theirishtimes--2020-12-01--Almost €130m to be paid in arrears to recipients of pandemic payment

The Government is to pay out nearly €130 million in arrears to approximately 286,000 people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment .
Overall the number of people receiving the payment fell slightly by over 600 this week for the first time since new Covid-19 restrictions were introduced several weeks ago .
The Department of Social Protection said 351,400 people would receive the pandemic unemployment payment this week .
The Department of Social Protection said on Tuesday that the €129 million in arrears to be paid this week as well as the payment of the €390million Christmas Bonus next week to over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approximately 311,270 people claiming the pandemic unemployment payment , would see over €500 million being injected into the economy .
The Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said : “ This week ’ s pandemic unemployment payment figures are showing a steadying off of new claims with some 4,500 people having closed their claim in the past week as they return to work.
” “ The overall number of claimants has also fallen slightly .
This is expected to be followed by a much more significant drop next week as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ While all of these signs are positive , it is not the time to drop our guard.
” The Minister said the €500 million boost arising from the arrears and the Christmas bonus would provide great benefit to the local economy and she encouraged people “ to choose to shop local ” .
The Minister said : “ I know that some people are worried that if they close their pandemic unemployment payment claim they will not be able to reopen the claim if their workplace closes again in January.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the case .
Last week I secured Government approval to keep pandemic unemployment payment ( scheme ) open until March so people who have the opportunity to return to work can do so with the peace of mind that they can still access the pandemic unemployment payment again if the need it.
” “ I also know that some people fear that if they return to work this week they will miss out on any entitlement to the Christmas bonus payment next week .
“ Again , I can assure them that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic unemployment payment is paid on a weekly basis everybody who goes back to work this week and , has been on the pandemic unemployment payment for at least 17 weeks over the period since March , are entitled to a Christmas bonus .
”

The Government is to pay out nearly €130 million in arrears to approximately 286,000 people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment.
Overall the number of people receiving the payment fell slightly by over 600 this week for the first time since new Covid-19 restrictions were introduced several weeks ago.
The Department of Social Protection said 351,400 people would receive the pandemic unemployment payment this week.
The Department of Social Protection said on Tuesday that the €129 million in arrears to be paid this week as well as the payment of the €390million Christmas Bonus next week to over 1.6 million social welfare recipients, including approximately 311,270 people claiming the pandemic unemployment payment, would see over €500 million being injected into the economy.
READ MORE
The Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said: "This week's pandemic unemployment payment figures are showing a steadying off of new claims with some 4,500 people having closed their claim in the past week as they return to work."
“The overall number of claimants has also fallen slightly. This is expected to be followed by a much more significant drop next week as a result of some sectors of the economy reopening.”
“While all of these signs are positive, it is not the time to drop our guard.”
The Minister said the €500 million boost arising from the arrears and the Christmas bonus would provide great benefit to the local economy and she encouraged people “to choose to shop local”.
The Minister said: “ I know that some people are worried that if they close their pandemic unemployment payment claim they will not be able to reopen the claim if their workplace closes again in January.”
“I can assure them that this is not the case. Last week I secured Government approval to keep pandemic unemployment payment (scheme) open until March so people who have the opportunity to return to work can do so with the peace of mind that they can still access the pandemic unemployment payment again if the need it.”
“I also know that some people fear that if they return to work this week they will miss out on any entitlement to the Christmas bonus payment next week.
“Again, I can assure them that this is not the case. Because the pandemic unemployment payment is paid on a weekly basis everybody who goes back to work this week and, has been on the pandemic unemployment payment for at least 17 weeks over the period since March, are entitled to a Christmas bonus.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-01--‘Fresh buzz’ around urban centres as retailers reopen after Covid-19 lockdown

The State has started to reopen following the six-week lockdown amid a “ fresh buzz ” around town and city centres with “ manageable ” queues forming outside some retailers as shoppers started their Christmas spending in earnest .
Dublin city centre was busy on Tuesday with dozens of people lining up outside Brown Thomas ahead of its 10am opening .
However , according to Retail Excellence , there were no indications from its members that crowds were an issue , and it there was broad compliance with regulations governing face masks and social distancing .
The head of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said there was “ a buzz around the place and a real feel-good factor seems to be back ” .
He said that footfall was as he had anticipated and that town and city centres were busy .
“ There was a decent crowd on Grafton Street this morning which was pretty much what we expected , and so far it has all been very manageable.
” He said that it was clear “ people are happy to be out and about again , and we have seen a couple of new retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street.
” He said consumers were well accustomed to anti-Covid-19 measures and the wisdom of avoiding crowds .
“ I think people are used to the multi-channel shopping experience and know that if they want to avoid physical shops they can either click and collect or shop online.
” Mr Graham added that extended opening hours across many retailers in the run-up to Christmas would make consumers feel more secure as they shopped at a time of their choosing .
He also pointed out although broad swathes of the retail sector were reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Level 3 , which meant travel between counties for non-essential reasons was not permitted .
“ I think that is going to give regional shopping a real bounce in the next couple of weeks and towns around the country will be busy , ” Mr Graham said .
He suggested that might come at a cost for the traditional retailing magnets of Dublin city centre and large shopping centres on the outskirts of the capital that would normally be hugely popular for people in neighbouring counties in the run-up to Christmas .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels change again and travel between counties is allowed we will see places like Grafton Street and the Dundrum Town Centre get busier , ” he said .
“ Retailers will be delighted to be open , ” retail expert and TU Dublin academic Damien O ’ Reilly said ahead of the move to Level 3 .
“ I think they will do whatever is needed to manage things because they won ’ t want to blemish their copybooks and have scenes of overcrowding and chaos seen around some pubs.
” Anticipating that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 30 per cent down on a normal Christmas , Mr O ’ Reilly said the people that were shopping would be in the mood to spend money as pent-up demand was unleashed .
He suggested that although retailers would manage crowds in shops a bigger challenge would be to manage streets .
“ It might be easy to control the flow of people on to Grafton Street but somewhere like Henry Street will be harder , and if it gets very busy the numbers on the streets will have to be restricted.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ queueing icons on the ground in the main pedestrianised streets in the city centre and O ’ Connell Street ” , and it called on retailers to take care “ to ensure that appropriate social distancing is being observed in the on-street queue ” .
A spokesman for Galway City Council said it had been working “ closely with Galway Chamber , local businesses and other business groups in the city to ensure that Galway is a safe destination for shoppers this Christmas ” , and he said queueing guidelines had been circulated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been engaging with businesses and local agencies to ensure the reopening is safe and welcoming and follows public health advice .
“ It is difficult to predict how shoppers and other consumers will react to the lifting of many of the restrictions which have affected them over the past six weeks , ” a spokeswoman for the council said , adding that guidelines on social distancing and orderly queueing had been issued .
Many retailers will be operating extended hours , and some are planning to open overnight on certain days .

Dublin’s premier shopping street Grafton Street was busy as Ireland’s lockdown ended today with non-essential retail outlets, churches, gyms, hairdressers and other businesses opening their doors for the first time in six weeks. Video: Bryan O'Brien
The State has started to reopen following the six-week lockdown amid a “fresh buzz” around town and city centres with “manageable” queues forming outside some retailers as shoppers started their Christmas spending in earnest.
Dublin city centre was busy on Tuesday with dozens of people lining up outside Brown Thomas ahead of its 10am opening.
However, according to Retail Excellence, there were no indications from its members that crowds were an issue, and it there was broad compliance with regulations governing face masks and social distancing.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 3 Penneys in Blanchardstown opens its doors as Ireland’s second lockdown ends. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Hospital Report
The head of the retail umbrella group, Duncan Graham, said there was "a buzz around the place and a real feel-good factor seems to be back".
READ MORE
He said that footfall was as he had anticipated and that town and city centres were busy.
"There was a decent crowd on Grafton Street this morning which was pretty much what we expected, and so far it has all been very manageable."
He said that it was clear "people are happy to be out and about again, and we have seen a couple of new retail units opening including Canada Goose on Grafton Street."
He said consumers were well accustomed to anti-Covid-19 measures and the wisdom of avoiding crowds. “I think people are used to the multi-channel shopping experience and know that if they want to avoid physical shops they can either click and collect or shop online.”
Mr Graham added that extended opening hours across many retailers in the run-up to Christmas would make consumers feel more secure as they shopped at a time of their choosing.
He also pointed out although broad swathes of the retail sector were reopening, the country had only moved to Level 3, which meant travel between counties for non-essential reasons was not permitted.
“I think that is going to give regional shopping a real bounce in the next couple of weeks and towns around the country will be busy,” Mr Graham said.
‘Delighted to open’
He suggested that might come at a cost for the traditional retailing magnets of Dublin city centre and large shopping centres on the outskirts of the capital that would normally be hugely popular for people in neighbouring counties in the run-up to Christmas.
"I think on December 18th when the levels change again and travel between counties is allowed we will see places like Grafton Street and the Dundrum Town Centre get busier," he said.
“Retailers will be delighted to be open,” retail expert and TU Dublin academic Damien O’Reilly said ahead of the move to Level 3.
“I think they will do whatever is needed to manage things because they won’t want to blemish their copybooks and have scenes of overcrowding and chaos seen around some pubs.”
Anticipating that footfall in the weeks ahead would be about 30 per cent down on a normal Christmas, Mr O’Reilly said the people that were shopping would be in the mood to spend money as pent-up demand was unleashed.
He suggested that although retailers would manage crowds in shops a bigger challenge would be to manage streets. “It might be easy to control the flow of people on to Grafton Street but somewhere like Henry Street will be harder, and if it gets very busy the numbers on the streets will have to be restricted.”
Dublin City Council is placing "queueing icons on the ground in the main pedestrianised streets in the city centre and O'Connell Street", and it called on retailers to take care "to ensure that appropriate social distancing is being observed in the on-street queue".
A spokesman for Galway City Council said it had been working “closely with Galway Chamber, local businesses and other business groups in the city to ensure that Galway is a safe destination for shoppers this Christmas”, and he said queueing guidelines had been circulated.
In Cork, the council has been engaging with businesses and local agencies to ensure the reopening is safe and welcoming and follows public health advice.
“It is difficult to predict how shoppers and other consumers will react to the lifting of many of the restrictions which have affected them over the past six weeks,” a spokeswoman for the council said, adding that guidelines on social distancing and orderly queueing had been issued.
Many retailers will be operating extended hours, and some are planning to open overnight on certain days.


theirishtimes--2020-12-01--Trial date set for woman accused of murdering man in Dublin cul-de-sac

A trial date has been set for a woman accused of murdering a man who was trying to jump-start his @ @ @ @ @ .
Christina Anderson ( 38 ) , a mother of three , will go on @ @ @ @ @ Court in Dublin on March 7th , 2022 .
Mr Justice Paul Coffey said that @ @ @ @ @ the trial will be a short one they can come back to court and ask @ @ @ @ @ Ms Anderson is charged with murdering Garreth Kelly ( 39 ) who died from stab @ @ @ @ @ Brownsbarn Estate , Kingswood , Co Dublin , on the morning of February 25th this @ @ @ @ @ seven from Tallaght , who lived in Clondalkin , was trying to jump-start his car @ @ @ @ @ He had stayed over with his partner in the estate in a small cul-de-sac .
@ @ @ @ @ stab wounds , collapsed and died on the street between two cars .

A trial date has been set for a woman accused of murdering a man in Dublin
A trial date has been set for a woman accused of murdering a man who was trying to jump-start his car to go to work.
Christina Anderson (38), a mother of three, will go on trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin on March 7th, 2022. Mr Justice Paul Coffey said that if the parties agree that the trial will be a short one they can come back to court and ask for an earlier date.
Ms Anderson is charged with murdering Garreth Kelly (39) who died from stab wounds following an incident at Brownsbarn Estate, Kingswood, Co Dublin, on the morning of February 25th this year.
The father of seven from Tallaght, who lived in Clondalkin, was trying to jump-start his car to go to work. He had stayed over with his partner in the estate in a small cul-de-sac.
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At about 7am he sustained stab wounds, collapsed and died on the street between two cars.


theirishtimes--2020-12-01--Bite from noble false widow spider transmits antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Noble false widow spiders , which are increasingly found in Ireland , often carry harmful bacteria resistant to common antibiotic treatments , according to scientists at NUI Galway .
Transmission of infection to unwilling victims happens when its fangs are embedded in human skin .
This team of zoologists and microbiologists confirmed a theory debated among spider and healthcare specialists for many years , and explains a range of symptoms experienced by victims bitten by the invasive noble false widow spider in Ireland and Britain over the past decade .
Symptoms include severe pain at the bite site , stiff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noble false widow was first spotted in Ireland in 1998 and has been multiplying in number since .
It is found in 22 counties on the island but is most concentrated along the east coast .
Australian black widows or funnel web spiders are well known for their potentially deadly venom , but rare “ skin-eating ” conditions following seemingly harmless European and North American spider bites were thought to be the result of secondary infections caused by the victim scratching and probing the bite site with contaminated fingers .
This study published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do spiders carry harmful bacteria , but those germs can be transmitted when a spider uses its fangs to bite ” .
This infection route has also been found in other common spiders including the giant house spider .
Ironically , many spiders have been shown to have venom with antibacterial activity and it is often debated as to whether the venom would neutralise bacteria at the bite site – but this study also demonstrates , at least for the noble false widow , that the venom does not inhibit bacteria .
Zoologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Venom System Lab said : “ About 10 species of spiders common in north-western Europe have fangs strong enough to pierce human skin and deliver venom , but only one of them , the recent invasive noble false widow spider , is considered of medical importance .
Most of the time , a spider bite results in some redness and pain.
” “ In some cases , however , victims seem to develop long lasting infections for which strong antibiotic treatment – and sometimes a hospital stay – are necessary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in populations of false widow spiders in urbanised areas has coincided with a rise in bites with some victims showing severe symptoms caused by its venom , “ but also infections , which in some cases proved even difficult to treat with antibiotics ” , confirmed Dr Michel Dugon who is also based in the lab .
The most frequent circumstances of bites occur when people are sleeping or getting dressed in the morning when a spider is entangled in clothes , he added .
The species , which originated in the Canary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entered Ireland through fruit or exotic plants destined for garden centres .
PhD student Neyaz Kahn , a co-lead author , said : “ The biggest threat is that some of these bacteria are multi-drug resistant , making them particularly difficult to treat with regular medicine .
This is something that healthcare professionals should consider from now on.
” Dr Aoife Boyd , director of the pathogenic mechanisms group at NUIG , who also contributed to the research , said : “ The diversity of microbes never ceases to amaze me .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment is shown here by the presence of antimicrobial resistance bacteria even in spider venom.
” Antimicrobial resistance was an urgent and growing problem worldwide , she noted .
“ A ‘ one health ’ approach interconnecting human , animal and environmental health is the only way to tackle the problem , ” she believed .

Noble false widow spiders, which are increasingly found in Ireland, often carry harmful bacteria resistant to common antibiotic treatments, according to scientists at NUI Galway.
Transmission of infection to unwilling victims happens when its fangs are embedded in human skin.
This team of zoologists and microbiologists confirmed a theory debated among spider and healthcare specialists for many years, and explains a range of symptoms experienced by victims bitten by the invasive noble false widow spider in Ireland and Britain over the past decade. Symptoms include severe pain at the bite site, stiff limbs, redness and swelling.
The noble false widow was first spotted in Ireland in 1998 and has been multiplying in number since. It is found in 22 counties on the island but is most concentrated along the east coast.
READ MORE
Australian black widows or funnel web spiders are well known for their potentially deadly venom, but rare “skin-eating” conditions following seemingly harmless European and North American spider bites were thought to be the result of secondary infections caused by the victim scratching and probing the bite site with contaminated fingers.
This study published in Scientific Reports shows “not only do spiders carry harmful bacteria, but those germs can be transmitted when a spider uses its fangs to bite”. This infection route has also been found in other common spiders including the giant house spider.
Ironically, many spiders have been shown to have venom with antibacterial activity and it is often debated as to whether the venom would neutralise bacteria at the bite site – but this study also demonstrates, at least for the noble false widow, that the venom does not inhibit bacteria.
‘Some redness and pain’
Zoologist Dr John Dunbar at the Ryan Institute's Venom System Lab said: "About 10 species of spiders common in north-western Europe have fangs strong enough to pierce human skin and deliver venom, but only one of them, the recent invasive noble false widow spider, is considered of medical importance. Most of the time, a spider bite results in some redness and pain."
“In some cases, however, victims seem to develop long lasting infections for which strong antibiotic treatment – and sometimes a hospital stay – are necessary,” he added.
The massive rise in populations of false widow spiders in urbanised areas has coincided with a rise in bites with some victims showing severe symptoms caused by its venom, "but also infections, which in some cases proved even difficult to treat with antibiotics", confirmed Dr Michel Dugon who is also based in the lab.
The most frequent circumstances of bites occur when people are sleeping or getting dressed in the morning when a spider is entangled in clothes, he added. The species, which originated in the Canary Islands, is believed to have first entered Ireland through fruit or exotic plants destined for garden centres.
PhD student Neyaz Kahn, a co-lead author, said: “The biggest threat is that some of these bacteria are multi-drug resistant, making them particularly difficult to treat with regular medicine. This is something that healthcare professionals should consider from now on.”
Dr Aoife Boyd, director of the pathogenic mechanisms group at NUIG, who also contributed to the research, said: "The diversity of microbes never ceases to amaze me. The power to survive and thrive in every environment is shown here by the presence of antimicrobial resistance bacteria even in spider venom."
Antimicrobial resistance was an urgent and growing problem worldwide, she noted. “A ‘one health’ approach interconnecting human, animal and environmental health is the only way to tackle the problem,” she believed.


theirishtimes--2020-12-01--Video service to translate important information for Irish migrants

A multilingual video messaging service featuring the voices of international doctors , nurses and teachers based around Ireland will launch this week offering translations on health , education and other social services information to the Irish migrant community .
The Translate Ireland videos , which will be available online from this Thursday , seek to build “ greater efficiency ” in how important social services messaging is disseminated among the State ’ s growing migrant population , says co-founder Graham Clifford who also leads the Sanctuary Runners charity .
According to the 2016 census , more than 86,600 people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or “ not at all ” .
The 2016 census also revealed 612,018 people spoke a foreign language at home .
Polish was the most common language followed by French , Romanian and Lithuanian .
Videos offering information on mental health supports , the flu vaccine and cervical check screening have been commissioned in eight languages so far with with many others in the pipeline , says Mr Clifford who set up the service with his wife , Cork-based GP Dr Catherine Clifford .
The launch of Translate Ireland follows the success of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ established in May to translate information on Covid-19 advice and restrictions .
The world service series , led by the Together Ireland Initiative and the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre ( Nasc ) , featured public health messages from doctors , nurses and healthcare professionals translated into 40 different languages .
Some 400 of these videos have been made to date and have been viewed about 60,000 times with the project more recently offering information on back-to-school , flu vaccines and mental health .
Mr Clifford says the video service could also play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s migrant community about the Covid-19 vaccine once it becomes available .
“ If this pandemic has shown us anything it ’ s that we are all interconnected and so it ’ s vital everyone in this country has access to the same important information regardless of the first language they speak , ” said Mr Clifford .
“ With our video messages , information can be shared at the press of a button with videos being sent on smartphones.
” Mr Clifford fears many State translations of health and education services are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not know to look for this information .
Messages written in text also presumes a certain literacy level , he added .
“ There isn ’ t much point in having a health flyer in Russian if the person doesn ’ t know how to find it online and their literacy level of Russian is poor .
This way the messages are delivered in a clear carefully written way , in a language the recipients understand from a trusted source.
” All scripts used for videos on the site are approved by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
Contributors to the Translate Ireland video series include an Eritrean consultant cardiologist in Co Waterford , a Hungarian GP in Co Longford , Filipino and Indian nurses from Cork University Hospital , a Brazilian surgeon in Dublin , a French psychiatrist in Co Wexford and a Spanish special needs assistant in Co Meath .

A multilingual video messaging service featuring the voices of international doctors, nurses and teachers based around Ireland will launch this week offering translations on health, education and other social services information to the Irish migrant community.
The Translate Ireland videos, which will be available online from this Thursday, seek to build “greater efficiency” in how important social services messaging is disseminated among the State’s growing migrant population, says co-founder Graham Clifford who also leads the Sanctuary Runners charity.
According to the 2016 census, more than 86,600 people in Ireland speak English “not well” or “not at all”. The 2016 census also revealed 612,018 people spoke a foreign language at home. Polish was the most common language followed by French, Romanian and Lithuanian.
Videos offering information on mental health supports, the flu vaccine and cervical check screening have been commissioned in eight languages so far with with many others in the pipeline, says Mr Clifford who set up the service with his wife, Cork-based GP Dr Catherine Clifford.
READ MORE
The launch of Translate Ireland follows the success of the Covid-19 World Service programme which was established in May to translate information on Covid-19 advice and restrictions.
The world service series, led by the Together Ireland Initiative and the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre (Nasc), featured public health messages from doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals translated into 40 different languages. Some 400 of these videos have been made to date and have been viewed about 60,000 times with the project more recently offering information on back-to-school, flu vaccines and mental health.
Important role
Mr Clifford says the video service could also play an important role in informing Ireland’s migrant community about the Covid-19 vaccine once it becomes available.
“If this pandemic has shown us anything it’s that we are all interconnected and so it’s vital everyone in this country has access to the same important information regardless of the first language they speak,” said Mr Clifford. “With our video messages, information can be shared at the press of a button with videos being sent on smartphones.”
Mr Clifford fears many State translations of health and education services are posted online in places where migrants may not know to look for this information. Messages written in text also presumes a certain literacy level, he added.
“There isn’t much point in having a health flyer in Russian if the person doesn’t know how to find it online and their literacy level of Russian is poor. This way the messages are delivered in a clear carefully written way, in a language the recipients understand from a trusted source.”
All scripts used for videos on the site are approved by the Irish College of General Practitioners, he added.
Contributors to the Translate Ireland video series include an Eritrean consultant cardiologist in Co Waterford, a Hungarian GP in Co Longford, Filipino and Indian nurses from Cork University Hospital, a Brazilian surgeon in Dublin, a French psychiatrist in Co Wexford and a Spanish special needs assistant in Co Meath.
For more, visit translateireland.ie


theirishtimes--2020-12-01--Queues outside Penneys at 6am: ‘It’s great to get a bit of normality back’

By 6.30am on a dark and cold Tuesday morning a not entirely socially distanced queue of around 150 people had formed outside Penneys in the Blanchardstown Centre as the shop readied itself to be amongst the first non-essential retailers to reopen after six weeks of lockdown .
While it was questionable if many of the people in line were observing the two metre rule as they waited , compliance with the face mask regulations was universal and , despite the ridiculously early hour , spirits were high .
As Ilze Kripititie raced up an escalator in the almost entirely empty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ queue in the distance she gestured to her friend Grabija Smite .
“ She wanted to come .
I ’ m not sure why I am here really.
” “ She doesn ’ t speak any English and has only been here a couple of months but she knows all about Penneys , ” said Kripititie who is from Latvia but living in Dublin .
“ She is going home soon and wanted to buy gifts before she goes .
“ This is a great place to buy presents I think , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the line .
At the very top of the queue stood Catherine Brady from Dublin 15 .
“ I got here at quarter to six , ” she said .
“ I have to be in work at eight so I will be in and out .
I ’ m just looking for pyjamas .
It ’ s not that early really , is it ?
I ’ ve been awake since four .
My three-year-old had me up.
” The person who was second in the queue was actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I am here for the pyjamas , the Christmas duvets , but mainly the socks .
I hope it is worth it , I have been here since 4am , ” Sandra Hutchinson said .
And why was she not the first in the queue if she had been here so early ?
“ Well , we were out in the car park and we were waiting for someone else to arrive and to make a move .
I thought the queue would be much bigger .
I didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She had travelled up in the dead of night from Athy , Co Kildare .
When it was pointed out that she had crossed county boundaries in possible breach of Level 3 restrictions she said .
“ Ah no , I have an appointment in Dublin at midday and sure isn ’ t Penneys an essential journey ?
We all need socks , don ’ t we ?
” When asked if she ’ d be in and out she shook her head vigorously .
“ It ’ ll be a while before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louise Murphy arrived at 5.45am and was standing right behind Hutchison .
“ I tried two or three doors before I could find one that would open , ” she said .
“ I need to get underwear , a coat , socks , definitely socks , we all need the socks .
I am all set for the PJs though .
My friend lives in Newry and Penneys was open there so she posted them down to me.
” The woman standing right behind her was not “ all set ” for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot .
Her name was Aoife McGuire and she was in the shopping centre in search of 12 pairs , one for each member of her family .
“ I ’ ll be in and out as I have to get the kids to school , ” she said .
“ I have to buy the pyjamas for everyone because none of the rest of them would get out of bed .
It ’ s very stressful to be honest.
” Well , one of family did come with her .
Her 16-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side .
“ He ’ s the muscle , ” she said .
“ He ’ s going to carry everything for me.
” And how did he feel about that ?
“ I just came up for something to do , ” he said .
Something to do ?
It was not yet daytime would he not have been better off in bed ?
Then he looked up at the top of the queue where there was something of a kerfuffle .
At exactly 6.47am , some 13 minutes before the appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signal and started admitting people in groups of 10 .
Within five minutes the queue had completely disappeared .
An older man stood waiting patiently as people filed past him into the shop .
Was he not going in ?
“ No , no , ” Gerry Robinson from Corduff said .
“ I am just waiting for my wife , she ’ s inside already.
” Did he mind being here so early ?
“ Not at all .
I think it is an ideal time for people like us .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyway as we are retired .
So we will come in early , go into Dunnes when it opens at 8am and then we will be home for a bit of breakfast , a cup of tea and some telly by 10 .
This means we get to avoid all the crowds.
” Back inside , staff were waiting at the tills for the steady stream of shoppers , many of whom had congregated around the festive pyjamas , socks and face masks , to come their way .
“ We ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” one said .
“ I don ’ t mind the early starts at all .
It ’ s great to see people out shopping again .
It ’ s great to get a bit of normality back , isn ’ t it ?
”

Catherine Brady, the first person to enter Penneys in Blanchardstown, as it opened its doors on Tuesday after a six-week lockdown. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
By 6.30am on a dark and cold Tuesday morning a not entirely socially distanced queue of around 150 people had formed outside Penneys in the Blanchardstown Centre as the shop readied itself to be amongst the first non-essential retailers to reopen after six weeks of lockdown.
While it was questionable if many of the people in line were observing the two metre rule as they waited, compliance with the face mask regulations was universal and, despite the ridiculously early hour, spirits were high.
As Ilze Kripititie raced up an escalator in the almost entirely empty west Dublin shopping centre to join the queue in the distance she gestured to her friend Grabija Smite. “She wanted to come. I’m not sure why I am here really.”
Her friend smiled and nodded.
READ MORE
"She doesn't speak any English and has only been here a couple of months but she knows all about Penneys," said Kripititie who is from Latvia but living in Dublin. "She is going home soon and wanted to buy gifts before she goes. "This is a great place to buy presents I think," she said before taking her place at the end of the line.
Ilze Kripititie and Grabija Smite outisde Penneys in Blanchardstown on Tuesday morning. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
At the very top of the queue stood Catherine Brady from Dublin 15. “I got here at quarter to six,” she said. “I have to be in work at eight so I will be in and out. I’m just looking for pyjamas. It’s not that early really, is it? I’ve been awake since four. My three-year-old had me up.”
The person who was second in the queue was actually the first to arrive at the centre. "I am here for the pyjamas, the Christmas duvets, but mainly the socks. I hope it is worth it, I have been here since 4am," Sandra Hutchinson said.
And why was she not the first in the queue if she had been here so early?
“Well, we were out in the car park and we were waiting for someone else to arrive and to make a move. I thought the queue would be much bigger. I didn’t want to be the first in.”
Sandra and Tamy Hutchinson, among the first people in Penneys in Blanchardstown as it reopened on Tuesday. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
She had travelled up in the dead of night from Athy, Co Kildare. When it was pointed out that she had crossed county boundaries in possible breach of Level 3 restrictions she said. "Ah no, I have an appointment in Dublin at midday and sure isn't Penneys an essential journey? We all need socks, don't we?"
When asked if she’d be in and out she shook her head vigorously. “It’ll be a while before I get through all the floors.”
Pajama-talk
Louise Murphy arrived at 5.45am and was standing right behind Hutchison. "I tried two or three doors before I could find one that would open," she said. "I need to get underwear, a coat, socks, definitely socks, we all need the socks. I am all set for the PJs though. My friend lives in Newry and Penneys was open there so she posted them down to me."
The woman standing right behind her was not “all set” for the PJs, not by a long shot. Her name was Aoife McGuire and she was in the shopping centre in search of 12 pairs, one for each member of her family.
“I’ll be in and out as I have to get the kids to school,” she said. “I have to buy the pyjamas for everyone because none of the rest of them would get out of bed. It’s very stressful to be honest.”
Well, one of family did come with her.
Her 16-year-old brother Jamie stood somewhat sullenly by her side.
“He’s the muscle,” she said. “He’s going to carry everything for me.”
And how did he feel about that?
“I just came up for something to do,” he said.
Something to do? It was not yet daytime would he not have been better off in bed?
“I suppose so,” he said.
Then he looked up at the top of the queue where there was something of a kerfuffle. At exactly 6.47am, some 13 minutes before the appointed hour, the security guard made a signal and started admitting people in groups of 10. Within five minutes the queue had completely disappeared.
An older man stood waiting patiently as people filed past him into the shop. Was he not going in?
"No, no," Gerry Robinson from Corduff said. "I am just waiting for my wife, she's inside already."
Did he mind being here so early?
“Not at all. I think it is an ideal time for people like us. We wouldn’t be doing anything else anyway as we are retired. So we will come in early, go into Dunnes when it opens at 8am and then we will be home for a bit of breakfast, a cup of tea and some telly by 10. This means we get to avoid all the crowds.”
Back inside, staff were waiting at the tills for the steady stream of shoppers, many of whom had congregated around the festive pyjamas, socks and face masks, to come their way.
“We’d normally be in at six anyways,” one said. “I don’t mind the early starts at all. It’s great to see people out shopping again. It’s great to get a bit of normality back, isn’t it?”


theirishtimes--2020-12-01--Temperatures to drop with snow on high ground forecast

Temperatures are set to drop over the coming days with hail , sleet and snow on high ground forecast as the State emerges from Level 5 restrictions and the December countdown to Christmas begins .
Conditions will become cold and wet later this week with hail and thunder expected on Thursday and a chance of snow on high ground as temperatures drop below freezing overnight , according to the Met Éireann forecast .
Wednesday will be cold and breezy with afternoon temperatures ranging between 5 and 8 degrees and heavy showers , particularly in the northwest where there will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue overnight on Wednesday with hail and thunder in some places and a chance of snow on high ground in the northwest .
It will be a cold night with temperatures dropping to -1 degrees .
Thursday will be the coldest day of the week with maximum temperatures only reaching 5 degrees .
The rain will continue with a hail and thunder in some places .
Conditions should clear in the afternoon with rain continuing in the west of the country .
Temperatures are set to drop as low as -3 degrees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather in Ulster and Leinster .
Friday will also be cold but dry and sunny in many areas during the morning , according to the forecaster .
Showers in the west of the country will be heavy with a risk of snow in places , while longer spells of rain in Ulster and Leinster will fall as sleet on high grounds .
Temperatures on Friday will only reach between 3 and 6 degrees with an added wind chill making it feel particularly cold , Met Éireann has said .
Rain and sleet will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday with further showers in the west and north of the country on Saturday .
However , the rest of the island will be largely dry and sunny with temperatures rising slightly to a maximum of 8 degrees .
Temperatures will drop again on Sunday and the outlook for next week is for more cool and generally unsettled weather , says the forecasters .

A chance of snow on high ground as temperatures drop below freezing overnight, according to the Met Éireann forecast. Photograph: iStock
Temperatures are set to drop over the coming days with hail, sleet and snow on high ground forecast as the State emerges from Level 5 restrictions and the December countdown to Christmas begins.
Conditions will become cold and wet later this week with hail and thunder expected on Thursday and a chance of snow on high ground as temperatures drop below freezing overnight, according to the Met Éireann forecast.
Wednesday will be cold and breezy with afternoon temperatures ranging between 5 and 8 degrees and heavy showers, particularly in the northwest where there will be a risk of hail.
These showers will continue overnight on Wednesday with hail and thunder in some places and a chance of snow on high ground in the northwest. It will be a cold night with temperatures dropping to -1 degrees.
READ MORE
Thursday will be the coldest day of the week with maximum temperatures only reaching 5 degrees. The rain will continue with a hail and thunder in some places. Conditions should clear in the afternoon with rain continuing in the west of the country. Temperatures are set to drop as low as -3 degrees on Thursday night, with the coldest weather in Ulster and Leinster.
Friday will also be cold but dry and sunny in many areas during the morning, according to the forecaster. Showers in the west of the country will be heavy with a risk of snow in places, while longer spells of rain in Ulster and Leinster will fall as sleet on high grounds. Temperatures on Friday will only reach between 3 and 6 degrees with an added wind chill making it feel particularly cold, Met Éireann has said.
Rain and sleet will continue in Ulster and Leinster overnight on Friday with further showers in the west and north of the country on Saturday. However, the rest of the island will be largely dry and sunny with temperatures rising slightly to a maximum of 8 degrees.
Temperatures will drop again on Sunday and the outlook for next week is for more cool and generally unsettled weather, says the forecasters.


theirishtimes--2020-12-01--No benefit to mask outdoors when socially distancing, says professor

There is no benefit to wearing a face-mask outdoors when you can socially distance , according to the HSE ’ s top Covid-19 infection control expert .
Prof Martin Cormican advises that “ distance is always your best bet ” in protecting against the virus and masks are “ no substitute ” for it .
Last Friday , the Government recommended the use of face-masks “ in busy or crowded outdoor spaces where there is significant congregation , ” as well as in places of worship and “ crowded ” workplaces .
Speaking to The Irish Times last week before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cormican said he could not see “ any value ” in wearing a mask when outdoors and more than two metres from people .
“ I don ’ t wear a mask in any setting where I can keep two metres distance , nor is there any recommendation that you ’ re required to do so , ” the HSE ’ s infection control lead said .
Masks and other forms of personal protective equipment are “ what you do when you can ’ t avoid the risk in any other way ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be distant – and contact is our stock in trade in healthcare – and you have to be close to people , that ’ s when you use PPE.
” People get “ mixed up ” on this issue , he said .
“ They think it ( PPE ) is the solution .
It is a solution ; the one you deploy when you can ’ t do the other thing of keeping your distance.
” Earlier in the pandemic , Prof Cormican advocated against the use of face-masks for general use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aspects such as cost and the creation of a “ false sense of security ” .
Asked if he has changed his view since then , he replied that there were lots of things he thinks differently about now compared to earlier in the year , but “ it ’ s not clear ” that the evidence around mask use has changed very much during the year .
“ As a HSE clinical lead , I have a role in supporting the National Public Health Emergency Team and HSE position .
I accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision-making process in place .
“ There is a very broad consensus in public health nationally and internationally that masks are of value .
There is also a body of opinion that is less convinced.
” He cited a large Danish study published earlier this month which found there was no significant protective effect from mask-wearing at a time virus transmission in the country was low .
“ I don ’ t think anyone says masks are useless .
We ’ ve always recommended the use of masks in certain settings .
Where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where they should be used.
” Asked about the recent controversy about RTÉ presenters attending a going-away events for a departing colleague , Prof Cormican said that what they did was “ not consistent with guidance but there ’ s a bit of ‘ let he who is without sin throw the first stone ’ .
” “ There isn ’ t a person in Ireland who has observed all the guidance all the time .
Everyone makes mistakes.
” The most important things people can do to reduce the risk posed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if sick ; keep your distance from others ; and keep your social circle small .

The Government recommended the use of face-masks ‘in busy or crowded outdoor spaces where there is significant congregation.’ Photograph: iStock
There is no benefit to wearing a face-mask outdoors when you can socially distance, according to the HSE’s top Covid-19 infection control expert.
Prof Martin Cormican advises that "distance is always your best bet" in protecting against the virus and masks are "no substitute" for it.
Last Friday, the Government recommended the use of face-masks “in busy or crowded outdoor spaces where there is significant congregation,” as well as in places of worship and “crowded” workplaces.
Speaking to The Irish Times last week before the Government’s announcement, Prof Cormican said he could not see “any value” in wearing a mask when outdoors and more than two metres from people.
READ MORE
“I don’t wear a mask in any setting where I can keep two metres distance, nor is there any recommendation that you’re required to do so,” the HSE’s infection control lead said.
Masks and other forms of personal protective equipment are “what you do when you can’t avoid the risk in any other way”.
“If you can’t be distant – and contact is our stock in trade in healthcare – and you have to be close to people, that’s when you use PPE.”
‘Keeping your distance’
People get “mixed up” on this issue, he said. “They think it (PPE) is the solution. It is a solution; the one you deploy when you can’t do the other thing of keeping your distance.”
Earlier in the pandemic, Prof Cormican advocated against the use of face-masks for general use by people without symptoms and highlighted negative aspects such as cost and the creation of a “false sense of security”.
Asked if he has changed his view since then, he replied that there were lots of things he thinks differently about now compared to earlier in the year, but “it’s not clear” that the evidence around mask use has changed very much during the year.
“As a HSE clinical lead, I have a role in supporting the National Public Health Emergency Team and HSE position. I accept that decision was arrived at by the decision-making process in place.
“There is a very broad consensus in public health nationally and internationally that masks are of value. There is also a body of opinion that is less convinced.”
He cited a large Danish study published earlier this month which found there was no significant protective effect from mask-wearing at a time virus transmission in the country was low.
“I don’t think anyone says masks are useless. We’ve always recommended the use of masks in certain settings. Where people differ is in defining the setting where they should be used.”
Asked about the recent controversy about RTÉ presenters attending a going-away events for a departing colleague, Prof Cormican said that what they did was "not consistent with guidance but there's a bit of 'let he who is without sin throw the first stone'."
"There isn't a person in Ireland who has observed all the guidance all the time. Everyone makes mistakes."
The most important things people can do to reduce the risk posed by the virus is to stay at home if sick; keep your distance from others; and keep your social circle small.


theirishtimes--2020-12-01--Covid-19: GAA is not to blame for spread of virus, says Nphet

The GAA as an organisation is not responsible for the spread of the virus , assistant chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has told a briefing .
Dr Glynn also said “ now is not the time to be socialising with friends ” , warning of “ significant issues ” if this happens .
“ Just because you can do things tomorrow doesn ’ t mean you should , ” he told a National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) briefing yesterday evening .
Families planning to meet older relatives over Christmas should plan ahead by ensuring they stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advised .
Office parties “ shouldn ’ t be happening , ” chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan warned , adding that people should avoid crowded situations in the run-up to Christmas .
Case numbers will rise again if there is an increase in socialising , and we “ don ’ t do everything we can to drive down our number of contacts ” .
Asked about the conclusion by Government-appointed consultants EY that post-match celebrations of some GAA county finals coincided with an increase in infection , Dr Holohan said “ lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local spread of the disease .
Through the summer , there was an increase in socialisation and it was “ not right ” to pick out any specific sporting or other organisation in relation to this .
Everyone “ relaxed ” and socialised more during the summer , but some activities were the subject of higher-profile reporting , he said .
Alcohol was a significant common factor in a lot of social experiences in which transmission occurred .
The GAA had been identified as an organisation responsible for the spread of infection because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some incidents ” but “ this isn ’ t the case ” .
Everyone has the power to take responsibility for their own lives by adhering to “ straightforward ” public health advice , he advised .
Ireland would be experiencing an additional 35 deaths a day if the patterns seen in the rest of Europe during the second surge occurred here , Dr Holohan said .
This compares to an average of 90-100 deaths a day from all causes .
He said the burden of infection in the Republic is one-third that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the virus and 10 more deaths from the virus were reported yesterday .
Dr Holohan said significant progress was made during the six weeks of Level 5 restrictions .
Daily case numbers fell from 1,200 to an average of 277 ; the 14-day incidence dropped from a high of 307 cases per 100,000 people to 89 .
However , outbreaks in healthcare settings have persisted , as has a high incidence of the disease among older people , he said .
Adherence to strict public health measures have averted 21-54,000 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time period , he said .
Asked whether the measures were justified , Dr Holohan said there had been a significant reduction in the burden of infection , while hospital services had been protected “ for the most part ” .
One further death of a patient with Covid-19 was reported by Nphet .
This brings to 2,053 the total number of virus deaths in the pandemic in the State .
Nphet also reported 306 new confirmed cases of the disease , bringing to 72,544 the total number of cases in the Republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 108 are in Dublin , 30 in Limerick , 22 in Galway , 17 in Donegal , 15 in Wicklow , 14 in Cork , with the remaining 100 cases spread across 18 other counties .
Yesterday , there were 244 Covid-19 patients in hospital , including 31 in ICU .
Three further hospitalisations occurred in the previous 24 hours .

Dr Ronan Glynn: ‘Now is not the time to be socialising with friends’. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins
The GAA as an organisation is not responsible for the spread of the virus, assistant chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has told a briefing.
Dr Glynn also said “now is not the time to be socialising with friends”, warning of “significant issues” if this happens.
“Just because you can do things tomorrow doesn’t mean you should,” he told a National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) briefing yesterday evening.
Families planning to meet older relatives over Christmas should plan ahead by ensuring they stop socialising now, public health officials have advised.
READ MORE
Office parties "shouldn't be happening," chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan warned, adding that people should avoid crowded situations in the run-up to Christmas.
Case numbers will rise again if there is an increase in socialising, and we “don’t do everything we can to drive down our number of contacts”.
Asked about the conclusion by Government-appointed consultants EY that post-match celebrations of some GAA county finals coincided with an increase in infection, Dr Holohan said “lots of things” had contributed to the local spread of the disease.
Increase
Through the summer, there was an increase in socialisation and it was “not right” to pick out any specific sporting or other organisation in relation to this.
Everyone “relaxed” and socialised more during the summer, but some activities were the subject of higher-profile reporting, he said.
Alcohol was a significant common factor in a lot of social experiences in which transmission occurred. The GAA had been identified as an organisation responsible for the spread of infection because of the “high profile nature of some incidents” but “this isn’t the case”.
Everyone has the power to take responsibility for their own lives by adhering to “straightforward” public health advice, he advised.
Ireland would be experiencing an additional 35 deaths a day if the patterns seen in the rest of Europe during the second surge occurred here, Dr Holohan said. This compares to an average of 90-100 deaths a day from all causes.
He said the burden of infection in the Republic is one-third that in Northern Ireland, where 290 new cases of the virus and 10 more deaths from the virus were reported yesterday.
Dr Holohan said significant progress was made during the six weeks of Level 5 restrictions. Daily case numbers fell from 1,200 to an average of 277; the 14-day incidence dropped from a high of 307 cases per 100,000 people to 89.
Outbreaks
However, outbreaks in healthcare settings have persisted, as has a high incidence of the disease among older people, he said. Adherence to strict public health measures have averted 21-54,000 cases, and 100-300 deaths, over the time period, he said.
Asked whether the measures were justified, Dr Holohan said there had been a significant reduction in the burden of infection, while hospital services had been protected “for the most part”.
One further death of a patient with Covid-19 was reported by Nphet. This brings to 2,053 the total number of virus deaths in the pandemic in the State.
Nphet also reported 306 new confirmed cases of the disease, bringing to 72,544 the total number of cases in the Republic since February.
Of the new cases, 108 are in Dublin, 30 in Limerick, 22 in Galway, 17 in Donegal, 15 in Wicklow, 14 in Cork, with the remaining 100 cases spread across 18 other counties.
Yesterday, there were 244 Covid-19 patients in hospital, including 31 in ICU. Three further hospitalisations occurred in the previous 24 hours.


theirishtimes--2020-12-01--Bad air day: Pollution in Dublin reaches levels of smoky coal era 30 years ago

Air pollution in Dublin at the weekend was back to levels not seen since before the ban on smoky coal was introduced 30 years ago .
Data from the Environmental Protection Agency confirmed air pollution levels in Rathmines and Ringsend were up to 15 times higher than EU and World Health Organisation guidelines on Saturday night last .
Scientists at University College Cork , led by Prof John Wenger , who study the data said guideline limits were also breached consistently last week in a range of towns and cities including Ennis , Tralee , Cork city , Macroom and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in the Republic each year , according to the EPA , and the authority ’ s State of the Environment 2020 report , published last week , and its Air Quality Report , published in October , warn of serious health implications from fine particulate matter in air .
Fine particulate matter ( PM ) is suspended dust that , when inhaled , has an adverse effect on respiratory diseases and is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , bronchial asthma , strokes , heart disease and some cancers while increasing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is associated with pollution from burning solid fuels , while PM10 is associated with pollution from traffic .
WHO air quality guidelines stipulate that PM2.5 should not exceed 10 micrograms per cubic metre , or 25 micrograms on a 24-hour average .
However , last week these limits were exceeded frequently , with recorded levels of PM2.5 reaching almost 400 in Ringsend , and more than 300 in Rathmines .
Levels in some towns across the country were as high , with Ennis , Co Clare reaching 393.23 on Sunday night .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a lack of wind combined with geographical features such as surrounding hills , can cause smoke from fossil fuels to remain in place , resulting in serious air pollution .
In Dublin at the weekend , he said , winds were very light and smoke remained in place over the city as people lit fires from about 5pm onwards .
“ Saturday was back to the days of Dublin before the smoky coal ban , ” he said .
This would have serious health implications for residents , he added .
James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MaREI Centre , in the Environmental Research Institute of University College Cork , said “ any analysis we do shows coal and peat has no place in the energy system any more ” .
He also said a number of recent international studies have shown a link between mortality from Covid-19 and air quality .
Pat Kenny of the EPA said air quality was cited as the cause in 1,300 premature deaths each year and a national clean air strategy , which was expected to include a public consultation in the near future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , Labour Party leader Alan Kelly who has campaigned for a smoky coal ban to be extended across the entire country , said the Government was not moving fast enough .
He said he was “ sick and tired ” of pointing out the farce that “ some towns do and some towns don ’ t ” have such a ban .
He said fuel poverty among some of the population was cited as an excuse for not having a widespread ban , but he said the Government had the ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including through tax measures .
In September of this year , the ban on the burning of smoky coal was extended to an additional 13 towns .
However , there are still 61 towns that do not have any such bans .
The most recent EPA Air Quality Report said WHO guideline values for air quality were exceeded at 33 EPA monitoring stations , “ mostly due to the levels of fine particles in our air ” .
The report notes that “ any movement towards cleaner modes of home-heating fuels will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .

Air pollution in Dublin at the weekend was back to levels not seen since before the ban on smoky coal was introduced 30 years ago.
Data from the Environmental Protection Agency confirmed air pollution levels in Rathmines and Ringsend were up to 15 times higher than EU and World Health Organisation guidelines on Saturday night last.
Scientists at University College Cork, led by Prof John Wenger, who study the data said guideline limits were also breached consistently last week in a range of towns and cities including Ennis, Tralee, Cork city, Macroom and Enniscorthy.
Air pollution causes 1,300 premature deaths in the Republic each year, according to the EPA, and the authority’s State of the Environment 2020 report, published last week, and its Air Quality Report, published in October, warn of serious health implications from fine particulate matter in air.
READ MORE
Fine particulate matter (PM) is suspended dust that, when inhaled, has an adverse effect on respiratory diseases and is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, strokes, heart disease and some cancers while increasing the mortality rates of these diseases.
Areas along the M50 have some of the worst air pollution in Dublin according to an EPA report. File photograph: Alan Betson
PM2.5 is associated with pollution from burning solid fuels, while PM10 is associated with pollution from traffic. WHO air quality guidelines stipulate that PM2.5 should not exceed 10 micrograms per cubic metre, or 25 micrograms on a 24-hour average. However, last week these limits were exceeded frequently, with recorded levels of PM2.5 reaching almost 400 in Ringsend, and more than 300 in Rathmines.
Levels in some towns across the country were as high, with Ennis, Co Clare reaching 393.23 on Sunday night.
Weather conditions
According to Prof Wenger certain weather conditions such as a lack of wind combined with geographical features such as surrounding hills, can cause smoke from fossil fuels to remain in place, resulting in serious air pollution.
In Dublin at the weekend, he said, winds were very light and smoke remained in place over the city as people lit fires from about 5pm onwards. “Saturday was back to the days of Dublin before the smoky coal ban,” he said. This would have serious health implications for residents, he added.
James Glynn of Science Foundation Ireland’s MaREI Centre, in the Environmental Research Institute of University College Cork, said “any analysis we do shows coal and peat has no place in the energy system any more”.
He also said a number of recent international studies have shown a link between mortality from Covid-19 and air quality.
Pat Kenny of the EPA said air quality was cited as the cause in 1,300 premature deaths each year and a national clean air strategy, which was expected to include a public consultation in the near future, was being drafted by Government.
Divergent rules
However, Labour Party leader Alan Kelly who has campaigned for a smoky coal ban to be extended across the entire country, said the Government was not moving fast enough. He said he was “sick and tired” of pointing out the farce that “some towns do and some towns don’t” have such a ban. He said fuel poverty among some of the population was cited as an excuse for not having a widespread ban, but he said the Government had the ability to alleviate that in a number of ways, including through tax measures.
Scientists have found that air pollution in the winter is associated with more hospitalisations in Dublin due to strokes. File photograph: Getty
In September of this year, the ban on the burning of smoky coal was extended to an additional 13 towns. However, there are still 61 towns that do not have any such bans.
The most recent EPA Air Quality Report said WHO guideline values for air quality were exceeded at 33 EPA monitoring stations, “mostly due to the levels of fine particles in our air”. The report notes that “any movement towards cleaner modes of home-heating fuels will have a subsequent improvement on air quality”.


theirishtimes--2020-12-01--Ireland reopens: shops, churches, gyms and hairdressers open as public health experts urge caution

Ireland ’ s second lockdown ends today as non-essential retail outlets , churches , gyms , hairdressers and other businesses open their doors for the first time in six weeks .
But public health chiefs warned that Covid-19 infections would rise quickly if people do not keep their social contacts to a minimum .
And the Government emphasised the need for caution as the Christmas season begins , banning office parties and large gatherings when pubs and restaurants open on Friday .
“ Just because you can do things tomorrow doesn ’ t mean you should , ” said assistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening .
He said “ now is not the time to be socialising with friends ” and warned of “ significant issues ” if this happens .
Chief medical officer Tony Holohan said office parties “ shouldn ’ t be happening ” , adding that people should avoid crowded situations in the run-up to Christmas .
He urged people to “ drive down our number of contacts ” .
The Government confirmed that restaurants and gastropubs will not be allowed to take bookings for office parties or other business-related gatherings when they open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Ministers .
Multiple table bookings will also be banned , there can be no sponsored work or business-related parties or social gatherings , including office Christmas parties .
There will also be a ban on live music or loud music in gastropubs or restaurants .
Meanwhile , as preparations for a vaccine advance , Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly will today ask Cabinet to approve an advance purchase agreement of 800,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine .
The State ’ s vaccine taskforce met again yesterday as it prepares to present a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for distributing the vaccine .
Membership of the group has been expanded to include a range of capabilities in public health , as well as specialised logistics that will be needed to manage delivery of the drug .
Mr Donnelly said at the weekend he was hopeful doses could be delivered early in the New Year .
While there is intense speculation about when the vaccine will be available , no firm date has yet been set , as it is conditional on approval from the European medicines agency .
How many in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health Emergency Team reported an additional 306 confirmed cases of the disease last night .
The 14-day national incidence now stands at 89.2 cases per 100,000 people .
Over the six weeks of restrictions , the incidence of Covid-19 has fallen from 307 cases per 100,000 people to 89 .
Intensive care numbers have fallen from a peak of 47 to 31 now .
So far this month , 119 Covid-19 patients have died , the same figure as in October ; 37 patients died in September .
There have been 38 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , compared to 23 in October and seven in September .
There are 61 open outbreaks in 25 hospitals , with 910 linked cases .
Of these cases , 409 are healthcare workers and 501 are patients .
In nursing homes , there are 35 open investigations into outbreaks , associated with 908 cases .
There were 38 nursing home deaths in November , 48 in October and 12 in September .
The gardaí said that they would police the reopening with “ a high visibility presence to provide public reassurance ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ routes are to be discontinued , although “ high visibility patrols will take place in key city , urban and retail locations ” will begin .
There will also be patrols that will focus on the night-time economy , said Garda Headquarters , while checks on licensed premises under Operation Navigation will be stepped up .
However , the Garda said it can only enforce penal regulations .
The force does not have powers to enforce public health guidelines , it said .

Stacey Leyland and her nine-year-old daughter Kerys Swaine in Dublin city centre on the eve of reopening. Photograph Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Ireland’s second lockdown ends today as non-essential retail outlets, churches, gyms, hairdressers and other businesses open their doors for the first time in six weeks.
But public health chiefs warned that Covid-19 infections would rise quickly if people do not keep their social contacts to a minimum. And the Government emphasised the need for caution as the Christmas season begins, banning office parties and large gatherings when pubs and restaurants open on Friday.
"Just because you can do things tomorrow doesn't mean you should," said assistant chief medical officer Ronan Glynn on Monday evening.
Hospital Report
He said “now is not the time to be socialising with friends” and warned of “significant issues” if this happens.
READ MORE
Chief medical officer Tony Holohan said office parties "shouldn't be happening", adding that people should avoid crowded situations in the run-up to Christmas. He urged people to "drive down our number of contacts".
The Government confirmed that restaurants and gastropubs will not be allowed to take bookings for office parties or other business-related gatherings when they open on Friday, under new rules presented to Ministers.
Multiple table bookings will also be banned, there can be no sponsored work or business-related parties or social gatherings, including office Christmas parties. There will also be a ban on live music or loud music in gastropubs or restaurants.
Meanwhile, as preparations for a vaccine advance, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly will today ask Cabinet to approve an advance purchase agreement of 800,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine.
The State’s vaccine taskforce met again yesterday as it prepares to present a plan towards the end of next week for distributing the vaccine. Membership of the group has been expanded to include a range of capabilities in public health, as well as specialised logistics that will be needed to manage delivery of the drug.
Mr Donnelly said at the weekend he was hopeful doses could be delivered early in the New Year. While there is intense speculation about when the vaccine will be available, no firm date has yet been set, as it is conditional on approval from the European medicines agency.
How many in intensive care?
Meanwhile, the National Public Health Emergency Team reported an additional 306 confirmed cases of the disease last night. The 14-day national incidence now stands at 89.2 cases per 100,000 people.
Over the six weeks of restrictions, the incidence of Covid-19 has fallen from 307 cases per 100,000 people to 89. Intensive care numbers have fallen from a peak of 47 to 31 now.
So far this month, 119 Covid-19 patients have died, the same figure as in October; 37 patients died in September. There have been 38 deaths in hospitals linked to virus outbreaks, compared to 23 in October and seven in September.
There are 61 open outbreaks in 25 hospitals, with 910 linked cases. Of these cases, 409 are healthcare workers and 501 are patients.
In nursing homes, there are 35 open investigations into outbreaks, associated with 908 cases. There were 38 nursing home deaths in November, 48 in October and 12 in September.
The gardaí said that they would police the reopening with “a high visibility presence to provide public reassurance”.
Fixed checkpoints on motorways and dual carriageway routes are to be discontinued, although “high visibility patrols will take place in key city, urban and retail locations” will begin.
There will also be patrols that will focus on the night-time economy, said Garda Headquarters, while checks on licensed premises under Operation Navigation will be stepped up.
However, the Garda said it can only enforce penal regulations. The force does not have powers to enforce public health guidelines, it said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-01--Man arrested during operation which led to dogs and horses being seized

A man has been arrested during an operation in which 23 dogs and four horses were seized by gardaí and animal welfare officers having been found in a neglected condition on a farm .
The animals were rescued during a planned search at the farm in Co Kilkenny on Monday .
At least one animal carcass was found on the farm .
The arrested man was detained at the scene by gardaí after allegedly trying to frustrate the search of the property .
As well as the seizure of the animals , their health and the conditions on the farm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators as part of an ongoing criminal investigation .
The search of the farm was carried out under a warrant obtained on suspicion that the animals were being kept in circumstances which breached the Animal Health and Welfare Act .
A team of uniform gardaí and detectives , based in Kilkenny , searched the premises as part of a large team that also included a variety of animal welfare professionals .
These included personnel from the Kildare Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals , Kilkenny County Council , My Lovely Horse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dog rescue personnel .
“ Twenty three dogs and four horses were seized under welfare grounds , including lurchers , terriers and greyhounds , ” Kilkenny-Carlow gardaí said of the multi agency operation .
“ A full investigation into serious breaches of the Animal Welfare Act is underway .
Kilkenny gardaí wish to sincerely thank all those who assisted today and those who are endeavouring to rehabilitate these animals .
”

A man has been arrested during an operation in which 23 dogs and four horses were seized by gardaí and animal welfare officers having been found in a neglected condition on a farm.
The animals were rescued during a planned search at the farm in Co Kilkenny on Monday. At least one animal carcass was found on the farm.
The arrested man was detained at the scene by gardaí after allegedly trying to frustrate the search of the property.
As well as the seizure of the animals, their health and the conditions on the farm where they were found were recorded by investigators as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
READ MORE
The search of the farm was carried out under a warrant obtained on suspicion that the animals were being kept in circumstances which breached the Animal Health and Welfare Act.
Dog seized by gardaí and animal welfare officers
Dog seized by gardaí and animal welfare officers
Horses seized by gardaí and animal welfare officers
Dog seized by gardaí and animal welfare officers
A team of uniform gardaí and detectives, based in Kilkenny, searched the premises as part of a large team that also included a variety of animal welfare professionals.
These included personnel from the Kildare Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kilkenny County Council, My Lovely Horse Rescue, a local veterinary surgeon and dog rescue personnel.
The animals were found in a neglected condition on a farm.
Dog seized by gardaí and animal welfare officers
Dog seized by gardaí and animal welfare officers
Dog seized by gardaí and animal welfare officers
“Twenty three dogs and four horses were seized under welfare grounds, including lurchers, terriers and greyhounds,” Kilkenny-Carlow gardaí said of the multi agency operation.
“A full investigation into serious breaches of the Animal Welfare Act is underway. Kilkenny gardaí wish to sincerely thank all those who assisted today and those who are endeavouring to rehabilitate these animals.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-02--Repairs to defective apartments could cost State in excess of €1bn

Fixing defective apartments across the State could cost more than €1 billion , while developers who built affected homes are still active under new names in some instances , an Oireachtas committee has been told .
The joint Oireachtas housing committee heard evidence on Tuesday from groups representing owners of homes impacted by building defects , as well as affected individual homeowners .
The Construction Defects Alliance ( CDA ) told the committee it estimates there are 100,000 units impacted , with a median cost of about €15,000 per home to remedy defects , usually related to fire safety or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apartment Owners Network told the committee that obtaining more precise costs should be an objective of a working group being set up by Minister for Housing Darragh O ’ Brien , but “ at the moment , we ’ re looking at a billion [ euro ] plus , based on 100,000 units.
” The committee also heard evidence from owners who have paid or are paying thousands of euro to remedy fire safety defects .
Ciara Holland said her two-bedroom Dublin home was affected by fire safety defects , which ultimately cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ My developer is still in operation .
He actually was recently granted planning permission , just down the road from me.
” She objected to her local authority against the new development , but it was approved .
“ The county council were fully aware that they previously built defective homes , that hadn ’ t complied with the granted fire certificate .
But they granted planning permission anyway.
” She said she was “ shocked and disgusted ” .
“ The regulatory environment just doesn ’ t work , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I have two little girls , and I put them to bed , all their little lives in a fire-defective home.
” Barry Mulhern , who is being asked to pay €15,000 to remedy safety issues in his home , told the committee : “ We know for a fact that the developer that built our apartments is still trading under a different name but is doing substantial works.
” Donal Nugent , who lives in a development where works have been carried out to several units at cost of up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been “ very , very stressful .
It ’ s taken hours and days and weeks of my life .
This has been the most stressful three years of my life.
” Deirdre Ní Fhlionn , a barrister and construction law expert , told the committee that people who purchased defective apartments “ were doing it in a context where builders and developers were , and are still , insulated by the legal system from the risks in what they built ” .
She said there had been recent reforms to regulation but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all these defective apartments is largely unchanged from a legal point of view ” .
“ We don ’ t allow other very important industries to regulate themselves , and that regulatory failure is still with us , ” she said , adding that a redress scheme for apartment owners would be welcome , but should be accompanied by further regulatory reform .
She argued that the building control system was “ set up to be light-touch and the building control Act itself doesn ’ t require any building control authority to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The committee was also told that any plan to fund repair works through low-cost loans to apartment owners would not be sufficient to address the issue .
“ Access to cheap loans on their own , whether that ’ s no interest or very low interest , would not be acceptable as a solution for tackling the costs of remediation , ” the committee was told by Kath Cottier of the CDA .
“ They would still leave the owners 100 per cent on the hook for remediating defects they did not in @ @ @ @ @

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien: Getting more precise costs for fixing defective apartments should be an objective of a working group he is setting up. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA
Fixing defective apartments across the State could cost more than €1 billion, while developers who built affected homes are still active under new names in some instances, an Oireachtas committee has been told.
The joint Oireachtas housing committee heard evidence on Tuesday from groups representing owners of homes impacted by building defects, as well as affected individual homeowners.
The Construction Defects Alliance (CDA) told the committee it estimates there are 100,000 units impacted, with a median cost of about €15,000 per home to remedy defects, usually related to fire safety or water ingress.
Des McCabe of the Apartment Owners Network told the committee that obtaining more precise costs should be an objective of a working group being set up by Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien, but "at the moment, we're looking at a billion [euro] plus, based on 100,000 units."
READ MORE
The committee also heard evidence from owners who have paid or are paying thousands of euro to remedy fire safety defects. Ciara Holland said her two-bedroom Dublin home was affected by fire safety defects, which ultimately cost her more than €16,000. She said: "My developer is still in operation. He actually was recently granted planning permission, just down the road from me."
‘Shocked and disgusted’
She objected to her local authority against the new development, but it was approved. “The county council were fully aware that they previously built defective homes, that hadn’t complied with the granted fire certificate. But they granted planning permission anyway.”
She said she was “shocked and disgusted”. “The regulatory environment just doesn’t work, it doesn’t protect the innocent people. I have two little girls, and I put them to bed, all their little lives in a fire-defective home.”
Barry Mulhern, who is being asked to pay €15,000 to remedy safety issues in his home, told the committee: “We know for a fact that the developer that built our apartments is still trading under a different name but is doing substantial works.”
Donal Nugent, who lives in a development where works have been carried out to several units at cost of up to €1 million, said the experience has been "very, very stressful. It's taken hours and days and weeks of my life. This has been the most stressful three years of my life."
Legal protection
Deirdre Ní Fhlionn, a barrister and construction law expert, told the committee that people who purchased defective apartments “were doing it in a context where builders and developers were, and are still, insulated by the legal system from the risks in what they built”.
She said there had been recent reforms to regulation but that the situation which “gave us all these defective apartments is largely unchanged from a legal point of view”.
“We don’t allow other very important industries to regulate themselves, and that regulatory failure is still with us,” she said, adding that a redress scheme for apartment owners would be welcome, but should be accompanied by further regulatory reform.
She argued that the building control system was “set up to be light-touch and the building control Act itself doesn’t require any building control authority to go out and inspect any buildings”.
The committee was also told that any plan to fund repair works through low-cost loans to apartment owners would not be sufficient to address the issue. "Access to cheap loans on their own, whether that's no interest or very low interest, would not be acceptable as a solution for tackling the costs of remediation," the committee was told by Kath Cottier of the CDA. "They would still leave the owners 100 per cent on the hook for remediating defects they did not in any way cause."


theirishtimes--2020-12-02--New exercise regimes ditched when lockdowns end, survey finds

Covid-19 lockdowns might have made more people embrace a lifestyle of sport and fitness but new research suggests it might not be a legacy of the pandemic .
Sport Ireland data shows that while levels of activity increased during periods of Covid-19 restrictions , they fell away again during the reopening phase .
The study , conducted by Ipsos MRBI , was undertaken to gain insight into the effect of the health crisis on sport and walking in Ireland .
While it shows a decrease in overall “ activity ” after periods of lockdown , there is plenty to bolster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It found that while the number of people playing sport now is broadly similar to 2019 , there has been increased participation in cycling and running , although the numbers swimming have undergone a “ sharp fall ” .
Walking too has been something of a success story : the proportion of recreational walkers increased and remains ahead of last year ’ s levels .
The data shows it moved from 66 per cent in 2019 to as high as 80 per cent during Covid-19 restrictions and currently remains at just under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accessible of activities , it has increased across all regions but most strongly in Dublin .
The lower levels of recreational walking were found among those aged 35-44 .
The research was undertaken between March and September among an initial sample of 1,000 and a later additional phone survey .
On gender lines , increased activity was more or less equal between men and women during the reopening phase after the first lockdown with 83 per cent of the former and 85 per cent of the latter involved .
However , overall there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among women ; male participation was described as being “ more robust ” .
“ The gender gap in sports participation was eliminated during the stay-at-home phase , however this re-emerged during later phases , ” the study results pointed out .
Overall , however , there were positive signals with 77 per cent of respondents saying it was more important to be active during the pandemic compared to other times .
And with 79 per cent saying physical activity was now part of their weekly routine , 90 per cent of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would continue it in the future on a regular basis .
One in five people ( 19 per cent ) said they had taken up a new type of physical activity since restrictions were introduced .

Covid-19 lockdowns might have made more people embrace a lifestyle of sport and fitness but new research suggests it might not be a legacy of the pandemic.
Sport Ireland data shows that while levels of activity increased during periods of Covid-19 restrictions, they fell away again during the reopening phase. The study, conducted by Ipsos MRBI, was undertaken to gain insight into the effect of the health crisis on sport and walking in Ireland.
While it shows a decrease in overall “activity” after periods of lockdown, there is plenty to bolster confidence in a fitter and healthier country.
It found that while the number of people playing sport now is broadly similar to 2019, there has been increased participation in cycling and running, although the numbers swimming have undergone a “sharp fall”.
READ MORE
Walking too has been something of a success story: the proportion of recreational walkers increased and remains ahead of last year’s levels. The data shows it moved from 66 per cent in 2019 to as high as 80 per cent during Covid-19 restrictions and currently remains at just under that. Arguably one of the most accessible of activities, it has increased across all regions but most strongly in Dublin. The lower levels of recreational walking were found among those aged 35-44.
The research was undertaken between March and September among an initial sample of 1,000 and a later additional phone survey.
On gender lines, increased activity was more or less equal between men and women during the reopening phase after the first lockdown with 83 per cent of the former and 85 per cent of the latter involved.
However, overall there were lower levels of sport participation found among women; male participation was described as being “more robust”.
“The gender gap in sports participation was eliminated during the stay-at-home phase, however this re-emerged during later phases,” the study results pointed out.
Overall, however, there were positive signals with 77 per cent of respondents saying it was more important to be active during the pandemic compared to other times. And with 79 per cent saying physical activity was now part of their weekly routine, 90 per cent of those who took up a new pursuit said they would continue it in the future on a regular basis.
One in five people (19 per cent) said they had taken up a new type of physical activity since restrictions were introduced.


theirishtimes--2020-12-02--Ireland’s missing people: 823 cases remain ‘open’ with the Garda

On Friday evening the family of Sandra Collins will turn on Christmas lights outside the home where she grew up – and think about getting her back .
It will be 20 years to the day since she disappeared in Killala , Co Mayo , her fleece jacket , found by the pier , seemingly the last indication of her existence .
The Christmas lights have been turned on in her memory since about 2006 when her father Joe began the tradition .
“ Every year he said he would light a way home for Sandra , ” her brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ siblings continue the custom .
Sandra ’ s brother James was killed in an accident six months before her disappearance and her parents Joe and Eleanor have both since died , without ever finding out what happened to her .
Sandra , who was pregnant when she vanished , would have turned 49 on December 14th .
The family believe she was murdered .
Every year , as more time passes , the lights display gets bigger , Patrick says .
“ Maybe people might just look into the garden and think , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On National Missing Persons Day on Wednesday , he wants to press home the importance of recovering his sister ’ s remains .
“ I would give everything I own in the world to get her back , to end this and be free of it , ” he says .
“ There isn ’ t enough words to tell what it would mean .
It would give us back our lives , what ’ s left of them.
” Many people are never found .
As of last month , 823 missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An Garda Síochána .
Of those reported missing this year , 52 have yet to be located , including 18 children .
Between April 2018 and April 2019 , almost 10,000 missing person reports were filed .
Some of those cases come to the attention of Chris O ’ Donovan , co-ordinator of the missing.ie website , administered by the Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery organisation which was set up by Fr Aquinas Duffy in 2000 .
The site displays rows upon rows of the faces of Ireland ’ s missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen and what they were wearing .
People contact the site with , or in search of , information on missing relatives .
However the range and nature of information that can now be shared is narrower under General Data Protection Regulations ( GDPR ) .
Even in the last couple of years the volunteers who run the site have had people reported missing contacting them about having their information online .
“ Saying , I am not missing ; I don ’ t want to go home .
Please take my picture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often but it does happen , ” Mr O ’ Donovan says .
“ People go missing for all sorts of reasons .
Some people want to go missing.
” They get good news too ; recently one relative was reunited with family after 20 years .
Mr O ’ Donovan will not discuss the details other than to say both sides had been trying to find each other .
They have requests for information and assistance from the UK and the United States .
Their first point of contact is on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alerted .
They can get 50-100 emails a day .
“ They are all unusual because a lot of the time there seems to be no rhyme nor reason to it .
Every case is individual , no two cases are the same , ” Mr O ’ Donovan says , noting an increase in foreign nationals reported as missing to the site in the past two years and a shift in the age profile of people they look for , younger , and more on the streets .
“ Our job is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a resolution one way or the other you try to give them hope.
” One source of increasing hope for some comes from Forensic Science Ireland ( FSI ) .
In the past five years its DNA database has been helping solve more and more missing person cases through the identification of remains .
It relies on family members of missing people coming forward to supply DNA samples that can later be compared to those taken from newly discovered remains .
There is also a number of unidentified remains – including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which 61 people were killed after an Aer Lingus plane crashed in the sea off Co Wexford – being stored in case family members come forward in the future .
Chris Enright , FSI director general , says the technology is still improving and they now use software that allows them conduct familial analysis with several relatives , further increasing the chances of a positive detection .
“ It allows you to build a much more confident picture of whether we are 20 per cent confident there is a match , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
“ It ’ s never certain , it ’ s always degrees of confidence .
The more family members you have , the better the software ; you need all of these things to be humming for the process to work.
” Mr Enright stresses that giving DNA samples to the database during Covid is not only possible , but safe .
His team expects to have another 40 families added this year .
While the science is challenging , it has proved its worth .
Last year FSI had eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the identity of the remains was suspected , and four “ cold hits ” where the remains were matched through the database without other investigative leads .
To date this year , FSI has had nine further matches .

On Friday evening the family of Sandra Collins will turn on Christmas lights outside the home where she grew up – and think about getting her back.
It will be 20 years to the day since she disappeared in Killala, Co Mayo, her fleece jacket, found by the pier, seemingly the last indication of her existence.
The Christmas lights have been turned on in her memory since about 2006 when her father Joe began the tradition.
Sandra Collins: Missing since December 4th, 2000
“Every year he said he would light a way home for Sandra,” her brother Patrick says.
READ MORE
He and his three siblings continue the custom. Sandra’s brother James was killed in an accident six months before her disappearance and her parents Joe and Eleanor have both since died, without ever finding out what happened to her.
Sandra, who was pregnant when she vanished, would have turned 49 on December 14th. The family believe she was murdered.
Every year, as more time passes, the lights display gets bigger, Patrick says. “Maybe people might just look into the garden and think, my God those people loved Sandra.”
On National Missing Persons Day on Wednesday, he wants to press home the importance of recovering his sister’s remains.
“I would give everything I own in the world to get her back, to end this and be free of it,” he says. “There isn’t enough words to tell what it would mean. It would give us back our lives, what’s left of them.”
Many people are never found. As of last month, 823 missing person cases remain "open" with An Garda Síochána. Of those reported missing this year, 52 have yet to be located, including 18 children.
Between April 2018 and April 2019, almost 10,000 missing person reports were filed.
Some of those cases come to the attention of Chris O'Donovan, co-ordinator of the missing.ie website, administered by the Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery organisation which was set up by Fr Aquinas Duffy in 2000.
The site displays rows upon rows of the faces of Ireland's missing and details including where they were last seen and what they were wearing. People contact the site with, or in search of, information on missing relatives. However the range and nature of information that can now be shared is narrower under General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
Even in the last couple of years the volunteers who run the site have had people reported missing contacting them about having their information online.
“Saying, I am not missing; I don’t want to go home. Please take my picture down. It doesn’t happen often but it does happen,” Mr O’Donovan says. “People go missing for all sorts of reasons. Some people want to go missing.”
They get good news too; recently one relative was reunited with family after 20 years. Mr O’Donovan will not discuss the details other than to say both sides had been trying to find each other.
They have requests for information and assistance from the UK and the United States. Their first point of contact is on a Facebook page where new cases are regularly alerted. They can get 50-100 emails a day.
“They are all unusual because a lot of the time there seems to be no rhyme nor reason to it. Every case is individual, no two cases are the same,” Mr O’Donovan says, noting an increase in foreign nationals reported as missing to the site in the past two years and a shift in the age profile of people they look for, younger, and more on the streets.
“Our job is to give people hope. Unless you have a resolution one way or the other you try to give them hope.”
Forensics
One source of increasing hope for some comes from Forensic Science Ireland (FSI). In the past five years its DNA database has been helping solve more and more missing person cases through the identification of remains.
It relies on family members of missing people coming forward to supply DNA samples that can later be compared to those taken from newly discovered remains. There is also a number of unidentified remains – including a body from the 1968 Tusker Rock tragedy in which 61 people were killed after an Aer Lingus plane crashed in the sea off Co Wexford – being stored in case family members come forward in the future.
Chris Enright, FSI director general, says the technology is still improving and they now use software that allows them conduct familial analysis with several relatives, further increasing the chances of a positive detection.
“It allows you to build a much more confident picture of whether we are 20 per cent confident there is a match, or 80 per cent confident,” he says.
“It’s never certain, it’s always degrees of confidence. The more family members you have, the better the software; you need all of these things to be humming for the process to work.”
Mr Enright stresses that giving DNA samples to the database during Covid is not only possible, but safe. His team expects to have another 40 families added this year.
While the science is challenging, it has proved its worth. Last year FSI had eight successful matches; four in cases where the identity of the remains was suspected, and four “cold hits” where the remains were matched through the database without other investigative leads. To date this year, FSI has had nine further matches.