theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Ireland’s Call Initiative to conclude following repatriation of 67 healthcare workers

The Ireland ’ s Call Initiative , a philanthropic enterprise set up to bring doctors and nurses home from abroad , today confirmed it will conclude its operations following the repatriation of 67 healthcare workers from around the globe .
Operations will conclude following the arrival of a further 21 nurses on Wednesday , who had been stranded in the Philippines for weeks .
The initiative , which started at the end of March , provided logistical and financial support to 67 healthcare workers across the globe to get back to Ireland and help in the fight against Covid-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ globe including Canada , Pakistan , Philippines , Australia , New Zealand Malaysia , Nigeria , India , USA and the UK .
The medics have since resumed frontline positions around the country .
Among the first to be repatriated by Ireland ’ s Call was Dr Marianne Hennigan , who told The Irish Times last month she was “ delighted to be home ” from Perth and “ particularly happy ” to see her mum .
“ It is just a relief to be coming home for the foreseeable future and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
.
at this time you want to be in proximity with your family and around Irish people , ” she said .
A total of 154 flights were covered and accommodation in self-isolation for a fortnight was paid for to enable the healthcare workers to return .
The flights were funded through a Go Fund Me page which raised €85,184 as well as through a private donation of €7,320 .
The initiative has said it will donate the surplus of €893.50 to “ an appropriate charity which aligns with ICI ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the initiative for 43 medics to self-isolate effectively for 14 days .
Accommodation varied from hotel rooms to commercial rental and privately-owned properties .
Some members of the public offered their vacant properties to healthcare workers across the country and Maynooth University offered 20 of its rooms for this purpose .
Co-founder of the initiative , Neil Sands , said he was “ incredibly proud ” of what it had achieved .
“ It has been an honour to help Ireland ’ s frontline heroes , ” he added .
Mr Sands is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enterprise called Measc , aiming to import mask manufacturing machinery to Ireland and produce medical-grade facemasks domestically for the Irish public and frontline .

Among the first to be repatriated by Ireland’s Call was Dr Marianne Hennigan. Photograph: Ireland’s Call
The Ireland’s Call Initiative, a philanthropic enterprise set up to bring doctors and nurses home from abroad, today confirmed it will conclude its operations following the repatriation of 67 healthcare workers from around the globe.
Operations will conclude following the arrival of a further 21 nurses on Wednesday, who had been stranded in the Philippines for weeks.
The initiative, which started at the end of March, provided logistical and financial support to 67 healthcare workers across the globe to get back to Ireland and help in the fight against Covid-19.
Medics have returned from countries around the globe including Canada, Pakistan, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand Malaysia, Nigeria, India, USA and the UK. The medics have since resumed frontline positions around the country.
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Among the first to be repatriated by Ireland’s Call was Dr Marianne Hennigan, who told The Irish Times last month she was “delighted to be home” from Perth and “particularly happy” to see her mum.
“It is just a relief to be coming home for the foreseeable future and that I won’t be stuck . . . at this time you want to be in proximity with your family and around Irish people,” she said.
A total of 154 flights were covered and accommodation in self-isolation for a fortnight was paid for to enable the healthcare workers to return. The flights were funded through a Go Fund Me page which raised €85,184 as well as through a private donation of €7,320. The initiative has said it will donate the surplus of €893.50 to “an appropriate charity which aligns with ICI’s values”.
Housing was sourced through the initiative for 43 medics to self-isolate effectively for 14 days. Accommodation varied from hotel rooms to commercial rental and privately-owned properties. Some members of the public offered their vacant properties to healthcare workers across the country and Maynooth University offered 20 of its rooms for this purpose.
Co-founder of the initiative, Neil Sands, said he was “incredibly proud” of what it had achieved.
“It has been an honour to help Ireland’s frontline heroes,” he added.
Mr Sands is now working to establish a private social enterprise called Measc, aiming to import mask manufacturing machinery to Ireland and produce medical-grade facemasks domestically for the Irish public and frontline.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Man (25) jailed for two years after threatening victim with concrete block

A 25-year-old man who threatened to smash a concrete block down on top of a man ’ s head if he didn ’ t hand over CCTV footage has been jailed for two years .
Tony Delaney pleaded guilty to a number of offences including assaulting Gary Clark ( 43 ) causing him harm , causing criminal damage and attempting to rob him at his home at Monard , Rathpeacon , Co Cork on October 3rd , 2019 .
Det Garda Brian Murphy told Cork Circuit Criminal Court that Mr Clark was alone in his mobile home at around 2.30am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VW Passat and attempted to steal his jeep .
The driver of the Passat drove up right against the door of the mobile home to try to prevent Mr Clark getting out .
Mr Clark managed to get out but was knocked to the ground by Delaney .
Delaney then dragged him by the hair into a kneeling position and began to beat him before realising the entire episode had been caught on a CCTV camera .
Delaney then picked up a concrete block and threatened to smash it into Mr Clark ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand over the CCTV tapes .
However , Mr Clark managed to get back into his mobile home to get some reprieve .
Delaney retreated when he realised Mr Clark had three large dogs in the mobile home and left in Mr Clark ’ s jeep .
Mr Clark suffered bruising to his face as well as a laceration to his ear after his earring was pulled out violently .
Det Garda Murphy said gardaí were able to identify Delaney from the CCTV footage .
They recovered Mr Clark ’ s jeep when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Spring Lane Halting Site near Blackpool in Cork .
Delaney was arrested but made no admissions during interview , said Det Garda Murphy .
He said Delaney had a total of 56 previous convictions including for robbery , unlawful taking of a car and criminal damage .
He was on bail on other charges when he committed these offences .
Mr Clarke told the court he didn ’ t sleep at night as a result of the attack and he was unable to work for a period .
He also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home as he feared it would be stolen as well .
Judge Helen Boyle noted that it was a sustained and determined assault which had left Mr Clark both with a permanent physical scar but also had a psychological impact on him , which were all aggravating factors .
She said the fact that the assault on Mr Clark and other offences happened when Delaney was on bail was also an aggravating factor .
She acknowledged that Delaney had pleaded guilty at an early opportunity and had expressed remorse and had come up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his remorse to his victim .
The judge imposed a three-year jail term but suspended the last 12 months and she ordered it be consecutive to the three-year term he is currently service because the offences were committed when on bail .

Judge Helen Boyle noted that it was a sustained and determined assault which had left Mr Clark both with a permanent physical scar.
A 25-year-old man who threatened to smash a concrete block down on top of a man’s head if he didn’t hand over CCTV footage has been jailed for two years.
Tony Delaney pleaded guilty to a number of offences including assaulting Gary Clark (43) causing him harm, causing criminal damage and attempting to rob him at his home at Monard, Rathpeacon, Co Cork on October 3rd, 2019.
Det Garda Brian Murphy told Cork Circuit Criminal Court that Mr Clark was alone in his mobile home at around 2.30am when three people pulled up in a VW Passat and attempted to steal his jeep.
The driver of the Passat drove up right against the door of the mobile home to try to prevent Mr Clark getting out. Mr Clark managed to get out but was knocked to the ground by Delaney.
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Delaney then dragged him by the hair into a kneeling position and began to beat him before realising the entire episode had been caught on a CCTV camera.
Delaney then picked up a concrete block and threatened to smash it into Mr Clark’s head if he didn’t hand over the CCTV tapes. However, Mr Clark managed to get back into his mobile home to get some reprieve.
Delaney retreated when he realised Mr Clark had three large dogs in the mobile home and left in Mr Clark’s jeep.
Mr Clark suffered bruising to his face as well as a laceration to his ear after his earring was pulled out violently.
Det Garda Murphy said gardaí were able to identify Delaney from the CCTV footage. They recovered Mr Clark's jeep when they called to Delaney's home at the Spring Lane Halting Site near Blackpool in Cork.
Delaney was arrested but made no admissions during interview, said Det Garda Murphy.
He said Delaney had a total of 56 previous convictions including for robbery, unlawful taking of a car and criminal damage. He was on bail on other charges when he committed these offences.
Permanent scar
Mr Clarke told the court he didn't sleep at night as a result of the attack and he was unable to work for a period. He also said he was afraid to leave his mobile home as he feared it would be stolen as well.
Judge Helen Boyle noted that it was a sustained and determined assault which had left Mr Clark both with a permanent physical scar but also had a psychological impact on him, which were all aggravating factors.
She said the fact that the assault on Mr Clark and other offences happened when Delaney was on bail was also an aggravating factor.
She acknowledged that Delaney had pleaded guilty at an early opportunity and had expressed remorse and had come up with some €2,500 as a gesture of his remorse to his victim.
The judge imposed a three-year jail term but suspended the last 12 months and she ordered it be consecutive to the three-year term he is currently service because the offences were committed when on bail.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Seven Irish children checked for rare illness potentially linked to Covid-19

Seven children in the State have been investigated for a “ very rare ” Kawasaki-like syndrome potentially linked to Covid-19 , Dr Tony Holohan has said .
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ( ECDC ) issued an alert about 230 suspected cases of a new paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome ( Pims ) linked to Covid-19 , with two deaths reported .
Pims shares similar disease characteristics to Kawasaki syndrome .
The chief medical officer said there were seven children who had exhibited similar symptoms in the State , and the HSE will be raising awareness of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases were over a period of time and to call them suspect would be “ stretching things ” , they were rather instances where medics considered it as a possible diagnosis .
Dr Holohan said it was a “ very rare ” condition , with an incidence rate of about 15 for every 100,000 children .
He said said his advice was directed principally at clinicians , not parents .
“ This is about considering when other conditions that might explain these symptoms have been ruled out to consider this possibility .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this could be , in an unusual set of circumstances with a sick child , a possible explanation.
” He stressed that the condition is “ rare , unusual and there is no certainty at this point in time that there is direct link with Covid-19 ” .
Dr Holohan raised the issue at a briefing by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) on Friday night which confirmed the deaths of a further 16 people from Covid-19 in the State , bringing the total to 1,518 .
The total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the announcement of another 129 cases .
There have been a further five deaths of patients with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland .
HSE national clinical advisor Dr Siobhán Kennelly said parents should look out for something that is “ atypical and unexplained ” .
She said Kawasaki syndrome is part of the range of diagnostic possibilities being examined in the seven children under observation at present .
She listed the symptoms as being a high temperature and being off-colour , and the illness can be treated with anti-inflammatories .
Dr Holohan told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 in newborns to four years old in the State , 266 cases among five- to 14-year-olds and 1,688 cases in those aged between 15 and 24 .
Dr Holohan said the NPHET will next week look at ways of helping children because “ the burden on them has been particularly challenging and difficult ” .
However , he envisaged that schools will not return before the start of the new school year in September .
At the Cabinet meeting , Minister of State for Disability Issues Finian McGrath raised the issue of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ golf – allowed during phase one – be allowed travel further than the current 5km limit do to so .
Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan argued for museums and galleries to reopen earlier than the original July 20th date – phase four of the Government ’ s roadmap .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is said to have indicated this may be possible , if requirements such as social distancing could be met .
Ms Madigan also asked for hairdressers to open earlier than July 20th .

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control had issued an alert about 230 suspected cases of a new paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome linked to Covid-19. Photograph: iStock
Seven children in the State have been investigated for a "very rare" Kawasaki-like syndrome potentially linked to Covid-19, Dr Tony Holohan has said.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued an alert about 230 suspected cases of a new paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (Pims) linked to Covid-19, with two deaths reported. Pims shares similar disease characteristics to Kawasaki syndrome.
The chief medical officer said there were seven children who had exhibited similar symptoms in the State, and the HSE will be raising awareness of it in the community.
He said the cases were over a period of time and to call them suspect would be “stretching things”, they were rather instances where medics considered it as a possible diagnosis.
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Dr Holohan said it was a “very rare” condition, with an incidence rate of about 15 for every 100,000 children. He said said his advice was directed principally at clinicians, not parents.
“This is about considering when other conditions that might explain these symptoms have been ruled out to consider this possibility.
“We want clinicians to be more suspicious that this could be, in an unusual set of circumstances with a sick child, a possible explanation.”
He stressed that the condition is “rare, unusual and there is no certainty at this point in time that there is direct link with Covid-19”.
Dr Holohan raised the issue at a briefing by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Friday night which confirmed the deaths of a further 16 people from Covid-19 in the State, bringing the total to 1,518.
The total number of confirmed cases is 23,956 following the announcement of another 129 cases.
There have been a further five deaths of patients with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland.
HSE national clinical advisor Dr Siobhán Kennelly said parents should look out for something that is “atypical and unexplained”.
She said Kawasaki syndrome is part of the range of diagnostic possibilities being examined in the seven children under observation at present. She listed the symptoms as being a high temperature and being off-colour, and the illness can be treated with anti-inflammatories.
Newborns
Dr Holohan told the briefing there are 128 reported cases of Covid-19 in newborns to four years old in the State, 266 cases among five- to 14-year-olds and 1,688 cases in those aged between 15 and 24.
Dr Holohan said the NPHET will next week look at ways of helping children because “the burden on them has been particularly challenging and difficult”.
However, he envisaged that schools will not return before the start of the new school year in September.
At the Cabinet meeting, Minister of State for Disability Issues Finian McGrath raised the issue of school reopenings and asked that those playing golf – allowed during phase one – be allowed travel further than the current 5km limit do to so.
Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan argued for museums and galleries to reopen earlier than the original July 20th date – phase four of the Government’s roadmap.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is said to have indicated this may be possible, if requirements such as social distancing could be met. Ms Madigan also asked for hairdressers to open earlier than July 20th.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Decision not to re-open homeware stores ‘disappointing’, says Retail Ireland

Retail Ireland has described the Government ’ s decision not to allow homeware stores to reopen on Monday as “ disappointing ” , saying many businesses had invested time and money in preparations for the lifting of restrictions on May 18th .
Minister for Business Heather Humphreys confirmed on Friday that while hardware stores , garden centres and farmers markets could re-open from next week as part of the gradual lifting of restrictions , homeware stores must remain closed for now .
Arnold Dillon , director of Retail Ireland , said the reopening timetable risked leaving many retailers closed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government to consider bringing forward the reopening of the sector if public health objectives are met within a shorter time frame .
“ While public health is the priority , the late removal of homeware stores from the first phase of reopening is disappointing , ” said Mr Arnold .
“ Many businesses had invested a lot of time and money in preparing in line with the roadmap guidance.
” Businesses that do survive the lockdown period will reopen into a “ dramatically altered economic and public health environment ” , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on protecting viable but vulnerable retailers through this period , followed by major reboot of the economy .
“ Significant additional interventions will be needed to safeguard retail businesses and jobs .
This must include measures to address the issue of commercial rent liabilities accrued during the shutdown , which many businesses will simply be unable to pay.
” Homeware retailer Ikea had announced this week it was preparing to reopen its Ballymun store and collection point in Carrickmines on Monday .
An Ikea spokeswoman said the retailer had made “ extensive plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both customers and staff .
However , the Swedish company confirmed on Friday it would not reopen its Dublin stores next week but would continue selling products online .
“ We will continue to plan for the safe reopening of our stores , once we get the go-ahead from the authorities , and look forward to welcoming back our customers in the not too distant future , ” said a statement from the company .
When asked to clarify why homeware stores could not re-open , Ms Humphreys said only shops offering homeware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” could open to customers as part of phase one .
“ It is not intended that those stores that classify themselves as homeware and primarily sell items such as furniture , curtains or bedding should open , ” she said .
“ So if you have a hardware shop that happens to have a small homeware section , you are allowed to open .
If you are a homeware shop and that is your main line of business , you can not open.
” Also speaking at Friday ’ s briefing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only opening because they were necessary for construction workers .
“ We appreciate that there are going to be grey areas , and there are going to be difficulties , ” Mr Varadkar said .
“ But we hope to iron those out over the next couple of days.
” “ If you need to buy a new pair of curtains , you can wait a couple of weeks , ” Minister for Health Simon Harris added .
“ Now is not the time to decide I ’ m going to dicky up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of curtains .
”

Swedish company Ikea confirmed on Friday it would not reopen its Dublin stores next week but would continue selling products online.
Retail Ireland has described the Government’s decision not to allow homeware stores to reopen on Monday as “disappointing”, saying many businesses had invested time and money in preparations for the lifting of restrictions on May 18th.
Minister for Business Heather Humphreys confirmed on Friday that while hardware stores, garden centres and farmers markets could re-open from next week as part of the gradual lifting of restrictions, homeware stores must remain closed for now.
Arnold Dillon, director of Retail Ireland, said the reopening timetable risked leaving many retailers closed for the foreseeable future. He urged the Government to consider bringing forward the reopening of the sector if public health objectives are met within a shorter time frame.
“While public health is the priority, the late removal of homeware stores from the first phase of reopening is disappointing,” said Mr Arnold. “Many businesses had invested a lot of time and money in preparing in line with the roadmap guidance.”
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Businesses that do survive the lockdown period will reopen into a “dramatically altered economic and public health environment”, he said.
“The focus now must be on protecting viable but vulnerable retailers through this period, followed by major reboot of the economy.
“Significant additional interventions will be needed to safeguard retail businesses and jobs. This must include measures to address the issue of commercial rent liabilities accrued during the shutdown, which many businesses will simply be unable to pay.”
Ikea
Homeware retailer Ikea had announced this week it was preparing to reopen its Ballymun store and collection point in Carrickmines on Monday. An Ikea spokeswoman said the retailer had made "extensive plans" to ensure a safe experience for both customers and staff.
However, the Swedish company confirmed on Friday it would not reopen its Dublin stores next week but would continue selling products online.
“We will continue to plan for the safe reopening of our stores, once we get the go-ahead from the authorities, and look forward to welcoming back our customers in the not too distant future,” said a statement from the company.
When asked to clarify why homeware stores could not re-open, Ms Humphreys said only shops offering homeware “incidental to their primary retail functions” could open to customers as part of phase one.
“It is not intended that those stores that classify themselves as homeware and primarily sell items such as furniture, curtains or bedding should open,” she said. “So if you have a hardware shop that happens to have a small homeware section, you are allowed to open. If you are a homeware shop and that is your main line of business, you cannot open.”
Also speaking at Friday’s briefing, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said hardware stores were only opening because they were necessary for construction workers.
“We appreciate that there are going to be grey areas, and there are going to be difficulties,” Mr Varadkar said. “But we hope to iron those out over the next couple of days.”
“If you need to buy a new pair of curtains, you can wait a couple of weeks,” Minister for Health Simon Harris added. “Now is not the time to decide I’m going to dicky up the house or buy a new pair of curtains.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Man on 48th day of prison hunger strike describes daughter as ‘unhinged fantasist’

A man on the 48th day of a prison hunger strike over what he says is his “ wrongful conviction ” for the rape of his daughter has the mental capacity to decide whether he wants to continue to refuse food , the High Court has ruled .
The court heard the man described his daughter as “ an unhinged fantasist with a history of making false allegations ” .
He was jailed in April 2018 for 15 years , with one year suspended , for the rape of his daughter when she was aged between seven and 11 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to refuse food , though he is taking water and coffee , until his daughter “ comes forward and tells the truth ” .
However , he is also to discuss with his wife what he will do following Friday ’ s ruling by Ms Justice Tara Burns that he has the mental capacity to make a decision to refuse food .
The prison authorities had asked the court to make certain declarations in relation to his capacity .
Following evidence on Friday , including from two psychiatrists and a psychologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any mental illness , the judge said he had a right to bodily integrity which the courts have found previously “ may prevail ” over the obligation of the State to preserve life .
Following the decision , the judge urged him to reconsider continuing the strike for reasons including that his wife is a non-Irish national and has no other family here .
His wife is not the mother of the complainant , whose own mother , the man ’ s partner , died in 2006 .
In 2010 , the complainant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care and he says that on March 29th last , on what was the anniversary of “ 10 years of insanity visited upon me by the Irish State ” , he began his hunger strike .
He maintained his innocence in the Central Criminal Court , where a jury found him guilty , and his failed appeal to the Court of Appeal ( CoA ) .
His counsel Micheál P Higgins said he is seeking a further appeal to the Supreme Court .
Although he could die on hunger strike before that happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , counsel said .
Counsel said the CoA heard evidence the man ’ s then solicitor had a conversation with the daughter in which she allegedly was “ indicating she had lied ” .
There was further evidence of a Facebook conversation with a family friend in which she allegedly said “ her father was not a rapist and he did not do those things to me ” , he said .
The CoA also heard the daughter had visited her father in prison which was important in the context of previous evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortal fear ” of him , counsel said .
In her evidence to the CoA , the daughter maintained the original allegations were correct and the CoA dismissed the appeal last year .
In his evidence via video link from prison on Friday , the man agreed with his counsel that in a letter he wrote to the prison governor announcing his hunger strike he said the Irish courts “ failed in their duty ” to put things right “ despite the overwhelming evidence put in front of them.
” His daughter was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this right ” and he was making a “ heartfelt plea ” that she “ come forward and put on record the absolute truth about the false allegations ” .
He was taking the hunger strike action as a “ sovereign individual ” with a right to self determination .
He did not wish to die and would like to spend “ my golden years with my wife but I am put in an impossible situation ” .
He believed the fact his daughter had “ undergone a number of years of therapy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations she made.
” Asked by the judge what he wanted from the court if she had “ a magic wand and could grant his wish ” so he would stop the protest , he said it was that his daughter “ come forward and tell the truth .
“ She continues to run away from it and it is going to impact on her as her conscience develops and she perhaps has children of her own as she gets older ” , he said .

A man on the 48th day of a prison hunger strike over what he says is his “wrongful conviction” for the rape of his daughter has the mental capacity to decide whether he wants to continue to refuse food, the High Court has ruled.
The court heard the man described his daughter as “an unhinged fantasist with a history of making false allegations”.
He was jailed in April 2018 for 15 years, with one year suspended, for the rape of his daughter when she was aged between seven and 11.
He claims he is innocent and he will continue to refuse food, though he is taking water and coffee, until his daughter “comes forward and tells the truth”.
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However, he is also to discuss with his wife what he will do following Friday’s ruling by Ms Justice Tara Burns that he has the mental capacity to make a decision to refuse food.
The prison authorities had asked the court to make certain declarations in relation to his capacity.
Following evidence on Friday, including from two psychiatrists and a psychologist who said he was not suffering from any mental illness, the judge said he had a right to bodily integrity which the courts have found previously “may prevail” over the obligation of the State to preserve life.
Following the decision, the judge urged him to reconsider continuing the strike for reasons including that his wife is a non-Irish national and has no other family here.
His wife is not the mother of the complainant, whose own mother, the man’s partner, died in 2006.
In 2010, the complainant and her sister were removed from his care and he says that on March 29th last, on what was the anniversary of “10 years of insanity visited upon me by the Irish State”, he began his hunger strike.
He maintained his innocence in the Central Criminal Court, where a jury found him guilty, and his failed appeal to the Court of Appeal (CoA).
His counsel Micheál P Higgins said he is seeking a further appeal to the Supreme Court. Although he could die on hunger strike before that happens, he wants to continue his protest, counsel said.
Counsel said the CoA heard evidence the man’s then solicitor had a conversation with the daughter in which she allegedly was “indicating she had lied”. There was further evidence of a Facebook conversation with a family friend in which she allegedly said “her father was not a rapist and he did not do those things to me”, he said.
The CoA also heard the daughter had visited her father in prison which was important in the context of previous evidence when she said she was in “mortal fear” of him, counsel said.
In her evidence to the CoA, the daughter maintained the original allegations were correct and the CoA dismissed the appeal last year.
In his evidence via video link from prison on Friday, the man agreed with his counsel that in a letter he wrote to the prison governor announcing his hunger strike he said the Irish courts “failed in their duty” to put things right “despite the overwhelming evidence put in front of them.”
His daughter was the “only one who can put this right” and he was making a “heartfelt plea” that she “come forward and put on record the absolute truth about the false allegations”.
He was taking the hunger strike action as a “sovereign individual” with a right to self determination.
He did not wish to die and would like to spend “my golden years with my wife but I am put in an impossible situation”.
He believed the fact his daughter had “undergone a number of years of therapy and medication may explain in part the allegations she made.”
Asked by the judge what he wanted from the court if she had “a magic wand and could grant his wish” so he would stop the protest, he said it was that his daughter “come forward and tell the truth.
“She continues to run away from it and it is going to impact on her as her conscience develops and she perhaps has children of her own as she gets older”, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Man who stalked and attacked 19-year-old jailed for three years

A 24-year-old man who stalked and attacked a teenager as she walked home alone in the early hours of the morning in Cork last year has been jailed for three years .
Daniel Szymczyk , originally from Poland , pleaded guilty to a number of offences including false imprisonment of the 19-year-old , robbery from her person and assault causing her harm in Bandon , West Cork on December 1st last .
At Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Friday , Det Garda Peter Nolan told how the girl had been out walking home alone at around 3am from celebrating her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opposite footpath .
She did not know him and he did not know her but she became uneasy so she went to ring her friend .
However , Szymczyk raced across the street , grabbed the phone from her and flung it to the ground , smashing it .
He told her in broken English that he wanted to walk her home and when she refused , “ he completely flipped ” and pushed her to the ground with force and punched her in the forehead as she began to scream for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grabbed her from behind , holding one hand around her waist and the other over her mouth to stifle her screams for help as he forcibly walked her some 160 metres back the way they had come .
“ He told her that if she shouted or made a noise that she would get an arrow through the back of her head - the injured party was terrified and in complete fear of her attacker , ” said Det Garda Nolan .
Szymczyk was about to march her into an unlit car park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three youths in the distance and she waited until they got closer and were within hearing distance when she began to scream for help .
He pushed her to the ground , hitting her head off the ground before he kicked her in the face , cutting her lip and then running off with her handbag as the three youths came to the girl ’ s aid and brought her to Bandon Garda station .
Det Garda Nolan said gardaí examined over 100 hours of CCTV footage obtained from over 20 locations around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Szymczyk at a number of locations .
He said the CCTV footage clearly showed Szymczyk effectively stalking the girl as she walked home .
He dodged in behind park cars and into doorways whenever traffic passed to avoid being spotted , he said .
Gardaí arrested Szymczyk on December 14th at his home in the town .
He made some admissions during interview , the court was told , but said he did not have a full recollection of the night due to intoxication .
Det Garda Nolan said Szymczyk , who moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents and was working in a local factory , had six previous convictions but they were all for minor offences .
Defence barrister , Ben Shorten BL pleaded for leniency , saying while it was not an excuse , the fact his client had consumed 0.7 litres of vodka , five cans of beer and a gramme of amphetamine did perhaps provide some explanation .
He said given that all Szymczyk ’ s previous convictions were of a relatively minor nature , his behaviour might be considered an aberration and did not reflect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wanted to go .
Judge Helen Boyle said it was a most serious offence .
Szymczyk had stalked the young woman walking home alone , attacked her and knocked her to the ground in what was “ a sustained , vicious and inexplicable assault ” .
She acknowledged that Szymczyk had apologised unreservedly to his victim and expressed his shame for his actions .
She also acknowledged that it appeared he had the support of his family who were well-respected in Bandon .
The judge said she believed the appropriate sentence was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final 12 months in the light of Szymczyk ’ s guilty plea which had saved his victim the trauma of having to testify in a trial .

Judge Helen Boyle said she believed the appropriate sentence was one of four years but she suspended the final 12 months in the light of Szymczyk’s guilty plea.
A 24-year-old man who stalked and attacked a teenager as she walked home alone in the early hours of the morning in Cork last year has been jailed for three years.
Daniel Szymczyk, originally from Poland, pleaded guilty to a number of offences including false imprisonment of the 19-year-old, robbery from her person and assault causing her harm in Bandon, West Cork on December 1st last.
At Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Friday, Det Garda Peter Nolan told how the girl had been out walking home alone at around 3am from celebrating her 19th birthday when she spotted Szymczyk on the opposite footpath.
She did not know him and he did not know her but she became uneasy so she went to ring her friend. However, Szymczyk raced across the street, grabbed the phone from her and flung it to the ground, smashing it.
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He told her in broken English that he wanted to walk her home and when she refused, “he completely flipped” and pushed her to the ground with force and punched her in the forehead as she began to scream for help.
He pulled her up and grabbed her from behind, holding one hand around her waist and the other over her mouth to stifle her screams for help as he forcibly walked her some 160 metres back the way they had come.
“He told her that if she shouted or made a noise that she would get an arrow through the back of her head - the injured party was terrified and in complete fear of her attacker,” said Det Garda Nolan.
Car park
Szymczyk was about to march her into an unlit car park off the road when the girl spotted three youths in the distance and she waited until they got closer and were within hearing distance when she began to scream for help.
He pushed her to the ground, hitting her head off the ground before he kicked her in the face, cutting her lip and then running off with her handbag as the three youths came to the girl’s aid and brought her to Bandon Garda station.
Det Garda Nolan said gardaí examined over 100 hours of CCTV footage obtained from over 20 locations around Bandon before they were able to identify Szymczyk at a number of locations.
He said the CCTV footage clearly showed Szymczyk effectively stalking the girl as she walked home. He dodged in behind park cars and into doorways whenever traffic passed to avoid being spotted, he said.
Gardaí arrested Szymczyk on December 14th at his home in the town. He made some admissions during interview, the court was told, but said he did not have a full recollection of the night due to intoxication.
Det Garda Nolan said Szymczyk, who moved to Bandon six years ago with his parents and was working in a local factory, had six previous convictions but they were all for minor offences.
Defence barrister, Ben Shorten BL pleaded for leniency, saying while it was not an excuse, the fact his client had consumed 0.7 litres of vodka, five cans of beer and a gramme of amphetamine did perhaps provide some explanation.
He said given that all Szymczyk’s previous convictions were of a relatively minor nature, his behaviour might be considered an aberration and did not reflect where he was coming from or where he wanted to go.
Judge Helen Boyle said it was a most serious offence. Szymczyk had stalked the young woman walking home alone, attacked her and knocked her to the ground in what was "a sustained, vicious and inexplicable assault".
She acknowledged that Szymczyk had apologised unreservedly to his victim and expressed his shame for his actions. She also acknowledged that it appeared he had the support of his family who were well-respected in Bandon.
The judge said she believed the appropriate sentence was one of four years but she suspended the final 12 months in the light of Szymczyk’s guilty plea which had saved his victim the trauma of having to testify in a trial.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Irish families struggle to travel to Ukraine for birth of babies via surrogacy

Irish families due to travel to Ukraine in the coming days for the birth of their child via surrogacy are unable to secure permission to enter because of border restrictions , an Irish lawyer has said .
Two couples , whose babies are due in the next fortnight , have been unable to confirm travel plans , said Tracy Horan , a solicitor specialising in surrogacy and fertility law .
Praising the role played by the Department of Foreign Affairs to help the couples , Ms Horan said the Ukraine ’ s strict border controls have made travel very complicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; it ’ s not just in the Ukraine .
I had a client stuck for two months in Canada because all the flights out were being cancelled .
The stress on parents is horrendous .
To think that your baby is being born , you can ’ t see or hold the child , it ’ s really challenging.
” Ukraine , which is a popular location among Irish couples for surrogacy , closed its borders on March 15th .
It is due to to re-examine restrictions on May 22nd , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely to be lifted quickly .
On Friday , the BBC reported that at least 35 babies born to surrogate mothers were being cared for by nurses in a Kiev hotel because parents could not enter the country to collect them .
Some of the solicitor ’ s clients flew to Ukraine before the lockdown to collect their child but have been unable to return to Ireland .
The Department of Foreign Affairs is now advising surrogate parents to plan trips carefully .
Annette Hickey , a family law solicitor who also specialises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ luck securing passage for her clients , and says “ less than 10 ” Irish couples she is working with are currently in Ukraine awaiting the birth of their child via surrogacy or caring for their newborn .
She said none of the babies who appeared in the BBC report had Irish parents .
“ We want to reassure couples in Ireland that the article was about a particular clinic , and children with parents from other countries .
It ’ s absolutely awful and horrifically upsetting , but , thankfully , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hickey said the Department of Foreign Affairs and the National Infertility Support and Information Group had provided “ tremendous support ” in helping parents to get to Ukraine for the birth of their child , and she expected more families to travel out in the coming weeks .
“ It wasn ’ t straightforward , it was a process .
But we worked with some extremely good Ukrainian lawyers , and once we met the requirements of the Ukrainian authorities they were very accommodating.
” Ms Hickey does not expect the Covid-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseas surrogacy services .
“ I think it ’ s actually spurred more couples on to say this is something we want to pursue .
Couples are saying once the travel ban is lifted we ’ ll do this.
” There is currently no Irish legislation around assisted human reproduction , and under Irish law the surrogate mother is considered the legal mother of the child .
The Government has approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction , which is scheduled to be passed in 2021 .

A small hotel on the outskirts of Kiev, Ukraine is currently home to over 50 babies born to surrogate mothers as Covid-19 lockdown measures mean that parents cannot travel from abroad to collect their children. Video: Reuters
Irish families due to travel to Ukraine in the coming days for the birth of their child via surrogacy are unable to secure permission to enter because of border restrictions, an Irish lawyer has said.
Two couples, whose babies are due in the next fortnight, have been unable to confirm travel plans, said Tracy Horan, a solicitor specialising in surrogacy and fertility law.
Praising the role played by the Department of Foreign Affairs to help the couples, Ms Horan said the Ukraine’s strict border controls have made travel very complicated.
"This is a global problem; it's not just in the Ukraine. I had a client stuck for two months in Canada because all the flights out were being cancelled. The stress on parents is horrendous. To think that your baby is being born, you can't see or hold the child, it's really challenging."
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Ukraine, which is a popular location among Irish couples for surrogacy, closed its borders on March 15th. It is due to to re-examine restrictions on May 22nd, but a ban on foreign air travel is unlikely to be lifted quickly.
On Friday, the BBC reported that at least 35 babies born to surrogate mothers were being cared for by nurses in a Kiev hotel because parents could not enter the country to collect them.
Some of the solicitor's clients flew to Ukraine before the lockdown to collect their child but have been unable to return to Ireland. The Department of Foreign Affairs is now advising surrogate parents to plan trips carefully.
Annette Hickey, a family law solicitor who also specialises in surrogacy and fertility, had better luck securing passage for her clients, and says “less than 10” Irish couples she is working with are currently in Ukraine awaiting the birth of their child via surrogacy or caring for their newborn.
She said none of the babies who appeared in the BBC report had Irish parents. “We want to reassure couples in Ireland that the article was about a particular clinic, and children with parents from other countries. It’s absolutely awful and horrifically upsetting, but, thankfully, we are not in that situation.”
Support
Ms Hickey said the Department of Foreign Affairs and the National Infertility Support and Information Group had provided “tremendous support” in helping parents to get to Ukraine for the birth of their child, and she expected more families to travel out in the coming weeks.
“It wasn’t straightforward, it was a process. But we worked with some extremely good Ukrainian lawyers, and once we met the requirements of the Ukrainian authorities they were very accommodating.”
Ms Hickey does not expect the Covid-19 pandemic will negatively impact on the demand for overseas surrogacy services. “I think it’s actually spurred more couples on to say this is something we want to pursue. Couples are saying once the travel ban is lifted we’ll do this.”
There is currently no Irish legislation around assisted human reproduction, and under Irish law the surrogate mother is considered the legal mother of the child. The Government has approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction, which is scheduled to be passed in 2021.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Judge refuses to permit Bord Pleanála bringing appeal over court decisions

A High Court judge has refused to permit An Bord Pleanála bring an appeal over the overturning of the board ’ s permission for an electricity generating biogas plant in Co Meath .
The board wanted an appeal concerning the extent of the court ’ s jurisdiction to consider and analyse the board ’ s decisions .
A certificate for leave to appeal was sought arising from a judgment of Mr Justice Garret Simons upholding a challenge by Niall Halpin , Johnstown , Navan , to the board ’ s June 2016 permission to Greenfield Ventures Limited for the plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In his May 2019 judgment , Mr Justice Simons found certain conclusions of the board concerning an EU directive on control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances were unreasonable because no material was put before the court by the board capable of justifying those conclusions .
The board had found , based on technical information provided by the developer , there was no likelihood of the 10 tonne limit for storage of biogas at the proposed site being exceeded but , when the documentation actually relied upon by the board was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported , he said .
In seeking leave to appeal , lawyers for the board , said its concern was about how the court applied legal principles , known as the O ’ Keeffe principles , to find there was no material before the board to justify its conclusion when , she said , there was such material .
Lawyers for Mr Halpin argued the O ’ Keeffe principles are well settled law and the court had not substituted its own non-scientific analysis at all but rather “ simply considered what the documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a detailed ruling on Friday , Mr Justice Simons said his findings in the case were consistent with well-established domestic law in respect of the High Court ’ s supervisory jurisdiction in judicial review proceedings .
He had not sought to “ second-guess ” the board ’ s assessment of the material before it or to substitute the court ’ s views for the board ’ s , he said .
None of his findings gave rise to an “ uncertainty ” in the law necessitating an appeal , he held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show an appeal was desirable in the public interest , he further ruled .
This was because of a real risk any appeal would become pointless because the permission was set to expire in July 2021 and there had already been “ inordinate delay ” in the progress of these proceedings , including significant delay by the board in filing its opposition papers .

A High Court judge has refused to permit An Bord Pleanála bring an appeal over the overturning of the board’s permission for an electricity generating biogas plant in Co Meath. The board wanted an appeal concerning the extent of the court’s jurisdiction to consider and analyse the board’s decisions.
A certificate for leave to appeal was sought arising from a judgment of Mr Justice Garret Simons upholding a challenge by Niall Halpin, Johnstown, Navan, to the board’s June 2016 permission to Greenfield Ventures Limited for the plant at Gillstown, Garlow Cross, Navan.
In his May 2019 judgment, Mr Justice Simons found certain conclusions of the board concerning an EU directive on control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances were unreasonable because no material was put before the court by the board capable of justifying those conclusions.
The board had found, based on technical information provided by the developer, there was no likelihood of the 10 tonne limit for storage of biogas at the proposed site being exceeded but, when the documentation actually relied upon by the board was considered, that conclusion could not be supported, he said. In seeking leave to appeal, lawyers for the board, said its concern was about how the court applied legal principles, known as the O’Keeffe principles, to find there was no material before the board to justify its conclusion when, she said, there was such material.
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Lawyers for Mr Halpin argued the O’Keeffe principles are well settled law and the court had not substituted its own non-scientific analysis at all but rather “simply considered what the documents put before the court actually said”. In a detailed ruling on Friday, Mr Justice Simons said his findings in the case were consistent with well-established domestic law in respect of the High Court’s supervisory jurisdiction in judicial review proceedings.
He had not sought to “second-guess” the board’s assessment of the material before it or to substitute the court’s views for the board’s, he said. None of his findings gave rise to an “uncertainty” in the law necessitating an appeal, he held.
The board had also failed to show an appeal was desirable in the public interest, he further ruled. This was because of a real risk any appeal would become pointless because the permission was set to expire in July 2021 and there had already been “inordinate delay” in the progress of these proceedings, including significant delay by the board in filing its opposition papers.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Court order permits hospital not to resuscitate brain-injured woman

A hospital has secured interim High Court orders allowing it not to resuscitate a brain-injured woman , aged in her 50s , with “ a litany of conditions ” and a “ very poor ” prognosis .
David Leahy BL said it was a “ grave ” application for orders permitting clinicians not to ventilate or resuscitate the woman should she suffer cardiac arrest as they considered that would further deteriorate her already very compromised position , was not in her best interests and would not alter her prognosis .
The hospital ’ s treatment plan involved what was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” with ward-based management , conventional oxygen therapy and no ICU admission or CPR , he outlined .
The woman ’ s family had expressed opposition to that plan and had argued she should be resuscitated if required but there was a more recent indication their position may alter and they had sought more information on the hospital ’ s proposals , he said .
The hospital ’ s application was being made in the clinical best interests of the woman and was not based on any consideration of scarce ICU resources , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports the woman lacks capacity to make decisions on her treatment , the hospital wanted orders directing an inquiry into whether she should be made a ward of court , he said .
Pending the inquiry , it wanted the interim orders allowing it treat the woman in accordance with what her clinicians considered in her best interests .
Mr Justice Mark Heslin said on Friday he was satisfied the evidence in this “ very difficult ” case was sufficient to trigger the court ’ s wardship jurisdiction and it was in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the interim orders .
He directed an independent medical doctor to assess of the woman ’ s capacity and returned the matter to next week .
He was told the woman ’ s family would participate in next week ’ s hearing .
In his ruling , the judge noted the doctors considered resuscitation or ventilation would be futile given the woman ’ s condition and prognosis and had potential to worsen that prognosis and cause irretrievable deterioration to her quality of life and unnecessary suffering which was “ impossible to justify ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Leahy said the woman has severe neurological damage as a result of acquired brain injury , extensive care needs and very compromised capacity .
She suffers from a range of conditions , is tube-fed , non-ambulant , sleeps some 22 hours daily and is doubly incontinent .
She was admitted to hospital from a nursing care unit last March after experiencing respiratory arrest and was ventilated .
She was again admitted to hospital earlier this month for surgical reasons and remains there .
Her treating clinician , and an intensive care medicine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the woman lacks the necessary capacity to understand and decide on her treatment .
Both agreed her prognosis is very poor and that CPR or ventilation should not be administered in the event of cardiac arrest or further respiratory failures .
The hospital wanted to have the necessary legal framework to treat the woman in line with the clinical view as to what is in her best interests and wardship would provide that framework , counsel said .

A hospital has secured interim High Court orders allowing it not to resuscitate a brain-injured woman, aged in her 50s, with “a litany of conditions” and a “very poor” prognosis.
David Leahy BL said it was a “grave” application for orders permitting clinicians not to ventilate or resuscitate the woman should she suffer cardiac arrest as they considered that would further deteriorate her already very compromised position, was not in her best interests and would not alter her prognosis.
The hospital’s treatment plan involved what was “likely to be end of life care” with ward-based management, conventional oxygen therapy and no ICU admission or CPR, he outlined.
The woman’s family had expressed opposition to that plan and had argued she should be resuscitated if required but there was a more recent indication their position may alter and they had sought more information on the hospital’s proposals, he said.
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The hospital’s application was being made in the clinical best interests of the woman and was not based on any consideration of scarce ICU resources, counsel stressed. On foot of medical reports the woman lacks capacity to make decisions on her treatment, the hospital wanted orders directing an inquiry into whether she should be made a ward of court, he said. Pending the inquiry, it wanted the interim orders allowing it treat the woman in accordance with what her clinicians considered in her best interests.
Mr Justice Mark Heslin said on Friday he was satisfied the evidence in this “very difficult” case was sufficient to trigger the court’s wardship jurisdiction and it was in the best interests of the woman to make the interim orders. He directed an independent medical doctor to assess of the woman’s capacity and returned the matter to next week.
He was told the woman’s family would participate in next week’s hearing. In his ruling, the judge noted the doctors considered resuscitation or ventilation would be futile given the woman’s condition and prognosis and had potential to worsen that prognosis and cause irretrievable deterioration to her quality of life and unnecessary suffering which was “impossible to justify”. Earlier, outlining the background, Mr Leahy said the woman has severe neurological damage as a result of acquired brain injury, extensive care needs and very compromised capacity.
She suffers from a range of conditions, is tube-fed, non-ambulant, sleeps some 22 hours daily and is doubly incontinent. She was admitted to hospital from a nursing care unit last March after experiencing respiratory arrest and was ventilated. She was again admitted to hospital earlier this month for surgical reasons and remains there.
Her treating clinician, and an intensive care medicine consultant, were both of the view the woman lacks the necessary capacity to understand and decide on her treatment. Both agreed her prognosis is very poor and that CPR or ventilation should not be administered in the event of cardiac arrest or further respiratory failures.
The hospital wanted to have the necessary legal framework to treat the woman in line with the clinical view as to what is in her best interests and wardship would provide that framework, counsel said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Cork primary school’s viral rap video wins European award

Even when the Eurovision is cancelled in the middle of a pandemic , Ireland finds a way to enter a song and win - just ask pupils at the tiny Cappabue National School in rural Cork .
As the world is immersed in the Covid-19 outbreak , 23 rapping primary school pupils whose hip hop video One Small Change scooped the top prize have helped remind everyone of the threat posed by global warming .
This week their online production surpassed 100,000 views and proved popular enough with the European Schoolvision network to win the lion ’ s share of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pupils ] are just over the moon , ” said principal Norma Healy .
“ A few things didn ’ t follow through [ because of ] Covid and all of that and this has kind of generated interest again.
” Ms Healy was referring to the children ’ s invitation to appear on the Good Morning America TV show to mark Earth Day last month and to meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in May , both of which were scuppered by the outbreak .
Instead it was a familiar European platform that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schoolvision is a network of schools across the continent who enter songs annually .
Although there are normally about 30 participants , circumstances this year pared that back to just 10 .
Even still , the One Small Change video was a standout entry - its high production value , hip hop take on environmental awareness saw pupils in the parish of Bantry rap about how to get back to green basics .
“ It would be wonderful just to make people aware , ” said Ms Healy .
“ We are hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal protective equipment ] and plastic gloves now which has to happen .
It [ environmental concerns ] is not going to go away and it will always be an issue .
”

One Small Change, was made by children at the two-teacher Cappabue National School, near Bantry in Co Cork, as a response to polluted beaches.
Even when the Eurovision is cancelled in the middle of a pandemic, Ireland finds a way to enter a song and win - just ask pupils at the tiny Cappabue National School in rural Cork.
As the world is immersed in the Covid-19 outbreak, 23 rapping primary school pupils whose hip hop video One Small Change scooped the top prize have helped remind everyone of the threat posed by global warming.
This week their online production surpassed 100,000 views and proved popular enough with the European Schoolvision network to win the lion’s share of votes on Thursday.
"[The pupils] are just over the moon," said principal Norma Healy. "A few things didn't follow through [because of] Covid and all of that and this has kind of generated interest again."
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Ms Healy was referring to the children's invitation to appear on the Good Morning America TV show to mark Earth Day last month and to meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in May, both of which were scuppered by the outbreak.
Standout entry
Instead it was a familiar European platform that would bring a renewed sense of achievement - Schoolvision is a network of schools across the continent who enter songs annually. Although there are normally about 30 participants, circumstances this year pared that back to just 10.
Even still, the One Small Change video was a standout entry - its high production value, hip hop take on environmental awareness saw pupils in the parish of Bantry rap about how to get back to green basics.
“It would be wonderful just to make people aware,” said Ms Healy. “We are hearing a lot about disposal of PPE [personal protective equipment] and plastic gloves now which has to happen. It [environmental concerns] is not going to go away and it will always be an issue.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Covid-19: Pregnant women report significant rise in anxiety

Anxiety in pregnant woman has increased due to Covid-19 , a study by the Coombe hospital , Dublin indicates .
In all 71 women in their second and third trimesters were surveyed during the first fortnight of the pandemic ’ s ‘ delay ’ phase in late March for the report .
It finds pregnant women are most concerned about their older relatives ( 83 per cent ) , followed by their other children ( 67 per cent ) and their unborn babies ( 63 per cent ) .
“ While they were least worried about themselves ( 51 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own health has risen by 34 per cent since before the pandemic ( up from 17 per cent ) , ” says lead author on the report , Dr Gillian Corbett .
The women were found to have made significant lifestyle changes at the onset of the pandemic and before full ‘ stay-at-home ’ guidance was issued , with 70 per cent changing their method of transport .
Some 35 per cent were self-isolating , 32 per cent staying home from work , and , 20 per cent began working from home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ registrar at the hospital , said : “ It is clear that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused anxiety among the pregnant population to rise .
Our patients are least concerned about their own health , but despite this , over half of women have significant health anxiety and government instruction on social distancing has resulted in major changes in behaviour among pregnant patients .
“ Pregnant women being under additional pressure may have indirect adverse effects on their physical and mental health .
It is critical to recognise this and support patients through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with simple strategies such as in this study leading to improved patient satisfaction and empowerment.
” Following the closure of schools 38 per cent of women needed additional support with childcare , while almost a quarter ( 24 per cent ) had to stay home from work as they had no support .
In all 11 per cent were receiving childcare support from parents and six per cent were sharing childcare with friends or colleagues .

Anxiety in pregnant woman has increased due to Covid-19 , a study by the Coombe hospital, Dublin indicates.
In all 71 women in their second and third trimesters were surveyed during the first fortnight of the pandemic’s ‘delay’ phase in late March for the report.
It finds pregnant women are most concerned about their older relatives (83 per cent), followed by their other children (67 per cent) and their unborn babies (63 per cent).
"While they were least worried about themselves (51 per cent), their concern for their own health has risen by 34 per cent since before the pandemic (up from 17 per cent),"says lead author on the report, Dr Gillian Corbett.
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The women were found to have made significant lifestyle changes at the onset of the pandemic and before full ‘stay-at-home’ guidance was issued, with 70 per cent changing their method of transport. Some 35 per cent were self-isolating, 32 per cent staying home from work, and, 20 per cent began working from home.
Dr Corbett, who is a junior registrar at the hospital, said: “It is clear that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused anxiety among the pregnant population to rise. Our patients are least concerned about their own health, but despite this, over half of women have significant health anxiety and government instruction on social distancing has resulted in major changes in behaviour among pregnant patients.
“Pregnant women being under additional pressure may have indirect adverse effects on their physical and mental health. It is critical to recognise this and support patients through the provision of accurate and up-to-date information, with simple strategies such as in this study leading to improved patient satisfaction and empowerment.”
Following the closure of schools 38 per cent of women needed additional support with childcare, while almost a quarter (24 per cent) had to stay home from work as they had no support.
In all 11 per cent were receiving childcare support from parents and six per cent were sharing childcare with friends or colleagues.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Skellig Michael will not open to visitors in 2020 due to Covid-19 concerns

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Skellig Michael , featured in scenes from the sci-fi trilogy Star Wars , will not open to visitors in 2020 because of Covid-19 concerns .
The Office of Public Workers ( OPW ) today announced that the site , scheduled to open on May 15th , will now remain closed to visitors in light of continuing restrictions governing the reopening of tourism locations .
The OPW and the Department of Culture , Heritage and Gaeltacht have said it was “ not feasible ” to maintain visitor and staff safety at the site and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coast of Kerry , must remain closed to visitors this summer .
A spokesman for the OPW said the journey to Skellig Michael is “ highly challenging when considering Covid-19 risks ” .
The island is only accessible to visitors by boat with vessels limited to 12 people and one trip per day only during the season .
“ On a mobile , constantly-moving platform like a boat , there are multiple touch and clutch points which passengers will hold onto and of course they all need direct assistance to safely board the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pier .
In these circumstances , prevention of virus transmission is extremely difficult , ” the spokesman added .
He noted that social distancing of visitors on the island would also be difficult to maintain due to narrow traffic routes for people going to the Monastery .
Risks to on-island guide staff were also a concern due to limited accommodation facilities which require staff to share washing and toilet facilities .
The likelihood of assisting and administering first aid to visitors who are unwell during their stay was also a concern .
Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Josepha Madigan , said : “ We understand the disappointment it will cause but , in the context of public health , the particular access arrangements for the Skellig Michael World Heritage property mean that there is no alternative but to make this decision for the safety of boatmen , visitors and OPW guides.
” The Skellig Experience Centre , located in Portmagee , has been closed to business since March 26th and management have confirmed that the Centre will also remain closed for the foreseeable future .
Thousands of tourists visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number going beyond what is “ environmentally sustainable ” for the sixth-century site in recent years due to the island ’ s fame as a setting in Star Wars .
The decision to remain closed to visitors for the rest of the season was taken “ extremely reluctantly ” by the OPW .
“ We are acutely conscious of the value of Skellig Michael to so many , including as a tourism attraction to the immediate area and indeed the whole of South Kerry , ” the spokesman said .
“ Obviously , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this will have but we have no other option but to interpret the public health guidelines as best we can to keep visitors and staff safe during this emergency .
”

A spokesman for the OPW said the journey to Skellig Michael is ‘highly challenging when considering Covid-19 risks’.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Skellig Michael, featured in scenes from the sci-fi trilogy Star Wars, will not open to visitors in 2020 because of Covid-19 concerns.
The Office of Public Workers (OPW) today announced that the site, scheduled to open on May 15th, will now remain closed to visitors in light of continuing restrictions governing the reopening of tourism locations.
The OPW and the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht have said it was “not feasible” to maintain visitor and staff safety at the site and that the Island, located 12km off the coast of Kerry, must remain closed to visitors this summer.
A spokesman for the OPW said the journey to Skellig Michael is “highly challenging when considering Covid-19 risks”. The island is only accessible to visitors by boat with vessels limited to 12 people and one trip per day only during the season.
READ MORE
“On a mobile, constantly-moving platform like a boat, there are multiple touch and clutch points which passengers will hold onto and of course they all need direct assistance to safely board the vessel and get off at the destination pier. In these circumstances, prevention of virus transmission is extremely difficult,” the spokesman added. He noted that social distancing of visitors on the island would also be difficult to maintain due to narrow traffic routes for people going to the Monastery.
Risks to on-island guide staff were also a concern due to limited accommodation facilities which require staff to share washing and toilet facilities. The likelihood of assisting and administering first aid to visitors who are unwell during their stay was also a concern.
Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, said: “We understand the disappointment it will cause but, in the context of public health, the particular access arrangements for the Skellig Michael World Heritage property mean that there is no alternative but to make this decision for the safety of boatmen, visitors and OPW guides.”
The Skellig Experience Centre, located in Portmagee, has been closed to business since March 26th and management have confirmed that the Centre will also remain closed for the foreseeable future.
Thousands of tourists visit Skellig Michael each year, with the number going beyond what is “environmentally sustainable” for the sixth-century site in recent years due to the island’s fame as a setting in Star Wars.
The decision to remain closed to visitors for the rest of the season was taken “extremely reluctantly” by the OPW. “We are acutely conscious of the value of Skellig Michael to so many, including as a tourism attraction to the immediate area and indeed the whole of South Kerry,” the spokesman said.
“Obviously, we are concerned at the economic impact that this will have but we have no other option but to interpret the public health guidelines as best we can to keep visitors and staff safe during this emergency.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Ban on hospitals testing samples from private consultants lifted after protests

A controversial ban on private hospitals , now run by the State , from testing samples for potential cancers submitted by consultants who have not signed a public patient-only contract , has been lifted following a change in position by the HSE .
Earlier this week the State Claims Agency ( SCA ) advised that specimens should not be accepted by private hospitals from medical specialists who had not signed up to the HSE ’ s proposed locum “ Type A ” contract to treat only public patients .
The SCA had said the move was on foot of guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening following strong criticism from Fianna Fáil and cancer specialists , the ban was lifted .
Informed sources said following a change to the HSE guidance , the SCA had extended indemnity to samples submitted to private hospitals by consultants who had not signed up to the contract to work only in the public system .
It is understood that the extension of indemnity by the SCA includes cases of pro bono work carried out by consultants where they had the approval of the hospital concerned .
In a notice on Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical indemnity scheme would provide cover for full-time private practice consultants who had signed a locum Type A contract , “ in respect of the examination of pathology slides/samples , radiology etc .
no matter where the referral originates ” .
It said the scheme would also cover such consultants in circumstances where , with the approval of the hospital concerned , they treated former private patients pro bono , as part of the continuity of care , whether in on-site or off-site private rooms .
The SCA said the scheme would provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed the Type A contract in respect of their pro bono treatment of public patients in a private hospital where they the had approval of the authorities there .
The SCA also said the clinical indemnity scheme would cover fully private consultants operating as part of an incorporated practice “ and where such consultants have agreed a contract of services with the hospital on terms similar to a locum Type A contract ” .
Fianna Fáil on Friday had called on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar or Minister for Health Simon Harris to instruct the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not to be tested from consultant doctors who had not accepted a proposed temporary contract to work only in the State system .
Fianna Fáil health spokesman Stephen Donnelly said it was “ outrageous and extremely dangerous for patients all over Ireland that the State would instruct histopathologists to not process biopsies sent in by some doctors .
“ This could have potentially fatal consequences for patients , ” he said .
A leading cancer specialist , consultant radiation oncologist at Galway Clinic Professor Frank Sullivan , also warned of the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of processing oncology slides .
Nearly 20 private hospitals have effectively been taken over the by the State for three months to deal with the current Covid-19 crisis .
However close to 300 private sector medical specialists have not signed up to work only in the State system .

Earlier this week the State Claims Agency advised that specimens should not be accepted by private hospitals from medical specialists who had not signed up to the HSE’s proposed locum ‘Type A’ contract. Photograph: iStock
A controversial ban on private hospitals, now run by the State, from testing samples for potential cancers submitted by consultants who have not signed a public patient-only contract, has been lifted following a change in position by the HSE.
Earlier this week the State Claims Agency (SCA)advised that specimens should not be accepted by private hospitals from medical specialists who had not signed up to the HSE's proposed locum "Type A" contract to treat only public patients. The SCA had said the move was on foot of guidance from the HSE.
However on Friday evening following strong criticism from Fianna Fáil and cancer specialists, the ban was lifted.
Informed sources said following a change to the HSE guidance, the SCA had extended indemnity to samples submitted to private hospitals by consultants who had not signed up to the contract to work only in the public system.
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It is understood that the extension of indemnity by the SCA includes cases of pro bono work carried out by consultants where they had the approval of the hospital concerned.
In a notice on Friday, the SCA said the State’s clinical indemnity scheme would provide cover for full-time private practice consultants who had signed a locum Type A contract, “in respect of the examination of pathology slides/samples, radiology etc. no matter where the referral originates”.
It said the scheme would also cover such consultants in circumstances where, with the approval of the hospital concerned, they treated former private patients pro bono, as part of the continuity of care, whether in on-site or off-site private rooms.
The SCA said the scheme would provide cover to private consultants who had not signed the Type A contract in respect of their pro bono treatment of public patients in a private hospital where they the had approval of the authorities there.
The SCA also said the clinical indemnity scheme would cover fully private consultants operating as part of an incorporated practice “and where such consultants have agreed a contract of services with the hospital on terms similar to a locum Type A contract”.
Fianna Fáil on Friday had called on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar or Minister for Health Simon Harris to instruct the SCA to reverse its position that biopsies were not to be tested from consultant doctors who had not accepted a proposed temporary contract to work only in the State system.
Fianna Fáil health spokesman Stephen Donnelly said it was "outrageous and extremely dangerous for patients all over Ireland that the State would instruct histopathologists to not process biopsies sent in by some doctors.
“This could have potentially fatal consequences for patients,” he said.
A leading cancer specialist, consultant radiation oncologist at Galway Clinic Professor Frank Sullivan, also warned of the "potential disaster" due to the delay of processing oncology slides.
Nearly 20 private hospitals have effectively been taken over the by the State for three months to deal with the current Covid-19 crisis. However close to 300 private sector medical specialists have not signed up to work only in the State system.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Man to appear in court on charges arising out of hit-and-run incident

A 74-year-old man is to appear before Cork Circuit Criminal Court later this year on four charges arising out of a hit-and-run incident in which a consultant psychiatrist was killed as he walked back to his hotel .
On Thursday Denis McSweeney of Pouladuff Road , Ballyphehane , Cork indicated guilty pleas to four charges before Cork District Court .
The charges relate to the death of 49-year-old Martin Lawlor on December 15th , 2018 on the Airport Road in Cork .
The case came before Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Friday but was not heard .
It was listed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A formal plea will have to be confirmed at Circuit Court level on that occasion .
McSweeney was charged with failing to stop his vehicle after an incident , failing to keep his vehicle at the scene of an accident , failing to report a traffic incident to gardaí and failing to give appropriate information to gardaí .
Defence solicitor , Frank Buttimer , said McSweeney was prepared to appear on signed pleas of guilty to all four counts .
McSweeney was remanded on bail to appear again on June 15th .
Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three and a native of Tralee , Co Kerry , died after he incurred fatal injuries after he was hit by a vehicle as he walked on the N27 Cork Airport Road at 5.30am .
He was walking back to the Airport Hotel when he was knocked down .
His family home was in Manchester but he worked for periods in Cork .
Dr Lawlor was the director of the Centre for Recovery and Social Inclusion in Ireland .
He was also the founder of State of Mind Ireland along with his sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known as a great champion of mental health .
He particularly advocated for increased awareness of the importance of mental health within sports and youth clubs .
When he died tributes came from among others Kerin O ’ Rahilly ’ s GAA Club in Tralee .
Dr Lawlor was a graduate of University College Dublin ( UCD ) and the Royal College of Psychiatrists .
He commenced employment with the HSE South in 2005 .

A 74-year-old man is to appear before Cork Circuit Criminal Court later this year on four charges arising out of a hit-and-run incident in which a consultant psychiatrist was killed as he walked back to his hotel.
On Thursday Denis McSweeney of Pouladuff Road, Ballyphehane, Cork indicated guilty pleas to four charges before Cork District Court. The charges relate to the death of 49-year-old Martin Lawlor on December 15th, 2018 on the Airport Road in Cork.
The case came before Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Friday but was not heard. It was listed for hearing on June 15th next.
A formal plea will have to be confirmed at Circuit Court level on that occasion.
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McSweeney was charged with failing to stop his vehicle after an incident, failing to keep his vehicle at the scene of an accident, failing to report a traffic incident to gardaí and failing to give appropriate information to gardaí.
Defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said McSweeney was prepared to appear on signed pleas of guilty to all four counts.
McSweeney was remanded on bail to appear again on June 15th.
Dr Lawlor, who was a father of three and a native of Tralee, Co Kerry, died after he incurred fatal injuries after he was hit by a vehicle as he walked on the N27 Cork Airport Road at 5.30am. He was walking back to the Airport Hotel when he was knocked down.
His family home was in Manchester but he worked for periods in Cork.
Dr Lawlor was the director of the Centre for Recovery and Social Inclusion in Ireland. He was also the founder of State of Mind Ireland along with his sister, Dr Susan Lawlor.
He was known as a great champion of mental health. He particularly advocated for increased awareness of the importance of mental health within sports and youth clubs.
When he died tributes came from among others Kerin O’Rahilly’s GAA Club in Tralee.
Dr Lawlor was a graduate of University College Dublin (UCD) and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. He commenced employment with the HSE South in 2005.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Man seeks orders for return of car from gardaí

A Dublin man has brought a High Court challenge over the seizure of his car by gardaí and refusal to return it .
Ryan Byrne from St Teresa ’ s Road Crumlin has brought judicial review proceedings against the Garda Commissioner and the Superintendent of Enniscorthy Garda Station arising out of the seizure and retention of his car following his arrest in Dublin on April 16th last .
Mr Byrne , who was detained in respect of an allegation of false imprisonment , was released from Crumlin Station on April 17th .
His vehicle was also seized as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Co Wexford .
He was informed he could return on April 18th to get his car back but , on his return , he claims he was informed by gardaí the vehicle could not be released without permission of a Garda Sergeant from Gorey , Co Wexford .
His solicitor Tony Collier wrote to the superintendent in Enniscorthy Garda Station seeking the return of the car , which the court heard remains in Dublin .
Colman Fitzgerald SC , with Karl Monahan BL , said , despite several requests for the car ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle .
Mr Byrne , who is unemployed , is prejudiced by that and requires the car for family reasons , in particular to pick up medicine for his asthmatic three year old son , counsel said .
The Covid-19 pandemic has made it unsafe for the child to be in public , counsel added .
In his action , Mr Byrne seeks orders compelling the Commissioner and the Superintendent to either return the car to him or disclose the legal basis for it being withheld .
He also seeks a declaration his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damages .
Permission to bring the challenge was granted , on an ex-parte basis , by Mr Justice Michael Quinn , and the matter was returned to later this month .

Ryan Byrne seeks orders from the court compelling the Commissioner and the Superintendent to either return the car to him or disclose the legal basis for it being withheld.
A Dublin man has brought a High Court challenge over the seizure of his car by gardaí and refusal to return it.
Ryan Byrne from St Teresa’s Road Crumlin has brought judicial review proceedings against the Garda Commissioner and the Superintendent of Enniscorthy Garda Station arising out of the seizure and retention of his car following his arrest in Dublin on April 16th last.
Mr Byrne, who was detained in respect of an allegation of false imprisonment, was released from Crumlin Station on April 17th. His vehicle was also seized as part of that investigation being conducted by gardaí in Co Wexford.
He was informed he could return on April 18th to get his car back but, on his return, he claims he was informed by gardaí the vehicle could not be released without permission of a Garda Sergeant from Gorey, Co Wexford.
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His solicitor Tony Collier wrote to the superintendent in Enniscorthy Garda Station seeking the return of the car, which the court heard remains in Dublin. Colman Fitzgerald SC, with Karl Monahan BL, said, despite several requests for the car’s return, gardaí have retained the vehicle.
Mr Byrne, who is unemployed, is prejudiced by that and requires the car for family reasons, in particular to pick up medicine for his asthmatic three year old son, counsel said. The Covid-19 pandemic has made it unsafe for the child to be in public, counsel added.
In his action, Mr Byrne seeks orders compelling the Commissioner and the Superintendent to either return the car to him or disclose the legal basis for it being withheld. He also seeks a declaration his property rights have been infringed, and damages. Permission to bring the challenge was granted, on an ex-parte basis, by Mr Justice Michael Quinn, and the matter was returned to later this month.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--New guidance will help dentists reopen safely for routine services - Harris

State public officials have published new guidelines for dentists to manage infection control that Minister for Health Simon Harris has said will allow them to reopen for routine services .
Dentists have only been permitted to offer emergency treatments during the lockdown and are set to reopen for routine services either after the first phase of reopening on Monday or shortly afterwards under the Government ’ s plan , according to the Irish Dental Council .
The council said it would consider the revised guidance when it meets shortly .
It was unable to say when this meeting would take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) published a 14-page revised guidance document for dentists on Friday afternoon on how to manage dental practices to prevent the spread of Covid-19 .
Speaking at a Government press conference approving the first wave of lockdown relaxations from Monday , Mr Harris said the expert guidance on reopening to routine services would “ enable dentistry to recommence in a safe manner ” .
The new guidance for dentists includes a recommendation on the use of a Perspex screen at dental surgery receptions .
Health officials have also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aerosol-generating procedures and advice to wear a mask and eye protection when using them .
The Irish Dental Association said the guidance would help dentists reopen and “ allows the possibility of more treatments being provided subject to the dentists following this guidance ” .
Fintan Hourihan , chief executive of the association , said there may be some dentists who “ would not be as ready as they like to reopen from Monday because they are only just seeing the official guidance , ” but he expects most to be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved .
Mr Hourihan , who represents 2,000 dentists , said that there would be “ a backlog ” for patients waiting to be seen and they were “ not all going to be accommodated on Monday ” .
“ Inevitably there is going to be a backlog and that dentists will have to prioritise , ” he said .
Mr Harris met the dental association on Friday morning along with senior HSE official Professor Martin Cormican , who is the lead adviser on the revised guidance .
The dental sector has raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment and FFP2 face masks - a higher medical grade of mask than normally used - and funding supports for dentists who are struggling due to practice closures or reduced services .
There is concern that the general shortage of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) during the coronavirus pandemic may prevent some dental surgeries from recommencing regular services .
Mr Hourihan said the Minister had suggested dentists may be able to avail of the Department of Business Covid-19 “ restart ” grant .
But he told the Minister nearly a third of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Covid-19 temporary subsidy scheme had been unsuccessful , and 71 per cent of practices that applied for other financial support packages had been unsuccessful .
Mr Hourihan told the minister the Covid-19 pandemic has had “ a horrendous effect ” on the profession as incomes had fallen dramatically in the lockdown .
The HSE is still assessing PPE required by dentists .
A spokeswoman for the health service said it had received a request for PPE from the dental profession and that it would complete a review of the demand for both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
“ This exercise , and the associated approvals process , will allow us to determine the extent to which we can meet the demand , ” she said .
“ Notwithstanding the challenging procurement environment in which we are operating , we are intent on supporting this request to the very best of our ability .
”

Dentists are finding it increasingly difficult to cope during the Covid-19 pandemic, lacking the State funding available to other medical professionals. Dental practices must also source and pay for their own PPE. Video: John Cassidy
Dentists will be able to reopen for routine services if they can adhere to newly published infection control guidance, the Department of Health has confirmed.
The department said dental practices would be able to provide regular treatments again next week after being closed – except for emergency treatments during the lockdown – if they can follow the guidance published on Friday by the State’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
The exact timing of the opening of dental practices for routine dentistry had not been clear with the Irish Dental Council previously saying practices would be able to reopen on Monday with the first wave of restriction relaxations or shortly afterwards.
Dentists had been awaiting further advice from the council, the regulator of the profession, or the Department of Health’s National Public Health Emergency Team.
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The Irish Dental Council said it would consider the revised guidance when it meets shortly. It was unable to say when this meeting would take place.
The State’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) published a 14-page revised guidance document for dentists on Friday afternoon on how to manage dental practices to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Speaking at a Government press conference approving the first wave of lockdown relaxations from Monday, Mr Harris said the expert guidance on reopening to routine services would “enable dentistry to recommence in a safe manner”.
The new guidance for dentists includes a recommendation on the use of a Perspex screen at dental surgery receptions.
Health officials have also removed a previous recommendation not to use aerosol-generating procedures and advice to wear a mask and eye protection when using them.
Guidance
The Irish Dental Association said the guidance would help dentists reopen and "allows the possibility of more treatments being provided subject to the dentists following this guidance".
Fintan Hourihan, chief executive of the association, said there may be some dentists who “would not be as ready as they like to reopen from Monday because they are only just seeing the official guidance,” but he expects most to be able to restart routine services next week once officially approved.
Mr Hourihan, who represents 2,000 dentists, said that there would be “a backlog” for patients waiting to be seen and they were “not all going to be accommodated on Monday”.
“Inevitably there is going to be a backlog and that dentists will have to prioritise,” he said.
Mr Harris met the dental association on Friday morning along with senior HSE official Professor Martin Cormican, who is the lead adviser on the revised guidance.
The dental sector has raised concerns about the availability of personal protective equipment and FFP2 face masks - a higher medical grade of mask than normally used - and funding supports for dentists who are struggling due to practice closures or reduced services.
There is concern that the general shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus pandemic may prevent some dental surgeries from recommencing regular services.
Mr Hourihan said the Minister had suggested dentists may be able to avail of the Department of Business Covid-19 “restart” grant.
But he told the Minister nearly a third of practices that applied for the Government’s Covid-19 temporary subsidy scheme had been unsuccessful, and 71 per cent of practices that applied for other financial support packages had been unsuccessful.
Mr Hourihan told the minister the Covid-19 pandemic has had “a horrendous effect” on the profession as incomes had fallen dramatically in the lockdown.
The HSE is still assessing PPE required by dentists. A spokeswoman for the health service said it had received a request for PPE from the dental profession and that it would complete a review of the demand for both public and private dentists in the coming days.
“This exercise, and the associated approvals process, will allow us to determine the extent to which we can meet the demand,” she said.
“Notwithstanding the challenging procurement environment in which we are operating, we are intent on supporting this request to the very best of our ability.”