theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Covid-19: Plumbers, carpenters among self-employed to get new €1,000 grant

Taxi drivers , plumbers and other self-employed workers will be given access to a new €1,000 grant under new plans finalised by the Government .
Under the scheme , to be led by Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys , sole traders such as electricians and carpenters will have access to the funds to help them “ get back on their feet ” in light of the Covid-19 pandemic .
The grant will be aimed at those who do not pay commercial rates and therefore did not qualify for the Government ’ s previously announced restart grant scheme .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis and will be made available to those who have been severely impacted and have had to stop working .
It will apply to people who were in receipt of the pandemic welfare payment or jobseekers ’ payment and closed their claim on or after May 18th , which marked the first phase of the reopening of society after the initial lockdown .
“ If you ’ re a plumber , carpenter , beautician , gardener or electrician who is transitioning back to work , or the taxi driver getting your car back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be of interest to you , ” Ms Humphreys said .
“ Whether it ’ s paying wages , fuel costs , purchasing PPE [ personal protective equipment ] or signage – this is an important grant to assist the self-employed to reopen their business and get back doing what they do best , providing crucial and essential services in their communities.
” Senior Ministers were last night finalising a package of economic supports for the midlands , due to be signed-off on Friday .
It is expected to include a top-up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses and extra funding for Fáilte Ireland to promote Kildare , Laois and Offaly , following the reimposition of restrictions in those counties after a spike in cases .
Further supports for local businesses through schemes operated by local enterprise offices and possible changes to the commercial rates waivers are being considered .
Separately , the Health Service Executive is examining plans for another self-isolation facility once its €25 million lease on the Citywest hotel and conference centre expires in October .
Brought on stream in March due to the anticipated need for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 patients had used the 750-bedroom facility to isolate at the end of July , more than four months after the deal was signed .
However , with cases rising again and the usual winter pressures on the healthcare system expected in the coming months , a HSE spokeswoman confirmed plans for another facility were under consideration .
“ The HSE has no established or approved plan to extend Citywest at present albeit that the requirement for a self-isolation facility of a lesser scale beyond October is currently being examined , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 have been identified in the State , the National Public Health Emergency Team reported on Thursday , with no further deaths from the disease .
Dr Ronan Glynn , acting chief medical officer at the Department of Health , appealed to those living under renewed coronavirus restrictions in Kildare , Laois and Offaly to “ hold firm ” , and stressed cases were also occurring in several other counties .
Of the new cases , 43 are associated with existing outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case .
Twelve have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a meeting of the Special Oireachtas Committee on Covid-19 Response heard nine unannounced inspections of meat plants have been carried out by the Health and Safety Authority ( HSA ) since May .
The HSA also confirmed that no improvement or prohibition notices – two of the enforcement measures open to the agency – had been served on any meat plants .
Siptu divisional organiser Greg Ennis told the committee his union ’ s members in the meat processing sector “ remain petrified of contracting Covid-19 but feel that they must walk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases attend work , even if they are feeling unwell ” .

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys: ‘If you’re a plumber, carpenter, beautician, gardener or electrician who is transitioning back to work, or the taxi driver getting your car back on the road – this grant may be of interest to you.’ Photograph: Alan Betson
Taxi drivers, plumbers and other self-employed workers will be given access to a new €1,000 grant under new plans finalised by the Government.
Under the scheme, to be led by Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys, sole traders such as electricians and carpenters will have access to the funds to help them “get back on their feet” in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The grant will be aimed at those who do not pay commercial rates and therefore did not qualify for the Government’s previously announced restart grant scheme.
The money will be given on a once-off basis and will be made available to those who have been severely impacted and have had to stop working.
READ MORE
It will apply to people who were in receipt of the pandemic welfare payment or jobseekers’ payment and closed their claim on or after May 18th, which marked the first phase of the reopening of society after the initial lockdown.
“If you’re a plumber, carpenter, beautician, gardener or electrician who is transitioning back to work, or the taxi driver getting your car back on the road – this grant may be of interest to you,” Ms Humphreys said.
“Whether it’s paying wages, fuel costs, purchasing PPE [personal protective equipment] or signage – this is an important grant to assist the self-employed to reopen their business and get back doing what they do best, providing crucial and essential services in their communities.”
Senior Ministers were last night finalising a package of economic supports for the midlands, due to be signed-off on Friday.
It is expected to include a top-up to the State’s restart scheme for businesses and extra funding for Fáilte Ireland to promote Kildare, Laois and Offaly, following the reimposition of restrictions in those counties after a spike in cases.
Further supports for local businesses through schemes operated by local enterprise offices and possible changes to the commercial rates waivers are being considered.
October expiry
Separately, the Health Service Executive is examining plans for another self-isolation facility once its €25 million lease on the Citywest hotel and conference centre expires in October.
Brought on stream in March due to the anticipated need for a large self-isolation facility, just under 1,000 patients had used the 750-bedroom facility to isolate at the end of July, more than four months after the deal was signed.
However, with cases rising again and the usual winter pressures on the healthcare system expected in the coming months, a HSE spokeswoman confirmed plans for another facility were under consideration.
“The HSE has no established or approved plan to extend Citywest at present albeit that the requirement for a self-isolation facility of a lesser scale beyond October is currently being examined,” she said.
A further 92 cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the State, the National Public Health Emergency Team reported on Thursday, with no further deaths from the disease.
Coronavirus restrictions
Dr Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical officer at the Department of Health, appealed to those living under renewed coronavirus restrictions in Kildare, Laois and Offaly to “hold firm”, and stressed cases were also occurring in several other counties.
Of the new cases, 43 are associated with existing outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case. Twelve have been identified as community transmissions.
Meanwhile, a meeting of the Special Oireachtas Committee on Covid-19 Response heard nine unannounced inspections of meat plants have been carried out by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) since May.
The HSA also confirmed that no improvement or prohibition notices – two of the enforcement measures open to the agency – had been served on any meat plants.
Siptu divisional organiser Greg Ennis told the committee his union’s members in the meat processing sector “remain petrified of contracting Covid-19 but feel that they must walk that tightrope every day and in many cases attend work, even if they are feeling unwell”.


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Mixed fortunes of gang linked to Det Garda Donohoe killing

The gang members who killed Det Garda Adrian Donohoe have experienced mixed fortunes since the fatal shooting 7½ years ago ; some drifting through life unemployed , involved in Borderland crime while others are working for themselves and leading apparently successful lives abroad .
Aaron Brady ( 29 ) New Road , Crossmaglen , Co Armagh , was on Wednesday found guilty of the capital murder of Det Garda Donohoe at the Central Criminal Court .
Det Garda Donohoe , a 41-year-old married father of two , was shot dead on January 25th , 2013 , as he stepped from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleague arrived at Lordship Credit Union , Bellurgan , Co Louth , to provide an armed cash escort for staff carrying cash .
The prosecution alleged Brady was the gunman who fired the gun that killed the detective .
But the other four men present could also be prosecuted for capital murder – the killing of a Garda member carrying a 40-year sentence – under the legal principal of joint enterprise .
That means while the other four gang members did not fire the weapon , they could be convicted of the murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in advance and produced on the night to further the gang members ’ shared goal of stealing cash from the credit union .
All five men , ranging in age at the time from 20 years to their late 20s , were part of a south Armagh-Louth gang specialising in a range of criminal activity including armed robberies , diesel laundering and theft for resale of vehicles and plant machinery .
At the time Det Garda Donohoe was shot dead he was investigating Brady for an alleged role in an armed-gang robbery on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same gang was also suspected of a previous robbery on Lordship Credit Union , in August 2011 , though Brady was not suspected of involvement in that crime .
In recent years there have also been a spate of ATM robberies on both sides of the Border , during which the machines have been ripped from bank and shop exterior walls .
Gardaí believe some of the four suspects for Det Garda Donohoe ’ s murder who are still at large were involved in some of those crimes .
Since the night Det @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Credit Union robbery the men have spent time in the US , Britain , Australia , the Republic and Northern Ireland .
Of the four suspects for the murder , two reside in the US while two others still live in Ireland where their status as murder suspects is widely known .
One of the men who lives in Northern Ireland at present has , like Aaron Brady , settled down with his partner since the 2013 murder and has become a father .
Now in his early 30s he is unemployed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the courts on unrelated charges .
The Garda and the PSNI suspect him of several armed robberies and ATM thefts on both sides of the Border .
He is believed to have taken part in the Lordship Credit Unit robbery in August , 2011 , during which more than €22,000 was stolen , and also the armed robbery at the Dundalk race course the same year .
Where are they now ?
Another of the suspects , who lives in Armagh , was the youngest of the gang at the time of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in fuel laundering with Brady .
Like Brady , his phone was switched off for the period of the robbery , as were the phones of the other main suspects .
Information gleaned from an examination of his phone appears to implicate all of the suspects .
He has spent time in Australia since the murder and when interviewed by gardaí refused to engage substantively .
Two of the other suspects , who are well known to each other , have been working for themselves in the construction trade in Boston in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an address known to Irish and US law enforcement .
One was especially close to Brady , though it is believed they have not spoken for several years .
That suspect ’ s car was spotted close to the crime scene in Lordship in the days before the robbery and murder and was also identified close to the location on Clogherhead , Co Louth , where the getaway car used by the gang on the night of the murder was stolen .
The other man in Boston is under investigation for the robbery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ furnish an alibi that has held tight so far .
Gardaí believe they can link him to the theft of the getaway car two days before the robbery and murder .
By the time Brady was arrested in May , 2017 , in New York , he had settled down there and was earning $ 65 per hour in a construction job .
He first went to the US in 2013 and initially worked with one of the other suspects for the murder , who was already established there at that point .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ settle and aided him in finding work , before they fell out with him .
Like Brady was at the time , they are now living comfortable lives in the US , with plenty of money and , for now , untroubled by the investigation in Ireland .
However , they are being monitored by US law enforcement and gardaí say they are confident Brady will not be the last man charged in relation to the robbery and murder .

Det Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead in 2013 as he stepped from his Garda car after he and a colleague arrived at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth, to provide an armed escort for staff carrying cash. Photograph: Garda/PA
The gang members who killed Det Garda Adrian Donohoe have experienced mixed fortunes since the fatal shooting 7½ years ago; some drifting through life unemployed, involved in Borderland crime while others are working for themselves and leading apparently successful lives abroad.
Aaron Brady (29) New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, was on Wednesday found guilty of the capital murder of Det Garda Donohoe at the Central Criminal Court.
Det Garda Donohoe, a 41-year-old married father of two, was shot dead on January 25th, 2013, as he stepped from his Garda car after he and a colleague arrived at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth, to provide an armed cash escort for staff carrying cash.
The prosecution alleged Brady was the gunman who fired the gun that killed the detective. But the other four men present could also be prosecuted for capital murder – the killing of a Garda member carrying a 40-year sentence – under the legal principle of joint enterprise.
READ MORE
That means while the other four gang members did not fire the weapon, they could be convicted of the murder because the gun was sourced and loaded in advance and produced on the night to further the gang members’ shared goal of stealing cash from the credit union.
All five men, ranging in age at the time from 20 years to their late 20s, were part of a south Armagh-Louth gang specialising in a range of criminal activity including armed robberies, diesel laundering and theft for resale of vehicles and plant machinery.
At the time Det Garda Donohoe was shot dead he was investigating Brady for an alleged role in an armed-gang robbery on Dundalk race course in 2011. The same gang was also suspected of a previous robbery on Lordship Credit Union, in August 2011, though Brady was not suspected of involvement in that crime.
In recent years there have also been a spate of ATM robberies on both sides of the Border, during which the machines have been ripped from bank and shop exterior walls. Gardaí believe some of the four suspects for Det Garda Donohoe’s murder who are still at large were involved in some of those crimes.
Since the night Det Garda Donohoe was murdered during the €7,000 Credit Union robbery the men have spent time in the US, Britain, Australia, the Republic and Northern Ireland. Of the four suspects for the murder, two reside in the US while two others still live in Ireland where their status as murder suspects is widely known.
One of the men who lives in Northern Ireland at present has, like Aaron Brady, settled down with his partner since the 2013 murder and has become a father. Now in his early 30s he is unemployed, though his partner works, and is before the courts on unrelated charges. The Garda and the PSNI suspect him of several armed robberies and ATM thefts on both sides of the Border. He is believed to have taken part in the Lordship Credit Unit robbery in August, 2011, during which more than €22,000 was stolen, and also the armed robbery at the Dundalk race course the same year.
Where are they now?
Another of the suspects, who lives in Armagh, was the youngest of the gang at the time of the robbery and has been heavily involved in fuel laundering with Brady. Like Brady, his phone was switched off for the period of the robbery, as were the phones of the other main suspects. Information gleaned from an examination of his phone appears to implicate all of the suspects. He has spent time in Australia since the murder and when interviewed by gardaí refused to engage substantively.
Two of the other suspects, who are well known to each other, have been working for themselves in the construction trade in Boston in recent years. They still live there at an address known to Irish and US law enforcement.
One was especially close to Brady, though it is believed they have not spoken for several years. That suspect’s car was spotted close to the crime scene in Lordship in the days before the robbery and murder and was also identified close to the location on Clogherhead, Co Louth, where the getaway car used by the gang on the night of the murder was stolen.
The other man in Boston is under investigation for the robbery and murder but has been able to furnish an alibi that has held tight so far. Gardaí believe they can link him to the theft of the getaway car two days before the robbery and murder.
By the time Brady was arrested in May, 2017, in New York, he had settled down there and was earning $65 per hour in a construction job. He first went to the US in 2013 and initially worked with one of the other suspects for the murder, who was already established there at that point.
The two men in Boston helped him settle and aided him in finding work, before they fell out with him. Like Brady was at the time, they are now living comfortable lives in the US, with plenty of money and, for now, untroubled by the investigation in Ireland. However, they are being monitored by US law enforcement and gardaí say they are confident Brady will not be the last man charged in relation to the robbery and murder.


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Taxi driving: ‘Now I’m deciding where I’m going to park’

In the taxi-waiting area at Dublin Airport on a recent Sunday morning drivers were playing cards , reading newspapers and walking lengths of the bay for exercise until called up to the rank at Terminal 1 for a fare .
Taxi drivers countrywide have reported slow business .
Even though the most severe coronavirus restrictions have lifted in most counties , the closure of pubs , tourism , events and working from home means business has declined .
The average waiting time between fares is two to three hours , according to the drivers ; but it can be longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between fares is at least an hour , they added .
Colm O ’ Brien said on one shift last week he was waiting five hours before he got a fare .
“ I arrived here one day last week at 6pm , I had a zoom meeting at 8pm and I was still here for it .
I was still here until 10:55pm and eventually got a job at 11:05pm , ” he said .
“ Now that is unusual on that end , the average is normally three hours.
” Declan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to between 30 and 50 per cent of pre-Covid takings , depending on the day .
“ The stories that there were loads of Americans coming in , that ’ s just not true .
It ’ s all either Irish people who live abroad coming home , or foreign workers who were stuck somewhere else coming back.
” If the airport is so quiet , has he considered going elsewhere to get work ?
“ The city centre is the exact same , ” he explained .
“ Instead of trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , now I ’ m basically just deciding where I ’ m going to park .
I get maybe three jobs a day now .
Before Covid , I could get seven or eight.
” There are 26,371 valid taxi licences registered with the National Transport Authority .
A spokesman said about 55 per cent of the suspended licences have been reactivated .
He added that this figure “ aligns ” with anecdotal information suggesting which business is 30 to 50 per cent of normal .
“ However late night and weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and business around major public events and tourism remains vastly reduced , ” he added .
Jim Waldron , a spokesman for the National Private Hire and Taxi Association , which represents some 5,000 drivers , said the income for taxis has been massively reduced and some drivers are now working around the clock to make enough money .
“ What ’ s happening is the guys are working a 12-hour day instead of eight to try and get a full daily income .
In 12 hours , they ’ re still not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours , ” according to Mr Waldron .
“ At the moment , fellas are probably earning about €6 an hour .
There would be exceptions , depending on what jobs you get .
I ’ m aware of fellas being out there working 24-hour shifts , on the basis that they had to get money.
” Joe Fagan , who has been a taxi driver for 35 years , said the industry has never been in such a bad situation .
Joe Mulholland said the costs were beginning to build up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I still have to pay my insurance , my licence , my NCT , my suitability test .
I just installed a screen for €250 that I won ’ t get back .
So the costs are the same , but I don ’ t have the business coming in.
” Stephen Kearns ( 30 ) decided to stop driving after almost eight years in the industry because he was not making enough money .
He is now in the process of setting up his own landscaping business .
“ I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a family to support .
You could be doing a 10-hour shift and getting €100 but by the time you take your expenses out of it , you ’ re getting €5 an hour , ” he said .
“ Luckily I had another skill .
I ’ m a a qualified bricklayer so now I ’ m in the early stages of setting up a landscaping business .
I ’ ve work booked for the next six weeks .
I really enjoyed it [ taxi driving ] but it had to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

In the taxi-waiting area at Dublin Airport on a recent Sunday morning drivers were playing cards, reading newspapers and walking lengths of the bay for exercise until called up to the rank at Terminal 1 for a fare.
Taxi drivers countrywide have reported slow business. Even though the most severe coronavirus restrictions have lifted in most counties, the closure of pubs, tourism, events and working from home means business has declined.
The average waiting time between fares is two to three hours, according to the drivers; but it can be longer. In the city centre the time between fares is at least an hour, they added.
Colm O’Brien said on one shift last week he was waiting five hours before he got a fare.
READ MORE
“I arrived here one day last week at 6pm, I had a zoom meeting at 8pm and I was still here for it. I was still here until 10:55pm and eventually got a job at 11:05pm,” he said. “Now that is unusual on that end, the average is normally three hours.”
Declan Peelo said his income has been reduced to between 30 and 50 per cent of pre-Covid takings, depending on the day.
“The stories that there were loads of Americans coming in, that’s just not true. It’s all either Irish people who live abroad coming home, or foreign workers who were stuck somewhere else coming back.”
If the airport is so quiet, has he considered going elsewhere to get work?
“The city centre is the exact same,” he explained. “Instead of trying to decide where I’m going to work, now I’m basically just deciding where I’m going to park. I get maybe three jobs a day now. Before Covid, I could get seven or eight.”
There are 26,371 valid taxi licences registered with the National Transport Authority. A spokesman said about 55 per cent of the suspended licences have been reactivated. He added that this figure "aligns" with anecdotal information suggesting which business is 30 to 50 per cent of normal.
Declan Peelo: ‘The stories that there were loads of Americans coming in, that’s just not true.’ Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.
Colm O’ Brien said on one shift last week he was waiting five hours before he got a fare. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.
“However late night and weekend business, trips to and from airports and business around major public events and tourism remains vastly reduced,” he added.
Jim Waldron, a spokesman for the National Private Hire and Taxi Association, which represents some 5,000 drivers, said the income for taxis has been massively reduced and some drivers are now working around the clock to make enough money.
“What’s happening is the guys are working a 12-hour day instead of eight to try and get a full daily income. In 12 hours, they’re still not earning what they got in the eight hours,” according to Mr Waldron.
“At the moment, fellas are probably earning about €6 an hour. There would be exceptions, depending on what jobs you get. I’m aware of fellas being out there working 24-hour shifts, on the basis that they had to get money.”
The rank at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
On the rank: Joe Fagan (left) and Joe Mulholland. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.
Joe Fagan, who has been a taxi driver for 35 years, said the industry has never been in such a bad situation. Joe Mulholland said the costs were beginning to build up for him, putting him under pressure.
“I still have to pay my insurance, my licence, my NCT, my suitability test. I just installed a screen for €250 that I won’t get back. So the costs are the same, but I don’t have the business coming in.”
Stephen Kearns (30) decided to stop driving after almost eight years in the industry because he was not making enough money. He is now in the process of setting up his own landscaping business.
“I had to leave the business. I have a family to support. You could be doing a 10-hour shift and getting €100 but by the time you take your expenses out of it, you’re getting €5 an hour,” he said.
“Luckily I had another skill. I’m a a qualified bricklayer so now I’m in the early stages of setting up a landscaping business. I’ve work booked for the next six weeks. I really enjoyed it [taxi driving] but it had to be done. It wasn’t feasible.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Garda killer Aaron Brady will be almost 60 by time he leaves prison

Having already been in prison for over two years awaiting trial , Aaron Brady is not new to the sights and smells of prison life .
However , he is new to Mountjoy Prison , Dublin , where he was transferred after his conviction on Wednesday for the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe .
Garda and legal sources said as his legal bills were covered by the State for as long as he wished , he was certain to appeal his conviction .
Unless he wins that appeal , the 29-year-old will be almost 60 years by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the first person in the State convicted of capital murder since 1985 and sources said because that verdict was so rare , and because the case against him was largely built on circumstantial evidence , it was not impossible that he could win on appeal .
Brady , a married father of one , was deported from the US in May 2017 , having been arrested at the time on his way to work in New York one morning .
It was a move that surprised the Co Armagh man who believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder .
Once deported from the US back to the Republic he was brought before the courts to face charges of murdering Det Garda Donohoe during a robbery at Lordship Credit Union , Co Louth , in January 2013 , which he was also charged with .
He was a remand prisoner until convicted , meaning he was being held in prison awaiting trial .
However , when he was taken away from the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday afternoon as a convicted garda killer , his status in the prison system switched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left behind the more modern confines of Cloverhill Prison , where many remand prisoners are kept , for Mountjoy Prison , Dublin , one of the most notorious prisons in the Republic .
The impressive refurbishment of the once-Dickensian facility over the past decade can not disguise the fact it is home to some of the most violent and unpredictable criminals in the country , with large numbers of prisoners either addicted to heroin or dependent on methadone or both .
Many of the prisoners are from backgrounds of extreme disadvantage and suffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is rife in the prison on North Circular Road , with Dublin gangs ruling the landings and where Brady , who has been given a cell in D Wing , may struggle to fit in .
That task of integrating will be made more difficult because prisoners at the jail are locked up for much longer periods than normal at present due to Covid-19 .
Brady ’ s family are also based in Co Armagh , meaning family visits will not be easy for the now notorious killer who sealed his own fate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during drinking sessions while living in the US .
When Brady arrived at Mountjoy Prison he was brought into the reception area where personal details and physical descriptions are recorded , including height and weight and any tattoos or birth marks , while all new arrivals must also shower .
A reception officer conducted a committal interview , during which Brady gave his name , address , date of birth , next of kin , occupation and religion .
He was then asked for other details by reception and medical staff including whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from any illnesses .
Like all new arrivals , he was held in the committal unit for 24 hours , where physical and mental health is observed , before being moved into the prison population ; in Brady ’ s case , the D Wing .
The regimes in all prisons are broadly similar , with cells unlocked at about 8am .
After collecting breakfast , the prisoners are locked in until 9.30am , when they are let out for recreation , work or education .
They return to cells at noon to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recreation or training follows until 4pm when they collect tea and are locked in cells until 5.30pm .
There is 90 minutes of recreation until 7.30pm when they are locked into cells with TV or reading to occupy them .
The vast majority of cells are single occupancy .
In recent months , the regimes in prisons have been significantly changed , with prisoners spending a lot more time in their cells .
Groups of prisons are allowed out of their cells for periods of time before being locked up again , allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis .
However , Netflix has been provided in cells for the duration of the restricted regime period due to Covid-19 .
While that restricted regime may be in place for a very prolonged period , Brady will have plenty of time to experience the regular regime as he has 30 years to serve .
His sentencing was not due to take place until October but conviction for capital murder – killing a person you knew was a Garda member on duty – carries an automatic sentence of 40 years .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remission – automatic time off , not linked to “ good behaviour ” – meaning a sentence of 30 years , unless he wins his appeal .

Having already been in prison for over two years awaiting trial, Aaron Brady is not new to the sights and smells of prison life. However, he is new to Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, where he was transferred after his conviction on Wednesday for the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe.
Garda and legal sources said as his legal bills were covered by the State for as long as he wished, he was certain to appeal his conviction. Unless he wins that appeal, the 29-year-old will be almost 60 years by the time he will be freed.
He was the first person in the State convicted of capital murder since 1985 and sources said because that verdict was so rare, and because the case against him was largely built on circumstantial evidence, it was not impossible that he could win on appeal.
Brady, a married father of one, was deported from the US in May 2017, having been arrested at the time on his way to work in New York one morning. It was a move that surprised the Co Armagh man who believed he would never be charged with the murder.
READ MORE
Once deported from the US back to the Republic he was brought before the courts to face charges of murdering Det Garda Donohoe during a robbery at Lordship Credit Union, Co Louth, in January 2013, which he was also charged with.
He was a remand prisoner until convicted, meaning he was being held in prison awaiting trial. However, when he was taken away from the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday afternoon as a convicted garda killer, his status in the prison system switched to sentenced prisoner.
It meant he left behind the more modern confines of Cloverhill Prison, where many remand prisoners are kept, for Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, one of the most notorious prisons in the Republic.
Violent and unpredictable
The impressive refurbishment of the once-Dickensian facility over the past decade cannot disguise the fact it is home to some of the most violent and unpredictable criminals in the country, with large numbers of prisoners either addicted to heroin or dependent on methadone or both. Many of the prisoners are from backgrounds of extreme disadvantage and suffer from mental health issues. Gang-based violence is rife in the prison on North Circular Road, with Dublin gangs ruling the landings and where Brady, who has been given a cell in D Wing, may struggle to fit in.
That task of integrating will be made more difficult because prisoners at the jail are locked up for much longer periods than normal at present due to Covid-19.
Brady’s family are also based in Co Armagh, meaning family visits will not be easy for the now notorious killer who sealed his own fate by boasting about killing Det Garda Donohoe during drinking sessions while living in the US.
When Brady arrived at Mountjoy Prison he was brought into the reception area where personal details and physical descriptions are recorded, including height and weight and any tattoos or birth marks, while all new arrivals must also shower. A reception officer conducted a committal interview, during which Brady gave his name, address, date of birth, next of kin, occupation and religion. He was then asked for other details by reception and medical staff including whether he had a drug habit or suffered from any illnesses. Like all new arrivals, he was held in the committal unit for 24 hours, where physical and mental health is observed, before being moved into the prison population; in Brady’s case, the D Wing.
Locked in cells
The regimes in all prisons are broadly similar, with cells unlocked at about 8am. After collecting breakfast, the prisoners are locked in until 9.30am, when they are let out for recreation, work or education. They return to cells at noon to eat and stay there until 2.15pm.
Recreation or training follows until 4pm when they collect tea and are locked in cells until 5.30pm. There is 90 minutes of recreation until 7.30pm when they are locked into cells with TV or reading to occupy them. The vast majority of cells are single occupancy.
In recent months, the regimes in prisons have been significantly changed, with prisoners spending a lot more time in their cells. Groups of prisons are allowed out of their cells for periods of time before being locked up again, allowing other groups out-of-cell time on a rotating basis.
However, Netflix has been provided in cells for the duration of the restricted regime period due to Covid-19.
While that restricted regime may be in place for a very prolonged period, Brady will have plenty of time to experience the regular regime as he has 30 years to serve. His sentencing was not due to take place until October but conviction for capital murder – killing a person you knew was a Garda member on duty – carries an automatic sentence of 40 years. However, Brady will be entitled to 10 years remission – automatic time off, not linked to “good behaviour” – meaning a sentence of 30 years, unless he wins his appeal.


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Taxi drivers fear 20% will be out of business within year

An estimated 20 per cent of taxi drivers would be out of business within the next 12 months without additional government support , representatives from the sector have claimed .
Taxi drivers estimate business at Dublin Airport is about 10 per cent of pre-Covid levels and business during the day is about 20 per cent , while nighttime and weekend business is about 2 per cent .
Speaking before news of the new government package of supports emerged , Jim Waldron , spokesman for the National Private and Hire Taxi Association , said it was difficult to predict what would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he expected drivers would be forced to leave the trade due to a lack of business .
“ I ’ d say over the next 12 months , if we don ’ t get any financial support from the Government , by this time next year we could probably have 20 per cent less taxi owners , ” he said .
He added this would particularly affect those of pension age , approximately 23 per cent of the total industry .
“ People who have a pension at the moment , they live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work to pick up a handy few quid .
But if you ’ re going out at rush hour now and only getting one job , that one job will only pay towards the licence and the upkeep of the car so I think they [ pensioners ] will fall away quicker.
” Mr Waldron called on the Government to stop the issuing of new taxi licences and to provide grants , as well as “ step-down payments ” for drivers who were going back to work .
He also called for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used as taxis and for the Government to introduce a licence buyback scheme .
Vinny Kearns , chief executive of NXT taxis , said he was already aware of “ many ” drivers who had decided driving taxis was no longer viable .
“ Already .
.
.
many taxi drivers had substantial mortgages , young families , loans .
I know myself that many drivers who had heavy goods vehicles licences returned to driving trucks .
Many of those will not return to driving taxis , ” he said .
“ At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they can make a living , if it ’ s a wise thing to do to come off the Covid [ payment ] , should they look for another job.
” The National Transport Authority , which regulates taxis , said it “ recognises the devastating impact which Covid-19 has had ” on the industry .
While it is not responsible for the administering of grants for the sector , a spokesman said it had implemented mitigation measures “ within its regulatory powers ” to provide assistance , such as the removal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of licences during the restrictions .
The spokesman added figures were not available for the number of people who have already left the business due to Covid-19 , as only a licence surrender indicates this “ indefinitely ” .

Taxi drivers estimate business at Dublin Airport is 10 per cent of pre-Covid levels and business during the day is 20 per cent, while nighttime and weekend business is 2 per cent. Photograph: Tom Honan
An estimated 20 per cent of taxi drivers would be out of business within the next 12 months without additional government support, representatives from the sector have claimed.
Taxi drivers estimate business at Dublin Airport is about 10 per cent of pre-Covid levels and business during the day is about 20 per cent, while nighttime and weekend business is about 2 per cent.
Speaking before news of the new government package of supports emerged, Jim Waldron, spokesman for the National Private and Hire Taxi Association, said it was difficult to predict what would happen to the sector. However, he expected drivers would be forced to leave the trade due to a lack of business.
“I’d say over the next 12 months, if we don’t get any financial support from the Government, by this time next year we could probably have 20 per cent less taxi owners,” he said.
READ MORE
He added this would particularly affect those of pension age, approximately 23 per cent of the total industry.
Older drivers
“People who have a pension at the moment, they live on their pension and go out to work to pick up a handy few quid. But if you’re going out at rush hour now and only getting one job, that one job will only pay towards the licence and the upkeep of the car so I think they [pensioners] will fall away quicker.”
Mr Waldron called on the Government to stop the issuing of new taxi licences and to provide grants, as well as “step-down payments” for drivers who were going back to work.
He also called for an extension to the age limits for vehicles used as taxis and for the Government to introduce a licence buyback scheme.
Vinny Kearns, chief executive of NXT taxis, said he was already aware of "many" drivers who had decided driving taxis was no longer viable.
‘Making a living’
“Already . . . many taxi drivers had substantial mortgages, young families, loans. I know myself that many drivers who had heavy goods vehicles licences returned to driving trucks. Many of those will not return to driving taxis,” he said.
“At the moment, drivers are worried about if they can make a living, if it’s a wise thing to do to come off the Covid [payment], should they look for another job.”
The National Transport Authority, which regulates taxis, said it "recognises the devastating impact which Covid-19 has had" on the industry.
While it is not responsible for the administering of grants for the sector, a spokesman said it had implemented mitigation measures “within its regulatory powers” to provide assistance, such as the removal of delayed renewal fees and the suspension of licences during the restrictions.
The spokesman added figures were not available for the number of people who have already left the business due to Covid-19, as only a licence surrender indicates this “indefinitely”.


theirishtimes--2020-08-13--Gardaí appeal for witnesses following man’s death near Cork car park

Gardaí have appealed to the public for assistance in their investigation into an unexplained death in Cork .
The appeal follows the discovery of a body near the entrance to a car park in Cork city centre on Wednesday .
Gardaí have named the dead man as Gary Dineen ( 35 ) , who was originally from St Luke ’ s on Cork ’ s northside but had been availing of homeless services in the city in recent months .
Mr Dineen ’ s body was discovered on Merchant Street , a cul de sac adjacent to the entrance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parnell Place Bus Station in the city .
The alarm was raised around 11.30am on Wednesday and Garda technical experts carried out an examination of the scene before gardaí requested the services of the State Pathologist ’ s Office .
It ’ s understood Mr Dineen had suffered an injury to his head and Assistant State Pathologist , Dr Margaret Bolster examined his body at the scene before it was removed to Cork University Hospital .
Dr Bolster carried out a postmortem on Mr Dineen ’ s remains at CUH but it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to how Mr Dineen suffered the head injury .
Gardaí believe he may have been in the cul-de sac for several days prior to his body being found and they have begun inquiries to try to establish when he was last seen alive .
Mr Dineen availed of homeless services in Cork and others who availed of homeless services including the nearby Cork Simon hostel on Anderson ’ s Quay used to frequent the cul-de-sac .
Gardaí have begun interviewing other homeless people in Cork to see when they last saw Mr Dineen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CCTV footage from the area .
They issued a statement on Thursday night saying they were keeping an open mind as they continue to investigate .
They have appealed to anyone who was in Mr Dineen ’ s company at any time from Saturday August 8th to contact them at the Bridewell Garda station at 021-4943330 .
They also appealed to anyone who saw anything unusual in the Merchant Quay Car Park and its environs on Parnell Place from Saturday , August 8th to Wednesday , August 12th to contact them .

Gary Dineen (35) was originally from St Luke’s on Cork’s northside but had been availing of homeless services recently.
Gardaí have appealed to the public for assistance in their investigation into an unexplained death in Cork.
The appeal follows the discovery of a body near the entrance to a car park in Cork city centre on Wednesday.
Gardaí have named the dead man as Gary Dineen (35), who was originally from St Luke's on Cork's northside but had been availing of homeless services in the city in recent months.
Mr Dineen's body was discovered on Merchant Street, a cul de sac adjacent to the entrance to the Merchant Quay multistorey car park opposite Parnell Place Bus Station in the city.
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The alarm was raised around 11.30am on Wednesday and Garda technical experts carried out an examination of the scene before gardaí requested the services of the State Pathologist’s Office.
It's understood Mr Dineen had suffered an injury to his head and Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster examined his body at the scene before it was removed to Cork University Hospital.
Dr Bolster carried out a postmortem on Mr Dineen’s remains at CUH but it is understood the findings are not conclusive as to how Mr Dineen suffered the head injury.
Gardaí believe he may have been in the cul-de sac for several days prior to his body being found and they have begun inquiries to try to establish when he was last seen alive.
Mr Dineen availed of homeless services in Cork and others who availed of homeless services including the nearby Cork Simon hostel on Anderson's Quay used to frequent the cul-de-sac.
Gardaí have begun interviewing other homeless people in Cork to see when they last saw Mr Dineen alive. They have also begun examining CCTV footage from the area.
They issued a statement on Thursday night saying they were keeping an open mind as they continue to investigate.
They have appealed to anyone who was in Mr Dineen’s company at any time from Saturday August 8th to contact them at the Bridewell Garda station at 021-4943330.
They also appealed to anyone who saw anything unusual in the Merchant Quay Car Park and its environs on Parnell Place from Saturday, August 8th to Wednesday, August 12th to contact them.


theirishtimes--2020-08-13--Investigation launched into racist abuse of Irish woman in Galway

An investigation has been launched into a racist exchange on a university campus in which a man repeatedly referred to a woman using offensive language about her colour .
The verbal assault took place at NUI Galway whose management have requested Garda assistance , insisting such behaviour would not be tolerated .
The victim of the tirade appears to have begun filming the man who can be seen telling her to “ go back to her own country ” despite her telling him she was Irish and repeating the appeal : “ Don ’ t talk to me like that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted on social media with the comment : “ Ireland ’ s not racist ?
?
I was in Galway minding my own business , then this happened.
” At one point the middle-aged man - dressed in black with sunglasses and a backpack - appears to be confronted by a passing cyclist .
Ignoring him , he continues to direct racist language at the woman as he walks away .
In a statement , NUI Galway said it had contacted gardaí about the incident .
“ As a University of Sanctuary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We do not and will not tolerate racism and find any incidence of racism abhorrent , ” it said .
“ As an educational institution , we are taken aback at such attitudes on our campus and will pursue all avenues to reject and eradicate racism and to support members of our community and our society who are subjected to such wholly unacceptable behaviour and attitudes .
This matters to us all .
”

In a statement NUI Galway said as a ‘University of Sanctuary’ it ‘will not tolerate racism and find any incidence of racism abhorrent’.
An investigation has been launched into a racist exchange on a university campus in which a man repeatedly referred to a woman using offensive language about her colour.
The verbal assault took place at NUI Galway whose management have requested Garda assistance, insisting such behaviour would not be tolerated.
The victim of the tirade appears to have begun filming the man who can be seen telling her to “go back to her own country” despite her telling him she was Irish and repeating the appeal: “Don’t talk to me like that”.
The video footage was then posted on social media with the comment: “Ireland’s not racist?? I was in Galway minding my own business, then this happened.”
READ MORE
At one point the middle-aged man - dressed in black with sunglasses and a backpack - appears to be confronted by a passing cyclist.
Ignoring him, he continues to direct racist language at the woman as he walks away.
In a statement, NUI Galway said it had contacted gardaí about the incident.
“As a University of Sanctuary, respect and openness are our core values. We do not and will not tolerate racism and find any incidence of racism abhorrent,” it said.
“As an educational institution, we are taken aback at such attitudes on our campus and will pursue all avenues to reject and eradicate racism and to support members of our community and our society who are subjected to such wholly unacceptable behaviour and attitudes. This matters to us all.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-13--Coveney remembers Paddy Sheehan TD, the local champion, in graveside oration

The late Fine Gael TD , Paddy Sheehan ( 87 ) may have had a reputation for wit and humour but he was also a tireless worker for his beloved west Cork and his family can be truly proud of his legacy , Minister for Foreign Affairs , Simon Coveney told mourners at Mr Sheehan ’ s funeral .
Mr Coveney told family and friends at Mr Sheehan ’ s funeral in his native Goleen near the end of the Mizen Peninsula that the late Cork South West TD had been a passionate champion for rural and coastal communities all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Paddy was a tireless worker – he was elected to Cork County Council in 1967 and he held that seat for 40 years and after he was elected to the Dáil in 1981 , he won a national reputation as a fearless advocate for rural and coastal Ireland , delivering another pier , a new road surface , year after year .
“ The small suckler farmer , the ferry operator , the inshore fisherman , the grocer , the GAA official , the stonemason , the RNLI crew , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the small hotelier – they all had a voice through Paddy for almost half a century , ” said Mr Coveney in his graveside oration .
Recalling that the late Mr Sheehan had “ most bases covered before he ever entered politics ” from his time working as an auctioneer , small farmer , shopkeeper , merchant and community activist , Mr Coveney said his winning back a seat for Fine Gael in west Cork in 2007 was a huge achievement .
“ When he regained a seat for Fine Gael in Cork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 74 , I remember him laughing off the criticism that he was getting too old for politics in his final term .
He brushed it off by saying ‘ Sure I ’ m younger than the Pope and that ’ s good enough for me ’ .
” Mr Coveney also recalled how close Mr Sheehan was to his late wife , Frances who died just a week before him on August 3rd and how inseparable they were with his wife driving him the six hour journey from Goleen to Dáil Éireann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Politics can be a tough career but Paddy and Frances made light of endless clinics in the back of pubs across west Cork , of funerals , dinner dances and constant representations , year after year – Paddy was energised by public service and his children and his grandchildren can be proud of him.
” Leading the mourners at the funeral Mass at the Church of Our Lady , Star of the Sea in Goleen , celebrated by curate , Fr Anthony Buckley , were Mr Sheehan ’ s adult children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maebh and his grandchildren , Caragh May , Gearoid , Ciaran and Ellen .
President Michael D Higgins was represented by his aide-de-camp , Comdt Tim Egar while Capt Lorraine Whelan represented Taoiseach , Micheál Martin and Tánaiste , Leo Varadkar .
Among the mourners from the world of politics were Minister for Finance , Paschal Donohoe , Ireland South Fine Gael MEP , Sean Kelly , Senators Jerry Buttimer and Tim Lombard , former Cork South West Fine Gael TDs , Jim Daly and Noel Harrington and Mayor of Kerry , Cllr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present was Clare Fine Gael TD , Joe Carey and his father , former TD Donal Carey , who visited Mr Sheehan along with former taoiseach Enda Kenny just l a day before he died .
Also among the mourners was former Cork East Fianna Fáil TD , Kevin O ’ Keeffe .
Earlier , the people of west Cork had come out to pay their respects with dozens lining the streets of Durrus , Ballydehob and Schull and others coming out on the road to Goleen to say a final farewell to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 years .

PJ Sheehan’s coffin is carried into Church of our Lady, Star of the Sea and St Patrick’s in Goleen, west Cork on Thursday. Photograph: Andy Gibson.
The late Fine Gael TD, Paddy Sheehan (87) may have had a reputation for wit and humour but he was also a tireless worker for his beloved west Cork and his family can be truly proud of his legacy, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney told mourners at Mr Sheehan’s funeral.
Mr Coveney told family and friends at Mr Sheehan’s funeral in his native Goleen near the end of the Mizen Peninsula that the late Cork South West TD had been a passionate champion for rural and coastal communities all around Ireland but most particularly west Cork.
“Paddy was a tireless worker – he was elected to Cork County Council in 1967 and he held that seat for 40 years and after he was elected to the Dáil in 1981, he won a national reputation as a fearless advocate for rural and coastal Ireland, delivering another pier, a new road surface, year after year.
People lined the streets of Goleen, Co Cork, as PJ Sheehan’s funeral cortege makes its way to the church. Photograph: Andy Gibson.
“The small suckler farmer, the ferry operator, the inshore fisherman, the grocer, the GAA official, the stonemason, the RNLI crew, the local pensioner, the tourist operator, the small hotelier – they all had a voice through Paddy for almost half a century,” said Mr Coveney in his graveside oration.
READ MORE
Recalling that the late Mr Sheehan had “most bases covered before he ever entered politics” from his time working as an auctioneer, small farmer, shopkeeper, merchant and community activist, Mr Coveney said his winning back a seat for Fine Gael in west Cork in 2007 was a huge achievement.
“When he regained a seat for Fine Gael in Cork South West in 2007 at the age of 74, I remember him laughing off the criticism that he was getting too old for politics in his final term. He brushed it off by saying ‘Sure I’m younger than the Pope and that’s good enough for me’.”
Mr Coveney also recalled how close Mr Sheehan was to his late wife, Frances who died just a week before him on August 3rd and how inseparable they were with his wife driving him the six hour journey from Goleen to Dáil Éireann every working week from 1981 until 2002.
“Politics can be a tough career but Paddy and Frances made light of endless clinics in the back of pubs across west Cork, of funerals, dinner dances and constant representations, year after year – Paddy was energised by public service and his children and his grandchildren can be proud of him.”
Leading the mourners at the funeral Mass at the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea in Goleen, celebrated by curate, Fr Anthony Buckley, were Mr Sheehan’s adult children, Dermot, Deirdre, Eucharia and Maebh and his grandchildren, Caragh May, Gearoid, Ciaran and Ellen.
President Michael D Higgins was represented by his aide-de-camp, Comdt Tim Egar while Capt Lorraine Whelan represented Taoiseach, Micheál Martin and Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar.
Among the mourners from the world of politics were Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, Ireland South Fine Gael MEP, Sean Kelly, Senators Jerry Buttimer and Tim Lombard, former Cork South West Fine Gael TDs, Jim Daly and Noel Harrington and Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Patrick O’Connor Scarteen.
Also present was Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey and his father, former TD Donal Carey, who visited Mr Sheehan along with former taoiseach Enda Kenny just a day before he died. Also among the mourners were former Cork North Central Fine Gael TD Bernard Allen and former Cork East Fianna Fáil TD, Kevin O’Keeffe.
Earlier, the people of west Cork had come out to pay their respects with dozens lining the streets of Durrus, Ballydehob and Schull and others coming out on the road to Goleen to say a final farewell to the man who represented them for over 50 years.


theirishtimes--2020-08-13--Housing activists assist tenants to re-enter property following eviction

The majority of tenants who were evicted from a property they were renting in Phibsborough , north Dublin returned to the home on Thursday .
Nine tenants , many of whom are foreign nationals , were removed from the Berkeley Road property on Wednesday morning .
Several men wearing all black , face coverings , caps and sunglasses entered the house on Wednesday morning , instructed the tenants inside to leave and then boarded up the front door and windows .
A number of gardaí attended the eviction and watched from the street outside the front door , as one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the property , according to video footage .
The tenants spent several hours afterwards outside the house , with their belongings and bin bags full of clothes on the pavement .
On Thursday , activists with the Dublin Central Housing Action group removed the boarding and allowed the tenants to re-enter the property .
The housing group was previously involved in several high-profile occupations of vacant Dublin city properties in 2018 , to protest the housing crisis .
The tenants claim they had not been served written eviction notices to vacate the property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Six of the tenants were back inside the property on Thursday .
Upon re-entering the home tenants said significant damage had been caused inside the property , including windows , doors and toilets being broken , with bed mattresses in the house also removed .
Gerry Ward , who had earlier been the tenant ’ s landlord , said he had been involved with the property since around 2004 .
He said there was a legal dispute over it since 2017 with a property fund , Beltany Property Finance .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not been fully resolved , ” he said , adding he had not been aware of the property ’ s repossession until he was contacted by the tenants .
A spokesman for Goldman Sachs , which controls Beltany , said the fund had sold the property on June 2nd , but was unable to disclose the name of the buyer citing confidentiality reasons .
One source said the property had been sold to a Dublin-based company .
Two individuals listed as directors of that company did not return requests for comment on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loan on the property previously , but sold it to Beltany around two years ago , a KBC spokeswoman said .
A number of the housing activists assisted tenants in cleaning the property , as well as supplying new mattresses , installing a new toilet and replacing the front door on Thursday .
Elias Niyi Adbo Jegede ( 47 ) is one of the tenants , who came to Ireland from Nigeria in 2005 , and had been living in the home for several years .
“ What happened here is someone that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evicted within 10 minutes .
.
.
I don ’ t see how this is happening in Ireland , ” he said .
Speaking after tenants re-occupied the home on Thursday he said : “ I am very grateful for the Irish people who have helped us.
” The Irish Council for Civil Liberties ( ICCL ) has written to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris querying the presence of gardaí at the eviction .
The civil rights organisation stated gardaí should not be playing any supportive role in property evictions , unless it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tenant , Theresa Chimamkpam ( 45 ) , said she had been living in the house since 2011 , and had not been served an eviction notice to vacate the home .
“ This is our home , in the middle of the pandemic you threw us on the road , ” she said .
Ms Chimamkpam said the property was in a “ state of chaos ” when the tenants returned on Thursday .
Emergency accommodation was sourced for a number of the tenants on Wednesday night by a voluntary group , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman said legal representatives of the property ’ s owner attended Mountjoy Garda station on Wednesday , “ to inform gardaí that they intended to secure their premises ” .
Gardaí “ noted the proposed activity but did not attend the premises at the time ” , he said .
During the eviction a tenant made an emergency call to gardaí at 11am , and a number of units attended the scene , but “ the majority were quickly stood down ” , the spokesman said .
“ Subsequently a number of Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary function to prevent breaches of the peace and ensure the safety of all persons involved , ” he said .

Nine tenants have been evicted from a house they were renting in Phibsborough, north Dublin with a number of men repossessing and boarding up the property. Video: Enda O'Dowd
The majority of tenants who were evicted from a property they were renting in Phibsborough, north Dublin returned to the home on Thursday.
Nine tenants, many of whom are foreign nationals, were removed from the Berkeley Road property on Wednesday morning.
Several men wearing all black, face coverings, caps and sunglasses entered the house on Wednesday morning, instructed the tenants inside to leave and then boarded up the front door and windows.
/2 Here are some pictures of the state of the property when the former tenants re-entered today pic.twitter.com/5IEAAvh4jd — Jack Power (@jackpowerIT) August 13, 2020
A number of gardaí attended the eviction and watched from the street outside the front door, as one of the tenants was physically removed from the property, according to video footage.
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The tenants spent several hours afterwards outside the house, with their belongings and bin bags full of clothes on the pavement.
On Thursday, activists with the Dublin Central Housing Action group removed the boarding and allowed the tenants to re-enter the property. The housing group was previously involved in several high-profile occupations of vacant Dublin city properties in 2018, to protest the housing crisis.
The tenants claim they had not been served written eviction notices to vacate the property prior to it being repossessed on Wednesday. Six of the tenants were back inside the property on Thursday.
Upon re-entering the home tenants said significant damage had been caused inside the property, including windows, doors and toilets being broken, with bed mattresses in the house also removed.
Gerry Ward, who had earlier been the tenant’s landlord, said he had been involved with the property since around 2004. He said there was a legal dispute over it since 2017 with a property fund, Beltany Property Finance.
“That has not been finally resolved, that has not been fully resolved,” he said, adding he had not been aware of the property’s repossession until he was contacted by the tenants.
Confidentiality
A spokesman for Goldman Sachs, which controls Beltany, said the fund had sold the property on June 2nd, but was unable to disclose the name of the buyer citing confidentiality reasons.
One source said the property had been sold to a Dublin-based company. Two individuals listed as directors of that company did not return requests for comment on Thursday.
KBC Bank had owned the loan on the property previously, but sold it to Beltany around two years ago, a KBC spokeswoman said.
A number of the housing activists assisted tenants in cleaning the property, as well as supplying new mattresses, installing a new toilet and replacing the front door on Thursday.
Elias Niyi Adbo Jegede (47) is one of the tenants, who came to Ireland from Nigeria in 2005, and had been living in the home for several years.
“What happened here is someone that has lived here for several years was evicted within 10 minutes . . . I don’t see how this is happening in Ireland,” he said.
Speaking after tenants re-occupied the home on Thursday he said: “I am very grateful for the Irish people who have helped us.”
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has written to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris querying the presence of gardaí at the eviction. The civil rights organisation stated gardaí should not be playing any supportive role in property evictions, unless it was in response to criminal behaviour.
‘Chaos’
Another tenant, Theresa Chimamkpam (45), said she had been living in the house since 2011, and had not been served an eviction notice to vacate the home. “This is our home, in the middle of the pandemic you threw us on the road,” she said. Ms Chimamkpam said the property was in a “state of chaos” when the tenants returned on Thursday.
Emergency accommodation was sourced for a number of the tenants on Wednesday night by a voluntary group, Inner City Helping Homeless.
A Garda spokesman said legal representatives of the property’s owner attended Mountjoy Garda station on Wednesday, “to inform gardaí that they intended to secure their premises”.
Gardaí “noted the proposed activity but did not attend the premises at the time”, he said.
During the eviction a tenant made an emergency call to gardaí at 11am, and a number of units attended the scene, but “the majority were quickly stood down”, the spokesman said.
“Subsequently a number of Garda personnel remained at the scene with the primary function to prevent breaches of the peace and ensure the safety of all persons involved,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-13--Construction union seeks face masks to be made mandatory on building sites

Face masks should be made mandatory for workers on building sites , one of the main construction trade unions has said .
The Connect trade union said on Thursday that face masks were essential safety equipment and should be provided by employers .
Connect assistant general secretary Brian Nolan , said : “ In light of recent workplace clusters of Covid-19 infection we are of the opinion that face masks should now be made mandatory for all construction sites .
Construction sites are areas where considerable amounts of workers congregate and where social distancing is often very difficult to maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facemasks and other essential personal protective equipment ( PPE ) as they arrive to a construction site each day.
” “ This is clearly an essential move if we are to prioritise the safety of workers and their families , it will also prevent any avoidable closures of construction sites and the resulting damage to the industry and wider economy .
In order to achieve this essential safety measure the Government should immediately include the construction sector and mechanical and electrical contracting sectors in the list of areas of live where face coverings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contractors had a duty of care to the industry and the country and should cover the cost of the provision of such safety equipment .
“ We are also calling upon the Construction Industry Federation to support this move and any other initiative that protects workers and their families .
If employers really value the well-being of their workers , they will not deny them this basic piece of personal protective equipment which must become as common place as hard hats or a hi-vis vests on sites .
No life should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Separately , Connect said a ballot on potential industrial action aimed at protecting existing terms and conditions of members is to continue until the end of August .
The union announced at the end of June that it would ballot more than 20,000 members in the electrical contracting , mechanical engineering and construction sectors for a mandate for industrial action .
It said this would take place in the event of any employer cutting the pay or conditions of its members in these sectors on foot of a High Court ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the system of sectoral employment orders which set out minimum terms to apply in particular areas.The Government is appealing the ruling .
Mr Nolan said the union had “ taken a proactive approach to protecting our members and their families in recent weeks by distributing thousands of Connect -branded reusable face masks along with ballot papers ” .

Workers should be provided with suitable facemasks and other essential personal protective equipment (PPE), the union said.
Industry Correspondent
Face masks should be made mandatory for workers on building sites, one of the main construction trade unions has said.
The Connect trade union said on Thursday that face masks were essential safety equipment and should be provided by employers.
Connect assistant general secretary Brian Nolan, said: "In light of recent workplace clusters of Covid-19 infection we are of the opinion that face masks should now be made mandatory for all construction sites. Construction sites are areas where considerable amounts of workers congregate and where social distancing is often very difficult to maintain. Workers should be provided with suitable facemasks and other essential personal protective equipment (PPE) as they arrive to a construction site each day."
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“This is clearly an essential move if we are to prioritise the safety of workers and their families, it will also prevent any avoidable closures of construction sites and the resulting damage to the industry and wider economy. In order to achieve this essential safety measure the Government should immediately include the construction sector and mechanical and electrical contracting sectors in the list of areas of live where face coverings are mandatory.”
Mr Nolan said clients and contractors had a duty of care to the industry and the country and should cover the cost of the provision of such safety equipment.
"We are also calling upon the Construction Industry Federation to support this move and any other initiative that protects workers and their families. If employers really value the well-being of their workers, they will not deny them this basic piece of personal protective equipment which must become as common place as hard hats or a hi-vis vests on sites. No life should be put at risk by going to work".
Separately, Connect said a ballot on potential industrial action aimed at protecting existing terms and conditions of members is to continue until the end of August.
The union announced at the end of June that it would ballot more than 20,000 members in the electrical contracting, mechanical engineering and construction sectors for a mandate for industrial action.
It said this would take place in the event of any employer cutting the pay or conditions of its members in these sectors on foot of a High Court ruling in June which struck down as unconstitutional the system of sectoral employment orders which set out minimum terms to apply in particular areas.The Government is appealing the ruling.
Mr Nolan said the union had “taken a proactive approach to protecting our members and their families in recent weeks by distributing thousands of Connect -branded reusable face masks along with ballot papers”.


theirishtimes--2020-08-13--Irish Water investigates reports of strange smell or taste from Dublin drinking water

Irish Water has confirmed it is investigating complaints from the public about a strange taste or smell from drinking water in parts of Dublin , but assured the public in these areas the water is safe to drink .
People living in Drumcondra , Fairview/Marino and Castleknock have registered complaints about the issue .
In response , Irish Water said it was “ aware of a number of recent reports from customers in relation to the odour and/or taste of drinking water in parts of Dublin , which we are currently investigating ” .
Microbiological and chemical analysis carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s water treatment plants serving Dublin confirmed the water was compliant with drinking water regulations and is safe to drink , the utility said in a statement .
“ Some people may be more sensitive to changes in how their drinking water tastes or smells .
A change in the taste or smell of drinking water can indicate a change [ in ] treatment processes – eg more chlorine being added if necessary .
“ Or [ it ] can be due to the impact of weather on a water source or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been picked up as the water flows through the network , none of which poses a risk to drinking water quality , ” Irish Water added .
Water produced at the treatment plants is tested daily , in conjunction with extensive monitoring in the distribution network .
The utility said customers with queries or concerns about the quality of their drinking water should contact Irish Water directly via its customer contact centre , which operates 24/7 , on 1850-278278 .

Irish Water has confirmed it is investigating complaints from the public about a strange taste or smell from drinking water in parts of Dublin. File photograph: Getty Images
Irish Water has confirmed it is investigating complaints from the public about a strange taste or smell from drinking water in parts of Dublin, but assured the public in these areas the water is safe to drink.
People living in Drumcondra, Fairview/Marino and Castleknock have registered complaints about the issue.
In response, Irish Water said it was “aware of a number of recent reports from customers in relation to the odour and/or taste of drinking water in parts of Dublin, which we are currently investigating”.
Microbiological and chemical analysis carried out on water produced at Irish Water’s water treatment plants serving Dublin confirmed the water was compliant with drinking water regulations and is safe to drink, the utility said in a statement.
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“Some people may be more sensitive to changes in how their drinking water tastes or smells. A change in the taste or smell of drinking water can indicate a change [in] treatment processes – eg more chlorine being added if necessary.
“Or [it] can be due to the impact of weather on a water source or the presence of organic matter or minerals that have been picked up as the water flows through the network, none of which poses a risk to drinking water quality,” Irish Water added.
Water produced at the treatment plants is tested daily, in conjunction with extensive monitoring in the distribution network.
The utility said customers with queries or concerns about the quality of their drinking water should contact Irish Water directly via its customer contact centre, which operates 24/7, on 1850-278278.


theirishtimes--2020-08-13--School profiling should not dictate Leaving Cert grades, warns Ombudsman

Leaving Cert students ’ calculated grades should not be dictated by the past performance of their schools , the Ombudsman for Children has warned .
Dr Niall Muldoon ’ s comments come amid controversy over the use of calculated grades in the UK which have seen hit disadvantaged students ’ hit hardest by downgrades of their teachers ’ predictions .
The system of calculated grades used in the UK is similar to the Irish approach and involves combining teachers ’ proposed grades with a national standardisation process .
There was anger among students in England , Northern Ireland and Wales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 per cent of students ’ grades were lower than teachers ’ predictions .
In Northern Ireland , more than a third – 37 per cent – of estimated grades allocated by teachers to A-level students were lowered in the final results .
However , there was an overall rise in grades and a record highs for the top A* and A grades .
In England , a detailed analysis shows pupils from poorer backgrounds were most likely to have grades proposed by their teachers downgraded compared to those in wealthier areas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ less dramatic than in Scotland where pupils and schools in disadvantaged areas were marked down the most harshly by the statistical model used to replace exams .
The controversy forced the Scottish government to reverse all downgrades earlier this week .
Some schools said they had “ no confidence whatsoever ” in the system .
Teachers from Bangor Academy said 63 per cent of their school ’ s grades had been lowered , while Glastry College in Co Down said 56 per cent of their grades had been reduced .
About 28,000 pupils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday morning .
Dr Muldoon , meanwhile , said he was concerned that while Scottish authorities tried to ensure the system was fair , disadvantaged pupils ended up being penalised more than others .
“ So , that suggests that the previous history of the school plays more against children from deprived backgrounds , so they ended up doubly disadvantaged , ” he said .
“ It was not the intention of the system – nor is it here .
So , I am writing to the Minister for Education to ensure the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students ’ grades.
” He said much of the unfairness and downgrading seemed to stem from the need to ensure this year ’ s results are comparable to last year ’ s .
However , Dr Muldoon warned against this .
“ This is a totally different year for students , so we need go with fairness and equity first .
Comparability of results to previous years should not be as important .
Fairness and equity should trump comparability , ” he said .
This , he said may require discussions with third-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in previous years and are applying through the CAO this year are not disadvantaged by grade inflation .
Minister for Education Norma Foley has sought to reassure thousands of Leaving Cert students that the new calculated grades system will be “ accurate , reliable and fair to all students ” .
A Department of Education spokesman said the statistical process in Ireland will take account of whether a group of students taking a subject in a school this year is academically stronger – or weaker – than in previous years .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the school is not pre-ordained to be the same as it was in previous years , ” the spokesman said .
He said the process is being overseen by international experts and an advisory group .
“ This process is still ongoing , and work is continuing to ensure that all students are treated fairly , ” the spokesman added .
In Northern Ireland , meanwhile , A-level grades saw pupil performance increase across all grades .

Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children: ‘This is a totally different year for students, so we need go with fairness and equity first. Comparability of results to previous years should not be as important. Fairness and equity should trump comparability.’ Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Leaving Cert students’ calculated grades should not be dictated by the past performance of their schools, the Ombudsman for Children has warned.
Dr Niall Muldoon’s comments come amid controversy over the use of calculated grades in the UK which have seen hit disadvantaged students’ hit hardest by downgrades of their teachers’predictions .
The system of calculated grades used in the UK is similar to the Irish approach and involves combining teachers’ proposed grades with a national standardisation process.
There was anger among students in England, Northern Ireland and Wales on Thursday after A-level results show almost 40 per cent of students' grades were lower than teachers' predictions.
READ MORE
In Northern Ireland, more than a third – 37 per cent – of estimated grades allocated by teachers to A-level students were lowered in the final results.
However, there was an overall rise in grades and a record highs for the top A* and A grades.
In England, a detailed analysis shows pupils from poorer backgrounds were most likely to have grades proposed by their teachers downgraded compared to those in wealthier areas.
The pattern was similar to, but less dramatic than in Scotland where pupils and schools in disadvantaged areas were marked down the most harshly by the statistical model used to replace exams. The controversy forced the Scottish government to reverse all downgrades earlier this week.
Some schools said they had "no confidence whatsoever" in the system. Teachers from Bangor Academy said 63 per cent of their school's grades had been lowered, while Glastry College in Co Down said 56 per cent of their grades had been reduced.
About 28,000 pupils across Northern Ireland received their results on Thursday morning.
Dr Muldoon, meanwhile, said he was concerned that while Scottish authorities tried to ensure the system was fair, disadvantaged pupils ended up being penalised more than others.
“So, that suggests that the previous history of the school plays more against children from deprived backgrounds, so they ended up doubly disadvantaged,” he said.
“It was not the intention of the system – nor is it here. So, I am writing to the Minister for Education to ensure the department is cognisant of that when calculating students’ grades.”
He said much of the unfairness and downgrading seemed to stem from the need to ensure this year’s results are comparable to last year’s. However, Dr Muldoon warned against this.
“This is a totally different year for students, so we need go with fairness and equity first. Comparability of results to previous years should not be as important. Fairness and equity should trump comparability,” he said.
This, he said may require discussions with third-level institutions to ensure students who sat exams in previous years and are applying through the CAO this year are not disadvantaged by grade inflation.
Minister for Education Norma Foley has sought to reassure thousands of Leaving Cert students that the new calculated grades system will be "accurate, reliable and fair to all students".
A Department of Education spokesman said the statistical process in Ireland will take account of whether a group of students taking a subject in a school this year is academically stronger – or weaker – than in previous years.
“This means that the distribution of grades emerging from the school is not pre-ordained to be the same as it was in previous years,” the spokesman said.
He said the process is being overseen by international experts and an advisory group.
“This process is still ongoing, and work is continuing to ensure that all students are treated fairly,” the spokesman added.
In Northern Ireland, meanwhile, A-level grades saw pupil performance increase across all grades.


theirishtimes--2020-08-13--Judgment reserved in predictive grades case brought by home-schooled student

Leaving Cert students that are home schooled can not be given calculated grades where there is an absence of credible evidence from an independent source , lawyers for the Minister for Education have told the High Court .
The Minister lawyers were making their submissions in an action taken by Elijah Burke over the State ’ s decision not to consider his application for calculated grades for those home-schooled by a parent or close relative .
Counsel for the Minister Nuala Butler SC said it would be unfair to other students if the small number of candidates home schooled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different system compared to the one put in place due to the Covid-19 outbreak .
Counsel said it had been suggested that students like Elijah , who was home-schooled by his mother Ms Martina Burke , could be given an estimated grade if he was interviewed on his course work by an independent teacher .
This scenario would not be acceptable to the Minister as it would give Elijah an advantage over other school-attending students , it was submitted .
Providing “ a different system for him ” , counsel said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand over.
” Elijah , represented by Paul O Higgins SC , claims the “ unjust and discriminatory ” exclusion of home school students from the calculated grades process breaches his rights under the article 42 of the Constitution and the Education ( Welfare ) Act 2000 .
The decision means he can not progress to third-level education for at least another year .
Mr O ’ Higgins in rejecting the State ’ s arguments said his client was being “ punished ” for being home schooled .
Following the conclusion of submissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Meenan said he would give his decision on what was “ a complex case ” sometime next week .
The Minister denies Elijah ’ s rights have been breached .
It is not possible to give Elijah a calculated grade for any of the nine subjects he has studied due to an absence of credible evidence from an appropriate source , the Minister claims .
Ms Butler told the court that under the Minister ’ s scheme , Ms Burke , who home schooled Elijah in all of his subjects , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest .
Accepting estimated marks from a close relative would undermine the integrity and credibility of the process , counsel said .
In this case counsel said there is insufficient evidence that would allow it to give Elijah , who did not sit the Junior Cert examinations , a predictive grade in any of his subjects .
However , the fact he falls outside of the system put in place due to the global health emergency does not deny him a chance to sit the Leaving Cert .
He could sit that exam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successful , he could commence the third-level course of his choice in 2021 .
Elijah , the court heard , hopes to continues his studies at NUI Galway .
The 18-year-old from Cloonsunna , Castlebar , Co Mayo , is one of 10 siblings who have all been educated at home by their mother , a registered teacher .
Elijah claims the Minister has acted unlawfully in failing to have in place a process for receiving and determining applications for calculated grades for pupils who are home schooled by a relative .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other students in the same situation as Elijah .
In his judicial review proceedings against the Minister , Elijah seeks various orders and declarations , including orders compelling the Minister to determine his application for calculated grades .
He also seeks an order quashing parts of the calculated grades scheme imposing a blanket exclusion on parents acting as tutors for home schooled children .

Leaving Cert students that are home schooled cannot be given calculated grades where there is an absence of credible evidence from an independent source, lawyers for the Minister for Education have told the High Court.
The Minister lawyers were making their submissions in an action taken by Elijah Burke over the State’s decision not to consider his application for calculated grades for those home-schooled by a parent or close relative.
Counsel for the Minister Nuala Butler SC said it would be unfair to other students if the small number of candidates home schooled by a relative were to be assessed by a different system compared to the one put in place due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Counsel said it had been suggested that students like Elijah, who was home-schooled by his mother Ms Martina Burke, could be given an estimated grade if he was interviewed on his course work by an independent teacher. This scenario would not be acceptable to the Minister as it would give Elijah an advantage over other school-attending students, it was submitted.
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Providing “a different system for him”, counsel said, was “not something the Minister could stand over.”
Elijah, represented by Paul O Higgins SC, claims the “unjust and discriminatory” exclusion of home school students from the calculated grades process breaches his rights under the article 42 of the Constitution and the Education (Welfare) Act 2000.
The decision means he cannot progress to third-level education for at least another year.
Mr O’Higgins in rejecting the State’s arguments said his client was being “punished” for being home schooled. Following the conclusion of submissions from both parties on Thursday evening Mr Justice Meenan said he would give his decision on what was “a complex case” sometime next week.
The Minister denies Elijah’s rights have been breached. It is not possible to give Elijah a calculated grade for any of the nine subjects he has studied due to an absence of credible evidence from an appropriate source, the Minister claims. Ms Butler told the court that under the Minister’s scheme, Ms Burke, who home schooled Elijah in all of his subjects, is in a position of direct conflict of interest. Accepting estimated marks from a close relative would undermine the integrity and credibility of the process, counsel said.
In this case counsel said there is insufficient evidence that would allow it to give Elijah, who did not sit the Junior Cert examinations, a predictive grade in any of his subjects.
However, the fact he falls outside of the system put in place due to the global health emergency does not deny him a chance to sit the Leaving Cert. He could sit that exam in November, and if he was successful, he could commence the third-level course of his choice in 2021.
Elijah, the court heard, hopes to continues his studies at NUI Galway.
The 18-year-old from Cloonsunna, Castlebar, Co Mayo, is one of 10 siblings who have all been educated at home by their mother, a registered teacher.
Elijah claims the Minister has acted unlawfully in failing to have in place a process for receiving and determining applications for calculated grades for pupils who are home schooled by a relative. It is believed that there are approximately 10 other students in the same situation as Elijah.
In his judicial review proceedings against the Minister, Elijah seeks various orders and declarations, including orders compelling the Minister to determine his application for calculated grades. He also seeks an order quashing parts of the calculated grades scheme imposing a blanket exclusion on parents acting as tutors for home schooled children.


theirishtimes--2020-08-13--92 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed with no new deaths

There have been 92 further cases of Covid-19 identified in the State , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) reported on Thursday , but there have been no further deaths here from the disease .
The latest figures bring the total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic to 26,929 .
There has been a total of 1,774 Covid-19-related deaths here .
Dr Ronan Glynn , acting chief medical officer at the Department of Health , appealed to those living under renewed coronavirus restrictions in counties Kildare , Laois and Offaly to “ hold firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also occurring in several other counties around the country .
“ We expected that this week the daily figures we report would rise and fall , ” he said .
“ NPHET is closely monitoring all trends , patterns and changes in the data , including not just case numbers but locations , age groups , and sources of transmission .
“ This is still about a united , whole-of-country approach .
The only way we can effectively suppress Covid-19 across Ireland in the long term is if we act together to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include 43 men and 48 women , with 72 per cent of them under the age of 45 .
Of the new cases , 43 are associated with existing outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case .
Twelve have been identified as community transmissions .
The geographical breakdown by county is 24 cases in Dublin and also in Kildare ; eight in Limerick ; six in Carlow ; six in Kilkenny ; five in Meath , and five in Clare .
A combined further 14 cases have been identified in Cork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louth , Monaghan , Offaly , Waterford and Wicklow .
“ Living with Covid-19 has undoubtedly been difficult and this pandemic has adversely impacted on people in many different ways .
We know that what the public health advice asks you to do can be difficult , but we are asking you to stay the course with it , ” Dr Glynn said .
On Wednesday , NPHET said the reproduction rate of the virus had fallen this week from 1.8 to 1.6 , and reported a slight drop in new cases to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of NPHET ’ s modelling advisory group had said that despite that trend Ireland is still experiencing a sharp and worrying increase in the spread of the virus .
Eight new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Northern Ireland on Thursday , bringing the total number of cases there to 6,225 .
The North ’ s Department of Health also said there had been no new deaths from the virus notified on Thursday .
The department ’ s total figure for deaths from the disease in the North remains at 557 .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are three confirmed cases of people with the virus now in intensive care beds in hospitals in Northern Ireland .
There are also three active outbreaks of Covid-19 in care homes there .
Since the start of the pandemic , there have been 180 such outbreaks .
Earlier on Thursday , Northern Ireland ’ s Public Health Agency said data showed clusters of the virus occurring in several districts .
An analysis of all cases across Northern Ireland showed that since the start of contact tracing on May 24th a total of 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been identified .
These were in Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council ( one cluster ) , Ards and North Down Borough Council ( 1 ) , Armagh City , Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council ( 1 ) , Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council ( 1 ) , Mid and East Antrim Borough Council ( 3 ) , and Newry , Mourne and Down District Council ( 4 ) .
In addition , there were 20 clusters across Northern Ireland with fewer than five people .
A cluster is defined as two or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a key setting , with illness onset dates within a 14-day period .
Key settings which have seen clusters to date since May include workplaces , retail or hospitality premises , domestic gatherings , and sporting settings .

Key settings which have seen clusters in Northern Ireland include workplaces, retail or hospitality premises, domestic gatherings, and sporting settings. Photograph: Bloomberg
There have been 92 further cases of Covid-19 identified in the State, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) reported on Thursday, but there have been no further deaths here from the disease.
The latest figures bring the total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic to 26,929.
There has been a total of 1,774 Covid-19-related deaths here.
Dr Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical officer at the Department of Health, appealed to those living under renewed coronavirus restrictions in counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly to “hold firm”, although he said cases are also occurring in several other counties around the country.
READ MORE
“We expected that this week the daily figures we report would rise and fall,” he said. “NPHET is closely monitoring all trends, patterns and changes in the data, including not just case numbers but locations, age groups, and sources of transmission.
“This is still about a united, whole-of-country approach. The only way we can effectively suppress Covid-19 across Ireland in the long term is if we act together to protect each other.”
The newly reported cases include 43 men and 48 women, with 72 per cent of them under the age of 45.
Of the new cases, 43 are associated with existing outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case. Twelve have been identified as community transmissions.
The geographical breakdown by county is 24 cases in Dublin and also in Kildare; eight in Limerick; six in Carlow; six in Kilkenny; five in Meath, and five in Clare. A combined further 14 cases have been identified in Cork, Donegal, Kerry, Laois, Louth, Monaghan, Offaly, Waterford and Wicklow.
“Living with Covid-19 has undoubtedly been difficult and this pandemic has adversely impacted on people in many different ways. We know that what the public health advice asks you to do can be difficult, but we are asking you to stay the course with it,” Dr Glynn said.
On Wednesday, NPHET said the reproduction rate of the virus had fallen this week from 1.8 to 1.6, and reported a slight drop in new cases to 40. However, Prof Philip Nolan of NPHET’s modelling advisory group had said that despite that trend Ireland is still experiencing a sharp and worrying increase in the spread of the virus.
Northern Ireland
Eight new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Northern Ireland on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases there to 6,225.
The North’s Department of Health also said there had been no new deaths from the virus notified on Thursday. The department’s total figure for deaths from the disease in the North remains at 557.
According to the most recent data, there are three confirmed cases of people with the virus now in intensive care beds in hospitals in Northern Ireland.
There are also three active outbreaks of Covid-19 in care homes there. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 180 such outbreaks.
Earlier on Thursday, Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency said data showed clusters of the virus occurring in several districts.
An analysis of all cases across Northern Ireland showed that since the start of contact tracing on May 24th a total of 11 clusters with five or more people have been identified.
These were in Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council (one cluster), Ards and North Down Borough Council (1), Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (1), Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council (1), Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (3), and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (4).
In addition, there were 20 clusters across Northern Ireland with fewer than five people. A cluster is defined as two or more confirmed cases among individuals associated with a key setting, with illness onset dates within a 14-day period.
Key settings which have seen clusters to date since May include workplaces, retail or hospitality premises, domestic gatherings, and sporting settings.