theirishtimes--2020-04-17--More than 250 cannabis plants seized from Killarney growhouse

More than 250 cannabis plants with a potential estimated street value of over €200,000 have been seized during a search @ @ @ @ @ , Co Kerry .
Gardaí raided the house and surrounding land outside of Killarney town @ @ @ @ @ number of recently planted cannabis plants were seized .
If grown to maturity and sold @ @ @ @ @ an estimated street value of €206,000 , gardaí said .
Gardaí also seized €2,500 in @ @ @ @ @ and €100 in cannabis herb .
The search was conducted by the Kerry divisional drugs @ @ @ @ @ Killarney and the southern region dog unit .
No arrests were made , but the @ @ @ @ @

A large number of recently planted cannabis plants were seized in the Killarney operation. Photograph: An Garda
More than 250 cannabis plants with a potential estimated street value of over €200,000 have been seized during a search of a growhouse in Killarney, Co Kerry.
Gardaí raided the house and surrounding land outside of Killarney town on Thursday. A large number of recently planted cannabis plants were seized.
If grown to maturity and sold, the plants would have an estimated street value of €206,000, gardaí said.
Gardaí also seized €2,500 in cash, a weighing scales and €100 in cannabis herb.
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The search was conducted by the Kerry divisional drugs unit, local officers from Killarney and the southern region dog unit.
No arrests were made, but the Garda investigation is ongoing.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Sea-level rise could double extreme coastal flood events every five years

Extreme flooding events in some US coastal areas could double every five years if sea levels fuelled by climate change continue to rise , according to research by a US government agency .
“ Once-in-a-lifetime extreme water levels – which are currently reached once every 50 years – may be exceeded daily along most of the US coastline before the end of the 21st century , ” US Geological Survey researchers conclude .
Sea level rise is a global problem with various predictions of a rise of up to two metres by 2100 .
It is already impacting on Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level rise .
“ Sea-level rise will radically redefine the coastline of the 21st century .
For many coastal regions , projections of global sea-level rise by the year 2100 ( eg 0.5 to two metres ) are comparable in magnitude to today ’ s extreme but short-lived increases in water level due to storms , ” they add – their study was published in Scientific Reports .
The scientists including researchers from the University of Illinois and University of Hawaii , investigated the frequency of extreme water levels measured by 202 tide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data with sea-level rise scenarios to model the rate at which flooding events may increase in the future .
For 73 per cent of the tide gauges , the difference in water level between the 50-year extreme water level and the daily average highest tide was found to be less than one metre , and most sea-level rise projections exceed one metre by 2100 .
Low-latitude areas will be most susceptible , with their rate of coastal flooding predicted to double every five years .
At the most susceptible sites , along the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at which extreme water levels occur may double with every centimetre of sea-level rise .
Beach and cliff erosion is likely to accelerate in concert with increased flood risk .
Climatologist Prof Peter Thorne of Maynooth University said in an Irish context it was undeniable that rising global sea levels will exacerbate risk of both nuisance ( repeat ) flooding and storm surges .
“ But the change in storm surge risk is dependent upon whether we see increased storminess such as we saw in February , and to a considerable extent luck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or do not phase with high tides and , in particular , spring high tides ; and for cities like Cork and Dublin with high flows down the Lee and Liffey , ” he added .
To say the increased risk will be exponential may be pushing it a bit far .
“ Even if it has an exponential form it ’ s a very flat exponential relative to for example the Covid-19 exponential that will be foremost in the public ’ s minds at this time.
” A metre of sea-level rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of estimates in 2019 UN Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate , he noted .
That would be due a combination of the world “ following a very ( many now say implausibly ) high emissions scenario together with a higher end climate system sensitivity ” .
Prof Thorne added : “ If , instead , we follow a low emissions scenario and there is low sensitivity we could instead be looking at 30 to 50cm of rise in global mean sea level .
Our collective choices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yet consequential and accelerating .
Upper-end sea-level rise scenarios could displace hundreds of millions of people by the end of the 21st century .
However , even small amounts of sea-level rise can disproportionately increase coastal flood frequency , ” the US authors note .

Experts say rising global sea levels will exacerbate the risk of both repeat flooding and storm surges in an Irish context. File photograph: Getty Images
Extreme flooding events in some US coastal areas could double every five years if sea levels fuelled by climate change continue to rise, according to research by a US government agency.
“Once-in-a-lifetime extreme water levels – which are currently reached once every 50 years – may be exceeded daily along most of the US coastline before the end of the 21st century,” US Geological Survey researchers conclude.
Sea level rise is a global problem with various predictions of a rise of up to two metres by 2100. It is already impacting on Ireland with bigger storm surges exacerbated by sea level rise.
“Sea-level rise will radically redefine the coastline of the 21st century. For many coastal regions, projections of global sea-level rise by the year 2100 (eg 0.5 to two metres) are comparable in magnitude to today’s extreme but short-lived increases in water level due to storms,” they add – their study was published in Scientific Reports.
READ MORE
The scientists including researchers from the University of Illinois and University of Hawaii, investigated the frequency of extreme water levels measured by 202 tide gauges along the US coastline and combined data with sea-level rise scenarios to model the rate at which flooding events may increase in the future.
For 73 per cent of the tide gauges, the difference in water level between the 50-year extreme water level and the daily average highest tide was found to be less than one metre, and most sea-level rise projections exceed one metre by 2100.
Low-latitude areas will be most susceptible, with their rate of coastal flooding predicted to double every five years. At the most susceptible sites, along the Hawaiian and Caribbean coast, the rate at which extreme water levels occur may double with every centimetre of sea-level rise. Beach and cliff erosion is likely to accelerate in concert with increased flood risk.
Climatologist Prof Peter Thorne of Maynooth University said in an Irish context it was undeniable that rising global sea levels will exacerbate risk of both nuisance (repeat) flooding and storm surges.
“But the change in storm surge risk is dependent upon whether we see increased storminess such as we saw in February, and to a considerable extent luck as to whether the storm surges phase or do not phase with high tides and, in particular, spring high tides; and for cities like Cork and Dublin with high flows down the Lee and Liffey,” he added.
To say the increased risk will be exponential may be pushing it a bit far. “Even if it has an exponential form it’s a very flat exponential relative to for example the Covid-19 exponential that will be foremost in the public’s minds at this time.”
A metre of sea-level rise by century end was at the high end of estimates in 2019 UN Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, he noted. That would be due a combination of the world “following a very (many now say implausibly) high emissions scenario together with a higher end climate system sensitivity”.
Prof Thorne added: “If, instead, we follow a low emissions scenario and there is low sensitivity we could instead be looking at 30 to 50cm of rise in global mean sea level. Our collective choices matter.
“Sea-level rise is slow, yet consequential and accelerating. Upper-end sea-level rise scenarios could displace hundreds of millions of people by the end of the 21st century. However, even small amounts of sea-level rise can disproportionately increase coastal flood frequency,” the US authors note.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Coronavirus: Harris says ‘more stringent’ checks may be needed at airports as crisis teams sent to n

Coronavirus: Harris says ‘more stringent’ checks may be needed at airports as crisis teams sent to nursing homes

Minister for Health Simon Harris has said there may be a need for “ more stringent ” checks at Irish airports as crisis teams are being sent into nursing homes to deal with coronavirus outbreaks .
Mr Harris said there may be a need for more stringent checks at airports “ to make sure that while we ’ re all doing what we ’ re meant to be doing here , we don ’ t have other people coming in who aren ’ t taking it as seriously in their country as we are here , ” he told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments come after concerns were raised about a Ryanair flight carrying almost 200 fruit pickers into the country this week with allegedly no social distancing measures on board .
A letter addressed to a Meath councillor , purporting to be from a Ryanair employee , said the chartered flight from Sofia on Monday had 189 passengers .
“ There was no social distancing on board , putting all the cabin crew at risk , there was also 200 bags in the hold of the aircraft putting the ground handling agents at risk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Harris said 18 Covid-19 response teams , including doctors and nurses , are to be deployed to nursing homes around the country , with 61 HSE staff already deployed .
Mr Harris told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland every union has worked with the HSE to agree their members will be redeployed – and this will include doctors and crisis management teams .
“ We are making good progress as a country but we need to redouble our efforts with regards to nursing homes and residential care centres.
” The National Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures taken to tackle the large number of outbreaks that have occurred in nursing homes and other institutional settings so far .
There have been 254 outbreaks in residential settings , of which 163 were in nursing homes .
Some 302 of the deaths so far have occurred in residential settings – including 253 in nursing homes .
The Minister said a number of measures will be taken on Friday , including an increase in extra testing , which will include testing asymptomatic people .
“ The day you believe you have done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battle against this deadly virus .
“ We can not save everyone , but we will make sure nobody is left behind.
” The frontline in the battle against “ this disgusting virus ” is in residential care centres , he said .
Nursing homes and community care are “ behind the curve ” in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak , the head of Nursing Homes Ireland has said .
There is not consistency of support to nursing homes throughout the country , and “ that needs to change , ” Tadhg Daly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have been highlighted consistently for the sector have been testing and the lack of personal protective equipment , he added .
“ We saw what was happening in other countries .
We made contact with our members on January 30th , and we were in constant contact with the HSE and the Department of Health throughout February.
” Ireland was not “ an outlier ” here , he said .
The numbers of deaths in nursing homes were not higher than other countries .
Some of the measures taken have been having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding figures for transmission have slowed down in recent days .
Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said nursing homes would not be the forgotten frontline in the war against coronavirus .
But he said the fact the problem was not being dealt with as quickly as he would like was a reflection of the scale of the Covid-19 crisis .
Minister for Health Simon Harris announced a €72 million support package for nursing homes at the start of April that included twice-daily staff screening and priority testing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There have been 486 Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic and a total of 13,271 confirmed cases .
While the daily number of deaths reached a new high of 43 on Thursday , overall the rate of growth in cases , intensive care unit ( ICU ) admissions and deaths has slowed considerably since the start of the month .
The number of newly confirmed cases of Covid-19 is peaking “ around now ” and should decline in coming weeks , said Prof Philip Nolan of NUI Maynooth , who leads a team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked about the lifting of restrictions on Friday , Mr Harris said he will be guided by the health experts .
“ We are not going to erase the progress people have made or put lives in danger.
” The Minister said he would like to put a plan in place to lift the restrictions gradually , but he warned that will not mean going back to life as it was before and measures such as social distancing will remain in place for some time .
“ The lifting of restrictions is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involve trial and error.
” There will not be a dramatic change , he said .
“ It ’ s going to be gradual , slow and we have to monitor it carefully .
I ’ m determined we ’ re not going to go the way of Italy or Spain.
” Immunology expert Prof Kingston Mills has cautioned that testing for Covid-19 needs to be “ ramped up ” before any restrictions can be lifted .
“ The lock in is working , it is restricting the spread of the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he warned that testing needs to be at the highest level .
“ Hopefully by May 4th transmission rates , the number of deaths and ICU admissions will have gone down – that ’ s the aspiration , they ’ re the real values .
“ Test every individual in contact with anyone tested positive ; otherwise you ’ re allowing people to escape the net , who may not have symptoms and can spread the virus .
“ The laboratories have been overrun , hospitals are now doing testing – I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to come on board to dramatically increase the testing , ” Prof Mills said .
Easing back into “ normality ” will be a slow process , but it can not be considered unless there has been widespread testing , he said .

The HSE has outlined its plans for nursing homes worst hit by COVID-19 at its latest media briefing. Video: RTE News Now
Minister for Health Simon Harris has said there may be a need for “more stringest” checks at Irish airports as crisis teams are being sent into nursing homes to deal with coronavirus outbreaks.
Mr Harris said there may be a need for more stringent checks at airports “to make sure that while we’re all doing what we’re meant to be doing here, we don’t have other people coming in who aren’t taking it as seriously in their country as we are here,” he told the Pat Kenny show on Newstalk.
His comments come after concerns were raised about a Ryanair flight carrying almost 200 fruit pickers into the country this week with allegedly no social distancing measures on board.
A letter addressed to a Meath councillor, purporting to be from a Ryanair employee, said the chartered flight from Sofia on Monday had 189 passengers.
READ MORE
“There was no social distancing on board, putting all the cabin crew at risk, there was also 200 bags in the hold of the aircraft putting the ground handling agents at risk,” the letter claimed.
There have been 163 outbreaks of coronavirus in nursing homes in Ireland. Photograph: AFP.
Nursing homes
Seperately, Mr Harris said 18 Covid-19 response teams, including doctors and nurses, are to be deployed to nursing homes around the country, with 61 HSE staff already deployed.
Mr Harris told RTÉ's Morning Ireland every union has worked with the HSE to agree their members will be redeployed – and this will include doctors and crisis management teams.
“We are making good progress as a country but we need to redouble our efforts with regards to nursing homes and residential care centres.”
The National Public Health Emergency Team will on Friday review measures taken to tackle the large number of outbreaks that have occurred in nursing homes and other institutional settings so far.
There have been 254 outbreaks in residential settings, of which 163 were in nursing homes.
Some 302 of the deaths so far have occurred in residential settings – including 253 in nursing homes.
The Minister said a number of measures will be taken on Friday, including an increase in extra testing, which will include testing asymptomatic people.
“The day you believe you have done enough is the day you lose the battle against this deadly virus.
“We cannot save everyone, but we will make sure nobody is left behind.”
The frontline in the battle against “this disgusting virus” is in residential care centres, he said.
Tracking app
HSE head of communications Paul O’Connor said a coronavirus contact tracing app is still being tested and could become available next month.
Mr O’Connor said: “The app is currently being tested and it is my understanding that towards the end of the month, it is going to finish testing.”
When asked if the app will become available when the restrictions are due to be lifted on May 5th, he said: “That’s the principal focus of it so not in this situation - so it is pretty much when restrictions ease and people move around a bit more.”
“It is still being tested and we are working through some of the privacy and data issues.”
‘Behind the curve’
Nursing homes and community care are “behind the curve” in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, the head of Nursing Homes Ireland has said.
There is not consistency of support to nursing homes throughout the country, and “that needs to change,” Tadhg Daly told Newstalk Breakfast.
The two issues that have been highlighted consistently for the sector have been testing and the lack of personal protective equipment, he added.
"We saw what was happening in other countries. We made contact with our members on January 30th, and we were in constant contact with the HSE and the Department of Health throughout February."
Ireland was not “an outlier” here, he said. The numbers of deaths in nursing homes were not higher than other countries.
Some of the measures taken have been having an impact, Mr Daly said, adding figures for transmission have slowed down in recent days.
Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said nursing homes would not be the forgotten frontline in the war against coronavirus. But he said the fact the problem was not being dealt with as quickly as he would like was a reflection of the scale of the Covid-19 crisis.
Minister for Health Simon Harris announced a €72 million support package for nursing homes at the start of April that included twice-daily staff screening and priority testing in an effort to stem coronavirus outbreaks.
Peaking
There have been 486 Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic and a total of 13,271 confirmed cases.
While the daily number of deaths reached a new high of 43 on Thursday, overall the rate of growth in cases, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and deaths has slowed considerably since the start of the month.
The number of newly confirmed cases of Covid-19 is peaking "around now" and should decline in coming weeks, said Prof Philip Nolan of NUI Maynooth, who leads a team modelling trends in the epidemic.
When asked about the lifting of restrictions on Friday, Mr Harris said he will be guided by the health experts.
“We are not going to erase the progress people have made or put lives in danger.”
The Minister said he would like to put a plan in place to lift the restrictions gradually, but he warned that will not mean going back to life as it was before and measures such as social distancing will remain in place for some time. “The lifting of restrictions is going to be complex and delicate and will involve trial and error.”
There will not be a dramatic change, he said. “It’s going to be gradual, slow and we have to monitor it carefully. I’m determined we’re not going to go the way of Italy or Spain.”
Testing
Immunology expert Prof Kingston Mills has cautioned that testing for Covid-19 needs to be “ramped up” before any restrictions can be lifted.
“The lock in is working, it is restricting the spread of the virus,” he told Newstalk Breakfast. However, he warned that testing needs to be at the highest level.
“Hopefully by May 4th transmission rates, the number of deaths and ICU admissions will have gone down – that’s the aspiration, they’re the real values.
“Test every individual in contact with anyone tested positive; otherwise you’re allowing people to escape the net, who may not have symptoms and can spread the virus.
“The laboratories have been overrun, hospitals are now doing testing – I think there’s a commercial company going to come on board to dramatically increase the testing,” Prof Mills said.
Easing back into “normality” will be a slow process, but it cannot be considered unless there has been widespread testing, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Aspirin can reduce risk of fatal pancreatic and liver cancers, study finds

Regular doses of aspirin can reduce the risk of several digestive tract cancers including the almost invariably fatal pancreatic and liver cancers , a new study has found .
Although the link between the drug and cancer reduction is not new , the review of evidence from 113 observational studies found a fall off in risk of between 22 and 28 per cent .
The paper published in the journal Annals of Oncology includes an examination of 45 studies on bowel cancer alone and looks at 156,000 cases .
It also considers cancers of the head and neck , oesophagus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pancreas .
Regular use of aspirin is defined as taking at least one or two tablets a week .
Carlo La Vecchia , professor of epidemiology at the University of Milan and the paper ’ s lead author , said there are about 175,000 bowel cancer deaths predicted for the EU this year , of which about 100,000 will be in people aged between 50 and 74 .
“ If we assume that regular use of aspirin increases from 25 to 50 per cent in this age group , this would mean that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer and between 12,000 and 18,000 new cases could be avoided if further studies show that aspirin does indeed cause the reduction in cancer risk , ” he said .
The study also says the risk of cancer is reduced more with an increased dose - between 75 and 100mg a day was associated with a 10 per cent reduction while 325mg was associated with a 35 per cent reduction .
However the estimate for high dose aspirin was based on just a few studies and should be interpreted cautiously , it said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take into consideration the potential risk of stomach bleeds .
The authors also noted that taking the drug for the prevention of bowel or any kind of cancer should only be done in consultation with a doctor .
Dr Robert O ’ Connor , head of research at the Irish Cancer Society , said that while the research is promising , it should be “ looked at in a measured way ” .
“ This is a summary of observational research and there are reasons why those taking aspirin might see lower levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the medicine itself , ” he said .
“ Just because two things are associated does not mean that one causes the other.
” Using an ice cream analogy , he said while sales of it and sunglasses are associated and correlated , one does not boost the sale of the other .
“ It is important that a person talks to their doctor about taking any medicine and one should not begin taking aspirin for long periods without professional medical advice as the agent can interact with other medicines and can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , ” he said .
Clinical trials are key in understanding true effects .
The Irish Cancer Society has been funding the Cancer Trials Ireland research group looking at this association as part of international research across several countries .
It hopes to draw results in the next few years .

Regular doses of aspirin can reduce the risk of several digestive tract cancers including the almost invariably fatal pancreatic and liver cancers, a new study has found. Photograph: iStock
Regular doses of aspirin can reduce the risk of several digestive tract cancers including the almost invariably fatal pancreatic and liver cancers, a new study has found.
Although the link between the drug and cancer reduction is not new, the review of evidence from 113 observational studies found a fall off in risk of between 22 and 28 per cent.
The paper published in the journal Annals of Oncology includes an examination of 45 studies on bowel cancer alone and looks at 156,000 cases.
It also considers cancers of the head and neck, oesophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
READ MORE
Regular use of aspirin is defined as taking at least one or two tablets a week.
Carlo La Vecchia, professor of epidemiology at the University of Milan and the paper's lead author, said there are about 175,000 bowel cancer deaths predicted for the EU this year, of which about 100,000 will be in people aged between 50 and 74.
“If we assume that regular use of aspirin increases from 25 to 50 per cent in this age group, this would mean that between 5,000 to 7,000 deaths from bowel cancer and between 12,000 and 18,000 new cases could be avoided if further studies show that aspirin does indeed cause the reduction in cancer risk,” he said.
Risk
The study also says the risk of cancer is reduced more with an increased dose - between 75 and 100mg a day was associated with a 10 per cent reduction while 325mg was associated with a 35 per cent reduction.
However the estimate for high dose aspirin was based on just a few studies and should be interpreted cautiously, it said. The choice of dose should also take into consideration the potential risk of stomach bleeds.
The authors also noted that taking the drug for the prevention of bowel or any kind of cancer should only be done in consultation with a doctor.
Dr Robert O'Connor, head of research at the Irish Cancer Society, said that while the research is promising, it should be "looked at in a measured way".
“This is a summary of observational research and there are reasons why those taking aspirin might see lower levels of cancer that have nothing to do with the medicine itself,” he said.
“Just because two things are associated does not mean that one causes the other.”
Using an ice cream analogy, he said while sales of it and sunglasses are associated and correlated, one does not boost the sale of the other.
“It is important that a person talks to their doctor about taking any medicine and one should not begin taking aspirin for long periods without professional medical advice as the agent can interact with other medicines and can have very serious side effects for some people,” he said.
Clinical trials are key in understanding true effects. The Irish Cancer Society has been funding the Cancer Trials Ireland research group looking at this association as part of international research across several countries. It hopes to draw results in the next few years.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Gardaí appeal for dash cam footage in Ballybough stabbing inquiry

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to a fatal Dublin stabbing as a teenager arrested over the incident in Ballybough House flats on Wednesday night remains in custody .
The man ( 20 ) who was stabbed to death has been named locally as Glen Osborne .
From Taafe Place , Ballybough , Mr Osborne died shortly after he was stabbed once in the upper body outside Ballybough House just before 10pm .
A 16-year-old boy , who is understood to be from the same north inner city Dublin area , was arrested by gardaí .
They believe the stabbing occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a carpark outside the flats complex .
Mr Osborne and his partner were expecting their first child in a few months .
He worked in a retail outlet in the city centre .
On Friday morning gardaí appealed for witnesses to the crime or those with information to come forward .
They particularly interested in speaking to any taxi drivers or other drivers with dash cam footage of the Ballybough area between 9.30pm and 10.30pm on Wednesday .
Searches and door-to-door inquiries took place yesterday , and some evidence has been recovered .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ overlooked by many flats , and gardaí are eager to speak to anyone with information .
The scene has been preserved for technical and forensic examination .
A Garda spokeswoman called on anyone with information on the killing to contact Mountjoy Garda Station on 01 666 8600 or the the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 .

Forensic investigators yesterday near the scene of the fatal stabbing at Ballybough House flats complex in Dublin’s north inner city. PHOTOGRAPH: BRIAN LAWLESS/PA WIRE
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to a fatal Dublin stabbing as a teenager arrested over the incident in Ballybough House flats on Wednesday night remains in custody.
The man (20) who was stabbed to death has been named locally as Glen Osborne. From Taafe Place, Ballybough, Mr Osborne died shortly after he was stabbed once in the upper body outside Ballybough House just before 10pm.
A 16-year-old boy, who is understood to be from the same north inner city Dublin area, was arrested by gardaí.
They believe the stabbing occurred after a confrontation involving several youths in a carpark outside the flats complex. Mr Osborne and his partner were expecting their first child in a few months. He worked in a retail outlet in the city centre.
READ MORE
On Friday morning gardaí appealed for witnesses to the crime or those with information to come forward. They particularly interested in speaking to any taxi drivers or other drivers with dash cam footage of the Ballybough area between 9.30pm and 10.30pm on Wednesday.
Searches and door-to-door inquiries took place yesterday, and some evidence has been recovered.
The scene of the fatal stabbing is overlooked by many flats, and gardaí are eager to speak to anyone with information. The scene has been preserved for technical and forensic examination.
A Garda spokeswoman called on anyone with information on the killing to contact Mountjoy Garda Station on 01 666 8600 or the the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Coronavirus: Thousands of disabled people with PAs fearful about virus impact

Thousands of disabled people who use personal assistants ( PAs ) to enable them to live independently are anxious and fearful about their ability to remain independent during and after the coronavirus outbreak .
Health Service Executive information about how it plans to protect them is being disseminated inconsistently , say advocates , and clarity is lacking on whether PAs will be allowed accompany them to hospital if admitted , and on when personal protective equipment ( PPE ) will be distributed to them and their PAs .
PAs differ from carers in that their work is designed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more complex needs – such as washing and feeding or assisting them with work or shopping .
Owen Collumb ( 48 ) has a spinal injury , following a motorcycle incident near his family home in Co Longford 27 years ago .
He has 120 hours of PA time per week and lives in Dublin where he works as a facilities manager with Muscular Dystrophy Ireland .
His accident left him paralysed from his lower neck down and with weakened vocal chords and cough reflex , meaning , he says , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he got Covid-19 .
“ I usually have six PAs over the week , coming in .
I have changed that to cut down on the numbers .
I can ’ t social distance from them at all , and my disability puts me in the high-risk category .
“ Another issue is people would often come to work for me after working in a nursing home and maybe somewhere else as well .
I ’ m doing my best to manage that and so I had one lady with me all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PA will stay for 10 days .
It ’ s the only way I can minimise risk but stay living independently .
“ But if the PA gets the virus that leaves me in a predicament , and they won ’ t come if I get ill. ” He has “ worked out a plan ” with his PAs that if he gets ill they will remain with him in full PPE until such time as “ they have to ring an ambulance .
But yes I am worried.
” He says some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work because they are worried about their families ” and he has heard of cases where people have had to go into nursing home care as they can not get a PA .
The HSE has issued a 22-page contingency plan for home carers and personal assistants “ during mitigation phase ” which is welcomed by groups including Independent Living Movement Ireland ( ILMI ) and the Disability Federation of Ireland ( DFI ) .
It classifies people into four categories depending on their level of need and sets out what care should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five scenarios : normal service ; reduced service ; alternative care/support provision ; the person is ill with a non-Covid 19 condition ; and the person contracts Covid-19 .
In cases where it is not possible to maintain the person in their home , it says : “ Consider temporary move to vacancy in congregated setting.
” This is something that James Cawley , policy officer with ILMI , says “ can not happen ” , adding it has caused alarm among the more than 2,500 people in receipt of PA hours .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a massive lack of consistency in the information for people with PAs , depending on where they live .
The HSE is distributing the information but then how and what gets passed on is different if you ’ re in Donegal or Cork or in between .
“ People are worried about what kind of supports will be available to them if they have to go into hospital .
Their PAs often act as their interpreters , are experts in how they eat , are lifted into bed.
” Both he and Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DFI , describe a growing fear that PAs redeployed to nursing homes and other front-line health services will be lost to them for good amid post-crisis cuts .
Dr McCarthy added : “ PAs need a fair allocation of PPE and training on how to use it .
They may also need online training in working during these times .
Wages are already low and extra demands on time should be met by extra resources to pay for overtime.
” Mr Collumb agrees the crisis has made people with disabilities feel “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put the focus back on your disability , which you try to get away from .
Your disability is your main concern again when you ’ ve built an independent life .
I ’ d like to say it doesn ’ t affect my mood , but it does .
”

Owen Collumb has 120 hours of PA time per week and lives in Dublin, where he works as a facilities manager with Muscular Dystrophy Ireland. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Thousands of disabled people who use personal assistants (PAs) to enable them to live independently are anxious and fearful about their ability to remain independent during and after the coronavirus outbreak.
Health Service Executive information about how it plans to protect them is being disseminated inconsistently, say advocates, and clarity is lacking on whether PAs will be allowed accompany them to hospital if admitted, and on when personal protective equipment (PPE) will be distributed to them and their PAs.
PAs differ from carers in that their work is designed by the person with the disability around their basic and more complex needs – such as washing and feeding or assisting them with work or shopping.
Owen Collumb (48) has a spinal injury, following a motorcycle incident near his family home in Co Longford 27 years ago. He has 120 hours of PA time per week and lives in Dublin where he works as a facilities manager with Muscular Dystrophy Ireland.
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His accident left him paralysed from his lower neck down and with weakened vocal chords and cough reflex, meaning, he says, he would “get very sick indeed” if he got Covid-19.
“I usually have six PAs over the week, coming in. I have changed that to cut down on the numbers. I can’t social distance from them at all, and my disability puts me in the high-risk category.
“Another issue is people would often come to work for me after working in a nursing home and maybe somewhere else as well. I’m doing my best to manage that and so I had one lady with me all last week and now this week my PA will stay for 10 days. It’s the only way I can minimise risk but stay living independently.
“But if the PA gets the virus that leaves me in a predicament, and they won’t come if I get ill.”
Full PPE
He has “worked out a plan” with his PAs that if he gets ill they will remain with him in full PPE until such time as “they have to ring an ambulance. But yes I am worried.”
He says some PAs “don’t want to work because they are worried about their families” and he has heard of cases where people have had to go into nursing home care as they cannot get a PA.
The HSE has issued a 22-page contingency plan for home carers and personal assistants "during mitigation phase" which is welcomed by groups including Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI) and the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI).
It classifies people into four categories depending on their level of need and sets out what care should be put in place for each in five scenarios: normal service; reduced service; alternative care/support provision; the person is ill with a non-Covid 19 condition; and the person contracts Covid-19.
In cases where it is not possible to maintain the person in their home, it says: “Consider temporary move to vacancy in congregated setting.”
Alarm
This is something that James Cawley, policy officer with ILMI, says "cannot happen", adding it has caused alarm among the more than 2,500 people in receipt of PA hours.
"The main thing causing anxiety is a massive lack of consistency in the information for people with PAs, depending on where they live. The HSE is distributing the information but then how and what gets passed on is different if you're in Donegal or Cork or in between.
“People are worried about what kind of supports will be available to them if they have to go into hospital. Their PAs often act as their interpreters, are experts in how they eat, are lifted into bed.”
Both he and Dr Joanne McCarthy, director of policy with the DFI, describe a growing fear that PAs redeployed to nursing homes and other front-line health services will be lost to them for good amid post-crisis cuts.
Dr McCarthy added: “PAs need a fair allocation of PPE and training on how to use it. They may also need online training in working during these times. Wages are already low and extra demands on time should be met by extra resources to pay for overtime.”
Mr Collumb agrees the crisis has made people with disabilities feel “very vulnerable”.
“These issues put the focus back on your disability, which you try to get away from. Your disability is your main concern again when you’ve built an independent life. I’d like to say it doesn’t affect my mood, but it does.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Coronavirus kills 11 residents over two weeks in Dublin care home for the elderly

St Mary ’ s Hospital in Dublin ’ s Phoenix Park has had 11 Covid-19 related deaths within a two week period , the HSE has confirmed .
The HSE-run facility , which cares for older people , said on Thursday night that 10 of those who died had tested positive for coronavirus and another resident was suspected to have had it , but test results were awaited .
“ We can sadly confirm that since 2nd April 2020 there have been 11 Covid-19 related deaths of residents in St Mary ’ s Hospital , 10 of which are confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected case , awaiting result .
We offer our deepest sympathies to their family and friends and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time , ” the HSE said in response to queries from The Irish Times .
“ Every effort continues to be implemented to maintain the professional standard of nursing and health care assistant staffing in St Mary ’ s Hospital during this time , ” it added .
It said there is an enhanced focus on infection control procedures at the home and that additional measures have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 198 residential places in total .
“ We remain in contact with relatives and next-of-kin of all residents within St Mary ’ s Hospital in relation to any suspect or confirmed cases of Covid-19 , ” the HSE said .
Earlier on Thursday the chief executive of Age Action Ireland said there is a “ tragedy unfolding ” as a result of coronavirus in large disability care institutions , where up to 2,900 people are living , many of them elderly .
Paddy Connolly , a former head of Inclusion Ireland , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said it was “ absolutely happening ” that the virus was impacting on these institutions , which should have been closed down years ago .
A senior political source said these institutions were going to create a huge challenge for the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) , because of the difficulties of saving from infection people who are often not in a position to understand or comply with advice on social distancing and avoiding physical contact with others .
His comments came a day after confirmation by the HSE of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centre for Psychiatry of Old Age in Portlaoise , Co Laois , from Covid-19 last weekend .
The residents were aged between 66 and 84 .
The 17 residents who remain living at the facility are being managed “ as if Covid-19 positive regardless of test results or the presence of symptoms ” , the HSE has said .
Latest figures show the number of outbreaks of Covid-19 in residential care settings stands at 254 , with the number of clusters in nursing homes now 163 , up from 155 in a 24-hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been 253 deaths in nursing homes .
The possible “ surge ” in Covid-19 cases that was being talked about two weeks ago , is happening now in the State ’ s nursing homes , the head of Nursing Homes Ireland ( NHI ) has said .
Tadhg Daly said the support the sector is receiving from the State is “ patchy ” and he wants to see the level of support promised actually being delivered .
“ The support , to be fair , it is happening .
But it is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that where it is happening , it is happening very well , but equally , there are other parts of the country where it is not happening at all.
” Mr Daly said he met Minister for Health Simon Harris on Wednesday to discuss the issue of uneven support across the State and was to get an update from him on Friday .
“ In fairness , that ’ s a good response.
” He said that the feared surge , or wave , that was being discussed two weeks ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where there are approximately 2,400 empty acute beds .
“ The surge is actually in the nursing homes .
We are the front line now at the moment.
” NHI represents the private and voluntary nursing home sector .
There are approximately 30,000 people living in NHI- and HSE-run nursing homes , with Covid-19 cases in at least one-third of the facilities .
Asked about comments made recently by the chief medical officer , Dr Tony Holohan , where he referred to some nursing homes having , in the past , received poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Authority ( Hiqa ) , Mr Daly said it was not accurate to suggest the crisis was due in part to some nursing homes having low standards .
“ If you look at Hiqa reports , in 2019 the compliance assessment for all homes in terms of infection control was 82 per cent.
” He also said it was “ unhelpful ” that some people were making comments about private sector nursing homes being “ bailed out ” .
While private and voluntary nursing homes have mostly single room or double bedrooms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this standard that allowed it to run homes with larger number of beds per room .
He said he still thought it was the correct policy to try keep as many infected people as possible in the homes .
A “ blanket policy ” of moving everyone to hospital , or keeping everyone in the homes , would be wrong “ The homes have lots of experience in end of life and palliative care .
The notion of transferring someone to another setting when it is not appropriate would make no sense.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor and a clinical decision is made as to what is in the person ’ s best interests .

The HSE has outlined its plans for nursing homes worst hit by COVID-19 at its latest media briefing. Video: RTE News Now
St Mary’s Hospital in Dublin’s Phoenix Park has had 11 Covid-19 related deaths within a two week period, the HSE has confirmed.
The HSE-run facility, which cares for older people, said on Thursday night that 10 of those who died had tested positive for coronavirus and another resident was suspected to have had it, but test results were awaited.
“We can sadly confirm that since 2nd April 2020 there have been 11 Covid-19 related deaths of residents in St Mary’s Hospital, 10 of which are confirmed Covid-19 positive and one which is a suspected case, awaiting result. We offer our deepest sympathies to their family and friends and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time,” the HSE said in response to queries from The Irish Times.
“Every effort continues to be implemented to maintain the professional standard of nursing and health care assistant staffing in St Mary’s Hospital during this time,” it added.
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It said there is an enhanced focus on infection control procedures at the home and that additional measures have been put in place.
The hospital has 198 residential places in total.
“We remain in contact with relatives and next-of-kin of all residents within St Mary’s Hospital in relation to any suspect or confirmed cases of Covid-19,” the HSE said.
Earlier on Thursday the chief executive of Age Action Ireland said there is a “tragedy unfolding” as a result of coronavirus in large disability care institutions, where up to 2,900 people are living, many of them elderly.
Paddy Connolly, a former head of Inclusion Ireland, which advocates for the rights of disabled people, said it was "absolutely happening" that the virus was impacting on these institutions, which should have been closed down years ago.
A senior political source said these institutions were going to create a huge challenge for the Health Service Executive (HSE), because of the difficulties of saving from infection people who are often not in a position to understand or comply with advice on social distancing and avoiding physical contact with others.
His comments came a day after confirmation by the HSE of the deaths of nine residents at the Maryborough Centre for Psychiatry of Old Age in Portlaoise, Co Laois, from Covid-19 last weekend. The residents were aged between 66 and 84.
The 17 residents who remain living at the facility are being managed “as if Covid-19 positive regardless of test results or the presence of symptoms”, the HSE has said.
Latest figures show the number of outbreaks of Covid-19 in residential care settings stands at 254, with the number of clusters in nursing homes now 163, up from 155 in a 24-hour period.
To date, there have been 253 deaths in nursing homes.
Promised support
The possible “surge” in Covid-19 cases that was being talked about two weeks ago, is happening now in the State’s nursing homes, the head of Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) has said.
Tadhg Daly said the support the sector is receiving from the State is "patchy" and he wants to see the level of support promised actually being delivered.
“The support, to be fair, it is happening. But it is not consistent across the country. Our frustration is that where it is happening, it is happening very well, but equally, there are other parts of the country where it is not happening at all.”
Mr Daly said he met Minister for Health Simon Harris on Wednesday to discuss the issue of uneven support across the State and was to get an update from him on Friday. "In fairness, that's a good response."
He said that the feared surge, or wave, that was being discussed two weeks ago, had not hit the hospital system, where there are approximately 2,400 empty acute beds.
“The surge is actually in the nursing homes. We are the front line now at the moment.”
NHI represents the private and voluntary nursing home sector. There are approximately 30,000 people living in NHI- and HSE-run nursing homes, with Covid-19 cases in at least one-third of the facilities.
No ‘blanket policy’
Asked about comments made recently by the chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, where he referred to some nursing homes having, in the past, received poor reports from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), Mr Daly said it was not accurate to suggest the crisis was due in part to some nursing homes having low standards.
“If you look at Hiqa reports, in 2019 the compliance assessment for all homes in terms of infection control was 82 per cent.”
He also said it was “unhelpful” that some people were making comments about private sector nursing homes being “bailed out”.
While private and voluntary nursing homes have mostly single room or double bedrooms, the HSE-run facilities had a derogation from this standard that allowed it to run homes with larger number of beds per room.
He said he still thought it was the correct policy to try keep as many infected people as possible in the homes. A “blanket policy” of moving everyone to hospital, or keeping everyone in the homes, would be wrong
“The homes have lots of experience in end of life and palliative care. The notion of transferring someone to another setting when it is not appropriate would make no sense.”
Each infected resident is examined by a doctor and a clinical decision is made as to what is in the person’s best interests.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Private hospital deal will cost State €115 million per month

The State ’ s confidential deal to effectively take over 19 private hospitals during the Covid-19 crisis is expected to cost about €115 million per month .
The Irish Times understands that as part of the unpublished agreement the State has also agreed to reimburse the existing pay of top management in private hospitals by up to €200,000 per year .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said yesterday a bill of €115 million per month was an “ accurate estimate ” of the cost to the State of its deal to lease the 19 hospitals .
However he said the actual cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the contract when all the bills were calculated .
Later Minister for Health Simon Harris told the Dáil the HSE had made advance payments for April of €90.2 million .
“ Under the arrangement , a participating private hospital is due 80 per cent of its estimated monthly costs in advance from the HSE , ” he said , adding the costs would have to be verified and “ any difference is subject to a claw-back in the subsequent month ” .
Under the deal the private hospitals agreed to use all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support the delivery of public services for the next three months .
The agreement says the HSE will reimburse the salaries of staff and senior management in private hospitals at their current rates up to a ceiling of €200,000 per year .
It stresses that staff will remain in the employment of the private hospital .
The State will not be involved in any pension arrangements for the personnel concerned .
The deal says that patients will be transferred to the most appropriate facility taking into account clinical need and common purpose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully private sector medical consultants who practise in these hospitals , leading to an impasse over proposals to bring up to 600 specialists into the public system .
The new agreement – which essentially makes private hospitals only available to public patients – has had huge implications for the health insurance industry and the 2.2 million people who pay for private cover .
Health insurers on Thursday announced a series of rebates and payments to subscribers to take account of the curtailment of access to traditional private hospitals .
The country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return an average of 50 per cent of premium to customers for an initial three-month period while Laya Healthcare said it would be giving back €195 per adult member and €60 per child member in equal instalments over three months – April to June 2020 .
The Government has not published the private hospital agreement and the Department of Health has declined to answer questions about provisions in the deal , which contains a specific confidentiality clause .
Under the agreement the HSE is to reimburse the private hospitals for their operational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are actually incurred “ on a cost-only and open book basis ” .
The agreement sets out how costs will be assessed and as well as a means for dealing with underpayments and overpayments .
There is also provision for the referral of disputes to an independent expert .
It says that the HSE would make reasonable attempts to allow private hospitals to access the rates it pays for agency staff .
The agreement also says private hospitals will , where appropriate , be entitled to access HSE frameworks and prices for supplies @

The agreement says the HSE will reimburse the salaries of staff in private hospitals at their current rates up to a ceiling of €200,000 per year.
The State’s confidential deal to effectively take over 19 private hospitals during the Covid-19 crisis is expected to cost about €115 million per month.
The Irish Times understands that as part of the unpublished agreement the State has also agreed to reimburse the existing pay of top management in private hospitals by up to €200,000 per year.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said yesterday a bill of €115 million per month was an "accurate estimate" of the cost to the State of its deal to lease the 19 hospitals. However he said the actual cost will not be known until the end of the contract when all the bills were calculated.
Later Minister for Health Simon Harris told the Dáil the HSE had made advance payments for April of €90.2 million.
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“Under the arrangement, a participating private hospital is due 80 per cent of its estimated monthly costs in advance from the HSE,” he said, adding the costs would have to be verified and “any difference is subject to a claw-back in the subsequent month”.
Under the deal the private hospitals agreed to use all of their resources, staff and management to support the delivery of public services for the next three months.
The agreement says the HSE will reimburse the salaries of staff and senior management in private hospitals at their current rates up to a ceiling of €200,000 per year.
It stresses that staff will remain in the employment of the private hospital. The State will not be involved in any pension arrangements for the personnel concerned.
The deal says that patients will be transferred to the most appropriate facility taking into account clinical need and common purpose.
However the agreement does not cover fully private sector medical consultants who practise in these hospitals, leading to an impasse over proposals to bring up to 600 specialists into the public system.
The new agreement – which essentially makes private hospitals only available to public patients – has had huge implications for the health insurance industry and the 2.2 million people who pay for private cover.
Health insurers on Thursday announced a series of rebates and payments to subscribers to take account of the curtailment of access to traditional private hospitals.
The country's largest health insurer, VHI, is to return an average of 50 per cent of premium to customers for an initial three-month period while Laya Healthcare said it would be giving back €195 per adult member and €60 per child member in equal instalments over three months – April to June 2020.
The Government has not published the private hospital agreement and the Department of Health has declined to answer questions about provisions in the deal, which contains a specific confidentiality clause.
Under the agreement the HSE is to reimburse the private hospitals for their operational costs under a number of headings that are actually incurred “on a cost-only and open book basis”.
The agreement sets out how costs will be assessed and as well as a means for dealing with underpayments and overpayments. There is also provision for the referral of disputes to an independent expert.
It says that the HSE would make reasonable attempts to allow private hospitals to access the rates it pays for agency staff.
The agreement also says private hospitals will, where appropriate, be entitled to access HSE frameworks and prices for supplies.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Coronavirus: Ireland 'may have reached a plateau' but 43 die in one day

The number of new cases of Covid-19 has plateaued and should start to fall shortly , according to research provided to the National Public Health Emergency Team .
While the daily number of deaths reached a new high of 43 on Thursday , overall the rate of growth in cases , intensive care unit ( ICU ) admissions and deaths has slowed considerably since the start of the month , the new analysis shows .
The number of newly confirmed cases of Covid-19 is peaking “ around now ” and should decline in coming weeks , Prof Philip Nolan of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modelling trends in the epidemic , said .
“ We may have reached a plateau , ” he told a NPHET briefing on Thursday , though he warned there remained “ a delicate balance ” between suppression of the disease and the risk of its spiking again .
Since April 3rd , the growth rate in new cases has been “ close to zero ” , he said , and ICU numbers have been stable since that time .
In order for the outbreak to be suppressed , each person with the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person on average .
At present , Prof Nolan ’ s research shows , the so-called reproduction number of the disease is below this level , at 0.7-1 .
Prof Nolan warned any easing of restrictions after May 4th would have to be approached “ exceptionally carefully ” as it could spark a fresh surge of cases .
In some scenarios , these could be controlled by a reimposition of measures , but if the disease spread too widely , the new spike in cases could be “ unmanageable ” , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there would have been 1,700 deaths so far , not the 486 reported by NPHET on Thursday , chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan pointed out .
The 43 deaths reported on Thursday included 22 males and 21 females .
Some 34 of the deaths were in the east , four in the west and five in the south .
A total of 27 of the patients were reported as having underlying health conditions .
There have now been 486 Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic .
Dr Holohan said he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of registering deaths early so that the most complete data on Covid-19 deaths becomes available quickly .
The chief medical officer has also written to clinicians emphasising the importance of reporting to public health authorities and coroners deaths that could be related to the current outbreak .
“ That doesn ’ t always happen in as responsible a way as possible , ” he said , adding that he wanted doctors to be aware of the importance of having tests done on people who were unwell , even where the clinical symptoms were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday , NPHET will review measures taken to tackle the large number of outbreaks that have occurred in nursing homes and other institutional settings .
Dr Holohan said there had been 254 outbreaks in residential settings , of which 163 were in nursing homes .
Some 302 of the deaths so far have occurred in residential settings , including 253 in nursing homes .
“ The data clearly shows that there are two very different experiences of Covid-19 in Ireland today , ” he acknowledged .
“ In the population at large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppressed .
However , the experience of the disease in long-term residential care settings continues to be a source of concern .
“ In order to protect the vulnerable , the first task was to suppress the virus in the population at large .
We are increasingly confident that we are achieving this .
All of our efforts now need to be on extinguishing Covid-19 in our community residential settings , including nursing homes.
” Speaking in the Dáil , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said nursing homes would not be the forgotten frontline in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the fact that the problem was not being dealt with as quickly as he would like was a reflection of the scale of the Covid-19 crisis .
At the briefing , officials also defended the “ robust ” handling of an outbreak at the Maryborough Centre in Portlaoise , where eight residents died of coronavirus over the Easter weekend .
None of the remaining 17 residents have been transferred to hospital , but are receiving treatment and care on-site with the assistance of staff from Portlaoise hospital .
Local Sinn Féin TD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them had already tested positive for Covid-19 .
Demanding that the HSE did more to protect patients and staff , he said : “ The deaths of over one-third of the patients last weekend have shocked people .
It is also very traumatic for the staff and the families of the deceased.
” Northern Ireland too is “ at , or very close to ” the peak of the coronavirus outbreak , according to the scientist responsible for modelling the virus ’ s progress .
However , the North ’ s Public Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had died in the previous 24 hours .

Another 43 people have died, the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has announced at the daily Department Of Health Covid-19 press briefing. The total number of people with the virus now stands at 13,271 in Ireland. Video: RTE News Now
The number of new cases of Covid-19 has plateaued and should start to fall shortly, according to research provided to the National Public Health Emergency Team.
While the daily number of deaths reached a new high of 43 on Thursday, overall the rate of growth in cases, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and deaths has slowed considerably since the start of the month, the new analysis shows.
The number of newly confirmed cases of Covid-19 is peaking "around now" and should decline in coming weeks, Prof Philip Nolan of NUI Maynooth, who leads a team modelling trends in the epidemic, said.
“We may have reached a plateau,” he told a NPHET briefing on Thursday, though he warned there remained “a delicate balance” between suppression of the disease and the risk of its spiking again.
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Since April 3rd, the growth rate in new cases has been “close to zero”, he said, and ICU numbers have been stable since that time.
In order for the outbreak to be suppressed, each person with the disease must infect no more than one other person on average. At present, Prof Nolan’s research shows, the so-called reproduction number of the disease is below this level, at 0.7-1.
Prof Nolan warned any easing of restrictions after May 4th would have to be approached “exceptionally carefully” as it could spark a fresh surge of cases. In some scenarios, these could be controlled by a reimposition of measures, but if the disease spread too widely, the new spike in cases could be “unmanageable”, he said.
Had the measures not been introduced, there would have been 1,700 deaths so far, not the 486 reported by NPHET on Thursday, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan pointed out.
The 43 deaths reported on Thursday included 22 males and 21 females.
Registering deaths
Some 34 of the deaths were in the east, four in the west and five in the south. A total of 27 of the patients were reported as having underlying health conditions. There have now been 486 Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic.
Dr Holohan said he had written to funeral directors about the importance of registering deaths early so that the most complete data on Covid-19 deaths becomes available quickly.
The chief medical officer has also written to clinicians emphasising the importance of reporting to public health authorities and coroners deaths that could be related to the current outbreak.
“That doesn’t always happen in as responsible a way as possible,” he said, adding that he wanted doctors to be aware of the importance of having tests done on people who were unwell, even where the clinical symptoms were not necessarily suspicious.
At its meeting on Friday, NPHET will review measures taken to tackle the large number of outbreaks that have occurred in nursing homes and other institutional settings.
Dr Holohan said there had been 254 outbreaks in residential settings, of which 163 were in nursing homes.
Some 302 of the deaths so far have occurred in residential settings, including 253 in nursing homes.
"The data clearly shows that there are two very different experiences of Covid-19 in Ireland today," he acknowledged. "In the population at large, the virus is contained and effectively suppressed. However, the experience of the disease in long-term residential care settings continues to be a source of concern.
No forgotten frontline
“In order to protect the vulnerable, the first task was to suppress the virus in the population at large. We are increasingly confident that we are achieving this. All of our efforts now need to be on extinguishing Covid-19 in our community residential settings, including nursing homes.”
Speaking in the Dáil, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said nursing homes would not be the forgotten frontline in the war against coronavirus. But he said the fact that the problem was not being dealt with as quickly as he would like was a reflection of the scale of the Covid-19 crisis.
At the briefing, officials also defended the "robust" handling of an outbreak at the Maryborough Centre in Portlaoise, where eight residents died of coronavirus over the Easter weekend. None of the remaining 17 residents have been transferred to hospital, but are receiving treatment and care on-site with the assistance of staff from Portlaoise hospital.
Local Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley said he understood many of them had already tested positive for Covid-19.
Demanding that the HSE did more to protect patients and staff, he said: “The deaths of over one-third of the patients last weekend have shocked people. It is also very traumatic for the staff and the families of the deceased.”
Northern Ireland too is "at, or very close to" the peak of the coronavirus outbreak, according to the scientist responsible for modelling the virus's progress.
However, the North's Public Health Agency announced on Thursday that 18 people had died in the previous 24 hours.


theirishtimes--2020-04-18--Covid-19 and care homes: Six key questions

Why were we not better prepared ?
Covid-19 hits older people hardest .
From early March , when major outbreaks of the disease occurred in nursing homes in Seattle , there was evidence of its potentially devastating impact in these settings .
Despite these warning flags , Ireland remained largely unprepared for what was to unfold .
No specific guidelines were issued for the nursing home sector , weeks went by with no top-level engagement between the Department of Health and private home operators seeking a meeting with the Minister , and decisions about banning visitors were made , reversed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main focus of preparation was on hospital ICUs , Nursing Homes Ireland ( NHI ) was left pleading for “ specific guidance ” and fretting about likely staff shortages .
The number of clusters of the disease mushroomed – from a handful towards the end of March , to 50 some 10 days later , and more than 160 this week .
Were there delays in testing ?
Delays in testing patients and staff have been a feature of our response across the health system .
Nursing homes are no exception ; in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private nursing home operators said they had been waiting over 10 days for test results to come back .
All delays are problematic , but they posed a particular challenge in the residential sector , where many staff were working across different locations .
The delays meant that workers with the disease , but who had not been tested , went longer undetected , and possibly spread the virus .
Are residents being left to die in nursing homes ?
A number of families with relatives in nursing homes have told The Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones will not be transferred to hospital if they contract Covid-19 .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) has denied such a blanket policy is in place , though they say the default is to treat patients in their nursing homes unless a transfer to hospital is clinically indicated .
The HSE has advised nursing homes to manage the disease in their own facilities and only transfer residents to hospitals where this would “ confer additional benefit ” .
One family told The Irish Times their nursing home , citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents should not be sent for resuscitation in relation to Covid-19 .
NPHET have said no such guidelines are in place .
What happened at the Maryborough Centre in Portlaoise after nine people tragically died over Easter is instructive .
The remaining 17 patients , some of whom are also reported to be positive for the disease , have been treated on site , rather than being brought to hospital .
Medical teams came out from Portlaoise hospital to treat the residents in their familiar environs .
Public health officials maintain they got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Are families being left in the dark ?
A number of families have told The Irish Times they sought and were refused information by nursing homes about outbreaks of Covid-19 in their facilities .
The HSE , which publishes information about the number of cases of the disease in individual hospitals , does not publish equivalent information in relation to nursing and other care homes .
NPHET has defended this policy , saying the numbers of patients involved in many centres would be very small and so publication of this information could infringe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in relation to providing guidance to families , it was told by NPHET that patient confidentiality should be respected and that “ the Department of Health will provide updated information as necessary ” .
NPHET has since clarified that it has no objection to families being informed of , say , the number of cases in an outbreak ; in recent days , some individual homes have started providing more information than they had up to now , and the HSE has also issued press statements about major outbreaks in specific locations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal protective equipment ( PPE ) , and worries about potential shortages , have been a feature of this crisis in recent months across the health system .
Just one-quarter of nursing homes reported having a 100 per cent supply of PPE in a recent NHI survey .
Almost 30 per cent said they were awaiting a supply of equipment .
A memo sent to staff by one nursing care group enjoined staff to wear face masks but also to wash them and to “ ensure these mask are replaced after 50 washes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus can be transmitted before infected people show symptoms points to the urgent need for the use of PPE more widely than might have been anticipated at the start of the outbreak .
Where are the regulators ?
Many of the care centres where outbreaks of Covid-19 have occurred are subject to regulation by official bodies .
The Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) regulates nursing homes , for example , while the Mental Health Commission oversees standards in mental health centres .
These bodies regularly publish inspection reports that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including infection control .
Yet little has been heard of the regulators until recently .
Hiqa has published a number of evidence summaries in relation to aspects of Covid-19 .
Late last month , it was tasked with carrying out risk assessments on homes needing extra support .
It has also provided staff for contact tracing .

Minister for Health Simon Harris: No specific guidelines were issued for the nursing home sector and weeks went by with no top-level engagement between the Department of Health and private home operators. Photograph: Alan Betson
Why were we not better prepared?
Covid-19 hits older people hardest. From early March, when major outbreaks of the disease occurred in nursing homes in Seattle, there was evidence of its potentially devastating impact in these settings.
Despite these warning flags, Ireland remained largely unprepared for what was to unfold. No specific guidelines were issued for the nursing home sector, weeks went by with no top-level engagement between the Department of Health and private home operators seeking a meeting with the Minister, and decisions about banning visitors were made, reversed and then made again.
While the main focus of preparation was on hospital ICUs, Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) was left pleading for “specific guidance” and fretting about likely staff shortages. The number of clusters of the disease mushroomed – from a handful towards the end of March, to 50 some 10 days later, and more than 160 this week.
Were there delays in testing?
Delays in testing patients and staff have been a feature of our response across the health system. Nursing homes are no exception; in a recent survey, almost half of private nursing home operators said they had been waiting over 10 days for test results to come back.
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All delays are problematic, but they posed a particular challenge in the residential sector, where many staff were working across different locations. The delays meant that workers with the disease, but who had not been tested, went longer undetected, and possibly spread the virus.
Are residents being left to die in nursing homes?
A number of families with relatives in nursing homes have told The Irish Times they have been advised their loved ones will not be transferred to hospital if they contract Covid-19.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has denied such a blanket policy is in place, though they say the default is to treat patients in their nursing homes unless a transfer to hospital is clinically indicated. The HSE has advised nursing homes to manage the disease in their own facilities and only transfer residents to hospitals where this would “confer additional benefit”.
One family told The Irish Times their nursing home, citing HSE “guidelines”, told them residents should not be sent for resuscitation in relation to Covid-19. NPHET have said no such guidelines are in place.
What happened at the Maryborough Centre in Portlaoise after nine people tragically died over Easter is instructive. The remaining 17 patients, some of whom are also reported to be positive for the disease, have been treated on site, rather than being brought to hospital.
Medical teams came out from Portlaoise hospital to treat the residents in their familiar environs. Public health officials maintain they got better treatment because of this approach.
Are families being left in the dark?
A number of families have told The Irish Times they sought and were refused information by nursing homes about outbreaks of Covid-19 in their facilities. The HSE, which publishes information about the number of cases of the disease in individual hospitals, does not publish equivalent information in relation to nursing and other care homes.
NPHET has defended this policy, saying the numbers of patients involved in many centres would be very small and so publication of this information could infringe patients’ confidentiality.
NHI says that in relation to providing guidance to families, it was told by NPHET that patient confidentiality should be respected and that “the Department of Health will provide updated information as necessary”.
NPHET has since clarified that it has no objection to families being informed of, say, the number of cases in an outbreak; in recent days, some individual homes have started providing more information than they had up to now, and the HSE has also issued press statements about major outbreaks in specific locations.
Where is the PPE?
Shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), and worries about potential shortages, have been a feature of this crisis in recent months across the health system.
Just one-quarter of nursing homes reported having a 100 per cent supply of PPE in a recent NHI survey. Almost 30 per cent said they were awaiting a supply of equipment.
A memo sent to staff by one nursing care group enjoined staff to wear face masks but also to wash them and to “ensure these mask are replaced after 50 washes”.
Mounting evidence about the way the virus can be transmitted before infected people show symptoms points to the urgent need for the use of PPE more widely than might have been anticipated at the start of the outbreak.
Where are the regulators?
Many of the care centres where outbreaks of Covid-19 have occurred are subject to regulation by official bodies. The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) regulates nursing homes, for example, while the Mental Health Commission oversees standards in mental health centres.
These bodies regularly publish inspection reports that highlight deficiencies in the running of centres, including infection control. Yet little has been heard of the regulators until recently.
Hiqa has published a number of evidence summaries in relation to aspects of Covid-19. Late last month, it was tasked with carrying out risk assessments on homes needing extra support. It has also provided staff for contact tracing.


theirishtimes--2020-04-18--Coronavirus: Single parents concerned at treatment in supermarkets

Parents who bring young children with them as they buy essential groceries have spoken out about how uncomfortable they have been made feel by staff in some supermarkets despite claims by stores that there is no policy barring small family units from shopping together .
Retailers have adopted strict social distancing policies to slow the spread of Covid-19 and people have been encouraged to shop alone , but for many single parents that is impossible and some have expressed concern they are being unfairly targeted .
Susan Walsh recently visited an Aldi shop in Galway with her young daughter but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security man and “ so rudely told if I wanted to go in I ’ d have to leave ‘ her ’ there as he pointed to the wall beside him ” .
She said she explained that she was a “ solo parent and that she would be going in the trolley ” .
He said that was not possible .
“ My daughter got quite upset at this stage and I felt shook , rage and the tears fell as I walked back to our bikes .
She wondered if she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to which I replied we would never be going back there anyway.
” When she contacted Aldi via its social media channels to complain , she received an immediate apology and was told that while it was “ encouraging all customers to try to reduce the number of family members they bring with them into our stores ” it appreciated that “ this is not possible for all of our customers , especially parents and children ” .
Aldi added that it was asking “ all store staff and security to be extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aldi details of Ms Walsh ’ s experience and in response received the following statement from the company .
“ In order to help with social distancing , we are encouraging all customers to try to reduce the number of family members they bring with them into our stores.
” Katie Reily went to a Tesco outlet in Midleton in Cork at the start of April and , while she was not denied entry , she was questioned “ to the point of discomfort about why I needed to bring my children into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said a manager had told her the shop was “ trying to protect everyone and that he was responsible for his employees and that in future I needed to come alone ” .
As a widow she said she had no choice but to bring her young children with her .
“ It was devastatingly obvious that Tesco was discriminating against children and , by default , single mothers .
No woman should have to state her relationship status before being allowed to shop !
” Laura Connolly from Waterford brought her five-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be told they were not allowing young children in .
When she explained she was a single parent and could not leave her child on her own , she was told it was “ fine for now but next time to organise something else ” .
She later spoke to a manager who apologised and said he would talk to the staff member .
“ I was so embarrassed in front of everyone , it was really awful.
” Ms Connolly told The Irish Times that supermarkets needed to use common sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shop with children then you are obviously without a choice to leave them at home or in the car.
” In response to queries from The Irish Times about shoppers ’ criticisms , a Tesco spokeswoman stressed that the retailer was “ not discouraging customers from bringing their children to store ” .
She said it was “ encouraging people to shop one person per trolley , whenever possible .
We realise this is not always feasible and of course we understand that .
As we all respond to Covid-19 , we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that of our colleagues is our priority .
We understand this is a challenging time for everyone , and we are doing everything we can to make sure everyone can get what they need as efficiently as possible in a safe and stress-free environment.
” In a letter to The Irish Times , representatives of groups including the Children ’ s Rights Alliance , the St Vincent de Paul , the Free Legal Advice Centre and the National Women ’ s Council of Ireland warned that a blanket ban on children accessing supermarkets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to concerns in relation to child protection and welfare issues .
The letter said it would also appear to be “ indirectly in breach of their obligation not to discriminate on the family status ground in the Equal Status Acts 2000 ” .
It suggests that retailers choose alternative measures that ensure parents can shop safely with their children where this is necessary , including prioritising online delivery services for frontline workers and lone parents , and the allocation of special shopping times for parents who must bring children with them .

Parents who bring young children with them as they buy essential groceries have spoken out about how uncomfortable they have been made feel by staff in some supermarkets despite claims by stores that there is no policy barring small family units from shopping together.
Retailers have adopted strict social distancing policies to slow the spread of Covid-19 and people have been encouraged to shop alone, but for many single parents that is impossible and some have expressed concern they are being unfairly targeted.
Susan Walsh recently visited an Aldi shop in Galway with her young daughter but was "refused entry" by a security man and "so rudely told if I wanted to go in I'd have to leave 'her' there as he pointed to the wall beside him".
She said she explained that she was a “solo parent and that she would be going in the trolley”.
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He said that was not possible. “My daughter got quite upset at this stage and I felt shook, rage and the tears fell as I walked back to our bikes. She wondered if she’d ever be allowed in again to which I replied we would never be going back there anyway.”
When she contacted Aldi via its social media channels to complain, she received an immediate apology and was told that while it was “encouraging all customers to try to reduce the number of family members they bring with them into our stores” it appreciated that “this is not possible for all of our customers, especially parents and children”.
Aldi added that it was asking “all store staff and security to be extra cautious of this”.
We sent Aldi details of Ms Walsh’s experience and in response received the following statement from the company. “In order to help with social distancing, we are encouraging all customers to try to reduce the number of family members they bring with them into our stores.”
Uncomfortable questioning
Katie Reily went to a Tesco outlet in Midleton in Cork at the start of April and, while she was not denied entry, she was questioned "to the point of discomfort about why I needed to bring my children into the shop with me".
She said a manager had told her the shop was “trying to protect everyone and that he was responsible for his employees and that in future I needed to come alone”.
As a widow she said she had no choice but to bring her young children with her. “It was devastatingly obvious that Tesco was discriminating against children and, by default, single mothers. No woman should have to state her relationship status before being allowed to shop!”
Laura Connolly from Waterford brought her five-year-old daughter to another Tesco in Ardkeen only to be told they were not allowing young children in. When she explained she was a single parent and could not leave her child on her own, she was told it was "fine for now but next time to organise something else".
She later spoke to a manager who apologised and said he would talk to the staff member. “I was so embarrassed in front of everyone, it was really awful.”
Ms Connolly told The Irish Times that supermarkets needed to use common sense. “If you are entering the shop with children then you are obviously without a choice to leave them at home or in the car.”
In response to queries from The Irish Times about shoppers’ criticisms, a Tesco spokeswoman stressed that the retailer was “not discouraging customers from bringing their children to store”.
She said it was “encouraging people to shop one person per trolley, whenever possible. We realise this is not always feasible and of course we understand that. As we all respond to Covid-19, we want customers to know that their safety and that of our colleagues is our priority. We understand this is a challenging time for everyone, and we are doing everything we can to make sure everyone can get what they need as efficiently as possible in a safe and stress-free environment.”
Warning
In a letter to The Irish Times, representatives of groups including the Children's Rights Alliance, the St Vincent de Paul, the Free Legal Advice Centre and the National Women's Council of Ireland warned that a blanket ban on children accessing supermarkets could cause or exacerbate food poverty or lead to concerns in relation to child protection and welfare issues.
The letter said it would also appear to be “indirectly in breach of their obligation not to discriminate on the family status ground in the Equal Status Acts 2000”.
It suggests that retailers choose alternative measures that ensure parents can shop safely with their children where this is necessary, including prioritising online delivery services for frontline workers and lone parents, and the allocation of special shopping times for parents who must bring children with them.


theirishtimes--2020-04-18--Coronavirus: Up to 10% of Dublin fire service staff sidelined

Up to 10 per cent of Dublin Fire Brigade staff are unavailable for duty due to coronavirus illness or protective isolation measures , chief fire officer Dennis Keeley has said .
The brigade recorded a 21 per cent increase in calls to the emergency service in March compared with the same period last year as the pandemic started to take hold , Mr Keeley said .
While the call volume has now stabilised , significant numbers of the brigade ’ s 850 firefighter paramedics were now in isolation awaiting tests , while a small number have also tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who have tested positive and 85 currently in self isolation .
It ’ s a fluid situation , because some of those who tested positive have recovered and are back in work , but we ’ re down about 8-10 per cent of our staff , ” he said .
However , the fire service is maintaining “ full operating capacity ” Mr Keeley said .
“ We have an array of staff depletion measures and .
Retired members are also assisting us , ” he said .
“ In March there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity on the same time last year , and I think that was because at the onset of Covid-19 people were very anxious and uncertain about whether they needed to go into hospital .
That has settled as more information has become available.
” A second call centre had been established in the fire brigade training centre in the O ’ Brien Institute in Marino in north Dublin , and this allowed the services to separate calls related to the virus from calls for other emergencies and to allow staff to maintain greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a “ dramatic improvement ” in Covid-19 test turnaround times this week he said , with results beginning to become available in three to four days , which would also help in getting staff back to work .
He urged the public to continue to contact the emergency numbers if they needed the fire service , or an ambulance if they felt they needed to go to hospital .
“ I am very proud of the work Dublin Fire Brigade is carrying out , both our own fire fighter paramedics and those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s very challenging and everyone is working flat out.
” Siptu , which represents firefighter paramedics , said while testing times were improving , fast-track testing was essential to maintaining emergency services .
“ We need fast-track Covid-19 testing for all frontline essential services in local government including full-time and retained firefighters , and health professionals , as well as all local authority essential service workers which includes water services and roads , ” Siptu organiser Brendan O ’ Brien said .
“ The turnaround on testing was typically taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to get it down to a couple of days .
The longer it is taking to test firefighter paramedics and other front line staff the longer it takes them to get back to work.
” While Dublin Fire Brigade was still managing to maintain its full operations , despite the numbers of absent staff , this had meant remaining staff were working longer hours , Mr O ’ Brien said .
“ The fire brigade is having to bring in people on overtime to make up the numbers to ensure a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that means people are not getting their rest periods , they are continuing to work when they should be at home resting .
”

Dennis Keeley: “We have managed to keep all our fire appliances and ambulances in service, with the support of staff and by redeploying uniformed personnel to the front line.” Photograph Nick Bradshaw
Up to 10 per cent of Dublin Fire Brigade staff are unavailable for duty due to coronavirus illness or protective isolation measures, chief fire officer Dennis Keeley has said.
The brigade recorded a 21 per cent increase in calls to the emergency service in March compared with the same period last year as the pandemic started to take hold, Mr Keeley said.
While the call volume has now stabilised, significant numbers of the brigade’s 850 firefighter paramedics were now in isolation awaiting tests, while a small number have also tested positive for the virus.
“We have 11 people who have tested positive and 85 currently in self isolation. It’s a fluid situation, because some of those who tested positive have recovered and are back in work, but we’re down about 8-10 per cent of our staff,” he said.
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However, the fire service is maintaining “full operating capacity” Mr Keeley said.
“We have an array of staff depletion measures and . Retired members are also assisting us,” he said.
“In March there was a 21 per cent increase in activity on the same time last year, and I think that was because at the onset of Covid-19 people were very anxious and uncertain about whether they needed to go into hospital. That has settled as more information has become available.”
A second call centre had been established in the fire brigade training centre in the O’Brien Institute in Marino in north Dublin, and this allowed the services to separate calls related to the virus from calls for other emergencies and to allow staff to maintain greater distancing, he said.
There had been a “dramatic improvement” in Covid-19 test turnaround times this week he said, with results beginning to become available in three to four days, which would also help in getting staff back to work.
Emergency numbers
He urged the public to continue to contact the emergency numbers if they needed the fire service, or an ambulance if they felt they needed to go to hospital.
“I am very proud of the work Dublin Fire Brigade is carrying out, both our own fire fighter paramedics and those responding to the 999 and 111 calls. It’s very challenging and everyone is working flat out.”
Siptu, which represents firefighter paramedics, said while testing times were improving, fast-track testing was essential to maintaining emergency services.
“We need fast-track Covid-19 testing for all frontline essential services in local government including full-time and retained firefighters, and health professionals, as well as all local authority essential service workers which includes water services and roads,” Siptu organiser Brendan O’Brien said.
“The turnaround on testing was typically taking two weeks. It has reduced but we need to get it down to a couple of days. The longer it is taking to test firefighter paramedics and other front line staff the longer it takes them to get back to work.”
While Dublin Fire Brigade was still managing to maintain its full operations, despite the numbers of absent staff, this had meant remaining staff were working longer hours, Mr O’Brien said.
“The fire brigade is having to bring in people on overtime to make up the numbers to ensure a full service can be maintained. But that means people are not getting their rest periods, they are continuing to work when they should be at home resting.”