theirishtimes--2020-09-24--About 4.5m extra home-support hours, 1,500 hospital beds in HSE plan

About 1,500 hospital beds , more than four million additional home-support hours and hundreds of additional staff are expected to be put in place as part of the HSE ’ s €600 million winter plan .
Under the plan , to be announced today , the HSE will also seek to have more than 1.5 million people receive the flu vaccine in the weeks ahead .
The Government will invest €130 million to put in place an additional 4.5 million home support hours over the winter period to deal with waiting lists in this area .
The Department of Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4,550 people in July waiting for home-support service .
Political sources said another key objective would be to cut waiting lists by more than a third and to improve patient ’ s experience in emergency departments .
The plan will also see €20 million allocated to pay for GPs to have access to diagnostic services such as X-rays and CT scans for their patients in the community rather than having to send them to hospitals .
Health chiefs hope this initiative will reduce by 20 per cent the number of over-75s attending emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , €200 million will be earmarked for services in the run-up to Christmas with €400 million to be spent in early 2021 .
One of the main aims of the plan is to keep people out of the hospital system as far as practical against the backdrop of the current surge in Covid-19 cases .
Hospitals will seek to relocate many outpatient clinics to other HSE premises in the community .
Community assessment hubs will also be used in the months ahead which will aim to deal with patients , particularly those with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan will say about 900 acute hospital beds will be put in place .
About 500 subacute hospital beds – for patients who need hospital care but not necessarily in a a major acute facility – will also be announced as part of the new plan .
However it is understood some of these beds are already open .
About 600 rehabilitation beds will also be set out .
The HSE will buy approximately 1.35 million doses of flu vaccine for adults and 600,000 doses for children aged between two and 12 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1.5 million people vaccinated against the flu this winter .
The bill for vaccinations as part of the new plan is expected to be about €55 million .
In terms of expanding Ireland ’ s testing and tracing facilities for Covid-19 , the winter plan will commit to having a workforce of about 3,000 people in this area .
Recruitment for some of these positions has already commenced as staff who are currently in this role on secondment will ultimately be redeployed .

A key objective of the Government’s winter plan would be to cut waiting lists by over a third and to improve patient’s experience in emergency departments, according to sources. Photograph: Alan Betson
About 1,500 hospital beds, more than four million additional home-support hours and hundreds of additional staff are expected to be put in place as part of the HSE’s €600 million winter plan.
Under the plan, to be announced today, the HSE will also seek to have more than 1.5 million people receive the flu vaccine in the weeks ahead.
The Government will invest €130 million to put in place an additional 4.5 million home support hours over the winter period to deal with waiting lists in this area. The Department of Health said earlier this month that there were 4,550 people in July waiting for home-support service.
Hospital Report
Political sources said another key objective would be to cut waiting lists by more than a third and to improve patient’s experience in emergency departments.
READ MORE
The plan will also see €20 million allocated to pay for GPs to have access to diagnostic services such as X-rays and CT scans for their patients in the community rather than having to send them to hospitals. Health chiefs hope this initiative will reduce by 20 per cent the number of over-75s attending emergency departments.
Christmas
As part of the plan, €200 million will be earmarked for services in the run-up to Christmas with €400 million to be spent in early 2021.
One of the main aims of the plan is to keep people out of the hospital system as far as practical against the backdrop of the current surge in Covid-19 cases.
Hospitals will seek to relocate many outpatient clinics to other HSE premises in the community.
Community assessment hubs will also be used in the months ahead which will aim to deal with patients, particularly those with chronic conditions.
It is expected the plan will say about 900 acute hospital beds will be put in place.
About 500 subacute hospital beds – for patients who need hospital care but not necessarily in a a major acute facility – will also be announced as part of the new plan. However it is understood some of these beds are already open.
About 600 rehabilitation beds will also be set out.
The HSE will buy approximately 1.35 million doses of flu vaccine for adults and 600,000 doses for children aged between two and 12 years.
Vaccinated
The aim is to have more than 1.5 million people vaccinated against the flu this winter.
The bill for vaccinations as part of the new plan is expected to be about €55 million.
In terms of expanding Ireland’s testing and tracing facilities for Covid-19, the winter plan will commit to having a workforce of about 3,000 people in this area. Recruitment for some of these positions has already commenced as staff who are currently in this role on secondment will ultimately be redeployed.


theirishtimes--2020-09-24--HSE to provide extra 1,500 hospital beds as part of €600m winter plan

The HSE has pledged to provide an additional 1,500 hospital beds as part of its €600 million winter health plan against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic .
Under the plan , to be published today , the HSE will also employ hundreds of extra staff and seek to ensure 1.5 million people receive the flu vaccine in the weeks ahead .
Political sources said a key objective would be to cut waiting lists by more than a third and to improve patients ’ experience in emergency departments .
Meanwhile , State health officials have warned that coronavirus infections across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two ” behind where Dublin is but will catch up unless public behaviour changes , The National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) described the next 10 days as “ critical ” in the fight against the virus as specific counties were singled out .
The warning came as the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee heard health experts have insufficient information to establish where people were getting infected because officials were only checking their close contacts for the 48 hours before they showed symptoms .
Prof Kirsten Schaffer , president of the Irish Society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gap in information was impeding the development of more refined or localised actions .
There were two more deaths from the virus announced yesterday , bringing the death toll to 1,794 .
There were 234 new cases , including 103 in Dublin , bringing total known cases to 33,675 .
At a briefing at the Department of Health , acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn raised concerns about rising infections in Louth , Waterford and Donegal , where one in three cases are in people aged 15 to 24 .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wicklow and east Kildare that border Dublin but asked that people across the country cut down on their social contacts with others .
“ It is Donegal today , it will be another county tomorrow , it will be another county the day after , ” he said .
Dr Glynn warned people either had to make “ hard choices ” individually now or face “ much more difficult choices at a societal level in the weeks and months to come ” .
Prof Philip Nolan , chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of the virus was “ far too high ” at between 1.5 and 1.7 , which means that every 10 people infected with the virus will spread it to between 15 and 17 others .
The increase in the rate of infection among more vulnerable older people – four times what it was five weeks ago – was a “ grave concern ” , he added .
It emerged yesterday that Irish clinical research group Open Orphan is to run the world ’ s first coronavirus human challenge trials – where healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assess the effectiveness of experimental vaccines .
The UK government-funded studies are expected to begin in January .
A 24-bed quarantine clinic in east London , has been earmarked for the initial trials .
It is run by hVivo , a spinout from London ’ s Queen Mary University that was bought this year by Open Orphan .

Under the winter plan, to be published today, the HSE will also employ hundreds of extra staff and seek to ensure 1.5 million people receive the flu vaccine in the weeks ahead. File photograph: Caroline Blumberg/EPA
The HSE has pledged to provide an additional 1,500 hospital beds as part of its €600 million winter health plan against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the plan, to be published today, the HSE will also employ hundreds of extra staff and seek to ensure 1.5 million people receive the flu vaccine in the weeks ahead. Political sources said a key objective would be to cut waiting lists by more than a third and to improve patients’ experience in emergency departments.
Meanwhile, State health officials have warned that coronavirus infections across the country are “a week or two” behind where Dublin is but will catch up unless public behaviour changes,
Hospital Report
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) described the next 10 days as “critical” in the fight against the virus as specific counties were singled out.
READ MORE
Warning
The warning came as the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee heard health experts have insufficient information to establish where people were getting infected because officials were only checking their close contacts for the 48 hours before they showed symptoms.
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn raised concerns about rising infections in Louth, Waterford and Donegal, where one in three cases are in people aged 15 to 24. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
Prof Kirsten Schaffer, president of the Irish Society of Clinical Microbiology, told the committee the gap in information was impeding the development of more refined or localised actions.
There were two more deaths from the virus announced yesterday, bringing the death toll to 1,794. There were 234 new cases, including 103 in Dublin, bringing total known cases to 33,675.
At a briefing at the Department of Health, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn raised concerns about rising infections in Louth, Waterford and Donegal, where one in three cases are in people aged 15 to 24.
He also urged caution in parts of north Wicklow and east Kildare that border Dublin but asked that people across the country cut down on their social contacts with others. "It is Donegal today, it will be another county tomorrow, it will be another county the day after," he said.
Hard choices
Dr Glynn warned people either had to make “hard choices” individually now or face “much more difficult choices at a societal level in the weeks and months to come”.
Prof Philip Nolan, chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said the reproduction number of the virus was "far too high" at between 1.5 and 1.7, which means that every 10 people infected with the virus will spread it to between 15 and 17 others. The increase in the rate of infection among more vulnerable older people – four times what it was five weeks ago – was a "grave concern", he added.
It emerged yesterday that Irish clinical research group Open Orphan is to run the world's first coronavirus human challenge trials – where healthy volunteers are deliberately infected with the virus to assess the effectiveness of experimental vaccines.
The UK government-funded studies are expected to begin in January. A 24-bed quarantine clinic in east London, has been earmarked for the initial trials. It is run by hVivo, a spinout from London’s Queen Mary University that was bought this year by Open Orphan.


theirishtimes--2020-09-24--Covid-19 testing in mental health facilities ‘inconsistent and untimely’

The Covid-19 testing strategy in the State ’ s mental health facilities is “ inconsistent and untimely ” , while dormitory-style accommodation was a factor in disease progression in a number of the worst affected services , according to a new report .
The Mental Health Commission on Thursday publishes its Covid-19 review papery , which provides observations gathered as part of its role in supervising and supporting 181 mental health services for the period March to July .
At the outset of the monitoring period , the report says , “ an early risk ” was identified in relation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to isolate residents .
“ Rapid service reconfiguration was undertaken in many areas , including temporary closures and the use of alternative facilities , ” it says .
“ It has been observed that the use of dormitory-style accommodation was a factor in disease progression in a number of the services worst affected by Covid-19.
” The report is also critical of the testing strategy .
“ End-to-end staff testing took more than a month , and many services reported significant delays in the communication of results .
“ No guidance was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the expectations around how often staff would be tested .
“ The commission considers that staff testing should not be seen as a once-off process , and that a strategy for service wide or sampling of staff testing should have been embedded into health policy and repeated regularly .
“ The commission observed the national testing strategy to be inconsistent and untimely .
The commission noted that there were significant geographic disparities in the ability to commence and complete the mass testing of staff and residents .
“ At times this process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arbitrarily exclude certain services without explanation .
“ The commission expressed concern that certain mental health services such as private services and certain inpatient services were excluded from the testing plan for residential care facilities.
” The report notes that 28 services reported confirmed resident cases of Covid-19 .
Of those 19 were approved centres , and eight were community residences .
Some 47 services reported confirmed staff cases of Covid-19 , while 31 per cent ( 56 ) of all mental health services reported confirmed resident and/or staff cases .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) of approved centres reported confirmed resident and/or staff cases .
There were 17 deaths from Covid-19 across three approved centres .

“The commission noted that there were significant geographic disparities in the ability to commence and complete the mass testing of staff and residents.” File photograph: Getty
The Covid-19 testing strategy in the State’s mental health facilities is “inconsistent and untimely”, while dormitory-style accommodation was a factor in disease progression in a number of the worst affected services, according to a new report.
The Mental Health Commission on Thursday publishes its Covid-19 review papery, which provides observations gathered as part of its role in supervising and supporting 181 mental health services for the period March to July.
At the outset of the monitoring period, the report says, “an early risk” was identified in relation to facilities with shared accommodation and limited ability to isolate residents.
Hospital Report
“Rapid service reconfiguration was undertaken in many areas, including temporary closures and the use of alternative facilities,” it says. “It has been observed that the use of dormitory-style accommodation was a factor in disease progression in a number of the services worst affected by Covid-19.”
READ MORE
The report is also critical of the testing strategy.
“End-to-end staff testing took more than a month, and many services reported significant delays in the communication of results.
“No guidance was provided on criteria for retesting staff, or the expectations around how often staff would be tested.
“The commission considers that staff testing should not be seen as a once-off process, and that a strategy for service wide or sampling of staff testing should have been embedded into health policy and repeated regularly.
“The commission observed the national testing strategy to be inconsistent and untimely. The commission noted that there were significant geographic disparities in the ability to commence and complete the mass testing of staff and residents.
“At times this process lacked co-ordination and oversight, and appeared to arbitrarily exclude certain services without explanation.
Inpatient services
“The commission expressed concern that certain mental health services such as private services and certain inpatient services were excluded from the testing plan for residential care facilities.”
The report notes that 28 services reported confirmed resident cases of Covid-19. Of those 19 were approved centres, and eight were community residences.
Some 47 services reported confirmed staff cases of Covid-19, while 31 per cent (56) of all mental health services reported confirmed resident and/or staff cases.
In total, 55 per cent (37) of approved centres reported confirmed resident and/or staff cases. There were 17 deaths from Covid-19 across three approved centres.


theirishtimes--2020-09-24--Further payments for high-earning public service staff to cost €42m

New pay restoration measures due to be made to higher earning public-service personnel in the months ahead will cost €42 million , the Department of Public Expenditure has said .
About 340,000 staff across the public service will receive pay increases of 2 per cent from the beginning of October .
However , in addition the Government is also obliged under legislation to reverse , for higher-earning staff , remaining cuts that were imposed under financial emergency legislation ( Fempi ) following the last economic crash .
The department said on Wednesday that under legislation the Minister has to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public servants paid an annual basic salary of €150,000 or less on any date between October 2nd , 2020 , and July 1st , 2021 , inclusive .
“ The current estimate of the full-year cost of this measure is approx €42 million.
” The department declined to say when exactly the payments would be made .
Ministers in the current Government , almost since it took up office in June , had signalled they would pay the 2 per cent pay rise due in October to public-service personnel .
It is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay deal .
However there has been little or no public comment about the other payments as part of the reversal of previous cuts which are due to be made to groups such as senior civil servants , higher-grade staff in health , education and local government as well as politicians .
The Government is holding preliminary talks with various public-service representative bodies about the potential for a new pay deal to succeed the current agreement , which expires at the end of the year .
According to sources who participated in these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bodies it envisaged no pay increases for State employees either nationally or at sectoral level in 2021 under any new agreement .
However increments would be paid as normal .
Government officials have signalled to these groups that they envisage an accord of shorter duration .
It is understood the department suggested any new deal would be shorter , potentially for two years .
This has led to suggestions that any increases could be pencilled in for the second year of any new accord .
However even if there were to be no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal in 2021 , the Government ’ s public-service pay bill would still increase by more than €300 million .
This would stem from carryover costs from the pay rise to come into effect in October , and other commitments including the reversal of the Fempi cuts for higher earners and initiatives relating to recent public-service entrants and the implementation of some Labour Court recommendations .
Over the next four years , there are pay costs of more than €400 million in total pencilled in to the Government ’ s public-service pay projections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase in staffing , is taken into account .
Departmental briefing documents for the Minister for Public Expenditure , Michael McGrath , in June said the gross pay bill would be about €19.7 billion this year .
The briefing material said the public-service pay bill had been increasing by about €1 billion annually over recent years , made up of one-third wage rises and two-thirds staff increases ( about 9,500 per year ) .

The Department of Public Expenditure told public-service representative bodies it envisaged no pay increases for State employees either nationally or at sectoral level in 2021 under any new agreement. File photograph: Getty
New pay restoration measures due to be made to higher earning public-service personnel in the months ahead will cost €42 million, the Department of Public Expenditure has said.
About 340,000 staff across the public service will receive pay increases of 2 per cent from the beginning of October.
However, in addition the Government is also obliged under legislation to reverse, for higher-earning staff, remaining cuts that were imposed under financial emergency legislation (Fempi) following the last economic crash.
The department said on Wednesday that under legislation the Minister has to “provide for completion of pay restoration to public servants paid an annual basic salary of €150,000 or less on any date between October 2nd, 2020, and July 1st, 2021, inclusive.
READ MORE
“The current estimate of the full-year cost of this measure is approx €42 million.”
The department declined to say when exactly the payments would be made.
Ministers in the current Government, almost since it took up office in June, had signalled they would pay the 2 per cent pay rise due in October to public-service personnel. It is the final payment arising from the current public-service pay deal. However there has been little or no public comment about the other payments as part of the reversal of previous cuts which are due to be made to groups such as senior civil servants, higher-grade staff in health, education and local government as well as politicians.
New pay deal
The Government is holding preliminary talks with various public-service representative bodies about the potential for a new pay deal to succeed the current agreement, which expires at the end of the year.
According to sources who participated in these discussions, the department told public-service representative bodies it envisaged no pay increases for State employees either nationally or at sectoral level in 2021 under any new agreement. However increments would be paid as normal.
Government officials have signalled to these groups that they envisage an accord of shorter duration.
It is understood the department suggested any new deal would be shorter, potentially for two years. This has led to suggestions that any increases could be pencilled in for the second year of any new accord.
However even if there were to be no new increases as part of any new deal in 2021, the Government's public-service pay bill would still increase by more than €300 million. This would stem from carryover costs from the pay rise to come into effect in October, and other commitments including the reversal of the Fempi cuts for higher earners and initiatives relating to recent public-service entrants and the implementation of some Labour Court recommendations.
Pay projections
Over the next four years, there are pay costs of more than €400 million in total pencilled in to the Government’s public-service pay projections before any wage agreement, or major increase in staffing, is taken into account.
Departmental briefing documents for the Minister for Public Expenditure, Michael McGrath, in June said the gross pay bill would be about €19.7 billion this year.
The briefing material said the public-service pay bill had been increasing by about €1 billion annually over recent years, made up of one-third wage rises and two-thirds staff increases (about 9,500 per year).


theirishtimes--2020-09-24--'You can't postpone youth': Those least at risk from Covid pay highest price, says doctor

The senior Health Service Executive doctor who resigned from his post days after he criticised “ draconian ” anti-Covid-19 restrictions has insisted that we must “ stop scaring the nation ” and encourage personal choice .
Dr Martin Feeley , who was the clinical director of Dublin Midlands Hospital Group , which includes the State ’ s biggest hospitals , resigned with immediate effect in mid-September .
Writing in today ’ s Irish Times , Dr Feeley said the number of people who have so far died of Covid-19 in Europe , up to August 10th , stood at 182,639 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died three years ago as a result of flu ( 152,000 ) ” .
The number of patients who died in Europe from the 1917-1918 Spanish flu was about 2.64 million – proportionately , this would be equivalent to about 7.4 million deaths of today ’ s European population .
“ It is not for want of good reason that deaths are now referred to as Covid-19-associated deaths , ” he writes , adding that 88 per cent of a group of New York patients had “ more than one underlying condition ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in patients “ is the all-important factor in determining the risk , even in the elderly ” , he said , saying 83 per cent of the 6,000 nursing home residents who had tested positive for Covid-19 had recovered .
However , Dr Feeley was sharply critical of how the HSE was presenting data about the Covid-19 risks facing overweight people : “ The best-kept secret regarding Covid-19 is the vulnerability of overweight individuals.
” The information is not published “ for reasons unknown ” , he said , while the lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is exacerbated , if not caused , by HSE-published data on risk factors .
Someone is obese , according to the HSE ’ s calculations , if they have body mass index of 40 “ whereas most international literature uses a BMI of 30 ” .
Using the lower number , a person 178cm ( 5ft 10in ) in height is obese if they weigh more than 95kg ( 15st ) .
Under the BMI 40 rule used by the HSE , 3 per cent of the State ’ s adult population is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rises to 23 per cent if a BMI of 30 is applied : “ The HSE data therefore grossly understates the obesity risk , ” he complains .
Questioning the State ’ s strategy , Dr Feeley said the costs were being met by younger people , “ not by over-65s who are guaranteed their pension ” , or those with guaranteed salaries “ who decide to impose these draconian measures ” .
Saying that many people were facing “ an existence , not living ” , he went on : “ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essence , those least at risk are paying the highest price both financially and in their quality of life .
”

Dr Martin Feeley says the costs of the measures are being met by younger people. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP via Getty
The senior Health Service Executive doctor who resigned from his post days after he criticised "draconian" anti-Covid-19 restrictions has insisted that we must "stop scaring the nation" and encourage personal choice.
Dr Martin Feeley, who was the clinical director of Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, which includes the State's biggest hospitals, resigned with immediate effect in mid-September.
Writing in today's Irish Times, Dr Feeley said the number of people who have so far died of Covid-19 in Europe, up to August 10th, stood at 182,639, "slightly above the number who died three years ago as a result of flu (152,000)".
Dr Martin Feeley’s view that coronavirus is ‘much less severe’ than the flu for most people and that restrictions were no longer justified caused a furore.
The number of patients who died in Europe from the 1917-1918 Spanish flu was about 2.64 million – proportionately, this would be equivalent to about 7.4 million deaths of today’s European population.
READ MORE
“It is not for want of good reason that deaths are now referred to as Covid-19-associated deaths,” he writes, adding that 88 per cent of a group of New York patients had “more than one underlying condition”.
The presence of a chronic illness in patients “is the all-important factor in determining the risk, even in the elderly”, he said, saying 83 per cent of the 6,000 nursing home residents who had tested positive for Covid-19 had recovered.
However, Dr Feeley was sharply critical of how the HSE was presenting data about the Covid-19 risks facing overweight people: “The best-kept secret regarding Covid-19 is the vulnerability of overweight individuals.”
The information is not published “for reasons unknown”, he said, while the lack of awareness among the population at large “is exacerbated, if not caused, by HSE-published data on risk factors.
At-risk category
Someone is obese, according to the HSE’s calculations, if they have body mass index of 40 “whereas most international literature uses a BMI of 30”. Using the lower number, a person 178cm (5ft 10in) in height is obese if they weigh more than 95kg (15st).
Under the BMI 40 rule used by the HSE, 3 per cent of the State’s adult population is considered at risk, but this number rises to 23 per cent if a BMI of 30 is applied: “The HSE data therefore grossly understates the obesity risk,” he complains.
Questioning the State’s strategy, Dr Feeley said the costs were being met by younger people, “not by over-65s who are guaranteed their pension”, or those with guaranteed salaries “who decide to impose these draconian measures”.
Saying that many people were facing “an existence, not living”, he went on: “You can’t postpone youth. In essence, those least at risk are paying the highest price both financially and in their quality of life.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-24--‘The stakes are undoubtedly higher’

‘The stakes are undoubtedly higher’

What did you study and when did you graduate ?
I graduated in May 2019 and started working with Lidl the following September .
I am a graduate of DCU ’ s unique Global Business USA program .
I was fortunate enough to spend two years studying in DCU followed by two years in Northeastern University Boston , graduating with a B.A in Global Business from DCU and a Bachelor of Science in International Business from NEU .
What attracted you to your current role ?
I chose supply chain management as my concentration in university because of it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eCommerce and my desire to be a part of it .
Then , I wrote my thesis on traceability within the food industry and my interest in the supply chain of food grew .
I had read so much about Lidl , particularly their graduate program , and so it seemed like a good fit .
What did you find most challenging about the working world ?
The stakes are undoubtedly higher .
Today , that does not bother me , in fact it ’ s the aspect of my current role that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it took a while to become comfortable with this newfound responsibility .
Lidl offer their graduates untold responsibility right from the outset .
I found myself placing orders in my first couple of weeks for tens , if not hundreds , of thousands of euro worth of inventory .
Because we are dealing with perishable goods , having too much might result in food waste but then buying too little means lost revenue and empty shelves .
This , in contrast to the ramifications of handing in a late paper , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was difficult to reconcile at first .
Do you have any mentors ?
If so , what is their value to you ?
At Lidl we have the enviable luxury of each being assigned a board director as a mentor from day one .
My director mentor has been a constant source of feedback , a sounding board for questions related to career progression and a friendly face to meet around the office .
Having a mentor that has held a variety of positions within the company , and has obviously been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivator and an invaluable source of knowledge .
What is the most valuable thing you have learned since you joined the workforce ?
I would say that my ability to manage uncertainty , and work within the grey area of the unknown , has improved drastically during my time with Lidl , particularly during Covid-19 .
So too has my ability to communicate effectively with not only those working within the company , but also external stakeholders .
I spend a large portion of my day communicating with suppliers and hauliers from all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indeed supply chains , become more diverse and dispersed , I feel as though this is an invaluable part of any professionals skillset .
How has Covid-19 affected your working life ?
Working in an essential service has been hugely interesting and a great learning curve for me so my experience has been very positive .
As we are dealing with the movement of stock , we are presented with a variety of new challenges as people ’ s priorities , panic and preferences played out very differently on our stock levels .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , be it toilet paper , canned goods or alcohol , we had to be astute and aware of these changes in order to secure increased supply .
That said , I believe that if I can manage working in this particular industry during Covid-19 , a normal week should be slightly less eventful !
.
What is one piece of advice you would offer new graduates ?
Early on in your career it is vitally important that you get exposed to situations where you have a lot of responsibility and that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your comfort zone as possible .
If these opportunities are not presented to you , seek them out !
The position of a graduate is an enviable one .
You will probably fail fast and often at first , but this is an opportunity generally not given to those who join a company and is the best way , in my opinion , to learn .

What did you study and when did you graduate?
I graduated in May 2019 and started working with Lidl the following September. I am a graduate of DCU's unique Global Business USA program. I was fortunate enough to spend two years studying in DCU followed by two years in Northeastern University Boston, graduating with a B.A in Global Business from DCU and a Bachelor of Science in International Business from NEU.
What attracted you to your current role?
I chose supply chain management as my concentration in university because of it’s practicality, and the growth of eCommerce and my desire to be a part of it. Then, I wrote my thesis on traceability within the food industry and my interest in the supply chain of food grew. I had read so much about Lidl, particularly their graduate program, and so it seemed like a good fit.
READ MORE
What did you find most challenging about the working world?
The stakes are undoubtedly higher. Today, that does not bother me, in fact it’s the aspect of my current role that I value most. That being said, it took a while to become comfortable with this newfound responsibility. Lidl offer their graduates untold responsibility right from the outset. I found myself placing orders in my first couple of weeks for tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of euro worth of inventory. Because we are dealing with perishable goods, having too much might result in food waste but then buying too little means lost revenue and empty shelves. This, in contrast to the ramifications of handing in a late paper, or scoring a bad mark on an exam, was difficult to reconcile at first.
Do you have any mentors? If so, what is their value to you?
At Lidl we have the enviable luxury of each being assigned a board director as a mentor from day one. My director mentor has been a constant source of feedback, a sounding board for questions related to career progression and a friendly face to meet around the office. Having a mentor that has held a variety of positions within the company, and has obviously been incredibly successful, serves as both a motivator and an invaluable source of knowledge.
What is the most valuable thing you have learned since you joined the workforce?
I would say that my ability to manage uncertainty, and work within the grey area of the unknown, has improved drastically during my time with Lidl, particularly during Covid-19. So too has my ability to communicate effectively with not only those working within the company, but also external stakeholders. I spend a large portion of my day communicating with suppliers and hauliers from all over Europe. As companies, and indeed supply chains, become more diverse and dispersed, I feel as though this is an invaluable part of any professionals skillset.
How has Covid-19 affected your working life?
Working in an essential service has been hugely interesting and a great learning curve for me so my experience has been very positive. As we are dealing with the movement of stock, we are presented with a variety of new challenges as people’s priorities, panic and preferences played out very differently on our stock levels. Whatever the flavour of the day was, be it toilet paper, canned goods or alcohol, we had to be astute and aware of these changes in order to secure increased supply. That said, I believe that if I can manage working in this particular industry during Covid-19, a normal week should be slightly less eventful!.
What is one piece of advice you would offer new graduates?
Early on in your career it is vitally important that you get exposed to situations where you have a lot of responsibility and that you are forced to operate as far from your comfort zone as possible. If these opportunities are not presented to you, seek them out! The position of a graduate is an enviable one. You will probably fail fast and often at first, but this is an opportunity generally not given to those who join a company and is the best way, in my opinion, to learn.
Jenna Clarke-Molloy


theirishtimes--2020-09-23--Irish hauliers say they will be ‘between a rock and a hard place’ post-Brexit

Irish hauliers say they will be “ between a rock and a hard place ” post-Brexit after the UK government ’ s warning of possible queues of 7,000 lorries in the port of Dover and two-day delays to cross into continental Europe .
Michael Gove , the Westminster cabinet office minister responsible for Brexit planning , told the House of Commons on Wednesday that in a “ reasonable worst-case scenario ” there could be thousands of lorries waiting in Dover to cross the English Channel after January 1st .
He told MPs that lorry drivers crossing county boundaries into Kent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period would need a “ Kent access permit ” or face police action .
He said the permit system , which would be enforced by number plate recognition , was necessary to reduce congestion .
Eugene Drennan , president of the Irish Road Haulage Association , said two-day delays at Dover could add “ the best part of week ” to a return journey for a lorry driver making deliveries between Ireland and markets in the Netherlands and Italy .
“ The writing is on the wall that we have to alleviate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continental Europe , ” said Mr Drennan .
“ Ireland Inc needs certainty and surety of timing that goods can get to their markets in Europe on time.
” Mr Drennan said it did not matter that an agreement had been reached with the UK to fast-track EU-bound Irish lorries through customs if there were lengthy delays in Dover .
Aidan Flynn , general manager of Freight Transport Association Ireland , said it was “ a bit rich ” of Mr Gove to be warning of “ reasonable worst-case scenario ” planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trade deal with the EU to avoid a crash-out Brexit .
He said Irish transport companies were “ between a rock and a hard place ” on the use of the UK landbridge because nobody knew how long the delays at Dover would be after the transition period following the UK ’ s exit from the EU ends on December 31st .
“ Two-day delays at Dover make it very difficult for Irish business .
We are impacted more here in Ireland , particularly if the UK aren ’ t prepared , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lorries use the landbridge every year .
About 40 per cent of Irish exports and 13 per cent of imports cross the trade thoroughfare every year .
The value of trade crossing the landbridge was €18 billion in exports and €3 billion in imports in 2016 , according to a report on the route by the Irish Maritime Development Office .
More than 80 per cent of the one million “ roll-on , roll-off ” lorries using Irish ports every year go through UK ports , with the remainder going on direct routes @ @ @ @

Eugene Drennan, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, says two-day delays at Dover could add “the best part of week” to a return journey between Ireland and Italy. Photograph: Getty Images
Irish hauliers say they will be "between a rock and a hard place" post-Brexit after the UK government's warning of possible queues of 7,000 lorries in the port of Dover and two-day delays to cross into continental Europe.
Michael Gove, the Westminster cabinet office minister responsible for Brexit planning, told the House of Commons on Wednesday that in a "reasonable worst-case scenario" there could be thousands of lorries waiting in Dover to cross the English Channel after January 1st.
He told MPs that lorry drivers crossing county boundaries into Kent after the end of the Brexit transition period would need a “Kent access permit” or face police action.
He said the permit system, which would be enforced by number plate recognition, was necessary to reduce congestion.
READ MORE
Eugene Drennan, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, said two-day delays at Dover could add "the best part of week" to a return journey for a lorry driver making deliveries between Ireland and markets in the Netherlands and Italy.
"The writing is on the wall that we have to alleviate the pressure on Irish hauliers going through England to continental Europe," said Mr Drennan. "Ireland Inc needs certainty and surety of timing that goods can get to their markets in Europe on time."
Mr Drennan said it did not matter that an agreement had been reached with the UK to fast-track EU-bound Irish lorries through customs if there were lengthy delays in Dover.
Aidan Flynn, general manager of Freight Transport Association Ireland, said it was "a bit rich" of Mr Gove to be warning of "reasonable worst-case scenario" planning when the UK should be concentrating on a trade deal with the EU to avoid a crash-out Brexit.
He said Irish transport companies were “between a rock and a hard place” on the use of the UK landbridge because nobody knew how long the delays at Dover would be after the transition period following the UK’s exit from the EU ends on December 31st.
“Two-day delays at Dover make it very difficult for Irish business. We are impacted more here in Ireland, particularly if the UK aren’t prepared,” he said.
Landbridge
Some 150,000 Irish lorries use the landbridge every year. About 40 per cent of Irish exports and 13 per cent of imports cross the trade thoroughfare every year.
The value of trade crossing the landbridge was €18 billion in exports and €3 billion in imports in 2016, according to a report on the route by the Irish Maritime Development Office.
More than 80 per cent of the one million “roll-on, roll-off” lorries using Irish ports every year go through UK ports, with the remainder going on direct routes to continental Europe.


theirishtimes--2020-09-23--Downing Street moves to give spies licence to commit crimes

The UK government is to introduce legislation in parliament on Thursday that would give undercover agents the legal authority to commit crimes .
The Home Office said the Covert Human Intelligence Sources Bill provided “ express legal basis for the existing capability of undercover operatives and agents to participate in criminality to tackle terrorism and serious crime ” .
Agents ’ activities would “ remain subject to legal obligations on human rights and robust independent oversight ” , it said .
Human rights and civil liberties organisations have raised concerns that the proposed legislation appears to put no specific limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be authorised .
Reprieve , Privacy International , the Pat Finucane Centre and the Committee on the Administration of Justice ( CAJ ) have called for the Bill to be amended to include explicit restrictions against the most serious offences , including murder , torture and sexual violence .
However , in a joint statement they said the introduction of the Bill was in effect a concession by the UK government to the fundamental constitutional issues raised by them in court last year .
The case challenged the legality of a previously secret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to commit crimes .
“ The Bill represents a belated recognition by the government that it can not continue secretly and informally signing off crimes , but rather must put this process on a legislative footing of some kind , ” the organisations said .
The Bill will place on a statutory basis the authorisation to participate in criminal activity , which is already given by a number of public authorities in the UK .
In so doing , the UK Home Office said , “ it will provide certainty to public authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a common set of safeguards which they are bound by , including compliance with human rights ” .
The authorities that will be authorised under the Bill include the police , the UK armed forces , the Home Office , Her Majesty ’ s Revenue and Customs , the Environment Agency and the Financial Conduct Authority .
“ In Northern Ireland we have a particular experience of where the policy of tolerating , encouraging or facilitating criminality by agents can lead , ” said Daniel Holder , the deputy director of the CAJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was one of the patterns of human rights violations that fuelled and prolonged the conflict here .
“ Independent inquiries into our past have found that when intelligence units of the security forces were running informants , they were acting as if the law did not apply to them .
A Home Office spokeswoman said all public authorities were bound by the Human Rights Act , and any authority given to commit a crime would be necessary and proportionate , and at the lowest level possible to prevent the commission of a more @ @ @

The UK government is to introduce legislation in parliament on Thursday that would give undercover agents the legal authority to commit crimes.
The Home Office said the Covert Human Intelligence Sources Bill provided “express legal basis for the existing capability of undercover operatives and agents to participate in criminality to tackle terrorism and serious crime”.
Agents’ activities would “remain subject to legal obligations on human rights and robust independent oversight”, it said.
Human rights and civil liberties organisations have raised concerns that the proposed legislation appears to put no specific limit on the type of crime that could be authorised.
READ MORE
Reprieve, Privacy International, the Pat Finucane Centre and the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) have called for the Bill to be amended to include explicit restrictions against the most serious offences, including murder, torture and sexual violence.
However, in a joint statement they said the introduction of the Bill was in effect a concession by the UK government to the fundamental constitutional issues raised by them in court last year.
The case challenged the legality of a previously secret MI5 policy under which agents were authorised to commit crimes.
“The Bill represents a belated recognition by the government that it cannot continue secretly and informally signing off crimes, but rather must put this process on a legislative footing of some kind,” the organisations said.
Statutory basis
The Bill will place on a statutory basis the authorisation to participate in criminal activity, which is already given by a number of public authorities in the UK.
In so doing, the UK Home Office said, “it will provide certainty to public authorities already using this critical capacity and confirm a common set of safeguards which they are bound by, including compliance with human rights”.
The authorities that will be authorised under the Bill include the police, the UK armed forces, the Home Office, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the Environment Agency and the Financial Conduct Authority.
"In Northern Ireland we have a particular experience of where the policy of tolerating, encouraging or facilitating criminality by agents can lead," said Daniel Holder, the deputy director of the CAJ.
“Informant-based collusion with paramilitary groups was one of the patterns of human rights violations that fuelled and prolonged the conflict here.
“Independent inquiries into our past have found that when intelligence units of the security forces were running informants, they were acting as if the law did not apply to them.
A Home Office spokeswoman said all public authorities were bound by the Human Rights Act, and any authority given to commit a crime would be necessary and proportionate, and at the lowest level possible to prevent the commission of a more serious crime.


theirishtimes--2020-09-23--Dunnes Stores set to enter grocery delivery market

Dunnes Stores is set to shake up the Irish grocery market in the run-up to Christmas with a move into online retailing that will see it put up to 70 dedicated home delivery trucks on the road as early as next month .
Although the exact timing of the roll-out of the new service has yet to be finalised , The Irish Times understands that the retailer is anxious to widen a trial that has been running out of one of its Dublin shops since July .
It has plans to offer the service nationwide but will initially focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fulfilling grocery orders from a single shop or multiple shops , much of the new operation will centre on a so-called “ dark store ” – a dedicated fulfilment depot that will have easy access to the M50 and will allow Dunnes Stores to reach consumers in several counties quickly .
The depot will not be open to the public .
In July , Dunnes Stores made its first , tentative steps into grocery delivery from its flagship outlet in Cornelscourt , south Dublin , for customers living within a 10km radius .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery fee waived .
As part of the trial , it had five trucks delivering more than 100 orders each day .
If there are 70 trucks operating as part of the expanded service , Dunnes Stores could soon be fulfilling well over 1,000 orders on a daily basis .
Unlike competitors Tesco and SuperValu , Dunnes Stores has not fully embraced the model of delivering food to people ’ s homes , although it does have a click-and-collect service for clothes and homeware .
Its apparent reluctance to offer grocery deliveries has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chains Aldi and Lidl have moved into that space , with Lidl offering deliveries through a company called Buymie and Aldi partnering with food delivery service Deliveroo to trial home grocery deliveries for customers in Dublin .
The popularity of online grocery shopping continues , with sales growing 122 per cent over the latest four weeks , according to figures published by retail analyst Kantar this week .
Such sales added €72.9 million to the total market in the past three months , with new shoppers accounting for almost a quarter of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that time .
Dunnes Stores declined to comment on its plans .

Dunnes Stores is set to shake up the Irish grocery market in the run-up to Christmas with a move into online retailing that will see it put up to 70 dedicated home delivery trucks on the road as early as next month.
Although the exact timing of the roll-out of the new service has yet to be finalised, The Irish Times understands that the retailer is anxious to widen a trial that has been running out of one of its Dublin shops since July.
It has plans to offer the service nationwide but will initially focus on Dublin and surrounding counties.
Rather than fulfilling grocery orders from a single shop or multiple shops, much of the new operation will centre on a so-called “dark store” – a dedicated fulfilment depot that will have easy access to the M50 and will allow Dunnes Stores to reach consumers in several counties quickly.
READ MORE
The depot will not be open to the public.
In July, Dunnes Stores made its first, tentative steps into grocery delivery from its flagship outlet in Cornelscourt, south Dublin, for customers living within a 10km radius. Orders that exceeded €50 had the €3 delivery fee waived.
No groceries
As part of the trial, it had five trucks delivering more than 100 orders each day. If there are 70 trucks operating as part of the expanded service, Dunnes Stores could soon be fulfilling well over 1,000 orders on a daily basis.
Unlike competitors Tesco and SuperValu, Dunnes Stores has not fully embraced the model of delivering food to people’s homes, although it does have a click-and-collect service for clothes and homeware.
Its apparent reluctance to offer grocery deliveries has left it isolated as even the discount chains Aldi and Lidl have moved into that space, with Lidl offering deliveries through a company called Buymie and Aldi partnering with food delivery service Deliveroo to trial home grocery deliveries for customers in Dublin.
The popularity of online grocery shopping continues, with sales growing 122 per cent over the latest four weeks, according to figures published by retail analyst Kantar this week. Such sales added €72.9 million to the total market in the past three months, with new shoppers accounting for almost a quarter of the €133.6 million spent on online groceries during that time.
Dunnes Stores declined to comment on its plans.


theirishtimes--2020-09-23--Attention turns to final rounds of CAO

Attention turns to final rounds of CAO

Some 41,681 CAO applicants have accepted a Level 8 CAO offer to-date , 2,518 more acceptances than at this stage in 2019 .
These additional places were created under the “ Human Capital ” programme in science and technology , and through the additional places funded through the action of Minister Harris ’ s initiative in the days running up to round one CAO offers in the 1st week of September .
A total of 1,923 Level 8 offers , and 1,032 Level 7/6 offers , were made today to 2,630 CAO applicants in this round while 1,098 applicants received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of the recipients of Level 8 offers , 883 received an offer of their first preference course ; for Level 7/6 offer recipients a total of 874 applicants ’ first preference offers were received .
One offer resulted in the withdrawal of a High Court challenge over this year ’ s grades .
Martha Woods , who had contested the fairness of the manner in which grades were standardised received a Round 2 offer of a place in Dentistry in UCC , and along with all other recipients of an offer in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noon on Friday confirm her decision with the CAO .
For those still hoping for a place there will now be a sequence of further rounds of weekly offers of places through the CAO , but the places on offer will be very small in number .
Round Three will be issued on October 1st and Round Four will be issued a week later on October 8th .
The date for the final round , Round Five , has yet to be confirmed .
The Available Places facility has almost 200 courses advertised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applicants , and open to new applications for a fee of €45 .
See cao.ie for more information .
Applicants who have not secured one of their preferred CAO places can now , if they wish , apply to the examinations branch of the Department of Education and Skills to sit the examination in November .
They can opt to sit one or a number of subjects when the examination takes place .
Covid19 permitting , the postponed 2020 Leaving Cert exams are due to take place during the evening time and at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The exam format will remain unchanged from previous years although marks will not be available for oral language or music performance tests .
If a 2020 Leaving Cert student secures a higher grade than they were awarded through the assessed grade process which brings their CAO points total to or above the level required to secure a place as published by the CAO today or in the coming weeks if points reduce further , they will be offered the opportunity to start into this course in September 2021 .
If they secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will retain their assessed grade .
Further education ( FE ) colleges are still offering some places in the coming days on level 5 programmes which link into reserved CAO places on many high points courses in 2021 .
Applications directly to the college in question .
Course details on qualifax.ie .

Leaving Cert 2020 applicants who have not to date secured one of their preferred CAO places can now apply to sit the examination.
Some 41,681 CAO applicants have accepted a Level 8 CAO offer to-date, 2,518 more acceptances than at this stage in 2019.
These additional places were created under the “Human Capital” programme in science and technology, and through the additional places funded through the action of Minister Harris’s initiative in the days running up to round one CAO offers in the 1st week of September.
A total of 1,923 Level 8 offers, and 1,032 Level 7/6 offers, were made today to 2,630 CAO applicants in this round while 1,098 applicants received an offer for the first time.
Of the recipients of Level 8 offers, 883 received an offer of their first preference course; for Level 7/6 offer recipients a total of 874 applicants’ first preference offers were received.
READ MORE
One offer resulted in the withdrawal of a High Court challenge over this year's grades. Martha Woods, who had contested the fairness of the manner in which grades were standardised received a Round 2 offer of a place in Dentistry in UCC, and along with all other recipients of an offer in the latest round, she now has until noon on Friday confirm her decision with the CAO.
For those still hoping for a place there will now be a sequence of further rounds of weekly offers of places through the CAO, but the places on offer will be very small in number.
Round Three will be issued on October 1st and Round Four will be issued a week later on October 8th. The date for the final round, Round Five, has yet to be confirmed.
The Available Places facility has almost 200 courses advertised. The facility is free to existing applicants, and open to new applications for a fee of €45. See cao.ie for more information.
Applicants who have not secured one of their preferred CAO places can now, if they wish, apply to the examinations branch of the Department of Education and Skills to sit the examination in November. They can opt to sit one or a number of subjects when the examination takes place.
Covid19 permitting, the postponed 2020 Leaving Cert exams are due to take place during the evening time and at weekends from Monday, November 16th onwards.
The exam format will remain unchanged from previous years although marks will not be available for oral language or music performance tests .
If a 2020 Leaving Cert student secures a higher grade than they were awarded through the assessed grade process which brings their CAO points total to or above the level required to secure a place as published by the CAO today or in the coming weeks if points reduce further, they will be offered the opportunity to start into this course in September 2021.
If they secure a lower grade than they currently hold they will retain their assessed grade.
Further education (FE) colleges are still offering some places in the coming days on level 5 programmes which link into reserved CAO places on many high points courses in 2021. Applications directly to the college in question. Course details on qualifax.ie.


theirishtimes--2020-09-23--One winner of Lotto jackpot worth over €5.3m

There was one winner of Wednesday night ’ s Lotto jackpot worth €5,395,798 .
The winning numbers were 2 , @ @ @ @ @ , 38 , 42 , with the bonus number 27 .
There were no top @ @ @ @ @ Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 draws .
The full results can be found on @ @ @ @ @ website .

There was one winner of Wednesday night’s Lotto jackpot. File photograph: iStock
There was one winner of Wednesday night’s Lotto jackpot worth €5,395,798.
The winning numbers were 2, 5, 7, 29, 38, 42, with the bonus number 27.
There were no top prize winners in the Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 draws.
The full results can be found on the National Lottery's website.


theirishtimes--2020-09-23--Irish gyroscope to navigate asteroid-deflection mission

Sixty-six million years ago , the dinosaurs became extinct after an asteroid hit Earth .
The desire to prevent humans suffering a similar fate underpins a Nasa and European Space Agency ( ESA ) mission – which includes Irish technology – aiming to show an asteroid set for collision with Earth can be nudged safely past it .
The first part of the bold plan involves Nasa launching a probe called Dart ( Double Asteroid Redirection Target ) in July 2021 weighing 500kg .
It will be slammed into an asteroid 116 million km from Earth , while travelling nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or about 6km a second .
The impact of Dart with its 160m-wide target is scheduled for October 2022 .
The target is an orbiting moon of a larger asteroid called Didymos .
This two-asteroid , or binary system was discovered by the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona in 1996 .
In 2024 , the ESA will launch a follow-on probe called Hera – named after the Greek goddess of marriage .
Hera will travel close to the impact asteroid with the help of navigation equipment developed in Dublin , study the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has occurred .
Mission scientists are hoping that the force of the Dart impact with the asteroid will be enough to deflect it out of its orbit .
If Hera finds that deflection has indeed occurred , it means any future asteroid threatening Earth can be pushed on to a safe path .
“ It is the first mission , in co-operation with Nasa , where we are targeting a binary asteroid , ” explains Steeve Kowaltschek , head of the AOCS/GNC sensors unit at the ESA , an engineer who has worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hera mission .
“ One spacecraft will be launched soon by Nasa for a kinetic impact to deflect one of the two asteroids , ” Kowaltschek says .
“ A few years later , Hera will go to this same binary asteroid , and first inspect very carefully with cameras the impact by the other spacecraft and to measure precisely how the asteroid has been deflected.
” “ The whole idea is that in case one day an asteroid is coming to hit the Earth , we would have already demonstrated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid that , ” Kowaltschek says .
A gyroscope is used to navigate ships , airplanes , helicopters , rockets and satellites .
It is also used in space where it lets the spacecraft know where it is , and the direction towards which it should be pointing .
It is a vital piece of navigation equipment and Innalabs , based in Blanchardstown , Co Dublin , is supplying two for Hera .
“ Innalabs as a company works on gyros , accelerometers , and inertial measurement units for various markets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of space programmes with Innalabs which employ 55 people .
“ Thanks to the support of the European Space Agency and Enterprise Ireland at Irish level we are now developing a number of products designed specifically for space applications.
” It took time for the ESA to become convinced of the capability of Innalabs ’ technology when the Irish company first approached it in 2013 , recalls Kowaltschek .
He admits that he was sceptical at first about claims being made by this company he hadn ’ t heard of .
“ Originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were claiming was achievable because the technology was very new and we had no point of comparison , ” he says .
“ Now we can say that we have reached , by far , a better performance than the original claims.
” The Irish gyroscope had proven to be highly reliable in all of its commercial applications on Earth .
That was attractive to the ESA given that Hera would operate in the vacuum of space and be subject to high radiation levels .
It was also small , light and used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hera is about 1.5kg , ” says Kowaltschek .
“ It ’ s not big at all for a gyroscope of this performance .
It has very low power consumption , below 10 watts , ” he adds .
Less weight and energy usage by mission instruments , facilitates higher performance .
The reality of the threat posed by asteroids to life on Earth is shown by the fact that in 2019 alone , 17 asteroids passed closer than a lunar distance – the distance from Earth to the Moon – from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified before the near miss .
The fear is that if we don ’ t get our asteroid defences ready in time , we might go the way of the dinosaurs .
“ The idea is to be ready in case such a ‘ big beast ’ will arrive , and will be detected early enough to do a kinetic deflection , ” Kowaltschek adds .

Sixty-six million years ago, the dinosaurs became extinct after an asteroid hit Earth. The desire to prevent humans suffering a similar fate underpins a Nasa and European Space Agency (ESA) mission – which includes Irish technology – aiming to show an asteroid set for collision with Earth can be nudged safely past it.
The first part of the bold plan involves Nasa launching a probe called Dart (Double Asteroid Redirection Target) in July 2021 weighing 500kg. It will be slammed into an asteroid 116 million km from Earth, while travelling nine times faster than a speeding bullet, or about 6km a second.
The fear is that if we don't get our asteroid defences ready in time, we might go the way of the dinosaurs
The impact of Dart with its 160m-wide target is scheduled for October 2022. The target is an orbiting moon of a larger asteroid called Didymos. This two-asteroid, or binary system was discovered by the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona in 1996.
In 2024, the ESA will launch a follow-on probe called Hera – named after the Greek goddess of marriage. Hera will travel close to the impact asteroid with the help of navigation equipment developed in Dublin, study the impact crater and measure if the deflection has occurred.
READ MORE
Mission scientists are hoping that the force of the Dart impact with the asteroid will be enough to deflect it out of its orbit. If Hera finds that deflection has indeed occurred, it means any future asteroid threatening Earth can be pushed on to a safe path.
“It is the first mission, in co-operation with Nasa, where we are targeting a binary asteroid,” explains Steeve Kowaltschek, head of the AOCS/GNC sensors unit at the ESA, an engineer who has worked on developing navigation sensors and equipment for the Hera mission.
“One spacecraft will be launched soon by Nasa for a kinetic impact to deflect one of the two asteroids,” Kowaltschek says. “A few years later, Hera will go to this same binary asteroid, and first inspect very carefully with cameras the impact by the other spacecraft and to measure precisely how the asteroid has been deflected.”
“The whole idea is that in case one day an asteroid is coming to hit the Earth, we would have already demonstrated the capability to potentially deflect its orbit and to avoid that,” Kowaltschek says.
Blanchardstown
A gyroscope is used to navigate ships, airplanes, helicopters, rockets and satellites. It is also used in space where it lets the spacecraft know where it is, and the direction towards which it should be pointing. It is a vital piece of navigation equipment and Innalabs, based in Blanchardstown, Co Dublin, is supplying two for Hera.
"Innalabs as a company works on gyros, accelerometers, and inertial measurement units for various markets," says Alberto Torasso, vice president of space programmes with Innalabs which employ 55 people. "Thanks to the support of the European Space Agency and Enterprise Ireland at Irish level we are now developing a number of products designed specifically for space applications."
It took time for the ESA to become convinced of the capability of Innalabs’ technology when the Irish company first approached it in 2013, recalls Kowaltschek. He admits that he was sceptical at first about claims being made by this company he hadn’t heard of.
“Originally we were doubtful that the performance they were claiming was achievable because the technology was very new and we had no point of comparison,” he says. “Now we can say that we have reached, by far, a better performance than the original claims.”
The Irish gyroscope had proven to be highly reliable in all of its commercial applications on Earth. That was attractive to the ESA given that Hera would operate in the vacuum of space and be subject to high radiation levels. It was also small, light and used little energy.
“The gyroscope on Hera is about 1.5kg,” says Kowaltschek. “It’s not big at all for a gyroscope of this performance. It has very low power consumption, below 10 watts,” he adds. Less weight and energy usage by mission instruments, facilitates higher performance.
The reality of the threat posed by asteroids to life on Earth is shown by the fact that in 2019 alone, 17 asteroids passed closer than a lunar distance – the distance from Earth to the Moon – from the Earth, not one of which was identified before the near miss.
The fear is that if we don’t get our asteroid defences ready in time, we might go the way of the dinosaurs. “The idea is to be ready in case such a ‘big beast’ will arrive, and will be detected early enough to do a kinetic deflection,” Kowaltschek adds.


theirishtimes--2020-09-23--Swedish expert backtracks on herd immunity for Ireland

Sweden ’ s former chief epidemiologist Dr Johan Giesecke has admitted that Sweden ’ s herd immunity approach to controlling the Covid-19 pandemic might not work in Ireland after earlier advocating for a “ controlled spread ” of the virus .
Dr Giesecke gave evidence to the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee on Wednesday in which he outlined how the approach has worked in the Scandinavian country .
Giving his opening address , Dr Giesecke said there should be a “ controlled spread ” among the under 60s and that the State should allow a “ tolerable spread ” of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must remain open and he pointed out that there was no difference between infections among schoolchildren in Sweden , where schools were kept open , and in neighbouring Finland which closed its schools .
Speaking later , Dr Giesecke denied that he was prescribing the Swedish model for Ireland after it was put to him that differences between Ireland and Sweden ’ s population densities , classroom sizes , and sick pay entitlements would likely mean different outcomes in the two countries .
“ I ’ m not prescribing anything for Ireland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One .
“ You have to make your own decisions .
That ’ s not up to me .
“ What you just told me , I ’ m unaware of this .
I ’ m objecting to you saying I ’ m telling Ireland what to do .
I ’ m not .
“ What you ’ re telling me is a lot of things I don ’ t know .
I was asked to join this committee .
I didn ’ t volunteer for it .
With all this knowledge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your country works , I can ’ t tell you that this would be better for Ireland.
” In his address to the Oireachtas committee , Dr Giesecke also said “ zero Covid ” was not a feasible solution because it would have to apply in every country in the world .
Sweden ’ s “ soft lockdown ” worked because the country trusted its people , he said , adding “ people are not stupid ” and would respond if told how to protect themselves .
Dr Giesecke added Covid-19 constituted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some politicians acquiring extra powers that they might not relinquish .
He also told the committee that it was too early to compare the Covid-19 strategies of different countries .
“ We are only at the beginning of this epidemic , ” he said .
Dr Giesecke suggested that older people should adhere to the rules about protecting themselves against Covid-19 by keeping two metres distance from other people , washing their hands and avoiding large social gatherings .

Sweden’s former chief epidemiologist Dr Johan Giesecke has told the the Dáil’s Covid-19 committee that Covid-19 should be let spread amongst people below 60 in a controlled way. Video: Oireachtas TV
Sweden's former chief epidemiologist Dr Johan Giesecke has admitted that Sweden's herd immunity approach to controlling the Covid-19 pandemic might not work in Ireland after earlier advocating for a "controlled spread" of the virus.
Dr Giesecke gave evidence to the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee on Wednesday in which he outlined how the approach has worked in the Scandinavian country.
Giving his opening address, Dr Giesecke said there should be a “controlled spread” among the under 60s and that the State should allow a “tolerable spread” of the virus in the over-60s.
He said schools must remain open and he pointed out that there was no difference between infections among schoolchildren in Sweden, where schools were kept open, and in neighbouring Finland which closed its schools.
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Speaking later, Dr Giesecke denied that he was prescribing the Swedish model for Ireland after it was put to him that differences between Ireland and Sweden’s population densities, classroom sizes, and sick pay entitlements would likely mean different outcomes in the two countries.
“I’m not prescribing anything for Ireland,” he told Drivetime on RTÉ Radio One. “You have to make your own decisions. That’s not up to me.
“What you just told me, I’m unaware of this. I’m objecting to you saying I’m telling Ireland what to do. I’m not.
“What you’re telling me is a lot of things I don’t know. I was asked to join this committee. I didn’t volunteer for it. With all this knowledge of the Irish situation, and the way your country works, I can’t tell you that this would be better for Ireland.”
In his address to the Oireachtas committee, Dr Giesecke also said “zero Covid” was not a feasible solution because it would have to apply in every country in the world.
Sweden’s “soft lockdown” worked because the country trusted its people, he said, adding “people are not stupid” and would respond if told how to protect themselves.
Dr Giesecke added Covid-19 constituted a threat to democracy in many countries with some politicians acquiring extra powers that they might not relinquish.
He also told the committee that it was too early to compare the Covid-19 strategies of different countries. “We are only at the beginning of this epidemic,” he said.
Dr Giesecke suggested that older people should adhere to the rules about protecting themselves against Covid-19 by keeping two metres distance from other people, washing their hands and avoiding large social gatherings.


theirishtimes--2020-09-23--Dr Ronan Glynn: Struggling hospitality sector will not influence public health decisions

Decisions on how to stop Covid-19 can not be made on the basis of whether an industry is struggling or not , acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has said .
Dr Glynn said the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) was aware of the impact of the ban on indoor dining in Dublin for the next three weeks .
However , he added : “ That can not influence public health decisions when we are seeing the hospitalisations , admissions to critical care and the deaths we have seen in recent days.
” Dr Glynn was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why Dublin was the only capital city in Europe to ban indoor dining in restaurants and bars and keep the wet pubs shut .
He was also asked why NPHET had decided on that approach when bars and restaurants will remain open in the UK albeit with more restricted hours .
“ The narrative in recent days that we are not ‘ living with the virus ’ at the moment is , to my mind , completely incorrect , ” he said .
“ Yes we have closed bars and restaurants in Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the country .
“ People across Dublin are going to work or at least they are working from home .
Children across the country are going to school .
This is all in the context of the pandemic.
” He said there was too great a focus on the “ small but significant element of society that is not open to the detriment of the reality that the vast majority of society is open despite a highly infectious disease ” .
Prof Philip Nolan , chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reason why it recommended a ban on indoor dining in Dublin for three weeks .
Prof Nolan tweeted on Friday last that NPHET would like to go back and find out where people contracted the virus “ but we don ’ t have the time or resources to pursue this academic exercise ” .
Instead , he said there was “ lots of international evidence from better resourced systems on how the virus transmits : we know that social settings , including bars and restaurants , drive community transmission ” .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association of Ireland asked NPHET to publish the international evidence he was referring to .
On Wednesday , Prof Nolan cited three strands to the international evidence that indoor bars and restaurants were significant locations for the spread of Covid-19 .
The first was where individual outbreaks have been tracked back to bars and the virus genome sequence has been established .
The second was a case control study which involved taking a sample of people who have tested positive for the virus and tracking back where they have been for up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an exercise could be replicated in Ireland .
The third form of evidence was modelling anticipated outcomes from prolonged exposure in an indoor setting such as a restaurant or bar .
“ The evidence is diverse from a wide range of settings and falls into those three categories , ” Prof Nolan added .

Dr Ronan Glynn said the National Public Health Emergency Team was aware of the impact of the ban on indoor dining in Dublin.
Decisions on how to stop Covid-19 cannot be made on the basis of whether an industry is struggling or not, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has said.
Dr Glynn said the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) was aware of the impact of the ban on indoor dining in Dublin for the next three weeks.
However, he added: “That cannot influence public health decisions when we are seeing the hospitalisations, admissions to critical care and the deaths we have seen in recent days.”
Dr Glynn was asked at the NPHET briefing on Wednesday why Dublin was the only capital city in Europe to ban indoor dining in restaurants and bars and keep the wet pubs shut.
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He was also asked why NPHET had decided on that approach when bars and restaurants will remain open in the UK albeit with more restricted hours.
“The narrative in recent days that we are not ‘living with the virus ’at the moment is, to my mind, completely incorrect,” he said.
“Yes we have closed bars and restaurants in Dublin, but bars and restaurants are open around the country.
“People across Dublin are going to work or at least they are working from home. Children across the country are going to school. This is all in the context of the pandemic.”
He said there was too great a focus on the “small but significant element of society that is not open to the detriment of the reality that the vast majority of society is open despite a highly infectious disease”.
Prof Philip Nolan, chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group reiterated that international evidence was the reason why it recommended a ban on indoor dining in Dublin for three weeks.
Prof Nolan tweeted on Friday last that NPHET would like to go back and find out where people contracted the virus “but we don’t have the time or resources to pursue this academic exercise”.
Instead, he said there was “lots of international evidence from better resourced systems on how the virus transmits: we know that social settings, including bars and restaurants, drive community transmission”.
On foot of his tweets, the Restaurant Association of Ireland asked NPHET to publish the international evidence he was referring to.
On Wednesday, Prof Nolan cited three strands to the international evidence that indoor bars and restaurants were significant locations for the spread of Covid-19.
The first was where individual outbreaks have been tracked back to bars and the virus genome sequence has been established.
The second was a case control study which involved taking a sample of people who have tested positive for the virus and tracking back where they have been for up to two weeks. He hoped that such an exercise could be replicated in Ireland.
The third form of evidence was modelling anticipated outcomes from prolonged exposure in an indoor setting such as a restaurant or bar.
“The evidence is diverse from a wide range of settings and falls into those three categories,” Prof Nolan added.


theirishtimes--2020-09-23--Leading Killarney hotel denies breach of Covid-19 guidelines

A leading hotel in Killarney has insisted it is “ adhering to guidelines ” after photographs appearing to show hundreds of people at an indoor concert on Saturday night .
One guest at the event said she saw the Gina and The Champions showband on stage in the large ballroom of the Gleneagle Hotel Killarney in front of a large crowd .
She and two friends were returning from dinner when they heard loud singing coming from the large function room .
“ We were just appalled , ” she said .
“ I was so shocked that I looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I got inside , ” she told the Irish Mirror .
“ I was fearful for my elderly mother and for those who were at the concert , it was packed and the audience was mostly elderly people who should be reducing their contacts.
” In a statement , the Gleneagle Hotel did not comment on the report that there were up to 400 people in the ballroom .
However it insisted it adhered to the guidelines for “ Controlled Environments ” as outlined in the Fáilte Ireland Guidelines for Hotels “ which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( including hotels restaurants and bars ) can open with protective measures in place ” .
Maximum numbers are linked to the capacity of the premises , taking appropriate physical distancing into account , the hotel said .
“ We have opened our largest venue , the INEC , as a residents ’ restaurant and lounge to ensure our guests have ample space to socially distance .
“ Normally , the INEC can accommodate 4,142 people at a standing and seated event and 2,142 at a fully seated event and is only opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerts and events previously scheduled to take place in the INEC have been cancelled or postponed , ” the statement said .
“ We carefully choose low-key , low-volume acts .
This is a controlled environment with strict social distancing measures in place , ” the statement added .
It said table service is mandatory and food is served throughout the evening .
Dancing is not permitted , and all guests must remain within their family groups at their allocated table .
Staff are present at all times to ensure social distancing measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A leading hotel in Killarney has insisted it is "adhering to guidelines" after photographs appearing to show hundreds of people at an indoor concert on Saturday night.
One guest at the event said she saw the Gina and The Champions showband on stage in the large ballroom of the Gleneagle Hotel Killarney in front of a large crowd.
She and two friends were returning from dinner when they heard loud singing coming from the large function room.
“We were just appalled,” she said. “I was so shocked that I looked up the guidelines for indoor gatherings when I got inside,” she told the Irish Mirror.
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“I was fearful for my elderly mother and for those who were at the concert, it was packed and the audience was mostly elderly people who should be reducing their contacts.”
In a statement, the Gleneagle Hotel did not comment on the report that there were up to 400 people in the ballroom.
However it insisted it adhered to the guidelines for "Controlled Environments" as outlined in the Fáilte Ireland Guidelines for Hotels "which states that pubs, cafés and restaurants (including hotels restaurants and bars) can open with protective measures in place".
Maximum numbers are linked to the capacity of the premises, taking appropriate physical distancing into account, the hotel said.
“We have opened our largest venue, the INEC, as a residents’ restaurant and lounge to ensure our guests have ample space to socially distance.
“Normally, the INEC can accommodate 4,142 people at a standing and seated event and 2,142 at a fully seated event and is only opened for large concerts and conferences. All concerts and events previously scheduled to take place in the INEC have been cancelled or postponed,” the statement said.
“We carefully choose low-key, low-volume acts. This is a controlled environment with strict social distancing measures in place,” the statement added.
It said table service is mandatory and food is served throughout the evening. Dancing is not permitted, and all guests must remain within their family groups at their allocated table. Staff are present at all times to ensure social distancing measures are adhered to, it said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-23--Weather warnings issued ahead of gales and rough sea conditions

Three weather warnings – for wind , gales and rough sea conditions – have been issued by Met Éireann for Wednesday night and Thursday , heralding the end of a sunny spell across much of the island .
The weather forecaster has issued a status yellow wind warning for counties Clare , Cork and Kerry , a status orange marine warning for gales , and a marine small craft warning .
Conditions will turn for the worse overnight on Wednesday night as winds build in parts of Munster , which will continue through Thursday morning .
Southerly winds veering west @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 55 to 65km/h at times in the areas affected by the status yellow warning , with gusts of 90 to 110km/h .
The highest of the wind speeds are expected in coastal areas and on exposed hills and mountains , where winds may even exceed the expectations , according to Met Éireann .
The yellow wind warning is Met Éireann ’ s mildest weather warning .
However , there is a strong danger of winds bringing down trees and branches on Wednesday night and Thursday .
The yellow warning will remain in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orange marine warning is for west to northwest gales or strong gales that are set to develop on Wednesday night and during Thursday on Irish coastal waters from Dungarvan to Mizen Head to Slyne Head , occasionally touching storm force for a time on Thursday morning .
The third warning from Met Éireann is a small craft warning that covers southeast to east winds backing northerly on Thursday morning , as well as cyclonic variable winds from Wednesday night .
Winds will reach Force 6 or higher on Thursday on Irish coasts from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Head .
The outlook for the coming days is for cool and unsettled weather with occasional showers and autumnal sunny spells .
Thursday night will be mostly clear inland , with showers mostly confined to the coasts .
Lowest temperatures during Thursday night will be between 5 to 8 degrees , in moderate to fresh north to northwesterly winds .
Friday will see sunny spells and scattered showers .
Cloud will increase from the southwest during the afternoon .
Highest temperatures on Friday will be between 11 and 13 degrees , in moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be mainly dry , with good sunny spells and light northerly or variable winds .
Highest temperatures will be between 11 and 14 degrees .
Sunday will see rain or showers over the southwest that will ease through the morning , while remaining mostly dry elsewhere .
The weather will become a little milder on Sunday , which is forecast to see highest temperatures of 12 to 16 degrees , warmest over Munster .

Three weather warnings – for wind, gales and rough sea conditions – have been issued by Met Éireann. File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Three weather warnings – for wind, gales and rough sea conditions – have been issued by Met Éireann for Wednesday night and Thursday, heralding the end of a sunny spell across much of the island.
The weather forecaster has issued a status yellow wind warning for counties Clare, Cork and Kerry, a status orange marine warning for gales , and a marine small craft warning.
Conditions will turn for the worse overnight on Wednesday night as winds build in parts of Munster, which will continue through Thursday morning. Southerly winds veering west to northwest will reach average speeds of 55 to 65km/h at times in the areas affected by the status yellow warning, with gusts of 90 to 110km/h.
The highest of the wind speeds are expected in coastal areas and on exposed hills and mountains, where winds may even exceed the expectations, according to Met Éireann.
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The yellow wind warning is Met Éireann’s mildest weather warning. However, there is a strong danger of winds bringing down trees and branches on Wednesday night and Thursday. The yellow warning will remain in place until midday on Thursday.
The status orange marine warning is for west to northwest gales or strong gales that are set to develop on Wednesday night and during Thursday on Irish coastal waters from Dungarvan to Mizen Head to Slyne Head, occasionally touching storm force for a time on Thursday morning.
The third warning from Met Éireann is a small craft warning that covers southeast to east winds backing northerly on Thursday morning, as well as cyclonic variable winds from Wednesday night. Winds will reach Force 6 or higher on Thursday on Irish coasts from Slyne Head to Rossan Point to Malin Head.
Unsettled weather
The outlook for the coming days is for cool and unsettled weather with occasional showers and autumnal sunny spells.
Thursday night will be mostly clear inland, with showers mostly confined to the coasts. Lowest temperatures during Thursday night will be between 5 to 8 degrees, in moderate to fresh north to northwesterly winds.
Friday will see sunny spells and scattered showers. Cloud will increase from the southwest during the afternoon. Highest temperatures on Friday will be between 11 and 13 degrees, in moderate to fresh northwesterly winds.
Saturday will be mainly dry, with good sunny spells and light northerly or variable winds. Highest temperatures will be between 11 and 14 degrees.
Sunday will see rain or showers over the southwest that will ease through the morning, while remaining mostly dry elsewhere. The weather will become a little milder on Sunday, which is forecast to see highest temperatures of 12 to 16 degrees, warmest over Munster.


theirishtimes--2020-09-23--Another 15 pubs found in breach of Covid-19 restrictions

Another 15 pubs around the country were found to be in breach of the Covid-19 restrictions following inspections last week @ @ @ @ @ The Garda said it conducted thousands of checks on licensed premises and continued to find @ @ @ @ @ the public health regulations .
However , from September 14th-18th , another 15 potential breach @ @ @ @ @ .
Files will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in each of @ @ @ @ @ number of potential breach incidents is now 232 .
Deputy Commissioner John Twomey appealed to @ @ @ @ @ regulations .
“ There continues to be a very high level of compliance among licensed @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is welcome .
However , some licensed premises are risking the health @ @ @ @ @ and local communities .
“ We are at a critical point in tackling the spread @ @ @ @ @ take personal responsibility to avoid situations that are a risk to themselves , their family @ @ @ @ @

Some licensed premises are risking the health of their employees, customers and local communities, Deputy Commissioner Twomey said. File photograph: Philip Toscano/PA Wire
Another 15 pubs around the country were found to be in breach of the Covid-19 restrictions following inspections last week, gardaí have said.
The Garda said it conducted thousands of checks on licensed premises and continued to find “widespread compliance” with the public health regulations.
However, from September 14th-18th, another 15 potential breach incidents were found by gardaí. Files will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in each of these cases. The total number of potential breach incidents is now 232.
Deputy Commissioner John Twomey appealed to people to comply with the regulations.
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“There continues to be a very high level of compliance among licensed premises,” he said.
“This is welcome. However, some licensed premises are risking the health of their employees, customers and local communities.
“We are at a critical point in tackling the spread of Covid-19 and everyone must take personal responsibility to avoid situations that are a risk to themselves, their family and their friends.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-23--French vessel, believed to have been fishing in Irish waters, detained by Naval Service

A French boat believed to have been fishing in Irish waters in breach of regulations has been detained by the @ @ @ @ @ route to shore where the crew will be questioned further .
Naval Service vessel LÉ @ @ @ @ @ French registered fishing vessel when it was approximately 11 nautical miles south-west of the Blasket @ @ @ @ @ in relation to “ alleged breaches of fishing regulations ” , a statement said .
@ @ @ @ @ escorted to Dingle , where it will be handed over to the Garda ” .
@ @ @ @ @ a vessel has been detained by the Naval Service so far this year .
The @ @ @ @ @ inspections in line with an agreement with the Sea Fishery Protection Authority as part of @ @ @ @ @ the State .

A French boat believed to have been fishing in Irish waters in breach of regulations has been detained by the naval forces and is on route to shore where the crew will be questioned further.
Naval Service vessel LÉ William Butler Yeats intercepted the French registered fishing vessel when it was approximately 11 nautical miles south-west of the Blasket Islands.
The detention was in relation to “alleged breaches of fishing regulations”, a statement said.
“The vessel is being escorted to Dingle, where it will be handed over to the Garda”.
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It is the eleventh time a vessel has been detained by the Naval Service so far this year.
The Defence Forces conducts sea fishery inspections in line with an agreement with the Sea Fishery Protection Authority as part of its delivery of services tor the State.


theirishtimes--2020-09-24--Gardaí seize 80 cars worth €2m as part of money-laundering investigation

The Criminal Assets Bureau ( Cab ) has seized cars worth more than €2 million as part of a continuing operation in counties Clare and Tipperary .
The raids , which are part of Operation Bagana , are being carried out as part of an operation that also involves officers from the Economic Crime Bureau attached to West Midlands Police in the United Kingdom .
Operation Bagana is part of a cyber-fraud and money-laundering investigation in the UK .
The Cab investigation is focussed on the assets of an international organised crime group who are suspected of laundering the proceeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , via a used car outlet in County Tipperary .
Mandate fraud involves the changing of bank account details for supplier or customer accounts in order to gain control of an account , and benefit from unauthorised payments .
Searches were conducted at two residential premises and one business premises in Co Clare , and two residential and one business premises in Co Tipperary , the Garda Press Office said in a statement .
The search of the business premises in Co Tipperary , a used car outlet , remained ongoing at lunchtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars with an approximate value of €2 million had been seized , along with cash of €21,000 .
More than €200,000 has been restrained in financial accounts linked to the organised criminal group .
This morning ’ s search operation involved Cab , the Emergency Response Unit , the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit , the Garda National Immigration Bureau , the Garda Technical Bureau , and assistance from the Revenue Customs Dog Unit .
“ Today ’ s search operation is an example of the ongoing co-operation between the Criminal Assets Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Forces in the investigation of International Organised Criminal Groups , ” said Chief Bureau Officer , Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Gubbins .
“ Our activities are in furtherance of the CAB mission ‘ to deny and deprive ’ , ” he said .

Some of the cars seized from a car dealership in Co Tipperary. Photograph: An Garda
Four people are being questioned following the seizure of more than €2 million worth of cash and luxury cars at a Co Tipperary car sales firm following a year-long investigation by the Garda and UK police.
Six early-morning searches were launched on two businesses and four houses in Co Tipperary and Co Clare led by the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) , supported by armed Emergency Response Unit officers and specialists Garda units.
Eighty-five cars, two flat-bed trucks, and a car transporter were seized from the Co Tipperary car sales yard, along with €21,000 in cash and over €200,000 lodged in banks.
A Cab officer with one of the high value cars seized in Tipperary on Thursday. Photograph: An Garda
Investigators believe a UK-based gang, controlled by criminal figures in Lithuania and Pakistan, bought a disused Co Tipperary filling station and used it to sell cars sourced or stolen in the UK.
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It is also suspected that the criminal gang ran a so-called invoice redirection fraud, where businesses are fooled into transferring money to accounts wrongly believing that they are paying suppliers.
Most of the vehicles in the Co Tipperary forecourt were immediately seized and removed on a train of low-loaders to a secure, undisclosed location. If proven to be the fruits of criminal activity, the vehicles will be auctioned.
The year-long cyber-fraud and money-laundering investigation, codenamed Operation Bagana, has been in co-operation with West Midlands Police in the UK.
In a series of simultaneous raids in Dudley and Sandwell close to Birmingham, West Midlands Police arrested two women and two men, “on suspicion of money-laundering and fraud”, a police spokeswoman told The Irish Times.
The head of Cab, Det Chief Supt Michael Gubbins, said the operation was "an example of the ongoing co-operation" between Cab, the Garda and UK forces against international organised crime.
“Our activities are in furtherance of the Cab mission ‘to deny and deprive’,” he said.