theirishtimes--2020-07-13--Number receiving coronavirus unemployment payment falls by 67,000

The number of people receiving the Government ’ s special pandemic unemployment payment has fallen by more than 67,000 - the largest drop in a single week since the scheme was introduced in March .
Separately the Government is to introduce new legislation to protect entitlement to social insurance-related benefits for people who lost their jobs due to the pandemic and who have been receiving the special Covid-19 unemployment payment .
The Department of Social Protection said on Monday that the numbers receiving the pandemic unemployment payment had now reduced by 42 per cent , or by more than 250,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early May .
It said that 345,000 people would receive the Covid-19 unemployment payment this week , a drop of 67,300 on last week .
Separately , Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys on Monday brought proposals to the Cabinet which would attribute PRSI contributions to people who have lost employment due to the public health crisis .
At present those receiving the Covid -19 pandemic unemployment payment do not qualify for allocation of either paid or credited social insurance contributions .
However the Government believed that because of the exception nature of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced which would see recipients of the Covid-19 unemployment payment become entitled to the equivalent of paid contributions at the same class ( eg Class A if employees ) as those they received while in employment .
It is understood that the move is aimed at protecting the entitlement of a recipient of the special Covid unemployment payment to future benefits - both long-term payments , such as pensions , but also particularly to shorter term payments such as illness , maternity and paternity benefits which require a contribution record up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under the Government ’ s proposed new legislation recipients of jobseeker ’ s payments who lost employment since 13th March and people on the separate Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme will also benefit .
The department said that in the past seven days , 44,400 people had closed their claim for a pandemic unemployment payment .
It said 19,800 people would be receiving their final payment on Tuesday .
The scheme involves a weekly payment , paid in arrears , and the department said there could be a one-week lag in how closures of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , were reflected in the payment data .
This is the second week of operation of the new two-tiered payment structure for people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment .
Those whose average weekly earnings in 2019 or January and February 2020 were less than €200 gross - about 95,800 people this week - will receive a pandemic unemployment payment of €203 .
Just under 250,000 people - or three quarters of those covered by the scheme - will continue to receive the original payment of €350 .
In addition to those covered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 405,000 people working for nearly 67,000 employers are having their wages supported by the Government ’ s separate Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme .
A further 220,900 people were on the live register at the end of June .
Ms Humphreys said it was “ heartening to see that the phased approach set out in the [ Government ’ s ] roadmap to recovery is now being reflected in the number of people returning to work ” .
She said : “ Today ’ s figures are reassuring for employees , businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly show people getting back to work with a significant fall in the number of people in every county receiving the pandemic unemployment payment .
A further 44,400 people have closed their claims in the past week with 36,600 of these confirming that they are returning to work .
I am particularly pleased to see that the number of employees in the accommodation and food service area who are back in work again being supported by the Government ’ s Temporary Wage Subsidy scheme .
This number has increased from 8,100 last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government is now finalising its work on preparing the July economic stimulus package that will drive the way for an economic recovery .
I am confident this will help the thousands of workers and businesses who were badly impacted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic .
”

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys on Monday brought proposals to the Cabinet which would attribute PRSI contributions to people who have lost employment due to the public health crisis. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
The number of people receiving the Government’s special pandemic unemployment payment has fallen by more than 67,000 - the largest drop in a single week since the scheme was introduced in March.
Separately the Government is to introduce new legislation to protect entitlement to social insurance-related benefits for people who lost their jobs due to the pandemic and who have been receiving the special Covid-19 unemployment payment.
The Department of Social Protection said on Monday that the numbers receiving the pandemic unemployment payment had now reduced by 42 per cent, or by more than 250,000 since the peak of nearly 600,000 in early May.
It said that 345,000 people would receive the Covid-19 unemployment payment this week, a drop of 67,300 on last week.
READ MORE
Separately, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys on Monday brought proposals to the Cabinet which would attribute PRSI contributions to people who have lost employment due to the public health crisis.
At present those receiving the Covid -19 pandemic unemployment payment do not qualify for allocation of either paid or credited social insurance contributions.
However the Government believed that because of the exception nature of the pandemic, new legislation should be introduced which would see recipients of the Covid-19 unemployment payment become entitled to the equivalent of paid contributions at the same class (eg Class A if employees) as those they received while in employment.
It is understood that the move is aimed at protecting the entitlement of a recipient of the special Covid unemployment payment to future benefits - both long-term payments, such as pensions, but also particularly to shorter term payments such as illness, maternity and paternity benefits which require a contribution record up to the date at which benefit is claimed.
Under the Government’s proposed new legislation recipients of jobseeker’s payments who lost employment since 13th March and people on the separate Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme will also benefit .
The department said that in the past seven days, 44,400 people had closed their claim for a pandemic unemployment payment. It said 19,800 people would be receiving their final payment on Tuesday.
The scheme involves a weekly payment, paid in arrears, and the department said there could be a one-week lag in how closures of claims, due to people returning to work, were reflected in the payment data.
This is the second week of operation of the new two-tiered payment structure for people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment.
Those whose average weekly earnings in 2019 or January and February 2020 were less than €200 gross - about 95,800 people this week - will receive a pandemic unemployment payment of €203.
Just under 250,000 people - or three quarters of those covered by the scheme - will continue to receive the original payment of €350.
In addition to those covered by the special pandemic unemployment payment, about 405,000 people working for nearly 67,000 employers are having their wages supported by the Government’s separate Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme.
A further 220,900 people were on the live register at the end of June.
Ms Humphreys said it was “ heartening to see that the phased approach set out in the [Government’s] roadmap to recovery is now being reflected in the number of people returning to work”.
She said: “Today’s figures are reassuring for employees, businesses and communities throughout the State as they clearly show people getting back to work with a significant fall in the number of people in every county receiving the pandemic unemployment payment. A further 44,400 people have closed their claims in the past week with 36,600 of these confirming that they are returning to work. I am particularly pleased to see that the number of employees in the accommodation and food service area who are back in work again being supported by the Government’s Temporary Wage Subsidy scheme. This number has increased from 8,100 last week to 22,000 this week.
“The Government is now finalising its work on preparing the July economic stimulus package that will drive the way for an economic recovery. I am confident this will help the thousands of workers and businesses who were badly impacted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-13--Murder accused ‘at diesel laundering yard’ when detective shot

Aaron Brady has entered the stand to deny that he murdered Det Garda Adrian Donohoe or that he participated in the credit union robbery in 2013 that resulted in the garda being shot dead .
Mr Brady told his counsel Michael O ’ Higgins SC that he never admitted to killing Det Garda Donohoe and that he was at a diesel laundering yard on Concession Road in Co Armagh at the time the garda was shot dead at a credit union in Co Louth .
The 29-year-old , from New Road , Crossmaglen , Co Armagh , has pleaded not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garda Donohoe who was then a member of An Garda Síochána on active duty on January 25th , 2013 at Lordship Credit Union in 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 .
Mr Brady on Monday gave the court details of his background , upbringing and time spent as an apprentice electrician and later as an advertising salesman .
Mr O ’ Higgins began his examination by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe ?
” Mr O ’ Higgins continued : “ Did you participate in a robbery armed with some class of a firearm ?
” Mr O ’ Higgins asked : “ Have you ever admitted to killing Detective Garda Donohoe ?
” He replied : “ Never.
” Mr Brady is continuing his evidence this morning in front of Mr Justice Michael White and a jury of six men and seven women at the Central Criminal Court .

The man accused of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe has described a prosecution witness as a “lying psychopath” and denied any involvement in the robbery that led to the garda being shot dead.
Aaron Brady, who denies charges of murder and robbery, said prosecution witness Daniel Cahill assaulted him on St Patrick’s Day 2015 by headbutting him repeatedly and threatening to cut his toes off with a stanley blade over a false allegation that Mr Brady had a threesome with a girlfriend of one of Mr Cahill’s friends.
He described Mr Cahill, who has denied any involvement in the assault, as a “lying psychopath” and swore on his son’s life that Mr Cahill was one of a group of men who broke into his apartment and assaulted him.
Mr Brady further denied he ever admitted to Mr Cahill that he had shot a garda in Ireland. He described the claim as “ridiculous” and added that he never liked Mr Cahill and, after the alleged assault, was terrified of him.
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He told his defence counsel Michael O’Higgins SC that he was at a diesel laundering yard on Concession Road in Co Armagh at the time Det Gda Donohoe was shot dead at a credit union in Lordship, Co Louth.
Not guilty
Aaron Brady (29) from New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Garda Donohoe who was then a member of An Garda Síochána on active duty on January 25th, 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth. He 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.
The defendant took the stand on Monday morning and gave details of his background, upbringing and time spent as an apprentice electrician and later as an advertising salesman.
Mr O’Higgins began his examination by asking, “Did you kill Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe?” Mr Brady replied: “No I did not.” Mr O’Higgins continued, “Did you participate in a robbery armed with some class of a firearm?” He replied: “No, I did not.” Mr O’Higgins asked: “Have you ever admitted to killing Detective Garda Donohoe?” He replied: “Never.”
At the time of the shooting, around 9.30pm on January 25th 2013, Mr Brady said he was at a yard on Concession Road near Cullaville loading a trailer with cubes of diesel laundering waste.
He accepted he lied to gardaí about his movements when questioned the day after the shooting and when he gave a statement ten days later. He said he lied because he didn’t want to alert gardaí to the fact he was involved in diesel laundering. He added: “I shouldn’t have lied but I had nothing to do with the murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe.”
Background
Describing his background he said his family moved to Nottingham in England when he was about one year old. His father, Tony Brady, worked as a milkman while studying physiotherapy. The family returned to Ireland to live in Crossmaglen in 2002 where his father got a job as a physio with a number of GAA teams including Crossmaglen Rangers. The accused left school aged 16 having done his GCSEs. It was in school that he met another man who has been named during the trial as a Suspect A for the robbery. He described this man as his best friend at that time but said they fell out in 2014 and haven’t spoken since.
After leaving school the accused became an apprentice electrician but did not complete the course. He also worked for a time as an advertising salesman for his father. He said he has always had a job and was never on social welfare for more than a month.
In September 2012 he met Jessica King and started a “serious relationship” with her. He was, at the time, charged with the unlawful taking of a vehicle and was under curfew to remain at his parent’s home from 9pm to 7am every night. By January 2013 his life was, he said, “good, happy, I was in a good relationship.”
Fuel Laundering
He was at that time also involved in fuel laundering. He explained that a yard owned by his then best friend’s mother was being rented by another friend who used it for loading cubes of waste generated during the fuel laundering process onto trucks. The cubes would then be dumped. Mr Brady said he would get up to €300 for loading the truck.
In January he was mostly staying at his friend’s house in Bellurgan, Co Louth but he would sometimes stay with his parents on New Road and he was also renting a house with friends on Lough Road in south Armagh. He described this as a “party house” where he would go with Jessica King and his friends after a night out.
Mr O’Higgins brought him to the night of January 22nd and into the early hours of January 23rd when the prosecution alleges a Volkswagen Passat was stolen from outside a house in Clogherhead, Co Louth. It is alleged the same Volkswagen was used in the robbery and later found burned out at Cumson’s Road in Armagh. Mr Brady said he had “no involvement in stealing that car in Clogherhead. “Unequivocally, I had nothing to do with stealing that car.”
Mr O’Higgins said the prosecution alleges that Mr Brady was a passenger in Suspect A’s car that was seen on CCTV passing Lordship Credit Union earlier on the day of the robbery. Mr Brady accepted that he was the passenger but insisted there was “nothing sinister” in what they were doing. He denied they were “casing the joint,” adding: “Absolutely not.”
After that he said he went to Suspect A’s house where they played Fifa and a darts game on their phones. After eating a chicken curry they went to pick up another friend, Suspect B, and went to a police station in Crossmaglen so that Suspect B could sign on, which he did at 7.20pm. He then left Suspect B home and went to the rented house at Lough Road before going to the diesel yard on Concession Road. He said he spent about one hour and thirty minutes loading the trailer before Suspect A again picked him up and dropped him to Jessica King’s house in nearby Cullaville at about 11pm. The accused said he remained there until about 3am when Suspect A again picked him up and they returned to Suspect A’s house. They slept that night in the same bed, he said, as his friend’s mother was particular about using the spare room.
The accused said a number of calls between himself and various named individuals on the evening leading up to the robbery were about fuel laundering. He also pointed out that he texted Jessica King to say he would be loading a trailer that night for about two hours.
The accused said he was not at Lordship Credit Union that night and he had never been to Cumson’s Lane where the Volkswagen Passat used in the robbery was found burned out. He denied that a series of phone calls he made to various people the following day had anything to do with what had happened at the credit union and said his phone’s inactivity before and after the robbery was of no significance.
Lied
He recalled being stopped by Sgt John Moroney on the afternoon after the robbery and accepted that he lied when asked to account for his movements. He added: “Not for one second did I think Sgt Moroney or the guards would be serious about me being involved in shooting a garda.”
He said that at that time he would never have told a garda he was involved in diesel laundering and he was also concerned because Sgt Moroney was involved in prosecuting him on matters then before the circuit court for which he was under curfew. He admitted he asked Jessica King to lie for him about his movements and accepted he shouldn’t have done that.
He further accepted he lied again to gardaí ten days later when he gave a statement saying that he had gone to the diesel laundering yard but only stayed there for about 15 minutes because he couldn’t get the forklift started. He said he told this lie because he didn’t want to “implicate” himself in diesel laundering and he was worried about how it would look in his community. His dad, he said, was chairman of Crossmaglen Rangers and “it wouldn’t look good, his son being involved in dumping these diesel cubes.”
Blackened name
Mr Brady said he left Ireland for America in April 2013, about two months after the robbery. He had been featured on the front of the Sunday World which used a pixelated picture of him. His mother saw it and was upset, he said, and he fell into depression. He said he lost his job after the gardaí “blackened my name” and he couldn’t get another job. During one court appearance he said a garda approached him and said: “Brady, you’re not welcome here you bastard.”
“Life was horrible,” he said and his relationship with Ms King had become strained. He added: “I wanted to get away from being blamed and accused. People saying there’s Brady who murdered Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe.”
He first went to Boston to work for Suspect A but they had a falling out in 2014 when Mr Brady went missing for a few days when he was supposed to be working. He moved to New York where, he said, he had a great life. He was earning 65 dollars per hour and time and a half if he worked more than 40 hours in a week. Even though he was there on a 90-day tourist visa he said it was easy to find work with Irish construction firms.
Asked about Daniel Cahill, he said Mr Cahill was a bartender at the Coachman’s Pub in the Bronx, a bar Mr Brady would visit occasionally. Mr Cahill has told the trial that Aaron Brady told him on three occasions that he shot a garda.
On St Patrick’s Day 2015 Mr Brady said he did not join in the festivities but went to bed because he had to go to work early the next day. He awoke when he heard a bang and his door was kicked open. He saw Mr Cahill and at least two other men in his bedroom and, he said, Mr Cahill pinned him down on his bed and headbutted him. The assault, he said, went on for about ten minutes. He said Mr Cahill then demanded that Mr Brady call a friend to tell him to call over.
Around this time it emerged that Mr Cahill believed Mr Brady and this other man had a threesome with a woman who was going out with Mr Cahill’s friend. He said Mr Cahill had a stanley blade in his hand and shouted down the phone: “Get over here now or I’m going to cut this bastard’s toes off.”
Mr Brady swore on his son’s life that Mr Cahill was the man who assaulted him in his apartment and added: “I never said to Daniel Cahill that I shot anybody or murdered anybody.”
His evidence will continue on Tuesday in front of Mr Justice Michael White and a jury of six men and seven women.


theirishtimes--2020-07-13--‘People took their masks off as soon as the inspector passed’

Just before 8am on Monday morning , Gerard Sweetman stood at the bus stop on the main street of Swords , Co Dublin , waiting to board the 41C .
“ I ’ m going into the hospital to get my blood tested .
It ’ s my first time wearing a mask , it feels a bit strange , ” he said .
Sweetman , who had already travelled by bus that morning from his home in Rush , had to get three busses before arriving at his final destination at Beaumont hospital .
“ I ’ ve a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m going to see how long I can last with it on .
I don ’ t want to take it off .
It was given to me by Rush community centre to keep us all safe , ” he added .
Since Monday , members of the public are not permitted to travel by public transport without wearing a face covering unless they can demonstrate a “ reasonable cause ” not to wear one .
Anyone who fails to comply with a request to wear a face covering on public transport is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could face a jail sentence of up to six months and/or a maximum fine of € 2,500 .
It would appear that the introduction of the new regulations have been effective , with most people wearing face coverings on public transport in Dublin City on Monday morning .
Of the eight people who boarded the bus between Swords and Dublin City Centre , all but one had a covering on their face before boarding the vehicle .
The one woman who was not wearing a face covering prior to getting on the bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her pocket when reminded of the regulations by the bus driver .
Sam Jaiyeola , a bus driver who drove the 38 route towards Damastown on Monday morning , noticed an improvement in compliance .
“ It ’ s been okay but we can ’ t force people .
We can only remind them to wear a mask , ” he said .
“ We can ’ t stop them getting on because some people have medical conditions that mean they don ’ t have to wear it and we can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so we can ’ t force people to wear them .
We are not medical doctors.
” Colm Mansfield , who was waiting for the red line Luas on Lower Abbey Street , believes most people are now complying with the rules .
“ Last week , only about two or three people on my bus were wearing masks .
This week , only two or three weren ’ t .
It ’ s been a big improvement , ” he said .
Rory Curran , who had just disembarked the Luas green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coverings makes him feel safer while travelling .
“ I was on the Luas there , on the green line and I ’ d say about 90 per cent of people were wearing them .
If someone started coughing there near me , I ’ d much rather they ’ d have a face mask on .
If I had Covid but didn ’ t have symptoms wearing a mask could prevent me from giving it to someone else .
I really don ’ t mind it at all , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Dublin on the train on Monday morning .
She said that wearing masks is now more commonplace , but that some people were going out of their way to avoid them .
“ On the train this morning people were wearing face coverings but then they took them off as soon as the inspector passed them which just completely defeats the purpose , ” she said .
“ I don ’ t understand the people who don ’ t want to wear them .
It makes no sense and if it keeps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all do it.
” Johnes Camargo , who was waiting on Abbey Street for a bus to work , believes more people would wear masks if they were more comfortable .
“ A lot of young people especially don ’ t want to wear them .
I can ’ t even wear them around my ears because it ’ s uncomfortable .
I wrap them [ the elastic straps ] around my glasses and then tie them at the back of my head , ” he said .
“ It ’ s better @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Just before 8am on Monday morning, Gerard Sweetman stood at the bus stop on the main street of Swords, Co Dublin, waiting to board the 41C.
“I’m going into the hospital to get my blood tested. It’s my first time wearing a mask, it feels a bit strange,” he said.
Sweetman, who had already travelled by bus that morning from his home in Rush, had to get three buses before arriving at his final destination at Beaumont Hospital.
“I’ve a bit of a journey so I’m going to see how long I can last with it on. I don’t want to take it off. It was given to me by Rush community centre to keep us all safe,” he added.
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Since Monday, members of the public are not permitted to travel by public transport without wearing a face covering unless they can demonstrate a “reasonable cause” not to wear one.
Gerard Sweetman waiting to board the 41C in Swords Co, Dublin. Photograph: Shauna Bowers
Anyone who fails to comply with a request to wear a face covering on public transport is deemed to have committed an offence and could face a jail sentence of up to six months and/or a maximum fine of €2,500.
It would appear that the introduction of the new regulations have been effective, with most people wearing face coverings on public transport in Dublin City on Monday morning.
Of the eight people who boarded the bus between Swords and Dublin City Centre, all but one had a covering on their face before boarding the vehicle.
The one woman who was not wearing a face covering prior to getting on the bus happily pulled a pink disposable mask out of her pocket when reminded of the regulations by the bus driver.
Sam Jaiyeola, a bus driver who drove the 38 route towards Damastown on Monday morning, noticed an improvement in compliance.
“It’s been okay but we can’t force people. We can only remind them to wear a mask,” he said.
“We can’t stop them getting on because some people have medical conditions that mean they don’t have to wear it and we can’t tell that from looking at them so we can’t force people to wear them. We are not medical doctors.”
Rory Curran wearing a facemask after alighting the Luas in Dublin on Monday. Photograph: Shauna Bowers
Colm Mansfield, who was waiting for the red line Luas on Lower Abbey Street, believes most people are now complying with the rules.
“Last week, only about two or three people on my bus were wearing masks. This week, only two or three weren’t. It’s been a big improvement,” he said.
Rory Curran, who had just disembarked the Luas green line, said the increase in uptake of coverings makes him feel safer while travelling.
“I was on the Luas there, on the green line and I’d say about 90 per cent of people were wearing them. If someone started coughing there near me, I’d much rather they’d have a face mask on. If I had Covid but didn’t have symptoms wearing a mask could prevent me from giving it to someone else. I really don’t mind it at all,” he added.
Deirdre Power travelled from Waterford to Dublin on the train on Monday morning. She said that wearing masks is now more commonplace, but that some people were going out of their way to avoid them.
“On the train this morning people were wearing face coverings but then they took them off as soon as the inspector passed them which just completely defeats the purpose,” she said.
Deirdre Power travelled by train from Waterford to Dublin on Monday morning. Photograph: Shauna Bowers
“I don’t understand the people who don’t want to wear them. It makes no sense and if it keeps people safe then I think we should all do it.”
Johnes Camargo, who was waiting on Abbey Street for a bus to work, believes more people would wear masks if they were more comfortable.
“A lot of young people especially don’t want to wear them. I can’t even wear them around my ears because it’s uncomfortable. I wrap them [the elastic straps] around my glasses and then tie them at the back of my head,” he said. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-13--High compliance with rule making face coverings mandatory on public transport

Members of the public are broadly complying with new rules that have made wearing face coverings on public transport mandatory , the National Transport Authority ( NTA ) has said .
Figures from the transport body show levels of compliance of between 70 and 95 per cent on buses , trains and trams with the measures , introduced to slow the spread of Covid-19 .
Bus Éireann reported a compliance rate of 95 per cent on its services , Iarnród Éireann said it was 90 per cent , Dublin Bus reported a rate of about 80 per cent , Luas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent and Go-Ahead , which operates 24 bus routes in the outer Dublin Metropolitan Area , said compliance was at between 70 and 75 per cent .
Those found not to be wearing face coverings on public transport can from Monday face fines of up to €2,500 as well as a possible jail sentence of six months for refusing to do wear coverings .
A NTA spokesman said compliance was “ positive ” and “ encouraging ” and the use of face coverings “ will play an important role in ensuring that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport can do so safely .
“ This is something that passengers can do to help control the virus and protect one another.
” Confusion has arisen over the new guidelines with a garda association and the National Bus and Train Union ( NBRU ) both saying they are not responsible for enforcing the wearing of coverings .
Antoinette Cunningham , general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors ( AGSI ) , said enforcement rested with transport operators and the National Transport Authority ( NTA ) .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) has said its members will not be policing mandatory face coverings either .
Under the regulations a bus driver or other relevant person can request that a passenger wear a face covering .
They can ask them to leave a vehicle if they are not wearing one , or refuse them entry .
If a person does not comply , and does not have a reasonable excuse , gardaí could be called .
Ms Cunningham earlier said the statutory instrument introducing the regulations ensures enforcement rests with the transport operator .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver ’ s job to police the law , she said it was not the job of the gardaí to check up on people using public transport .
The regulations were clear , she told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland , and if a driver asked a person to wear the mask and they refused , then gardaí would assist .
“ The relevant person has to act in the first instance .
When all those fail , we will then assist if required.
” NBRU general secretary Dermot O ’ Leary said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or train drivers to enforce the rules as the role of its members was “ to drive not to police the law of the land ” .
Mr O ’ Leary told RTÉ ’ s Today with Sarah McInerney programme that the confusion showed there was a need for a public transport police unit , as found in some other countries .
“ The people who make laws should speak to the people who they expect to implement them , in this case the gardaí and resource the gardaí .
There has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The NTA said it was up to transport operators to implement face coverings as they do for the “ implementation of many other rules and bye-laws across the public transport area .
The NTA is engaging with operators about implementation.
” The representative body for private bus and coach operators , the Coach Tourism and Transport Council , said its members were “ disappointed ” the Government did not engage with the sector .
The council ’ s chairman John Halpenny said its members carry 70 million passengers a year and want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Instead , we have no clarity regarding our legal obligations or our potential exposure but instead are appraised of the changes through the media , ” he said .
“ Operating in such a legal lacunae has very real and obvious consequences going by the needless death of a bus driver who was involved in a serious confrontation with passengers over their failure to wear facemasks in France in the past few days .
”

Members of the public are broadly complying with new rules that have made wearing face coverings on public transport mandatory, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has said.
Figures from the transport body show levels of compliance of between 70 and 95 per cent on buses, trains and trams with the measures, introduced to slow the spread of Covid-19.
Bus Éireann reported a compliance rate of 95 per cent on its services, Iarnród Éireann said it was 90 per cent, Dublin Bus reported a rate of about 80 per cent, Luas said it was between 75 and 80 per cent and Go-Ahead, which operates 24 bus routes in the outer Dublin Metropolitan Area, said compliance was at between 70 and 75 per cent.
Those found not to be wearing face coverings on public transport can from Monday face fines of up to €2,500 as well as a possible jail sentence of six months for refusing to do wear coverings.
READ MORE
A NTA spokesman said compliance was “positive” and “encouraging” and the use of face coverings “will play an important role in ensuring that those who need to travel on public transport can do so safely.
“This is something that passengers can do to help control the virus and protect one another.”
Confusion
Confusion has arisen over the new guidelines with a garda association and the National Bus and Train Union (NBRU) both saying they are not responsible for enforcing the wearing of coverings.
Antoinette Cunningham, general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), said enforcement rested with transport operators and the National Transport Authority (NTA).
However, the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) has said its members will not be policing mandatory face coverings either.
Under the regulations a bus driver or other relevant person can request that a passenger wear a face covering. They can ask them to leave a vehicle if they are not wearing one, or refuse them entry. If a person does not comply, and does not have a reasonable excuse, gardaí could be called.
Ms Cunningham earlier said the statutory instrument introducing the regulations ensures enforcement rests with the transport operator.
While she acknowledged it was not a bus driver’s job to police the law, she said it was not the job of the gardaí to check up on people using public transport.
The regulations were clear, she told RTÉ's Morning Ireland, and if a driver asked a person to wear the mask and they refused, then gardaí would assist.
“The relevant person has to act in the first instance. When all those fail, we will then assist if required.”
NBRU general secretary Dermot O’Leary said it is not the role of bus or train drivers to enforce the rules as the role of its members was “to drive not to police the law of the land”.
Mr O’Leary told RTÉ’s Today with Sarah McInerney programme that the confusion showed there was a need for a public transport police unit, as found in some other countries.
“The people who make laws should speak to the people who they expect to implement them, in this case the gardaí and resource the gardaí. There has been no consultation here,” he said.
The NTA said it was up to transport operators to implement face coverings as they do for the “implementation of many other rules and bye-laws across the public transport area. The NTA is engaging with operators about implementation.”
Disappointed
The representative body for private bus and coach operators, the Coach Tourism and Transport Council, said its members were "disappointed" the Government did not engage with the sector.
The council's chairman John Halpenny said its members carry 70 million passengers a year and want to comply with public health regulations.
“Instead, we have no clarity regarding our legal obligations or our potential exposure but instead are appraised of the changes through the media,” he said.
"Operating in such a legal lacunae has very real and obvious consequences going by the needless death of a bus driver who was involved in a serious confrontation with passengers over their failure to wear facemasks in France in the past few days."


theirishtimes--2020-07-13--Gardaí urge people not to attend cancelled Cahirmee horse fair

Gardaí have issued a final appeal to anyone thinking of attending one of the country ’ s oldest horse fairs at Cahirmee in Co Cork to think again as the event has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Chief Supt Tom Myers of Cork North Garda Division has expressed confidence that most people will not turn up for the fair , which usually takes place in Buttevant on July 12th or the following day if July 12th falls on a Sunday .
“ We ’ ve put out a lot of messages and we ’ ve been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very popular with members of the Travelling community and to be fair to Pavee Point , they have played a blinder getting the message out so we ’ re confident that very few people will turn up .
“ But if there are any people out there who are still thinking of heading for Buttevant tomorrow , they really should reconsider because there will be Garda checkpoints on all approach roads and we will be advising people to turn back but hopefully people will be responsible and won ’ t travel.
” Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that few people will even attempt to come to Buttevant as stallholders usually start setting up the day before the fair , but the area has been closed off with railings and so far no stall holders or vendors have come to the town .
“ One of the challenges is that Cahirmee has no organising committee and people just come because they know it ’ s on every 12th of July but we ’ ve worked closely with Cork County Council and the local community in Buttevant to the message out that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of coronavirus.
” Cork County Council began advising people back in May that Cahirmee would not go ahead this year with the Mayor of Co Cork , Cllr Ian Doyle from nearby Charleville , acknowledging the fair was an important part of the cultural life of north Cork but stressing it was too risky to allow it go ahead .
“ This is primarily a horse fair and I think that those involved in the equine and agricultural sectors will understand the concerns surrounding the coronavirus and already have it in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be going ahead , ” he said .
“ I think when people sit down and look at this logically they will understand why the fair can not go ahead but I do know there is concern in Buttevant and in north Cork generally that some people may ignore advice and still turn up.
” According to the Buttevant Heritage website , Cahirmee Fair is believed to have roots back in Ireland ’ s prehistoric past , when Mee was a High King of Munster , and his royal seat was located @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fair originally took place in the townland of Cahirmee , about 5km east of Buttevant , which is considered to be in the centre of Munster and Napoleon ’ s famous charger , Marengo , is reputed to have been bought there .
But the fair moved into Buttevant town at the beginning of the 1920s as buyers and sellers felt threatened by the political turmoil of the time during both the War of Independence and the Civil War and has been held in the town ever since .

Gardaí have issued a final appeal to anyone thinking of attending one of the country's oldest horse fairs at Cahirmee in Co Cork to think again as the event has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief Supt Tom Myers of Cork North Garda Division has expressed confidence that most people will not turn up for the fair, which usually takes place in Buttevant on July 12th or the following day if July 12th falls on a Sunday.
"We've put out a lot of messages and we've been in touch with Pavee Point because Cahirmee is very popular with members of the Travelling community and to be fair to Pavee Point, they have played a blinder getting the message out so we're confident that very few people will turn up.
“But if there are any people out there who are still thinking of heading for Buttevant tomorrow, they really should reconsider because there will be Garda checkpoints on all approach roads and we will be advising people to turn back but hopefully people will be responsible and won’t travel.”
READ MORE
Chief Supt Myers said he was very confident that few people will even attempt to come to Buttevant as stallholders usually start setting up the day before the fair, but the area has been closed off with railings and so far no stall holders or vendors have come to the town.
"One of the challenges is that Cahirmee has no organising committee and people just come because they know it's on every 12th of July but we've worked closely with Cork County Council and the local community in Buttevant to the message out that it's not on this year because of coronavirus."
Cork County Council began advising people back in May that Cahirmee would not go ahead this year with the Mayor of Co Cork, Cllr Ian Doyle from nearby Charleville, acknowledging the fair was an important part of the cultural life of north Cork but stressing it was too risky to allow it go ahead.
“This is primarily a horse fair and I think that those involved in the equine and agricultural sectors will understand the concerns surrounding the coronavirus and already have it in their minds this year’s fair will not be going ahead,” he said.
“I think when people sit down and look at this logically they will understand why the fair cannot go ahead but I do know there is concern in Buttevant and in north Cork generally that some people may ignore advice and still turn up.”
According to the Buttevant Heritage website, Cahirmee Fair is believed to have roots back in Ireland's prehistoric past, when Mee was a High King of Munster, and his royal seat was located just to the east of Buttevant.
The fair originally took place in the townland of Cahirmee, about 5km east of Buttevant, which is considered to be in the centre of Munster and Napoleon’s famous charger, Marengo, is reputed to have been bought there.
But the fair moved into Buttevant town at the beginning of the 1920s as buyers and sellers felt threatened by the political turmoil of the time during both the War of Independence and the Civil War and has been held in the town ever since.


theirishtimes--2020-07-13--Twelfth of July to be marked differently due to Covid-19 pandemic

Northern Ireland ’ s traditional day of parading to mark the Twelfth of July is to be celebrated differently as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
Hundreds of Orange Order parades across the region have been cancelled and supporters have been encouraged by leaders , including DUP leader and First Minister Arlene Foster , to mark the occasion at home .
July 12th is commemorated by unionists and loyalists every year to mark the victory of the Protestant King William of Orange over the Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 .
Because July 12th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Twelfth is instead being celebrated on Monday the 13th .
With Covid-19 regulations limiting outdoor gatherings to 30 , the institution took the historic step of cancelling all of its parades .
Many have expressed frustration at the move after the gathering of hundreds of people , including deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill and Finance Minister Conor Murphy , at a funeral for veteran republican Bobby Storey .
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is currently investigating the incident for potential breaches of the coronavirus regulations .
Unionist leaders have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to defiance of social distancing rules .
Health minister Robin Swann has insisted that the public health advice is as important now as it was at the start of the pandemic .
Meanwhile , more than 200 notifications have been received by the Parades Commission from bands to stage local processions .
The Orange Order ’ s grand secretary Mervyn Gibson said he is looking forward to the music being brought to his door .
“ I hope everyone will have an enjoyable , socially distanced July 12th , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ band as they pass my gates .
I would urge all to enjoy the music if it comes to your door but if it doesn ’ t , please don ’ t go out to follow the bands , turn on Radio Boyne and listen to traditional tunes on the online station .
“ Stay at home , have a barbeque , have a picnic with your family and any bubble you can go to ... Whatever you do , obey the regulations.
” A smaller than usual number of loyalist bonfires were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respect the coronavirus regulations .
However , there were significant crowds at several fires that did go ahead .
Meanwhile , in north Belfast , there was sporadic disorder across Friday and Saturday near a community interface as police came under attack from petrol bombs in the nationalist New Lodge , which is close to a bonfire in the loyalist Tiger ’ s Bay area .
- PA

Close to 250 bands participated in the "Twelfth at Home" Orange Order celebrations in Northern Ireland on Monday.
The 18 traditional Orange Order main parades and scores of feeder parades were cancelled by the institution this year due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
Instead, 248 bands were given permission by the Parades Commission to parade locally throughout the North.
A loyalist waves the union flag at the Ballycraigy estate 11th night bonfire in Antrim, Northern Ireland. Photograph: Getty
Watching the bands parade on the Shankill Road, Belfast today. Photograph: Stephen Davison
Bands were obliged under the coronavirus regulations to observe social distancing rules and to have no more than 30 members.
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Orange Order leaders urged members and supporters to celebrate the day mainly at home and not to follow the bands, but rather to observe them from their homes as they played on their roads and streets.
The grand secretary of the order, the Reverend Mervyn Gibson said people should "stay in their homes and let the music come to them".
He said Orange leaders had appealed to people “to stay in their gardens and if you hear a band don’t follow it”.
It appears that for the most part his injunction was observed but there were areas, particularly in some parts of Belfast, where this rule was ignored.
Shankill Road
It was clear that on the Shankill Road and on Sandy Row in Belfast on Monday afternoon and evening crowds of well over 100 had gathered on the roads to observe and dance along with the bands.
There also were complaints about a number of Eleventh Night loyalist bonfires being lit on Saturday night contrary to Covid-19 rules while on Friday and Saturday nights there was some disorder in the nationalist New Lodge area of north Belfast. Sectarian messages were displayed at several bonfires, including attacks on the late senior republican Bobby Storey.
Mr Gibson said there were “some hiccups” over the weekend but, generally, he was pleased with the way Twelfth unfolded.
He said if there were instances where the social distancing rules were not kept then that was wrong and should be investigated.
He said however that matters should be kept in perspective and his experience was that the Covid-19 regulations were largely observed.
“In the perspective of things I think the day has been a success (with) the vast majority of people staying at home and enjoying the Twelfth day,” he told BBC Radio Ulster.
And as the Twelfth day entered the Twelfth night Mr Gibson urged caught up in large crowds to go back to their homes.
“We don’t want to spread coronavirus and crowds spread coronavirus. You are not doing yourself any good, you are not doing your community any good – I would urge any crowd of over 30 to disperse wherever it is around the province,” he said.
Mr Gibson said the PSNI was investigating the large crowds that attended the funeral of Bobby Storey and also the crowds who attended Black Lives Matter protests in the North. In relation to the Twelfth if there were crowds of “more than 30 then that has to be investigated” by the police, he added.
Pop-up station
As well as the local parades the Orange Order urged people to listen to its “pop-up” station, Radio Boyne, which featured music, hymns and historical detail of how King William defeated King James at the Battle of the Boyne 330 years ago in 1690.
Traditionally, after the outward parades three resolutions are read at the 18 fields where Orange men and supporters gather before making their return parades in the evening.
The order published the resolutions which dealt with faith, loyalty and the British state. These offered sympathy to people bereaved during the coronavirus pandemic and thanked the National Health Service and other key workers for their efforts.
They also reaffirmed their loyalty to Queen Elizabeth and reiterated the order's "ongoing opposition to any political or economic developments which would see Northern Ireland's constitutional position undermined as a result of the implementation of Brexit".
“Society must never be allowed to forget the cost paid by our community including the many members of this institution murdered at the hands of terrorists,” the third resolution stated. “No political deal should permit the continued distortion and revisionism we have witnessed by those who seek to rewrite the true legacy of those years,” it added.
The restricted celebrations took place on July 13th this year as the Order does not parade on July 12th when that date falls on a Sunday.


theirishtimes--2020-07-14--HSE says health staff may have contracted Covid-19 in ‘avoidable’ cases

There were some “ avoidable ” cases in which healthcare workers may have become infected with Covid-19 , the HSE has said .
In a new submission to the Oireachtas committee on the pandemic , the HSE said there were “ some incidents in which patients did have clear clinical features suggestive of Covid-19 but the diagnosis was not considered or made promptly , resulting in avoidable healthcare worker [ and patient ] exposure ” .
The HSE said that “ anecdotally , the impression is that the greatest risk to healthcare workers from exposure to infected patients was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected or confirmed in a timely manner ” .
However , it said , it was now known that many patients with Covid-19 , especially frail older people , do not have fever , cough or shortness of breath .
“ In a number of instances such patients were not identified in the congregated healthcare setting , resulting in significant exposure for healthcare workers who were not alert to the risk of exposure and who , therefore , were not in a position to take specific additional IPC [ infection and prevention control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital data exists to suggest that once a more robust process for identifying patients with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 was put in place , that there was a sharp fall in healthcare worker infection , ” the HSE said .
The HSE submission , made in recent days , said as of June 27th , healthcare workers accounted for 8,260 of the 25,874 Covid -19 cases reported , or 31.9 per cent .
Last month , the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation ( INMO ) told the committee that Ireland had the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health workers globally .
The HSE also told the committee that “ price gouging ” – often involving middlemen seeking exorbitant prices – had been a feature of the “ unprecedented ” market for personal protective equipment ( PPE ) at the height of the pandemic .
It said this included the creation of secondary markets where ownership deeds changed hands numerous times before they reached the end buyer – often a hospital system or local government – at a hugely inflated price .
Health sources said the HSE had been approached on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high prices but it had not bought the items concerned .

No deaths and eleven further cases of Covid-19 have been reported by Dr Ronan Glynn acting Chief Medical Officer at the latest NPHET briefing. Video: RTE News Now
There were some "avoidable" cases in which healthcare workers may have become infected with Covid-19, the HSE has said.
In a new submission to the Oireachtas committee on the pandemic, the HSE said there were "some incidents in which patients did have clear clinical features suggestive of Covid-19 but the diagnosis was not considered or made promptly, resulting in avoidable healthcare worker [and patient] exposure".
The HSE said that “anecdotally, the impression is that the greatest risk to healthcare workers from exposure to infected patients was in relation to patients where Covid-19 was not suspected or confirmed in a timely manner”.
However, it said, it was now known that many patients with Covid-19, especially frail older people, do not have fever, cough or shortness of breath.
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“In a number of instances such patients were not identified in the congregated healthcare setting, resulting in significant exposure for healthcare workers who were not alert to the risk of exposure and who, therefore, were not in a position to take specific additional IPC [infection and prevention control] measures.
“Although limited, hospital data exists to suggest that once a more robust process for identifying patients with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 was put in place, that there was a sharp fall in healthcare worker infection,” the HSE said.
The HSE submission, made in recent days, said as of June 27th, healthcare workers accounted for 8,260 of the 25,874 Covid -19 cases reported, or 31.9 per cent.
Infection rate
Last month, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) told the committee that Ireland had the highest rate of infection from coronavirus of all health workers globally.
The HSE also told the committee that “price gouging” – often involving middlemen seeking exorbitant prices – had been a feature of the “unprecedented” market for personal protective equipment (PPE) at the height of the pandemic.
It said this included the creation of secondary markets where ownership deeds changed hands numerous times before they reached the end buyer – often a hospital system or local government – at a hugely inflated price.
Health sources said the HSE had been approached on one occasion by middlemen offering PPE at high prices but it had not bought the items concerned.


theirishtimes--2020-07-14--Half of Covid-positive workers in meat plant were asymptomatic, reports show

An estimated half of Covid-positive workers in a single large Irish meat plant were found to be asymptomatic following mass testing , according to briefing documents given to the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) .
The documents suggest that asymptomatic workers could have been a significant driver of infection in meat plants .
“ Where mass testing has been undertaken , it is noted that there are high numbers of asymptomatic cases , ” one report notes .
“ Following mass testing in one large facility , it is estimated that 50 per cent of positive workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be an important factor in meat processing plants.
” The briefing documents , which were drawn up in early June , also show that there were almost 300 cases of Covid-19 associated with an outbreak in a single meat processing plant in the State , more than twice the figure associated with the next largest outbreak .
One report , which was shared with Nphet on June 3rd , outlines a series of risk factors in plants , including poor language skills , crowded accommodation , and the potential for spread to spouses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable workers in nursing homes , supermarkets , etc .
“ Communication difficulties represent a significant threat to outbreak control .
This is driven by language barriers .
It was also noted that in at least one plant , levels of literacy in some workers ’ own principal language were low.
” It notes that “ many staff are low-wage workers and some may reside in overcrowded accommodation ” .
The second document , shared with Nphet on June 10th , shows up-to-date figures as of the previous day on infection across 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had recorded some 1,104 cases between them .
Ten of these plants were in the HSE ’ s North Eastern division , three in the midlands , three in HSE Mid West , two each in the HSE ’ s east and west divisions , and a single outbreak in each of the south and southeast divisions .
The report shows that while there was significant Covid-19 infection among meat plant workers , many did not have severe symptoms of the disease , noting that “ the vast majority of patients have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the course of their illness , with only 2.8 per cent requiring admission to hospital ” .
Eight such patients required admission to intensive care , just 0.7 per cent of the total number who fell ill with the disease , according to the report .
It shows the population affected were primarily younger men , with 58.1 per cent of the cases in question occurring in those aged between 25 and 44 , and 77.4 per cent of all cases in men .
Both this report , and the earlier version sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared with the Oireachtas special committee on the Covid-19 response last week .
The June 3rd report , which was compiled by the HSE ’ s National Outbreak Control Team , outlines a series of “ challenges [ in ] maintaining confidentiality of results following mass testing ” .
The challenges , the report states , emerged from the need to seek “ co-operation from facility owners and managers , especially with regard to circumstances requiring prompt action such as identification of large numbers of asymptomatic positive employees , who need to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traced ” .
It notes that “ on occasion employers or managers may have been informed [ of test results ] in advance of the individual ” .
“ This only occurred where it was necessary and desirable for preventing the spread of infection where timeliness was paramount , ” it said .
The practice of sharing workers ’ test results with employers was controversial when it emerged in May , with the HSE saying that it had done this only in exceptional circumstances .
The HSE suspended this practice in May .

An estimated half of Covid-positive workers in a single large Irish meat plant were found to be asymptomatic following mass testing, according to briefing documents. File photograph: Bloomberg
An estimated half of Covid-positive workers in a single large Irish meat plant were found to be asymptomatic following mass testing, according to briefing documents given to the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).
The documents suggest that asymptomatic workers could have been a significant driver of infection in meat plants.
“Where mass testing has been undertaken, it is noted that there are high numbers of asymptomatic cases,” one report notes.
“Following mass testing in one large facility, it is estimated that 50 per cent of positive workers were asymptomatic. [This] could be an important factor in meat processing plants.”
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The briefing documents, which were drawn up in early June, also show that there were almost 300 cases of Covid-19 associated with an outbreak in a single meat processing plant in the State, more than twice the figure associated with the next largest outbreak.
One report, which was shared with Nphet on June 3rd, outlines a series of risk factors in plants, including poor language skills, crowded accommodation, and the potential for spread to spouses or housemates who “are often similarly vulnerable workers in nursing homes, supermarkets, etc.
“Communication difficulties represent a significant threat to outbreak control. This is driven by language barriers. It was also noted that in at least one plant, levels of literacy in some workers’ own principal language were low.”
It notes that “many staff are low-wage workers and some may reside in overcrowded accommodation”.
Infection figures
The second document, shared with Nphet on June 10th, shows up-to-date figures as of the previous day on infection across 22 different plants.
It shows the facilities had recorded some 1,104 cases between them. Ten of these plants were in the HSE’s North Eastern division, three in the midlands, three in HSE Mid West, two each in the HSE’s east and west divisions, and a single outbreak in each of the south and southeast divisions.
The report shows that while there was significant Covid-19 infection among meat plant workers, many did not have severe symptoms of the disease, noting that “the vast majority of patients have been able to remain in the community during the course of their illness, with only 2.8 per cent requiring admission to hospital”.
Eight such patients required admission to intensive care, just 0.7 per cent of the total number who fell ill with the disease, according to the report. It shows the population affected were primarily younger men, with 58.1 per cent of the cases in question occurring in those aged between 25 and 44, and 77.4 per cent of all cases in men.
Both this report, and the earlier version sent to Nphet on June 3rd, were shared with the Oireachtas special committee on the Covid-19 response last week.
Confidentiality
The June 3rd report, which was compiled by the HSE’s National Outbreak Control Team, outlines a series of “challenges [in] maintaining confidentiality of results following mass testing”.
The challenges, the report states, emerged from the need to seek “co-operation from facility owners and managers, especially with regard to circumstances requiring prompt action such as identification of large numbers of asymptomatic positive employees, who need to be excluded from work rapidly and their contacts traced”.
It notes that “on occasion employers or managers may have been informed [of test results] in advance of the individual”.
“This only occurred where it was necessary and desirable for preventing the spread of infection where timeliness was paramount,” it said.
The practice of sharing workers’ test results with employers was controversial when it emerged in May, with the HSE saying that it had done this only in exceptional circumstances. The HSE suspended this practice in May.


theirishtimes--2020-07-14--Donegal garda ‘shocked’ at spike in drink- and drug-driving during lockdown

Donegal ’ s chief traffic garda has said he is shocked by a spike in drink- and drug-driving despite a huge drop in the number of people on the roads .
The figures reflect a nationwide pattern of increasing drink-driving offences at a time when the vast majority of other offending has trended downwards .
According to nationwide figures , there was an average of 633 drink-driving arrests per month during the lockdown period of March , April and May .
This is up from an average of 550 per month during 2019 .
Insp Michael Harrison made his comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the weekend for being under the influence of drink or drugs .
Eleven were arrested the previous weekend .
He described the spike as baffling and attributed it to “ simple complacency ” .
“ I am shocked , to be honest .
Nine people being arrested for drinking and drug-driving in one weekend in the county is a lot – especially when the number of people on the roads has dropped dramatically .
“ I can only put it down to complacency , but it is not good enough , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is not acceptable and those caught will be dealt with by the courts , ” he said .
The Letterkenny-based Garda chief said the arrests represent only the “ tip of the iceberg .
There are a lot more people out there taking the chance and drinking and taking drugs and driving .
“ Many are drinking at home and going to friends ’ houses and drinking and then taking the chance , but they are also taking the chance of getting caught , ” he warned .
He said figures for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worrying trends .
For April and May of last year a total of 77 arrests were made in Co Donegal for drink- and drug-driving while the roads were busy .
But in April and May of this year , when the roads were virtually empty , that figure increased to 79 arrests .
“ It ’ s baffling to think this can even have happened , but those figures are correct and it shows how many people were over the limit during those months , ” Insp Harrison said .

‘Many are drinking at home and going to friends’ houses and drinking and then taking the chance, but they are also taking the chance of getting caught.’ File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Donegal’s chief traffic garda has said he is shocked by a spike in drink- and drug-driving despite a huge drop in the number of people on the roads.
The figures reflect a nationwide pattern of increasing drink-driving offences at a time when the vast majority of other offending has trended downwards.
According to nationwide figures, there was an average of 633 drink-driving arrests per month during the lockdown period of March, April and May. This is up from an average of 550 per month during 2019.
Insp Michael Harrison made his comments after nine people were arrested in Donegal at the weekend for being under the influence of drink or drugs. Eleven were arrested the previous weekend.
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He described the spike as baffling and attributed it to “simple complacency”.
“I am shocked, to be honest. Nine people being arrested for drinking and drug-driving in one weekend in the county is a lot – especially when the number of people on the roads has dropped dramatically.
“I can only put it down to complacency, but it is not good enough, and the message has to go out that it is not acceptable and those caught will be dealt with by the courts,” he said.
‘Tip of the iceberg’
The Letterkenny-based Garda chief said the arrests represent only the “tip of the iceberg. There are a lot more people out there taking the chance and drinking and taking drugs and driving.
“Many are drinking at home and going to friends’ houses and drinking and then taking the chance, but they are also taking the chance of getting caught,” he warned.
He said figures for the months of April and May show the worrying trends. For April and May of last year a total of 77 arrests were made in Co Donegal for drink- and drug-driving while the roads were busy. But in April and May of this year, when the roads were virtually empty, that figure increased to 79 arrests.
“It’s baffling to think this can even have happened, but those figures are correct and it shows how many people were over the limit during those months,” Insp Harrison said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-14--Covid trauma expected to increase demand for mental health services

Mental Health Ireland , a national voluntary organisation , promoting positive mental health and wellbeing , will tell the Oireachtas committee on Covid-19 that the pandemic has had an extraordinary impact on the mental health and quality of life of the Irish people .
In an opening statement to the committee , its chief executive Martin Rogan said in Ireland less than 7 per cent of health spending was allocated to mental healthcare .
He said the World Health Organisation had recommended that the figure should be 12 per cent .
“ This fundamental constraint needs to be addressed before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 can be accommodated.
” Mr Rogan said : “ GPs and primary care deliver up to 90 per cent of mental healthcare in Ireland , accounting for up to 35 per cent of each GP ’ s total workload .
Approximately 10 per cent of more complex cases are referred forward to community-based , specialist mental health services .
These services are designed to treat and support people with the most significant mental health or psychiatric needs and are not designed to respond to more widespread mental health needs .
“ Access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to be adapted during the initial stages of the pandemic and this has greatly disrupted the mental health services for people availing of community-based services .
Calls to help lines , self-help , peer-led and voluntary service have surged and many services have had to deploy new resources and adapt existing models to respond to this urgent need.
” Mr Rogan said in the opening statement that research carried out in April had found that more than 50 per cent of participants reported that the Covid pandemic had had a negative or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wellbeing .
“ The need for social distancing , self-isolation has strained familial relationships and fractured the protective routines of many lives , ” he said .
“ Many families lost loved ones and their bereavement was further complicated by public health limitations on funeral arrangements.
” He also said “ previously unrecognised mental health needs were uncloaked and highlighted by Covid ” and “ many have now manifested as new referrals seeking treatment ” .
“ The dislocation associated with Covid has had a magnifying effect on difficulties extant in many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the entire household was stressed and pressed into close proximity.
” However he said , the Covid crisis had also “ heralded a reawakening of strong community bonds , personal connection and the spontaneous mobilisation of volunteering and collaborative effort ” .
Mr Rogan said the pandemic exposed “ a critical dependence in our mental health services on overtime , agency staffing and returning retired staff ” .

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned of the grim epidemic situation the world is still facing in the near term, and called for continuing efforts to control the disease and get on with people's lives. Video: Reuters
Mental Health Ireland, a national voluntary organisation, promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, will tell the Oireachtas committee on Covid-19 that the pandemic has had an extraordinary impact on the mental health and quality of life of the Irish people.
In an opening statement to the committee, its chief executive Martin Rogan said in Ireland less than 7 per cent of health spending was allocated to mental healthcare. He said the World Health Organisation had recommended that the figure should be 12 per cent.
“This fundamental constraint needs to be addressed before considering how the additional demands associated with Covid-19 can be accommodated.”
Psychiatric needs
Mr Rogan said: “GPs and primary care deliver up to 90 per cent of mental healthcare in Ireland, accounting for up to 35 per cent of each GP’s total workload. Approximately 10 per cent of more complex cases are referred forward to community-based, specialist mental health services. These services are designed to treat and support people with the most significant mental health or psychiatric needs and are not designed to respond to more widespread mental health needs.
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“Access to GP and community mental health teams had to be adapted during the initial stages of the pandemic and this has greatly disrupted the mental health services for people availing of community-based services. Calls to help lines, self-help, peer-led and voluntary service have surged and many services have had to deploy new resources and adapt existing models to respond to this urgent need.”
Mr Rogan said in the opening statement that research carried out in April had found that more than 50 per cent of participants reported that the Covid pandemic had had a negative or very negative impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
Fractured routines
“The need for social distancing, self-isolation has strained familial relationships and fractured the protective routines of many lives,” he said.
“Many families lost loved ones and their bereavement was further complicated by public health limitations on funeral arrangements.”
He also said “previously unrecognised mental health needs were uncloaked and highlighted by Covid” and “many have now manifested as new referrals seeking treatment”.
“The dislocation associated with Covid has had a magnifying effect on difficulties extant in many households and these came into sharp focus when the entire household was stressed and pressed into close proximity.”
However he said , the Covid crisis had also “heralded a reawakening of strong community bonds, personal connection and the spontaneous mobilisation of volunteering and collaborative effort”.
Mr Rogan said the pandemic exposed “a critical dependence in our mental health services on overtime, agency staffing and returning retired staff”.


theirishtimes--2020-07-13--Travel rules unlikely to include mandatory quarantine or cancelled flights

The Government is likely to avoid the harshest measures to curtail international travel or the movement of people arriving from overseas when it updates regulations on travel next week .
While final decisions have not been made , the focus is likely to be on strengthening existing rules , as well as improving the accuracy of data gathering on where people are staying , and checking more closely on those restricting their movements on arrival .
Government sources believe the introduction of mandatory periods of quarantine , or the cancellation of flights from some parts of the world , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on travel which will take place this week .
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting on Monday , Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said : “ I don ’ t think we should prevent flights from landing in Ireland or ban international travel .
That isn ’ t the approach we ’ ve taken .
“ It ’ s a very difficult thing to have primary legislation to underpin a requirement to restrict your movement or to self-quarantine , and the practical enforcement would be very difficult , ” he said .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ most significant risk in Ireland now to the re-emergence of this virus ” , other considerations had to come into the equation .
“ We need to put this in perspective .
Of course we need to make sure we take a public health approach first but also a pragmatic approach after that to try to ensure we maintain connectivity as an island.
” He said 200-250 people were arriving into the State a day from the United States , out of a total of about 4,500 .
One flight from Dallas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only 16 people on it , he said .
A senior Government source said mandatory quarantine was “ not a proportionate response ” , and the focus was on “ trying to persuade people to do the right thing ” .
Aer Lingus said its transatlantic passenger numbers were low and largely involved repatriation of citizens .
It said there was an average of about 150 inbound passengers a day arriving from North America , compared with 4,200 a day for the same period in 2019 .
About 30 per cent travel onwards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers from the US to Ireland have been less than 10 per cent of normal levels .
Figures from the Department of Justice show that since the end of May , three people refused to complete the passenger locator form , and were referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau .
Mr Coveney said on Monday that those found to have knowingly filled in the passenger locator form with inaccurate data could face a fine , or imprisonment , or both .
“ If you ’ re lying to us , you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 additional coronavirus cases reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) on Monday , and no deaths for the second day in a row .
Dr Ronan Glynn , acting chief medical officer , warned against people assuming that a foreign accent “ is necessarily associated with a tourist from any particular country ” .
He also cautioned against assuming NPHET would recommend moving to the final phase of the country ’ s reopening on July 20th , under which all pubs can resume trading .
“ I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases over the last five days , ” he said .
Separately , new parents will get three additional weeks of leave under proposals brought to Cabinet on Monday .
Minister for Children Roderic O ’ Gorman said the additional weeks would apply to the parents of all children born since November 1st , 2019 .
And in a move to bolster business , the Government has said next week it will publish the Credit Guarantee ( Amendment ) Bill 2020 , which will underpin its €2 billion Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme .

No deaths and eleven further cases of Covid-19 have been reported by Dr Ronan Glynn acting Chief Medical Officer at the latest NPHET briefing. Video: RTE News Now
The Government is likely to avoid the harshest measures to curtail international travel or the movement of people arriving from overseas when it updates regulations on travel next week.
While final decisions have not been made, the focus is likely to be on strengthening existing rules, as well as improving the accuracy of data gathering on where people are staying, and checking more closely on those restricting their movements on arrival.
Government sources believe the introduction of mandatory periods of quarantine, or the cancellation of flights from some parts of the world, is unlikely to be the outcome of discussions on travel which will take place this week.
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting on Monday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said: "I don't think we should prevent flights from landing in Ireland or ban international travel. That isn't the approach we've taken.
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Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath and Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman hold a press conference in Dublin Castle. Photograph: Julian Behal/PA Wire
“It’s a very difficult thing to have primary legislation to underpin a requirement to restrict your movement or to self-quarantine, and the practical enforcement would be very difficult,” he said.
Mr Coveney said while international travel remained the “most significant risk in Ireland now to the re-emergence of this virus”, other considerations had to come into the equation.
“We need to put this in perspective. Of course we need to make sure we take a public health approach first but also a pragmatic approach after that to try to ensure we maintain connectivity as an island.”
He said 200-250 people were arriving into the State a day from the United States, out of a total of about 4,500. One flight from Dallas, which attracted much criticism, had only 16 people on it, he said.
A senior Government source said mandatory quarantine was “not a proportionate response”, and the focus was on “trying to persuade people to do the right thing”.
Aer Lingus said its transatlantic passenger numbers were low and largely involved repatriation of citizens. It said there was an average of about 150 inbound passengers a day arriving from North America, compared with 4,200 a day for the same period in 2019. About 30 per cent travel onwards elsewhere in Europe.
Overall, passenger numbers from the US to Ireland have been less than 10 per cent of normal levels.
Figures from the Department of Justice show that since the end of May, three people refused to complete the passenger locator form, and were referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Mr Coveney said on Monday that those found to have knowingly filled in the passenger locator form with inaccurate data could face a fine, or imprisonment, or both. “If you’re lying to us, you’re breaking the law.”
New cases
There were 11 additional coronavirus cases reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Monday, and no deaths for the second day in a row.
Dr Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical officer, warned against people assuming that a foreign accent "is necessarily associated with a tourist from any particular country". He also cautioned against assuming NPHET would recommend moving to the final phase of the country's reopening on July 20th, under which all pubs can resume trading. "I think we are concerned about the increase in cases over the last five days," he said.
Separately, new parents will get three additional weeks of leave under proposals brought to Cabinet on Monday. Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said the additional weeks would apply to the parents of all children born since November 1st, 2019.
And in a move to bolster business, the Government has said next week it will publish the Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2020, which will underpin its €2 billion Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme.


theirishtimes--2020-07-13--Warnings over theft and scams after fourfold rise in puppy prices

Ireland ’ s largest dog charity has warned the public about paying over the odds for puppies during the lockdown .
The Covid-19 pandemic has seen huge increases in the price of puppies as people scramble to buy dogs for company .
Escalating prices have led to a warning by An Garda Síochána to pet owners that they should take care if they have high-value dogs as there has been an increase in thefts .
Gardaí have also warned the public not to buy puppies from owners they can not trace .
Demand has far outstripped supply , leading to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that cost €500 before the lockdown is selling for €2,000 now .
Similarly designer crossbreeds such as the cockapoo or the labradoodle , which sold for €350 before the lockdown are now making €2,000-€2,700 , and even mongrel pups , which had no value before the lockdown , are selling for €250 , Dogs Trust Ireland said .
It has warned the public about the dangers of being “ dogfished ” by unscrupulous “ doggy dealers ” who are putting profits before the welfare of the dogs they are selling .
The warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bought what they thought was a three-month-old dachshund pup that had been advertised for €1,300 on a well-known online selling platform .
When they arrived to collect the puppy , he looked considerably older than the online photo , but they were told the advertisement was a few months old and the dog was now six months .
He turned out to be at least two .
Because he was an adult dog , it was too late to house-train him and he had to be surrendered to the Dogs Trust .
Recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 20 per cent of people who purchased a dog during lockdown in Ireland collected their dog on the same day they first inquired about the animal , highlighting a “ click and collect ” culture around the sale of dogs .
Dogs Trust Ireland also discovered that 82 per cent of people who bought dogs during this time paid in cash and 34 per cent of dogs were not microchipped , which is not only illegal but can leave the seller totally untraceable and unaccountable should your puppy fall ill. One woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cash and asked to remain anonymous , said there were five other cars waiting at the dog-breeding establishment to buy dogs .
“ The puppy we bought from this ‘ breeder ’ was extremely malnourished and frightened .
The puppy could barely walk or stand on her legs .
Our vet believed this was probably a result of never being handled or out of a small cage , ” she said .
“ She was riddled with worms .
We were not permitted to see the mother.
” Dogs Trust chief executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relented as the lockdown has eased because demand is still high .
She has urged the public not to buy puppies at inflated prices as there is likely to be a dramatic drop in price as schools and officer workers return .
Separately , gardaí have told the public not to disclose to strangers that they have a dog and not to be tempted to leave their dogs tied up outside a shop or other public spaces .
In one incident last week , thieves broke into a locked shed in Enniscorthy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spaniel and her seven pups .
The mother , Daisy , was later recovered in Dublin , having had the microchip cut from her neck .
The four female and three male pups are still missing .
They are eight weeks old .
Springer Spaniel pubs are selling for €1,000 on online platforms at present .
Their owner , Rachel Doyle , told RTÉ ’ s Liveline she was convinced the puppies were being stolen for resale .

Two-year-old dachshund Frank, surrendered to Dogs Trust by a family who bought him for €1,300 believing him to be three months old. Photograph: Fran Veale
Ireland’s largest dog charity has warned the public about paying over the odds for puppies during the lockdown.
The Covid-19 pandemic has seen huge increases in the price of puppies as people scramble to buy dogs for company.
Escalating prices have led to a warning by An Garda Síochána to pet owners that they should take care if they have high-value dogs as there has been an increase in thefts.
Gardaí have also warned the public not to buy puppies from owners they cannot trace.
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Demand has far outstripped supply, leading to puppy inflation. A pedigree Labrador pup that cost €500 before the lockdown is selling for €2,000 now. Similarly designer crossbreeds such as the cockapoo or the labradoodle, which sold for €350 before the lockdown are now making €2,000-€2,700, and even mongrel pups, which had no value before the lockdown, are selling for €250, Dogs Trust Ireland said.
It has warned the public about the dangers of being “dogfished” by unscrupulous “doggy dealers” who are putting profits before the welfare of the dogs they are selling.
Cautionary tale
The warning follows an incident when an Irish family bought what they thought was a three-month-old dachshund pup that had been advertised for €1,300 on a well-known online selling platform.
When they arrived to collect the puppy, he looked considerably older than the online photo, but they were told the advertisement was a few months old and the dog was now six months.
He turned out to be at least two. Because he was a fearful dog, it was too late to house-train him and he had to be surrendered to the Dogs Trust.
Recent research carried out by the charity revealed that 20 per cent of people who purchased a dog during lockdown in Ireland collected their dog on the same day they first inquired about the animal, highlighting a “click and collect” culture around the sale of dogs.
Dogs Trust Ireland also discovered that 82 per cent of people who bought dogs during this time paid in cash and 34 per cent of dogs were not microchipped, which is not only illegal but can leave the seller totally untraceable and unaccountable should your puppy fall ill.
One woman, who bought a puppy for €2,000 in cash and asked to remain anonymous, said there were five other cars waiting at the dog-breeding establishment to buy dogs.
“The puppy we bought from this ‘breeder’ was extremely malnourished and frightened. The puppy could barely walk or stand on her legs. Our vet believed this was probably a result of never being handled or out of a small cage,” she said.
“She was riddled with worms. We were not permitted to see the mother.”
Inflated prices
Dogs Trust chief executive Becky Bristow says the problem has not relented as the lockdown has eased because demand is still high.
She has urged the public not to buy puppies at inflated prices as there is likely to be a dramatic drop in price as schools and officer workers return.
Separately, gardaí have told the public not to disclose to strangers that they have a dog and not to be tempted to leave their dogs tied up outside a shop or other public spaces.
In one incident last week, thieves broke into a locked shed in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, and stole a Springer Spaniel and her seven pups. The mother, Daisy, was later recovered in Dublin, having had the microchip cut from her neck. The four female and three male pups are still missing. They are eight weeks old.
Springer Spaniel pubs are selling for €1,000 on online platforms at present.
Their owner, Rachel Doyle, told RTÉ's Liveline she was convinced the puppies were being stolen for resale.


theirishtimes--2020-07-13--Dessie O’Hare to appeal sentence for falsely imprisoning family in Dublin

Former INLA man Dessie O ’ Hare is to appeal his sentence for falsely imprisoning a family in south Dublin .
O ’ Hare , who was known as ‘ The Border Fox ’ , was jailed by the Special Criminal Court for seven years last year for the crime he committed while evicting the family from their home .
His attack on another man on the same occasion was described as “ disturbingly violent ” , with Mr Justice Tony Hunt remarking that the violent side of O ’ Hare ’ s personality was not in remission and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely abated ” .
O ’ Hare ( 63 ) , of Slate Rock Road , Newtownhamilton , Co Armagh had admitted to assaulting John Roche , causing him harm , at The Towers , Garter Lane , Saggart on June 9th , 2015 .
He had also pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne at Rathcoole and Saggart on the same date .
The three-judge court was asked to take two counts of falsely imprisoning Mr Byrne ’ s wife and son into consideration .
He was jailed for three years for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three suspended for the rest of his life for falsely imprisoning Mr Byrne .
The sentences are running concurrently .
O ’ Hare has lodged an appeal against sentence to the Court of Appeal , and was on Monday given the date of December 14th for his hearing .
His barrister , Mark Lynam BL , said his client wanted to be present on that date .
In 1988 , O ’ Hare was sentenced to 40 years imprisonment for falsely imprisoning and assaulting Dublin dentist Dr John O ’ Grady , causing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement in 2006 .

Dessie O’Hare was on Monday given the date of December 14th for his appeal hearing. File photograph: Collins Courts
Former INLA man Dessie O’Hare is to appeal his sentence for falsely imprisoning a family in south Dublin.
O'Hare, who was known as 'The Border Fox', was jailed by the Special Criminal Court for seven years last year for the crime he committed while evicting the family from their home.
His attack on another man on the same occasion was described as "disturbingly violent", with Mr Justice Tony Hunt remarking that the violent side of O'Hare's personality was not in remission and that his threat to society had "not completely abated".
O'Hare (63), of Slate Rock Road, Newtownhamilton, Co Armagh had admitted to assaulting John Roche, causing him harm, at The Towers, Garter Lane, Saggart on June 9th, 2015.
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He had also pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne at Rathcoole and Saggart on the same date. The three-judge court was asked to take two counts of falsely imprisoning Mr Byrne's wife and son into consideration.
He was jailed for three years for assaulting Mr Roche and ten years with three suspended for the rest of his life for falsely imprisoning Mr Byrne. The sentences are running concurrently.
O’Hare has lodged an appeal against sentence to the Court of Appeal, and was on Monday given the date of December 14th for his hearing.
His barrister, Mark Lynam BL, said his client wanted to be present on that date.
In 1988, O’Hare was sentenced to 40 years imprisonment for falsely imprisoning and assaulting Dublin dentist Dr John O’Grady, causing him grievous bodily harm, but was released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement in 2006.


theirishtimes--2020-07-13--Father of five Irish citizen children wins appeal over refusal of citizenship

An Angolan man who has five Irish citizen children has won his appeal over been refused Irish citizenship by the Minister for Justice on the basis of a finding he was “ not of good character ” .
On Monday , a three judge Court of Appeal granted the man ’ s appeal over the High Court ’ s rejection of his challenge to the Minister ’ s refusal .
The Minister must now reconsider the matter in line with the court ’ s findings .
The character finding breached natural and constitutional justice because it was based on an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s conviction for two road traffic offences without the Minister having considered exculpatory submissions from the man and contextual factors , Ms Justice Ann Power concluded in the court ’ s judgment .
The man , whose file referred to a traumatic past involving torture and imprisonment , failed to get asylum after coming here in 2003 but he got leave to remain on humanitarian grounds .
He is separated from his former wife with whom he has five children .
Three were born here and all are Irish citizens .
When he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he disclosed two convictions for road traffic offences committed in late 2012 - failure to display an insurance disc and a tax disc .
The man said , for reasons including an acrimonious break up with his wife whom he alleged had hidden fixed charge notices , he was unaware of those notices or being summoned to appear in court but paid the relevant fines immediately on learning of them .
The judge said the Minister sought further information from the Garda and received an updated report , dated January 2016 , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when gardaí attended at the home the man shared with his then wife .
The incident referred to section 12 of the Child Care Act being invoked , stated the father assaulted the mother , causing her injuries and she had disclosed to gardaí the children were not safe with their father .
The Minister asked the man for details and he explained , inter alia , the incident was to be seen in the context of an acrimonious break-up of his marriage .
He alleged his ex wife sought to incriminate him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his being separated from his children and , when he was out of the country , a barring order was secured on her behalf .
On his return , he took proceedings and got access to his children .
He denied any issue of concern in relation to being with them and no case was pursued against him arising from the allegations .
The man also said , after a period on disability allowance , he has worked part time since 2014 , is a regular churchgoer and is fully integrated into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his children .
Ms Justice Power said there was no evidence the Minister had any regard to any exculpatory factors related to the alleged incident of May 2013 , including that no childcare proceedings were pursued arising from it ; the ex wife had withdrawn her allegations and he had secured a protection order against her .
The updated Garda report was “ infirm ” because it contains a blanket disclosure of allegations arising from a domestic incident without putting that incident , and the subsequent strike out order , in their “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obliged to put certain matters to the man for his comments and to show such comments were considered and weighed in the balance before reaching a decision adverse to him , she said .
The problem for the court is that it does not know what view the Minister took of the alleged incident but it was evident the Minister took some view as otherwise there would have been no need to refer to the nature of the alleged incident when coming to his decision on the man ’ s character .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding the Minister did not consider the alleged incident as more than alleged , she concluded .
There was “ a want of fairness and proportionality ” in the decision making process .

The Minister must now reconsider the matter in line with the High Court’s findings.
An Angolan man who has five Irish citizen children has won his appeal over been refused Irish citizenship by the Minister for Justice on the basis of a finding he was “not of good character”.
On Monday, a three judge Court of Appeal granted the man’s appeal over the High Court’s rejection of his challenge to the Minister’s refusal.
The Minister must now reconsider the matter in line with the court’s findings.
The character finding breached natural and constitutional justice because it was based on an alleged domestic dispute and the man's conviction for two road traffic offences without the Minister having considered exculpatory submissions from the man and contextual factors, Ms Justice Ann Power concluded in the court's judgment.
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The man, whose file referred to a traumatic past involving torture and imprisonment, failed to get asylum after coming here in 2003 but he got leave to remain on humanitarian grounds.
He is separated from his former wife with whom he has five children. Three were born here and all are Irish citizens.
When he applied for naturalisation in October 2013, he disclosed two convictions for road traffic offences committed in late 2012 - failure to display an insurance disc and a tax disc.
The man said, for reasons including an acrimonious break up with his wife whom he alleged had hidden fixed charge notices, he was unaware of those notices or being summoned to appear in court but paid the relevant fines immediately on learning of them.
The judge said the Minister sought further information from the Garda and received an updated report, dated January 2016, which referred to an incident in May 2013 when gardaí attended at the home the man shared with his then wife. The incident referred to section 12 of the Child Care Act being invoked, stated the father assaulted the mother, causing her injuries and she had disclosed to gardaí the children were not safe with their father.
The Minister asked the man for details and he explained, inter alia, the incident was to be seen in the context of an acrimonious break-up of his marriage. He alleged his ex wife sought to incriminate him by making serious allegations which would lead to his being separated from his children and, when he was out of the country, a barring order was secured on her behalf.
On his return, he took proceedings and got access to his children. He denied any issue of concern in relation to being with them and no case was pursued against him arising from the allegations.
The man also said, after a period on disability allowance, he has worked part time since 2014, is a regular churchgoer and is fully integrated into Irish society with his strongest connection being his children.
Ms Justice Power said there was no evidence the Minister had any regard to any exculpatory factors related to the alleged incident of May 2013, including that no childcare proceedings were pursued arising from it; the ex wife had withdrawn her allegations and he had secured a protection order against her.
The updated Garda report was “infirm” because it contains a blanket disclosure of allegations arising from a domestic incident without putting that incident, and the subsequent strike out order, in their “proper context”.
The Minister was obliged to put certain matters to the man for his comments and to show such comments were considered and weighed in the balance before reaching a decision adverse to him, she said.
The problem for the court is that it does not know what view the Minister took of the alleged incident but it was evident the Minister took some view as otherwise there would have been no need to refer to the nature of the alleged incident when coming to his decision on the man’s character.
There was no basis for the High Court finding the Minister did not consider the alleged incident as more than alleged, she concluded. There was "a want of fairness and proportionality" in the decision making process.