theirishtimes--2020-08-10--Man who died in Tallaght killed in hit-and-run by someone known to him, gardaí suspect

Gardaí suspect a man found with fatal injuries in Tallaght early on Monday was killed in a hit-and-run by someone known to him .
Investigators believe the man , who was aged in his late 50s , was struck by a van following a confrontation at a gathering in the Tymon Road North area in Dublin 24 .
A man in his early 30s is in custody after being arrested shortly after the incident , which occurred just after midnight .
The victim was taken to Tallaght hospital with serious injuries and was pronounced dead a short time later .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ known to the deceased and had been at the earlier gathering .
He is being held at Tallaght Garda station where he can be questioned for 24 hours .
His interviews , a postmortem and forensic analysis of the scene will determine the course of the investigation and whether it will be upgraded to a murder inquiry .
The scene remained sealed off on Monday afternoon to allow for a technical examination .
A second scene in Tymonville Drive , where a white Ford Transit van was found , has also been sealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been damaged and had a flat tyre .
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the incident , or anyone with information , to contact Tallaght Garda station on 01 666 6000 , the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station .

The scene in Tallaght on Monday morning. A murder investigation has not been launched but this may change depending on interviews with the suspect and the results of technical analysis of the scene. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
At least four shots were fired at a house in Tallaght on Monday morning shortly before a man was killed in a hit-and-run.
Gardaí suspect the van was being driven by a man known to the victim, who was named locally on Monday as Dan Reilly.
A suspect, aged in his early 30s, is in custody.
Photograph: Tom Honan
The incident began shortly before midnight on Sunday when neighbours reported hearing shouts coming from a house on Tymon Road North in Tallaght.
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This was followed by the sound of gunfire. Four gunshots can be heard on video footage recorded at the scene. At least one of these shots hit the house. A window was shattered but no one was injured.
Driven at speed
A short time later Mr Reilly, aged in his 50s, was struck by a Ford Transit van which was then driven at speed through the housing estate. He suffered serious injuries and was taken to Tallaght Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
It is understood a gathering had been taking place at the house in the hours before the incident and that the younger man was in attendance. A significant amount of alcohol had been consumed, sources said.
Mr Reilly was not at the party but arrived after he heard reports of a row breaking out there.
At this point gunshots were fired at the house, leading to a younger man, who had been inside, running to the van and attempting to drive off. Gardaí believe the van then hit Mr Reilly, possibly by accident.
A murder investigation has not been launched but sources said this may change depending on interviews with the suspect and the results of technical analysis of the scene.
Postmortem
A postmortem was carried out on Mr Reilly’s remains on Monday evening but the results have yet to be released.
“Right now the death appears to be accidental but that may change,” a source said.
The van was located a short distance away on Tymonville Drive with a flat tyre and damage to its bodywork. It has since been removed for forensic analysis.
The suspect was arrested shortly afterwards and taken to Tallaght Garda station where he remains. He can be questioned for a total of 24 hours.
Gardaí at Tallaght are appealing for witnesses and are particularly interested in a dark-coloured hatchback car that was seen leaving the area around this time.
They are also appealing for any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam footage, who were travelling in the Tymon Road North area late Sunday night or in the early hours of Monday morning.
Witnesses are asked to contact Tallaght Garda station on 01-6666 000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-08-10--PSNI says 29 officers injured in ‘disgraceful’ Belfast attack

The Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) has condemned a “ disgraceful attack ” on members of the force in Belfast while they facilitated the removal of an internment bonfire at the weekend .
The PSNI said 29 of its members were injured after coming under attack at Distillery Street in west Belfast on Saturday .
Petrol bombs , heavy masonry and vehicle parts were used by youths against officers .
“ Those injuries range from injuries to limbs , three officers have been hospitalised , and have now been discharged , concussion , head , neck and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constable Mark McEwan said .
“ The disgraceful attack that we saw on our officers , who were simply doing their job , trying to support our partners in the community and ensuring that we kept people safe.
” He appealed to anyone with information to come forward and said bonfire material had been removed from several sites in recent weeks with “ very little disturbance ” .
“ Communities made it very clear they do not want and do not support internment bonfires in their areas , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon .
Evidence-gathering tactics were deployed yesterday and we will identify people involved and bring them to justice.
” Northern Ireland ’ s First Minister Arlene Foster condemned the “ disgraceful scenes ” and called for prosecutions .
“ Our thoughts are with the injured officers .
Disgraceful scenes .
Important to see prosecutions in due course .
A message must be sent that this is not acceptable , ” she tweeted .
Stormont justice minister Naomi Long also condemned the violence as “ utterly intolerable ” .
“ My thoughts are with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ I have spoken to the chief constable to express my concern for his officers and to thank him for PSNI ’ s role over the weekend in protecting public safety and ensuring the safety of contractors.
” The Police Federation has claimed officers are being used as a “ punchbag for a society that has failed to tackle contentious issues ” .
“ Petrol bombs and chunks of masonry don ’ t materialise out of thin air .
These confrontations were planned , ” the group ’ s chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this reckless and irresponsible action had a very clear aim of making officers bear the brunt of their hate .
“ What happened posed real risks to the lives of officers .
Petrol bombing is a clear attempt to murder or maim officers who were there to uphold the law.
” Mr McEwan said police believe two small bonfires were lit on Saturday night , at Divis and on Distillery Street , which he described as “ small in scale ” .
“ Overall I think we saw a huge reduction in what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ In terms of the overall operation , the fact that we didn ’ t see that level of bonfires ( as in previous years ) , has to be welcomed by those communities who have made it clear they did not want bonfires in their areas.
” “ We also know that some of the associated issues that come with large uncontrolled bonfires , around young people making themselves vulnerable to various types of harm , we didn ’ t see that last night and that has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Magee said months of work have been going on behind the scenes , and paid tribute to community workers , youth groups and political representatives for their efforts .
He said there had been no major pyres , and just some “ pop-up ” bonfires where a small amount of material was gathered in a short space of time .
“ They are totally unwanted by the community , ” he told the Press Association .
Previous years have seen bonfires lit in Belfast to mark the anniversary of internment without trial on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy saw thousands of mostly nationalists detained .
Last year , a standoff developed between young people and police in the New Lodge area of north Belfast over a bonfire .
-PA

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan speaks to the media following the the injury of 29 police officers while they facilitated the removal of an internment bonfire in west Belfast. Photograph: Rebecca Black/PA Wire.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has condemned a “disgraceful attack” on members of the force in Belfast while they facilitated the removal of an internment bonfire at the weekend.
The PSNI said 29 of its members were injured after coming under attack at Distillery Street in west Belfast on Saturday. Petrol bombs, heavy masonry and vehicle parts were used by youths against officers.
“Those injuries range from injuries to limbs, three officers have been hospitalised, and have now been discharged, concussion, head, neck and back injuries,” PSNI assistant chief constable Mark McEwan said.
“The disgraceful attack that we saw on our officers, who were simply doing their job, trying to support our partners in the community and ensuring that we kept people safe.”
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He appealed to anyone with information to come forward and said bonfire material had been removed from several sites in recent weeks with “very little disturbance”.
“Communities made it very clear they do not want and do not support internment bonfires in their areas,” he said.
“We will seek to make arrests very soon. Evidence-gathering tactics were deployed yesterday and we will identify people involved and bring them to justice.”
Prosecutions
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster condemned the “disgraceful scenes” and called for prosecutions.
“Our thoughts are with the injured officers. Disgraceful scenes. Important to see prosecutions in due course. A message must be sent that this is not acceptable,” she tweeted.
Stormont justice minister Naomi Long also condemned the violence as “utterly intolerable”.
“My thoughts are with those who have been injured,” she said. “I have spoken to the chief constable to express my concern for his officers and to thank him for PSNI’s role over the weekend in protecting public safety and ensuring the safety of contractors.”
The Police Federation has claimed officers are being used as a “punchbag for a society that has failed to tackle contentious issues”.
“Petrol bombs and chunks of masonry don’t materialise out of thin air. These confrontations were planned,” the group’s chairman Mark Lindsay said.
“Those behind this reckless and irresponsible action had a very clear aim of making officers bear the brunt of their hate.
“What happened posed real risks to the lives of officers. Petrol bombing is a clear attempt to murder or maim officers who were there to uphold the law.”
Small bonfires
Mr McEwan said police believe two small bonfires were lit on Saturday night, at Divis and on Distillery Street, which he described as “small in scale”.
“Overall I think we saw a huge reduction in what we had seen in previous years,” he said.
“In terms of the overall operation, the fact that we didn’t see that level of bonfires (as in previous years), has to be welcomed by those communities who have made it clear they did not want bonfires in their areas.”
“We also know that some of the associated issues that come with large uncontrolled bonfires, around young people making themselves vulnerable to various types of harm, we didn’t see that last night and that has to be welcomed.”
Sinn Féin councillor JJ Magee said months of work have been going on behind the scenes, and paid tribute to community workers, youth groups and political representatives for their efforts. He said there had been no major pyres, and just some “pop-up” bonfires where a small amount of material was gathered in a short space of time.
“They are totally unwanted by the community,” he told the Press Association.
Previous years have seen bonfires lit in Belfast to mark the anniversary of internment without trial on August 9th, 1971.
This controversial policy saw thousands of mostly nationalists detained.
Last year, a standoff developed between young people and police in the New Lodge area of north Belfast over a bonfire. -PA


theirishtimes--2020-08-10--Sea-swimmers wanted for NUIG study into spread of superbugs

Academics are recruiting 300 people for a study seeking to establish if Ireland ’ s sea-swimmers and surfers are more prone to spreading potentially lethal superbugs .
Research shows antibiotic resistant bacteria is present in Irish coastal waters , lakes and rivers , mainly from sewage , waste water and manure running off from farms during heavy rainfall .
However , because bathing waters are routinely tested for some bacteria but not for antibiotic resistant bacteria , the extent of the problem is not fully known .
Dr Liam Burke , a microbiologist at NUI Galway who is working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of investigators will examine whether those taking a regular dip are contributing to outbreaks of superbugs like Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae ( CPE ) .
“ We know there are some bugs in the sea and we just want to see whether people are at risk of picking them up and whether they are carrying them in their gut , ” he told The Irish Times .
“ If people are carrying them in their gut , they are likely to be spreading these bugs around in their homes and workplaces .
The threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people — it is a little bit like the Covid situation.
” CPE is the newest in a long line of bacteria that are extremely difficult to kill with antibiotics .
It lives harmlessly in the gut of healthy people but can be deadly if it gets into the bloodstream or bladder , which is most likely to happen to those with weaker immune systems , including the sick , the very young and the very old .
Superbugs can transfer easily from healthy people to vulnerable people .
Dr Burke said such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals ” and outbreaks — mainly in hospital wards — has been increasing in Ireland and worldwide in recent years .
Two years ago there were two outbreaks of the CPE superbug in Cork University Hospital .
“ We want to understand how these bugs get into human populations and we want to see if sea swimming and swimming in natural waters is a way that they can get into human populations , ” said Dr Burke .
The study , funded by the Environmental Protection Agency , will involve two cohorts : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surfers and people who regularly bathe in the sea , lakes or rivers ; and a second group of 150 people who rarely take to the water .
Recruits will be sent a kit in the post in which to return free-of-charge a tiny faecal sample and short survey .
Anyone aged 18 or over who lives on the island of Ireland can sign up to take part on the website .
The research team hopes their findings will help improve policy on environmental monitoring of antibiotic resistance and the release of effluent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waters .

Dr Liam Burke at Blackrock, Salthill in Galway, is one of a team of researchers at NUIG who are exploring whether recreational waters are carrying potentially deadly bacteria that is not routinely tested for. Photograph: Aengus McMahon/PA
Academics are recruiting 300 people for a study seeking to establish if Ireland’s sea-swimmers and surfers are more prone to spreading potentially lethal superbugs.
Research shows antibiotic resistant bacteria is present in Irish coastal waters, lakes and rivers, mainly from sewage, waste water and manure running off from farms during heavy rainfall.
However, because bathing waters are routinely tested for some bacteria but not for antibiotic resistant bacteria, the extent of the problem is not fully known.
Dr Liam Burke, a microbiologist at NUI Galway who is working on the new study, says a team of investigators will examine whether those taking a regular dip are contributing to outbreaks of superbugs like Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE).
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“We know there are some bugs in the sea and we just want to see whether people are at risk of picking them up and whether they are carrying them in their gut,” he told The Irish Times.
“If people are carrying them in their gut, they are likely to be spreading these bugs around in their homes and workplaces. The threat is if the bugs get to vulnerable people — it is a little bit like the Covid situation.”
CPE is the newest in a long line of bacteria that are extremely difficult to kill with antibiotics.
It lives harmlessly in the gut of healthy people but can be deadly if it gets into the bloodstream or bladder, which is most likely to happen to those with weaker immune systems, including the sick, the very young and the very old.
Superbugs can transfer easily from healthy people to vulnerable people.
Dr Burke said such superbugs are causing “real problems in hospitals” and outbreaks — mainly in hospital wards — has been increasing in Ireland and worldwide in recent years.
Two years ago there were two outbreaks of the CPE superbug in Cork University Hospital.
“We want to understand how these bugs get into human populations and we want to see if sea swimming and swimming in natural waters is a way that they can get into human populations,” said Dr Burke.
The study, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, will involve two cohorts: a group of 150 sea swimmers, surfers and people who regularly bathe in the sea, lakes or rivers; and a second group of 150 people who rarely take to the water.
Recruits will be sent a kit in the post in which to return free-of-charge a tiny faecal sample and short survey. Anyone aged 18 or over who lives on the island of Ireland can sign up to take part on the website.
The research team hopes their findings will help improve policy on environmental monitoring of antibiotic resistance and the release of effluent and other sources containing superbugs into natural waters.


theirishtimes--2020-08-10--‘Customers are very confused’: Motor dealer outlines EV reality

Irish car buyers , who increasingly want to go green , are utterly confused about their options and do not know if the electric vehicle ( EV ) market is at the motoring equivalent of “ the Nokia or iPhone moment ” .
That is the verdict of motor dealer Neil Connolly of the Connolly Motor Group based in the west of Ireland .
Moreover , those wishing to embrace the electric vehicle invariably find it is totally impractical in rural areas where mileage is inevitably higher than in urban areas , especially for those with busy families .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EVs on Irish roads by the end of the decade , Connolly is well-positioned to know what reality is on the ground .
He sells Volkswagen , Mercedes , Seat , Audi and Hyundai brands – which offer some EV and plug-in hybrid models – and add up to 40 per cent of market share .
The problem is the range for EVs is not there yet for those driving long distances , while “ customers are very confused ; there are a lot of mixed messages ” .
This is illustrated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motorist with a sizeable family – a two-car household including a larger vehicle – seeking to trade in a 2009 Volkswagen Sharan ( paying €700-€800 in car tax ) .
He was inquiring about electric options ; the cheapest is the ID.3 Volkswagen which comes in at €40,000 plus without subsidies .
On been told that , “ his face dropped ” , Connolly says .
“ The dilemma is people are expecting a full range of EVs .
We don ’ t have them.
” With few models available , supplies are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EVs , and hybrids in “ low double-digit numbers ” , and there is no market in second-hand electric cars .
What he is hearing from Germany , the heart of European car manufacturing , is the range issue will soon be solved , but mainstream electric models in volume will not be available until 2027-2028 .
A multi-faceted solution is needed in Ireland in the meantime , Connolly believes .
Top of his wishlist is getting rid of 10-year plus cars , so four to five-year-old vehicles dominate the second-hand market , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emissions .
A one-size-fits-all solution does not work , he insists .
Current policy , in effect , means every vehicle sold from now on should be electric .
Yet an EV is not suitable for him at present as he drives 60,000km a year and chooses to live in a remote area , but it ’ s suitable for his mother who drives 6,000km a year and lives closer to an urban setting .
In seven to eight years ’ time , however , things will be very different , he predicts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be fully in place , requiring next to zero emissions in all new vehicles .
However , Ireland , he says , is pursuing its own course , out of step with the rest of Europe and car manufactures that are set to get rid of internal combustion engines ( ICEs ) by 2040 .
The Irish approach , he feels , is summed up as : “ It ’ s 1 million [ EV ] cars by 2030 .
That ’ s it !
” This is happening without taking clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepts must happen , while difficulties are compounded by a motor tax regime that promotes “ safer and greener cars ” .
Connolly stresses the EV route is the way to go “ unless new technology emerges ” .
The hydrogen fuel option is a possibility .
He believes there will be zero-emission cars to suit everybody ’ s needs , “ and you don ’ t have to compromise on the environment side ” .
Mindful of new close to zero emissions exhaust systems in the offing , Connolly endorses the approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially its view that “ replacement of the car fleet with newer ICE models should not be discouraged prematurely ” .
“ With the supply of EVs outside Ireland ’ s control , it is vital that we address the mitigating factors that are within our ability to control , ” says its spokesman , Denis Murphy .
Furthermore , as national new car sales figures demonstrate , showing a continuing decline in registrations , motorists in Ireland are sticking with their current older cars , which have higher carbon emissions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than reducing carbon emissions .
New cars in 2021 with ICEs will emit 28 per cent less CO2 than the average car currently on Irish roads , so for every car we replace with a newer cleaner car , we can achieve significant reductions by 2025 .
”

Neil Connolly of the Connolly Motor Group says customers are very confused; there are a lot of mixed messages.
Irish car buyers, who increasingly want to go green, are utterly confused about their options and do not know if the electric vehicle (EV) market is at the motoring equivalent of "the Nokia or iPhone moment".
That is the verdict of motor dealer Neil Connolly of the Connolly Motor Group based in the west of Ireland. Moreover, those wishing to embrace the electric vehicle invariably find it is totally impractical in rural areas where mileage is inevitably higher than in urban areas, especially for those with busy families.
As the country seeks to put one million EVs on Irish roads by the end of the decade, Connolly is well-positioned to know what reality is on the ground. He sells Volkswagen, Mercedes, Seat, Audi and Hyundai brands – which offer some EV and plug-in hybrid models – and add up to 40 per cent of market share.
The problem is the range for EVs is not there yet for those driving long distances, while “customers are very confused; there are a lot of mixed messages”.
READ MORE
This is illustrated by a typical recent sales inquiry from a motorist with a sizeable family – a two-car household including a larger vehicle – seeking to trade in a 2009 Volkswagen Sharan (paying €700-€800 in car tax). He was inquiring about electric options; the cheapest is the ID.3 Volkswagen which comes in at €40,000 plus without subsidies.
On been told that, “his face dropped”, Connolly says. “The dilemma is people are expecting a full range of EVs. We don’t have them.” With few models available, supplies are limited. They sell close to zero EVs, and hybrids in “low double-digit numbers”, and there is no market in second-hand electric cars.
What he is hearing from Germany, the heart of European car manufacturing, is the range issue will soon be solved, but mainstream electric models in volume will not be available until 2027-2028.
A multi-faceted solution is needed in Ireland in the meantime, Connolly believes. Top of his wishlist is getting rid of 10-year plus cars, so four to five-year-old vehicles dominate the second-hand market, achieving 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions.
A one-size-fits-all solution does not work, he insists. Current policy, in effect, means every vehicle sold from now on should be electric. Yet an EV is not suitable for him at present as he drives 60,000km a year and chooses to live in a remote area, but it’s suitable for his mother who drives 6,000km a year and lives closer to an urban setting.
In seven to eight years’ time, however, things will be very different, he predicts. “Euro 7/VII” engine standards will be fully in place, requiring next to zero emissions in all new vehicles.
Out of step
However, Ireland, he says, is pursuing its own course, out of step with the rest of Europe and car manufactures that are set to get rid of internal combustion engines (ICEs) by 2040. The Irish approach, he feels, is summed up as: "It's 1 million [EV] cars by 2030. That's it!"
This is happening without taking clear, necessary steps to a transition everyone accepts must happen, while difficulties are compounded by a motor tax regime that promotes “safer and greener cars”.
Connolly stresses the EV route is the way to go “unless new technology emerges”. The hydrogen fuel option is a possibility. He believes there will be zero-emission cars to suit everybody’s needs, “and you don’t have to compromise on the environment side”.
Mindful of new close to zero emissions exhaust systems in the offing, Connolly endorses the approach of the Irish Car Carbon Reduction Alliance, especially its view that “replacement of the car fleet with newer ICE models should not be discouraged prematurely”.
"With the supply of EVs outside Ireland's control, it is vital that we address the mitigating factors that are within our ability to control," says its spokesman, Denis Murphy.
Furthermore, as national new car sales figures demonstrate, showing a continuing decline in registrations, motorists in Ireland are sticking with their current older cars, which have higher carbon emissions.
“Our taxation system is actually facilitating rather than reducing carbon emissions. New cars in 2021 with ICEs will emit 28 per cent less CO2 than the average car currently on Irish roads, so for every car we replace with a newer cleaner car, we can achieve significant reductions by 2025.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-10--Is the Government asleep at the wheel over motor tax revenue?

The Irish motor tax system needs substantial reform if the State is to retain revenues coinciding with the country switching @ @ @ @ @ vehicles ( EVs ) , according to analysis by leading economist Colm McCarthy .
In @ @ @ @ @ , he concludes the current system based around taxes on fossil fuels is unsustainable , @ @ @ @ @ large part of the current annual revenue base of €6 billion .

The Irish motor tax system needs substantial reform if the State is to retain revenues coinciding with the country switching to widespread use of electric vehicles (EVs), according to analysis by leading economist Colm McCarthy.
In a report published on Monday, he concludes the current system based around taxes on fossil fuels is unsustainable, and threatens to eliminate a large part of the current annual revenue base of €6 billion.
Ultimately, the State will have to introduce a blend of electronic road-user charging combined with congestion charges to replace the taxes, he predicts.
In addition, the analysis suggests the Government target to put 936,000 EVs on Irish roads by 2030 is “unrealistic”, especially in light of external market factors beyond its control.
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Economist Colm McCarthy says ‘a radically different approach to raising revenue from road users is becoming inevitable’.
The report – commissioned by the Irish Car Carbon Reduction Alliance (ICCRA) which represents the majority of Irish car dealers and almost every brand – contends "a more realistic road map is needed for the successful decarbonisation of the Irish car fleet", including availing of increased carbon efficiency of fossil fuel vehicles in the transition period. It has been submitted to the Department of Finance's Tax Strategy Group.
The current level of tax on new cars is hindering motorists from switching to newer greener models, McCarthy says, “thereby facilitating rather than reducing carbon emissions”.
Reform is required to ensure maintenance and safety of Ireland’s road transport network, while aggregate revenue collected from motorists “does not appear to be excessive”.
Distortions
McCarthy details current distortions in the Irish car market separate to tax revenue vulnerability. The level of vehicle registration tax (VRT) is not only reducing new car sales, it is having a detrimental impact on the used market by inhibiting availability of two- and three-year-old models, he finds.
This is creating an artificial demand for used imports, which McCarthy says “is being met with older [higher emitting] UK models, with poorer fuel efficiency than the equivalent new variant”.
With the current tax system, the Irish purchaser of a used UK vehicle, at a specific price point, is paying less tax to the Irish Government than a purchaser of new vehicles at the same price, it finds. This is in a scenario where Irish cars have the highest emissions and are among the most expensive in the EU.
“There is an unintended incentive to encourage the importation of older, high-emission vehicles from the UK, the only other European country with right-hand steering wheels.”
Under the 2019 Climate Action Plan (Cap), the Government proposes to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars by the end of the decade when only zero-emission cars and no internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles will be available for sale. Yet, EVs are just 3.5 per cent of new car sales while European manufacturers are working towards an EU deadline of 2040; there are some 19,000 EVs in the country.
EVs will not be available in the quantity required to allow such a transition until the late 2020s, the report concludes. "The likelihood is that the adoption in Ireland of electric passenger cars is not going to happen at an appreciable pace until 2026 and later years."
The Cap states one-third of new cars sold over the decade must be battery EVs or plug-in hybrids, “implying that the new car market would reach over 200,000 units. It reached just 117,000 in the most recent year of 2019, and there is no reason for expecting a plentiful supply of used electric imports.
“Even with the €5,000 grant and remission of VRT, electric cars are not price competitive and manufacturers’ prices are unlikely to fall significantly until production at scale becomes feasible. This may not happen until the mid-2020s and the intermediate Cap target of 180,000 on the road by 2025 is optimistic.”
The Tesla 3, a popular electric model in Ireland, costs €47,000 for the basic version, after subsidies, but “the volume new car market” is located at a price point closer to €30,000, McCarthy says.
Fast chargers
The availability of fast chargers is also a serious constraint. A €10 million grant to the ESB from the Climate Action Fund last year will finance fast chargers at 140 locations, which compares with 1,500 filling stations nationwide for petrol and diesel.
“Fast chargers can deliver about 100km of driving range in six minutes ... Until this level of service reaches availability comparable to the filling station network, the attractions of electric vehicles for non-urban drivers will be limited.”
Unless available “as extensively as liquid fuel”, EV take-up even when they become price competitive will be inhibited.
In such circumstances, McCarthy says the practical option for the years immediately ahead is recasting motoring taxes “in a manner designed to encourage fleet replacement with more fuel-efficient petrol and diesel models” – with discernibly less emissions than the older models currently on Irish roads.
This approach is with a view to the ending of sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2040. This is in line with what other EU countries are working towards, to which all major car manufacturers are already committed, and is backed by EU legislation “as a viable long-term solution to making roads emissions free”.
“Decarbonisation of the vehicle fleet will progressively undermine the revenue base for fuel taxes, currently the principal revenue raiser, and the Irish system of taxes on vehicle acquisition has perverse effects in a context where fleet conversion is public policy,” he underlines.
Fuel taxes
In assessing the tax approach, McCarthy says Ireland is heavily reliant on fuel taxes and VRT, "which is discouraging the purchase of new cars". Most European countries have substantial fuel taxes but few share Ireland's reliance on upfront taxes on vehicle acquisition, while direct charging for use of road transport infrastructure has become more widespread in Europe.
On direct (construction, maintenance, and policing) costs of the road system and indirect costs, such as carbon emissions, low-level non-carbon emissions (air pollution arising mainly from diesel vehicles) and congestion externalities, it concludes “non-carbon and congestion externalities are significant and yet not recovered from motorists”.
In addition, the structure is not well aligned with incentivisation of emission reduction and fleet replacement, McCarthy says. “As the fleet becomes electrified, and as electricity moves to zero- or low-carbon technologies, the current reliance on fuel taxes, over half of revenue from all sources, becomes problematic.”
Substantial revenue must be maintained to cover the direct and indirect costs of motoring, even if carbon emissions are reduced, he says.
The McCarthy report says “a radically different approach to raising revenue from road users is becoming inevitable”, and favours a blend of electronic road pricing and congestion charging. The Government should “undertake a detailed study of the practicalities of introducing a comprehensive system of road-user charging in Ireland”.
“It is impossible to undertake a shift to user-charging quickly but it is also not necessary. Revenue can be protected through the transition even if the ultimate destination is identified as direct road-user charging.”
Road space charges
Through charging for road space, it would restore the competitive advantage of bus-based public transport which is suppressed at present where road space is effectively free. During the transition, which could take a decade or more, the system of motoring taxes should seek to protect aggregate revenue while promoting fleet replacement.
He cites options including charge by weight and distance – differentiated by vehicle type – related to carbon emissions. A charge to cover congestion costs could be differentiated by location and time of day. Tolls are the closest approximation to a use-related charge in Ireland but they generate only 5 per cent of revenue, and are “not well designed”.


theirishtimes--2020-08-10--Electric cars may represent the future, but the public are slow to buy

“ We are setting a target of 10 per cent of all vehicles in the transport fleet to be powered by electricity by 2020 , a figure of approximately 250,000 electric cars on Irish roads over the next 12 years.
” So said Eamon Ryan in 2008 , minister for energy at the time , in a Dáil debate during which Simon Coveney attacked the targets for not being ambitious enough .
He was member of an Oireachtas committee calling for a 15 per cent target by 2020 , with the entire Irish vehicle fleet electric by 2030 .
Forecasting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but politicians can ’ t resist setting targets for the future .
As of December 2019 there were 9,120 electric vehicles registered on our roads , making up 0.33 per cent of the national fleet of 2.8 million vehicles .
By the end of last week a further 2,701 new electric cars were registered during 2020 , accounting for 3.6 per cent of total new car sales this year .
During the same period , a further 107 electric commercial vehicles have been added to the transport fleet .
Electric cars may represent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public has been reticent to put their money behind the move .
For a revolution billed as being on a par with the replacement of the horse over a century ago , a 0.4 per cent share of all national fleet hardly indicates a surge in consumer interest .
Yet these figures belie the evident interest on showroom floors and on social media .
Buyers are clearly intrigued by the latest offerings .
Hybrid sales , where the vehicles run partly on battery power and partly on a petrol engine , are growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent of the new car market .
However , when it comes to fully electric cars , three hurdles lie in the way of mass adoption : range anxiety , the recharging network , and price .
Range anxiety – the fear of the battery running flat and leaving you stranded – is perfectly understandable .
However , engineering improvements have increased the range of electric cars , and new models are arriving every month boasting better range .
BMW , for example , is set to launch two new models next year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s similar to many petrol cars these days .
Range is already becoming a price option for some car brands , with some models offering the option of different sized batteries at different price points , depending on a customer ’ s needs .
Closely linked to the range anxiety issue are concerns about the recharging network .
Again , this is a work in progress and for commercial property companies it makes sense to install rechargers on sites .
Currently , forecourt retailers claim to make much of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customer ’ s brief refuelling stop .
All sorts of service providers should be able to do the same with motorists waiting for their cars to charge .
Also , car companies are getting involved in developing recharging networks , through group projects like the Ionity fast-charging stations .
At present , however , access to public charging stations remains the biggest practical hurdle to electric car ownership , particularly outside the major cities and towns .
The final hurdle is price .
While there are several electric cars on the market for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger models with better range are closer to €50,000 or more .
And electric cars promising the greatest range are still prohibitively costly for most buyers , beyond the reach of most Irish motorists who traditionally buy used , not new , cars .
To encourage motorists to change , we ’ ve seen the carrot in the form of grants .
Now we are starting to see the stick , in the form of proposed bans on the sale of new non-electric cars , restrictions in built-up areas and the potential for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If the carrot is aimed to lure consumers , the stick is targeted at the car makers .
Environmentalists argue the rollout of new electric models could be done far quicker , and at more competitive prices .
Yet , there is widespread belief that car companies are losing money on their new electric models at present , given the massive investments required in development .
Sales of fossil-fuelled models are financing the electric revolution .
On top of these concerns is the fear of opting for the wrong car .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motoring equivalent of a Motorola mobile when the four-wheeled iPhone arrives .
Cars are the second-largest investment after the family home , and the biggest depreciating asset .
Throw in the timeline for tech redundancy and it ’ s perfectly understandable why consumers are sitting tight for now .
One option to ease their concerns is to offer a buyback scheme targeted at the battery packs of these electric models .
While they may be outdated for motoring , or their range too depleted , they can work as storage units for renewable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The potential to offer a financial return at the end of ownership might just be the sort of reassurance buyers need to make the leap to electric .
Today ’ s new cars are the future used car stock for the Republic ’ s two million private motorists .
There needs to be a sizeable increase in electric car sales now if we want to see a lot more electric cars on our roads within the next five years .
See The Irish Times rating for every electric car on the market this @ @ @ @ @

“We are setting a target of 10 per cent of all vehicles in the transport fleet to be powered by electricity by 2020, a figure of approximately 250,000 electric cars on Irish roads over the next 12 years.”
So said Eamon Ryan in 2008, minister for energy at the time, in a Dáil debate during which Simon Coveney attacked the targets for not being ambitious enough. He was member of an Oireachtas committee calling for a 15 per cent target by 2020, with the entire Irish vehicle fleet electric by 2030.
Forecasting is a mug’s game, but politicians can’t resist setting targets for the future. As of December 2019 there were 9,120 electric vehicles registered on our roads, making up 0.33 per cent of the national fleet of 2.8 million vehicles. By the end of last week a further 2,701 new electric cars were registered during 2020, accounting for 3.6 per cent of total new car sales this year. During the same period, a further 107 electric commercial vehicles have been added to the transport fleet.
Electric cars may represent the future, but so far the public has been reticent to put their money behind the move. For a revolution billed as being on a par with the replacement of the horse over a century ago, a 0.4 per cent share of all national fleet hardly indicates a surge in consumer interest.
READ MORE
Yet these figures belie the evident interest on showroom floors and on social media. Buyers are clearly intrigued by the latest offerings. Hybrid sales, where the vehicles run partly on battery power and partly on a petrol engine, are growing rapidly, now accounting for 15 per cent of the new car market.
However, when it comes to fully electric cars, three hurdles lie in the way of mass adoption: range anxiety, the recharging network, and price.
Range anxiety – the fear of the battery running flat and leaving you stranded – is perfectly understandable. However, engineering improvements have increased the range of electric cars, and new models are arriving every month boasting better range. BMW, for example, is set to launch two new models next year promising 600km on a single full charge. That's similar to many petrol cars these days. Range is already becoming a price option for some car brands, with some models offering the option of different sized batteries at different price points, depending on a customer's needs.
Recharging network
Closely linked to the range anxiety issue are concerns about the recharging network. Again, this is a work in progress and for commercial property companies it makes sense to install rechargers on sites. Currently, forecourt retailers claim to make much of their money from the ancillary purchases during a customer’s brief refuelling stop. All sorts of service providers should be able to do the same with motorists waiting for their cars to charge. Also, car companies are getting involved in developing recharging networks, through group projects like the Ionity fast-charging stations. At present, however, access to public charging stations remains the biggest practical hurdle to electric car ownership, particularly outside the major cities and towns.
The final hurdle is price. While there are several electric cars on the market for €30,000 or so, many of the larger models with better range are closer to €50,000 or more. And electric cars promising the greatest range are still prohibitively costly for most buyers, beyond the reach of most Irish motorists who traditionally buy used, not new, cars.
Grants
To encourage motorists to change, we’ve seen the carrot in the form of grants. Now we are starting to see the stick, in the form of proposed bans on the sale of new non-electric cars, restrictions in built-up areas and the potential for punitive tax measures on petrol and diesel.
If the carrot is aimed to lure consumers, the stick is targeted at the car makers. Environmentalists argue the rollout of new electric models could be done far quicker, and at more competitive prices. Yet, there is widespread belief that car companies are losing money on their new electric models at present, given the massive investments required in development. Sales of fossil-fuelled models are financing the electric revolution.
On top of these concerns is the fear of opting for the wrong car. No one wants to be stuck with the motoring equivalent of a Motorola mobile when the four-wheeled iPhone arrives. Cars are the second-largest investment after the family home, and the biggest depreciating asset. Throw in the timeline for tech redundancy and it's perfectly understandable why consumers are sitting tight for now.
One option to ease their concerns is to offer a buyback scheme targeted at the battery packs of these electric models. While they may be outdated for motoring, or their range too depleted, they can work as storage units for renewable energy supplies like wind or solar. The potential to offer a financial return at the end of ownership might just be the sort of reassurance buyers need to make the leap to electric.
Today’s new cars are the future used car stock for the Republic’s two million private motorists. There needs to be a sizeable increase in electric car sales now if we want to see a lot more electric cars on our roads within the next five years.
See The Irish Times rating for every electric car on the market this year and next at iti.ms/3agZIyv


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Prisons see huge increase in ‘hooch’ seizures during lockdown

Irish prisoners , like much of the rest of the country , took to the drink in a big way during the coronavirus lockdown .
Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request show seizures of illicit homemade alcohol , known as “ hooch ” , increased almost threefold across the country ’ s 12 prisons in the first half of 2020 .
Between January 1st and July 11th , 541 litres of alcohol were seized , an average of almost 90 litres a month .
This compares to 395 litres for the whole of 2019 , or an average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically make alcohol in their cells by fermenting large amounts of sugary fruit obtained from the canteen or prison shop .
Yeast is added using bread or already rotten fruit before the mixture is placed by a heat source – typically a radiator or kettle – for several days .
The result is a strong , wine-like drink .
Mountjoy was the thirstiest prison with 190 litres seized followed by Limerick ( 133 litres ) .
No alcohol was found in the Dochas women ’ s prison or Loughan House , an open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prison alcohol seizures can be attributed to several factors relating to the coronavirus lockdown , according to prison sources .
The cancellation of court sittings meant prison officers who would typically be assigned to escort duty were available to search for contraband .
And strict movement restrictions meant prisoners spent more time in their cells , leading to increased boredom .
It also became much more difficult to source drugs within prisons due to a complete ban on visitors .
Although the amount of drugs smuggled in by visitors dropped to zero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of “ throw-overs ” –drugs being thrown into prison yards – increased significantly .
However increased staff numbers meant many of these throw-overs were intercepted .
There were 653 drug seizures in the first half of 2020 or almost 108 a month .
This compares to 104 a month in 2019 .
The number of mobile phones seized also increased , from 80 a month in 2019 to almost 107 a month this year .
This is also believed to be down to increased searches by officers .
Nearly half of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – typically homemade shivs – decreased from 45 a month last year to about 25 per month during lockdown .
There have also been 18 complaints of alleged assaults on prisoners by staff members this year , an average of three a month .
In 2019 there were 36 complaints , also three per month .
Data was not available for the number of prisoner on staff or prisoner on prisoner assaults .
Between March and July the entire prison system was effectively locked down due to the pandemic .
All visits were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Elderly or vulnerable prisoners were forced to cocoon in their cells 23 hours a day and prisoners awaiting tests for Covid-19 were quarantined in a dedicated unit in Cloverhill Prison .
The strict measures meant Ireland was one of the few countries to keep the virus out of its prison system .

Prisoners typically make alcohol in their cells by fermenting large amounts of sugary fruit obtained from the canteen or prison shop.
Irish prisoners, like much of the rest of the country, took to the drink in a big way during the coronavirus lockdown.
Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request show seizures of illicit homemade alcohol, known as “hooch”, increased almost threefold across the country’s 12 prisons in the first half of 2020.
Between January 1st and July 11th, 541 litres of alcohol were seized, an average of almost 90 litres a month. This compares to 395 litres for the whole of 2019, or an average of 33 litres a month.
Prisoners typically make alcohol in their cells by fermenting large amounts of sugary fruit obtained from the canteen or prison shop. Yeast is added using bread or already rotten fruit before the mixture is placed by a heat source – typically a radiator or kettle – for several days. The result is a strong, wine-like drink.
READ MORE
Mountjoy was the thirstiest prison with 190 litres seized followed by Limerick (133 litres). No alcohol was found in the Dochas women's prison or Loughan House, an open prison in Co Cavan.
The increase in prison alcohol seizures can be attributed to several factors relating to the coronavirus lockdown, according to prison sources.
Mountjoy, above, was the thirstiest prison with 190 litres seized followed by Limerick (133 litres). No alcohol was found in the Dochas women’s prison or in Loughan House, Co Cavan. File photograph: David Sleator
The cancellation of court sittings meant prison officers who would typically be assigned to escort duty were available to search for contraband. And strict movement restrictions meant prisoners spent more time in their cells, leading to increased boredom.
Ban on visitors
It also became much more difficult to source drugs within prisons due to a complete ban on visitors.
Although the amount of drugs smuggled in by visitors dropped to zero between mid-March and late July, the number of “throw-overs” –drugs being thrown into prison yards – increased significantly.
However increased staff numbers meant many of these throw-overs were intercepted. There were 653 drug seizures in the first half of 2020 or almost 108 a month. This compares to 104 a month in 2019.
The number of mobile phones seized also increased, from 80 a month in 2019 to almost 107 a month this year. This is also believed to be down to increased searches by officers. Nearly half of these were seized in Wheatfield Prison..
Weapons seizures – typically homemade shivs – decreased from 45 a month last year to about 25 per month during lockdown.
Assaults on prisoners
There have also been 18 complaints of alleged assaults on prisoners by staff members this year, an average of three a month. In 2019 there were 36 complaints, also three per month. Data was not available for the number of prisoner on staff or prisoner on prisoner assaults.
In March, the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) balloted 96 per cent in favour of taking industrial action, up to and including all-out strikes. File Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times Prisoners typically make alcohol in their cells by fermenting sugary fruit. Yeast is added using bread or rotten fruit before the mixture is left by a heat source – typically a radiator or kettle. The result is a strong, wine-like drink. File Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Between March and July the entire prison system was effectively locked down due to the pandemic. All visits were banned and prisoner movement was severely restricted.
Elderly or vulnerable prisoners were forced to cocoon in their cells 23 hours a day and prisoners awaiting tests for Covid-19 were quarantined in a dedicated unit in Cloverhill Prison.
The strict measures meant Ireland was one of the few countries to keep the virus out of its prison system.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Airport immigration detention facility still not operational

A dedicated immigration detention facility due to open at Dublin Airport in June 2019 is lying unused 14 months after its scheduled opening .
The new unit , announced by the government in 2017 , was set to contain facilities for foreign nationals refused permission to land in Ireland .
At present , non-EEA nationals refused entry into this country are brought to an Irish prison until a return flight is arranged .
Dublin Airport ’ s immigration facility was announced as part of the renovation of Transaer House as a Garda station .
In May 2019 , the Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Transaer had been completed and it was “ expected to become operational in June 2019 ” .
A Garda Síochána spokeswoman said Transaer House , which is now operating as a Garda station , includes “ accommodation for Garda National Immigration Bureau personnel who work at Dublin Airport ” but that custody facilities were “ not yet operational ” .
She said it was “ unknown ” when the custody unit would open .
Last month , Chilean woman Estefany Alquinta González made headlines after she was detained for nearly a fortnight at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The environmental engineer , who had come to Ireland to study English but was refused entry , was released on July 14th and is due to receive a formal apology from the Department of Justice this week .
The Government has been repeatedly criticised for housing foreign nationals who are refused entry in Irish prisons .
In 2017 , the UN committee against torture expressed concern that Ireland had not followed through on plans to open a dedicated immigration centre at Dublin Airport and that immigration detainees were being held in jails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reform Trust has said the detention of foreign nationals refused leave to land in Irish prisons is “ wholly unacceptable ” .
Andrés Zelaya , an Argentine transiting through Dublin Airport en route to London , was detained on July 28th in Cloverhill Prison for two nights after being told he could not continue the second leg of his journey .
Mr Zelaya , who arrived in Europe in early March on a tourist visa , said he was travelling to London to secure the German working holiday visa which must be applied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany .
He had previously tried to enter the UK to secure the visa in early July but was turned back because he did not have the necessary paperwork .
Mr Zelaya claims UK border officials assured him he would be able to enter if he returned with the right documentation .
However , Irish officials did not allow him continue his journey and his belongings , including his mobile phone , were confiscated before he was transferred by gardaí to Cloverhill in Clondalkin .
Mr Zelaya , who speaks very little English @ @ @ @ @ @ @ translator , recalled through Spanish how he was strip searched at the prison before being put in a cell .
“ I told them I wasn ’ t a criminal and kept asking ‘ why you treating me like this ?
’ I could hear other prisoners shouting and banging on doors during the night .
I ’ d never been in a prison before , I only knew what it was like from the movies.
” The following day Mr Zelaya was given a phone card to call the Argentine embassy but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was moved into a shared cell with two other men also facing deportation .
The trio later mixed with other prisoners during exercise time .
“ We were so scared of the other men we stuck together .
We didn ’ t know what might happen if we spoke to them.
” On July 30th , Mr Zelaya was escorted directly to the steps of a plane in Dublin Airport bound for Hamburg .
When he asked for his rucksack he was assured it was on board the flight .
The bag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving licence , documentation for his working visa and a USB holding nearly a decade of photos , did not arrive in Germany .
Mr Zelaya says he was provided with a translator and put in touch with the Argentine consulate as soon as he arrived in Hamburg airport .
His tourist visa has been extended for two months so he can make arrangements to return to Argentina .
He has contacted the Irish Prison Service and Dublin Airport for information on his belongings but says neither knows where the bag is .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ depressed about the situation , ” he told The Irish Times .
“ I don ’ t know what I did to deserve all this and I still don ’ t have my belongings .
I ’ ve always followed the rules by the book and then suddenly they put me in prison .
It was never explained to me why I was put in jail.
” Asked to comment on Mr Zelaya ’ s detention , a Department of Justice spokesman said when a person is refused leave to land and detained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure they spend as little time in custody as possible while a return flight is being arranged ” .
This is “ more challenging ” in the context of Covid-19 given the reduced number of available flights , he said .

Transaer House at Dublin Airport: Garda station custody facilities “not yet operational”. It is “unknown” when the custody unit will open. Photograph: Tom Honan
A dedicated immigration detention facility due to open at Dublin Airport in June 2019 is lying unused 14 months after its scheduled opening.
The new unit, announced by the government in 2017, was set to contain facilities for foreign nationals refused permission to land in Ireland. At present, non-EEA nationals refused entry into this country are brought to an Irish prison until a return flight is arranged.
Dublin Airport’s immigration facility was announced as part of the renovation of Transaer House as a Garda station. In May 2019, the Garda Commissioner’s office said works on Transaer had been completed and it was “expected to become operational in June 2019”.
A Garda Síochána spokeswoman said Transaer House, which is now operating as a Garda station, includes "accommodation for Garda National Immigration Bureau personnel who work at Dublin Airport" but that custody facilities were "not yet operational". She said it was "unknown" when the custody unit would open.
READ MORE
Last month, Chilean woman Estefany Alquinta González made headlines after she was detained for nearly a fortnight at Mountjoy Prison’s female Dóchas centre. The environmental engineer, who had come to Ireland to study English but was refused entry, was released on July 14th and is due to receive a formal apology from the Department of Justice this week.
The Government has been repeatedly criticised for housing foreign nationals who are refused entry in Irish prisons. In 2017, the UN committee against torture expressed concern that Ireland had not followed through on plans to open a dedicated immigration centre at Dublin Airport and that immigration detainees were being held in jails alongside convicted prisoners. The Irish Penal Reform Trust has said the detention of foreign nationals refused leave to land in Irish prisons is "wholly unacceptable".
Necessary paperwork
Andrés Zelaya, an Argentine transiting through Dublin Airport en route to London, was detained on July 28th in Cloverhill Prison for two nights after being told he could not continue the second leg of his journey.
Mr Zelaya, who arrived in Europe in early March on a tourist visa, said he was travelling to London to secure the German working holiday visa which must be applied for at an embassy or consulate outside Germany.
He had previously tried to enter the UK to secure the visa in early July but was turned back because he did not have the necessary paperwork. Mr Zelaya claims UK border officials assured him he would be able to enter if he returned with the right documentation.
However, Irish officials did not allow him continue his journey and his belongings, including his mobile phone, were confiscated before he was transferred by gardaí to Cloverhill in Clondalkin.
Mr Zelaya, who speaks very little English and was not offered access to a translator, recalled through Spanish how he was strip searched at the prison before being put in a cell.
“I told them I wasn’t a criminal and kept asking ‘why you treating me like this?’ I could hear other prisoners shouting and banging on doors during the night. I’d never been in a prison before, I only knew what it was like from the movies.”
The following day Mr Zelaya was given a phone card to call the Argentine embassy but says it didn’t work. He was moved into a shared cell with two other men also facing deportation. The trio later mixed with other prisoners during exercise time.
Misplaced rucksack
“We were so scared of the other men we stuck together. We didn’t know what might happen if we spoke to them.”
On July 30th, Mr Zelaya was escorted directly to the steps of a plane in Dublin Airport bound for Hamburg. When he asked for his rucksack he was assured it was on board the flight. The bag, which contained his bank cards, driving licence, documentation for his working visa and a USB holding nearly a decade of photos, did not arrive in Germany.
Mr Zelaya says he was provided with a translator and put in touch with the Argentine consulate as soon as he arrived in Hamburg airport. His tourist visa has been extended for two months so he can make arrangements to return to Argentina. He has contacted the Irish Prison Service and Dublin Airport for information on his belongings but says neither knows where the bag is.
“Honestly I’m feeling really depressed about the situation,” he told The Irish Times. “I don’t know what I did to deserve all this and I still don’t have my belongings. I’ve always followed the rules by the book and then suddenly they put me in prison. It was never explained to me why I was put in jail.”
Asked to comment on Mr Zelaya’s detention, a Department of Justice spokesman said when a person is refused leave to land and detained, “every effort is made to ensure they spend as little time in custody as possible while a return flight is being arranged”. This is “more challenging” in the context of Covid-19 given the reduced number of available flights, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Ireland among countries urged to consider reinstating restrictions

Ireland and other European countries experiencing a resurgence in Covid-19 cases should consider reinstating selected restrictions to avoid further increases in cases and deaths , according to a new risk assessment by the European Centre for Disease Control .
The ECDC says there is a “ true resurgence ” in cases in several countries as a result of physical distancing measures being relaxed .
The assessment comes as the Government plans to roll out a national testing scheme in food processing plants with more than 50 employees .
Officials from the Department of Agriculture met the HSE on Monday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the food companies .
A senior source said the plans will involve weekly testing in all plants in Kildare , Laois and Offaly for an initial period of four weeks .
Alongside this , testing will be directed at companies with more than 50 employees nationally although risk assessments will be carried out on smaller companies and testing may follow there too .
Officials are examining the national testing capacity and turnaround times but a source said the Government hopes to have the new serial testing scheme up and running by next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said an overall plan would be sent to the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) later this week , after engagement with key stakeholders .
The ECDC risk assessment says further incidences of Covid-19 “ can be mitigated if sufficient control measures are reinstalled or reinforced in a timely manner ” .
Alongside a tailored and comprehensive testing strategy , the speed of contact tracing is important to reduce transmission , it says .
Efforts should be made to shorten the time needed for each step in the testing , notification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cases , it says countries should be better prepared to control any resurgence given the public health measures in place .
Speaking at a NPHET briefing on Monday , acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said Ireland is still “ in a good place ” relative to many places in the world , despite recent increase in case numbers .
New figures from the ECDC show the incidence of the virus in Ireland rising above that in the UK for the first time on Monday .
Dr Glynn said over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been notified , giving a 14-day incidence of 18.5 per 100,000 .
He said Ireland ’ s rate was much lower than the UK ’ s outside counties Kildare , Laois and Offaly , where a spike in cases has forced the reintroduction of local restrictions .
Warning of “ ups and downs ” in the number of cases to be reported over the coming days , he said it would be next week before officials could assess whether the regional restrictions were working .
A further 57 cases were reported by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – and no deaths .
The emergency team has brought forward its next meeting to Wednesday to focus on the evolving situation in the midlands .
Meanwhile , Tánaiste and Minister for Business Leo Varadkar is due to meet with publicans on Tuesday , and a meeting with Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath is also planned .
Sources say the Government is coming under increasing pressure from pubs to set a date for reopening and to provide extra financial support in the meantime .
Government TDs are also calling for an enhanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North James Lawless said supports “ over and above the July stimulus ” were needed .
He has submitted a list of potential policies to his party colleague , Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath , including a waiver on licensing fees , a rebate or grant for businesses that saw stock spoiled , measures to support the hospitality sector and an extension of the local authority rates referral .
The issue of supports will be discussed at the Cabinet subcommittee on Covid-19 on Tuesday .

Dr Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical officer, said while the number of cases was lower than on some days over the past fortnight, it was too early to tell if this was the beginning of a sustained trend downwards. Video: RTE
Ireland and other European countries experiencing a resurgence in Covid-19 cases should consider reinstating selected restrictions to avoid further increases in cases and deaths, according to a new risk assessment by the European Centre for Disease Control.
The ECDC says there is a “true resurgence” in cases in several countries as a result of physical distancing measures being relaxed.
The assessment comes as the Government plans to roll out a national testing scheme in food processing plants with more than 50 employees.
Officials from the Department of Agriculture met the HSE on Monday to discuss the new testing regime for workers in the food companies.
READ MORE
A senior source said the plans will involve weekly testing in all plants in Kildare, Laois and Offaly for an initial period of four weeks.
Alongside this, testing will be directed at companies with more than 50 employees nationally although risk assessments will be carried out on smaller companies and testing may follow there too.
Officials are examining the national testing capacity and turnaround times but a source said the Government hopes to have the new serial testing scheme up and running by next week.
Overall plan
A spokesman for the HSE said an overall plan would be sent to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) later this week, after engagement with key stakeholders.
The ECDC risk assessment says further incidences of Covid-19 “can be mitigated if sufficient control measures are reinstalled or reinforced in a timely manner”.
Alongside a tailored and comprehensive testing strategy, the speed of contact tracing is important to reduce transmission, it says. Efforts should be made to shorten the time needed for each step in the testing, notification and contact-tracing process.
Despite the rise in cases, it says countries should be better prepared to control any resurgence given the public health measures in place.
Speaking at a NPHET briefing on Monday, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said Ireland is still “in a good place” relative to many places in the world, despite recent increase in case numbers. New figures from the ECDC show the incidence of the virus in Ireland rising above that in the UK for the first time on Monday.
Dr Glynn said over the past 14 days, 879 cases have been notified, giving a 14-day incidence of 18.5 per 100,000. He said Ireland’s rate was much lower than the UK’s outside counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly, where a spike in cases has forced the reintroduction of local restrictions.
Regional restrictions
Warning of “ups and downs” in the number of cases to be reported over the coming days, he said it would be next week before officials could assess whether the regional restrictions were working.
A further 57 cases were reported by the NPHET on Monday – lower than expected – and no deaths. The emergency team has brought forward its next meeting to Wednesday to focus on the evolving situation in the midlands.
Meanwhile, Tánaiste and Minister for Business Leo Varadkar is due to meet with publicans on Tuesday, and a meeting with Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath is also planned. Sources say the Government is coming under increasing pressure from pubs to set a date for reopening and to provide extra financial support in the meantime.
Waiver
Government TDs are also calling for an enhanced economic package to support the region. Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North James Lawless said supports “over and above the July stimulus” were needed. He has submitted a list of potential policies to his party colleague, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath, including a waiver on licensing fees, a rebate or grant for businesses that saw stock spoiled, measures to support the hospitality sector and an extension of the local authority rates referral.
The issue of supports will be discussed at the Cabinet subcommittee on Covid-19 on Tuesday.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Covid-19: We must be hunters of the virus - not its prey

What a difference a month makes in the world of coronavirus .
A month ago , Ireland had one of the lowest incidences of the disease in Europe , while the UK was still grappling with the aftermath of its disastrous start to fighting the virus .
On July 2nd , a European Centre for Disease Control reported Ireland ’ s incidence as 2.9 cases per 100,000 of population over the preceding 14 days ; the UK ’ s was 22.7 , almost eight times higher .
On Monday , the tables were turned ; Ireland ’ s incidence is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK ’ s is 16.5 , and steadier .
Once again , as with our overall mortality figures , Ireland is back again in the middle of the pack when it comes to curbing the spread of Covid-19 .
A month ago , Ministers were boasting about Ireland ’ s low figures when implementing one of the most restrictive travel policies of any European country , a go-it-alone approach that diverged from that taken by most of our EU neighbours .
They won ’ t be boasting now , with the graph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks in midlands meat-processing plants and clusters occurring in most of the 26 counties .
Co Kildare , with a 14-day incidence of 138 cases per 100,000 population , currently has worse figures than any single country in Europe ( though Spain and Romania may have regions with higher figures ) .
Were we smug back then ?
Probably .
Were we complacent ?
That ’ s probably not the case , though the change in government did not help .
Ironically , given the amount of time spent debating “ green lists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had little to do with the current spike in cases .
Though our figures were low in late June , the virus was evidently still circulating , but was not being picked up by our testing and tracing system .
We had already suffered hundreds of cases in meat-processing plants in the spring , but it seemed the problem had been dealt with , and no further clusters were being reported in this sector by June .
Some of the companies seem genuinely perplexed by the speed with which outbreaks have occurred in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foods , for example , went from one case at their plant in Timahoe on July 30th to 80 cases in the space of a week .
The fact that two of the companies currently experiencing outbreaks felt the need to bring in private companies , at their own expense , to test workers appears to indicate a level of dissatisfaction with the Health Service Executive ’ s ability to turn around tests quickly enough .
Sources say it was done “ to save a few hours ” , but hours are crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go into quarantine .
Some of the companies may just have been unlucky to have experienced a clear “ super-spreader ” event .
In Germany , the giant slaughtering plant run by Toennies suffered 1,500 cases despite the company introducing a series of preventive measures , including building its own testing centre .
That outbreak has been studied comprehensively by scientists using genetic sequencing techniques .
The index case , who was masked , spread the disease to co-workers in a radius of more than eight metres over three days of work shifts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the confined area of the plant , where air was constantly recirculated and cooled to 10 degrees .
Shared apartments , bedrooms or carpools did not play a major role in the initial outbreak .
The German research points to the need for regular and widespread testing , which appears to be happening now , finally .
It also points to the outsized role played by certain “ petri-dish ” environments in driving initial transmission , which then spreads out into the community .
More generally , current events show the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus rather than finding ourselves on the back foot again and being chased by it .

Some plants are perplexed by the speed with which outbreaks have occurred. O’Brien Fine Foods, for example, went from one case in Timahoe on July 30th to 80 cases in the space of a week. Photograph: Colin Keegan
What a difference a month makes in the world of coronavirus. A month ago, Ireland had one of the lowest incidences of the disease in Europe, while the UK was still grappling with the aftermath of its disastrous start to fighting the virus.
On July 2nd, a European Centre for Disease Control reported Ireland’s incidence as 2.9 cases per 100,000 of population over the preceding 14 days; the UK’s was 22.7, almost eight times higher.
On Monday, the tables were turned; Ireland’s incidence is now 16.9, and rising rapidly; the UK’s is 16.5, and steadier. Once again, as with our overall mortality figures, Ireland is back again in the middle of the pack when it comes to curbing the spread of Covid-19.
A month ago, Ministers were boasting about Ireland’s low figures when implementing one of the most restrictive travel policies of any European country, a go-it-alone approach that diverged from that taken by most of our EU neighbours.
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Some of the companies seem genuinely perplexed by the speed with which outbreaks have occurred in their plants
They won't be boasting now, with the graph trending steeply upwards thanks to four big outbreaks in midlands meat-processing plants and clusters occurring in most of the 26 counties. Co Kildare, with a 14-day incidence of 138 cases per 100,000 population, currently has worse figures than any single country in Europe (though Spain and Romania may have regions with higher figures).
Role of travel
Were we smug back then? Probably. Were we complacent? That’s probably not the case, though the change in government did not help.
Ironically, given the amount of time spent debating “green lists” and airport checks, travel has had little to do with the current spike in cases. Though our figures were low in late June, the virus was evidently still circulating, but was not being picked up by our testing and tracing system.
We had already suffered hundreds of cases in meat-processing plants in the spring, but it seemed the problem had been dealt with, and no further clusters were being reported in this sector by June.
Some of the companies seem genuinely perplexed by the speed with which outbreaks have occurred in their plants. O'Brien Fine Foods, for example, went from one case at their plant in Timahoe on July 30th to 80 cases in the space of a week.
The German research points to the need for regular and widespread testing, which appears to be happening now, finally
The fact that two of the companies currently experiencing outbreaks felt the need to bring in private companies, at their own expense, to test workers appears to indicate a level of dissatisfaction with the Health Service Executive’s ability to turn around tests quickly enough. Sources say it was done “to save a few hours”, but hours are crucial in identifying cases and ensuring their contacts go into quarantine.
Outbreak studies
Some of the companies may just have been unlucky to have experienced a clear "super-spreader" event. In Germany, the giant slaughtering plant run by Toennies suffered 1,500 cases despite the company introducing a series of preventive measures, including building its own testing centre.
That outbreak has been studied comprehensively by scientists using genetic sequencing techniques. The index case, who was masked, spread the disease to co-workers in a radius of more than eight metres over three days of work shifts, they found.
Transmission was aided by the confined area of the plant, where air was constantly recirculated and cooled to 10 degrees. Shared apartments, bedrooms or carpools did not play a major role in the initial outbreak.
The German research points to the need for regular and widespread testing, which appears to be happening now, finally. It also points to the outsized role played by certain “petri-dish” environments in driving initial transmission, which then spreads out into the community.
More generally, current events show the need for us to be actively tracking down the virus rather than finding ourselves on the back foot again and being chased by it.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--‘We feel we are in limbo’: Wedding plans in chaos due to Covid-19

Fiona Mulligan and David Dunne had their pre-wedding menu tasting at Lough Rynn Castle in Co Leitrim last Tuesday evening – but their eyes were riveted to their phones as the dishes kept arriving to the table .
The pair , who had originally planned to celebrate their wedding at the castle on June 5th with 250 relatives and friends , were anxiously waiting for the latest Government announcement on Covid-19 restrictions .
The June plan had been abandoned as the coronavirus pandemic erupted “ and it became clear we probably wouldn ’ t even get out of Dublin ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 invitations to their rescheduled September 3rd ceremony .
It seemed that no sooner had the invitations plopped into the postbox than 85 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed in one day and it became likely that the plan to allow gatherings of up to 100 people indoors would be reconsidered .
“ We are now looking at maybe having the wedding over two days , ” says Mulligan , a native of Ballaghaderreen , Co Roscommon , who is hoping 50 can attend each day , and that no invitations need to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reidy , a director of both Lough Rynn Castle and its sister hotel Kilronan Castle in Co Roscommon , spends his days trying to find solutions along with couples .
He estimates that 80 per cent of the hotels ’ 2020 weddings have been postponed until 2021 .
“ We have had couples who have set a second and then a third date and still are not sure what will happen , ” he says .
Both hotels host 15 or 16 weddings every August , but this month they are down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotels is even more significant than these figures suggest , according to Reidy .
The 15 weddings pencilled in for August 2020 before the crisis hit would have been attended by about 200 guests each , but instead the hotel is catering for four or five weddings with a maximum attendance of 50 .
“ So that ’ s 200 guests instead of up to 3,000 over the month , ” says the hotelier , who says the “ one-size-fits-all ” approach is nonsensical given how much venues vary .
“ The ballroom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is frustrating because even with social distancing we could cater for 100 very comfortably.
” Cork man Shane Kiely and his fiancee , Róisín O ’ Donoghue , say they absolutely understand the need for the authorities to protect public health but they too think more flexibility is required .
“ Róisín is a theatre nurse who , more than anyone , knows the importance of keeping everyone safe , ” says Kiely .
“ We feel we are in limbo because our wedding is on September 11th and maybe the rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He feels sorry for all the businesses who are losing out , including hotels and photographers .
The couple had planned to have 190 guests , but now 100 are invited to the function at The Oaks hotel in Killarney .
They are reluctant to halve that in case the restrictions are eased again on August 31st .
Postponing wasn ’ t an option , he says , as many hotels are now booked out for 2021 , and they don ’ t want to put their lives on hold indefinitely .
O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zoom , he is not having a stag party and the honeymoon is off indefinitely .
“ It crossed our minds [ to postpone ] but we have so many life plans , like having a family , and we can ’ t put everything on hold , ” says Kiely .
His wedding photographer , Liam Kidney , says a lot of colleagues are struggling financially and in a dilemma because if they do get a wedding , they will lose the pandemic unemployment payment – and perhaps not work again for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Videographers Association has estimated that 62 per cent of their members have shut down since the pandemic started .
Co Roscommon-based photographer John Reynolds , who has seen his wedding orders slashed from 49 this year to eight – “ and some of those are getting nervous ” – is very philosophical about the restrictions .
“ I would love to be out there shooting weddings but this is for the greater good , and for the Government to do anything else would have been absolutely reckless , ” he says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he believes the inevitable partying “ would not be conducive to preventing the spread of the virus ” .
Vicki Lavin and Marc O ’ Connor , a couple from Boyle , Co Roscommon , currently have two wedding dates – in February and November next year .
“ We had hoped to invite around 270 people but that ’ s not going to happen , ” says Lavin .
The November booking is their plan B in case things do not return to normal by early 2021 .
“ Now I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November , ” she says .
Speculation that weddings will have to finish by 11pm in line with new rules for restaurants , and that one dance only will be permitted , have made her rethink her original plan .
“ It is a nightmare but it is nobody ’ s fault , ” she says .
“ We have to decide in the next few weeks which date we will go for .
But whatever is meant to be will be .
”

Fiona Mulligan and David Dunne had their pre-wedding menu tasting at Lough Rynn Castle in Co Leitrim last Tuesday evening – but their eyes were riveted to their phones as the dishes kept arriving to the table.
The pair, who had originally planned to celebrate their wedding at the castle on June 5th with 250 relatives and friends, were anxiously waiting for the latest Government announcement on Covid-19 restrictions.
The June plan had been abandoned as the coronavirus pandemic erupted “and it became clear we probably wouldn’t even get out of Dublin”. The couple had recently sent out 100 invitations to their rescheduled September 3rd ceremony.
It seemed that no sooner had the invitations plopped into the postbox than 85 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed in one day and it became likely that the plan to allow gatherings of up to 100 people indoors would be reconsidered.
READ MORE
"We are now looking at maybe having the wedding over two days," says Mulligan, a native of Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, who is hoping 50 can attend each day, and that no invitations need to be rescinded at this late stage.
Ciaran Reidy, a director of both Lough Rynn Castle and its sister hotel Kilronan Castle in Co Roscommon, spends his days trying to find solutions along with couples. He estimates that 80 per cent of the hotels' 2020 weddings have been postponed until 2021. "We have had couples who have set a second and then a third date and still are not sure what will happen," he says.
Both hotels host 15 or 16 weddings every August, but this month they are down to five each. The loss for the hotels is even more significant than these figures suggest, according to Reidy.
We feel we are in limbo because our wedding is on September 11th and maybe the rules will change again on August 31st
The 15 weddings pencilled in for August 2020 before the crisis hit would have been attended by about 200 guests each, but instead the hotel is catering for four or five weddings with a maximum attendance of 50. “So that’s 200 guests instead of up to 3,000 over the month,” says the hotelier, who says the “one-size-fits-all” approach is nonsensical given how much venues vary.
“The ballroom at Lough Rynn can accommodate 350. It is frustrating because even with social distancing we could cater for 100 very comfortably.”
More flexibility
Cork man Shane Kiely and his fiancee, Róisín O'Donoghue, say they absolutely understand the need for the authorities to protect public health but they too think more flexibility is required.
“Róisín is a theatre nurse who, more than anyone, knows the importance of keeping everyone safe,” says Kiely.
"We feel we are in limbo because our wedding is on September 11th and maybe the rules will change again on August 31st." He feels sorry for all the businesses who are losing out, including hotels and photographers. The couple had planned to have 190 guests, but now 100 are invited to the function at The Oaks hotel in Killarney. They are reluctant to halve that in case the restrictions are eased again on August 31st.
Postponing wasn’t an option, he says, as many hotels are now booked out for 2021, and they don’t want to put their lives on hold indefinitely. O’Donoghue had her hen party on Zoom, he is not having a stag party and the honeymoon is off indefinitely.
I would love to be out there shooting weddings but this is for the greater good
“It crossed our minds [to postpone] but we have so many life plans, like having a family, and we can’t put everything on hold,” says Kiely.
His wedding photographer, Liam Kidney, says a lot of colleagues are struggling financially and in a dilemma because if they do get a wedding, they will lose the pandemic unemployment payment – and perhaps not work again for several months. The Irish Professional Photographers & Videographers Association has estimated that 62 per cent of their members have shut down since the pandemic started.
Photographers
Co Roscommon-based photographer John Reynolds, who has seen his wedding orders slashed from 49 this year to eight – "and some of those are getting nervous" – is very philosophical about the restrictions.
“I would love to be out there shooting weddings but this is for the greater good, and for the Government to do anything else would have been absolutely reckless,” he says. Having seen countless weddings up close, he believes the inevitable partying “would not be conducive to preventing the spread of the virus”.
Vicki Lavin and Marc O'Connor, a couple from Boyle, Co Roscommon, currently have two wedding dates – in February and November next year. "We had hoped to invite around 270 people but that's not going to happen," says Lavin. The November booking is their plan B in case things do not return to normal by early 2021.
“Now I think it is more likely to be in November,” she says. Speculation that weddings will have to finish by 11pm in line with new rules for restaurants, and that one dance only will be permitted, have made her rethink her original plan. “It is a nightmare but it is nobody’s fault,” she says. “We have to decide in the next few weeks which date we will go for. But whatever is meant to be will be.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Clamping exemption for Dublin hospital workers to end

Clamping of vehicles belonging to hospital staff working in Dublin city will resume at the end of this month , Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan has said .
Since March , hospital workers have been exempt from paying parking charges when they use on-street parking in the vicinity of a hospital or health centre .
Staff who displayed a copy of an ID card or a note on hospital or GP practice letterhead paper would not be clamped by the council ’ s parking enforcement services .
The council said at the time it was taking this approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic .
However , Mr Keegan said the measure would be discontinued .
“ It has been decided , with considerable regret , that the enforcement concession in respect of HSE staff parking in the vicinity of hospitals can not be sustained , ” he said in a letter to councillors .
“ A decision has now been made that the concession will end on August 31st , after which a full parking enforcement service will operate in the vicinity of hospitals.
” The parking concession was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , Mr Keegan said .
“ At the time it was introduced it was not a major issue in the various locations where it applied , as there was limited demand for on-street parking .
However , with the resumption in economic activity there has been a significant recovery in traffic volumes and in on-street parking demand , ” he said .
“ This has led to a situation where residents with residents ’ parking permits , living in the vicinity of major hospitals , can not access on-street parking at or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr Keegan has written to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation , and other representative groups and public representatives to advise of the change .
Independent councillor Mannix Flynn said the decision was “ simply appalling ” .
“ We are still in the thick of this pandemic and these essential workers are still putting their necks on the line .
To throw them back on the heap now is disgraceful and insulting.
” Mr Flynn said essential workers should be issued with a tag or permit that could be easily identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online meeting about the future of the Phoenix Park hosted by the Dublin Cycling Campaign has heard that access to the park does not need to mean a “ free-for-all ” for cars .
The meeting follows the decision of newly appointed Minister of State for the Office of Public Work Patrick O ’ Donovan to reopen all gates of the park to cars .
Local Independent councillor Cieran Perry told the meeting senior citizens and people with disabilities would be reassured and willing to accept car restrictions in the park if there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sherlock said online groups had tried to pit cyclist and disability advocacy groups against each other in their own campaign to keep cars in the park .
Green Party councillor Janet Horner said many of the issues residents living near the park had when the gates were closed related to people parking outside the gates and blocking footpaths .
“ We need not to assume that ‘ car access ’ is synonymous with ‘ access ’ to the park , ” she said .
Green Party MEP Ciaran Cuffe said there were engineering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to mean a “ free-for-all ” for cars .
Several disability campaigners said car use was not the preferred solution for all mobility issues .

Clamping of vehicles belonging to hospital staff working in Dublin city will resume at the end of this month, Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan has said.
Since March, hospital workers have been exempt from paying parking charges when they use on-street parking in the vicinity of a hospital or health centre.
Staff who displayed a copy of an ID card or a note on hospital or GP practice letterhead paper would not be clamped by the council’s parking enforcement services. The council said at the time it was taking this approach in line with Government requirements to assist healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
However, Mr Keegan said the measure would be discontinued.
READ MORE
“It has been decided, with considerable regret, that the enforcement concession in respect of HSE staff parking in the vicinity of hospitals cannot be sustained,” he said in a letter to councillors.
“A decision has now been made that the concession will end on August 31st, after which a full parking enforcement service will operate in the vicinity of hospitals.”
The parking concession was “always intended to be a temporary measure”, Mr Keegan said.
“At the time it was introduced it was not a major issue in the various locations where it applied, as there was limited demand for on-street parking. However, with the resumption in economic activity there has been a significant recovery in traffic volumes and in on-street parking demand,” he said.
“This has led to a situation where residents with residents’ parking permits, living in the vicinity of major hospitals, cannot access on-street parking at or close to their homes at certain times.”
‘Appalling’ decision
Mr Keegan has written to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, and other representative groups and public representatives to advise of the change. Independent councillor Mannix Flynn said the decision was "simply appalling".
“We are still in the thick of this pandemic and these essential workers are still putting their necks on the line. To throw them back on the heap now is disgraceful and insulting.”
Mr Flynn said essential workers should be issued with a tag or permit that could be easily identified by parking enforcers.
Separately, an online meeting about the future of the Phoenix Park hosted by the Dublin Cycling Campaign has heard that access to the park does not need to mean a “free-for-all” for cars.
The meeting follows the decision of newly appointed Minister of State for the Office of Public Work Patrick O’Donovan to reopen all gates of the park to cars.
Local Independent councillor Cieran Perry told the meeting senior citizens and people with disabilities would be reassured and willing to accept car restrictions in the park if there was public transport.
Labour Senator Marie Sherlock said online groups had tried to pit cyclist and disability advocacy groups against each other in their own campaign to keep cars in the park.
Green Party councillor Janet Horner said many of the issues residents living near the park had when the gates were closed related to people parking outside the gates and blocking footpaths. “We need not to assume that ‘car access’ is synonymous with ‘access’ to the park,” she said.
Green Party MEP Ciaran Cuffe said there were engineering solutions to the problem that did not have to mean a “free-for-all” for cars.
Several disability campaigners said car use was not the preferred solution for all mobility issues.


theirishtimes--2020-08-10--Man killed in hit-and-run by someone known to him, gardaí believe

At least four shots were fired at a house in Tallaght on Monday morning shortly before a man was killed in a hit-and-run .
Gardaí suspect the van was being driven by a man known to the victim , who was named locally on Monday as Dan Reilly .
A suspect , aged in his early 30s , is in custody .
The incident began shortly before midnight on Sunday when neighbours reported hearing shouts coming from a house on Tymon Road North in Tallaght .
This was followed by the sound of gunfire .
Four gunshots can be heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At least one of these shots hit the house .
A window was shattered but no one was injured .
A short time later Mr Reilly , aged in his 50s , was struck by a Ford Transit van which was then driven at speed through the housing estate .
He suffered serious injuries and was taken to Tallaght Hospital where he was later pronounced dead .
It is understood a gathering had been taking place at the house in the hours before the incident and that the younger man was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been consumed , sources said .
Mr Reilly was not at the party but arrived after he heard reports of a row breaking out there .
At this point gunshots were fired at the house , leading to a younger man , who had been inside , running to the van and attempting to drive off .
Gardaí believe the van then hit Mr Reilly , possibly by accident .
A murder investigation has not been launched but sources said this may change depending on interviews with the suspect and the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A postmortem was carried out on Mr Reilly ’ s remains on Monday evening but the results have yet to be released .
“ Right now the death appears to be accidental but that may change , ” a source said .
The van was located a short distance away on Tymonville Drive with a flat tyre and damage to its bodywork .
It has since been removed for forensic analysis .
The suspect was arrested shortly afterwards and taken to Tallaght Garda station where he remains .
He can be questioned for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Tallaght are appealing for witnesses and are particularly interested in a dark-coloured hatchback car that was seen leaving the area around this time .
They are also appealing for any road users who may have camera footage , including dash-cam footage , who were travelling in the Tymon Road North area late Sunday night or in the early hours of Monday morning .
Witnesses are asked to contact Tallaght Garda station on 01-6666 000 , the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 , or any Garda station .