theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Coronavirus: How Dublin and London differ in their approach to ease lockdown

The Covid-19 lockdown relaxation plans produced by the governments in Dublin and London differ in many ways , but both agree that progress depends on headway being made in the battle against the disease .
Dates Dublin has a five stage plan from May 18th through to August 10th .
London , by contrast , opts for three , beginning on May 13th , with the last starting on July 4th .
However , its writ does not run in Northern Ireland , Scotland or Wales .
Work In the Republic , outdoor workers ( builders , hardware , farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , along with opticians and bicycle repair shops .
People working remotely should continue to do so .
Downing Street has caused some confusion in its messaging , saying that workers who can not work from home should go to work - but not use public transport to get there .
“ Sectors of the economy that are allowed to be open should be open , ” it said , citing food production , construction , manufacturing , and a number of other examples .
Pubs and non-essential shops remain closed .
Meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small weddings and such events happening by July 20th , with larger ones from August 10th .
England ’ s plan says this is an issue that is still being examined .
The intention is to allow those who are isolated some more social contact , while continuing to limit the risk of chains of transmission .
It wants to support families to return to work by , for example , allowing two households to share childcare .
Facemasks The Irish Government has said it will give guidance on facemasks for the general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street said people should wear a face-covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible - for example on public transport or in some shops .
Schools The Irish Government does not envisage schools , or universities , re-opening until the beginning of the coming academic year .
In England , there are some children ( about 2 per cent ) going to school .
These are children in need and vulnerable children , as well as the children of critical workers .
It says schools should begin to open for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ambition is for all primary school children to return to school before the summer for a month “ if feasible ” .
Secondary schools are to plan for increased face to face contact with those students who are to sit exams next year .
Travel The Irish Government envisages travel to be allowed up to 20km from people ’ s homes from June 8th .
From the beginning of phase four ( July 20th ) this will be extended to “ outside your region ” .
Travel to offshore islands will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraging everybody ( including critical workers ) to continue to avoid public transport wherever possible .
As of step one , people can drive to outdoor open spaces irrespective of distance , so long as they respect social distancing when they get to their destination .
Sport From May 18th , the Irish Government is to allow outdoor sporting activities in groups of up to four where social distancing can be maintained .
Small group team training will be allowed from June 8th , and team leagues where there are limits on spectator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swimming pools are also to open on that date .
Gym openings and close physical contact sports , will be allowed from August 10th .
Sports spectatorship will be allowed from then , as long as social distancing rules can be observed .
Downing Street says as of step one , people may exercise outside as many times each day as they wish .
Activities such as angling and tennis are allowed , but not the use of playgrounds , outdoor gyms or ticketed outdoor leisure venues .
You can only exercise with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ household – so team sports are not allowed .
Step two ( not before June 1st ) will see cultural and sporting events taking place behind closed-doors , for broadcast.The reopening of indoor public spaces such as gyms or venues that attract large crowds , like sports stadia , may only be fully possible “ significantly later depending on the reduction in numbers of infections ” .
Foreign travel Since April 24th , all passengers arriving in the Republic from overseas have been expected to self-isolate for 14 days .
The issue of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on entry is being kept under review , according to the Government ’ s plan .
The Government ’ s advice on avoiding unnecessary travel outside the State , does not apply to Northern Ireland , nor does the self-isolation requirement apply to people coming from Northern Ireland .
However people coming from Britain are being asked to self-isolate .
England ’ s plan says that it will require all international arrivals not on a shortlist of exemptions [ people coming from the Republic are on the shortlist ] to self-isolate in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international travellers are unable to demonstrate where they would self-isolate , they will be required to do so in accommodation arranged by the government , ” the plan says .
It says London is “ working closely with the devolved administrations to co-ordinate implementation across the UK.
” Getting your hair done From July 20th the Irish Government envisages the loosening of restrictions on “ higher risk services involving direct physical contact ” , such as hairdressers and barbers .
Downing Street says personal care establishments where close contact is inherent ( like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late in the recovery process .
A significant reduction in infection levels will be a prior requirement .

The Covid-19 lockdown relaxation plans produced by the governments in Dublin and London differ in many ways, but both agree that progress depends on headway being made in the battle against the disease.
Dates
Dublin has a five stage plan from May 18th through to August 10th. London, by contrast, opts for three, beginning on May 13th, with the last starting on July 4th. However, its writ does not run in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.
Work
In the Republic, outdoor workers (builders, hardware, farmers' markets) start from May 18th, along with opticians and bicycle repair shops. People working remotely should continue to do so.
Downing Street has caused some confusion in its messaging, saying that workers who cannot work from home should go to work - but not use public transport to get there. “Sectors of the economy that are allowed to be open should be open,” it said, citing food production, construction, manufacturing, and a number of other examples. Pubs and non-essential shops remain closed.
READ MORE
Meeting family and friends
The Irish Government sees small weddings and such events happening by July 20th, with larger ones from August 10th.
England’s plan says this is an issue that is still being examined. The intention is to allow those who are isolated some more social contact, while continuing to limit the risk of chains of transmission. It wants to support families to return to work by, for example, allowing two households to share childcare.
Facemasks
The Irish Government has said it will give guidance on facemasks for the general public in the near future. Downing Street said people should wear a face-covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible - for example on public transport or in some shops.
Schools
The Irish Government does not envisage schools, or universities, re-opening until the beginning of the coming academic year.
In England, there are some children (about 2 per cent) going to school. These are children in need and vulnerable children, as well as the children of critical workers. It says schools should begin to open for more children from June 1st. England's ambition is for all primary school children to return to school before the summer for a month "if feasible". Secondary schools are to plan for increased face to face contact with those students who are to sit exams next year.
Travel
The Irish Government envisages travel to be allowed up to 20km from people's homes from June 8th. From the beginning of phase four (July 20th) this will be extended to "outside your region". Travel to offshore islands will also then be allowed.
England is encouraging everybody (including critical workers) to continue to avoid public transport wherever possible. As of step one, people can drive to outdoor open spaces irrespective of distance, so long as they respect social distancing when they get to their destination.
Sport
From May 18th, the Irish Government is to allow outdoor sporting activities in groups of up to four where social distancing can be maintained. Small group team training will be allowed from June 8th, and team leagues where there are limits on spectator numbers, from July 20th. Public swimming pools are also to open on that date. Gym openings and close physical contact sports, will be allowed from August 10th. Sports spectatorship will be allowed from then, as long as social distancing rules can be observed.
Downing Street says as of step one, people may exercise outside as many times each day as they wish. Activities such as angling and tennis are allowed, but not the use of playgrounds, outdoor gyms or ticketed outdoor leisure venues. You can only exercise with up to one person from outside your household – so team sports are not allowed. Step two (not before June 1st) will see cultural and sporting events taking place behind closed-doors, for broadcast.The reopening of indoor public spaces such as gyms or venues that attract large crowds, like sports stadia, may only be fully possible "significantly later depending on the reduction in numbers of infections".
Foreign travel
Since April 24th, all passengers arriving in the Republic from overseas have been expected to self-isolate for 14 days. The issue of the imposition of mandatory quarantine and testing on entry is being kept under review, according to the Government's plan. The Government's advice on avoiding unnecessary travel outside the State, does not apply to Northern Ireland, nor does the self-isolation requirement apply to people coming from Northern Ireland. However people coming from Britain are being asked to self-isolate.
England's plan says that it will require all international arrivals not on a shortlist of exemptions [people coming from the Republic are on the shortlist] to self-isolate in their accommodation for 14 days.
“Where international travellers are unable to demonstrate where they would self-isolate, they will be required to do so in accommodation arranged by the government,” the plan says. It says London is “working closely with the devolved administrations to co-ordinate implementation across the UK.”
Getting your hair done
From July 20th the Irish Government envisages the loosening of restrictions on "higher risk services involving direct physical contact", such as hairdressers and barbers.
Downing Street says personal care establishments where close contact is inherent
(like beauty salons) may only be opened late in the recovery process. A significant reduction in infection levels will be a prior requirement.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Covid-19: Dublin’s Catholic churches advised to prepare for full reopening

Preparations should be made for a full reopening of Catholic churches in Dublin , Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said .
Many churches in the archdiocese have remained open for private prayer , funerals , baptisms and weddings , with very limited numbers .
The Archbishop has now suggested the churches begin “ preparing a detailed plan for full reopening.
” Markers “ could be laid on benches and on floors to facilitate social distancing , remembering that the two metre distance applies not just to those beside you , but also those in front and behind you .
A written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for larger numbers and for adequate cleansing of churches , ” he said .
The Government roadmap proposes that the opening of churches and places of worship should take place in mid-July .
“ Like all other measures , it is possible that if the public health situation permits it , these dates could be brought forward .
It is important for the Church to give the message that we are enthusiastically preparing for the opening of all our churches and the resumption of public Masses , ” Archbishop Martin said .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eamon Martin said “ our parishes and dioceses have now begun to draw up their plans and ‘ roadmaps ’ for a return to collective prayer as soon as it is safe to do so .
It has been very difficult for us not being able to gather together in our beautiful church buildings.
” In Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin also pointed out that Glasnevin cemetery was now open for the bereaved and general public , “ via the pedestrian entrance only at the junction with Slaney Road , from 1.30 pm – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was for visist to graves only while pedestrian access was also available to cemeteries in Dardistown , Newlands , and Palmerstown , he said .
But , he pointed out , “ to comply with Government guidelines , it is requested that only people who live within a 5km radius of Glasnevin Trust cemeteries visit graves during this phase of restrictions.
” On a separate matter Archbishop Martin asked people to assist Trócaire in collecting its Lenten appeal boxes .
He noted how “ at a time when contributions are down , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monies already collected.
” Trócaire would be contacting parishes suggesting that , by the weekend of Pentecost at the end of May , contents of the boxes could be returned by post , telephone or electronic transfer .

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said preparations should be made for a full reopening of Catholic churches in Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill/The Irish Times
Preparations should be made for a full reopening of Catholic churches in Dublin, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said. Many churches in the archdiocese have remained open for private prayer, funerals, baptisms and weddings, with very limited numbers.
The Archbishop has now suggested the churches begin “preparing a detailed plan for full reopening.”
Markers “could be laid on benches and on floors to facilitate social distancing, remembering that the two metre distance applies not just to those beside you, but also those in front and behind you. A written plan should be developed regarding hand hygiene for larger numbers and for adequate cleansing of churches,” he said.
The Government roadmap proposes that the opening of churches and places of worship should take place in mid-July. “Like all other measures, it is possible that if the public health situation permits it, these dates could be brought forward. It is important for the Church to give the message that we are enthusiastically preparing for the opening of all our churches and the resumption of public Masses,” Archbishop Martin said.
READ MORE
In the cross-border Armagh archdiocese Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin said "our parishes and dioceses have now begun to draw up their plans and 'roadmaps' for a return to collective prayer as soon as it is safe to do so. It has been very difficult for us not being able to gather together in our beautiful church buildings."
In Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin also pointed out that Glasnevin cemetery was now open for the bereaved and general public, "via the pedestrian entrance only at the junction with Slaney Road, from 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm Monday to Saturday."
This was for visist to graves only while pedestrian access was also available to cemeteries in Dardistown, Newlands, and Palmerstown, he said. But, he pointed out, "to comply with Government guidelines, it is requested that only people who live within a 5km radius of Glasnevin Trust cemeteries visit graves during this phase of restrictions."
On a separate matter Archbishop Martin asked people to assist Trócaire in collecting its Lenten appeal boxes. He noted how “at a time when contributions are down, it is important for Trócaire to access expeditiously monies already collected.”
Trócaire would be contacting parishes suggesting that, by the weekend of Pentecost at the end of May, contents of the boxes could be returned by post, telephone or electronic transfer.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--‘Beyond amazing’: Navajo Nation’s AG praises Irish generosity to coronavirus fund

Irish people ’ s generosity in helping Native Americans fight one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the United States has been described as “ beyond amazing ” by the Navajo Nation ’ s attorney general Doreen McPaul .
Hundreds of thousands of dollars poured in to the Navajo & Hopi Families Covid-19 Relief Fund since it began to go viral in Ireland , helping it burst through its target of $ 1.5 million ( €1.3 million ) last week .
The list of donors to the GoFundMe page is dominated by Irish surnames , and many donors left comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Native American aid to Ireland during the Great Hunger .
In 1847 , members of the Choctaw tribe raised $ 170 in famine relief for Ireland , a huge sum for a time when they had very little , as it came after they had been driven from their land in the devastating so-called Trail of Tears .
Many comments on the GoFundMe page referenced the Choctaw donation .
Some read “ Ní neart go cur le chéile ” and others simply “ Ireland remembers ” .
“ 173 years ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland unimaginable generosity , ” wrote donor Michael Foy .
“ I am donating today in memory of our shared past , and to help overcome this crisis together – just as we did nearly two centuries ago.
” The Nation ’ s attorney general Doreen McPaul who has Irish grandfathers , told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland on Tuesday that it was “ just really heart-warming ” when she learned of the many donations from Irish people .
“ It made me want to follow up more , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her father has dual citizenship , she said .
Ms McPaul has visited Ireland twice as her sister lived in Ireland while she studied international human rights .
Her sister subsequently married an Irish man , from Newmarket-on-Fergus in Co Clare and they visit Ireland every summer along with her parents .
The fundraiser was organised by a group of Native American women who are community organisers , and have set up a network of distribution points for food , water , and soap .
The supplies are essential given that 38 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live in poverty , and providing them helps the most vulnerable people to stay protected in their homes .
The funds raised will be used to help members of the Navajo Nation which is spread across three states - Arizona , New Mexico and Utah .
With a population of 170,000 , to date 132 people have died from the pandemic .
Communities have found coping with the virus “ problematic ” because of the infrastructure with many living in remote areas .
Just 13 grocery stores serve an area larger than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have only 170 hospital beds .
A third of homes do not have running water , and the legacy of US uranium mining in the territory to build its nuclear arsenal has left groundwater contaminated , making basic hygiene difficult .
It is also difficult to separate an ill person from the remainder of the family as they live in multi-generational households and it was not part of the Navajo culture not to care for someone .
There are also challenges with a lack of water and access to disinfectant .
Ms McPaul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generosity of the Irish people when the treasurer of the fund shared with her some of the comments of Irish donors .
She had already been aware of the Choctaw story and of the sculpture in Ireland .
“ It is beyond amazing , the outpouring of support from Ireland is amazing , ” she said .
The Choctaw aid , which is remembered by the Kindred Spirits sculpture by Alex Pentek in Midleton , Co Cork , is not the only example of solidarity between Irish people and Native Americans in history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for Irish independence in the US in 1919 , future president Éamon de Valera was made an honorary chief by the Ojibwe-Chippewa tribe , who greeted him as “ a representative of one oppressed nation to another ” , according to a contemporary news report .

Monument Valley is home to the Navajo Nation, who have been badly affected by coronavirus. Photograph: Eric Baradat/AFP
Irish people's generosity in helping Native Americans fight one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the United States has been described as "beyond amazing" by the Navajo Nation's attorney general Doreen McPaul.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars poured in to the Navajo & Hopi Families Covid-19 Relief Fund since it began to go viral in Ireland, helping it burst through its target of $1.5 million (€1.3 million) last week.
The list of donors to the GoFundMe page is dominated by Irish surnames, and many donors left comments to say they were giving in remembrance of Native American aid to Ireland during the Great Hunger.
In 1847, members of the Choctaw tribe raised $170 in famine relief for Ireland, a huge sum for a time when they had very little, as it came after they had been driven from their land in the devastating so-called Trail of Tears.
READ MORE
Many comments on the GoFundMe page referenced the Choctaw donation. Some read “Ní neart go cur le chéile” and others simply “Ireland remembers”. “173 years ago, the people of the Choctaw nation showed Ireland unimaginable generosity,” wrote donor Michael Foy. “I am donating today in memory of our shared past, and to help overcome this crisis together – just as we did nearly two centuries ago.”
The Nation’s attorney general Doreen McPaul who has Irish grandfathers, told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland on Tuesday that it was “just really heart-warming” when she learned of the many donations from Irish people. “It made me want to follow up more,” she said.
Both of her paternal grandfathers were Irish and her father has dual citizenship, she said. Ms McPaul has visited Ireland twice as her sister lived in Ireland while she studied international human rights.
Her sister subsequently married an Irish man, from Newmarket-on-Fergus in Co Clare and they visit Ireland every summer along with her parents.
The fundraiser was organised by a group of Native American women who are community organisers, and have set up a network of distribution points for food, water, and soap. The supplies are essential given that 38 per cent of people in the reservation live in poverty, and providing them helps the most vulnerable people to stay protected in their homes.
The funds raised will be used to help members of the Navajo Nation which is spread across three states - Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. With a population of 170,000, to date 132 people have died from the pandemic. Communities have found coping with the virus "problematic" because of the infrastructure with many living in remote areas. Just 13 grocery stores serve an area larger than the Republic, and the Navajo estimate they have only 170 hospital beds. A third of homes do not have running water, and the legacy of US uranium mining in the territory to build its nuclear arsenal has left groundwater contaminated, making basic hygiene difficult.
It is also difficult to separate an ill person from the remainder of the family as they live in multi-generational households and it was not part of the Navajo culture not to care for someone. There are also challenges with a lack of water and access to disinfectant.
Ms McPaul said she first became aware of the generosity of the Irish people when the treasurer of the fund shared with her some of the comments of Irish donors. She had already been aware of the Choctaw story and of the sculpture in Ireland. “It is beyond amazing, the outpouring of support from Ireland is amazing,” she said.
The Choctaw aid, which is remembered by the Kindred Spirits sculpture by Alex Pentek in Midleton, Co Cork, is not the only example of solidarity between Irish people and Native Americans in history.
In a mission to drum up support for Irish independence in the US in 1919, future president Éamon de Valera was made an honorary chief by the Ojibwe-Chippewa tribe, who greeted him as “a representative of one oppressed nation to another”, according to a contemporary news report.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Reopening Ireland Q&A: When will it begin? What will open? Can I meet with friends?

What is happening on May 18th ?
From Monday , phase one of the Government ’ s roadmap for reopening society and business is scheduled to come into effect .
However , this timeline is dependent on medical advice from the National Public Health and Emergency Team ( Nphet ) , who are meeting again on Friday .
Can I see people outside of my household ?
In phase one of the roadmap , people are still being encouraged to stay at home as much as possible .
However , up to four people who don ’ t live in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet up outdoors , as long as they maintain a 2 metres distance .
People who are over 70 or who are medically vulnerable are continued to be advised to cocoon in their homes .
Shops that are primarily outdoor such as garden centres , hardware stores and farmers ’ markets can reopen so long as social distancing measures can be put in place .
Shops that were previously allowed to remain open in earlier stages of coronavirus restrictions will be allowed to reopen .
These include homeware stores , opticians , motor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , electrical , IT , and phone sales and repair businesses .
What about sport and exercise ?
Public sport facilities such as pitches , tennis courts and golf courses can open where social distancing can be maintained .
However , contact sports such as football or GAA are not allowed to reopen .
People can exercise in groups of no more than four people where social distancing can be maintained and where there is no contact with other people .
Who can go back to work ?
Remote working is still to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently working from home .
There will be a phased return of outdoor workers .
This includes construction workers , gardeners , including people working on allotments .
Social distancing requirements continue to apply .
Will the delivery of health and social care change ?
There will be an increase in the delivery of non-Covid-19 care and services alongside Covid-19 care , the government has said .
Care and services will be continued to be delivered in new ways such as through telephone , online , virtual clinic , and new models of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns of patients , service users and healthcare workers .
Will I have to wear a face mask when I leave the house ?
Nphet are meeting on Tuesday to discuss its advice on the wearing of face masks by the general public .
They will issue advice on the matter prior to May 18th .
Chief medical officer Tony Holohan has said he does not envisage a stance which would make the wearing of face masks compulsory , but that the team does acknowledge the role non-medical-grade masks can play in restarting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care for the children of essential healthcare workers in the healthcare worker ’ s home , but normal childcare facilities will not resume work in this phase .
Schools and universities will not reopen for education purposes , but the buildings will reopen for access by teachers for remote teaching purposes .
When will further restrictions be lifted ?
Phase two of the five-step plan is set to begin on June 8th , however that is also dependent on public health advice .

An empty Mary Street in Dublin city centre. The Government’s five phase plan for reopening the country begins on Monday May 18th. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
What is happening on May 18th?
From Monday, phase one of the Government’s roadmap for reopening society and business is scheduled to come into effect.
However, this timeline is dependent on medical advice from the National Public Health and Emergency Team (Nphet), who are meeting again on Friday.
Can I see people outside of my household?
In phase one of the roadmap, people are still being encouraged to stay at home as much as possible. However, up to four people who don’t live in the same household will be allowed to meet up outdoors, as long as they maintain a 2 metres distance.
People who are over 70 or who are medically vulnerable are continued to be advised to cocoon in their homes.
READ MORE
What can reopen?
Shops that are primarily outdoor such as garden centres, hardware stores and farmers’ markets can reopen so long as social distancing measures can be put in place.
Shops that were previously allowed to remain open in earlier stages of coronavirus restrictions will be allowed to reopen. These include homeware stores, opticians, motor and bicycle repair shops, office products, electrical, IT, and phone sales and repair businesses.
What about sport and exercise?
Public sport facilities such as pitches, tennis courts and golf courses can open where social distancing can be maintained. However, contact sports such as football or GAA are not allowed to reopen.
People can exercise in groups of no more than four people where social distancing can be maintained and where there is no contact with other people.
Who can go back to work?
Remote working is still to continue for workers and businesses who are currently working from home.
There will be a phased return of outdoor workers. This includes construction workers, gardeners, including people working on allotments. Social distancing requirements continue to apply.
Will the delivery of health and social care change?
There will be an increase in the delivery of non-Covid-19 care and services alongside Covid-19 care, the government has said.
Care and services will be continued to be delivered in new ways such as through telephone, online, virtual clinic, and new models of care to meet demand and to alleviate concerns of patients, service users and healthcare workers.
Will I have to wear a face mask when I leave the house?
Nphet are meeting on Tuesday to discuss its advice on the wearing of face masks by the general public. They will issue advice on the matter prior to May 18th.
Chief medical officer Tony Holohan has said he does not envisage a stance which would make the wearing of face masks compulsory, but that the team does acknowledge the role non-medical-grade masks can play in restarting a society.
Will childcare or education resume?
Childcare workers will provide care for the children of essential healthcare workers in the healthcare worker’s home, but normal childcare facilities will not resume work in this phase.
Schools and universities will not reopen for education purposes, but the buildings will reopen for access by teachers for remote teaching purposes.
When will further restrictions be lifted?
Phase two of the five-step plan is set to begin on June 8th, however that is also dependent on public health advice.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Teenage boy arrested following alleged assault on girl in Cork

A teenage boy remains in Garda custody in Cork on Tuesday morning after he was arrested overnight following an alleged @ @ @ @ @ .
The girl was taken to Cork University Hospital after the alleged assault in Ballyvolane @ @ @ @ @ city at about 8.30pm on Monday .
The girl was treated for non-life-threatening injuries .
@ @ @ @ @ of teenagers had gathered in the area .
A boy was arrested a short time @ @ @ @ @ detained at the Mayfield Garda Station .
Investigations in to the incident are ongoing .

A teenage boy remains in Garda custody in Cork on Tuesday morning after he was arrested overnight following an alleged assault on a teenage girl.
The girl was taken to Cork University Hospital after the alleged assault in Ballyvolane on the northside of Cork city at about 8.30pm on Monday.
The girl was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. It is understood a number of teenagers had gathered in the area.
A boy was arrested a short time later. He is being detained at the Mayfield Garda Station. Investigations in to the incident are ongoing.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Coronavirus: The misguided search for ‘patient zero’

If you have been following the search for the origin of the pandemic coronavirus strain in the news you will know the various theories .
Pangolins , bats and a variety of other wild animals have been considered as possible carriers .
The finger of blame has also pointed to a virology laboratory outside of the Chinese city of Wuhan which some have accused ( without evidence ) of manufacturing the virus and releasing it on the world .
This search for origins is partly an effort to assist containment and treatment and partly a variation on the search for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of human control .
The search for the virus ’ s first leap to a human victim is mirrored in the efforts at contact tracing and finding the “ patient zero ” of each individual outbreak .
Most epidemiologists would tell you that this is a futile quest .
Chances are that the virus moved from animals to humans multiple times before it became a strain that could spread from human to human .
And likewise , given what we know about asymptomatic carriers of viruses , it would be difficult to pin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduction of the virus into a city or country or nightclub .
Yet the search for “ patient zero ” has a huge appeal .
At the moment , when we fear the virus and have no vaccination or cure , there is a potential danger in this interest in finding the single source of any outbreak .
The danger is that , like in the past , a person carrying the disease will become a scapegoat for all our fears .
There are plenty of examples from history .
Mary Mallon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became “ Typhoid Mary ” and lived out her days on a deserted island to prevent her from transmitting the disease to others .
Was she the only asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever in early 20th century New York ?
Certainly not .
As Judith Leavitt has described , Mallon became an example to New Yorkers of public health policy in action .
Since she refused to change her ways , or really to give up the only job she had been trained for , she was imprisoned to keep the public safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was famously used during the Aids epidemic of the 1980s to describe the gay Canadian flight attendant Gaetan Dugas .
Dugas was not the first person in North America to get the virus but he rapidly became a kind of demonised figure , even within some portions of the gay community , for his supposedly reckless behaviour once diagnosed with the disease .
When researchers began contact tracing among the patients they were seeing they soon found he had had sex with several of them .
Did Dugas spread HIV to many others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one ?
Certainly not .
In the case of both Mallon and Dugas , the science around transmission of each disease was still emerging .
Neither appear to have fully understood the threat they might pose to others yet each was reviled for their endangerment of healthy people .
Each of them was singled out against a backdrop of thousands of people infected with HIV or typhoid fever and each of them suffered for that .
As we transition into greater contact with one another , we should remember these examples .
Indeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implementing now encourage a search for the origins of outbreaks .
We need to remember that we still don ’ t fully understand all the ways that this strain of coronavirus can be transmitted and there are a wide variety of symptoms .
We need to do the best we can to keep each other safe and for now that means a lot of testing and contact tracing .
But no one will be safer if we tie that to a search for an individual to blame for each outbreak or if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them a “ patient zero ” .

If you have been following the search for the origin of the pandemic coronavirus strain in the news you will know the various theories. Pangolins, bats and a variety of other wild animals have been considered as possible carriers. The finger of blame has also pointed to a virology laboratory outside of the Chinese city of Wuhan which some have accused (without evidence) of manufacturing the virus and releasing it on the world.
This search for origins is partly an effort to assist containment and treatment and partly a variation on the search for meaning in what is a situation outside of human control. The search for the virus’s first leap to a human victim is mirrored in the efforts at contact tracing and finding the “patient zero” of each individual outbreak.
Most epidemiologists would tell you that this is a futile quest. Chances are that the virus moved from animals to humans multiple times before it became a strain that could spread from human to human. And likewise, given what we know about asymptomatic carriers of viruses, it would be difficult to pin point a single person responsible for the introduction of the virus into a city or country or nightclub.
Yet the search for “patient zero” has a huge appeal. At the moment, when we fear the virus and have no vaccination or cure, there is a potential danger in this interest in finding the single source of any outbreak.
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The danger is that, like in the past, a person carrying the disease will become a scapegoat for all our fears. There are plenty of examples from history. Mary Mallon, an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever, became "Typhoid Mary" and lived out her days on a deserted island to prevent her from transmitting the disease to others.
Was she the only asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever in early 20th century New York? Certainly not. As Judith Leavitt has described, Mallon became an example to New Yorkers of public health policy in action. Since she refused to change her ways, or really to give up the only job she had been trained for, she was imprisoned to keep the public safe.
The term "patient zero" was famously used during the Aids epidemic of the 1980s to describe the gay Canadian flight attendant Gaetan Dugas. Dugas was not the first person in North America to get the virus but he rapidly became a kind of demonised figure, even within some portions of the gay community, for his supposedly reckless behaviour once diagnosed with the disease.
When researchers began contact tracing among the patients they were seeing they soon found he had had sex with several of them. Did Dugas spread HIV to many others? Yes. Was he the only one? Certainly not.
In the case of both Mallon and Dugas, the science around transmission of each disease was still emerging. Neither appear to have fully understood the threat they might pose to others yet each was reviled for their endangerment of healthy people. Each of them was singled out against a backdrop of thousands of people infected with HIV or typhoid fever and each of them suffered for that.
As we transition into greater contact with one another, we should remember these examples. Indeed, the control measures that countries are implementing now encourage a search for the origins of outbreaks. We need to remember that we still don’t fully understand all the ways that this strain of coronavirus can be transmitted and there are a wide variety of symptoms.
We need to do the best we can to keep each other safe and for now that means a lot of testing and contact tracing. But no one will be safer if we tie that to a search for an individual to blame for each outbreak or if we reduce anyone’s humanity by labelling them a “patient zero”.
Dr Juliana Adelman lectures in history at Dublin City University


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--HSE appoints investigator to assess St Mary’s whistleblower claims

The Health Service Executive ( HSE ) has appointed an independent investigator to examine allegations made by a healthcare worker of shortcomings at St Mary ’ s Hospital nursing home in response to Covid-19 .
St Mary ’ s , located in Dublin ’ s Phoenix Park , is a HSE-run facility with 150 nursing home beds and a separate 48-bed step-down hospital .
It has been one of the worst-hit nursing homes in the State , with 24 coronavirus-related deaths to date .
Last Wednesday a staff member made a protected disclosure to the HSE , Department of Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Hiqa ) .
It is understood the protected disclosure alleged shortcomings in the supply of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) to the home , lack of testing for staff , and issues around the isolation of patients at the start of the outbreak in late March .
On Monday , correspondence from the HSE sent to the whistleblower outlined an independent investigator had been appointed to assess the protected disclosure .
Both the HSE and Department of Health have said they can not comment on protected disclosures .
The staff member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with senior management at the outset of the outbreak , internal correspondence shows .
In an April 4th email to senior management , the staff member expressed concerns over the criteria for when healthcare workers should wear PPE , and that the process of identifying suspected coronavirus patients was “ unclear ” .
The email stated the worker was “ gravely concerned ” about the lack of PPE gear , over fears staff would transmit the virus from one patient to others .
In response to the outbreak , the home has put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The HSE has previously said the facility currently has “ adequate ” supply of PPE gear , and had followed National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) guidelines at all times .
Elsewhere , a major coronavirus outbreak in a privately run nursing home in Dundalk has been contained , according to the home ’ s management .
Dealgan House has had 23 fatalities among residents since April 1st – 22 of which were related to Covid-19 .
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland ( RCSI ) Hospital Group had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on April 17th , due to serious staffing shortages at the Co Louth facility .
In a statement on Monday , an RCSI spokeswoman said the situation in the home had “ stabilised ” and there was “ currently no further spread of Covid-19 ” .
Staffing support provided by the hospital group had “ enabled safe staffing levels for residents ” , she said .
There were weekly meetings to plan the safe handover of operations back to the private provider , as Dealgan House staff returned after coronavirus diagnoses or self-isolation @ @ @ @ @

There have been 24 coronavirus-related deaths to date at St Mary’s Hospital nursing home in the Phoenix Park. Photograph: Eric Luke
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has appointed an independent investigator to examine allegations made by a healthcare worker of shortcomings at St Mary's Hospital nursing home in response to Covid-19.
St Mary's, located in Dublin's Phoenix Park, is a HSE-run facility with 150 nursing home beds and a separate 48-bed step-down hospital. It has been one of the worst-hit nursing homes in the State, with 24 coronavirus-related deaths to date.
Last Wednesday a staff member made a protected disclosure to the HSE, Department of Health, and Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa).
It is understood the protected disclosure alleged shortcomings in the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the home, lack of testing for staff, and issues around the isolation of patients at the start of the outbreak in late March.
READ MORE
On Monday, correspondence from the HSE sent to the whistleblower outlined an independent investigator had been appointed to assess the protected disclosure. Both the HSE and Department of Health have said they cannot comment on protected disclosures.
The staff member raised serious concerns over access to PPE with senior management at the outset of the outbreak, internal correspondence shows.
In an April 4th email to senior management, the staff member expressed concerns over the criteria for when healthcare workers should wear PPE, and that the process of identifying suspected coronavirus patients was “unclear”.
The email stated the worker was “gravely concerned” about the lack of PPE gear, over fears staff would transmit the virus from one patient to others.
In response to the outbreak, the home has put in place a series of infection-control measures. The HSE has previously said the facility currently has "adequate" supply of PPE gear, and had followed National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) guidelines at all times.
Dundalk nursing home
Elsewhere, a major coronavirus outbreak in a privately run nursing home in Dundalk has been contained, according to the home’s management.
Dealgan House has had 23 fatalities among residents since April 1st – 22 of which were related to Covid-19.
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) Hospital Group had taken over the running of the home on April 17th, due to serious staffing shortages at the Co Louth facility.
In a statement on Monday, an RCSI spokeswoman said the situation in the home had “stabilised” and there was “currently no further spread of Covid-19”.
Staffing support provided by the hospital group had “enabled safe staffing levels for residents”, she said.
There were weekly meetings to plan the safe handover of operations back to the private provider, as Dealgan House staff returned after coronavirus diagnoses or self-isolation, the spokeswoman said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Covid-19 test results in 48 hours vital when restrictions eased – epidemiologist

The head of one of the country ’ s largest contact tracing centres has said it is vital test results for coronavirus are turned around within 48 hours by the time people return to work next week .
Professor Mary Codd , an epidemiologist at University College Dublin ( UCD ) , also said there is ample capacity for contact tracing but more needs to be done at an earlier stage in confirming positive cases .
A five-step process of sampling , testing , communicating results , contact tracing and quarantine is key to controlling the spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country heads towards a reduction in lockdown restrictions from next week .
The speed of processing tests has improved but , according to HSE chief executive Paul Reid , the average time to get a result is now 2.4 days .
In Ireland , about 1,700 contact tracers have been trained but demand for the service has been subdued .
Prof Codd , whose centre has up to 300 available volunteers , said they have between 10 and 50 working at any one time depending on demand .
“ We can scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on , frankly , how many phone calls we have to make , ” she said , and explained that the time between when a swab is taken and when the results are received is “ where the work is required ” .
While there have been recent improvements , Prof Codd said the entire testing process must come to within 48 hours , or certainly no longer than 72 , in order to cut out the spread of the virus in the population .
“ Otherwise actually we are likely to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be able to be contained.
” On Monday , the president of the Irish College of General Practitioners ( ICGP ) Dr Mary Favier said last month test turnaround times were often over two weeks .
“ There are GPs there [ today ] who are saying it ’ s seven days , ” she said , adding that an email service is being set up this week for GPs to help identify problems .
“ There is very little delay in the actual test time so we seem to have capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three , four , five days to get that test result back and another one to two days to get contact tracing done .
So there can be a week in that , ” she told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland .
“ There is evidence that the later it goes before you actually start to chase up those positive results the less effective that is and the less valuable it is in terms of how useful you are to stop the spread of the disease and that ’ s what needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ciardha of GPBuddy , an online service for doctors currently compiling daily diagnoses of symptoms by about 300 GPs around the country , said the data has shown the level of testing is broadly keeping pace with the level of suspected new cases .

The speed of processing tests has improved but, according to HSE chief executive Paul Reid, the average time to get a result is now 2.4 days. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA
The head of one of the country’s largest contact tracing centres has said it is vital test results for coronavirus are turned around within 48 hours by the time people return to work next week.
Professor Mary Codd, an epidemiologist at University College Dublin (UCD), also said there is ample capacity for contact tracing but more needs to be done at an earlier stage in confirming positive cases.
A five-step process of sampling, testing, communicating results, contact tracing and quarantine is key to controlling the spread of the virus. It is considered increasingly important as the country heads towards a reduction in lockdown restrictions from next week.
The speed of processing tests has improved but, according to HSE chief executive Paul Reid, the average time to get a result is now 2.4 days.
READ MORE
In Ireland, about 1,700 contact tracers have been trained but demand for the service has been subdued.
Demand
Prof Codd, whose centre has up to 300 available volunteers, said they have between 10 and 50 working at any one time depending on demand.
“We can scale that up or scale it back depending on, frankly, how many phone calls we have to make,” she said, and explained that the time between when a swab is taken and when the results are received is “where the work is required”.
While there have been recent improvements, Prof Codd said the entire testing process must come to within 48 hours, or certainly no longer than 72, in order to cut out the spread of the virus in the population.
“Otherwise actually we are likely to be looking at these sporadic outbreaks that may not be able to be contained.”
On Monday, the president of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) Dr Mary Favier said last month test turnaround times were often over two weeks.
“There are GPs there [today] who are saying it’s seven days,” she said, adding that an email service is being set up this week for GPs to help identify problems.
“There is very little delay in the actual test time so we seem to have capacity there. It’s then taking three, four, five days to get that test result back and another one to two days to get contact tracing done. So there can be a week in that,” she told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
Spread
“There is evidence that the later it goes before you actually start to chase up those positive results the less effective that is and the less valuable it is in terms of how useful you are to stop the spread of the disease and that’s what needs to be addressed.”
Dr Darach O’Ciardha of GPBuddy, an online service for doctors currently compiling daily diagnoses of symptoms by about 300 GPs around the country, said the data has shown the level of testing is broadly keeping pace with the level of suspected new cases.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Coronavirus: Irish Covid test-and-trace system far slower than experts recommend

Testing people for Covid-19 and tracing all their contacts is taking an average of about nine days , according to the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) , a multiple of the time most experts say the process needs to be to stop the virus spreading .
The median time from referring a person for a test to sending the result for contact tracing is five days , according to David Walsh , HSE national director of community operations .
The average time taken to then trace all the contacts of a confirmed case is four days , Mr Walsh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( NPHET ) briefing , although “ straightforward ” cases are dealt with more quickly .
Mr Walsh said this was “ an improving figure ” and would shorten with the automation of the process in relation to negative results .
Prof Mary Codd , an epidemiologist at University College Dublin ( UCD ) and head of the contact tracing centre on the campus , said it was vital test results for Covid-19 were turned around within 48 hours by the time people return to work next week .
The entire testing process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or certainly no longer than 72 , in order to cut out the spread of the virus in the population , she said .
“ Otherwise actually we are likely to be looking at these sporadic outbreaks that may not be able to be contained.
” The process of sampling , testing , communication of results to a positive case , contact tracing and quarantine of contacts needs to be done within 72 hours , immunologist Dr Tomas Ryan of Trinity College Dublin has also said .
Silicon Valley entrepreneur Tomas Pueyo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared by millions online , said : “ If you take on average three days from infection to track contacts and quarantine or isolate them , you will miss a lot of contagions.
” The Mental Health Commission said on Monday that mental health services in Cork and Kerry , and south Dublin , were awaiting test results from up to two weeks ago , while services in the northwest , southeast and south Dublin/Kildare were waiting more than a week .
On Monday , the president of the Irish College of General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Favier , said last month test turnaround times were often more than two weeks .
Mr Walsh said the HSE ’ s target for testing turnaround times was “ three days or below ” .
By the end of this week , the time it takes should be down to four days and process improvements would then be undertaken to reduce it further .
The figure could also be improved if people experiencing symptoms responded earlier by seeking a test , according to Dr Holohan .
He said an average of four days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms consistent with Covid-19 and the time a sample was taken .
“ Our message is that if you are experiencing symptoms , don ’ t wait until tomorrow to see if they go away , ” he said , adding that people also needed to self-isolate immediately if this happened .
On average , tests processed in hospitals are turned around a day faster than those done in other labs , Mr Walsh said .
The average turnaround time for lab tests was three days last week and would be two days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elapsing from referral to the start of contact tracing , Dr Holohan said he was satisfied the information provided was “ real-time experience ” on which decisions could be based .
The mean number of contacts a case has currently stands at two .
The deaths of another 15 patients were announced by NPHET at its briefing on Monday , the second-lowest figure in over six weeks .
There have now been 1,467 Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic .
Some 139 new cases of the disease were also reported , including 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new cases bring the total number of cases to 23,135 .
NPHET is developing guidelines on the wearing of face-coverings in some settings but Dr Holohan said the proposals would not be mandatory .
Meanwhile , the Northern Executive is to announce a five-stage easing of the coronavirus lockdown in Northern Ireland on Tuesday .
It is expected to differ from the Republic ’ s roadmap in that there will be no specific dates set down for when particular easings will take place but each stage of process will be determined by @ @ @ @ @ @

Experts say trace and testing must be done within 72 hours to stop spread of virus; HSE says process takes nine days on average
Testing people for Covid-19 and tracing all their contacts is taking an average of about nine days, according to the Health Service Executive (HSE), a multiple of the time most experts say the process needs to be to stop the virus spreading.
The median time from referring a person for a test to sending the result for contact tracing is five days, according to David Walsh, HSE national director of community operations.
The average time taken to then trace all the contacts of a confirmed case is four days, Mr Walsh told a National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) briefing, although “straightforward” cases are dealt with more quickly.
Mr Walsh said this was “an improving figure” and would shorten with the automation of the process in relation to negative results.
READ MORE
Prof Mary Codd, an epidemiologist at University College Dublin (UCD) and head of the contact tracing centre on the campus, said it was vital test results for Covid-19 were turned around within 48 hours by the time people return to work next week.
The entire testing process must come to within 48 hours, or certainly no longer than 72, in order to cut out the spread of the virus in the population, she said. “Otherwise actually we are likely to be looking at these sporadic outbreaks that may not be able to be contained.”
The process of sampling, testing, communication of results to a positive case, contact tracing and quarantine of contacts needs to be done within 72 hours, immunologist Dr Tomas Ryan of Trinity College Dublin has also said.
Silicon Valley entrepreneur Tomas Pueyo, whose analyses of the crisis have been shared by millions online, said: “If you take on average three days from infection to track contacts and quarantine or isolate them, you will miss a lot of contagions.”
The Mental Health Commission said on Monday that mental health services in Cork and Kerry, and south Dublin, were awaiting test results from up to two weeks ago, while services in the northwest, southeast and south Dublin/Kildare were waiting more than a week.
On Monday, the president of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), Dr Mary Favier, said last month test turnaround times were often more than two weeks.
Mr Walsh said the HSE’s target for testing turnaround times was “three days or below”. By the end of this week, the time it takes should be down to four days and process improvements would then be undertaken to reduce it further.
The figure could also be improved if people experiencing symptoms responded earlier by seeking a test, according to Dr Holohan. He said an average of four days passed between the time a person experienced symptoms consistent with Covid-19 and the time a sample was taken.
“Our message is that if you are experiencing symptoms, don’t wait until tomorrow to see if they go away,” he said, adding that people also needed to self-isolate immediately if this happened.
On average, tests processed in hospitals are turned around a day faster than those done in other labs, Mr Walsh said. The average turnaround time for lab tests was three days last week and would be two days this week.
‘Real-time experience’
Despite the five-day period elapsing from referral to the start of contact tracing, Dr Holohan said he was satisfied the information provided was “real-time experience” on which decisions could be based.
The mean number of contacts a case has currently stands at two.
The deaths of another 15 patients were announced by NPHET at its briefing on Monday, the second-lowest figure in over six weeks. There have now been 1,467 Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic.
Some 139 new cases of the disease were also reported, including 60 notifications in the past 24 hours. The new cases bring the total number of cases to 23,135.
NPHET is developing guidelines on the wearing of face-coverings in some settings but Dr Holohan said the proposals would not be mandatory.
Meanwhile, the Northern Executive is to announce a five-stage easing of the coronavirus lockdown in Northern Ireland on Tuesday. It is expected to differ from the Republic’s roadmap in that there will be no specific dates set down for when particular easings will take place but each stage of process will be determined by scientific and public health criteria.


theirishtimes--2020-05-13--Irishman helping native Americans living in ‘desolate conditions’

An Irishman who is helping native Americans fight one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the US said these people live in “ desolate conditions ” and feel “ forgotten ” .
John Ryan , originally from Newmarket-on-Fergus in Co Clare , but who moved to Phoenix , Arizona almost 15 years ago , said he is helping the Navajo families by delivering goods and food to them .
“ We go shopping for them ...
They [ would ] have to drive three or four hours to get to a consignment store .
Instead , my brother-in-law and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bring it back up , ” Mr Ryan told The Irish Times .
“ We ’ re working with the Irish consulate , just making sure that people are aware that if you have anything you can do to help .
People are offering helicopters , people are offering planes and in the Irish cultural centre , we are co-ordinating it all to get stuff and haulage trucks to deliver it to them.
” Mr Ryan , whose wife , Denise , grew up in the Navajo region , said he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his children ’ s family .
Mr Ryan added that the conditions in which the Navajo people live are saddening .
“ It ’ s [ the reservation ] the size of Ireland .
If you can imagine there are all these people that need help .
They ’ re lacking resources like running water .
They have to haul water , which means basically getting in a truck with their 50-gallon container , ” he said .
It is also difficult to separate an ill person from the remainder of the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 20 residents .
Irish people have offered huge support to the communities in the reservation and have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to their Covid-19 relief fund on GoFundMe .
The list of donors to the GoFundMe page is dominated by Irish surnames , and many donors left comments to say they were giving in remembrance of Native American aid to Ireland during the Great Hunger .
In 1847 , members of the Choctaw tribe raised $ 170 in famine relief for Ireland , a huge sum for a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it came after they had been driven from their land .
Mr Ryan ’ s sister-in-law , Doreen McPaul , who is the attorney general of the Navajo Nation , told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland the Irish people ’ s generosity was “ beyond amazing ” .
Mr Ryan added : “ When you look at the Choctaw donation , we always talk about Irish generosity and I think it has to come from somewhere .
To just see that come almost full circle was amazing .
“ It just shows the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It fills us expats with joy to see that they ’ re not only thinking of themselves but thinking of others at the same time .
”

John Ryan with his wife, Denise, and their children on the Navajo reservation where Denise was born
An Irishman who is helping native Americans fight one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the US said these people live in “desolate conditions” and feel “forgotten”.
John Ryan, originally from Newmarket-on-Fergus in Co Clare, but who moved to Phoenix, Arizona almost 15 years ago, said he is helping the Navajo families by delivering goods and food to them.
“We go shopping for them... They [would] have to drive three or four hours to get to a consignment store. Instead, my brother-in-law and I would do the big consignment store shop and bring it back up,” Mr Ryan told The Irish Times.
They're lacking resources like running water. They have to haul water
“We’re working with the Irish consulate, just making sure that people are aware that if you have anything you can do to help. People are offering helicopters, people are offering planes and in the Irish cultural centre, we are co-ordinating it all to get stuff and haulage trucks to deliver it to them.”
READ MORE
Mr Ryan, whose wife, Denise, grew up in the Navajo region, said he is helping out because he wants to aid his children’s family.
Saddening
Mr Ryan added that the conditions in which the Navajo people live are saddening.
"It's [the reservation] the size of Ireland. If you can imagine there are all these people that need help. They're lacking resources like running water. They have to haul water, which means basically getting in a truck with their 50-gallon container," he said.
It is also difficult to separate an ill person from the remainder of the family as they live in multi-generational households with up to 20 residents.
Irish people have offered huge support to the communities in the reservation and have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to their Covid-19 relief fund on GoFundMe.
The list of donors to the GoFundMe page is dominated by Irish surnames, and many donors left comments to say they were giving in remembrance of Native American aid to Ireland during the Great Hunger.
Famine relief
In 1847, members of the Choctaw tribe raised $170 in famine relief for Ireland, a huge sum for a time when they had very little, as it came after they had been driven from their land.
Mr Ryan’s sister-in-law, Doreen McPaul, who is the attorney general of the Navajo Nation, told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland the Irish people’s generosity was “beyond amazing”.
Mr Ryan added: “When you look at the Choctaw donation, we always talk about Irish generosity and I think it has to come from somewhere. To just see that come almost full circle was amazing.
“It just shows the pure genuine heart of the Irish people. It fills us expats with joy to see that they’re not only thinking of themselves but thinking of others at the same time.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-13--Coronavirus: Garda recruits to be deployed after just one week in Templemore

The Garda has “ transformed ” its training programme in light of the Covid-19 crisis to allow the deployment of recruits to Garda stations after just one week in the Garda College in Templemore .
The changes mean recruits will undertake most of their education from their homes on an e-learning platform before gaining practical experience in frontline policing .
This will minimise the risk of infection spreading in the training college and allow the Garda to put more bodies on the frontline in a short period of time .
It will also mean students will deploy to stations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , these students will not typically deploy on the streets and will not be able to perform arrests .
The next class of Garda recruits is due to begin training as planned later this month under the vastly reworked syllabus .
The programme for the BA in applied policing , the foundation programme for Garda trainees , will start on May 25th with three weeks of “ self-directed e-learning lessons ” , complemented by daily online tutorial sessions from lecturers .
These courses will be done from the recruits ’ homes using their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not enter Templemore until June 15th .
They will remain there for one week before deploying to a Garda station where they will undergo on-the-job training and will aid in the force ’ s response to the pandemic .
They will remain in a station for “ a minimum of 12 weeks ” before returning to Templemore for a further 16 weeks ’ residential training .
It is understood recruits may spend even longer in Garda stations if the health crisis warrants it .
The details of the new course are contained in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start this month .
“ An Garda Síochána , as an essential service , will continue its recruitment programme in 2020 in line with Government public announcements , ” a Garda spokesman said .
The programme “ has had to be transformed and will include a blend of online learning , experiential learning and on-site learning in the Garda College , when safe to do so in line with public health guidelines prevailing at that time , ” it said .
“ The blended programme will comply with public health guidelines and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The Garda said it will use its “ well-established ” e-learning platform , the Garda learning management system ( LMS ) , for the online component .
The spokesman said the Garda “ remains committed to recruiting and training the very best persons to the highest standards ” .
Under the previous programme , recruits spent 34 weeks in Templemore before deploying to a Garda station for the rest of their training .
However , when the Covid-19 crisis started to take hold in March , Garda Commissioner Drew Harris ordered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deploy immediately to Garda stations around the country , at a stage when some of them had just five weeks ’ training .
He said they will return to the college to complete their training at a later date .
Recruits would be assigned duties within Garda stations where they would be mentored by senior members , he said .
Templemore has remained effectively closed since then , and has been used only for limited firearms training .
It had been offered to the HSE as a temporary Covid-19 treatment or isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer has not yet been taken up .
The college ’ s 124 instructors have been reassigned to frontline policing roles until June .

The next class of Garda recruits is due to begin training later this month under the vastly reworked syllabus, ‘a blend of online learning, experiential learning and on-site learning in the Garda College’. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
The Garda has "transformed" its training programme in light of the Covid-19 crisis to allow the deployment of recruits to Garda stations after just one week in the Garda College in Templemore.
The changes mean recruits will undertake most of their education from their homes on an e-learning platform before gaining practical experience in frontline policing.
This will minimise the risk of infection spreading in the training college and allow the Garda to put more bodies on the frontline in a short period of time.
It will also mean students will deploy to stations with little or no practical training. However, these students will not typically deploy on the streets and will not be able to perform arrests.
READ MORE
The next class of Garda recruits is due to begin training as planned later this month under the vastly reworked syllabus.
The programme for the BA in applied policing, the foundation programme for Garda trainees, will start on May 25th with three weeks of “self-directed e-learning lessons”, complemented by daily online tutorial sessions from lecturers.
These courses will be done from the recruits’ homes using their own laptops or tablets.
On-the-job training
Recruits will not enter Templemore until June 15th. They will remain there for one week before deploying to a Garda station where they will undergo on-the-job training and will aid in the force’s response to the pandemic.
They will remain in a station for “a minimum of 12 weeks” before returning to Templemore for a further 16 weeks’ residential training.
It is understood recruits may spend even longer in Garda stations if the health crisis warrants it.
The details of the new course are contained in correspondence sent out to new recruits due to start this month.
"An Garda Síochána, as an essential service, will continue its recruitment programme in 2020 in line with Government public announcements," a Garda spokesman said.
The programme “has had to be transformed and will include a blend of online learning, experiential learning and on-site learning in the Garda College, when safe to do so in line with public health guidelines prevailing at that time,” it said.
“The blended programme will comply with public health guidelines and current standards and quality assurance in place.”
The Garda said it will use its “well-established” e-learning platform, the Garda learning management system (LMS), for the online component.
‘Highest standards’
The spokesman said the Garda “remains committed to recruiting and training the very best persons to the highest standards”.
Under the previous programme, recruits spent 34 weeks in Templemore before deploying to a Garda station for the rest of their training.
However, when the Covid-19 crisis started to take hold in March, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris ordered the 319 recruits in Templemore at the time to deploy immediately to Garda stations around the country, at a stage when some of them had just five weeks' training. He said they will return to the college to complete their training at a later date.
Recruits would be assigned duties within Garda stations where they would be mentored by senior members, he said.
Templemore has remained effectively closed since then, and has been used only for limited firearms training. It had been offered to the HSE as a temporary Covid-19 treatment or isolation centre, but it is understood this offer has not yet been taken up. The college’s 124 instructors have been reassigned to frontline policing roles until June.


theirishtimes--2020-05-13--Homeless family numbers up 350% since 2014

The number of families living in emergency accommodation across the State has increased by almost 350 per cent in the past five years , according to research by Focus Ireland and Trinity College Dublin .
The homeless charity and the university ’ s school of social work and social policy undertook an analysis of 500 different Government reports tracking 17 key indicators of homelessness since the start of the crisis just over five years ago .
Since mid-2014 , the Department of Housing , Planning and Local Government has published data compiled by local authorities across the country showing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each month .
Focus on Homelessness , an analysis of this data by Focus and Trinity , charts the rise of homelessness across all ages and family types .
It shows that in June 2014 , there were just over 300 families in emergency accommodation in Ireland .
As of December 2019 , there were 1,548 families , an increase of 349 per cent .
Outside of Dublin , the number of households in emergency accommodation has increased by 128 per cent since 2014 and climbed above 2,000 for the first time in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency accommodation has been growing faster than men , a trend which is partly explained by the growth in family homelessness and the large proportion of families in emergency accommodation with one female , according to Focus .
The majority of the number of adults in emergency accommodation ( about 60 per cent ) were aged 25-44 years .
However , while all age groups have seen a rise in homelessness , the largest increase has been among 45-64 year-olds , with a 231 per cent increase since June 2014 .
There were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 2019 , an increase of 165 per cent on June 2014 .
Focus Ireland ’ s director of advocacy and co-author of the report , Mike Allen , said the research would inform the charity ’ s work with State services .
“ In order to end any crisis , it is vital to fully understand the situation .
This unique collaboration with the school of social work and social policy at Trinity College Dublin clearly informs our work with the State to refine our services and to also develop policy recommendations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – would help to greatly reduce the number of people becoming homeless.
” Mr Allen said Focus on Homelessness would be published quarterly , as the local Government reports become available from the Department of Housing .

The number of women in emergency accommodation has been growing faster than men. Photograph: iStock
The number of families living in emergency accommodation across the State has increased by almost 350 per cent in the past five years, according to research by Focus Ireland and Trinity College Dublin.
The homeless charity and the university’s school of social work and social policy undertook an analysis of 500 different Government reports tracking 17 key indicators of homelessness since the start of the crisis just over five years ago.
Since mid-2014, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has published data compiled by local authorities across the country showing the number of people living in emergency accommodation each month.
Focus on Homelessness, an analysis of this data by Focus and Trinity, charts the rise of homelessness across all ages and family types.
READ MORE
It shows that in June 2014, there were just over 300 families in emergency accommodation in Ireland. As of December 2019, there were 1,548 families, an increase of 349 per cent.
Outside of Dublin, the number of households in emergency accommodation has increased by 128 per cent since 2014 and climbed above 2,000 for the first time in 2019.
Growing trend
The number of women in emergency accommodation has been growing faster than men, a trend which is partly explained by the growth in family homelessness and the large proportion of families in emergency accommodation with one female, according to Focus.
The majority of the number of adults in emergency accommodation (about 60 per cent) were aged 25-44 years. However, while all age groups have seen a rise in homelessness, the largest increase has been among 45-64 year-olds, with a 231 per cent increase since June 2014.
There were 6,309 adults in emergency accommodation as of December 2019, an increase of 165 per cent on June 2014.
Focus Ireland's director of advocacy and co-author of the report, Mike Allen, said the research would inform the charity's work with State services.
“In order to end any crisis, it is vital to fully understand the situation. This unique collaboration with the school of social work and social policy at Trinity College Dublin clearly informs our work with the State to refine our services and to also develop policy recommendations that – if acted upon by Government – would help to greatly reduce the number of people becoming homeless.”
Mr Allen said Focus on Homelessness would be published quarterly, as the local Government reports become available from the Department of Housing.


theirishtimes--2020-05-13--Ombudsman warns against any downgrading of Department of Children

The Ombudsman for Children has expressed concern to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs ( DCYA ) may be downgraded in any new government formation .
Dr Niall Muldoon , the Ombudsman for Children , wrote to Mr Varadkar last week in response to suggestions in some media reports that the position of minister for children might cease to be a full cabinet post .
The minister for children was given full cabinet status by the Fine Gael-Labour coalition which took office in March 2011 .
It had previously been a so-called “ super junior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right to attend cabinet but not vote at it .
Dr Muldoon said that “ abolition ” of the department “ and the dispersal of responsibility for key issues affecting children ’ s rights and children ’ s lives across several departments ” would lead to further “ fragmentation ” when further co-ordination was needed .
“ It would also reduce the visibility of children at a time when it is vital that a clear focus on children , their rights , welfare and wellbeing is sustained , ” he wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues were mainly dealt with within the department of health .
Dr Muldoon said the establishment of a standalone department with a minister of full cabinet rank came “ against the backdrop of the horrors of our State ’ s shameful treatment of children over many decades coming to light ” .
“ The suffering and hurt documented in a suite of reports – including the Ferns Report , the Kilkenny Incest Case Report , the Ryan Report and the Murphy Report – are in stark contrast to the vision and ambition set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youth affairs , Frances Fitzgerald , in the DCYA ’ s first annual report when she stated that ‘ growing up in Ireland means you have the best start in life available anywhere in the world ’ .
“ In my view , and having regard to the very serious issues that continue to come to the attention of my office , there is no room for complacency.
” He said the coronavirus crisis was having an impact on the “ safety , welfare and wellbeing of children , including children in vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Government spokesman said Dr Muldoon had made a “ strong case ” , adding : “ The department was instrumental in making very significant social progress such as the Children ’ s Rights Amendment , the establishment of Tusla and the National Childcare Scheme .
“ There have been no discussions to date on the shape of government departments between Fine Gael , Fianna Fáil and the Greens .
” The Constitution caps the number of cabinet ministers at 15 and the configuration of government departments is often changed by new administrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin , tipped to be the first to be taoiseach in any coalition involving his party , Fine Gael and the Greens , has called for the creation of a department of higher education and research that would be separate from the Department of Education .
Mr Martin last year said his party in government would seek a “ broader reconfiguration ” of departments generally .

The Ombudsman for Children has expressed concern to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) may be downgraded in any new government formation.
Dr Niall Muldoon, the Ombudsman for Children, wrote to Mr Varadkar last week in response to suggestions in some media reports that the position of minister for children might cease to be a full cabinet post.
The minister for children was given full cabinet status by the Fine Gael-Labour coalition which took office in March 2011. It had previously been a so-called “super junior” ministry, which gives such ministers the right to attend cabinet but not vote at it.
Dr Muldoon said that “abolition” of the department “and the dispersal of responsibility for key issues affecting children’s rights and children’s lives across several departments” would lead to further “fragmentation” when further co-ordination was needed.
READ MORE
“It would also reduce the visibility of children at a time when it is vital that a clear focus on children, their rights, welfare and wellbeing is sustained,” he wrote.
Prior to 2011, children’s issues were mainly dealt with within the department of health. Dr Muldoon said the establishment of a standalone department with a minister of full cabinet rank came “against the backdrop of the horrors of our State’s shameful treatment of children over many decades coming to light”.
"The suffering and hurt documented in a suite of reports – including the Ferns Report, the Kilkenny Incest Case Report, the Ryan Report and the Murphy Report – are in stark contrast to the vision and ambition set out by former minister for children and youth affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, in the DCYA's first annual report when she stated that 'growing up in Ireland means you have the best start in life available anywhere in the world'.
“In my view, and having regard to the very serious issues that continue to come to the attention of my office, there is no room for complacency.”
He said the coronavirus crisis was having an impact on the “safety, welfare and wellbeing of children, including children in vulnerable circumstances and with complex needs”.
‘Strong case’
A Government spokesman said Dr Muldoon had made a “strong case”, adding: “The department was instrumental in making very significant social progress such as the Children’s Rights Amendment, the establishment of Tusla and the National Childcare Scheme.
"There have been no discussions to date on the shape of government departments between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Greens. "
The Constitution caps the number of cabinet ministers at 15 and the configuration of government departments is often changed by new administrations to reflect its priorities.
For example, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, tipped to be the first to be taoiseach in any coalition involving his party, Fine Gael and the Greens, has called for the creation of a department of higher education and research that would be separate from the Department of Education. Mr Martin last year said his party in government would seek a “broader reconfiguration” of departments generally.


theirishtimes--2020-05-13--Gardaí must be 'more assertive' at large funerals – Traveller advocate

Gardaí must be “ more assertive at dispersing people ” when large numbers of mourners attend funerals , a leading Traveller advocate has warned .
Martin Collins , co-director of Pavee Point , said large funerals would continue , despite the HSE rules that they should not happen during the pandemic , as they had “ huge cultural and emotional significance ” for Travellers .
He was speaking as an extended Traveller family in Cork buried their fourth young man in less than a week .
The funerals , in Cork and Wexford , have drawn sharp criticism as each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Traveller groups point out that Traveller family groups tend to be much larger than average ones .
On Monday , more than 100 people gathered outside Farranree church on Cork city ’ s northside for the funeral Mass of brothers Johnny ( 17 ) and Michael ( 41 ) Cash originally from the Fairhill area .
Mourners followed the cortege to St Catherine ’ s Cemetery in Kilcully , where onlookers said social distancing was not observed .
Media reports suggested mourners had come from several counties and Britain .
Local Independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Most people are adhering to [ the rules ] despite the fact that they ’ re unable to attend loved ones ’ [ funerals ] .
“ But where Travellers and their funerals are concerned , there appears to be one law for the general population and another for this specific ethnic group.
” Traveller funerals elsewhere in recent weeks have also drawn criticism , notably in Birr , Co Offaly ; Bundoran , Co Donegal ; New Ross , Co Wexford ; and in Coolock , Dublin .
In Offaly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been contacted by many constituents expressing their anger at the scenes there .
According to Government guidelines , during the crisis “ funerals should be private and limited to a maximum of 10 people ” .
Given that the HSE is now focusing on helping vulnerable groups , like Travellers , the Roma and people in direct provision , pressure is likely to grow on the Traveller community to do more to help themselves – especially by avoiding large gatherings like funerals .
Many at Monday ’ s funeral had travelled from Wexford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s cousin , Paddy Cash ( 18 ) , was buried .
He had died with Johnny in a car crash in Boston on April 22nd .
Michael Cash died earlier this month in his sleep .
The previous weekend dozens of the same mourners had gathered outside the same Cork church and travelled on to the same cemetery for the funeral of Cornelius “ Connie ” O ’ Donoghue ( 42 ) who had died the week before , also in his sleep .
A separated father of three , he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cash family .
His sister and carer , Nora O ’ Donoghue , organised his funeral while also reeling from the news of her brothers-in-law ’ s deaths .
“ Her children lost three uncles in three days , ” says sister-in-law Breda O ’ Donoghue , advocacy officer with the Cork Traveller Visibility Group .
“ As you can imagine , people were very low .
Two young boys killed .
Two other young men had died , ” she says .
Undertakers , O ’ Connor ’ s , agreed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respects at the funeral home .
“ That all went smoothly , ” says Ms O ’ Donoghue .
“ The next day , what we said to the family was : ‘ You can ’ t come into the church but you can pay your respects outside , socially distancing.
’ ” The Mass was attended by Mr O ’ Donoghue ’ s mother , children and seven siblings .
Mourners were asked on social media to attend the graveyard only if they could socially distance .
Though it “ did get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Donoghue says households stayed apart from other families .
She points out Travellers ’ households are often large .
One of Connie ’ s sisters has three adult children with spouses and 15 grandchildren living in caravans in her back yard .
“ They are all living with each other .
They aren ’ t going to socially distance , ” says Ms O ’ Donoghue .
She stresses the shock and grief the family has been plunged into in the past three weeks but also the cultural significance of funerals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community .
“ It is part of solidarity with the community .
It is instilled in you from a very young age , you have to go to funerals .
You have to be there to stand with the family .
These are the vital parts of our culture , ” she says .
“ So much of our culture has been pulled away – our nomadism , our economy .
The effects of all that on our community are so detrimental .
When your culture is under threat , you hold on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Always for us we have massive funerals .
Honouring the dead is so important .
There is a sense of loss if you don ’ t take part in the funeral.
” Mr Collins agrees , saying : “ There are deep emotions around funerals , deeper than for christenings or weddings I ’ d say .
There is a shame on you and your family if you aren ’ t seen at a family funeral.
” He has said in statements in recent weeks that during the Covid-19 pandemic this aspect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a back seat ” and large gatherings are “ just not acceptable ” .
He reiterates this and adds gardaí should step in if necessary .
“ It is not acceptable that social distancing is not being observed .
But it is also unacceptable that the gardaí are standing back .
They are well able to step in when they want to .
There is scope for them to intervene , respectfully and politely , and to ask people to disperse .
“ This is about saving lives – Traveller lives and settled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokeswoman said : “ We have engaged extensively with Traveller community representative groups in relation to the public health guidelines .
“ In supporting the guidelines , An Garda Síochána has adopted a graduated policing response based on its tradition of policing by consent .
This has seen Gardaí engage , educate , encourage and , as a last resort , enforce .
”

Mourners at the funeral of Michael and Johnny Cash on their way to Farranree Church, in Cork.
Gardaí must be “more assertive at dispersing people” when large numbers of mourners attend funerals, a leading Traveller advocate has warned.
Martin Collins, co-director of Pavee Point, said large funerals would continue, despite the HSE rules that they should not happen during the pandemic, as they had "huge cultural and emotional significance" for Travellers.
He was speaking as an extended Traveller family in Cork buried their fourth young man in less than a week.
The funerals, in Cork and Wexford, have drawn sharp criticism as each attracted more than 150 mourners. However, Traveller groups point out that Traveller family groups tend to be much larger than average ones.
READ MORE
On Monday, more than 100 people gathered outside Farranree church on Cork city's northside for the funeral Mass of brothers Johnny (17) and Michael (41) Cash originally from the Fairhill area. Mourners followed the cortege to St Catherine's Cemetery in Kilcully, where onlookers said social distancing was not observed.
Media reports suggested mourners had come from several counties and Britain. Local Independent councillor Ken O’Flynn said: “Most people are adhering to [the rules] despite the fact that they’re unable to attend loved ones’ [funerals].
“But where Travellers and their funerals are concerned, there appears to be one law for the general population and another for this specific ethnic group.”
Traveller funerals elsewhere in recent weeks have also drawn criticism, notably in Birr, Co Offaly; Bundoran, Co Donegal; New Ross, Co Wexford; and in Coolock, Dublin.
Anger
In Offaly, local councillor John Leahy said he had been contacted by many constituents expressing their anger at the scenes there.
According to Government guidelines, during the crisis “funerals should be private and limited to a maximum of 10 people”.
Given that the HSE is now focusing on helping vulnerable groups, like Travellers, the Roma and people in direct provision, pressure is likely to grow on the Traveller community to do more to help themselves – especially by avoiding large gatherings like funerals.
Many at Monday's funeral had travelled from Wexford where on Sunday the deceased men's cousin, Paddy Cash (18), was buried. He had died with Johnny in a car crash in Boston on April 22nd. Michael Cash died earlier this month in his sleep.
The previous weekend dozens of the same mourners had gathered outside the same Cork church and travelled on to the same cemetery for the funeral of Cornelius "Connie" O'Donoghue (42) who had died the week before, also in his sleep. A separated father of three, he was related, by marriage, to the Cash family.
His sister and carer, Nora O’Donoghue, organised his funeral while also reeling from the news of her brothers-in-law’s deaths.
"Her children lost three uncles in three days," says sister-in-law Breda O'Donoghue, advocacy officer with the Cork Traveller Visibility Group.
A Traveller funeral at Church of the Resurrection in Farrenree, Cork city. Photograph: Damian Coleman
“As you can imagine, people were very low. Two young boys killed. Two other young men had died,” she says.
Undertakers, O’Connor’s, agreed that two people at a time could pay respects at the funeral home.
“That all went smoothly,” says Ms O’Donoghue. “The next day, what we said to the family was: ‘You can’t come into the church but you can pay your respects outside, socially distancing.’” The Mass was attended by Mr O’Donoghue’s mother, children and seven siblings.
Mourners were asked on social media to attend the graveyard only if they could socially distance. Though it “did get tight around the grave”, Ms O’Donoghue says households stayed apart from other families.
She points out Travellers’ households are often large. One of Connie’s sisters has three adult children with spouses and 15 grandchildren living in caravans in her back yard. “They are all living with each other. They aren’t going to socially distance,” says Ms O’Donoghue.
Cultural significance
She stresses the shock and grief the family has been plunged into in the past three weeks but also the cultural significance of funerals to a “marginalised and isolated” community.
“It is part of solidarity with the community. It is instilled in you from a very young age, you have to go to funerals. You have to be there to stand with the family. These are the vital parts of our culture,” she says.
“So much of our culture has been pulled away – our nomadism, our economy. The effects of all that on our community are so detrimental. When your culture is under threat, you hold on to the things that you can. Always for us we have massive funerals. Honouring the dead is so important. There is a sense of loss if you don’t take part in the funeral.”
Mr Collins agrees, saying: “There are deep emotions around funerals, deeper than for christenings or weddings I’d say. There is a shame on you and your family if you aren’t seen at a family funeral.”
He has said in statements in recent weeks that during the Covid-19 pandemic this aspect of Traveller culture will have to “take a back seat” and large gatherings are “just not acceptable”. He reiterates this and adds gardaí should step in if necessary.
“It is not acceptable that social distancing is not being observed. But it is also unacceptable that the gardaí are standing back. They are well able to step in when they want to. There is scope for them to intervene, respectfully and politely, and to ask people to disperse.
“This is about saving lives – Traveller lives and settled people’s lives.”
A Garda spokeswoman said: “We have engaged extensively with Traveller community representative groups in relation to the public health guidelines.
"In supporting the guidelines, An Garda Síochána has adopted a graduated policing response based on its tradition of policing by consent. This has seen Gardaí engage, educate, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce."