theirishtimes--2020-03-03--Leapcards and VR training among suggested ideas for jury reform

Virtual reality training , free Leapcards and the payment of expenses are among the measures which could be introduced to reform the jury system , according to judges and senior legal figures .
The payment of expenses to jurors to encourage jury service would not be financially ruinous to the State and is something judges believe is “ extremely important ” , said Dr Mark Coen , lecturer at law in UCD .
Dr Coen was one of four academics to carry out research into the role of the judiciary and the jury system in criminal trials which was launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judges and 11 barristers about a wide range of topics including how to improve the numbers turning up for jury service .
Currently only about one third of people called for jury service show up .
The judges interviewed told researchers they believed jury service is a civic duty and jurors should not be paid for it .
“ But they also felt jurors shouldn ’ t be out of pocket for it either , ” Dr Coen said .
“ They felt that very keenly.
” Some judges had “ very practical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leap cards to cover their travel to and from court , he said .
Launching the report , Chief Justice Frank Clarke said trials are getting longer .
This applies not just to complex financial trials such as the Anglo Irish Bank cases but murder and rape offences in the Central Criminal Court , he said .
“ Requiring jurors to be there for four or six or eight weeks as opposed to a few days in the past is a much greater burden on people who are meant to be doing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a perception that many juries are not as representative as they should be because people “ in particular categories ” can avoid jury service .
Some categories of people would find it extremely hard to sit on a jury for eight weeks , he said .
“ We can ’ t have inclusivity if we have trials that place an impermissible burden on jurors .
We will continue to place an impermissible burden on jurors if we don ’ t work out better ways of running jury trials , ” Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the newly appointed chief executive of the Courts Service , suggested prospective jurors could be allowed experience what a courtroom is like using virtual reality goggles .
She said going into a courtroom for the first time can be “ terrifying ” and her staff have already requested such goggles for training purposes .
Chief Justice Clarke also said there is an increasing need for training for judges ; not necessarily in the law but in “ judicial skills ” .
He said the present training budget is very small but that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government for additional funds .
He said there is an assumption that “ judges arrive perfectly formed in the world .
I think we increasingly realise that is not so ” .
The Chief Justice recalled that he was sworn in as a judge on the Court of Criminal Appeal on a Thursday and expected to decide the following Monday “ if an experienced judge had made a mess of a criminal trial ” .

Virtual reality training, free Leapcards and the payment of expenses are among the measures which could be introduced to reform the jury system, according to judges and senior legal figures.
The payment of expenses to jurors to encourage jury service would not be financially ruinous to the State and is something judges believe is "extremely important", said Dr Mark Coen, lecturer at law in UCD.
Dr Coen was one of four academics to carry out research into the role of the judiciary and the jury system in criminal trials which was launched on Tuesday night.
Researchers interviewed 22 judges and 11 barristers about a wide range of topics including how to improve the numbers turning up for jury service. Currently only about one third of people called for jury service show up.
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The judges interviewed told researchers they believed jury service is a civic duty and jurors should not be paid for it.
“But they also felt jurors shouldn’t be out of pocket for it either,” Dr Coen said. “They felt that very keenly.”
Some judges had “very practical ideas” such as providing jurors with leap cards to cover their travel to and from court, he said.
Launching the report, Chief Justice Frank Clarke said trials are getting longer. This applies not just to complex financial trials such as the Anglo Irish Bank cases but murder and rape offences in the Central Criminal Court, he said.
“Requiring jurors to be there for four or six or eight weeks as opposed to a few days in the past is a much greater burden on people who are meant to be doing their day job as well.”
He said there is a perception that many juries are not as representative as they should be because people “in particular categories” can avoid jury service.
‘Burden’
Some categories of people would find it extremely hard to sit on a jury for eight weeks, he said.
“We can’t have inclusivity if we have trials that place an impermissible burden on jurors. We will continue to place an impermissible burden on jurors if we don’t work out better ways of running jury trials,” Chief Justice Clarke said.
Angela Denning, the newly appointed chief executive of the Courts Service, suggested prospective jurors could be allowed experience what a courtroom is like using virtual reality goggles. She said going into a courtroom for the first time can be "terrifying" and her staff have already requested such goggles for training purposes.
Chief Justice Clarke also said there is an increasing need for training for judges; not necessarily in the law but in “judicial skills”. He said the present training budget is very small but that the judiciary is currently making a case to Government for additional funds.
He said there is an assumption that “judges arrive perfectly formed in the world. I think we increasingly realise that is not so”.
The Chief Justice recalled that he was sworn in as a judge on the Court of Criminal Appeal on a Thursday and expected to decide the following Monday “if an experienced judge had made a mess of a criminal trial”.


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--PSNI waiting to question mother of toddler who died in stabbing

The police in Northern Ireland are waiting to question the mother of a toddler who died in a stabbing incident at their home in Co Antrim on Monday .
The woman , who is in her 30s , and another child , a baby believed to be less than a year old , were seriously injured in the attack .
The Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) has said it is being treated as a domestic incident and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident .
Details of the woman ’ s condition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is understood to be critically ill .
The emergency services were called to the farmhouse in Magheramorne , outside Larne , on Monday morning .
Neighbours said they first realised something had happened when they heard the police helicopter above .
A significant police presence remained at the property throughout Monday .
Forensic experts in white boiler suits were seen removing items from the house , and the road was cordoned off in both directions .
Those who lived nearby spoke of their shock and sadness that such a tragedy could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The local MP , the DUP ’ s Sammy Wilson , said he knew some of the extended family and they were well-known and respected in the Larne area .
“ They are as you would expect , ” he said .
“ Stunned , horrified , bewildered .
They didn ’ t expect any of this .
“ People just can ’ t take it in , ” he said .
The thoughts of people locally , he said , were full of sympathy for the family .
“ What can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tragedy like that ?
Express their horror .
“ They ’ ll want to give what support they can to each other but none of that really dilutes the enormity of what happened.
” “ This is a rural community where everyone knows everyone else , ” he said .
“ You tend to find families have been in the area for a long time so lots of people know the family , and people feel very intimately connected to it .
.
.
it will affect an awful lot of people in @ @ @ @ @

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has said it is treating the stabbing as a domestic incident. Photograph: EPA
The police in Northern Ireland are waiting to question the mother of a toddler who died in a stabbing incident at their home in Co Antrim on Monday.
The woman, who is in her 30s, and another child, a baby believed to be less than a year old, were seriously injured in the attack.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said it is being treated as a domestic incident and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
Details of the woman’s condition have not been officially released, but she is understood to be critically ill.
READ MORE
The emergency services were called to the farmhouse in Magheramorne, outside Larne, on Monday morning.
Neighbours said they first realised something had happened when they heard the police helicopter above.
A significant police presence remained at the property throughout Monday. Forensic experts in white boiler suits were seen removing items from the house, and the road was cordoned off in both directions.
Those who lived nearby spoke of their shock and sadness that such a tragedy could have happened in this quiet, rural area.
The local MP, the DUP's Sammy Wilson, said he knew some of the extended family and they were well-known and respected in the Larne area.
“They are as you would expect,” he said. “Stunned, horrified, bewildered. They didn’t expect any of this.
“People just can’t take it in,” he said.
The thoughts of people locally, he said, were full of sympathy for the family. “What can people do in the event of a tragedy like that? Express their horror.
“They’ll want to give what support they can to each other but none of that really dilutes the enormity of what happened.”
“This is a rural community where everyone knows everyone else,” he said. “You tend to find families have been in the area for a long time so lots of people know the family, and people feel very intimately connected to it . . . it will affect an awful lot of people in the immediate area.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--Second case of coronavirus is confirmed in east of Ireland

A second case of the coronavirus has been confirmed in the east of Ireland .
The case is a female whose infection is unrelated to the first case which was confirmed last Sunday involving a school student from Dublin .
The latest case is associated with travel from Italy and the patient is receiving appropriate care , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) said .
The positive test result emerged on Tuesday evening , after the NPHET held a five-hour meeting to review measures , and efforts to trace contacts of the woman have just begun .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest case on Tuesday evening .
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan described the case as “ not unexpected ” but said Ireland remained in a containment phase and had yet to experience local transmission , as was the case in other EU states .
All non-essential travel to four regions in Italy - Lombardy , Veneto , Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont - is now being advised against .
The Department of Foreign Affairs ’ previous advice against non-essential travel in Italy was previously limited to 11 specific towns in the region .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ publishing in the coming days , following cross-Government review , Dr Holohan said .
But he added that “ as things stand ” , he saw no reason why the St Patrick ’ s Day Festival could not go ahead later this month .
The testing of suspected cases is also to be moved from hospitals to the community , most likely people ’ s homes .
Dr Holohan said this would take further pressure off hospitals and that the tests would be carried out by paramedics .
Issues relating to vulnerable people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the preparedness of hospitals are to be examined by four separate sub-committees , the NPHET also announced .
The measure being taken to counter the spread of the virus do have wider societal implications , he acknowledged , and these would be addressed by the Cabinet committee that has been established .
A total of 397 people have been tested for the virus since the current outbreak started in January , public health officials said on Tuesday , compared to 90 this time last week .
The female who travelled to northern Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only two tests to come back positive .
The increase in tests is mainly due to a widening of the number of areas of the world subject to coronavirus-related travel advice .
Previously , the Department of Foreign Affairs ’ s travel advice was confined to travellers from China , but it now encompasses other areas , including Japan , Hong Kong , Iran , and the four regions in Italy where restrictions have been imposed .
Anyone coming back from these areas and who feels unwell is being advised to contact their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the European country worst affected by coronavirus , has exported cases to many other countries , including Ireland .
Earlier , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said : “ The situation is still evolving ... but there is a moderate to high risk of more cases.
” He said : “ What we ’ re pursuing in Ireland at the moment is a policy of containment , making sure that any cases that are identified are contact-traced and we contain any potential outbreak .
“ But we may come to stage in a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successful where we move to mitigation phase , and that would be treating the ill , rather than trying to contain the virus but we ’ re not at that stage yet.
” Regarding the impact on St Patrick ’ s Day parades and other events , the Taoiseach said “ we ’ re not advising anyone to cancel any gatherings at this stage .
“ But bear in mind that the St Patrick ’ s Day festival is two weeks away and a lot can happen between now and then .
”

Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer with the Department of Health said ‘as things stand’ he saw no reason why the St Patrick’s Day festival could not go ahead later this month. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
A second case of the coronavirus has been confirmed in the east of Ireland.
The case is a female whose infection is unrelated to the first case which was confirmed last Sunday involving a school student from Dublin.
The latest case is associated with travel from Italy and the patient is receiving appropriate care, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) said.
The positive test result emerged on Tuesday evening, after the NPHET held a five-hour meeting to review measures, and efforts to trace contacts of the woman have just begun.
READ MORE
Members of the team briefed media on the latest case on Tuesday evening.
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan described the case as “not unexpected” but said Ireland remained in a containment phase and had yet to experience local transmission, as was the case in other EU states.
All non-essential travel to four regions in Italy - Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont - is now being advised against.
The Department of Foreign Affairs’ previous advice against non-essential travel in Italy was previously limited to 11 specific towns in the region.
Guidance on mass gatherings is to be publishing in the coming days, following cross-Government review, Dr Holohan said.
But he added that “as things stand”, he saw no reason why the St Patrick’s Day Festival could not go ahead later this month.
The testing of suspected cases is also to be moved from hospitals to the community, most likely people’s homes.
Dr Holohan said this would take further pressure off hospitals and that the tests would be carried out by paramedics.
Issues relating to vulnerable people, healthcare workers, medicines supply and the preparedness of hospitals are to be examined by four separate sub-committees, the NPHET also announced.
The measure being taken to counter the spread of the virus do have wider societal implications, he acknowledged, and these would be addressed by the Cabinet committee that has been established.
A total of 397 people have been tested for the virus since the current outbreak started in January, public health officials said on Tuesday, compared to 90 this time last week. The female who travelled to northern Italy and the Dublin school student are the only two tests to come back positive.
The increase in tests is mainly due to a widening of the number of areas of the world subject to coronavirus-related travel advice.
Previously, the Department of Foreign Affairs’s travel advice was confined to travellers from China, but it now encompasses other areas, including Japan, Hong Kong, Iran, and the four regions in Italy where restrictions have been imposed.
Anyone coming back from these areas and who feels unwell is being advised to contact their GP and may require testing. Italy, the European country worst affected by coronavirus, has exported cases to many other countries, including Ireland.
Earlier, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “The situation is still evolving... but there is a moderate to high risk of more cases.”
He said: “What we’re pursuing in Ireland at the moment is a policy of containment, making sure that any cases that are identified are contact-traced and we contain any potential outbreak.
“But we may come to stage in a few weeks time if that’s not successful where we move to mitigation phase, and that would be treating the ill, rather than trying to contain the virus but we’re not at that stage yet.”
Regarding the impact on St Patrick’s Day parades and other events, the Taoiseach said “we’re not advising anyone to cancel any gatherings at this stage.
“But bear in mind that the St Patrick’s Day festival is two weeks away and a lot can happen between now and then.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--Workers absent due to coronavirus may not have legal right to pay

Workers who have to stay away from work as a result of precautionary measures taken to deal with Covid-19 may have no legal rights to be paid by their employers unless this is set out in their contracts , the Workplace Relations Commission ( WRC ) has advised .
In a guidance note in relation to the Covid-19 outbreak the WRC said in the first instance pay arrangements between employers and employees during periods of illness -related absences were dependent on terms and conditions of the contract of employment , subject to obligations set down in law .
The Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday urged the WRC to give strong consideration to the development of a statutory code of practice to govern pay for workers affected by the coronavirus .
Ictu general secretary Patricia King said such a code would “ provide clarity for all concerned , and avoid different employer approaches to this serious matter ” .
“ It is our view that in circumstances where an employee contracts this virus the normal condition for sick leave applies .
“ In cases of enforced absences , ie .
where there is direction and/or medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then normal pay should continue to be paid .
This should also apply where an employee self-isolates in accordance with the up-to-date guidance of the HSE , ” Ms King said .
Separately , the National Bus and Rail Union urged management at the State transport companies Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann to put in place arrangements similar to those agreed between nurses and the HSE that the enforced absence of staff due to the coronavirus would be considered to constitute special leave with pay .
The Department of Health has advised that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region abroad in the last 14 days and is experiencing symptoms should self-isolate and call their GP .
The Department of Public Expenditure is expected to release guidance on Thursday on the issue of pay and absences on foot of the coronavirus for all State employees .
In its guidance the WRC said : “ Where not covered under a contract of employment or an agreed attendance policy , there is no statutory entitlement for an employee to be paid by their employer in the event that they are absent from work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an employee is unable to attend work as a result of precautionary measures taken in line with HSE or Health Protection Surveillance Centre advices.
” The WRC said that in such circumstances employers and their employees should engage proactively and work to be as flexible as possible to resolve any issues arising at the level of employment and explore options such as : *Working from home or other remote working arrangements where feasible and practical ; * Working from an alternative location where feasible and practical ; *Alternative opening days on a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ *The taking of leave to avoid employee loss of earnings .
The WRC said in situations where a business ’ s ability to provide work to its employees is impacted , an employer may put employees on a period of “ layoff ” .
Periods of layoff are unpaid .
There are a number of social welfare payments that employees may potentially be entitled to , it said .

The Department of Public Expenditure is expected to release guidance on the issue of pay and absences on foot of the coronavirus for all State employees. Photograph: Getty Images
Workers who have to stay away from work as a result of precautionary measures taken to deal with Covid-19 may have no legal rights to be paid by their employers unless this is set out in their contracts, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has advised.
In a guidance note in relation to the Covid-19 outbreak the WRC said in the first instance pay arrangements between employers and employees during periods of illness -related absences were dependent on terms and conditions of the contract of employment, subject to obligations set down in law.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) on Tuesday urged the WRC to give strong consideration to the development of a statutory code of practice to govern pay for workers affected by the coronavirus.
Ictu general secretary Patricia King said such a code would "provide clarity for all concerned, and avoid different employer approaches to this serious matter".
READ MORE
“It is our view that in circumstances where an employee contracts this virus the normal condition for sick leave applies.
“In cases of enforced absences, ie. where there is direction and/or medical advice for an employee to self-isolate, then normal pay should continue to be paid. This should also apply where an employee self-isolates in accordance with the up-to-date guidance of the HSE,” Ms King said.
Special leave
Separately, the National Bus and Rail Union urged management at the State transport companies Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann to put in place arrangements similar to those agreed between nurses and the HSE that the enforced absence of staff due to the coronavirus would be considered to constitute special leave with pay.
The Department of Health has advised that anyone who has been to an affected region abroad in the last 14 days and is experiencing symptoms should self-isolate and call their GP.
The Department of Public Expenditure is expected to release guidance on Thursday on the issue of pay and absences on foot of the coronavirus for all State employees.
In its guidance the WRC said: “Where not covered under a contract of employment or an agreed attendance policy, there is no statutory entitlement for an employee to be paid by their employer in the event that they are absent from work. This may also be the position where an employee is unable to attend work as a result of precautionary measures taken in line with HSE or Health Protection Surveillance Centre advices.”
Flexible
The WRC said that in such circumstances employers and their employees should engage proactively and work to be as flexible as possible to resolve any issues arising at the level of employment and explore options such as:
*Working from home or other remote working arrangements where feasible and practical;
* Working from an alternative location where feasible and practical;
* Agreement to work back the hours/days lost;
* Alternative opening days on a day where the business is normally closed;
* The taking of leave to avoid employee loss of earnings.
The WRC said in situations where a business’s ability to provide work to its employees is impacted, an employer may put employees on a period of “layoff”. Periods of layoff are unpaid. There are a number of social welfare payments that employees may potentially be entitled to, it said.


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--Nursing home residents had ‘long periods with little or no interaction’

Residents of a Cork nursing home which outsources its activities programme had “ long periods with little or no interaction ” when nothing was available to do , an inspection of the premises found .
Bandon Community Hospital , which cares for 25 people , was found not to be in compliance with nine regulations when inspectors visited last December .
Their report said the diningroom and quiet visitors ’ room were “ almost devoid of décor and had a clinical appearance ” while the hairdresser ’ s “ was a room with a toilet , and a sink with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hair ” .
“ While there was an activities programme in place , responsibility for this was outsourced , consequently , when these activity staff were unavailable , there was no alternative proposed , ” it found .
“ Residents had long periods with little or no interaction to enhance their quality of life.
” Several risks relating to fire safety were also found , although the inspectors noted residents were very complimentary of the care they received from staff .
Midleton Community Hospital , a 53-bed facility predominantly for the care of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found many residents were eating meals by their beds , unable to avail of the social engagement of shared dining .
“ Storage space provided in the bedrooms was not sufficient , ” the report noted .
“ In addition , photographs and personal items of interest were often seen cluttering up the top of lockers and vying for space with residents ’ drinks and skin creams.
” A lack of storage space led to a small sittingroom being used to store 11 wheelchairs .
“ Midleton Community Hospital has a history of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of years , ” the report said .
Although management of the centre had been strengthened , a “ key concern ” to inspectors was that the entire senior nurse management structure was based on temporary appointments .
Nonetheless , residents said they were happy , noted a range of activities and the close proximity to the town .
Cobh Community Hospital was found to be non-compliant with 10 regulations .
Among the concerns was that there was two separate fire detection and alarm systems in different parts of the centre .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not interconnected with each other which means that if the alarm was activated in one part of the centre , the alarm was not raised in the other part , ” the report noted .
“ Staff relied on phones to alert staff in the other part of the centre if a fire occurred.
” Inspectors were not assured that adequate means of escape was available from all areas of the building , it said .
The facility is run by a voluntary board of management as well as staff and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all caring for 44 older adults .
Residents said they were happy and described a “ lovely convivial atmosphere ” at dinner and tea time .

Bandon Community Hospital, which cares for 25 people, was found not to be in compliance with nine regulations when inspectors visited last December. Photograph: Friends of Bandon Community Hospital/Facebook
Residents of a Cork nursing home which outsources its activities programme had “long periods with little or no interaction” when nothing was available to do, an inspection of the premises found.
Bandon Community Hospital, which cares for 25 people, was found not to be in compliance with nine regulations when inspectors visited last December.
Their report said the diningroom and quiet visitors’ room were “almost devoid of décor and had a clinical appearance” while the hairdresser’s “was a room with a toilet, and a sink with an attachment for washing someone’s hair”.
“While there was an activities programme in place, responsibility for this was outsourced, consequently, when these activity staff were unavailable, there was no alternative proposed,” it found.
READ MORE
“Residents had long periods with little or no interaction to enhance their quality of life.”
Several risks relating to fire safety were also found, although the inspectors noted residents were very complimentary of the care they received from staff.
Midleton Community Hospital, a 53-bed facility predominantly for the care of older people, was criticised when inspectors found many residents were eating meals by their beds, unable to avail of the social engagement of shared dining.
“Storage space provided in the bedrooms was not sufficient,” the report noted. “In addition, photographs and personal items of interest were often seen cluttering up the top of lockers and vying for space with residents’ drinks and skin creams.”
A lack of storage space led to a small sittingroom being used to store 11 wheelchairs.
“Midleton Community Hospital has a history of significant regulatory non-compliance dating back over a number of years,” the report said.
Although management of the centre had been strengthened, a “key concern” to inspectors was that the entire senior nurse management structure was based on temporary appointments.
Nonetheless, residents said they were happy, noted a range of activities and the close proximity to the town.
Cobh Community Hospital was found to be non-compliant with 10 regulations. Among the concerns was that there was two separate fire detection and alarm systems in different parts of the centre.
“The alarm panels and alarm bells were not interconnected with each other which means that if the alarm was activated in one part of the centre, the alarm was not raised in the other part,” the report noted. “Staff relied on phones to alert staff in the other part of the centre if a fire occurred.”
Inspectors were not assured that adequate means of escape was available from all areas of the building, it said.
The facility is run by a voluntary board of management as well as staff and “large cohort” of community volunteers, all caring for 44 older adults. Residents said they were happy and described a “lovely convivial atmosphere” at dinner and tea time.


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--UK coronavirus measures will be used in North if necessary – health board

Emergency measures outlined by the UK government on Tuesday to tackle the spread of coronavirus will be implemented in Northern Ireland if necessary , the North ’ s Health and Social Board has confirmed .
These could include school closures and the cancellation of large-scale gatherings such as sporting events .
But the chief medical officer , Dr Michael McBride , told The Irish Times that plans would be “ flexible ” to allow health services to respond quickly to any eventuality .
Any such decisions would be taken on a case-by-case basis and according to the scientific evidence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be , for instance , there ’ s a difference between the timing of the introduction of those methods in different parts of the United Kingdom at different times depending on what the picture is like because .
.
.
the situation in Northern Ireland may be somewhat behind the situation in other parts of the UK , ” he said .
A total of 151 tests for coronavirus have now been carried out in Northern Ireland .
There has been one positive result , in a woman who had recently returned from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officials outlined details of Northern Ireland ’ s contingency planning at a briefing in Belfast on Tuesday .
He said Northern Ireland was still at the “ containment ” phase and efforts were being made to delay or prevent widespread “ community transmission ” between individuals .
It is estimated that about 99 per cent of people who are affected will make a full recovery , he said , with 95 per cent suffering mild to moderate symptoms which will not require hospital treatment .
Testing facilities have been put in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health trust areas , which include specialist pods , separate and designated areas in existing buildings , and drive-through testing .
Areas have also been identified in hospitals where a number of coronavirus patients can be kept in isolation .
Dr Miriam McCarthy , director of commissioning at the Health and Social Care Board , said patients with the virus would be treated in an isolation facility in a single room with “ negative pressure ” which would prevent air from the room mixing with other parts of the hospital and potentially infecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be the case when we are managing small numbers , ” she said .
One hundred critical care beds are available in Northern Ireland , and more beds could be added and wards set aside if necessary .
“ We are working to ensure that we protect the critical care capacity for the sickest people , ” said Dr McCarthy .
“ We may need every bit of that capacity to deal with people infected by the virus.
” Routine hospital appointments and surgeries could also be postponed , and plans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with reduced levels of healthcare staff as a result of coronavirus .
Dr McBride said he believed it would be “ disproportionate ” to cancel mass gatherings , including sporting events , and to close schools .
“ There ’ s absolutely no indication to take any of those steps at this point in time , ” he said .
“ The only circumstances at this moment in time where a school should be closed is on the advice of public health agency colleagues and only in a circumstance where there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said health authorities in Northern Ireland were working “ hand in hand ” with colleagues in the Republic of Ireland and the rest of the UK , and he was in “ regular contact ” with his counterpart in the Republic , Dr Tony Holohan .
“ We ’ ve had regular conference calls , we ’ re sharing information the HSE , public health agency colleagues here are working day and daily sharing information , that ’ s how it should be .
“ That ’ s what the public expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to challenges such as these , we need to respond as one community .
”

Chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride: ‘It may well be, for instance, there’s a difference between the timing of the introduction of those methods in different parts of the United Kingdom at different times.’ Photograph: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press
Emergency measures outlined by the UK government on Tuesday to tackle the spread of coronavirus will be implemented in Northern Ireland if necessary, the North's Health and Social Board has confirmed.
These could include school closures and the cancellation of large-scale gatherings such as sporting events.
But the chief medical officer, Dr Michael McBride, told The Irish Times that plans would be “flexible” to allow health services to respond quickly to any eventuality. Any such decisions would be taken on a case-by-case basis and according to the scientific evidence, he said.
"It may well be, for instance, there's a difference between the timing of the introduction of those methods in different parts of the United Kingdom at different times depending on what the picture is like because . . . the situation in Northern Ireland may be somewhat behind the situation in other parts of the UK," he said.
READ MORE
A total of 151 tests for coronavirus have now been carried out in Northern Ireland. There has been one positive result, in a woman who had recently returned from northern Italy.
Testing facilities
Dr McBride and other health officials outlined details of Northern Ireland's contingency planning at a briefing in Belfast on Tuesday.
He said Northern Ireland was still at the “containment” phase and efforts were being made to delay or prevent widespread “community transmission” between individuals.
It is estimated that about 99 per cent of people who are affected will make a full recovery, he said, with 95 per cent suffering mild to moderate symptoms which will not require hospital treatment.
Testing facilities have been put in place in each of the North’s health trust areas, which include specialist pods, separate and designated areas in existing buildings, and drive-through testing.
Areas have also been identified in hospitals where a number of coronavirus patients can be kept in isolation.
Dr Miriam McCarthy, director of commissioning at the Health and Social Care Board, said patients with the virus would be treated in an isolation facility in a single room with “negative pressure” which would prevent air from the room mixing with other parts of the hospital and potentially infecting other patients.
“That will continue to be the case when we are managing small numbers,” she said.
One hundred critical care beds are available in Northern Ireland, and more beds could be added and wards set aside if necessary.
“We are working to ensure that we protect the critical care capacity for the sickest people,” said Dr McCarthy. “We may need every bit of that capacity to deal with people infected by the virus.”
Conference calls
Routine hospital appointments and surgeries could also be postponed, and plans are also being put in place to cope with reduced levels of healthcare staff as a result of coronavirus.
Dr McBride said he believed it would be “disproportionate” to cancel mass gatherings, including sporting events, and to close schools.
“There’s absolutely no indication to take any of those steps at this point in time,” he said.
“The only circumstances at this moment in time where a school should be closed is on the advice of public health agency colleagues and only in a circumstance where there’s a confirmed case in a school.”
He said health authorities in Northern Ireland were working "hand in hand" with colleagues in the Republic of Ireland and the rest of the UK, and he was in "regular contact" with his counterpart in the Republic, Dr Tony Holohan.
“We’ve had regular conference calls, we’re sharing information the HSE, public health agency colleagues here are working day and daily sharing information, that’s how it should be.
“That’s what the public expect,” he said. “When it comes to challenges such as these, we need to respond as one community.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--Ailesbury Road residents challenge fast-track planning laws

Three residents of Ailesbury Road , in Ballsbridge , Dublin , are challenging the constitutionality of the strategic housing development system , which allows for the fast-tracking of major residential projects .
Businessmen Chris Comerford and John Gleeson , and Pat Desmond , wife of the billionaire businessman Dermot Desmond , are challenging a system they say is not solving the housing crisis but is “ creating even more problems that will impact all of us for generations to come ” .
The strategic housing process lacks transparency and excludes public participation , they said in a statement .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is over-reliant on , and controlled by institutional investors , generations that will be locked into long-term rent servitude to international private equity and property funds , and a future pension crisis where the State will have to continue to subsidise rents as a result ” .
In October , An Bord Pleanála gave approval for a 611-apartment development in Donnybrook to be processed through the fast-track planning process .
The proposed development , by Cairn Homes , is on land bought from RTÉ for €107.5 million which extends to the back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning application has not been lodged for the project .
The High Court action which is being taken by the three Ailesbury Road residents is not aimed at the Cairn decision but at the legislation generally .
“ We are challenging the legality of the Strategic Housing Development legislation , the impact of which will not just have a detrimental effect on our homes but also on many communities around the country , ” the plaintiffs said .
They said they believed the scheme was undemocratic and unconstitutional and “ wrong at every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The strategic housing process , which is designed to assist the fast-tracking of projects involving 100 homes or more , or blocks of 200 student or co-living spaces , was commenced in June 2017 by Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy .
It allows for the bypassing of the local authority planning phase .
Statistics issued late last year by An Bord Pleanála showed that permission was granted under the system for 44 proposed developments , involving 10,564 houses and apartments , and 3,094 student bed spaces , in the first three quarters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement , said current housing and planning policy was flawed .
“ Instead of delivering appropriate and sustainable housing for families , first-time buyers and downsizers , it favours build-to-rent schemes and development types that attract investment funds and financial market speculators .
This housing model is not suitable for building sustainable communities.
” The system operated outside a normal democratic planning governance framework that was subject to checks and balances , transparency and accountability , they said .
“ The right for us , the public , to participate in the process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to appeal against the planning decision , has been removed.
” The plaintiffs said that , by promoting high-density , high-yield apartment developments , mostly at the top end of the market , and in particular by favouring the build-to-rent sector , the law has attracted institutional investors into the housing market looking for high returns on rental income for their shareholders .
“ It has effectively commoditised housing , basing its value on its yield versus other financial assets , rather than its affordability to tenants and potential owner occupiers.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent of the 3,644 apartments completed last year were bought by investment funds and were therefore not available to home buyers , they said .
The process “ is creating windfall profits for land owners , developers and institutional investors , outside the established process for public participation and accountability .
”

The proposed development, by Cairn Homes, is on land bought from RTÉ for €107.5m which extends to the back of houses on Ailesbury Road. File photograph: Cyril Byrne
Three residents of Ailesbury Road, in Ballsbridge, Dublin, are challenging the constitutionality of the strategic housing development system, which allows for the fast-tracking of major residential projects.
Businessmen Chris Comerford and John Gleeson, and Pat Desmond, wife of the billionaire businessman Dermot Desmond, are challenging a system they say is not solving the housing crisis but is "creating even more problems that will impact all of us for generations to come".
The strategic housing process lacks transparency and excludes public participation, they said in a statement.
It is contributing to “a housing system that is over-reliant on, and controlled by institutional investors, generations that will be locked into long-term rent servitude to international private equity and property funds, and a future pension crisis where the State will have to continue to subsidise rents as a result”.
READ MORE
In October, An Bord Pleanála gave approval for a 611-apartment development in Donnybrook to be processed through the fast-track planning process.
The proposed development, by Cairn Homes, is on land bought from RTÉ for €107.5 million which extends to the back of houses on Ailesbury Road. A planning application has not been lodged for the project.
The High Court action which is being taken by the three Ailesbury Road residents is not aimed at the Cairn decision but at the legislation generally.
“We are challenging the legality of the Strategic Housing Development legislation, the impact of which will not just have a detrimental effect on our homes but also on many communities around the country,” the plaintiffs said.
They said they believed the scheme was undemocratic and unconstitutional and “wrong at every level for all of us”.
The strategic housing process, which is designed to assist the fast-tracking of projects involving 100 homes or more, or blocks of 200 student or co-living spaces, was commenced in June 2017 by Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy. It allows for the bypassing of the local authority planning phase.
Statistics issued late last year by An Bord Pleanála showed that permission was granted under the system for 44 proposed developments, involving 10,564 houses and apartments, and 3,094 student bed spaces, in the first three quarters of 2019.
‘Not suitable’
The plaintiffs, in their statement, said current housing and planning policy was flawed.
“Instead of delivering appropriate and sustainable housing for families, first-time buyers and downsizers, it favours build-to-rent schemes and development types that attract investment funds and financial market speculators. This housing model is not suitable for building sustainable communities.”
The system operated outside a normal democratic planning governance framework that was subject to checks and balances, transparency and accountability, they said.
“The right for us, the public, to participate in the process in any meaningful way, and the right to appeal against the planning decision, has been removed.”
The plaintiffs said that, by promoting high-density, high-yield apartment developments, mostly at the top end of the market, and in particular by favouring the build-to-rent sector, the law has attracted institutional investors into the housing market looking for high returns on rental income for their shareholders.
“It has effectively commoditised housing, basing its value on its yield versus other financial assets, rather than its affordability to tenants and potential owner occupiers.”
According to a recent report, 95 per cent of the 3,644 apartments completed last year were bought by investment funds and were therefore not available to home buyers, they said.
The process “is creating windfall profits for land owners, developers and institutional investors, outside the established process for public participation and accountability.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--Farmer ‘haunted’ after seeing marksmen shoot his cattle

The High Court has been asked to extend by up to 10 years the bankruptcy of a Co Monaghan farmer whose cattle were shot by members of the Defence Forces nearly four years ago .
John Hoey , from Carrickmacross , opposes the application and told the court he remains “ haunted ” after witnessing the shooting of his cattle in July 2016 .
Mr Hoey was declared bankrupt in February 2016 on foot of a petition brought by John Kelly Fuels Ltd for €262,000 .
He was due to exit the process 12 months later but the official bankruptcy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cooperate with the process , and he has asked the High Court to extend the farmer ’ s bankruptcy .
Mr Lehane claims that Mr Hoey has failed to co-operate by failing to provide a statement of affairs detailing all of his assets .
He claims that in attempting to recover Mr Hoey ’ s assets he has had to take various steps including issuing several warrants in 2016 allowing him to search a number of locations and seize items including farm machinery and vehicles belonging to Mr Hoey .
Mr Lehane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , totalling €17,000 that was detected by sniffer dogs , was recovered following searches of Mr Hoey ’ s property .
The court also heard that Mr Lehane obtained freezing orders in respect of monies paid by cheques from a meat processor to Mr Hoey , and had to take steps using army marksmen to humanely destroy five cattle on Mr Hoey ’ s farm .
Mr Lehane said at the time that most of the herd was removed from the farm but five animals proved difficult to catch .
Mr Hoey denies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did furnish Mr Lehane with a statement of affairs .
He says that between the date of his bankruptcy adjudication in February 2016 and May 2016 everything that he had worked for over 35 was “ literally wiped out and destroyed ” by Mr Lehane and his agents who he described as “ a band of rented thugs ” .
He said he was bullied and intimidated by an agent of the trustee .
He rejects claims that his cattle were put down humanely .
He says he could have been contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they were shot without warning to him .
Mr Hoey also claims that assets in his estates have been sold at an undervalue , and that his reputation has been damaged by the trustee and his agent ’ s actions .
As part of the application Mr Hoey ’ s lawyers are cross-examining Mr Lehane on his attempt to extend the bankruptcy .
In reply to Mr Hoey ’ s counsel , Eanna Mulloy , Mr Lehane said he had attended Mr Hoey ’ s farm after the bankruptcy adjudication with members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Emergency Response Unit , but had done so on the advice of the force .
He accepted that then and on other subsequent occasions he attended at the farm he had not felt threatened by Mr Hoey .

The High Court has been asked to extend by up to 10 years the bankruptcy of a Co Monaghan farmer whose cattle were shot by members of the Defence Forces nearly four years ago. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times.
The High Court has been asked to extend by up to 10 years the bankruptcy of a Co Monaghan farmer whose cattle were shot by members of the Defence Forces nearly four years ago.
John Hoey, from Carrickmacross, opposes the application and told the court he remains “haunted” after witnessing the shooting of his cattle in July 2016.
Mr Hoey was declared bankrupt in February 2016 on foot of a petition brought by John Kelly Fuels Ltd for €262,000.
He was due to exit the process 12 months later but the official bankruptcy trustee Chris Lehane claims Mr Hoey failed to cooperate with the process, and he has asked the High Court to extend the farmer’s bankruptcy.
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Mr Lehane claims that Mr Hoey has failed to co-operate by failing to provide a statement of affairs detailing all of his assets. He claims that in attempting to recover Mr Hoey’s assets he has had to take various steps including issuing several warrants in 2016 allowing him to search a number of locations and seize items including farm machinery and vehicles belonging to Mr Hoey.
Mr Lehane said that on two separate occasions cash, totalling €17,000 that was detected by sniffer dogs, was recovered following searches of Mr Hoey’s property.
The court also heard that Mr Lehane obtained freezing orders in respect of monies paid by cheques from a meat processor to Mr Hoey, and had to take steps using army marksmen to humanely destroy five cattle on Mr Hoey’s farm.
Difficult to catch
Mr Lehane said at the time that most of the herd was removed from the farm but five animals proved difficult to catch.
Mr Hoey denies not co-operating with the trustee and says he did furnish Mr Lehane with a statement of affairs. He says that between the date of his bankruptcy adjudication in February 2016 and May 2016 everything that he had worked for over 35 was “literally wiped out and destroyed” by Mr Lehane and his agents who he described as “a band of rented thugs”.
He said he was bullied and intimidated by an agent of the trustee. He rejects claims that his cattle were put down humanely. He says he could have been contacted to remove them from the land and that they were shot without warning to him.
Mr Hoey also claims that assets in his estates have been sold at an undervalue, and that his reputation has been damaged by the trustee and his agent’s actions.
As part of the application Mr Hoey’s lawyers are cross-examining Mr Lehane on his attempt to extend the bankruptcy.
In reply to Mr Hoey’s counsel, Eanna Mulloy, Mr Lehane said he had attended Mr Hoey’s farm after the bankruptcy adjudication with members of the Garda, including some from the Emergency Response Unit, but had done so on the advice of the force. He accepted that then and on other subsequent occasions he attended at the farm he had not felt threatened by Mr Hoey.
The case continues.


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--Woman denies confusing consensual sex with rape

A woman who was allegedly raped by three Dublin teenagers has rejected a suggestion from lawyers for one of the accused that she confused consensual sex for rape .
The three men , who are now in their early 20s and can not be named for legal reasons , have pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to raping a woman at Bull Island , Dollymount , Dublin , on January 5th , 2016 .
The trial has heard that the then 18-year-old woman was allegedly driven to Dollymount Strand , raped by three men in turn and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The three men were all teenagers at the time of the alleged offences .
Under cross-examination on Tuesday , the woman told Caroline Biggs SC , defending one of the men , that in 2011 she made an allegation of sexual assault against another teenager .
She said she was in a care home at the time and was aged around 12 or 13 .
She agreed that on April 22nd , 2011 she texted this man , who was older than her , and told him “ right , if you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wait , not my fault , the staff see you out ” .
She told Ms Biggs that this was meant he can have sex but would have to wait .
She said that two nights earlier she met the man outside the care home .
She said he then raped her and that she was not consenting to sex with him at the time .
She told the jury that she did not report the rape to another teenage girl she knew in the home because she was afraid .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if I am saying someone raped me .
That day I was moved out of that care home ‘ cos ( sic ) I was at risk , I was afraid , ” she said .
Closing her cross-examination , which began on February 21st , Ms Biggs put it to the witness that the 2011 incident was not rape and that her client also did not rape her .
Ms Biggs put it to the woman that “ you have confused rape with consensual sex ” .
The complainant replied “ no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raped ” .
The trial continues before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury .

A woman who was allegedly raped by three Dublin teenagers has rejected a suggestion from lawyers for one of the accused that she confused consensual sex for rape.
A woman who was allegedly raped by three Dublin teenagers has rejected a suggestion from lawyers for one of the accused that she confused consensual sex for rape.
The three men, who are now in their early 20s and cannot be named for legal reasons, have pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to raping a woman at Bull Island, Dollymount, Dublin, on January 5th, 2016.
The trial has heard that the then 18-year-old woman was allegedly driven to Dollymount Strand, raped by three men in turn and then left in the middle of nowhere. The three men were all teenagers at the time of the alleged offences.
Under cross-examination on Tuesday, the woman told Caroline Biggs SC, defending one of the men, that in 2011 she made an allegation of sexual assault against another teenager.
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She said she was in a care home at the time and was aged around 12 or 13.
She agreed that on April 22nd, 2011 she texted this man, who was older than her, and told him “right, if you want your hole, you’ll have to wait, not my fault, the staff see you out”.
She told Ms Biggs that this was meant he can have sex but would have to wait. She said that two nights earlier she met the man outside the care home. She said he then raped her and that she was not consenting to sex with him at the time.
She told the jury that she did not report the rape to another teenage girl she knew in the home because she was afraid.
“Obviously I am going to be afraid if I am saying someone raped me. That day I was moved out of that care home ‘cos (sic) I was at risk, I was afraid,” she said.
Closing her cross-examination, which began on February 21st , Ms Biggs put it to the witness that the 2011 incident was not rape and that her client also did not rape her.
Ms Biggs put it to the woman that “you have confused rape with consensual sex”.
The complainant replied “no, he raped me, I was raped”.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury.


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--Court case adjourned in Kerry due to ‘suspected’ coronavirus

A case was adjourned at Killarney District Court on Tuesday because the accused is “ suspected ” of having corona virus and is in isolation .
Daniel O ’ Sullivan ( 20 ) , of Fertha Drive , Cahersiveen , is facing two charges under the Public Order Act - breaching the peace and drunkenness - in relation to an incident on High Street , Killarney on December 7th last .
When the case was called early on Tuesday morning , the accused was not in court .
Defence solicitor Padraig O ’ Connell was asked by Judge David Waters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said there was not .
A bench warrant was issued .
However , some hours later Mr O ’ Connell returned to court and said he wished to advise that Mr O ’ Sullivan was unable to attend because he was suspected of having coronavirus and was being kept isolated .
Judge Waters said that he had wondered when a suspected coronavirus case would come up in his court .
The judge said that Mr O ’ Connell was getting first prize as it was the first time the virus was mentioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , the judge also warned of the danger that could arise from a one-to-one consultation .
If the solicitor planned such a consultation with the accused he would be banned from the courts for up to 21 days , the judge told Mr O ’ Connell , who is one of the busiest solicitors in Kerry .
Judge Waters granted an adjournment to June 2nd and Mr O ’ Sullivan was remanded on continuing bail .

A case was adjourned at Killarney District Court on Tuesday because the accused is ‘suspected’ of having corona virus and is in isolation.
A case was adjourned at Killarney District Court on Tuesday because the accused is “suspected” of having corona virus and is in isolation.
Daniel O’Sullivan (20), of Fertha Drive, Cahersiveen, is facing two charges under the Public Order Act - breaching the peace and drunkenness - in relation to an incident on High Street, Killarney on December 7th last.
When the case was called early on Tuesday morning, the accused was not in court. Defence solicitor Padraig O’Connell was asked by Judge David Waters if there was a medical certificate and he said there was not. A bench warrant was issued.
However, some hours later Mr O’Connell returned to court and said he wished to advise that Mr O’Sullivan was unable to attend because he was suspected of having coronavirus and was being kept isolated.
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Judge Waters said that he had wondered when a suspected coronavirus case would come up in his court.
The judge said that Mr O’Connell was getting first prize as it was the first time the virus was mentioned in a court in the Kerry district. However, the judge also warned of the danger that could arise from a one-to-one consultation.
If the solicitor planned such a consultation with the accused he would be banned from the courts for up to 21 days, the judge told Mr O’Connell, who is one of the busiest solicitors in Kerry.
Judge Waters granted an adjournment to June 2nd and Mr O’Sullivan was remanded on continuing bail.


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--Coronavirus: Universities plan online classes and exams in case of campus closures

Universities are drawing up contingency plans which include delivering classes to students online , and conducting exams over the internet in response to the coronavirus threat .
At Trinity College Dublin the possibility of organising exams online is being explored in the event of limits being placed on public gatherings above a certain size .
A spokeswoman for the university said it has up to 2,500 students sitting exams at any one time in large venues such as the RDS , and it was prudent to explore alternatives .
It is also contingency planning for the impact of a potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an email to staff on Tuesday evening , University College Dublin ( UCD ) president Andrew Deeks said its contingency planning involves lecturers being asked to maximise the use of online methods to deliver lectures and tutorials to support off-campus study .
In addition , the plans involve drawing up alternatives to mid-term exams , such as replacing them with work that can be submitted over a period of time , online assessment or `` open book '' exams .
He also told staff that the university needs to be able to prepare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students or staff on campus .
`` Currently Chinese universities are operating ‘ normally ’ , but without anyone attending campus , '' he said , in the email .
`` We need to be able to do the same thing if necessary , but we also need to be able to deal with situations where individuals or small groups of students or employees need to self-isolate while the campus remains operational . ''
University of Limerick is also drawing up plans to deliver classes to students online in the event the campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus .
One sources said there was also concern about the impact on international student recruitment , which is a vital source of revenue for third-level institutions .
University College Dublin is currently providing “ online learning options ” to students who were unable to travel to China for specific course modules due to travel advice .
A spokeswoman said the university “ has a contingency team that meets regularly , and the scope of its planning and response is adjusted as the level of risk changes ” .
Similarly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up contingency plans to ensure continuity in the event of disruption to the campus or its exams .
These were due to be finalised next week .
“ Any decision to curtail activities on campus would be taken following a careful risk assessment and dialogue with the HSE , ” a spokesman said .
One university source , speaking on condition of anonymity , said it was considering “ no-handshake ” graduation ceremonies in a bid to limit the threat posed by the virus .
Many secondary schools are also exploring options to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Clive Byrne , director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals , said some were planning to use online platforms – such as Schoology – to provide classes or assignments for students in case of closure .
Under official Department of Education guidance , schools that close due to “ prolonged unforeseen ” circumstances are required to make up any time lost .
This , it says , can be done by prioritising tuition over other non-tuition activities , reducing the length of mock or house exams or ensuring exam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of May .
One Dublin secondary school with more than 400 students has closed for two weeks to prevent the spread of the virus after the first case in the State was confirmed over the weekend The HSE , meanwhile , met parents of students at the school following the confirmation .
Students have been asked to limit their social interactions and not to attend social gatherings , while parents are being sent text messages daily to check on symptoms so there can be immediate action and follow-up if necessary .

A spokeswoman for Trinity College Dublin said it had up to 2,500 students sitting exams at any one time in large venues such as the RDS. Photograph: Getty Images
Universities are drawing up contingency plans which include delivering classes to students online, and conducting exams over the internet in response to the coronavirus threat.
At Trinity College Dublin the possibility of organising exams online is being explored in the event of limits being placed on public gatherings above a certain size.
A spokeswoman for the university said it has up to 2,500 students sitting exams at any one time in large venues such as the RDS, and it was prudent to explore alternatives. It is also contingency planning for the impact of a potential outbreak in its campus accommodation.
In an email to staff on Tuesday evening, University College Dublin (UCD) president Andrew Deeks said its contingency planning involves lecturers being asked to maximise the use of online methods to deliver lectures and tutorials to support off-campus study.
In addition, the plans involve drawing up alternatives to mid-term exams, such as replacing them with work that can be submitted over a period of time, online assessment or "open book" exams.
He also told staff that the university needs to be able to prepare for the potential likelihood of operating without students or staff on campus.
"Currently Chinese universities are operating ‘normally’, but without anyone attending campus," he said, in the email. "We need to be able to do the same thing if necessary, but we also need to be able to deal with situations where individuals or small groups of students or employees need to self-isolate while the campus remains operational."
READ MORE
University of Limerick is also drawing up plans to deliver classes to students online in the event the campus has to close due to the spread of the virus.
One sources said there was also concern about the impact on international student recruitment, which is a vital source of revenue for third-level institutions.
University College Dublin is currently providing "online learning options" to students who were unable to travel to China for specific course modules due to travel advice.
A spokeswoman said the university “has a contingency team that meets regularly, and the scope of its planning and response is adjusted as the level of risk changes”.
Similarly, Dublin City University said it was drawing up contingency plans to ensure continuity in the event of disruption to the campus or its exams. These were due to be finalised next week.
“Any decision to curtail activities on campus would be taken following a careful risk assessment and dialogue with the HSE,” a spokesman said.
One university source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was considering “no-handshake” graduation ceremonies in a bid to limit the threat posed by the virus.
Homework
Many secondary schools are also exploring options to provide classes or homework for students online.
Clive Byrne, director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, said some were planning to use online platforms – such as Schoology – to provide classes or assignments for students in case of closure.
Under official Department of Education guidance, schools that close due to “prolonged unforeseen” circumstances are required to make up any time lost.
This, it says, can be done by prioritising tuition over other non-tuition activities, reducing the length of mock or house exams or ensuring exam candidates attend all classes to the end of May.
One Dublin secondary school with more than 400 students has closed for two weeks to prevent the spread of the virus after the first case in the State was confirmed over the weekend
The HSE, meanwhile, met parents of students at the school following the confirmation. Students have been asked to limit their social interactions and not to attend social gatherings, while parents are being sent text messages daily to check on symptoms so there can be immediate action and follow-up if necessary.


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--Murder accused ‘slapped’ by 7ft 5in man he allegedly killed

A 7ft 5in man who was allegedly murdered at a house in Co Kerry had slapped the accused prior to him being found with serious injuries at a drinking session , the Central Criminal Court has heard .
Dimitry Hrynkevich ( 24 ) , who moved to Killarney in 2002 from Russia , sustained serious injuries to his head and body in a house at Killeen Woods , Tralee , on September 30th , 2015 .
He died two days later at University Hospital Kerry .
Arnoldas Ivanauskas ( 33 ) , a Lithuanian national with an address at The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hrynkevich .
The trial , sitting before a jury in Limerick , heard that Mr Ivanauskas allegedly acted with another man , not before the courts , in a joint enterprise to murder him .
Niall O ’ Connell , a native of Dawson ’ s Avenue , Killarney , who lived at the house in Killeen Woods , told the court the accused , the deceased and another man were “ knocking back ” gin and drinking beer in the property .
Mr O ’ Connell said Mr Hrynkevich became “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the accused .
“ It was an aggressive slap .
It ’ s not an uncommon thing to do , that if someone hits you a slap , you retaliate , ” he said .
He said the accused then “ got aggressive ” and he and Mr Hrynkevich started to fight and “ ended up in the kitchen ” .
Mr O ’ Connell said he “ heard banging and slapping ” but he remained in the front room .
He said Mr Ivanauskas came back to the front room and kicked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then retired to his own bedroom upstairs and “ locked ” the door .
Mr O ’ Connell said he phoned the emergency services from his room because someone was banging on his door , and said he had seen people “ going through the building with knives ” .
When he eventually left his room , he found Mr Hrynkevich lying on his back outside the front of the house with his neck resting on a step .
Mr O ’ Connell said he was still breathing but his neck looked like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witness said the accused and the other man “ were gone ” .
Under cross examination from Mark Nicholas , counsel for the accused , Mr O ’ Connell said he made a complaint about the deceased to the manager of the building , claiming he had stolen his wallet containing €90 .
The court has heard that the deceased has an “ underlying medical condition ” called Marfan Syndrome , which can cause “ elongated ” limbs .
Prosecution counsel Roisin Lacey said those with the condition “ have a tendency to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his teens , Mr Hrynkevich had surgery to replace “ an aortic valve ” in his heart .
A postmortem concluded the valve was in proper working condition at the time he died .
The cause of death was recorded as a lack of oxygen to the brain from a heart attack due to Marfan Syndrome , along with contributory causes including blunt force trauma to the head .
Mr Hrynkevich sustained bleeds to his brain , fractures to the left side of his skull and cheekbone , a vertical fracture to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abrasions to his lips , chin , neck and body .

Dimitri Hrynkevich (24) (left) died in October 2015 after an incident at a house in Kileen Woods, Tralee, Co Kerry.
A 7ft 5in man who was allegedly murdered at a house in Co Kerry had slapped the accused prior to him being found with serious injuries at a drinking session, the Central Criminal Court has heard.
Dimitry Hrynkevich (24), who moved to Killarney in 2002 from Russia, sustained serious injuries to his head and body in a house at Killeen Woods, Tralee, on September 30th, 2015. He died two days later at University Hospital Kerry.
Arnoldas Ivanauskas (33), a Lithuanian national with an address at The Parklands, Tralee, denies murdering Mr Hrynkevich. The trial, sitting before a jury in Limerick, heard that Mr Ivanauskas allegedly acted with another man, not before the courts, in a joint enterprise to murder him.
Niall O’Connell, a native of Dawson’s Avenue, Killarney, who lived at the house in Killeen Woods, told the court the accused, the deceased and another man were “knocking back” gin and drinking beer in the property. Mr O’Connell said Mr Hrynkevich became “a bit loud” and “hit” the accused.
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“It was an aggressive slap. It’s not an uncommon thing to do, that if someone hits you a slap, you retaliate,” he said.
He said the accused then “got aggressive” and he and Mr Hrynkevich started to fight and “ended up in the kitchen”. Mr O’Connell said he “heard banging and slapping” but he remained in the front room.
He said Mr Ivanauskas came back to the front room and kicked him in his face, and he then retired to his own bedroom upstairs and “locked” the door.
Mr O’Connell said he phoned the emergency services from his room because someone was banging on his door, and said he had seen people “going through the building with knives”.
‘Snapped’
When he eventually left his room, he found Mr Hrynkevich lying on his back outside the front of the house with his neck resting on a step. Mr O’Connell said he was still breathing but his neck looked like it was “snapped”. The witness said the accused and the other man “were gone”.
Under cross examination from Mark Nicholas, counsel for the accused, Mr O’Connell said he made a complaint about the deceased to the manager of the building, claiming he had stolen his wallet containing €90.
The court has heard that the deceased has an “underlying medical condition” called Marfan Syndrome, which can cause “elongated” limbs.
Prosecution counsel Roisin Lacey said those with the condition “have a tendency to have cardiac problems” and while in his teens, Mr Hrynkevich had surgery to replace “an aortic valve” in his heart. A postmortem concluded the valve was in proper working condition at the time he died.
The cause of death was recorded as a lack of oxygen to the brain from a heart attack due to Marfan Syndrome, along with contributory causes including blunt force trauma to the head. Mr Hrynkevich sustained bleeds to his brain, fractures to the left side of his skull and cheekbone, a vertical fracture to his Adam’s Apple and bruising and abrasions to his lips, chin, neck and body.
The trial continues.


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--Woman sues over losing full strength of voice after vocal cord surgery

A woman who lost the full strength of her voice after an operation on her vocal cords has sued for damages in the High Court .
Abigail Barnett-Hunt broke down in tears when giving evidence that she can not shout out if there is a danger to her children and that her voice cuts out when she attempts to read them a bedtime story .
She said she now has a low hoarse voice which people comment on all the time .
“ People say ‘ were you out last night ?
’ .
There ’ s no escape , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t sound like me .
My life has changed in ways I never dreamed of , ” she said .
“ It has changed my identity .
This is not my voice .
My voice is my identity .
It took my career away , it has left me on high alert around dangers for my children.
” Ms Barnett-Hunt said she was heartbroken when she was not able to return to her primary school teaching job after having the operation four years ago and that she had to take early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was my passion , teaching .
I loved teaching , particularly the infant classes .
I have been teaching since I was 22-years-old .
It wasn ’ t a job to me , it was an absolute privilege.
” She said that when she signed the consent form before her vocal cord surgery four years ago , the surgeon “ turned to my husband and said ‘ everyman ’ s dream , the quiet wife ” .
Ms Barnett-Hunt ( 40 ) , a mother of three of Ballykeeran Big , Athlone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has sued Peter Gormley , a head and neck surgeon , and the Bon Secours Hospital , Galway as a result of an operation carried out by him at the hospital on May 9th , 2016 to remove polyps on her vocal cords .
It is claimed that Ms Barnett-Hunt suffered injury to her vocal cords and loss of tissue leading to substantial impairment of her voice .
It is further claimed scarring has caused the loss of tissue and loss of vocal cord pliability and that she is left with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard a breach of duty has been admitted in relation to the operation .
Denis McCullough SC , for Ms Bartlett-Hunt , said the lesions on her vocal cords were found to be benign .
He said her vocal cords are unable to meet in the middle to give the natural resonance a voice requires and she is unable to get her vocal cords together to get adequate sound .
In her evidence , Ms Barnett-Hunt said she had to rest her voice for seven days after the operation and was very shocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sound came out .
“ I had practically nothing .
I got such a fright , ” she said .
She said her 12-year-old son has to read to the younger children and her youngest child , a five-year-old daughter , asks her who is going to fix her voice .
“ My children are voicing for me all the time .
It has had a massive impact .
My children speak if somebody comes to the door or when the phone rings .
I can ’ t project over sound .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone.
” Asked about future surgeries , Ms Barnett-Hunt said she would do “ whatever it takes ” to get “ my voice and my life back ” .
The case continues on Wednesday before Mr Justice Kevin Cross .

Abigail Barnett Hunt is pictured at the Four Courts on Tuesday where she is taking a High Court action for damages. Photograph: Collins Courts.
A woman who lost the full strength of her voice after an operation on her vocal cords has sued for damages in the High Court.
Abigail Barnett-Hunt broke down in tears when giving evidence that she cannot shout out if there is a danger to her children and that her voice cuts out when she attempts to read them a bedtime story.
She said she now has a low hoarse voice which people comment on all the time.
“People say ‘were you out last night?’. There’s no escape, people comment all the time. I don’t sound like me. My life has changed in ways I never dreamed of,” she said. “It has changed my identity. This is not my voice. My voice is my identity. It took my career away, it has left me on high alert around dangers for my children.”
READ MORE
Ms Barnett-Hunt said she was heartbroken when she was not able to return to her primary school teaching job after having the operation four years ago and that she had to take early retirement two years ago.
“That was my passion, teaching. I loved teaching, particularly the infant classes. I have been teaching since I was 22-years-old. It wasn’t a job to me, it was an absolute privilege.”
‘Quiet wife’
She said that when she signed the consent form before her vocal cord surgery four years ago, the surgeon “turned to my husband and said ‘everyman’s dream, the quiet wife”.
Ms Barnett-Hunt (40), a mother of three of Ballykeeran Big, Athlone, Co Westmeath, now living in Dublin, has sued Peter Gormley, a head and neck surgeon, and the Bon Secours Hospital, Galway as a result of an operation carried out by him at the hospital on May 9th, 2016 to remove polyps on her vocal cords.
It is claimed that Ms Barnett-Hunt suffered injury to her vocal cords and loss of tissue leading to substantial impairment of her voice. It is further claimed scarring has caused the loss of tissue and loss of vocal cord pliability and that she is left with a breathy and hoarse voice.
The court heard a breach of duty has been admitted in relation to the operation.
Denis McCullough SC, for Ms Bartlett-Hunt, said the lesions on her vocal cords were found to be benign. He said her vocal cords are unable to meet in the middle to give the natural resonance a voice requires and she is unable to get her vocal cords together to get adequate sound.
Rest
In her evidence, Ms Barnett-Hunt said she had to rest her voice for seven days after the operation and was very shocked on the seventh day when very little sound came out.
“I had practically nothing. I got such a fright,” she said.
She said her 12-year-old son has to read to the younger children and her youngest child, a five-year-old daughter, asks her who is going to fix her voice.
“My children are voicing for me all the time. It has had a massive impact. My children speak if somebody comes to the door or when the phone rings. I can’t project over sound. People can’t hear me on the phone.”
Asked about future surgeries, Ms Barnett-Hunt said she would do “whatever it takes” to get “my voice and my life back”.
The case continues on Wednesday before Mr Justice Kevin Cross.


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--Duke and Duchess of Cambridge lay wreath at Garden of Remembrance

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge invoked the historic and sometime painful relationship between Ireland and Britain on Tuesday when they laid a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin .
The inscription on the wreath read : “ May we never forget the lessons of history as we continue to forge a brighter future together.
” The inscription echoed sentiments from Queen Elizabeth II on her state visit to Ireland in 2011 when she spoke at Dublin Castle saying both countries should be “ able to bow to the past , but not be bound by it ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stated purpose of the couple ’ s visit in which they hoped to “ build on the theme of remembrance and reconciliation ” following on from Queen Elizabeth II .
They anticipate that their first visit to Ireland will be one of many especially as the Duke is expected to be become king some day .
The wreath bearers were corporals Anthony Reid and Ciaran McCormick .
The Duke and Duchess paused for a minute ’ s silence at the foot of the Children of Lír sculpture which dominates the garden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fought for Irish freedom and against the British crown in Ireland .
The Duke of Cambridge , who is second-in-line to the throne , previously paid tribute to the Irishmen who served in British uniform when he attended the commemorations in Belgium to remember the Battle of Messines Ridge in 1917 .
There he visited the grave of nationalist Major Willie Redmond MP who was rescued from the battlefield by a loyalist stretch bearer Private John Meekes .
Redmond later died of his wounds .
The Duke and Duchess were warmly greeted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parnell Square .
They stopped to acknowledge the crowd before entering the garden .
Some had come directly to see the couple ; others were just passers-by .
The 15-minute ceremony began with the playing of the UK national anthem followed by the wreath-laying service .
A minute ’ s silence was observed followed by the pipers ’ lament and the Last Post .
The ceremony concluded with the raising of the tricolour , reveille and the national anthem .
The honour guard was provided by the Cadet School at the military college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Captain John Carpenter , provided the music .
Spectators were able to choose the best vantage points as the timing of the event was not publicised in advance and the crowds were not huge .
Hilary Graham from Monaghan did make the trip in anticipation that they would be there .
“ It was a very dignified service .
I think they will make a perfect future king and queen of England , ” she said .
Helena Duffy said : “ I really wanted to see them .
Luckily I got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lovely people .
They are very involved in the community .
We should make them feel as welcome as possible .
”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge lay a wreath during a visit to the Garden of Remembrance, in Dublin on Tuesday. Photograph: Chris Jackson/PA Wire
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge invoked the historic and sometime painful relationship between Ireland and Britain on Tuesday when they laid a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin.
The inscription on the wreath read: “May we never forget the lessons of history as we continue to forge a brighter future together.”
The inscription echoed sentiments from Queen Elizabeth II on her state visit to Ireland in 2011 when she spoke at Dublin Castle saying both countries should be "able to bow to the past, but not be bound by it".
Prince William after his meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Government Buildings in Dublin. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
It was also in keeping with the stated purpose of the couple’s visit in which they hoped to “build on the theme of remembrance and reconciliation” following on from Queen Elizabeth II.
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They anticipate that their first visit to Ireland will be one of many especially as the Duke is expected to be become king some day.
The wreath bearers were corporals Anthony Reid and Ciaran McCormick. The Duke and Duchess paused for a minute's silence at the foot of the Children of Lír sculpture which dominates the garden.
The Garden of Remembrance remembers those who fought for Irish freedom and against the British crown in Ireland.
The Duke of Cambridge, who is second-in-line to the throne, previously paid tribute to the Irishmen who served in British uniform when he attended the commemorations in Belgium to remember the Battle of Messines Ridge in 1917. There he visited the grave of nationalist Major Willie Redmond MP who was rescued from the battlefield by a loyalist stretch bearer Private John Meekes. Redmond later died of his wounds.
The Duke and Duchess were warmly greeted by crowds who gathered outside the garden in Parnell Square. They stopped to acknowledge the crowd before entering the garden.
Some had come directly to see the couple; others were just passers-by. The 15-minute ceremony began with the playing of the UK national anthem followed by the wreath-laying service.
A minute’s silence was observed followed by the pipers’ lament and the Last Post. The ceremony concluded with the raising of the tricolour, reveille and the national anthem.
The honour guard was provided by the Cadet School at the military college and the Army No1 band, conducted by Captain John Carpenter, provided the music.
Spectators were able to choose the best vantage points as the timing of the event was not publicised in advance and the crowds were not huge.
Hilary Graham from Monaghan did make the trip in anticipation that they would be there.
"It was a very dignified service. I think they will make a perfect future king and queen of England, " she said.
Helena Duffy said: "I really wanted to see them. Luckily I got out of work. They are just lovely people. They are very involved in the community. We should make them feel as welcome as possible."


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--Garda denies engaging in ‘box-ticking charade’ during child sex assault inquiry

A garda who interviewed one of the alleged sexual assault victims of a childcare worker has said the girl would not have been interviewed if any concern had been expressed by her parents .
Garda Ciara Holmes also rejected defence counsel Seán Guerin SC ’ s suggestion that gardaí were engaged in a “ form-filling , box-ticking charade ” and not considering the interests of the child they were interviewing .
Garda Holmes was giving evidence on Tuesday in the trial of the 29-year-old man , who has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 23 counts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creche on dates between February 2015 and December 2016 .
No parties in the case can be named to protect the identity of the complainants .
The specialist garda was giving evidence on interview practices during the investigation , particularly in relation to the second complainant .
The court has heard this girl , who was then aged six , declined to take part in a recorded interview on December 22nd , 2016 .
Specialist gardaí visited her home on December 29th , 2016 and the girl gave an interview that was recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holmes told the court that she visited the girl ’ s home with Garda Louise Curtin on December 29th , 2016 to meet the girl for the first time and her parents .
During that meeting , the girl told the gardaí she found the interview suite “ scary ” and she “ had to talk to the guards ” , the trial heard .
Garda Holmes agreed that she gave the girl “ reassurance ” that she had done nothing wrong .
Mr Guerin put it to Garda Holmes that she “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to ask the child if she was “ willing ” to talk on the next occasion .
He said notes taken from that day said the girl was asked : ‘ Are you going to talk the next day ?
’ Garda Holmes said she could not remember how she phrased the question .
She said if the child was any way concerned or “ traumatised ” that would have been noticed .
In relation to the child taking part in the interview , she said Garda Curtin was in contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was no concern about her daughter meeting gardaí on January 4th .
“ If there had been any concern expressed by the parents that ( the girl ) shouldn ’ t have met with us the second time , that interview wouldn ’ t have been conducted , ” she said .
Garda Holmes said she was looking at the child and noting her body language .
“ She was not traumatised or scared by it , ” she said .
The court heard that the girl ’ s parents were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she “ had ” to talk to gardaí , that it was scary and that she was afraid she was in trouble .
Garda Holmes said she would have informed the parents of this .
“ If the child has expressed fear , not wanting to talk to An Garda Síochána , that is not something I ’ m going to keep from their parents or guardian , ” she said .
“ I wouldn ’ t be doing my job.
” She agreed there were no notes of this conversation with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ unlikely ” to have happened .
“ Conversations can take place that are not noted , ” she said .
Mr Guerin also took the court through a decision-making log recorded by the specialist investigators in relation to their interactions with the child and her family .
It noted : “ IP ( injured party ) wishes to speak to SIs ( special investigators ) .
” “ It would have been a much more accurate reflection if you recorded in the decision-making log that the child felt ‘ obliged ’ to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guerin said .
She also rejected Mr Guerin ’ s assertion that the decision-making log was “ nothing more than a form-filling , box-ticking charade ” and not “ considering carefully the interests of the child ” .

A garda who interviewed one of the alleged sexual assault victims of a childcare worker has said the girl would not have been interviewed if any concern had been expressed by her parents.
A garda who interviewed one of the alleged sexual assault victims of a childcare worker has said the girl would not have been interviewed if any concern had been expressed by her parents.
Garda Ciara Holmes also rejected defence counsel Seán Guerin SC’s suggestion that gardaí were engaged in a “form-filling, box-ticking charade” and not considering the interests of the child they were interviewing.
Garda Holmes was giving evidence on Tuesday in the trial of the 29-year-old man, who has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 23 counts of sexually assaulting four girls at a Leinster creche on dates between February 2015 and December 2016. No parties in the case can be named to protect the identity of the complainants.
The specialist garda was giving evidence on interview practices during the investigation, particularly in relation to the second complainant.
READ MORE
The court has heard this girl, who was then aged six, declined to take part in a recorded interview on December 22nd, 2016. Specialist gardaí visited her home on December 29th, 2016 and the girl gave an interview that was recorded on January 4th, 2017.
Garda Holmes told the court that she visited the girl’s home with Garda Louise Curtin on December 29th, 2016 to meet the girl for the first time and her parents.
‘Scary’
During that meeting, the girl told the gardaí she found the interview suite “scary” and she “had to talk to the guards”, the trial heard.
Garda Holmes agreed that she gave the girl “reassurance” that she had done nothing wrong.
Mr Guerin put it to Garda Holmes that she “didn’t even have the decency” to ask the child if she was “willing” to talk on the next occasion. He said notes taken from that day said the girl was asked: ‘Are you going to talk the next day?’
Garda Holmes said she could not remember how she phrased the question. She said if the child was any way concerned or “traumatised” that would have been noticed.
In relation to the child taking part in the interview, she said Garda Curtin was in contact with the child’s mother to ensure there was no concern about her daughter meeting gardaí on January 4th.
“If there had been any concern expressed by the parents that (the girl) shouldn’t have met with us the second time, that interview wouldn’t have been conducted,” she said.
Garda Holmes said she was looking at the child and noting her body language.
“She was not traumatised or scared by it,” she said.
Not present
The court heard that the girl’s parents were not present in the room when she said she “had” to talk to gardaí, that it was scary and that she was afraid she was in trouble.
Garda Holmes said she would have informed the parents of this.
“If the child has expressed fear, not wanting to talk to An Garda Síochána, that is not something I’m going to keep from their parents or guardian,” she said. “I wouldn’t be doing my job.”
She agreed there were no notes of this conversation with the parents, but rejected it was therefore “unlikely” to have happened.
“Conversations can take place that are not noted,” she said.
Mr Guerin also took the court through a decision-making log recorded by the specialist investigators in relation to their interactions with the child and her family.
It noted: “IP (injured party) wishes to speak to SIs (special investigators).”
“It would have been a much more accurate reflection if you recorded in the decision-making log that the child felt ‘obliged’ to participate in the interview,” Mr Guerin said.
“That’s the view she expressed,” Garda Holmes replied.
She also rejected Mr Guerin’s assertion that the decision-making log was “nothing more than a form-filling, box-ticking charade” and not “considering carefully the interests of the child”.
The trial continues.


theirishtimes--2020-03-03--Varadkar visit to Trump among ‘modest’ St Patrick’s Day ministerial trips

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and eight other Ministers will embark on a “ modest and balanced ” programme of international travel for the St Patrick ’ s Day holiday to promote Ireland abroad .
The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the list of St Patrick ’ s Day ministerial visits , with Mr Varadkar once again visiting US president Donald Trump in Washington .
The number of Ministers travelling has been limited due to ongoing talks to form a new government in the aftermath of last month ’ s general election .
A similarly curtailed programme was drawn up in March 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formed after that year ’ s February general election .
Tánaiste Simon Coveney brought the list of ministerial engagements to Cabinet on Tuesday and his memo to the meeting outlined two criteria for choosing the European and North American cities involved .
The criteria were whether the cities are “ destinations of indisputable and immediate value to our interests ” and “ destinations that have a significant diaspora community ” .
“ The Tánaiste told the Cabinet that the list was modest and balanced and should proceed given the unique opportunity to promote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audiences , ” Mr Coveney ’ s spokesman said .
Minister for Health Simon Harris and Minister for Education Joe McHugh will remain at home to deal with the coronavirus threat .
Only Ministers who attend Cabinet meetings will travel .
Mr Coveney will travel to New York , Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will visit Paris and Brussels , Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan will travel to Berlin , Minister for Business Heather Humphreys will visit Sacramento on the US west coast and Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed will go to Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be in Boston , Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe will travel to Savannah , Georgia , in the US , Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan will go to London and Attorney General Seamus Woulfe will travel to New York , New Jersey and Connecticut .
All Ministers travelling will be given a handbook with key messages the Government wants emphasised .
These include that Ireland will remain a dedicated member of the EU and is working towards a close future trading relationship with the UK , highlighting the “ political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the restoration of the Stormont institutions and to “ promote Ireland ’ s economy and global visibility ” .
Mr Coveney also asked his ministerial colleagues that their travelling delegations be “ kept to a minimum ” and that they do not fly first class , take hotel suites and hire limousines .

US president Donald Trump with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the White House last March. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and eight other Ministers will embark on a “modest and balanced” programme of international travel for the St Patrick’s Day holiday to promote Ireland abroad.
The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the list of St Patrick’s Day ministerial visits, with Mr Varadkar once again visiting US president Donald Trump in Washington.
The number of Ministers travelling has been limited due to ongoing talks to form a new government in the aftermath of last month’s general election.
A similarly curtailed programme was drawn up in March 2016 when a new government was also being formed after that year’s February general election.
READ MORE
Tánaiste Simon Coveney brought the list of ministerial engagements to Cabinet on Tuesday and his memo to the meeting outlined two criteria for choosing the European and North American cities involved.
The criteria were whether the cities are “destinations of indisputable and immediate value to our interests” and “destinations that have a significant diaspora community”.
“The Tánaiste told the Cabinet that the list was modest and balanced and should proceed given the unique opportunity to promote Ireland to political, business and cultural audiences,” Mr Coveney’s spokesman said.
Minister for Health Simon Harris and Minister for Education Joe McHugh will remain at home to deal with the coronavirus threat. Only Ministers who attend Cabinet meetings will travel.
Mr Coveney will travel to New York, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will visit Paris and Brussels, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan will travel to Berlin, Minister for Business Heather Humphreys will visit Sacramento on the US west coast and Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed will go to Chicago. Minister for Rural Development Michael Ring will be in Boston, Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe will travel to Savannah, Georgia, in the US, Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan will go to London and Attorney General Seamus Woulfe will travel to New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
All Ministers travelling will be given a handbook with key messages the Government wants emphasised. These include that Ireland will remain a dedicated member of the EU and is working towards a close future trading relationship with the UK, highlighting the “political turning point” in Northern Ireland with the restoration of the Stormont institutions and to “promote Ireland’s economy and global visibility”.
Mr Coveney also asked his ministerial colleagues that their travelling delegations be “kept to a minimum” and that they do not fly first class, take hotel suites and hire limousines.