theirishtimes--2020-01-30--Imagining 2050: The Ireland of the future

A cross-disciplinary research team from University College Cork ( UCC ) and Queens University Belfast ( QUB ) is working with communities already impacted by extreme weather events on how they imagine Ireland will be in 2050 .
Although public awareness about climate change has grown hugely in the past 12 to 18 months , there is still a lot of confusion in communities about what actions are the most important to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and how towns , villages and cities across Ireland can best adapt to the impacts of climate change .
Now , this innovative UCC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : engaging , envisioning and co-producing pathways to a low carbon resilient Ireland seeks to clarify issues and explore with local communities how they can have a sustainable and socially inclusive future .
“ The research project is an example of how social sciences can be integrated into the science domain , ” explains Dr Ger Mullally , sociology lecturer at UCC and lead coordinator of the EPA-funded project .
Researchers suggest social scientific research of this nature can ultimately be the bridge between scientific knowledge of the problem and the local lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenging problems relating to climate change are social in nature .
And quite often , the biggest challenge is to create a link between the scale of climate change and its implications for the day-to-day reality of people living , working and caring in their communities , ” says Alexandra Revez , senior postdoctoral researcher on Imagining 2050 .
So throughout 2019 , a broad mix of researchers ( civil engineers , energy engineers , environmental scientists , chemical engineers , social scientists and geographers ) ran workshops and seminars in two communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Athlone , Co Westmeath .
These areas had already been severely impacted by flooding in the past few years .
In 2020 , the research team of 12 principal investigators and several volunteer PhD students will work with coastal communities .
Brian Ó Gallachóir , co-leader of the project as director of MaREI ( the Science Foundation Ireland research centre for energy , climate and marine research ) and professor of energy engineering at UCC says having a wide range of disciplines working together is essential to achieving the goals of Imagining 2050 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to develop new approaches for climate dialogue using mini-publics .
We have brought together experts in energy engineering who understand low-carbon – climate mitigation – technologies , experts in environmental science who understand what we need to do to adapt to the impacts of climate change , experts in sociology who understand how to effectively engage with communities on transition .
Having this wide range of disciplines is challenging but also essential , ” he adds .
The community-based work is carried out over two weekends and participants first explore their visions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pathways for change , Revez says .
In brainstorming exercises in Athlone , workshop participants spoke about how they felt about climate change .
Many said it leads to uncertainty and unpredictability , which isn ’ t surprising since these communities had already witnessed or suffered from extreme weather events .
“ Uncertainty is a limiting aspect of climate change for many people .
So we need to be more explicit about what we know and don ’ t know .
By doing this , we can help people take ownership of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adds .
Innovative methods such as empathy mapping ( using story boards defining the problems and the solutions ) were used to deepen the experience of participants .
So , for example , participants were asked to imagine how specific citizens in the future ( a farmer , a teenager and an older person ) will react to climate change .
“ Understanding an older person ’ s need for a nice , comfortable environment and their concerns about the costs of keeping older houses warm , understanding a teenager ’ s concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life paths and understanding a farmer ’ s concerns about extreme weather events , isolation and decreased family incomes helps us all have a greater understanding of the effects of climate change on people , ” she says .
Further brain-storming exercises linked solutions with problems under the headings of housing , energy and health .
And as part of the process , the workshop participants in Athlone mapped out how their town needs to adapt to [ to cope with changes caused by weather events ] and mitigate against [ to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Mobility was seen to be a big issue in Athlone and people weren ’ t sure how to deal with the challenge of car dependency .
Yet , there was an awareness about how connecting with your community to solve these issues could improve people ’ s health and wellbeing , ” Revez points out .
Together , the group mapped new future ways to travel around Athlone with a ban on cars entering the town centre ; family-friendly cycling routes , looped bus routes , bike parking and a walkway along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ square as a food market rather than its current status as a car park was another key future scenario .
“ Climate change is a stressor for society which has the potential to create enormous vulnerability yet it can have social benefits if a strong resilient health sector is part of the solution , ” says Revez .
The participants in workshops in Athlone also put great emphasis on the role of preventative healthcare , with strong primary healthcare and social infrastructure as essentials for this to be effective .
“ People didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ futuristic place with flying cars .
Instead , they put a strong emphasis on getting the basics right to cope with the stressors coming our way , ” she adds .
Ultimately , those who engaged with Imagining 2050 told researchers that while many of them didn ’ t change their views – they still felt uncertain and concerned about the future – they were more willing to take part in climate change activities and , crucially , they felt they had a greater sense of hope about coping with the future .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities , researchers gained a better understanding of not only the issues people face but also the capacity for resilience in the community .
The researchers working on Imagining 2050 already have significant experience in informing national policy on climate action , Ó Gallachóir says .
MaREI ’ s Climate Ireland team produced the first set of climate adaptation guidelines for the Government and MaREI ’ s Energy Policy and Modelling team are currently assisting in the development of the long-term strategy for a low-carbon society .
“ The results and learning gained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government directly through policy briefs and thought leader workshops , but also indirectly , through committees and other projects , in which the Imagining 2050 researchers are participating in , ” he adds .

A cross-disciplinary research team from University College Cork (UCC) and Queens University Belfast (QUB) is working with communities already impacted by extreme weather events on how they imagine Ireland will be in 2050.
Although public awareness about climate change has grown hugely in the past 12 to 18 months, there is still a lot of confusion in communities about what actions are the most important to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and how towns, villages and cities across Ireland can best adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Now, this innovative UCC and QUB research project, Imagining 2050: engaging, envisioning and co-producing pathways to a low carbon resilient Ireland seeks to clarify issues and explore with local communities how they can have a sustainable and socially inclusive future.
"The research project is an example of how social sciences can be integrated into the science domain," explains Dr Ger Mullally, sociology lecturer at UCC and lead coordinator of the EPA-funded project.
READ MORE
Researchers suggest social scientific research of this nature can ultimately be the bridge between scientific knowledge of the problem and the local lived experience.
"Some of the most challenging problems relating to climate change are social in nature. And quite often, the biggest challenge is to create a link between the scale of climate change and its implications for the day-to-day reality of people living, working and caring in their communities," says Alexandra Revez, senior postdoctoral researcher on Imagining 2050.
So throughout 2019, a broad mix of researchers (civil engineers, energy engineers, environmental scientists, chemical engineers, social scientists and geographers) ran workshops and seminars in two communities – Ballincollig, Co Cork, and Athlone, Co Westmeath. These areas had already been severely impacted by flooding in the past few years. In 2020, the research team of 12 principal investigators and several volunteer PhD students will work with coastal communities.
Brian Ó Gallachóir, co-leader of the project as director of MaREI (the Science Foundation Ireland research centre for energy, climate and marine research) and professor of energy engineering at UCC says having a wide range of disciplines working together is essential to achieving the goals of Imagining 2050.
‘New approaches for climate dialogue’
“The purpose of Imagining 2050 is to develop new approaches for climate dialogue using mini-publics. We have brought together experts in energy engineering who understand low-carbon – climate mitigation – technologies, experts in environmental science who understand what we need to do to adapt to the impacts of climate change, experts in sociology who understand how to effectively engage with communities on transition. Having this wide range of disciplines is challenging but also essential,” he adds.
The community-based work is carried out over two weekends and participants first explore their visions for their community and then identify key pathways for change, Revez says.
In brainstorming exercises in Athlone, workshop participants spoke about how they felt about climate change. Many said it leads to uncertainty and unpredictability, which isn’t surprising since these communities had already witnessed or suffered from extreme weather events. “Uncertainty is a limiting aspect of climate change for many people. So we need to be more explicit about what we know and don’t know. By doing this, we can help people take ownership of the risks at local level,” Revez adds.
Innovative methods such as empathy mapping (using story boards defining the problems and the solutions) were used to deepen the experience of participants. So, for example, participants were asked to imagine how specific citizens in the future (a farmer, a teenager and an older person) will react to climate change.
“Understanding an older person’s need for a nice, comfortable environment and their concerns about the costs of keeping older houses warm, understanding a teenager’s concerns about uncertainty for the future and undefined life paths and understanding a farmer’s concerns about extreme weather events, isolation and decreased family incomes helps us all have a greater understanding of the effects of climate change on people,” she says.
Further brain-storming exercises linked solutions with problems under the headings of housing, energy and health. And as part of the process, the workshop participants in Athlone mapped out how their town needs to adapt to [to cope with changes caused by weather events] and mitigate against [to reduce greenhouse gas emissions] climate change.
“Mobility was seen to be a big issue in Athlone and people weren’t sure how to deal with the challenge of car dependency. Yet, there was an awareness about how connecting with your community to solve these issues could improve people’s health and wellbeing,” Revez points out.
Together, the group mapped new future ways to travel around Athlone with a ban on cars entering the town centre; family-friendly cycling routes, looped bus routes, bike parking and a walkway along the River Shannon. Reclaiming the market square as a food market rather than its current status as a car park was another key future scenario.
‘Stressor for society’
"Climate change is a stressor for society which has the potential to create enormous vulnerability yet it can have social benefits if a strong resilient health sector is part of the solution," says Revez.
The participants in workshops in Athlone also put great emphasis on the role of preventative healthcare, with strong primary healthcare and social infrastructure as essentials for this to be effective. “People didn’t imagine Ireland 2050 as a futuristic place with flying cars. Instead, they put a strong emphasis on getting the basics right to cope with the stressors coming our way,” she adds.
Ultimately, those who engaged with Imagining 2050 told researchers that while many of them didn’t change their views – they still felt uncertain and concerned about the future – they were more willing to take part in climate change activities and, crucially, they felt they had a greater sense of hope about coping with the future.
Revez says that by working with local communities, researchers gained a better understanding of not only the issues people face but also the capacity for resilience in the community.
The researchers working on Imagining 2050 already have significant experience in informing national policy on climate action, Ó Gallachóir says. MaREI’s Climate Ireland team produced the first set of climate adaptation guidelines for the Government and MaREI’s Energy Policy and Modelling team are currently assisting in the development of the long-term strategy for a low-carbon society.
“The results and learning gained from Imagining 2050 will be brought to Government directly through policy briefs and thought leader workshops, but also indirectly, through committees and other projects, in which the Imagining 2050 researchers are participating in,” he adds.


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Two winners share €7.7m Lotto jackpot

Two winners share €7.7m Lotto jackpot

There were two winners of the National Lottery ’ s €7.7 million jackpot on Wednesday evening .
The two lucky @ @ @ @ @ and receive €3.8 million each .
The winning ticket numbers for the multi-million euro jackpot @ @ @ @ @ 20 , 22 , 39 , 44 , and the bonus number was 16 .
@ @ @ @ @ yet of where the winning tickets were sold .

There were two winners of the National Lottery’s €7.7 million jackpot on Wednesday evening.
The two lucky winners will split the pot and receive €3.8 million each.
The winning ticket numbers for the multi-million euro jackpot were 1, 3, 20, 22, 39, 44, and the bonus number was 16.
No details have been released yet of where the winning tickets were sold.


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Man with acquired brain injury challenges constitutionality of High Court’s wardship jurisdiction

A man with acquired brain injury who objects to being made a ward of court has brought a challenge to the constitutionality of the High Court ’ s wardship jurisdiction .
A jury hearing to decide whether the man should be brought into wardship , listed for next week , has now been deferred pending the challenge , the outcome of which has potentially significant implications for the wardship system .
The HSE had petitioned for an inquiry into whether the 60-year-old man should be made a ward of court arising from concerns , including that he might be prone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantial monies arising from a fall some 10 years ago which lead to his acquired brain injury .
He now lives in the community with his wife and is attending a GP and hospital , the court heard .
A court appointed medical visitor had concluded he is of unsound mind and lacks capacity to manage his person and finances as a result of being cognitively impaired secondary to acquired brain injury .
On Wednesday , Ciarán Craven SC told High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly he had been instructed to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the constitutionality of the entry requirements for wardship .
Those proceedings challenge both the High Court ’ s wardship jurisdiction and the exercise of that jurisdiction .
The man claims wardship is an unfair and unconstitutional system to which he ought not be subject , counsel said .
No immediate issues arise concerning the man ’ s welfare and the capacity findings are disputed with a medical report awaited in that regard , he added .
His side wanted the wardship hearing adjourned pending the constitutional case of which the Attorney General was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a similar but “ less complex ” case than a separate challenge by an intellectually disabled man to the constitutionality of a ban on his civil legal marriage and the High Court ’ s wardship jurisdiction , counsel added .
Maireád McKenna BL , for the HSE , said it was ready to proceed with the wardship hearing next week , had no notice of the adjournment application , and was “ very much in the dark ” about the constitutional challenge .
The man now has professional legal representatives who believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is appropriate and there are no immediate welfare issues concerning him , she said .
The HSE , which had acted at all times in his best interests , was in the court ’ s hands concerning the adjournment application on which it had “ no strong view ” .
Mr Justice Kelly said he was “ very surprised ” at the HSE ’ s “ extraordinary ” stance on adjournment when it had brought the petition for wardship .
The medical visitor was asked to assess the man because the HSE had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his capacity to look after his affairs , he said .
The medical visitor had concluded the man was of unsound mind as a result of cognitive impairment secondary to brain injury and is incapable of managing his person and finances .
The HSE is the statutory body with obligations to vulnerable people and he would have thought it would be anxious to address the situation identified by the medical visitor , the judge said .
The wardship trial would have either decided the man had a well founded objection to wardship or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The HSE had voiced no real opposition to the wardship hearing being adjourned and the court has no role in interposing itself between a statutory body , the judge said .
He would grant the adjournment which effectively meant indefinitely postponing the wardship proceedings as a High Court hearing could take nine to 12 months and there was likely to be an appeal or appeals .

A jury hearing to decide whether the man should be brought into wardship, listed for next week, has now been deferred pending the challenge. Photograph: iStock
A man with acquired brain injury who objects to being made a ward of court has brought a challenge to the constitutionality of the High Court’s wardship jurisdiction.
A jury hearing to decide whether the man should be brought into wardship, listed for next week, has now been deferred pending the challenge, the outcome of which has potentially significant implications for the wardship system.
The HSE had petitioned for an inquiry into whether the 60-year-old man should be made a ward of court arising from concerns, including that he might be prone to financial exploitation. He had received substantial monies arising from a fall some 10 years ago which lead to his acquired brain injury.
He now lives in the community with his wife and is attending a GP and hospital, the court heard.
READ MORE
A court appointed medical visitor had concluded he is of unsound mind and lacks capacity to manage his person and finances as a result of being cognitively impaired secondary to acquired brain injury.
On Wednesday, Ciarán Craven SC told High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly he had been instructed to take proceedings on behalf of the man challenging the constitutionality of the entry requirements for wardship. Those proceedings challenge both the High Court's wardship jurisdiction and the exercise of that jurisdiction.
The man claims wardship is an unfair and unconstitutional system to which he ought not be subject, counsel said. No immediate issues arise concerning the man’s welfare and the capacity findings are disputed with a medical report awaited in that regard, he added.
His side wanted the wardship hearing adjourned pending the constitutional case of which the Attorney General was on notice, he said.
This is a similar but “less complex” case than a separate challenge by an intellectually disabled man to the constitutionality of a ban on his civil legal marriage and the High Court’s wardship jurisdiction , counsel added.
Maireád McKenna BL, for the HSE, said it was ready to proceed with the wardship hearing next week, had no notice of the adjournment application, and was “very much in the dark” about the constitutional challenge.
The man now has professional legal representatives who believe the course of action they have adopted is appropriate and there are no immediate welfare issues concerning him, she said.
The HSE, which had acted at all times in his best interests, was in the court’s hands concerning the adjournment application on which it had “no strong view”.
Mr Justice Kelly said he was “very surprised” at the HSE’s “extraordinary” stance on adjournment when it had brought the petition for wardship.
The medical visitor was asked to assess the man because the HSE had written to the court expressing concern about his capacity to look after his affairs, he said. The medical visitor had concluded the man was of unsound mind as a result of cognitive impairment secondary to brain injury and is incapable of managing his person and finances.
The HSE is the statutory body with obligations to vulnerable people and he would have thought it would be anxious to address the situation identified by the medical visitor, the judge said.
The wardship trial would have either decided the man had a well founded objection to wardship or he lacked capacity, he added.
The HSE had voiced no real opposition to the wardship hearing being adjourned and the court has no role in interposing itself between a statutory body, the judge said. He would grant the adjournment which effectively meant indefinitely postponing the wardship proceedings as a High Court hearing could take nine to 12 months and there was likely to be an appeal or appeals.


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Part of NCT tests suspended over safety fears with lifts

An element of the national car test to establish the road worthiness of vehicles has been suspended over safety fears .
The National Car Test Service ( NCTS ) said it had made the decision to discontinue the use of vehicle inspection lifts across its network “ with immediate effect ” until a full condition survey of all lifts is completed .
In a statement , it said it was recently made aware of a defect with a similar make and model of lift that is used to elevate vehicles before inspection of the underbelly .
“ Following that information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” it said .
“ All customers should continue to book and turn up for their NCT as normal .
The test will be completed with the omission of the underbody inspection , which will be conducted at a later date when the lifts are returned to use .
“ Customers will incur no additional costs as part of this process .
Our priority at this point and time is for the safety of our staff and our customer ’ s property .
We do sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vehicle Agency ( DVA ) ordered the suspension of most vehicle roadworthy tests on Monday after faults were discovered in lift equipment at MOT test centres .
Two reviews into how MOT tests for cars and light vehicles in Northern Ireland had to be suspended , have been commissioned by SDLP Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon The DVA chief executive Paul Duffy said he had not received sufficient assurances about the faults being repaired .
Cracks in lift machinery were first detected in November but the problem got worse this month forcing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found at 48 of 55 lifts at test centres across Northern Ireland .
Heavy goods vehicles will continue to be tested as they don ’ t require the use of lifts while taxis and four-year-old cars are being prioritised for tests .

The NCTS said it was made aware of a defect with a similar make and model of lift that is used to elevate vehicles.
An element of the national car test to establish the road worthiness of vehicles has been suspended over safety fears.
The National Car Test Service (NCTS) said it had made the decision to discontinue the use of vehicle inspection lifts across its network "with immediate effect" until a full condition survey of all lifts is completed.
In a statement, it said it was recently made aware of a defect with a similar make and model of lift that is used to elevate vehicles before inspection of the underbelly.
“Following that information, condition surveys have been instigated,” it said.
READ MORE
“All customers should continue to book and turn up for their NCT as normal. The test will be completed with the omission of the underbody inspection, which will be conducted at a later date when the lifts are returned to use.
“Customers will incur no additional costs as part of this process. Our priority at this point and time is for the safety of our staff and our customer’s property. We do sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
The North’s Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) ordered the suspension of most vehicle roadworthy tests on Monday after faults were discovered in lift equipment at MOT test centres.
Two reviews into how MOT tests for cars and light vehicles in Northern Ireland had to be suspended, have been commissioned by SDLP Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon
The DVA chief executive Paul Duffy said he had not received sufficient assurances about the faults being repaired.
Cracks in lift machinery were first detected in November but the problem got worse this month forcing the suspension of the tests. Faults were found at 48 of 55 lifts at test centres across Northern Ireland.
Heavy goods vehicles will continue to be tested as they don’t require the use of lifts while taxis and four-year-old cars are being prioritised for tests.


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Just three convictions since law targeting those who used prostitutes introduced

There have been just three convictions since a new law targeting those who used prostitutes was introduced in 2017 , a review of the new law has revealed .
In one other case the probation act was applied .
A further 13 people were awaiting prosecution as of July of last year , according to the Interim Report of the High-Level Working Group , set up to review the new law .
Part IV of the Criminal Law ( Sexual Offences ) Act created two new offences of paying for sexual activity with a prostitute and paying for sexual activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decriminalised working as a prostitute while increasing the penalties for those who were convicted of brothel-keeping .
In a report published on Wednesday , the group said that the steps taken to date by the state to assist women , including trafficked women , who are working as prostitutes , were “ insignificant ” .
The group called for the establishment of an Independent National Rapporteur on Gender-based Violence and Exploitation , who would have access to data held by state and non-state agencies , and would produce an annual report .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prostitution are migrant women and many are undocumented , ” the report noted .
The gardaí are currently developing information to be given directly to women involved in prostitution during brothel raids , which will highlight the new law , the role of the gardaí , and the supports that are available , according to the report .
The information is to be made available in English , Portuguese , Romanian , and French , as well as other languages to be identified by frontline support services .
During a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of last year , gardaí questioned 36 people suspected of having paid for sex , and in total last year 97 people were questioned .
The report does not say how many files were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions .
The group recommends that work continue on ensuring that those involved in exploitation are the target of criminal sanctions while those who are being exploited are protected .
Written by Dr Geoffrey Shannon , it said it was vital that there were laws against brothel-keeping .
However there was a concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profiting from prostitution may have , on occasion , been targeted by the law .
“ The highest profile incidence of this happening was the conviction and sentencing of two young Romanian women for brothel-keeping , one of whom was pregnant.
” The women have appealed their nine-month sentences and to date have not served time in prison .
“ We need to continue to work with those enacting and implementing the legislation , to ensure the exploiters are the target of criminal sanctions , and the exploited are protected , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre , which is involved with the working group , said the prosecution figures for buyers are very low , but that it took time to build an expertise in prosecuting an offence that is so hidden .

Part IV of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act created two new offences of paying for sexual activity with a prostitute and paying for sexual activity with a trafficked person. Photograph: Collins Courts.
There have been just three convictions since a new law targeting those who used prostitutes was introduced in 2017, a review of the new law has revealed. In one other case the probation act was applied.
A further 13 people were awaiting prosecution as of July of last year, according to the Interim Report of the High-Level Working Group, set up to review the new law.
Part IV of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act created two new offences of paying for sexual activity with a prostitute and paying for sexual activity with a trafficked person.
The law decriminalised working as a prostitute while increasing the penalties for those who were convicted of brothel-keeping.
READ MORE
In a report published on Wednesday, the group said that the steps taken to date by the state to assist women, including trafficked women, who are working as prostitutes, were “insignificant”.
The group called for the establishment of an Independent National Rapporteur on Gender-based Violence and Exploitation, who would have access to data held by state and non-state agencies, and would produce an annual report.
The “overwhelming majority of the women involved in prostitution are migrant women and many are undocumented,” the report noted.
The gardaí are currently developing information to be given directly to women involved in prostitution during brothel raids, which will highlight the new law, the role of the gardaí, and the supports that are available, according to the report.
The information is to be made available in English, Portuguese, Romanian, and French, as well as other languages to be identified by frontline support services.
Criminal sanctions
During a number of “days of action” in April of last year, gardaí questioned 36 people suspected of having paid for sex, and in total last year 97 people were questioned. The report does not say how many files were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The group recommends that work continue on ensuring that those involved in exploitation are the target of criminal sanctions while those who are being exploited are protected.
Written by Dr Geoffrey Shannon, it said it was vital that there were laws against brothel-keeping.
However there was a concern that women who were not organising or profiting from prostitution may have, on occasion, been targeted by the law.
“The highest profile incidence of this happening was the conviction and sentencing of two young Romanian women for brothel-keeping, one of whom was pregnant.”
The women have appealed their nine-month sentences and to date have not served time in prison.
“We need to continue to work with those enacting and implementing the legislation, to ensure the exploiters are the target of criminal sanctions, and the exploited are protected,” the report said.
Noeline Blackwell, of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, which is involved with the working group, said the prosecution figures for buyers are very low, but that it took time to build an expertise in prosecuting an offence that is so hidden.


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy bridge opened by matriarch’s great-granddaughter

The great-granddaughter of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy joined Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to open the New Ross Bypass and Ireland ’ s longest bridge – named for the Irish-American matriarch – on Wednesday .
Rose Katherine Kennedy Townsend , a grandchild of Robert and Ethel Kennedy , attended the official opening of the 36m high , 887m bridge and bypass on a sunny , if chilly day , where she spoke of the Kennedy family ’ s deep connection to Ireland .
The 14km bridge – which contains as much steel as the Eiffel Tower – is named in honour of Rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ J Kennedy and Robert Kennedy , and matriarch of the famous Irish-American family .
Fittingly , the structure has nine spans indicating the matriarch ’ s nine children .
When it opens to traffic on Thursday at noon the new bridge will be the longest in Ireland overtaking the Foyle Bridge in Derry ( 866m ) .
The structure crosses the River Barrow between Wexford and Kilkenny and forms a major part of the upgrades to the €230 million N25 New Ross bypass , taking articulated lorries out of New Ross – a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a 500-strong crowd on the Wexford side of the bridge , Ms Kennedy Townsend said she had a wonderful day visiting cousins in her ancestral homestead in nearby Dunganstown .
“ My parents named me after my great-grandmother , so I am a wild Irish Rose and my uncle Ted and I used to sing this ( song ) to my great-grandmother at her house in Hyannis Port , ” she said .
She said Rose Kennedy was very proud of her Irish roots .
“ This bridge is a wonderful tribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her enduring love and lesson that it doesn ’ t matter who you are , where you come from , we are all God ’ s children .
When some leaders threaten to drive us apart we need to honour those who build bridges that bring us together.
” While acknowledging the crucial role former public expenditure minister Brendan Howlin had in securing funding for the project , Mr Varadkar said he gave it the go-ahead when he was minister for transport in 2013 .
Work began on the bypass in spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early 2019 .
“ It was really hard because nobody wanted to lend us any money or wanted to invest in projects like this because they didn ’ t trust the capacity of the Irish State and the Irish people to pay the money back , ” he said .
Mr Varadkar said much has changed since then thanks to the sacrifices of the Irish people and the correct decisions being made at policy level .
“ This new bypass , which includes Ireland ’ s longest bridge , will transform New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South-East , ” the Taoiseach said .
“ By reducing congestion and travel-times , improving road safety , and opening up economic opportunities , this will make a huge difference for commuters , for families , for businesses and for tourists.
” He also said the project was an investment in greater connectivity to Rosslare and an investment in future economic security .
The new bypass will significantly ease chronic traffic congestion in New Ross town offering time savings of up to 30 minutes .
Between 15,000 and 20,000 cars a day are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was designed by ARUP and Carlos Fernandes Casado SL and is estimated to have cost around € 90m to build .
The State ’ s €230m investment in the New Ross project came in on budget , a project spokesman said .

Rose Katherine Kennedy Townsend at the opening of the Rose Kennedy Fitzgerald Bridge in Wexford with Donagh and Eanna Grennan, grandchildren of Johanna Ryan who welcomed John F Kennedy to The Kennedy Homestead, New Ross in 1963. Photograph: Patrick Browne
The great-granddaughter of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy joined Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to open the New Ross Bypass and Ireland's longest bridge – named for the Irish-American matriarch – on Wednesday.
Rose Katherine Kennedy Townsend, a grandchild of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, attended the official opening of the 36m high, 887m bridge and bypass on a sunny, if chilly day, where she spoke of the Kennedy family's deep connection to Ireland.
The 14km bridge – which contains as much steel as the Eiffel Tower – is named in honour of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, mother of brothers John J Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, and matriarch of the famous Irish-American family.
Fittingly, the structure has nine spans indicating the matriarch’s nine children.
READ MORE
When it opens to traffic on Thursday at noon the new bridge will be the longest in Ireland overtaking the Foyle Bridge in Derry (866m).
The structure crosses the River Barrow between Wexford and Kilkenny and forms a major part of the upgrades to the €230 million N25 New Ross bypass, taking articulated lorries out of New Ross – a former traffic blackspot.
Standing in front of a 500-strong crowd on the Wexford side of the bridge, Ms Kennedy Townsend said she had a wonderful day visiting cousins in her ancestral homestead in nearby Dunganstown.
"My parents named me after my great-grandmother, so I am a wild Irish Rose and my uncle Ted and I used to sing this (song) to my great-grandmother at her house in Hyannis Port, " she said.
Irish roots
She said Rose Kennedy was very proud of her Irish roots.
“This bridge is a wonderful tribute to my great-grandmother, and a symbol of her enduring love and lesson that it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, we are all God’s children. When some leaders threaten to drive us apart we need to honour those who build bridges that bring us together.”
While acknowledging the crucial role former public expenditure minister Brendan Howlin had in securing funding for the project, Mr Varadkar said he gave it the go-ahead when he was minister for transport in 2013. Work began on the bypass in spring 2016 and it was due to open in early 2019.
“It was really hard because nobody wanted to lend us any money or wanted to invest in projects like this because they didn’t trust the capacity of the Irish State and the Irish people to pay the money back,” he said.
Mr Varadkar said much has changed since then thanks to the sacrifices of the Irish people and the correct decisions being made at policy level.
“This new bypass, which includes Ireland’s longest bridge, will transform New Ross, Wexford, Kilkenny and the South-East,” the Taoiseach said.
“By reducing congestion and travel-times, improving road safety, and opening up economic opportunities, this will make a huge difference for commuters, for families, for businesses and for tourists.”
He also said the project was an investment in greater connectivity to Rosslare and an investment in future economic security.
The new bypass will significantly ease chronic traffic congestion in New Ross town offering time savings of up to 30 minutes.
Between 15,000 and 20,000 cars a day are expected to travel across the bridge, which was designed by ARUP and Carlos Fernandes Casado SL and is estimated to have cost around € 90m to build.
The State’s €230m investment in the New Ross project came in on budget, a project spokesman said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Sports clubs and political parties advised not to use WhatsApp

Privacy experts have warned that political parties , sports clubs and community organisations should stop using WhatsApp , the instant messaging service , for group activities .
It follows news this week that the GAA had told its member organisations that using the platform raised the risk of non-compliance with strict data privacy laws introduced in 2018 .
“ My advice would be to stop using WhatsApp immediately .
WhatsApp in my view does not comply with GDPR and should not be used , ” said Daragh O ’ Brien , managing director of data privacy consultancy Castlebridge .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate for personal use , its use by professional or community organisations raised a series of compliance concerns regarding the General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR ) .
“ [ This applies to ] Political parties , community anti-theft schemes done in collaboration with the gardaí , neighbourhood watch groups using WhatsApp , other sports organisations , voluntary organisations , ” he said .
He said the use of the platform potentially breached requirements around the fair and transparent and lawful processing of data , as well as the security , integrity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was due to the automatic sharing of group members ’ information with other members who may not be known to them .
“ While I might want to take part in a sports group , I might not want all members of the club to know my mobile , which can then be copied , saved and used for other purposes , ” Mr O ’ Brien said .
“ Administrators and organisations need to recognise that non-compliance carries significant risk to the organisation and therefore the convenience of consumer based tools needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the privacy and safety of members.
” In a statement on Wednesday , the GAA said its member clubs were first warned two years ago not to use WhatsApp and other instant messaging apps .
“ GAA clubs , like all data controllers , need to ensure and promote compliance with data protection legislation , including the GDPR and the Data Protection Act.
” The organisation said that its position is outlined in its social media policy and supporting guidelines for GAA clubs .
It is pushing clubs to use its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and text messaging , as well as messages sent within the app .
The issue came to national prominence this week after the child protection officer of the Laois GAA County Board issued a strong warning to members about using the WhatsApp service .
Laois Today reported on Monday night that Seamus Lahart told a county board meeting : “ I can ’ t stress it enough , you have to scrap WhatsApp.
” Speaking on RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland programme on Wednesday morning , the GAA ’ s data protection officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not written with individual GAA clubs in mind , however because each GAA club is processing their member ’ s data , we in turn are data controllers under the legislation , so we need to make sure every club is compliant with the legislation .
”

The use of WhatsApp by professional or community organisations raised a series of compliance concerns regarding the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Photograph: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg
Privacy experts have warned that political parties, sports clubs and community organisations should stop using WhatsApp, the instant messaging service, for group activities.
It follows news this week that the GAA had told its member organisations that using the platform raised the risk of non-compliance with strict data privacy laws introduced in 2018.
"My advice would be to stop using WhatsApp immediately. WhatsApp in my view does not comply with GDPR and should not be used," said Daragh O'Brien, managing director of data privacy consultancy Castlebridge. He said that while the messaging service was appropriate for personal use, its use by professional or community organisations raised a series of compliance concerns regarding the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
“[This applies to] Political parties, community anti-theft schemes done in collaboration with the gardaí, neighbourhood watch groups using WhatsApp, other sports organisations, voluntary organisations,” he said.
READ MORE
He said the use of the platform potentially breached requirements around the fair and transparent and lawful processing of data, as well as the security, integrity and confidentiality principal in the GDPR. This was due to the automatic sharing of group members’ information with other members who may not be known to them.
“While I might want to take part in a sports group, I might not want all members of the club to know my mobile, which can then be copied, saved and used for other purposes,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Administrators and organisations need to recognise that non-compliance carries significant risk to the organisation and therefore the convenience of consumer based tools needs to be balanced against appropriate controls to protect the privacy and safety of members.”
Two years ago
In a statement on Wednesday, the GAA said its member clubs were first warned two years ago not to use WhatsApp and other instant messaging apps.
“GAA clubs, like all data controllers, need to ensure and promote compliance with data protection legislation, including the GDPR and the Data Protection Act.”
The organisation said that its position is outlined in its social media policy and supporting guidelines for GAA clubs. It is pushing clubs to use its own games management system, which enables email and text messaging, as well as messages sent within the app.
The issue came to national prominence this week after the child protection officer of the Laois GAA County Board issued a strong warning to members about using the WhatsApp service. Laois Today reported on Monday night that Seamus Lahart told a county board meeting: "I can't stress it enough, you have to scrap WhatsApp."
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme on Wednesday morning, the GAA's data protection officer Kelly Cunningham said: "The GDPR was not written with individual GAA clubs in mind, however because each GAA club is processing their member's data, we in turn are data controllers under the legislation, so we need to make sure every club is compliant with the legislation."


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Talks to take place aimed at averting strike by home-help staff over pay restoration

Talks will take place on Thursday aimed at averting a potential strike by hundreds of home-help staff just before polling day in the general election .
The dispute centres on restoration of pay in organisations providing health and social care services that receive State grant aid ( known technically as section 39 bodies ) which was cut following the economic crash .
The trade union Siptu had balloted members working in a number of organisations providing home-help services which it maintained did not honour the terms of an agreement on pay restoration reached last year .
About 50 Section 39 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However separately there are about 250 other Section 39 bodies which were not encompassed by this deal .
Industrial action in these organisations is also a possibility in the weeks ahead .
Trade union Siptu has commenced balloting members in these Section 39 organisations for industrial action in recent weeks .
Earlier this week trade union Fórsa said its members in a small number of section 39 agencies were to be balloted for industrial action as part of the campaign for pay restoration .
The HSE in its service plan for this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pay restoration in respect of the organisations in the initial group of 50 agencies covered by the deal last year .
However , it said it would engage with the Workplace Relations Commission “ in relation to the feasibility of extension beyond that 50 ” .

The trade union Siptu had balloted members working in a number of organisations providing home-help services. File photograph: Getty
Industry Correspondent
Talks will take place on Thursday aimed at averting a potential strike by hundreds of home-help staff just before polling day in the general election.
The dispute centres on restoration of pay in organisations providing health and social care services that receive State grant aid (known technically as section 39 bodies) which was cut following the economic crash.
The trade union Siptu had balloted members working in a number of organisations providing home-help services which it maintained did not honour the terms of an agreement on pay restoration reached last year.
READ MORE
About 50 Section 39 organisations were covered by this agreement.
However separately there are about 250 other Section 39 bodies which were not encompassed by this deal.
Industrial action in these organisations is also a possibility in the weeks ahead.
Trade union Siptu has commenced balloting members in these Section 39 organisations for industrial action in recent weeks.
Earlier this week trade union Fórsa said its members in a small number of section 39 agencies were to be balloted for industrial action as part of the campaign for pay restoration.
The HSE in its service plan for this year said it would continue with the implementation of pay restoration in respect of the organisations in the initial group of 50 agencies covered by the deal last year.
However, it said it would engage with the Workplace Relations Commission "in relation to the feasibility of extension beyond that 50".


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--CAB raids homes in Cork and Kerry as part of international crime gang investigation

Members of the Criminal Assets Bureau have seized property in raids on houses in Cork and Kerry as part of an investigation into the activities of an international crime gang .
Some 25 officers from CAB raided a house in Aherla in Mid-Cork and another house at Caragh Lake in South Kerry in an operation targeting a 50-year-old man suspected of involvement in money laundering for the crime gang .
CAB officers seized two cars , a 182-registered Audi TT and a 161-registered Mercedes Benz , as well as €1,400 in cash , three high-value watches and laptops , phones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s understood that CAB was also examining the man ’ s recent involvement in buying large amounts of crypto-currency .
Investigators suspect it may be being used as a means of laundering the proceeds of criminal activity .
CAB officers also raided a solicitor ’ s office in Cork city and seized a quantity of documentation as part of their investigation into the suspect who has previously served a jail sentence for criminal activity .
The CAB officers were backed up by local gardaí from West Cork and Kerry in the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning and lasted for several hours .
No arrests were made but CAB say the investigation is ongoing .
During a visit to Cork in September 2018 Det Chief Supt Patrick Clavin of CAB revealed the bureau was carrying out investigations into 30 people in Cork city and county suspected of benefitting from criminal activity .
CAB Chief Bureau Officer , Chief Supt Clavin told a Cork City Council Joint Policing Committee meeting at Cork City Hall that CAB was at the time carrying out investigations into over 900 targets nationally .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Cork City Garda Division , where 11 Garda profilers were working and where CAB was carrying out seven full investigations and nine preliminary investigations .
In Cork North Garda Division , seven garda profilers were involved in identifying possible beneficiaries of crime .
And CAB was currently carrying out three full investigations and one preliminary investigation , he said .
Meanwhile , in the Cork West Garda Division , seven garda profilers were similarly involved in identifying possible beneficiaries and CAB is carrying out three full investigations and seven preliminary investigations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is drug related and the next after that would be burglaries , organised prostitution , smuggling such as cigarette smuggling , fuel smuggling and all those forms of criminality would be among the 30 targets that we have here in Cork city and county , ” he said .

The CAB officers were backed up by local gardaí from West Cork and Kerry in the two raids which happened at around 7.30am this morning. File photograph
Members of the Criminal Assets Bureau have seized property in raids on houses in Cork and Kerry as part of an investigation into the activities of an international crime gang.
Some 25 officers from CAB raided a house in Aherla in Mid-Cork and another house at Caragh Lake in South Kerry in an operation targeting a 50-year-old man suspected of involvement in money laundering for the crime gang.
CAB officers seized two cars, a 182-registered Audi TT and a 161-registered Mercedes Benz, as well as €1,400 in cash, three high-value watches and laptops, phones and documentation in the raids.
It’s understood that CAB was also examining the man’s recent involvement in buying large amounts of crypto-currency. Investigators suspect it may be being used as a means of laundering the proceeds of criminal activity.
READ MORE
CAB officers also raided a solicitor’s office in Cork city and seized a quantity of documentation as part of their investigation into the suspect who has previously served a jail sentence for criminal activity.
The CAB officers were backed up by local gardaí from West Cork and Kerry in the two raids which began at around 7.30am this morning and lasted for several hours. No arrests were made but CAB say the investigation is ongoing.
During a visit to Cork in September 2018 Det Chief Supt Patrick Clavin of CAB revealed the bureau was carrying out investigations into 30 people in Cork city and county suspected of benefitting from criminal activity.
CAB Chief Bureau Officer, Chief Supt Clavin told a Cork City Council Joint Policing Committee meeting at Cork City Hall that CAB was at the time carrying out investigations into over 900 targets nationally.
He said CAB was looking at 16 targets in the Cork City Garda Division, where 11 Garda profilers were working and where CAB was carrying out seven full investigations and nine preliminary investigations.
In Cork North Garda Division, seven garda profilers were involved in identifying possible beneficiaries of crime. And CAB was currently carrying out three full investigations and one preliminary investigation, he said.
Meanwhile, in the Cork West Garda Division, seven garda profilers were similarly involved in identifying possible beneficiaries and CAB is carrying out three full investigations and seven preliminary investigations, he added.
“Most criminality is drug related and the next after that would be burglaries, organised prostitution, smuggling such as cigarette smuggling, fuel smuggling and all those forms of criminality would be among the 30 targets that we have here in Cork city and county,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Gardaí carry out searches for remains of Keane Mulready-Woods

Gardaí are currently carrying out searches in the Oldbridge area of Co Meath as part of its investigation into the murder and dismemberment of teenager Keane Mulready-Woods earlier this month .
The 17-year-old was murdered and his body dismembered in what is believed to be connected to the ongoing criminal feud in Drogheda , Co Louth .
Limbs discovered in a bag in Darndale in north Dublin were later confirmed as those of the missing boy .
More remains were discovered in a stolen car found ablaze on a laneway near Croke Park in Dublin ’ s north inner city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the remains confirmed they were those of the teenager , who was last seen at about 6pm in Drogheda on January 12th .
Gardaí believe he was killed in the town on the same day .
However , some of the teenager ’ s remains have yet to be located .
A Garda spokeswoman confirmed on Wednesday : “ Searches are currently underway at Oldbridge as part of ongoing investigations.
” Gardaí believe the gang that murdered and dismembered Keane ’ s was planning to dump parts of his body outside the Co @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a rival gang in the Drogheda feud .

Gardaí are currently carrying out searches in the Oldbridge area of Co Meath as part of its investigation into the murder and dismemberment of teenager Keane Mulready-Woods earlier this month.
The 17-year-old was murdered and his body dismembered in what is believed to be connected to the ongoing criminal feud in Drogheda, Co Louth.
Limbs discovered in a bag in Darndale in north Dublin were later confirmed as those of the missing boy. More remains were discovered in a stolen car found ablaze on a laneway near Croke Park in Dublin’s north inner city early.
DNA testing carried out on the remains confirmed they were those of the teenager, who was last seen at about 6pm in Drogheda on January 12th. Gardaí believe he was killed in the town on the same day.
READ MORE
However, some of the teenager’s remains have yet to be located. A Garda spokeswoman confirmed on Wednesday: “Searches are currently underway at Oldbridge as part of ongoing investigations.”
Gardaí believe the gang that murdered and dismembered Keane’s was planning to dump parts of his body outside the Co Louth home of a senior criminal aligned to a rival gang in the Drogheda feud.


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Kids on the election debate: Leo looks scared of Boyd Barrett

Seven political party leaders squawked , harranged and interrupted their way through what passed for an election debate earlier this week .
Many were quick to label some of their behaviour as petty and childish .
So , The Irish Times wondered , how do children feel about being compared to the cast of characters seeking to run the country ?
A panel of primary school pupils from St Audoen ’ s National School in Dublin 8 , aged 10 to 12 years , was assembled to review the debate footage , and it is fair to say that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t impressed .
Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar got a mostly sceptical response .
“ He ’ s saying all these promises and all , but how do we know it ’ s really going to happen ?
” said Emily Evans ( 11 ) .
“ You feel like you could trust him – but there wasn ’ t that much of a change the last time , was there ?
” Emmie Keating ( 11 ) has first-hand experience of the housing crisis .
“ People have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve been waiting for very long , and we still haven ’ t got a house .
.
.
it ’ s a big problem .
.
.
instead , they ’ re building student accommodation , ” she said .
If Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin was hoping that this was his moment to shine , the panel did not think he did .
“ I wouldn ’ t want him to be taoiseach .
He was , like , shouting over people and never letting other people talk , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If he ’ s going to lead , he ’ ll have to to listen to other people ’ s problems.
” Emmie offered some helpful career advice : “ He ’ d be better off as a lawyer.
” Her attack on the Government over the ballooning cost of the “ most expensive hospital in the world ” went down well .
“ I like her , ” said Giorgi Khachirashvili ( 11 ) .
“ I would trust her .
She seems to have a lot of followers judging by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be nice to have a woman in charge instead of a man for a change.
” Kayden adds that gender should not matter all that much anyway : “ When you are in your ma ’ s tummy , you ’ re a girl before you ’ re a boy .
.
.
that ’ s the truth.
” Denisa Baci ( 10 ) would also be happy with McDonald as taoiseach .
“ It would good to say to a woman that you can be the same as the men.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more buses , ” said Ali Mooney ( 12 ) .
“ He mentions homelessness , housing , safety.
” “ He had a nice tone , ” adds Kayden .
“ Not too rude , he just wants his voice heard.
” When they hear it is Green Party policy to end homework at primary level , Ryan ’ s popularity soars even higher .
“ It ’ s pointless spending so many hours doing it , ” added Emmie .
People Before Profit ’ s Richard Boyd-Barrett emerged as an unofficial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel had other ideas .
“ The way he speaks , it ’ s like , ‘ I ’ m coming after you ’ , ” said Kayden .
“ I think Leo was a bit scared of him the way he looked .
.
.
” “ Just explain your point , you don ’ t have to make it all aggressive , ” adds Emmie .
Ali , too , wasn ’ t impressed .
“ He wasn ’ t very positive .
Instead of just complaining about it , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Social Democrat co-leader Róisín Shortall should be worried , too , if our panel is anything to go by .
“ She looks like an old person .
She has a load of knowledge , but I think we need some new minds in .
.
.
” “ He looks like he goes out with Róisín , ” says Kayden .
“ They ’ d be a good couple .
.
.
They could go on Love Island .
.
.
they ’ d be there in their bikinis and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say at this point that they had enough – but not so much that they avoided giving some helpful advice ahead of Thursday night ’ s debate .
“ Don ’ t talk over people , ” said Crystabele Adenuyi ( 11 ) .
“ Be patient and take your turn.
” Denisa Baci ( 10 ) wanted a wider focus on issues beyond the housing crisis .
“ They keep talking on the same topics .
.
.
We need to focus on kids , play and safety and nature.
” Emily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most voters , two weeks into what feels like a long election campaign .
“ We ’ ve all these debates , but there ’ s barely any taoiseach in charge and no one ’ s doing anything while the debates are going on .
.
.
so who ’ s going to run the country .
.
.
When is all this over , anyway ?
”

Seven political party leaders squawked, harranged and interrupted their way through what passed for an election debate earlier this week.
Many were quick to label some of their behaviour as petty and childish.
So, The Irish Times wondered, how do children feel about being compared to the cast of characters seeking to run the country?
A panel of primary school pupils from St Audoen's National School in Dublin 8, aged 10 to 12 years, was assembled to review the debate footage, and it is fair to say that, for the most part, they weren't impressed.
READ MORE
Pupils from St Audeon's National School in Dublin 8 review the performances of the politicians on RTÉ's leader's debate. Video: Enda O'Dowd
Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar got a mostly sceptical response.
"He's saying all these promises and all, but how do we know it's really going to happen?" said Emily Evans (11). "You feel like you could trust him – but there wasn't that much of a change the last time, was there?"
Emmie Keating (11) has first-hand experience of the housing crisis.
“People have been on the waiting lists, and I’ve been waiting for very long, and we still haven’t got a house . . . it’s a big problem . . . instead, they’re building student accommodation,” she said.
If Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin was hoping this was his moment to shine, the panel had other ideas.
“I wouldn’t want him to be taoiseach. He was, like, shouting over people and never letting other people talk,” said Kayden Spooner (11). “If he’s going to lead, he’ll have to to listen to other people’s problems.”
Emmie offered some helpful career advice: “He ’d be better off as a lawyer.”
Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald, by contrast, got a warm reception.
Her attack on the Government over the ballooning cost of the “most expensive hospital in the world” went down well.
“I like her,” said Giorgi Khachirashvili (11). “I would trust her. She seems to have a lot of followers judging by the applause . . . it would be nice to have a woman in charge instead of a man for a change.”
Kayden adds that gender should not matter all that much anyway: “When you are in your ma’s tummy, you’re a girl before you’re a boy . . . that’s the truth.”
Denisa Baci (10) would also be happy with McDonald as taoiseach.
“It would good to say to a woman that you can be the same as the men.”
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan also received a positive reception.
"He has a point, we need more buses," said Ali Mooney (12). "He mentions homelessness, housing, safety."
“He had a nice tone,” adds Kayden. “Not too rude, he just wants his voice heard.”
When they hear it is Green Party policy to end homework at primary level, Ryan’s popularity soars even higher.
“It’s pointless spending so many hours doing it,” added Emmie.
People Before Profit’s Richard Boyd-Barrett emerged as an unofficial winner from the debate, but our panel thought otherwise.
“The way he speaks, it’s like, ‘I’m coming after you’,” said Kayden. “I think Leo was a bit scared of him the way he looked . . .”
“Just explain your point, you don’t have to make it all aggressive,” adds Emmie.
Ali, too, wasn’t impressed. “He wasn’t very positive. Instead of just complaining about it, just try to fix it,” she said
Social Democrat co-leader Róisín Shortall should be worried, too, if our panel is anything to go by.
“She looks like an old person. She has a load of knowledge, but I think we need some new minds in . . .”
Labour's Brendan Howlin fared little better.
“He looks like he goes out with Róisín,” said Kayden. “They’d be a good couple . . . They could go on Love Island . . . they’d be there in their bikinis and their wrinkles.”
It’s fair to say at this point that they had enough – but they were willing to share some helpful advice ahead of Thursday night’s debate.
“Don’t talk over people,” said Crystabele Adenuyi (11). “Be patient and take your turn.”
Denisa Baci (10) wanted a wider focus on issues beyond the housing crisis.
“They keep talking on the same topics . . . We need to focus on kids, play and safety and nature.”
Emily made a point which will resonate with most voters, two weeks into what feels like a very long election campaign.
“We’ve all these debates, but there’s barely any taoiseach in charge and no one’s doing anything while the debates are going on . . . so who’s going to run the country . . . When is all this over, anyway?”


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Fine Gael restores Catherine Noone’s voting pact

Fine Gael has reversed its decision to pause the constituency voting divide between Richard Bruton and his running mate Senator Catherine Noone , who was involved in controversy earlier this week for calling Taoiseach Leo Varadkar “ autistic ” .
Mr Bruton , the Minister for Communications , and Ms Noone are standing for the party in five-seat Dublin Bay North .
They had split the constituency between them , with some requests sent out to Fine Gael voters in different areas to give a specified candidate a first preference in order to maximise the party vote .
Local sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the top of the party told The Irish Times the constituency divide had been “ paused ” .
However , the party later did a u-turn on this decision with Mr Bruton even claiming suggestions of a pause in the divide were a “ fabrication ” .
Sources afterwards said the publication of an Irish Times report had caused internal controversy and prompted the u-turn .
The earlier decision came after a series of meetings between Ms Noone and senior party figures , such as Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Tom Curran , the general secretary .
Ms Noone is understood to have asked she be given the opportunity to explain herself in a broadcast media interview .
It is understood Mr Donohoe and Mr Curran decided against putting Ms Noone out on the national airwaves .
On Wednesday night Fine Gael did not respond to requests for comment on the voting divide .
Ms Noone did not return calls .

Senator Catherine Noone with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Health Simon Harris at the central count centre for the referendum on repealing the Eighth Amendment. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Fine Gael has done a U-turn on its decision to pause the constituency voting divide between Richard Bruton and his running mate Senator Catherine Noone, who was involved in controversy earlier this week for calling Taoiseach Leo Varadkar "autistic".
Mr Bruton, the Minister for Communications, and Ms Noone are standing for the party in five-seat Dublin Bay North. They had split the constituency between them, with some requests sent out to Fine Gael voters in different areas to give a specified candidate a first preference in order to maximise the party vote.
Local sources in Dublin Bay North and national sources at the top of the party told The Irish Times the constituency divide had been “paused”.
However, the party later did a U-turn on this decision with Mr Bruton even claiming suggestions of a pause in the divide were a “fabrication”. Sources afterwards said the publication of an Irish Times report had caused internal controversy and prompted the U-turn.
READ MORE
The earlier decision came after a series of meetings between Ms Noone and senior party figures, such as Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe who is Fine Gael's director of elections, and Tom Curran, the general secretary.
Ms Noone is understood to have asked she be given the opportunity to explain herself in a broadcast media interview.
It is understood Mr Donohoe and Mr Curran decided against putting Ms Noone out on the national airwaves.
Last night Fine Gael did not respond to requests for comment on the voting divide. Ms Noone did not return calls


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Murdered mechanic was subject to threats before his death, inquest told

A Dublin mechanic who was shot dead in his home in Rathfarnham in 2009 had been subjected to ongoing threats and intimidation in the years before his death , an inquest has heard .
Fiona Murray told Dublin Coroner ’ s Court on Wednesday that she had received a call from a known individual on March 20th , 2006 , which she had recorded , threatening to kill her brother a few days before he had received a similar threat himself .
Liam Murray , ( 42 ) a single man with no children who came originally from Templeogue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rockbrook Cottages , Cruagh Road , Rathfarnham in March 2009 .
He was last seen alive on St Patrick ’ s Day in 2009 but his body was not discovered until three days later .
Although two men were arrested in 2011 as part of the subsequent Garda investigation , the DPP directed there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone in relation to his death .
Ms Murray told the inquest that she and her brother reported the calls to gardaí and he had been advised to take precautions with his personal security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said her brother was involved in a number of altercations with a particular individual which culminated in an attempt on his life when shots were fired into his bedroom on November 11th , 2006 while he was sleeping .
She knew the threats against her brother continued at least until May 2007 but she had assumed “ naively ” that the Garda investigation into the matter was progressing .
Ms Murray said she understood the individual making the threatening calls had “ placated ” a garda when they met in the Spawell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The inquest heard that Mr Murray had been drinking with friends in the Headline bar at Leonard ’ s Corner on St Patrick ’ s Day in 2009 before driving home in the early evening .
Martin Harmon , a close friend of the deceased , gave evidence of witnessing an altercation between Mr Murray and another man in the same pub two weeks before his death .
Mr Harmon said his friend , whom he called “ Blackie ” , had hit the other man on the nose before leaving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Mr Murray a “ bastard ” and said he would get him killed by either his brother or friends .
The other person also claimed he had saved Mr Murray from being killed a couple of weeks earlier , said Mr Harmon .
Questioned by Breffni Gordon BL for the Murray family , Mr Harmon said he had regarded this individual as a spoofer and not capable of carrying out his threat .
Another friend , Gerry Kavanagh , said he believed Mr Murray started experiencing troubles after he had bought a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kavanagh said his friend did not say much about any threats but had believed the shooting at his home in 2006 was linked to the Dundrum property .
He also told the inquest that a dog owned by Mr Murray was found with its throat slit in 2006 after going missing , while another dog he subsequently got also disappeared .
He described his late friend as a wealthy man who didn ’ t flaunt his money but also the “ most impatient person ” he knew who could be quite “ abrupt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Mr Murray ’ s death , Mr Kavanagh said he immediately thought he had been murdered as he had “ annoyed so many people ” and had easily started confrontations with strangers .
Another friend , Patrick Hollingsworth , who discovered Mr Murray ’ s body , said he had decided to call to the house at Rockbrook Cottages on the morning of March 20th , 2009 after he had been phoned by Fiona Murray who was concerned at being unable to contact her brother .
Mr Hollingsworth , who was involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he found the back door open before entering the house and finding blood splattered on his friend ’ s bed .
When he pulled back a duvet , he saw Mr Murray with a gunshot wound over his right eye .
The witness said he saw no signs of a struggle in the house .
The inquest had been delayed for a number of years after Mr Murray ’ s family took a legal action against the former Dublin city coroner , Dr Brian Farrell over his refusal to provide them with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was originally scheduled to take place in September 2015 after a preliminary hearing was held in September 2009 .
In October 2018 the High Court refused an application by Mr Murray ’ s family for access to the file claiming there was no basis to do so .
The inquest also heard evidence from two neighbours of Mr Murray claiming they heard possible gunshots in the area on St Patrick ’ s night in 2009 , which they originally had thought were fireworks .
The hearing will resume on Thursday before a jury @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The inquest for murder victim Liam Murray will resume on Thursday before a jury of seven men and three women. File Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/ The Irish Times
A Dublin mechanic who was shot dead in his home in Rathfarnham in 2009 had been subjected to ongoing threats and intimidation in the years before his death, an inquest has heard.
Fiona Murray told Dublin Coroner's Court on Wednesday that she had received a call from a known individual on March 20th, 2006, which she had recorded, threatening to kill her brother a few days before he had received a similar threat himself.
Liam Murray, (42) a single man with no children who came originally from Templeogue, was shot dead in his home at Rockbrook Cottages, Cruagh Road, Rathfarnham in March 2009.
He was last seen alive on St Patrick’s Day in 2009 but his body was not discovered until three days later.
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Although two men were arrested in 2011 as part of the subsequent Garda investigation, the DPP directed there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone in relation to his death.
Ms Murray told the inquest that she and her brother reported the calls to gardaí and he had been advised to take precautions with his personal security.
Altercations
Over the following seven months, she said her brother was involved in a number of altercations with a particular individual which culminated in an attempt on his life when shots were fired into his bedroom on November 11th, 2006 while he was sleeping.
She knew the threats against her brother continued at least until May 2007 but she had assumed “naively” that the Garda investigation into the matter was progressing.
Ms Murray said she understood the individual making the threatening calls had “placated” a garda when they met in the Spawell car park in Templeogue in February 2007.
The inquest heard that Mr Murray had been drinking with friends in the Headline bar at Leonard’s Corner on St Patrick’s Day in 2009 before driving home in the early evening.
Martin Harmon, a close friend of the deceased, gave evidence of witnessing an altercation between Mr Murray and another man in the same pub two weeks before his death.
Mr Harmon said his friend, whom he called “Blackie”, had hit the other man on the nose before leaving the pub.
Threats
He said the other individual called Mr Murray a “bastard” and said he would get him killed by either his brother or friends.
The other person also claimed he had saved Mr Murray from being killed a couple of weeks earlier, said Mr Harmon.
Questioned by Breffni Gordon BL for the Murray family, Mr Harmon said he had regarded this individual as a spoofer and not capable of carrying out his threat.
Another friend, Gerry Kavanagh, said he believed Mr Murray started experiencing troubles after he had bought a property in Dundrum in 2004.
Mr Kavanagh said his friend did not say much about any threats but had believed the shooting at his home in 2006 was linked to the Dundrum property.
He also told the inquest that a dog owned by Mr Murray was found with its throat slit in 2006 after going missing, while another dog he subsequently got also disappeared.
He described his late friend as a wealthy man who didn’t flaunt his money but also the “most impatient person” he knew who could be quite “abrupt and hot-tempered”.
When he heard of Mr Murray’s death, Mr Kavanagh said he immediately thought he had been murdered as he had “annoyed so many people” and had easily started confrontations with strangers.
Gunshot
Another friend, Patrick Hollingsworth, who discovered Mr Murray’s body, said he had decided to call to the house at Rockbrook Cottages on the morning of March 20th, 2009 after he had been phoned by Fiona Murray who was concerned at being unable to contact her brother.
Mr Hollingsworth, who was involved in business with the deceased, said he found the back door open before entering the house and finding blood splattered on his friend’s bed. When he pulled back a duvet, he saw Mr Murray with a gunshot wound over his right eye.
The witness said he saw no signs of a struggle in the house.
The inquest had been delayed for a number of years after Mr Murray’s family took a legal action against the former Dublin city coroner, Dr Brian Farrell over his refusal to provide them with the Garda file on his murder.
It was originally scheduled to take place in September 2015 after a preliminary hearing was held in September 2009.
In October 2018 the High Court refused an application by Mr Murray’s family for access to the file claiming there was no basis to do so.
The inquest also heard evidence from two neighbours of Mr Murray claiming they heard possible gunshots in the area on St Patrick’s night in 2009,which they originally had thought were fireworks.
The hearing will resume on Thursday before a jury of seven men and three women.


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Number of homeless people drops below 10,000

Figures showing a fall in the number of homeless people to below 10,000 for the first time in almost a year have been widely welcomed .
The latest data , published on Wednesday by the Department of Housing , show there were 9,713 people in emergency accommodation during the week of December 23-29th 2019 .
This compares with 10,448 the previous month – a fall of 736 .
It also represents a reduction on the December 2018 figures when 9,753 were recorded as homeless .
The figures for the end of 2019 include 3,422 children in 1,548 families - a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November ( 3,752 ) .
Homeless figures have fallen every December compared with the previous month since 2014 ( when data was first gathered in its current format ) as homeless people stay with families and as landlords delay evictions during the Christmas period , only to rise again in January .
In January 2019 the numbers increased by 273 to 9,987 .
Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy said on Wednesday he knew the decrease was “ not enough ” and the numbers “ in crisis [ was ] unacceptably high , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the right direction ” .
Since July last year , he said , the number of families presenting as homeless in Dublin had been falling each month .
“ People are spending less time in emergency accommodation than before , with the majority spending less than 12 months before they are found a home .
For every two families that present as homeless , one is found a home immediately and does not enter emergency accommodation at all.
” The Peter McVerry Trust welcomed “ one of the largest recorded monthly decreases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pat Doyle said a significant factor had been an increased output of social housing by housing bodies like the Trust .
“ Irish Council for Social Housing members played a key role in helping to secure housing solutions in 2019 with a 44 per cent increase in the number of households housed by housing associations last year .
“ The challenge now is to keep housing delivery up all year round and to ensure that we continue to provide housing solutions , particularly for single people.
” The numbers first rose above 10,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10,624 people .

A significant factor in the reduction in homelessness has been an increased output of social housing by housing bodies like the Peter McVerry Trust, its chief executive Pat Doyle has said. File photograph: PA
Figures showing a fall in the number of homeless people to below 10,000 for the first time in almost a year have been widely welcomed.
The latest data, published on Wednesday by the Department of Housing, show there were 9,713 people in emergency accommodation during the week of December 23-29th 2019.
This compares with 10,448 the previous month – a fall of 736. It also represents a reduction on the December 2018 figures when 9,753 were recorded as homeless.
The figures for the end of 2019 include 3,422 children in 1,548 families - a significant reduction of 330 children compared with November (3,752).
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Homeless figures have fallen every December compared with the previous month since 2014 (when data was first gathered in its current format) as homeless people stay with families and as landlords delay evictions during the Christmas period, only to rise again in January. In January 2019 the numbers increased by 273 to 9,987.
Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy said on Wednesday he knew the decrease was "not enough" and the numbers "in crisis [was]unacceptably high, but the change in 2019 is a move in the right direction".
Since July last year, he said, the number of families presenting as homeless in Dublin had been falling each month.
“People are spending less time in emergency accommodation than before, with the majority spending less than 12 months before they are found a home. For every two families that present as homeless, one is found a home immediately and does not enter emergency accommodation at all.”
The Peter McVerry Trust welcomed "one of the largest recorded monthly decreases" in the figures. Chief executive Pat Doyle said a significant factor had been an increased output of social housing by housing bodies like the Trust.
“Irish Council for Social Housing members played a key role in helping to secure housing solutions in 2019 with a 44 per cent increase in the number of households housed by housing associations last year.
“The challenge now is to keep housing delivery up all year round and to ensure that we continue to provide housing solutions, particularly for single people.”
The numbers first rose above 10,000 in February 2019 when they increased to 10,624 people.


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Tourists with plans to travel to China should be able to cancel at no cost

Irish tourists planning to travel to China in the days and weeks ahead should be able to cancel their plans at no cost as a result of the latest advisory from the Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA ) .
It updated its travel advice on Wednesday and said Irish citizens should avoid non-essential travel to China as the number of coronavirus deaths and confirmed cases of the illness continues to rise sharply .
Once such an official advisory is in place people who have booked independent holidays and travel insurance should be able to claim for any losses they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process refunds or reschedule trips .
Irish holiday makers in China have been urged to “ stay indoors where possible ” and to be “ aware of delays and checks when moving within the country and at airports .
The Irish Travel Agents Association ( ITAA ) said tourists should avoid travelling to the Hubei province of China entirely and reconsider travelling to the rest of the country unless it was absolutely essential amid the outbreak of coronavirus in a number of Chinese cities .
It also said holidaymakers in the country should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese local authorities and accommodation providers .
Travel restrictions are in place across all major cities and the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism has suspended all tour group companies ’ activities to prevent further virus spread which may cause disruptions to travel plans .
The ITAA said Irish travellers in affected areas should “ stay indoors where possible and to avoid large gatherings ” .
The DFA has advised travellers already in the country to take extra care , wash their hands regularly with alcohol-based soap , wear single use masks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organisation .
The president of the ITAA John Spollen said that while airports in China were still operating “ there are increased security measures in place .
As the situation remains fluid , containment measures could be increased at any time.
” He said travellers “ should be aware of delays and checks when moving within China , entering or leaving , especially at airports .
If you are affected , you should contact your tour operator or travel agent.
” The ITAA also said that travellers currently in China who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel provider to discuss their options while intending travellers should maintain contact with their travel adviser and tour operator for travel updates .

Irish tourists planning to travel to China in the days and weeks ahead should be able to cancel their plans at no cost as a result of the latest advisory from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
It updated its travel advice on Wednesday and said Irish citizens should avoid non-essential travel to China as the number of coronavirus deaths and confirmed cases of the illness continues to rise sharply.
Once such an official advisory is in place people who have booked independent holidays and travel insurance should be able to claim for any losses they have incurred while tour operators should also process refunds or reschedule trips.
Irish holiday makers in China have been urged to “stay indoors where possible” and to be “aware of delays and checks when moving within the country and at airports.
READ MORE
The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) said tourists should avoid travelling to the Hubei province of China entirely and reconsider travelling to the rest of the country unless it was absolutely essential amid the outbreak of coronavirus in a number of Chinese cities.
It also said holidaymakers in the country should follow the advice of the DFA, Chinese local authorities and accommodation providers.
Travel restrictions are in place across all major cities and the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism has suspended all tour group companies’ activities to prevent further virus spread which may cause disruptions to travel plans.
The ITAA said Irish travellers in affected areas should “stay indoors where possible and to avoid large gatherings”.
The DFA has advised travellers already in the country to take extra care, wash their hands regularly with alcohol-based soap, wear single use masks and observe food safety as recommended by the World Health Organisation.
The president of the ITAA John Spollen said that while airports in China were still operating "there are increased security measures in place. As the situation remains fluid, containment measures could be increased at any time."
He said travellers “should be aware of delays and checks when moving within China, entering or leaving, especially at airports. If you are affected, you should contact your tour operator or travel agent.”
The ITAA also said that travellers currently in China who wish to return early should contact their travel provider to discuss their options while intending travellers should maintain contact with their travel adviser and tour operator for travel updates.


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Mother of three McGinley children appears in court charged with their murders

The mother of the three McGinley children has appeared in court charged with their murder in Newcastle , south Dublin last week .
The bodies of Conor ( 9 ) , Darragh ( 7 ) and Carla ( 3 ) McGinley were discovered in their home at Parson ’ s Court in Newcastle just before 8pm on Friday .
Deirdre Morley ( 43 ) of Parson ’ s Court , Newcastle , south west Dublin is charged with three counts of murder at her home on Friday , January 25th , 2020 .
The woman appeared at Dublin District Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parkgate Street on Wednesday afternoon after arriving in a black van with tinted windows in the company of detectives .
Ms Morley , who works as a nurse at Crumlin Children ’ s Hospital , was brought into Court Two through a back entrance .
Wearing a green cardigan , navy top and jeans , Ms Morley sat in the defendants ’ area and did not address the short hearing .
Detective Sergeant Dara Kenny told the court Ms Morley made no reply when charged with the three counts of murder at 2.39pm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ application for bail .
Her solicitor Jonathan Dunphy asked that Ms Morley receive medical treatment while in custody as well as continuing psychiatric treatment and assessment .
Judge Paula Murphy agreed to the order .
She also granted Ms Morley legal aid after hearing there was no objection from the State .
She also agreed to direct that copies of Ms Morley ’ s garda interviews be made available to the defence .
The judge remanded Ms Morley in custody until next Wednesday , February 5th , 2020 when she will reappear at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initially taken to hospital after being found in a disorientated state near her home on Friday evening .
She was treated in Tallaght Hospital until Tuesday evening when she was arrested by gardaí and taken to Clondalkin Garda station .

Deirdre Morley (43) of Parson’s Court, Newcastle, south west Dublin is charged with three counts of murder at her home on Friday, January 25th, 2020. Handout photograph: Andrew McGinley/Garda
The mother of the three McGinley children has appeared in court charged with their murder in Newcastle, south Dublin last week.
The bodies of Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) McGinley were discovered in their home at Parson’s Court in Newcastle just before 8pm on Friday.
Deirdre Morley (43) of Parson’s Court, Newcastle, south west Dublin is charged with three counts of murder at her home on Friday, January 25th, 2020.
The woman appeared at Dublin District Court in the Criminal Courts of Justice on Parkgate Street on Wednesday afternoon after arriving in a black van with tinted windows in the company of detectives.
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Ms Morley, who works as a nurse at Crumlin Children’s Hospital, was brought into Court Two through a back entrance.
Wearing a green cardigan, navy top and jeans, Ms Morley sat in the defendants’ area and did not address the short hearing.
Detective Sergeant Dara Kenny told the court Ms Morley made no reply when charged with the three counts of murder at 2.39pm on Wednesday afternoon.
Medical treatment
There was no application for bail. Her solicitor Jonathan Dunphy asked that Ms Morley receive medical treatment while in custody as well as continuing psychiatric treatment and assessment.
Vigil for Conor, Darragh and Carla McGinley on Wednesday night at their home in Parson’s Court, Newcastle, Co Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan
Judge Paula Murphy agreed to the order. She also granted Ms Morley legal aid after hearing there was no objection from the State.
She also agreed to direct that copies of Ms Morley’s garda interviews be made available to the defence.
The judge remanded Ms Morley in custody until next Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 when she will reappear at Dublin District Court.
Ms Morley was initially taken to hospital after being found in a disorientated state near her home on Friday evening. She was treated in Tallaght Hospital until Tuesday evening when she was arrested by gardaí and taken to Clondalkin Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-01-29--Girl (7) settles case over alleged brain injury at birth for €5.8m

A seven-year-old girl who was alleged to have suffered a brain injury during her birth at Portiuncula Hospital , Co Galway , has secured an interim payment of €5.8 million under a settlement approved by the High Court .
Ellen O ’ Kane ’ s case will come back to court in 15 years time for assessment of her future care needs .
Denis McCullough SC , instructed by Michael Boylan solicitor , for the girl , said their case was that because of excessive traction as attempts were made at instrumental delivery , Ellen was “ severely compromised ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered by an emergency caesarean section .
Counsel said an MRI scan later confirmed a skull fracture and that the baby had suffered a hypoxic ischaemic injury .
In the High Court on Wednesday , Mr Justice Kevin Cross praised Ellen ’ s parents for the extraordinary care they have given their daughter .
“ You are to be congratulated for the care you have given to Ellen and I thank you , ” he said when approving the interim settlement .
Ellen , of Kiltybegs , Longford , had , through her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the care provided at the time of her birth on September 19th , 2012 at Portiuncula Hospital .
It was claimed that there was failure to exercise any , or any proper or adequate , care for the safety and well being of the baby who was born in a very poor , flat and asphyxiated condition .
It was alleged that syntocinon , a drug used to induce labour , was used unnecessarily and when Ms Brady was already having strong contractions .
It was further alleged there was failure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly causing atypical variable decelerations in the foetal heart rate .
The baby was not delivered in a proper and timely manner and her skull was deeply impacted against her mother ’ s hip , it was claimed .
The claims were denied .
Mr McCullough told the court that Ellen has had seizures and , while she is attending mainstream school , her family plan to home school her .
The settlement includes €520,000 for home schooling .
Mr Justice Cross approved the settlement as a good one and he wished Ellen @ @ @ @ @

A seven-year-old girl who was alleged to have suffered a brain injury during her birth at Portiuncula Hospital, Co Galway, has secured an interim payment of €5.8 million under a settlement approved by the High Court. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times.
A seven-year-old girl who suffered a brain injury during her birth at Portiuncula Hospital, Co Galway, has secured an interim payment of €5.8 million under a settlement approved by the High Court.
Ellen O’Kane’s case will come back to court in 15 years time for assessment of her future care needs.
Denis McCullough SC, instructed by Michael Boylan solicitor, for the girl, said their case was that because of excessive traction as attempts were made at instrumental delivery, Ellen was “severely compromised” and had to be intubated after being delivered by an emergency caesarean section.
Counsel said an MRI scan later confirmed a skull fracture and that the baby had suffered a hypoxic ischaemic injury.
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In the High Court on Wednesday, Mr Justice Kevin Cross praised Ellen’s parents for the extraordinary care they have given their daughter.
“You are to be congratulated for the care you have given to Ellen and I thank you,” he said when approving the interim settlement.
Ellen, of Kiltybegs, Longford, had, through her mother Mary Brady, sued the HSE over the care provided at the time of her birth on September 19th, 2012 at Portiuncula Hospital.
Well being
It was claimed that there was failure to exercise any, or any proper or adequate, care for the safety and well being of the baby who was born in a very poor, flat and asphyxiated condition.
It was alleged that syntocinon, a drug used to induce labour, was used unnecessarily and when Ms Brady was already having strong contractions. It was further alleged there was failure to stop the use of syntocinon which was allegedly causing atypical variable decelerations in the foetal heart rate. The baby was not delivered in a proper and timely manner and her skull was deeply impacted against her mother’s hip, it was claimed.
Mr McCullough told the court that Ellen has had seizures and, while she is attending mainstream school, her family plan to home school her. The settlement includes €520,000 for home schooling. Mr Justice Cross approved the settlement as a good one and he wished Ellen well for the future.
This article was last amended on February 3rd, 2020.