theirishtimes--2020-09-21--Lost generation? Meet the students graduating into the Covid-19 recession

Sitting at home and seeing your photo loom on screen when your name is called out is far from the pomp and celebration of a traditional graduation ceremony .
You could watch in your tracksuit .
Yet , many students graduating in recent weeks have opted to climb into hired gowns with demand as robust as ever , according to Jimmy Callaghan , of Callaghan Robe Makers .
Until the pandemic hit , this was a generation with more choices than ever before .
Now , many of those options have dried up .
So , what awaits them and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clodagh O ’ Keeffe , from Rathmines , who graduated from information & social computing and sociology , was not excited about her graduation and reluctant to hire the gown .
“ In the days leading up to it , social pressure piled on and I changed my mind and decided to mark it properly .
I went out for dinner with my parents , it was their first meal out since lockdown , and we had great fun , ” she says .
When her original plan post-graduation disintegrated , she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some good news arrived .
“ I was supposed to do a J-1 in New York this summer ...
When my waitressing job through college was not offered to me I was anxious .
I thought there would be little hope but decided to be brave and dedicated myself to applying for a paid internship .
I directly emailed a company I liked and was shocked when it worked out ” .
At the start of September , O ’ Keeffe started working for Core , a marketing communications company , remotely at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easier than she would have thought .
She has yet to meet her colleagues in person and hopefully from October will be able to go into the office .
Many students are by- passing the job market to take refuge in further study .
Marcus Ryan , 22 , from Foxrock , who graduated with a BA in economics from UCD , is one of them .
“ Some of my friends had set up internships over the summer and had their contracts rescinded which made me think there might be a recession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do further study at the Smurfit Business School – even though I am unsure how much will be online , ” he says .
His parents insisted on making a fuss on his graduation day , and though before it happened he viewed the virtual ceremony as “ a weird one and a bit of an anti-climax ” it worked out nicely .
His mum even rooted out her old degree for the snaps .
Trinity students graduate in November and Gabriel Ogundipe , from Coolock , is hoping , when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information Systems Studies , for a campus affair .
Like many , the arrival of Covid-19 saw the plan he had in place scuppered .
“ My scholarship at Notre Dame university in Indiana fell through in June when international students were told they could not go over .
I had turned down other grad jobs to take this offer , and some friends had their start dates pushed back to November or not confirmed , so I panicked , but then found something quickly ” .
After a week looking non-stop on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gabriel came across an associate role with checkout.com – a financial tech company based in London .
“ They sent me a Mac and set me up working from home and so far I ’ m managing ; there is a lot of Zoom and messaging so you do feel part of it , even if the constant communication can get a bit much .
“ I think my generation will find it easier to work like this , for a few months anyway – but we do miss the social side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those who voluntarily want to go in .
A few friends moved over last week so I would not rule out a move in the near future .
For now it ’ s okay to work from Dublin and save the rent ” .
So , were Clodagh and Gabriel some of the lucky ones or can graduates expect more of a setback ?
A large body of research has found those entering the labour market during recessions tend to have lower earnings and prospects for years after – an effect called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found a 4 per cent increase in unemployment leads to a 10 per cent decrease in the probability of being in paid work on leaving education .
These negative impacts can last for up to a decade .
However , the impact from an unique shock like coronavirus is tricky to predict .
Dr Seamus McGuinness , of the ESRI , says the nature of any scarring will depend how long it takes to return to positive growth – which we can ’ t tell right now because the current situation is hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be tricky for graduates to enter badly hit sectors such as hairdressing , accommodation , real estate , and food services but these tend to be highly vocational with many PLC qualifiers now likely to study further .
There are bright spots .
McGuinness points out that many sectors employing graduates such as ICT , legal services , health , education , pharmaceuticals , engineering , professional services etc were much less affected which suggests job opportunities will still be there , but not at the levels of previous years .
“ Typically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acts as a safety valve with many young graduates seeking employment abroad , this option is no longer open to new qualifiers .
Remaining in education will be a central strategy for many , ” he adds .
In times of uncertainty the public sector is appealing and there are jobs up for grabs .
Virtual interviewing and working is going on across all levels which could benefit those living outside Dublin who may initially work from home and dodge large rents .
It is a strange time for those beginning their careers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy will not be enduring .
In the meantime it is useful for the class of 2020 to keep in mind that , like a virtual graduation , often things work out better than expected and in a career every job leads to something else .
Six ways to boost your chances of getting a job Pamela Devins , career development consultant at NUI Galway , warns it can take up to six months to find a job so be prepared , in a pandemic , it could take a bit longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 Be very open .
Take a scattergun approach and don ’ t focus on one aim .
For instance , if you have your heart set on becoming a solicitor , and firms are not onboarding , view other jobs as a springboard .
2 Hiring has gone fully into the virtual realm so you need to be active on the channels where companies are posting .
3 Check out Linkedin learning to improve your video call skills .
For many this does not come easy so practice and remember to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 Contact the career services at your university .
Virtual webinars and career fairs are taking place .
5 Many graduate jobs have gone fully , or mostly , virtual for the moment .
Show you have an ability to work from home .
6 Sign up for free online courses to acquire new skills or consider volunteering .
It is good to show you have been doing something in the interim .
Whatever you do don ’ t not do anything .

Sitting at home and seeing your photo loom on screen when your name is called out is far from the pomp and celebration of a traditional graduation ceremony. You could watch in your tracksuit.
Yet, many students graduating in recent weeks have opted to climb into hired gowns with demand as robust as ever, according to Jimmy Callaghan, of Callaghan Robe Makers.
Until the pandemic hit, this was a generation with more choices than ever before. Now, many of those options have dried up. So, what awaits them and how are they feeling?
Hospital Report
Initially, Clodagh O' Keeffe, from Rathmines, who graduated from information & social computing and sociology, was not excited about her graduation and reluctant to hire the gown.
READ MORE
Clodagh O’Keeffe, a UCD graduate from Rathmines, Dublin, wearing a robe for her virtual graduation.
“In the days leading up to it, social pressure piled on and I changed my mind and decided to mark it properly. I went out for dinner with my parents, it was their first meal out since lockdown, and we had great fun,” she says.
When her original plan post-graduation disintegrated, she was feeling bleak, until, unexpectedly, some good news arrived.
“I was supposed to do a J-1 in New York this summer... When my waitressing job through college was not offered to me I was anxious. I thought there would be little hope but decided to be brave and dedicated myself to applying for a paid internship. I directly emailed a company I liked and was shocked when it worked out”.
At the start of September, O'Keeffe started working for Core, a marketing communications company, remotely at home, which she says is much easier than she would have thought. She has yet to meet her colleagues in person and hopefully from October will be able to go into the office.
Many students are by- passing the job market to take refuge in further study. Marcus Ryan, 22, from Foxrock, who graduated with a BA in economics from UCD, is one of them.
Marcus Ryan, 22, from Foxrock, recently uated from UCD with a BA in economics.
"Some of my friends had set up internships over the summer and had their contracts rescinded which made me think there might be a recession this year and it's better to do further study at the Smurfit Business School – even though I am unsure how much will be online," he says.
His parents insisted on making a fuss on his graduation day, and though before it happened he viewed the virtual ceremony as “a weird one and a bit of an anti-climax” it worked out nicely. His mum even rooted out her old degree for the snaps.
Trinity students graduate in November and Gabriel Ogundipe, from Coolock, is hoping, when he receives his degree in management science & information Systems Studies, for a campus affair. Like many, the arrival of Covid-19 saw the plan he had in place scuppered.
"My scholarship at Notre Dame university in Indiana fell through in June when international students were told they could not go over. I had turned down other grad jobs to take this offer, and some friends had their start dates pushed back to November or not confirmed, so I panicked, but then found something quickly".
After a week looking non-stop on Linkedin and putting in key search words, Gabriel came across an associate role with checkout.com – a financial tech company based in London.
Trinity student Gabriel Ogundipe from Coolock is due to graduate soon from Trinity College Dublin.
“They sent me a Mac and set me up working from home and so far I’m managing ; there is a lot of Zoom and messaging so you do feel part of it, even if the constant communication can get a bit much.
“I think my generation will find it easier to work like this, for a few months anyway – but we do miss the social side. The office is open in London for those who voluntarily want to go in. A few friends moved over last week so I would not rule out a move in the near future. For now it’s okay to work from Dublin and save the rent”.
So, were Clodagh and Gabriel some of the lucky ones or can graduates expect more of a setback?
A large body of research has found those entering the labour market during recessions tend to have lower earnings and prospects for years after – an effect called “scarring”.
A UK study found a 4 per cent increase in unemployment leads to a 10 per cent decrease in the probability of being in paid work on leaving education. These negative impacts can last for up to a decade. However, the impact from an unique shock like coronavirus is tricky to predict.
Dr Seamus McGuinness, of the ESRI, says the nature of any scarring will depend how long it takes to return to positive growth – which we can’t tell right now because the current situation is hard to model.
He says it will be tricky for graduates to enter badly hit sectors such as hairdressing, accommodation, real estate, and food services but these tend to be highly vocational with many PLC qualifiers now likely to study further.
There are bright spots. McGuinness points out that many sectors employing graduates such as ICT, legal services, health, education, pharmaceuticals, engineering, professional services etc were much less affected which suggests job opportunities will still be there, but not at the levels of previous years.
"Typically when unemployment increases in Ireland, migration acts as a safety valve with many young graduates seeking employment abroad, this option is no longer open to new qualifiers. Remaining in education will be a central strategy for many," he adds.
In times of uncertainty the public sector is appealing and there are jobs up for grabs. Virtual interviewing and working is going on across all levels which could benefit those living outside Dublin who may initially work from home and dodge large rents.
It is a strange time for those beginning their careers from bedrooms. Hopefully the impact to the economy will not be enduring. In the meantime it is useful for the class of 2020 to keep in mind that, like a virtual graduation, often things work out better than expected and in a career every job leads to something else.
Six ways to boost your chances of getting a job
Pamela Devins, career development consultant at NUI Galway, warns it can take up to six months to find a job so be prepared, in a pandemic, it could take a bit longer. Here's her advice:
1 Be very open. Take a scattergun approach and don't focus on one aim. For instance, if you have your heart set on becoming a solicitor, and firms are not onboarding, view other jobs as a springboard.
2 Hiring has gone fully into the virtual realm so you need to be active on the channels where companies are posting.
3 Check out Linkedin learning to improve your video call skills. For many this does not come easy so practice and remember to speak clearly and lookay at the camera.
4 Contact the career services at your university. Virtual webinars and career fairs are taking place.
5 Many graduate jobs have gone fully, or mostly, virtual for the moment. Show you have an ability to work from home.
6 Sign up for free online courses to acquire new skills or consider volunteering. It is good to show you have been doing something in the interim. Whatever you do don't not do anything.


theirishtimes--2020-09-21--I find it hard to learn online. How will I survive in college this year?

I ’ m due to start my college course soon and have been told that most of the teaching will take place online this year .
I struggled with online learning in sixth year at school .
I found it hard to keep focused .
I ’ m worried my new university course will be more of the same .
A lot has been written about the quality of online teaching since Irish campuses closed back in March .
Most educators acknowledge the experience was far from ideal as institutions quickly pivoted to emergency remote learning .
While there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector that colleges are now better prepared to harness the potential of online education , thanks to investment in infrastructure and professional development , the importance of the student ’ s role should not be overlooked .
After all , learning is not a spectator sport .
Numerous surveys conducted since the Covid-19 crisis have shown that , irrespective of age or experience , students need greater support to effectively learn how to learn online .
Indeed , learning online requires a new set of skills to master .
It is not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As DCU president Professor Daire Keogh put it recently : “ Learning to learn online is becoming an important life skill ” .
One of the advantages of online education is the flexibility it allows to fit learning around your life .
However , this flexibility creates its own challenges , especially if students have not been taught how to successfully manage their study time .
Thankfully , there is help available .
Many colleges are offering advice and tutorials in adapting to online learning .
DCU , for example , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to students throughout Ireland .
It could help you to improve the quality of your online learning .
A notable feature of the programme - called “ A Digital Edge : Essentials for the Online Learner ” - is how it has been designed for students by students .
Developed by a team at DCU , ’ s National Institute for Digital Learning , with the support of DCU Students ’ Union and the Irish Universities Association ( IUA ) , the course will be co-facilitated by students .
It is available online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partnership with FutureLearn .
What is most impressive are the tips which fellow students share during course .
As one Irish online student says , “ I found that creating time blocks in my calendar for working on specific tasks during the day helped me to stay on top of my college work ” .
Students also report in the course the importance of ensuring you have a good support crew .
In this sense , learning is a team sport and successful online learners share ideas of how to go about building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaging in this way students gain a stronger sense of learning community and camaraderie that can make online learning both more effective and enjoyable .

Most educators acknowledge the experience of online learning was far from ideal earlier this year as institutions quickly pivoted to emergency remote learning. Photograph: iStock
I’m due to start my college course soon and have been told that most of the teaching will take place online this year. I struggled with online learning in sixth year at school. I found it hard to keep focused. I’m worried my new university course will be more of the same.
A lot has been written about the quality of online teaching since Irish campuses closed back in March. Most educators acknowledge the experience was far from ideal as institutions quickly pivoted to emergency remote learning.
While there is evidence right across the Irish higher education sector that colleges are now better prepared to harness the potential of online education, thanks to investment in infrastructure and professional development, the importance of the student’s role should not be overlooked. After all, learning is not a spectator sport.
Numerous surveys conducted since the Covid-19 crisis have shown that, irrespective of age or experience, students need greater support to effectively learn how to learn online.
READ MORE
Indeed, learning online requires a new set of skills to master. It is not the same as learning in a physical classroom. As DCU president Professor Daire Keogh put it recently: "Learning to learn online is becoming an important life skill".
One of the advantages of online education is the flexibility it allows to fit learning around your life. However, this flexibility creates its own challenges, especially if students have not been taught how to successfully manage their study time.
Students also report in the course the importance of ensuring you have a good support crew
Thankfully, there is help available. Many colleges are offering advice and tutorials in adapting to online learning. DCU, for example, has just launched a free online course available to students throughout Ireland.
It could help you to improve the quality of your online learning. A notable feature of the programme - called “A Digital Edge: Essentials for the Online Learner” - is how it has been designed for students by students.
Developed by a team at DCU,'s National Institute for Digital Learning, with the support of DCU Students' Union and the Irish Universities Association (IUA), the course will be co-facilitated by students.
It is available online from September 21st through DCU’s partnership with FutureLearn.
What is most impressive are the tips which fellow students share during course.
As one Irish online student says, “I found that creating time blocks in my calendar for working on specific tasks during the day helped me to stay on top of my college work”.
Students also report in the course the importance of ensuring you have a good support crew. In this sense, learning is a team sport and successful online learners share ideas of how to go about building a strong support network.
By actively engaging in this way students gain a stronger sense of learning community and camaraderie that can make online learning both more effective and enjoyable.
[ askbrian@irishtimes.com ]


theirishtimes--2020-09-21--NI minister criticises Van Morrison over Covid-19 remarks

Northern Ireland ’ s Minister for Health Robin Swann has accused Van Morrison of making dangerous comments about Covid-19 and giving succour to “ conspiracy theorists and the tin foil hat brigade ” .
Morrison , who turned 75 last month , has faced a storm of criticism for stating that lockdowns as a result of Covid-19 were the work of “ fascist bullies ” wanting to “ enslave ” the public .
Writing in Rolling Stone magazine , Mr Swann said people in the North were proud of Morrison ’ s achievements as a music legend for half a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real feeling of disappointment ” over his comments about Covid-19 .
Mr Swann pointed out that Morrison , who described himself as apolitical throughout his career even during the Troubles , has suddenly decided to write political songs about Covid-19 .
“ He could have chosen to sing about how we all can help save lives .
He could have written a tribute to our health and social care workers on the frontline , ” Mr Swann wrote .
“ There are also so many things in the world to sing protest songs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injustice , racism , violence , austerity – there ’ s a long list .
“ Instead , he ’ s chosen to attack attempts to protect the old and vulnerable in our society.
” Morrison has composed three songs about the lockdown which he will release over the coming weeks .
Born To Be Free is out on Friday , As I Walked Out and No More Lockdown will be released next month .
On his website , Morrison wrote : “ I call on my fellow singers , musicians , writers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the industry to fight with me on this .
“ Come forward , stand up , fight the pseudo-science and speak up .
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and myself appear to be the only people in the music business trying to get it back up and running again .
Come forward.
” Mr Swann accused Morrison of encouraging people not to take Covid-19 seriously by not following the health advice .
“ Governments across the world are struggling to find the right path through this pandemic , ” he wrote .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate and question policies .
It ’ s legitimate to ask if the right balance is being found in what is being done ; if the right steps are being taken .
None of this is easy or straightforward .
“ But Van Morrison is going way beyond raising questions .
He is singing about ‘ fascist bullies ’ and claiming governments are deceiving people and wanting to ‘ enslave ’ .
“ It ’ s actually a smear on all those involved in the public health response to a virus that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His words will give great comfort to the conspiracy theorists – the tin foil hat brigade who crusade against masks and vaccines and think this is all a huge global plot to remove freedoms .
“ It ’ s all bizarre and irresponsible .
I only hope no one takes him seriously .
He ’ s no guru , no teacher , ” Mr Swann said in the article .

Northern Ireland’s Minister for Health Robin Swann: accuses musician Van Morrison of encouraging people not to take Covid-19 seriously. Photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA
Northern Ireland's Minister for Health Robin Swann has accused Van Morrison of making dangerous comments about Covid-19 and giving succour to "conspiracy theorists and the tin foil hat brigade".
Morrison, who turned 75 last month, has faced a storm of criticism for stating that lockdowns as a result of Covid-19 were the work of “fascist bullies” wanting to “enslave” the public.
Writing in Rolling Stone magazine, Mr Swann said people in the North were proud of Morrison’s achievements as a music legend for half a century, but “there was a real feeling of disappointment” over his comments about Covid-19.
Mr Swann pointed out that Morrison, who described himself as apolitical throughout his career even during the Troubles, has suddenly decided to write political songs about Covid-19.
READ MORE
Van Morrison is going way beyond raising questions. He is singing about 'fascist bullies' and claiming governments are deceiving people and wanting to 'enslave'
“He could have chosen to sing about how we all can help save lives. He could have written a tribute to our health and social care workers on the frontline,” Mr Swann wrote.
“There are also so many things in the world to sing protest songs about, like poverty, starvation, injustice, racism, violence, austerity – there’s a long list.
“Instead, he’s chosen to attack attempts to protect the old and vulnerable in our society.”
Van Morrison: he claims lockdowns were the work of “fascist bullies” wanting to “enslave” the public. Photograph: David Jensen/PA Wire
Morrison has composed three songs about the lockdown which he will release over the coming weeks.
Born To Be Free is out on Friday, As I Walked Out and No More Lockdown will be released next month.
On his website, Morrison wrote: “I call on my fellow singers, musicians, writers, producers, promoters and others in the industry to fight with me on this.
"Come forward, stand up, fight the pseudo-science and speak up. Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and myself appear to be the only people in the music business trying to get it back up and running again. Come forward."
Health advice
Mr Swann accused Morrison of encouraging people not to take Covid-19 seriously by not following the health advice.
“Governments across the world are struggling to find the right path through this pandemic,” he wrote .
“It’s entirely right and proper to debate and question policies. It’s legitimate to ask if the right balance is being found in what is being done; if the right steps are being taken. None of this is easy or straightforward.
“But Van Morrison is going way beyond raising questions. He is singing about ‘fascist bullies’ and claiming governments are deceiving people and wanting to ‘enslave’.
“It’s actually a smear on all those involved in the public health response to a virus that has taken lives on a massive scale. His words will give great comfort to the conspiracy theorists – the tin foil hat brigade who crusade against masks and vaccines and think this is all a huge global plot to remove freedoms.
“It’s all bizarre and irresponsible. I only hope no one takes him seriously. He’s no guru, no teacher,” Mr Swann said in the article.


theirishtimes--2020-09-21--Mother and son fined €6.2m over failure to clean up illegal farm dumps

A High Court judge has fined a mother and son €6.26 million , to be paid to Meath County Council , over contempt of court orders requiring them to clean up two illegal dumps on their farm in Enfield .
Up to 100,000 tonnes of waste , including asbestos , was dumped on two unauthorised areas comprising three acres on the 253 acre farm over a three year period up to October 2014 .
The farm , at Ballynakill , Rathcor , Enfield , is owned by Eileen Hendy and run by her son , Fred .
In a judgment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Humphreys said it had been three years since another High Court judge had ordered the Hendys to take steps to clean up the sites .
They were found in contempt of that order last July and were not entitled to more time to comply .
The most appropriate option , and the one sought by the council , was for the court to fine them the €6.26 million cost of remediation , to be charged on the lands , he said .
The fact the remediation costs are probably going to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , he said .
While their counsel had argued a fine would infringe their property and other rights , those rights were subordinate to the requirement to comply with court orders , which they had not done , the judge said .
The fine is “ coercive ” , not punitive , as it was not intended to punish them for their three year long contempt but rather to ensure the remediation happens , he added .
Mr Justice Humphreys said it goes without saying that the Hendys can not be imprisoned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fine once their assets have been exhausted .
The council had , in 2016 , secured orders from the then High Court judge Seamus Noonan against the Hendys aimed at securing remediation of the landfill sites in line with recommendations of the Environmental Protection Agency .
He ordered the Hendys to pay costs , not then quantified , towards that remediation .
The court was told in 2016 the cost of dealing with the waste was estimated about €2 million if the sites were capped ” and left in place and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was removed and treated at a facility .
Mrs Hendy lives with her daughter in a house on the lands while Fred Hendy and his family live in another house nearby .
During the 2016 hearing , Mr Hendy said he farms the lands and neither his mother nor his sister had any role in the waste activities .
The council claimed diaries kept by Mr Hendy indicated he was paid about €175,000 between 2011-2012 for taking in waste at rates considerably lower than what would have had to be paid to licensed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceedings against a waste company and a number of hauliers but the claims against those parties were struck out after Mr Justice Noonan raised issues about the adequacy of evidence .
The council last year initiated contempt proceedings against the Hendys and Mr Justice Humpreys , at a hearing last July , found both in contempt .
Arising from that finding , he considered further submissions and gave judgment on those on Monday .
He found the Hendys had no valid legal complaint about the council proceeding with the contempt matter .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the lands remediated and , despite arguments on behalf of the Hendys that they have tried alternative solutions , they have done nothing effective for a three year period and it would be “ a fool ’ s errand ” to give them a further chance to begin to do something now , he said .
That meant the council itself had to remediate the lands and must have recourse to the respondents ’ assets to do so , he said .
Just three of the farm ’ s 253 acres are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the land could be made available for sale , he said .
Eileen Hendy held eight-ninths of them while one ninth was held by her late husband ’ s estate and the lands include the homes of both respondents .
An affidavit of means on behalf of the Hendys referred to land worth €665,000 but that was queried by the council and there may have to be cross-examination on it , he said .
The affidavit also said there are no mortgages or charges on the lands .

A High Court judge has fined a mother and son €6.26 million, to be paid to Meath County Council, over contempt of court orders requiring them to clean up two illegal dumps on their farm in Enfield. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times.
A High Court judge has fined a mother and son €6.26 million, to be paid to Meath County Council, over contempt of court orders requiring them to clean up two illegal dumps on their farm in Enfield.
Up to 100,000 tonnes of waste, including asbestos, was dumped on two unauthorised areas comprising three acres on the 253 acre farm over a three year period up to October 2014.
The farm, at Ballynakill, Rathcor, Enfield, is owned by Eileen Hendy and run by her son, Fred.
In a judgment published on Monday, Mr Justice Richard Humphreys said it had been three years since another High Court judge had ordered the Hendys to take steps to clean up the sites. They were found in contempt of that order last July and were not entitled to more time to comply.
READ MORE
The most appropriate option, and the one sought by the council, was for the court to fine them the €6.26 million cost of remediation, to be charged on the lands, he said.
The fact the remediation costs are probably going to be in excess of their means is “irrelevant”, he said.
Property rights
While their counsel had argued a fine would infringe their property and other rights, those rights were subordinate to the requirement to comply with court orders, which they had not done, the judge said. The fine is “coercive”, not punitive, as it was not intended to punish them for their three year long contempt but rather to ensure the remediation happens, he added.
Mr Justice Humphreys said it goes without saying that the Hendys cannot be imprisoned over failure to pay the balance of the fine once their assets have been exhausted.
The council had, in 2016, secured orders from the then High Court judge Seamus Noonan against the Hendys aimed at securing remediation of the landfill sites in line with recommendations of the Environmental Protection Agency. He ordered the Hendys to pay costs, not then quantified, towards that remediation.
The court was told in 2016 the cost of dealing with the waste was estimated about €2 million if the sites were capped” and left in place and would be some €6 million if the waste was removed and treated at a facility.
Mrs Hendy lives with her daughter in a house on the lands while Fred Hendy and his family live in another house nearby.
During the 2016 hearing, Mr Hendy said he farms the lands and neither his mother nor his sister had any role in the waste activities.
The council claimed diaries kept by Mr Hendy indicated he was paid about €175,000 between 2011-2012 for taking in waste at rates considerably lower than what would have had to be paid to licensed landfills.
The council had also brought proceedings against a waste company and a number of hauliers but the claims against those parties were struck out after Mr Justice Noonan raised issues about the adequacy of evidence.
The council last year initiated contempt proceedings against the Hendys and Mr Justice Humpreys, at a hearing last July, found both in contempt.
Arising from that finding, he considered further submissions and gave judgment on those on Monday. He found the Hendys had no valid legal complaint about the council proceeding with the contempt matter.
‘Fool’s errand’
The council’s main concern is to have the lands remediated and, despite arguments on behalf of the Hendys that they have tried alternative solutions, they have done nothing effective for a three year period and it would be “a fool’s errand” to give them a further chance to begin to do something now, he said.
That meant the council itself had to remediate the lands and must have recourse to the respondents’ assets to do so, he said.
Just three of the farm’s 253 acres are contaminated and that meant a large amount of the land could be made available for sale, he said. Eileen Hendy held eight-ninths of them while one ninth was held by her late husband’s estate and the lands include the homes of both respondents.
An affidavit of means on behalf of the Hendys referred to land worth €665,000 but that was queried by the council and there may have to be cross-examination on it, he said. The affidavit also said there are no mortgages or charges on the lands.


theirishtimes--2020-09-21--Dublin city councillors vote to retain 15% Local Property Tax cut

Local Property Tax ( LPT ) bills for Dublin city homeowners will not rise next year , despite pleas from city council management for an increase to help offset the “ devastating ” financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
Council chief executive Owen Keegan and its head of finance , Kathy Quinn , appealed to councillors to increase the tax by 30 per cent on this year ’ s rate to generate €24 million to help plug a €39 million hole in the council ’ s finances .
The proposal would have seen average annual charge increase by more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeowners in the city .
However , councillors voted by 34 to 21 to keep the tax at the current rate .
Councillors have the power to increase or reduce the rate charged in their area by up to 15 per cent each year from the basic rate , which is calculated based on the value of a property .
Fianna Fáil , the Green Party , Labour and the Social Democrats formed a ruling group on the council following the local elections last year , but the group failed to reach a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greens and Labour proposed an increase of 5 per cent above the basic rate and the Social Democrats proposed the basic rate be retained , without the 15 per cent cut .
However , Fianna Fáil sided with Fine Gael , Sinn Féin and Independents in voting for the 15 per cent cut , which has been applied each year since the tax was introduced in 2013 .
The council expects Covid-19 will cost it some €41 million this year , Ms Quinn said , with costs including expenditure on the Dublin Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal protective equipment .
In addition to a loss of income from commercial rates , she said , the council also expected to be down €20 million from the loss of parking income , planning fees and housing rents .
The council had taken cost saving measures to off-set these losses , Ms Quinn said , but still faced a €39 million hole in its budget and there was no clarity if more funds would be provided by the Government .
She had urged councillors to consider the “ devastating impact on council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ savings of €39 million ” .
Mr Keegan said : “ The need for additional resources has never been more pertinent in terms of the absolute requirement for additional funding to support services , in contrast to the minimal impact on householders of the change ” .

Local Property Tax (LPT) bills for Dublin city homeowners will not rise next year, despite pleas from city council management for an increase to help offset the ‘devastating’ financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Local Property Tax (LPT) bills for Dublin city homeowners will not rise next year, despite pleas from city council management for an increase to help offset the "devastating" financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Council chief executive Owen Keegan and its head of finance, Kathy Quinn, appealed to councillors to increase the tax by 30 per cent on this year's rate to generate €24 million to help plug a €39 million hole in the council's finances.
The proposal would have seen average annual charge increase by more than €120 from €344 to €465 for homeowners in the city. However, councillors voted by 34 to 21 to keep the tax at the current rate.
Councillors have the power to increase or reduce the rate charged in their area by up to 15 per cent each year from the basic rate, which is calculated based on the value of a property.
READ MORE
Fianna Fáil, the Green Party, Labour and the Social Democrats formed a ruling group on the council following the local elections last year, but the group failed to reach a consensus on the LPT rate. The Greens and Labour proposed an increase of 5 per cent above the basic rate and the Social Democrats proposed the basic rate be retained, without the 15 per cent cut.
However, Fianna Fáil sided with Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and Independents in voting for the 15 per cent cut, which has been applied each year since the tax was introduced in 2013.
The council expects Covid-19 will cost it some €41 million this year, Ms Quinn said, with costs including expenditure on the Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance service, homeless services and personal protective equipment.
In addition to a loss of income from commercial rates, she said, the council also expected to be down €20 million from the loss of parking income, planning fees and housing rents.
The council had taken cost saving measures to off-set these losses, Ms Quinn said, but still faced a €39 million hole in its budget and there was no clarity if more funds would be provided by the Government.
She had urged councillors to consider the “devastating impact on council services, if we have to find savings of €39 million”.
Mr Keegan said: “The need for additional resources has never been more pertinent in terms of the absolute requirement for additional funding to support services, in contrast to the minimal impact on householders of the change”.


theirishtimes--2020-09-21--About 3,600 fewer people receiving pandemic unemployment payment

The number of people receiving the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment has fallen by 3,600 to 206,341 over the last week .
However the Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said the new figures did not take into account the impact of new Covid-19 restrictions introduced in Dublin last week .
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said on Monday that over the past seven days , 6,333 people had closed their claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment .
It said 4,568 people would be receiving their final payment on Tuesday .
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment had now fallen by 65 per cent from a peak of nearly 600,000 in early May .
It said the sector recording the largest numbers returning to employment this week was accommodation and food service activities with 820 people going back to work , followed by wholesale and retail trade , repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles as well as education .
Ms Humphreys said : “ Throughout this pandemic , we have taken decisions that we never thought we would have to make .
But underpinning our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save lives.
” “ The reduction in the number of people in receipt of pandemic unemployment payment is welcome .
However , it ’ s important to bear in mind that today ’ s figures do not reflect the decision taken last week to move Dublin to Level 3 of restrictions.
” “ We are experiencing unprecedented times in our country and it is essential that now more than ever we raise our efforts to suppress the Covid-19 virus.
” “ We owe it to our families , friends , work colleagues and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
Most of all , we owe it to the frontline staff who are making enormous sacrifices to care for people in hospitals , care centres and nursing homes.
” The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said where , due to ongoing restrictions , a person ’ s employer had not restarted operations or where a sector was still temporarily closed , or had to close their business again temporarily , it would continue to support the workers concerned through payment of the pandemic unemployment payment .
“ New applications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the end of this year ” , it said .
Payment rates for the pandemic unemployment scheme changed from this week .
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said that from September 17th there would be three rates of payment instead of two .
A recipient ’ s rate is linked to their previous incomes as follows : * If they earned over €300 ( gross ) per week , they will now receive €300 per week .
* If they earned between €200 and €300 ( gross ) per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unemployment Payment will now be €250 per week ; and * If they earned less than €200 ( gross ) per week , the rate of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be €203 per week ( there is no change to this rate ) .
“ Recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will see the impact of these changes in their bank accounts on Tuesday , September 22nd , ” it said .
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said that since the beginning of September , approximately 261 people had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualify for the €350 Covid-19 enhanced illness benefit payment .
It said about 4,000 other people were medically certified for the payment as they were self-isolating .
“ To date 64,029 people under age 66 have been medically certified for receipt of the Covid-19 enhanced illness benefit .
”

Minister of Social Protection Heather Humphreys: “Throughout this pandemic, we have taken decisions that we never thought we would have to make.” Photograph: Alan Betson
The number of people receiving the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment has fallen by 3,600 to 206,341 over the last week.
However the Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said the new figures did not take into account the impact of new Covid-19 restrictions introduced in Dublin last week.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said on Monday that over the past seven days, 6,333 people had closed their claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
It said 4,568 people would be receiving their final payment on Tuesday.
READ MORE
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said the number of people receiving the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment had now fallen by 65 per cent from a peak of nearly 600,000 in early May.
It said the sector recording the largest numbers returning to employment this week was accommodation and food service activities with 820 people going back to work, followed by wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles as well as education.
Ms Humphreys said: “Throughout this pandemic, we have taken decisions that we never thought we would have to make. But underpinning our entire approach has been the need to save lives.”
“The reduction in the number of people in receipt of pandemic unemployment payment is welcome. However, it’s important to bear in mind that today’s figures do not reflect the decision taken last week to move Dublin to Level 3 of restrictions.”
“We are experiencing unprecedented times in our country and it is essential that now more than ever we raise our efforts to suppress the Covid-19 virus.”
“We owe it to our families, friends, work colleagues and businesses that have been affected by the virus. Most of all, we owe it to the frontline staff who are making enormous sacrifices to care for people in hospitals, care centres and nursing homes.”
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said where, due to ongoing restrictions, a person’s employer had not restarted operations or where a sector was still temporarily closed, or had to close their business again temporarily, it would continue to support the workers concerned through payment of the pandemic unemployment payment.
“New applications for pandemic unemployment payment can be made until the end of this year”, it said.
Payment rates for the pandemic unemployment scheme changed from this week.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said that from September 17th there would be three rates of payment instead of two.
A recipient’s rate is linked to their previous incomes as follows:
* If they earned over €300 (gross) per week, they will now receive €300 per week.
* If they earned between €200 and €300 (gross) per week, the rate of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will now be €250 per week; and
* If they earned less than €200 (gross) per week, the rate of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be €203 per week (there is no change to this rate).
“Recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will see the impact of these changes in their bank accounts on Tuesday, September 22nd,” it said.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said that since the beginning of September, approximately 261 people had been medically certified with having Coronavirus to qualify for the €350 Covid-19 enhanced illness benefit payment. It said about 4,000 other people were medically certified for the payment as they were self-isolating.
“To date 64,029 people under age 66 have been medically certified for receipt of the Covid-19 enhanced illness benefit.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-21--Cork publican opts to remain closed for another two weeks

When Cork publican , Rob Crowley tweeted that he had decided against re-opening his family pub Callanans , for at least two weeks , he hardly expected the response he got from his regular customers .
He received overwhelming support and wishing him well for whenever he does open .
“ When I tweeted that we wouldn ’ t open for at least another two weeks , I never expected to get such a response - if all the people who liked the tweet drop in when we do re-open , I ’ d be delighted , people were just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us whatever we decided.
” A third generation publican after his mother , Colette and his grandparents , Robert and Eileen Callanan , who opened the bar in the 1930s , Mr Crowley is adopting a wait and see type approach to how pub re-openings work even though he is the first to admit that every pub is different .
“ Just because I ’ m staying closed for now doesn ’ t mean I don ’ t agree with pubs opening - people have different premises and they are in different scenarios @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can guess from that that we don ’ t have the same overheads that maybe other people have .
“ We ’ ve been closed since March 14th so there ’ s no income from the pub but apart from insurance we don ’ t have any huge outlay- we don ’ t have any huge mortgage or rent and we don ’ t have any staff to be worried about - it ’ s just ourselves , ” says Mr Crowley who has a full time job outside the trade .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the south channel of the River Lee and near Cork city centre , Callanans is a small cosy snug pub with a regular clientele and over the years has become very popular with Cork ’ s growing cosmopolitan population .
“ We usually open about half past seven except maybe on a Friday and a Saturday when we might open around six - we have a lot of regulars including some Spanish , French and German customers so we would have a good mix of people , including those living locally in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t open for at least two weeks , Mr Crowley has been trying to figure out how re-opening might work with social distancing , reckoning that the bar , which could comfortably hold 40 seated and double that standing , will see its capacity reduced to somewhere in the low 20s .
“ We have two doors - one on to George ’ s Quay and one on to Mary Street which is good but we ’ re kind of tied for space .
We have a room in the back so we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that is , if people come in on their own , then your capacity is just five people , ” he said .
“ I would say low 20s would be more like it if every table is full to capacity but if a fellow comes in on his own , he ’ s as entitled to come in as a group of four or five and I would go for two metres social distancing rather than one metre just from the point of view of air circulation.
” Even though adopting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means Rob doesn ’ t have to move people on after an hour and 45 minutes as is required in pubs with one metre social distancing , he ’ s not keen on the idea of people spending hours on end in the pub .
“ My plan when I do re-open would be is that I would try to minimize the amount of time people would be in the pub - I don ’ t want anyone in there for six hours - two hours or two and a half hours should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would think , ” he said .
“ My thinking is if I do open in two weeks , I will only open for two and a half hour stretches - two and a half hours on a Monday , Tuesday and Wednesday is plenty - at the weekend I can always open for two and a half hours , close for half an hour and open again - say 6pm to 8.30pm , 9pm to 11.30pm.
” Mr Crowley was never tempted to re-open doing food as he reveals what he missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not the loss of income but rather the lack of social interaction with regulars .
He is concerned about the loss of counter seats , essential to the character of the bar “ We ’ re not huge business people , from the prices we charge and from the numbers of people who come in , we ’ re not making a fortune out of it so the thing I would miss most is the social aspect as I would consider most of those who come into us as friends now rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a local place where people come in during the week for a chat at the counter - if you came into us on a Monday , Tuesday or Wednesday , there isn ’ t a sinner at a table - there might be seven or eight fellows sitting at the bar counter .
“ They won ’ t have come in with each other but they know who will be in the bar and they will know me and they will all chat away - there are lot of bars like us when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s not going to be the same place - if you lose the counter seats , you are goosed .
”

Callanans is a small cosy snug pub with a regular clientele and over the years has become very popular with Cork’s growing cosmopolitan population. Photograph: iStock
When Cork publican, Rob Crowley tweeted that he had decided against re-opening his family pub Callanans, for at least two weeks, he hardly expected the response he got from his regular customers. He received overwhelming support and wishing him well for whenever he does open.
“When I tweeted that we wouldn’t open for at least another two weeks, I never expected to get such a response - if all the people who liked the tweet drop in when we do re-open, I’d be delighted, people were just so supportive, saying they would back us whatever we decided.”
A third generation publican after his mother, Colette and his grandparents, Robert and Eileen Callanan, who opened the bar in the 1930s, Mr Crowley is adopting a wait and see type approach to how pub re-openings work even though he is the first to admit that every pub is different.
“Just because I’m staying closed for now doesn’t mean I don’t agree with pubs opening - people have different premises and they are in different scenarios - ours is a family business and you can guess from that that we don’t have the same overheads that maybe other people have.
READ MORE
“We’ve been closed since March 14th so there’s no income from the pub but apart from insurance we don’t have any huge outlay- we don’t have any huge mortgage or rent and we don’t have any staff to be worried about - it’s just ourselves,” says Mr Crowley who has a full time job outside the trade.
Located on George's Quay overlooking the south channel of the River Lee and near Cork city centre, Callanans is a small cosy snug pub with a regular clientele and over the years has become very popular with Cork's growing cosmopolitan population.
“We usually open about half past seven except maybe on a Friday and a Saturday when we might open around six - we have a lot of regulars including some Spanish, French and German customers so we would have a good mix of people, including those living locally in the South Parish.”
Although he won’t open for at least two weeks, Mr Crowley has been trying to figure out how re-opening might work with social distancing, reckoning that the bar, which could comfortably hold 40 seated and double that standing, will see its capacity reduced to somewhere in the low 20s.
“We have two doors - one on to George’s Quay and one on to Mary Street which is good but we’re kind of tied for space. We have a room in the back so we could fit five tables but the downside of that is, if people come in on their own, then your capacity is just five people,” he said.
“I would say low 20s would be more like it if every table is full to capacity but if a fellow comes in on his own, he’s as entitled to come in as a group of four or five and I would go for two metres social distancing rather than one metre just from the point of view of air circulation.”
Even though adopting a policy of two metre social distancing means Rob doesn’t have to move people on after an hour and 45 minutes as is required in pubs with one metre social distancing, he’s not keen on the idea of people spending hours on end in the pub.
“My plan when I do re-open would be is that I would try to minimize the amount of time people would be in the pub - I don’t want anyone in there for six hours - two hours or two and a half hours should be enough for most people, I would think,” he said.
“My thinking is if I do open in two weeks, I will only open for two and a half hour stretches - two and a half hours on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is plenty - at the weekend I can always open for two and a half hours, close for half an hour and open again - say 6pm to 8.30pm, 9pm to 11.30pm.”
Mr Crowley was never tempted to re-open doing food as he reveals what he missed most about being closed for six months was not the loss of income but rather the lack of social interaction with regulars. He is concerned about the loss of counter seats, essential to the character of the bar
“We’re not huge business people, from the prices we charge and from the numbers of people who come in, we’re not making a fortune out of it so the thing I would miss most is the social aspect as I would consider most of those who come into us as friends now rather than customers.
“Our place is a local place where people come in during the week for a chat at the counter - if you came into us on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, there isn’t a sinner at a table - there might be seven or eight fellows sitting at the bar counter.
“They won’t have come in with each other but they know who will be in the bar and they will know me and they will all chat away - there are lot of bars like us when if you take way the counter space, it’s not going to be the same place - if you lose the counter seats, you are goosed.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-21--Children removed from care of parents after claims they were ‘stripped and flogged’

A judge has approved an order removing three children from the care of their parents after hearing allegations that they were stripped and flogged by their father .
Judge Mary Larkin granted a 28 day Interim Care Order to Tusla during a sitting of the Family Law Court in Ennis on Monday .
The address of their new home is not being made known to the parents by court order .
A childcare support co-ordinator at a local refuge told the court that one of the children , a six-year-old boy , told her ‘ my dad flogs me with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my trousers off and it still hurts ’ .
The court also heard an allegation that the man beat a younger child with a shoe , leaving bruises and marks .
Judge Larkin said she had heard “ the most extraordinary allegations of serious physical abuse against three small children ” by the man but could not say “ whether it is true or false at this stage ” .
The mother of the three children gave sworn evidence in court in July of the alleged flogging as she secured a Protection Order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to two of the children .
However , the woman on Monday told Judge Larkin that what she stated in July and what the children told social workers concerning the abuse was “ all lies ” .
“ I made up some stuff against my husband , ” she said .
“ I want my family and my children back to me .
I don ’ t want them to be taken into care.
” Kevin Sherry , solicitor for Tusla , said the claim that everything previously stated was untrue “ is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tusla sought the Interim Care Order after the mother brought the children to the father ’ s new address in breach of a safety plan put in place by the agency .
Gardaí and social workers removed the children from there and brought them to the home of one of their mother ’ s relatives , but that placement was no longer available , meaning the care order was needed .
The woman and her children entered a refuge in June and a support worker told the court that the six-year-old boy said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head , kicked him in the stomach and beat him with a pipe used to hold up the hangers in a wardrobe .
He said he did not want to go back to his father .
The two children interviewed by Tusla also alleged that they saw the man slap and beat their mother .
Judge Larkin told the father that he perhaps should not give evidence as he could face assault causing harm charges in the criminal court .
However , the man said “ everything they said about me is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I would never hurt my children , ” he said .
Asked why his wife would come into court and say he beat her and the children , the man said it was down to a misunderstanding around money .
Two Tusla social workers told Judge Larkin that the allegations made by the children are credible .
One stated that the children ’ s mother had said she used make-up to cover the children ’ s bruises before they went to school .
The social worker stated that when she was worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her husband had threatened her .
The mother said he had not , the social worker said .

A mother of three children has said that she lied when she told a court in July that her husband was violent towards their children. File phgotograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
A judge has approved an order removing three children from the care of their parents after hearing allegations that they were stripped and flogged by their father.
Judge Mary Larkin granted a 28 day Interim Care Order to Tusla during a sitting of the Family Law Court in Ennis on Monday. The address of their new home is not being made known to the parents by court order.
A childcare support co-ordinator at a local refuge told the court that one of the children, a six-year-old boy, told her ‘my dad flogs me with a wire and I have to take my trousers off and it still hurts’.
The court also heard an allegation that the man beat a younger child with a shoe, leaving bruises and marks.
READ MORE
Judge Larkin said she had heard “the most extraordinary allegations of serious physical abuse against three small children” by the man but could not say “whether it is true or false at this stage”.
The mother of the three children gave sworn evidence in court in July of the alleged flogging as she secured a Protection Order against her husband, who is father to two of the children.
‘All lies’
However, the woman on Monday told Judge Larkin that what she stated in July and what the children told social workers concerning the abuse was “all lies”.
“I made up some stuff against my husband,” she said. “I want my family and my children back to me. I don’t want them to be taken into care.”
Kevin Sherry, solicitor for Tusla, said the claim that everything previously stated was untrue “is not in any way believable”.
Tusla sought the Interim Care Order after the mother brought the children to the father’s new address in breach of a safety plan put in place by the agency.
Gardaí and social workers removed the children from there and brought them to the home of one of their mother’s relatives, but that placement was no longer available, meaning the care order was needed.
The woman and her children entered a refuge in June and a support worker told the court that the six-year-old boy said his father had previously punched him in the head, kicked him in the stomach and beat him with a pipe used to hold up the hangers in a wardrobe. He said he did not want to go back to his father.
The two children interviewed by Tusla also alleged that they saw the man slap and beat their mother.
Possible charges
Judge Larkin told the father that he perhaps should not give evidence as he could face assault causing harm charges in the criminal court. However, the man said “everything they said about me is all lies from the beginning”.
“I would never hurt my children,” he said.
Asked why his wife would come into court and say he beat her and the children, the man said it was down to a misunderstanding around money.
Two Tusla social workers told Judge Larkin that the allegations made by the children are credible. One stated that the children’s mother had said she used make-up to cover the children’s bruises before they went to school.
The social worker stated that when she was worried about the mother, she asked if her husband had threatened her.
The mother said he had not, the social worker said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-21--Boy with special needs challenges refusal to provide school transport

A High Court challenge has been brought over the State ’ s refusal to provide school transport to a primary school student with special needs .
The child lives in a rural area with his family and has been diagnosed as having autism .
Following consultation with the Minister for Education , healthcare and educational professionals determined the boy should attend a primary school which is not the nearest one to where the family lives but is deemed most suitable to cater for his needs .
An application for the boy to be provided with school transport was made to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis it was not the nearest school .
An appeal of the refusal was dismissed in July and the boy ’ s lawyers claim no reasons were provided .
The boy has , through his mother , brought judicial review proceedings against the National Council for Special Education , the Minister and the School Transport Appeals Board .
He wants an order quashing the refusal by the board of his appeal .
Permission to bring the action was granted , on an ex-parte basis , by Mr Justice Charles Meenan .
The case @ @ @ @ @ @

A High Court challenge has been brought over the State’s refusal to provide school transport to a primary school student with special needs. File photograph: Dara Mac Donaill/The Irish Times.
A High Court challenge has been brought over the State’s refusal to provide school transport to a primary school student with special needs.
The child lives in a rural area with his family and has been diagnosed as having autism. Following consultation with the Minister for Education, healthcare and educational professionals determined the boy should attend a primary school which is not the nearest one to where the family lives but is deemed most suitable to cater for his needs.
An application for the boy to be provided with school transport was made to the Minister but was disallowed on the basis it was not the nearest school. An appeal of the refusal was dismissed in July and the boy’s lawyers claim no reasons were provided.
The boy has, through his mother, brought judicial review proceedings against the National Council for Special Education, the Minister and the School Transport Appeals Board.
READ MORE
He wants an order quashing the refusal by the board of his appeal.
Permission to bring the action was granted, on an ex-parte basis, by Mr Justice Charles Meenan. The case has been returned to November.


theirishtimes--2020-09-21--Restaurants want evidence behind Dublin indoor dining ban published

The Restaurants Association of Ireland has called on the Government to publish the international evidence relied on by the Cabinet to support the decision to ban indoor dining in restaurants , cafes and food-serving pubs in Dublin .
The restrictions on indoor dining were imposed in Dublin last week as an additional restriction on top of the Level 3 measures under the Government ’ s new five-level alert system in an attempt to suppress the rising number of Covid-19 infections in the capital .
Adrian Cummins , chief executive of the representative body for restaurants , said that the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to international evidence as one of the reasons for closing indoor dining for until October 10th .
“ Business owners want to see it .
An industry has been closed down .
This is about maintaining confidence in the strategy and where we are going to , ” he said .
Mr Cummins called on the Government to “ fix ” the contact tracing data in order to give confidence to businesses and employees across the country .
Restaurants had followed guidance on contact tracing yet were told by NPHET expert Prof Philip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about contacts for 48 hours before symptoms and it is not checked where they might caught the virus before that , he said .
Mr Cummins said that Prof Nolan mentioned in a series of tweets last Friday that the virus spreading was in gyms , but gyms have remained open under Level 3 .
“ If we want to bring everyone along on the same page and keep the morale of the people up , you obviously want to trust that this is the right thing to do .
We need the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proper data , ” he said .
The restaurant trade has pointed to the low number of outbreaks and clusters linked to restaurants and gastropubs as proof that they Prof Nolan has said that there has been a “ misreading and misinterpreting ” on the data on outbreaks and clusters and that the high level of community spread of the virus in Dublin meant there was a need for additional restrictions to reduce social contacts between people .
There were 50,000 out of work because of the latest restrictions on the hospitality sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses were fearful that they may not survive the three-week period during which they can not serve customers indoors .
“ Show us the evidence , publish the evidence , ” he said .

Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the representative body for restaurants, said that the National Public Health Emergency Team had made reference to international evidence as one of the reasons for closing indoor dining for until October 10th. Photograph: Eric Luke
The Restaurants Association of Ireland has called on the Government to publish the international evidence relied on by the Cabinet to support the decision to ban indoor dining in restaurants, cafes and food-serving pubs in Dublin.
The restrictions on indoor dining were imposed in Dublin last week as an additional restriction on top of the Level 3 measures under the Government’s new five-level alert system in an attempt to suppress the rising number of Covid-19 infections in the capital.
Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the representative body for restaurants, said that the National Public Health Emergency Team had made reference to international evidence as one of the reasons for closing indoor dining for until October 10th.
“Business owners want to see it. An industry has been closed down. This is about maintaining confidence in the strategy and where we are going to,” he said.
READ MORE
Mr Cummins called on the Government to “fix” the contact tracing data in order to give confidence to businesses and employees across the country.
Restaurants had followed guidance on contact tracing yet were told by NPHET expert Prof Philip Nolan that infected people are only asked about contacts for 48 hours before symptoms and it is not checked where they might caught the virus before that, he said.
Mr Cummins said that Prof Nolan mentioned in a series of tweets last Friday that the virus spreading was in gyms, but gyms have remained open under Level 3.
“If we want to bring everyone along on the same page and keep the morale of the people up, you obviously want to trust that this is the right thing to do. We need the evidence to back it up and the proper data,” he said.
The restaurant trade has pointed to the low number of outbreaks and clusters linked to restaurants and gastropubs as proof that they
Prof Nolan has said that there has been a “misreading and misinterpreting” on the data on outbreaks and clusters and that the high level of community spread of the virus in Dublin meant there was a need for additional restrictions to reduce social contacts between people.
There were 50,000 out of work because of the latest restrictions on the hospitality sector, said Mr Cummins, and some businesses were fearful that they may not survive the three-week period during which they cannot serve customers indoors.
“Show us the evidence, publish the evidence,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-22--Five relatives charged over Longford hit and run incident

Four men and a woman from the same family have been sent forward for trial in connection with a hit and run incident in Longford last year which allegedly relates to a feud in the town .
The court heard a man and two children suffered serious injuries in the incident , which happened in a car park at the rear of Longford courthouse .
Patrick Lawrence ( 26 ) , of Great Water Street , Longford ; Joe Lawrence ( 40 ) , of Camlin Meadows , Townspark , Longford ; Daniel Lawrence ( 29 ) , of Ardagh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Lawrence ( 25 ) , of Blacklion Estate , Maynooth , Co Kildare and Rebecca Lawrence ( 27 ) , of Great Water Street , Longford all appeared before Judge Seamus Hughes at Longford District Court on Tuesday .
Patrick Lawrence and Joe Lawrence were charged with three counts of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm following the incident at Annaly Car Park in Longford on April 30th 2019 .
Patrick Lawrence was also charged with driving a car at three people which “ created a substantial risk of death or serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniel and David Lawrence were sent forward for trial charged with allegedly committing violent disorder during the same incident .
They are charged with producing a hatchet and hammer respectively .
Ms Lawrence was charged with impeding a prosecution under Section 7 of the Criminal Law Act 1997 .
Judge Hughes granted legal aid to the five accused and said that if they wish to rely on an alibi during their trial , notice must be given to the State within 14 days .
All five were granted bail and are to appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court on October 6th .

Four men and a woman from the same family have been sent forward for trial in connection with a hit and run incident in Longford last year which allegedly relates to a feud in the town.
Four men and a woman from the same family have been sent forward for trial in connection with a hit and run incident in Longford last year which allegedly relates to a feud in the town.
The court heard a man and two children suffered serious injuries in the incident, which happened in a car park at the rear of Longford courthouse.
Patrick Lawrence (26), of Great Water Street, Longford; Joe Lawrence (40), of Camlin Meadows, Townspark, Longford; Daniel Lawrence (29), of Ardagh Lodge, Prospect Woods, Longford; David Lawrence (25), of Blacklion Estate, Maynooth, Co Kildare and Rebecca Lawrence (27), of Great Water Street, Longford all appeared before Judge Seamus Hughes at Longford District Court on Tuesday.
Patrick Lawrence and Joe Lawrence were charged with three counts of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm following the incident at Annaly Car Park in Longford on April 30th 2019. Patrick Lawrence was also charged with driving a car at three people which “created a substantial risk of death or serious harm” on the same date.
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Hatchet and hammer
Daniel and David Lawrence were sent forward for trial charged with allegedly committing violent disorder during the same incident. They are charged with producing a hatchet and hammer respectively.
Ms Lawrence was charged with impeding a prosecution under Section 7 of the Criminal Law Act 1997.
Judge Hughes granted legal aid to the five accused and said that if they wish to rely on an alibi during their trial, notice must be given to the State within 14 days. All five were granted bail and are to appear before a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court on October 6th.


theirishtimes--2020-09-22--Fireworks can cause ‘horrific injuries’ amongst children, fire officer warns

A senior fire officer have warned against the increased use of fireworks and said they could cause “ horrific injuries ” particularly amongst children .
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee also said there is a “ huge amount of work underway ” to try and identify the source of the fireworks and the reason for their increased use this year particularly in Dublin .
She said gardaí are working with the PSNI to identify if there is a “ potential issue between North and South ” .
“ I suppose the message needs to be that if someone is offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are in a situation where fireworks have been used , to not be part of that situation because it is a criminal offence.
” She said the use of fireworks can carry a fine of up to €10,000 or five years imprisonment .
“ At a time when our frontline workers are hugely under pressure please do not add to that pressure .
“ Please do not add to anyone ’ s distress.
” Chief fire officer in Dublin Dennis Keeley said despite annual appeals “ we still see horrendous injuries.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly with young children.
” “ I would make a special appeal against the use of drugs and alcohol while using fireworks , they are a bad mix.
” The Department of Justice has said it will issue social media adverts aimed at younger people who may be thinking of using fireworks .
Gardaí have also rolled out Operation ‘ Tombola ’ , which focuses on policing of the Halloween period , earlier than normal this year .
The 2020 operation began over two weeks ago in the Dublin Metropolitan Region in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We know that the illegal use of fireworks can be distressing for many people .
We are asking people to stop and think of the impact fireworks can have on those living in their neighbourhoods , especially the fear they cause for older residents or vulnerable people , not to forget the distressing impact they have on pets , ” Ms McEntee said .
“ We have already asked so much of our older citizens throughout this pandemic .
They have cocooned and restricted their movements - and they do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off near their homes .
”

A file image of a Dublin Fire Brigade demonstration last year of the dangers of fireworks to fingers and hands.
A senior fire officer has warned against the increased use of fireworks and said they could cause “horrific injuries” particularly amongst children.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee also said there is a “huge amount of work underway” to try and identify the source of the fireworks and the reason for their increased use this year particularly in Dublin.
She said gardaí are working with the PSNI to identify if there is a “potential issue between North and South”.
“I suppose the message needs to be that if someone is offering to sell you fireworks, or if they are in a situation where fireworks have been used, to not be part of that situation because it is a criminal offence.”
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She said the use of fireworks can carry a fine of up to €10,000 or five years imprisonment.
“At a time when our frontline workers are hugely under pressure please do not add to that pressure.
“Please do not add to anyone’s distress.”
Chief fire officer in Dublin Dennis Keeley said despite annual appeals "we still see horrendous injuries."
“Every year we see horrific injuries particularly with young children.”
“I would make a special appeal against the use of drugs and alcohol while using fireworks, they are a bad mix.”
The Department of Justice has said it will issue social media adverts aimed at younger people who may be thinking of using fireworks.
Gardaí have also rolled out Operation ‘Tombola’, which focuses on policing of the Halloween period, earlier than normal this year.
The 2020 operation began over two weeks ago in the Dublin Metropolitan Region in response to an increase in unlicensed fireworks use.
“We know that the illegal use of fireworks can be distressing for many people. We are asking people to stop and think of the impact fireworks can have on those living in their neighbourhoods, especially the fear they cause for older residents or vulnerable people, not to forget the distressing impact they have on pets,” Ms McEntee said.
“We have already asked so much of our older citizens throughout this pandemic. They have cocooned and restricted their movements - and they do not need the extra worry of fireworks going off near their homes.”
In a Dáil debate on Tuesday night, Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward said “our communities have been left vulnerable and abandoned” as he highlighted the impact of fireworks in the capital that had been going on since July.
The party’s private member’s motion called for a restoration of community gardaí to 2010 levels and said there had been a 45 per cent reduction in numbers in Dublin in the past decade.
It also called for Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to immediately reverse a decision Sinn Féin claimed has been made to put community gardaí on a contingency roster which meant they did not work after 7pm.
“There is a connection between a decreased Garda presence at night and increased anti-social behaviour,” said Mr Ward as he warned of a “sense of lawlessness”.
He said Dublin Bus had reported a 200 per cent increase in the number of buses in July and August that had to be curtailed compared to last year because of anti-social behaviour, including throwing missiles and fireworks being thrown at them. He also called for the Garda’s annual initiative Operation Tombola dealing with Halloween activities to be more flexible and to start earlier.
Minister of State for Justice James Browne said Operation Tombola started in September,a month earlier than last year.
He rejected claims that the Government and Garda were not proactively addressing the issues.
“It is not correct to infer that the increased use of fireworks is as a result of lacking resources or action on the part of the Garda Authorities or that the Gardaí are not working closely with local communities to deal with this in an appropriate way,” Mr Browne said.
He said the Garda Commissioner and his management team are best placed to make the expert judgments necessary about where to place Garda resources.
"It would not be appropriate to substitute our judgment for that of the Commissioner and his management team. That said, I can assure Deputies that the Government is committed to continuing to train new recruits to An Garda Síochána annually."


theirishtimes--2020-09-22--Man killed in Dublin after being hit by car driving wrong way is named

The man who died on Monday after a car driving the wrong way down the N7 hit his vehicle has been named locally as Anatolie Butucel .
The 45-year-old , who was originally from Moldova , died in the early hours of Monday morning after the Yaris he was driving was hit by a Volkswagen Passat which was driving the wrong way on the dual carriageway and suffered what a source described as “ catastrophic ” injuries .
A second man in his 30s who was travelling with Mr Butucel in the Yaris is being treated for life-threatening injuries following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been spotted shortly after midnight driving erratically in the Tallaght area .
Suspecting the car may have been stolen , gardaí attempted to speak to the driver but the Passat drove off the wrong way down an exit ramp onto the N7 at the Kingswood intersection .
Gardaí decided not to pursue the car onto the dual carriageway for safety reasons .
A short time later , at 12.20am , the Passat collided with a Toyota Yaris on the N7 .
The occupants of the Passat , a man in his 20s and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken for treatment .
Gardaí said on Tuesday that no arrests have been made yet .
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission ( Gsoc ) was notified of the incident and is conducting an examination into the collision .
It is obliged to examine all incidents where a death occurs following an interaction with gardaí .
Mr Butucel was one of four men , all aged in their 40s , who died in four separate road incidents across the State between Saturday and Monday .
A total of 110 people have died on Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the 99 deaths reported during the same period last year , according to the latest Garda data .
Of those who died , 23 were pedestrians , 43 drivers , 23 passengers , 15 motorcyclists and six were cyclists .
Also on Monday , a van driver in his 40s died on the N24 between Kilsheelan and Carrick-on-Suir in Co Tipperary after his vehicle was in collision with a lorry .
The lorry driver , a man in his 60s , was taken to Waterford University hospital with serious injuries .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning in a two car collision on the N15 near Rathcormack in Co Sligo .
The female driver of the second car , who is in her 30s , was taken to University Hospital Galway by air ambulance where her condition is described as serious .
The two other passengers travelling in her car were also taken to hospital with serious injuries .
On Saturday , cyclist David Steele died following a collision involving a car on the R108 road at St Margaret ’ s near Dublin airport .
Mr Steele ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the “ love of my life , my husband and my soulmate ” , describing the Facebook update as “ the hardest post I ’ ve ever had to write ” .
“ My world will never be the same ... absolutely heartbroken .
My ironman forever .
The big strong man forever .
”

The Passat drove off the wrong way down an exit ramp onto the N7 at the Kingswood intersection
The man who died on Monday after a car driving the wrong way down the N7 hit his vehicle has been named locally as Anatolie Butucel.
The 45-year-old, who was originally from Moldova, died in the early hours of Monday morning after the Yaris he was driving was hit by a Volkswagen Passat which was driving the wrong way on the dual carriageway and suffered what a source described as "catastrophic" injuries. A second man in his 30s who was travelling with Mr Butucel in the Yaris is being treated for life-threatening injuries following the collision.
The Volkswagen Passat had been spotted shortly after midnight driving erratically in the Tallaght area.
Suspecting the car may have been stolen, gardaí attempted to speak to the driver but the Passat drove off the wrong way down an exit ramp onto the N7 at the Kingswood intersection.
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Gardaí decided not to pursue the car onto the dual carriageway for safety reasons. A short time later, at 12.20am, the Passat collided with a Toyota Yaris on the N7.
The occupants of the Passat, a man in his 20s and another in his 40s, were also taken for treatment. Gardaí said on Tuesday that no arrests have been made yet.
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) was notified of the incident and is conducting an examination into the collision. It is obliged to examine all incidents where a death occurs following an interaction with gardaí.
Four incidents
Mr Butucel was one of four men, all aged in their 40s, who died in four separate road incidents across the State between Saturday and Monday.
A total of 110 people have died on Irish roads so far this year, up from the 99 deaths reported during the same period last year, according to the latest Garda data.
Of those who died, 23 were pedestrians, 43 drivers, 23 passengers, 15 motorcyclists and six were cyclists.
Also on Monday, a van driver in his 40s died on the N24 between Kilsheelan and Carrick-on-Suir in Co Tipperary after his vehicle was in collision with a lorry.
The lorry driver, a man in his 60s, was taken to Waterford University hospital with serious injuries.
Another man in his 40s died on Sunday morning in a two car collision on the N15 near Rathcormack in Co Sligo.
The female driver of the second car, who is in her 30s, was taken to University Hospital Galway by air ambulance where her condition is described as serious. The two other passengers travelling in her car were also taken to hospital with serious injuries.
On Saturday, cyclist David Steele died following a collision involving a car on the R108 road at St Margaret’s near Dublin airport.
Mr Steele's wife Karen paid tribute on social media to the "love of my life, my husband and my soulmate", describing the Facebook update as "the hardest post I've ever had to write".
“My world will never be the same... absolutely heartbroken. My ironman forever. The big strong man forever.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-22--Deported man says he has lived in airport for months

A man deported from the State claims he has been forced to live in an African airport terminal since March after allegedly being abandoned by gardaí who were supposed to return him to his native country , the High Court has heard .
The failed asylum seeker , who can not be named for legal reasons , says he has been living there for the last six months where he has survived on charity from other passengers and what he can find in bins .
When the man ’ s case came before Mr Justice Charles Meenan this week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said his side disputes the man ’ s version of events and the Minister ’ s response to the man ’ s claims was “ very robust ” .
Michael Lynn SC , with Sean Rafter BL , instructed by solicitor David Harrington , for the man , said he was initially flown from Ireland to Belgium in the company of gardaí overseeing his deportation to his home .
From Belgium , gardaí accompanied him on a flight to Ethiopia , from where he was due to get on a flight to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He claims , while awaiting that flight , the gardaí provided him with a boarding pass in the airport departure lounge .
He claims the gardaí who retained his passport , then went to get a hotel outside of the airport to rest and had told him they would be back .
He claims he never saw the gardaí again , he was unable to board the flight to his home country because he had no passport and can not get home .
He claims , two hours after the flight departed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airport staff .
He claims he was left in the terminal without money , a telephone or his luggage and can not leave the airport because he can not purchase a visa required to enter Ethiopia .
He claims he has been sleeping rough in the airport , is existing on leftover food and whatever he can find when rummaging through bins and relying on the charity of passing strangers .
After a week , his passport was stolen , he claims .
He made contact some weeks ago with an Irish-based NGO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the airport .
His solicitor Phelim O ’ Neill wrote to the Minister calling for the man to be rescued from the “ inhuman and degrading ” treatment he has been exposed to due to the alleged actions of gardaí .
The High Court was told the man has not been able to progress the case , as his correspondence has not been replied to .
Mr O ’ Neill claims this is because the Minister requires the man to provide a letter signed by him giving Mr O ’ Neill the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a sworn statement , Mr O ’ Neill says this is unlawful and breaches the man ’ s fundamental rights .
He can not furnish a signed letter because he is on the airside of immigration control at the airport and has no access to postage facilities , the solicitor said .
As a result , the man has brought judicial review proceedings for an order quashing the Minister ’ s decision requiring the solicitor to furnish a signed authority from the man and directing the Minister to reply to correspondence from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case was briefly mentioned before Mr Justice Meenan on Monday , Mr Lynn asked that it be adjourned to allow the man ’ s legal team consider the Minister ’ s response to the action .
The matter will return before the court later this month .

He claims he was left in the terminal without money, a telephone or his luggage and cannot leave the airport because he cannot buy visa required to enter Ethiopia
A man deported from the State claims he has been forced to live in an African airport terminal since March after allegedly being abandoned by gardaí who were supposed to return him to his native country, the High Court has heard.
The failed asylum seeker, who cannot be named for legal reasons, says he has been living there for the last six months where he has survived on charity from other passengers and what he can find in bins.
When the man’s case came before Mr Justice Charles Meenan this week, John Gallagher BL, for the Minister, said his side disputes the man’s version of events and the Minister’s response to the man’s claims was “very robust”.
Michael Lynn SC, with Sean Rafter BL, instructed by solicitor David Harrington, for the man, said he was initially flown from Ireland to Belgium in the company of gardaí overseeing his deportation to his home.
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From Belgium, gardaí accompanied him on a flight to Ethiopia, from where he was due to get on a flight to his home country in southern Africa.
He claims, while awaiting that flight, the gardaí provided him with a boarding pass in the airport departure lounge.
He claims the gardaí who retained his passport, then went to get a hotel outside of the airport to rest and had told him they would be back.
He claims he never saw the gardaí again, he was unable to board the flight to his home country because he had no passport and cannot get home.
He claims, two hours after the flight departed, he was provided with his passport by airport staff.
He claims he was left in the terminal without money, a telephone or his luggage and cannot leave the airport because he cannot purchase a visa required to enter Ethiopia.
Sleeping rough
He claims he has been sleeping rough in the airport, is existing on leftover food and whatever he can find when rummaging through bins and relying on the charity of passing strangers.
After a week, his passport was stolen, he claims. He made contact some weeks ago with an Irish-based NGO and his lawyers using fixed computers located in the airport.
His solicitor Phelim O’Neill wrote to the Minister calling for the man to be rescued from the “inhuman and degrading” treatment he has been exposed to due to the alleged actions of gardaí.
The High Court was told the man has not been able to progress the case, as his correspondence has not been replied to.
Mr O’Neill claims this is because the Minister requires the man to provide a letter signed by him giving Mr O’Neill the authority to act on his behalf.
In a sworn statement, Mr O’Neill says this is unlawful and breaches the man’s fundamental rights.
He cannot furnish a signed letter because he is on the airside of immigration control at the airport and has no access to postage facilities, the solicitor said.
As a result, the man has brought judicial review proceedings for an order quashing the Minister’s decision requiring the solicitor to furnish a signed authority from the man and directing the Minister to reply to correspondence from the man’s solicitors.
When the case was briefly mentioned before Mr Justice Meenan on Monday, Mr Lynn asked that it be adjourned to allow the man’s legal team consider the Minister’s response to the action. The matter will return before the court later this month.