theirishtimes--2020-07-07--Racism and bullying experienced by many child asylum seekers

Widespread racism , bullying and exclusion by teachers and students are detailed in a report on child asylum seekers ’ lives , published on Tuesday .
Children of colour have been called “ black monkey ” , “ chocolate ” , “ terrorist ” and the n-word in school ; have been excluded from sports teams and group work ; and Muslim girls have been abused for wearing the hijab , according to the report from the Ombudsman for Children ’ s Office .
Though the report , Direct Division : Children ’ s Views and Experiences of Living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues affecting these children ’ s lives , their experiences of racism and exclusion are the most stark .
Researchers surveyed 73 children , aged 12 -17 , in nine direct provision centres , at the end of last year .
“ Use of racist remarks was reported by every group of children we engaged with and was commonly cited as a source of exclusion in school , ” states the report .
“ A number of participants talked about the use of the ‘ n ’ word by their peers in school.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their peers and their teachers ” , with teachers often failing to stop abuse and some contributing to the children ’ s exclusion .
“ This exclusion ranged from not being selected by their peers and teachers for activities such as sports teams , presentations or projects , to serious allegations of racial abuse .
“ These incidents are affecting the children ’ s ability to fully participate in school life , with some children explaining that they do not participate in class because their peers will not work with them and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not speak or answer questions in class , ” the report notes .
Children said teachers often did nothing to stop racist stereotyping in their classrooms .
One child commented : ‘ Teachers should look out for us more , just have common sense and look out for us ” , while others pointed to “ more covert ” exclusion by teachers .
One girl said of teachers .
“ They don ’ t exclude you , you know exclude – I mean they just don ’ t include you.
” Some children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and students had shown respect for different cultures and religions by providing prayer rooms , permitting hijabs and offering halal food in the canteen .
The children made suggestions for changes , some very simple and small , others large and systemic , that would help improve their lives in school , the community and wider society .
Among these are that teachers undergo anti-racism training , that teachers be recruited from more diverse backgrounds , and that pupils who express racism be disciplined .

Muslim girls have been abused for wearing the hijab, according to the report from the Ombudsman for Children’s Office. Stock photograph: istock
Widespread racism, bullying and exclusion by teachers and students are detailed in a report on child asylum seekers’ lives, published on Tuesday.
Children of colour have been called “black monkey”, “chocolate”, “terrorist” and the n-word in school; have been excluded from sports teams and group work; and Muslim girls have been abused for wearing the hijab, according to the report from the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO).
Though the report, Direct Division: Children’s Views and Experiences of Living in Direct Provision, covers a range of issues affecting these children’s lives, their experiences of racism and exclusion are the most stark.
Researchers surveyed 73 children, aged 12 -17, in nine direct provision centres, at the end of last year.
READ MORE
“Use of racist remarks was reported by every group of children we engaged with and was commonly cited as a source of exclusion in school,” states the report. “A number of participants talked about the use of the ‘n’ word by their peers in school.”
Sports and projects
Children felt excluded by “both their peers and their teachers”, with teachers often failing to stop abuse and some contributing to the children’s exclusion.
“This exclusion ranged from not being selected by their peers and teachers for activities such as sports teams, presentations or projects, to serious allegations of racial abuse.
“These incidents are affecting the children’s ability to fully participate in school life, with some children explaining that they do not participate in class because their peers will not work with them and others explaining that their exclusion means they will not speak or answer questions in class,” the report notes.
Children said teachers often did nothing to stop racist stereotyping in their classrooms. One child commented: ‘Teachers should look out for us more, just have common sense and look out for us”, while others pointed to “more covert” exclusion by teachers.
Prayer and halal
One girl said of teachers. “They don’t exclude you, you know exclude – I mean they just don’t include you.”
Some children, however, said teachers, staff and students had shown respect for different cultures and religions by providing prayer rooms, permitting hijabs and offering halal food in the canteen.
The children made suggestions for changes, some very simple and small, others large and systemic, that would help improve their lives in school, the community and wider society.
Among these are that teachers undergo anti-racism training, that teachers be recruited from more diverse backgrounds, and that pupils who express racism be disciplined.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Fifth of drinking water supplies ‘vulnerable to failure’

A total of 52 treatment plants suppling drinking water to 1.1 million people – over a fifth of the Republic ’ s population – “ are vulnerable to failure ” , the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) has warned .
“ Increasing uncertainty in Irish Water ’ s planning and delivery of critical improvements to water treatment plants is making supplies vulnerable to failure , posing a risk to the health of a large portion of the population , ” it concludes in its report on public supplies for 2019 published on Tuesday .
The number of people threatened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EPA remedial action list – has doubled largely due to difficulties at Leixlip water treatment plant , following two boil water notices over an extended period last year that affected more than 650,000 people .
The plant , which is operated by Fingal County Council under an agreement with Irish Water , is the second biggest in the country and supplies a large area of Dublin , Meath and north Kildare with water from the river Liffey .
The main problem was supplies were not being fully disinfected due to infrastructure defects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the multiple failures at the Leixlip water treatment plant last year highlight the serious lack of resilience in our water supplies , ” EPA director general Laura Burke said .
The report , nonetheless , shows overall water quality in public supplies remains high with 99.9 per cent compliance with bacterial limits and 99.6 per cent compliance with chemical limits .
While the number of supplies on the remedial action list at the end of 2019 was down from 63 supplies in 2018 , the population affected by these supplies has doubled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ length of time that notices are in place has increased which indicates the measures required to fix the problem “ are not straightforward or that the infrastructure may have deteriorated over some time ” .
“ The supply of safe drinking water is of critical importance for our wellbeing and for social and economic prosperity .
Delays in delivering public water improvements puts water quality and the public ’ s health at risk , ” Ms Burke said .
“ Growing uncertainty in Irish Water ’ s planning and delivery of critical improvements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the security of supply of safe drinking water.
” Irish Water needed to urgently address underlying causes for delays and shortcomings highlighted in the report , Ms Burke added .
The EPA highlighted delays in completing the national disinfection programme and a significant reduction in work planned to remove “ lead ” from supply connections .
EPA programme manager Andy Fanning said disinfection was the most important step in water treatment by keeping water free of harmful bacteria , viruses and parasites .
“ Lead presents a different problem where the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With the reduced programme for removing lead pipes the EPA estimates it could take Irish Water up to 60 years to remove all public-side lead connections.
” The EPA identified priorities for Irish Water to address including progressing action programmes for all remedial action list schemes ; prevention of long-term boil water notices by providing robust disinfection systems ; and minimising harmful disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes , which arise when organic matter in water combines with chlorine disinfectants .
The report acknowledged improvements in identification of cryptosporidium in water sources but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 10 out of the 22 supplies that had detections of the parasite , which causes diarrhoea .
A total of 67 boil water notices and eight water restrictions were in place in 2019 , affecting more than 700,000 people .
Some 59 of the boil water notices were in place for more than 30 days , meaning they are classed as long-term notices requiring investment in infrastructure .
E. coli bacteria was detected at least once in eight supplies , compared to 12 supplies in 2018 .
Trihalomethanes limits were exceeded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .
Pesticides limits were exceeded in 27 supplies , compared to 34 in 2018 .
The EPA conducted 57 audits of water treatment plants and three audits of Irish Water ’ s monitoring programmes and issued 20 directions , or legally-binding instructions , to the utility .
The report is available at www.epa.ie

Leixlip water treatment plant. The number of people threatened by poor water supplies has doubled largely due to difficulties at the Leixlip plant. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
A total of 52 treatment plants supplying drinking water to 1.1 million people – over a fifth of the Republic’s population – “are vulnerable to failure”, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned.
“Increasing uncertainty in Irish Water’s planning and delivery of critical improvements to water treatment plants is making supplies vulnerable to failure, posing a risk to the health of a large portion of the population,” it concludes in its report on public supplies for 2019 published on Tuesday.
The number of people threatened by poor water supplies – and on the EPA remedial action list – has doubled largely due to difficulties at Leixlip water treatment plant, following two boil water notices over an extended period last year that affected more than 650,000 people.
Infrastructure defects
The plant, which is operated by Fingal County Council under an agreement with Irish Water, is the second biggest in the country and supplies a large area of Dublin, Meath and north Kildare with water from the river Liffey. The main problem was supplies were not being fully disinfected due to infrastructure defects.
READ MORE
"While progress is being made, the multiple failures at the Leixlip water treatment plant last year highlight the serious lack of resilience in our water supplies," EPA director general Laura Burke said.
The report, nonetheless, shows overall water quality in public supplies remains high with 99.9 per cent compliance with bacterial limits and 99.6 per cent compliance with chemical limits.
While the number of supplies on the remedial action list at the end of 2019 was down from 63 supplies in 2018, the population affected by these supplies has doubled to more than 1.1 million.
The length of time that notices are in place has increased which indicates the measures required to fix the problem “are not straightforward or that the infrastructure may have deteriorated over some time”.
“The supply of safe drinking water is of critical importance for our wellbeing and for social and economic prosperity. Delays in delivering public water improvements puts water quality and the public’s health at risk,” Ms Burke said.
“Growing uncertainty in Irish Water’s planning and delivery of critical improvements to water treatment plants is undermining confidence in the security of supply of safe drinking water.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Removal of lead pipes could take up to 60 years, says EPA

A significant reduction in work planned by Irish Water to remove potentially harmful lead from public supply connections means it could take until 2080 for the job to be completed , the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) has said .
Commenting on its report on drinking water supplies for 2019 , published on Tuesday , EPA programme manager Andy Fanning said disinfection was the most important step in water treatment in keeping water free of harmful bacteria , viruses and parasites .
“ Lead presents a different problem where the only remedy is to remove the lead pipework .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pipes the EPA estimates it could take Irish Water up to 60 years to remove all public-side lead connections , ” he said .
Consumption of lead can affect the brain development of children and infants , and it may also harm kidneys and contribute to high blood pressure .
Although 10µg/l is the legal limit for drinking water supplies , the World Health Organisation advises that there is no safe level .
The EPA identified six priorities for Irish Water to address .
These included progressing action programmes for all schemes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevention of long-term boil water notices by providing robust disinfection systems ; and minimising harmful disinfection by-products such as trihalomethanes , which arise when organic matter in water combines with chlorine disinfectants .
It acknowledged improvements in identification of cryptosporidium in water sources but there was no treatment barrier at 10 out of the 22 supplies that had detections of the parasite which causes diarrhoea .
A total of 67 boil water notices and eight water restrictions were in place in 2019 , affecting more than 700,000 people .
E. coli bacteria was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , compared to 12 supplies in 2018 .
Trihalomethanes limits were exceeded in 46 supplies , compared to 54 in 2018 .
Pesticides limits were exceeded in 27 supplies , compared to 34 in 2018 .
Irish Water noted the report recognised the continuing high quality of public water supplies with over 99 per cent of samples in compliance with bacterial and chemical limits across 900 supplies .
By the end of 2019 , Irish Water had assessed 811 of the 864 plants in the national disinfection programme and completed upgrades at 230 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further 35 sites .
“ Water leaving Irish Water ’ s treatment plants is lead free and our records show that there are no lead public water mains in Ireland , ” it said .
Irish Water is working on replacing lead pipes under a €500 million leakage reduction programme .
Progress on replacing lead connections decreased in 2020 , against a backdrop of significant progress made in 2019 , where 15,000 connections were replaced against a target of 9,000 .
Commenting on the EPA report , Irish Water ’ s general manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ size and scale of the legacy issues and condition of some of the water treatment plants , Irish Water is pleased that this is a solid base from which to build .
“ During 2019 , we made major investments in new and upgraded plants as well as improvement programmes delivering key upgrades within operating plants , ” he said .
The utility is investing over €65 million in the disinfection programme .
“ The building , repair and upgrading of Irish Water ’ s water treatment plants , wastewater treatment plants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multibillion euro investment programme over many years , ” Mr Gallen added .
Meanwhile , the Dublin region is once again on a knife-edge in terms of water supply with the balance between production and demand in early June “ worse than the 2018 drought ” .
Irish Water is meeting the OPW , the Department of Housing and Met Éireann on Tuesday to review the current hosepipe ban .
Irish Water said the “ exceptional situation ” had been alleviated only slightly by rainfall of the last three weeks .
Demand had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , partly as a result of Covid closures of businesses , but also because fewer people were visiting tourist destinations .
In areas where water is taken from bore holes , as opposed to rivers or lakes it will take longer for that rainfall to work its way through the ground and into supplies , according to Tom Cuddy , Irish Water ’ s asset operations support services manager .
If the weather improved in the greater Dublin area demand could easily rise above production levels of 576 million litres per day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the supply network is “ balanced ” by taking water from reservoirs .

Vartry reservoir in Co Wicklow. Irish Water is meeting the OPW, the Department of Housing and Met Éireann to review the current hosepipe ban. Irish Water said the “exceptional situation” had been alleviated only slightly by rainfall of the last three weeks. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA
A significant reduction in work planned by Irish Water to remove potentially harmful lead from public supply connections means it could take until 2080 for the job to be completed, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said.
Commenting on its report on drinking water supplies for 2019, published on Tuesday, EPA programme manager Andy Fanning said disinfection was the most important step in water treatment in keeping water free of harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites.
“Lead presents a different problem where the only remedy is to remove the lead pipework. With the reduced programme for removing lead pipes the EPA estimates it could take Irish Water up to 60 years to remove all public-side lead connections,” he said.
Consumption of lead can affect the brain development of children and infants, and it may also harm kidneys and contribute to high blood pressure. Although 10µg/l is the legal limit for drinking water supplies, the World Health Organisation advises that there is no safe level.
READ MORE
The EPA identified six priorities for Irish Water to address. These included progressing action programmes for all schemes on its “remedial action list”; prevention of long-term boil water notices by providing robust disinfection systems; and minimising harmful disinfection by-products such as trihalomethanes, which arise when organic matter in water combines with chlorine disinfectants.
No treatment barrier
It acknowledged improvements in identification of cryptosporidium in water sources but there was no treatment barrier at 10 out of the 22 supplies that had detections of the parasite which causes diarrhoea.
A total of 67 boil water notices and eight water restrictions were in place in 2019, affecting more than 700,000 people. E. coli bacteria was detected at least once in eight supplies, compared to 12 supplies in 2018. Trihalomethanes limits were exceeded in 46 supplies, compared to 54 in 2018. Pesticides limits were exceeded in 27 supplies, compared to 34 in 2018.
Irish Water noted the report recognised the continuing high quality of public water supplies with over 99 per cent of samples in compliance with bacterial and chemical limits across 900 supplies.
By the end of 2019, Irish Water had assessed 811 of the 864 plants in the national disinfection programme and completed upgrades at 230 plants. Work is underway at a further 35 sites.
"Water leaving Irish Water's treatment plants is lead free and our records show that there are no lead public water mains in Ireland, " it said.
‘Legacy issues’
Irish Water is working on replacing lead pipes under a €500 million leakage reduction programme. Progress on replacing lead connections decreased in 2020, against a backdrop of significant progress made in 2019, where 15,000 connections were replaced against a target of 9,000. Commenting on the EPA report, Irish Water's general manager Eamon Gallen said: "Given the size and scale of the legacy issues and condition of some of the water treatment plants, Irish Water is pleased that this is a solid base from which to build.
“During 2019, we made major investments in new and upgraded plants as well as improvement programmes delivering key upgrades within operating plants,” he said. The utility is investing over €65 million in the disinfection programme.
“The building, repair and upgrading of Irish Water’s water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, water and sewer network will require a multibillion euro investment programme over many years,” Mr Gallen added.
Meanwhile, the Dublin region is once again on a knife-edge in terms of water supply with the balance between production and demand in early June “worse than the 2018 drought”.
Irish Water is meeting the OPW, the Department of Housing and Met Éireann on Tuesday to review the current hosepipe ban.
Irish Water said the “exceptional situation” had been alleviated only slightly by rainfall of the last three weeks. Demand had shrunk to about 560 million litres per day, partly as a result of Covid closures of businesses, but also because fewer people were visiting tourist destinations.
In areas where water is taken from bore holes, as opposed to rivers or lakes it will take longer for that rainfall to work its way through the ground and into supplies, according to Tom Cuddy, Irish Water's asset operations support services manager.
If the weather improved in the greater Dublin area demand could easily rise above production levels of 576 million litres per day, he said. When that happens the supply network is “balanced” by taking water from reservoirs.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Probiotics that aid benign gut bacteria ‘may help ease depression’

Probiotics that broaden the mix of helpful bacteria in the gut may help to ease depression , according to a review of available evidence .
It provides further indication gut microbes have a major impact on health , including the immune system and brain activity – notably how people think , feel and act – and may , ultimately , provide psychiatric benefits .
The review , conducted by scientists at Brighton and Sussex Medical School and published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health , explores the two-way relationship that exists between the brain and digestive tract , known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility that the microbiome – the range and number of bacteria living in the gut – might help treat mental illness has become a focus of intense research in recent years , especially at the APC Microbiome research centre at University College Cork .
To explore this further , the UK researchers examined studies between 2003 and 2019 , which looked at potential therapeutic contribution of prebiotics and probiotics in adults with depression and/or anxiety disorders .
Probiotics are often called healthy or “ good ” bacteria , while prebiotics are a type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than by the human body .
Foods high in probiotics include yoghurt and pickles , while those high in prebiotics include oats , bran and onions .
Among 71 papers , 12 probiotic strains featured in selected studies , primarily the bacterial species Lactobacillus acidophilus ; Lactobacillus casei , and Bifidobacterium bifidium .
Probiotic supplements either alone or in combination with prebiotics may be linked to “ measurable reductions in depression ” .
All showed a significant fall or improvement in anxiety symptoms and/or clinically-relevant changes in biochemical measures of anxiety and/or depression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use .
The researchers stressed the studies were over a short period with a low number of participants .
“ This makes it difficult to draw any firm conclusions about the overall effects , whether they are long lasting , and whether there might be any unwanted side effects associated with prolonged use.
” The results also needed to be applied in larger test populations , said Prof John Cryan of APC Microbiome , who with his colleague psychiatrist Prof Ted Dinan coined the term “ psychobiotics ” .
Probiotics may help reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cytokines , as is the case in inflammatory bowel disease .
Or they may help direct the action of tryptophan , an amino acid thought to be important in the gut-brain axis where psychiatric disorders occur .
The latest review reinforced the potential of microbe-based treatments of neuropsychiatric disorders attributable to diseases of the nervous system , according to Prof Cryan .
However , he stressed a way of treating brain disease and mental illness “ through the gut biome ” was some time off .
Much work needed to be done on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how they affected brain function .
Researchers were “ in a hopeful place ” , however , as there were definite effects , he said .

The possibility that the microbiome – the range and number of bacteria living in the gut – might help treat mental illness has become a focus of intense research in recent years. Photograph: iStock
Probiotics that broaden the mix of helpful bacteria in the gut may help to ease depression, according to a review of available evidence.
It provides further indication gut microbes have a major impact on health, including the immune system and brain activity – notably how people think, feel and act – and may, ultimately, provide psychiatric benefits.
The review, conducted by scientists at Brighton and Sussex Medical School and published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, explores the two-way relationship that exists between the brain and digestive tract, known as “the gut-brain axis”.
The possibility that the microbiome – the range and number of bacteria living in the gut – might help treat mental illness has become a focus of intense research in recent years, especially at the APC Microbiome research centre at University College Cork.
READ MORE
To explore this further, the UK researchers examined studies between 2003 and 2019, which looked at potential therapeutic contribution of prebiotics and probiotics in adults with depression and/or anxiety disorders.
Probiotics are often called healthy or “good” bacteria, while prebiotics are a type of fibre digested by this bacteria rather than by the human body. Foods high in probiotics include yoghurt and pickles, while those high in prebiotics include oats, bran and onions.
Among 71 papers, 12 probiotic strains featured in selected studies, primarily the bacterial species Lactobacillus acidophilus; Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidobacterium bifidium.
Probiotic supplements either alone or in combination with prebiotics may be linked to “measurable reductions in depression”. All showed a significant fall or improvement in anxiety symptoms and/or clinically-relevant changes in biochemical measures of anxiety and/or depression with probiotic or combined prebiotic and probiotic use.
The researchers stressed the studies were over a short period with a low number of participants. “This makes it difficult to draw any firm conclusions about the overall effects, whether they are long lasting, and whether there might be any unwanted side effects associated with prolonged use.”
How do probiotics act?
The results also needed to be applied in larger test populations, said Prof John Cryan of APC Microbiome, who with his colleague psychiatrist Prof Ted Dinan coined the term "psychobiotics".
Probiotics may help reduce production of inflammatory chemicals, such as cytokines, as is the case in inflammatory bowel disease. Or they may help direct the action of tryptophan, an amino acid thought to be important in the gut-brain axis where psychiatric disorders occur.
The latest review reinforced the potential of microbe-based treatments of neuropsychiatric disorders attributable to diseases of the nervous system, according to Prof Cryan. However, he stressed a way of treating brain disease and mental illness “through the gut biome” was some time off.
Much work needed to be done on the biological mechanisms involved and to see how they affected brain function. Researchers were “in a hopeful place”, however, as there were definite effects, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Gardaí recover Glock 17 handgun and arrest a man on the M7

Gardaí have arrested a man who had a Glock 17 handgun with ammunition in his car .
The car was @ @ @ @ @ the M7 at Clonkeen , Portlaoise , Co Laois as part of an intelligence-led operation @ @ @ @ @ and the district drugs unit Gardaí carried out a search of the car and the @ @ @ @ @ was found and seized .
The driver of the car , a man ( 39 @ @ @ @ @ the scene and taken to Portlaoise Garda Station where he is currently detained under Section @ @ @ @ @ the State Act .

Gardaí carried out a search of the car and the Glock 17 handgun with ammunition was found and seized. Photograph: An Garda Síochána
Gardaí have arrested a man who had a Glock 17 handgun with ammunition in his car.
The car was stopped on Monday afternoon on the M7 at Clonkeen, Portlaoise, Co Laois as part of an intelligence-led operation involving the district detective unit and the district drugs unit
Gardaí carried out a search of the car and the Glock 17 handgun with ammunition was found and seized.
The driver of the car, a man (39 years) was arrested at the scene and taken to Portlaoise Garda Station where he is currently detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
READ MORE
Investigations are ongoing.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Taoiseach re-affirms commitment to survivors of sex abuse in day school

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has re-affirmed a commitment he made in opposition to set up an ex-gratia payment system for people who were sexually abused while attending Irish schools as day pupils in line with a judgement of the European Court of Human Rights .
Mr Martin said that he was well aware of the issues raised in an email he received at the weekend from children rights campaigner Louise O ’ Keeffe on foot of her successful action against the Irish state in the European Court of Human Rights in 2014 .
“ I know the issues and am very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that for those who are in particular difficulty as a result of what happened and who have financially received nothing at all and were not in a position to avail of the outgoing ex-gratia scheme , ” he said .
Ms O ’ Keeffe emailed both Mr Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar on Friday reminding them of commitments made in Dáil Éireann on July 9th 2019 that they would re-open an ex-gratia payment scheme for those sexually abused in Irish day schools pre 1992 .
“ Both Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Éireann a year ago that they would ensure the victims of child sex abuse in Irish schools were no longer wronged , ” Ms O ’ Keeffe told The Irish Times .
Ms O ’ Keeffe was sexually abused by primary school principal , Leo Hickey in Dunderrow National School in West Cork in the early 1970s and he was later convicted of abusing her but the state had denied any civil liability .
Ms O ’ Keeffe had brought a case for damages through the Irish courts system but they ruled that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the school was under church management even though they paid Hickey ’ s salary .
It was only when Ms O ’ Keeffe took her case to the European Court of Human Rights that she was vindicated when the ECHR ruled in January 2014 that Ireland had failed to protect her as a five year old from Hickey when at school .
But the Irish government interpreted the ECHR ruling that it was only liable for damages in cases where there had been a prior complaint against an abuser and it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been a prior complaint .
Last year , Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O ’ Neill reviewed the ECHR judgement and deemed that the State was wrong in its interpretation of the judgement which led it to close off an ex-gratia payment scheme for child sex abuse survivors .
But today , speaking on The Opinion Line on Cork ’ s 96FM , Mr Martin disputed Ms O ’ Keeffe ’ s assertion that nothing has happened since Mr Justice O ’ Neill issued his review finding and said that progress had been made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payment scheme .
Mr Martin said he was familiar with the issue as he had met with one sex abuse survivor in Cork , John Allen who had highlighted the anomaly as well as some sex abuse survivors in Limerick who had also campaigned for a change to the ex-gratia payment scheme .
He said that he hoped to speak to both the Minister for Education , Norma Foley and officials in the Dept of Education within the coming weeks to progress the matter so that those who were excluded from the original @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-opened scheme .
Dr Conor O ’ Mahony , Director of the Child Law Clinic at UCC , who assisted Ms O ’ Keeffe in preparing her case for Europe , said the simple solution on foot of Mr Justice O ’ Neill ’ s ruling was to drop the requirement that there had to be a prior complaint .
Dr O ’ Mahony said that re-opening the ex-gratia payments scheme would not prove prohibitively expensive as he estimated that there were approximately 360 possible claimants with payments likely to average €84,000 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per head and based on a the number of cases we are aware of , 360 people , gives a total figure of €25-30 million which on one level is a substantial sum but is small compared to some other payments , ” he said “ If you compare it , €25-30 million to the €1.2 billion paid out in the Residential Institutions redress - it ’ s only about two per cent - and to further put in it context , to avoid paying that out , the State has now spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Taoiseach Micheal Martin says that he is well aware of the issues raised in an email he received at the weekend from children rights campaigner Louise O’Keeffe on foot of her successful action against the Irish state in the European Court of Human Rights in 2014. File photograph: Collins
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has re-affirmed a commitment he made in opposition to set up an ex-gratia payment system for people who were sexually abused while attending Irish schools as day pupils in line with a judgement of the European Court of Human Rights.
Mr Martin said that he was well aware of the issues raised in an email he received at the weekend from children rights campaigner Louise O'Keeffe on foot of her successful action against the Irish state in the European Court of Human Rights in 2014.
“I know the issues and am very committed to trying to get a resolution to that for those who are in particular difficulty as a result of what happened and who have financially received nothing at all and were not in a position to avail of the outgoing ex-gratia scheme,” he said.
Ms O'Keeffe emailed both Mr Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar on Friday reminding them of commitments made in Dáil Éireann on July 9th 2019 that they would re-open an ex-gratia payment scheme for those sexually abused in Irish day schools pre 1992.
READ MORE
“Both Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar must honour commitments they made in Dáil Éireann a year ago that they would ensure the victims of child sex abuse in Irish schools were no longer wronged,” Ms O’Keeffe told The Irish Times.
Ms O'Keeffe was sexually abused by primary school principal, Leo Hickey in Dunderrow National School in West Cork in the early 1970s and he was later convicted of abusing her but the state had denied any civil liability.
Ms O’Keeffe had brought a case for damages through the Irish courts system but they ruled that the Dept of Education was not liable because the school was under church management even though they paid Hickey’s salary.
It was only when Ms O'Keeffe took her case to the European Court of Human Rights that she was vindicated when the ECHR ruled in January 2014 that Ireland had failed to protect her as a five year old from Hickey when at school.
But the Irish government interpreted the ECHR ruling that it was only liable for damages in cases where there had been a prior complaint against an abuser and it was not liable for damages if there had not been a prior complaint.
Last year, Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill reviewed the ECHR judgement and deemed that the State was wrong in its interpretation of the judgement which led it to close off an ex-gratia payment scheme for child sex abuse survivors.
But today, speaking on The Opinion Line on Cork’s 96FM, Mr Martin disputed Ms O’Keeffe’s assertion that nothing has happened since Mr Justice O’Neill issued his review finding and said that progress had been made with a view to re-opening the ex-gratia payment scheme.
Mr Martin said he was familiar with the issue as he had met with one sex abuse survivor in Cork, John Allen who had highlighted the anomaly as well as some sex abuse survivors in Limerick who had also campaigned for a change to the ex-gratia payment scheme.
He said that he hoped to speak to both the Minister for Education, Norma Foley and officials in the Dept of Education within the coming weeks to progress the matter so that those who were excluded from the original scheme were catered for in a revised re-opened scheme.
Dr Conor O'Mahony, Director of the Child Law Clinic at UCC, who assisted Ms O'Keeffe in preparing her case for Europe, said the simple solution on foot of Mr Justice O'Neill's ruling was to drop the requirement that there had to be a prior complaint.
Dr O’Mahony said that re-opening the ex-gratia payments scheme would not prove prohibitively expensive as he estimated that there were approximately 360 possible claimants with payments likely to average €84,000 per person.
“My calculations is €84,000 per head and based on a the number of cases we are aware of, 360 people, gives a total figure of €25-30 million which on one level is a substantial sum but is small compared to some other payments,” he said
“If you compare it, €25-30 million to the €1.2 billion paid out in the Residential Institutions redress - it’s only about two per cent - and to further put in it context, to avoid paying that out, the State has now spent over €2 million in legal fees.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Hiqa finds unexplained delays in reporting suspected neglect, abuse of children to gardaí

Unexplained delays in reporting “ suspected crimes of wilful neglect or physical or sexual abuse against children ” to gardaí are highlighted in two reports on Tusla child protection services , published on Monday .
The inspection reports into children protection and welfare services in Kerry and in Cavan/Monaghan , by the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) , also highlight delays in potentially at-risk children being assessed once referred to Tusla .
An inspection in Cavan/Monaghan took place between November 11th and 14th , 2019 and found : “ Although the service had made significant progress in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , children continued to experience delays in receiving a service.
” Hiqa found improvement was needed to ensure “ consistent and timely notification to An Garda Síochána ” .
Inspectors reviewed eight records where Garda notification was mandatory in cases of “ suspected crimes of wilful neglect or physical or sexual abuse against children .
“ There were unexplained delays in sending four notifications to An Garda Síochána by between 13 days and over two months .
“ The fifth case had not been notified to gardaí at the time of inspection and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the manager.
” Waiting times for initial assessment has fallen since January 2019 .
However 15 children , who had been referred to Tusla up to seven months earlier , had not been allocated a social worker at the start of the inspection .
This was down to five children by the end .
“ This meant there continued to be delays for some children in receiving a service.
” The area was praised however for being “ fully staffed ” ; staff “ had the right mix of skills and experience to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its “ child-centred work in most cases ” and for being “ innovative in supporting families from different backgrounds ” .
In Kerry , an inspection was conducted between November 25th and 28th , 2019 , and found “ improvements were required in ensuring that An Garda Síochána were informed in a timely manner of suspected abuse ” .
Of the three referrals reviewed where a Garda notification was required just one had been made “ promptly ” .
Another was delayed by four months while the third was still outstanding since January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children waiting for assessment .
Of a sample of 28 referrals just three ( 11 per cent ) were assessed within one week .
“ Others were delayed from periods of two weeks to six months to progress to an initial assessment commencing.
” There were “ significant delays ” in assessments being completed - they should complete within 40 days - meaning “ some children did not have their circumstances fully assessed in a timely manner ” .
Some took nine months to complete .
Inspectors found that social workers in Kerry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis of children ’ s needs ” .

The inspection reports into children protection and welfare services in Kerry and in Cavan/Monaghan, by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), also highlight delays in potentially at-risk children being assessed.
Unexplained delays in reporting “suspected crimes of wilful neglect or physical or sexual abuse against children” to gardaí are highlighted in two reports on Tusla child protection services, published on Monday.
The inspection reports into children protection and welfare services in Kerry and in Cavan/Monaghan, by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), also highlight delays in potentially at-risk children being assessed once referred to Tusla.
An inspection in Cavan/Monaghan took place between November 11th and 14th, 2019 and found: “Although the service had made significant progress in relation to the eradication of the waitlist, children continued to experience delays in receiving a service.”
Hiqa found improvement was needed to ensure “consistent and timely notification to An Garda Síochána”.
READ MORE
Inspectors reviewed eight records where Garda notification was mandatory in cases of “suspected crimes of wilful neglect or physical or sexual abuse against children.
"There were unexplained delays in sending four notifications to An Garda Síochána by between 13 days and over two months.
“The fifth case had not been notified to gardaí at the time of inspection and this was brought to the attention of the manager.”
Waiting times for initial assessment has fallen since January 2019. However 15 children, who had been referred to Tusla up to seven months earlier, had not been allocated a social worker at the start of the inspection. This was down to five children by the end.
“This meant there continued to be delays for some children in receiving a service.”
The area was praised however for being “fully staffed”; staff “had the right mix of skills and experience to meet the needs of children”; its “child-centred work in most cases” and for being “innovative in supporting families from different backgrounds”.
In Kerry, an inspection was conducted between November 25th and 28th, 2019, and found “improvements were required in ensuring that An Garda Síochána were informed in a timely manner of suspected abuse”.
Of the three referrals reviewed where a Garda notification was required just one had been made “promptly”.
Another was delayed by four months while the third was still outstanding since January 2019.
Kerry also had potentially at-risk children waiting for assessment. Of a sample of 28 referrals just three (11 per cent) were assessed within one week.
“Others were delayed from periods of two weeks to six months to progress to an initial assessment commencing.”
There were “significant delays” in assessments being completed - they should complete within 40 days - meaning “some children did not have their circumstances fully assessed in a timely manner”. Some took nine months to complete.
Inspectors found that social workers in Kerry were “child-centred in their identification and analysis of children’s needs”.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Gut microbes linked to Irish Travellers ‘confer health benefits’ - study

Irish Travellers have a gut microbiome which differs strikingly from that of the non-Traveller settled community , and it confers considerable health benefits on them , scientists in University College Cork have discovered .
The microbiome is the genetic mix of microbes in the body that mostly live in the human gut .
The study , led by Prof Fergus Shanahan at APC Microbiome research institute , helps explain why Travellers are unlikely to get inflammatory conditions such Crohn ’ s disease , multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis .
A modern way of life increases risk of such chronic diseases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting the more Travellers settle the more they are likely to get these diseases .
The results are “ stunning ” , according to Prof Shanahan , in confirming Travellers are a distinct ethnic group .
The findings also have global implications in relation to migrants coming from “ non-industrialised locations ” as they too will lose their microbiome benefits that protect them against “ modern ” diseases .
Investigators looked at the genetic material of all the microbiota in Irish Travellers i.e .
bacteria , fungi , protozoa and viruses living on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Prof Shanahan , the findings challenged the concept of a “ normal ” or “ healthy ” microbiome and prompted the question : “ What is a normal or desirable microbiome in an ethnically-diverse society ?
” “ It has implications for Travellers , in how we treat them , and for the settled community , ” he said .
While diet is widely believed to influence microbiome , it was not the case in this study .
The key factors were large families living in close proximity ; exposure to animals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very little inter-marriage .
The findings were published in the journal Nature Medicine on Monday .
The microbiome is known to be linked with risk or protection from developing several chronic inflammatory diseases .
Until now , studies of its influence on modernisation relied on transcontinental comparisons of different societies , “ but the story of the Irish Travellers and the changes imposed on their lives provides important new insights ” , he added .
“ Moreover , the study raises wider public health concerns for ethnic minorities , including migrants , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways of life , which can have unanticipated health consequences.
” While Travellers experienced other chronic conditions including obesity and had a shortened lifespan , Prof Shanahan observed “ they have a microbiome I would certainly desire – but they are losing it.
” He was concerned it would be lost by the upcoming generation , which raised the question what could be done to help Travellers retain their distinctive microbiome , and what it turn could be done to help the settled community have such a protective microbiome , “ short of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retain “ an ancient or non-industrialised type of microbiome ” which may protect from many chronic inflammatory disorders .
Their microbiome was strikingly more similar to people living in non-industrialised countries than to the settled Irish .
Moreover , the greater the degree to which the Traveller lifestyle was adapted to that of the settled community , the more their microbiome changed from the non-industrialised type to the industrialised type associated with disease .
Prof Shanahan said he thought there would be difference shown up in the research but did not realise how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are different from any other group in the world , which of itself is important.
” Ethnic minorities are known to have distinct microbiomes , but this study is particularly informative because it is not confounded by genetic and geographic factors .
Prof Shanahan said he has always been intrigued by Travellers and was curious why Crohn ’ s disease and ulcerative colitis were so rare among them .
“ I wondered whether Travellers might have a protective microbiome – and so it is.
” The research team included Drs David Keohane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with Professors Michael G Molloy and Paul O ’ Toole .
Prof Shanahan said the study represented the shared efforts of clinicians and scientists working in partnership with Cork Travellers who not only participated in the study but also influenced its design and planning.
” He also expressed gratitude for philanthropic support to enable the research to be done .

The microbiome is the genetic mix of microbes in the body that mostly live in the human gut. Photograph: iStock
Irish Travellers have a gut microbiome which differs strikingly from that of the non-Traveller settled community, and it confers considerable health benefits on them, scientists in University College Cork have discovered.
The microbiome is the genetic mix of microbes in the body that mostly live in the human gut.
The study, led by Prof Fergus Shanahan at APC Microbiome research institute, helps explain why Travellers are unlikely to get inflammatory conditions such Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis.
A modern way of life increases risk of such chronic diseases in part by influencing the microbiome, suggesting the more Travellers settle the more they are likely to get these diseases.
READ MORE
The results are "stunning", according to Prof Shanahan, in confirming Travellers are a distinct ethnic group. The findings also have global implications in relation to migrants coming from "non-industrialised locations" as they too will lose their microbiome benefits that protect them against "modern" diseases.
Investigators looked at the genetic material of all the microbiota in Irish Travellers i.e. bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses living on and inside the human body.
According to Prof Shanahan, the findings challenged the concept of a “normal” or “healthy” microbiome and prompted the question: “What is a normal or desirable microbiome in an ethnically-diverse society?”
“It has implications for Travellers, in how we treat them, and for the settled community,” he said.
While diet is widely believed to influence microbiome, it was not the case in this study. The key factors were large families living in close proximity; exposure to animals in childhood; a nomadic existence and very little inter-marriage. The findings were published in the journal Nature Medicine on Monday.
‘New insights’
The microbiome is known to be linked with risk or protection from developing several chronic inflammatory diseases. Until now, studies of its influence on modernisation relied on transcontinental comparisons of different societies, “but the story of the Irish Travellers and the changes imposed on their lives provides important new insights”, he added.
“Moreover, the study raises wider public health concerns for ethnic minorities, including migrants, who are pressured to change their culture and ways of life, which can have unanticipated health consequences.”
While Travellers experienced other chronic conditions including obesity and had a shortened lifespan, Prof Shanahan observed “they have a microbiome I would certainly desire – but they are losing it.”
He was concerned it would be lost by the upcoming generation, which raised the question what could be done to help Travellers retain their distinctive microbiome, and what it turn could be done to help the settled community have such a protective microbiome, “short of becoming a Traveller”.
Most Travellers retain “an ancient or non-industrialised type of microbiome” which may protect from many chronic inflammatory disorders. Their microbiome was strikingly more similar to people living in non-industrialised countries than to the settled Irish.
Moreover, the greater the degree to which the Traveller lifestyle was adapted to that of the settled community, the more their microbiome changed from the non-industrialised type to the industrialised type associated with disease.
Prof Shanahan said he thought there would be difference shown up in the research but did not realise how different Irish Travellers would be. “They are different from any other group in the world, which of itself is important.”
Ethnic minorities are known to have distinct microbiomes, but this study is particularly informative because it is not confounded by genetic and geographic factors.
Prof Shanahan said he has always been intrigued by Travellers and was curious why Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis were so rare among them. “I wondered whether Travellers might have a protective microbiome – and so it is.”
The research team included Drs David Keohane, Tarini Ghosh and Ian Jeffery, along with Professors Michael G Molloy and Paul O'Toole.
Prof Shanahan said the study represented the shared efforts of clinicians and scientists working in partnership with Cork Travellers who not only participated in the study but also influenced its design and planning.” He also expressed gratitude for philanthropic support to enable the research to be done.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Family of Noah Donohoe thanks the public for ‘love and support’

The family of Noah Donohoe has thanked the public for the “ outpouring of goodwill and love ” they have received since the teenager went missing .
“ It has been an extremely traumatic time and this love is truly supporting us , ” his family said .
However they also warned of a number of fake social media accounts which they said had been founded under Noah ’ s name and urged anyone who had information to contact the police or Relatives for Justice in Belfast , which is supporting the family .
The body of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north Belfast on June 27th , six days after he went missing .
He had cycled across the city from his home in south Belfast to the Northwood Road area of north Belfast , where he was last seen just after 6pm on Sunday , June 21st , prompting a massive search by the emergency services , community rescue volunteers and members of the public .
The police believe he may have fallen off his bicycle and hit his head , and he was seen discarding his clothing and cycling naked , actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ completely out of character ” .
The Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) said there was “ no evidence to suggest foul play.
” PSNI Superintendent Muir Clark said the police investigation was continuing .
“ Post mortem results have been shared with the Donohoe family who have requested that their privacy is respected , ” he said .
“ If people post distasteful and patently untrue rumours on social media , we will investigate that.
” In a statement issued on Monday evening , Noah ’ s family said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the entire population and we thank each and every one of you .
“ So many people have been incredibly generous to us with practical support .
This support includes providing pieces of information regarding Noah ’ s disappearance and death .
Separately some have also ventilated concerns on social media platforms , ” his family said .
“ At this time , we are working with the PSNI on matters which are outstanding to the investigation and we are seeking answers to questions which arise .
“ Noah ’ s disappearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public speculation and theory is unhelpful , ” they said .
“ We are dealing with the facts.
” The statement said the family had seen a number of social media accounts which have been founded under Noah ’ s name seeking further information .
“ These accounts do not have the family ’ s permission , ” they said .
“ Rather than ventilating any issue on social media platforms we urge anyone with information regarding Noah ’ s disappearance and death to forward this information , including any photographic/CCTV footage to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Relatives for Justice can be contacted on ( 028 ) 90627171 or via email at info @ relativesforjustice.com ( please mark email Re : Noah ) .
“ All information will be dealt with in strictest confidence , ” the family said .
“ The family once again wish to thank everyone who has helped us to date and hope we can rely on the public for their continued support and help .
”

A woman passes floral tributes to Noah Donohoe at St Malach’s College where he went to school in Belfast. Photograph: PA
The family of Noah Donohoe has thanked the public for the "outpouring of goodwill and love" they have received since the teenager went missing.
“It has been an extremely traumatic time and this love is truly supporting us,” his family said.
However they also warned of a number of fake social media accounts which they said had been founded under Noah's name and urged anyone who had information to contact the police or Relatives for Justice in Belfast, which is supporting the family.
The body of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe was found in a storm drain in north Belfast on June 27th, six days after he went missing.
READ MORE
He had cycled across the city from his home in south Belfast to the Northwood Road area of north Belfast, where he was last seen just after 6pm on Sunday, June 21st, prompting a massive search by the emergency services, community rescue volunteers and members of the public.
The police believe he may have fallen off his bicycle and hit his head, and he was seen discarding his clothing and cycling naked, actions which police and his family said were “completely out of character”.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said there was "no evidence to suggest foul play."
PSNI Superintendent Muir Clark said the police investigation was continuing.
“Post mortem results have been shared with the Donohoe family who have requested that their privacy is respected,” he said. “If people post distasteful and patently untrue rumours on social media, we will investigate that.”
In a statement issued on Monday evening, Noah’s family said they recognised the “huge public concern of the entire population and we thank each and every one of you.
“So many people have been incredibly generous to us with practical support. This support includes providing pieces of information regarding Noah’s disappearance and death. Separately some have also ventilated concerns on social media platforms,” his family said.
“At this time, we are working with the PSNI on matters which are outstanding to the investigation and we are seeking answers to questions which arise.
“Noah’s disappearance and death undoubtedly raises questions, however public speculation and theory is unhelpful,” they said. “We are dealing with the facts.”
The statement said the family had seen a number of social media accounts which have been founded under Noah’s name seeking further information.
“These accounts do not have the family’s permission,” they said. “Rather than ventilating any issue on social media platforms we urge anyone with information regarding Noah’s disappearance and death to forward this information, including any photographic/CCTV footage to the PSNI or to Relatives for Justice.”
Relatives for Justice can be contacted on (028) 90627171 or via email at info@relativesforjustice.com (please mark email Re: Noah).
“All information will be dealt with in strictest confidence,” the family said. “The family once again wish to thank everyone who has helped us to date and hope we can rely on the public for their continued support and help.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Pubs serving drink to crowds on city streets to have outdoor furniture confiscated

Dublin pubs that serve drink to crowds on the city streets will have their outdoor furniture confiscated , Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan has warned .
Large crowds gathered in the city centre last weekend in contravention of coronavirus public health measures , following the reopening of some pubs .
On Monday Taoiseach Micheál Martin warned the Government might delay the full reopening of pubs on July 20th following scenes of street drinking in the city .
Independent councillor Mannix Flynn asked for tables , chairs and barrels to be removed to deter people from gathering outside pubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue .
“ We were certainly aware that there were problems on the streets , ” Mr Keegan said .
“ We will have people out late at night so if there is evidence of street furniture contributing to unacceptable alcohol consumption on the street we will remove that street furniture , ” he said .
Large crowds were seen drinking outside pubs on Dame Lane and Dame Court on Saturday night .
Dame Court is one of a number of streets the council plans to pedestrianise at weekends on a trial basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anne Street , Duke Street , South William Street and Drury Street .
Vehicles will be banned between 11am and 7pm for four weekends from July 25th .
Large numbers of businesses , particularly pubs and restaurants , have applied to use the pedestrianised streets for tables and chairs .
Under the Covid-19 “ mobility intervention programme ” businesses can apply to the council for permits to use outdoor space for customers , to enable them to reopen as coronavirus-related restrictions ease .
Meanwhile , councillors have scrapped plans to rezone almost nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after legal proceedings were taken against the council .
Last March councillors approved the rezoning of 16 underused and vacant industrial sites across the city for up to 1,600 homes .
However in May plant machinery firm Pat O ’ Donnell and Company took a High Court challenge in relation to one of the sites , part of which is occupied by the company ’ s premises at California Heights , Chapelizod .
The company had previously been based in Fairview but moved after the owners of homes built around it over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was concerned the same thing may happen if homes are built around its property in Chapelizod .
It argued it had not had an opportunity to be heard “ fully and fairly ” on a decision which affected its property and commercial rights .
The 8.8 acre site off the Chapelizod bypass could have accommodated more than 200 homes .
However , councillors agreed to scrap the rezoning on the advice of Mr Keegan .
He said the council had obtained legal advice that suggested the company ’ s court action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to succeed .
The loss of the Chapelizod lands for housing is the latest set back for the council in converting old industrial lands for housing use .
The council had initially selected 20 plots totalling 55 hectares which could have delivered up to 3,500 homes.. One of the larger plots was an 11-hectare site on East Wall Road , close to the port tunnel and the docklands , which could have accommodated hundreds of apartments .
Rezoning this site was shelved following warnings from Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Office of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the development of the Eastern Bypass under Sandymount Strand .
Councillors in March voted against zoning three other sites citing concerns over the type of homes that would be put on the land , the potential height of apartment blocks and the lack of control the councillors would have over the lands .

Dublin pubs that serve drink to crowds on the city streets will have their outdoor furniture confiscated, Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan has warned.
Large crowds gathered in the city centre last weekend in contravention of coronavirus public health measures, following the reopening of some pubs.
On Monday Taoiseach Micheál Martin warned the Government might delay the full reopening of pubs on July 20th following scenes of street drinking in the city.
Independent councillor Mannix Flynn asked for tables, chairs and barrels to be removed to deter people from gathering outside pubs where they were causing a public health issue.
READ MORE
“We were certainly aware that there were problems on the streets,” Mr Keegan said.
“We will have people out late at night so if there is evidence of street furniture contributing to unacceptable alcohol consumption on the street we will remove that street furniture,” he said.
Large crowds were seen drinking outside pubs on Dame Lane and Dame Court on Saturday night.
Dame Court is one of a number of streets the council plans to pedestrianise at weekends on a trial basis. Other streets include parts of South Anne Street, Duke Street, South William Street and Drury Street. Vehicles will be banned between 11am and 7pm for four weekends from July 25th.
Large numbers of businesses, particularly pubs and restaurants, have applied to use the pedestrianised streets for tables and chairs.
Under the Covid-19 “mobility intervention programme” businesses can apply to the council for permits to use outdoor space for customers, to enable them to reopen as coronavirus-related restrictions ease.
Meanwhile, councillors have scrapped plans to rezone almost nine acres of land in Chapelizod for housing after legal proceedings were taken against the council.
Last March councillors approved the rezoning of 16 underused and vacant industrial sites across the city for up to 1,600 homes.
However in May plant machinery firm Pat O'Donnell and Company took a High Court challenge in relation to one of the sites, part of which is occupied by the company's premises at California Heights, Chapelizod.
The company had previously been based in Fairview but moved after the owners of homes built around it over the years raised issues about noise.
It said it was concerned the same thing may happen if homes are built around its property in Chapelizod. It argued it had not had an opportunity to be heard “fully and fairly” on a decision which affected its property and commercial rights.
The 8.8 acre site off the Chapelizod bypass could have accommodated more than 200 homes. However, councillors agreed to scrap the rezoning on the advice of Mr Keegan.
He said the council had obtained legal advice that suggested the company’s court action was “more likely than not” to succeed.
The loss of the Chapelizod lands for housing is the latest set back for the council in converting old industrial lands for housing use.
The council had initially selected 20 plots totalling 55 hectares which could have delivered up to 3,500 homes.. One of the larger plots was an 11-hectare site on East Wall Road, close to the port tunnel and the docklands, which could have accommodated hundreds of apartments.
Rezoning this site was shelved following warnings from Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Office of the Planning Regulator that new homes could scupper the development of the Eastern Bypass under Sandymount Strand. Councillors in March voted against zoning three other sites citing concerns over the type of homes that would be put on the land, the potential height of apartment blocks and the lack of control the councillors would have over the lands.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Beacon Hospital says Laya Healthcare members covered for €250 Covid test

The private Beacon Hospital in Dublin has said that Laya Healthcare subscribers will be covered for a controversial €250 Covid-19 test required for some patients being treated in its facilities .
The hospital said that talks were under way with other insurers .
A number of private hospitals have been criticised by patients for putting in place charges for such Covid-19 tests after they resumed regular operations last week following three months under effective State control .
RTÉ Radio One ’ s Liveline programme on Monday featured a number of patients who described their experience of being asked to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Covid-19 tests which are not yet covered by many health insurers .
Different private hospitals have levied different charges for Covid-19 tests , and some have not put in place any at all .
The country ’ s largest health insurer , VHI , said on Monday it was engaging with the various private hospitals on this issue .
“ We know that some private hospitals are writing to patients with respect to additional hospital charges that may arise .
These charges vary considerably , and some include a requirement to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures in hospitals .
There may also be other charges .
“ Currently these charges are not covered under our policies .
So we need to understand the costs , the impact it will have on our customers , and will work with the hospitals to come to a fair agreement that will protect the safety of our customers , the front-line workers and their families.
” Laya Healthcare , which has about 600,000 members , said it was currently in discussion with hospitals “ to understand all costs related to pre-admission Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to understanding how best we can cover this cost as part of our members ’ policy and benefits ” .
“ We are currently in discussion with our hospital partners , and hope to come to an agreement directly with them shortly.
” A spokesman for Irish Life Health said : “ We are in discussion with a number of private hospitals to ensure that any payment made will deliver value for money for our customers.
” Beacon said that Laya members were covered for the Covid test costs in the hospital in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ While much progress has been made in the containment of the Covid-19 virus , the risk of contagion within the community remains a real and valid threat .
The priority at all times for Beacon Hospital is the health and safety of our patients and staff .
In line with national guidelines from the HSE , some but not all patients have to be tested for Covid-19 prior to admission to the hospital.
” “ The patients that require a Covid test include those attending for surgery under general anaesthetic ; those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ categories ( eg .
patients with weak immune system ) ; those patients that are Covid symptomatic ; any patient needing admission to the hospital for an overnight stay.
” The Blackrock Clinic in Dublin said it was not currently charging patients for a Covid-19 test if it was required prior to attending the hospital .
However , it said it was “ currently in discussions with health insurers , and is hopeful an agreement will be reached with them shortly in relation to this matter ” .
Callers to Liveline said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mater Private Hospital was €275 .
The hospital did not comment on the issue on Monday .

Different private hospitals have levied different charges for Covid-19 tests, and some have not put in place any at all. Photograph: Getty Images
The private Beacon Hospital in Dublin has said that Laya Healthcare subscribers will be covered for a controversial €250 Covid-19 test required for some patients being treated in its facilities. The hospital said that talks were under way with other insurers.
A number of private hospitals have been criticised by patients for putting in place charges for such Covid-19 tests after they resumed regular operations last week following three months under effective State control.
RTÉ Radio One's Liveline programme on Monday featured a number of patients who described their experience of being asked to pay up to €275 in some private hospitals for Covid-19 tests which are not yet covered by many health insurers.
Different private hospitals have levied different charges for Covid-19 tests, and some have not put in place any at all.
READ MORE
The country’s largest health insurer, VHI, said on Monday it was engaging with the various private hospitals on this issue.
“We know that some private hospitals are writing to patients with respect to additional hospital charges that may arise. These charges vary considerably, and some include a requirement to take a Covid-19 test before a patient undergoes procedures in hospitals. There may also be other charges.
“Currently these charges are not covered under our policies. So we need to understand the costs, the impact it will have on our customers, and will work with the hospitals to come to a fair agreement that will protect the safety of our customers, the front-line workers and their families.”
Hospital partners
Laya Healthcare, which has about 600,000 members, said it was currently in discussion with hospitals “to understand all costs related to pre-admission Covid-19 testing for elective procedures with a view to understanding how best we can cover this cost as part of our members’ policy and benefits”.
“ We are currently in discussion with our hospital partners, and hope to come to an agreement directly with them shortly.”
A spokesman for Irish Life Health said:"We are in discussion with a number of private hospitals to ensure that any payment made will deliver value for money for our customers."
Beacon said that Laya members were covered for the Covid test costs in the hospital in south Dublin.
Beacon Hospital said: “While much progress has been made in the containment of the Covid-19 virus, the risk of contagion within the community remains a real and valid threat. The priority at all times for Beacon Hospital is the health and safety of our patients and staff. In line with national guidelines from the HSE, some but not all patients have to be tested for Covid-19 prior to admission to the hospital.”
“The patients that require a Covid test include those attending for surgery under general anaesthetic; those that are identified in the higher risk categories (eg. patients with weak immune system); those patients that are Covid symptomatic; any patient needing admission to the hospital for an overnight stay.”
Health insurers
The Blackrock Clinic in Dublin said it was not currently charging patients for a Covid-19 test if it was required prior to attending the hospital. However, it said it was "currently in discussions with health insurers, and is hopeful an agreement will be reached with them shortly in relation to this matter".
Callers to Liveline said the bill for a Covid test at the Mater Private Hospital was €275. The hospital did not comment on the issue on Monday.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Three senior Kinahan gang members facing up to life in prison in the UK

Three senior members of the Kinahan gang , including its leader in the United Kingdom , are facing up to life in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import drugs .
Thomas “ Bomber ” Kavanagh ( 52 ) , Gary Vickery ( 37 ) and Daniel Canning ( 41 ) pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday , the result of a four-year joint investigation by the Garda and the UK ’ s National Crime Agency ( NCA ) into a multimillion euro , Kinahan-backed drug-trafficking operation .
All three are Irish .
Kavanagh and Vickery live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Walkinstown in Dublin .
Kavanagh is considered the most senior representative of the Kinahan organised crime group in the UK .
He co-ordinated its activities from a secure mansion , complete with bullet-proof glass , near Birmingham .
He is the brother in law of Liam Byrne , who runs the Kinahan ’ s Irish operations and David Byrne who was shot dead in the 2016 Regency Hotel shooting .
Kavanagh is already serving a three-year sentence imposed last year for possessing a stun gun disguised as a torch .
The weapon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the same operation which led to Monday ’ s guilty pleas .
The three men admitted conspiring to import class A and B drugs , and money laundering .
Canning also admitted possessing a firearm and ammunition .
Conspiracy to import class A drugs carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a recommended sentence of between 3½ and 16 years , according to UK sentencing guidelines .
Canning also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition .
The men are due to be sentenced following a sentencing hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s guilty pleas are the culmination of a four-year investigation into Thomas Kavanagh and his co-conspirators , who were part of a significant international crime network , capable of organising multimillion pound shipments of drugs , ” NCA deputy director of investigations Matt Horne said .
“ We have worked throughout with our colleagues at An Garda Síochána , and I hope these convictions send out a strong message to others who may think themselves to be untouchable .
“ We will be relentless in our pursuit of those involved in organised criminality.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ business in the UK which police believe was a front for laundering money .
He has convictions in Dublin for burglary , drunkenness , two for actual bodily harm , two for making threats to kill and one for possession of a firearm , for which he served a lengthy sentence .
He was one of a group of people who assaulted a witness in the Four Courts in Dublin in 2000 after they gave evidence against Liam Byrne during a criminal trial .
At that time he also threatened to kill a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Crumlin and Drimnagh .
In July 1999 , the Criminal Assets Bureau ( Cab ) secured an order against Kavanagh for £106,000 for unpaid taxes on income the bureau said was derived from criminal activity .
His house on Knocknarea Avenue , Drimnagh , was eventually seized from him ; Kavanagh was among the first Cab targets when it began operating back in 1996 .
Welcoming Monday ’ s result , Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond called it “ further evidence that the Kinahan cartel is a major international criminal organisation involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was “ vital that the full resources of the State ” continue to target the gang , adding : “ The net is closing in on this vicious criminal enterprise .
”

Thomas “Bomber” Kavanagh (52), Daniel Canning (41) and Gary Vickery (37), all of whom pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday. Photograph: UK National Crime Agency
Three senior members of the Kinahan gang, including its leader in the United Kingdom, are facing up to life in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import drugs.
Thomas "Bomber" Kavanagh (52), Gary Vickery (37) and Daniel Canning (41) pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday, the result of a four-year joint investigation by the Garda and the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) into a multimillion euro, Kinahan-backed drug-trafficking operation.
All three are Irish. Kavanagh and Vickery live in Tamworth in Staffordshire while Canning lives in Walkinstown in Dublin.
Kavanagh is considered the most senior representative of the Kinahan organised crime group in the UK. He co-ordinated its activities from a secure mansion, complete with bullet-proof glass, near Birmingham. He is the brother in law of Liam Byrne, who runs the Kinahan's Irish operations and David Byrne who was shot dead in the 2016 Regency Hotel shooting.
READ MORE
Kavanagh is already serving a three-year sentence imposed last year for possessing a stun gun disguised as a torch. The weapon was uncovered during a police raid as part of the same operation which led to Monday’s guilty pleas.
Maximum sentence
The three men admitted conspiring to import class A and B drugs, and money laundering. Canning also admitted possessing a firearm and ammunition.
Conspiracy to import class A drugs carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a recommended sentence of between 3½ and 16 years, according to UK sentencing guidelines.
Thomas ‘Bomber’ Kavanagh is considered the most senior representative of the Kinahan organised crime group in the UK. Photograph: The Irish Times
Canning also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition.
The men are due to be sentenced following a sentencing hearing on October 26th.
"Today's guilty pleas are the culmination of a four-year investigation into Thomas Kavanagh and his co-conspirators, who were part of a significant international crime network, capable of organising multimillion pound shipments of drugs," NCA deputy director of investigations Matt Horne said.
"We have worked throughout with our colleagues at An Garda Síochána, and I hope these convictions send out a strong message to others who may think themselves to be untouchable.
“We will be relentless in our pursuit of those involved in organised criminality.”
Kavanagh operated a luxury car sales business in the UK which police believe was a front for laundering money.
He has convictions in Dublin for burglary, drunkenness, two for actual bodily harm, two for making threats to kill and one for possession of a firearm, for which he served a lengthy sentence.
Assaulted
He was one of a group of people who assaulted a witness in the Four Courts in Dublin in 2000 after they gave evidence against Liam Byrne during a criminal trial. At that time he also threatened to kill a detective who was investigating drug dealing gangs in Crumlin and Drimnagh.
In July 1999, the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) secured an order against Kavanagh for £106,000 for unpaid taxes on income the bureau said was derived from criminal activity. His house on Knocknarea Avenue, Drimnagh, was eventually seized from him; Kavanagh was among the first Cab targets when it began operating back in 1996.
Welcoming Monday's result, Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond called it "further evidence that the Kinahan cartel is a major international criminal organisation involved at the highest levels".
He said it was “vital that the full resources of the State” continue to target the gang, adding: “The net is closing in on this vicious criminal enterprise.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Dr Tony Holohan to be awarded Freedom of Dublin

Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan is to be awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin .
Newly elected Lord Mayor Hazel Chu proposed Dr Holohan for the honour in recognition of his work in leading the public health response to the coronavirus pandemic and as a representative of all front line workers .
Dr Holohan had made an “ enormous contribution to the city of Dublin and this State ” Ms Chu said .
“ Through this award we ’ d like to honour all front line workers , ” she said .
The proposal was unanimously agreed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Holohan last week announced he was stepping back from his post to spend time with his wife , who has terminal cancer , and their children .
All-Ireland senior football team manager Jim Gavin was the last recipient of the award .
He was honoured last year following the Dublin team ’ s historic five-in-a-row win in the All-Ireland final against Kerry .
The award was surrounded by controversy three years ago after the council decided to strip Myanmar de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi of her Freedom of the City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 to rescind the 2000 decision to bestow the Freedom of the City on Ms Suu Kyi and instructed council chief executive Owen Keegan to remove her name from the “ Roll of Honorary Freedom ” because of the repression of her country ’ s Rohingya Muslims .
The council also agreed to a request from Bob Geldof to remove his name from the roll .
The Dublin-born singer , activist and businessman handed the scroll recording his freedom of the city back to city council officials the previous month in protest at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyi .

The Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu proposed Dr Tony Holohan for the honour in recognition of his work in leading the public health response to the coronavirus pandemic and as a representative of all front line workers. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan is to be awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin.
Newly elected Lord Mayor Hazel Chu proposed Dr Holohan for the honour in recognition of his work in leading the public health response to the coronavirus pandemic and as a representative of all front line workers.
Dr Holohan had made an "enormous contribution to the city of Dublin and this State" Ms Chu said. "Through this award we'd like to honour all front line workers," she said.
The proposal was unanimously agreed by Dublin city councillors on Monday evening.
READ MORE
Dr Holohan last week announced he was stepping back from his post to spend time with his wife, who has terminal cancer, and their children.
All-Ireland senior football team manager Jim Gavin was the last recipient of the award. He was honoured last year following the Dublin team's historic five-in-a-row win in the All-Ireland final against Kerry.
The award was surrounded by controversy three years ago after the council decided to strip Myanmar de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi of her Freedom of the City of Dublin award,
Councillors voted in 2017 to rescind the 2000 decision to bestow the Freedom of the City on Ms Suu Kyi and instructed council chief executive Owen Keegan to remove her name from the "Roll of Honorary Freedom" because of the repression of her country's Rohingya Muslims.
The council also agreed to a request from Bob Geldof to remove his name from the roll.
The Dublin-born singer, activist and businessman handed the scroll recording his freedom of the city back to city council officials the previous month in protest at the honour being held by Ms Suu Kyi.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Garda to ‘reap benefits’ from crime phone hacking operation

Gardaí are looking forward to “ reaping the benefits ” of a massive hacking operation which targeted an encrypted communications system used by organised criminals across Europe , Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said .
Last week Europol announced the results of the joint French and Dutch operation to break into the highly secure Encrochat network , which , according to police , is used almost exclusively by criminals .
The operation , which Dutch police said was the equivalent of “ sitting at the table where criminals were chatting among themselves ” , has resulted in hundreds of arrests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seizure of large amounts of drugs and guns .
Police said they had uncovered detailed murder plots and negotiations for major drug deals through interception of the messages .
The Encrochat devices are popular among several Irish organised crime and dissident republican groups , including the Kinahan crime gang which , according to gardaí , is controlled from Dubai by Dublin man Daniel Kinahan .
The devices are heavily modified Android phones which use a secure internal network to send and receive messages .
Police forces managed to break into the system by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network to its users .
This programme was then able to read users ’ messages before they could be encrypted and sent over the network .
About a billion messages were gathered during the interception operation , resulting in a treasure trove of intelligence for EU police forces , including the Garda .
On Monday , Mr Harris confirmed for the first time that the Garda would “ absolutely ” benefit from the operation and that it is currently receiving intelligence from its European counterparts .
“ It is significant .
We look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in terms of bringing perpetrators to justice , ” he said .
“ It is significant for us in terms of our major organised crime groups.
” Mr Harris was speaking to reporters at Slane Garda station in Co Meath following his first meeting with new Minister for Justice Helen McEntee .
Mr Harris declined to say if gardaí had already made arrests on foot of the information .
“ We have received information and intelligence and that obviously assists us in our investigations , ” he said .
It is understood one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Netherlands on foot of the Encrochat hack during an operation in which €1 million worth of cocaine was seized .
A related operation by gardaí in Dublin and Meath resulted in the seizure of €70,000 in cash and encryption devices .
French and Dutch police wanted to keep news of the hacking operation secret for longer but they were forced to go public after Encrochat discovered the hack and sent a message to all users two weeks ago advising them to dump their phones .
In the Netherlands , police have arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dozens of automatic weapons , and shut down 19 synthetic drug labs on foot of the hack .
In the UK , the National Crime Agency ( NCA ) has arrested 746 people and stopped 200 planned murders .
Police there also seized €54 million in cash along with 77 firearms and four grenades .
Following a related operation in Northern Ireland , five people are in custody accused of 44 offences , including conspiracy to murder .

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris: Encrochat devices are popular among several Irish organised crime and dissident republican groups. Photograph: Tom Honan
Gardaí are looking forward to "reaping the benefits" of a massive hacking operation which targeted an encrypted communications system used by organised criminals across Europe, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said.
Last week Europol announced the results of the joint French and Dutch operation to break into the highly secure Encrochat network, which, according to police, is used almost exclusively by criminals.
The operation, which Dutch police said was the equivalent of “sitting at the table where criminals were chatting among themselves”, has resulted in hundreds of arrests of high-level criminals across Europe and the seizure of large amounts of drugs and guns. Police said they had uncovered detailed murder plots and negotiations for major drug deals through interception of the messages.
The Encrochat devices are popular among several Irish organised crime and dissident republican groups, including the Kinahan crime gang which, according to gardaí, is controlled from Dubai by Dublin man Daniel Kinahan.
READ MORE
The devices are heavily modified Android phones which use a secure internal network to send and receive messages. Police forces managed to break into the system by distributing malware over Encrochat’s own network to its users. This programme was then able to read users’ messages before they could be encrypted and sent over the network.
Billion messages
About a billion messages were gathered during the interception operation, resulting in a treasure trove of intelligence for EU police forces, including the Garda.
On Monday, Mr Harris confirmed for the first time that the Garda would "absolutely" benefit from the operation and that it is currently receiving intelligence from its European counterparts.
“It is significant. We look forward to reaping some of the benefits in terms of bringing perpetrators to justice,” he said. “It is significant for us in terms of our major organised crime groups.”
Mr Harris was speaking to reporters at Slane Garda station in Co Meath following his first meeting with new Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.
Mr Harris declined to say if gardaí had already made arrests on foot of the information. “We have received information and intelligence and that obviously assists us in our investigations,” he said.
Secret project
It is understood one Irish man was arrested in mid-June in the Netherlands on foot of the Encrochat hack during an operation in which €1 million worth of cocaine was seized. A related operation by gardaí in Dublin and Meath resulted in the seizure of €70,000 in cash and encryption devices.
French and Dutch police wanted to keep news of the hacking operation secret for longer but they were forced to go public after Encrochat discovered the hack and sent a message to all users two weeks ago advising them to dump their phones.
In the Netherlands, police have arrested 100 suspects, seized 8,000kg of cocaine and dozens of automatic weapons, and shut down 19 synthetic drug labs on foot of the hack.
In the UK, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has arrested 746 people and stopped 200 planned murders. Police there also seized €54 million in cash along with 77 firearms and four grenades.
Following a related operation in Northern Ireland, five people are in custody accused of 44 offences, including conspiracy to murder.


theirishtimes--2020-07-06--Gardaí seize cash and vehicles in ‘significant blow’ to Longford gang

A Longford family linked to organised crime has been dealt a “ significant blow ” after the seizure on Monday by the Criminal Assets Bureau ( Cab ) of cash , vehicles and jewellery worth several hundred of thousands of euro .
Cab officers joined with armed gardaí , Revenue and other agencies in the raid on 12 houses , three commercial premises and another property linked to a local crime gang involved in drug-dealing , extortion and intimidation .
Eleven vehicles , including a Mercedes , a Skoda Kodiaq , an Isuzu D-Max , a Ford Ranger , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commercial vans were seized , along designer watches , handbags , footwear and €124,000 in cash .
A significant amount of documentation was seized , too , in the raids that involved 250 State officials that took months of investigation and planning , Chief Supt Tony Healy said .
No arrests were made , but up to 20 people suspected of involvement in a series of ongoing feuds in Longford , extortion , intimidation and drug dealing have been identified by An Garda Síochána .
The operation was the “ culmination of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Chief Supt Healy , who assured people in Longford that gardaí “ have the resources , the skills and the determination to see all these investigations through to the end ” .
Describing the scale of the raids as “ unprecedented ” for the county , Supt Jim Delaney said they would have “ far-reaching repercussions ” for the locally-based crime gang .
“ We made a promise to the people of Longford that we would be relentless in this type of criminal activity and we are showing evidence of that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the end of anything .
“ There will be other operations .
What this does is it sends out a message that we will address criminality and are prepared to go the long road because we are resilient , we are robust , we have the professionalism to do it , ” he said .

A Mercedes was among the vehicles seized by gardaí in Longford. Photograph: An Garda Síochána
A Longford family linked to organised crime has been dealt a “significant blow” after the seizure on Monday by the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) of cash, vehicles and jewellery worth several hundred of thousands of euro.
Cab officers joined with armed gardaí, Revenue and other agencies in the raid on 12 houses, three commercial premises and another property linked to a local crime gang involved in drug-dealing, extortion and intimidation.
Eleven vehicles, including a Mercedes, a Skoda Kodiaq, an Isuzu D-Max, a Ford Ranger, a Toyota Landcruiser and a number of light commercial vans were seized, along designer watches, handbags, footwear and €124,000 in cash.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 3 Some of the property seized by gardaí in Longford. Photograph: An Garda Síochána
A significant amount of documentation was seized, too, in the raids that involved 250 State officials that took months of investigation and planning, Chief Supt Tony Healy said.
READ MORE
No arrests were made, but up to 20 people suspected of involvement in a series of ongoing feuds in Longford, extortion, intimidation and drug dealing have been identified by An Garda Síochána.
The operation was the “culmination of a number of months of investigation”, said Chief Supt Healy, who assured people in Longford that gardaí “have the resources, the skills and the determination to see all these investigations through to the end”.
Describing the scale of the raids as “unprecedented” for the county, Supt Jim Delaney said they would have “far-reaching repercussions” for the locally-based crime gang.
“We made a promise to the people of Longford that we would be relentless in this type of criminal activity and we are showing evidence of that we are keeping our promise. This is not the end of anything.
“There will be other operations. What this does is it sends out a message that we will address criminality and are prepared to go the long road because we are resilient, we are robust, we have the professionalism to do it,” he said.