theirishtimes--2020-05-30--Conquering Everest on a Mayo ridge for a good cause

Day after day as May began , the sun rose from the ridge in one of our kitchen windows and started to set , around nine , in another , behind the slope to the sea .
At that point , low in the clear air , it was just too blinding to look at .
For Cathy McGrail , who lives a couple of kilometres north along the road , the stunning weather was a blessing on her great idea .
If you ’ re going to climb the ridge 34 times , to equal the height of Everest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with you .
Cathy is a friend , a busy , buoyant woman who takes badly to doing nothing .
When lockdown came , she lost her daily work with special needs children at the Sunbeam centre in the local school .
Community effort thrives in the small-farm west .
She decided to raise money for Sunbeam classroom equipment and for Meals on Wheels as well .
Held within two kilometres and looking up at the steep slope above the road , she thought “ doing an Everest ” might work .
Killadoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is 267 metres high , so that , by rough count , Cathy needed 34 climbs to match the 8,84 metres of Everest .
The last of them comes tomorrow , when she could lead a suitably spaced line of supporters , along with a friend who has been her “ Sherpa ” from the start .
This is what happened on the climb to back the national Darkness Into Light appeal .
Pictures on Cathy ’ s website ( gofundme.com : Cathy does Everest ) show a magical , crystal-clear night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ocean and another with the group in silhouettes spaced out against the dawn .
By climb 19 , through familiar drizzly mist , the amazing views were lost , but Cathy ’ s target of €1,000 was already multiplied five times over .
Meanwhile , at our stretch of the ridge at Thallabawn , I look up past the sheep and the mountain fence , to heights I shall never reach again .
A pity , I suppose , yet I once dismissed the ridge as a great bare lump of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” I wrote , “ you have no business going up there.
” My first ascents , in new and eager exploration , followed the stream , up through the rushes , around the rocky footprints of pre-Famine bothies and over the crotch-skimming barbs of the mountain fence .
The view from the ridge was rewarding , with a gleam of Croagh Patrick in the north , and the ramparts of the Sheefrys in the south .
A millionaire with a Mayo mansion used to land his helicopter there , on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He would climb out and stand for a while , for the huge sea view and a pee .
These were also my rewards when , in training for Greenland , I went up before breakfast bearing a rucksack full of rope .
Perhaps it was then , too , coming down sodden from rain and wind , that I made my disparaging remarks .
The ridge curves south and broadens into a plateau where hollows still carry the old , dark scars of turf-cutting , But at the highest point of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : a stubby concrete column with a tarnished metal plate on the the top .
Í had never seen it , but could explain it as a “ trig pillar ” used in the triangulation of Ireland , the geometrical , trigonometrical grid by which the island was mapped , first by the British , then by the Irish Ordnance Survey .
Old maps have been my love , among them our fistful of slim , red-jacketed editions from 1909 .
They fold out on stiff linen , each a small rectangle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mile .
Their hachuring – meticulous , hand-penned shading – shaped mountains long before contour lines .
It embellishes cartography that grew from men hauling heavy theodolites in boxes across bogs and up the highest peaks .
Their vital measurements were made by squinting at night , in cool , clear air , for a pinpoint of limelight on another summit , perhaps 70 miles or more away .
In Britain , its birthplace , the Ordnance Survey served military , strategic needs ; in Ireland , those of taxing 60,000 townlands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1959 by the Irish Ordnance Survey , heights were progressively studded with concrete pillars , each moulded with wooden shuttering and crowned with its spider of brass as a firm base for a theodolite .
Cathy ’ s is at Corrymailley , named for a townland of O ’ Malleys .
It is one of more then 500 trig points across Ireland .
and under the strain of so many storm gusts looked to be tilting a bit .
Today , as maps are refined by satellite and computer , many pillars are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hill scrub .
But those on summits are often treasured as ramblers ’ destinations – and googling “ trigpointing Ireland ” will lead to ample narratives of their role .

Day after day as May began, the sun rose from the ridge in one of our kitchen windows and started to set, around nine, in another, behind the slope to the sea. At that point, low in the clear air, it was just too blinding to look at.
For Cathy McGrail, who lives a couple of kilometres north along the road, the stunning weather was a blessing on her great idea. If you’re going to climb the ridge 34 times, to equal the height of Everest, it helps if the cosmos is with you.
Cathy is a friend, a busy, buoyant woman who takes badly to doing nothing. When lockdown came, she lost her daily work with special needs children at the Sunbeam centre in the local school.
Community effort thrives in the small-farm west. She decided to raise money for Sunbeam classroom equipment and for Meals on Wheels as well. Held within two kilometres and looking up at the steep slope above the road, she thought “doing an Everest” might work.
READ MORE
Killadoon Hill, where the ridge curves inland, is 267 metres high, so that, by rough count, Cathy needed 34 climbs to match the 8,84 metres of Everest. The last of them comes tomorrow, when she could lead a suitably spaced line of supporters, along with a friend who has been her "Sherpa" from the start.
This is what happened on the climb to back the national Darkness Into Light appeal. Pictures on Cathy's website (gofundme.com: Cathy does Everest) show a magical, crystal-clear night with a full, white moon above the ocean and another with the group in silhouettes spaced out against the dawn.
By climb 19, through familiar drizzly mist, the amazing views were lost, but Cathy’s target of €1,000 was already multiplied five times over.
Meanwhile, at our stretch of the ridge at Thallabawn, I look up past the sheep and the mountain fence, to heights I shall never reach again. A pity, I suppose, yet I once dismissed the ridge as a great bare lump of a hill. "Unless you have sheep," I wrote, " you have no business going up there."
My first ascents, in new and eager exploration, followed the stream, up through the rushes, around the rocky footprints of pre-Famine bothies and over the crotch-skimming barbs of the mountain fence.
The view from the ridge was rewarding, with a gleam of Croagh Patrick in the north, and the ramparts of the Sheefrys in the south. A millionaire with a Mayo mansion used to land his helicopter there, on his way to Connemara to buy scallops. He would climb out and stand for a while, for the huge sea view and a pee.
These were also my rewards when, in training for Greenland, I went up before breakfast bearing a rucksack full of rope. Perhaps it was then, too, coming down sodden from rain and wind, that I made my disparaging remarks.
Puzzling structure
The ridge curves south and broadens into a plateau where hollows still carry the old, dark scars of turf-cutting, But at the highest point of all, Cathy came upon a puzzling structure: a stubby concrete column with a tarnished metal plate on the the top.
Í had never seen it, but could explain it as a “trig pillar” used in the triangulation of Ireland, the geometrical, trigonometrical grid by which the island was mapped, first by the British, then by the Irish Ordnance Survey.
Old maps have been my love, among them our fistful of slim, red-jacketed editions from 1909. They fold out on stiff linen, each a small rectangle of the west mapped at one inch to the mile. Their hachuring – meticulous, hand-penned shading – shaped mountains long before contour lines.
It embellishes cartography that grew from men hauling heavy theodolites in boxes across bogs and up the highest peaks. Their vital measurements were made by squinting at night, in cool, clear air, for a pinpoint of limelight on another summit, perhaps 70 miles or more away.
In Britain, its birthplace, the Ordnance Survey served military, strategic needs; in Ireland, those of taxing 60,000 townlands. In a “retriangulation” from 1959 by the Irish Ordnance Survey, heights were progressively studded with concrete pillars, each moulded with wooden shuttering and crowned with its spider of brass as a firm base for a theodolite.
Cathy’s is at Corrymailley, named for a townland of O’Malleys. It is one of more then 500 trig points across Ireland. and under the strain of so many storm gusts looked to be tilting a bit.
Today, as maps are refined by satellite and computer, many pillars are crumbling at the corners or even vanishing in hill scrub. But those on summits are often treasured as ramblers’ destinations – and googling “trigpointing Ireland” will lead to ample narratives of their role.


theirishtimes--2020-05-30--Did you spy the orcas in Strangford Lough? Readers’ nature queries

I saw two orcas swim down Strangford Lough a couple of weeks ago .
This is one of them , photographed by Adam Osborne .
– Patricia McKane , Strangford , Co Down Amid great excitement a pair of killer whales swam up the lough on an incoming tide and left with the outgoing .
It is said that they are the remnants of a pod of eight that frequents the Hebrides and was last seen in the lough in 1987 and before that in 1962 .
– John Wilson Foster , Portaferry , Co Down I rescued this baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cat and it survived and enjoys being fed in the garden .
– Liam Kane , Blanchardstown , Dublin 15 This critter landed on my neck while working outside and I couldn ’ t figure out a name for him .
– Dan O ’ Connor , Letterkenny , Co Donegal It ’ s the two-banded longhorn beetle .
The larvae live in dead wood and take two or three years to mature .
My son Conor was cleaning a corner of his garden when he came on a nest with two young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a box and tried to feed them , to no avail .
Later he put them back and within minutes an adult shrew came looking for them .
– Alan Dunne , Mountmellick , Co Laois It ’ s better to leave unattended nests alone .
I found this creature in my house .
It was about 2cm long with a green fluorescent underbody .
– Mary McCarthy , Castletown , Co Laois It was the green tiger beetle .
There were dozens of emails with photos of the cockchafer beetle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which flies at this time of year .
It chews the leaves of various trees but its shrimp-like larvae , which are buried in the soil , can damage crops .
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn , Louisburgh , Co Mayo , F28 F978 , or by email at viney @ anu.ie .
Include a postal address

I saw two orcas swim down Strangford Lough a couple of weeks ago. This is one of them, photographed by Adam Osborne. – Patricia McKane, Strangford, Co Down
Amid great excitement a pair of killer whales swam up the lough on an incoming tide and left with the outgoing. It is said that they are the remnants of a pod of eight that frequents the Hebrides and was last seen in the lough in 1987 and before that in 1962. – John Wilson Foster, Portaferry, Co Down
I rescued this baby robin from the mouth of a rogue cat and it survived and enjoys being fed in the garden. – Liam Kane, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
Robin
This critter landed on my neck while working outside and I couldn't figure out a name for him. – Dan O'Connor, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
It's the two-banded longhorn beetle. The larvae live in dead wood and take two or three years to mature.
READ MORE
Longhorn beetle
My son Conor was cleaning a corner of his garden when he came on a nest with two young shrews in it. He moved them to a box and tried to feed them, to no avail. Later he put them back and within minutes an adult shrew came looking for them. – Alan Dunne, Mountmellick, Co Laois
It's better to leave unattended nests alone.
I found this creature in my house. It was about 2cm long with a green fluorescent underbody. – Mary McCarthy, Castletown, Co Laois
It was the green tiger beetle.
Green tiger beetle
There were dozens of emails with photos of the cockchafer beetle, also known as the May bug, which flies at this time of year. It chews the leaves of various trees but its shrimp-like larvae, which are buried in the soil, can damage crops.
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, F28 F978, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Include a postal address


theirishtimes--2020-05-30--‘God couldn’t have come up with a better pathogen to attack theatre’

By the end of February , the Druid Theatre Company felt quietly and justifiably thrilled .
Galway ’ s midwinter weather had been dismal , but a production of The Cherry Orchard was reaching the end of a successful run .
The adaptation by Tom Murphy of the Chekhov play had been one of the biggest undertakings in Druid ’ s 40-year history : a cast of 19 and an ambitious stage set in the Black Box theatre .
Druid broke new ground , too , by broadcasting the play via cinema screens across the State .
It was No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Druid had bookings for India , Brazil and Moscow .
A US cinema release was due to follow .
“ And a week later , the whole world had changed , ” says Feargal Hynes , Druid ’ s executive director .
Druid , like other theatre companies , remains closed for business .
For all of the make-believe involved in theatre , the people involved in it are realists .
Given the social and economic shocks caused by the coronavirus pandemic , the fate of theatre was never going to feature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepares to take its first tentative steps towards reclaiming some semblance of normal life , companies such as Druid face the same improbable – even impossible – questions as everyone else .
“ The thing I have reflected on over the last while is how slow you are to catch up on what this really means , ” says Garry Hynes , Druid ’ s co-founder and artistic director .
Three months have passed since The Cherry Orchard set was dismantled in the Black Box , part of Galway ’ s Town Hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , the big red door of Druid ’ s home on Flood Street is closed .
No one knows when the company will stage a play again .
“ I kind of think if God had been trying to design a pathogen to attack theatre , he couldn ’ t have come up with better than Covid , ” says Garry .
“ Because what we do in theatre is by definition infectious .
You have to have one actor up close with another actor up close with an audience .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ just blown away .
We can ’ t even do the most basic thing.
” Halting The Cherry Orchard just when it was gathering momentum has been crushing : “ This was one of the largest productions .
We build our sets in Ballybane , make our costumes on Nun ’ s Island .
“ The part that you don ’ t see in the production is so much bigger than what you do , ” says Feargal , adding that the “ difficult conversations that have been necessary in the “ unwinding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incredibly challenging ” .
Even in boom times , theatre is always a high-wire act .
State and Arts Council grants help , along with ticket sales and corporate donors .
But there is rarely enough to go round .
Reflecting at the end of a week when the ESRI forecast the deepest recession in the history of the State , Feargal says : “ Our outlook is that we try to play the ball in front of our face.
” “ We are trying to create something for the next six months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges of being in the arts allow you to do no more than that .
Theatre was already underfunded .
“ So the devastation of this blow can ’ t be underestimated .
Whatever the economic future is of the country for the next four or five years , we also have to repair our society .
The arts are integral to that.
” Galway ’ s year as European Capital of Culture has long been dogged with bad luck , even before coronavirus .
Besides touring The Cherry Orchard , Druid had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city and county .
Marie Mullen , a founder member of Druid , is scheduled to appear in those works .
But last December she was also cast in The Music Man , a Broadway musical extravaganza with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster .
“ We are supposed to start rehearsals in June in New York .
And I was to be part of the first instalment of the Druid plays for the Year of Culture .
Now it has been reimagined somewhat , mostly concentrating on Lady Gregory .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that but if America comes up , I have to go .
If it doesn ’ t , I will be able to do this .
So in a way it is a great way to be with two jobs to look forward to – and yet neither might happen , ” she says .
Mullen is well established in her career .
Uncertainty is part of the trade , but the surreal nature of the pandemic has created fresh worries , particularly for the generation trying to establish themselves in acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been struck by the resilience and versatility of young actors : “ There hasn ’ t been a lot of work in Ireland for the past few years.
” Actors are “ rooted in the world ” and do not have their “ heads in the clouds ” , says Mullen .
“ They have gone out and written things and put on things .
It won ’ t make them rich but they have gone down avenues and are really impressive.
” That means constantly looking forward .
Garry Hynes has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autumn season , revolving around the life and writings of Lady Augusta Gregory .
Limited capacity means staging shows in theatres – a financially dubious exercise at the best of times – is impossible .
Outdoor settings look like the most realistic alternative .
There is something appealing about the idea .
“ I do think it could be great , ” says Mullen .
“ There are the practical things : will they be able to hear us and how will we project our voices ?
But it is exciting.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Garry feels the importance of the arts to Irish life has been illuminated by its total disappearance .
Irish theatre ’ s ecosystem is hardy but it is not imperishable : “ We always knew it was a perilous position but this has exposed just how perilous it is .
And protecting that has to be central.
” Safety for everyone has to be guaranteed : “ But then we have a prime obligation to provide them with theatre .
We simply want to get back to live performances as soon as @ @ @

By the end of February, the Druid Theatre Company felt quietly and justifiably thrilled. Galway's midwinter weather had been dismal, but a production of The Cherry Orchard was reaching the end of a successful run.
The adaptation by Tom Murphy of the Chekhov play had been one of the biggest undertakings in Druid's 40-year history: a cast of 19 and an ambitious stage set in the Black Box theatre.
Druid broke new ground, too, by broadcasting the play via cinema screens across the State. It was No 2 at the Irish box office, and Druid had bookings for India, Brazil and Moscow. A US cinema release was due to follow.
"And a week later, the whole world had changed," says Feargal Hynes, Druid's executive director. Druid, like other theatre companies, remains closed for business.
READ MORE
"The thing I have reflected on over the last while is how slow you are to catch up on what this really means"
For all of the make-believe involved in theatre, the people involved in it are realists. Given the social and economic shocks caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the fate of theatre was never going to feature prominently.
However, as the nation prepares to take its first tentative steps towards reclaiming some semblance of normal life, companies such as Druid face the same improbable – even impossible – questions as everyone else.
"The thing I have reflected on over the last while is how slow you are to catch up on what this really means," says Garry Hynes, Druid's co-founder and artistic director.
Three months have passed since The Cherry Orchard set was dismantled in the Black Box, part of Galway’s Town Hall Theatre. Outside the weather is blissful. However, the big red door of Druid’s home on Flood Street is closed.
No one knows when the company will stage a play again. “I kind of think if God had been trying to design a pathogen to attack theatre, he couldn’t have come up with better than Covid,” says Garry.
“Because what we do in theatre is by definition infectious. You have to have one actor up close with another actor up close with an audience. And all of a sudden that is just blown away. We can’t even do the most basic thing.”
High-wire act
Halting The Cherry Orchard just when it was gathering momentum has been crushing: "This was one of the largest productions. We build our sets in Ballybane, make our costumes on Nun's Island.
“The part that you don’t see in the production is so much bigger than what you do,” says Feargal, adding that the “difficult conversations that have been necessary in the “unwinding of all that” have been “incredibly challenging”.
Even in boom times, theatre is always a high-wire act. State and Arts Council grants help, along with ticket sales and corporate donors. But there is rarely enough to go round.
Reflecting at the end of a week when the ESRI forecast the deepest recession in the history of the State, Feargal says: “Our outlook is that we try to play the ball in front of our face.”
“We are trying to create something for the next six months and then move on. The financial challenges of being in the arts allow you to do no more than that. Theatre was already underfunded.
“So the devastation of this blow can’t be underestimated. Whatever the economic future is of the country for the next four or five years, we also have to repair our society. The arts are integral to that.”
Galway’s year as European Capital of Culture has long been dogged with bad luck, even before coronavirus. Besides touring The Cherry Orchard, Druid had also planned a series of one-act plays in the city and county.
Marie Mullen, a founder member of Druid, is scheduled to appear in those works. But last December she was also cast in The Music Man, a Broadway musical extravaganza with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster.
"In a way it is a great way to be with two jobs to look forward to – and yet neither might happen"
“We are supposed to start rehearsals in June in New York. And I was to be part of the first instalment of the Druid plays for the Year of Culture. Now it has been reimagined somewhat, mostly concentrating on Lady Gregory.
“I’m in the picture to do that but if America comes up, I have to go. If it doesn’t, I will be able to do this. So in a way it is a great way to be with two jobs to look forward to – and yet neither might happen,” she says.
Mullen is well established in her career. Uncertainty is part of the trade, but the surreal nature of the pandemic has created fresh worries, particularly for the generation trying to establish themselves in acting.
Resilient lot
Long before coronavirus, Mullen had been struck by the resilience and versatility of young actors: "There hasn't been a lot of work in Ireland for the past few years."
Actors are “rooted in the world” and do not have their “heads in the clouds”, says Mullen. “They have gone out and written things and put on things. It won’t make them rich but they have gone down avenues and are really impressive.”
That means constantly looking forward. Garry Hynes has already begun to turn her thoughts to the autumn season, revolving around the life and writings of Lady Augusta Gregory.
Limited capacity means staging shows in theatres – a financially dubious exercise at the best of times – is impossible. Outdoor settings look like the most realistic alternative.
"We always knew it was a perilous position but this has exposed just how perilous it is. And protecting that has to be central"
There is something appealing about the idea. “I do think it could be great,” says Mullen. “There are the practical things: will they be able to hear us and how will we project our voices? But it is exciting.”
The pandemic has changed many things. However, Garry feels the importance of the arts to Irish life has been illuminated by its total disappearance.
Irish theatre’s ecosystem is hardy but it is not imperishable: “We always knew it was a perilous position but this has exposed just how perilous it is. And protecting that has to be central.”
Safety for everyone has to be guaranteed: “But then we have a prime obligation to provide them with theatre. We simply want to get back to live performances as soon as possible.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-30--Ireland enjoys hottest day of the year for second time this week

A high of 26.8 degrees was recorded in Mount Dillon , Co Roscommon on Saturday , equalling the highest temperature for the year .
The same temperature was recorded at the same weather station on Thursday .
Almost everywhere on Saturday had temperatures well into the 20s as a ridge of high pressure remained over Ireland .
Mullingar recorded 25 degrees , Markree Castle in Co Sligo 24.7 degrees and the Phoenix Park in Dublin had a high of 22 degrees – a slight easterly breeze kept temperatures down along the east coast .
The weather is expected to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a possibility that bank holiday Monday , the first day of June and the start of the meteorological summer , will be the hottest of the year so far with highs of 27 degrees expected in the mid-west and midlands .
There will be a notable cooling off after that .
The temperatures could have dropped 10 degrees by next weekend .
The long term forecast indicates some cool and showery rain next weekend but it will be “ patchy ” and just a few millimetres , says Met Éireann forecaster Gavin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many parts after what is likely to be the driest spring on record in the east of the country .
The drought is most pronounced in the greater Dublin area .
At the Phoenix Park weather station , just 54.1mm of rain fell during the months of March , April and May , less than a third of the seasonal average for Dublin ( 166.2mm ) .
At Oak Park in Co Kilkenny rainfall was just 52 per cent of normal and at Johnstown Castle in Co Wexford 53 per cent of normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Aran Islands has prompted Irish Water to put in night-time restrictions to limit usage .
The three main islands get all their water supply from rain and there has been very little there for the last six weeks .

Portmarnock beach on Friday. The warm weather is set to continue into next week. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
A high of 26.8 degrees was recorded in Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon on Saturday, equalling the highest temperature for the year.
The same temperature was recorded at the same weather station on Thursday. Almost everywhere on Saturday had temperatures well into the 20s as a ridge of high pressure remained over Ireland.
Mullingar recorded 25 degrees, Markree Castle in Co Sligo 24.7 degrees and the Phoenix Park in Dublin had a high of 22 degrees – a slight easterly breeze kept temperatures down along the east coast.
The weather is expected to remain fine and dry until Wednesday. There is a possibility that bank holiday Monday, the first day of June and the start of the meteorological summer, will be the hottest of the year so far with highs of 27 degrees expected in the mid-west and midlands.
READ MORE
There will be a notable cooling off after that. The temperatures could have dropped 10 degrees by next weekend. The long term forecast indicates some cool and showery rain next weekend but it will be "patchy" and just a few millimetres, says Met Éireann forecaster Gavin Gallagher.
Rain is badly needed in many parts after what is likely to be the driest spring on record in the east of the country.
The drought is most pronounced in the greater Dublin area. At the Phoenix Park weather station, just 54.1mm of rain fell during the months of March, April and May, less than a third of the seasonal average for Dublin (166.2mm).
At Oak Park in Co Kilkenny rainfall was just 52 per cent of normal and at Johnstown Castle in Co Wexford 53 per cent of normal for the season.
Drought conditions on the Aran Islands has prompted Irish Water to put in night-time restrictions to limit usage. The three main islands get all their water supply from rain and there has been very little there for the last six weeks.


theirishtimes--2020-05-30--Coronavirus: Nine more deaths reported in the Republic

A further nine people with Covid-19 have died , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) has said in its latest statement on the coronavirus crisis .
Over the past week the number of deaths announced daily has been in single figures , apart from Wednesday , when 17 deaths were reported .
There were zero deaths disclosed on Monday .
In its latest statement , NPHET said there had now been a total of 1,651 coronavirus-related deaths in the Republic .
A further 59 cases of the virus have also been confirmed , bringing the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Thursday night on how the disease is spreading showed 58 per cent of cases were due to close contact with a confirmed case , 39 per cent were community transmission , and only 2 per cent were related to travel .
The figures for Thursday show that of the 24,870 cases then recorded , 7,955 were healthcare workers ( 32 per cent ) .
There was an increase of 136 in the number of healthcare cases in the week to last Thursday .
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is seeking an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are catching the disease .
Just under half of all known Covid-19 cases ( 48.4 per cent ) are in Dublin , the latest NPHET statement shows .
The median age for all cases was 48 years , and people have been hospitalised in 13 per cent of cases .
Of the 3,279 hospitalised cases , 408 have been admitted to intensive care .
The number of clusters that have been notified is 861 , with the number of cases associated with these clusters being 9,916 .
A cluster is defined as two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicate the average size of a cluster is 11.5 cases .
Separately , the Catholic Church has called for an inquiry into the impact of coronavirus on Irish nursing homes .
In a statement , the Council for Healthcare of the Irish Episcopal Conference said it would welcome an inquiry into why the residents of nursing homes have suffered so badly during the crisis .
“ We would welcome appropriate inquiries into the reasons why nursing care facilities were so badly affected , ” the bishops said .
“ Lessons must be learned.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effective strategy in suppressing the virus for many elderly people , the bishops said .
“ It is distressing , however , that more than half of all Covid-19 deaths have occurred in nursing care facilities .
For various reasons , Covid-19 has had its most damaging impact among the residents in such settings.
” The bishops said they wanted to acknowledge the tremendous work that is being done by “ our doctors , nurses , administrators , chaplains and ancillary staff in healthcare facilities across the country .
“ Their tireless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 and saved the lives of many people .
Their dedication has been a source of inspiration and hope for all of us at this difficult time.
” The crisis presents an opportunity for society to reflect on where it stands in relation to the elderly and to others who are most vulnerable .
“ The lessons learned will enable us to build a culture of life and care where everyone is supported and all are entitled to life-protecting services and facilities .
”

A further nine people with Covid-19 have died, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has said in its latest statement on the coronavirus crisis.
Over the past week the number of deaths announced daily has been in single figures, apart from Wednesday, when 17 deaths were reported. There were zero deaths disclosed on Monday.
In its latest statement, NPHET said there had now been a total of 1,651 coronavirus-related deaths in the Republic.
A further 59 cases of the virus have also been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases to 24,929.
READ MORE
Available statistics from Thursday night on how the disease is spreading showed 58 per cent of cases were due to close contact with a confirmed case, 39 per cent were community transmission, and only 2 per cent were related to travel.
The figures for Thursday show that of the 24,870 cases then recorded, 7,955 were healthcare workers (32 per cent).
There was an increase of 136 in the number of healthcare cases in the week to last Thursday.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is seeking an inquiry into why so many healthcare workers are catching the disease.
Just under half of all known Covid-19 cases (48.4 per cent) are in Dublin, the latest NPHET statement shows.
The median age for all cases was 48 years, and people have been hospitalised in 13 per cent of cases. Of the 3,279 hospitalised cases, 408 have been admitted to intensive care.
The number of clusters that have been notified is 861, with the number of cases associated with these clusters being 9,916.
A cluster is defined as two cases or more, and the figures indicate the average size of a cluster is 11.5 cases.
Nursing home inquiry
Separately, the Catholic Church has called for an inquiry into the impact of coronavirus on Irish nursing homes.
In a statement, the Council for Healthcare of the Irish Episcopal Conference said it would welcome an inquiry into why the residents of nursing homes have suffered so badly during the crisis.
“We would welcome appropriate inquiries into the reasons why nursing care facilities were so badly affected,” the bishops said. “Lessons must be learned.”
Strict cocooning appears to have been an effective strategy in suppressing the virus for many elderly people, the bishops said.
“It is distressing, however, that more than half of all Covid-19 deaths have occurred in nursing care facilities. For various reasons, Covid-19 has had its most damaging impact among the residents in such settings.”
The bishops said they wanted to acknowledge the tremendous work that is being done by “our doctors, nurses, administrators, chaplains and ancillary staff in healthcare facilities across the country.
“Their tireless efforts have helped to curb the spread of Covid-19 and saved the lives of many people. Their dedication has been a source of inspiration and hope for all of us at this difficult time.”
The crisis presents an opportunity for society to reflect on where it stands in relation to the elderly and to others who are most vulnerable.
“The lessons learned will enable us to build a culture of life and care where everyone is supported and all are entitled to life-protecting services and facilities.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-30--Two men held over raid on Cork bookmakers foiled by pensioner

Gardaí have arrested two men for questioning about an armed robbery on a bookmaker ’ s shop in Cork which was foiled when a pensioner intervened and tackled one of the raiders .
Pensioner , Denis O ’ Connor , who died just three weeks ago on May 10th , was hailed as a hero when he tackled one of the armed raiders who held up the Bar One Racing Bookmakers in Glanmire on September 15th 2018 .
The raid happened when three men , wearing balaclavas and armed with a hammers and shotgun , burst into the bookies at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and began demanding money from the safe Two men , who were wearing balaclavas , proceeded to jump over the counter and attack the manager , Tim Murphy while the third man , carrying what appeared to be a shotgun , held up the customers .
A great-grandfather , Mr O ’ Connor , then aged 83 and a regular gym goer , immediately went to the aid of the manager , Tim Murphy and tackled one of the men and the raiders left the premises left empty-handed .
The entire incident was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on The Neil Prendeville Show on Cork ’ s Red FM to pay tribute to Mr O ’ Connor for his courage in coming to his aid and tackling one of the raiders .
Mr Murphy said the robbery was quite shocking and intimidating as he told how the raiders , who were shouting and bashing their hammers , ignored the till takings and demanding that he open the safe .
“ I was just being threatened by the two fellas with the hammers .
Denis tackled one of them and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this fella as well.
’ I tried to grab the hammer .
It was a total blur .
“ They totally backed down .
I remember Denis just shouting : ‘ Ye are cowards .
Ye are total cowards .
Denis is a total hero .
When I saw him taking one of them on , he totally inspired me .
He is very fit.
” Mr Murphy said friendship was at the root of the actions of Mr O ’ Connor .
“ I know him so well he came to my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the bookies , he was looking after me .
I could never thank him enough.
” A native of Kiskeam in North Cork , Mr O ’ Connor told The Irish Sun : “ I just didn ’ t think about what I was doing .
Sometimes you can just sit down and do nothing or you can stand up to people like these and that ’ s what I did.
” Gardaí have renewed their appeal on Saturday for witnesses to the incident .
The two men are currently detained at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Offences against the State Act 1939 which allows gardaí hold suspects for up to three days before they have to be charged or released .

Gardaí have arrested two men for questioning about an armed robbery on a bookmaker’s shop in Cork which was foiled when a pensioner intervened and tackled one of the raiders.
Two men have been released without charge by gardaí after being questioned about a raid on a Cork bookmaker's shop that was foiled by pensioner.
Detectives arrested the two men, aged 34 and 27, in a house in Donoughmore in Mid-Cork on Saturday morning for questioning about the raid on the Bar One Racing Boomakers Shop in Glanmire near Cork city on September 15th 2018.
The raid happened when three masked raiders, armed with hammers and what appeared to be a shotgun, burst into the shop and attacked manager, Tim Murphy and demanded that he open up the shop safe for them.
But local pensioner, Denis O’Connor, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 85, came to Mr Murphy’s aid and tackled one of the raiders and the gang fled the scene empty-handed.
READ MORE
The entire incident was captured on CCTV and Mr Murphy later went on The Neil Prendeville Show on Cork's Red FM to pay tribute to Mr O'Connor for his courage in coming to his aid and tackling one of the raiders.
A native of Kiskeam in North Cork, Mr O’Connor told The Irish Sun: “I just didn’t think about what I was doing. Sometimes you can just sit down and do nothing or you can stand up to people like these and that’s what I did.”
Gardai issued an appeal for witnesses as they began an investigation and on Saturday, they arrested two men living in a rented house in Donoughmore and brought them to Mayfield Garda Station for questioning.
The two men, who are both originally from Glanmire, were detained under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act 1939 which allows gardaí hold suspects for up to three days before they have to be charged or released.
But they were released without charge shortly before 9am on Sunday morning and gardaí will now prepare a file on the matter for the DPP, a garda spokesman confirmed.


theirishtimes--2020-05-30--Police officer ‘kicked in the face’ while clearing crowd from beach

Police were attacked while dispersing a large crowd from a Co Down beach on Friday night .
Four youths were arrested after officers were called to clear a gathering of around 200 from Ballyholme beach near Bangor .
A Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) statement said : “ One police officer was injured after she was kicked in the face.
” A 17-year-old youth has been charged with offences including assault on police and is expected to appear at Newtownards Youth Court on June 23rd .
Two others , a woman aged 18 and a 16-year-old boy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the prosecutors , while a 15-year-old boy remains in custody .
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said : “ I understand that as time goes on , and with the current spell of good weather , some people may be tempted to get out and about and make the most of the sunshine .
“ However , as a police service , our key role is to support our public health colleagues and the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure we all play our part in stopping the spread of the virus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data available shows that the R ( infection rate ) number , which was flattening/falling , has actually increased again as restrictions have been eased .
This means that every one of us needs to make informed and sensible decisions about our conduct over the coming days to ensure that we are protecting our own health and the health of others.
” On Saturday , the Department of Health confirmed one more person had died from Covid-19 , bringing the total toll in Northern Ireland to 522 .
A further 13 positive cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that tally to 4,709 .
This weekend there will be increased patrols at beauty spots , resorts and transport hubs in the North , focusing on crowds gathering in breach of the coronavirus regulations , alcohol consumption in public places , speeding and drink driving .
Mr Todd added : “ We will continue to engage , explain and encourage people to make the right choices and we will enforce when necessary.
” On Friday , National Trust rangers spent three hours filling 11 bags of rubbish at Bloody Bridge near the Mourne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a popular starting point for hikes into the mountains as well as coastal strolls .
A fire was also set which had to be attended by fire crews , the National Trust said .
It added : “ These beauty spots deserve more of your respect , so please take away the rubbish you bring with you , and with this hot weather , use common sense and don ’ t bring BBQs with you to protect the fragile habitats we work hard to look after.
” – PA

Police officers were attacked at Ballyholme beach near Bangor, Co Down. Photograph: Google Street View
Police were attacked while dispersing a large crowd from a Co Down beach on Friday night.
Four youths were arrested after officers were called to clear a gathering of around 200 from Ballyholme beach near Bangor.
A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) statement said: "One police officer was injured after she was kicked in the face."
A 17-year-old youth has been charged with offences including assault on police and is expected to appear at Newtownards Youth Court on June 23rd.
READ MORE
Two others, a woman aged 18 and a 16-year-old boy, have been released to be reported to the prosecutors, while a 15-year-old boy remains in custody.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said: “I understand that as time goes on, and with the current spell of good weather, some people may be tempted to get out and about and make the most of the sunshine.
"However, as a police service, our key role is to support our public health colleagues and the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure we all play our part in stopping the spread of the virus and help save lives.
“The latest data available shows that the R (infection rate) number, which was flattening/falling, has actually increased again as restrictions have been eased. This means that every one of us needs to make informed and sensible decisions about our conduct over the coming days to ensure that we are protecting our own health and the health of others.”
Coronavirus deaths
On Saturday, the Department of Health confirmed one more person had died from Covid-19, bringing the total toll in Northern Ireland to 522.
A further 13 positive cases of the virus were confirmed, bringing that tally to 4,709.
This weekend there will be increased patrols at beauty spots, resorts and transport hubs in the North, focusing on crowds gathering in breach of the coronavirus regulations, alcohol consumption in public places, speeding and drink driving.
Mr Todd added: “We will continue to engage, explain and encourage people to make the right choices and we will enforce when necessary.”
On Friday, National Trust rangers spent three hours filling 11 bags of rubbish at Bloody Bridge near the Mourne mountains in Co Down.
Bloody Bridge is a popular starting point for hikes into the mountains as well as coastal strolls.
A fire was also set which had to be attended by fire crews, the National Trust said.
It added: “These beauty spots deserve more of your respect, so please take away the rubbish you bring with you, and with this hot weather, use common sense and don’t bring BBQs with you to protect the fragile habitats we work hard to look after.” – PA


theirishtimes--2020-05-30--Firefighters battle to keep forest fire away from Kildare explosives factory

Firefighters are tackling a blaze just 500 metres away from an explosives factory in Co Kildare .
Units from Kildare County Council fire services and Irish Air Corps and Coillte helicopters are attempting to keep a fire at the forest in Hortland away from the Irish Industrial Explosives plant .
The factory , based in Clonagh , Enfield on the Kildare-Meath border produces explosives for the mining and quarrying industries .
Fires broke out in peat boglands in Donadea and Dunfierth in Co Kildare on Wednesday and spread to the wood at Hortland which is adjacent to the explosives factory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday was a difficult day as a strong wind fanned the flames destroying 60 hectares of forest .
“ The wind was very severe and we had two helicopters on site , ” he said .
“ The munitions factory is proving to be a major problem.
” Mr Power said firefighters are in a “ good position ” at present to ensure that the fire does not spread to the explosives factory .
However , he warned that there is a “ line drawn in the sand ” which means that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the explosives factory and homes around it will have to be evacuated .
Fire breaks have been put in on site and emergency tankers are there to stop the fire spreading to the factory .
“ I think it can be held , but if you get a wind like yesterday , you could have another problem there.
” Mr Power says there are forest fires in other locations in Counties Galway , Leitrim and Laois .
“ I don ’ t believe we are finished with the weekend yet .
I believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he warned .
In a further statement Coillte said the current conditions of extremely dry vegetation , strong winds and lack of rain were ideal for the spread of forest fires .
It said work is ongoing to contain the fire within the forest to prevent it spreading to local residences , and businesses and other nearby forests , ” Coillte continued : “ At this stage it is too early to ascertain the cause of the fire , but forest fires in Ireland do not start spontaneously or have natural sources of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Culture , Heritage and the Gaeltacht ’ s National Parks and Wildlife Service ( NPWS ) have been using drone technology to combat the spread of forest and wildfires and as an early warning system .
This is the second year that the technology is being used to monitor designated “ hot spots ” across regions of Dublin , Wicklow and the Slieve Bloom area in the Midlands .
The drones have already been in action in the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains this month .
They are equipped with cameras that peer through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wind direction and other weather variables that affect how fires spread .
Met Éireann has issued a rare status red extreme warning for forest fires following the driest spring on record in many parts of the country .
A high of 25.6 degrees was recorded in Mount Dillon , Co Roscommon on Saturday .
The same weather station recorded the highest temperature of the year to date , a 26.8 degrees on Thursday .
The issue of a condition red extreme fire risk warnings is a comparatively rare event and implies that recipients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and property .
Such action may involve the mobilisation , assembly and prepositioning of resources such as water tankers , machinery , personnel and contract aviation support to high risk areas .

Firefighters are tackling a blaze just 500 metres away from an explosives factory. Photograph: Maria Khlystunova/via AP
Firefighters are tackling a blaze just 500 metres away from an explosives factory in Co Kildare.
Units from Kildare County Council fire services and Irish Air Corps and Coillte helicopters are attempting to keep a fire at the forest in Hortland away from the Irish Industrial Explosives plant.
The factory, based in Clonagh, Enfield on the Kildare-Meath border produces explosives for the mining and quarrying industries.
Fires broke out in peat boglands in Donadea and Dunfierth in Co Kildare on Wednesday and spread to the wood at Hortland which is adjacent to the explosives factory.
READ MORE
Coillte's Mick Power said Friday was a difficult day as a strong wind fanned the flames destroying 60 hectares of forest.
“The wind was very severe and we had two helicopters on site,” he said. “The munitions factory is proving to be a major problem.”
Mr Power said firefighters are in a “good position” at present to ensure that the fire does not spread to the explosives factory.
However, he warned that there is a “line drawn in the sand” which means that if the fire goes beyond a certain point the explosives factory and homes around it will have to be evacuated.
Fire breaks have been put in on site and emergency tankers are there to stop the fire spreading to the factory. “I think it can be held, but if you get a wind like yesterday, you could have another problem there.”
Mr Power says there are forest fires in other locations in Counties Galway, Leitrim and Laois.
“I don’t believe we are finished with the weekend yet. I believe there will be more fires,” he warned.
In a further statement Coillte said the current conditions of extremely dry vegetation, strong winds and lack of rain were ideal for the spread of forest fires.
It said work is ongoing to contain the fire within the forest to prevent it spreading to local residences, and businesses and other nearby forests,”
Coillte continued: “At this stage it is too early to ascertain the cause of the fire, but forest fires in Ireland do not start spontaneously or have natural sources of ignition.”
It and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have been using drone technology to combat the spread of forest and wildfires and as an early warning system.
This is the second year that the technology is being used to monitor designated “hot spots” across regions of Dublin, Wicklow and the Slieve Bloom area in the Midlands.
The drones have already been in action in the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains this month.
They are equipped with cameras that peer through smoke, as well as sensors for wind direction and other weather variables that affect how fires spread.
Met Éireann has issued a rare status red extreme warning for forest fires following the driest spring on record in many parts of the country.
A high of 25.6 degrees was recorded in Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon on Saturday. The same weather station recorded the highest temperature of the year to date, a 26.8 degrees on Thursday.
The issue of a condition red extreme fire risk warnings is a comparatively rare event and implies that recipients should take immediate action to protect resources and property.
Such action may involve the mobilisation, assembly and prepositioning of resources such as water tankers, machinery, personnel and contract aviation support to high risk areas.


theirishtimes--2020-05-30--President says banks are ‘big gap’ in collective effort to survive Covid-19 crisis

President Michael D Higgins has said banks in Ireland are the “ big gap ” in a collective national effort to survive the coronavirus crisis .
During a “ great promising moment ” in which the country was coming together to transform for the better key ways in which we live , the banking sector is “ missing ” , the President said .
Speaking on the Late Late Show , Mr Higgins referred to a recent report by business representative group Ibec , which warned smaller businesses in Ireland struggling to get through the lockdown only have cash reserves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It would will take around 10 months for them to get to “ anything like recovering ” from the collapse in trade during the government-ordered shutdown of the economy , he suggested .
“ That means , really , that in the partnership that will be necessary after Covid - there will be the business sector , the unions , the workers , and so on – but really those who are responsible for liquidity will have to step up , ” he said .
The issue of cash flow for smaller businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very significant part of the economy in terms of employment ” – must “ be dealt with ” , he added .
“ That means the banking sector has to come to the table with an instrument that can deal with those who are having short term liquidity ( problems ) , ” the President said .
“ Across the board there seems to be a great promising moment in which we might say we are going to do health differently , we are going to do housing differently , we are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But equally what we have to do , very much , is we have to get the credit flow to the business sector… ” Mr Higgins added : “ I must say , I wish all those people who have reconstructed the banking system well , but I do identify it as a big gap .
I see them as missing… ” Speaking on the banking bailout in the Dáil in 2008 while a Labour TD for Galway West , Mr Higgins excoriated the “ extraordinary arrogance ” of the Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time exposed that the banking model was “ wrong ” and had “ brought the world to its knees ” , he said at the time , adding that the Irish people had no interest in bailing out the banks “ for more of the same.
” Earlier this week , banking industry representatives Banking and Payments Federation Ireland ( BPFI ) , said a total of 140,000 mortgage , personal and business loans had been granted a three month pause on repayments as a result of the Covid-19 crisis .
Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said a June 30th deadline for applications for repayment breaks will not be extended .
Those who miss the deadline to have their application processed would “ fall into another category ” , he said , citing a framework from the European Banking Authority ( EBA ) which “ must be done and dusted effectively ” by the deadline it has set .
Mr Hayes was not immediately available for response to Mr Higgins ’ remarks .

’The banking sector has to come to the table with an instrument that can deal with those who are having short term liquidity (problems),’ the President has said. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA
President Michael D Higgins has said banks in Ireland are the "big gap" in a collective national effort to survive the coronavirus crisis.
During a “great promising moment” in which the country was coming together to transform for the better key ways in which we live, the banking sector is “missing”, the President said.
Speaking on the Late Late Show, Mr Higgins referred to a recent report by business representative group Ibec, which warned smaller businesses in Ireland struggling to get through the lockdown only have cash reserves to last them around three months.
It would will take around 10 months for them to get to “anything like recovering” from the collapse in trade during the government-ordered shutdown of the economy, he suggested.
READ MORE
“That means, really, that in the partnership that will be necessary after Covid - there will be the business sector, the unions, the workers, and so on – but really those who are responsible for liquidity will have to step up,” he said.
The issue of cash flow for smaller businesses – which he described as a “very significant part of the economy in terms of employment” – must “be dealt with”, he added.
“That means the banking sector has to come to the table with an instrument that can deal with those who are having short term liquidity (problems),” the President said.
“Across the board there seems to be a great promising moment in which we might say we are going to do health differently, we are going to do housing differently, we are going to do the issue of childcare differently.
‘
Credit flow’
“But equally what we have to do, very much, is we have to get the credit flow to the business sector…”
Mr Higgins added: “I must say, I wish all those people who have reconstructed the banking system well, but I do identify it as a big gap. I see them as missing…”
Speaking on the banking bailout in the Dáil in 2008 while a Labour TD for Galway West, Mr Higgins excoriated the “extraordinary arrogance” of the Irish banking sector.
The economic crash at the time exposed that the banking model was “wrong” and had “brought the world to its knees”, he said at the time, adding that the Irish people had no interest in bailing out the banks “for more of the same.”
Earlier this week, banking industry representatives Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), said a total of 140,000 mortgage, personal and business loans had been granted a three month pause on repayments as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
Brian Hayes, chief executive of BPFI, said a June 30th deadline for applications for repayment breaks will not be extended.
Those who miss the deadline to have their application processed would "fall into another category", he said, citing a framework from the European Banking Authority (EBA) which "must be done and dusted effectively" by the deadline it has set.
Mr Hayes was not immediately available for response to Mr Higgins’ remarks.


theirishtimes--2020-05-31--Over 300 church groups unite for online Irish Blessing video

A cross-denominational video involving over 300 Irish church groups has been launched on YouTube this Pentecost Sunday , dedicated to every healthcare worker on the island of Ireland dealing with Covid-19 .
The Irish Blessing video is an initiative of Christians seeking God ’ s blessing on the people of Ireland in response to the pandemic .
Participants include Moya Brennan as well as the Three Priests , brothers Fr Eugene and Fr Martin O ’ Hagan and Fr Martin Delargy .
An initiative of Philip McKinley , former chaplain at Dublin City University and now in training for priesthood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fr Martin Magill , parish priest at the Falls Rd and Belfast .
It was Fr Magill who delivered the homily Lyra McKee ; s funeral last year following her murder in Derry .
Addressing the congregation of cross-community political leaders , he asked “ why in God ’ s name does it take the death of a 29-year-old woman with her whole life in front of her to get us to this point ?
” The video includes individuals and church choirs singing the old Irish hymn ‘ Be Thou My Vision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare facility dealing with Covid-19 .
Included towards the end are quotations from St Patrick ’ s Breastplate and Irish dancing .
“ They were asked to submit the videos by May 22nd ” , said Philip McKinley .
“ We could never have anticipated that we would have over 500 submissions from 300 churches and Christian organisations across Ireland .
Miraculously , our team managed to include every single vocal and instrumental audio recording submitted , into the audio mix , ” he said .
It was all done online , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physically , ” he said .
Video credits include the name of every church or Christian organisation who took part , as well as the healthcare facility each one is dedicating its blessing to .

A cross-denominational video involving over 300 Irish church groups has been launched on YouTube this Pentecost Sunday, dedicated to every healthcare worker on the island of Ireland dealing with Covid-19.
The Irish Blessing video is an initiative of Christians seeking God's blessing on the people of Ireland in response to the pandemic. Participants include Moya Brennan as well as the Three Priests, brothers Fr Eugene and Fr Martin O'Hagan and Fr Martin Delargy.
It has been organisd by Philip McKinley, former chaplain at Dublin City University and now in training for priesthood in the Church of Ireland, and Fr Martin Magill, parish priest at the Falls Road and Belfast.
Homily
It was Fr Magill who delivered the homily Lyra McKee’s funeral last year following her murder in Derry. Addressing the congregation of cross-community political leaders, he asked “Why in God’s name does it take the death of a 29-year-old woman with her whole life in front of her to get us to this point?”
READ MORE
The video includes individuals and church choirs singing the old Irish hymn ‘Be Thou My Vision’ and dedicated to their own local healthcare facility dealing with Covid-19.
The Irish Blessing video is an initiative of Christians seeking God’s blessing on the people of Ireland in response to the pandemic.
The video includes individuals and church choirs singing the old Irish hymn ‘Be Thou My Vision’ and dedicated to their own local healthcare facility dealing with Covid-19. Included towards the end are quotations from St Patrick’s Breastplate and Irish dancing.
"They were asked to submit the videos by May 22nd," said Philip McKinley. "We could never have anticipated that we would have over 500 submissions from 300 churches and Christian organisations across Ireland. Miraculously, our team managed to include every single vocal and instrumental audio recording submitted, into the audio mix," he said.
It was all done online, he said. “None of us met physically,” he noted.
Video credits include the name of every church or Christian organisation who took part, as well as the healthcare facility each one is dedicating its blessing to.


theirishtimes--2020-05-31--Contact tracing could be in place in North for two years, says Foster

Northern Ireland may have contact tracing in place for up to two years in a bid to stay informed of where the virus is in the community , First Minister Arlene Foster has said .
In an interview with the BBC ’ s Andrew Marr Programme on Sunday Mrs Foster said contact tracing was vital to “ make sure that we know where the virus is in our community ” .
“ It ’ s something that is forming the cornerstone of coming out of lockdown and being able to relax those regulations which we understand are very draconian , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manual system of contact tracing was currently being used and it was sufficient to cope , and track the contacts of , the 30 or so new cases being reported each day .
“ Contact tracing is very much about coming out of restrictions .
It ’ s testing , tracing , isolating and then supporting those who we need to contact , ” she said .
“ We are scaling that up and will be able to scale it up and down , ” she added .
As in the Republic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deaths occur in nursing homes and other residential settings .
In the North , more than half of coronavirus related deaths in the North occurred in care homes .
Mrs Foster said she rejected any suggestion that care homes in the North had received insufficient attention at the start of the pandemic .
The DUP leader said : “ If we have a low number of deaths in the first place , then understandably you are going to have a concentration where there are old and vulnerable people .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in care homes .
“ We will look back and there will be plenty of time to look back at how we dealt with this virus.
” She said care home leaders will recognise what the Department of Health had done to help and said everyone was grappling with a novel virus .
“ We are dealing with this without a rule book.
” She added that people in the North had “ been very good ” in sticking to the Covid-19 regulations .
- PA / Agencies

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster said contact tracing in the North was being scaled up. Photograph: PA
Northern Ireland may have contact tracing in place for up to two years in a bid to stay informed of where the virus is in the community, First Minister Arlene Foster has said.
In an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr Programme on Sunday Mrs Foster said contact tracing was vital to “make sure that we know where the virus is in our community”.
“It’s something that is forming the cornerstone of coming out of lockdown and being able to relax those regulations which we understand are very draconian,” she added.
She said a manual system of contact tracing was currently being used and it was sufficient to cope, and track the contacts of, the 30 or so new cases being reported each day.
READ MORE
“Contact tracing is very much about coming out of restrictions. It’s testing, tracing, isolating and then supporting those who we need to contact,” she said.
“We are scaling that up and will be able to scale it up and down,” she added.
As in the Republic, Northern Ireland has seen a significant proportion of deaths occur in nursing homes and other residential settings. In the North, more than half of coronavirus related deaths in the North occurred in care homes.
Mrs Foster said she rejected any suggestion that care homes in the North had received insufficient attention at the start of the pandemic.
The DUP leader said: “If we have a low number of deaths in the first place, then understandably you are going to have a concentration where there are old and vulnerable people.
“We are very, very conscious of the difficulties in care homes.
“We will look back and there will be plenty of time to look back at how we dealt with this virus.”
She said care home leaders will recognise what the Department of Health had done to help and said everyone was grappling with a novel virus.
“We are dealing with this without a rule book.”
She added that people in the North had “been very good” in sticking to the Covid-19 regulations. - PA / Agencies


theirishtimes--2020-05-31--‘I have no faith in the Catholic Church but I prayed when I’d Covid-19’

It ’ s over two months since churches , mosques , and synagogues in Ireland were closed for public worship .
For Christians , Easter 2020 took place behind closed doors and online only with baptisms , weddings , and ordinations postponed .
In the Catholic Church annual First Communions and Confirmations were also postponed .
Ramadan in Ireland this year was mainly a private affair with all related gatherings in mosques called off , as well as any large Eid celebration marking its end .
For Jews in Ireland , Passover in April and Shavuot at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absence of public religious gatherings , as well as the lockdown generally over the past 10 weeks , has allowed people to consider deeply their most profound beliefs , or the lack thereof .
The Irish Times asked on social media for people ’ s reflections on what impact the Covid-19 pandemic was having their beliefs .
Here is a selection of the replies .
Marie Kane , a clerical abuse survivor who met Pope Francis at the Vatican Rome in 2014 : “ I ’ m not a fan of the Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been an easy road .
Meeting Pope Francis really didn ’ t help me with my journey of finding my faith .
However , having had Covid-19 and being extremely ill for four weeks , I have to say I prayed for my health .
I admit it was out of fear but as days of isolation went by .
It ’ s what got me through .
“ I found comfort in my little ritual of lighting a candle and praying to a God I thought had no time for me as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovered , back to work and having got my fitness back , I ’ m feeling very grateful and blessed to be still here .
“ From being a young girl who wanted to die to an adult woman , mother , grandmother-to-be , daughter , friend , who is happy to be here still .
So , my faith in the Catholic Church is gone 100 per cent , but my faith in God has been found.
” Mark Edmund Hutcheson , from Belfast but living in Dublin : “ I entered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very firm belief in the perfection and inerrancy of Scripture , which is not to say that I do not have my dark , trying periods of doubt .
Covid-19 most certainly has deepened my faith .
“ Pope Francis ’ Urbi et Orbi on March 27th , where he preached on the story of the disciples and Jesus in a boat on the Sea of Galilee when a storm threatens to drown them , made me realise three things : how powerfully Rome can speak to the world , how small and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how God does care for us in our difficulties , even Covid-19 ... “ I am in sympathy with those who feel that Covid-19 is bringing us closer to those ‘ end times ’ .
I do not say that it is the ‘ end times ’ , or even their beginning , just that it is taking us nearer.
” “ Faith is stronger than God .
Science and all the big powers are helpless and saying ‘ stay inside ’ to protect yourself and others .
I never imagined I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing is the quality time it has allowed with family and friends , and that there are more important things than work .
God has blessed us in these difficult times and looks after us.
” He says Covid-19 reminds him of the three young visionaries at Fatima .
“ Two of these young children died of Spanish flu in the 1918 pandemic and the other spent the rest of her life in a monastery .
Two were declared saints and the other is in the process .
“ Simply put , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free will to choose the path of God and do good , or follow the path of the evil one and choose to live eternally without God .
The message is partly about warnings of chastisements that will be drawn upon the world due to apostasy from the faith and unbelief.
” Fintan Farrell , from Naas now living in Brussels : “ Responding to the virus has taught us the importance of science and of trying to increase our knowledge and act accordingly .
But many great scientists say the more they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they know .
So it is important to be humble and experience some sense of awe in the face of what we do not know .
Good forms of religion , working with signs , symbols and stories have enabled people engage with the awe without being overwhelmed .
“ I become more convinced that neither faith or reason can have precedence over each other , but must act together in the search for truth and freedom.
” “ Either nature or man is responsible for the virus .
I expect science will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt many will blame the God of their understanding for us being naughty in some way or another .
My mind goes back to the Aberfan disaster [ in 1966 in Wales where 144 people , mostly children , died ] when God was blamed but it was the coal board who got the rightful blame within a year or two .
“ I find it hard to believe in which God might be responsible , so I will stick to science.
” “ Organised religion has not been part of my life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the same time , I have retained a belief in God and Jesus Christ - and identify as a Christian .
When critically ill nine years ago , ironically from contracting another vicious virus , I found myself lying in the silence and darkness on my ICU bed , angrily saying out loud to God ‘ Is this it ?
Is this all I am getting , just 50 years of life - for f**k ’ s sake , can you not give me a bit longer in this world ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 and that it was declared a pandemic… I did not tune in to hear what any religious leader might have to say , but instead found myself hanging on every word coming from the daily briefings from the Department of Health , the CMO and NPHET .
But I am fairly certain that God is there somewhere too.
” She says she has “ a complete lack of spirituality , even though I am enthralled by many expressions of this - church choirs ( especially Russian and other Eastern Christian religions ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopkins .
Also then the beauty of nature in all its forms delights me - rain , snow , wind , sun , animal life , flora - so much to enjoy .
But none of this leads to thoughts of ‘ who made this ?
’ or ‘ how long have we been here ?
’ or ` why are we here ?
’ “ I think there is as little substance to atheism as there is to theism .
We simply can not know .
I am perfectly prepared to accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it doesn ’ t matter to me at all.
” “ I miss being able to attend Mass .
I do watch Masses online but it is not the same as being part of a group of people who attend Mass together on weekdays and Sundays .
I visit my local church in Oughterard every day to read the readings of the day and to light candles for my family and friends .
I believe that God will bring us through this awful pandemic and that as a society that we will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fear may lead people to grasp at a belief in order not to feel powerless or insignificant in the face of the threat .
In this secular age the beliefs that they seem to be grasping are conspiracy theories .
Mad as they seem they are fulfilling in some ways the role of religion .
If it ’ s not 5G , it ’ s China , or Big Pharma , or Bill Gates , or whatever-you ’ re-having-yerself .
It remains to be seen whether such attitudes survive the pandemic.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where only five people were allowed attend but when we came out of the funeral home the street in east Belfast was lined with friends and others , all who applauded the hearse .
I was deeply moved .
My faith tells me this is the only life I have and it is a wonderful gift , so don ’ t spend these days thinking this is some kind of interregnum .
This is my new normal .
“ I am also very proud that Florence Nightingale shared my Unitarian faith and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clap the NHS nurses and all the other staff including the care workers .
I was also deeply touched by the Queen ’ s message and her iconic use of the line ‘ we ’ ll meet again ’ .
” “ Before Covid-19 when we looked at the dysfunction in the world we shook our heads sadly and said - ‘ well , that ’ s human nature for you ’ .
But this worldwide efflorescence of selfless , cooperative human behaviour definitely challenges that view .
So , is it possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ ve now seen that selfless , courageous action is not the preserve of saints or superheroes but can found anywhere and in anybody .
So , could this evidence of innate goodness be a game-changer ?
” * An all-Ireland survey to measure the impact of Covid-19 on people ’ s faith is being conducted by the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education in Dublin .
It can be completed online at https : //www.dcu.ie/materdei-centre-for-catholic-education/news/2020/May/Coronavirus-Church-You-Survey.shtml

Clerical abuse survivor Marie Kane says when she was ill ‘I found comfort in my little ritual of lighting a candle and praying to a God I thought had no time for me as a young girl.’: Photograph:Thomas Nolan
It's over two months since churches, mosques, and synagogues in Ireland were closed for public worship. For Christians, Easter 2020 took place behind closed doors and online only with baptisms, weddings, and ordinations postponed. In the Catholic Church annual First Communions and Confirmations were also postponed.
Ramadan in Ireland this year was mainly a private affair with all related gatherings in mosques called off, as well as any large Eid celebration marking its end. For Jews in Ireland, Passover in April and Shavuot at the end of May were also mainly private.
This absence of public religious gatherings, as well as the lockdown generally over the past 10 weeks, has allowed people to consider deeply their most profound beliefs, or the lack thereof. The Irish Times asked on social media for people’s reflections on what impact the Covid-19 pandemic was having their beliefs. Here is a selection of the replies.
Humanist Dick Spicer says: ‘Fear may lead people to grasp at a belief in order not to feel powerless or insignificant in the face of the threat.’ Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Marie Kane, a clerical abuse survivor who met Pope Francis at the Vatican Rome in 2014:
READ MORE
“I’m not a fan of the Catholic Church and my journey hasn’t been an easy road. Meeting Pope Francis really didn’t help me with my journey of finding my faith. However, having had Covid-19 and being extremely ill for four weeks, I have to say I prayed for my health. I admit it was out of fear but as days of isolation went by. It’s what got me through.
“I found comfort in my little ritual of lighting a candle and praying to a God I thought had no time for me as a young girl. Somehow, now recovered, back to work and having got my fitness back, I’m feeling very grateful and blessed to be still here.
“From being a young girl who wanted to die to an adult woman, mother, grandmother-to-be, daughter, friend, who is happy to be here still. So, my faith in the Catholic Church is gone 100 per cent, but my faith in God has been found.”
Mark Edmund Hutcheson, from Belfast but living in Dublin:
“I entered this pandemic an Evangelical Catholic with a very firm belief in the perfection and inerrancy of Scripture, which is not to say that I do not have my dark, trying periods of doubt. Covid-19 most certainly has deepened my faith.
“Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi on March 27th, where he preached on the story of the disciples and Jesus in a boat on the Sea of Galilee when a storm threatens to drown them, made me realise three things: how powerfully Rome can speak to the world, how small and interconnected our vast world is, and how God does care for us in our difficulties, even Covid-19...
“I am in sympathy with those who feel that Covid-19 is bringing us closer to those ‘end times’. I do not say that it is the ‘end times’, or even their beginning, just that it is taking us nearer.”
Sajjad Hussain, a Muslim living in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon:
“Faith is stronger than God. Science and all the big powers are helpless and saying ‘stay inside’ to protect yourself and others. I never imagined I’d see such times but the great thing is the quality time it has allowed with family and friends, and that there are more important things than work. God has blessed us in these difficult times and looks after us.”
Martin Ramsey, from Larne Co Antrim:
He says Covid-19 reminds him of the three young visionaries at Fatima. “Two of these young children died of Spanish flu in the 1918 pandemic and the other spent the rest of her life in a monastery. Two were declared saints and the other is in the process.
“Simply put, it reminds us that we have been given free will to choose the path of God and do good, or follow the path of the evil one and choose to live eternally without God. The message is partly about warnings of chastisements that will be drawn upon the world due to apostasy from the faith and unbelief.”
Fintan Farrell, from Naas now living in Brussels:
“Responding to the virus has taught us the importance of science and of trying to increase our knowledge and act accordingly. But many great scientists say the more they know the more they know how little they know. So it is important to be humble and experience some sense of awe in the face of what we do not know. Good forms of religion, working with signs, symbols and stories have enabled people engage with the awe without being overwhelmed.
“I become more convinced that neither faith or reason can have precedence over each other, but must act together in the search for truth and freedom.”
Jim O’Connor, from Boyle Co Roscommon:
"Either nature or man is responsible for the virus. I expect science will have the answer in time. No doubt many will blame the God of their understanding for us being naughty in some way or another. My mind goes back to the Aberfan disaster [in 1966 in Wales where 144 people, mostly children, died] when God was blamed but it was the coal board who got the rightful blame within a year or two.
“I find it hard to believe in which God might be responsible, so I will stick to science.”
Monica Cox, from Newbridge Co Kildare:
"Organised religion has not been part of my life for the best part of 35 years. At the same time, I have retained a belief in God and Jesus Christ - and identify as a Christian. When critically ill nine years ago, ironically from contracting another vicious virus, I found myself lying in the silence and darkness on my ICU bed, angrily saying out loud to God 'Is this it? Is this all I am getting, just 50 years of life - for f**k's sake, can you not give me a bit longer in this world?'
"When I first heard about Covid-19 and that it was declared a pandemic… I did not tune in to hear what any religious leader might have to say, but instead found myself hanging on every word coming from the daily briefings from the Department of Health, the CMO and NPHET. But I am fairly certain that God is there somewhere too."
Rhoda McManus from Dublin:
She says she has "a complete lack of spirituality, even though I am enthralled by many expressions of this - church choirs (especially Russian and other Eastern Christian religions). Religious poetry, such as by Hopkins. Also then the beauty of nature in all its forms delights me - rain, snow, wind, sun, animal life, flora - so much to enjoy. But none of this leads to thoughts of 'who made this?' or 'how long have we been here?' or `why are we here?'
“I think there is as little substance to atheism as there is to theism. We simply cannot know. I am perfectly prepared to accept either belief can be true. But it doesn’t matter to me at all.”
Ultan Macken, Galway:
"I miss being able to attend Mass. I do watch Masses online but it is not the same as being part of a group of people who attend Mass together on weekdays and Sundays. I visit my local church in Oughterard every day to read the readings of the day and to light candles for my family and friends. I believe that God will bring us through this awful pandemic and that as a society that we will be a better more united community."
Dick Spicer, humanist from Bray, Co Wicklow:
"Fear may lead people to grasp at a belief in order not to feel powerless or insignificant in the face of the threat. In this secular age the beliefs that they seem to be grasping are conspiracy theories. Mad as they seem they are fulfilling in some ways the role of religion. If it's not 5G, it's China, or Big Pharma, or Bill Gates, or whatever-you're-having-yerself. It remains to be seen whether such attitudes survive the pandemic."
Chris Hudson, Belfast-based Unitarian Minister:
“I [recently] took a funeral where only five people were allowed attend but when we came out of the funeral home the street in east Belfast was lined with friends and others, all who applauded the hearse. I was deeply moved. My faith tells me this is the only life I have and it is a wonderful gift, so don’t spend these days thinking this is some kind of interregnum. This is my new normal.
"I am also very proud that Florence Nightingale shared my Unitarian faith and we think of her every Thursday when we clap the NHS nurses and all the other staff including the care workers. I was also deeply touched by the Queen's message and her iconic use of the line 'we'll meet again'."
Patricia Rainsford, of Ireland’s Bahá’í community:
“Before Covid-19 when we looked at the dysfunction in the world we shook our heads sadly and said - ‘well, that’s human nature for you’. But this worldwide efflorescence of selfless, cooperative human behaviour definitely challenges that view. So, is it possible that we may have misjudged ourselves?
“We’ve now seen that selfless, courageous action is not the preserve of saints or superheroes but can found anywhere and in anybody. So, could this evidence of innate goodness be a game-changer?”
* An all-Ireland survey to measure the impact of Covid-19 on people's faith is being conducted by the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education in Dublin. It can be completed online at https://www.dcu.ie/materdei-centre-for-catholic-education/news/2020/May/Coronavirus-Church-You-Survey.shtml


theirishtimes--2020-05-31--Three arrests as 8 million illegal cigarettes seized

Three men have been arrested and illegal tobacco worth millions of euro seized during a series of co-ordinated raids in the Republic and Northern Ireland as part of a joint Garda and PSNI operation .
In Newry , Co Armagh , three men aged 34 , 37 and 55-years-of-age were arrested on Saturday and after an estimated 8 million illegal cigarettes were seized .
The illegal cigarettes represented an estimated £3m in lost tax revenue .
A lorry and its refrigerated unit , a van and a fork lift were also seized along with approximately £12,000 and €2,000 in cash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revenue Commissioners assisted members of the PSNI and HM Revenue and Customs during the operation .
Seven searches were also carried out in the Carlingford area of Co Louth by gardaí and Revenue officials as part of the operation .
Vehicles , €100,000 in cash and 2.5 tonnes of raw tobacco were seized during these searches .
The raw tobacco has an estimated value of €1.55 million and represented with a potential loss of €1.24 million to the Exchequer .
The officers also seized 1.900kg of hand-rolling tobacco packaged for sale with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this represents a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €947,500 .
Equipment for the manufacture of tobacco products and mobile fuel-laundering machinery hidden in an articulated lorry was also seized .

Officers from HM Revenue and Customs search a property in Newry, Co Armagh on Saturday morning along with colleagues from the PSNI. Photograph: HMRC
A convicted cigarette smuggler is one of three men in custody following a joint operation between the Garda and the PSNI which resulted in the seizure of millions of euro worth of tobacco.
Three men, aged 34, 37 and 55, were arrested in Newry, Co Armagh, on Saturday by the PSNI and about eight million smuggled cigarettes were seized.
One of the arrested men is a Louth criminal suspected of running a large-scale smuggling operation which has a turnover of “several million a year”, a Garda source said. He has a previous conviction from Wexford Circuit Court for smuggling almost €60,000 worth of tobacco into Ireland.
Gardaí participated in a joint-agency task force operation with Revenue, PSNI and HM Revenue & Customs in Armagh and Louth today. A large sum of cash, tobacco, fuel-laundering machinery and a number of vehicles were seized during the operation. For more: https://t.co/JGpWqmfHFj pic.twitter.com/HYpiz79ohr — Garda Info (@gardainfo) May 30, 2020
Gardaí and the PSNI launched the raids on Saturday following weeks of surveillance of the gang, which has connections to criminal groups in several European countries.
READ MORE
Officers from An Garda and the Revenue Commissioners assisted members of the PSNI and HM Revenue and Customs during the operation.
Searches were carried out simultaneously on both sides of the Border. In the South, seven searches were carried out in the Carlingford area of Co Louth by gardaí and Revenue officials as part of the operation.
Vehicles, €100,000 in cash and 2½ tonnes of raw tobacco were seized during these searches.
The raw tobacco has an estimated value of €1.55 million and represented a potential loss of €1.24 million to the Exchequer.
Some of the tobacco that was seized by gardaí during searches in Carlingford, Co Lough. Photograph: An Garda
Some of the cash seized by gardaí during raids in Carlingford, Co Louth. Photograph: An Garda
The officers also seized 1,900kg of hand-rolling tobacco packaged for sale with a value of €1.2 million. Gardaí said this represents a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €947,500.
Equipment for the manufacture of tobacco products and mobile fuel-laundering machinery hidden in an articulated lorry was also seized.
The cigarettes seized in Northern Ireland represent a loss of about £8 million (€8.9 million) to the UK treasury.
It is believed the Irish gang worked with Dutch criminals to smuggle the tobacco by truck from Germany to Ireland where it was to be sold on the black market on both sides of the Border.
Cross-Border policing
On Sunday, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan praised the work of both police forces which were working together through the Joint Agency Task Force, a cross-Border policing initiative established in 2016.
“The seizures yesterday in Armagh and Louth – including 8 million cigarettes, tobacco products to the value of over €2.7 million as well as fuel-laundering machinery and cash – represent a significant success for law enforcement on both sides of the border and I offer my thanks and congratulations to all those involved.
"They demonstrate the close practical cooperation between An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners and their counterparts in the PSNI and HM Revenue and Customs, and I welcome this successful large scale cooperation yesterday," Mr Flanagan said.
“We are seeing unprecedented levels of cooperation between law enforcement agencies North and South, in tackling cross-border crime of all types including organised burglary, drug crime, rural and farm crimes as well as smuggling.”