theirishtimes--2020-10-24--Gardaí find ‘fully operational bar’ after visiting suspected shebeen

Gardaí in Co Kildare have seized kegs of beer , spirits and bar equipment after visiting a suspected shebeen and discovering a “ fully operational bar ” .
Officers obtained a warrant as part of Operation Navigation and searched a premises near Athy on Friday night that was fitted with a bar , stools , tables and chairs , a 70-inch flat screen TV and a pool table , a Garda spokesman said .
“ An investigation commenced after gardaí in Athy became aware through social media that this premises was operating contrary to the Liquor Licensing Regulations and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in contravention of the Health Act 1947 , ” he added .
“ At approximately 8pm on Friday .
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gardaí conducted a search under warrant of the suspected shebeen premises and located a fully operational bar in a repurposed state.
” Five kegs of beer , a significant amount of spirits and bottled beers , and bar equipment such as taps , gas and coolers were seized from the property , which also had a smoking area and a store room and a toilet for visitors .
“ A full investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ files will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions , ” the spokesman said .
“ An Garda Síochána would appeal to anyone with information about the operation of illegal shebeens to contact their local Garda station .
”

Gardaí searched a suspected shebeen near Athy in Co Kildare on Friday and found a bar, stools, tables and chairs, a 70-inch flat screen TV and a pool table. Image: Gardainfo/Twitter
Gardaí in Co Kildare have seized kegs of beer, spirits and bar equipment after visiting a suspected shebeen and discovering a “fully operational bar”.
Officers obtained a warrant as part of Operation Navigation and searched a premises near Athy on Friday night that was fitted with a bar, stools, tables and chairs, a 70-inch flat screen TV and a pool table, a Garda spokesman said.
“An investigation commenced after gardaí in Athy became aware through social media that this premises was operating contrary to the Liquor Licensing Regulations and that members of the public were congregating there in contravention of the Health Act 1947,” he added.
“At approximately 8pm on Friday . . . gardaí conducted a search under warrant of the suspected shebeen premises and located a fully operational bar in a repurposed state.”
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Five kegs of beer, a significant amount of spirits and bottled beers, and bar equipment such as taps, gas and coolers were seized from the property, which also had a smoking area and a store room and a toilet for visitors.
“A full investigation is now underway into this matter and files will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions,” the spokesman said.
“An Garda Síochána would appeal to anyone with information about the operation of illegal shebeens to contact their local Garda station.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-24--Redesigning part of the Cork flood defences may cause five year delay – council

Redesigning a key part of the €150 million Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme designed to protect Cork city centre could delay the project by up to five years , a local authority has warned .
A new planning process and public consultation period would be necessary if the €6 million Morrison ’ s Island Public Realm project , designed to prevent up to 80 per cent of the flooding affecting the city centre , was to be altered , Cork City Council said .
“ It could result in planning appeals and further adjudication by An Bord Pleanála and another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might oppose any new design , ” the council and the Office of Public Works ( OPW ) said in a joint statement on Friday .
The Morrison ’ s Island Public Realm project is part of the overall OPW designed scheme to protect Cork from river flooding , as happened in 2009 , and tidal flooding , as happened in 2014 and earlier this week .
However , the scheme has been strongly opposed by the Save Cork City campaign group , which said the scheme is over-reliant on walls , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not protect the city centre against flooding .
Save Cork City has mounted a number of legal challenges to the Morrison ’ s Island project .
The council last year had to submit a fresh planning application as a result of one of these challenges , which was approved last June .
The campaign group has since appealed to the High Court for leave to seek a judicial review of the An Bord Pleanála decision and the High Court is due to rule on November 3rd on whether this challenge can proceed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Island scheme is ready to go if those who oppose it end their challenge to the project , which was approved after a period of public consultation .
“ It is a project that An Bord Pleanála has given a positive endorsement to and as recent events have shown , it is absolutely urgent that it is implemented , ” they said .
They said the urgency of the situation is compounded by the fact that the city centre can not be protected by temporary flood defence measures such as inflatable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s or Father Matthew Quays .
During a visit to Cork to see the damage caused by Tuesday ’ s flood , Minister of State for the OPW Patrick O ’ Donovan called on Save Cork City to withdraw its legal challenge against the scheme .
However , Save Cork City spokesman John Hegarty told Cork ’ s 96FM that the group would not be withdrawing its challenge as they believed that this was the wrong scheme to protect the city .
“ It ’ s time for them to think about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t need planning application so that they can take the time to think about how Cork as a whole city can be protected from flooding , ” he said .
Mr Hegarty said the OPW must take responsibility for delaying the right kind of flood defences for Cork by insisting on going ahead with a wall based system , and that it should instead consider a tidal barrier .
“ Temporary defences are in widespread use across Europe and while they don ’ t necessarily support the OPW argument , they do protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people as a city , temporary defences should be in use .
”

Many businesses and shops in Cork city have been left under a metre of water after significant flooding hit several streets last week. Photograph: Seamus J Kearney/PA Wire.
Redesigning a key part of the €150 million Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme designed to protect Cork city centre could delay the project by up to five years, a local authority has warned.
A new planning process and public consultation period would be necessary if the €6 million Morrison's Island Public Realm project, designed to prevent up to 80 per cent of the flooding affecting the city centre, was to be altered, Cork City Council said.
"It could result in planning appeals and further adjudication by An Bord Pleanála and another long sequence of litigation by those who might oppose any new design," the council and the Office of Public Works (OPW) said in a joint statement on Friday.
The Morrison’s Island Public Realm project is part of the overall OPW designed scheme to protect Cork from river flooding, as happened in 2009, and tidal flooding, as happened in 2014 and earlier this week.
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However, the scheme has been strongly opposed by the Save Cork City campaign group, which said the scheme is over-reliant on walls, will reduce access to the river and will not protect the city centre against flooding.
Save Cork City has mounted a number of legal challenges to the Morrison’s Island project. The council last year had to submit a fresh planning application as a result of one of these challenges, which was approved last June.
The campaign group has since appealed to the High Court for leave to seek a judicial review of the An Bord Pleanála decision and the High Court is due to rule on November 3rd on whether this challenge can proceed.
The council and OPW say the Morrison’s Island scheme is ready to go if those who oppose it end their challenge to the project, which was approved after a period of public consultation.
“It is a project that An Bord Pleanála has given a positive endorsement to and as recent events have shown, it is absolutely urgent that it is implemented,” they said.
They said the urgency of the situation is compounded by the fact that the city centre cannot be protected by temporary flood defence measures such as inflatable flood barriers at locations such as Morrison's or Father Matthew Quays.
During a visit to Cork to see the damage caused by Tuesday’s flood, Minister of State for the OPW Patrick O’Donovan called on Save Cork City to withdraw its legal challenge against the scheme.
However, Save Cork City spokesman John Hegarty told Cork's 96FM that the group would not be withdrawing its challenge as they believed that this was the wrong scheme to protect the city.
“It’s time for them to think about putting in temporary defences that wouldn’t need planning application so that they can take the time to think about how Cork as a whole city can be protected from flooding,” he said.
Mr Hegarty said the OPW must take responsibility for delaying the right kind of flood defences for Cork by insisting on going ahead with a wall based system, and that it should instead consider a tidal barrier.
"Temporary defences are in widespread use across Europe and while they don't necessarily support the OPW argument, they do protect property. If we want to protect people as a city, temporary defences should be in use."


theirishtimes--2020-10-24--Covid-19: Public advised to stop using all Virapro sanitary products

Members of the public have been advised to stop using all Virapro-branded sanitary products after it emerged that several are not authorised for use in the State .
The Department of Agriculture made the announcement late on Friday night , a day after a specific hand sanitiser made by the company was recalled from the market over health concerns .
The product , Virapro Hand Sanitiser ( PCS 100409 ) , has been used in many schools by students and staff .
The department has warned that prolonged use of the sanitiser may cause dermatitis , eye irritation , upper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed the product from the Biocidal Product Register because of the public health concerns .
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said a potential problem was first raised on September 25th .
He said Revenue notified the department that the European Anti-Fraud Office had contacted them about the importation of a hand sanitiser from Turkey to Ireland from the same supplier of a product tested in Denmark and found to contain excessive levels of methanol .
He said the results of tests the department carried out were fully validated on October 16th .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alerted to safety issues with hand sanitiser used in schools on Tuesday .
However , schools were not told to stop using it until late on Thursday .
Speaking on Saturday , Minister of State Colm Brophy told RTÉ ’ s Saturday with Katie Hannon that Ministers should have been informed sooner about the issue .
Asked if he was shocked at the delay , given the product was being used by children and some €9 million had been spent on it , Mr Brophy said the Government was dealing with an unprecedented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much happening at such a speed ” .
He said it would have been better if the issue had been communicted sooner but that the Department of Education moved “ as fast as they could ” after being notified .
Sinn Féin healh spokesman David Cullinane said it was worrying that a product being used to protect people was not safe and that the delay in informing the Minister was “ unacceptable and speaks to the chaos we have here at the time ” .
On Friday night , the Department of Agriculture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into the hand sanitiser , it emerged that a number of other sanitary products under the Virapro brand were not on its approved list for biocidal products .
“ The company concerned has been advised to withdraw all of these products from the market , ” said a department statement .
“ The department is therefore advising , on a precautionary basis , that all sanitary products in the Virapro range should be returned to the supplier .
“ Members of the public are advised to stop using these products because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department said all products containing biocides were required to have specific information and data on the labels .
A number of schools were forced to shut their doors on Friday amid the hand sanitiser scare .
Dr Paddy Mallon , consultant in infectious disease at St Vincent ’ s Hospital in Dublin , said the incident was “ surprising ” .
“ Whether it ’ s schools or hospitals , everyone has been struggling to access sufficient supplies of what we need but that has improved over time , ” he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a need to focus on safety but also how important hand sanitiser and hand washing is .
“ It ’ s an unfortunate hiccup that has had a severe impact on schools .
“ The majority of hand sanitiser won ’ t have this particular type of alcohol .
“ We need to continue to be diligent and frequent users of hand sanitisers because it is key in protecting ourselves.
” - PA

Members of the public have been advised to stop using all Virapro-branded sanitary products after it emerged that several are not authorised for use in the State. File photograph: Dave Meehan/The Irish Times.
More than one million units of a brand of hand sanitiser that is no longer authorised for use in Ireland were distributed to health service facilities across the State.
The ViraPro-branded hand sanitiser was found to contain methanol rather than ethanol and the Department of Agriculture has advised the public to stop using it and the company’s other products.
Inadequate levels of ethanol render the product ineffective and frequent use of sanitiser with methanol can cause nausea, dermatitis, eye irritation, upper respiratory tract irritation and headaches, it said.
A number of schools were forced to close on Friday as a result of the recall as the product had been sent to education centres across the State for use by students and staff.
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) on Saturday confirmed that it had taken delivery of more than three million units of ViraPro’s sanitiser for use in health settings. Two million of these were in storage and more than a million have been “issued to health service locations”, it said.
A HSE spokeswoman said a product recall team had been mobilised and that it had “immediately quarantined all stocks currently held in the National PPE Distribution Centres”.
The recall would assist in understanding and establishing “how much product needs to be uplifted and replaced”, she said.
She said there was “ample stock available” in HSE storage to replace the recalled sanitiser.
Problem
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said a potential problem with the sanitiser was first raised on September 25th. He said Revenue notified the department that the European Anti-Fraud Office had contacted it about the importation of a hand sanitiser from Turkey to Ireland from the same supplier of a product tested in Denmark and found to contain excessive levels of methanol.
He said the results of tests the department carried out were fully validated on October 16th.
The Department of Education has acknowledged that it was first alerted to safety issues with the hand sanitiser on Tuesday. However, schools were not told to stop using it until late on Thursday.
The Department of Agriculture said, in the course of the investigation into the hand sanitiser, it emerged that a number of other sanitary products under the ViraPro brand were not on its approved list for biocidal products.
“The company concerned has been advised to withdraw all of these products from the market,” it said in a statement. “Members of the public are advised to stop using these products because they are not authorised for use.”
Minister of State Colm Brophy told RTÉ’s Saturday with Katie Hannon that Ministers should have been informed sooner about the issue.
Asked if he was shocked at the delay, given the product was being used by children and millions had been spent on it, Mr Brophy said the Government was dealing with an unprecedented pandemic and that there was “so much happening at such a speed”.
He said it would have been better if the issue had been communicted sooner but that the Department of Education moved “as fast as they could” after being notified.
‘Chaos’
Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane said it was worrying that a product being used to protect people was not safe and that the delay in informing the Minister was “unacceptable and speaks to the chaos we have here at the time”.
The HSE spokeswoman said it “moved immediately” to deal with the matter when it was informed by the department on Thursday that ViraPro products had been removed from the Biocides Product Register.
She added that the department further advised late on Friday of the need to withdraw “all products bearing the ‘ViraPro’ name and return to the supplier”.
Dr Paddy Mallon, consultant in infectious disease at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin, said the incident was “surprising”.
“Whether it’s schools or hospitals, everyone has been struggling to access sufficient supplies of what we need but that has improved over time,” he added.
“We need to recognise that there is a need to focus on safety but also how important hand sanitiser and hand washing is.
“It’s an unfortunate hiccup that has had a severe impact on schools...The majority of hand sanitiser won’t have this particular type of alcohol.” - Additional reporting - PA


theirishtimes--2020-10-24--New Science on Screen Film Festival to have ‘join the conversation’ theme

An exciting way of delving deep into science and experiencing the reality of research endeavour comes in the form of the new Science on Screen Film Festival running from November 5th to 8th .
The free online festival will showcase the best of science in film and this year incorporates themes of representation and diversity in science and the value of art-science collaborations .
The festival tagline , “ Join the conversation ” invites audiences of all types to immerse themselves in scientific storytelling , hear from filmmakers and researchers on critical topics such as climate change and health research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading scientists on cutting-edge research .
The festival is hosted by Cúram , the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices based in NUI Galway , and Galway Film Centre which established the successful Science on Screen scheme in 2016 .
The full programme will be announced at the end of October and will include science-themed feature films and short film programmes , as well as all of the original Science on Screen documentaries which tell the stories of patients living with chronic conditions such as Parkinson ’ s , diabetes and stroke recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve their quality of life .
More than 200 primary school children from around Ireland have submitted their questions for the Ask A Scientist panel session , to be broadcast online on November 6th at 11am .
The session will be chaired by two sixth class students from Gaelscoil Riabhach in Loughrea , Co Galway , who will put the questions to a panel of three top researchers in biological , engineering and environmental sciences .
The opening feature for the festival called “ Picture a Scientist ” will be hosted as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual summit .
It chronicles the groundswell of researchers who are writing a new chapter for women scientists .
Biologist Nancy Hopkins ; chemist Raychelle Burks and geologist Jane Willenbring lead viewers on a journey deep into their own experiences in the sciences , ranging from brutal harassment to years of subtle slights .
From cramped laboratories to spectacular field stations , scientific luminaries – including social scientists , neuroscientists , and psychologists – who provide new perspectives on how to make science itself more diverse , equitable , and open to all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a panel discussion on representation and diversity in science , technology , engineering and maths ( Stem ) .
Cúram scientific director Prof Abhay Pandit said : “ We are very proud to be launching the first Science on Screen Film Festival this year .
Ireland really is a nation of scientists and storytellers , something that has been illustrated particularly well through the award-winning documentaries produced through the Science on Screen programme in recent years.
” Galway Film Centre manager Alan Duggan said : “ We are delighted to be launching Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partnership with Cúram .
Building on the success of the Science on Screen documentaries , which have reached an audience of over one million worldwide , the festival will showcase the engaging and thought provoking content that is born from collaboration between our industries.
” At a time when reliance on accurate and sensitive portrayal of scientific facts and research was more important than ever , “ there is no better moment to ask audiences to join the conversation ” , he added .
Further information on the film programme , speakers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website at the end of October at www.curamdevicesengage.ie

Sixth class students Eoghan Ó Maoláin and Áine Nic Dheá from Gaelsoil Riabhach, Loughrea, Co Galway, who will chair the Ask a Scientist online panel discussion on Friday November 6th as part of the inaugural Science on Screen Film Festival Ireland. Photograph: Emilija Jefremova
An exciting way of delving deep into science and experiencing the reality of research endeavour comes in the form of the new Science on Screen Film Festival running from November 5th to 8th.
The free online festival will showcase the best of science in film and this year incorporates themes of representation and diversity in science and the value of art-science collaborations.
The festival tagline, “Join the conversation” invites audiences of all types to immerse themselves in scientific storytelling, hear from filmmakers and researchers on critical topics such as climate change and health research, and take the opportunity to question leading scientists on cutting-edge research.
The festival is hosted by Cúram, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices based in NUI Galway, and Galway Film Centre which established the successful Science on Screen scheme in 2016.
READ MORE
The full programme will be announced at the end of October and will include science-themed feature films and short film programmes, as well as all of the original Science on Screen documentaries which tell the stories of patients living with chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s, diabetes and stroke recovery – and the Irish researchers working to improve their quality of life.
More than 200 primary school children from around Ireland have submitted their questions for the Ask A Scientist panel session, to be broadcast online on November 6th at 11am. The session will be chaired by two sixth class students from Gaelscoil Riabhach in Loughrea, Co Galway, who will put the questions to a panel of three top researchers in biological, engineering and environmental sciences.
Groundswell
The opening feature for the festival called "Picture a Scientist" will be hosted as part of the Science Foundation Ireland's annual summit. It chronicles the groundswell of researchers who are writing a new chapter for women scientists. Biologist Nancy Hopkins; chemist Raychelle Burks and geologist Jane Willenbring lead viewers on a journey deep into their own experiences in the sciences, ranging from brutal harassment to years of subtle slights.
From cramped laboratories to spectacular field stations, scientific luminaries – including social scientists, neuroscientists, and psychologists – who provide new perspectives on how to make science itself more diverse, equitable, and open to all. The film will be followed by a panel discussion on representation and diversity in science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem).
Cúram scientific director Prof Abhay Pandit said: "We are very proud to be launching the first Science on Screen Film Festival this year. Ireland really is a nation of scientists and storytellers, something that has been illustrated particularly well through the award-winning documentaries produced through the Science on Screen programme in recent years."
Galway Film Centre manager Alan Duggan said: "We are delighted to be launching Ireland's first Science Film Festival in partnership with Cúram. Building on the success of the Science on Screen documentaries, which have reached an audience of over one million worldwide, the festival will showcase the engaging and thought provoking content that is born from collaboration between our industries."
At a time when reliance on accurate and sensitive portrayal of scientific facts and research was more important than ever, “there is no better moment to ask audiences to join the conversation”, he added.
Further information on the film programme, speakers and themes will be released on the Festival website at the end of October at www.curamdevicesengage.ie


theirishtimes--2020-10-24--Is this pink grasshopper native to Ireland? Readers’ nature queries

I photographed this fellow on our wooden deck in Wexford .
Is it a grasshopper and is it native ?
–Sara Whelan , New Ross , Co Wexford Pink grasshoppers are very rare as the colour is caused by a genetic anomaly .
A few have been seen in Britain .
There was one from Greystones , Co Wicklow , in Eye on Nature last year .
I noticed this insect on nettles at Carrickbrack , Howth .
I thought it might be a bush cricket but I couldn ’ t find it in the books .
– Frank Smyth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roesel ’ s bush cricket , with a local distribution in Ireland .
I picked up this oyster shell , one among many , on a beach near Brittas .
It has many holes , sometimes through to the other side .
What caused the holes ?
– Ruth Murphy , Kilcock , Co Kildare There are a few organisms that cause holes in shells .
These ones were probably caused by the boring sponge Cliona chelata .
This moth was camped out on my front door for several days .
Is it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kimmage , Dublin 12 It ’ s the garden carpet moth and it overwinters as a pupa .
I took this image of a turtle dove on our driveway .
It was my first time seeing one .
Is that unusual ?
– Barbara Kenneally , Allihies , Co Cork It is a rare sighting .
Turtle doves are passage migrants in Ireland , usually seen on coastal headlands on the south and east coasts in spring and autumn .
These whooper swans had just arrived at Bunduff lake , Mullaghmore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cliffoney , Co Sligo I found this little yellow moth outside our door .
Can you tell me what it is ?
– Rob Smyth , Foxrock , Dublin 18 It ’ s the canary-shouldered thorn moth .
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn , Louisburgh , Co Mayo , F28 F978 , or by email at viney @ anu.ie .
Please include a postal address .

I photographed this fellow on our wooden deck in Wexford. Is it a grasshopper and is it native? –Sara Whelan, New Ross, Co Wexford
Pink grasshoppers are very rare as the colour is caused by a genetic anomaly. A few have been seen in Britain. There was one from Greystones, Co Wicklow, in Eye on Nature last year.
Roesel’s bush cricket
I noticed this insect on nettles at Carrickbrack, Howth. I thought it might be a bush cricket but I couldn't find it in the books. – Frank Smyth, Sutton, Dublin13
It's Roesel's bush cricket, with a local distribution in Ireland.
Oyster shell showing many holes
I picked up this oyster shell, one among many, on a beach near Brittas. It has many holes, sometimes through to the other side. What caused the holes? – Ruth Murphy, Kilcock, Co Kildare
There are a few organisms that cause holes in shells. These ones were probably caused by the boring sponge Cliona chelata.
Garden carpet moth
This moth was camped out on my front door for several days. Is it likely to overwinter? – Paul Kenny, Kimmage, Dublin 12
It's the garden carpet moth and it overwinters as a pupa.
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Turtle dove spotted in Allihies, Co Cork
I took this image of a turtle dove on our driveway. It was my first time seeing one. Is that unusual? – Barbara Kenneally, Allihies, Co Cork
It is a rare sighting. Turtle doves are passage migrants in Ireland, usually seen on coastal headlands on the south and east coasts in spring and autumn.
Whooper swans at Bunduff lake, Mullaghmore, Co Sligo
These whooper swans had just arrived at Bunduff lake, Mullaghmore, on October 7th. – Michael McCormick, Cliffoney, Co Sligo
Canary-shouldered thorn moth
I found this little yellow moth outside our door. Can you tell me what it is? – Rob Smyth, Foxrock, Dublin 18
It's the canary-shouldered thorn moth.
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, F28 F978, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address.


theirishtimes--2020-10-24--Putting the clocks back: Sleep experts question benefits of not changing time

Sleep experts have questioned the benefits of not putting the clocks back this month , following calls for the Government to halt the annual change of time .
The EU is pushing to end seasonal time switches from next year and Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall has suggested that leaving time unchanged this year could help people to better cope with the Covid-19 pandemic .
With clocks set to be turned back by an hour from 2am on Sunday - providing more daylight in the morning , but less in the evening - it is unclear what benefits any move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Motty Varghese , physiologist at the Sleep Therapy Clinic in St James ’ s Hospital , Dublin , said the question is subjective and its impact depends on the individual .
He explained that three different clocks apply to most people – the social ( or actual ) clock ; the sun clock ; and the body clock .
“ When we change the time every year we are really only changing the social clock , ” he said .
“ It does take us a bit of time to catch up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days.
” International research has pointed to an increase in car accidents and hospital visits in the days immediately following the one hour change , as people attune themselves to the altered times .
Mr Varghese said it boils down to whether extra activity in the evenings – bolstered by increased daylight – is more important than getting more sleep , which is aided by darker evenings .
He said that although people suffering with depression and seasonal affective disorder can benefit from having brighter mornings , this normally depends on the individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consideration could see an official directive to discontinue seasonal clock changes from next year .
According to the World Economic Forum , scientists from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine support such a move , saying the changes cause disruption to circadian rhythms – the internal process that runs the sleep/wake cycle .
Research carried out by the Department of Justice last year found although the public would generally favour brighter evenings in the winter , an overwhelming majority are wary of a policy that would result in two time zones on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported calls for a full impact assessment ahead of any final decision .
Ms Shorthall suggested last week that summer time should be maintained to make life a bit easier for a public already reeling from Covid-19 related restrictions .
“ People are under a lot of strain and there was mention that things are going to get more difficult at the end of the month when the clocks go back and we go into winter time , ” she said .
Prof Dan Healy , consultant neurologist at Beaumont Hospital , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain to adjust to a one hour difference in the sleep cycle – for instance people who travel to France for a holiday find it much easier to adjust to the time difference than someone who travels home from the west coast of the US .
“ Our own DNA also modifies the sleep-wake cycle .
Some people run clocks that wake a little earlier , [ a ] ‘ morning person ’ and others later , [ a ] ‘ night person , ” he said .
“ That genetic variation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not taken into consideration in the working world ; you have to be at work at nine in the morning and that suits morning people .
They have lower levels of depression and more workplace successes and crucially find it easy to get up in the morning.
” Deirdre McSwiney , a sleep disorder expert , said she experiences an increase in queries from people around the time of clock changes but does not believe Shorthall ’ s idea would make any significant difference .
“ It only takes your body a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjust , ” she said .
A Brief History of Time Changes In Ireland , “ summer time ” was introduced in 1916 , beginning the annual tradition of changing clocks to manipulate the shifting patterns of daylight .
EU legislation on summer time was introduced in 1980 to harmonise the approach , but took four years of negotiations .
Even thenm it took nine separate directives , adopted over 20 years , to implement an EU-wide system .
Today there are three standard time zones in the EU , organised along geographical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland , Portugal and the UK ) ; Central European Time ( with 17 Member States ) ; and Eastern European Time ( with eight ) .
Since 2001 , all member states switch to summer time on the last Sunday of March and switch back to their standard time ( winter time ) on the last Sunday of October .
In September 2018 , the European Commission published a proposal to abolish seasonal clock changes , with the move ending next year .
Members states will remain free to choose their standard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministers is still necessary and final approval will be a co-decision of the EU Parliament .
According to Mr Varghese , the scientific community has always been against daylight savings in March as it artificially manipulates the body clock based on people ’ s interaction with natural light .

With clocks set to be turned back by an hour from 2am on Sunday - providing more daylight in the morning, but less in the evening - it is unclear what benefits any move to abolish the time change would have. File photograph: David Sleator/The Irish Times.
Sleep experts have questioned the benefits of not putting the clocks back this month, following calls for the Government to halt the annual change of time.
The EU is pushing to end seasonal time switches from next year and Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall has suggested that leaving time unchanged this year could help people to better cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.
With clocks set to be turned back by an hour from 2am on Sunday - providing more daylight in the morning, but less in the evening - it is unclear what benefits any move to abolish the practice would have.
Motty Varghese, physiologist at the Sleep Therapy Clinic in St James's Hospital, Dublin, said the question is subjective and its impact depends on the individual. He explained that three different clocks apply to most people – the social (or actual) clock; the sun clock; and the body clock.
READ MORE
“When we change the time every year we are really only changing the social clock,” he said. “It does take us a bit of time to catch up to the changes, a week or 10 days.”
International research has pointed to an increase in car accidents and hospital visits in the days immediately following the one hour change, as people attune themselves to the altered times.
Mr Varghese said it boils down to whether extra activity in the evenings – bolstered by increased daylight – is more important than getting more sleep, which is aided by darker evenings. He said that although people suffering with depression and seasonal affective disorder can benefit from having brighter mornings, this normally depends on the individual in question.
Rhythms
The EU proposal under consideration could see an official directive to discontinue seasonal clock changes from next year. According to the World Economic Forum, scientists from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine support such a move, saying the changes cause disruption to circadian rhythms – the internal process that runs the sleep/wake cycle.
Research carried out by the Department of Justice last year found although the public would generally favour brighter evenings in the winter, an overwhelming majority are wary of a policy that would result in two time zones on the island of Ireland. The Government has supported calls for a full impact assessment ahead of any final decision.
Ms Shorthall suggested last week that summer time should be maintained to make life a bit easier for a public already reeling from Covid-19 related restrictions.
“People are under a lot of strain and there was mention that things are going to get more difficult at the end of the month when the clocks go back and we go into winter time,” she said.
Prof Dan Healy, consultant neurologist at Beaumont Hospital, said it does not take long for the brain to adjust to a one hour difference in the sleep cycle – for instance people who travel to France for a holiday find it much easier to adjust to the time difference than someone who travels home from the west coast of the US.
“Our own DNA also modifies the sleep-wake cycle. Some people run clocks that wake a little earlier, [a] ‘morning person’ and others later, [a] ‘night person,” he said.
“That genetic variation is really hard to modify. It is not taken into consideration in the working world; you have to be at work at nine in the morning and that suits morning people. They have lower levels of depression and more workplace successes and crucially find it easy to get up in the morning.”
Deirdre McSwiney, a sleep disorder expert, said she experiences an increase in queries from people around the time of clock changes but does not believe Shorthall’s idea would make any significant difference.
“It only takes your body a day, if not two days, to adjust,” she said.
A Brief History of Time Changes
In Ireland, “summer time” was introduced in 1916, beginning the annual tradition of changing clocks to manipulate the shifting patterns of daylight.
EU legislation on summer time was introduced in 1980 to harmonise the approach, but took four years of negotiations. Even thenm it took nine separate directives, adopted over 20 years, to implement an EU-wide system.
Today there are three standard time zones in the EU, organised along geographical lines – Western European Time (including Ireland, Portugal and the UK); Central European Time (with 17 Member States); and Eastern European Time (with eight).
Since 2001, all member states switch to summer time on the last Sunday of March and switch back to their standard time (winter time) on the last Sunday of October.
In September 2018, the European Commission published a proposal to abolish seasonal clock changes, with the move ending next year. Members states will remain free to choose their standard time.
Negotiation with the Council of Ministers is still necessary and final approval will be a co-decision of the EU Parliament.
According to Mr Varghese, the scientific community has always been against daylight savings in March as it artificially manipulates the body clock based on people’s interaction with natural light.


theirishtimes--2020-10-24--Another Life: Discovering the Kerry Mousetail Fern

Crouched beneath the windows on the seaward side of the house , our old greenhouse has sad holes in its roof .
The big one is where a storm tossed a heavy ridge tile off the house .
Lesser gaps are from the gales causing things to slide .
I built the greenhouse , in 1983 , with my father ’ s ways in mind – panes of glass , lots of little nails and putty squeezed from the fist .
Today it would be shatterproof plastic and mastic .
With such ease of access to the greenhouse , nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the ferns .
Keen Victorian pteridophytes grew them in their parlours in sealed glass cases , proof against the smoky urban air .
I now have a greenhouse with rampant male ferns , stocky hart ’ s-tongue , and delicate maidenhair spleenwort curling up the pillars .
Praeger , the great naturalist , was mad on ferns .
Once , hunting a particular fern on the limestone hills of Fermanagh , he pitched head-first into a deep , dark pothole the size of a prison cell .
Thoroughly dazed , he gazed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the rim was a fringe of the fern , the green spleenwort he was trying to find .
Before he escaped , balanced on a big rocky boulder , he used his penknife to dig out a clump of it to take home to his garden in Rathgar .
No eco-friendly botanist today would readily dig up something rare to take home , but Praeger does have his heirs in dogged pursuit of the plants of Ireland ’ s wild places .
Dr Rory Hodd , ecologist graduate of NUI Galway , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or a wanderer over hills and mountains .
He leads and inspires the “ Rough Crew ” recruited from members of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland ( BSBI ) .
This adventurous troupe of young botanists ( typically three women and five men ) join him in seeking out the plants of the rain-soaked ledges on the high , rocky scarps and ravines of the west .
His particular enthusiasm , however , is for the bryophytes – the mosses and liverworts that are Ireland ’ s special heritage .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK bryologists to some old and densely shady oak woodland high up in Killarney National Park and an hour ’ s trek from the nearest drivable track .
On a small stream cascading down a slope of sandstone boulders , his eye was caught by tiny , bright strands of green at the base of a boulder , in the humid air above the stream .
A closer look found thickened fronds up to 5cm long that marked it out from a moss .
Some in the group , while equally mystified , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ferns .
Co Kerry is notable for exotic species escaped into the wild from “ big house gardens ” .
One scenario Dr Hodd considered was that the plant ’ s spores might have dispersed from a passenger on the trunk of a tree-fern imported from Australasia .
But this fern was growing on rocks , some 40 plants in all .
He pressed one frond , its underside lined with reproductive spores , and sent it to an expert at the UK ’ s Natural History Museum , Dr Fred Rumsey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hitherto unknown in Europe , Stenogrammitis myosuroides .
Lacking an English name for it , Dr Rumsey has suggested the Kerry Mousetail Fern , from the meaning of its second species name .
Its natural home is among other Grammitic ferns in the mountain cloud forests of Cuba , Jamaica and the Dominican Republic .
And while two extremely rare Grammitic species have reached the Azores in the mid-Atlantic , the tiny spores of S myosuroides appear to have flown the whole 6,000 km , perhaps in the final flurries of a Caribbean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been lurking unnoticed for thousands of years .
Killarney ’ s soggy oakwoods are vestiges of old native woodland and several of their rarities , notably among the small , filmy ferns , are species whose nearest relatives grow in the cool , misty forests of the Azores , Madeira and the Canary Islands .
One of the best known is the Killarney fern , Trichomanes speciosum , with delicate , finely cut translucent fronds a foot or more long .
It seeks out damp , dark situations in the gorges of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to be at least “ frequent ” in the west of Ireland , but in the Victorian fern craze it was uprooted in great quantities to sell to gardeners and tourists .
Today it is still a rare and protected plant , growing in scattered , splashy spots from Kerry to Donegal and in Fermanagh .
It seems all too likely that the increasing warmth , rainfall and vagrant storms of climate change will clothe the west of Ireland in even more shades of ferny green .
Dr Hodd is worried that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not adapt quickly enough to survive .
In the meantime , however , he is the discoverer of the most venturesome blow-in from nature ever to take root in Ireland .

Crouched beneath the windows on the seaward side of the house, our old greenhouse has sad holes in its roof. The big one is where a storm tossed a heavy ridge tile off the house. Lesser gaps are from the gales causing things to slide.
I built the greenhouse, in 1983, with my father’s ways in mind – panes of glass, lots of little nails and putty squeezed from the fist. Today it would be shatterproof plastic and mastic.
With such ease of access to the greenhouse, nature has taken up residence – above all, the ferns. Keen Victorian pteridophytes grew them in their parlours in sealed glass cases, proof against the smoky urban air. I now have a greenhouse with rampant male ferns, stocky hart’s-tongue, and delicate maidenhair spleenwort curling up the pillars.
Praeger, the great naturalist, was mad on ferns. Once, hunting a particular fern on the limestone hills of Fermanagh, he pitched head-first into a deep, dark pothole the size of a prison cell.
READ MORE
Thoroughly dazed, he gazed up at the sky, and there at the rim was a fringe of the fern, the green spleenwort he was trying to find. Before he escaped, balanced on a big rocky boulder, he used his penknife to dig out a clump of it to take home to his garden in Rathgar.
No eco-friendly botanist today would readily dig up something rare to take home, but Praeger does have his heirs in dogged pursuit of the plants of Ireland’s wild places.
Dr Rory Hodd, ecologist graduate of NUI Galway, calls himself a "montivagant", or a wanderer over hills and mountains. He leads and inspires the "Rough Crew" recruited from members of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI). This adventurous troupe of young botanists (typically three women and five men) join him in seeking out the plants of the rain-soaked ledges on the high, rocky scarps and ravines of the west.
His particular enthusiasm, however, is for the bryophytes – the mosses and liverworts that are Ireland’s special heritage. In July of last year he led visiting UK bryologists to some old and densely shady oak woodland high up in Killarney National Park and an hour’s trek from the nearest drivable track.
On a small stream cascading down a slope of sandstone boulders, his eye was caught by tiny, bright strands of green at the base of a boulder, in the humid air above the stream. A closer look found thickened fronds up to 5cm long that marked it out from a moss. Some in the group, while equally mystified, were reminded of a family of tropical ferns.
Escaped
Co Kerry is notable for exotic species escaped into the wild from “big house gardens”. One scenario Dr Hodd considered was that the plant’s spores might have dispersed from a passenger on the trunk of a tree-fern imported from Australasia. But this fern was growing on rocks, some 40 plants in all.
He pressed one frond, its underside lined with reproductive spores, and sent it to an expert at the UK's Natural History Museum, Dr Fred Rumsey. It was identified as a fern, hitherto unknown in Europe, Stenogrammitis myosuroides. Lacking an English name for it, Dr Rumsey has suggested the Kerry Mousetail Fern, from the meaning of its second species name.
Its natural home is among other Grammitic ferns in the mountain cloud forests of Cuba, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. And while two extremely rare Grammitic species have reached the Azores in the mid-Atlantic, the tiny spores of S myosuroides appear to have flown the whole 6,000 km, perhaps in the final flurries of a Caribbean hurricane.
It may, indeed, have been lurking unnoticed for thousands of years. Killarney’s soggy oakwoods are vestiges of old native woodland and several of their rarities, notably among the small, filmy ferns, are species whose nearest relatives grow in the cool, misty forests of the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands.
One of the best known is the Killarney fern, Trichomanes speciosum, with delicate, finely cut translucent fronds a foot or more long. It seeks out damp, dark situations in the gorges of waterfalls or under overhanging rocks.
It used to be at least “frequent” in the west of Ireland, but in the Victorian fern craze it was uprooted in great quantities to sell to gardeners and tourists. Today it is still a rare and protected plant, growing in scattered, splashy spots from Kerry to Donegal and in Fermanagh.
It seems all too likely that the increasing warmth, rainfall and vagrant storms of climate change will clothe the west of Ireland in even more shades of ferny green. Dr Hodd is worried that many of his favourite rare mountain bryophytes will not adapt quickly enough to survive.
In the meantime, however, he is the discoverer of the most venturesome blow-in from nature ever to take root in Ireland.


theirishtimes--2020-10-24--Homeless woman’s courage praised as man jailed for sexual assault

A homeless woman has been praised for her courage in seeking justice after the man who sexually assaulted her was jailed for 18 months .
Mary Crilly , of the Cork Sexual Violence Centre , said great credit was due to the young woman who persevered with her complaint and saw her assailant , Francis Sweeney ( 50 ) , convicted this week .
“ I would like to say ‘ thank you ’ to that woman for going ahead with her case because today ’ s sentence does provide a boost for other women who might feel there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if nothing happens their attacker , ” Ms Crilly said .
“ It takes courage for anyone to make a statement and go ahead , let alone someone who fears their past might be brought up and the impact it might have on their mental health waiting for their case to come to trial.
” Ms Crilly said she believed that many homeless woman , particularly those who have to sleep rough on the streets , are viewed as “ fair game ” and that sexual violence against homeless woman was particularly high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have yet to meet a homeless woman who hasn ’ t been raped .
The majority would say to us ‘ I can ’ t remember how many times it ’ s happened to me because it ’ s happened so often ’ , ” she said .
Most cases were similar to that of the young woman sexually assaulted by Sweeney , in that they know their attacker and were vulnerable , Ms Crilly added .
In the case , the woman , who is in her mid 20s , was sharing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Cork city when she woke at around 3am on October 10th , 2018 to find Sweeney digitally sexually assaulting her .
At Cork Circuit Criminal Court earlier this week , Det Sgt Kieran O ’ Sullivan read the woman ’ s victim impact statement in which she directly addressed Sweeney , who had denied the crime but was found guilty by a jury .
“ Francis Sweeney , you did not have my consent but the truth always trumps lies .You have been found guilty , finally , after two years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I was frightened I would see somewhere , ” the woman said in her statement .
“ I lost endless nights of sleep and when I did finally sleep I would wake with night terrors ...
I might have been addicted to heroin and homeless living in a tent but that still doesn ’ t give anyone the right to lay a hand on you without the person ’ s permission .
“ If I stopped you doing this to any other vulnerable woman , then going through this was worth the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
I am a survivor.
” The sexual assault was investigated by Det Garda Michael Nagle and Det Garda Michelle Quinn and Judge Seán Ó Donnabhain commended both officers for their work on the case .
The court heard Det Garda Nagle was highly professional in his response in the early hours of the morning , managing to protect the woman from the dangerous situation she was in even though she was reluctant to make a complaint .
The judge also commended the professionalism of Det Garda Quinn , who followed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the young woman who eventually decided to make a formal complaint about the incident .
The court heard that Sweeney , a native of Galway , was currently serving a three year sentence for assault and he sentenced him to 18 months in jail consecutively to that term .
“ This young woman was living on the outer rim of the margins of society .
Francis Sweeney sexually assaulted her at a time when she was a recovering heroin addict .
She was a very vulnerable person , ” the judge said @

A homeless woman has been praised for her courage in seeking justice after the man who sexually assaulted her was jailed for 18 months. File image: Niall Carson/PA Wire.
A homeless woman has been praised for her courage in seeking justice after the man who sexually assaulted her was jailed for 18 months.
Mary Crilly, of the Cork Sexual Violence Centre, said great credit was due to the young woman who persevered with her complaint and saw her assailant, Francis Sweeney (50), convicted this week.
“I would like to say ‘thank you’ to that woman for going ahead with her case because today’s sentence does provide a boost for other women who might feel there’s no point in making a complaint if nothing happens their attacker,” Ms Crilly said.
“It takes courage for anyone to make a statement and go ahead, let alone someone who fears their past might be brought up and the impact it might have on their mental health waiting for their case to come to trial.”
READ MORE
Ms Crilly said she believed that many homeless woman, particularly those who have to sleep rough on the streets, are viewed as “fair game” and that sexual violence against homeless woman was particularly high.
“In all my years I have yet to meet a homeless woman who hasn’t been raped. The majority would say to us ‘I can’t remember how many times it’s happened to me because it’s happened so often’,” she said.
Most cases were similar to that of the young woman sexually assaulted by Sweeney, in that they know their attacker and were vulnerable, Ms Crilly added.
Shared tent
In the case, the woman, who is in her mid 20s, was sharing a tent with her boyfriend and Sweeney in Cork city when she woke at around 3am on October 10th, 2018 to find Sweeney digitally sexually assaulting her.
At Cork Circuit Criminal Court earlier this week, Det Sgt Kieran O'Sullivan read the woman's victim impact statement in which she directly addressed Sweeney, who had denied the crime but was found guilty by a jury.
“Francis Sweeney, you did not have my consent but the truth always trumps lies .You have been found guilty, finally, after two years. You won’t be a monster that I was frightened I would see somewhere,” the woman said in her statement.
“I lost endless nights of sleep and when I did finally sleep I would wake with night terrors...I might have been addicted to heroin and homeless living in a tent but that still doesn’t give anyone the right to lay a hand on you without the person’s permission.
“If I stopped you doing this to any other vulnerable woman, then going through this was worth the pain. I am not a victim now. I am a survivor.”
The sexual assault was investigated by Det Garda Michael Nagle and Det Garda Michelle Quinn and Judge Seán Ó Donnabhain commended both officers for their work on the case.
Reluctant
The court heard Det Garda Nagle was highly professional in his response in the early hours of the morning, managing to protect the woman from the dangerous situation she was in even though she was reluctant to make a complaint.
The judge also commended the professionalism of Det Garda Quinn, who followed up on the investigation and gained the trust of the young woman who eventually decided to make a formal complaint about the incident.
The court heard that Sweeney, a native of Galway, was currently serving a three year sentence for assault and he sentenced him to 18 months in jail consecutively to that term.
“This young woman was living on the outer rim of the margins of society. Francis Sweeney sexually assaulted her at a time when she was a recovering heroin addict. She was a very vulnerable person,” the judge said.


theirishtimes--2020-10-24--Organisation led by survivors of Mother and Baby homes needed ‘urgently’

A representative organisation led by survivors of mother and baby homes must be established “ urgently ” because for “ too long ” they had been ignored , an online event for survivors heard on Saturday .
Titled Stop the Seal of Mother and Baby Home Records , the event was initially to take place on Zoom with 100 participants .
When over 1,700 people responded to an invitation however it was moved to a live-stream on Facebook .
Speaker after speaker said the Commission of Investigation ( Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters ) Records , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the Dáil and the Seanad this week , was yet another example of the State “ re-traumatising ” and “ not listening ” to survivors .
The controversial legislation , which has yet to be signed into law by President Michael D Higgins , transfers a database of 60,000 records created by a five-year investigation into the homes to child and family agency Tusla .
This was gathered by a commission established under the 2004 Commissions of Investigation Act , and that Act stipulates that commission records must be kept under wraps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survivors of the homes have expressed outrage and anger at the handling of the legislation which they said should be halted or delayed for further debate amid fears that the records will remain sealed for 30 years .
Mr O ’ Gorman stressed , however , that the new legislation does not seal records for 30 years .
He said there were legal issues to overcome in relation to the 2004 Act but “ we need to fix this problem and I am absolutely committed ” to doing so as it is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people access to the information.
# Catherine Coffey-O ’ Brien , who fled Bessborough mother and baby home in Cork in 1989 , seven months pregnant , said survivors ’ consent was taken from them when they were in institutions , and was being taken again .
“ We have only one motive – to own our own history….We need to be listened to .
We need to be consulted , mindfully and respectfully throughout this whole stage…We don ’ t want the narrative taken from us.
” Breeda Murphy , spokeswoman for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said she thought the legislation was seen by Government as an opportunity for “ to silence the discourse .
“ One of the most distressing parts of this is that the Government and the power brokers have such resources behind them .
They have a wealth of money .
They can buy in all the experts and survivors are pitted against an absolute machinery that ’ s unyielding .
“ But something changed the other day and I think it ’ s people power and I think I really it is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dáil Éireann , apart from those who hold power , spoke for the mothers and babies.
” Deirdre Wadding , who also survived Bessborough having given birth there aged 18 in 1981 , said the Bill had been “ sprung on us without consultation ” .
She said a mechanism was needed that would ensure there was a “ coming back to the survivors to ask , ‘ What do you think ?
’ ; ‘ How do you feel about this ?
’ “ We need some kind of representative body , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has members who are accountable and who will have their work mandated by the survivors , that would come back to the survivors .
To me that would be a democratic way of handing back autonomy and consent .
These were they things that were taken from us.
” She was one of a number who said they had given testimonies to the commission of investigation and had not been told their testimonies would be sealed for 30 years .
There was other information being sealed , she added , that was unknown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is .
Who are they protecting ?
Why ?
Why is the question , ” she said .
Eunan Duffy , who was born in the Marianvale mother and baby home in Newry , Co Down , said unless all processes were “ victim/survivor-led , framed and centred we have nothing ” .
The passage of the bill was “ an absolute disgrace ” he said adding : “ The Republic of Ireland has form on this and it ’ s never been held to account .
When it comes to victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food chain , right at the bottom of the ladder .
“ This is not done and dusted .
I believe there is going to severe and robust legal challenge to everything that ’ s been voted on .
”

A representative organisation led by survivors of mother and baby homes must be established “urgently” because for “too long” they had been ignored, an online event for survivors heard on Saturday. Photograph: Provision
A representative organisation led by survivors of mother and baby homes must be established “urgently” because for “too long” they had been ignored, an online event for survivors heard on Saturday.
Titled Stop the Seal of Mother and Baby Home Records, the event was initially to take place on Zoom with 100 participants. When over 1,700 people responded to an invitation however it was moved to a live-stream on Facebook.
Speaker after speaker said the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill, which passed through the Dáil and the Seanad this week, was yet another example of the State “re-traumatising” and “not listening” to survivors.
The controversial legislation, which has yet to be signed into law by President Michael D Higgins, transfers a database of 60,000 records created by a five-year investigation into the homes to child and family agency Tusla.
READ MORE
This was gathered by a commission established under the 2004 Commissions of Investigation Act, and that Act stipulates that commission records must be kept under wraps for 30 years.
Opposition TDs and survivors of the homes have expressed outrage and anger at the handling of the legislation which they said should be halted or delayed for further debate amid fears that the records will remain sealed for 30 years.
Mr O’Gorman stressed, however, that the new legislation does not seal records for 30 years. He said there were legal issues to overcome in relation to the 2004 Act but “we need to fix this problem and I am absolutely committed” to doing so as it is no longer “morally feasible” to deny people access to the information.#
Fled
Catherine Coffey-O’Brien, who fled Bessborough mother and baby home in Cork in 1989, seven months pregnant, said survivors’ consent was taken from them when they were in institutions, and was being taken again.
“We have only one motive – to own our own history….We need to be listened to. We need to be consulted, mindfully and respectfully throughout this whole stage…We don’t want the narrative taken from us.”
Breeda Murphy, spokeswoman for the Tuam Mother and Baby Home Alliance, said she thought the legislation was seen by Government as an opportunity for "to silence the discourse.
“One of the most distressing parts of this is that the Government and the power brokers have such resources behind them. They have a wealth of money. They can buy in all the experts and survivors are pitted against an absolute machinery that’s unyielding.
“But something changed the other day and I think it’s people power and I think I really it is the most amazing moment when practically everyone in Dáil Éireann, apart from those who hold power, spoke for the mothers and babies.”
Deirdre Wadding, who also survived Bessborough having given birth there aged 18 in 1981, said the Bill had been "sprung on us without consultation".
She said a mechanism was needed that would ensure there was a “coming back to the survivors to ask, ‘What do you think?’; ‘How do you feel about this?’
“We need some kind of representative body, like a union for instance, that has members who are accountable and who will have their work mandated by the survivors, that would come back to the survivors. To me that would be a democratic way of handing back autonomy and consent. These were they things that were taken from us.”
She was one of a number who said they had given testimonies to the commission of investigation and had not been told their testimonies would be sealed for 30 years. There was other information being sealed, she added, that was unknown. “We need to know what that is. Who are they protecting? Why? Why is the question,” she said.
Eunan Duffy, who was born in the Marianvale mother and baby home in Newry, Co Down, said unless all processes were "victim/survivor-led, framed and centred we have nothing".
The passage of the bill was "an absolute disgrace" he said adding: "The Republic of Ireland has form on this and it's never been held to account. When it comes to victims and survivors we are bottom of the food chain, right at the bottom of the ladder.
“This is not done and dusted. I believe there is going to severe and robust legal challenge to everything that’s been voted on.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-24--Two found guilty of murdering Irish dancer with ‘devil’s breath’ drug

A man and a woman have been convicted of the first known murder in Britain using a poison known as “ devil ’ s breath ” .
Adrian Murphy ( 43 ) was found dead in his south London flat in June 2019 after being targeted by Joel Osei ( 25 ) via the dating app Grindr .
Mr Murphy , a champion dancer , was given the poison – also known as scopolamine – in a soft drink by Osei .
Afterwards Osei and his accomplice , Diana Cristea ( 18 ) tried to buy more than £60,000 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Murphy ’ s credit card .
Crispin Aylett QC , prosecuting , told Croydon crown court the drug was known as “ devil ’ s breath ” in Colombia and was said to be “ popular with robbers and rapists ” to incapacitate their victims .
A second man , a 40-year-old from Walthamstow , east London , was also targeted by the pair days earlier , but survived and helped police identify his attackers .
Osei used Grindr to lure the men into meeting him , intending to drug and rob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embarrassed to tell the police .
Cristea would be handed the goods to sell .
Pathological tests on MR Murphy , who was found dead in his Battersea flat on June 4th last year , identified the poison in his system and traces were found in a nearby drinks can .
CCTV caught Osei walking towards the property and , two hours later , leaving with a holdall full of stolen goods .
Osei called and messaged Cristea 23 times while in and around the flat and later handed her a haul of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a designer bag and wallet , and clothes .
The Walthamstow victim was also robbed .
Police found items belonging to him and Mr Murphy at Cristea ’ s address in Tottenham , north London .
Scopolamine , which is derived from nightshade plants , has been explored by the CIA for its possible use as a truth serum .
DCI Robert Pack , said : “ In a callous and calculated plan to make what he saw as easy money , Osei engaged with his victims on a social networking app with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful drug and stealing their valuables – Osei ’ s indiscriminate use of a drug he knew to be dangerous led to the tragic death of Adrian Murphy .
Although scopolamine is known to be commonly used in other parts of the world to facilitate crimes , we believe this is the first scopolamine-related homicide in the UK .
“ Mr Murphy ’ s brother Robert said : “ Adrian brought the love and art of dance to thousands of young people all over the world .
He was an inspirational Irishman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Our family are heartbroken.
” Osei and Cristea face mandatory life sentences .
They are due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on December 14th .
Pack added : “ We have worked closely with a whole host of partners in the charity sector and LGBT+ community to help us with our understanding of the complexities of this case and reassure those who may have been affected by these incidents .
We want to make sure that anyone who may have suffered the same way knows how to get help and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A man and a woman have been convicted of the first known murder in Britain using a poison known as “devil’s breath”.
Adrian Murphy (43), from Ireland, was found dead in his south London flat in June 2019 after being targeted by Joel Osei (25) via the dating app Grindr.
Mr Murphy, a champion dancer, was given the poison – also known as scopolamine – in a soft drink by Osei. Afterwards Osei and his accomplice, Diana Cristea (18) tried to buy more than £60,000 of valuables from a New York jeweller with Mr Murphy’s credit card.
Crispin Aylett QC, prosecuting, told Croydon crown court the drug was known as “devil’s breath” in Colombia and was said to be “popular with robbers and rapists” to incapacitate their victims.
READ MORE
A second man, a 40-year-old from Walthamstow, east London, was also targeted by the pair days earlier, but survived and helped police identify his attackers.
Osei used Grindr to lure the men into meeting him, intending to drug and rob them, believing they would be too embarrassed to tell the police. Cristea would be handed the goods to sell.
Pathological tests on MR Murphy, who was found dead in his Battersea flat on June 4th last year, identified the poison in his system and traces were found in a nearby drinks can.
CCTV caught Osei walking towards the property and, two hours later, leaving with a holdall full of stolen goods. Osei called and messaged Cristea 23 times while in and around the flat and later handed her a haul of laptops, phones, bank cards, a designer bag and wallet, and clothes.
The Walthamstow victim was also robbed. Police found items belonging to him and Mr Murphy at Cristea’s address in Tottenham, north London.
Scopolamine, which is derived from nightshade plants, has been explored by the CIA for its possible use as a truth serum.
DCI Robert Pack, said: “In a callous and calculated plan to make what he saw as easy money, Osei engaged with his victims on a social networking app with the intention of stupefying them with a powerful drug and stealing their valuables – Osei’s indiscriminate use of a drug he knew to be dangerous led to the tragic death of Adrian Murphy. Although scopolamine is known to be commonly used in other parts of the world to facilitate crimes, we believe this is the first scopolamine-related homicide in the UK. “
Mr Murphy’s brother Robert said: “Adrian brought the love and art of dance to thousands of young people all over the world. He was an inspirational Irishman, who was a gifted dancer and choreographer. Our family are heartbroken.”
Osei and Cristea face mandatory life sentences. They are due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on December 14th.
Pack added: “We have worked closely with a whole host of partners in the charity sector and LGBT+ community to help us with our understanding of the complexities of this case and reassure those who may have been affected by these incidents. We want to make sure that anyone who may have suffered the same way knows how to get help and what support is out there.” –Guardian


theirishtimes--2020-10-24--Outbreaks of Covid-19 cases at psychiatric unit and hospital ward

Two wards at a hospital , including a psychiatric unit , in Co Kildare are dealing with an outbreak of Covid-19 .
Health officials say that an outbreak control team is tackling the cases on two wards in Naas General Hospital – including the inpatient acute Psychiatric Lakeview Unit , based on the grounds of the hospital .
A spokeswoman for the HSE said that the outbreaks in the acute hospital are separate to the outbreak on the psychiatric ward .
Staff and patients have been tested for Covid-19 as part of the contact tracing system .
Any staff identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been asked to isolate .
An outbreak in a healthcare setting is called when there is a minimum of two positive contacts .
A spokeswoman for the HSE said : “ Plans have been developed to support continuity of services and guide senior management to identify the level of impact on service and staff .
“ The protection of public health is of the utmost importance and every effort is taken to reduce the risk of spread of Covid-19 .
“ The HSE can not comment on individual cases or outbreaks as to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidentiality to the individuals and organisations concerned .
“ Maintaining confidentiality is not only an ethical requirement for the HSE , it is also a legal requirement as defined in the General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR ) along with the Data Protection Acts 1988-2018.
” A further four Covid-19 linked deaths and 859 new cases of the virus have been reported in Ireland on Saturday , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) confirmed .
The death toll now stands at 1,882 , while the total number of infections since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of 315 Covid-19 patients were in hospital , 37 of whom were in ICUs .
Meanwhile , people who organise house parties in breach of Covid-19 regulations could face fines of up to €2,500 after new legislation came into force this weekend .
The legislation , passed by the Dáil on Friday evening , gives powers to gardaí to issue fines to people in breach of the lockdown regulations .
The public face fines of up to 500 euro for breaching the 5km travel limit introduced as part of lockdown measures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be fined up to 1,000 euro at the first instance .
Second and third offenders can face imprisonment and fines of up to 2,500 euro .
The legislation underpinning the use of fines for breaches of restrictions was passed in the Dail and the Seanad on Friday .
The law in relation to house parties comes into effect this weekend , but the fixed penalty notices will be introduced in the coming week .
There will be more than 2,500 uniformed gardai on duty each day during the six-week lockdown introduced on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 among households .
Statistics released by the Central Statistics Office Ireland ( CSO ) on Friday show that outbreaks in private houses account for 54 per cent of cases linked to an outbreak in the last four weeks .
The country ’ s incident rate exceeded 300 per 100,000 population for the first time since the onset of the pandemic .
Meanwhile , campaigners staged a protest against the introduction of level five public health restrictions aimed at combating the spread of Covid-19 .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connell Street , where a number of speakers addressed a crowd of around 100 people .
Some of the protesters carried placards and signs opposing the lockdown , while others waved Irish flags .
It comes two days after 11 people were arrested for alleged public order offences as gardai intervened in Thursday ’ s anti-lockdown protests in Dublin .
On Friday , Garda Commissioner Drew Harris expressed reservations about the use of fines for enforcing Covid-19 restrictions .
Mr Harris refused to say he supports the penalties .
“ I ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
He said the enforcement measures would only be used as a “ last resort ” .
Asked if he supported the measures , he replied : “ The good thing is the piece of legislation backs this up .
I ’ m a public servant , a good and faithful servant at that , and I ’ ll do as I ’ m told .
“ We have fines , but they are set in an enforcement sphere .
We have to discern then what our policy and practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But we have already set that out .
Enforcement is our last resort .
So the use of the fixed charge penalty notice , or a report to the DPP , is a last resort for us in all cases.
” – PA

Health officials say that an outbreak control team is tackling the cases on two wards in Naas General Hospital
Two wards at a hospital, including a psychiatric unit, in Co Kildare are dealing with an outbreak of Covid-19.
Health officials say that an outbreak control team is tackling the cases on two wards in Naas General Hospital – including the inpatient acute Psychiatric Lakeview Unit, based on the grounds of the hospital.
A spokeswoman for the HSE said that the outbreaks in the acute hospital are separate to the outbreak on the psychiatric ward.
Hospital Report
Staff and patients have been tested for Covid-19 as part of the contact tracing system.
READ MORE
Any staff identified as close contacts of Covid-19 cases have been asked to isolate.
An outbreak in a healthcare setting is called when there is a minimum of two positive contacts.
A spokeswoman for the HSE said: “Plans have been developed to support continuity of services and guide senior management to identify the level of impact on service and staff.
“The protection of public health is of the utmost importance and every effort is taken to reduce the risk of spread of Covid-19.
“The HSE cannot comment on individual cases or outbreaks as to do so would breach our duty of confidentiality to the individuals and organisations concerned.
“Maintaining confidentiality is not only an ethical requirement for the HSE, it is also a legal requirement as defined in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) along with the Data Protection Acts 1988-2018.”
Cases
A further four Covid-19 linked deaths and 859 new cases of the virus have been reported in Ireland on Saturday, the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) confirmed.
The death toll now stands at 1,882, while the total number of infections since the pandemic began is 56,108.
A total of 315 Covid-19 patients were in hospital, 37 of whom were in ICUs.
Meanwhile, people who organise house parties in breach of Covid-19 regulations could face fines of up to €2,500 after new legislation came into force this weekend.
The legislation, passed by the Dáil on Friday evening, gives powers to gardaí to issue fines to people in breach of the lockdown regulations.
The public face fines of up to 500 euro for breaching the 5km travel limit introduced as part of lockdown measures.
Those who host house parties or gatherings could be fined up to 1,000 euro at the first instance.
Second and third offenders can face imprisonment and fines of up to 2,500 euro.
The legislation underpinning the use of fines for breaches of restrictions was passed in the Dail and the Seanad on Friday.
The law in relation to house parties comes into effect this weekend, but the fixed penalty notices will be introduced in the coming week.
There will be more than 2,500 uniformed gardai on duty each day during the six-week lockdown introduced on Thursday.
The fines were introduced in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 among households.
Outbreaks
Statistics released by the Central Statistics Office Ireland (CSO) on Friday show that outbreaks in private houses account for 54 per cent of cases linked to an outbreak in the last four weeks.
The country’s incident rate exceeded 300 per 100,000 population for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, campaigners staged a protest against the introduction of level five public health restrictions aimed at combating the spread of Covid-19.
They assembled outside the GPO on O’Connell Street, where a number of speakers addressed a crowd of around 100 people.
Some of the protesters carried placards and signs opposing the lockdown, while others waved Irish flags.
It comes two days after 11 people were arrested for alleged public order offences as gardai intervened in Thursday’s anti-lockdown protests in Dublin.
On Friday, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris expressed reservations about the use of fines for enforcing Covid-19 restrictions.
Mr Harris refused to say he supports the penalties.
“I’ll do as I’m told,” he said.
He said the enforcement measures would only be used as a “last resort”.
Asked if he supported the measures, he replied: “The good thing is the piece of legislation backs this up. I’m a public servant, a good and faithful servant at that, and I’ll do as I’m told.
“We have fines, but they are set in an enforcement sphere. We have to discern then what our policy and practice is with respect of that enforcement.
“But we have already set that out. Enforcement is our last resort. So the use of the fixed charge penalty notice, or a report to the DPP, is a last resort for us in all cases.” – PA


theirishtimes--2020-10-24--Further anti-lockdown protest held in Dublin city centre

A number of protesters held a demonstration opposing the national coronavirus lockdown restrictions at the GPO , in Dublin city centre , on Saturday .
A group of around 60 demonstrators carrying banners and tricolour flags gathered on O ’ Connell St at 2pm .
A number of Garda public order units were on standby , but the protest passed without any clashes between the demonstrators and gardaí .
Shortly after the crowd began to gather two gardaí approached the group and cautioned them that the protest was not in line with public health guidance .
The gardaí asked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the protest , which the group refused to do .
A small Garda presence stood across from the GPO monitoring the protest , which lasted more than two hours .
Two public order unit vans were stationed on a side street beside the GPO , with another three Garda vans on standby further down O ’ Connell St.
Protesters ’ placards and a large banner called for an end to the lockdown measures , which the Government put in place to limit the spread of Covid-19 .
Other signs carried common conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fluoride .
During a series of speeches the protesters frequently criticised Covid-19 public health measures , the Government , the Garda and the media .
Leaflets distributed by demonstrators carried a number of false claims often spread by the far-right , including the conspiracy theory that the coronavirus pandemic was a staged event .
Few in the crowd wore face coverings , or observed social distancing , with several people hugging and shaking hands as the group gathered .
A number of young children were also brought to the protest .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eleven anti-lockdown protesters were arrested following clashes with gardaí on Grafton St on Thursday .
A number of gardaí used batons to overpower protesters before pinning them on the ground and handcuffing them , to ensure the city ’ s main shopping street was not occupied for a sit down protest , as occurred a number of weeks previously .
Speaking on Friday , Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said there had been no “ heavy handedness ” in the Garda ’ s response to anti-lockdown protesters on Thursday .
Gardaí would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s main streets , he said .

A group of around 60 demonstrators carrying banners and tricolour flags gathered on O’Connell St
A number of protesters held a demonstration opposing the national coronavirus lockdown restrictions at the GPO, in Dublin city centre, on Saturday.
A group of around 60 demonstrators carrying banners and tricolour flags gathered on O’Connell St at 2pm.
A number of Garda public order units were on standby, but the protest passed without any clashes between the demonstrators and gardaí.
Shortly after the crowd began to gather two gardaí approached the group and cautioned them that the protest was not in line with public health guidance.
READ MORE
The gardaí asked the group to identify who were the organisers of the protest, which the group refused to do.
A small Garda presence stood across from the GPO monitoring the protest, which lasted more than two hours.
Two public order unit vans were stationed on a side street beside the GPO, with another three Garda vans on standby further down O’Connell St.
Protesters’ placards and a large banner called for an end to the lockdown measures, which the Government put in place to limit the spread of Covid-19. Other signs carried common conspiracy theory messages opposing vaccines, 5G, and fluoride.
During a series of speeches the protesters frequently criticised Covid-19 public health measures, the Government, the Garda and the media.
Leaflets distributed by demonstrators carried a number of false claims often spread by the far-right, including the conspiracy theory that the coronavirus pandemic was a staged event.
Few in the crowd wore face coverings, or observed social distancing, with several people hugging and shaking hands as the group gathered. A number of young children were also brought to the protest.
The protest followed similar demonstrations earlier this week. Eleven anti-lockdown protesters were arrested following clashes with gardaí on Grafton St on Thursday.
A number of gardaí used batons to overpower protesters before pinning them on the ground and handcuffing them, to ensure the city’s main shopping street was not occupied for a sit down protest, as occurred a number of weeks previously.
Speaking on Friday, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said there had been no “heavy handedness” in the Garda’s response to anti-lockdown protesters on Thursday. Gardaí would not allow protestors to “stampede” down the city’s main streets, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-10-24--Mother and Baby home survivor: ‘My identity, heritage and culture was taken from me’

A survivor from a Mother and Baby home in west Dublin has said she is “ very annoyed and angry ” over legislation which was passed in the Dail earlier this week that would transfer records relating to the Mother and Baby Homes Commission to Tusla .
Majella Connolly , who was born in St Patrick ’ s Mother and Baby Home on the Navan Road in 1971 , was speaking on Saturday as over 50 people gathered outside the former site in protest , amid fears that the records would be sealed for 30 years .
The controversial legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the five-year investigation into the homes to the child and family agency Tusla .
Protestors gathered for a short period this afternoon wearing face masks and carrying signs which stated “ Stop the Seal ” and “ Shame on you , repeal the seal ” .
The protest , which was organised by former Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger and Dublin 7/Dublin 15 Action against Gender Violence group , was attended by Ms Connolly and local residents .
“ I had emailed Minister [ for children ] Roderic O ’ Gorman , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him not do it and consider the people that this affected and he sent me a long-winded email back of what the proposed amendments were , ” Ms Connolly told The Irish Times .
“ When it [ the Dáil ] was suspended on Tuesday night , I thought there was a bit of a breakthrough with Minister O ’ Gorman but no sadly on Thursday night no ... We ’ re [ survivors ] angry that we ’ re not allowed access our information .
“ My identity , heritage and culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ born innocent in all of this and inherited all of this.That ’ s the way I feel about it .
“ I don ’ t think Tusla is the right agency to manage any of this .
Any information you look for from Tusla , it ’ s all scrutinised and their famous word is ‘ redacted ’ .
We ’ re not allowed any information .
I am not allowed know who I am.
” Mr O ’ Gorman has stressed that the legislation does not seal records for 30 years and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing with the legislation .
The Minister said he hopes to rebuild relationships that have been “ badly fractured ” during the Oireachtas debates on the legislation .
Ms Coppinger , a former representative for Dublin West , said she was surprised by the Green Party and Minister O ’ Gorman “ rushing legislation through when other options in the course of the debate did present themselves ” .
“ He is somebody who got elected on a progressive social justice agenda .
He would have been associated with marriage equality and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s why it ’ s such a huge slap in the face for people who would have voted for the Greens in particular , ” she said .
“ To say that we have to go along with a bad law , well then what is the point , we ’ ll never change anything that way .
“ Women and young people in particular are not into accepting any sort of these oppressions any longer that my generation would have had to put up with .
I think they have to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Local resident Camilla Fitzsimons said her niece was born in a mother and baby home in Co Cork .
“ I ’ m confident that if we went around everybody here today , every family in Ireland has been touched by the depth of what has happened in this country with the incarceration and the treatment of women , ” she said .

A group gathered over the weekend near the site of the former St Patricks Home on the Navan Road Dublin to protest over the recent Dáil vote to seal records from the so-called ‘mother and baby’ homes. Video: Bryan O’Brien
A survivor from a Mother and Baby home in west Dublin has said she is "very annoyed and angry" over legislation which was passed in the Dail earlier this week that would transfer records relating to the Mother and Baby Homes Commission to Tusla.
Majella Connolly, who was born in St Patrick's Mother and Baby Home on the Navan Road in 1971, was speaking on Saturday as over 50 people gathered outside the former site in protest, amid fears that the records would be sealed for 30 years.
The controversial legislation transfers a database of 60,000 records created by the five-year investigation into the homes to the child and family agency Tusla.
Protestors gathered for a short period this afternoon wearing face masks and carrying signs which stated “Stop the Seal” and “Shame on you, repeal the seal”.
READ MORE
The protest, which was organised by former Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger and Dublin 7/Dublin 15 Action against Gender Violence group, was attended by Ms Connolly and local residents.
“I had emailed Minister [for children] Roderic O’Gorman, he’s my local TD, asking him not do it and consider the people that this affected and he sent me a long-winded email back of what the proposed amendments were,” Ms Connolly told The Irish Times.
“When it [the Dáil] was suspended on Tuesday night, I thought there was a bit of a breakthrough with Minister O’Gorman but no sadly on Thursday night no...We’re [survivors] angry that we’re not allowed access our information.
“My identity, heritage and culture was taken from me. I was born innocent in all of this and inherited all of this.That’s the way I feel about it.
“I don’t think Tusla is the right agency to manage any of this. Any information you look for from Tusla, it’s all scrutinised and their famous word is ‘redacted’. We’re not allowed any information. I am not allowed know who I am.”
Mr O’Gorman has stressed that the legislation does not seal records for 30 years and apologised on Friday for his approach to dealing with the legislation.
The Minister said he hopes to rebuild relationships that have been "badly fractured" during the Oireachtas debates on the legislation.
Ms Coppinger, a former representative for Dublin West, said she was surprised by the Green Party and Minister O'Gorman "rushing legislation through when other options in the course of the debate did present themselves".
"He is somebody who got elected on a progressive social justice agenda. He would have been associated with marriage equality and the repeal campaign. I think that's why it's such a huge slap in the face for people who would have voted for the Greens in particular," she said.
“To say that we have to go along with a bad law, well then what is the point, we’ll never change anything that way.
“Women and young people in particular are not into accepting any sort of these oppressions any longer that my generation would have had to put up with. I think they have to keep up the pressure to get this reversed.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-24--Horse named after Terence MacSwiney wins big race in England

A horse named after Terence MacSwiney has won a race at Doncaster in England a day before the centenary of the former Lord Mayor of Cork ’ s death .
MacSwiney , owned by Jim Bolger , won the Vertem Futurity Trophy at odds of 12/1 , holding off the favourite , One Ruler .
MacSwiney died on October 25th , 1920 while on hunger strike in London ’ s Brixton Prison .
He went 74 days without food and his death made headlines around the world , focusing global attention on the Irish fight for independence .
The namesake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and made light of heavy ground at Doncaster to record the surprise win .
When interviewed afterwards by At The Races TV , Bolger said : “ I must have known he was pretty good in January when I called him MacSwiney .
He ’ s one of our outstanding patriots.
” However , jockey Kevin Manning told Racing TV that he didn ’ t know who the horse was named after , to which the commentator suggested “ Jim will be furious that you didn ’ t know ” .
As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halved the odds on MacSwiney winning next year ’ s Epsom Derby from 40/1 to 20/1 The Terence MacSwiney Commemoration Committee in London will hold a small wreathlaying ceremony on Sunday at Brixton Prison to mark the centenary .
It will be broadcast live on their Facebook page .
The committee said it remains “ determined ” to honour the memory of MacSwiney and will do so next year once the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted .

MacSwiney, owned by Jim Bolger, won the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday at 12/1, holding off the favourite One Ruler. Photograph: @AtTheRaces/Twitter.
A horse named after Terence MacSwiney has won a race at Doncaster in England a day before the centenary of the former Lord Mayor of Cork's death.
MacSwiney, owned by Jim Bolger, won the Vertem Futurity Trophy at odds of 12/1, holding off the favourite, One Ruler.
MacSwiney died on October 25th, 1920 while on hunger strike in London's Brixton Prison. He went 74 days without food and his death made headlines around the world, focusing global attention on the Irish fight for independence.
The namesake horse also has a reputation for endurance and made light of heavy ground at Doncaster to record the surprise win.
READ MORE
When interviewed afterwards by At The Races TV, Bolger said: “I must have known he was pretty good in January when I called him MacSwiney. He’s one of our outstanding patriots.”
However, jockey Kevin Manning told Racing TV that he didn't know who the horse was named after, to which the commentator suggested "Jim will be furious that you didn't know".
As a result of his win, bookmakers have halved the odds on MacSwiney winning next year's Epsom Derby from 40/1 to 20/1
The Terence MacSwiney Commemoration Committee in London will hold a small wreathlaying ceremony on Sunday at Brixton Prison to mark the centenary. It will be broadcast live on their Facebook page.
The committee said it remains “determined” to honour the memory of MacSwiney and will do so next year once the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.