in a statement.
“If they are not available at the first call, further attempts may be made to contact each passenger who is in scope for follow up calls.”
During November over 30,000 arrivals verified their address via text. A further 27,000 follow-up phone calls were attempted with contact made in 11,054 cases. “Address verification was completed for 79 per cent of passengers in scope for these follow up engagements,” the Department said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-23--New visa to allow UK nationals bring non-EEA family to State

A new preclearance/visa scheme is being introduced to ensure that non-EEA family members of UK nationals seeking to move to the Republic next year can join them .
Announcing the new scheme , Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that after the Brexit transition period ends on December 31st , UK nationals who wish to move to the State and bring their non-EEA family members will no longer be eligible under the European Union freedom-of-movement directive .
“ To ensure an alternative pathway is in place immediately following the UK withdrawal from the EU , the preclearance scheme will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 , ” she said .
The European Economic Area , abbreviated as EEA , consists of EU member states and three countries of the European Free Trade Association : Iceland , Liechtenstein and Norway .
A Department of Justice statement said UK citizens would continue to enjoy existing arrangements under the Common Travel Area including the freedom to live and work in the State after the transition period following the UK ’ s exit from the EU ends later this month .
Under the new arrangements UK nationals will then be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to join them in Ireland .
Applications are only required from those planning to stay in the State for longer than three months .
The scheme applies to both visa and non-visa required non-EEA nationals .
Eligible non-EEA citizens can apply , before travelling to Ireland , for permission to live in the State and , once secured , they will be able to travel and live in the Republic with their UK national family member .
Only the spouse , civil partner or “ de-facto partner ” of the UK nationals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dependent parents will be eligible to apply .
Someone will be deemed a de-facto partner if they “ have cohabited in a relationship akin to marriage for a minimum period of two years ” prior to their application .
Providing more detail on the new arrangements , Ms McEntee said : “ This scheme only applies where the UK citizen has come to live in Ireland after December 31st , 2020 , or , if living in Ireland before December 31st , 2020 , is not a beneficiary of the citizens ’ rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Kingdom and European Union .
“ If they are living in Ireland on or before that date they , and their eligible non-EEA family members living with them , will in most cases be a beneficiary under the withdrawal agreement .
The non-EEA family members can simply replace their current residence permission granted under EU law with a domestic permission under the terms of the withdrawal agreement.
” The policy document released by the department said successful applicants ’ initial permission would be granted for a 12-month period .
“ Permissions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be renewed after the first year , on a Stamp 4D basis , for a further two- year period and thereafter on a three-year basis , ” it said .
The policy document sets out the eligibility criteria for the scheme and how to apply .
Applications can be made online from January 1st .

A new preclearance/visa scheme is being introduced to ensure that non-EEA family members of UK nationals seeking to move to the Republic next year can join them.
Announcing the new scheme, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that after the Brexit transition period ends on December 31st, UK nationals who wish to move to the State and bring their non-EEA family members will no longer be eligible under the European Union freedom-of-movement directive.
“To ensure an alternative pathway is in place immediately following the UK withdrawal from the EU, the preclearance scheme will be open for applications from January 1st, 2021,” she said.
The European Economic Area, abbreviated as EEA, consists of EU member states and three countries of the European Free Trade Association: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
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A Department of Justice statement said UK citizens would continue to enjoy existing arrangements under the Common Travel Area including the freedom to live and work in the State after the transition period following the UK’s exit from the EU ends later this month.
Under the new arrangements UK nationals will then be able to sponsor their eligible non-EEA family members to join them in Ireland.
Applications are only required from those planning to stay in the State for longer than three months. The scheme applies to both visa and non-visa required non-EEA nationals.
Eligible non-EEA citizens can apply, before travelling to Ireland, for permission to live in the State and, once secured, they will be able to travel and live in the Republic with their UK national family member.
Only the spouse, civil partner or “de-facto partner” of the UK nationals and either partner’s dependent children or dependent parents will be eligible to apply. Someone will be deemed a de-facto partner if they “have cohabited in a relationship akin to marriage for a minimum period of two years” prior to their application.
Eligibility
Providing more detail on the new arrangements, Ms McEntee said: "This scheme only applies where the UK citizen has come to live in Ireland after December 31st, 2020, or, if living in Ireland before December 31st, 2020, is not a beneficiary of the citizens' rights provisions under the withdrawal agreement between the United Kingdom and European Union.
“If they are living in Ireland on or before that date they, and their eligible non-EEA family members living with them, will in most cases be a beneficiary under the withdrawal agreement. The non-EEA family members can simply replace their current residence permission granted under EU law with a domestic permission under the terms of the withdrawal agreement.”
The policy document released by the department said successful applicants’ initial permission would be granted for a 12-month period. “Permissions to reside are regarded as temporary but may be renewed after the first year, on a Stamp 4D basis, for a further two- year period and thereafter on a three-year basis,” it said.
The policy document sets out the eligibility criteria for the scheme and how to apply. Applications can be made online from January 1st.


theirishtimes--2020-12-23--More than 3% pay rise recommended for management-grade nurses

An expert review body has recommended a pay increase of 3.28 per cent for nurses in management grades , it has been confirmed .
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation ( INMO ) told members on Wednesday that it had now been advised officially of the proposal by the review body .
It said the recommendation would be considered by its executive council in January along with the proposed new public service pay agreement which provides for a 1 per cent rise in October 2021 and another in October 2022 , as well as a new mechanism for sectoral bargaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of State employees .
The proposed increases for more senior grade nurses stem from a process established to deal , in part , with the fallout from the settlement of a strike in 2019 .
This saw the establishment of new , enhanced nurse contracts , with higher salaries for thousands of staff nurses and midwives .
On foot of this settlement , nurses in more senior positions sought higher pay to restore the difference between their salaries and those applying to lower-level posts that existed prior to the strike in 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday that the initial work of the expert group was to establish the “ quantum of difference ” to be applied to all grades of nurse/midwifery manager above the newly established grade of enhanced nurse/midwife .
“ Put simply , it looked at how much managerial pay should be increased , to be in line with the increases staff nurses and midwives got following the strike.
” The Irish Times reported in mid-December that the expert group was expected to propose that the salaries of nurses in these higher grades would need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent to restore the pay differential .
The proposed increases are expected to be considered as part of a new sectoral bargaining process for different parts of the public service which is envisaged under the new public service agreement .
The Government has earmarked about €237 million overall under this proposed sectoral bargaining process to deal with awards and claims involving personnel within the various parts of the public service , including health , local authorities , justice , the Civil Service and defence .

An expert review body has recommended a pay increase of 3.28 per cent for nurses in management grades. Photograph: Getty Images
An expert review body has recommended a pay increase of 3.28 per cent for nurses in management grades, it has been confirmed.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) told members on Wednesday that it had now been advised officially of the proposal by the review body.
It said the recommendation would be considered by its executive council in January along with the proposed new public service pay agreement which provides for a 1 per cent rise in October 2021 and another in October 2022, as well as a new mechanism for sectoral bargaining to deal with issues involving particular groups of State employees.
The proposed increases for more senior grade nurses stem from a process established to deal, in part, with the fallout from the settlement of a strike in 2019. This saw the establishment of new, enhanced nurse contracts, with higher salaries for thousands of staff nurses and midwives.
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On foot of this settlement, nurses in more senior positions sought higher pay to restore the difference between their salaries and those applying to lower-level posts that existed prior to the strike in 2019.
‘Quantum of difference’
The INMO told members in a bulletin on Wednesday that the initial work of the expert group was to establish the “quantum of difference” to be applied to all grades of nurse/midwifery manager above the newly established grade of enhanced nurse/midwife.
“Put simply, it looked at how much managerial pay should be increased, to be in line with the increases staff nurses and midwives got following the strike.”
The Irish Times reported in mid-December that the expert group was expected to propose that the salaries of nurses in these higher grades would need to increase by just over 3 per cent to restore the pay differential.
The proposed increases are expected to be considered as part of a new sectoral bargaining process for different parts of the public service which is envisaged under the new public service agreement.
The Government has earmarked about €237 million overall under this proposed sectoral bargaining process to deal with awards and claims involving personnel within the various parts of the public service, including health, local authorities, justice, the Civil Service and defence.


theirishtimes--2020-12-23--Choice between ‘Brexit Britain and new Ireland’ never starker, says O’Neill

The choice between “ Brexit Britain and a new Ireland ” has never been starker , the Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill has stated in marking the centenary of the Government of Ireland Act .
The December 23rd , 1920 Act created the legal conditions for the partition of Ireland .
“ The socio-economic , political and cultural consequences of the forced partition of Ireland , as a result of the Government of Ireland Act , continue to reverberate to this day .
Partition has failed all the people of this island , ” said Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state repression were the lived experience of nationalists and republicans in the northern state for successive generations , ” she added .
“ The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 revoked the Government of Ireland Act and has provided a peaceful democratic pathway to Irish unity , ” she said .
Ms O ’ Neill predicted that a united Ireland would happen “ during this decade of opportunity , where the freedom to choose our own future will be decided by the people on this island alone ” .
“ It is time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and national reconciliation must be at the heart of this transformational process , ” she said .
“ A new national dialogue has already begun about future constitutional change .
The Irish Government should accept its responsibility to facilitate that discourse.
” Added Ms O ’ Neill , “ The choice between a narrow , inward-looking vision of Brexit Britain or the open inclusive vision of a New Ireland has never been more stark .
“ It is time to work towards a new future beyond partition , to the creation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reconciliation and respect for all .
”

Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill: ‘Partition has failed all the people of this island.’ Photograph: Sinn Féin/PA Wire
The choice between "Brexit Britain and a new Ireland" has never been starker, the Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill has stated in marking the centenary of the Government of Ireland Act.
The December 23rd, 1920 Act created the legal conditions for the partition of Ireland.
“The socio-economic, political and cultural consequences of the forced partition of Ireland, as a result of the Government of Ireland Act, continue to reverberate to this day. Partition has failed all the people of this island,” said Ms O’Neill.
“Discrimination and state repression were the lived experience of nationalists and republicans in the northern state for successive generations,” she added.
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“The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 revoked the Government of Ireland Act and has provided a peaceful democratic pathway to Irish unity,” she said.
Ms O’Neill predicted that a united Ireland would happen “during this decade of opportunity, where the freedom to choose our own future will be decided by the people on this island alone”.
“It is time to begin a planned transition to Irish reunification, and national reconciliation must be at the heart of this transformational process,” she said.
"A new national dialogue has already begun about future constitutional change. The Irish Government should accept its responsibility to facilitate that discourse."
Added Ms O’Neill, “The choice between a narrow, inward-looking vision of Brexit Britain or the open inclusive vision of a New Ireland has never been more stark.
“It is time to work towards a new future beyond partition, to the creation of a new Ireland built on equality, reconciliation and respect for all.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-23--District Court president appointed to Circuit Court

The president of the District Court , Judge Colin Daly , has been nominated by the Government for appointment as a judge of the Circuit Court .
He has been nominated to fill a vacancy which arose following the retirement of Judge Gerald Keys in May last .
The decision on the nomination was taken by the Government on Tuesday , after which the decision was formally conveyed to President Michael D Higgins .
Judges are appointed by the President , on the advice of the Government .
The Government ’ s decision was made under section 17 of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which provides that where the Government proposes to nominate a service judge to a post , the provision of the law requiring the submission of suitable candidates by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board , for consideration , does not apply .
Judge Daly is a former managing solicitor of the Northside Community Law Centre in Dublin , and also a former director of the Northside Partnership in Coolock .
Educated at Queen ’ s University , Belfast , Judge Daly was appointed to the District Court in 2012 , and appointed president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latter role he has had a high profile since the beginning of the pandemic , because of the continuing role played by the District Court in relation to family law and domestic violence matters .

Judge Colin Daly was nominated by the Government for appointment as a judge of the Circuit Court. Photograph: Collins Courts
The president of the District Court, Judge Colin Daly, has been nominated by the Government for appointment as a judge of the Circuit Court.
He has been nominated to fill a vacancy which arose following the retirement of Judge Gerald Keys in May last.
The decision on the nomination was taken by the Government on Tuesday, after which the decision was formally conveyed to President Michael D Higgins.
Judges are appointed by the President, on the advice of the Government.
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The Government’s decision was made under section 17 of the Court and Court Officers Act 1995, which provides that where the Government proposes to nominate a service judge to a post, the provision of the law requiring the submission of suitable candidates by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, for consideration, does not apply.
High profile
Judge Daly is a former managing solicitor of the Northside Community Law Centre in Dublin, and also a former director of the Northside Partnership in Coolock.
Educated at Queen’s University, Belfast, Judge Daly was appointed to the District Court in 2012, and appointed president of the District Court last year.
In the latter role he has had a high profile since the beginning of the pandemic, because of the continuing role played by the District Court in relation to family law and domestic violence matters.


theirishtimes--2020-12-23--Bono captured essence of Christmas on Late Late Show, says bishop

Ireland ’ s newest and youngest Catholic bishop has quoted from the gospel according to Bono , in his first Christmas message this week .
The only Catholic bishop consecrated on the island of Ireland since the Covid-19 pandemic began , Bishop Paul Dempsey of Achonry ( 49 ) was installed at the Cathedral of the Annunciation and St Nathy , Ballaghaderreen , Co Roscommon on August 30th .
He recalled hearing “ an eminent medical person on the radio last week raising concerns about the rising number of Covid cases .
He suggested Christmas should be postponed until spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the health and wellbeing of people .
However , it illustrates that for many , Christmas has become a mere holiday period rather than the celebration of Christ ’ s birth.
” In contrast , Bishop Dempsey recalled hearing the U2 frontman interviewed at the end of the last Late Late Show of the year , where Irish musicians came together to raise funds for the Simon Community .
“ He posed a basic , but very important question , ‘ What is this Christmas thing about ?
’ ” Bishop Dempsey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carol service one year and “ he received an insight into the heart of Christmas ” when thinking of the child born in straw .
He quoted the singer as saying : “ If you believe this story , which I do , of unknowable power expressed as utter powerlessness , it really struck me .
The divinity of people who are vulnerable and poor , that is what Christmas is about , it ’ s not about anything else ’ .
” Bishop Dempsey said that “ personally , I found it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s fame , name the essence of what Christmas is truly about , something , in my opinion , which has been notably absent in recent times ” .
Meanwhile , the Church of Ireland has produced choral tracks of carols for churches to use in services over the Christmas period as “ live ” choral singing is not allowed by pandemic restrictions .
The downloadable recordings of carols and anthems are available at churchmusicdublin.org .

Bishop Dempsey said that ‘personally, I found it refreshing to hear someone with Bono’s fame, name the essence of what Christmas is truly about.’ Photograph: Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty
Ireland’s newest and youngest Catholic bishop has quoted from the gospel according to Bono, in his first Christmas message this week.
The only Catholic bishop consecrated on the island of Ireland since the Covid-19 pandemic began, Bishop Paul Dempsey of Achonry (49) was installed at the Cathedral of the Annunciation and St Nathy, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon on August 30th.
He recalled hearing “an eminent medical person on the radio last week raising concerns about the rising number of Covid cases. He suggested Christmas should be postponed until spring. As a medic his first concern is the health and wellbeing of people. However, it illustrates that for many, Christmas has become a mere holiday period rather than the celebration of Christ’s birth.”
In contrast, Bishop Dempsey recalled hearing the U2 frontman interviewed at the end of the last Late Late Show of the year, where Irish musicians came together to raise funds for the Simon Community. "He posed a basic, but very important question, 'What is this Christmas thing about?'"
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Vulnerable
Bishop Dempsey said Bono recalled deeply listening at a carol service one year and “he received an insight into the heart of Christmas” when thinking of the child born in straw. He quoted the singer as saying: “If you believe this story, which I do, of unknowable power expressed as utter powerlessness, it really struck me. The divinity of people who are vulnerable and poor, that is what Christmas is about, it’s not about anything else’.”
Bishop Dempsey said that “personally, I found it refreshing to hear someone with Bono’s fame, name the essence of what Christmas is truly about, something, in my opinion, which has been notably absent in recent times”.
Meanwhile, the Church of Ireland has produced choral tracks of carols for churches to use in services over the Christmas period as "live" choral singing is not allowed by pandemic restrictions.
The downloadable recordings of carols and anthems are available at churchmusicdublin.org.


theirishtimes--2020-12-23--Climate activist charged with trespassing at TCD to spend Christmas in jail

A Dublin-based postgraduate student turned climate protester , Ronan Browne , will spend Christmas in jail after refusing to comply with bail conditions .
He was before Dublin District Court on Monday on charges of trespass ; failure to comply with the directions of a garda , and a separate case of alleged criminal damage at Trinity College Dublin relating to graffiti painted on campus property .
Mr Browne ( 30 ) , who is from Galway , is a member of a small group known as System Change Ireland ( SCI ) , which has been mounting a campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It advocates non-violent protest to highlight the failure to respond adequately to the climate crisis and the need for a new economic system .
Over the past six months , he has been repeatedly warned by gardaí to desist from protest actions in the college .
The group alleges Trinity College Dublin is contributing to “ climate genocide ” .
The college has declined to comment on the case .
A SCI spokesman , Zac Lumley , told The Irish Times that Mr Browne would be in Cloverhill Prison for two weeks following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Monday ’ s court hearing .
He said the activist had mixed feelings about that .
The dissonance between the scale of climate crisis and lack of political action “ weighs heavily on him ” , Mr Lumley added , but Mr Browne felt good as he believed his detention was a tangible way of highlighting the issue .
Mr Browne is an economics graduate from NUI Galway and was studying for a master ’ s degree in education in Trinity but had taken leave to work full-time in activism , Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought a meeting with Trinity ’ s provost to discuss the college ’ s role in responding to the climate and ecological crises facing the world , to no avail .
It also wanted to set up a university assembly to consider these issues , modelled on the Citizens ’ Assembly , in which students , academics and non-academic staff would participate .
This is with a view to having a referendum on an agreed way forward .
“ As such , Ronan entered the university grounds with the intention of speaking with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they could plan to support , encourage and prepare their students , staff and alumni for a peaceful and proportionate stand to protect life on Earth , ” Mr Lumley added .
After two activists were arrested for spraying graffiti on the wall outside of Trinity ’ s Sports Centre during the summer , Mr Browne told college newspaper Trinity News : “ Trinity need to put their research into practice .
Trinity knows that our climate , economic and social systems are in a state of severe crisis , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to blame.
” The group has affiliations with other climate organisations in Ireland , and groups at the University of Oxford and University College London , which were demanding that scientists go beyond warning about climate disruption and “ do their moral duty ” by actively supporting non-violent action to address it , Mr Lumley said .

A Dublin-based postgraduate student turned climate protester, Ronan Browne, will spend Christmas in jail after refusing to comply with bail conditions.
He was before Dublin District Court on Monday on charges of trespass; failure to comply with the directions of a garda, and a separate case of alleged criminal damage at Trinity College Dublin relating to graffiti painted on campus property.
Mr Browne (30), who is from Galway, is a member of a small group known as System Change Ireland (SCI), which has been mounting a campaign called Mobilise Peace in recent months. It advocates non-violent protest to highlight the failure to respond adequately to the climate crisis and the need for a new economic system.
Over the past six months, he has been repeatedly warned by gardaí to desist from protest actions in the college. The group alleges Trinity College Dublin is contributing to “climate genocide”. The college has declined to comment on the case.
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A SCI spokesman, Zac Lumley, told The Irish Times that Mr Browne would be in Cloverhill Prison for two weeks following his refusal to accept bail conditions at a Monday's court hearing.
He said the activist had mixed feelings about that. The dissonance between the scale of climate crisis and lack of political action “weighs heavily on him”, Mr Lumley added, but Mr Browne felt good as he believed his detention was a tangible way of highlighting the issue.
Economics graduate
Mr Browne is an economics graduate from NUI Galway and was studying for a master's degree in education in Trinity but had taken leave to work full-time in activism, Mr Lumley confirmed.
The group had repeatedly sought a meeting with Trinity’s provost to discuss the college’s role in responding to the climate and ecological crises facing the world, to no avail.
It also wanted to set up a university assembly to consider these issues, modelled on the Citizens’ Assembly, in which students, academics and non-academic staff would participate. This is with a view to having a referendum on an agreed way forward.
“As such, Ronan entered the university grounds with the intention of speaking with the provost in good faith. There, they could plan to support, encourage and prepare their students, staff and alumni for a peaceful and proportionate stand to protect life on Earth,” Mr Lumley added.
After two activists were arrested for spraying graffiti on the wall outside of Trinity’s Sports Centre during the summer, Mr Browne told college newspaper Trinity News: “Trinity need to put their research into practice. Trinity knows that our climate, economic and social systems are in a state of severe crisis, and that our specific form of economic system is to blame.”
The group has affiliations with other climate organisations in Ireland, and groups at the University of Oxford and University College London, which were demanding that scientists go beyond warning about climate disruption and "do their moral duty" by actively supporting non-violent action to address it, Mr Lumley said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-23--Fishermen severely burned by ‘fireball’ on sinking boat

Two fishermen were severely burned when they were engulfed by a fireball while trying to deal with a blaze onboard their sinking ship last March .
The men were rescued by the Coastguard shortly after abandoning the FV Kayleigh , a 13m fishing vessel , based out of Skibbereen , Co Cork , according to a report from the Marine Casualty Investigation Board ( MCIB ) .
The boat is presumed to have sunk some time later .
According to the MCIB , the fire likely started in the engine room .
The skipper heard the smoke alarm go off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he spotted a fire on the starboard side of the engine .
He shut the engine compartment hatch in an effort to starve the blaze of oxygen before he and the other crew member gathered fire extinguishers to fight the fire .
They opened the hatch to the engine room but “ in the heat of the moment ” forgot the guideline to keep as low as possible .
“ The skipper stated that when he opened the hatch a fireball immediately erupted out through the opening and engulfed the two crewmembers resulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arms and heads .
Their hair was on fire , ” the MCIB said .
“ While both crewmembers suffered burns the skipper ’ s burns were worse due his closer proximity to the opened hatch and fireball.
” After recovering their senses , the crew abandoned the vessel in a life raft and were rescued by Castletownbere Lifeboat which had responded to their mayday .
They were then airlifted to hospital for treatment .
The empty vessel was tracked by the LÉ James Joyce .
The next morning a Coastguard helicopter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only locate an oil slick , indicating the Kayleigh had sank .
The MCBI made several recommendations following its investigation , including strengthened safety inspection regulations and that boat owners be reminded of the mandatory requirement for smoke alarms in engine rooms .

The men were rescued by the Coastguard shortly after abandoning the FV Kayleigh, based out of Skibbereen, Co Cork. Photograph: Irish Coast Guard / PA
Two fishermen were severely burned when they were engulfed by a fireball while trying to deal with a blaze onboard their sinking ship last March.
The men were rescued by the Coastguard shortly after abandoning the FV Kayleigh, a 13m fishing vessel, based out of Skibbereen, Co Cork, according to a report from the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB). The boat is presumed to have sunk some time later.
According to the MCIB, the fire likely started in the engine room. The skipper heard the smoke alarm go off sometime after 10pm on March 3rd before he spotted a fire on the starboard side of the engine.
He shut the engine compartment hatch in an effort to starve the blaze of oxygen before he and the other crew member gathered fire extinguishers to fight the fire.
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They opened the hatch to the engine room but “in the heat of the moment” forgot the guideline to keep as low as possible.
Burns
“The skipper stated that when he opened the hatch a fireball immediately erupted out through the opening and engulfed the two crewmembers resulting in burns to both their upper bodies, arms and heads. Their hair was on fire,” the MCIB said.
“While both crewmembers suffered burns the skipper’s burns were worse due his closer proximity to the opened hatch and fireball.”
After recovering their senses, the crew abandoned the vessel in a life raft and were rescued by Castletownbere Lifeboat which had responded to their mayday. They were then airlifted to hospital for treatment.
The empty vessel was tracked by the LÉ James Joyce. The next morning a Coastguard helicopter was sent to find it but could only locate an oil slick, indicating the Kayleigh had sank.
The MCBI made several recommendations following its investigation, including strengthened safety inspection regulations and that boat owners be reminded of the mandatory requirement for smoke alarms in engine rooms.


theirishtimes--2020-12-23--Higgins commends ‘self-sacrifice’ shown during pandemic

President Michael D Higgins has commended the “ great expression of generosity ” and self-sacrifice shown during the coronavirus pandemic this year .
In his Christmas message Mr Higgins said the “ compassion , care and empathy ” extended to vulnerable groups would in particular “ define how history will recall these times ” and he asked that the nation would continue to move forward in a spirit of solidarity next year .
“ What a year we have had , a year in which we have lost so many to this pandemic and during which the lives of so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utterly as we made our shared efforts to protect each other , ” he said .
“ In 2020 , as we came together to meet the challenge of a global pandemic , we were called on to undertake a demanding adjustment to our way of life , one that has required considerable resilience , self-sacrifice and compassion from us all.
” It was “ gratifying ” , he said , to see the “ great expression of generosity that has been demonstrated throughout this difficult time ” .
He highlighted the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , neighbours and family members , all doing their utmost to lessen the isolation and disruption that this year has brought ” .
Redoubling the effort to suppress the virus was an act of citizenship , he said .
“ When we reflect on our recent experiences this Christmas , this spirit of solidarity can be our guiding light as we proceed onwards towards a new year that will offer us our challenges but which we can approach with hope as a result of what we have been doing together .
“ Working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as it impinges on our lives , requires the best of us all .
We need not only to speak the language of citizenship , but to deliver it and to share it , as we encourage each other to have a vision of the light that will surely come if we work as one , renewing and redoubling our efforts to suppress the coronavirus.
” The impact of Covid-19 has been greatly magnified for vulnerable groups and “ kindness is a precious commodity ” he said .
“ May I suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we extend to such groups will define how history will recall these times.
” Throughout the year there had been “ so many examples of good citizens ” placing the common good above their own wants , making sacrifices as they think beyond the self in the protection of others , he said .
“ The Christmas story of a journey to Bethlehem is a founding story of a long and difficult journey , and is invoked as the source of a new dawn and the birth of a new and better world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moment of hope , and the revival of hope , a moment to find encouragement , even in the most difficult and trying of circumstances.
” Mr Higgins also reflected on the loss of life and the pain of those whose lives had been changed , and those who had experienced isolation .
“ We also remember , this year , in a special way , the many who have been unable to travel to be with loved ones but who , I know , will be connected in spirit during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brighter future through reflection on what was of value , he said .
“ Let us , however , continue to journey forward in a spirit of hope and solidarity .
As we stand at a defining moment in our nation ’ s history , let us choose together how we wish to write this next chapter ; how we wish to shape a new Ireland waiting to be born .
“ It is an Ireland which can be the better for our reflection on what it is that we wish to value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our shared existence , our shared vulnerability and our interdependence , all of our relationships .
”

President Michael D. Higgins has praised the generosity and self-sacrifice of the people of Ireland throughout a Covid-hit 2020 during his annual Christmas and new year address. Video: Áras an Uachtaráin
President Michael D Higgins has commended the "great expression of generosity" and self-sacrifice shown during the coronavirus pandemic this year.
In his Christmas message Mr Higgins said the “compassion, care and empathy” extended to vulnerable groups would in particular “define how history will recall these times” and he asked that the nation would continue to move forward in a spirit of solidarity next year.
“What a year we have had, a year in which we have lost so many to this pandemic and during which the lives of so many of our people have been changed utterly as we made our shared efforts to protect each other,” he said.
“In 2020, as we came together to meet the challenge of a global pandemic, we were called on to undertake a demanding adjustment to our way of life, one that has required considerable resilience, self-sacrifice and compassion from us all.”
READ MORE
It was “gratifying”, he said, to see the “great expression of generosity that has been demonstrated throughout this difficult time”.
He highlighted the “self-sacrifice on the part of essential workers, neighbours and family members, all doing their utmost to lessen the isolation and disruption that this year has brought”.
Redoubling the effort to suppress the virus was an act of citizenship, he said.
“When we reflect on our recent experiences this Christmas, this spirit of solidarity can be our guiding light as we proceed onwards towards a new year that will offer us our challenges but which we can approach with hope as a result of what we have been doing together.
“Working together on this project of controlling Covid-19, as it impinges on our lives, requires the best of us all. We need not only to speak the language of citizenship, but to deliver it and to share it, as we encourage each other to have a vision of the light that will surely come if we work as one, renewing and redoubling our efforts to suppress the coronavirus.”
Good citizens
The impact of Covid-19 has been greatly magnified for vulnerable groups and “kindness is a precious commodity” he said.
“May I suggest that the compassion, care and empathy we extend to such groups will define how history will recall these times.”
Throughout the year there had been “so many examples of good citizens” placing the common good above their own wants, making sacrifices as they think beyond the self in the protection of others, he said.
“The Christmas story of a journey to Bethlehem is a founding story of a long and difficult journey, and is invoked as the source of a new dawn and the birth of a new and better world for all. Christmas has always signified a moment of hope, and the revival of hope, a moment to find encouragement, even in the most difficult and trying of circumstances.”
Mr Higgins also reflected on the loss of life and the pain of those whose lives had been changed, and those who had experienced isolation.
‘Hope and solidarity’
“We also remember, this year, in a special way, the many who have been unable to travel to be with loved ones but who, I know, will be connected in spirit during the festive season.”
Ireland could have a brighter future through reflection on what was of value, he said.
“Let us, however, continue to journey forward in a spirit of hope and solidarity. As we stand at a defining moment in our nation’s history, let us choose together how we wish to write this next chapter; how we wish to shape a new Ireland waiting to be born.
“It is an Ireland which can be the better for our reflection on what it is that we wish to value, an Ireland that can better address our shared existence, our shared vulnerability and our interdependence, all of our relationships.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-23--Government advised to bring in full six-week Level 5 lockdown with closure of non-essential retail

Public health officials have advised the Government to institute a full Level 5 lockdown for six weeks from St Stephen ’ s Day , which would entail a closure of non-essential retail .
Government sources confirmed that the recommendation had been made in a letter sent by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) following its meeting on Wednesday , but indicated that a decision would not be taken immediately .
Under published Level 5 plans from the Government , such a move would rule out visits to private homes or gardens from Saturday , however this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later on January 1st .
The Government made the decision on Tuesday morning to keep non-essential retail open after Christmas , although the hospitality sector will close at 3pm on Thursday .
It comes as preliminary data showed the presence of the new UK variant of coronavirus in the State , Dr Cillian de Gascun of the National Virus Reference Laboratory has said .
News about the strain of the virus , which is thought to be far more infectious , being present in the State came as 938 further cases and 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prof de Gascun told a Nphet briefing that monitoring of samples taken last weekend suggested the variant may be present in around 10 per cent of the swabs analysed , but that this needed further validation through whole genome sequencing .
“ It ’ s probable that those results will reflect the presence of the UK variant , ” he said .
However , senior members of Nphet said on Wednesday night that they did not believe the UK variant is currently substantially driving infection here .
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of December , “ the level of social contact that has happened , in particular around hospitality , has led to a very significant increase in the transmission of this infection.
” Despite the presence of the UK variant , he said : “ We don ’ t think that ’ s been an important part of transmission in this country , we ’ ve seen a significant amount of social engagement that can explain this extent of really worrying numbers.
” “ We don ’ t believe at this point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s widespread transmission occurring with this new variant at this point in time , ” he said .
Dr de Gascun said the results suggested that the variant is likely concentrated in the east of the country , and agreed that it was unlikely to be the main factor in the increase in cases .
“ Given the timing , it probably wouldn ’ t in and of itself account for the significant increase in case numbers that we found , ” he said .
He estimated that the UK variant had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of December , at least , and may have been introduced in late November .
He said he would be surprised if it were the main driver of infection in the State .
Based on the UK experience , the prevalence of the variant in Ireland “ may be on the way up ” .
“ Every indicator of the disease is rising and rising rapidly .
Our level of concern continues to escalate .
We must do all we can individually and collectively to change the course of this disease , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holohan said “ every form of discretionary socialisation really has to stop if we ’ re to have a chance of suppressing this kind of level of transmission ” .
He said there was a “ clear temporal association ” between the opening of hospitality and a very significant increase in the spread of the disease .
Prof Nolan said the relaxation of December 1st caused an increase in cases , but the relaxation of restrictions on hospitality “ coincides with a very rapid acceleration in the level of disease ” .
Asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitality settings , Dr Ronan Glynn , the deputy chief medical officer said that of 7,000 cases in the last fortnight , the source of infection was unknown in 3,000 cases .
The briefing heard that instances of transmission that occurred in hospitality settings are likely to be recorded sometimes as being managed in family homes , due to how contact tracing takes place .
There were 938 new cases and 13 further deaths reported .
Of these 300 are in Dublin , 110 in Cork , 72 in Limerick , 68 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining 347 cases are spread across 21 other counties .
Asked about the reopening of schools in January , Dr Holohan said “ we are not raising any issue about that at this point in time ” .
However , citing previous closure of healthcare and the impact on nursing homes he warned that high levels of community transmission “ represent a risk to all the things that happen in society ” .
“ It ’ s very difficult to assure and protect and prevent infection getting into every part of society and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We now have a level of disease in the population that ’ s simply not in control , we have to re-establish control of this infection , drive down the levels if we ’ re going to continue to assure ourselves that we cam maintain these essential public services.
” Modelling presented at the briefing showed a rapidly deteriorating situation as the country prepares for Christmas , with the average cases having more doubled in a week to 713 per day .
The third wave , chair pf Nphet ’ s epidemiological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is rising as rapidly as the first in March , and is present in all age cohorts .
“ Very worryingly , we have seen an increase in the number of people in hospital , ” he said .
Meanwhile , the level of positive tests being returned continues to rise with 20,000 tests done on Tuesday with a positivity of 5.2 per cent .
He pointed out that during the second wave , it took 17 days to grow from 300 cases per day to 800 on average , which had taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 .
However , this is higher among samples taken from the community , with around six per cent of tests positive .
He said that in some GP practices that are part of the State ’ s sentinel network , set up to monitor the spread of disease , the positivity rate was up to 10 per cent .
“ This very significant increase in cases , exponential increase in cases that we ’ ve been seeing over this very short period of time is accelerating very rapidly indeed.
” He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher than in the rest of the country , and that the incidence of the disease has doubled , or more , in age groups of 65 or more , he said .
There is an increase in the numbers of people in hospital “ very early ” , Prof Nolan said , compared to the most recent wave .
“ The disease is spread evenly across the population this time around , and that means hospitalisations are occurring earlier , ” he said .
“ The disease has risen rapidly and across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ It ’ s looking more like the pattern of the first wave back in March.
” The current estimate of the R number , which measures how rapidly the disease is spreading , is between 1.5 and 1.8 .
While this is likely to reduce , Prof Nolan said that even if it is brought down to close to 1.0 , “ we will unfortunately be looking at around 1,000 cases constantly well into the New Year.
” If it at 1.2 , it will likely be around 2,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing at a rate of seven to nine per cent per day .
Aside from spikes which led to localised lockdowns in Kildare , Laois and Offaly during the summer , he said this was the highest growth rate that has been reported since March .
Similarly , the R number has not been this high since April , he said , while the number of close contacts per confirmed case is also growing across all age groups .
At an R of 1.4 , he said there would be an average of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and 1,600 cases by January 18 th .
If it can be forced down to 1.1 , the daily case numbers on those dates will be 1,000 and 1,200 respectively , he said .
However , he said that he does not anticipate that the current measures will be successful at bringing the R number down below 1 , suggesting that more stringent measures will be needed to suppress growth .
“ I ’ m not confident that they will , ” he said .
“ Given the nature of the measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not confident that they alone are sufficient , particularly given where we ’ re starting from.
” “ We have a collective problem here , we ’ re being hit very hard by a rapidly escalating and rapidly transmitting virus , ” he said .
“ We expect to see a very significant number of cases , and unfortunately , hospitalisations in the coming weeks and there is predicted a very significant strain on our health services as a consequence.
” “ We need to stay at home if possible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Earlier the head of Health Service Executive ( HSE ) warned the country is facing “ very serious and dangerous ” levels of Covid-19 spread , which threatens to have a “ major impact ” on the hospital system .
Paul Reid , HSE chief executive , said health officials were now as concerned as they had been at the start of the pandemic in March .
Dr Colm Henry , HSE chief clinical officer , said recent days had seen “ extraordinary growth in infection beyond what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predicted.
” “ We are deteriorating at a more rapid pace , in seven days , than any other country in Europe , ” he said .
The rate at which the virus was spreading had reached a “ frightening level , ” he said .

Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan, siad every form of discretionary socialisation really has to stop if we’re to have a chance of suppressing this kind of level of transmission. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
Public health officials have advised the Government to institute a full Level 5 lockdown for six weeks from St Stephen’s Day, which would entail a closure of non-essential retail.
Government sources confirmed that the recommendation had been made in a letter sent by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) following its meeting on Wednesday, but indicated that a decision would not be taken immediately.
Under published Level 5 plans from the Government, such a move would rule out visits to private homes or gardens from Saturday, however this was due to be the case a week later on January 1st.
The Government made the decision on Tuesday morning to keep non-essential retail open after Christmas, although the hospitality sector will close at 3pm on Thursday.
READ MORE
It comes as preliminary data showed the presence of the new UK variant of coronavirus in the State, Dr Cillian de Gascun of the National Virus Reference Laboratory has said.
News about the strain of the virus, which is thought to be far more infectious, being present in the State came as 938 further cases and 13 more deaths were reported by Nphet.
Prof de Gascun told a Nphet briefing that monitoring of samples taken last weekend suggested the variant may be present in around 10 per cent of the swabs analysed, but that this needed further validation through whole genome sequencing.
“It’s probable that those results will reflect the presence of the UK variant,” he said.
However, senior members of Nphet said on Wednesday night that they did not believe the UK variant is currently substantially driving infection here.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said that since restrictions were changed at the beginning of December, “the level of social contact that has happened, in particular around hospitality, has led to a very significant increase in the transmission of this infection.”
Despite the presence of the UK variant, he said: “We don’t think that’s been an important part of transmission in this country, we’ve seen a significant amount of social engagement that can explain this extent of really worrying numbers.”
“We don’t believe at this point that we have evidence that there’s widespread transmission occurring with this new variant at this point in time,” he said.
Dr de Gascun said the results suggested that the variant is likely concentrated in the east of the country, and agreed that it was unlikely to be the main factor in the increase in cases.
“Given the timing, it probably wouldn’t in and of itself account for the significant increase in case numbers that we found,” he said. He estimated that the UK variant had been in the country since the second week of December, at least, and may have been introduced in late November. He said he would be surprised if it were the main driver of infection in the State. Based on the UK experience, the prevalence of the variant in Ireland “may be on the way up”.
“Every indicator of the disease is rising and rising rapidly. Our level of concern continues to escalate. We must do all we can individually and collectively to change the course of this disease,” the chief medical officer said.
Socialisation
Dr Holohan said “every form of discretionary socialisation really has to stop if we’re to have a chance of suppressing this kind of level of transmission”. He said there was a “clear temporal association” between the opening of hospitality and a very significant increase in the spread of the disease.
Prof Nolan said the relaxation of December 1st caused an increase in cases, but the relaxation of restrictions on hospitality “coincides with a very rapid acceleration in the level of disease”.
Asked why data does not reflect outbreaks in hospitality settings, Dr Ronan Glynn, the deputy chief medical officer said that of 7,000 cases in the last fortnight, the source of infection was unknown in 3,000 cases. The briefing heard that instances of transmission that occurred in hospitality settings are likely to be recorded sometimes as being managed in family homes, due to how contact tracing takes place.
There were 938 new cases and 13 further deaths reported. Of these 300 are in Dublin, 110 in Cork, 72 in Limerick, 68 in Donegal, 41 in Kildare and the remaining 347 cases are spread across 21 other counties.
School reopening
Asked about the reopening of schools in January, Dr Holohan said “we are not raising any issue about that at this point in time”. However, citing previous closure of healthcare and the impact on nursing homes he warned that high levels of community transmission “represent a risk to all the things that happen in society”.
“It’s very difficult to assure and protect and prevent infection getting into every part of society and the economy,” he said.
“We now have a level of disease in the population that’s simply not in control, we have to re-establish control of this infection, drive down the levels if we’re going to continue to assure ourselves that we cam maintain these essential public services.”
Modelling presented at the briefing showed a rapidly deteriorating situation as the country prepares for Christmas, with the average cases having more doubled in a week to 713 per day. The third wave, chair pf Nphet’s epidemiological advisory group Prof Philip Nolan said, is rising as rapidly as the first in March, and is present in all age cohorts. “Very worryingly, we have seen an increase in the number of people in hospital,” he said.
Meanwhile, the level of positive tests being returned continues to rise with 20,000 tests done on Tuesday with a positivity of 5.2 per cent. He pointed out that during the second wave, it took 17 days to grow from 300 cases per day to 800 on average, which had taken place in just eight days from December 15. However, this is higher among samples taken from the community, with around six per cent of tests positive. He said that in some GP practices that are part of the State’s sentinel network, set up to monitor the spread of disease, the positivity rate was up to 10 per cent.
“This very significant increase in cases, exponential increase in cases that we’ve been seeing over this very short period of time is accelerating very rapidly indeed.” He said the growth rate in Dublin may be higher than in the rest of the country, and that the incidence of the disease has doubled, or more, in age groups of 65 or more, he said.
Hospital cases
There is an increase in the numbers of people in hospital “very early”, Prof Nolan said, compared to the most recent wave. “The disease is spread evenly across the population this time around, and that means hospitalisations are occurring earlier,” he said.
“The disease has risen rapidly and across all parts of the population,” he said. “It’s looking more like the pattern of the first wave back in March.” The current estimate of the R number, which measures how rapidly the disease is spreading, is between 1.5 and 1.8.
While this is likely to reduce, Prof Nolan said that even if it is brought down to close to 1.0, “we will unfortunately be looking at around 1,000 cases constantly well into the New Year.” If it at 1.2, it will likely be around 2,000 cases during February. The virus is growing at a rate of seven to nine per cent per day. Aside from spikes which led to localised lockdowns in Kildare, Laois and Offaly during the summer, he said this was the highest growth rate that has been reported since March.
Similarly, the R number has not been this high since April, he said, while the number of close contacts per confirmed case is also growing across all age groups.
At an R of 1.4, he said there would be an average of 1,100 cases per day by January 4, and 1,600 cases by January 18 th. If it can be forced down to 1.1, the daily case numbers on those dates will be 1,000 and 1,200 respectively, he said.
However, he said that he does not anticipate that the current measures will be successful at bringing the R number down below 1, suggesting that more stringent measures will be needed to suppress growth. “I’m not confident that they will,” he said. “Given the nature of the measures and our experience to date, I’m not confident that they alone are sufficient, particularly given where we’re starting from.”
“We have a collective problem here, we’re being hit very hard by a rapidly escalating and rapidly transmitting virus,” he said.
“We expect to see a very significant number of cases, and unfortunately, hospitalisations in the coming weeks and there is predicted a very significant strain on our health services as a consequence.”
“We need to stay at home if possible, we need to revise our Christmas plans,” he said.
HSE warning
Earlier the head of Health Service Executive (HSE) warned the country is facing "very serious and dangerous" levels of Covid-19 spread, which threatens to have a "major impact" on the hospital system.
Paul Reid, HSE chief executive, said health officials were now as concerned as they had been at the start of the pandemic in March.
Dr Colm Henry, HSE chief clinical officer, said recent days had seen "extraordinary growth in infection beyond what our extreme versions of modelling would have predicted."
"We are deteriorating at a more rapid pace, in seven days, than any other country in Europe, " he said. The rate at which the virus was spreading had reached a "frightening level," he said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-23--No white Christmas but it could be frosty for Santa, says Met Éireann

Dreaming of a white Christmas ?
Well , prepare to be disappointed , as Met Éireann forecasts dry and settled weather for much of the festive season .
Emer Flood , Met Éireann forecaster , said Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are going to be “ quite settled ” .
“ Christmas Eve is going to be the best day over the Christmas period .
You ’ re going to see a lot of sunshine .
It won ’ t be completely dry everywhere , there will be a few light , isolated showers , mainly in West Ulster and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light , ” she said .
“ It will be quite cold , between 4 and 7 degrees , but there won ’ t be that wind chill .
Generally dry and bright in many places , becoming a bit cloudier ... over the northern half of the country.
” She said Christmas Eve night is going to be “ quite cold ” , with lows of -2 degrees .
“ It could be quite a frosty night , ” she added , for Santa ’ s travels .
The weather will become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before growing very unsettled on St Stephen ’ s Day .
“ It will be mostly dry again ( on Christmas Day ) with some showers in western coastal counties .
However , as clouds thicken , there will be more rain and drizzle coming in towards nightfall , ” Ms Flood said .
“ Then , unfortunately , turning much more unsettled ... it will become quite windy , the wind strengthening throughout the day ( Dec 26th ) .
There will be showers in the morning with heavy rain in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s night.
” However , for those wanting to see snow this Christmas , Ms Flood said there “ may be wintery showers later in the weekend ” .
“ The weekend is going to stay unsettled , and then we ’ re going to get into the cold weather in the beginning of next week , with cold showery conditions , ” she said .
“ It does mean there is kind of an opportunity there for more wintery showers , maybe sleet and snow on high ground on Sunday into Monday @ @

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Well, prepare to be disappointed, as Met Éireann forecasts dry and settled weather for much of the festive season.
Emer Flood, Met Éireann forecaster, said Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are going to be "quite settled".
"Christmas Eve is going to be the best day over the Christmas period. You're going to see a lot of sunshine. It won't be completely dry everywhere, there will be a few light, isolated showers, mainly in West Ulster and Connacht, but the wind will be light," she said.
“It will be quite cold, between 4 and 7 degrees, but there won’t be that wind chill. Generally dry and bright in many places, becoming a bit cloudier... over the northern half of the country.”
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She said Christmas Eve night is going to be “quite cold”, with lows of -2 degrees. “It could be quite a frosty night,” she added, for Santa’s travels.
The weather will become slightly more cloudy on Christmas morning, before growing very unsettled on St Stephen’s Day.
"It will be mostly dry again (on Christmas Day) with some showers in western coastal counties. However, as clouds thicken, there will be more rain and drizzle coming in towards nightfall," Ms Flood said.
“Then, unfortunately, turning much more unsettled ... it will become quite windy, the wind strengthening throughout the day (Dec 26th). There will be showers in the morning with heavy rain in the afternoon becoming widespread during St Stephen’s night.”
However, for those wanting to see snow this Christmas, Ms Flood said there “may be wintery showers later in the weekend”.
“The weekend is going to stay unsettled, and then we’re going to get into the cold weather in the beginning of next week, with cold showery conditions,”she said.
“It does mean there is kind of an opportunity there for more wintery showers, maybe sleet and snow on high ground on Sunday into Monday.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-23--Prisoners decline Christmas temporary release due to Covid fears

Many prisoners refused to apply for Christmas temporary release this year due to the prevalence of Covid-19 in the community .
Overall the numbers receiving the traditional temporary release over the Christmas period are a fraction of previous years .
Just 36 prisoners will be released- about one per cent of the prison population .
Last year 113 were released .
In 2018 and 2017 , 137 and 142 were released respectively .
In a statement , the Irish Prison Service ( IPS ) said the reduced numbers receiving temporary release is a result of several factors , including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduced pool of eligible prisoners.
” Prison populations are lower this year , due in part to lower crime levels and a reduced workload in the criminal courts as a result of the pandemic .
Other schemes , such as the Community Return and Community Support schemes , have also been used extensively throughout the year to reduce the numbers in prison and help reduce the risk of Covid-19 within the country ’ s 12 facilities .
As well as these factors , there were a reduced number of applications for Christmas Temporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of contracting Covid-19 whilst in the community , ” it said .
Around 22 confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the prison system to date .
The IPS said the majority of these cases involved people becoming infected in the community before entering prison .
No deaths have been confirmed .
There have been more than 81,000 cases of Covid-19 in the general population and 2,171 deaths .
The periods of release being granted to the 36 prisoners vary from just a few hours to six nights .
“ All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any offender who breaks these conditions may be arrested and returned immediately to prison by the Gardaí , ” the IPS said .
Many of these prisoners are nearing the end of their sentences .
The IPS said the overriding concern when considering release is public safety .
Compassionate and humane considerations , along with the gravity of the prisoner ’ s offence and their behaviour in custody are also taken into account .
Another reason for the low numbers taking up temporary release may be the strict conditions involved this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the public health guidelines while on release .
When they return to prison they will have to quarantine for 14 days or until they test negative for the virus .
Those remaining in prison over the Christmas are to be allowed one physical visit .
It will be the first time in almost four months they have seen family or loved ones in person .
Each visit will last 15 minutes and could involve a maximum of two visitors – two adults or one adult and one child .
Family members and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face masks while prisoners and their visitors will also be separated by clear screens in a bid to prevent any transmission of infection .
No physical contact between prisoners and visitors will be permitted and no packages or cash will be accepted in prison reception areas for prisoners , which is a departure from normal arrangements .

Tthe Irish Prison Service (IPS) said the reduced numbers receiving temporary release is a result of several factors, including a reduced prison population “leading to a reduced pool of eligible prisoners.” Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Many prisoners refused to apply for Christmas temporary release this year due to the prevalence of Covid-19 in the community.
Overall the numbers receiving the traditional temporary release over the Christmas period are a fraction of previous years. Just 36 prisoners will be released- about one per cent of the prison population. Last year 113 were released. In 2018 and 2017, 137 and 142 were released respectively.
In a statement, the Irish Prison Service (IPS) said the reduced numbers receiving temporary release is a result of several factors, including a reduced prison population “leading to a reduced pool of eligible prisoners.”
Prison populations are lower this year, due in part to lower crime levels and a reduced workload in the criminal courts as a result of the pandemic.
READ MORE
Other schemes, such as the Community Return and Community Support schemes, have also been used extensively throughout the year to reduce the numbers in prison and help reduce the risk of Covid-19 within the country’s 12 facilities.
As well as these factors, there were a reduced number of applications for Christmas Temporary release from prisoners “due to the risk of contracting Covid-19 whilst in the community,” it said.
Around 22 confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the prison system to date. The IPS said the majority of these cases involved people becoming infected in the community before entering prison. No deaths have been confirmed.
There have been more than 81,000 cases of Covid-19 in the general population and 2,171 deaths.
The periods of release being granted to the 36 prisoners vary from just a few hours to six nights. “All releases are subject to stringent conditions and any offender who breaks these conditions may be arrested and returned immediately to prison by the Gardaí,” the IPS said.
Many of these prisoners are nearing the end of their sentences. The IPS said the overriding concern when considering release is public safety. Compassionate and humane considerations, along with the gravity of the prisoner’s offence and their behaviour in custody are also taken into account.
Another reason for the low numbers taking up temporary release may be the strict conditions involved this year. Prisoners will be obliged to strictly abide by the public health guidelines while on release. When they return to prison they will have to quarantine for 14 days or until they test negative for the virus.
Those remaining in prison over the Christmas are to be allowed one physical visit. It will be the first time in almost four months they have seen family or loved ones in person.
Each visit will last 15 minutes and could involve a maximum of two visitors – two adults or one adult and one child. Family members and prisoners will all be required to wear face masks while prisoners and their visitors will also be separated by clear screens in a bid to prevent any transmission of infection.
No physical contact between prisoners and visitors will be permitted and no packages or cash will be accepted in prison reception areas for prisoners, which is a departure from normal arrangements.


theirishtimes--2020-12-24--Yellow wind warning for Stephen’s Day as Storm Bella due

A Status Yellow wind warning is due to come into force early on St Stephen ’ s Day as Storm Bella pushes in from the north .
Met Éireann ’ s warning for Connacht and Counties Donegal , Clare , Cork , Kerry and Limerick will be active from midday on Saturday until 6am on Sunday .
There is no weather warning for counties in the east of the country .
A combination of strong winds , high waves and storm surge brings a risk of coastal flooding , according to the meteorological service .
Wind speeds of up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 110km per hour .
Met Éireann meteorologist Paul Downes said : “ Storm Bella will push down from the north on Saturday .
Winds will pick up in the afternoon , evening and into the night.
” The forecaster said the strongest winds will be felt around the western and southern coasts .
“ We will be monitoring the situation over the next few days to see if it [ the warning ] needs to be updated , ” he added .
Storm Bella is due to bring strong winds to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where an Amber warning has been issued by the UK Met Office .
A Yellow weather warning has been issued for the rest of England and Wales , as well as parts of Scotland .
No weather warnings are in place for Ireland on Thursday evening , although widespread frost and some icy patches are predicted for overnight , with clear skies enabling a smooth ride for Santa Claus and his reindeer .
The frost and ice is expected to clear on Christmas morning , to leave the bulk of the country “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sunny spells ” , Met Éireann predicts .
During the evening , patches of rain will move in from the Atlantic to affect northwestern counties .

Waves crash against the pier wall on Thursday, Christmas Eve, at Tynemouth on the northeast coast of England. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
A Status Yellow wind warning is due to come into force early on St Stephen’s Day as Storm Bella pushes in from the north.
Met Éireann's warning for Connacht and Counties Donegal, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick will be active from midday on Saturday until 6am on Sunday. There is no weather warning for counties in the east of the country.
A combination of strong winds, high waves and storm surge brings a risk of coastal flooding, according to the meteorological service. Wind speeds of up to 65km per hour could bring gusts of up to 110km per hour.
Wind Warning issued
Status: Yellow
Location: Connacht, Donegal, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick
Valid: Midday Saturday 26th December to 6am Sunday 27th December
For the full warning please see https://t.co/7GMd5ICVx2 or our Android and IOS apps. pic.twitter.com/ywElkXgsmd — Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 24, 2020 Dreaming of a white Christmas? Well, prepare to be disappointed, as Met Éireann forecasts dry and settled weather for much of the festive season.https://t.co/kgx4a4uCHT — The Irish Times (@IrishTimes) December 23, 2020
Met Éireann meteorologist Paul Downes said: "Storm Bella will push down from the north on Saturday. Winds will pick up in the afternoon, evening and into the night."
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The forecaster said the strongest winds will be felt around the western and southern coasts. “We will be monitoring the situation over the next few days to see if it [the warning] needs to be updated,” he added.
Amber warning
Storm Bella is due to bring strong winds to Wales and parts of southern England, where an Amber warning has been issued by the UK Met Office. A Yellow weather warning has been issued for the rest of England and Wales, as well as parts of Scotland.
No weather warnings are in place for Ireland on Thursday evening, although widespread frost and some icy patches are predicted for overnight, with clear skies enabling a smooth ride for Santa Claus and his reindeer.
The frost and ice is expected to clear on Christmas morning, to leave the bulk of the country “dry with a mix of cloud and sunny spells”, Met Éireann predicts. During the evening, patches of rain will move in from the Atlantic to affect northwestern counties.


theirishtimes--2020-12-24--Concern in North over effect of new Covid variant as people urged to be very careful

Concern has been expressed around the potential effect of a new variant strain of coronavirus spreading in Northern Ireland .
The first positive case of the new strain in the region was confirmed on Wednesday .
Chief scientific officer Prof Ian Young said he is “ very concerned ” about the new variant because it is transmitted more easily .
Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill urged people to be very careful over Christmas week and follow new lockdown restrictions which will apply from St Stephen ’ s Day .
Prof Young warned if the variant becomes the dominant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 1.8 .
“ At the moment R is probably sitting between 1 and 1.2 , and if we had the variant form and we were all behaving in the same way , R would be closer to 1.6 and 1.8 , and that would have severe consequences , ” he told BBC Radio Ulster ’ s Stephen Nolan Show .
Prof Young said if the variant becomes the dominant form , it would be very unlikely that schools could be kept open .
He said he does not believe that at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form ” in Northern Ireland , but said he is confident there is a small number of cases .
“ This particular variant does appear to be significantly different than many of the others which have been in circulation , it has a number of different mutations or changes to its genetic material and those affect the structure of some of the key parts of the virus .
As a result it is highly likely that the virus is transmitted more easily than the form of the virus that we have been used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more easily transmitted , ” he said .
“ We don ’ t think it causes a more severe disease .
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and we are reasonably confident that it will still respond to the vaccine and that the vaccine will protect against this variant form.
” The Stormont Executive issued guidance earlier this week in response to the emergence of the variant , which recommends against any non-essential travel between Northern Ireland and both the Republic and Great Britain .
The executive also agreed to advise anyone arriving in Northern Ireland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours , to isolate for 10 days .
It applies to anyone who has arrived since December 22nd .
Meanwhile , Northern Ireland is set to enter a new lockdown on St Stephen ’ s Day , of which the first week will be the toughest so far imposed in the region .
A stay-at-home curfew will be in place from 8pm to 6am for that week .
Prof Young urged the public to adhere to the restrictions .
“ At the moment I think it ( the variant ) is only circulating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can do to prevent it becoming the dominant strain is for everybody in the next six weeks to adhere really strictly to the mitigations and restrictions that are in place , ” he said .
“ That gives us the best opportunity of preventing this variant form from becoming established until vaccination begins to take significant effect in our population.
” Ms O ’ Neill urged the public to follow the new lockdown regulations .
“ My appeal is for everyone to strictly follow the Covid regulations and the public health advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do over the Christmas period , ” she said.–PA

Northern Ireland is set to enter a new lockdown on St Stephen’s Day, of which the first week will be the toughest so far imposed in the region. File photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Concern has been expressed around the potential effect of a new variant strain of coronavirus spreading in Northern Ireland.
The first positive case of the new strain in the region was confirmed on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, 11 more people with Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health said on Thursday.
There have also been 841 new confirmed cases of the virus in the last 24-hour reporting period.
READ MORE
Chief scientific officer Prof Ian Young said he is "very concerned" about the new variant of Covid-19 because it is transmitted more easily.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill urged people to be very careful over Christmas week and follow new lockdown restrictions which will apply from St Stephen's Day.
Prof Young warned if the variant becomes the dominant form it could push the R rate up to 1.8.
"At the moment R is probably sitting between 1 and 1.2, and if we had the variant form and we were all behaving in the same way, R would be closer to 1.6 and 1.8, and that would have severe consequences," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Stephen Nolan Show.
Prof Young said if the variant becomes the dominant form, it would be very unlikely that schools could be kept open.
He said he does not believe that at present the variant is a “major form” in Northern Ireland, but said he is confident there is a small number of cases.
Significantly different
“This particular variant does appear to be significantly different than many of the others which have been in circulation, it has a number of different mutations or changes to its genetic material and those affect the structure of some of the key parts of the virus. As a result it is highly likely that the virus is transmitted more easily than the form of the virus that we have been used to, somewhere between 40-70 per cent more easily transmitted,” he said.
“We don’t think it causes a more severe disease . . . and we are reasonably confident that it will still respond to the vaccine and that the vaccine will protect against this variant form.”
The Stormont Executive issued guidance earlier this week in response to the emergence of the variant, which recommends against any non-essential travel between Northern Ireland and both the Republic and Great Britain .
The executive also agreed to advise anyone arriving in Northern Ireland, who is staying for more than 24 hours, to isolate for 10 days. It applies to anyone who has arrived since December 22nd.
Stay-at-home curfew
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland is set to enter a new lockdown on St Stephen’s Day, of which the first week will be the toughest so far imposed in the region.
A stay-at-home curfew will be in place from 8pm to 6am for that week.
Prof Young urged the public to adhere to the restrictions.
“At the moment I think it (the variant) is only circulating in fairly small amounts, and what we can do to prevent it becoming the dominant strain is for everybody in the next six weeks to adhere really strictly to the mitigations and restrictions that are in place,” he said.
“That gives us the best opportunity of preventing this variant form from becoming established until vaccination begins to take significant effect in our population.”
Ms O’Neill urged the public to follow the new lockdown regulations.
“My appeal is for everyone to strictly follow the Covid regulations and the public health advice and be very careful in all that we do over the Christmas period,” she said.–PA


theirishtimes--2020-12-24--Covid-19: Vaccine rollout in nursing homes to begin on January 11th

The nationwide rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine to nursing home residents and staff will commence on January 11th with more than 70,000 people expected to receive doses over a six-week period .
Under a draft timeline drawn up by the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) , seen by The Irish Times , the vaccination of residents in long-term care facilities would be completed by the middle of February .
In an email to members on Wednesday , Nursing Homes Ireland ( NHI ) said the HSE had confirmed the vaccine rollout “ will commence on a small scale from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January ” .
The nationwide rollout of the HSE ’ s plan to immunise care homes would begin on January 11th , it said .
“ The HSE School Vaccination Programme will be assisting with this and it is hoped that over 70,000 people will be offered the vaccine over a 6-week period , ” the correspondence said .
NHI represents private and not-for-profit nursing homes , which account for around 80 per cent of the country ’ s 589 nursing homes .
The first delivery of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will see 9,750 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Day , with a further 31,000 doses received a number of days afterwards .
The State then expects to receive around 40,000 doses of the vaccine each week in January and February , with first priority given to residents over the age of 65 in long-term residential care facilities .
Deaths in nursing homes have accounted for around half of the total fatalities from the virus in the State .
Under a draft timeline for the rollout , seventeen nursing homes will receive teams of vaccinators on Monday , 11th January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as working on the weekends under the draft HSE timeline .
Smaller nursing homes with 30 residents or less will require one team of four vaccinators , with all doses delivered in one day .
Larger facilities with more than 120 residents would take three days to deliver the vaccine .
Residents and staff will receive one dose of the vaccine , and then a second dose three weeks later .
Tadhg Daly , NHI chief executive , said the representative group had expected the vaccine rollout to nursing homes to start closer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home operators were “ ready to go ” to facilitate the immunisation programme earlier than January 11th , he said .
It was crucial that the vaccine was delivered “ safely and speedily ” to nursing home residents , he said .
“ We ’ re in the final leg , the vaccine is the good news on the horizon , ” he said .
Richard Byrne , operations manager of Ashford House Nursing Home , in Dún Laoghaire , south Co Dublin , was critical that the vaccination schedule did not start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the HSE was taking a “ 9 to 5 approach to the vaccine , ” with a full week being lost at the start of January .
While the need to train staff to deliver the vaccine was given as one reason for the 11th January start date , Mr Byrne said there was no reason training could not have been undertaken ahead of the drug receiving approval from the European Medicines Agency .
Ashford House is a 78-bed nursing home and has not had a confirmed Covid-19 case to date during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be 13 days of the vaccine sitting in freezers , essentially because it ’ s Christmas , ” he said .
“ This is all happening at a time when cases are rising … There could be lives lost due to this delay , ” he said .

A file image of the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in a fridge. The nationwide rollout of the vaccine to nursing home residents and staff in the State will commence on January 11th. Photograph: Getty
The nationwide rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine to nursing home residents and staff will commence on January 11th with more than 70,000 people expected to receive doses over a six-week period.
Under a draft timeline drawn up by the Health Service Executive (HSE), seen by The Irish Times, the vaccination of residents in long-term care facilities would be completed by the middle of February.
In an email to members on Wednesday, Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) said the HSE had confirmed the vaccine rollout "will commence on a small scale from the end of the first week in January".
The nationwide rollout of the HSE’s plan to immunise care homes would begin on January 11th, it said.
READ MORE
“The HSE School Vaccination Programme will be assisting with this and it is hoped that over 70,000 people will be offered the vaccine over a 6-week period,” the correspondence said.
NHI represents private and not-for-profit nursing homes, which account for around 80 per cent of the country’s 589 nursing homes.
The first delivery of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will see 9,750 doses arrive in Ireland on St Stephen’s Day, with a further 31,000 doses received a number of days afterwards.
The State then expects to receive around 40,000 doses of the vaccine each week in January and February, with first priority given to residents over the age of 65 in long-term residential care facilities.
Deaths in nursing homes have accounted for around half of the total fatalities from the virus in the State.
Under a draft timeline for the rollout, seventeen nursing homes will receive teams of vaccinators on Monday, 11th January.
The vaccinator teams are not listed as working on the weekends under the draft HSE timeline.
Smaller nursing homes with 30 residents or less will require one team of four vaccinators, with all doses delivered in one day. Larger facilities with more than 120 residents would take three days to deliver the vaccine.
Residents and staff will receive one dose of the vaccine, and then a second dose three weeks later.
Tadhg Daly, NHI chief executive, said the representative group had expected the vaccine rollout to nursing homes to start closer to the end of December.
Nursing home operators were “ready to go” to facilitate the immunisation programme earlier than January 11th, he said.
It was crucial that the vaccine was delivered “safely and speedily” to nursing home residents, he said. “We’re in the final leg, the vaccine is the good news on the horizon,” he said.
Richard Byrne, operations manager of Ashford House Nursing Home, in Dún Laoghaire, south Co Dublin, was critical that the vaccination schedule did not start earlier.
Mr Byrne said it appeared the HSE was taking a “9 to 5 approach to the vaccine,” with a full week being lost at the start of January.
While the need to train staff to deliver the vaccine was given as one reason for the 11th January start date, Mr Byrne said there was no reason training could not have been undertaken ahead of the drug receiving approval from the European Medicines Agency.
Ashford House is a 78-bed nursing home and has not had a confirmed Covid-19 case to date during the pandemic, he said.
“There would be 13 days of the vaccine sitting in freezers, essentially because it’s Christmas,” he said. “This is all happening at a time when cases are rising … There could be lives lost due to this delay,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-24--Santa letter found behind Cork chimney reunited with writer decades later

A 1960 letter to Santa found more than 30 years later behind a chimney in Cork is finally set to be reunited with the person who wrote it .
A chain of people have been involved in tracking down Yvonne Foley , who was only six or seven when she composed her Santa letter 60 years ago .
Builders Ger O ’ Brien and his friend Kevin Gregan , who has since died , were renovating a house on the Western Road in Cork in the late 1990s when they discovered the letter to Santa Claus in the blockwork behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was just absolutely fantastic .
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It was encrusted in really dark soot , ” Mr O ’ Brien told Cork 96FM ’ s The Opinion Line with PJ Coogan .
As a young girl , Ms Foley had asked Santa for a “ jar ” ( a hot-water bottle ) , a bottle for her doll , a stick with a balloon on it , a game of Ludo , and a Rolls Royce “ dinky ” , which is a miniature car .
Mr O ’ Brien said it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girl was looking for back in 1960 , as opposed to what kids are getting today ” .
In 2020 , the letter was rediscovered by Ryan Gregan , the young grandson of the late builder Kevin Gregan , in a diary at his grandparents ’ house .
Knowing the letter was special , Ryan brought it to school , and his principal Norma Whelton managed to track down Yvonne Foley through social media .
Speaking on air , Ms Foley thanked Ryan for handing in the letter , saying : “ Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found me.
” Noting the letter was dated November 1st , 1960 , she explained she was “ always very anxious writing my letter to Santa ” .
She recalled seeing her father “ stretch his hand up the chimney and put it up there .
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.All I knew was it was up the chimney and Santa would get it , ” she said .
Ms Foley said she suspects Santa Claus left the letter in the chimney on purpose for her to find years later : “ He works in such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Foley said she hopes to be reunited with the letter when public health restrictions are lifted .

‘All I knew was it was up the chimney and Santa would get it.’ Yvonne Foley said. photograph: iStock
A 1960 letter to Santa found more than 30 years later behind a chimney in Cork is finally set to be reunited with the person who wrote it.
A chain of people have been involved in tracking down Yvonne Foley, who was only six or seven when she composed her Santa letter 60 years ago.
Builders Ger O'Brien and his friend Kevin Gregan, who has since died, were renovating a house on the Western Road in Cork in the late 1990s when they discovered the letter to Santa Claus in the blockwork behind a chimney.
“We thought it was just absolutely fantastic . . . It was encrusted in really dark soot,” Mr O’Brien told Cork 96FM’s The Opinion Line with PJ Coogan.
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As a young girl, Ms Foley had asked Santa for a “jar” (a hot-water bottle), a bottle for her doll, a stick with a balloon on it, a game of Ludo, and a Rolls Royce “dinky”, which is a miniature car.
Mr O’Brien said it was interesting to compare “what that little girl was looking for back in 1960, as opposed to what kids are getting today”.
In 2020, the letter was rediscovered by Ryan Gregan, the young grandson of the late builder Kevin Gregan, in a diary at his grandparents’ house. Knowing the letter was special, Ryan brought it to school, and his principal Norma Whelton managed to track down Yvonne Foley through social media.
Speaking on air, Ms Foley thanked Ryan for handing in the letter, saying: “Your grandfather would be so delighted that you found me.”
Noting the letter was dated November 1st, 1960, she explained she was “always very anxious writing my letter to Santa”.
She recalled seeing her father “stretch his hand up the chimney and put it up there . . .All I knew was it was up the chimney and Santa would get it,” she said.
Ms Foley said she suspects Santa Claus left the letter in the chimney on purpose for her to find years later: “He works in such mysterious ways,” she added.
Ms Foley said she hopes to be reunited with the letter when public health restrictions are lifted.