theirishtimes--2020-04-30--Easing Covid-19 restrictions - New cases 'must fall first' but some sports may return in early phase

The number of new cases of Covid-19 reported daily will have to move in a consistent downward trajectory before any substantial lifting of restrictions will be considered , Opposition party leaders were told in a briefing by public health officials on Wednesday .
• Paul Cullen analysis : Two crucial factors will inform decision to end lockdown While the number of new cases would need to move towards the lower hundreds , politicians were warned that there is “ no single magic number ” as the case figures could be skewed by the number of tests done and reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a further 376 cases were reported , more than half of which related to nursing homes .
The total number of confirmed cases has now exceeded the 20,000 mark , and stands at 20,253 .
The deaths of another 31 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) at its briefing on Wednesday , bringing the total death toll in the pandemic to 1,190 in the Republic .
Meanwhile , some sporting and recreation facilities could be reopened in the initial phase of the plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being worked on by officials .
This would only apply to such activities where social distancing can be maintained , such as tennis courts and golf courses .
The draft plans are also understood to allow some sports team training in the initial phase – but only where there is no contact , where the groups of people training are very small and social distancing can be maintained .
While the latest drafts of the plan do not specify dates , earlier drafts spaced the phases out in periods between early May and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off on a final version of the plan at a meeting on Friday , before it is sent to Cabinet for consideration .
In tandem with public health advice on how to ease restrictions , the Government will also announce some policy measures to help families and businesses .
Some sources suggested such a package could be announced to help “ sugar the pill ” of little or no restrictions being lifted after May 5th , with hope still held out that recommendations around the over 70s may be eased .
With the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one option being floated in Government is to have childcare workers mind children in the home of frontline workers first , which would then extend to other children .
Supports from the Department of Business are also expected .
Sources also said that the €350 Covid-19 payment and the wage subsidy scheme will be extended , although there will be some tapering and adjustments .
Each phase of the State plan will last two to four weeks , and restrictions would be lifted if certain targets have been met .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions will be a Government plan informed by public health advice but with input from Ministers , rather than just a health advice plan alone .
Seven out of every 10 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 have recovered from the disease , NPHET disclosed last night .
Separately , an agreement has been reached to allow for the redeployment of home carers to nursing homes , four weeks after this was first announced .
Home care staff provided more than 1,000 hours of care in nursing homes in April without any formal agreement being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Community Care Ireland .
Fianna Fáil says figures show only one nurse has been redeployed for every five nursing homes .
According to information supplied to health spokesman Stephen Donnelly by the HSE , about 205 staff have been deployed in total including 85 nursing and 120 healthcare assistants .

Gardaí at a checkpoint on the Southbound carriageway of the N7 this week. Photograph: Collins
The number of new cases of Covid-19 reported daily will have to move in a consistent downward trajectory before any substantial lifting of restrictions will be considered, Opposition party leaders were told in a briefing by public health officials on Wednesday.
Paul Cullen analysis: Two crucial factors will inform decision to end lockdown
While the number of new cases would need to move towards the lower hundreds, politicians were warned that there is “no single magic number” as the case figures could be skewed by the number of tests done and reported on a particular day.
Last night, a further 376 cases were reported, more than half of which related to nursing homes. The total number of confirmed cases has now exceeded the 20,000 mark, and stands at 20,253.
The deaths of another 31 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) at its briefing on Wednesday, bringing the total death toll in the pandemic to 1,190 in the Republic.
READ MORE
Meanwhile, some sporting and recreation facilities could be reopened in the initial phase of the plan to ease coronavirus restrictions under draft proposals being worked on by officials.
This would only apply to such activities where social distancing can be maintained, such as tennis courts and golf courses.
The draft plans are also understood to allow some sports team training in the initial phase – but only where there is no contact, where the groups of people training are very small and social distancing can be maintained.
While the latest drafts of the plan do not specify dates, earlier drafts spaced the phases out in periods between early May and September.
Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer at the Department of Health, at a Covid-19 update on Wednesday. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
NPHET is expected to sign off on a final version of the plan at a meeting on Friday, before it is sent to Cabinet for consideration.
In tandem with public health advice on how to ease restrictions, the Government will also announce some policy measures to help families and businesses.
Some sources suggested such a package could be announced to help “sugar the pill” of little or no restrictions being lifted after May 5th, with hope still held out that recommendations around the over 70s may be eased.
Childcare workers
With the prospect of creches being closed until September, one option being floated in Government is to have childcare workers mind children in the home of frontline workers first, which would then extend to other children.
Supports from the Department of Business are also expected.
Sources also said that the €350 Covid-19 payment and the wage subsidy scheme will be extended, although there will be some tapering and adjustments.
Each phase of the State plan will last two to four weeks, and restrictions would be lifted if certain targets have been met.
It was stressed that the final plan on easing restrictions will be a Government plan informed by public health advice but with input from Ministers, rather than just a health advice plan alone.
Seven out of every 10 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 have recovered from the disease, NPHET disclosed last night.
Nursing homes
Separately, an agreement has been reached to allow for the redeployment of home carers to nursing homes, four weeks after this was first announced.
Home care staff provided more than 1,000 hours of care in nursing homes in April without any formal agreement being in place, according to Home and Community Care Ireland.
Fianna Fáil says figures show only one nurse has been redeployed for every five nursing homes.
According to information supplied to health spokesman Stephen Donnelly by the HSE, about 205 staff have been deployed in total including 85 nursing and 120 healthcare assistants.


theirishtimes--2020-04-30--Coronavirus: Two crucial factors will inform decision to end lockdown

Public health officials will base any decision on the future of the restrictions after May 4th on two main sets of factors ; what the numbers are telling us and how the system is coping .
We know the numbers in terms of new cases , death rates and ICU admissions are moving in the right direction ; the question is whether the trend is sufficiently positive to prevent the possibility of a second wave of infection .
Tuesday ’ s figure of 229 new cases was the lowest since April 1st ; the daily number has bobbed around while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate of increase is down to about 1 per cent .
Tuesday saw 59 deaths reported , one of the highest daily figures .
The trend in fatalities in recent weeks has been strongly driven by the problems in nursing homes and other residential settings , which now account for 60 per cent of overall deaths .
Ireland ’ s death rate is now about the same as Sweden ’ s , which had no lockdown .
Hospital admissions for Covid-19 have been flat since near the start of April .
The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has fallen from a high of 160 on April 9th to 113 this week .
With at least half of ICU standing capacity unused , even before account is taken of hundreds of surge capacity beds , it is clear the hospital system has been able to deal with the first wave of infection in this epidemic with some margin of comfort .
The same can not be said of the system ’ s ability to test people for the disease widely and quickly .
Targets have been set and reset , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week has not been reached – now the target date is May 18th .
And whereas public health officials have long said they want “ real-time ” testing – meaning results are returned within hours – the system is taking three to four days to deliver a result after a test has been sought , and an average of six days to complete contact tracing .
An overall index of performance in an epidemic is the R0 or reproduction number , a measure of how many other people a person with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be below 1 – so that each case infects fewer than one other person – for the epidemic to start dying out .
Ireland ’ s R0 has been below 1 for several weeks now , and currently stands at a little over 0.5 .
This figure should allow for the easing of measures , yet Irish officials seem nervous about the reliability of this indicator .
Germany , with an R0 of 0.9 , is easing measures in many states , as is the UK , where the figure stands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Auckland in New Zealand shows Ireland , along with other countries , succeeded in reducing R0 significantly through the imposition of restrictive measures .
However , our reduction was one of the lowest of the 16 countries surveyed .
While in part this is because Irish restrictions have been in place for a shorter period , the data shows we under-performed against countries such as Norway and Iceland , where the disease has followed a similar time trajectory to our own .
In general , faster implementation and longer duration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R0 , the research found .
The contrast with New Zealand , which has throttled the disease on the back of a quickly-imposed ban on international travel , and Ireland , which has largely shied away from interfering with the free movement of people , is salutary .
One of the problems facing anyone trying to analyse Ireland ’ s performance is the lack of information available .
Key data – for example on testing or deaths – is often served up at National Public Health Emergency Team ’ s ( NPHET ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a coherent fashion .
New Zealand , in contrast , publishes detail on individual clusters and even cases , down to flight numbers where travel was involved .
It also releases figures on lab testing and capability , and an ethnic breakdown of cases .
Here , it is hard to get a sense of what is really going on in the community from the information provided .
The massive rise in outbreaks in care settings has been documented , but this has limited ramifications for the wider community , so long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitored .
Worryingly , two-thirds of transmission of the virus is in the community – New Zealand classifies only 4 per cent of its cases as of “ unknown source ” – yet no granular detail about these cases is provided .
Are these clusters occurring in a particular ethnic group , for example ?
Or group of workers ?
Or geographical areas ?
Overall , the figures suggest some easing of restrictions is possible , though the number of new cases is a worry and the situation would have to be monitored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For the time being , however , problems with testing and worries over the ongoing supply of protective equipment for healthcare workers are likely to tip the decision against any major loosening of the restrictions .

The number of confirmed cases in critical care beds has fallen from a high of 160 on April 9th to 113 this week. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Public health officials will base any decision on the future of the restrictions after May 4th on two main sets of factors; what the numbers are telling us and how the system is coping.
We know the numbers in terms of new cases, death rates and ICU admissions are moving in the right direction; the question is whether the trend is sufficiently positive to prevent the possibility of a second wave of infection.
Tuesday’s figure of 229 new cases was the lowest since April 1st; the daily number has bobbed around while generally reducing over time. The daily rate of increase is down to about 1 per cent.
Tuesday saw 59 deaths reported, one of the highest daily figures. The trend in fatalities in recent weeks has been strongly driven by the problems in nursing homes and other residential settings, which now account for 60 per cent of overall deaths. Ireland’s death rate is now about the same as Sweden’s, which had no lockdown.
READ MORE
Hospital admissions for Covid-19 have been flat since near the start of April. The number of confirmed cases in critical care beds has fallen from a high of 160 on April 9th to 113 this week.
With at least half of ICU standing capacity unused, even before account is taken of hundreds of surge capacity beds, it is clear the hospital system has been able to deal with the first wave of infection in this epidemic with some margin of comfort.
The same cannot be said of the system’s ability to test people for the disease widely and quickly. Targets have been set and reset, and still the Holy Grail of 100,000 tests a week has not been reached – now the target date is May 18th.
And whereas public health officials have long said they want “real-time” testing – meaning results are returned within hours – the system is taking three to four days to deliver a result after a test has been sought, and an average of six days to complete contact tracing.
Reproduction number
An overall index of performance in an epidemic is the R0 or reproduction number, a measure of how many other people a person with the disease goes on to infect. This needs to be below 1 – so that each case infects fewer than one other person – for the epidemic to start dying out.
Ireland’s R0 has been below 1 for several weeks now, and currently stands at a little over 0.5. This figure should allow for the easing of measures, yet Irish officials seem nervous about the reliability of this indicator.
Germany, with an R0 of 0.9, is easing measures in many states, as is the UK, where the figure stands at about 0.7.
Research at the University of Auckland in New Zealand shows Ireland, along with other countries, succeeded in reducing R0 significantly through the imposition of restrictive measures.
However, our reduction was one of the lowest of the 16 countries surveyed. While in part this is because Irish restrictions have been in place for a shorter period, the data shows we under-performed against countries such as Norway and Iceland, where the disease has followed a similar time trajectory to our own.
In general, faster implementation and longer duration of restrictive measures yielded the greatest reductions in R0, the research found. The contrast with New Zealand, which has throttled the disease on the back of a quickly-imposed ban on international travel, and Ireland, which has largely shied away from interfering with the free movement of people, is salutary.
Lack of information
One of the problems facing anyone trying to analyse Ireland’s performance is the lack of information available. Key data – for example on testing or deaths – is often served up at National Public Health Emergency Team’s (NPHET) daily briefings but is not published in a coherent fashion.
New Zealand, in contrast, publishes detail on individual clusters and even cases, down to flight numbers where travel was involved. It also releases figures on lab testing and capability, and an ethnic breakdown of cases.
Here, it is hard to get a sense of what is really going on in the community from the information provided. The massive rise in outbreaks in care settings has been documented, but this has limited ramifications for the wider community, so long as staff exposed to the virus are properly monitored.
Worryingly, two-thirds of transmission of the virus is in the community – New Zealand classifies only 4 per cent of its cases as of “unknown source” – yet no granular detail about these cases is provided. Are these clusters occurring in a particular ethnic group, for example? Or group of workers? Or geographical areas?
Overall, the figures suggest some easing of restrictions is possible, though the number of new cases is a worry and the situation would have to be monitored closely for any resurgence of the virus. For the time being, however, problems with testing and worries over the ongoing supply of protective equipment for healthcare workers are likely to tip the decision against any major loosening of the restrictions.


theirishtimes--2020-04-30--One HSE nurse redeployed for every five private nursing homes, data reveal

Neither private nor public medical staff have been redeployed to nursing homes at scale , new figures reveal , despite ongoing staffing difficulties in the sector .
According to figures supplied to Fianna Fáil health spokesman Stephen Donnelly , only one Health Service Executive nurse has been redeployed for every five private nursing homes , despite plans to help the struggling sector face mounting challenges posed by coronavirus outbreaks .
Some 85 nurses and 120 healthcare assistants had been deployed as of last Friday , according to data released by the HSE to Fianna Fáil .
Meanwhile , delays over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff under a deal announced between private home-help companies and the HSE in early April .
The level of home-help staff taking up shifts in nursing homes has been constrained , it is understood , after delays and contractual negotiations slowed roll-out of the scheme .
About 100 shifts were covered by home-help staff from the private sector during April , with sources indicating that at minimum , 2,000 shifts a month could be covered by the deal between the HSE and home-help companies .
Staffing issues in the State ’ s nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days and weeks as widespread testing in the settings last week revealed many previously undiagnosed , asymptomatic cases among staff , said Nursing Homes Ireland ( NHI ) chief executive Tadhg Daly .
“ From our point of view there are significant challenges in respect of staffing due to the fact many staff are out as a result of testing positive , many of them asymptomatic , ” he said .
According to figures released to Fianna Fáil , some 400 hospital patients had been released into nursing homes during the early stages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were symptomatic were tested .
Mr Donnelly said it was “ disappointing to see that the total numbers being deployed are small .
While thankfully there are nursing homes that don ’ t require support right now , there are many nursing homes with very high levels of nursing and other staff out sick or self-isolating .
At the same time , the private hospitals are currently at 33 per cent capacity .
Given that , it seems like there should be staff available from this sector for deployment.
” The deal governing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only finally signed off on Tuesday , despite being announced on April 2nd , The Irish Times has learned .
While some redeployments have taken place , the scale has been limited as issues around training , record keeping and indemnification delayed final agreement .
About 600 private home-help workers have indicated an interest in being redeployed , it is understood .
Due to the scaling back of some home-support services caused by the crisis , and the fact that many thousands of older people with lower priority needs cocooning , spare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a memo to NHI staff issued on Tuesday , member organisations were told that a framework agreement governing secondment of private sector home-help groups to nursing homes had been reached .
A HSE spokeswoman confirmed the deal had been signed , with the HSE funding it initially “ with costs to be recouped from the residential units/nursing homes in due course ” .
Joseph Musgrave , chief executive of Home and Community Care Ireland , the trade body for private home-help operators , said “ the first priority of our members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community .
We will continue to support our partners in the nursing home sector , and we hope to get an indication of how many staff are needed to allow everyone to plan effectively.
” Elsewhere , a Siptu spokesman said that grant-funded home-help groups where its members are working have not seen significant redeployment to nursing homes .

Some 85 nurses and 120 healthcare assistants had been deployed as of last Friday, according to data released by the HSE to Fianna Fáil. File photograph: Getty
Neither private nor public medical staff have been redeployed to nursing homes at scale, new figures reveal, despite ongoing staffing difficulties in the sector.
According to figures supplied to Fianna Fáil health spokesman Stephen Donnelly, only one Health Service Executive nurse has been redeployed for every five private nursing homes, despite plans to help the struggling sector face mounting challenges posed by coronavirus outbreaks.
Some 85 nurses and 120 healthcare assistants had been deployed as of last Friday, according to data released by the HSE to Fianna Fáil.
Meanwhile, delays over contractual negotiations stalled the redeployment of home-help staff under a deal announced between private home-help companies and the HSE in early April. The level of home-help staff taking up shifts in nursing homes has been constrained, it is understood, after delays and contractual negotiations slowed roll-out of the scheme.
READ MORE
About 100 shifts were covered by home-help staff from the private sector during April, with sources indicating that at minimum, 2,000 shifts a month could be covered by the deal between the HSE and home-help companies.
Staffing issues in the State's nursing homes will become more acute in coming days and weeks as widespread testing in the settings last week revealed many previously undiagnosed, asymptomatic cases among staff, said Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) chief executive Tadhg Daly.
“From our point of view there are significant challenges in respect of staffing due to the fact many staff are out as a result of testing positive, many of them asymptomatic,” he said.
According to figures released to Fianna Fáil, some 400 hospital patients had been released into nursing homes during the early stages of the crisis but only those who were symptomatic were tested.
Mr Donnelly said it was “disappointing to see that the total numbers being deployed are small. While thankfully there are nursing homes that don’t require support right now, there are many nursing homes with very high levels of nursing and other staff out sick or self-isolating. At the same time, the private hospitals are currently at 33 per cent capacity. Given that, it seems like there should be staff available from this sector for deployment.”
The deal governing the redeployment of private sector home-help staff was only finally signed off on Tuesday, despite being announced on April 2nd, The Irish Times has learned. While some redeployments have taken place, the scale has been limited as issues around training, record keeping and indemnification delayed final agreement.
Home-support services
About 600 private home-help workers have indicated an interest in being redeployed, it is understood. Due to the scaling back of some home-support services caused by the crisis, and the fact that many thousands of older people with lower priority needs cocooning, spare capacity has emerged in the home-help sector.
In a memo to NHI staff issued on Tuesday, member organisations were told that a framework agreement governing secondment of private sector home-help groups to nursing homes had been reached. A HSE spokeswoman confirmed the deal had been signed, with the HSE funding it initially “with costs to be recouped from the residential units/nursing homes in due course”.
Joseph Musgrave, chief executive of Home and Community Care Ireland, the trade body for private home-help operators, said "the first priority of our members is to support vulnerable people in the community. We will continue to support our partners in the nursing home sector, and we hope to get an indication of how many staff are needed to allow everyone to plan effectively."
Elsewhere, a Siptu spokesman said that grant-funded home-help groups where its members are working have not seen significant redeployment to nursing homes.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Catholic school discriminated over religious ceremonies

Catholic schools that reward pupils who attend religious ceremonies are discriminating against non-Catholic pupils , the Workplace Relations Commission has found .
In a ruling , the commission found that Yellow Furze primary school in Co Meath discriminated against an atheist pupil by rewarding his classmates who attended a First Communion choir ceremony with homework passes .
The ruling is likely to have implications for Catholic schools – which make up 90 per cent of primary schools – in how they organise religious events and incentivise children to attend them .
The mother of the child at the centre of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after being “ penalised ” with homework for not attending the choir ceremony .
She argued that he did not have the option to take part in the ceremony as the family are atheist .
“ He came out of school crying , ” said the boy ’ s mother , who declined to be named on the basis that it would identify her child .
“ On that day my son was the only child in the class who was not participating .
He was also the only non-Catholic child in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a choice that is open to him.
” The school submitted in the hearing that the claim was “ wholly unfounded ” and said all children – regardless of their religion – were able to participate in the ceremony .
As a Catholic school , it said it enjoyed a proud tradition of participating in religious ceremonies and that music was an integral part of this .
It added that its code of behaviour provided that all children who participate in extra-curricular activities or events on behalf of the school will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing so .
The commission , however , found that there was prima facie evidence of discriminatory treatment under the Equal Status Acts towards the boy on grounds of religion .
It also found that the parents were deeply hurt and upset by the treatment of the school to the point they have removed their boy from school .
By maintaining it is appropriate to award a benefit to children to attend a religious ceremony , the commission found that the school “ does not appreciate this action had an adverse effect on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith ” .
The commission awarded a sum of €5,000 in respect of discriminatory treatment and ordered the school to review its policies to ensure it complies with the provisions of the Equal Status Acts .
A notice to this effect should also be placed in a prominent position within the school .
The school did not respond to a request for comment to the finding on Thursday .

The WRC found that Yellow Furze primary school in Co Meath discriminated against an atheist pupil. Photograph: Alan Betson
Catholic schools that reward pupils who attend religious ceremonies are discriminating against non-Catholic pupils, the Workplace Relations Commission has found.
In a ruling, the commission found that Yellow Furze primary school in Co Meath discriminated against an atheist pupil by rewarding his classmates who attended a First Communion choir ceremony with homework passes.
The ruling is likely to have implications for Catholic schools – which make up 90 per cent of primary schools – in how they organise religious events and incentivise children to attend them.
The mother of the child at the centre of the case said her son was upset after being “penalised” with homework for not attending the choir ceremony.
READ MORE
Atheist family
She argued that he did not have the option to take part in the ceremony as the family are atheist.
“He came out of school crying,” said the boy’s mother, who declined to be named on the basis that it would identify her child.
“On that day my son was the only child in the class who was not participating. He was also the only non-Catholic child in his class. We are atheist and this is not a choice that is open to him.”
The school submitted in the hearing that the claim was “wholly unfounded” and said all children – regardless of their religion – were able to participate in the ceremony.
As a Catholic school, it said it enjoyed a proud tradition of participating in religious ceremonies and that music was an integral part of this.
It added that its code of behaviour provided that all children who participate in extra-curricular activities or events on behalf of the school will receive a “reward” for their doing so.
The commission, however, found that there was prima facie evidence of discriminatory treatment under the Equal Status Acts towards the boy on grounds of religion.
It also found that the parents were deeply hurt and upset by the treatment of the school to the point they have removed their boy from school.
Review policies
By maintaining it is appropriate to award a benefit to children to attend a religious ceremony, the commission found that the school “does not appreciate this action had an adverse effect on students who are not of a Catholic faith”.
The commission awarded a sum of €5,000 in respect of discriminatory treatment and ordered the school to review its policies to ensure it complies with the provisions of the Equal Status Acts.
A notice to this effect should also be placed in a prominent position within the school. The school did not respond to a request for comment to the finding on Thursday.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Youth offenders could face harsher sanctions depending on age

Youth offenders who commit the same crimes as each other could be treated differently under the justice system , with juveniles closer to adult age ( 18 yearsold ) offered fewer supports and given tougher sanctions than younger juvenile criminals .
The move is under consideration as part of the process to formulate the Government ’ s new Youth Justice Strategy 2020-2026 .
Respondents to a round of public consultation to begin online today will be asked if sanctions for older youth offenders should increased and supports decreased compared to younger youth offenders who commit the same crimes .
Furthermore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ maturity ” levels of a youth offender should dictate the severity of the punishments they face for crimes and the extent of the supports they enjoy from the State aimed at diverting them away from crime .
However , some supports extended to youth offenders may also be made available to criminals up to 24 years .
This is on the basis that some people ’ s formative years continue until that point in their lives .
At present the age of criminal responsibility in the Republic is 12 years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious crimes – including murder , manslaughter and other serious sexual crimes – they can be tried , as adults are , in the Central Criminal Court .
One of the models examined by the Irish Government is that of Luxembourg , where people can not be charged with a criminal offence unless they are at least 18 years .
Instead juveniles can be ordered to undergo special education programmes , they can be placed in special institutions or be allowed to live at home but under surveillance or monitoring .
Minister of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stanton is today due to publish a draft youth justice strategy for the period to 2026 .
It seeks to end the over-dependence on the Garda Youth Diversion programme in dealing with child offenders .
Under the new draft strategy the Garda diversion programme would be rebranded and called Special Youth Projects .
Research has shown the word “ Garda ” in the title stigmatises the programme .
The Garda would continue to have central involvement in the new Special Youth Projects , which would also be linked to community and youth groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is intended , will enable the Garda support schools and other groups in dealing with very difficult or at-risk children .
Interventions could be made in the lives of those children at a much earlier age , including under the age of 12 years , and their families would be reached and supported as part of the process .
Under the current system significant interventions occur only after juveniles commit offences and come to the attention of the Garda Youth Diversion programme .
As well as the draft youth justice strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public consultation phase to be conducted online .
Once the public consultation phase is completed stakeholders in youth work and youth justice will be consulted and the draft strategy may be refined .
The draft strategy also states the Children ’ s Court , reserved for juveniles , should be able to hear the cases of young adults , 18 years or older , who were juveniles when they committed their crimes .

Minister of State at the Department of Justice David Stanton TD was today due to publish a draft Youth Justice Strategy for the period to 2026. Photograph: James Forde
Youth offenders who commit the same crimes as each other could be treated differently under the justice system, with juveniles closer to adult age (18 yearsold) offered fewer supports and given tougher sanctions than younger juvenile criminals.
The move is under consideration as part of the process to formulate the Government’s new Youth Justice Strategy 2020-2026.
Respondents to a round of public consultation to begin online today will be asked if sanctions for older youth offenders should increased and supports decreased compared to younger youth offenders who commit the same crimes.
Furthermore, the public will be asked if the “maturity” levels of a youth offender should dictate the severity of the punishments they face for crimes and the extent of the supports they enjoy from the State aimed at diverting them away from crime.
READ MORE
However, some supports extended to youth offenders may also be made available to criminals up to 24 years. This is on the basis that some people’s formative years continue until that point in their lives.
At present the age of criminal responsibility in the Republic is 12 years. However, when younger children commit very serious crimes – including murder, manslaughter and other serious sexual crimes – they can be tried, as adults are, in the Central Criminal Court.
One of the models examined by the Irish Government is that of Luxembourg, where people cannot be charged with a criminal offence unless they are at least 18 years.
Instead juveniles can be ordered to undergo special education programmes, they can be placed in special institutions or be allowed to live at home but under surveillance or monitoring.
Minister of State at the Department of Justice David Stanton is today due to publish a draft youth justice strategy for the period to 2026.
It seeks to end the over-dependence on the Garda Youth Diversion programme in dealing with child offenders.
Under the new draft strategy the Garda diversion programme would be rebranded and called Special Youth Projects. Research has shown the word “Garda” in the title stigmatises the programme.
At-risk children
The Garda would continue to have central involvement in the new Special Youth Projects, which would also be linked to community and youth groups, sports clubs and schools. This, it is intended, will enable the Garda support schools and other groups in dealing with very difficult or at-risk children.
Interventions could be made in the lives of those children at a much earlier age, including under the age of 12 years, and their families would be reached and supported as part of the process.
Under the current system significant interventions occur only after juveniles commit offences and come to the attention of the Garda Youth Diversion programme.
As well as the draft youth justice strategy, Mr Stanton will launch the new public consultation phase to be conducted online. Once the public consultation phase is completed stakeholders in youth work and youth justice will be consulted and the draft strategy may be refined.
The draft strategy also states the Children’s Court, reserved for juveniles, should be able to hear the cases of young adults, 18 years or older, who were juveniles when they committed their crimes.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Parents ‘delighted’ with religious ceremonies ruling

The atheist parents of a boy who was found to have been discriminated against by a Catholic primary school have expressed their “ absolute delight ” with a Workplace Relations Commission ruling .
The commission found that Yellow Furze primary school in Co Meath discriminated against the boy by rewarding his classmates who attended a First Communion choir ceremony with homework passes .
The boy ’ s mother , who declined to be named on the basis that it would identify her child , said the family was delighted with the ruling .
“ We never doubted that our position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it became apparent at the hearing that there were teachers in the school and families in our community that felt our position was wrong , ” she said .
She told the commission that her son was deeply upset after being “ penalised ” with homework for not attending the choir ceremony in May last year .
The mother also argued that he did not have the option to take part in the ceremony as the family are atheist .
The school , which did not respond to requests for comment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the complaint of discrimination was “ wholly unfounded ” and said all children were able to participate in the ceremony .
As a Catholic school it said it enjoyed a proud tradition of participating in religious ceremonies and that music was an integral part of this .
However , the commission found there was clear evidence of discriminatory treatment under the Equal Status Acts towards the boy on grounds of religion .
It also found that the parents were deeply hurt and upset by the treatment of the school to the point they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It awarded them €5,000 .
Under both the Constitution and the Education Act ( 1998 ) , parents have a right to have their children opt out of religion classes if they wish .
In practice , many parents say they find it difficult to exert their right to opt their children out of religion classes .
Atheist Ireland said the commission ’ s ruling was “ an important win for the right to freedom of belief ” .
“ You have a constitutional right to attend any school without attending religious classes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools can not get around that right by punishing children who don ’ t take part in religion , ” said Jane Donnelly , human rights officer with Atheist Ireland .
“ For years , schools just directly forced children into religious classes and ceremonies .
When parents complained to Atheist Ireland about this , we have always succeeded in getting the schools to back down .
“ Now schools are trying to make it harder to exercise your right to opt out of religion .
They tell you to go to another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the religion class , or use rewards and punishments like this .
That ’ s not what homework is for , and it ’ s not what religion is for.
” However , groups such as the Catholic Schools Partnership have pointed out that there are clear guidelines on the inclusion of non-religious pupils in Catholic schools .
These include recommendations that schools provide students who are opting out with alternative activities during religious instruction .
It has also pointed to research by the Economic and Social Research Institute and Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an “ overwhelming majority of parents and students find their schools to be well-managed and welcoming ” .

The WRC found that Yellow Furze primary school in Co Meath discriminated against the boy. Photograph: Alan Betson
The atheist parents of a boy who was found to have been discriminated against by a Catholic primary school have expressed their "absolute delight" with a Workplace Relations Commission ruling.
The commission found that Yellow Furze primary school in Co Meath discriminated against the boy by assigning him homework and rewarding his classmates who attended a First Communion choir ceremony with "homework passes".
The finding is like to have implications for Catholic schools who reward students for attending religious ceremonies. About 90 per cent of all primary schools are controlled by the Catholic Church.
The boy’s mother, who declined to be named on the basis that it would identify her child, said the family was delighted with the ruling.
“We never doubted that our position was correct but we do feel vindicated as it became apparent at the hearing that there were teachers in the school and families in our community that felt our position was wrong,” she said.
READ MORE
She told the commission that her son was deeply upset after being “penalised” with homework for not attending the choir ceremony in May last year.
The mother also argued that he did not have the option to take part in the ceremony as the family are atheist.
Proud tradition
The school, which did not respond to requests for comment, told the commission during the hearing that the complaint of discrimination was “wholly unfounded” and said all children were able to participate in the ceremony.
As a Catholic school it said it enjoyed a proud tradition of participating in religious ceremonies and that music was an integral part of this.
However, the commission found there was clear evidence of discriminatory treatment under the Equal Status Acts towards the boy on religious grounds.
It also found that the parents were deeply hurt and upset by the treatment of the school to the point they have removed their boy from school. It awarded them €5,000.
Under both the Constitution and the Education Act (1998), parents have a right to have their children opt out of religion classes if they wish.
In practice, many parents say they find it difficult to exert their right to opt their children out of religion classes.
Atheist Ireland said the commission's ruling was "an important win for the right to freedom of belief".
"You have a constitutional right to attend any school without attending religious classes or ceremonies. This ruling shows that schools cannot get around that right by punishing children who don't take part in religion," said Jane Donnelly, human rights officer with Atheist Ireland.
“For years, schools just directly forced children into religious classes and ceremonies. When parents complained to Atheist Ireland about this, we have always succeeded in getting the schools to back down.
Punishments
“Now schools are trying to make it harder to exercise your right to opt out of religion. They tell you to go to another school, or sit at the back of the religion class, or use rewards and punishments like this. That’s not what homework is for, and it’s not what religion is for.”
However, groups such as the Catholic Schools Partnership have pointed out that there are clear guidelines on the inclusion of non-religious pupils in Catholic schools.
These include recommendations that schools provide students who are opting out with alternative activities during religious instruction or ceremonies.
It has also pointed to research by the Economic and Social Research Institute and Department of Education inspectors' reports which have found an "overwhelming majority of parents and students find their schools to be well-managed and welcoming".
The family of the boy, meanwhile, said they plan to give the sum of money they were awarded to charity.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Crowded house: Moyross residents struggle through Covid-19 lockdown

Breda and Kevin Devereux , along with their six children , and two grandchildren , live cramped lives in their three-bedroom council house in Moyross in Limerick .
This month , the family anxiously waited for 23 days for the result of a Covid-19 test carried out on Kevin , after he began to show possible symptoms .
Quarantine during the month was impossible .
“ I have kids and grandkids here .
I ’ d no room to put him in – I ’ d no room whether he had it or not , ” says his wife .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s in my room with his bed and wardrobe , and my bed .
He ’ s on top of us , ” she says , while a space has been cornered off in the kitchen for another child .
“ Every time the phone rang , [ Kevin ] was panicking .
He ’ s nervous , he ’ s had two or three heart attacks already , and I ’ ve high blood pressure and asthma , ” she goes on .
The story is a familiar one in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mary ’ s Park , Ballinacurra Weston and Southill , has been undergoing a Government-backed regeneration plan for more than a decade , one that has happened in fits and starts .
Drug gangs which once ruled through fear were toppled by gardaí backed by tougher anti-gangland legislation .
However , the fallout from feuds lingers .
Regeneration has brought progress , but unintended consequences , too .
Hundreds of dilapidated homes have been demolished , but a far fewer number have been built .
Overcrowding is common .
Three and four generations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on couches , floors , bunk beds , buggies and cots , community leaders complain .
Sandwiched into their three-bedroom home , 10 members of the Chaddad family , including parents Bridie ( 45 ) and Driss ( 48 ) , five children , two grandchildren and a son-in-law , struggled during the opening stages of Covid-19 .
One of the daughters , along with her partner and their two children , was eventually found alternative accommodation through Limerick City and County Council to ease the burden .
“ They were living here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a struggle .
We bought bunk beds and we had them in the sittingroom , ” says Bridie Chaddad .
“ It was very hard in the mornings trying to get them all up for school with only one bathroom , and one cooker , but it had to be done.
” Like many others in Moyross , Bridie Chaddad has a plethora of underlying conditions , including “ angina , diabetes , high blood pressure and COPD ” ( chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ) .
“ I ’ m afraid I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us gets it , but we are following all the rules , ” she declares , insisting that her family “ haven ’ t been outside the door in four weeks ” since the lockdown began .
One daughter is studying for her Leaving Certificate .
She ’ s “ a nervous wreck , because of everything being up in a heap ” , says her mother .
Another has exams in a year ’ s time .
Family tensions , just like anywhere else , occur .
“ A pressure cooker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We could be isolated for the next six or seven weeks.
” Family bingo games help , sometimes .
“ The self-isolation is very bad for our mental health .
I am struggling , I ’ ve nothing to be ashamed of , we are struggling , ” Chaddad continues .
Elsewhere in Moyross , Anthony Quinn , a special needs assistant student , struggles to study for his college exams in a three-bedroom house , along with nine other relatives including his parents , three brothers , two sisters and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was in the house when the lockdown was announced , stayed when it was decided it was safer to stay put .
“ It ’ s crowded .
I ’ m trying to concentrate but I can ’ t .
It ’ s hard to study , but I ’ ll just have to try and deal with it , ” says the 25-year-old .
Years of drug-dealing , shootings , arsons , domestic violence and antisocial behaviour have all left lasting physical and emotional scars on families throughout Moyross .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to numb the pain of sexual and physical abuse .
Now in recovery , she tells The Irish Times how Covid-19 threatens to undo her progress .
Weekly face-to-face meetings with AA ( Alcoholics Anonymous ) and NA ( Narcotics Anonymous ) have been suspended , replaced with online support chats .
“ Normally I could get to between three and six meetings a week , plus a counselling session .
It ’ s a real help and it sets off my day , ” she says .
Tierney longs for the connection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s just not the same connection as when you go into a room and hear someone ’ s story and you hear someone share.
” Spending more time in her one-bedroom house , which she shares with her beloved nine-year old daughter Kieva , has triggered memories from days she prefers to forget .
“ When you ’ re in home all the time , your mind wanders , and the last thing you want to think about is using or drinking , but it crosses your mind so much more when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This disease is on your shoulder saying , ‘ no one is looking , no one is around , you can get away with it , ’ but your head knows , your mind knows , ” she goes on .
Nevertheless , she remains hopeful .
The garden shed has been turned into a playhouse .
“ We are playing board games and cards , anything really to keep my mind busy .
It ’ s like , ‘ What can we find fun to do today , what memories can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a completely different way of thinking , ” she tells The Irish Times .
David Mulcahy ( 40 ) left Moyross for England when he was 16 , after his parents separated .
Later , he became a heroin addict .
Coming back , he became homeless after his rent increased .
With help , he came off heroin 2½ years ago .
Today , he is one of 67 residents living in the Novas-run McGarry House .
“ I was on 90ml of methadone but now I ’ m only on 25ml @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he says .
However , Covid-19 has left its impact on all those in McGarry House , too .
Face-to-face support meetings have stopped , but telephone encounters continue .
Residents can spend up to 15 minutes in each other ’ s rooms , two metres apart .
“ I have a friend here and I always go to his room , but to be honest with you , I don ’ t like to now , because he suffers from asthma , ” says Mulcahy .
“ A lot of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite scared , ” says Sinead Carey , manager of McGarry House , who has encouraged her charges to write down their feelings .
Mulcahy was one of those who did write .
“ I wrote him a letter back , so we are finding new ( old ) ways of communicating around how residents are feeling , ” she says .
The new normal has “ completely transformed ” McGarry ’ s operations , explains Novas head of policy and communications Una Burns .
Couches , chairs and tables have been removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diningrooms , where residents once congregated .
Self-isolation , though , poses “ increased risks ” .
“ If they use drugs alone , overdose risk increases .
All the other risks that exist [ normally ] don ’ t go away just because of Covid-19 , ” she adds .
Normally , McGarry House gathers its people together at times when spirits need to be lifted .
“ Now , we can ’ t do that , [ but ] we are still trying to make sure that residents still feel connected.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiences , says Burns .
“ It can be very triggering to be locked in a room for weeks on end.
” Tiernan O ’ Neill , principal of the local primary school , Corpus Christi , fears that Moyross ’ s progress in recent years could be halted or even reversed by Covid-19 .
The lack of broadband and laptops is creating a “ digital divide ” between affluent areas and some of his charges in Corpus Christi , he says .
“ [ Some ] kids just aren ’ t able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explains .
“ In a lot of the homes , if you are dealing with homelessness and addiction , education is way down the pecking order.
” Fifty or more students are due to leave primary school this summer .
“ But the reality is , potentially these kids may not be in school for months if the pandemic continues , ” he says .
Some of his 350 children continue to get school-provided meals , through the services of provider Carambola , which is now offering parcels of non-perishable food .
O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounds that Covid-19 might leave behind on his pupils .
“ For [ some ] , school is their safe place , it ’ s their oasis.
” Some children moving up to secondary grades will fall behind disproportionately .
“ It ’ s the impact that could go on for the next 12 , 18 , 24 months , ” O ’ Neill tells The Irish Times .
A State post-Covid recovery plan will come , accepts Moyross parish priest Fr Pat Hogan , but he fears that places such as Moyross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned “ people who were almost unemployable into employable people ” , but the post-Covid priority will be “ to get the more employable people ” back into jobs .
“ Before , there were opportunities out there , but I reckon that ’ s gone now , ” he says , adding that local children could fall under the influence of dealers while the schools stay closed .
“ If you don ’ t look after every place , no place is safe .
It ’ s the same thing with drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poorer parts of all the cities , it always comes home to bite you , ” Fr Hogan warns .
Linda Ledger , manager of St Munchin ’ s Community Enterprise Centre , and her team continue to operate a meals-on-wheels service , serving 450 people daily .
Some help has come from Limerick City and County Council , which has approved interim payments of €10,000 for community meals-on-wheels groups .
Meanwhile , the Northside Family Resource Centre in Ballynanty , which has had to lay off more than 60 staff and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a “ friendly call ” service to 150 senior citizens and 90 families .
Displaying the scale of issues that must be considered , the centre is giving out contraception to people who might be unable to get it because of the travel restrictions .
Young people , “ many just 16 ” , had problems getting condoms and contacted the centre in search of contraception , the centre ’ s CEO Ciara Kane says .
Each pack , which is either delivered or handed out , includes guidance that they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already part of their household unit .
Some living in Moyross in overcrowded homes argue that demolitions should not have happened until the new houses were ready .
Between 2014 and 2019 , 450 houses were demolished in Moyross .
Five more are due to go .
Just 52 new houses have been built .
Seventy-seven more are due this year .
Despite local complaints about the number of houses , the council says it gave permits to construction workers to work despite the restrictions to open up vacant properties .
Aoife Duke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City and County Council , says the initial concentration had to be on demolitions .
The new builds will reduce overcrowding .
“ We have approval for rebuilding of houses or new developments , pockets of those are already in place , ” Duke says .
“ We actually have a demand for housing from people who want to move back to the likes of Moyross .
We should see a relief of the pent-up pressure that is brought about from larger numbers living in houses .
”

David Mulcahy, a resident of McGarry House in Moyross, Limerick: ‘I have a friend here and I always go to his room, but to be honest with you, I don’t like to now, because he suffers from asthma.’ Photograph: Alan Place
Breda and Kevin Devereux, along with their six children, and two grandchildren, live cramped lives in their three-bedroom council house in Moyross in Limerick.
This month, the family anxiously waited for 23 days for the result of a Covid-19 test carried out on Kevin, after he began to show possible symptoms.
Quarantine during the month was impossible. “I have kids and grandkids here. I’d no room to put him in – I’d no room whether he had it or not,” says his wife.
“I have an 11-year old, he’s in my room with his bed and wardrobe, and my bed. He’s on top of us,” she says, while a space has been cornered off in the kitchen for another child.
READ MORE
“Every time the phone rang, [Kevin] was panicking. He’s nervous, he’s had two or three heart attacks already, and I’ve high blood pressure and asthma,” she goes on.
The story is a familiar one in Moyross, which, along with St Mary's Park, Ballinacurra Weston and Southill, has been undergoing a Government-backed regeneration plan for more than a decade, one that has happened in fits and starts.
Drug gangs which once ruled through fear were toppled by gardaí backed by tougher anti-gangland legislation. However, the fallout from feuds lingers.
Regeneration has brought progress, but unintended consequences, too. Hundreds of dilapidated homes have been demolished, but a far fewer number have been built.
Overcrowding is common. Three and four generations of families sleep wherever they can – on couches, floors, bunk beds, buggies and cots, community leaders complain.
Sandwiched into their three-bedroom home, 10 members of the Chaddad family, including parents Bridie (45) and Driss (48), five children, two grandchildren and a son-in-law, struggled during the opening stages of Covid-19.
One of the daughters, along with her partner and their two children, was eventually found alternative accommodation through Limerick City and County Council to ease the burden.
A pressure cooker isn't the word for it. We could be isolated for the next six or seven weeks
“They were living here for nearly 11 months. It was a struggle. We bought bunk beds and we had them in the sittingroom,” says Bridie Chaddad. “It was very hard in the mornings trying to get them all up for school with only one bathroom, and one cooker, but it had to be done.”
Plethora
Like many others in Moyross, Bridie Chaddad has a plethora of underlying conditions, including “angina, diabetes, high blood pressure and COPD” (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
“I’m afraid I’ll get it. God forbid one of us gets it, but we are following all the rules,” she declares, insisting that her family “haven’t been outside the door in four weeks” since the lockdown began.
One daughter is studying for her Leaving Certificate. She’s “a nervous wreck, because of everything being up in a heap”, says her mother. Another has exams in a year’s time.
Family tensions, just like anywhere else, occur. “A pressure cooker isn’t the word for it. We could be isolated for the next six or seven weeks.”
Family bingo games help, sometimes. “The self-isolation is very bad for our mental health. I am struggling, I’ve nothing to be ashamed of, we are struggling,” Chaddad continues.
Elsewhere in Moyross, Anthony Quinn, a special needs assistant student, struggles to study for his college exams in a three-bedroom house, along with nine other relatives including his parents, three brothers, two sisters and a sister's partner. A cousin, who was in the house when the lockdown was announced, stayed when it was decided it was safer to stay put.
“It’s crowded. I’m trying to concentrate but I can’t. It’s hard to study, but I’ll just have to try and deal with it,” says the 25-year-old.
Years of drug-dealing, shootings, arsons, domestic violence and antisocial behaviour have all left lasting physical and emotional scars on families throughout Moyross.
Your mind wanders, and the last thing you want to think about is using or drinking
Local mother-of-one Kim Tierney self-medicated to try to numb the pain of sexual and physical abuse.
Now in recovery, she tells The Irish Times how Covid-19 threatens to undo her progress.
Weekly face-to-face meetings with AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and NA (Narcotics Anonymous) have been suspended, replaced with online support chats.
“Normally I could get to between three and six meetings a week, plus a counselling session. It’s a real help and it sets off my day,” she says.
Connection
Tierney longs for the connection felt during past gatherings.
“It’s just not the same connection as when you go into a room and hear someone’s story and you hear someone share.”
Spending more time in her one-bedroom house, which she shares with her beloved nine-year old daughter Kieva, has triggered memories from days she prefers to forget.
“When you’re in home all the time, your mind wanders, and the last thing you want to think about is using or drinking, but it crosses your mind so much more when you’re not kept busy.
“This disease is on your shoulder saying, ‘no one is looking, no one is around, you can get away with it,’ but your head knows, your mind knows,” she goes on.
Nevertheless, she remains hopeful. The garden shed has been turned into a playhouse.
“We are playing board games and cards, anything really to keep my mind busy. It’s like, ‘What can we find fun to do today, what memories can we make?’ It’s a completely different way of thinking,” she tells The Irish Times.
David Mulcahy (40) left Moyross for England when he was 16, after his parents separated. Later, he became a heroin addict. Coming back, he became homeless after his rent increased.
With help, he came off heroin 2½ years ago. Today, he is one of 67 residents living in the Novas-run McGarry House.
“I was on 90ml of methadone but now I’m only on 25ml, I’m doing fantastic,” he says. However, Covid-19 has left its impact on all those in McGarry House, too.
Face-to-face support meetings have stopped, but telephone encounters continue. Residents can spend up to 15 minutes in each other’s rooms, two metres apart.
“I have a friend here and I always go to his room, but to be honest with you, I don’t like to now, because he suffers from asthma,” says Mulcahy.
"A lot of the residents are quite anxious and they are quite scared," says Sinead Carey, manager of McGarry House, who has encouraged her charges to write down their feelings.
All the other risks that exist [normally] don't go away just because of Covid-19
Mulcahy was one of those who did write. “I wrote him a letter back, so we are finding new (old) ways of communicating around how residents are feeling,” she says.
The new normal has "completely transformed" McGarry's operations, explains Novas head of policy and communications Una Burns. Couches, chairs and tables have been removed from the centre's recreation and diningrooms, where residents once congregated. Self-isolation, though, poses "increased risks".
“If they use drugs alone, overdose risk increases. All the other risks that exist [normally] don’t go away just because of Covid-19,” she adds.
Normally, McGarry House gathers its people together at times when spirits need to be lifted. “Now, we can’t do that, [but] we are still trying to make sure that residents still feel connected.”
Some residents are traumatised by past experiences, says Burns. “It can be very triggering to be locked in a room for weeks on end.”
Tiernan O'Neill, principal of the local primary school, Corpus Christi, fears that Moyross's progress in recent years could be halted or even reversed by Covid-19.
Affluent
The lack of broadband and laptops is creating a “digital divide” between affluent areas and some of his charges in Corpus Christi, he says.
“[Some] kids just aren’t able to engage,” O’Neill explains. “In a lot of the homes, if you are dealing with homelessness and addiction, education is way down the pecking order.”
Fifty or more students are due to leave primary school this summer.
“But the reality is, potentially these kids may not be in school for months if the pandemic continues,” he says.
Some of his 350 children continue to get school-provided meals, through the services of provider Carambola, which is now offering parcels of non-perishable food. O'Neill worries about the lasting psychological wounds that Covid-19 might leave behind on his pupils. "For [some], school is their safe place, it's their oasis."
Some children moving up to secondary grades will fall behind disproportionately.
“It’s the impact that could go on for the next 12, 18, 24 months,” O’Neill tells The Irish Times.
A State post-Covid recovery plan will come, accepts Moyross parish priest Fr Pat Hogan, but he fears that places such as Moyross will be left behind.
Schemes have turned “people who were almost unemployable into employable people”, but the post-Covid priority will be “to get the more employable people” back into jobs.
“Before, there were opportunities out there, but I reckon that’s gone now,” he says, adding that local children could fall under the influence of dealers while the schools stay closed.
“If you don’t look after every place, no place is safe. It’s the same thing with drugs, inequality and injustice – in the poorer parts of all the cities, it always comes home to bite you,” Fr Hogan warns.
Linda Ledger, manager of St Munchin's Community Enterprise Centre, and her team continue to operate a meals-on-wheels service, serving 450 people daily.
Interim payments
Some help has come from Limerick City and County Council, which has approved interim payments of €10,000 for community meals-on-wheels groups.
Meanwhile, the Northside Family Resource Centre in Ballynanty, which has had to lay off more than 60 staff and has closed its creche, still supplies meals and a "friendly call" service to 150 senior citizens and 90 families.
Displaying the scale of issues that must be considered, the centre is giving out contraception to people who might be unable to get it because of the travel restrictions.
Young people, "many just 16", had problems getting condoms and contacted the centre in search of contraception, the centre's CEO Ciara Kane says. Each pack, which is either delivered or handed out, includes guidance that they should only have intercourse with someone who is already part of their household unit.
Some living in Moyross in overcrowded homes argue that demolitions should not have happened until the new houses were ready. Between 2014 and 2019, 450 houses were demolished in Moyross. Five more are due to go. Just 52 new houses have been built. Seventy-seven more are due this year.
Despite local complaints about the number of houses, the council says it gave permits to construction workers to work despite the restrictions to open up vacant properties.
Aoife Duke, director of housing development at Limerick City and County Council, says the initial concentration had to be on demolitions.
The new builds will reduce overcrowding. “We have approval for rebuilding of houses or new developments, pockets of those are already in place,” Duke says.
“We actually have a demand for housing from people who want to move back to the likes of Moyross. We should see a relief of the pent-up pressure that is brought about from larger numbers living in houses.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-30--Thinking Anew – Showing what it means to care

There is some irony in the fact that at a time when religious gatherings are understandably forbidden , tomorrow ’ s readings see togetherness as an essential part of church life .
The passage from Acts 2 tells us : “ All who believed were together and had all things in common ; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all , as any had need .
Day by day , as they spent much time together in the temple , they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all the people.
” The gospel reading from St John chapter 10 implies togetherness with Jesus as the good shepherd who “ calls his own sheep by name and leads them out ... ” For the first centuries of its existence the church had no buildings so the eucharist was celebrated in the homes of people .
In the age of lockdown , we are denied even that for the moment but thanks to modern technology and the hard work of clergy and others , efforts are being made to keep people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services .
For many years , of course , RTÉ has facilitated the broadcast of religious services , and these have been important for the housebound and those in hospital .
It is said that the first ever religious service to be broadcast live was transmitted in 1924 from London ’ s famous church of St Martin in the Fields .
Westminster Abbey and St Paul ’ s Cathedral had declined the offer because the religious establishment at the time thought it would be wrong to transmit divine worship over the airwaves , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their hats on ” .
The Rev Dick Sheppard , vicar of St Martin ’ s at the time , and later Dean of Canterbury , was delighted to receive a letter saying that people in one London pub had tuned in .
Not only had they sung hymns , but they had discussed his sermon over their beer .
St Martin ’ s is named after the third bishop of Tours who is said to have met a beggar wearing very few clothes near Amiens on a cold winter ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be named as patron saint of beggars , cut his own cloak in two and gave half to the man .
The London church that bears his name began providing shelter to the homeless in the 1920s and today claims to be one of London ’ s busiest homelessness charities , supporting people through specialist services , including a day and night centre , finding employment , and specialist mental health and addiction support .
As we experience what it means to be isolated and deprived of physical contact with those we value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it means to be permanently isolated in what we would think of as normal times – the troubled , the homeless , the sick with addictions , the immigrants .
Acts reminds us that those early Christians believed it was their duty to provide practical help to such people : “ they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all , as any had need ” – a part of the Christian package often neglected today because it is too demanding .
Responding to human need is demanding not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we see in the heroic work of staff at all levels in the healthcare system as they confront a terrible disease that threatens all .
Believer and unbeliever alike showing what it means to care , to follow the rule of Jesus Christ .
Kathryn Spink , friend and authorised biographer of Mother Teresa , explains what this means in her book Chain of Love : “ Compassion asks us to go where it hurts , to enter places of pain , to share in brokenness , fear , confusion and anguish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with those in misery , to mourn with those are lonely , to weep with those in tears .
.
.
When we look at compassion in this way , it becomes clear that something more is involved than a general kindness.
” The something more is love .

There is some irony in the fact that at a time when religious gatherings are understandably forbidden, tomorrow’s readings see togetherness as an essential part of church life.
The passage from Acts 2 tells us: “All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.”
The gospel reading from St John chapter 10 implies togetherness with Jesus as the good shepherd who “calls his own sheep by name and leads them out...”
For the first centuries of its existence the church had no buildings so the eucharist was celebrated in the homes of people.
READ MORE
In the age of lockdown, we are denied even that for the moment but thanks to modern technology and the hard work of clergy and others, efforts are being made to keep people in touch by means of online religious services.
For many years, of course, RTÉ has facilitated the broadcast of religious services, and these have been important for the housebound and those in hospital.
It is said that the first ever religious service to be broadcast live was transmitted in 1924 from London’s famous church of St Martin in the Fields.
Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral had declined the offer because the religious establishment at the time thought it would be wrong to transmit divine worship over the airwaves, as “people might listen in pubs with their hats on”.
The Rev Dick Sheppard, vicar of St Martin’s at the time, and later Dean of Canterbury, was delighted to receive a letter saying that people in one London pub had tuned in. Not only had they sung hymns, but they had discussed his sermon over their beer.
St Martin’s is named after the third bishop of Tours who is said to have met a beggar wearing very few clothes near Amiens on a cold winter’s day. Martin, who would later be named as patron saint of beggars, cut his own cloak in two and gave half to the man.
The London church that bears his name began providing shelter to the homeless in the 1920s and today claims to be one of London’s busiest homelessness charities, supporting people through specialist services, including a day and night centre, finding employment, and specialist mental health and addiction support.
As we experience what it means to be isolated and deprived of physical contact with those we value, perhaps we can better understand what it means to be permanently isolated in what we would think of as normal times – the troubled, the homeless, the sick with addictions, the immigrants.
Acts reminds us that those early Christians believed it was their duty to provide practical help to such people: “they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need” – a part of the Christian package often neglected today because it is too demanding.
Responding to human need is demanding not only materially but also emotionally and spiritually as we see in the heroic work of staff at all levels in the healthcare system as they confront a terrible disease that threatens all.
Believer and unbeliever alike showing what it means to care, to follow the rule of Jesus Christ.
Kathryn Spink, friend and authorised biographer of Mother Teresa, explains what this means in her book Chain of Love: “Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those are lonely, to weep with those in tears . . . When we look at compassion in this way, it becomes clear that something more is involved than a general kindness.”
The something more is love.


theirishtimes--2020-04-30--Coronavirus lockdown may spur courts system changes – solicitor

The coronavirus lockdown could serve as a catalyst for the introduction of long-overdue reforms in the court system , according to one of the State ’ s top personal injury solicitors .
Cian O ’ Carroll , the solicitor who acted for Vicky Phelan , Ruth Morrissey and other women in their actions alleging negligence in the CervicalCheck screening programme , said he believes the lockdown is helping the courts system overcome an “ inertia ” that has existed in relation to change .
“ This is serving as a catalyst for changes that have been sought by the Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long time , ” he said .
Mr O ’ Carroll is acting in the first remote hearing to be held in the High Court since the coronavirus lockdown began .
Mr O ’ Carroll is acting for Siobhán Freeney , Clonattin , Gorey , who is suing the HSE over an alleged misreading of a BreastCheck test .
All the evidence in the case was heard prior to the lockdown but remote hearings were held on Monday and Tuesday to allow for oral submissions .
When The Irish Times visited court 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a legal submission was being made by Patrick Treacy SC , for Ms Freeney , by way of video link from Mr O ’ Carroll ’ s offices in Clonmel , Co Tipperary .
Present in the courtroom were Ms Justice Niamh Hyland , the court registrar , a judge ’ s assistant ( wearing a face mask ) , a technical assistant , and Jeremy Maher SC , also for Ms Freeney .
Neither barrister was wearing barristers ’ robes and Ms Justice Hyland was not wearing judge ’ s robes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court earlier this month .
On Thursday remote hearings were held by the Circuit Civil Court in a number of personal injury cases involving children .
A spokesman said that as the technology and other matters were tested , more extensive use of remote hearings would be rolled out .
Mr O ’ Carroll said the Freeney case was working “ really well ” .
He had a senior and a junior counsel sitting in his Clonmel offices , and Ms Freeney was watching from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defendant ’ s solicitors , Comyn Kelleher Tobin , were taking part from their offices in Cork , and at least one of the defendant ’ s barristers was taking part from his home .
He pointed out that a number of cases he had been involved with over recent years had heard evidence remotely from experts based outside the State .
The Freeney case had heard expert testimony from Australia prior to the lockdown .
“ There ’ s really no difference , ” he said .
He is acting in two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May because the health of the plaintiffs requires that they be heard urgently .
One of the cases may last as long as six weeks , and the other could last as long as three weeks .
“ The prospect of the cases being heard remotely does not make me nervous , ” he said .
He was “ very comfortable ” with how the Freeney case had gone .
He said it had not been decided yet if the plaintiffs in the cases in May would give evidence from the witness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief concern was that there was no reduction in the quality of the plaintiff ’ s ability to communicate with the court .
Other than that , giving evidence remotely could help ease a plaintiff ’ s anxiety .

Cian O’Carroll, the solicitor who acted for Vicky Phelan (both above). File photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
The coronavirus lockdown could serve as a catalyst for the introduction of long-overdue reforms in the court system, according to one of the State’s top personal injury solicitors.
Cian O'Carroll, the solicitor who acted for Vicky Phelan, Ruth Morrissey and other women in their actions alleging negligence in the CervicalCheck screening programme, said he believes the lockdown is helping the courts system overcome an "inertia" that has existed in relation to change.
“This is serving as a catalyst for changes that have been sought by the Chief Justice [Frank Clarke] for a long time,” he said.
Mr O'Carroll is acting in the first remote hearing to be held in the High Court since the coronavirus lockdown began.
READ MORE
Mr O’Carroll is acting for Siobhán Freeney, Clonattin, Gorey, who is suing the HSE over an alleged misreading of a BreastCheck test.
All the evidence in the case was heard prior to the lockdown but remote hearings were held on Monday and Tuesday to allow for oral submissions.
When The Irish Times visited court 29 in the Four Courts on Tuesday, a legal submission was being made by Patrick Treacy SC, for Ms Freeney, by way of video link from Mr O’Carroll’s offices in Cashel, Co Tipperary.
Present in the courtroom were Ms Justice Niamh Hyland, the court registrar, a judge's assistant (wearing a face mask), a technical assistant, and Jeremy Maher SC, also for Ms Freeney.
Neither barrister was wearing barristers’ robes and Ms Justice Hyland was not wearing judge’s robes.
Remote hearings
The Courts Service began holding remote sittings of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court earlier this month. On Thursday remote hearings were held by the Circuit Civil Court in a number of personal injury cases involving children.
A spokesman said that as the technology and other matters were tested, more extensive use of remote hearings would be rolled out.
Mr O’Carroll said the Freeney case was working “really well”. He had a senior and a junior counsel sitting in his Cashel offices, and Ms Freeney was watching from her home.
He understood that the defendant’s solicitors, Comyn Kelleher Tobin, were taking part from their offices in Cork, and at least one of the defendant’s barristers was taking part from his home.
He pointed out that a number of cases he had been involved with over recent years had heard evidence remotely from experts based outside the State.
The Freeney case had heard expert testimony from Australia prior to the lockdown. “There’s really no difference,” he said.
He is acting in two cases that are scheduled to go ahead in May because the health of the plaintiffs requires that they be heard urgently.
One of the cases may last as long as six weeks, and the other could last as long as three weeks.
“The prospect of the cases being heard remotely does not make me nervous,” he said. He was “very comfortable” with how the Freeney case had gone.
He said it had not been decided yet if the plaintiffs in the cases in May would give evidence from the witness box or by remote link.
His chief concern was that there was no reduction in the quality of the plaintiff’s ability to communicate with the court. Other than that, giving evidence remotely could help ease a plaintiff’s anxiety.


theirishtimes--2020-04-30--Another person dies following suspected consumption of online drugs

A third person has died following the suspected consumption of drugs bought online by residents living in emergency accommodation in Co Offaly .
Two women , aged 44 and 19 , staying at the Clonamore House Hotel in Tullamore died last Sunday and Monday .
A 23-year-old man , who took ill while emergency services were attending to the second female victim at the establishment , was taken to hospital after becoming unresponsive .
Sources had indicated his prognosis was not good and on Thursday afternoon he was pronounced dead .
A fourth man , aged 32 , also staying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where it is believed timely medical attention may have considerably improved his condition , which is not thought to be life-threatening .
All four are understood to have known each other and were not from the town .
Separately , gardai have also begun re-examining the death of a 30-year-old man on April 22nd to establish whether that too was connected .
Gardai have stressed the importance of toxicology tests in each case but have been investigating whether online drugs purchases , possibly involving a number of substances , were behind the deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase in the purchase of drugs from the internet in recent weeks as coronavirus restrictions have cut off more traditional supply routes .

A third person has died following the suspected consumption of drugs bought online by residents living in emergency accommodation in Co Offaly.
Two women, aged 44 and 19, staying at the Clonamore House Hotel in Tullamore died last Sunday and Monday.
A 23-year-old man, who took ill while emergency services were attending to the second female victim at the establishment, was taken to hospital after becoming unresponsive. Sources had indicated his prognosis was not good and on Thursday afternoon he was pronounced dead.
A fourth man, aged 32, also staying at the hotel, voluntarily attended hospital where it is believed timely medical attention may have considerably improved his condition, which is not thought to be life-threatening. All four are understood to have known each other and were not from the town.
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Separately, gardai have also begun re-examining the death of a 30-year-old man on April 22nd to establish whether that too was connected.
Gardai have stressed the importance of toxicology tests in each case but have been investigating whether online drugs purchases, possibly involving a number of substances, were behind the deaths.
They have pointed to a significant increase in the purchase of drugs from the internet in recent weeks as coronavirus restrictions have cut off more traditional supply routes.


theirishtimes--2020-04-30--Man jailed after caught getting off train with €100,000 worth of heroin

A 35-year-old drug dealer who was caught bringing over €100,000 worth of heroin to Cork by train has been jailed for six years .
A court heard Gary Cambridge was found to be encouraging others to deal in heroin in the city .
He pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to a single charge of possessing over €100,000 worth of heroin and almost €2,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply at Kent Railway Station on September 4th 2019 .
On Thursday Det Garda Paul Leahy of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Squad told how gardaí received confidential information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heroin from Dublin to Cork on a regular basis .
Gardaí mounted a surveillance operation and watched Cambridge getting off the Dublin to Cork train on the day in question before they moved in .
He admitted when questioned that he had “ gear ” or heroin in his rucksack Gardaí arrested him and searched the rucksack where they found five packets containing heroin while they found a similar bag of heroin in his pocket along with a smaller bag of cocaine .
During his first interview , Cambridge claimed to owe between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in a later interview , he said he owed €10,000 but he was unable to name to whom he owed the money .
“ He gave us the pin number for his phone and when it was examined it showed his activity from a high level of drug dealing down to street level .
There was a tick-list of nicknames and aliases , ” said Det Garda Leahy .
“ We believed that he could have transported four to eight kilos of heroin to Cork from May 2019 until September when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he tried to play down his involvement.
” Det Garda Leahy said among the text messages was one to a young woman whom he was encouraging to sell drugs and feed her own drug habit , telling her that he would give a good price for heroin .
Det Garda Leahy said that Cambridge , whose address was given at Mount Brosna , Mayfield , Cork , had a total of 73 previous convictions including one for drug dealing in 2011 and seven for possessing drugs for his own personal use .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ SC , Det Garda Leahy accepted that Cambridge had a heroin addiction and had spent 18 months receiving treatment for the addiction at Coolmine Treatment Centre He agreed that Cambridge co-operated both at Kent Railway Station when arrested and during the interview at Mayfield Garda station even though he doubted his story that he had accumulated a major drugs debt .
He said that he was basing that on the fact that Cambridge was getting a special price for the heroin found in his pocket , suggesting that he had a good rapport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being under any duress .
Ms Lankford asked Judge Helen Boyle to be as lenient as possible , pointing out that her client had co-operated at an early stage with gardaí and had entered a guilty plea at an early stage , obviating the need for a trial “ I accept he was caught red-handed but there was a quite high level of co-operation , including giving gardaí the pin number to his phone , ” said Ms Lankford as she asked the judge to also take his addiction into account .
Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offence which she put at the mid to high range of severity in terms of such offences and there were a number of aggravating factors to also be considered .
These included the fact that Cambridge knew he was bringing heroin to Cork and that the trafficking was part of an ongoing activity as well as the fact that he was supplying those drugs at varying levels in Cork .
“ You were also recruiting other people to - I won ’ t call it a line of work - that can only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Boyle , adding that was also an aggravating factor in the case .
However , Judge Boyle said Cambridge ’ s early guilty plea and his co-operation with gardaí were mitigating factors and she believed the appropriate sentence was one of seven years with the final 12 months suspended .

A 35-year-old drug dealer who was caught bringing over €100,000 worth of heroin to Cork by train has been jailed for six years.
A court heard Gary Cambridge was found to be encouraging others to deal in heroin in the city.
He pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to a single charge of possessing over €100,000 worth of heroin and almost €2,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply at Kent Railway Station on September 4th 2019.
On Thursday Det Garda Paul Leahy of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Squad told how gardaí received confidential information that Cambridge was trafficking large quantities of heroin from Dublin to Cork on a regular basis.
READ MORE
Gardaí mounted a surveillance operation and watched Cambridge getting off the Dublin to Cork train on the day in question before they moved in. He admitted when questioned that he had “gear” or heroin in his rucksack
Gardaí arrested him and searched the rucksack where they found five packets containing heroin while they found a similar bag of heroin in his pocket along with a smaller bag of cocaine.
During his first interview, Cambridge claimed to owe between €6,000 and €8,000 in a drug debt and in a later interview, he said he owed €10,000 but he was unable to name to whom he owed the money.
“He gave us the pin number for his phone and when it was examined it showed his activity from a high level of drug dealing down to street level. There was a tick-list of nicknames and aliases,” said Det Garda Leahy.
“We believed that he could have transported four to eight kilos of heroin to Cork from May 2019 until September when he was arrested. He made certain admissions but he tried to play down his involvement.”
Det Garda Leahy said among the text messages was one to a young woman whom he was encouraging to sell drugs and feed her own drug habit, telling her that he would give a good price for heroin.
Det Garda Leahy said that Cambridge, whose address was given at Mount Brosna, Mayfield, Cork, had a total of 73 previous convictions including one for drug dealing in 2011 and seven for possessing drugs for his own personal use.
Cross-examined by defence counsel, Siobhan Lankford SC, Det Garda Leahy accepted that Cambridge had a heroin addiction and had spent 18 months receiving treatment for the addiction at Coolmine Treatment Centre
He agreed that Cambridge co-operated both at Kent Railway Station when arrested and during the interview at Mayfield Garda station even though he doubted his story that he had accumulated a major drugs debt.
He said that he was basing that on the fact that Cambridge was getting a special price for the heroin found in his pocket, suggesting that he had a good rapport with his supplier in Dublin rather than being under any duress.
Ms Lankford asked Judge Helen Boyle to be as lenient as possible, pointing out that her client had co-operated at an early stage with gardaí and had entered a guilty plea at an early stage, obviating the need for a trial
“I accept he was caught red-handed but there was a quite high level of co-operation, including giving gardaí the pin number to his phone,” said Ms Lankford as she asked the judge to also take his addiction into account.
Judge Boyle said it was a very serious offence which she put at the mid to high range of severity in terms of such offences and there were a number of aggravating factors to also be considered.
These included the fact that Cambridge knew he was bringing heroin to Cork and that the trafficking was part of an ongoing activity as well as the fact that he was supplying those drugs at varying levels in Cork.
“You were also recruiting other people to - I won’t call it a line of work - that can only bring misery to others,” said Judge Boyle, adding that was also an aggravating factor in the case.
However, Judge Boyle said Cambridge’s early guilty plea and his co-operation with gardaí were mitigating factors and she believed the appropriate sentence was one of seven years with the final 12 months suspended.