theirishtimes--2020-10-16--Kinder eggs full of cannabis and cash stashed in steering wheels: What you see on the front line aga

Kinder eggs full of cannabis and cash stashed in steering wheels: What you see on the front line against smugglers

The cattle truck may be smelly after disembarking the 16-hour sailing from Cherbourg to Rosslare , but somebody has to climb into it and check for drugs , firearms or any other nasty surprises .
Today it ’ s the turn of a Customs dog handler who , in full hazmat suit due to Covid-19 , doesn ’ t shirk from her responsibilities .
After crawling around the deep recesses of the two-storey trailer with her springer spaniel , the verdict is a clean bill of health for the driver , who brought animals out to France and is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing a load of Italian tiles into the country .
The driver , a cheerful Irishman whose demeanour suggests he ’ s been through this process many times , jumps into the cab and pulls away , leaving the unmistakable smell of his original cargo lingering strongly in the air .
“ They ’ d clean the trailer after the animals before they ’ d put another load in coming back , but sometimes their idea of clean mightn ’ t be the same as yours , ” a Customs officer chuckles on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smell .
This is the unglamorous front line in the fight against Irish and international smugglers who deal in everything from drugs and guns to people and items such as alcohol and cigarettes .
On this afternoon Gerry McGrath is the man directing operations – a GAA referee on his own time and an expert searcher when he ’ s on the job as a Customs officer .
McGrath , who says , “ I love finding things , you do get a buzz from it , ” once found a tiny Kinder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the compartment of a trailer carrying a 40ft container .
He has had huge results too .
Finding almost €500,000 hidden in the door casings and steering wheel shaft of a car is an obvious highlight .
On that occasion a car carrying two men arrived at the port intent on catching the ferry to France just minutes before it sailed .
One of McGrath ’ s colleagues decided , based solely on the men ’ s body language , to stop them and search their car .
Immediately as they began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than €200,000 hidden in one door , wrapped in kitchen towel , and the same on the opposite side .
McGrath kept at it and found more in the steering column .
“ These lads were very confident types of guys ; there was no fear .
They had a story but it didn ’ t add up .
The mule was driving and the leader was in the passenger seat .
The boat was sailing out there and they were sitting down here and they were so angry ; I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Other seizures are easier .
Some €30,000 in €500 notes discovered one day when McGrath simply asked a man how much cash he was carrying and he pulled the wad from his pocket .
“ He was carrying it for the passenger in the car and the passenger went absolutely bananas .
It seemed he was so confident in himself that he didn ’ t think we ’ d take it off him .
There were more searches after that and they got another €200,000 up the country .
“ He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t win it and it was taken off him ; proceeds of crime.
” On another occasion an articulate and confident middle-aged women was driving her vehicle off the ferry , pulling a new car .
She had also made it out of the port but glanced at McGrath and then glanced away .
Sensing something wasn ’ t right , he stopped her and searched the car , finding a chamber in the floor stuffed with almost 90,000 cigarettes .
A haul that size would retail for just over €50,000 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duties and taxes of about €40,000 if successfully smuggled in .
Those caught carrying cash or drugs , or even smuggling people , and those trying to avoid excise on cigarettes and alcohol are a mixed bag ; from the hardened criminal unafraid or indifferent to the sanctions that await them to those who are more vulnerable .
Some of them “ hit bad times , meet the wrong person ” or plunge into crisis due to financial or addiction problems , says McGrath .
At times he has encountered people , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of prison , trying to smuggle “ for the challenge , for the buzz ; some of them just want that buzz ” .
“ You never know what to expect , what you ’ ll get .
You can go into work and get stuck in and be in the headlines the following morning or a few days later and that really increases staff morale .
With a great seizure you could be working 18 or 20 hours ; you ’ d go through the night.
” Today he is dockside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control of one of the Customs scanners ; a large truck with an extendable gantry-style arm used to X-ray the freight containers that come through the port every day from Britain , France and Spain .
The scanner vehicle is stationary in a yard on the port campus .
When trucks and containers are selected for checking as they disembark a ferry , they are taken alongside the scanner vehicle and the extendable arm passes over the containers , scanning them from both sides and above .
McGrath sits inside the scanner vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ images in real time .
With over a decade of experience now under his belt , his eye knows what every load should look like ; whether it ’ s chemicals for industry , food and drink , garden furniture , tiles or any other type of cargo that passes through the port .
As he scans the containers he is connected via two-way radio to a team of his colleagues on the ground outside .
He directs them to compartments in vehicles and containers for checking if he sees something on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His colleagues will climb inside containers and vehicles for a closer look and there are sniffer dogs and handlers on standby to be called into action when McGrath feels they are needed .
Cameras on probes are also at the ready to be manoeuvred inside car doors or any other crevice or chamber where cash or drugs could be squeezed .
McGrath has found it all in his day : from people hiding in containers to cash hidden in false compartments in vehicle doors or false floors or hidden in tanks within fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bags stuffed with cash or drugs with little or no effort made at concealment .
Typical drugs and other illegal items come in for sale in Ireland and the money from those sales is smuggled back out of the country to gang leaders abroad or as payment for further consignments .
Back in February some €280,000 was found hidden in a secret compartment in an unaccompanied container , something McGrath says “ would have been unthinkable years ago ” as such a sum would have been carried by a courier .
When he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You never know what you ’ re going to get ” and as he works his hunger to make finds “ to beat the gangs and do something good ” is clear to see .
“ I suppose it ’ s the adrenaline you get , and then wanting that more , ” he smiles of landing a big find .
“ You ’ re helping to break a gang , I guess .
And when you seize cash you really , really , see reactions from people ; either crying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ve caught them .
You get satisfaction from finding anything , but there ’ s an awful lot of satisfaction getting cash or drugs .
”

The cattle truck may be smelly after disembarking the 16-hour sailing from Cherbourg to Rosslare, but somebody has to climb into it and check for drugs, firearms or any other nasty surprises.
Today it’s the turn of a Customs dog handler who, in full hazmat suit due to Covid-19, doesn’t shirk from her responsibilities.
After crawling around the deep recesses of the two-storey trailer with her springer spaniel, the verdict is a clean bill of health for the driver, who brought animals out to France and is now at the end of the return journey bringing a load of Italian tiles into the country.
The driver, a cheerful Irishman whose demeanour suggests he’s been through this process many times, jumps into the cab and pulls away, leaving the unmistakable smell of his original cargo lingering strongly in the air.
READ MORE
“They’d clean the trailer after the animals before they’d put another load in coming back, but sometimes their idea of clean mightn’t be the same as yours,” a Customs officer chuckles on seeing The Irish Times grimacing at the smell.
This is the unglamorous front line in the fight against Irish and international smugglers who deal in everything from drugs and guns to people and items such as alcohol and cigarettes.
Customs officer Gerry McGrath operating the Customs X-ray scanner in Rosslare. Photograph: Bryan O Brien
On this afternoon Gerry McGrath is the man directing operations – a GAA referee on his own time and an expert searcher when he’s on the job as a Customs officer.
McGrath, who says, “I love finding things, you do get a buzz from it,” once found a tiny Kinder egg stuffed full of cannabis hidden away in the compartment of a trailer carrying a 40ft container.
Huge results
He has had huge results too. Finding almost €500,000 hidden in the door casings and steering wheel shaft of a car is an obvious highlight. On that occasion a car carrying two men arrived at the port intent on catching the ferry to France just minutes before it sailed.
One of McGrath’s colleagues decided, based solely on the men’s body language, to stop them and search their car. Immediately as they began poking around in the vehicle they discovered more than €200,000 hidden in one door, wrapped in kitchen towel, and the same on the opposite side.
McGrath kept at it and found more in the steering column. “These lads were very confident types of guys; there was no fear. They had a story but it didn’t add up. The mule was driving and the leader was in the passenger seat. The boat was sailing out there and they were sitting down here and they were so angry; I’ve never seen a lad as angry.”
With a great seizure you could be working 18 or 20 hours; you'd go through the night
Other seizures are easier. Some €30,000 in €500 notes discovered one day when McGrath simply asked a man how much cash he was carrying and he pulled the wad from his pocket.
“He was carrying it for the passenger in the car and the passenger went absolutely bananas. It seemed he was so confident in himself that he didn’t think we’d take it off him. There were more searches after that and they got another €200,000 up the country.
“He said he won it. But he didn’t win it and it was taken off him; proceeds of crime.”
Rosslare Europort, Co Wexford. Photograph: Bryan O Brien
On another occasion an articulate and confident middle-aged women was driving her vehicle off the ferry, pulling a new car. She had also made it out of the port but glanced at McGrath and then glanced away.
Sensing something wasn’t right, he stopped her and searched the car, finding a chamber in the floor stuffed with almost 90,000 cigarettes. A haul that size would retail for just over €50,000, with a loss to the exchequer in duties and taxes of about €40,000 if successfully smuggled in.
Mixed bag of people
Those caught carrying cash or drugs, or even smuggling people, and those trying to avoid excise on cigarettes and alcohol are a mixed bag; from the hardened criminal unafraid or indifferent to the sanctions that await them to those who are more vulnerable.
Some of them “hit bad times, meet the wrong person” or plunge into crisis due to financial or addiction problems, says McGrath. At times he has encountered people, including a man in his late 60s just out of prison, trying to smuggle “for the challenge, for the buzz; some of them just want that buzz”.
“You never know what to expect, what you’ll get. You can go into work and get stuck in and be in the headlines the following morning or a few days later and that really increases staff morale. With a great seizure you could be working 18 or 20 hours; you’d go through the night.”
Scanners
Today he is dockside in a windswept Rosslare Europort behind the control of one of the Customs scanners; a large truck with an extendable gantry-style arm used to X-ray the freight containers that come through the port every day from Britain, France and Spain.
The scanner vehicle is stationary in a yard on the port campus. When trucks and containers are selected for checking as they disembark a ferry, they are taken alongside the scanner vehicle and the extendable arm passes over the containers, scanning them from both sides and above.
McGrath sits inside the scanner vehicle watching the screens and studying the X-ray images in real time. With over a decade of experience now under his belt, his eye knows what every load should look like; whether it’s chemicals for industry, food and drink, garden furniture, tiles or any other type of cargo that passes through the port.
As he scans the containers he is connected via two-way radio to a team of his colleagues on the ground outside. He directs them to compartments in vehicles and containers for checking if he sees something on the X-rays he feels needs further investigation. His colleagues will climb inside containers and vehicles for a closer look and there are sniffer dogs and handlers on standby to be called into action when McGrath feels they are needed.
Concealment
Cameras on probes are also at the ready to be manoeuvred inside car doors or any other crevice or chamber where cash or drugs could be squeezed. McGrath has found it all in his day: from people hiding in containers to cash hidden in false compartments in vehicle doors or false floors or hidden in tanks within fuel tanks and, at times, hold-all bags stuffed with cash or drugs with little or no effort made at concealment.
Typical drugs and other illegal items come in for sale in Ireland and the money from those sales is smuggled back out of the country to gang leaders abroad or as payment for further consignments.
Back in February some €280,000 was found hidden in a secret compartment in an unaccompanied container, something McGrath says “would have been unthinkable years ago” as such a sum would have been carried by a courier.
When he goes to work, he says, “You never know what you’re going to get” and as he works his hunger to make finds “to beat the gangs and do something good” is clear to see.
“I suppose it’s the adrenaline you get, and then wanting that more,” he smiles of landing a big find. “You’re helping to break a gang, I guess. And when you seize cash you really, really, see reactions from people; either crying, or giving out, going mad because you’ve caught them. You get satisfaction from finding anything, but there’s an awful lot of satisfaction getting cash or drugs.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Gardaí investigating alleged corruption at large retailer in Ireland

A senior member of staff at one of Ireland ’ s large retailers has been arrested after allegations by the company that he received corrupt payments .
The middle-aged man was arrested on Thursday at his home after being placed under investigation .
An audit was conducted by the retailer and it took its suspicions to the Garda and reported them for investigation .
The company was concerned over the speed at which one of its trading partners , which was supplying services to it , had significantly increased the volume and monetary value of work it did for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and taking its findings to the Garda the retailer made a formal statement of complaint alleging that the service provider had paid money to one of its employees in return for securing more work .
Gardaí are investigating if tens of thousands of euro was paid to the retailer ’ s staff member by the service provider in return for more contracts , as the retailer suspects .
The Irish Times understands while it is alleged around €50,000 was paid , the value of the contracts the service provider managed to secure was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested on Thursday has been under investigation for a number of months and a property linked to him was previously searched by members of the Anti-Corruption Unit within the Garda ’ s National Economic Crime Bureau , or fraud squad .
Garda Headquarters , Phoenix Park , Dublin confirmed the arrest of a suspect on Thursday morning , saying the man had been detained as part of an “ operation in relation to an ongoing investigation into bribery in international business transactions ” .
He is being detained “ under Section 4 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation of offences contrary to the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 , as amended ” , the statement said .
“ It is alleged that the arrested man , in his role as a procurement manager for a large retail business , received bribes from a supplier .
“ The retailer in question reported this matter to An Garda Síochána in March 2020 and are cooperating fully with the investigation .
”

A property linked to the arrested man had been searched by members of the Anti-Corruption Unit. File photograph: Collins
A senior member of staff at one of Ireland’s large retailers has been arrested after allegations by the company that he received corrupt payments.
The middle-aged man was arrested on Thursday at his home after being placed under investigation. An audit was conducted by the retailer and it took its suspicions to the Garda and reported them for investigation.
The company was concerned over the speed at which one of its trading partners, which was supplying services to it, had significantly increased the volume and monetary value of work it did for the retailer.
After carrying out an audit and taking its findings to the Garda the retailer made a formal statement of complaint alleging that the service provider had paid money to one of its employees in return for securing more work.
READ MORE
Gardaí are investigating if tens of thousands of euro was paid to the retailer’s staff member by the service provider in return for more contracts, as the retailer suspects.
The Irish Times understands while it is alleged around €50,000 was paid, the value of the contracts the service provider managed to secure was worth millions of euro.
The man arrested on Thursday has been under investigation for a number of months and a property linked to him was previously searched by members of the Anti-Corruption Unit within the Garda’s National Economic Crime Bureau, or fraud squad.
Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin confirmed the arrest of a suspect on Thursday morning, saying the man had been detained as part of an “operation in relation to an ongoing investigation into bribery in international business transactions”.
He is being detained “under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 for the investigation of offences contrary to the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906, as amended”, the statement said.
“It is alleged that the arrested man, in his role as a procurement manager for a large retail business, received bribes from a supplier.
“The retailer in question reported this matter to An Garda Síochána in March 2020 and are cooperating fully with the investigation.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Covid-19: Sinn Féin says Government failing to increase ICU capacity at Cork hospitals

Sinn Féin has strongly criticised the Government , saying it has added only two intensive care beds to hospitals in Cork throughout the summer despite knowing there was a real risk of a second wave of Covid-19 .
Cork North Central Sinn Féin TD , Thomas Gould said he wrote to the chief executive of the South/South West Hospital Group last week and learned only one ICU bed was added in Cork University Hospital and one in the Mercy University Hospital .
“ What capacity building was done during the summer months ?
We now know that there are no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Covid-19 ward in CUH has had to close because of an outbreak , ” said Mr Gould .
Mr Gould said it was “ disgraceful ” that the Government had months to build capacity , develop contingency plans and properly support the healthcare system in Cork but had failed to do so .
“ We entered into this pandemic in an extremely precarious situation given the decade of failure to fund the health service .
We ’ re now in a situation where the Government did not take the necessary actions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government needs to “ step in immediately and resolve this extremely dangerous situation in Cork ” .
Mr Gould added that the 14-day incidence of the disease in Cork from September 30th to October 13th was now 209.4 per 100,000 .
However the HSE insisted that it had sufficient surge capacity in Cork hospitals and others in the South/South West hospital group to cater for the current increase in Covid-19 cases in the region .
In a statement , it said CUH currently has 20 ICU beds with the capacity to add 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has six ICU beds with the capacity to add a further 12 beds if required .
University Hospital Kerry has six ICU beds with the capacity to add 12 beds while South Tipperary General Hospital has five ICU beds and can add 16 and University Hospital Waterford has 10 ICU beds but can add 17 more , it said .
“ To date none of the acute hospitals within the group have needed to implement their surge protocols .
It should also be noted that ICU utilisation changes on a daily basis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Deputy Thomas Gould said he learned only one ICU bed was added in the Mercy University Hospital, Cork.
Sinn Féin has strongly criticised the Government, saying it has added only two intensive care beds to hospitals in Cork throughout the summer despite knowing there was a real risk of a second wave of Covid-19.
Cork North Central Sinn Féin TD, Thomas Gould said he wrote to the chief executive of the South/South West Hospital Group last week and learned only one ICU bed was added in Cork University Hospital and one in the Mercy University Hospital.
“What capacity building was done during the summer months? We now know that there are no available ICU Beds in Cork and that a Covid-19 ward in CUH has had to close because of an outbreak,” said Mr Gould.
Mr Gould said it was “disgraceful” that the Government had months to build capacity, develop contingency plans and properly support the healthcare system in Cork but had failed to do so.
READ MORE
“We entered into this pandemic in an extremely precarious situation given the decade of failure to fund the health service. We’re now in a situation where the Government did not take the necessary actions and people will suffer.”
He said the government needs to “step in immediately and resolve this extremely dangerous situation in Cork”. Mr Gould added that the 14-day incidence of the disease in Cork from September 30th to October 13th was now 209.4 per 100,000.
However the HSE insisted that it had sufficient surge capacity in Cork hospitals and others in the South/South West hospital group to cater for the current increase in Covid-19 cases in the region.
In a statement, it said CUH currently has 20 ICU beds with the capacity to add 16 further beds if required while the MUH has six ICU beds with the capacity to add a further 12 beds if required.
University Hospital Kerry has six ICU beds with the capacity to add 12 beds while South Tipperary General Hospital has five ICU beds and can add 16 and University Hospital Waterford has 10 ICU beds but can add 17 more, it said.
“To date none of the acute hospitals within the group have needed to implement their surge protocols. It should also be noted that ICU utilisation changes on a daily basis,” said the HSE in its statement.


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Updated legislation means non-EU doctors can now apply for trainee schemes

Updated legislation which was signed into law this week means foreign doctors with internships previously not recognised by the Irish Medical Council will now be able to apply for trainee specialist schemes .
The Regulated Professions ( Health and Social Care ) amendment Bill 2019 was signed into law by president Michael D Higgins on Wednesday after completing its passage through the Oireachtas last week .
The bill includes amendments to the Medical Practitioners Act which means professional medical qualifications acquired abroad will now be recognised when doctors apply for further training .
Before the legislative change , the Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia , Malaysia , New Zealand , Pakistan , Sudan , South Africa , the UK and Malta .
Non-EEA doctors who had trained in other countries and worked in Irish hospitals were not eligible for trainee schemes to become consultants or general practitioners .
While news of the amendment will be warmly welcomed by non-European doctors around the country , many fear they will continue to struggle to make it into trainee schemes .
Specialist medical training programmes are currently allocated with first preference going to Irish citizens followed by EU nationals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re offered to eligible candidates from outside the EU .
In an article published in the Irish Times last weekend , a number of Pakistani doctors , who were already eligible to apply for training schemes , warned that entry into the programmes remains extremely difficult given the preference system that exists .
Dr Ehtasham Yousaf , a paediatric registrar who has been working in Ireland since 2015 and is now based at St Luke ’ s Hospital in Kilkenny , told this paper he had been “ continuously discouraged ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternate career progression pathways which previously existed for those unable to secure a place on these courses have been blocked off .
“ My target is to be a consultant , I don ’ t want to be a registrar for another 10 years , ” said Dr Yousaf .
“ But nobody facilitates or guides us in our training .
You can ’ t get on to the BST ( Basic Specialist Training ) or HST ( High Specialist Training ) because of the preference system.
” Some 6,318 doctors working in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a third of the total number of doctors in this country , according to data from the Irish Medical Council .
Of these , 1,380 are Pakistani , 714 are Sudanese , 650 are from the UK , 517 are Romanian , 336 are South African , 277 are Egyptian and 197 are Polish .
There are a total of 17,925 “ clinically active ” doctors in Ireland .

Updated legislation which was signed into law this week means foreign doctors with internships previously not recognised by the Irish Medical Council will now be able to apply for trainee specialist schemes.
The Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) amendment Bill 2019 was signed into law by president Michael D Higgins on Wednesday after completing its passage through the Oireachtas last week. The bill includes amendments to the Medical Practitioners Act which means professional medical qualifications acquired abroad will now be recognised when doctors apply for further training.
Before the legislative change, the Irish Medical Council only recognised non-EU internships from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sudan, South Africa, the UK and Malta. Non-EEA doctors who had trained in other countries and worked in Irish hospitals were not eligible for trainee schemes to become consultants or general practitioners.
While news of the amendment will be warmly welcomed by non-European doctors around the country, many fear they will continue to struggle to make it into trainee schemes. Specialist medical training programmes are currently allocated with first preference going to Irish citizens followed by EU nationals. If any places are left, they’re offered to eligible candidates from outside the EU.
READ MORE
In an article published in the Irish Times last weekend, a number of Pakistani doctors, who were already eligible to apply for training schemes, warned that entry into the programmes remains extremely difficult given the preference system that exists.
Dr Ehtasham Yousaf, a paediatric registrar who has been working in Ireland since 2015 and is now based at St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny, told this paper he had been "continuously discouraged" from applying for specialist training and claims alternate career progression pathways which previously existed for those unable to secure a place on these courses have been blocked off.
“My target is to be a consultant, I don’t want to be a registrar for another 10 years,” said Dr Yousaf. “But nobody facilitates or guides us in our training. You can’t get on to the BST (Basic Specialist Training) or HST (High Specialist Training) because of the preference system.”
Some 6,318 doctors working in Irish hospitals trained abroad, more than a third of the total number of doctors in this country, according to data from the Irish Medical Council. Of these, 1,380 are Pakistani, 714 are Sudanese, 650 are from the UK, 517 are Romanian, 336 are South African, 277 are Egyptian and 197 are Polish. There are a total of 17,925 “clinically active” doctors in Ireland.


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Man and woman arrested in connection with investigation into brothels and prostitution

A man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s have been arrested as part of an investigation targeting @ @ @ @ @ of brothels and related suspected money laundering offences .
Gardaí said on Thursday that a @ @ @ @ @ arrested as part of a Garda National Protective Services Bureau ( GNPSB ) investigation and @ @ @ @ @ Dublin Garda station under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 .
GNPSB Detective @ @ @ @ @ the arrests as a “ significant ” element of ongoing investigations into suspected organised prostitution @ @ @ @ @ .
He said the investigation had taken a “ victim centred ” approach to “ @ @ @ @ @ suspected and its pursuit to keep people safe.
” “ The investigations have culminated in @ @ @ @ @ persons who are currently detained pursuant to organised crime related legislation , ” said Mr @ @ @

Gardaí said the man and woman were being detained in a Dublin Garda station under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.
A man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s have been arrested as part of an investigation targeting organised prostitution, the running of brothels and related suspected money laundering offences.
Gardaí said on Thursday that a man and woman had been arrested as part of a Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) investigation and were being detained in a Dublin Garda station under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.
GNPSB Detective Chief Superintendent Declan Daly described the arrests as a "significant" element of ongoing investigations into suspected organised prostitution and the establishment of brothers. He said the investigation had taken a "victim centred" approach to "tackling criminality of the nature suspected and its pursuit to keep people safe."
“The investigations have culminated in the significant arrests of two persons who are currently detained pursuant to organised crime related legislation,” said Mr Daly.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Man arrested in connection with attacks on six women in Belfast

Police investigating a number of attacks in which six women were stabbed or assaulted by a cyclist in Belfast on @ @ @ @ @ man .
He was detained on Thursday evening , and has been taken to Musgrave @ @ @ @ @ for questioning .
Four of the women were stabbed and two physically assaulted by a @ @ @ @ @ and south Belfast areas between about 7.45pm and 9pm on Monday .
The women who @ @ @ @ @ in hospital for puncture injuries , which were not life-threatening .
All of the victims @ @ @ @ @ 22 .

The women who had been stabbed received treatment in hospital for puncture injuries, which were not life-threatening, the PSNI said..
Police investigating a number of attacks in which six women were stabbed or assaulted by a cyclist in Belfast on Monday have arrested a 38-year-old man.
He was detained on Thursday evening, and has been taken to Musgrave police station in the city for questioning.
Four of the women were stabbed and two physically assaulted by a cyclist in the city centre and south Belfast areas between about 7.45pm and 9pm on Monday.
The women who had been stabbed received treatment in hospital for puncture injuries, which were not life-threatening.
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All of the victims were aged between 19 and 22.


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--School secretaries defer strike plans

School secretaries defer strike plans

Plans for a series of work stoppages by school secretaries have been put on hold to allow for fresh talks aimed at ending a dispute over their employment status and working conditions .
School secretaries had planned to hold three one-day work stoppages on Friday October 23rd , Monday , November 2nd and Friday , November 13th .
This was due to be followed by an indefinite strike commencing from Monday November 16th .
Fórsa , the main trade union which represents school secretaries , said on Thursday that it had accepted an invitation from the Workplace Relations Commission ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Education later this month .
Fórsa ’ s head of education Andy Pike said the invitation to talks followed the intervention of Tánaiste Leo Varadkar last week when he committed the Government to the regularisation of pay , conditions and pensions of secretaries and caretakers .
Mr Pike said the union has agreed to defer its planned industrial action in order to ensure the talks have the best possible chance of success .
Mr Pike added : “ We thank the WRC for intervening in this dispute .
All parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue has shifted hence the need for more discussions , we hope to see this reflected in the approach taken by negotiators from the department .
“ School secretaries and caretakers will rightly expect Mr Varadkar ’ s commitments to be followed up with concrete measures to satisfactorily address their pay , conditions and pension provision.
” Fórsa says it represents more than 1,000 school secretaries in primary and secondary schools nationwide .
It argues that a long standing two-tier pay system leaves most school secretaries earning just €12,500 a year , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sign on during the summer holidays and other school breaks .
Speaking in the Dáil last week , Mr Varadkar said the Government “ really does value the essential work that ’ s done by school secretaries and school caretakers .
“ Very often the school secretary is the first person you meet on the way in to a school , and the caretaker is the last person to leave in the evening , ” he said .
“ Schools would not operate without them , and I think that the role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as important as that played by school teachers , SNAs ( special needs assistants ) and school principals .
“ For that reason , it is the objective of this Government to regularise their employment , their terms and conditions and their pension rights as well .
But that can only be done going forward , it can ’ t be done retrospectively .
”

Members of Fórsa’s school secretaries branch protesting outside the Department of Education earlier this year. The union has deferred plans for fresh industrial action. Photograph: Damien Eagers / The Irish Times
Plans for a series of work stoppages by school secretaries have been put on hold to allow for fresh talks aimed at ending a dispute over their employment status and working conditions.
School secretaries had planned to hold three one-day work stoppages on Friday October 23rd, Monday, November 2nd and Friday, November 13th. This was due to be followed by an indefinite strike commencing from Monday November 16th.
Fórsa, the main trade union which represents school secretaries, said on Thursday that it had accepted an invitation from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to attend fresh talks with the Department of Education later this month.
Fórsa's head of education Andy Pike said the invitation to talks followed the intervention of Tánaiste Leo Varadkar last week when he committed the Government to the regularisation of pay, conditions and pensions of secretaries and caretakers.
READ MORE
Mr Pike said the union has agreed to defer its planned industrial action in order to ensure the talks have the best possible chance of success.
Mr Pike added: “We thank the WRC for intervening in this dispute. All parties now recognise that Government policy on this issue has shifted hence the need for more discussions, we hope to see this reflected in the approach taken by negotiators from the department.
“School secretaries and caretakers will rightly expect Mr Varadkar’s commitments to be followed up with concrete measures to satisfactorily address their pay, conditions and pension provision.”
Fórsa says it represents more than 1,000 school secretaries in primary and secondary schools nationwide.
It argues that a long standing two-tier pay system leaves most school secretaries earning just €12,500 a year, with irregular, short-term contracts that force them to sign on during the summer holidays and other school breaks.
Speaking in the Dáil last week, Mr Varadkar said the Government “really does value the essential work that’s done by school secretaries and school caretakers.
“Very often the school secretary is the first person you meet on the way in to a school, and the caretaker is the last person to leave in the evening,” he said.
“Schools would not operate without them, and I think that the role they play in our education system is as important as that played by school teachers, SNAs (special needs assistants) and school principals.
“For that reason, it is the objective of this Government to regularise their employment, their terms and conditions and their pension rights as well. But that can only be done going forward, it can’t be done retrospectively.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Cork woman threatened to kill ex-husband and set him on fire with petrol, murder trial told

A mother of two charged with the murder of her ex-husband made several threats to kill him , including threatening to pour petrol over him and set him alight , her trial heard on Thursday .
Lizzie Foley told the murder trial of Rita O ’ Driscoll ( 48 ) that she overheard her threatening her uncle , Ms O ’ Driscoll ’ s ex-husband , Timmy Foley ( 44 ) so often that she came to think of it as almost normal behaviour from her .
“ One occasion , I heard her say over the phone ‘ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you on fire ’ - I just thought it was general Rita - I didn ’ t think she would follow up on it - she said that sort of stuff so often it was almost normal.
” Ms Foley was giving evidence on the sixth day of Ms O ’ Driscoll ’ s trial for the murder of Mr Foley and assault causing serious harm to her other uncle , Jason Foley ( 43 ) at Dan Corkery Place in Macroom , Co Cork on October 8th , 2018 .
Ms O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Co Cork denied both the murder and assault charges when she was arraigned before a jury of five men and seven women at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork .
Ms Foley also told the jury on Thursday that she used to visit Ms O ’ Driscoll at her home in Bandon where she lived with her son , Michael and daughter , Chantal after she separated from Mr Foley who was living in Macroom .
Ms Foley said that she was quite close to her cousin , Michael and used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week .
She regularly heard Ms O ’ Driscoll being threatening towards her former husband , particularly when she was drinking , Ms Foley said .
“ I heard her say once ‘ If I can ’ t have him then no one will ’ , ” said Ms Foley , adding that Ms O ’ Driscoll usually got on well with her son , Michael but they would row after she had been drinking .
Ms Foley said that five weeks before Mr Foley was stabbed to death in Macroom , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to Jason Foley ’ s house in Macroom with a bag of alcohol to see her former husband .
She said Ms O ’ Driscoll ’ s son , Michael told her that his father didn ’ t want to see her but Ms O ’ Driscoll said she didn ’ t care .
“ She said it was her life , she was a middle-aged woman and she could do what she liked , ” she said .
Ms Foley said Ms O ’ Driscoll used to bring over alcohol to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of gaining access to him but she did not like her former brother-in-law , Jason who had suffered an acquired brain injury .
Asked by defence counsel , Roderick O ’ Hanlon SC if she knew Ms O ’ Driscoll suffered from a bi-polar disorder , Ms Foley said she knew she suffered from mental illness and was receiving psychiatric treatment .
“ I was friends with Mike and he mentioned to me that they ( Ms O ’ Driscoll and Mr Foley ) weren ’ t officially divorced but he did say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her anymore , ” said Ms Foley .
The trial also heard evidence from Det Grda Mike Thompson of the Computer Crime Investigation Unit who examined a number of mobile phones found at the house where Mr Foley was found with 28 separate stab wounds .
Among the phones he examined was an Alcatel belonging to Mr Foley and a Samsung phone belonging to Ms O ’ Driscoll .
He found a number of text messages on both which he retrieved as part of the investigation .
Det Garda Thompson told the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Mr Foley sent to Ms O ’ Driscoll including one where he told her “ U R a sick , Let go , yeah ” and another where he told “ F**k you and let it be , yeah ” .
He also found a text message in which Mr Foley mentioned Sarah Hussey with whom he was involved in a relationship , telling Ms O ’ Driscoll that “ I love Sara and I love f**king Sara .
She is my life ” .
He found messages on Ms O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mr Foley , including one which said : “ Look , Timmy , I don ’ t want no arguing - I am happy to be your friend - I will always be there if you need a listening ear.
” He also found texts on her phone which said : “ Look , Timmy you have a good heart .
All I want is for you to be happy , and “ Follow your heart .
I don ’ t hold any grudges .
I want the best only for you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And he also found texts on Ms O ’ Driscoll ’ s phone where the message stated : “ I don ’ t care .
Go with who you want .
I hope you treat her better than the way you treated me ’ ; and ‘ Don ’ t ever take me for a fool.
” Det Garda Thompson also told the trial how he found texts on Ms O ’ Driscoll ’ s phone which had been sent to the phone of Sarah Hussey with whom Mr Foley had embarked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retrieved from Ms O ’ Driscoll ’ s phone which had been sent to Ms Hussey stated : “ On my dead mother , I will do life .
I am a Traveller girl .
Just wait and see.
” Another found on Ms O ’ Driscoll ’ s phone said : “ I have a lot of contacts in every corner .
You will get it girl .
So get out of the country.
” While another said : “ Why go for a married man ; ‘ I am telling you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man.
” Another retrieved from Ms O ’ Driscoll ’ s phone stated : “ Take a warning .
Stay away from my husband and stop contacting him .
If you don ’ t , you are going to be sliced .
And I know where you are and I ’ m not worried about guards.
” And another found on Ms O ’ Driscoll ’ s phone said : “ You are dead when I get a hold of you .
I won ’ t pull it out , streetwalker .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen , I don ’ t care about guards .
”

Rita O’Driscoll from Bridge Street, Bandon, Co Cork denied both the murder and assault charges when she was arraigned before a jury of five men and seven women at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork. File photograph: John Delea
A mother of two charged with the murder of her ex-husband made several threats to kill him, including threatening to pour petrol over him and set him alight, her trial heard on Thursday.
Lizzie Foley told the murder trial of Rita O'Driscoll (48) that she overheard her threatening her uncle, Ms O'Driscoll's ex-husband, Timmy Foley (44) so often that she came to think of it as almost normal behaviour from her.
"One occasion, I heard her say over the phone 'I will pour petrol over you and set you on fire' - I just thought it was general Rita - I didn't think she would follow up on it - she said that sort of stuff so often it was almost normal."
Ms Foley was giving evidence on the sixth day of Ms O'Driscoll's trial for the murder of Mr Foley and assault causing serious harm to her other uncle, Jason Foley (43) at Dan Corkery Place in Macroom, Co Cork on October 8th, 2018.
READ MORE
Ms O'Driscoll from Bridge Street, Bandon, Co Cork denied both the murder and assault charges when she was arraigned before a jury of five men and seven women at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.
Ms Foley also told the jury on Thursday that she used to visit Ms O’Driscoll at her home in Bandon where she lived with her son, Michael and daughter, Chantal after she separated from Mr Foley who was living in Macroom.
Ms Foley said that she was quite close to her cousin, Michael and used to visit him two or three times a week. She regularly heard Ms O’Driscoll being threatening towards her former husband, particularly when she was drinking, Ms Foley said.
“I heard her say once ‘If I can’t have him then no one will’,” said Ms Foley, adding that Ms O’Driscoll usually got on well with her son, Michael but they would row after she had been drinking.
Alcohol
Ms Foley said that five weeks before Mr Foley was stabbed to death in Macroom, Ms O’Driscoll said she was going to Jason Foley’s house in Macroom with a bag of alcohol to see her former husband.
She said Ms O’Driscoll’s son, Michael told her that his father didn’t want to see her but Ms O’Driscoll said she didn’t care.
“She said it was her life, she was a middle-aged woman and she could do what she liked,” she said.
Ms Foley said Ms O’Driscoll used to bring over alcohol to Timmy Foley in Macroom as a means of gaining access to him but she did not like her former brother-in-law, Jason who had suffered an acquired brain injury.
Asked by defence counsel, Roderick O’Hanlon SC if she knew Ms O’Driscoll suffered from a bi-polar disorder, Ms Foley said she knew she suffered from mental illness and was receiving psychiatric treatment.
“I was friends with Mike and he mentioned to me that they (Ms O’Driscoll and Mr Foley) weren’t officially divorced but he did say that his dad didn’t love her anymore,” said Ms Foley.
The trial also heard evidence from Det Grda Mike Thompson of the Computer Crime Investigation Unit who examined a number of mobile phones found at the house where Mr Foley was found with 28 separate stab wounds.
Mobile phones
Among the phones he examined was an Alcatel belonging to Mr Foley and a Samsung phone belonging to Ms O'Driscoll. He found a number of text messages on both which he retrieved as part of the investigation.
Det Garda Thompson told the court that he retrieved a number of texts which Mr Foley sent to Ms O’Driscoll including one where he told her “U R a sick, Let go, yeah” and another where he told “F**k you and let it be, yeah”.
He also found a text message in which Mr Foley mentioned Sarah Hussey with whom he was involved in a relationship, telling Ms O'Driscoll that "I love Sara and I love f**king Sara. She is my life".
He found messages on Ms O’Driscoll’s phone which were sent to Mr Foley, including one which said: “Look, Timmy, I don’t want no arguing - I am happy to be your friend - I will always be there if you need a listening ear.”
He also found texts on her phone which said: “Look, Timmy you have a good heart. All I want is for you to be happy, and “Follow your heart. I don’t hold any grudges. I want the best only for you. Good f**king luck to ye”.
And he also found texts on Ms O’Driscoll’s phone where the message stated: “I don’t care. Go with who you want. I hope you treat her better than the way you treated me’; and ‘Don’t ever take me for a fool.”
Det Garda Thompson also told the trial how he found texts on Ms O’Driscoll’s phone which had been sent to the phone of Sarah Hussey with whom Mr Foley had embarked on a relationship.
One text message retrieved from Ms O’Driscoll’s phone which had been sent to Ms Hussey stated: “On my dead mother, I will do life. I am a Traveller girl. Just wait and see.”
Another found on Ms O’Driscoll’s phone said: “I have a lot of contacts in every corner. You will get it girl. So get out of the country.” While another said: “Why go for a married man; ‘I am telling you, take heed and get a single man.”
Another retrieved from Ms O’Driscoll’s phone stated: “Take a warning. Stay away from my husband and stop contacting him. If you don’t, you are going to be sliced. And I know where you are and I’m not worried about guards.”
And another found on Ms O’Driscoll’s phone said: “You are dead when I get a hold of you. I won’t pull it out, streetwalker. On my way to Macroom now. And listen, I don’t care about guards.”
The case continues.


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Hospital charged €813 a night for patient on trolley in a corridor

The family of a man accommodated on a trolley in a hospital corridor was charged €813 a night for his stay after he died , the Dáil has heard .
Independent TD Michael McNamara , who said the man was in University Hospital Limerick , told Tánaiste Leo Varadkar that he raised the issue with the Minister for Health , who referred it to the hospital .
The hospital in turn said in-patient and day-case charges were based on the Health Act .
However , the Clare TD , a barrister , said the legislation allowed for patients with health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private rooms and multi-occupancy rooms , but he said “ a corridor is not a room ” .
The patient , a constituent of the TD , stayed three nights in the hospital , his final night in a private room , but Mr McNamara said the legislation does not provide any lawful basis to bill people accommodated in a corridor .
It is understood the family is not questioning the charge for the night in the private room but the charges for the nights on a hospital trolley .
Calling on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a room , he suggested that if Mr Varadkar had been offered a corridor to sleep in when he travelled for work his officials would not have paid for the room .
And he warned there would inevitably be an expensive court case to sort out this “ anomaly ” if the Government continued to treat a trolley in a corridor as a multi-occupancy room .
Mr Varadkar said patients opting to be treated privately pay a fee “ not just for the bed ” but for a consultant and other services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was Government policy that users of private services in public hospitals should pay towards the cost of providing those services .
He said charges were a matter for the HSE , but added that “ perhaps it would be sensible for the HSE not to charge for the first night if the patient ends up spending that night on a trolley or sitting on a chair , but that is a decision for the HSE to make ” .
He added that while there were still patients on trolleys every day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trolleys because they are in isolation rooms , so they are on trolleys for clinical reasons rather than reasons of overcrowding ” .
It was “ positive to see that the level of overcrowding in our hospitals is at its lowest in many years , if not since records began ” .

Clare TD Michael McNamara said legislation allowed for patients with health insurance to be billed for stays in private rooms and multi-occupancy rooms, but “a corridor is not a room”. Photograph: Getty Images
The family of a man accommodated on a trolley in a hospital corridor was charged €813 a night for his stay after he died, the Dáil has heard.
Independent TD Michael McNamara, who said the man was in University Hospital Limerick, told Tánaiste Leo Varadkar that he raised the issue with the Minister for Health, who referred it to the hospital. The hospital in turn said in-patient and day-case charges were based on the Health Act.
However, the Clare TD, a barrister, said the legislation allowed for patients with health insurance to be billed for stays in private rooms and multi-occupancy rooms, but he said “a corridor is not a room”.
The patient, a constituent of the TD, stayed three nights in the hospital, his final night in a private room, but Mr McNamara said the legislation does not provide any lawful basis to bill people accommodated in a corridor.
READ MORE
It is understood the family is not questioning the charge for the night in the private room but the charges for the nights on a hospital trolley.
Calling on the Tánaiste to confirm that a corridor is not a room, he suggested that if Mr Varadkar had been offered a corridor to sleep in when he travelled for work his officials would not have paid for the room.
And he warned there would inevitably be an expensive court case to sort out this “anomaly” if the Government continued to treat a trolley in a corridor as a multi-occupancy room.
Services
Mr Varadkar said patients opting to be treated privately pay a fee “not just for the bed” but for a consultant and other services provided by the hospital.
He said it was Government policy that users of private services in public hospitals should pay towards the cost of providing those services.
He said charges were a matter for the HSE, but added that “perhaps it would be sensible for the HSE not to charge for the first night if the patient ends up spending that night on a trolley or sitting on a chair, but that is a decision for the HSE to make”.
He added that while there were still patients on trolleys every day, “a very large number are on trolleys because they are in isolation rooms, so they are on trolleys for clinical reasons rather than reasons of overcrowding” .
It was “positive to see that the level of overcrowding in our hospitals is at its lowest in many years, if not since records began”.


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--President of the High Court critical of lawyers for failure to comply with Covid-19 guidelines

Solicitors and barristers have been upbraided by the President of the High Court for failing to comply with the Covid-19 guidelines .
The top judge said she had witnessed scenes in recent days in the Four Courts that would cause a “ public scandal ” if photographed and published .
Ms Justice Mary Irvine said she found it hard to believe that those responsible were “ professionals well versed in the dangers of Covid-19 and whose livelihoods are on the line ” .
The former Supreme Court judge who was appointed President of the High Court in June , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she can to have as much litigation as possible heard in the context of the pandemic .
However in recent days she had received complaints that members of the legal profession are “ simply not complying with social distance guidance or indeed the court ’ s own guidance in respect of the wearing of face coverings .
“ This is not just happening in Dublin , it is happening throughout the country , ” she said in a letter on Thursday to the Law Society and the Bar Council .
“ And , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of Courts Service staff who have asked barristers to comply with these requirements , that they have , on occasion , received a dismissive or aggressive response.
” In the light of these complaints “ and odd as it may sound ” , she had decided to walk through the Round Hall in the Four Courts and along the corridors on the ground , first and second floors , every day this week , to observe what is happening .
“ Regrettably , on almost every occasion I have come across pockets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to each other .
“ I would go so far as to say that there are more practitioners offending than complying with their social distancing obligations .
“ In particular , the scene outside Court 29 and the Master ’ s Court at various times yesterday , if photographed and published , might have created a public scandal .
“ There were hordes of people on the landing who could easily have carried on their business while remaining socially distanced by using the adjacent top corridor.
” She said she found it hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as she had witnessed were professionals well versed in the dangers of Covid-19 and whose livelihoods are on the line , but who , regardless of the fact that the infection rate was rising , were continuing to put themselves and others at risk .
The High Court president said her primary concern was for litigants who might suffer if the Courts Service had to reverse its opening up process “ because practitioners will not abide by social distancing requirements and the wearing of face coverings ” .
She said she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences ” that a shutdown of physical hearings would have on the livelihoods of barristers and solicitors , particular those just starting out in their careers .
“ Surely , every member of the bar and the solicitor ’ s profession must by now appreciate that their actions have the potential not only to adversely impact their own their own health and financial welfare but damage if not destroy that of their colleagues ?
” She said she had been told by the chief executive of the Courts Service , Angela Denning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force the cessation or a significant reduction in all non-remote hearings .
The letter was sent on Thursday and in an immediate response to its members , the Chair of the Bar Council , Maura McNally SC , said she wanted to acknowledge and thank “ the vast majority of practitioners ” for their co-operation in adhering to the Covid guidelines .
She urged all members to visibly support and comply with the public health measures , and attached a link to Ms Justice Irvine ’ s letter .
She also said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , through no fault of practitioners , the staggering of a court list could cause a back up outside a court room , thereby causing a congregation of people in the corridors .
The Law Society have not yet responded .

Ms Justice Mary Irvine said she had decided to walk through the Round Hall in the Four Courts and along the corridors on the ground, first and second floors, every day this week, to observe what was happening.
Solicitors and barristers have been upbraided by the President of the High Court for failing to comply with the Covid-19 guidelines.
The top judge said she had witnessed scenes in recent days in the Four Courts that would cause a “public scandal” if photographed and published.
Ms Justice Mary Irvine said she found it hard to believe that those responsible were "professionals well versed in the dangers of Covid-19 and whose livelihoods are on the line".
The former Supreme Court judge who was appointed President of the High Court in June, said she has been doing as much as she can to have as much litigation as possible heard in the context of the pandemic.
READ MORE
However in recent days she had received complaints that members of the legal profession are “simply not complying with social distance guidance or indeed the court’s own guidance in respect of the wearing of face coverings.
“This is not just happening in Dublin, it is happening throughout the country,” she said in a letter on Thursday to the Law Society and the Bar Council.
“And, it is disappointing to hear from some members of Courts Service staff who have asked barristers to comply with these requirements, that they have, on occasion, received a dismissive or aggressive response.”
In the light of these complaints “and odd as it may sound”, she had decided to walk through the Round Hall in the Four Courts and along the corridors on the ground, first and second floors, every day this week, to observe what is happening.
“Regrettably, on almost every occasion I have come across pockets of practitioners talking/consulting in very close proximity to each other.
“I would go so far as to say that there are more practitioners offending than complying with their social distancing obligations.
“In particular, the scene outside Court 29 and the Master’s Court at various times yesterday, if photographed and published, might have created a public scandal.
‘Hard to believe’
“There were hordes of people on the landing who could easily have carried on their business while remaining socially distanced by using the adjacent top corridor.”
She said she found it hard to believe that those responsible for scenes such as she had witnessed were professionals well versed in the dangers of Covid-19 and whose livelihoods are on the line, but who, regardless of the fact that the infection rate was rising, were continuing to put themselves and others at risk.
The High Court president said her primary concern was for litigants who might suffer if the Courts Service had to reverse its opening up process “because practitioners will not abide by social distancing requirements and the wearing of face coverings”.
She said she was also “acutely aware of the terrible consequences” that a shutdown of physical hearings would have on the livelihoods of barristers and solicitors, particular those just starting out in their careers.
“Surely, every member of the bar and the solicitor’s profession must by now appreciate that their actions have the potential not only to adversely impact their own their own health and financial welfare but damage if not destroy that of their colleagues?”
She said she had been told by the chief executive of the Courts Service, Angela Denning, that a continuation of present practices would force the cessation or a significant reduction in all non-remote hearings.
The letter was sent on Thursday and in an immediate response to its members, the Chair of the Bar Council, Maura McNally SC, said she wanted to acknowledge and thank "the vast majority of practitioners" for their co-operation in adhering to the Covid guidelines.
She urged all members to visibly support and comply with the public health measures, and attached a link to Ms Justice Irvine’s letter.
She also said that she appreciated that there were occasions when, through no fault of practitioners, the staggering of a court list could cause a back up outside a court room, thereby causing a congregation of people in the corridors.
The Law Society have not yet responded.


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Independence of climate council needs to be strengthened, committee told

The independence and expertise of the Climate Change Advisory Council needs to be strengthened to ensure the State lives up to its legal obligations on addressing climate change , according to Dr Áine Ryall , co-director of UCC Centre for Law and the Environment .
The Supreme Court had recently put down a significant marker in finding against the State ’ s climate planning in what was known as Climate Case Ireland , she told the all-party Climate Action Committee on Thursday .
It is examining the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development ( Amendment ) Bill 2020 , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in law .
“ Significant weight ” was attached to views expressed by the Climate Change Advisory Council in the court ’ s opinion , Dr Ryall said .
“ It seems clear from the judgment that the council ’ s persistent and stinging critiques of government policy played an important role in the Supreme Court ’ s analysis.
” “ This underlined the importance of strengthening its independence and its oversight role and ensuring it has the necessary range of expertise and resources to support its expanded mandate under the Bill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongly endorsed by the Citizens ’ Assembly following its deliberations on how the State could make Ireland a leader in tacking climate change .
The judgment was also very strong on the principles of public participation and transparency in the formation and publication of climate policy .
“ This provides a strong impetus to ensure the Bill provides effective opportunities for public participation , including reasonable timeframes in the legislation to facilitate informed and effective participation in the development of climate policy , ” Dr Ryall said .
An “ unofficial ” consolidated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Bill , compared to the 2015 Climate Act , would have been “ an invaluable reference point and an important resource to enable the public , and those who are not familiar with navigating Bills and complex amendments to legislation , to engage more effectively with the pre-legislative scrutiny process ” .
This Bill , none the less , provided a timely opportunity to take steps to turn the corner on Ireland ’ s traditional “ laggard ” reputation on climate change .
“ We face an existential crisis .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
We must deliver robust , workable climate legislation that supports a just transition and protects human rights.
” Specialist in climate change governance Dr Diarmuid Torney of Dublin City University said the Bill was a welcome improvement on the 2015 Act , but it had weaknesses that ought to be addressed before being passed into law .
Under the Bill , the State is required to “ pursue the transition to a climate resilient and climate neutral economy by the end of the year 2050 ” , it is not required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It sets out a detailed and robust procedure for setting five-year carbon budgets , “ but there is no clearly stated obligation on Government to comply with these budgets ” .
“ By contrast , the UK Climate Change Act , considered by many a leading example of framework climate change legislation , states unambiguously that ‘ It is the duty of the Secretary of State ... to ensure that the net UK carbon account for a budgetary period does not exceed the carbon budget ’ , ” Dr Torney noted .
Requirements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he believed .
“ There appears to be no obligation on either the Climate Change Advisory Council to recommend , or Government to approve , carbon budgets that are consistent with the national 2050 climate objective ” .
There was nothing to stop Government from setting carbon budgets that were explicitly inconsistent with the 2050 objective , Dr Torney said .
“ There is also nothing in the Bill to stop Government from setting carbon budgets that are explicitly inconsistent with the State ’ s obligations under EU and international law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which greenhouse gases were covered by carbon budgets was imprecise and it was unclear if there would be a separate budget for methane arising from agriculture .
Dr Torney underlined the Bill , no matter how strong , would not by itself deliver the transformational change required .
“ Rather , it should be seen as one part of a much bigger jigsaw .
It is an important start , but it needs to be accompanied by a wide range of other actions , including strong measures to ensure citizen participation and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Dr Áine Ryall: Independence and expertise of the Climate Change Advisory Council needs to be strengthened to ensure the State lives up to its legal obligations on addressing climate change.
The independence and expertise of the Climate Change Advisory Council needs to be strengthened to ensure the State lives up to its legal obligations on addressing climate change, according to Dr Áine Ryall, co-director of UCC Centre for Law and the Environment.
The Supreme Court had recently put down a significant marker in finding against the State's climate planning in what was known as Climate Case Ireland, she told the all-party Climate Action Committee on Thursday.
It is examining the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020, which is enshrining Ireland’s climate ambitions in law.
“Significant weight” was attached to views expressed by the Climate Change Advisory Council in the court’s opinion, Dr Ryall said. “It seems clear from the judgment that the council’s persistent and stinging critiques of government policy played an important role in the Supreme Court’s analysis.”
READ MORE
“This underlined the importance of strengthening its independence and its oversight role and ensuring it has the necessary range of expertise and resources to support its expanded mandate under the Bill,” she added.
This was also strongly endorsed by the Citizens’ Assembly following its deliberations on how the State could make Ireland a leader in tacking climate change.
The judgment was also very strong on the principles of public participation and transparency in the formation and publication of climate policy. “This provides a strong impetus to ensure the Bill provides effective opportunities for public participation, including reasonable timeframes in the legislation to facilitate informed and effective participation in the development of climate policy,” Dr Ryall said.
An “unofficial” consolidated text incorporating proposed changes to be made by the Bill, compared to the 2015 Climate Act, would have been “an invaluable reference point and an important resource to enable the public, and those who are not familiar with navigating Bills and complex amendments to legislation, to engage more effectively with the pre-legislative scrutiny process”.
This Bill, none the less, provided a timely opportunity to take steps to turn the corner on Ireland’s traditional “laggard” reputation on climate change. “We face an existential crisis. The time to act effectively is rapidly running out. We must deliver robust, workable climate legislation that supports a just transition and protects human rights.”
Specialist in climate change governance Dr Diarmuid Torney of Dublin City University said the Bill was a welcome improvement on the 2015 Act, but it had weaknesses that ought to be addressed before being passed into law.
Under the Bill, the State is required to “pursue the transition to a climate resilient and climate neutral economy by the end of the year 2050”, it is not required to achieve it, he noted. It sets out a detailed and robust procedure for setting five-year carbon budgets, “but there is no clearly stated obligation on Government to comply with these budgets”.
“By contrast, the UK Climate Change Act, considered by many a leading example of framework climate change legislation, states unambiguously that ‘It is the duty of the Secretary of State ... to ensure that the net UK carbon account for a budgetary period does not exceed the carbon budget’,” Dr Torney noted.
Requirements on setting of carbon budgets lacked precision, he believed. “There appears to be no obligation on either the Climate Change Advisory Council to recommend, or Government to approve, carbon budgets that are consistent with the national 2050 climate objective”.
There was nothing to stop Government from setting carbon budgets that were explicitly inconsistent with the 2050 objective, Dr Torney said. “There is also nothing in the Bill to stop Government from setting carbon budgets that are explicitly inconsistent with the State’s obligations under EU and international law,” he said.
The language regarding which greenhouse gases were covered by carbon budgets was imprecise and it was unclear if there would be a separate budget for methane arising from agriculture.
Dr Torney underlined the Bill, no matter how strong, would not by itself deliver the transformational change required. “Rather, it should be seen as one part of a much bigger jigsaw. It is an important start, but it needs to be accompanied by a wide range of other actions, including strong measures to ensure citizen participation and a just transition,” he added.


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Advert advocating lifting of restrictions ‘belittles’ impact of Covid-19, says HSE chief clinical ad

Advert advocating lifting of restrictions ‘belittles’ impact of Covid-19, says HSE chief clinical adviser

An advertisement in The Irish Times advocating a strategy of lifting all Covid-19 restrictions while shielding the vulnerable would not work , HSE chief clinical adviser Dr Colm Henry has said .
Dr Henry said that while the facts contained in the advertisement were correct the conclusions were wrong .
The full page advertisement in Thursday ’ s paper was paid for by Dublin technology millionaire John Moore who owns Moorezey Holdings and who previously owned 3D4Medical which was sold last year for €45.9 million .
It said the median age of death from Covid-19 is 83 , that 95 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the disease have underlying health issues and that people under the age of 44 are more likely to die in a car accident than from Covid-19 .
“ Surely there is another way to take care of the few who are vulnerable while letting our economy and future survive ?
” the advertisement asked .
It also referenced a website promoting the Great Barrington Declaration which advocates a policy of shielding vulnerable people while allowing the rest of the population to pursue herd immunity .
It advocated an end to restrictions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the advertisement were correct , but its conclusion was wrong .
“ I don ’ t accept arguments that belittle the impact of the disease and reduce the strategy to something where older people can be siphoned off safely , ” he said .
“ Everybody is only one degree away from somebody who has died from it.
” He said it would be impossible to protect vulnerable populations from Covid-19 when widespread community transmission happens as a result of lifting all restrictions .
He said the results of uncontrolled transmission of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when its hospital systems were completely overwhelmed by the number of cases it had to deal with despite having one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world .
“ A lot of people died who shouldn ’ t have died , ” he said .
Dr Henry also pointed out that it is not just old people who are affected by the disease as the median age in ICUs is 62 .

‘I don’t accept arguments that belittle the impact of the disease and reduce the strategy to something where older people can be siphoned off safely,’ Dr Colm Henry, chief clinical officer with the HSE said. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
An advertisement in The Irish Times advocating a strategy of lifting all Covid-19 restrictions while shielding the vulnerable would not work, HSE chief clinical adviser Dr Colm Henry has said.
Dr Henry said that while the facts contained in the advertisement were correct the conclusions were wrong.
The full page advertisement in Thursday's paper was paid for by Dublin technology millionaire John Moore who owns Moorezey Holdings and who previously owned 3D4Medical which was sold last year for €45.9 million.
It said the median age of death from Covid-19 is 83, that 95 per cent of people who have died from the disease have underlying health issues and that people under the age of 44 are more likely to die in a car accident than from Covid-19.
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“Surely there is another way to take care of the few who are vulnerable while letting our economy and future survive?” the advertisement asked.
It also referenced a website promoting the Great Barrington Declaration which advocates a policy of shielding vulnerable people while allowing the rest of the population to pursue herd immunity. It advocated an end to restrictions.
Dr Henry said the facts as outlined in the advertisement were correct, but its conclusion was wrong.
“I don’t accept arguments that belittle the impact of the disease and reduce the strategy to something where older people can be siphoned off safely,” he said.
“Everybody is only one degree away from somebody who has died from it.”
He said it would be impossible to protect vulnerable populations from Covid-19 when widespread community transmission happens as a result of lifting all restrictions.
He said the results of uncontrolled transmission of the virus were seen in northern Italy when its hospital systems were completely overwhelmed by the number of cases it had to deal with despite having one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world.
“A lot of people died who shouldn’t have died,” he said.
Dr Henry also pointed out that it is not just old people who are affected by the disease as the median age in ICUs is 62.


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Covid-19 spreading in homes via doorbells, towels and cutlery, Varadkar warns

Coronavirus is being spread through people ’ s homes by visitors pressing doorbells , using towels and sharing cutlery , Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has warned .
Explaining why there was a need to ban home visits across the country , Mr Varadkar said there was a fundamental difference in people ’ s Covid-behaviour in domestic settings .
“ At home people aren ’ t [ taking safety precautions ] so much .
Some people think it ’ s the student house parties .
.
.
there ’ s a bit of that but actually what is happening in much greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend , it ’ s the few friends over for drinks , ” he said , including children ’ s play-dates in the mix of scenarios responsible for potentially dangerous , otherwise normal social interactions .
“ People are getting too close to each other , they are staying together for too long , ” he said .
“ They ’ re passing the virus by pressing the doorbell , by sharing a spoon , by using the bathroom and leaving it on a towel .
All of those things have spread disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to do this.
” The Tánaiste was explaining the latest set of social restrictions brought into play by the Government on Wednesday in a bid to curb increasing case numbers , which breached 1,200 on Thursday .
“ The thinking is that outdoors is better than indoors and when it ’ s in a controlled public environment people are much more likely to stay apart , sit at the table , and sit at tables that are apart from each other .
Whereas when there ’ s five or six people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different.
” In an interview with Matt Cooper on Today FM , he conceded that far from accepting ongoing , dynamic checks on their lives , people may begin to resent them as the pandemic continues into the later stages of the year .
“ Of course there is a danger of that .
It was very different back in the spring when all of this was new and we were asking people to do this for the first time and it was clearly working .
Asking people to do it for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers are continuing to rise.
” However , he said the recent reintroduction of Garda check points would serve to remind people of the seriousness of the public health situation at a time when traffic levels suggest people are still going to work .
He said he hoped the Level 4 measures in Border counties are enough to curb the disease , and said restrictions in Ireland are now among the tightest in Europe .
In the aftermath of the budget and its expansion of health spending , Mr Varadkar said a massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds was not necessarily the answer it might seem to be .
He pointed out that the Covid-19 mortality rate for those who end up in intensive care is between 20 and 40 per cent .
“ The solution is not to have 1,000 ICU beds that are full of Covid patients ... the solution is to reduce the number of people who get sick and require ICU in the first place.
” Meanwhile , on-the-spot fines for those who breach face mask regulations - as opposed to bringing offenders to court - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , he said .

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said on-the-spot fines for those who breach face mask regulations would be in place in the coming weeks. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA
Coronavirus is being spread through people's homes by visitors pressing doorbells, using towels and sharing cutlery, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has warned.
Explaining why there was a need to ban home visits across the country, Mr Varadkar said there was a fundamental difference in people’s Covid-behaviour in domestic settings.
“At home people aren’t [taking safety precautions] so much. Some people think it’s the student house parties . . . there’s a bit of that but actually what is happening in much greater volumes is the family dinner at the weekend, it’s the few friends over for drinks,” he said, including children’s play-dates in the mix of scenarios responsible for potentially dangerous, otherwise normal social interactions.
Hospital Report
“People are getting too close to each other, they are staying together for too long,” he said. “They’re passing the virus by pressing the doorbell, by sharing a spoon, by using the bathroom and leaving it on a towel. All of those things have spread disease and that is why we’ve had to do this.”
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The Tánaiste was explaining the latest set of social restrictions brought into play by the Government on Wednesday in a bid to curb increasing case numbers, which breached 1,200 on Thursday.
“The thinking is that outdoors is better than indoors and when it’s in a controlled public environment people are much more likely to stay apart, sit at the table, and sit at tables that are apart from each other. Whereas when there’s five or six people in a sitting room, it’s different.”
In an interview with Matt Cooper on Today FM, he conceded that far from accepting ongoing, dynamic checks on their lives, people may begin to resent them as the pandemic continues into the later stages of the year.
“Of course there is a danger of that. It was very different back in the spring when all of this was new and we were asking people to do this for the first time and it was clearly working. Asking people to do it for a second time is very difficult and the numbers are continuing to rise.”
However, he said the recent reintroduction of Garda check points would serve to remind people of the seriousness of the public health situation at a time when traffic levels suggest people are still going to work.
He said he hoped the Level 4 measures in Border counties are enough to curb the disease, and said restrictions in Ireland are now among the tightest in Europe.
In the aftermath of the budget and its expansion of health spending, Mr Varadkar said a massive increase in intensive care (ICU) beds was not necessarily the answer it might seem to be. He pointed out that the Covid-19 mortality rate for those who end up in intensive care is between 20 and 40 per cent.
“The solution is not to have 1,000 ICU beds that are full of Covid patients...the solution is to reduce the number of people who get sick and require ICU in the first place.”
Meanwhile, on-the-spot fines for those who breach face mask regulations - as opposed to bringing offenders to court - would be in place in the coming weeks, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Bringing Border counties up to Level 4 was ‘inevitable’, says parish priest

Anne Nolan reckons it never made any sense to have different Covid-19 restrictions north and south of the Border because in Ballyconnell , Co Cavan where she lives , people often wander between the jurisdictions several times a day without even thinking about it .
Frequently people within the same family work on different sides of the Border , even though their workplaces might be only a mile or two apart , she explained .
“ A lot of factories straddle the Border so one person could actually work in both jurisdictions , ” agreed Ballyconnell native Tony Connolly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the local parish of Tomregan were originally in Co Fermanagh .
“ And for shopping , people along the Border here go wherever there is value .
They either go up or go down , wherever the best price is , ” he added .
Quinn Industrial Holdings , which was recently rebranded as Mannok , and pizza manufacturers Crust & Crumb , the two biggest employers in the area , have factories in both jurisdictions .
“ The restrictions should be the same on both sides because there is absolutely no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family living by one set of rules while someone else in the house is under a different regime , ” said Nolan .
Local parish priest Fr Oliver O ’ Reilly agreed the notion of the Border is so fluid for local residents that this week ’ s decision to bring Cavan , Monaghan and Donegal up to Level 4 of the Government ’ s Living with Covid plan was “ inevitable ” , as stricter rules were announced in Northern Ireland .
“ I think we should be generous and be reciprocal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said the parish priest .
He said “ cross-Border marriages ” in the locality sometimes meant that parents sent children to their former school , another factor in the day-to-day criss-crossing of the Border .
Terence Reynolds , principal of Ballyconnell national school , has staff members living in Northern Ireland , but is adamant that proximity to the Border is not the main factor in the surge in cases in Co Cavan .
“ Because if it was we would see it in Ballyconnell but , in fact , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
He is still happy that the restrictions are being tightened in the county .
“ I feel that the school will be safer with Level 4 and actually if it was Level 5 , safer again .
“ I am not advocating a lockdown but on a personal level I feel the school would be a safer place with reduced activity in the community.
” Cavan is a county which is passionate about GAA football and Reynolds , who thinks it would be ” catastrophic for societal wellbeing ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to criticise the GAA .
But he does allow that recent “ sport-related celebrations ” had been a factor in the spiralling figures in the county generally .
It ’ s a point widely made following the recent senior and intermediate county finals , with many objecting to the scale of the celebrations .
But a senior Cavan county board official has warned that “ finger-pointing ” could be dangerous .
Susan Brady , public relations officer of the county board , has Covid-19 herself and said the worst part has been agonising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus onto somebody else , especially someone vulnerable .
“ I know mine is work-related , ” said the GAA official who did not attend any of the recent post-match celebrations .
“ The last thing we need is mental health fallout if finger-pointing is directed at certain people , ” she said .
“ Getting together to celebrate was not the right thing to do in hindsight but some of these young people are the ones who have had nothing since March – no Leaving Cert , no graduation , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the finger-pointing that ’ s going on will cause more desolation than is already out there.
” Ms Brady said she personally had done everything possible to avoid getting Covid-19 , with screens and other protective measures at work , but she still contracted it .
“ Nobody sets out to get this virus ...
It is rampant in many counties and it is rampant in Northern Ireland.
” Pointing out that the GAA had been widely praised for its role in helping communities throughout lockdown , she added : “ That seems @ @ @ @ @ @

Gardaí perform random vehicle checks in the village of Muff, Co Donegal, on the Border with Northern Ireland. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Anne Nolan reckons it never made any sense to have different Covid-19 restrictions north and south of the Border because in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan where she lives, people often wander between the jurisdictions several times a day without even thinking about it.
Frequently people within the same family work on different sides of the Border, even though their workplaces might be only a mile or two apart, she explained.
“A lot of factories straddle the Border so one person could actually work in both jurisdictions,” agreed Ballyconnell native Tony Connolly, who pointed out that half the townlands in the local parish of Tomregan were originally in Co Fermanagh. “And for shopping, people along the Border here go wherever there is value. They either go up or go down, wherever the best price is,” he added.
Hospital Report
Quinn Industrial Holdings, which was recently rebranded as Mannok, and pizza manufacturers Crust & Crumb, the two biggest employers in the area, have factories in both jurisdictions.
READ MORE
“The restrictions should be the same on both sides because there is absolutely no point in having one member of a family living by one set of rules while someone else in the house is under a different regime,” said Nolan.
Barber Lorraine O’Neill orks on her last customer prior to shutting down her barber shop in Cavan town on Thursday. Photograph: Lorraine Teevan
Local parish priest Fr Oliver O’Reilly agreed the notion of the Border is so fluid for local residents that this week’s decision to bring Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal up to Level 4 of the Government’s Living with Covid plan was “inevitable” , as stricter rules were announced in Northern Ireland.
“I think we should be generous and be reciprocal now that stricter rules apply there,” said the parish priest. He said “cross-Border marriages” in the locality sometimes meant that parents sent children to their former school, another factor in the day-to-day criss-crossing of the Border.
Terence Reynolds, principal of Ballyconnell national school, has staff members living in Northern Ireland, but is adamant that proximity to the Border is not the main factor in the surge in cases in Co Cavan. “Because if it was we would see it in Ballyconnell but, in fact, there are only a few isolated case here,” he said.
Terence Reynolds, principal of Ballyconnell national school, Co Cavan. Photograph: Lorraine Teevan
He is still happy that the restrictions are being tightened in the county. “I feel that the school will be safer with Level 4 and actually if it was Level 5, safer again.
“I am not advocating a lockdown but on a personal level I feel the school would be a safer place with reduced activity in the community.”
Cavan is a county which is passionate about GAA football and Reynolds, who thinks it would be”catastrophic for societal wellbeing” if schools were closed, is reluctant to criticise the GAA. But he does allow that recent “sport-related celebrations” had been a factor in the spiralling figures in the county generally.
It’s a point widely made following the recent senior and intermediate county finals, with many objecting to the scale of the celebrations. But a senior Cavan county board official has warned that “finger-pointing” could be dangerous.
Susan Brady, public relations officer of the county board, has Covid-19 herself and said the worst part has been agonising about whether she might have unknowingly passed the virus onto somebody else, especially someone vulnerable.
“I know mine is work-related,” said the GAA official who did not attend any of the recent post-match celebrations.
“The last thing we need is mental health fallout if finger-pointing is directed at certain people,” she said. “Getting together to celebrate was not the right thing to do in hindsight but some of these young people are the ones who have had nothing since March – no Leaving Cert, no graduation, no college life. I am worried that the finger-pointing that’s going on will cause more desolation than is already out there.”
Ms Brady said she personally had done everything possible to avoid getting Covid-19, with screens and other protective measures at work, but she still contracted it.
“Nobody sets out to get this virus... It is rampant in many counties and it is rampant in Northern Ireland.” Pointing out that the GAA had been widely praised for its role in helping communities throughout lockdown, she added: “That seems to be forgotten now.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Galway clergy pledge to run each day during Level 3 for spiritual and financial reasons

Two priests , one Catholic and one Church of Ireland , are to go on the run in their east Galway parish as a way of combating the impact of further restrictions on public religious services .
Under Level 3 restrictions no church or faith in Ireland may hold public services , except for weddings and funerals at which attendance is strictly limited Fr Gerard Geraghty and Rev John Godfrey both minister in the East Galway village of Aughrim and plan to run three kilometres a day to pray for their parishes .
They also hope to encourage fitness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as raise money to help with the loss of finance every parish is experiencing .
They intend continuing the run until Level 3 restrictions are eased .
Rev Godfrey , who came up with the idea , believes it could be rolled out across every parish in Ireland .
Fr Geraghty also wants local people to join them .
“ We learned during the first lockdown just how important it is to look after our mental , physical and spiritual health , ” he said , “ so we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3K a day until the churches open again.
” Rev Godfrey added that “ it doesn ’ t matter if you run , walk , cycle , scooter , skip or swim ” and “ if three kilometres is too much for you on your own , three people in a household could do a kilometre each .
What matters is the spiritual discipline of doing this every day for your local church ” .
He added that “ just like other charities , church finances have been hit hard by the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are asking people to sponsor the ‘ 3K a Day to Pray ’ appeal , as a way of making sure that their local churches have the finances to keep running properly , ” he said .
Ecumenical collaboration is not new in Aughrim .
During recent renovations at St Catherine ’ s Catholic Church there , weekly Masses were celebrated at the Church of Ireland Holy Trinity Church and in June of last year both priests jointly led celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of Holy Trinity Church .
They also shared a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are currently working together on plans for the Aughrim Climate Action Park , a community ecological project on church land .
They have organised a Go Fund Me page for those who may wish to donate , at gofundme.com ‘ 3K a Day to Pray - Aughrim & Creagh Parish Unions ’ or ‘ 3K a Day to Pray - Aughrim & Kilconnell RC Parish ’ .

Two priests, one Catholic and one Church of Ireland, are to go on the run in their east Galway parish as a way of combating the impact of further restrictions on public religious services.
Under Level 3 restrictions no church or faith in Ireland may hold public services, except for weddings and funerals at which attendance is strictly limited
Fr Gerard Geraghty and Rev John Godfrey both minister in the East Galway village of Aughrim and plan to run three kilometres a day to pray for their parishes. They also hope to encourage fitness, well-being, community cohesion and spiritual enrichment, as well as raise money to help with the loss of finance every parish is experiencing.
They intend continuing the run until Level 3 restrictions are eased.
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Rev Godfrey, who came up with the idea, believes it could be rolled out across every parish in Ireland.
Fr Geraghty also wants local people to join them.
“We learned during the first lockdown just how important it is to look after our mental, physical and spiritual health,” he said, “so we want local people to join us in doing 3K a day until the churches open again.”
Rev Godfrey added that “it doesn’t matter if you run, walk, cycle, scooter, skip or swim” and “if three kilometres is too much for you on your own, three people in a household could do a kilometre each. What matters is the spiritual discipline of doing this every day for your local church”.
He added that “just like other charities, church finances have been hit hard by the pandemic”. It was why “we are asking people to sponsor the ‘3K a Day to Pray’ appeal, as a way of making sure that their local churches have the finances to keep running properly,” he said.
Ecumenical collaboration is not new in Aughrim. During recent renovations at St Catherine's Catholic Church there, weekly Masses were celebrated at the Church of Ireland Holy Trinity Church and in June of last year both priests jointly led celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of Holy Trinity Church.
They also shared a Lenten bible Study earlier this year and are currently working together on plans for the Aughrim Climate Action Park, a community ecological project on church land.
They have organised a Go Fund Me page for those who may wish to donate, at gofundme.com ‘3K a Day to Pray - Aughrim & Creagh Parish Unions’ or ‘3K a Day to Pray - Aughrim & Kilconnell RC Parish’.