theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Up to 250 people with dementia may have died in care homes during Covid-19

Up to 250 people with dementia may have died in residential care homes during the Covid-19 pandemic , according to a new study which calls for a review of current visiting restrictions .
However , this may be a low estimate and the number could be more than double this figure if the death rate matches the prevalence of dementia in residential care settings , the study suggests .
There has been little emphasis in Ireland on the needs of people with dementia during the pandemic , it says .
Up to May 12th , there was no mention of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s , in the minutes of the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) or their letters to the Minister for Health .
“ For some this may not appear that untoward , but given that in Ireland close to three-quarters of all residents in nursing homes are likely to have dementia , the omission is noteworthy , ” say study authors Niamh Hennelly of NUI Galway and Suzanne Cahill of Trinity College Dublin .
The Irish model of accommodating people who can no longer live at home in “ large-scale generic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options , including assisted living , available in other EU states , they point out .
This is “ not conducive ” to quality of care during normal times and will “ undoubtedly have a deleterious impact ” on people with dementia during a pandemic .
Given the unique and complex needs of people living with dementia , measures to ease the current restrictions on close family members ’ visits to nursing homes and care homes should now be reviewed , the authors recommend .
As Covid-19 is likely to be around for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to focus on optimally supporting people with dementia and their carers by providing more innovative ways to keep people socially connected , the study advises .
Staff need to be trained in delivering personal care tasks to people with dementia and there is a need for the careful use of assistive technologies to support the psychosocial wellbeing of people living with dementia , while maintaining physical distancing .
The authors say it is impossible to know how exactly the pandemic has affected the day-to-day lives of older people with dementia , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities are so important .
“ Given the Government ’ s cocooning guidelines for those over 70 , we can only speculate that the latter will have a profound impact on quality of life .
This , coupled with the cessation of group recreational activities in nursing homes , group outings from nursing homes to familiar places , and the absence of regular visits from family members and exposure to familiar faces of close relatives will all also adversely affect wellbeing.
” Although not a risk factor in itself , dementia places a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing Covid-19 due to increased age .
The condition also exposes a person to risky behaviour during the pandemic as it is more difficult for people with dementia to comply with public health guidelines and to cocoon .
An estimated 20,000-36,000 people in Ireland live with dementia in the community .

Use of large-scale generic nursing homes will ‘undoubtedly have a deleterious impact’ on people with dementia during a pandemic. Photograph: RollingNews.ie
Up to 250 people with dementia may have died in residential care homes during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new study which calls for a review of current visiting restrictions.
However, this may be a low estimate and the number could be more than double this figure if the death rate matches the prevalence of dementia in residential care settings, the study suggests.
There has been little emphasis in Ireland on the needs of people with dementia during the pandemic, it says.
Up to May 12th, there was no mention of the condition, or of Alzheimer’s, in the minutes of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) or their letters to the Minister for Health.
READ MORE
"For some this may not appear that untoward, but given that in Ireland close to three-quarters of all residents in nursing homes are likely to have dementia, the omission is noteworthy," say study authors Niamh Hennelly of NUI Galway and Suzanne Cahill of Trinity College Dublin.
The Irish model of accommodating people who can no longer live at home in “large-scale generic nursing homes” differs from the small-scale options, including assisted living, available in other EU states, they point out.
This is “not conducive” to quality of care during normal times and will “undoubtedly have a deleterious impact” on people with dementia during a pandemic.
Given the unique and complex needs of people living with dementia, measures to ease the current restrictions on close family members’ visits to nursing homes and care homes should now be reviewed, the authors recommend.
Social connection
As Covid-19 is likely to be around for the foreseeable future, policy and practice needs to focus on optimally supporting people with dementia and their carers by providing more innovative ways to keep people socially connected, the study advises.
Staff need to be trained in delivering personal care tasks to people with dementia and there is a need for the careful use of assistive technologies to support the psychosocial wellbeing of people living with dementia, while maintaining physical distancing.
The authors say it is impossible to know how exactly the pandemic has affected the day-to-day lives of older people with dementia, for whom social contact, connectivity and pleasurable activities are so important.
“Given the Government’s cocooning guidelines for those over 70, we can only speculate that the latter will have a profound impact on quality of life. This, coupled with the cessation of group recreational activities in nursing homes, group outings from nursing homes to familiar places, and the absence of regular visits from family members and exposure to familiar faces of close relatives will all also adversely affect wellbeing.”
Although not a risk factor in itself, dementia places a person at “heightened risk” of developing Covid-19 due to increased age.
The condition also exposes a person to risky behaviour during the pandemic as it is more difficult for people with dementia to comply with public health guidelines and to cocoon.
An estimated 20,000-36,000 people in Ireland live with dementia in the community.


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--A crystal view of molecular clustering by drug compounds

Shubhangi , congratulations , you just defended your PhD , what was it on ?
“ I looked at how the active ingredients in drugs form crystals in liquids .
Crystallisation is important for making and formulating many medicines , and I looked at the first step in the formation of these crystals , where I analysed how these molecules of the drug ’ s active ingredient cluster together .
What did it involve ?
I did lots of experiments , thousands of them .
I measured the size of molecular clusters of various active pharmaceutical ingredients , which changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liquids under different conditions .
It involved lots of calculations from those experiments too .
It is fundamental science , rather than applied , but the applications depend on knowing the fundamental science , so what I found should be helpful for industry .
How did you come to study that ?
I did a primary degree and a master ’ s degree in nanotechnology in India , then I worked in Karlsruhe in Germany .
I wanted to do a PhD , and was looking for projects online .
I saw this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applied , and I went out of my workplace to an internet cafe and did an online interview with Prof Åke Rasmuson in the department of chemical sciences at UL .
What was the toughest challenge of doing a PhD ?
I think it was writing up the thesis .
In one way , it was good timing because I wrote up a lot of it during the lockdown restrictions for Covid-19 , so I didn ’ t feel I was missing out on a social life and I could get up late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until after midnight , which suits me .
Even still , the writing was challenging , but I think it really helped me to get a deeper understanding of my PhD , I needed to go through that .
Because of Covid-19 , you did your PhD defence , or viva , online .
How did that work ?
Normally a PhD viva takes place in a room , where you have your professor and examiners present .
But we couldn ’ t do that now because of Covid , so we did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Limerick , and my professor was in Sweden and my external examiner was in France and there were other examiners on the call too .
I did a presentation and then the examiners asked me questions .
How did you feel before the PhD viva ?
I did mine 23 years ago , and I can still recall the terrifying pre-exam nerves !
I was really nervous .
I couldn ’ t sleep the night before .
I had prepared well for my presentation , but I felt like I was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had to answer the questions .
It is a long exam , it takes hours , and I was very relieved when it was over .
What was the high point of the exam ?
I think it was when they told me at the end that my presentation was excellent , that I got my PhD and that I didn ’ t have to make any corrections to my project .
That means I can relax a bit !
Now that you have finished , what will you do for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go home and visit my family in India as I have not seen them for a year and a half , but I can ’ t go because of Covid .
So I am going to apply for post-doctoral positions and jobs , and see what comes down the road next .
”

Shubhangi, congratulations, you just defended your PhD, what was it on?
“I looked at how the active ingredients in drugs form crystals in liquids. Crystallisation is important for making and formulating many medicines, and I looked at the first step in the formation of these crystals, where I analysed how these molecules of the drug’s active ingredient cluster together.
What did it involve?
I did lots of experiments, thousands of them. I measured the size of molecular clusters of various active pharmaceutical ingredients, which changed with time due to clustering in different liquids under different conditions. It involved lots of calculations from those experiments too.
READ MORE
It is fundamental science, rather than applied, but the applications depend on knowing the fundamental science, so what I found should be helpful for industry.
How did you come to study that?
I did a primary degree and a master's degree in nanotechnology in India, then I worked in Karlsruhe in Germany. I wanted to do a PhD, and was looking for projects online. I saw this one advertised in Limerick, so I applied, and I went out of my workplace to an internet cafe and did an online interview with Prof Åke Rasmuson in the department of chemical sciences at UL.
What was the toughest challenge of doing a PhD?
I think it was writing up the thesis. In one way, it was good timing because I wrote up a lot of it during the lockdown restrictions for Covid-19, so I didn’t feel I was missing out on a social life and I could get up late in the morning and work right through until after midnight, which suits me. Even still, the writing was challenging, but I think it really helped me to get a deeper understanding of my PhD, I needed to go through that.
Because of Covid-19, you did your PhD defence, or viva, online. How did that work?
Normally a PhD viva takes place in a room, where you have your professor and examiners present. But we couldn't do that now because of Covid, so we did the viva over Skype. I was in Limerick, and my professor was in Sweden and my external examiner was in France and there were other examiners on the call too. I did a presentation and then the examiners asked me questions.
How did you feel before the PhD viva? I did mine 23 years ago, and I can still recall the terrifying pre-exam nerves!
I was really nervous. I couldn’t sleep the night before. I had prepared well for my presentation, but I felt like I was a different person presenting it, and then I had to answer the questions. It is a long exam, it takes hours, and I was very relieved when it was over.
What was the high point of the exam?
I think it was when they told me at the end that my presentation was excellent, that I got my PhD and that I didn’t have to make any corrections to my project. That means I can relax a bit!
Now that you have finished, what will you do for the next few months?
I had planned to go home and visit my family in India as I have not seen them for a year and a half, but I can’t go because of Covid. So I am going to apply for post-doctoral positions and jobs, and see what comes down the road next.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Irish schools and racism: Could it be we have a problem?

Normally the only black adults working at Christelle Bekombo ’ s secondary school are the cleaners .
But the 26-year-old French teacher , originally from Cameroon , has become a role model for black students at Le Chéile Secondary School in Tyrrelstown , northwest Dublin .
“ It ’ s made a huge difference for them , ” she says .
“ I understand them .
They are happier .
They participate in class more .
And I ’ m showing that it can be done .
If the system doesn ’ t come to you , you go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-racism protests across the world , and allegations of racism in a number of schools here , it has prompted some to ask if the Irish education system has a racism problem ?
Bekombo is better-placed than most to give an informed view .
After arriving in Ireland as a 14-year-old , she went to secondary school in Tallaght and trained as a teacher at Trinity College Dublin .
She has been teaching at Le Chéile for the past three years .
“ Yes , I think there is a racism problem in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s everywhere .
It ’ s across all of society , ” she says .
She says she has had eggs thrown at her , been spat at , told to go back to her own country , as well as being misjudged and underestimated .
“ These are societal issues and school is just a small part .
It comes from home .
We need to tell our kids that they will meet people with different-coloured skin and different hair and different backgrounds .
But that doesn ’ t mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than others.
” Many black students Ireland , she says , are discouraged by their own families from teaching because it ’ s not seen as “ their ” profession .
This , she hopes , is about to change .
While the Irish classroom has become much more diverse over the past decade or so , with one in 10 students from non-Irish backgrounds , this is not reflected among the teaching profession .
In Ireland today about 95 per cent of student teachers identify as “ white Irish ” , compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bekombo teaches at what is one of the most diverse secondary schools in Ireland .
There are , at last count , 67 nationalities represented in the school .
The biggest cohort of students are those from Nigerian backgrounds , followed by white Irish .
Many of the young people here have either arrived directly from their country of birth , or they are the first generation of their family to be born in Ireland .
While it could be a source of tension , the school says it celebrates its diversity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was principal of the school until recently , before being seconded to become ethos and leadership officer with Le Chéile Schools Trust , says the school is built on the idea of being “ united in our differences ” .
“ It has become a real strength , ” she says .
“ When we established our school we asked what does a real Catholic education mean ?
And it was that it had to be in the community , inclusive and difference was to be celebrated.
” Is there resistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of diversity , she says , is not trying to make everyone the same , but genuinely embracing difference .
Students are reminded of this principle , both inside and outside the school gate .
But it isn ’ t all sweetness and light .
When the school took part in a Mass that was broadcast on RTÉ , she says she was shocked to see online commentary afterwards from white supremacists and racists .
There are times when the world of politics intervenes and there can be tensions between groupings .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with some groups sticking to themselves .
“ But in [ my ] experience , schools are working really , really hard around building a sense of community , ” says Moran .
“ The pastoral piece has always been important in Irish schools .
.
.
it means there is a focus on the care of students and school as a place of community , which isn ’ t the case in many other countries.
” Bekombo feels schools are part of the solution to racism in society .
She says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be done in encouraging people of colour to become teachers .
This can be key to tackling racism and making children from non-Irish backgrounds feel included .
“ I know that may some students will have a idea of black people in their head .
.
.
but when they see me in class and hear me , they come to like me .
It opens a door for them to understand who I am .
.
.
and for black students , it gives them a chance to see that black people @ @ @ @ @ @

Christelle Bekcombo, at teacher at Le Chéile Secondary School in Tyrrelstown. She is one of a handful of black teachers in the Irish education system. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Normally the only black adults working at Christelle Bekombo’s secondary school are the cleaners.
But the 26-year-old French teacher, originally from Cameroon, has become a role model for black students at Le Chéile Secondary School in Tyrrelstown, northwest Dublin.
“It’s made a huge difference for them,” she says. “I understand them. They are happier. They participate in class more. And I’m showing that it can be done. If the system doesn’t come to you, you go to the system.”
Christelle Bekcombo, at teacher at Le Chéile Secondary School in Tyrrelstown. She is one of a handful of black teachers in the Irish education system. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Christelle Bekombo, a French teacher at Le Chéile Secondary School in Tyrrelstown, northwest Dublin, is one of the few black teachers in the Irish education system.
Against a backdrop of anti-racism protests across the world, and allegations of racism in a number of schools here, it has prompted some to ask if the Irish education system has a racism problem?
READ MORE
Bekombo is better-placed than most to give an informed view.
After arriving in Ireland as a 14-year-old, she went to secondary school in Tallaght and trained as a teacher at Trinity College Dublin. She has been teaching at Le Chéile for the past three years.
“Yes, I think there is a racism problem in Irish schools but not just Ireland, it’s everywhere. It’s across all of society,” she says.
She says she has had eggs thrown at her, been spat at, told to go back to her own country, as well as being misjudged and underestimated.
“These are societal issues and school is just a small part. It comes from home. We need to tell our kids that they will meet people with different-colours skin and different hair and different backgrounds. But that doesn’t mean they are any more or less intelligent than others.”
Many black students Ireland, she says, are discouraged by their own families from teaching because it’s not seen as “their” profession. This, she hopes, is about to change.
While the Irish classroom has become much more diverse over the past decade or so, with one in 10 students from non-Irish backgrounds, this is not reflected among the teaching profession.
In Ireland today about 95 per cent of student teachers identify as “white Irish”, compared to 85 per cent of the population.
Bekombo teaches at what is one of the most diverse secondary schools in Ireland.
There are, at last count, 67 nationalities represented in the school. The biggest cohort of students are those from Nigerian backgrounds, followed by white Irish. Many of the young people here have either arrived directly from their country of birth, or they are the first generation of their family to be born in Ireland.
While it could be a source of tension, the school says it celebrates its diversity as a strength.
Dr Áine Moran, who was principal of the school until recently, before being seconded to become ethos and leadership officer with Le Chéile Schools Trust, says the school is built on the idea of being “united in our differences”.
“It has become a real strength,” she says. “When we established our school we asked what does a real Catholic education mean? And it was that it had to be in the community, inclusive and difference was to be celebrated.”
Is there resistance to message of diversity?
The challenge of diversity, she says, is not trying to make everyone the same, but genuinely embracing difference.
Students are reminded of this principle, both inside and outside the school gate.
But it isn’t all sweetness and light.
When the school took part in a Mass that was broadcast on RTÉ, she says she was shocked to see online commentary afterwards from white supremacists and racists.
There are times when the world of politics intervenes and there can tensions between groupings. And there can also be challenges in mixing, with some groups sticking to themselves.
“But in [my] experience, schools are working really, really hard around building a sense of community,” says Moran. “The pastoral piece has always been important in Irish schools . . . it means there is a focus on the care of students and school as a place of community, which isn’t the case in many other countries.”
Bekombo feels schools are part of the solution to racism in society.
She says there is a lot of work to be done in encouraging people of colour to become teachers. This can be key to tackling racism and making children from non-Irish backgrounds feel included.
"I know that may some students will have a idea of black people in their head . . . but when they see me in class and hear me, they come to like me. It opens a door for them to understand who I am . . . and for black students, it gives them a chance to see that black people can be teachers too."


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--PPE shipment from China amounts to just over 12 days’ stock

The Health Service Executive has received a consignment of 900,000 isolation gowns from China , representing just 12½ days ’ of stock based on current demand .
The consignment arrived in Shannon Airport on Wednesday and follows a delivery of 100,000 gowns earlier this week .
It was delivered in the world ’ s largest aircraft , the six-engine Antonov An-225 Mriya , and came to Shannon because that airport has the longest runway in Ireland and is the only Irish airport that can accommodate this plane .
Meanwhile , a study published in The BMJ [ The British Medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frontline healthcare professionals who were at high risk of exposure to Covid-19 did not contract the infection or develop immunity to it .
Appropriate personal protective equipment ( PPE ) is effective in preventing infection in healthcare professionals who work in highly exposed environments , concluded the Chinese study .
The staff were working away from home , so had limited social interactions after work which probably contributed to the absence of infection , researchers acknowledged .
Healthcare systems “ must give priority to the procurement and distribution of PPE , and provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use ” , they recommend .
Covid-19 infection among healthcare professionals was very common in Wuhan and in other countries in the early phase of the outbreak , with inappropriate PPE believed to be a significant factor in infection .
Researchers from Sun Yat-sen University , China , and University of Birmingham , UK , examined the protective effects of appropriate PPE for frontline healthcare professionals during the pandemic .
Their findings are based on 420 doctors and nurses with an average age of 36 years deployed to Wuhan for six to eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients with Covid-19 .
They worked four- to six-hour shifts for an average of 5.4 days a week , and an average of 16.2 hours each week in intensive care units .
All were provided with appropriate protective equipment , including suits , masks , gloves , goggles , face shields and gowns .
They also received training in the correct use of PPE and in reducing their exposure to infection when caring for patients .
None of the study participants reported Covid-19 related symptoms .
When the participants returned home all tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Ireland Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the Government is stockpiling PPE in anticipation of a second wave of Covid-19 .
A second wave , or spike in Covid-19 cases , or indeed another type of virus is possible , and it is important to be prepared , he said .

In Ireland the Government is stockpiling personal protective equipment in anticipation of a second wave of Covid-19. File photograph: The Irish Times
The Health Service Executive has received a consignment of 900,000 isolation gowns from China, representing just 12½ days' of stock based on current demand.
The consignment arrived in Shannon Airport on Wednesday and follows a delivery of 100,000 gowns earlier this week.
It was delivered in the world's largest aircraft, the six-engine Antonov An-225 Mriya, and came to Shannon because that airport has the longest runway in Ireland and is the only Irish airport that can accommodate this plane.
Meanwhile, a study published in The BMJ [The British Medical Journal] has found that hundreds of frontline healthcare professionals who were at high risk of exposure to Covid-19 did not contract the infection or develop immunity to it.
READ MORE
Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is effective in preventing infection in healthcare professionals who work in highly exposed environments, concluded the Chinese study.
The staff were working away from home, so had limited social interactions after work which probably contributed to the absence of infection, researchers acknowledged.
Healthcare systems “must give priority to the procurement and distribution of PPE, and provide adequate training to healthcare professionals in its use”, they recommend.
Covid-19 infection among healthcare professionals was very common in Wuhan and in other countries in the early phase of the outbreak, with inappropriate PPE believed to be a significant factor in infection.
Researchers from Sun Yat-sen University, China, and University of Birmingham, UK, examined the protective effects of appropriate PPE for frontline healthcare professionals during the pandemic.
Their findings are based on 420 doctors and nurses with an average age of 36 years deployed to Wuhan for six to eight weeks from January to April caring for patients with Covid-19.
What research data emerged?
They worked four- to six-hour shifts for an average of 5.4 days a week, and an average of 16.2 hours each week in intensive care units.
All were provided with appropriate protective equipment, including suits, masks, gloves, goggles, face shields and gowns. They also received training in the correct use of PPE and in reducing their exposure to infection when caring for patients.
None of the study participants reported Covid-19 related symptoms. When the participants returned home all tested negative for the infection or its antibodies.
In Ireland Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the Government is stockpiling PPE in anticipation of a second wave of Covid-19.
A second wave, or spike in Covid-19 cases, or indeed another type of virus is possible, and it is important to be prepared, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Trump nominates retired army brigadier general to a top job at Pentagon

US President Donald Trump has nominated Anthony Tata , a retired Army brigadier general and occasional Fox News commentator , to a top job at the Pentagon as he eyes a reduced troop presence in Afghanistan and escalating tensions from China to Iran .
The White House announced his nomination as undersecretary of defence for policy yesterday .
The announcement cited his “ extensive uniformed service ” .
Tata , a West Point graduate who retired from the army in 2009 after 28 years on active duty , has publicly advocated for withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan and Syria and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversial view in the eyes of many military and policy professionals .
“ History supports presidential auhtorisation for the use of private military contractors during transition operations to help the US and its allies achieve strategic aims , ” Tata and private security mogul Erik Prince wrote in a 2019 piece published by FoxNews.com .
“ Now is the time to begin the transition , secure our vital interests , and husband our precious resources.
” Tata , who was deputy commanding general of US forces in Afghanistan from 2006-2007 , would replace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed by the Senate .
Rood was ousted in February after playing a minor but important role in Trump ’ s impeachment saga .
Rood certified to Congress last May that Ukraine was eligible to receive $ 250 million in security assistance , aid that was later temporarily blocked by the White House .
Since the president asked him to take the job , Tata divested from his company , Tata Leadership Group , a business leadership development consultancy , according to a person familiar with the matter .
He was granted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his private sector work and it has since been updated to a top secret/sensitive compartmented information clearance , the person said .
Since his retirement from the Army in 2009 , Tata has served as the secretary of North Carolina ’ s transportation department , the chief operations officer of the District of Columbia Public Schools and the superintendent of the Wake County public schools system in North Carolina .
He is also the author of several thrillers .
– Bloomberg

US President Donald Trump has nominated Anthony Tata, a retired Army brigadier general and occasional Fox News commentator, to a top job at the Pentagon as he eyes a reduced troop presence in Afghanistan and escalating tensions from China to Iran.
The White House announced his nomination as undersecretary of defence for policy yesterday. The announcement cited his “extensive uniformed service”.
Tata, a West Point graduate who retired from the army in 2009 after 28 years on active duty, has publicly advocated for withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan and Syria and replacing them with private contractors – a controversial view in the eyes of many military and policy professionals.
“History supports presidential auhtorisation for the use of private military contractors during transition operations to help the US and its allies achieve strategic aims,” Tata and private security mogul Erik Prince wrote in a 2019 piece published by FoxNews.com. “Now is the time to begin the transition, secure our vital interests, and husband our precious resources.”
READ MORE
Tata, who was deputy commanding general of US forces in Afghanistan from 2006-2007, would replace John Rood at the defence department if confirmed by the Senate.
Rood was ousted in February after playing a minor but important role in Trump’s impeachment saga. Rood certified to Congress last May that Ukraine was eligible to receive $250 million in security assistance, aid that was later temporarily blocked by the White House.
Since the president asked him to take the job, Tata divested from his company, Tata Leadership Group, a business leadership development consultancy, according to a person familiar with the matter.
He was granted a top secret clearance last year as part of his private sector work and it has since been updated to a top secret/sensitive compartmented information clearance, the person said.
Since his retirement from the Army in 2009, Tata has served as the secretary of North Carolina’s transportation department, the chief operations officer of the District of Columbia Public Schools and the superintendent of the Wake County public schools system in North Carolina.
He is also the author of several thrillers. – Bloomberg


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Fourteen dogs stolen during burglary at house in Co Limerick

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses in relation to a burglary at a house in Co Limerick in which 14 dogs were stolen .
The incident occurred on Tuesday , June 9th .
A black car was seen leaving the home in Tullig , Drumcollogher , at about midday on the date in question .
It was later reported that 14 dogs , consisting of bichon frise , Cavalier King Charles , Jack Russell and cavachon breeds , had been stolen from kennels at the back of the house .
The family who were burgled are said to be deeply upset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dogs for years .
Some of the dogs involved had already been sold and were waiting to be collected by their new owners in the coming weeks .
The dogs are believed to be worth about €8,000 , but are said to have a sentimental value that is irreplaceable .
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have seen the black car , particularly road users with video footage , or who may have been offered the dogs to contact them in Newcastlewest on 069-20650 , on the Garda Confidential Line on @ @ @ @ @ @ @

One of the dogs stolen in Co Limerick on Tuesday. Photograph: via An Garda Síochána
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses in relation to a burglary at a house in Co Limerick in which 14 dogs were stolen.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, June 9th. A black car was seen leaving the home in Tullig, Drumcollogher, at about midday on the date in question.
It was later reported that 14 dogs, consisting of bichon frise, Cavalier King Charles, Jack Russell and cavachon breeds, had been stolen from kennels at the back of the house.
The family who were burgled are said to be deeply upset, as they had owned some of the dogs for years. Some of the dogs involved had already been sold and were waiting to be collected by their new owners in the coming weeks.
READ MORE
The dogs are believed to be worth about €8,000, but are said to have a sentimental value that is irreplaceable.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have seen the black car, particularly road users with video footage, or who may have been offered the dogs to contact them in Newcastlewest on 069-20650, on the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111 or at any Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Two men facing serious charges have ‘gone off the radar’, court hears

A court has heard that two Drogheda men who are facing serious charges , including of false imprisonment , have “ gone off the radar ” and may be under threat .
The cases of Josh Boylan ( 21 ) , of Moneymore , Drogheda , Co Louth , and Keith Boylan ( 25 ) , with an address in Park Heath , Drogheda , Co Meath , were previously transferred from Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and were mentioned before Judge Martin Nolan on Wednesday .
Garnet Orange SC , prosecuting , told Mr Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone off the radar ” and it is believed they “ are the subject of a threat ” .
“ There are contextual factors to suggest it is a threat that can be taken seriously , ” Mr Orange said .
He added that the State was not making an application for a bench warrant on Wednesday , but rather he was seeking a date for a hearing next week at which time the prosecution may apply for warrants for the men ’ s arrest .
The court heard that the two men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false imprisonment , in relation to an incident in Moneymore , Drogheda , on November 11th , 2018 .
Mr Justice Nolan adjourned the case to June 18th next .

A court has heard that two Drogheda men who are facing serious charges have ‘gone off the radar’ and may be under threat. File photograph: Getty Images/iStockphoto
A court has heard that two Drogheda men who are facing serious charges, including of false imprisonment, have "gone off the radar" and may be under threat.
The cases of Josh Boylan (21), of Moneymore, Drogheda, Co Louth, and Keith Boylan (25), with an address in Park Heath, Drogheda, Co Meath, were previously transferred from Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and were mentioned before Judge Martin Nolan on Wednesday.
Garnet Orange SC, prosecuting, told Mr Justice Nolan that the two defendants have “gone off the radar” and it is believed they “are the subject of a threat”.
“There are contextual factors to suggest it is a threat that can be taken seriously,” Mr Orange said.
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He added that the State was not making an application for a bench warrant on Wednesday, but rather he was seeking a date for a hearing next week at which time the prosecution may apply for warrants for the men’s arrest.
The court heard that the two men are facing serious charges, including of false imprisonment, in relation to an incident in Moneymore, Drogheda, on November 11th, 2018.
Mr Justice Nolan adjourned the case to June 18th next.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Jury trials to resume in July after being suspended due to Covid-19

Trials in front of a jury are set to resume next month following their suspension due to the Covid-19 lockdown , the Central Criminal Court heard on Wednesday .
All new jury trials were effectively suspended after the coronavirus restrictions were introduced in March .
Taking charge of the list of cases before the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday , Judge Paul McDermott said it was envisaged that trials would recommence on July 20th with procedures in place that adhere to health and safety guidelines amid the Covid-19 pandemic .
Mr Justice McDermott said that two trials would begin initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20th .
The first two trials will be used as templates for two more proposed trials later in the year , Mr Justice McDermott said .
He said that judges in the Central Criminal Court would continue to be available throughout vacation time – usually scheduled for August and September – subject to guidelines being effective .
Mr Justice McDermott told the court that custody trials would be given priority , adding that unfortunately they had had to be adjourned as a result of the Covid-19 emergency .
The court heard that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put safety procedures in place to ensure trials could resume .
Larger spaces will be made available for jurors assembling , to ensure they can adhere to social distancing guidelines , the court heard .

A view of the jury box of the Central Criminal Court. File photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
Trials in front of a jury are set to resume next month following their suspension due to the Covid-19 lockdown, the Central Criminal Court heard on Wednesday.
All new jury trials were effectively suspended after the coronavirus restrictions were introduced in March.
Taking charge of the list of cases before the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday, Judge Paul McDermott said it was envisaged that trials would recommence on July 20th with procedures in place that adhere to health and safety guidelines amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Justice McDermott said that two trials would begin initially, with the first proceeding on July 20th.
READ MORE
The first two trials will be used as templates for two more proposed trials later in the year, Mr Justice McDermott said.
He said that judges in the Central Criminal Court would continue to be available throughout vacation time – usually scheduled for August and September – subject to guidelines being effective.
Mr Justice McDermott told the court that custody trials would be given priority, adding that unfortunately they had had to be adjourned as a result of the Covid-19 emergency.
The court heard that a lot of work had been done to put safety procedures in place to ensure trials could resume.
Larger spaces will be made available for jurors assembling, to ensure they can adhere to social distancing guidelines, the court heard.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Reopening childcare crucial for parents – but how many will be able to avail of it?

Juggling jobs alongside caring or home schooling has become a way of life for frazzled families across the country since the doors of schools and childcare facilities shut in March .
With retailers reopening this week , many families were left in a situation where workers had to return to employment without access to childcare .
Economically , it was the equivalent of trying to jump-start the economy with the hand-brake on .
So , the Government ’ s announcement on Wednesday of a funding package to help reopen the childcare sector from June 29th is welcome news to many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grants to help ease the cost of hiring cleaning staff , buying hygiene products and purchasing additional learning resources , outdoor play equipment and shelters .
The temporary wage subsidy scheme will continue to provide up to 85 per cent of staff costs .
For childcare providers , the moves tick most of the boxes that they said were essential to reopening .
Crucially , parents should not have to pay higher fees than they did before the pandemic .
It will be a condition of the support package that providers who sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fees they charged prior to the pandemic .
There are major question marks , however , over how many childcare services will actually reopen this summer .
The funding package comes just as a majority of the estimated 4,500 childcare services in the State prepare to close during July and August .
This will leave about 1,800 facilities open , based on last summer ’ s figures .
The reopening of creches also comes too late for parents who hoped to access the Early Childhood Care and Education ( ECCE ) year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition , many childcare services , which have been closed since mid-March , say they have incurred large bills , overheads and worry about whether they will be able to reopen on a sustainable footing .
With just 10 working days before services are due to reopen , it is uncertain whether many facilities will be able to access grant aid in time to reopen .
As one provider put it : “ As soon as I reopen my door on the 29th , I go back to all my bills.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ providers abroad , many parents may initially be reluctant to return their children to childcare facilities due to health concerns .
The Federation of Early Childcare says the supports do not go far enough to save struggling creches from going bust .
It says childcare providers will be operating at a huge loss , even when the wage subsidy scheme is taken into account .
It expects less than 40 per cent of children to return , while “ huge ” sums of money will be needed to transform and modify facilities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will be looking at hundreds of creches going bust right across the country , ” says Elaine Dunne , chairperson of the federation .
Seas Suas , the association of independent early learning and care providers , estimates occupancy levels will fall as low as 25 per cent , with one in four returning .
“ With demand down and costs significantly up for at least six months , this funding will quickly run out , ” it warns .
However , Minister for Children Katherine Zappone says the support package is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to break even if they have just 40 per cent of normal capacity .
With 50 per cent or more , she estimates , providers can begin to turn a profit .
Time will tell if the support package is enough .
In the meantime , many parents will be waiting anxiously to see how many providers open up and whether they will be able to resume work and support their families .

The Government has announced a funding package to help reopen the childcare sector from June 29th. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Juggling jobs alongside caring or home schooling has become a way of life for frazzled families across the country since the doors of schools and childcare facilities shut in March.
With retailers reopening this week, many families were left in a situation where workers had to return to employment without access to childcare. Economically, it was the equivalent of trying to jump-start the economy with the hand-brake on.
So, the Government’s announcement on Wednesday of a funding package to help reopen the childcare sector from June 29th is welcome news to many parents.
The €75 million package includes grants to help ease the cost of hiring cleaning staff, buying hygiene products and purchasing additional learning resources, outdoor play equipment and shelters. The temporary wage subsidy scheme will continue to provide up to 85 per cent of staff costs.
READ MORE
For childcare providers, the moves tick most of the boxes that they said were essential to reopening.
Crucially, parents should not have to pay higher fees than they did before the pandemic. It will be a condition of the support package that providers who sign up for it will have to charge the fees they charged prior to the pandemic.
There are major question marks, however, over how many childcare services will actually reopen this summer.
The funding package comes just as a majority of the estimated 4,500 childcare services in the State prepare to close during July and August. This will leave about 1,800 facilities open, based on last summer’s figures.
The reopening of creches also comes too late for parents who hoped to access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) year, which runs from September to June.
In addition, many childcare services, which have been closed since mid-March, say they have incurred large bills, overheads and worry about whether they will be able to reopen on a sustainable footing.
With just 10 working days before services are due to reopen, it is uncertain whether many facilities will be able to access grant aid in time to reopen. As one provider put it: “As soon as I reopen my door on the 29th, I go back to all my bills.”
Based on the experience of childcare providers abroad, many parents may initially be reluctant to return their children to childcare facilities due to health concerns.
The Federation of Early Childcare says the supports do not go far enough to save struggling creches from going bust. It says childcare providers will be operating at a huge loss, even when the wage subsidy scheme is taken into account.
It expects less than 40 per cent of children to return, while “huge” sums of money will be needed to transform and modify facilities.
"I believe that unless things change we will be looking at hundreds of creches going bust right across the country," says Elaine Dunne, chairperson of the federation.
Seas Suas, the association of independent early learning and care providers, estimates occupancy levels will fall as low as 25 per cent, with one in four returning.
“With demand down and costs significantly up for at least six months, this funding will quickly run out,” it warns.
However, Minister for Children Katherine Zappone says the support package is generous enough that a provider will still be able to break even if they have just 40 per cent of normal capacity. With 50 per cent or more, she estimates, providers can begin to turn a profit.
Time will tell if the support package is enough. In the meantime, many parents will be waiting anxiously to see how many providers open up and whether they will be able to resume work and support their families.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Q&A on face masks: What is the latest advice?

Go into any supermarket/shop , or take any form of public transport in Ireland , and it is clear few people are wearing face masks .
It is hard to resist the conclusion that either they are utterly confused by changing public health messaging , or they don ’ t see the merit of wearing a mask .
Those in the latter camp may believe this Covid-19 pandemic is dealt with as Irish deaths and cases are close to zero – and wish to get back to normal as quickly as possible .
Or they are not prepared to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hassle of wearing a mask with all the protocols about how to put it on and take it off correctly , not forgetting re-use procedure .
There is social stigma too around wearing them .
While the world for the most part agreed on the best way to deal with the Covid-19 , ie lockdown , physical distancing and repeated handwashing , the same can not be said about face masks .
There is huge variation between countries ; in some they are mandatory in public places , in others they are worn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemic .
Differing advice from health authorities doesn ’ t help .
A lot comes down to interpreting research , evaluating risk and factoring human behaviour .
So scientists don ’ t reach an absolute position and governments wrestle with what to tell their citizens who are demanding clarity .
What on balance is best advice ?
Advice on whether to wear a mask has changed in line with emerging research about Covid-19 .
Evidence backing the wearing of masks in public , where there is community transmission , has strengthened – especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be worn in the open air or while driving a car .
When it comes to those over 60 , whose immune system is weakening coinciding with ageing , and those with underlying conditions , the case is clear-cut .
Moreover , this age group should wear medical-grade masks that , fortunately , are now more readily available , though not cheap .
What is the latest advice from the World Health Organisation ?
In the past week , WHO has come out more strongly in favour of masks , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances .
Its updated guidance says the public should wear masks where physical distancing is not possible .
It is firmly in favour of medical masks for the over-60s and those with pre-existing conditions .
A cloth mask of at least three layers is best for the general public .
Initially , the WHO was almost anti-mask , insisting many people won ’ t wear masks properly , thereby risking infection .
Masks give people a false sense of security and encourage risky behaviour , it contended .
Compounding matters was the obvious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases rose rapidly .
WHO accepts growing indications that the more people use masks , the lower the transmission , notably from those who are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic .
Previously it recommended masks for people who are symptomatic , to prevent spread to others .
What research is persuasive in favour of face masks ?
At the onset , scientific evidence on the effectiveness of face masks in slowing transmission of respiratory diseases was limited .
There was no data on Covid-19 since it was a previously unknown disease .
However , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face masks and cloth coverings .
This week a UK study found population-wide face mask use could push Covid-19 transmission down to controllable levels , and prevent further waves of the virus when combined with minor lockdowns .
A US study found that if 80 per cent of a closed population were to don a mask , infection rates would statistically drop to approximately one-twelfth the number of infections – compared to “ a live-virus population ” in which no one wore masks .
Where does Ireland stand in light of revised WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group is to review the latest WHO recommendations , but evaluation of current advice suggests Ireland is very much aligned with that viewpoint – though there may be a difference of emphasis .
The bottom line , however , is mask use is nowhere near the level warranted .
There has been a failure of national advice to hit the target – understandable at a time of exponential rise in cases ; less acceptable when easing lockdown .
There is much catching up to do , to ensure supply of more specialist masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Covid-19 and those who can not afford a mask or make a cloth version .
Supplying free masks to every household could make up lost ground .
What is the prudent way to proceed ?
There is no going back to normal soon .
Risk of contamination of surfaces and infection is ever present .
Good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette , while maintaining physical distancing where possible is still the winning formula .
But “ wear a mask ” in the correct way has rightly been added to that mix .

Population-wide facemask use could push COVID-19 transmission down to controllable levels for national epidemics and could prevent further waves of the pandemic disease when combined with lockdowns, according to a new UK study.
Go into any supermarket/shop, or take any form of public transport in Ireland, and it is clear few people are wearing face masks.
It is hard to resist the conclusion that either they are utterly confused by changing public health messaging, or they don’t see the merit of wearing a mask.
Those in the latter camp may believe this Covid-19 pandemic is dealt with as Irish deaths and cases are close to zero – and wish to get back to normal as quickly as possible.
Or they are not prepared to put up with what they perceive as the hassle of wearing a mask with all the protocols about how to put it on and take it off correctly, not forgetting re-use procedure. There is social stigma too around wearing them.
READ MORE
While the world for the most part agreed on the best way to deal with the Covid-19, ie lockdown, physical distancing and repeated handwashing, the same cannot be said about face masks.
There is huge variation between countries; in some they are mandatory in public places, in others they are worn routinely whenever there is risk of an epidemic. Differing advice from health authorities doesn’t help.
A lot comes down to interpreting research, evaluating risk and factoring human behaviour. So scientists don’t reach an absolute position and governments wrestle with what to tell their citizens who are demanding clarity.
What on balance is best advice?
Advice on whether to wear a mask has changed in line with emerging research about Covid-19. Evidence backing the wearing of masks in public, where there is community transmission, has strengthened – especially in confined spaces. They do not need to be worn in the open air or while driving a car.
When it comes to those over 60, whose immune system is weakening coinciding with ageing, and those with underlying conditions, the case is clear-cut. Moreover, this age group should wear medical-grade masks that, fortunately, are now more readily available, though not cheap.
What is the latest advice from the World Health Organisation?
In the past week, WHO has come out more strongly in favour of masks, with a variation of types recommended depending on circumstances. Its updated guidance says the public should wear masks where physical distancing is not possible.
It is firmly in favour of medical masks for the over-60s and those with pre-existing conditions. A cloth mask of at least three layers is best for the general public.
Initially, the WHO was almost anti-mask, insisting many people won’t wear masks properly, thereby risking infection. Masks give people a false sense of security and encourage risky behaviour, it contended. Compounding matters was the obvious shortage of masks for healthcare workers as cases rose rapidly.
WHO accepts growing indications that the more people use masks, the lower the transmission, notably from those who are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic. Previously it recommended masks for people who are symptomatic, to prevent spread to others.
What research is persuasive in favour of face masks?
At the onset, scientific evidence on the effectiveness of face masks in slowing transmission of respiratory diseases was limited. There was no data on Covid-19 since it was a previously unknown disease.
However, there is a growing body of evidence favouring face masks and cloth coverings.
This week a UK study found population-wide face mask use could push Covid-19 transmission down to controllable levels, and prevent further waves of the virus when combined with minor lockdowns.
A US study found that if 80 per cent of a closed population were to don a mask, infection rates would statistically drop to approximately one-twelfth the number of infections – compared to “a live-virus population” in which no one wore masks.
Where does Ireland stand in light of revised WHO guidance?
NPHET’s expert advisory group is to review the latest WHO recommendations, but evaluation of current advice suggests Ireland is very much aligned with that viewpoint – though there may be a difference of emphasis.
The bottom line, however, is mask use is nowhere near the level warranted. There has been a failure of national advice to hit the target – understandable at a time of exponential rise in cases; less acceptable when easing lockdown.
Given such low usage in Ireland, the time has come to heed the strong recommendation of WHO special envoy Dr David Nabarro, who told the Oireachtas special committee on Covid-19 there needed to be a push from saying people “should” wear them to people “must” wear them.
This, he advised, was for the benefit of service providers, including drivers, attendants and security guards – it was a reasonable requirement that commuters wear coverings for the sake of people who look after them.
There is much catching up to do to ensure more specialist masks are available for those who are vulnerable to Covid-19 and those who cannot afford a mask or to make a cloth version. Supplying free masks to every household could make up lost ground.
What is the prudent way to proceed?
There is no going back to normal soon. Risk of contamination of surfaces and infection is ever present. Good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, while maintaining physical distancing where possible is still the winning formula. But "wear a mask" in the correct way has rightly been added to that mix.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Boy claims aggravated damages over care by doctor struck off in UK

A boy with cerebral palsy suing over the circumstances of his birth at Cavan General Hospital in 2017 is seeking aggravated damages over his care allegedly being entrusted to a doctor who was struck off the UK medical register two years ago .
The High Court was told Tadhg James McKenna is seeking exemplary or aggravated damages after it emerged Dr Aamir Iqbal Malik was allegedly involved at his birth .
Last month , Dr Malik was suspended by the High Court from the medical register in Ireland pending an inquiry .
High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor in Pakistan in 1989 , had been struck off the medical register in the UK in 2018 for professional misconduct based on findings of dishonesty in how he conducted his practice as a doctor there .
In the case of Tadhg , it is claimed his care at birth in August 2017 was entrusted to Dr Malik who , it is claimed , had neither the professional capacity or competence to provide such care at all or without appropriate supervision .
On Wednesday , Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the McKenna family but they do not want the case delayed .
Andrea Mulligan BL , for the HSE , said it is investigating the new aspect to the case .
Liability had previously been conceded in relation to breach of duty but causation had remained at issue , she said .
Tadhg , of Sruth An Mhuillan , Emyvale , Co Monaghan , through his mother Emma Louise McKenna , has sued the HSE over the circumstances of his birth at Cavan General Hospital on August 31st 2017 .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to be resuscitated .
It is claimed the mother ’ s labour was allowed to continue for over 16 hours and there was failure to appropriately monitor the mother during labour and delivery .
It is further claimed there was failure to monitor the fetal heart rate and to detect or take account of CTG abnormalities .
In an additional claim , it is alleged the HSE entrusted the baby ’ s care to Dr Malik at a time when it ought to have known he had been subject to disciplinary sanction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disciplinary investigation and allegedly had neither the professional capacity nor competence to provide such care .
The HSE , it is further alleged , failed to ensure it had in place an appropriate administrative regime to alert medical administrative staff of the disciplinary status of medical practitioners operating in conjunction with them .
The HSE , it is claimed , owed a duty to ensure the employment as well as deployment of medical staff , specifically medical doctors , was conducted in such a way as to ensure , in relation to doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the HSE was fully informed of any disciplinary investigation or sanction imposed .
The case , expected to last two weeks , was listed for hearing in September .

The doctor was last month suspended by the High Court from the medical register in Ireland pending an inquiry. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
A boy with cerebral palsy suing over the circumstances of his birth at Cavan General Hospital in 2017 is seeking aggravated damages over his care allegedly being entrusted to a doctor who was struck off the UK medical register two years ago.
The High Court was told Tadhg James McKenna is seeking exemplary or aggravated damages after it emerged Dr Aamir Iqbal Malik was allegedly involved at his birth.
Last month, Dr Malik was suspended by the High Court from the medical register in Ireland pending an inquiry.
High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly noted Dr Malik, who qualified as a doctor in Pakistan in 1989, had been struck off the medical register in the UK in 2018 for professional misconduct based on findings of dishonesty in how he conducted his practice as a doctor there.
READ MORE
In the case of Tadhg, it is claimed his care at birth in August 2017 was entrusted to Dr Malik who, it is claimed, had neither the professional capacity or competence to provide such care at all or without appropriate supervision.
On Wednesday, Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told the new developments in the case have caused stress for the McKenna family but they do not want the case delayed.
Andrea Mulligan BL, for the HSE, said it is investigating the new aspect to the case. Liability had previously been conceded in relation to breach of duty but causation had remained at issue, she said.
Tadhg, of Sruth An Mhuillan, Emyvale, Co Monaghan, through his mother Emma Louise McKenna, has sued the HSE over the circumstances of his birth at Cavan General Hospital on August 31st 2017.
He was born suffering from severe perinatal asphyxia and had to be resuscitated. It is claimed the mother’s labour was allowed to continue for over 16 hours and there was failure to appropriately monitor the mother during labour and delivery.
It is further claimed there was failure to monitor the fetal heart rate and to detect or take account of CTG abnormalities.
In an additional claim, it is alleged the HSE entrusted the baby’s care to Dr Malik at a time when it ought to have known he had been subject to disciplinary sanction and was in the course of a disciplinary investigation and allegedly had neither the professional capacity nor competence to provide such care.
The HSE, it is further alleged, failed to ensure it had in place an appropriate administrative regime to alert medical administrative staff of the disciplinary status of medical practitioners operating in conjunction with them.
The HSE, it is claimed, owed a duty to ensure the employment as well as deployment of medical staff, specifically medical doctors, was conducted in such a way as to ensure, in relation to doctors registered with a non national registration authority, the HSE was fully informed of any disciplinary investigation or sanction imposed.
The case, expected to last two weeks, was listed for hearing in September.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Coronavirus: Five more deaths brings toll in State to 1,695

Another five people with Covid-19 have died in the State , bringing the total number of fatalities linked to the disease to 1,695 , according to figures released on Wednesday evening by the Department of Health .
Another 19 cases have also been confirmed , meaning that a total of 25,231 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 since the pandemic arrived here , the department said .
There are currently 102 cases of Covid-19 in hospital , of which 29 are in intensive care .
Of the cases recorded up to last Monday , 57 per cent are male and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age is 48 years , and a total of 8,099 involved healthcare workers .
The National Public Health Emergency Team is due to meet on Thursday to review progress in the pandemic , and to review the World Health Organisation ’ s updated advice on face coverings .
The meeting will consider “ communications regarding appropriate use of face coverings in community settings , ” according to chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan .
Some 92 per cent of patients diagnosed with the virus have recovered , officials said .
“ While it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people who contracted Covid-19 have recovered from the acute phase of their illness , there are many who continue to experience longer term effects including fatigue and decreased exercise capacity , ” deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said .
Earlier , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar cautioned that the plan to reopen the economy was contingent on the virus being kept under control .
“ There is always the risk that it might make a comeback… It is possible that the worst is over , but it ’ s not over yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview on RTÉ ’ s 2fm , Mr Varadkar also said hairdressers could be allowed to reopen earlier than previously planned and he described as “ too slow ” the Government ’ s initial five phase roadmap to reopen the country from the coronavirus lockdown by August .
Last Friday it was announced the roadmap would be shortened from five phases to four , with several parts of the plan brought forward and some services permitted to reopen this week .
“ We ’ re now working on revising phases four and five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country almost fully opened by the middle of July instead of the middle of August , ” Mr Varadkar said .
“ So the kind of things we are looking at is bringing forward the reopening of hairdressers and the salons , and a couple of the things like that.
” Work on amalgamating the latter half of the plan would be completed this week , he added .
Hairdressers and beauty salons were due to reopen on July 20th as part of the initial five-phase plan , with groups in the sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume business earlier .
Figures on Tuesday from the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) showed several hospitals were running out of bed capacity in both general and intensive care wards as the lockdown was eased .
A total of 489 vacant general beds were available in hospitals across the State on Tuesday along with 114 critical care beds .
Three hospitals - Kilkenny , Limerick and the Children ’ s Hospital in Tallaght , Dublin - had no general beds available , while South Tipperary and Portiuncula hospital in Ballinasloe , Co @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital Blanchardstown in Dublin , Letterkenny in Co Donegal and Cavan each had two beds available .
In total , 15 hospitals - a third of them in Dublin - had 10 or fewer general beds available .
There was a also a shortage in critical care beds with none available on Tuesday in the Mater and St Vincent ’ s hospitals in Dublin , in Mayo , Kilkenny or the Mercy Hospital , Cork , and only one critical care bed available in seven other hospitals .
Only St James ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free critical care beds , with a total of 25 available there on Tuesday .
The figures show the beds , both in general and critical care wards are not for the most part being occupied by coronavirus patients .
A total of 21 hospitals had no Covid-19 patients in their intensive care beds .
The largest number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care units were in Dublin hospitals .
The Mater had the highest number at seven , St James ’ s and Beaumont both had six critical care patients and Tallaght @ @ @

A hairdresser at work this week in New Delhi, India. Hair and beauty salons were due to reopen in Ireland on July 20th but that date is now being brought forward. Photograph: Prakash Singh/AFP via Getty Images
Another five people with Covid-19 have died in the State, bringing the total number of fatalities linked to the disease to 1,695, according to figures released on Wednesday evening by the Department of Health.
Another 19 cases have also been confirmed, meaning that a total of 25,231 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 since the pandemic arrived here, the department said.
There are currently 102 cases of Covid-19 in hospital, of which 29 are in intensive care.
Of the cases recorded up to last Monday, 57 per cent are male and 43 per cent female. The median age is 48 years, and a total of 8,099 involved healthcare workers.
READ MORE
The National Public Health Emergency Team is due to meet on Thursday to review progress in the pandemic, and to review the World Health Organisation’s updated advice on face coverings.
The meeting will consider “communications regarding appropriate use of face coverings in community settings,” according to chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan.
Some 92 per cent of patients diagnosed with the virus have recovered, officials said.
“While it is very welcome that the vast majority of people who contracted Covid-19 have recovered from the acute phase of their illness, there are many who continue to experience longer term effects including fatigue and decreased exercise capacity,” deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said.
Earlier, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar cautioned that the plan to reopen the economy was contingent on the virus being kept under control.
“There is always the risk that it might make a comeback… It is possible that the worst is over, but it’s not over yet,” he said.
In an interview on RTÉ’s 2fm, Mr Varadkar also said hairdressers could be allowed to reopen earlier than previously planned and he described as “too slow” the Government’s initial five phase roadmap to reopen the country from the coronavirus lockdown by August.
Last Friday it was announced the roadmap would be shortened from five phases to four, with several parts of the plan brought forward and some services permitted to reopen this week.
“We’re now working on revising phases four and five, so that we can have the country almost fully opened by the middle of July instead of the middle of August,” Mr Varadkar said.
“So the kind of things we are looking at is bringing forward the reopening of hairdressers and the salons, and a couple of the things like that.”
Work on amalgamating the latter half of the plan would be completed this week, he added.
Hairdressers and beauty salons were due to reopen on July 20th as part of the initial five-phase plan, with groups in the sector calling for outlets to be allowed to resume business earlier.
Hospital beds
Figures on Tuesday from the Health Service Executive (HSE) showed several hospitals were running out of bed capacity in both general and intensive care wards as the lockdown was eased.
A total of 489 vacant general beds were available in hospitals across the State on Tuesday along with 114 critical care beds.
Three hospitals - Kilkenny, Limerick and the Children's Hospital in Tallaght, Dublin - had no general beds available, while South Tipperary and Portiuncula hospital in Ballinasloe, Co Galway had one bed each. Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown in Dublin, Letterkenny in Co Donegal and Cavan each had two beds available. In total, 15 hospitals - a third of them in Dublin - had 10 or fewer general beds available.
There was a also a shortage in critical care beds with none available on Tuesday in the Mater and St Vincent's hospitals in Dublin, in Mayo, Kilkenny or the Mercy Hospital, Cork, and only one critical care bed available in seven other hospitals. Only St James's Hospital, Dublin had more than 10 free critical care beds, with a total of 25 available there on Tuesday.
The figures show the beds, both in general and critical care wards are not for the most part being occupied by coronavirus patients.
A total of 21 hospitals had no Covid-19 patients in their intensive care beds.
The largest number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care units were in Dublin hospitals. The Mater had the highest number at seven, St James’s and Beaumont both had six critical care patients and Tallaght had four.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Sole survivor of Kingsmill massacre in legal bid to have two IRA suspects named

The sole survivor of the Kingsmill massacre is taking legal action in a bid to have two IRA men suspected of involvement in the murders publicly named .
Alan Black wants the Belfast High Court to order that the identities of the alleged perpetrators must be revealed at an inquest into the 1976 atrocity .
The move comes amid rumours that at least one of those connected to the killing of 10 Protestant workmen was a British state agent .
That suspect , who has since died , was an ex-soldier linked to more than 30 murders in total , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 76 ) , was shot 18 times and left for dead alongside the lifeless bodies of his 10 friends after the IRA ambushed their minibus near Kingsmill , Co Armagh .
Gunmen ordered the victims out of the van , lined them up and instructed the only Catholic to leave before opening fire .
No-one has ever been convicted for one of the worst outrages committed during the Troubles .
An ongoing inquest into the shootings has heard two suspects linked to the massacre later received controversial on-the-run “ comfort letters ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by police .
The coroner overseeing the tribunal has so far declined to name those individuals , saying he would consider arguments on what was described as a “ complicated ” issue .
With the suspects currently referred to by ciphers , Mr Black has taken preliminary steps towards seeking a judicial review of that stance .

The bullet-riddled minibus near Whitecross in South Armagh where 10 Protestant workmen were shot dead in 1976 in what became known as the Kingsmill massacre. Photograph: PA
The sole survivor of the Kingsmill massacre is taking legal action in a bid to have two IRA men suspected of involvement in the murders publicly named.
Alan Black wants the Belfast High Court to order that the identities of the alleged perpetrators must be revealed at an inquest into the 1976 atrocity. The move comes amid rumours that at least one of those connected to the killing of 10 Protestant workmen was a British state agent. That suspect, who has since died, was an ex-soldier linked to more than 30 murders in total, according to legal papers.
Mr Black (76), was shot 18 times and left for dead alongside the lifeless bodies of his 10 friends after the IRA ambushed their minibus near Kingsmill, Co Armagh.
Gunmen ordered the victims out of the van, lined them up and instructed the only Catholic to leave before opening fire.
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No-one has ever been convicted for one of the worst outrages committed during the Troubles.
An ongoing inquest into the shootings has heard two suspects linked to the massacre later received controversial on-the-run “comfort letters”, informing them they were not wanted by police. The coroner overseeing the tribunal has so far declined to name those individuals, saying he would consider arguments on what was described as a “complicated” issue. With the suspects currently referred to by ciphers, Mr Black has taken preliminary steps towards seeking a judicial review of that stance.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Boy who hurt finger at birthday party settles court action for €50,000

A boy who , as a toddler , hurt his finger when it caught in a gate in a play area has settled his High Court action for €50,000 .
Cillian Clarke , the High Court heard , suffered a ‘ bursting ’ type injury and had to have an operation on his left index finger as a result of the accident which happened when he was attending another child ’ s birthday party .
Now aged 11 , the boy , of Hollywoodrath , Hollystown , Co Dublin , through his mother Sarah Jane Walsh , sued Leisureplex Blanchardstown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of the accident in 2011 in the children ’ s play area of the Leisureplex Centre in the Blanchardstown Centre .
The Leisureplex denied all claims and supplied CCTV footage which showed a member of the public and not a Leisureplex employee had pulled the gate shut causing the injury .
Approving the settlement , Mr Justice Kevin Cross said he was delighted the boy had forgotten the accident and he wished Cillian well in the future .
The judge said it was a difficult case in relation to liability and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value .
Mr Justice Cross said it was a good settlement in the circumstances .
Counsel for the boy Barney Quirke SC told the court that CCTV recently found in relation to the incident showed it was a member of the public and not a Leisureplex employee who had picked up the child and put him back in to the play area , closing the gate on his finger .
Counsel said the boy suffered a nasty injury and has been left with a scar .

The judge said he was delighted the boy had forgotten the accident and wished him well in the future.
A boy who, as a toddler, hurt his finger when it caught in a gate in a play area has settled his High Court action for €50,000.
Cillian Clarke, the High Court heard, suffered a ‘bursting’ type injury and had to have an operation on his left index finger as a result of the accident which happened when he was attending another child’s birthday party.
Now aged 11, the boy, of Hollywoodrath, Hollystown, Co Dublin, through his mother Sarah Jane Walsh, sued Leisureplex Blanchardstown Ltd and Lock Leisure Ltd as a result of the accident in 2011 in the children’s play area of the Leisureplex Centre in the Blanchardstown Centre.
The Leisureplex denied all claims and supplied CCTV footage which showed a member of the public and not a Leisureplex employee had pulled the gate shut causing the injury.
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Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Kevin Cross said he was delighted the boy had forgotten the accident and he wished Cillian well in the future.
The judge said it was a difficult case in relation to liability and the case had settled for two-thirds of its value.
Mr Justice Cross said it was a good settlement in the circumstances.
Counsel for the boy Barney Quirke SC told the court that CCTV recently found in relation to the incident showed it was a member of the public and not a Leisureplex employee who had picked up the child and put him back in to the play area, closing the gate on his finger.
Counsel said the boy suffered a nasty injury and has been left with a scar.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Trial date in 2021 fixed for man charged with perverting the course of justice

A Dublin man charged with perverting the course of justice in connection with the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly @ @ @ @ @ Special Criminal Court in January 2021 .
Mr Butterly , a 35-year-old father of two @ @ @ @ @ after 2pm in the car park of the Huntsman Inn at Gormanston , Co Meath @ @ @ @ @ .
He died from gunshot wounds to his neck and upper back .
Ray Kennedy @ @ @ @ @ an address at Whitestown Drive , Blanchardstown , Dublin 15 , is accused of carrying @ @ @ @ @ pervert the course of justice , by destroying a SIM card on March 6th , @ @ @ @ @ Hunt , presiding , sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge David McHugh , on @ @ @ @ @ for Mr Kennedy of January 11th , 2021 .
It is expected to last between @ @ @ @ @

A Dublin man charged with perverting the course of justice in connection with the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly will face trial at the Special Criminal Court in January 2021.
Mr Butterly, a 35-year-old father of two, was shot dead shortly after 2pm in the car park of the Huntsman Inn at Gormanston, Co Meath on March 6th, 2013. He died from gunshot wounds to his neck and upper back.
Ray Kennedy (40), with an address at Whitestown Drive, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, is accused of carrying out an act intending to pervert the course of justice, by destroying a SIM card on March 6th, 2013.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge David McHugh, on Wednesday set a trial date for Mr Kennedy of January 11th, 2021. It is expected to last between four and five weeks.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Maria Bailey complaint over RTÉ radio show is rejected by BAI

The broadcasting watchdog has rejected a complaint made by former Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey about a radio panel discussion on her deselection from the party ’ s election ticket , stating that the subject matter was treated fairly .
In her complaint to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland ( BAI ) , Ms Bailey said the discussion on RTÉ Radio 1 ’ s Today with Seán O ’ Rourke presented “ untrue and damaging comments ” about her , asserting that a panellist had referred to defrauding insurance in relation to her , while another panellist mentioned exaggerated insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show , which aired on November 15th , 2019 , and which was presented by Miriam O ’ Callaghan , featured “ inaccurate comments ” which were “ presented as fact and were not challenged by the presenter ” .
In response to the complaint , RTÉ said it did not accept that Ms Bailey was defamed in the discussion .
The broadcaster noted that the presenter “ twice emphasised ” that the complainant was not being accused of fraud , and that it had invited the complainant to a subsequent interview in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its decision , the broadcasting authority noted that “ although the presenter did not offer her views , more clarity may have been provided regarding the panel ’ s comments on fraud ” .
The BAI ruled that the segment did not infringe on the code of fairness , objectivity and impartiality , adding that the subject matter was treated fairly .
The complaint by Ms Bailey was one of four that were rejected by the BAI compliance committee at its meeting in February 2020 , the details of which were published on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected by the BAI ’ s executive complaints forum in February , March and April .
In a separate complaint rejected by the watchdog , William Campbell asserted that AA Roadwatch providing traffic and travel updates on three RTÉ radio stations allows “ a political lobby group ” to present material “ in a way that allows it to pursue its political agenda ” .
Mr Campbell also argued that AA Roadwatch uses the segments “ to advertise its sales channels , while denying that opportunity to competitors ” .
In response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commercial agreement with AA Roadwatch “ does not have any influence over any aspect of RTÉ editorial content ” , adding that the agreement is “ fully compliant ” with the relevant regulatory and statutory provisions .
The BAI rejected the complaint , stating that “ there was no evidence in the broadcasts to support the view that the broadcasts are skewing public debate , or that the broadcasts are unfair to rival businesses ” .

A complaint by former Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey has been rejected by BAI. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
The broadcasting watchdog has rejected a complaint made by former Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey about a radio panel discussion on her deselection from the party's election ticket, stating that the subject matter was treated fairly.
In her complaint to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), Ms Bailey said the discussion on RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Seán O'Rourke presented "untrue and damaging comments" about her, asserting that a panellist had referred to defrauding insurance in relation to her, while another panellist mentioned exaggerated insurance claims.
Ms Bailey said that the show, which aired on November 15th, 2019, and which was presented by Miriam O’Callaghan, featured “inaccurate comments” which were “presented as fact and were not challenged by the presenter”.
In response to the complaint, RTÉ said it did not accept that Ms Bailey was defamed in the discussion.
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The broadcaster noted that the presenter “twice emphasised” that the complainant was not being accused of fraud, and that it had invited the complainant to a subsequent interview in order to address her concerns.
In its decision, the broadcasting authority noted that “although the presenter did not offer her views, more clarity may have been provided regarding the panel’s comments on fraud”.
The BAI ruled that the segment did not infringe on the code of fairness, objectivity and impartiality, adding that the subject matter was treated fairly.
Other complaints
The complaint by Ms Bailey was one of four that were rejected by the BAI compliance committee at its meeting in February 2020, the details of which were published on Wednesday.
A further seven complaints were rejected by the BAI’s executive complaints forum in February, March and April.
In a separate complaint rejected by the watchdog, William Campbell asserted that AA Roadwatch providing traffic and travel updates on three RTÉ radio stations allows "a political lobby group" to present material "in a way that allows it to pursue its political agenda".
Mr Campbell also argued that AA Roadwatch uses the segments “to advertise its sales channels, while denying that opportunity to competitors”.
In response to the complaint, RTÉ said that its commercial agreement with AA Roadwatch “does not have any influence over any aspect of RTÉ editorial content”, adding that the agreement is “fully compliant” with the relevant regulatory and statutory provisions.
The BAI rejected the complaint, stating that “there was no evidence in the broadcasts to support the view that the broadcasts are skewing public debate, or that the broadcasts are unfair to rival businesses”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Man alleged to have breached orders not to interfere with bog

A man alleged to have breached orders not to interfere with lands designated as a National Heritage Area ( NHA ) has appeared before the High Court following his arrest by gardaí .
Daragh Coyne appeared before Mr Justice Anthony Barr on Wednesday over allegations he is in contempt of court orders obtained against him by the National Parks and Wildlife Service ( NPWS ) .
It claims Mr Coyne , of Coralstown , Mullingar , Co Westmeath , has engaged in activities that have damaged Milltownpass Bog in Co Westmeath , a designated NHA .
The Minister for Culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is responsible for the service , previously obtained injunctions preventing Mr Coyne carrying out any unauthorised works on or interfering with the NHA .
It is claimed he has not complied with either that order , made last April , or a subsequent order requiring him to remove a gate erected by him on an old turf-cutters ’ track , located on the Minister ’ s lands .
The lands where the illegal activities are alleged to have occurred are owned by both the Minister and by a member of Mr Coyne ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Coyne , who is not legally represented , was brought before the court by gardaí on foot of an order granted by the court last week .
Mr Coyne said he has done absolutely nothing wrong .
He said he was “ kidnapped ” and taken from a machine in his yard by gardaí to a Garda barracks before being brought to the Four Courts .
He told the judge several times he objected to being called Mr Coyne and asked the judge to call him “ Daragh ” .
Mr Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hearing , he would address the defendant as “ Mr Coyne ” .
Mr Coyne said he had sent documents outlining his case to the court ’ s offices but the judge said there was no record of material ever being received .
In the circumstances , the judge adjourned the matter to Thursday so Mr Coyne can obtain copies of the documents setting out his position .
The judge directed gardaí to return Mr Coyne to his home and to bring him back to court on Thursday .
If , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return , the contempt hearing would proceed in his absence , the judge said .
Mr Coyne said he will be in court on Thursday .
James O ’ Donnell BL , for the NPWS , said it did not want to see anyone jailed but was left with no alternative due to Mr Coyne ’ s failure to engage with it .
The court was previously told that waste material , including scrap metal and fuel , have been dumped , and turf was illegally cut , on the lands at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statements , two Park Rangers said they found piles containing material ranging from gardening waste with ‘ cherry laurel ’ , which is an highly invasive species , to scrap metal .
They also found several large unsealed heavy duty plastic oil tanks on the lands .
This activity had damaged the NHA , they said .
Mr Coyne , they also said , had denied dumping the material on the site .
The Rangers also expressed concern turf would be extracted from the NHA , as they had seen turf-cutting equipment stored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Mr Coyne said he was not using the equipment , the Rangers said he had last year engaged a contractor to cut turf on the NHA and they were concerned he would cut turf on the lands again in 2020 .
Peat extraction from the bog was banned in 2017 , the court heard .

The National Parks and Wildlife Service claims the man has engaged in activities that have damaged Milltownpass Bog in Co Westmeath.
A man alleged to have breached orders not to interfere with lands designated as a National Heritage Area (NHA) has appeared before the High Court following his arrest by gardaí.
Daragh Coyne appeared before Mr Justice Anthony Barr on Wednesday over allegations he is in contempt of court orders obtained against him by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
It claims Mr Coyne, of Coralstown, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, has engaged in activities that have damaged Milltownpass Bog in Co Westmeath, a designated NHA.
The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, who is responsible for the service, previously obtained injunctions preventing Mr Coyne carrying out any unauthorised works on or interfering with the NHA.
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It is claimed he has not complied with either that order, made last April, or a subsequent order requiring him to remove a gate erected by him on an old turf-cutters’ track, located on the Minister’s lands.
The lands where the illegal activities are alleged to have occurred are owned by both the Minister and by a member of Mr Coyne’s family, the court heard.
Mr Coyne, who is not legally represented, was brought before the court by gardaí on foot of an order granted by the court last week.
Mr Coyne said he has done absolutely nothing wrong. He said he was "kidnapped" and taken from a machine in his yard by gardaí to a Garda barracks before being brought to the Four Courts.
He told the judge several times he objected to being called Mr Coyne and asked the judge to call him “Daragh”.
Mr Justice Barr said, for the purpose of the hearing, he would address the defendant as “Mr Coyne”.
Mr Coyne said he had sent documents outlining his case to the court’s offices but the judge said there was no record of material ever being received.
In the circumstances, the judge adjourned the matter to Thursday so Mr Coyne can obtain copies of the documents setting out his position.
The judge directed gardaí to return Mr Coyne to his home and to bring him back to court on Thursday. If, for any reason, Mr Coyne did not return, the contempt hearing would proceed in his absence, the judge said.
Mr Coyne said he will be in court on Thursday.
James O’Donnell BL, for the NPWS, said it did not want to see anyone jailed but was left with no alternative due to Mr Coyne’s failure to engage with it.
The court was previously told that waste material, including scrap metal and fuel, have been dumped, and turf was illegally cut, on the lands at the centre of the dispute.
In sworn statements, two Park Rangers said they found piles containing material ranging from gardening waste with ‘cherry laurel’, which is an highly invasive species, to scrap metal.
They also found several large unsealed heavy duty plastic oil tanks on the lands.
This activity had damaged the NHA, they said. Mr Coyne, they also said, had denied dumping the material on the site.
The Rangers also expressed concern turf would be extracted from the NHA, as they had seen turf-cutting equipment stored close to where material had been dumped.
While Mr Coyne said he was not using the equipment, the Rangers said he had last year engaged a contractor to cut turf on the NHA and they were concerned he would cut turf on the lands again in 2020.
Peat extraction from the bog was banned in 2017, the court heard.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Trial date fixed for Dublin man charged with three counts of attempted murder

A date has been set at the Special Criminal Court for the trial of Dublin man Alan Wilson , who is charged with three counts of attempted murder in connection with a shooting at the Players Lounge pub .
Wilson ( 40 ) , with a last address at New Street Gardens , Dublin 8 is charged with attempting to murder Brian Masterson , Wayne Barrett and Austin Purcell at The Players Lounge Public House , Fairview Strand , Fairview , Dublin 3 on July 26th , 2010 .
Wilson is also charged with the possession of firearms , namely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revolver and a .32 Auto Calibre Zastava semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life on the same occasion .
He is further charged with the possession of ammunition , namely .38 special calibre ammunition and .32 auto calibre ammunition with intent to endanger life .
The three-judge court previously heard that Wilson told gardaí he had “ absolutely nothing to do with these allegations ” .
Wilson was joined by video-link for today ’ s brief hearing at the non-jury court .
Mr Justice Tony Hunt , presiding , sitting with Judge Gerard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trial date of October 4 , 2021 .
It is expected to last five weeks .

Alan Wilson was joined by video-link for today’s brief hearing at the non-jury court. Photograph: Dave Meehan
A date has been set at the Special Criminal Court for the trial of Dublin man Alan Wilson, who is charged with three counts of attempted murder in connection with a shooting at the Players Lounge pub.
Wilson (40), with a last address at New Street Gardens, Dublin 8 is charged with attempting to murder Brian Masterson, Wayne Barrett and Austin Purcell at The Players Lounge Public House, Fairview Strand, Fairview, Dublin 3 on July 26th, 2010.
Wilson is also charged with the possession of firearms, namely a .38 Special Calibre Smith & Wesson revolver and a .32 Auto Calibre Zastava semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life on the same occasion.
He is further charged with the possession of ammunition, namely .38 special calibre ammunition and .32 auto calibre ammunition with intent to endanger life.
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The three-judge court previously heard that Wilson told gardaí he had “absolutely nothing to do with these allegations”.
Wilson was joined by video-link for today’s brief hearing at the non-jury court.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge David McHugh, set a trial date of October 4, 2021. It is expected to last five weeks.


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Man (20s) charged in relation to assault in Dublin

A man in his 20s has been charged in relation to an assault which took place in Dublin in the @ @ @ @ @ .
Shortly after midnight , gardaí were alerted to an incident of assault on Store @ @ @ @ @ A male , aged in his 20s , received a “ number of injuries ” @ @ @ @ @ assault , gardaí said .
The man was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital @ @ @ @ @ condition .
A small blade was recovered at the scene .
A second male , @ @ @ @ @ , was arrested and brought to Store Street Garda Station where he was detained under @ @ @ @ @ Justice Act , 1984 .
He has since been charged in relation to the incident @ @ @ @ @ Criminal Courts of Justice on Thursday morning .

A man in his 20s has been charged in relation to an assault which took place in Dublin in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Shortly after midnight, gardaí were alerted to an incident of assault on Store Street in Dublin 1.
A male, aged in his 20s, received a “number of injuries” as a result of the assault, gardaí said.
The man was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital where he in a stable condition. A small blade was recovered at the scene.
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A second male, also aged in his 20s, was arrested and brought to Store Street Garda Station where he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
He has since been charged in relation to the incident and will appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Thursday morning.


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Ashes of Irish teen killed in Australia to be buried in Carlow

The ashes of an Irish teenager who fell to his death while allegedly being robbed at knifepoint in Australia are to be buried in Carlow .
Cian English ( 19 ) , originally from , Bullock Park , Carlow Town suffered traumatic injuries when he fell from a fourth floor balcony at the View Pacific resort in Surfers Paradise at about 3.15am on Saturday , May 23rd .
The teenager fell to his death when he was allegedly being robbed at knife point following an apartment party .
He attempted to escape but fell from the fourth floor balcony .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder .
Jason Ryan Knowles ( 22 ) , Hayden Paul Kratzmann ( 20 ) , and Lachlan Paul Soper-Lagas ( 18 ) have been remanded in custody until August 4th .
Two teenage girls , aged 15 and 16 , were also subsequently charged with murder , armed robbery and two counts of deprivation of liberty .
They can not be named as both are minors .
Mr English was living with his parents Siobhan and Vinny and older brother Dylan in the eastern Brisbane suburb of Hawthorne .
The family left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Caribbean where Vinny English worked for Digicel , and then settled in Brisbane in 2011 .
A funeral service was held for the “ beloved and adored ” teenager last week in Brisbane .
During his son ’ s eulogy , Mr English described him as having , “ a glint in his eye , having an infectious his smile and a great soul.
” A short service will be held at 3pm on Saturday at St Mary ’ s cemetery in Carlow .

The ashes of an Irish teenager who fell to his death while allegedly being robbed at knifepoint in Australia are to be buried in Carlow.
Cian English (19), originally from, Bullock Park, Carlow Town suffered traumatic injuries when he fell from a fourth floor balcony at the View Pacific resort in Surfers Paradise at about 3.15am on Saturday, May 23rd.
The teenager fell to his death when he was allegedly being robbed at knife point following an apartment party. He attempted to escape but fell from the fourth floor balcony.
Three men have been charged with his murder. Jason Ryan Knowles (22), Hayden Paul Kratzmann (20), and Lachlan Paul Soper-Lagas (18) have been remanded in custody until August 4th.
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Two teenage girls, aged 15 and 16, were also subsequently charged with murder, armed robbery and two counts of deprivation of liberty. They cannot be named as both are minors.
Mr English was living with his parents Siobhan and Vinny and older brother Dylan in the eastern Brisbane suburb of Hawthorne. The family left Ireland 15 years ago, first to the Caribbean where Vinny English worked for Digicel, and then settled in Brisbane in 2011.
A funeral service was held for the “beloved and adored” teenager last week in Brisbane. During his son’s eulogy, Mr English described him as having, “a glint in his eye, having an infectious his smile and a great soul.”
A short service will be held at 3pm on Saturday at St Mary’s cemetery in Carlow.