theirishtimes--2020-11-24--College in a time of Covid: Are third-level students being short-changed?

In late September , hundreds of students gathered at Spanish Arch in Galway .
They were widely condemned for breaching Covid-19 regulations .
While student leaders say large gatherings and house parties should not have happened , they point out that the vast majority of students are quietly giving up at least a chunk of their student years to support the battle against coronavirus – and getting little credit for it .
“ This year ’ s Leaving Cert class have had the rug pulled from under them , ” says Lorna Fitzpatrick , president of the Union of Students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All students have had a hard time and some are really feeling isolated and lonely , as well as facing some very practical challenges .
There are a lot of frustrations among students : we are spoken about a lot but we don ’ t always feel we are being heard or listened to.
” So what is working , what isn ’ t and could more be done to support students ?
The Irish Times spoke to students from all seven main universities , as well as student union leaders , researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a sense of what student life and learning is like in a time of Covid-19 .
Although campuses remain open for essential services – including library access and organisation of online activities for students – the vast majority of classes are taking place and most students are stuck at home .
Third-level students are to receive a payment of €250 each to compensate for the costs involved in online learning .
“ This is very welcome but that doesn ’ t come close to addressing the costs students face , especially when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with so many traditional student employers , such as hotels and restaurants , closed for now , ” says Fitzpatrick .
Students say that it is unfair that they are being charged full fees and that , while colleges still have the same costs , the burden of supporting them shouldn ’ t fall on students who aren ’ t able to access all the services they have paid for .
Not all students are having a hard time , however : mature students , students with children , part-time students and some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning provides them with a lot of flexibility and it ’ s very likely that at the end of this crisis third-levels will seek to maintain flexible-learning options .
Lorna Fitzpatrick says many students still have no idea whether they will be back on campus for semester two .
“ We understand that not all third-levels know just yet but there is a feeling among students that some communication from colleges is urgent so they can make plans for January.
” Several students point to a lack of structure in their day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s no need for them to attend any live classes .
Although most say the majority of lecturers have “ bent over backwards ” and are “ always available ” , they also said that a small minority of lecturers haven ’ t engaged with student queries .
One student said that her department has been “ very defensive ” when she and her classmates raised concern about communications .
Some students say they are struggling to stay motivated with online learning and haven ’ t been given any support in learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as TU Dublin are increasingly acknowledging this problem , with Prof Brian Bowe in the office of the registrar saying that they are providing library space , student society events and other supports , while DCU has developed a module in how to learn online .
UCD is among the colleges that have provided bookable computer spaces for students who don ’ t have study space at home , but student unions elsewhere have raised concerns that students living in cramped accommodation are under-serviced with study , library and computer access .
Almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to laptops for remote learning , but there ’ s a factor somewhat outside their control : broadband access .
“ I have to drive 30 minutes to the nearest broadband point , download whatever learning materials I can , try to research and upload assignments without any internet at home and , of course , access lectures online , ” one student says .
Many students have stayed at home rather than rent accommodation that they don ’ t need , but it has come at the expense of having decent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland .
A team of researchers at NUI Galway and the University of Limerick combined national data on the home area of students enrolled in higher education with detailed spatial data on broadband coverage to estimate the proportion of students “ at risk ” of poor accessibility to high-quality internet connectivity if living at home .
Their research suggests that one in six students are in areas with relatively poor broadband .
Some have chosen to move closer to campus purely so they can have the internet access required for online learning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when sharing with at least three other students in student accommodation , or because three other family members may be online for work or education at the same time .
Student leaders have called on colleges to be understanding of the difficulties facing some students and most third-levels seem to be understanding in this regard .
Loneliness , isolation and the lack of in-person contact are taking their toll on most of us , but for younger people – hard-wired to make new connections and develop friendships – there ’ s a particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their mental health .
Rural students seem to be among the most isolated , particularly where their broadband isn ’ t up to scratch .
In shared accommodation , students can only hope they gel with their housemates , as they may be the only people they are allowed to socialise with .
Clubs and societies are making huge efforts – usually supported by the college authorities – to organise online events .
In some cases , such as with UCD ’ s LawSoc , lockdown has meant that they can secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have been able to previously afford to bring to campus .
“ It ’ s harder to engage students online , ” says Peadar Collins , students ’ union welfare officer at the University of Limerick .
“ Societies are doing their best but it ’ s not a substitute for face-to-face activity , particularly when students are already feeling somewhat overwhelmed with online life .
I hope that some kind of outdoor events may be possible when restrictions are partially lifted .
“ I am worried about student mental health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he says .
“ I know it ’ s not the full solution but the power of conversation is important and I ’ d urge students to look out for their friends.
” Lorna Fitzpatrick of the USI says that colleges can ’ t wait for students to come forward and need to be more proactive in identifying students at risk .
Younger students seem to be finding it hard and are often resentful that they are being blamed for spreading the virus .
“ Look at the mums dropping off kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the park hugging with not a mask or inch between them , ” said Chloe , a student at UCD .
Laura Harmon , president of the Irish Council for International Students , says students who are far from home are feeling particularly isolated .
The Government has provided an additional €5 million in mental health supports for students .
Most of this has been invested in hiring more counsellors , but there ’ s an inevitable lag in recruiting them which is causing delays for students who want to access support .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to indicate that student dropout rates are no higher than any other years , but it ’ s too soon to get a full picture .
Text about , a free mental health support service , is available on text ( 50808 ) or online ( text50808.ie )

In late September, hundreds of students gathered at Spanish Arch in Galway. They were widely condemned for breaching Covid-19 regulations.
While student leaders say large gatherings and house parties should not have happened, they point out that the vast majority of students are quietly giving up at least a chunk of their student years to support the battle against coronavirus – and getting little credit for it.
"This year's Leaving Cert class have had the rug pulled from under them," says Lorna Fitzpatrick, president of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). "All students have had a hard time and some are really feeling isolated and lonely, as well as facing some very practical challenges. There are a lot of frustrations among students: we are spoken about a lot but we don't always feel we are being heard or listened to."
Hospital Report
So what is working, what isn’t and could more be done to support students? The Irish Times spoke to students from all seven main universities, as well as student union leaders, researchers and third-level officials across the country to get a sense of what student life and learning is like in a time of Covid-19.
READ MORE
Fees
Although campuses remain open for essential services – including library access and organisation of online activities for students – the vast majority of classes are taking place and most students are stuck at home.
Third-level students are to receive a payment of €250 each to compensate for the costs involved in online learning.
Mature students, students with children, part-time students and some students with disabilities are finding that online learning provides them with a lot of flexibility
“This is very welcome but that doesn’t come close to addressing the costs students face, especially when they’re struggling to get work with so many traditional student employers, such as hotels and restaurants, closed for now,” says Fitzpatrick.
Students say that it is unfair that they are being charged full fees and that, while colleges still have the same costs, the burden of supporting them shouldn’t fall on students who aren’t able to access all the services they have paid for.
Not all students are having a hard time, however: mature students, students with children, part-time students and some students with disabilities are finding that online learning provides them with a lot of flexibility and it’s very likely that at the end of this crisis third-levels will seek to maintain flexible-learning options.
Teaching and learning
Lorna Fitzpatrick says many students still have no idea whether they will be back on campus for semester two. “We understand that not all third-levels know just yet but there is a feeling among students that some communication from colleges is urgent so they can make plans for January.”
Several students point to a lack of structure in their day, particularly where lectures are prerecorded and there’s no need for them to attend any live classes.
Although most say the majority of lecturers have “bent over backwards” and are “always available”, they also said that a small minority of lecturers haven’t engaged with student queries. One student said that her department has been “very defensive” when she and her classmates raised concern about communications.
Some students say they are struggling to stay motivated with online learning and haven't been given any support in learning how to learn online. Colleges such as TU Dublin are increasingly acknowledging this problem, with Prof Brian Bowe in the office of the registrar saying that they are providing library space, student society events and other supports, while DCU has developed a module in how to learn online.
UCD is among the colleges that have provided bookable computer spaces for students who don’t have study space at home, but student unions elsewhere have raised concerns that students living in cramped accommodation are under-serviced with study, library and computer access.
Broadband and computer access
Almost all third-levels have ensured that students have access to laptops for remote learning, but there’s a factor somewhat outside their control: broadband access.
“I have to drive 30 minutes to the nearest broadband point, download whatever learning materials I can, try to research and upload assignments without any internet at home and, of course, access lectures online,” one student says.
Societies are doing their best but it's not a substitute for face-to-face activity, particularly when students are already feeling somewhat overwhelmed with online life
Many students have stayed at home rather than rent accommodation that they don’t need, but it has come at the expense of having decent broadband, particularly in rural parts of Ireland.
A team of researchers at NUI Galway and the University of Limerick combined national data on the home area of students enrolled in higher education with detailed spatial data on broadband coverage to estimate the proportion of students "at risk" of poor accessibility to high-quality internet connectivity if living at home. Their research suggests that one in six students are in areas with relatively poor broadband.
Some have chosen to move closer to campus purely so they can have the internet access required for online learning. Others have struggled to get decent bandwidth when sharing with at least three other students in student accommodation, or because three other family members may be online for work or education at the same time. Student leaders have called on colleges to be understanding of the difficulties facing some students and most third-levels seem to be understanding in this regard.
Student welfare
Loneliness, isolation and the lack of in-person contact are taking their toll on most of us, but for younger people – hard-wired to make new connections and develop friendships – there’s a particular concern about the toll it may take on their mental health.
Rural students seem to be among the most isolated, particularly where their broadband isn’t up to scratch. In shared accommodation, students can only hope they gel with their housemates, as they may be the only people they are allowed to socialise with.
Clubs and societies are making huge efforts – usually supported by the college authorities – to organise online events. In some cases, such as with UCD’s LawSoc, lockdown has meant that they can secure guests via video link who they may not have been able to previously afford to bring to campus.
"It's harder to engage students online," says Peadar Collins, students' union welfare officer at the University of Limerick.
“Societies are doing their best but it’s not a substitute for face-to-face activity, particularly when students are already feeling somewhat overwhelmed with online life. I hope that some kind of outdoor events may be possible when restrictions are partially lifted.
Look at the mums dropping off kids and going for coffee, or in the park hugging with not a mask or inch between them
“I am worried about student mental health and feel not everyone is coming forward,” he says. “I know it’s not the full solution but the power of conversation is important and I’d urge students to look out for their friends.”
Lorna Fitzpatrick of the USI says that colleges can’t wait for students to come forward and need to be more proactive in identifying students at risk.
Younger students seem to be finding it hard and are often resentful that they are being blamed for spreading the virus.
“Look at the mums dropping off kids and going for coffee, or in the park hugging with not a mask or inch between them,” said Chloe, a student at UCD.
Laura Harmon, president of the Irish Council for International Students, says students who are far from home are feeling particularly isolated.
The Government has provided an additional €5 million in mental health supports for students. Most of this has been invested in hiring more counsellors, but there’s an inevitable lag in recruiting them which is causing delays for students who want to access support.
Early figures provided by some third-levels seem to indicate that student dropout rates are no higher than any other years, but it’s too soon to get a full picture.
Text about, a free mental health support service, is available on text (50808) or online (text50808.ie)


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--‘We are still stuck where we were 20 years ago,’ Trevor Deely’s sister says

Twenty posters appealing for information on the whereabouts of Trevor Deely will be hung in the area he was last seen to mark the two decade anniversary of his disappearance .
The 22-year-old had been out at his office Christmas party on the night he went missing .
Gardaí are still trying to identify a man seen in two separate pieces of CCTV footage on the night , believed to be the same man in both .
In a renewed appeal on RTÉ ’ s Crimecall programme on Monday , his sister Michele said the posters would be hung around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he was last seen .
“ It ’ s been incredibly difficult for my parents , their life has been frozen , ” she said of the two decades they have lived through without answers .
“ They will never accept it .
I don ’ t know that it is possible to accept a child having just vanished .
So they just constantly hold out hope.
” On December 8th , the 20th anniversary , 20 posters will be hung around the Haddington Road area in a bid to jog people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the country ’ s more well known missing persons cases .
After his office party on December 7th , 2000 , Mr Deely went to Buck Whaley ’ s nightclub on Leeson Street which he left between 2.30am and 3.25am on December 8th .
At 3.35am , he went to Bank of Ireland at Fitzwilliam Place , Dublin 2 , where he worked .
CCTV footage of the rear entrance of the premises at 03.35am showed him speaking briefly with an unknown man .
CCTV later recorded Mr Deely passing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 4.14am .
Approximately 30 seconds later , a person believed to be the same man , was captured on CCTV walking in the same direction .
Gardaí believe information on that person is known by somebody and have appealed for it to be brought forward .
“ We are still stuck where we were 20 years ago , ” Michele said .
“ We haven ’ t moved on from that last sighting at the top of Haddington Road.
” Anyone with any information can contact any garda station , the confidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 1800 405060 .

Twenty posters appealing for information on the whereabouts of Trevor Deely will be hung in the area he was last seen to mark the two decade anniversary of his disappearance.
The 22-year-old had been out at his office Christmas party on the night he went missing.
Gardaí are still trying to identify a man seen in two separate pieces of CCTV footage on the night, believed to be the same man in both.
In a renewed appeal on RTÉ’s Crimecall programme on Monday, his sister Michele said the posters would be hung around the Haddington Road area of south Dublin where he was last seen.
READ MORE
“It’s been incredibly difficult for my parents, their life has been frozen,” she said of the two decades they have lived through without answers.
“They will never accept it. I don’t know that it is possible to accept a child having just vanished. So they just constantly hold out hope.”
On December 8th, the 20th anniversary, 20 posters will be hung around the Haddington Road area in a bid to jog people’s memories, although it remains one of the country’s more well known missing persons cases.
After his office party on December 7th, 2000, Mr Deely went to Buck Whaley’s nightclub on Leeson Street which he left between 2.30am and 3.25am on December 8th.
At 3.35am, he went to Bank of Ireland at Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2, where he worked. CCTV footage of the rear entrance of the premises at 03.35am showed him speaking briefly with an unknown man.
CCTV later recorded Mr Deely passing the Bank of Ireland ATM on Haddington Road at 4.14am. Approximately 30 seconds later, a person believed to be the same man, was captured on CCTV walking in the same direction.
Gardaí believe information on that person is known by somebody and have appealed for it to be brought forward.
“We are still stuck where we were 20 years ago,” Michele said. “We haven’t moved on from that last sighting at the top of Haddington Road.”
Anyone with any information can contact any garda station, the confidential line on 1800 666111, or Crimecall on 1800 405060.


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--Homeowner challenges council’s bid to acquire property

The owner of a house allegedly subject of complaints by residents because of its state of repair and overgrown garden has brought a High Court challenge to the local council ’ s moves to acquire the property .
Peter Paul Keenan owns a house at the Grange , John ’ s Hill , Waterford , on which Waterford City and County Council placed a compulsory purchase order ( CPO ) more than a year ago .
Mr Keenan , who says he has lived at Abbey Field , Clonard , Co Meath , for the last 16 years , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 2020 .
He discovered the council had been sending CPO notices to a former address of his in Waterford and to another in Dublin .
The notices were returned to the council as undelivered , he says in an affidavit .
Mr Keenan says he last rented the property in 2015 but the tenants terminated the lease following complaints from a neighbour which Mr Keenan did not accept .
Mr Keenan now plans to carry out works to the property so his daughters can live there when they attend Waterford Institute of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discover on September 27th last that the locks had been changed .
He was told by the council the CPO had been initiated because of complaints from the residents ’ association .
He claims there is no residents ’ association and believes the complaints come from one particular resident .
He says he is distraught at the thought the council could acquire his property without having notified him .
Mr Keenan never had any intention of selling it and the CPO is grossly disproportionate and fundamentally unfair , he says .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Keenan , was granted leave by Mr Justice Charles Meenan to bring judicial review proceedings seeking to quash the CPO decision .
The leave application was made on a one-side only represented basis .
The judge also granted a stay on the CPO proceeding pending further determination but gave the council liberty to vary or remove the stay with seven days notice to the Keenan side .
He returned the case to January .

Peter Paul Keenan says he knew nothing about the CPO until September 2020. File photograph: Nick Bradshaw
The owner of a house allegedly subject of complaints by residents because of its state of repair and overgrown garden has brought a High Court challenge to the local council’s moves to acquire the property.
Peter Paul Keenan owns a house at the Grange, John’s Hill, Waterford, on which Waterford City and County Council placed a compulsory purchase order (CPO) more than a year ago.
Mr Keenan, who says he has lived at Abbey Field, Clonard, Co Meath, for the last 16 years, says he knew nothing about the CPO until September 2020.
He discovered the council had been sending CPO notices to a former address of his in Waterford and to another in Dublin.
READ MORE
The notices were returned to the council as undelivered, he says in an affidavit.
Mr Keenan says he last rented the property in 2015 but the tenants terminated the lease following complaints from a neighbour which Mr Keenan did not accept.
Stay granted
Mr Keenan now plans to carry out works to the property so his daughters can live there when they attend Waterford Institute of Technology.
He says he was astonished to discover on September 27th last that the locks had been changed.
He was told by the council the CPO had been initiated because of complaints from the residents’ association. He claims there is no residents’ association and believes the complaints come from one particular resident.
He says he is distraught at the thought the council could acquire his property without having notified him.
Mr Keenan never had any intention of selling it and the CPO is grossly disproportionate and fundamentally unfair, he says.
On Monday, Stephen Dodd BL, for Mr Keenan, was granted leave by Mr Justice Charles Meenan to bring judicial review proceedings seeking to quash the CPO decision. The leave application was made on a one-side only represented basis.
The judge also granted a stay on the CPO proceeding pending further determination but gave the council liberty to vary or remove the stay with seven days notice to the Keenan side.
He returned the case to January.


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--Pensioner tells how his life has become a hell since son-in-law attacked his family

A pensioner has told of how his life has changed forever after his son-in-law arrived at his house and tried to stab him and his son before knocking him and his brother down by driving at them in his car .
Michael O ’ Keeffe ( 76 ) told Cork Circuit Criminal Court that he had never encountered evil in his life until November 9th , 2019 when his son-in-law , Warren Cross ( 48 ) arrived at his house at Maldron , Ringmahon Cross , Blackrock in Cork and proceeded to attack him and his son .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – my life was turned upside down when my son-in-law , Warren Cross tried to stab my son – luckily he escaped uninjured but then he tried to stab me in the stomach – I moved away but got stabbed in the hand , ” he said .
“ As a father , I wanted to protect my family but I was unable to do so because of my injury – I thank God every day that he was unsuccessful in getting in our home where he could have caused further injury to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His wife had collapsed some days after the attack and he feared he was going to lose her as a result of the events of that evening which “ started a living hell in my life ” , said Mr O ’ Keeffe .
He paid tribute to Det Garda Sean Stack and Garda Paul Lynch for their help and support .
Mr O ’ Keeffe was reading from his Victim Impact Statement after his son-in-law , Warren Cross , from Gleann Aras View , Grenagh , Co Cork had pleaded guilty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage to his home and possession of a dagger capable of inflicting serious injury .
Cross also pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly driving his car at Mr O ’ Keeffe colliding with him , also driving his car at his brother , Donal O ’ Keeffe knocking him down and driving it at two women and colliding with them , thereby causing a risk of death or serious injury to all of them .
Garda Paul Lynch told how gardaí were called to Mr O ’ Keeffe ’ s house after Cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanting to see his wife , Mr O ’ Keeffe ’ s daughter and an argument broke out outside the house and led to him pushing Mr O ’ Keeffe Snr and his son , Michael O ’ Keeffe Jnr .
Cross then produced a dagger-type knife and tried to stab Mr O ’ Keeffe Snr , wounding him on the hand before he picked up a concrete flower box which he flung at the front door of the house twice , smashing the glass and causing some €900 worth of damage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and drove at Mr O ’ Keeffe Snr , first colliding with a woman passing by and then colliding with the pensioner and knocking him to the ground before driving at Mr O ’ Keeffe ’ s brother , Donal who lived next door and knocking him to the ground .
Cross had also collided with another woman who was in the area before gardaí arrived at the scene where they found Cross in his car , stuck on a grass embankment .
He began shouting at gardaí to shoot him and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and taken to hospital .
Garda Lynch agreed with defence barrister , Emmet Boyle BL that Cross had a history of mental illness and had been discharged from St John of God Psychiatric Hospital in Dublin two days earlier and had come to Blackrock in Cork after receiving a phone call from his wife .
Garda Lynch said that Cross was very co-operative when he was later interviewed by gardaí and he confirmed that Cross had no previous conviction but he said that Mr O ’ Keeffe ’ s family were anxious that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Mr Boyle BL pleaded for lenience and said : “ He expressed remorse in immediacy .
He is an in-patient at St John of God ’ s Hospital .
He has been there since November 11th , 2019 .
Unfortunately , all he can do is express remorse and continue to act properly.
” Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin noted that a medical report from a psychiatrist at St John of God ’ s had found that Cross was not delusional or psychotic at the time of his discharge and the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 11th , 2019 and had been there since receiving treatment .
Judge Ó Donnabháin said : “ For a man of Mr O ’ Keeffe ’ s age to be exposed to violence like this is shocking – the assault with the knife before he throws a concrete pot at the door , his behaviour towards innocent bystanders , the injured party was struck by the vehicle and was extremely lucky to avoid serious injury.
” Judge Ó Donnabháin acknowledged that Cross had a history of psychiatric problems and he accepted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous convictions and had expressed remorse for his actions but he believed he had to mark the seriousness of the offences with a custodial sentence .
He sentenced Cross to three years in jail but suspended the final 12 months and ordered that he not come within 5km of Blackrock and his in-laws while he also disqualified him from driving for a period of 10 years given he used the car in the commission of one of the offences .

A pensioner has told of how his life has changed forever after his son-in-law arrived at his house and tried to stab him and his son before knocking him and his brother down by driving at them in his car.
Michael O'Keeffe (76) told Cork Circuit Criminal Court that he had never encountered evil in his life until November 9th, 2019 when his son-in-law, Warren Cross (48) arrived at his house at Maldron, Ringmahon Cross, Blackrock in Cork and proceeded to attack him and his son.
“That night I was exposed to pure evil – my life was turned upside down when my son-in-law, Warren Cross tried to stab my son – luckily he escaped uninjured but then he tried to stab me in the stomach – I moved away but got stabbed in the hand,” he said.
“As a father, I wanted to protect my family but I was unable to do so because of my injury – I thank God every day that he was unsuccessful in getting in our home where he could have caused further injury to my family,” he added.
READ MORE
His wife had collapsed some days after the attack and he feared he was going to lose her as a result of the events of that evening which "started a living hell in my life", said Mr O'Keeffe. He paid tribute to Det Garda Sean Stack and Garda Paul Lynch for their help and support.
Mr O'Keeffe was reading from his Victim Impact Statement after his son-in-law, Warren Cross, from Gleann Aras View, Grenagh, Co Cork had pleaded guilty to assault causing him harm, causing criminal damage to his home and possession of a dagger capable of inflicting serious injury.
Cross also pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly driving his car at Mr O’Keeffe colliding with him, also driving his car at his brother, Donal O’Keeffe knocking him down and driving it at two women and colliding with them, thereby causing a risk of death or serious injury to all of them.
Garda Paul Lynch told how gardaí were called to Mr O’Keeffe’s house after Cross had arrived there in an agitated state wanting to see his wife, Mr O’Keeffe’s daughter and an argument broke out outside the house and led to him pushing Mr O’Keeffe Snr and his son, Michael O’Keeffe Jnr.
Cross then produced a dagger-type knife and tried to stab Mr O’Keeffe Snr, wounding him on the hand before he picked up a concrete flower box which he flung at the front door of the house twice, smashing the glass and causing some €900 worth of damage.
Cross then got back into his car and drove at Mr O’Keeffe Snr, first colliding with a woman passing by and then colliding with the pensioner and knocking him to the ground before driving at Mr O’Keeffe’s brother, Donal who lived next door and knocking him to the ground.
Cross had also collided with another woman who was in the area before gardaí arrived at the scene where they found Cross in his car, stuck on a grass embankment. He began shouting at gardaí to shoot him and he was arrested under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital.
Garda Lynch agreed with defence barrister, Emmet Boyle BL that Cross had a history of mental illness and had been discharged from St John of God Psychiatric Hospital in Dublin two months earlier and had then on the day in question called to his in-laws in Blackrock.*
Garda Lynch said that Cross was very co-operative when he was later interviewed by gardaí and he confirmed that Cross had no previous conviction but he said that Mr O’Keeffe’s family were anxious that they would have no further contact with him.
Mr Boyle BL pleaded for lenience and said: “He expressed remorse in immediacy. He is an in-patient at St John of God’s Hospital. He has been there since November 11th, 2019. Unfortunately, all he can do is express remorse and continue to act properly.”
Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin noted that a medical report from a psychiatrist at St John of God’s had found that Cross was not delusional or psychotic at the time of his discharge and the court heard that he had returned there on November 11th, 2019 and had been there since receiving treatment.
Judge Ó Donnabháin said: “For a man of Mr O’Keeffe’s age to be exposed to violence like this is shocking – the assault with the knife before he throws a concrete pot at the door, his behaviour towards innocent bystanders, the injured party was struck by the vehicle and was extremely lucky to avoid serious injury.”
Judge Ó Donnabháin acknowledged that Cross had a history of psychiatric problems and he accepted that he had pleaded guilty, had no previous convictions and had expressed remorse for his actions but he believed he had to mark the seriousness of the offences with a custodial sentence.
He sentenced Cross to three years in jail but suspended the final 12 months and ordered that he not come within 5km of Blackrock and his in-laws while he also disqualified him from driving for a period of 10 years given he used the car in the commission of one of the offences.
*This article was amended on November 24th


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--Family of woman who died in road collision settles court action for €550,000

The family of a Tipperary woman who died in a head-on road collision in which the other driver also died has settled a High Court action for €550,000 .
Mary O ’ Donnell was a nurse at the Mid West Western Regional Hospital , Limerick and was believed to be on her way to work when the early morning collission occurred not far from her home .
Retired farmer and local historian John Ryan , aged in his 80s and also from Tipperary , was the driver of the other car .
He also died in the collision .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his way to catch a train at Limerick Junction when the accident occurred .
The case came before the High Court on Monday when Mr Justice Garrett Simons approved a part of the settlement for Mrs O ’ Donnell ’ s two sons Patrick ( 17 ) and Thomas ( 14 ) .
Mrs O ’ Donnell ’ s husband James O ’ Donnell , Barronstown , Limerick Junction , Co Tipperary had sued the executor of the estate of the late John Ryan , Ballyryan , Monard , Co Tipperary , over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Co Tipperary on October 16th , 2014 .
It was claimed the car driven by the pensioner crossed onto the incorrect side of the road causing a collision .
It was claimed Mr Ryan had become distracted when driving , his car had collided with the kerb on his side of the road and was forced into the oncoming carriageway and into the path of Mrs O ’ Donnell ’ s car .
A defence had been lodged in the case in which it was accepted the crash was caused by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care and management and control of his vehicle .
It was acknowledged the death of 47-year old Mrs O ’ Donnell caused significant grief , upset and distress for the O ’ Donnell family .
It was also contended there may have been an aspect of alleged contributory negligence in the case as Mrs O ’ Donnell was allegedly not wearing her seatbelt at the time .
Mr Justice Simons was told during a remote hearing this was an issue in the case .
Gardaí reported Mr Ryan had been wearing his seatbelt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not have been .
Approving amounts of just over €60,000 each for Mrs O ’ Donnell ’ s sons , Mr Justice Simons said he had no hesitation in approving the settlement in this very tragic case .
He said there were significant issues in the case in relation to alleged contributory negligence in relation to Mrs O ’ Donnell and whether she was wearing a seatbelt .

The family of a Tipperary woman who died in a head-on road collision in which the other driver also died has settled a High Court action for €550,000.
Mary O’Donnell was a nurse at the Mid West Western Regional Hospital, Limerick and was believed to be on her way to work when the early morning collission occurred not far from her home.
Retired farmer and local historian John Ryan, aged in his 80s and also from Tipperary, was the driver of the other car. He also died in the collision. Mr Ryan was believed to have been on his way to catch a train at Limerick Junction when the accident occurred.
The case came before the High Court on Monday when Mr Justice Garrett Simons approved a part of the settlement for Mrs O’Donnell’s two sons Patrick (17) and Thomas (14).
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Mrs O’Donnell’s husband James O’Donnell, Barronstown, Limerick Junction, Co Tipperary had sued the executor of the estate of the late John Ryan, Ballyryan, Monard, Co Tipperary, over the accident at Ballykisteen, Limerick Junction in Co Tipperary on October 16th, 2014.
It was claimed the car driven by the pensioner crossed onto the incorrect side of the road causing a collision.
It was claimed Mr Ryan had become distracted when driving, his car had collided with the kerb on his side of the road and was forced into the oncoming carriageway and into the path of Mrs O’Donnell’s car.
A defence had been lodged in the case in which it was accepted the crash was caused by the late Mr Ryan in and about the care and management and control of his vehicle.
It was acknowledged the death of 47-year old Mrs O’Donnell caused significant grief, upset and distress for the O’Donnell family.
It was also contended there may have been an aspect of alleged contributory negligence in the case as Mrs O’Donnell was allegedly not wearing her seatbelt at the time.
Mr Justice Simons was told during a remote hearing this was an issue in the case. Gardaí reported Mr Ryan had been wearing his seatbelt but it appeared Mrs O’Donnell may not have been.
Approving amounts of just over €60,000 each for Mrs O’Donnell’s sons, Mr Justice Simons said he had no hesitation in approving the settlement in this very tragic case.
He said there were significant issues in the case in relation to alleged contributory negligence in relation to Mrs O’Donnell and whether she was wearing a seatbelt.


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--Former minister for housing backs co-living ban

Eoghan Murphy , the former minister for housing who introduced co-living guidelines two years ago , has said his successor was “ right to act ” when he announced a de facto ban on future developments .
On Monday , Minister for Housing Darragh O ’ Brien said that he intended to restrict all future commercial co-living development in the State .
He said he will introduce updated guidance which makes a presumption of refusal against planning applications for co-living developments ( which involve the rent of individual bedspaces connected to shared cooking , dining and other facilities ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the opposition for introducing guidelines to support the concept in 2018 , said on Monday that co-living was “ only ever intended to play a limited and niche role in the housing market .
It was never intended as an alternative to conventional apartment or housing developments.
” The Dublin Bay South TD supported his Government colleague ’ s decision , saying : “ Minister O ’ Brien is of the view there are enough developments in the system to meet anticipated demand and so he is right to act.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the decision , Mr O ’ Brien cited the number of permissions and applications that have been lodged so far for co-living .
He wrote : “ Given the unprecedented nature of these developments I have concerns that the scale of the developments is moving away from the niche quantity of units the concept originally aimed for to a significantly larger role in the housing system.
” He said the number of projects in the pipeline is similar to the limit imposed in the Greater Manchester area , on a pro-rata basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount to prove out this concept without potentially unbalancing the housing system ” .
There was a broad welcome for the reforms from the Opposition .
Labour Party spokeswoman on housing Rebecca Moynihan said co-living is “ not a solution ” for housing shortages and is “ even more unsuitable in the context of the Covid crisis ” .
She called for new guidelines on other forms of rental housing , such as purpose-built student accommodation .
She warned that some developments could still be granted permission “ despite scathing planners ’ reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticised inadequate bedroom and community facilities .
Eoin Ó Broin , the Sinn Féin spokesman on housing , sounded a note of caution .
While he said he would welcome an outright ban on co-living , he urged Mr O ’ Brien to clarify whether he intends to ban or “ just restrict ” co-living .
The Minister later said on Twitter it was a ban , but the Sinn Féin deputy said “ we need to see the new regulations as a matter of urgency and know when it will be introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Social Democrats housing spokesman , said the ban “ is long overdue .
The Government must now draw a line in the sand under these shoddy housing policies .
“ At the heart of the co-living plan was a desire to drive down standards , ” he said .
“ The Government must now fully commit to providing people with decent housing – this includes having enough personal space , good ventilation and access to a garden or balcony of your own .
It is not too much to ask for and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started to recognise that .
”

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said he had ‘concerns that the scale of the developments is moving away from the niche quantity of units the concept originally aimed for’. Photograph: Alan Betson
Eoghan Murphy, the former minister for housing who introduced co-living guidelines two years ago, has said his successor was "right to act" when he announced a de facto ban on future developments.
On Monday, Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien said that he intended to restrict all future commercial co-living development in the State.
He said he will introduce updated guidance which makes a presumption of refusal against planning applications for co-living developments (which involve the rent of individual bedspaces connected to shared cooking, dining and other facilities).
Mr Murphy, who was heavily criticised by the opposition for introducing guidelines to support the concept in 2018, said on Monday that co-living was “only ever intended to play a limited and niche role in the housing market. It was never intended as an alternative to conventional apartment or housing developments.”
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The Dublin Bay South TD supported his Government colleague’s decision, saying: “Minister O’Brien is of the view there are enough developments in the system to meet anticipated demand and so he is right to act.”
‘Concerns’
In an email to officials outlining his rationale for the decision, Mr O’Brien cited the number of permissions and applications that have been lodged so far for co-living. He wrote: “Given the unprecedented nature of these developments I have concerns that the scale of the developments is moving away from the niche quantity of units the concept originally aimed for to a significantly larger role in the housing system.”
He said the number of projects in the pipeline is similar to the limit imposed in the Greater Manchester area, on a pro-rata basis, and that “there is sufficient amount to prove out this concept without potentially unbalancing the housing system”.
There was a broad welcome for the reforms from the Opposition. Labour Party spokeswoman on housing Rebecca Moynihan said co-living is "not a solution" for housing shortages and is "even more unsuitable in the context of the Covid crisis". She called for new guidelines on other forms of rental housing, such as purpose-built student accommodation. She warned that some developments could still be granted permission "despite scathing planners' reports from Dublin City Council" which had criticised inadequate bedroom and community facilities.
Note of caution
Eoin Ó Broin, the Sinn Féin spokesman on housing, sounded a note of caution. While he said he would welcome an outright ban on co-living, he urged Mr O’Brien to clarify whether he intends to ban or “just restrict” co-living. The Minister later said on Twitter it was a ban, but the Sinn Féin deputy said “we need to see the new regulations as a matter of urgency and know when it will be introduced”.
Cian O’Callaghan, the Social Democrats housing spokesman, said the ban “is long overdue. The Government must now draw a line in the sand under these shoddy housing policies.
“At the heart of the co-living plan was a desire to drive down standards,” he said.
“The Government must now fully commit to providing people with decent housing – this includes having enough personal space, good ventilation and access to a garden or balcony of your own. It is not too much to ask for and I’m glad the Minister has started to recognise that.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-24--Girl (4) settles action against Coombe with €3.3m interim payment

A four-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who sued over the circumstances of her birth at the Coombe Hospital , Dublin , has settled her High Court action with a €3.3million interim payment .
The hospital expressed “ sincere apologies ” for “ the failings in relation to the care provided ” to Rosie Slevin and her mother .
“ We accept that these should not have happened , ” the Master of the Coombe , Prof Michael O ’ Connell , added , in a letter .
Prof O ’ Connell said he would like to acknowledge the many challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the treatment afforded to Rosie and how traumatic this had been for them .
“ I am truly sorry for the distress that this has caused to you and Rosie , ” he concluded .
Rosie ’ s father , Kevin Slevin told the court : “ My little girl is beautiful .
She lights up every room.
” .
A settlement was reached in the case after mediation .
The interim settlement will cover Rosie ’ s needs for the next five years when the court will assess her future care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dublin , the child , through her mother Deborah Slevin , sued the Coombe Hospital over the circumstances of her birth on August 20th 2016 .
It was claimed there was failure to identify and act on abnormal and pathological CTG traces which monitor the foetal heartbeat and a failure to deliver the baby in a timely fashion .
It was claimed an earlier and timely delivery would have meant the baby was not exposed at all , or far as long , to hypoxic stress in the presence of severe anaemia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , would have avoided a brain injury on the balance of probabilities It was further claimed there was failure to identify and analyse the ongoing absence of accelerations in the foetal heart rate .
It was also alleged there was failure to have immediate regard to the lack of foetal movement on the morning of August 20th , 2016 and to realise the baby was in distress and required an emergency delivery .
Rosie , it was claimed , suffered a devastating hypoxic ischemic insult prior to her birth , was in poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two thirds of her circulating blood volume .
A brain scan later showed extensive brain injury and Rosie spent a number of weeks in hospital .
Approving the settlement , Mr Justice Cross said Rosie was non-verbal but “ more importantly ” , she is a wonderful little girl .
It was a good settlement which would provide for Rosie .
The Slevins ’ solicitor , Roger Murray , said the family welcomed the early admission of liability .
The letter of apology takes away some of the hurt “ but will never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .

Deborah and Kevin Slevin pictured after the High Court approved an interim settlement of in the case of their daughter Rosie Slevin. Photograph: Collins Courts
A four-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who sued over the circumstances of her birth at the Coombe Hospital, Dublin, has settled her High Court action with a €3.3million interim payment.
The hospital expressed “sincere apologies” for “the failings in relation to the care provided” to Rosie Slevin and her mother.
“We accept that these should not have happened,” the Master of the Coombe, Prof Michael O’Connell, added, in a letter.
Framed picture of Rosie Slevin pictured after the High Court approved an interim settlement in her case. Photograph: Collins Courts
Prof O’Connell said he would like to acknowledge the many challenges the Slevins had faced as a result of the treatment afforded to Rosie and how traumatic this had been for them.
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“I am truly sorry for the distress that this has caused to you and Rosie,” he concluded.
Rosie’s father, Kevin Slevin told the court: “My little girl is beautiful. She lights up every room.”.
A settlement was reached in the case after mediation. The interim settlement will cover Rosie’s needs for the next five years when the court will assess her future care needs.
From Glenealy Road, Crumlin, Dublin, the child, through her mother Deborah Slevin, sued the Coombe Hospital over the circumstances of her birth on August 20th 2016.
It was claimed there was failure to identify and act on abnormal and pathological CTG traces which monitor the foetal heartbeat and a failure to deliver the baby in a timely fashion.
It was claimed an earlier and timely delivery would have meant the baby was not exposed at all, or far as long, to hypoxic stress in the presence of severe anaemia.
Earlier delivery, it was claimed, would have avoided a brain injury on the balance of probabilities
It was further claimed there was failure to identify and analyse the ongoing absence of accelerations in the foetal heart rate.
It was also alleged there was failure to have immediate regard to the lack of foetal movement on the morning of August 20th, 2016 and to realise the baby was in distress and required an emergency delivery.
Rosie, it was claimed, suffered a devastating hypoxic ischemic insult prior to her birth, was in poor condition at birth, and had lost two thirds of her circulating blood volume.
A brain scan later showed extensive brain injury and Rosie spent a number of weeks in hospital.
Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Cross said Rosie was non-verbal but “more importantly”, she is a wonderful little girl. It was a good settlement which would provide for Rosie.
The Slevins’ solicitor, Roger Murray, said the family welcomed the early admission of liability. The letter of apology takes away some of the hurt “but will never undo the injury suffered by Rosie”, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-11-24--Prison service accepts ‘urgent need’ to better care for mentally ill inmates

The Irish Prison Service says it accepts the need for urgent improvements in mental health care for inmates following the publication of a highly critical report from a European inspection body .
The Council of Europe ’ s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment found serious failings in the treatment of mentally ill prisoners , who it said were sometimes left to “ languish ” in prisons due to a lack of hospital placements .
It detailed the case of one man who it found lying naked on the floor of his cell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor and walls .
The man had not showered for two weeks and was not receiving medical treatment as staff would only open the door to give him food .
Another severely mentally ill man , who was found in a “ similarly distressed ” state , was kept in an observation cell for 12 weeks before a bed opened up in the Central Mental Hospital .
The committee criticised several aspects of prison policy including the lack of psychiatric beds for inmates , a lack of clear treatment plans and the high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remand in prison .
It also found mentally ill prisoners routinely had to sleep on mattresses on the floor due to overcrowding .
In a statement on Tuesday , the Irish Prison Service said it accepts there is an “ urgent need to enhance and improve the level of service provided and the response to this issue must be a broad interdepartmental response ” .
It said it had sought a commitment from the Government on a taskforce on mental health being established and welcomed its inclusion in this year ’ s Programme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closely with our colleagues in the Department of Justice and the Department of Health in this regard.
” The service is tasked with “ impossible challenges ” because its staff are being asked to fulfil roles for which they are not suited , namely the care of people who are severely unwell , said Keith Adams of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice .
“ Most strikingly , they are repeatedly placed in positions where even with the best efforts and intentions , their level of care for prisoners is deficient because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison a destination for people who should instead be in a psychiatric facility.
” Mr Adams said the report should serve as a catalyst for reducing prison numbers through the provision of community based services for the homeless and those with mental health and addiction issues .
The prison service welcomed positive aspects of the committee ’ s report , including on the opening of a modern prison in Cork , an overall reduction in violent incidents and improvements in drug treatment services .
It also noted the findings that , for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated fairly by staff .
“ They felt from talking to staff and prisoners , that there is a genuine concern among staff for those in custody.
” The service said it is continuing on “ a journey of transformational change ” which is set out in its 2019-2022 strategic plan .
This includes a “ comprehensive review ” of the use of observation cells and health care in prison .

The Irish Prison Service says it accepts the need for urgent improvements in mental health care for inmates following the publication of a highly critical report from a European inspection body. File image: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times.
The Irish Prison Service says it accepts the need for urgent improvements in mental health care for inmates following the publication of a highly critical report from a European inspection body.
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment found serious failings in the treatment of mentally ill prisoners, who it said were sometimes left to “languish” in prisons due to a lack of hospital placements.
It detailed the case of one man who it found lying naked on the floor of his cell, with faeces and urine on the floor and walls. The man had not showered for two weeks and was not receiving medical treatment as staff would only open the door to give him food.
Another severely mentally ill man, who was found in a “similarly distressed” state, was kept in an observation cell for 12 weeks before a bed opened up in the Central Mental Hospital.
READ MORE
The committee criticised several aspects of prison policy including the lack of psychiatric beds for inmates, a lack of clear treatment plans and the high levels of homeless people being placed on remand in prison. It also found mentally ill prisoners routinely had to sleep on mattresses on the floor due to overcrowding.
Urgent need
In a statement on Tuesday, the Irish Prison Service said it accepts there is an “urgent need to enhance and improve the level of service provided and the response to this issue must be a broad interdepartmental response”.
It said it had sought a commitment from the Government on a taskforce on mental health being established and welcomed its inclusion in this year’s Programme for Government.
“We are working closely with our colleagues in the Department of Justice and the Department of Health in this regard.”
The service is tasked with “impossible challenges” because its staff are being asked to fulfil roles for which they are not suited, namely the care of people who are severely unwell, said Keith Adams of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice.
“Most strikingly, they are repeatedly placed in positions where even with the best efforts and intentions, their level of care for prisoners is deficient because the broader criminal justice system has made prison a destination for people who should instead be in a psychiatric facility.”
Catalyst
Mr Adams said the report should serve as a catalyst for reducing prison numbers through the provision of community based services for the homeless and those with mental health and addiction issues.
The prison service welcomed positive aspects of the committee’s report, including on the opening of a modern prison in Cork, an overall reduction in violent incidents and improvements in drug treatment services. It also noted the findings that, for the most part, prisoners said they were treated fairly by staff.
“They felt from talking to staff and prisoners, that there is a genuine concern among staff for those in custody.”
The service said it is continuing on “a journey of transformational change” which is set out in its 2019-2022 strategic plan. This includes a “comprehensive review” of the use of observation cells and health care in prison.


theirishtimes--2020-11-24--Vitamin D supplement advised for older people

Older people should take daily vitamin D supplements for their bone and muscle health , the Department of Health has advised .
In new advice , the departments says adults aged 65 and older should take a vitamin D supplement of 15 micrograms every day to maintain good bone and muscle health .
Some doctors believe vitamin D , by boosting the immune system , can help prevent or treat Covid-19 .
But the department says a study it commissioned on this issue found no evidence to support the claim .
The study by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was no evidence to support taking vitamin D supplements to specifically prevent or treat the disease , and that the evidence on vitamin D supplementation and acute respiratory tract infection risk was inconsistent and generally did not show a beneficial effect .
However , since these reviews were completed , the UK government last month requested the National Institute of Clinical Excellence and Public Health England to produce recommendations on vitamin D for prevention and treatment of Covid .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly stressed the strong link between frailty among older people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This link may actually lead to a cycle that sees people being frail due to low vitamin D status which then prevents them from being mobile and going outdoors and then in turn this further contributes to poor vitamin D intake.
” He said the new guidance would “ help to prevent that cycle ” and support older people to leave “ happy and full lives ” .
Vitamin D supplement can be taken as part of a multivitamin supplement , together with calcium or on its own .
Vitamin D is naturally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intake varies seasonally and is also lower among people with high melanin , so people of colour are at higher risk of deficiency .
Concerns have been expressed that because people are spending more time indoors during the pandemic , their vitamin D levels may be even lower than usual .
Almost half the Irish population is deficient in the vitamin which is also available in foods such as oily fish and cheese .
Trinity College gerontologist Prof Rose Anne Kenny has argued that people have “ nothing to lose ” , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D supplements as protection during the Covid-19 pandemic .
Evidence linking vitamin D deficiency with severity of Covid-19 disease is “ circumstantial but considerable ” , she says .

Concerns have been expressed that because people are spending more time indoors during the pandemic, their vitamin D levels may be even lower than usual. File photograph: Getty
Older people should take daily vitamin D supplements for their bone and muscle health, the Department of Health has advised.
In new advice, the departments says adults aged 65 and older should take a vitamin D supplement of 15 micrograms every day to maintain good bone and muscle health.
Some doctors believe vitamin D, by boosting the immune system, can help prevent or treat Covid-19. But the department says a study it commissioned on this issue found no evidence to support the claim.
The study by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland cited two British reviews that concluded there was no evidence to support taking vitamin D supplements to specifically prevent or treat the disease, and that the evidence on vitamin D supplementation and acute respiratory tract infection risk was inconsistent and generally did not show a beneficial effect.
READ MORE
However, since these reviews were completed, the UK government last month requested the National Institute of Clinical Excellence and Public Health England to produce recommendations on vitamin D for prevention and treatment of Covid.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly stressed the strong link between frailty among older people and low vitamin D status.
“This link may actually lead to a cycle that sees people being frail due to low vitamin D status which then prevents them from being mobile and going outdoors and then in turn this further contributes to poor vitamin D intake.”
He said the new guidance would “help to prevent that cycle” and support older people to leave “happy and full lives”.
Vitamin D supplement can be taken as part of a multivitamin supplement, together with calcium or on its own. Vitamin D is naturally available from the sun, but natural intake varies seasonally and is also lower among people with high melanin, so people of colour are at higher risk of deficiency.
Oily fish and cheese
Concerns have been expressed that because people are spending more time indoors during the pandemic, their vitamin D levels may be even lower than usual.
Almost half the Irish population is deficient in the vitamin which is also available in foods such as oily fish and cheese.
Trinity College gerontologist Prof Rose Anne Kenny has argued that people have "nothing to lose", and much to gain, by taking vitamin D supplements as protection during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Evidence linking vitamin D deficiency with severity of Covid-19 disease is “circumstantial but considerable”, she says.


theirishtimes--2020-11-24--Man jailed and fined for not giving evidence in Aaron Brady murder trial

A key witness failed to give evidence in the trial of Aaron Brady for the murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe after receiving threats “ backed by criminal or paramilitary elements ” , a High Court judge has heard .
Father-of-two Colin Hoey ( 30 ) was on Tuesday jailed for 21 days and fined €2,000 for contempt of court .
Mr Hoey , with an address at O ’ Neill Estate , Cregganduff , Co Armagh , pleaded guilty to the charge after failing to appear to answer a witness order during Brady ’ s trial .
He had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later retracted it .
Mr Justice Michael White said he was sure threats issued to Mr Hoey and his family in advance of the Brady trial had been taken “ quite seriously ” by them .
He noted that Mr Hoey was a “ very decent young man ” from a “ very decent family ” who had been caught up in a “ very difficult situation ” .
A bench warrant was issued for Mr Hoey by trial judge Mr Justice White on March 5th this year and he was arrested by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at The Criminal Courts of Justice .
The High Court has heard that the offence is punishable by imprisonment , fine or both .
Aaron Brady was found guilty of the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe by an 11-to-one majority jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court on August 11th .
Last month , the 29-year-old with a last address at New Road , Crossmaglen , Co Armagh was sentenced to the mandatory term for murder of life imprisonment with a minimum time served of 40 years .
Brady was also sentenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ €7,000 — a sentence that will run concurrently with the life sentence — at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgen , Co Louth on January 25th 2013 .
During hearings at Brady ’ s trial , Detective Inspector Mark Phillips of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation said that Mr Hoey was a witness of “ some significance ” who had provided an alibi for Aaron Brady but had later withdrawn that alibi .
At Tuesday ’ s contempt hearing in the High Court , Remy Farrell SC , for Mr Hoey , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contempt against his client was admitted .
Taking the witness stand , Det Insp Phillips told prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC that Mr Hoey had “ significant evidence ” to give at Brady ’ s trial if he had attended .
Under cross-examination , Det Insp Phillips agreed with Mr Farrell that “ certain elements ” had made contact with Mr Hoey and his father in advance of Brady ’ s trial and “ these elements ” had intimated that it might not be in Mr Hoey ’ s best interest to attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put it to the witness that whatever was said had certainly caused Mr Hoey and his family to take the view that these were “ implicit threats ” backed by criminal or paramilitary elements .
“ I ’ m not party to the conversation that took place but ultimately he did not appear to give evidence , ” replied Det Insp Phillips .
At a brief hearing last month , Detective Garda Padraic O ’ Reilly testified that Mr Hoey was informed on March 3rd 2020 that he was required to attend the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give evidence in the Brady trial and if he did not show up a bench warrant would be issued .
However , the witness did not attend court on March 4th and a bench warrant was issued by trial judge Mr Justice White on March 5th .
Attempts were made by gardaí to execute the warrant after this date , the High Court was told .
However , solicitor Danny McNamee , for Mr Hoey , made contact with gardaí in early October and informed them that his client wished to present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Hoey presented himself at The Criminal Courts of Justice on October 5th and the warrant was executed .

A key witness failed to give evidence in the trial of Aaron Brady for the murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe after receiving threats "backed by criminal or paramilitary elements", a High Court judge has heard.
Passing sentence on father-of-two Colin Hoey on Tuesday, Mr Justice Michael White said he was "sure the vast majority of the decent people from south Armagh" were "sick and tired of criminals" invoking "the green flag" and intimidating witnesses.
The judge jailed Mr Hoey (30) for 21 days and fined him €2,000 for contempt of court. Mr Hoey, with an address at O’Neill Estate, Cregganduff, Co Armagh, pleaded guilty to the charge after failing to appear to answer a witness order during the trial of Aaron Brady.
Mr Hoey had initially provided an alibi for Aaron Brady but later retracted it.
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Mr Justice White said on Tuesday that failing to attend court on foot of a witness order was “a serious matter” but Mr Hoey was “most unfortunate” to become involved with Brady, who had been convicted of the most serious crime known to the Irish criminal law.
The judge noted Mr Hoey was a “very decent young man” from a “very decent family” who had been caught up in a “very difficult situation” and resided with his friend Brady “in a nest of vipers”.
He stressed that failing to answer a witness order was “unacceptable behaviour” and said it is very important that “good people” stand up and respect the rule of law and civility of the Constitution.
A bench warrant was issued for Mr Hoey by trial judge Mr Justice White on March 5th this year after he failed to appear at the Central Criminal Court to answer a witness order during the trial of Brady. Mr Hoey was arrested by gardaí on October 5th after presenting himself at the Criminal Courts of Justice. The High Court has heard that the offence is punishable by imprisonment, fine or both.
Aaron Brady was found guilty of the murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe by an 11-to-one majority jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court on August 11th. Last month, the 29-year-old with a last address at New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh was sentenced to the mandatory term for murder of life imprisonment with a minimum time served of 40 years. Brady was also sentenced to 14 years for the robbery of €7,000 – a sentence that will run concurrently with the life sentence – at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth on January 25th, 2013.
During hearings at Brady’s trial, Det Inspector Mark Phillips of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation said that Mr Hoey was a witness of “some significance” who had provided an alibi for Aaron Brady but had later withdrawn that alibi.
At Tuesday’s contempt hearing in the High Court, Remy Farrell SC for Mr Hoey, told Mr Justice White that the charge of contempt against his client was admitted.
Brendan Grehan SC, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), said contempt is neither a summary or indictable offence and the High Court has unlimited jurisdiction in accordance with the principle of proportionality to assess the charge.
Taking the witness stand, Det Insp Phillips told Mr Grehan that Brady’s trial had commenced in late January of this year and witness orders had been directed by the court in respect of witnesses set out in the book of evidence, which included Mr Hoey.
Det Insp Phillips agreed with counsel that Sgt Paul Gill had given evidence of serving a witness order on the accused man on March 5th for his attendance at the trial.
Mr Grehan said Det Padraic O’Reilly previously gave evidence of calling to Mr Hoey’s home on March 3rd and advising him that he was required to attend at the Central Criminal Court on the following day. Mr Hoey indicated that he wanted to speak with his solicitor but was advised by the detective that a warrant would be issued if he did not attend, said the barrister.
Det Insp Phillips told Mr Grehan that Mr Hoey did not attend court on March 4th and a warrant was issued for his arrest the following day.
However, solicitor Danny McNamee, for Mr Hoey, made contact with gardaí in early October and informed them that his client wished to present himself for the execution of the warrant. Mr Hoey presented himself at the Criminal Courts of Justice on October 5th and the warrant was executed. Following this, Hoey was granted legal aid and released on bail, said Mr Grehan.
Det Insp Phillips agreed Mr Hoey had “significant evidence” to give at Brady’s trial if he had attended.
Under cross-examination by Mr Farrell, representing Mr Hoey, Det Insp Phillips agreed his client had made a statement to gardaí around seven weeks after the shooting of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe in which he said that Brady had arrived at his house on the evening of January 25th, 2013. There was a suggestion that Brady and Mr Hoey had watched a film together and Brady had stayed in the house for a period of time, said Mr Farrell.
The lawyer said that Brady and Mr Hoey had been friends since third class in primary school and both men were living in the same house at the time. Mr Hoey and his family come from the Crossmaglen area, which is the same area that the Brady family reside in, said Mr Farrell.
Det Insp Phillips agreed that Brady had been convicted of the most serious offence on the criminal calendar. Mr Farrell said his client made a second statement to gardaí on September 12th, 2017 concerning the events of January 25th, 2013 and Mr Hoey was invited to reflect on the accuracy of what was in his initial statement.
The detective agreed with counsel that the second statement, where Mr Hoey had withdrawn the content of his first statement, was brief. In the second statement, Mr Hoey said the events recited may well have occurred but they had probably taken place on the day prior to January 25th. Mr Hoey also told gardaí that this had been on his mind for some time, the court heard.
The detective further agreed that Mr Hoey attending the Garda station for a second time was akin to him “facing up to things” and a significant statement for the prosecution in the trial.
Mr Farrell said “certain elements” had made contact with Mr Hoey and his father in advance of Brady’s trial and “these elements” had intimated that it might not be in Mr Hoey’s best interest to attend Brady’s trial.
Mr Farrell put it to the witness that whatever was said had certainly caused Mr Hoey and his family to take the view that these were “implicit threats” backed by criminal or paramilitary elements. “I’m not party to the conversation that took place but ultimately he did not appear to give evidence,” replied Det Insp Phillips.
The barrister put it to the detective that Mr Hoey and his family had taken “a meaning or a view” from what was said. “I can understand that happening,” replied the witness.
The witness agreed Mr Hoey is a “fairly industrious” man and currently works as a labourer for an electricians’ firm. Mr Farrell said the accused has a long term partner, is the father of two children and has a significant level of community involvement in the local GAA club.
In re-examination, Mr Grehan said perhaps some kind of pressure had “been brought to bear” on Mr Hoey and asked the witness if complaints had been made to gardaí about this. “No,” replied Det Insp Phillips.
The detective agreed with Mr Grehan that quite a number of people in various communities from North and South of the Border had come to court to give evidence in the trial and done their civil duty despite being under pressure at the time.
In his submissions, Mr Farrell handed a report into the court from Mr Hoey’s counsellor, which the barrister said painted a picture of a young man who was under considerable pressure in and about the relevant time.
Mr Farrell submitted to the court that whether any complaint had been made by Mr Hoey to gardaí in terms of pressure, it was hard to see how gardaí would have had jurisdiction to deal with it as it could have been said to Mr Hoey on the other side of the Border.
The lawyer said the most relevant factor in any case of this nature is motivation and why someone chooses to disobey a court order. “I’m instructed by Mr Hoey that he is deeply sorry for what he did, he found himself in a particular situation and made a decision,” said Mr Farrell.
In summary, Mr Grehan told the court that an entire trial could “be set at nought” if witnesses failed to attend court to give evidence.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice White said that Mr Hoey’s second statement to gardaí was significant in relation to the fact at issue that the jury in the Brady trial had to determine. He said failing to attend court on foot of a witness order was a serious matter.
Mr Justice White said he accepted what Mr Farrell had put to the detective and explained he had to read quite detailed intelligence during the trial as part of his duties as trial judge.
Addressing the parties, Mr Justice White said he was very reluctant to impose any form of sentence on Mr Hoey as he is “a very decent human being”. However, the judge said the court had to be mindful of its duty and therefore must impose a short custodial sentence on Mr Hoey to mark the seriousness of the matter.
He sentenced the defendant to 21 days in prison and fined him €2,000 for contempt of court.


theirishtimes--2020-11-24--Public service unions and Government to start talks on new pay deal

The Government and public service trade unions are to enter into substantive talks on a new pay agreement for about 340,000 State employees .
Unions representatives and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have been holding a series of exploratory meetings on the potential of negotiating a new public service pay accord .
The current public service pay deal for more than 340,000 public service personnel will expire at the end of December .
The Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath briefed the Cabinet on Tuesday morning on the preliminary talks on a new public service pay accord .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress of Trade Unions also considered the issue on Tuesday morning .
It is understood that the planned substantive talks could get underway later this week or early next week .
Last week the country ’ s largest public service trade union Fórsa said that a “ realistic and acceptable approach to a new public service agreement does not mean ruling out pay improvements over the lifetime of a deal ” .
The union also said it wanted to make it “ crystal clear ” that rolling back the additional unpaid hours that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 would have to be “ an essential element of any new agreement ” involving his union .

Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath briefed the Cabinet on the preliminary talks on a new public service pay accord. Photograph: Collins
Formal talks between the Government and public service trade unions on a new pay deal for more than 340,000 State employees are expected to begin later this week.
The Cabinet on Tuesday decided to invite unons to take part in negotiations on a new accord to succeed the existing agreement which will expire at the end of December.
The Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) also backed entering into talks with the Government at a meeting on Tuesday.
The new talks are expected to centre on five separate areas which encompass the priorites of both unions and the Government.
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The Department of Public Expenditure had previously indicated to unions that it envisaged a pay pause for public service staff next year as part of an overall 24-month agreement.
Unions have said they have not accepted such a proposal and suggested that a realistic and acceptable approach to pay had to be put forward.
Unions also want the talks to deal with what they describe as outstanding issues” dating back to previous agreements such as the additional unpaid hours which staff have been required to work since the Haddington Road public service accord was agreed in 2013.
Unions also want provision in any new agreement to deal with issues and greviancces affecting particular sectors or areas in the public service.
It is understand that Government representatives will be pressing for strong dispute resolution mechanisms to form part of any agreement to avoid strikes or industrial unrest.
During the course of the existing agreement there was a major dispute involving nurses. The Government is also in the weeks ahead facing potential industrial action by public health doctors, who are currently balloting for strike action.
It is expected that in the new talks the Government will seek modernisation and productivity measures.
The talks on a new public service agreement are expected to be chaired by the Workplace Relations Commission.
The Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath briefed the Cabinet on Tuesday morning on preliminary talks on a new public service pay accord which had been underway with trade unions over recent months.
The Public Services Committee, which represents all Ictu-affiliated unions with members working in the civil and public service, said in a statement on Tuesday that it had decided it would accept an invitation to formal negotiations received from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Last week the country’s largest public service trade union Fórsa said that a “realistic and acceptable approach to a new public service agreement does not mean ruling out pay improvements over the lifetime of a deal”.
The union also said it wanted to make it “crystal clear” that rolling back the additional unpaid hours that were introduced for public service staff in 2013 would have to be “an essential element of any new agreement”.


theirishtimes--2020-11-24--CSO data show drug offences more likely to be detected by gardaí

More drug-related crimes are being detected by the Garda than any other crime type while sexual crimes have the lowest detection rates .
More crime generally is also committed in Dublin per capita than in any other part of the Republic , though detection rates for crimes committed in this county are the lowest in the country , according to the Central Statistics Office ( CSO ) .
There were more than twice as many burglaries in Dublin last year per capita than in the rest of the Republic , debunking the widely held belief that rural Ireland sees a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Furthermore , more than one in ten sexual crimes recorded last year resulted in a juvenile being cautioned by gardaí ; a formal sanction that stops short of criminal charges .
A review of crimes recorded by the Garda in 2019 has shown that 88 per cent of drug-related crimes have been “ detected ” , which means a suspected offender has been identified and sanctioned for the offence .
Sanctions can include summonses , convictions in the courts , juvenile cautions or fixed charge notices , depending on the crime type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show a much lower detection rate , of 12 per cent , when compared to homicides .
Detection rates for drug crime tend to be very high because in many cases the drug crime comes to light as gardaí seize drugs from a suspect , against whom a prosecution is then commenced .
However , sexual crimes almost always require a longer and more complex investigation , meaning detection rates are low in the short term but tend to climb higher over the following 12 to 24 months .
As well as drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which include murders , manslaughters and other unlawful killings such as dangerous driving causing death – are also very high .
Almost two thirds , 65.5 per cent , of homicides record in 2019 have now been detected .
The rates of detection for other crimes recorded in 2019 and which had been detected by September of this year include : Damage to property or the environment , 20.4 per cent Attempts or threats to murder , assaults and related crimes 33 per cent Juvenile cautions were used frequently as a form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2019 sexual crimes being detected by way of juvenile caution .
Some 10 per cent of detected burglaries were dealt with via juvenile caution , with the same mechanism was used in seven per cent of drug crime cases and nine per cent of public order crimes .
In Dublin , where crime rates were higher per capita and detection rates were lower , there were 1.6 homicides per 100,000 compared to 0.9 homicides per 10,000 outside Dublin .
The rate of homicides being detected in Dublin was marginally higher ; some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent through the rest of the Republic .
In 2019 there were 76.3 sexual offences per 100,000 in Dublin and 64.1 sexual crimes per 100,000 outside Dublin .
Detection rates for sex crimes were 10.7 per cent for Dublin and 12.7 per cent for other parts of the country .
There were 560.5 burglaries per 100,000 people in Dublin last year , more than twice the 255.1 per 100,000 burglaries in the rest of the Republic .
Burglaries were also much less likely to be detected in Dublin , where 12 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the rest of the country .
Drug crime was also much higher in Dublin ; some 608.3 drug crimes per 100,000 population in the capital compared to 367.5 drugs offences in the rest of the Republic .
Some 86.1 per cent of burglaries in Dublin were detected compared to 89.1 per cent elsewhere .
The biggest difference in crime rates between Dublin and the rest of the country was in trends for thefts and related offences , with 2,685.8 per 100,000 in the capital and 881.6 in the rest of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different ; some 28.6 per cent for Dublin and 37.9 per cent for the rest of the country .

There were 560.5 burglaries per 100,000 people in Dublin last year, more than twice the rate for the rest of the Republic.
A greater number of drug-related crimes are being detected by the Garda than any other crime type while sexual crimes have the lowest detection rates.
More crime generally is also committed in Dublin per capita than in any other part of the Republic, though detection rates for crimes committed in this county are the lowest in the country, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
There were more than twice as many burglaries in Dublin last year per capita than in the rest of the Republic, debunking a widely held belief that rural Ireland sees a higher incidence of this type of crime.
Furthermore, more than one in 10 sexual crimes recorded last year resulted in a juvenile being cautioned by gardaí; a formal sanction that stops short of criminal charges.
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A review of crimes recorded by the Garda in 2019 has shown that 88 per cent of drug-related crimes have been “detected”, which means a suspected offender has been identified and sanctioned for the offence.
Sanctions can include summonses, convictions in the courts, juvenile cautions or fixed charge notices, depending on the crime type involved.
Sexual offences recorded in 2019 show a much lower detection rate, of 12 per cent, when compared to homicides.
Detection rates for drug crime tend to be very high because in many cases the drug crime comes to light as gardaí seize drugs from a suspect, against whom a prosecution is then commenced.
However, sexual crimes almost always require a longer and more complex investigation, meaning detection rates are low in the short term but tend to climb higher over the following 12 to 24 months.
As well as drug crimes, detection rates for homicides – which include murders, manslaughters and other unlawful killings such as dangerous driving causing death – are also very high.
Almost two thirds, 65.5 per cent, of homicides recorded in 2019 have now been detected. The rates of detection for other crimes recorded in 2019 and which had been detected by September of this year include:
Public order and social code offences, 84 per cent
Theft and related offences, 32.8 per cent
Damage to property or the environment, 20.4 per cent
Burglary and related offences, 14.6 per cent
Robbery, extortion and hijacking, 26.3 per cent
Attempts or threats to murder, assaults and related crimes 33 per cent
Juvenile cautions were used frequently as a form of sanction, with 11 per cent of the 2019 sexual crimes being detected by way of juvenile caution.
Some 10 per cent of detected burglaries were dealt with via juvenile caution, with the same mechanism was used in 7 per cent of drug crime cases and 9 per cent of public order crimes.
In Dublin, where crime rates were higher per capita and detection rates were lower, there were 1.6 homicides per 100,000 compared to 0.9 homicides per 100,000 outside Dublin.
The rate of homicides being detected in Dublin was marginally higher; some 63.6 per in Dublin and 66.7 per cent through the rest of the Republic. In 2019 there were 76.3 sexual offences per 100,000 in Dublin and 64.1 sexual crimes per 100,000 outside Dublin.
Detection rates for sex crimes were 10.7 per cent for Dublin and 12.7 per cent for other parts of the country.
There were 560.5 burglaries per 100,000 people in Dublin last year, more than twice the 255.1 per 100,000 burglaries in the rest of the Republic. Burglaries were also much less likely to be detected in Dublin, where 12 per cent were detected compared to 16.8 per cent in the rest of the country.
Drug crime was also much higher in Dublin; some 608.3 drug crimes per 100,000 population in the capital compared to 367.5 drugs offences in the rest of the Republic. Some 86.1 per cent of drug crimes in Dublin were detected compared to 89.1 per cent elsewhere.
The biggest difference in crime rates between Dublin and the rest of the country was in trends for thefts and related offences, with 2,685.8 per 100,000 in the capital and 881.6 in the rest of the country.
The detection rates were also significantly different; some 28.6 per cent for Dublin and 37.9 per cent for the rest of the country.
Garda Headquarters said while more work was required in the area of detecting sexual crimes, the force’s detection rates were “broadly in line with international norms”.
“As part of our work to further improve the detection rate, the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) is currently carrying out a review of detection rates for specific sexual offences,” it said.
The statement added the GNPSB had just completed the process of establishing its teams of specialist sex crime investigators in every Garda division in the country.
The Garda “absolutely recognises the importance of an outcome to a [sex crime] victim”. Furthermore, in cases were “no proceedings commence, this does not mean that the crime did not occur or that the victim was not believed”. On the contrary, in many such cases the offender was identified, though a criminal charge was not possible. It encouraged all victims of crime, especially those who fell victim to domestic or sexual violence, to come forward.
The CSO has said while some crime types showed very low detection rates at present for crimes recorded in 2019, these would increase over time as more crimes were detected. It singled out sexual crimes for special mention in that regard.
It said 12 months ago when it issued its first report on the Garda’s record on detecting crime, that report related to how many crimes recorded in 2018 had been detected by September, 2019.
At that point, September 2019, some 11 per cent of sex crimes recorded in 2018 had been detected. However, by September of this year, some 19 per cent of the sex crimes record in 2018 had been detected because investigations had continued and had reached a positive outcome.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said the report by the CSO showed many crimes had very high detection rates, which was a reflection of the work being done by the Garda. However, even in those areas where detection rates were lower, including sexual crimes, the CSO report showed Garda investigations continued for a prolonged period and detections were achieved long after many crimes were first recorded.
“For many victims, it is important to know that those who have committed crimes against them have been identified and sanctioned where appropriate,” she said.
“This series of reports arms us with a robust and reliable assessment of detections which establishes a reliable baseline against which operational decisions can be considered and further progress can be measured and ensured.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-24--Concern over high number of care staff failing to show for Covid-19 tests

Only seven out of every 10 staff in long-term care facilities are turning up for Covid-19 tests and some are attending work while showing symptoms of the disease , public health officials have warned .
The low uptake of testing in care facilities for vulnerable older people has caused concern among the officials , who have called for renewed efforts to improve uptake .
Of the 88 Covid-19 deaths so far this month , 35 are associated with nursing homes .
Officials also highlighted an “ emerging area of concern ” last month over smaller , family-run nursing homes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to effectively cope with outbreaks .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) said particular attention should be directed to these home to ensure they are implementing training improvements and are operating in line with the wider industry , according to minutes of its October 29th meeting .
When serial testing was carried out in long-term care facilities between mid-September and mid-October , just 71 per cent of staff who were referred actually participated .
A total of 261 people tested positive out of 61,423 tests carried out .
Noting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uptake of serial testing in all centres for older people , Nphet said the aim should be to have 100 per cent of staff tested in each fortnightly cycle .
“ To support this , the HSE are working with Nursing Homes Ireland ( NHI ) undertaking a target approach for improvement in facilities where low uptake is currently visible , ” Nphet minutes for October 22nd state .
“ If required , additional support will be provided to these facilities to improve the uptake rate.
” Department of Health officials told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small number of staff identified as attending work while symptomatic ” .
Meanwhile , Covid-19 outbreaks among students often occur in rented accommodation rather than in college , according to an analysis presented to Nphet .
In September and October , student cases accounted for 654 of the 5,596 cases among people aged 19 to 24 , prompting a review of third level institutions by HSE public health departments .
It found the vast majority of third level outbreaks do not appear to involve transmission in the educational setting , but that cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student households , often in rented accommodation .
Some students reported difficulty in accessing testing sites , the HSE reported , and in total there were 31 outbreaks linked to third level colleges , involving 329 cases .
Public health department staff are “ stretched and fatigued ” as staffing levels have not returned to the levels seen during the first wave of Covid-19 , HSE officials told last month ’ s meeting .
This increase in cases placed “ significant strain ” on the eight regional departments of public health , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and complexity “ on a daily basis ” .

Only seven out of every 10 staff in long-term care facilities are turning up for Covid-19 tests, public health officials have warned. File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times.
The deaths of six more people with Covid-19 has been reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) this evening. This brings to 2,028 the total number of virus deaths in the pandemic.
Nphet also reported a further 226 confirmed cases of the disease, bringing the total number of cases to 70,930.
Of the new cases, 64 were in Dublin, 41 in Donegal, 23 in Tipperary, 13 in Limerick, 12 in Louth, 12 in Wicklow, with the remaining 61 in 16 other counties. The median age is 42 years and 56 per cent are under 45 years of age.
Hospital Report
On Tuesday afternoon, there were 292 Covid-19 patients in hospital, including 36 in ICU. There have been 18 additional hospitalisations in the last 24 hours.
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The 14-day incidence of the disease nationally has fallen to 107.8 cases per 100,000 people. Donegal has the highest county incidence, at 240, up on yesterday, followed by Limerick at 211.8, also up. Wexford has the lowest incidence, at 36.7.
New analysis from the Central Statistics Office shows that Covid-19 is the fourth biggest underlying cause of death this year.
Cancer is the biggest killer for both men and women, accounting for 7,269 out of the total of 22,416 deaths registered so far in 2020, the CSO found. Circulatory system diseases were the next biggest underlying cause of death, at 5,886. Mental and behavioural disorders, which includes dementia, were linked to 2,390 deaths, followed by Covid-19, with 1,462.
Covid-19 was the fifth highest cause of death among those aged 65 and over, sixth highest for the 50-64 year age-group and eighth highest in the 25-49 category.
It did not feature in the top 10 causes of death for under-25s, which was headed up by congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities, with 48 deaths.
The CSO count of Covid-19 deaths differs from others in that includes laboratory confirmed cases and cases where a clinical or epidemiological diagnosis exists but lab testing was inconclusive or not available.
Meanwhile public health officials warned that only seven out of every 10 staff in long-term care facilities are turning up for Covid-19 tests and some are attending work while showing symptoms of the disease.
The low uptake of testing in care facilities for vulnerable older people has caused concern among the officials, who have called for renewed efforts to improve uptake. Of the 88 Covid-19 deaths so far this month, 35 are associated with nursing homes.
Officials also highlighted an “emerging area of concern” last month over smaller, family-run nursing homes, some of which lack resources and staffing to effectively cope with outbreaks.
Nphet said particular attention should be directed to these home to ensure they are implementing training improvements and are operating in line with the wider industry, according to minutes of its October 29th meeting.
When serial testing was carried out in long-term care facilities between mid-September and mid-October, just 71 per cent of staff who were referred actually participated. A total of 261 people tested positive out of 61,423 tests carried out.
Noting the “urgent need” to increase the uptake of serial testing in all centres for older people, Nphet said the aim should be to have 100 per cent of staff tested in each fortnightly cycle.
"To support this, the HSE are working with Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) undertaking a target approach for improvement in facilities where low uptake is currently visible," Nphet minutes for October 22nd state. "If required, additional support will be provided to these facilities to improve the uptake rate."
Symptomatic
Department of Health officials told the meeting there continued to be "a small number of staff identified as attending work while symptomatic".
Meanwhile, Covid-19 outbreaks among students often occur in rented accommodation rather than in college, according to an analysis presented to Nphet.
In September and October, student cases accounted for 654 of the 5,596 cases among people aged 19 to 24, prompting a review of third level institutions by HSE public health departments.
It found the vast majority of third level outbreaks do not appear to involve transmission in the educational setting, but that cases may relate to “socialising” between student households, often in rented accommodation.
Some students reported difficulty in accessing testing sites, the HSE reported, and in total there were 31 outbreaks linked to third level colleges, involving 329 cases.
Public health department staff are “stretched and fatigued” as staffing levels have not returned to the levels seen during the first wave of Covid-19, HSE officials told last month’s meeting.
This increase in cases placed “significant strain” on the eight regional departments of public health, with referrals for contact tracing increasing in number and complexity “on a daily basis”.