theirishtimes--2020-10-03--Eight people injured as bus and car collide in Dublin city

Eight people have been injured , two of them seriously , in a collision between a bus and a car in Dublin city centre last night .
Two men – understood to be occupants of the bus – are in intensive care .
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has been informed as “ one of the vehicles involved had come to the attention of gardaí prior to the incident , ” gardaí said in a statement .
The collision happened on at the junction of Northumberland Road and Haddington Road in Ballsbridge at about 10.45pm .
After the collision the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a house where it knocked a tree which fell against a house .
It is unclear if the house was damaged .
The front of the bus is very severely damaged and most of the windows at the front of the first floor of the bus are blown out .
The bus and car were both still at the scene this morning .
The car appeared to have flipped onto its side after the collision .
Emergency services were swiftly on the scene and eight people were taken to hospital .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the scene .
The scene of the collision remains closed for a forensic examination and gardaí said diversions were likely to remain in place for much of Saturday .
Gardaí at Irishtown are appealing for witnesses to come forward , particularly anyone who has camera or dash-cam footage .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Irishtown Garda Station on 01 6669600 , the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 , or any Garda Station .

Eight people have been injured, two of them seriously, in a collision between a bus and a car in Dublin on Friday night. Two men – understood to be occupants of the car – are in intensive care. Video: Bryan O'Brien
Eight people have been injured, two of them seriously, in a collision between a bus and a car in Dublin city centre last night.
Two men – understood to be occupants of the bus – are in intensive care.
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has been informed as “one of the vehicles involved had come to the attention of gardaí prior to the incident,” gardaí said in a statement.
The collision happened on at the junction of Northumberland Road and Haddington Road in Ballsbridge at about 10.45pm.
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The scene of a crash between a Dublin Bus and a car at the junction of Northumberland Road and Haddington Road. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times
The car is seen on its side after the collision. Photograph: Polly Dennison /The Irish Times
After the collision the bus crashed into the front garden of a house where it knocked a tree which fell against a house.
It is unclear if the house was damaged.
The front of the bus is very severely damaged and most of the windows at the front of the first floor of the bus are blown out.
The bus and car were both still at the scene this morning. The car appeared to have flipped onto its side after the collision.
The Dublin bus involved in the crash, being removed from the scene. Photograph: Bryan O Brien/The Irish Times
Emergency services were swiftly on the scene and eight people were taken to hospital. It is understood others were treated for minor injuries at the scene.
The scene of the collision remains closed for a forensic examination and gardaí said diversions were likely to remain in place for much of Saturday.
Gardaí at Irishtown are appealing for witnesses to come forward, particularly anyone who has camera or dash-cam footage.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Irishtown Garda Station on 01 6669600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.


theirishtimes--2020-10-03--I found this beautiful spider on my tomato plant; what is it? Readers’ nature queries

I found this beautiful spider on our tomato plant ; what is it ?
– Jane Jackson , Greystones , Co Wicklow The cucurbit spider , which is one of the smallest of the web-building spiders .
I was walking my pup in Blackrock Park and I thought she was after a stick .
It turned out that there were hundreds of eels in the water and on the land .
– Gillian Hughes , Blackrock , Co Dublin It looks like the beginning of the eel migration to the Sargasso Sea .
In autumn mature eels leave freshwater and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In rivers they move downstream to the sea , but in a lake they may have to cross land to do so .
Eels can travel and live for several hours on land when it is damp , and usually at night .
I have never seen one of these before .
It was about 1½ inches long .
I think it ’ s a mantis .
Are they common in Ireland ?
– Denis Hickey , Little Island , Cork It ’ s the speckled bush cricket .
It is found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reported in several locations on the east and south coasts of Ireland .
This moth appeared at our window ; what kind is it and are there likely to be more of them ?
– Allie Wrixon , Baltimore , Co Cork The death ’ s head hawkmoth is a rare visitor from Mediterranean regions .
You were lucky to see one .
Could you put a name on this spider ?
He turned up in our kitchen .
– John Drinane , Swords , Co Dublin It ’ s Dicranopalpus ramosus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that spread from Mediterranean regions through western Europe into the UK in the last century , and into Ireland in the early years of this century .
It ’ s an arachnid but a different family to the spiders .
We caught this fish in a rock pool in Clare .
Is it a pipefish ?
– Ailís Trodd ( 5 ) , Stepaside , Dublin Yes , it ’ s the straight-nosed pipefish .
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn , Louisburgh , Co Mayo , F28 F978 , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please include a postal address .

I found this beautiful spider on our tomato plant; what is it? – Jane Jackson, Greystones, Co Wicklow
The cucurbit spider, which is one of the smallest of the web-building spiders.
Eel
I was walking my pup in Blackrock Park and I thought she was after a stick. It turned out that there were hundreds of eels in the water and on the land. – Gillian Hughes, Blackrock, Co Dublin
It looks like the beginning of the eel migration to the Sargasso Sea. In autumn mature eels leave freshwater and enter the sea to begin their journey. In rivers they move downstream to the sea, but in a lake they may have to cross land to do so. Eels can travel and live for several hours on land when it is damp, and usually at night.
Specked bush cricket
I have never seen one of these before. It was about 1½ inches long. I think it's a mantis. Are they common in Ireland? – Denis Hickey, Little Island, Cork
It's the speckled bush cricket. It is found where there is scrubby vegetation and has been reported in several locations on the east and south coasts of Ireland.
Death’s head hawkmoth
This moth appeared at our window; what kind is it and are there likely to be more of them? – Allie Wrixon, Baltimore, Co Cork
The death's head hawkmoth is a rare visitor from Mediterranean regions. You were lucky to see one.
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Dicranopalpus ramosus, an invasive alien species of harvestman. It’s an arachnid but a different family to the spiders.
Could you put a name on this spider? He turned up in our kitchen. – John Drinane, Swords, Co Dublin
It's Dicranopalpus ramosus, an invasive alien species of harvestman that spread from Mediterranean regions through western Europe into the UK in the last century, and into Ireland in the early years of this century. It's an arachnid but a different family to the spiders.
Straight-nosed pipefish
We caught this fish in a rock pool in Clare. Is it a pipefish? – Ailís Trodd (5), Stepaside, Dublin
Yes, it's the straight-nosed pipefish.
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, F28 F978, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address.


theirishtimes--2020-10-03--Another Life: The remarkable Dara McAnulty and his connection with nature

The first flowers of my life were sky-blue speedwell and scarlet pimpernel .
They grew among the mosses of the gravelled dustbin yard behind our “ dining rooms ” on the road from Brighton station to the sea .
They made a fingertips offering to my mother at the bubbling chip pans in the kitchen .
She was born among country flowers and made Christmas wine from dandelion blossoms .
I was sent up the hill with a bucket to a churchyard where they glowed among the tombs .
When wartime moved us to the white-cliff edge of town , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
I ransacked abandoned gardens for roses , climbed a cliff for clove-scented stocks , scoured the town dump for golden Californian poppies .
Later , on my bike , I rode out to the woods of the Weald for sheaves of bluebells , brought sagging over my handlebars .
I did not take flowers to school .
Nor would Dara McAnulty have dared do so – he was already different enough .
Now he has a school eco-group , waves banners for Extinction Rebellion and implores “ everyone I meet ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardens for dandelions , which he loves .
Dara , who is 16 and from Northern Ireland , is the author of Diary of a Young Naturalist ( Little Toller , £16 ) , his first book and winner of the notable Wainwright Prize .
Written with dazzling grace and passion , it warrants promotion as a classic , both of nature ’ s solace to the human spirit and as a rare and moving insight into autism .
He is one of a remarkable family , who live “ close as otters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mourne Mountains .
His biologist father works in conservation .
His mother , brother Lorcan and young sister Blathnaid all share in autism , mutually negotiating its tensions with the world .
Just as dandelions close when raindrops fall , Dara says , the bullying at school made him close himself off .
Mockery of his joy and enthusiasm for nature meant “ holding back and holding in ” .
He was constantly anxious and self-doubting and afraid of talking too much if he began .
A little of this comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a day-to-day oppression .
The natural world was his refuge .
When his dad brought home injured bats for nursing they shared the quietness of Dara ’ s bedroom .
He found their scratching comforting and slept well – something else he didn ’ t talk about at school .
Throughout this time , the McAnulty children and their mother ( a working-class graduate , like her husband ) joined in slow , late-evening walks and outings to forests and streams .
They found beetles , birds and butterflies and there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They were all fitted into their lives from a knowledgeable father and the picture books and field guides on the shelves .
A holiday cottage on Rathlin Island let Dara spend yet more hours watching birds .
“ When I ’ m sitting and watching , grown-ups usually ask if I ’ m okay .
Like it ’ s not okay just to sit and process the world , to figure things out and watch other species go about their day.
” A move from Fermanagh to Antrim brought a new school , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to celebrate whole weeks without bullying .
Soft “ code words ” from his mother helped Dara approach and feel safe with intimidating , noisy gatherings of people .
His steps from this to his bold public activism have been remarkable , urged on by a growing distress about human treatment of the natural world .
It needed new resources of energy and self-command , something he felt poured into him among the “ clouds and granite ” on the tops of the Mournes .
Braving times when a nervous sweat “ was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , he met MPs and government officials , bore placards in a school strike for climate and nature , spoke at teacher conferences and from campaign platforms ( once in Hyde Park ) .
He wrote articles , made radio programmes , was on TV with Chris Packham , and received awards .
Among them , he became the youngest-ever recipient of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds medal for conservation .
It was outside “ Dublin ’ s Dead Zoo ” at an Extinction Rebellion demo with banners and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebel .
A microphone launched him on “ declaring out loud , my anger rising .
.
.
It feels energised and raw ” .
Much of the power of his book , however , lies in its quieter pages , their month-by-month chronicle of exploration .
It chimes with a current discovery of nature , as months of lockdown sent parents and children into gardens and to hedges , often with camera phones poised for Eye on Nature .
Like the McAnultys , any family that sets out to explore the lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bound to invite a new and inspiring togetherness .

The first flowers of my life were sky-blue speedwell and scarlet pimpernel. They grew among the mosses of the gravelled dustbin yard behind our “dining rooms” on the road from Brighton station to the sea.
They made a fingertips offering to my mother at the bubbling chip pans in the kitchen. She was born among country flowers and made Christmas wine from dandelion blossoms. I was sent up the hill with a bucket to a churchyard where they glowed among the tombs.
When wartime moved us to the white-cliff edge of town, a passion for flowers sprang up in me. I ransacked abandoned gardens for roses, climbed a cliff for clove-scented stocks, scoured the town dump for golden Californian poppies. Later, on my bike, I rode out to the woods of the Weald for sheaves of bluebells, brought sagging over my handlebars.
I did not take flowers to school. Nor would Dara McAnulty have dared do so – he was already different enough. Now he has a school eco-group, waves banners for Extinction Rebellion and implores “everyone I meet” to leave a wild patch in their gardens for dandelions, which he loves.
READ MORE
Dazzling grace
Dara, who is 16 and from Northern Ireland, is the author of Diary of a Young Naturalist (Little Toller, £16), his first book and winner of the notable Wainwright Prize. Written with dazzling grace and passion, it warrants promotion as a classic, both of nature’s solace to the human spirit and as a rare and moving insight into autism.
He is one of a remarkable family, who live “close as otters” near Castlewellan at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. His biologist father works in conservation. His mother, brother Lorcan and young sister Blathnaid all share in autism, mutually negotiating its tensions with the world.
Just as dandelions close when raindrops fall, Dara says, the bullying at school made him close himself off. Mockery of his joy and enthusiasm for nature meant “holding back and holding in”. He was constantly anxious and self-doubting and afraid of talking too much if he began.
A little of this comes to many childhoods, but for Dara it was a day-to-day oppression. The natural world was his refuge. When his dad brought home injured bats for nursing they shared the quietness of Dara’s bedroom. He found their scratching comforting and slept well – something else he didn’t talk about at school.
Throughout this time, the McAnulty children and their mother (a working-class graduate, like her husband) joined in slow, late-evening walks and outings to forests and streams. They found beetles, birds and butterflies and there were feathers and shells to bring home. They were all fitted into their lives from a knowledgeable father and the picture books and field guides on the shelves.
A holiday cottage on Rathlin Island let Dara spend yet more hours watching birds. “When I’m sitting and watching, grown-ups usually ask if I’m okay. Like it’s not okay just to sit and process the world, to figure things out and watch other species go about their day.”
A move from Fermanagh to Antrim brought a new school, a first friend, and diary notes to celebrate whole weeks without bullying. Soft “code words” from his mother helped Dara approach and feel safe with intimidating, noisy gatherings of people.
Bold public activism
His steps from this to his bold public activism have been remarkable, urged on by a growing distress about human treatment of the natural world. It needed new resources of energy and self-command, something he felt poured into him among the “clouds and granite” on the tops of the Mournes.
Braving times when a nervous sweat “was dripping from my head into my shoes”, he met MPs and government officials, bore placards in a school strike for climate and nature, spoke at teacher conferences and from campaign platforms (once in Hyde Park). He wrote articles, made radio programmes, was on TV with Chris Packham, and received awards. Among them, he became the youngest-ever recipient of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds medal for conservation.
It was outside “Dublin’s Dead Zoo” at an Extinction Rebellion demo with banners and drums that Dara first felt like a rebel. A microphone launched him on “declaring out loud, my anger rising . . . It feels energised and raw”.
Much of the power of his book, however, lies in its quieter pages, their month-by-month chronicle of exploration. It chimes with a current discovery of nature, as months of lockdown sent parents and children into gardens and to hedges, often with camera phones poised for Eye on Nature.
Like the McAnultys, any family that sets out to explore the lives of other creatures in the world seems bound to invite a new and inspiring togetherness.


theirishtimes--2020-10-03--Hard times ahead unless Covid-19 policy is seriously revamped

The Government urgently needs to reboot its policy on tackling Covid-19 if a grim winter is to be avoided .
@ @ @ @ @ of controlling the transmission of the disease and cutting case numbers that continue to rise @ @ @ @ @

Instead of shutting things down, we need to let them to happen – restaurants and travel, for example – under strict rules. Controlled environments are good; uncontrolled ones are bad. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
The Government urgently needs to reboot its policy on tackling Covid-19 if a grim winter is to be avoided.
It faces an immediate problem of controlling the transmission of the disease and cutting case numbers that continue to rise despite weeks of restrictions.
There is also the longer-term challenge of crafting policies that keep the virus at bay after the current wave has been dealt with. Otherwise, we are doomed to a repeat cycle that sees cases rise every time restrictions are lifted.
Hospital Report
The environment in which it attempts to operate is becoming more difficult, with growing divisions in scientific opinion and the emergence of substantial groups of the population that are either indifferent to public health advice or antagonistic towards it.
READ MORE
The Government first needs to ensure transmission of the disease is reduced. Cases are still rising nearly everywhere; parts of Donegal have twice the incidence of Spain, Europe's worst-affected country.
This will almost certainly mean a rollover of existing restrictions, something that will not go down well with many people.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar is right to suggest there is more to the analysis of this situation than case numbers. Of the measures monitored by the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC), Ireland is stable for four – hospital admissions, ICU admissions, testing rates and the proportion of positive test results. Four are rising – case numbers, the proportion of cases among over-65s, hospital bed occupancy and ICU occupancy.
Crucial metrics
The health service has yet to publish projections of the number of hospital and ICU beds that will be needed for Covid-19 patients over the winter. These are crucial metrics that should inform our response to the virus over the coming weeks.
The ECDC figures tells us capacity is an issue in Irish hospitals, and that too many older people are being exposed to the virus. We need to get on with the provision of extra beds promised in the winter plan as quickly as possible and we need to be strict in ensuring the virus does not get into nursing homes.
We lost the summer, when transmission fell to low levels, in a fog of complacency and understandable weariness. Changes in people’s behaviour went undetected, testing was too slow and outbreaks in meat plants went unchecked for too long. Community transmission stayed too high even when case numbers fell. Workforce planning and a revamp of the testing service were placed on the long finger.
We are now playing catch-up at the same time as fire-fighting on cases. But there is still much Ireland can do to up its game and hold the disease in check. We are doing plenty of testing but the turnaround could still be faster. With the World Health Organisation last month giving the thumbs-up to antigen testing, we should be planning to put in place a high-volume system of rapid and cheap testing to complement the existing system.
Worst spreaders
Belatedly, we are investing more in retrospective investigation of cases and clusters. By going back to the causes of outbreaks we can learn more about high-risk environments, and do more to make them safer or rule them off-limits. We can also learn to identify the minority of infected people who spread most of the cases, and understand what gives rise to this version of the 80:20 rule.
Instead of shutting things down, we need to be allowing them to happen – restaurants and travel, for example – under strict rules. Controlled environments are good; uncontrolled ones are bad.
Why shouldn’t restaurants in Dublin reopen under strict rules and with prompt investigation of outbreaks should they occur? Surely the problem is with the alcohol on sale not the food? Did the delay in reopening “wet” pubs not push people into drinking in uncontrolled environments?
Now is the time to start planning for a proper resumption of overseas travel. That will need more testing and, at times for some travellers, a proper quarantine system.
We can simplify the rules on social gatherings, promote outdoor environments and, where that is not possible, encourage good ventilation in indoor settings. Penalties should be proportionate – a €2,500 fine for not wearing a mask is not – but they should also be enforced.
By providing clarity, consistency and hope, the Government can still plot a way out of our current predicament.


theirishtimes--2020-10-02--Passengers into Ireland not monitored over 14-day movement restriction, department says

Passengers arriving from abroad into Ireland are not being monitored to ensure compliance with advice to restrict movement for 14 days , the Department of Health has said .
The State introduced new electronic passenger locator forms for air and sea passengers in mid-August and set up a new call centre to contact passengers .
However , the department confirmed yesterday the 14-day travel restriction has the status of an advisory and is not mandatory .
This means follow-up calls to passengers can not be used to monitor if people are actually at the location they stated on their forms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 passenger locator forms were submitted , of which 121,230 were completed online .
Passengers were required to provide contact details as well as the address where they are staying for the following 14 days .
A total of 34,439 contacts were made by phone in this period , to about 20 per cent of all incoming passengers .
However , in response to a query , the department said the engagement with passengers was “ not conducted for the purpose of monitoring or enforcement of restricted movement ” .
It said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the address details on the form remain current ” .
The department said the main purpose of the form was to target public health messages to arriving passengers through SMS and email .
“ The form may also be used for the purpose of contact tracing ” if there is a suspected case on an airplane or ferry .
It said that more than 262,000 public health messages were sent by text in September .
Social Democrats co-leader Róisin Shortall said the authorities seemed to be seriously underestimating the cases associated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example this week where more than 30 cases of the virus originated with just one couple travelling .
“ With high numbers continuing to arrive into Ireland from non-green list countries , there would appear to be a good probability that they are bringing imported cases of the virus into the country which then spread throughout the community .
“ The news that the Department of Health is not interested in monitoring passengers ’ adherence to public health guidelines or enforcing restricted movements , as well as the fact that there are no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Without any idea of where people are going during the initial 14-day period , there is no way to trace the spread of cases related to foreign travel , ” she said .

Social Democrats co-leader Róisin Shortall says the authorities here seemed to be seriously underestimating the cases associated with travel. Photograph: Alan Betson
Passengers arriving from abroad into Ireland are not being monitored to ensure compliance with advice to restrict movement for 14 days, the Department of Health has said.
The State introduced new electronic passenger locator forms for air and sea passengers in mid-August and set up a new call centre to contact passengers.
However, the department confirmed yesterday the 14-day travel restriction has the status of an advisory and is not mandatory. This means follow-up calls to passengers cannot be used to monitor if people are actually at the location they stated on their forms
During the month of September, 186,769 Covid-19 passenger locator forms were submitted, of which 121,230 were completed online.
READ MORE
Address
Passengers were required to provide contact details as well as the address where they are staying for the following 14 days.
A total of 34,439 contacts were made by phone in this period, to about 20 per cent of all incoming passengers.
However, in response to a query, the department said the engagement with passengers was “not conducted for the purpose of monitoring or enforcement of restricted movement”.
It said the phone calls were made “to verify that the address details on the form remain current”.
Contact tracing
The department said the main purpose of the form was to target public health messages to arriving passengers through SMS and email. “The form may also be used for the purpose of contact tracing” if there is a suspected case on an airplane or ferry.
It said that more than 262,000 public health messages were sent by text in September.
Social Democrats co-leader Róisin Shortall said the authorities seemed to be seriously underestimating the cases associated with travel.
She said there was one example this week where more than 30 cases of the virus originated with just one couple travelling.
“With high numbers continuing to arrive into Ireland from non-green list countries, there would appear to be a good probability that they are bringing imported cases of the virus into the country which then spread throughout the community.
‘Quite shocking’
“The news that the Department of Health is not interested in monitoring passengers’ adherence to public health guidelines or enforcing restricted movements, as well as the fact that there are no testing requirements, is quite shocking.
“Without any idea of where people are going during the initial 14-day period, there is no way to trace the spread of cases related to foreign travel,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-10-03--Biker in his 60s dies after collision with car in Co Carlow

A male motorcyclist has died after a road collision in Co Carlow on Saturday afternoon .
Gardaí are investigating the @ @ @ @ @ and a car in the Mullawn area of Tullow , Co Carlow , at about @ @ @ @ @ a man ages in his 60s , was taken by air ambulance from the scene @ @ @ @ @ he has since died .
The driver of the car was uninjured .
A technical @ @ @ @ @ has taken place .
Gardaí are appealing for all those with information , particularly road @ @ @ @ @ dash-cam footage in the area , to contact them at Carlow Garda station on 059 @ @ @ @ @ Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 .

A critically injured biker, a man ages in his 60s, was taken by air ambulance from Tullow to Beaumont Hospital (above) on Saturday, where he has died. File photograph: Google Street View
A male motorcyclist has died after a road collision in Co Carlow on Saturday afternoon.
Gardaí are investigating the fatal crash involving a motorcycle and a car in the Mullawn area of Tullow, Co Carlow, at about 3:10pm.
The biker, a man ages in his 60s, was taken by air ambulance from the scene to Beaumont Hospital, where he has since died. The driver of the car was uninjured.
A technical examination of the crash location has taken place.
READ MORE
Gardaí are appealing for all those with information, particularly road users who may have collected dash-cam footage in the area, to contact them at Carlow Garda station on 059 913 6620 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.


theirishtimes--2020-10-03--Anti-mask campaigners hold sit-down protest on Grafton Street

Hundreds of anti-mask campaigners held a sit-down in the middle of Grafton Street on Saturday afternoon as part of a protest in Dublin city centre .
The protesters started with a rally outside the Custom House before marching to Grafton Street chanting “ no more lockdown ” and “ no more masks ” .
They also shouted at shoppers to “ take off your masks ” .
The Custom House protest had been arranged by an organisation called Health Freedom Ireland and was supported by Yellow Vest Ireland .
Both organisations are anti-mask , anti-lockdown and anti mandatory vaccinations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Andrew Wynne who said Covid-19 was not a deadly virus and people did not need to fear it .
In a statement , gardaí said protesters “ dispersed without incident ” after the Grafton Street sit-down .
It said it will investigate the organisation of the protest .
The statement added : “ In supporting the Covid-19 public health guidelines and regulations , An Garda Síochána has and will continue to adopt a graduated policing response based on its tradition of policing by consent .
“ Where potential breaches of the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a direction as to how to proceed .
”

Hundreds of protesters have gathered in Dublin City centre as part of an anti-government protest organised by a group called 'Yellow Vest Ireland'. Video: Nick Bradshaw
Hundreds of anti-mask campaigners held a sit-down in the middle of Grafton Street on Saturday afternoon as part of a protest in Dublin city centre.
The protesters started with a rally outside the Custom House before marching to Grafton Street chanting “no more lockdown” and “no more masks”.
They also shouted at shoppers to “take off your masks”.
Protesters seen at the Custom House in Dublin City centre. Photograph Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
The protest was organised by Health Freedom Ireland and Yellow Vest Ireland. Photograph Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
The Custom House protest had been arranged by an organisation called Health Freedom Ireland and was supported by Yellow Vest Ireland.
READ MORE
Both organisations are anti-mask, anti-lockdown and anti mandatory vaccinations.
Among the speakers at the protest was Dr Andrew Wynne who said Covid-19 was not a deadly virus and people did not need to fear it.
In a statement, gardaí said protesters “dispersed without incident” after the Grafton Street sit-down.
It said it will investigate the organisation of the protest.
The statement added: "In supporting the Covid-19 public health guidelines and regulations, An Garda Síochána has and will continue to adopt a graduated policing response based on its tradition of policing by consent.
"Where potential breaches of the public health regulations are identified, a file is submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a direction as to how to proceed."


theirishtimes--2020-10-03--More than 1,000 Covid-19 clusters linked to private homes in September

A review of Covid-19 cases and deaths for the month of September shows there were 7,598 cases and 24 deaths last month , according to the latest figures produced by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) .
It is the most cases recorded in a calendar month since April when there were 17,386 infections and more than 1,100 deaths .
The sharp increase in case numbers last month has seen the introduction of additional restrictions in Dublin , Donegal and all third level colleges and universities .
The figures from midnight on August 31st to midnight September 30th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ houses during the month and 122 in nursing home settings .
A total of 244 clusters in September were listed as “ other ” .
These include pubs , hotels , retail outlets , extended family gatherings , travel-related infections and community transmission where the source of the virus is unknown .
In the most vulnerable category of those over the age of 65 , there were 737 cases with 432 between the ages of 65 and 74 , 204 between the ages of 75 and 84 and 101 cases in the over-85s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 per cent of all new cases , a percentage that has remained stable over the last two months .
There were 891 cases in children under the age of 14 last month , the first full month in which schools were open since the lockdown .
There were 1,776 cases in those aged between 15 and 24 , 1,360 in those aged between 25 and 34 and 1,112 cases in those aged between 35 and 44 .
There were 1,454 new clusters in September of which 1,081 were in family homes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in workplaces , nine in hospitals and six in residential care .
The prevalence of the virus in family homes has prompted the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) to state that a maximum of six people from a single household should visit another house .
NPHET said people can continue to meet socially in other settings , but only with those from one other household .
Of the 24 deaths in September , one was aged between 25 and 34 , three between 45 and 54 , four between 55 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 74 , six between 75 and 84 and six too were over the age of 85 .
Six deaths were denotified during the month meaning that the cause of death was no longer linked to Covid-19 .
Last month 220 people with the virus were admitted to hospital and 28 into intensive care .
The mean age of those infected with Covid-19 dropped from 49 in August to 46 in September meaning the age profile of those who get the virus is continuing to fall .

A sharp rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in September resulted in additional restrictions in Dublin, Donegal and at third level. Liam McBurney/PA Wire
A review of Covid-19 cases and deaths for the month of September shows there were 7,598 cases and 24 deaths last month, according to the latest figures produced by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
It is the most cases recorded in a calendar month since April when there were 17,386 infections and more than 1,100 deaths.
The sharp increase in case numbers last month has seen the introduction of additional restrictions in Dublin, Donegal and all third level colleges and universities.
The figures from midnight on August 31st to midnight September 30th show more than 1,000 clusters in private houses during the month and 122 in nursing home settings.
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A total of 244 clusters in September were listed as “other”. These include pubs, hotels, retail outlets, extended family gatherings, travel-related infections and community transmission where the source of the virus is unknown.
In the most vulnerable category of those over the age of 65, there were 737 cases with 432 between the ages of 65 and 74, 204 between the ages of 75 and 84 and 101 cases in the over-85s.
The over-65s accounted for just under 10 per cent of all new cases, a percentage that has remained stable over the last two months.
There were 891 cases in children under the age of 14 last month, the first full month in which schools were open since the lockdown.
There were 1,776 cases in those aged between 15 and 24, 1,360 in those aged between 25 and 34 and 1,112 cases in those aged between 35 and 44.
There were 1,454 new clusters in September of which 1,081 were in family homes, 122 in nursing home settings, 71 in workplaces, nine in hospitals and six in residential care.
The prevalence of the virus in family homes has prompted the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to state that a maximum of six people from a single household should visit another house.
NPHET said people can continue to meet socially in other settings, but only with those from one other household.
Of the 24 deaths in September, one was aged between 25 and 34, three between 45 and 54, four between 55 and 64, another four between 65 and 74, six between 75 and 84 and six too were over the age of 85.
Six deaths were denotified during the month meaning that the cause of death was no longer linked to Covid-19.
Last month 220 people with the virus were admitted to hospital and 28 into intensive care.
The mean age of those infected with Covid-19 dropped from 49 in August to 46 in September meaning the age profile of those who get the virus is continuing to fall.


theirishtimes--2020-10-03--Leaving Cert grades error: higher marks for 6,100 students following review

Some 6,100 students have been awarded improved Leaving Cert marks following a review of the calculated grades system after a number of errors were discovered .
All students due to receive corrected , higher grades can access their revised results on Calculated Grades portal which re-opened this evening .
The revised data has also been sent to the CAO so it can determine which students may be entitled to an offer of a different third level course .
Outlining the findings of the review this evening , the Minister for Education Norma Foley said 5,408 students would see the grade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase .
She said that 621 students would receive a higher grade , by one grade band , in two subjects while a further 71 students are set to receive a higher grade , by one grade band , in three or more subjects .
The maximum number of grades upgraded for one student was five .
Overall , 6,870 grades will increase affecting 6,100 students in 614 of the 741 schools and other centres recognised to hold the Leaving Certificate .
No student will receive a lower grade although it is understood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technically be due a downgrade as a result of the errors in the system .
Last week , one error was identified in a line of code programmed by Canadian firm Polymetrika International Inc .
It affected the way in which candidates ’ Junior Cycle results were used in the standardisation process .
A second error also related to Junior Cycle was also detected .
It involved the use of results for a subject – Civic , Social and Political Education ( CSPE ) – that were not supposed to have been used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means the grades for 6,100 students were reduced when the results were analysed as part of the Calculated Grades national standardisation process .
Following the identification of the errors the Minister for Education commissioned Education Testing Services ( ETS ) to review the coding .
ETS subsequently raised two further issues .
The first was an error which occurred in the use of data , where a student did not sit all three core subjects at Junior Cycle .
In such cases , the system was meant to use the average national Junior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of the group of students who took their Leaving Certificate in 2017 , 2018 , 2019 and 2020 .
Instead , the code chose that student ’ s next best subject for inclusion in the group computation .
The second issue raised by ETS was how the algorithm treated students ’ marks at the extreme ends of the scale .
ETS noted the treatment did not exactly match what is described in the national standardisation group ’ s report .
However , this issue did not have any meaningful impact on results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not have received a lower grade as a result of this issue .
While the number of errors identified has increased , the number of students negatively impacted is lower than the estimate of 6,500 provided last week .
“ Last week I expressed my regret to students for what had happened .
I want to reiterate that today , ” Ms Foley said at a press conference on Saturday evening .
She said this year ’ s Leaving Cert students had had “ an exceptionally difficult year ” and said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m sorry this last week delivered more uncertainty ” .
Responding Irish Solidarity–People Before Profit TD Mick Barry said he wanted the Minister to now explain now how many students missed out on a college courses , because approximately 6,000 students had also had their Leaving Cert grades overestimated .
“ The Minister confirmed this evening that the number of students who had their grades overestimated is roughly equal to the 6,100 who had their grades underestimated.
” “ It is not acceptable that students be squeezed out of their chosen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made by the Department of Education .
“ The only way this situation can be rectified is by the Minister telling us how many students lost out as a result and increasing the number of course places by at least a corresponding amount , ” he said .
Last week , the Department of Education defended its decision to hire Polymetrika .
It was paid a total of €163,000 by the Department of Education without a tendering process .
The department said a full procurement process did not take place because there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Saturday the Minister said she had yet to consider the potential legal implications of the errors and stressed she had primarily been focused on resolving the grades issue so students could have clarity on their results and the impact this would have on their college applications .
• A Department of Education helpline for students is in place and will open between 11m and 4pm on Sunday .
• Email queries can be sent to : LC2020 @ education.gov.ie .

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has announced that some 6,100 students have been awarded improved Leaving Cert marks following a review of the calculated grades system. Video: RTE News Now / Dept. of Education & Skills
Some 6,100 students have been awarded improved Leaving Cert marks following a review of the calculated grades system after a number of errors were discovered.
All students due to receive corrected, higher grades can access their revised results on Calculated Grades portal which re-opened this evening.
The revised data has also been sent to the CAO so it can determine which students may be entitled to an offer of a different third level course.
Outlining the findings of the review this evening, the Minister for Education Norma Foley said 5,408 students would see the grade of one of their Leaving Cert subjects increase.
READ MORE
She said that 621 students would receive a higher grade, by one grade band, in two subjects while a further 71 students are set to receive a higher grade, by one grade band, in three or more subjects.
The maximum number of grades upgraded for one student was five.
Overall, 6,870 grades will increase affecting 6,100 students in 614 of the 741 schools and other centres recognised to hold the Leaving Certificate. No student will receive a lower grade although it is understood that a comparable number of students would technically be due a downgrade as a result of the errors in the system.
Last week, one error was identified in a line of code programmed by Canadian firm Polymetrika International Inc.
It affected the way in which candidates' Junior Cycle results were used in the standardisation process.
A second error also related to Junior Cycle was also detected. It involved the use of results for a subject – Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) – that were not supposed to have been used in the first instance.
The errors means the grades for 6,100 students were reduced when the results were analysed as part of the Calculated Grades national standardisation process.
Following the identification of the errors the Minister for Education commissioned Education Testing Services (ETS) to review the coding.
ETS subsequently raised two further issues. The first was an error which occurred in the use of data, where a student did not sit all three core subjects at Junior Cycle.
In such cases, the system was meant to use the average national Junior Cycle score, in the missing subject, of the group of students who took their Leaving Certificate in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Instead, the code chose that student’s next best subject for inclusion in the group computation.
The second issue raised by ETS was how the algorithm treated students’ marks at the extreme ends of the scale.
ETS noted the treatment did not exactly match what is described in the national standardisation group’s report. However, this issue did not have any meaningful impact on results. The ETS statement says a student could not have received a lower grade as a result of this issue.
While the number of errors identified has increased, the number of students negatively impacted is lower than the estimate of 6,500 provided last week.
“Last week I expressed my regret to students for what had happened. I want to reiterate that today,” Ms Foley said at a press conference on Saturday evening.
She said this year’s Leaving Cert students had had “an exceptionally difficult year” and said she was “ sorry for that. And I’m sorry this last week delivered more uncertainty”.
Responding Irish Solidarity–People Before Profit TD Mick Barry said he wanted the Minister to now explain now how many students missed out on a college courses, because approximately 6,000 students had also had their Leaving Cert grades overestimated.
“The Minister confirmed this evening that the number of students who had their grades overestimated is roughly equal to the 6,100 who had their grades underestimated.”
“It is not acceptable that students be squeezed out of their chosen courses as a result of a mistake made by the Department of Education.
“The only way this situation can be rectified is by the Minister telling us how many students lost out as a result and increasing the number of course places by at least a corresponding amount,” he said.
Last week, the Department of Education defended its decision to hire Polymetrika. It was paid a total of €163,000 by the Department of Education without a tendering process.
The department said a full procurement process did not take place because there was “insufficient time” to do so.
On Saturday the Minister said she had yet to consider the potential legal implications of the errors and stressed she had primarily been focused on resolving the grades issue so students could have clarity on their results and the impact this would have on their college applications.


theirishtimes--2020-10-03--Navy vessel LÉ Niamh damaged by onboard fire in Cork

Naval Service engineers hope to carry out an examination today or on Sunday to try to establish the cause of a blaze which damaged the LÉ Niamh while it was moored in Cork Harbour .
No-one was injured in the blaze , which broke out in a storage compartment aboard the vessel at about 12.15pm today at the Cork Dockyard at Ringacollig , Cobh , while moored for routine maintenance work .
According to the Defence Forces Press Office , the ship ’ s duty watch raised the alarm and carried out “ first-aid fire fighting ” to contain the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cobh Unit of Cork County Fire Service .
They were joined by units of the Cork County Fire Service from Midleton and Bandon and a unit of the Cork City Fire Service before bringing the fire under control .
Naval Service engineers will carry out an examination of the vessel when it is safe to do so to assess the extent of the damage and establish the cause , the Defence Forces Press Office said .
“ While a full investigation into the cause of the fire will be conducted , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compartment adjacent to where cutting work was being carried out by engineers , ” it added .
The 78-metre LÉ Niamh is one of the older ships in the Irish Naval Service .
It was built by Appledore Shipbuilders of Devon and commissioned into service in 2001 as an offshore patrol vessel .
In 2002 , it undertook one of the most ambitious deployments ever undertaken by an Irish Naval Service vessel when it resupplied Irish troops serving on UN peacekeeping duties in Ethiopia and Eritrea .
In 2008 , LÉ Niamh played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ €400 million of cocaine when Naval Service personnel boarded and detained the yacht , Dances with Waves , off the Cork coast , in a joint operation with gardaí and Customs officials .

LÉ Niamh: No-one was injured in the onboard blaze, which broke out in a storage compartment aboard the vessel at about 12.15pm today at the Cork Dockyard at Ringacollig, Cobh, while moored for routine maintenance work. File photograph: Military.ie
Naval Service engineers hope to carry out an examination today or on Sunday to try to establish the cause of a blaze which damaged the LÉ Niamh while it was moored in Cork Harbour.
No-one was injured in the blaze, which broke out in a storage compartment aboard the vessel at about 12.15pm today at the Cork Dockyard at Ringacollig, Cobh, while moored for routine maintenance work.
According to the Defence Forces Press Office, the ship’s duty watch raised the alarm and carried out “first-aid fire fighting” to contain the blaze before they were joined by the Cobh Unit of Cork County Fire Service.
They were joined by units of the Cork County Fire Service from Midleton and Bandon and a unit of the Cork City Fire Service before bringing the fire under control.
READ MORE
Naval Service engineers will carry out an examination of the vessel when it is safe to do so to assess the extent of the damage and establish the cause, the Defence Forces Press Office said.
“While a full investigation into the cause of the fire will be conducted, it is thought to have started in a stores compartment adjacent to where cutting work was being carried out by engineers,” it added.
The 78-metre LÉ Niamh is one of the older ships in the Irish Naval Service. It was built by Appledore Shipbuilders of Devon and commissioned into service in 2001 as an offshore patrol vessel.
In 2002, it undertook one of the most ambitious deployments ever undertaken by an Irish Naval Service vessel when it resupplied Irish troops serving on UN peacekeeping duties in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
In 2008, LÉ Niamh played an important role in the seizure of €400 million of cocaine when Naval Service personnel boarded and detained the yacht, Dances with Waves, off the Cork coast, in a joint operation with gardaí and Customs officials.


theirishtimes--2020-10-03--Storm Alex: Rain and wind warning as Atlantic storm set to arrive

Met Éireann has issued a yellow rain and wind warning for Sunday as the remnants of Storm Alex crosses the country .
A status yellow rainfall warning is in place for Kildare , Laois , Longford , Wicklow , Offaly , Westmeath , Cavan , Donegal , Leitrim , Mayo and Sligo from 6am to 9pm on Sunday .
There is a warning of heavy and persistent rain with between 25mm and 40mm expected and higher totals in mountainous areas .
This may result in some rivers flooding , as well as surface flooding .
At the same time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued for the counties of Galway , Clare and Kerry , with gusts of up to 100 km/h in coastal areas .
That warning is in place from midday on Sunday to midnight on Monday .
Storm Alex was named by the French Met office on Thursday .
It is a dangerous weather system which developed in the Bay of Biscay off France in the Atlantic Ocean and swept over much of France , northern Spain , Germany and Italy , causing flooding as far east as Venice .
Some of its strongest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , causing widespread flooding and transport disruption .
Met Éireann forecaster Gavin Gallagher said the strong northwesterly winds from Storm Alex will cross the country overnight and on Sunday .
He stressed that Storm Alex is not a “ named ” storm as recognised by Met Éireann , the UK Met Office and the Dutch weather service KNMI .
“ For us to have a named storm , it would need to be seeing orange wind warnings and above , ” he said .
The first named storm of the year will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The forecast for the rest of the week is for cool and unsettled weather , with temperatures about normal for the time of year .

Eight people were missing in France after a storm hit the border regions near Italy, bringing record rainfall in places and causing heavy flooding that swept away roads and damaged homes. Video: Reuters
A series of weather warnings are in force for much of the country today as the remnants of ‘Storm Alex’ crosses the country.
A status yellow rainfall warning is in place for Kildare, Laois, Longford, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo from 6am to 9pm on Sunday.
This warning, which will remain in place until 6am on Monday, states that rainfall totals of 25 to 40mm are forecast and that this could result in spot flooding and some rivers breaching their banks.
A collapsed road along the Vesubie river that was partially washed away after heavy rain from Storm Alex, in Roquebilliere, France, on Saturday. Continuous heavy rains and further wet weather are expected as storm Alex moves across southern France. Photograph: Sebastien Nogier/EPA
A yellow wind warning is also in place for counties Donegal, Mayo and Sligo with gusts of northwest winds of up 90 to 100 km/h forecast. This warning is in place until 9pm.
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A similar status yellow wind warning has been issued for Galway, Clare and Kerry, with gusts of up to 100 km/h forecast in coastal areas. This warning is in place until 10pm.
A collapsed bridge on the Vesubie river after heavy rain from Storm Alex, in Roquebilliere, France, on Saturday. Photograph: Sebastien Nogier/EPA
Met Éireann forecaster Gavin Gallagher said the strong northwesterly winds from 'Storm Alex' will cross the country overnight and on Sunday.
He stressed that Storm Alex is not a “named” storm as recognised by Met Éireann, the UK Met Office and the Dutch weather service KNMI.
“For us to have a named storm, it would need to be seeing orange wind warnings and above,” he said.
The first named storm of the year will be Storm Aiden whenever it arrives.
Storm Alex was named by the French Met office on Thursday and is a dangerous weather system which developed in the Bay of Biscay off France in the Atlantic Ocean and swept over much of France, northern Spain, Germany and Italy, causing flooding as far east as Venice.
In Britain the Met Office has issued a series of weather warnings and flood alerts.
A family of four had to be rescued by firefighters from a road in Billericay, Essex, on Saturday morning after their car became trapped in floodwater.
There are amber weather warnings for rain in Wales, the West Midlands, south-west England and also parts of eastern Scotland on Saturday.
Police forces across the country have issued warnings to drivers after a number of crashes on waterlogged roads.
Some of its strongest winds reached southern England and Wales on Saturday, causing widespread flooding and transport disruption.


theirishtimes--2020-10-03--Confirmed NI Covid-19 cases reach 726 over 24 hours with one death

There have been 726 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours .
One further @ @ @ @ @ Saturday by the Department of Health in the region .
The figure echoes an increasing @ @ @ @ @ following the daily statistics bulletin released by the Department on Friday afternoon showing 934 new @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours .
That figure was more than double the previous highest number of daily @ @ @ @ @ set three days ago .
The death toll recorded by the Department now stands at @ @ @ @ @ show that the infection rate in Derry City and Strabane has increased to 478.5 per @ @ @ @ @ The rate in the Newry , Mourne and Down council area is up to 268.6 @ @ @ @ @ to 192 .
The area with the next highest prevalence is Mid Ulster , at @ @

“Corona is a hoax!” People protesting at Stormont in Belfast against the government’s Covid-19 restrictions last week, days after further measures were imposed across Northern Ireland. File photograph: Rebecca Black/PA Wire
There have been 726 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours.
One further death has been reported on Saturday by the Department of Health in the region.
The figure echoes an increasing trend in infection figures, following the daily statistics bulletin released by the Department on Friday afternoon showing 934 new cases of the virus in 24 hours.
Hospital Report
That figure was more than double the previous highest number of daily cases for Northern Ireland, set three days ago.
READ MORE
The death toll recorded by the Department now stands at 583.
The latest figures show that the infection rate in Derry City and Strabane has increased to 478.5 per 100,000 of the population.
The rate in the Newry, Mourne and Down council area is up to 268.6, while Belfast has risen to 192.
The area with the next highest prevalence is Mid Ulster, at 171.5.
– PA
More to follow...


theirishtimes--2020-10-03--Civil rights group concerned as gardaí search students after house party

A leading Irish civil rights group has expressed serious concerns about the manner in which a group of students attending a house party in Cork this week were searched by gardaí in the absence of a warrant .
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties ( ICCL ) also raised concerns about the legality of gardaí confiscating student IDs and passing them on to the authorities at University College Cork ( UCC ) .
The Irish Times understands gardaí visited a rented property in the Bandon Rd area of the city on two occasions last Monday night and Tuesday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the same property the previous evening .
On the first visit last Monday night the tenants were reminded of Covid-19 regulations and a number of guests left .
On the second occasion , several hours later , gardaí entered the house with the permission of the tenants .
According to sources there were indications of drug use and after some people left the house they were searched on the road outside the house under the Misuse of Drugs Act .
One of the students at the party told the Irish Examiner gardaí @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the basis that a night earlier a person had been found in possession of a small quantity of drugs at the house .
That person was not believed to be at the house on Monday night .
“ Everybody thought we had to let them do this , ” the student said .
“ We don ’ t even know the guy who was there the night before , yet that was the reason given for searching us .
We were all searched in the front garden .
There were female gardaí @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacted by The Irish Times the ICCL said it “ had serious concerns about reports about Garda searches of houses and students , apparently without warrant .
We wonder what the legal basis for these searches is , ” spokesman Liam Herrick said .
“ We further have serious concerns about this apparent informal system of gardaí seizing IDs without law or safeguards , and passing these on to UCC .
We would ask what is the legal basis for this system ?
We also wonder whether this informal programme is confined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is happening on a national footing ?
How many cases have there been ?
” He said while the ICCL recognised that the university had “ a duty of care to students and liaison with gardaí is important , but we would urge a better approach in consultation with the Students Union ” .
Under an agreement in place between the college authorities and the Garda IDs can be taken from students and returned to the college along with the reasons for the confiscation .
The student can retrieve their ID following an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it had authorised gardaí to request student cards from UCC students “ in the event they appear to be contravening UCC student rules ” .
In a statement , gardaí said Covid-19 legislation had not provided it “ with any additional powers to search a person or enter a private dwelling ” .
It added that house parties “ have been a long standing issue which [ GARDAÍ ] have always policed , in the absence of statutory powers , based on our tradition of policing by consent .
Where a specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation will be invoked.
” It said gardaí in Cork were working closely with college authorities and had a “ long standing local agreement whereby [ THEY ] have been given permission by the UCC authorities to request UCC student identification cards ” .
The statement said : “ This is not on a statutory basis .
This local agreement has been discussed at the Cork City Joint Policing Committee .
This agreement , is subject to ongoing review .
”

Gardaí said Covid-19 legislation had not provided it ‘with any additional powers to search a person or enter a private dwelling’.
A leading Irish civil rights group has expressed serious concerns about the manner in which a group of students attending a house party in Cork this week were searched by gardaí in the absence of a warrant.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) also raised concerns about the legality of gardaí confiscating student IDs and passing them on to the authorities at University College Cork (UCC).
The Irish Times understands gardaí visited a rented property in the Bandon Rd area of the city on two occasions last Monday night and Tuesday morning.
A house party had also taken place at the same property the previous evening.
READ MORE
On the first visit last Monday night the tenants were reminded of Covid-19 regulations and a number of guests left.
On the second occasion, several hours later,gardaí entered the house with the permission of the tenants.
According to sources there were indications of drug use and after some people left the house they were searched on the road outside the house under the Misuse of Drugs Act .
No drugs were found.
One of the students at the party told the Irish Examiner gardaí said body searches were being carried out on the basis that a night earlier a person had been found in possession of a small quantity of drugs at the house.
That person was not believed to be at the house on Monday night.
“Everybody thought we had to let them do this,” the student said. “We don’t even know the guy who was there the night before, yet that was the reason given for searching us. We were all searched in the front garden. There were female gardaí there to search the girls.”
When contacted by The Irish Times the ICCL said it "had serious concerns about reports about Garda searches of houses and students, apparently without warrant. We wonder what the legal basis for these searches is," spokesman Liam Herrick said.
“We further have serious concerns about this apparent informal system of gardaí seizing IDs without law or safeguards, and passing these on to UCC. We would ask what is the legal basis for this system? We also wonder whether this informal programme is confined to Cork and UCC, or whether it is happening on a national footing? How many cases have there been?”
He said while the ICCL recognised that the university had “a duty of care to students and liaison with gardaí is important, but we would urge a better approach in consultation with the Students Union”.
Under an agreement in place between the college authorities and the Garda IDs can be taken from students and returned to the college along with the reasons for the confiscation. The student can retrieve their ID following an informal hearing.
A UCC spokesman confirmed that it had authorised gardaí to request student cards from UCC students “in the event they appear to be contravening UCC student rules”.
In a statement, gardaí said Covid-19 legislation had not provided it “with any additional powers to search a person or enter a private dwelling”.
It added that house parties “have been a long standing issue which [GARDAÍ ]
have always policed, in the absence of statutory powers, based on our tradition of policing by consent. Where a specific criminal offence is disclosed the appropriate statutory legislation will be invoked.”
It said gardaí in Cork were working closely with college authorities and had a “long standing local agreement whereby [THEY]have been given permission by the UCC authorities to request UCC student identification cards”.
The statement said: "This is not on a statutory basis. This local agreement has been discussed at the Cork City Joint Policing Committee. This agreement, is subject to ongoing review."


theirishtimes--2020-10-03--Ten deaths and 613 new cases of coronavirus reported in the State

Ten more people in the State with coronavirus have died , the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been informed , while there are 613 new confirmed cases of the virus .
Eight of the 10 deaths reported today were from prior to September 2020 .
It brings to 1,810 the number of Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic of Ireland .
The new cases means there there has been 37,668 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic .
Of the latest cases notified , 315 are men and 294 are women , 68 per cent are under 45 years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case .
Meanwhile , 58 cases have been identified as due to community transmission .
In a breakdown by county , there are 224 new cases in Dublin , 58 in Donegal , 46 in Cork , 44 in Kildare , 31 in Limerick , 28 in Laois , 21 in Kerry , 19 in Galway , 17 in Clare , 13 in Meath , 12 in Louth , and 12 in Monaghan .
The remainder are in Offaly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Carlow , Sligo , Roscommon , Mayo , Kilkenny and Westmeath , and with another seven cases in three counties .
The HSE said it is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread .
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said : “ The numbers being reported today and over the past week represent a significant escalation in the profile of Covid-19 in Ireland .
“ For those aged 70+ and those who are medically vulnerable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you should limit the number of people you meet to a very small core group of family members , carers or friends , for short periods of time , while remaining physically distant .
“ We need to work together once again to make a significant impact on the number of cases in the community , and ultimately to reduce the number of people getting sick , being admitted to hospital and critical care , while protecting non-Covid healthcare services .
I urge people in every county to follow the public health advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Earlier , Prof Philip Nolan warned there could be 1,200 to 1,300 cases each day and 400 people in hospital by the end of this month based on current projections .
Prof Nolan , chair of the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) epidemiological modelling advisory group , said case numbers have been growing by an average of 4 per cent per day since hitting a daily low of nine cases on June 23rd .
Since then numbers have grown from 12 cases on July 1st , 40 cases on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1st and 470 cases on Friday .
This has been reflected in a rise of hospitalisations from 12 on August 3rd to 121 on October 1st .
Almost Covid-19 87,000 tests were carried out last week and the positivity rate was 3.2 per cent .
Prof Nolan suggested that restrictions put in place in Dublin and Donegal “ may be starting ” to work as the restrictions in Kildare , Laois and Offaly worked , but he added “ the virus is spreading at a nearly constant rate throughout the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ epidemic , measured in detected cases and hospitalisations , has been growing exponentially , at the same rate , since July .
We have , collectively , had too many social contacts .
The virus is transmitting , and cases and hospitalisations growing ” .
He alluded to the fact that deaths remain relatively low compared to the spring time by stressing that mortality with the virus “ is not negligible and significantly greater than influenza .
The only way to protect the vulnerable is to greatly reduce the level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In his Twitter thread , he concluded : “ We should not ignore or dismiss the rising numbers of SARS-CoV-2 infections .
We monitor hospitalisations , intensive care admissions , and with great sadness , deaths , and we know where these numbers will go if we do not suppress transmission of the virus .
“ This is not meant to scare people .
It ’ s asking us to be honest with ourselves .
And it ’ s not inevitable .
On the contrary , if we redouble our efforts to minimise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when with others , and stay home if feeling unwell , we can beat this.
” Taoiseach Micheál Martin warned that a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is under way across Europe , as he expressed sympathies to US president Donald Trump and his wife Melania after the couple tested positive .
“ May I say as a preface to this , to wish President Trump and his wife Melania the very best in terms of wishing them a speedy recovery , ” Mr Martin said on the sidelines of a summit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brussels .
“ It ’ s difficult for them to have tested positive for Covid-19 and we wish them a speedy recovery .
It reminds us all of the very present prevalence of this virus.
” Mr Trump ’ s challenger Democratic candidate Joe Biden announced on Friday evening that he and his wife Dr Jill Biden had tested negative .
Mr Trump and Mr Biden held a socially-distanced debate on Tuesday .
The 27 EU leaders met to discuss the severe economic impact of the pandemic among other issues , in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week because its chair European Council president Charles Michel was forced to go into quarantine after exposure to the virus .
Mr Martin said the leaders had agreed to work on increased co-ordination in procuring and distributing vaccines currently under development , and on a system of classifying risk in different countries that would bring travel rules across the EU into line .
“ Today in the European Council it ’ s very , very clear that a second wave is on the way across Europe , ” Mr Martin warned , describing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people being infected first , then a higher incidence among the broader population ” .
“ There ’ s a lot of concern about the health and economic impact of Covid-19 and also the duration this will continue , ” he added .
“ The story in Ireland is not unique , it ’ s quite similar to the pattern across Europe .
It calls for increased coordination on a number of fronts.
” Almost 1,000 people in Northern Ireland tested positive for coronavirus on Friday in what is the largest daily increase @ @ @ @ @

Hundreds of protesters have gathered in Dublin City centre as part of an anti-government protest organised by a group called 'Yellow Vest Ireland'. Video: Nick Bradshaw
Ten more people in the State with coronavirus have died, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been informed, while there are 613 new confirmed cases of the virus.
Eight of the 10 deaths reported today were from prior to September 2020.
It brings to 1,810 the number of Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic of Ireland.
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said: ‘The numbers being reported today and over the past week represent a significant escalation in the profile of Covid-19 in Ireland.’ Photograph: Collins
Hospital Report
We should not ignore or dismiss the rising numbers of SARS-CoV-2 infections. We monitor hospitalisations, intensive care admissions, and with great sadness, deaths, and we know where these numbers will go if we do not suppress transmission of the virus. 1/9 pic.twitter.com/ys2YirPyLW — Professor Philip Nolan (@President_MU) October 2, 2020
The new cases means there there has been 37,668 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic.
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Of the latest cases notified, 315 are men and 294 are women, 68 per cent are under 45 years of age, and 30 per cent are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case.
Meanwhile, 58 cases have been identified as due to community transmission.
In a breakdown by county, there are 224 new cases in Dublin, 58 in Donegal, 46 in Cork, 44 in Kildare, 31 in Limerick, 28 in Laois, 21 in Kerry, 19 in Galway, 17 in Clare, 13 in Meath, 12 in Louth, and 12 in Monaghan.
The remainder are in Offaly, Tipperary, Wicklow, Cavan, Wexford, Carlow, Sligo, Roscommon, Mayo , Kilkenny and Westmeath, and with another seven cases in three counties.
Identify contacts
The HSE said it is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said: "The numbers being reported today and over the past week represent a significant escalation in the profile of Covid-19 in Ireland.
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said: ‘The numbers being reported today and over the past week represent a significant escalation in the profile of Covid-19 in Ireland.’ Photograph: Collins
“For those aged 70+ and those who are medically vulnerable to Covid-19, it is strongly recommended that you should limit the number of people you meet to a very small core group of family members, carers or friends, for short periods of time, while remaining physically distant.
“We need to work together once again to make a significant impact on the number of cases in the community, and ultimately to reduce the number of people getting sick, being admitted to hospital and critical care, while protecting non-Covid healthcare services. I urge people in every county to follow the public health advice to stop the further spread of COVID-19.”
Earlier, Prof Philip Nolan warned there could be 1,200 to 1,300 cases each day and 400 people in hospital by the end of this month based on current projections.
Professor Philip Nolan, chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group. Photograph: Colin Keegan/ Collins
Prof Nolan, chair of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) epidemiological modelling advisory group, said case numbers have been growing by an average of 4 per cent per day since hitting a daily low of nine cases on June 23rd.
Since then numbers have grown from 12 cases on July 1st, 40 cases on August 1st, 131 cases on September 1st and 470 cases on Friday.
This has been reflected in a rise of hospitalisations from 12 on August 3rd to 121 on October 1st.
Almost Covid-19 87,000 tests were carried out last week and the positivity rate was 3.2 per cent.
Prof Nolan suggested that restrictions put in place in Dublin and Donegal “may be starting” to work as the restrictions in Kildare, Laois and Offaly worked, but he added “the virus is spreading at a nearly constant rate throughout the rest of the country”.
Prof Nolan explained that the “epidemic, measured in detected cases and hospitalisations, has been growing exponentially, at the same rate, since July. We have, collectively, had too many social contacts. The virus is transmitting, and cases and hospitalisations growing”.
He alluded to the fact that deaths remain relatively low compared to the spring time by stressing that mortality with the virus “is not negligible and significantly greater than influenza. The only way to protect the vulnerable is to greatly reduce the level of circulating virus in the community”.
In his Twitter thread, he concluded: “We should not ignore or dismiss the rising numbers of SARS-CoV-2 infections. We monitor hospitalisations, intensive care admissions, and with great sadness, deaths, and we know where these numbers will go if we do not suppress transmission of the virus.
“This is not meant to scare people. It’s asking us to be honest with ourselves. And it’s not inevitable. On the contrary, if we redouble our efforts to minimise our social contacts, keep our distance when with others, and stay home if feeling unwell, we can beat this.”
‘Serious concern’
Taoiseach Micheál Martin warned that a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is under way across Europe, as he expressed sympathies to US president Donald Trump and his wife Melania after the couple tested positive.
"May I say as a preface to this, to wish President Trump and his wife Melania the very best in terms of wishing them a speedy recovery," Mr Martin said on the sidelines of a summit of the 27 European Union leaders in Brussels.
“It’s difficult for them to have tested positive for Covid-19 and we wish them a speedy recovery. It reminds us all of the very present prevalence of this virus.”
Mr Trump's challenger Democratic candidate Joe Biden announced on Friday evening that he and his wife Dr Jill Biden had tested negative. Mr Trump and Mr Biden held a socially-distanced debate on Tuesday.
The 27 EU leaders met to discuss the severe economic impact of the pandemic among other issues, in a summit that had been delayed by a week because its chair European Council president Charles Michel was forced to go into quarantine after exposure to the virus.
Mr Martin said the leaders had agreed to work on increased co-ordination in procuring and distributing vaccines currently under development, and on a system of classifying risk in different countries that would bring travel rules across the EU into line.
“Today in the European Council it’s very, very clear that a second wave is on the way across Europe,” Mr Martin warned, describing a “very similar pattern, younger people being infected first, then a higher incidence among the broader population”.
“There’s a lot of concern about the health and economic impact of Covid-19 and also the duration this will continue,” he added.
“The story in Ireland is not unique, it’s quite similar to the pattern across Europe. It calls for increased coordination on a number of fronts.”
Almost 1,000 people in Northern Ireland tested positive for coronavirus on Friday in what is the largest daily increase since the pandemic began.


theirishtimes--2020-10-04--Belfast man dies in Turkey, two friends in critical condition

Locals in north Belfast were said to be in shock at the death of a north Belfast man and the hospitalisation of two friends on holiday in Turkey after they fell ill. One of the three friends died on Saturday , while the other two are in critical care in hospital .
They were on holiday in the resort city of Bodrum .
The three men are thought to be in their late 20s or early 30s .
Two of the men were travelling on Irish passports , while the third was using a British passport .
John Finucane , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew one of the men personally and that it was an “ absolutely heartbreaking ” tragedy affecting “ three fit and healthy young lads.
” Mr Finucane said that members of one of the families were flying from Liverpool to Turkey to be with their relative , while arrangements were being made for the return of the deceased man .
“ It has really impacted on the community .
You get a sense of that from social media .
Everyone ’ s thoughts are just with the families at this stage , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Foreign Affairs said : “ We are aware of the case and are providing consular assistance.
” Mr Finucane said that he had spoken to department officials in Dublin and Turkey and that they are “ providing all the consular assistance one would expect.
” “ It is just a tragedy now that there is a family going to have to make plans to bring their son home to bury him , ” he said .
“ It is just a very common set of circumstances .
It is just absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for one family , we are hoping that the other two lads will pull through.
” Belfast ’ s deputy mayor , SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said on Twitter that it was “ worrying and devastating news coming from Turkey regarding three local north Belfast men .
”

A view of the city of Bodrum, its bay and its harbour. The city is a popular destination with tourists. Photograph: Getty
Locals in north Belfast were said to be in shock at the death of a local man and the hospitalisation of two friends on holiday in Turkey after they fell ill.
One of the three friends died on Saturday, while the other two are in critical care in hospital. They were on holiday in the resort city of Bodrum.
The three men are thought to be in their late 20s or early 30s.
Two of the men were travelling on Irish passports, while the third was using a British passport.
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John Finucane, MP for Belfast North, said he knew one of the men personally and that it was an "absolutely heartbreaking" tragedy affecting "three fit and healthy young lads."
Mr Finucane said that members of one of the families were flying from Liverpool to Turkey to be with their relative, while arrangements were being made for the return of the deceased man.
“It has really impacted on the community. You get a sense of that from social media. Everyone’s thoughts are just with the families at this stage,” he said.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: “We are aware of the case and are providing consular assistance.”
Mr Finucane said that he had spoken to department officials in Dublin and Turkey and that they are “providing all the consular assistance one would expect.” “It is just a tragedy now that there is a family going to have to make plans to bring their son home to bury him,” he said.
“It is just a very common set of circumstances. It is just absolutely heartbreaking and whilst it is a tragedy for one family, we are hoping that the other two lads will pull through.”
Belfast’s deputy mayor, SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said on Twitter that it was “worrying and devastating news coming from Turkey regarding three local north Belfast men.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-04--Woman charged in North over alleged breaches of Covid-19 restrictions

A woman in her 40s has been charged with breaching coronavirus restrictions in Northern Ireland , the first such prosecution @ @ @ @ @ ) will appear before Derry Magistrates ’ Court on Monday morning .
The charges relate @ @ @ @ @ the Health Protection ( Coronavirus Restrictions ) Regulations NI 2020 , sections 3 , 4 @ @ @ @ @ according to a statement from the Police Service of Northern Ireland .
It is understood @ @ @ @ @ such prosecution of its kind in Northern Ireland since the regulations came into force .
@ @ @ @ @ alleged offence in Strabane .

A woman in the North is facing charges of breaching coronavirus restrictions. Photograph: Getty
A woman in her 40s has been charged with breaching coronavirus restrictions in Northern Ireland, the first such prosecution.
The woman (46) will appear before Derry Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning.
The charges relate to the alleged contravention of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations NI 2020, sections 3, 4, 6 or 7, according to a statement from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
It is understood that this is the first such prosecution of its kind in Northern Ireland since the regulations came into force.
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The charges relate to an alleged offence in Strabane.


theirishtimes--2020-10-04--Cineworld to close all sites in UK and Ireland

Cinema chain Cineworld is set to close its Ireland and UK sites that remain open in the coming weeks .
The closures come as the release of the latest James Bond film was further delayed from November to spring 2021 , the PA news agency understands .
As first reported in The Sunday Times , bosses will write to British prime Minister Boris Johnson and British culture secretary Oliver Dowden to tell them that cinema has become “ unviable ” as studios keep putting back blockbuster releases .
The Cineworld cinema on Parnell Street in Dublin ’ s city centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The closure of its 128 sites across Ireland and the UK will put up to 5,500 jobs at risk .
In July , the British government promised a package of more than £1.5 billion ( €1.66m ) to help the arts and culture industries forced to shut down earlier this year as a result of the pandemic .
Cineworld had reopened most of its cinemas in July when lockdown measures were eased in Ireland and UK .
Daniel Craig ’ s final outing as spy James Bond will not hit big screens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
No Time To Die was originally scheduled for release in April 2020 , but was first pushed back to November as a result of the pandemic .
A statement on the film ’ s official Twitter account said : “ We understand the delay will be disappointing to our fans but we now look forward to sharing No Time To Die next year.
” – PA

Cinema chain Cineworld is set to close its Ireland and UK sites that remain open in the coming weeks.
The closures come as the release of the latest James Bond film was further delayed from November to spring 2021, the PA news agency understands.
As first reported in The Sunday Times, bosses will write to British prime Minister Boris Johnson and British culture secretary Oliver Dowden to tell them that cinema has become "unviable" as studios keep putting back blockbuster releases.
The Cineworld cinema on Parnell Street in Dublin’s city centre was already closed due to Government restrictions.
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The closure of its 128 sites across Ireland and the UK will put up to 5,500 jobs at risk.
In July, the British government promised a package of more than £1.5 billion (€1.66m) to help the arts and culture industries forced to shut down earlier this year as a result of the pandemic.
Cineworld had reopened most of its cinemas in July when lockdown measures were eased in Ireland and UK.
Daniel Craig’s final outing as spy James Bond will not hit big screens until next April, it was announced on Friday.
No Time To Die was originally scheduled for release in April 2020, but was first pushed back to November as a result of the pandemic.
A statement on the film’s official Twitter account said: “We understand the delay will be disappointing to our fans but we now look forward to sharing No Time To Die next year.” – PA


theirishtimes--2020-10-04--Frederick Douglass: Push for Cork street to be named after anti-slavery activist

Campaigners seeking to have a street in Cork named after anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass are hopeful of success as an online petition to honour the former slave gathers momentum while the 175th anniversary of his visit to the city approaches .
Dr Donal Hassett , a lecturer in the Department of French at UCC , who launched the campaign with his colleague Dr Caroline Schroeter of the Department of German at UCC , said honouring Douglass on Leeside would send out an important message about Cork in the 21st century .
“ This year marks the 175th anniversary of Douglass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent three weeks in the city in October 1845 , giving lectures on abolishing slavery , so we felt it was the right time for the city to honour this internationally renowned civil rights campaigner .
“ And commemorating Douglass now would send a signal about how Cork is now a vibrant , multicultural city , particularly in the light of the conversations going on around Black Lives Matter – it would say Cork is an inclusive and tolerant city that embraces diversity.
” Born into slavery in Maryland in the US in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1838 and with the assistance of British abolitionists , bought his freedom before becoming a leading figure in the abolitionist movement , including serving as counsel to Abraham Lincoln .
Before that however , he had published his autobiography , A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass , and embarked on an 18-month tour of Great Britain and Ireland which saw him arrive in Dublin on September 1st , 1845 .
According to Prof Adrian Mulligan of Bucknell University in Pennsylvania , Douglass attended a rally in Dublin addressed by Daniel O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ captivated by O ’ Connell , who delivered a speech championing Catholic Emancipation and abolitionism .
Arriving in Cork in October 1845 , Douglass gave a series of well-attended lectures including one at Cork City Courthouse .
He also met temperance campaigner Fr Theobald Mathew , who also supported abolitionism .
Dr Hassett said : “ What ’ s interesting about Douglass ’ s visit to Cork was that the Cork economy at the time was quite connected to the slave trade – a lot of wealth in Cork in the 18th and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to slave owners in the Caribbean .
“ At the same time , Cork was also quite a strong centre of abolitionism – there were quite a number of activists in Cork campaigning for the abolition of slavery in particular among the Quaker community , and Douglass stayed with some Quaker families while in Cork.
” More than 3,000 people have already signed a petition asking Cork City Council to name a street or public space in Cork after Douglass and a number of councillors have also backed the move , but Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a simple process .
“ It turns out that the process of renaming a street is very complicated and a requires a referendum of rate-payers in the area , so what we wanted to do is find a space in the city that isn ’ t officially named already or a publicly owned space that doesn ’ t have rate-payers .
“ So we ’ re looking at St Peter ’ s Park on Grattan Street or the plaza at the junction of Adelaide Street and North Main Street – they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to go through a full vote of rate-payers , so it would make it easier to commemorate Douglass .
“ We are also hosting a creative commemoration event in February of next year involving local artists and one of Douglass ’ s great- great-great-grandsons , Ken Morris Douglass , who will hopefully travel to Cork for the occasion – so it would be nice if it could renamed for then .
”

Arriving in Cork in October 1845, Frederick Douglass gave a series of well-attended lectures including one at Cork City Courthouse. He also met temperance campaigner Fr Theobald Mathew, who also supported abolitionism. Image: Getty
Campaigners seeking to have a street in Cork named after anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass are hopeful of success as an online petition to honour the former slave gathers momentum while the 175th anniversary of his visit to the city approaches.
Dr Donal Hassett, a lecturer in the Department of French at UCC, who launched the campaign with his colleague Dr Caroline Schroeter of the Department of German at UCC, said honouring Douglass on Leeside would send out an important message about Cork in the 21st century.
“This year marks the 175th anniversary of Douglass’s visit to Cork when he spent three weeks in the city in October 1845, giving lectures on abolishing slavery, so we felt it was the right time for the city to honour this internationally renowned civil rights campaigner.
“And commemorating Douglass now would send a signal about how Cork is now a vibrant, multicultural city, particularly in the light of the conversations going on around Black Lives Matter – it would say Cork is an inclusive and tolerant city that embraces diversity.”
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Born into slavery in Maryland in the US in 1818, Douglass managed to escape in 1838 and with the assistance of British abolitionists, bought his freedom before becoming a leading figure in the abolitionist movement, including serving as counsel to Abraham Lincoln.
Before that however, he had published his autobiography, A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, and embarked on an 18-month tour of Great Britain and Ireland which saw him arrive in Dublin on September 1st, 1845.
Attended a rally
According to Prof Adrian Mulligan of Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, Douglass attended a rally in Dublin addressed by Daniel O'Connell where he admitted to being captivated by O'Connell, who delivered a speech championing Catholic Emancipation and abolitionism.
Arriving in Cork in October 1845, Douglass gave a series of well-attended lectures including one at Cork City Courthouse. He also met temperance campaigner Fr Theobald Mathew, who also supported abolitionism.
Dr Hassett said: “What’s interesting about Douglass’s visit to Cork was that the Cork economy at the time was quite connected to the slave trade – a lot of wealth in Cork in the 18th and 19th century had come from selling provisions to slave owners in the Caribbean.
“At the same time, Cork was also quite a strong centre of abolitionism – there were quite a number of activists in Cork campaigning for the abolition of slavery in particular among the Quaker community, and Douglass stayed with some Quaker families while in Cork.”
More than 3,000 people have already signed a petition asking Cork City Council to name a street or public space in Cork after Douglass and a number of councillors have also backed the move, but Dr Hassett explained that naming a street is not a simple process.
‘Very complicated’
“It turns out that the process of renaming a street is very complicated and a requires a referendum of rate-payers in the area, so what we wanted to do is find a space in the city that isn’t officially named already or a publicly owned space that doesn’t have rate-payers.
“So we’re looking at St Peter’s Park on Grattan Street or the plaza at the junction of Adelaide Street and North Main Street – they are two places that you wouldn’t have to go through a full vote of rate-payers, so it would make it easier to commemorate Douglass.
"We are also hosting a creative commemoration event in February of next year involving local artists and one of Douglass's great- great-great-grandsons, Ken Morris Douglass, who will hopefully travel to Cork for the occasion – so it would be nice if it could renamed for then."


theirishtimes--2020-10-03--Rain, flooding and wind warnings as Atlantic storm Alex arrives

A series of weather warnings are in force for much of the country today as the remnants of ‘ Storm Alex ’ crosses the country .
A status yellow rainfall warning is in place for Kildare , Laois , Longford , Wicklow , Offaly , Westmeath , Cavan , Donegal , Leitrim , Mayo and Sligo from 6am to 9pm on Sunday .
This warning , which will remain in place until 6am on Monday , states that rainfall totals of 25 to 40mm are forecast and that this could result in spot flooding and some rivers breaching their banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place for counties Donegal , Mayo and Sligo with gusts of northwest winds of up 90 to 100 km/h forecast .
This warning is in place until 9pm .
A similar status yellow wind warning has been issued for Galway , Clare and Kerry , with gusts of up to 100 km/h forecast in coastal areas .
This warning is in place until 10pm .
Met Éireann forecaster Gavin Gallagher said the strong northwesterly winds from ‘ Storm Alex ’ will cross the country overnight and on Sunday .
He stressed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” storm as recognised by Met Éireann , the UK Met Office and the Dutch weather service KNMI .
“ For us to have a named storm , it would need to be seeing orange wind warnings and above , ” he said .
The first named storm of the year will be Storm Aiden whenever it arrives .
Storm Alex was named by the French Met office on Thursday and is a dangerous weather system which developed in the Bay of Biscay off France in the Atlantic Ocean and swept over much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Italy , causing flooding as far east as Venice .
In Britain the Met Office has issued a series of weather warnings and flood alerts .
A family of four had to be rescued by firefighters from a road in Billericay , Essex , on Saturday morning after their car became trapped in floodwater .
There are amber weather warnings for rain in Wales , the West Midlands , south-west England and also parts of eastern Scotland on Saturday .
Police forces across the country have issued warnings to drivers after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some of its strongest winds reached southern England and Wales on Saturday , causing widespread flooding and transport disruption .