theirishtimes--2020-07-10--US tours to Ireland: ‘No one wants to travel at this point’

Dublin-born Niall Leogue runs Caddie Tours , a tour-operating group based in Virginia that has long brought American holidaymakers to Ireland .
This year , he had 10 trips planned for 400 people .
Not one of them is going ahead .
“ Decimated is how I ’ d describe the business , ” said Niall .
“ I knew by March that my June trips would be in jeopardy .
My suppliers and hoteliers in Ireland gave me a month ’ s grace .
“ But by mid-May I had rescheduled six trips for next year and cancelled five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided to postpone their trips until next year and have stuck with him .
“ I ’ m lucky that they ’ ve stayed with me .
In my business , it ’ s about making connections and many people return year after year .
No itinerary is ever the same , ” said Leogue , who moved to the US in the 1980s on a Donnelly visa The United States is Ireland ’ s second-largest market for visitors after Britain , but according to Tourism Ireland , American visitors “ tend to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extensively ” .
In 2018 , 1.8 million came .
Currently , Ireland , along with Britain , has not banned American visitors , unlike the rest of the European Union , despite the US ’ s poor Covid-19 record .
There is anecdotal evidence that some are coming , but numbers are few .
Living with an uncle in upper Manhattan near Gaelic Park , Leogue soon saw an ad in the Irish Echo paper looking for Aer Lingus staff in JFK airport .
Having worked for Hertz in London and Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I loved my job because no two days were ever the same , ” he said .
“ When that shamrock landed at JFK , that was my baby .
I loved meeting the flights – I got great training , developed a real passion for the job.
” With Aer Lingus ’ s financial woes in the 1990s , Leogue saw the writing on the wall and he was hired by Barry Twomey who ran a Manhattan-based firm specialising in Irish tours .
In time , he had jobs elsewhere .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it offered golf trips from the beginning , it soon moved into more wide-ranging tour offerings , many built around a musical theme .
The increase in the number of US airports offering direct flights to Ireland helped greatly : “ 2019 was a great year .
One of the reasons was there were 22 gateways to Ireland with non-stop flights , if you include Canada .
” Now , Leogue must rebuild : “ If social distancing is still in place next year , I have told my clients that pricing may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to restaurants where capacity will be down , but also things like coaches .
“ When I price my tours I plan on about 40 people on a coach that seats 48 .
If they ’ re only allowing 12 people on a coach , well that means four buses for one tour .
That ’ s not going to happen.
” He is also worried about consumer confidence .
“ No one wants to travel at this point .
What this will come down to will be the confidence of the consumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel.
” Even if the 14-day quarantine rule – which currently makes tourism from America virtually impossible – ends , he said the restrictions still in place mean that tourism to Ireland is not viable currently .
“ It won ’ t be the real Ireland they experience .
What I try to create for my tours is the experience .
Even though Ireland would welcome for them it wouldn ’ t be the same , ” he said .
Instead , Leogue has turned his attention to next year : “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the autumn and make a decision in the new year with my suppliers and clients .
My first trip is May 15th , 2021 .
Let ’ s see .
”

Niall Leogue: “2019 was a great year. One of the reasons was there were 22 gateways to Ireland with non-stop flights, if you include Canada.”
Dublin-born Niall Leogue runs Caddie Tours, a tour-operating group based in Virginia that has long brought American holidaymakers to Ireland.
This year, he had 10 trips planned for 400 people. Not one of them is going ahead.
“Decimated is how I’d describe the business,” said Niall. “I knew by March that my June trips would be in jeopardy. My suppliers and hoteliers in Ireland gave me a month’s grace.
“But by mid-May I had rescheduled six trips for next year and cancelled five,” said Leogue. Some have decided to postpone their trips until next year and have stuck with him.
READ MORE
“I’m lucky that they’ve stayed with me. In my business, it’s about making connections and many people return year after year. No itinerary is ever the same,” said Leogue, who moved to the US in the 1980s on a Donnelly visa
The United States is Ireland's second-largest market for visitors after Britain, but according to Tourism Ireland, American visitors "tend to stay longer, spend more and tour extensively". In 2018, 1.8 million came.
No travel ban
Currently, Ireland, along with Britain, has not banned American visitors, unlike the rest of the European Union, despite the US's poor Covid-19 record. There is anecdotal evidence that some are coming, but numbers are few.
Living with an uncle in upper Manhattan near Gaelic Park, Leogue soon saw an ad in the Irish Echo paper looking for Aer Lingus staff in JFK airport. Having worked for Hertz in London and Dublin, he was quickly hired.
“I loved my job because no two days were ever the same,” he said. “When that shamrock landed at JFK, that was my baby. I loved meeting the flights – I got great training, developed a real passion for the job.”
With Aer Lingus’s financial woes in the 1990s, Leogue saw the writing on the wall and he was hired by Barry Twomey who ran a Manhattan-based firm specialising in Irish tours. In time, he had jobs elsewhere.
Niall Leogue: “Without the consumer there is no travel.”
In 2002 he began Caddie Tours. Though it offered golf trips from the beginning , it soon moved into more wide-ranging tour offerings, many built around a musical theme.
The increase in the number of US airports offering direct flights to Ireland helped greatly: "2019 was a great year. One of the reasons was there were 22 gateways to Ireland with non-stop flights, if you include Canada. "
Coach capacity
Now, Leogue must rebuild: “If social distancing is still in place next year, I have told my clients that pricing may be affected. This applies not just to restaurants where capacity will be down, but also things like coaches.
“When I price my tours I plan on about 40 people on a coach that seats 48. If they’re only allowing 12 people on a coach, well that means four buses for one tour. That’s not going to happen.”
He is also worried about consumer confidence. “No one wants to travel at this point. What this will come down to will be the confidence of the consumer. Without the consumer there is no travel.”
Even if the 14-day quarantine rule – which currently makes tourism from America virtually impossible – ends, he said the restrictions still in place mean that tourism to Ireland is not viable currently.
“ It won’t be the real Ireland they experience. What I try to create for my tours is the experience. Even though Ireland would welcome for them it wouldn’t be the same,” he said.
Instead, Leogue has turned his attention to next year: “I’ll see how Ireland does in the autumn and make a decision in the new year with my suppliers and clients. My first trip is May 15th, 2021. Let’s see.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--Thinking Anew – The amazing world we live in

It was a relief when travel restrictions were eased , and it was possible to get out and enjoy the countryside .
Many , including those who would not regard themselves as religious in a formal way , sense that there is something deeply spiritual about the amazing and beautiful world we live in .
Albert Einstein said : “ Look deep into nature , and then you will understand everything better.
” Christians , and people of other faiths , believe that behind the beauty of nature there is a supreme beauty which evokes the response that we call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Art makes the point : “ O Lord my God !
When I in awesome wonder/ Consider all the works thy hand hath made .
.
.
then sings my soul .
.
.
” Looking back on his life ’ s work , Sir Alastair Hardy , one of the great marine biologists of the 20th century , said : “ Just occasionally I became so overcome by the beauty of the natural world that for a moment or two I fell to my knees in prayer.
” There are of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t see things quite the same way .
In 1972 Sir John Templeton , the American-born British philanthropist and committed Christian , established the Templeton Prize to be awarded to persons who demonstrate “ the insights that science brings to the deepest questions of the universe and humankind ’ s purpose and place within it.
” In the past the prize has been mainly awarded to individuals from the world of religion , such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu , Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama .
This year , however , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francis Collins , for “ his commitment to challenging the idea that science and religion are at odds ” .
Collins is no ordinary scientist .
He is in fact one of America ’ s top scientists , having directed the Human Genome Project to completion .
He is currently in charge of his government ’ s biomedical and public health research efforts , including the effort to find and develop a vaccine to prevent Covid-19 .
He sees the award as recognition of his efforts to bridge the gap between religion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community .
In his book The Language of God , he insists that “ belief in God can be an entirely rational choice , and that the principles of faith are , in fact , complementary with the principles of science ” .
For him , faith is intensely rational , believing that if we decided that the only things worth believing in or accepting are things that can be measured by science , then we have ruled out a whole list of important questions .
He says that some scientists practice “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where “ science does not belong ” .
Tomorrow ’ s readings take us into some of those places , reminding us that although we live in a wonderful world , human behaviour is a problem .
Genesis tells how Esau sells his future for his immediate gratification to his brother Jacob , who then goes on to deceive his father about his right of succession .
This reminds us that we are endlessly faced with choices – what to do in our relationships , with our money , our neighbours , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Gospel reading , the parable of the sower , Jesus takes a lesson from nature to remind us that choices can not be avoided .
For example , opting for “ the cares of the world and the lure of wealth ” – the choice of many today – has unfortunate consequences as we are realising .
In the epistle reading , St Paul points us beyond material things “ to set the mind on the Spirit ( which ) is life and peace ” .
A final thought about the relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the spiritual .
Louis Pasteur , the 19th-century French biologist , microbiologist and chemist discovered the principles of vaccination on which our hopes depend for a defence against the Covid-19 virus .
He was quite dismissive of the atheistic view of the universe : “ Posterity will someday laugh at the foolishness of modern materialistic philosophy .
The more I study nature , the more I am amazed at the creator .
”

Dr Francis Collins: one of America’s top scientists, he insists that “belief in God can be an entirely rational choice, and that the principles of faith are, in fact, complementary with the principles of science”. Photograph: Patrick McDermott/ Getty Images
It was a relief when travel restrictions were eased, and it was possible to get out and enjoy the countryside. Many, including those who would not regard themselves as religious in a formal way, sense that there is something deeply spiritual about the amazing and beautiful world we live in. Albert Einstein said: "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
Christians, and people of other faiths, believe that behind the beauty of nature there is a supreme beauty which evokes the response that we call worship. The hymn How Great Thou Art makes the point: “O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder/ Consider all the works thy hand hath made . . . then sings my soul . . .”
Looking back on his life's work, Sir Alastair Hardy, one of the great marine biologists of the 20th century, said: "Just occasionally I became so overcome by the beauty of the natural world that for a moment or two I fell to my knees in prayer."
There are of course people, including scientists, who don’t see things quite the same way.
READ MORE
In 1972 Sir John Templeton, the American-born British philanthropist and committed Christian, established the Templeton Prize to be awarded to persons who demonstrate "the insights that science brings to the deepest questions of the universe and humankind's purpose and place within it." In the past the prize has been mainly awarded to individuals from the world of religion, such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama. This year, however, it was awarded to a scientist, Dr Francis Collins, for "his commitment to challenging the idea that science and religion are at odds". Collins is no ordinary scientist. He is in fact one of America's top scientists, having directed the Human Genome Project to completion. He is currently in charge of his government's biomedical and public health research efforts, including the effort to find and develop a vaccine to prevent Covid-19. He sees the award as recognition of his efforts to bridge the gap between religion and those he describes as the atheistic science community. In his book The Language of God, he insists that "belief in God can be an entirely rational choice, and that the principles of faith are, in fact, complementary with the principles of science".
For him, faith is intensely rational, believing that if we decided that the only things worth believing in or accepting are things that can be measured by science, then we have ruled out a whole list of important questions. He says that some scientists practice “scientism” which takes science to places where “science does not belong”.
Tomorrow’s readings take us into some of those places, reminding us that although we live in a wonderful world, human behaviour is a problem.
Genesis tells how Esau sells his future for his immediate gratification to his brother Jacob, who then goes on to deceive his father about his right of succession. This reminds us that we are endlessly faced with choices – what to do in our relationships, with our money, our neighbours, not forgetting our responsibilities as citizens.
In the Gospel reading, the parable of the sower, Jesus takes a lesson from nature to remind us that choices cannot be avoided. For example, opting for “the cares of the world and the lure of wealth” – the choice of many today – has unfortunate consequences as we are realising. In the epistle reading, St Paul points us beyond material things “to set the mind on the Spirit (which) is life and peace”.
A final thought about the relationship between science and religion and the material and the spiritual. Louis Pasteur, the 19th-century French biologist, microbiologist and chemist discovered the principles of vaccination on which our hopes depend for a defence against the Covid-19 virus. He was quite dismissive of the atheistic view of the universe: "Posterity will someday laugh at the foolishness of modern materialistic philosophy. The more I study nature, the more I am amazed at the creator."


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--Record numbers of patients waiting for treatment, new figures show

The number of patients waiting to be seen at a public hospital for assessment or treatment has climbed to the highest ever recorded level since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic .
More than 800,000 inpatients and outpatients were waiting at the end of June , according to new figures released by the National Treatment Purchase Fund .
The overall total of patients waiting climbed by almost 6 per cent since the end of February .
The increase is steepest among in-patient waiting lists , which climbed by some 26 per cent .
Of the 800,000 on waiting lists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been waiting a year or more .
This represents an increase of almost 30 per cent since last February .
Similarly , the rise is most dramatic among in-patient cases which have jumped by some 70 per cent .
A rise in numbers was expected following the suspension of planned procedures and outpatient clinics due to Covid-19 .
However , the Irish Patients ’ Association said the increases represented a “ massive surge ” and required an urgent response .
Stephen McMahon , the association ’ s spokesman , said they suggested there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity for public patients on waiting lists .
“ With a price tag of €115 million per month we had expected to see some inroads on these numbers in the month of June 2020 , ” he said .
The association says urgent action is needed to tackle non-Covid-19 care and has called for an emergency public health team to oversee this .
“ This is another major public health emergency .
Such growth in waiting lists numbers , particularly the length of time waiting , is a huge patient safety issue coupled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency departments and a possible resurgence of Covid-19 if containment measures fail , ” Mr McMahon said .
“ This stark analysis of figures between February and June of this year shows huge increases in patient and our patient appointments especially for those waiting more than 12 months .
”

The overall total of patients waiting climbed by almost 6 per cent since the end of February. Photograph: Getty Images
The number of patients waiting to be seen at a public hospital for assessment or treatment has climbed to the highest ever recorded level since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 800,000 inpatients and outpatients were waiting at the end of June, according to new figures released by the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
The overall total of patients waiting climbed by almost 6 per cent since the end of February.
The increase is steepest among in-patient waiting lists, which climbed by some 26 per cent.
READ MORE
Of the 800,000 on waiting lists, the figures show that almost 220,000 have been waiting a year or more. This represents an increase of almost 30 per cent since last February. Similarly, the rise is most dramatic among in-patient cases which have jumped by some 70 per cent.
A rise in numbers was expected following the suspension of planned procedures and outpatient clinics due to Covid-19.
However, the Irish Patients’ Association said the increases represented a “massive surge” and required an urgent response.
Stephen McMahon, the association’s spokesman, said they suggested there was little utilisation of the private hospital capacity for public patients on waiting lists.
“With a price tag of €115 million per month we had expected to see some inroads on these numbers in the month of June 2020,” he said.
The association says urgent action is needed to tackle non-Covid-19 care and has called for an emergency public health team to oversee this.
“This is another major public health emergency. Such growth in waiting lists numbers, particularly the length of time waiting, is a huge patient safety issue coupled with a looming winter surge in our emergency departments and a possible resurgence of Covid-19 if containment measures fail,” Mr McMahon said.
“This stark analysis of figures between February and June of this year shows huge increases in patient and our patient appointments especially for those waiting more than 12 months.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--Inquest to be held into death of Nóra Quoirin next month

An inquest is to be carried out into the death of Franco-Irish teenager Nóra Quoirin , Malaysian authorities have said .
The inquest will begin at the end of August , according to Malaysian newspaper , the Star , and will take two weeks .
Nóra ’ s disappearance from her family ’ s cottage at the Dusun eco-resort in southern Negeri Sembilan state on August 4th last sparked a massive search operation .
Her body was discovered on August 13th beside a small stream about 2km from the resort .
Coroner Maimoonah Aid , during case management at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , fixed September 13th to visit the scene where Nóra ’ s remains were found .
The court will hear testimony from 64 of the 102 witnesses shortlisted by inquest coordinating officer Muhamad Iskandar Ahmad .
“ The proceedings will also be conducted via video-conferencing such as Zoom to allow the deceased ’ s family in the United Kingdom to follow it , ” Mr Maimoonah said .
“ But it will be difficult to conduct it entirely in English as most of the witnesses might speak in Bahasa Malaysia.
” After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was no sign that the 15-year-old was abducted or attacked .
And a preliminary postmortem showed that she succumbed to intestinal bleeding due to starvation and stress .
Sankara Nair , a lawyer for the girl ’ s parents , Meabh and Sebastien Quoirin , said the family strongly believed Nóra was abducted as she has mental and physical disabilities and could not have wandered off on her own .
At an earlier hearing , Mr Sankara asked the court if the proceedings could be conducted in English as Nóra family would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also told the court that he planned to call a forensic expert who had performed the second autopsy on Nóra ’ s remains in the UK , to assist in the inquest .
Speaking on Friday night Nóra ’ s father , Sebastien , said he was pleased to hear that the inquest would be held .
The family had been pushing for one for months , he said .
“ We now have to stay focused and be grateful that Malaysia reconsidered their initial decision .
We thank the French , Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the way.
” Separately , Nóra ’ s family is suing the owner of the Malaysian resort she disappeared from for alleged negligence .

An inquest is to be carried out into the death of Franco-Irish teenager Nóra Quoirin, Malaysian authorities have said.
The inquest will begin at the end of August, according to Malaysian newspaper, the Star, and will take two weeks.
Nóra’s disappearance from her family’s cottage at the Dusun eco-resort in southern Negeri Sembilan state on August 4th last sparked a massive search operation. Her body was discovered on August 13th beside a small stream about 2km from the resort.
Coroner Maimoonah Aid, during case management at the Coroner’s Court in Malaysia on Friday, fixed September 13th to visit the scene where Nóra’s remains were found.
READ MORE
The court will hear testimony from 64 of the 102 witnesses shortlisted by inquest coordinating officer Muhamad Iskandar Ahmad.
“The proceedings will also be conducted via video-conferencing such as Zoom to allow the deceased’s family in the United Kingdom to follow it,” Mr Maimoonah said.
“But it will be difficult to conduct it entirely in English as most of the witnesses might speak in Bahasa Malaysia.”
After Nóra’s death, police said there was no sign that the 15-year-old was abducted or attacked. And a preliminary postmortem showed that she succumbed to intestinal bleeding due to starvation and stress.
Sankara Nair, a lawyer for the girl’s parents, Meabh and Sebastien Quoirin, said the family strongly believed Nóra was abducted as she has mental and physical disabilities and could not have wandered off on her own.
At an earlier hearing, Mr Sankara asked the court if the proceedings could be conducted in English as Nóra family would not be able to attend.
He also told the court that he planned to call a forensic expert who had performed the second autopsy on Nóra’s remains in the UK, to assist in the inquest.
Speaking on Friday night Nóra’s father, Sebastien, said he was pleased to hear that the inquest would be held. The family had been pushing for one for months, he said.
“We now have to stay focused and be grateful that Malaysia reconsidered their initial decision. We thank the French, Irish, and British governments for supporting us along the way.”
Separately, Nóra’s family is suing the owner of the Malaysian resort she disappeared from for alleged negligence.


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--Non-wearers of masks on public transport face fine and jail sentence

People who fail to comply with mandatory rules on face coverings on public transport could face up to six months in prison and a fine of €2,500 from Monday .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed on Friday that regulations were being signed to make the wearing of face masks on public transport obligatory .
Under the new rules , gardaí can be called to enforce if someone fails to wear a face covering .
If they continue not to co-operate , they can face arrest and prosecution , with a penalty for a conviction of up to €2,500 fine and/or six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public transport sector , we encourage people to wear masks in crowded indoor gatherings and again where social distancing is not possible , but it will be compulsory on public transport as and from Monday , ” Mr Martin said .
The Taoiseach said he believed people would comply with the new rules without the need for gardaí to enforce their power .
“ If you look back on our entire experience throughout Covid-19 it has been really developing compliance , engagement and people have come with us on that journey and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The National Bus and Rail Union ( NBRU ) welcomed the move , which it said it had been seeking for some time .
However , NBRU general secretary Dermot O ’ Leary said his members would not be policing the mandatory wearing of face coverings .
He said if a dispute arose over the non-wearing of masks , transport staff would contact the control centre to call gardaí to the scene .
On Friday , Mr Martin also emphasised concerns around overseas travel and indoor gatherings causing an increased spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening-up of Northern Ireland to travel , he said public health officials remain “ very concerned about the potential of travel and the reopening of travel to impact negatively on the transmission of the virus .
“ We will be taking it on board and we will be meeting with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister next week and we will discuss these issues , ” he said .
“ Ideally an all-island approach to these issues is optimal ; there are challenges in that regard obviously , but our public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least in terms of the transmission.
” He praised the population for its compliance with the public health guidelines and rules which have been instituted during the crisis , and acknowledged that recent months had been challenging for young people in particular , given the rescheduling of the Leaving Cert and the curtailment of normal social life .
“ This is a very dangerous virus , it can damage people ’ s health for a very long time in some instances .
It ’ s not something to be taken lightly , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a personal responsibility in relation to stopping the spread of this virus .
“ The same advice applies to young people as everyone else .
The indoor gatherings are a problem .
Overcrowded house parties are a problem .
Nobody is invincible , this is a very dangerous virus.
” Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly also encouraged people to abide by the advice over the weekend .
“ People have had to stay at home for a long time , and when everyone started going out again it rained on us for about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sunny .
“ So , go out and have a good time .
People need to have a good time , but please , please , please maintain social distancing.
” Mr Martin also paid tribute to Health Service Executive staff , saying he had thanked them on behalf of the Irish people “ for the extraordinary work they have done on the front line to combat Covid-19 ” .

Taoiseach Micheál Martin: “This is a very dangerous virus, it can damage people’s health for a very long time in some instances. It’s not something to be taken lightly.” Photograph: Alan Betson
People who fail to comply with mandatory rules on face coverings on public transport could face up to six months in prison and a fine of €2,500 from Monday.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed on Friday that regulations were being signed to make the wearing of face masks on public transport obligatory,
Under the new rules, gardaí can be called to enforce if someone fails to wear a face covering. If they continue not to co-operate, they can face arrest and prosecution, with a penalty for a conviction of up to €2,500 fine and/or six months in jail.
"Outside of the public transport sector, we encourage people to wear masks in crowded indoor gatherings and again where social distancing is not possible, but it will be compulsory on public transport as and from Monday," Mr Martin said.
READ MORE
The Taoiseach said he believed people would comply with the new rules without the need for gardaí to enforce their power.
“If you look back on our entire experience throughout Covid-19 it has been really developing compliance, engagement and people have come with us on that journey and come with the authorities,” he said.
Travel fears
The National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) welcomed the move, which it said it had been seeking for some time.
However, NBRU general secretary Dermot O’Leary said his members would not be policing the mandatory wearing of face coverings. He said if a dispute arose over the non-wearing of masks, transport staff would contact the control centre to call gardaí to the scene.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly on Friday signed the regulations, which are set out as the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings on Public Transport) Regulations 2020.
They provide that, from Monday , members of the public shall not, without reasonable excuse, travel by public transport without wearing a face covering.
Reasonable excuse includes where a person:
- cannot put one on, wear or remove a face covering because of any physical or mental illness, impairment or disability or without severe distress;
- needs to communicate with another person who has difficulties communicating;
- removes the face covering to provide emergency assistance or to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person; or
- removes the face covering to take medication.
The regulations do not apply to children under the age of 13.
Where a passenger is not wearing a face covering, a “relevant person” under the regulations may request the passenger to wear a face covering, refuse the passenger entry to the public transport vehicle, or may request the passenger to alight from the vehicle.
A passenger must comply with these requests or with a refusal of entry. Failure to comply is an offence.
On Friday, Mr Martin also emphasised concerns around overseas travel and indoor gatherings causing an increased spread of the virus.
Asked about the opening-up of Northern Ireland to travel, he said public health officials remain "very concerned about the potential of travel and the reopening of travel to impact negatively on the transmission of the virus.
“We will be taking it on board and we will be meeting with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister next week and we will discuss these issues,” he said.
“Ideally an all-island approach to these issues is optimal; there are challenges in that regard obviously, but our public health officials are not comfortable to say the least in terms of the transmission.”
‘Dangerous virus’
He praised the population for its compliance with the public health guidelines and rules which have been instituted during the crisis, and acknowledged that recent months had been challenging for young people in particular, given the rescheduling of the Leaving Cert and the curtailment of normal social life.
“This is a very dangerous virus, it can damage people’s health for a very long time in some instances. It’s not something to be taken lightly,” he said. “We all have a personal responsibility in relation to stopping the spread of this virus.
“The same advice applies to young people as everyone else. The indoor gatherings are a problem. Overcrowded house parties are a problem. Nobody is invincible, this is a very dangerous virus.”
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly also encouraged people to abide by the advice over the weekend. “People have had to stay at home for a long time, and when everyone started going out again it rained on us for about three weeks. And it’s sunny.
“So, go out and have a good time. People need to have a good time, but please, please, please maintain social distancing.”
Mr Martin also paid tribute to Health Service Executive staff, saying he had thanked them on behalf of the Irish people “for the extraordinary work they have done on the front line to combat Covid-19”.


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--Dublin City Council proposes €15m swimming pool and sauna at George’s Dock

Dublin City councillors will meet online on Tuesday to discuss plans for a heated swimming pool at the Liffey .
The plans , from the council ’ s docklands unit , envisage a €15m swimming pool close to the Sean O ’ Casey pedestrian bridge and near George ’ s Dock , where the council also plans a €22 million , white-water rafting centre .
The heated swimming pool would , according to plans sent to councillors , complement visitor attractions including the Jeanie Johnston famine ship and the Epic Diaspora Museum .
The idea is modelled on the successful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say it could be developed by the private sector on a 30-year lease from the council , generating more than €100 million in that time .
However , members of the council ’ s Central Area Committee and the North Wall Community Association have expressed reservations .
While “ not wanting to pour cold water on the scheme ” Councillor Nial Ring said : “ I will not be rushing out to buy new speedos ” .
Mr Ring said there were “ bays and fine beaches ” on the coast either side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need a swimming pool in the Liffey for ” , he asked .
The former Lord Mayor said a public consultation had been held , on what locals wanted in the area .
“ Nobody said a swimming pool in the Liffey .
Why can they not come up with something the public said they wanted ” he asked .
The Northwall Community Association gave the proposal an even damper reception .
In a statement on Friday the community said “ this proposal is not acceptable ” given the immediate needs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The long established after schools / creche group in Sheriff Street is in urgent need of a premises to accommodate the 64 pre-school children and 12 workers that look after them .
“ There is a recently vacated Fás training centre in Sheriff Street that we ’ re told requires at least €1 million to make it functional for the after schools but there ’ s no sign of that happening .
“ Yet at the same time its deemed suitable , to pardon the pun , splash the cash on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely unacceptable to the local community .
We need urgent immediate help for 64 young children and instead we ’ re getting a whirlpool , ” the statement concluded .

The proposed swimming pool is planned for close to the Sean O’Casey Bridge at George’s Dock. File photograph: Nick Bradshaw/ The Irish Times
Dublin City councillors will meet online on Tuesday to discuss plans for a heated swimming pool at the Liffey.
The plans, from the council’s docklands unit, envisage a €15m swimming pool close to the Sean O’Casey pedestrian bridge and near George’s Dock, where the council also plans a €22 million, white-water rafting centre.
The heated swimming pool would, according to plans sent to councillors, complement visitor attractions including the Jeanie Johnston famine ship and the Epic Diaspora Museum.
Plans envisage a 50-metre outdoor pool, sauna, yoga classes, a cafe and corporate meeting facilities.
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The idea is modelled on the successful Allas Spa complex in Helsinki and backers say it could be developed by the private sector on a 30-year lease from the council, generating more than €100 million in that time.
However, members of the council’s Central Area Committee and the North Wall Community Association have expressed reservations.
While “not wanting to pour cold water on the scheme” Councillor Nial Ring said: “I will not be rushing out to buy new speedos”.
Mr Ring said there were “bays and fine beaches” on the coast either side of the Liffey, “what do we need a swimming pool in the Liffey for”, he asked. The former Lord Mayor said a public consultation had been held, on what locals wanted in the area.
“Nobody said a swimming pool in the Liffey. Why can they not come up with something the public said they wanted” he asked.
The Northwall Community Association gave the proposal an even damper reception. In a statement on Friday the community said “this proposal is not acceptable” given the immediate needs in the locality.
The statement said: “The long established after schools / creche group in Sheriff Street is in urgent need of a premises to accommodate the 64 pre-school children and 12 workers that look after them.
“There is a recently vacated Fás training centre in Sheriff Street that we’re told requires at least €1 million to make it functional for the after schools but there’s no sign of that happening.
“Yet at the same time its deemed suitable, to pardon the pun, splash the cash on a super size hot tub. This is completely unacceptable to the local community. We need urgent immediate help for 64 young children and instead we’re getting a whirlpool,” the statement concluded.


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--Clubs say precautionary move will be reviewed when members’ test results received

Three GAA clubs in west Cork have temporarily halted all activity as a precautionary measure amid fears that some club members may have come in contact with a person who recently tested positive for Covid-19 .
Argideen Rangers from Timoleague , Ballinascarthy and St Oliver Plunkett ’ s from Ahiohill have taken the decision to suspend activity .
There has been no official confirmation from either HSE or GAA authorities but it is believed that members of Argideen Rangers and Ballinascarthy may have been at a house party in west Cork last week attended by a person who subsequently tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understood a number of players from both Argideen Rangers and Ballinascarthy have since been tested for the virus and the results have come back negative .
Argideen Rangers , the club of 1990 All-Ireland-winning Cork hurler Mark Foley , posted a statement outlining the situation on its Facebook page .
“ This is a precautionary measure and is because a number of club members have told us that they may have been in contact with a person subsequently confirmed to have Covid-19 .
“ We in Argideen Rangers GAA feel it sensible and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underage and adult group activities .
We understand that anyone identified by Public Health authorities as a close contact will be tested for Covid-19.
” Ballinascarthy GAA posted : “ Please note collective team training at all grades is temporarily suspended to comply with HSE public health advice and guidance from Croke Park on contact tracing protocols .
“ This decision is taken to ensure the continued safety of all members of the Ballinascarthy community and will be reviewed again early next week .
We continue to advise all members to adhere to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cough etiquette guidance.
” St Oliver Plunkett ’ s also confirmed the club had decided to suspend all activity effective immediately and until officers and coaches review the matter .
“ We do not take this decision lightly and do so as a preventive and precautionary measure , demonstrating responsibility and care for our community , and setting the best example we can for club members and the wider public .
“ As we are a close-knit community with brothers and sisters spread across many teams , parents and more involved across all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endeavouring to reduce any potential risk by taking this action.
” A hurler with the James Stephens club in Kilkenny was recently diagnosed with Covid-19 and later recovered fully .
Team-mates identified via contact tracing returned negative results and club activity resumed following a seven-day precautionary period .

A number of the west Cork club players have been tested for the virus and the results have come back negative. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Three GAA clubs in west Cork have temporarily halted all activity as a precautionary measure amid fears that some club members may have come in contact with a person who recently tested positive for Covid-19.
Argideen Rangers from Timoleague, Ballinascarthy and St Oliver Plunkett's from Ahiohill have taken the decision to suspend activity.
There has been no official confirmation from either HSE or GAA authorities but it is believed that members of Argideen Rangers and Ballinascarthy may have been at a house party in west Cork last week attended by a person who subsequently tested positive for the virus.
It is understood a number of players from both Argideen Rangers and Ballinascarthy have since been tested for the virus and the results have come back negative.
READ MORE
Argideen Rangers, the club of 1990 All-Ireland-winning Cork hurler Mark Foley, posted a statement outlining the situation on its Facebook page. "This is a precautionary measure and is because a number of club members have told us that they may have been in contact with a person subsequently confirmed to have Covid-19.
“We in Argideen Rangers GAA feel it sensible and prudent to ensure to temporarily suspend both underage and adult group activities. We understand that anyone identified by Public Health authorities as a close contact will be tested for Covid-19.”
‘Tracing protocols’
Ballinascarthy GAA posted: "Please note collective team training at all grades is temporarily suspended to comply with HSE public health advice and guidance from Croke Park on contact tracing protocols.
“This decision is taken to ensure the continued safety of all members of the Ballinascarthy community and will be reviewed again early next week. We continue to advise all members to adhere to HSE social distancing, hand hygiene and cough etiquette guidance.”
St Oliver Plunkett’s also confirmed the club had decided to suspend all activity effective immediately and until officers and coaches review the matter.
“We do not take this decision lightly and do so as a preventive and precautionary measure, demonstrating responsibility and care for our community, and setting the best example we can for club members and the wider public.
‘Potential risk’
“As we are a close-knit community with brothers and sisters spread across many teams, parents and more involved across all levels of our games, we are endeavouring to reduce any potential risk by taking this action.”
A hurler with the James Stephens club in Kilkenny was recently diagnosed with Covid-19 and later recovered fully. Team-mates identified via contact tracing returned negative results and club activity resumed following a seven-day precautionary period.


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--HSE warns public about Covid-19 contact tracing scam

Fake contact tracers are calling people and asking for money for Covid-19 testing kits , the HSE has warned .
The scammers are texting or phoning victims and falsely telling them they have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with the disease .
The victim is then asked to transfer money so that a testing kit can be sent to them .
The HSE has said it does not charge the public for Covid-19 related services including testing and that “ such texts and calls should be ignored ” .
Genuine close contacts with a confirmed Covid-19 case will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff or a member of a contact tracing team before being referred for a free test .
“ You will NEVER be asked for your bank details or to pay for testing by a member of HSE contact tracing staff , ” the HSE said in a statement .
“ If the Covid-19 Tracker App has identified you as a close contact you will see a red box with the advice on what you should do next on all pages of the app.
” People concerned about suspicious phone calls or texts regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 1850 24 1850 and contact their local gardaí .

The HSE has said it does not charge the public for Covid-19 related services including testing and that ‘such texts and calls should be ignored’. File photograph: Steve Parsons/PA Wire
Fake contact tracers are calling people and asking for money for Covid-19 testing kits, the HSE has warned.
The scammers are texting or phoning victims and falsely telling them they have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with the disease.
The victim is then asked to transfer money so that a testing kit can be sent to them.
The HSE has said it does not charge the public for Covid-19 related services including testing and that “such texts and calls should be ignored”.
READ MORE
Genuine close contacts with a confirmed Covid-19 case will be contacted by phone by public health staff or a member of a contact tracing team before being referred for a free test.
“You will NEVER be asked for your bank details or to pay for testing by a member of HSE contact tracing staff,” the HSE said in a statement.
“If the Covid-19 Tracker App has identified you as a close contact you will see a red box with the advice on what you should do next on all pages of the app.”
People concerned about suspicious phone calls or texts regarding Covid-19 testing are advised to ring HSELive on 1850 24 1850 and contact their local gardaí.


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--An Taisce publishes 2020 top ten buildings at risk register

The Iveagh Markets in Dublin , Templeview House in Co Sligo and Hope Castle and Market House in Co Monaghan are among the State ’ s 10 Most at Risk Buildings , announced on Friday .
The list compiled annually by An Taisce highlights the status of heritage buildings , most of which are already on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage .
Many of the buildings have suffered a poor fate , falling victim to natural decay , vandalism and fires .
The is is the second time An Taisce has compiled the list of the top ten most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second year the Iveagh Markets and Carrigglas Demense in Co Longford , have appeared on on the list .
The top ten most at risk buildings in 2020 are : * The House by the Churchyard , Dublin 20 The register describes Hope Castle as being “ vacant for a number of years and does not appear to be maintained ” .
“ Most of the external fabric remains , but there are obvious signs of deterioration , such as water penetration , slipped slates , vegetation growth , broken windows and vandalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the buildings on the list get a similar appraisal .
An Taisce said the register was compiled because of concern at the “ growing number of vacant structures that are falling into a state of disrepair ” .
The register also provides information on the architectural , historical , archaeological , artistic , cultural , scientific , social or technical history of the buildings listed .
Ian Lumley heritage officer with An Taisce said the top ten are in “ no particular order ” as all are under threat .
He said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generations unless direct action is taken soon to preserve them .
They were he said “ buildings of importance , both intrinsically and to the heritage of their local areas , buildings that lie vacant and are in such a state of disrepair that they may be dangerous or have no identifiable new use ” .
The assessment of risk is directly associated with the condition of the structure and not the external processes affecting it .
The register does not include national monuments , but does include a description of the property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the threats to it .
Individuals and community groups may also make submissions to the list .
An Taisce is interested in hearing from people who have knowledge of heritage buildings which are lying vacant with no identified new use ; suffering from neglect and or poor maintenance with structural problems , or are fire damaged and open to the elements , among other reasons .
For the full register , or to nominate a building see AnTaisce.ie .

The is is the second time An Taisce has compiled the list of the top ten most at risk buildings and it is the second year the Iveagh Markets has appeared on it. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
The Iveagh Markets in Dublin, Templeview House in Co Sligo and Hope Castle and Market House in Co Monaghan are among the State’s 10 Most at Risk Buildings, announced on Friday.
The list compiled annually by An Taisce highlights the status of heritage buildings, most of which are already on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Many of the buildings have suffered a poor fate, falling victim to natural decay, vandalism and fires.
The is is the second time An Taisce has compiled the list of the top ten most at risk buildings and it is the second year the Iveagh Markets and Carrigglas Demense in Co Longford, have appeared on on the list.
The top ten most at risk buildings in 2020 are:
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* Hope Castle and Market House, Co. Monaghan
* Durrow Abbey House, Co. Offaly
* Ormonde Centre, Co. Kilkenny
* Ballyrafter Butter Mill, Co. Waterford
* The House by the Churchyard, Dublin 20
* Donaghy’s Mill, Co. Meath
* Duleek House, Co. Meath
* The Iveagh Markets, Dublin 8
* Carrigglas Demesne, Carrigglass, Co. Longford
* Templeview House, Co. Sligo
The register describes Hope Castle as being “ vacant for a number of years and does not appear to be maintained”.
“Most of the external fabric remains, but there are obvious signs of deterioration, such as water penetration, slipped slates, vegetation growth, broken windows and vandalism,” it says. Many of the buildings on the list get a similar appraisal.
An Taisce said the register was compiled because of concern at the “growing number of vacant structures that are falling into a state of disrepair”.
The register also provides information on the architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical history of the buildings listed.
Ian Lumley heritage officer with An Taisce said the top ten are in “no particular order” as all are under threat.
He said “these buildings could be lost to future generations unless direct action is taken soon to preserve them.
They were he said “ buildings of importance, both intrinsically and to the heritage of their local areas, buildings that lie vacant and are in such a state of disrepair that they may be dangerous or have no identifiable new use”.
The assessment of risk is directly associated with the condition of the structure and not the external processes affecting it. The register does not include national monuments, but does include a description of the property, assessment of its current condition and the threats to it.
Individuals and community groups may also make submissions to the list.
An Taisce is interested in hearing from people who have knowledge of heritage buildings which are lying vacant with no identified new use; suffering from neglect and or poor maintenance with structural problems, or are fire damaged and open to the elements, among other reasons.
For the full register, or to nominate a building see AnTaisce.ie.


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--Orange parades: ‘A virtual Twelfth? It’s pretty difficult’

As the newest – and youngest – member of the William King Memorial Flute Band , 10-year-old Jonathan Thompson should have been looking forward to marching in his first Twelfth of July parade .
Instead , like many bandsmen and members of the Orange Order in Northern Ireland and in the Republic , he will be celebrating the “ Twelfth ” not by marching through the streets , but by staying at home .
This year , the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland is taking on the “ Battle of the Bug ” , as its social media campaign puts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne .
“ It was clear from the medical evidence and what the [ northern ] Executive was saying , crowds spread coronavirus , and the biggest crowds on the street in Northern Ireland are for the Twelfth of July , ” says the grand secretary of the Orange Order , the Reverend Mervyn Gibson .
Instead , the call is to celebrate “ online , in your home or at your door ” , although , in another anomaly this year , because it falls on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be celebrated on Monday 13th .
A four-day virtual programme of events is on the order ’ s website , and a new radio station , Radio Boyne , will broadcast music , speeches and services .
“ It definitely won ’ t be the same , ” says Kyle Thompson , the district master of the City of Londonderry No 4 Loyal Orange Lodge .
“ It is a bit disappointing , but over the last few months we haven ’ t been able to do all the things we would normally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the greater good .
It ’ s the way it has to be.
” Just as for his younger brother Jonathan , the Twelfth has been part of Kyle Thompson ’ s life since he was a child .
“ It ’ s the cornerstone of the culture and history of our community and a celebration of our civil and religious freedoms , but it ’ s also a family occasion when people come together .
There ’ s nothing else in the world like it.
” Derek Moore agrees .
“ How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he laughs .
“ It ’ s pretty difficult.
” A senior member of the William King Memorial Flute Band , he is also co-ordinator of the North West Cultural Partnership , which runs the New Gate Arts and Culture Centre in Derry ’ s Fountain estate , the last remaining Protestant area on the city ’ s west bank .
Under normal circumstances , it runs a two-week festival each summer .
This year , the New Gate Fringe festival team have put together a series of short films exploring how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Strabane .
Other local events include an online Twelfth hosted by the nearby Sollus centre , in Bready , Co Tyrone .
More than 200 bands have made applications to the Parades Commission to hold small , socially distanced parades of no more than 30 people – the maximum number currently allowed to gather outside under the coronavirus regulations in force in Northern Ireland – in their local areas .
But the bandsmen of the William King have decided to stay at home .
Cancellation was “ totally the right decision ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not over , and there ’ s no way anybody should be on the streets .
I ’ m married to a nurse , so I know .
“ I understand people wanting to get out , ” says Moore , “ but we couldn ’ t control anything outside of the band , and we didn ’ t want to put anybody at risk .
On the road you risk pulling a sizeable crowd along with you.
” He also had concerns over how the band would play their flutes safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreader [ of coronavirus ] .
There ’ s no such thing as social distancing for a flute .
It ’ s a wind instrument which requires volume of sound.
” In Newbuildings , Co Derry , the Pride of Orange and Blue Flute Band will play in their local area .
“ People are set up to sit in their own home and wait for the band to come to them , ” explains the band ’ s president , Kenny McFarland .
He is confident the public will stay at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to you.
” Other events to encourage people to stay indoors have also been organised , including a competition for the best-decorated house .
“ There are more houses decorated with flags , and there ’ s a bit of a buzz about the place now , ” says McFarland .
“ When it was cancelled people weren ’ t happy .
They didn ’ t know what to do , because nobody has any expectation of not having the Twelfth .
But once the rules moved to 30 people , that gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see and hear bands on the Twelfth.
” The number of bands applying to march rose following the controversy over the funeral of former IRA member Bobby Storey in Belfast on June 30th , which appeared to break both social-distancing guidelines and the coronavirus regulations .
Work also restarted at some bonfire sites in east Belfast , which had previously been cleared of wood following an agreement to call off the bonfires traditionally held on the Eleventh Night , though at least one of these sites has subsequently been cleared .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad behaviour ?
If we ’ re saying that ’ s wrong , why would you want to repeat what ’ s wrong ?
I think it [ the Storey funeral ] was a disregard for people ’ s health as much as anything else , and we don ’ t want to repeat that mistake , ” says Gibson .
He believes the majority will follow the rules .
“ No doubt there ’ ll be examples , people will say that was done , this was done , but I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bands and the wider unionist community is to celebrate within the regulations .
”

Ten-year-old Jonathan Thompson is the youngest flute player with the William King Memorial Flute Band. He is practising outside his home in the Fountain in Derry. Photograph: Trevor McBride
As the newest – and youngest – member of the William King Memorial Flute Band, 10-year-old Jonathan Thompson should have been looking forward to marching in his first Twelfth of July parade.
Instead, like many bandsmen and members of the Orange Order in Northern Ireland and in the Republic, he will be celebrating the "Twelfth" not by marching through the streets, but by staying at home.
This year, the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland is taking on the "Battle of the Bug", as its social media campaign puts it, as well as marking the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. "It was clear from the medical evidence and what the [northern] Executive was saying, crowds spread coronavirus, and the biggest crowds on the street in Northern Ireland are for the Twelfth of July," says the grand secretary of the Orange Order, the Reverend Mervyn Gibson.
Instead, the call is to celebrate “online, in your home or at your door”, although, in another anomaly this year, because it falls on a Sunday, the Twelfth will instead be celebrated on Monday 13th.
READ MORE
A four-day virtual programme of events is on the order’s website, and a new radio station, Radio Boyne, will broadcast music, speeches and services.
"It definitely won't be the same," says Kyle Thompson, the district master of the City of Londonderry No 4 Loyal Orange Lodge. "It is a bit disappointing, but over the last few months we haven't been able to do all the things we would normally do, and it's for the greater good. It's the way it has to be."
Cultural cornerstone
Just as for his younger brother Jonathan, the Twelfth has been part of Kyle Thompson’s life since he was a child. “It’s the cornerstone of the culture and history of our community and a celebration of our civil and religious freedoms, but it’s also a family occasion when people come together. There’s nothing else in the world like it.”
Derek Moore agrees. "How do you do a virtual Twelfth?" he laughs. "It's pretty difficult." A senior member of the William King Memorial Flute Band, he is also co-ordinator of the North West Cultural Partnership, which runs the New Gate Arts and Culture Centre in Derry's Fountain estate, the last remaining Protestant area on the city's west bank.
Under normal circumstances, it runs a two-week festival each summer. This year, the New Gate Fringe festival team have put together a series of short films exploring how the Twelfth will be celebrated in Derry and Strabane. Other local events include an online Twelfth hosted by the nearby Sollus centre, in Bready, Co Tyrone.
More than 200 bands have made applications to the Parades Commission to hold small, socially distanced parades of no more than 30 people – the maximum number currently allowed to gather outside under the coronavirus regulations in force in Northern Ireland – in their local areas. But the bandsmen of the William King have decided to stay at home.
Cancellation was “totally the right decision”, says Moore. “The pandemic is not over, and there’s no way anybody should be on the streets. I’m married to a nurse, so I know.
“I understand people wanting to get out,” says Moore, “but we couldn’t control anything outside of the band, and we didn’t want to put anybody at risk. On the road you risk pulling a sizeable crowd along with you.”
He also had concerns over how the band would play their flutes safely. “Flutes could be the biggest spreader [of coronavirus]. There’s no such thing as social distancing for a flute. It’s a wind instrument which requires volume of sound.”
‘A bit of a buzz’
In Newbuildings, Co Derry, the Pride of Orange and Blue Flute Band will play in their local area. “People are set up to sit in their own home and wait for the band to come to them,” explains the band’s president, Kenny McFarland. He is confident the public will stay at home. “This is bringing the band to you.”
Other events to encourage people to stay indoors have also been organised, including a competition for the best-decorated house. “There are more houses decorated with flags, and there’s a bit of a buzz about the place now,” says McFarland.
“When it was cancelled people weren’t happy. They didn’t know what to do, because nobody has any expectation of not having the Twelfth. But once the rules moved to 30 people, that gave the bands an opportunity. People want to see and hear bands on the Twelfth.”
The number of bands applying to march rose following the controversy over the funeral of former IRA member Bobby Storey in Belfast on June 30th, which appeared to break both social-distancing guidelines and the coronavirus regulations.
Work also restarted at some bonfire sites in east Belfast, which had previously been cleared of wood following an agreement to call off the bonfires traditionally held on the Eleventh Night, though at least one of these sites has subsequently been cleared.
“My line has been, why repeat bad behaviour? If we’re saying that’s wrong, why would you want to repeat what’s wrong? I think it [the Storey funeral] was a disregard for people’s health as much as anything else, and we don’t want to repeat that mistake,” says Gibson.
He believes the majority will follow the rules. “No doubt there’ll be examples, people will say that was done, this was done, but I think the intent of the institutions and the bands and the wider unionist community is to celebrate within the regulations.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--Reopening of pubs that do not serve food may be delayed beyond July 20th

The Government is considering delaying the reopening of pubs that do not serve food beyond July 20th amid growing concern about a second wave of Covid-19 infections .
Senior sources said the Cabinet will meet next Wednesday and take a final decision on the matter following input from the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) .
Industry sources believe the reopening of pubs that do not serve food could be delayed until after the August bank holiday weekend but a Government source said no decision had yet been made .
Gardaí are to maintain a high-visibility presence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to prevent a repeat of widespread breaches of coronavirus regulations seen last week .
With good weather expected over the weekend and signs of an increase in Covid-19 infection rates , gardaí are eager to prevent large indoor and outdoor gatherings in contravention of public health advice .
However , the force ’ s powers remain limited .
Gardaí can shut premises for certain breaches of the restrictions but others , such as the mandatory serving of a substantial meal in pubs , remain only guidelines .
In a statement on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it has the power to object to the renewal of publicans ’ licenses .
It said customers also bear a responsibility for adhering to the guidelines and keeping their families safe .
Operation Navigation , which began last week , will see almost 3,000 licensed premises being inspected this weekend .
Local Garda management across the country have been instructed to inspect all open pubs in their area .
“ In addition , as part of ongoing patrolling relating to Covid-19 , An Garda Síochána will have a high visibility presence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure the public are adhering to the public health guidelines , ” a spokesman said .
A large number of gardaí could be seen on patrol in Dublin city centre on Friday evening , including around Dame Lane where large groups of drinkers gathered last weekend .
In Portobello and along the Grand Canal gardaí were making some drinkers pour out their pints before telling them to disperse .
This week prosecutions were initiated against 26 pubs suspected of breaching the health regulations or licensing laws .
The Garda said these pubs had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation ” but they failed to do so .
By failing to adhere to the regulations , pubs “ are putting themselves , their employees , their customers and the wider community at risk of getting Covid-19 .
We would hope that lessons have been learned and we see an even higher rate of compliance after this weekend , ” Deputy Commissioner John Twomey said .
“ In addition , customers of licensed premises engaged in such practices also have to take personal responsibility .
By using a premises that is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has not taken on-board the public health advice , those customers are also creating a risk to themselves , their family , their friends and the local community .
”

The Government is considering delaying the reopening of pubs that do not serve food beyond July 20th amid growing concern about a second wave of Covid-19 infections.
Senior sources said the Cabinet will meet next Wednesday and take a final decision on the matter following input from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
Industry sources believe the reopening of pubs that do not serve food could be delayed until after the August bank holiday weekend but a Government source said no decision had yet been made.
Gardaí are to maintain a high-visibility presence in cities and towns this weekend in an effort to prevent a repeat of widespread breaches of coronavirus regulations seen last week.
READ MORE
With good weather expected over the weekend and signs of an increase in Covid-19 infection rates, gardaí are eager to prevent large indoor and outdoor gatherings in contravention of public health advice.
However, the force’s powers remain limited. Gardaí can shut premises for certain breaches of the restrictions but others, such as the mandatory serving of a substantial meal in pubs, remain only guidelines.
In a statement on Friday, the Garda also issued a reminder that it has the power to object to the renewal of publicans’ licenses.
It said customers also bear a responsibility for adhering to the guidelines and keeping their families safe.
Operation Navigation, which began last week, will see almost 3,000 licensed premises being inspected this weekend. Local Garda management across the country have been instructed to inspect all open pubs in their area.
"In addition, as part of ongoing patrolling relating to Covid-19, An Garda Síochána will have a high visibility presence in key locations in cities and towns to ensure the public are adhering to the public health guidelines," a spokesman said.
A large number of gardaí could be seen on patrol in Dublin city centre on Friday evening, including around Dame Lane where large groups of drinkers gathered last weekend.
In Portobello and along the Grand Canal gardaí were making some drinkers pour out their pints before telling them to disperse.
This week prosecutions were initiated against 26 pubs suspected of breaching the health regulations or licensing laws. The Garda said these pubs had been given an opportunity to “rectify the situation” but they failed to do so.
By failing to adhere to the regulations, pubs "are putting themselves, their employees, their customers and the wider community at risk of getting Covid-19. We would hope that lessons have been learned and we see an even higher rate of compliance after this weekend," Deputy Commissioner John Twomey said.
“In addition, customers of licensed premises engaged in such practices also have to take personal responsibility. By using a premises that is not in compliance with the public health regulations and has not taken on-board the public health advice, those customers are also creating a risk to themselves, their family, their friends and the local community.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--Teenager charged over Carrigaline stabbing remanded on bail

A teenager has been remanded on bail after he was charged in connection with an attack last month on another teenager in Carrigaline who was cut and stabbed with a bottle .
The 17-year-old accused , who can not be named because he is a juvenile , was before Cork Children ’ s Court on Friday morning on two counts arising out of the incident in Carrigaline in which another 17-year-old received serious injuries .
The accused was remanded on bail last month with strict conditions by Judge Olann Kelleher after he was charged at Cork District Court with robbery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teenager at Waterpark , Carrigaline , on June 6th .
On Friday , Insp Brian O ’ Donovan told Cork Children ’ s Court that gardaí were still preparing a file on the matter and he applied for an adjournment until September 18th to allow for the Director of Public Prosecutions ’ s directions .
Defence solicitor Eugene Murphy consented .
Judge Mary Dorgan granted the application and remanded the accused on continuing bail with the same conditions including that he stay off social media and that he not have any contacts with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear again in court on September 18th .
Last month , Det Garda Declan Healy of Carrigaline Garda station told the court that he arrested and charged the accused with both offences at 11.47pm on June 7th and that he made no reply to the charges after caution .
“ This case arises out of the social media incident where a video was circulated in relation to an incident at Waterpark in Carrigaline where a youth was assaulted and robbed of his mobile phone , ” he said .
Det Garda Healy said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being released on bail once he adhered to a number of conditions , including that he reside at a named address which he gave to the court but which was not be published .
And he said that gardaí were also seeking an undertaking from the accused that he have no contact with any witnesses in the case and that he stay out of Carrigaline , Douglas and Blackrock areas of Cork as part of his bail conditions .
On that occasion , Judge Kelleher warned the accused that if he went on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the case or had any contact with anyone involved in the case , he would be in breach of his bail and taken into custody .

Cork Children’s Court heard that gardaí were still preparing a file on the attack on the teenager in Carrigaline, Co Cork, last month. File photograph: Collins Courts
A teenager has been remanded on bail after he was charged in connection with an attack last month on another teenager in Carrigaline who was cut and stabbed with a bottle.
The 17-year-old accused, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile, was before Cork Children’s Court on Friday morning on two counts arising out of the incident in Carrigaline in which another 17-year-old received serious injuries.
The accused was remanded on bail last month with strict conditions by Judge Olann Kelleher after he was charged at Cork District Court with robbery and assault causing harm to the other teenager at Waterpark, Carrigaline, on June 6th.
On Friday, Insp Brian O'Donovan told Cork Children's Court that gardaí were still preparing a file on the matter and he applied for an adjournment until September 18th to allow for the Director of Public Prosecutions's directions. Defence solicitor Eugene Murphy consented.
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Judge Mary Dorgan granted the application and remanded the accused on continuing bail with the same conditions including that he stay off social media and that he not have any contacts with three named friends and ordered him to appear again in court on September 18th.
Last month, Det Garda Declan Healy of Carrigaline Garda station told the court that he arrested and charged the accused with both offences at 11.47pm on June 7th and that he made no reply to the charges after caution.
“This case arises out of the social media incident where a video was circulated in relation to an incident at Waterpark in Carrigaline where a youth was assaulted and robbed of his mobile phone,” he said.
Det Garda Healy said gardaí had no objection to the accused being released on bail once he adhered to a number of conditions, including that he reside at a named address which he gave to the court but which was not be published.
And he said that gardaí were also seeking an undertaking from the accused that he have no contact with any witnesses in the case and that he stay out of Carrigaline, Douglas and Blackrock areas of Cork as part of his bail conditions.
On that occasion, Judge Kelleher warned the accused that if he went on social media and posted anything in relation to the case or had any contact with anyone involved in the case, he would be in breach of his bail and taken into custody.


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--JP McManus’s private jet ‘in serious danger’ in July 2019

Billionaire businessman JP McManus and the staff on his private jet were “ in serious danger ” last year after one of its engines failed in mid-air , an air accident report has found .
The Gulfstream G650 twin-engine jet landed safely at Shannon after the €55 million aircraft ’ s right-side engine “ unexpectedly shut down ” en route for Farnborough in England on July 7th .
Mr McManus was the sole passenger on board , along with one cabin crew member and two pilots , according to the Air Accident Investigation report published on Friday .
The engine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the Gulfstream was climbing at approximately 600m per minute at nearly 555km/h hour over Waterford .
Following the failure of efforts to restart the engine , the pilot opted to return to Shannon , but had to abandon the first landing attempt after a warning about the landing gear .
A normal landing was performed on a second approach , and Mr McManus and crew disembarked normally : “ No injuries were reported to the investigation , ” the report stated .
Following the incident , which began at 4.45pm , Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his private helicopter which then flew him to his home in Martinstown , Co Limerick .

JP McManus heading to his helicopter after his jet made an emergency landing at Shannon Airport on July 7th, 2019. Photograph: Press 22
Billionaire businessman JP McManus and the staff on his private jet were “in serious danger” last year after one of its engines failed in mid-air, an air accident report has found.
The Gulfstream G650 twin-engine jet landed safely at Shannon after the €55 million aircraft's right-side engine "unexpectedly shut down" en route for Farnborough in England on July 7th.
Mr McManus was the sole passenger on board, along with one cabin crew member and two pilots, according to the Air Accident Investigation report published on Friday.
Left Shannon
The engine failure occurred 15 minutes after leaving Shannon as the Gulfstream was climbing at approximately 600m per minute at nearly 555km/h hour over Waterford.
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Following the failure of efforts to restart the engine, the pilot opted to return to Shannon, but had to abandon the first landing attempt after a warning about the landing gear.
A normal landing was performed on a second approach, and Mr McManus and crew disembarked normally: “No injuries were reported to the investigation,” the report stated.
Following the incident, which began at 4.45pm, Mr McManus was seen exiting and walking to his private helicopter which then flew him to his home in Martinstown, Co Limerick.


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--Man jailed for six years for knuckle-duster assault on garda

A Co Laois man who caused extensive injuries to a garda by punching him twice in the face with a knuckle-duster has been sentenced to six years , with 18 months suspended .
At a sentencing hearing at at Portlaoise Circuit Court , Judge Keenan Johnson described the actions of the actions of Keith McDonagh ( 22 ) , as “ reprehensible ” .
McDonagh , with an address at Highfield Meadows , Portlaoise , was convicted of assaulting a peace officer and making threats to cause serious harm , at Colliers Lane , Portlaoise , on December 7th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but was found guilty following trial last December .
His trial heard that McDonagh punched Sgt Aodhán O Flaithearta twice in the face with a brass knuckle-duster while gardaí attempted to arrest the accused and a member of his family .
McDonagh also threatened to burn down Sgt O Flaithearta ’ s house and rape his wife .
Sgt O Flaithearta lost two front teeth and a number of other teeth were severely compromised .
He has received extensive dental and orthodontic treatment and has developed severe facial pain , neck pain and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused assessed him at a high risk of reoffending .

Judge Keenan Johnson described the actions of the actions of Keith McDonagh (22), as ‘reprehensible’. File Photograph: Frank Miller
A Co Laois man who caused extensive injuries to a garda by punching him twice in the face with a knuckle-duster has been sentenced to six years, with 18 months suspended.
At a sentencing hearing at at Portlaoise Circuit Court, Judge Keenan Johnson described the actions of the actions of Keith McDonagh (22), as "reprehensible".
McDonagh, with an address at Highfield Meadows, Portlaoise, was convicted of assaulting a peace officer and making threats to cause serious harm, at Colliers Lane, Portlaoise, on December 7th, 2016.
He pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty following trial last December.
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His trial heard that McDonagh punched Sgt Aodhán O Flaithearta twice in the face with a brass knuckle-duster while gardaí attempted to arrest the accused and a member of his family. McDonagh also threatened to burn down Sgt O Flaithearta’s house and rape his wife.
Sgt O Flaithearta lost two front teeth and a number of other teeth were severely compromised. He has received extensive dental and orthodontic treatment and has developed severe facial pain, neck pain and headaches.
A probation report on the accused assessed him at a high risk of reoffending.
Judge Johnson imposed a six-year prison sentence, with the final 18 months suspended.


theirishtimes--2020-07-11--Cluster of Covid-19 infections at Kerry ‘house party’ investigated

A cluster of Covid-19 cases among a large group of young people who “ partied ” in rented accommodation in Killarney last weekend is being investigated by public health officials , GPs have been advised .
Over 30 people travelled from “ different parts of the country ” to Killarney and stayed a number of days together , according to a letter sent to general practitioners throughout the region on Friday .
The letter to GPs comes on foot of mounting reports in the area , and on social media , of a group of people from Dublin who arrived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large party in a house on Saturday night last .
There have been claims that a person in the group had tested positive for Covid-19 but this was not revealed to others until Sunday .
At least one person who attended the house party in Killarney sought a Covid-19 test on Monday , and at least one person has tested positive , according to reliable information .
There were initial reports that some of the group had socialised in pubs in the busy tourist town .
However , Consultant in Public Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her letter to health practitioners says “ the current information ” was the group of “ 30 plus people essentially stayed together partying in their rented accommodation .
“ A cluster of Covid-19 cases is currently being investigated among a group of 30-plus young people who travelled from different parts of the country to Killarney last week and stayed together for a number of days there , ” Dr O ’ Sullivan told GPs in the HSE South region .
“ Our current information is that this group of young people essentially stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their rented accommodation but not attending any other congregate settings like pubs.
” The majority travelled to and from Killarney in cars .
However one person used public transport and this was being followed up , Dr O ’ Sullivan said .
“ While most of the cases reside elsewhere in the country , a number live in the HSE-South region , ” she said .
Enhanced vigilance with regard to young people partying and Covid-19 transmission risk was underscored , the GPs were told .
A low index of suspicion among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this phase of the country ’ s reopening , based on current national trends and by this cluster in particular , ” the consultant advised .
Pressed during the week by media , amid persistent reports , and concern , the Department of Public Health on Tuesday said in a statement that persons with Covid-19 in the Kerry Cork region in recent days had been identified and traced .
Friday ’ s letter to the GPs appeared to contradict this earlier stance , confirming the arrival of the large group of young people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the persons were still being traced and followed up .

‘While most of the cases reside elsewhere in the country, a number live in the HSE-South region,’ GPs were told.
A cluster of Covid-19 cases among a large group of young people who “partied” in rented accommodation in Killarney last weekend is being investigated by public health officials, GPs have been advised.
Over 30 people travelled from “different parts of the country” to Killarney and stayed a number of days together, according to a letter sent to general practitioners throughout the region on Friday.
The letter to GPs comes on foot of mounting reports in the area, and on social media, of a group of people from Dublin who arrived on Thursday of last week and of a large party in a house on Saturday night last.
There have been claims that a person in the group had tested positive for Covid-19 but this was not revealed to others until Sunday.
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At least one person who attended the house party in Killarney sought a Covid-19 test on Monday, and at least one person has tested positive, according to reliable information.
There were initial reports that some of the group had socialised in pubs in the busy tourist town.
However , Consultant in Public Health Dr Margaret B. O’Sullivan in her letter to health practitioners says “the current information” was the group of “30 plus people essentially stayed together partying in their rented accommodation.
“A cluster of Covid-19 cases is currently being investigated among a group of 30-plus young people who travelled from different parts of the country to Killarney last week and stayed together for a number of days there,” Dr O’Sullivan told GPs in the HSE South region.
“Our current information is that this group of young people essentially stayed and socialised together – having house parties in their rented accommodation but not attending any other congregate settings like pubs.”
The majority travelled to and from Killarney in cars. However one person used public transport and this was being followed up, Dr O’Sullivan said.
“While most of the cases reside elsewhere in the country, a number live in the HSE-South region,” she said.
Enhanced vigilance with regard to young people partying and Covid-19 transmission risk was underscored, the GPs were told.
A low index of suspicion among young people was urged “especially in this phase of the country’s reopening, based on current national trends and by this cluster in particular,” the consultant advised.
Pressed during the week by media, amid persistent reports, and concern, the Department of Public Health on Tuesday said in a statement that persons with Covid-19 in the Kerry Cork region in recent days had been identified and traced.
Friday’s letter to the GPs appeared to contradict this earlier stance, confirming the arrival of the large group of young people and the house parties and saying that the persons were still being traced and followed up.
The letter states: “Close contacts are being followed up and advised, and are being referred for testing. Several Departments of Public Health in other HSE areas are involved.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-11--Greens call for review of decision to reopen Phoenix Park to traffic

Minister for Children Roderic O ’ Gorman has led growing calls within the Green Party to review the decision to reopen the Phoenix Park to traffic .
In a statement on Twitter , Mr O ’ Gorman said he was “ surprised ” by the decision of the Office of Public Works ( OPW ) to reopen the gates as representatives had previously told him “ that reducing the volume of through traffic and maintaining safe , quiet spaces for pedestrians & cyclist is a key priority for them ” .
“ The last few months have transformed how we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not go back to business as usual.
” Lord Mayor of Dublin and Green Party politician Hazel Chu tweeted on Friday night she would be writing to Minister of State at the OPW Patrick O ’ Donovan to ask “ what steps , advice , consultation was taken to open the Phoenix Park gates again to cars ” .
Green Party TD for Dublin Central Neasa Hourigan also expressed disappointment at the OPW ’ s decision and the manner in which it was announced and called for clarity on how it was reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel restrictions in March in response to the Covid-19 pandemic , the OPW closed the park gates to traffic with the exception of the Castleknock and Parkgate Street entrances .
These gates remained open to allow the continued use of Chesterfield Avenue as a through-road , and to maintain access for Áras an Uachtaráin , the US ambassador ’ s residence and Garda headquarters .
Plans to reopen the gates on two occasions in June were halted but on Friday - with just over 12 hours ’ notice - the OPW reopened all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exception of Knockmaroon Gate .
Speaking as the gates reopened on Friday , Ms Hourigan said : “ Just a fortnight ago the OPW announced that it would maintain the closure of the peripheral gates to the Phoenix Park in order to facilitate the significant increase in use of the park by walkers and cyclists of all ages in recent months .
“ At the end of the working day yesterday it announced that it planned to reopen the perimeter gates .
No rationale has been supplied for this complete about-face .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now becomes a rat run , ” she told RTÉ radio ’ s Today with Sarah McInerney show on Friday .
Ms Hourigan said that over 7,500 people signed a petition to keep the access into the park in some small way controlled , “ and that ’ s what I ’ m going to do ” .
Speaking on the same programme , Mr O ’ Donovan defended the decision to reopen the park to traffic .
“ I would love to see the Phoenix Park maintained for park use only , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the fact that the western side of Dublin has grown up around the park , and whether we like it or not for an awful lot of people it is a commuter route , ” he said .
Mr O ’ Donovan said the park was a ” thoroughfare ” for some commuters driving from Longford , Westmeath , Meath and parts of Dublin .
The decision to reopen the gates was taken , he added , to allow the OPW to monitor traffic congestion on the western side of the park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this process with traffic management counts ... the OPW was trying to count how many actual travel movements are there through the park because we don ’ t even have that level of data .
”

Dublin’s Phoenix Park reopened to traffic on Friday after being closed due to Covid-19. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times.
Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman has led growing calls within the Green Party to review the decision to reopen the Phoenix Park to traffic.
In a statement on Twitter, Mr O’Gorman said he was “surprised”by the decision of the Office of Public Works (OPW) to reopen the gates as representatives had previously told him “that reducing the volume of through traffic and maintaining safe, quiet spaces for pedestrians & cyclist is a key priority for them”.
“The last few months have transformed how we see the Park, and we cannot go back to business as usual.”
Surprised by OPW announcement that it's reopening all the Phoenix Park gates immediately. Last week, they told me that reducing the volume of through traffic and maintaining safe, quiet spaces for pedestrians & cyclist is a key priority for them. https://t.co/Bx0yZXuRHf — Roderic O’Gorman TD (@rodericogorman) July 10, 2020
Lord Mayor of Dublin and Green Party politician Hazel Chu tweeted on Friday night she would be writing to Minister of State at the OPW Patrick O'Donovan to ask "what steps, advice, consultation was taken to open the Phoenix Park gates again to cars".
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Green Party TD for Dublin Central Neasa Hourigan also expressed disappointment at the OPW's decision and the manner in which it was announced and called for clarity on how it was reached.
Following the introduction of the 2km travel restrictions in March in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the OPW closed the park gates to traffic with the exception of the Castleknock and Parkgate Street entrances.
These gates remained open to allow the continued use of Chesterfield Avenue as a through-road, and to maintain access for Áras an Uachtaráin, the US ambassador’s residence and Garda headquarters.
Plans to reopen the gates on two occasions in June were halted but on Friday - with just over 12 hours’ notice - the OPW reopened all of the perimeter gates, with the exception of Knockmaroon Gate.
Speaking as the gates reopened on Friday, Ms Hourigan said: “Just a fortnight ago the OPW announced that it would maintain the closure of the peripheral gates to the Phoenix Park in order to facilitate the significant increase in use of the park by walkers and cyclists of all ages in recent months.
“At the end of the working day yesterday it announced that it planned to reopen the perimeter gates. No rationale has been supplied for this complete about-face.
“Every single route in the Phoenix Park now becomes a rat run,” she told RTÉ radio’s Today with Sarah McInerney show on Friday.
Ms Hourigan said that over 7,500 people signed a petition to keep the access into the park in some small way controlled, “and that’s what I’m going to do”.
Speaking on the same programme, Mr O’Donovan defended the decision to reopen the park to traffic.
“I would love to see the Phoenix Park maintained for park use only, but I’m also very conscious of the fact that the western side of Dublin has grown up around the park, and whether we like it or not for an awful lot of people it is a commuter route,” he said.
Mr O’Donovan said the park was a ”thoroughfare” for some commuters driving from Longford, Westmeath, Meath and parts of Dublin.
The decision to reopen the gates was taken, he added, to allow the OPW to monitor traffic congestion on the western side of the park.
“The OPW had actually started this process with traffic management counts...the OPW was trying to count how many actual travel movements are there through the park because we don’t even have that level of data.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-11--Michael Collins’ grandniece welcomes decision to leave portrait in Taoiseach’s office

A descendant of Michael Collins has welcomed the announcement by Taoiseach , Micheál Martin that he is to hang a portrait of the Free State leader in his office beside a portrait of Fianna Fáil founder , Eamon De Valera .
Collins ’ grandniece and former minister for justice Nora Owen said she believed it was an appropriate gesture by Mr Martin to hang a portrait of Collins beside De Valera , given Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are now in government together .
“ Normally , if a Fianna Fáil Taoiseach was there on his own , he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Fine Gael Taoiseach would have a picture of Michael Collins , ” said Ms Owen who was deputy leader of Fine Gael from 1993 to 2001 .
“ But whether we like it or not , they are both there now in government together so it makes some sense - I don ’ t see anything terribly amiss about Micheál Martin having portraits of both Collins and De Valera in his office.
” Immediately upon his return home to Cork after being elected Taoiseach , Mr Martin revealed Fine Gael leader and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remove a portrait of Collins from the Taoiseach ’ s office when he asked him to leave it there .
“ Leo Varadkar said to me during the week that he was taking down the portrait of Michael Collins and I said ‘ Well actually , you might put it back up and I ’ m going to put De Valera next to him in the Taoiseach ’ s office ’ , ” said Mr Martin .
“ I have a wonderful portrait of De Valera in my own office , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring that over just to symbolise what has happened - Lemass is already there and we will find a place for a bust of Jack Lynch too.
” Ms Owen said she had no issue with portraits of both leaders , who had been close allies in the fight for Irish freedom but took opposite sides in the Civil War following disagreement over the Anglo Irish Treaty , hanging side by side in the Taoiseach ’ s office “ You could argue Micheál Martin is the one in pole position being Taoiseach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up on his own but I think it was quite an interesting gesture that he said ‘ No , leave Michael Collins there and let the two of them watch over us ’ as it were.
” Ms Owen , who served as a minister for justice in the 1994-1997 Rainbow Coalition of Fine Gael , Labour and Democratic Left , said Michael Collins might well have gone into coalition with Fianna Fáil at some stage if he had not been killed in the Civil War in August 1922 .
“ It may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he were alive , would have done the same thing if he found himself in this position , ” said Ms Owen whose granduncle was killed during an ambush by the anti-Treaty IRA at Beal na mBláth during a visit to his native Cork .
Stressing she was speaking in a personal capacity and that other descendants of Michael Collins might hold different views , Ms Owen said that having both portraits was symbolic of both parties entering coalition together but she didn ’ t believe it would lead to any merger .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gael will remain separate parties and I don ’ t see any reason why we should merge - the way political systems work now in democracies , they are quite fragmented with several parties in some countries .
“ We have several parties here in Ireland so I wouldn ’ t think Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are going to become a single party by any manner or means but they have agreed to work together.
” Contacted by The Irish Times about the matter , De Valera ’ s grandson , Galway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuív said he saw no significance to Mr Martin ’ s decision to have a portrait of Collins hanging in the Taoiseach ’ s office beside one of his grandfather .
“ And I don ’ t think both parties being in government during the centenary of the Civil War will change anything , I don ’ t think it ’ s of any significance whatsoever , ” said Mr Ó Cuív who campaigned against Fianna Fáil going into coalition with Fine Gael and the Green Party .

A descendant of Michael Collins has welcomed the announcement by Taoiseach, Micheál Martin that he is to hang a portrait of the Free State leader in his office beside a portrait of Fianna Fáil founder, Eamon De Valera.
Collins' grandniece and former minister for justice Nora Owen said she believed it was an appropriate gesture by Mr Martin to hang a portrait of Collins beside De Valera, given Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are now in government together.
“Normally, if a Fianna Fáil Taoiseach was there on his own, he would have a picture of De Valera and a Fine Gael Taoiseach would have a picture of Michael Collins,” said Ms Owen who was deputy leader of Fine Gael from 1993 to 2001.
Clearing out the office tonight. This portrait has hung proudly over the fireplace for 9 years. Beidh sé ar ais pic.twitter.com/f822EciGKR — Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) June 26, 2020
“But whether we like it or not, they are both there now in government together so it makes some sense - I don’t see anything terribly amiss about Micheál Martin having portraits of both Collins and De Valera in his office.”
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Immediately upon his return home to Cork after being elected Taoiseach, Mr Martin revealed Fine Gael leader and outgoing taoiseach Leo Varadkar had been about to remove a portrait of Collins from the Taoiseach's office when he asked him to leave it there.
“Leo Varadkar said to me during the week that he was taking down the portrait of Michael Collins and I said ‘Well actually, you might put it back up and I’m going to put De Valera next to him in the Taoiseach’s office’,” said Mr Martin.
"I have a wonderful portrait of De Valera in my own office, the opposition office, and I am going to bring that over just to symbolise what has happened - Lemass is already there and we will find a place for a bust of Jack Lynch too."
Ms Owen said she had no issue with portraits of both leaders, who had been close allies in the fight for Irish freedom but took opposite sides in the Civil War following disagreement over the Anglo Irish Treaty, hanging side by side in the Taoiseach’s office
“You could argue Micheál Martin is the one in pole position being Taoiseach so he could have put De Valera up on his own but I think it was quite an interesting gesture that he said ‘No, leave Michael Collins there and let the two of them watch over us’ as it were.”
Ms Owen, who served as a minister for justice in the 1994-1997 Rainbow Coalition of Fine Gael, Labour and Democratic Left, said Michael Collins might well have gone into coalition with Fianna Fáil at some stage if he had not been killed in the Civil War in August 1922.
“It may be that if Michael Collins, if he were alive, would have done the same thing if he found himself in this position,” said Ms Owen whose granduncle was killed during an ambush by the anti-Treaty IRA at Beal na mBláth during a visit to his native Cork.
Stressing she was speaking in a personal capacity and that other descendants of Michael Collins might hold different views, Ms Owen said that having both portraits was symbolic of both parties entering coalition together but she didn’t believe it would lead to any merger.
“I think Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will remain separate parties and I don’t see any reason why we should merge - the way political systems work now in democracies, they are quite fragmented with several parties in some countries.
"We have several parties here in Ireland so I wouldn't think Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are going to become a single party by any manner or means but they have agreed to work together."
Contacted by The Irish Times about the matter, De Valera's grandson, Galway West Fianna Fáil TD, Éamon Ó Cuív said he saw no significance to Mr Martin's decision to have a portrait of Collins hanging in the Taoiseach's office beside one of his grandfather.
“And I don’t think both parties being in government during the centenary of the Civil War will change anything, I don’t think it’s of any significance whatsoever,” said Mr Ó Cuív who campaigned against Fianna Fáil going into coalition with Fine Gael and the Green Party.