theirishtimes--2020-02-11--Ireland hosts campaign to encourage countries to educate adolescent girls

The Government on Tuesday night hosted the formal launch of a global campaign to encourage governments to ensure better access to education for adolescent girls .
U2 ’ s Bono and former president Mary Robinson were among the speakers at the Drive For 5 campaign at the UN headquarters in New York .
The event highlights that 130 million girls worldwide do not attend school .
The initiative calls for governments around the world to commit to five transformative actions including access to 12 years of free quality education for girls , a supportive school environment and adequate water , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , Ireland ’ s permanent representative to the UN , Geraldine Byrne Nason , described the scale of the number of girls not receiving education in the world as “ one of the great injustices of our time ” .
Ms Byrne Nason said the Drive For 5 initiative was designed to pull such females out of poverty and inequality .
“ It ’ s not about charity but investment , ” she added .
The UN heard that the Irish Government has committed €250 million over the next five years towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland wanted to provoke a collective action by UN states in what was a “ once in a generation opportunity ” .
She said Ireland had been transformed from one of the poorest countries to one of the most highly developed in Europe in the space of two generations , which she attributed to the introduction of free secondary education in the 1960s .
“ It was simply revolutionary and particularly for girls , and we have seen the results of such investment.
” Addressing the launch ceremony , UN secretary general António @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first priority for creating a better world was ensuring a quality education for all .
Mr Guterres , a former teacher , said countries also had to ensure there was gender parity in their educational systems .
Although great strides had been made since a UN conference in Beijing 25 years ago when education was declared a human right , Mr Guterres said many gaps remained , with girls still being disadvantaged .
He pointed out that the gender pay gap stood at 20 per cent globally , while social and institutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking up positions in the STEM ( science , technology , engineering and maths ) sector .
Mr Gutteres described one of the most worrying trends as how the technology sector and particularly Silicon Valley firms still had a male-dominated culture .
“ These are shaping economies and societies of the future.
” Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson said political will at the highest level was needed to bring about change , and she expressed hope that political leaders would put themselves in the “ shoes and minds ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is important for the economies of countries that we educate girls.
” U2 singer and co-founder of the ONE campaign to fight extreme poverty and preventable disease , Bono told the gathering that the entire success of the Irish economy has due to the country ’ s investment in education .
“ I ’ ve done very well out of it .
I went to a school where I met my three other band members as well as my missus , ” he joked .

U2’s Bono and António Guterres, the UN secretary general, in New York for the launch of Drive for Five. Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
The Government on Tuesday night hosted the formal launch of a global campaign to encourage governments to ensure better access to education for adolescent girls.
U2’s Bono and former president Mary Robinson were among the speakers at the Drive For 5 campaign at the UN headquarters in New York. The event highlights that 130 million girls worldwide do not attend school.
The initiative calls for governments around the world to commit to five transformative actions including access to 12 years of free quality education for girls, a supportive school environment and adequate water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
Launching the campaign, Ireland’s permanent representative to the UN, Geraldine Byrne Nason, described the scale of the number of girls not receiving education in the world as “one of the great injustices of our time”.
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Ms Byrne Nason said the Drive For 5 initiative was designed to pull such females out of poverty and inequality. “It’s not about charity but investment,” she added.
The UN heard that the Irish Government has committed €250 million over the next five years towards global education.
Ms Byrne Nason said Ireland wanted to provoke a collective action by UN states in what was a “once in a generation opportunity”.
Two generations
She said Ireland had been transformed from one of the poorest countries to one of the most highly developed in Europe in the space of two generations, which she attributed to the introduction of free secondary education in the 1960s.
“It was simply revolutionary and particularly for girls, and we have seen the results of such investment.”
Addressing the launch ceremony, UN secretary general António Guterres said he had no doubt that the first priority for creating a better world was ensuring a quality education for all.
Mr Guterres, a former teacher, said countries also had to ensure there was gender parity in their educational systems.
Although great strides had been made since a UN conference in Beijing 25 years ago when education was declared a human right, Mr Guterres said many gaps remained, with girls still being disadvantaged.
He pointed out that the gender pay gap stood at 20 per cent globally, while social and institutional barriers were still preventing many females from taking up positions in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) sector.
Mr Gutteres described one of the most worrying trends as how the technology sector and particularly Silicon Valley firms still had a male-dominated culture. “These are shaping economies and societies of the future.”
Political will
Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson said political will at the highest level was needed to bring about change, and she expressed hope that political leaders would put themselves in the “shoes and minds” of uneducated young girls. “It is important for the economies of countries that we educate girls.”
U2 singer and co-founder of the ONE campaign to fight extreme poverty and preventable disease, Bono told the gathering that the entire success of the Irish economy has due to the country’s investment in education.
“I’ve done very well out of it. I went to a school where I met my three other band members as well as my missus,” he joked.


theirishtimes--2020-02-13--The terrible toll of bird collisions with modern buildings

Be it in homes , offices or shopping malls , many are seeking to get closer to nature without having to set foot outdoors .
Yet , constructing buildings that offer a window into the world outside is causing direct harm to nature itself , particularly bird life .
Indeed , it ’ s estimated that glass collisions cause up to one billion birds deaths in the United States and 25 million birds deaths in Canada annually .
As our cities and residential areas grow , so too does public awareness of this issue .
The founders and volunteers behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada – the world ’ s first organisation to address the issue of bird collisions with buildings – have played a huge role in this .
“ In the 1980s , I was made aware of the issue of bird collisions colliding with Toronto ’ s towers .
I was horrified to learn that this was happening and there was no indication of any concerns or written materials about the issue , ” says co-founder and director of FLAP , Michael Mesure .
“ I went down and found dozens of birds lying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t quite realise at the time that this is something that attached itself to me and I just could not let go of it.
” Since FLAP ’ s establishment in 1993 , other organisations concerned with bird collision have taken flight , both in North America and beyond .
Our understanding of these incidents has also greatly improved , owing to a growing body of research .
“ Birds are never able to understand the concept of glass as both a transparent barrier or something that might reflect .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they are resident in an area and aren ’ t killed the first time they encounter it .
Whereas we learn the concept of glass very young , they don ’ t seem to have a brain that ’ s able to do that kind of generalisation , ” says Dr Christine Sheppard , director of the Glass Collisions Program at the American Bird Conservancy .
Day-time collisions can occur when birds fly towards a reflection of the sky or foliage in a window .
In all-glass structures , they also collide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transparent barrier between them and their destination .
At night , artificial light from buildings can divert nocturnal migrants from their path and draw them into urban centres , where they are at a higher risk of collision .
It was the realisation of collisions caused by artificial light that inspired FLAP ’ s foundation .
However , according to Mesure , the group quickly learned that most collisions take place by day .
While collisions are often associated with high-rise structures , a large proportion of incidents actually occur at low-rise buildings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t the only cause of glass collision .
The Czech Society for Ornithology recognised glass bus shelters were problematic and developed a nationwide reporting system to record collisions and , subsequently , modify the most harmful shelters .
Transparent noise barriers along urban roads also pose a threat , notes Sheppard .
When it comes to glass collision , migratory species tend to be most vulnerable .
This has been observed in studies worldwide , including in Calgary , where the Calgary Migratory Species Response Team ( CMSRT ) recently conducted its first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might adapt to their surroundings , ” explains assistant professor of biology at St Mary ’ s University and co-founder of CMSRT Dr Scott Lovell .
“ Migratory birds are fairly naive when they ’ re flying from breeding grounds to their wintering grounds .
Coming across a building is probably something they ’ ve never done before.
” Surveys have shown that bats are also affected .
Five silver-haired bats were found during the recent Calgary survey , four of which were rehabilitated by Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society and released .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re trying to do something about an existing building is to locate the priority areas , ” says Sheppard .
Once problem areas are identified , the primary aim is to make windows visible to birds .
One of the most effective ways to do this is with the placement of rows of markers on the exterior surface of the glass .
Exterior placement will “ disrupt the illusion of a natural environment reflected in the glass ” , according to the FLAP guidelines .
“ The spacing of the marker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it tight enough so the bird doesn ’ t think it can fly through those gaps , ” explains Mesure .
Research has shown that most birds will not fly through spaces less than 2in high or 4in wide ; this is widely referred to as the “ 2x4 ” rule .
While this rule will greatly reduce collisions , FLAP Canada and many others have revised this to the “ 2x2 ” rule , deeming it more effective a deterrent for smaller species like hummingbirds .
Netting , window film and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other retrofitting options .
Since 2010 , Sheppard has been involved in research at Powdermill Avian Research Centre to determine what types of glass are particularly problematic for birds .
Using a bird tunnel , she and her colleagues can test how much of a deterrent a particular pattern or type of glass are .
Through education and outreach to architects and building managers , she also aims to dispel the myth that bird-friendly buildings are displeasing to the eye .
“ You can deter collisions quite effectively using patterns that cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface , ” she says .
“ We want people to realise this could be part of almost any design .
It overlaps substantially with heating and glare control , and with security in some instances.
” Despite most of us having first-hand experience of bird collision , many people find it difficult to grasp the scale of the problem .
As birds can be scavenged or – if alive and injured – fly away post-collision , we don ’ t always see the victims .
To illustrate the issue , FLAP holds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involves displaying the dead birds recovered by patrol volunteers to the public .
Much of the work on bird collisions with glass is concentrated in the US North America owing to the existence of major migratory pathways there .
While it ’ s not believed to be an issue of major conservation concern in Ireland , Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland says they would welcome relevant research .
“ We would welcome some studies into this and some funding provided to see to what extent this is a problem within Ireland so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baseline on which to base further developments , ” he says , adding that the organisation receives regular calls from homeowners regarding bird collisions , though usually they concern common species .
Founder of CMSRT Kathleen Johnson notes anyone can set up a similar monitoring and rescue initiative in their locality .
“ Don ’ t be afraid to reach out to organisations and see if it ’ s worth exploring .
I think together , we can make a big difference.
” Indeed , unlike many other environmental issues , Mesure says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Without these birds , we are in significant trouble .
They control insect populations , distribute seeds , pollinate plants and provide food for other wildlife , ” he says , also noting the economic value of the birdwatching industry .
“ People need to take this seriously on so many levels .
And really , it takes very little to mitigate the threats.
” Changes in legislation have played a huge role in the shift of societal perception of issue bird collisions , particularly in Canada .
In collaboration with Fatal Light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organisations , the City of Toronto developed ground-breaking bird-friendly development guidelines in 2007 , which later inspired similar guidelines in cities across North America .
These became mandatory under Toronto ’ s Green Standards in 2010 , meaning that all new mid-rise to high-rise buildings have to meet a requirement for bird collision mitigation .
However , it was a landmark court case in 2013 that drew even greater attention to the problem .
It held that sunlight reflected from a building is an emission of radiation , which can be considered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Environmental Protection Act .
FLAP is working with the government to bring this law to a level where it can be effectively enforced .

It’s estimated that glass collisions cause up to one billion birds deaths in the United States and 25 million birds deaths in Canada annually. Photograph: FLAP Canada.
Be it in homes, offices or shopping malls, many are seeking to get closer to nature without having to set foot outdoors.
Yet, constructing buildings that offer a window into the world outside is causing direct harm to nature itself, particularly bird life. Indeed, it's estimated that glass collisions cause up to one billion birds deaths in the United States and 25 million birds deaths in Canada annually.
As our cities and residential areas grow, so too does public awareness of this issue. The founders and volunteers behind Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) Canada – the world’s first organisation to address the issue of bird collisions with buildings – have played a huge role in this.
“Without these birds, we are in significant trouble. They control insect populations, distribute seeds, pollinate plants and provide food for other wildlife.” Photograph: FLAP Canada.
Once problem areas are identified, the primary aim is to make windows visible to birds. One of the most effective ways to do this is with the placement of rows of markers on the exterior surface of the glass. Photograph: FLAP Canada
"In the 1980s, I was made aware of the issue of bird collisions colliding with Toronto's towers. I was horrified to learn that this was happening and there was no indication of any concerns or written materials about the issue," says co-founder and director of FLAP, Michael Mesure. "I went down and found dozens of birds lying on the sidewalk before daybreak. I didn't quite realise at the time that this is something that attached itself to me and I just could not let go of it."
READ MORE
Since FLAP's establishment in 1993, other organisations concerned with bird collision have taken flight, both in North America and beyond. Our understanding of these incidents has also greatly improved, owing to a growing body of research.
Collision causes
"Birds are never able to understand the concept of glass as both a transparent barrier or something that might reflect. They can learn about individual pieces of glass if they are resident in an area and aren't killed the first time they encounter it. Whereas we learn the concept of glass very young, they don't seem to have a brain that's able to do that kind of generalisation," says Dr Christine Sheppard, director of the Glass Collisions Program at the American Bird Conservancy.
Day-time collisions can occur when birds fly towards a reflection of the sky or foliage in a window. In all-glass structures, they also collide due to lack of awareness of the transparent barrier between them and their destination.
At night, artificial light from buildings can divert nocturnal migrants from their path and draw them into urban centres, where they are at a higher risk of collision. It was the realisation of collisions caused by artificial light that inspired FLAP’s foundation. However, according to Mesure, the group quickly learned that most collisions take place by day.
While collisions are often associated with high-rise structures, a large proportion of incidents actually occur at low-rise buildings and residential homes.
Buildings aren’t the only cause of glass collision. The Czech Society for Ornithology recognised glass bus shelters were problematic and developed a nationwide reporting system to record collisions and, subsequently, modify the most harmful shelters. Transparent noise barriers along urban roads also pose a threat, notes Sheppard.
When it comes to glass collision, migratory species tend to be most vulnerable. This has been observed in studies worldwide, including in Calgary, where the Calgary Migratory Species Response Team (CMSRT) recently conducted its first series of surveys.
"Resident birds might adapt to their surroundings," explains assistant professor of biology at St Mary's University and co-founder of CMSRT Dr Scott Lovell. "Migratory birds are fairly naive when they're flying from breeding grounds to their wintering grounds. Coming across a building is probably something they've never done before."
Surveys have shown that bats are also affected. Five silver-haired bats were found during the recent Calgary survey, four of which were rehabilitated by Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society and released.
Seeking solutions
“One of the most important things if you’re trying to do something about an existing building is to locate the priority areas,” says Sheppard.
Once problem areas are identified, the primary aim is to make windows visible to birds. One of the most effective ways to do this is with the placement of rows of markers on the exterior surface of the glass. Exterior placement will “disrupt the illusion of a natural environment reflected in the glass”, according to the FLAP guidelines.
“The spacing of the marker is very important. You have to make it tight enough so the bird doesn’t think it can fly through those gaps,” explains Mesure.
Research has shown that most birds will not fly through spaces less than 2in high or 4in wide; this is widely referred to as the “2x4” rule. While this rule will greatly reduce collisions, FLAP Canada and many others have revised this to the “2x2” rule, deeming it more effective a deterrent for smaller species like hummingbirds. Netting, window film and external insect screens are just some of the other retrofitting options.
Since 2010, Sheppard has been involved in research at Powdermill Avian Research Centre to determine what types of glass are particularly problematic for birds. Using a bird tunnel, she and her colleagues can test how much of a deterrent a particular pattern or type of glass are. Through education and outreach to architects and building managers, she also aims to dispel the myth that bird-friendly buildings are displeasing to the eye.
“You can deter collisions quite effectively using patterns that cover less than 7 per cent of the surface,” she says. “We want people to realise this could be part of almost any design. It overlaps substantially with heating and glare control, and with security in some instances.”
Public perception
Despite most of us having first-hand experience of bird collision, many people find it difficult to grasp the scale of the problem. As birds can be scavenged or – if alive and injured – fly away post-collision, we don’t always see the victims. To illustrate the issue, FLAP holds an annual bird layout event, which involves displaying the dead birds recovered by patrol volunteers to the public.
Much of the work on bird collisions with glass is concentrated in the US North America owing to the existence of major migratory pathways there. While it's not believed to be an issue of major conservation concern in Ireland, Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland says they would welcome relevant research.
“We would welcome some studies into this and some funding provided to see to what extent this is a problem within Ireland so that at least we have some sort of baseline on which to base further developments,” he says, adding that the organisation receives regular calls from homeowners regarding bird collisions, though usually they concern common species.
Founder of CMSRT Kathleen Johnson notes anyone can set up a similar monitoring and rescue initiative in their locality. "Don't be afraid to reach out to organisations and see if it's worth exploring. I think together, we can make a big difference."
Indeed, unlike many other environmental issues, Mesure says this could be easily resolved. “Without these birds, we are in significant trouble. They control insect populations, distribute seeds, pollinate plants and provide food for other wildlife,” he says, also noting the economic value of the birdwatching industry. “People need to take this seriously on so many levels. And really, it takes very little to mitigate the threats.”
Legal leaders
Changes in legislation have played a huge role in the shift of societal perception of issue bird collisions, particularly in Canada. In collaboration with Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) and other organisations, the City of Toronto developed ground-breaking bird-friendly development guidelines in 2007, which later inspired similar guidelines in cities across North America.
These became mandatory under Toronto’s Green Standards in 2010, meaning that all new mid-rise to high-rise buildings have to meet a requirement for bird collision mitigation.
However, it was a landmark court case in 2013 that drew even greater attention to the problem. It held that sunlight reflected from a building is an emission of radiation, which can be considered a contaminant that harms animals under the Ontario Environmental Protection Act. FLAP is working with the government to bring this law to a level where it can be effectively enforced.


theirishtimes--2020-02-13--Do surgical masks guard against viral infection?

As I sat waiting for my flight at Los Angeles International Airport , it was hard not to notice the number of prospective passengers wearing surgical masks .
A mother and her adult son sat across from me and I watched as the son pulled his mask up above his mouth in order to slurp a pre-flight meal underneath it .
By the time I had returned home to Dublin , the internet was plastered with images of people in airports wearing not only surgical masks but also plastic water jugs over their heads .
The new strain of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect themselves any way they can .
The masks that many are now wearing have their origins in the development of antiseptic surgery in the 19th century and the 1918 influenza pandemic .
There is debate over the efficacy of the masks to prevent the transmission of minute viruses , with some medical professionals arguing that regular hand-washing is much more effective .
But there is a sense of comfort in a mask : it feels as though it is filtering the air you breathe in .
It was , however , originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
The mask was intended to protect the patient from the surgeon rather than the other way around .
Joseph Lister is usually credited with the introduction of antiseptic practices in surgery during the 1860s and 1870s , at least in Britain and Ireland .
The discovery of living germs as the causative agents of disease by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch suggested to Lister and others that these germs might also cause sepsis in wounds .
Lister introduced the washing of hands , instruments and wounds in carbolic acid .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further measures to maintain a clean surgical environment were introduced .
Among these was the surgical mask ( which had in fact been invented many decades before ) .
If we think of a surgery today , we imagine the staff in scrubs , masks and gloves in a bare , clean room .
Yet the scrubs and masks were actually introduced much later than other antiseptic methods .
In 1898 , an Edinburgh surgeon was only imagining a time in the future when “ everyone concerned in an operation .
.
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ body with an antiseptic mask , and clothing themselves in raiment scientifically pure , shall pass into an atmosphere freed from germs ” .
Instead , the surgeon often pounded across permeable wooden floors , his clothes covered with a non-sterilised linen “ overall ” and was often joined by a number of spectators .
In 1905 , the Irish doctor J Rupert Collins performed a series of experiments to prove that exhalations from the mouth ( especially when singing or talking ) contained bacteria to demonstrate that masks should be worn in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor felt that further demonstrations of the mask ’ s effectiveness were required .
By the time the influenza pandemic began in 1918 , however , surgical masks seem to have been in more regular use .
And so the idea of using the mask to protect doctors ( and nurses and family and friends ) from patients grew in popularity .
Doctors wrote in to the British Medical Journal declaring that the surgical mask was a great success in preventing the spread of the disease .
One claimed that a crowded ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of influenza through isolation and the use of masks .
Others cited the experience of using masks in outbreaks of pneumonic plague and other diseases spread by coughing .
State public health services promoted the use of masks by those nursing the sick , but soon the wider public also began wearing masks .
Photographs taken during the “ Spanish flu ” of 1918 to 1920 attest to the popularity of the gauze mask : policemen , typists , commuters , and even baseball players can all be seen wearing masks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the time , health professionals worried that these masks gave the wearers a false sense of security : to be effective they had to be cleaned ( or changed ) regularly and worn constantly .
People rarely met these stringent conditions .
Surgical masks have continued to appear in public every time there is a serious outbreak of a respiratory disease .
Diseases like coronavirus cause us to look at the inside of a crowded airport terminal or a bus in the way that pioneering surgeons looked at operating theatres they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harmless air they saw a soup of invisible germs .

As I sat waiting for my flight at Los Angeles International Airport, it was hard not to notice the number of prospective passengers wearing surgical masks. A mother and her adult son sat across from me and I watched as the son pulled his mask up above his mouth in order to slurp a pre-flight meal underneath it.
By the time I had returned home to Dublin, the internet was plastered with images of people in airports wearing not only surgical masks but also plastic water jugs over their heads. The new strain of coronavirus has spread rapidly and people seek to protect themselves any way they can. The masks that many are now wearing have their origins in the development of antiseptic surgery in the 19th century and the 1918 influenza pandemic.
There is debate over the efficacy of the masks to prevent the transmission of minute viruses, with some medical professionals arguing that regular hand-washing is much more effective. But there is a sense of comfort in a mask: it feels as though it is filtering the air you breathe in. It was, however, originally designed to filter the air you breath out. The mask was intended to protect the patient from the surgeon rather than the other way around.
Joseph Lister is usually credited with the introduction of antiseptic practices in surgery during the 1860s and 1870s, at least in Britain and Ireland. The discovery of living germs as the causative agents of disease by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch suggested to Lister and others that these germs might also cause sepsis in wounds.
READ MORE
Carbolic acid
Lister introduced the washing of hands, instruments and wounds in carbolic acid. By the turn of the century, even further measures to maintain a clean surgical environment were introduced. Among these was the surgical mask (which had in fact been invented many decades before).
If we think of a surgery today, we imagine the staff in scrubs, masks and gloves in a bare, clean room. Yet the scrubs and masks were actually introduced much later than other antiseptic methods. In 1898, an Edinburgh surgeon was only imagining a time in the future when "everyone concerned in an operation . . . shall cover each natural orifice of the body with an antiseptic mask, and clothing themselves in raiment scientifically pure, shall pass into an atmosphere freed from germs". Instead, the surgeon often pounded across permeable wooden floors, his clothes covered with a non-sterilised linen "overall" and was often joined by a number of spectators.
In 1905, the Irish doctor J Rupert Collins performed a series of experiments to prove that exhalations from the mouth (especially when singing or talking) contained bacteria to demonstrate that masks should be worn in the surgery. In 1914, another doctor felt that further demonstrations of the mask's effectiveness were required.
By the time the influenza pandemic began in 1918, however, surgical masks seem to have been in more regular use. And so the idea of using the mask to protect doctors (and nurses and family and friends) from patients grew in popularity.
A great success
Doctors wrote in to the British Medical Journal declaring that the surgical mask was a great success in preventing the spread of the disease. One claimed that a crowded ship of thousands of soldiers kept down the cases of influenza through isolation and the use of masks.
Others cited the experience of using masks in outbreaks of pneumonic plague and other diseases spread by coughing. State public health services promoted the use of masks by those nursing the sick, but soon the wider public also began wearing masks.
Photographs taken during the “Spanish flu” of 1918 to 1920 attest to the popularity of the gauze mask: policemen, typists, commuters, and even baseball players can all be seen wearing masks in an effort to ward off the disease. At the time, health professionals worried that these masks gave the wearers a false sense of security: to be effective they had to be cleaned (or changed) regularly and worn constantly. People rarely met these stringent conditions.
Surgical masks have continued to appear in public every time there is a serious outbreak of a respiratory disease. Diseases like coronavirus cause us to look at the inside of a crowded airport terminal or a bus in the way that pioneering surgeons looked at operating theatres they wanted to keep clean: instead of harmless air they saw a soup of invisible germs.
Dr Juliana Adelman lectures in history at Dublin City University


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Hundreds of Opel Insignia cars recalled due to fire risk

Hundreds of Opel Insignia cars are being recalled due to fears they may pose a potential fire risk .
The @ @ @ @ @ of the car is being carried about by Leeson Motors Limited and affects 386 vehicles @ @ @ @ @ vehicles were manufactured between July 2016 and November 2018 .
The recall notice states that @ @ @ @ @ the fuel hose , which could become damaged by contact with a support bracket , @ @ @ @ @ and give rise to risk of a fire .
Leeson Motors Limited said it will @ @ @ @ @ and advised them to make an appointment with their local Opel dealer or authorised repairer @ @ @ @ @ repairs to be carried out .
Anyone who believes their vehicle may be impacted can @ @ @ @ @ 9818 or email customercare.ie @ opel.com

The affected Opel Insignia vehicles were manufactured between July 2016 and November 2018
Hundreds of Opel Insignia cars are being recalled due to fears they may pose a potential fire risk.
The voluntary recall of certain models of the car is being carried about by Leeson Motors Limited and affects 386 vehicles in Ireland. The affected vehicles were manufactured between July 2016 and November 2018.
The recall notice states that the safety issue relates to the fuel hose, which could become damaged by contact with a support bracket, causing fuel to leak out and give rise to risk of a fire.
Leeson Motors Limited said it will directly contact all affected customers and advised them to make an appointment with their local Opel dealer or authorised repairer in order for any necessary repairs to be carried out.
READ MORE
Anyone who believes their vehicle may be impacted can contact Opel on 01 533 9818 or email customercare.ie@opel.com


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Driver (42) who made sexual advances at young woman hitchhiker is jailed

People need to be protected when they are hitchhiking , said a judge as he jailed a 42-year-old man who made sexual advances towards a 17-year-old girl whom he picked up while she was hitchhiking home .
Judge Sean O Donnabhain said it was important people who hitchhike feel safe as he sentenced Petras Petrikauskas to 18 months in jail with the last nine months suspended .
Petrikauskas from Newbridge Park , Skibbereen pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to offensive conduct of a sexual nature near Skibbereen on March 5th 2017 contrary to Section 45 of the Sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential that people be protected when they are hitchhiking - I come from an older generation but hitchhiking is still an innocent and legitimate way of getting about and it needs to be protected , ” the judge said .
Det Garda Martin Bohane told how the teenager was hitching out of Skibbereen when Lithuanian national Petrikauskas passed her in the opposite direction only to turn around at a roundabout and come back and collect her .
He didn ’ t ask her where she was going but he told her that as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be hitching as it was getting dark .
She became concerned when he gave her a smarmy smile and she felt him starting to stare at her constantly .
He left her off in a quiet spot but returned 10 minutes later and she reluctantly got into the car only for him to tell her she was a good looking girl , asked if she had a boyfriend and told her “ you are going to give me a hand job.
” The girl refused and opened the car door .
He stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and made her way to a nearby house where she saw lights on .
From there she contacted her mother who came to collect her .
Less than a week later , the girl contacted gardaí and made a statement giving them a description of the defendant and his car .
Det Garda Bohane said gardaí obtained CCTV footage from the area where Petrikauskas had first picked up the girl and were able to identify his car and trace him .
They arrested him for questioning on March 16th 2018 .
Petrikauskas initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he went straight home from when his car was seen on CCTV footage but in his second interview , he admitted seeing a girl hitching and stopping to give her a lift .
Det Garda Bohane said Petrikauskas had three previous convictions for public order offences including masturbating in front of teenage girls and boys .
He said the offences all occurred over a three day period in 2013 and had been dealt with at District Court level where he was first given the probation act , then fined €500 and he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offence .
Det Garda Bohane confirmed to defence barrister , William Bulman BL that the accused had co-operated fully with gardaí when he was arrested and had not come to adverse attention since .
In her victim impact statement the 17-year-old said she was very frightened by the incident and it made her afraid of going out on her own .
Now she will never get into a car with a stranger .
She said she had not been sleeping well as a result of the incident but was glad she reported it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar to happen anyone else .
Mr Bulman said his client wanted to apologise to the girl for his behaviour and as a token of his remorse , he had €1,200 in court to offer her .
Judge O Donnabhain said she didn ’ t have to state publicly if she wanted to accept it .
Mr Bulman said his client would lose his job in a company in Dunmanway if he was sent to jail and appealed to the judge not to impose a custodial sentence .
But Judge O Donnabhain said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly worrying was that Petrikauskas had engaged in similar behaviour in 2013 and it was now happening again .
Another aggravating factor in the case was that there was an element of premeditation to his actions as he had passed the girl hitching in the opposite direction and driven to a roundabout and turned about to pick her up .
Petrikauskas ’ s behaviour had had a traumatic effect on the young girl which had left her frightened and insecure to the point that she doubted whether she would actually be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact statement .
He said given that non-custodial penalties for previous offences seemed to have little impact , he believed a custodial sentence was now merited and he sentenced the defendant to 18 months in jail but suspended the last nine months of the sentence .

The court heard gardaí obtained CCTV footage from the area where the defendant had first picked up the girl and were able to identify his car and trace him.
People need to be protected when they are hitchhiking, said a judge as he jailed a 42-year-old man who made sexual advances towards a 17-year-old girl whom he picked up while she was hitchhiking home.
Judge Sean O Donnabhain said it was important people who hitchhike feel safe as he sentenced Petras Petrikauskas to 18 months in jail with the last nine months suspended.
Petrikauskas from Newbridge Park, Skibbereen pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to offensive conduct of a sexual nature near Skibbereen on March 5th 2017 contrary to Section 45 of the Sexual Offences Act 2017.
“It is essential that people be protected when they are hitchhiking - I come from an older generation but hitchhiking is still an innocent and legitimate way of getting about and it needs to be protected,” the judge said.
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Det Garda Martin Bohane told how the teenager was hitching out of Skibbereen when Lithuanian national Petrikauskas passed her in the opposite direction only to turn around at a roundabout and come back and collect her.
He didn’t ask her where she was going but he told her that as a young girl she shouldn’t be hitching as it was getting dark. She became concerned when he gave her a smarmy smile and she felt him starting to stare at her constantly.
He left her off in a quiet spot but returned 10 minutes later and she reluctantly got into the car only for him to tell her she was a good looking girl, asked if she had a boyfriend and told her “you are going to give me a hand job.”
CCTV footage
The girl refused and opened the car door. He stopped and she got out of the car and made her way to a nearby house where she saw lights on. From there she contacted her mother who came to collect her.
Less than a week later, the girl contacted gardaí and made a statement giving them a description of the defendant and his car.
Det Garda Bohane said gardaí obtained CCTV footage from the area where Petrikauskas had first picked up the girl and were able to identify his car and trace him. They arrested him for questioning on March 16th 2018.
Petrikauskas initially denied picking up the girl, saying he went straight home from when his car was seen on CCTV footage but in his second interview, he admitted seeing a girl hitching and stopping to give her a lift.
Det Garda Bohane said Petrikauskas had three previous convictions for public order offences including masturbating in front of teenage girls and boys.
He said the offences all occurred over a three day period in 2013 and had been dealt with at District Court level where he was first given the probation act, then fined €500 and he was given a suspended sentence for the third offence.
Very frightened
Det Garda Bohane confirmed to defence barrister, William Bulman BL that the accused had co-operated fully with gardaí when he was arrested and had not come to adverse attention since.
In her victim impact statement the 17-year-old said she was very frightened by the incident and it made her afraid of going out on her own. Now she will never get into a car with a stranger.
She said she had not been sleeping well as a result of the incident but was glad she reported it as she didn’t want anything similar to happen anyone else.
Mr Bulman said his client wanted to apologise to the girl for his behaviour and as a token of his remorse, he had €1,200 in court to offer her. Judge O Donnabhain said she didn’t have to state publicly if she wanted to accept it.
Mr Bulman said his client would lose his job in a company in Dunmanway if he was sent to jail and appealed to the judge not to impose a custodial sentence.
But Judge O Donnabhain said it was disturbing behaviour and what was particularly worrying was that Petrikauskas had engaged in similar behaviour in 2013 and it was now happening again.
Another aggravating factor in the case was that there was an element of premeditation to his actions as he had passed the girl hitching in the opposite direction and driven to a roundabout and turned about to pick her up.
Petrikauskas’s behaviour had had a traumatic effect on the young girl which had left her frightened and insecure to the point that she doubted whether she would actually be able to come to court to give her victim impact statement.
He said given that non-custodial penalties for previous offences seemed to have little impact, he believed a custodial sentence was now merited and he sentenced the defendant to 18 months in jail but suspended the last nine months of the sentence.


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Tributes pour in for pioneering Irish press photographer Kevin Clancy

Tributes have been paid to pioneering Irish press photographer Kevin Clancy who died on Wednesday , following a short illness .
Clancy , originally from Mayorstone , Limerick , and who worked for various news and public relations agencies , died at Bon Secours Hospital , Cork , surrounded by his wife Liza and siblings Michael , Kieran , Catherine and John .
The 53-year-old , whose late father Seán had worked as mid-west regional photojournalist for the Irish Independent , began his photographic career with Press 22 , before finding work as a freelance photographer with the Irish Independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up his own photography business in Galway and the midlands before he relocated to Killorglin where he diversified into driving tour buses across Co Kerry and beyond , while continuing to take photos of major athletics events .
Paying tribute to him , friend and colleague Johnny Bambury said : “ He was a brilliant photographer , very successful , and he loved chasing newspaper stories around the country.
” Clancy is regarded among colleagues as having been one of the first to go digital when others were still ferrying their rolls of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cars to newspaper picture desks in the capital .
“ It was a lot of fun and very exciting .
He was the first photographer , I think , to go digital , and the first I knew of to buy a digital camera .
He was always way ahead of the rest of us in technology , ” said Bambury .
“ He was a fascinating character .
He has gone far too young .
I miss him so much already , I always will .
He was absolutely mad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he added .
Clancy ’ s brother Kieran , a retired Irish Examiner photojournalist , said : “ Kevin was an accomplished photographer , he was very good technically and had a real flair using colour .
He also loved athletes and had attended four or five Olympic Games.
” “ He used to run up and down Croagh Patrick in Mayo , he literally would run back down the mountain without stopping , ” he recalled .
Kevin Clancy ’ s former boss at Press 22 and close friend Noel Gavin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , funny , and the best friend one could have .
He was a good head , a brilliant photographer , and , a very generous guy.
” Limerick photographer Liam Burke added : “ Kevin worked with me in the 1980s and early 1990s , and he was very popular , a really nice guy .
His father worked for the national newspapers , as did his brother Kieran .
He was a happy-go-lucky guy , very personable , he radiated goodness and he was a great communicator.
” According to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s remains will lie in repose in Cork , “ at the Wilton Funeral Home , Sarsfield Road of Jerh .
O ’ Connor Ltd .
Gathering of family and friends on Saturday at 11am until 1pm ” .

Tributes have been paid to pioneering Irish press photographer Kevin Clancy who died on Wednesday, following a short illness.
Clancy, originally from Mayorstone, Limerick, and who worked for various news and public relations agencies, died at Bon Secours Hospital, Cork, surrounded by his wife Liza and siblings Michael, Kieran, Catherine and John.
The 53-year-old, whose late father Seán had worked as mid-west regional photojournalist for the Irish Independent, began his photographic career with Press 22, before finding work as a freelance photographer with the Irish Independent and Fennell Photography.
Afterwards he set up his own photography business in Galway and the midlands before he relocated to Killorglin where he diversified into driving tour buses across Co Kerry and beyond, while continuing to take photos of major athletics events.
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Paying tribute to him, friend and colleague Johnny Bambury said: “He was a brilliant photographer, very successful, and he loved chasing newspaper stories around the country.”
Clancy is regarded among colleagues as having been one of the first to go digital when others were still ferrying their rolls of film from the regions on trains and in cars to newspaper picture desks in the capital.
“It was a lot of fun and very exciting. He was the first photographer, I think, to go digital, and the first I knew of to buy a digital camera. He was always way ahead of the rest of us in technology,” said Bambury.
“He was a fascinating character. He has gone far too young. I miss him so much already, I always will. He was absolutely mad, great craic, full of devilment,” he added.
Clancy’s brother Kieran, a retired Irish Examiner photojournalist, said: “Kevin was an accomplished photographer, he was very good technically and had a real flair using colour. He also loved athletes and had attended four or five Olympic Games.”
“He used to run up and down Croagh Patrick in Mayo, he literally would run back down the mountain without stopping,” he recalled.
Kevin Clancy at Dublin Zoo surrounded by ring-tailed Lemurs. Photograph: Kenneth O’Halloran.
Kevin Clancy’s former boss at Press 22 and close friend Noel Gavin, said: “He was eccentric, funny, and the best friend one could have. He was a good head, a brilliant photographer, and, a very generous guy.”
Limerick photographer Liam Burke added: “Kevin worked with me in the 1980s and early 1990s, and he was very popular, a really nice guy. His father worked for the national newspapers, as did his brother Kieran. He was a happy-go-lucky guy, very personable, he radiated goodness and he was a great communicator.”
According to a funeral notice on rip.ie, Mr Clancy's remains will lie in repose in Cork, "at the Wilton Funeral Home, Sarsfield Road of Jerh. O' Connor Ltd. Gathering of family and friends on Saturday at 11am until 1pm".


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Man granted leave to challenge his extradition over 39 lorry deaths

A Northern Ireland man has been granted leave to challenge his extradition to the UK , where he is wanted to face multiple counts of manslaughter after 39 Vietnamese nationals were found dead in a lorry in Essex last October .
The UK authorities want Eamon Ronald Harrison ( 23 ) from Mayobridge , Co Down , to face 39 counts of manslaughter , conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and conspiracy to commit human trafficking under the UK ’ s Modern Slavery Act .
It is alleged that Mr Harrison delivered the trailer , in which the bodies of eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an industrial park in Grays , Essex on October 23 last , to a Belgian port before its onward journey to Britain , the court previously heard .
There is evidence that the sealed refrigeration unit in which the 39 people were found dead was not turned on and early indications are that all of the deceased died from oxygen starvation .
The temperature inside the unit rose to 38.5 degrees before it “ steadily reduced ” while “ bloody hand prints ” were later found in the inside of the unit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 24th last , Mr Justice Donald Binchy said he found there was nothing to preclude him from ordering the surrender of Mr Harrison to the UK authorities but he held off making the order to allow Mr Harrison ’ s legal team to consider his judgment .
Last week Siobhan Stack SC , for Mr Harrison , requested permission to appeal the judgment .
She said the matter is one of exceptional public importance and that , as a matter of public interest , it should be heard in a higher court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a matter for a higher court to rule on.
” Ronan Kennedy SC , for the Minister for Justice , argued that no public interest matter arises and no point of law of exceptional importance arises in order to allow for an appeal .
He argued that the extradition order “ ought to be made without further delay ” .
Mr Justice Binchy said he gave “ very serious consideration ” to the arguments advanced by both parties before certifying three questions of appeal put forward by Mr Harrison .
On Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Mr Harrison ’ s extradition but put a stay on the execution of that order pending his appeal .

Mr Justice Binchy made the order for Mr Harrison’s extradition but put a stay on the execution of that order pending his appeal. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
A Northern Ireland man has been granted leave to challenge his extradition to the UK, where he is wanted to face multiple counts of manslaughter after 39 Vietnamese nationals were found dead in a lorry in Essex last October.
The UK authorities want Eamon Ronald Harrison (23) from Mayobridge, Co Down, to face 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and conspiracy to commit human trafficking under the UK's Modern Slavery Act.
It is alleged that Mr Harrison delivered the trailer, in which the bodies of eight women and 31 men were found in an industrial park in Grays, Essex on October 23 last, to a Belgian port before its onward journey to Britain, the court previously heard.
There is evidence that the sealed refrigeration unit in which the 39 people were found dead was not turned on and early indications are that all of the deceased died from oxygen starvation.
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The temperature inside the unit rose to 38.5 degrees before it "steadily reduced" while "bloody hand prints" were later found in the inside of the unit, the High Court has heard.
On January 24th last, Mr Justice Donald Binchy said he found there was nothing to preclude him from ordering the surrender of Mr Harrison to the UK authorities but he held off making the order to allow Mr Harrison's legal team to consider his judgment.
Last week Siobhan Stack SC, for Mr Harrison, requested permission to appeal the judgment. She said the matter is one of exceptional public importance and that, as a matter of public interest, it should be heard in a higher court. The barrister said: “This is a matter for a higher court to rule on.”
Ronan Kennedy SC, for the Minister for Justice, argued that no public interest matter arises and no point of law of exceptional importance arises in order to allow for an appeal. He argued that the extradition order “ought to be made without further delay”.
Mr Justice Binchy said he gave “very serious consideration” to the arguments advanced by both parties before certifying three questions of appeal put forward by Mr Harrison.
On Wednesday, Mr Justice Binchy made the order for Mr Harrison’s extradition but put a stay on the execution of that order pending his appeal.


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Ireland trails behind UK in online safety digital index

Ireland is trailing far behind the UK in its efforts to curtail online attacks and cyber-bullying according to a study of how well people behave online and the safety implications of online hate crimes .
Ireland is listed 12th out of 25 countries in Microsoft ’ s latest digital civility index which ranks how civil people behave online .
The UK is listed number one for its efforts to promote online civility and safety followed by the Netherlands in second place and Denmark in third .
Ireland also ranked lower than Malaysia , the United States , Canada , France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indonesia in the index .
South Africa , Peru and Colombia were found to have the worst record for online civility .
Nearly two thirds of the 500 people surveyed in Ireland said physical appearance and religion were the main drivers for online attacks , while a quarter of respondents said people were attacked for their sexual orientation .
Some 26 per cent of people said the online attacks they had experienced were racially motivated while 21 per cent said they were driven by political beliefs .
The research , which was conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , found two thirds of teens had experienced online abuse while more than half of the people surveyed said they had met their online attacker in real life .
Young people aged between 18-34 were found to be the most at risk group with 81 per reporting having experienced online abuse .
Some 81 per cent of women felt online attacks were a problem compared to 67 per cent of men .
Researchers also found online attacks are becoming more frequent with 35 per cent of respondents saying they ’ d been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month before the study was carried out .
Nine out of ten respondents said they ’ d “ suffered pain from online risks ” .
Despite the high numbers of young people reporting online abuse , researchers found 46 per cent of Irish teenagers said they had turned to their parents for help when faced with online issues while 66 per cent said they knew where to find help .
“ The more we educate young people about internet safety , the more teenagers will ask for help to deal with online risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cathriona Hallahan , adding that it can not be taken for granted that everyone has a safe or positive experience online .
Microsoft has published four common-sense principles which , they say , all internet users should adhere to .
These include pausing before replying to things you disagree with online or stopping yourself from sending a post that could hurt someone , damage their reputation or threaten their safety .
Online users should also “ respect difference ” and “ honour diverse perspectives ” when disagreements surface and avoid name-calling or personal @ @

Nearly two thirds of the 500 people surveyed in Ireland said physical appearance and religion were the main drivers for online attacks. Photograph: iStock
Ireland is trailing far behind the UK in its efforts to curtail online attacks and cyber-bullying according to a study of how well people behave online and the safety implications of online hate crimes.
Ireland is listed 12th out of 25 countries in Microsoft's latest digital civility index which ranks how civil people behave online. The UK is listed number one for its efforts to promote online civility and safety followed by the Netherlands in second place and Denmark in third.
Ireland also ranked lower than Malaysia, the United States, Canada, France, Singapore, Belgium, Italy and Indonesia in the index. South Africa, Peru and Colombia were found to have the worst record for online civility.
Nearly two thirds of the 500 people surveyed in Ireland said physical appearance and religion were the main drivers for online attacks, while a quarter of respondents said people were attacked for their sexual orientation. Some 26 per cent of people said the online attacks they had experienced were racially motivated while 21 per cent said they were driven by political beliefs.
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The research, which was conducted among 12,520 teenagers and adults across 25 countries, found two thirds of teens had experienced online abuse while more than half of the people surveyed said they had met their online attacker in real life.
Common-sense principles
Young people aged between 18-34 were found to be the most at risk group with 81 per reporting having experienced online abuse.
Some 81 per cent of women felt online attacks were a problem compared to 67 per cent of men.
Researchers also found online attacks are becoming more frequent with 35 per cent of respondents saying they’d been exposed to an online risk in the month before the study was carried out. Nine out of ten respondents said they’d “suffered pain from online risks”.
Despite the high numbers of young people reporting online abuse, researchers found 46 per cent of Irish teenagers said they had turned to their parents for help when faced with online issues while 66 per cent said they knew where to find help.
"The more we educate young people about internet safety, the more teenagers will ask for help to deal with online risks," said Microsoft Ireland managing director Cathriona Hallahan, adding that it cannot be taken for granted that everyone has a safe or positive experience online.
Microsoft has published four common-sense principles which, they say, all internet users should adhere to. These include pausing before replying to things you disagree with online or stopping yourself from sending a post that could hurt someone, damage their reputation or threaten their safety.
Online users should also “respect difference” and “honour diverse perspectives” when disagreements surface and avoid name-calling or personal attacks.


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Priests ‘disappointed’ by pope’s U-turn on softening celibacy rule

The Association of Catholic Priests has said it is “ disappointed ” that Pope Francis has declined to approve the ordination of married men to address the priest shortage in the Amazon .
In an eagerly awaited document , Beloved Amazon , the pope did not refer to recommendations by Amazonian bishops to consider the ordination of married men and women deacons .
Instead , Francis urged bishops to pray for more priestly vocations and send missionaries to the region .
Fr John Collins , from the leadership team of the Association of Catholic Priests , said : “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a positive outcome in relation to a quite serious shortage .
Clearly , that doesn ’ t seem to be happening now .
“ I ’ m not quite sure why Pope Francis has done a U-turn on this really because we had been led to believe there was going to be a positive response.
” Fr Collins said it was “ worrying ” that an already stretched clergy pool in the Amazon is going to be “ further stretched ” .
“ We ’ re talking about one of the poorest places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most environmentally disastrous geographical areas on the planet , where it ’ s struggling , ” he added .
“ I mean , we have no idea what struggle is in this country compared to how people there are struggling , and it ’ s just sad .
I feel a bit sad , actually.
” Pope Francis delivered his response in an apostolic exhortation , three months after the Latin American bishops ’ proposal passed by 128 votes to 41 at a Vatican assembly of Roman Catholic bishops .
Apostolic exhortations are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faithful but do not define Church doctrine .
Eamon Martin , Archbishop of Armagh and Catholic Primate of All Ireland , said he welcomed the document .
In a statement , Archbishop Martin did not refer to the Latin American bishops ’ recommendation on reviewing priestly celibacy .
Instead , he noted the pope “ highlights the problems of poverty , economic and social injustice and the violation of human rights which are intertwined in the vicious cycle of ecological and human degradation ” .
The 32-page apostolic exhortation did not even mention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for older married deacons who are proven leaders of remote Catholic communities and have stable families to be ordained as priests .
Francis addressed the document to all peoples of the world “ to help awaken their affection and concern for that land which is also ours and to invite them to value it and acknowledge it as a sacred mystery ” .
He said he had four dreams for the Amazon : that the rights of the poor are respected , that their cultural riches are celebrated , that the Amazon ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that its Christian communities show Amazonian features .
Francis had convened bishops from the Amazon ’ s nine countries for a three-week meeting in October to debate the ways the church can help preserve the delicate ecosystem from global warming and better minister to the region ’ s people , many of whom live in isolated communities or in poverty in cities .
In their final document at the end of the October synod , the majority of bishops called for the establishment of criteria so that “ respected ” married @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as permanent deacons be ordained as priests .
In his statement , Archbishop Martin said the document reflects the “ four key dimensions ” which were discussed at the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon region last year – cultural , ecological , social and pastoral – and how they are “ inextricably linked ” .
“ The document addresses once again those areas of urgent concern which Pope Francis reflected on in his encyclical Laudato Si ’ five years ago .
As then , the Holy Father today presents a clear-sighted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peoples and ecosystems of the Amazon , and by extension to the earth , our common home.
” Archbishop Martin added : “ Pope Francis also calls for the full involvement of lay people , especially women , in the life of the Church , and he challenges the Church around the world to send missionaries to help sustain the spread of the Gospel in the Amazon and other remote areas .
”

Pope Francis greets the faithful during his weekly general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday. Photograph: Maurizio Brambatti/EPA
The Association of Catholic Priests has said it is "disappointed" that Pope Francis has declined to approve the ordination of married men to address the priest shortage in the Amazon.
In an eagerly awaited document, Beloved Amazon, the pope did not refer to recommendations by Amazonian bishops to consider the ordination of married men and women deacons.
Instead, Francis urged bishops to pray for more priestly vocations and send missionaries to the region.
Fr John Collins, from the leadership team of the Association of Catholic Priests, said: "We had great hope that there would be a positive outcome in relation to a quite serious shortage. Clearly, that doesn't seem to be happening now.
READ MORE
“I’m not quite sure why Pope Francis has done a U-turn on this really because we had been led to believe there was going to be a positive response.”
We have no idea what struggle is in this country compared to how people there are struggling
Fr Collins said it was “worrying” that an already stretched clergy pool in the Amazon is going to be “further stretched”.
“We’re talking about one of the poorest places on the planet and one of the most environmentally disastrous geographical areas on the planet, where it’s struggling,” he added.
“I mean, we have no idea what struggle is in this country compared to how people there are struggling, and it’s just sad. I feel a bit sad, actually.”
Pope Francis delivered his response in an apostolic exhortation, three months after the Latin American bishops' proposal passed by 128 votes to 41 at a Vatican assembly of Roman Catholic bishops.
Instruct and encourage
Apostolic exhortations are used to instruct and encourage the Catholic faithful but do not define Church doctrine.
Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Catholic Primate of All Ireland, said he welcomed the document.
In a statement, Archbishop Martin did not refer to the Latin American bishops' recommendation on reviewing priestly celibacy. Instead, he noted the pope "highlights the problems of poverty, economic and social injustice and the violation of human rights which are intertwined in the vicious cycle of ecological and human degradation".
The 32-page apostolic exhortation did not even mention the bishops’ proposal, which was for older married deacons who are proven leaders of remote Catholic communities and have stable families to be ordained as priests.
Francis addressed the document to all peoples of the world “to help awaken their affection and concern for that land which is also ours and to invite them to value it and acknowledge it as a sacred mystery”.
He said he had four dreams for the Amazon: that the rights of the poor are respected, that their cultural riches are celebrated, that the Amazon’s natural beauty and life are preserved, and that its Christian communities show Amazonian features.
Pope Francis also calls for the full involvement of lay people, especially women, in the life of the Church
Francis had convened bishops from the Amazon’s nine countries for a three-week meeting in October to debate the ways the church can help preserve the delicate ecosystem from global warming and better minister to the region’s people, many of whom live in isolated communities or in poverty in cities.
Permanent deacons
In their final document at the end of the October synod, the majority of bishops called for the establishment of criteria so that “respected” married men in their communities who have already served as permanent deacons be ordained as priests.
In his statement, Archbishop Martin said the document reflects the “four key dimensions” which were discussed at the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon region last year – cultural, ecological, social and pastoral – and how they are “inextricably linked”.
“The document addresses once again those areas of urgent concern which Pope Francis reflected on in his encyclical Laudato Si’ five years ago. As then, the Holy Father today presents a clear-sighted analysis of the grave threats to the peoples and ecosystems of the Amazon, and by extension to the earth, our common home.”
Archbishop Martin added: “Pope Francis also calls for the full involvement of lay people, especially women, in the life of the Church, and he challenges the Church around the world to send missionaries to help sustain the spread of the Gospel in the Amazon and other remote areas.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Duchess of Cambridge makes solo visit to Northern Ireland

Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton paid a visit to Northern Ireland on Wednesday as part of her British Royal Foundation project of supporting young children and their families .
The duchess visited the Ark Open Farm in Newtownards , Co Down on Wednesday afternoon where she met children , parents and grandparents .
She discussed with them how to help children become happy adults and the role of parents and society in ensuring children have the best possible start in life .
The duchess ’ s solo visit is part of a survey she is promoting to learn more on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact upon later life .
According to her office the survey “ is designed to bring together the thoughts of as many people as possible – recognising that everyone has a role in ensuring strong , healthy foundations for the youngest in our society that will positively affect their lifelong outcomes ” .
In recent weeks as part of that project the duchess visited Birmingham , Cardiff , Woking and London where , as well as children and parents , she discussed the project with academics , experts , organisations and children ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a guided tour of the Ark Open Farm the duchess flew to Scotland to continue her early years work .
The duchess with her husband , Prince William the Duke of Cambridge is to visit the Republic early next month .
Meanwhile , Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister has accused DUP First Minister Arlene Foster and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill of “ ducking ” his request that they support an invitation to Queen Elizabeth to visit Parliament Buildings , Stormont and address the Assembly to mark the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Said Mr Allister , “ 2021 is a date which should be celebrated and what better way to do that than have her majesty address the Assembly ?
In 2019 her majesty addressed the Scottish Parliament as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations and she has addressed the Welsh Assembly on a number of occasions.
” He asked why the First Minister and Deputy First Minister were “ ducking ” an invitation for her to address the Northern Ireland Assembly – “ the only devolved legislature she has never addressed ” .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Neill in its reply to Mr Allister said that in the absence of any specific proposal by the Assembly for such an invitation that the question was “ hypothetical ” and it did “ not consider it appropriate to respond in the terms requested ” .

Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton paid a visit to Northern Ireland on Wednesday as part of her British Royal Foundation project of supporting young children and their families.
The duchess visited the Ark Open Farm in Newtownards, Co Down on Wednesday afternoon where she met children, parents and grandparents.
She discussed with them how to help children become happy adults and the role of parents and society in ensuring children have the best possible start in life.
Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton reacts as she helps children bottle-feed a lamb during her visit to Ark Open Farm near Belfast on Wednesday. Photograph: Liam McBurney/ AFP
The Duchess helps a child feeding a lamb at the Ark Open Farm in Newtownards. Photograph: Chris Jackson/Reuters
The Duchess of Cambridge looks at an alpaca as she visits the Ark Open Farm in Newtownards. Photograph: Chris Jackson/Reuters
The duchess’s solo visit is part of a survey she is promoting to learn more on how experiences in the early years can impact upon later life.
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According to her office the survey “is designed to bring together the thoughts of as many people as possible – recognising that everyone has a role in ensuring strong, healthy foundations for the youngest in our society that will positively affect their lifelong outcomes”.
In recent weeks as part of that project the duchess visited Birmingham, Cardiff, Woking and London where, as well as children and parents, she discussed the project with academics, experts, organisations and children’s care practitioners.
After being given a guided tour of the Ark Open Farm the duchess flew to Scotland to continue her early years work.
The duchess with her husband, Prince William the Duke of Cambridge is to visit the Republic early next month.
The Duchess of Cambridge during her visit to the Ark Open Farm. Photograph: Chris Jackson/Reuters
Meanwhile, Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister has accused DUP First Minister Arlene Foster and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill of “ducking” his request that they support an invitation to Queen Elizabeth to visit Parliament Buildings, Stormont and address the Assembly to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland next year.
Said Mr Allister, “2021 is a date which should be celebrated and what better way to do that than have her majesty address the Assembly? In 2019 her majesty addressed the Scottish Parliament as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations and she has addressed the Welsh Assembly on a number of occasions.”
He asked why the First Minister and Deputy First Minister were “ducking” an invitation for her to address the Northern Ireland Assembly – “the only devolved legislature she has never addressed”.
The office of Ms Foster and Ms O’Neill in its reply to Mr Allister said that in the absence of any specific proposal by the Assembly for such an invitation that the question was “hypothetical” and it did “not consider it appropriate to respond in the terms requested”.


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Woman loses €60,000 damages claim for alleged assault over repossession of firm

A 35-year-old woman , who alleged she had been assaulted by security men repossessing her family ’ s business for a bank , has lost a €60,000 damages claim for personal injuries against KTech Security .
Judge Sarah Berkeley also awarded costs against Bernadette McLoughlin , of Dodderbrook Park , Ballycullen , Dublin 24 after telling her she had attempted to force her way into a shopping mall at Mary Street , Dublin , when she found it had been taken over on behalf of a receiver .
McLoughlin alleged she had suffered psychological injuries as well as bruising and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trapped in an entrance door for half an hour by security staff who would neither let her in or out once her arm had become lodged between the door and a wall .
She told barrister Paul O ’ Neill , counsel for KTech , of Cookstown , Tallaght , that she had known of a possession order having been made against her mother , who owned the premises , and she had received a call from a tenant who had been locked out once the city sheriff had moved in .
McLoughlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatening and menacing crowd outside the mall on January 12th , 2016 and said she had only wished to assist tenants recover equipment .
She said security men had trapped her between the door and the wall and would not release her .
Mr O ’ Neill , who appeared with O ’ Riordan Solicitors for KTech , said security staff would tell the Circuit Civil Court that she had held on to a security rail at the entrance and had refused to move out of the partly closed doorway .
Jamie McLoughlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was aware a High Court order for possession had been delivered to the city sheriff but no-one had known when it would be executed .
He said repayments had not been made on a mortgage for 16 years and he had used rents from tenants to defray other bills .
Judge Berkeley said she accepted the evidence of Garda Sgt Fintan Corcoran who had visited the scene and had told the court Ms McLoughlin could have walked free at any time .
He had to counsel her for 10 minutes before she agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been standing in .
He had specifically told the court there had been plenty of room either side of her arm in order to allow her release .
“ When told she wasn ’ t going to get access she manoeuvred her way into a position in the doorway and I don ’ t accept she was caught and unable to get out , ” Judge Berkeley said .
Judge Berkeley said she did not accept that the defendant had done anything that had caused bruising to Ms McLoughlin ’ s arm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not to let her in and not to harm her either .
Retired city sheriff James Barry told the court it would have been very dangerous for him to have given any notice of the date of taking possession .
There were seven security personnel as well as two bailiffs with him in the premises at the time .

A 35-year-old woman, who alleged she had been assaulted by security men repossessing her family’s business for a bank, has lost a damages claim for personal injuries against KTech Security. *
Judge Sarah Berkeley also awarded costs against Bernadette McLoughlin, of Dodderbrook Park, Ballycullen, Dublin 24 after telling her she had attempted to force her way into a shopping mall at Mary Street, Dublin, when she found it had been taken over on behalf of a receiver.
McLoughlin alleged she had suffered psychological injuries as well as bruising and pain after her left arm had been trapped in an entrance door for half an hour by security staff who would neither let her in or out once her arm had become lodged between the door and a wall.
She told barrister Paul O’Neill, counsel for KTech, of Cookstown, Tallaght, that she had known of a possession order having been made against her mother, who owned the premises, and she had received a call from a tenant who had been locked out once the city sheriff had moved in.
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McLoughlin denied she had been part of a threatening and menacing crowd outside the mall on January 12th, 2016 and said she had only wished to assist tenants recover equipment. She said security men had trapped her between the door and the wall and would not release her.
Mr O’Neill, who appeared with BLM Solicitors for KTech, said security staff would tell the Circuit Civil Court that she had held on to a security rail at the entrance and had refused to move out of the partly closed doorway.
Jamie McLoughlin, her brother, said the family was aware a High Court order for possession had been delivered to the city sheriff but no-one had known when it would be executed. He said repayments had not been made on a mortgage for 16 years and he had used rents from tenants to defray other bills.
Judge Berkeley said she accepted the evidence of Garda Sgt Fintan Corcoran who had visited the scene and had told the court Ms McLoughlin could have walked free at any time. He had to counsel her for 10 minutes before she agreed to move out of the position she had been standing in. He had specifically told the court there had been plenty of room either side of her arm in order to allow her release.
“When told she wasn’t going to get access she manoeuvred her way into a position in the doorway and I don’t accept she was caught and unable to get out,” Judge Berkeley said.
Judge Berkeley said she did not accept that the defendant had done anything that had caused bruising to Ms McLoughlin’s arm. Security staff had done everything they could not to let her in and not to harm her either.
Retired city sheriff James Barry told the court it would have been very dangerous for him to have given any notice of the date of taking possession. There were seven security personnel as well as two bailiffs with him in the premises at the time.
* This article was amended on February 24th, 2020


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Scientists found no DNA linking murder accused to the scene, court told

Scientists who tested dozens of items found at the scene of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe ’ s shooting found no DNA linking the man accused of his murder to the scene , the Central Criminal Court has heard .
Dr Edward Connolly on Wednesday told prosecution counsel Lorcan Staines SC that he and other scientists at Forensic Science Ireland ’ s laboratories in Phoenix Park , Dublin examined samples and items from the scene including swabs taken from various cars , a hammer taken from one of the cars , cigarette butts , a handbag , car keys , chewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also tested items taken from a car that was found burned out in Armagh and believed to have been involved in the shooting .
These included a shotgun cartridge , Mary Black and Lady Gaga CDs , a plastic wallet , a Tayto crisp packet , a cable tie , a Starburst sweet wrapper and a popcorn packet .
Under cross examination the witness agreed with Fiona Murphy SC for the defence that no DNA matching the accused man Aaron Brady was found on any of the items tested .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unknown males which were checked against the national database but returned no matches .
Other profiles matched gardaí or witnesses who were at the scene .
Aaron Brady ( 28 ) from New Road , Crossmaglen , Co Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Garda Donohoe ( 41 ) who was then a member of An Garda Síochána on active duty on January 25th , 2013 at Lordship Credit Union , Bellurgan , Co Louth .
Mr Brady has also pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the same date and at the same location .
Christopher Reilly told Mr Staines that on March 1st , 2013 he responded to an internet advertisement for a W-reg BMW sports automatic .
He spoke on the phone to a man calling himself “ James ” who claimed to be the owner of the car .
The man told Mr Reilly that he had bought the car in August 2012 but he wasn ’ t the registered owner because he wanted to keep the number of previous owners down .
After doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reilly agreed to meet James at a Texaco garage in Moy , Co Tyrone .
James arrived in the BMW on his own and they agreed a final price of €15,150 .
Before he left , James handed over documents for the car and gave Mr Reilly €50 “ for good luck ” .
The witness described the man he met as having short , fair hair .
He was stocky , clean shaven , aged in his mid-20s and had a Northern Irish accent .
He also seemed “ relaxed ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a garda who wanted to inspect the BMW .
The garda examined the car and told Mr Reilly that he needed to seize it as gardaí in Dundalk wanted to examine it in relation to a “ serious crime.
” Mr Reilly handed the car and relevant documentation over to gardaí .
Ballistics expert Det Gda Seamus O ’ Donnell previously gave evidence that he believed the gun that fired the fatal shot was six to seven feet away from Det Gda Donohoe ’ s face when it was fired .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Murphy for the defence that safety pins on guns like the one used in the shooting can be modified so that they don ’ t work and that the pressure required to pull the trigger varies .
He further agreed that the age of a firearm , the manner of its use and the way it is maintained will impact on it .
He said the difficulty in aiming while running would depend on the experience of the shooter .
The witness agreed that guns can be fitted with a device called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together for longer after they emerge from the barrel and , if used in this case , that might affect his estimate that the gun was six to seven feet from Det Gda Donohoe ’ s head .
The trial continues in front of Justice Michael White and a jury of eight men and seven women .

Scientists who tested dozens of items found at the scene of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe’s shooting found no DNA linking the man accused of his murder to the scene, the Central Criminal Court has heard.
Dr Edward Connolly on Wednesday told prosecution counsel Lorcan Staines SC that he and other scientists at Forensic Science Ireland’s laboratories in Phoenix Park, Dublin examined samples and items from the scene including swabs taken from various cars, a hammer taken from one of the cars, cigarette butts, a handbag, car keys, chewing gum, gloves and a €2 coin.
He also tested items taken from a car that was found burned out in Armagh and believed to have been involved in the shooting. These included a shotgun cartridge, Mary Black and Lady Gaga CDs, a plastic wallet, a Tayto crisp packet, a cable tie, a Starburst sweet wrapper and a popcorn packet.
Under cross examination the witness agreed with Fiona Murphy SC for the defence that no DNA matching the accused man Aaron Brady was found on any of the items tested. He said various profiles were generated including three unknown males which were checked against the national database but returned no matches. Other profiles matched gardaí or witnesses who were at the scene.
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Aaron Brady (28) from New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Garda Donohoe (41) who was then a member of An Garda Síochána on active duty on January 25th, 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth.
Mr Brady has also pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location.
Christopher Reilly told Mr Staines that on March 1st, 2013 he responded to an internet advertisement for a W-reg BMW sports automatic.
He spoke on the phone to a man calling himself “James” who claimed to be the owner of the car. The man told Mr Reilly that he had bought the car in August 2012 but he wasn’t the registered owner because he wanted to keep the number of previous owners down. After doing a background check on website cartell.ie Mr Reilly agreed to meet James at a Texaco garage in Moy, Co Tyrone. James arrived in the BMW on his own and they agreed a final price of €15,150. Before he left, James handed over documents for the car and gave Mr Reilly €50 “for good luck”.
The witness described the man he met as having short, fair hair. He was stocky, clean shaven, aged in his mid-20s and had a Northern Irish accent. He also seemed “relaxed”.
In August 2013 Mr Reilly was contacted by a garda who wanted to inspect the BMW. The garda examined the car and told Mr Reilly that he needed to seize it as gardaí in Dundalk wanted to examine it in relation to a “serious crime.”
Mr Reilly handed the car and relevant documentation over to gardaí. Ballistics expert Det Gda Seamus O’Donnell previously gave evidence that he believed the gun that fired the fatal shot was six to seven feet away from Det Gda Donohoe’s face when it was fired. Under cross examination on Wednesday he agreed with Ms Murphy for the defence that safety pins on guns like the one used in the shooting can be modified so that they don’t work and that the pressure required to pull the trigger varies.
He further agreed that the age of a firearm, the manner of its use and the way it is maintained will impact on it. He said the difficulty in aiming while running would depend on the experience of the shooter. The witness agreed that guns can be fitted with a device called a choker which keeps the gun pellets together for longer after they emerge from the barrel and, if used in this case, that might affect his estimate that the gun was six to seven feet from Det Gda Donohoe’s head.
The trial continues in front of Justice Michael White and a jury of eight men and seven women.


theirishtimes--2020-02-12--Man who hurled petrol bomb in direction of garda jailed for four years

A man who “ hurled ” an ignited petrol bomb in the direction of a garda who was standing by a vehicle waiting for it to be towed has been jailed for four years .
Gerard Dunne ( 32 ) had been spotted by Garda Karl Kelly acting suspiciously cycling around on a pink and white bike before he threw the lighted petrol bomb across a road in his direction .
It collided with a curb and smashed , emitting a flame .
Det Sgt Eoin Colbert told Antonia Boyle BL , prosecuting , that Garda Kelly had spotted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and managed to run out of the way .
He said had the garda been facing the opposite direction he would have been injured .
Dunne told gardaí , following his arrest and having been shown CCTV footage of the incident , “ I don ’ t think I would throw a petrol bomb at a copper , I don ’ t think I would be that stupid ” .
He denied any intention to throw the petrol bomb at the garda but accepted later that it could have been him when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him as a suspect after they viewed the footage .
Dunne of Coultry Drive , Ballymun , Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to endangerment and possession of a petrol bomb on the Link Road , Darndale , Dublin on April 29th , 2019 .
His 97 previous convictions , include endangerment , assault causing harm , attempted robbery , drug dealing , possession of knives and road traffic offences .
A victim impact statement from Garda Kelly stated that he was shocked as to how easily the incident happened .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many occasions and how lucky I was to see it in my peripheral vision , otherwise I would have ended up with life-changing injuries.
” He said his views had changed towards his job and dealings with members of the public and the incident had made him “ more wary ” .
Karl Monahan BL , defending , told Judge Melanie Greally that Dunne said he was in “ a drug fuelled haze ” at the time and claimed he was aiming the device at the vehicle beside Garda Kelly rather than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ recollection was largely prompted by the CCTV footage ” .
Mr Monahan said Dunne “ very much regrets his behaviour ” but added he had used his time on remand in custody to deal with his drug addiction .
He said Dunne ’ s heroin addiction had previously led to psychotic behaviour .
Judge Greally said it appeared from the CCTV footage , which was played for the court , that Dunne had been “ lying in wait ” before he “ hurled ” the petrol bomb .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an exercise of scoping and waiting and timing his move when he threw a petrol bomb towards Garda Kelly who was a lone member of an Garda Síochána carrying out his duties.
” “ It was by sheer good fortune that his peripheral vision enabled him to see the petrol bomb that was hurled towards him , ” Judge Greally said .
She described it as “ a very serious incident of endangerment ” and said Garda Kelly had no expectation of being placed in danger and that the incident “ could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Judge Greally acknowledged Dunne claimed his heroin addiction had led to psychotic behaviour and that he did not specifically recall the incident .
She sentenced Dunne to four and half years in prison and suspended the final six months of that sentence for 12 months on strict conditions .

A man who “hurled” an ignited petrol bomb in the direction of a garda who was standing by a vehicle waiting for it to be towed has been jailed for four years.
Gerard Dunne (32) had been spotted by Garda Karl Kelly acting suspiciously cycling around on a pink and white bike before he threw the lighted petrol bomb across a road in his direction. It collided with a curb and smashed, emitting a flame.
Det Sgt Eoin Colbert told Antonia Boyle BL, prosecuting, that Garda Kelly had spotted the item as it came across the road and managed to run out of the way. He said had the garda been facing the opposite direction he would have been injured.
Dunne told gardaí, following his arrest and having been shown CCTV footage of the incident, “I don’t think I would throw a petrol bomb at a copper, I don’t think I would be that stupid”.
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He denied any intention to throw the petrol bomb at the garda but accepted later that it could have been him when he was informed that gardaí  had nominated him as a suspect after they viewed the footage.
Dunne of Coultry Drive, Ballymun, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to endangerment and possession of a petrol bomb on the Link Road, Darndale, Dublin on April 29th, 2019.
His 97 previous convictions, include endangerment, assault causing harm, attempted robbery, drug dealing, possession of knives and road traffic offences.
A victim impact statement from Garda Kelly stated that he was shocked as to how easily the incident happened.
“I have thought about it on many occasions and how lucky I was to see it in my peripheral vision, otherwise I would have ended up with life-changing injuries.”
He said his views had changed towards his job and dealings with members of the public and the incident had made him “more wary”.
Karl Monahan BL, defending, told Judge Melanie Greally that Dunne said he was in “a drug fuelled haze” at the time and claimed he was aiming the device at the vehicle beside Garda Kelly rather than the garda himself.
He said his client’s “recollection was largely prompted by the CCTV footage”.
Mr Monahan said Dunne “very much regrets his behaviour” but added he had used his time on remand in custody to deal with his drug addiction. He said Dunne’s heroin addiction had previously led to psychotic behaviour.
Judge Greally said it appeared from the CCTV footage, which was played for the court, that Dunne had been “lying in wait” before he “hurled” the petrol bomb.
“It shows him in broad daylight, engaged in an exercise of scoping and waiting and timing his move when he threw a petrol bomb towards Garda Kelly who was a lone member of an Garda Síochána carrying out his duties.”
“It was by sheer good fortune that his peripheral vision enabled him to see the petrol bomb that was hurled towards him,” Judge Greally said.
She described it as “a very serious incident of endangerment” and said Garda Kelly had no expectation of being placed in danger and that the incident “could have had serious consequences” for him.
Judge Greally acknowledged Dunne claimed his heroin addiction had led to psychotic behaviour and that he did not specifically recall the incident.
She sentenced Dunne to four and half years in prison and suspended the final six months of that sentence for 12 months on strict conditions.