theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Ballyfermot murder: Few leads as victim not known to gardaí

Gardaí are investigating if a man who was shot dead in Ballyfermot on Monday morning was killed in a case of mistaken identity .
Confusion surrounds the murder of Thomas McCarthy ( 55 ) who had been living in the United Kingdom for a number of years and had arrived home about a week ago .
He was staying in the home of his elderly mother in Croftwood Park , Ballyfermot , Dublin 10 when he was killed .
The victim was not known to gardaí and is not thought to have been involved in gangland crime either here or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few leads as to why he was targeted .
However , given the carefully planned nature of the murder , gardaí are satisfied organised criminals were behind the murder .
One person close to Mr McCarthy is believed to be associated with a local criminal gang whose leader has been a target of the Criminal Assets Bureau in recent years .
This raises the possibility Mr McCarthy was either mistakenly targeted or killed because he knew this person , a source said .
At 11am on Monday , Mr McCarthy opened the front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was shot a number of times by a gunman with either a handgun or small calibre machine gun .
He managed to retreat into the house where he was shot several more times .
The gunman fled in a Ford Fiesta .
He drove it to another part of the large residential development where he set it on fire shortly after 11am , completely gutting the vehicle .
He then got in a Skoda Octavia which he drove to the Monksfield Lawns area of Clondalkin about 10 minutes away .
This vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before he fled on foot towards a green area near Monksfield Walk .
On Monday afternoon , residents gathered in their front gardens as gardaí moved in and out of the victim ’ s semi-detached house .
Most said they knew little of the family .
“ They ’ re decent people .
They were well liked , ” said one woman .

Two gunmen fired at least six shots at a man in his 50s after calling to the door of his house at Croftwood Park in the west Dublin suburb of Ballyfermot. Video: Tom Honan
Gardaí are investigating if a man who was shot dead in Ballyfermot on Monday morning was killed in a case of mistaken identity.
Confusion surrounds the murder of Thomas McCarthy (55) who had been living in the United Kingdom for a number of years and had arrived home about a week ago. He was staying in the home of his elderly mother in Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 when he was killed.
The victim was not known to gardaí and is not thought to have been involved in gangland crime either here or in the UK, leaving investigators with few leads as to why he was targeted. However, given the carefully planned nature of the murder, gardaí are satisfied organised criminals were behind the murder.
One person close to Mr McCarthy is believed to be associated with a local criminal gang whose leader has been a target of the Criminal Assets Bureau in recent years. This raises the possibility Mr McCarthy was either mistakenly targeted or killed because he knew this person, a source said.
READ MORE
Gunman
At 11am on Monday, Mr McCarthy opened the front door of his mother’s house and was shot a number of times by a gunman with either a handgun or small calibre machine gun. He managed to retreat into the house where he was shot several more times.
The gunman fled in a Ford Fiesta. He drove it to another part of the large residential development where he set it on fire shortly after 11am, completely gutting the vehicle.
He then got in a Skoda Octavia which he drove to the Monksfield Lawns area of Clondalkin about 10 minutes away. This vehicle was also set alight by the man before he fled on foot towards a green area near Monksfield Walk.
On Monday afternoon, residents gathered in their front gardens as gardaí moved in and out of the victim’s semi-detached house. Most said they knew little of the family. “They’re decent people. They were well liked,” said one woman.


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Lower paid essential workers face highest risk of severe outcomes from Covid-19

Frontline workers who tend to be in lower paid and less secure professions but are considered among the most essential to the economic and social health of Ireland , face the highest risk of severe outcomes from Covid-19 infection , a new report has found .
An analysis by the Economic and Social Research Institute ( ESRI ) shows some of those most at risk include carers , meat plant employees , taxi drivers , security guards , cleaners and migrant workers .
Policies to ensure they are adequately protected as the country continues to battle the pandemic is needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Risk of Severe Outcomes from Covid-19 Across Occupations in Ireland report is published on Tuesday .
It attempts to identify the highest risk groups by looking at a combination of existing health conditions , age and social deprivation rates across various occupations and derived from multiple existing data sources .
These three categories have been linked to worse health outcomes , including more severe illness , hospitalisation and mortality .
The authors examined the prevalence of chronic illness given the consequences such conditions can have for those who contract Covid-19 .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a Covid-19-vulnerable illness such as chronic heart disease and respiratory disease , diabetes , neurological disorders such as Alzheimer ’ s and Parkinson ’ s , cancer , kidney disease and asthma .
However , those most likely to have conditions are more common in some sectors than others .
Those in housekeeping and related services have the highest proportion of underlying conditions that could cause complications with Covid-19 infection at 33.9 per cent .
They are followed in order of risk by road transport drivers ( 25.8 per cent ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ESRI report notes that carers in particular have high rates of underlying health conditions , are older , and are more likely to live in more deprived areas .
As of June 6th , there were 1,048 confirmed cases among workers in meat processing plants .
“ We find that , despite having a younger age profile ( only 17 per cent were aged 50 years and older ) , they have high risk to Covid-19 based on their Covid-19-vulnerable chronic illness rates ( 19 per cent ) and living in more deprived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk to both exposure and severe outcomes.
” A quarter of the 70,000 road transport drivers , including large goods vehicles ( LGV ) , vans , buses and taxis , report having such serious diseases .
Taxi drivers are constantly interacting with the public , increasing their risk of infection , the report notes .
“ We also know that taxi drivers have high rates of other chronic illnesses , and have been shown to have a high mortality risk from Covid-19 in England and Wales.
” Housekeepers who may be returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also among the higher risk groups .
This is also probably the case for general migrant workers due to lower dissemination of public health advice or the probability of living in more overcrowded homes .
“ Workers in essential occupations continued working throughout the crisis .
In addition to facing greater exposure to Covid-19 , many of these essential workers are older , live in more deprived areas , and have greater rates of Covid-19-vulnerable chronic illness.
” The authors also highlight how the health crisis has further exposed the socio-economic disparities between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is those occupations most essential to the running of society and the economy that tend to have workers who are in lower paying and less secure professions , ” they write .
“ Yet these workers have been at the frontline of the Covid-19 crisis , a frontline that spans both healthcare and non-healthcare workers .
”

The report highlights how the health crisis has further exposed the socio-economic disparities between various occupations in Ireland. Photograph: Getty Images
Frontline workers who tend to be in lower paid and less secure professions but are considered among the most essential to the economic and social health of Ireland, face the highest risk of severe outcomes from Covid-19 infection, a new report has found.
An analysis by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) shows some of those most at risk include carers, meat plant employees, taxi drivers, security guards, cleaners and migrant workers.
Policies to ensure they are adequately protected as the country continues to battle the pandemic is needed, its authors say.
The Differences in Risk of Severe Outcomes from Covid-19 Across Occupations in Ireland report is published on Tuesday.
READ MORE
It attempts to identify the highest risk groups by looking at a combination of existing health conditions, age and social deprivation rates across various occupations and derived from multiple existing data sources.
These three categories have been linked to worse health outcomes, including more severe illness, hospitalisation and mortality.
The authors examined the prevalence of chronic illness given the consequences such conditions can have for those who contract Covid-19.
More than 15 per cent of workers generally have a Covid-19-vulnerable illness such as chronic heart disease and respiratory disease, diabetes, neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, cancer, kidney disease and asthma. However, those most likely to have conditions are more common in some sectors than others.
Those in housekeeping and related services have the highest proportion of underlying conditions that could cause complications with Covid-19 infection at 33.9 per cent. They are followed in order of risk by road transport drivers (25.8 per cent).
In terms of specific jobs, the ESRI report notes that carers in particular have high rates of underlying health conditions, are older, and are more likely to live in more deprived areas.
As of June 6th, there were 1,048 confirmed cases among workers in meat processing plants.
“We find that, despite having a younger age profile (only 17 per cent were aged 50 years and older), they have high risk to Covid-19 based on their Covid-19-vulnerable chronic illness rates (19 per cent) and living in more deprived areas. This puts them at high risk to both exposure and severe outcomes.”
Chronic illnesses
A quarter of the 70,000 road transport drivers, including large goods vehicles (LGV), vans, buses and taxis, report having such serious diseases. Taxi drivers are constantly interacting with the public, increasing their risk of infection, the report notes.
"We also know that taxi drivers have high rates of other chronic illnesses, and have been shown to have a high mortality risk from Covid-19 in England and Wales."
Housekeepers who may be returning to workplaces as the economy reopens are also among the higher risk groups. This is also probably the case for general migrant workers due to lower dissemination of public health advice or the probability of living in more overcrowded homes.
“Workers in essential occupations continued working throughout the crisis. In addition to facing greater exposure to Covid-19, many of these essential workers are older, live in more deprived areas, and have greater rates of Covid-19-vulnerable chronic illness.”
The authors also highlight how the health crisis has further exposed the socio-economic disparities between various occupations in Ireland.
“Often it is those occupations most essential to the running of society and the economy that tend to have workers who are in lower paying and less secure professions,” they write.
“Yet these workers have been at the frontline of the Covid-19 crisis, a frontline that spans both healthcare and non-healthcare workers.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Plans to reopen schools will be ‘massively complex’

The Government ’ s plans to reopen the State ’ s schools will be “ massively complex ” and demand constant vigilance for unexpected events , teachers have warned .
Martin Marjoram , president of the Teachers ’ Union of Ireland ( TUI ) , which represents postprimary teachers , called on the Government to pledge extra funding if the promised €375 million package does not go far enough .
Describing the plan as “ extensive ” , Mr Marjoram said , nonetheless , it does not cover “ every eventuality ” and any unforeseen issues must be dealt with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
“ This will be a massively complex operation and we will insist that schools and teachers be provided with every support and safeguard that is required , ” he said .
Physical distancing is “ absolutely critical ” , he said : “ Should the initial budget set out today not be sufficient , additional resources must immediately be made available if and when required.
” The TUI said “ ongoing and intensive engagement ” with the Department of Education will be needed , since a number of issues have “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the arrangements for teachers and students with health issues , and technology and other resources for disadvantaged children .
The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland ( the ASTI ) also said it is concerned about the Government ’ s spending plans .
Describing the reopening as “ unprecedented and difficult ” , Deirdre Mac Donald , the association ’ s president , demanded “ regular reviews ” to deal with any “ emerging deficiencies ” .
“ The reopening of schools is one challenge , ” she said .
“ However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place must be sustained for as long as the threat of the pandemic remains .
The health and safety of the whole school community is an imperative for ASTI members.
” Ms Mac Donald said her union was approaching the plan with caution .
“ Over the coming weeks , we will review its operation and effectiveness .
We wish to make it clear that any tardiness in the delivery of supports necessary for the safe reopening of schools would be unacceptable to the ASTI .
“ The pandemic has highlighted the importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face-to-face interaction between students and their teachers , ” she said .
Clive Byrne , director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals , said school heads would recruit the promised 1,000 extra teachers “ as soon as possible ” .
Extra money and help for principals and schools “ must be actioned immediately ” if it proves necessary : “ School leaders are ready and willing to deliver on the map which has been laid out , ” he said .
Some parts of the State will not have enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers falling ill with the Covid-19 virus , or those who have to isolate because of suspicions that they might have it , primary teachers have warned .
The Irish National Teachers Organisation ( INTO ) has pressed for enough substitutes to be available in talks with Minister for Education Norma Foley and Department of Education officials .
Under the plan , the Government has pledged to create 60 substitute panels , with each county having at least one panel .
However , INTO general secretary John Boyle warned that this will leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is clear – a teacher presenting with symptoms should not go to school , ” he said .
“ That therefore creates a need for a robust substitute supply panel.
” Schools in such districts will need further help , said Mr Boyle , adding that more clarity is needed on the cover available for non-health-caused absences by teachers .
The next academic year will be the most challenging ever experienced and it is “ imperative ” that the return is “ an orderly one ” and pupils and teachers have “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Illustrated graphics in the Government ’ s plan to show teachers how to lay out their classes shows up the need to “ urgently ” reduce “ the largest ” primary class sizes in the European Union.
” Joining with secondary school colleagues , the INTO , which is broadly supportive of the measures announced on Monday , said extra spending will have to be made available , if there is a need .

Martin Marjoram, president of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, right, with general secretary John Mac Gabhann, at Leinster House earlier this month. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
The Government’s plans to reopen the State’s schools will be “massively complex” and demand constant vigilance for unexpected events, teachers have warned.
Martin Marjoram, president of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI), which represents postprimary teachers, called on the Government to pledge extra funding if the promised €375 million package does not go far enough.
Describing the plan as “extensive”, Mr Marjoram said, nonetheless, it does not cover “every eventuality” and any unforeseen issues must be dealt with “as soon as they are identified”.
“This will be a massively complex operation and we will insist that schools and teachers be provided with every support and safeguard that is required,” he said.
READ MORE
Physical distancing is “absolutely critical”, he said: “Should the initial budget set out today not be sufficient, additional resources must immediately be made available if and when required.”
Disadvantaged children
The TUI said “ongoing and intensive engagement” with the Department of Education will be needed, since a number of issues have “yet to be finalised”, including the arrangements for teachers and students with health issues, and technology and other resources for disadvantaged children.
The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (the ASTI) also said it is concerned about the Government's spending plans. Describing the reopening as "unprecedented and difficult", Deirdre Mac Donald, the association's president, demanded "regular reviews" to deal with any "emerging deficiencies".
“The reopening of schools is one challenge,” she said. “However, the measures that are being put in place must be sustained for as long as the threat of the pandemic remains. The health and safety of the whole school community is an imperative for ASTI members.”
Ms Mac Donald said her union was approaching the plan with caution. “Over the coming weeks, we will review its operation and effectiveness. We wish to make it clear that any tardiness in the delivery of supports necessary for the safe reopening of schools would be unacceptable to the ASTI.
“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of education and the crucial role of face-to-face interaction between students and their teachers,” she said.
Extra teachers
Clive Byrne, director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, said school heads would recruit the promised 1,000 extra teachers "as soon as possible".
Extra money and help for principals and schools “must be actioned immediately” if it proves necessary: “School leaders are ready and willing to deliver on the map which has been laid out ,” he said.
Some parts of the State will not have enough substitute teachers to fill gaps left by teachers falling ill with the Covid-19 virus, or those who have to isolate because of suspicions that they might have it, primary teachers have warned.
The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has pressed for enough substitutes to be available in talks with Minister for Education Norma Foley and Department of Education officials.
Under the plan, the Government has pledged to create 60 substitute panels, with each county having at least one panel . However, INTO general secretary John Boyle warned that this will leave gaps.
“The public health advice is clear – a teacher presenting with symptoms should not go to school,” he said. “That therefore creates a need for a robust substitute supply panel.”
Schools in such districts will need further help, said Mr Boyle, adding that more clarity is needed on the cover available for non-health-caused absences by teachers.
Most challenging
The next academic year will be the most challenging ever experienced and it is “ imperative” that the return is “an orderly one” and pupils and teachers have “a safe, healthy and supportive” environment.
Illustrated graphics in the Government’s plan to show teachers how to lay out their classes shows up the need to “urgently” reduce “the largest” primary class sizes in the European Union.”
Joining with secondary school colleagues, the INTO, which is broadly supportive of the measures announced on Monday, said extra spending will have to be made available, if there is a need.


theirishtimes--2020-07-27--‘No zero-risk scenario’: Hiring 1,000 extra teachers to be a challenge, accepts Minister

More than 1,000 additional secondary school teachers are to be hired as part of plans announced by the Government to reopen schools at the end of August .
A significant funding package of more than €375 million to support schools reopening was signed off at a Cabinet meeting on Monday .
Under the plans , extra teachers will be hired to allow some schools to split larger classes to adhere to physical distancing rules of one metre between desks .
Some €75 million in capital grants is being made available to schools for minor works , such as the reconfiguration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Reopening the country ’ s 4,000 schools was an “ unprecedented policy and logistical challenge ” , Taoiseach Micheál Martin told a press conference following the Cabinet meeting .
Mr Martin said there was “ no zero-risk scenario ” but guidelines set out for schools would “ dramatically limit the risk of the virus ” to staff and pupils .
Minister for Education Norma Foley acknowledged there would be “ challenges ” in recruiting 1,000 secondary school teachers .
Restrictions on 13,000 teachers currently job-sharing are to be lifted to allow them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be a targeted campaign to recruit some of the 2,000 registered teachers not currently working in the education sector , she said .
Officials believe the pandemic may have led to some teachers on career breaks who were abroad returning to Ireland , who may be encouraged to take up work in schools .
Schools will be allowed to draw down capital grants to convert areas like PE or assembly halls into temporary classrooms if required .
They will also be able to avail of funding to switch from double to single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would in the first instance be “ decluttered ” to allow physical distancing between pupils .
If that was not possible , schools would then look at repurposing other rooms , or using nearby facilities such as parish halls as a “ last line ” for classrooms .
Ms Foley said she was confident there would be a “ very fast turnaround ” on Garda vetting applications for recruited teachers .
Elsewhere , acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has said he expects cases and clusters within the schools and childcare sectors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopeful the experience and knowledge gained by public health teams and parents in recent months would prevent widespread transmission .
Emphasising that mixing of classes should be avoided , he said he hoped responses to outbreaks could be more “ nuanced ” than outright closure of a school .
Guidance would be provided for parents and schools in the coming days on managing common respiratory illnesses in children in the context of coronavirus , health officials said on Monday night .
Teachers unions broadly welcomed the financial support package and public health guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Teachers Ireland ( ASTI ) said it was concerned the funding provided to schools may be insufficient and called for the supports to be regularly reviewed .
John Boyle , general secretary of the Irish National Teachers ’ Organisation ( INTO ) , said the coming weeks would be “ the most challenging ever experienced by everyone in school communities ” .
Clive Byrne , director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals , said while the group welcomed the plan principals were now faced with “ a short period of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Department of Health confirmed on Monday night there were no further deaths associated with Covid-19 in the State and 11 new cases were notified .
There have now been a total of 1,764 deaths in the Republic and 25,892 cases .

Under the plans, extra teachers will be hired to allow some schools to split larger classes to adhere to physical distancing rules of one metre between desks. File photograph: Getty
More than 1,000 additional secondary school teachers are to be hired as part of plans announced by the Government to reopen schools at the end of August.
A significant funding package of more than €375 million to support schools reopening was signed off at a Cabinet meeting on Monday.
Under the plans, extra teachers will be hired to allow some schools to split larger classes to adhere to physical distancing rules of one metre between desks.
Some €75 million in capital grants is being made available to schools for minor works, such as the reconfiguration of classrooms or refurbishment of toilet facilities.
READ MORE
Reopening the country’s 4,000 schools was an “unprecedented policy and logistical challenge”, Taoiseach Micheál Martin told a press conference following the Cabinet meeting.
Mr Martin said there was “no zero-risk scenario” but guidelines set out for schools would “dramatically limit the risk of the virus” to staff and pupils.
Minister for Education Norma Foley acknowledged there would be “challenges” in recruiting 1,000 secondary school teachers.
Restrictions on 1,300 teachers currently job-sharing are to be lifted to allow them to work more hours, and there will be a targeted campaign to recruit some of the 2,000 registered teachers not currently working in the education sector, she said.
Conversion of spaces
Officials believe the pandemic may have led to some teachers on career breaks who were abroad returning to Ireland, who may be encouraged to take up work in schools.
Schools will be allowed to draw down capital grants to convert areas like PE or assembly halls into temporary classrooms if required. They will also be able to avail of funding to switch from double to single pupil desks.
Minister for Education Norma Foley: Classrooms will be “decluttered” to allow physical distancing. Schools may also repurpose other rooms or nearby facilities such as parish halls. Photograph: Alan Betson
Ms Foley said classrooms would in the first instance be “decluttered” to allow physical distancing between pupils. If that was not possible, schools would then look at repurposing other rooms, or using nearby facilities such as parish halls as a “last line” for classrooms.
Ms Foley said she was confident there would be a “very fast turnaround” on Garda vetting applications for recruited teachers.
Elsewhere, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has said he expects cases and clusters within the schools and childcare sectors as they reopen, but he is hopeful the experience and knowledge gained by public health teams and parents in recent months would prevent widespread transmission.
‘Nuanced’ response
Emphasising that mixing of classes should be avoided, he said he hoped responses to outbreaks could be more “nuanced” than outright closure of a school.
Guidance would be provided for parents and schools in the coming days on managing common respiratory illnesses in children in the context of coronavirus, health officials said on Monday night.
Teachers unions broadly welcomed the financial support package and public health guidelines for schools.
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) said it was concerned the funding provided to schools may be insufficient and called for the supports to be regularly reviewed.
John Boyle, general secretary of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), said the coming weeks would be “the most challenging ever experienced by everyone in school communities”.
Clive Byrne, director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, said while the group welcomed the plan principals were now faced with “a short period of time” to implement the guidelines.
The Department of Health confirmed on Monday night there were no further deaths associated with Covid-19 in the State and 11 new cases were notified. There have now been a total of 1,764 deaths in the Republic and 25,892 cases.


theirishtimes--2020-07-27--Alcohol abuse still on rise in Ireland – along with cannabis and cocaine

Many people now seeking help for alcohol addiction are drinking more in a day that they should be in a week under recommended weekly alcohol limits , the Health Research Board has warned .
Seven-in-ten people do not come for help until their addiction is already “ severe which makes treatment more complex and recovery more difficult ” , said Dr Suzi Lyons , senior HRB researcher .
Last year , 7,546 cases were treated , up from 7,464 in 2018 , though some addicts could be counted more than once during the year .
Of these , 5,100 were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rise of 16 % on the year .
Under HRB guidelines , men should drink no more than 17 standard measures s a week – a half a pint of regular beer ( 10 grams of pure alcohol ) , a 100 mls glass of wine or a pub measure ( 35mls ) of spirits .
Women , meanwhile , should have no more than 11 standard drinks in a week .
It is recommended the drinks for both men and women should be spaced out over the week , with two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The median number of standard drinks consumed on a typical drinking day was 15 for women and 20 for me , while the median age at which people start drinking remains at 16 .
The HRB also found that “ there is a steady increase in the number of cases presenting with problem use of cocaine as an additional drug , up from 458 in 2013 to 844 in 2019 ” .
Meanwhile , 1,570 cases of alcohol and drugs use were treated last year .
Cannabis was involved in 881 cases last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and cocaine in 844 more , up from 458 in 2013 .
Pointing to the danger of mixing alcohol and narcotic drugs , Dr Lyons said it is of “ particular concern because mixing cocaine and alcohol can result in greater physical harm and more severe side-effects ” .
Cocaine is increasingly replacing other drugs .
Over the same period , the number of cases reporting cannabis , benzodiazepines and opioids as additional problem drugs has been declining since 2013 .
The median age of cases entering alcohol treatment in 2019 was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and half are unemployed .
More than 650 were homeless before they entered treatment .
The number of Travellers seeking treatment has risen from 144 in 2013 to 178 in 2019 , while the number of those under 18 has fallen , from 220 in 2013 to 107 in 2019 .
Preferred drinks for men were beer ( 43 per cent of cases ) , spirits ( 37 per cent ) and wine ( 9 per cent ) , whereas for women it was wine ( 35 per cent , spirits ( 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 per cent ) .

A recent seizure of cocaine by gardaí in Portarlington, Co Laois. The HRB found “there is a steady increase in the number of cases presenting with problem use of cocaine as an additional drug, up from 458 in 2013 to 844 in 2019”. Photograph: An Garda Siochana/PA
Many people now seeking help for alcohol addiction are drinking more in a day that they should be in a week under recommended weekly alcohol limits, the Health Research Board has warned.
Seven-in-ten people do not come for help until their addiction is already "severe which makes treatment more complex and recovery more difficult", said Dr Suzi Lyons, senior HRB researcher.
Last year, 7,546 cases were treated, up from 7,464 in 2018, though some addicts could be counted more than once during the year. Of these, 5,100 were deemed as “alcohol dependent”, a rise of 16% on the year.
Under HRB guidelines, men should drink no more than 17 standard measures s a week – a half a pint of regular beer (10 grams of pure alcohol), a 100 mls glass of wine or a pub measure (35mls) of spirits.
READ MORE
Women, meanwhile, should have no more than 11 standard drinks in a week. It is recommended the drinks for both men and women should be spaced out over the week, with two to three alcohol-free days per week.
The median number of standard drinks consumed on a typical drinking day was 15 for women and 20 for me, while the median age at which people start drinking remains at 16.
The HRB also found that “there is a steady increase in the number of cases presenting with problem use of cocaine as an additional drug, up from 458 in 2013 to 844 in 2019”.
Meanwhile, 1,570 cases of alcohol and drugs use were treated last year. Cannabis was involved in 881 cases last year, down from 1,008 in 2013 , and cocaine in 844 more, up from 458 in 2013.
Pointing to the danger of mixing alcohol and narcotic drugs, Dr Lyons said it is of “particular concern because mixing cocaine and alcohol can result in greater physical harm and more severe side-effects”.
Cocaine is increasingly replacing other drugs. Over the same period, the number of cases reporting cannabis, benzodiazepines and opioids as additional problem drugs has been declining since 2013.
The median age of cases entering alcohol treatment in 2019 was 41. Two thirds are men, and half are unemployed. More than 650 were homeless before they entered treatment.
The number of Travellers seeking treatment has risen from 144 in 2013 to 178 in 2019, while the number of those under 18 has fallen, from 220 in 2013 to 107 in 2019.
Preferred drinks for men were beer (43 per cent of cases), spirits (37 per cent) and wine (9 per cent), whereas for women it was wine (35 per cent, spirits (35 per cent) followed by beer (19 per cent).


theirishtimes--2020-07-27--Climate finance fails to reach most vulnerable nations, report shows

Donations by wealthy countries under international commitments to mobilise $ 100 billion a year to support states most vulnerable to climate disruption “ are shockingly low ” , according to a report by international aid organisations .
In 2009 , developed world countries promised to raise $ 100 billion a year in climate finance for building community resilience to natural hazards by 2020 but this deadline risks being missed , concludes the report published Concern Worldwide and Mercy Corps on Tuesday .
In addition , what funds that are being delivered , “ are instead being directed to tackling climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more stable ” , the At What Cost ?
report finds .
Concern Worldwide ’ s senior resilience policy officer Sally Tyldesley said the global community was not honouring what it said it would do , “ and failing to invest appropriately in tackling climate chaos ” .
The commitments were endorsed in the landmark 2015 Paris Climate Agreement .
“ Research from the Red Cross has revealed that , without action , climate-related disasters will lead to 200 million people needing humanitarian aid each year by 2050 , ” she added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisively , climate chaos will have devastating impacts in the world ’ s most fragile nations , such as more intense and frequent weather-related hazards like floods and droughts.
” These hazards could destroy homes and livelihoods , damage essential infrastructure such as schools , ruin harvests , hamper trade and human development , Ms Tyldesley said .
This report analyses the financing of two existing measures – climate change adaptation ( CCA ) and disaster risk reduction – to better manage and reduce risk of climate-related disasters and enable people to cope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exception of Micronesia – thousands of small islands in the western Pacific ocean – countries ranked in the 10 most vulnerable to climate change receive chronic underfunding from wealthy nations to enable them adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate and build community resilience to natural hazards .
These include Somalia , Niger , Solomon Islands , Chad , Guinea-Bissau , Sudan , Liberia , Mali and Eritrea .
Among the 36 most vulnerable countries , eight received less than $ 20 per person per year in CCA financing ; six received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received less than $ 5 .
“ Wealthy nations have mobilised trillions in their fight against Covid-19 .
Yet climate change remains a grave threat to humanity .
Donors must also ensure climate finance reaches fragile states and climate vulnerable countries with the poorest populations , ” said Ann Vaughan of Mercy Corps .
The report calls on donor countries to build climate change resilience into Covid-19 recovery plans , to honour existing commitments and to invest $ 50 billion in public climate finance by the end of 2020 .
It suggested ambitious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet growing needs , including doubling climate finance to the most fragile and climate-vulnerable countries , helping to build resilience to natural hazards for the long-term .
These , it says , should be adopted at COP 26 , the annual United Nations “ conference of the parties ” , where global climate actions are agreed – it is due to be held in Glasgow next year .
The report says there are many reasons why countries most at risk from climate chaos are not prioritised for climate finance .
“ Bilateral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preferentially allocate finances to countries that have a stable and hospitable business environment , ” it says .
Donors ’ financing strategies have also been shown to be based on political or historical alliances and geography .
Concern Worldwide and the Mercy Corps work in partnership under the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance , which seeks to support practical ways to help save lives by strengthening community resilience to floods globally .
Their report is available at floodresilience.net .

The West Point neighbourhood in the Liberian capital Monrovia, which residents have had to leave because of rising sea levels. Photograph: Zoom Dosso/AFP via Getty Images
Donations by wealthy countries under international commitments to mobilise $100 billion a year to support states most vulnerable to climate disruption “are shockingly low”, according to a report by international aid organisations.
In 2009, developed world countries promised to raise $100 billion a year in climate finance for building community resilience to natural hazards by 2020 but this deadline risks being missed, concludes the report published Concern Worldwide and Mercy Corps on Tuesday.
In addition, what funds that are being delivered, “are instead being directed to tackling climate chaos in less climate-vulnerable countries that are more stable”, the At What Cost? report finds.
Concern Worldwide's senior resilience policy officer Sally Tyldesley said the global community was not honouring what it said it would do, "and failing to invest appropriately in tackling climate chaos". The commitments were endorsed in the landmark 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
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“Research from the Red Cross has revealed that, without action, climate-related disasters will lead to 200 million people needing humanitarian aid each year by 2050,” she added. “If we don’t act decisively, climate chaos will have devastating impacts in the world’s most fragile nations, such as more intense and frequent weather-related hazards like floods and droughts.”
These hazards could destroy homes and livelihoods, damage essential infrastructure such as schools, ruin harvests, hamper trade and human development, Ms Tyldesley said.
This report analyses the financing of two existing measures – climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction – to better manage and reduce risk of climate-related disasters and enable people to cope with multiple shocks and stresses.
With the exception of Micronesia – thousands of small islands in the western Pacific ocean – countries ranked in the 10 most vulnerable to climate change receive chronic underfunding from wealthy nations to enable them adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate and build community resilience to natural hazards. These include Somalia, Niger, Solomon Islands, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Sudan, Liberia, Mali and Eritrea.
Among the 36 most vulnerable countries, eight received less than $20 per person per year in CCA financing; six received less than $10 and 22 countries received less than $5.
‘Grave threat’
"Wealthy nations have mobilised trillions in their fight against Covid-19. Yet climate change remains a grave threat to humanity. Donors must also ensure climate finance reaches fragile states and climate vulnerable countries with the poorest populations," said Ann Vaughan of Mercy Corps.
The report calls on donor countries to build climate change resilience into Covid-19 recovery plans, to honour existing commitments and to invest $50 billion in public climate finance by the end of 2020.
It suggested ambitious new targets for the next five years to meet growing needs, including doubling climate finance to the most fragile and climate-vulnerable countries, helping to build resilience to natural hazards for the long-term.
These, it says, should be adopted at COP 26, the annual United Nations "conference of the parties", where global climate actions are agreed – it is due to be held in Glasgow next year.
The report says there are many reasons why countries most at risk from climate chaos are not prioritised for climate finance. “Bilateral donors in particular have been found to preferentially allocate finances to countries that have a stable and hospitable business environment,” it says.
Donors’ financing strategies have also been shown to be based on political or historical alliances and geography.
Concern Worldwide and the Mercy Corps work in partnership under the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance, which seeks to support practical ways to help save lives by strengthening community resilience to floods globally. Their report is available at floodresilience.net.


theirishtimes--2020-07-27--Witness in Aaron Brady murder trial might have had motive ‘to make things up”, court told

The “ most significant ” witness in the trial of the man accused of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe “ might have had a lot of motives to make things up ” , a barrister has told the Central Criminal Court .
Michael O ’ Higgins SC for Aaron Brady told the jury of six men and seven women that the background to Daniel Cahill giving evidence was “ shrouded in mystery ” and that he may have been subjected to threats or inducement by Homeland Security before speaking to gardaí .
Mr Cahill has told the trial that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garda on three occasions .
Mr Cahill also revealed that he spoke to gardaí in New York after Homeland Security agents came to his home in circumstances where he had overstayed his 90-day visa waiver by several years .
In his closing speech to the jury Mr O ’ Higgins also criticised the garda investigation , accusing investigators of closing their eyes to evidence and burying their heads in the sand over evidence that his client was laundering diesel at the time Det Gda Donohoe was shot .
Aaron Brady ( 29 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe who was then a member of An Garda Síochána on active duty on January 25 , 2013 at Lordship Credit Union , Bellurgan , Co Louth .
Mr Brady has also pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location .
Mr O ’ Higgins said he wanted to start with Mr Cahill ’ s evidence , which he said was the “ most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Counsel asked the jury to consider why , five years after Mr Cahill first claimed to have heard a confession from Aaron Brady , he “ falls out of the sky with this evidence ” on July 25 , 2019 when he gave his first statement to gardaí .
Mr O ’ Higgins reminded the jury that Mr Cahill told them that he gave evidence because he wanted justice for Detective Garda Donohoe , his family and for the Irish justice system .
Counsel said : “ The first thing I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr O ’ Higgins said the witness had claimed to know nothing of the murder of Det Gda Donohoe even after he heard Mr Brady make his alleged confessions .
Counsel said : “ Maybe it ’ s possible to ignore it the first time and not take it seriously , put it down to drunken rambling , but then there ’ s the second time .
In the internet age would you be mildly curious enough to even google the event .
Daniel Cahill didn ’ t .
Didn ’ t do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Does that sound to you like someone with a burning desire to do justice ?
” Mr O ’ Higgins questioned why the witness didn ’ t tell any of his friends in the New York police , who he practiced jiu jitsu with every week , his wife or anyone else .
In his testimony Mr Cahill said that he met a number of gardaí on St Patrick ’ s Day 2017 who were talking about Det Gda Donohoe and Aaron Brady .
Mr Cahill said that he told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to him that he killed a garda .
Mr O ’ Higgins suggested this was a lie told by Mr Cahill because he needed to explain why he hadn ’ t spoken about the alleged confession for so many years .
Had the conversation taken place , counsel said , the gardaí who heard it would have taken Mr Cahill ’ s details , passed the information up the line until it got to the investigation team and a detective would have taken the next flight to New York to speak to Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” counsel said , “ and it didn ’ t happen because the conversation was completely invented.
” Mr O ’ Higgins said the catalyst for Mr Cahill coming forward was “ an early morning knock on the door ” from eight or nine members of Homeland Security , including an enforcement and removal officer .
When this happened , counsel said , Mr Cahill “ had an unusual reaction .
He took himself off to the attic , naked , and stayed there for a number of hours.
” Homeland Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovered a cannabis plant and steroids .
Mr O ’ Higgins questioned how , in those circumstances , no charges were brought against Mr Cahill in relation to the cannabis and steroids and , despite being a visa overstayer who had not filled out the paperwork to apply for status to remain , Mr Cahill was released .
He reminded them of the evidence of Kerry Bretz , who said that in his 30 years as an immigration lawyer in the US he had never seen that happen .
Mr O ’ Higgins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a lot of motives to make things up ” .
Counsel further asked the jury to consider if it is normal that during the trial Homeland Security refused to answer questions about Mr Cahill ’ s immigration status or what was said to him when he was detained .
Counsel reminded the jury that Special Agent Mary Ann Wade would not answer questions about Mr Cahill ’ s immigration status or whether he was arrested .
He questioned why the Director of Public Prosecutions allowed the witness to dictate what questions she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imagine the gardaí in similar circumstances , refusing to say if Mr Cahill was arrested and refusing to answer questions about his detention .
Mr O ’ Higgins suggested Mr Cahill was subjected to “ inducement , and its Siamese twin , threat.
” He added : “ You have a situation which is unprecedented that witnesses will come in here and say , here ’ s what ’ s on and off the agenda.
” He said such an approach rewrites the rules of a criminal trial in a “ radical and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you might expect to see in a “ tinpot dictatorship ” .
He also asked the jury whether Mr Cahill was credible in his description of a walk he went on with members of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee during which he posed for a photo unfurling a banner with Vincent Ryan , a dissident republican who was shot dead in 2018 .
Mr Cahill described it as a community sponsored walk .
Counsel asked the jury if , having heard that story , they would buy a used car from Mr Cahill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked : “ How could you rely on him for something that is 1,000 times more important ?
” .
Mr O ’ Higgins also reminded the jury that Mr Cahill was pictured with Dean Evans 16 days after Det Gda Donohoe was shot dead and 24 days before Mr Evans murdered Peter Butterly outside the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston , Co Meath .
He said the photograph was introduced by the defence not to visit Dean Evans ’ s bad character on Mr Cahill , but to call into question his claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and did not hear of the shooting of Det Gda Donohoe until years later .
He said : “ If you are hanging around that milieu of people committing those types of crimes , often in the name of Republican activities , the fact that a garda gets shot is a talking point.
” Mr O ’ Higgins further questioned where Mr Cahill learned his court etiquette , asking : “ Did it cross your mind that this was a witness who had been prepared ?
Who was well aware there would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Sovereignty Committee .
” He asked whether Mr Cahill ’ s statement that he was there for justice was a “ prepared answer , a soundbite that would inhibit further cross examination.
” He urged the jury not to rely on Mr Cahill ’ s evidence unless they are satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he is telling the truth .
Molly Staunton told the trial that she was in Mr Brady ’ s New York apartment where she heard him say he had “ shot a cop ” in Ireland and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland .
Mr O ’ Higgins reminded the jury that under cross examination Ms Staunton gave a different account , saying that Mr Brady was upset that he was being linked with the shooting but not that he had carried it out .
When prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan showed her a video of her statement to gardaí , she went back to her original position , counsel said .
Mr O ’ Higgins described Ms Staunton as a witness “ who is swinging right to left to right ” and said her testimony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , Mr O ’ Higgins said there is evidence that his client was laundering diesel on the night Det Gda Donohoe was shot .
Mr Brady had described his activities in text messages to his then girlfriend Jessica King and there was evidence that a trailer was brought from Dublin that day to Concession Road to be loaded with cubes of diesel waste .
He also pointed to phone contacts between Mr Brady and two known fuel launderers and contacts those men had with two other known fuel launderers .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a “ self evident exercise ” to investigate those links to fuel laundering and added : “ Yet the State , for some reason or another , will not look , did not look , did not examine.
” Counsel also questioned a prosecution suggestion that Mr Brady is a “ psychopath ” , asking the jury to look at his text exchanges with Ms King .
A psychopath , counsel said , is someone with no feelings , no moral qualms and who will do whatever they want .
In that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at how he interacted with his girlfriend .
He also reminded the jury that Ms King and her family met Mr Brady in the hours after the shooting and said he seemed his normal self , cheerful , cheeky , “ not a bother on him ” .
Mr O ’ Higgins accepted that his client had told lies and that lies can count against an accused person .
But he also told them that people lie for different reasons and in this case , it was to hide his connection to diesel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider that if Mr Brady was part of an organised gang who had committed this robbery , why his first false account to gardaí the day after the shooting was so easily pulled apart and contradicted by one of his alleged accomplices .
Counsel said an organised gang would have prepared a story before passing through the garda cordon within a short distance of where the robbery had taken place .
He asked the jury to consider Mr Brady ’ s lies in the context of the “ ambiance and atmosphere ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : “ It ’ s against that background that those lies are told.
” Counsel questioned the value of CCTV footage which the prosecution says shows a suspect for the robbery travelling to Clogherhead three nights earlier to steal a Volkswagen Passat that was used as the getaway vehicle .
Mr O ’ Higgins said the CCTV is grainy and the times don ’ t match up to the prosecution ’ s claims .
He described as “ flawed ” the prosecution ’ s suggestion that the fact phones belonging to Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went dead around the time of the robbery .
Criticising the garda investigation , Mr O ’ Higgins said gardaí should have investigated his client ’ s links to diesel laundering in 2013 .
They had , counsel said , evidence from Jessica King ’ s phone that he was laundering diesel at the time , they had records that he was in touch with known fuel launderers and they had evidence elsewhere that the yard he mentioned in his statement was being used for diesel laundering .
Counsel accused gardaí of closing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their heads in the sand in relation to the site at Concession Road .
Mr O ’ Higgins will continue his closing speech to the jury on Tuesday .

The "most significant" witness in the trial of the man accused of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe "might have had a lot of motives to make things up", a barrister has told the Central Criminal Court.
Michael O'Higgins SC for Aaron Brady told the jury of six men and seven women that the background to Daniel Cahill giving evidence was "shrouded in mystery" and that he may have been subjected to threats or inducement by Homeland Security before speaking to gardaí. Mr Cahill has told the trial that he heard Mr Brady admit to killing a garda on three occasions. Mr Cahill also revealed that he spoke to gardaí in New York after Homeland Security agents came to his home in circumstances where he had overstayed his 90-day visa waiver by several years.
In his closing speech to the jury Mr O'Higgins also criticised the garda investigation, accusing investigators of closing their eyes to evidence and burying their heads in the sand over evidence that his client was laundering diesel at the time Det Gda Donohoe was shot.
Aaron Brady (29) from New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe who was then a member of An Garda Síochána on active duty on January 25, 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth. Mr Brady has also pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location.
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Mr O’Higgins said he wanted to start with Mr Cahill’s evidence, which he said was the “most significant evidence in the case”.
Counsel asked the jury to consider why, five years after Mr Cahill first claimed to have heard a confession from Aaron Brady, he “falls out of the sky with this evidence” on July 25, 2019 when he gave his first statement to gardaí.
Mr O’Higgins reminded the jury that Mr Cahill told them that he gave evidence because he wanted justice for Detective Garda Donohoe, his family and for the Irish justice system. Counsel said: “The first thing I want to do is stress test that claim.”
Mr O’Higgins said the witness had claimed to know nothing of the murder of Det Gda Donohoe even after he heard Mr Brady make his alleged confessions. Counsel said: “Maybe it’s possible to ignore it the first time and not take it seriously, put it down to drunken rambling, but then there’s the second time. In the internet age would you be mildly curious enough to even google the event. Daniel Cahill didn’t. Didn’t do it after the third or the fourth time. Does that sound to you like someone with a burning desire to do justice?”
Mr O’Higgins questioned why the witness didn’t tell any of his friends in the New York police, who he practiced jiu jitsu with every week, his wife or anyone else.
In his testimony Mr Cahill said that he met a number of gardaí on St Patrick’s Day 2017 who were talking about Det Gda Donohoe and Aaron Brady. Mr Cahill said that he told the gardaí present that Aaron Brady had admitted to him that he killed a garda. Mr O’Higgins suggested this was a lie told by Mr Cahill because he needed to explain why he hadn’t spoken about the alleged confession for so many years.
Had the conversation taken place, counsel said, the gardaí who heard it would have taken Mr Cahill’s details, passed the information up the line until it got to the investigation team and a detective would have taken the next flight to New York to speak to Mr Cahill. “None of that happened,” counsel said, “and it didn’t happen because the conversation was completely invented.”
Mr O’Higgins said the catalyst for Mr Cahill coming forward was “an early morning knock on the door” from eight or nine members of Homeland Security, including an enforcement and removal officer. When this happened, counsel said, Mr Cahill “had an unusual reaction. He took himself off to the attic, naked, and stayed there for a number of hours.” Homeland Security found Mr Cahill and in their search discovered a cannabis plant and steroids. Mr O’Higgins questioned how, in those circumstances, no charges were brought against Mr Cahill in relation to the cannabis and steroids and, despite being a visa overstayer who had not filled out the paperwork to apply for status to remain, Mr Cahill was released.
He reminded them of the evidence of Kerry Bretz, who said that in his 30 years as an immigration lawyer in the US he had never seen that happen. Mr O'Higgins suggested that Mr Cahill "might have had a lot of motives to make things up".
Counsel further asked the jury to consider if it is normal that during the trial Homeland Security refused to answer questions about Mr Cahill’s immigration status or what was said to him when he was detained.
Counsel reminded the jury that Special Agent Mary Ann Wade would not answer questions about Mr Cahill's immigration status or whether he was arrested. He questioned why the Director of Public Prosecutions allowed the witness to dictate what questions she would answer and asked the jury to imagine the gardaí in similar circumstances, refusing to say if Mr Cahill was arrested and refusing to answer questions about his detention.
Mr O’Higgins suggested Mr Cahill was subjected to “inducement, and its Siamese twin, threat.”
He added: “You have a situation which is unprecedented that witnesses will come in here and say, here’s what’s on and off the agenda.” He said such an approach rewrites the rules of a criminal trial in a “radical and unprecedented” way and would be something you might expect to see in a “tinpot dictatorship”.
He also asked the jury whether Mr Cahill was credible in his description of a walk he went on with members of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee during which he posed for a photo unfurling a banner with Vincent Ryan, a dissident republican who was shot dead in 2018. Mr Cahill described it as a community sponsored walk. Counsel asked the jury if, having heard that story, they would buy a used car from Mr Cahill. If they wouldn't, he asked: "How could you rely on him for something that is 1,000 times more important?".
Mr O'Higgins also reminded the jury that Mr Cahill was pictured with Dean Evans 16 days after Det Gda Donohoe was shot dead and 24 days before Mr Evans murdered Peter Butterly outside the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath. He said the photograph was introduced by the defence not to visit Dean Evans's bad character on Mr Cahill, but to call into question his claim that he did not follow the news and did not hear of the shooting of Det Gda Donohoe until years later. He said: "If you are hanging around that milieu of people committing those types of crimes, often in the name of Republican activities, the fact that a garda gets shot is a talking point."
Mr O'Higgins further questioned where Mr Cahill learned his court etiquette, asking: "Did it cross your mind that this was a witness who had been prepared? Who was well aware there would be questions about unfurling banners with the 32 County Sovereignty Committee. " He asked whether Mr Cahill's statement that he was there for justice was a "prepared answer, a soundbite that would inhibit further cross examination." He urged the jury not to rely on Mr Cahill's evidence unless they are satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he is telling the truth.
Molly Staunton told the trial that she was in Mr Brady's New York apartment where she heard him say he had "shot a cop" in Ireland and was one of the most feared men in Ireland.
Mr O'Higgins reminded the jury that under cross examination Ms Staunton gave a different account, saying that Mr Brady was upset that he was being linked with the shooting but not that he had carried it out. When prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan showed her a video of her statement to gardaí, she went back to her original position, counsel said. Mr O'Higgins described Ms Staunton as a witness "who is swinging right to left to right" and said her testimony was unreliable.
Dealing with the defence case, Mr O'Higgins said there is evidence that his client was laundering diesel on the night Det Gda Donohoe was shot. Mr Brady had described his activities in text messages to his then girlfriend Jessica King and there was evidence that a trailer was brought from Dublin that day to Concession Road to be loaded with cubes of diesel waste. He also pointed to phone contacts between Mr Brady and two known fuel launderers and contacts those men had with two other known fuel launderers. He said it was a "no brainer" and a "self evident exercise" to investigate those links to fuel laundering and added: "Yet the State, for some reason or another, will not look, did not look, did not examine."
Counsel also questioned a prosecution suggestion that Mr Brady is a "psychopath", asking the jury to look at his text exchanges with Ms King. A psychopath, counsel said, is someone with no feelings, no moral qualms and who will do whatever they want. In that context he said the jury should look at how he interacted with his girlfriend. He also reminded the jury that Ms King and her family met Mr Brady in the hours after the shooting and said he seemed his normal self, cheerful, cheeky, "not a bother on him".
Mr O’Higgins accepted that his client had told lies and that lies can count against an accused person. But he also told them that people lie for different reasons and in this case, it was to hide his connection to diesel laundering. He asked the jury to consider that if Mr Brady was part of an organised gang who had committed this robbery, why his first false account to gardaí the day after the shooting was so easily pulled apart and contradicted by one of his alleged accomplices. Counsel said an organised gang would have prepared a story before passing through the garda cordon within a short distance of where the robbery had taken place.
He asked the jury to consider Mr Brady’s lies in the context of the “ambiance and atmosphere” of south Armagh and diesel laundering. He added: “It’s against that background that those lies are told.”
Counsel questioned the value of CCTV footage which the prosecution says shows a suspect for the robbery travelling to Clogherhead three nights earlier to steal a Volkswagen Passat that was used as the getaway vehicle. Mr O'Higgins said the CCTV is grainy and the times don't match up to the prosecution's claims.
He described as “flawed” the prosecution’s suggestion that the fact phones belonging to Mr Brady and two suspects in the case went dead around the time of the robbery. Criticising the garda investigation, Mr O’Higgins said gardaí should have investigated his client’s links to diesel laundering in 2013. They had, counsel said, evidence from Jessica King’s phone that he was laundering diesel at the time, they had records that he was in touch with known fuel launderers and they had evidence elsewhere that the yard he mentioned in his statement was being used for diesel laundering.
Counsel accused gardaí of closing their eyes to the evidence and putting their heads in the sand in relation to the site at Concession Road.
Mr O’Higgins will continue his closing speech to the jury on Tuesday.


theirishtimes--2020-07-27--HSE audit says €72,000 spent on team development at Jigsaw charity

HSE auditors have criticised spending at Jigsaw , the charity providing mental health services for young people , which they said may be considered as inappropriate and cause reputational damage .
Internal auditors said €72,383 had been spent between January 2016 and August 2018 on team development staff activities in the organisation .
It said in a report issued on Monday that these included team building exercises , yoga classes , Dublin Bay and Shannon cruises , escape room events and mindfulness workshops with fruit hampers being provided on well being days .
The report says in 2017 more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as team breakfasts , team lunches , events for staff who were leaving and at a Christmas party .
Included under “ other ” expenditure for the period from 2016 to August 2018 was €3,936 for VHI employee assistance ; €2,922 on coaching sessions for one member of staff ; €816 on relaxation and lunch package for staff and €920 on team development overnight accommodation .
The audit finding said such expenditure may be considered inappropriate by funders and the public and could cause reputational damage and risk future funding streams .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ used for staff “ life occasions ” including birthdays , the departure of personnel , breakfasts , lunches , Christmas parties or retirement events .
Auditors also said that gifts including alcohol were purchased by Jigsaw during the audit period .
“ Jigsaw ’ s policy on gifts noted that this expenditure was to be coded as ‘ office supplies ’ , ” the audit said .
It also maintained there was no evidence of a business case being presented in relation to a €20,000 contribution towards the refurbishment of a premises in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while some of their findings were significant , these generally related to 2016 and 2017 and that in 2018 there had been significant improvements in controls and practices .
Jigsaw said in a response to the HSE internal auditors that while it accepted there were areas of improvement needed , it was committed to being an organisation that was lean , efficient and effective in its work .
It said it had been successful in developing services to meet gaps in public service provision for young people who required early intervention supports to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said it had moved from being an organisation solely reliant on philanthropy to one that received significant funds to deliver services on behalf of the HSE .
Separately HSE internal auditors warned that greater controls need to be put in place in the appointment of management posts in the health service to avoid “ grade drift ” and breaches of Government pay policy .
An internal audit report said the office of the HSE director general had received anonymous correspondence , ostensibly from staff , which raised concerns about potential grade drift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of special purpose contracts in posts to get around official employment controls in “ posts associated with hospital groups , community health organisations and [ in HSE ] Corporate .
Auditors said the underlying theme of the anonymous correspondence related to grade drift arising primarily from the lack of clear job sizing /role ( grade ) definitions which set out key characteristics and responsibilities for positions .

HSE auditors said €72,383 had been spent between January 2016 and August 2018 on team development staff activities at Jigsaw, the charity providing mental health services for young people
HSE auditors have criticised spending at Jigsaw, the charity providing mental health services for young people, which they said may be considered as inappropriate and cause reputational damage.
Internal auditors said €72,383 had been spent between January 2016 and August 2018 on team development staff activities in the organisation.
It said in a report issued on Monday that these included team building exercises, yoga classes, Dublin Bay and Shannon cruises, escape room events and mindfulness workshops with fruit hampers being provided on well being days.
The report says in 2017 more than €12,000 was spent on food in areas such as team breakfasts, team lunches, events for staff who were leaving and at a Christmas party.
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Included under “other” expenditure for the period from 2016 to August 2018 was €3,936 for VHI employee assistance; €2,922 on coaching sessions for one member of staff; €816 on relaxation and lunch package for staff and €920 on team development overnight accommodation.
The audit finding said such expenditure may be considered inappropriate by funders and the public and could cause reputational damage and risk future funding streams.
Christmas parties
It said Jigsaw funds should not be used for staff “life occasions” including birthdays, the departure of personnel, breakfasts, lunches, Christmas parties or retirement events.
Auditors also said that gifts including alcohol were purchased by Jigsaw during the audit period.
“Jigsaw’s policy on gifts noted that this expenditure was to be coded as ‘office supplies’,” the audit said.
It also maintained there was no evidence of a business case being presented in relation to a €20,000 contribution towards the refurbishment of a premises in Co Meath.
The auditors concluded that while some of their findings were significant, these generally related to 2016 and 2017 and that in 2018 there had been significant improvements in controls and practices.
Jigsaw said in a response to the HSE internal auditors that while it accepted there were areas of improvement needed, it was committed to being an organisation that was lean, efficient and effective in its work.
It said it had been successful in developing services to meet gaps in public service provision for young people who required early intervention supports to address their mental health concerns. It also said it had moved from being an organisation solely reliant on philanthropy to one that received significant funds to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
Separately HSE internal auditors warned that greater controls need to be put in place in the appointment of management posts in the health service to avoid “grade drift” and breaches of Government pay policy.
Concerns raised
An internal audit report said the office of the HSE director general had received anonymous correspondence, ostensibly from staff, which raised concerns about potential grade drift, non-compliance with rules on pay and the use of special purpose contracts in posts to get around official employment controls in “posts associated with hospital groups, community health organisations and [in HSE] Corporate.
Auditors said the underlying theme of the anonymous correspondence related to grade drift arising primarily from the lack of clear job sizing /role (grade) definitions which set out key characteristics and responsibilities for positions.


theirishtimes--2020-07-27--Coronavirus: Larger second-level classes could take place in parish halls, plan says

While Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Monday announced plans for a full return to schools without the need for remote learning , live-streaming within schools may be on the cards for larger classes at second level .
The roadmap published on Monday for the return of students to post-primary schools following their closure amid the Covid-19 pandemic advises to consider the use of live-streaming for some students in larger classes that can not be fully accommodated in the one room or area .
The roadmap says that students who can not be in the main classroom “ could watch live from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school under supervision by a teacher .
Students could be rotated on an equitable basis to the satellite room/area.
” Assembly areas , PE halls and other non-classroom areas should be used where necessary for this .
Community facilities like the local parish hall or community centre should be accessed where possible for larger classes if practical , according to the guidelines .
Much of the guidance on returning to schools is similar for both primary and post-primary students .
However , the advice on personal protective equipment ( PPE ) is different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ it is not practical for students to wear masks properly for the duration of a school day .
“ Older students should not be requested to wear a facial covering but those who wish to wear one where physical distancing is difficult to maintain should not be discouraged.
” For staff , face coverings should not be required if physical distancing is possible and practised appropriately .
“ Wearing a face covering will conceal facial expression and make communication difficult .
“ The use of a visor as an alternative may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarding prolonged close contact and exposure to fluid/respiratory droplets , ” the guidance says .
But face coverings or visors must be used where a 1m distance is not possible , the advice states .
This would include a situation where there are more than 24 students in a 49sq m classroom that has been fully cleared .
“ Staff or students who can not wear face coverings or visors for health reasons should be based in other classrooms or areas wherever possible .
Students should not be required to wear face coverings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole school day.
” The advice for second level on social distancing is that a distance of at least 1m must be maintained , and a 2m distance where possible .
However , the roadmap also calls for flexibility and pragmatism , “ recognising that the learning environment can not be dominated by a potentially counterproductive focus on this issue ” .
While second-level students previously moved from classroom to classroom , the recommendation is they should be based as much as possible in the one room , with seating configured to minimise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The plan also calls for increased separation between students , between students and teachers , and between staff members .
However , it calls for flexibility when implementing required measures , with care to be taken “ to avoid generating tension or potential conflict ” .
Staff “ will not always be able to maintain physical distance from their students and it is not appropriate that they would be expected to do so where this could have a detrimental impact ” , the roadmap says .
However , there should be an avoidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as remaining standing rather than sitting beside/crouching down ” beside others .
For classroom reconfiguration at this level , a “ one-size-fits-all model is not appropriate and schools are best placed to decide their own configuration ” , the plan says .
But the larger classes should be in the largest rooms , and “ room layouts should not necessarily be confined to rows [ of desks ] , but arrangements such as diagonals ” should be considered to maximise space .
Schools are also advised to review their timetables and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to maximise the availability of large spaces over the day .

The roadmap published on Monday for the return of students to post-primary schools following their closure amid the Covid-19 pandemic. File photograph: Getty Images/iStock
While Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Monday announced plans for a full return to schools without the need for remote learning, live-streaming within schools may be on the cards for larger classes at second level.
The roadmap published on Monday for the return of students to post-primary schools following their closure amid the Covid-19 pandemic advises to consider the use of live-streaming for some students in larger classes that cannot be fully accommodated in the one room or area.
The roadmap says that students who cannot be in the main classroom “could watch live from a satellite room or area in the school under supervision by a teacher. Students could be rotated on an equitable basis to the satellite room/area.” Assembly areas, PE halls and other non-classroom areas should be used where necessary for this.
Community facilities like the local parish hall or community centre should be accessed where possible for larger classes if practical, according to the guidelines.
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Much of the guidance on returning to schools is similar for both primary and post-primary students.
However, the advice on personal protective equipment (PPE) is different. The roadmap for post-primary students stresses that “it is not practical for students to wear masks properly for the duration of a school day.
“Older students should not be requested to wear a facial covering but those who wish to wear one where physical distancing is difficult to maintain should not be discouraged.”
Advice for staff
For staff, face coverings should not be required if physical distancing is possible and practised appropriately. “Wearing a face covering will conceal facial expression and make communication difficult.
“The use of a visor as an alternative may be considered where there is a concern regarding prolonged close contact and exposure to fluid/respiratory droplets,” the guidance says.
But face coverings or visors must be used where a 1m distance is not possible, the advice states. This would include a situation where there are more than 24 students in a 49sq m classroom that has been fully cleared.
“Staff or students who cannot wear face coverings or visors for health reasons should be based in other classrooms or areas wherever possible. Students should not be required to wear face coverings or visors for the duration of the whole school day.”
The advice for second level on social distancing is that a distance of at least 1m must be maintained, and a 2m distance where possible.
However, the roadmap also calls for flexibility and pragmatism, “recognising that the learning environment cannot be dominated by a potentially counterproductive focus on this issue”.
Minimising interaction
While second-level students previously moved from classroom to classroom, the recommendation is they should be based as much as possible in the one room, with seating configured to minimise interaction between students from different classes.
The plan also calls for increased separation between students, between students and teachers, and between staff members. However, it calls for flexibility when implementing required measures, with care to be taken “to avoid generating tension or potential conflict”.
Staff “will not always be able to maintain physical distance from their students and it is not appropriate that they would be expected to do so where this could have a detrimental impact ”, the roadmap says.
However, there should be an avoidance of “close contact at face-to-face level, such as remaining standing rather than sitting beside/crouching down” beside others.
For classroom reconfiguration at this level, a “one-size-fits-all model is not appropriate and schools are best placed to decide their own configuration”, the plan says. But the larger classes should be in the largest rooms, and “room layouts should not necessarily be confined to rows [of desks], but arrangements such as diagonals” should be considered to maximise space.
Schools are also advised to review their timetables and to consider staggered lunch and break times to maximise the availability of large spaces over the day.


theirishtimes--2020-07-27--Schools to get funding to convert PE halls into classrooms if necessary

Schools will be provided with funding to convert areas such as PE halls into temporary classrooms if necessary in order to reopen in late August .
The Government announced a financial package of more than €375 million to support schools reopening , agreed during a Cabinet meeting on Monday .
The funding will allow for an additional 1,080 secondary school teachers to be hired , which includes 120 guidance counsellors .
An additional €52 million will pay for enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission .
All teaching principals at primary level will receive a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to relieve the administrative burden arising from the changes and coronavirus recovery .
There will be €40 million to fund increased supervision of secondary school students to minimise interaction between different groups , particularly during lunch and other break times .
The Teaching Council is to launch a recruitment campaign for secondary school teachers , which will include a targeted effort to recruit from 2,000 teachers registered with the council not currently working in education .
The financial package included €41.2 million to fund substitute staff in primary schools , in part to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus symptoms .
There will be a national panel of substitute primary school teachers given year-long contracts , who will be available to substitute on short notice .
Minister for Education Norma Foley said outbreaks of the coronavirus in schools would be managed on a case-by-case basis , “ depending on how it happens and in what context it happens ” .
In many scenarios a class might be asked to go into self-isolation following a confirmed case , rather than the entire school , she said .
At primary level each class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with children then grouped into smaller pods , which will be a metre between each other .
There is to be no maximum number of students to a pod , with schools to set their own limits based on classroom space .
Younger pupils from junior infants up to second class will not be required to adhere to social-distancing rules , due to difficulties enforcing such measures .
Second-level students will have to remain at least a metre apart from each other , and two metres where possible .
Pupils will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor will teachers unless in prolonged close contact with a pupil .
Schools will be allowed to draw down capital grants to convert areas such as PE or assembly halls into temporary classrooms if required .
Schools will also be able to avail of funding to switch from double to single pupil desks .
Ms Foley said existing classrooms would in the first instance be “ decluttered ” to allow appropriate physical distancing between pupils .
If that was not possible schools would then look at repurposing other rooms , or using nearby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ last line ” for classrooms .
Minister of State with responsibility for special schools Josepha Madigan said some at-risk children with complex needs would be unable to return to school .
Designated teachers would be allocated to “ provide support to these children ” from the schools ’ staffing resources , she said .
More broadly , department officials are also understood to be examining how teachers in high-risk Covid-19 categories who can not return can be facilitated in working remotely .
Speaking on Monday , Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moment when everyone understood the dramatic nature of the pandemic ” .
Despite the efforts of schools , teachers , and parents Mr Martin said it was clear “ remote learning is simply not enough ” , and was “ no substitute for students learning in schools ” .
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds had also been “ disproportionately affected ” by the closure of schools , he said .

Minister for Education Norma Foley, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister of State with responsibility for special schools Josepha Madigan at the launch of the roadmap for reopening schools. Photograph: Julien Behal
Schools will be provided with funding to convert areas such as PE halls into temporary classrooms if necessary in order to reopen in late August.
The Government announced a financial package of more than €375 million to support schools reopening, agreed during a Cabinet meeting on Monday.
The funding will allow for an additional 1,080 secondary school teachers to be hired, which includes 120 guidance counsellors.
An additional €52 million will pay for enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission. All teaching principals at primary level will receive a minimum of one release day per week to relieve the administrative burden arising from the changes and coronavirus recovery.
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There will be €40 million to fund increased supervision of secondary school students to minimise interaction between different groups, particularly during lunch and other break times.
The Teaching Council is to launch a recruitment campaign for secondary school teachers, which will include a targeted effort to recruit from 2,000 teachers registered with the council not currently working in education.
The financial package included €41.2 million to fund substitute staff in primary schools, in part to cover teachers unable to work after developing coronavirus symptoms.
There will be a national panel of substitute primary school teachers given year-long contracts, who will be available to substitute on short notice.
Minister for Education Norma Foley said outbreaks of the coronavirus in schools would be managed on a case-by-case basis, “depending on how it happens and in what context it happens”. In many scenarios a class might be asked to go into self-isolation following a confirmed case, rather than the entire school, she said.
At primary level each class will be deemed a “bubble”, with children then grouped into smaller pods, which will be a metre between each other. There is to be no maximum number of students to a pod, with schools to set their own limits based on classroom space.
Younger pupils from junior infants up to second class will not be required to adhere to social-distancing rules, due to difficulties enforcing such measures. Second-level students will have to remain at least a metre apart from each other, and two metres where possible.
Pupils will not have to wear face masks, and nor will teachers unless in prolonged close contact with a pupil.
Capital grants
Schools will be allowed to draw down capital grants to convert areas such as PE or assembly halls into temporary classrooms if required. Schools will also be able to avail of funding to switch from double to single pupil desks.
Ms Foley said existing classrooms would in the first instance be “decluttered” to allow appropriate physical distancing between pupils. If that was not possible schools would then look at repurposing other rooms, or using nearby facilities such as parish halls, as a “last line” for classrooms.
Minister of State with responsibility for special schools Josepha Madigan said some at-risk children with complex needs would be unable to return to school.
Designated teachers would be allocated to “provide support to these children” from the schools’ staffing resources, she said.
More broadly, department officials are also understood to be examining how teachers in high-risk Covid-19 categories who cannot return can be facilitated in working remotely.
Speaking on Monday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the closure of schools in March “was a moment when everyone understood the dramatic nature of the pandemic”.
Despite the efforts of schools, teachers, and parents Mr Martin said it was clear “remote learning is simply not enough”, and was “no substitute for students learning in schools”.
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds had also been “disproportionately affected” by the closure of schools, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-27--Student teacher takes legal challenge over not being permitted to graduate this year

A student teacher has brought High Court proceedings against Maynooth University over not being permitted to graduate this year because she had not built up sufficient teaching experience to enable an assessment .
Ekaette Kwuogor , originally from Nigeria and now a naturalised Irish citizen , says she was not able to complete her teaching practice after the Covid-19 pandemic forced schools to close .
Ms Kwuogor , of Cappagh Road , Finglas , Dublin , had been studying for a higher diploma in further education at the university ’ s department of adult and community education .
She was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academic year , and last January commenced the teacher training part of her course .
The court heard she was delayed in starting her teaching practice as a result of having to furnish police clearance reports from An Garda Síochána and police in Nigeria .
The court heard there was a delay in the issuing of the Nigerian police report , which she had to provide before she could commence the teaching practice .
Arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic , schools were closed last March , and she and her classmates could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In April she was informed by the college she could not graduate this year as she had not had sufficient opportunity to gain teaching experience on placement for an appropriate assessment to take place .
She was told she would have to complete her course in the 2020-21 academic year .
She appealed the decision not to allow her to graduate , but has not received any word of the outcome of that appeal .
She claims the delay in making the decision is inordinate , inexcusable and in breach of her rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court heard she attended every class , carried out every assignment and was a “ model student ” .
She had even started her teaching practice when other members of her class were on holiday , said her counsel Femi Daniyan , instructed by solicitor Geoffrey Nwadike .
Counsel said his client was particularly concerned over the failure to make a decision in relation to her appeal as the new academic year was about to commence .
In proceedings against the National University of Ireland , Maynooth , Ms Kwuogor seeks various orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decision on her appeal .
She claims she is entitled to a decision or a time frame on the finalising of her appeal .
When the matter came before Mr Justice Charles Meenan on Monday via an ex-parte application ( one side only represented ) , he directed the application for judicial review be made on notice to the university , and returned the matter to later this week .

Mr Justice Charles Meenan directed the application for judicial review be made on notice to Maynooth University, and returned the matter to later this week. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/Collins
A student teacher has brought High Court proceedings against Maynooth University over not being permitted to graduate this year because she had not built up sufficient teaching experience to enable an assessment.
Ekaette Kwuogor, originally from Nigeria and now a naturalised Irish citizen, says she was not able to complete her teaching practice after the Covid-19 pandemic forced schools to close.
Ms Kwuogor, of Cappagh Road, Finglas, Dublin, had been studying for a higher diploma in further education at the university's department of adult and community education.
She was accepted into the programme for the 2019-20 academic year, and last January commenced the teacher training part of her course.
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The court heard she was delayed in starting her teaching practice as a result of having to furnish police clearance reports from An Garda Síochána and police in Nigeria.
The court heard there was a delay in the issuing of the Nigerian police report, which she had to provide before she could commence the teaching practice.
Arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic, schools were closed last March, and she and her classmates could not continue their teaching practice modules.
In April she was informed by the college she could not graduate this year as she had not had sufficient opportunity to gain teaching experience on placement for an appropriate assessment to take place. She was told she would have to complete her course in the 2020-21 academic year.
She appealed the decision not to allow her to graduate, but has not received any word of the outcome of that appeal.
She claims the delay in making the decision is inordinate, inexcusable and in breach of her rights to natural and constitutional justice.
‘Model student’
The court heard she attended every class, carried out every assignment and was a “model student”.
She had even started her teaching practice when other members of her class were on holiday, said her counsel Femi Daniyan, instructed by solicitor Geoffrey Nwadike.
Counsel said his client was particularly concerned over the failure to make a decision in relation to her appeal as the new academic year was about to commence.
In proceedings against the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ms Kwuogor seeks various orders including one compelling the college to make a decision on her appeal. She claims she is entitled to a decision or a time frame on the finalising of her appeal.
When the matter came before Mr Justice Charles Meenan on Monday via an ex-parte application (one side only represented), he directed the application for judicial review be made on notice to the university, and returned the matter to later this week.