theirishtimes--2020-10-22--Calls on Irish MEPs to reject ‘regressive’ CAP proposals in key European Parliament vote

Ahead of a critical vote in the European Parliament on Friday , Irish environmental groups have claimed the EU common agriculture policy ( CAP ) reform package agreed this week is not in the best interests of farmers and is a betrayal of Irish nature .
BirdWatch Ireland ( BWI ) said on Thursday it was “ dismayed with the shape of the CAP agreed by the majority of Irish MEPs and the Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue at the European Council ” earlier this week .
“ The proposals agreed will not address the climate , biodiversity or water problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radically changed , ” said BWI head of advocacy Oonagh Duggan .
“ MEPs have the opportunity to change their minds , as well as the legacy they will leave behind them , by voting the CAP down in the final vote on the overall package .
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and sending it back to the European Commission , ” she added .
The proposed new CAP was not in line with the objectives of the EU Green Deal , including Europe ’ s biodiversity and farm to fork strategies , Ms Duggan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was to ensure appropriate investment , action and ambition could be injected into the proposal to address the challenges of biodiversity loss , climate breakdown and declining water quality , she added .
“ Farmers are part of the solution to these problems but they need the supports and policies to drive change.
” The CAP budget is one-third of the overall EU budget ; €387 billion of €1,074 billion total .
When it was agreed it came with the requirement that it would need to demonstrate higher environmental ambition , Ms Duggan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in current proposals .
This proposal is a waste of taxpayers ’ hard-earned cash.
” “ Farmers , nature and climate have been betrayed , with a weakening of the environmental conditions for the Basic Payment and labelling of non-environmental payments as environmental spend .
There will not be much cash left over for truly effective environmental action to save threatened bird species , such as the Curlew and the Lapwing , which are in serious decline because of the intensification of agriculture and other land use changes , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Neill told Greennews.ie the proposed CAP would be “ a disaster ” for nature and the climate .
“ It locks in more pollution and ecosystem degradation for another seven years , and it is fundamentally incompatible with the commitments in the EU green deal which were supposed to chart a new approach to biodiversity and climate , ” she added .
Irish Green MEP Grace O ’ Sullivan called for radical reform of the package .
“ Whoever decided to call this ‘ the CAP reform ’ might like to check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current CAP and aligning the future CAP package with the European Green Deal .
This CAP should be transformative , it ’ s not .
This CAP is regressive , ” she told the parliament .
“ The recent European Court of Auditors report clearly concluded that declining biodiversity on farmland is a major threat to both the environment and to farming itself , ” she added .
The CAP must continue to provide vital support to farmers , Ms O ’ Sullivan said , but that needed to be fair and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ methods “ that help to stop – not speed up – runaway progression towards mass extinction ” .
The European Environmental Bureau said next CAP would remain a swamp of vested interests that are “ stuck in the past ” and uphold financial incentives for intensive farming .
For the first time , the EU would hand almost the entire CAP budget to governments with “ only vague rules and targets ” .
A significant amount of the €350 billion pot will go to direct payments , which according to the EEB would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farming , with little environmental conditions ” .
The deal is the “ first step ” in providing a stable framework for farmers to plan their business over the next few years , Minister Charlie McConalogue said .
“ It will support farm incomes while helping us build a sustainable agriculture sector contributing to the EU green deal , ” he insisted .
IFA president Tim Cullinan confirmed “ the reality is that the new CAP will give Member States more flexibility to design their own strategic plans , but the enabling legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The focus of the CAP must remain on supporting farmers to produce safe , nutritious food sustainably for the benefit of consumers in Europe and beyond , ” he said .
“ Farming must be sustainable economically as well as environmentally .
Many aspects of the CAP proposals and the EU Green Deal will put more cost on farmers without any extra return .
This is not sustainable , ” Mr Cullinan added .
“ The CAP rules and the new strategic plans will be vital for the future of farming .
Farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs are being imposed on them .
We need to strike the right balance to ensure economic as well as environmental sustainability , ” he said .
Once the process of voting on amendments is completed the CAP will enter the “ trilogue stage ” where the European Parliament , the European Commission and the EU Council will attempt to come to a common position .

The CAP deal is the ‘first step’ in providing a stable framework for farmers to plan their business over the next few years, Minister Charlie McConalogue said. File photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
Ahead of a critical vote in the European Parliament on Friday, Irish environmental groups have claimed the EU common agriculture policy (CAP) reform package agreed earlier this week is not in the best interests of farmers and is a betrayal of Irish nature.
BirdWatch Ireland (BWI) said on Thursday it was "dismayed with the shape of the CAP agreed by the majority of Irish MEPs and the Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue at the European Council".
"The proposals agreed will not address the climate, biodiversity or water problems generated by Irish agriculture unless they are radically changed," said BWI head of advocacy Oonagh Duggan.
"MEPs have the opportunity to change their minds, as well as the legacy they will leave behind them, by voting the CAP down in the final vote on the overall package . . . and sending it back to the European Commission, " she added.
READ MORE
The proposed new CAP was not in line with the objectives of the EU Green Deal, including Europe’s biodiversity and farm to fork strategies, Ms Duggan said.
Sending it back to the Commission was to ensure appropriate investment, action and ambition could be injected into the proposal to address the challenges of biodiversity loss, climate breakdown and declining water quality, she added. “Farmers are part of the solution to these problems but they need the supports and policies to drive change.”
The CAP budget is one-third of the overall EU budget; €387 billion of €1,074 billion total. When it was agreed it came with the requirement that it would need to demonstrate higher environmental ambition, Ms Duggan said.
“This is not reflected in current proposals. This proposal is a waste of taxpayers’ hard-earned cash.”
‘Betrayed’
“Farmers, nature and climate have been betrayed, with a weakening of the environmental conditions for the Basic Payment and labelling of non-environmental payments as environmental spend. There will not be much cash left over for truly effective environmental action to save threatened bird species, such as the Curlew and the Lapwing, which are in serious decline because of the intensification of agriculture and other land use changes,” she said.
Stop Climate Chaos policy co-ordinator Sadhbh O’Neill told Greennews.ie the proposed CAP would be “a disaster” for nature and the climate.
“It locks in more pollution and ecosystem degradation for another seven years, and it is fundamentally incompatible with the commitments in the EU green deal which were supposed to chart a new approach to biodiversity and climate,” she added.
Irish Green MEP Grace O’Sullivan called for radical reform of the package. “Whoever decided to call this ‘the CAP reform’ might like to check a dictionary. Reform would mean improving the current CAP and aligning the future CAP package with the European Green Deal. This CAP should be transformative, it’s not. This CAP is regressive,” she told the parliament.
“The recent European Court of Auditors report clearly concluded that declining biodiversity on farmland is a major threat to both the environment and to farming itself,” she added.
The CAP must continue to provide vital support to farmers, Ms O’Sullivan said, but that needed to be fair and targeted at a transition towards improving farming methods “that help to stop – not speed up – runaway progression towards mass extinction”.
‘Vested interests’
The European Environmental Bureau said the next CAP would remain a swamp of vested interests that are "stuck in the past" and uphold financial incentives for intensive farming. For the first time, the EU would hand almost the entire CAP budget to governments with "only vague rules and targets".
A significant amount of the €350 billion pot will go to direct payments, which according to the EEB would support “the worst kind of destructive farming, with little environmental conditions”.
The deal is the “first step” in providing a stable framework for farmers to plan their business over the next few years, Minister Charlie McConalogue said. “It will support farm incomes while helping us build a sustainable agriculture sector contributing to the EU green deal,” he insisted.
IFA president Tim Cullinan confirmed "the reality is that the new CAP will give Member States more flexibility to design their own strategic plans, but the enabling legislation will still be crucial".
"The focus of the CAP must remain on supporting farmers to produce safe, nutritious food sustainably for the benefit of consumers in Europe and beyond," he said.
“Farming must be sustainable economically as well as environmentally. Many aspects of the CAP proposals and the EU Green Deal will put more cost on farmers without any extra return. This is not sustainable,” Mr Cullinan added.
“The CAP rules and the new strategic plans will be vital for the future of farming. Farmers are experiencing falling prices, yet more costs are being imposed on them. We need to strike the right balance to ensure economic as well as environmental sustainability,” he said.
Once the process of voting on amendments is completed the CAP will enter the “trilogue stage” where the European Parliament, the European Commission and the EU Council will attempt to come to a common position.


theirishtimes--2020-10-22--Customs officers seize over €400,000 in cash in Rosslare Europort search

Customs officers have found over €400,000 in cash in one consignment during searches on a passenger ’ s vehicle as it was passing through Rosslare Europort , Co Wexford .
Some €427,500 was discovered hidden in a UK-registered vehicle as the driving was about to board the sailing to Bilbao , Spain .
The cash was seized on suspicion it was the proceeds of crime or was set to be used in the commission of crimes .
A suspect in his 30s was driving the vehicle and he was questioned about the find , with the investigation into the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle was selected for searching following routine profiling and with the aid of detector dog Flynn .
The find is the latest very large cash or drugs haul seized in the State since the start of the year , with multimillion seizures of both having been made during that period .
Security sources believe the size of the hauls underlines how robust organised crime has been during the Covid-19 pandemic period .
While the background of the latest consignment of cash seized was still under investigation , some of the other major seizures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has proven resilient despite the tough economic conditions due to the pandemic .
Revenue ’ s Customs officers and gardaí have the power to seize money if they suspect it is the proceeds of crime or was being used for criminal purposes .
Once they make a seizure they must go before the courts and apply to retain the money pending further investigations .

Customs officers have found over €400,000 in cash in one consignment during searches on a passenger’s vehicle as it was passing through Rosslare Europort, Co Wexford.
Some €427,500 was discovered hidden in a UK-registered vehicle as the driving was about to board the sailing to Bilbao, Spain.
The cash was seized on suspicion it was the proceeds of crime or was set to be used in the commission of crimes.
A suspect in his 30s was driving the vehicle and he was questioned about the find, with the investigation into the money and the Polish suspect ongoing. The vehicle was selected for searching following routine profiling and with the aid of detector dog Flynn.
READ MORE
The find is the latest very large cash or drugs haul seized in the State since the start of the year, with multimillion seizures of both having been made during that period.
Security sources believe the size of the hauls underlines how robust organised crime has been during the Covid-19 pandemic period. While the background of the latest consignment of cash seized was still under investigation, some of the other major seizures were linked to the drugs trade, which has proven resilient despite the tough economic conditions due to the pandemic.
Revenue’s Customs officers and gardaí have the power to seize money if they suspect it is the proceeds of crime or was being used for criminal purposes. Once they make a seizure they must go before the courts and apply to retain the money pending further investigations.
Judge John Cheatle at Wexford District Court on Thursday granted Revenue officers a three-month cash detention order.


theirishtimes--2020-10-22--Mystery around Pope Francis’s backing for same-sex civil unions

Questions swirled on Thursday about the origins of Pope Francis ’ s bombshell comments endorsing same-sex civil unions , with all evidence suggesting he made them in a 2019 interview that was never broadcast in its entirety .
The Vatican refused to comment on whether it cut the remarks from its own broadcast or if the Mexican broadcaster that conducted the interview did .
And it did not respond to questions about why it allowed the comments to be aired now in the documentary Francesco , which premiered on Wednesday .
In the movie , which was shown at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gay people have the right to be in a family since they are “ children of God ” .
“ You can ’ t kick someone out of a family , nor make their life miserable for this , ” the pope said .
“ What we have to have is a civil union law ; that way they are legally covered.
” Those comments caused a firestorm , thrilling progressives and alarming conservatives , given official Vatican teaching prohibits any such endorsement of homosexual unions .
While serving as archbishop of Buenos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gay couples as an alternative to same-sex marriages .
However , he had never come out publicly in favour of legal protections for civil unions as pope .
One of the pope ’ s top communications advisers , the Rev Antonio Spadaro , insisted his comments were old news , saying they were made during a May 2019 interview with Mexican broadcaster Televisa .
“ There ’ s nothing new because it ’ s a part of that interview , ” the Rev Spadaro said after the premiere .
“ It seems strange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Televisa did not air those comments when it broadcast the interview – nor did the Vatican when it put out its recordings of it .
The broadcaster has not commented on the intrigue .
The Vatican frequently edits the pope in official transcripts and videos , especially when he speaks on sensitive issues .
Yet another version of the footage was apparently available in the Vatican archives , which were opened to film-maker Evgeny Afineevsky .
Televisa has not confirmed that the comments were made during its interview , but the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Televisa interview , including the yellow background , a chair in the corner and slightly off-centre placement of the chain of Francis ’ s pectoral cross .
The official 2019 Vatican News transcript of that interview , as well as the official Vatican edit , contains no such comment on the need for legal protections for civil unions .
The official edit does include his comments on the need for gay people to feel they are part of a family , as he has said previously .
Further muddying the waters is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by reporters , said the pope made the comments to him directly , through a translator , but declined to say when .
In an Associated Press interview with Mr Afineevsky on October 14th , the director was asked if he realised at the time that Francis ’ s comments were going to grab headlines .
Mr Afineevsky dodged the question about the origin of the quote and seemed to not appreciate its significance .
But he said that he hoped journalists would take more away from the film .
“ If journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on that , then it will be a pity , ” he said .
“ But I think that ’ s one of the issues that our world needs to understand , that we ’ re all equal.
” The head of the Vatican communications branch , Paolo Ruffini , refused to speak to reporters who attended an awards ceremony on Thursday in the Vatican gardens for Mr Afineevsky , and the director himself kept his distance .
The Catholic Church teaches that gay people must be treated with dignity and respect but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
A 2003 document from the Vatican ’ s doctrine office stated the church ’ s respect for gay people “ can not lead in any way to approval of homosexual behaviour or to legal recognition of homosexual unions ” .
Doing so , the Vatican reasoned , would not only condone “ deviant behaviour ” , but create an equivalence to marriage , which the church holds is an indissoluble union between man and woman .
That document was signed by the then-prefect of the office , Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s predecessor .
Mr Afineevsky , who is gay , had expressed surprise after the premiere that the pope ’ s comments had created such a stir , saying Pope Francis was not trying to change doctrine but was merely expressing his belief gay people should enjoy the same rights as heterosexuals .
– AP

Questions swirled on Thursday about the origins of Pope Francis’s bombshell comments endorsing same-sex civil unions, with all evidence suggesting he made them in a 2019 interview that was never broadcast in its entirety.
The Vatican refused to comment on whether it cut the remarks from its own broadcast or if the Mexican broadcaster that conducted the interview did.
And it did not respond to questions about why it allowed the comments to be aired now in the documentary Francesco, which premiered on Wednesday.
In the movie, which was shown at the Rome Film Festival, the pope said gay people have the right to be in a family since they are “children of God”.
READ MORE
“You can’t kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this,” the pope said. “What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.”
Those comments caused a firestorm, thrilling progressives and alarming conservatives, given official Vatican teaching prohibits any such endorsement of homosexual unions.
Old news
While serving as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis endorsed civil unions for gay couples as an alternative to same-sex marriages. However, he had never come out publicly in favour of legal protections for civil unions as pope.
One of the pope's top communications advisers, the Rev Antonio Spadaro, insisted his comments were old news, saying they were made during a May 2019 interview with Mexican broadcaster Televisa.
“There’s nothing new because it’s a part of that interview,” the Rev Spadaro said after the premiere. “It seems strange that you don’t remember.”
But Televisa did not air those comments when it broadcast the interview – nor did the Vatican when it put out its recordings of it. The broadcaster has not commented on the intrigue.
The Vatican frequently edits the pope in official transcripts and videos, especially when he speaks on sensitive issues. Yet another version of the footage was apparently available in the Vatican archives, which were opened to film-maker Evgeny Afineevsky.
Televisa has not confirmed that the comments were made during its interview, but the scene of the documentary is identical to the Televisa interview, including the yellow background, a chair in the corner and slightly off-centre placement of the chain of Francis’s pectoral cross.
The official 2019 Vatican News transcript of that interview, as well as the official Vatican edit, contains no such comment on the need for legal protections for civil unions. The official edit does include his comments on the need for gay people to feel they are part of a family, as he has said previously.
Further muddying the waters is the fact that Mr Afineevsky, when pressed by reporters, said the pope made the comments to him directly, through a translator, but declined to say when.
Grab headlines
In an Associated Press interview with Mr Afineevsky on October 14th, the director was asked if he realised at the time that Francis’s comments were going to grab headlines.
Mr Afineevsky dodged the question about the origin of the quote and seemed to not appreciate its significance. But he said that he hoped journalists would take more away from the film.
“If journalists will be focusing on this movie only on that, then it will be a pity,” he said. “But I think that’s one of the issues that our world needs to understand, that we’re all equal.”
The head of the Vatican communications branch, Paolo Ruffini, refused to speak to reporters who attended an awards ceremony on Thursday in the Vatican gardens for Mr Afineevsky, and the director himself kept his distance.
The Catholic Church teaches that gay people must be treated with dignity and respect but that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered". A 2003 document from the Vatican's doctrine office stated the church's respect for gay people "cannot lead in any way to approval of homosexual behaviour or to legal recognition of homosexual unions".
Doing so, the Vatican reasoned, would not only condone “deviant behaviour”, but create an equivalence to marriage, which the church holds is an indissoluble union between man and woman.
That document was signed by the then-prefect of the office, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI and Francis's predecessor.
Mr Afineevsky, who is gay, had expressed surprise after the premiere that the pope's comments had created such a stir, saying Pope Francis was not trying to change doctrine but was merely expressing his belief gay people should enjoy the same rights as heterosexuals. – AP


theirishtimes--2020-10-23--Gardaí investigating after pensioner was injured in road rage attack

Gardaí have appealed to the public for assistance in investigating a road rage incident where a motorist attacked a pensioner and knocked him to the ground in front of his terrified wife .
The violent act happened when the 75-year-old man and his wife were out walking along Old Fort Road in Ballincollig in Cork city at about 3.30pm on Thursday afternoon .
The couple were walking on the pedestrian crossing behind the Castlewest Shopping Centre when a motorist failed to stop and almost knocked them down on the crossing .
The pensioner got out his mobile phone to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the car stopped and the driver came back and proceeded to assault the pensioner , striking him with several blows and knocking him to the ground .
The man then returned to his car and drove off leaving the pensioner lying injured on ground where he was tended to by his wife until an ambulance arrived and he was taken to Cork University Hospital .
It is understood that the man was treated for a number of non life-threatening injuries including one to his head before he was discharged and he returned home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good recovery .
Gardaí have begun harvesting CCTV footage in the area to try and see if the incident or run up to it was captured so they can identify the man ’ s attacker or his car which they believed was a small blue vehicle .
They believe that the car drove along Old Fort Road from the western end but then turned around near McDonald ’ s near the entrance to Ballincollig GAA grounds and was heading back west again when the incident happened .
They believe that there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area at the time and they are hoping either a passing motorist captured the assault on a dash cam or a pedestrian may have filmed it on their camera phone .
“ This really was a vicious and unprovoked attack on an elderly man out for a walk with his wife and we would very much like to track down the culprit whom we believe is in his 20s or 30s , ” said a Garda source .
“ So we are appealing to anyone who witnessed it or may have either dash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault or can help us in any way to contact us at Ballincollig Garda Station on 021-4214680 , ” he added .

Gardaí have appealed to the public for assistance in investigating a road rage incident where a motorist attacked a pensioner and knocked him to the ground in front of his terrified wife.
The violent act happened when the 75-year-old man and his wife were out walking along Old Fort Road in Ballincollig in Cork city at about 3.30pm on Thursday afternoon.
The couple were walking on the pedestrian crossing behind the Castlewest Shopping Centre when a motorist failed to stop and almost knocked them down on the crossing.
The pensioner got out his mobile phone to take a photo of the car reg when the car stopped and the driver came back and proceeded to assault the pensioner, striking him with several blows and knocking him to the ground.
READ MORE
The man then returned to his car and drove off leaving the pensioner lying injured on ground where he was tended to by his wife until an ambulance arrived and he was taken to Cork University Hospital.
It is understood that the man was treated for a number of non life-threatening injuries including one to his head before he was discharged and he returned home where he is understood to be making a good recovery.
Gardaí have begun harvesting CCTV footage in the area to try and see if the incident or run up to it was captured so they can identify the man’s attacker or his car which they believed was a small blue vehicle.
They believe that the car drove along Old Fort Road from the western end but then turned around near McDonald’s near the entrance to Ballincollig GAA grounds and was heading back west again when the incident happened.
They believe that there were a considerable number of people in the area at the time and they are hoping either a passing motorist captured the assault on a dash cam or a pedestrian may have filmed it on their camera phone.
“This really was a vicious and unprovoked attack on an elderly man out for a walk with his wife and we would very much like to track down the culprit whom we believe is in his 20s or 30s,” said a Garda source.
“So we are appealing to anyone who witnessed it or may have either dash cam or phone camera footage of the assault or can help us in any way to contact us at Ballincollig Garda Station on 021-4214680,” he added.


theirishtimes--2020-10-23--Gardaí seize €85,000 worth of suspected methedrone in Co Kerry

A man in his 30s has been charged and due to appear before a court in relation to the seizure @ @ @ @ @ methedrone in Tralee , Co Kerry .
A search warrant was carried out at a @ @ @ @ @ about 8pm on Thursday by gardaí from the Divisional Drugs Unit , assisted by the @ @ @ @ @ the Listowel Detective Unit .
During the search , which was part of an ongoing @ @ @ @ @ supply of drugs in the county , gardaí discovered two containers with €85,000 worth of @ @ @ @ @ wardrobe .
Gardaí also seized a weighing scales and plastic bags .
The suspected drugs @ @ @ @ @ Forensic Science Ireland for analysis .
A man , aged in his 30s , was @ @ @ @ @ was brought to Tralee Garda Station where he was detained under Section 4 of the @ @ @ @ @ .
He has since been charged and is due to appear before Dingle District Court @ @ @

One of the two containers gardaí found with suspected methedrone. Photograph: An Garda Síochana
A man in his 30s has been charged and due to appear before a court in relation to the seizure of €85,000 worth of suspected methedrone in Tralee, Co Kerry.
A search warrant was carried out at a premises on Mary Street at about 8pm on Thursday by gardaí from the Divisional Drugs Unit, assisted by the Tralee Community Policing Unit and the Listowel Detective Unit.
During the search, which was part of an ongoing operation targeting the sale and supply of drugs in the county, gardaí discovered two containers with €85,000 worth of suspected methedrone hidden inside a wardrobe. Gardaí also seized a weighing scales and plastic bags. The suspected drugs will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.
One of the two containers gardaí found with suspected methedrone. Photograph: An Garda Síochana
A man, aged in his 30s, was arrested at the scene and was brought to Tralee Garda Station where he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
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He has since been charged and is due to appear before Dingle District Court on Friday.


theirishtimes--2020-10-23--Businessman Jim Mansfield Jnr pleads not guilty to charge of false imprisonment

Businessman Jim Mansfield Jnr pleaded not guilty to charges of false imprisonment and perversion of justice at the Special Criminal Court on Friday morning .
Mr Mansfield ( 53 ) , of Tasaggart House , Garters Lane , Saggart , Co Dublin , is charged with conspiring with one or more persons to falsely imprison Martin Byrne on a date unknown between January 1st , 2015 and June 30th , 2015 , both dates inclusive .
This is contrary to Section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 .
The non-jury court heard on Friday morning that Mr Byrne is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The accused man is also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy recorded CCTV footage , with the alleged intention of perverting the course of public justice in relation to the false imprisonment of Martin Byrne at Finnstown House Hotel , Newcastle Road , Lucan , Co Dublin between June 9th , 2015 and June 12th , 2015 .
Arraigned on the two charges before the Special Criminal Court on Friday , Mr Mansfield pleaded not guilty to both counts on the indictment .
Dressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shirt and blue tie , Mr Mansfield attended the three-judge court with three members of his family .
Defence counsel Bernard Condon SC , for Mr Mansfield , informed the court that an employee of Mr Mansfield was isolating as a result of a Covid-19 issue .
Mr Condon said this person , who would ordinarily be in court for the trial , was required by the defence as their knowledge of the issues in the case was very extensive .
He said they had not been cleared by their doctors to break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tomorrow .
He added that Mr Mansfield had been a close contact of this person and if they tested positive for Covid , he would then have to self-isolate .
Presiding judge Mr Justice Alexander Owens pointed out that Mr Mansfield was represented by a solicitor and counsel in the case , and said the employee was not necessary for his defence .
However , Mr Condon argued that the employee had been “ intimately involved in his business and affairs over many years ” .
In reply , the judge said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entitlement to be in the proceedings .
Mr Condon asked the court to be “ at least receptive ” to his client ’ s position and explained that the employee may be a defence witness in the case .
Mr Justice Owens said this individual would not be entitled to be present in court during the trial if they were a defence witness .
“ [ They ] would be unless the court ruled otherwise , ” replied the barrister .
Shane Costelloe SC , on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disclosure issues were continually being sought and part of the contents of a file maintained by the Witness Security Programme had already been disclosed to the defence .
Mr Costelloe asked the court not to hear any substantive matters in relation to the trial on Friday and to put the matter back until Tuesday .
Mr Justice Owens said the court was agreeable to put the matter back until next week when the situation regarding Mr Mansfield ’ s employee would be known .
Mr Costelloe said there were protected witnesses in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Witness Protection Programme , was the principal witness that would be called .
“ Once the disclosure issues are resolved it is quite a short case , ” he added .
Mr Justice Owens , sitting with Judge Sinead Ní Chulachain and Judge James Faughnan , remanded the accused man on continuing bail to appear before the court again on Tuesday morning .
The trial is expected to last three weeks .
The court vacated Mr Mansfield ’ s trial date last April over concerns related to the availability of certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businessman ’ s trial was pushed back a number of months until Friday due to complications with certain witnesses arising out of the pandemic .
The accused was previously admitted to bail on an independent surety of €10,000 and subject to a number of conditions , including the requirement to sign on once a week at Lucan Garda Station between 9am and 9pm and not to leave the country .

Businessman Jim Mansfield Jnr pleaded not guilty to both counts on the indictment when arraigned on the two charges before the Special Criminal Court on Friday. File photograph: Collins Courts
Businessman Jim Mansfield Jnr pleaded not guilty to charges of false imprisonment and perversion of justice at the Special Criminal Court on Friday morning.
Mr Mansfield (53), of Tasaggart House, Garters Lane, Saggart, Co Dublin, is charged with conspiring with one or more persons to falsely imprison Martin Byrne on a date unknown between January 1st, 2015 and June 30th, 2015, both dates inclusive. This is contrary to Section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
The non-jury court heard on Friday morning that Mr Byrne is now in the Witness Protection Programme.
The accused man is also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy recorded CCTV footage, with the alleged intention of perverting the course of public justice in relation to the false imprisonment of Martin Byrne at Finnstown House Hotel, Newcastle Road, Lucan, Co Dublin between June 9th, 2015 and June 12th, 2015.
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Arraigned on the two charges before the Special Criminal Court on Friday, Mr Mansfield pleaded not guilty to both counts on the indictment.
Dressed in a navy coloured suit, white shirt and blue tie, Mr Mansfield attended the three-judge court with three members of his family.
Defence counsel Bernard Condon SC, for Mr Mansfield, informed the court that an employee of Mr Mansfield was isolating as a result of a Covid-19 issue.
Mr Condon said this person, who would ordinarily be in court for the trial, was required by the defence as their knowledge of the issues in the case was very extensive. He said they had not been cleared by their doctors to break their self-isolation and were due a test tomorrow. He added that Mr Mansfield had been a close contact of this person and if they tested positive for Covid, he would then have to self-isolate.
Presiding judge Mr Justice Alexander Owens pointed out that Mr Mansfield was represented by a solicitor and counsel in the case, and said the employee was not necessary for his defence.
However, Mr Condon argued that the employee had been “intimately involved in his business and affairs over many years”.
In reply, the judge said that this did not give the employee an entitlement to be in the proceedings. Mr Condon asked the court to be “at least receptive” to his client’s position and explained that the employee may be a defence witness in the case. Mr Justice Owens said this individual would not be entitled to be present in court during the trial if they were a defence witness.
“[They] would be unless the court ruled otherwise,” replied the barrister.
Shane Costelloe SC, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), said very substantive disclosure issues were continually being sought and part of the contents of a file maintained by the Witness Security Programme had already been disclosed to the defence.
Mr Costelloe asked the court not to hear any substantive matters in relation to the trial on Friday and to put the matter back until Tuesday. Mr Justice Owens said the court was agreeable to put the matter back until next week when the situation regarding Mr Mansfield’s employee would be known.
Mr Costelloe said there were protected witnesses in the case and Martin Byrne, who is in the Witness Protection Programme, was the principal witness that would be called. “Once the disclosure issues are resolved it is quite a short case,” he added.
Mr Justice Owens, sitting with Judge Sinead Ní Chulachain and Judge James Faughnan, remanded the accused man on continuing bail to appear before the court again on Tuesday morning. The trial is expected to last three weeks.
The court vacated Mr Mansfield’s trial date last April over concerns related to the availability of certain witnesses during the Covid-19 crisis. The businessman’s trial was pushed back a number of months until Friday due to complications with certain witnesses arising out of the pandemic.
The accused was previously admitted to bail on an independent surety of €10,000 and subject to a number of conditions, including the requirement to sign on once a week at Lucan Garda Station between 9am and 9pm and not to leave the country.


theirishtimes--2020-10-23--Science Week 2020 to stage hundreds of virtual events all over Ireland during November

Undeterred by Covid-19 , Science Week 2020 will stage hundreds of virtual events throughout the country focusing on deploying science to help make a better future .
Events for all ages will be taking place , whether it is exploring the wonder of space from Arranmore island or an interactive family-friendly science day in Ballyhoura .
Minister for Further and Higher Education , Innovation and Science , Simon Harris , joined Science Foundation Ireland ( SFI ) to launch the week .
Running from November 8th to 15th , Science Week provides people across the country with the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyday lives , and consider the future we want and the role science can play in helping us create and understand our shared future .
This year the theme for Science Week is “ Choosing Our Future ” , focusing on how science can improve our lives today and for decades to come .
SFI said it wanted to start a conversation on how science can positively impact our collective futures and help us shape the Ireland we want to live in .
The public will be asked to share their views during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formats .
Minister Harris said : “ Science , technology , engineering and maths all play a huge role in our everyday lives and in our economy , that has never been clearer than during the past few months as we respond to Covid-19 .
Science Week is an opportunity for us all to engage with the science all around us and have informed conversations about our shared ambitions for our future.
” He is encouraging people across the country to get involved .
“ Although we can not join in person this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s virtual Science Week will see science celebrated in every corner of Ireland.
” SFI director of science for society , Dr Ruth Freeman , said this year Science Week aimed to support conversations among the public about what they want the future of Ireland to look like , and how science can and should support the hope we have for our collective future .
“ Throughout Science Week we will be looking for the public to get involved , to share their views .
.
.
As we mark the 25th anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring a fantastic variety of events to the public in a virtual capacity , so wherever you are , there are opportunities to discover , create and engage with science , ” she added .
Dr Freeman paid tribute to the organisers for developing really creative ideas this year and hoped people of all ages get involved and join the conversation on what science can do today and for our shared future .
Most Science Week 2020 events will take place online and are free to join , but registration may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to take place in person in full compliance with Covid-19 guidelines .
A sample of the Science Week events taking place and available to join online are : Baking in Space : A virtual opportunity to join Andrew Smyth , aerospace engineer and Great British Bake-Off finalist , and Dr Niamh Shaw , scientist , performer and explorer , on a gastronomic journey into orbit .
The event will be taking place live online on November 8th , 11th and 15th .
Tech Scéal : This will bring together families to explore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workshops involving robotics , electronics , coding and e-textiles culminating in an online virtual exhibition .
Workshops : A series of entertaining workshops are being staged for primary and secondary schools to bring into their classroom , including an exploration of our senses with Ginny Smith , scientific illusions with Dr Matt Pritchard and aerodynamic discoveries with Go Fly Your Kite .
Family Day : A special family day on Saturday , November 14th , will stream interactive events and workshops on ScienceWeek.ie including a live quiz with Phil Symth ( RTÉ ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interactive session with Mark the Science Guy ( Explorium ) to build your own Rube Goldberg machine at home .
The Mirror Trap : This is a short immersive scientific experience about psychology and quantum physics on Saturday , November 14th , at 19.30pm .
This year there will be 13 Science Week festivals taking place in Cork ; Cavan/Monaghan , Sligo , Galway , Limerick , Tipperary , Mayo , Wexford , Kilkenny , Kerry , the southeast and the midlands .
For a full list of shows , workshops and talks @ @

Yodith Moloney, from Salesians Primary School, Limerick, and Dr Sarah Hayes light up the room with science during the SSPC Science Magic Show as part of a previous University of Limerick Science Week. Photograph: Brian Arthur
Undeterred by Covid-19, Science Week 2020 will stage hundreds of virtual events throughout the country focusing on deploying science to help make a better future. Events for all ages will be taking place, whether it is exploring the wonder of space from Arranmore island or an interactive family-friendly science day in Ballyhoura.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, joined Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) to launch the week.
Running from November 8th to 15th, Science Week provides people across the country with the opportunity to ask questions, explore the science behind everyday lives, and consider the future we want and the role science can play in helping us create and understand our shared future.
This year the theme for Science Week is "Choosing Our Future", focusing on how science can improve our lives today and for decades to come. SFI said it wanted to start a conversation on how science can positively impact our collective futures and help us shape the Ireland we want to live in. The public will be asked to share their views during Science Week 2020 through a series of formats.
READ MORE
Minister Harris said: “Science, technology, engineering and maths all play a huge role in our everyday lives and in our economy, that has never been clearer than during the past few months as we respond to Covid-19. Science Week is an opportunity for us all to engage with the science all around us and have informed conversations about our shared ambitions for our future.”
He is encouraging people across the country to get involved. “Although we cannot join in person this year, I hope this year’s virtual Science Week will see science celebrated in every corner of Ireland.”
Variety of events
SFI director of science for society, Dr Ruth Freeman, said this year Science Week aimed to support conversations among the public about what they want the future of Ireland to look like, and how science can and should support the hope we have for our collective future.
“Throughout Science Week we will be looking for the public to get involved, to share their views . . . As we mark the 25th anniversary of Science Week, we are delighted to bring a fantastic variety of events to the public in a virtual capacity, so wherever you are, there are opportunities to discover, create and engage with science,” she added.
Dr Freeman paid tribute to the organisers for developing really creative ideas this year and hoped people of all ages get involved and join the conversation on what science can do today and for our shared future.
Most Science Week 2020 events will take place online and are free to join, but registration may be required. A number of events are due to take place in person in full compliance with Covid-19 guidelines. A sample of the Science Week events taking place and available to join online are:
Baking in Space: A virtual opportunity to join Andrew Smyth, aerospace engineer and Great British Bake-Off finalist, and Dr Niamh Shaw, scientist, performer and explorer, on a gastronomic journey into orbit. The event will be taking place live online on November 8th, 11th and 15th.
Tech Scéal: This will bring together families to explore science and engineering through a series of workshops involving robotics, electronics, coding and e-textiles culminating in an online virtual exhibition.
Workshops: A series of entertaining workshops are being staged for primary and secondary schools to bring into their classroom, including an exploration of our senses with Ginny Smith, scientific illusions with Dr Matt Pritchard and aerodynamic discoveries with Go Fly Your Kite.
Family Day: A special family day on Saturday, November 14th, will stream interactive events and workshops on ScienceWeek.ie including a live quiz with Phil Symth (RTÉ's Home School Hub) and an interactive session with Mark the Science Guy (Explorium) to build your own Rube Goldberg machine at home.
The Mirror Trap: This is a short immersive scientific experience about psychology and quantum physics on Saturday, November 14th, at 19.30pm.
This year there will be 13 Science Week festivals taking place in Cork; Cavan/Monaghan, Sligo, Galway, Limerick, Tipperary, Mayo, Wexford, Kilkenny, Kerry, the southeast and the midlands. For a full list of shows, workshops and talks visit www.scienceweek.ie


theirishtimes--2020-10-23--One of country’s main labs unable to process Covid-19 tests over weekend due to staff shortages

One of the country ’ s main labs used to process coronavirus tests has said it will be unable to operate over the next two weekends , due to “ unavoidable staff shortages.
” In a notice published on its website , the National Virus Reference Laboratory ( NVRL ) said it would not be able to process Covid-19 tests over the coming bank holiday weekend , including Monday .
The lab would also be unable to operate on Saturday and Sunday of next weekend as well , October 31st and November 1st , the notice said .
The halting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University College Dublin ( UCD ) lab was a result of “ unavoidable staff shortages , ” the notice said .
The notice , posted on Thursday , apologised for the “ late notice and for any inconvenience this may cause.
” One health source said it was hoped Enfer , a private facility in Naas , would be able to cover the shortfall in testing capacity from the closure of the UCD lab over the two weekends .
In the Dáil People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett read out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the failure of the Government to recruit enough people to build up the testing capacity to the degree necessary to fight Covid-19 .
“ In the same way if the infection rate is running riot we have a very significant amount to do in order to trace close contacts .
“ The people who failed to do that are the people who are responsible for the situation we are in now.
” Sinn Féin ’ s Louise O ’ Reilly said she was very disturbed to learn that the laboratory could not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly was aware of the NVRL notification and called for him to set out the steps taken to ensure the processing of tests .
Ms O ’ Reilly said “ we have already seen the shambles with tracing but testing is absolutely essential ” .
She added : “ I want to ask what efforts have been made to address the short staffing , the fact that they ’ re short staffed in the National Virus Reference Laboratory is I think very concerning but I want to know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure that the issue is going to be addressed and that the staff are going to be available .
”

One of the country’s main labs used to process coronavirus tests has said it will be unable to operate over the next two weekends, due to “unavoidable staff shortages.”
In a notice published on its website, the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL) said it would not be able to process Covid-19 tests over the coming bank holiday weekend, including Monday.
The lab would also be unable to operate on Saturday and Sunday of next weekend as well, October 31st and November 1st, the notice said.
Hospital Report
The halting of testing over the two weekends in the University College Dublin (UCD) lab was a result of "unavoidable staff shortages," the notice said.
READ MORE
The notice, posted on Thursday, apologised for the “late notice and for any inconvenience this may cause.”
One health source said it was expected Enfer, a private facility in Naas, would be able to cover the shortfall in testing capacity from the closure of the UCD lab over the two weekends.
There is capacity in more than 40 laboratories to conduct coronavirus tests, between the UCD lab, acute hospitals, Enfer, and a Department of Agriculture facility.
In the last seven days 116,606 tests have been processed, including 17,746 in the last 24 hours, according to the Government’s Covid-19 online data hub.
Dr Cillian De Gascun, director of the NVRL, told The Irish Times the lab processed on average between 700 and 1,000 tests a day. The numbers were usually lower at the weekend, processing between 600 and 700 a day, he said.
Cases among staff
Dr De Gascun, who also sits on the National Public Health Emergency Team, told RTÉ’s News at One that there had been a “small number” of confirmed coronavirus cases among lab staff at the start of this week.
“Since March of this year we would have been split into two teams, so earlier this week when we identified the cases, the team that was affected would have been taken out of the lab and the alternative team would have been brought back in,” he said.
“And in essence with the team that’s affected restricting movements for the next 14 days, we really felt in order to give our existing team an opportunity to deliver the service during the week and also to have some time to recover, that we would suspend testing on this coming weekend and the following weekend, following which the original team will be able to return to work,” he said.
The suspension of testing was “not ideal”, but the shortfall would be made up by Enfer and acute hospital labs, he said.
“Demand typically falls off to a degree on Saturday and Sunday so it was decided that would be the best time for us to give those staff who will not have to work for two weeks continually a little bit of rest time,” he said.
“The thing to highlight is that we agreed this with the HSE to ensure that there would be no impact on the testing capacity over the course of the relevant timeframe,” Dr De Gascun said.
In the Dáil, People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett read out the notice from the UCD-based laboratory adding it was the failure of the Government to recruit enough people to build up the testing capacity to the degree necessary to fight Covid-19.
“In the same way if the infection rate is running riot we have a very significant amount to do in order to trace close contacts.
“The people who failed to do that are the people who are responsible for the situation we are in now.”
Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly said she was very disturbed to learn that the laboratory could not process the swabs.
She asked if Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly was aware of the NVRL notification and called for him to set out the steps taken to ensure the processing of tests.
Ms O’Reilly said “we have already seen the shambles with tracing but testing is absolutely essential”.
She added: “I want to ask what efforts have been made to address the short staffing, the fact that they’re short staffed in the National Virus Reference Laboratory is I think very concerning but I want to know what it is that is being done to ensure that the issue is going to be addressed and that the staff are going to be available.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-23--Westmeath nursing home says it is dealing with Covid-19 outbreak

Another nursing home confirmed on Friday it is dealing with an outbreak of coronavirus .
Nursing home group Mowlam Healthcare said that it was currently managing a Covid-19 outbreak at Moate Nursing Home , its care facility in Co Westmeath .
“ We have a number of residents who have tested positive for the virus and these residents and all other residents are being cared for and managed by our professional staff , ” said the group .
Mowlam would not say how many residents or staff were affected by the outbreak , saying that it would be “ inappropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters of those affected.
” Westmeath has the third highest incidence rate of the disease after Cavan and Meath , recording 302.5 cases per 100,000 people over the last 14 days , up from 97 for the previous fortnight .
It has had 371 Covid-19 cases over the past two weeks , compared with 86 over the previous fortnight .
The State ’ s chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has warned that widespread community transmission of the virus would make it impossible to keep it out of nursing homes .
Concerns have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second wave of the virus on long-term residential care facilities for older people given that more than half of the almost 1,900 deaths from the coronavirus disease have been among nursing home residents who are vulnerable to the virus .
Mowlam said that staff at Moate Nursing Home were working closely with HSE public health officials and the health service regulator , the Health Information and Quality Authority , on managing the outbreak .
The group thanked residents and families for their support and cooperation , and thanked the staff at Moate Nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in appropriately implementing our Covid-19 response plans and managing this challenge effectively.
” The nursing home has a maximum occupancy for 50 residents .
Limerick-based Mowlam Healthcare , which has been in business 20 years , is one of the largest nursing home operators in the State with 27 homes across Leinster , Munster and Connacht .
The National Public Health Emergency Team reported six further outbreaks of Covid-19 in nursing homes and community hospitals in the week to October 17th .
The team said on Thursday there were now 33 open outbreaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is providing support to 132 nursing homes including 35 who were receiving extensive support .
On Thursday the HSE said it has stabilised staffing at a Co Galway nursing home where 26 out of 28 residents and all but four staff have tested positive for Covid-19 .
Despite claims by the director of nursing at the Nightingale nursing home that it had been abandoned during its virus outbreak , HSE officials insisted rosters at the facility are covered for the next three days and specialist support is being provided .
One resident of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two have been hospitalised in the latest mass outbreak of Covid-19 in a long-term care facility .

Another nursing home has reported a coronavirus outbreak with 11 of the 47 residents at Moate Nursing Home in Co Westmeath and four staff testing positive.
Nursing home group Mowlam Healthcare said that one of the Covid-19 positive residents at the care facility has been sent to hospital for observation.
“We continue to have a full management team and staff cohort in place and they are dealing professionally with the containment of this outbreak,” said Mowlam in response to queries.
Hospital Report
Mowlam said that staff at Moate Nursing Home were working closely with HSE public health officials and the health service regulator, the Health Information and Quality Authority, on managing the outbreak.
READ MORE
“We are satisfied that the clinical and staffing resources are in place to deal effectively with the situation,” said the nursing home operator.
The group thanked residents and families for their support and cooperation, and thanked the staff at Moate Nursing Home “for their commitment and compassion in appropriately implementing our Covid-19 response plans and managing this challenge effectively”.
The nursing home has a maximum occupancy for 50 residents.
Limerick-based Mowlam Healthcare, which has been in business 20 years, is one of the largest nursing home operators in the State with 27 homes across Leinster, Munster and Connacht.
Westmeath has the third highest incidence rate of the disease after Cavan and Meath, recording 302.5 cases per 100,000 people over the last 14 days, up from 97 for the previous fortnight. It has had 371 Covid-19 cases over the past two weeks, compared with 86 over the previous fortnight.
The State's chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has warned that widespread community transmission of the virus would make it impossible to keep it out of nursing homes.
Concerns have been expressed about the impact of a second wave of the virus on long-term residential care facilities for older people given that more than half of the almost 1,900 deaths from the coronavirus disease have been among nursing home residents who are vulnerable to the virus.
The National Public Health Emergency Team reported six further outbreaks of Covid-19 in nursing homes and community hospitals in the week to October 17th.
The team said on Thursday there were now 33 open outbreaks with 451 linked cases. The HSE is providing support to 132 nursing homes including 35 who were receiving extensive support.
On Thursday, the HSE said it has stabilised staffing at a Co Galway nursing home where 26 out of 28 residents and all but four staff have tested positive for Covid-19.
Despite claims by the director of nursing at the Nightingale nursing home that it had been abandoned during its virus outbreak, HSE officials insisted rosters at the facility are covered for the next three days and specialist support is being provided.
One resident of the nursing home in Ahascragh has died and two have been hospitalised in the mass outbreak of Covid-19 in a long-term care facility.


theirishtimes--2020-10-23--Golf and tennis clubs closed under Level 5 as deemed ‘non-essential’ services

Golf and tennis clubs are being forced to close because they are deemed to be “ non-essential ” services , a Government spokesman has said .
There was shock among many in golf and tennis circles when the Level 5 restrictions precluded golfers and tennis from carrying on as both sports are outdoors and social distancing is easy .
A Government spokesman said the sports themselves were not inherently dangerous and playing them did not constitute a high risk of getting Covid-19 .
Instead , he stressed that the restrictions are in place to stop people moving around and doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the list of essential outlets and services is very specific , ” he said pointing to the Level 5 website .
“ The core message is to keep essential services open , and golf or tennis are not essential services ” .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly told Newstalk ’ s Pat Kenny programme on Thursday that the essential message for the next six weeks is “ go home and stay within 5km of your house ” .
He said no exceptions could be made for any amateur sport .
“ Should we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can do this but you can ’ t do that ?
” he asked .
Under Level 5 restrictions the only sport that can take place is professional , elite sports and senior inter-county Gaelic games .
Horse-racing and greyhound racing are permitted to continue behind closed doors .
The other sporting activity that is allowed will be non-contact training for school aged children outdoors in pods of 15 .
On Wednesday afternoon the Golfing Union of Ireland said that despite intensive engagement with Sport Ireland “ very regrettably golf clubs must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennis Ireland also expressed disappointment at the decision following its discussions with Sport Ireland .
In a statement to its members , it said : “ Tennis Ireland understands the difficulties and disappointment that this instruction will pose for players , coaches , club volunteers and staff but the challenge caused by Covid-19 impacts across all sectors of society and sport and we need a nationwide effort to fight it .
“ Tennis Ireland will , as it always has done , work closely with Government and Sport Ireland to reopen our sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a restricted basis , in as safe a manner as possible.
” Cycling Ireland said the Level 5 restrictions means that people can only train solo and within 5km of home .
Biking club sessions can continue for school-aged children ( max pod of 15 ) .
Epidemiologist Prof Sam McConkey said the decision was the correct one .
He said “ Golfgate ” and the recent example of a golfing outing in Tullamore , which led to 20 positive cases , demonstrated the problem .
“ The problem is not the golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not an issue in relation to Covid-19 .
It is the socialising before it and afterwards .
I ’ m really sorry to say that the socialisation gave golf a bad name , ” he said .
“ As we have seen with the GAA , it wasn ’ t the 30 people running around the pitch that was the problem .
It was the socialising afterwards .
”

Golf and tennis clubs are being forced to close because they are deemed to be “non-essential” services, a Government spokesman has said.
There was shock among many in golf and tennis circles when the Level 5 restrictions precluded golfers and tennis from carrying on as both sports are outdoors and social distancing is easy.
A Government spokesman said the sports themselves were not inherently dangerous and playing them did not constitute a high risk of getting Covid-19.
Hospital Report
Instead, he stressed that the restrictions are in place to stop people moving around and doing non-essential activities.
READ MORE
“The roadmap and the list of essential outlets and services is very specific,” he said pointing to the Level 5 website.
“The core message is to keep essential services open, and golf or tennis are not essential services”.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly told Newstalk's Pat Kenny programme on Thursday that the essential message for the next six weeks is "go home and stay within 5km of your house".
He said no exceptions could be made for any amateur sport.
“Should we start picking out individual sports and say you can do this but you can’t do that?” he asked.
Under Level 5 restrictions the only sport that can take place is professional, elite sports and senior inter-county Gaelic games. Horse-racing and greyhound racing are permitted to continue behind closed doors.
The other sporting activity that is allowed will be non-contact training for school aged children outdoors in pods of 15.
On Wednesday afternoon the Golfing Union of Ireland said that despite intensive engagement with Sport Ireland "very regrettably golf clubs must under the Level 5 restrictions". Tennis Ireland also expressed disappointment at the decision following its discussions with Sport Ireland.
In a statement to its members, it said: “Tennis Ireland understands the difficulties and disappointment that this instruction will pose for players, coaches, club volunteers and staff but the challenge caused by Covid-19 impacts across all sectors of society and sport and we need a nationwide effort to fight it.
“Tennis Ireland will, as it always has done, work closely with Government and Sport Ireland to reopen our sport as soon as possible, even on a restricted basis, in as safe a manner as possible.”
Cycling Ireland said the Level 5 restrictions means that people can only train solo and within 5km of home.
Biking club sessions can continue for school-aged children (max pod of 15).
Epidemiologist Prof Sam McConkey said the decision was the correct one. He said "Golfgate" and the recent example of a golfing outing in Tullamore, which led to 20 positive cases, demonstrated the problem.
“The problem is not the golf. On a technical level it is not an issue in relation to Covid-19. It is the socialising before it and afterwards. I’m really sorry to say that the socialisation gave golf a bad name,” he said.
“As we have seen with the GAA, it wasn’t the 30 people running around the pitch that was the problem. It was the socialising afterwards.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-23--Number of schools forced to close after hand sanitiser is recalled

A number of schools have had to close on Friday after a hand sanitiser was recalled by the Department of Agriculture .
The Department said the prolonged use of the Viapro product can cause dermatitis , eye irritation , upper respiratory system irritation and headaches .
St Patrick ’ s Boys ’ National School in Drumcondra and Gaelscoil Ros Eo in Rush , Co Dublin are among those who have had to close due to their use of the product .
Anne Looney , chairperson of St Patrick ’ s Boys ’ National School , said had they been informed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media , they may have been able to keep the school open today .
“ I ’ m sure there are some principals who didn ’ t see that [ social media post ] last night , who got up this morning and discovered that the hand sanitiser across their school was an unsuitable product , ” she told RTÉ ’ s Claire Byrne show on Friday .
The school made the decision to close at about 11.45pm on Thursday and informed parents .
Ms Looney and principal Natasha Bassett said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there was too much uncertainty and decided the school should close .
Tim Ó Tuachaigh , principal of Gaelscoil Ros Eo in Rush , Co Dublin , said he found out about the recall in an email on Thursday night and was frustrated to learn that the issue initially came to light on Tuesday .
Mr Ó Tuachaigh said some parents are “ livid ” and that it was “ ridiculous ” to find out so late on Thursday night .
He said his school uses anti-bacterial wipes and surface cleaner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Agriculture and that these too could be affected .
He said the school opens at 8.30am and they would have been “ struggling ” to get hand sanitiser removed and replaced throughout the building in time .
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland ( ASTI ) said the recall of sanitiser is a matter of major concern and unfortunate “ given the significant additional burden on schools in recent months to implement a number of measures in order to reopen and stay open ” .
“ We hope that nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a spokeswoman for the ASTI said .
“ We are aware of schools with the sanitiser and they are making alternative arrangements this morning .
Some schools already have another sanitiser on site .
Schools reliant on this sanitiser must be supported in addressing this issue as quickly as possible.
” The Department of Agriculture said some of the hand sanitiser product contains methanol rather than ethanol .
“ Tests by the Department show that some of the sanitiser on sale does not comply with regulations governing the content and efficacy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Members of the public are advised to stop using this sanitiser with immediate effect .
A Department investigation into this matter is ongoing.
” Suppliers of the product are on a list of 11 authorised to provide protective equipment to schools .
In response to the alert , the Department of Education told schools they could close on Friday , or finish early , if such action was deemed appropriate .
“ The Department of Education is informing all schools of the need to check whether they have used this supplier and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should follow the advice of the Department of Agriculture to cease using it , ” it said .
“ On Friday October 23rd schools that are impacted by this can make local arrangements to purchase stocks of hand sanitiser and can maximise the use of hand washing to support necessary hand hygiene .
“ If a school that is impacted judges it necessary to do so , they can choose to close for the day or close early on Friday October 23rd.
” It said any school having difficulty in sourcing an alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 helpline or email .
“ Additional funding will be provided to schools to enable them to purchase the necessary supplies from an alternative supplier , ” it said .

St Patrick’s Boys’ National School in Drumcondra and Gaelscoil Ros Eo in Rush, Co Dublin among those to close. Photograph: iStock
The Department of Agriculture should have issued a public notice about the problems with ViraPro hand sanitiser on October 16th when a formal notice was issued to the manufacturer to recall its product, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said last night.
Schools were only alerted to the recall of the ViraPro-branded hand sanitiser late on Thursday night after a statement was issued by the Department of Education.
A number of schools said they were forced to close on Friday due to the short notice, while many others had to scramble to find alternative products.
Hospital Report
This was because some of the hand sanitiser products, which was one of those on the procurement list for schools, was found to contain methanol rather than ethanol.
READ MORE
Inadequate levels of ethanol render the product ineffective and frequent use of sanitiser with methanol can cause nausea, dermatitis, eye irritation, upper respiratory tract irritation and headaches.
In response to the alert, the department had told schools they could close on Friday, or finish early, if such action was deemed appropriate.
Mr McConalogue told the Dáil he only learned of the difficulties on Thursday.
The department has acknowledged that it was first alerted to safety issues with hand sanitiser used in schools on Tuesday.
A statement was only issued on Thursday night after “it become evident that the recall of product had not commenced and his department issued the statement about the possible risks of the product”.
He said “the primary responsibility for withdrawal of products rests with the company concerned”.
He said there would be a full review of the handling of the issue to ensure the system is robust “and that lessons are learned”.
He said a potential problem was first raised on September 25th when Revenue notified the Department of Agriculture that the European Anti-Fraud Office had contacted them about the importation of a hand sanitiser from Turkey to Ireland from the same supplier of a product tested in Denmark and found to contain excessive levels of methanol.
The results of tests the department carried out were fully validated on October 16th.
Department of Education
Earlier on Friday, the Department of Education acknowledged that it was first alerted to safety issues with hand sanitiser used in schools on Tuesday.
Opposition parties demanded answers over the delays in alerting schools and the wider public to safety risks linked to the hand sanitiser.
Labour Party education spokesman Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said an explanation was needed for the delay in withdrawing the product. He said the short notice provided to schools was “disgraceful and shambolic”.
“There is heightened anxiety amongst the school community now and we need clarity on why it took the Department two days to recall this product. Issuing a statement at 11pm at night effectively closing affected schools is not acceptable,” he said.
Sinn Féin’s agriculture spokesman Matt Carthy said the Minister needed to explain why the issue only came to light on Thursday night when a public recall had been in place since Tuesday.
He asked if the department provided approval for this product in the first place and if so, how.
The Cavan-Monaghan TD asked when Mr McConalogue and his department “first become aware of the concerns regarding this product? When was it decided to consider recalling?
“Why, when the decision to recall was formalised on Tuesday, was this decision not publicised until very late on Thursday night? At what point were the Tánaiste, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health informed that yet another debacle was coming down the tracks?”
Problems
Pairic Clerkin, chief executive of the Irish Primary Principals Network said the short notice over safety issues caused problems for many schools.
While some were forced to close, others ended up taking last-minute steps to ensure they had safe alternatives.
“Some principals were going into their schools at around midnight to check what supplies they had,” he said.
“Others were rushing to organise alternative supplies on Friday morning. Many of those schools affected had very little time to get ready.”
Suppliers of the product are on a list of 11 authorised to provide protective equipment to schools.
St Patrick's Boys' National School in Drumcondra and Gaelscoil Ros Eo in Rush, Co Dublin said they had to close due to their reliance on the product.
Anne Looney, chairperson of St Patrick's Boys' National School, said had they been informed earlier on Thursday instead of at 11pm on social media, they may have been able to keep the school open on Friday. "I'm sure there are some principals who didn't see that [social media post] last night, who got up this morning and discovered that the hand sanitiser across their school was an unsuitable product," she told RTÉ's Claire Byrne show on Friday.
The school made the decision to close at about 11.45pm on Thursday and informed parents. Ms Looney and principal Natasha Bassett said they considered "various options" but that there was too much uncertainty and decided the school should close.
Frustrated
Tim Ó Tuachaigh, principal of Gaelscoil Ros Eo in Rush, Co Dublin,said he found out about the recall in an email on Thursday night and was frustrated to learn that the issue initially came to light on Tuesday.
Mr Ó Tuachaigh said some parents are “livid” and that it was “ridiculous” to find out so late on Thursday night.
He said his school uses anti-bacterial wipes and surface cleaner of the same brand that was quoted by the Department of Agriculture and that these too could be affected.
He said the school opens at 8.30am and they would have been “struggling” to get hand sanitiser removed and replaced throughout the building in time.
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) said the recall of sanitiser is a matter of major concern and unfortunate “given the significant additional burden on schools in recent months to implement a number of measures in order to reopen and stay open”.
“We hope that nobody has or will suffer adverse effects,” a spokeswoman for the ASTI said.
“We are aware of schools with the sanitiser and they are making alternative arrangements this morning. Some schools already have another sanitiser on site. Schools reliant on this sanitiser must be supported in addressing this issue as quickly as possible.”
In response to the alert, the Department of Education told schools they could close on Friday, or finish early, if such action was deemed appropriate.
“The Department of Education is informing all schools of the need to check whether they have used this supplier and have stocks of this product. Schools should follow the advice of the Department of Agriculture to cease using it,” it said.


theirishtimes--2020-10-23--Relatives not given chance to be with dying Covid nursing home residents - report

Family members of residents of a nursing home affected by a severe coronavirus outbreak were not given the opportunity to be with their relatives when they were dying , a watchdog has said .
Health service regulator , the Health and Information Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) , said that Dealgan House in Dundalk , Co Louth – where there were 22 deaths related to Covid-19 – had not ensured procedures were in place during the outbreak to keep relatives informed of a resident ’ s condition .
Their grief was “ further compounded ” by the way in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned to them in black plastic bags and boxes , relatives told Hiqa inspectors .
The nursing home said that the handover of belongings in bags and boxes was in line with infection prevent and control guidance , but bereaved families reported to inspectors “ how this insensitive arrangement added to their grief at what was already a very difficult time.
” A report into inspections carried out at Dealgan House after the outbreak at the end of May – when there were 59 surviving residents living in the privately owned nursing home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Hiqa into inspections of resident care centres for older people .
The inspections , carried out between May and September , cover Covid-19 outbreaks , the preparedness of the care facilities for outbreaks of the virus and and the deaths of residents .
Six reports relate to inspections carried out at facilities run by the HSE .
Hiqa reported that two HSE care facilities , Macroom and Midleton Community Hospitals , had significant issues with inadequate and institutional premises and that this not only affected the residents ’ rights to privacy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of infection .
Inspectors said that insufficient progress had been made at Midleton in “ improving the quality of life ” for six residents living in a large multi-occupancy room and seven living in another .
Nursing homes have endured the worst of the coronavirus pandemic with residents of care facilities accounting for more than half of almost 1,900 deaths from Covid-19 in the State .
Dealgan House was one of 13 nursing homes and care facilities found not to have been in compliance with national standards and regulations on caring for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Citywest in west Dublin , was inspected unannounced on July 23rd when it was experiencing a significant Covid-19 outbreak that was ongoing from April 19th .
The inspection report on the home said that 29 residents at the home died out of 74 who had tested positive with 45 residents recovering .
Some 76 staff also tested positive for the disease .
Although the centre had no positive cases at the time of the inspection , the outbreak was not declared over by health officials .
An outbreak is not closed until 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspection was carried out at Loughshinney Residential Home in Skerries , Co Dublin where Hiqa said there were two successive outbreaks of Covid-19 between April and July .
“ The first outbreak saw staff and residents becoming unwell with the virus and the death of more than 15 residents during this period , although not all of these deaths had a confirmed Covid-19 diagnosis and some had died from natural causes , ” says the Hiqa inspection report .
Loughshinney was found to be fully compliant with all 16 of the regulations inspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and prepared for Covid-19 from early on in the year .
The home , owned by the Bartra Healthcare group , was able to ensure safe staff levels through the outbreaks .
Inspection reports have been published into Newbrook Nursing Home in Mullingar , Co Westmeath where there were 12 deaths , Athlunkard House in Co Clare where there were 11 resident deaths and Brookvale Manor in Co Mayo where there were nine residents deaths .
In the report on TLC Citywest , Hiqa said the chief inspector received 14 items of unsolicited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restricted visiting and management of falls .
Hiqa found that there was a high rate of falls at the nursing home ; from March to May 2020 there were 209 falls .
The regulator found “ gaps in practice in the cleaning and decontamination of blood glucose monitoring equipment and dressing trays , ” chairs in the staff changing area were torn and could not be cleaned effectively and the storage of residents ’ s clothes were not optimal .
The nursing home was found not have the number and skill mix of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the residents could be met .
One resident was confined and her most recent activity was a hand massage 17 days previously .
Another resident confined to a wheelchair had a walk in the garden the day before the inspection and a hand massage 16 days prior to this .
Hiqa carried out a “ risk inspection ” at Dealgan House in Dundalk in response to concerns raised with the regulator ’ s chief inspector from April 3rd and the high number of deaths that occurred there .
The chief inspector was advised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That month , more than 60 per cent of all staff , including 70 per cent of the nursing staff , could not work after contracting Covid-19 .
“ The centre experienced significant delays in accessing test results for residents and staff , which meant that the staffing shortages were further compounded by a number of staff unable to return to work until their test results came back , ” Hiqa said in the report .
“ In addition , the senior management team was also significantly impacted by Covid-19 and therefore unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services in the designated centre .
The nursing home was found not to be compliant with seven regulations , including infection control .
Staff were found not to have followed all public health advice .
Inspectors observed staff arriving at work already with their uniforms on and not adhering to social distancing when having their temperatures checked , the regulator ’ s report says .
“ Not all staff checked their temperatures on arrival for work and again during the working day in line with HPSC [ Health Protection Surveillance Centre ] guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspectors said that residents at Dealgan House were “ reluctant to talk about the Covid-19 outbreak but some residents did express an understanding that something awful had happened in their home and that some of their friends and neighbours had sadly died as a result.
” The Hiqa report said that the prolonged period of “ cocooning ” had negatively affected the wellbeing of residents and had increased their anxieties .
One resident told inspectors that they were “ sick of looking at the same wall for more than eight weeks .
”

Nursing homes have endured the worst of the coronavirus pandemic with residents of care facilities accounting for more than half of almost 1,900 deaths from Covid-19 in the State. Photograph: Getty
Family members of residents of a nursing home affected by a severe coronavirus outbreak were not given the opportunity to be with their relatives when they were dying, a watchdog has said.
Health service regulator, the Health and Information Quality Authority (Hiqa), said that Dealgan House in Dundalk, Co Louth – where there were 22 deaths related to Covid-19 – had not ensured procedures were in place during the outbreak to keep relatives informed of a resident's condition.
Their grief was “further compounded” by the way in which the resident’s personal belongings were returned to them in black plastic bags and boxes, relatives told Hiqa inspectors.
Hospital Report
The nursing home said that the handover of belongings in bags and boxes was in line with infection prevent and control guidance, but bereaved families reported to inspectors “how this insensitive arrangement added to their grief at what was already a very difficult time.”
READ MORE
A report into inspections carried out at Dealgan House after the outbreak at the end of May – when there were 59 surviving residents living in the privately owned nursing home – is one of 31 reports published by Hiqa into inspections of resident care centres for older people.
The inspections, carried out between May and September, cover Covid-19 outbreaks, the preparedness of the care facilities for outbreaks of the virus and and the deaths of residents.
Six reports relate to inspections carried out at facilities run by the HSE.
Insufficient progress
Hiqa reported that two HSE care facilities, Macroom and Midleton Community Hospitals, had significant issues with inadequate and institutional premises and that this not only affected the residents' rights to privacy, dignity and respect but put them at risk of infection.
Inspectors said that insufficient progress had been made at Midleton in “improving the quality of life” for six residents living in a large multi-occupancy room and seven living in another.
Nursing homes have endured the worst of the coronavirus pandemic with residents of care facilities accounting for more than half of almost 1,900 deaths from Covid-19 in the State.
Dealgan House was one of 13 nursing homes and care facilities found not to have been in compliance with national standards and regulations on caring for people.
Another nursing home, TLC Citywest in west Dublin, was inspected unannounced on July 23rd when it was experiencing a significant Covid-19 outbreak that was ongoing from April 19th.
The inspection report on the home said that 29 residents at the home died out of 74 who had tested positive with 45 residents recovering. Some 76 staff also tested positive for the disease.
Although the centre had no positive cases at the time of the inspection, the outbreak was not declared over by health officials. An outbreak is not closed until 28 days without a positive case.
Two outbreaks
An inspection was carried out at Loughshinny Residential Home in Skerries, Co Dublin where Hiqa said there were two successive outbreaks of Covid-19 between April and July.
“The first outbreak saw staff and residents becoming unwell with the virus and the death of more than 15 residents during this period, although not all of these deaths had a confirmed Covid-19 diagnosis and some had died from natural causes,” says the Hiqa inspection report.
Loughshinny was found to be fully compliant with all 16 of the regulations inspected and that the nursing home had planned and prepared for Covid-19 from early on in the year. The home, owned by the Bartra Healthcare group, was able to ensure safe staff levels through the outbreaks.
Inspection reports have been published into Newbrook Nursing Home in Mullingar, Co Westmeath where there were 12 deaths, Athlunkard House in Co Clare where there were 11 resident deaths and Brookvale Manor in Co Mayo where there were nine residents deaths.
In the report on TLC Citywest, Hiqa said the chief inspector received 14 items of unsolicited information in 2019 about insufficient staffing, restricted visiting and management of falls.
Hiqa found that there was a high rate of falls at the nursing home; from March to May 2020 there were 209 falls.
The regulator found “gaps in practice in the cleaning and decontamination of blood glucose monitoring equipment and dressing trays,” chairs in the staff changing area were torn and could not be cleaned effectively and the storage of residents’s clothes were not optimal.
Skill mix
The nursing home was found not have the number and skill mix of staff to ensure the social needs of the residents could be met.
One resident was confined and her most recent activity was a hand massage 17 days previously. Another resident confined to a wheelchair had a walk in the garden the day before the inspection and a hand massage 16 days prior to this.
Hiqa carried out a “risk inspection” at Dealgan House in Dundalk in response to concerns raised with the regulator’s chief inspector from April 3rd and the high number of deaths that occurred there.
The chief inspector was advised of an outbreak on April 7th. That month, more than 60 per cent of all staff, including 70 per cent of the nursing staff, could not work after contracting Covid-19.
“The centre experienced significant delays in accessing test results for residents and staff, which meant that the staffing shortages were further compounded by a number of staff unable to return to work until their test results came back,” Hiqa said in the report.
“In addition, the senior management team was also significantly impacted by Covid-19 and therefore unable to work and oversee the care and services in the designated centre.
The nursing home was found not to be compliant with seven regulations, including infection control. Staff were found not to have followed all public health advice.
Inspectors observed staff arriving at work already with their uniforms on and not adhering to social distancing when having their temperatures checked, the regulator’s report says.
“Not all staff checked their temperatures on arrival for work and again during the working day in line with HPSC [Health Protection Surveillance Centre] guidance,” the report states.
The inspectors said that residents at Dealgan House were “reluctant to talk about the Covid-19 outbreak but some residents did express an understanding that something awful had happened in their home and that some of their friends and neighbours had sadly died as a result.”
Increased anxieties
The Hiqa report said that the prolonged period of “cocooning” had negatively affected the wellbeing of residents and had increased their anxieties.
One resident told inspectors that they were “sick of looking at the same wall for more than eight weeks.”
The families of residents who died in Dealgan House said they were “shocked and saddened” at the findings of the report.
They said in a statement that they were surprised to read that the Hiqa inspectors had to put “an immediate action plan” in place on the first day of their inspection because they were “not assured that residents were being monitored twice daily in order to detect signs and symptoms of potential Covid-19 infections early”.
The families said that the report “galvanises our calls” for a public inquiry into the Co Louth nursing home.
“It is clear that this report will only add to the questions that we have about what exactly happened to our loved ones,” they said.
Dealgan House said that the nursing home, the first to be inspected by Hiqa during Covid, was re-inspected on September 8th and that it is awaiting the final report.
The nursing home’s director Eoin Farrelly said the report “highlighted some areas that needed attention and the nursing home attended these issues immediately, so much so, that in the follow-up inspection all residential care-related regulations were deemed compliant”.
Dealgan House said that it continued to “take all possible steps to protect our residents and staff during the current surge of infections”.


theirishtimes--2020-10-23--Irish far right groups trying to disrupt key State institutions, says Garda Commissioner

There was no “ heavy handedness ” in the Garda ’ s response to far right , anti-lockdown protestors in central Dublin on Thursday and gardaí would not allow protestors to “ stampede ” down the city ’ s main streets , Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said .
He added the far right in Ireland had switched from open source communication with each other – such as social media – to more covert means when organising protests .
Intelligence gathered by gardaí showed they planned to try to disrupt key State institutions and infrastructure .
This included Dublin Port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grafton Street in Dublin , Dáil Éireann and Government departments .
He said the Irish groups believed in the great replacement theory – a conspiracy suggesting predominantly white populations were being deliberately replaced with people from other ethnic groups by mass migration - which had become very popular with far right groups in America .
However , the Irish groups remained small and were under observation and investigation by gardaí .
Mr Harris was speaking at Garda Headquarters , Phoenix Park , Dublin , where he addressed the media about the policing plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic will remain on Level 5 of the Living with Covid-19 plan .
He was also speaking a day after 11 people were arrested after far right anti-lockdown protestors and gardaí clashed on Grafton Street .
Trouble flared when a group tried to occupy the street , the main shopping thoroughfare in the capital .
A large rally had been planned for Custom House Quay , though both the Yellow Vest group and Health Ireland group decided to withdraw from the gathering .
However , another group later proceeded to Grafton Street where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up position in numbers on Grafton Street to prevent the protestors occupying the area for a sit-down protest against public health measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 .
A similar protest took place on the street earlier this month , with no social distancing and by protestors who were not wearing masks .
Commenting on the general policing plan for Covid-19 Level 5 , Mr Harris said traffic volumes had already begun to reduce as a network of thousands of Garda checkpoints had been erected nationwide ; some static and others mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and additional sanctions being introduced by the Government for those who breached Covid-19 regulations , would be helpful to the force .
However , the Garda would still see engagement with people as its main approach during the pandemic and did “ not want to get to the point of enforcement ” actions being taken against members of the public .
When it was put to Mr Harris that he had previously said he did not want any more powers for the Garda , believed the force did not need them and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers being introduced , he said he was a “ faithful public servant ” and would do “ as I ’ m told ” .
He added the new powers would only ever be a last resort and that enforcement powers available to the Garda earlier in the pandemic were very rarely used .

Intelligence gathered by gardaí showed they planned to try to disrupt key State institutions and infrastructure.
There was no "heavy handedness" in the Garda's response to far right, anti-lockdown protestors in central Dublin on Thursday and gardaí would not allow protestors to "stampede" down the city's main streets, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said.
He added the far right in Ireland had switched from open source communication with each other – such as social media – to more covert means when organising protests. Intelligence gathered by gardaí showed they planned to try to disrupt key State institutions and infrastructure.
This included Dublin Port, high profile shopping areas such as Grafton Street in Dublin, Dáil Éireann and Government departments.
Violence flares as anti-lockdown protestors clash with gardaí on Dublin’s Grafton Street on Thursday. Photograph: Damien Storan
He said the Irish groups believed in the great replacement theory – a conspiracy suggesting predominantly white populations were being deliberately replaced with people from other ethnic groups by mass migration - which had become very popular with far right groups in America.
READ MORE
However, the Irish groups remained small and were under observation and investigation by gardaí.
Mr Harris was speaking at Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin, where he addressed the media about the policing plan for the next six-week period as the Republic will remain on Level 5 of the Living with Covid-19 plan.
He was also speaking a day after 11 people were arrested after far right anti-lockdown protestors and gardaí clashed on Grafton Street.
Trouble flared when a group tried to occupy the street, the main shopping thoroughfare in the capital. A large rally had been planned for Custom House Quay, though both the Yellow Vest group and Health Ireland group decided to withdraw from the gathering. However, another group later proceeded to Grafton Street where the clashes took place.
Gardaí took up position in numbers on Grafton Street to prevent the protestors occupying the area for a sit-down protest against public health measures to combat the spread of Covid-19. A similar protest took place on the street earlier this month, with no social distancing and by protestors who were not wearing masks.
Commenting on the general policing plan for Covid-19 Level 5, Mr Harris said traffic volumes had already begun to reduce as a network of thousands of Garda checkpoints had been erected nationwide; some static and others mobile.
He added the additional enforcement powers, and additional sanctions being introduced by the Government for those who breached Covid-19 regulations, would be helpful to the force.
However, the Garda would still see engagement with people as its main approach during the pandemic and did “not want to get to the point of enforcement” actions being taken against members of the public.
When it was put to Mr Harris that he had previously said he did not want any more powers for the Garda, believed the force did not need them and appeared to be reluctant about the new powers being introduced, he said he was a “faithful public servant” and would do “as I’m told”.
He added the new powers would only ever be a last resort and that enforcement powers available to the Garda earlier in the pandemic were very rarely used.