theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Traffic on main roads almost doubled in May as Covid-19 restrictions eased

Traffic volumes on the State ’ s main roads almost doubled in May , and are rising by about 10 per cent on average per week as Ireland moves out of the Covid-19 lockdown .
An analysis of more than 350 traffic counters controlled by Transport Infrastructure Ireland ( TII ) found that traffic on main roads dropped by an average of about 70 per cent after the Government announcement on March 27th that all but essential workers should stay at home and observe a 2km exercise limit .
It remained stable at that level for three weeks before a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit was raised to 5km on May 5th .
By May 15th the volumes were 39 per cent higher than the average weekday levels recorded in the initial weeks of the lockdown .
Overall traffic volumes were 90 per cent higher than those seen in the early weeks of the restrictions by May 28th , and these are now rising by about 10 per cent a week .
However , overall volumes are are still down 35 to 45 per cent lower than on the equivalent weekdays last year .
An analysis by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when compared to the same day last week , car traffic just south of the Northern Ireland Border on the N1 at Jonesboro was up 13 per cent .
It found car traffic volumes on the radial routes into Dublin was 5 to 8 per cent higher on Tuesday than on the same day last week .
Car traffic was up 8 per cent week on week on the M11 at Bray ; 7 per cent on the M4 at Celbridge-Maynooth ; 6 per cent on the M1 at Swords to Dublin Airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Citywest .
These figures are similar to the growth figures experienced last week .
The M50 ( N3 Navan Road to N4 Galway Road ) showed an 8 per cent increase compared with the previous week .
There was also an increase in regional cities with volumes on the N6 at Bóthar na dTreabh in Galway up 9 per cent ; the N40 in Cork was up 8 per cent ; the M7 in Limerick saw a 7 per cent increase and the M9 in Waterford showed a 6 per cent rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steep increase in traffic than that seen in the week commencing May 18th and it is expected there will a further rise is expected when restrictions are due to be relaxed further on Monday .

Traffic volumes on the State’s main roads almost doubled in May, and are rising by about 10 per cent on average per week as Ireland moves out of the Covid-19 lockdown.
An analysis of more than 350 traffic counters controlled by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) found that traffic on main roads dropped by an average of about 70 per cent after the Government announcement on March 27th that all but essential workers should stay at home and observe a 2km exercise limit.
It remained stable at that level for three weeks before a marked increase was recorded when the 2km limit was raised to 5km on May 5th. By May 15th the volumes were 39 per cent higher than the average weekday levels recorded in the initial weeks of the lockdown.
Overall traffic volumes were 90 per cent higher than those seen in the early weeks of the restrictions by May 28th, and these are now rising by about 10 per cent a week. However, overall volumes are are still down 35 to 45 per cent lower than on the equivalent weekdays last year.
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Border
An analysis by TII on Tuesday morning found that, when compared to the same day last week, car traffic just south of the Northern Ireland Border on the N1 at Jonesboro was up 13 per cent.
It found car traffic volumes on the radial routes into Dublin was 5 to 8 per cent higher on Tuesday than on the same day last week.
Car traffic was up 8 per cent week on week on the M11 at Bray; 7 per cent on the M4 at Celbridge-Maynooth; 6 per cent on the M1 at Swords to Dublin Airport and 5 per cent on the N7 at Citywest. These figures are similar to the growth figures experienced last week.
The M50 (N3 Navan Road to N4 Galway Road) showed an 8 per cent increase compared with the previous week.
There was also an increase in regional cities with volumes on the N6 at Bóthar na dTreabh in Galway up 9 per cent; the N40 in Cork was up 8 per cent; the M7 in Limerick saw a 7 per cent increase and the M9 in Waterford showed a 6 per cent rise.
The latest figures show a less steep increase in traffic than that seen in the week commencing May 18th and it is expected there will a further rise is expected when restrictions are due to be relaxed further on Monday.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Scouting Ireland should be ‘very proud’ of child protection record

Scouting Ireland has had “ some of the best child protection policies and practices of any organisation anywhere in the world ” for decades , a senior figure in the international scouting movement has said .
John Geoghegan , director of the World Scout Foundation , told Scouting Ireland in a May 19th letter that it should be “ very proud ” of its record on child protection .
The Geneva-based foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that raises funds for the World Organisation of the Scout Movement ( WOSM ) , which represents more than 170 national scouting organisations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ scout leader in Dublin , praised steps taken to reform Scouting Ireland ’ s governance in recent times .
Scouting Ireland has been facing a major historical abuse scandal , and has identified 356 alleged victims and 275 alleged perpetrators .
The alleged abuse mainly occurred between the 1960s and 1990s in legacy organisations , the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland and Scout Association of Ireland , which merged to form Scouting Ireland in 2004 .
In a final report into the scandal , child protection expert Ian Elliott found sex offenders had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former organisations , and protected other known abusers from being held to account .
The report , published on May 14th said child abuse was “ tolerated ” and covered-up for decades to protect the reputation of the scouting movement .
It said a culture of “ cronyism ” thrived in the legacy organisations , and remained a significant problem until very recently in Scouting Ireland .
Scouting Ireland first commissioned Mr Elliott in July 2017 to review the organisation ’ s handling of a rape allegation , which he found to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also criticised wider safeguarding failings .
Mr Geoghegan ’ s letter was sent to the chair of Scouting Ireland ’ s board Adrian Tennant and chief executive Anne Griffin following the publication of Mr Elliott ’ s final report .
“ You have done what many institutions in Ireland and abroad have failed to do – you identified major problems , you tackled them head on , and you solved them , ” he said .
He said the youth organisation now had a “ state-of-the-art system of governance ” with board members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their popularity ” .
Mr Geoghegan previously worked as a staff member in both legacy scouting organisations , and also for the International Federation of Red Cross .

Scouting Ireland has been facing a major historical abuse scandal, and has identified 356 alleged victims and 275 alleged perpetrators.
Scouting Ireland has had "some of the best child protection policies and practices of any organisation anywhere in the world" for decades, a senior figure in the international scouting movement has said.
John Geoghegan, director of the World Scout Foundation, told Scouting Ireland in a May 19th letter that it should be "very proud" of its record on child protection.
The Geneva-based foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that raises funds for the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM), which represents more than 170 national scouting organisations.
Mr Geoghegan, who was previously a scout leader in Dublin, praised steps taken to reform Scouting Ireland’s governance in recent times.
READ MORE
Scouting Ireland has been facing a major historical abuse scandal, and has identified 356 alleged victims and 275 alleged perpetrators.
The alleged abuse mainly occurred between the 1960s and 1990s in legacy organisations, the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland and Scout Association of Ireland, which merged to form Scouting Ireland in 2004.
Protected
In a final report into the scandal, child protection expert Ian Elliott found sex offenders had risen to the “top level” the former organisations, and protected other known abusers from being held to account.
The report, published on May 14th said child abuse was “tolerated” and covered-up for decades to protect the reputation of the scouting movement. It said a culture of “cronyism” thrived in the legacy organisations, and remained a significant problem until very recently in Scouting Ireland.
Scouting Ireland first commissioned Mr Elliott in July 2017 to review the organisation’s handling of a rape allegation, which he found to be “deeply flawed”. He also criticised wider safeguarding failings.
Mr Geoghegan's letter was sent to the chair of Scouting Ireland's board Adrian Tennant and chief executive Anne Griffin following the publication of Mr Elliott's final report.
“You have done what many institutions in Ireland and abroad have failed to do – you identified major problems, you tackled them head on, and you solved them,” he said.
He said the youth organisation now had a “state-of-the-art system of governance” with board members chosen for their skills and “not their popularity”.
Mr Geoghegan previously worked as a staff member in both legacy scouting organisations, and also for the International Federation of Red Cross.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--National Museum of Ireland seeks experts to dismantle 100-year-old whale skeletons

Wanted : whale hunter with taste for adventure and head for heights .
No harpoon required .
The National Museum of Ireland - Natural History in Dublin is seeking experts to carry out the safe de-installation of a suspended humpback whale and adult fin whale skeleton which hang from the glass ceiling of the 160-year-old building on Merrion Square .
The work is understood to form part of a €15 million plan to upgrade the “ Dead Zoo ” by replacing the Victorian roof and constructing a new extension to include a cafe , additional storage areas and lifts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a fin whale found at Bantry Bay in 1862 – estimated to be about 20m ( 66ft ) long – and a juvenile humpback whale stranded at Enniscrone , Co Sligo , in 1893 .
Dismantling the delicate exhibits , which alone contain hundreds of individual bones , will be challenging ; doing so from a glass ceiling with a history of water leaks will be doubly so .
On the eTenders website , the Irish Government ’ s electronic tendering platform , the museum says it is seeking experts who can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specimens in a museum environment .
Companies interested in tendering must outline the number of qualified personnel available to carry out the operation and be available for the work towards the end of October this year .
The museum houses an estimated two million exhibits of world wildlife and shelves are stacked with jars of octopuses , leeches and worms preserved in embalming fluid .
It is considered by man to be a Victorian time capsule .
The basic layout has remained largely unchanged since it first opened .
However , the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the collapse of a heavy stone staircase in 2007 , which forced the museum ’ s closure .
There followed a major repair and refit which cost about half a million euro .
While there were plans at the time to build a major extension and install a lift , these were shelved due to spending cutbacks during the last economic recession .
As a result , the public has not had access to the three storeys of balcony display cases that ring the upper reaches of the first floor since it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to health and safety concerns that visitors could not be evacuated from these balconies quickly enough to satisfy fire safety requirements .
The old railings along the original cast-iron cantilevered balconies were also thought to be too low for proper public safety .
The museum , next to Government Buildings on Merrion Square , was opened in 1857 and draws more than a million visitors each year , mainly schoolchildren and tourists .

The skeletons of a suspended humpback whale and adult fin whale at the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History. Photograph: Frank Miller
Wanted: whale hunter with taste for adventure and head for heights. No harpoon required.
The National Museum of Ireland - Natural History in Dublin is seeking experts to carry out the safe de-installation of a suspended humpback whale and adult fin whale skeleton which hang from the glass ceiling of the 160-year-old building on Merrion Square.
The work is understood to form part of a €15 million plan to upgrade the “Dead Zoo” by replacing the Victorian roof and constructing a new extension to include a cafe, additional storage areas and lifts.
Suspended from the ceiling are the skeletons of a fin whale found at Bantry Bay in 1862 – estimated to be about 20m (66ft) long – and a juvenile humpback whale stranded at Enniscrone, Co Sligo, in 1893.
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Dismantling the delicate exhibits, which alone contain hundreds of individual bones, will be challenging; doing so from a glass ceiling with a history of water leaks will be doubly so.
Tendering
On the eTenders website, the Irish Government’s electronic tendering platform, the museum says it is seeking experts who can show they have previously dismantled suspended whale specimens in a museum environment.
Companies interested in tendering must outline the number of qualified personnel available to carry out the operation and be available for the work towards the end of October this year.
The museum houses an estimated two million exhibits of world wildlife and shelves are stacked with jars of octopuses, leeches and worms preserved in embalming fluid. It is considered by many to be a Victorian time capsule. The basic layout has remained largely unchanged since it first opened.
However, the need to renovate the building was urgently highlighted with the collapse of a heavy stone staircase in 2007, which forced the museum’s closure. There followed a major repair and refit which cost about half a million euro.
Major extension
While there were plans at the time to build a major extension and install a lift, these were shelved due to spending cutbacks during the last economic recession.
As a result, the public has not had access to the three storeys of balcony display cases that ring the upper reaches of the first floor since it reopened in 2010.
This is due to health and safety concerns that visitors could not be evacuated from these balconies quickly enough to satisfy fire safety requirements.
The old railings along the original cast-iron cantilevered balconies were also thought to be too low for proper public safety.
The museum, next to Government Buildings on Merrion Square, was opened in 1857 and draws more than a million visitors each year, mainly schoolchildren and tourists.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Coronavirus: NPHET concerns over reliability of antibody tests

The use of rapid tests to determine if a person previously had coronavirus could undermine the public health response to the pandemic , a report by members of the national public health team has found .
A subgroup of the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) has considered the role and limitations of serology in a new report sent to the HSE .
Unlike the test to determine if somebody is currently carrying the virus , serological ( or antibody ) testing can detect if a person has had the infection in the past .
Last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed concerns about rapid tests .
According to minutes of the group ’ s meeting , they also considered “ the role of and the limitations of serology ” and said the “ the reliability of serological tests ” remains an issue .
The group noted that the Health Products Regulatory Authority had highlighted concerns about “ lateral flow ” serology tests , which work in the same way as pregnancy tests or other rapid diagnostic tests .
The minutes stated that “ there is no regulatory oversight for these tests and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
A recommendation to restrict their supply was suggested and the meeting heard that regulatory changes would be required to restrict their supply .
The subgroup also compiled a report that said “ knowing both who has had the disease , and what proportion of the population has immunity , are both potential key pieces of information in managing the spread of the disease without widespread lockdowns ” .
“ There is a requirement for a minimum set of performance criteria for serological assays before commencing clinical validation.
” The report said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection may still take some time and for coronavirus , early studies suggest the majority of patients start producing antibodies between seven and 11 days post-exposure to the virus .
“ Scientific peer-reviewed results for the clinical validation of commercial Covid-19 tests are highly recommended before they can be safely and reliably used for medical or public health decision making.
” The group concluded that “ critical performance parameters such as the diagnostic sensitivity , diagnostic specificity and the limit of detection of the device for the given context and purpose need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
The role of antibody tests in acute diagnosis appears “ very limited ” , the report said , noting that their role in providing so-called immunity passports remains “ very uncertain ” .
The policy of such “ passports ” might have the unintended consequence of “ actively encouraging people to get infected ” .
It comes as the secretary general of the Department of Health Jim Breslin told the Dáil ’ s Covid-19 committee that there would be difficulties with a rapid testing regime for those arriving into Irish airports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you apply , it is only at particular points in the cycle where that would identify , so you could have non-detected Covid-19 for somebody in the early days of them having contacted somebody with Covid-19 .
It just wouldn ’ t be in the respiratory tract .
What you would give them then is ‘ it is not detected ’ and they would hear that as ‘ I don ’ t have Covid ’ and when they then got symptoms they dismiss it as , well it is not Covid , I @ @ @ @ @ @

A subgroup of the National Public Health Emergency Team has considered the role and limitations of serology in a new report sent to the HSE. Photograph: Federico Bernini/Bloomberg
The use of rapid tests to determine if a person previously had coronavirus could undermine the public health response to the pandemic, a report by members of the national public health team has found.
A subgroup of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has considered the role and limitations of serology in a new report sent to the HSE.
Unlike the test to determine if somebody is currently carrying the virus, serological (or antibody) testing can detect if a person has had the infection in the past.
Last month, the NPHET subgroup on diagnostic testing approaches discussed concerns about rapid tests. According to minutes of the group’s meeting, they also considered “the role of and the limitations of serology” and said the “the reliability of serological tests” remains an issue.
READ MORE
The group noted that the Health Products Regulatory Authority had highlighted concerns about “lateral flow” serology tests, which work in the same way as pregnancy tests or other rapid diagnostic tests.
Testing strategy
The minutes stated that “there is no regulatory oversight for these tests and their availability may undermine any national testing strategy”.
A recommendation to restrict their supply was suggested and the meeting heard that regulatory changes would be required to restrict their supply.
The subgroup also compiled a report that said “knowing both who has had the disease, and what proportion of the population has immunity, are both potential key pieces of information in managing the spread of the disease without widespread lockdowns”.
“There is a requirement for a minimum set of performance criteria for serological assays before commencing clinical validation.”
The report said the development of an antibody response to infection may still take some time and for coronavirus, early studies suggest the majority of patients start producing antibodies between seven and 11 days post-exposure to the virus.
“Scientific peer-reviewed results for the clinical validation of commercial Covid-19 tests are highly recommended before they can be safely and reliably used for medical or public health decision making.”
A new plan for Covid-19 testing is to be published on Thursday committing to a 72-hour turnaround time for the the completion of test and contact tracing, as well as the long-promised target of 100,000 tests per week. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
The group concluded that “critical performance parameters such as the diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity and the limit of detection of the device for the given context and purpose need to be considered, clearly documented and communicated”.
Airports
The role of antibody tests in acute diagnosis appears “very limited”, the report said, noting that their role in providing so-called immunity passports remains “very uncertain”. The policy of such “passports” might have the unintended consequence of “actively encouraging people to get infected”.
It comes as the secretary general of the Department of Health Jim Breslin told the Dáil’s Covid-19 committee that there would be difficulties with a rapid testing regime for those arriving into Irish airports from abroad.
“The test that you apply, it is only at particular points in the cycle where that would identify, so you could have non-detected Covid-19 for somebody in the early days of them having contacted somebody with Covid-19. It just wouldn’t be in the respiratory tract. What you would give them then is ‘it is not detected’ and they would hear that as ‘I don’t have Covid’ and when they then got symptoms they dismiss it as, well it is not Covid, I got a test done.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--More than 200 people contracted Covid-19 while in hospital for other conditions

More than 200 people contracted coronavirus while admitted to hospital for other conditions or treatment , according to new figures from the Health Service Executive .
A total of 213 people contracted the disease while in hospital , figures from the HSE show .
Patients are considered to have acquired coronavirus in hospital if they present symptoms seven days after admission , or if their case is traced to a hospital outbreak .
The figures do not include transmission of the disease in other healthcare settings such as residential homes , where almost 7,000 cases have been recorded .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team last night .
This brings to 1,658 the number of deaths in the Republic .
Some 10 new confirmed cases were reported , bringing the total number of cases to 25,066 .
While this is the lowest daily figure since March 11th , chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan cautioned against “ overinterpretation ” of the figure due to the bank holiday weekend .
Public health officials will later this week decide on their recommendations to Government in relation to the second-phase easing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We think we ’ re in a good position , ” Dr Holohan commented last night , “ but can ’ t reach a conclusion until end of week.
” Officials will be monitoring the trends this week to see if something “ untoward ” happens , he added .
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said last night there was a “ continuing risk ” in healthcare settings because they were very vulnerable .
The beginning of the crisis was marked by outbreaks in hospitals , he pointed out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of illness , staff leave and the struggle to provide services .
While there was a strong correlation between community transmission and the risk of outbreaks in healthcare settings , there was now less virus “ going round ” .
There have been 102 outbreaks of Covid-19 in hospitals to date , and 3,286 people have been hospitalised with the virus , with 408 admitted to intensive care units .
HSE figures show there are currently 330 patients in hospital with confirmed or suspected coronavirus , and 57 in critical care beds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Mater and Rotunda hospitals , said “ lessons had been learned ” since March about the spread of coronavirus within hospitals .
Staff now wore face masks at all times , and were more aware of asymptomatic cases , he said .
“ So that now I would say the risk for infections in hospitals is low , ” he said .
Some 22,621 tests for Covid-19 were performed last week – barely a fifth of available capacity .
The positivity rate was 1.7 per cent .
Officials will discuss later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of testing , given the available capacity .
Meanwhile , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last night told a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party he was confident the country would be able to move into the second phase of lifting coronavirus restrictions .
It is understood that the emergency team is considering reopening playgrounds in the second phase rather than the third phase .
However , this will be considered only if there is adequate supervision at playgrounds , among other issues , and it is understood local authorities are examining how best @ @ @ @ @

Members of the Irish Defence forces at a Covid-19 testing facility at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
More than 200 people contracted coronavirus while admitted to hospital for other conditions or treatment, according to new figures from the Health Service Executive.
A total of 213 people contracted the disease while in hospital, figures from the HSE show. Patients are considered to have acquired coronavirus in hospital if they present symptoms seven days after admission, or if their case is traced to a hospital outbreak.
The figures do not include transmission of the disease in other healthcare settings such as residential homes, where almost 7,000 cases have been recorded.
A further eight deaths of people diagnosed with Covid-19 were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team last night. This brings to 1,658 the number of deaths in the Republic.
READ MORE
Some 10 new confirmed cases were reported, bringing the total number of cases to 25,066.
While this is the lowest daily figure since March 11th, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan cautioned against “overinterpretation” of the figure due to the bank holiday weekend.
Public health officials will later this week decide on their recommendations to Government in relation to the second-phase easing of restrictions planned for June 8th.
“We think we’re in a good position,” Dr Holohan commented last night, “but can’t reach a conclusion until end of week.”
Something ‘untoward’
Officials will be monitoring the trends this week to see if something “untoward” happens, he added.
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said last night there was a “continuing risk” in healthcare settings because they were very vulnerable.
The beginning of the crisis was marked by outbreaks in hospitals, he pointed out, which had caused huge disruption in terms of illness, staff leave and the struggle to provide services.
‘What if the much needed personal protective equipment doesn’t arrive ahead of a big surge in patients?’ Above, a nurse puts on PPE in Italy. Photograph: Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty
While there was a strong correlation between community transmission and the risk of outbreaks in healthcare settings, there was now less virus “going round”.
There have been 102 outbreaks of Covid-19 in hospitals to date, and 3,286 people have been hospitalised with the virus, with 408 admitted to intensive care units.
HSE figures show there are currently 330 patients in hospital with confirmed or suspected coronavirus, and 57 in critical care beds.
Jack Lambert, professor of infectious diseases at the Mater and Rotunda hospitals, said “lessons had been learned” since March about the spread of coronavirus within hospitals.
Staff now wore face masks at all times, and were more aware of asymptomatic cases, he said. “So that now I would say the risk for infections in hospitals is low,” he said.
Testing decision
Some 22,621 tests for Covid-19 were performed last week – barely a fifth of available capacity. The positivity rate was 1.7 per cent.
Officials will discuss later this week whether to broaden the scope of testing, given the available capacity.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last night told a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party he was confident the country would be able to move into the second phase of lifting coronavirus restrictions. It is understood that the emergency team is considering reopening playgrounds in the second phase rather than the third phase.
However, this will be considered only if there is adequate supervision at playgrounds, among other issues, and it is understood local authorities are examining how best this can be achieved.


theirishtimes--2020-06-04--Pete Taylor takes personal injury case over Bray gym shooting

Boxing coach Pete Taylor has taken a personal injury case seeking compensation for injuries he sustained in a shooting two years ago at his boxing club in Bray , Co Wicklow .
Mr Taylor is the father and former trainer of world lightweight champion and Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor .
He is taking a personal injuries case against several organisations , including Wicklow County Council , which owns the premises , and the Irish Athletic Boxing Association ( IABA ) .
The gym and boxing club Mr Taylor ran in Bray was the scene of a shooting on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was killed .
Bobby Messett ( 50 ) , from Bray , was shot dead as he answered the door of the boxing club ahead of an early morning fitness session .
Mr Taylor and another man were also shot and injured in the attack , and an individual has been charged and is awaiting trial over Mr Messett ’ s shooting .
Mr Taylor received gunshot wounds to his chest and arm , with the shooting attracting international media attention .
The boxing coach lodged High Court proceedings on Tuesday , seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooting .
The case is being taken against Wicklow County Council , the IABA , and Bray Boxing Club Ltd , a company which lists Mr Taylor as a director .
His partner , Karen Brown , is also taking a case over psychological trauma she alleges she suffered as a result of the shooting , with proceedings lodged on Tuesday against the same defendants .
It is understood the IABA is included in the cases due to insurance cover arrangements , according to a source on the boxing association ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s company Bray Boxing Club Ltd has been included as a defendant in the cases for similar reasons .
Mr Taylor said he did not wish to comment on the legal case when contacted by The Irish Times .
Both Mr Taylor and Ms Brown are represented by the Ballsbridge-based legal firm Robinson O ’ Neill Solicitors .
Separately , Mr Taylor is suing Wicklow County Council in a dispute over the use of the Bray boxing club premises since the shooting , according to High Court proceedings lodged last August .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council said as the owner of the building it had “ secured ” the gym , and had “ a responsibility to ensure that the building is restored to a condition fit for community use ” .
In that case Mr Taylor is seeking damages from the local authority over the decision to shut him out of the premises .
The boxing club and gym , which is located on Bray harbour , has remained closed since the 2018 shooting , which local Sinn Féin TD John Brady said was “ unbelievable ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clubs in the area without adequate facilities , while the “ fantastic purpose-built facility was lying idle ” .
It was the “ sport and the youngsters ” who were losing out from the gym remaining shut .
A spokesman for Wicklow County Council said it did not wish to comment on the legal cases .

Pete Taylor: he received gunshot wounds to his chest and arm in the 2018 shooting. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
Boxing coach Pete Taylor has taken a personal injury case seeking compensation for injuries he sustained in a shooting two years ago at his boxing club in Bray, Co Wicklow.
Mr Taylor is the father and former trainer of world lightweight champion and Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor. He is taking a personal injuries case against several organisations, including Wicklow County Council, which owns the premises, and the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA).
The gym and boxing club Mr Taylor ran in Bray was the scene of a shooting on June 5th, 2018, where one man was killed. Bobby Messett (50), from Bray, was shot dead as he answered the door of the boxing club ahead of an early morning fitness session.
Mr Taylor and another man were also shot and injured in the attack, and an individual has been charged and is awaiting trial over Mr Messett’s shooting.
READ MORE
Mr Taylor received gunshot wounds to his chest and arm, with the shooting attracting international media attention.
The boxing coach lodged High Court proceedings on Tuesday, seeking compensation over the injuries he sustained in the shooting.
The case is being taken against Wicklow County Council, the IABA, and Bray Boxing Club Ltd, a company which lists Mr Taylor as a director.
His partner, Karen Brown, is also taking a case over psychological trauma she alleges she suffered as a result of the shooting, with proceedings lodged on Tuesday against the same defendants.
It is understood the IABA is included in the cases due to insurance cover arrangements, according to a source on the boxing association’s board of directors.
Mr Taylor’s company Bray Boxing Club Ltd has been included as a defendant in the cases for similar reasons.
Mr Taylor said he did not wish to comment on the legal case when contacted by The Irish Times.
Both Mr Taylor and Ms Brown are represented by the Ballsbridge-based legal firm Robinson O'Neill Solicitors.
Club premises
Separately, Mr Taylor is suing Wicklow County Council in a dispute over the use of the Bray boxing club premises since the shooting, according to High Court proceedings lodged last August.
In the week after the shooting Wicklow County Council said as the owner of the building it had “secured” the gym, and had “a responsibility to ensure that the building is restored to a condition fit for community use” .
In that case Mr Taylor is seeking damages from the local authority over the decision to shut him out of the premises.
The boxing club and gym, which is located on Bray harbour, has remained closed since the 2018 shooting, which local Sinn Féin TD John Brady said was “unbelievable”.
He said there were several boxing clubs in the area without adequate facilities, while the “fantastic purpose-built facility was lying idle”. It was the “sport and the youngsters” who were losing out from the gym remaining shut.
A spokesman for Wicklow County Council said it did not wish to comment on the legal cases.


theirishtimes--2020-06-04--Strict rules on queuing as Dublin shops prepare to reopen

Dublin city shops will have to enforce a strict on-street queuing regime if they are to reopen their doors on Monday .
Shop owners must ensure customers do not queue past the length of their shop front , and will be required to “ take measures to prevent members of the public joining the queue ” if it breaches this length , under strict protocols issued by Dublin City Council .
The council ’ s Covid-19 queuing rules are designed to prevent overcrowding on the city ’ s shopping streets , particularly pedestrianised areas such as Henry Street and Grafton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surround them , where shops are densely positioned .
However , the rules , coupled with two-metre distancing requirements , would mean that most shops could not have more than two or three customers waiting outside .
Queues will be required to run along the shop front , and not perpendicular to it , as would be typically seen with cash machine queues on Grafton Street and Henry Street .
The queue must not extend beyond the length of the shopfront , but also must not begin immediately at the entrance door or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Queues to different premises must not overlap , but physical barriers must not be used to control or manage queues .
The council will be placing “ queueing icons ” on the ground in the main pedestrianised streets in the city centre and O ’ Connell Street , but retailers can also mark the footpath with removable stickers to indicate the direction of the queue and appropriate spacing .
The onus has been put on shops to ensure the queueing rules are adhered to , with the guidelines stating that “ care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure that appropriate social distancing is being observed ” and that pavements are not blocked , particularly for those with visual or mobility impairments .
The protocols also state : “ Where the available pavement space is insufficient to accommodate queuing demand , the retailer must take measures to prevent members of the public joining the queue.
” The council advises that retailers should consider operating on an “ appointment-only basis ” if possible .
Despite the onerous responsibilities placed on retailers , business groups have largely welcomed the council ’ s guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commerce said they were “ a useful starting point for firms as they ramp up their reopening plans ” and said the chamber would be meeting with council chief executive Owen Keegan in the coming days to “ further the dialogue ” between businesses and the council .
“ By working together , and with a common sense approach , a successful reopening of Dublin can happen that works for all parties .
Dublin Chamber is liaising with members currently regarding their reopening plans and feeding any issues back to Dublin City Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Small Firms Association senior executive Elizabeth Bowen said safety of staff and customers would be retailers ’ “ top priority ” as they reopened .
“ Retailers and local authorities need to work together to determine how to manage this process and I would welcome this guidance from the council.
” Many shops , particularly smaller retailers , were likely to focus on an appointment-only system for their initial reopening , she said .
“ We would be very aware that in Dublin city the retail spaces can be quite small and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind , would be almost impossible .
So I think a lot of retailers will use an online booking system , or if queues do form , will take customers numbers and call them or use an automated text system to tell them when there is space to come back.
” The reopening of shops would be “ a learning process ” , she said , and shops were already learning from their neighbours such as pharmacies and supermarkets which had remained open .
Business organisation Dublin Town said it had circulated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they represented a “ sensible , balanced approach ” .

Dublin City Council’s Covid-19 queuing rules are designed to prevent overcrowding on the city’s shopping streets, particularly pedestrianised areas such as Henry Street and Grafton Street (above). Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Dublin city shops will have to enforce a strict on-street queuing regime if they are to reopen their doors on Monday.
Shop owners must ensure customers do not queue past the length of their shop front, and will be required to "take measures to prevent members of the public joining the queue" if it breaches this length, under strict protocols issued by Dublin City Council.
The council’s Covid-19 queuing rules are designed to prevent overcrowding on the city’s shopping streets, particularly pedestrianised areas such as Henry Street and Grafton Street, and the small streets that surround them, where shops are densely positioned.
However, the rules, coupled with two-metre distancing requirements, would mean that most shops could not have more than two or three customers waiting outside.
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Queues will be required to run along the shop front, and not perpendicular to it, as would be typically seen with cash machine queues on Grafton Street and Henry Street.
The queue must not extend beyond the length of the shopfront, but also must not begin immediately at the entrance door or run in front of a fire escape.
Queues to different premises must not overlap, but physical barriers must not be used to control or manage queues.
The council will be placing “queueing icons” on the ground in the main pedestrianised streets in the city centre and O’Connell Street, but retailers can also mark the footpath with removable stickers to indicate the direction of the queue and appropriate spacing.
Not blocked
The onus has been put on shops to ensure the queueing rules are adhered to, with the guidelines stating that “care should be taken by the retailer to ensure that appropriate social distancing is being observed” and that pavements are not blocked, particularly for those with visual or mobility impairments.
The protocols also state: “Where the available pavement space is insufficient to accommodate queuing demand, the retailer must take measures to prevent members of the public joining the queue.”
The council advises that retailers should consider operating on an “appointment-only basis” if possible.
I think a lot of retailers will use an online booking system, or will take customers numbers and call them
Despite the onerous responsibilities placed on retailers, business groups have largely welcomed the council’s guidelines.
Graeme McQueen of Dublin Chamber of Commerce said they were "a useful starting point for firms as they ramp up their reopening plans" and said the chamber would be meeting with council chief executive Owen Keegan in the coming days to "further the dialogue" between businesses and the council. "By working together, and with a common sense approach, a successful reopening of Dublin can happen that works for all parties. Dublin Chamber is liaising with members currently regarding their reopening plans and feeding any issues back to Dublin City Council and the other local authorities in Dublin."
Safety
Small Firms Association senior executive Elizabeth Bowen said safety of staff and customers would be retailers' "top priority" as they reopened.
“Retailers and local authorities need to work together to determine how to manage this process and I would welcome this guidance from the council.”
Many shops, particularly smaller retailers, were likely to focus on an appointment-only system for their initial reopening, she said.
“We would be very aware that in Dublin city the retail spaces can be quite small and queuing, particularly with the guidelines in mind, would be almost impossible. So I think a lot of retailers will use an online booking system, or if queues do form, will take customers numbers and call them or use an automated text system to tell them when there is space to come back.”
The reopening of shops would be “a learning process”, she said, and shops were already learning from their neighbours such as pharmacies and supermarkets which had remained open.
Business organisation Dublin Town said it had circulated the queuing protocols to its members and believed they represented a “sensible, balanced approach”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-04--President expresses ‘greatest heartbreak’ at clashes with protesters in US

President Michael D Higgins has expressed the “ greatest heartbreak ” at scenes of “ military confrontation with peaceful protesters ” in the United States .
The killing last week of George Floyd , an unarmed African-American man , by police in Minneapolis has sparked anti-racism protests , curfews and clashes across the country .
In a statement to The Irish Times , Mr Higgins said the response to the events in the US should be to eliminate racism and inequality everywhere .
Mr Higgins said when he first went to the US as a postgraduate student in the 1960s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an atmosphere of hope that after the war the gains of the civil rights movement , and the war on poverty which was getting under way , there would be a sustained movement forward towards achieving equality , an end to racist exclusion , and towards the fullest participation in American society ” .
“ To those of us who shared these hopes at that time , what we have been witnessing , including military confrontation with peaceful protesters , fills us not only with the greatest heartbreak but also with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every circumstance , seek to eliminate any aspect of racism in our society , communities , in sport and in culture , and seek to eliminate the inequality that is often at its root.
” Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said he was “ deeply concerned at underlying issues of racial inequality inspiring protests ” in the US .
“ Peaceful protest and robust independent media are essential for democracy .
We must all be vigilant against scourge of racism .
Violence is not the answer ; community and political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Dáil , Mr Coveney said he expected to speak to US ambassador to Ireland Edward Crawford in the next week but he warned that Ireland “ should be credible ” when speaking about racism and “ need to focus on ourselves as well as looking critically at others ” .
The remarks came after the Dáil observed a minute ’ s silence against racism across the globe .
Meanwhile , a Black Lives Matter protest against racism that had been planned for Dublin next Monday has been cancelled .
Organisers released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying the event had been cancelled over concerns that people involved may be prosecuted by the Garda .
An estimated 5,000 people took to the streets of Dublin on Monday for a mass Black Lives Matter protest .
Gardaí were investigating the organisers of the protest , saying it was a breach of the Covid-19 regulations to organise such an event .
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has said it was surprising the Garda had launched an investigation as protesting was a “ fundamental right ” and could be considered a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The council said anyone attending future protests should try to follow public-health advice .
However , Merj Ireland , which describes itself as “ a group of migrants and ethnic minorities living in Ireland ” , has said it plans to press ahead with a separate demonstration outside the US embassy in Dublin on Saturday .
It has called on anyone living within 5km to attend for what it says will be a socially distanced event .
Meanwhile , several thousand people took part in a Black Lives Matter protest at City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
There was some social distancing and many of the protesters wore face masks , but the crowd was often tightly packed together .
A virtual book of condolence has been opened in Derry and Dublin in memory of George Floyd .

A protester shows a picture of George Floyd from her phone to a wall of security guards as she and others demonstrate near the White House, in Washington, DC, on Wednesday. Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP
President Michael D Higgins has expressed the "greatest heartbreak" at scenes of "military confrontation with peaceful protesters" in the United States.
The killing last week of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man, by police in Minneapolis has sparked anti-racism protests, curfews and clashes across the country.
In a statement to The Irish Times, Mr Higgins said the response to the events in the US should be to eliminate racism and inequality everywhere.
Mr Higgins said when he first went to the US as a postgraduate student in the 1960s there was “an atmosphere of hope, an atmosphere of hope that after the war the gains of the civil rights movement, and the war on poverty which was getting under way, there would be a sustained movement forward towards achieving equality, an end to racist exclusion, and towards the fullest participation in American society”.
READ MORE
“To those of us who shared these hopes at that time, what we have been witnessing, including military confrontation with peaceful protesters, fills us not only with the greatest heartbreak but also with the conviction that we must all, in every circumstance, seek to eliminate any aspect of racism in our society, communities, in sport and in culture, and seek to eliminate the inequality that is often at its root.”
Quincy Mason Floyd (centre), son of George Floyd, and attorney Ben Crump (left) kneel on Wednesday at the site where Floyd was killed, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photograph: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said he was "deeply concerned at underlying issues of racial inequality inspiring protests" in the US.
“Peaceful protest and robust independent media are essential for democracy. We must all be vigilant against scourge of racism. Violence is not the answer; community and political leadership is.” he said.
Speaking in the Dáil, Mr Coveney said he expected to speak to US ambassador to Ireland Edward Crawford in the next week but he warned that Ireland "should be credible" when speaking about racism and "need to focus on ourselves as well as looking critically at others". The remarks came after the Dáil observed a minute's silence against racism across the globe.
Protest cancelled
Meanwhile, a Black Lives Matter protest against racism that had been planned for Dublin next Monday has been cancelled. Organisers released a statement on social media on Wednesday saying the event had been cancelled over concerns that people involved may be prosecuted by the Garda.
An estimated 5,000 people took to the streets of Dublin on Monday for a mass Black Lives Matter protest. Gardaí were investigating the organisers of the protest, saying it was a breach of the Covid-19 regulations to organise such an event.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has said it was surprising the Garda had launched an investigation as protesting was a “fundamental right” and could be considered a “reasonable excuse” under the Covid-19 regulations. The council said anyone attending future protests should try to follow public-health advice.
However, Merj Ireland, which describes itself as “a group of migrants and ethnic minorities living in Ireland”, has said it plans to press ahead with a separate demonstration outside the US embassy in Dublin on Saturday. It has called on anyone living within 5km to attend for what it says will be a socially distanced event.
Meanwhile, several thousand people took part in a Black Lives Matter protest at City Hall in the centre of Belfast on Wednesday. There was some social distancing and many of the protesters wore face masks, but the crowd was often tightly packed together.
A virtual book of condolence has been opened in Derry and Dublin in memory of George Floyd.


theirishtimes--2020-06-04--How to get one dance step ahead of Covid-19

In mid-March , just after restrictions were put in place to slow the spread COVID-19 , Dr Nigel Stevenson looked out the window of his Dublin apartment .
“ It was a beautiful , still evening , the sun was setting and there was no traffic on the roads .
It was idyllic , ” he recalls .
“ Then I remembered why it was so quiet , and I thought ... that damn virus.
” Stevenson , who leads the Viral Immunology Lab in Trinity ’ s Biomedical Sciences Institute , knows more about “ that damn virus ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade he has been working on disease-causing viruses , including HIV , Hepatitis C and , more recently , the coronaviruses SARS-CoV-1 ( from the outbreak in the early 2000s ) and MERS ( from the outbreak in 2012 ) .
Now he has turned his lab ’ s attention to the pandemic virus , SARS-CoV-2 .
His interest ?
The biochemical dance between an invading virus and the human cell it seeks to hijack , and how understanding those interactions could help us design new therapies to stop infection .
“ Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 , can hide from our immune systems early in the infection , and they can really get entrenched , ” he explains .
“ By understanding how they do that , we could potentially bring the viruses out of hiding and help the immune system to clear the infection early on .
That would lead to less disease.
” When the SARS-CoV-2 virus – that causes Covid-19 – gets into our airways , it enters our cells and ejects its genetic material , co-opting the infected cell into making copies of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infect other cells .
One way our body defends us against this takeover is by releasing a substance called interferon , Stevenson explains .
“ Interferon is a really powerful defender , because it activates hundreds of other genes and proteins that effectively stop the virus in its tracks.
” But some viruses can interfere with the interferon response .
Stevenson and his Trinity College Dublin colleague Prof Cliona O ’ Farrelly have previously shown the Hepatitis C virus can block a particular pathway of biochemical signals inside the cell , thereby stopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ramp up the molecular defences .
“ We could see that the virus degraded this biochemical pathway inside liver and immune cells , ” explains Stevenson .
“ And this blockade meant the body wasn ’ t able to switch on its normal defences against the virus.
” Stevenson has found other viruses use a similar mechanism to block responses to interferon , among them HIV .
“ We have been able to show that HIV-1 stops interferon too , ” he says .
“ And we are looking at ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thereby restore the natural interferon response.
” Then , last year , in a case of spectacularly good timing , PhD student , Yamei Zhang , in Stevenson ’ s lab started to look at the effect of the original SARS and MERS coronaviruses on the Interferon response .
“ Our ongoing studies are showing that both the SARS-1 and MERS viruses use a conserved mechanism to block interferon , ” Stevenson adds .
When Covid-19 became a serious public health concern , the researchers also turned their attention to SARS-CoV-2 .
Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it too may use this process to suppress response to interferon , as it has a similar interferon-blocking code to the one Stevenson ’ s lab has studied in its coronavirus “ cousins ” .
“ We are now studying this , because if this is one way through which SARS-CoV-2 evades our immune system , then it ’ s good news for our battle against this deadly virus , ” says Stevenson .
“ Our lab is already working on ways to restore interferon ’ s biochemical pathway , so now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic virus too.
” Another difficulty in Covid-19 is that when the immune system does respond to the virus later in the infection , it can over-respond in some people , damaging their lungs and other organs .
Prof Andrew Bowie , also at Trinity , is trying to figure out the pathway to this response .
Like Stevenson , he has found himself in a good position to focus on SARS-CoV-2 .
“ Last year , we started working with RNA viruses that affect the airways , trying to understand how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lung cells , ” Bowie says .
“ And now we can pivot that work to look at how the RNA virus SARS-CoV-2 does this.
” Bowie , along with O ’ Farrelly and Prof Luke O ’ Neill , are part of a European project called INITIATE , which explores how disease-causing viruses interact with human cells growing in the lab .
“ We are looking at how the airway cells react to the viruses when they meet them , and the kind of inflammatory immune response that follows , ” explains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already discovered that viruses prompt a different kind of immune response in lung cells compared to the response we see to bacteria .
Now we can look at how the inflammatory immune response gets switched on specifically in response to SARS-CoV-2 , and what pathways are involved .
It ’ s a good example of how answering a basic biological question will shed light about what is going on in patients who experience this kind of immune activation in Covid-19.
” Ultimately , we want the answers to those biological questions to translate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 .
Dr Virginie Gautier at University College Dublin is marshalling her lab ’ s resources to screen for such answers .
Her expertise lies in host-virus interactions , and now she has re-oriented her lab to look at SARS-CoV-2 .
“ We are interested in the ways that cells respond biochemically to viruses , so that we can identify points of vulnerability that could be targeted by drugs , ” explains Gautier , who is a principal investigator at the UCD Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research .
“ We also have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where we can apply specific drugs or other agents and see how that affects the virus when infecting the cells.
” With funding through the Health Research Board ’ s national Covid-19 rapid response call , Gautier is now working with UCD Prof Paddy Mallon to screen for ways to block SARS-CoV-2 using that platform .
“ We want to look at drugs that have already been approved for use in the clinic , so they could be repurposed for treating SARS-CoV-2 if they are effective , and we are looking at potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Gautier says .
Her lab is also helping to provide reagents for hospitals to test patient samples for SARS-CoV-2 , she adds .
“ This pandemic needs us all to work together , to use the insights and systems we have developed for other viruses and focus on this one .
”

When Covid-19 gets into our airways, it enters our cells and ejects its genetic material, co-opting the infected cell into making copies of the virus, which then go on to infect other cells. Photograph: iStock
In mid-March, just after restrictions were put in place to slow the spread COVID-19, Dr Nigel Stevenson looked out the window of his Dublin apartment. "It was a beautiful, still evening, the sun was setting and there was no traffic on the roads. It was idyllic," he recalls. "Then I remembered why it was so quiet, and I thought... that damn virus."
Stevenson, who leads the Viral Immunology Lab in Trinity's Biomedical Sciences Institute, knows more about "that damn virus" than most. For more than a decade he has been working on disease-causing viruses, including HIV, Hepatitis C and, more recently, the coronaviruses SARS-CoV-1 (from the outbreak in the early 2000s) and MERS (from the outbreak in 2012). Now he has turned his lab's attention to the pandemic virus, SARS-CoV-2.
His interest? The biochemical dance between an invading virus and the human cell it seeks to hijack, and how understanding those interactions could help us design new therapies to stop infection.
“Some viruses, including the one that causes Covid-19, can hide from our immune systems early in the infection, and they can really get entrenched,” he explains. “By understanding how they do that, we could potentially bring the viruses out of hiding and help the immune system to clear the infection early on. That would lead to less disease.”
READ MORE
Interfering with interferon
When the SARS-CoV-2 virus – that causes Covid-19 – gets into our airways, it enters our cells and ejects its genetic material, co-opting the infected cell into making copies of the virus, which then go on to infect other cells.
One way our body defends us against this takeover is by releasing a substance called interferon, Stevenson explains. “Interferon is a really powerful defender, because it activates hundreds of other genes and proteins that effectively stop the virus in its tracks.”
But some viruses can interfere with the interferon response. Stevenson and his Trinity College Dublin colleague Prof Cliona O'Farrelly have previously shown the Hepatitis C virus can block a particular pathway of biochemical signals inside the cell, thereby stopping the cell from "telling" interferon to ramp up the molecular defences. "We could see that the virus degraded this biochemical pathway inside liver and immune cells," explains Stevenson. "And this blockade meant the body wasn't able to switch on its normal defences against the virus."
Stevenson has found other viruses use a similar mechanism to block responses to interferon, among them HIV. “We have been able to show that HIV-1 stops interferon too,” he says. “And we are looking at ways to prevent HIV-1 from doing that, and thereby restore the natural interferon response.”
Then, last year, in a case of spectacularly good timing, PhD student, Yamei Zhang, in Stevenson’s lab started to look at the effect of the original SARS and MERS coronaviruses on the Interferon response. “Our ongoing studies are showing that both the SARS-1 and MERS viruses use a conserved mechanism to block interferon,” Stevenson adds.
When Covid-19 became a serious public health concern, the researchers also turned their attention to SARS-CoV-2. Their analysis of the pandemic virus genome indicates that it too may use this process to suppress response to interferon, as it has a similar interferon-blocking code to the one Stevenson’s lab has studied in its coronavirus “cousins”.
“We are now studying this, because if this is one way through which SARS-CoV-2 evades our immune system, then it’s good news for our battle against this deadly virus,” says Stevenson. “Our lab is already working on ways to restore interferon’s biochemical pathway, so now we can apply these research discoveries to the pandemic virus too.”
Activation station
Another difficulty in Covid-19 is that when the immune system does respond to the virus later in the infection, it can over-respond in some people, damaging their lungs and other organs. Prof Andrew Bowie, also at Trinity, is trying to figure out the pathway to this response.
Like Stevenson, he has found himself in a good position to focus on SARS-CoV-2. “Last year, we started working with RNA viruses that affect the airways, trying to understand how these viruses trigger an immune response in lung cells,” Bowie says. “And now we can pivot that work to look at how the RNA virus SARS-CoV-2 does this.”
Bowie, along with O’Farrelly and Prof Luke O’Neill, are part of a European project called INITIATE, which explores how disease-causing viruses interact with human cells growing in the lab.
“We are looking at how the airway cells react to the viruses when they meet them, and the kind of inflammatory immune response that follows,” explains Bowie. “We and others have already discovered that viruses prompt a different kind of immune response in lung cells compared to the response we see to bacteria. Now we can look at how the inflammatory immune response gets switched on specifically in response to SARS-CoV-2, and what pathways are involved. It’s a good example of how answering a basic biological question will shed light about what is going on in patients who experience this kind of immune activation in Covid-19.”
Screen for medicines
Ultimately, we want the answers to those biological questions to translate into better ways to prevent or treat Covid-19. Dr Virginie Gautier at University College Dublin is marshalling her lab's resources to screen for such answers. Her expertise lies in host-virus interactions, and now she has re-oriented her lab to look at SARS-CoV-2.
“We are interested in the ways that cells respond biochemically to viruses, so that we can identify points of vulnerability that could be targeted by drugs,” explains Gautier, who is a principal investigator at the UCD Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research. “We also have a platform set up in the lab where we can apply specific drugs or other agents and see how that affects the virus when infecting the cells.”
With funding through the Health Research Board's national Covid-19 rapid response call, Gautier is now working with UCD Prof Paddy Mallon to screen for ways to block SARS-CoV-2 using that platform.
“We want to look at drugs that have already been approved for use in the clinic, so they could be repurposed for treating SARS-CoV-2 if they are effective, and we are looking at potential new agents against the virus too,” Gautier says.
Her lab is also helping to provide reagents for hospitals to test patient samples for SARS-CoV-2, she adds. “This pandemic needs us all to work together, to use the insights and systems we have developed for other viruses and focus on this one.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-04--All pupils will not be able to return to class at the same time – INTO

It will not be possible for all pupils to be in a classroom at the same time when schools reopen , the head of the primary teachers ’ union has said .
John Boyle , general secretary of INTO , said the fact that we have the largest class sizes in Europe means many pupils will not be able to resume under current social-distancing guidelines .
The average class size in Irish primary schools is 25 , compared with an EU average of 20 , according to the OECD .
Many Irish schools , however , have in excess of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also warned against a rush to reopen schools ahead of late August or September and said researchers are still divided on whether children are less likely to become infected or spread the virus .
“ It ’ s a fact too that some schools in other jurisdictions that opened early had to close again .
France and South Korea are two clear examples .
We simply can not afford to make that mistake here , ” he writes in an opinion column in today ’ s Irish Times .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can reopen our schools safely in August and we must all play our part to ensure this becomes a reality .
Our pupils , their parents and of course primary teachers deserve nothing less.
” Department of Education officials are understood to be examining the possibility of large groups or even entire classes staying in “ protective bubbles ” when schools reopen .
This could , if permitted under revised public health advice , allow the majority of children resume school on a full-time basis .
Minister for Education Joe McHugh warned last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attend school even if social-distancing requirements were to be reduced from two metres to one .
He also said he would not accept a “ half-return ” with students attending school only some of the week .
Department sources have since confirmed that segregating classes or large groups is under consideration .
Mr McHugh ’ s officials are drawing up a roadmap for reopening schools , which is due to be published next week .
His officials have been examining the experiences of countries such as Germany , France , Denmark and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roadmap is likely to provide guidelines for schools to help prepare them for new public health measures such as regular cleaning and one-way entry and exist systems .
The department has estimated that the cost for providing additional hygiene supports – such as hand sanitiser or cleaning services – is likely to be in excess of €25 million between September and December .
Meanwhile , department officials are also working on a summer programme that could see some disadvantaged – or Deis – schools reopen in July or August to provide “ catch-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this approach , existing social inclusion programmes , such as numeracy and literacy programmes , are being considered .
The programme would also provide separate support for pupils with special needs , such as those with intellectual disabilities , autism or Down syndrome .
It is understood three options are being considered including a home-based element , in which the family would be funded to hire a tutor for their child .
There may also be a school-based element , where tutors could provide support in either special or mainstream schools .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in schools , with support provided by special needs assistants .

A teacher distributes individual student stationary packs ahead of the return of students to a school in London this week. The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation has warned against a rush to reopen schools. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images
It will not be possible for all pupils to be in a classroom at the same time when schools reopen, the head of the primary teachers’ union has said.
John Boyle, general secretary of INTO, said the fact that we have the largest class sizes in Europe means many pupils will not be able to resume under current social-distancing guidelines.
The average class size in Irish primary schools is 25, compared with an EU average of 20, according to the OECD. Many Irish schools, however, have in excess of 30 pupils in “supersized” classes.
He also warned against a rush to reopen schools ahead of late August or September and said researchers are still divided on whether children are less likely to become infected or spread the virus.
READ MORE
"It's a fact too that some schools in other jurisdictions that opened early had to close again. France and South Korea are two clear examples. We simply cannot afford to make that mistake here," he writes in an opinion column in today's Irish Times.
‘Strong consensus’
“There is now a strong consensus that we can reopen our schools safely in August and we must all play our part to ensure this becomes a reality. Our pupils, their parents and of course primary teachers deserve nothing less.”
Department of Education officials are understood to be examining the possibility of large groups or even entire classes staying in “protective bubbles” when schools reopen.
This could, if permitted under revised public health advice, allow the majority of children resume school on a full-time basis.
Minister for Education Joe McHugh warned last week all students would not be able to attend school even if social-distancing requirements were to be reduced from two metres to one. He also said he would not accept a “half-return” with students attending school only some of the week.
Department sources have since confirmed that segregating classes or large groups is under consideration.
Mr McHugh's officials are drawing up a roadmap for reopening schools, which is due to be published next week. His officials have been examining the experiences of countries such as Germany, France, Denmark and Greece in reopening their schools.
The roadmap is likely to provide guidelines for schools to help prepare them for new public health measures such as regular cleaning and one-way entry and exist systems.
The department has estimated that the cost for providing additional hygiene supports – such as hand sanitiser or cleaning services – is likely to be in excess of €25 million between September and December.
Summer programme
Meanwhile, department officials are also working on a summer programme that could see some disadvantaged – or Deis – schools reopen in July or August to provide “catch-up” support to at-risk pupils.
Under this approach, existing social inclusion programmes, such as numeracy and literacy programmes, are being considered.
The programme would also provide separate support for pupils with special needs, such as those with intellectual disabilities, autism or Down syndrome.
It is understood three options are being considered including a home-based element, in which the family would be funded to hire a tutor for their child.
There may also be a school-based element, where tutors could provide support in either special or mainstream schools.
A third health-led strand could also take place in schools, with support provided by special needs assistants.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Privacy measures delayed reporting of 250 Covid-19 cases among Mater staff

Delays in reporting almost 250 Covid-19 cases among staff of the Mater hospital arose from its historic practice of anonymising their details at the time of laboratory test results , according to a report into the matter .
Because the personal details were held by the hospital ’ s occupational health department , lab staff in the hospital were unable to upload the information to the national surveillance system for the disease with the accompanying names and dates of birth , the Health Service Executive report states .
In mid-May , chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan revealed the late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health Emergency Team briefing .
He did not name the hospital involved but said some of the cases dated back to mid-March and he was unable to give an assurance that contact tracing for the cases had been completed .
It later emerged the Mater was the hospital and an investigation was ordered .
The approach taken by the hospital was intended to protect confidentiality and respect the dignity of staff being tested , according to the report .
“ This approach was introduced to encourage staff to seek a laboratory test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Mater started testing staff for Covid-19 on March 14th , but public-health doctors in the HSE sought the non-anonymised information so they could reconcile lab data with data from other sources , including contact tracing .
They ordered the upload of information to be paused on April 21st to allow for the anonymisation issue to be resolved , the report says .
“ There was a senior personnel absence in the period after the 21st April , 2020 , ” it adds .
Uploading of the remaining information restarted on May 12th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it states .
This led to the batch reporting of the 244 cases .
The Mater says it had completed contact tracing of cases within 24 hours of a positive test result , and the report says the delays in uploading information “ did not delay any critical public health actions ” .
The report recommends the HSE seek assurances from hospital groups that they have processes in place to flag any future impediments to uploading of Covid-19 test results for healthcare workers .

The approach taken by the Mater was intended to protect confidentiality and respect the dignity of staff being tested, according to the HSE report. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
Delays in reporting almost 250 Covid-19 cases among staff of the Mater hospital arose from its historic practice of anonymising their details at the time of laboratory test results, according to a report into the matter.
Because the personal details were held by the hospital’s occupational health department, lab staff in the hospital were unable to upload the information to the national surveillance system for the disease with the accompanying names and dates of birth, the Health Service Executive report states.
In mid-May, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan revealed the late reporting of the cases at a National Public Health Emergency Team briefing. He did not name the hospital involved but said some of the cases dated back to mid-March and he was unable to give an assurance that contact tracing for the cases had been completed.
It later emerged the Mater was the hospital and an investigation was ordered.
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The approach taken by the hospital was intended to protect confidentiality and respect the dignity of staff being tested, according to the report. “This approach was introduced to encourage staff to seek a laboratory test when concerns of an infection presented.”
The Mater started testing staff for Covid-19 on March 14th, but public-health doctors in the HSE sought the non-anonymised information so they could reconcile lab data with data from other sources, including contact tracing.
They ordered the upload of information to be paused on April 21st to allow for the anonymisation issue to be resolved, the report says. “There was a senior personnel absence in the period after the 21st April, 2020,” it adds.
Uploading of the remaining information restarted on May 12th after this issue was “concluded”, it states. This led to the batch reporting of the 244 cases.
The Mater says it had completed contact tracing of cases within 24 hours of a positive test result, and the report says the delays in uploading information “did not delay any critical public health actions”.
The report recommends the HSE seek assurances from hospital groups that they have processes in place to flag any future impediments to uploading of Covid-19 test results for healthcare workers.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Resistance to special classes risks creating ‘segregated’ school system

The reluctance of many mainstream schools to open special classes for children with autism risks creating a “ segregated ” education system , according to Department of Education inspectors .
The findings are based on inspections into 65 special classes for children with autism in mainstream primary schools and 20 special classes in mainstream secondary schools .
The report says there is evidence of restrictive enrolment practices where some schools prioritise places in special classes for higher-functioning students at the expense of those with more complex needs .
This means some learners are being enrolled into special classes when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classes .
If enrolment in mainstream is regarded as the index of success for students in special classes , the report says , the current system appears to be having “ limited success ” .
“ With increasing demands being made for the opening of new special classes for learners with ASD [ autism spectrum disorder ] as distinct from other types of special classes , and the reported reluctance of some school authorities to open these special classes , there is a danger that segregated educational provision could expand unintentionally.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has jumped threefold since 2011 .
There are a total of just over 1,600 special classes in mainstream primary and secondary schools which provide education for up to six pupils each or about 9,000 students in all .
Classes are normally opened with the co-operation of schools in areas where they are needed .
However , many parents have complained of “ soft barriers ” in accessing special classes and authorities have faced resistance in getting some schools to provide them .
At primary level , the report found that where there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be clear and appropriate in just over half of the settings and almost all pupils were deemed to be in the correct setting for their needs .
There were much bigger gaps at second level , where only half had appropriate enrolment policies and two-thirds of classes had some students who were inappropriately placed in mainstream classes or special classes for autism .
Suitable autism-specific assessments were used in fewer than a third of the second-level special classes to identify needs and track progress , while fewer than half of teachers effectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Responding to the report , Adam Harris of autism charity AsIAm said the inspectorate ’ s report highlighted a “ worrying lack of consistency ” in supports provided to autistic students in mainstream schools .
“ It is totally unacceptable that barriers are being placed in front of autistic students with the highest support needs in accessing autism class support – this flies in the face of inclusion and has no basis in evidence or policy , ” he said .
He said many gaps has been previously highlighted by the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Now is the time to urgently implement reforms and provide schools with the resources so they can meaningfully include autistic students in mainstream school settings , ” he said .
“ It is clear that resources and a culture shift are required and both the department and schools need to take responsibility for this moving forward.
” In its recommendations , the department report says policymakers should examine if the current configuration of special classes is the most effective model to fully include all learners in school life .
It also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not prioritise places for higher-functioning learners .
In addition , leaders in all schools with special classes should prioritise allocation of the most skilled and experienced teachers with the appropriate levels of training to special classes , rather than newly-qualified or substitute teachers .

Inspectors found evidence of restrictive enrolment practices where schools prioritise places in special classes for higher-functioning students at the expense of those with more complex needs. Photograph: iStock
The reluctance of many mainstream schools to open special classes for children with autism risks creating a “segregated” education system, according to Department of Education inspectors.
The findings are based on inspections into 65 special classes for children with autism in mainstream primary schools and 20 special classes in mainstream secondary schools.
The report says there is evidence of restrictive enrolment practices where some schools prioritise places in special classes for higher-functioning students at the expense of those with more complex needs.
This means some learners are being enrolled into special classes when they are capable of greater integration in mainstream classes.
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If enrolment in mainstream is regarded as the index of success for students in special classes, the report says, the current system appears to be having “limited success” .
“With increasing demands being made for the opening of new special classes for learners with ASD [autism spectrum disorder] as distinct from other types of special classes, and the reported reluctance of some school authorities to open these special classes, there is a danger that segregated educational provision could expand unintentionally.”
The number of special classes in mainstream schools has jumped threefold since 2011.
There are a total of just over 1,600 special classes in mainstream primary and secondary schools which provide education for up to six pupils each or about 9,000 students in all.
Classes are normally opened with the co-operation of schools in areas where they are needed. However, many parents have complained of “soft barriers” in accessing special classes and authorities have faced resistance in getting some schools to provide them.
At primary level, the report found that where there were special classes, enrolment policies were found to be clear and appropriate in just over half of the settings and almost all pupils were deemed to be in the correct setting for their needs.
There were much bigger gaps at second level, where only half had appropriate enrolment policies and two-thirds of classes had some students who were inappropriately placed in mainstream classes or special classes for autism.
Suitable autism-specific assessments were used in fewer than a third of the second-level special classes to identify needs and track progress, while fewer than half of teachers effectively used a range of autism-specific teaching approaches.
‘Lack of consistency’
Responding to the report, Adam Harris of autism charity AsIAm said the inspectorate's report highlighted a "worrying lack of consistency" in supports provided to autistic students in mainstream schools.
“It is totally unacceptable that barriers are being placed in front of autistic students with the highest support needs in accessing autism class support – this flies in the face of inclusion and has no basis in evidence or policy,” he said.
He said many gaps has been previously highlighted by the National Council for Special Education in 2016.
“Now is the time to urgently implement reforms and provide schools with the resources so they can meaningfully include autistic students in mainstream school settings,” he said.
“It is clear that resources and a culture shift are required and both the department and schools need to take responsibility for this moving forward.”
In its recommendations, the department report says policymakers should examine if the current configuration of special classes is the most effective model to fully include all learners in school life.
It also said school enrolment policies for special classes should not prioritise places for higher-functioning learners.
In addition, leaders in all schools with special classes should prioritise allocation of the most skilled and experienced teachers with the appropriate levels of training to special classes, rather than newly-qualified or substitute teachers.