theirishtimes--2020-02-13--Some CBD products pose ‘potential safety risks’ – food safety authority

A Food Safety Authority of Ireland ( FSAI ) survey of CBD ( Cannabidol ) products on sale in Ireland has found the “ majority of products ” breached food laws while some posed “ potential safety risks ” to consumers .
Researchers found that the level of Tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ) – the psychoactive compound in cannabis – in 37 per cent of products could “ significantly exceed ” European Food Safety Authority safety limits and that the “ implicated batches ” were being recalled .
The level of CBD in more than 40 per cent of samples was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount , while half of products made misleading claims including being lactose free , gluten free and non-GMO along with “ unauthorised health claims ” , according to the study .
Unlike other derivatives of the cannabis plant , CBD is not psychoactive and is mostly legal throughout Europe .
It is widely sold in Ireland , including by pharmacies and health food chains such as Holland and Barrett .
The FSAI said its research revealed some consumers were being “ grossly misled ” while others were being “ put at risk by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THC ” .
It noted that “ while consumer safety is the priority , the undeclared presence of THC in these products can also pose a risk for drivers , as well as athletes who may be buying and consuming these products without knowing they contain a psychotropic substance ” .
In its recall notification , the FSAI called on all businesses selling the implicated batches to “ immediately remove them from sale ” and contact their supervising environmental health office .
However , while it noted that some CBD products contained unsafe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ no immediate dangers associated with the consumption of these products ” .
Under EU regulations plants containing CBD may be grown as long at their THC content is less than 0.2 per cent .
In 2019 gardaí carried out a number of raids at CBD shops and cafes as part of a crackdown on the sale of the substance .
The department of health subsequently said it hoped to amend legislation to permit CBD products like those seized in the raids .
JP O ’ Brien , whose shop Little Collins CBD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the FSAI had employed a new method of testing for detecting THC traces without consulting businesses selling the product in Ireland .
The products sold in Mr O ’ Brien ’ s store were listed by the FSAI on Thursday , along with 13 other brands , as batches containing high levels of THC .
“ This is the first anyone in Ireland has heard of this method of testing using micrograms over milligrams , ” said Mr O ’ Brien .
“ There is a clear disconnect between what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are practising.
” “ There exists clear and substantial confusion between FSAI testing methods , accepted practice and indeed prior communication from said Government body .
It is grossly unjust to punish the end user and the retailer for a lack of clear framework and governance in the emerging cannabis industry in Ireland.
” Proponents of CBD say it helps with anxiety , inflammation , pain and other ailments .

The level of CBD in more than 40 per cent of samples examined by the FSAI was found to vary significantly from the declared amount
A Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) survey of CBD (Cannabidol) products on sale in Ireland has found the "majority of products" breached food laws while some posed "potential safety risks" to consumers.
Researchers found that the level of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the psychoactive compound in cannabis – in 37 per cent of products could "significantly exceed" European Food Safety Authority safety limits and that the "implicated batches" were being recalled.
The level of CBD in more than 40 per cent of samples was found to vary significantly from the declared amount, while half of products made misleading claims including being lactose free, gluten free and non-GMO along with “unauthorised health claims”, according to the study.
Unlike other derivatives of the cannabis plant, CBD is not psychoactive and is mostly legal throughout Europe.
READ MORE
It is widely sold in Ireland, including by pharmacies and health food chains such as Holland and Barrett.
The FSAI said its research revealed some consumers were being “grossly misled” while others were being “put at risk by the ingestion of relatively high levels of THC”.
It noted that “while consumer safety is the priority, the undeclared presence of THC in these products can also pose a risk for drivers, as well as athletes who may be buying and consuming these products without knowing they contain a psychotropic substance”.
Governance
In its recall notification, the FSAI called on all businesses selling the implicated batches to “immediately remove them from sale” and contact their supervising environmental health office.
However, while it noted that some CBD products contained unsafe THC levels, it said there were “no immediate dangers associated with the consumption of these products”.
Under EU regulations plants containing CBD may be grown as long at their THC content is less than 0.2 per cent.
In 2019 gardaí carried out a number of raids at CBD shops and cafes as part of a crackdown on the sale of the substance.
The department of health subsequently said it hoped to amend legislation to permit CBD products like those seized in the raids.
JP O’Brien, whose shop Little Collins CBD dispensary in Galway was raided last year, said the FSAI had employed a new method of testing for detecting THC traces without consulting businesses selling the product in Ireland.
The products sold in Mr O’Brien’s store were listed by the FSAI on Thursday, along with 13 other brands, as batches containing high levels of THC.
“This is the first anyone in Ireland has heard of this method of testing using micrograms over milligrams,” said Mr O’Brien. “There is a clear disconnect between what the FSAI says is standard and what others are practising.”
“There exists clear and substantial confusion between FSAI testing methods, accepted practice and indeed prior communication from said Government body. It is grossly unjust to punish the end user and the retailer for a lack of clear framework and governance in the emerging cannabis industry in Ireland.”
Proponents of CBD say it helps with anxiety, inflammation, pain and other ailments.


theirishtimes--2020-02-13--European Commission seeking 50 Irish language translators

The European Commission is seeking to employ 50 translators based in Ireland and Brussels as it prepares for Irish to achieve full official working status the EU in 2022 .
A new competition announced on Thursday aims to create a panel from which the Commission can employ translators to work in the Irish Language Unit of the European Commission ’ s Directorate General for Translation at offices in Brussels and in Co Meath .
Applicants must be EU citizens , with “ a perfect knowledge ” of Irish , a thorough knowledge of English and a university degree of at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is the first time that translators will have the opportunity to work from European Commission offices based in Ireland .
Irish became an official working language of the EU in January 2007 but not all documents were translated into Irish at that point due to a derogation .
The derogation expires in 2022 at which time Irish will become a full working language .
All legislation enacted from that date will be translated into Irish as is already the case for the EU ’ s other 23 official languages .
Aislínn McCrory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Irish Language Unit said that the format of the competition demonstrates that the European Commission and other EU institutions are working to find creative solutions , making every effort to ensure that there will be sufficient translators in place when the derogation relating to the status of the Irish language in the European Union is due to expire at the end of 2021.
’ The successful Irish-language translators will be employed on 4-year contracts at Grade AD 5 and will translate documents from English to Irish .
Staff based in Ireland will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Co Meath , and can expect to earn a salary of some €4,500 per month .
The deadline for applications is midday ( Brussels time ) 17 March 2020 .
Detailed information on the required qualifications , the selection procedure and how to apply , is available on the epso.europa.eu website .
Interested parties are advised to contact Eimear Ní Bhroin at the following email address : eimear.ni-bhroin @ ec.europa.eu .

The deadline for applications to the post of Irish translator to the EU is St Patrick’s Day, 2020.
The European Commission is seeking to employ 50 translators based in Ireland and Brussels as it prepares for Irish to achieve full official working status the EU in 2022.
A new competition announced on Thursday aims to create a panel from which the Commission can employ translators to work in the Irish Language Unit of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Translation at offices in Brussels and in Co Meath.
Applicants must be EU citizens, with “a perfect knowledge” of Irish, a thorough knowledge of English and a university degree of at least three years in any discipline.
It is the first time that translators will have the opportunity to work from European Commission offices based in Ireland.
READ MORE
Irish became an official working language of the EU in January 2007 but not all documents were translated into Irish at that point due to a derogation.
The derogation expires in 2022 at which time Irish will become a full working language. All legislation enacted from that date will be translated into Irish as is already the case for the EU’s other 23 official languages.
Aislínn McCrory, Head of the European Commission's Irish Language Unit said that the format of the competition demonstrates that the European Commission and other EU institutions are working to find creative solutions, making every effort to ensure that there will be sufficient translators in place when the derogation relating to the status of the Irish language in the European Union is due to expire at the end of 2021.'
The successful Irish-language translators will be employed on 4-year contracts at Grade AD 5 and will translate documents from English to Irish.
Staff based in Ireland will work from European Commission offices at Grange, Co Meath, and can expect to earn a salary of some €4,500 per month.
The deadline for applications is midday (Brussels time) 17 March 2020.
Detailed information on the required qualifications, the selection procedure and how to apply, is available on the epso.europa.eu website.
Interested parties are advised to contact Eimear Ní Bhroin at the following email address: eimear.ni-bhroin@ec.europa.eu.


theirishtimes--2020-02-13--Judge continues injunction over horse which was believed to be dead

The High Court has continued for two weeks an injunction granted after a race horse believed dead for a year was allegedly listed to run in a race last Saturday .
The Tartan Spartan was brought to be euthanized 12 months ago after the animal ’ s owner , Thistle Bloodstock Ltd , believed it was broken down beyond repair , the court heard last week .
A day before the meeting at Naas Racecourse was due to take place last Saturday , Thistle Bloodstock ’ s manager Andrew Hughes picked up a newspaper to see it was entered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court also heard .
Thistle sought and obtained an interim injunction that day preventing the horse from running on Saturday .
The order was against the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board ( IHRB ) , and against trainers Phillip Fenton and Jim Derwin .
It was alleged the horse had been given to Mr Derwin a year ago to have it put down and that Mr Fenton had entered it in the race .
The order was granted on a one-side only represented basis after the court heard that no response to a threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Fenton and Mr Derwin when they were contacted on the Friday .
The IHRB had responded that it could not prevent the horse from racing without a court order .
The case returned to court on Thursday when William Reidy BL , for Thistle Bloodstock , said the matter could be adjourned to allow the second two defendants provide replying affidavits .
Lawyers for Mr Fenton and Mr Denton said this was on consent .
Mr Reidy also said the action against the IHRB was being withdrawn by his client .
Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the IHRB .
She adjourned the case for two weeks and said the interim injunction granted last Friday could continue until then .

The High Court has continued for two weeks an injunction granted after a race horse believed dead for a year was allegedly listed to run in a race last Saturday.
The Tartan Spartan was brought to be euthanized 12 months ago after the animal's owner, Thistle Bloodstock Ltd, believed it was broken down beyond repair, the court heard last week.
A day before the meeting at Naas Racecourse was due to take place last Saturday, Thistle Bloodstock’s manager Andrew Hughes picked up a newspaper to see it was entered to run in the Hurdle Handicap, the court also heard.
Thistle sought and obtained an interim injunction that day preventing the horse from running on Saturday.
READ MORE
The order was against the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), and against trainers Phillip Fenton and Jim Derwin. It was alleged the horse had been given to Mr Derwin a year ago to have it put down and that Mr Fenton had entered it in the race.
The order was granted on a one-side only represented basis after the court heard that no response to a threat of legal proceedings had been received from Mr Fenton and Mr Derwin when they were contacted on the Friday. The IHRB had responded that it could not prevent the horse from racing without a court order.
The case returned to court on Thursday when William Reidy BL, for Thistle Bloodstock, said the matter could be adjourned to allow the second two defendants provide replying affidavits. Lawyers for Mr Fenton and Mr Denton said this was on consent.
Mr Reidy also said the action against the IHRB was being withdrawn by his client. Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds struck out the case against the IHRB.
She adjourned the case for two weeks and said the interim injunction granted last Friday could continue until then.


theirishtimes--2020-02-13--‘Forced isolation’ of coronavirus patients under consideration

The Department of Health is looking at legal changes that would allow for the forcible isolation of people carrying the Covid-19 disease .
Existing provisions that allow for the quarantining of people with other infectious diseases may also be used to ensure coronavirus patients can be isolated , a senior HSE official has indicated .
Under existing laws , public health doctors have significant powers to force the isolation of people with infectious diseases such as TB , smallpox and cholera .
HSE assistant national director Kevin Kelleher said the department was looking at how it could implement these law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accommodate the response to the Covid-19 outbreak .
“ We might seriously consider doing something and seeing what happens , ” he told journalists at briefing , adding that there were provisions in the legislation for doing “ certain things ” in the case of diseases “ of unknown type ” .
In recent decades legislation has had to be updated to take account of previous outbreaks of new disease such as Sars and Zika .
Earlier this week police in the UK were given extra powers to force people in danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The law was pushed through after a patient in voluntary 14-day quarantine tried to leave early .
As of Thursday , 47,054 cases of Covid-19 have been reported , with 1,369 deaths , virtually all in China .
In general the response of Irish public health authorities is based on encouraging people to self-isolate if they are showing symptoms .
Ireland has no confirmed cases of the disease , which has spread from China to 24 other countries .
Asked what the authorities would do with a person who refused to self-isolate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make every effort to persuade them ” to self-isolate .
However , he went on to indicate that tougher legal measures could be resorted to if necessary .
“ Most reasonably people would accept they are best off in hospital with a disease like this , ” said Dr Cillian de Gascun , head of the department ’ s expert advisory group .
The National Virus Reference Laboratory in UCD had tested 65 people up to last Monday for the virus , but all tests have been negative .
The rates at which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has varied , according to Dr de Gascun , who is also director of the lab .
Dr Kelleher declined to say whether all of these cases involved people who had travelled back from mainland China .
Speaking in Brussels after a meeting of EU health ministers , Minister for Health Simon Harris said he was satisfied Ireland had a “ significant level of preparedness ” for the virus .
The epicentre of the outbreak was still very much in China , with 99 per cent of reported cases , he pointed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they do expect to see a case of Covid-19 in Ireland , given its limited transmission to so many other countries , including many in Europe .
Flu continues to circulate in the community , though levels are falling , the briefing also heard .
So far this winter 85 people have died from flu and 3,323 cases of this virus have been recorded .
In a statement last night , the HSE said its public health policy and approach in relation to the virus had not changed and remained in line with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control .
“ As part of enhancing our preparedness and response to Covid-19 , the department is seeking to make provision for this disease to be added to the list of notifiable disease so that doctors can routinely notify the HSE when a case is diagnosed , ” it said .
“ It also intends to add Covid-19 to the list of infectious diseases such as smallpox , which allows a doctor to detain a probable case of infection in the highly unlikely event that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and control protocols.
” The HSE said this was also done for the Sars epidemic in 2002 .
“ It is not envisaged that such powers would in fact be used , ” the statement said .

A Kenyan health worker screens a passenger at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi who has arrived from China. Photograph: EPA
The Department of Health is looking at legal changes that would allow for the forcible isolation of people carrying the Covid-19 disease.
Existing provisions that allow for the quarantining of people with other infectious diseases may also be used to ensure coronavirus patients can be isolated, a senior HSE official has indicated.
Under existing laws, public health doctors have significant powers to force the isolation of people with infectious diseases such as TB, smallpox and cholera.
HSE assistant national director Kevin Kelleher said the department was looking at how it could implement these law changes as quickly as possible in order to accommodate the response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
READ MORE
“We might seriously consider doing something and seeing what happens,” he told journalists at briefing, adding that there were provisions in the legislation for doing “certain things” in the case of diseases “of unknown type”.
In recent decades legislation has had to be updated to take account of previous outbreaks of new disease such as Sars and Zika.
Earlier this week police in the UK were given extra powers to force people in danger of spreading the virus into isolation. The law was pushed through after a patient in voluntary 14-day quarantine tried to leave early.
As of Thursday, 47,054 cases of Covid-19 have been reported, with 1,369 deaths, virtually all in China.
In general the response of Irish public health authorities is based on encouraging people to self-isolate if they are showing symptoms. Ireland has no confirmed cases of the disease, which has spread from China to 24 other countries.
Strong encouragement
Asked what the authorities would do with a person who refused to self-isolate, Dr Kelleher said “we’d make every effort to persuade them” to self-isolate. However, he went on to indicate that tougher legal measures could be resorted to if necessary.
“Most reasonably people would accept they are best off in hospital with a disease like this,” said Dr Cillian de Gascun, head of the department’s expert advisory group.
The National Virus Reference Laboratory in UCD had tested 65 people up to last Monday for the virus, but all tests have been negative. The rates at which suspected cases have arisen in recent weeks has varied, according to Dr de Gascun, who is also director of the lab.
Dr Kelleher declined to say whether all of these cases involved people who had travelled back from mainland China.
Speaking in Brussels after a meeting of EU health ministers, Minister for Health Simon Harris said he was satisfied Ireland had a “significant level of preparedness” for the virus. The epicentre of the outbreak was still very much in China, with 99 per cent of reported cases, he pointed out.
Irish public health experts have said they do expect to see a case of Covid-19 in Ireland, given its limited transmission to so many other countries, including many in Europe.
Flu continues to circulate in the community, though levels are falling, the briefing also heard. So far this winter 85 people have died from flu and 3,323 cases of this virus have been recorded.
‘Enhancing preparedness’
In a statement last night, the HSE said its public health policy and approach in relation to the virus had not changed and remained in line with recommendations from the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
“As part of enhancing our preparedness and response to Covid-19, the department is seeking to make provision for this disease to be added to the list of notifiable disease so that doctors can routinely notify the HSE when a case is diagnosed,” it said.
“It also intends to add Covid-19 to the list of infectious diseases such as smallpox, which allows a doctor to detain a probable case of infection in the highly unlikely event that a person refuses to comply with infection prevention and control protocols.”
The HSE said this was also done for the Sars epidemic in 2002.
“It is not envisaged that such powers would in fact be used,” the statement said.


theirishtimes--2020-02-13--Antarctic temperature tops 20 degrees for first time on record

The Antarctic has registered a temperature of more than 20 degrees Celsius for the first time in history , prompting fears of climate instability in the world ’ s greatest repository of ice .
The 20.75 degrees logged by Brazilian scientists at Seymour Island on February 9th was almost a full degree higher than the previous record of 19.8 degrees , taken on Signy Island in January 1982 .
It follows another recent temperature record : on February 7th an Argentinian research station at Esperanza measured 18.3 degrees , which was the highest reading on the continental Antarctic peninsula .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the World Meteorological Organisation , but they are consistent with a broader trend on the peninsula and nearby islands , which have warmed by almost 3 degees since the pre-industrial era – one of the fastest rates on the planet .
Scientists , who collect the data from remote monitoring stations every three days , described the new record as “ incredible and abnormal ” .
“ We are seeing the warming trend in many of the sites we are monitoring , but we have never seen anything like this , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Terrantar , a Brazilian government project that monitors the impact of climate change on permafrost and biology at 23 sites in the Antarctic .
Mr Schaefer said the temperature of the peninsula , the South Shetland Islands and the James Ross archipelago , which Seymour is part of , has been erratic over the past 20 years .
After cooling in the first decade of this century , it has warmed rapidly .
Scientists on the Brazilian Antarctic programme say this appears to be influenced by shifts in ocean currents and El Niño @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the atmosphere , which is closely related to changes in permafrost and the ocean .
The whole thing is very interrelated.
” The impacts vary across Antarctica , which encompasses the land , islands and ocean south of 60 degrees latitude .
This region stores about 70 per cent of the world ’ s fresh water in the form of snow and ice .
If it were all to melt , sea levels would rise by 50 to 60 metres , but that will take many generations .
UN scientists predict oceans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of this century , depending on human efforts to reduce emissions and the sensitivity of ice sheets .
While temperatures in eastern and central Antarctica are relatively stable , there are growing concerns about west Antarctica , where warming oceans are undermining the huge Thwaites and Pine Island glaciers .
Until now , this has led to a relatively low amount of sea-level rise , but this could change rapidly if there is a sustained jump in temperature .
The Antarctic peninsula – the long finger of land that stretches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On a recent trip with Greenpeace , the Guardian saw glaciers that have retreated by more than 100 metres in Discovery Bay and large swathes of land on King George Island where the snow melted in little more than a week , leaving dark exposed rock .
While some degree of melt occurs every summer , scientists said it had been more evident in recent years , with temperatures rising even more quickly in winter .
This is believed to be behind an alarming decline of more than 50 per cent in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on sea ice .
Mr Schaefer said monitoring data from these areas could indicate what is in store for other parts of the region .
“ It is important to have sentinel areas like the South Shetlands and the Antarctic peninsula because they can anticipate the developments that will happen in the future , the near future , ” he said .
– Guardian

Chinstrap penguins swim in Antarctica. The penguin colonies, which are dependent on sea ice, have declined by more than 50 per cent. Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters
The Antarctic has registered a temperature of more than 20 degrees Celsius for the first time in history, prompting fears of climate instability in the world’s greatest repository of ice.
The 20.75 degrees logged by Brazilian scientists at Seymour Island on February 9th was almost a full degree higher than the previous record of 19.8 degrees, taken on Signy Island in January 1982.
It follows another recent temperature record: on February 7th an Argentinian research station at Esperanza measured 18.3 degrees, which was the highest reading on the continental Antarctic peninsula.
These records will need to be confirmed by the World Meteorological Organisation, but they are consistent with a broader trend on the peninsula and nearby islands, which have warmed by almost 3 degees since the pre-industrial era – one of the fastest rates on the planet.
READ MORE
Scientists, who collect the data from remote monitoring stations every three days, described the new record as “incredible and abnormal”.
"We are seeing the warming trend in many of the sites we are monitoring, but we have never seen anything like this," said Carlos Schaefer, who works on Terrantar, a Brazilian government project that monitors the impact of climate change on permafrost and biology at 23 sites in the Antarctic.
Mr Schaefer said the temperature of the peninsula, the South Shetland Islands and the James Ross archipelago, which Seymour is part of, has been erratic over the past 20 years. After cooling in the first decade of this century, it has warmed rapidly.
El Niño
Scientists on the Brazilian Antarctic programme say this appears to be influenced by shifts in ocean currents and El Niño events: “We have climatic changes in the atmosphere, which is closely related to changes in permafrost and the ocean. The whole thing is very interrelated.”
The impacts vary across Antarctica, which encompasses the land, islands and ocean south of 60 degrees latitude. This region stores about 70 per cent of the world's fresh water in the form of snow and ice. If it were all to melt, sea levels would rise by 50 to 60 metres, but that will take many generations.
UN scientists predict oceans will be between 30cm and 110cm higher by the end of this century, depending on human efforts to reduce emissions and the sensitivity of ice sheets.
While temperatures in eastern and central Antarctica are relatively stable, there are growing concerns about west Antarctica, where warming oceans are undermining the huge Thwaites and Pine Island glaciers. Until now, this has led to a relatively low amount of sea-level rise, but this could change rapidly if there is a sustained jump in temperature.
The Antarctic peninsula – the long finger of land that stretches towards Argentina – is most dramatically affected. On a recent trip with Greenpeace, the Guardian saw glaciers that have retreated by more than 100 metres in Discovery Bay and large swathes of land on King George Island where the snow melted in little more than a week, leaving dark exposed rock.
While some degree of melt occurs every summer, scientists said it had been more evident in recent years, with temperatures rising even more quickly in winter. This is believed to be behind an alarming decline of more than 50 per cent in chinstrap penguin colonies, which are dependent on sea ice.
Mr Schaefer said monitoring data from these areas could indicate what is in store for other parts of the region. “It is important to have sentinel areas like the South Shetlands and the Antarctic peninsula because they can anticipate the developments that will happen in the future, the near future,” he said. – Guardian


theirishtimes--2020-02-13--GPs do not feel equipped to manage people who self-harm, study finds

GPs do not feel equipped to manage people who self-harm , with limited consultation times being a barrier to delivering good care , a new study has found .
The joint research study , conducted by University College Cork and Keele University in Newcastle , England , has significant implications for the training of GPs in Ireland , the researchers added .
Self-harm is a serious risk factor for suicide , and more than half of young people who die by suicide have a history of self-harm .
There are increasing self-harm rates reported among male patients in mid-life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are at an increased risk of suicide .
The research , published in the British Journal of General Practice this week , identified barriers and facilitators which had an impact on GP management of patients who self-harm .
It found that the current limited consultation times in general practice with people who self-harm , and existing shortages of alternative and support services for people who self-harm are barriers to the provision of good care .
The development of clinical guidelines to establish how best to treat those who self-harm was identified as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denis McCauley , chairman of the GP sub-committee for the Irish Medical Organisation ( IMO ) , acknowledged that capacity issues can make care difficult .
“ GPs are good problem solvers , good assessors .
But our job is to plan a pathway of care , ” he said .
“ People who are self-harming due to suicidal ideation , there is a clear pathway there but people who are self-harming down to low self-esteem , for example , they need a multi-disciplinary team to treat them.
” He added that some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , resulting in patients being put on waiting lists .
“ So there is help available , but it ’ s not always available quickly , ” he added .
The research was conducted through a systematic review , which analysed 12 studies published between 1997 and 2016 , on 789 GPs and family medicine physicians , from Europe , America and Australia .
Dr Isabela Troya , from University College Cork and the National Suicide Research Foundation , said generally people who self-harm first present themselves in community settings , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely relevant to Ireland as there are over 2,500 registered general practitioners in Ireland who are the first point of contact to patients seeking medical support , ” she said .
“ Our review shows that GPs recognise self-harm as a serious risk for suicide , but many report feeling unprepared to manage self-harm.
” She added : “ This has implications for GP training in Ireland and worldwide .
In Ireland , previous research conducted by the National Office for Suicide Prevention with over 469 GPs has highlighted GPs reported limited suicide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the authors of the research paper , said GPs and primary care are ideally positioned to address mental health issues and this research can be the foundation to establish how GPs can improve the care individuals who self-harm receive .
If you were affected by the contents of this article , you can contact Samaritans on 116123 , which is free from any phone , or email jo @ samaritans.ie ; and call Pieta House on its free helpline , 1800-247247 , or text HELP to 51444

Clinical guidelines to establish how best to treat those who self-harm was identified as a method to facilitate effective GP care. Photograph: Thinkstock
GPs do not feel equipped to manage people who self-harm, with limited consultation times being a barrier to delivering good care, a new study has found.
The joint research study, conducted by University College Cork and Keele University in Newcastle, England, has significant implications for the training of GPs in Ireland, the researchers added.
Self-harm is a serious risk factor for suicide, and more than half of young people who die by suicide have a history of self-harm.
There are increasing self-harm rates reported among male patients in mid-life, and people aged over 65 who self-harm are at an increased risk of suicide.
READ MORE
The research, published in the British Journal of General Practice this week, identified barriers and facilitators which had an impact on GP management of patients who self-harm.
It found that the current limited consultation times in general practice with people who self-harm, and existing shortages of alternative and support services for people who self-harm are barriers to the provision of good care.
The development of clinical guidelines to establish how best to treat those who self-harm was identified as a method to facilitate effective GP care.
Denis McCauley, chairman of the GP sub-committee for the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), acknowledged that capacity issues can make care difficult.
“GPs are good problem solvers, good assessors. But our job is to plan a pathway of care,” he said.
“People who are self-harming due to suicidal ideation, there is a clear pathway there but people who are self-harming down to low self-esteem, for example, they need a multi-disciplinary team to treat them.”
He added that some of these services have “severe deficiencies”, resulting in patients being put on waiting lists.
“So there is help available, but it’s not always available quickly,” he added.
Training
The research was conducted through a systematic review, which analysed 12 studies published between 1997 and 2016, on 789 GPs and family medicine physicians, from Europe, America and Australia.
Dr Isabela Troya, from University College Cork and the National Suicide Research Foundation, said generally people who self-harm first present themselves in community settings, such as GP care.
“This is extremely relevant to Ireland as there are over 2,500 registered general practitioners in Ireland who are the first point of contact to patients seeking medical support,” she said.
“Our review shows that GPs recognise self-harm as a serious risk for suicide, but many report feeling unprepared to manage self-harm.”
She added: “This has implications for GP training in Ireland and worldwide. In Ireland, previous research conducted by the National Office for Suicide Prevention with over 469 GPs has highlighted GPs reported limited suicide prevention training.”
Dr Troya, one of the authors of the research paper, said GPs and primary care are ideally positioned to address mental health issues and this research can be the foundation to establish how GPs can improve the care individuals who self-harm receive.
[ jo@samaritans.ie ]


theirishtimes--2020-02-13--Kepak Clare plant to close temporarily due to ‘challenging market conditions’

The temporary closure of a Co Clare meat factory this Friday is “ yet another blow to the farming community ” , farmers ’ organisation Beef Plan has said .
Kepak staff were told on Wednesday at 3pm that the plant will close on Friday for four to six weeks , due to “ challenging market conditions ” .
The company has confirmed it will temporarily suspend operations at its Clare site in Drumquin at close of business on Friday .
“ Despite a comprehensive review and significant efforts to keep the Clare abattoir operational , management at Kepak has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitive , ” the company said in a statement issued to the Clare Champion .
“ Against a backdrop of challenging market conditions for the beef industry in Europe , Kepak Clare has been procuring cattle at a price premium associated with markets such as the United States , China and the UK .
“ However , given Kepak Clare is not approved for export to such markets , it consequently can not achieve the associated price premium to remain competitive , leaving no alternative to a temporary closure , ” the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to facilitate interested staff at alternative Kepak sites , while all other staff will be temporarily laid off for the duration of the operational suspension .
The future of the factory will remain under review during the temporary closure , it said .
Kepak Clare was acquired in 2016 and employs 21 people , which is almost half of the 47 workforce when Kepak took it over from John Kelly Meats in 2017 .
Clare Beef Plan representative , Joe Woulfe has called on the company to arrange an urgent meeting with representatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this closure .
He said a number of issues need to be clarified including whether the Drumquin plant will still be used as a collection point to transport cattle for slaughter to other Kepak plants around the country .
“ This is a blow to the farming community .
When the plant closes , farmers will have to travel to Rathkeale , Ballinasloe and Charleville to get their cattle killed , ” he said .
Independent Farmers of Ireland ( IfoI ) chairman , Seamus Shannon said the closure comes at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding it very difficult to get a price that even covers the cost of production for their beef produce .
He acknowledged that loyal supporters of the plant will be disappointed if this closure goes ahead as planned .
Recently , he recalled there was some uncertainty around the future of the plant but the indications at the time suggested it would be sold rather than closed .
Last September , Kepak announced in a statement that a “ planned and publicly announced major € 6.5 million investment ” was not going ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ongoing illegal blockades ” .

Kepak Clare was acquired in 2016 and employs 21 people, which is almost half of the 47 workforce when Kepak took it over from John Kelly Meats in 2017.
The temporary closure of a Co Clare meat factory this Friday is " yet another blow to the farming community", farmers' organisation Beef Plan has said.
Kepak staff were told on Wednesday at 3pm that the plant will close on Friday for four to six weeks, due to "challenging market conditions". The company has confirmed it will temporarily suspend operations at its Clare site in Drumquin at close of business on Friday.
“Despite a comprehensive review and significant efforts to keep the Clare abattoir operational, management at Kepak has determined that the site is no longer competitive,” the company said in a statement issued to the Clare Champion.
“Against a backdrop of challenging market conditions for the beef industry in Europe, Kepak Clare has been procuring cattle at a price premium associated with markets such as the United States, China and the UK.
READ MORE
“However, given Kepak Clare is not approved for export to such markets, it consequently cannot achieve the associated price premium to remain competitive, leaving no alternative to a temporary closure,” the company said.
“ Efforts are being made to facilitate interested staff at alternative Kepak sites, while all other staff will be temporarily laid off for the duration of the operational suspension.
The future of the factory will remain under review during the temporary closure, it said.
Kepak Clare was acquired in 2016 and employs 21 people, which is almost half of the 47 workforce when Kepak took it over from John Kelly Meats in 2017.
Clare Beef Plan representative, Joe Woulfe has called on the company to arrange an urgent meeting with representatives of farming bodies to discuss the implications of this closure.
He said a number of issues need to be clarified including whether the Drumquin plant will still be used as a collection point to transport cattle for slaughter to other Kepak plants around the country.
“This is a blow to the farming community. When the plant closes, farmers will have to travel to Rathkeale, Ballinasloe and Charleville to get their cattle killed,” he said.
Independent Farmers of Ireland (IfoI) chairman, Seamus Shannon said the closure comes at a very challenging time for farmers who are finding it very difficult to get a price that even covers the cost of production for their beef produce.
He acknowledged that loyal supporters of the plant will be disappointed if this closure goes ahead as planned.
Recently, he recalled there was some uncertainty around the future of the plant but the indications at the time suggested it would be sold rather than closed.
Last September, Kepak announced in a statement that a “planned and publicly announced major € 6.5 million investment” was not going ahead in Drumquin as a “direct result of the ongoing illegal blockades”.


theirishtimes--2020-02-13--The Irish living in Wuhan lockdown: A man in a hazmat suit delivers dinner

The Irish citizens under lockdown in Wuhan and confined to their homes indefinitely are “ feeling the strain ” after three weeks , as the coronavirus death toll and infection numbers spike dramatically .
Under stringent new measures introduced in parts of Hubei in an attempt to contain the contagion , many residents are now not allowed to leave their homes .
Previously , one person was allowed to leave every three days to buy groceries .
“ Mentally it is getting more difficult .
There is no end in sight , ” said Mike , an Irishman working in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first name .
He has now spent three weeks alone in an apartment in the epicentre of the outbreak , and for the past week he has not been allowed outside his apartment door .
His Chinese partner , who is also under lockdown in another city in Hubei , orders supplies for him online and they are delivered to the gate of his compound .
“ At nighttime then a man in a hazmat suit will leave it outside and bang on the door .
And when he is gone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my gloves and my mask and pick it up , and then I will bring it out to my balcony and leave it there for 48 hours , ” he said .
“ If there was a virus on it they say it would be gone in 24 or 48 hours , So I ’ d leave it there and when 48 hours is up it ’ s like I ’ m going to an operating theatre .
“ I ’ ll put on rubber gloves and I ’ ll put on old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with bleach and hot water , wash down everything , all the bags , and packets , anything that is there .
Then I ’ ll leave them there for another day and I ’ ll bring them in then .
I ’ ll know it ’ s safe then , you know.
” Mike ’ s home is on the sixth floor of a compound where about 5,000 people live .
The last time he went downstairs one week ago he was turned back at the door by security guards and had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Somebody was saying , if it keeps on going they will bar the doors up , ” he said , adding that piles of rental bicycles had been tied to the gates to prevent people from climbing out of the compound .
The official death toll and infection numbers of the formally named Covid-19 virus surged dramatically on Thursday , with authorities reporting 254 new deaths and 1,367 additional confirmed cases .
The jumps brought the combined number of fatalities to date to 1,355 and nearly 60,000 infections .
China ’ s National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they had broadened their definition for cases to include people clinically diagnosed via lung imaging .
“ The situation is getting worse .
And when the situation is getting worse and there is no information it is a scarier set-up than the one we were in earlier on .
Mentally it is becoming a bit of a strain , ” Mike said .
There are at least nine Irish nationals in Hubei currently and “ we are all suffering a bit now , especially the guys that are by themselves , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end in sight .
That ’ s the killer .
It ’ s like putting a guy to prison and saying : ‘ Look it .
you are going to prison ’ , and he says ‘ how long am I going for ?
’ and they say : ‘ well , we don ’ t know , just go to prison , ok ’ .
” Those trapped feel a sense of frustration with the lack of official information coming from the Chinese authorities , he said .
State-run media reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hubei province and the provincial capital of Wuhan had been fired over their mishandling of the crisis , following unprecedented waves of public anger levelled at the government in recent days .
“ Nobody is giving us any information .
There is nothing coming from the government now .
Now we heard there was two high people in Hubei fired .
Now ?
Very good , five weeks later .
That ’ s the only thing we ’ ve seen from the government , and propaganda pictures of them in hospitals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians going around apologising to people .
Give me a break .
Tell me how bad the situation is today , and tell me tomorrow how bad it is.
” The Irish embassy in Beijing has been very supportive , he said , and arranged to send him surgical masks and medicines .
“ I ’ ll give credit where credit is due .
I can not fault the embassy in Beijing .
I know they have a horrible job now , everybody wants something , and I do hate asking them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ But anytime I ask them for anything , there is no problem.
” Two weeks ago three Irish nationals were evacuated from Hubei on a flight arranged by the UK government , and the Irish embassy in Beijing and the Department of Foreign Affairs had discussed other alternatives with EU member states .
The Irish who are still in Hubei opted to stay , for family and work reasons .
Mike said he does not regret staying and would not evacuate now , if the opportunity arose .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I got on a plane for 14 hours .
I wouldn ’ t expect any government to start evacuating people now .
It ’ s putting the people at risk .
“ The chances of getting infected on a plane would be quite high , so I don ’ t want to do that , ” he said , pointing to the high number of confirmed infections on the Diamond Princess cruise ship currently quarantined off Japan ’ s coast .
The restrictions in place vary across the province , and Liam Griffey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his home every few days to go to the supermarket .
“ There is no shortage of anything , but an abundance of time , ” he said .
The Ennis man is a teacher and is running online classes for his students , who are bored after being cooped up at home for three weeks .
“ It ’ s actually ironic because most of them said before the holiday that they just wanted to stay home and play computer games .
I suppose you should be careful what you wish for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Neill was visiting a rural area in Hubei when the lockdown was imposed , so while the restrictions are not as stringent as in the cities he is finding it tedious as people wait for the situation to improve .
“ It ’ s very frustrating , can ’ t do anything about the virus though … it ’ s going alright , just bored mate , ” he said .
Michael McGreal is in another district that does not let residents out of their homes .
The government sent a notice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and if they wanted food they should contact the community management who would “ organise contactless delivery ” to his apartment .
The current regulations will be in place for at least another 14 days , and for now he and his wife just have to hunker down .
“ We are faring ok , but it is more a battle of the mind at this stage of the game .
No light at the end of the tunnel at the moment , ” he said .
As they try to maintain a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he and his wife will still celebrate Valentine ’ s Day on Friday .
“ It will be the most basic Valentine ’ s Day ever I ’ d imagine , ” he said .
“ A lit candle with a bottle of red , cozy on the sofa watching a movie .
Not much else you can do .
No steak this year.
” Cooking for one in Wuhan , Mike said he prepares a one-pot meal every so often to keep him going for a day or two , and gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I have a treadmill .
I bought it a couple of years ago and never used it , only for drying clothes .
Now I get on it for an hour or so every day and I watch TV when I ’ m walking.
” As he waits in his Chinese home-from-home , and hopes for an early end to the epidemic , he transports himself to another world : “ I ’ d love a Guinness and a bag of Tayto , that would be the business , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out by the quay .
Lovely , so nice .
”

The Irish citizens under lockdown in Wuhan and confined to their homes indefinitely are "feeling the strain" after three weeks, as the coronavirus death toll and infection numbers spike dramatically.
Under stringent new measures introduced in parts of Hubei in an attempt to contain the contagion, many residents are now not allowed to leave their homes.
Previously, one person was allowed to leave every three days to buy groceries.
“Mentally it is getting more difficult. There is no end in sight,” said Mike, an Irishman working in Wuhan who asked to be identified by his first name.
READ MORE
He has now spent three weeks alone in an apartment in the epicentre of the outbreak, and for the past week he has not been allowed outside his apartment door.
His Chinese partner, who is also under lockdown in another city in Hubei, orders supplies for him online and they are delivered to the gate of his compound.
“At nighttime then a man in a hazmat suit will leave it outside and bang on the door. And when he is gone in the elevator I will go outside in my gloves and my mask and pick it up, and then I will bring it out to my balcony and leave it there for 48 hours,” he said.
Piles of rental bicycles are tied to the gates to prevent people from climbing out of the compound
“If there was a virus on it they say it would be gone in 24 or 48 hours, So I’d leave it there and when 48 hours is up it’s like I’m going to an operating theatre. “I’ll put on rubber gloves and I’ll put on old clothes and I’ll go outside with bleach and hot water, wash down everything, all the bags, and packets, anything that is there. Then I’ll leave them there for another day and I’ll bring them in then. I’ll know it’s safe then, you know.”
Mike’s home is on the sixth floor of a compound where about 5,000 people live. The last time he went downstairs one week ago he was turned back at the door by security guards and had to return to his apartment.
“Somebody was saying, if it keeps on going they will bar the doors up,” he said, adding that piles of rental bicycles had been tied to the gates to prevent people from climbing out of the compound.
Death toll
The official death toll and infection numbers of the formally named Covid-19 virus surged dramatically on Thursday, with authorities reporting 254 new deaths and 1,367 additional confirmed cases. The jumps brought the combined number of fatalities to date to 1,355 and nearly 60,000 infections.
China’s National Health Commission said the huge increases were because they had broadened their definition for cases to include people clinically diagnosed via lung imaging.
“The situation is getting worse. And when the situation is getting worse and there is no information it is a scarier set-up than the one we were in earlier on. Mentally it is becoming a bit of a strain,” Mike said.
'Nobody is giving us any information. There is nothing coming from the government now'
There are at least nine Irish nationals in Hubei currently and “we are all suffering a bit now, especially the guys that are by themselves,” he said.
“There is no end in sight. That’s the killer. It’s like putting a guy to prison and saying: ‘Look it. you are going to prison’, and he says ‘how long am I going for?’ and they say: ‘well, we don’t know, just go to prison, ok’.”
Those trapped feel a sense of frustration with the lack of official information coming from the Chinese authorities, he said.
State-run media reported on Thursday that the top Communist Party officials in Hubei province and the provincial capital of Wuhan had been fired over their mishandling of the crisis, following unprecedented waves of public anger levelled at the government in recent days.
“Nobody is giving us any information. There is nothing coming from the government now. Now we heard there was two high people in Hubei fired. Now? Very good, five weeks later. That’s the only thing we’ve seen from the government, and propaganda pictures of them in hospitals and stuff.
“You have doctors and politicians going around apologising to people. Give me a break. Tell me how bad the situation is today, and tell me tomorrow how bad it is.”
The Irish embassy in Beijing has been very supportive, he said, and arranged to send him surgical masks and medicines.
“I’ll give credit where credit is due. I cannot fault the embassy in Beijing. I know they have a horrible job now, everybody wants something, and I do hate asking them to do anything for me,” he said, “But anytime I ask them for anything, there is no problem.”
Two weeks ago three Irish nationals were evacuated from Hubei on a flight arranged by the UK government, and the Irish embassy in Beijing and the Department of Foreign Affairs had discussed other alternatives with EU member states.
The Irish who are still in Hubei opted to stay, for family and work reasons. Mike said he does not regret staying and would not evacuate now, if the opportunity arose.
“I feel safer here than I would if I got on a plane for 14 hours. I wouldn’t expect any government to start evacuating people now. It’s putting the people at risk. “The chances of getting infected on a plane would be quite high, so I don’t want to do that,” he said, pointing to the high number of confirmed infections on the Diamond Princess cruise ship currently quarantined off Japan’s coast.
Restrictions
The restrictions in place vary across the province, and Liam Griffey said he was still able to leave his home every few days to go to the supermarket.
“There is no shortage of anything, but an abundance of time,” he said.
The Ennis man is a teacher and is running online classes for his students, who are bored after being cooped up at home for three weeks.
Liam Griffey and his partner
“It’s actually ironic because most of them said before the holiday that they just wanted to stay home and play computer games. I suppose you should be careful what you wish for,” he said.
Conor O’Neill was visiting a rural area in Hubei when the lockdown was imposed, so while the restrictions are not as stringent as in the cities he is finding it tedious as people wait for the situation to improve.
“It’s very frustrating, can’t do anything about the virus though … it’s going alright, just bored mate,” he said.
Michael McGreal is in another district that does not let residents out of their homes. The government sent a notice to say they must stay inside, and if they wanted food they should contact the community management who would “organise contactless delivery” to his apartment.
The current regulations will be in place for at least another 14 days, and for now he and his wife just have to hunker down.
“We are faring ok, but it is more a battle of the mind at this stage of the game. No light at the end of the tunnel at the moment,” he said.
Normality
As they try to maintain a semblance of normality in extraordinary times, he and his wife will still celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday.
Michael McGreal and his wife Laura. Photograph courtesy of Michael McGreal
“It will be the most basic Valentine’s Day ever I’d imagine,” he said. “A lit candle with a bottle of red, cozy on the sofa watching a movie. Not much else you can do. No steak this year.”
Cooking for one in Wuhan, Mike said he prepares a one-pot meal every so often to keep him going for a day or two, and gets some exercise every day in his home.
“I have a treadmill. I bought it a couple of years ago and never used it, only for drying clothes. Now I get on it for an hour or so every day and I watch TV when I’m walking.”
As he waits in his Chinese home-from-home, and hopes for an early end to the epidemic, he transports himself to another world:
“I’d love a Guinness and a bag of Tayto, that would be the business,” he said. “Back in Westport sitting out by the quay. Lovely, so nice.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-14--Winning €17 million lottery ticket sold in Castlebar

The winning ticket for Tuesday night ’ s Euromillions jackpot worth €17 million was sold in Castlebar , Co Mayo , the National Lottery has announced .
This is the third time a ticket winning the Euromillions jackpot has been sold in the town .
The “ golden ” Quick Pick ticket was bought at Mulroy ’ s Londis in Castlebar , Co Mayo and the winning numbers are : 24 , 26 , 32 , 43 , 46 and the Lucky Star numbers are 06 and 10 .
Alan Mulroy , owner of Mulroy ’ s Londis , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had sold the winning ticket .
“ It was quite a shock to hear the news that we had sold this winning EuroMillions ticket .
The word came through from the National Lottery yesterday evening and we ’ re all delighted at Mulroy ’ s Londis , ” Mr Mulroy said .
“ I had to keep the news from the staff until this morning , but we are having a great day of celebrations down here .
I can ’ t thank our staff enough for all their work over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been open for the past 27 years and he was just “ thrilled ” for the customers who supported them over that time .
“ The majority of our customers are locals so l really do hope it is someone in the Castlebar community .
Whoever it is , I wish them the very best of luck !
” he added .
Meanwhile , the National Lottery has confirmed that the winner of the jackpot came forward on Friday morning .
“ We are making arrangements for the winner or winners to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” a spokesman said .
It is the first jackpot win in Ireland this year and the 15th Irish win since the game began in 2004 .
The first Castlebar EuroMillions jackpot was won in April 2014 when a prize worth €15 million was claimed .
Three years later Mayo got its second winner , again in Castlebar , when a syndicate from the west of Ireland won €29 million in July 2017 .
This ticket was sold at Garryduff XL Store , of Pound Road , Castlebar .
In addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million , Castlebar has also had two EuroMillions Plus wins worth €500,000 .
One of these wins worth €500,000 was won on the same night the €17 million jackpot was won in Castlebar .
This ticket was sold at Easons on the Main Street in Castlebar .
The National Lottery spokesman said it was “ an amazing story ” for Castlebar .
“ For a town with a population of just over 12,000 to have three jackpot wins totalling €61 million in the space of six years is astounding , ” the spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes up 20 per cent of all Irish EuroMillions jackpot winners so surely this is the place to buy a EuroMillions ticket.
” He added : “ While we have heard from the €17 million winner , we have yet to hear word from our Castlebar €500,000 winner so we are asking everyone in the town to keep checking those tickets .
”

Alan Mulroy, owner of Mulroy’s Londis, said he was “speechless” having learned he had sold the winning ticket.
The winning ticket for Tuesday night's Euromillions jackpot worth €17 million was sold in Castlebar, Co Mayo, the National Lottery has announced.
This is the third time a ticket winning the Euromillions jackpot has been sold in the town.
The "golden" Quick Pick ticket was bought at Mulroy's Londis in Castlebar, Co Mayo and the winning numbers are: 24, 26, 32, 43, 46 and the Lucky Star numbers are 06 and 10.
Alan Mulroy, owner of Mulroy's Londis, said he was "speechless" having learned he had sold the winning ticket.
READ MORE
“ It was quite a shock to hear the news that we had sold this winning EuroMillions ticket. The word came through from the National Lottery yesterday evening and we’re all delighted at Mulroy’s Londis,” Mr Mulroy said.
“ I had to keep the news from the staff until this morning, but we are having a great day of celebrations down here. I can’t thank our staff enough for all their work over the years.”
Mr Mulroy said his store had been open for the past 27 years and he was just “thrilled” for the customers who supported them over that time.
“The majority of our customers are locals so l really do hope it is someone in the Castlebar community. Whoever it is, I wish them the very best of luck!” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Lottery has confirmed that the winner of the jackpot came forward on Friday morning.
“We are making arrangements for the winner or winners to make their claim in the coming weeks,” a spokesman said.
It is the first jackpot win in Ireland this year and the 15th Irish win since the game began in 2004.
The first Castlebar EuroMillions jackpot was won in April 2014 when a prize worth €15 million was claimed. Three years later Mayo got its second winner, again in Castlebar, when a syndicate from the west of Ireland won €29 million in July 2017. This ticket was sold at Garryduff XL Store, of Pound Road, Castlebar.
In addition to a whopping three jackpots, totalling €61 million, Castlebar has also had two EuroMillions Plus wins worth €500,000.
One of these wins worth €500,000 was won on the same night the €17 million jackpot was won in Castlebar. This ticket was sold at Easons on the Main Street in Castlebar.
The National Lottery spokesman said it was “ an amazing story” for Castlebar. “For a town with a population of just over 12,000 to have three jackpot wins totalling €61 million in the space of six years is astounding,” the spokesman said.
“Castlebar on its own makes up 20 per cent of all Irish EuroMillions jackpot winners so surely this is the place to buy a EuroMillions ticket.”
He added: “While we have heard from the €17 million winner, we have yet to hear word from our Castlebar €500,000 winner so we are asking everyone in the town to keep checking those tickets.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-14--Leader of largest Garda association forced out after surprise vote result

General secretary of the Garda Representative Association ( GRA ) Pat Ennis has effectively been deposed at a meeting of the association ’ s central executive committee .
Mr Ennis faced a re-endorsement vote and while he won just over 60 per cent support he has effectively been deposed after just over 3½ years leading the Garda ’ s largest staff representative body .
The GRA , which represents almost 12,000 rank and file gardaí , appointed him for a near four-year term , which would have expired at the association ’ s annual conference in two months , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain in the job .
Mr Ennis took up the post a number of months later than it should have been filled in 2016 because his predecessor , PJ Stone , had been in the role for so long replacing him became a protracted process .
While Mr Ennis was expected to go before delegates at the GRA annual conference in April to seek a second term in his role , he effectively lost his position at a central executive committee meeting in Dublin on Thursday .
The GRA had made no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of writing .
Under GRA rules Mr Ennis required two-thirds of the GRA ’ s central executive committee to recommend his re-appointment to the association ’ s annual delegate conference at the end of April .
Conference delegates , representing gardaí from across the State , would then have voted on whether to endorse the decision .
When Mr Ennis faced a re-endorsement vote on Thursday in Dublin before the 31-strong executive committee he fell short of the two thirds majority he required .
The Irish Times understands he secured 61 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 central executive committee members , 10 members have two votes because of the size of the Garda divisions they represent .
Mr Ennis will remain as GRA general secretary until the association ’ s annual conference in two months , when a new general secretary will be chosen .
The fact he has effectively been deposed at Thursday ’ s meeting comes after some turbulent years for the GRA , which is by far the largest staff body in the country .
Internal unrest has characterised much of the last four years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after 19 years in the post .
Because the job had been filled by the same person for so long , when a vacancy arose there was intense competition to fill it .
Mr Ennis won the vote to succeed Mr Stone and when he took up the post of general secretary he was still a Garda member but was seconded to the GRA .
About two years later he retired from the Garda on age grounds but remained on as GRA general secretary .
Those close to Mr Ennis say he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a consultants ’ review of the association highlighted serious shortcomings with how the organisation was run .
When the GRA – along with the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors – threatened strike action in November 2016 in a row over pay , many in the GRA were unhappy with the way its leadership handled the negotiations .
Mr Ennis faced a no-confidence motion at the time , which he survived .
However , it was later agreed that consultants be engaged to review the entire workings of the association .
The resulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the association was “ dysfunctional ” in places and that its 31-member executive was bloated and needed to be cut to 12 members .
It was also critical of in-fighting in the association ’ s executive , adding it is perceived by its members as being “ out of touch ” as well as “ a closed shop ” .
The consultants ’ review found almost € 660,000 was spent on expenses in 2016 by members of the association ’ s central executive committee .
That figure represented one-quarter of the organisation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government funding .
Much of the money was spent on subsistence and mileage ; incurred by members travelling around their own divisions and driving to Dublin once a month for a two-day executive meeting .
There was also a “ club within a club ” where internal loyalties determine who gets what , the consultants found .
There was just one woman on the 31-member central executive despite the GRA ’ s membership being 27 per cent female .

General secretary of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) Pat Ennis has effectively been deposed at a meeting of the association’s central executive committee.
Mr Ennis faced a re-endorsement vote and while he won just over 60 per cent support he has effectively been deposed after just over 3½ years leading the Garda’s largest staff representative body.
The GRA, which represents almost 12,000 rank and file gardaí, appointed him for a near four-year term, which would have expired at the association’s annual conference in two months, at which point he was expected to seek to remain in the job.
Mr Ennis took up the post a number of months later than it should have been filled in 2016 because his predecessor, PJ Stone, had been in the role for so long replacing him became a protracted process.
READ MORE
While Mr Ennis was expected to go before delegates at the GRA annual conference in April to seek a second term in his role, he effectively lost his position at a central executive committee meeting in Dublin on Thursday.
The GRA had made no comment on the development at the time of writing.
Under GRA rules Mr Ennis required two-thirds of the GRA's central executive committee to recommend his re-appointment to the association's annual delegate conference at the end of April. Conference delegates, representing gardaí from across the State, would then have voted on whether to endorse the decision.
When Mr Ennis faced a re-endorsement vote on Thursday in Dublin before the 31-strong executive committee he fell short of the two thirds majority he required.
The Irish Times understands he secured 61 per cent of the vote. While there are 31 central executive committee members, 10 members have two votes because of the size of the Garda divisions they represent.
Mr Ennis will remain as GRA general secretary until the association's annual conference in two months, when a new general secretary will be chosen.
The fact he has effectively been deposed at Thursday’s meeting comes after some turbulent years for the GRA, which is by far the largest staff body in the country.
Internal unrest has characterised much of the last four years since former general secretary PJ Stone retired after 19 years in the post. Because the job had been filled by the same person for so long, when a vacancy arose there was intense competition to fill it.
Mr Ennis won the vote to succeed Mr Stone and when he took up the post of general secretary he was still a Garda member but was seconded to the GRA. About two years later he retired from the Garda on age grounds but remained on as GRA general secretary.
Those close to Mr Ennis say he had been acting to reform the GRA after a consultants’ review of the association highlighted serious shortcomings with how the organisation was run.
When the GRA – along with the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors – threatened strike action in November 2016 in a row over pay, many in the GRA were unhappy with the way its leadership handled the negotiations.
Mr Ennis faced a no-confidence motion at the time, which he survived. However, it was later agreed that consultants be engaged to review the entire workings of the association.
The resulting report, by Ampersand Consultants, suggested the association was “dysfunctional” in places and that its 31-member executive was bloated and needed to be cut to 12 members.
It was also critical of in-fighting in the association’s executive, adding it is perceived by its members as being “out of touch” as well as “a closed shop”.
The consultants’ review found almost € 660,000 was spent on expenses in 2016 by members of the association’s central executive committee. That figure represented one-quarter of the organisation’s income from members’ fees and government funding.
Much of the money was spent on subsistence and mileage; incurred by members travelling around their own divisions and driving to Dublin once a month for a two-day executive meeting.
There was also a “club within a club” where internal loyalties determine who gets what, the consultants found. There was just one woman on the 31-member central executive despite the GRA’s membership being 27 per cent female.


theirishtimes--2020-02-14--Ex-Scout leader questioned over sex abuse of more than 20 boys in Cork

Gardai in Cork have arrested a man for questioning about sexual abuse of young boys over the last 30 years while serving as a scout leader .
Detectives arrested the man at his home in Cork city at 7am for questioning after over 20 men made complaints that they were abused by the man .
The men , who range in age from their 20s to their 40s , have alleged they were each abused by the man when they were teenagers and were alone with him .
They have alleged the abuse happened at a variety of locations including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a scout hall and a scout camp between 1980s and the 2000s .
In some cases the men have alleged the abuse began when the man plied them with alcohol and showed them pornographic movies at his home .
The man was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows gardai detain suspects for up to 24 hours before they are released or charged .
The man was taken to Togher Garda Station where he is being questioned by officers about the allegations by the complainants .
Gardaí have also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the complaints including ones at the man ’ s home , two business premises , a scout hall and a scout camp .
It is the second time that the man has been arrested by gardaí investigating allegations of child sex abuse by members of the Scouts in Cork .
He was previously arrested in October 2018 and questioned for several hours at Togher Garda Station before being released without charge .
It ’ s understood the man was stood down by the scouting authorities a number of years ago when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .

A man in his 70s arrested in connection with an investigation into Scouting Ireland was released without charge on Friday night.
The former scout leader was arrested and questioned about the sexual abuse of young boys in the city over a 30-year period.
Detectives arrested the man at his home in Cork city at 7am on Friday for questioning after more than 20 men made complaints that they were abused by the man.
The men, who range in age from their 20s to their 40s, have alleged they were each abused by the man when they were teenagers and were alone with him.
READ MORE
They have alleged the abuse happened at various locations including at the man’s home, a scout hall and a scout camp between 1980s and the 2000s.
In some cases the men have alleged the abuse began when the man plied them with alcohol and showed them pornographic movies at his home.
The man was arrested under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows gardaí detain suspects for up to 24 hours before they are released or charged.
The man was taken by gardaí to Togher Garda Station where he was being questioned by officers on Friday night about the allegations by the complainants.
Gardaí also carried out searches at the man’s home, a business premises, a scout hall and a scout camp all in Cork as well as a holiday residence in Co Kerry.
They seized laptops, mobile phones and other electronic equipment for examination by Garda computer experts to see if they contain any evidence relating to sexual abuse.
In all, more than 20 gardaí including detectives attached to the Protective Services Unit based at Anglesea Street Garda station were involved in the operation.
It is the second time that the man has been arrested by gardaí investigating allegations of child sex abuse by a member of Scouting Ireland in Cork city.
He was previously arrested in October 2018 and questioned for several hours at Togher Garda station before being released without charge.
It is understood the man was stood down by the scouting authorities a number of years ago when they learned of the first complaint made against him.
A file will now be prepared for the information of the Director of Public Prosecutions.


theirishtimes--2020-02-14--Gardaí seize €130,000 worth of cannabis and cocaine

Gardaí seized cannabis and cocaine worth an estimated €130,000 in a raid on a property in Dublin .
Gardaí searched @ @ @ @ @ , Finglas , on Thursday , seizing €100,000 of cannabis and €30,000 of cocaine .
@ @ @ @ @ was arrested and was due to appear at Blanchardstown District Court on Friday morning .

Drugs seized by gardaí during a search of a property in Dublin. Photograph: An Garda Síochána
Gardaí seized cannabis and cocaine worth an estimated €130,000 in a raid on a property in Dublin.
Gardaí searched the property on Gortmore Road, Finglas, on Thursday, seizing €100,000 of cannabis and €30,000 of cocaine.
A man in his 30s was arrested and was due to appear at Blanchardstown District Court on Friday morning.


theirishtimes--2020-02-14--Economist magazine: A united Ireland is a ‘real and growing possibility’

The Economist magazine has suggested a united Ireland could “ come to seem unstoppable ” following Sinn Féin ’ s success in the general election .
The influential magazine features an image of Ireland on its cover this week with the caption : “ A united Ireland - could it really happen ?
” In its editorial it suggests Irish unity was never more “ than a Republican fantasy ” until this general election in which Sinn Féin emerged as the biggest party in the Republic .
“ Sinn Féin ’ s success at the election is just the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within a decade or so is a real and growing possibility , ” it said .
Among the reasons it gave for increasing confidence about a united Ireland is Brexit and changing demographics .
Its own analysis of the North ’ s demographics , based on the censuses of 2001 and 2011 along with results of Britain ’ s quarterly labour-force survey , suggests there are now more Catholics than Protestants combined , and that the change happened last year .
It believes that the 2021 Northern Ireland census may well confirm what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protestants for the first time .
If a referendum on Scottish independence passes , many Northern Protestants would have no ancestral link left to Great Britain , the magazine states .
Joanna Cherry , the Scottish National Party ’ s Westminster justice and home affairs spokeswoman , told the BBC Question Time programme on Thursday night she believed within a decade there would be a united Ireland and an independent Scotland because the demographics and the youth vote were moving that way “ and we will both be in the European Union ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland “ needs a plan ” that would involve making unionists feel wanted in a “ new Ireland ” .
“ Work is needed on the nuts and bolts of unification – including how to , and indeed whether to , merge two health systems ( one of which is free ) , the armed forces and police services , and what to do about the north ’ s devolved assembly .
It helps that the republic has a fine record for the sort of citizen-led constitutional consultations that might help sort things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland need to start talking , too .
The price of ending violence two decades ago was for Northern Ireland , the republic and Britain to jointly set out a political route to a united Ireland .
If the people of the north and the republic choose that path , the politicians must follow it.
” In its briefing section , which is a longer article about the prospect of a united Ireland , it quotes President Donald Trump ’ s Irish-American chief of staff , Mick Mulvaney , who said he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in America to stand ready to help Northern Ireland in the event of reunification ” .
Fianna Fáil Senator Mark Daly said he had been told by Mr Mulvaney that Irish unification could be helped by both private and public American money .
Mr Daly said his Oireachtas reports on unification emphasised the need for any unification process to be respectful of unionist sensibilities and culture .
However , Unionists quoted in the magazine piece are sceptical the Republic could afford unification .
“ You ’ re given Scandinavian rates of taxation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services , ” said Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken .
“ I just don ’ t know why people in the Irish Republic put up with it.
” The magazine also acknowledges that even nationalists who are used to the National Health Service would baulk at the two-tier health system in the Republic .

In its editorial The Economist suggests that Irish unity was never more ‘than a Republican fantasy’ until this general election in which Sinn Féin emerged as the biggest party in the Republic.
The Economist magazine has suggested a united Ireland could "come to seem unstoppable" following Sinn Féin's success in the general election.
The influential magazine features an image of Ireland on its cover this week with the caption: “A united Ireland - could it really happen?”
In its editorial it suggests Irish unity was never more “than a Republican fantasy” until this general election in which Sinn Féin emerged as the biggest party in the Republic.
“Sinn Féin’s success at the election is just the latest reason to think that a united Ireland within a decade or so is a real and growing possibility,” it said.
READ MORE
Among the reasons it gave for increasing confidence about a united Ireland is Brexit and changing demographics.
Its own analysis of the North’s demographics, based on the censuses of 2001 and 2011 along with results of Britain’s quarterly labour-force survey, suggests there are now more Catholics than Protestants combined, and that the change happened last year.
It believes that the 2021 Northern Ireland census may well confirm what the magazine has suggested about Catholics outnumbering Protestants for the first time.
If a referendum on Scottish independence passes, many Northern Protestants would have no ancestral link left to Great Britain, the magazine states.
Joanna Cherry, the Scottish National Party's Westminster justice and home affairs spokeswoman, told the BBC Question Time programme on Thursday night she believed within a decade there would be a united Ireland and an independent Scotland because the demographics and the youth vote were moving that way "and we will both be in the European Union".
The Economist concluded the island of Ireland “needs a plan” that would involve making unionists feel wanted in a “new Ireland”.
“ Work is needed on the nuts and bolts of unification – including how to, and indeed whether to, merge two health systems (one of which is free), the armed forces and police services, and what to do about the north’s devolved assembly. It helps that the republic has a fine record for the sort of citizen-led constitutional consultations that might help sort things out.
“Politicians from Britain and Ireland need to start talking, too. The price of ending violence two decades ago was for Northern Ireland, the republic and Britain to jointly set out a political route to a united Ireland. If the people of the north and the republic choose that path, the politicians must follow it.”
In its briefing section, which is a longer article about the prospect of a united Ireland, it quotes President Donald Trump's Irish-American chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, who said he would "expect philanthropists and the private sector in America to stand ready to help Northern Ireland in the event of reunification".
Fianna Fáil Senator Mark Daly said he had been told by Mr Mulvaney that Irish unification could be helped by both private and public American money. Mr Daly said his Oireachtas reports on unification emphasised the need for any unification process to be respectful of unionist sensibilities and culture.
However, Unionists quoted in the magazine piece are sceptical the Republic could afford unification.
"You're given Scandinavian rates of taxation with southern European standards of health care and services," said Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken. "I just don't know why people in the Irish Republic put up with it."
The magazine also acknowledges that even nationalists who are used to the National Health Service would baulk at the two-tier health system in the Republic.


theirishtimes--2020-02-14--Climate change could reduce life-spans of hundreds of species

Hundreds of species could face reduced life-spans from the effects of climate change and even come under greater risk of extinction , a new study has found .
As well as challenging a long-accepted scientific theory around what determines lifespan , the new research suggests global warming could have a huge impact on life expectancy among cold-blooded species – reptiles and amphibians .
Conducted by researchers at Queens University Belfast and Tel Aviv University in Israel , the research has been able to show that the rising temperatures associated with climate change have a direct impact on longevity .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cold-blooded vertebrates is linked to environmental temperatures , we could expect to see their lifespan further reduced as temperatures continue to rise through global warming , ” said Dr Daniel Pincheira-Donoso from the School of Biological Sciences at Queen ’ s University Belfast , one of the authors of the research which is published on Friday in the journal Global Ecology and Biogeography .
Its lead author , Israel-based Gavin Stark , said if increasing temperatures reduce lifetimes in certain species it may render them “ more prone to go extinct as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to explore the long-held “ rate of living ” theory which holds that the faster the metabolic rate of a creature , the shorter its lifespan .
This specifically refers to how fast or slow a species lives in terms of its internal body functions and how soon they begin to reproduce .
It has sought to explain why some vertebrates such as frogs only live a few months while whales and turtles can live for centuries .
However , the researchers analysed data from over 4,100 land vertebrate species across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living ” theory linking ageing to metabolism did not hold true .
Rather , they found , aging in cold-blooded organisms including amphibians and reptiles is linked to high temperatures .
They now suggest that the hotter the environment , the faster the rate of living and , consequently , a shorter lifespan .
“ The link between lifespan in cold-blooded animals and ambient temperatures could mean that they are especially vulnerable to the unprecedented global warming that the planet is currently experiencing , ” said Mr Stark .
According to the International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on average , the most threatened group of endangered species with about 20 per cent of the world ’ s 10,000 species of lizards , snakes , turtles , crocodiles and other reptiles threatened with extinction .

Hundreds of species could face reduced life-spans from the effects of climate change and even come under greater risk of extinction, a new study has found.
As well as challenging a long-accepted scientific theory around what determines lifespan, the new research suggests global warming could have a huge impact on life expectancy among cold-blooded species – reptiles and amphibians.
Conducted by researchers at Queens University Belfast and Tel Aviv University in Israel, the research has been able to show that the rising temperatures associated with climate change have a direct impact on longevity.
“Now we know that the life-expectancy of cold-blooded vertebrates is linked to environmental temperatures, we could expect to see their lifespan further reduced as temperatures continue to rise through global warming,” said Dr Daniel Pincheira-Donoso from the School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast, one of the authors of the research which is published on Friday in the journal Global Ecology and Biogeography.
READ MORE
Its lead author, Israel-based Gavin Stark, said if increasing temperatures reduce lifetimes in certain species it may render them “more prone to go extinct as the climate warms”.
The study set out to explore the long-held “rate of living” theory which holds that the faster the metabolic rate of a creature, the shorter its lifespan.
This specifically refers to how fast or slow a species lives in terms of its internal body functions and how soon they begin to reproduce.
It has sought to explain why some vertebrates such as frogs only live a few months while whales and turtles can live for centuries.
However, the researchers analysed data from over 4,100 land vertebrate species across the planet and found the “rate of living” theory linking ageing to metabolism did not hold true.
Rather, they found, aging in cold-blooded organisms including amphibians and reptiles is linked to high temperatures. They now suggest that the hotter the environment, the faster the rate of living and, consequently, a shorter lifespan.
"The link between lifespan in cold-blooded animals and ambient temperatures could mean that they are especially vulnerable to the unprecedented global warming that the planet is currently experiencing," said Mr Stark.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature amphibians are, on average, the most threatened group of endangered species with about 20 per cent of the world’s 10,000 species of lizards, snakes, turtles, crocodiles and other reptiles threatened with extinction.


theirishtimes--2020-02-14--Last month was hottest January since records began, US official say

Last month was the hottest January since scientists began keeping temperature records in 1880 , US officials said .
The @ @ @ @ @ surface temperature in January was 1.14 degrees above the average January temperatures for the 20th @ @ @ @ @ climate , the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said .
In parts of Russia , @ @ @ @ @ temperatures exceeded the average by 5C .
Warmer temperatures mean melting snow and ice .
@ @ @ @ @ ice was 5.3 per cent below the average from 1981-2010 , and Antarctic sea ice @ @ @ @ @ average .
The hottest January after the second hottest year on record “ is one @ @ @ @ @ are warming dramatically ” , said University of Illinois climate scientist Don Wuebbles .

The extent of Arctic sea ice was 5.3 per cent below the average from 1981-2010.
Last month was the hottest January since scientists began keeping temperature records in 1880, US officials said.
The global average land and ocean surface temperature in January was 1.14 degrees above the average January temperatures for the 20th century because of the changing climate, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.
In parts of Russia, Scandinavia and eastern Canada, temperatures exceeded the average by 5C.
Warmer temperatures mean melting snow and ice. The extent of Arctic sea ice was 5.3 per cent below the average from 1981-2010, and Antarctic sea ice was 9.8 per cent below average.
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The hottest January after the second hottest year on record “is one of those indications that things are warming dramatically”, said University of Illinois climate scientist Don Wuebbles.


theirishtimes--2020-02-14--High-security unit at half capacity since opening in 2018

The National Violence Reduction Unit ( NVRU ) – a high security prison unit designed to house Ireland ’ s most violent inmates – has remained only about half full since it opened 14 months ago .
The unit in the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise has specialist close supervision cells , nine for regular use and one for emergencies .
It was designed with an emphasis on safety and intense psychological intervention for the most challenging prisoners in the system .
The Irish Prison Service ( IPS ) opened the unit in December 2018 at a cost of €2.7 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisons .
Since then it has housed between four and six prisoners , IPS director of care and rehabilitation Fergal Black told The Irish Times .
There are currently five prisoners in the unit , three in long-term cells and two in assessment cells , with a sixth expected to be moved there shortly .
Mr Black said the committee in charge of the unit has very strict criteria for who is admitted .
Prisoners must have engaged in “ serious , repetitive or escalating violence ” .
This could be a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a prison or a pattern of violent behaviour .
“ If a prisoner doesn ’ t meet the criteria , he doesn ’ t get admitted .
We want to work with men who we believe pose the greatest risk of violence in prison .
And by extension the greatest risk of violence post-release.
” The Prison Officers ’ Association has previously called for the establishment of similar units in all closed prisons in response to increased overcrowding , and violence against staff .
But Mr Black said the number of prisoners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admission to the unit is “ very , very small ” .
“ We ’ re very clear that this is a unit for dealing with that top , less than 1 per cent of the [ prison ] population ” .
Mr Black said there had been assaults by prisoners in the unit since it was established but he was happy that staff had built a new , relationship-based approach to reducing risk .
There have been media reports of several violent incidents in the NVRU including the stabbing of a prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brian Veale last year .
“ It would probably be unreasonable to think we would transfer repetitively violent prisoners to a unit and there would never be violence again , ” Mr Black said .
“ It ’ s a work in progress .
These prisoners are very complex and very challenging .
It ’ s long-term work in many cases.
” He said the number of assaults by prisoners in the unit was “ probably in the single figures ” and that there had not been a violent incident in three months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than four for each prisoner – and two psychologists working in the NVRU .
Staff are specially selected and undergo intense training before and while they are working on the unit , said Mr Black .
He said staff find the work “ very intensive because they are dealing with men where they need to vigilant at all times ” .
There are strict protocols for handling prisoners , with up to six officers and an assistant chief officer required to transport the most violent inmates .
These protocols become more or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of prisoners .
Mr Black said that although they are “ loath to do it ” , sometimes staff have to use “ barrier handling ” when dealing with prisoners .
This involves interacting with prisoners while using riot gear and shields .
“ I make no apologies for that .
If staff safety is imperilled we have to take appropriate action .
But we are then working at all times to eliminate barrier handling and get back to proper engagement with the prisoner .
”

The National Violence Reduction Unit (NVRU) – a high security prison unit designed to house Ireland’s most violent inmates – has remained only about half full since it opened 14 months ago.
The unit in the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise has specialist close supervision cells, nine for regular use and one for emergencies. It was designed with an emphasis on safety and intense psychological intervention for the most challenging prisoners in the system.
The Irish Prison Service (IPS) opened the unit in December 2018 at a cost of €2.7 million, after examining similar units in UK prisons.
Since then it has housed between four and six prisoners, IPS director of care and rehabilitation Fergal Black told The Irish Times. There are currently five prisoners in the unit, three in long-term cells and two in assessment cells, with a sixth expected to be moved there shortly.
READ MORE
Mr Black said the committee in charge of the unit has very strict criteria for who is admitted. Prisoners must have engaged in “serious, repetitive or escalating violence”.
This could be a single incident such as murder or attempted murder in a prison or a pattern of violent behaviour.
“If a prisoner doesn’t meet the criteria, he doesn’t get admitted. We want to work with men who we believe pose the greatest risk of violence in prison. And by extension the greatest risk of violence post-release.”
The Prison Officers’ Association has previously called for the establishment of similar units in all closed prisons in response to increased overcrowding, and violence against staff. But Mr Black said the number of prisoners displaying the level of violence required for admission to the unit is “very, very small”.
“We’re very clear that this is a unit for dealing with that top, less than 1 per cent of the [prison] population”.
Assaults
Mr Black said there had been assaults by prisoners in the unit since it was established but he was happy that staff had built a new, relationship-based approach to reducing risk. There have been media reports of several violent incidents in the NVRU including the stabbing of a prison officer with a pen by convicted murderer Brian Veale last year.
“It would probably be unreasonable to think we would transfer repetitively violent prisoners to a unit and there would never be violence again,” Mr Black said.
“It’s a work in progress. These prisoners are very complex and very challenging. It’s long-term work in many cases.”
He said the number of assaults by prisoners in the unit was “probably in the single figures” and that there had not been a violent incident in three months.
There are 22 operational staff – more than four for each prisoner – and two psychologists working in the NVRU. Staff are specially selected and undergo intense training before and while they are working on the unit, said Mr Black. He said staff find the work “very intensive because they are dealing with men where they need to vigilant at all times”.
There are strict protocols for handling prisoners, with up to six officers and an assistant chief officer required to transport the most violent inmates. These protocols become more or less strict based on weekly risk assessments of prisoners.
Mr Black said that although they are “loath to do it”, sometimes staff have to use “barrier handling” when dealing with prisoners. This involves interacting with prisoners while using riot gear and shields.
“I make no apologies for that. If staff safety is imperilled we have to take appropriate action. But we are then working at all times to eliminate barrier handling and get back to proper engagement with the prisoner.”