theirishtimes--2020-11-02--Covid-19 cases ‘stubbornly’ high in Dublin as hopes of early easing of restrictions fade

Public health officials have expressed concern over “ stubbornly ” high Covid-19 figures in Dublin , despite six weeks of restrictions in the capital .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) has not seen as big a reduction in cases in the capital as it would like , according to chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan .
Earlier restrictions put in place in Dublin in late-September , when the capital moved to Level 3 , had not had the desired effect in slowing the infection , he said .
While cases in the rest of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher level - case numbers in Dublin were staying “ stubbornly ” above 200 a day and over 300 on Monday , Dr Holohan said .
The effects of Level 5 restrictions imposed two weeks ago may be seen over the course of the next week , he added .
A further two Covid-19 related deaths were reported by Nphet .
This brings to 1,917 the total number of deaths linked to the virus during the pandemic .
It also reported a further 767 cases of the disease , bringing the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases , 321 were in Dublin , 84 in Cork and 47 in Meath .
There were also 34 in Limerick , 24 in Roscommon , with the remaining 257 cases spread across all other counties .
At 2pm on Monday , 322 patients with Covid-19 were in hospital , including 44 in ICU .
The national 14-day incidence of the disease now stands at 248 cases per 100,000 people .
Cavan has the highest incidence , at 563.2 , followed by Meath at 482.5 .
Leitrim is the only county with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There were 103 Covid-19 deaths in October , 39 of them in nursing homes , according to Nphet officials .
This compares to 36 deaths in September and five in August .
Dr Holohan said there had been a continuing decrease in the incidence of infection as measured by all main parameters .
The situation in Ireland now compared favourably to much of the rest of Europe , he noted .
However , there was still “ a long way to go ” in suppressing the virus and it was important to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been introduced by Government .
It was “ far too early to say ” if officials were satisfied with “ where we are and where we have to keep going ” in relation to the current restrictions .
There was concern about the increasing incidence among older people , he said .
While the incidence among 19-24 year-olds had dropped from 450 cases per 100,000 people to under 300 in the space of a week , incidence was increasing among those people most likely to have an adverse outcome from the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in schools was being beefed up to ensure already “ robust ” protections for staff and students were augmented .
A dedicated phone-line is being provided where principals can raise concerns and received a same-day response .
Public servants from the health and education sectors are being redeployed to help with public health assessments of schools where necessary .
Cases involving schools will be “ red-flagged ” within the testing and tracing system and the service will run seven days a week .
Up to October 28th , 599 schools had had testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 15,000 students and staff had been tested .
A total of 384 cases had been identified with a positivity rate of 2.5 per cent .
In October , 15.6 per cent of all cases involved children of schoolgoing age , slightly up from the 14.5 per cent recorded the month before .
Under the new multi-disciplinary HSE “ school teams ” , there will be priority testing and a special seven-day phone line to enable principals seek guidance on what to do when a case of the virus is identified .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Education from Monday as schools return from the mid-term break , have been broadly welcomed by teaching unions .
The Irish National Teachers Organisation ( INTO ) said the inclusion of education officials in the teams would help them better understand the specific environments .
“ The department must ensure this new service delivers a significant improvement in support to schools , ensuring no principal is left waiting for days for a risk assessment or public health guidance , ” INTO general secretary John Boyle said .
The organisation has also acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casual contacts ” in school settings published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) on Friday , which it had sought .
These include any person who has had face-to-face contact within less than one metre with a confirmed case of Covid-19 for more than 15 minutes in a school day .
It also includes anyone who has been between one and two metres from a confirmed case for more than 15 minutes but taking into account mitigating factors such as face-coverings , pods , and ventilation .
In a separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland ( TUI ) acknowledged the new measures but called for “ ongoing , robust engagement ” between unions , the department and public health authorities to “ ensure that the concerns of teachers are fully addressed ” .
It has also reiterated its call for an audit of schools to ensure they have the required resources to ensure full compliance with public health advice .
Nphet meets again on Thursday to review progress in reducing transmission of the virus .
Dr Holohan said its advice on further measures should become clear by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holohan told a Nphet briefing that , with less than two weeks having passed since Government introduced Level 5 measures , it was “ far too early to say we ’ re satisfied ” , adding that “ we have to keep going to get the case numbers to where we want them ” .
While not ruling out easing Level 5 restrictions earlier than planned he added : “ I do not envisage , at this stage , being in a position to recommend that.
” Asked about the provision of testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nphet would be looking at what measures could be implemented over the coming weeks .
If progress is made in reducing the scale of infection in Ireland , the importance of international travel increases relatively , he pointed out .
Ireland did not move “ too early ” to Level 5 restrictions , he said ; many people anticipated the change by altering their individual behaviour to increase their level of protection .
Dr Holohan said public health officials were increasingly optimistic about developments in the provision of Covid-19 vaccines “ in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 ” but supply would be a “ big logistical challenge ” .
In Northern Ireland , eight more coronavirus-related deaths were reported on Monday .
The North ’ s Department of Health ( DoH ) said seven of the fatalities had occurred in the 24 hours until Monday morning , and one had occurred previously .
The total number of people who have died in the North with Covid-19 now stands at 724 , the department said .
A further 493 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed , bringing the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Ireland since the beginning of the pandemic to 39,609 .
There are now 379 people with coronavirus in the North ’ s hospitals , with 52 in intensive care .
Pupils returned to school in Northern Ireland on Monday after an extended , two-week half term holiday .
The spread of Covid-19 has slowed following the introduction of tighter restrictions - including the effective shutdown of the hospitality industry - just over two weeks ago , with the average number of cases over the last seven days now at 263 per 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the new measures were implemented .
The North ’ s First Minister , Arlene Foster , told the BBC ’ s Good Morning Ulster programme on Monday that the “ current restrictions ” , which are in place until November 13th , “ would come to an end ” and ministers were “ now constructing a strategy as to how we can then continue to live with the virus ” .
However , taking questions in the North ’ s Assembly on Monday , the Deputy First Minister , Michelle O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to publish work around an exit strategy over the coming days ” but did not rule out an extension of the current restrictions .

A further 493 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Northern Ireland on Monday.
Public health officials have expressed concern over “stubbornly” high Covid-19 figures in Dublin, despite six weeks of restrictions in the capital.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has not seen as big a reduction in cases in the capital as it would like, according to chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan.
Earlier restrictions put in place in Dublin in late-September, when the capital moved to Level 3, had not had the desired effect in slowing the infection, he said.
Dr Heather Burns, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, pictured with CMO Dr Tony Holohan at the Department of Health on Monday evening. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
A garda speaks to a car’s occupants at a checkpoint on O’Connell Bridge in Dublin as Level 5 restrictions against Covid-19 continue to be enforced, on Monday, November 2nd. Photograph: Collins
Hospital Report
While cases in the rest of the country had fallen sharply - from a generally higher level - case numbers in Dublin were staying “stubbornly” above 200 a day and over 300 on Monday, Dr Holohan said.
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The effects of Level 5 restrictions imposed two weeks ago may be seen over the course of the next week, he added.
A further two Covid-19 related deaths were reported by Nphet. This brings to 1,917 the total number of deaths linked to the virus during the pandemic.
It also reported a further 767 cases of the disease, bringing the total number of cases to 62,750.
Of the new cases, 321 were in Dublin, 84 in Cork and 47 in Meath. There were also 34 in Limerick, 24 in Roscommon, with the remaining 257 cases spread across all other counties.
At 2pm on Monday, 322 patients with Covid-19 were in hospital, including 44 in ICU.
The national 14-day incidence of the disease now stands at 248 cases per 100,000 people. Cavan has the highest incidence, at 563.2, followed by Meath at 482.5. Leitrim is the only county with an incidence under 100, at 96.7.
There were 103 Covid-19 deaths in October, 39 of them in nursing homes, according to Nphet officials. This compares to 36 deaths in September and five in August.
Dr Holohan said there had been a continuing decrease in the incidence of infection as measured by all main parameters. The situation in Ireland now compared favourably to much of the rest of Europe, he noted.
However, there was still “a long way to go” in suppressing the virus and it was important to keep up adherence to the measures that had been introduced by Government.
It was “far too early to say” if officials were satisfied with “where we are and where we have to keep going” in relation to the current restrictions.
There was concern about the increasing incidence among older people, he said. While the incidence among 19-24 year-olds had dropped from 450 cases per 100,000 people to under 300 in the space of a week, incidence was increasing among those people most likely to have an adverse outcome from the virus.
School testing
Officials said testing and contact tracing in schools was being beefed up to ensure already “robust” protections for staff and students were augmented.
A dedicated phone-line is being provided where principals can raise concerns and received a same-day response. Public servants from the health and education sectors are being redeployed to help with public health assessments of schools where necessary. Cases involving schools will be “red-flagged” within the testing and tracing system and the service will run seven days a week.
Up to October 28th, 599 schools had had testing after a case was identified, and over 15,000 students and staff had been tested.
A total of 384 cases had been identified with a positivity rate of 2.5 per cent.
In October, 15.6 per cent of all cases involved children of schoolgoing age, slightly up from the 14.5 per cent recorded the month before.
Under the new multi-disciplinary HSE “school teams”, there will be priority testing and a special seven-day phone line to enable principals seek guidance on what to do when a case of the virus is identified.
The new supports, introduced by the Department of Education from Monday as schools return from the mid-term break, have been broadly welcomed by teaching unions.
The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) said the inclusion of education officials in the teams would help them better understand the specific environments.
“The department must ensure this new service delivers a significant improvement in support to schools, ensuring no principal is left waiting for days for a risk assessment or public health guidance,” INTO general secretary John Boyle said.
The organisation has also acknowledged an updated definition of “close and casual contacts” in school settings published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on Friday, which it had sought.
These include any person who has had face-to-face contact within less than one metre with a confirmed case of Covid-19 for more than 15 minutes in a school day.
It also includes anyone who has been between one and two metres from a confirmed case for more than 15 minutes but taking into account mitigating factors such as face-coverings, pods, and ventilation.
In a separate statement, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) acknowledged the new measures but called for “ongoing, robust engagement” between unions, the department and public health authorities to “ensure that the concerns of teachers are fully addressed”.
It has also reiterated its call for an audit of schools to ensure they have the required resources to ensure full compliance with public health advice.
Nphet meeting
Nphet meets again on Thursday to review progress in reducing transmission of the virus. Dr Holohan said its advice on further measures should become clear by the final week of November.
Dr Holohan told a Nphet briefing that, with less than two weeks having passed since Government introduced Level 5 measures, it was “far too early to say we’re satisfied”, adding that “we have to keep going to get the case numbers to where we want them”.
While not ruling out easing Level 5 restrictions earlier than planned he added: “I do not envisage, at this stage, being in a position to recommend that.”
Asked about the provision of testing facilities for international travellers, he said Nphet would be looking at what measures could be implemented over the coming weeks.
If progress is made in reducing the scale of infection in Ireland, the importance of international travel increases relatively, he pointed out.
Ireland did not move “too early” to Level 5 restrictions, he said; many people anticipated the change by altering their individual behaviour to increase their level of protection.
Dr Holohan said public health officials were increasingly optimistic about developments in the provision of Covid-19 vaccines “in the months ahead and the early part of 2021” but supply would be a “big logistical challenge”.
Elsewhere, Garda powers to police coronavirus measures in pubs and restaurants are to be extended until the middle of 2021, it has emerged.
Northern figures
In Northern Ireland, eight more coronavirus-related deaths were reported on Monday.
The North’s Department of Health (DoH) said seven of the fatalities had occurred in the 24 hours until Monday morning, and one had occurred previously.
The total number of people who have died in the North with Covid-19 now stands at 724, the department said.
A further 493 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed, bringing the total number of positive cases of Covid-19 identified in Northern Ireland since the beginning of the pandemic to 39,609.
There are now 379 people with coronavirus in the North’s hospitals, with 52 in intensive care.
Pupils returned to school in Northern Ireland on Monday after an extended, two-week half term holiday.
The spread of Covid-19 has slowed following the introduction of tighter restrictions - including the effective shutdown of the hospitality industry - just over two weeks ago, with the average number of cases over the last seven days now at 263 per 100,000 people, as compared to around 350 when the new measures were implemented.
The North’s First Minister, Arlene Foster, told the BBC’s Good Morning Ulster programme on Monday that the “current restrictions”, which are in place until November 13th, “would come to an end” and ministers were “now constructing a strategy as to how we can then continue to live with the virus”.
However, taking questions in the North’s Assembly on Monday, the Deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, said the Executive intended “to publish work around an exit strategy over the coming days” but did not rule out an extension of the current restrictions.


theirishtimes--2020-11-02--Supreme Court judges to hold meeting on Séamus Woulfe controversy

A meeting involving members of the Supreme Court is expected to be held later this week in relation to the situation of Supreme Court judge Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe following his attendance at a controversial golf society dinner .
A former attorney general , Mr Justice Woulfe was appointed to the court last July but to date has not sat on the Supreme Court bench due to the continuing controversy over his attendance at an Oireachtas golf society dinner at a hotel last August despite coronavirus public health guidance limiting indoor gatherings .
Mr Justice Woulfe was in the Four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while his attendance was not believed to involve any formal meeting , it is understood that at least one meeting relating to his situation is scheduled for later this week .
An informal resolution process arising from his attendance at the golf dinner has yet to be finalised .
On Monday , Mr Justice Woulfe was driven by his wife into the Four Courts complex at about 10am and he remained there for several hours .
His arrival at the Four Courts on Monday came about 30 minutes before a five-judge Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice , began hearing an appeal via remote technology .
That appeal is listed for a two-day hearing and the judges involved were hearing it from their homes and were not in the Four Courts .
A meeting organised between Mr Justice Woulfe and the Chief Justice , Mr Justice Frank Clarke , as part of an informal resolution process concerning his attendance at the golf dinner was deferred three times last month before being cancelled on October 13th last .
In a statement issued on behalf of Mr Justice Clarke later that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had received a “ cogent medical report ” to the effect Mr Justice Woulfe was not in a position to take part in the resolution process at that time .
The Chief Justice said he had received correspondence on behalf of Mr Justice Woulfe earlier that day and it was necessary to cancel the meeting after receiving the report .
Mr Justice Clarke added he was committed to bringing the process to a conclusion as early as it was possible and appropriate to do so .
The three previous postponements of the meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Woulfe , on personal and medical grounds .
The meeting was scheduled following publication of the review by former chief justice Susan Denham into Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s attendance at the dinner in Clifden , Co Galway , on August 19th .
That non-statutory review said Mr Justice Woulfe had not broken any law or knowingly breached any public health regulations by attending the dinner .
However , it expressed the opinion he should not have attended the dinner and was not vigilant about how it appeared for a Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public place in the middle of a pandemic .
The Denham review also expressed the view that calls for the judge ’ s resignation over the matter would be unjust and disproportionate , and that the Chief Justice should resolve the matter informally .
The subsequent publication by the Judicial Council of a transcript of the interview of Mr Justice Woulfe by Ms Justice Denham put further pressure on the judge , as it showed what was seen as a lack of insight into the perception of his attendance at the dinner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Donal O ’ Donnell and Ms Justice Iseult O ’ Malley , and the president of the Court of Appeal , Mr Justice George Birmingham , met Mr Justice Woulfe on October 2nd , the day after the Denham report ’ s publication , to outline the proposed informal process for resolving the issue .
Sources have said Mr Justice Woulfe was “ shocked ” and “ taken aback ” by what was said at that meeting and about the position adopted by his Supreme Court colleagues .
The Supreme Court has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Woulfe ’ s position on the court .
The public outcry over the golf dinner had led to the resignation of then minister for agriculture Dara Calleary and European commissioner Phil Hogan .
Mr Justice Woulfe issued a statement on August 21st saying he apologised “ unreservedly ” for his attendance and had been of the impression the event organisers had made sure it would be in compliance with the Covid-19 guidelines .

A meeting involving members of the Supreme Court is expected to be held later this week in relation to the situation of Supreme Court judge Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe following his attendance at a controversial golf society dinner.
A former attorney general, Mr Justice Woulfe was appointed to the court last July but to date has not sat on the Supreme Court bench due to the continuing controversy over his attendance at an Oireachtas golf society dinner at a hotel last August despite coronavirus public health guidance limiting indoor gatherings.
Mr Justice Woulfe was in the Four Courts for some hours on Monday and, while his attendance was not believed to involve any formal meeting, it is understood that at least one meeting relating to his situation is scheduled for later this week.
An informal resolution process arising from his attendance at the golf dinner has yet to be finalised.
READ MORE
On Monday, Mr Justice Woulfe was driven by his wife into the Four Courts complex at about 10am and he remained there for several hours.
His arrival at the Four Courts on Monday came about 30 minutes before a five-judge Supreme Court, presided over by the Chief Justice, began hearing an appeal via remote technology. That appeal is listed for a two-day hearing and the judges involved were hearing it from their homes and were not in the Four Courts.
Cancelled meeting
A meeting organised between Mr Justice Woulfe and the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Frank Clarke, as part of an informal resolution process concerning his attendance at the golf dinner was deferred three times last month before being cancelled on October 13th last.
In a statement issued on behalf of Mr Justice Clarke later that day, the Chief Justice said he had received a “cogent medical report” to the effect Mr Justice Woulfe was not in a position to take part in the resolution process at that time.
The Chief Justice said he had received correspondence on behalf of Mr Justice Woulfe earlier that day and it was necessary to cancel the meeting after receiving the report.
Mr Justice Clarke added he was committed to bringing the process to a conclusion as early as it was possible and appropriate to do so.
The three previous postponements of the meeting all happened at the request of Mr Justice Woulfe, on personal and medical grounds.
The meeting was scheduled following publication of the review by former chief justice Susan Denham into Mr Justice Woulfe's attendance at the dinner in Clifden, Co Galway, on August 19th.
That non-statutory review said Mr Justice Woulfe had not broken any law or knowingly breached any public health regulations by attending the dinner. However, it expressed the opinion he should not have attended the dinner and was not vigilant about how it appeared for a Supreme Court judge to attend a celebratory dinner in a public place in the middle of a pandemic.
‘Unjust and disproportionate’
The Denham review also expressed the view that calls for the judge’s resignation over the matter would be unjust and disproportionate, and that the Chief Justice should resolve the matter informally.
The subsequent publication by the Judicial Council of a transcript of the interview of Mr Justice Woulfe by Ms Justice Denham put further pressure on the judge, as it showed what was seen as a lack of insight into the perception of his attendance at the dinner.
Two Supreme Court judges, Mr Justice Donal O'Donnell and Ms Justice Iseult O'Malley, and the president of the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice George Birmingham, met Mr Justice Woulfe on October 2nd, the day after the Denham report's publication, to outline the proposed informal process for resolving the issue. Sources have said Mr Justice Woulfe was "shocked" and "taken aback" by what was said at that meeting and about the position adopted by his Supreme Court colleagues.
The Supreme Court has no formal power to intervene concerning Mr Justice Woulfe’s position on the court.
The public outcry over the golf dinner had led to the resignation of then minister for agriculture Dara Calleary and European commissioner Phil Hogan.
Mr Justice Woulfe issued a statement on August 21st saying he apologised “unreservedly” for his attendance and had been of the impression the event organisers had made sure it would be in compliance with the Covid-19 guidelines.


theirishtimes--2020-11-03--Local resident loses bid to overturn permission for 512 apartments in Howth

A local resident has lost his High Court challenge aimed at overturning permission for a development of more than 500 apartments in Howth , Co Dublin .
Christian Morris had challenged An Bord Pleanála ’ s grant of permission last April for the demolition of existing structures on lands at Howth Road and for construction of 512 apartments , two shops , a cafe and a restaurant .
The proposed development is on land at the former Techrete manufacturing facility , former Beshoff ’ s car showroom and former Howth garden centre , Claremont , on Howth Road .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development , meaning a developer bypasses the local housing authority to seek permission directly from the board .
In a recently published judgment , Ms Justice Niamh Hyland dismissed all grounds of Mr Morris ’ s challenge .
The judge , who noted the development was subject to 85 objections to the board , stressed her decision did not concern the merits or desirability of the development .
The board is the body entrusted with expert assessment of such planning applications and her role was limited to considering whether the board had complied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to grant permission , she said .
Mr Morris – who represented himself – had not demonstrated any legal error by the board in its decision granting permission to Crekav Trading GP Ltd , the predecessor to Atlas GP Ltd , the notice party to these proceedings , she ruled .
She dismissed various claims advanced by him , including that the proposed development was not consistent with the zoning of the site .
He had made out no basis for that claim , she ruled .
Mr Morris also failed to raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged failure by the board to have regard to the submissions made by objectors , including over the height – up to eight storeys – and density of the development , she found .
Material before the court showed the board and its inspector engaged extensively with the question of whether a material contravention of the Fingal county development plan was justified in relation to this development , she said .
The board had decided a material contravention was justified for reasons including the Government ’ s policy , set out in Rebuilding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing from its current under-supply , she noted .
Mr Morris had not identified any legal flaw in the board ’ s approach , she held .
In other findings , she concluded Mr Morris had not demonstrated that his concerns in relation to an inadequate flood risk assessment by the board were well founded .
Nor was there any basis for his claim the noard did not have due regard to the Howth urban centre strategy or the Howth special amenity order , she held .
She did not accept Mr Morris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making submissions concerning the development as a result of Fingal County Council having published an incorrect archaeological report .
While it seemed a report relating to a different site had appeared in the file concerning the planning application on the council ’ s website , she was not satisfied that impacted on his ability to make submissions on the proposed development .
The council is not required under the 2016 Act relating to strategic housing developments to place its reports in respect of such developments on its website and Mr Morris was able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she noted .
Having rejected all arguments , she concluded Mr Morris was not entitled to any of the orders and declarations sought .

A local resident has lost his High Court challenge aimed at overturning permission for a development of more than 500 apartments in Howth, Co Dublin.
Christian Morris had challenged An Bord Pleanála’s grant of permission last April for the demolition of existing structures on lands at Howth Road and for construction of 512 apartments, two shops, a cafe and a restaurant.
The proposed development is on land at the former Techrete manufacturing facility, former Beshoff’s car showroom and former Howth garden centre, Claremont, on Howth Road.
It has been classified as a strategic housing development, meaning a developer bypasses the local housing authority to seek permission directly from the board.
READ MORE
In a recently published judgment, Ms Justice Niamh Hyland dismissed all grounds of Mr Morris’s challenge.
The judge, who noted the development was subject to 85 objections to the board, stressed her decision did not concern the merits or desirability of the development.
The board is the body entrusted with expert assessment of such planning applications and her role was limited to considering whether the board had complied with the law in how it decided to grant permission, she said.
Mr Morris – who represented himself – had not demonstrated any legal error by the board in its decision granting permission to Crekav Trading GP Ltd, the predecessor to Atlas GP Ltd, the notice party to these proceedings, she ruled.
She dismissed various claims advanced by him, including that the proposed development was not consistent with the zoning of the site. He had made out no basis for that claim, she ruled.
Mr Morris also failed to raise an identifiable issue in respect of an alleged failure by the board to have regard to the submissions made by objectors, including over the height – up to eight storeys – and density of the development, she found.
Material before the court showed the board and its inspector engaged extensively with the question of whether a material contravention of the Fingal county development plan was justified in relation to this development, she said. The board had decided a material contravention was justified for reasons including the Government’s policy, set out in Rebuilding Ireland, to ramp up delivery of housing from its current under-supply, she noted.
Mr Morris had not identified any legal flaw in the board’s approach, she held.
In other findings, she concluded Mr Morris had not demonstrated that his concerns in relation to an inadequate flood risk assessment by the board were well founded. Nor was there any basis for his claim the noard did not have due regard to the Howth urban centre strategy or the Howth special amenity order, she held.
She did not accept Mr Morris’s claim he was prejudiced in making submissions concerning the development as a result of Fingal County Council having published an incorrect archaeological report. While it seemed a report relating to a different site had appeared in the file concerning the planning application on the council’s website, she was not satisfied that impacted on his ability to make submissions on the proposed development.
The council is not required under the 2016 Act relating to strategic housing developments to place its reports in respect of such developments on its website and Mr Morris was able to access the correct archaeological report, she noted.
Having rejected all arguments, she concluded Mr Morris was not entitled to any of the orders and declarations sought.


theirishtimes--2020-11-03--Six handguns and drugs worth €300,000 seized in Mullingar

Gardaí have seized six handguns and drugs worth an estimated €300,000 during an operation in Mullingar , Co Westmeath .
@ @ @ @ @ supply of drugs discovered the weapons and quantities of heroin and cocaine when they searched @ @ @ @ @ following what a Garda spokesman said was a “ lengthy surveillance operation ” .
Two @ @ @ @ @ late 20s and early 30s , were arrested at the scene on Monday night where @ @ @ @ @ and €56,000 of suspected heroin was seized .
“ They are both currently detained at @ @ @ @ @ provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice ( Drug Trafficking ) Act 1996 , @ @ @ @ @ A follow up search of the residence was carried out on Tuesday and the six @ @ @ @ @ will be sent to the Garda ’ s Ballistics Unit for analysis .

Gardaí have seized six handguns and drugs worth an estimated €300,000 during an operation in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
Gardaí have seized six handguns and drugs worth an estimated €300,000 during an operation in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
Officers investigating the sale and supply of drugs discovered the weapons and quantities of heroin and cocaine when they searched a house in the town following what a Garda spokesman said was a “lengthy surveillance operation”.
Two men, aged in their late 20s and early 30s, were arrested at the scene on Monday night where some €245,000 of suspected cocaine and €56,000 of suspected heroin was seized.
“They are both currently detained at Mullingar Garda Station under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996,” the spokesman said.
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A follow up search of the residence was carried out on Tuesday and the six handguns were seized. These will be sent to the Garda’s Ballistics Unit for analysis.


theirishtimes--2020-11-03--Amendments seek to allow identification of those convicted of killing children

Two politicians have prepared draft legislation to permit the identification of people accused and convicted of homicide offences against children .
The Court of Appeal ruled last Thursday the Children Act 2001 , preventing the identification of a child where someone is charged with an offence against them , did not exclude a deceased child .
The ruling means a child killed by someone else can not be identified once someone is charged , and the person accused of killing them can not be identified if doing so would also identify the child .
Speaking in the Court of Appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the language in the statute is “ clear and unequivocal ” and if change is required that is a matter for the Oireachtas .
Independent senator Michael McDowell and Fianna Fáil TD Jim O ’ Callaghan have each published texts of proposed amendments to the current legislation .
Mr McDowell said his Bill will amend section 252 of the Children Act .
“ The Bill makes it clear that persons accused of homicide offences against children can not hide behind the child ’ s privacy rights to conceal their own identity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allows a court to permit the identification of the accused or convicted person where the public interest justifies doing that in respect of other non-fatal offences .
Mr McDowell said protecting child victims may sometimes require anonymity for the perpetrator in offences such as femal genital mutilation , sexual assault , serious non-fatal injury and incest cases .
However , he said there is “ clearly a balancing act ” in those cases , between protecting the public and protecting the victim .
“ The Bill allows the public interest to be taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
Section 3 of the Bill will make the amendment retrospective to court proceedings for child homicide offences dealt with before the Bill is enacted .
Mr McDowell will move the Bill forward as soon as the Oireachtas reconvenes , and he said he expects the Government to enact it “ as a matter of urgency ” .
Meanwhile , Mr O ’ Callaghan , Fianna Fáil ’ s former justice spokesman , said his Bill , if enacted , will ensure “ all adults charged with the murder or manslaughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If the law is not changed those adults can not , in the majority of cases , be identified , ” he said in a tweet .

The Court of Appeal ruled last Thursday the Children Act 2001, preventing the identification of a child where someone is charged with an offence against them, did not exclude a deceased child
Two politicians have prepared draft legislation to permit the identification of people accused and convicted of homicide offences against children.
The Court of Appeal ruled last Thursday the Children Act 2001, preventing the identification of a child where someone is charged with an offence against them, did not exclude a deceased child.
The ruling means a child killed by someone else cannot be identified once someone is charged, and the person accused of killing them cannot be identified if doing so would also identify the child.
Speaking in the Court of Appeal last week, Mr Justice George Birmingham said the language in the statute is "clear and unequivocal" and if change is required that is a matter for the Oireachtas.
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Independent senator Michael McDowell and Fianna Fáil TD Jim O'Callaghan have each published texts of proposed amendments to the current legislation.
Mr McDowell said his Bill will amend section 252 of the Children Act. “The Bill makes it clear that persons accused of homicide offences against children cannot hide behind the child’s privacy rights to conceal their own identity,” he added.
The Bill also allows a court to permit the identification of the accused or convicted person where the public interest justifies doing that in respect of other non-fatal offences.
Mr McDowell said protecting child victims may sometimes require anonymity for the perpetrator in offences such as femal genital mutilation, sexual assault, serious non-fatal injury and incest cases.
However, he said there is “clearly a balancing act” in those cases, between protecting the public and protecting the victim.
“The Bill allows the public interest to be taken into account in non-fatal cases,” he added.
Section 3 of the Bill will make the amendment retrospective to court proceedings for child homicide offences dealt with before the Bill is enacted.
Mr McDowell will move the Bill forward as soon as the Oireachtas reconvenes, and he said he expects the Government to enact it “as a matter of urgency”.
Meanwhile, Mr O’Callaghan, Fianna Fáil’s former justice spokesman, said his Bill, if enacted, will ensure “all adults charged with the murder or manslaughter of children can be identified”.
“If the law is not changed those adults cannot, in the majority of cases, be identified,” he said in a tweet.


theirishtimes--2020-11-03--Average Covid-19 case numbers rise for first time in over two weeks

Average case numbers for Covid-19 have risen for the first time in over two weeks , new figures indicate .
The five-day moving average was 670.8 cases per day last Sunday , slightly up from the 653.4 recorded the day before .
This was the first increase in the five-day moving average since it peaked at 1,204.2 cases on October 18th .
The increase is largely due to a rise in cases in Dublin , where as chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan noted yesterday , case numbers remain “ stubbornly high ” despite weeks of restrictions .
Dublin accounted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Monday , the highest proportion for some weeks .
Hospital and ICU trends are improving .
There are 307 patients with Covid-19 in hospital today , down from a high of 354 a week ago .
Eighteen patients were admitted over the past 24 hours , while 30 were discharged .
There are 42 virus patients in intensive care today , down two on yesterday .
The positivity rate also continues to improve , down to 4.8 today from a high of 7.3 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests were completed in the past 24 hours , and 88 , 143 in the past week , according to the Department of Health .
However , the proportion of cases linked to community transmission has risen to 31 per cent , from a low of 27 per cent in mid-October .
This indicates there are more cases in the community whose origin is unknown .
Earlier , infectious diseases consultant Dr Paddy Mallon criticised the lack of policies directed at maintaining efforts to suppress Covid-19 .
There was an opportunity , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to introduce policies to keep numbers low , he told RTÉ radio ’ s Today with Claire Byrne show .
The State should not have been biding time until the figures went high again .
Dr Mallon said that while the testing system was good , contact tracing needed some work , specifically more insight into from where cases were coming .
“ Isolation is the key , it is how to stop the virus in its tracks , there is a lot more that could be done .
We need to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down and keep them low.
” Dr Mallon said that the community had “ bought in ” to Level 5 restrictions , that was a good reflection of the society we live in , he said and the impact of that was beginning to be felt .
But he warned “ where we are now is far off from a safe place.
” The slight improvement in the number of cases did not mean that the public could let down their guard .
The number of cases was still well above the target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult to reduce them to where they needed to be , he said .
“ The key to stopping the increase in cases is a good policy .
Correcting what went wrong.
” Dr Mallon also expressed concern about the growing numbers of patients he is seeing with “ Long Covid ” .
Patients who had not been hospitalised , who were aged from 20s to 50s , were in good health , but were now struggling to recover “ That is a real concern .
We can ’ t afford to live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get this virus under control and keep it low.
” Meanwhile , Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has told the Oireachtas transport committee today that there is a “ substantial risk associated with international travel ” at the moment .
He told the committee Irish experts consider that if testing of passengers is introduced , it would still be “ efficient ” to mandate a five-to-seven day period of restricted movement , with a symptom check on day five .
However , Dr Holohan warned this approach can still miss up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With the Government set to decide on how an EU agreement on a common approach to travel will be implemented , Dr Holohan told the committee such agreed strategies will be an “ important step ” as countries move from emergency management of the disease to longer-term strategies .
With the Government set to decide on how an EU agreement on a common approach to travel will be implemented , Dr Holohan told the committee such agreed strategies will be an “ important step ” as countries move from emergency management of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this , public health officials have expressed concern over “ stubbornly ” high Covid-19 figures in Dublin , despite six weeks of restrictions in the capital .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) has not seen as big a reduction in cases in the capital as it would like , says Dr Holohan .
While cases in the rest of the country had fallen sharply – from a generally higher level – case numbers in Dublin were staying “ stubbornly ” above 200 a day and over 300 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put in place in Dublin in late-September , when the capital moved to Level 3 , had not had the desired effect in slowing the infection , he said .
However , the effects of Level 5 restrictions imposed two weeks ago may be seen over the course of the next week , he added .
A further two Covid-19 related deaths were reported by Nphet on Monday .
This brings to 1,917 the total number of deaths linked to the virus during the pandemic .
It also reported a further 767 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cases to 62,750 .

The positivity rate for tests carried out also continues to improve, down to 4.8 per cent today from a high of 7.3 per cent on October 20th. File photograph: The Irish Times.
Maintaining the downward trend in Covid-19 cases is “crucial”, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has said, after the lowest daily case figures in over five weeks was reported.
The 322 new cases of the virus reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Tuesday is the lowest daily figure since September 26th. It brings the total number of cases in the Republic to 63,048.
A further five deaths of people with the virus were reported, bringing to 1,922 the total number of Covid-19 deaths in Ireland.
Of the new cases, just 96 are in Dublin, a trend that will be welcomed by public health officials. On Monday, when over 300 cases were reported in the capital, Dr Holohan expressed concern about “stubbornly” high figures in Dublin.
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Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said “good progress” was being made “thanks to an enormous collective effort”.
Over the seven days to Monday, there were 4,337 new cases against 6,518 over the previous seven days, he pointed out. “Let’s ensure we maintain this downward trend.”
On Tuesday, there were also 35 cases in Meath, 23 in Cork, 17 in Louth, 16 in Waterford and the remaining 135 cases are spread across 18 other counties.
The median age of cases is 37 years and 64 per cent are under 45 years.
At 2pm on Tuesday , there were 296 Covid-19 patients in hospital, including 42 in ICU. There were 14 new hospitalisations in the previous 24 hours.
Dr Holohan said “improvements with Covid-19” were being seen thanks to the efforts of people across Ireland but maintaining the downward trend was “the most crucial thing”.
“The value of our progress depends on continuing the safe behaviour that got us to this position. I urge everyone to keep it up, to ensure these initial trends continue.”
The 14-day national incidence of the disease has fallen to 228 cases per 100,000 people, according to the Department of Health. Cavan has the highest incidence at 475.2, followed by Meath at 380.4. Leitrim has the lowest incidence, at 84.3.
Hospital and ICU trends are improving. The number of hospitalised patients, at 297, is down from a high of 354 just over a week ago.
The 42 virus patients in intensive care on Tuesday is two down two on the previous day’s figure.
The positivity rate of tests also continues to improve, down to 4.8 on Tuesday from a high of 7.3 per cent on October 20th. Some 11,067 tests were completed in the past 24 hours, and 88,143 in the past week, according to the Department of Health.
However, the proportion of cases linked to community transmission has risen to 31 per cent, from a low of 27 per cent in mid-October. This indicates there are more cases in the community whose origin is unknown.
Ireland has the 11th lowest incidence of Covid-19, and the 10th lowest death rate from the disease, out of 31 countries monitored by the European Centre of Disease Control, latest figures show.
Earlier, infectious diseases consultant Dr Paddy Mallon criticised the lack of policies directed at maintaining progress in suppressing Covid-19.
There was an opportunity, he told RTÉ radio’s Today with Claire Byrne show, when cases were low during the summer to introduce policies to keep the numbers down and this had not happened.
Dr Mallon said that while the testing system was good, efforts in contact tracing needed to improve, specifically when it came to offering insight into where cases were coming from.
“Isolation is the key, it is how to stop the virus in its tracks, there is a lot more that could be done. We need to get this virus under control, get numbers down and keep them low.”
Long-term effects
Dr Mallon also expressed concern about the growing numbers of patients he is seeing with long-term after effects having had Covid-19. Patients who had not been hospitalised, who were aged from 20s to 50s, were in good health, but were now struggling to recover
“That is a real concern. We can’t afford to live with the virus. We need to get this virus under control and keep it low.”
Meanwhile, Dr Holohan has told the Oireachtas transport committee there is a “substantial risk associated with international travel” at the moment.
He said Irish experts believe that if testing of passengers is introduced, it would still be “efficient” to mandate a five-to-seven day period of restricted movement, with a symptom check on day five.
However, Dr Holohan warned this approach can still miss up to 15 per cent of imported cases.


theirishtimes--2020-11-03--Fees of €300,000 approved for liquidators of firm behind Dublin care facility

A High Court judge has approved fees of more than €300,000 sought by the liquidators of a company operating a south Dublin care facility and nursing home .
Mr Justice Michael Quinn had said last Friday he would also like to know the position of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection , owed more than €1 million – in relation to employee entitlements — on the fees application by the liquidators of St Mary ’ s Centre ( Telford ) .
He also sought clarification concerning a number of other issues .
To allow time for the matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hearing of an application by Neil Hughes and Dessie Morrow , insolvency practitioners , of Baker Tilly , for payment of €313,918 out of the assets of the company as the costs of their remuneration from their appointment between July and October .
Sally O ’ Neill BL , for the Revenue Commissioners , owed some €200,000 , had said on Friday that , following extensive communications and a small fee reduction , Revenue was not objecting to the liquidators application .
She said the liquidation was “ incredibly hands on ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s business .
It did not seem there would be much left for creditors after the fees of the liquidators and legal fees are paid , she added .
When the matter returned before the judge on Tuesday , he was told by Ross Gorman Bl , for the liquidators , an affidavit addressing the issues had been provided by Mr Morrow .
The department had also said it was not objecting to the fees application and would not be attending court .
Ms O ’ Neill reiterated the Revenue ’ s position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the application .
The judge noted the department ’ s position and that neither the Revenue or any of the other notice parties were objecting to the fees application .
He was also satisfied the “ very clear and helpful ” affidavit from Mr Morrow addressed the other matters raised .
In those circumstances , the judge said he would make orders approving the fees application .
The liquidators were appointed last July to the company , which for many years operated a disability care facility for legally blind persons as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St Vincent ’ s Hospital on Merrion Road .
It applied for a winding up order for the facility , owned by the Sisters of Charity , because it would be unable to meet redundancy payments of in excess of €950,000 arising from the liquidation .
It also cited regulatory difficulties , concerns over future funding from the HSE and an inability to comply with Hiqa recommendations to modernise its facilities .
In late September , the judge refused an application on behalf of some residents and some former and current employees to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examiner to the company .
He said there was insufficient evidence before the court to conclude the company had a reasonable prospect of survival .
The judge noted all of the nursing home ’ s residents had left and 18 of the care centre ’ s residents remained .
He further noted the liquidators were in discussions about the HSE taking over the care facility for a transitional period , which could take up to 18 months to complete .
The Sisters of Charity had indicated their support should such discussions be successful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not aid that process and would add to the costs and the complexities of it , he said .

A High Court judge has approved fees of more than €300,000 sought by the liquidators of a company operating the St Mary’s (Telford) care facility and nursing home in south Dublin.
A High Court judge has approved fees of more than €300,000 sought by the liquidators of a company operating a south Dublin care facility and nursing home.
Mr Justice Michael Quinn had said last Friday he would also like to know the position of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, owed more than €1 million – in relation to employee entitlements — on the fees application by the liquidators of St Mary’s Centre (Telford). He also sought clarification concerning a number of other issues.
To allow time for the matters to be addressed, the judge deferred the hearing of an application by Neil Hughes and Dessie Morrow, insolvency practitioners, of Baker Tilly, for payment of €313,918 out of the assets of the company as the costs of their remuneration from their appointment between July and October.
Sally O’Neill BL, for the Revenue Commissioners, owed some €200,000, had said on Friday that, following extensive communications and a small fee reduction, Revenue was not objecting to the liquidators application.
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She said the liquidation was “incredibly hands on” give the nature of the company’s business. It did not seem there would be much left for creditors after the fees of the liquidators and legal fees are paid, she added.
When the matter returned before the judge on Tuesday, he was told by Ross Gorman Bl, for the liquidators, an affidavit addressing the issues had been provided by Mr Morrow. The department had also said it was not objecting to the fees application and would not be attending court.
Ms O’Neill reiterated the Revenue’s position and that it was not objecting to the application.
Affidavit
The judge noted the department’s position and that neither the Revenue or any of the other notice parties were objecting to the fees application. He was also satisfied the “very clear and helpful” affidavit from Mr Morrow addressed the other matters raised.
In those circumstances, the judge said he would make orders approving the fees application.
The liquidators were appointed last July to the company, which for many years operated a disability care facility for legally blind persons as well as a nursing home on a campus beside St Vincent’s Hospital on Merrion Road.
It applied for a winding up order for the facility, owned by the Sisters of Charity, because it would be unable to meet redundancy payments of in excess of €950,000 arising from the liquidation. It also cited regulatory difficulties, concerns over future funding from the HSE and an inability to comply with Hiqa recommendations to modernise its facilities.
In late September, the judge refused an application on behalf of some residents and some former and current employees to discharge the liquidators and instead appoint an examiner to the company.
He said there was insufficient evidence before the court to conclude the company had a reasonable prospect of survival.
The judge noted all of the nursing home’s residents had left and 18 of the care centre’s residents remained. He further noted the liquidators were in discussions about the HSE taking over the care facility for a transitional period, which could take up to 18 months to complete.
The Sisters of Charity had indicated their support should such discussions be successful and the appointment of an examiner would not aid that process and would add to the costs and the complexities of it, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-11-03--Covid-19: ‘substantial risk’ linked to international travel, says Holohan

There is a “ substantial risk associated with international travel ” at the moment , chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has told the Oireachtas transport committee today .
He told the committee Irish experts consider that if testing of passengers is introduced , it would still be “ efficient ” to mandate a five-to-seven day period of restricted movement , with a symptom check on day five .
However , Dr Holohan warned this approach can still miss up to 15 per cent of imported cases .
In his opening statement , Dr Holohan told the committee that current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppressing the spread of the disease domestically ” and that once the disease is back under control in Ireland , “ it will be necessary to manage very carefully the risks of importation ” .
Dr Holohan said once there is sustained low levels of domestic transmission , “ the relative impact of imported cases is all the greater ” , and pointed to data showing that at times during the summer travel-related cases accounted for around a quarter of cases .
He said international travel “ will represent a prominent area of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationally , and we subsequently aim to maintain suppressed disease activity and low incidence rates ” .
With the Government set to decide on how an EU agreement on a common approach to travel will be implemented , Dr Holohan told the committee such agreed strategies will be an “ important step ” as countries move from emergency management of the disease to longer-term strategies .
In doing so , it will be important that countries adopt approaches that facilitate travel “ while ensuring that those who need to travel are not posing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
He told the committee that even when PCR testing – the more expensive and precise form of Covid testing favoured by health chiefs – is used as part of a travel regime , it is usually done so in tandem with other measures such as travel bans , mandatory quarantines and border closures .
Dr Holohan repeated recent findings by Hiqa that rapid antigen tests “ are not suitable for use in screening asymptomatic people with unknown levels of disease , such as arriving passengers ” .
He told the committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult , “ we need only to look to the travel policies of countries that have achieved sustained low rates of transmission , particularly countries in Asia , to see the importance of controlling importations ” .

There is a "substantial risk associated with international travel" at the moment, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has told the Oireachtas transport committee today.
He told the committee Irish experts consider that if testing of passengers is introduced, it would still be “efficient” to mandate a five-to-seven day period of restricted movement, with a symptom check on day five.
However, Dr Holohan warned this approach can still miss up to 15 per cent of imported cases.
In his opening statement, Dr Holohan told the committee that current efforts are focused "very much on suppressing the spread of the disease domestically" and that once the disease is back under control in Ireland, "it will be necessary to manage very carefully the risks of importation".
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Dr Holohan said once there is sustained low levels of domestic transmission, “the relative impact of imported cases is all the greater”, and pointed to data showing that at times during the summer travel-related cases accounted for around a quarter of cases.
He said international travel “will represent a prominent area of risk as the disease comes under control nationally, and we subsequently aim to maintain suppressed disease activity and low incidence rates”.
With the Government set to decide on how an EU agreement on a common approach to travel will be implemented, Dr Holohan told the committee such agreed strategies will be an “important step” as countries move from emergency management of the disease to longer-term strategies.
In doing so, it will be important that countries adopt approaches that facilitate travel “while ensuring that those who need to travel are not posing an additional risk to the wider populace”.
He told the committee that even when PCR testing – the more expensive and precise form of Covid testing favoured by health chiefs – is used as part of a travel regime, it is usually done so in tandem with other measures such as travel bans, mandatory quarantines and border closures.
Dr Holohan repeated recent findings by Hiqa that rapid antigen tests “are not suitable for use in screening asymptomatic people with unknown levels of disease, such as arriving passengers”.
He told the committee that although long term travel restrictions are difficult, "we need only to look to the travel policies of countries that have achieved sustained low rates of transmission, particularly countries in Asia, to see the importance of controlling importations".


theirishtimes--2020-11-03--Terenure College apologises after former rugby coach pleads guilty to indecent assault

A private school where a former rugby coach sexually abused 23 schoolboys in the 1970s and 1980s has apologised “ unreservedly to the victims and survivors of abuse ” .
John McClean ( 75 ) , of Casimir Avenue , Harold ’ s Cross , on Monday pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 27 charges of indecently assault at Terenure College in Dublin on dates between 1973 and 1990 .
The charges relate to three separate books of evidence .
McClean was due to stand trial on Monday but instead entered pleas of guilty before the court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sorry ” for the “ breach of trust and for the pain and suffering those affected by the abuse endured ” .
In a statement to past pupils the college said : “ As you may be aware a former staff member of Terenure College pleaded guilty of most serious offences in the courts earlier today .
“ On behalf of Terenure College and the Carmelite Order , we apologise unreservedly to the victims and survivors of abuse who suffered while under our care in our school.
” The statement said the criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former teacher , meant that “ innocent children were profoundly harmed ” .
“ As school management and Carmelites , we acknowledge and deeply regret that we failed these children entrusted to our care .
We are committed to providing effective and meaningful support to former pupils who are victims and survivors of abuse , ” the school said .
“ We acknowledge their courage in coming forward to give their statements and evidence.
” The school said child safeguarding is an “ absolute priority ” , adding that it “ rigorously ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with all relevant authorities .
“ We encourage anyone who has any concerns regarding child safeguarding to contact the statutory authorities , An Garda Síochána and Tusla the Child and Family Agency , and if they wish , the school or the Carmelite Safeguarding Office , ” it said .
“ We fully appreciate that this will be a very difficult time for many of you and we wish to assure you all of our full support.
” In Dublin District Court on Monday , Judge Pauline Codd remanded McClean on continuing bail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be heard over a two day sentence hearing .
Paul Murray SC , prosecuting , said a number of the complainants were present in court to hear McClean enter the guilty pleas to the charges , while others watched the proceedings over a Zoom call .
Mr Murray confirmed that some of the 23 complainants may wish to read out their victim impact statements during the hearing and told Judge Codd that those statements should be ready for the court before Christmas .

Former rugby coach John McClean, of Casimir Avenue, Harold’s Cross, Dublin, pleaded guilty on Monday to 27 charges of indecently assault at Terenure College in Dublin on dates between 1973 and 1990. File photograph: Collins Courts.
A private school where a former rugby coach sexually abused 23 schoolboys in the 1970s and 1980s has apologised “unreservedly to the victims and survivors of abuse”.
John McClean (75), of Casimir Avenue, Harold's Cross, on Monday pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 27 charges of indecently assault at Terenure College in Dublin on dates between 1973 and 1990.
The charges relate to three separate books of evidence. McClean was due to stand trial on Monday but instead entered pleas of guilty before the court.
Terenure College said it was “sincerely sorry” for the “breach of trust and for the pain and suffering those affected by the abuse endured”.
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In a statement to past pupils the college said: “As you may be aware a former staff member of Terenure College pleaded guilty of most serious offences in the courts earlier today.
“On behalf of Terenure College and the Carmelite Order, we apologise unreservedly to the victims and survivors of abuse who suffered while under our care in our school.”
The statement said the criminal acts of abuse by McClean, a former teacher, meant that “innocent children were profoundly harmed”.
“As school management and Carmelites, we acknowledge and deeply regret that we failed these children entrusted to our care. We are committed to providing effective and meaningful support to former pupils who are victims and survivors of abuse,” the school said.
“We acknowledge their courage in coming forward to give their statements and evidence.”
Safeguarding
The school said child safeguarding is an “absolute priority”, adding that it “rigorously” adheres to child protect procedures and co-operate with all relevant authorities.
" We encourage anyone who has any concerns regarding child safeguarding to contact the statutory authorities, An Garda Síochána and Tusla the Child and Family Agency, and if they wish, the school or the Carmelite Safeguarding Office, " it said.
“We fully appreciate that this will be a very difficult time for many of you and we wish to assure you all of our full support.”
In Dublin District Court on Monday, Judge Pauline Codd remanded McClean on continuing bail to March 9th next when all evidence will be heard over a two day sentence hearing.
Paul Murray SC, prosecuting, said a number of the complainants were present in court to hear McClean enter the guilty pleas to the charges, while others watched the proceedings over a Zoom call.
Mr Murray confirmed that some of the 23 complainants may wish to read out their victim impact statements during the hearing and told Judge Codd that those statements should be ready for the court before Christmas.


theirishtimes--2020-11-03--Covid-19 cases ‘stubbornly’ high in Dublin as hopes of early easing of restrictions fade

Public health officials have expressed concern over “ stubbornly ” high Covid-19 figures in Dublin , despite six weeks of restrictions in the capital .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) has not seen as big a reduction in cases in the capital as it would like , according to chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan .
Earlier restrictions put in place in Dublin in late-September , when the capital moved to Level 3 , had not had the desired effect in slowing the infection , he said .
While cases in the rest of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher level - case numbers in Dublin were staying “ stubbornly ” above 200 a day and over 300 on Monday , Dr Holohan said .
The effects of Level 5 restrictions imposed two weeks ago may be seen over the course of the next week , he added .
A further two Covid-19 related deaths were reported by Nphet .
This brings to 1,917 the total number of deaths linked to the virus during the pandemic .
It also reported a further 767 cases of the disease , bringing the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases , 321 were in Dublin , 84 in Cork and 47 in Meath .
There were also 34 in Limerick , 24 in Roscommon , with the remaining 257 cases spread across all other counties .
At 2pm on Monday , 322 patients with Covid-19 were in hospital , including 44 in ICU .
The national 14-day incidence of the disease now stands at 248 cases per 100,000 people .
Cavan has the highest incidence , at 563.2 , followed by Meath at 482.5 .
Leitrim is the only county with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There were 103 Covid-19 deaths in October , 39 of them in nursing homes , according to Nphet officials .
This compares to 36 deaths in September and five in August .
Dr Holohan said there had been a continuing decrease in the incidence of infection as measured by all main parameters .
The situation in Ireland now compared favourably to much of the rest of Europe , he noted .
However , there was still “ a long way to go ” in suppressing the virus and it was important to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been introduced by Government .
It was “ far too early to say ” if officials were satisfied with “ where we are and where we have to keep going ” in relation to the current restrictions .
There was concern about the increasing incidence among older people , he said .
While the incidence among 19-24 year-olds had dropped from 450 cases per 100,000 people to under 300 in the space of a week , incidence was increasing among those people most likely to have an adverse outcome from the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in schools was being beefed up to ensure already “ robust ” protections for staff and students were augmented .
A dedicated phone-line is being provided where principals can raise concerns and received a same-day response .
Public servants from the health and education sectors are being redeployed to help with public health assessments of schools where necessary .
Cases involving schools will be “ red-flagged ” within the testing and tracing system and the service will run seven days a week .
Up to October 28th , 599 schools had had testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 15,000 students and staff had been tested .
A total of 384 cases had been identified with a positivity rate of 2.5 per cent .
In October , 15.6 per cent of all cases involved children of schoolgoing age , slightly up from the 14.5 per cent recorded the month before .
Under the new multi-disciplinary HSE “ school teams ” , there will be priority testing and a special seven-day phone line to enable principals seek guidance on what to do when a case of the virus is identified .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Education from Monday as schools return from the mid-term break , have been broadly welcomed by teaching unions .
The Irish National Teachers Organisation ( INTO ) said the inclusion of education officials in the teams would help them better understand the specific environments .
“ The department must ensure this new service delivers a significant improvement in support to schools , ensuring no principal is left waiting for days for a risk assessment or public health guidance , ” INTO general secretary John Boyle said .
The organisation has also acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casual contacts ” in school settings published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) on Friday , which it had sought .
These include any person who has had face-to-face contact within less than one metre with a confirmed case of Covid-19 for more than 15 minutes in a school day .
It also includes anyone who has been between one and two metres from a confirmed case for more than 15 minutes but taking into account mitigating factors such as face-coverings , pods , and ventilation .
In a separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland ( TUI ) acknowledged the new measures but called for “ ongoing , robust engagement ” between unions , the department and public health authorities to “ ensure that the concerns of teachers are fully addressed ” .
It has also reiterated its call for an audit of schools to ensure they have the required resources to ensure full compliance with public health advice .
Nphet meets again on Thursday to review progress in reducing transmission of the virus .
Dr Holohan said its advice on further measures should become clear by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holohan told a Nphet briefing that , with less than two weeks having passed since Government introduced Level 5 measures , it was “ far too early to say we ’ re satisfied ” , adding that “ we have to keep going to get the case numbers to where we want them ” .
While not ruling out easing Level 5 restrictions earlier than planned he added : “ I do not envisage , at this stage , being in a position to recommend that.
” Asked about the provision of testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nphet would be looking at what measures could be implemented over the coming weeks .
If progress is made in reducing the scale of infection in Ireland , the importance of international travel increases relatively , he pointed out .
Ireland did not move “ too early ” to Level 5 restrictions , he said ; many people anticipated the change by altering their individual behaviour to increase their level of protection .
Dr Holohan said public health officials were increasingly optimistic about developments in the provision of Covid-19 vaccines “ in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 ” but supply would be a “ big logistical challenge ” .
Elsewhere , Garda powers to police coronavirus measures in pubs and restaurants are to be extended until the middle of 2021 , it has emerged .
In Northern Ireland , eight more coronavirus-related deaths were reported on Monday .
The North ’ s Department of Health ( DoH ) said seven of the fatalities had occurred in the 24 hours until Monday morning , and one had occurred previously .
The total number of people who have died in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the department said .
A further 493 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed , bringing the total number of positive cases of Covid-19 identified in Northern Ireland since the beginning of the pandemic to 39,609 .
There are now 379 people with coronavirus in the North ’ s hospitals , with 52 in intensive care .
Pupils returned to school in Northern Ireland on Monday after an extended , two-week half term holiday .
The spread of Covid-19 has slowed following the introduction of tighter restrictions - including the effective shutdown of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ago , with the average number of cases over the last seven days now at 263 per 100,000 people , as compared to around 350 when the new measures were implemented .
The North ’ s First Minister , Arlene Foster , told the BBC ’ s Good Morning Ulster programme on Monday that the “ current restrictions ” , which are in place until November 13th , “ would come to an end ” and ministers were “ now constructing a strategy as to how we can then continue to live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking questions in the North ’ s Assembly on Monday , the Deputy First Minister , Michelle O ’ Neill , said the Executive intended “ to publish work around an exit strategy over the coming days ” but did not rule out an extension of the current restrictions .


theirishtimes--2020-11-03--Connolly among stations with most text alerts for antisocial behaviour

Dublin ’ s Connolly , Booterstown and Lansdowne Road stations are the worst for passenger warnings about antisocial behaviour , intimidation and on-board fighting , newly obtained figures show .
Pearse Station , Sandymount , Sydney Parade and Dún Laoghaire – all on the capital ’ s southside – recorded the next highest number of distressing incidents reported by commuters to security through Irish Rail ’ s text-alert system .
Bray and Portmarnock had the lowest number of alerts from the start of the year until September .
The figures also reveal 47 separate alerts about passengers not adhering to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of Covid-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic .
Irish Rail launched the “ live ” text-alert system for Dart passengers last year after a sharp rise in formal complaints of intimidation , assaults , vandalism and thefts .
Latest figures released to The Irish Times show incidents of drug-taking , smoking and drinking on carriages account for 121 – more than a third – of all 356 alerts up until September .
Young people causing disturbances was the second most frequent alert ( 71 ) , followed by the flouting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alerts about aggressive behaviour and verbal abuse , 21 about passengers fighting , and 10 about vandalism .
Six passengers alerted security about an attempted theft during the year to September , while there were five separate complaints about commuters being targeted in a “ tissue-seller ” scam .
This involves packets of tissues being placed on seats and anyone touching a packet is pressured to buy it – sometimes under intimidation – at an inflated price .
There have been a number of arrests in connection with the scam in recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was also one complaint during the year in relation to the operation of the text-alert system .
February was the worst month for complaints , with 82 alerts received by security – a rate of almost three a day on the Dart line .
Alerts dramatically declined during the first lockdown when services were severely curtailed and people were ordered to stay at home .
They rose again to 56 in July – the second highest monthly number – before dipping again to 35 in August , a rate of more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rail Users Ireland said the figures are artificially low because of a collapse in passenger numbers during the pandemic , restrictions on Dublin ’ s beaches over the summer and the closure of pubs and nightclubs .
“ Given the number of passengers travelling , and that it should only be passengers travelling for essential reasons , these numbers are concerning , and I think they would be three times that in a normal year , ” he said .
“ Part of the problem is we have no transport police in Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you can find them , don ’ t have any authority .
They can intimidate by standing over someone and making things a bit uncomfortable but they really can ’ t do very much .
They need to be given some legal powers , unless we follow the rest of Europe and have a dedicated transport police or a dedicated unit of the gardaí to respond to these incidents , ” he added .
Mr Gleeson said at a time when more people should be encouraged to switch to public transport , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present evidence of a safe system where people are going to have a nice , comfortable journey.
” While concerned about all alerts , Rail Users Ireland was “ gravely concerned ” about the number of incidents of aggressive behaviour , verbal abuse and fighting , he added .
Mr Gleeson blamed the high incidence of drinking-related misbehaviour on the absence of any law or by-law banning the consumption of alcohol on trains , adding that on a Saturday afternoon recently he was seated on the Dart near three men aged in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face masks .

Connolly Station is among stations with the most text alerts from passengers. Photo: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Dublin’s Connolly, Booterstown and Lansdowne Road stations are the worst for passenger warnings about antisocial behaviour, intimidation and on-board fighting, newly obtained figures show.
Pearse Station, Sandymount, Sydney Parade and Dún Laoghaire – all on the capital’s southside – recorded the next highest number of distressing incidents reported by commuters to security through Irish Rail’s text-alert system.
Bray and Portmarnock had the lowest number of alerts from the start of the year until September.
The figures also reveal 47 separate alerts about passengers not adhering to social distancing and mask-wearing regulations to combat the spread of Covid-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic.
READ MORE
Irish Rail launched the “live” text-alert system for Dart passengers last year after a sharp rise in formal complaints of intimidation, assaults, vandalism and thefts.
Latest figures released to The Irish Times show incidents of drug-taking, smoking and drinking on carriages account for 121 – more than a third – of all 356 alerts up until September.
Causing disturbances
Young people causing disturbances was the second most frequent alert (71), followed by the flouting of coronavirus restrictions. There were 44 alerts about aggressive behaviour and verbal abuse, 21 about passengers fighting, and 10 about vandalism.
Six passengers alerted security about an attempted theft during the year to September, while there were five separate complaints about commuters being targeted in a “tissue-seller” scam.
This involves packets of tissues being placed on seats and anyone touching a packet is pressured to buy it – sometimes under intimidation – at an inflated price. There have been a number of arrests in connection with the scam in recent years.
A spokesman for Irish Rail said there was also one complaint during the year in relation to the operation of the text-alert system.
February was the worst month for complaints, with 82 alerts received by security – a rate of almost three a day on the Dart line. Alerts dramatically declined during the first lockdown when services were severely curtailed and people were ordered to stay at home.
They rose again to 56 in July – the second highest monthly number – before dipping again to 35 in August, a rate of more than one a day.
Passenger numbers
Mark Gleeson of Rail Users Ireland said the figures are artificially low because of a collapse in passenger numbers during the pandemic, restrictions on Dublin’s beaches over the summer and the closure of pubs and nightclubs. “Given the number of passengers travelling, and that it should only be passengers travelling for essential reasons, these numbers are concerning, and I think they would be three times that in a normal year,” he said. “Part of the problem is we have no transport police in Ireland.
“The current security staff, if you can find them, don’t have any authority. They can intimidate by standing over someone and making things a bit uncomfortable but they really can’t do very much. They need to be given some legal powers, unless we follow the rest of Europe and have a dedicated transport police or a dedicated unit of the gardaí to respond to these incidents,” he added.
Mr Gleeson said at a time when more people should be encouraged to switch to public transport, the scale of alerts “does not present evidence of a safe system where people are going to have a nice, comfortable journey.”
While concerned about all alerts, Rail Users Ireland was “gravely concerned” about the number of incidents of aggressive behaviour, verbal abuse and fighting, he added.
Mr Gleeson blamed the high incidence of drinking-related misbehaviour on the absence of any law or by-law banning the consumption of alcohol on trains, adding that on a Saturday afternoon recently he was seated on the Dart near three men aged in their 30s who were drinking and not wearing face masks.


theirishtimes--2020-11-03--Paddleboard hero family in mourning after fisherman dies

The hero family who rescued two paddleboarders in dramatic circumstances in Galway Bay in August is in mourning after a fisherman ( 37 ) drowned on Monday afternoon .
Tom Oliver lost his life while fishing off the shore in Salthill at lunchtime .
The Mayor of Galway , Cllr Mike Cubbard , said the city was in shock over the death of the fisherman who had also participated in the search for the paddleboarders .
It is believed that the fisherman may have become entangled in one of the lines attached to fishing pots and became submerged .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shore in an area between Blackrock and Silverstrand .
The alarm was raised and a Galway RNLI Lifeboat crew quickly arrived at the scene and took him ashore at the docks in the city .
He was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Galway where he was pronounced dead .
The deceased man is a member of one of Galway ’ s oldest fishing families , many of whom have served with voluntary lifeboat crews .
In August his first cousin Patrick ( 38 ) and son Morgan ( 18 ) were hailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had drifted out to sea on two paddleboards and were feared drowned .
Sara Feeney ( 23 ) and Ellen Glynn ( 17 ) drifted for 15 hours overnight after being swept out to sea in a storm but were rescued after the fisherman and his teenage son correctly worked out where they might be near the Aran Islands .
They used tidal and weather information where the paddleboard cousins might have drifted .
They located them clinging to a lobster-pot buoy south of the Aran Islands , almost 20 miles from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Furbo .
The cousins went missing when they went paddleboarding on the evening of August 12th and were rescued after a large-scale search of the bay by the Olivers .
Cllr Cubbard said that news of the death of Tom Oliver had spread quickly on Monday afternoon .
“ It is devastating , words can ’ t describe how tragic this is .
It is only a few weeks since we had a mayoral reception not just to celebrate Patrick and Morgan Oliver but also to honour all the fishing families and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from celebrating the rescue of the two paddleboarders to this tragedy in a couple of months is just terrible .
Everybody rejoiced when the two girls were rescued , it gave a lift to everyone and here we are now and the family at the centre of that are mourning the loss of one of their own .
“ In August everybody shared in the joy of that rescue and now they will share in this grief with the Oliver family , the fishing community , and the people of the Claddagh and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The late Tom Oliver is a member of one of Galway’s oldest fishing families, many of whom have served with voluntary lifeboat crews. Photograph: Galway RNLI
The hero family who rescued two paddleboarders in dramatic circumstances in Galway Bay in August is in mourning after a fisherman (37)* drowned on Monday afternoon.
Tom Oliver lost his life while fishing off the shore in Salthill at lunchtime.
The Mayor of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard, said the city was in shock over the death of the fisherman who had also participated in the search for the paddleboarders.
It is believed that the fisherman may have become entangled in one of the lines attached to fishing pots and became submerged.
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He was fishing a short distance from the shore in an area between Blackrock and Silverstrand.
The alarm was raised and a Galway RNLI Lifeboat crew quickly arrived at the scene and took him ashore at the docks in the city. He was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Galway where he was pronounced dead.
The deceased man is a member of one of Galway’s oldest fishing families, many of whom have served with voluntary lifeboat crews.
Saving two cousins
In August his first cousin Patrick (38) and son Morgan (18) were hailed for their role in saving two cousins who had drifted out to sea on two paddleboards and were feared drowned.
Patrick and Morgan Oliver. Photograph: RTÉ
Sara Feeney (23) and Ellen Glynn (17) drifted for 15 hours overnight after being swept out to sea in a storm but were rescued after the fisherman and his teenage son correctly worked out where they might be near the Aran Islands.
They used tidal and weather information where the paddleboard cousins might have drifted.
They located them clinging to a lobster-pot buoy south of the Aran Islands, almost 20 miles from where they had entered the sea in Furbo. The cousins went missing when they went paddleboarding on the evening of August 12th and were rescued after a large-scale search of the bay by the Olivers.
Ellen Glynn and Sarah Feeney on RTE’s Late Late Show
Cllr Cubbard said that news of the death of Tom Oliver had spread quickly on Monday afternoon.
‘Devastating’
“It is devastating, words can’t describe how tragic this is. It is only a few weeks since we had a mayoral reception not just to celebrate Patrick and Morgan Oliver but also to honour all the fishing families and all the rescue services.
“To go from celebrating the rescue of the two paddleboarders to this tragedy in a couple of months is just terrible. Everybody rejoiced when the two girls were rescued, it gave a lift to everyone and here we are now and the family at the centre of that are mourning the loss of one of their own.
“In August everybody shared in the joy of that rescue and now they will share in this grief with the Oliver family, the fishing community, and the people of the Claddagh and the city,” said the mayor.
*This article was edited on November 5th, 2011