theirishtimes--2020-04-19--Potentially lethal bacteria found in Irish bathing waters deemed ‘excellent’ by EU

A potentially lethal strain of E.coli has been found in Irish beaches , rivers and lakes which are popular with bathers and deemed to have excellent water quality under EU standards .
Researchers say the bacteria , known as Shiga-toxigenic E.coli ( STEC ) , can cause disease , severe intestinal infection , potentially renal failure and even death .
Ireland is the worst country in the European Union for STEC infection rates , suffering up to 10 times the European average .
In a study , led by Prof Dearbháile Morris and Dr Louise O ’ Connor at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academics tested water samples from the sea , rivers and lakes between December 2018 and October 2019 .
All 75 sites are used by people for bathing and recreation .
Some 49 – or 65 per cent – showed up positive for the presence of the disease-causing strain of the bacteria .
More than nine in 10 ( 93 per cent ) of river samples were positive , as were three quarters ( 75 per cent ) of lake samples and more than half ( 56 per cent ) of seawater samples .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ genetic markers for STEC in the samples tested , highlighting the need for further investigation to establish the scale of the problem , not only in Ireland but globally , ” said Prof Morris .
“ It is worth noting that all of the bathing waters tested were designated as of good or excellent quality based on current EU bathing water quality monitoring criteria.
” Under that criteria , bathing water quality is assessed on the estimated total number of E. coli in a 100ml sample between May to September .
Most E. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like STEC can be poisonous .
“ Bathing waters in Europe and elsewhere are not routinely monitored for the presence of STEC , ” said Prof Morris , who believes the research is the first of its kind in Ireland .
“ This study highlights the limitations of only assessing the total number of E. coli present as an indicator of water quality without taking into consideration the potential pathogenicity of some variants.
” The research was due to be presented at the European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Paris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic .
The details of the 75 sites where water was sampled are not been published .
They included 52 seawater samples , 15 river samples and 8 lake water samples .

Ireland is the worst country in the European Union for Shiga-toxigenic E.coli infection rates, suffering up to 10 times the European average. File photograph: Getty Images
A potentially lethal strain of E.coli has been found in Irish beaches, rivers and lakes which are popular with bathers and deemed to have excellent water quality under EU standards.
Researchers say the bacteria, known as Shiga-toxigenic E.coli (STEC), can cause disease, severe intestinal infection, potentially renal failure and even death.
Ireland is the worst country in the European Union for STEC infection rates, suffering up to 10 times the European average.
In a study, led by Prof Dearbháile Morris and Dr Louise O'Connor at the School of Medicine in NUI Galway, academics tested water samples from the sea, rivers and lakes between December 2018 and October 2019.
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River samples
All 75 sites are used by people for bathing and recreation. Some 49 – or 65 per cent – showed up positive for the presence of the disease-causing strain of the bacteria.
More than nine in 10 (93 per cent) of river samples were positive, as were three quarters (75 per cent) of lake samples and more than half (56 per cent) of seawater samples.
“There was a high occurrence of genetic markers for STEC in the samples tested, highlighting the need for further investigation to establish the scale of the problem, not only in Ireland but globally,” said Prof Morris.
“It is worth noting that all of the bathing waters tested were designated as of good or excellent quality based on current EU bathing water quality monitoring criteria.”
Under that criteria, bathing water quality is assessed on the estimated total number of E. coli in a 100ml sample between May to September.
Most E. coli are not harmful, but some like STEC can be poisonous.
"Bathing waters in Europe and elsewhere are not routinely monitored for the presence of STEC," said Prof Morris, who believes the research is the first of its kind in Ireland.
“This study highlights the limitations of only assessing the total number of E. coli present as an indicator of water quality without taking into consideration the potential pathogenicity of some variants.”
The research was due to be presented at the European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Paris this month, but the event was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The details of the 75 sites where water was sampled are not been published. They included 52 seawater samples, 15 river samples and 8 lake water samples.


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--Sentence hearing over Patricia O’Connor murder adjourned

The man found guilty of murdering a grandmother , whose remains were found scattered across the Dublin and Wicklow mountains , has had his sentencing adjourned until June in light of the Covid-19 restrictions .
Kieran Greene ( 35 ) was found guilty in February by a Central Criminal Court jury of inflicting “ catastrophic injuries ” on Patricia O ’ Connor ( 61 ) in a sustained attack in the bathroom of her Rathfarnham home .
He had pleaded not guilty to murdering the retired hospital worker at a house in Mountainview Park on May 29th , 2017 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Connor ( 41 ) , her granddaughter Stephanie O ’ Connor ( 22 ) and Keith Johnston ( 43 ) were all found guilty of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Greene , knowing or believing him to have murdered Mrs O ’ Connor .
Patricia O ’ Connor ’ s husband Augustine ‘ Gus ’ O ’ Connor ( 76 ) was originally part of the trial but he pleaded guilty in January to reporting his wife as a missing person to gardaí at Rathfarnham on June 1st , 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four were all remanded on continuing bail until Monday , when it was expected that their sentence hearings would take place .
However , they were excused from attending the court and their hearings were also adjourned because of the pandemic .
Greene , who is in custody , was dealt with via video link on Monday by trial judge Mr Justice Paul McDermott , who told the court he was not in a position to proceed with sentencing as a result of “ the circumstances that prevail ” .
The judge said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for sentence on June 22nd , when a victim impact statement would be heard .
“ There may well be an indication by the court registrar to parties that their presence may not be required if the restrictions remain in place , ” he added .
Greene is expected to receive the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment on June 22nd .
Louise O ’ Connor , a mother of five from Millmount Court , Dundrum Road , was found guilty of agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O ’ Connor disguising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mountainview Park on May 29th , 2017 in order to conceal the fact that Patricia O ’ Connor was dead .
Stephanie O ’ Connor , also of Millmount Court , Dundrum Road , was found guilty guilty of disguising herself as Patricia O ’ Connor at Mountainview Park on the same date in order to conceal the fact that her grandmother was already dead .
Johnston , of Avonbeg Gardens , Tallaght , was found guilty of assisting Greene in the purchase of various implements at Woodie ’ s , Mr Price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tallaght , Dublin 24 on June 9 , 2017 , which were to be used in the concealment of the remains of Patricia O ’ Connor .
He is the ex-partner of Louise O ’ Connor and is father to two of her five children , including Stephanie O ’ Connor .
The seven-week trial heard that Patricia O ’ Connor ’ s body was dismembered into 15 parts that were found at nine different locations over a 30km range in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains between June 10th and 14th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Curtis told the trial that Patricia O ’ Connor ’ s head was struck a minimum of three blows with a solid implement and the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head .
Greene had given two accounts of Patricia O ’ Connor ’ s death .
In an interview with gardaí in June 2017 , he said he was in the bathroom when Patricia O ’ Connor attacked him with a hurl .
He maintained that he had disarmed her and acted in self-defence by hitting her with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that , she may have died .
He claimed he was the only one involved in the physical altercation and had acted alone in removing her body from the house , burying her in a shallow grave in Co Wexford and subsequently dismembering her .
The trial heard that six months after he was charged with Patricia O ’ Connor ’ s murder , Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his then partner ’ s mother .
While on remand in Cloverhill Prison in December 2017 , Greene told gardaí @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and felt he was being set-up , as Louise O ’ Connor subsequently started out with Johnston again .
Greene claimed that , although there was an altercation , he was not responsible for Patricia O ’ Connor ’ s death , that her husband had killed her with a crowbar and that other family members were involved .

Louise O’Connor (left), Keith Johnston (centre), and Stephanie O’Connor are pictured outside the Criminal Courts of Justice during their trial. Photograph: Collins.
The man found guilty of murdering a grandmother, whose remains were found scattered across the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, has had his sentencing adjourned until June in light of the Covid-19 restrictions.
Kieran Greene (35) was found guilty in February by a Central Criminal Court jury of inflicting “catastrophic injuries” on Patricia O’Connor (61) in a sustained attack in the bathroom of her Rathfarnham home.
He had pleaded not guilty to murdering the retired hospital worker at a house in Mountainview Park on May 29th, 2017.
The deceased’s daughter Louise O’Connor (41), her granddaughter Stephanie O’Connor (22) and Keith Johnston (43) were all found guilty of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Greene, knowing or believing him to have murdered Mrs O’Connor.
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Patricia O’Connor’s husband Augustine ‘Gus’ O’Connor (76) was originally part of the trial but he pleaded guilty in January to reporting his wife as a missing person to gardaí at Rathfarnham on June 1st, 2017, knowing she was already dead.
Augustine ‘Gus’ O’Connor, husband of Patricia O’Connor, pleaded guilty to reporting her missing to gardaí when he knew she was already dead. Photograph: Collins Courts
The four were all remanded on continuing bail until Monday, when it was expected that their sentence hearings would take place. However, they were excused from attending the court and their hearings were also adjourned because of the pandemic.
Circumstances
Greene, who is in custody, was dealt with via video link on Monday by trial judge Mr Justice Paul McDermott, who told the court he was not in a position to proceed with sentencing as a result of “the circumstances that prevail”.
The judge said he proposed to put the matter in for sentence on June 22nd, when a victim impact statement would be heard.
“There may well be an indication by the court registrar to parties that their presence may not be required if the restrictions remain in place,” he added.
Greene is expected to receive the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment on June 22nd.
Kieran Greene was convicted of murdering Patricia O’Connor. File photograph.
Louise O’Connor, a mother of five from Millmount Court, Dundrum Road, was found guilty of agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O’Connor disguising herself as Patricia O’Connor at Mountainview Park on May 29th, 2017 in order to conceal the fact that Patricia O’Connor was dead.
Stephanie O’Connor, also of Millmount Court, Dundrum Road, was found guilty guilty of disguising herself as Patricia O’Connor at Mountainview Park on the same date in order to conceal the fact that her grandmother was already dead.
Johnston, of Avonbeg Gardens, Tallaght, was found guilty of assisting Greene in the purchase of various implements at Woodie’s, Mr Price, B&Q and Shoe Zone, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on June 9, 2017, which were to be used in the concealment of the remains of Patricia O’Connor. He is the ex-partner of Louise O’Connor and is father to two of her five children, including Stephanie O’Connor.
Dismembered
The seven-week trial heard that Patricia O’Connor’s body was dismembered into 15 parts that were found at nine different locations over a 30km range in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains between June 10th and 14th, 2017.
Former deputy State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis told the trial that Patricia O’Connor’s head was struck a minimum of three blows with a solid implement and the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.
Greene had given two accounts of Patricia O’Connor’s death. In an interview with gardaí in June 2017, he said he was in the bathroom when Patricia O’Connor attacked him with a hurl. He maintained that he had disarmed her and acted in self-defence by hitting her with a hurl and, as a result of that, she may have died.
He claimed he was the only one involved in the physical altercation and had acted alone in removing her body from the house, burying her in a shallow grave in Co Wexford and subsequently dismembering her.
The trial heard that six months after he was charged with Patricia O’Connor’s murder, Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his then partner’s mother. While on remand in Cloverhill Prison in December 2017, Greene told gardaí he had taken “the rap” and felt he was being set-up, as Louise O’Connor subsequently started out with Johnston again.
Greene claimed that, although there was an altercation, he was not responsible for Patricia O’Connor’s death, that her husband had killed her with a crowbar and that other family members were involved.


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--Man (30s) dies after single vehicle collision in Wexford

A man in his 30s has died following a road collision in Co Wexford in the early hours of Monday @ @ @ @ @ investigators are currently examining the scene of the single vehicle collision which occurred at around @ @ @ @ @ N25 at Ballinaboola , Co Wexford .
The man , who was driving the car @ @ @ @ @ the scene while the front seat passenger - a woman who in her 20s – @ @ @ @ @ Wexford with serious injuries .
The road where the collision took place is currently closed @ @ @ @ @ place .
Gardaí at New Ross are appealing for any witnesses to come forward and @ @ @ @ @ may have camera footage ( including dash-cam ) who were travelling in the area at @ @ @ @ @ available to Gardaí .
Anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Garda station @ @ @ @ @ Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station .

A man in his 30s has died following a road collision in Co Wexford. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
A man in his 30s has died following a road collision in Co Wexford in the early hours of Monday morning.
Garda forensic collision investigators are currently examining the scene of the single vehicle collision which occurred at around 5am on Monday on the N25 at Ballinaboola, Co Wexford.
The man, who was driving the car, was pronounced dead at the scene while the front seat passenger - a woman who in her 20s – was taken to University Hospital Wexford with serious injuries.
The road where the collision took place is currently closed and local divisions are in place.
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Gardaí at New Ross are appealing for any witnesses to come forward and for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area at the time to make it available to Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Garda station on 051 426030, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--Supreme Court judges concerned about physical sittings due to Covid-19 risk

The nine judges of the Supreme Court are concerned about holding physical hearings during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic , Chief Justice Frank Clarke has said .
Speaking as the court conducted its first ever hearing using remote video technology on Monday , the Chief Justice said concerns included that if one member of the court contracted the virus , others could also become infected and the knock-on effect this could have on other sittings taking place .
During a case management hearing , he said remote sittings were likely to prove suitable for most if not all cases in appellate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court of Appeal , but that different considerations would apply in trial courts .
The Chief Justice and the various legal teams were based in their homes for the case management hearing , which concerned an appeal involving Friends of the Irish Environment ( FIE ) against the Government and various State parties , due for hearing on June 22nd .
FIE is appealing the High Court ’ s rejection of its claim that a Government plan for tackling climate change is flawed and inadequate .
The Supreme Court registrar , John Mahon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Four Courts for the hearing .
A court reporter was also present to address the constitutional requirement that justice be administered in public .
Eoin McCullough SC , for FIE , told the Chief Justice that the case involved a large amount of documents and his side was anxious to facilitate a remote hearing as much as possible .
Eileen Barrington SC , for the State , said she could not yet say whether the Office of Chief State Solicitor considered this appeal suitable for remote hearing and asked for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position .
A review group within the office is examining a range of issues , including logistical issues , concerning remote hearings but , in the interim , the State side was happy to proceed on the assumption the appeal would be heard remotely , she said .
The Chief Justice said if there was a successful objection to a remote hearing of the case , the appeal may have to be postponed for quite some time .
He said the State could outline its position in correspondence and fixed a further case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Chief Justice said he suspected the remote hearing would be the first of many in the coming weeks and months and he acknowledged the work of the Courts Service in putting this facility in place .
While other countries have started or announced the commencement of remote hearings in many cases , “ they were coming from a significantly higher technology base than us ” , he said .
He said remote hearings will be suitable for some types of proceedings in the High Court and a limited number of cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many urgent cases throughout the country have been handled by dedicated judges and staff often working in difficult conditions , particularly the District Court , he said .
Regarding the Supreme Court , he said a new practice direction last Thursday varied the existing practice direction for the duration of material restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic .
A default position of remote hearings is an important feature but others include a move to significant electronic lodgment and filing of documents .
While there are many document management systems available , some could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was anxious the basic system to be used in the Supreme Court should be easily accessible to all , while allowing parties who wish to use more sophisticated platforms to do so .
A mock trial last Friday was sufficiently successful to allow for a move to real remote hearings and guidance will be made available in that regard , he said .
Affected parties will shortly be contacted about the possibility of cases being heard under the new procedures in the weeks commencing May 11th .
Later on Monday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal hearing .

A general view of the Four Courts as Chief Justice Frank Clarke speaks during the first remote sitting of the Supreme Court on Monday. Photograph: Collins Courts.
The nine judges of the Supreme Court are concerned about holding physical hearings during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Chief Justice Frank Clarke has said.
Speaking as the court conducted its first ever hearing using remote video technology on Monday, the Chief Justice said concerns included that if one member of the court contracted the virus, others could also become infected and the knock-on effect this could have on other sittings taking place.
During a case management hearing, he said remote sittings were likely to prove suitable for most if not all cases in appellate courts such as the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, but that different considerations would apply in trial courts.
The Chief Justice and the various legal teams were based in their homes for the case management hearing, which concerned an appeal involving Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) against the Government and various State parties, due for hearing on June 22nd.
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FIE is appealing the High Court’s rejection of its claim that a Government plan for tackling climate change is flawed and inadequate.
The Supreme Court registrar, John Mahon, was based in court Number 29 of the Four Courts for the hearing. A court reporter was also present to address the constitutional requirement that justice be administered in public.
Documents
Eoin McCullough SC, for FIE, told the Chief Justice that the case involved a large amount of documents and his side was anxious to facilitate a remote hearing as much as possible.
Eileen Barrington SC, for the State, said she could not yet say whether the Office of Chief State Solicitor considered this appeal suitable for remote hearing and asked for more time to clarify the State’s position.
A review group within the office is examining a range of issues, including logistical issues, concerning remote hearings but, in the interim, the State side was happy to proceed on the assumption the appeal would be heard remotely, she said.
The Chief Justice said if there was a successful objection to a remote hearing of the case, the appeal may have to be postponed for quite some time. He said the State could outline its position in correspondence and fixed a further case management hearing for May 8th.
Earlier, the Chief Justice said he suspected the remote hearing would be the first of many in the coming weeks and months and he acknowledged the work of the Courts Service in putting this facility in place.
While other countries have started or announced the commencement of remote hearings in many cases, “they were coming from a significantly higher technology base than us”, he said.
He said remote hearings will be suitable for some types of proceedings in the High Court and a limited number of cases in the District and Circuit Courts.
Difficult conditions
Many urgent cases throughout the country have been handled by dedicated judges and staff often working in difficult conditions, particularly the District Court, he said.
Regarding the Supreme Court, he said a new practice direction last Thursday varied the existing practice direction for the duration of material restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. A default position of remote hearings is an important feature but others include a move to significant electronic lodgment and filing of documents.
While there are many document management systems available, some could be expensive and require experience to operate and he was anxious the basic system to be used in the Supreme Court should be easily accessible to all, while allowing parties who wish to use more sophisticated platforms to do so.
A mock trial last Friday was sufficiently successful to allow for a move to real remote hearings and guidance will be made available in that regard, he said. Affected parties will shortly be contacted about the possibility of cases being heard under the new procedures in the weeks commencing May 11th.
Later on Monday, the Court of Appeal conducted its first remote appeal hearing.


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--Warm and sunny weather to continue throughout week

The recent dry and sunny conditions are set to continue through the coming days with temperatures rising to 18 degrees on Monday in some parts and warm weather spreading to the whole country later in the week .
Met Éireann has forecast sunny , hazy weather on Monday with the warmest temperatures - between 13-18 degrees – across Connacht and Munster .
Eastern coasts will feel cooler with temperatures in Dublin between 11 to 15 degrees and fresh , easterly breezes .
Tuesday is set to be another dry and sunny day however it will be cloudier across southern counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also develop across the west of Connacht with highest temperatures between 13-18 degrees .
Wednesday will be another dry and mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching 19 degrees .
However , conditions will remain cooler along eastern coasts .
Thursday will be warm but cloudy with early mist and drizzle clearing into a mostly dry day .
Temperatures are set to range between 16 and 20 degrees but once again will be cooler near coasts .
Friday will be cloudier with isolated patches of rain and drizzle , mainly in the west of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 17 degrees .
The warm weather is due to continue through to next Saturday but Sunday will see temperatures turn cooler with possibly wet and windy weather .
Overnight temperatures will generally be cold throughout the week , with the lowest temperatures on Monday night falling close to zero .

The recent dry and sunny conditions are set to continue through the coming days with temperatures rising to 18 degrees on Monday in some parts and warm weather spreading to the whole country later in the week.
Met Éireann has forecast sunny, hazy weather on Monday with the warmest temperatures – between 13-18 degrees – across Connacht and Munster. Eastern coasts will feel cooler with temperatures in Dublin between 11 to 15 degrees and fresh, easterly breezes.
Tuesday is set to be another dry and sunny day however it will be cloudier across southern counties with some daytime showers. Showers may also develop across the west of Connacht with highest temperatures between 13-18 degrees.
Wednesday will be another dry and mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching 19 degrees. However, conditions will remain cooler along eastern coasts.
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Thursday will be warm but cloudy with early mist and drizzle clearing into a mostly dry day. Temperatures are set to range between 16 and 20 degrees but once again will be cooler near coasts.
Friday will be cloudier with isolated patches of rain and drizzle, mainly in the west of the country, and temperatures between 12 and 17 degrees.
The warm weather is due to continue through to next Saturday but Sunday will see temperatures turn cooler with possibly wet and windy weather.
Overnight temperatures will generally be cold throughout the week, with the lowest temperatures on Monday night falling close to zero.
A spokesman for the Irish Farmers’ Association said the recent weather had been “beneficial to the work programme on farms” given that it is the busiest time of the year for farms with calving, lambing and sowing of crops taking place.
He said farmers had adapted to the conditions and restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic and the priority was for everyone to “stay safe and to keep food production going”.
However, the drop in food services has had an impact on prices, particularly beef, he said. “IFA is looking to the Government and the EU Commission to bring forward a package of measures immediately.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--Court upholds convictions over €2m cash-in-transit robbery

After five trials and two appeals over an 11-year period , the Court of Appeal has upheld a gang ’ s convictions for the tiger kidnapping of a Dublin family as part of a €2.08m cash-in-transit robbery .
In a judgement released electronically on Monday , as part of measures put in place to reduce the risks presented by the Covid-19 pandemic , the appellate court found it was not persuaded of the merit of any of the grounds of appeal advanced by the gang .
President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham , who sat with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Isobel Kennedy , said the court was satisfied the convictions were safe and would dismiss the appeals .
In their last trial in January 2018 , Mark Farrelly ( 48 ) , David Byrne ( 46 ) and Niall Byrne ( 37 ) had pleaded not guilty to the false imprisonment of Paul Richardson ’ s family at their Dublin home in Ashcroft , Raheny and to robbing Securicor of €2.08 million on March 14th , 2005 .
Dublin Circuit Criminal heard that the Richardson ’ s home was raided on a Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go to work the next day while his wife and their teenage sons were held at gunpoint in the Dublin mountains until he had delivered the cash to the carpark of the Angler ’ s Rest pub .
In their latest appeal , Farrelly , David Byrne and Niall Byrne had argued their convictions were unsafe because the gathering of evidence by gardaí was unconstitutional and should not have been excused as being an “ unconscious ” breach , in line with the exclusionary rules of evidence set down in the 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In that ruling , the Supreme Court found that evidence obtained unconstitutionally is admissible if the prosecution can show the breach was inadvertent .

A file image of Securicor worker Paul Richardson and his wife Marie outside the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. Photograph: Collins Courts
After five trials and two appeals over an 11-year period, the Court of Appeal has upheld a gang’s convictions for the tiger kidnapping of a Dublin family as part of a €2.08m cash-in-transit robbery.
In a judgement released electronically on Monday, as part of measures put in place to reduce the risks presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, the appellate court found it was not persuaded of the merit of any of the grounds of appeal advanced by the gang.
President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, said the court was satisfied the convictions were safe and would dismiss the appeals.
In their last trial in January 2018, Mark Farrelly (48), David Byrne (46) and Niall Byrne (37) had pleaded not guilty to the false imprisonment of Paul Richardson's family at their Dublin home in Ashcroft, Raheny and to robbing Securicor of €2.08 million on March 14th, 2005.
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Dublin Circuit Criminal heard that the Richardson’s home was raided on a Sunday evening. The gang forced Mr Richardson to go to work the next day while his wife and their teenage sons were held at gunpoint in the Dublin mountains until he had delivered the cash to the carpark of the Angler’s Rest pub.
In their latest appeal, Farrelly, David Byrne and Niall Byrne had argued their convictions were unsafe because the gathering of evidence by gardaí was unconstitutional and should not have been excused as being an "unconscious" breach, in line with the exclusionary rules of evidence set down in the 2015 Supreme Court case of 'JC'.
In that ruling, the Supreme Court found that evidence obtained unconstitutionally is admissible if the prosecution can show the breach was inadvertent.
More to follow.


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--Coronavirus: More than one million people now receiving state income support

More than one million people are now receiving some sort of state income support , Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty has said .
The Department issued pandemic unemplyment payments to 584,000 people on Monday .
Around 50,000 people are receiving a payment for the first time .
These payments are in addition to the 212,000 people on the live register and over 46,000 employers have now registered with the Revenue Commissioners for the temporary Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme .
Speaking on Monday , Ms Doherty described the situation as something which is “ unparalleled in our nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic unemployment payment , those on the live register and workers who are benefitting from the wage subsidy scheme , over a million people are receiving some sort of state income support - a situation unparalleled in our nation ’ s history .
“ This is a temporary health emergency and many sectors of the economy will be able to switch back on relatively quickly once the danger has passed .
“ However , some sectors will be slower than others to recover and we will also have a challenge with youth employment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to have entered a buoyant jobs market will now face a much more complex environment .
“ Understanding this , my Department is already planning for the post-pandemic environment and considering the best measures to help every worker to get back into the labour force as quickly as possible.
” Meanwhile , the public has been warned about businesses selling face masks and other personal protective equipment ( PPE ) online with claims it has been donated to hospitals and is up to a healthcare standard .
The issue had been flagged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( CCPC ) , where vendors are advertising PPE online as up to hospital standard with “ no basis ” , Liz Canavan , Department of Taoiseach assistant general secretary said on Monday .
“ Some online traders appear to be informing consumers that the personal protective products they are selling have been donated to hospitals and other healthcare providers , in many cases it is unclear whether these donated products are suitable for healthcare settings , ” she told a daily press briefing .
“ When you go in to look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these are being used in hospitals or being donated to hospitals to give them some badge of quality , but there ’ s no basis for it , ” she said .
Some 584,000 people have claimed the €350 weekly pandemic unemployment payment , an increase of more than 50,000 people compared to the same time last week , the briefing heard .
The Government has said hardware shops should not be open to the general public during the Covid-19 pandemic .
Speaking at Monday ’ s press briefing , Ms Canavan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confusion which has arisen in relation to hardware stores .
Under current restrictions , hardware stores should not be open to the general public .
“ They are only open for emergencies and deliveries as set out in the updated retail services list as set out on gov.ie , which remains unchanged , ” she said .
The number of deaths and confirmed cases reported in the Republic on Sunday both showed a slight decline on recent days .
Another 39 people died from Covid-19 , while there were a further 493 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now been 610 Covid-19-related deaths in the State , while the number of confirmed cases stands at 15,251 .
The senior civil servant said An Garda Síochána continued to report an “ ongoing high level compliance ” with current restrictions on non-essential movement .
Revenue has confirmed that a zero rate of VAT would apply to the supply of PPE to hospitals , nursing homes , and GP practices , Ms Canavan said .
This lower rate of VAT would be in place until 21 July 21st , and apply to items such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilators , and oxygen tanks .
The Government understood there was “ a lot of speculation ” about the potential easing of restrictions , and frustration with measures such as cocooning for the elderly , Ms Canavan said .
However , she stressed again that any changes in the level of restrictions on May 5th would depend on the behaviour of the virus .
Extensions of four months for drivers licenses and learner ’ s permits due to expire during the pandemic would apply from the date of expiry .
National Car Testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20th had also been extended by four months , while test dates for commercial vehicles had been pushed back by three months , Ms Canavan said .
The take-up of the Government ’ s temporary wage subsidy scheme “ continues to grow , ” and to date €321 million had been paid out under the massive economic support scheme , she said .
“ We are aware that there may be some situations where a one parent family recipient is no longer receiving maintenance for their child , because the other parent has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , ” Ms Canavan said .
Lone parents in this situation were advised to contact their local Intreo office and the Department of Social Protection would “ revise ” their one parent family benefit for a 12-week period to account for the loss of maintenance , she said .
Minister for Health Simon Harris said on Sunday night he feared an air of complacency was “ creeping in ” in relation to Ireland ’ s battle against Covid-19 which has to be pushed back against .
“ We are making really good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are in a very delicate moment and it would not take much for that to be reversed , ” he said .
Meanwhile , new research from King ’ s College London warns Ireland may have to cope with repeated waves of Covid-19 epidemics until a large enough proportion of the population is infected to provide possible herd immunity .
At best , there may be three more cycles of infection before 60 per cent of the population have the virus , regarded as sufficient to provide potential herd immunity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Irish scientist .
The president of the intensive care society of Ireland Dr Catherine Motherway warned that until a vaccine is found people are going to have to be “ very careful how we live.
” Dr Motherway told RTÉ radio ’ s Today with Séan O ’ Rourke show on Monday that it was unlikely that the virus can be suppressed which reinforced the need for a vaccine and “ some form of treatment.
” “ Unfortunately I don ’ t think this will be a three-month phenomenon , I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see Covid-19 in our population ... and if numbers begin to rise above a level with which we can cope , then the restrictions will have to be re-imposed , ” Dr Motherway said .
The Health Service Executive said on Sunday it has eliminated the backlog of people waiting for Covid-19 tests .
It said 27 laboratories , including one in Germany , are now processing 10,000 test results a day .
Over the weekend , 4,000 staff and residents in nursing homes were tested as part of a heightened response by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the sector .
The number of outbreaks or suspected outbreaks in long-term residential care facilities now stands at 248 , according to the HSE .
Mr Harris will speak with his European counterparts by teleconference later on Monday to share updates on how efforts to tackle the virus are going across the European Union .

Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty described the situation as ‘unparalleled in our nation’s history’. Photograph Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
More than one million people are now receiving some sort of State income support, Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty has said.
The Department of Social Protection issued pandemic unemployment payments to 584,000 people on Monday. About 50,000 people are receiving a payment for the first time.
These payments are in addition to the 212,000 people on the live register and more than 46,000 employers have now registered with the Revenue Commissioners for the temporary Covid-19 wage-subsidy scheme.
Speaking on Monday, Ms Doherty described the situation as something which is “unparalleled in our nation’s history”.
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“Between our Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment, those on the live register and workers who are benefitting from the wage-subsidy scheme, over a million people are receiving some sort of State income support – a situation unparalleled in our nation’s history,” she said.
“This is a temporary health emergency and many sectors of the economy will be able to switch back on relatively quickly once the danger has passed. However, some sectors will be slower than others to recover and we will also have a challenge with youth employment as many young people who could have expected to have entered a buoyant jobs market will now face a much more complex environment.
“Understanding this, my department is already planning for the post-pandemic environment and considering the best measures to help every worker to get back into the labour force as quickly as possible.”
Personal Protective Equipment
Meanwhile, the public has been warned about businesses selling face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) online with claims it has been donated to hospitals and is up to a healthcare standard.
The issue had been flagged by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, where vendors are advertising PPE online as up to hospital standard with "no basis", said the assistant general secretary at the Department of An Taoiseach, Liz Canavan, on Monday.
“Some online traders appear to be informing consumers that the personal protective products they are selling have been donated to hospitals and other healthcare providers, in many cases it is unclear whether these donated products are suitable for healthcare settings,” she told a daily press briefing.
“When you go in to look at these products there’s a claim these are being used in hospitals or being donated to hospitals to give them some badge of quality, but there’s no basis for it,” she said.
Lifting the lockdown
The Government understands considerable “speculation” exists about potential easing of restrictions and frustration with measures such as cocooning for the elderly, said Ms Canavan.
However, she again stressed that any changes in the extent of restrictions on May 5th would depend on the behaviour of the virus.
Speaking at a seperate briefing on Monday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that the Government was working on a plan for the staged lifting of restrictions.
“What we’re working on at the moment is a plan that will be ready by the end of April-early May in advance of the May 5th big day if you like. And what we hope to set out is a step-wise plan which indicates how we would reopen the country in different steps and what are the criteria that would have to be met to move from one stage to the next.”
Mr Varadkar said until that plan was ready, he would prefer not to speculate on what would open first.
“I really understand that a lot of people are beginning to find the lockdown, starting to find the restrictions very difficult, and I’d prefer not to raise hopes or raise expectations only to dash them,” he said.
He said he hoped that in May the Government could authorise the reopening of “certain services, certain parts of the economy and then review it every two to three weeks.”
“But I’d rather give people certainty when we have that towards the end of April or early May,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Government has said hardware shops should not be open to the general public during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We want to clear up confusion which has arisen in relation to hardware stores. Under current restrictions, hardware stores should not be open to the general public,” said Ms Canavan.
"They are only open for emergencies and deliveries as set out in the updated retail services list as set out on gov.ie, which remains unchanged," she added.
The number of deaths and confirmed cases reported in the Republic on Sunday showed a slight decline on recent days. Another 39 people died from Covid-19, while there were a further 493 confirmed cases of the virus. There have now been 610 Covid-19-related deaths in the State, while the number of confirmed cases stands at 15,251.
High compliance
Ms Canavan said the Garda continue to report an “ongoing high-level compliance” with restrictions on non-essential movement.
Revenue has confirmed that a zero rate of VAT would apply to the supply of PPE to hospitals, nursing homes and GP practices, said Ms Canavan.
This lower rate of VAT will be in place until July 21st and applies to items such as PPE, hand sanitiser, medical ventilators and oxygen tanks.
Extensions of four months for driving licenses and learner permits due to lapse during the pandemic would apply from the date of expiry.
Liz Canavan, Assistant Secretary to the Department of Taoiseach, during a media brieifng on coronavirus last week. Photograph: Collins
National Car Testing Service appointments due on or after March 20th had also been extended by four months, while test dates for commercial vehicles had been pushed back by three months, said Ms Canavan.
The take-up of the Government’s temporary wage-subsidy scheme “continues to grow” and to date €321 million had been paid out under the scheme, she said.
“We are aware that there may be some situations where a one-parent family recipient is no longer receiving maintenance for their child, because the other parent has lost their job due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Ms Canavan.
Lone parents in this situation were advised to contact their local Intreo office and the department would “revise” their one-parent family benefit for a 12-week period to account for the loss of maintenance, she said.
Complacency
Minister for Health Simon Harris said on Sunday night he feared an air of complacency was "creeping in" concerning Ireland's battle against Covid-19 and he urged people to stiffen their resolve.
“We are making really good progress . . . but the progress is fragile. We are in a very delicate moment and it would not take much for that to be reversed,” he said.
Elsewhere, fresh research from King's College London suggests Ireland may have to cope with repeated waves of Covid-19 epidemics until a large enough proportion of the population is infected to provide herd immunity.
At best there may be three more cycles of infection before 60 per cent of the population have the virus, regarded as sufficient to provide potential herd immunity, according to the modelling analysis led by an Irish scientist.
President of the Intensive Care Society of Ireland Catherine Motherway warned that until a vaccine is found people are going to have to be "very careful how we live".
Dr Motherway told RTÉ radio's Today with Séan O'Rourke show that it is unlikely the virus can be suppressed, which reinforces the need for a vaccine and "some form of treatment".
“Unfortunately I don’t think this will be a three-month phenomenon, I think for at least a year we will see Covid-19 in our population . . . and if numbers begin to rise above a level with which we can cope, then the restrictions will have to be re-imposed,” said Dr Motherway.
The Health Service Executive said on Sunday it has eliminated the backlog of people waiting for Covid-19 tests. It said 27 laboratories, including one in Germany, are now processing 10,000 test results a day.
Over the weekend, 4,000 staff and residents in nursing homes were tested as part of a heightened response by the HSE to escalating cases and deaths in the sector. The number of outbreaks or suspected outbreaks in long-term residential care facilities now stands at 248, according to the HSE.
Mr Harris will speak to his European counterparts by teleconference later on Monday to share updates on how efforts to tackle the virus are going across the European Union.


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--Coronavirus: Simon Harris fears ‘air of complacency creeping in’

Members of the public should continue following Covid-19 restrictions as complacency could lead to disastrous and “ potentially fatal ” outcomes , Minister for Health Simon Harris has said .
In a video posted on Twitter , Mr Harris called on people to continue staying at home and underlined that any progress made so far was “ fragile ” .
“ There ’ s an air of complacency creeping in in relation to Ireland ’ s battle against Covid-19 and we have to push back against it , ” he said .
“ We ’ re at a very delicate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that to be reversed .
I ’ m hearing stories of people beginning to somewhat relax their interpretation of the phrase ‘ stay at home ’ or the 2km rule and I really need to appeal to you not to do that .
“ Do not allow complacency set in .
Do not allow us to say ‘ ah sure we ’ re going well in Ireland and I can let the foot off the pedal ’ .
That would be disastrous .
It could potentially be fatal.
” Mr Harris acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult , adding that he had not seen his own mother for weeks .
“ I really miss her and I think she misses me too… It ’ s the simple things you miss , and the simple things that we all miss and perhaps take for granted… I think when this time is over I don ’ t think we ’ ll ever take those things for granted again.
” The Minister said being separated from family and friends at this time is much better that the alternative of overwhelmed intensive care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and significantly higher rates of coronavirus related deaths .
“ We can ’ t let that happen so let ’ s keep at it and let ’ s make these two weeks count.
” The president of the intensive care society of Ireland Dr Catherine Motherway has warned that until a vaccine is found people are going to have to be “ very careful how we live.
” Dr Motherway told RTÉ radio ’ s Today with Séan O ’ Rourke show that it was unlikely that the virus can be suppressed which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ some form of treatment.
” Prof Paddy Mallon , an expert in infectious diseases , also warned against complacency about Covid-19 as “ huge strides ” had been made to get Ireland to the “ ideal position ” to fight the pandemic .
However , he said what happens in the next two weeks would be key to navigating a way out of the restrictions .
“ Any slippage would mean we lose ground .
We need to hold position , ” he told Newstalk Breakfast .
“ If we lose any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will set us back and this situation will last even longer.
” He said that in the next two weeks getting a handle on the situation in nursing homes and delivering more testing faster were “ really vital ” .
Prof Mallon said taking tests and providing results within 24 hours would help to provide real time data “ to tell us where we are ” .
He said there was enough capacity and trained staff to carry out large scale testing but that the processes needed to be put in place to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doable .
We have the machinery in place to test ourselves out of this , ” he said .
Mr Harris warned that the battle against Covid-19 would go on “ for a long time ” and that he did not expect a “ light switch moment ” on May 5th when restrictions could suddenly be reversed .
While he would like to see schools reopen , he underlined that this would only happen when public health experts confirm it is safe to do so .
“ I know that it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s hard for parents too .
I know it ’ s hard from a mental health point of view or wellbeing point of view .
But let me be really clear , we won ’ t be relaxing any rules until public health doctors think it ’ s a good idea.
” Mr Harris said he would speak with his European counterparts by teleconference on Monday to share updates on how efforts to tackle the virus are going across the European Union .
A Cabinet meeting will also be held by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curb the spread of the virus in Ireland , he said .
He said the testing of residents and staff in care insitutions would be the priority for this week .
Prof Jack Lambert , a consultant on infectious disease , said widespread testing for Covid-19 in nursing homes and residential facilities would be “ a good start ” but that it needs to be linked to rapid treatment and contact tracing .
He said there was a need for an action plan to provide additional care and treatment for residents and staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acute hospitals ought to be be re-deployed quickly to these facilities to boost treatment plans .
He told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland that patients in nursing homes and residential facilities were not currently getting all the medical care they need .
He said it was important to ensure increased testing had a positive effect and that patients were not just left in understaffed nursing homes afterwards .
Prof Lambert said “ boots on the ground ” were needed in the sector as many nursing homes were under-resourced in terms of staff and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuing to emerge in them .
It was possible to limit spread in a facility between patients and staff , he said , but this requires more staff to be brought into homes to support them “ in any way we can ” .
He said he had heard of some nursing homes with no GP support and a lack of nurses .

Members of the public should continue following Covid-19 restrictions as complacency could lead to disastrous and "potentially fatal" outcomes, Minister for Health Simon Harris has said.
In a video posted on Twitter, Mr Harris called on people to continue staying at home and underlined that any progress made so far was “fragile”.
“There’s an air of complacency creeping in in relation to Ireland’s battle against Covid-19 and we have to push back against it,” he said.
“We’re at a very delicate moment and it would not take much for that to be reversed. I’m hearing stories of people beginning to somewhat relax their interpretation of the phrase ‘stay at home’ or the 2km rule and I really need to appeal to you not to do that.
READ MORE
"Do not allow complacency set in. Do not allow us to say 'ah sure we're going well in Ireland and I can let the foot off the pedal'. That would be disastrous. It could potentially be fatal."
Difficult
Mr Harris acknowledged that being separated from loved ones was difficult, adding that he had not seen his own mother for weeks.
“I really miss her and I think she misses me too… It’s the simple things you miss, and the simple things that we all miss and perhaps take for granted… I think when this time is over I don’t think we’ll ever take those things for granted again.”
The Minister said being separated from family and friends at this time is much better that the alternative of overwhelmed intensive care units (ICUs), packed hospitals and significantly higher rates of coronavirus related deaths.
“We can’t let that happen so let’s keep at it and let’s make these two weeks count.”
The president of the intensive care society of Ireland Dr Catherine Motherway has warned that until a vaccine is found people are going to have to be “very careful how we live.”
Dr Motherway told RTÉ radio’s Today with Séan O’Rourke show that it was unlikely that the virus can be suppressed which reinforced the need for a vaccine and “some form of treatment.”
Prof Paddy Mallon, an expert in infectious diseases, also warned against complacency about Covid-19 as “huge strides” had been made to get Ireland to the “ideal position” to fight the pandemic.
However, he said what happens in the next two weeks would be key to navigating a way out of the restrictions.
“Any slippage would mean we lose ground. We need to hold position,” he told Newstalk Breakfast. “If we lose any ground in the next two weeks it will set us back and this situation will last even longer.”
He said that in the next two weeks getting a handle on the situation in nursing homes and delivering more testing faster were “really vital”.
Prof Mallon said taking tests and providing results within 24 hours would help to provide real time data “to tell us where we are”.
He said there was enough capacity and trained staff to carry out large scale testing but that the processes needed to be put in place to do this.
“It is eminently doable. We have the machinery in place to test ourselves out of this,” he said.
Mr Harris warned that the battle against Covid-19 would go on “for a long time” and that he did not expect a “light switch moment” on May 5th when restrictions could suddenly be reversed.
Schools
While he would like to see schools reopen, he underlined that this would only happen when public health experts confirm it is safe to do so.
“I know that it’s hard for kids being off school, it’s hard for parents too. I know it’s hard from a mental health point of view or wellbeing point of view. But let me be really clear, we won’t be relaxing any rules until public health doctors think it’s a good idea.”
Mr Harris said he would speak with his European counterparts by teleconference on Monday to share updates on how efforts to tackle the virus are going across the European Union. A Cabinet meeting will also be held by the Taoiseach to discuss ongoing efforts to curb the spread of the virus in Ireland, he said.
He said the testing of residents and staff in care insitutions would be the priority for this week.
Prof Jack Lambert, a consultant on infectious disease, said widespread testing for Covid-19 in nursing homes and residential facilities would be “a good start” but that it needs to be linked to rapid treatment and contact tracing.
He said there was a need for an action plan to provide additional care and treatment for residents and staff in these facilities and that staff from acute hospitals ought to be be re-deployed quickly to these facilities to boost treatment plans.
Understaffed
He told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that patients in nursing homes and residential facilities were not currently getting all the medical care they need. He said it was important to ensure increased testing had a positive effect and that patients were not just left in understaffed nursing homes afterwards.
Prof Lambert said “boots on the ground” were needed in the sector as many nursing homes were under-resourced in terms of staff and expertise and clusters of the virus were continuing to emerge in them.
It was possible to limit spread in a facility between patients and staff, he said, but this requires more staff to be brought into homes to support them “in any way we can”. He said he had heard of some nursing homes with no GP support and a lack of nurses.


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--Ireland may endure repeated waves of Covid-19 epidemics

Ireland may have to cope with repeated waves of Covid-19 epidemics until a large enough proportion of the population is infected to provide possible herd immunity , new research warns .
At best , there may be three more cycles of infection before 60 per cent of the population have the virus , regarded as sufficient to provide potential herd immunity , according to the modelling analysis led by an Irish scientist at King ’ s College London .
However , it could take up to nine further waves of infection – and ensuing lockdowns – before possible herd immunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed by Dr Rosalyn Moran and her fellow researchers .
The issue of herd immunity has been the subject of intense debate however during the Covid-19 pandemic with WHO epidemiologists warning in recent days that there was no proof yet that having had a coronavirus infection will confer immunity for a significant period of time .
The current outbreak in Ireland is peaking around now , according to the King ’ s College analysis , which estimates the eventual cumulative death toll at between 1,008 and 1,250 .
Dr Moran emphasises there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the modelling predictions made in the research which , she says , shows the need for Ireland to replicate South Korean levels of testing for the virus and contact tracing for known cases .
The number of deaths and confirmed cases reported in the Republic on Sunday both showed a slight decline on recent days .
Another 39 people died from Covid-19 , while there were a further 493 confirmed cases of the virus , the Health Protection Surveillance Centre said .
There have now been 610 Covid-19-related deaths in the State , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 15,251 .
Minister for Health Simon Harris said on Sunday night he feared an air of complacency was “ creeping in ” in relation to Ireland ’ s battle against Covid-19 which has to be pushed back against .
“ We are making really good progress ... but the progress is fragile .
We are in a very delicate moment and it would not take much for that to be reversed , ” he said .
He appealed to people not to become relaxed about the restrictions .
“ Now is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be disastrous , it could potentially be fatal , ” he added .
All but two of the deaths reported on Sunday were in the east of the country .
Dr Moran ’ s research suggests somewhere between 6.5 per cent and 16.7 per cent of the Irish population will have been affected by the current epidemic of coronavirus , and therefore may enjoy some immunity from the disease .
In the UK , where 50,000 deaths are forecast by the research , it is estimated 19.6 per cent will have been affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which looked at the number of “ lockdown cycles ” that may be needed in seven European countries , says a large proportion of the total population in each country will remain without immunity after the current wave of infection .
“ This suggests that in the absence of strong seasonal effects , new medications or more comprehensive contact tracing , a further set of epidemic waves in different geographic centres are likely .
These findings may have implications for ‘ exit strategies ’ from any lockdown stage.
” The Health Service Executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people waiting for Covid-19 tests .
It said 27 laboratories , including one in Germany , are now processing 10,000 test results a day .
Over the weekend , 4,000 staff and residents in nursing homes were tested as part of a heightened response by the HSE to escalating cases and deaths in the sector .
The number of outbreaks or suspected outbreaks in long-term residential care facilities now stands at 248 , according to the HSE .
Meanwhile , the biggest teachers ’ union in the State has warned the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be guaranteed before any decision is taken to reopen primary schools .
The Irish National Teachers Organisation ( INTO ) was responding to comments by Mr Harris , who raised the possibility of a partial reopening of schools at the weekend .
If schools do reopen it could be on the basis of a day a week , the Minister suggested .
But last night Mr Harris said : “ We are going to have this virus with us for a long time .
I don ’ t expect a light switch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions which are in place are all of a sudden reversed.
” Meanwhile Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was due to receive on Sunday night the results of a review into the rules around foreign workers and travel .
Mr Varadkar ordered the review after fruit producer Keelings flew almost 200 Bulgarians into Ireland to work on its farms .
The 189 workers arrived into Dublin on a chartered aircraft last week to carry out seasonal work on Keelings fruit farms .
It is understood that a series of options will be presented in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cabinet Covid 19 committee on Monday .
A Government source said the issue was “ difficult ” as the workers could be considered essential workers , but concerns remained about the safety of the travel arrangements .
Sources said one option that is likely to be considered on foot of the review is checking in on those who travel into Ireland to ensure that they remain in isolation for the designated 14 day period .
There are now more than 2.3 million cases of coronavirus around the world and more than 160,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopkins University .

A youngster and her puppy, Jack, on the beach at Portrush in Co Antrim as the sun goes down. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, visitors from outside the area have been warned to stay away from the causeway coast. Photograph: Margaret McLaughlin
Ireland may have to cope with repeated waves of Covid-19 epidemics until a large enough proportion of the population is infected to provide possible herd immunity, new research warns.
At best, there may be three more cycles of infection before 60 per cent of the population have the virus, regarded as sufficient to provide potential herd immunity, according to the modelling analysis led by an Irish scientist at King’s College London.
However, it could take up to nine further waves of infection – and ensuing lockdowns – before possible herd immunity is reached, under a second model developed by Dr Rosalyn Moran and her fellow researchers.
The issue of herd immunity has been the subject of intense debate however during the Covid-19 pandemic with WHO epidemiologists warning in recent days that there was no proof yet that having had a coronavirus infection will confer immunity for a significant period of time.
READ MORE
The current outbreak in Ireland is peaking around now, according to the King’s College analysis, which estimates the eventual cumulative death toll at between 1,008 and 1,250.
Dr Moran emphasises there is “nothing set in stone” about the modelling predictions made in the research which, she says, shows the need for Ireland to replicate South Korean levels of testing for the virus and contact tracing for known cases.
The number of deaths and confirmed cases reported in the Republic on Sunday both showed a slight decline on recent days. Another 39 people died from Covid-19, while there were a further 493 confirmed cases of the virus, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre said.
There have now been 610 Covid-19-related deaths in the State, while the number of confirmed cases stands at 15,251.
Air of complacency
Minister for Health Simon Harris said on Sunday night he feared an air of complacency was "creeping in" in relation to Ireland's battle against Covid-19 which has to be pushed back against. "We are making really good progress ... but the progress is fragile. We are in a very delicate moment and it would not take much for that to be reversed," he said.
He appealed to people not to become relaxed about the restrictions. “Now is not the time for complacency ... that would be disastrous, it could potentially be fatal,” he added.
All but two of the deaths reported on Sunday were in the east of the country.
Dr Moran’s research suggests somewhere between 6.5 per cent and 16.7 per cent of the Irish population will have been affected by the current epidemic of coronavirus, and therefore may enjoy some immunity from the disease. In the UK, where 50,000 deaths are forecast by the research, it is estimated 19.6 per cent will have been affected by its outbreak.
The research, which looked at the number of “lockdown cycles” that may be needed in seven European countries, says a large proportion of the total population in each country will remain without immunity after the current wave of infection.
“This suggests that in the absence of strong seasonal effects, new medications or more comprehensive contact tracing, a further set of epidemic waves in different geographic centres are likely. These findings may have implications for ‘exit strategies’ from any lockdown stage.”
Eliminated backlog
The Health Service Executive said yesterday it has eliminated the backlog of people waiting for Covid-19 tests. It said 27 laboratories, including one in Germany, are now processing 10,000 test results a day.
Over the weekend, 4,000 staff and residents in nursing homes were tested as part of a heightened response by the HSE to escalating cases and deaths in the sector. The number of outbreaks or suspected outbreaks in long-term residential care facilities now stands at 248, according to the HSE.
Meanwhile, the biggest teachers’ union in the State has warned the health and safety of pupils and teaching staff must be guaranteed before any decision is taken to reopen primary schools.
The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) was responding to comments by Mr Harris, who raised the possibility of a partial reopening of schools at the weekend.
If schools do reopen it could be on the basis of a day a week, the Minister suggested.
But last night Mr Harris said: “We are going to have this virus with us for a long time. I don’t expect a light switch moment on the 5th of May where restrictions which are in place are all of a sudden reversed.”
Meanwhile Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was due to receive on Sunday night the results of a review into the rules around foreign workers and travel.
Bulgarian workers
Mr Varadkar ordered the review after fruit producer Keelings flew almost 200 Bulgarians into Ireland to work on its farms.
The 189 workers arrived into Dublin on a chartered aircraft last week to carry out seasonal work on Keelings fruit farms. It is understood that a series of options will be presented in the paper which will then be considered by the Cabinet Covid 19 committee on Monday. A Government source said the issue was “difficult” as the workers could be considered essential workers, but concerns remained about the safety of the travel arrangements.
Sources said one option that is likely to be considered on foot of the review is checking in on those who travel into Ireland to ensure that they remain in isolation for the designated 14 day period.
There are now more than 2.3 million cases of coronavirus around the world and more than 160,000 deaths, according to tracking by Johns Hopkins University.


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--Coronavirus: Herd immunity may take multiple waves of infection – study

Ireland and other European countries are at risk of multiple further waves of infection from Covid-19 until the population develops possible herd immunity , according to new research led by an Irish scientist .
Although the current outbreak of the disease is peaking about now , there could be at least three further outbreaks in Ireland after the current one ends , the research by a team at King ’ s College London suggests .
Less than 20 per cent of the population of Ireland and six other countries would have possible immunity after the first wave of the infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be open to infection in further waves , it said .
In Ireland , at most 16.7 per cent of the population would be affected , compared with 19.6 per cent in the UK , the researchers estimated .
In the absence of a vaccine , this could mean at least three further waves of the virus before possible herd immunity would be acquired , according to lead author Dr Rosalyn Moran .
However , the number of subsequent waves could increase to nine under a different forecasting model used in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first wave due to more effective social distancing .
Herd immunity , the proportion of the population that needs to be immune to a disease to interrupt its transmission , is assumed at 60 per cent in the study .
“ The notion that the first wave of infection is close to its peak begs the question of whether future peaks or ‘ second waves ’ are likely , ” according to Dr Moran .
“ We sought to determine the current size of susceptible population for seven European countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave .
“ We compare these numbers to the total population sizes of these countries , in order to investigate the potential for future peaks.
” The issue of herd immunity has been the subject of intense debate however during the Covid-19 pandemic with WHO epidemiologists warning in recent days that there was no proof yet that having had a coronavirus infection will confer immunity for a significant period of time .
According to the study , a large proportion of the total population in each country will remain without immunity after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggests that in the absence of strong seasonal effects , new medications or more comprehensive contact tracing , a further set of epidemic waves in different geographic centres are likely .
These findings may have implications for ‘ exit strategies ’ from any lockdown stage.
” Ireland ’ s current outbreak is predicted to peak next Wednesday under one model used in the study , and to have peaked on April 9th under another .
The estimated number of daily cases varies between 392 and 720 under the two models , while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the UK , the two models suggest about 50,000 deaths in a first wave of infection .
“ Both models predicted that we are currently nearing or past the peak of daily case rates in all seven countries , ” says Dr Moran .
“ However , the estimates suggest that after this cycle , more than 80 per cent of each country ’ s total population in all countries studied remain susceptible .
Therefore , we assume that future cycles will occur.
” The authors say there is a trade-off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the length of a cycle of infection , and they say it is possible specific populations within an outbreak area could reach potential herd immunity after the current cycle .
The research has not yet been peer reviewed and the authors acknowledge it was conducted “ with haste ” due to the current crisis .
In Ireland , modelling research conducted for the National Public Health Emergency Team has found the current outbreak is plateauing about now , but has also warned of possible future surges after the easing of restrictions if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falls .

The research has not yet been peer reviewed and the authors acknowledge it was conducted ‘with haste’
Ireland and other European countries are at risk of multiple further waves of infection from Covid-19 until the population develops possible herd immunity, according to new research led by an Irish scientist.
Although the current outbreak of the disease is peaking about now, there could be at least three further outbreaks in Ireland after the current one ends, the research by a team at King’s College London suggests.
Less than 20 per cent of the population of Ireland and six other countries would have possible immunity after the first wave of the infection, meaning the rest of the population could be open to infection in further waves, it said.
In Ireland, at most 16.7 per cent of the population would be affected, compared with 19.6 per cent in the UK, the researchers estimated.
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In the absence of a vaccine, this could mean at least three further waves of the virus before possible herd immunity would be acquired, according to lead author Dr Rosalyn Moran.
However, the number of subsequent waves could increase to nine under a different forecasting model used in the study that assumed fewer people were infected in the first wave due to more effective social distancing.
Herd immunity, the proportion of the population that needs to be immune to a disease to interrupt its transmission, is assumed at 60 per cent in the study.
“The notion that the first wave of infection is close to its peak begs the question of whether future peaks or ‘second waves’ are likely,” according to Dr Moran. “We sought to determine the current size of susceptible population for seven European countries, to estimate immunity levels following this first wave.
“We compare these numbers to the total population sizes of these countries, in order to investigate the potential for future peaks.”
The issue of herd immunity has been the subject of intense debate however during the Covid-19 pandemic with WHO epidemiologists warning in recent days that there was no proof yet that having had a coronavirus infection will confer immunity for a significant period of time.
According to the study, a large proportion of the total population in each country will remain without immunity after the current wave of infection. “This suggests that in the absence of strong seasonal effects, new medications or more comprehensive contact tracing, a further set of epidemic waves in different geographic centres are likely. These findings may have implications for ‘exit strategies’ from any lockdown stage.”
First peak
Ireland’s current outbreak is predicted to peak next Wednesday under one model used in the study, and to have peaked on April 9th under another. The estimated number of daily cases varies between 392 and 720 under the two models, while the cumulative death toll is put at 1,008-1,250.
In the UK, the two models suggest about 50,000 deaths in a first wave of infection.
“Both models predicted that we are currently nearing or past the peak of daily case rates in all seven countries,” says Dr Moran.
“However, the estimates suggest that after this cycle, more than 80 per cent of each country’s total population in all countries studied remain susceptible. Therefore, we assume that future cycles will occur.”
The authors say there is a trade-off between the size of the susceptible population and the length of a cycle of infection, and they say it is possible specific populations within an outbreak area could reach potential herd immunity after the current cycle.
The research has not yet been peer reviewed and the authors acknowledge it was conducted “with haste” due to the current crisis.
In Ireland, modelling research conducted for the National Public Health Emergency Team has found the current outbreak is plateauing about now, but has also warned of possible future surges after the easing of restrictions if adherence to social distancing and other measures falls.


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--Irish troops set to return home from Mali despite UN request to extend mission

Irish special forces troops are expected to rotate home from Mali by the end of April , despite a request from the United Nations to extend their mission due to coronavirus .
Fourteen Army Ranger Wing ( ARW ) personnel were deployed to the troubled west-African nation last year in a counter-terrorism role as part of a UN stabilisation mission .
The current contingent were due home at the end of April but this was thrown into doubt when UN secretary-general António Guterres ordered all rotations be delayed until June 30th to prevent personnel bringing coronavirus into vulnerable countries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask for an exemption to the order and has requested Germany to aid in the repatriation of the Irish troops .
It is understood discussions on logistics are nearly complete and the soldiers will likely be brought home in about a week before self-isolating for 14 days .
The ARW replacement personnel will also be flown to Mali by the German Luftwaffe .
It is understood the outgoing troops are already in isolation in Germany in preparation for deployment .
Seven Irish troops serving in Mali under a separate EU training mission were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spanish/Irish operation .
Questions remain over when the far bigger Irish peacekeeping contingent on the Unifil mission in Lebanon will be rotated home .
Sources in the Department of Defence said bringing the 380 person contingent home is far more complicated due to its size and UN worries about their replacements bringing coronavirus into Lebanon .
Officials fear a repeat of its mission to Haiti in 2010 when peacekeepers brought in cholera , which went on to kill some 10,000 .
Irish Defence officials have drafted several contingency plans , including having the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glen of Imaal training grounds in Wicklow for two weeks before deploying .
The Irish Unifil troops were originally due to rotate in mid-May .
“ It ’ s much tougher than the Malian situation .
We ’ re trying but we just don ’ t know if it will happen .
We don ’ t want to get families ’ hopes up , ” a defence official said .
A department of Defence spokeswoman said officials were “ engaging with the mission and with mission commanders and examining options around the facilitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would take place as close as possible to the original planned dates in May ” .
Independent TD and former ARW commander Dr Cathal Berry said if troops can be brought home from Mali , there is “ no reason ” they can not come home from Lebanon .
“ The soldiers have no problems but it ’ s very tough for the families .
There are people out there who haven ’ t seen their first-born child.
” Unlike most other EU countries , Ireland does not have long-range military transport aircraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charter flights to move troops .
Dr Berry said there is no reason Aer Lingus can not be used .
“ If they can fly to China to collect PPE they can fly to Beruit , ” he said .
The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers ( Raco ) also called on the Government “ to expend all necessary efforts to ensure our citizens in uniform can return safely to their families , as others have , while adhering to public health advice ” .
The UN said countries can ask for exemptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adequate quarantine measures for troops .
UCD foreign policy professor Ben Tonra said it is “ out of character ” for Ireland not to comply with UN directions .
“ But the UN has to deal with what it ’ s got and there is always a recognition that member states will act in their national interest.
” He said , while the move “ won ’ t be a black mark against us ” with the UN , it could impact Ireland ’ s campaign for a seat on the Security Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home may even enhance Ireland ’ s standing with the UN .
“ It would prove we are a first-world nation capable of adhering to strict conditions .
”

Irish special forces troops are expected to rotate home from Mali by the end of April, despite a request from the United Nations to extend their mission due to coronavirus.
Fourteen Army Ranger Wing (ARW) personnel were deployed to the troubled west-African nation last year in a counter-terrorism role as part of a UN stabilisation mission.
The current contingent were due home at the end of April but this was thrown into doubt when UN secretary-general António Guterres ordered all rotations be delayed until June 30th to prevent personnel bringing coronavirus into vulnerable countries.
Self-isolating
However, the Government has decided to ask for an exemption to the order and has requested Germany to aid in the repatriation of the Irish troops. It is understood discussions on logistics are nearly complete and the soldiers will likely be brought home in about a week before self-isolating for 14 days.
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The ARW replacement personnel will also be flown to Mali by the German Luftwaffe. It is understood the outgoing troops are already in isolation in Germany in preparation for deployment.
Seven Irish troops serving in Mali under a separate EU training mission were repatriated over the weekend in a joint Spanish/Irish operation.
Questions remain over when the far bigger Irish peacekeeping contingent on the Unifil mission in Lebanon will be rotated home. Sources in the Department of Defence said bringing the 380 person contingent home is far more complicated due to its size and UN worries about their replacements bringing coronavirus into Lebanon.
Officials fear a repeat of its mission to Haiti in 2010 when peacekeepers brought in cholera, which went on to kill some 10,000.
Irish Defence officials have drafted several contingency plans, including having the replacement troops self-isolate in billets at the Glen of Imaal training grounds in Wicklow for two weeks before deploying.
The Irish Unifil troops were originally due to rotate in mid-May. “It’s much tougher than the Malian situation. We’re trying but we just don’t know if it will happen. We don’t want to get families’ hopes up,” a defence official said.
A department of Defence spokeswoman said officials were “engaging with the mission and with mission commanders and examining options around the facilitation of a rotation for UNIFIL, that would take place as close as possible to the original planned dates in May”.
Independent TD and former ARW commander Dr Cathal Berry said if troops can be brought home from Mali, there is "no reason" they cannot come home from Lebanon.
“The soldiers have no problems but it’s very tough for the families. There are people out there who haven’t seen their first-born child.”
Unlike most other EU countries, Ireland does not have long-range military transport aircraft, meaning it has to rely on charter flights to move troops. Dr Berry said there is no reason Aer Lingus cannot be used. "If they can fly to China to collect PPE they can fly to Beruit," he said.
The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (Raco) also called on the Government “to expend all necessary efforts to ensure our citizens in uniform can return safely to their families, as others have, while adhering to public health advice”.
Quarantine measures
The UN said countries can ask for exemptions to the extension if they can guarantee adequate quarantine measures for troops.
UCD foreign policy professor Ben Tonra said it is "out of character" for Ireland not to comply with UN directions.
"But the UN has to deal with what it's got and there is always a recognition that member states will act in their national interest." He said, while the move "won't be a black mark against us" with the UN, it could impact Ireland's campaign for a seat on the Security Council.
Dr Berry said bringing the troops home may even enhance Ireland’s standing with the UN. “It would prove we are a first-world nation capable of adhering to strict conditions.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--China-based Corkman in the right place at the right time for Ireland

When the Green Jersey awards are being handed out for service during the national pandemic there is sure to be one with the name of Dr Paul O ’ Brien on it .
A China-based doctor and regulatory expert , Dr O ’ Brien could be said to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time when the Covid-19 outbreak started in that country at the beginning of the year .
However , the 35-year-old Corkman proved to be the right man in the right place for Ireland when the disease started heading to Europe and he realised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our efforts to deal with the crisis .
He first came to public attention when he wrote an open letter online to chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan and HSE boss Paul Reid in early March critiquing aspects of the national response to the pandemic .
Based on his conversations with Chinese medics , he believed – correctly – that Europe was at the time sleepwalking itself into a crisis .
“ I was very worried because I had been in touch with Chinese docs and they said we seemed not to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But whereas others might have preferred to hurl on the ditch , O ’ Brien , eschewing an overtly political approach , has been of enormous practical assistance in sourcing help from China to bring to bear on the emerging crisis back at home .
When the disease was still confined to China , he had been involved in trying to source personal protective equipment for local doctors from Europe .
Now , he used his expertise to procure PPE to send from China to Ireland .
From Montenotte , he got in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn and respiratory consultant Oisin O ’ Connell .
A WhatsApp group was set up which has become a lively forum for sourcing equipment and exchanging ideas on how best to address problem areas as the pandemic approached .
Many of the supply issues for PPE and ventilators were solved through contacts on this group .
O ’ Brien organised teleconferences in which Chinese doctors from Wuhan shared their expertise in fighting coronavirus .
Another Corkman , Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin , was brought in to lend “ gravitas ” and help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also translated a 146-page protocol used in a Chinese hospital so it could advise Irish hospitals on how best to treat patients with the virus .
Meanwhile , O ’ Brien ’ s own life is on hold .
Having studied genetics and food science , he had gone to China to train as a doctor at Zhejiang University .
He is now married to a local woman and they have a young child .
He had been due to travel to the US to do his final exams for practising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
And while he has applied to Ireland On Call , his Chinese qualifications are unlikely to be recognised quickly enough back at home .
He is , however , optimistic that Ireland will succeed in curbing the advance of the virus and that a vaccine will be developed more quickly than many people expect .

When the Green Jersey awards are being handed out for service during the national pandemic there is sure to be one with the name of Dr Paul O’Brien on it.
A China-based doctor and regulatory expert, Dr O'Brien could be said to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time when the Covid-19 outbreak started in that country at the beginning of the year.
However, the 35-year-old Corkman proved to be the right man in the right place for Ireland when the disease started heading to Europe and he realised he could play a major role in our efforts to deal with the crisis.
He first came to public attention when he wrote an open letter online to chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan and HSE boss Paul Reid in early March critiquing aspects of the national response to the pandemic. Based on his conversations with Chinese medics, he believed – correctly – that Europe was at the time sleepwalking itself into a crisis.
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“I was very worried because I had been in touch with Chinese docs and they said we seemed not to know what we’re in for.”
But whereas others might have preferred to hurl on the ditch, O'Brien, eschewing an overtly political approach, has been of enormous practical assistance in sourcing help from China to bring to bear on the emerging crisis back at home.
When the disease was still confined to China, he had been involved in trying to source personal protective equipment for local doctors from Europe. Now, he used his expertise to procure PPE to send from China to Ireland.
Cork roots
From Montenotte, he got in touch with fellow Corkmen, GP Nick Flynn and respiratory consultant Oisin O'Connell. A WhatsApp group was set up which has become a lively forum for sourcing equipment and exchanging ideas on how best to address problem areas as the pandemic approached. Many of the supply issues for PPE and ventilators were solved through contacts on this group.
O'Brien organised teleconferences in which Chinese doctors from Wuhan shared their expertise in fighting coronavirus. Another Corkman, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, was brought in to lend "gravitas" and help nail deals for the supply of equipment.
He also translated a 146-page protocol used in a Chinese hospital so it could advise Irish hospitals on how best to treat patients with the virus.
Meanwhile, O'Brien's own life is on hold. Having studied genetics and food science, he had gone to China to train as a doctor at Zhejiang University. He is now married to a local woman and they have a young child.
He had been due to travel to the US to do his final exams for practising medicine there but this was scuppered by the pandemic. And while he has applied to Ireland On Call, his Chinese qualifications are unlikely to be recognised quickly enough back at home.
He is, however, optimistic that Ireland will succeed in curbing the advance of the virus and that a vaccine will be developed more quickly than many people expect.


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--Group of 70 asylum seekers transferred from Dublin despite case of Covid-19

The Department of Justice last month transferred 70 asylum seekers across the country despite a recent confirmed case of Covid-19 at the Dublin hotel where they had been living , The Irish Times has learned .
A department spokesman confirmed that a guest who checked into the hotel – a branch of chain Travelodge near Dublin Airport – on March 7th fell ill and was hospitalised the next day , before being diagnosed with Covid-19 .
While the guest did not return to the hotel , members of the party they were travelling with stayed there under advice to self-isolate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hotel without developing symptoms on March 22nd .
It is understood that members of staff at the Travelodge later tested positive for Covid-19 .
Meanwhile , on March 18th and 19th , the group of 70 international protection applicants – many of whom had been living at the hotel for months – were moved to two separate emergency direct provision centres .
One of the centres is the Skellig Star Hotel in Cahersiveen , Co Kerry , where four cases of Covid-19 have since been diagnosed .
None of the cases diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transferred from the Dublin hotel , it is understood .
While the exact chains of infection which caused the cases in the Travelodge and the direct provision centre in Cahersiveen are not known , Opposition figures said the case raises concerns .
Catherine Murphy , co-leader of the Social Democrats , said it was “ exceptionally worrying to think that a group of people , whom the HSE were aware had shared a facility with a confirmed case of Covid-19 , were moved across the country without , it appears , any testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to comment on when it became aware of the case of Covid-19 in the hotel .
It said the HSE was aware of the case and “ was consulted by the hotel and provided guidance ” .
However , the department would not clarify if the hotel or the HSE contacted it regarding the case of Covid-19 and the ongoing presence of the other members of the travelling party at the hotel .
It said it “ would only be notified by the HSE of confirmed cases relating to other individuals if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing so ” .
Citing GDPR concerns , a spokeswoman for the HSE declined to answer questions about when it first became aware of the case , and whether it informed the Department of Justice .
Travelodge , which has since hosted more international protection applicants , did not respond to a request for comment , including whether it had told the department about the confirmed Covid-19 case .
Ms Murphy said it was “ imperative now that the department clarify when they were made aware of the confirmed case of infection in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from ” .
“ We need to understand why , if they knew about the infection , they made a decision to proceed with the move , or if the HSE neglected to inform the department of the potential exposure even when it became clear that the department intended to move the people.
” The department said the relocation took place to “ de-risk to the greatest extent possible by ensuring that our residents were not residing in any premises that was not in the exclusive use of the department ” .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be organising such transfers “ in the midst of a pandemic given the public health advice regarding staying in one place and restricting movement ” .
The department said it had put a “ stringent response to Covid-19 ” in place across its accommodation centres .
Asylum seekers currently living at the Skellig Hotel told The Irish Times they were living two to a room .

Travelodge, which has since hosted more international protection applicants, did not respond to a request for comment.
The Department of Justice last month transferred 70 asylum seekers across the country despite a recent confirmed case of Covid-19 at the Dublin hotel where they had been living, The Irish Times has learned.
A department spokesman confirmed that a guest who checked into the hotel – a branch of chain Travelodge near Dublin Airport – on March 7th fell ill and was hospitalised the next day, before being diagnosed with Covid-19.
While the guest did not return to the hotel, members of the party they were travelling with stayed there under advice to self-isolate for another two weeks. They left the hotel without developing symptoms on March 22nd. It is understood that members of staff at the Travelodge later tested positive for Covid-19.
Meanwhile, on March 18th and 19th, the group of 70 international protection applicants – many of whom had been living at the hotel for months – were moved to two separate emergency direct provision centres.
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One of the centres is the Skellig Star Hotel in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry, where four cases of Covid-19 have since been diagnosed. None of the cases diagnosed in Cahersiveen are among those who were transferred from the Dublin hotel, it is understood.
While the exact chains of infection which caused the cases in the Travelodge and the direct provision centre in Cahersiveen are not known, Opposition figures said the case raises concerns.
‘Exceptionally worrying’
Catherine Murphy, co-leader of the Social Democrats, said it was "exceptionally worrying to think that a group of people, whom the HSE were aware had shared a facility with a confirmed case of Covid-19, were moved across the country without, it appears, any testing having taken place".
The department declined to comment on when it became aware of the case of Covid-19 in the hotel. It said the HSE was aware of the case and “was consulted by the hotel and provided guidance”. However, the department would not clarify if the hotel or the HSE contacted it regarding the case of Covid-19 and the ongoing presence of the other members of the travelling party at the hotel. It said it “would only be notified by the HSE of confirmed cases relating to other individuals if there was a public health reason for doing so”.
Citing GDPR concerns, a spokeswoman for the HSE declined to answer questions about when it first became aware of the case, and whether it informed the Department of Justice.
Travelodge, which has since hosted more international protection applicants, did not respond to a request for comment, including whether it had told the department about the confirmed Covid-19 case.
Ms Murphy said it was “imperative now that the department clarify when they were made aware of the confirmed case of infection in the facility that these people were moved from”.
“We need to understand why, if they knew about the infection, they made a decision to proceed with the move, or if the HSE neglected to inform the department of the potential exposure even when it became clear that the department intended to move the people.”
The department said the relocation took place to “de-risk to the greatest extent possible by ensuring that our residents were not residing in any premises that was not in the exclusive use of the department”.
The Kildare North TD asked whether the department should be organising such transfers "in the midst of a pandemic given the public health advice regarding staying in one place and restricting movement".
The department said it had put a "stringent response to Covid-19" in place across its accommodation centres. Asylum seekers currently living at the Skellig Hotel told The Irish Times they were living two to a room.