theirishtimes--2020-02-08--Thinking Anew – The light of the world

Thinking Anew – The light of the world

In 1992 John Kenneth Galbraith launched his book The Culture of Contentment in the Anglican Cathedral in New York .
Galbraith was one of the foremost economists of his generation and among other things had been Warburg professor of economics at Harvard University and American ambassador to India .
He was also one of a small group who met President Roosevelt in the White House in 1941 as America planned its response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor .
Referencing the theme of his book , he spoke about what influenced people in elections .
He acknowledged the genuine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less well-off , those who were homeless or unable to access decent healthcare because they did not have the money .
The electorate , Galbraith said , were genuinely troubled about such matters and believed that “ they ” , meaning the government , “ should do something about it ; oh , and by the way , don ’ t increase taxes ” .
In other words , do it but don ’ t ask us to pay for it .
That would be a key factor in their electoral decisions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been making all sorts of commitments to deal with the issues that concern us .
They do so because that is what we want to hear and we , the concerned , demand action on behalf of the sick on hospital trolleys , the homeless including children , the young houseless , the hungry and all the other needs , but we are not concerned enough to provide the funding to meet those needs and governments can only spend what we are willing to give .
Tomorrow ’ s readings speak to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the neighbourhood and the world .
The reading from Isaiah rejects religious rituals that are self-serving and fail to address the needs of others .
He instances religious fasting which ignores the needs of the hungry and homeless : “ Is not this the fast that I choose .
.
.
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry , and bring the homeless poor into your house ; when you see the naked , to cover them , and not to hide yourself from your own kin ?
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted , then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
” This Old Testament theme is developed in the Gospel reading where Jesus designates his community of faithful followers as the light of the world – expected to practise rather than just talk about love of God and love of neighbour .
The Benedictine author Hubert van Zeller wrote : “ The world may be in darkness , but this should not upset us .
Christ is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we bring this truth into the context of our own experience , we must know that light inaccessible has invited us to enter into this light .
He has asked us not merely to reflect it but to be it.
” Being that light is rarely glamorous and often dangerous as we are reminded by this year ’ s Costa Book award to Jack Fairweather for The Volunteer , a biography of a Polish resistance fighter called Witold Pilecki .
This is significant in this 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ devout Catholic and patriot infiltrated the Auschwitz camp to gain evidence to convince the world of its horrors .
After two years as an inmate , he escaped and provided detailed information of the scale of the atrocities being perpetrated there .
He would later be executed by the communist regime in 1948 .
Jack Fairweather dedicated his book to Pilecki ’ s children , who while very young , heard of their father ’ s execution as “ a traitor and enemy of the state ” over the tannoy system as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they thought of their father for the next 50 years .
They knew nothing of his work in Auschwitz ; that he had in such a courageous way been the light of the world in that very dark place .

In 1992 John Kenneth Galbraith launched his book The Culture of Contentment in the Anglican Cathedral in New York. Galbraith was one of the foremost economists of his generation and among other things had been Warburg professor of economics at Harvard University and American ambassador to India. He was also one of a small group who met President Roosevelt in the White House in 1941 as America planned its response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Referencing the theme of his book, he spoke about what influenced people in elections. He acknowledged the genuine concerns people in America had for the less well-off, those who were homeless or unable to access decent healthcare because they did not have the money. The electorate, Galbraith said, were genuinely troubled about such matters and believed that “they”, meaning the government, “should do something about it; oh, and by the way, don’t increase taxes”. In other words, do it but don’t ask us to pay for it. That would be a key factor in their electoral decisions. For the past few weeks politicians have been making all sorts of commitments to deal with the issues that concern us. They do so because that is what we want to hear and we, the concerned, demand action on behalf of the sick on hospital trolleys, the homeless including children, the young houseless, the hungry and all the other needs, but we are not concerned enough to provide the funding to meet those needs and governments can only spend what we are willing to give.
Tomorrow’s readings speak to our duty as Christians to reach beyond self to the neighbourhood and the world. The reading from Isaiah rejects religious rituals that are self-serving and fail to address the needs of others. He instances religious fasting which ignores the needs of the hungry and homeless: “Is not this the fast that I choose . . . Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? . . . if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.”
This Old Testament theme is developed in the Gospel reading where Jesus designates his community of faithful followers as the light of the world – expected to practise rather than just talk about love of God and love of neighbour.
READ MORE
The Benedictine author Hubert van Zeller wrote: “The world may be in darkness, but this should not upset us. Christ is the light of the world. If we bring this truth into the context of our own experience, we must know that light inaccessible has invited us to enter into this light. He has asked us not merely to reflect it but to be it.”
Being that light is rarely glamorous and often dangerous as we are reminded by this year’s Costa Book award to Jack Fairweather for The Volunteer, a biography of a Polish resistance fighter called Witold Pilecki. This is significant in this 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The book tells how Pilecki, a devout Catholic and patriot infiltrated the Auschwitz camp to gain evidence to convince the world of its horrors. After two years as an inmate, he escaped and provided detailed information of the scale of the atrocities being perpetrated there. He would later be executed by the communist regime in 1948.
Jack Fairweather dedicated his book to Pilecki’s children, who while very young, heard of their father’s execution as “a traitor and enemy of the state” over the tannoy system as they sat in school. That is how they thought of their father for the next 50 years. They knew nothing of his work in Auschwitz; that he had in such a courageous way been the light of the world in that very dark place.


theirishtimes--2020-02-08--City farming: ‘No Dub is more than a couple of generations from the land’

“ Every time I see that patch of land , it screams ‘ farm ’ to me , ” says Stephen Hayden .
If you had just met him , you might think he was a bit touched .
He is looking at a vacant site , where the Joseph Plunkett Tower – the last of Ballymun ’ s failed apartment blocks to be demolished – once stood .
Not exactly where you expect to imagine an agricultural idyll .
But if you had spent a couple of hours walking the area with him , and meeting a dozen other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ballymun City Farm Project , you might begin seeing visions of flourishing livestock and cultivation on this monotonous grass desert yourself .
Hayden , like many Ballymun natives , believes that the area ’ s regeneration plan , while it has brought greatly improved housing to the area , was crippled by the 2008 crash , and has not recovered yet .
Troubled as Ballymun had often been , everyone I speak to recalls a lively village atmosphere , now vanished , around the old shopping centre .
This area was cleared , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community were largely shelved .
It was the price Ballymun paid for bailing out the bondholders .
The farm project is an ambitious effort to restore that heart , and get it beating again .
Hayden is a civil servant , but he has a background in horticulture .
He has given many classes in the nearby Meakstown allotments , and in the very successful community garden , Muck and Magic , still right on the main road through the old part of the town .
Meanwhile , Michael Keating , bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had set up the Ballymun Wildlife Facebook group , where he and other members celebrate the remarkable plant , bird and animal life in and around the area .
They and others formed a committee , chaired by Hayden , to promote green infrastructure in the area .
A proposal to establish another community garden failed , but this set-back engendered the much more adventurous plan to set up a “ city farm ” .
The group was inspired by the success of city farms in the UK , especially their role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research shows that urban agriculture brings remarkable health and wellbeing benefits to local communities .
It also often attracts thousands of visitors to places that previously had a very negative image with outsiders .
Hayden and his colleagues argue that the farm project fills in gaps already identified by the council in its local area plan and retail study : “ The retail study identified several of the weaknesses in the area impacting on social and economic regeneration , ” says Hayden .
“ Our approach was to identify the various strengths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city council ’ s own view of what can be achieved through green infrastructure .
“ The regeneration project has been ongoing for 22 years now without having achieved any real economic regeneration in the area , ” he believes .
This is despite the investment of almost €1 billion since 1998 .
“ As local residents we want to contribute to achieving the social and economic regeneration of our community and we believe that a city farm can contribute.
” The council agreed to fund research on the farm project .
Innovate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February 2019 .
The committee has now canvassed more than 40 local groups , from housing co-ops to disability support networks , from nursery schools to craft groups , as well as public representatives across the political spectrum .
Hayden says almost everyone has been supportive .
And one section of the farm already exists , but in a different place .
Muck and Magic ’ s current site will soon vanish under new housing .
Its organisers have agreed to move lock , stock and barrel to the farm if the project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a decision from the council shortly .
The project is strongly rooted in a sense of the area ’ s history .
“ No Dub is more than a couple of generations from the land , ” says Hayden .
Keating remembers doing summer jobs on a farm on the edge of old Ballymun as a teenager .
The neighbouring DCU campus was a national agricultural college for many decades .
Kids in the area still have a fascination with horses , and it irks Hayden that this is often seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Castleknock have stables and go horse-riding , and everyone thinks that is grand , ” he says dryly .
He recently planted a small , bee-friendly biodiversity patch in the middle of a dull green space beside a community centre .
Local children almost mobbed him to be allowed to help dig , plant and fence it .
Contrary to the common assumption that everything new and unprotected gets vandalised in troubled areas , the patch remains intact , and litter free , a year later .
“ People take ownership of something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I think , Hayden says , “ that access to a farm with animals and plants will break down the disconnect between urban children and the food they eat.
” Keating stresses that the farm will be ringed by a nature walk , so that the farm offers access to native plants and birds as well as to agricultural crops , pigs , sheep and cattle .
Our few and threatened native breeds will feature among the farm animals .
Hayden points out that the Ballymun farm , unlike the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ park , Raheny , will sit in the midst of dense housing .
According to the blueprint , new homes will back directly onto the farm .
He says these houses will be in high demand , as they will have green space and animals just over their back walls .
The plan also highlights the potential for the myriad patrons of Ikea to consider visiting Ballymun as a break from shopping .
Ballymun centre already has the Axis Theatre , and the remarkable Rediscovery Centre for the Circular Economy .
But outsiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these venues .
The hope is that the farm will provide a magnet to keep people in the area a little longer , spending time ( and money ) locally .
Hayden also believes that the farm could be a vital link between an extended Santry greenway and the nearby green hubs of the National Botanic Gardens and Glasnevin Cemetery and Museum .
That ’ s certainly an attractive and different vision for Dublin ’ s much maligned north side .
But for Hayden and Keating , their core mission is provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbours can walk , meet , and socialise , while learning about food production and wildlife .
Women from the Sillogue Neighbourhood Centre Craft and Chat group tell The Irish Times about their hopes for the Ballymun Farm Project : “ The farm will make parents more secure in giving their children freedom ; it will mean you can bring your children to a safe place where they can still go a bit wild.
” “ I ’ d love my grandson to get the chance to bucket-feed a calf.
” “ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance to see that they can learn , and enjoying learning , doing practical things , like horticulture.
” “ My dad was a dairy farmer , he would have loved to see this opportunity for his grandchildren to re-connect with his way of life.
” “ As a non-driver , and with buses so expensive , it would be wonderful to have a place where we can bring local children that ’ s in walking distance of their homes.
” “ There ’ s nowhere for people to meet here now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ café will be very important as a social centre .
”

“Every time I see that patch of land, it screams ‘farm’ to me,” says Stephen Hayden.
If you had just met him, you might think he was a bit touched. He is looking at a vacant site, where the Joseph Plunkett Tower – the last of Ballymun’s failed apartment blocks to be demolished – once stood. Not exactly where you expect to imagine an agricultural idyll.
But if you had spent a couple of hours walking the area with him, and meeting a dozen other locals who share his passion for the Ballymun City Farm Project, you might begin seeing visions of flourishing livestock and cultivation on this monotonous grass desert yourself.
Hayden, like many Ballymun natives, believes that the area’s regeneration plan, while it has brought greatly improved housing to the area, was crippled by the 2008 crash, and has not recovered yet.
READ MORE
Troubled as Ballymun had often been, everyone I speak to recalls a lively village atmosphere, now vanished, around the old shopping centre.
This area was cleared, but plans to rebuild the heart of the community were largely shelved. It was the price Ballymun paid for bailing out the bondholders. The farm project is an ambitious effort to restore that heart, and get it beating again.
The site for the proposed Ballymun City Farm Project.
Community benefits
Hayden is a civil servant, but he has a background in horticulture. He has given many classes in the nearby Meakstown allotments, and in the very successful community garden, Muck and Magic, still right on the main road through the old part of the town.
Meanwhile, Michael Keating, bus driver, fellow gardener, and photographer, had set up the Ballymun Wildlife Facebook group, where he and other members celebrate the remarkable plant, bird and animal life in and around the area.
They and others formed a committee, chaired by Hayden, to promote green infrastructure in the area. A proposal to establish another community garden failed, but this set-back engendered the much more adventurous plan to set up a “city farm”.
The group was inspired by the success of city farms in the UK, especially their role in areas of acute social deprivation. Research shows that urban agriculture brings remarkable health and wellbeing benefits to local communities. It also often attracts thousands of visitors to places that previously had a very negative image with outsiders.
People take ownership of something like this, given the right opportunity
Hayden and his colleagues argue that the farm project fills in gaps already identified by the council in its local area plan and retail study: “The retail study identified several of the weaknesses in the area impacting on social and economic regeneration,” says Hayden.
“Our approach was to identify the various strengths in the area and match them with the city council’s own view of what can be achieved through green infrastructure.
“The regeneration project has been ongoing for 22 years now without having achieved any real economic regeneration in the area,” he believes. This is despite the investment of almost €1 billion since 1998.
“As local residents we want to contribute to achieving the social and economic regeneration of our community and we believe that a city farm can contribute.”
History
The council agreed to fund research on the farm project. Innovate Dublin Communities produced a detailed blueprint in February 2019. The committee has now canvassed more than 40 local groups, from housing co-ops to disability support networks, from nursery schools to craft groups, as well as public representatives across the political spectrum.
Hayden says almost everyone has been supportive. And one section of the farm already exists, but in a different place. Muck and Magic’s current site will soon vanish under new housing.
Its organisers have agreed to move lock, stock and barrel to the farm if the project gets a green light. Hayden hopes to have a decision from the council shortly.
Hayden points out that the Ballymun farm, unlike the one recently opened in St Anne's park, Raheny, will sit in the midst of dense housing
The project is strongly rooted in a sense of the area’s history. “No Dub is more than a couple of generations from the land,” says Hayden. Keating remembers doing summer jobs on a farm on the edge of old Ballymun as a teenager. The neighbouring DCU campus was a national agricultural college for many decades.
Kids in the area still have a fascination with horses, and it irks Hayden that this is often seen as a problem. “Children in Castleknock have stables and go horse-riding, and everyone thinks that is grand,” he says dryly.
He recently planted a small, bee-friendly biodiversity patch in the middle of a dull green space beside a community centre. Local children almost mobbed him to be allowed to help dig, plant and fence it. Contrary to the common assumption that everything new and unprotected gets vandalised in troubled areas, the patch remains intact, and litter free, a year later.
“People take ownership of something like this, given the right opportunity.”
“I think, Hayden says, “that access to a farm with animals and plants will break down the disconnect between urban children and the food they eat.”
Green link
Keating stresses that the farm will be ringed by a nature walk, so that the farm offers access to native plants and birds as well as to agricultural crops, pigs, sheep and cattle. Our few and threatened native breeds will feature among the farm animals.
Hayden points out that the Ballymun farm, unlike the one recently opened in St Anne’s park, Raheny, will sit in the midst of dense housing. According to the blueprint, new homes will back directly onto the farm. He says these houses will be in high demand, as they will have green space and animals just over their back walls.
The plan also highlights the potential for the myriad patrons of Ikea to consider visiting Ballymun as a break from shopping.
Ballymun centre already has the Axis Theatre, and the remarkable Rediscovery Centre for the Circular Economy. But outsiders usually “parachute” in and out of these venues. The hope is that the farm will provide a magnet to keep people in the area a little longer, spending time (and money) locally.
Hayden also believes that the farm could be a vital link between an extended Santry greenway and the nearby green hubs of the National Botanic Gardens and Glasnevin Cemetery and Museum.
That’s certainly an attractive and different vision for Dublin’s much maligned north side. But for Hayden and Keating, their core mission is provide a lively green outdoor space where their neighbours can walk, meet, and socialise, while learning about food production and wildlife.
Voices from the community
Women from the Sillogue Neighbourhood Centre Craft and Chat group tell The Irish Times about their hopes for the Ballymun Farm Project:
“The farm will make parents more secure in giving their children freedom; it will mean you can bring your children to a safe place where they can still go a bit wild.”
“I’d love my grandson to get the chance to bucket-feed a calf.”
“It will give kids who are not academic a chance to see that they can learn, and enjoying learning, doing practical things, like horticulture.”
“My dad was a dairy farmer, he would have loved to see this opportunity for his grandchildren to re-connect with his way of life.”
“As a non-driver, and with buses so expensive, it would be wonderful to have a place where we can bring local children that’s in walking distance of their homes.”
“There’s nowhere for people to meet here now except the local Spar. The farm café will be very important as a social centre.”
“It will make us a village again.”
[ dublincityfarm.ie ]


theirishtimes--2020-02-07--Cork can become European Green Capital by 2025, says Cork Chamber president

Cork has the potential to be declared European Green Capital by 2025 with proper political and business support over the next five years , president of Cork Chamber , Paula Cogan told Friday night ’ s annual chamber dinner .
Ms Cogan said there was no reason why , with proper planning and investment , Cork could not join cities such as Stockholm , Bristol , Copenhagen , Hamburg and Oslo in becoming a European Green Capital .
Only the second woman to serve as president of Cork Chamber , Ms Cogan said she was challenging government and business , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to work to ensure Cork wins the award .
Ms Cogan said winning the European Green Capital should not be an end goal for Cork but rather a means of measuring first steps which would enable Leeside to differentiate itself internationally and be competitive .
“ Fifteen years ago , 80 percent of people said they chose a company or job before a location , ” she told the 1,000 guests at Cork City Hall , which included Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Fianna Fáil leader , Micheál Martin .
“ Today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose the company or the job .
Quality of life , place-making ( the planning design and management of public spaces ) culture and economic resilience are the defining factors , ” she added .
Ms Cogan said it was vital that sustainable infrastructure projects were delivered on time if Ireland is to retain its competitiveness , particularly with regard to attracting foreign direct investment .
She pointed out that 14,000 additional people have chosen to build their careers in FDI companies in Cork over the past 9 years and countless thousands have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Companies have chosen to invest , their people have chosen to live here , their families to grow here .
We must continue , to invest in our value add , our talent , our creativity and the strong foundations that uphold this City region.
” Ms Cogan warned about the dangers of what she described as “ a pious objection culture ” which is blocking progress , and she called for strong leadership and teamwork to help overcome such a culture .
“ The race is competitive , yet we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and go .
Our neighbours become the global leaders in offshore wind while our power plants creak .
“ We talk about public transport but build no bus lanes .
We set density targets , but we don ’ t enhance construction viability .
Cork slowly begins to sprawl .
If we want to stop playing like amateurs we need to stop acting like amateurs.
” She said if over the lifespan of the next national Government and current local government , “ we do not comprehensively deliver cycle and public transport infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ms Cogan said Ireland and Cork would benefit from plans such as Ireland 2040 , The National Development Plan and the National Spatial Strategy but they needed to be delivered upon .
“ Tortuous planning and funding delays already frustrate progress on existing commitments .
We need game changers now .
We can not afford as a society , as an economy , or environmentally to roll back on progress.
” She said the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy contains €3.5 billion for sustainable transport in Cork .
“ This is welcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million now to deliver quick wins after a decade of under-investment , ” she said .
“ Tomorrow we go to the polls and in time we will have a new Government .
Their every move will be judged .
Ireland must win .
And a successful , progressive , and sustainable Cork is the metric that will define us .
”

Cork has the potential to be declared European Green Capital by 2025 with proper political and business support over the next five years, president of Cork Chamber, Paula Cogan told Friday night's annual chamber dinner.
Ms Cogan said there was no reason why, with proper planning and investment, Cork could not join cities such as Stockholm, Bristol, Copenhagen, Hamburg and Oslo in becoming a European Green Capital.
Only the second woman to serve as president of Cork Chamber, Ms Cogan said she was challenging government and business, as well as all the various stakeholders, to work to ensure Cork wins the award.
Ms Cogan said winning the European Green Capital should not be an end goal for Cork but rather a means of measuring first steps which would enable Leeside to differentiate itself internationally and be competitive.
READ MORE
"Fifteen years ago, 80 percent of people said they chose a company or job before a location," she told the 1,000 guests at Cork City Hall, which included Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin.
“Today, 64 percent choose the city before they choose the company or the job. Quality of life, place-making (the planning design and management of public spaces) culture and economic resilience are the defining factors,” she added.
Ms Cogan said it was vital that sustainable infrastructure projects were delivered on time if Ireland is to retain its competitiveness, particularly with regard to attracting foreign direct investment.
She pointed out that 14,000 additional people have chosen to build their careers in FDI companies in Cork over the past 9 years and countless thousands have joined the momentum of indigenous Irish innovators.
“Companies have chosen to invest, their people have chosen to live here, their families to grow here. We must continue, to invest in our value add, our talent, our creativity and the strong foundations that uphold this City region.”
Ms Cogan warned about the dangers of what she described as “a pious objection culture” which is blocking progress, and she called for strong leadership and teamwork to help overcome such a culture.
“The race is competitive, yet we are training like amateurs. Timelines come and go. Our neighbours become the global leaders in offshore wind while our power plants creak.
“We talk about public transport but build no bus lanes. We set density targets, but we don’t enhance construction viability. Cork slowly begins to sprawl. If we want to stop playing like amateurs we need to stop acting like amateurs.”
She said if over the lifespan of the next national Government and current local government, “we do not comprehensively deliver cycle and public transport infrastructure and services, we have lost”.
Ms Cogan said Ireland and Cork would benefit from plans such as Ireland 2040, The National Development Plan and the National Spatial Strategy but they needed to be delivered upon.
“Tortuous planning and funding delays already frustrate progress on existing commitments. We need game changers now. We cannot afford as a society, as an economy, or environmentally to roll back on progress.”
She said the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy contains €3.5 billion for sustainable transport in Cork.
“This is welcome, but Cork needs the first €500 million now to deliver quick wins after a decade of under-investment,” she said.
“Tomorrow we go to the polls and in time we will have a new Government. Their every move will be judged. Ireland must win. And a successful, progressive, and sustainable Cork is the metric that will define us.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-07--Government will only make final decision on Dart project when all costs are known

Warnings that the bill for upgrading and electrifying the commuter rail lines into Dublin – one of the Government ’ s key transport programmes – is running potentially hundreds of millions above the initial budget provisions will immediately prompt comparisons with the national children ’ s hospital .
However , there are some major differences .
The €450 million or 46 per cent overrun on the hospital project since it received Government approval in April 2017 involves real money , while the costs of the Dart expansion programme are at this stage projections .
Yet there are some parallels ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in advance of completion , without the exact level of construction inflation for the period being known , and with designs not fully finalised .
New spending rules announced by Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe in December mean that in future a final decision on a major public capital project will only be given by the government when the tendered cost is known and figures are available for all associated risks .
Final designs for the overall Dart expansion plan are not yet near completion .
While design work for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process for the Kildare line is under way , this has not yet started in relation to the northern and southeastern rail routes .
The National Transport Authority ( NTA ) said on Friday that the Dart expansion scheme would “ have to be designed first , before a detailed delivery programme and a detailed funding profile can be finalised ” .
Ultimately it will be up to the next government to give the go ahead or otherwise to the project once all the figures are in .
However , what seems clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significantly higher than the €2 billion allocation set out in the National Development Plan .
The aim of the Dart expansion plan is to transform rail capacity in the Greater Dublin Area at a time when many services are already facing serious overcrowding – with passenger numbers across the network increasing by over 5 per cent annually in recent years .
Demand is expected to continue to increase strongly along with population growth in the years ahead .
Rail lines from Drogheda , Maynooth and Celbridge to Dublin city centre are to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would also be a significant increase in rolling stock as well as upgraded signalling systems and junctions .
Within Irish Rail it is now estimated that the overall project will cost €2.609 billion or €600 million more than set out in the National development Plan .
It is also believed that the full scale of the Dart expansion programme will not be delivered before 2027 .
This represents an increase in the projected cost of more than €200 million on estimates drawn up as recently as May of last year .
The increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher than the 2.5 per cent previously forecast and the €49 million higher cost for 41 new train carriages announced by Minister for Transport Shane Ross several months ago .
However , these estimates are considered to be high-level forecasts , and there are risks that the costs involved could rise significantly as the design process evolves , if inflation increases further or in the event of planning delays .
There is also likely to be uncertainty around the exact cost of new trains to be purchased as part of the project until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preferred manufacturer .
The Irish Times also reported on Friday that there were concerns that proposals to relocate the existing rail stations at Docklands to a new site at Spencer Dock , which is being examined by the NTA , could add an additional €100 million to the final bill .

Warnings that the bill for upgrading and electrifying the commuter rail lines into Dublin – one of the Government’s key transport programmes – is running potentially hundreds of millions above the initial budget provisions will immediately prompt comparisons with the national children’s hospital. However, there are some major differences.
The €450 million or 46 per cent overrun on the hospital project since it received Government approval in April 2017 involves real money, while the costs of the Dart expansion programme are at this stage projections.
Yet there are some parallels; both projects saw financial estimates being made years in advance of completion, without the exact level of construction inflation for the period being known, and with designs not fully finalised.
New spending rules announced by Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe in December mean that in future a final decision on a major public capital project will only be given by the government when the tendered cost is known and figures are available for all associated risks.
READ MORE
Final designs for the overall Dart expansion plan are not yet near completion. While design work for the Maynooth line has commenced and a tender process for the Kildare line is under way, this has not yet started in relation to the northern and southeastern rail routes.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) said on Friday that the Dart expansion scheme would "have to be designed first, before a detailed delivery programme and a detailed funding profile can be finalised".
Figures
Ultimately it will be up to the next government to give the go ahead or otherwise to the project once all the figures are in. However, what seems clear is that the final bill will be significantly higher than the €2 billion allocation set out in the National Development Plan.
The aim of the Dart expansion plan is to transform rail capacity in the Greater Dublin Area at a time when many services are already facing serious overcrowding – with passenger numbers across the network increasing by over 5 per cent annually in recent years. Demand is expected to continue to increase strongly along with population growth in the years ahead.
Rail lines from Drogheda, Maynooth and Celbridge to Dublin city centre are to be electrified under the project, while there would also be a significant increase in rolling stock as well as upgraded signalling systems and junctions.
Within Irish Rail it is now estimated that the overall project will cost €2.609 billion or €600 million more than set out in the National development Plan. It is also believed that the full scale of the Dart expansion programme will not be delivered before 2027.
This represents an increase in the projected cost of more than €200 million on estimates drawn up as recently as May of last year. The increase is attributed to construction inflation running at higher than the 2.5 per cent previously forecast and the €49 million higher cost for 41 new train carriages announced by Minister for Transport Shane Ross several months ago.
Design process
However, these estimates are considered to be high-level forecasts, and there are risks that the costs involved could rise significantly as the design process evolves, if inflation increases further or in the event of planning delays.
There is also likely to be uncertainty around the exact cost of new trains to be purchased as part of the project until a deal is in place with a preferred manufacturer.
The Irish Times also reported on Friday that there were concerns that proposals to relocate the existing rail stations at Docklands to a new site at Spencer Dock, which is being examined by the NTA, could add an additional €100 million to the final bill.


theirishtimes--2020-02-07--Paddy O’Mahony (100) prepares to vote in a general election for the 23rd time

Paddy O ’ Mahony from Cullen , north Cork is 100 years old and preparing to vote in a general election for the 23rd time .
Born on Christmas Day , 1919 into an Ireland still under British rule , O ’ Mahony recalled how when he was growing up the shooting of Michael Collins in 1922 remained topical .
“ My father was mad Fianna Fáil and my mother was a Fine Gael woman so I was an inbetween man and I kept a cool head and my vote secret , ” the retired farmer said .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Cosgrave , on the go when I voted for the first time in 1943 .
I was 23 years of age .
You had to be 21 years old to vote at that time and I cycled to Knocknagree to vote.
” He recalled meeting Éamon de Valera at the funeral of local Fianna Fáil TD and War of Independence hero Seán Moylan in 1957 .
Later he met former taoisigh Jack Lynch , Liam Cosgrave and Charlie Haughey when they came to Cullen canvassing .
“ I got my photo taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cullen in 1973 but a great friend of mine Tim O ’ Sullivan , who was a fierce Fine Gael man , called me into his house one day and I met Liam Cosgrave .
“ Cosgrave brought us down into one of the pubs in Cullen and they were all Fianna Fáil pubs but he bought me a whiskey .
I got my photo taken with Jack Lynch but Jack bought me no whiskey !
” As befits a man who still plays cards three times a week , O ’ Mahony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chest when it comes to his voting intentions .
He has positive things to say about both Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin .
“ Seán Moylan once said any government that leaves inflation go out of hand is a bad government .
Fianna Fáil did great work but they left things get out of hand .
They should have controlled the banks and they got their answer .
“ But Micheál is fighting his way back and making a good fist of it , but at the same time Leo is doing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they took over , things were going out of control so ’ tis between them it is.
” O ’ Mahony is a widower with four surviving children , 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren .

Paddy O'Mahony from Cullen, north Cork is 100 years old and preparing to vote in a general election for the 23rd time.
Born on Christmas Day, 1919 into an Ireland still under British rule, O'Mahony recalled how when he was growing up the shooting of Michael Collins in 1922 remained topical.
"My father was mad Fianna Fáil and my mother was a Fine Gael woman so I was an inbetween man and I kept a cool head and my vote secret," the retired farmer said.
"There were two great men, de Valera and Cosgrave, on the go when I voted for the first time in 1943. I was 23 years of age. You had to be 21 years old to vote at that time and I cycled to Knocknagree to vote."
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He recalled meeting Éamon de Valera at the funeral of local Fianna Fáil TD and War of Independence hero Seán Moylan in 1957. Later he met former taoisigh Jack Lynch, Liam Cosgrave and Charlie Haughey when they came to Cullen canvassing.
“I got my photo taken with Jack Lynch when he came to Cullen in 1973 but a great friend of mine Tim O’Sullivan, who was a fierce Fine Gael man, called me into his house one day and I met Liam Cosgrave.
“Cosgrave brought us down into one of the pubs in Cullen and they were all Fianna Fáil pubs but he bought me a whiskey. I got my photo taken with Jack Lynch but Jack bought me no whiskey!”
As befits a man who still plays cards three times a week, O'Mahony is keeping his hand close to his chest when it comes to his voting intentions. He has positive things to say about both Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin.
“Seán Moylan once said any government that leaves inflation go out of hand is a bad government. Fianna Fáil did great work but they left things get out of hand. They should have controlled the banks and they got their answer.
“But Micheál is fighting his way back and making a good fist of it, but at the same time Leo is doing a good job and Enda before him because when they took over, things were going out of control so ’tis between them it is.”
O’Mahony is a widower with four surviving children, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.


theirishtimes--2020-02-07--PSNI releases photographs of bomb intended for Irish Sea ferry

Police in Northern Ireland have released images of the bomb which dissident republicans intended to detonate on an Irish Sea ferry as the UK left the EU last week .
They show an explosive device , which is made up of a number of parts including wires and a pipe , attached to the underside of a lorry .
It was discovered in Silverwood Industrial Estate in Lurgan , Co Armagh , on Tuesday .
PSNI Detective Superintendent Sean Wright said the images “ demonstrate the sheer recklessness of those who knowingly put the driver , road users and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious injury.
” He reissued a police appeal for information from anyone who was in the industrial estate between 4pm and 10pm on Friday , January 31st , or anyone who had dash-cam footage , to contact police “ as a matter of urgency ” .
The PSNI believe the Continuity IRA was responsible for the attempt to bomb the ferry on January 31st .
Assistant Chief Constable George Clarke said a call was made to a media outlet on January 31st to say that there was a bomb on the trailer of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to travel on the “ midnight boat ” .
In a further call to a media outlet on Monday , the caller stated that the intention “ had been for that device to explode on Friday evening around the time that the UK left the EU.
” Police sources believe the bombers attached the device to the wrong trailer , which remained in the industrial estate for several days until it was discovered .
The device was made safe by British army bomb experts .
Nobody was injured .

Police in Northern Ireland released images of the bomb on Friday. Photograph: PSNI
Police in Northern Ireland have released images of the bomb which dissident republicans intended to detonate on an Irish Sea ferry as the UK left the EU last week.
They show an explosive device, which is made up of a number of parts including wires and a pipe, attached to the underside of a lorry.
It was discovered in Silverwood Industrial Estate in Lurgan, Co Armagh, on Tuesday.
PSNI Detective Superintendent Sean Wright said the images “demonstrate the sheer recklessness of those who knowingly put the driver, road users and the wider public at risk of death or serious injury.”
READ MORE
He reissued a police appeal for information from anyone who was in the industrial estate between 4pm and 10pm on Friday, January 31st, or anyone who had dash-cam footage, to contact police “as a matter of urgency”.
The PSNI believe the Continuity IRA was responsible for the attempt to bomb the ferry on January 31st.
Assistant Chief Constable George Clarke said a call was made to a media outlet on January 31st to say that there was a bomb on the trailer of a lorry at Belfast port which was due to travel on the "midnight boat".
In a further call to a media outlet on Monday, the caller stated that the intention “had been for that device to explode on Friday evening around the time that the UK left the EU.”
Police sources believe the bombers attached the device to the wrong trailer, which remained in the industrial estate for several days until it was discovered.
The device was made safe by British army bomb experts. Nobody was injured.


theirishtimes--2020-02-07--Chinese opting for ‘self-isolation’ to prevent risk of coronavirus in Ireland

Chinese families across Ireland are voluntarily placing themselves in “ self-isolation ” for two weeks following trips to China to avoid any risk of the coronavirus spreading to this country .
Ann* , who returned to Ireland last weekend after visiting family in China , arranged to work from home for a fortnight before flying back .
“ Even though the chances were low , I didn ’ t want to create a risk for friends or colleagues .
I knew the embassy had suggested you quarantine yourself for two weeks .
I want to make sure I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the society where I live.
” Fifteen suspected cases of coronavirus have occurred in Ireland but there have been no confirmed cases of the disease so far .
The virus originated in the city of Wuhan in China and has led to more than 630 deaths and more than 31,000 recorded infections since January .
While in China , Ann tried not to leave home too often or travel unnecessarily .
“ The Chinese new year is like Christmas here , it ’ s very quiet .
There is a tradition for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak the government suggested people use webchat and video calls instead.
” Those who need to move around face regular temperature checks along motorways , at train stations and in airports by Chinese health officials , she said .
Ann says Irish friends have been very supportive since her return .
However , racism towards “ anyone with an Asian face ” has noticeably increased since the outbreak was announced , she says , adding that claims the virus is caused by Chinese cuisine are particularly offensive “ The Chinese diet has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the coronavirus is caused by the Chinese diet is misleading and causing a lot of unnecessary anxiety .
It leads to blame and alienation .
“ No virus is unique to any single person or society .
This is a battle between human beings and the virus , not nationalities .
Nobody should be using this to target people from another nation.
” Another Chinese woman , who prefers not to be named , has imposed a seven-day quarantine on herself and her family after returning from Shanghai last week .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s certificate before those who have travelled from China return to work , she says .
Chinese families in Ireland who have chosen to self-quarantine and are keeping in touch through social media say abuse towards members of the Chinese community has risen .
“ You hear of kids coming home upset because other kids were shouting at them about the coronavirus , ” she told The Irish Times , adding that she herself was shouted at by a man on the street this week .
“ It ’ s definitely putting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I wouldn ’ t say it ’ s necessarily racism .
It ’ s just people are genuinely fearful.
” Some members of the Chinese community who are not in isolation are fundraising to support hospitals back in China .
The Love Actually Charity – which is based in Ireland – recently raised €16,000 to purchase thousands of face masks , medical gloves and protective gowns .
The Department of Justice has also extended a number of visas for family members who travelled to Ireland before the virus outbreak , a move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much appreciated by the Chinese community .
Ling , who prefers not to give her surname , says while most Irish media have been respectful in reporting the virus , some tabloids have sensationalised the health emergency .
A recent headline which warned of a “ China virus at Dublin Airport ” was “ deeply hurtful ” to the Chinese community , she says .
“ It ’ s not the China virus , it ’ s the coronavirus .
I understand that it ’ s from China but the crazy cow disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We live here as Chinese but we ’ re part of Irish society .
We don ’ t want the virus here either.
” The Chinese language school where Ling ’ s children attend classes on a Saturday has also been closed as a precaution , while anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms has been advised to register with the embassy , she said .
Dr Li Tao , a qualified medical doctor and practitioner of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine in Dublin , has received text messages from concerned patients but says she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital yet .
She is advising patients not to wear face masks in public because there are “ zero cases in Ireland ” and it “ causes panic ” .
People should just eat healthily , take exercise , wear warm clothes in the cold weather and wash their hands – all the normal precautions one should take to stay healthy , she says .
Dr Tao has noticed some online racist commentary towards members of the Chinese community but does not believe this behaviour is representative of general Irish society .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t represent the Irish people .
We rarely encounter racism working here.
” *Requested that pseudonym be used given nature of article

Chinese families across Ireland are voluntarily placing themselves in "self-isolation" for two weeks following trips to China to avoid any risk of the coronavirus spreading to this country.
Ann*, who returned to Ireland last weekend after visiting family in China, arranged to work from home for a fortnight before flying back.
“Even though the chances were low, I didn’t want to create a risk for friends or colleagues. I knew the embassy had suggested you quarantine yourself for two weeks. I want to make sure I’m a responsible citizen and show respect to the society where I live.”
Fifteen suspected cases of coronavirus have occurred in Ireland but there have been no confirmed cases of the disease so far. The virus originated in the city of Wuhan in China and has led to more than 630 deaths and more than 31,000 recorded infections since January.
READ MORE
While in China, Ann tried not to leave home too often or travel unnecessarily. “The Chinese new year is like Christmas here, it’s very quiet. There is a tradition for people to visit their relatives but because of the outbreak the government suggested people use webchat and video calls instead.”
Those who need to move around face regular temperature checks along motorways, at train stations and in airports by Chinese health officials, she said.
Ann says Irish friends have been very supportive since her return. However, racism towards “anyone with an Asian face” has noticeably increased since the outbreak was announced, she says, adding that claims the virus is caused by Chinese cuisine are particularly offensive
“The Chinese diet has existed for over 5,000 years. Saying that the coronavirus is caused by the Chinese diet is misleading and causing a lot of unnecessary anxiety. It leads to blame and alienation.
Abusive comments
“No virus is unique to any single person or society. This is a battle between human beings and the virus, not nationalities. Nobody should be using this to target people from another nation.”
Another Chinese woman, who prefers not to be named, has imposed a seven-day quarantine on herself and her family after returning from Shanghai last week. Most employers are now requesting a doctor's certificate before those who have travelled from China return to work, she says.
Chinese families in Ireland who have chosen to self-quarantine and are keeping in touch through social media say abuse towards members of the Chinese community has risen.
“You hear of kids coming home upset because other kids were shouting at them about the coronavirus,” she told The Irish Times, adding that she herself was shouted at by a man on the street this week. “It’s definitely putting a lot of pressure on the Chinese community but I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily racism. It’s just people are genuinely fearful.”
Some members of the Chinese community who are not in isolation are fundraising to support hospitals back in China. The Love Actually Charity – which is based in Ireland – recently raised €16,000 to purchase thousands of face masks, medical gloves and protective gowns.
The Department of Justice has also extended a number of visas for family members who travelled to Ireland before the virus outbreak, a move all interviewees for this article say is much appreciated by the Chinese community.
‘Deeply hurtful’
Ling, who prefers not to give her surname, says while most Irish media have been respectful in reporting the virus, some tabloids have sensationalised the health emergency. A recent headline which warned of a “China virus at Dublin Airport” was “deeply hurtful” to the Chinese community, she says.
“It’s not the China virus, it’s the coronavirus. I understand that it’s from China but the crazy cow disease was never an English or Irish disease. We live here as Chinese but we’re part of Irish society. We don’t want the virus here either.”
The Chinese language school where Ling’s children attend classes on a Saturday has also been closed as a precaution, while anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms has been advised to register with the embassy, she said.
Dr Li Tao, a qualified medical doctor and practitioner of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine in Dublin, has received text messages from concerned patients but says she has not needed to send anyone to hospital yet.
She is advising patients not to wear face masks in public because there are “zero cases in Ireland” and it “causes panic”. People should just eat healthily, take exercise, wear warm clothes in the cold weather and wash their hands – all the normal precautions one should take to stay healthy, she says.
Dr Tao has noticed some online racist commentary towards members of the Chinese community but does not believe this behaviour is representative of general Irish society. “These are just individuals, they don’t represent the Irish people. We rarely encounter racism working here.”
*Requested that pseudonym be used given nature of article


theirishtimes--2020-02-07--Government examining Dart plan affordability, Donohoe says

The Government is at a very early stage of looking at how the planned major upgrade of commuter rail lines into Dublin city can be afforded and whether it can be done at all , Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe has said .
The Irish Times reported on Friday that new cost estimates suggest the Dart expansion plan – which will involve the provision of electrified rail services from Drogheda , Maynooth and Celbridge to Dublin , as well a significant increase in rolling stock and upgraded signalling systems and junctions – would cost up to €600 million more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new estimates forecast that the Dart expansion plan could now cost €2.609 billion .
It is suggested that planned additional rolling stock could cost more than €800 million , while the bill for upgrading the Kildare line and the Maynooth line could be more than €500 million each .
Within Irish Rail there are also concerns that this figure could rise higher as the design of the different elements of the projects evolves .
Mr Donohoe said on Friday that “ not a a cent has been spent on this project yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process of looking at how we deliver Dart expansion , which is a transformational public transport project , and what is now happening is Irish Rail , and the bodies who are involved in it , are now coming back to Government with the costs they believe are involved in delivering that project .
“ And this is the way the public spending code will work , where we get far greater clarity at the very start of the process regarding what a project will cost .
“ For a project that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to be , it is the kind of project that is going to involve a level of changing cost , but I emphasise we are at the very start of the process in relation to Dart expansion .
And we are at the very , very early phase of looking at how we can afford it and can it be done , ” the Minister said .
The National Transport Authority said : “ The Dart expansion scheme will have to be designed first , before a detailed delivery programme and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The general secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union , Dermot O ’ Leary , said the warning of the increased cost of the Dart expansion project “ underscores our long-held view that Fine Gael are effectively using the announcements of large-scale infrastructure projects , with lengthy delivery schedules , sometimes years into the future , as an election campaigning tool ” .

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe said “not a a cent has been spent” yet on the Dart expansion plan. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
The Government is at a very early stage of looking at how the planned major upgrade of commuter rail lines into Dublin city can be afforded and whether it can be done at all, Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe has said.
The Irish Times reported on Friday that new cost estimates suggest the Dart expansion plan – which will involve the provision of electrified rail services from Drogheda, Maynooth and Celbridge to Dublin, as well a significant increase in rolling stock and upgraded signalling systems and junctions – would cost up to €600 million more than the €2 billion originally allocated.
The new estimates forecast that the Dart expansion plan could now cost €2.609 billion.
It is suggested that planned additional rolling stock could cost more than €800 million, while the bill for upgrading the Kildare line and the Maynooth line could be more than €500 million each.
READ MORE
Concerns
Within Irish Rail there are also concerns that this figure could rise higher as the design of the different elements of the projects evolves.
Mr Donohoe said on Friday that “not a a cent has been spent on this project yet” .
“We are now beginning the process of looking at how we deliver Dart expansion, which is a transformational public transport project, and what is now happening is Irish Rail, and the bodies who are involved in it, are now coming back to Government with the costs they believe are involved in delivering that project.
“And this is the way the public spending code will work, where we get far greater clarity at the very start of the process regarding what a project will cost.
“For a project that’s as complex as Dart expansion is going to be, it is the kind of project that is going to involve a level of changing cost, but I emphasise we are at the very start of the process in relation to Dart expansion. And we are at the very, very early phase of looking at how we can afford it and can it be done,” the Minister said.
The National Transport Authority said: "The Dart expansion scheme will have to be designed first, before a detailed delivery programme and a detailed funding profile can be finalised."
The general secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union, Dermot O'Leary, said the warning of the increased cost of the Dart expansion project "underscores our long-held view that Fine Gael are effectively using the announcements of large-scale infrastructure projects, with lengthy delivery schedules, sometimes years into the future, as an election campaigning tool".


theirishtimes--2020-02-07--Election 2020: 19% rise in over 65s population may shape result

The over 65s have already made their presence felt in this general election by torpedoing plans to increase the minimum State pension age .
And on Saturday they are set to have a bigger influence than in previous ballots - due to sheer numbers .
In 38 of the 39 constituencies , there has been an increase in the number of people aged over 65 , data from the Central Statistics Office shows .
The exception is Dublin North West .
The constituency of Kildare South has seen the largest increase in over 65s in the State since 2011 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 53 per cent ) from 7,892 in 2011 to an estimated 12,061 today in the constituency , which includes the towns of Newbridge , Kildare and Athy .
The constituency has also seen the largest population increase as whole since 2011 at 31 per cent from 87,776 to 114,810 .
This is in part due to a boundary change , with the constituency expanding in size since 2011 .
The data is based on CSO census constituency populations from 2011 and 2016 .
Across the State , the number of people aged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fifth ( 19 per cent ) since 2011 , the largest increase in any of age group category analysed .
This is primarily due to declining death rates .
In contrast , the population of under 35s is down 10 per cent in the same period .
After Kildare South , the constituencies with the highest increase in over 65s are Cavan-Monaghan ( 41 per cent ) , Dublin Mid-West ( 40 per cent ) and Dublin Central ( 39 per cent ) .
In Dublin North West , the only constituency which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decrease in the over 65s population of 7 per cent since 2011 .
This pattern could have an important influence on marginal seats , given Irish Times opinion polls during the campaign show older people more favourable towards Fianna Fáil , while among the under 40s the most supported party was Sinn Féin .
Most constituencies have seen a decrease in the under-35 voting age population ( 18-34 ) .
The three constituencies with the biggest decline in this age group are all in Connacht with Sligo-Leitrim decreasing by 20 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Galway West by 17 per cent .
According to statisticians , the decline is attributable to falling birth rates in the late 1980s and early 1990s as well as emigration trends since 2010 which saw many young people leave the country to find employment .
Dublin Central and Cavan-Monaghan are the constituencies with the largest population increase in under 35s at 16 per cent respectively .
Only two other constituencies saw an increase in this age group : Kildare South at 11 per cent and Cork North Central at 1 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen significant decreases with Dublin West , Dublin South West , Fingal and Dublin Mid-West seeing the under 35s population falling by 12 per cent , while Dublin North West has seen a 15 per cent decrease .
The under 35s make up 22 per cent of the population and 29 per cent of those eligible to vote at the weekend .
The most recent Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll this week showed that if 18-24 year olds only had a vote , Sinn Féin would top the poll at 27 per cent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent ) , Independents/Others ( 19 per cent ) , Fine Gael ( 17 per cent ) and the Green Party ( 7 per cent ) .
In the 35-49 age bracket , the population has increased 7 per cent nationally and most constituencies have seen an increase in population with the most significant being in Dublin Central ( 41 per cent ) ; Kildare South ( 34 per cent ) ; Cavan-Monaghan ( 23 per cent ) ; Dublin West ( 20 per cent ) and Dublin Mid-West at 16 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see a decrease in this age category with a 4 per cent drop in population since 2011 .
Nationally the population of 35-49 year olds has increased 7 per cent .
The 35-49 year old age group makes up 23 per cent of the population and 30 per cent of those eligible to vote .
The last Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll showed increase in support for Sinn Féin was largely driven by voters aged 35-49 and Dublin voters .
For Fine Gael , the most significant decline in preference for the party was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 per cent to 18 per cent ) .
For the 50-64 age group , the most notable increases are again largely Leinster-based .
This population group has seen its size increase by one-tenth since 2011 with Kildare South ( 43 per cent ) having the largest increase among this age group also .
This is followed by Dublin Central ( 41 per cent ) ; Cavan-Monaghan ( 27 per cent ) ; Dublin Fingal ( 16 per cent ) and Dublin West ( 16 per cent ) .
The 50-64-year-old age group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population and 22 per cent of those eligible to vote .
In the poll conducted earlier this week , Fianna Fáil remained the most popular party among the voters aged 50 or over , on 29 per cent .

The over 65s have already made their presence felt in this general election by torpedoing plans to increase the minimum State pension age. And on Saturday they are set to have a bigger influence than in previous ballots - due to sheer numbers.
In 38 of the 39 constituencies, there has been an increase in the number of people aged over 65, data from the Central Statistics Office shows. The exception is Dublin North West.
The constituency of Kildare South has seen the largest increase in over 65s in the State since 2011. The population cohort has more than doubled (53 per cent) from 7,892 in 2011 to an estimated 12,061 today in the constituency, which includes the towns of Newbridge, Kildare and Athy.
The constituency has also seen the largest population increase as whole since 2011 at 31 per cent from 87,776 to 114,810. This is in part due to a boundary change, with the constituency expanding in size since 2011 and Kildare South now has areas to the west of Monasterevin and north east of Edenderry. A number of constituencies have had their boundaries re-drawn since 2017 while retaining the same constituency name and this Irish Times analysis has been carried out on CSO constituency data from 2011 and the redrawn 2017 constituencies based on 2016 data. The figures can be seen as indicative of a broader demographic pattern.
READ MORE
Across the State, the number of people aged over 65 has risen by almost one fifth (19 per cent) since 2011, the largest increase in any of age group category analysed. This is primarily due to declining death rates.
In contrast, the population of under 35s is down 10 per cent in the same period.
After Kildare South, the constituencies with the highest increase in over 65s are Cavan-Monaghan (41 per cent), Dublin Mid-West (40 per cent) and Dublin Central (39 per cent). These constituencies have had their boundaries re-drawn since 2011 which also accounts for some of the population change. Dublin Central has had areas around Drumcondra/Glasnevin added and Cavan/Monaghan has had areas south of Kingscourt and west of Cavan town added.
In Dublin North West, the only constituency which bucked the trend, there has been a decrease in the over 65s population of 7 per cent since 2011.
This pattern could have an important influence on marginal seats, given Irish Times opinion polls during the campaign show older people more favourable towards Fianna Fáil, while among the under 40s the most supported party was Sinn Féin.
Under 35s
Most constituencies have seen a decrease in the under-35 voting age population (18-34). The three constituencies with the biggest decline in this age group are all in Connacht with Sligo-Leitrim decreasing by 20 per cent, Galway East by 18 per cent and Galway West by 17 per cent.
According to statisticians, the decline is attributable to falling birth rates in the late 1980s and early 1990s as well as emigration trends since 2010 which saw many young people leave the country to find employment.
Dublin Central and Cavan-Monaghan are the constituencies with the largest population increase in under 35s at 16 per cent respectively. Only two other constituencies saw an increase in this age group: Kildare South at 11 per cent and Cork North Central at 1 per cent.
In Dublin, several constituencies have seen significant decreases with Dublin West, Dublin South West, Fingal and Dublin Mid-West seeing the under 35s population falling by 12 per cent, while Dublin North West has seen a 15 per cent decrease.
The under 35s make up 22 per cent of the population and 29 per cent of those eligible to vote at the weekend.
The most recent Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll this week showed that if 18-24 year olds only had a vote, Sinn Féin would top the poll at 27 per cent, followed by Fianna Fáil (20 per cent), Independents/Others (19 per cent), Fine Gael (17 per cent) and the Green Party (7 per cent).
35-49
In the 35-49 age bracket, the population has increased 7 per cent nationally and most constituencies have seen an increase in population with the most significant being in Dublin Central (41 per cent); Kildare South (34 per cent); Cavan-Monaghan (23 per cent); Dublin West (20 per cent) and Dublin Mid-West at 16 per cent.
Sligo-Leitrim is the only constituency to see a decrease in this age category with a 4 per cent drop in population since 2011. Nationally the population of 35-49 year olds has increased 7 per cent.
The 35-49 year old age group makes up 23 per cent of the population and 30 per cent of those eligible to vote.
The last Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll showed increase in support for Sinn Féin was largely driven by voters aged 35-49 and Dublin voters. For Fine Gael, the most significant decline in preference for the party was recorded among 35-49 year olds (from 29 per cent to 18 per cent).
50-64
For the 50-64 age group, the most notable increases are again largely Leinster-based. This population group has seen its size increase by one-tenth since 2011 with Kildare South (43 per cent) having the largest increase among this age group also.
This is followed by Dublin Central (41 per cent); Cavan-Monaghan (27 per cent); Dublin Fingal (16 per cent) and Dublin West (16 per cent). The 50-64-year-old age group make up 17 per cent of the population and 22 per cent of those eligible to vote.
In the poll conducted earlier this week, Fianna Fáil remained the most popular party among the voters aged 50 or over, on 29 per cent.


theirishtimes--2020-02-07--Injunction granted after horse believed dead entered in race

A man thought a racehorse owned by his company had been put down a year ago but opened a newspaper to find it was entered to run at Naas racecourse , the High Court heard .
Andrew Hughes , manager of Thistle Bloodstock Ltd , was granted an temporary injunction on Friday preventing the horse The Tartan Spartan running in the 3.22pm Hurdle Handicap on Saturday .
The injunction is against the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board ( IHRB ) and trainers Philip Fenton and Jim Derwin .
It was granted by Mr Justice Mark Heslin on Friday following a one-side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for Thistle Bloodstock .
Counsel outlined that Mr Hughes had said , in an affidavit , he gave the animal to Mr Derwin about 12 months ago to euthanise it after it had broken down .
Ownership had never changed and Mr Hughes still had the horse ’ s passport , he said .
Mr Reidy said Mr Hughes assumed it had been euthanised because it had been deemed “ beyond repair.
” However , he had “ picked up the paper this morning to find it listed to race tomorrow ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the defendants saying legal action would be brought if no word was received back to say the horse would not run .
The IHRB , formerly the Turf Club , has said it could not prevent it racing without a court order and there was no response from the other two defendants .
Mr Justice Heslin granted the interim injunction as he was satisfied there was a fair question to be tried , damages would not be adequate compensation for Thistle if it was not granted , and the balance of convenience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case could come back next week .

The IHRB, formerly the Turf Club, has said it could not prevent it racing without a court order. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
A man thought a racehorse owned by his company had been put down a year ago but opened a newspaper to find it was entered to run at Naas racecourse, the High Court heard.
Andrew Hughes, manager of Thistle Bloodstock Ltd, was granted an temporary injunction on Friday preventing the horse The Tartan Spartan running in the 3.22pm Hurdle Handicap on Saturday.
The injunction is against the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) and trainers Philip Fenton and Jim Derwin. It was granted by Mr Justice Mark Heslin on Friday following a one-side only represented application by William Reidy BL, for Thistle Bloodstock.
Counsel outlined that Mr Hughes had said, in an affidavit, he gave the animal to Mr Derwin about 12 months ago to euthanise it after it had broken down.
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Ownership had never changed and Mr Hughes still had the horse’s passport, he said.
Mr Reidy said Mr Hughes assumed it had been euthanised because it had been deemed “beyond repair.”
However, he had “picked up the paper this morning to find it listed to race tomorrow”, counsel said.
There was correspondence with the defendants saying legal action would be brought if no word was received back to say the horse would not run.
The IHRB, formerly the Turf Club, has said it could not prevent it racing without a court order and there was no response from the other two defendants.
Mr Justice Heslin granted the interim injunction as he was satisfied there was a fair question to be tried, damages would not be adequate compensation for Thistle if it was not granted, and the balance of convenience favoured granting the order. He said the case could come back next week.


theirishtimes--2020-02-07--Staff at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services to go on strike next Friday

Staff at the catering and household departments at St Patrick ’ s Mental Health Services in Dublin are to go on strike on Friday , February 14th in a dispute over outsourcing .
The trade union Siptu said its members would operate pickets at the entrances to the hospital in Dublin from 7am on February 14th “ and carry out no further duties until management agrees to engage with their trade union representatives in order to achieve an agreed solution ” .
The personnel concerned staged a lunchtime protest at the hospital on James ’ s Street on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The decision to conduct strike action by our members is in response to their employer ’ s decision to outsource the household and catering services of the organisation to other companies without consultation or agreement .
Our members , in the household and catering departments , voted unanimously earlier this week for strike action .
“ “ Our members have attempted to engage the employer in a conversation about alternatives to outsourcing which the employer has not considered .
They regret that their strike action has become necessary .
However , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns.
” Siptu said the dispute involved about 100 employees .
St Patrick ’ s Mental Health Services said the decision to outsource household and catering services had been taken by its Board of Governors and management in June 2019 , following a lengthy and thorough due diligence process .
It said the move was aimed at supporting its strategic objective “ to focus on core clinical services and to ensure that St Patrick ’ s Mental Health Services can continue to provide a leading mental health service ” .
“ The decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dedication and effort of staff , whose loyalty and excellent service is acknowledged and appreciated .
“ St Patrick ’ s Mental Health Services said that as part of the transfer process , and as required by transfer of undertakings ( TUPE ) regulations , it had confirmed with the providers of the services that transferring staff would retain identical terms and conditions of employment under their new contracts .
St Patrick ’ s Mental Health Services said it had also agreed to honour the terms of transferring employees ’ pension entitlements .

Staff at the catering and household departments at St Patrick's Mental Health Services in Dublin are to go on strike on Friday, February 14th in a dispute over outsourcing.
The trade union Siptu said its members would operate pickets at the entrances to the hospital in Dublin from 7am on February 14th "and carry out no further duties until management agrees to engage with their trade union representatives in order to achieve an agreed solution".
The personnel concerned staged a lunchtime protest at the hospital on James’s Street on Friday.
Siptu organiser Aideen Carberry said: "The decision to conduct strike action by our members is in response to their employer's decision to outsource the household and catering services of the organisation to other companies without consultation or agreement. Our members, in the household and catering departments, voted unanimously earlier this week for strike action. "
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“Our members have attempted to engage the employer in a conversation about alternatives to outsourcing which the employer has not considered. They regret that their strike action has become necessary. However, they are resolute in having the employer address their concerns.”
Siptu said the dispute involved about 100 employees.
St Patrick’s Mental Health Services said the decision to outsource household and catering services had been taken by its Board of Governors and management in June 2019, following a lengthy and thorough due diligence process.
It said the move was aimed at supporting its strategic objective “to focus on core clinical services and to ensure that St Patrick’s Mental Health Services can continue to provide a leading mental health service”.
“The decision does not represent a reflection on the dedication and effort of staff, whose loyalty and excellent service is acknowledged and appreciated. “
St Patrick’s Mental Health Services said that as part of the transfer process, and as required by transfer of undertakings (TUPE) regulations, it had confirmed with the providers of the services that transferring staff would retain identical terms and conditions of employment under their new contracts.
St Patrick’s Mental Health Services said it had also agreed to honour the terms of transferring employees’ pension entitlements.


theirishtimes--2020-02-07--Brother of man at centre of ‘Soldier F’ trial vows to stay away if case moved to Belfast

The brother of a man killed on Bloody Sunday has vowed to stay away from the trial of the veteran charged with his murder if the case is moved to Belfast .
Liam Wray , whose brother was shot dead , has written to a district judge urging him to hold the case involving “ Soldier F ” in Derry — the city where the shootings happened .
The ex-paratrooper is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney on January 30th , 1972 when troops opened fire on civil rights demonstrators .
He also stands accused of the attempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joseph Friel , Joe Mahon and Michael Quinn .
He faces a seventh supporting charge of the attempted murder of a person or persons unknown on the day .
Ahead of the latest review hearing on Friday , Mr Wray wrote to judge Barnie McElholm , with the support of Mr McKinney ’ s family and other relatives , asking him to hold the case in the city where the shootings happened .
He said if the case was moved the families would make their own decisions on whether they would attend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
“ If it takes part in Belfast Liam Wray will not be attending , that ’ s how serious we are about it , ” he said .
The initial hearings in the case have taken place in Bishop Street courthouse in Derry , a short distance from the Bogside , where the Bloody Sunday killings happened .
The court authorities have yet to decide where to hold the substantive proceedings , with the option of having the committal hearing and any potential future trial in Belfast .
At a previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicated that the case could be moved to Belfast due to security concerns over holding it in Derry .
On Friday , the judge noted that he had received the letter from Mr Wray stating the families ’ case .
“ We have taken clear note of what ’ s said in this letter , ” he said .
The judge said the rights of everyone involved in the case — defendant and the families — had to be balanced when deciding on the venue and the timings of future hearings .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any younger ” .
The judge added : “ As Mr Wray rightly points out in his letter , justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.
” A decision on the venue and timing of future hearings had been due on Friday but it was adjourned for two further weeks due to the unavailability of a barrister .
After the hearing , Mr Wray , flanked by Mr McKinney ’ s brother Mickey , stated why they felt it was so important to keep the case in Derry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of witnesses , as we understand , are from Derry and it would be an awful toll for them to have to come up and down from Belfast — possibly a round trip of four-and-a-half to five hours every day — with all the stresses involved , the age of the people involved , ” he said .
“ Derry is the venue , it should be the venue , that ’ s where this awful , awful event happened , this is where the people who witnessed it — tens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It should be here.
” - PA

Liam Wray (left) and Mickey McKinney, whose brothers were killed on Bloody Sunday, outside Bishop Street court house in Londonderry for the case involving "Soldier F". The ex-paratrooper is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney on January 30, 1972 when troops opened fire on civil rights demonstrators. PA Photo. Picture date: Friday February 7, 2020. See PA story ULSTER BloodySunday. Photo credit should read: David Young/PA Wire
The brother of a man killed on Bloody Sunday has vowed to stay away from the trial of the veteran charged with his murder if the case is moved to Belfast.
Liam Wray, whose brother was shot dead, has written to a district judge urging him to hold the case involving “Soldier F” in Derry — the city where the shootings happened.
The ex-paratrooper is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney on January 30th, 1972 when troops opened fire on civil rights demonstrators.
He also stands accused of the attempted murders of Patrick O’Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and Michael Quinn. He faces a seventh supporting charge of the attempted murder of a person or persons unknown on the day.
READ MORE
Ahead of the latest review hearing on Friday, Mr Wray wrote to judge Barnie McElholm, with the support of Mr McKinney’s family and other relatives, asking him to hold the case in the city where the shootings happened.
He said if the case was moved the families would make their own decisions on whether they would attend. But he insisted he would not be there.
“If it takes part in Belfast Liam Wray will not be attending, that’s how serious we are about it,” he said.
The initial hearings in the case have taken place in Bishop Street courthouse in Derry, a short distance from the Bogside, where the Bloody Sunday killings happened.
The court authorities have yet to decide where to hold the substantive proceedings, with the option of having the committal hearing and any potential future trial in Belfast.
At a previous review hearing last month, Judge McElholm indicated that the case could be moved to Belfast due to security concerns over holding it in Derry.
On Friday, the judge noted that he had received the letter from Mr Wray stating the families’ case.
“We have taken clear note of what’s said in this letter,” he said.
The judge said the rights of everyone involved in the case — defendant and the families — had to be balanced when deciding on the venue and the timings of future hearings.
He noted none of them were “getting any younger”.
The judge added: “As Mr Wray rightly points out in his letter, justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.”
A decision on the venue and timing of future hearings had been due on Friday but it was adjourned for two further weeks due to the unavailability of a barrister.
After the hearing, Mr Wray, flanked by Mr McKinney’s brother Mickey, stated why they felt it was so important to keep the case in Derry.
“The families and the vast majority of witnesses, as we understand, are from Derry and it would be an awful toll for them to have to come up and down from Belfast — possibly a round trip of four-and-a-half to five hours every day — with all the stresses involved, the age of the people involved,” he said.
“Derry is the venue, it should be the venue, that’s where this awful, awful event happened, this is where the people who witnessed it — tens of thousands of people — are from. It should be here.” - PA


theirishtimes--2020-02-07--Young mother is face of Irish Cancer Society’s 2020 daffodil appeal

A young mother who has overcome cancer twice will be the public face of Daffodil Day , the Irish Cancer Society ’ s main fundraising campaign .
Shannen Joyce ( 25 ) , from Youghal , Co Cork , was first diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin ’ s Lymphoma at the age of 19 .
When the cancer reappeared two years ago , she was already a mother , having given birth to her daughter Róisín .
Speaking at the launch of the Irish Cancer Society ’ s Daffodil Day , Ms Joyce outlined how vital it is that support is available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin ’ s Lymphoma twice when I was at very different stages in my life .
When I was first diagnosed at 19 my parents shielded me from so much of the worry .
“ Back then it was all about me .
I had to drop out of college , I couldn ’ t go on nights out .
My hair falling out felt like the end of the world , ” she said .
“ At the time of my second diagnosis I was a mother myself and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for my little girl , Róisín .
“ It was gut-wrenching to miss out on time with her when I was having treatment , or when I was too unwell to do everyday things like dress her .
But Róisín was also my driving force – the reason I got out of bed each day.
” She said the Irish Cancer Society had provided support through its night nurse , volunteer driver service and its survivor support programme .
Irish Cancer Society chief executive Averil Power said the society needed to raise €4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daffodil centres , free counselling and the volunteer driver service .
The Daffodil Day launch was attended by advocate Stephen Teap , hundreds of Daffodil Day volunteers , cancer survivors and representatives from Boots stores around the country .
Get involved in Daffodil Day at cancer.ie

Pictured (from left) Shannen Joyce (25), James Gilleran, Blackhorse Ave and Stephen Teap who lost his wife Irene to Cervical cancer. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
A young mother who has overcome cancer twice will be the public face of Daffodil Day, the Irish Cancer Society's main fundraising campaign.
Shannen Joyce (25), from Youghal, Co Cork, was first diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the age of 19.
When the cancer reappeared two years ago, she was already a mother, having given birth to her daughter Róisín.
Speaking at the launch of the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day, Ms Joyce outlined how vital it is that support is available for those in need.
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“I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma twice when I was at very different stages in my life. When I was first diagnosed at 19 my parents shielded me from so much of the worry.
“Back then it was all about me. I had to drop out of college, I couldn’t go on nights out. My hair falling out felt like the end of the world,” she said.
“At the time of my second diagnosis I was a mother myself and my fear was not for myself but for my little girl, Róisín.
“It was gut-wrenching to miss out on time with her when I was having treatment, or when I was too unwell to do everyday things like dress her. But Róisín was also my driving force – the reason I got out of bed each day.”
She said the Irish Cancer Society had provided support through its night nurse, volunteer driver service and its survivor support programme.
Irish Cancer Society chief executive Averil Power said the society needed to raise €4 million on Daffodil Day alone to funding daffodil centres, free counselling and the volunteer driver service.
The Daffodil Day launch was attended by advocate Stephen Teap, hundreds of Daffodil Day volunteers, cancer survivors and representatives from Boots stores around the country.
Get involved in Daffodil Day at cancer.ie


theirishtimes--2020-02-07--Several hundred students attend climate protest

Several hundred secondary school students left classes to attend a “ climate strike ” protest on Friday , as part of a global movement to demand greater action to tackle climate change .
Turnout for the protest was down significantly from the climate strike last September , which saw over 10,000 young people take to the streets in a movement inspired by Swedish teenage activist Greta Thunberg .
The original plan for the protesters to gather near the bottom of Grafton Street and march to Kildare Street was abandoned , after safety concerns were raised by gardaí .
Instead the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leinster House , where speakers climbed up onto the Statue of William Conyngham Plunket to deliver speeches to the crowd .
The protest was organised by Fridays for Future Dublin , with several smaller demonstrations taking place elsewhere across the country .
An Garda Síochána had previously “ expressed significant concerns about the protest as currently planned from a health and safety perspective ” .
This was due to fears large crowds gathering on Grafton Street at lunchtime on a Friday could potentially lead to crushing .
In the end significantly fewer students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which numbered several hundred .
Sarah Little , a 17-year-old student from Loreto girls school , Bray , Co Wicklow , was among the crowd .
Climate change was “ a really important issue and I think the Government needs to pay more attention to it ” , she said .
“ It does feel pretty hopeless because there is so much that needs to be done and there ’ s such a short amount of time to do it , but I think if everyone tries we can make an impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be old enough to vote in the general election on Saturday , but despite seeing climate change as a key issue would not necessarily vote for the Green Party , she said .
“ Probably an Independent , like Valerie Cox , or the Green Party , maybe Sinn Féin , ” she said .
“ I don ’ t know about politics in general , but definitely there is a lot of interest in climate change and to stop that from happening .
”

Ella Jones (left) and Alannah Walsh from Killiney during a Climate rally to keep environmental issues to the forefront of voters minds on Kildare Street, Dublin on Friday. Photograph :Gareth Chaney/ Collins
Several hundred secondary school students left classes to attend a “climate strike” protest on Friday, as part of a global movement to demand greater action to tackle climate change.
Turnout for the protest was down significantly from the climate strike last September, which saw over 10,000 young people take to the streets in a movement inspired by Swedish teenage activist Greta Thunberg.
The original plan for the protesters to gather near the bottom of Grafton Street and march to Kildare Street was abandoned, after safety concerns were raised by gardaí.
Instead the protesters gathered at Kildare Place, near Leinster House, where speakers climbed up onto the Statue of William Conyngham Plunket to deliver speeches to the crowd.
READ MORE
The protest was organised by Fridays for Future Dublin, with several smaller demonstrations taking place elsewhere across the country.
An Garda Síochána had previously "expressed significant concerns about the protest as currently planned from a health and safety perspective". This was due to fears large crowds gathering on Grafton Street at lunchtime on a Friday could potentially lead to crushing.
In the end significantly fewer students than the expected 2,000 attended the protest, which numbered several hundred.
Sarah Little, a 17-year-old student from Loreto girls school, Bray, Co Wicklow, was among the crowd. Climate change was “a really important issue and I think the Government needs to pay more attention to it”, she said.
“It does feel pretty hopeless because there is so much that needs to be done and there’s such a short amount of time to do it, but I think if everyone tries we can make an impact at least.”
She would have liked to be old enough to vote in the general election on Saturday, but despite seeing climate change as a key issue would not necessarily vote for the Green Party, she said.
"Probably an Independent, like Valerie Cox, or the Green Party, maybe Sinn Féin," she said.
“I don’t know about politics in general, but definitely there is a lot of interest in climate change and to stop that from happening.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-07--State solicitor tells court Kevin Lunney case file is ‘half my height’

A State solicitor has said the file into the abduction and false imprisonment of Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney is “ half ” his height .
Rory Hayden , the State solicitor for Cavan , said that the book of evidence was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) on January 31st .
Mr Hayden said the file was the biggest he had seen in 25 years and that while he spent all week reading it , he still had not gone through all of it .
At Harristown District Court in Roscommon , Mr Hayden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be forthcoming from the DPP in “ the near future ” .
“ It is a complex investigation , the file is half my height , it ’ s up to my waist , ” he said .
Three of the four men charged with the abduction and false imprisonment of Mr Lunney appeared before Harristown District Court on Friday morning .
Darren Redmond ( 25 ) , from Caledon Road , East Wall , Dublin and Alan O ’ Brien ( 38 ) , of Shelmalier Road , East Wall , refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a month .
A third defendant , who can not be identified for legal reasons , also refused consent to be remanded for a month .
All three were remanded in custody by Judge James Faughnan to appear before the same court on February 21st .
A fourth defendant , Luke O ’ Reilly ( 66 ) , from Mullahoran Lower , Kilcogy , Co Cavan , was remanded in custody at a previous sitting to February 14th .
Legal representatives for the men urged that the case be moved forward but Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were more complex than others .
A previous court sitting heard that the investigation in two jurisdictions involved over 1,000 lines of inquiry , 400 statements and extensive CCTV footage and phone records .
Mt Hayden said the case was “ moving along ” as quickly as possible and the investigation was “ a mammoth task ” , but he was confident that direction would be forthcoming soon .

Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney, who was abducted from outside his Co Fermanagh. Photograph: BBC Spotlight
A State solicitor has said the file into the abduction and false imprisonment of Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney is "half" his height.
Rory Hayden, the State solicitor for Cavan, said that the book of evidence was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on January 31st.
Mr Hayden said the file was the biggest he had seen in 25 years and that while he spent all week reading it, he still had not gone through all of it.
At Harristown District Court in Roscommon, Mr Hayden said he was confident that direction would be forthcoming from the DPP in “the near future”.
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“It is a complex investigation, the file is half my height, it’s up to my waist,” he said.
Three of the four men charged with the abduction and false imprisonment of Mr Lunney appeared before Harristown District Court on Friday morning.
Darren Redmond (25), from Caledon Road, East Wall, Dublin and Alan O’Brien (38), of Shelmalier Road, East Wall, refused consent to be remanded in custody for a month.
A third defendant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, also refused consent to be remanded for a month. All three were remanded in custody by Judge James Faughnan to appear before the same court on February 21st.
A fourth defendant, Luke O’Reilly (66), from Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, Co Cavan, was remanded in custody at a previous sitting to February 14th.
Legal representatives for the men urged that the case be moved forward but Judge Faughnan said it was clear some cases were more complex than others.
A previous court sitting heard that the investigation in two jurisdictions involved over 1,000 lines of inquiry, 400 statements and extensive CCTV footage and phone records.
Mt Hayden said the case was “moving along” as quickly as possible and the investigation was “a mammoth task”, but he was confident that direction would be forthcoming soon.