theirishtimes--2020-08-16--Dramatic action needed to reduce spread of Covid-19 – infectious disease expert

Prompt and dramatic national action is needed to reduce the spread of Covid-19 but the response need not be as “ blunt ” as the restrictive measures introduced in March , an infectious diseases expert has said .
Prof Sam McConkey , of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , said the State was “ in a bit of a pickle ” and needed to take dramatic action if it was to stop the disease spreading to the older population , many of whom would die should that occur .
He was speaking to The Irish Times about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent weeks .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) this weekend reported 266 new cases of the disease including 66 on Sunday and 200 on Saturday , the highest daily total since early May .
No new deaths from the disease were reported .
Prof McConkey said it would be wrong to take solace from the fact that so few Covid-19 related deaths were being reported .
Eleven people are reported to have died from Covid-19 in the first 15 days of this month .
Last month the equivalent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was 56 , and in May it was 253 .
Prof McConkey said the low number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care , and the low number of deaths relative to the number of new infections being reported , would change .
“ We are seeing outbreaks in workplaces amongst younger people , but once it gets into nursing homes we would see a much higher mortality , ” he said on Sunday .
If the disease is spreading “ really widely ” among younger people this week , then “ unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and do something different , then it is likely to spread to the elderly.
” “ If we do nothing now , and continue as we have in the last two or three weeks , it is just going to get worse with lots of older people getting it.
” He said he was certain that the Government and its public health policy advisers were aware that there was a need for prompt national action .
Going back to phase one – when people were asked not to go more than 5km from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cocoon – would be a bit draconian , he said .
“ I would hope we can learn from what worked and what didn ’ t work , and do it with more finesse and less blunt force.
” Prof McConkey said Ireland was down to five cases a day in June , and could get back to that position again “ if we all work together ” .
It was his view that getting young people , including university students , back to schools and colleges was “ profoundly important for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a priority .
Other European countries have re-opened their educational systems and he believed it can be done “ with pods and bubbles and hand-washing ” .
Prof McConkey said he believed the political and diplomatic skills that were used by Ireland in relation to Brexit should now be used to convince the UK that the two islands needed to work together on Covid-19 .
He said senior politicians needed to go to Belfast , Cardiff , Edinburgh and London and argue that Britain and Ireland need to follow the example of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Zealand .
If the two islands could be reduced to a zero-Covid zone , and tight immigration controls introduced that included mandatory quarantine for anyone arriving into the UK or Ireland from outside those two jurisdictions “ then we could open up our two economies ” .

Prof MCConkey said a return to phase 1 of restrictions was not needed. File photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Prompt and dramatic national action is needed to reduce the spread of Covid-19 but the response need not be as “blunt” as the restrictive measures introduced in March, an infectious diseases expert has said.
Prof Sam McConkey, of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, said the State was “in a bit of a pickle” and needed to take dramatic action if it was to stop the disease spreading to the older population, many of whom would die should that occur.
He was speaking to The Irish Times about the rise in the number of confirmed cases in recent weeks.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) this weekend reported 266 new cases of the disease including 66 on Sunday and 200 on Saturday, the highest daily total since early May. No new deaths from the disease were reported.
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Prof McConkey said it would be wrong to take solace from the fact that so few Covid-19 related deaths were being reported.
Eleven people are reported to have died from Covid-19 in the first 15 days of this month.
Last month the equivalent figure was 10, while in June it was 56, and in May it was 253.
Prof McConkey said the low number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care, and the low number of deaths relative to the number of new infections being reported, would change.
“We are seeing outbreaks in workplaces amongst younger people, but once it gets into nursing homes we would see a much higher mortality,” he said on Sunday.
If the disease is spreading “really widely” among younger people this week, then “unless we change what we are doing, and do something different, then it is likely to spread to the elderly.”
“If we do nothing now, and continue as we have in the last two or three weeks, it is just going to get worse with lots of older people getting it.”
He said he was certain that the Government and its public health policy advisers were aware that there was a need for prompt national action.
Going back to phase one – when people were asked not to go more than 5km from their homes and older people were advised to cocoon – would be a bit draconian, he said.
“I would hope we can learn from what worked and what didn’t work, and do it with more finesse and less blunt force.”
Prof McConkey said Ireland was down to five cases a day in June, and could get back to that position again “if we all work together”.
It was his view that getting young people, including university students, back to schools and colleges was “profoundly important for our national future” and had to be a priority.
Other European countries have re-opened their educational systems and he believed it can be done “with pods and bubbles and hand-washing”.
Prof McConkey said he believed the political and diplomatic skills that were used by Ireland in relation to Brexit should now be used to convince the UK that the two islands needed to work together on Covid-19.
He said senior politicians needed to go to Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London and argue that Britain and Ireland need to follow the example of Jacinta Ardern, the prime minister of New Zealand.
If the two islands could be reduced to a zero-Covid zone, and tight immigration controls introduced that included mandatory quarantine for anyone arriving into the UK or Ireland from outside those two jurisdictions “then we could open up our two economies”.


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--Northern Ireland: Covid-19 cases almost double in a week

Almost 300 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland in the last seven days , according to figures released by the North ’ s Department of Health on Sunday .
A total of 288 new cases were identified , almost double the 146 confirmed in the previous seven-days .
The department said it was notified of 27 cases on Sunday after the confirmation of 65 infections was announced on Saturday .
Mid and east Antrim counted the greatest number of Covid-19 cases identified in the past seven days – 74 cases .
There were 60 cases in Belfast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The lowest number was in Fermanagh and Omagh , where only two cases were identified .
In total 6,391 people in Northern Ireland have tested positive for Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic , and 176,998 people have been tested for the virus .
The rate of coronavirus infection has been rising in the North in recent weeks , with the reproduction rate of the virus estimated at around 1.6 on Thursday .
The department said the rising number of cases was partly due to increased testing in the context of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also gone up and hospital admissions have started to rise , albeit at a low level .
Seven people with coronavirus are currently in hospital in the North , and one is in intensive care .
The department had previously stopped updating its dashboard of Covid-19 data at weekends , as infection rates fell .
However , it resumed publishing testing data this weekend , though statistics on deaths are only updated between Monday and Friday .
One further coronavirus-related fatality was recorded by the department on Friday , bringing the total to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relate mainly to deaths in hospital , and include only patients who had previously tested positive for the virus .
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency ( NISRA ) releases weekly data which includes all fatalities that mention coronavirus on the death certificate .
In its latest release on Friday NISRA said it had counted 859 such fatalities since up to August 7th .

An electron microscope image of the Novel Coronavirus Sars-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19. Photograph: NIAID-RML via AP
Almost 300 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland in the last seven days, according to figures released by the North’s Department of Health on Sunday.
A total of 288 new cases were identified, almost double the 146 confirmed in the previous seven-days.
The department said it was notified of 27 cases on Sunday after the confirmation of 65 infections was announced on Saturday.
Mid and east Antrim counted the greatest number of Covid-19 cases identified in the past seven days – 74 cases. There were 60 cases in Belfast and 48 in Antrim and Newtownabbey. The lowest number was in Fermanagh and Omagh, where only two cases were identified.
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In total 6,391 people in Northern Ireland have tested positive for Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, and 176,998 people have been tested for the virus.
The rate of coronavirus infection has been rising in the North in recent weeks, with the reproduction rate of the virus estimated at around 1.6 on Thursday.
The department said the rising number of cases was partly due to increased testing in the context of the contact-tracing service, but community transmission had also gone up and hospital admissions have started to rise, albeit at a low level.
Seven people with coronavirus are currently in hospital in the North, and one is in intensive care.
The department had previously stopped updating its dashboard of Covid-19 data at weekends, as infection rates fell.
However, it resumed publishing testing data this weekend, though statistics on deaths are only updated between Monday and Friday.
One further coronavirus-related fatality was recorded by the department on Friday, bringing the total to 558.
The department’s figures relate mainly to deaths in hospital, and include only patients who had previously tested positive for the virus.
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) releases weekly data which includes all fatalities that mention coronavirus on the death certificate.
In its latest release on Friday NISRA said it had counted 859 such fatalities since up to August 7th.


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--Gardaí know identities of youths who pushed woman into canal

Gardaí know the identities of the youths who allegedly racially attacked a woman on Friday and pushed her into a canal but the boys are unlikely to face criminal charges , sources say .
Xuedan ( Shelly ) Xiong was walking between Castleknock and Ashtown at around 7pm on Friday when she alleges she was racially abused by youths before two of them pushed her into the Royal Canal .
No arrests have been made as of Sunday afternoon but sources say gardaí have identified the two boys who pushed Ms Xiong into the water and intend speak to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are both under 18 and will be legally entitled to anonymity and the benefit of the Children Act .
Sources say , due to their age , it is unlikely the teens will be charged with assault and that they are instead likely to be given a caution under the juvenile liaison programme which will leave them without a criminal record .
In some circumstances , offending youths are not judged suitable for juvenile liaison due to the seriousness of the offence or a long history of offending .
However this is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoided criminal charges and were instead cautioned under the juvenile liaison programme for attacking another youth with acid , leaving him with damage to his face and eyes .
A decision not to charge the teens with a criminal offence was upheld by the Director of Public Prosecutions following an appeal by the victim ’ s mother .
“ We are following a very definite line of inquiry , ” another source said of Friday ’ s attack .
“ We will be speaking to them very soon.
” It is understood gardaí @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the public about the identity of the teens .
Most of the information stems from people who viewed the footage online .
It is understood the footage was taken by another youth at the scene .
In a statement on Sunday , a garda spokesman said it is still seeking witnesses and information into what is being treated as an “ alleged racially motivated ” attack which occurred between Lock 11 and 12 of The Royal Canal , Dublin 15 at approximately 7.25pm on Friday evening .
“ An incident occurred when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of youths on the side of the canal and then the lady was pushed into the canal , ” a spokesman said .
“ Gardaí are appealing for witnesses and are asking that anyone with information in relation to this incident should make contact with investigating gardaí at Finglas Garda Station , in particular anyone who may have mobile phone footage or a voice recording of the incident .
Anyone with information can contact Finglas Garda Station on 01 6667500 , the Garda Confidential line 1800 666111 , or any Garda @ @ @

Gardaí are investigating after a woman was reportedly racially abused before being pushed into the Royal Canal while walking near Ashtown in Dublin
Gardaí know the identities of the youths who allegedly racially attacked a woman on Friday and pushed her into a canal but the boys are unlikely to face criminal charges, sources say.
Xuedan (Shelly) Xiong was walking between Castleknock and Ashtown at around 7pm on Friday when she alleges she was racially abused by youths before two of them pushed her into the Royal Canal.
No arrests have been made as of Sunday afternoon but sources say gardaí have identified the two boys who pushed Ms Xiong into the water and intend speak to them in the near future.
The suspects are both under 18 and will be legally entitled to anonymity and the benefit of the Children Act.
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Sources say, due to their age, it is unlikely the teens will be charged with assault and that they are instead likely to be given a caution under the juvenile liaison programme which will leave them without a criminal record.
In some circumstances, offending youths are not judged suitable for juvenile liaison due to the seriousness of the offence or a long history of offending.
However this is a high bar. Last year two teens avoided criminal charges and were instead cautioned under the juvenile liaison programme for attacking another youth with acid, leaving him with damage to his face and eyes.
A decision not to charge the teens with a criminal offence was upheld by the Director of Public Prosecutions following an appeal by the victim's mother.
“These incidents typically end with a JLO [Juvenile Liaison Officer],” a garda said.
“We are following a very definite line of inquiry,” another source said of Friday’s attack. “We will be speaking to them very soon.”
It is understood gardaí have received a large amount of information from the public about the identity of the teens.
Most of the information stems from people who viewed the footage online. It is understood the footage was taken by another youth at the scene.
In a statement on Sunday, a garda spokesman said it is still seeking witnesses and information into what is being treated as an “alleged racially motivated” attack which occurred between Lock 11 and 12 of The Royal Canal, Dublin 15 at approximately 7.25pm on Friday evening.
“An incident occurred when a young woman was racially abused by a number of youths on the side of the canal and then the lady was pushed into the canal,” a spokesman said.
"Gardaí are appealing for witnesses and are asking that anyone with information in relation to this incident should make contact with investigating gardaí at Finglas Garda Station, in particular anyone who may have mobile phone footage or a voice recording of the incident. Anyone with information can contact Finglas Garda Station on 01 6667500, the Garda Confidential line 1800 666111, or any Garda Station."


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--Dublin eviction: Garda’s capacity to learn from incidents questioned

An Garda Síochána ’ s involvement in an eviction at a house in Dublin last week suggests the organisation has failed to learn lessons from previous similar events , the head of the Policing Authority has said .
Bob Collins was reacting to the removal of nine tenants from a house on Berkeley Road in Phibsborough on Wednesday by several men dressed all in black who wore face coverings , caps and sunglasses .
Video footage shows a number of gardaí were present and watched as one of the tenants was physically removed from the property .
The tenants spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their belongings .
They later regained entry and found the property had been extensively damaged .
The Garda has opened a criminal damage investigation following the incident and on Saturday said a review of the force ’ s involvement in the incident would be conducted .
Mr Collins , speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 ’ s This Week programme on Sunday , said the authority ’ s “ primary concern ” was that the presence of gardaí at the house could give the impression members were involved in the removal of the tenants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardaí were responding to a call from the tenants about people breaking into their home at the time .
Footage from the incident shows one garda tell a distressed tenant “ I ’ ve told you already , it ’ s not my responsibility if you ’ re homeless ” and “ you have no right any more to be here ” .
Mr Collins said things appeared to have been said that were “ inappropriate ” .
He said people who were being evicted were typically in a difficult position and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victimised people , which was evident during the Covid-19 pandemic , “ appears not to have been in evidence here ” .
The presence of gardaí on the premises “ doesn ’ t immediately suggest ” they were there in the interests of the residents , he said .
Mr Collins said his concerns relate less to the individual gardaí involved and more to the the organisation ’ s capacity to learn from the incident .
There have been several other incidents in recent years where Garda involvement in evictions has caused significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardaí at an eviction on North Frederick Street , Dublin , in 2018 .
Lessons should have been learned from similar events in the past , Mr Collins said , but it appeared they had not been “ internalised so that they are reflected in the day-to-day activities of gardaí ” .
Mr Collins welcomed news of a review of the matter by an outside superintendent .
He said the report would be made available to the authority and that as much of it as possible should be made public .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was “ very aware of current public discourse ” around the eviction and that as an organisation gardaí must “ listen and learn from our experiences ” .
It said the force was “ committed to delivering a professional policing and security service with trust , confidence and support ” .
Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey said that where An Garda Síochána “ can learn from this experience , we will do so as to ensure that we continue to provide the best policing service going forward based on our tradition of @ @ @ @ @

Theresa Chimamkpam and Elias Jegede with their belongings after being evicted from Berkeley Road, Dublin, on Wednesday. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
An Garda Síochána's involvement in an eviction at a house in Dublin last week suggests the organisation has failed to learn lessons from previous similar events, the head of the Policing Authority has said.
Bob Collins was reacting to the removal of nine tenants from a house on Berkeley Road in Phibsborough on Wednesday by several men dressed all in black who wore face coverings, caps and sunglasses.
Video footage shows a number of gardaí were present and watched as one of the tenants was physically removed from the property. The tenants spent several hours afterwards outside the house with their belongings. They later regained entry and found the property had been extensively damaged.
The Garda has opened a criminal damage investigation following the incident and on Saturday said a review of the force’s involvement in the incident would be conducted.
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Mr Collins, speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's This Week programme on Sunday, said the authority's "primary concern" was that the presence of gardaí at the house could give the impression members were involved in the removal of the tenants. This was despite the fact that gardaí were responding to a call from the tenants about people breaking into their home at the time.
Footage from the incident shows one garda tell a distressed tenant “I’ve told you already, it’s not my responsibility if you’re homeless” and “you have no right any more to be here”.
Mr Collins said things appeared to have been said that were “inappropriate”. He said people who were being evicted were typically in a difficult position and the Garda’s approach to vulnerable or victimised people, which was evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, “appears not to have been in evidence here”.
The presence of gardaí on the premises “doesn’t immediately suggest” they were there in the interests of the residents, he said.
Capacity to learn
Mr Collins said his concerns relate less to the individual gardaí involved and more to the the organisation’s capacity to learn from the incident.
There have been several other incidents in recent years where Garda involvement in evictions has caused significant controversy, including the presence of masked gardaí at an eviction on North Frederick Street, Dublin, in 2018.
Lessons should have been learned from similar events in the past, Mr Collins said, but it appeared they had not been “internalised so that they are reflected in the day-to-day activities of gardaí”.
Mr Collins welcomed news of a review of the matter by an outside superintendent. He said the report would be made available to the authority and that as much of it as possible should be made public.
In a statement on Saturday, the Garda said it was “very aware of current public discourse” around the eviction and that as an organisation gardaí must “listen and learn from our experiences”. It said the force was “committed to delivering a professional policing and security service with trust, confidence and support”.
Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey said that where An Garda Síochána "can learn from this experience, we will do so as to ensure that we continue to provide the best policing service going forward based on our tradition of policing by consent".


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--Gardaí investigate serious assault at gathering in Sallynoggin

Gardaí are investigating an assault at a gathering in south Dublin which left a young man with serious injuries .
@ @ @ @ @ 2am on Sunday morning in O ’ Rourke Park in Sallynoggin .
Gardaí found a @ @ @ @ @ early 20s , at the scene with serious injuries .
He was taken to St @ @ @ @ @ where he remains .
A man , also aged in his early20s , was arrested @ @ @ @ @ currently in custody in Dun Laoghaire Garda Station , where he can be questioned for @ @ @ @ @ Sources said there were a large number of gatherings and house parties throughout Dublin on @ @ @ @ @ which were broken up by gardaí under public order and Covid-19 legislation .

Gardaí are investigating an incident in Sallynoggin, Co Dublin. File photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Gardaí are investigating an assault at a gathering in south Dublin which left a young man with serious injuries.
The incident occurred just before 2am on Sunday morning in O'Rourke Park in Sallynoggin.
Gardaí found a man, aged in his early 20s, at the scene with serious injuries. He was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital, where he remains.
A man, also aged in his early20s, was arrested at the scene and is currently in custody in Dun Laoghaire Garda Station, where he can be questioned for up to 24 hours.
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A garda spokeswoman said investigations are ongoing.
Sources said there were a large number of gatherings and house parties throughout Dublin on Saturday night, several of which were broken up by gardaí under public order and Covid-19 legislation.


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--Rescued cousins meet and chat about everything except Galway Bay ordeal

Two women who were rescued in Galway Bay after surviving a stormy night on their paddleboards spent an hour together at the weekend chatting about everything except their brush with death .
Cousins Ellen Glynn ( 17 ) and Sara Feeney ( 23 ) met up on Saturday after the teenager was discharged from University Hospital Galway , where she was treated after being rescued .
The pair are now anxious to restore some semblance of normality to their lives after surviving 15 hours at sea , during which they drifted almost 30km from the shore before being found by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Feeney , a return to normality might be going back to the summer job she has taken up after recently completing a psychology degree at NUI Galway , while Ellen will have no problem coming up with material for the standard ‘ How I spent my summer holidays ’ essay when she returns to Coláiste Iognaid in a few weeks .
“ I think I will have plenty to write about on that , ” said Ellen as she enjoyed her first full day back at the family home in Binn Bhán @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glynn , said that when classes were suspended in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic , she feared her eldest daughter might struggle to say how she had spent transition year .
“ I don ’ t think she or any of us will forget the year now , ” Ms Glynn said .
“ It ’ s still sinking in .
Sara and herself are two great young people , really resilient and strong and they will move on from this .
I think everyone realises how lucky we are.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fisherman Patrick Oliver ( 38 ) and his son Morgan ( 18 ) , who sailed from the docks in Galway and correctly worked out the pair ’ s location after examining wind and tidal information .
Ellen ’ s father Johnny Glynn , Galway United ’ s hero in the 1991 FAI Cup win , met the Olivers for the first time on Friday to thank them for their efforts and the families are due to meet again for a proper chat .
“ I don ’ t know what I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can ’ t even put it into words how grateful we are , ” said Ellen .
She also paid tribute to the people of Connemara and the Aran Islands who came out in their droves to search for them .
“ It ’ s only now we are beginning to realise how much people did .
Bit by bit Sara and I are finding it out .
It ’ s hard to let it all sink in ...
But it ’ s good to be home .
It ’ s still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting to sink in.
” Ellen said she spoke to her cousin on Saturday evening .
“ She ’ s good , she ’ s in a lot of shock as well , ” she said , adding that they chatted about everything except their ordeal , as they were not yet ready to discuss what has been dubbed ‘ The Miracle of Galway Bay ’ .
The cousins spent a chunk of their night at sea singing Taylor Swift songs to pass time and keep them alert , and Ellen said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was being driven home from hospital on Saturday .
Her sister Hannah ( 14 ) , who often goes paddleboarding with the pair , was delighted to see Ellen come home .
“ We thought that her and Sara weren ’ t going to be back , but it ’ s great that they are , ” she said .

Ella Glynn, who with her cousin Sara Feeney was rescued off Inis Oirr last Thursday, pictured with her parents Johnny and Deirdre after got home from University Hospital Galway. Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy.
Two women who were rescued in Galway Bay after surviving a stormy night on their paddleboards spent an hour together at the weekend chatting about everything except their brush with death.
Cousins Ellen Glynn (17) and Sara Feeney (23) met up on Saturday after the teenager was discharged from University Hospital Galway, where she was treated after being rescued.
The pair are now anxious to restore some semblance of normality to their lives after surviving 15 hours at sea, during which they drifted almost 30km from the shore before being found by a fisherman and his son.
Sara Feeney is recovering at home after being rescued.
For Ms Feeney, a return to normality might be going back to the summer job she has taken up after recently completing a psychology degree at NUI Galway, while Ellen will have no problem coming up with material for the standard 'How I spent my summer holidays' essay when she returns to Coláiste Iognaid in a few weeks.
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"I think I will have plenty to write about on that," said Ellen as she enjoyed her first full day back at the family home in Binn Bhán, Knocknacarra.
Her mother, Deirdre Glynn, said that when classes were suspended in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she feared her eldest daughter might struggle to say how she had spent transition year.
“I don’t think she or any of us will forget the year now,” Ms Glynn said. “It’s still sinking in. Sara and herself are two great young people, really resilient and strong and they will move on from this. I think everyone realises how lucky we are.”
Tribute
The cousins were plucked from the water by fisherman Patrick Oliver (38) and his son Morgan (18), who sailed from the docks in Galway and correctly worked out the pair's location after examining wind and tidal information.
Ellen’s father Johnny Glynn, Galway United’s hero in the 1991 FAI Cup win, met the Olivers for the first time on Friday to thank them for their efforts and the families are due to meet again for a proper chat.
“I don’t know what I’m going to say to them because I can’t even put it into words how grateful we are,” said Ellen.
She also paid tribute to the people of Connemara and the Aran Islands who came out in their droves to search for them.
“It’s only now we are beginning to realise how much people did. Bit by bit Sara and I are finding it out. It’s hard to let it all sink in...But it’s good to be home. It’s still a big shock and it’s starting to sink in.”
Ellen said she spoke to her cousin on Saturday evening.
“She’s good, she’s in a lot of shock as well,” she said, adding that they chatted about everything except their ordeal, as they were not yet ready to discuss what has been dubbed ‘The Miracle of Galway Bay’.
The cousins spent a chunk of their night at sea singing Taylor Swift songs to pass time and keep them alert, and Ellen said the US singer got another spin when she was being driven home from hospital on Saturday.
“It’s good to be home,” added Ellen.
Her sister Hannah (14), who often goes paddleboarding with the pair, was delighted to see Ellen come home. “We thought that her and Sara weren’t going to be back, but it’s great that they are,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--Cork floods: TD expects emergency funds to repair damaged roads

The Taoiseach has pledged to provide emergency funding to repair more than 15 roads in west Cork that were badly damaged in two separate flooding incidents last week , a Fianna Fáil TD has said .
Cork South-West deputy Chrisopher O ’ Sullivan said he had spoken to Micheál Martin after heavy rain on Saturday further damaged roads around Rosscarbery , which were also flooded on Thursday .
He said he had explained the damage to the road network and the devastation the floods had caused to businesses and homeowners in his constituency to Mr Martin .
“ The Taoiseach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency funding as soon as we know the full extent of the damage , so it ’ s important that Cork County Council finalises a detailed report as quickly as possible so it can apply for the funding , ” he said .
Mr O ’ Sullivan said , based on phone calls and emails received since Saturday , a minimum of 15 roads , mainly around Rosscarbery , have been badly damaged .
“ Some roads have washed away ; out at Sand ’ s Cove near Ardfield a cliff has formed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the road there is gone too , while there was also serious damage on the Rathbarry road and the Rosscarbery to Glandore road , which was impassable , ” the TD said .
He said that the damage caused when a stream burst its banks on a road to Rathbarry was particularly regrettable as it was almost a carbon copy of what happened during a 2012 flood and could have been avoided .
“ We should have learned our lesson there after 2012 with proper drainage and clearance of streams .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being enough outdoor [ council ] staff to keep the drains and the gullies clear , ” he said .
It is understood that several houses in the Newtown area of Rosscarbery were flooded on Thursday and Saturday .
Cork County Council confirmed on Sunday that the main artery into west Cork , the N71 , had fully reopened having become impassable near Rosscarbery on Saturday after heavy overnight rain led to streams overflowing and run-off on to the road near Newtown .
Denis O ’ Donovan , a farmer who lives near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told Cork ’ s 96FM that repair work needs to be carried out as a matter of urgency .
“ This repair work needs to be done asap , but again the worry we have as locals is that it will be another patch-up job done to get the road opened quickly .
Our fear is we will be forgotten about again when this all dies down and then with the next flood we are back to square one .
”

The Taoiseach has pledged to provide emergency funding to repair more than 15 roads in west Cork that were badly damaged in two separate flooding incidents last week, a Fianna Fáil TD has said.
Cork South-West deputy Chrisopher O’Sullivan said he had spoken to Micheál Martin after heavy rain on Saturday further damaged roads around Rosscarbery, which were also flooded on Thursday. He said he had explained the damage to the road network and the devastation the floods had caused to businesses and homeowners in his constituency to Mr Martin.
“The Taoiseach confirmed that the Government will respond with emergency funding as soon as we know the full extent of the damage, so it’s important that Cork County Council finalises a detailed report as quickly as possible so it can apply for the funding,” he said.
Mr O’Sullivan said, based on phone calls and emails received since Saturday, a minimum of 15 roads, mainly around Rosscarbery, have been badly damaged.
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“Some roads have washed away; out at Sand’s Cove near Ardfield a cliff has formed overnight after the beach was washed away and the road there is gone too, while there was also serious damage on the Rathbarry road and the Rosscarbery to Glandore road, which was impassable,” the TD said.
He said that the damage caused when a stream burst its banks on a road to Rathbarry was particularly regrettable as it was almost a carbon copy of what happened during a 2012 flood and could have been avoided.
“We should have learned our lesson there after 2012 with proper drainage and clearance of streams. There is certainly an element of there not being enough outdoor [council] staff to keep the drains and the gullies clear,” he said.
It is understood that several houses in the Newtown area of Rosscarbery were flooded on Thursday and Saturday.
Cork County Council confirmed on Sunday that the main artery into west Cork, the N71, had fully reopened having become impassable near Rosscarbery on Saturday after heavy overnight rain led to streams overflowing and run-off on to the road near Newtown.
Denis O’Donovan, a farmer who lives near the badly damaged Rosscarbery to Glandore road, told Cork’s 96FM that repair work needs to be carried out as a matter of urgency.
“This repair work needs to be done asap, but again the worry we have as locals is that it will be another patch-up job done to get the road opened quickly. Our fear is we will be forgotten about again when this all dies down and then with the next flood we are back to square one.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--Archbishop of Dublin warns against racism and intolerance

Narrowness and bitterness on the part of some Catholics as well as recent alleged racist behaviour by young people , has been warned against by Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin .
Referring to “ examples of growing racism and intolerant language here in our own country ” he described himself as “ scared when I hear stories of racist intolerance by groups of young people ” .
Such young people “ may not realise how damaging their behaviour is , but racist language is never fun .
Racist intolerance is always dangerous language and is always a one-way street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Within the Church itself , he said “ hate language can never be reconciled with the teaching of Jesus ” .
Throughout the Church ’ s history “ we have seen believers build barriers of narrowness and bitterness , when they think they are simply being zealous in defending the message of Jesus .
The teaching of Jesus can never envisage intolerance or bigotry toward people we consider different , ” he said .
It “ must be a church where people are welcomed , respected and cherished even in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foster goodness and love .
Hate language can never be reconciled with the teaching of Jesus .
“ When believers and indeed Church communities become narrow minded and judgemental , they leave people marginalised and unloved with their hope blunted and their dignity broken.
” It was the case that “ in some circles today there is a growing polarisation within our Church .
There are those who feel that they can be zealously defending the Church while they are intolerant and disrespectful to those with whom they disagree , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had spread within the Church , these have not been moments of nobility in Church history but the opposite .
Wherever intolerance has entered into a dominant role in society , society has been impoverished and undermined , ” he said .

Narrowness and bitterness on the part of some Catholics as well as recent alleged racist behaviour by young people, has been warned against by Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin.
Referring to “examples of growing racism and intolerant language here in our own country” he described himself as “scared when I hear stories of racist intolerance by groups of young people”.
Such young people “may not realise how damaging their behaviour is, but racist language is never fun. Racist intolerance is always dangerous language and is always a one-way street towards negativity and disrespect,” he said.
Within the Church itself, he said “hate language can never be reconciled with the teaching of Jesus”.
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Throughout the Church’s history “ we have seen believers build barriers of narrowness and bitterness, when they think they are simply being zealous in defending the message of Jesus. The teaching of Jesus can never envisage intolerance or bigotry toward people we consider different,” he said.
It “must be a church where people are welcomed, respected and cherished even in their difference. Hatred and intolerance can never foster goodness and love. Hate language can never be reconciled with the teaching of Jesus.
“When believers and indeed Church communities become narrow minded and judgemental, they leave people marginalised and unloved with their hope blunted and their dignity broken.”
It was the case that “in some circles today there is a growing polarisation within our Church. There are those who feel that they can be zealously defending the Church while they are intolerant and disrespectful to those with whom they disagree,” he said.
“Where in its history intolerance had spread within the Church, these have not been moments of nobility in Church history but the opposite. Wherever intolerance has entered into a dominant role in society, society has been impoverished and undermined,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-17--Judge criticises Michelle O’Neill over Troubles compensation scheme

A judge has accused Stormont ’ s Deputy First Minister of ignoring the rule of law by delaying a compensation scheme for Troubles victims .
Mr Justice McAlinden said Michelle O ’ Neill ’ s stance in not nominating a Stormont department to administer the scheme — a requirement set out in legislation passed at Westminster — is “ fundamentally inappropriate ” .
The scheme is in limbo due to a dispute between Sinn Féin and the British government over eligibility criteria that are set to exclude anyone convicted of inflicting serious harm during the Troubles from accessing the support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be discriminatory and potentially exclude thousands of people from the republican community .
The judge expressed his view at the outset of a legal challenge brought by a woman who lost both legs in a Troubles bombing .
Jennifer McNern is seeking a judicial review of the Executive Office ’ s failure to introduce the scheme , which should have been open to applications at the start of May .
Justice McAlinden told Belfast High Court : “ I see it as one element within Executive Office deliberately choosing to ignore the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law to express a political advantage .
“ That is a fundamentally inappropriate stance to take and it is a stance that this court will have no hesitation in describing in the bluntest terms and in requiring a remedy to be provided in the shortest timeframe.
” Having read the arguments put forward by Ms McNern ’ s legal team and the Executive Office , Justice McAlinden said his “ initial view ” of the issue was unlikely to change as a result of hearing the case in full .
He adjourned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday morning and asked the legal parties to discuss whether they wished to proceed .
Justice McAlinden said he would hear the case in full if the legal parties adopted “ entrenched positions ” and wished to continue .
He said : “ What I see here is there has been significant and unjustifiable delay .
That delay can not be allowed to continue and this scheme , which is a scheme enacted by the Westminster parliament by primary legislation , followed up by regulations , this scheme is overdue and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into operation as soon as possible for the benefit of those individuals , like Ms McNern and many others , who quite clearly have suffered for long enough without their suffering being appropriately recognised by our society .
“ That is the initial view I take upon this case , having carefully considered the papers.
” Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis is a secondary respondent to the case brought by Ms McNern .
However , the judge said he believed Mr Lewis had done all he could have been expected to do in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short adjournment , a lawyer representing the Executive Office said attempts were being made to contact ministers to seek instructions on the case .
The judge asked court officials to prepare an audio disc of his comments to be prepared for distribution to all parties .
The case then proceeded , with Ms McNern ’ s lawyers outlining their case , pending the response from the Executive Office .
Ms McNern suffered life-changing injuries in a bomb attack at the packed Abercorn Restaurant in Belfast on a busy weekend shopping day in 1972 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IRA was blamed .
Ahead of Monday ’ s hearing , Ms McNern said : “ All we ever wanted was to be treated with respect and dignity and not be left as the part of the forgotten legacy of the Troubles .
“ When the legislation was passed at Westminster we thought we had achieved that .
“ But the refusal by the Executive Office to implement the legislation is devastating.
” – PA

Belfast bomb victim Jennifer McNern, outside Belfast’s High Court, as she begins court bid over Troubles compensation. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
A judge has accused Stormont’s Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister of ignoring the rule of law by delaying a compensation scheme for Troubles victims.
Mr Justice McAlinden said Michelle O'Neill's stance in not nominating a Stormont department to administer the scheme — a requirement set out in legislation passed at Westminster — is "fundamentally inappropriate".
He said the case involved an attempt to “subvert the rule of law for political ends”.
The judge said anyone in a ministerial post who was not prepared to comply with the rule of law “shouldn’t be there”.
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Mr Justice McAlinden said if a minister had a difficulty complying with legislative requirements they had an option.
“The option is to resign your office,” he added.
The payment scheme is in limbo due to a dispute between Sinn Féin and the Government over eligibility criteria that are set to exclude anyone convicted of inflicting serious harm during the Troubles from accessing the support payments.
Sinn Féin claims the scheme would be discriminatory and potentially exclude thousands of people from the republican community.
In a separate row, the Stormont administration and the UK Government have been at odds over who should pay for the scheme.
The judge expressed his “initial view” at the outset of a joint legal challenge brought by Jennifer McNern, who lost both legs in a Troubles bombing, and Brian Turley, one of the “hooded men” who were arrested and interrogated by the British Army in 1971.
They are challenging the Executive Office’s failure to introduce the scheme, which would see victims paid up to £10,000 a year depending on the severity of their injury.
It should have been open to applications at the end of May.
The court heard that DUP First Minister Arlene Foster had confirmed she was prepared to comply with the regulations made by the Government, having initially objected over the funding issue.
Having sought confirmation from Ms McNern’s lawyer that Ms O’Neill was now the only one refusing to comply with the legislation, Mr Justice McAlinden said: “I see it as one element within the Executive Office deliberately choosing to ignore the requirement to comply with the rule of law to express a political advantage.
“That is a fundamentally inappropriate stance to take and it is a stance that this court will have no hesitation in describing in the bluntest terms and in requiring a remedy to be provided in the shortest time frame.”
Having read the arguments put forward by the applicants’ legal teams and the Executive Office, Mr Justice McAlinden said his “initial view” of the issue was unlikely to change as a result of hearing the case in full.
He adjourned the judicial review hearing for a short period on Monday morning and asked the legal parties to discuss whether they wished to proceed.
When the court returned, a lawyer representing the Executive Office said attempts were being made to contact ministers to seek instructions on the case.
The hearing then proceeded, after the judge asked court officials to prepare an audio disc of his comments to be prepared for distribution to all parties.
Mr Justice McAlinden said there had been a “significant and unjustifiable delay” in setting up the scheme.
“That delay cannot be allowed to continue,” he added.
He said victims had “suffered for long enough without their suffering being appropriately recognised by our society”.
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis is a secondary respondent in the challenge case.
However, the judge said he believed Mr Lewis had done all he could have been expected to do in relation to the scheme.
Ms McNern suffered life-changing injuries in a bomb attack blamed on the IRA at the packed Abercorn Restaurant in Belfast on a busy weekend shopping day in 1972.
The applicant’s barrister Danny Friedman QC told the judge that ministers should not be able to disobey the law.
“The Executive is duty bound to comply with the law, it cannot engage in political disobedience and, as my lord says, that is why the rule of law is so fundamentally at stake in the dispute now before you,” he said.
The judge said ministers did not have the right to “ignore or stymie” clear legislative provisions.
“The message by doing so is a message undermining the rule of law,” he said.
“In a post-conflict society, one thing that every politician should be striving to do is to support the rule of law — not to pick and choose which laws to accept, which laws to adhere to and which laws to ignore.
“Those are fundamental issues for our society and the politicians better get that message, and that message will be delivered by this court.”
Mr Friedman suggested there was a duty on politicians in the region to “grow up”.
Mr Turley’s barrister Barry McDonald QC said a major point of constitutional importance was at stake in the case, one that affected the governance of Northern Ireland.
He highlighted that the ministerial code of conduct at Stormont required ministers to respect the rule of law.
“What this case demonstrated is that at the very highest level of government, ministers in the devolved administration think that if the law is not to their liking in any particular respect they can choose to ignore or even defy it,” said Mr McDonald.
“In this case, both the First Minister and Deputy First Minister refused to comply with the legal regulations. We know the First Minister on the ground initially that the scheme should be funded by Westminster. And the Deputy First Minister on that ground, as well as on the ground that she didn’t agree with the terms of the scheme.
“We know the First Minister is now prepared to comply but the Deputy First Minister isn’t.”
Mrs Foster did not escape criticism during the hearing, as the judge challenged a suggestion made in the Executive Office’s joint submission that it was entitled not to comply with the regulations while the matter remained an issue of political dispute.
He said both ministers had demonstrated a “fundamental lack of awareness” of the requirement to abide by the law.
On the suggestion that Mrs Foster and Ms O’Neill believe the issue is not a matter for court intervention, Mr McDonald added: “Ministers, in our respectful submission, need to be disabused of that dangerous and wholly unconstitutional notion.”
Ahead of Monday’s hearing, Ms McNern said: “All we ever wanted was to be treated with respect and dignity and not be left as the part of the forgotten legacy of the Troubles.
“When the legislation was passed at Westminster, we thought we had achieved that.
“But the refusal by the Executive Office to implement the legislation is devastating.”
The case continues. – PA


theirishtimes--2020-08-17--Donnelly says behaviour like that seen at Dublin bar ‘poses a threat to life’

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has described the scenes at a Dublin city venue at the centre of a controversy over alleged breaches of coronavirus guidelines at the weekend as “ reckless ” and “ a slap in the face ” to people who had made huge sacrifices during the pandemic .
Mr Donnelly said it was a matter for gardaí to decide if the incident would lead to a filing being forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions .
The Minister , who confirmed he had spoken to his Cabinet colleague Minister for Justice Helen McEntee about the matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a threat to life .
We ’ re not messing around here ” .
“ Young people needed to realise that we ’ re in the middle of a pandemic here .
There ’ s a lot at stake here.
” Mr Donnelly said venues that breached coronavirus guidelines needed to be shut down and said gardaí had identified 26 venues which were found not to be compliant during weekend inspections .
“ The vast majority are doing what is right , ” he told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the public and said the next few weeks were going to be very important .
Earlier , the proprietor of Berlin D2 , Jay Bourke , said he was “ appalled , very unhappy and embarrassed ” at video footage that emerged on social media over the weekend which claims to show a brunch event that took place at the venue on Saturday .
Customers are shown crowding around a bar as a man dancing on it , while wearing a mask , pours drink into their mouths .
Mr Bourke , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had been in West Cork when the incident happened on Saturday afternoon , but had returned to spend Sunday meeting gardaí , his staff at the venue , watching CCTV footage and discussing the event with his security staff .
Having viewed hours of footage , he said the 20 second clip on social media did not give the complete picture .
It had been unfortunate that the bar man had jumped on the bar , but otherwise the event was “ pretty well controlled.
” Mr Bourke said he was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was just a mad moment.
” He was now trying “ to pick up the pieces.
” The bar man should not have done what he did , he said .
“ He was not doing what he should .
He was naughty .
He ’ s young and he got excited .
It was a moment of exuberance .
‘ It looks terrible but it ain ’ t that terrible ’ “ This was an aberration rather than a normal occurrence .
Young people need to have fun , our job is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrible but it ain ’ t that terrible.
” Berlin D2 began trading again six weeks ago after Covid-19 restrictions were eased , Mr Bourke said .
He said staff were trained and adhering to social distancing and other Covid-19 regulations , there had been no overcrowding and “ the place has been sterilised to within an inch of its life ” .
He said the premises had been visited “ more than 25 times by the police , we ’ ve been visited by the HSE last Wednesday and they have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Responding to a comment from acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn ’ s description of the footage as “ reckless ” , Mr Bourke said : “ He is judging us on the basis of a 20-second clip .
“ I don ’ t think we ’ ve broken a law , that was 20 seconds of madness and that ’ s all.
” Restaurant and pub bodies condemned the bar for appearing to flout the Covid-19 rules , with the Licensed Vintners Association ( LVA ) saying Berlin D2 should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on Sunday the reaction to the incident on social media , which included death threats against staff , was “ extreme ” and very troubling and had resulted in his decision not to reopen for the moment .
An Garda Síochána said it would not be providing details on individual suspected breaches of the public health regulations .
“ Where potential breaches of the Public Health Regulations are identified and where a person does not come into compliance with the regulations , a file is submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceed , ” a spokesman said .

Videos on social media of a packed Dublin bar have gone viral and the Licensed Vintners Association has called for the "business to be shut down immediately." Video: As credited
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has described the scenes at a Dublin city venue at the centre of a controversy over alleged breaches of coronavirus guidelines at the weekend as "reckless" and "a slap in the face" to people who had made huge sacrifices during the pandemic.
Mr Donnelly said it was a matter for gardaí to decide if the incident would lead to a filing being forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Minister, who confirmed he had spoken to his Cabinet colleague Minister for Justice Helen McEntee about the matter, said “behaviour like that poses a threat to life. We’re not messing around here”.
A right kick in the gut & middle finger to everyone in our country who has worked so hard & sacrificed so much, to everyone who has lost a loved one or been sick with #Covid19, to every frontline worker and to every responsible business owner who have suffered so much. Shameful https://t.co/g16bwoEn16 — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) August 16, 2020
“Young people needed to realise that we’re in the middle of a pandemic here. There’s a lot at stake here.”
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Mr Donnelly said venues that breached coronavirus guidelines needed to be shut down and said gardaí had identified 26 venues which were found not to be compliant during weekend inspections.
"The vast majority are doing what is right," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
However, he acknowledged there was pandemic fatigue emerging among the public and said the next few weeks were going to be very important.
‘Embarrassed’
Earlier, the proprietor of Berlin D2, Jay Bourke, said he was "appalled, very unhappy and embarrassed" at video footage that emerged on social media over the weekend which claims to show a brunch event that took place at the venue on Saturday.
Customers are shown crowding around a bar as a man dancing on it, while wearing a mask, pours drink into their mouths.
Mr Bourke, a well-known restaurateur and publican, said he had been in West Cork when the incident happened on Saturday afternoon, but had returned to spend Sunday meeting gardaí, his staff at the venue, watching CCTV footage and discussing the event with his security staff.
Having viewed hours of footage, he said the 20 second clip on social media did not give the complete picture.
It had been unfortunate that the bar man had jumped on the bar, but otherwise the event was “pretty well controlled.”
Mr Bourke said he was not excusing what had happened, “it was just a mad moment.” He was now trying “to pick up the pieces.”
The bar man should not have done what he did, he said. “He was not doing what he should. He was naughty. He’s young and he got excited. It was a moment of exuberance.
‘It looks terrible but it ain’t that terrible’
“This was an aberration rather than a normal occurrence. Young people need to have fun, our job is to provide it . . .It looks terrible but it ain’t that terrible.”
Berlin D2 began trading again six weeks ago after Covid-19 restrictions were eased, Mr Bourke said. He said staff were trained and adhering to social distancing and other Covid-19 regulations, there had been no overcrowding and “the place has been sterilised to within an inch of its life”.
He said the premises had been visited “more than 25 times by the police, we’ve been visited by the HSE last Wednesday and they have been happy with us at all times”.
Responding to a comment from acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn’s description of the footage as “reckless”, Mr Bourke said: “He is judging us on the basis of a 20-second clip.
“I don’t think we’ve broken a law, that was 20 seconds of madness and that’s all.”
Restaurant and pub bodies condemned the bar for appearing to flout the Covid-19 rules, with the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) saying Berlin D2 should be "immediately" shut.
Mr Bourke said on Sunday the reaction to the incident on social media, which included death threats against staff, was “extreme” and very troubling and had resulted in his decision not to reopen for the moment.
An Garda Síochána said it would not be providing details on individual suspected breaches of the public health regulations.
“Where potential breaches of the Public Health Regulations are identified and where a person does not come into compliance with the regulations, a file is submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a direction as to how to proceed,” a spokesman said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-17--Bad news for holidaymakers: a week of wind and rain is in store

Met Éireann has issued a nationwide weather advisory with unseasonably wet and windy conditions forecast this week .
The advisory is bad news for holidaymakers and farmers with heavy rain expected on Monday and Tuesday while Thursday and Friday will also be wet and windy .
Windy weather on Thursday and Friday may result in unsafe conditions over high ground , lakes and sea areas .
Weather advisories may be issued by Met Éireann to provide early information on potential hazardous weather beyond 48 hours .
A 24-hour status yellow rain alert came into force for the south of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible localised flooding .
The warning is in place for all Munster counties and for Carlow , Kildare , Kilkenny , Laois , Wexford , Wicklow , Offaly and Galway and will remain in place until 7am on Tuesday .
Between 25mm to 40mms of rain is forecast over 24 hours .
More heavy rain is likely to compound the problems created by flash flooding in West Cork over the weekend following heavy rain .
The flooding severely damaged around 15 roads in the Rosscarbery area on Saturday .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage .
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts ( ECMRF ) is expecting between 50mms and 75mms of rain in the west and south this week with Cork as the worst-affected county .
While temperatures were well above average last week , especially in the west , this week will see cooler more unsettled weather .
Tuesday be mostly cloudy in the north of the country with more rain that will gradually clear northwards in the afternoon and evening .
It will be brighter in the southern half of the country will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy .
The highest temperatures will be between 18 to 22 degrees with light breezes .
Wednesday will see more heavy rain in Munster and south Leinster spreading northwards .
It will clear through the evening but more showers will follow during the night .
Gusty winds will continue and become stronger as the rain clears .
On Thursday the heaviest rain will be in the northern half of the country both during the day and at night .
It will be a mild but windy with further rain during the night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday with highest temperatures between 16 to 19 degrees .
Saturday and Sunday are expected to remain unsettled .
Fresh and breezy days with sunshine and showers at times as an Atlantic system bringing wind and rain to most parts of the country .
The long-term forecast suggests the early days of next week will remain cool and unsettled with spells of rain or showers .
Temperatures will be on or about normal for the time of year with highs most days of 20 degrees .

Floods are seen in Rosscarberry in West Cork, on Saturday. The Landmark restaurant was hit badly with flood waters breaching the doors. Photograph: Andy Gibson
Met Éireann has issued a nationwide weather advisory with unseasonably wet and windy conditions forecast this week.
The advisory is bad news for holidaymakers and farmers with heavy rain expected on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday while Thursday and Friday will also be windy as well as wet, possibly resulting in unsafe conditions over high ground, lakes and sea areas.
Weather advisories may be issued by Met Éireann to provide early information on potential hazardous weather beyond 48 hours.
A motorist tried to drive through flooded roads in Rosscarberry, West Cork over the weekend. Photograph: Andy Gibson
A 24-hour status yellow rain alert came into force for the south of the country on Monday morning with a warning over possible localised flooding.
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The warning is in place for all Munster counties and for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford, Wicklow, Offaly and Galway and will remain in place until 7am on Tuesday.
Between 25mm to 40mms of rain is forecast over 24 hours with the heaviest of the rain falling overnight.
Wednesday will also be wet as the remnants of ex-Tropical Storm Kyle crosses Ireland bringing with it heavy rain spreading from the south northwards.
More heavy rain is likely to compound the problems created by flash flooding in West Cork over the weekend following heavy rain.
The flooding severely damaged around 15 roads in the Rosscarbery area on Saturday.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has promised emergency funding to deal with the damage.
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMRF) is expecting between 50mms and 75mms of rain in the west and south this week with Cork as the worst-affected county.
While temperatures were well above average last week, especially in the west, this week will see cooler more unsettled weather.
Met Éireann's Matthew Martin said the forecaster may well issue further weather warnings closer to the time. Wind speeds can be dangerous during the summer when the trees are still in full leaf and there is a lot of activity around. The impact from them will be greater than if it occurred in December.
“The winds and rain will be very anomalous for this time of year. We are in for a very unsettled period of weather. It will disrupt any staycation plans.”
Tuesday
Tuesday be mostly cloudy in the north of the country with more rain that will gradually clear northwards in the afternoon and evening.
It will be brighter in the southern half of the country will sunshine and showers, some of them heavy. The highest temperatures will be between 18 to 22 degrees with light breezes.
Wednesday
Wednesday will see more heavy rain in Munster and south Leinster spreading northwards. It will clear through the evening but more showers will follow during the night. Gusty winds will continue and become stronger as the rain clears.
Thursday
On Thursday the heaviest rain will be in the northern half of the country both during the day and at night. It will be a mild but windy with further rain during the night.
Friday
Similar rainy and blustery conditions will continue on Friday with highest temperatures between 16 to 19 degrees.
Weekend
Saturday and Sunday are expected to remain unsettled. Fresh and breezy days with sunshine and showers at times as an Atlantic system bringing wind and rain to most parts of the country.
The long-term forecast suggests the early days of next week will remain cool and unsettled with spells of rain or showers.
Temperatures will be on or about normal for the time of year with highs most days of 20 degrees.


theirishtimes--2020-08-17--Stephen Donnelly: Increase in deaths likely to follow spike in Covid-19 cases

The Minister for Health expects an increase in the number of deaths and hospitalisations as a result of the recent spike in Covid-19 cases .
Stephen Donnelly said the daily number of cases is increasing and , therefore , the fatality rate was expected to increase .
More than 250 cases of Covid-19 were reported over the weekend .
“ If you look at the daily number of cases , it is going up , ” Mr Donnelly told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
“ If you look at the sad reality , there can be a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stands to reason that there will be a fatality rate following that.
” Further restrictions to protect the elderly and other vulnerable groups from Covid-19 are to be considered on Monday by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) amid “ deep concern ” about a sharp increase in confirmed cases .
Sources indicated that the team would consider potentially “ significant ” new measures to slow the spread of the virus .
Dr Glynn briefed Taoiseach Micheál Martin , Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have outlined concerns about house parties and socialising being responsible for the growing number of cases .
Senior Government sources said there was growing anxiety about “ Covid fatigue ” among the public now people were travelling around the country after being advised to holiday in the State and could also visit other peoples ’ homes .
Dr Glynn warned that every county had experienced some new Covid-19 cases in the last fortnight and that this would need to be taken into account by Nphet .
Mr Donnelly said there are no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any other part of the country .
Restriction in Kildare , Laois and Offaly are due to be lifted on Sunday week .
He also said that a report into the outbreaks in nursing homes is being addressed in a new report which will be published on Tuesday containing 86 recommendations .
He said Nphet is examining a “ massive ” increase in testing in Direct Provision centres and in meat processing plants and there is a review on testing turnaround times which he admitted has become “ strained ” .
Mr Donnelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bar , where videos on social media showed a barman pouring spirits into the mouths of customers , at the weekend were a “ slap in the face for everyone who is trying to suppress the virus ” .
But he said of the 3,000 licensed premises that have been allowed to open , there have been just 27 breaches of the Covid-19 guidelines and the “ vast majority of men and women in the country are doing what is right ” .
Berlin bar co-owner Jay Bourke said the scenes at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indeed and embarrassed ” but having reviewed four hours of CCTV footage , he said the incident involved was an aberration and the crowd had been generally well behaved .
The barman had got carried away , he said .
Infectious diseases expert Professor Paddy Mallon has called for “ swift , reactive and responsive ” measures for people breaking Covid-19 guidelines on social distancing .
Prof Mallon said images from the Berlin Bar had been “ very disappointing ” to the general public and to health care workers .
The reaction had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representatives who said that they had been let down .
“ In general we just need an element of refocus , we need to maintain the level of engagement over a long period of time to make clear the focus .
”

There were no further deaths of people from Covid-19 but an additional 56 confirmed cases of the virus have been reported in the State, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) said on Monday evening.
The latest figures see the total number of deaths in the Republic remain at 1,774, while the total number of confirmed cases now stands at 27,313.
Of the cases confirmed on Monday, 35 were associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case, while 12 cases have been identified as community transmission.
Some 26 of Monday's cases were in Kildare, 13 in Dublin and the rest of the 17 cases are in Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Laois, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Westmeath and Wicklow.
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The news follows the reporting of an additional 266 cases over the weekend.
In Northern Ireland, 39 new cases had been confirmed in the last 24 hours, the North's department of health said on Monday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 6,430.
No further coronavirus-related deaths were recorded over the weekend in the North, with the total number of such fatalities reported by the department remaining at 558.
Earlier, the Minister for Health said he expects an increase in the number of deaths and hospitalisations as a result of the recent spike in Covid-19 cases.
Stephen Donnelly said the daily number of cases was increasing and, therefore, the fatality rate was expected to increase.
"If you look at the daily number of cases, it is going up," Mr Donnelly told RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland. "If you look at the sad reality, there can be a time lag between cases and hospitalisations... it stands to reason that there will be a fatality rate following that."
It is understood a further 18 cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed associated with an outbreak at a mushroom processing facility in Golden, Co Tipperary.
Local HSE officials told TDs of the new cases on Sunday evening. Added to the 11 positive tests from workers at Walsh Mushrooms last week, the total linked to the outbreak now stands at 29.
In a statement on Monday evening, Walsh Mushrooms said that blanket testing of all available staff was completed over the weekend “and we are awaiting an update on the results from the HSE”.
Staff will be retested a week, and then a fortnight, after their first swab. However, the company also raised concerns about how many of those infected showed few, if any, symptoms.
“The level of asymptomatic positive results is a concern for the business. As a business, we have stringent measures in place to control Covid-19 since March and we have had no incidence of Covid-19 up to this point.”
The plant is being deep cleaned and control measures are being reviewed, although “essential maintenance” is continuing. “The safety, wellbeing and protection of our employees, their families and the local community is our number one priority,” the company said.
Local Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill said he was “happy that testing was completed efficiently and quickly”.
Further restrictions to protect the elderly and other vulnerable groups from Covid-19 were considered on Monday by the NPHET amid “deep concern” about a sharp increase in confirmed cases.
Sources indicated that the team would consider potentially “significant” new measures to slow the spread of the virus.
Dr Glynn briefed Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan on Sunday and is understood to have outlined concerns about house parties and socialising being responsible for the growing number of cases.
Senior Government sources said there was growing anxiety about “Covid fatigue” among the public now people were travelling around the country after being advised to holiday in the State and could also visit other peoples’ homes.
Dr Glynn warned that every county had experienced some new Covid-19 cases in the last fortnight and that this would need to be taken into account by Nphet.
Mr Donnelly said there were no plans to bring in local restrictions in any other part of the country. Restrictions in Kildare, Laois and Offaly are due to be lifted on Sunday, he said.
He also said the outbreaks in nursing homes were being addressed in a new report which will be published on Tuesday.
He said NPHET was examining a “massive” increase in testing in direct provision centres and in meat processing plants and there is a review on testing turnaround times which he admitted has become “strained”.
Mr Donnelly said the scenes from the Berlin D2 bar, where videos on social media showed a barman pouring spirits into the mouths of customers, at the weekend were a "slap in the face for everyone who is trying to suppress the virus".
But he said of the 3,000 licensed premises that have been allowed to open, there have been just 27 breaches of the Covid-19 guidelines and the “vast majority of men and women in the country are doing what is right”.
Berlin bar co-owner Jay Bourke said the scenes at the bar had left him "very unhappy indeed and embarrassed" but having reviewed four hours of CCTV footage, he said the incident involved was an aberration and the crowd had been generally well behaved. The barman had got carried away, he said.
Infectious diseases expert Professor Paddy Mallon has called for "swift, reactive and responsive" measures for people breaking Covid-19 guidelines on social distancing.
Prof Mallon said images from the bar had been “very disappointing” to the general public and to health care workers. The reaction had been summed up well by hospitality sector representatives who said that they had been let down.
“In general we just need an element of refocus, we need to maintain the level of engagement over a long period of time to make clear the focus.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-17--Woman who lost both legs challenges bomb compensation delays

A woman who lost both legs during a notorious Belfast bombing has started legal action later over compensation delays .
Jennifer McNern suffered the life-changing injuries during the 1972 attack on a packed Abercorn restaurant on a busy weekend shopping day .
No paramilitary organisation claimed responsibility but the IRA was blamed .
Rows over who should be eligible and who will fund it have thwarted speedy establishment of a pension scheme for those most badly hurt during the Troubles .
Ms McNern is taking a judicial review at Belfast ’ s High Court against Stormont ’ s Executive Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever wanted was to be treated with respect and dignity and not be left as the part of the forgotten legacy of the Troubles .
“ When the legislation was passed at Westminster we thought we had achieved that .
“ But the refusal by the Executive Office to implement the legislation is devastating.
” There is a dispute between the UK government and Stormont Executive over who should fund the payments .
The government insists Stormont should pay but ministers in Belfast insist the Treasury should contribute since the scheme will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It should have opened to applications at the end of May and will pay out £2,000 to £10,000 a year depending on the severity of the injury .
The Abercorn bombing in the city centre killed two people and injured more than 130 in one of the most infamous episodes of the conflict .
Ms McNern added : “ It shows how little the Executive Office thinks of severely injured victims and survivors that they were not even going to let us know that the scheme was not going to be implemented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days before we were due to submit applications .
“ We feel like we are being treated with contempt.
” On Friday the UK government published separate guidance that anyone convicted of causing serious harm during the Troubles should not be eligible for victims ’ compensation payments .
Those with a recent terrorism conviction of any sort will also be unable to access the money , according to the guidance .
A political standoff has bedevilled the implementation of the long-delayed measure to support those physically or psychologically injured during the Troubles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work and build up pensions of their own .
Sinn Féin has refused to proceed by designating a Stormont department to administer it because it believes the government ’ s approach could exclude thousands of injured from the republican community who were involved in the conflict .
The party reacted angrily to Friday ’ s publication , with veteran policing spokesman Gerry Kelly claiming the guidance was “ discriminatory ” and “ rewarded ” state forces .
DUP leader Arlene Foster welcomed the guidance , insisting it was right that “ victim-makers ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a victims ’ pension .
The scheme automatically bars anyone who was injured in an act they were responsible for .
– PA

Jennifer McNern who lost both legs during a notorious Belfast bombing launches legal action later over compensation delays. File Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
A woman who lost both legs during a notorious Belfast bombing has started legal action later over compensation delays.
Jennifer McNern suffered the life-changing injuries during the 1972 attack on a packed Abercorn restaurant on a busy weekend shopping day.
No paramilitary organisation claimed responsibility but the IRA was blamed.
Rows over who should be eligible and who will fund it have thwarted speedy establishment of a pension scheme for those most badly hurt during the Troubles.
READ MORE
Ms McNern is taking a judicial review at Belfast’s High Court against Stormont’s Executive Office.
She said: “All we ever wanted was to be treated with respect and dignity and not be left as the part of the forgotten legacy of the Troubles.
“When the legislation was passed at Westminster we thought we had achieved that.
“But the refusal by the Executive Office to implement the legislation is devastating.”
Dispute
There is a dispute between the UK government and Stormont Executive over who should fund the payments.
The government insists Stormont should pay but ministers in Belfast insist the Treasury should contribute since the scheme will be open to victims who live in Britain.
It should have opened to applications at the end of May and will pay out £2,000 to £10,000 a year depending on the severity of the injury.
The Abercorn bombing in the city centre killed two people and injured more than 130 in one of the most infamous episodes of the conflict.
Many victims lost limbs.
Ms McNern added: “It shows how little the Executive Office thinks of severely injured victims and survivors that they were not even going to let us know that the scheme was not going to be implemented.
“We were told nothing until days before we were due to submit applications.
“We feel like we are being treated with contempt.”
On Friday the UK government published separate guidance that anyone convicted of causing serious harm during the Troubles should not be eligible for victims’ compensation payments.
Those with a recent terrorism conviction of any sort will also be unable to access the money, according to the guidance.
Standoff
A political standoff has bedevilled the implementation of the long-delayed measure to support those physically or psychologically injured during the Troubles, many of whom lost the opportunity to work and build up pensions of their own.
Sinn Féin has refused to proceed by designating a Stormont department to administer it because it believes the government’s approach could exclude thousands of injured from the republican community who were involved in the conflict.
The party reacted angrily to Friday’s publication, with veteran policing spokesman Gerry Kelly claiming the guidance was “discriminatory” and “rewarded” state forces.
DUP leader Arlene Foster welcomed the guidance, insisting it was right that “victim-makers” were not able to avail themselves of a victims’ pension.
The scheme automatically bars anyone who was injured in an act they were responsible for. – PA