theirishtimes--2020-06-19--Doctors returning to fight Covid-19 feel betrayed, says IMO

Doctors who returned from overseas to help combat Covid-19 in Ireland now feel “ betrayed ” after being told they are no longer needed , the Irish Medical Organisation ( IMO ) has said .
The IMO , which represents doctors , said medics who responded to Minister for Health Simon Harris ’ s call in March for “ all hands on deck ” to deal with the pandemic are being told to take unpaid leave from their short-term contracts over the coming weeks .
Many had given up jobs and prospects in Australia , the US and Britain “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be protected ” , said Dr Paddy Hillery , who chairs the IMO ’ s committee for non-consultant hospital doctors .
He said they underwent two weeks unpaid quarantine on their return from abroad , with some left out of pocket having to pay rent and being ineligible for pandemic unemployment payments .
“ To say to these doctors , ‘ Thank you for coming back , but we don ’ t need you right now , we ’ ll call you again if we do ’ is unacceptable , ” Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of betrayal .
Staff have put themselves on the front line treating people with Covid , putting themselves and their families at risk.
” The IMO is polling doctors to establish the exact figure for those who returned but are not being retained .
Latest figures show 393 doctors returned to the medical register to practice after Mr Harris launched the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) recruitment campaign at the start of the coronavirus crisis , under the slogan : “ Your country needs you.
” Around half of these came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vast majority ” of the rest returned from overseas to help tackle the outbreak , according to the Medical Council .
It is not known how many doctors who remained on the medical register while overseas also returned for the crisis .
Of those who returned , Dr Hillery said they were put on three-month contracts and many who want to stay on in Ireland are being told there is no work for them .
“ Some are being told they can go on a list , and they might be taken on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being told there are no jobs for them , and some are being offered jobs that wouldn ’ t be at their skill level , ” he said .
“ Some who should be offered consultancy positions will be looking for junior positions because there is no availability at their level .
Unfortunately some will return abroad because there is no opportunity for jobs here.
” Travel bans throughout the world will mean others have “ no option ” but to seek temporary work in Ireland .
The Medical Council , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise the issue with Mr Harris and the HSE .
The HSE said it hired about 2,500 new staff in a national recruitment drive during the crisis , and that there was also “ significant ” recruitment locally , including of healthcare workers that returned from overseas .
But it was unable to give figures on the numbers that returned from overseas , saying it does not record that detail .
A HSE spokeswoman said it was “ not aware ” of any staff being asked to take unpaid leave .
“ Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the current service they are working in as there is an ongoing need for nurses , doctors and other relevant staff , ” the spokeswoman said .

Doctors who returned from overseas to help combat Covid-19 in Ireland now feel "betrayed" after being told they are no longer needed, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has said.
The IMO, which represents doctors, said medics who responded to Minister for Health Simon Harris’s call in March for “all hands on deck” to deal with the pandemic are being told to take unpaid leave from their short-term contracts over the coming weeks.
Many had given up jobs and prospects in Australia, the US and Britain "to make sure their families and countrymen would be protected", said Dr Paddy Hillery, who chairs the IMO's committee for non-consultant hospital doctors.
He said they underwent two weeks unpaid quarantine on their return from abroad, with some left out of pocket having to pay rent and being ineligible for pandemic unemployment payments.
READ MORE
“To say to these doctors, ‘Thank you for coming back, but we don’t need you right now, we’ll call you again if we do’ is unacceptable,” Dr Hillery said.
“There is a sense of betrayal. Staff have put themselves on the front line treating people with Covid, putting themselves and their families at risk.”
Three-month contracts
The IMO is polling doctors to establish the exact figure for those who returned but are not being retained.
Latest figures show 393 doctors returned to the medical register to practice after Mr Harris launched the Health Service Executive (HSE) recruitment campaign at the start of the coronavirus crisis, under the slogan: "Your country needs you."
Around half of these came out of retirement, while the "vast majority" of the rest returned from overseas to help tackle the outbreak, according to the Medical Council. It is not known how many doctors who remained on the medical register while overseas also returned for the crisis.
Of those who returned, Dr Hillery said they were put on three-month contracts and many who want to stay on in Ireland are being told there is no work for them.
“Some are being told they can go on a list, and they might be taken on if someone else drops out, some are being told there are no jobs for them, and some are being offered jobs that wouldn’t be at their skill level,” he said.
“Some who should be offered consultancy positions will be looking for junior positions because there is no availability at their level. Unfortunately some will return abroad because there is no opportunity for jobs here.”
Travel bans throughout the world will mean others have “no option” but to seek temporary work in Ireland.
Recruitment drive
The Medical Council, which regulates the profession, is planning to raise the issue with Mr Harris and the HSE.
The HSE said it hired about 2,500 new staff in a national recruitment drive during the crisis, and that there was also “significant” recruitment locally, including of healthcare workers that returned from overseas.
But it was unable to give figures on the numbers that returned from overseas, saying it does not record that detail.
A HSE spokeswoman said it was “not aware” of any staff being asked to take unpaid leave.
“Many of the candidates will continue to work in the current service they are working in as there is an ongoing need for nurses, doctors and other relevant staff,” the spokeswoman said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-19--Single-person Garda patrols the norm in rural areas despite calls for change

Colm Horkan was the 35th garda killed by gunfire since the foundation of An Garda Síochána in 1922 , a figure which includes two incidents of friendly fire and one garda killed while on United Nations duty in Bosnia Herzegovina .
But he was the first garda to be killed in what Americans call a “ take-away ” shooting , where an officer is killed with their own firearm .
In this sense Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was exactly right when he characterised the shooting as an anomaly , “ an aberration ” , on Thursday .
Take-away shootings are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates of gun violence ; in the US an average of four such incidents occur every year .
Just because an event is rare does not mean lessons can not be learned , however .
Examination of the incident which occurred just before midnight on Wednesday on the main street in Castlerea , Co Roscommon , is likely to focus on two areas : should Det Garda Horkan have been patrolling alone and could different equipment have led to a different outcome .
Police doctrine states that in most cases two-person patrols are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employ a tactic called “ contact and cover ” where one officer engages with a suspect while the other observes .
Rank-and-file gardaí are not taught contact-and-cover tactics and in many cases personnel restrictions mean two-officer patrols are not feasible .
This is especially true for rural areas where single Garda patrols , such as the one undertaken by Det Garda Horkan on Wednesday night , are the norm .
This is despite several calls from the Garda Representative Association ( GRA ) over the years for two-person patrols to be standard policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of security analysts SAR Consultancy and a former Garda sergeant , there are several factors which inform how many people should be on a patrol .
One is the level of danger the officers might face .
“ What should inform your numbers is the risk in the area you on patrolling , either on foot or by car .
It ’ s based on your risk assessment.
” The other is how far the patrol will be from back-up .
In urban areas , where a back-up car is often only a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be acceptable .
In rural areas where the patrol may be going farther from the Garda station there should be two .
Sometimes single-person patrols are preferable as they allow for greater Garda visibility and the ability to cover more ground , Ms Brady said , before stressing that more detail would have to come out before such any definitive assessment could be made of the Castlerea shooting .
Questions will also be asked about how the suspect got hold of the detective ’ s gun in the first place .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , exactly what happened .
Det Garda Horkan was wearing a simple leather holster with a buttoned strap on top .
It allows for easy access to the weapon in emergencies but it is also prone to coming undone in an altercation .
In recent years some armed gardaí have taken to buying their own holsters online or while on holiday in the US ; there ’ s even a gun store in New York which offers a discount to gardaí .
These tactical holsters usually feature a safety switch which prevents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the user .
However , unhappiness with the standard equipment does not seem to be a major issue .
According go a GRA spokesman , it has never received a complaint about the holsters .
But he added said the association “ would anticipate that matter will be considered ” during the review of the incident promised by the Commissioner .

Colm Horkan was the 35th garda killed by gunfire since the foundation of An Garda Síochána in 1922, a figure which includes two incidents of friendly fire and one garda killed while on United Nations duty in Bosnia Herzegovina.
But he was the first garda to be killed in what Americans call a “take-away” shooting, where an officer is killed with their own firearm.
In this sense Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was exactly right when he characterised the shooting as an anomaly, "an aberration", on Thursday.
Take-away shootings are extremely rare even in countries with high rates of gun violence; in the US an average of four such incidents occur every year.
READ MORE
Just because an event is rare does not mean lessons cannot be learned, however. Examination of the incident which occurred just before midnight on Wednesday on the main street in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, is likely to focus on two areas: should Det Garda Horkan have been patrolling alone and could different equipment have led to a different outcome.
Contact and cover
Police doctrine states that in most cases two-person patrols are best practice. This allows officers to employ a tactic called “contact and cover” where one officer engages with a suspect while the other observes.
Rank-and-file gardaí are not taught contact-and-cover tactics and in many cases personnel restrictions mean two-officer patrols are not feasible. This is especially true for rural areas where single Garda patrols, such as the one undertaken by Det Garda Horkan on Wednesday night, are the norm.
This is despite several calls from the Garda Representative Association (GRA) over the years for two-person patrols to be standard policy
According to Sheelagh Brady, the founder of security analysts SAR Consultancy and a former Garda sergeant, there are several factors which inform how many people should be on a patrol.
One is the level of danger the officers might face. “What should inform your numbers is the risk in the area you on patrolling, either on foot or by car. It’s based on your risk assessment.”
The other is how far the patrol will be from back-up. In urban areas, where a back-up car is often only a minute or two away, single-person patrols can be acceptable. In rural areas where the patrol may be going farther from the Garda station there should be two.
Sometimes single-person patrols are preferable as they allow for greater Garda visibility and the ability to cover more ground, Ms Brady said, before stressing that more detail would have to come out before such any definitive assessment could be made of the Castlerea shooting.
Holster
Questions will also be asked about how the suspect got hold of the detective’s gun in the first place. We do not know, and may never know, exactly what happened. Det Garda Horkan was wearing a simple leather holster with a buttoned strap on top. It allows for easy access to the weapon in emergencies but it is also prone to coming undone in an altercation.
In recent years some armed gardaí have taken to buying their own holsters online or while on holiday in the US; there’s even a gun store in New York which offers a discount to gardaí. These tactical holsters usually feature a safety switch which prevents the weapon being removed by anyone except the user.
However, unhappiness with the standard equipment does not seem to be a major issue. According go a GRA spokesman, it has never received a complaint about the holsters.
But he added said the association “would anticipate that matter will be considered” during the review of the incident promised by the Commissioner.


theirishtimes--2020-06-19--Gardaí get set to charge suspect for murder of Det Garda Colm Horkan

Gardaí were late on Friday night preparing to charge the chief suspect in the murder of Det Garda Colm Horkan as the deceased detective ’ s family were making plans for his funeral service on Sunday .
The T-junction in Castlerea , Co Roscommon , where Det Garda Horkan was shot dead was on Friday marked with bullet holes in businesses on all three sides of what Garda sources described as a “ manic attack ” .
A wooden cross , which included the dead man ’ s photograph and some rosary beads , had been placed at the junction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scene , which had been washed down before the town reopened at about 3.30pm .
Markings on the road showed where bullet casings had fallen after 15 shots were discharged by the killer from a Garda-issue pistol being carried by Det Garda Harkin as he patrolled alone on the night he was murdered .
His remains were on Friday evening taken from Co Roscommon , where he was shot dead on Wednesday night , to his native Co Mayo in a cortege under Garda escort .
There were emotional scenes as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his colleagues formed a guard of honour and later when it arrived in Charlestown where the Horkan family are still based and are very well-known , especially in GAA circles .
His funeral will take place at St James ’ s Church , Charlestown , at noon on Sunday .
Due to public health guidelines gardaí across the State will parade at their local stations and observe a one-minute silence at noon on Sunday .
Det Garda Horkan had served in Ballaghaderreen until very recently when he was transferred on promotion to detective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had previously served for over a decade .
He was shot dead in Castlerea on Wednesday night just before midnight after stopping to speak to a man , apparently because he was acting suspiciously with a motorbike on the junction of Main Street and St Patrick Street .
The man , who is from just outside Castlerea , and Det Garda Horkan became involved in a scuffle , with the 43-year-old suspect somehow grabbing the detective ’ s gun and shooting him dead .
The suspected killer was arrested by two uniformed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attack .
The suspect made no effort to flee and is said to have done press-ups after the killing .
A number of sources said the man had mental health issues and was regarded as a heavy drinker and cannabis user .
The town reopened after it had been completely sealed off by gardaí in the early hours of Thursday , with all businesses closed through the day .
While some shops and other businesses reopened late on Friday afternoon when the Garda cordon on all approach roads into the town was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holes were clear to see on the exterior wall of Mulligan Menswear at the murder scene , while a bullet had broken the front window of Gannon Travel across the street .
On the third side of the junction , beside Boyle ’ s dental surgery , another bullet hole was visible in a steel gate .
The suspect in the case is a close associate of a local drug dealer who was recently targeted by the gardaí in Castlerea .
A number of local people said the suspect appeared to have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the UK for some time until recently when he settled elsewhere in Co Roscommon .
The man has a number of convictions , though not for serious violent crime .
However , he had called to Castlerea Garda station on Wednesday and was said to have behaved abusively there .

People pray at a cross at the scene of the death of Det Garda Colm Horkan in Castlerea, Co Roscommon. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
Gardaí were late on Friday night preparing to charge the chief suspect in the murder of Det Garda Colm Horkan as the deceased detective’s family were making plans for his funeral service on Sunday.
The T-junction in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, where Det Garda Horkan was shot dead was on Friday marked with bullet holes in businesses on all three sides of what Garda sources described as a “manic attack”.
A wooden cross, which included the dead man’s photograph and some rosary beads, had been placed at the junction and many people left floral tributes at the scene, which had been washed down before the town reopened at about 3.30pm. Markings on the road showed where bullet casings had fallen after 15 shots were discharged by the killer from a Garda-issue pistol being carried by Det Garda Harkin as he patrolled alone on the night he was murdered.
His remains were on Friday evening taken from Co Roscommon, where he was shot dead on Wednesday night, to his native Co Mayo in a cortege under Garda escort. There were emotional scenes as the cortege stopped outside Ballaghaderreen Garda station where his colleagues formed a guard of honour and later when it arrived in Charlestown where the Horkan family are still based and are very well-known, especially in GAA circles.
READ MORE
Charlestown funeral
His funeral will take place at St James’s Church, Charlestown, at noon on Sunday. Due to public health guidelines gardaí across the State will parade at their local stations and observe a one-minute silence at noon on Sunday.
Det Garda Horkan had served in Ballaghaderreen until very recently when he was transferred on promotion to detective to Castlerea, Co Roscommon, where he had previously served for over a decade. He was shot dead in Castlerea on Wednesday night just before midnight after stopping to speak to a man, apparently because he was acting suspiciously with a motorbike on the junction of Main Street and St Patrick Street.
Det Garda Colm Horkan’s remains are driven through Ballaghaderreen on Friday evening after being released from hospital. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
The man, who is from just outside Castlerea, and Det Garda Horkan became involved in a scuffle, with the 43-year-old suspect somehow grabbing the detective’s gun and shooting him dead.
The suspected killer was arrested by two uniformed, unarmed gardaí who arrived seconds after the attack. The suspect made no effort to flee and is said to have done press-ups after the killing. A number of sources said the man had mental health issues and was regarded as a heavy drinker and cannabis user.
Bullet holes
The town reopened after it had been completely sealed off by gardaí in the early hours of Thursday, with all businesses closed through the day. While some shops and other businesses reopened late on Friday afternoon when the Garda cordon on all approach roads into the town was lifted, many remained shut.
Bullet holes were clear to see on the exterior wall of Mulligan Menswear at the murder scene, while a bullet had broken the front window of Gannon Travel across the street. On the third side of the junction, beside Boyle’s dental surgery, another bullet hole was visible in a steel gate.
The suspect in the case is a close associate of a local drug dealer who was recently targeted by the gardaí in Castlerea. A number of local people said the suspect appeared to have a somewhat transient lifestyle, having been living in the UK for some time until recently when he settled elsewhere in Co Roscommon. The man has a number of convictions, though not for serious violent crime. However, he had called to Castlerea Garda station on Wednesday and was said to have behaved abusively there.


theirishtimes--2020-06-19--Schools in Northern Ireland get ready to welcome back some pupils in August

At Lisnagelvin Primary School in Derry , principal Colin Torrens has been doing the sums .
His dilemma : how to fit 600 pupils , usually divided into classes of 27-30 , plus their teacher , into classrooms measuring 60 square metres while keeping the students one metre apart ?
“ If you took all of the desks out of the classroom and had the children standing one metre apart you could probably get a class in , ” said Torrens .
Given that desks are made for two , he has worked out that at “ one metre you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s 16 desks a metre apart .
So you can only get 16 children.
” The plan announced on Thursday to reopen the North ’ s schools from August 24th , initially for pupils in their final primary school year , Year 7 ( age 10-11 ) , and also in key examination years at second level , Year 12 ( age 15-16 ) and Year 14 ( age 17-18 ) , is predicated on one metre distance between pupils , and two metres between teachers and students .
Classes up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will subsequently also form protective “ bubbles ” .
This , according to the North ’ s First Minister , Arlene Foster , would “ allow the school attendance pattern to return close to normality ” – an assertion which was quickly challenged by schools .
“ So long as there ’ s any reference at all to social distancing , there ’ s no way you ’ re getting any more than half in the normal sized classroom , ” says Chris Donnelly , principal of St John the Baptist Primary School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be out there , because parents and workplaces can ’ t now be thinking because of what was said there ’ s going to be a return to normal classes .
The only way that ’ s going to happen is if they abandon social distancing.
” According to the official guidance , where social distancing “ can not reasonably be applied .
.
.
a ‘ protective bubble ’ strategy can be adopted.
” However , the document also acknowledges that it may not be possible for every school to accommodate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is insufficient space to meet social distancing requirements year groups will be split and will follow a “ blended pattern of education ” with a minimum of two days per week in school .
Schools will also be expected to use “ all available space ” within their buildings .
“ So you ’ ve 16 in the classroom with the teacher and you send the other 14 down to the hall , who teaches them ?
” asks Torrens .
“ There are only a finite amount of staff in each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classroom , so if he [ the Minister for Education Peter Weir ] wants every child back he has to provide 11,000 schools in this province with double the amount of tables and double the staff , ” says Torrens .
Clearly much will depend on the circumstances of individual schools .
Ballyhackett Primary School in Castlerock , Co Derry , has only 30 pupils spread across three classes .
For principal Grainne McIlvar , there was relief that she will be able to accommodate all her students from August 24th , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over transport and school meals .
At St Mary ’ s College , a girls ’ post-primary school in Derry , acting principal Brendan McGinn has been measuring the available space .
This includes using study areas for teaching , and collapsing partitions between classrooms .
It is unlikely , he says , that younger pupils will be back full-time in September .
“ I don ’ t see a natural fit at the moment , and we need to see more detail on it.
” Donnelly agrees .
He has already “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his school , and he is considering moving two classes into the dinner hall .

At Lisnagelvin Primary School in Derry, principal Colin Torrens has been doing the sums. His dilemma: how to fit 600 pupils, usually divided into classes of 27-30, plus their teacher, into classrooms measuring 60 square metres while keeping the students one metre apart?
“If you took all of the desks out of the classroom and had the children standing one metre apart you could probably get a class in,” said Torrens.
Given that desks are made for two, he has worked out that at “one metre you can get four rows of four, that’s 16 desks a metre apart. So you can only get 16 children.”
The plan announced on Thursday to reopen the North’s schools from August 24th, initially for pupils in their final primary school year, Year 7 (age 10-11), and also in key examination years at second level, Year 12 (age 15-16) and Year 14 (age 17-18), is predicated on one metre distance between pupils, and two metres between teachers and students. Classes up to Year 10 (age 13-14) will subsequently also form protective “bubbles”.
READ MORE
This, according to the North's First Minister, Arlene Foster, would "allow the school attendance pattern to return close to normality" – an assertion which was quickly challenged by schools.
"So long as there's any reference at all to social distancing, there's no way you're getting any more than half in the normal sized classroom," says Chris Donnelly, principal of St John the Baptist Primary School in west Belfast.
“That has to be out there, because parents and workplaces can’t now be thinking because of what was said there’s going to be a return to normal classes. The only way that’s going to happen is if they abandon social distancing.”
According to the official guidance, where social distancing “cannot reasonably be applied . . . a ‘protective bubble’ strategy can be adopted.”
However, the document also acknowledges that it may not be possible for every school to accommodate all pupils in September, and where there is insufficient space to meet social distancing requirements year groups will be split and will follow a “blended pattern of education” with a minimum of two days per week in school.
Schools will also be expected to use “all available space” within their buildings. “So you’ve 16 in the classroom with the teacher and you send the other 14 down to the hall, who teaches them?” asks Torrens.
“There are only a finite amount of staff in each school and they all have their own classroom, so if he [the Minister for Education Peter Weir] wants every child back he has to provide 11,000 schools in this province with double the amount of tables and double the staff,” says Torrens.
Clearly much will depend on the circumstances of individual schools. Ballyhackett Primary School in Castlerock, Co Derry, has only 30 pupils spread across three classes. For principal Grainne McIlvar, there was relief that she will be able to accommodate all her students from August 24th, though she adds that there are still questions over transport and school meals.
At St Mary’s College, a girls’ post-primary school in Derry, acting principal Brendan McGinn has been measuring the available space. This includes using study areas for teaching, and collapsing partitions between classrooms.
It is unlikely, he says, that younger pupils will be back full-time in September. “I don’t see a natural fit at the moment, and we need to see more detail on it.”
Donnelly agrees. He has already “commandeered” the parish hall next to his school, and he is considering moving two classes into the dinner hall.


theirishtimes--2020-06-19--Dentists to withdraw from medical card scheme due to cost of PPE, association says

Many dental practices are expected to withdraw from the dental medical card scheme due to the additional cost of Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) putting the viability of the practices at risk , the Irish Dental Association ( IDA ) has claimed .
Since May 18th , dentists have been permitted to reopen for routine appointments , but additional medical-grade PPE must be worn to prevent the spread of coronavirus , particularly for treatments that require aerosol generation .
Fintan Hourihan , chief executive of the IDA , said Minister for Health Simon Harris promised the provision of adequate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that it was “ gravely disappointing that we have seen nothing since ” .
In a letter to the IDA on June 4th , Mr Harris said “ subject to necessary approvals , they [ the HSE ] will be in a position to commence issuing PPE to dental practices in the next seven days ” Mr Hourihan said the delay in delivering the equipment is a “ dereliction of duty from the Government ” .
“ Despite the fact that over 700 dentists have registered their need for such equipment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge consequences for Irish people , ” he added .
Mr Hourihan said the additional cost of this equipment has resulted in many businesses examining their viability , while others are examining their participation with the Dental Treatment Services Scheme ( DTSS ) , which provides access to limited dental treatment for adult medical card holders .
“ Dentists have been left out in the cold by a Government which has merely paid lip service to the provision of PPE and has not engaged regarding emergency adjustments to the medical card scheme or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the vast majority of which have suffered significant shortfalls since the emergence of Covid-19.
” He added that the situation threatens the DTSS , which would affect around 1.5 million Irish people .
“ Our members will endeavour to ensure the safe delivery of dental care to medical card patients , but they can not do so in a manner which imperils the viability of their practices and livelihoods , ” Mr Hourihan said .
“ We believe the Department ’ s actions could cause many thousands of patients being directed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dental services.
” Meanwhile , some dental practices have introduced a fee for PPE for patients or have increased the costs of treatments , to compensate for the additional spending , sourced within the dental industry have said .
Smiles Dental , which operates a number of clinics around the country , has introduced a “ safety-tariff ” , which is € 6 for non-aerosol procedures and € 18 for aerosol-generating procedures .
The tariff applies to each individual appointment , but does not apply to patients who hold a medical card or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is a temporary measure – we are committed to keeping costs to a minimum and hope to reduce this further as the cost for PPE reduces , or the need for enhanced safety measures decreases or are no longer needed , ” the company says on its website .
A spokeswoman for the HSE said the procurement office had provided PPE to a small number of dentists since late March .
“ Since early May , the volume of requests has increased and a profiling of demand has been considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ The HSE is currently liaising with the Department on the issue of PPE for dentists.
” The spokeswoman added that the guidance issued to dentists on reopening “ supports the use of the normal PPE used in dentistry ” .

Some dental practices have introduced a fee for PPE for patients or have increased the costs of treatments. File photograph: Getty
Many dental practices are expected to withdraw from the dental medical card scheme due to the additional cost of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) putting the viability of the practices at risk, the Irish Dental Association (IDA) has claimed.
Since May 18th, dentists have been permitted to reopen for routine appointments, but additional medical-grade PPE must be worn to prevent the spread of coronavirus, particularly for treatments that require aerosol generation.
Fintan Hourihan, chief executive of the IDA, said Minister for Health Simon Harris promised the provision of adequate PPE to dentists six weeks ago, adding that it was "gravely disappointing that we have seen nothing since".
In a letter to the IDA on June 4th, Mr Harris said “subject to necessary approvals, they [the HSE]will be in a position to commence issuing PPE to dental practices in the next seven days”
READ MORE
Mr Hourihan said the delay in delivering the equipment is a “dereliction of duty from the Government”.
“Despite the fact that over 700 dentists have registered their need for such equipment, none has been provided which will have huge consequences for Irish people,” he added.
Mr Hourihan said the additional cost of this equipment has resulted in many businesses examining their viability, while others are examining their participation with the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), which provides access to limited dental treatment for adult medical card holders.
‘Lip service’
“Dentists have been left out in the cold by a Government which has merely paid lip service to the provision of PPE and has not engaged regarding emergency adjustments to the medical card scheme or regarding support for dental practices in general, the vast majority of which have suffered significant shortfalls since the emergence of Covid-19.”
He added that the situation threatens the DTSS, which would affect around 1.5 million Irish people.
“Our members will endeavour to ensure the safe delivery of dental care to medical card patients, but they cannot do so in a manner which imperils the viability of their practices and livelihoods,” Mr Hourihan said.
“We believe the Department’s actions could cause many thousands of patients being directed to seek dental care directly from the HSE dental services.”
Meanwhile, some dental practices have introduced a fee for PPE for patients or have increased the costs of treatments, to compensate for the additional spending, sourced within the dental industry have said.
Smiles Dental, which operates a number of clinics around the country, has introduced a “safety-tariff”, which is € 6 for non-aerosol procedures and € 18 for aerosol-generating procedures.
The tariff applies to each individual appointment, but does not apply to patients who hold a medical card or who are visiting on the PRSI scheme.
“This is a temporary measure – we are committed to keeping costs to a minimum and hope to reduce this further as the cost for PPE reduces, or the need for enhanced safety measures decreases or are no longer needed,” the company says on its website.
A spokeswoman for the HSE said the procurement office had provided PPE to a small number of dentists since late March.
“Since early May, the volume of requests has increased and a profiling of demand has been considered by the HSE,” the spokeswoman said. “The HSE is currently liaising with the Department on the issue of PPE for dentists.”
The spokeswoman added that the guidance issued to dentists on reopening “supports the use of the normal PPE used in dentistry”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-19--Controversial flooding defences for Cork city approved by An Bord Pleanála

A controversial project that will provide a key element of plans to prevent flooding of Cork city has been approved by An Bord Pleanála .
The board has sanctioned a €6m project at Morrison ’ s Island in the city which will see the removal of the existing quay walls and improved flood defences of the River Lee between Parliament Bridge and Parnell Bridge .
The project is a separate element of the larger €140m Lower Lee flood relief scheme being overseen by the Office of Public Works .
It is estimated the proposed works at Morrison ’ s Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat of flooding in the city centre .
The area around Morrison ’ s Island is highly prone to flooding and experienced up to a foot of water last November during a period of high tides , which resulted in the closure of several streets .
Over 630 submissions were made to the board with opponents including the Save Cork City organisation calling for an oral hearing .
They accused the planning authorities of “ project splitting ” as Cork City Council had decided to advance the Morrison ’ s Island element as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact it could have on reducing the risk of flooding in the city .
Save Cork City claimed the threat of flooding could be better addressed by the construction of a tidal barrier downstream which together with upstream catchment management measures would allow the historic quay walls to be preserved and repaired .
However An Bord Pleanàla said it was satisfied based on a screening report carried out by a senior ecologist that it was unlikely the proposed works would have a significant effect on protected habitats including the Cork Harbour Special Protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver significant benefits in terms of reducing the risk of tidal flooding in the area and would provide an improved public realm along the banks of the River Lee .
The board imposed a number of planning conditions include the appointment of an ecologist and conversation specialist to oversee the works .

An Bord Pleanála said the project would deliver significant benefits in terms of reducing the risk of tidal flooding in the area and would provide an improved public realm along the banks of the River Lee. Photograph: iStock
A controversial project that will provide a key element of plans to prevent flooding of Cork city has been approved by An Bord Pleanála.
The board has sanctioned a €6m project at Morrison’s Island in the city which will see the removal of the existing quay walls and improved flood defences of the River Lee between Parliament Bridge and Parnell Bridge.
The project is a separate element of the larger €140m Lower Lee flood relief scheme being overseen by the Office of Public Works.
It is estimated the proposed works at Morrison’s Island will remove 80 per cent of the threat of flooding in the city centre.
READ MORE
The area around Morrison’s Island is highly prone to flooding and experienced up to a foot of water last November during a period of high tides, which resulted in the closure of several streets.
Over 630 submissions were made to the board with opponents including the Save Cork City organisation calling for an oral hearing.
They accused the planning authorities of "project splitting" as Cork City Council had decided to advance the Morrison's Island element as a standalone scheme because of the significant impact it could have on reducing the risk of flooding in the city.
Save Cork City claimed the threat of flooding could be better addressed by the construction of a tidal barrier downstream which together with upstream catchment management measures would allow the historic quay walls to be preserved and repaired.
However An Bord Pleanàla said it was satisfied based on a screening report carried out by a senior ecologist that it was unlikely the proposed works would have a significant effect on protected habitats including the Cork Harbour Special Protection Area.
It said the project would deliver significant benefits in terms of reducing the risk of tidal flooding in the area and would provide an improved public realm along the banks of the River Lee.
The board imposed a number of planning conditions include the appointment of an ecologist and conversation specialist to oversee the works.


theirishtimes--2020-06-19--Reopening hairdressers: ‘We’ll do our bit and are going to ask clients to do theirs’

The wait is almost over for hundreds of thousands of wild-haired people across the country .
Hair salon owners have expressed confidence that when they reopen on Monday week all measures needed to keep clients and staff safe will be in place .
Like many in the hairdressing business , Eoin Wright , owner of Foundation Hair on Dublin ’ s Upper Stephen Street , has been studying the more than 100 recommendations from the Irish Hairdresser ’ s Federation , but he says that ultimately it comes down to “ common sense ” .
He has been involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with industry peers and health professionals , and has radically altered how his business will operate from the moment clients arrive to the time they leave .
“ The client journey is fully mapped out , ” he said .
“ When people arrive they will see a sign saying if the waiting area is empty they can come in .
They will be greeted by their stylist and taken directly to their station .
“ The consultation will happen behind their head with both stylist and client wearing face masks .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end they will pay at their station and exit using a different route .
” When it comes to bookings things are “ slightly more complicated ” , he said .
Clients who had bookings cancelled following the salon ’ s closure will get “ first dibs ” .
There will be a lottery in place after that , with the winners getting calls from Saturday .
Mr Wright said it would take weeks to get through the backlog , “ but we will get there and we will ensure it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
“ We will do our bit and are going to ask clients to do their bit too .
We will ask them to turn up on time and wear face masks and use the hand sanitisation because we are all looking after each other.
” He said there will be two shifts in the salon – from 8am to 2pm and from 2pm to 8pm – so if someone on one shift falls ill with coronavirus the other team can keep working .
“ We are creating a slightly different customer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a common sense approach .
We ’ re not opening an ICU , we are opening a hairdressers , but I ’ d prefer to be overzealous now and be able to pare things back rather than being insufficiently prepared if something bad happens.
” Lisa Eccles owns Zinc in Dublin ’ s Kilmainham and is also ready to reopen .
“ We have the training done and the markings in place and the masks and hand sanitiser .
I feel very prepared , ” she said .
The number of clients the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from up to 80 people to no more than 30 daily in the weeks ahead , while the number of staff working at any one time has been halved to seven .
“ When it comes to bookings we have three lists – people who had appointments cancelled , our regulars and then others .
We have a list of over 1,000 people to get to but I am not overwhelmed , it ’ s a good place to be .
”

Shane Curran who owns the Kings Head Barber Shop on Sandwith Street Upper in Dublin has to had to make significant changes to his premises ahead of next week’s reopening as Covid-19 restrictions ease. Video: Bryan O’Brien
The wait is almost over for hundreds of thousands of wild-haired people across the country.
Hair salon owners have expressed confidence that when they reopen on Monday week all measures needed to keep clients and staff safe will be in place.
Like many in the hairdressing business, Eoin Wright, owner of Foundation Hair on Dublin's Upper Stephen Street, has been studying the more than 100 recommendations from the Irish Hairdresser's Federation, but he says that ultimately it comes down to "common sense".
He has been involved in a string of Zoom calls and webinars with industry peers and health professionals, and has radically altered how his business will operate from the moment clients arrive to the time they leave.
READ MORE
“The client journey is fully mapped out,” he said. “When people arrive they will see a sign saying if the waiting area is empty they can come in. They will be greeted by their stylist and taken directly to their station.
“The consultation will happen behind their head with both stylist and client wearing face masks. There will be disposable gowns and towels and at the end they will pay at their station and exit using a different route .”
Bookings
When it comes to bookings things are “slightly more complicated”, he said. Clients who had bookings cancelled following the salon’s closure will get “first dibs”.
There will be a lottery in place after that, with the winners getting calls from Saturday.
Mr Wright said it would take weeks to get through the backlog, “but we will get there and we will ensure it is a pleasant an experience as possible”.
“We will do our bit and are going to ask clients to do their bit too. We will ask them to turn up on time and wear face masks and use the hand sanitisation because we are all looking after each other.”
He said there will be two shifts in the salon – from 8am to 2pm and from 2pm to 8pm – so if someone on one shift falls ill with coronavirus the other team can keep working.
“We are creating a slightly different customer experience but the key is to adopt a common sense approach. We’re not opening an ICU, we are opening a hairdressers, but I’d prefer to be overzealous now and be able to pare things back rather than being insufficiently prepared if something bad happens.”
Lisa Eccles owns Zinc in Dublin's Kilmainham and is also ready to reopen. "We have the training done and the markings in place and the masks and hand sanitiser. I feel very prepared," she said.
The number of clients the salon will see is likely to fall from up to 80 people to no more than 30 daily in the weeks ahead, while the number of staff working at any one time has been halved to seven.
“When it comes to bookings we have three lists – people who had appointments cancelled, our regulars and then others. We have a list of over 1,000 people to get to but I am not overwhelmed, it’s a good place to be.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-19--Debenhams staff fear ‘Clerys II’ if they do not receive a redundancy settlement

Former Debenhams workers fear there will be a “ Clerys II ” unless staff are given a redundancy deal by the company .
Debenhams Retail Ireland announced on April 9th that it was closing all 11 stores in the Republic of Ireland with the loss of 1,500 jobs .
It emerged that the company would not be paying staff any redundancy and that they would have to depend on the State for statutory entitlements .
Approximately 30 former staff demonstrated outside the Henry Street branch of Debenhams on Friday , organised by the Mandate trade union .
Former workers picketed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republic .
Mandate is demanding that more than a million items of stock currently in Debenham ’ s 11 closed Irish stores should be sold and the proceeds , estimated at €25m , distributed to former workers as part of a redundancy deal .
Carmel Grouse , who has worked at the Henry Street store for 24 years first when it was Roche ’ s Stores and then Debenhams , said the closure of the retailer bore resemblances to what happened to Clerys staff in 2015 .
Then 430 staff at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2015 that they were being made redundant immediately and that statutory redundancy was all that was on offer .
They had to wait two years for a settlement .
“ What ’ s really upsetting is that people were calling us Clerys II .
They said it wouldn ’ t happen again , ” Ms Grouse said .
“ We are trying to make Government aware of this .
We don ’ t want to be Clerys II in four years time.
” Staff have been on the Government ’ s pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ms Grouse said the company still had assets in the stock and the value of the leases on its property along with a thriving online business .
Mandate representative Eoin Griffin said staff had voted for strike action though the business is closed .
Debenhams Retail Ireland Ltd is in the process of being liquidated by KPMG .
The parent company in the UK went into adminstration in April but has reopened all its stores in the country including its Northern Ireland operation in Belfast .
“ The way that the business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are no assets for people there at the moment , ” he said .
“ People are in the process of making applications to the social insurance fund which is completely unacceptable .
We have people who have given 30 years service to the company .
“ They are looking at a statutory redundancy situation .
There is money there .
They have separated the Irish business from the British business .
There is still money being made on the Debenhams brand from a loyal workforce.
” There was no response for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland .
However , previously , it stated that it had “ no option but to apply to the court to have a provisional liquidator appointed following the withdrawal of the support of Debenhams Retail Ltd in the UK after it went into administration .
Despite entering into an examinership process in Ireland in 2016 , it said the business has continued to make losses and its most recent audited accounts for the financial year ended September 2018 showed a loss of € 21.625m .
Debenhams set up in Ireland in 2006 when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stores which retained ownership of most of the buildings housing its eleven shops including the Patrick Street store in Cork where it had been trading since 1919 .
Solidarity TD Mick Barry said the incoming Government will have to deal with the issue .
“ Today ’ s nationwide protests are a sure sign that any new Government will be under pressure from the get go to deal with this issue and ensure a just settlement .
”

Debenhams staff protest outside the company’s store on Henry Street in Dublin on Friday. Photograph: Ronan McGreevy
Former Debenhams workers fear there will be a "Clerys II" unless staff are given a redundancy deal by the company.
Debenhams Retail Ireland announced on April 9th that it was closing all 11 stores in the Republic of Ireland with the loss of 1,500 jobs.
It emerged that the company would not be paying staff any redundancy and that they would have to depend on the State for statutory entitlements.
Approximately 30 former staff demonstrated outside the Henry Street branch of Debenhams on Friday, organised by the Mandate trade union. Former workers picketed other branches of the chain store in the Republic.
READ MORE
Mandate is demanding that more than a million items of stock currently in Debenham’s 11 closed Irish stores should be sold and the proceeds, estimated at €25m, distributed to former workers as part of a redundancy deal.
Carmel Grouse, who has worked at the Henry Street store for 24 years first when it was Roche's Stores and then Debenhams, said the closure of the retailer bore resemblances to what happened to Clerys staff in 2015.
Then 430 staff at the well-known Dublin city centre store were told in 2015 that they were being made redundant immediately and that statutory redundancy was all that was on offer. They had to wait two years for a settlement.
"What's really upsetting is that people were calling us Clerys II. They said it wouldn't happen again," Ms Grouse said.
“We are trying to make Government aware of this. We don’t want to be Clerys II in four years time.”
Staff have been on the Government’s pandemic unemployment programme (PUP) since April.
Ms Grouse said the company still had assets in the stock and the value of the leases on its property along with a thriving online business.
Mandate representative Eoin Griffin said staff had voted for strike action though the business is closed.
Liquidation
Debenhams Retail Ireland Ltd is in the process of being liquidated by KPMG.
The parent company in the UK went into adminstration in April but has reopened all its stores in the country including its Northern Ireland operation in Belfast.
“The way that the business has been set up means that there are no assets for people there at the moment,” he said.
“People are in the process of making applications to the social insurance fund which is completely unacceptable. We have people who have given 30 years service to the company.
“They are looking at a statutory redundancy situation. There is money there. They have separated the Irish business from the British business. There is still money being made on the Debenhams brand from a loyal workforce.”
There was no response for a request for a statement from Debenhams Retail Ireland. However, previously, it stated that it had “no option but to apply to the court to have a provisional liquidator appointed following the withdrawal of the support of Debenhams Retail Ltd in the UK after it went into administration.
Despite entering into an examinership process in Ireland in 2016, it said the business has continued to make losses and its most recent audited accounts for the financial year ended September 2018 showed a loss of € 21.625m.
Debenhams set up in Ireland in 2006 when it took over the business of Roches Stores which retained ownership of most of the buildings housing its eleven shops including the Patrick Street store in Cork where it had been trading since 1919.
Solidarity TD Mick Barry said the incoming Government will have to deal with the issue.
“ Today’s nationwide protests are a sure sign that any new Government will be under pressure from the get go to deal with this issue and ensure a just settlement.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-19--New government’s integration strategies should be cross-departmental - immigrant council

The incoming Government must ensure migrant integration strategies are cross departmental and do not remain solely under the auspices of the Department of Justice , the Immigrant Council of Ireland has said .
Equality and integration proposals made in the coalition ’ s draft programme for government should ideally be led by the department of the Taoiseach , said Pippa Woolnough from the council .
“ There ’ s clear evidence we ’ re failing around integration .
We have such an opportunity to listen to the spontaneous outpouring of personal experiences in Ireland and not make mistakes that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ segregations in the future .
To avoid that we need to take action now.
” Last weekend Fianna Fáil , Fine Gael and the Greens released their draft programme for government which includes commitments to end direct provision , create a pathway to regularisation for undocumented people , publish a new national action plan against racism and introduce a new migrant strategy .
“ This is a programme that would have been welcome 20 years ago , ” said Ms Woolnough .
“ Now we need to be a lot more dynamic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in eight of us comes from a migrant background .
What we should be seeing is integration strategies that are knitted in cross departmentally and ideally led by the Department of the Taoiseach.
” On Friday the Department of Justice announced €500,000 in funding for community integration projects to be carried out over the next year .
The fund , which was established in 2017 to support local migrant and non-migrant initiatives , offers grants of between €1,000-€5,000 to projects around Ireland .
Some 124 locally-run projects were granted funding last year and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups to submit applications for the 2020 fund before July 16th .
James Gannon from the Friends of the Centre in Ballaghaderreen says the funding the group received last year was “ vital ” in providing support to Syrian refugees in the town ’ s Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre ( EROC ) .
However , while the group is grateful for the financial support , it actually needs a lot more money to properly operate projects for the local Syrian population , said Mr Gannon .
“ The grant has been invaluable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ve used it for football events , sports events , food events and some trips around the country .
It ’ s absolutely vital support .
The first year we had no money at all and had to rely on donations.
” The group uses some of the money to buy football boots for kids interested in sport at the centre .
“ There are thousands of unused pairs of football shoes around the country in people ’ s homes that aren ’ t being used but we can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gear can cost a lot.
” Graham Clifford , founder of Sanctuary Runners , says half a million euro could be used much more effectively to promote integration .
He acknowledges that groups who receive the funding do important work but believes the overall project has “ no mass impact on making Ireland a more integrated society.
” “ What can anyone do with €2-3,000 that will have a lasting impact ?
Many local community development committees don ’ t have the expertise to use this money well .
A lot end up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than actually carrying it out .
“ If we are serious about community integration we need to be rolling up our sleeves and having less reports , methodology and academia and more actual knocking on doors and bringing people together.
” Integration priorities should be cross departmental and involve the whole community rather than just focusing on refugee and asylum seeker groups , says Mr Clifford .
“ We have a very immature view of multiculturalism and integration in this country .
We see it in that very anglophile , western way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the young lads playing GAA and the little girl playing traditional fiddle .
But integration is a bridge ; you have two sides and each groups has to walk over and meet in the middle.
” Doras director John Lannon agrees greater efforts are needed to ensure Government integration commitments are not “ superficial ” and that programmes are “ coordinated and structured ” .
Doras is to launch a ‘ refugee resettlement toolkit ’ this Saturday , to coincide with World Refugee Day , as a free resource for communities around Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The toolkit , which was established with support from the UN Refugee Agency , is targeted at communities working with new arrivals under the Irish Refugee Resettlement Programme .
It includes information on pre-arrival planning , cultural awareness , volunteer support , language supports , accommodation , health and wellbeing and supporting children , women , LGBT+ people , older people and people with disabilities .
“ We ’ ve found there have been varying levels of effectiveness across local councils when it comes to integration , ” said Mr Lannon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned there are things which can be done to make the resettlement process run more smoothly and so people can understand the challenges that refugees coming here face .
The level of guidance that ’ s needed to get it right hasn ’ t been there , that ’ s why we felt the toolkit was necessary .
”

The incoming Government must ensure migrant integration strategies are cross departmental and do not remain solely under the auspices of the Department of Justice, the Immigrant Council of Ireland has said.
Equality and integration proposals made in the coalition’s draft programme for government should ideally be led by the department of the Taoiseach, said Pippa Woolnough from the council.
“There’s clear evidence we’re failing around integration. We have such an opportunity to listen to the spontaneous outpouring of personal experiences in Ireland and not make mistakes that will sow the seeds of potential tensions and segregations in the future. To avoid that we need to take action now.”
Last weekend Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens released their draft programme for government which includes commitments to end direct provision, create a pathway to regularisation for undocumented people, publish a new national action plan against racism and introduce a new migrant strategy.
READ MORE
“This is a programme that would have been welcome 20 years ago,” said Ms Woolnough. “Now we need to be a lot more dynamic. Ireland is a diverse place, one in eight of us comes from a migrant background. What we should be seeing is integration strategies that are knitted in cross departmentally and ideally led by the Department of the Taoiseach.”
Integration project funding
On Friday the Department of Justice announced €500,000 in funding for community integration projects to be carried out over the next year. The fund, which was established in 2017 to support local migrant and non-migrant initiatives, offers grants of between €1,000-€5,000 to projects around Ireland.
Some 124 locally-run projects were granted funding last year and the department is now calling for community groups to submit applications for the 2020 fund before July 16th.
James Gannon from the Friends of the Centre in Ballaghaderreen says the funding the group received last year was “vital” in providing support to Syrian refugees in the town’s Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC). However, while the group is grateful for the financial support, it actually needs a lot more money to properly operate projects for the local Syrian population, said Mr Gannon.
“The grant has been invaluable but we wish it was more. We’ve used it for football events, sports events, food events and some trips around the country. It’s absolutely vital support. The first year we had no money at all and had to rely on donations.”
The group uses some of the money to buy football boots for kids interested in sport at the centre.
“There are thousands of unused pairs of football shoes around the country in people’s homes that aren’t being used but we can’t get our hands on them. Sports gear can cost a lot.”
Graham Clifford, founder of Sanctuary Runners, says half a million euro could be used much more effectively to promote integration. He acknowledges that groups who receive the funding do important work but believes the overall project has “no mass impact on making Ireland a more integrated society.”
“What can anyone do with €2-3,000 that will have a lasting impact? Many local community development committees don’t have the expertise to use this money well. A lot end up spending it on developing a plan rather than actually carrying it out.
“If we are serious about community integration we need to be rolling up our sleeves and having less reports, methodology and academia and more actual knocking on doors and bringing people together.”
Integration priorities should be cross departmental and involve the whole community rather than just focusing on refugee and asylum seeker groups, says Mr Clifford.
“We have a very immature view of multiculturalism and integration in this country. We see it in that very anglophile, western way of assimilation. We love the picture of the young lads playing GAA and the little girl playing traditional fiddle. But integration is a bridge; you have two sides and each groups has to walk over and meet in the middle.”
Refugee resettlement toolkit
Doras director John Lannon agrees greater efforts are needed to ensure Government integration commitments are not “superficial” and that programmes are “coordinated and structured”.
Doras is to launch a ‘refugee resettlement toolkit’ this Saturday, to coincide with World Refugee Day, as a free resource for communities around Ireland working in refugee resettlement and community sponsorship.
The toolkit, which was established with support from the UN Refugee Agency, is targeted at communities working with new arrivals under the Irish Refugee Resettlement Programme. It includes information on pre-arrival planning, cultural awareness, volunteer support, language supports, accommodation, health and wellbeing and supporting children, women, LGBT+ people, older people and people with disabilities.
“We’ve found there have been varying levels of effectiveness across local councils when it comes to integration,” said Mr Lannon.
“There has been inconsistency. We learned there are things which can be done to make the resettlement process run more smoothly and so people can understand the challenges that refugees coming here face. The level of guidance that’s needed to get it right hasn’t been there, that’s why we felt the toolkit was necessary.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-20--Two men arrested following robbery at knife point at service station in Co Dublin

Two men have been arrested following the robbery at knife point at a service station in Co Dublin in which @ @ @ @ @ robbery happened at approximately 9pm at a service station in Portmarnock on Friday night .
@ @ @ @ @ the premises , armed with a knife and threatened staff , leaving the shop with @ @ @ @ @ The man met the second man and they both left the scene .
A search @ @ @ @ @ assisted by the Garda dog unit and the air support unit .
The pair were @ @ @ @ @ they were located and arrested .
Both men are currently detained under Section 4 of @ @ @ @ @ 1984 at Swords Garda Station and Coolock Garda Station .

Two men have been arrested following the robbery at knife point at a service station in Dublin in which cash was taken. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien /The Irish Times
Two men have been arrested following the robbery at knife point at a service station in Co Dublin in which cash was taken.
The robbery happened at approximately 9pm at a service station in Portmarnock on Friday night.
One of the men entered the premises, armed with a knife and threatened staff, leaving the shop with a sum of cash. The man met the second man and they both left the scene.
A search was mounted by gardaí, assisted by the Garda dog unit and the air support unit.
READ MORE
The pair were hiding in the area when they were located and arrested.
Both men are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Swords Garda Station and Coolock Garda Station.
Investigations are ongoing.


theirishtimes--2020-06-20--Hundreds gather in Charlestown for cortège of Det Garda Colm Horkan

Hundreds gathered in the centre of Charlestown , Co Mayo late on Friday , to welcome home the cortège of Detective Garda Colm Horkan .
The 49-year-old garda who was shot dead in Castlerea , Co Roscommon , late on Wednesday night will lie in repose at the family funeral home in Charlestown on Saturday afternoon .
Although serving in Castlerea , in neighbouring Co Roscommon , locals told of how he was immersed in his hometown , was a key figure in the local GAA and part of a much-loved and respected family .
Horkan ’ s childhood friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Declan Casey , led the cortège on his service motorcycle , while teams of players from Charlestown Sarsfield GAA , where Horkan was a long-time member , followed the hearse carrying candles as it made its way through the town shortly before midnight on Friday .
The body had travelled through Ballaghadereen , where Horkan served until recently , and was brought to an undertakers in Curry , just over the border of Co Sligo , before making its final journey to Charlestown .
Local auctioneer Brendan Kenny told how the Det @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drop Inn in the centre of the town .
The pub was originally owned by his father Marty before it was sold a number of years ago .
“ God almighty the whole thing is terrible .
Colm was such a gentleman and he was the rock of that family , ” Mr Kenny said .
Pharmacist Nuala O ’ Donnell Johnson grew up just a few doors down from Colm Horkan , who she described as a “ gentle giant ” and a “ man of the town ” .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He would have been at every dog fight , GAA match and race meeting , and he was always immaculately dressed and always with a smile , ” she said .
She said the 49-year-old “ struck everybody ” he met and , although he was not married , she said he had plenty of admirers .
“ It is just so sad .
Colm was the nicest , gentlest guy and a huge character in the town , ” she added .
Sinn Fein councillor Gerry Murray said the garda ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the town , with local roots stretching back three or four generations .
A close friend to Marty Horkan , Cllr Murray spoke of the devastation felt throughout the town for a neighbour who has buried his wife , his daughter and now will lay to rest his son .
“ The last thing a parent wants is to bury an offspring .
How do you come to terms with that ?
” he asked .
Marty Horkan ’ s grief is deeply felt throughout a community that is now “ totally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Everybody is just devastated with the situation .
You don ’ t expect this in rural towns west of the Shannon .
They might not be as vibrant as you would like but at least they are peaceful , ” he said .
The funeral of Detective Gda Horkan , will take place on Sunday in Co Mayo .
Det Gda Horkin ’ s remains will be removed from the family home on Sunday morning to arrive at St James ’ s Church , Charlestown , Co Mayo for concelebrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by burial in the adjoining cemetery .
Mourners will follow social distancing guidelines as per HSE guidelines .
The national flag will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect to Det Gda Horkan .
One minute ’ s silence will be observed at Garda Headquarters and at all Garda Stations around the country where current and past members of an Garda Síochána are invited to attend .
At each Garda station , the station party will parade in front of the station and will be brought to attention at 12 o @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s silence .
The funeral will be live-streamed at mcnmedia.tv/camera/charlestown .

Hundreds gathered in the centre of Charlestown, Co Mayo on late on Friday night , for the arrival home home of the cortège of Detective Garda Colm Horkan. Photograph: Ellen O’Riordan
Hundreds gathered in the centre of Charlestown, Co Mayo late on Friday, to welcome home the cortège of Detective Garda Colm Horkan.
The 49-year-old garda who was shot dead in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, late on Wednesday night will lie in repose at the family funeral home in Charlestown on Saturday afternoon.
Although serving in Castlerea, in neighbouring Co Roscommon, locals told of how he was immersed in his hometown, was a key figure in the local GAA and part of a much-loved and respected family.
Horkan’s childhood friend and a sergeant at Swinford Garda station, Declan Casey, led the cortège on his service motorcycle, while teams of players from Charlestown Sarsfield GAA, where Horkan was a long-time member, followed the hearse carrying candles as it made its way through the town shortly before midnight on Friday.
READ MORE
The body had travelled through Ballaghadereen, where Horkan served until recently, and was brought to an undertakers in Curry, just over the border of Co Sligo, before making its final journey to Charlestown.
Local auctioneer Brendan Kenny told how the Det Gda Horkan was reared above the Dew Drop Inn in the centre of the town. The pub was originally owned by his father Marty before it was sold a number of years ago.
“God almighty the whole thing is terrible. Colm was such a gentleman and he was the rock of that family,” Mr Kenny said.
Pharmacist Nuala O'Donnell Johnson grew up just a few doors down from Colm Horkan, who she described as a "gentle giant" and a "man of the town".
“He certainly lived his life to the full. He would have been at every dog fight, GAA match and race meeting, and he was always immaculately dressed and always with a smile,” she said.
She said the 49-year-old “struck everybody” he met and, although he was not married, she said he had plenty of admirers.
“It is just so sad. Colm was the nicest, gentlest guy and a huge character in the town,” she added.
Sinn Fein councillor Gerry Murray said the garda's family was "long established" in the town, with local roots stretching back three or four generations.
A close friend to Marty Horkan, Cllr Murray spoke of the devastation felt throughout the town for a neighbour who has buried his wife, his daughter and now will lay to rest his son.
“The last thing a parent wants is to bury an offspring. How do you come to terms with that?” he asked. Marty Horkan’s grief is deeply felt throughout a community that is now “totally subdued, numb”, Cllr Murray said.
“Everybody is just devastated with the situation. You don’t expect this in rural towns west of the Shannon. They might not be as vibrant as you would like but at least they are peaceful,” he said.
The funeral of Detective Gda Horkan, will take place on Sunday in Co Mayo.
Det Gda Horkin's remains will be removed from the family home on Sunday morning to arrive at St James's Church, Charlestown, Co Mayo for concelebrated funeral Mass at 12 noon, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
Mourners will follow social distancing guidelines as per HSE guidelines.
The national flag will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect to Det Gda Horkan. One minute’s silence will be observed at Garda Headquarters and at all Garda Stations around the country where current and past members of an Garda Síochána are invited to attend.
At each Garda station, the station party will parade in front of the station and will be brought to attention at 12 o’clock to observe a minute’s silence.
The funeral will be live-streamed at mcnmedia.tv/camera/charlestown.


theirishtimes--2020-06-20--Woman convicted of fraud for third time in three years spared jail time

A judge said he saw little point in jailing a woman convicted of her third set of fraud offences in as many years after hearing the prison authorities had released her after serving just one month of a previous 18-month sentence .
Judge Sean O Donnabhain was told that Emma Fehily ( 36 ) had served just five months of a 30-month term he imposed in 2018 for fraud offences and then just one month of another 18-month term he imposed earlier this year .
“ Sure what is the point ?
Limerick Prison is not taking any notice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ five months , second time she is in for one month – sentenced in February , out in March .
It is a complete and utter joke , ” he said .
“ There is much made of white collar crime and that courts don ’ t take it seriously .
I take it seriously but releasing her does not take it seriously .
There is no point in me following it with another custodial sentence.
” Judge O Donnabhain said given the decision by the prison authorities to twice release her after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentences , he believed the appropriate penalty was a 12-month suspended sentence .
Fehily from Fern Drive , Kilmoney , Carrigaline , Co Cork had pleaded guilty to two fraud offences when she appeared before Judge O Donnabhain at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday .
She pleaded guilty to forging a character reference from her then employer , Rockwell Automation of Carrigtwohill on June 8th , 2018 with the intent of inducing another person to believe it was genuine .
And she pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presenting the forged reference to Judge O Donnabhain with the intent of influencing sentencing in an earlier case .
Det Garda Rory O ’ Connell , who investigated Fehily ’ s latest fraud offences , told the court that the charges followed on from previous fraud offences committed by Fehily while working for other companies .
She had been sentenced in November 2018 after she pleaded guilty to 13 counts of theft of sums totalling over €25,000 at Johnson & Perrott Garage when she worked there in 2014 and 2015 .
And she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 theft related charges involving sums totalling more than €34,000 when working at Westbourne IT Solutions in late 2015 and 2016 .
Since presenting the forged document at her sentencing hearing in November 2018 for those offences , Fehily had since pleaded guilty to 67 counts of theft and two of deception from Rockwell Automation in 2017 and 2018 .
She was sentenced by Judge O Donnabhain for those offences in February 2020 to three years in jail with 18 months suspended but served only one month of it before being released from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connell .
Defence barrister , Sinead Behan BL said that her client had engaged very well with the Churchfield Community Trust since her release from prison in March and was about to start a community employment scheme in a coffee shop .
“ She has a background of depression and self-harm , ” said Ms Behan , adding that she suspected her client had underlying mental health issues stemming from being in a car crash as a nine-year-old child when claimed the life of her sister .
Hearing that Fehily had a total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theft , Judge O Donnabhain said he saw no sign of “ genuine remorse ” on her part before he imposed the suspended 12-month term for her latest offences .

Judge Sean O Donnabhain was told that Emma Fehily (36) had served just five months of a 30-month term he imposed in 2018 for fraud offences and then just one month of another 18-month term he imposed earlier this year
A judge said he saw little point in jailing a woman convicted of her third set of fraud offences in as many years after hearing the prison authorities had released her after serving just one month of a previous 18-month sentence.
Judge Sean O Donnabhain was told that Emma Fehily (36) had served just five months of a 30-month term he imposed in 2018 for fraud offences and then just one month of another 18-month term he imposed earlier this year.
"Sure what is the point? Limerick Prison is not taking any notice. First time, she is out after five months, second time she is in for one month – sentenced in February, out in March. It is a complete and utter joke," he said.
“There is much made of white collar crime and that courts don’t take it seriously. I take it seriously but releasing her does not take it seriously. There is no point in me following it with another custodial sentence.”
READ MORE
Judge O Donnabhain said given the decision by the prison authorities to twice release her after serving just short portions of her earlier sentences, he believed the appropriate penalty was a 12-month suspended sentence.
Fehily from Fern Drive, Kilmoney, Carrigaline, Co Cork had pleaded guilty to two fraud offences when she appeared before Judge O Donnabhain at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday.
She pleaded guilty to forging a character reference from her then employer, Rockwell Automation of Carrigtwohill on June 8th, 2018 with the intent of inducing another person to believe it was genuine.
And she pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice on November 16th, 2018, by presenting the forged reference to Judge O Donnabhain with the intent of influencing sentencing in an earlier case.
Det Garda Rory O’Connell, who investigated Fehily’s latest fraud offences, told the court that the charges followed on from previous fraud offences committed by Fehily while working for other companies.
She had been sentenced in November 2018 after she pleaded guilty to 13 counts of theft of sums totalling over €25,000 at Johnson & Perrott Garage when she worked there in 2014 and 2015.
And she was also sentenced after pleading guilty to 28 theft related charges involving sums totalling more than €34,000 when working at Westbourne IT Solutions in late 2015 and 2016.
Since presenting the forged document at her sentencing hearing in November 2018 for those offences, Fehily had since pleaded guilty to 67 counts of theft and two of deception from Rockwell Automation in 2017 and 2018.
She was sentenced by Judge O Donnabhain for those offences in February 2020 to three years in jail with 18 months suspended but served only one month of it before being released from prison, said Det Garda O’Connell.
Defence barrister, Sinead Behan BL said that her client had engaged very well with the Churchfield Community Trust since her release from prison in March and was about to start a community employment scheme in a coffee shop.
“She has a background of depression and self-harm,” said Ms Behan, adding that she suspected her client had underlying mental health issues stemming from being in a car crash as a nine-year-old child when claimed the life of her sister.
Hearing that Fehily had a total of 116 previous convictions including 109 for theft, Judge O Donnabhain said he saw no sign of “genuine remorse” on her part before he imposed the suspended 12-month term for her latest offences.


theirishtimes--2020-06-20--This insect makes a distinctive humming sound – what is it?

I came across this insect , about 3cm long , with a distinctive humming sound while airborne .
It was not like any butterfly I ’ ve ever seen .
Patricia McNulty , Kilasser , Co Mayo It was a hummingbird hawkmoth .
Noreen Lyons of Portumna , Co Galway sent the photograph .
Holly ( 6 ) found yet another strange worm , also on the beach near Robswall .
I looked online and I think it ’ s a sea mouse .
It has a lovely rainbow sheen .
Noeleen Smyth , Swords , Co Dublin Yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creature , which I think is a spider , was on the wall outside our house .
Mary Anne Fermoy , Kilmovee , Co Mayo It ’ s the cucumber green spider , one of the smallest of the orb web spiders .
I found this in my garden hanging on the fence next to the pond .
I don ’ t know why it ’ s empty .
Is it a cicada or a locust ?
Linda Quinlan , Blackrock , Co Dublin This wildflower was growing at the edge of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul Johnston , Brandon , Co Kerry Bogbean is a perennial that grows in bogs and fens .
Our dog pulled a ball of thorns from the hedge recently .
We observed it for a while and gradually the thorns unfurled to reveal this lovely hedgehog .
We returned him to the hedge and took the dog away .
The Kellys , Clontibret , Co Monaghan Should these mating damselflies not be the same colour ?
Barbara Browne , Knockmore , Co Mayo The male common bluet has a pattern of sky blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with either blue , green or brown markings .
This gorgeous little butterfly was resting on the wall of my house .
Geraldine Molloy , Achill , Co Mayo It ’ s the common blue butterfly .
When open its wings are blue .
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn , Louisburgh , Co Mayo , F28 F978 , or by email at viney @ anu.ie .
Please include a postal address

I came across this insect, about 3cm long, with a distinctive humming sound while airborne. It was not like any butterfly I've ever seen.
Patricia McNulty, Kilasser, Co Mayo
It was a hummingbird hawkmoth. Noreen Lyons of Portumna, Co Galway sent the photograph.
Holly (6) found yet another strange worm, also on the beach near Robswall. I looked online and I think it's a sea mouse. It has a lovely rainbow sheen.
Noeleen Smyth, Swords, Co Dublin
Sea mouse worm
Yes, it is a sea mouse.
This creature, which I think is a spider, was on the wall outside our house.
Mary Anne Fermoy, Kilmovee, Co Mayo
READ MORE
Cucumber green spider
It’s the cucumber green spider, one of the smallest of the orb web spiders.
I found this in my garden hanging on the fence next to the pond. I don't know why it's empty. Is it a cicada or a locust?
Linda Quinlan, Blackrock, Co Dublin
Dragonfly larva case
It’s the empty larva case of a dragonfly.
This wildflower was growing at the edge of the bog in Cloghane, Co Kerry.
Paul Johnston, Brandon, Co Kerry
Bog bean wildflower
Bogbean is a perennial that grows in bogs and fens.
Our dog pulled a ball of thorns from the hedge recently. We observed it for a while and gradually the thorns unfurled to reveal this lovely hedgehog. We returned him to the hedge and took the dog away.
The Kellys, Clontibret, Co Monaghan
Hedgehog
Should these mating damselflies not be the same colour?
Barbara Browne, Knockmore, Co Mayo
Damselflies
The male common bluet has a pattern of sky blue and black; the females have black with either blue, green or brown markings.
This gorgeous little butterfly was resting on the wall of my house.
Geraldine Molloy, Achill, Co Mayo
Common blue butterfly
It’s the common blue butterfly. When open its wings are blue.
[ viney@anu.ie ]


theirishtimes--2020-06-20--Alice and Jack Tyler: America’s first environmental power couple

In March last year , US president Donald Trump signed a wilderness preservation Bill protecting 375,000 new acres of public lands against logging , oil drilling and mining .
Trump had little option , since the Bill , introduced by a Republican senator , was overwhelmingly approved by bipartisan votes in the Senate and House of Representatives .
Unusually , the White House issued no presidential remarks on the signing .
On the other hand .
.
.
“ As of May 2020 , ” says Wikipedia , “ the Trump administration has rolled back 64 environmental rules and regulations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in progress.
” The New York Times , in Trump ’ s mind the malign purveyor of “ fake news ” , listed all of them on May 20th .
These rollbacks weaken limits on energy emissions , relax rules on air and water quality , and undermine protection of wetlands and wildlife .
Many have been resisted , and some of the rules have been reinstated through challenges at state level .
Such background tempered my reading of a new book by John Wilson Foster , a visiting research professor at Queen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Co Down after a long university career in Vancouver , he was commissioned to write a history of the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement .
The annual prize , established in California in 1973 , was initially set at $ 150,000 , even more than a Nobel was worth .
Foster ’ s book , The Space-Blue Chalcedony : Earth ’ s Crises and the Tyler Bounty , is published by the Tyler trust and sold by Amazon .
It makes no mention of Trump but tells of Republican politics in Hollywood high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the advancement of science .
The founders of the “ bounty ” were Jack and Alice Tyler , both now interred in the Great Mausoleum of Forest Lawn .
Jack began life in a sod house in Dakota Territory and ended in a Bel Air mansion as boss of a farmers ’ insurance corporation with assets of $ 1.3 billion .
Alice , his third wife , was inherently alert to nature and to God ’ s will and reincarnation , but was also childless .
She was the driving force in dispensing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foster , “ a serious culture of philanthropy that flourished in southern California ” , and Alice gave to everything from youth groups , music and the arts to the care of meerkats in the zoo .
The spur for an ecological prize was the pollution of Los Angeles smog , which followed the Tyler yacht far out to sea .
Established with Jack ’ s gift of $ 5 million , the award was administered at first by a private Christian university , the Pepperdine .
It was launched in 1973 by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of Alice ’ s many Hollywood actor friends , whom she had first urged into Republican politics .
Submissions for the award flowed in from many countries .
Today , governed from the University of Southern California , its openness to interlocking sciences aspires to “ an audit of the natural world ” .
The record of almost 80 laureates , often sharing awards of cash and a medallion , can be explored on Wikipedia .
It began with researchers in ecology and air quality , but the growth of environmentalism took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and increasingly into climate change .
Famous names jump out , such as Paul Ehrlich ( overpopulation ) , Jared Diamond ( historian ) , Thomas Lovejoy ( biodiversity ) Richard Doll ( smoking and cancer ) , Jane Goodall ( chimpanzees ) and Michael Mann ( climate science ) .
Others were rewarded at critical junctures of research , well explored and related in Foster ’ s book .
He offers some good human touches .
The 1984 award , for example , gave Edward O Wilson the money for a home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first masterwork ( on the life of ants ) .
The 1992 prize rewarded Robert White , who organised the first World Climate Conference in 1979 .
And last year ’ s award to Michael Mann notably confirmed the rejection of climate denialism , the “ lopsided civil war being waged in science ” , as Foster describes it .
The trust ’ s academic independence seemed clear from the start .
Its first award co-winner , in 1974 , was Robert Strong , veteran of Earth summits and an advocate of radical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matched the frontier Republican politics of Jack and Alice .
“ They believed , ” says Foster , “ that a reorganisation of priorities , progressive scientific expertise , goodwill and bountiful philanthropy on the part of the wealthy could carry the day.
” And the bluefin tuna of my painting ?
They figure in the environmental cutbacks listed by the New York Times .
A current legal action opposes plans by the National Marine Fisheries Service to open the tuna ’ s protected spawning grounds to pelagic longline fishing .
This , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international treaties of tuna conservation .
A co-defendant to their action is Wilbur Ross , Trump ’ s commerce secretary .
His busy financial life has also left room for philanthropy .
He is , for , example , president of the American Friends of the René Magritte Museum in Brussels .
The work of this famous surrealist painter expressed a sharply absurdist view of the world .
His paintings , by an irony , turn up from time to time in commentaries on Donald Trump ’ s surreal relationship with the truth @

In March last year, US president Donald Trump signed a wilderness preservation Bill protecting 375,000 new acres of public lands against logging, oil drilling and mining.
Trump had little option, since the Bill, introduced by a Republican senator, was overwhelmingly approved by bipartisan votes in the Senate and House of Representatives. Unusually, the White House issued no presidential remarks on the signing.
On the other hand . . .
The spawning grounds of bluefin tuna are under threat as the USA’s National Marine Fisheries Service plans to open them up to pelagic longline fishing. Illustration: Michael Viney
“As of May 2020,” says Wikipedia, “the Trump administration has rolled back 64 environmental rules and regulations, and an additional 34 rollbacks are in progress.”
READ MORE
The New York Times, in Trump's mind the malign purveyor of "fake news",listed all of them on May 20th. These rollbacks weaken limits on energy emissions, relax rules on air and water quality, and undermine protection of wetlands and wildlife. Many have been resisted, and some of the rules have been reinstated through challenges at state level.
Such background tempered my reading of a new book by John Wilson Foster, a visiting research professor at Queen's University Belfast. Retired to Co Down after a long university career in Vancouver, he was commissioned to write a history of the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. The annual prize, established in California in 1973, was initially set at $150,000, even more than a Nobel was worth.
Foster’s book, The Space-Blue Chalcedony: Earth’s Crises and the Tyler Bounty, is published by the Tyler trust and sold by Amazon. It makes no mention of Trump but tells of Republican politics in Hollywood high society and its somewhat exotic part in the advancement of science.
The founders of the "bounty" were Jack and Alice Tyler, both now interred in the Great Mausoleum of Forest Lawn. Jack began life in a sod house in Dakota Territory and ended in a Bel Air mansion as boss of a farmers' insurance corporation with assets of $1.3 billion.
Alert to nature
Alice, his third wife, was inherently alert to nature and to God’s will and reincarnation, but was also childless. She was the driving force in dispensing Tyler bounty. There was, writes Foster, “a serious culture of philanthropy that flourished in southern California”, and Alice gave to everything from youth groups, music and the arts to the care of meerkats in the zoo.
The spur for an ecological prize was the pollution of Los Angeles smog, which followed the Tyler yacht far out to sea. Established with Jack's gift of $5 million, the award was administered at first by a private Christian university, the Pepperdine. It was launched in 1973 by then governor of California Ronald Reagan, one of Alice's many Hollywood actor friends, whom she had first urged into Republican politics.
Submissions for the award flowed in from many countries. Today, governed from the University of Southern California, its openness to interlocking sciences aspires to “an audit of the natural world”.
The record of almost 80 laureates, often sharing awards of cash and a medallion, can be explored on Wikipedia. It began with researchers in ecology and air quality, but the growth of environmentalism took it into public health and plant genetics and increasingly into climate change.
Famous names jump out, such as Paul Ehrlich (overpopulation), Jared Diamond (historian), Thomas Lovejoy (biodiversity) Richard Doll (smoking and cancer), Jane Goodall (chimpanzees) and Michael Mann (climate science).
Others were rewarded at critical junctures of research, well explored and related in Foster’s book. He offers some good human touches. The 1984 award, for example, gave Edward O Wilson the money for a home library, in which he wrote his first masterwork (on the life of ants).
Climate denialism
The 1992 prize rewarded Robert White, who organised the first World Climate Conference in 1979. And last year’s award to Michael Mann notably confirmed the rejection of climate denialism, the “lopsided civil war being waged in science”, as Foster describes it.
The trust’s academic independence seemed clear from the start. Its first award co-winner, in 1974, was Robert Strong, veteran of Earth summits and an advocate of radical economic change. It would not have matched the frontier Republican politics of Jack and Alice.
“They believed,” says Foster, “that a reorganisation of priorities, progressive scientific expertise, goodwill and bountiful philanthropy on the part of the wealthy could carry the day.”
And the bluefin tuna of my painting? They figure in the environmental cutbacks listed by the New York Times. A current legal action opposes plans by the National Marine Fisheries Service to open the tuna’s protected spawning grounds to pelagic longline fishing. This, argue two NGOS, is contrary to international treaties of tuna conservation.
A co-defendant to their action is Wilbur Ross, Trump's commerce secretary. His busy financial life has also left room for philanthropy. He is, for, example, president of the American Friends of the René Magritte Museum in Brussels. The work of this famous surrealist painter expressed a sharply absurdist view of the world.
His paintings, by an irony, turn up from time to time in commentaries on Donald Trump’s surreal relationship with the truth.