theirishtimes--2020-02-04--Martin will do Sinn Féin deal ‘in order to be taoiseach’ - Varadkar

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will go into government with Sinn Féin because this is his “ last chance ” to be taoiseach , Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar has claimed .
Mr Varadkar , in an interview with The Irish Times Election Daily podcast , claimed Mr Martin may lead people “ on a merry dance ” of fruitless government formation talks before eventually doing a deal with Mary Lou McDonald .
The comments come after the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll showed Sinn Féin as the most popular party on 25 per cent , followed by Fianna Fáil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 20 per cent .
Mr Martin has repeatedly denied he will enter into any deal with Sinn Féin after the election .
He has claimed Mr Varadkar will enter government with Ms McDonald but the Taoiseach rejects this suggestion and says he does not believe Mr Martin ’ s denials .
The Taoiseach said : “ I don ’ t .
And I ’ ll tell you why .
This is Micheál ’ s third time as party leader going into an election .
He is not going to get a fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be taoiseach .
And he might lead us on a merry dance for a few months but ultimately he would go in with Sinn Féin in order to be Taoiseach .
And , secondly , already the smoke signals are going off all over the country from his TDs saying it is okay.
” Speaking at Fine Gael ’ s headquarters in Dublin , Mr Varadkar said : “ Fianna Fáil is divided on this .
We are not .
Fianna Fáil TDs are publicly sending out signals that a coalition between Fianna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
Imagine all the ones who are saying it privately when so many are saying it publicly and this is Micheál ’ s last chance .
“ This is his third time as leader for his party in this election .
He has to be taoiseach after this election or he is gone.
” A number of Fianna Fáil TDs have said , both recently and in the past , that they would be open to serving in government with Sinn Féin , but Mr Martin insists he will not do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dance .
It might go on for months and then under the cover of claiming it is what the country wanted having voted for change and all that kind of stuff , he ’ ll do it , ” Mr Varadkar said .
Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty three years ago said she personally would be open to working with Sinn Féin but Mr Varadkar claims she never backed such a coalition .
Some Fine Gael ministers have also privately said the party should not rule out a deal with Sinn Féin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such an idea with him .
“ Well actually Regina didn ’ t say it and no minister has said it to me , ” he said .
“ They are actually saying the opposite to me : they are saying make sure you rule it out .
The Taoiseach described as “ nonsense ” the idea that because “ Micheál and Mary Lou seem to dislike each other that somehow that means I am soft on Sinn Féin - I ’ m not ” .
He said he still believes Fine Gael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls “ don ’ t predict the future ” .
He said : “ They are a snapshot in public opinion a few days ago and what they show is that all three parties are within 5 per cent of each other .
“ So that ’ s the margin of error and that means this election can still be won by Fine Gael .
We can still emerge as the largest party .
“ We ’ ll be working night and day to make sure that happens .
I do think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very real warning that we could have a government led by Fianna Fáil or led by Sinn Féin , or by the two of them together , and ... that is very dangerous for our country .
”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking at Fine Gael’s headquarters in Dublin before an image of an old election poster for Cumann na nGaedheal. Photograph: Fiach Kelly/The Irish Times
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will go into government with Sinn Féin because this is his "last chance" to be taoiseach, Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar has claimed.
Mr Varadkar, in an interview with The Irish Times Election Daily podcast, claimed Mr Martin may lead people "on a merry dance" of fruitless government formation talks before eventually doing a deal with Mary Lou McDonald.
The comments come after the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll showed Sinn Féin as the most popular party on 25 per cent, followed by Fianna Fáil on 23 per cent and Fine Gael on 20 per cent.
Mr Martin has repeatedly denied he will enter into any deal with Sinn Féin after the election. He has claimed Mr Varadkar will enter government with Ms McDonald but the Taoiseach rejects this suggestion and says he does not believe Mr Martin’s denials.
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The Taoiseach said: “I don’t. And I’ll tell you why. This is Micheál’s third time as party leader going into an election. He is not going to get a fourth. This is his only chance to be taoiseach. And he might lead us on a merry dance for a few months but ultimately he would go in with Sinn Féin in order to be Taoiseach. And, secondly, already the smoke signals are going off all over the country from his TDs saying it is okay.”
Speaking at Fine Gael’s headquarters in Dublin, Mr Varadkar said: “Fianna Fáil is divided on this. We are not. Fianna Fáil TDs are publicly sending out signals that a coalition between Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin is okay with them. Imagine all the ones who are saying it privately when so many are saying it publicly and this is Micheál’s last chance.
“This is his third time as leader for his party in this election. He has to be taoiseach after this election or he is gone.”
A number of Fianna Fáil TDs have said, both recently and in the past, that they would be open to serving in government with Sinn Féin, but Mr Martin insists he will not do so.
“There will be a merry dance. It might go on for months and then under the cover of claiming it is what the country wanted having voted for change and all that kind of stuff, he’ll do it,” Mr Varadkar said.
‘Soft on Sinn Féin’
Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty three years ago said she personally would be open to working with Sinn Féin but Mr Varadkar claims she never backed such a coalition. Some Fine Gael ministers have also privately said the party should not rule out a deal with Sinn Féin but the Taoiseach said nobody had raised such an idea with him.
“Well actually Regina didn’t say it and no minister has said it to me,” he said. “They are actually saying the opposite to me: they are saying make sure you rule it out.
The Taoiseach described as “nonsense” the idea that because “Micheál and Mary Lou seem to dislike each other that somehow that means I am soft on Sinn Féin - I’m not”.
He said he still believes Fine Gael will win the election, and said polls “don’t predict the future”.
He said: “They are a snapshot in public opinion a few days ago and what they show is that all three parties are within 5 per cent of each other.
“So that’s the margin of error and that means this election can still be won by Fine Gael. We can still emerge as the largest party.
“We’ll be working night and day to make sure that happens. I do think it presents a warning. It presents a very real warning that we could have a government led by Fianna Fáil or led by Sinn Féin, or by the two of them together, and... that is very dangerous for our country.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-04--Man on trial for sexual assault of four children in Leinster creche

A man has gone on trial accused of sexually assaulting four girls in a Leinster creche .
The 29-year-old man , who can not be named for legal reasons , appeared in Dublin Circuit Criminal Courton Tuesday charged with 23 counts of sexually assaulting the girls – all children – on dates between February 2015 and December 2016 .
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him .
The offences allegedly took place in various locations within the creche as well as on a bus owned by the creche , the court heard .
The trial is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pauline Codd told the jury of seven men and five women that they must not disclose anything about the identity of the parties involved in the case outside of court .
She warned them against seeking out any information about the case on the internet or elsewhere as it could be misleading , inaccurate or “ downright false ” .
“ If you were to do so it would be contempt of court and it would cause the entire trial to collapse , ” Judge Codd said .
She also urged them not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the case , saying that is only “ one version of events ” .
The jury was told there are legal issues to be dealt with on Wednesday .
They will return to court on Thursday , when the trial is expected to open .
In relation to the first child , the man pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of sexual assaulting the girl by touching her , touching her over her clothes and pressing a mobile phone against her .
In relation to the second child , he pleaded not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her .
He pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexually assaulting the third child by touching her over her clothes .
He further pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting the fourth child by touching her through her clothes .

A man has gone on trial accused of sexually assaulting four girls in a Leinster creche.
The 29-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in Dublin Circuit Criminal Courton Tuesday charged with 23 counts of sexually assaulting the girls – all children – on dates between February 2015 and December 2016.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
The offences allegedly took place in various locations within the creche as well as on a bus owned by the creche, the court heard.
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The trial is expected to run for three weeks.
Judge Pauline Codd told the jury of seven men and five women that they must not disclose anything about the identity of the parties involved in the case outside of court.
She warned them against seeking out any information about the case on the internet or elsewhere as it could be misleading, inaccurate or “downright false”.
“If you were to do so it would be contempt of court and it would cause the entire trial to collapse,” Judge Codd said.
She also urged them not to be influenced by any media reporting of the case, saying that is only “one version of events”.
The jury was told there are legal issues to be dealt with on Wednesday. They will return to court on Thursday, when the trial is expected to open.
In relation to the first child, the man pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of sexual assaulting the girl by touching her , touching her over her clothes and pressing a mobile phone against her .
In relation to the second child, he pleaded not guilty to eight counts of sexually assaulting her .
He pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexually assaulting the third child by touching her over her clothes.
He further pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting the fourth child by touching her through her clothes.


theirishtimes--2020-02-04--Former senator accused of stealing from private members club

A former Labour party senator has been accused of stealing from a private members club in Dublin .
James Heffernan ( 40 ) appeared before Judge Deirdre Gearty at Dublin District Court facing charges in connection with two separate incidents .
He was accused of theft of a coat valued at €80 , and a book called Dáil Éireann parliamentary debates 1923 , valued at €225 , at the Stephen ’ s Green Club , in Dublin 2 on August 7th last .
Detective Sergeant Eugene McCarthy told Judge Gearty that he charged him with those offences before court on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ There ’ s no hope that jacket was worth €80 , tell them I ’ ll swap them a jacket ” .
He said , “ Give it back ” in relation to the book theft .
There was CCTV evidence .
The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed the case could be dealt with at District Court level .
The former politician also faced Public Order Act charges over an alleged incident at Lincoln Place in Dublin 2 on January 14th .
However , there was no video evidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granted an order for disclosure .
Mr Heffernan did not address the court .
He was granted legal aid after the judge was furnished with a statement of his means .
His solicitor said Mr Heffernan was not working and was on social welfare .
There was no objection to bail .
The former politician was ordered to appear again in four weeks when he will be expected to indicate a plea , or have a trial date fixed if he intends to contest the case .
The qualified primary school teacher and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Labour to the 24th Seanad in 2011 but lost the party whip the following year when he voted against budget cuts .
He joined the Social Democrats in 2015 and was an unsuccessful candidate for the party in the 2016 general election .

A former Labour party senator has been accused of stealing from a private members club in Dublin.
James Heffernan (40) appeared before Judge Deirdre Gearty at Dublin District Court facing charges in connection with two separate incidents.
He was accused of theft of a coat valued at €80, and a book called Dáil Éireann parliamentary debates 1923, valued at €225, at the Stephen’s Green Club, in Dublin 2 on August 7th last.
Detective Sergeant Eugene McCarthy told Judge Gearty that he charged him with those offences before court on Tuesday .
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He said Mr Heffernan replied , “There’s no hope that jacket was worth €80, tell them I’ll swap them a jacket”. He said, “Give it back” in relation to the book theft. There was CCTV evidence.
The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed the case could be dealt with at District Court level.
The former politician also faced Public Order Act charges over an alleged incident at Lincoln Place in Dublin 2 on January 14th. However, there was no video evidence of this.
Defence solicitor Brian Keenan was granted an order for disclosure. Mr Heffernan did not address the court.
He was granted legal aid after the judge was furnished with a statement of his means. His solicitor said Mr Heffernan was not working and was on social welfare. There was no objection to bail.
The former politician was ordered to appear again in four weeks when he will be expected to indicate a plea, or have a trial date fixed if he intends to contest the case.
The qualified primary school teacher and ex-member of Limerick County Council was elected for Labour to the 24th Seanad in 2011 but lost the party whip the following year when he voted against budget cuts. He joined the Social Democrats in 2015 and was an unsuccessful candidate for the party in the 2016 general election.


theirishtimes--2020-02-04--Action over Ballinamore asylum centre protest struck out

A High Court action over protests outside apartment accommodation for asylum seekers in Ballinamore , Co Leitrim , has been struck out .
Six people , including a Fine Gael councillor , had been injuncted from interfering with work that was being carried out to finish the accommodation at the Rock Centre following an application by Remcoll 2 Ltd , owners of the apartments , in November .
The protests , which the court heard included a 24-hour picket and a 7ft fence being erected around the complex to prevent workers and security getting inside , ended shortly after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asylum moved in afterwards , the court heard .
The injunction applied to Cllr Ita Reynolds Flynn , Gordon Hughes , Brian Cribbin , Adrian Smith , Fred Walsh and Desmond Wisley and all others with knowledge of it .
The six strongly contested claims by the owners of the apartments that they acted unlawfully during the protests , the court heard .
Mr Justice Max Barrett rejected their application to vary the injunction before Christmas after the six claimed it was necessary so they could go about their normal business .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge was told by Anthony Thuillier BL , for Remcoll 2 , that the defendants had undertaken not to interfere with his client or agents in the operation of its business at the Rock Centre .
In those circumstances , the judge struck out the action .

A High Court action over protests outside apartment accommodation for asylum seekers in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, has been struck out. File image: Brian Farrell
A High Court action over protests outside apartment accommodation for asylum seekers in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, has been struck out.
Six people, including a Fine Gael councillor, had been injuncted from interfering with work that was being carried out to finish the accommodation at the Rock Centre following an application by Remcoll 2 Ltd, owners of the apartments, in November.
The protests, which the court heard included a 24-hour picket and a 7ft fence being erected around the complex to prevent workers and security getting inside, ended shortly after the injunction was granted.
The families seeking asylum moved in afterwards, the court heard.
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The injunction applied to Cllr Ita Reynolds Flynn, Gordon Hughes, Brian Cribbin, Adrian Smith, Fred Walsh and Desmond Wisley and all others with knowledge of it.
The six strongly contested claims by the owners of the apartments that they acted unlawfully during the protests, the court heard.
Mr Justice Max Barrett rejected their application to vary the injunction before Christmas after the six claimed it was necessary so they could go about their normal business.
When the case returned on Tuesday, the judge was told by Anthony Thuillier BL, for Remcoll 2, that the defendants had undertaken not to interfere with his client or agents in the operation of its business at the Rock Centre.
In those circumstances, the judge struck out the action.


theirishtimes--2020-02-04--Homeless man fears good treatment in care might be a ‘trap’, court told

A brain-damaged homeless man , who was moved by court order to a care facility after being inappropriately detained for more than a year in Mountjoy , has shown conflicting behaviour since the move , the High Court has heard .
Psychiatric and social reports prepared earlier last month found the man had settled well in the residential unit and even appeared “ slightly puzzled by his good fortune ” and why so many people were interested in his well being , Mr Justice Peter Kelly was told on Tuesday .
A psychiatrist had described him as very pleasant and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to tell .
He was physically very well , including having feet in good condition following earlier concerns about them , and had prospered since his move from prison .
However , late last month , there was a sudden and dramatic deterioration in his behaviour , Shane Murphy SC , for the HSE , said .
He had become paranoid and aggressive , appeared to consider his good treatment might be a “ trap ” and expressed concern he was being poisoned .
He had threatened staff with plastic implements and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so bad he would be returned to prison , counsel said .
His past history appeared to involve minor matters like intoxication which were dealt with by the District Court .
However his behaviour raised concerns that he might require a more secure placement , he outlined .
David Leahy BL , for the general solicitor for wards of court , representing the man ’ s interests , said the earlier reports indicated the man had had a ‘ Dickensian ’ change of fortune but those appeared out of date given the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Justice Kelly for review on Tuesday following the man ’ s move to the residential unit just before Christmas .
The judge said there was an “ extraordinary ” contrast between the earlier reports and the most recent social report from the unit outlining a deterioration in the man ’ s behaviour .
Noting the sides agreed further reports were required , he adjourned the matter for a week .
The deterioration may be a manifestation of his underlying psychiatric condition but more information is necessary , he said .
The man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being on remand for more than a year in Mountjoy Prison ’ s high dependency unit despite persistent reports he is of unsound mind and needs residential care .
Having been told in December a senior HSE official had cancelled a residential care plan due to “ resource issues ” and it was proposed to discharge the man to access homeless services , Mr Justice Kelly said this “ truly awful ” situation “ should not exist in a civilised state ” .
Aged in his 50s and homeless for some time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disorder but does not meet the Mental Health Act criteria for admission to psychiatric units .
He was charged in November 2018 with assaulting two security guards who approached him when sheltering in the women ’ s toilets of a Dublin shopping centre and was remanded to Mountjoy as a result .
His case came before the High Court after his solicitors in the criminal case wrote to invoke that court ’ s wardship jurisdiction , claiming the HSE was avoiding its statutory duties to the man .

The case came before the High Court after his solicitors wrote to invoke the court’s wardship jurisdiction, claiming the HSE was avoiding its statutory duties to the man. Photograph: iStock
A brain-damaged homeless man, who was moved by court order to a care facility after being inappropriately detained for more than a year in Mountjoy, has shown conflicting behaviour since the move, the High Court has heard.
Psychiatric and social reports prepared earlier last month found the man had settled well in the residential unit and even appeared “slightly puzzled by his good fortune” and why so many people were interested in his well being, Mr Justice Peter Kelly was told on Tuesday.
A psychiatrist had described him as very pleasant and engaging, with a “compelling story” to tell. He was physically very well, including having feet in good condition following earlier concerns about them, and had prospered since his move from prison.
However, late last month, there was a sudden and dramatic deterioration in his behaviour, Shane Murphy SC, for the HSE, said.
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He had become paranoid and aggressive, appeared to consider his good treatment might be a “trap” and expressed concern he was being poisoned. He had threatened staff with plastic implements and in recent days threatened to do something so bad he would be returned to prison, counsel said.
His past history appeared to involve minor matters like intoxication which were dealt with by the District Court. However his behaviour raised concerns that he might require a more secure placement, he outlined.
David Leahy BL, for the general solicitor for wards of court, representing the man’s interests, said the earlier reports indicated the man had had a ‘Dickensian’ change of fortune but those appeared out of date given the latest report.
The case was back before Mr Justice Kelly for review on Tuesday following the man’s move to the residential unit just before Christmas.
The judge said there was an “extraordinary” contrast between the earlier reports and the most recent social report from the unit outlining a deterioration in the man’s behaviour. Noting the sides agreed further reports were required, he adjourned the matter for a week.
The deterioration may be a manifestation of his underlying psychiatric condition but more information is necessary, he said. The man was moved to the residential unit after being on remand for more than a year in Mountjoy Prison’s high dependency unit despite persistent reports he is of unsound mind and needs residential care.
Having been told in December a senior HSE official had cancelled a residential care plan due to “resource issues” and it was proposed to discharge the man to access homeless services, Mr Justice Kelly said this “truly awful” situation “should not exist in a civilised state”.
Aged in his 50s and homeless for some time, the man has a history of mental disorder but does not meet the Mental Health Act criteria for admission to psychiatric units. He was charged in November 2018 with assaulting two security guards who approached him when sheltering in the women’s toilets of a Dublin shopping centre and was remanded to Mountjoy as a result.
His case came before the High Court after his solicitors in the criminal case wrote to invoke that court’s wardship jurisdiction, claiming the HSE was avoiding its statutory duties to the man.


theirishtimes--2020-02-04--Elderly woman with dementia detained in hospital due to safety concerns

An elderly woman with dementia is to be detained in hospital by High Court order due to fears for her safety and welfare if she returns home .
The HSE secured the orders from High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly on Tuesday pending the outcome of a petition seeking to have the woman made a ward of court .
The judge was told the woman , aged in her 80s , is an inpatient at the hospital and had made frequent attempts in recent days to leave and return home .
She succeeded in leaving on one occasion but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , counsel for the HSE said .
She was admitted to hospital on two previous occasions from last September after which , arising from her strong wish to go home , she was discharged with supports .
Those were failed discharges and safeguarding concerns arose , the court was told .
The woman was readmitted to hospital after one discharge with a facial injury and she had also made allegations of physical and financial abuse against a son of hers .
Welfare workers who visited her home found there was no food there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also experiencing hallucinations .
The woman was previously diagnosed with moderate cognitive impairment but a more recent formal capacity assessment concluded that she is of unsound mind and incapable of making relevant decisions concerning her person and finances .
A consultant geriatrician had said the situation is “ urgent ” because the woman is seeking daily to leave hospital .
It was considered her medical condition had deteriorated to such an extent that discharge was no longer safe due to the risk that presented and that led to this ex parte ( one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns included that the son suspected of physically and financially abusing her may seek to remove her from hospital .
Her adult children disagree about a proposed care plan with some supporting it and others opposing it , the judge was told .
A patient advocate had also been appointed to represent her interests .
Mr Justice Kelly said he was satisfied to make the detention and treatment orders sought .
He directed that an independent medical doctor should visit the woman to carry out a capacity assessment and appointed the general solicitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests in the wardship proceedings .

An elderly woman with dementia is to be detained in hospital by High Court order due to fears for her safety and welfare if she returns home. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times.
An elderly woman with dementia is to be detained in hospital by High Court order due to fears for her safety and welfare if she returns home.
The HSE secured the orders from High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly on Tuesday pending the outcome of a petition seeking to have the woman made a ward of court.
The judge was told the woman, aged in her 80s, is an inpatient at the hospital and had made frequent attempts in recent days to leave and return home. She succeeded in leaving on one occasion but was returned to the hospital by gardaí, counsel for the HSE said.
She was admitted to hospital on two previous occasions from last September after which, arising from her strong wish to go home, she was discharged with supports. Those were failed discharges and safeguarding concerns arose, the court was told.
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The woman was readmitted to hospital after one discharge with a facial injury and she had also made allegations of physical and financial abuse against a son of hers. Welfare workers who visited her home found there was no food there or her medications. The woman was also experiencing hallucinations.
Unsound mind
The woman was previously diagnosed with moderate cognitive impairment but a more recent formal capacity assessment concluded that she is of unsound mind and incapable of making relevant decisions concerning her person and finances.
A consultant geriatrician had said the situation is “urgent” because the woman is seeking daily to leave hospital. It was considered her medical condition had deteriorated to such an extent that discharge was no longer safe due to the risk that presented and that led to this ex parte (one side only represented) application.
Other concerns included that the son suspected of physically and financially abusing her may seek to remove her from hospital. Her adult children disagree about a proposed care plan with some supporting it and others opposing it, the judge was told. A patient advocate had also been appointed to represent her interests.
Mr Justice Kelly said he was satisfied to make the detention and treatment orders sought. He directed that an independent medical doctor should visit the woman to carry out a capacity assessment and appointed the general solicitor of wards of court to represent her interests in the wardship proceedings.


theirishtimes--2020-02-04--Election 2020: Early rising Healy-Raes take twin track approach to sprawling constituency

Hats off to Roland Drya .
The German tourist achieved something the likes of Sean O ’ Rourke and Pat Kenny have failed to do - he managed to leave Michael Healy-Rae speechless .
The moment came just as the Kerry TD was winding up a canvass in the Harbour View estate in Portmageewhen Roland and his wife , Ursula pulled up in their car .
Assuming they might be locals given the seasonal nature of tourism in these parts so Healy-Rae stuck his head in the passenger window to introduce himself only to discover there was no need .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Heidelberg a few days earlier but he is already well acquainted with the man with the flat cap .
“ Michael , Michael , Ja , it is Michael Healy-Rae , ” he declares , his voice erupting with excitement as he jumps from the driver ’ s seat and grabs the Kilgarvan man in a bear hug for a photo .
“ He is so sympathetic , ” says Roland as he proudly shows Michael a photo that he had taken of himself , smiling beside one of Michael ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was taken halfway up Carrauntoohil .
“ Ursula thinks he has great charisma , ” says Roland , nodding towards his wife as Michael ’ s initial look of bemusement turned to something like sheepish embarrassment at this unexpected outpouring of Germanic affection .
“ You look to have the German vote sewn up anyway , ” observed one onlooker , only for Michael , recovering from his momentary state of shocked silence , to quip “ Yes , but it ’ s not Eurovision I ’ m running in ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael , who had canvassed some 20 houses in the estate faster than a ferret down a rabbithole , was quickly back on his feet .
During the whirlwind canvass , Michael revealed that up until a week ago , he would have said the health service and housing were the big issues .
“ Health and housing are big issues but no joking , in the last week , 10 people might ask you a question and nine of the questions are about the pension and people are very confused given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My attitude to the pension is that there are many people when they reach 65 , they might want to retire and if they want to retire , they should have the option to retire and get the State pension after working hard all their lives “ But then there are many people who , when they reach 65 , they ’ re in good form .
Remember my late father got a new job when he was 67 , he was in good form and he wanted a new challenge so some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So the biggest thing about pensions is this word ‘ choice ’ .
Choice has become a big by-word the last few years , they want to have a choice for this or a choice for that and they should have a choice whether they want to retire or not.
” Of course , choice is important too at election time and Kerry voters are spoiled for it , having not just one Healy-Rae but two to plump for , with Michael ’ s older brother Danny also hoping to retain his seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time out and while he polled less than half of Michael ’ s 20,378 votes , he still got a whopping 9,991 first preferences which saw him elected on Michael ’ s surplus to take the second seat in the Kingdom .
If Michael was the epitome of speedy canvassing , Danny was adopting a more sedate approach as he waited with a posse of his supporters armed with flyers outside Daly ’ s Supervalu in Killarney ready to pounce on any passers-by .
“ You won ’ t forget me , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invariably “ Indeed and I won ’ t , Danny ” , clearly proving elections in Kerry , like everywhere else , are as much about candidate recognition as it is about policy .
Among those giving Danny the nod is Sean Quill from Aghadoe .
“ We were always Healy-Raes .
I voted for his father , Jackie - he was a good man to talk .
But Danny can talk enough too - he ’ s a great talker , ” he laughs .
As if to prove the point , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divided the constituency so he has some 29,000 voters in Killarney and east Kerry to canvas and Michael some 98,000 voters around the rest of the county .
“ There were so many people on to me the last time in 2016 that we should be running two .
I didn ’ t think it was possible but with three weeks to go , Tom Fleming pulled out , so then people were on every day that I should run.
” Conscious that North Kerry was new territory for the Healy-Raes and anxious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had won in 1997 , Danny and Michael agreed to an uneven divide with the priority being to ensure Michael retained the seat .
“ What I asked for was the Killarney Electoral Area that I had been servicing as a councillor .
I was conscious that if we didn ’ t do it right I could be the cause of losing the seat so that ’ s why we did the divide that way we did and it worked.
” Among those canvassing with Danny is his older brother , John , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association , and his son Johnny , a councillor , who offered an interesting observation on the Healys of Kilgarvan .
“ We ’ d be on the go all day but no Healy was ever good at sleeping , at least not around Kilgarvan at any rate .
One of them was worse than the other .
We were up until two last night doing ads and we were up again this morning at six.
” That sort of early rising makes the Healy-Raes sound very much like the sort of get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to represent .
Is there any chance , the Healy-Raes might prove suitable bedfellows for Fine Gael ?
“ We don ’ t mind if it ’ s Leo or Martin , ” says Johnny “ Once they see after the issues we are talking about in Kerry , our hospitals and our roads , we will talk to them .
But we won ’ t be Yes men - they have enough of them.
” “ We ’ re not afraid of getting up early that ’ s for sure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Finian McGrath said one time , he could walk his constituency in 40 minutes but our constituency , it would take you five hours to drive around it .
“ To give a service , you have to be out early and out late .
Between Michael , Danny , my sister Maura , my cousin Jackie and myself , we ’ d do well over 200 clinics a month .
You meet people and your feet are kept on the ground .
”

Hats off to Roland Drya. The German tourist achieved something the likes of Sean O'Rourke and Pat Kenny have failed to do - he managed to leave Michael Healy-Rae speechless.
The moment came just as the Kerry TD was winding up a canvass in the Harbour View estate in Portmageewhen Roland and his wife, Ursula pulled up in their car.
Assuming they might be locals given the seasonal nature of tourism in these parts so Healy-Rae stuck his head in the passenger window to introduce himself only to discover there was no need .
A container just outside Cahersiveen, Co Kerry asking people to for for ‘experience and common sense’. Photograph Alan Landers
Roland may have only arrived on holidays from Heidelberg a few days earlier but he is already well acquainted with the man with the flat cap.
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"Michael, Michael, Ja, it is Michael Healy-Rae," he declares, his voice erupting with excitement as he jumps from the driver's seat and grabs the Kilgarvan man in a bear hug for a photo.
“He is so sympathetic,” says Roland as he proudly shows Michael a photo that he had taken of himself, smiling beside one of Michael’s election posters, which looks as if it was taken halfway up Carrauntoohil.
“Ursula thinks he has great charisma,” says Roland, nodding towards his wife as Michael’s initial look of bemusement turned to something like sheepish embarrassment at this unexpected outpouring of Germanic affection.
“You look to have the German vote sewn up anyway,” observed one onlooker, only for Michael, recovering from his momentary state of shocked silence, to quip “Yes, but it’s not Eurovision I’m running in”.
Momentarily knocked out of his stride, Michael, who had canvassed some 20 houses in the estate faster than a ferret down a rabbithole , was quickly back on his feet.
Pensions
During the whirlwind canvass , Michael revealed that up until a week ago, he would have said the health service and housing were the big issues.
“Health and housing are big issues but no joking, in the last week, 10 people might ask you a question and nine of the questions are about the pension and people are very confused given the main parties seemed confused too.
“My attitude to the pension is that there are many people when they reach 65, they might want to retire and if they want to retire, they should have the option to retire and get the State pension after working hard all their lives
“But then there are many people who, when they reach 65, they’re in good form. Remember my late father got a new job when he was 67, he was in good form and he wanted a new challenge so some people want to work on.
“So the biggest thing about pensions is this word ‘choice’ . Choice has become a big by-word the last few years, they want to have a choice for this or a choice for that and they should have a choice whether they want to retire or not.”
A container just outside Cahersiveen, Co Kerry asking people to for for ‘experience and common sense’. Photograph Alan Landers
Of course, choice is important too at election time and Kerry voters are spoiled for it, having not just one Healy-Rae but two to plump for, with Michael’s older brother Danny also hoping to retain his seat.
Danny was a late entrant last time out and while he polled less than half of Michael’s 20,378 votes, he still got a whopping 9,991 first preferences which saw him elected on Michael’s surplus to take the second seat in the Kingdom.
Electoral division
If Michael was the epitome of speedy canvassing, Danny was adopting a more sedate approach as he waited with a posse of his supporters armed with flyers outside Daly's Supervalu in Killarney ready to pounce on any passers-by.
“You won’t forget me,” he would say and the reply was invariably “Indeed and I won’t, Danny”, clearly proving elections in Kerry, like everywhere else, are as much about candidate recognition as it is about policy.
Among those giving Danny the nod is Sean Quill from Aghadoe. "We were always Healy-Raes . I voted for his father, Jackie - he was a good man to talk. But Danny can talk enough too - he's a great talker," he laughs.
As if to prove the point, Danny explains how he and Michael have divided the constituency so he has some 29,000 voters in Killarney and east Kerry to canvas and Michael some 98,000 voters around the rest of the county.
"There were so many people on to me the last time in 2016 that we should be running two . I didn't think it was possible but with three weeks to go, Tom Fleming pulled out, so then people were on every day that I should run."
Conscious that North Kerry was new territory for the Healy-Raes and anxious not to lose the seat his father had won in 1997, Danny and Michael agreed to an uneven divide with the priority being to ensure Michael retained the seat.
“What I asked for was the Killarney Electoral Area that I had been servicing as a councillor. I was conscious that if we didn’t do it right I could be the cause of losing the seat so that’s why we did the divide that way we did and it worked.”
Early risers
Among those canvassing with Danny is his older brother, John, former general secretary of the Garda Representative Association, and his son Johnny, a councillor, who offered an interesting observation on the Healys of Kilgarvan.
“We’d be on the go all day but no Healy was ever good at sleeping, at least not around Kilgarvan at any rate. One of them was worse than the other. We were up until two last night doing ads and we were up again this morning at six.”
That sort of early rising makes the Healy-Raes sound very much like the sort of get up and go people that Leo Varadkar wants to represent. Is there any chance, the Healy-Raes might prove suitable bedfellows for Fine Gael?
“We don’t mind if it’s Leo or Martin,” says Johnny “Once they see after the issues we are talking about in Kerry, our hospitals and our roads, we will talk to them. But we won’t be Yes men - they have enough of them.”
“We’re not afraid of getting up early that’s for sure , you have to be in our racket . Finian McGrath said one time, he could walk his constituency in 40 minutes but our constituency, it would take you five hours to drive around it.
“To give a service, you have to be out early and out late . Between Michael, Danny, my sister Maura, my cousin Jackie and myself, we’d do well over 200 clinics a month. You meet people and your feet are kept on the ground.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Woman arrested in connection with killing of Timothy Hourihane

Gardaí conducting a murder investigation into the death of a 53-year-old homeless father of one in Cork last October have arrested a woman for questioning .
Detectives backed up by the armed Regional Support Unit arrested the woman ( 37 ) at an area on the Mardyke near Cork city centre at about 7.30am on Wednesday morning .
Timothy Hourihane died at Cork University Hospital in the early hours of October 13th , having been rushed there by ambulance after being found with serious head and body injuries on a green area in the Mardyke .
He had been found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposite the main gates to University College Cork by firefighters when they were called to deal with a fire at his tent , which was among a number pitched in the area .
The arrested woman is being held at Bridewell Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act , meaning she can be detained for up to 24 hours .
The arrest is the third by gardaí investigating the killing of Mr Hourihane and follows the arrest on December 16th of two men .
Detectives first arrested a 26-year-old man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bridewell Garda station for questioning .
They later arrested a 37-year-old man in the Midlands .
Both men were subsequently released without charge and a Garda spokesman confirmed that gardaí would include memos of interview with both men in a file on the killing which they will send to the Director of Publin Prosecutions .
Mr Hourihane , a former chef , was a familiar figure among the homeless on the streets of Cork , availing of services from a number of charities including Cork Simon , the St Vincent De Paul and @ @ @ @

Gardaí conducting a murder investigation into the death of a 53-year-old homeless father of one in Cork last October have arrested a woman for questioning.
Detectives backed up by the armed Regional Support Unit arrested the woman (37) at an area on the Mardyke near Cork city centre at about 7.30am on Wednesday morning.
Timothy Hourihane died at Cork University Hospital in the early hours of October 13th, having been rushed there by ambulance after being found with serious head and body injuries on a green area in the Mardyke.
He had been found by a wall at the green area opposite the main gates to University College Cork by firefighters when they were called to deal with a fire at his tent, which was among a number pitched in the area.
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The arrested woman is being held at Bridewell Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, meaning she can be detained for up to 24 hours.
The arrest is the third by gardaí investigating the killing of Mr Hourihane and follows the arrest on December 16th of two men.
Detectives first arrested a 26-year-old man from Mayfield and brought him to the Bridewell Garda station for questioning. They later arrested a 37-year-old man in the Midlands.
Both men were subsequently released without charge and a Garda spokesman confirmed that gardaí would include memos of interview with both men in a file on the killing which they will send to the Director of Publin Prosecutions.
Mr Hourihane, a former chef, was a familiar figure among the homeless on the streets of Cork, availing of services from a number of charities including Cork Simon, the St Vincent De Paul and Cork Penny Dinners.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Irish Times poll: It’s not always the economy, stupid

Until this week Sinn Féin had never outperformed both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in an Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll .
The fact that it should happen just before an election is seismic .
The natural order of politics in Ireland – either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil on top – has been upset only once before at a time of economic crisis – in 2010 voters lost faith in the two main parties and Labour surged to 33 per cent in our September poll of that year .
What is intriguing about this latest upset is that it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as an economic downturn or political scandal .
There has also been a curious collapse in the Government ’ s satisfaction rating .
As recently as October last year , 42 per cent of voters were satisfied with how the Government was running the country .
Yet just a few months later this satisfaction rating has halved , down to just 21 per cent in this latest poll .
An explanation is needed for this sudden and precipitous decline in Government satisfaction .
For an answer we need look no further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were asked to give their view on what should be the priority for an incoming taoiseach , health ( 42 per cent ) and housing ( 34 per cent ) dominated .
Challenges in health and housing are , arguably , generational and global , with no quick-fix solutions .
Yet frustration with what voters see as a lack of progress has spilled over into this election , crowding out the Government ’ s achievements in other areas .
The mood of voters has changed , even if the facts have not .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the performance of our economy .
Turn the clock back five years and the two most pressing issues for voters were jobs and the economy .
The recovery has meant that jobs and the economy have taken a back seat , allowing health and housing to move front and centre .
A growing economy has also given us permission to think less about how wealth is created and more about how wealth is shared .
A majority of voters in our latest poll would like to see either most ( 18 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent ) of the surplus generated by a strong economy devoted to reducing taxes .
About one in four ( 27 per cent ) would not like to see any reduction .
Opinion regarding whether surplus resources should be used to reduce taxes varies by party .
At one end of the spectrum are Green voters , of whom only 48 per cent would like to see taxes reduced .
At the other end are Sinn Féin voters , of whom three in four ( 75 per cent ) are in favour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also emerged as an issue during this campaign .
The decision to postpone is endorsed by a majority ( 68 per cent ) of voters generally , and by a majority of supporters of each of the main parties .
It has long been held that elections are won or lost on the economy .
Whatever the outcome of the election on Saturday , this piece of conventional wisdom has been severely dented by the findings of this latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll .
The main party of Government , Fine Gael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having overseen a recovery in the economy , nor have Fianna Fáil for their role in supporting the Government .
It ’ s not always the economy , stupid .

Until this week Sinn Féin had never outperformed both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in an Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll. The fact that it should happen just before an election is seismic.
The natural order of politics in Ireland – either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil on top – has been upset only once before at a time of economic crisis – in 2010 voters lost faith in the two main parties and Labour surged to 33 per cent in our September poll of that year.
What is intriguing about this latest upset is that it has happened without any obvious crisis or catalyst, such as an economic downturn or political scandal.
There has also been a curious collapse in the Government’s satisfaction rating. As recently as October last year, 42 per cent of voters were satisfied with how the Government was running the country. Yet just a few months later this satisfaction rating has halved, down to just 21 per cent in this latest poll.
READ MORE
An explanation is needed for this sudden and precipitous decline in Government satisfaction.
For an answer we need look no further than health and housing. When voters were asked to give their view on what should be the priority for an incoming taoiseach, health (42 per cent) and housing (34 per cent) dominated.
Challenges in health and housing are, arguably, generational and global, with no quick-fix solutions. Yet frustration with what voters see as a lack of progress has spilled over into this election, crowding out the Government’s achievements in other areas. The mood of voters has changed, even if the facts have not.
What has facilitated this change of mood is the performance of our economy. Turn the clock back five years and the two most pressing issues for voters were jobs and the economy. The recovery has meant that jobs and the economy have taken a back seat, allowing health and housing to move front and centre.
A growing economy has also given us permission to think less about how wealth is created and more about how wealth is shared.
A majority of voters in our latest poll would like to see either most (18 per cent) or a little (52 per cent) of the surplus generated by a strong economy devoted to reducing taxes. About one in four (27 per cent) would not like to see any reduction.
Surplus resources
Opinion regarding whether surplus resources should be used to reduce taxes varies by party. At one end of the spectrum are Green voters, of whom only 48 per cent would like to see taxes reduced. At the other end are Sinn Féin voters, of whom three in four (75 per cent) are in favour of lowering taxes.
The RIC commemoration has also emerged as an issue during this campaign. The decision to postpone is endorsed by a majority (68 per cent) of voters generally, and by a majority of supporters of each of the main parties.
It has long been held that elections are won or lost on the economy. Whatever the outcome of the election on Saturday, this piece of conventional wisdom has been severely dented by the findings of this latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll.
The main party of Government, Fine Gael, has received no electoral dividend from having overseen a recovery in the economy, nor have Fianna Fáil for their role in supporting the Government. It’s not always the economy, stupid.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Strong support for decision to postpone RIC/DMP commemoration

Nearly 70 per cent of voters believe the Government was right to postpone the proposed commemoration for the Royal Irish Constabulary ( RIC ) and the Dublin Metropolitan Police ( DMP ) .
The event , instigated by Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan , was due to have taken place at Dublin Castle on January 17th , but was postponed after objections from those who believed that it would also remember the Black and Tans and Auxiliaries who were drafted in to help both police forces during the War of Independence .
In the latest Irish Times/IPSOS MRBI poll , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government was right to postpone the commemoration .
Just 13 per cent of voters thought it should have gone ahead with it , 9 per cent said they were not aware of the controversy , and 10 per cent said they had no opinion .
When the unaware and the don ’ t knows are excluded , voters believe by a margin of 84 per cent to 16 per cent that the Government was right to postpone the commemoration .
There was a remarkable level of uniformity among party supporters about the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gael supporters approved of the postponement , just two percentage points less than Sinn Féin ( 70 per cent ) .
Fianna Fáil supporters were most strongly in favour of the postponement ( 77 per cent ) and the Green Party supporters ( 66 per cent ) the least in favour .
Fine Gael supporters recorded the highest number of those who wanted the commemoration to go ahead , but even then only 20 per cent approved .
The young were the least in favour of going ahead with the commemoration .
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved of such a move , but there was also a high degree of unawareness about the controversy ( 22 per cent ) in that age cohort .
Some 20 per cent of those over the age of 65 wished the commemoration to go ahead and only 3 per cent were not aware of it .

Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan: instigated the proposed commemoration for the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police
Nearly 70 per cent of voters believe the Government was right to postpone the proposed commemoration for the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP).
The event, instigated by Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan, was due to have taken place at Dublin Castle on January 17th, but was postponed after objections from those who believed that it would also remember the Black and Tans and Auxiliaries who were drafted in to help both police forces during the War of Independence.
In the latest Irish Times/IPSOS MRBI poll, 68 per cent of voters stated the Government was right to postpone the commemoration. Just 13 per cent of voters thought it should have gone ahead with it, 9 per cent said they were not aware of the controversy, and 10 per cent said they had no opinion.
When the unaware and the don’t knows are excluded, voters believe by a margin of 84 per cent to 16 per cent that the Government was right to postpone the commemoration.
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There was a remarkable level of uniformity among party supporters about the decision. Some 68 per cent of Fine Gael supporters approved of the postponement, just two percentage points less than Sinn Féin (70 per cent).
Fianna Fáil supporters were most strongly in favour of the postponement (77 per cent) and the Green Party supporters (66 per cent) the least in favour.
Fine Gael supporters recorded the highest number of those who wanted the commemoration to go ahead, but even then only 20 per cent approved.
The young were the least in favour of going ahead with the commemoration. Just 8 per cent of 18-24 years olds approved of such a move, but there was also a high degree of unawareness about the controversy (22 per cent) in that age cohort.
Some 20 per cent of those over the age of 65 wished the commemoration to go ahead and only 3 per cent were not aware of it.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Call for legal reforms around Tusla child abuse investigations

There is a “ plain ” need for legal reforms around how Tusla , the child and family agency , investigates child abuse allegations , the Government ’ s special rapporteur on child protection , Dr Conor O ’ Mahony , has said .
New guidelines from the agency , which provide a person accused of abuse the potential opportunity to question an alleged victim , are a product of the “ imperfect legal environment ” Tusla operates in , Dr O ’ Mahony said .
Possible legal reforms around how Tusla investigates allegations will form part of his first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
Under the Child Abuse Substantiation Practice ( Casp ) guidelines , people under investigation for child abuse , including sexual abuse , will be permitted to personally interview their alleged victims in certain circumstances .
The introduction of the guidelines follows several legal cases brought against Tusla by individuals investigated over abuse allegations who claim their rights were breached by the agency .
Social workers must “ stress test ” allegations when interviewing complainants , the guidelines state , including by asking if there may be an “ alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part ” in relation to the allegations .
If direct questioning by the accused is judged inappropriate , other forms of “ stress testing ” should be considered , including allowing the suspect to write out questions to be put to the complainant , allowing their solicitor to question the complainant , or allowing the suspect to ask questions via videolink .
The guidelines outline that it would be “ generally ” inappropriate for a child or vulnerable adult to be directly questioned , and an alleged victim “ has the right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their alleged abuser .
Dr O ’ Mahony , a child law expert , said the policy to permit the cross-examination of a complainant is a “ position driven by litigation and not by Tusla policy decisions ” .
He added previous court rulings had made it clear Tusla had “ significant discretion ” in determining how an alleged victim might be cross-examined by the accused .
The need for reform of the legislation Tusla relied on to conduct investigations was “ plain ” , but the exact changes needed “ to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Mahony said .
Current legislation has been criticised as it does not provide details on how Tusla should balance the various rights of the alleged victim and the accused when investigating allegations , he said .
Dr O ’ Mahony said he did not believe it was satisfactory this balance was set out in policy guidelines , rather than legislation .
He said he would be “ exploring this issue in detail ” in his first report to the Government as special rapporteur on child protection , which is expected to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Casp guidelines , the details of which were reported by The Irish Times on Tuesday , are due to come into force in June and replace a previous 2014 policy .
Clíona Saidléar , executive director of the Rape Crisis Network Ireland , said gaining the trust of abuse survivors was critical in them sharing information , which potentially could be used to protect others .
“ Survivors must be treated with dignity and respect throughout any investigative or reporting process , ” she said .
Ms Saidléar attended a meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , where the new Casp guidelines were discussed .
Mr Gloster assured her there would be a “ consultation process ” around the guidelines before their full implementation , and that “ the document was subject to change ” , Ms Saidléar told The Irish Times .
In a statement , a spokesman for Tusla said social workers “ would never compel a person to participate in a process that they would deem harmful to themselves ” .
The guidelines outline several “ different ways in which Tusla might explore the request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach for the person who made a disclosure ” , he said .
The agency is “ absolutely mindful of the trauma and emotional distress ” experienced by survivors of historic abuse , the spokesman said .

‘Survivors must be treated with dignity and respect throughout any investigative or reporting process,’ said Clíona Saidléar, executive director of the Rape Crisis Network Ireland. Photograph: Getty
There is a "plain" need for legal reforms around how Tusla, the child and family agency, investigates child abuse allegations, the Government's special rapporteur on child protection, Dr Conor O'Mahony, has said.
New guidelines from the agency, which provide a person accused of abuse the potential opportunity to question an alleged victim, are a product of the “imperfect legal environment” Tusla operates in, Dr O’Mahony said.
Possible legal reforms around how Tusla investigates allegations will form part of his first report to Government on child protection policy, he said.
Under the Child Abuse Substantiation Practice (Casp) guidelines, people under investigation for child abuse, including sexual abuse, will be permitted to personally interview their alleged victims in certain circumstances.
READ MORE
The introduction of the guidelines follows several legal cases brought against Tusla by individuals investigated over abuse allegations who claim their rights were breached by the agency.
Social workers must “stress test” allegations when interviewing complainants, the guidelines state, including by asking if there may be an “alternative explanation” or “misinterpretation on their part” in relation to the allegations.
If direct questioning by the accused is judged inappropriate, other forms of “stress testing” should be considered, including allowing the suspect to write out questions to be put to the complainant, allowing their solicitor to question the complainant, or allowing the suspect to ask questions via videolink.
Inappropriate
The guidelines outline that it would be “generally” inappropriate for a child or vulnerable adult to be directly questioned, and an alleged victim “has the right to refuse to be directly questioned” by their alleged abuser.
Dr O’Mahony, a child law expert, said the policy to permit the cross-examination of a complainant is a “position driven by litigation and not by Tusla policy decisions”. He added previous court rulings had made it clear Tusla had “significant discretion” in determining how an alleged victim might be cross-examined by the accused.
The need for reform of the legislation Tusla relied on to conduct investigations was “plain”, but the exact changes needed “to be worked out carefully”, Dr O’Mahony said.
Current legislation has been criticised as it does not provide details on how Tusla should balance the various rights of the alleged victim and the accused when investigating allegations, he said.
Dr O’Mahony said he did not believe it was satisfactory this balance was set out in policy guidelines, rather than legislation. He said he would be “exploring this issue in detail” in his first report to the Government as special rapporteur on child protection, which is expected to be published near the middle of this year.
The Casp guidelines, the details of which were reported by The Irish Times on Tuesday, are due to come into force in June and replace a previous 2014 policy.
Abuse survivors
Clíona Saidléar, executive director of the Rape Crisis Network Ireland, said gaining the trust of abuse survivors was critical in them sharing information, which potentially could be used to protect others.
“Survivors must be treated with dignity and respect throughout any investigative or reporting process,” she said.
Ms Saidléar attended a meeting with Tusla chief executive Bernard Gloster on Tuesday, where the new Casp guidelines were discussed. Mr Gloster assured her there would be a “consultation process” around the guidelines before their full implementation, and that “the document was subject to change”, Ms Saidléar told The Irish Times.
In a statement, a spokesman for Tusla said social workers “would never compel a person to participate in a process that they would deem harmful to themselves”. The guidelines outline several “different ways in which Tusla might explore the request for cross-examination, considering the least harmful approach for the person who made a disclosure”, he said.
The agency is “absolutely mindful of the trauma and emotional distress” experienced by survivors of historic abuse, the spokesman said.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--No obligation to release entire chat logs, Tinder tells DPC

Online dating app Tinder told the Irish Data Protection Commissioner it was not obliged to release “ deeply private ” information , such as entire chat logs , to users who requested their data under strict privacy laws .
The DPC launched an inquiry into Tinder on Tuesday over concerns about how it processes users ’ data and its compliance with “ subject rights requests ” – when an individual user requests all information a company holds on them .
The inquiry was not launched in response to a specific complaint , although several were made to the DPC by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Correspondence between the DPC and Tinder relating to one complaint was posted online by PersonalData.io , a privacy website .
It shows the complainant argued that he was given “ merely a subset ” of the data held on him following a subject rights request .
The company told the complainant that it would not release messages he had received from other users on the platform .
In correspondence with the DPC last May , Tinder said there was “ potential for deeply private information to be shared during the exchange of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not provide the messages the complainant was sent by other users , nor any other data related to other Tinder users “ as this would lead to the unauthorised disclosure of other users ’ personal data and would not align with their reasonable expectations that their usage and the messages they send on the Tinder platform are private ” .
Privacy expert Simon McGarr said subject access requests showed the scope of data gathered by companies about their users , but he also said there are limits to what will be made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced a separate inquiry into Google ’ s use of location data .
Tinder said it was co-operating with the DPC and abides by all relevant laws .

Tinder says it will not provide the messages the complainant was sent by other users, nor any other data related to other Tinder users. Photograph: Chesnot/Getty
Online dating app Tinder told the Irish Data Protection Commissioner it was not obliged to release “deeply private” information, such as entire chat logs, to users who requested their data under strict privacy laws.
The DPC launched an inquiry into Tinder on Tuesday over concerns about how it processes users’ data and its compliance with “subject rights requests” – when an individual user requests all information a company holds on them.
The inquiry was not launched in response to a specific complaint, although several were made to the DPC by users over how Tinder handled their data.
Correspondence between the DPC and Tinder relating to one complaint was posted online by PersonalData.io, a privacy website. It shows the complainant argued that he was given “merely a subset” of the data held on him following a subject rights request.
READ MORE
‘Unauthorised disclosure’
The company told the complainant that it would not release messages he had received from other users on the platform. In correspondence with the DPC last May, Tinder said there was “potential for deeply private information to be shared during the exchange of messages”.
It said that it would not provide the messages the complainant was sent by other users, nor any other data related to other Tinder users “as this would lead to the unauthorised disclosure of other users’ personal data and would not align with their reasonable expectations that their usage and the messages they send on the Tinder platform are private”.
Privacy expert Simon McGarr said subject access requests showed the scope of data gathered by companies about their users, but he also said there are limits to what will be made available to users.
The DPC also announced a separate inquiry into Google’s use of location data. Tinder said it was co-operating with the DPC and abides by all relevant laws.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Childcare crisis reaches boiling point as general election looms

“ The childcare sector has reached a boiling point now , and the insurance really put the icing on the cake , ” says Anita Flynn , manager of Happy Feet Childcare in Castlerea , Co Roscommon .
Flynn is just one of many childcare workers and providers striking on Wednesday to draw attention to the challenges facing their sector .
They claim that a lack of State funding and skyrocketing insurance costs are putting a strain on both staff and parents .
The Early Years Alliance , the umbrella group that organised the strike , is urging the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of childcare ” in Ireland .
The strike action comes less than two months after childcare providers , including Happy Feet , were hit by the withdrawal of insurance company Ironshore from the market .
Many were left scrambling for quotes just before Christmas , with most facing a significant increase in costs .
Ten years ago , when she set up Happy Feet Childcare , Flynn ’ s insurance was “ hardly anything ” , but it has gradually been on the rise over the last few years .
In December , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a significant jump from the €980 she paid the year before .
She ultimately got that quote down to €2,685 by joining membership organisation Early Childhood Ireland and she paid an additional €1,120 for insurance on an after-school club .
“ It kind of ruined my Christmas , to be honest .
I was so anxious waiting for the quote .
I was telling [ the staff ] , ‘ Oh my God , I don ’ t even know if I ’ ll be able to reopen in January , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned her insurance would not cover the summer and Easter camps she has been running for the last number of years .
“ It ’ s not that I ’ m making millions out of an Easter camp , I ’ m doing it to keep the staff , ” Flynn says .
“ If I don ’ t have work for the staff , they have to go and sign on and they don ’ t want to do that either.
” Now , if she decides to run camps over summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay even more money to her insurance provider .
Despite rising costs , Flynn has so far avoided increasing prices for parents .
“ I ’ d feel so sorry for parents that are out hard working every day and then have to give over half their salaries to me , ” Flynn says Anna Boronski ( 40 ) , originally from Poland but living in Castlerea , is one of the parents struggling to cope with the cost of childcare .
Last year , she and her husband were paying €155 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and Alicia ( 4 ) .
After half a year , they had to re-evaluate .
Her husband asked his employer to change his hours so he could look after their children in the mornings .
Their childcare costs have since come down to €60 per week .
“ I don ’ t know if it ’ s a better position because I don ’ t see my husband as much .
I see him for maybe half an hour at eleven o ’ clock at night .
It ’ s hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 40 ) from Castlerea pays a total of €210 per week between Happy Feet and a private childminder .
Their childcare costs are higher than their monthly mortgage repayments .
Despite this , Flanagan feels that she is in “ a lucky position ” as she is a primary school teacher , meaning she has long holidays and can have her school-going child educated where she teaches .
“ For ordinary working parents , it must be a nightmare .
They need childminders during the summer and everything .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Flanagan would like to see the next government introduce better supports for families who have more than one child .
She also wants to see greater investment in childcare services in rural areas , pointing to a lack of facilities for children under the age of three .
“ They ’ re all great at promising things before the election but once they get in , they forget about the promises , ” Flanagan said .
Early Childhood Ireland is calling on the next government to increase investment in the sector to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 2025 .
It also want a new agency for early years and school age childcare and reform to the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme ( Ecce ) .
Their proposals have received “ strong cross-party support ” , according to Frances Byrne , director of policy with the organisation .
But only time will tell if the next government will heed the concerns of increasingly dissatisfied childcare workers and parents .

Anita Flynn, manager at Happy Feet Childcare, Castlerea, with Anna Boronski and daughter Alicia (4): Ms Boronski’s husband asked his employer to change his hours so he could look after their children in the mornings. Photograph: Keith Heneghan
"The childcare sector has reached a boiling point now, and the insurance really put the icing on the cake," says Anita Flynn, manager of Happy Feet Childcare in Castlerea, Co Roscommon.
Flynn is just one of many childcare workers and providers striking on Wednesday to draw attention to the challenges facing their sector. They claim that a lack of State funding and skyrocketing insurance costs are putting a strain on both staff and parents.
The Early Years Alliance, the umbrella group that organised the strike, is urging the next government to deliver “a new model of childcare” in Ireland.
The strike action comes less than two months after childcare providers, including Happy Feet, were hit by the withdrawal of insurance company Ironshore from the market. Many were left scrambling for quotes just before Christmas, with most facing a significant increase in costs.
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Ten years ago, when she set up Happy Feet Childcare, Flynn’s insurance was “hardly anything” , but it has gradually been on the rise over the last few years.
In December, Flynn was quoted €3,880 for her insurance, a significant jump from the €980 she paid the year before. She ultimately got that quote down to €2,685 by joining membership organisation Early Childhood Ireland and she paid an additional €1,120 for insurance on an after-school club.
“It kind of ruined my Christmas, to be honest. I was so anxious waiting for the quote. I was telling [the staff], ‘Oh my God, I don’t even know if I’ll be able to reopen in January,’” Flynn says.
Happy Feet Childcare’s Anita Flynn and parent Anna Boronski: “I’d feel so sorry for parents that are out hard working every day and then have to give over half their salaries to me,” says Ms Flynn. Photograph: Keith Heneghan
Staff at Easter
She also recently learned her insurance would not cover the summer and Easter camps she has been running for the last number of years.
“It’s not that I’m making millions out of an Easter camp, I’m doing it to keep the staff,” Flynn says.
“If I don’t have work for the staff, they have to go and sign on and they don’t want to do that either.” Now, if she decides to run camps over summer and Easter, she will have to pay even more money to her insurance provider.
Despite rising costs, Flynn has so far avoided increasing prices for parents.
“I’d feel so sorry for parents that are out hard working every day and then have to give over half their salaries to me,” Flynn says
Anna Boronski (40), originally from Poland but living in Castlerea, is one of the parents struggling to cope with the cost of childcare. Last year, she and her husband were paying €155 per week for their daughters Maya (6) and Alicia (4).
After half a year, they had to re-evaluate. Her husband asked his employer to change his hours so he could look after their children in the mornings. Their childcare costs have since come down to €60 per week.
“I don’t know if it’s a better position because I don’t see my husband as much. I see him for maybe half an hour at eleven o’clock at night. It’s hard,” says Boronski.
Joanne Flanagan (40) from Castlerea pays a total of €210 per week between Happy Feet and a private childminder. Their childcare costs are higher than their monthly mortgage repayments.
‘A nightmare’
Despite this, Flanagan feels that she is in “a lucky position” as she is a primary school teacher, meaning she has long holidays and can have her school-going child educated where she teaches.
“For ordinary working parents, it must be a nightmare. They need childminders during the summer and everything. It’s a second mortgage,” she said.
Flanagan would like to see the next government introduce better supports for families who have more than one child. She also wants to see greater investment in childcare services in rural areas, pointing to a lack of facilities for children under the age of three.
“They’re all great at promising things before the election but once they get in, they forget about the promises,” Flanagan said.
Early Childhood Ireland is calling on the next government to increase investment in the sector to 1 per cent of gross domestic product by 2025. It also want a new agency for early years and school age childcare and reform to the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (Ecce).
Their proposals have received “strong cross-party support”, according to Frances Byrne, director of policy with the organisation.
But only time will tell if the next government will heed the concerns of increasingly dissatisfied childcare workers and parents.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Fine Gael candidates not sitting comfortably as rivals eye their seats

The results of the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll , if reflected on polling day this Saturday , would mean significant seat losses for Fine Gael .
The poll recorded Sinn Féin as the largest party on 25 per cent , followed by Fianna Fáil on 23 per cent and Fine Gael on 20 per cent .
If Taoiseach Leo Varadkar ’ s party drops to that level , it could lead to a number of high-profile ministerial casualties .
Regina Doherty , Meath East The Minister for Social Protection , one of her party ’ s strongest public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final seat in three-seat Meath East , where she and Helen McEntee currently hold two seats for Fine Gael .
Fianna Fáil ’ s Thomas Byrne holds the third and will be returned .
Doherty beat Sinn Féin ’ s Darren O ’ Rourke to the last seat in 2016 , but O ’ Rourke is standing again and could surf the Sinn Féin wave this time out .
Paul Kehoe , Wexford The prospect of holding two Fine Gael seats in five-seat Wexford – junior ministers Michael D ’ Arcy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on – could be damaged by the decision of former Fine Gael byelection candidate Verona Murphy to stand as an independent in the general election .
Murphy is from Ramsgrange , near Kehoe ’ s Enniscorthy base , while D ’ Arcy is based in Gorey in the north of the county .
Geography probably places Kehoe under greater pressure than his running mate .
Catherine Byrne , Dublin South Central The Minister of State for the National Drugs Strategy was already seen as under threat since Fianna Fáil ’ s Catherine Ardagh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has worked hard in the constituency since .
The Green Party ’ s Patrick Costello is also eyeing up a seat here .
With Fine Gael ’ s drop in the polls , Byrne ’ s seat is one of the most vulnerable in the country .
Seán Kyne , Galway West An Ipsos/MRBI Galway West poll for TG4 showed Kyne ’ s Fine Gael running mate and outgoing TD Hildegarde Naughton topping the poll , with Kyne coming fifth and hanging in for the final seat .
Any further drop in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leo Varadkar ’ s chief whip in trouble .
Shane Ross , Dublin Rathdown Although not a Fine Gael TD , the Minister for Transport is said to be under pressure locally .
Fianna Fáil seems to sniff blood and is pushing local councillor Shay Brennan , son of former Fianna Fáil minister Séamus Brennan , for a Dáil seat .
Party sources see the Ross vote in the constituency as soft and believe his seat is there for the taking .
Eoghan Murphy , Dublin Bay South Fine Gael holds two seats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy and prominent party backbencher Kate O ’ Connell .
Green leader Eamon Ryan already holds a seat but any surplus for Ryan on the back of rising support for his party in Dublin could trickle back down to candidates on the left .
The Sinn Féin surge will also put party councillor and former Fianna Fáil TD Chris Andrews in contention .
Fine Gael could be facing the loss of one of its two seats here and while Murphy ’ s ministerial post may see stalwart Fine Gael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he is unlikely to be feeling comfortable ahead of polling day .

Catherine Byrne, Minister of State for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy: her seat is seen as the most vulnerable. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
The results of the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll, if reflected on polling day this Saturday, would mean significant seat losses for Fine Gael.
The poll recorded Sinn Féin as the largest party on 25 per cent, followed by Fianna Fáil on 23 per cent and Fine Gael on 20 per cent. If Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's party drops to that level, it could lead to a number of high-profile ministerial casualties.
Regina Doherty, Meath East
The Minister for Social Protection, one of her party's strongest public performers, is in a battle for the final seat in three-seat Meath East, where she and Helen McEntee currently hold two seats for Fine Gael. Fianna Fáil's Thomas Byrne holds the third and will be returned. Doherty beat Sinn Féin's Darren O'Rourke to the last seat in 2016, but O'Rourke is standing again and could surf the Sinn Féin wave this time out.
Paul Kehoe, Wexford
The prospect of holding two Fine Gael seats in five-seat Wexford – junior ministers Michael D'Arcy and Paul Kehoe are both hoping to hold on – could be damaged by the decision of former Fine Gael byelection candidate Verona Murphy to stand as an independent in the general election.
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Murphy is from Ramsgrange, near Kehoe's Enniscorthy base, while D'Arcy is based in Gorey in the north of the county. Geography probably places Kehoe under greater pressure than his running mate.
Catherine Byrne, Dublin South Central
The Minister of State for the National Drugs Strategy was already seen as under threat since Fianna Fáil's Catherine Ardagh narrowly lost out at the last election and has worked hard in the constituency since. The Green Party's Patrick Costello is also eyeing up a seat here. With Fine Gael's drop in the polls, Byrne's seat is one of the most vulnerable in the country.
Seán Kyne, Galway West
An Ipsos/MRBI Galway West poll for TG4 showed Kyne's Fine Gael running mate and outgoing TD Hildegarde Naughton topping the poll, with Kyne coming fifth and hanging in for the final seat. Any further drop in the Fine Gael vote could leave Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's chief whip in trouble.
Shane Ross, Dublin Rathdown
Although not a Fine Gael TD, the Minister for Transport is said to be under pressure locally. Fianna Fáil seems to sniff blood and is pushing local councillor Shay Brennan, son of former Fianna Fáil minister Séamus Brennan, for a Dáil seat. Party sources see the Ross vote in the constituency as soft and believe his seat is there for the taking.
Eoghan Murphy, Dublin Bay South
Fine Gael holds two seats from four in Dublin Bay South with Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy and prominent party backbencher Kate O'Connell. Green leader Eamon Ryan already holds a seat but any surplus for Ryan on the back of rising support for his party in Dublin could trickle back down to candidates on the left.
The Sinn Féin surge will also put party councillor and former Fianna Fáil TD Chris Andrews in contention. Fine Gael could be facing the loss of one of its two seats here and while Murphy's ministerial post may see stalwart Fine Gael supporters back him over O'Connell, he is unlikely to be feeling comfortable ahead of polling day.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--British feared Bertie Ahern ‘potentially dangerous’ to Northern Ireland policy

The British government was concerned about Bertie Ahern becoming taoiseach after the 1997 general election with London ’ s ambassador to Ireland saying the then Fianna Fáil leader ’ s actions to undermine the Irish government ’ s policy on Northern Ireland were “ potentially dangerous ” .
New files released by the National Archives in London show the British viewed Mr Ahern with scepticism and were instead in favour of Fine Gael ’ s John Bruton continuing as taoiseach after the 1997 election .
An “ annual review for 1995 ” written by the British ambassador to Ireland Veronica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ahern ’ s leadership of Fianna Fáil , then in opposition to the rainbow coalition , had been weak .
“ All being well , the Coalition can look forward to another 18 months or so in power before the next General Election , due in 1997 .
On present performance , there is little to fear from the Opposition .
Bertie ’ s Ahern ’ s leadership of Fianna Fáil has been lacklustre , and his attempts to undermine the Irish government ’ s policy on Northern Ireland potentially dangerous , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Major and Mr Bruton enjoyed a positive relationship during their times in office .
Edward Oakden , Mr Major ’ s private secretary for foreign affairs , said in a letter during the period : “ Over time the prime minister has built up a very good and productive relationship with John Bruton .
It has had its bumps .
But the prime minister has a regard for the risks which Bruton – like us – has taken.
” Mr Ahern however , was viewed with more scepticism .
“ Given Mr Bruton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is in our interest that he should remain in position , ” said Ms Sutherland .
A year earlier , in February 1995 , Mr Ahern had lunch with the previous ambassador David Blatherwick , during which he said he was finding opposition frustrating and wished his predecessor would avoid public life .
“ Albert Reynolds was mistakenly trying to stay in the political limelight : he should concentrate on a new life in business ( Ahern spoke of Reynolds without rancour or anxiety , but as a man of the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a memo .
After the London Docklands bombing in February 1996 , Mr Ahern told Ms Sutherland that he would be doing some “ tough talking to Gerry Adams , but was unsure whether this would have any effect .
“ In his view Adams no longer had any influence over the IRA , ” said Ms Sutherland .
The relationship between the British and the Irish at the time varied between warmth and scepticism , according to the ambassador .
“ In general the Irish attitude to us remains ambivalent – and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motives , and quick to blame us for set-backs .
Incidents of all kinds can provoke a spate of invective from ministers , officials and press commentators ; football hooliganism ; the release of private ( Lee ) Clegg ; the treatment of Irish prisoners in Britain ; nuclear power ; Irish steel.
” She said that at the same time , the relationship was capable of huge warmth , illustrated by the positive reception given to the Prince of Wales during a visit to Ireland in 1995 .

Bertie Ahern and John Bruton during an RTÉ election debate in 1997. Archive files reveal John Major's government viewed Mr Ahern with scepticism. File photograph: David Sleator
The British government was concerned about Bertie Ahern becoming taoiseach after the 1997 general election with London’s ambassador to Ireland saying the then Fianna Fáil leader’s actions to undermine the Irish government’s policy on Northern Ireland were “potentially dangerous”.
New files released by the National Archives in London show the British viewed Mr Ahern with scepticism and were instead in favour of Fine Gael’s John Bruton continuing as taoiseach after the 1997 election.
An “annual review for 1995” written by the British ambassador to Ireland Veronica Sutherland in January 1996 said that Mr Ahern’s leadership of Fianna Fáil, then in opposition to the rainbow coalition, had been weak.
“All being well, the Coalition can look forward to another 18 months or so in power before the next General Election, due in 1997. On present performance, there is little to fear from the Opposition. Bertie’s Ahern’s leadership of Fianna Fáil has been lacklustre, and his attempts to undermine the Irish government’s policy on Northern Ireland potentially dangerous,” she wrote.
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British prime minister John Major and Mr Bruton enjoyed a positive relationship during their times in office.
Edward Oakden, Mr Major’s private secretary for foreign affairs, said in a letter during the period: “Over time the prime minister has built up a very good and productive relationship with John Bruton. It has had its bumps. But the prime minister has a regard for the risks which Bruton – like us – has taken.”
The British government was concerned about Bertie Ahern (left) becoming taoiseach after the 1997 general election. File photograph: Kyran O’Brien/PA
Scepticism
Mr Ahern however, was viewed with more scepticism. “Given Mr Bruton’s sympathy towards the UK, it is in our interest that he should remain in position,” said Ms Sutherland.
A year earlier, in February 1995, Mr Ahern had lunch with the previous ambassador David Blatherwick, during which he said he was finding opposition frustrating and wished his predecessor would avoid public life.
“Albert Reynolds was mistakenly trying to stay in the political limelight: he should concentrate on a new life in business (Ahern spoke of Reynolds without rancour or anxiety, but as a man of the past),” said Mr Blatherwick in a memo.
After the London Docklands bombing in February 1996, Mr Ahern told Ms Sutherland that he would be doing some “tough talking to Gerry Adams, but was unsure whether this would have any effect.
“In his view Adams no longer had any influence over the IRA,” said Ms Sutherland.
The relationship between the British and the Irish at the time varied between warmth and scepticism, according to the ambassador.
“In general the Irish attitude to us remains ambivalent – and volatile. They are suspicious of our motives, and quick to blame us for set-backs. Incidents of all kinds can provoke a spate of invective from ministers, officials and press commentators; football hooliganism; the release of private (Lee) Clegg; the treatment of Irish prisoners in Britain; nuclear power; Irish steel.”
She said that at the same time, the relationship was capable of huge warmth, illustrated by the positive reception given to the Prince of Wales during a visit to Ireland in 1995.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--London believed mid-1990s IRA ceasefire ‘benefited’ terrorists

One of the most senior military commanders in Northern Ireland during the Troubles believed the IRA ’ s 17-month ceasefire in the middle of the 1990s benefited terrorists .
The period was used to improve the IRA ’ s intelligence and recruit volunteers while “ punishment ” murders kept members in practice , according to files released by the National Archives in London .
The files show how the British believed the punishment beatings and killings that continued during the ceasefire between August 1994 and February 1996 , and were publicly claimed to be related to drugs , were the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that the IRA was responsible .
In a memo from January 1996 , a few weeks before the ceasefire was broken by a bomb in the London docklands , the prime minister John Major ’ s private secretary Roderic Lyne details a meeting he had with Roger Wheeler , director of military operations in Northern Ireland , during which the officer explained that the army and police were worried about the build-up of tension .
“ Roger said that , for the time being , PIRA were primed to return to full-scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military effectiveness had benefited from the ceasefire .
They had improved their intelligence , targeting and recruiting .
The drug murders had kept some of the units in practice and had shown that they were still very effective , ” Mr Lyne ’ s memo stated .
“ Roger thought that the calculation of PIRA leaders was that they could sustain the readiness of their volunteers to fight for about another six months but that thereafter they thought it would be increasingly difficult to persuade the volunteers that it was worth going back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order given by Sinn Féin ’ s Martin McGuinness that the drug murders were to cease , said Mr Lyne which would be “ an interesting test of PAC [ IRA Army Council ] control ” .
Statistics from the time show a spike in punishment shootings and assaults before the ceasefire and after .
In the 16 months before the cessation , there were 74 attributed to republicans , compared to 176 for the period of the ceasefire .
The continued violence was focused on by the British government as reason to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s commitment to peaceful negotiations .
In a brief to the prime minister ahead of a meeting with the independent body dealing with decommissioning , the punishment murders were said to be the clearest threat to the peace process .
“ We are in no doubt that the IRA are responsible and these murders have been approved at the highest level in the republican movement .
The Irish government agrees and shares our concern , ” said the note from the British .
The prime minister told the international body that the attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 1995 of US president Bill Clinton but had stopped in the lead up to his arrival .
“ These operations were under the direction of the central Army Council .
Some at least of the drug-related attacks were to stop others moving in on the IRA ’ s drugs rackets and territory , ” said a letter from Edward Oakden , Mr Major ’ s private secretary for foreign affairs .
Mr McGuinness denied at the time that Sinn Féin condoned , advocated or approved of the attacks in a meeting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adams said they were very concerned at the killings and the way they were being used as a way of attacking Sinn Féin .

A file photo of then taoiseach Bertie Ahern with Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams. Mr McGuinness denied that the IRA condoned punishment attacks during the IRA ceasefire. File photograph: Frank Miller
One of the most senior military commanders in Northern Ireland during the Troubles believed the IRA’s 17-month ceasefire in the middle of the 1990s benefited terrorists.
The period was used to improve the IRA’s intelligence and recruit volunteers while “punishment” murders kept members in practice, according to files released by the National Archives in London.
The files show how the British believed the punishment beatings and killings that continued during the ceasefire between August 1994 and February 1996, and were publicly claimed to be related to drugs, were the biggest threat to the ongoing peace process and that the IRA was responsible.
In a memo from January 1996, a few weeks before the ceasefire was broken by a bomb in the London docklands, the prime minister John Major’s private secretary Roderic Lyne details a meeting he had with Roger Wheeler, director of military operations in Northern Ireland, during which the officer explained that the army and police were worried about the build-up of tension.
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“Roger said that, for the time being, PIRA were primed to return to full-scale violence. In some ways, their military effectiveness had benefited from the ceasefire. They had improved their intelligence, targeting and recruiting. The drug murders had kept some of the units in practice and had shown that they were still very effective,” Mr Lyne’s memo stated.
“Roger thought that the calculation of PIRA leaders was that they could sustain the readiness of their volunteers to fight for about another six months but that thereafter they thought it would be increasingly difficult to persuade the volunteers that it was worth going back into action.”
There had been an order given by Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness that the drug murders were to cease, said Mr Lyne which would be “an interesting test of PAC [IRA Army Council] control”.
Punishment attacks
Statistics from the time show a spike in punishment shootings and assaults before the ceasefire and after. In the 16 months before the cessation, there were 74 attributed to republicans, compared to 176 for the period of the ceasefire.
The continued violence was focused on by the British government as reason to cast doubt on the republican movement’s commitment to peaceful negotiations. In a brief to the prime minister ahead of a meeting with the independent body dealing with decommissioning, the punishment murders were said to be the clearest threat to the peace process.
“We are in no doubt that the IRA are responsible and these murders have been approved at the highest level in the republican movement. The Irish government agrees and shares our concern,” said the note from the British.
The prime minister told the international body that the attacks had happened regularly before the visit in November 1995 of US president Bill Clinton but had stopped in the lead up to his arrival.
“These operations were under the direction of the central Army Council. Some at least of the drug-related attacks were to stop others moving in on the IRA’s drugs rackets and territory,” said a letter from Edward Oakden, Mr Major’s private secretary for foreign affairs.
Mr McGuinness denied at the time that Sinn Féin condoned, advocated or approved of the attacks in a meeting with the British and Irish governments. Gerry Adams said they were very concerned at the killings and the way they were being used as a way of attacking Sinn Féin.