theirishtimes--2020-01-07--Delays to child porn inquiries put abused at further risk

A backlog of online child abuse investigations is leading to a nearly five-year delay between the start of an inquiry and the sentencing of offenders .
An Irish Times analysis of every case of possession or distribution of child abuse material which came before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing in the last two years shows some cases are taking nearly 10 years to complete , with the problem getting worse in the last year .
Child protection advocates are concerned the delays are exposing children to unnecessary risk and that the authorities are missing opportunities to rescue children depicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk from parents or carers who are suspected of possessing illegal material , known in the legislation as “ child pornography ” , but who can ’ t be arrested because their electronic devices have yet to be analysed .
There is also evidence to show the delays are leading to offenders receiving lighter sentences .
There have been several cases in recent years when judges have taken the delay as a mitigating factor when imposing sentence .
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court , which deals with the vast majority of serious online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 45 offenders since January 1st , 2018 .
Twenty five ( 58 per cent ) of those avoided a prison sentence , receiving either a suspended sentence or probation .
Serial offenders , offenders who distributed child abuse material to others and offenders charged with additional sexual offences tended to receive jail terms , the highest of which was six years .
However , there was at least one case where a serial offender received a non-custodial sentence .
Another offender convicted of distributing material also received a suspended term .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years and 10 months elapsed between gardaí first seizing a device suspected of containing illegal material and an accused being sentenced .
In 2018 , the average was four years and six months , in 2019 it was five years and one month .
Delays in progressing cases are currently compounded by a High Court ruling relating to the case of convicted murderer Graham Dwyer .
Up to 700 online child abuse investigations are currently paused while gardaí await clarification of data protection issues relating to the case .
Most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottleneck of devices awaiting examination by the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau which is responsible for forensically examining computers and other technology suspected of containing videos or images of child abuse .
However , there have also been significant delays in gardaí acting on tip-offs from foreign police forces and in gardaí transferring devices to the bureau for analysis once they have been seized .
A report from the Garda Inspectorate , published in February 2018 , stated it could take up to a year for gardaí to act on tip-offs received from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unit .
The backlog issue first came to light in 2013 .
A year later , then minister for justice Frances Fitzgerald promised to introduce measures to overcome excessive delays .
Five years on , while some reforms have been introduced and extra resources allocated , the delay remains a serious child protection issue and , according to the inspectorate , a “ significant organisational risk ” to the Garda .
Each child abuse image or video is “ a crime scene ” , said Maeve Lewis , executive director of the charity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both victims and perpetrators of abuse .
“ When they are examined , there will be an effort to determine where the image was taken .
If there is a huge delay it becomes almost impossible to locate the child in the image who is very definitely at risk from abuse .
”

Some children remain at risk from parents or carers who are suspected of possessing illegal material, known in the legislation as “child pornography”, but who can’t be arrested because their electronic devices have yet to be analysed. File photograph: Getty
A backlog of online child abuse investigations is leading to a nearly five-year delay between the start of an inquiry and the sentencing of offenders.
An Irish Times analysis of every case of possession or distribution of child abuse material which came before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing in the last two years shows some cases are taking nearly 10 years to complete, with the problem getting worse in the last year.
Child protection advocates are concerned the delays are exposing children to unnecessary risk and that the authorities are missing opportunities to rescue children depicted in the material.
Some children remain at risk from parents or carers who are suspected of possessing illegal material, known in the legislation as “child pornography”, but who can’t be arrested because their electronic devices have yet to be analysed.
READ MORE
There is also evidence to show the delays are leading to offenders receiving lighter sentences. There have been several cases in recent years when judges have taken the delay as a mitigating factor when imposing sentence.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which deals with the vast majority of serious online child abuse cases, has imposed sentence on 45 offenders since January 1st, 2018.
Twenty five (58 per cent) of those avoided a prison sentence, receiving either a suspended sentence or probation.
Jail terms
Serial offenders, offenders who distributed child abuse material to others and offenders charged with additional sexual offences tended to receive jail terms, the highest of which was six years.
However, there was at least one case where a serial offender received a non-custodial sentence. Another offender convicted of distributing material also received a suspended term.
According to the analysis, an average of four years and 10 months elapsed between gardaí first seizing a device suspected of containing illegal material and an accused being sentenced. In 2018, the average was four years and six months, in 2019 it was five years and one month.
Delays in progressing cases are currently compounded by a High Court ruling relating to the case of convicted murderer Graham Dwyer. Up to 700 online child abuse investigations are currently paused while gardaí await clarification of data protection issues relating to the case.
Up to 700 online child abuse investigations have been put on hold while gardaí await clarification of data protection issues. Stock photograph: Getty
Most of the delays can be traced back to a bottleneck of devices awaiting examination by the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau which is responsible for forensically examining computers and other technology suspected of containing videos or images of child abuse.
Tip-off backlogs
However, there have also been significant delays in gardaí acting on tip-offs from foreign police forces and in gardaí transferring devices to the bureau for analysis once they have been seized.
A report from the Garda Inspectorate, published in February 2018, stated it could take up to a year for gardaí to act on tip-offs received from the force’s child exploitation intelligence unit.
The backlog issue first came to light in 2013. A year later, then minister for justice Frances Fitzgerald promised to introduce measures to overcome excessive delays.
Five years on, while some reforms have been introduced and extra resources allocated, the delay remains a serious child protection issue and, according to the inspectorate, a “significant organisational risk” to the Garda.
Each child abuse image or video is “a crime scene”, said Maeve Lewis, executive director of the charity One in Four which offers treatment to both victims and perpetrators of abuse.
“When they are examined, there will be an effort to determine where the image was taken. If there is a huge delay it becomes almost impossible to locate the child in the image who is very definitely at risk from abuse.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-07--Varadkar and Martin keen on head-to-head election TV debate

The leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are set to engage in a head-to-head general election debate , the first time the leaders of the two parties have squared off in 13 years .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin are keen to hold a one-on-one debate during the forthcoming campaign .
Mr Varadkar and Mr Martin are expected to meet later this week to talk about the timing of the election .
They will also discuss an end to the confidence and supply deal , an arrangement that has meant Fianna Fáil underpins the Fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday said he hoped to meet Mr Martin by the end of the week .
The Cabinet will hold a special meeting focusing on disability issues in Marino , Dublin , on Thursday .
The venue is in the constituency of Finian McGrath , Minister of State for Disability Issues .
Fine Gael Ministers and Ministers of State will hold a meeting on Friday morning , followed by a gathering of the Fine Gael parliamentary party that afternoon .
Mr Varadkar has convened similar meetings previously at the start of Dáil sessions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may call a February election .
Some TDs and candidates were also last night sent templates for election canvass cards .
Mr Varadkar is understood to have told people privately he wants the Stormont institutions back up and running before the election .
The ongoing Stormont talks have a deadline of January 13th to succeed or fresh elections will be called in Northern Ireland .
There has been some speculation in Fine Gael that , in the event of a successful conclusion to the Northern talks , Mr Varadkar could meet British prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the restoration of Stormont and that the pair could hold a meeting on Brexit and the future of British-Irish relations .
Such a backdrop , suggest some Fine Gael sources , would provide a platform for him to call an election .
In a letter , Mr Varadkar has asked Mr Martin to vote with the Government rather than abstain if required in some Dáil votes .
Fianna Fáil ’ s John McGuinness has said he will vote against the Government if it faces a motion of no confidence .
Mr Varadkar has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform of the Local Property Tax .
The requests are seen as being difficult politically for Mr Martin to agree to , leading many TDs to believe Mr Varadkar is preparing the ground for a February election .
Mr Martin has already said he wants a head-to-head debate with Mr Varadkar during the campaign .
And top Fine Gael figures have confirmed Mr Varadkar wants such an encounter with Mr Martin .
Well-placed Fine Gael figures said they are open to two televised debates : one between all party leaders , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and potentially others , and one between the two contenders for the taoiseach ’ s office .
If confirmed , it would be the first direct debate between the leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil since Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny squared off on RTÉ television , moderated by broadcaster Miriam O ’ Callaghan , a week before polling day in the 2007 general election .
The 2016 and 2011 campaign debates featured a number of leaders .
The desires of both party leaders is dependent on the attitude of broadcasters RTÉ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : “ The RTÉ Election Steering Committee will make any decisions around debates held on RTÉ .
A wide number factors are taken into account and decisions have not yet been made.
” A Virgin Media spokeswoman said plans are being drawn up for its general election coverage , with a leaders ’ debate a centrepiece of its coverage .

Micheál Martin has been asked by Leo Varadkar to agree a reform of the Local Property Tax.
The leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are set to engage in a head-to-head general election debate, the first time the leaders of the two parties have squared off in 13 years.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin are keen to hold a one-on-one debate during the forthcoming campaign.
Mr Varadkar and Mr Martin are expected to meet later this week to talk about the timing of the election. They will also discuss an end to the confidence and supply deal, an arrangement that has meant Fianna Fáil underpins the Fine Gael-led minority government.
Mr Varadkar on Monday said he hoped to meet Mr Martin by the end of the week. The Cabinet will hold a special meeting focusing on disability issues in Marino, Dublin, on Thursday. The venue is in the constituency of Finian McGrath, Minister of State for Disability Issues.
READ MORE
Fine Gael Ministers and Ministers of State will hold a meeting on Friday morning, followed by a gathering of the Fine Gael parliamentary party that afternoon.
Mr Varadkar has convened similar meetings previously at the start of Dáil sessions, but party TDs believe increasingly that he may call a February election. Some TDs and candidates were also last night sent templates for election canvass cards.
Mr Varadkar is understood to have told people privately he wants the Stormont institutions back up and running before the election. The ongoing Stormont talks have a deadline of January 13th to succeed or fresh elections will be called in Northern Ireland.
There has been some speculation in Fine Gael that, in the event of a successful conclusion to the Northern talks, Mr Varadkar could meet British prime minister Boris Johnson in Belfast to oversee the restoration of Stormont and that the pair could hold a meeting on Brexit and the future of British-Irish relations.
Such a backdrop, suggest some Fine Gael sources, would provide a platform for him to call an election.
In a letter, Mr Varadkar has asked Mr Martin to vote with the Government rather than abstain if required in some Dáil votes.
Fianna Fáil’s John McGuinness has said he will vote against the Government if it faces a motion of no confidence. Mr Varadkar has also asked Mr Martin to agree a reform of the Local Property Tax. The requests are seen as being difficult politically for Mr Martin to agree to, leading many TDs to believe Mr Varadkar is preparing the ground for a February election.
First one-on-one debate since 2007
Mr Martin has already said he wants a head-to-head debate with Mr Varadkar during the campaign. And top Fine Gael figures have confirmed Mr Varadkar wants such an encounter with Mr Martin.
Well-placed Fine Gael figures said they are open to two televised debates: one between all party leaders, such as Sinn Féin, Labour, the Greens and potentially others, and one between the two contenders for the taoiseach's office.
If confirmed, it would be the first direct debate between the leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil since Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny squared off on RTÉ television, moderated by broadcaster Miriam O'Callaghan, a week before polling day in the 2007 general election. The 2016 and 2011 campaign debates featured a number of leaders.
The desires of both party leaders is dependent on the attitude of broadcasters RTÉ and Virgin Media. An RTÉ spokeswoman said: "The RTÉ Election Steering Committee will make any decisions around debates held on RTÉ. A wide number factors are taken into account and decisions have not yet been made."
A Virgin Media spokeswoman said plans are being drawn up for its general election coverage, with a leaders’ debate a centrepiece of its coverage.


theirishtimes--2020-01-07--FAI sub-committee to discuss appointment of independent directors

A key sub-committee of the Football Association of Ireland is set to meet this week to discuss the appointment of independent directors to the beleaguered organisation .
The nominations committee could meet as soon as Wednesday to discuss the appointments , with sources suggesting that if all goes to plan , the directors could be in place before the end of the week .
The appointment of the four independent directors is seen as a key reform which would pave the way towards the restoration of state funding to the FAI , which has been withheld following a corporate governance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the sub-committee have not been told the names of the nominees for the positions .
The process is being run by an outside consultancy , Amrop , and insulated from the existing board and executive of the FAI .
The association ’ s reputation has been badly hit by the corporate governance scandal , which surrounds the terms of employment afforded to its former chief executive , John Delaney .
Restated accounts for the final few years of Mr Delaney ’ s tenure were published last autumn , revealing striking reversals in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The organisation had liabilities of €55 million at the end of 2018 , but that has since risen to some €62 million .
Aside from the potential restoration of government grant funding , the appointment of new directors could also raise the likelihood of a wider package of financial supports being agreed .
The government is set to meet with the association ’ s bank , Bank of Ireland , and Uefa , European soccer ’ s governing body , later this month for crisis talks on the future of the organisation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected an appeal for financial support from the association which amounted to a total of €18 million , although the figure was not entirely composed of cash supports .
A government guarantee for the FAI ’ s debts has also been discussed , to form part of a refinancing package which would improve the sustainability of its €27 million debt pile .
Relations between the government and the FAI deteriorated further in the aftermath of an appearance by Mr Ross at the Oireachtas sport committee in December , at which he cast doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland and revealed the €18 million bailout which had been sought .
Last month the association apologised to fans and other stakeholders for the “ mistakes of the past ” .

Last month, the FAI apologised to fans and other stakeholders for the ‘mistakes of the past’. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
A key sub-committee of the Football Association of Ireland is set to meet this week to discuss the appointment of independent directors to the beleaguered organisation.
The nominations committee could meet as soon as Wednesday to discuss the appointments, with sources suggesting that if all goes to plan, the directors could be in place before the end of the week.
The appointment of the four independent directors is seen as a key reform which would pave the way towards the restoration of state funding to the FAI, which has been withheld following a corporate governance controversy which emerged last week.
Members of the sub-committee have not been told the names of the nominees for the positions. The process is being run by an outside consultancy, Amrop, and insulated from the existing board and executive of the FAI.
READ MORE
Crisis talks
The association's reputation has been badly hit by the corporate governance scandal, which surrounds the terms of employment afforded to its former chief executive, John Delaney.
Restated accounts for the final few years of Mr Delaney’s tenure were published last autumn, revealing striking reversals in previously-stated financial position of the FAI. The organisation had liabilities of €55 million at the end of 2018, but that has since risen to some €62 million.
Aside from the potential restoration of government grant funding, the appointment of new directors could also raise the likelihood of a wider package of financial supports being agreed.
The government is set to meet with the association's bank, Bank of Ireland, and Uefa, European soccer's governing body, later this month for crisis talks on the future of the organisation.
Minister for Sport Shane Ross last month rejected an appeal for financial support from the association which amounted to a total of €18 million, although the figure was not entirely composed of cash supports. A government guarantee for the FAI's debts has also been discussed, to form part of a refinancing package which would improve the sustainability of its €27 million debt pile.
Relations between the government and the FAI deteriorated further in the aftermath of an appearance by Mr Ross at the Oireachtas sport committee in December, at which he cast doubt over the viability of the league of Ireland and revealed the €18 million bailout which had been sought.
Last month the association apologised to fans and other stakeholders for the “mistakes of the past”.


theirishtimes--2020-01-07--Permission sought for 11-storey block to enclose Dart line in central Dublin

A planning application to build above the railway line in Dublin city centre as part of an 11-storey office and apartment rental scheme has been lodged with the city council .
The application to build either side of the railway line and in the space above it as well as within the arches supporting the railway tracks would be the first time the city ’ s ‘ Loopline ’ between Pearse and Connolly stations would be encased by development .
The application was lodged on December 18th by John Spain and Associates on behalf of developer Eric Kinsella ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has agreed to the submission of the planning application , said should the development proceed the transport provider ’ s sister organisation CIÉ Property “ would seek a continuing income stream from the development ” .
Plans envisage the demolition of all existing buildings , excluding the railway line , on a 0.26 hectare site bounded by Townsend Street , Brunswick Villas , Shaw Street and Spring Garden Lane , all of which lie between Pearse Street and the Liffey .
The new building would comprise an 11-storey office , retail and build-to-let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor area .
The new building would “ bridge over the railway line ” at fourth-floor level , about eight metres above the railway tracks .
Two retail units are to be provided at the junction of Shaw Street and Townsend Street within the railway ’ s supporting arches .
There would also be two cafes within further arches .
The plan also envisages “ public realm improvements and the provision of a “ new pedestrian street parallel to the rail line ” .
Previous applications for developments close to the railway line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already approved plan for a 22-storey tower at Tara Street and George ’ s Quay – avoid building directly in the air space above the train tracks .
The only instances of buildings being constructed above Irish Rail ’ s lines until now have involved the development of Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium .
An office building was constructed over the Luas green line at Balally station in south Dublin as part of the the tram development which opened in 2004 .
The Loopline railway viaduct through the centre of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City of Dublin Junction Railway , connecting Connolly Station ( formerly Amiens Street ) with the line to Dún Laoghaire .
The section of the railway line affected by the proposed development lies between Tara Street station and Pearse station .
The proposed development is in an area of considerable transformation , with a number of apartment-hotels already in development .
These include Tetrarch Capital ’ s €80 million aparthotel on Moss Street and Townsend Street , as well as that company ’ s smaller aparthotel development on adjacent Mark Street ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block on Townsend Street , behind the Trinity City Hotel ; and the Apollo House development on Tara Street .
Also in the immediate area is College Gate , a complex of 70 apartments on Townsend Street , next to Tara Street Dart station , which has been earmarked for acquisition and demolition for the construction of an underground station for the €3 billion Metro Link line .
The Markievicz leisure centre , refurbished two years ago by Dublin City Council at a cost of more than €1 million , would also require @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland .

An architect’s illustration of the proposed building at Townsend Street in Dublin.
A planning application to build above the railway line in Dublin city centre as part of an 11-storey office and apartment rental scheme has been lodged with the city council.
The application to build either side of the railway line and in the space above it as well as within the arches supporting the railway tracks would be the first time the city’s ‘Loopline’ between Pearse and Connolly stations would be encased by development.
The application was lodged on December 18th by John Spain and Associates on behalf of developer Eric Kinsella’s Esprit Investments Ltd.
Irish Rail, which has agreed to the submission of the planning application, said should the development proceed the transport provider’s sister organisation CIÉ Property “would seek a continuing income stream from the development”.
READ MORE
Plans envisage the demolition of all existing buildings, excluding the railway line, on a 0.26 hectare site bounded by Townsend Street, Brunswick Villas, Shaw Street and Spring Garden Lane, all of which lie between Pearse Street and the Liffey.
The new building would comprise an 11-storey office, retail and build-to-let residential development with 19,908sq m of gross floor area.
The new building would “bridge over the railway line” at fourth-floor level, about eight metres above the railway tracks.
Pedestrian street
Two retail units are to be provided at the junction of Shaw Street and Townsend Street within the railway’s supporting arches. There would also be two cafes within further arches. The plan also envisages “public realm improvements and the provision of a “new pedestrian street parallel to the rail line”.
Previous applications for developments close to the railway line in the city centre – including an already approved plan for a 22-storey tower at Tara Street and George’s Quay – avoid building directly in the air space above the train tracks.
An architect’s illustration of the proposed building at Townsend Street in Dublin.
Plans envisage the demolition of all existing buildings, excluding the railway line, on a 0.26 hectare site between Pearse Street and the Liffey.
The only instances of buildings being constructed above Irish Rail’s lines until now have involved the development of Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium. An office building was constructed over the Luas green line at Balally station in south Dublin as part of the the tram development which opened in 2004.
The Loopline railway viaduct through the centre of the city was built about 1891 to carry the City of Dublin Junction Railway, connecting Connolly Station (formerly Amiens Street) with the line to Dún Laoghaire.
The section of the railway line affected by the proposed development lies between Tara Street station and Pearse station.
The proposed development is in an area of considerable transformation, with a number of apartment-hotels already in development. These include Tetrarch Capital’s €80 million aparthotel on Moss Street and Townsend Street, as well as that company’s smaller aparthotel development on adjacent Mark Street; the redevelopment of a former social welfare office block on Townsend Street, behind the Trinity City Hotel; and the Apollo House development on Tara Street.
Also in the immediate area is College Gate, a complex of 70 apartments on Townsend Street, next to Tara Street Dart station, which has been earmarked for acquisition and demolition for the construction of an underground station for the €3 billion Metro Link line.
The Markievicz leisure centre, refurbished two years ago by Dublin City Council at a cost of more than €1 million, would also require demolition under the plans published by the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.


theirishtimes--2020-01-07--Inquiry report into mother and baby homes may be delayed

Publication of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation ’ s final report could be delayed due to its exceptional length The document is on schedule to be presented to Government on February 18th next , said a spokeswoman .
But another factor which could stall its publication is a possible general election next month , followed by extended negotiations afterwards on the formation of a new government .
The report will be received by Minister for Children Katherine Zappone next month .
But publication is not expected to take place for sometime afterwards as the report is understood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for consideration by Government prior to publication .
The mother and baby homes commission has been inquiring into the treatment of , and dealings with , women and children in 14 mother and baby homes as well as four county homes between 1922 and 1998 .
Announcing establishment of the commission in February 2015 then taoiseach Enda Kenny said it would report within three years .
But it requested and was granted two extensions of one year in each case , finally announcing in January 2019 that its report would be presented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse , the mother and baby homes commission has two “ arms ” : an investigation committee , and a confidential panel where people could speak in confidence of their experiences in relevant institutions .
The commission is chaired by Ms Justice Yvonne Murphy .
She also chaired the Dublin archdiocese commission of investigation , whose Murphy report was published in November 2009 , and the Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne , the Cloyne report , published in July 2011 .
Her colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Investigation include Dr Mary Daly , retired professor of Irish History at UCD and former president of the Royal Irish Academy , as well as Dr William Duncan , retired professor of Law at TCD .
Dr Duncan is also retired deputy secretary general of the Hague Conference on Private International Law , where he had general responsibility for overseeing implementation of the Hague children ’ s conventions dealing with international child abduction , inter-country adoption and international child protection .
What homes are under review ?
The report will examine mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meath , Belmont in Dublin 4 , Bessboro in Cork city , the Bethany Home in Dublin , the mother and baby home at Tuam , Co Galway , Denny House in Dublin 4 , the home at Kilrush , Co Clare , Manor House at Castlepollard , Co Westmeath , Ms Carr ’ s in Dublin 6 , the Regina Coeli Hostel in Dublin 7 , Sean Ross Abbey at Roscrea , Co Tipperary , St Gerard ’ s in Dublin 1 , St Patrick ’ s on the Navan Road in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Castle at Newtowncunningham , Co Donegal .
The county homes were St Kevin ’ s in Dublin , Stranorlar County Home in Donegal , Cork city County Home , and Thomastown County Home in Kilkenny .
The mother and baby home commission has already published five interim reports .
Its fifth , published last April , found that burial locations of hundreds of children who died in the mother and baby homes remain unknown .
Where the mother and baby home at Tuam was concerned , it found that scientific analysis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least some of the chambers in which human remains were found were at some stage used to receive sewage ” .

At Tuam the fifth interim report found that scientific analysis on underground chambers 'suggests that at least some of the chambers in which human remains were found were at some stage used to receive sewage'.
Publication of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation's final report could be delayed due to its exceptional length
The document is on schedule to be presented to Government on February 18th next, said a spokeswoman. But another factor which could stall its publication is a possible general election next month, followed by extended negotiations afterwards on the formation of a new government.
The report will be received by Minister for Children Katherine Zappone next month. But publication is not expected to take place for sometime afterwards as the report is understood to be exceptionally lengthy and will require time for consideration by Government prior to publication.
The mother and baby homes commission has been inquiring into the treatment of, and dealings with, women and children in 14 mother and baby homes as well as four county homes between 1922 and 1998.
READ MORE
Announcing establishment of the commission in February 2015 then taoiseach Enda Kenny said it would report within three years. But it requested and was granted two extensions of one year in each case, finally announcing in January 2019 that its report would be presented to Government next month.
As with the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the mother and baby homes commission has two “arms”: an investigation committee, and a confidential panel where people could speak in confidence of their experiences in relevant institutions.
The commission is chaired by Ms Justice Yvonne Murphy. She also chaired the Dublin archdiocese commission of investigation, whose Murphy report was published in November 2009, and the Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne, the Cloyne report, published in July 2011.
Her colleagues on the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation include Dr Mary Daly, retired professor of Irish History at UCD and former president of the Royal Irish Academy, as well as Dr William Duncan, retired professor of Law at TCD.
Dr Duncan is also retired deputy secretary general of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, where he had general responsibility for overseeing implementation of the Hague children’s conventions dealing with international child abduction, inter-country adoption and international child protection.
What homes are under review?
The report will examine mother and baby homes at Dunboyne, Co Meath, Belmont in Dublin 4, Bessboro in Cork city, the Bethany Home in Dublin, the mother and baby home at Tuam, Co Galway, Denny House in Dublin 4, the home at Kilrush, Co Clare, Manor House at Castlepollard, Co Westmeath, Ms Carr's in Dublin 6, the Regina Coeli Hostel in Dublin 7, Sean Ross Abbey at Roscrea, Co Tipperary, St Gerard's in Dublin 1, St Patrick's on the Navan Road in Dublin 7, later Dublin 4, and the Castle at Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal.
The county homes were St Kevin's in Dublin, Stranorlar County Home in Donegal, Cork city County Home, and Thomastown County Home in Kilkenny.
The mother and baby home commission has already published five interim reports. Its fifth, published last April, found that burial locations of hundreds of children who died in the mother and baby homes remain unknown.
Where the mother and baby home at Tuam was concerned, it found that scientific analysis on underground chambers there “suggests that at least some of the chambers in which human remains were found were at some stage used to receive sewage”.


theirishtimes--2020-01-07--Government forced to confront complicated history of two police forces

The Government has found out late in the day that disentangling the memory of the Royal Irish Constabulary ( RIC ) and Dublin Metropolitan Police ( DMP ) from the other crown forces operating in Ireland during the War of Independence is not an easy task .
On Monday , following calls to boycott the event , Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan stressed that the commemoration event on January 17th is only to remember those who had served in the RIC and DMP and not the Black and Tans or the Auxiliaries .
Some 90,000 men served in the RIC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to independence in 1922 .
Like the British army , which recruited widely in Ireland , these police forces provided a permanent , pensionable position at a time when opportunities were few .
Consequentially even those who were prominent in the Irish struggle for freedom were the sons of RIC and DMP men .
They included the fathers of Proclamation signatory Eamonn Ceannt , Eamonn Duggan , a signatory of the Anglo-Irish Treaty , IRA commander Tom Barry and writer Seán Ó Faoláin , Michael Collins ’ s uncle and the brother of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed during the War of Independence .
When the war broke out in 1919 , the police were tasked by the British government to take on the IRA .
British prime minister David Lloyd George believed the sporadic campaign initially was a law-and-order issue and not a general insurgency .
The Black and Tans and Auxiliaries were recruited when the British government realised the RIC could not cope .
Recruitment in England for what became known as the Black and Tans began this month 100 years ago and the first ones arrived in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed by the Auxiliaries , who were recruited from among the officer classes and ex-servicemen .
However , the four forces opposed to the IRA have become conflated in the Irish public imagination and they often operated in concert with each other .
Even the name Black and Tans reflected that their uniforms were half RIC and half British army For instance , after the Rineen ambush in Co Clare in September 1920 in which five RIC constables and a Black and Tan were killed , revenge was taken by both forces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reprisals .

The Government has found out late in the day that disentangling the memory of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) from the other crown forces operating in Ireland during the War of Independence is not an easy task.
On Monday, following calls to boycott the event, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan stressed that the commemoration event on January 17th is only to remember those who had served in the RIC and DMP and not the Black and Tans or the Auxiliaries.
Some 90,000 men served in the RIC and DMP from their inception in 1836 to independence in 1922.
Like the British army, which recruited widely in Ireland, these police forces provided a permanent, pensionable position at a time when opportunities were few.
READ MORE
Consequentially even those who were prominent in the Irish struggle for freedom were the sons of RIC and DMP men. They included the fathers of Proclamation signatory Eamonn Ceannt, Eamonn Duggan, a signatory of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, IRA commander Tom Barry and writer Seán Ó Faoláin, Michael Collins's uncle and the brother of celebrated Antarctic explorer Tom Crean who was killed during the War of Independence.
When the war broke out in 1919, the police were tasked by the British government to take on the IRA. British prime minister David Lloyd George believed the sporadic campaign initially was a law-and-order issue and not a general insurgency.
The Black and Tans and Auxiliaries were recruited when the British government realised the RIC could not cope. Recruitment in England for what became known as the Black and Tans began this month 100 years ago and the first ones arrived in March of that year.
These were followed by the Auxiliaries, who were recruited from among the officer classes and ex-servicemen.
However, the four forces opposed to the IRA have become conflated in the Irish public imagination and they often operated in concert with each other.
Even the name Black and Tans reflected that their uniforms were half RIC and half British army
For instance, after the Rineen ambush in Co Clare in September 1920 in which five RIC constables and a Black and Tan were killed, revenge was taken by both forces, with five locals killed in a spate of reprisals.


theirishtimes--2020-01-07--Lyra McKee posthumously awarded masters degree

Lyra McKee , the young Northern Ireland journalist fatally shot during rioting in Derry last year , has been posthumously awarded a masters degree by an English university .
McKee ’ s sister , Nichola Corner , and brother-in-law , John Corner , accepted the award of a Master of Arts degree in online journalism from Birmingham City University at a ceremony in the city ’ s Symphony Hall on Tuesday .
Introducing the award , the university ’ s vice-chancellor , Philip Plowden , said McKee ’ s work was an inspiration and he expressed pride that she had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lyra was 29 when she was killed .
She was an outstanding young journalist whose books Angels with Blue Faces was about to be published .
She wrote about the consequences of the Troubles , a world in which she had grown up , ” Prof Plowden said .
He continued : “ There are no positives to be drawn from her death .
We are all the poorer for it .
But it reminds us why we need great journalists ; we need those who can uncover truths and open our eyes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to notice.
” Prof Plowden said the Belfast-born editor and writer had provided a powerful example of each person ’ s individual ability to work to change the world around them .
He noted she was the winner of the Sky News Young Journalist Award in 2006 at the age of 16 and had gone on to forge a reputation as an inspiring and tenacious investigative reporter .
Ms McKee , who studied for a distance learning master ’ s degree at Birmingham City University between 2012 and 2014 but never formally graduated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her former lecturer , Professor Paul Bradshaw as “ a very special student , a very special writer and an inspiration to many ” .
She returned to the university in 2017 to address a conference on the subject of class bias in journalism .
“ Lyra ’ s path to studying journalism at Birmingham City University was , like her , special .
The tenacity and creativity that took her to BCU continued throughout her work here and on into the successes that led to her pausing her studies , ” Prof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important that her achievements were recognised by the university which was why she was receiving the posthumous award .
Accepting the award , Ms Corner said Lyra had worked tirelessly to help others not just through journalism but around a wide range of causes in Belfast and beyond .
“ She made friendships in all walks of life and it was the same attention to people that drove her to succeed in her writing , ” she added .
Ms Corner said her family felt honoured and privileged that her late sister was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the university .

Lyra McKee, the young Northern Ireland journalist fatally shot during rioting in Derry last year, has been posthumously awarded a masters degree by an English university.
McKee's sister, Nichola Corner, and brother-in-law, John Corner, accepted the award of a Master of Arts degree in online journalism from Birmingham City University at a ceremony in the city's Symphony Hall on Tuesday.
Introducing the award, the university’s vice-chancellor, Philip Plowden, said McKee’s work was an inspiration and he expressed pride that she had been part of the university.
“Lyra was 29 when she was killed. She was an outstanding young journalist whose books Angels with Blue Faces was about to be published. She wrote about the consequences of the Troubles, a world in which she had grown up,” Prof Plowden said.
READ MORE
He continued: “There are no positives to be drawn from her death. We are all the poorer for it. But it reminds us why we need great journalists; we need those who can uncover truths and open our eyes to things we may have chosen not to notice.”
Prof Plowden said the Belfast-born editor and writer had provided a powerful example of each person’s individual ability to work to change the world around them.
He noted she was the winner of the Sky News Young Journalist Award in 2006 at the age of 16 and had gone on to forge a reputation as an inspiring and tenacious investigative reporter.
Ms McKee, who studied for a distance learning master’s degree at Birmingham City University between 2012 and 2014 but never formally graduated from the college, was described by her former lecturer, Professor Paul Bradshaw as “a very special student, a very special writer and an inspiration to many”.
She returned to the university in 2017 to address a conference on the subject of class bias in journalism.
“Lyra’s path to studying journalism at Birmingham City University was, like her, special. The tenacity and creativity that took her to BCU continued throughout her work here and on into the successes that led to her pausing her studies,” Prof Bradshaw said.
He said it was important that her achievements were recognised by the university which was why she was receiving the posthumous award.
Accepting the award, Ms Corner said Lyra had worked tirelessly to help others not just through journalism but around a wide range of causes in Belfast and beyond.
“She made friendships in all walks of life and it was the same attention to people that drove her to succeed in her writing,” she added. Ms Corner said her family felt honoured and privileged that her late sister was being conferred with such an honour by the university.


theirishtimes--2020-01-07--Climate change projects make up two-thirds of Young Scientist entries

Projects relating to climate change account for two thirds of entries qualifying for the final stage of this year ’ s Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition ( BTYSTE ) in an indication of strength of feeling among Irish students on the issue .
The number – 335 out of 550 projects – is “ unbelievably large ” , said BT Ireland managing director Shay Walsh .
They range across all categories including what causes climate change ; how to address it , and behaviours towards it – notably those of climate science deniers .
“ It gives you hope , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and adding STEM ( science , technology , engineering and maths ) approaches to come up with practical solutions , and how to get people more engaged on the issue , ” Mr Walsh said .
Speaking as the first batch of finalists mounted their projects at Dublin ’ s RDS , he said the other strong trend this year was the number of projects on how technology and social media impacted on young people ’ s lives , especially their behaviours and habits .
While parents may be concerned about their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , pupils themselves were very conscious of the impact of “ almost-always-on online devices on their mental health and development ” , he added .
First year student Aditya Joshi ( 12 ) from Synge Street CBS in Dublin , who has devised a simple way to solve very complex diophantine equations , was at hand at an informal launch of BTYSTE 2020 on Tuesday .
It was a love of maths , and having been set a challenge by his brother Chirag , that prompted the project , which he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past five months – they attended the exhibition together in the past but this is his first time participating .
“ There is no application right now for the equations , but they are very interesting to study , ” Aditya explained , while speculating they may become relevant in computer encryption in the future .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will open the exhibition on Wednesday , when the renowned physicist and science communicator Prof Brian Cox will speak at a number of events including the Nextipedia business leaders symposium on the opportunities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustainability and Ireland ’ s aim to become carbon neutral by 2050 .
The contest has reached its 56th year , the 20th staged by BT .
Mr Walsh said over the past two decades it had grown in size from 600 applications - half on exhibition – to more than 1,850 entries , of which 550 were on show .
Visitors to the exhibition have quadrupled in that time to 55,000 .
Above all , there was consistent improvement in standards , he said , which was reflected in the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU young scientist competition .
Ireland has had 15 winners over the 32 years that the the European contest has been staged .
Judging in the BTYSTE begins on Wednesday and it opens to the public on Friday – tickets have to pre-booked through btyoungscientist.com

Rhys Morgan and Rob West from Morgan and West Unbelievable Science with Aditya Joshi (centre) from CBS Synge St at the launch of the BT Young Scientist Exhibiton. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Projects relating to climate change account for two thirds of entries qualifying for the final stage of this year’s Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) in an indication of strength of feeling among Irish students on the issue.
The number – 335 out of 550 projects – is "unbelievably large", said BT Ireland managing director Shay Walsh. They range across all categories including what causes climate change; how to address it, and behaviours towards it – notably those of climate science deniers.
“It gives you hope, that they are applying their bright minds, and adding STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) approaches to come up with practical solutions, and how to get people more engaged on the issue,” Mr Walsh said.
Speaking as the first batch of finalists mounted their projects at Dublin’s RDS, he said the other strong trend this year was the number of projects on how technology and social media impacted on young people’s lives, especially their behaviours and habits.
READ MORE
While parents may be concerned about their children being glued to screens all the time, pupils themselves were very conscious of the impact of “almost-always-on online devices on their mental health and development”, he added.
First year student Aditya Joshi (12) from Synge Street CBS in Dublin, who has devised a simple way to solve very complex diophantine equations, was at hand at an informal launch of BTYSTE 2020 on Tuesday.
It was a love of maths, and having been set a challenge by his brother Chirag, that prompted the project, which he has worked on almost every day for the past five months – they attended the exhibition together in the past but this is his first time participating.
“There is no application right now for the equations, but they are very interesting to study,” Aditya explained, while speculating they may become relevant in computer encryption in the future.
Quadrupled visitor numbers
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will open the exhibition on Wednesday, when the renowned physicist and science communicator Prof Brian Cox will speak at a number of events including the Nextipedia business leaders symposium on the opportunities and challenges of technology in the context of sustainability and Ireland's aim to become carbon neutral by 2050.
The contest has reached its 56th year, the 20th staged by BT. Mr Walsh said over the past two decades it had grown in size from 600 applications - half on exhibition – to more than 1,850 entries, of which 550 were on show. Visitors to the exhibition have quadrupled in that time to 55,000.
Above all, there was consistent improvement in standards, he said, which was reflected in the number of overall winners who went on to win the EU young scientist competition. Ireland has had 15 winners over the 32 years that the the European contest has been staged.
Judging in the BTYSTE begins on Wednesday and it opens to the public on Friday – tickets have to pre-booked through btyoungscientist.com


theirishtimes--2020-01-07--Hundreds of childcare providers may shut for ‘day of protest’

Hundreds of childcare providers are planning to shut their facilities for a day in protest over what they describe as a “ crisis ” facing the sector .
An alliance of childcare workers and providers is due to meet on Thursday to finalise plans to close creches and pre-schools on a midweek day likely to be in late January or early February .
The planned action has the support of groups including the Federation of Childhood Providers , which says it has 1,000-plus members , and the trade union Siptu , which represents 5,000 early years professionals .
Other groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to attend .
Elaine Dunne of the Federation of Childhood Providers said underfunding of the sector had reached crisis point and was resulting in poorly-paid staff and unsustainable services .
She said there was “ huge momentum ” behind the planned day of action which had the backing of many providers , workers and parents .
When asked if the planned action could cause large-scale disruption for working parents , she said many mothers and fathers supported their actions and encouraged them to join in the demonstration .
“ The reason they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe is because of underfunding of the services.
” She said many services were at risk of closing permanently if funding of the sector was not improved , which would leave parents even worse off .
Ms Dunne added the day of protest would be the first of a number of planned actions .
While other groups representing childcare facilities are supportive of the aims of the protest , it is understood they do not support shutting facilities mid-week .
It is unclear how many facilities are likely to close , given divided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Seas Suas , which represents hundreds of childcare providers , said many services providing full day-care services – paid for by parents – may be reluctant to inconvenience parents who are paying for services .
Sessional services – such as those providing the “ free ” pre-school year – may be more likely to protest , she said .
“ It isn ’ t an easy decision for full daycare providers to close for a day of protest - and this is part of the problem overall , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ between sessional care , small full day care and family-run services , where they have a lot of overheads and would find it difficult to close for the day.
” Details of the planned protest were discussed at a meeting at Liberty Hall last week organised by Siptu – which represents some 5,000 childcare workers .
It was attended by representatives of a number of different childcare providers .
Darragh O ’ Connor of Siptu said there was “ considerable momentum ” behind a day of protest , with many leaning towards holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The details are due to be finalised at follow-up meeting at Liberty Hall on Thursday .
He said the meeting will also agree a common platform , such as the need to reform the funding model for childcare and higher wages for childcare facilities .
“ The sector is coming together – providers and workers – because of the crisis in funding and low pay .
It is undermining the quality and sustainability of services and people are struggling to make ends meet , ” Mr O ’ Brien said .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payment to childcare providers for the duration of any action which disrupts State-funded early years education .

Elaine Dunne of the Federation of Childhood Providers said underfunding of the sector had reached crisis point and was resulting in poorly-paid staff and unsustainable services. Photograph: iStock
Hundreds of childcare providers are planning to shut their facilities for a day in protest over what they describe as a “crisis” facing the sector.
An alliance of childcare workers and providers is due to meet on Thursday to finalise plans to close creches and pre-schools on a midweek day likely to be in late January or early February.
The planned action has the support of groups including the Federation of Childhood Providers, which says it has 1,000-plus members, and the trade union Siptu, which represents 5,000 early years professionals.
Other groups representing childcare providers and professionals are also due to attend.
READ MORE
Elaine Dunne of the Federation of Childhood Providers said underfunding of the sector had reached crisis point and was resulting in poorly-paid staff and unsustainable services.
She said there was “huge momentum” behind the planned day of action which had the backing of many providers, workers and parents.
When asked if the planned action could cause large-scale disruption for working parents, she said many mothers and fathers supported their actions and encouraged them to join in the demonstration.
"The reason they are paying the highest childcare fees in Europe is because of underfunding of the services."
She said many services were at risk of closing permanently if funding of the sector was not improved, which would leave parents even worse off.
Ms Dunne added the day of protest would be the first of a number of planned actions.
Sessional services
While other groups representing childcare facilities are supportive of the aims of the protest, it is understood they do not support shutting facilities mid-week. It is unclear how many facilities are likely to close, given divided opinion within the sector.
Regina Bushel of Seas Suas, which represents hundreds of childcare providers, said many services providing full day-care services – paid for by parents – may be reluctant to inconvenience parents who are paying for services.
Sessional services – such as those providing the “free” pre-school year – may be more likely to protest, she said.
“It isn’t an easy decision for full daycare providers to close for a day of protest - and this is part of the problem overall,” she said.
“ The sector is so diverse, between sessional care, small full day care and family-run services, where they have a lot of overheads and would find it difficult to close for the day.”
Details of the planned protest were discussed at a meeting at Liberty Hall last week organised by Siptu – which represents some 5,000 childcare workers.
It was attended by representatives of a number of different childcare providers.
Darragh O'Connor of Siptu said there was "considerable momentum" behind a day of protest, with many leaning towards holding it on weekday in late January. The details are due to be finalised at follow-up meeting at Liberty Hall on Thursday.
He said the meeting will also agree a common platform, such as the need to reform the funding model for childcare and higher wages for childcare facilities.
“The sector is coming together – providers and workers – because of the crisis in funding and low pay. It is undermining the quality and sustainability of services and people are struggling to make ends meet,” Mr O’Brien said.
It is likely that the Government would cease providing payment to childcare providers for the duration of any action which disrupts State-funded early years education.


theirishtimes--2020-01-07--North’s chief constable sorry for provocative Crossmaglen photograph

Northern Ireland ’ s Chief Constable Simon Byrne has apologised for a controversial social media post in which he posed with heavily armed police officers outside Crossmaglen police station on Christmas Day .
The chief constable said his tweet “ was never meant as a comment on the community of Crossmaglen and South Armagh Area and I am sorry for any offence that has been caused ” .
Mr Byrne has also commissioned a review of policing in south Armagh .
SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly said its remit will include the militarised appearance of the police stations in Crossmaglen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr Byrne said : “ On Christmas morning great to meet the team policing Crossmaglen @ PSNINMDown I take my hat off to colleagues policing such a unique part of @ PoliceServiceNI Their sense of duty and optimism is inspiring .
Stay safe and thank you.
” Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy said the tweet it was “ offensive to the local community and utterly unacceptable ” .
SDLP Cllr Pete Byrne said families had been “ hurt and offended ” by what appeared to be “ a deliberate attempt to set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart.
” In a statement issued on Tuesday , following meetings with Sinn Féin and the SDLP this week , the chief constable said he had “ reflected on the issue at length and have had many conversations with both colleagues and external stakeholders .
Since taking up the post of chief constable , I have been looking at the visibility , accessibility and responsiveness of policing right across Northern Ireland .
” He added : “ As part of that ongoing work , I have commissioned a review of policing in south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers , elected representatives and the local community .
“ I am really proud of the local officers , who working together with local people , have made so much progress for policing and the community in recent years .
It is only by working together that we will continue to make progress.
” Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said the party had a “ very frank conversation ” with the chief constable .
“ While the fact that he ’ s prepared to engage is a good sign , he needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hugely sensitive , ” said Mr Kelly .
Such a post , he said , “ demonises the whole community because it looks like you can ’ t go into that community without being armed in a very military way .
And that is not a true reflection of what is happening with policing down there.
” SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly welcomed the chief constable ’ s apology and said she looked forward to the review and its findings .
“ We had a robust discussion around the challenges of the style and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newtownhamilton .
We discussed the slow pace of of transformation , the legacy of policing for communities like south Armagh and the ongoing cultural work that needed to take place within the PSNI .
“ We were in agreement that this has to change .
And I look forward to hearing the proposals coming forward from the PSNI in partnership with the community of Crossmaglen , ” she said .

On Christmas Day PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne tweeted that it ‘was great to meet the team policing Crossmaglen’. File photograph: PA
Northern Ireland's Chief Constable Simon Byrne has apologised for a controversial social media post in which he posed with heavily armed police officers outside Crossmaglen police station on Christmas Day.
The chief constable said his tweet "was never meant as a comment on the community of Crossmaglen and South Armagh Area and I am sorry for any offence that has been caused".
Mr Byrne has also commissioned a review of policing in south Armagh. SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly said its remit will include the militarised appearance of the police stations in Crossmaglen and Newtownhamilton.
My statement following constructive meetings on community policing in Crossmaglen and South Armagh area https://t.co/7ytAr0XdeI — Simon Byrne (@ChiefConPSNI) January 7, 2020
In his Christmas Day tweet, Mr Byrne said: “On Christmas morning great to meet the team policing Crossmaglen @PSNINMDown I take my hat off to colleagues policing such a unique part of @PoliceServiceNI Their sense of duty and optimism is inspiring. Stay safe and thank you.”
READ MORE
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy said the tweet it was "offensive to the local community and utterly unacceptable". SDLP Cllr Pete Byrne said families had been "hurt and offended" by what appeared to be "a deliberate attempt to set Crossmaglen and south Armagh as a place apart."
In a statement issued on Tuesday, following meetings with Sinn Féin and the SDLP this week, the chief constable said he had "reflected on the issue at length and have had many conversations with both colleagues and external stakeholders. Since taking up the post of chief constable, I have been looking at the visibility, accessibility and responsiveness of policing right across Northern Ireland. "
He added: “As part of that ongoing work, I have commissioned a review of policing in south Armagh. The review will involve local officers, elected representatives and the local community.
“I am really proud of the local officers, who working together with local people, have made so much progress for policing and the community in recent years. It is only by working together that we will continue to make progress.”
Frank exchange of dialogue
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said the party had a "very frank conversation" with the chief constable.
“While the fact that he’s prepared to engage is a good sign, he needs to realise that all of these things are hugely sensitive,” said Mr Kelly.
Such a post, he said, “demonises the whole community because it looks like you can’t go into that community without being armed in a very military way. And that is not a true reflection of what is happening with policing down there.”
SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly welcomed the chief constable’s apology and said she looked forward to the review and its findings.
“We had a robust discussion around the challenges of the style and appearance of militarised stations in Crossmaglen and Newtownhamilton. We discussed the slow pace of of transformation, the legacy of policing for communities like south Armagh and the ongoing cultural work that needed to take place within the PSNI.
“We were in agreement that this has to change. And I look forward to hearing the proposals coming forward from the PSNI in partnership with the community of Crossmaglen,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-07--How did plans to remember the RIC and DMP become so controversial?

In September the Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan became the first government minister to attend a commemoration service for the Royal Irish Constabulary ( RIC ) and the Dublin Metropolitan Police ( DMP ) .
The interdenominational service has been held every year since 2012 and was organised by the Historical and Reconciliation Police ( Harp ) Society set up by a group of ex-gardaí , led by Jim Herlihy .
They sought to remember the 640 RIC and DMP men who died in the line of duty between 1836 and 1922 of whom 555 were killed during the War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Harp society did not seek to honour the role played by the Black and Tans or the Auxiliaries .
Neither was Mr Flanagan in the now-postponed State event in Dublin Castle this month , but that fact has got lost in the mists in recent days .
Significantly , Flanagan was not the only Government figure to attend the Harp commemoration in September , since Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was represented too , by his aide-de-camp Commandant Caroline Burke .
Having met descendants of some of those killed , Flanagan justified his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ century the men who served in the two police forces were known as “ traitors and disloyal citizens ” .
In remembering the policemen he stated he was acting as a “ pluralist who believes in the co-existence of peoples of different traditions on the island coming together ” .
His presence , as reported in The Irish Times at the time , went unremarked in political circles .
During the decade of centenaries Mr Flanagan has assiduously turned up at events remembering the Irish who fought in the first World War .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Rathdowney , Co Laois in 2017 to local man Lance Sergeant Jack Moyney who won the Victoria Cross in the war , he expressed satisfaction “ that as a nation we are now embracing the past in a more inclusive and generous way .
In so doing , we are merely facing up to reality ” .
Given the muted reaction to his attendance at the RIC and DMP memorial in September and the belated warmth afforded to the memory of the Irish first World War veterans , Mr Flanagan might have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remembering another group of Irishmen who served the Crown .
The public and political reaction to the proposed State commemoration shows that men who were in the RIC or DMP are not regarded in the same way as the Irishmen who fought in the first World War .
Neither can the legacy of the two police forces be disentangled easily from the Black and Tans or the Auxiliaries – a problem not helped by the fact that the Government failed to explain that the latter groups were not being commemorated .
Invitations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Castle were sent out before Christmas .
The service was intended to be low key .
The story first appeared on The Irish Times website on New Year ’ s Day and then in the newspaper the following day .
Reaction was muted until the Mayor of Clare Cllr Cathal Crowe announced at the weekend that he would not be attending stating that the proposed commemoration is “ revisionism gone too far ” .
Since then there has been an avalanche of withdrawals from the event .
After deliberating on the matter for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin accused the Minister of an “ error of judgment ” and bridled at suggestions that his party was abandoning “ mutual understanding and reconciliation ” by objecting to the event .
The decade of centenaries to date has been remarkable in the absence of rancour or party political point-scoring .
That has ended with the rumpus over this commemoration .
Professor Diarmaid Ferriter of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations said they never recommended that there should be a State ceremony for the RIC and DMP .
However , their advice is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should also be given to the organisation of specific initiatives to commemorate the Royal Irish Constabulary ( RIC ) and the Dublin Metropolitan Police ( DMP ) and to acknowledge their place in history ” .
Prof Ferriter clarified that the expert advisory group only recommended a small number of State ceremonies over the coming years ; one to remember the War of Independence , two to mark the coming into being of the State , one for the Civil War and one to remember Ireland ’ s entry into the League of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Decade of Centenaries .
Fianna Fáil Senator Mark Daly said the issue was raised at the all-party group on commemorations in April and “ serious concerns ” were raised about it .
The committee asked for clarification on how such a commemoration would proceed at their November meeting .
“ It was our understanding there was going to be another meeting of the committee before the launch , but it didn ’ t happen .
The lack of consultation is a concern.
” Senator Daly said the Government must reconvene the committee if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis in the remaining years of the decade of centenaries .
Mr Flanagan had hoped that the ceremony would help remember two police forces which have been forgotten about in the public memory .
They will be remembered alright , but not in the way that he might have wished .

May 1921: Lord John Denton Pinkstone French inspecting the Royal Irish Constabulary. Hundreds of RIC members were killed during the War of Independence. Photograph: Walshe/Topical Press Agency/Getty
In September the Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan became the first government minister to attend a commemoration service for the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP).
The interdenominational service has been held every year since 2012 and was organised by the Historical and Reconciliation Police (Harp) Society set up by a group of ex-gardaí, led by Jim Herlihy.
They sought to remember the 640 RIC and DMP men who died in the line of duty between 1836 and 1922 of whom 555 were killed during the War of Independence, mostly by the IRA.
The Harp society did not seek to honour the role played by the Black and Tans or the Auxiliaries. Neither was Mr Flanagan in the now-postponed State event in Dublin Castle this month, but that fact has got lost in the mists in recent days.
READ MORE
Significantly, Flanagan was not the only Government figure to attend the Harp commemoration in September, since Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was represented too, by his aide-de-camp Commandant Caroline Burke.
Having met descendants of some of those killed, Flanagan justified his presence by stating that for the last century the men who served in the two police forces were known as “traitors and disloyal citizens”.
In remembering the policemen he stated he was acting as a “pluralist who believes in the co-existence of peoples of different traditions on the island coming together”.
His presence, as reported in The Irish Times at the time, went unremarked in political circles. During the decade of centenaries Mr Flanagan has assiduously turned up at events remembering the Irish who fought in the first World War.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan at a service for policemen killed by the IRA during the War of Independence. Photograph: Ronan McGreevy
Speaking at the launch of a plaque in Rathdowney, Co Laois in 2017 to local man Lance Sergeant Jack Moyney who won the Victoria Cross in the war, he expressed satisfaction "that as a nation we are now embracing the past in a more inclusive and generous way. In so doing, we are merely facing up to reality".
Given the muted reaction to his attendance at the RIC and DMP memorial in September and the belated warmth afforded to the memory of the Irish first World War veterans, Mr Flanagan might have concluded there would be few objections to remembering another group of Irishmen who served the Crown.
Contested legacy
The public and political reaction to the proposed State commemoration shows that men who were in the RIC or DMP are not regarded in the same way as the Irishmen who fought in the first World War.
Neither can the legacy of the two police forces be disentangled easily from the Black and Tans or the Auxiliaries – a problem not helped by the fact that the Government failed to explain that the latter groups were not being commemorated.
Invitations to the event on January 17th in Dublin Castle were sent out before Christmas. The service was intended to be low key.
The story first appeared on The Irish Times website on New Year's Day and then in the newspaper the following day.
Reaction was muted until the Mayor of Clare Cllr Cathal Crowe announced at the weekend that he would not be attending stating that the proposed commemoration is "revisionism gone too far".
Since then there has been an avalanche of withdrawals from the event. After deliberating on the matter for two days, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin accused the Minister of an "error of judgment" and bridled at suggestions that his party was abandoning "mutual understanding and reconciliation" by objecting to the event.
The decade of centenaries to date has been remarkable in the absence of rancour or party political point-scoring. That has ended with the rumpus over this commemoration.
Professor Diarmaid Ferriter of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations said they never recommended that there should be a State ceremony for the RIC and DMP.
However, their advice is ambiguously phrased, stating that “consideration should also be given to the organisation of specific initiatives to commemorate the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) and to acknowledge their place in history”.
Prof Ferriter clarified that the expert advisory group only recommended a small number of State ceremonies over the coming years; one to remember the War of Independence, two to mark the coming into being of the State, one for the Civil War and one to remember Ireland’s entry into the League of Nations in 2023 which will end the Decade of Centenaries.
Fianna Fáil Senator Mark Daly said the issue was raised at the all-party group on commemorations in April and "serious concerns" were raised about it.
The committee asked for clarification on how such a commemoration would proceed at their November meeting. “It was our understanding there was going to be another meeting of the committee before the launch, but it didn’t happen. The lack of consultation is a concern.”
Senator Daly said the Government must reconvene the committee if it wishes to proceed on a consensual basis in the remaining years of the decade of centenaries.
Mr Flanagan had hoped that the ceremony would help remember two police forces which have been forgotten about in the public memory. They will be remembered alright, but not in the way that he might have wished.


theirishtimes--2020-01-07--Student (13) arrested after pupil stabbed at Co Antrim school

A pupil has been stabbed at a school in Co Antrim .
The victim , who is a Year 10 pupil at Larne Grammar School , was taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children .
His injuries are not life-threatening .
A 13-year-old male pupil has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon .
He is currently in police custody .
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received an emergency call at 11.21am on Tuesday .
One crew attended the scene on the Lower Cairncastle Road and a teenager was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Larne Grammar School , Jonathan Wylie , said that “ following an incident in school on Tuesday morning a Year 10 pupil was taken to hospital and is receiving treatment .
“ The safety and wellbeing of our pupils is always our primary concern and the authorities , including the PSNI , were contacted immediately .
“ Parents have also been contacted and we are working with the Education Authority to ensure that pastoral support is available for those who require it .
“ This is the first time that an incident of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the thoughts of the entire school community are with the injured pupil and his family , ” he said .

A 13-year-old male pupil has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. He is currently in police custody.
A pupil has been stabbed at a school in Co Antrim.
The victim, who is a Year 10 pupil at Larne Grammar School, was taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. His injuries are not life-threatening.
A 13-year-old male pupil has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. He is currently in police custody.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received an emergency call at 11.21am on Tuesday.
READ MORE
One crew attended the scene on the Lower Cairncastle Road and a teenager was taken to hospital.
The principal of Larne Grammar School, Jonathan Wylie, said that "following an incident in school on Tuesday morning a Year 10 pupil was taken to hospital and is receiving treatment.
“The safety and wellbeing of our pupils is always our primary concern and the authorities, including the PSNI, were contacted immediately.
"Parents have also been contacted and we are working with the Education Authority to ensure that pastoral support is available for those who require it. "This is the first time that an incident of this nature has occurred in school and the thoughts of the entire school community are with the injured pupil and his family," he said.
Additional reporting PA


theirishtimes--2020-01-07--Trolley crisis: Harris averse to cancelling planned admissions

Cancelling all planned admissions to hospitals because of overcrowding in emergency departments would not be the appropriate thing to do , Minister for Health Simon Harris has said .
He had heard calls and received correspondence , he said , urging planned operations not go ahead given the pressures on emergency departments and the numbers on trolleys .
“ Let me be very clear .
No trade union and no politician will decide clinical matters ; clinical matters about what is an urgent operation will be decided by , appropriately , clinicians.
” His comments came as the Irish Nurses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count put the number of patients deemed to require admission to hospital who were left waiting for a bed at record levels for a second day .
They said there were 760 patients on trolleys in emergency departments and on wards queuing for a bed .
The INMO said it had written to the Minister seeking the cancellation of planned procedures and the ending of non-emergency admissions to hospitals worst affected by the overcrowding , as part of an overall suite of measures to deal with the crisis .
However Mr Harris responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had 11 operations carried out for gynaecological cancers .
Nobody would want to see those time- sensitive operations cancelled .
“ We need to get very careful with our language .
So cancelling all electives [ planned procedures ] would not be an appropriate thing to do ; these are matters to be decided by doctors.
” INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said the “ extreme overcrowding presents a clear danger to patients and staff alike ” .
“ It requires immediate political intervention to stabilise our hospitals.
” Mr Harris said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional consultants and changes in work practice .
“ We need to look at paying our consultants more , but also to look at things like 24-hour cover seven days per week .
How do we get our discharges up at the weekend ?
Why do we only see , maybe 100 or 200 people discharged on a Sunday when we see maybe 600 , 700 , 800 or 900 discharged on other days of the week.
” Meanwhile , University Hospital Kerry became the latest health facility to cancel planned surgery for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital Group said planned surgery would be cancelled and non-emergency admissions stopped at Cork University Hospital and Mercy University Hospital to tackle overcrowding .
This move was criticised by hospital consultants who said it would have severe knock-on consequences for patient-health outcomes .
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association ( IHCA ) said all non-essential surgery had already been cancelled in the main hospitals in Cork since mid-December , “ with the decision to postpone remaining essential elective procedures meaning all planned surgery has now been cancelled ” .
What do the consultants say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hanlon said : “ The decision to cancel all remaining elective surgery at Cork ’ s acute public hospitals is simply not acceptable .
It is forcing hospitals and the consultants who treat patients to determine which patient is more worthy of treatment.
” Mr Harris said it was not a fair analysis to suggest that the overcrowding in hospitals this week was predicable and could have been avoided .
He said nurses and midwives across the country knew that significant additional capacity in terms of beds and staff would be needed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Minister said the Government is increasing employee and bed numbers .
He maintained there are 500 more nurses working in the health service than a year ago .
But he said considerable work remained to be done to achieve the required capacity .
He said there had been 743 admissions to hospitals over the last fortnight of patients with the flu , that 17 people required intensive care and there had been 22 death .
Mr Harris said the flu should not be considered a trivial condition .
He said capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a very difficult flu season ” .
The Minister said more than half of all healthcare staff were still not receiving the flu vaccine .
He added that the number of healthcare workers receiving the vaccine had increased to about 45 per cent , up from 39 per cent .
However there was still a long way to go “ and it begs the question why more than half of our staff are still not getting the flu vaccine ” .

Nurses said 760 patients are on trolleys in emergency departments and on wards queuing for a bed today. File photograph: Getty
Cancelling all planned admissions to hospitals because of overcrowding in emergency departments would not be the appropriate thing to do, Minister for Health Simon Harris has said.
He had heard calls and received correspondence, he said, urging planned operations not go ahead given the pressures on emergency departments and the numbers on trolleys.
“Let me be very clear. No trade union and no politician will decide clinical matters; clinical matters about what is an urgent operation will be decided by, appropriately, clinicians.”
His comments came as the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) trolley count put the number of patients deemed to require admission to hospital who were left waiting for a bed at record levels for a second day. They said there were 760 patients on trolleys in emergency departments and on wards queuing for a bed .
READ MORE
The INMO said it had written to the Minister seeking the cancellation of planned procedures and the ending of non-emergency admissions to hospitals worst affected by the overcrowding, as part of an overall suite of measures to deal with the crisis.
However Mr Harris responded: “In Limerick on Monday we had 11 operations carried out for gynaecological cancers. Nobody would want to see those time- sensitive operations cancelled.
“We need to get very careful with our language. So cancelling all electives [planned procedures] would not be an appropriate thing to do; these are matters to be decided by doctors.”
‘Danger’
INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said the “extreme overcrowding presents a clear danger to patients and staff alike”.
“It requires immediate political intervention to stabilise our hospitals.”
Mr Harris said more capacity was needed as well as additional consultants and changes in work practice.
“We need to look at paying our consultants more, but also to look at things like 24-hour cover seven days per week. How do we get our discharges up at the weekend? Why do we only see, maybe 100 or 200 people discharged on a Sunday when we see maybe 600, 700, 800 or 900 discharged on other days of the week.”
Meanwhile, University Hospital Kerry became the latest health facility to cancel planned surgery for this week.
On Sunday the South/Southwest Hospital Group said planned surgery would be cancelled and non-emergency admissions stopped at Cork University Hospital and Mercy University Hospital to tackle overcrowding.
This move was criticised by hospital consultants who said it would have severe knock-on consequences for patient-health outcomes.
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) said all non-essential surgery had already been cancelled in the main hospitals in Cork since mid-December, "with the decision to postpone remaining essential elective procedures meaning all planned surgery has now been cancelled".
What do the consultants say?
IHCA president Dr Donal O’Hanlon said: “The decision to cancel all remaining elective surgery at Cork’s acute public hospitals is simply not acceptable. It is forcing hospitals and the consultants who treat patients to determine which patient is more worthy of treatment.”
Mr Harris said it was not a fair analysis to suggest that the overcrowding in hospitals this week was predicable and could have been avoided.
He said nurses and midwives across the country knew that significant additional capacity in terms of beds and staff would be needed in hospitals if overcrowding was to be prevented.
The Minister said the Government is increasing employee and bed numbers. He maintained there are 500 more nurses working in the health service than a year ago. But he said considerable work remained to be done to achieve the required capacity.
He said there had been 743 admissions to hospitals over the last fortnight of patients with the flu, that 17 people required intensive care and there had been 22 death.
Mr Harris said the flu should not be considered a trivial condition. He said capacity constraints in hospitals had been compounded by “a very difficult flu season”. The Minister said more than half of all healthcare staff were still not receiving the flu vaccine.
He added that the number of healthcare workers receiving the vaccine had increased to about 45 per cent, up from 39 per cent. However there was still a long way to go “and it begs the question why more than half of our staff are still not getting the flu vaccine”.


theirishtimes--2020-01-07--Marian Finucane funeral: ‘The only thing I can give you are my tears’

On the mass booklet , she was Marian Finucane Clarke , but to those who had known and loved her – in real life , or through the airwaves – she was simply Marian .
The Marian remembered at her funeral on Tuesday was an iconic broadcaster , a beloved friend and colleague , a familiar voice across the kitchens of Ireland , an activist , architect and – most of all – a beloved mother and “ soul partner ” .
She “ made the colours brighter , the world a bit easier to live in ” , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ my Marian .
.
.
the woman I have loved for 40 years ” .
He told mourners that she had made plans to retire in December , before her sudden , shocking death on January 2nd , two months shy of her 70th birthday .
“ We were so excited .
We would have more time , more space , more books to read , more places to see .
Sadly that ’ s not going to happen , ” he said .
His voice was overcome with emotion as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were addicted to each other and who forgot to grow up ” .
The chief celebrant was her first cousin , Msgr Ciaran O ’ Carroll , who spoke about the loss to the nation , and most of all , to her family , John , her son Jack and daughter-in-law Jennifer , while also remembering her late daughter , Sinead .
“ The influence of Marian was significant .
The contribution she made to advancing and shaping our nation and its people through her professional work as a courageous broadcaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without fear or favour , was repeatedly and wonderfully captured in countless public tributes , ” said Msgr O ’ Carroll in his homily .
He spoke about her “ great empathy and sense of fairness ” .
She was , he said , a “ generous and determined woman , and a thoughtful and kind friend ” .
The impact Finucane had on public life in Ireland was celebrated , but it was the picture of the private Marian which moved mourners in St Brigid ’ s Church in Kill on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son , Jack , remembered “ the many different versions of her there are : the mother , the wife , the sister , the aunt , the stepmother , the mother-in-law , the friend , the colleague , the journalist , the radio host , the social commentator , the activist and the architect.
” All these selves were very genuine , but to him she was always “ Mam ” , “ a shy lady who was as happy reading a book in silence as she was sitting around the dinner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning with friends , laughing , joking .
.
.
generally sorting out the world ’ s problems , one dinner party at a time.
” She was someone who liked nothing more than “ being in bed during a storm , listening to the wind and rain crashing against the windows , with the duvet pulled up to her chin .
A classy lady with soul , in the truest sense.
” One of her favourite songs was Revolution by The Beatles .
“ She taught me that if you want a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by challenging people , by finding commonalities , and by finding within people their capacity to improve.
” He pledged that her spirit would live on when the next generation of her family is born next month .
“ Jenny and I will try to raise our child to have courage , curiosity and kindness – all virtues that Marian espoused.
” His steady delivery faltered only twice : once as he remembered how she ’ d say , “ Stand up straight .
Look them in the eye .
And go from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with the words : “ Thank you Mam .
We love you , and we miss you terribly.
” Joining him on the pulpit , his father , John Clarke , paused for a moment , his forehead resting in his hand , as he struggled to find the words to encapsulate his grief on this “ hard day , terrible week .
I find myself so powerless at the moment .
I truly don ’ t know what to do.
” He recalled a woman they met in an African township @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The only thing I can give you are my tears.
’ And that ’ s all I think I can do today , ” he said , overcome with emotion , to sustained applause in the church .
In the churchyard afterwards , Miriam O ’ Callaghan described how her colleague “ hated all the celebrity element attached to being a broadcaster .
I found that really touching in her .
She was just a brilliant journalist.
” She had not known Marian planned to retire .
“ It was a shock to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next 20 years of just going around and having fun together , enjoying life , reading , and it has just been taken away .
Life is but a blink.
” Mourners had begun arriving at the Kill chapel two hours early , beneath heavy grey skies and an unforgiving wind .
RTÉ staff members described their disbelief to find themselves attending the funeral of another beloved colleague , while still reeling from the news of the death of Larry Gogan .
Huddling in the churchyard , they spoke about epic dinners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how they had never heard her raise a voice in anger at work .
Ryan Tubridy said it was a “ very , very sad day for us in RTÉ ” .
In Finucane , Gay Byrne and , most recently , Larry Gogan , “ we have lost three beautiful , iconic broadcasters , who are not just people in a studio taking into microphones .
“ They are friends and they are people ’ s families .
They are friends of the listeners .
The country has lost three friends and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the funeral cortege drove away , mourners lining the street broke into a spontaneous round of applause .
“ It was like as if she was one of my friends , ” said Mary Conlon , from Kilnamanagh in south Dublin , who listened to Marian every Saturday .
“ I will miss her .
”

Marian Finucane’s husband, John Clarke (centre), as her remains are taken from church after funeral mass at St Brigid’s Church, Kill, Co Kildare. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
On the mass booklet, she was Marian Finucane Clarke, but to those who had known and loved her – in real life, or through the airwaves – she was simply Marian.
The Marian remembered at her funeral on Tuesday was an iconic broadcaster, a beloved friend and colleague, a familiar voice across the kitchens of Ireland, an activist, architect and – most of all – a beloved mother and "soul partner".
She “made the colours brighter, the world a bit easier to live in”, said her husband, John Clarke, of “my Marian . . . the woman I have loved for 40 years”.
Marian Finucane in the RTÉ radio studios in January 1980. Photograph: Pat Langan/The Irish Times
He told mourners that she had made plans to retire in December, before her sudden, shocking death on January 2nd, two months shy of her 70th birthday.
READ MORE
“We were so excited. We would have more time, more space, more books to read, more places to see. Sadly that’s not going to happen,” he said.
His voice was overcome with emotion as he said they were “two 15-year-old adolescents who were addicted to each other and who forgot to grow up”.
The funeral mass echoed her broadcasting style: personal, intimate, dignified, warm.
The chief celebrant was her first cousin, Msgr Ciaran O’Carroll, who spoke about the loss to the nation, and most of all, to her family, John, her son Jack and daughter-in-law Jennifer, while also remembering her late daughter, Sinead.
Marian Finucane’s son, Jack, and his wife, Jenny, at the funeral of the RTÉ broadcaster, who died unexpectedly at the age of 69 at her home on January 2nd. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
Jenny and I will try to raise our child to have courage, curiosity and kindness – all virtues that Marian espoused
“The influence of Marian was significant. The contribution she made to advancing and shaping our nation and its people through her professional work as a courageous broadcaster, and her determination to facilitate conversation without fear or favour, was repeatedly and wonderfully captured in countless public tributes,” said Msgr O’Carroll in his homily.
He spoke about her “great empathy and sense of fairness”. She was, he said, a “generous and determined woman, and a thoughtful and kind friend”.
The impact Finucane had on public life in Ireland was celebrated, but it was the picture of the private Marian which moved mourners in St Brigid's Church in Kill on Tuesday.
‘Different versions’
In his eulogy, her 32-year-old son, Jack, remembered “the many different versions of her there are: the mother, the wife, the sister, the aunt, the stepmother, the mother-in-law, the friend, the colleague, the journalist, the radio host, the social commentator, the activist and the architect.”
All these selves were very genuine, but to him she was always “Mam”, “a shy lady who was as happy reading a book in silence as she was sitting around the dinner table in the small hours of the morning with friends, laughing, joking . . . generally sorting out the world’s problems, one dinner party at a time.”
She was someone who liked nothing more than “being in bed during a storm, listening to the wind and rain crashing against the windows, with the duvet pulled up to her chin. A classy lady with soul, in the truest sense.”
Marian Finucane’s husband, John Clarke, is consoled at her funeral, which took place at St Brigid’s Church, Kill, Co Kildare. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
I find myself so powerless at the moment. I truly don't know what to do
One of her favourite songs was Revolution by The Beatles. “She taught me that if you want a revolution, you can start one, by challenging people, by finding commonalities, and by finding within people their capacity to improve.”
He pledged that her spirit would live on when the next generation of her family is born next month. “Jenny and I will try to raise our child to have courage, curiosity and kindness – all virtues that Marian espoused.”
His steady delivery faltered only twice: once as he remembered how she’d say, “Stand up straight. Look them in the eye. And go from there.” And again as he wrapped up with the words: “Thank you Mam. We love you, and we miss you terribly.”
Joining him on the pulpit, his father, John Clarke, paused for a moment, his forehead resting in his hand, as he struggled to find the words to encapsulate his grief on this “hard day, terrible week. I find myself so powerless at the moment. I truly don’t know what to do.”
Claire Byrne at the funeral of Marian Finucane at St Brigid’s Church in Kill, Co Kildare. Photograph: Laura Hutton/The Irish Times
Miriam O’Callaghan during the funeral of Marian Finucane at St Brigid’s Church in Kill, Co Kildare. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
RTÉ director-general Dee Forbes and RTÉ chair Moya Doherty attend the funeral of Marian Finucane at St Brigid’s Church, Kill, Co Kildare. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
He recalled a woman they met in an African township recently, who said: “‘The only thing I can give you are my tears.’ And that’s all I think I can do today,” he said, overcome with emotion, to sustained applause in the church.
‘Really touching’
In the churchyard afterwards, Miriam O’Callaghan described how her colleague “hated all the celebrity element attached to being a broadcaster. I found that really touching in her. She was just a brilliant journalist.”
She had not known Marian planned to retire. “It was a shock to all of us. They were planning the next 20 years of just going around and having fun together, enjoying life, reading, and it has just been taken away. Life is but a blink.”
Ryan Tubridy attends the funeral of RTÉ broadcaster Marian Finucane at St Brigid’s Church, Kill, Co Kildare. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
In Finucane, Gay Byrne and, most recently, Larry Gogan, 'we have lost three beautiful, iconic broadcasters'
Mourners had begun arriving at the Kill chapel two hours early, beneath heavy grey skies and an unforgiving wind. RTÉ staff members described their disbelief to find themselves attending the funeral of another beloved colleague, while still reeling from the news of the death of Larry Gogan. Huddling in the churchyard, they spoke about epic dinners at the Finucane Clarke home, and how they had never heard her raise a voice in anger at work.
Ryan Tubridy said it was a "very, very sad day for us in RTÉ". In Finucane, Gay Byrne and, most recently, Larry Gogan, "we have lost three beautiful, iconic broadcasters, who are not just people in a studio taking into microphones.
“They are friends and they are people’s families. They are friends of the listeners. The country has lost three friends and that is sad.”
Shortly before 2pm, as the funeral cortege drove away, mourners lining the street broke into a spontaneous round of applause.
"It was like as if she was one of my friends," said Mary Conlon, from Kilnamanagh in south Dublin, who listened to Marian every Saturday. "I will miss her."