theirishtimes--2020-02-11--Man jailed for coercive control phoned woman 5,757 times in four months

A man has been jailed for 21 months for coercively controlling and harassing a woman he was in a “ toxic relationship ” with by making more than 5,700 phonecalls to her in a four month period .
Kevin Dunleavy ( 33 ) pleaded guilty at Letterkenny Circuit Court to charges including coercive control , harassment and making threats to damage property .
The court heard that Dunleavy made 5,757 telephone calls to Caoimhe Crossan between March and June in 2019 and became obsessed with his then girlfriend to the point that he forced her to take her phone everywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After the first successful prosecution of the offence of coercive control in the State since the law was introduced in January 2019 , Judge John Aylmer sentenced Dunleavy to a total of 2½ years but suspended the final nine months .
Coercive control involves an abusive person gaining or maintaining influence over another person by subjecting them to psychological , physical , sexual or financial abuse .
Det Garda Darren Carter said Ms Crossan ’ s family and friends were genuinely fearful for her safety as a result of Dunleavy ’ s behaviour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since they were both 14 and started going out in 2012 .
Det Carter said that on one occasion Dunleavy came into the Travellers Inn in Milford and pulled Ms Crossan out by the collar of her jumper and gave her a beating .
He also burnt her clothes and broke a hair straightener to prevent her from going out .
In her victim impact statement , Ms Crossan said the first four years of the relationship were good and that Dunleavy was a good partner and father .
However , he became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on her .
She said that during the period she was being harassed , she went to stay in a hotel so Dunleavy could not find out where she was .
He telephoned her and threatened her and the recordings of his threats were played in court .
During the calls , Dunleavy could be heard screaming to Ms Crossan “ I ’ ll kill you ...
I ’ ll cut your throat out .
I ’ ll get you .
Mark my words , I ’ ll get you tomorrow night.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a genuine risk that Dunleavy would cause serious harm to Ms Crossan .
He said the accused had 121 previous convictions for offences including drugs , burglary and breaching barring orders .
Peter Nolan , counsel for Dunleavy , asked Det Carter if he was aware that Ms Crossan had visited the accused in prison and given him €100 .
He also said he had a “ love letter ” from Ms Crossan to Dunleavy that was given to him in prison .
Det Carter said he was not aware of this but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coercive control that Dunleavy had over Ms Crossan .
Judge Aylmer said it was clear from the probation report that Dunleavy had a number of difficulties .
He ordered Dunleavy to stay off drink and drugs and stay out of Donegal unless it was for court appearances or to have scheduled access to his son .
He also ordered him to undertake whatever domestic violence courses he was offered while in prison .
Anyone affected by the contents of this article can contact Women ’ s Aid on 1800 341 900 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence services can be found at safeireland.ie

A man has been jailed for 21 months for coercively controlling and harassing a woman he was in a “toxic relationship” with by making more than 5,700 phonecalls to her in a four month period.
Kevin Dunleavy (33) pleaded guilty at Letterkenny Circuit Court to charges including coercive control, harassment and making threats to damage property.
The court heard that Dunleavy made 5,757 telephone calls to Caoimhe Crossan between March and June in 2019 and became obsessed with his then girlfriend to the point that he forced her to take her phone everywhere so he knew where she was.
After the first successful prosecution of the offence of coercive control in the State since the law was introduced in January 2019, Judge John Aylmer sentenced Dunleavy to a total of 2½ years but suspended the final nine months.
READ MORE
Coercive control involves an abusive person gaining or maintaining influence over another person by subjecting them to psychological, physical, sexual or financial abuse.
Fearful
Det Garda Darren Carter said Ms Crossan’s family and friends were genuinely fearful for her safety as a result of Dunleavy’s behaviour. The couple had known each other since they were both 14 and started going out in 2012.
Det Carter said that on one occasion Dunleavy came into the Travellers Inn in Milford and pulled Ms Crossan out by the collar of her jumper and gave her a beating. He also burnt her clothes and broke a hair straightener to prevent her from going out.
In her victim impact statement, Ms Crossan said the first four years of the relationship were good and that Dunleavy was a good partner and father. However, he became possessive and he also began to cheat on her.
She said that during the period she was being harassed, she went to stay in a hotel so Dunleavy could not find out where she was. He telephoned her and threatened her and the recordings of his threats were played in court.
During the calls, Dunleavy could be heard screaming to Ms Crossan “I’ll kill you...I’ll cut your throat out. I’ll get you. Mark my words, I’ll get you tomorrow night.”
Barring orders
Det Carter said he believed there was a genuine risk that Dunleavy would cause serious harm to Ms Crossan. He said the accused had 121 previous convictions for offences including drugs, burglary and breaching barring orders.
Peter Nolan, counsel for Dunleavy, asked Det Carter if he was aware that Ms Crossan had visited the accused in prison and given him €100. He also said he had a “love letter” from Ms Crossan to Dunleavy that was given to him in prison.
Det Carter said he was not aware of this but suggested this could be a sign of the coercive control that Dunleavy had over Ms Crossan.
Judge Aylmer said it was clear from the probation report that Dunleavy had a number of difficulties. He ordered Dunleavy to stay off drink and drugs and stay out of Donegal unless it was for court appearances or to have scheduled access to his son. He also ordered him to undertake whatever domestic violence courses he was offered while in prison.
Anyone affected by the contents of this article can contact Women's Aid on 1800 341 900 or womensaid.ie. A list of regional domestic violence services can be found at safeireland.ie


theirishtimes--2020-02-11--Taxi driver fined after passenger complained of urine smell in vehicle

A taxi driver was fined last year by the National Transport Authority ( NTA ) after a passenger complained of a smell of urine in the vehicle .
The driver was issued with a fixed penalty notice ( FPN ) by the NTA over the failure to comply with vehicle standards .
New figures show 1,600 fixed penalty notices in total were issued against drivers last year by the NTA resulting in cumulative financial penalties of €76,930 on drivers.The penalties cited on the notices ranged from €40 to €250 .
In response to a Freedom of Information request , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made by customers concerning taxis increased by 5.5 per cent to 1,383 last year .
Overcharging complaints were the most frequent at 529 while complaints over driver conduct numbered 496.Some 78 complains concerned the condition of taxis .
In one case , a customer complained a taxi driver told the passenger not to talk to him as “ he had a long night ” and “ to leave him alone ” .
In response to the complaint made in December , the NTA issued the driver with a caution .
The authority fined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver refused to allow a passenger bring a guide dog into the taxi .
In September , a passenger flagged down a taxi and stated that the smell in it was rotten “ and he had to travel with the windows open ” .
The driver “ did not welcome any advice about the smell ” when the passenger mentioned it .
The driver was issued with a caution by the NTA .
In July a passenger complained that a taxi was “ dirty and in bad condition .
The seats were stained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ badly dented ” .
The NTA issued the driver with advice .
A passenger described the smell inside another taxi in August as “ disgusting ” and said they should have got out of the vehicle .
Concerning another complaint in November , a passenger stated that a taxi “ smelled of stale cigarettes and alcohol ” .
The NTA inspected the car and advice was given to the driver .

The number of complaints made by customers concerning taxis increased by 5.5 per cent to 1,383 last year. Photograph: iStock
A taxi driver was fined last year by the National Transport Authority (NTA) after a passenger complained of a smell of urine in the vehicle.
The driver was issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN) by the NTA over the failure to comply with vehicle standards.
New figures show 1,600 fixed penalty notices in total were issued against drivers last year by the NTA resulting in cumulative financial penalties of €76,930 on drivers.The penalties cited on the notices ranged from €40 to €250.
In response to a Freedom of Information request, the authority confirmed that the number of complaints made by customers concerning taxis increased by 5.5 per cent to 1,383 last year.
READ MORE
Overcharging complaints were the most frequent at 529 while complaints over driver conduct numbered 496.Some 78 complains concerned the condition of taxis.
In one case, a customer complained a taxi driver told the passenger not to talk to him as “he had a long night” and “to leave him alone”. In response to the complaint made in December, the NTA issued the driver with a caution.
The authority fined a taxi driver in August after the driver refused to allow a passenger bring a guide dog into the taxi.
In September, a passenger flagged down a taxi and stated that the smell in it was rotten “and he had to travel with the windows open”. The driver “did not welcome any advice about the smell” when the passenger mentioned it. The driver was issued with a caution by the NTA.
In July a passenger complained that a taxi was “dirty and in bad condition. The seats were stained. The floor of the car was badly dented”. The NTA issued the driver with advice.
A passenger described the smell inside another taxi in August as “disgusting” and said they should have got out of the vehicle.
Concerning another complaint in November, a passenger stated that a taxi “smelled of stale cigarettes and alcohol”. The NTA inspected the car and advice was given to the driver.


theirishtimes--2020-02-11--Yes Equality campaign photographs donated to National Library

More than 6,000 photographs of the Yes Equality campaign have been added to the National Library of Ireland ’ s digital archive , almost five years after the referendum that cleared the way for same-sex marriages to take place .
The visual record of the campaign is part of the library ’ s “ Digital Pilots ” project , which seeks to expand the way it collects and provides access to stories and enables content like videos and digital documents to be added to its collection .
The pilot scheme aims to ensure that information and memories of Ireland ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The archive documents various aspects of the campaign , including personal stories of those involved and their families , images from polling day and the celebrations after the result .
The referendum , held on May 22nd , 2015 , saw Ireland become the first country to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote .
Some 62 per cent of voters approved the amendment on a turnout of 61 per cent .
The contents of the Yes Equality archive will be available to view in person in the National Library .
It will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can view the collection from anywhere in the world .
Speaking at the announcement , Dr Sandra Collins , director of the National Library , said the 2015 referendum was an important part of Ireland ’ s contemporary history .
“ Ireland has undergone huge changes over the last number of years and it ’ s really important that we add the memory , those milestones , into the national collections , ” she said .
“ We ’ ll have them safe here , permanently , for everybody to use , research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come.
” Gráinne Healy , one of the leaders of the Yes Equality campaign , said it was important to ensure people remember when Ireland began to move away from its more conservative origins .
“ What happened in 2015 , there was great joy and celebration , but time passes on and people actually forget .
They forget what it looked like , what was the mood and I think the photographic collection really captures the campaign , that we had such involvement and engagement by all of the citizens around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Healy added that she hopes the archive will enable future generations to study the referendum and its political consequences .
The Yes Equality campaign is the second digital archive donated to the National Library .
Author Marian Keyes provided the first .
In the coming months , there will be a third archive created as part of the digital pilots programme , the details of which have not yet been announced .

Former Supreme Court judge Catherine McGuinness and Senator Ivana Bacik, with photographs from the 2015 Yes Equality campaign, at the National Library of Ireland, Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan
More than 6,000 photographs of the Yes Equality campaign have been added to the National Library of Ireland’s digital archive, almost five years after the referendum that cleared the way for same-sex marriages to take place.
The visual record of the campaign is part of the library’s “Digital Pilots” project, which seeks to expand the way it collects and provides access to stories and enables content like videos and digital documents to be added to its collection.
The pilot scheme aims to ensure that information and memories of Ireland’s modern history are not lost. The archive documents various aspects of the campaign, including personal stories of those involved and their families, images from polling day and the celebrations after the result.
The referendum, held on May 22nd, 2015, saw Ireland become the first country to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote. Some 62 per cent of voters approved the amendment on a turnout of 61 per cent.
READ MORE
The contents of the Yes Equality archive will be available to view in person in the National Library. It will also be made available online, meaning users can view the collection from anywhere in the world.
Speaking at the announcement, Dr Sandra Collins, director of the National Library, said the 2015 referendum was an important part of Ireland's contemporary history.
Milestones
“Ireland has undergone huge changes over the last number of years and it’s really important that we add the memory, those milestones, into the national collections,” she said. “We’ll have them safe here, permanently, for everybody to use, research and enjoy for all the decades to come.”
Gráinne Healy, one of the leaders of the Yes Equality campaign, said it was important to ensure people remember when Ireland began to move away from its more conservative origins.
“What happened in 2015, there was great joy and celebration, but time passes on and people actually forget. They forget what it looked like, what was the mood and I think the photographic collection really captures the campaign, that we had such involvement and engagement by all of the citizens around the country,” she said.
Ms Healy added that she hopes the archive will enable future generations to study the referendum and its political consequences.
The Yes Equality campaign is the second digital archive donated to the National Library. Author Marian Keyes provided the first.
In the coming months, there will be a third archive created as part of the digital pilots programme, the details of which have not yet been announced.


theirishtimes--2020-02-11--Students need digital literacy skills to navigate ‘post-truth’ world

Young people need to develop digital literacy skills in order to navigate their way safely online in a post-truth world .
That was the warning at the launch of a range of new resources for schools aimed at marking Safer Internet Day .
Ciara O ’ Donnell , national director of the Professional Development Service for Teachers , said digital media is rapidly changing and continues to provide new opportunities for young people to engage , connect , create and learn .
But she said it was vital for young people to develop digital skills and an understanding of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re living in a post-truth climate where quantity is often prized over quantity , ” she said .
“ Content that reads right or sounds right gets accepted as truth.
” Ms O ’ Donnell said the key to tackling this lay in empowering young people to navigate their way through this maze rather than trying to shield them from it .
Webwise , which is part of the PDST , has launched a free educational resource on Tuesday - Connected - designed for Junior Cycle students to mark Safer Internet Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas of digital media literacy and also aims to highlight the importance of digital wellbeing , including resilience and respect in the digital world .
Copies are being sent to all secondary schools and it also available to download online ( www.webwise.ie/connected ) .
Ms O ’ Donnell said Connected will give students an appreciation of the role of digital technologies in their day-to-day lives , as well as helping them to develop key digital media literacy skills to responsibly navigate the online environment.
” An alliance of children ’ s groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the need for online safety for young people to remain a high priority in the next programme for government .
They want the establishment of a new digital safety commissioner as well as a comprehensive digital literacy programme for schools and youth work settings .
The groups have also urged that the Garda be effectively resourced to investigate crimes involving images of child sex abuse .
The groups in the alliance included Barnardos , Children ’ s Rights Alliance , CyberSafeIreland , Dublin Rape Crisis Centre , One in Four , the ISPCC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive of Barnardos , said there is increasingly no difference between the offline and the online world for young people .
“ The next government need to recognise the importance of prevention and early intervention in this context , and the need to empower children and parents through education - it is the key way to helping children be smart and safe , as well as resilient online , ” she said .

Ciara O’Donnell, national director of the Professional Development Service for Teachers, at an event to mark Safer Internet Day. Also pictured are students Ciarán Mulvey, Ava Murphy, Fiona Clune, Ellen Murphy and Ben Farrelly. Photograph: Andres Poveda
Young people need to develop digital literacy skills in order to navigate their way safely online in a post-truth world.
That was the warning at the launch of a range of new resources for schools aimed at marking Safer Internet Day.
Ciara O’Donnell, national director of the Professional Development Service for Teachers, said digital media is rapidly changing and continues to provide new opportunities for young people to engage, connect, create and learn.
But she said it was vital for young people to develop digital skills and an understanding of how these new technologies work.
READ MORE
“We’re living in a post-truth climate where quantity is often prized over quantity,” she said. “Content that reads right or sounds right gets accepted as truth.”
Ms O’Donnell said the key to tackling this lay in empowering young people to navigate their way through this maze rather than trying to shield them from it.
Webwise, which is part of the PDST, has launched a free educational resource on Tuesday - Connected - designed for Junior Cycle students to mark Safer Internet Day.
Wellbeing
The resource introduces students to key areas of digital media literacy and also aims to highlight the importance of digital wellbeing, including resilience and respect in the digital world.
Copies are being sent to all secondary schools and it also available to download online (www.webwise.ie/connected).
Ms O’Donnell said Connected will give students an appreciation of the role of digital technologies in their day-to-day lives, as well as helping them to develop key digital media literacy skills to responsibly navigate the online environment.”
An alliance of children’s groups, meanwhile, have joining forces to highlight the need for online safety for young people to remain a high priority in the next programme for government.
Safety
They want the establishment of a new digital safety commissioner as well as a comprehensive digital literacy programme for schools and youth work settings.
The groups have also urged that the Garda be effectively resourced to investigate crimes involving images of child sex abuse.
The groups in the alliance included Barnardos, Children's Rights Alliance, CyberSafeIreland, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, One in Four, the ISPCC and SpunOut.ie.
Suzanne Connolly, chief executive of Barnardos, said there is increasingly no difference between the offline and the online world for young people.
“The next government need to recognise the importance of prevention and early intervention in this context, and the need to empower children and parents through education - it is the key way to helping children be smart and safe, as well as resilient online,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-02-11--Man who killed garda seeks to have lifetime driving ban lifted

A man who was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of a garda in Co Donegal is seeking to have his his lifetime driving ban lifted .
Jamie McGrenaghan ( 28 ) appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court on Tuesday seeking the restoration of his driving license .
He knocked down Garda Robbie McCallion at Tara Court in Letterkenny on March 26th , 2009 .
Garda McCallion died two weeks later in hospital from his injuries .
Mr McGrenaghan pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Garda McCallion and was jailed for seven years on February 11th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was released on December 23rd , 2014 .
Mr McGrenaghan , who is working as a plasterer in Dublin , told the court that he has failed to get a number of jobs because he does not have a driving license .
Mr Peter Nolan , barrister for Mr McGrenaghan , told the court his client lived in a remote area in Fanad with his mother and returned from Dublin each weekend to spend time with her .
The court was told that there is very little public transport in the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lift to Bridgend on the Donegal/Derry border to be driven to Dublin each Monday morning for work .
Mr McGrenaghan told the court he was deeply sorry for what had happened to Garda McCallion , whose parents were present in court .
“ It was a terrible mistake that day and I have lived with it all my life and I ’ m very sorry for what I done.
” He said he was “ very sorry for the harm and devastation ” he caused to the McCallion family , members of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said his client had not come to the attention of gardaí since being released from prison in 2014 .
Judge John Aylmer said he was unsure if he had jurisdiction to hear the case .
After some legal debate , Mr Nolan told the court he was withdrawing his application .
Judge Aylmer granted legal aid for an application to be made to the Court of Criminal Appeal to appeal the original sentence .

A man who was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of a garda in Co Donegal is seeking to have his his lifetime driving ban lifted.
A man who was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of a garda in Co Donegal is seeking to have his his lifetime driving ban lifted.
Jamie McGrenaghan (28) appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court on Tuesday seeking the restoration of his driving license. He knocked down Garda Robbie McCallion at Tara Court in Letterkenny on March 26th, 2009. Garda McCallion died two weeks later in hospital from his injuries.
Mr McGrenaghan pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Garda McCallion and was jailed for seven years on February 11th, 2011. He served 4½ years and was released on December 23rd, 2014.
Mr McGrenaghan, who is working as a plasterer in Dublin, told the court that he has failed to get a number of jobs because he does not have a driving license.
READ MORE
Mr Peter Nolan, barrister for Mr McGrenaghan, told the court his client lived in a remote area in Fanad with his mother and returned from Dublin each weekend to spend time with her.
Lift
The court was told that there is very little public transport in the area and that McGrenaghan has to get a lift to Bridgend on the Donegal/Derry border to be driven to Dublin each Monday morning for work.
Mr McGrenaghan told the court he was deeply sorry for what had happened to Garda McCallion, whose parents were present in court.
“It was a terrible mistake that day and I have lived with it all my life and I’m very sorry for what I done.”
He said he was “very sorry for the harm and devastation” he caused to the McCallion family, members of which were present in court.
Mr Nolan said his client had not come to the attention of gardaí since being released from prison in 2014.
Judge John Aylmer said he was unsure if he had jurisdiction to hear the case. After some legal debate, Mr Nolan told the court he was withdrawing his application. Judge Aylmer granted legal aid for an application to be made to the Court of Criminal Appeal to appeal the original sentence.


theirishtimes--2020-02-11--Prince William and Kate Middleton to make first official trip to the Republic

The UK ’ s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are to make their first official visit to the State , Kensington Palace has announced .
Prince William , who is second in line to the throne , and his wife Kate Middleton will travel to the Republic between Tuesday , March 3rd , and Thursday , March 5th .
The trip will take place at the request of the UK foreign office .
The British embassy in Dublin tweeted : “ We look forward to welcoming The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Ireland next month.
” Further details of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due course .
In 2011 , the queen made a historic journey to the Republic .
Amid unprecedented security , she became the first British monarch to travel here in 100 years and the first since the State gained independence from Britain .
She bowed her head in Dublin ’ s Garden of Remembrance to pay tribute to the rebels who rose up against British rule in 1916 , spoke Irish in an address to a State banquet and visited Croke Park , where British forces shot dead 14 spectators at a football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have made five visits to Ireland over the past five years .
William and Kate ’ s trip , which unusually was announced in advance , is likely to be seen as a diplomatic visit in the wake of Brexit .
– PA

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge are set to make their first official trip to Ireland. Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The UK’s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are to make their first official visit to the State, Kensington Palace has announced.
Prince William, who is second in line to the throne, and his wife Kate Middleton will travel to the Republic between Tuesday, March 3rd, and Thursday, March 5th.
The trip will take place at the request of the UK foreign office.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will undertake an official visit to Ireland between Tuesday 3rd March and Thursday 5th March, at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office #RoyalVisitIreland pic.twitter.com/hIE7dZ6wYR — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 11, 2020
The British embassy in Dublin tweeted: "We look forward to welcoming The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Ireland next month."
READ MORE
Further details of the brief tour will be released in due course.
In 2011, the queen made a historic journey to the Republic.
Amid unprecedented security, she became the first British monarch to travel here in 100 years and the first since the State gained independence from Britain.
She bowed her head in Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance to pay tribute to the rebels who rose up against British rule in 1916, spoke Irish in an address to a State banquet and visited Croke Park, where British forces shot dead 14 spectators at a football match in 1920.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have made five visits to Ireland over the past five years.
William and Kate’s trip, which unusually was announced in advance, is likely to be seen as a diplomatic visit in the wake of Brexit. – PA


theirishtimes--2020-02-11--Man ordered to pay €35,000 for dishonestly operating a computer

An IT specialist who tried to get a “ financial bounty ” by falsely claiming he had uncovered vulnerabilities in Eircom ’ s systems has been given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay €35,000 .
Alexander Jones ( 33 ) , formerly of Church Road , Skerries , but now residing in the UK , pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dishonestly operating a computer with the intention of making a gain at Telephone House , Marlborough Street , Dublin , on a date between February 4th , 2014 and April 24th , 2014 .
Det Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecuting , that while working for a company that provided technical support to Eircom , Jones accessed confidential information .
He claimed he had done this through vulnerabilities in the company ’ s system , which allowed him to access the information from his personal laptop using a particular type of software .
He told his employer that a “ bounty ” would usually be paid to someone who uncovered a vulnerability .
Internal and external investigations carried out by Eircom proved that Jones could not have accessed the information using the software @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The total cost of the investigations amounted to €72,000 .
Det Garda Gallagher told the court that Jones had actually copied the data from the internal system onto his personal laptop .
The investigation exposed that Jones had accessed the telephone conversations of customers and insurance claims .
Judge Martin Nolan said it was an “ unusual crime ” .
“ He attempted to create a problem where there was no problem , then he purported to solve the problem that he had manifested himself.
” The judge said this had created “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Judge Nolan said Jones was a man of “ considerable talent ” but that “ he certainly ill-used it ” .
He handed down a suspended sentence of three years on the condition that Jones pay €15,000 to his injured parties within the month and a further €20,000 in a year ’ s time .
Jones , whose partner and baby were in court , cried as the sentence was handed down .
Det Garda Gallagher said Jones had no previous convictions before pleading guilty to similar offences this week before Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior to the more recent offences , Jones had generated unauthorised Xbox discount codes valued at €410,000 and sold some of these online .
While €48,000 worth of the codes were used , Microsoft suffered no financial loss as they became aware of the situation and cancelled all of the unauthorised codes .

Alexander Jones (33), formerly of Church Road, Skerries, but now residing in the UK, pleaded guilty to dishonestly operating a computer with the intention of making a gain. Photograph: Collins Courts.
An IT specialist who tried to get a “financial bounty” by falsely claiming he had uncovered vulnerabilities in Eircom’s systems has been given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay €35,000.
Alexander Jones (33), formerly of Church Road, Skerries, but now residing in the UK, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dishonestly operating a computer with the intention of making a gain at Telephone House, Marlborough Street, Dublin, on a date between February 4th, 2014 and April 24th, 2014.
Det Garda Colm Gallagher told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that while working for a company that provided technical support to Eircom, Jones accessed confidential information.
He claimed he had done this through vulnerabilities in the company’s system, which allowed him to access the information from his personal laptop using a particular type of software. He told his employer that a “bounty” would usually be paid to someone who uncovered a vulnerability.
READ MORE
Internal and external investigations carried out by Eircom proved that Jones could not have accessed the information using the software he had claimed to have used. The total cost of the investigations amounted to €72,000.
Copied
Det Garda Gallagher told the court that Jones had actually copied the data from the internal system onto his personal laptop. The investigation exposed that Jones had accessed the telephone conversations of customers and insurance claims.
Judge Martin Nolan said it was an “unusual crime”.
“He attempted to create a problem where there was no problem, then he purported to solve the problem that he had manifested himself.”
The judge said this had created “worry and consternation” for the company.
Judge Nolan said Jones was a man of “considerable talent” but that “he certainly ill-used it”.
He handed down a suspended sentence of three years on the condition that Jones pay €15,000 to his injured parties within the month and a further €20,000 in a year’s time.
Jones, whose partner and baby were in court, cried as the sentence was handed down.
Det Garda Gallagher said Jones had no previous convictions before pleading guilty to similar offences this week before Dublin District Court. He said that, prior to the more recent offences, Jones had generated unauthorised Xbox discount codes valued at €410,000 and sold some of these online.
While €48,000 worth of the codes were used, Microsoft suffered no financial loss as they became aware of the situation and cancelled all of the unauthorised codes.


theirishtimes--2020-02-11--First same-sex marriage takes place in Northern Ireland

“ We are living the dream , ” said Sharni Edwards after she and her partner , Robyn Peoples made history by becoming the first same sex couple to be married in Northern Ireland .
After the short marriage ceremony in the Loughshore Hotel in Carrickfergus , Co Antrim on Tuesday afternoon the couple , both in long white dresses , said they would henceforth be known as “ Mrs and Mrs Edwards-Peoples ” .
Their wedding took place on the sixth anniversary of when they first met at the gay Kremlin pub in central Belfast .
It was something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first couple to declare their marriage vows in the North as when they got engaged their plan was for a civil partnership ceremony because at that stage same-sex marriage was banned in Northern Ireland .
But since then Westminster introduced legislation to allow such marriages with the result that Sharni Edwards , a 27-year-old waitress from Brighton in England and Robyn Peoples , a 26-year-old care worker from Belfast , made that latest bit of history in a changing Northern Ireland .
It was a solemn and happy occasion for the couple .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ posing for photographs from a battery of photographers in the hotel after their wedding .
They held hands , and raised champagne glasses , and kissed for the snappers , and didn ’ t even complain when some of photographers , searching for the perfect shot , rather rudely instructed , “ go again girls ” .
‘ Love is just the same ’ Ms Peoples said their marriage which was attended by about 50 family and friends demonstrated that they were “ equal to a man and a woman ” .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s no different .
Sometimes people might try to say it ’ s not .
Our love is the exact same , and this means everything to us , ” she added .
“ This is my wife , I can finally say she is my wife and we have actually had our marriage , ” said Ms Peoples .
Ms Edwards said they “ could not be more grateful ” that the law was changed and that rather than a civil partnership they could marry .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she added .
Ms Edwards said it meant the “ absolute world ” that they were being seen as champions of the LGBT community in Northern Ireland .
On a number of occasions the Northern Assembly voted by narrow majority votes against same sex marriage .
Five years ago , and for the first time , a proposed change to the legislation was passed by just one vote , but the DUP used its blocking veto to prevent the new law coming into effect .
Asked why it took so long to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our politicians .
It ’ s been a religious battle between them , and not really very human .So they sort of battled between each other and it took Westminster to push it forward and here we are , it ’ s happened.
” They both thanked the different lobby groups such as Amnesty and the Love Equality group who had campaigned for the legalisation of same sex marriage .
Said Ms Edwards , “ If it wasn ’ t for them guys we wouldn ’ t be sat here right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to everyone ... everyone who has marched and signed petitions , everyone who has helped us get to this stage , we just want to say thank you.
” Sara Canning , whose partner Lyra McKee was murdered by the New IRA in Derry last April , in congratulating the couple said , “ What a wonderful moment in our history .
This really means so much and has brought me some much-needed light in what has been a dark year.
” She said Ms McKee would have “ been so overjoyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Of course , this historic moment is a little bittersweet .
It had been our dream too .
Lyra and I should have been an engaged couple now , planning our own wedding day .
“ But I am so happy for Robyn and Sharni , the first couple to marry under the new law .
We ’ ve been in touch in recent days and I ’ m delighted for them and for all the other couples who will follow.
” Patrick Corrigan , Northern Ireland director of Amnesty International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landmark moment for equality in Northern Ireland ” .
“ In winning this campaign , we haven ’ t just changed the law , we ’ ve changed Northern Ireland for the better , ” he said .
The couple are to honeymoon in Cyprus .

Robyn Peoples (L) and Sharni Edwards kiss after they became Northern Ireland’s first legally married same-sex couple, in Carrickfergus. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
"We are living the dream," said Sharni Edwards after she and her partner, Robyn Peoples made history by becoming the first same sex couple to be married in Northern Ireland.
After the short marriage ceremony in the Loughshore Hotel in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim on Tuesday afternoon the couple, both in long white dresses, said they would henceforth be known as "Mrs and Mrs Edwards-Peoples".
Their wedding took place on the sixth anniversary of when they first met at the gay Kremlin pub in central Belfast.
It was something of an accident that they were the first couple to declare their marriage vows in the North as when they got engaged their plan was for a civil partnership ceremony because at that stage same-sex marriage was banned in Northern Ireland.
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But since then Westminster introduced legislation to allow such marriages with the result that Sharni Edwards, a 27-year-old waitress from Brighton in England and Robyn Peoples, a 26-year-old care worker from Belfast, made that latest bit of history in a changing Northern Ireland.
It was a solemn and happy occasion for the couple. They even managed to remain composed when posing for photographs from a battery of photographers in the hotel after their wedding.
They held hands, and raised champagne glasses, and kissed for the snappers, and didn’t even complain when some of photographers, searching for the perfect shot, rather rudely instructed, “go again girls”.
‘Love is just the same’
Ms Peoples said their marriage which was attended by about 50 family and friends demonstrated that they were “equal to a man and a woman”.
“Our love is just the same, it’s no different. Sometimes people might try to say it’s not. Our love is the exact same, and this means everything to us,” she added.
“This is my wife, I can finally say she is my wife and we have actually had our marriage,” said Ms Peoples.
Ms Edwards said they “could not be more grateful” that the law was changed and that rather than a civil partnership they could marry. “It’s amazing…it’s completely surreal,” she added.
Ms Edwards said it meant the “absolute world” that they were being seen as champions of the LGBT community in Northern Ireland.
On a number of occasions the Northern Assembly voted by narrow majority votes against same sex marriage. Five years ago, and for the first time, a proposed change to the legislation was passed by just one vote, but the DUP used its blocking veto to prevent the new law coming into effect.
Asked why it took so long to be able to marry Ms Peoples said, “Our politicians. It’s been a religious battle between them, and not really very human .So they sort of battled between each other and it took Westminster to push it forward and here we are, it’s happened.”
‘Landmark moment’
They both thanked the different lobby groups such as Amnesty and the Love Equality group who had campaigned for the legalisation of same sex marriage.
Said Ms Edwards, “If it wasn’t for them guys we wouldn’t be sat here right now, we just want to say thank you to everyone... everyone who has marched and signed petitions, everyone who has helped us get to this stage, we just want to say thank you.”
Sara Canning, whose partner Lyra McKee was murdered by the New IRA in Derry last April, in congratulating the couple said, "What a wonderful moment in our history. This really means so much and has brought me some much-needed light in what has been a dark year."
She said Ms McKee would have “been so overjoyed to see this day” while adding, “Of course, this historic moment is a little bittersweet. It had been our dream too. Lyra and I should have been an engaged couple now, planning our own wedding day.
“But I am so happy for Robyn and Sharni, the first couple to marry under the new law. We’ve been in touch in recent days and I’m delighted for them and for all the other couples who will follow.”
Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland director of Amnesty International, said the wedding was a "landmark moment for equality in Northern Ireland".
“In winning this campaign, we haven’t just changed the law, we’ve changed Northern Ireland for the better,” he said.
The couple are to honeymoon in Cyprus.


theirishtimes--2020-02-11--Ex-Sinn Féin councillor settles action over alleged collusion

A former Sinn Féin councillor and his wife are to receive an undisclosed six-figure sum to settle legal actions over alleged security force collusion in repeated loyalist assassination attempts .
Joe O ’ Donnell , who served as deputy lord mayor of Belfast , claimed police officers and soldiers failed to warn him after a British agent targeted him for gun attacks on his home .
His wife , Jacqueline , also sued the PSNI and Ministry of Defence for alleged negligence in a series of suspected paramilitary murder attempts between 1987 and 1989 .
Both actions were stayed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no admission of liability by either defendant .
A lawyer for Mr and Mrs O ’ Donnell confirmed the total settlement of the two actions would see them receive a combined six-figure sum .
The couple ’ s lawsuits were based on the 2012 findings of a government-ordered review by Sir Desmond de Silva into state collusion with loyalist terrorists .
Central to the case was the clandestine role played by Brian Nelson , a UDA man said to have been recruited by British intelligence .
Nelson ’ s handlers in the Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his role in selecting Mr O ’ Donnell and other Sinn Féin representatives as potential victims , it was alleged .
It was claimed that neither warnings nor other preventative steps were taken to protect him .
Mr O ’ Donnell ’ s home in the Short Strand district was repeatedly attacked , with shots being fired in through windows of the property , according to legal papers .
One of his children was showered by glass in one of the loyalist gun attacks .
Some of the incidents were described as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the resolution of the actions “ brings closure for my family and I after a difficult period of more than 30 years ” .
“ It ’ s been a very stressful time for us , but there ’ s also mixed emotions because there are many other people who weren ’ t fortunate enough to survive attacks of this kind.
” Mr O ’ Donnell ’ s solicitor , Setanta Marley of KRW Law , said the settlements were among the first in actions based on Sir Desmond ’ s review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nelson .

A former Sinn Féin councillor and his wife are to receive an undisclosed six-figure sum to settle legal actions over alleged security force collusion in repeated loyalist assassination attempts.
A former Sinn Féin councillor and his wife are to receive an undisclosed six-figure sum to settle legal actions over alleged security force collusion in repeated loyalist assassination attempts.
Joe O’Donnell, who served as deputy lord mayor of Belfast, claimed police officers and soldiers failed to warn him after a British agent targeted him for gun attacks on his home.
His wife, Jacqueline, also sued the PSNI and Ministry of Defence for alleged negligence in a series of suspected paramilitary murder attempts between 1987 and 1989.
Both actions were stayed at the High Court on Tuesday, with no admission of liability by either defendant. A lawyer for Mr and Mrs O’Donnell confirmed the total settlement of the two actions would see them receive a combined six-figure sum.
READ MORE
The couple’s lawsuits were based on the 2012 findings of a government-ordered review by Sir Desmond de Silva into state collusion with loyalist terrorists.
Clandestine
Central to the case was the clandestine role played by Brian Nelson, a UDA man said to have been recruited by British intelligence. Nelson’s handlers in the Force Research Unit (FRU) were aware of his role in selecting Mr O’Donnell and other Sinn Féin representatives as potential victims, it was alleged.
It was claimed that neither warnings nor other preventative steps were taken to protect him.
Mr O’Donnell’s home in the Short Strand district was repeatedly attacked, with shots being fired in through windows of the property, according to legal papers. One of his children was showered by glass in one of the loyalist gun attacks. Some of the incidents were described as drive-by shootings.
Mr O’Donnell said the resolution of the actions “brings closure for my family and I after a difficult period of more than 30 years”.
“It’s been a very stressful time for us, but there’s also mixed emotions because there are many other people who weren’t fortunate enough to survive attacks of this kind.”
Mr O’Donnell’s solicitor, Setanta Marley of KRW Law, said the settlements were among the first in actions based on Sir Desmond’s review of alleged collusion and the role of Nelson.


theirishtimes--2020-02-11--Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O’Neill targeted by dissident plot

Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O ’ Neill has said she will not be deterred after learning of a dissident plot against her .
The Deputy First Minister said she had been told by the PSNI that they have received intelligence of a plan by dissidents to attack both her and Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly .
It comes one week after Ms O ’ Neill and Mr Kelly attended a PSNI recruitment event , a move which chief constable Simon Byrne hailed as “ seismic and historic ” .
It was the first time such a senior Sinn Féin figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the PSNI and came amid concern that progress to address underrepresentation of Catholic officers in the organisation has stalled and is starting to go in a backward direction .
First Minister Arlene Foster condemned the threats against Ms O ’ Neill and Mr Kelly , saying there is “ no place for threats or violence ” .
Speaking at Parliament Buildings in Belfast , Ms O ’ Neill said that she and Mr Kelly are taking precautions as a consequence , and vowed to protect their families .
“ I have been told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that dissident republicans are planning an attack against myself and Gerry Kelly , ” Ms O ’ Neill said .
“ We have families , I have two children , I have a mother who will be very worried ; Gerry has family who will also be very worried , so we have to protect our families .
“ But we have a job to do , we are elected , we have a mandate , we want to bring about change .
We are trying to build a better society and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not have a strategy to move forward in terms of the Irish republican project.
” Police told them about the threat on Tuesday .
It comes after a weekend of significant gains for Sinn Féin in the Irish general election .
“ We are also aware this comes on the back of both myself and Gerry attending the PSNI recruitment fair last week , ” Ms O ’ Neill said .
“ So let me be very clear , dissident republicans have no strategy , they have no plan , they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think this intelligence comes at a time when we have never been closer to Irish unity .
“ I will not be deterred .
Gerry Kelly will not be deterred .
Sinn Féin will not be deterred from trying to build a better society.
” In a statement Ms Foster said : “ We live in a democracy .
The ballot box is how we effect change , not through the bomb or bullet .
“ Whether in 1970 , 1980 , 1990 or 2020 , violence from every hue must be condemned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or violence.
” SDLP leader Colum Eastwood condemned the threats against Ms O ’ Neill and Mr Kelly as “ an attack not just on one party but on the peace we ’ ve all fought for ” .
“ Those behind it are setting themselves against the Irish people and they will never win .
My thoughts are with Michelle , Gerry and their families today , ” he posted on Twitter .
– PA

Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O’Neill has said she will not be deterred after learning of a dissident plot against her.
The Deputy First Minister said she had been told by the PSNI that they have received intelligence of a plan by dissidents to attack both her and Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly.
It comes one week after Ms O'Neill and Mr Kelly attended a PSNI recruitment event, a move which chief constable Simon Byrne hailed as "seismic and historic".
It was the first time such a senior Sinn Féin figure had attended a recruitment campaign launch for the PSNI and came amid concern that progress to address underrepresentation of Catholic officers in the organisation has stalled and is starting to go in a backward direction.
READ MORE
First Minister Arlene Foster condemned the threats against Ms O'Neill and Mr Kelly, saying there is "no place for threats or violence".
Speaking at Parliament Buildings in Belfast, Ms O'Neill said that she and Mr Kelly are taking precautions as a consequence, and vowed to protect their families.
“I have been told by the PSNI that they have intelligence that dissident republicans are planning an attack against myself and Gerry Kelly,” Ms O’Neill said.
“We have families, I have two children, I have a mother who will be very worried; Gerry has family who will also be very worried, so we have to protect our families.
“But we have a job to do, we are elected, we have a mandate, we want to bring about change. We are trying to build a better society and we will not be deterred by people who do not have a strategy to move forward in terms of the Irish republican project.”
Significant gains
Police told them about the threat on Tuesday.
It comes after a weekend of significant gains for Sinn Féin in the Irish general election.
“We are also aware this comes on the back of both myself and Gerry attending the PSNI recruitment fair last week,” Ms O’Neill said.
“So let me be very clear, dissident republicans have no strategy, they have no plan, they have no progress towards Irish unity and I think this intelligence comes at a time when we have never been closer to Irish unity.
“I will not be deterred. Gerry Kelly will not be deterred. Sinn Féin will not be deterred from trying to build a better society.”
In a statement Ms Foster said: “We live in a democracy. The ballot box is how we effect change, not through the bomb or bullet.
“Whether in 1970, 1980, 1990 or 2020, violence from every hue must be condemned. There is no place for threats or violence.”
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood condemned the threats against Ms O'Neill and Mr Kelly as "an attack not just on one party but on the peace we've all fought for".
“Those behind it are setting themselves against the Irish people and they will never win. My thoughts are with Michelle, Gerry and their families today,” he posted on Twitter. – PA


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Three of the four arrested over death of Lyra McKee released

Three of the four men arrested over the death of journalist Lyra McKee have been released .
The men , who were aged 20 , 27 , 29 , and 52 , were detained in Derry on Tuesday morning .
Ms McKee was shot dead by the New IRA as she watched a riot in the Creggan area of Derry in April .
The 20-year-old and the 27-year-old have been released pending a report to the North ’ s Public Prosecution Service .
The 29-year-old has been released without charge .
PSNI Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy renewed a public appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the young journalist .
“ I have always believed that some people within the community know what happened and who was involved .
I understand that people may be frightened to talk to us .
I have previously given my personal assurance relating to anonymity for the purpose of this investigation and I renew this assurance today , as we approach the anniversary of Lyra ’ s murder , ” he said .
“ We saw widescale revulsion after Lyra was murdered and I remain determined to work with the community and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tangible evidence to bring those who murdered Lyra to justice , ” he said .
Det Supt Murphy appealed for mobile phone footage taken the night of the killing not previously shared with police to be passed on to the PSNI .
The four latest arrests come shortly after the family of Ms McKee complained to the Northern Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson about how the PSNI carried out a police search operation in Derry in advance of her killing .
During the search serious rioting broke out , and questions were raised at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wise to mount a search operation in Creggan at night .
Police were searching for guns and possible explosives in advance of Easter commemorations by dissident republicans in the city .
Last week the PSNI said the search was necessary for operational reasons aimed at targeting dissident republicans , in this case the New IRA who killed Ms McKee .

Detectives from the PSNI's major investigation team have charged a 52-year- old man with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee, who was shot dead by the New IRA in the Creggan in Derry in April last year.
The writer (29) was observing rioting from behind police lines in the Creggan when she was killed by a shot fired by a dissident republican gunman.
The man was one of four men arrested on Tuesday in Derry in connection with the murder. Three other men aged 20, 28 and 29 were released after questioning but on Wednesday evening police announced they had charged the 52-year-old man with murder.
Man charged with murder of Lyra McKee pic.twitter.com/zgMVdFa2sr — Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) February 12, 2020
Police said the suspect was from Derry. He is also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation.
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He will appear at Derry Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Det Supt Jason Murphy said, "I have always said a number of individuals were involved with the gunman on the night Lyra was killed, and while today is significant for the investigation the quest for the evidence to bring the gunman to justice remains active and ongoing."
Mr Murphy had earlier renewed a public appeal for any information connected to the murder of the young journalist.
“I have always believed that some people within the community know what happened and who was involved. I understand that people may be frightened to talk to us. I have previously given my personal assurance relating to anonymity for the purpose of this investigation and I renew this assurance today, as we approach the anniversary of Lyra’s murder,” he said.
“We saw widescale revulsion after Lyra was murdered and I remain determined to work with the community and local policing to convert that revulsion into tangible evidence to bring those who murdered Lyra to justice,” he added.
Det Supt Murphy appealed for mobile phone footage taken the night of the killing not previously shared with police to be passed on to the PSNI.


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Drivers urged to be careful with many roads covered in ice

Drivers have been urged to exercise caution due to icy conditions on many roads around the country following overnight temperatures .
A Met Éireann status yellow ice and snow warning had been in place since Monday but it was lifted at 10am .
However , many parts of the country are still experiencing icy conditions and wintery showers .
The lowest temperature overnight was -1.2 degrees in Moorepark , Co Cork .
For the main , temperatures hovered around freezing .
Icy conditions have been reported in parts of counties Cavan , Kilkenny , Longford , Offaly , Westmeath , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while snow showers are causing wet and slippery conditions in counties Wicklow , Laois , Kildare and Donegal .
AA Roadwatch has urged drivers to remember that road conditions “ can change quite quickly ” in hail or snowfall .
“ In any affected areas , it will take much longer to stop a vehicle , so slow down and avoid any harsh acceleration or braking , ” it said .
In Wicklow , both routes through the Sally Gap – the Old Military Road ( R115 ) and the Roundwood/Manor Kilbride @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain closed until further notice .
In Kerry , the Loo Bridge/Kenmare Road ( R569 ) is closed until further notice just off the N22 due to storm damage .
Drivers are urged to use alternative routes to and from Kenmare and Kilgarvan .
Gardaí in Athy , Co Kildare , have reported “ very slippery conditions ” with patches of black ice on a number of routes but especially the Carlow/Athy Road ( R417 ) and the Athy/Kilcullen Road ( R418 ) at Fontstown .
Road conditions have also been described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Athlone area .
Very icy conditions have been reported on M7 between J26 Nenagh West and J27 Birdhill in Co Tipperary , as well as further east between J23 Moneygall and the M8 junction .
It is also said to be icy on the Nenagh/Thurles Road ( R498 ) .
Gardaí are advising “ extreme caution ” around Portlaoise due to icy conditions , especially on approach to roundabouts .
They are dealing with two collisions on the N77 between Portlaoise and Abbeyleix near the turn-off for Clonad GAA Club .
Met Éireann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ go downhill ” but not until later on Wednesday .
“ A low pressure system that is going to move up from the mid-Atlantic is going to steer in , ” she said .
“ Some rain will probably really reach the southwest of Ireland in the afternoon .
“ During the evening hours , after dark , we ’ re going to see some wet and windy weather moving up countrywide .
There will be widespread falls of rain through the early part of tonight .
“ There will be come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midlands and Ulster .
There will definitely be some snowfall and widespread falls of sleet at the very minimum .
“ There may be a requirement for a snow and ice warning tonight but it will probably be confined to Ulster.
” Ms Ryan said there would be a “ gradual deterioration ” from Friday ahead of the expected arrival of Storm Dennis over the weekend .
That will bring “ high volumes of rain ” , she said , as well as a “ sustained spell of high winds ” for 48 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be “ very windy , very wet and possibly stormy ” , Ms Ryan said .

Three separate weather warnings have been issued by Met Éireann.
A status yellow weather warning for snow and ice for Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Dublin, Louth and Wicklow comes into effect at 8pm on Wednesday and remains in place until 10am on Thursday.
The forecaster said it would be “icy in parts tonight with wintry outbreaks”, and that there would be “some snow accumulations possible before morning, mainly across the north and on higher ground elsewhere”.
A status yellow wind warning has also been issued for Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry and Waterford which is valid from 6pm on Wednesday until 2am on Thursday. Gusts of up to 100 km/hr, mainly in coastal areas and on high ground, are forecast.
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In addition a status yellow wind warning for Dublin and Louth has been issued and this is valid from 11pm on Wednesday until 3am on Thursday.
Met Éireann meteorologist Siobhan Ryan said weather conditions would "go downhill" later on Wednesday.
“A low pressure system that is going to move up from the mid-Atlantic is going to steer in,” she said. “During the evening hours, after dark, we’re going to see some wet and windy weather moving up countrywide. There will be widespread falls of rain through the early part of tonight.
“There will be come wintery precipitation mainly up over the north midlands and Ulster. There will definitely be some snowfall and widespread falls of sleet at the very minimum.
“There may be a requirement for a snow and ice warning tonight but it will probably be confined to Ulster.”
Ms Ryan said there would be a “gradual deterioration” from Friday ahead of the expected arrival of Storm Dennis over the weekend.
That will bring “high volumes of rain”, she said, as well as a “sustained spell of high winds” for 48 hours straight over the weekend. It will be “very windy, very wet and possibly stormy”, Ms Ryan said.


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Most Irish maternity units operating in substandard physical environments - Hiqa

Fifteen of the State ’ s 19 maternity units are operating in substandard physical environments , according to a report by the State ’ s health watchdog .
Only the maternity units in Cork , Cavan , Drogheda and Wexford are found to be substantially compliant with standards on physical infrastructure , with the remaining 14 units – including the three big Dublin maternity hospitals – judged to be in need of significant upgrading and refurbishment .
Major shortcomings in maternity services are identified in the monitoring report published by the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ units , along with inadequate medical and midwifery staffing levels are both highlighted in the report .
A low uptake by staff of training in specialist areas , and the lack of maternity networks within hospital groups , are also identified as shortfalls that need to be addressed .
Two maternity units – University Hospital Kerry and St Luke ’ s , Kilkenny – were identified as having particularly high levels of non-compliance with standards .
Among the problems identified were leadership and government issues , as well as arrangements around staffing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues were being addressed when Hiqa carried out follow-up audits .
Despite a long-standing promise that foetal ultrasounds would be provided at every maternity unit , these scans remained unavailable at five locations as the report was being compiled .
Up to 20 per cent of consultant posts in many medical specialties remain unfilled and many smaller maternity units are heavily reliant on junior doctors to provide 24/7 services , according to the report .
Overall , Hiqa reported high levels of compliance with its national standards .
Most maternity units , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identify women at higher risk of complications and to transfer them as appropriate .
And all units had emergency arrangements in place , with response teams available 24/7 .
Hiqa expresses particular concern about the implementation of the national maternity strategy , which was launched in 2016 .
This was the subject of recent controversy when patient advocate Mark Molloy resigned from the HSE board over the Government ’ s failure to adhere to funding promises for the strategy .
While some progress has been made , Hiqa is concerned about the funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy , according to the report .
“ Hiqa believes that a comprehensive , time-bound and fully costed implementation plan for the strategy is vital to both the strategy ’ s success and safer maternity services between now and 2026.
” And while a national women and infants health programme was set up in 2017 to oversee implementation of the strategy , it was unable to unable to clearly describe to Hiqa its role and function within the HSE , according to the report .
A lack of clarity around the programme ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk ” to the implementation of the strategy , it was found .

The Government has been urged to fully fund the national maternity strategy after a report showed only 11 per cent of the money originally promised has been provided.
Fifteen of the State’s 19 maternity units are operating in substandard physical environments, the report by the State’s health watchdog also found.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) said it was told by the HSE it would cost €75 million to fund the 10-year strategy, which was launched by Leo Varadkar in 2016. However, just € 8.5 million was provided in the first three years.
Róisín Molloy, whose newborn son Mark died in 2012 as a result of failings in Portlaoise hospital, said babies would continue to die unless a new government properly funds the strategy.
READ MORE
She pointed to a finding in the report that many maternity unit staff were not being trained in the use and interpretation of baby heart monitoring equipment. Where babies are injured at birth, an alleged failure to interpret this data is a “constant theme” in subsequent litigation, she pointed out, and was a major contributor to the rising cost of obstetric claims for the State.
Mr Varadkar, when Minister for Health, had promised ringfenced funding for the strategy, which never materialised, she said. Further, the HSE last year allocated just €1 million for it, instead of the €8 million required, “when it knew this report was saying the strategy had to be fully funded”.
The report states: “Hiqa believes that a comprehensive, time-bound and fully costed implementation plan for the strategy is vital to both the strategy’s success and safer maternity services between now and 2026.”
The National Women’s Council of Ireland called on all newly elected politicians to make fully funding the strategy a “red line issue” in programme for government negotiations.
Additional funding
Responding to the report, the Department of Health said “additional development funding” of €1.5 million has been allocated for the strategy in 2020, which will be used to further roll-out a new model of care. It said it would engage with the HSE to ensure a plan is developed to implement the recommendations.
Only the maternity units in Cork, Cavan, Drogheda and Wexford are found to be substantially compliant with standards on physical infrastructure, with the remaining 14 units - including the three big Dublin maternity hospitals - judged to be in need of significant upgrading and refurbishment, according to the report.
A low uptake by staff of training in specialist areas, and the lack of maternity networks within hospital groups, are identified as shortfalls that need to be addressed.
Two maternity units - University Hospital Kerry and St Luke’s, Kilkenny - are identified as having particularly high levels of non-compliance with standards. Among the problems identified are leadership and government issues, as well as arrangements around staffing, training and audit. Many of these issues were being addressed when Hiqa carried out follow-up audits.
Despite a long-standing promise that foetal ultrasounds would be provided at every maternity unit, these scans remained unavailable at five locations as the report was being compiled.
Up to 20 per cent of consultant posts in many medical specialties remain unfilled and many smaller maternity units are heavily reliant on junior doctors to provide 24/7 services, according to the report.
Overall, Hiqa reported high levels of compliance with its national standards. Most maternity units, for example, had arrangements in place to identify women at higher risk of complications and to transfer them as appropriate. And all units had emergency arrangements in place, with response teams available 24/7.


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Trauma care system remains ‘sub-optimal’ despite improvements, says report

Thousands of people suffer major trauma each year as a result of often preventable falls and other incidents at home , according to a new report .
Despite some improvements in ensuring trauma patients get treatment early , in the right place , the system remains “ sub-optimal ” , according to the 2018 Major Trauma Audit report .
It shows 58 per cent of all major trauma is sustained from low falls ( less than 2m ) , and 78 per cent of these happen in the home .
“ When it comes to major trauma , walking in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be more dangerous than walking out of your front door – the majority of injuries are being caused by falls at home , ” says Dr Conor Deasy , clinical lead for the audit .
“ These are often preventable with many of the risks being in our control.
” One in five patients who sustained trauma were brought to one hospital but then transferred to another for ongoing care , often because the required services were not on site .
Although this represents an improvement on the 27 per cent transfer rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that large number of patients are not receiving initial care in the most appropriate setting , resulting in their care being interrupted and longer recovery times .
Only 59 per cent of major trauma patients are discharged directly home following their time in hospital .
Dr Deasy says the findings show the system of trauma care in Ireland is “ sub-optimal ” and an integrated system is needed , as proposed in a Department of Health report published in 2018 .
“ We look forward to the imminent implementation of the recommendations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits that such an integrated system for the management of trauma patients has been shown to produce in other countries in terms of lives saved and disability reduced.
’ ’ Of 273 patients who required a CT brain scan in 2018 , 48 per cent got one within an hour .
This represents a seven percentage point improvement on 2017 .
The report , to be published by the National Office of Clinical Audit on Wednesday , is based on data from 5,429 patients across 26 trauma receiving hospitals , or 88 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .
The audit shows almost half of major trauma occurs in over 65-year-olds .
Such older patients have more complex needs but do not receive the same level of response as younger patients with the same severity of injury and have considerably worse outcomes .
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland ( RCSI ) has called on the next government to ensure the appropriate resourcing of trauma care across the country .
“ Complex time-critical care for trauma patients simply can not be provided in small , isolated units , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The best outcomes in trauma cases are achieved when patients receive the right treatment in the right place by experienced trauma teams as rapidly as possible .
The current lack of resources and fragmentation of trauma care in Ireland is limiting what we know to be the application of best practice in trauma management .
”

Of 273 patients who required a CT brain scan in 2018, 48 per cent got one within an hour. Photograph: iStock
Thousands of people suffer major trauma each year as a result of often preventable falls and other incidents at home, according to a new report.
Despite some improvements in ensuring trauma patients get treatment early, in the right place, the system remains "sub-optimal", according to the 2018 Major Trauma Audit report.
It shows 58 per cent of all major trauma is sustained from low falls (less than 2m), and 78 per cent of these happen in the home.
"When it comes to major trauma, walking in the front door of your home can be more dangerous than walking out of your front door – the majority of injuries are being caused by falls at home," says Dr Conor Deasy, clinical lead for the audit. "These are often preventable with many of the risks being in our control."
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One in five patients who sustained trauma were brought to one hospital but then transferred to another for ongoing care, often because the required services were not on site.
Recovery times
Although this represents an improvement on the 27 per cent transfer rate recorded in 2017, it still shows that large number of patients are not receiving initial care in the most appropriate setting, resulting in their care being interrupted and longer recovery times.
Only 59 per cent of major trauma patients are discharged directly home following their time in hospital.
Dr Deasy says the findings show the system of trauma care in Ireland is "sub-optimal" and an integrated system is needed, as proposed in a Department of Health report published in 2018.
“We look forward to the imminent implementation of the recommendations of the report and the realisation of the benefits that such an integrated system for the management of trauma patients has been shown to produce in other countries in terms of lives saved and disability reduced.’’
Severity
Of 273 patients who required a CT brain scan in 2018, 48 per cent got one within an hour. This represents a seven percentage point improvement on 2017.
The report, to be published by the National Office of Clinical Audit on Wednesday, is based on data from 5,429 patients across 26 trauma receiving hospitals, or 88 per cent of all major trauma patients in 2018.
The audit shows almost half of major trauma occurs in over 65-year-olds. Such older patients have more complex needs but do not receive the same level of response as younger patients with the same severity of injury and have considerably worse outcomes.
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has called on the next government to ensure the appropriate resourcing of trauma care across the country.
"Complex time-critical care for trauma patients simply cannot be provided in small, isolated units," according to RCSI president Ken Mealy.
“The best outcomes in trauma cases are achieved when patients receive the right treatment in the right place by experienced trauma teams as rapidly as possible. The current lack of resources and fragmentation of trauma care in Ireland is limiting what we know to be the application of best practice in trauma management.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Ireland unwittingly used CIA encryption equipment in 1980s

The Irish government unwittingly purchased and operated encryption equipment from a company secretly owned by the CIA in the 1980s , according to classified documents .
The equipment gave the American intelligence agency , and consequently the British government , access to most encrypted messages sent and received by the Irish government from officials abroad during the sensitive period leading up to the 1985 Anglo-Irish agreement .
According to a detailed report in The Washington Post on Tuesday , citing a classified CIA internal history , Ireland was one of 62 named countries which purchased equipment from Crypto AG , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and West German Intelligence ( BND ) and operated as a joint intelligence-gathering venture .
Security sources confirmed to The Irish Times the government purchased an encryption device and accompanying manuals for more than £900,000 ( €1.07 million ) in the early 80s to allow it to securely communicate with its embassies and officials abroad .
The CIA ’ s knowledge of the inner workings of Crypto AG equipment allowed it to easily intercept and decode diplomatic cables , the documents stated .
They do not detail what intelligence was gathered from Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they state the CIA was happy to share intelligence gathered from other Crypto AG users , such as Argentina , with its British counterparts .
In the Irish case this would have included sensitive information about the government position on Northern Ireland as it attempted to negotiate a greater role in its affairs in mid-1980s .
In line with its standard security policy , the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday refused to comment on the matter , including on when or if the government stopped using the machine .
Many countries stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online encryption methods , although the documents indicate the CIA operation is still live .
Security expert and retired deputy director of Irish Military Intelligence Michael Murphy said the revelations should not come as much of a surprise .
“ Small states like ours , who don ’ t develop their own encryption equipment and have to buy it in , must assume someone else is always listening , ” he said .

The CIA’s knowledge of the inner workings of Crypto AG equipment allowed it to easily intercept and decode diplomatic cables, the classified documents stated. Photograph: Pawel Kopczynski/Reuters
The Irish government unwittingly purchased and operated encryption equipment from a company secretly owned by the CIA in the 1980s, according to classified documents.
The equipment gave the American intelligence agency, and consequently the British government, access to most encrypted messages sent and received by the Irish government from officials abroad during the sensitive period leading up to the 1985 Anglo-Irish agreement.
According to a detailed report in The Washington Post on Tuesday, citing a classified CIA internal history, Ireland was one of 62 named countries which purchased equipment from Crypto AG, a company wholly owned by the CIA and West German Intelligence (BND) and operated as a joint intelligence-gathering venture.
Security sources confirmed to The Irish Times the government purchased an encryption device and accompanying manuals for more than £900,000 (€1.07 million) in the early 80s to allow it to securely communicate with its embassies and officials abroad.
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The CIA’s knowledge of the inner workings of Crypto AG equipment allowed it to easily intercept and decode diplomatic cables, the documents stated.
They do not detail what intelligence was gathered from Ireland or how it was used. However, they state the CIA was happy to share intelligence gathered from other Crypto AG users, such as Argentina, with its British counterparts.
In the Irish case this would have included sensitive information about the government position on Northern Ireland as it attempted to negotiate a greater role in its affairs in mid-1980s.
In line with its standard security policy, the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday refused to comment on the matter, including on when or if the government stopped using the machine.
Many countries stopped using the devices with the arrival of online encryption methods, although the documents indicate the CIA operation is still live.
Security expert and retired deputy director of Irish Military Intelligence Michael Murphy said the revelations should not come as much of a surprise.
“Small states like ours, who don’t develop their own encryption equipment and have to buy it in, must assume someone else is always listening,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Facial recognition used in public services card programme, department says

The Department of Social Protection has confirmed that it carries out biometric processing and uses facial recognition technologies as part of its controversial public services card ( PSC ) programme .
The confirmation prompted concerns among data-protection experts , who said there are questions over the proportionality of creating a database of facial recognition images due to the risks attached .
In a revised version of its privacy statement published on Monday night , the department stated that the biometric processing of photographs would be used to identify cases of welfare fraud .
It said the photographs were processed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other images to detect cases of identity theft or double claiming of benefits .
The previous version of the privacy statement contained no reference to biometric processing .
Carrying out biometric processing is controversial among civil liberties and data-protection advocates .
Fred Logue , a solicitor and data-protection expert , said it was debatable whether the benefit of a minimal reduction in welfare fraud was strong enough to outweigh the risks and intrusion on fundamental rights associated with the creation of a national biometric facial recognition database .
“ The creation of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for which there ’ s no specific legislation and no safeguards in law , is very risky and could well be illegal , ” he said .
“ You have to balance that against the financial benefit , and you have to question whether it ’ s proportional.
” Facial matching technology has been used to detect 220 cases of suspected fraud since 2013 , leading to savings of €4.74 million , according to information provided to the Oireachtas last year .
The extent to which biometric data is captured and processed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a contentious part of the long-running debate on the card .
Previously , outgoing Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said the department did not hold biometric data .
“ We ’ re not holding biometric data .
And I can categorically say that that ’ s true , because the only thing we hold is your photograph , ” she said in a Newstalk interview in 2017 .
In a tweet the same year , Ms Doherty said : “ We do not collect biometric data.
” The department insisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biometric processing of data had not changed .
“ The department has always been clear that , as part of the Safe Registration process , a standard photograph is taken and is used for two purposes .
First , for use as a visual identity on the public service card – this photograph is not biometric .
Second , as part of a separate process , a biometric template is produced from the photograph for the department ’ s own internal use.
” The department also confirmed that it was changing its privacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deficiencies ” identified by the Data Protection Commissioner during its investigation into the PSC , which was completed last year .
However , the department is taking a legal challenge against the findings of that investigation .
It would not comment on whether this challenge was affected by its decision to implement the changes .

The extent to which biometric data is captured and processed as part of the public services card programme has proved to be a contentious part of the long-running debate on the card.
The Department of Social Protection has confirmed that it carries out biometric processing and uses facial recognition technologies as part of its controversial public services card (PSC) programme.
The confirmation prompted concerns among data-protection experts, who said there are questions over the proportionality of creating a database of facial recognition images due to the risks attached.
In a revised version of its privacy statement published on Monday night, the department stated that the biometric processing of photographs would be used to identify cases of welfare fraud. It said the photographs were processed to produce a template that allows comparison with other images to detect cases of identity theft or double claiming of benefits.
The previous version of the privacy statement contained no reference to biometric processing.
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Carrying out biometric processing is controversial among civil liberties and data-protection advocates.
Fred Logue, a solicitor and data-protection expert, said it was debatable whether the benefit of a minimal reduction in welfare fraud was strong enough to outweigh the risks and intrusion on fundamental rights associated with the creation of a national biometric facial recognition database.
A live demonstration uses artificial intelligence and facial recognition at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Experts believe it is already too late to restrict the movement of face data across geographic borders. Photograph: David McNew/AFP/Getty Images
“The creation of a national database of facial recognition images, for which there’s no specific legislation and no safeguards in law, is very risky and could well be illegal,” he said. “You have to balance that against the financial benefit, and you have to question whether it’s proportional.”
Suspected fraud
Facial matching technology has been used to detect 220 cases of suspected fraud since 2013, leading to savings of €4.74 million, according to information provided to the Oireachtas last year.
The extent to which biometric data is captured and processed as part of the PSC programme has proved to be a contentious part of the long-running debate on the card. Previously, outgoing Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said the department did not hold biometric data.
“We’re not holding biometric data. And I can categorically say that that’s true, because the only thing we hold is your photograph,” she said in a Newstalk interview in 2017. In a tweet the same year, Ms Doherty said: “We do not collect biometric data.”
The department insisted last night that its position on the biometric processing of data had not changed.
A woman boarding a SAS flight goes through facial recognition verification system, at Dulles airport in Virginia. Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
“The department has always been clear that, as part of the Safe Registration process, a standard photograph is taken and is used for two purposes. First, for use as a visual identity on the public service card – this photograph is not biometric. Second, as part of a separate process, a biometric template is produced from the photograph for the department’s own internal use.”
The department also confirmed that it was changing its privacy statement in several ways due to “deficiencies” identified by the Data Protection Commissioner during its investigation into the PSC, which was completed last year. However, the department is taking a legal challenge against the findings of that investigation. It would not comment on whether this challenge was affected by its decision to implement the changes.


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Human rights body criticises refusal to give driver permit to woman in direct provision

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission ( IHREC ) has criticised the “ bizarre ” and “ discriminatory ” refusal to issue learner driver permits to people in direct provision and asylum seekers .
Salome Mbugua , a commissioner with IHREC , said the latest case of refusal of a licence showed that the State was making it harder for people to access their right to work and move on with their lives .
She was speaking after the Workplace Relations Commission ( WRC ) found the decision by a State body not to award a drivers licence to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provision centre was discrimination on race grounds .
The woman , whose case was taken to the WRC on race grounds , wanted to learn to drive so she could access better work opportunities and childcare facilities .
She currently commutes from Munster to Dublin to work as a housekeeper in the capital .
“ It [ the refusal ] has contributed to the detriment of her mental health , depression and stress , ” Ms Mbugua said .
“ She is a mother and is trying to provide for her family [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a denial of rights that should not be accepted at all , ” she said .
In a decision published on Tuesday , the WRC ruled that the driving licence agency – which is not explicitly named in the finding – must immediately give the learners permit to the woman , and awarded her € 5,000 in compensation .
It also ordered the agency to “ immediately amend the 2018 guidelines to take account of the revised status of the applicants for International Protection ” .
It comes just three weeks after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a similar case .
In that instance , the WRC ordered the agency to process the application for a learner ’ s permit , and found that he had experienced discrimination on the grounds of race .
The agency is appealing that ruling .
The man involved in that case , who can not be identified under laws protecting asylum seekers , told The Irish Times he had wanted to get the permit because he was delivering food by bicycle , which was difficult and dangerous in bad weather .
“ I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for my life , I don ’ t want to be a burden on the State .
I like to contribute to the Irish community and the economy , and society , ” he said .

Salome Mbugua: “She is a mother and is trying to provide for her family [and] be productive. It’s a denial of rights that should not be accepted at all,” she said. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has criticised the “bizarre” and “discriminatory” refusal to issue learner driver permits to people in direct provision and asylum seekers.
Salome Mbugua, a commissioner with IHREC, said the latest case of refusal of a licence showed that the State was making it harder for people to access their right to work and move on with their lives.
She was speaking after the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found the decision by a State body not to award a drivers licence to a single mother living in a direct provision centre was discrimination on race grounds.
The woman, whose case was taken to the WRC on race grounds, wanted to learn to drive so she could access better work opportunities and childcare facilities. She currently commutes from Munster to Dublin to work as a housekeeper in the capital.
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“It [the refusal] has contributed to the detriment of her mental health, depression and stress,” Ms Mbugua said. “She is a mother and is trying to provide for her family [and] be productive. It’s a denial of rights that should not be accepted at all,” she said.
In a decision published on Tuesday, the WRC ruled that the driving licence agency – which is not explicitly named in the finding – must immediately give the learners permit to the woman, and awarded her € 5,000 in compensation.
It also ordered the agency to “immediately amend the 2018 guidelines to take account of the revised status of the applicants for International Protection”.
It comes just three weeks after another asylum seeker was awarded €2,500 in a similar case. In that instance, the WRC ordered the agency to process the application for a learner’s permit, and found that he had experienced discrimination on the grounds of race. The agency is appealing that ruling.
The man involved in that case, who cannot be identified under laws protecting asylum seekers, told The Irish Times he had wanted to get the permit because he was delivering food by bicycle, which was difficult and dangerous in bad weather.
“I am here to earn my bread and butter for my life, I don’t want to be a burden on the State. I like to contribute to the Irish community and the economy, and society,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--One thousand new cases of mumps recorded in first six weeks of year

More than 1,000 new cases of mumps were recorded in the first six weeks of the year , in the latest surge in a year-long outbreak of the disease .
The 1,020 cases notified to the HSE ’ s Health Protection Surveillance Centre is almost twice the number of mumps cases that occurred in the whole of 2018 .
The biggest outbreak in a decade has continued despite the HSE offering young people a free dose of the MMR vaccine in an attempt to contain it .
With the outbreak mostly affecting teenagers and young people in their twenties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third-level campuses and dozens of schools have also been affected .
The Health Service Executive ( HSE ) has urged anyone aged between 11 and 30 who has not had two doses of the vaccine , or who is unsure of their vaccine status , to avail of the offer due to a “ significant ” rise in cases of the virus .
There were 2,762 cases of mumps in the State last year , compared to 573 in 2018 .
The MMR vaccine protects against measles , mumps and rubella .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of age and the second at four to five years .
Although most cases have involved unvaccinated people , waning immunity has also played a role .
Mumps is a highly infectious and dangerous illness that spreads very easily , particularly in homes , crèches , playgroups , camps , schools and universities .
It can be a serious illness and can have life-changing repercussions in some instances .
The current uptake of the vaccine is 91 per cent by 24 months , which is good by international standards but below the target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measles outbreaks .

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. The first dose is given at 12 months of age and the second at four to five years. File photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters.
More than 1,000 new cases of mumps were recorded in the first six weeks of the year, in the latest surge in a year-long outbreak of the disease.
The 1,020 cases notified to the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre is almost twice the number of mumps cases that occurred in the whole of 2018.
The biggest outbreak in a decade has continued despite the HSE offering young people a free dose of the MMR vaccine in an attempt to contain it.
With the outbreak mostly affecting teenagers and young people in their twenties, hundreds of cases have been reported on third-level campuses and dozens of schools have also been affected.
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has urged anyone aged between 11 and 30 who has not had two doses of the vaccine, or who is unsure of their vaccine status, to avail of the offer due to a "significant" rise in cases of the virus.
There were 2,762 cases of mumps in the State last year, compared to 573 in 2018.
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. The first dose is given at 12 months of age and the second at four to five years.
Although non-vaccination is a significant factor, waning immunity has also played a role.
Mumps is a highly infectious and dangerous illness that spreads very easily, particularly in homes, crèches, playgroups, camps, schools and universities. It can be a serious illness and can have life-changing repercussions in some instances.
The current uptake of the vaccine is 91 per cent by 24 months, which is good by international standards but below the target of 95 per cent needed to prevent measles outbreaks.
Further reading: Dr Muiris Houston: Why infectious diseases are rising worldwide
[ Press Council upheld an appeal received from Mr David Quinn ]
This article was edited on May 18th, 2020