theirishtimes--2020-12-15--Government setting up €3m fund to help former Debenhams workers

A €3 million fund is to be established by the Government to assist former Debenhams workers who lost their jobs after the company went into liquidation last year .
Some 1,200 job losses resulted from the closure of the company ’ s stores in Ireland .
The fund is likely to be administered by State agency Solas and it is believed it will be available for a period of about two years .
The money will go toward training and upskilling , and will also support a business start-up initiative .
The move is part of a recommendation drawn up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing talks with the workers , their union Mandate , the liquidators KPMG , and various Government agencies in a bid to resolve the long-running dispute over enhanced redundancy payments .
In a letter , Mr Foley concluded that the 2016 collective agreement for enhanced redundancy payments no longer had legal application , and that the current framework limits the scope for the liquidators to contribute to a resolution of the dispute .
He said the main preferential creditors of the Debenhams Ireland liquidation are the Department of Social Protection and Revenue Commissioners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
The State has already paid out €13 million in statutory entitlements to former staff .

Former Debenhams workers protesting outside the store in Dublin earlier in the year. Photograph: Crispin Rodwell
A €3 million fund is to be established by the Government to assist former Debenhams workers who lost their jobs after the company went into liquidation last year.
Some 1,200 job losses resulted from the closure of the company’s stores in Ireland. The fund is likely to be administered by State agency Solas and it is believed it will be available for a period of about two years. The money will go toward training and upskilling, and will also support a business start-up initiative.
The move is part of a recommendation drawn up by Labour Court chairman Kevin Foley following ongoing talks with the workers, their union Mandate, the liquidators KPMG, and various Government agencies in a bid to resolve the long-running dispute over enhanced redundancy payments.
In a letter, Mr Foley concluded that the 2016 collective agreement for enhanced redundancy payments no longer had legal application, and that the current framework limits the scope for the liquidators to contribute to a resolution of the dispute.
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He said the main preferential creditors of the Debenhams Ireland liquidation are the Department of Social Protection and Revenue Commissioners, with debt amounting to approximately €18 million.
The State has already paid out €13 million in statutory entitlements to former staff.


theirishtimes--2020-12-15--Award-winning Mike Ryan of WHO flags healthcare inequality

Michael Ryan , executive director of the World Health Organisation ’ s Health Emergencies Programme , has said Covid-19 has brought home the need for society to address equality in healthcare .
Dr Ryan received a lifetime achievement award at the Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Awards on Tuesday night .
Asked to reflect on the lessons of the pandemic , he replied that it had cast new light on global inequalities .
He said it had uncovered some “ very uncomfortable truths ” about long term health status in communities .
“ From that perspective it has both driven inequalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled away the bandages from what is a very , very deep wound in our society and that is a lack of human rights based access to basic healthcare , ” he said .
“ We have got to get it together as a society .
We just can ’ t keep doing this .
Social justice is only a dream if we don ’ t put health justice at the centre of it.
” Dr Ryan joined the WHO in 1996 as part of a unit designed to respond to emerging and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in conflict-affected countries and led many responses to high impact epidemics .
In his acceptance speech he said that throughout the year the WHO had partnered with Unicef , the Red Cross and other organisations to counter misinformation and infodemics , and to keep schools safe .
“ For me the hundreds and thousands of volunteers , health professionals and community workers are true heroes .
Irish Red Cross volunteers have provided a tireless support to the most exposed and most vulnerable members of our community , ” he said .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care packages to older and vulnerable people in communities when they were unable to leave their homes.
” Between March and the end of June the Irish Red Cross carried out 485 patient transfers nationwide to surgeries and critical medical appointments .
More than 200 volunteers helped prevent the spread of the virus in prisons .
The organisation gave its Humanitarian of the Year award to Co Clare engineer Mick Ryan of the United Nations ’ World Food Programme who died last year when Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 crashed .
Accepting the award @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the front line risk their lives on a daily basis .
“ Mick worked in countries torn by conflict and scarred by infectious disease .
But Mick and 156 of his fellow passengers , including young children , lost their lives on what should have been a safe commercial flight , ” she said .
She said this was because a plane that was known to be defective had been allowed to remain in service .
“ Mick fought to protect lives .
Safety was his priority and every life mattered , @ @ @ @

Mike Ryan: ‘We have got to get it together as a society.’ File photograph: Getty
Michael Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organisation’s Health Emergencies Programme, has said Covid-19 has brought home the need for society to address equality in healthcare.
Dr Ryan received a lifetime achievement award at the Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Awards on Tuesday night.
Asked to reflect on the lessons of the pandemic, he replied that it had cast new light on global inequalities. He said it had uncovered some “very uncomfortable truths” about long term health status in communities.
“From that perspective it has both driven inequalities and has really highlighted and uncovered and pulled away the bandages from what is a very, very deep wound in our society and that is a lack of human rights based access to basic healthcare,” he said.
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“We have got to get it together as a society. We just can’t keep doing this. Social justice is only a dream if we don’t put health justice at the centre of it.”
Dr Ryan joined the WHO in 1996 as part of a unit designed to respond to emerging and epidemic disease threats.
He has worked in conflict-affected countries and led many responses to high impact epidemics.
In his acceptance speech he said that throughout the year the WHO had partnered with Unicef, the Red Cross and other organisations to counter misinformation and infodemics, and to keep schools safe.
“For me the hundreds and thousands of volunteers, health professionals and community workers are true heroes. Irish Red Cross volunteers have provided a tireless support to the most exposed and most vulnerable members of our community,” he said.
“They delivered critical medical supplies, food and care packages to older and vulnerable people in communities when they were unable to leave their homes.”
Humanitarian of the Year
Between March and the end of June the Irish Red Cross carried out 485 patient transfers nationwide to surgeries and critical medical appointments. More than 200 volunteers helped prevent the spread of the virus in prisons.
The organisation gave its Humanitarian of the Year award to Co Clare engineer Mick Ryan of the United Nations’ World Food Programme who died last year when Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 crashed.
Accepting the award, his widow Naoise Connolly said humanitarians on the front line risk their lives on a daily basis.
“Mick worked in countries torn by conflict and scarred by infectious disease. But Mick and 156 of his fellow passengers, including young children, lost their lives on what should have been a safe commercial flight,” she said.
She said this was because a plane that was known to be defective had been allowed to remain in service.
“Mick fought to protect lives. Safety was his priority and every life mattered,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-15--Assailant robs box from cash-in-transit worker

Gardaí in Dublin are appealing for information following a cash-in-transit robbery in the city centre on Tuesday afternoon .
A @ @ @ @ @ his security van after collecting a cash box from a retail unit on Thomas Street @ @ @ @ @ a lone male armed with a hammer .
The man took hold of the cash @ @ @ @ @ undisclosed sum of money , before fleeing the scene on a bicycle .
The incident @ @ @ @ @ .
Later an empty cash box was discovered on fire at St Kevin ’ s @ @ @ @ @ cycle from the scene of the robbery .
The fire was put out and the @ @ @ @ @ preserved for technical and forensic examination .
Nobody was physically harmed in the raid , @ @ @ @ @ .

The empty cash box was discovered on fire at St Kevin’s Avenue, an approximate six-minute cycle from the scene of the robbery.
Gardaí in Dublin are appealing for information following a cash-in-transit robbery in the city centre on Tuesday afternoon.
A cash-in-transit worker was returning to his security van after collecting a cash box from a retail unit on Thomas Street when he was threatened by a lone male armed with a hammer. The man took hold of the cash box, which contained an undisclosed sum of money, before fleeing the scene on a bicycle. The incident took place at around 12.45pm.
Later an empty cash box was discovered on fire at St Kevin’s Avenue, an approximate six-minute cycle from the scene of the robbery. The fire was put out and the scene and box have been preserved for technical and forensic examination. Nobody was physically harmed in the raid, according to a Garda spokesman.


theirishtimes--2020-12-15--Woman stole €20,000 from company’s social club and credit card, court told

A woman who stole more than €20,000 from her company social club and company credit card spent the money on luxury holidays and shopping trips , a Dublin court has heard .
Nicola Henry ( 32 ) was the secretary of the Johnson & Johnson social club when she wrote 37 cheques to herself , forging her colleagues ’ signatures .
She received a total of €17,326 from 27 of these cheques , which she spent on luxury holidays to Australia , Sri Lanka and Dubai , as well as restaurants , shopping trips and beauty treatments , Dublin Circuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other 10 cheques bounced as there was not enough money in the account .
Henry , an office manager with the Tallaght-based company , was suspended when the thefts came to light .
She then went on to spend a further €3,233 using the company credit card , Detective Garda Kevin Bowen told the court .
After she was charged , Henry “ buried her head in the sand ” and missed several court appearances , leading to warrants being issued for her arrest , defence counsel said .
She was arrested last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of Carrownegh , Kiltoom , Co Roscommon , pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and two counts of attempted theft from Johnson & Johnson social club and company between April 2014 and September 2015 .
She also pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false instrument between those dates .
A further 65 counts on the indictment were taken into consideration .
Henry has no previous convictions .
She will be sentenced in March next year .
Det Gda Bowen told Gerardine Small BL , prosecuting , that Henry joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistant and went on to have several different roles within the company , including office manager .
She joined the company social club in 2012 and became secretary of the club .
The court heard employees who were members of the social club paid a contribution from their salaries every month for social gatherings , with the company also regularly adding funds .
Although Henry was on the club committee and had a cheque book , she did not have authorisation to sign cheques on behalf of the club .
As a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her colleagues who were authorised to do this and cashed cheques which she made out to herself .
Ten of the 37 cheques — with a value of €35,340 — bounced as there wasn ’ t enough money in the account .
Henry ’ s offending came to light when the bank contacted the company controller about the bounced cheques in August 2015 .
She was immediately suspended and her company credit card was blocked .
However , the company noticed in November of that year that further sums of money had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It emerged the bank had contacted Henry about the card being blocked and she authorised them to unblock it before continuing to spend company money , the court heard .
Det Gda Bowen said Henry did not spend any money on “ day-to-day expenses ” .
“ It was all luxury items , ” he said .
As well as the holidays , the court heard Henry spent money on restaurants , hairdressers , nail treatments and a shopping trip to Northern Ireland .
Defence barrister , Kieran Kelly BL , said his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good education and came from a good family .
The court heard her mother became ill with cancer when she was a teenager and Henry took on a caring role in the home .
She suffered from depression in the wake of her mother ’ s death in 2008 .
Mr Kelly said his client , who was tearful during the sentence hearing , was extremely remorseful for her actions .
He said she had taken on a number of accounting roles since the incident , but had been let go when her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light .
She was unable to repay any of the money she stole , he said .
Mr Kelly said his client is a “ very private person ” who would benefit from a psychological report and a Probation Services report .
“ She has buried her head in the sand very much in relation to this matter , ” he said.
” She is a person who should follow through on counselling available to her.
” Judge Pauline Codd ordered the reports and adjourned the matter for finalisation on March 8th next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until then .

Nicola Henry (32) was the secretary of the Johnson & Johnson social club when she wrote 37 cheques to herself, forging her colleagues’ signatures. Photograph: Dave Meehan
A woman who stole more than €20,000 from her company social club and company credit card spent the money on luxury holidays and shopping trips, a Dublin court has heard.
Nicola Henry (32) was the secretary of the Johnson & Johnson social club when she wrote 37 cheques to herself, forging her colleagues’ signatures.
She received a total of €17,326 from 27 of these cheques, which she spent on luxury holidays to Australia, Sri Lanka and Dubai, as well as restaurants, shopping trips and beauty treatments, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard on Monday. The other 10 cheques bounced as there was not enough money in the account.
Henry, an office manager with the Tallaght-based company, was suspended when the thefts came to light. She then went on to spend a further €3,233 using the company credit card, Detective Garda Kevin Bowen told the court.
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After she was charged, Henry “buried her head in the sand” and missed several court appearances, leading to warrants being issued for her arrest, defence counsel said. She was arrested last month and placed in custody.
Henry, of Carrownegh, Kiltoom, Co Roscommon, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and two counts of attempted theft from Johnson & Johnson social club and company between April 2014 and September 2015. She also pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false instrument between those dates.
A further 65 counts on the indictment were taken into consideration. Henry has no previous convictions. She will be sentenced in March next year.
Det Gda Bowen told Gerardine Small BL, prosecuting, that Henry joined the company in 2011 as an accounts assistant and went on to have several different roles within the company, including office manager. She joined the company social club in 2012 and became secretary of the club.
The court heard employees who were members of the social club paid a contribution from their salaries every month for social gatherings, with the company also regularly adding funds.
Although Henry was on the club committee and had a cheque book, she did not have authorisation to sign cheques on behalf of the club. As a result, she forged the signatures of two of her colleagues who were authorised to do this and cashed cheques which she made out to herself.
Ten of the 37 cheques — with a value of €35,340 — bounced as there wasn’t enough money in the account. Henry’s offending came to light when the bank contacted the company controller about the bounced cheques in August 2015.
She was immediately suspended and her company credit card was blocked. However, the company noticed in November of that year that further sums of money had been spent using the blocked card.
It emerged the bank had contacted Henry about the card being blocked and she authorised them to unblock it before continuing to spend company money, the court heard.
Det Gda Bowen said Henry did not spend any money on “day-to-day expenses”. “It was all luxury items,” he said.
As well as the holidays, the court heard Henry spent money on restaurants, hairdressers, nail treatments and a shopping trip to Northern Ireland.
Defence barrister, Kieran Kelly BL, said his client had a normal upbringing, a good education and came from a good family. The court heard her mother became ill with cancer when she was a teenager and Henry took on a caring role in the home. She suffered from depression in the wake of her mother’s death in 2008.
Mr Kelly said his client, who was tearful during the sentence hearing, was extremely remorseful for her actions.
He said she had taken on a number of accounting roles since the incident, but had been let go when her offending in Johnson & Johnson came to light. She was unable to repay any of the money she stole, he said.
Mr Kelly said his client is a “very private person” who would benefit from a psychological report and a Probation Services report.
“She has buried her head in the sand very much in relation to this matter,” he said.”She is a person who should follow through on counselling available to her.”
Judge Pauline Codd ordered the reports and adjourned the matter for finalisation on March 8th next year. She remanded Henry in custody until then.


theirishtimes--2020-12-15--Facebook indicates difficulties complying with order sought by former FF TD alleging defamation

Facebook has told the High Court it would have difficulties complying with an order being sought by a former TD for intended defamation proceedings .
The order being sought by ex-Fianna Fáil TD Frank O ’ Rourke would require Facebook to provide details aimed at identifying the person behind an account which he claims was responsible for social media posts which allegedly defamed him .
Last month , Mr O ’ Rourke sought orders , known as Norwich Pharmacal orders , in separate actions against Twitter International Company and Facebook Ireland Ltd .
He wants details , including the account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addresses .
He previously secured the orders against Twitter but Facebook claims it would not be able to comply if a similar order is made against it .
Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds heard submissions on Tuesday from Rossa Fanning SC , for Facebook .
Counsel said his client needed certain technical information before it could comply with the orders sought .
Facebook has not been provided with a Uniform Resource Locator ( URL ) or web address regarding an allegedly defamatory post made about the former TD on Facebook , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the alleged poster and comply with orders concerning the account , he said Another difficulty was that the account holder who allegedly defamed Mr O ’ Rourke has a very common name , he said .
Facebook is concerned about the legal repercussions of handing over information to the ex-TD ’ s lawyers on what might turn out to be the wrong account .
Mr Fanning said Facebook usually takes a neutral view on such applications , and complies with court orders and could comply with certain reliefs sought by Mr O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waited till last month to seek orders against Facebook over comments posted in February which had most likely been deleted , he added .
Facebook is different from Twitter as each twitter account has a unique “ handle ” and it is much easier to identify individual account holders , he said .
Declan Doyle SC , for Mr O ’ Rourke , said his client was not happy with Facebook ’ s response and the sides , unlike in the proceedings involving Twitter , had not been able to reach an agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps Facebook has taken regarding the account at issue were included in a sworn statement by Facebook ’ s lawyers to the court .
It appeared Facebook was “ shrugging its shoulders ” regarding his client ’ s application because it does not have details including a URL .
The judge said Facebook should provide a sworn statement setting out its efforts in regard to the information about the account holder at issue .
She adjourned the matter to next month .
Mr O ’ Rourke claims “ wholly untrue ” statements posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were designed “ to cause maximum professional damage to me ” in the 2020 general election , at a time when he was going through “ a difficult marriage breakdown ” .
He claims members of the public told him they had seen “ horrible stuff ” about him on social media and his political supporters received “ negative feedback on the doorsteps of North Kildare ” following publication of the comments .
He also alleges untrue posts were made on Facebook pages associated with the Celbridge area about his family life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show he was unfit to serve in Dáil Éireann .
He further claims a tweet was put out shortly before the election which called on people not to vote for him and contained untrue and defamatory statements about his personal life .
Mr O ’ Rourke , of Dublin Road , Celbridge , was elected as a FF TD for North Kildare in 2016 .
He lost his seat last February .

The judge said Facebook should provide a sworn statement setting out its efforts in regard to the information about the account holder at issue. File photograph: Getty
Facebook has told the High Court it would have difficulties complying with an order being sought by a former TD for intended defamation proceedings.
The order being sought by ex-Fianna Fáil TD Frank O’Rourke would require Facebook to provide details aimed at identifying the person behind an account which he claims was responsible for social media posts which allegedly defamed him.
Last month, Mr O’Rourke sought orders, known as Norwich Pharmacal orders, in separate actions against Twitter International Company and Facebook Ireland Ltd.
He wants details, including the account holders’ names and email and IP addresses. He previously secured the orders against Twitter but Facebook claims it would not be able to comply if a similar order is made against it.
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Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds heard submissions on Tuesday from Rossa Fanning SC, for Facebook.
Counsel said his client needed certain technical information before it could comply with the orders sought. Facebook has not been provided with a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or web address regarding an allegedly defamatory post made about the former TD on Facebook, he said.
Facebook requires the URL so it identify the alleged poster and comply with orders concerning the account, he said
Another difficulty was that the account holder who allegedly defamed Mr O’Rourke has a very common name, he said.
Facebook is concerned about the legal repercussions of handing over information to the ex-TD’s lawyers on what might turn out to be the wrong account.
Mr Fanning said Facebook usually takes a neutral view on such applications, and complies with court orders and could comply with certain reliefs sought by Mr O’Rourke.
Mr O’Rourke had waited till last month to seek orders against Facebook over comments posted in February which had most likely been deleted, he added.
Facebook is different from Twitter as each twitter account has a unique “handle” and it is much easier to identify individual account holders, he said.
Declan Doyle SC, for Mr O’Rourke, said his client was not happy with Facebook’s response and the sides, unlike in the proceedings involving Twitter, had not been able to reach an agreement.
Counsel said very little detail regarding steps Facebook has taken regarding the account at issue were included in a sworn statement by Facebook’s lawyers to the court.
It appeared Facebook was “shrugging its shoulders” regarding his client’s application because it does not have details including a URL.
The judge said Facebook should provide a sworn statement setting out its efforts in regard to the information about the account holder at issue.
She adjourned the matter to next month.
Mr O’ Rourke claims “wholly untrue” statements posted about him on social media last February were designed “to cause maximum professional damage to me” in the 2020 general election, at a time when he was going through “a difficult marriage breakdown”.
He claims members of the public told him they had seen “horrible stuff” about him on social media and his political supporters received “negative feedback on the doorsteps of North Kildare” following publication of the comments.
He also alleges untrue posts were made on Facebook pages associated with the Celbridge area about his family life and his personal financial matters and were designed to show he was unfit to serve in Dáil Éireann.
He further claims a tweet was put out shortly before the election which called on people not to vote for him and contained untrue and defamatory statements about his personal life.
Mr O’Rourke, of Dublin Road, Celbridge, was elected as a FF TD for North Kildare in 2016. He lost his seat last February.


theirishtimes--2020-12-15--Man (70s) dies in single-vehicle crash in Co Leitrim

A man in his 70s has died following a single-vehicle collision in Co Leitrim on Tuesday morning .
The incident @ @ @ @ @ Killaneen , Ballinamore .
The driver and only occupant of the vehicle suffered serious injuries @ @ @ @ @ General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead , a Garda spokesman said .
A @ @ @ @ @ place at a later date .
Forensic collision investigators were still examining the scene on @ @ @ @ @ remained closed with local diversions in place .
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses of the @ @ @ @ @ are asking any road users with camera or dash-cam footage who were travelling in the @ @ @ @ @ to share footage with gardaí in Carrick-on-Shannon .
Anyone with information is asked to contact @ @ @ @ @ 965 0510 , the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 11 , or any Garda @ @

Forensic collision investigators were still examining the scene on Tuesday evening and the road remained closed with local diversions in place. File image: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
A man in his 70s has died following a single-vehicle collision in Co Leitrim on Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred at around 11am in Killaneen, Ballinamore.
The driver and only occupant of the vehicle suffered serious injuries and was brought to Cavan General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, a Garda spokesman said.
A post-mortem is due to take place at a later date.
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Forensic collision investigators were still examining the scene on Tuesday evening and the road remained closed with local diversions in place.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses of the collision to come forward and are asking any road users with camera or dash-cam footage who were travelling in the area between 10.45am and 11.15am to share footage with gardaí in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station on 071 965 0510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 11, or any Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-12-15--Woman who stole €760,000 from education authority jailed for two years

A woman who stole €760,000 from an education authority and spent it on expensive handbags and clothing has been jailed for two years .
Judge John Aylmer said Tara Sweeney ’ s crimes were “ systematic and premeditated ” after she stole the money from her employer the Donegal Education Centre.The 47-year-old had pleaded guilty to stealing the cash over a six-year period .
However , Donegal Circuit Court was told that many of the items were never taken out of their packaging and lay in a room at her house .
Ms Sweeney was an accounts administrator at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 , a new director at the company became suspicious of large missing sums , an investigation was launched and Ms Sweeney , of The Glebe , Donegal Town , subsequently resigned from her post .
An accountancy firm was drafted in and it found electronic transfers into Ms Sweeney ’ s account totalling €760,000 .
Further investigations showed Ms Sweeney had spent much of the money on clothing , designer handbags , perfumes and jewellery .
Many of the handbags and clothing recovered were never taken out of their packaging , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr Peter Nolan told the court that the case and her actions destroyed her life.He said she is selling her house and the profit of between €60,000 to €70,000 will be paid back .
Judge Aylmer said the offence merited a sentence of three years in prisonbut he would suspend the last twelve months .

A woman who stole €760,000 from an education authority and spent it on expensive handbags and clothing has been jailed for two years.
Judge John Aylmer said Tara Sweeney’s crimes were “systematic and premeditated” after she stole the money from her employer the Donegal Education Centre.The 47-year-old had pleaded guilty to stealing the cash over a six-year period.
However, Donegal Circuit Court was told that many of the items were never taken out of their packaging and lay in a room at her house.
Ms Sweeney was an accounts administrator at the centre from 2009 until 2015.
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In 2015, a new director at the company became suspicious of large missing sums , an investigation was launched and Ms Sweeney, of The Glebe, Donegal Town, subsequently resigned from her post.
An accountancy firm was drafted in and it found electronic transfers into Ms Sweeney’s account totalling €760,000.
Further investigations showed Ms Sweeney had spent much of the money on clothing, designer handbags, perfumes and jewellery . Many of the handbags and clothing recovered were never taken out of their packaging, the court heard.
Barrister for Ms Sweeney, Mr Peter Nolan told the court that the case and her actions destroyed her life.He said she is selling her house and the profit of between €60,000 to €70,000 will be paid back. Judge Aylmer said the offence merited a sentence of three years in prisonbut he would suspend the last twelve months.


theirishtimes--2020-12-15--Teachers’ Union of Ireland opposes new public service pay deal

The Teachers ’ Union of Ireland ( TUI ) is to oppose the proposed new public service pay agreement .
The TUI leadership said “ the limited measures contained in the proposed agreement will not end the ongoing scandal of pay discrimination for second level teachers employed on or after 1st January 2011.
” It also maintained the proposed new deal and would not address the two-tier pay issue at all for the other recruitment grades in which TUI represented members .
The TUI executive unanimously recommended that members should reject the new public service agreement proposals in a forthcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors ( AGSI ) on Tuesday unanimously criticised the process that led to the proposed new public service agreement .
It said that promises that there would be parity of esteem between groups affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and those outside the body in the negotiations with the Government had not been adhered to .
It said it was not part of the group that negotiated the new proposals .
The AGSI did not comment on the content of the deal but is concentrating at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiation .
It said while it was being briefed on the new agreement , its representatives were reading the details in the media .
Earlier on Tuesday the Government and two of the larger public service unions backed the proposed new accord for State employees .
The Cabinet formally approved the proposed €906 million deal on Tuesday while the executive committees of the primary teachers ’ union , the INTO , and the largest public service union Fórsa said they would urge members to support the proposals in forthcoming ballots .
Minister for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided for “ affordable pay adjustments weighted toward those on lower incomes ” .
He said the proposed agreement also set out a reform agenda which sought to “ embed the agility demonstrated during Covid into enhanced public service delivery in the future ” .
The Minister said the deal sought to move beyond the era of austerity and “ to provide a new basis for managing public pay and industrial relations in a sustainable and balanced way ” .
The Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether unions will ratify or reject the proposed agreement on February 15th .
It said individual unions would commence balloting members on the proposals early in the new year .
The overall decision on whether to ratify the proposed new deal will be based on a weighted aggregate of the outcomes of the ballots of its individual affiliate unions .
The chairman of the Public Services Committee , Kevin Callinan , who is also general secretary of Fórsa , said the proposed new deal represented a positive short-term package , negotiated against a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ momentum of recent pay restoration and public service flexibility and service quality .
He said the proposals were substantially weighted towards lower-income civil and public servants , and had achieved solid progress on the priorities unions had set at the outset of the talks .
Under the new proposals , most public service personnel would receive a 1 per cent pay rise in October 2021 and another in October 2022 .
The equivalent of another 1 per cent , €237 million , will be earmarked for sectoral bargaining to deal with awards and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service .
Alternatively it could be used to increase pay for all in a particular sector .
The INTO said its central executive committee ( CEC ) would urge its 42,000 members to back the proposals .
It said it welcomed moves in the proposed deal to address lower pay arrangements for more recent entrants to teaching .
“ The CEC welcomes the commitment that post-2010 entrants to teaching will skip point 12 of the payscale , thereby ensuring that those who graduated from 2011 to 2014 and who suffered the most from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losses .
The additional increment skip begins on March 1st , 2021 , for the first cohort who entered the profession nearly 10 years previously and restores the length of the teachers ’ salary scale to 24 points .
“ “ The Central Executive Committee has committed to use the lion ’ s share of the 1 per cent quantum of primary teachers ’ payroll dedicated to sectoral bargaining within the proposed agreement to deliver long-awaited increases in salaries for primary school leaders by February 1st , 2022 , ” the INTO said @

Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath said the agreement provided for “affordable pay adjustments weighted toward those on lower incomes”. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) is to oppose the proposed new public service pay agreement.
The TUI leadership said “the limited measures contained in the proposed agreement will not end the ongoing scandal of pay discrimination for second level teachers employed on or after 1st January 2011.”
It also maintained the proposed new deal and would not address the two-tier pay issue at all for the other recruitment grades in which TUI represented members.
The TUI executive unanimously recommended that members should reject the new public service agreement proposals in a forthcoming ballot.
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Meanwhile the executive of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) on Tuesday unanimously criticised the process that led to the proposed new public service agreement.
It said that promises that there would be parity of esteem between groups affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and those outside the body in the negotiations with the Government had not been adhered to. It said it was not part of the group that negotiated the new proposals.
The AGSI did not comment on the content of the deal but is concentrating at present on th process involved in its negotiation.
It said while it was being briefed on the new agreement , its representatives were reading the details in the media.
Earlier on Tuesday the Government and two of the larger public service unions backed the proposed new accord for State employees.
The Cabinet formally approved the proposed €906 million deal on Tuesday while the executive committees of the primary teachers’ union, the INTO, and the largest public service union Fórsa said they would urge members to support the proposals in forthcoming ballots.
Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath said the agreement provided for “affordable pay adjustments weighted toward those on lower incomes”.
He said the proposed agreement also set out a reform agenda which sought to “embed the agility demonstrated during Covid into enhanced public service delivery in the future”.
The Minister said the deal sought to move beyond the era of austerity and “to provide a new basis for managing public pay and industrial relations in a sustainable and balanced way”.
The Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions said on Tuesday it expected an overall decision on whether unions will ratify or reject the proposed agreement on February 15th. It said individual unions would commence balloting members on the proposals early in the new year.
Difficult background
The overall decision on whether to ratify the proposed new deal will be based on a weighted aggregate of the outcomes of the ballots of its individual affiliate unions.
The chairman of the Public Services Committee, Kevin Callinan, who is also general secretary of Fórsa, said the proposed new deal represented a positive short-term package, negotiated against a difficult background, to build on the momentum of recent pay restoration and public service flexibility and service quality.
He said the proposals were substantially weighted towards lower-income civil and public servants, and had achieved solid progress on the priorities unions had set at the outset of the talks.
Under the new proposals, most public service personnel would receive a 1 per cent pay rise in October 2021 and another in October 2022.
Teaching entrants
The equivalent of another 1 per cent, €237 million, will be earmarked for sectoral bargaining to deal with awards and claims in particular parts of the public service. Alternatively it could be used to increase pay for all in a particular sector.
The INTO said its central executive committee (CEC) would urge its 42,000 members to back the proposals. It said it welcomed moves in the proposed deal to address lower pay arrangements for more recent entrants to teaching.
“The CEC welcomes the commitment that post-2010 entrants to teaching will skip point 12 of the payscale, thereby ensuring that those who graduated from 2011 to 2014 and who suffered the most from pay inequality, will have no future losses. The additional increment skip begins on March 1st, 2021, for the first cohort who entered the profession nearly 10 years previously and restores the length of the teachers’ salary scale to 24 points. “
“The Central Executive Committee has committed to use the lion’s share of the 1 per cent quantum of primary teachers’ payroll dedicated to sectoral bargaining within the proposed agreement to deliver long-awaited increases in salaries for primary school leaders by February 1st, 2022,” the INTO said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-15--‘Unacceptable’ that disabled children wait years for assessment

That children with disabilities are waiting years to have their needs assessed is “ totally unacceptable ” , according to the Minister of State for Disabilities .
A permanent solution must be implemented to drastically improve services within the year , added Anne Rabbitte .
She said children and their families have been failed by the assessment of need process and that clearing the backlog is a “ top priority ” .
Ms Rabbitte told the Committee on Children , Disability , Equality and Integration that waiting lists are “ totally unacceptable and need to be improved dramatically ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the issues raised in a report published by Ombudsman for Children Niall Muldoon in October .
That document highlighted that a number of children have been left on assessment of need waiting lists for years and called for greater resources to be allocated to the service .
The Disability Act 2005 stipulates that a child is entitled to an assessment of their need within six months .
Ms Rabbitte said the report has brought to the fore the impact of long waiting times on children and their families and said services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than diagnosis .
“ From the sheer volume of representations from families to my own office , I am very aware of the delays .
.
.
and the incredible stress and upset this has caused children and their families .
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.
Without doubt we have failed many children and their families in this process , ” she said .
The Minister announced measures to “ dramatically improve ” access to services within the next 12 months .
Funding has been secured for the recruitment of 100 additional therapists to the children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She also confirmed that 1,798 of the 6,558 overdue needs assessments , as of June 30th , were completed between September and November .
Clearing the backlog will release therapists to provide much-needed interventions for children , she said .
Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore commended the Minister for her commitment , but said she has inherited a “ broken system ” .
She expressed concern that the Minister was going down the wrong path and said many parents and clinicians believe the new standard operating procedure introduced in January 2020 , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a disability within a 90-minute session , is failing children .
“ What we are seeing is a system being established that is not going to meet the needs of parents or children and is going to cause difficulty for clinicians , ” she said .
Ms Whitmore asked the Minister to suspend rollout of the standard operating procedure until a consultation has been held with clinicians and parents of children with disabilities .
Green Party TD Patrick Costello accused the Minister of “ playing with smoke and mirrors ” by reducing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new procedures which , he claimed , “ are not .
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.
providing a quality assessment ” .
Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward also raised concerns that the procedure is not as comprehensive as the previous system .
He said many parents are “ absolutely terrified ” that something may be missed in the assessment of their child ’ s needs that could be detrimental to their development .
Ms Rabbitte said the standard operating procedure was introduced to streamline the entire process .
She said it is not a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ element .
However , she admitted that it must be asked why so many clinicians are not in favour of the new procedure .

The Disability Act 2005 stipulates that a child is entitled to an assessment of their need within six months. File photograph: Getty
That children with disabilities are waiting years to have their needs assessed is “totally unacceptable”, according to the Minister of State for Disabilities.
A permanent solution must be implemented to drastically improve services within the year, added Anne Rabbitte. She said children and their families have been failed by the assessment of need process and that clearing the backlog is a “top priority”. Ms Rabbitte told the Committee on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration that waiting lists are “totally unacceptable and need to be improved dramatically”.
The committee meeting was convened to address some of the issues raised in a report published by Ombudsman for Children Niall Muldoon in October. That document highlighted that a number of children have been left on assessment of need waiting lists for years and called for greater resources to be allocated to the service. The Disability Act 2005 stipulates that a child is entitled to an assessment of their need within six months.
Ms Rabbitte said the report has brought to the fore the impact of long waiting times on children and their families and said services must be delivered based on need rather than diagnosis. “From the sheer volume of representations from families to my own office, I am very aware of the delays . . . and the incredible stress and upset this has caused children and their families . . . Without doubt we have failed many children and their families in this process,” she said.
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The Minister announced measures to “dramatically improve” access to services within the next 12 months. Funding has been secured for the recruitment of 100 additional therapists to the children’s disability services next year. She also confirmed that 1,798 of the 6,558 overdue needs assessments, as of June 30th, were completed between September and November. Clearing the backlog will release therapists to provide much-needed interventions for children, she said.
‘Broken system’
Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore commended the Minister for her commitment, but said she has inherited a “broken system”. She expressed concern that the Minister was going down the wrong path and said many parents and clinicians believe the new standard operating procedure introduced in January 2020, which requires clinicians to identify whether a child has a disability within a 90-minute session, is failing children.
“What we are seeing is a system being established that is not going to meet the needs of parents or children and is going to cause difficulty for clinicians,” she said. Ms Whitmore asked the Minister to suspend rollout of the standard operating procedure until a consultation has been held with clinicians and parents of children with disabilities.
Green Party TD Patrick Costello accused the Minister of “playing with smoke and mirrors” by reducing the assessment of need backlog while following the new procedures which, he claimed, “are not . . . providing a quality assessment”.
Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward also raised concerns that the procedure is not as comprehensive as the previous system. He said many parents are “absolutely terrified” that something may be missed in the assessment of their child’s needs that could be detrimental to their development.
Ms Rabbitte said the standard operating procedure was introduced to streamline the entire process. She said it is not a “desktop exercise” and includes a face-to-face element. However, she admitted that it must be asked why so many clinicians are not in favour of the new procedure.


theirishtimes--2020-12-15--Man jailed for part in attack that had victim begging to be shot

A man acting as the “ brawn ” in a gang who claimed to be dissident republicans and who beat a businessman so severely that he asked to be shot to end his ordeal , has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court .
The court heard that Mayo businessman Edward McAndrew was beaten with iron bars and threatened by a group of men demanding money in Omeath , Co Louth , in 2017 .
The men told Mr McAndrew that they were members of the Continuity IRA and falsely imprisoned him in the boot of a car .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gang on the pretence that they had some plant machinery to sell him .
On Tuesday , Anthony Finglas ( 49 ) of Havelock Place , Warrenpoint , Co Down , was sentenced by the non-jury court after he pleaded guilty to demanding money with menaces from Mr McAndrew at One Ferry Hill , Cornamucklagh , Omeath , Co Louth , on December 2nd , 2017 .
The offence comes under the Criminal Justice ( Public Order ) Act of 1994 and carries a maximum punishment of 14 years .
A previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ males , two of whom had iron bars while another brandished a knuckle-duster , attacked Mr McAndrew .
In a statement to gardaí , Mr McAndrew said the men began to “ batter ” him about the head , body and legs while demanding money .
The PSNI and gardaí co-operated in a search of Finglas ’ house in Warrenpoint , where they found Mr McAndrew ’ s phone , which Finglas had been using .
Mr McAndrew ’ s phone had a contact list that included the number of his daughter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Justice Tony Hunt on Tuesday jailed Finglas for four years and nine months for his part in the attack .
Mr Justice Hunt said that Mr McAndrew had asked the men to shoot him “ as he wanted it to be all over ” .

Mr Justice Hunt said that Finglas had 87 previous convictions stretching back to 1985 that included assault, possession of drugs, burglary and malicious damage.
A man acting as the “brawn” in a gang who claimed to be dissident republicans and who beat a businessman so severely that he asked to be shot to end his ordeal, has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court.
The court heard that Mayo businessman Edward McAndrew was beaten with iron bars and threatened by a group of men demanding money in Omeath, Co Louth, in 2017. The men told Mr McAndrew that they were members of the Continuity IRA and falsely imprisoned him in the boot of a car.
Mr McAndrew had been lured to Omeath by the gang on the pretence that they had some plant machinery to sell him.
On Tuesday, Anthony Finglas (49) of Havelock Place, Warrenpoint, Co Down, was sentenced by the non-jury court after he pleaded guilty to demanding money with menaces from Mr McAndrew at One Ferry Hill, Cornamucklagh, Omeath, Co Louth, on December 2nd, 2017.
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The offence comes under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act of 1994 and carries a maximum punishment of 14 years.
A previous hearing heard that at Cornamucklagh, three males, two of whom had iron bars while another brandished a knuckle-duster, attacked Mr McAndrew.
In a statement to gardaí, Mr McAndrew said the men began to “batter” him about the head, body and legs while demanding money.
The PSNI and gardaí co-operated in a search of Finglas’ house in Warrenpoint, where they found Mr McAndrew’s phone, which Finglas had been using. Mr McAndrew’s phone had a contact list that included the number of his daughter, the court has heard.
Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt on Tuesday jailed Finglas for four years and nine months for his part in the attack.
Mr Justice Hunt said that Mr McAndrew had asked the men to shoot him “as he wanted it to be all over”.


theirishtimes--2020-12-15--Rally held at maternity hospital over partner visiting restrictions

A rally against Covid restrictions on partners of pregnant women accessing maternity hospitals took place on Tuesday with demonstrators saying a recent concession on scans does not go far enough .
The Uplift campaigning group , which organised the event , said a petition to back a more widespread loosening of restrictions had attracted more than 50,000 signatures .
Last week the HSE partially acknowledged the mounting concerns by reversing a ban on partners attending 20 week scans , but advocates say it needs to go further .
Speaking shortly before the rally , Uplift director Siobhan O ’ Donoghue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was evidence of “ rising ” trauma levels among expectant mothers attending services alone .
“ There is a collective push now by people who are directly affected to make sure maternity services are inclusive of partners , ” she said , stressing a belief that greater access could be safe .
“ This is about listening to the people who actually use the services.
” Tuesday ’ s rally was staged outside the Coombe Women ’ s Hospital in Dublin , although it was aimed at services throughout the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who began the group ’ s petition and submitted it at similar event in Cork two weeks ago , said she was worried about having to go into hospital alone next February when she was due to give birth .
She also said her sister-in-law recently had her first child after spending hours in labour without her husband .
“ I think they were both a lot more stressed and anxious than they needed to be , ” she said .
“ He was outside waiting for the call when to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours after the birth and they ( mother and baby ) were in hospital for five days after.
” In a statement , the Coombe – where about 8,000 births take place every year – said partners could be present when mothers were admitted to the labour ward and should be able to stay until they were transferred to the postnatal ward .
Once there , the partner could visit between 2pm and 4.30pm .
A spokeswoman also said that following the introduction of the new HSE guidelines , partners would be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Our primary concern is the safety of mothers , babies and staff… we will continue to offer excellent and safe care and in circumstances where a woman requires extra support please be assured that we will aim to provide that , ” the hospital said .
“ Within the Coombe the situation is monitored by the Covid-19 Executive Team on an ongoing and weekly basis and changes are made as soon as it is safe to do so.
” The HSE said re-introducing access to partners during the pandemic was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the safety of women , their babies and maternity staff ” .
“ Nevertheless , the HSE is very mindful of the distress some of these restrictions may have caused women and their partners .
The clinical directors of all 19 maternity units have been keeping the need for restrictions under review at all times .
”

A rally against Covid restrictions on partners of pregnant women accessing maternity hospitals took place on Tuesday outside the Coombe in Dublin.
A rally against Covid restrictions on partners of pregnant women accessing maternity hospitals took place on Tuesday with demonstrators saying a recent concession on scans does not go far enough.
The Uplift campaigning group, which organised the event, said a petition to back a more widespread loosening of restrictions had attracted more than 50,000 signatures.
Last week the HSE partially acknowledged the mounting concerns by reversing a ban on partners attending 20 week scans, but advocates say it needs to go further.
Speaking shortly before the rally, Uplift director Siobhan O’Donoghue said while they supported public health guidance there was evidence of “rising” trauma levels among expectant mothers attending services alone.
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“There is a collective push now by people who are directly affected to make sure maternity services are inclusive of partners,” she said, stressing a belief that greater access could be safe.
“This is about listening to the people who actually use the services.”
Tuesday’s rally was staged outside the Coombe Women’s Hospital in Dublin, although it was aimed at services throughout the country.
Uplift campaigner and Cork-based physiotherapist Caroline Cumming, who began the group’s petition and submitted it at similar event in Cork two weeks ago, said she was worried about having to go into hospital alone next February when she was due to give birth.
She also said her sister-in-law recently had her first child after spending hours in labour without her husband.
“I think they were both a lot more stressed and anxious than they needed to be,” she said. “He was outside waiting for the call when to come in. He was there for two hours after the birth and they (mother and baby) were in hospital for five days after.”
In a statement, the Coombe – where about 8,000 births take place every year – said partners could be present when mothers were admitted to the labour ward and should be able to stay until they were transferred to the postnatal ward.
Once there, the partner could visit between 2pm and 4.30pm. A spokeswoman also said that following the introduction of the new HSE guidelines, partners would be able to attend 20 week scans from Wednesday.
“Our primary concern is the safety of mothers, babies and staff… we will continue to offer excellent and safe care and in circumstances where a woman requires extra support please be assured that we will aim to provide that,” the hospital said.
“Within the Coombe the situation is monitored by the Covid-19 Executive Team on an ongoing and weekly basis and changes are made as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The HSE said re-introducing access to partners during the pandemic was “challenging, and our priority must be the safety of women, their babies and maternity staff”.
“Nevertheless, the HSE is very mindful of the distress some of these restrictions may have caused women and their partners. The clinical directors of all 19 maternity units have been keeping the need for restrictions under review at all times.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-15--Irish scientists play down concerns over new coronavirus strain in UK

Viruses mutate – that ’ s what they do – and a new strain of the coronavirus should not be a cause of concern .
This was the message from Irish scientists after UK health secretary Matt Hancock attributed higher infections in the southeast England to a newly detected variant of coronavirus , which , he claimed , was spreading faster than the existing strain of the virus .
“ I don ’ t think there is any cause for scaring people on this right now , ” said virologist Kingston Mills , professor of experimental immunology at Trinity College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dramatise this because there is no point panicking people into thinking it is going to kill more people or cause further spread or that the vaccine is not going to work.
” Prof Mills believes Mr Hancock might be incorrectly conflating issues .
“ I don ’ t know where he is getting that it spreads more rapidly .
To make that statement , you would have to have data showing that the virus is more transmissible , ” he said .
The question this latest mutation in England raises – is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more lethal , and will it pose a threat to the effectiveness of the new vaccines ?
So far , the data isn ’ t there to worry people .
There have already been two significant mutations of the virus : the first appeared after the original Wuhan outbreak , most likely in Italy , and spread around the world , and the second was in Spain during the summer which has been responsible for most infections in Ireland since then .
There are hundreds , possibly thousands , of virus “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more active or transmitted quickly is down to more people with that variant moving around .
“ Finding a lot of people with this strain just means more people have it and it is dominating over something that may already have been in the south of the England .
It just means it is the new wave coming through , ” said Dr Anne Moore , a lecturer in biochemistry and cell biology at UCC .
“ The worst thing that can happen is that you have something that transmits really easily and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in more people .
But something that transmits more ?
We have had 11 months of that .
This is just a different strain , ” she said .
Some feel there may be political motivations at play as the UK government sells putting London into the toughest lockdown to a public in order to suppress a surge in virus cases .
“ It seems to be a storm in a teacup .
There have been a lot of variants and I think Matt Hancock might have been doing a little bit of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in London , ” said Dr Siobhán McClean , associate professor at UCD ’ s school of biochemistry .
“ From a scientific perspective , we don ’ t know much about it .
It doesn ’ t necessarily mean that it is going to be more virulent .
It could even be less virulent and we have had other variants before.
” Dr Moore suspects something similar : “ It could be just more Matt Hancock and ‘ here ’ s a thing to be afraid of today and here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of thing .
”

‘I don’t think there is any cause for scaring people on this right now.’ Photograph: Paul Scott
Viruses mutate – that’s what they do – and a new strain of the coronavirus should not be a cause of concern.
This was the message from Irish scientists after UK health secretary Matt Hancock attributed higher infections in the southeast England to a newly detected variant of coronavirus, which, he claimed, was spreading faster than the existing strain of the virus.
“I don’t think there is any cause for scaring people on this right now,” said virologist Kingston Mills, professor of experimental immunology at Trinity College Dublin. “My advice is not to dramatise this because there is no point panicking people into thinking it is going to kill more people or cause further spread or that the vaccine is not going to work.”
Prof Mills believes Mr Hancock might be incorrectly conflating issues. “I don’t know where he is getting that it spreads more rapidly. To make that statement, you would have to have data showing that the virus is more transmissible,” he said.
READ MORE
The question this latest mutation in England raises – is this strain of the virus more infectious or more lethal, and will it pose a threat to the effectiveness of the new vaccines? So far, the data isn’t there to worry people.
Significant mutations
There have already been two significant mutations of the virus: the first appeared after the original Wuhan outbreak, most likely in Italy, and spread around the world, and the second was in Spain during the summer which has been responsible for most infections in Ireland since then.
There are hundreds, possibly thousands, of virus “sequences” in circulation and one being more active or transmitted quickly is down to more people with that variant moving around.
“Finding a lot of people with this strain just means more people have it and it is dominating over something that may already have been in the south of the England. It just means it is the new wave coming through,” said Dr Anne Moore, a lecturer in biochemistry and cell biology at UCC.
“The worst thing that can happen is that you have something that transmits really easily and kills or leads to very severe disease in more people. But something that transmits more? We have had 11 months of that. This is just a different strain,” she said.
Some feel there may be political motivations at play as the UK government sells putting London into the toughest lockdown to a public in order to suppress a surge in virus cases.
Scaremongering
“It seems to be a storm in a teacup. There have been a lot of variants and I think Matt Hancock might have been doing a little bit of scaremongering in line with the new lockdown in London,” said Dr Siobhán McClean, associate professor at UCD’s school of biochemistry.
“From a scientific perspective, we don’t know much about it. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it is going to be more virulent. It could even be less virulent and we have had other variants before.”
Dr Moore suspects something similar: “It could be just more Matt Hancock and ‘here’s a thing to be afraid of today and here’s what we are doing about it’ kind of thing.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-16--Nearly 300 patients waiting for admission to hospital beds, nurses say

Nearly 300 patients are queuing on trolleys in emergency departments or on wards waiting for admission to hospital beds , nurses have said .
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation ( INMO ) has maintained that there has been a spike in the number of patients , deemed to require admission , who have been waiting for beds in hospitals over recent days .
On Wednesday , the INMO said there were 293 patients in hospitals across the country waiting either in emergency departments or on wards for admission to beds .
It said there were 58 patients waiting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 33 at Cork University Hospital .
The INMO said there were 27 patients queuing for admission to a bed at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar and at University Hospital Sligo .
On Tuesday the INMO said the worst levels of hospital overcrowding had been experienced since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic last spring when 316 patients across the country , deemed to require admission , were waiting for a hospital bed .
The INMO said on Wednesday that it could not point to one single reason for the increase in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It said there appeared to be a general rise in the number of people presenting to hospital and that this could follow on from the relaxation of Covid -19 restrictions or be as a result of regular winter pressures on the hospital system .
The INMO has expressed concerns this week about the potential dangers of overcrowding in a Covid-19 environment .
“ This is an incredibly dangerous time to slip into old bad habits .
Overcrowded wards are a breeding ground for contagious viruses .
“ The number of people on trolleys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we take our eye off the ball now , infection rates in our hospitals will skyrocket.
” “ Over 12,000 healthcare workers have caught Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic .
Many of those staff are still living with symptoms , meaning that staffing is under even greater pressure .
“ Decisive action on overcrowding is needed urgently to avoid putting patients and staff at serious risk .
”

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has maintained that there has been a spike in the number of patients, deemed to require admission, who have been waiting for beds in hospitals over recent days. Photograph: iStock
Nearly 300 patients are queuing on trolleys in emergency departments or on wards waiting for admission to hospital beds, nurses have said.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has maintained that there has been a spike in the number of patients, deemed to require admission, who have been waiting for beds in hospitals over recent days.
On Wednesday, the INMO said there were 293 patients in hospitals across the country waiting either in emergency departments or on wards for admission to beds.
It said there were 58 patients waiting for a bed at University Hospital Limerick and 33 at Cork University Hospital.
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The INMO said there were 27 patients queuing for admission to a bed at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar and at University Hospital Sligo.
On Tuesday the INMO said the worst levels of hospital overcrowding had been experienced since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic last spring when 316 patients across the country, deemed to require admission, were waiting for a hospital bed.
The INMO said on Wednesday that it could not point to one single reason for the increase in the number of patients waiting for beds.
It said there appeared to be a general rise in the number of people presenting to hospital and that this could follow on from the relaxation of Covid -19 restrictions or be as a result of regular winter pressures on the hospital system.
The INMO has expressed concerns this week about the potential dangers of overcrowding in a Covid-19 environment.
INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said on Tuesday:
“This is an incredibly dangerous time to slip into old bad habits. Overcrowded wards are a breeding ground for contagious viruses.
“The number of people on trolleys has been far lower this year. If we take our eye off the ball now, infection rates in our hospitals will skyrocket.”
“Over 12,000 healthcare workers have caught Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic. Many of those staff are still living with symptoms, meaning that staffing is under even greater pressure. “Decisive action on overcrowding is needed urgently to avoid putting patients and staff at serious risk.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-16--People caught with cannabis may now avoid criminal charge

People caught with cannabis for personal use can now be dealt with under the adult caution system , meaning they would not be prosecuted and would not have a criminal record .
However , those caught with larger consignments of cannabis can still be prosecuted , as can people caught repeatedly with cannabis for personal use .
Possession of cannabis for personal use is one of four new offences added to the adult caution scheme , which aims to deal with offenders more informally and so free up Garda and court time .
It is the first time in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs offence can been dealt with outside the conventional criminal justice system , using a prosecution-based process .
The adult caution scheme is intended to remove the threat of a criminal record for those people who commit relatively minor offences , especially first-time offenders .
Garda Headquarters , Phoenix Park , Dublin , said on Wednesday that possession for cannabis for personal use had been added to the adult caution scheme two days ago .
The other offences added to the list , following agreement with the Director of Public Prosecutions , include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain events ” provisions in the Criminal Justice ( Public Order ) Act .
This arises when gardaí erect crowd control barriers to create a cordon around major public events – including sports events and music concerts and festivals .
Breaching that cordon without being admitted by gardaí is a public order offence but can now be dealt with using an adult caution rather than a prosecution .
Casual trading without a licence or contrary to the terms of the licence and trespassing in a manner likely to cause fear have also been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was first established in 2006 .
When announcing plans in August , 2019 , to add possession of cannabis resin or herbal cannabis to the adult caution scheme , the then minister for health Simon Harris said it would affect about 12,000 people a year who come to the attention of gardaí for drug possession for personal use .
About 10 per cent of these , he added , were expected to be referred for further treatment and therapy under the new system rather than being processed by the criminal justice system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in an observation in the drugs policy report launched at the time , argued against multiple adult cautions .
It warned that illicit drug users may exploit that they are permitted to carry and possess drugs for personal use .
“ Drug dealers and their couriers may adapt their behaviour to carry small quantities of drugs in the knowledge that they are permitted to possess a quantity of drugs for personal use , ” the Garda observation said .

It is the first time in the history of the State that an illicit drugs offence can been dealt with outside the conventional criminal justice system, using a prosecution-based process. Photograph: Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters
People caught with cannabis for personal use can now be dealt with under the adult caution system, meaning they would not be prosecuted and would not have a criminal record.
However, those caught with larger consignments of cannabis can still be prosecuted, as can people caught repeatedly with cannabis for personal use.
Possession of cannabis for personal use is one of four new offences added to the adult caution scheme, which aims to deal with offenders more informally and so free up Garda and court time.
It is the first time in the history of the State that an illicit drugs offence can been dealt with outside the conventional criminal justice system, using a prosecution-based process.
READ MORE
The adult caution scheme is intended to remove the threat of a criminal record for those people who commit relatively minor offences, especially first-time offenders.
Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin, said on Wednesday that possession for cannabis for personal use had been added to the adult caution scheme two days ago.
The other offences added to the list, following agreement with the Director of Public Prosecutions, include breaching the “control of access to certain events” provisions in the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act.
This arises when gardaí erect crowd control barriers to create a cordon around major public events – including sports events and music concerts and festivals. Breaching that cordon without being admitted by gardaí is a public order offence but can now be dealt with using an adult caution rather than a prosecution.
Casual trading without a licence or contrary to the terms of the licence and trespassing in a manner likely to cause fear have also been added to the adult caution scheme, which was first established in 2006.
When announcing plans in August, 2019, to add possession of cannabis resin or herbal cannabis to the adult caution scheme, the then minister for health Simon Harris said it would affect about 12,000 people a year who come to the attention of gardaí for drug possession for personal use.
About 10 per cent of these, he added, were expected to be referred for further treatment and therapy under the new system rather than being processed by the criminal justice system as at present.
An Garda Síochána, in an observation in the drugs policy report launched at the time, argued against multiple adult cautions. It warned that illicit drug users may exploit that they are permitted to carry and possess drugs for personal use.
“Drug dealers and their couriers may adapt their behaviour to carry small quantities of drugs in the knowledge that they are permitted to possess a quantity of drugs for personal use,” the Garda observation said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-16--Vaccine uptake will be driven by consensus not penalties, Nphet told

Vaccine uptake in Ireland will be driven more effectively by campaigns based on knowledge and consensus than by penalties and enforcement , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) has been told .
A review of international evidence by the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) advised Nphet that the vaccination campaign should “ build on what Ireland has already achieved in relation to Covid-19 ” , which has been based upon knowledge and consensus , rather than penalties and enforcement .
“ Trust , communication and knowledge are core to informed decision making , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior to any campaign launching , healthcare workers should be targeted with the necessary information to make decisions for themselves , and to act as a trusted source of information for others .
Similarly , “ given the importance of social influence on an individual ’ s behaviour ” , key opinion leaders inside and outside the medical profession , including sports leaders and religious figures , should be provided with similar tools .
The paper identified several concerns that might affect uptake , including misconceptions about the use of new techniques in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the regulatory approval process .
The paper submitted to Nphet is based largely on existing research relating to flu , given time pressures involved .
It involved two overviews of existing reviews in the scientific research , one focused on factors affecting uptake of flu vaccines , and a second looking at the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve uptake .
The existing evidence suggests barriers or “ facilitators ” include perceived risks or benefits of vaccines , access or other contextual factors , psychological or internal factors , perceived risk or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social influences , past behaviours , knowledge , socio-demographic factors and health behaviours .
The review found that for those at high risk of severe disease , perceived responsibility was not a barrier or a facilitator , while in pregnant women , that factor , knowledge , or health behaviours were not tagged as barriers .
Pregnant women were more likely to give protection of their baby , knowledge about flu , vaccination policy and past experiences as reasons for taking vaccines .
The report does warn that three of the nine reviews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uptake were of low quality , and that due to inherent biases and issues around their transferability to the current situation in Ireland , their findings need to be “ interpreted with caution ” .
The second review , focused on interventions to drive uptake , included 21 reviews , seven of which were of high quality .
It found moderate to high certainty that personalised and targeted interventions were effective among older adults - these included low intensity interventions like postcards , through to more intensive interventions like personalised phone calls or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postcards or telephone calls also seemed to be more effective among those with underlying conditions , and pregnant women .
Among healthcare workers , it found low to very low certainty that what is described as “ multicomponent interventions ” were effective - these combine education , incentives and requirements to write statements detailing the reason for refusal .
It found that mandatory vaccine was most effective at driving uptake among healthcare workers , but that there are “ concerns regarding individuals ’ autonomy ” .
It said that some interventions could also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderate certainty in papers reviewed that patient reminded and recall systems “ probably ” improve vaccine uptake in adult and child populations .
However , Hiqa warned that because Covid and seasonal flu are “ very different diseases ” the applicability of the evidence gleaned from the review is “ likely to be limited ” .
“ The huge amount of attention to Covid-19… will be an important influencing factor , ” the review found , arguing that motivations will be driven by different factors in different groups - for example among younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social responsibility rather than the perceived risk of the disease .
It found that the most relevant evidence for the Covid vaccination will be directly related to the immunisation programme itself “ and that it will be important for reliable evidence in relation to effectiveness and safety ” to be made available .
During a discussion of the findings by the Expert Advisory Group ( EAG ) on Covid , there were concerns raised about misconceptions in relation to how mRNA ( messenger RNA ) vaccines work - this is the new technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be administered are based .
There were also concerns expressed about the potential for misconceptions around the rigour of the authorisation process for the Covid-19 vaccines , which have been developed and approved in record time .
The EAG agreed that policies to maximise the uptake “ need to focus on trust , communication and knowledge ” , and emphasise that while timelines have been shortened , the new vaccines “ undergo the same rigorous evaluation process by regulatory authorities ” .
Community leaders , including religious leaders and other influencers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The EAG also discussed differences between established vaccines and new ones like Covid in the context of older people in long term care facilities like nursing homes , and that vaccination of this population will only occur based on informed consent - which will also apply to other long-term residential facilities and vulnerable individuals .
The group also discussed the fact that mandating vaccination was practiced in some instances , such as yellow fever vaccination for entry into some countries and childhood immunisation for school entry elsewhere .
However , it noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surround mandatory vaccination policy for a workforce .
Dr Máirín Ryan , Hiqa ’ s deputy chief executive , said it was important to continue to monitor and review evidence on the effectiveness of the vaccine once the campaign begins .
“ As the Covid-19 vaccine is rolled out in Ireland and across the world , updated evidence in relation to effectiveness and safety must be made available in an open and accountable manner , so trust can be maintained .
”

A nurse prepares a dose of the Pfizer/BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine at a NHS vaccine centre that has been set up in the grounds of Epsom Racecourse in Epsom, England. Photograph: Steve Parsons/WPA Pool/Getty Images.
Vaccine uptake in Ireland will be driven more effectively by campaigns based on knowledge and consensus than by penalties and enforcement, the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has been told.
A review of international evidence by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) advised Nphet that the vaccination campaign should “build on what Ireland has already achieved in relation to Covid-19”, which has been based upon knowledge and consensus, rather than penalties and enforcement.
“Trust, communication and knowledge are core to informed decision making,” the review found.
It advised that prior to any campaign launching, healthcare workers should be targeted with the necessary information to make decisions for themselves, and to act as a trusted source of information for others.
READ MORE
Similarly, “given the importance of social influence on an individual’s behaviour”, key opinion leaders inside and outside the medical profession, including sports leaders and religious figures, should be provided with similar tools.
The paper identified several concerns that might affect uptake, including misconceptions about the use of new techniques in developing the vaccines, and the rigour of the regulatory approval process.
The paper submitted to Nphet is based largely on existing research relating to flu, given time pressures involved. It involved two overviews of existing reviews in the scientific research, one focused on factors affecting uptake of flu vaccines, and a second looking at the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve uptake.
The existing evidence suggests barriers or “facilitators” include perceived risks or benefits of vaccines, access or other contextual factors, psychological or internal factors, perceived risk or susceptibility to flu, perceived responsibility, social influences, past behaviours, knowledge, socio-demographic factors and health behaviours.
Targeted interventions
The review found that for those at high risk of severe disease, perceived responsibility was not a barrier or a facilitator, while in pregnant women, that factor, knowledge, or health behaviours were not tagged as barriers. Pregnant women were more likely to give protection of their baby, knowledge about flu, vaccination policy and past experiences as reasons for taking vaccines.
The report does warn that three of the nine reviews included in the study of factors affecting uptake were of low quality, and that due to inherent biases and issues around their transferability to the current situation in Ireland, their findings need to be “interpreted with caution”.
The second review, focused on interventions to drive uptake, included 21 reviews, seven of which were of high quality. It found moderate to high certainty that personalised and targeted interventions were effective among older adults - these included low intensity interventions like postcards, through to more intensive interventions like personalised phone calls or home visits.
Personalised approaches such as postcards or telephone calls also seemed to be more effective among those with underlying conditions, and pregnant women. Among healthcare workers, it found low to very low certainty that what is described as “multicomponent interventions” were effective - these combine education, incentives and requirements to write statements detailing the reason for refusal. It found that mandatory vaccine was most effective at driving uptake among healthcare workers, but that there are “concerns regarding individuals’ autonomy”. It said that some interventions could also negatively impact staff morale.
There was moderate certainty in papers reviewed that patient reminded and recall systems “probably” improve vaccine uptake in adult and child populations.
However, Hiqa warned that because Covid and seasonal flu are “very different diseases” the applicability of the evidence gleaned from the review is “likely to be limited”.
“The huge amount of attention to Covid-19… will be an important influencing factor,” the review found, arguing that motivations will be driven by different factors in different groups - for example among younger people, it may be driven by social responsibility rather than the perceived risk of the disease. It found that the most relevant evidence for the Covid vaccination will be directly related to the immunisation programme itself “and that it will be important for reliable evidence in relation to effectiveness and safety” to be made available.
Community leaders
During a discussion of the findings by the Expert Advisory Group (EAG) on Covid, there were concerns raised about misconceptions in relation to how mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines work - this is the new technology which some of the candidate vaccines likely to be administered are based. There were also concerns expressed about the potential for misconceptions around the rigour of the authorisation process for the Covid-19 vaccines, which have been developed and approved in record time.
The EAG agreed that policies to maximise the uptake “need to focus on trust, communication and knowledge”, and emphasise that while timelines have been shortened, the new vaccines “undergo the same rigorous evaluation process by regulatory authorities”. Community leaders, including religious leaders and other influencers, were also identified as important drivers.
The EAG also discussed differences between established vaccines and new ones like Covid in the context of older people in long term care facilities like nursing homes, and that vaccination of this population will only occur based on informed consent - which will also apply to other long-term residential facilities and vulnerable individuals. The group also discussed the fact that mandating vaccination was practiced in some instances, such as yellow fever vaccination for entry into some countries and childhood immunisation for school entry elsewhere.
However, it noted that “significant ethical and organisational issues” surround mandatory vaccination policy for a workforce.
Dr Máirín Ryan, Hiqa’s deputy chief executive, said it was important to continue to monitor and review evidence on the effectiveness of the vaccine once the campaign begins.
“As the Covid-19 vaccine is rolled out in Ireland and across the world, updated evidence in relation to effectiveness and safety must be made available in an open and accountable manner, so trust can be maintained.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-16--Retired businessman charged with sexually assaulting boy scouts

A man has been released on bail after he was charged with 27 sexual offences relating to the alleged abuse of boy scouts in Cork .
At Cork District Court , David Barry ( 72 ) faced a total of 26 counts of indecent or sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault .
Det Garda Gary Duggan of Bishopstown Garda station gave evidence of arrest , charge and caution .
He said he arrested Mr Barry at his home at Montrose , Firgrove Gardens in Bishopstown at 7.40am .
He brought him to Togher Garda station where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Det Garda Duggan told the court that when he asked Mr Barry if he had anything to say in reply to the charges , he replied : “ No , I don ’ t - I am so sorry for anyone I hurt.
” The charges allege that Mr Barry either indecently or sexually assaulted eight boys and attempted to indecently assault an ninth boy at an address in Cork on various dates between 1986 and 2005 .
The boys - who were all members of the Catholic Boys Scouts of Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 and 16 at the time of the alleged offences .
Det Garda Duggan said gardaí had no objection to Mr Barry obtaining bail on condition that he sign on once a week at Togher Garda station and surrender his passport .
Mr Barry ’ s solicitor Daithí O ’ Donnabháin said his client had no difficulty meeting the bail terms .
Sgt Gearoid Davis said the DPP had directed that the matter should be tried on indictment before a judge and jury at circuit court level and he applied for a six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garda Duggan said he would be in a position to serve the book of evidence on that date and Judge Olann Kelleher released Mr Barry on bail , to appear in court on January 27th .
Mr O ’ Donnabháin applied for a ban on identification of his client , who is a former Scout troop leader , in media reporting but Judge Kelleher refused and said the only order he would make was not identifying the injured parties .
Mr O ’ Donnabháin said his client was a retired businessman and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due course in support of a future application for free legal aid .

David Barry leaves Cork Court after he was freed on bail. Photograph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Cork Courts
A former Scout leader has been released on bail after he was charged with 27 sexual offences relating to the alleged abuse of boy scouts in Cork.
At Cork District Court, David Barry (72) faced a total of 26 counts of indecent or sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Det Garda Gary Duggan of Bishopstown Garda station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He said he arrested Mr Barry at his home at Montrose, Firgrove Gardens in Bishopstown at 7.40am.
He brought him to Togher Garda station where he formally charged him with offences at 8.10am.
READ MORE
Det Garda Duggan told the court that when he asked Mr Barry if he had anything to say in reply to the charges, he replied: “No, I don’t - I am so sorry for anyone I hurt.”
The charges allege that Mr Barry either indecently or sexually assaulted eight boys and attempted to indecently assault an ninth boy at an address in Cork on various dates between 1986 and 2005.
The boys - who were all members of the Catholic Boys Scouts of Ireland at the time - were aged between 12 and 16 at the time of the alleged offences.
Det Garda Duggan said gardaí had no objection to Mr Barry obtaining bail on condition that he sign on once a week at Togher Garda station and surrender his passport.
Mr Barry’s solicitor Daithí O’Donnabháin said his client had no difficulty meeting the bail terms.
Sgt Gearoid Davis said the DPP had directed that the matter should be tried on indictment before a judge and jury at circuit court level and he applied for a six week adjournment to January 27th.
Det Garda Duggan said he would be in a position to serve the book of evidence on that date and Judge Olann Kelleher released Mr Barry on bail, to appear in court on January 27th.
Mr O'Donnabháin applied for a ban on identification of his client, who is a former Scout troop leader, in media reporting but Judge Kelleher refused and said the only order he would make was not identifying the injured parties.
Mr O’Donnabháin said his client was a retired businessman and he would prepare a statement of means in due course in support of a future application for free legal aid.


theirishtimes--2020-12-16--Leo Varadkar says ‘we have lost our way’ in the decade of centenaries

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has suggested that “ we have lost our way ” in relation to the commemorations marking the decade of centenaries .
Mr Varadkar suggested that the commemorations up to and including the Easter Rising centenary in 2016 had been marked in an “ inclusive and respectful ” manner .
“ Ceremonies were non-partisan .
We commemorated what happened , sought to understand it , contextualise it , learn from it , ” he stated .
“ Ceremonies were inclusive and respectful .
They did not seek to challenge or change anyone ’ s loyalties .
The violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not glorified .
“ We honoured and remembered all the dead , combatants and innocent civilians - those who died in the GPO and Kilmainham Gaol and those who died in France and Flanders .
“ I think in the last year we have lost our way and we need to find it again .
The decade of centenaries is not over.
” In the opinion article published in The Irish Daily Mail , Mr Varadkar accused Sinn Féin of distorting the facts of Irish history .
In reference to Sinn Féin TD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kilmichael ambush of 1920 and Narrow Water in 1979 , Mr Varadkar suggested that Sinn Féin was involved in employing a “ dangerous moral equivalence to normalise political violence in their pursuit of power on both sides of the border .
“ There is a profound difference between the War of Independence fought then and the campaign of violence waged by the Provisional IRA in modern times .
“ The War of Independence had democratic legitimacy .
The IRA of 100 years ago answered to a civilian government and a democratically elected Dáil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then Eamon de Valera and Arthur Griffith .
“ The violent campaign of the Provisional IRA did not command widespread public support north or south and its political wing was rejected again and again at the ballot box .
“ Furthermore the provisionals and Sinn Féin did not recognise our democracy .
They refused to accept the legitimacy of our democratic institutions - our courts , gardaí , defence forces , the Constitution , even the Dáil itself which they boycotted .
They dismissed the millions of votes cast by the Irish people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained away as standing up to the British government or defending marginalised Catholic communities .
“ Others like John Hume did so peacefully and achieved much more including civil rights.
” Mr Varadkar pointed out that many parties in Ireland , including his home , can trace their origins back to the revolutionary period .
General Richard Mulcahy , the chief of staff of the IRA , became Fine Gael leader in the 1940s .
He said the “ constant glorification of past violence ” by Sinn Féin will only serve to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added that it also threatens the spirit of decade of centenaries as we face into the most difficult part with the centenaries of Northern Ireland , the Truce and Treaty and the Civil War coming up .
In the article Mr Vardakar said he had accepted the apologies of Brian Stanley in relation to a tweet sent in 2017 which had been about him and was construed as being homophobic .
However , Mr Varadkar expressed frustration that he had not been allowed to ask questions of Mr Stanley following the Sinn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has suggested that "we have lost our way" in relation to the commemorations marking the decade of centenaries.
Mr Varadkar suggested that the commemorations up to and including the Easter Rising centenary in 2016 had been marked in an “inclusive and respectful” manner.
“Ceremonies were non-partisan. We commemorated what happened, sought to understand it, contextualise it, learn from it,” he stated.
“Ceremonies were inclusive and respectful. They did not seek to challenge or change anyone’s loyalties. The violence of the period was recognised but was not glorified.
READ MORE
"We honoured and remembered all the dead, combatants and innocent civilians - those who died in the GPO and Kilmainham Gaol and those who died in France and Flanders.
“I think in the last year we have lost our way and we need to find it again. The decade of centenaries is not over.”
In the opinion article published in The Irish Daily Mail, Mr Varadkar accused Sinn Féin of distorting the facts of Irish history.
In reference to Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley's comparison between the Kilmichael ambush of 1920 and Narrow Water in 1979, Mr Varadkar suggested that Sinn Féin was involved in employing a "dangerous moral equivalence to normalise political violence in their pursuit of power on both sides of the border.
“There is a profound difference between the War of Independence fought then and the campaign of violence waged by the Provisional IRA in modern times.
"The War of Independence had democratic legitimacy. The IRA of 100 years ago answered to a civilian government and a democratically elected Dáil presided over first by Cathal Brugha, then Eamon de Valera and Arthur Griffith.
“The violent campaign of the Provisional IRA did not command widespread public support north or south and its political wing was rejected again and again at the ballot box.
“Furthermore the provisionals and Sinn Féin did not recognise our democracy. They refused to accept the legitimacy of our democratic institutions - our courts, gardaí, defence forces, the Constitution, even the Dáil itself which they boycotted. They dismissed the millions of votes cast by the Irish people.
“This cannot possibly be explained away as standing up to the British government or defending marginalised Catholic communities.
"Others like John Hume did so peacefully and achieved much more including civil rights."
Mr Varadkar pointed out that many parties in Ireland, including his home, can trace their origins back to the revolutionary period. General Richard Mulcahy, the chief of staff of the IRA, became Fine Gael leader in the 1940s.
He said the “constant glorification of past violence” by Sinn Féin will only serve to make a united Ireland harder to achieve.
He added that it also threatens the spirit of decade of centenaries as we face into the most difficult part with the centenaries of Northern Ireland, the Truce and Treaty and the Civil War coming up.
In the article Mr Vardakar said he had accepted the apologies of Brian Stanley in relation to a tweet sent in 2017 which had been about him and was construed as being homophobic.
However, Mr Varadkar expressed frustration that he had not been allowed to ask questions of Mr Stanley following the Sinn Féin’s apology in the Dáil on Tuesday.