theirishtimes--2020-07-02--Full reopening of schools may be unlikely this autumn, secondary teachers warn

Second-level teachers ’ unions have warned that a full reopening of schools for all students may be unlikely this autumn .
In a submission to the Oireachtas committee on Covid-19 , which sits on Thursday , the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland ( ASTI ) will say some form of “ blended ” model of education provision may be necessary .
In its opening statement to the committee , the union will say that no matter how creative schools are in using their available rooms and facilities , they will not be able to accommodate everyone on a full-time basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance task will be extremely difficult , but not insurmountable , ” the submission states .
The union said it would be unacceptable if different social-distancing rules were to apply to facilitate the reopening of schools than were in place in other workplaces or in wider society .
“ There is the additional consideration that a number of staff members and students , because of their vulnerabilities , may still have to work or study outside of the classroom , ” the statement adds .
“ Enormous difficulties will also have to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in woodwork rooms , metalwork rooms , art rooms , PE , music and home economics , together with the cleaning requirements necessary between classes .
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we think that a phased return to school may be necessary.
” Mr Christie said the union had a significant number of members with underlying conditions or who were immuno-compromised .
These teachers were “ extremely worried about returning to workplaces that placed them in greater danger of contracting or transmitting the virus than if they worked in another environment ” .
The Teachers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell the committee its members have no magical immunity to Covid-19 and must be treated as are other workers .
“ They must have confidence that their safety is being protected and that they are not being lulled into or forced into a false and dangerous sense of security , ” its submission states .
“ Other workers are protected by social distancing , developed and comprehensive return to workplace plans carefully implemented , personal protective equipment where necessary .
Teachers ask no more than to be treated with the same level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its submission .
The TUI said it was also concerned “ that some of the public discourse is peddling a myth that the virus is not transmitted by children ” .
“ While there is evidence that young children are less susceptible to the virus than other cohorts of the population , it is also the case that older students have been shown both to contract and to transmit the virus.
” The Irish National Teachers ’ Organisation ( INTO ) said there was frustration among schools across the country that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ INTO general secretary John Boyle said the union has consistently stated that public health advice must be paramount in decisions around schools ’ reopening .
“ We will examine the published documents in detail and will continue to work towards reopening in a manner , and with resourcing , which minimises risk , ” he said .
Public health guidance published on Wednesday says schools should reopen with physical distancing of at least one metre between students in most cases .
The Department of Education last month warned that physical distance requirements of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups attending school just 2½ days a week .
However , a department spokeswoman said this estimate was based on a distance of one metre between students ’ desks rather than individual students .
As a result , many more students will be able to attend school full-time under the new guidelines .
The extent to which school can reopen as normally as possible will be determined in conjunction with talks with education stakeholders over the coming weeks , she added .

Public health guidance published on Wednesday says schools should reopen with physical distancing of at least 1m between students in most cases. Photograph: Getty Images
Second-level teachers’ unions have warned that a full reopening of schools for all students may be unlikely this autumn.
In a submission to the Oireachtas committee on Covid-19, which sits on Thursday, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) will say some form of "blended" model of education provision may be necessary .
In its opening statement to the committee, the union will say that no matter how creative schools are in using their available rooms and facilities, they will not be able to accommodate everyone on a full-time basis.
“Even a one metre social distance task will be extremely difficult, but not insurmountable,” the submission states.
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The union said it would be unacceptable if different social-distancing rules were to apply to facilitate the reopening of schools than were in place in other workplaces or in wider society.
‘Vulnerabilities’
“There is the additional consideration that a number of staff members and students, because of their vulnerabilities, may still have to work or study outside of the classroom,” the statement adds.
“Enormous difficulties will also have to be overcome in the management of practical classes in woodwork rooms, metalwork rooms, art rooms, PE, music and home economics, together with the cleaning requirements necessary between classes . . . we think that a phased return to school may be necessary.”
Mr Christie said the union had a significant number of members with underlying conditions or who were immuno-compromised.
These teachers were “extremely worried about returning to workplaces that placed them in greater danger of contracting or transmitting the virus than if they worked in another environment”.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) will tell the committee its members have no magical immunity to Covid-19 and must be treated as are other workers.
“They must have confidence that their safety is being protected and that they are not being lulled into or forced into a false and dangerous sense of security,” its submission states.
“Other workers are protected by social distancing, developed and comprehensive return to workplace plans carefully implemented, personal protective equipment where necessary. Teachers ask no more than to be treated with the same level of concern,” the union says, in its submission.
‘Peddling a myth’
The TUI said it was also concerned “that some of the public discourse is peddling a myth that the virus is not transmitted by children”.
“While there is evidence that young children are less susceptible to the virus than other cohorts of the population, it is also the case that older students have been shown both to contract and to transmit the virus.”
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) said there was frustration among schools across the country that this much-needed guidance was not published earlier.
INTO general secretary John Boyle said the union has consistently stated that public health advice must be paramount in decisions around schools' reopening.
“We will examine the published documents in detail and will continue to work towards reopening in a manner, and with resourcing, which minimises risk,” he said.
Physical distancing
Public health guidance published on Wednesday says schools should reopen with physical distancing of at least one metre between students in most cases.
The Department of Education last month warned that physical distance requirements of one metre could result in some year groups attending school just 2½ days a week.
However, a department spokeswoman said this estimate was based on a distance of one metre between students’ desks rather than individual students. As a result, many more students will be able to attend school full-time under the new guidelines.
The extent to which school can reopen as normally as possible will be determined in conjunction with talks with education stakeholders over the coming weeks, she added.


theirishtimes--2020-07-02--Number of children admitted to psychiatric hospitals rises by one-fifth

The number of children admitted to psychiatric hospitals increased by about a fifth last year compared to 2018 , the majority of them girls , a report published on Thursday finds .
The children stayed an average of 2½ months , with the youngest child admitted aged 11 .
The annual report for the Mental Health Commission ( MHC ) also reported 168 suicides among people who were engaged with mental health services last year , as well as repeated overcrowding , understaffing , and non-compliance with rules on the use of seclusion and electroconvulsive therapy ( ECT ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , appointed by the Minister for Health under the 2001 Mental Health Act , to oversee , regulate and inspect mental health services .
Last year , 497 children were admitted to mental health beds , compared with 408 in 2018 and 439 in 2017 .
Of these 54 children were admitted to 15 adult units , the youngest of these aged 15 .
There were 443 children admitted to child/adolescent beds , staying for an average of 50 days .
Some 65 per cent were girls .
The report noted there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( CAHMS ) units in just three counties ( Dublin , Cork and Galway ) , and only two of them take out-of-hours admissions .
“ Children and young people in crisis are left with the unacceptable ‘ choice ’ between an emergency department , general hospital , children ’ s hospital or an adult in-patient unit , ” said the report .
It added : “ Children and young people should not be admitted to adult units except in exceptional circumstances .
The reason for the majority of admissions to adult units @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the young person or others , or due to the lack of a bed in a CAMHS unit.
” There were 563 deaths of people using mental health services last year , of which 168 were reported as “ suspected suicide ” .
This compares with 184 suspected suicides out of 533 people engaging with mental health services in 2018 .
Overcrowding , or “ over capacity ” was reported on 208 occasions , in 13 centres , the report said .
Just five centres reported 194 of these instances .
These were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Waterford ; the Sliabh Mis mental health admission in University Hospital Kerry ; the adult mental health unit in Mayo University Hospital ; department of psychiatry in St Luke ’ s ’ Hospital , Kilkenny , and , the department of psychiatry in Roscommon University Hospital .
In all there were 65 inspections of the 65 approved mental health centres last year , of which five were announced and 60 unannounced .
The overall compliance rate with all regulations and indicators was 78 per cent – down from 79 per cent in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excellent ” record .
The highest compliance rates were in centres where the inspections were announced .
These were St Edmondsbury Hospital in Lucan , Dublin , with a compliance rate of 100 per cent ; St Patrick ’ s Hospital , Dublin ( 100 per cent ) ; Willow Grove adolescent unit in St Patrick ’ s Hospital ( 97 per cent ) and Tearmann Ward in St Camillus ’ Hospital , Limerick ( 96 per cent ) .
Lowest compliance rates were in the acute psychiatric unit , Tallaght Hospital ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Hospital , Cork , ( 64 per cent ) and the Elm Mount Unit at St Vincent ’ s University Hospital , Dublin ( 66 per cent ) .
The commission took 40 enforcement actions against 31 approved centres in response to critical risks in relation to issues including premises , understaffing and the privacy and dignity of residents .
It secured it first prosecution under the Mental Health Act 2001 , “ on foot of findings that patients were deprived of basic dignity and human rights by being secluded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ badly-ventilated room ” .
Last year saw a decrease to 21 per cent in compliance with the rules on seclusion “ from an already low level of compliance ” of 55 per cent in 2018 .
Compliance with rules on the use of ECT fell from 58 per cent in 2018 to 45 per cent last year , while compliance on staffing rates fell from 9 per cent in 2018 to just 8 per cent .
Some €3.5 million was spent of the Decision Support Service last year , which was established in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court system .
It has yet to begin working .

The report notes there are six Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service units in just three counties and only two of them take out-of-hours admissions. File photograph: iStock
The number of children admitted to psychiatric hospitals increased by about a fifth last year compared to 2018, the majority of them girls, a report published on Thursday finds.
The children stayed an average of 2½ months, with the youngest child admitted aged 11.
The annual report for the Mental Health Commission (MHC) also reported 168 suicides among people who were engaged with mental health services last year, as well as repeated overcrowding, understaffing, and non-compliance with rules on the use of seclusion and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) .
The 13-member MHC is an independent body, appointed by the Minister for Health under the 2001 Mental Health Act, to oversee, regulate and inspect mental health services.
READ MORE
Last year, 497 children were admitted to mental health beds, compared with 408 in 2018 and 439 in 2017. Of these 54 children were admitted to 15 adult units, the youngest of these aged 15.
Unacceptable
There were 443 children admitted to child/adolescent beds, staying for an average of 50 days. Some 65 per cent were girls.
The report noted there are six Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAHMS) units in just three counties (Dublin, Cork and Galway), and only two of them take out-of-hours admissions.
“Children and young people in crisis are left with the unacceptable ‘choice’ between an emergency department, general hospital, children’s hospital or an adult in-patient unit,” said the report.
It added: “Children and young people should not be admitted to adult units except in exceptional circumstances. The reason for the majority of admissions to adult units are due to an immediate risk to the young person or others, or due to the lack of a bed in a CAMHS unit.”
There were 563 deaths of people using mental health services last year, of which 168 were reported as “suspected suicide”. This compares with 184 suspected suicides out of 533 people engaging with mental health services in 2018.
Overcrowding, or “over capacity” was reported on 208 occasions, in 13 centres, the report said.
Just five centres reported 194 of these instances. These were the department of psychiatry at University Hospital Waterford; the Sliabh Mis mental health admission in University Hospital Kerry; the adult mental health unit in Mayo University Hospital; department of psychiatry in St Luke's' Hospital, Kilkenny, and, the department of psychiatry in Roscommon University Hospital.
In all there were 65 inspections of the 65 approved mental health centres last year, of which five were announced and 60 unannounced. The overall compliance rate with all regulations and indicators was 78 per cent – down from 79 per cent in 2018 - with a 33 per cent “excellent” record.
The highest compliance rates were in centres where the inspections were announced. These were St Edmondsbury Hospital in Lucan, Dublin, with a compliance rate of 100 per cent; St Patrick's Hospital, Dublin (100 per cent); Willow Grove adolescent unit in St Patrick's Hospital (97 per cent) and Tearmann Ward in St Camillus' Hospital, Limerick (96 per cent).
Compliance rates
Lowest compliance rates were in the acute psychiatric unit, Tallaght Hospital (57 per cent) ; St Finbarr's Hospital, Cork, (64 per cent) and the Elm Mount Unit at St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin (66 per cent).
The commission took 40 enforcement actions against 31 approved centres in response to critical risks in relation to issues including premises, understaffing and the privacy and dignity of residents. It secured it first prosecution under the Mental Health Act 2001, “on foot of findings that patients were deprived of basic dignity and human rights by being secluded in a dirty, malodorous, badly-lit and badly-ventilated room”.
Last year saw a decrease to 21 per cent in compliance with the rules on seclusion “from an already low level of compliance” of 55 per cent in 2018. Compliance with rules on the use of ECT fell from 58 per cent in 2018 to 45 per cent last year, while compliance on staffing rates fell from 9 per cent in 2018 to just 8 per cent.
Some €3.5 million was spent of the Decision Support Service last year, which was established in 2015 to replace the outdated wards of court system. It has yet to begin working.


theirishtimes--2020-07-02--Coronavirus: Government finalising ‘roadmap’ for return of safe overseas travel

The Government is finalising “ a roadmap ” for safe overseas travel “ very shortly ” , the assistant general secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach has said .
Liz Canavan told the Government ’ s Covid-19 briefing on Wednesday that the advice is still to avoid non-essential travel abroad .
She said that this week at least six cases of coronavirus recorded are related to international travel and reminded the public that the early cases of the disease in Ireland were “ associated with international travel ” .
Last week the Government said foreign travel restrictions would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permitted to move between countries on a “ green list ” with similar levels of coronavirus infection .
At the end of the week , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) came out strongly against resumed overseas travel .
The State ’ s chief medical officer , Dr Tony Holohan , said that the public health advice was still against non-essential international travel , and he urged people to cancel their foreign holidays to avoid importing more cases into the State .
A quarter of new cases confirmed last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday Ms Canavan said that the Government understands the issue of foreign travel was causing “ great uncertainty and worry ” .
“ Some people have holidays booked and are wondering what to do .
We are acutely aware of this and we would ask you to bear with us , ” she said .
Ms Canavan said new outbreaks of the virus in other countries in recent weeks shows “ how easy it is for this virus to begin to take hold again ” and that countries that have had a low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She warned , “ Complacency is our biggest enemy now.
” Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall said that the “ mixed messages ” from the Government and Dr Holohan were “ leading to confusion and concern among the public ” .
She called on the Government to take immediate action on foreign travel to prioritise public health and to provide clarity to the public .
“ We currently have no effective way of dealing with the importation of Covid-19 from badly affected countries as the guidance on self-isolation is not legally based and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New figures released by the Department of Justice on Wednesday night showed that the number of new arrivals into the country answering follow-up calls to check that they are self-isolating for 14 days at an address continues to decline .
The number of passengers coming into Dublin Airport who answered calls two days after their arrival fell to 61 per cent from 68 per cent last week when almost 10,000 additional passengers arriving in the last week of June were included .
The figures show a sharp increase in the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filled out the Covid-19 passenger locator form between June 21st and 28th compared with a total of 19,866 over the previous three weeks .
Filling out the forms is compulsory so State officials can check to see if people are voluntarily self-isolating for 14 days after their arrival into the country .
On Wednesday , the number of daily flights in and out of Dublin Airport doubled from earlier this week as Ryanair restarted 40 per cent of its flight schedule , DAA , the airport ’ s operator , said about 3,200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4,500 on Monday .
Paul Kelly , chief executive of Fáilte Ireland , will warn during an appearance at the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee on Thursday about the risks to tourism and hospitality businesses if the country is not opened to overseas tourists .
“ Businesses are now carrying a very high level of unplanned debt accumulated over the last four months which will make survival extremely challenging if not addressed , ” Mr Kelly will say in his opening statement .
In addition to the lack of revenue from overseas visitors , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ challenges to domestic demand created by health and economic concerns will depress revenue levels , ” the tourist chief will say in his opening statement .
“ Tourism was hit first , hit hardest and will take the longest to recover .
”

People are flying again from Dublin Airport but in small numbers. There were two hundreds flights in and out of the airport today. This time last year that figure was approximately eight hundred flights. Video: Bryan O'Brien
The Government is finalising “a roadmap” for safe overseas travel “very shortly”, the assistant general secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach has said.
Liz Canavan told the Government's Covid-19 briefing on Wednesday that the advice is still to avoid non-essential travel abroad.
She said that this week at least six cases of coronavirus recorded are related to international travel and reminded the public that the early cases of the disease in Ireland were "associated with international travel".
Last week the Government said foreign travel restrictions would be eased from July 9th, with travellers permitted to move between countries on a “green list” with similar levels of coronavirus infection.
READ MORE
At the end of the week, the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) came out strongly against resumed overseas travel.
The State's chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, said that the public health advice was still against non-essential international travel, and he urged people to cancel their foreign holidays to avoid importing more cases into the State.
A quarter of new cases confirmed last week were linked to overseas travel.
On Wednesday Ms Canavan said that the Government understands the issue of foreign travel was causing “great uncertainty and worry”.
“Some people have holidays booked and are wondering what to do. We are acutely aware of this and we would ask you to bear with us,” she said.
Resurgence
Ms Canavan said new outbreaks of the virus in other countries in recent weeks shows “how easy it is for this virus to begin to take hold again” and that countries that have had a low incidence were now seeing a resurgence.
She warned, “Complacency is our biggest enemy now.”
Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall said that the “mixed messages” from the Government and Dr Holohan were “leading to confusion and concern among the public”.
She called on the Government to take immediate action on foreign travel to prioritise public health and to provide clarity to the public.
“We currently have no effective way of dealing with the importation of Covid-19 from badly affected countries as the guidance on self-isolation is not legally based and enforcement is inadequate,” she said.
New figures released by the Department of Justice on Wednesday night showed that the number of new arrivals into the country answering follow-up calls to check that they are self-isolating for 14 days at an address continues to decline.
The number of passengers coming into Dublin Airport who answered calls two days after their arrival fell to 61 per cent from 68 per cent last week when almost 10,000 additional passengers arriving in the last week of June were included.
The figures show a sharp increase in the number of arrivals at the airport. Some 9,355 filled out the Covid-19 passenger locator form between June 21st and 28th compared with a total of 19,866 over the previous three weeks.
Filling out the forms is compulsory so State officials can check to see if people are voluntarily self-isolating for 14 days after their arrival into the country.
Daily flights
On Wednesday, the number of daily flights in and out of Dublin Airport doubled from earlier this week as Ryanair restarted 40 per cent of its flight schedule,
DAA, the airport's operator, said about 3,200 passengers used the airport on Tuesday and 4,500 on Monday.
Paul Kelly, chief executive of Fáilte Ireland, will warn during an appearance at the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee on Thursday about the risks to tourism and hospitality businesses if the country is not opened to overseas tourists.
“Businesses are now carrying a very high level of unplanned debt accumulated over the last four months which will make survival extremely challenging if not addressed,” Mr Kelly will say in his opening statement.
In addition to the lack of revenue from overseas visitors, the capacity restrictions from physical distancing measures and the “challenges to domestic demand created by health and economic concerns will depress revenue levels,” the tourist chief will say in his opening statement.
“Tourism was hit first, hit hardest and will take the longest to recover.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-02--‘He was in everyone’s hearts’: People line streets in final farewell to Noah Donohoe

For the final time , they came out onto the streets for Noah Donohoe .
The people of north Belfast had searched for him and then grieved for him ; now they applauded him as the hearse bearing his coffin drove the slow half-mile from St Patrick ’ s Church on Donegall Street onto the Antrim Road and Noah ’ s school , St Malachy ’ s College .
The shops were shuttered ; on a construction site , builders stopped work and stood by the side of the road in their high-visibility vests .
At a nursing home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by motorbikes driven by volunteers from the Community Rescue Service , who had searched for Noah .
Some of the several thousand present released balloons and others laid white roses on the pavement in tribute .
“ He was in everyone ’ s hearts , ” explained Anne-Marie Laverty from north Belfast , who had come with her husband John to pay their respects ; her nephews and neighbours had been among those who joined in the search effort .
“ Everyone in the area was so worried about him , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is a real accolade for him.
” For six days , Noah was missing .
He was last seen on the evening of Sunday , June 21st , in Northwood Road in north Belfast , where he had cycled the 4km from his home in the south of the city .
The police said they believed he may have fallen off his bicycle and hit his head ; he was then seen discarding his clothing and cycling , actions which both they and Noah ’ s family said were “ completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted a massive search by police , community rescue volunteers and members of the public ; on Saturday morning came the discovery everyone was dreading .
Noah ’ s body had been found in a storm drain ; there was , the police said , “ no evidence to suggest foul play ” .
Yesterday morning the images of a smiling Noah which had become familiar to everyone in Belfast during the days of the search were pinned to the railings of St Patrick ’ s Church ahead of his funeral .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message read .
When the hearse arrived , the framed photograph placed beside the white coffin was equally recognisable ; Noah and his mum , Fiona , hugging , their heads pressed tightly together , arms around each other , as they smiled out at the camera , as close as a mother and son could be .
As she entered the church , flanked by her sisters and nieces , her face was white , the depth of her loss etched on her features .
It was to her words Fr Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoken the day after her son ’ s body was found which he said had stayed with him .
“ I have been so blessed , ” she said .
“ Noah was a beautiful soul with a beautiful mind .
He poured a whole life time of love into my life in 14 short years.
” Noah was loved , and had also loved in his turn ; he was , Fr McGarrity said , “ the kind of boy who was just full of the joy of living ” .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cello , or having fun with his friends , he “ savoured every moment ” .
Outside , friends from his former basketball club , Belfast Phoenix , and from his beloved St Malachy ’ s , formed a guard of honour ; tied to the handle of the white coffin was a ribbon in black and green , the St Malachy ’ s colours .
Only a small number of family and friends could be in the church for Requiem Mass , due to coronavirus restrictions ; as it began , Noah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a prayer service in his memory .
“ Noah loved his school and his friends at school , and we know that they will be grieving too and they need to say goodbye too , ” Noah ’ s family said earlier in the week .
It was to enable students and staff to say those farewells that the cortege took a special detour into the college grounds ; as the hearse disappeared through the gate , they could be seen lining the avenue up to the school .
As the applause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silence before the gates now completely covered in flowers and other tributes , with candles huddled on the pavement beneath .
There was an inflatable guitar , a St Malachy ’ s GAA shirt , a tiny basketball with the words “ Noah RIP ” written in black marker .
And , on a card affixed to a bunch of flowers : “ Rest in peace , beautiful boy .
”

People line the Antrim Road as the hearse bearing Noah Donohoe’s coffin is brought to his school, St Malachy’s College. The funeral of the 14-year-old took place at St Patrick’s Church in central Belfast on Wednesday. Video: Freya McClements
For the final time, they came out onto the streets for Noah Donohoe.
The people of north Belfast had searched for him and then grieved for him; now they applauded him as the hearse bearing his coffin drove the slow half-mile from St Patrick’s Church on Donegall Street onto the Antrim Road and Noah’s school, St Malachy’s College.
The shops were shuttered; on a construction site, builders stopped work and stood by the side of the road in their high-visibility vests. At a nursing home, carers watched as the cortege passed, led by motorbikes driven by volunteers from the Community Rescue Service, who had searched for Noah. Some of the several thousand present released balloons and others laid white roses on the pavement in tribute.
“He was in everyone’s hearts,” explained Anne-Marie Laverty from north Belfast, who had come with her husband John to pay their respects; her nephews and neighbours had been among those who joined in the search effort. “Everyone in the area was so worried about him, and he was so young, so innocent. This is a real accolade for him.”
READ MORE
Disappearance
For six days, Noah was missing. He was last seen on the evening of Sunday, June 21st, in Northwood Road in north Belfast, where he had cycled the 4km from his home in the south of the city.
The police said they believed he may have fallen off his bicycle and hit his head; he was then seen discarding his clothing and cycling, actions which both they and Noah’s family said were “completely out of character”.
His disappearance prompted a massive search by police, community rescue volunteers and members of the public; on Saturday morning came the discovery everyone was dreading. Noah’s body had been found in a storm drain; there was, the police said, “no evidence to suggest foul play”.
Yesterday morning the images of a smiling Noah which had become familiar to everyone in Belfast during the days of the search were pinned to the railings of St Patrick’s Church ahead of his funeral. “Rest in peace Noah,” the message read.
Fiona Donohoe follows her son Noah’s coffin with her sisters Niamh (left) and Shona. Photograph: Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press
When the hearse arrived, the framed photograph placed beside the white coffin was equally recognisable; Noah and his mum, Fiona, hugging, their heads pressed tightly together, arms around each other, as they smiled out at the camera, as close as a mother and son could be.
As she entered the church, flanked by her sisters and nieces, her face was white, the depth of her loss etched on her features.
It was to her words Fr Michael McGarrity returned in his homily, words spoken the day after her son’s body was found which he said had stayed with him.
“I have been so blessed,” she said. “Noah was a beautiful soul with a beautiful mind. He poured a whole life time of love into my life in 14 short years.”
Noah was loved, and had also loved in his turn; he was, Fr McGarrity said, “the kind of boy who was just full of the joy of living”. On the basketball court, or playing his cello, or having fun with his friends, he “savoured every moment”.
Outside, friends from his former basketball club, Belfast Phoenix, and from his beloved St Malachy’s, formed a guard of honour; tied to the handle of the white coffin was a ribbon in black and green, the St Malachy’s colours.
Restrictions
Only a small number of family and friends could be in the church for Requiem Mass, due to coronavirus restrictions; as it began, Noah’s form class were taking part in a prayer service in his memory.
“Noah loved his school and his friends at school, and we know that they will be grieving too and they need to say goodbye too,” Noah’s family said earlier in the week.
It was to enable students and staff to say those farewells that the cortege took a special detour into the college grounds; as the hearse disappeared through the gate, they could be seen lining the avenue up to the school.
As the applause died down, the crowds waited in silence before the gates now completely covered in flowers and other tributes, with candles huddled on the pavement beneath.
There was an inflatable guitar, a St Malachy’s GAA shirt, a tiny basketball with the words “Noah RIP” written in black marker. And, on a card affixed to a bunch of flowers: “Rest in peace, beautiful boy.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-02--Filipinos in Ireland ‘disproportionately affected’ by coronavirus, says consul

Filipinos living in Ireland have been “ disproportionately affected ” by coronavirus despite their best efforts to avoid infection through social distancing and the use of personal protective equipment , according to the Filipino consul in Ireland .
Three Filipinos have died of coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 , since March while 63 people tested positive for the virus , according to data from the consulate .
However , it is believed hundreds more Filipino healthcare workers have contracted the virus , said Vanda Brady , the consulate ’ s director of communications .
“ Most do not want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or worry they will be discriminated against if people know they were exposed to Covid , ” said Ms Brady .
Of those who say they have tested positive , most are healthcare workers and some work in factories .
In May , Miquel Plangca , who worked in a factory in Kildare , became the third Filipino to die of the virus , leaving behind four children .
Raymond Garrett , the consulate ’ s honorary consul , believes Filipinos and Indians have been more exposed to the virus than any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working in healthcare .
Some have worked here for nearly 20 years and are now senior staff in Irish hospitals , he said .
“ A lot of ICU teams are made up of more than 50 per cent Filipino staff .
One major Dublin hospital has two ICU teams where 70 per cent are Filipino.
” Despite diligent personal protective equipment use they ’ re becoming infected and some are passing the virus on to family members , said Mr Garrett .
“ It ’ s not possible to socially isolate for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this disease and , along with Indians , are disproportionately affected .
We ’ re gravely concerned about the number of Filipinos with the virus.
” Many of these senior nurses are aged between 50 and 60 and thus at risk of complications if they contract the virus .
“ These are people who would have come to Ireland in their 30s and 40s with vast nursing experience from the Philippines .
They ’ re now coming towards the end of their careers and work in highly skilled areas like ICU.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dependent in recent years on nurses from the Philippines , India and Nigeria .
About 16,000 Filipinos live in Ireland with the majority working in healthcare and hospitality .
Some 6,000 Filipinos work as nurses in hospitals ( 7 per cent of all nurses ) with many more working as carers for the elderly , disabled and young children .
Some nurses who travelled home to visit family earlier this year have been stranded in the Philippines since national airports closed in March , said Mr Garrett .
“ They went on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone two to three months .
They still have rent to pay in Ireland but most hospitals have placed them on unpaid leave.
” The consulate is also supporting undocumented Filipinos in Ireland and has distributed food baskets to families who lost work but are not eligible for State support .
Irene Jagoba who is undocumented and works with the Migrant Rights Council of Ireland has helped people apply for the Filipino government ’ s once-off $ 200 overseas workers welfare payment but said many are still struggling to pay for food .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cocooning with their elderly patients in their homes , she said .
One of these recently lost a daughter who lives in the Philippines to the virus and is grieving while she continues her care duties , said Ms Jagoba .
“ It ’ s not just about the money , the lack of rest really affects their health .
Many are suffering from depression and anxiety , so I ’ ve set up an online support group and check in with members .
“ Lots of undocumented people are continuing to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , caring for children and the elderly .
Families couldn ’ t function without them .
Some fear catching the virus but they have no choice , they have to continue working .
Regularisation is so urgent now so we can live safely in these uncertain times and contribute fully to the recovery.
” Wendel Versadel , community engagement officer with the Filipino consulate , is also worried about the welfare of undocumented Filipinos and fears many remain reluctant to contact a doctor if they become ill. Mr Versadel , a Cork-based healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , spent nearly three weeks at a hotel to avoid passing the virus on to his wife – a nurse working with non-coronavirus patients .
He said many Filipino couples working in healthcare have struggled to look after their children during the pandemic .
“ Those working in the HSE are lucky because there are childcare facilities but if you both work in a nursing home and have young kids it ’ s really hard .
If you both get the virus who is going to take care of the kids ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ashamed of contracting the virus .
“ I know healthcare workers from nursing homes asked us for help but some don ’ t want the community knowing they have the virus .
Some Filipino nurses post about it on Facebook but only after they ’ ve recovered .
”

Filipinos living in Ireland have been "disproportionately affected" by coronavirus despite their best efforts to avoid infection through social distancing and the use of personal protective equipment, according to the Filipino consul in Ireland.
Three Filipinos have died of coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, since March while 63 people tested positive for the virus, according to data from the consulate. However, it is believed hundreds more Filipino healthcare workers have contracted the virus, said Vanda Brady, the consulate’s director of communications.
“Most do not want others to know because they are embarrassed or worry they will be discriminated against if people know they were exposed to Covid,” said Ms Brady.
Of those who say they have tested positive, most are healthcare workers and some work in factories.
READ MORE
Exposed
In May, Miquel Plangca, who worked in a factory in Kildare, became the third Filipino to die of the virus, leaving behind four children.
Raymond Garrett, the consulate’s honorary consul, believes Filipinos and Indians have been more exposed to the virus than any other foreign national community, given the numbers working in healthcare.
Some have worked here for nearly 20 years and are now senior staff in Irish hospitals, he said. “A lot of ICU teams are made up of more than 50 per cent Filipino staff. One major Dublin hospital has two ICU teams where 70 per cent are Filipino.”
Despite diligent personal protective equipment use they’re becoming infected and some are passing the virus on to family members, said Mr Garrett. “It’s not possible to socially isolate for months on end. Filipinos are exposed to this disease and, along with Indians, are disproportionately affected. We’re gravely concerned about the number of Filipinos with the virus.”
Many of these senior nurses are aged between 50 and 60 and thus at risk of complications if they contract the virus. "These are people who would have come to Ireland in their 30s and 40s with vast nursing experience from the Philippines. They're now coming towards the end of their careers and work in highly skilled areas like ICU."
The Irish health service has become hugely dependent in recent years on nurses from the Philippines, India and Nigeria. About 16,000 Filipinos live in Ireland with the majority working in healthcare and hospitality. Some 6,000 Filipinos work as nurses in hospitals (7 per cent of all nurses) with many more working as carers for the elderly, disabled and young children.
Some nurses who travelled home to visit family earlier this year have been stranded in the Philippines since national airports closed in March, said Mr Garrett. “They went on a three- to four-week holiday but have been gone two to three months. They still have rent to pay in Ireland but most hospitals have placed them on unpaid leave.”
The consulate is also supporting undocumented Filipinos in Ireland and has distributed food baskets to families who lost work but are not eligible for State support.
Irene Jagoba who is undocumented and works with the Migrant Rights Council of Ireland has helped people apply for the Filipino government’s once-off $200 overseas workers welfare payment but said many are still struggling to pay for food.
Of those still working, many are cocooning with their elderly patients in their homes, she said. One of these recently lost a daughter who lives in the Philippines to the virus and is grieving while she continues her care duties, said Ms Jagoba.
“It’s not just about the money, the lack of rest really affects their health. Many are suffering from depression and anxiety, so I’ve set up an online support group and check in with members.
Recovery
“Lots of undocumented people are continuing to work on the front line through this pandemic, caring for children and the elderly. Families couldn’t function without them. Some fear catching the virus but they have no choice, they have to continue working. Regularisation is so urgent now so we can live safely in these uncertain times and contribute fully to the recovery.”
Wendel Versadel, community engagement officer with the Filipino consulate, is also worried about the welfare of undocumented Filipinos and fears many remain reluctant to contact a doctor if they become ill.
Mr Versadel, a Cork-based healthcare worker who is caring for Covid-19 patients, spent nearly three weeks at a hotel to avoid passing the virus on to his wife – a nurse working with non-coronavirus patients.
He said many Filipino couples working in healthcare have struggled to look after their children during the pandemic. “Those working in the HSE are lucky because there are childcare facilities but if you both work in a nursing home and have young kids it’s really hard. If you both get the virus who is going to take care of the kids?”
Mr Versadel agrees that many Filipinos are ashamed of contracting the virus. "I know healthcare workers from nursing homes asked us for help but some don't want the community knowing they have the virus. Some Filipino nurses post about it on Facebook but only after they've recovered."


theirishtimes--2020-07-02--Are ‘designer babies’ something we really want?

A “ designer baby ” is a baby whose genetic make-up has been selected or engineered to ensure certain traits are present and/or to eliminate particular effects/defects .
Such design is possible today only to a very limited extent , eg gender selection , and research recently published by Ehud Karavani and others explains why mastering the ability to produce designer babies on a comprehensive basis remains a long way off .
Just as well probably as this whole area fairly bristles with unresolved ethical questions .
Comprehensive ability in this field , were it ever attained , would allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s intelligence , athletic ability , musical ability , sex , eye and hair colour , height , to eliminate/lower certain health risks , and more .
The current practical approach to genetic enhancement of embryos is through pre-implantation genetic diagnosis ( PGD ) of in-vitro fertilised ( IVF ) embryos .
Sperm cells from the father are fused with egg cells from the mother in a petri-dish to produce embryos .
These embryos are genetically analysed and those showing the desired genetic characteristics are implanted in the uterus .
An advance on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the embryonic genome , but such editing is illegal everywhere genetic modification in human reproduction has been legislated on .
Human traits are determined both by genetics and by the environment .
Our genes are very influential , eg twin studies report that up to 80 per cent of one ’ s intelligence , as measured by IQ , is genetically determined .
Some traits are determined by a single gene , eg many relatively rare diseases such as cystic fibrosis , phenylketonuria and so on .
But most traits are influenced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two such traits and much is known about the complex underlying genetics , particularly for height .
Karavani et al ’ s research reported in Cell examined the success of the PGD/IVF approach in selecting for enhanced IQ or height .
The researchers used genome sequences from real people to calculate the genome profiles of embryos resulting from sexual pairings of these people .
They assumed that each couple would have 10 embryos to choose from and they predicted the IQ or adult height for each embryo based on the variants of gene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assumed the embryo with the top score would be selected for implantation .
The results show the effects on these theoretical offspring are quite small .
The largest IQ gain above the average of the embryos was only 2.5 points , and the largest increase in height above the average was only 2.5cm .
To appreciate how little 2.5 IQ points is remember average population IQ is 100 and 68 per cent of the population fall between IQ 85 and IQ 115 , between one standard deviation ( 15 IQ points ) below @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mean .
And even these small increases are not guaranteed because of natural variability not accounted for in the known gene variants .
Also , many couples get much fewer than 10 viable embryos after IVF .
And attempting to maximise more than one trait at once would greatly further complicate embryo selection .
Commenting on these results , Dr Liz Ormondroyd , genetic counsellor and researcher at Oxford University said : “ This computer simulation study shows that , for these complex characteristics , designer babies remain in the realm of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long way from being able to comprehensively design babies , research will no doubt continue apace and eventually much that is now “ science fiction ” will eventually become possible .
Would it be good to freely use this new technology ?
The Oxford bioethicist Julian Savulesco argues genetic enhancement of offspring is so good that parents have a moral obligation to avail of it .
I feel relatively few people would agree with this .
While one can appreciate the good in the therapeutic genetic repair of an embryo to correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , deliberately designing 7ft tall basketball players with IQs of 180 is another matter .
There are many substantial reasons to frown on the idea of designer babies .
For instance , societies now significantly stratify socio-economically on health , life expectancy and morbidity .
What further yawning gaps of inequality would open up if better-off people routinely bought expensive technology to genetically enhance their offspring , technology beyond the means of poorer people ?
William Reville is an emeritus professor of biochemistry at UCC

A "designer baby" is a baby whose genetic make-up has been selected or engineered to ensure certain traits are present and/or to eliminate particular effects/defects. Such design is possible today only to a very limited extent, eg gender selection, and research recently published by Ehud Karavani and others explains why mastering the ability to produce designer babies on a comprehensive basis remains a long way off. Just as well probably as this whole area fairly bristles with unresolved ethical questions.
Comprehensive ability in this field, were it ever attained, would allow parents to choose their new baby’s intelligence, athletic ability, musical ability, sex, eye and hair colour, height, to eliminate/lower certain health risks, and more.
The current practical approach to genetic enhancement of embryos is through pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of in-vitro fertilised (IVF) embryos. Sperm cells from the father are fused with egg cells from the mother in a petri-dish to produce embryos.
These embryos are genetically analysed and those showing the desired genetic characteristics are implanted in the uterus. An advance on this technology would also allow editing of the embryonic genome, but such editing is illegal everywhere genetic modification in human reproduction has been legislated on.
READ MORE
Human traits are determined both by genetics and by the environment. Our genes are very influential, eg twin studies report that up to 80 per cent of one’s intelligence, as measured by IQ, is genetically determined. Some traits are determined by a single gene, eg many relatively rare diseases such as cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria and so on.
But most traits are influenced by multiple genes. Height and IQ are two such traits and much is known about the complex underlying genetics, particularly for height. Karavani et al’s research reported in Cell examined the success of the PGD/IVF approach in selecting for enhanced IQ or height.
The researchers used genome sequences from real people to calculate the genome profiles of embryos resulting from sexual pairings of these people. They assumed that each couple would have 10 embryos to choose from and they predicted the IQ or adult height for each embryo based on the variants of gene present in the simulated embryos. They assumed the embryo with the top score would be selected for implantation.
The results show the effects on these theoretical offspring are quite small. The largest IQ gain above the average of the embryos was only 2.5 points, and the largest increase in height above the average was only 2.5cm. To appreciate how little 2.5 IQ points is remember average population IQ is 100 and 68 per cent of the population fall between IQ 85 and IQ 115, between one standard deviation (15 IQ points) below the mean to one standard deviation above the mean.
And even these small increases are not guaranteed because of natural variability not accounted for in the known gene variants. Also, many couples get much fewer than 10 viable embryos after IVF. And attempting to maximise more than one trait at once would greatly further complicate embryo selection.
Commenting on these results, Dr Liz Ormondroyd, genetic counsellor and researcher at Oxford University said: "This computer simulation study shows that, for these complex characteristics, designer babies remain in the realm of science fiction."
Although we are still a long way from being able to comprehensively design babies, research will no doubt continue apace and eventually much that is now “science fiction” will eventually become possible. Would it be good to freely use this new technology?
The Oxford bioethicist Julian Savulesco argues genetic enhancement of offspring is so good that parents have a moral obligation to avail of it. I feel relatively few people would agree with this. While one can appreciate the good in the therapeutic genetic repair of an embryo to correct a mutation that would result in disease, deliberately designing 7ft tall basketball players with IQs of 180 is another matter.
There are many substantial reasons to frown on the idea of designer babies. For instance, societies now significantly stratify socio-economically on health, life expectancy and morbidity. What further yawning gaps of inequality would open up if better-off people routinely bought expensive technology to genetically enhance their offspring, technology beyond the means of poorer people?
William Reville is an emeritus professor of biochemistry at UCC


theirishtimes--2020-07-02--Solicitors can now become senior counsel after 300-year-old law is overturned

Solicitors are now able to apply to become senior counsel , under changes passed in legislation five years ago now coming into force that will overturn 300-year-old rules .
Up to now the right to be a senior counsel was only given by the government to practicing barristers , following a decision to grant so-called “ patents of precedence ” .
However , a notice seeking applications from junior barristers and solicitors appeared on the website of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority ( LSRA ) earlier this week .
The closing date is July 24th .
Patents date back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow barristers who became king ’ s counsel to appear in cases against the crown and also , if they were members of parliament , to not have to resign their seats .
Applicants must display competence and probity and professional independence , have excellent advocacy skills and a knowledge of specialist litigation , and be of good character and tax compliant .
“ They must be willing to advance an argument that is not popular and be committed to their duty to the court , particularly where that duty may conflict with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had a right of advocacy in all courts since 1971 .
Solicitors chosen will still be solicitors , and not barristers .
However , it is not yet clear how appointment will affect a solicitor ’ s income .
“ But I know some will [ be chosen ] , and there will be great interest in seeing who the first Irish solicitor in history to be made a senior counsel will be , ” the director-general of the Law Society , Ken Murphy , told The Irish Times .
The advisory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Frank Clarke , along with the presidents of the Court of Appeal and the High Court , The Attorney General , the Bar Council chair , the president of the Law Society , and the chair of the LSRA , also serve .

‘There will be great interest in seeing who the first Irish solicitor in history to be made a senior counsel will be,’ the director general of the Law Society, Ken Murphy, said. Photograph: Eric Luke
Solicitors are now able to apply to become senior counsel, under changes passed in legislation five years ago now coming into force that will overturn 300-year-old rules.
Up to now the right to be a senior counsel was only given by the government to practicing barristers, following a decision to grant so-called “patents of precedence”.
However, a notice seeking applications from junior barristers and solicitors appeared on the website of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) earlier this week. The closing date is July 24th.
Patents date back to the 1700s, and were designed to allow barristers who became king’s counsel to appear in cases against the crown and also, if they were members of parliament, to not have to resign their seats.
READ MORE
Applicants must display competence and probity and professional independence, have excellent advocacy skills and a knowledge of specialist litigation, and be of good character and tax compliant.
“They must be willing to advance an argument that is not popular and be committed to their duty to the court, particularly where that duty may conflict with their client’s interests.”
Solicitors have had a right of advocacy in all courts since 1971. Solicitors chosen will still be solicitors, and not barristers. However, it is not yet clear how appointment will affect a solicitor’s income.
"But I know some will [be chosen], and there will be great interest in seeing who the first Irish solicitor in history to be made a senior counsel will be," the director-general of the Law Society, Ken Murphy, told The Irish Times.
The advisory committee is chaired by the Chief Justice, Frank Clarke, along with the presidents of the Court of Appeal and the High Court, The Attorney General, the Bar Council chair, the president of the Law Society, and the chair of the LSRA, also serve.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Four men arrested following €4m cannabis seizure in Laois

Four men have been arrested following a cannabis seizure of almost €4 million in Co Laois .
A vehicle was @ @ @ @ @ Raheen area of Co Laois at about 9.15am on Wednesday .
A search of the @ @ @ @ @ a substantial quantity of suspected cannabis herb and a large amount of suspected cannabis products @ @ @ @ @ value of the seizure is approximately €3.9 million .
Four men were arrested at the @ @ @ @ @ their 30s are currently being detained at Portlaoise Garda Station while two men in their @ @ @ @ @ at Tullamore Garda Station .
All four men are detained under the provisions of Section @ @ @ @ @ ( Drug Trafficking ) Act 1996 .
The operation was carried by the Laois Drugs @ @ @ @ @ units and national Garda units targeting the sale and supply of controlled drugs .
Investigations @ @ @

The estimated value of the seizure in Co Laois in Wednesday is approximately €3.9 million.
Four men have been arrested following a cannabis seizure of almost €4 million in Co Laois.
A vehicle was stopped by gardaí in the Raheen area of Co Laois at about 9.15am on Wednesday. A search of the vehicle was carried out where a substantial quantity of suspected cannabis herb and a large amount of suspected cannabis products were seized.
The estimated value of the seizure is approximately €3.9 million.
Four men were arrested at the scene. Two men in their 30s are currently being detained at Portlaoise Garda Station while two men in their 40s are currently being detained at Tullamore Garda Station.
READ MORE
All four men are detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.
The operation was carried by the Laois Drugs Unit supported by local detective units and national Garda units targeting the sale and supply of controlled drugs. Investigations are ongoing.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Pods, bubbles, staggered drop-offs: Reopening schools in a brave new world

With less than eight weeks to go before the start of the new school year , health authorities have released interim guidelines for the safe reopening of schools .
Once implemented , school life will look very different than before .
Here are some of the key recommendations : Primary : A distance of one metre should be maintained between desks or between individual pupils .
Given that younger children are unlikely to maintain physical distancing indoors , this recommendation will not apply to the first four years of primary school ( junior infants to second class ) .
Secondary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible or at least one metre should be maintained between students or staff .
Schools should consider moving to individual desks and chairs for students .
Primary : Pupils and their teachers will be encouraged to form class bubbles or groupings which stay apart from other classes as much as possible .
Within each class , there may be pods or smaller groups , which should stay at least one metre away from other pods .
Secondary : As far as possible students should remain in the classroom and teachers would move between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , would minimise movement during the day .
In cases where students have to change classroom , hand washing/sanitising is required by both teachers and students .
Walking/cycling to school should be encouraged .
To avoid congregation at school gates , schools should consider staggered drop-off/pick-up times ; opening up additional entrances or access points and instructing pupils to head straight for the classroom .
For those arriving by car , parents may be encouraged to park further away from the school and then walk with their children to avoid congestion .
Students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students to wear a mask properly for the duration of a school day .
Older students should not be requested to wear a facial covering , but those who may wish to may do so .
Teachers : Face coverings for teachers are not , in general , considered necessary , as they conceal facial expression and can make communication difficult .
However , wearing a visor may be an appropriate alternative in situations where there may be behavioural issues or tending to intimate care needs .
Use of disposable gloves in schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On-site temperature taking is not recommended because fever is not a consistent symptom of Covid-19 in children and would result in delayed school entry .
Pupils and staff should wash or sanitise their hands on arrival at school ; before eating or drinking ; after using the toilet ; after petting animals ; and after playing outdoors .
Art students should be encouraged to have their own art supplies .
Shared electronics such as tablets and keyboards should be cleaned between use .
Musical instruments should not be shared between students , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be covered in a wipeable plastic covering that can be wiped with cleaning agent between uses .
Sharing of sports equipment should also be minimised .
Two metres is recommended for physical distancing by staff on breaks or arriving for work .
Breaks should be staggered .
At post-primary level , the formation of school staff “ pods ” , or teams who work together and take breaks together , should be considered .
Staff meetings may be held remotely , or in small groups or in large spaces to facilitate physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing is applied in canteen facilities , with classes or groupings served at different times on a staggered basis .
The risk of virus transmission due to contact with outside surfaces or play areas is low .
However , schools should aim to keep groups together , to stagger breaktimes and to promote outdoor access .
Choir practices/performances and music practices/performances involving wind instruments may pose a higher level of risk and special consideration should be given to how they are held , ensuring the room is well ventilated and distancing between performers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing advice of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ’ s guidelines for return to sports activities , which advise socially distanced training .
Schools should also consider ways of reducing the need for touching objects by installing no-touch waste containers , propping doors open , and using sensor-operated hand towels .
Where possible the keeping open of doors and windows should be encouraged to increase natural ventilation and to reduce contact with door handles .

Primary school pupils and their teachers will be encouraged to form class bubbles or groupings which stay apart from other classes as much as possible. File photograph: Getty
With less than eight weeks to go before the start of the new school year, health authorities have released interim guidelines for the safe reopening of schools. Once implemented, school life will look very different than before. Here are some of the key recommendations:
Social distancing
Primary: A distance of one metre should be maintained between desks or between individual pupils. Given that younger children are unlikely to maintain physical distancing indoors, this recommendation will not apply to the first four years of primary school (junior infants to second class).
Secondary: Physical distancing of two metres where possible or at least one metre should be maintained between students or staff. Schools should consider moving to individual desks and chairs for students.
Class bubbles
Primary: Pupils and their teachers will be encouraged to form class bubbles or groupings which stay apart from other classes as much as possible. Within each class, there may be pods or smaller groups, which should stay at least one metre away from other pods.
READ MORE
Secondary: As far as possible students should remain in the classroom and teachers would move between rooms. Double classes, where possible, would minimise movement during the day. In cases where students have to change classroom, hand washing/sanitising is required by both teachers and students.
Dropping off/picking up children
Walking/cycling to school should be encouraged. To avoid congregation at school gates, schools should consider staggered drop-off/pick-up times; opening up additional entrances or access points and instructing pupils to head straight for the classroom.
For those arriving by car, parents may be encouraged to park further away from the school and then walk with their children to avoid congestion.
Pupils at Willowpark Primary Academy in Oldham, England, after their return to a socially distanced classroom last month. New guidelines for the reopening of schools in Ireland in August state that a one-metre distance should be maintained between most students. File photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP
Face masks
Students: It is not practical for many students to wear a mask properly for the duration of a school day. Older students should not be requested to wear a facial covering, but those who may wish to may do so.
Teachers: Face coverings for teachers are not, in general, considered necessary, as they conceal facial expression and can make communication difficult.
However, wearing a visor may be an appropriate alternative in situations where there may be behavioural issues or tending to intimate care needs.
Gloves
Use of disposable gloves in schools by pupils or teachers is not appropriate.
Temperature checks
On-site temperature taking is not recommended because fever is not a consistent symptom of Covid-19 in children and would result in delayed school entry.
Hand hygiene
Pupils and staff should wash or sanitise their hands on arrival at school; before eating or drinking; after using the toilet; after petting animals; and after playing outdoors.
Sharing books or devices
Art students should be encouraged to have their own art supplies. Shared electronics such as tablets and keyboards should be cleaned between use. Musical instruments should not be shared between students, if possible.
Textbooks that are shared should be covered in a wipeable plastic covering that can be wiped with cleaning agent between uses. Sharing of sports equipment should also be minimised.
Rules for teaching staff
Two metres is recommended for physical distancing by staff on breaks or arriving for work. Breaks should be staggered. At post-primary level, the formation of school staff “pods”, or teams who work together and take breaks together, should be considered. Staff meetings may be held remotely, or in small groups or in large spaces to facilitate physical distancing.
Canteens
Schools should ensure that physical distancing is applied in canteen facilities, with classes or groupings served at different times on a staggered basis.
Break times
The risk of virus transmission due to contact with outside surfaces or play areas is low. However, schools should aim to keep groups together, to stagger breaktimes and to promote outdoor access.
Choir practice/music
Choir practices/performances and music practices/performances involving wind instruments may pose a higher level of risk and special consideration should be given to how they are held, ensuring the room is well ventilated and distancing between performers is maintained.
Sport
Schools should follow the existing advice of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre’s guidelines for return to sports activities, which advise socially distanced training.
Cleaning regimes
Schools should also consider ways of reducing the need for touching objects by installing no-touch waste containers, propping doors open, and using sensor-operated hand towels.
Where possible the keeping open of doors and windows should be encouraged to increase natural ventilation and to reduce contact with door handles.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Former chairperson of parents’ council stole over €3,000 from its funds, court told

The former chairperson of the parents ’ council at a Co Laois school has pleaded guilty to stealing over €3,000 from its funds , including money from a Christmas card scheme .
Bernadette Moran ( 43 ) admitted two charges of theft from the parents ’ council of Scoil Mhuire in Abbeyleix on dates between September 2015 and September 2016 in what was described by a judge as a “ mean , nasty and community-corrosive ” offence .
Tullamore Circuit Criminal Court heard on Wednesday that Moran – a separated mother of two , who comes originally from Dublin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Abbeyleix , Co Laois – had previously been given a four-year suspended jail term in 2008 for misappropriating €13,000 from the Christina Noble Children ’ s Foundation .
Evidence was heard that Moran in her role as chairperson had said she would arrange Garda vetting of members of the parents ’ council but never did as it would have highlighted her previous conviction .
In a victim impact statement , representatives of the parents ’ council said Moran had sent emails to people in Abbeyleix attempting to implicate two of their members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who claimed they had been living under a cloud of suspicion for several years , said Moran ’ s offences had far-reaching consequences for the parents ’ council , the school and its students as well as the wider community .
They accused Moran of “ denigrating the good character and reputation ” of the group and had subjected them to “ vicious lies and rumours ” .
The court heard the parents ’ council had been disbanded in 2017 as a result of what had happened .
Det Garda Mark Russell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offences only came to light in September 2016 after a mother of a student at Scoil Mhuire had tried to make a claim on an insurance policy arranged by the parents ’ council after her child suffered an injury in the school .
The court heard the woman was informed by the insurance company that no policy was in place for Scoil Mhuire .
A formal complaint about Moran was subsequently made to gardaí in October 2016 .
Geraldine Fitzpatrick , BL for Moran , said her client had brought €1,005 to court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what she owed as well as make a donation .
Judge Keenan Johnson said he was concerned that Moran had misled a probation officer by claiming all the money she had stolen had been repaid .
Adjourning sentencing until July 10th , Judge Johnson ordered Moran to make a full apology which is to be circulated to everyone who received her original emails before she returned to court .
He also ordered her to repay the outstanding sum owed of €2,153 and to make a donation of €5,000 to the parents ’ @ @

The former chairperson of the parents’ council at a Co Laois school has pleaded guilty to stealing over €3,000 from its funds, including money from a Christmas card scheme.
Bernadette Moran (43) admitted two charges of theft from the parents’ council of Scoil Mhuire in Abbeyleix on dates between September 2015 and September 2016 in what was described by a judge as a “mean, nasty and community-corrosive” offence.
Tullamore Circuit Criminal Court heard on Wednesday that Moran – a separated mother of two, who comes originally from Dublin, but with an address at Lower Boley, Abbeyleix, Co Laois – had previously been given a four-year suspended jail term in 2008 for misappropriating €13,000 from the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation.
Evidence was heard that Moran in her role as chairperson had said she would arrange Garda vetting of members of the parents’ council but never did as it would have highlighted her previous conviction.
READ MORE
In a victim impact statement, representatives of the parents’ council said Moran had sent emails to people in Abbeyleix attempting to implicate two of their members in the missing funds.
The parents, who claimed they had been living under a cloud of suspicion for several years, said Moran’s offences had far-reaching consequences for the parents’ council, the school and its students as well as the wider community.
They accused Moran of “denigrating the good character and reputation” of the group and had subjected them to “vicious lies and rumours”.
The court heard the parents’ council had been disbanded in 2017 as a result of what had happened.
Det Garda Mark Russell from Abbeyleix Garda station, said the offences only came to light in September 2016 after a mother of a student at Scoil Mhuire had tried to make a claim on an insurance policy arranged by the parents’ council after her child suffered an injury in the school.
The court heard the woman was informed by the insurance company that no policy was in place for Scoil Mhuire.
A formal complaint about Moran was subsequently made to gardaí in October 2016.
Geraldine Fitzpatrick, BL for Moran, said her client had brought €1,005 to court and was prepared to pay the remainder of what she owed as well as make a donation.
Judge Keenan Johnson said he was concerned that Moran had misled a probation officer by claiming all the money she had stolen had been repaid.
Adjourning sentencing until July 10th, Judge Johnson ordered Moran to make a full apology which is to be circulated to everyone who received her original emails before she returned to court.
He also ordered her to repay the outstanding sum owed of €2,153 and to make a donation of €5,000 to the parents’ council.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--IWA says Minister for Disability should engage directly with support groups

The new Minister for Children , Disability , Equality and Integration should engage directly with advocacy and support groups to ensure people with disabilities can live the life they choose and are fully included in Irish society , the Irish Wheelchair Association ( IWA ) has said .
Roderic O ’ Gorman , who has been appointed to lead the newly recast department , should also commit to providing greater funding to disability organisations who are struggling to carry out their services after “ years of underfunding by successive governments ” , said the IWA .
IWA national advocacy officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see disability issues moved away from the Department of Health , but voiced concern that people with disabilities would now face competition with other minority groups when seeking funding .
“ Having it alongside integration and equality is a good place to be , but there ’ s no clarification yet on what that actually means , ” Ms Carthy told The Irish Times .
“ The new Minister and Government must take urgent action to ensure equality , integration and independence for people with disabilities across society .
We want no half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We want real investment in providing people with disabilities the right to live the life they choose , with full inclusion into society.
” The IWA will run a # NotMyIndependenceDay campaign across social media on Saturday , July 4th , to highlight how people with disabilities will not be “ getting back to normal ” like other members of the Irish population as Covid-19 restrictions ease .
Lockdown restrictions give “ just a small flavour of what life is like every day for people with disabilities ” because of a lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of home support hours and discrimination in the job market , said the IWA .
“ It will be a long time before anyone with disabilities can get back to their old normality , and even then we ’ re still dealing with the transport issues and lack of funding for personal assistance services , ” said Ms Carthy , a wheelchair-user and long-time disability campaigner .
She said the past few months have been particularly tough on people with disabilities , particularly those with underlying health conditions .
“ When you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and do your shopping , but people with disabilities couldn ’ t even do that .
That isolation has been very difficult on people.
” Mr O ’ Gorman said earlier this week in a statement following his appointment that he planned to put the “ young , vulnerable and marginalised ” at the very centre of his department ’ s work , and committed to expanding childcare , ending Direct Provision and “ extending equality to all our citizens ” .
He added that his department would engage with community and voluntary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its work .

Roderic O’ Gorman: he said he planned to put the “young, vulnerable and marginalised” at the very centre of his department’s work
The new Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration should engage directly with advocacy and support groups to ensure people with disabilities can live the life they choose and are fully included in Irish society, the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) has said.
Roderic O’Gorman, who has been appointed to lead the newly recast department, should also commit to providing greater funding to disability organisations who are struggling to carry out their services after “years of underfunding by successive governments”, said the IWA.
IWA national advocacy officer Joan Carthy said she was relieved to see disability issues moved away from the Department of Health, but voiced concern that people with disabilities would now face competition with other minority groups when seeking funding.
“Having it alongside integration and equality is a good place to be, but there’s no clarification yet on what that actually means,” Ms Carthy told The Irish Times.
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“The new Minister and Government must take urgent action to ensure equality, integration and independence for people with disabilities across society. We want no half measures, no crumbs from the table. We want real investment in providing people with disabilities the right to live the life they choose, with full inclusion into society.”
The IWA will run a #NotMyIndependenceDay campaign across social media on Saturday, July 4th, to highlight how people with disabilities will not be “getting back to normal” like other members of the Irish population as Covid-19 restrictions ease.
Lockdown restrictions give “just a small flavour of what life is like every day for people with disabilities” because of a lack of wheelchair accessible transport, a lack of home support hours and discrimination in the job market, said the IWA.
Transport issues
“It will be a long time before anyone with disabilities can get back to their old normality, and even then we’re still dealing with the transport issues and lack of funding for personal assistance services,” said Ms Carthy, a wheelchair-user and long-time disability campaigner.
She said the past few months have been particularly tough on people with disabilities, particularly those with underlying health conditions. “When you’re able-bodied you could still go out and do your shopping, but people with disabilities couldn’t even do that. That isolation has been very difficult on people.”
Mr O’Gorman said earlier this week in a statement following his appointment that he planned to put the “young, vulnerable and marginalised” at the very centre of his department’s work, and committed to expanding childcare, ending Direct Provision and “extending equality to all our citizens”.
He added that his department would engage with community and voluntary sector groups, trade unions and activists in its work.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Man loses appeal over right to be given original exam scripts

A man who won a landmark challenge over access to copies of his accountancy exam scripts has lost an appeal claiming he had an additional right to access the originals because of his fears of “ doctoring ” of the papers .
In 2017 , Peter Nowak won a European Court of Justice ( ECJ ) ruling that his scripts were personal data .
Ultimately he was provided with a copy of that data by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland ( ICAI ) which ran the exams for trainee accountants .
The matter arose out of his request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exams in 2009 .
In July 2018 , after the ECJ ruling and after his case came back before the High Court , he was supplied with a copy of the scripts .
An issue in relation to access to or right to the originals themselves remained .
This was dealt with by the High Court which in February 2018 found his right of access under the Data Protection Acts did not require supply of the personal data held in its original form or format .
He appealed that decision and the Data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal .
The ICAI was a notice party .
In the meantime , the ICAI offered him the opportunity to inspect the original scripts under controlled conditions .
The ICAI ’ s solicitors told him , even though it was not obliged to do so , he could examine the copies he had been provided with against the originals .
He didn ’ t take the offer up because he was appealing the High Court dismissal of his case .
On Wednesday , the Court of Appeal ( CoA ) ruled the High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his case .
Mr Justice Robert Haughton , on behalf of the three-judge CoA , said Mr Nowak had argued in his appeal that when a copy document is “ doctored ” , access to the original is desirable .
Mr Nowak had also argued , unless the person seeking the data has access to the original , they can not “ check to see whether the data is accurate ” .
He had said he “ had concerns about the original scripts ” and believed the copy was not correct .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of manipulation ” , the judge said .
Mr Justice Haughton was satisfied Mr Nowak could not pursue the “ doctoring ” argument as it was based on hypothetical facts .
In these cases , the DPC , and the Circuit Court on appeal , can only determine the complaint on the facts presented to them , he said .
When it is further appealed to the High Court and further again to the CoA , all that can be determined is a point of law , he said .
The higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the DPC , and before the Circuit Court .
There had never been any evidence before the DPC or the Circuit Court of doctoring or manipulation , he said .
In arguments for the DPC , the appeal court was told that under a 1995 EU Data Protection Directive ( 95/46/EC ) and the Data Protection Act , a person was only entitled to a full summary of data “ in an intelligible form ” .
Mr Nowak claimed the Act states the obligation to provide data was for a copy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the supply of a copy is not possible or involves disproportionate effort where the person seeking the data “ agrees otherwise.
” He argued he had not agreed to merely accepting a copy and that in requiring the originals he was “ agreeing otherwise.
” Mr Justice Haughton did not agree with that contention .
He was satisfied the High Court correctly identified and interpreted the EU directive and the Data Protection Act .
Mr Nowak failed to point to any error of law , he said .
He agreed with the High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not extend to an obligation to provide original exam scripts or to produce them for inspection .

A man who won a landmark challenge over access to copies of his accountancy exam scripts has lost an appeal claiming he had an additional right to access the originals because of his fears of “doctoring” of the papers.
In 2017, Peter Nowak won a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling that his scripts were personal data. Ultimately he was provided with a copy of that data by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland (ICAI) which ran the exams for trainee accountants. The matter arose out of his request for access having failed to pass his exams in 2009.
In July 2018, after the ECJ ruling and after his case came back before the High Court, he was supplied with a copy of the scripts.
An issue in relation to access to or right to the originals themselves remained.
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This was dealt with by the High Court which in February 2018 found his right of access under the Data Protection Acts did not require supply of the personal data held in its original form or format.
He appealed that decision and the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) opposed the appeal. The ICAI was a notice party.
In the meantime, the ICAI offered him the opportunity to inspect the original scripts under controlled conditions. The ICAI’s solicitors told him, even though it was not obliged to do so, he could examine the copies he had been provided with against the originals.
He didn’t take the offer up because he was appealing the High Court dismissal of his case.
On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal (CoA) ruled the High Court was correct in law in dismissing his case.
Mr Justice Robert Haughton, on behalf of the three-judge CoA, said Mr Nowak had argued in his appeal that when a copy document is “doctored”, access to the original is desirable. Mr Nowak had also argued, unless the person seeking the data has access to the original, they cannot “check to see whether the data is accurate”.
He had said he “had concerns about the original scripts” and believed the copy was not correct. He “wanted the originals because of the risk of manipulation”, the judge said.
Mr Justice Haughton was satisfied Mr Nowak could not pursue the “doctoring” argument as it was based on hypothetical facts.
In these cases, the DPC, and the Circuit Court on appeal, can only determine the complaint on the facts presented to them, he said.
When it is further appealed to the High Court and further again to the CoA, all that can be determined is a point of law, he said. The higher courts must take the facts as presented before the DPC, and before the Circuit Court.
There had never been any evidence before the DPC or the Circuit Court of doctoring or manipulation, he said.
In arguments for the DPC, the appeal court was told that under a 1995 EU Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC) and the Data Protection Act, a person was only entitled to a full summary of data “in an intelligible form”.
Mr Nowak claimed the Act states the obligation to provide data was for a copy of the material in a permanent form unless the supply of a copy is not possible or involves disproportionate effort where the person seeking the data “agrees otherwise.”
He argued he had not agreed to merely accepting a copy and that in requiring the originals he was “agreeing otherwise.”
Mr Justice Haughton did not agree with that contention.
He was satisfied the High Court correctly identified and interpreted the EU directive and the Data Protection Act. Mr Nowak failed to point to any error of law, he said.
He agreed with the High Court the obligation on the ICAI did not extend to an obligation to provide original exam scripts or to produce them for inspection.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Husband of Jean Eagers charged with her murder

The husband of a woman found dead in her west Dublin home earlier this month has been charged with her murder .
William Eagers ( 60 ) was charged on Wednesday with the murder of Jean Eagers ( 57 ) , and with production of a samurai sword while committing the offence in the course of a dispute .
The mother of two died in the incident at her house in Willow Wood Grove estate in Hartstown on the morning of June 21 .
The defendant appeared before Judge Michael Walsh during an evening sitting of Dublin District Court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defendant “ made no reply to either charge after caution ” and he was then handed copies of the charge sheets .
The defendant did not address the court and has not yet indicated how he will plead .
Judge Walsh acceded to defence solicitor Fiona Brennan ’ s request that her client would be remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court next Tuesday .
An application was made for legal aid .
Ms Brennan said her client was in receipt of the Covid-19 payment and he had been working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked the court to order that the defendant would get appropriate medical attention and supervision in custody .
Judge Walsh agreed to recommend that he be medically assessed in custody and provided with such treatment as the prison governor and the medical officer deemed appropriate .

William Eagers (60) was charged with the murder of Jean Eagers (57) on Wednesday.
The husband of a woman found dead in her west Dublin home earlier this month has been charged with her murder.
William Eagers (60) was charged on Wednesday with the murder of Jean Eagers (57), and with production of a samurai sword while committing the offence in the course of a dispute.
The mother of two died in the incident at her house in Willow Wood Grove estate in Hartstown on the morning of June 21.
Jean Eagers died at her home in Hartstown, Dublin, on the morning of June 21.
The defendant appeared before Judge Michael Walsh during an evening sitting of Dublin District Court.
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Detective Garda Shane McCartan told the court the defendant “made no reply to either charge after caution” and he was then handed copies of the charge sheets.
The defendant did not address the court and has not yet indicated how he will plead.
Judge Walsh acceded to defence solicitor Fiona Brennan's request that her client would be remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court next Tuesday.
An application was made for legal aid. Ms Brennan said her client was in receipt of the Covid-19 payment and he had been working part-time as a taxi driver.
She asked the court to order that the defendant would get appropriate medical attention and supervision in custody.
Judge Walsh agreed to recommend that he be medically assessed in custody and provided with such treatment as the prison governor and the medical officer deemed appropriate.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Woman who said ‘I have the virus’ and coughed in direction of paramedics jailed

A judge on Wednesday jailed a woman for six months for the assault on two paramedics when coughing in their direction in the back of an ambulance and telling them “ I have the virus ” .
At Ennis District Court , Judge Patrick Durcan stated Rebecca Blunnie ’ s behaviour on April 10th last “ was of an absolutely appalling nature ” .
Ms Blunnie ( 30 ) of Pella Road , Kilrush had pleaded guilty to the assault of paramedics , David Meaney and Frank Greaney at Dunogrogue , Killimer on April 10th .
Sgt Aiden Lonergan stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ms Blunnie when she coughed in the confined space of an ambulance and stated she had the virus .
Judge Durcan said : “ On that date , this country was in a maelstrom in the middle of the worst public health crisis that has ever been experienced here .
“ Ambulance service personnel were laying their lives on the line day in and day out to assist people who were genuinely ill , ” he said .
Judge Durcan stated that in her drunken , selfish stupor , Ms Blunnie had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that Ms Blunnie , who has 43 previous convictions , “ has an appalling record ” .
Ms Blunnie told the court previously : “ It was just a joke .
I didn ’ t mean to do it ” and later added “ I don ’ t have the virus ” .
Solicitor for Ms Blunnie , Monica Roche told the court her client sincerely apologises to the paramedics and the gardaí for her actions .

A judge on Wednesday jailed a woman for six months for the assault on two paramedics when coughing in their direction in the back of an ambulance and telling them “I have the virus”.
At Ennis District Court, Judge Patrick Durcan stated Rebecca Blunnie’s behaviour on April 10th last “was of an absolutely appalling nature”.
Blunnie (30) of Pella Road, Kilrush had pleaded guilty to the assault of paramedics David Meaney and Frank Greaney at Dunogrogue, Killimer, on April 10th.
Sgt Aiden Lonergan stated the two paramedics were within one metre of Blunnie when she coughed in the confined space of an ambulance and stated she had the virus.
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Judge Durcan said: “On that date, this country was in a maelstrom in the middle of the worst public health crisis that has ever been experienced here.
“Ambulance service personnel were laying their lives on the line day in and day out to assist people who were genuinely ill,” he said.
Judge Durcan stated that in her drunken, selfish stupor, Blunnie had an ambulance sent for her. He added that Blunnie, who has 43 previous convictions, “has an appalling record”.
Blunnie told the court previously: “It was just a joke. I didn’t mean to do it” and later added “I don’t have the virus”.
Solicitor for Blunnie, Monica Roche, told the court her client sincerely apologises to the paramedics and the gardaí for her actions.