theirishtimes--2020-11-20--Foster defends NI’s lockdown measures as business owners express frustration

The North ’ s First Minister has defended the decision to introduce tough new lockdown measures to limit the spread of coronavirus only a week after less stringent measures were blocked by her party .
Ministers agreed on Thursday to a two-week shutdown from November 27th which will close hospitality , churches and non-essential retail .
Arlene Foster said the Executive had received new medical advice around the reproduction ( R ) number and the number of people in hospital .
This was , she said , “ all new information , and it ’ s in that context we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We only do what is necessary , unfortunately what we ’ re having to do next week is necessary , and that ’ s why we have to take those very , very difficult decisions , ” she said .
The change in stance comes only a week after the DUP twice used a controversial cross-community mechanism to prevent the extension of current restrictions .
The bitter and damaging split in the Executive resulted in a reluctant compromise which extended the measures until Friday , when cafes and close contact businesses were allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been followed by the complete reopening of hospitality businesses from November 27th , which has now been scrapped .
Business owners expressed anger and frustration that cafes and close contact businesses , which reopened on Friday under the limited relaxing of the rules agreed last week , will now be required to close again after only a week .
Concerns have also been raised that the one-week window for shops , cafes and close contact services to remain open will encourage a rush of shoppers .
The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unexpected news announced late on Thursday night that churches across Northern Ireland are to close for two weeks from November 27th has come “ as a great disappointment , and is contrary to the assurances given to faith groups at a meeting just last week at which we were praised for our attention to safety and public health ” .
He added : “ Our parishes have consistently tried to support the Executive and public health authorities and we will do so again , but we would prefer to do so in mature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church always wishes to protect health and life and promote the Common Good and therefore will continue to play its part in making the necessary sacrifices , but we urgently request that the ban on public worship will be for the shortest period possible.
” He sought urgent clarification on the question of whether churches may open for individual visits and private prayer .
“ I can not understand how a person may still go to an off-licence to buy alcohol but might not be permitted to visit and sit in quiet solitary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
He noted the restrictions will coincide with the beginning of the holy season of Advent , a sacred time of preparation for Christmas .
“ I urge the Executive to accept that for many people a ‘ meaningful Christmas ’ is about more than shopping , eating and drinking .
Spiritual preparation is essential ” .
The chief executive of Hospitality Ulster , Colin Neil , said the change in the rules was a “ disaster ” and the sector needed an urgent financial rescue package .
“ All trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been wiped away , ” he said .
“ We were told that Christmas trading would be saved , that is now gone .
.
.
We have been left with no trade , no hope and a huge amount of redundancies on our hands.
” Twelve further coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the North ’ s Department of Health ( DoH ) on Friday , bringing the total number of fatalities to 913 .
A further 369 people were confirmed to have the virus .
Speaking to reporters on Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change in position and said the evidence had changed .
While Ministers did not want to introduce further restrictions because they “ realise the impact it will have .
.
.
it was necessary , unfortunately , to protect our health service.
” She said the Minister for Health Robin Swann had brought forward evidence that the R number was higher than had been hoped - at 1 rather than between .8 and .9 - which “ causes us concern in terms of transmission of the virus .
“ The numbers are staying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at present , but when we look at our hospital numbers they are at our highest they have been , ” she said .
“ In the first peak in March and April , the numbers in our hospitals reached around 350 , now they ’ re at 450 , so our health service [ WORKERS ] are very tired , we understand that , so there was a need to put in these interventions.
” However the Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon of the SDLP disputed this , saying the situation had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five weeks ago to impose a six-week lockdown .
“ The regrettable thing is that we should have been taking decisions like this long before , ” she told the BBC .
“ We should not have had the shambles of last week and the distress that has caused to businesses and people , but we have got the right decision now and it ’ s very clear that we need to be putting financial support packages in place.
” The Deputy First Minister , Sinn Féin ’ s Michelle O ’ Neill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying the decision was “ difficult ” but was taken “ on the back of strong medical and scientific advice , and was necessary.
” The chair of the British Medical Association in Northern Ireland , Dr Tom Black , welcomed the decision but said it should have been taken five weeks ago .
“ We need this lockdown if we are going to take the pressure off the hospitals .
The hospitals are at breaking point , ” he said .
“ The decision that was made five weeks ago was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough at the time and it needed to be taken earlier .
“ We should have brought in more severe measures five weeks ago if we were going to stop this happening now .
It ’ s happened , we have a lot of hard work to do.
” – Additional reporting - PA

Arlene Foster said while Ministers did not want to introduce further restrictions ‘it was necessary, unfortunately, to protect our health service’. File photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA Wire
The North’s First Minister has defended the decision to introduce tough new lockdown measures to limit the spread of coronavirus only a week after less stringent measures were blocked by her party.
Ministers agreed on Thursday to a two-week shutdown from November 27th which will close hospitality, churches and non-essential retail.
Arlene Foster said the Executive had received new medical advice around the reproduction (R) number and the number of people in hospital. This was, she said, "all new information, and it's in that context we had to make the decision.
“We only do what is necessary, unfortunately what we’re having to do next week is necessary, and that’s why we have to take those very, very difficult decisions,” she said.
READ MORE
The change in stance comes only a week after the DUP twice used a controversial cross-community mechanism to prevent the extension of current restrictions.
The bitter and damaging split in the Executive resulted in a reluctant compromise which extended the measures until Friday, when cafes and close contact businesses were allowed to resume trading.
This was to have been followed by the complete reopening of hospitality businesses from November 27th, which has now been scrapped.
Business owners expressed anger and frustration that cafes and close contact businesses, which reopened on Friday under the limited relaxing of the rules agreed last week, will now be required to close again after only a week.
Concerns have also been raised that the one-week window for shops, cafes and close contact services to remain open will encourage a rush of shoppers.
The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland Eamon Martin said the unexpected news announced late on Thursday night that churches across Northern Ireland are to close for two weeks from November 27th has come "as a great disappointment, and is contrary to the assurances given to faith groups at a meeting just last week at which we were praised for our attention to safety and public health".
He added: “Our parishes have consistently tried to support the Executive and public health authorities and we will do so again, but we would prefer to do so in mature partnership and dialogue.
“The Catholic Church always wishes to protect health and life and promote the Common Good and therefore will continue to play its part in making the necessary sacrifices, but we urgently request that the ban on public worship will be for the shortest period possible.”
He sought urgent clarification on the question of whether churches may open for individual visits and private prayer.
“I cannot understand how a person may still go to an off-licence to buy alcohol but might not be permitted to visit and sit in quiet solitary prayer in a large church,” he said.
He noted the restrictions will coincide with the beginning of the holy season of Advent, a sacred time of preparation for Christmas. “I urge the Executive to accept that for many people a ‘meaningful Christmas’ is about more than shopping, eating and drinking. Spiritual preparation is essential”.
The chief executive of Hospitality Ulster, Colin Neil, said the change in the rules was a “disaster” and the sector needed an urgent financial rescue package.
“All trust in the Executive by the hospitality sector has been wiped away,” he said. “We were told that Christmas trading would be saved, that is now gone . . . We have been left with no trade, no hope and a huge amount of redundancies on our hands.”
Latest deaths and cases
Twelve further coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the North's Department of Health (DoH) on Friday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 913. A further 369 people were confirmed to have the virus.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Ms Foster justified her party’s change in position and said the evidence had changed. While Ministers did not want to introduce further restrictions because they “realise the impact it will have . . . it was necessary, unfortunately, to protect our health service.”
She said the Minister for Health Robin Swann had brought forward evidence that the R number was higher than had been hoped - at 1 rather than between .8 and .9 - which "causes us concern in terms of transmission of the virus.
“The numbers are staying pretty static in relation to positive cases at present, but when we look at our hospital numbers they are at our highest they have been,” she said.
“In the first peak in March and April, the numbers in our hospitals reached around 350, now they’re at 450, so our health service [WORKERS]are very tired, we understand that, so there was a need to put in these interventions.”
However the Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon of the SDLP disputed this, saying the situation had not changed and ministers had been advised five weeks ago to impose a six-week lockdown.
“The regrettable thing is that we should have been taking decisions like this long before,” she told the BBC. “We should not have had the shambles of last week and the distress that has caused to businesses and people, but we have got the right decision now and it’s very clear that we need to be putting financial support packages in place.”
The Deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill, also defended the new restrictions, saying the decision was “difficult” but was taken “on the back of strong medical and scientific advice, and was necessary.”
The chair of the British Medical Association in Northern Ireland, Dr Tom Black, welcomed the decision but said it should have been taken five weeks ago.
“We need this lockdown if we are going to take the pressure off the hospitals. The hospitals are at breaking point,” he said.
“The decision that was made five weeks ago was the wrong decision, it was not severe enough at the time and it needed to be taken earlier.
“We should have brought in more severe measures five weeks ago if we were going to stop this happening now. It’s happened, we have a lot of hard work to do.”– Additional reporting - PA


theirishtimes--2020-11-20--European Space Agency satellite to provide key indications of rise in sea level due to climate warmi

European Space Agency satellite to provide key indications of rise in sea level due to climate warming

Sentinel 6 , the latest in a series of European Space Agency ( ESA ) Earth observation satellites , which launches on Saturday in the US , will provide the most detailed data yet on predicted future sea-level increases and what ’ s required to protect coastal cities and towns .
Sea levels have been rising , scientists say , due to the melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets , which cause 45 per cent of the increase .
The rest is due to expansion of the oceans as they have warmed up as a result of global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our knowledge of sea-level rise , and importantly provide warning of storm surges , which are a more immediate threat to the Irish coastline , ” says Dr Fiona Cawkwell , a lecturer in Geography at University College Cork .
“ Sea-level rise is a product of more than just melting of polar ice caps , ” she adds .
This latest satellite , she says , will continue the work of other missions in providing researchers with a more detailed and more nuanced picture of how much sea level is changing globally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened many coastal locations , with Dublin and Cork suffering flooding in recent years as a result .
Up to recently sea levels were believed to be rising by about 3.2mm per year , but new evidence suggests it has increased to 4mm per annum .
“ When you raise the sea level , not by too much actually , the impact of storm surges starts to become more and more significant , ” says Craig Donlon , a mission scientist for Sentinel 6 at the ESA .
“ You only need a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the storm protection system and it can take the whole lot down , ” he adds .
Planners in local authorities are under increasing pressure to put the engineering works in place to protect homes and businesses .
Sentinel will assist the planners to make better informed decisions on what ’ s needed by providing more precise data on local sea-level changes .
Donlon explains that Sentinel 6 will use an instrument called an altimeter .
It works by firing a radar pulse at the sea surface , he says , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measured .
“ We time how long it takes for that pulse to get emitted , reflected and received back in the satellite , ” Donlon says .
“ What we can deduce then is sea surface height ; from that you can get sea level and you can also get ocean dynamics .
It ’ s like a virtual tide gauge in space .
With Sentinel 6 we have measurements all over the planet.
” The Sentinel 6 will also be capable of detecting whether dangerous abrupt climate changes may be occurring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Gulf Stream , which maintains Ireland ’ s benign moderate climate .
If such an event happened , Europe could be plunged into an ice age .
“ From Sentinel 6 , we will be making measurements that allow us to see any major changes , ” Donlon explains .
“ If you saw one of these big tipping points start , it wouldn ’ t happen overnight , not like the film shows , but we would start to see changes in the Gulf Stream.
” Improved weather forecasting is another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a big impact .
It will do this , Donlon says , by giving meteorologists a far better understanding of where the warm and cold water is going , sea surface temperatures and wave heights .
“ The altimetry data can be analysed to determine wave heights and wind speeds over the oceans , information that is very relevant to an island in the Atlantic like Ireland , ” says Noel Fitzpatrick , research meteorologist at Met Éireann , commenting on the Sentinel 6 .
“ This data may also be used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tropical storms in other regions , ” Fitzpatrick adds .
Techworks Marine is an Irish company based in Dún Laoghaire , which will make use of data from Sentinel 6 to provide marine monitoring services for the public and private sector in Ireland and overseas .
“ Sentinel 6 will map 95 per cent of the Earth ’ s oceans every 10 days and will extend the continuity of satellite altimetry until at least 2030 , ” says Eimear Tuohy earth observation lead at Techworks Marine .
“ Additionally data will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will help improve weather forecasting and climate models , ” Tuohy adds .
The Sentinel 6 satellite has been jointly developed by ESA with NASA , the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites ( EUMETSAT ) and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) .
It is scheduled to launch in California at 5.17pm Irish time onboard a Space X Falcon 9 rocket , and this will be streamed live by ESA TV .

Sentinel 6, the latest in a series of European Space Agency (ESA) Earth observation satellites, which launches on Saturday in the US, will provide the most detailed data yet on predicted future sea-level increases and what's required to protect coastal cities and towns.
Sea levels have been rising, scientists say, due to the melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, which cause 45 per cent of the increase. The rest is due to expansion of the oceans as they have warmed up as a result of global warming.
"Sentinel 6 will further our knowledge of sea-level rise, and importantly provide warning of storm surges, which are a more immediate threat to the Irish coastline," says Dr Fiona Cawkwell, a lecturer in Geography at University College Cork.
“Sea-level rise is a product of more than just melting of polar ice caps,” she adds. This latest satellite, she says, will continue the work of other missions in providing researchers with a more detailed and more nuanced picture of how much sea level is changing globally.
READ MORE
The rise in sea levels has threatened many coastal locations, with Dublin and Cork suffering flooding in recent years as a result. Up to recently sea levels were believed to be rising by about 3.2mm per year, but new evidence suggests it has increased to 4mm per annum.
"When you raise the sea level, not by too much actually, the impact of storm surges starts to become more and more significant," says Craig Donlon, a mission scientist for Sentinel 6 at the ESA. "You only need a little bit of water to get through the storm protection system and it can take the whole lot down," he adds.
Planners in local authorities are under increasing pressure to put the engineering works in place to protect homes and businesses. Sentinel will assist the planners to make better informed decisions on what’s needed by providing more precise data on local sea-level changes.
Donlon explains that Sentinel 6 will use an instrument called an altimeter. It works by firing a radar pulse at the sea surface, he says, which is reflected back to the satellite, and measured.
“We time how long it takes for that pulse to get emitted, reflected and received back in the satellite,” Donlon says. “What we can deduce then is sea surface height; from that you can get sea level and you can also get ocean dynamics. It’s like a virtual tide gauge in space. With Sentinel 6 we have measurements all over the planet.”
Dangerous
The Sentinel 6 will also be capable of detecting whether dangerous abrupt climate changes may be occurring, such as the cutting off of the Gulf Stream, which maintains Ireland's benign moderate climate. If such an event happened, Europe could be plunged into an ice age.
“From Sentinel 6, we will be making measurements that allow us to see any major changes,” Donlon explains. “If you saw one of these big tipping points start, it wouldn’t happen overnight, not like the film shows, but we would start to see changes in the Gulf Stream.”
Improved weather forecasting is another area where Sentinel 6 is expected to make a big impact. It will do this, Donlon says, by giving meteorologists a far better understanding of where the warm and cold water is going, sea surface temperatures and wave heights.
"The altimetry data can be analysed to determine wave heights and wind speeds over the oceans, information that is very relevant to an island in the Atlantic like Ireland, " says Noel Fitzpatrick, research meteorologist at Met Éireann, commenting on the Sentinel 6.
“This data may also be used to determine the intensity and potential track of tropical storms in other regions,” Fitzpatrick adds.
Techworks Marine is an Irish company based in Dún Laoghaire, which will make use of data from Sentinel 6 to provide marine monitoring services for the public and private sector in Ireland and overseas.
"Sentinel 6 will map 95 per cent of the Earth's oceans every 10 days and will extend the continuity of satellite altimetry until at least 2030," says Eimear Tuohy earth observation lead at Techworks Marine.
“Additionally data will be collected on atmospheric temperature and humidity which will help improve weather forecasting and climate models,” Tuohy adds.
The Sentinel 6 satellite has been jointly developed by ESA with NASA, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
It is scheduled to launch in California at 5.17pm Irish time onboard a Space X Falcon 9 rocket, and this will be streamed live by ESA TV.


theirishtimes--2020-11-20--Irish people donate €2.5m to Native American tribe devastated by coronavirus

Few places in the world have been as devastated by coronavirus as the Navajo Nation which spans part of Arizona , Utah and New Mexico in the southwestern United States .
Just 175,000 people live in an area the size of the Republic of Ireland .
The nation has been hit by two waves of the virus , the second and latest even more severe than the first .
To date , 13,744 people have tested positive the disease , one person in 12 , and 605 have died , the equivalent of 13,000 in this State .
Currently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the nation is back in a complete lockdown for the next three weeks .
Poor infrastructure and high levels of deprivation and chronic illness have made the nation particularly susceptible to the disease .
When the Navajo appealed for help in March as the virus first threatened , that appeal was noted in Ireland .
Irish people recalled the support of another native American people , the Choctaw Indians , during the Great Famine 175 years ago .
The money to the Navajo gofundme appeal started to come in from Ireland and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reveals names including Amy Heffernan , Breige McGinn , Eamon Gallagher , Alan Slattery , Brian McCarthy , Seamus Traynor and Dermot Sweeney who have donated in the last 48 hours alone .
U2 drummer Larry Mullen has also donated $ 100,000 ( €84,000 ) to the fund .
To date “ at least ” $ 3 million ( €2.5 million ) has come directly from Irish people living in Ireland , according to the Navajo Nation attorney-general Doreen McPaul .
“ It is quite overwhelming at a human level .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is going on , ” she said .
Along with the online donations , people have sent money in envelopes while apologising for not being able to get to a bank , she said .
In addition , the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix and the McClelland Irish Library next door volunteered to act as a drop-off hub for supplies .
So many people donated food , cleaning materials and clothes in May that the National Guard in Arizona was called on to drive two huge articulated trucks the 4½-hour journey to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people and the Navajo people have a shared history of oppression .
What Ireland has done with the Navajo nation is something that I am really proud about , ” said Ms McPaul whose father is a dual citizen of Ireland and the United States .
She is part-Navajo and part-Irish .
“ It makes me incredibly proud of these cultures that are coming together in a time of great need .
The Irish response has been truly phenomenal , really incredible.
” Ms McPaul , whose ancestry is from Armagh and Laois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has touched every Navajo family , including her own .
She has lost an uncle to the virus recently .
“ We have very hard , tragic stories where multi-generations of a single family have been lost .
Great-grandparents , grandparents and grandkids were all wiped out.
” Ms McPaul said the Navajo Nation opted for fundraising when it was unable to access funds from the Trump administration .
She said native peoples in the US are waiting for the federal government to release $ 600 million ( €506 million ) to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona took their revenge on President Donald Trump by handing the critical state and its 11 electoral college votes to president-elect Joe Biden .
Of the 67,000 eligible Navajo voters in Arizona , 90 per cent of them turned out to vote and between 85 and 90 per cent of them opted for Biden , who won the State by just 12,000 votes .
By contrast Hillary Clinton won the Navajo vote by 55 per cent to 45 per cent .
Navajo Nation president Jonathan Nez told The Irish Times that a record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Overwhelming they decided on the Biden-Harris ticket because of the outreach we did for everyone that wanted to vote .
Navajo people were tired of being ignored by the administration and wanted no more of this devisiveness .
People cast their vote for change and healing.
” Mr Nez is the co-chair of the Arizona Democratic vote and a member of the electoral college who will vote for Mr Biden to become the 46th president of the United States .
He also addressed the Democratic National Convention in August .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I sat down with the DNC chair Tom Perez and let me that they didn ’ t do so well in the last election because they took the native American vote for granted .
“ I told them that they needed to go into tribal nations to encourage and inspire a big turnout .
“ We are proud that the Irish people are friends of the Navajo people They assisted us when our federal government would not.
” The Navajo gofundme page can be found here : gofundme.com/f/xjgrfa-navajo-amp-hopi-families-covid19-relief-fund ?
utm_source=customer & utm_medium=copy_link-tip & @

Monument Valley is home to the Navajo Nation, who have been badly affected by coronavirus. Photograph: Eric Baradat/AFP
Few places in the world have been as devastated by coronavirus as the Navajo Nation which spans part of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico in the southwestern United States.
Just 175,000 people live in an area the size of the Republic of Ireland. The nation has been hit by two waves of the virus, the second and latest even more severe than the first.
To date, 13,744 people have tested positive the disease, one person in 12, and 605 have died, the equivalent of 13,000 in this State.
Currently, numbers are increasing by 150 a day and the nation is back in a complete lockdown for the next three weeks.
READ MORE
Poor infrastructure and high levels of deprivation and chronic illness have made the nation particularly susceptible to the disease.
Donated
When the Navajo appealed for help in March as the virus first threatened, that appeal was noted in Ireland. Irish people recalled the support of another native American people, the Choctaw Indians, during the Great Famine 175 years ago.
The money to the Navajo gofundme appeal started to come in from Ireland and it keeps coming. A cursory glance reveals names including Amy Heffernan, Breige McGinn, Eamon Gallagher, Alan Slattery, Brian McCarthy, Seamus Traynor and Dermot Sweeney who have donated in the last 48 hours alone. U2 drummer Larry Mullen has also donated $100,000 (€84,000) to the fund.
To date “at least” $3 million (€2.5 million) has come directly from Irish people living in Ireland, according to the Navajo Nation attorney-general Doreen McPaul.
“It is quite overwhelming at a human level. It is the good in all of the bad that is going on,” she said.
Along with the online donations, people have sent money in envelopes while apologising for not being able to get to a bank, she said.
In addition, the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix and the McClelland Irish Library next door volunteered to act as a drop-off hub for supplies. So many people donated food, cleaning materials and clothes in May that the National Guard in Arizona was called on to drive two huge articulated trucks the 4½-hour journey to the Navajo reservation.
“The Irish people and the Navajo people have a shared history of oppression. What Ireland has done with the Navajo nation is something that I am really proud about,” said Ms McPaul whose father is a dual citizen of Ireland and the United States. She is part-Navajo and part-Irish.
“It makes me incredibly proud of these cultures that are coming together in a time of great need. The Irish response has been truly phenomenal, really incredible.”
Ms McPaul, whose ancestry is from Armagh and Laois, said the impact of the virus has touched every Navajo family, including her own. She has lost an uncle to the virus recently.
“We have very hard, tragic stories where multi-generations of a single family have been lost. Great-grandparents, grandparents and grandkids were all wiped out.”
Ms McPaul said the Navajo Nation opted for fundraising when it was unable to access funds from the Trump administration. She said native peoples in the US are waiting for the federal government to release $600 million (€506 million) to fight the pandemic.
The Navajo people in Arizona took their revenge on President Donald Trump by handing the critical state and its 11 electoral college votes to president-elect Joe Biden.
Voters
Of the 67,000 eligible Navajo voters in Arizona, 90 per cent of them turned out to vote and between 85 and 90 per cent of them opted for Biden, who won the State by just 12,000 votes. By contrast Hillary Clinton won the Navajo vote by 55 per cent to 45 per cent.
Navajo Nation president Jonathan Nez told The Irish Times that a record number of citizens had cast their ballots.
“Overwhelming they decided on the Biden-Harris ticket because of the outreach we did for everyone that wanted to vote. Navajo people were tired of being ignored by the administration and wanted no more of this devisiveness. People cast their vote for change and healing.”
Mr Nez is the co-chair of the Arizona Democratic vote and a member of the electoral college who will vote for Mr Biden to become the 46th president of the United States. He also addressed the Democratic National Convention in August.
"We had people inspired to vote. I sat down with the DNC chair Tom Perez and let me that they didn't do so well in the last election because they took the native American vote for granted.
“I told them that they needed to go into tribal nations to encourage and inspire a big turnout.
“We are proud that the Irish people are friends of the Navajo people They assisted us when our federal government would not.”
The Navajo gofundme page can be found here: www.gofundme.com/f/official-navajo-nation-covid19-relief-fund


theirishtimes--2020-11-20--Judge in ‘terrible position’ of having to release ‘unfit’ prisoner ‘out on the streets’

A judge has said that he has been put in “ a terrible position ” in having to put a prisoner who needs treatment “ out on the streets ” .
Judge Martin Nolan was speaking at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after hearing that John Delaney ( 26 ) is on a waiting list for the Central Mental Hospital , which is currently full .
“ I have been put in a terrible position here .
I have been asked to release a man into society that is probably unfit to be released into society , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an assault allegedly carried out at the Fr Peter McVerry shelter in Finglas , Dublin on February 18th last ( 2020 ) .
He was also charged with producing a butter knife in a manner likely to intimidate another and with criminal damage on the same date .
After evidence from a consultant psychiatrist was presented to the court , Judge Nolan said he was satisfied Mr Delaney was unfit to stand trial and noted he has already spent about nine months in custody at Portlaoise prison .
He initially ordered that Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s time , but Eoin Lawlor BL , prosecuting , advised the judge this option was not available to him under the law .
Judge Nolan said he had hoped the one week period would allow the relevant parties involved in the case to make arrangements for Mr Delaney .
The court heard he has no close family he can stay with .
When the judge suggested that he would have to release Mr Delaney on Friday , Mr Delaney asked the judge : “ Where am I going to stay ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are literally putting this man out on the street.
” He said if he followed the law and ordered his release on Friday , Mr Delaney would be “ left in limbo ” in Portlaoise .
The judge said : “ I don ’ t want Mr Delaney wandering the roads.
” He said if Mr Delaney was released in this way , he was uncertain what the consequences might be for Mr Delaney and for others in the community .
He said he was sure the gardaí in Portlaoise would be aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not want to put this “ burden ” on them .
He noted that Mr Delaney is apprehensive about being released .
He ordered a stay on Mr Delaney ’ s release until Monday with the hope that a place may be found for Mr Delaney by then .
“ I am hoping against hope that something will present itself by Monday , ” he said .

Judge Martin Nolan was speaking at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after hearing that John Delaney (26) is on a waiting list for the Central Mental Hospital, which is currently full.
A judge has said that he has been put in “a terrible position” in having to put a prisoner who needs treatment “out on the streets”.
Judge Martin Nolan was speaking at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after hearing that John Delaney (26) is on a waiting list for the Central Mental Hospital, which is currently full.
“I have been put in a terrible position here. I have been asked to release a man into society that is probably unfit to be released into society,” he said.
Delaney was facing trial on charges of an assault allegedly carried out at the Fr Peter McVerry shelter in Finglas, Dublin on February 18th last (2020). He was also charged with producing a butter knife in a manner likely to intimidate another and with criminal damage on the same date.
READ MORE
After evidence from a consultant psychiatrist was presented to the court, Judge Nolan said he was satisfied Mr Delaney was unfit to stand trial and noted he has already spent about nine months in custody at Portlaoise prison.
He initially ordered that Mr Delaney should be released in one week’s time, but Eoin Lawlor BL, prosecuting, advised the judge this option was not available to him under the law.
Judge Nolan said he had hoped the one week period would allow the relevant parties involved in the case to make arrangements for Mr Delaney. The court heard he has no close family he can stay with.
When the judge suggested that he would have to release Mr Delaney on Friday, Mr Delaney asked the judge: “Where am I going to stay?”
Judge Nolan commented: “We are literally putting this man out on the street.”
He said if he followed the law and ordered his release on Friday, Mr Delaney would be “left in limbo” in Portlaoise. The judge said: “I don’t want Mr Delaney wandering the roads.”
He said if Mr Delaney was released in this way, he was uncertain what the consequences might be for Mr Delaney and for others in the community.
He said he was sure the gardaí in Portlaoise would be aware of Mr Delaney but said he did not want to put this “burden” on them. He noted that Mr Delaney is apprehensive about being released.
He ordered a stay on Mr Delaney’s release until Monday with the hope that a place may be found for Mr Delaney by then.
“I am hoping against hope that something will present itself by Monday,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-11-20--Covid-19: Taoiseach wants Ireland to exit Level 5 restrictions on December 1st

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he wants Ireland to exit Level 5 of Covid-19 restrictions on December 1st .
This Christmas , however , will be a very different one from other ones in that large groups of people could not congregate in pubs or other settings , he said .
“ That will pose challenges for us .
It will not be a normal Christmas but it can still be a safe and enjoyable Christmas if we mind ourselves and if we mind others , ” he said in an interview with Virgin Media News on Friday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on what level of restricitons would apply after December 1st , taking into account the advice it receives from the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) .
A further eight deaths and 330 new cases of Covid-19 were reported by the Nphet on Friday .
This brings to 2,018 the total number of deaths in the State from the virus .
There are now a total of 69,802 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic .
As of 2pm on Friday 283 Covid-19 patients were hospitalised , of which 33 were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been 13 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours .
Of the latest confirmed cases , 99 are in Dublin , 28 in Cork , 26 in Louth , 25 in Meath , 21 in Donegal and the remaining 131 cases are spread across 20 other counties .
One-hundred-and-seventy-one of the cases are among men while 155 are among women .
Sixty-four per cent of the cases were recorded in under 45s while the median age is 37 .
The Taoiseach said the lapse in the past week - where infection numbers crept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been stoked by news around a new vaccine as well as restriction fatigue being experienced by the public .
He would not specify the measures being envisaged for coming weeks saying they would all be subject to the situation prevailing on December 1st .
“ We need a safe Christmas , a time for family and friends and a spiritual time , ” he said , pointing out there had been dialogue with church leader around services .
“ We will not be gathering in the same crowds as previous Christmases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the emphasis in coming weeks would be on guidance and a strong communications campaign to remind people of their responsibilities .
Asked about the easing of travel restrictions , he said : “ We would like to see some relaxation of 5km and county borders .
We want to see the status of the virus at the end of the month ” .
On the issue of people who wish to fly home for Christmas he said that Ireland was now subject to the EU traffic light system .
The Government will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month but “ people have to make judgement calls on the nature of travel ” , he pointed out .
Meanwhile the percentage of healthcare workers contracting Covid-19 in the second wave of the virus is considerably lower than in the first wave , a new report by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) on the profile of Covid-19 cases in healthcare workers suggests .
In late March and early April , healthcare workers made up around 40 per cent of positive Covid-19 cases , with the percentage of total cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost 45 per cent .
However , on the week ending November 14th , healthcare workers made up approximately 15 per cent of total cases , though this figure is increasing , having been as low as 5 per cent in late October .
Between August 2nd and November 14th , there were 41,817 Covid-19 cases , of which 2,826 were found in healthcare workers , representing 6.8 per cent of all cases across the almost four-month period .
During that period , 65 healthcare works were hospitalised as a result of Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ICU .
The median age of confirmed Covid-19 cases in healthcare workers was 39 years , and 78 per cent of positive cases were found in females , which is attributed to some specialities , such as nursing , being female dominated .
Healthcare assistants and nurses made up almost half of all Covid-19 infections in healthcare workers between August and November , the report adds .
The chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said on Thursday that recent progress in reducing the spread of the virus had stalled , as people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions over the last week .
The previous sharp decline in numbers of new cases in the early weeks of Level 5 restrictions had plateaued , meaning the country had effectively “ lost a week , ” Dr Holohan said .
There were concerns that people were socialising more as the six-week lockdown period wore on , and others were unnecessarily working from the office .
Officials expressed concern that recent positive news over the development of an effective vaccine for 2021 had led to people “ taking the foot off the gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past seven days the total number of Covid-19 tests carried out was 78,058 of which 3.5 per cent were positive .
Meanwhile , 12 further coronavirus-related deaths were also reported by the North ’ s Department of Health on Friday , bringing the total number of fatalities to 913 .
The North ’ s First Minister Arlene Foster has defended the decision to introduce tough new lockdown measures to limit the spread of coronavirus only a week after less stringent measures were blocked by her party .
A further 369 people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop on the 487 new confirmed cases reported on Thursday .
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin meanwhile met Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on Friday afternoon to discuss concerns about street drinking in Dublin and Cork last weekend , in breach of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions .
The meeting was also attended by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly .
After the meeting Mr Martin said there needed to be a “ push ” over the next few weeks to bring the numbers down .

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the lapse in the past week - where infection numbers crept up again - was worrying and might have been stoked by news around a new vaccine as well as restriction fatigue being experienced by the public. File photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he wants Ireland to exit Level 5 of Covid-19 restrictions on December 1st.
This Christmas, however, will be a very different one from other ones in that large groups of people could not congregate in pubs or other settings, he said.
“That will pose challenges for us. It will not be a normal Christmas but it can still be a safe and enjoyable Christmas if we mind ourselves and if we mind others,” he said in an interview with Virgin Media News on Friday evening.
He said the Government would decide on what level of restricitons would apply after December 1st, taking into account the advice it receives from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).
READ MORE
A further eight deaths and 330 new cases of Covid-19 were reported by the Nphet on Friday.
This brings to 2,018 the total number of deaths in the State from the virus. There are now a total of 69,802 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic.
As of 2pm on Friday 283 Covid-19 patients were hospitalised, of which 33 were in intensive care units. There have been 13 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
Of the latest confirmed cases, 99 are in Dublin, 28 in Cork, 26 in Louth, 25 in Meath, 21 in Donegal and the remaining 131 cases are spread across 20 other counties.
One-hundred-and-seventy-one of the cases are among men while 155 are among women. Sixty-four per cent of the cases were recorded in under 45s while the median age is 37.
Worrying
The Taoiseach said the lapse in the past week - where infection numbers crept up again - was worrying and might have been stoked by news around a new vaccine as well as restriction fatigue being experienced by the public.
He would not specify the measures being envisaged for coming weeks saying they would all be subject to the situation prevailing on December 1st.
“We need a safe Christmas, a time for family and friends and a spiritual time,” he said, pointing out there had been dialogue with church leader around services.
“We will not be gathering in the same crowds as previous Christmases,” he stressed.
He said most of the emphasis in coming weeks would be on guidance and a strong communications campaign to remind people of their responsibilities.
Asked about the easing of travel restrictions, he said: “We would like to see some relaxation of 5km and county borders. We want to see the status of the virus at the end of the month”.
On the issue of people who wish to fly home for Christmas he said that Ireland was now subject to the EU traffic light system. The Government will issue guidance at the end of the month but “people have to make judgement calls on the nature of travel”, he pointed out.
Healthcare workers
Meanwhile the percentage of healthcare workers contracting Covid-19 in the second wave of the virus is considerably lower than in the first wave, a new report by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on the profile of Covid-19 cases in healthcare workers suggests.
In late March and early April, healthcare workers made up around 40 per cent of positive Covid-19 cases, with the percentage of total cases peaking in May, when it hit almost 45 per cent.
However, on the week ending November 14th, healthcare workers made up approximately 15 per cent of total cases, though this figure is increasing, having been as low as 5 per cent in late October.
Between August 2nd and November 14th, there were 41,817 Covid-19 cases, of which 2,826 were found in healthcare workers, representing 6.8 per cent of all cases across the almost four-month period.
During that period, 65 healthcare works were hospitalised as a result of Covid-19, four of whom were admitted to ICU.
The median age of confirmed Covid-19 cases in healthcare workers was 39 years, and 78 per cent of positive cases were found in females, which is attributed to some specialities, such as nursing, being female dominated.
Healthcare assistants and nurses made up almost half of all Covid-19 infections in healthcare workers between August and November, the report adds.
Adherence to restrictions ‘slips’
The chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said on Thursday that recent progress in reducing the spread of the virus had stalled, as people have "slipped" in adhering to lockdown restrictions over the last week.
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan, has expressed concern that recent positive news over the development of an effective vaccine for 2021 had led to people ‘taking the foot off the gas’. File photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
The previous sharp decline in numbers of new cases in the early weeks of Level 5 restrictions had plateaued, meaning the country had effectively “lost a week,” Dr Holohan said.
There were concerns that people were socialising more as the six-week lockdown period wore on, and others were unnecessarily working from the office.
Officials expressed concern that recent positive news over the development of an effective vaccine for 2021 had led to people “taking the foot off the gas,” Dr Holohan said.
Over the past seven days the total number of Covid-19 tests carried out was 78,058 of which 3.5 per cent were positive.
Meanwhile, 12 further coronavirus-related deaths were also reported by the North's Department of Health on Friday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 913. The North's First Minister Arlene Foster has defended the decision to introduce tough new lockdown measures to limit the spread of coronavirus only a week after less stringent measures were blocked by her party.
A further 369 people were confirmed to have the virus, a drop on the 487 new confirmed cases reported on Thursday.
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin meanwhile met Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on Friday afternoon to discuss concerns about street drinking in Dublin and Cork last weekend, in breach of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions.
The meeting was also attended by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.
After the meeting Mr Martin said there needed to be a “push” over the next few weeks to bring the numbers down.


theirishtimes--2020-11-20--Parents of brain injured boy to appeal orders allowing hospital to withhold interventions

The parents of a profoundly brain-injured boy are seeking to appeal a High Court order allowing a hospital to withhold invasive interventions and effectively administer a palliative care regime should his condition substantially deteriorate .
The president of the High Court , Ms Justice Mary Irvine , said on Friday she would stay the invasive interventions aspect of the orders provided the parents initiate , by Wednesday next , an application aimed at securing an appeal direct to the Supreme Court .
The judge directed the legal costs of the parents in the High Court , and of a guardian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represent the child ’ s interests , be paid by the hospital .
The boy — a ward of court referred to as John – suffered catastrophic injuries in a road accident last summer and is said to have no prospect of a meaningful recovery from those .
The hospital had applied for a range of orders allowing it to manage his condition as it considers appropriate , including to refrain from applying invasive treatments in the event of respiratory distress .
The court heard that could occur as a result of administering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a movement disorder which , unless fully controlled by medication , causes his muscles to contract uncontrollably .
The parents , who are separated , disagreed with the hospital ’ s assessment concerning the pain being suffered by their son from dystonia and objected to him being medicated to treat pain caused by dystonia if there was a risk that would cause him respiratory distress and possibly die .
They wanted him to receive all treatments that would prolong his life regardless of the side effects or consequences .
The hospital said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the short to long term without improving his condition , were ethically unacceptable and would mean he must remain in a specialist hospital rather than a hospice or regional hospital nearer home .
In a lengthy judgment this week , the judge found John could experience “ unimaginable suffering ” unless the hospital can manage his condition as it considers appropriate .
Having considered and balanced the constitutional rights of the parents , the family and John , she concluded the orders sought were in his best interests and necessary to vindicate his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love for their son has blinded them to the reality of his condition and may have contributed to their holding to the idea his pain is tolerable in the face of “ a tsunami of evidence to the contrary ” .
There was as much certainty as there can be with any medical diagnosis that he will not recover in any significant way from his injuries , she said .
.
She formed the view the parents were failing in their duty as parents to vindicate the rights which their son , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not himself protect and the State must thus step in .
She did not think it credible that John , knowing he will spend most of the rest of his life in a hospital bed and will never walk , talk , see , go to school , have new friends , communicate , feel love , happiness or pleasure , will be doubly incontinent and , if he survives invasive measures , endure significant periods of pain , would say “ do whatever is necessary to keep me alive ” knowing such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health trajectory worse than that which he faced before .
She rejected arguments the orders sought amounted to accelerating death , which is constitutionally impermissible .
She was “ full of admiration ” for the parents who have been a constant presence at John ’ s bedside since the accident and noted his treating team had praised their support and love for their son .

The president of the High Court, Ms Justice Mary Irvine, said on Friday she would stay the invasive interventions aspect of the orders provided the parents initiate, by Wednesday next, an application aimed at securing an appeal direct to the Supreme Court.
The parents of a profoundly brain-injured boy are seeking to appeal a High Court order allowing a hospital to withhold invasive interventions and effectively administer a palliative care regime should his condition substantially deteriorate.
The president of the High Court, Ms Justice Mary Irvine, said on Friday she would stay the invasive interventions aspect of the orders provided the parents initiate, by Wednesday next, an application aimed at securing an appeal direct to the Supreme Court.
The judge directed the legal costs of the parents in the High Court, and of a guardian ad litem appointed by the court to represent the child’s interests, be paid by the hospital.
The boy — a ward of court referred to as John – suffered catastrophic injuries in a road accident last summer and is said to have no prospect of a meaningful recovery from those.
READ MORE
The hospital had applied for a range of orders allowing it to manage his condition as it considers appropriate, including to refrain from applying invasive treatments in the event of respiratory distress.
The court heard that could occur as a result of administering medication to address regular episodes of dystonia, a movement disorder which, unless fully controlled by medication, causes his muscles to contract uncontrollably.
The parents, who are separated, disagreed with the hospital’s assessment concerning the pain being suffered by their son from dystonia and objected to him being medicated to treat pain caused by dystonia if there was a risk that would cause him respiratory distress and possibly die.
They wanted him to receive all treatments that would prolong his life regardless of the side effects or consequences.
The hospital said invasive interventions would only damage John in the short to long term without improving his condition, were ethically unacceptable and would mean he must remain in a specialist hospital rather than a hospice or regional hospital nearer home.
In a lengthy judgment this week, the judge found John could experience “unimaginable suffering” unless the hospital can manage his condition as it considers appropriate.
Having considered and balanced the constitutional rights of the parents, the family and John, she concluded the orders sought were in his best interests and necessary to vindicate his rights.
She said the parents’ love for their son has blinded them to the reality of his condition and may have contributed to their holding to the idea his pain is tolerable in the face of “a tsunami of evidence to the contrary”.
There was as much certainty as there can be with any medical diagnosis that he will not recover in any significant way from his injuries, she said. .
She formed the view the parents were failing in their duty as parents to vindicate the rights which their son, because of his age and injuries, cannot himself protect and the State must thus step in.
She did not think it credible that John, knowing he will spend most of the rest of his life in a hospital bed and will never walk, talk, see, go to school, have new friends, communicate, feel love, happiness or pleasure, will be doubly incontinent and, if he survives invasive measures, endure significant periods of pain, would say “do whatever is necessary to keep me alive” knowing such measures would only return him to a health trajectory worse than that which he faced before.
She rejected arguments the orders sought amounted to accelerating death, which is constitutionally impermissible.
She was “full of admiration” for the parents who have been a constant presence at John’s bedside since the accident and noted his treating team had praised their support and love for their son.


theirishtimes--2020-11-21--Gardaí examining how RTÉ retirement gathering organised

Gardaí have started examining how a retirement gathering on RTÉ ’ s Donnybrook campus in Dublin 4 was organised .
Broadcasters including Brian Dobson , Miriam O ’ Callaghan , Eileen Dunne and David McCullagh have apologised for not practicing social distancing for the full duration of the gathering last week after they were photographed standing next to a retiring staff member .
The photographs were posted on a website for retired RTÉ staff and then highlighted in the media , prompting controversy about the gathering .
Mr Dobson later said RTÉ had “ vigorously ” debated Covid-19 measures on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” should adhere to the public health advice .
RTÉ ’ s managing director of news and current affairs Jon Williams said he was “ very sorry ” and there was a “ momentary lapse of judgment ” when photos were taken at the gathering , which largely adhered to social distancing and other Covid-19 protocols .
The National Union of Journalists ( NUJ ) criticised the gathering , saying it should not have taken place , while Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was “ disappointing ” and “ not helpful ” that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen not observing social distancing guidelines .
Garda headquarters on Saturday said that when “ enquiries ” currently underway into the matter were completed , legal advice would be sought about the need , if any , to progress the matter further .
“ An Garda Síochána is carrying out enquiries , focused on the organisers , into an alleged event as described and the advices of the Director of Public Prosecutions will be sought in respect of any further actions to be taken , ” it said .
The Garda added the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an event or social distancing and wearing of masks once at an event were “ public health guidelines are not penal regulations ” .
The gathering took place at a reception area in RTÉ , with those present standing socially distanced in the area and up the stairs leading off it .
Some of those who appeared in photographs with Ms Collins were walking through the reception area at the time and stopped when they saw the gathering .
At present Garda investigators were trying to determine if the gathering for Phil Collins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at RTÉ , met the criteria of being “ an event ” under the Covid-19 regulations .
If the Garda enquiries determine it was “ an event ” , a criminal investigation into those who organised it could be commenced .
However , the matter is not at the level of criminal investigation at present .
Should it progress to a criminal inquiry , those who attended will not be part of that investigation as the only criminal offence that might arise relates to those who organise “ events ” .
Lapses in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as not socially distancing when group photographs were taken , will not form part of any Garda enquiries or possible future investigation as the force has no role in enforcing public health advice .
It only has an enforcement role relating to penal matters , where a criminal offence arises if Covid-19 rules are breached .

RTE news journalists David McCullagh and Eileen Dunne apologised live on air from the 6 and 9pm new bulletins on the channel for breaching public health guidelines at a recent gathering on the RTE campus in Donnybrook. Video: RTE News
Gardaí have started examining how a retirement gathering on RTÉ’s Donnybrook campus in Dublin 4 was organised.
Broadcasters including Bryan Dobson, Miriam O’Callaghan, Eileen Dunne and David McCullagh have apologised for not practicing social distancing for the full duration of the gathering last week after they were photographed standing next to a retiring staff member.
The photographs were posted on a website for retired RTÉ staff and then highlighted in the media, prompting controversy about the gathering.
Mr Dobson later said RTÉ had “vigorously” debated Covid-19 measures on air and that “each of us” should adhere to the public health advice.
READ MORE
RTÉ’s managing director of news and current affairs Jon Williams said he was “very sorry” and there was a “momentary lapse of judgment” when photos were taken at the gathering, which largely adhered to social distancing and other Covid-19 protocols.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) criticised the gathering, saying it should not have taken place, while Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was “disappointing” and “not helpful” that a number of prominent RTÉ presenters were seen not observing social distancing guidelines.
Garda headquarters on Saturday said that when “enquiries” currently underway into the matter were completed, legal advice would be sought about the need, if any, to progress the matter further.
“An Garda Síochána is carrying out enquiries, focused on the organisers, into an alleged event as described and the advices of the Director of Public Prosecutions will be sought in respect of any further actions to be taken,” it said.
The Garda added the “personal responsibility” relating to attending an event or social distancing and wearing of masks once at an event were “public health guidelines are not penal regulations”.
The gathering took place at a reception area in RTÉ, with those present standing socially distanced in the area and up the stairs leading off it. Some of those who appeared in photographs with Ms Collins were walking through the reception area at the time and stopped when they saw the gathering.
Criteria
At present Garda investigators were trying to determine if the gathering for Phil Collins, who was retiring after 40 years at RTÉ, met the criteria of being “an event” under the Covid-19 regulations.
If the Garda enquiries determine it was “an event”, a criminal investigation into those who organised it could be commenced. However, the matter is not at the level of criminal investigation at present.
Should it progress to a criminal inquiry, those who attended will not be part of that investigation as the only criminal offence that might arise relates to those who organise “events”.
Lapses in adherence to public health advice, such as not socially distancing when group photographs were taken, will not form part of any Garda enquiries or possible future investigation as the force has no role in enforcing public health advice. It only has an enforcement role relating to penal matters, where a criminal offence arises if Covid-19 rules are breached.


theirishtimes--2020-11-21--Covid-19: Irish zoos awarded €1.6million funding to stop closures

The zoo sector has been awarded €1.6million in Government funding , after Dublin Zoo announced it is facing an existential threat due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
Earlier this week , Dublin Zoo launched a public fundraising campaign to plug the almost €10 million hole in its finances caused by the public health crisis .
The visitor attraction lost out on millions of income over the last eight months due to public health restrictions , but is still spending €500,000 a month on feeding and caring for the animals under its care .
It said if it did not receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close permanently .
On Saturday , Minister for Housing Darragh O ’ Brien and Minister of State for heritage Malcolm Noonan announced they secured funding for the zoo sector through the National Parks and Wildlife Service .
Dublin Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park in Co Cork are to share €1.1million of the allocation , which will help support them through some of their current difficulties .
Grant funding of €500,000 is also being made available to 69 other small and medium size zoos and aquaria .
Announcing the allocation , a statement from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Heritage said many in the sector have reported financial difficulties arising from being unable to open due to restrictions to help stop the spread of Covid-19 .
Minister Noonan welcomed the funding which , he said , would “ offer short term financial support to help the zoo sector ” .
“ The State does not ordinarily provide funding to the zoo sector but this has been an incredibly challenging year due to the pandemic , and our support recognises the vital role played by our zoos as networks for global conservation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and places where lifelong memories of families and children are made , ” he said .
“ The outpouring of public support sparked by the Dublin Zoo appeal is testament to the great love so many people have for our zoos .
I am mindful too of the staff , whose primary concern has always been the animals in their care .
I do hope that Government can continue to support our zoos and aquariums until they can open their doors again and thrive.
” Minister O ’ Brien said the “ global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows “ how loved our zoos are and how they are an important place for making memories ” .
“ Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on so many aspects of our society but it is important that we support this sector to ensure zoos do not face a welfare crisis this winter due to lack of access to funding , ” he added .
“ This will also safeguard employment and stimulate local economies in recovering by ensuring the continued operation of viable zoo establishments throughout the country.
” Following the launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received an outpouring of public support and received €2 million in donations in just two days .
The zoo remains closed because of current Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions , but its dedicated animal care team is still providing care to more than 400 animals .
The newly installed director of Dublin Zoo Dr Christoph Schwitzer said during the week that they had tried make as many cost savings as possible but that “ you can ’ t furlough an elephant , you can ’ t switch off a zoo at night when you @ @ @ @

Sibu,Dublin Zoo’s much loved Bornean male orangutan, pictured before leaving Ireland to go to Rhenen Zoo in the Netherland on a breeding loan. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien
The zoo sector has been awarded €1.6million in Government funding, after Dublin Zoo announced it is facing an existential threat due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier this week, Dublin Zoo launched a public fundraising campaign to plug the almost €10 million hole in its finances caused by the public health crisis.
The visitor attraction lost out on millions of income over the last eight months due to public health restrictions, but is still spending €500,000 a month on feeding and caring for the animals under its care.
It said if it did not receive additional funding, it could have to close permanently.
READ MORE
On Saturday, Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien and Minister of State for heritage Malcolm Noonan announced they secured funding for the zoo sector through the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Dublin Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park in Co Cork are to share €1.1million of the allocation, which will help support them through some of their current difficulties.
Grant funding of €500,000 is also being made available to 69 other small and medium size zoos and aquaria.
Two of the three new Northern cheetah cubs born at Fota Wildlife Park during the summer. Photograph: Darragh Kane
Announcing the allocation, a statement from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said many in the sector have reported financial difficulties arising from being unable to open due to restrictions to help stop the spread of Covid-19.
Minister Noonan welcomed the funding which, he said, would “offer short term financial support to help the zoo sector”.
“The State does not ordinarily provide funding to the zoo sector but this has been an incredibly challenging year due to the pandemic, and our support recognises the vital role played by our zoos as networks for global conservation of biodiversity, as centres of learning and places where lifelong memories of families and children are made,” he said.
“The outpouring of public support sparked by the Dublin Zoo appeal is testament to the great love so many people have for our zoos. I am mindful too of the staff, whose primary concern has always been the animals in their care. I do hope that Government can continue to support our zoos and aquariums until they can open their doors again and thrive.”
Minister O’Brien said the “global reach” of the Dublin Zoo campaign shows “how loved our zoos are and how they are an important place for making memories”.
“Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on so many aspects of our society but it is important that we support this sector to ensure zoos do not face a welfare crisis this winter due to lack of access to funding,” he added.
“ This will also safeguard employment and stimulate local economies in recovering by ensuring the continued operation of viable zoo establishments throughout the country.”
Following the launch of its fundraising campaign, Dublin Zoo received an outpouring of public support and received €2 million in donations in just two days.
The zoo remains closed because of current Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, but its dedicated animal care team is still providing care to more than 400 animals.
The newly installed director of Dublin Zoo Dr Christoph Schwitzer said during the week that they had tried make as many cost savings as possible but that "you can't furlough an elephant, you can't switch off a zoo at night when you go home".


theirishtimes--2020-11-21--Gardaí seize €5 million worth of ecstasy and MDMA in Dublin

Ecstasy and MDMA worth €5 million has been seized following a search of a premises in Tallaght , west Dublin @ @ @ @ @ warrant was obtained and executed by gardaí and members of the Tallaght District Drugs Unit @ @ @ @ @ large plastic barrels , which contained 76.9kg of suspected ecstasy tablets packed in bags and @ @ @ @ @ blocks were found by gardaí , estimated to be worth €5 million .
The scene @ @ @ @ @ examination .
No arrests have been made at this time but gardaí said their investigations @ @ @

Two large plastic barrels, which contained 76.9kg of suspected ecstasy tablets packed in bags and 8.27kg of suspected MDMA in blocks, were found by gardaí. Photograph: An Garda Síochane/Facebook
Ecstasy and MDMA worth €5 million has been seized following a search of a premises in Tallaght, west Dublin on Friday.
A search warrant was obtained and executed by gardaí and members of the Tallaght District Drugs Unit following information received.
Two large plastic barrels, which contained 76.9kg of suspected ecstasy tablets packed in bags and 8.27kg of suspected MDMA in blocks were found by gardaí, estimated to be worth €5 million.
Gardaí seized the drugs after a search in a premises in Tallght, Co Dublin.
The scene is currently preserved for technical examination.
READ MORE
No arrests have been made at this time but gardaí said their investigations are ongoing.


theirishtimes--2020-11-21--‘My grandfather was killed by the IRA on Bloody Sunday morning’

On Bloody Sunday morning 1920 , 10-year-old Percival Smith answered the door to what he anticipated was a routine call at his father ’ s boarding house in 117 Morehampton Road , Donnybrook .
As he did so , a large number of IRA volunteers rushed past the boy .
Percival ’ s father Thomas Smith , the landlord , asked to be given time to get dressed .
He , along with Captain Donald Lewis McClean were taken into the sitting room of the boarding house and shot dead .
Later Smith ’ s wife Anna recalled the events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the inquest into her husband ’ s death .
“ I saw some men coming up the stairs , who appeared to number about twenty , with revolvers in their hands .
They then told me to put my hands up and my husband came out on the landing and asked for a little time to put on some clothes , which they granted .
I then asked if I could go into my baby in the next room and they pushed me roughly into it .
I then heard about eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing , Percival Smith ’ s mother remarried .
He emigrated to Britain in 1947 and settled first in Wales and then in England .
His son Des Smith , who lives in Spain , said his father , who died in 1984 , never spoke about the events of Bloody Sunday .
“ All of my life he would never speak about it .
He never told us about it .
I found out about it by reading it a book .
I then worked out that the 10-year-old boy was my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He definitely was very traumatised which is why he never spoke about it .
He had , dare I say it , a very strong dislike of the Irish particularly the southern Irish .
He liked to think of himself as English.
” Thomas Smith had a daughter Celeste who died just before her 101st birthday in The Glebe nursing home , Kilternan , in 2015 .
She may well have been the last surviving witness to the events of Bloody Sunday morning .
In her latter years she spoke about it recalling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots as her father was killed .
She was buried beside him in Mount Jerome cemetery .
Des Smith says his family has made its peace with Ireland and he now has an Irish passport .
He believes his grandfather was “ collatoral damage ” in the brutal intelligence war between the IRA and the British authorities in Ireland .
He served in the RAF for 12 years rising to the rank of flight lieutenant .
He was a member of a RAF Vulcan crew which was part of the UK nuclear deterrent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent much of his time at the end of a runway ready to scramble in the event of a nuclear attack .
As a former serviceman , he accepts that , while his father was an innocent victim , the others were combatants .
There was precious little sympathy for those killed on Bloody Sunday morning even from their own side with the British prime minister David Lloyd George opining that they “ got what they deserved , beaten by counterjumpers ” .
The chief secretary to Ireland , Sir Hamar Greenwood remarked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They were in the pay of the British army , doing the job they [ were ] expected to do and it was risky , ” Mr Smith said .
“ Unfortunately it is a sad fact of war that people get killed .
I have sympathy with those who were killed , but they took a risk .
”

On Bloody Sunday morning 1920, 10-year-old Percival Smith answered the door to what he anticipated was a routine call at his father's boarding house in 117 Morehampton Road, Donnybrook.
As he did so, a large number of IRA volunteers rushed past the boy. Percival's father Thomas Smith, the landlord, asked to be given time to get dressed. He, along with Captain Donald Lewis McClean were taken into the sitting room of the boarding house and shot dead.
Later Smith’s wife Anna recalled the events of Bloody Sunday when she gave evidence at the inquest into her husband’s death.
“I saw some men coming up the stairs, who appeared to number about twenty, with revolvers in their hands. They then told me to put my hands up and my husband came out on the landing and asked for a little time to put on some clothes, which they granted. I then asked if I could go into my baby in the next room and they pushed me roughly into it. I then heard about eight shots.”
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Funeral procession
Smith family post 1920
Emigrated
After his father's killing, Percival Smith's mother remarried. He emigrated to Britain in 1947 and settled first in Wales and then in England.
His son Des Smith, who lives in Spain, said his father, who died in 1984, never spoke about the events of Bloody Sunday.
“All of my life he would never speak about it. He never told us about it. I found out about it by reading it a book. I then worked out that the 10-year-old boy was my father,” he said.
“He definitely was very traumatised which is why he never spoke about it. He had, dare I say it, a very strong dislike of the Irish particularly the southern Irish. He liked to think of himself as English.”
Thomas Smith had a daughter Celeste who died just before her 101st birthday in The Glebe nursing home, Kilternan, in 2015. She may well have been the last surviving witness to the events of Bloody Sunday morning.
In her latter years she spoke about it recalling the terrible sound of banging and the shots as her father was killed. She was buried beside him in Mount Jerome cemetery.
Des Smith
Peace
Des Smith says his family has made its peace with Ireland and he now has an Irish passport. He believes his grandfather was "collatoral damage" in the brutal intelligence war between the IRA and the British authorities in Ireland.
He served in the RAF for 12 years rising to the rank of flight lieutenant. He was a member of a RAF Vulcan crew which was part of the UK nuclear deterrent during the 1960s and 1970s.
He spent much of his time at the end of a runway ready to scramble in the event of a nuclear attack.
As a former serviceman, he accepts that, while his father was an innocent victim, the others were combatants.
There was precious little sympathy for those killed on Bloody Sunday morning even from their own side with the British prime minister David Lloyd George opining that they "got what they deserved, beaten by counterjumpers". The chief secretary to Ireland, Sir Hamar Greenwood remarked that they should have taken greater precautions.
“They were in the pay of the British army, doing the job they [were] expected to do and it was risky,” Mr Smith said.
“Unfortunately it is a sad fact of war that people get killed. I have sympathy with those who were killed, but they took a risk.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-21--Covid-19: Urgency will be ‘the key word’ for Ireland’s vaccine taskforce

A strategy to inoculate the Irish population against Covid-19 will be dealt with “ urgently and comprehensively ” , the chairman of the Government ’ s vaccine taskforce has said .
Prof Brian MacCraith said urgency is “ the key word ” and that the taskforce will release information on the roll out of vaccines when it is “ available and when it ’ s accurate ” .
Reports this week suggest three vaccines are showing positive early indicators .
Moderna ’ s vaccine has a confirmed 94.5 per cent efficacy ; Pfizer-BioNTech ’ s hits 95 per cent on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s phase 2 findings showed it causing few side effects , particularly among older people .
“ We got really excellent news this week , albeit by press release .
I think there ’ s great excitement about the indicators of at least three of the vaccines ; the Oxford university one , the moderna one and the Pfizer one .
Really strong indications , ” Prof MacCraith told RTÉ radio ’ s The Business on Saturday .
The taskforce is to have its first full meeting early next week as the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when strict Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions are eased after six weeks of effective lockdown on December 1st .
Case numbers have fallen during the period of restrictions but public health officials are concerned that what was a sharp decline has slowed .
A further eight deaths and 330 new cases of Covid-19 were reported by the Department of Health on Friday .
The latest figures show there were 275 people ill with Covid-19 in the State ’ s hospitals ( down five in the previous 24 hours ) and that 33 people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Government will have to strike a balance when deciding how best to reopen social and economic life , with health officals calling for caution and businesses calling to be allowed to trade in the lead up to Christmas .
Prof MacCraith said one of the issues the taskforce will be addressing is how to go about communicating the State ’ s plans to distribute a vaccine .
He said it was “ very important for the Irish public to get certainty ” on what was going to happen .
“ Going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Irish society .
The general public deserves clarity and really clear information on this .
I think that ’ s what we ’ ll do over the coming weeks , ” he said .
“ We ’ ll decide next week the approach to that but I think at this stage , urgency and certainty are the key issues and I think that is critically important for the general well being of Irish society and the general well being for our economy as well.
” Prof MacCraith declined to say how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would receive the first doses , adding that they will “ do what ’ s in the best interest for the Irish public ” .
He said the general public “ wants to have confidence in the overall process and information on the vaccine ” .
“ The experts in that area , the information logistics will come from those as well .
We will provide that information to the general public when it ’ s available and when it ’ s accurate , ” he said .
“ We will look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the vaccine leaving the pharmaceutical companies ... right through to the vaccination of individuals.All of the right people are in the room and it will be dealt with urgently and comprehensively.
” Meanwhile , on Friday , Taoiseach Micheál Martin told Virgin Media News , the vaccine is important and could be available early next year .
“ The European President of the Commission is now saying it could be the second half of December that they will get authorisation ... which could mean , for the early part of 2021 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start procuring the vaccine .
It could change the situation significantly for the better , ” he said .
The Taoiseach previously said that people vulnerable to Covid-19 would be prioritised once safe vaccines to prevent the virus are approved and ready .

Dr Colm Henry, HSE chief clinical officer, said some of the Covid-19 trends seen in recent days suggest that people have increased their levels of socialising. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times.
A further 344 cases of Covid-19 and four deaths have been confirmed in the State, as a senior health official asked people to avoid unnecessary “mingling” for the remaining 10 days of the lockdown.
In a statement on Saturday evening, the Department of Health said a total of 70,143 cases have been confirmed in Ireland and 2,022 people with the disease have died since the pandemic began.
Of the latest cases, 127 were in Dublin, 46 were in Cork, 26 were in Louth, 22 were in Donegal, 20 were in Limerick and the remaining 103 were spread across 20 counties.
The median age of those infected was 32, and 69 per cent of the cases were in people aged under 45.
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As of 2pm on Saturday, 269 people were in hospital with Covid-19, with 32 patients in intensive care units.
Over the last 14 days there has been an average of 113.3 cases per 100,000 people nationally, with the highest incidence rates recorded in Donegal (255 cases per 100,000), Limerick (218.1) and Louth (201.7). The rate in Dublin is running at just above the national average (123.1) with the lowest incidence of Covid-19 in Wexford (39.4), Galway (62) and Wicklow (68.8).
Northern Ireland's Department of Health on Saturday said 10 further deaths and 357 additional Covid-19 cases had been reported in the previous 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Dr Colm Henry, the HSE chief clinical officer, on Saturday said the more the public avoids “mingling with people unnecessarily” for the remainder of the Level 5 restrictions, the more options there will be for reopening the country at Christmas.
Interacting
Dr Henry said some trends seen in recent days suggest that people have increased their levels of socialising despite the curbs.
“What we see is a slight rise of the number of contacts per case. That infers there’s been some let up in that reduction of contacts and the way people intermingle with each other,” Dr Henry told RTÉ’s Saturday with Katie Hannon.
“That R value is not just an inanimate number. It’s the sum total of a million small interactions between people, all of which produce this number that tells us how much we’re interacting with each other and how much this virus is transmitting.”
The Government is currently grappling with how best to exit the highest level of restrictions, which are due to be eased on December 1st. Case numbers decreased dramatically in the first few weeks of restrictions, however the declining trend has stalled.
Dr Henry said the more “we gain” between now and the beginning of December, the more options there will be in terms of reopening economic and social life.
“ The more it sticks at this level, this stalling we’ve seen over the last few days of 300 to 400 cases per day, it narrows our options. We want to widen options as much as possible,” he said.
“The more we do now, the more we avoid mingling with people unnecessarily; and that includes employers, employees striving to work from home, the more we avoid mingling with each other in any social settings, the number of options we will have at the beginning of December, for Christmas, and that’s better for everybody.”
R number
The R number - the number of cases linked to each confirmed infection - has increased slightly from 0.6 to between 0.7 and 0.9.
Dr Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer, this week attributed the “stalled” progress to public compliance with restrictions. He said people have “slipped” and the country had effectively “lost a week”.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Friday said the the level of new infections of late was worrying and might have been stoked by news around a new vaccine as well as restriction fatigue being experienced by the public.
However, he added that he wants Ireland to exit Level 5 on December 1st, but that this Christmas will be very different to previous years and large groups of people could not congregate in pubs or other settings.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Government’s vaccine taskforce has said a strategy to inoculate the Irish population against Covid-19 will be dealt with “urgently and comprehensively”.
Prof Brian MacCraith said urgency is “the key word” and that the taskforce will release information on the roll out of vaccines when it is “available and when it’s accurate”.
Reports this week suggest three vaccines are showing positive early indicators. Moderna’s vaccine has a confirmed 94.5 per cent efficacy; Pfizer-BioNTech’s hits 95 per cent on that scale; and Oxford University-AstraZeneca’s phase 2 findings showed it causing few side effects, particularly among older people.
"We got really excellent news this week, albeit by press release. I think there's great excitement about the indicators of at least three of the vaccines; the Oxford university one, the moderna one and the Pfizer one. Really strong indications," Prof MacCraith told RTÉ radio's The Business on Saturday.
Vaccine distribution
The taskforce is to have its first full meeting early next week, and Prof MacCraith said one of the issues it will be addressing is how to go about communicating the State’s plans to distribute a vaccine. He said it was “very important for the Irish public to get certainty” on what was going to happen.
“Going out with speculations is not really helpful to Irish society. The general public deserves clarity and really clear information on this. I think that’s what we’ll do over the coming weeks,” he said.
“We’ll decide next week the approach to that but I think at this stage, urgency and certainty are the key issues and I think that is critically important for the general well being of Irish society and the general well being for our economy as well.”
The Taoiseach on Friday told Virgin Media News the vaccine could be available early next year.
“The European President of the Commission is now saying it could be the second half of December that they will get authorisation... which could mean, for the early part of 2021, we’re in a position to start procuring the vaccine. It could change the situation significantly for the better,” he said.
Mr Martin previously said that people vulnerable to Covid-19 would be prioritised once safe vaccines to prevent the virus are approved and ready.


theirishtimes--2020-11-21--Woman ‘threatened with hammer’ during Dundalk burglary

A man is due to appear before a court on Saturday charged in connection to an aggravated burglary in which @ @ @ @ @ Co Louth on Friday morning .
Gardaí said they received reports of a man entering @ @ @ @ @ s Demesne in Dundalk armed with a hammer at 6.30am .
The man is alleged @ @ @ @ @ resident of the property and left with a sum of cash and car keys .
@ @ @ @ @ in the resident ’ s vehicle .
No one was injured and there was no @ @ @ @ @ A Garda investigation commenced and a man in his 20s was arrested a short time @ @ @ @ @ ’ s vehicle was recovered .
The man was detained at Dundalk Garda Station under @ @ @ @ @ Justice Act , 1984 .
He has since been charged and will appear before Dublin @ @ @ @ @ Courts of Justice on Saturday morning .

Gardaí are investigating the incident that took place in Co Louth on Friday morning. File photograph: Frank Miller/ The Irish Times
A man is due to appear before a court on Saturday charged in connection to an aggravated burglary in which a car was stolen in Co Louth on Friday morning.
Gardaí said they received reports of a man entering a residence at Cox's Demesne in Dundalk armed with a hammer at 6.30am.
The man is alleged to have threatened a female resident of the property and left with a sum of cash and car keys.
He then fled the scene in the resident’s vehicle.
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No one was injured and there was no damage to the property.
A Garda investigation commenced and a man in his 20s was arrested a short time later. The injured party’s vehicle was recovered.
The man was detained at Dundalk Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
He has since been charged and will appear before Dublin District Court at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Saturday morning.


theirishtimes--2020-11-21--Object found in security alert near army barracks in Belfast ‘nothing untoward’

A security alert on the outskirts of Belfast has ended .
A section of the Old Holywood Road near the @ @ @ @ @ traffic on Saturday morning during the operation .
It ended just after 11am .
A @ @ @ @ @ was examined and found to be “ nothing untoward ” .
A number of Army @ @ @ @ @ barracks , including The Royal Scots .
It also hosts MI5 ’ s headquarters in @ @ @ @ @

A section of the Old Holywood Road near the Palace Barracks outside Belfast was closed to traffic just before 10am on Saturday due to a security alert. Image: Google Streetview.
A security alert on the outskirts of Belfast has ended.
A section of the Old Holywood Road near the Palace Barracks was closed to traffic on Saturday morning during the operation.
It ended just after 11am.
A PSNI spokesman said an object was examined and found to be “nothing untoward”.
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A number of Army units are based at the barracks, including The Royal Scots.
It also hosts MI5’s headquarters in Northern Ireland. - PA