theirishtimes--2020-05-01--High Court orders hospital detention of man with dementia

A man with dementia and other serious health conditions is to be detained in hospital by High Court order due to concerns his life would be “ in jeopardy ” if removed from there .
A hospital multi-disciplinary team was of the view the man , a widower in his 70s , lacks capacity and requires long-term care , David Leahy BL , for the HSE , said .
The team believed his discharge home is not appropriate for reasons including his health situation , he is a significant falls risk and there are concerns over how some of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the children have substance abuse issues and the man ’ s pension payments had been suspended due to concerns about where they were going , counsel said .
Since the man was admitted to hospital last November following a fall while intoxicated , there was only one “ welfare-motivated ” contact to the hospital from one of his sons , counsel added .
Another son had contacted the hospital seeking to be paid for doing his father ’ s laundry .
Some of the children had said they wanted to bring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and had concerns about the motivation seeking to have him brought home .
Family members had also failed to attend meetings organised by the hospital to discuss the man ’ s future care but had sometimes later turned up without notice to the hospital .
Mr Leahy said he would have liked to have set out the man ’ s own wishes but , arising from his dementia , he lacked insight and had been unable to understand questions or communicate his views , counsel said .
He was unable to retain information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a permanent condition .
Doctors who assessed the man were of the view , due to his dementia and other health conditions , he was of unsound mind and lacked capacity to make decisions concerning his welfare and finances .
They considered he needs 24-hour care and close clinical supervision in light of his dementia and other health issues , including possible stroke disease and epilepsy .
Mr Justice Mark Heslin said on Friday he was satisfied , on the evidence , including about the man ’ s health conditions and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders for hospital detention were “ entirely appropriate ” and necessary at the moment to protect the man ’ s best interests .
The orders were sought in the context of proceedings to consider whether the man should be made a ward of court and the judge has directed an independent medical visitor should carry out a capacity assessment on the man and report to the court .

Some of the children had said they wanted to bring the man home but the hospital opposed that and had concerns about the motivation seeking to have him brought home. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
A man with dementia and other serious health conditions is to be detained in hospital by High Court order due to concerns his life would be “in jeopardy” if removed from there.
A hospital multi-disciplinary team was of the view the man, a widower in his 70s, lacks capacity and requires long-term care, David Leahy BL, for the HSE, said. The team believed his discharge home is not appropriate for reasons including his health situation, he is a significant falls risk and there are concerns over how some of his adult children interact with him.
Some of the children have substance abuse issues and the man’s pension payments had been suspended due to concerns about where they were going, counsel said.
Since the man was admitted to hospital last November following a fall while intoxicated, there was only one “welfare-motivated” contact to the hospital from one of his sons, counsel added. Another son had contacted the hospital seeking to be paid for doing his father’s laundry.
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Some of the children had said they wanted to bring the man home but the hospital opposed that and had concerns about the motivation seeking to have him brought home. Family members had also failed to attend meetings organised by the hospital to discuss the man’s future care but had sometimes later turned up without notice to the hospital.
Mr Leahy said he would have liked to have set out the man’s own wishes but, arising from his dementia, he lacked insight and had been unable to understand questions or communicate his views, counsel said. He was unable to retain information given to him and doctors considered that was a permanent condition.
Doctors who assessed the man were of the view, due to his dementia and other health conditions, he was of unsound mind and lacked capacity to make decisions concerning his welfare and finances. They considered he needs 24-hour care and close clinical supervision in light of his dementia and other health issues, including possible stroke disease and epilepsy.
Mr Justice Mark Heslin said on Friday he was satisfied, on the evidence, including about the man’s health conditions and the “complex family history”, the orders for hospital detention were “entirely appropriate” and necessary at the moment to protect the man’s best interests.
The orders were sought in the context of proceedings to consider whether the man should be made a ward of court and the judge has directed an independent medical visitor should carry out a capacity assessment on the man and report to the court.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Coronavirus in Northern Ireland: new data reveals 94 extra fatalities

New Covid-19 death figures for Northern Ireland again show that the number of coronavirus fatalities in the North is at least one third higher than the daily figure reported by the Department of Health there .
The latest statistics also show that more than 40 per cent of deaths have occurred in care homes .
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency ( Nisra ) in its weekly bulletin on Friday reported that up until last Friday , April 24th , there were 393 deaths in Northern Ireland involving Covid-19 .
This was 94 deaths higher than the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s health department for Friday April 24th , which was 299 deaths .
The department figures are based on patients having previously tested positive for the virus , whereas the Nisra figures are based on the information entered on death certificates , filled out by medical professionals .
They may or may not have previously tested positive for the virus .
Of Nisra ’ s 393 coronavirus deaths up until April 24th , 209 ( 53.2 per cent ) occurred in hospitals ; 158 ( 40.2 per cent ) in care homes ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospices and 23 ( 5.9 per cent ) at residential addresses or other locations .
People aged 75 and over accounted for just over three-quarters of Covid-19 relating figures while slightly more men ( 50.3 per cent ) than women died from the disease .
Separate figures compiled by Nisra also indicated that these figures do not reflect the true number of coronavirus deaths in Northern Ireland .
It reported that that the provisional number of total deaths registered in Northern Ireland in the week ending April 24th ( week 16 ) was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 and 186 more than the 5-year average of 284 .
Nisra said “ over the last four weeks in total , 596 ‘ excess deaths ’ ( deaths above the average for the corresponding period in previous years ) have been registered in Northern Ireland ” .
The department of health has come in for criticism over the compilation of coronavirus statistics .
A “ dashboard ” containing detailed Covid-19 information was created on April 19th but taken down two days later when some information on it was found to be incorrect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general for regulation of the UK Office for Statistics Regulation wrote to the North ’ s health department complaining about “ serious public concern ” about the Covid-19 data .
He said , “ There are gaps in the data and daily time series have been lost since the statistics began to be issued through DoH news releases .
These gaps and losses need to be addressed.
” The department said the “ dashboard ” would be available from 2 pm on Friday .
Meanwhile , the Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week by DUP agriculture Minister Edwin Poots as “ unhelpful ” .
Mr Poots had suggested that in a graduated approach any easing of the lockdown could start by re-opening churches and garden centres .
Ms O ’ Neill however told BBC Northern Ireland ’ s The View programme on Thursday night that any relaxation of the rules would be “ gradual and slow ” .
Ahead of a Northern Executive review of the restrictions beginning Monday Ms O ’ Neill said there would be no “ quick fix ” while hoping there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way forward .
“ We ’ re going to have to work our way through it as best as we can , ” she said .

Staff and First Responders outside Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry, Co Armagh, take part in Thursday’s nationwide Clap for Carers to recognise and support NHS workers. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
New Covid-19 death figures for Northern Ireland again show the number of coronavirus fatalities in the North is at least one-third higher than the daily figure reported by the Department of Health.
The latest statistics also show more than 40 per cent of deaths have occurred in care homes.
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) in its weekly bulletin on Friday reported that up until the previous Friday, April 24th, there were 393 deaths in Northern Ireland involving Covid-19. This was 94 deaths higher than the total number of deaths recorded by the North's health department for Friday, April 24th, which was 299 deaths.
The department figures are based on patients having previously tested positive for the virus, whereas the Nisra figures are based on the information entered on death certificates, filled out by medical professionals. They may or may not have previously tested positive for the virus.
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Of Nisra’s 393 coronavirus deaths up until April 24th, 209 (53.2 per cent) occurred in hospitals; 158 (40.2 per cent) in care homes; three (0.8 per cent) in hospices and 23 (5.9 per cent) at residential addresses or other locations.
People aged 75 and over accounted for just over three-quarters of Covid-19 related figures while slightly more men (50.3 per cent) than women died from the disease. Separate figures compiled by Nisra also indicated these figures do not reflect the true number of coronavirus deaths in Northern Ireland.
It reported the provisional number of total deaths registered in Northern Ireland in the week ending April 24th (week 16) was 470, 46 more than in week 15 and 186 more than the five-year average of 284.
Nisra said “over the last four weeks in total, 596 “excess deaths” (deaths above the average for the corresponding period in previous years) have been registered in Northern Ireland”.
Censured
Later on Friday afternoon the health department reported 18 more people had died from coronavirus in Northern Ireland. This brings the number of virus deaths, according to the department’s daily list, to 365. It also reported 87 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, leaving the total now at 3,623. So far 27,097 people have been tested for the virus in Northern Ireland.
The North’s Department of Health meanwhile has been censured about its collation of Covid-19 data, amid continuing criticism over how information is being compiled and transmitted to the public.
Ed Humpherson, director general for regulation of the UK Statistics Authority wrote to the North's health department complaining about "serious public concern" about the Covid-19 data.
A “dashboard” containing detailed coronavirus information was created on April 19th but taken down two days later when some information on it was found to be incorrect.
Mr Humpherson said the figures for coronavirus were of “huge public interest” and that “daily surveillance statistics should be released in a transparent, easily accessible and orderly way”.
“There are gaps in the data and daily time series have been lost since the statistics began to be issued through DoH news releases. These gaps and losses need to be addressed,” he added.
The health department “dashboard” finally came back on stream on Friday afternoon.
Dr Eugene Mooney, a senior statistician with the department, responded to Mr Humpherson that the purpose of the “dashboard” was to provide a “fuller picture” for the public of the continuing effect of the virus in Northern Ireland.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Serial murderer fails in European court application over right to a timely trial

An application from the serial murderer Mark Nash to the European Court of Human Rights ( ECtHR ) in Strasbourg has been thrown out .
In an application to the court by Nash in January 2018 , Nash said that his right to a timely trial had been breached as had his entitlement to an effective remedy for this breach given that he had been denied financial damages by the Irish courts .
However in a decision made in March and announced publicly on Thursday , the court said his application was inadmissible .
Nash was found guilty in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and Mary Callanan ( 67 ) , whose mutilated bodies were found in sheltered accommodation in Grangegorman between March 6th and 7th , 1997 .
Originally from England but with last addresses at Prussia Street and Clonliffe Road in Dublin , Nash denied the murders .
He was unanimously found guilty by a jury after a 48-day trial at the Central Criminal Court and jailed for life .
He was already serving a life sentence at the time for the murder of two people in Roscommon .
The Court of Appeal dismissed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grangegorman murders and in November 2018 the Supreme Court denied his application for an appeal to that court .
Nash was also denied damages in a case he took complaining of the timeframe involved in the Grangegorman part of his murder convictions .
In his application to the Strasbourg court , Nash said his rights under the European Convention had been breached because of the period of 12 years which elapsed between him first being questioned in respect of the Grangegorman murders , and the decision to formally charge him following the discovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arose from the availability of enhanced DNA testing but he said the timeframe involved breached his right to a trial within a reasonable time .
He also complained that the failure to award him damages in respect of the delay breached his right to an effective remedy under article 13 of the Convention .
However the European court has now ruled that , because Nash ’ s application to it was made more than six months after the last Irish decision , it was not admissible .
Because Nash is a British citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 to make a submission in his case , but it declined to do so .
A committee of the Strasbourg court considered the matter on March 17th last , and came to a decision , which was published on the court ’ s website on Thursday .

Mark Nash said his rights under the European Convention had been breached because of the period of 12 years which elapsed between him first being questioned in respect of the Grangegorman murders, and the decision to formally charge him following the discovery of new evidence. File photograph: Collins Courts
An application from the serial murderer Mark Nash to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg has been thrown out.
In an application to the court by Nash in January 2018, Nash said that his right to a timely trial had been breached as had his entitlement to an effective remedy for this breach given that he had been denied financial damages by the Irish courts.
However in a decision made in March and announced publicly on Thursday, the court said his application was inadmissible.
Nash was found guilty in April 2015 of murdering Sylvia Sheils (55) and Mary Callanan (67), whose mutilated bodies were found in sheltered accommodation in Grangegorman between March 6th and 7th, 1997.
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Originally from England but with last addresses at Prussia Street and Clonliffe Road in Dublin, Nash denied the murders.
He was unanimously found guilty by a jury after a 48-day trial at the Central Criminal Court and jailed for life. He was already serving a life sentence at the time for the murder of two people in Roscommon.
The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal over his conviction for the Grangegorman murders and in November 2018 the Supreme Court denied his application for an appeal to that court.
Nash was also denied damages in a case he took complaining of the timeframe involved in the Grangegorman part of his murder convictions.
In his application to the Strasbourg court, Nash said his rights under the European Convention had been breached because of the period of 12 years which elapsed between him first being questioned in respect of the Grangegorman murders, and the decision to formally charge him following the discovery of new evidence.
The new evidence arose from the availability of enhanced DNA testing but he said the timeframe involved breached his right to a trial within a reasonable time.
He also complained that the failure to award him damages in respect of the delay breached his right to an effective remedy under article 13 of the Convention.
However the European court has now ruled that, because Nash’s application to it was made more than six months after the last Irish decision, it was not admissible.
Because Nash is a British citizen the UK government was invited in September 2018 to make a submission in his case, but it declined to do so.
A committee of the Strasbourg court considered the matter on March 17th last, and came to a decision, which was published on the court’s website on Thursday.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Coronavirus: What we know so far about lifting the lockdown

Current restrictions introduced to deal with Covid-19 are expected to largely remain in place for a number of weeks , past their initial May 5th expiry date .
Cabinet is to meet at 3pm today to sign off on the exit plan from the lockdown with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar calling it a “ road map to reopen Ireland ” .
Mr Varadkar identified five criteria for future decision making on the easing of restrictions including : the progress of Covid-19 ; healthcare capacity and resilience ; testing and contact tracing capacity ; the ability to shield at risk groups ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another 43 deaths from Covid-19 were announced on Thursday , bringing the total number of deaths here to 1,232 , according to the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) .
Another 359 cases were confirmed , bringing the total diagnosed cases to 20,612 .
Here ’ s everything we know so far about the lifting of restrictions : Mr Varadkar said the changes to the current restrictions will be made every two to four weeks and will not happen as fast as the restrictions were put in place .
He warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ if it looks like the virus is going to surge back ” .
The Irish Times understands the early stages of plans being discussed by the NPHET would see retailers , cafes and restaurants reopen on a limited basis , with the tourist industry also reopening on a limited basis in the mid-stages .
Schools and colleges are not expected to reopen until September .
NPHET is the body of medical experts and health service chiefs which has been overseeing the response to Covid-19 and advising the Government on steps it should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The stages are broken down as : initial phase , early phase stage one , early phase stage two , middle phases and late phases .
The latter two phases could be broken down into more stages .
Initial drafts of the NPHET plan spaced the phases out in periods between early May and September , although no dates are on the latest draft being considered by NPHET .
Under the latest draft the first phase would : - Allow the over-70s who are cocooning out to walk on a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially allowed go to the shops at certain times .
Sources previously suggesting others may be asked to stay at home while “ cocooners ” are out .
-Allow outdoor workers such as builders and gardeners return to work .
- Allow a maximum of four people not from the same household gather outside while obeying social distancing .
- Potentially increase the distance people can travel outside their home for exercise from 2km to 5km or 10km .
-Businesses and manufacturing are expected to open in the early stages of the plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health rules .
- Allow retailers such as DIY and garden centres reopen .
- Allow retail outlets deemed essential in an earlier round of restrictions – such as banks , repair shops , optometrists and others – open again .
- Some sporting and recreation facilities could be reopened in the initial phase of the plan .
This would only apply to such activities where social distancing can be maintained , such as tennis courts and golf courses .
The draft plans are also understood to allow some sports team training in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no contact , where the groups of people training are very small and social distancing can be maintained .
The broadening of family units is not seen as likely in the first phase .
Other measures – such as the number of people allowed gather together – are also expected to be scaled up throughout the phases .
Early phase stage one : would allow small retailers reopen by allowing only a limited number of staff and customers on the premises .
- Restrictions on travel away from the home could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parks where people are not stationary , are moving and can respect social distancing would reopen .
Early stage phase two : would see cafes and restaurants reopen , as long as social distancing and strict cleaning rules apply .
Playgrounds would open .
The so-called “ middle phases ” would see the tourism industry – hotels , hostels , caravan parks – reopen on a limited occupancy basis .
- Travel restrictions would be further eased to allow people travel outside their regions .
Any holidays or breaks should be taken by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the children of essential workers .
-Hairdressers would open .
It is understood that this would be possible only where protective equipment is available .
The “ later phases ” would see the wider reopening of the economy – such as pubs and offices – again if social distancing is implemented .
-Schools , college and other educational facilities are expected to reopen in September , complying with social distancing rules .
- Creches for children of non-essential workers would open on a staged basis – such as one day a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 5,000 people have already been effectively cancelled until September.Guidance around these events is unlikely to be provided until much later in the year , similar to family events such as weddings .
-Cocooning is also expected to last for the foreseeable future , until vaccines or treatments for Covid-19 are found .
It is understood that detailed guidance will be given for workplaces in areas like social distancing and cleaning protocols ; as well as around canteens and other gathering places .
Office workers will be encouraged to work from home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraged when offices return to avoid overcrowding on public transport .
Builders hope to restart the construction industry by picking up work in almost complete sites , before moving to outdoor work on sites such as housing estates and then moving to new estates .
Minister for Business Heather Humphreys told the Dáil all businesses must adhere to the guidelines when they re-open .
She said they would be backed up “ through inspections and enforcement using the full suite of resources available across the State ” .
Want more detailed information on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the construction sector , the economy , or wondering what the experts are saying about lifting restrictions ?
Simon Carswell ’ s indepth read Lifting the lockdown : what are the plans ?
has it covered .

People are seen jogging past a social distancing sign in the Phoenix Park in Dublin last week. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Reuters
Current restrictions introduced to deal with Covid-19 are expected to largely remain in place for a number of weeks, past their initial May 5th expiry date.
Cabinet met at 3pm today to sign off on the exit plan from the lockdown with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar calling it a "road map to reopen Ireland".
Mr Varadkar identified five criteria for future decision making on the easing of restrictions including: the progress of Covid-19; healthcare capacity and resilience; testing and contact tracing capacity; the ability to shield at risk groups; and the risk of secondary morbidity.
A further 34 people diagnosed with Covid-19 have died, the National Public Health Emergency Team disclosed on Friday. There have now been a total of 1,265 deaths associated with the disease in Ireland, it said. Another 221 new confirmed cases were also reported, one of the lowest daily figures for some weeks. This brings the total number of cases to 20,833
READ MORE
Here's everything we know so far about the lifting of restrictions:
Mr Varadkar said the changes to the current restrictions will be made every two to four weeks and will not happen as fast as the restrictions were put in place. He warned that restrictions may have to be reintroduced "if it looks like the virus is going to surge back".
The phases
The Irish Times understands the early stages of plans being discussed by the NPHET would see retailers, cafes and restaurants reopen on a limited basis, with the tourist industry also reopening on a limited basis in the mid-stages. Schools and colleges are not expected to reopen until September.
NPHET is the body of medical experts and health service chiefs which has been overseeing the response to Covid-19 and advising the Government on steps it should take to navigate through the current coronavirus pandemic.
The stages are broken down as: initial phase, early phase stage one, early phase stage two, middle phases and late phases. The latter two phases could be broken down into more stages.
Initial drafts of the NPHET plan spaced the phases out in periods between early May and September, although no dates are on the latest draft being considered by NPHET.
Under the latest draft the first phase would:
- Allow the over-70s who are cocooning out to walk on a “no touch” basis and see them potentially allowed go to the shops at certain times. Sources previously suggesting others may be asked to stay at home while “cocooners” are out.
-Allow outdoor workers such as builders and gardeners return to work.
- Allow a maximum of four people not from the same household gather outside while obeying social distancing.
-Recommence some restricted classes for Leaving Cert students.
- Potentially increase the distance people can travel outside their home for exercise from 2km to 5km or 10km.
-Businesses and manufacturing are expected to open in the early stages of the plan if they adhere to social distancing and health rules.
- Allow retailers such as DIY and garden centres reopen.
- Allow retail outlets deemed essential in an earlier round of restrictions – such as banks, repair shops, optometrists and others – open again.
- Some sporting and recreation facilities could be reopened in the initial phase of the plan. This would only apply to such activities where social distancing can be maintained, such as tennis courts and golf courses. The draft plans are also understood to allow some sports team training in the initial phase – but only where there is no contact, where the groups of people training are very small and social distancing can be maintained.
The broadening of family units is not seen as likely in the first phase. Other measures – such as the number of people allowed gather together – are also expected to be scaled up throughout the phases.
Early phase stage one: would allow small retailers reopen by allowing only a limited number of staff and customers on the premises.
- Restrictions on travel away from the home could increase to 20km.
-Open marts could recommence.
-Outdoor walks and parks where people are not stationary, are moving and can respect social distancing would reopen.
Early stage phase two: would see cafes and restaurants reopen, as long as social distancing and strict cleaning rules apply. Playgrounds would open.
The so-called "middle phases" would see the tourism industry – hotels, hostels, caravan parks – reopen on a limited occupancy basis.
- Travel restrictions would be further eased to allow people travel outside their regions. Any holidays or breaks should be taken by family units only.
-Creches would open for the children of essential workers.
-Hairdressers would open. It is understood that this would be possible only where protective equipment is available.
The "later phases" would see the wider reopening of the economy – such as pubs and offices – again if social distancing is implemented.
-Schools, college and other educational facilities are expected to reopen in September, complying with social distancing rules.
- Creches for children of non-essential workers would open on a staged basis – such as one day a week from the start.
-Mass gatherings of over 5,000 people have already been effectively cancelled until September.Guidance around these events is unlikely to be provided until much later in the year, similar to family events such as weddings.
-Cocooning is also expected to last for the foreseeable future, until vaccines or treatments for Covid-19 are found.
Workplaces
It is understood that detailed guidance will be given for workplaces in areas like social distancing and cleaning protocols; as well as around canteens and other gathering places. Office workers will be encouraged to work from home, and flexible working hours will also be encouraged when offices return to avoid overcrowding on public transport.
Builders hope to restart the construction industry by picking up work in almost complete sites, before moving to outdoor work on sites such as housing estates and then moving to new estates. Minister for Business Heather Humphreys told the Dáil all businesses must adhere to the guidelines when they re-open. She said they would be backed up “through inspections and enforcement using the full suite of resources available across the State”.
Want more detailed information on schools, restaurants, holidays, businesses, the construction sector, the economy, or wondering what the experts are saying about lifting restrictions? Simon Carswell's indepth read Lifting the lockdown: what are the plans? has it covered.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Coronavirus: ‘Everything is being done two weeks too late’

Jack Lambert , Professor in Infectious Diseases at the Mater , Rotunda and UCD school of Medicine has said that the government needs to “ step up ” and take ownership of “ every step ” in the plan “ to get out of lockdown ” .
Prof Lambert told Newstalk Breakfast that the government should “ get everyone in a room ” like the Manhattan Project during the second World War where experts in various fields came together to create the nuclear bomb .
“ There are huge delays in making decisions , everything is being done two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , people are still being infected .
We need a different plan to get out of lockdown.
” Prof Lambert warned that if restrictions were lifted now the situation would soon be the same as it was four weeks ago .
“ There is still Covid-19 in the community .
There is no immunity and no vaccine .
It could flare up again.
” The government needs to “ get all its ducks in a row to come out of lockdown .
This is a very transmissible disease ” .
Healthcare workers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected , he said .
Shops offering baby wipes was not good enough .
“ I think somebody needs to take ownership of every step .
There should be a task force like the Manhattan project – get everyone in a room.
” Prof Lambert also said that everybody should be wearing masks “ when out and about ” and that contact tracing needs to be done within 24 hours .
“ I don ’ t understand why it is taking six days , they could be infecting many others in those six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested because they have not displayed symptoms .
There have been fewer cases in the community because of the lockdown .
“ We ’ ve plateaued but it is not going away.
” If restrictions are lifted then cases could go up again , he warned .

Jack Lambert, Professor in Infectious Diseases at the Mater, Rotunda and UCD school of Medicine has said that the government needs to “step up” and take ownership of “every step” in the plan “to get out of lockdown”.
Prof Lambert told Newstalk Breakfast that the government should "get everyone in a room" like the Manhattan Project during the second World War where experts in various fields came together to create the nuclear bomb.
“There are huge delays in making decisions, everything is being done two weeks too late. This is an emergency, people are still being infected. We need a different plan to get out of lockdown.”
Prof Lambert warned that if restrictions were lifted now the situation would soon be the same as it was four weeks ago. “There is still Covid-19 in the community. There is no immunity and no vaccine. It could flare up again.”
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The government needs to “get all its ducks in a row to come out of lockdown. This is a very transmissible disease”.
Healthcare workers, even those wearing PPE are still being infected, he said. Shops offering baby wipes was not good enough.
“I think somebody needs to take ownership of every step. There should be a task force like the Manhattan project – get everyone in a room.”
Prof Lambert also said that everybody should be wearing masks “when out and about” and that contact tracing needs to be done within 24 hours. “I don’t understand why it is taking six days, they could be infecting many others in those six days.”
Many thousands are not being tested because they have not displayed symptoms. There have been fewer cases in the community because of the lockdown. “We’ve plateaued but it is not going away.” If restrictions are lifted then cases could go up again, he warned.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Man in his 40s dies following Co Wexford stabbing

Gardaí are investigating after a man was killed in an apparent stabbing in Enniscorthy , Co Wexford , overnight .
@ @ @ @ @ a fatal assault occurred at about 12.30am on Friday at a residence in the town @ @ @ @ @ Garda units attended the scene and a man in his early 40s was discovered with @ @ @ @ @ was later pronounced dead at the scene.
” A man in his early 40s was @ @ @ @ @ , and is currently being detained at Wexford Garda station under the provisions of Section @ @ @ @ @ act 1984 .
The scene has been preserved pending a full technical examination and the @ @ @ @ @ .
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident and for anyone with information @ @ @ @ @ on 0539233534 , the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111 , or any Garda @ @

The scene has been preserved pending a full technical examination and the State pathologist has been informed.
Gardaí are investigating after a man was killed in an apparent stabbing in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, overnight.
A Garda spokesman confirmed that a fatal assault occurred at about 12.30am on Friday at a residence in the town.
“A number of Garda units attended the scene and a man in his early 40s was discovered with apparent stab wounds. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.”
A man in his early 40s was arrested a short distance away, and is currently being detained at Wexford Garda station under the provisions of Section 4 of the criminal justice act 1984.
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The scene has been preserved pending a full technical examination and the State pathologist has been informed.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident and for anyone with information to contact Enniscorthy Garda station on 0539233534, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Jump in coronavirus tests expected as criteria set to be relaxed

Senior health officials will today consider changes to the Covid-19 testing system that would see the most significant numbers being put forward for testing since the system was overwhelmed in March .
Since late March , those with symptoms of the disease have also had to belong to one of several priority groups , such as healthcare workers , close contacts of a confirmed case , pregnant women or those suffering from some chronic conditions , in order to qualify for testing .
Speaking on Thursday night , Dr Tony Holohan , the Chief Medical Officer , confirmed that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) would today consider whether to remove membership of a priority group as grounds for testing .
“ We will make a decision on that ( on Friday ) as to whether we need to stick with the existing prioritisation criteria or in effect remove those from the case definition.
” He agreed this would result in significantly more people becoming eligible for testing .
“ It will have an increase effect and we want to make sure it ’ s not going to have an effect that ’ s beyond our capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think it will , ” he said .
Prior to changes made at the end of March , just one symptom was necessary to become eligible for a test .
This led to around 20,000 referrals per day from the GP network , which in turn resulted in equipment shortages causing the closure of testing centres and significant backlogs .
This left many waiting two weeks or more for their results , and caused significant distress for many .
Earlier this week , the testing criteria were slightly relaxed , with one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making someone eligible for testing .
GPs who spoke to The Irish Times this week said this had not resulted in a significant increase in testing referrals .
According to data from GPBuddy.ie , an online network of family doctors , many of those being clinically diagnosed as Covid-19 positive in the community were not eligible for testing .
At the end of March , doctors responding to the website were on average clinically diagnosing two cases per day , only one of which met the criteria to go forward for testing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23rd , an average of 0.7 cases per day were being diagnosed across the GPBuddy network , of which 0.4 were being sent forward for testing .

Senior health officials will today consider changes to the Covid-19 testing system that would see the most significant numbers being put forward for testing since the system was overwhelmed in March.
Since late March, those with symptoms of the disease have also had to belong to one of several priority groups, such as healthcare workers, close contacts of a confirmed case, pregnant women or those suffering from some chronic conditions, in order to qualify for testing.
Speaking on Thursday night, Dr Tony Holohan, the Chief Medical Officer, confirmed that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) would today consider whether to remove membership of a priority group as grounds for testing.
“We will make a decision on that (on Friday) as to whether we need to stick with the existing prioritisation criteria or in effect remove those from the case definition.” He agreed this would result in significantly more people becoming eligible for testing.
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“It will have an increase effect and we want to make sure it’s not going to have an effect that’s beyond our capacity to test, and we don’t think it will,” he said.
Prior to changes made at the end of March, just one symptom was necessary to become eligible for a test. This led to around 20,000 referrals per day from the GP network, which in turn resulted in equipment shortages causing the closure of testing centres and significant backlogs. This left many waiting two weeks or more for their results, and caused significant distress for many.
Earlier this week, the testing criteria were slightly relaxed, with one symptom plus membership of a priority group making someone eligible for testing. GPs who spoke to The Irish Times this week said this had not resulted in a significant increase in testing referrals.
According to data from GPBuddy.ie, an online network of family doctors, many of those being clinically diagnosed as Covid-19 positive in the community were not eligible for testing. At the end of March, doctors responding to the website were on average clinically diagnosing two cases per day, only one of which met the criteria to go forward for testing.
That has gradually narrowed. On April 23rd, an average of 0.7 cases per day were being diagnosed across the GPBuddy network, of which 0.4 were being sent forward for testing.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Public warned about dangers of buying drugs online as 300 tablets seized in Cork

Gardaí have issued a warning to the public about the dangers of buying prescription medicines online after seizing some 300 tablets in west Cork Thursday morning .
Insp Dave Callaghan of Bandon Garda station said gardaí were concerned from a public health perspective about the risk such online purchases pose as there is no guarantee people are getting what they think when they buy drugs online .
“ Tablets bought through the dark web or other illegal sources pose a real danger to the health of individuals who consume them as the exact makeup and content of the tablet is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As we ’ ve seen elsewhere , this has resulted in death or caused severe health risks so we would urge anyone to think again before buying any tablets online because you just don ’ t know what you are buying.
” The seizure of the € 900 worth of drugs in west Cork comes as gardaí in Co Offaly continue to investigate whether the deaths of two women in Tullamore are linked to the suspected purchase of drugs on the internet .
Angela Kelly ( 44 ) died at Clonamore House Hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 19 ) died there on Monday while two men living in the same accommodation had to be taken to hospital for treatment .
Gardaí in Tullamore suspect the women ’ s death may be linked to a batch of fake anti-anxiety drugs , purporting to be Xanax , which they believe was purchased online and distributed to drugs users in Tullamore .
Investigators say that they hope toxicology tests taken at the postmortem will establish the exact cause of death in the case of both Ms Kelly and Ms Mannix as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain in hospital .
Gardaí say there has been a significant increase in the purchase of drugs from the internet in recent weeks as the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown has shut down more traditional ways of obtaining them .
Meanwhile , officers from the West Cork Divisional Drugs Unit backed up by local officers from Skibbereen recovered some 300 tablets when they stopped and searched a man and woman in Skibbereen Thursday morning .
Gardaí suspect that the man , who is in his 30s , and the woman , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tablets over the internet and then took receipt of the tablets when they were delivered by post .
Gardaí say that they did not make any arrests in the case but they are following a definite line of inquiry into the purchase of the drugs , pointing out that the purchase of prescription medication on the internet is illegal .
Gardaí suspect that the tablets are Limovan , a sleeping tablet , and Valium , a calming medication , but they are awaiting the results of analysis at the Forensic Science Laboratory before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have urged any person with any information on the illegal importation , sale or supply of prescription drugs to contact their local Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111 .
Meanwhile a report by the Health Research Board , the Ana Liffey Drug Project and University College Cork said increasing numbers of people are buying tablets such as Xanax and Valium online from “ pharmacies ” which do not require prescriptions .
These “ pharmacies ” are not regulated and analysis of the medications bought from them shows that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong enough compared to the official brands .

Gardaí suspect that the tablets are Limovan, and Valium but they are awaiting the results of analysis
Gardaí have issued a warning to the public about the dangers of buying prescription medicines online after seizing some 300 tablets in west Cork Thursday morning.
Insp Dave Callaghan of Bandon Garda station said gardaí were concerned from a public health perspective about the risk such online purchases pose as there is no guarantee people are getting what they think when they buy drugs online.
“Tablets bought through the dark web or other illegal sources pose a real danger to the health of individuals who consume them as the exact makeup and content of the tablet is unknown,” he said.
“As we’ve seen elsewhere, this has resulted in death or caused severe health risks so we would urge anyone to think again before buying any tablets online because you just don’t know what you are buying.”
READ MORE
The seizure of the € 900 worth of drugs in west Cork comes as gardaí in Co Offaly continue to investigate whether the deaths of two women in Tullamore are linked to the suspected purchase of drugs on the internet.
Angela Kelly (44) died at Clonamore House Hotel in Tullamore last Sunday and Amy Mannix (19) died there on Monday while two men living in the same accommodation had to be taken to hospital for treatment.
Gardaí in Tullamore suspect the women’s death may be linked to a batch of fake anti-anxiety drugs, purporting to be Xanax, which they believe was purchased online and distributed to drugs users in Tullamore.
Investigators say that they hope toxicology tests taken at the postmortem will establish the exact cause of death in the case of both Ms Kelly and Ms Mannix as the two men remain from Clonamore House Hotel remain in hospital.
Gardaí say there has been a significant increase in the purchase of drugs from the internet in recent weeks as the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown has shut down more traditional ways of obtaining them.
Meanwhile, officers from the West Cork Divisional Drugs Unit backed up by local officers from Skibbereen recovered some 300 tablets when they stopped and searched a man and woman in Skibbereen Thursday morning.
Gardaí suspect that the man, who is in his 30s, and the woman, who is in her 20s, purchased the tablets over the internet and then took receipt of the tablets when they were delivered by post.
Gardaí say that they did not make any arrests in the case but they are following a definite line of inquiry into the purchase of the drugs, pointing out that the purchase of prescription medication on the internet is illegal.
Gardaí suspect that the tablets are Limovan, a sleeping tablet, and Valium, a calming medication, but they are awaiting the results of analysis at the Forensic Science Laboratory before confirming what exactly they are.
They have urged any person with any information on the illegal importation, sale or supply of prescription drugs to contact their local Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
Meanwhile a report by the Health Research Board, the Ana Liffey Drug Project and University College Cork said increasing numbers of people are buying tablets such as Xanax and Valium online from "pharmacies" which do not require prescriptions.
These “pharmacies”are not regulated and analysis of the medications bought from them shows that many are far too strong or not strong enough compared to the official brands.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Election literature and O’Leary comments see racism complaints double

The number of reports of racist incidents more than doubled in the first quarter of this year following “ significant ” complaints in relation to general election literature , as well as comments made by Ryanair boss Michael O ’ Leary , new figures show .
The Irish Network Against Racism ( INAR ) on Thursday released figures for reports of racist hate speech , hate crime and discriminatory incidents recorded through its iReport.ie racist incident reporting system in the first quarter of 2020 .
The figures throughout the report are compared to an average per quarter in 2019 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than quarterly .
Overall racist incident figures for the period January 1st to March 31st show more than a doubling of the average reporting rates per quarter for 2019 from an average of 132 per quarter to 276 .
INAR said this increase was largely attributable to a fourfold increase in reports relating to online and media content in the three months from an average of 44 per quarter last year to 167 between January and March this year .
Elsewhere , crime and discrimination reports rose by 63 per cent from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent assaults were up by 33 per cent from 12 to 16 .
The increase in reports relating to media and online content was in the first instance prompted by social media posts and election literature by far-right candidates and supporters during the general election .
There were also 37 complaints made regarding Mr O ’ Leary ’ s assertions associating Muslims with terrorism .
Mr O ’ Leary faced criticism in February after he was quoted as claiming terrorists “ will generally be males of a Muslim persuasion ” .
He subsequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
INAR also said 14 reports were made in relation to an online video stereotyping Romanians .
At the end of the quarter , 46 complaints had been received alleging racism against multiple groups in relation to coronavirus .
These were mainly against Chinese citizens in January and February , but included the Travelling and Roma communities in March .
These included genocidal comments against the latter two .
INAR said it will be bringing out a dedicated Covid-19 themed report this month .
In relation to crime , while reporting rates to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said 62 per cent of victims of assault said they made reports to the gardaí in the quarter as against an average of 28 per cent per quarter in 2019 .
It noted that should the trend continue , it may be an early indication of increased confidence by minorities in the Garda following the publication of the force ’ s diversity strategy in late 2019 .
However , in cases of serious crime and harassment , victims experienced continued problems with waiting times to give statements .
Data analyst Dr Lucy Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worrying ” but added that the increased reports to gardaí would give law enforcement authorities an opportunity to secure more convictions .
“ We are seeing a significant rise in online racism , even before the coronavirus encouraged people to stay home , ” she said .
“ The data shows clearly that this is driven by the ease with which racist materials circulate on major social media platforms .
“ The continuation of the upward trend in assaults is also worrying , and we had hoped we would see that be stemmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault reports to gardaí is an opportunity now for the gardaí , DPP and courts to provide more effective responses to violent racism .
”

The number of reports of racist incidents more than doubled in the first quarter of this year. Photograph: Eric Luke
The number of reports of racist incidents more than doubled in the first quarter of this year following "significant" complaints in relation to general election literature, as well as comments made by Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, new figures show.
The Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) on Thursday released figures for reports of racist hate speech, hate crime and discriminatory incidents recorded through its iReport.ie racist incident reporting system in the first quarter of 2020.
The figures throughout the report are compared to an average per quarter in 2019 as the figures last year were collated annually rather than quarterly.
Overall racist incident figures for the period January 1st to March 31st show more than a doubling of the average reporting rates per quarter for 2019 from an average of 132 per quarter to 276.
READ MORE
Fourfold increase
INAR said this increase was largely attributable to a fourfold increase in reports relating to online and media content in the three months from an average of 44 per quarter last year to 167 between January and March this year.
Elsewhere, crime and discrimination reports rose by 63 per cent from 61 to 100, while reports of violent assaults were up by 33 per cent from 12 to 16.
The increase in reports relating to media and online content was in the first instance prompted by social media posts and election literature by far-right candidates and supporters during the general election.
There were also 37 complaints made regarding Mr O’Leary’s assertions associating Muslims with terrorism.
Mr O’Leary faced criticism in February after he was quoted as claiming terrorists “will generally be males of a Muslim persuasion”. He subsequently apologised “for any offence caused”.
INAR also said 14 reports were made in relation to an online video stereotyping Romanians.
At the end of the quarter, 46 complaints had been received alleging racism against multiple groups in relation to coronavirus.
These were mainly against Chinese citizens in January and February, but included the Travelling and Roma communities in March. These included genocidal comments against the latter two.
INAR said it will be bringing out a dedicated Covid-19 themed report this month.
Diversity strategy
In relation to crime, while reporting rates to the Garda remain low overall, INAR said 62 per cent of victims of assault said they made reports to the gardaí in the quarter as against an average of 28 per cent per quarter in 2019.
It noted that should the trend continue, it may be an early indication of increased confidence by minorities in the Garda following the publication of the force’s diversity strategy in late 2019.
However, in cases of serious crime and harassment, victims experienced continued problems with waiting times to give statements.
Data analyst Dr Lucy Michael said the number of assaults was "worrying" but added that the increased reports to gardaí would give law enforcement authorities an opportunity to secure more convictions.
“We are seeing a significant rise in online racism, even before the coronavirus encouraged people to stay home,” she said. “The data shows clearly that this is driven by the ease with which racist materials circulate on major social media platforms.
“The continuation of the upward trend in assaults is also worrying, and we had hoped we would see that be stemmed.
“However, the increase in assault reports to gardaí is an opportunity now for the gardaí, DPP and courts to provide more effective responses to violent racism.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Second surge of Covid-19 would be ‘very difficult to manage’, say health officials

The pressure being exerted on the hospital system by Covid-19 is greater than it was when emergency measures were introduced , meaning the healthcare system would “ find it very difficult to manage ” if a second surge of infection occurred , senior health officials have said .
Prof Philip Nolan , who is chair of the Department of Health ’ s Covid-19 modelling group , last night emphasised that the number of Covid-19 patients on hospital wards and in intensive care is “ significantly higher ” than where it was at the end of March .
While these numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health officials remain concerned by the load on the hospital system .
“ We remain optimistic that those numbers will come down further , but it ’ s quite clear that they are very significantly elevated compared to where we started , and it is still a huge workload on our healthcare system and a very significant risk at present.
” In the week before measures were introduced , the number of people in hospital grew from 170 to 440 , while those in intensive care jumped from 50 to 80 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed or suspected cases in Irish hospitals , and a further 120 confirmed or suspected cases in critical care beds .
Despite the positive trends in recent data , this pressure , combined with persistent infection in the community , contributes to the case against the relaxation of measures , chief medical officer Tony Holohan said .
“ We ’ re seeing around 100-200 cases per day from the population in general .
Those are close to the figures we were seeing back in March when we introduced these measures , ” Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have made , we think the case hasn ’ t arisen yet to give us a reasonable belief that now is the time to lift restrictions .
“ On every measure we are sharing with you , we have seen improvement , and that ’ s all giving us encouragement , but we need to get down to a lower baseline.
” The public health officials were speaking after it was confirmed that a further 43 people with Covid-19 had died in the State , bringing the total number of deaths to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bringing the total number of cases to 20,612 .
As of midnight on Tuesday , 58 per cent of the cases were female and 42 per cent were male .
The median age of confirmed cases is 49 , and 13 per cent , or 2,706 , have been hospitalised , with 360 admitted to ICU .
Dr Holohan said the number of people in hospitals and intensive care units is “ persistent .
.
.
and we ’ d like to see that dropping ” .
The chief medical officer also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further broaden the criteria for testing for Covid-19 , which will lead to more people being referred for testing .
He said that the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) will consider today whether to remove membership of a priority group as a grounds for testing eligibility .
If it does so , that will mark the most significant loosening of the criteria since the testing system was overwhelmed in March , leading to long delays in achieving test results .
Since then , the health service has been working to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lower referrals , meaning this capacity has not been put under pressure .

The pressure being exerted on the hospital system by Covid-19 is greater than it was when emergency measures were introduced, meaning the healthcare system would “find it very difficult to manage” if a second surge of infection occurred, senior health officials have said.
Prof Philip Nolan, who is chair of the Department of Health's Covid-19 modelling group, last night emphasised that the number of Covid-19 patients on hospital wards and in intensive care is "significantly higher" than where it was at the end of March.
While these numbers are dropping rather than increasing, senior public health officials remain concerned by the load on the hospital system.
“We remain optimistic that those numbers will come down further, but it’s quite clear that they are very significantly elevated compared to where we started, and it is still a huge workload on our healthcare system and a very significant risk at present.”
READ MORE
Positive trends
In the week before measures were introduced, the number of people in hospital grew from 170 to 440, while those in intensive care jumped from 50 to 80. On Wednesday evening, there were 1,065 confirmed or suspected cases in Irish hospitals, and a further 120 confirmed or suspected cases in critical care beds.
Despite the positive trends in recent data, this pressure, combined with persistent infection in the community, contributes to the case against the relaxation of measures, chief medical officer Tony Holohan said.
“We’re seeing around 100-200 cases per day from the population in general. Those are close to the figures we were seeing back in March when we introduced these measures,” Dr Holohan said. “Notwithstanding the progress we have made, we think the case hasn’t arisen yet to give us a reasonable belief that now is the time to lift restrictions.
“On every measure we are sharing with you, we have seen improvement, and that’s all giving us encouragement, but we need to get down to a lower baseline.”
The public health officials were speaking after it was confirmed that a further 43 people with Covid-19 had died in the State, bringing the total number of deaths to 1,232. Another 359 cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of cases to 20,612.
Median age
As of midnight on Tuesday, 58 per cent of the cases were female and 42 per cent were male. The median age of confirmed cases is 49, and 13 per cent, or 2,706, have been hospitalised, with 360 admitted to ICU.
Dr Holohan said the number of people in hospitals and intensive care units is “persistent . . . and we’d like to see that dropping”.
The chief medical officer also indicated that preparations are being made to further broaden the criteria for testing for Covid-19, which will lead to more people being referred for testing. He said that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will consider today whether to remove membership of a priority group as a grounds for testing eligibility. If it does so, that will mark the most significant loosening of the criteria since the testing system was overwhelmed in March, leading to long delays in achieving test results.
Since then, the health service has been working to increase capacity, but against the backdrop of lower referrals, meaning this capacity has not been put under pressure.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Trinity’s front lawns set to be wild-flower meadow

Trinity College Dublin ’ s manicured front lawns are to be transformed into a bee-friendly wild-flower meadow after the public overwhelmingly backed the move .
The college is set to announce on Friday that following an online poll which attracted almost 14,000 votes , the vast majority – 12,500 – voted in favour of replanting the front of the university which faces on to College Green .
Prof John Parnell , chair of Trinity ’ s grounds and gardens committee , said the results have sent a message that “ people want to see more biodiversity and in particular want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Though the area may end up looking less tidy , supporters of the idea say it will be an important reminder of what wild nature looks like .
Research shows lawn-mowing , ground preparation and pesticide control can disturb important insects that feed and nest in the soil .
By contrast , planting wild flowers and minimising interference can support biodiversity , and provide a habitat for native insects and food for pollinators in the city centre .
Prof Parnell said the plants would most likely be a mix of annuals and perennials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of known Irish origin as possible .
The aim was to extend flowering over as long a period as possible .
The area will flower in spring and summer , and be left untouched over the winter months when pollinator insects – such as butterflies , hoverflies and bees – hibernate .
The college says it has no date yet for when planting will begin due to public health restrictions , but will commence work when Government guidelines allow .
The move represents a pioneering attempt in Ireland to place wild-flower spaces in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area – one of the most prominent areas in the capital – is the grass outside the university ’ s front gate where statues of Oliver Goldsmith and Edmund Burke stand and thousands pass by on a daily basis .
Trinity says the plan is part of the university ’ s response to Ireland ’ s “ biodiversity crisis ” .
Prof Parnell said the area in question was very formal in layout , and has for at least 150 years been under grass .
“ To change it will send out a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not bound by the past but engaged with the future .
We look forward to all this project will bring in the future.
” Trinity has already converted large sections of its campus to wild-flower meadows , providing a place to rest , live and feed for insects last year .

The front of Trinity College Dublin has been under manicured lawns for at least 150 years. Photograph: iStock
Trinity College Dublin’s manicured front lawns are to be transformed into a bee-friendly wild-flower meadow after the public overwhelmingly backed the move.
The college is set to announce on Friday that following an online poll which attracted almost 14,000 votes, the vast majority – 12,500 – voted in favour of replanting the front of the university which faces on to College Green.
Prof John Parnell, chair of Trinity's grounds and gardens committee, said the results have sent a message that "people want to see more biodiversity and in particular want institutions to set an example" .
Though the area may end up looking less tidy, supporters of the idea say it will be an important reminder of what wild nature looks like.
READ MORE
Research shows lawn-mowing, ground preparation and pesticide control can disturb important insects that feed and nest in the soil.
By contrast, planting wild flowers and minimising interference can support biodiversity, and provide a habitat for native insects and food for pollinators in the city centre.
Prof Parnell said the plants would most likely be a mix of annuals and perennials, with as many of them being of known Irish origin as possible. The aim was to extend flowering over as long a period as possible.
The area will flower in spring and summer, and be left untouched over the winter months when pollinator insects – such as butterflies, hoverflies and bees – hibernate.
The college says it has no date yet for when planting will begin due to public health restrictions, but will commence work when Government guidelines allow.
Pioneering
The move represents a pioneering attempt in Ireland to place wild-flower spaces in the heart of the city. The area – one of the most prominent areas in the capital – is the grass outside the university's front gate where statues of Oliver Goldsmith and Edmund Burke stand and thousands pass by on a daily basis.
Trinity says the plan is part of the university’s response to Ireland’s “biodiversity crisis”.
Prof Parnell said the area in question was very formal in layout, and has for at least 150 years been under grass.
"To change it will send out a strong signal that Trinity College Dublin is not bound by the past but engaged with the future. We look forward to all this project will bring in the future."
Trinity has already converted large sections of its campus to wild-flower meadows, providing a place to rest, live and feed for insects last year.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Europol warns of counterfeit coronavirus vaccines

Organised criminals are likely to invest heavily in manufacturing and selling counterfeit coronavirus vaccines as the pandemic goes on , a new report warns .
The report from European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Co-operation , better known as Europol , states criminals have already adapted to the health crisis and will continue to exploit the pandemic as states begin to lift their lockdowns and the European Union faces into a severe recession .
The cancellation of music festivals and similar events may result in a notable drop in revenue for drugs gangs , it says .
“ However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will stabilise again over the long term.
” The trafficking of cannabis , cocaine and heroin has continued through the pandemic at reduced levels .
Once the crisis ends , regular supply will resume “ with little or no mid- or long-term impact ” .
Furthermore , fluctuations in the price of some illegal drugs during the pandemic will stabilise when users and mid-level dealers are assured of a stable supply , the report states .
In Ireland , the Garda has made a number of substantial drug seizures since the crisis hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seizure of €2.5 million worth of cocaine last week , are the result of intelligence operations while other hauls have been uncovered by chance at coronavirus checkpoints .
Europol said one of the most significant changes in the criminal landscape has been fraud involving medical and personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
Last month the Garda , along with police forces across Europe , uncovered a €15 million face masks fraud .
A Roscommon man was interviewed on suspicion of helping European scammers defraud the German health authorities by claiming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , as some countries move towards making face masks mandatory , criminals may increase the supply of counterfeit PPE .
Scammers are already offering vaccines for coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 , online despite a real vaccine likely being at least a year away .
Europol warns that when the development of a genuine vaccine is announced “ it is expected that counterfeiters and fraudsters will invest heavily in offering ineffective counterfeits of this vaccine especially online via different platforms and on social media ” .
Regarding financial crime , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the closure of restaurants and casinos , both favoured means of laundering money .
This combined with the “ diminishing relevance of cash as a payment medium during the crisis ” means criminals will likely have to find new means of laundering ill-gotten gains .
However , the expected global recession will also provide organised crime with many new opportunities , the agency says .
For example , “ a recession may further stimulate demand for cheaper daily consumer goods , which may be met by [ gangs ] offering counterfeit or substandard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ migration from developing countries , creating new opportunities for people smugglers and sex traffickers .
The vastly increased number of people working from home means people are spending far more time online , which creates new opportunities for cyber-criminals , Europol says .
Children are also spending more time online socialising and e-learning .
Europol believes this may increase the risk of online child exploitation .
It also suggests the lifting of lockdown measures will lead to a spike in burglaries as workers return to work and criminals target newly empty houses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports of child abuse as abuse which occurred during lockdown is discovered .

Scammers are already offering vaccines for coronavirus online despite a real vaccine likely being at least a year away. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
Organised criminals are likely to invest heavily in manufacturing and selling counterfeit coronavirus vaccines as the pandemic goes on, a new report warns.
The report from European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Co-operation, better known as Europol, states criminals have already adapted to the health crisis and will continue to exploit the pandemic as states begin to lift their lockdowns and the European Union faces into a severe recession.
The cancellation of music festivals and similar events may result in a notable drop in revenue for drugs gangs, it says. “However, this drop is unlikely to persist and will stabilise again over the long term.”
Drug seizures
The trafficking of cannabis, cocaine and heroin has continued through the pandemic at reduced levels. Once the crisis ends, regular supply will resume “with little or no mid- or long-term impact”.
READ MORE
Furthermore, fluctuations in the price of some illegal drugs during the pandemic will stabilise when users and mid-level dealers are assured of a stable supply, the report states.
In Ireland, the Garda has made a number of substantial drug seizures since the crisis hit. Some of these, such as the seizure of €2.5 million worth of cocaine last week, are the result of intelligence operations while other hauls have been uncovered by chance at coronavirus checkpoints.
Europol said one of the most significant changes in the criminal landscape has been fraud involving medical and personal protective equipment (PPE). Last month the Garda, along with police forces across Europe, uncovered a €15 million face masks fraud. A Roscommon man was interviewed on suspicion of helping European scammers defraud the German health authorities by claiming to sell them non-existent masks.
Europol warns that, as some countries move towards making face masks mandatory, criminals may increase the supply of counterfeit PPE.
Scammers are already offering vaccines for coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, online despite a real vaccine likely being at least a year away. Europol warns that when the development of a genuine vaccine is announced “it is expected that counterfeiters and fraudsters will invest heavily in offering ineffective counterfeits of this vaccine especially online via different platforms and on social media”.
Regarding financial crime, many organised crime gangs have been impacted by the closure of restaurants and casinos, both favoured means of laundering money. This combined with the “diminishing relevance of cash as a payment medium during the crisis” means criminals will likely have to find new means of laundering ill-gotten gains.
Sex traffickers
However, the expected global recession will also provide organised crime with many new opportunities, the agency says.
For example, “a recession may further stimulate demand for cheaper daily consumer goods, which may be met by [gangs] offering counterfeit or substandard alternatives.”
It will also increase irregular migration from developing countries, creating new opportunities for people smugglers and sex traffickers.
The vastly increased number of people working from home means people are spending far more time online, which creates new opportunities for cyber-criminals, Europol says. Children are also spending more time online socialising and e-learning. Europol believes this may increase the risk of online child exploitation.
It also suggests the lifting of lockdown measures will lead to a spike in burglaries as workers return to work and criminals target newly empty houses.
There may also be an increase in reports of child abuse as abuse which occurred during lockdown is discovered.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--New Central Mental Hospital fast-tracked to deal with Covid-19

The Government has fast-tracked the opening of the new Central Mental Hospital in north Dublin to allow for the isolation of patients displaying Covid-19 symptoms .
The hospital is the State ’ s only facility for holding and treating severely mentally ill people who have committed serious crimes .
The current facility in Dundrum , south Dublin , contains 84 beds and typically operates at 100 per cent capacity , meaning there are often long waiting lists of mentally ill inmates in the prison system awaiting admission .
At the start of the pandemic the crowded nature of the facility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to management searching for ways to free up space .
The Irish Prison Service has freed up space by allowing some inmates out on temporary release but the same can not be done in the Central Mental Hospital where patients are typically reintroduced to society in a slow , graduated fashion , sometimes over a number of years .
The entire Central Mental Hospital was due to move from the 170-year-old facility in Dundrum to a newly constructed 170-bed complex in Portrane , north Co Dublin , later this year .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities decided to bring part of the new facility into operation this week .
The Department of Health , the Department of Justice and the Mental Health Commission agreed to fast-track registration of the new facility on an emergency basis .
meaning nine patients from the lowest security ward in Dundrum could be moved there .
The patients were transferred over the last several days , and will remain in Portrane until the most severe stage of the pandemic has passed .
They will then move back to Dundrum before moving back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later this year .
The director of the Central Mental Hospital , Prof Harry Kennedy , said this week ’ s move freed up an entire ward in Dundrum which could now be used to isolate patients with Covid-19 symptoms or confirmed cases of the virus .
Although the virus has hit other parts of the mental health system hard – there have been 12 deaths at facilities around the country – there have been no confirmed cases in the Central Mental Hospital .
A small number of patients showing symptoms had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but all were later cleared .
Yet Prof Kennedy believes it is “ only a matter of time before we get a cluster .
But we will now be able to cope properly whenever that happens.
” Like prisoners , patients in the Central Mental Hospital are considered especially vulnerable to Covid-19 .
“ A proportion of our patients are elderly because they have been here a long time .
But more so , our patients have multiple co-morbidities , so as well as having severe mental illnesses many of them will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , diabetes , they ’ ll all much more common here.
” The hospital began taking action to prevent an outbreak at any early stage .
Visits have been suspended , and patients have their temperature checked twice a day .

The Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, Dublin. It is the State’s only facility for holding and treating severely mentally ill people who have committed serious crimes. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
The Government has fast-tracked the opening of the new Central Mental Hospital in north Dublin to allow for the isolation of patients displaying Covid-19 symptoms.
The hospital is the State's only facility for holding and treating severely mentally ill people who have committed serious crimes. The current facility in Dundrum, south Dublin, contains 84 beds and typically operates at 100 per cent capacity, meaning there are often long waiting lists of mentally ill inmates in the prison system awaiting admission.
At the start of the pandemic the crowded nature of the facility and the vulnerability of the patient population led to management searching for ways to free up space.
The Irish Prison Service has freed up space by allowing some inmates out on temporary release but the same cannot be done in the Central Mental Hospital where patients are typically reintroduced to society in a slow, graduated fashion, sometimes over a number of years.
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The entire Central Mental Hospital was due to move from the 170-year-old facility in Dundrum to a newly constructed 170-bed complex in Portrane, north Co Dublin, later this year. However, due to the pandemic the health authorities decided to bring part of the new facility into operation this week.
The Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Mental Health Commission agreed to fast-track registration of the new facility on an emergency basis. meaning nine patients from the lowest security ward in Dundrum could be moved there.
The patients were transferred over the last several days, and will remain in Portrane until the most severe stage of the pandemic has passed. They will then move back to Dundrum before moving back to Portrane with all the other patients sometime later this year.
Covid-19 symptoms
The director of the Central Mental Hospital, Prof Harry Kennedy, said this week's move freed up an entire ward in Dundrum which could now be used to isolate patients with Covid-19 symptoms or confirmed cases of the virus.
Although the virus has hit other parts of the mental health system hard – there have been 12 deaths at facilities around the country – there have been no confirmed cases in the Central Mental Hospital. A small number of patients showing symptoms had been isolated for short periods while awaiting tests but all were later cleared.
Yet Prof Kennedy believes it is “only a matter of time before we get a cluster. But we will now be able to cope properly whenever that happens.”
Like prisoners, patients in the Central Mental Hospital are considered especially vulnerable to Covid-19.
“A proportion of our patients are elderly because they have been here a long time. But more so, our patients have multiple co-morbidities, so as well as having severe mental illnesses many of them will have other physical problems. High blood pressure, diabetes, they’ll all much more common here.”
The hospital began taking action to prevent an outbreak at any early stage. Visits have been suspended, and patients have their temperature checked twice a day.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--League of Ireland club St Patrick’s Athletic on the coronavirus front line

Richmond Park in Inchicore Dublin , home of St Patrick ’ s Athletic , is one of the most atmospheric grounds in League of Ireland football .
Supporters approach it down a slope recessed from the houses around it and past the mural which is the club ’ s logo “ ní neart go cur le chéile ” ( there is no strength without unity ) .
At this time of year the League of Ireland would normally be a third of the way through the season , but the nets are tied up and the pitch looks brown in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather .
In the shop where club gear , half-time tea and coffees are sold and after-match interviews are conducted , neat bags are laid out on the floor filled with non-perishable food items such as pastas , rice , tea bags , bolognese sauces and tins of beans .
The food has been sourced from Food Cloud , the not-for-profit organisation that supplies charities with unsold supermarket food .
There have also been donations from local businesses , but demand is such “ that it is not nearly enough ” , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Morrissey .
The food is being distributed by volunteers to families in the Inchicore area .
It is an initiative by the club , the Inchicore-based addiction services charity , Frontline Make Change , and the Dublin South City Partnership through the Kilmainham-Inchicore Network .
So far 80 families in the area have asked for help .
These include families where a householder has been laid off and are struggling to pay the bills , says Aoife Hannon of the network .
Many families of children with special needs depend on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Others are elderly people who are trapped in their homes by the pandemic .
Social welfare payments are now being paid on a biweekly rather than weekly basis and some families are struggling to budget .
Mr Morrissey approached the board of St Patrick ’ s Athletic and its owner , real estate developer , Garrett Kelleher , about using Richmond Park as a community hub during the pandemic .
They readily agreed .
“ We are not trying to solve the world ’ s problems , but we are trying to supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might come in with the basics .
If people are stretched , we can supply them with a couple of breakfasts and dinners , ” he says .
He is hoping that local people will bring non-perishable goods for distribution locally to Richmond Park on Saturday between 12pm and 2pm , and on Monday and Tuesday between 2pm and 4pm .
He says demand is far greater than supply at present and , if local people and businesses can help , more people can be helped more often .
Besides , as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the struggles of many people locally .
Last week , St Patrick ’ s Athletic announced that they were laying off all their playing staff and coaches .
League of Ireland football clubs have always struggled financially , but this is a crisis of a different magnitude when all of football is mired in uncertainty and no money is coming in .
St Patrick ’ s Athletic director of football Ger O ’ Brien is one of the volunteers who turns up to distribute the food to local people , many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation facing footballers is no different to those facing so many others .
His own partner had to close down her hair salon last month and lay off nine staff .
He maintains St Patrick ’ s Athletic have aspirations to be more than a football club – they want to be a part of the regeneration of an area which has had more than its fair share of reverses over the years .
“ There are bigger problems than football , ” he says , “ but we are looking forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Football clubs are special in communities like this .
”

St Patrick's Athletic Football Club has opened a food bank at its ground to help individuals and families in the area who have been hit particularly hard by the knock-on effects of coronavirus. Video: John Cassidy
Richmond Park in Inchicore Dublin, home of St Patrick's Athletic, is one of the most atmospheric grounds in League of Ireland football. Supporters approach it down a slope recessed from the houses around it and past the mural which is the club's logo "ní neart go cur le chéile" (there is no strength without unity).
At this time of year the League of Ireland would normally be a third of the way through the season, but the nets are tied up and the pitch looks brown in places from the recent spell of dry weather.
In the shop where club gear, half-time tea and coffees are sold and after-match interviews are conducted, neat bags are laid out on the floor filled with non-perishable food items such as pastas, rice, tea bags, bolognese sauces and tins of beans.
Laid off
The food has been sourced from Food Cloud, the not-for-profit organisation that supplies charities with unsold supermarket food. There have also been donations from local businesses, but demand is such "that it is not nearly enough", says St Patrick's Athletic community officer David Morrissey.
READ MORE
The food is being distributed by volunteers to families in the Inchicore area. It is an initiative by the club, the Inchicore-based addiction services charity, Frontline Make Change, and the Dublin South City Partnership through the Kilmainham-Inchicore Network.
So far 80 families in the area have asked for help. These include families where a householder has been laid off and are struggling to pay the bills, says Aoife Hannon of the network.
Many families of children with special needs depend on the local schools for support with meals. Others are elderly people who are trapped in their homes by the pandemic.
Social welfare payments are now being paid on a biweekly rather than weekly basis and some families are struggling to budget.
Mr Morrissey approached the board of St Patrick's Athletic and its owner, real estate developer, Garrett Kelleher, about using Richmond Park as a community hub during the pandemic. They readily agreed.
“We are not trying to solve the world’s problems, but we are trying to supply people a couple of days before money might come in with the basics. If people are stretched, we can supply them with a couple of breakfasts and dinners,” he says.
He is hoping that local people will bring non-perishable goods for distribution locally to Richmond Park on Saturday between 12pm and 2pm, and on Monday and Tuesday between 2pm and 4pm.
He says demand is far greater than supply at present and, if local people and businesses can help, more people can be helped more often.
Besides, as he points out, the club is sharing in the struggles of many people locally. Last week, St Patrick’s Athletic announced that they were laying off all their playing staff and coaches.
League of Ireland football clubs have always struggled financially, but this is a crisis of a different magnitude when all of football is mired in uncertainty and no money is coming in.
Bigger problems
St Patrick’s Athletic director of football Ger O’Brien is one of the volunteers who turns up to distribute the food to local people, many of whom he knows personally.
He says the situation facing footballers is no different to those facing so many others. His own partner had to close down her hair salon last month and lay off nine staff.
He maintains St Patrick’s Athletic have aspirations to be more than a football club – they want to be a part of the regeneration of an area which has had more than its fair share of reverses over the years.
“There are bigger problems than football,” he says, “but we are looking forward to having Inchicore full of supporters again. Football clubs are special in communities like this.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--About 1,000 children at risk of involvement in serious crime

About 1,000 children in the Republic have been identified as being at risk of becoming involved in very serious crime .
These include minors being groomed by organised gangs , according to a Government juvenile crime strategy to be published on Friday states .
While members of the Traveller community are overrepresented in the prison population , they are under represented on projects aimed at intervening early in a child ’ s life to divert them away from crime .
Informed sources told The Irish Times there were now concerns within the Department of Justice and Garda that the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the migrant community .
The children of some foreign-born parents are proving harder to reach .
Justice officials and gardaí believe this has arisen , at least in part , because some ethnic groups come from countries where there is a deep distrust of the police and they are reluctant to engage with the Garda .
The new draft Youth Justice Strategy for the period 2020 to 2026 – to be published by Minister of State David Stanton today – sets out new ways of reaching at-risk children much earlier .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , those being coerced by organised crime gangs and young children at risk of being radicalised .
Instead of interventions being made by the Garda Youth Diversion programme after children commit crime , the latest plan would seek to reach at-risk children at a younger age and before they offend .
This would be achieved by linking the youth diversion resources within the Garda with community groups , sports clubs and schools

The latest plan aims to reach out to children under the age of 12, those being coerced by organised crime gangs and young children at risk of being radicalised. File photograph: Getty
About 1,000 children in the Republic have been identified as being at risk of becoming involved in very serious crime.
These include minors being groomed by organised gangs, according to a Government juvenile crime strategy to be published on Friday states.
While members of the Traveller community are overrepresented in the prison population, they are under represented on projects aimed at intervening early in a child’s life to divert them away from crime.
Informed sources told The Irish Times there were now concerns within the Department of Justice and Garda that the same trend was beginning to emerge in sections of the migrant community.
READ MORE
Harder to reach
The children of some foreign-born parents are proving harder to reach. Justice officials and gardaí believe this has arisen, at least in part, because some ethnic groups come from countries where there is a deep distrust of the police and they are reluctant to engage with the Garda.
The new draft Youth Justice Strategy for the period 2020 to 2026 – to be published by Minister of State David Stanton today – sets out new ways of reaching at-risk children much earlier. This includes those under the age of 12, those being coerced by organised crime gangs and young children at risk of being radicalised.
Instead of interventions being made by the Garda Youth Diversion programme after children commit crime, the latest plan would seek to reach at-risk children at a younger age and before they offend.
This would be achieved by linking the youth diversion resources within the Garda with community groups, sports clubs and schools


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Giving homework passes to Catholic children ruled as discrimination

Catholic schools that reward pupils who attend religious ceremonies are discriminating against non-Catholic pupils , the Workplace Relations Commission has found .
In a ruling , the commission found that Yellow Furze primary school in Co Meath discriminated against an atheist pupil by rewarding his classmates who attended a First Communion choir ceremony with homework passes .
The ruling is likely to have implications for Catholic schools – which make up 90 per cent of primary schools – in how they organise religious events and incentivise children to attend them .
The mother of the child at the centre of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after being “ penalised ” with homework for not attending the choir ceremony .
She argued that he did not have the option to take part in the ceremony as the family are atheist .
“ He came out of school crying , ” said the boy ’ s mother , who declined to be named on the basis that it would identify her child .
“ On that day my son was the only child in the class who was not participating .
He was also the only non-Catholic child in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a choice that is open to him.
” The school submitted in the hearing that the claim was “ wholly unfounded ” and said all children – regardless of their religion – were able to participate in the ceremony .
As a Catholic school , it said it enjoyed a proud tradition of participating in religious ceremonies and that music was an integral part of this .
It added that its code of behaviour provided that all children who participate in extra-curricular activities or events on behalf of the school will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing so .
The commission , however , found that there was prima facie evidence of discriminatory treatment under the Equal Status Acts towards the boy on grounds of religion .
It also found that the parents were deeply hurt and upset by the treatment of the school to the point they have removed their boy from school .
By maintaining it is appropriate to award a benefit to children to attend a religious ceremony , the commission found that the school “ does not appreciate this action had an adverse effect on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith ” .
The commission awarded a sum of €5,000 in respect of discriminatory treatment and ordered the school to review its policies to ensure it complies with the provisions of the Equal Status Acts .
A notice to this effect should also be placed in a prominent position within the school .
The school did not respond to a request for comment to the finding on Thursday .

The WRC found that Yellow Furze primary school in Co Meath discriminated against an atheist pupil. Photograph: Alan Betson
Catholic schools that reward pupils who attend religious ceremonies are discriminating against non-Catholic pupils, the Workplace Relations Commission has found.
In a ruling, the commission found that Yellow Furze primary school in Co Meath discriminated against an atheist pupil by rewarding his classmates who attended a First Communion choir ceremony with homework passes.
The ruling is likely to have implications for Catholic schools – which make up 90 per cent of primary schools – in how they organise religious events and incentivise children to attend them.
The mother of the child at the centre of the case said her son was upset after being “penalised” with homework for not attending the choir ceremony.
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Atheist family
She argued that he did not have the option to take part in the ceremony as the family are atheist.
“He came out of school crying,” said the boy’s mother, who declined to be named on the basis that it would identify her child.
“On that day my son was the only child in the class who was not participating. He was also the only non-Catholic child in his class. We are atheist and this is not a choice that is open to him.”
The school submitted in the hearing that the claim was “wholly unfounded” and said all children – regardless of their religion – were able to participate in the ceremony.
As a Catholic school, it said it enjoyed a proud tradition of participating in religious ceremonies and that music was an integral part of this.
It added that its code of behaviour provided that all children who participate in extra-curricular activities or events on behalf of the school will receive a “reward” for their doing so.
The commission, however, found that there was prima facie evidence of discriminatory treatment under the Equal Status Acts towards the boy on grounds of religion.
It also found that the parents were deeply hurt and upset by the treatment of the school to the point they have removed their boy from school.
Review policies
By maintaining it is appropriate to award a benefit to children to attend a religious ceremony, the commission found that the school “does not appreciate this action had an adverse effect on students who are not of a Catholic faith”.
The commission awarded a sum of €5,000 in respect of discriminatory treatment and ordered the school to review its policies to ensure it complies with the provisions of the Equal Status Acts.
A notice to this effect should also be placed in a prominent position within the school. The school did not respond to a request for comment to the finding on Thursday.