theirishtimes--2020-11-20--Cork murder-suicide: Father may have persuaded younger son to take part

Gardaí are investigating suspicions that the farmer at the centre of last month ’ s murder-suicide on a Co Cork farm , which left three members of the same family dead , persuaded one of his sons to join a pact to kill his other son in a row with his wife over a will .
Detectives believe that both Tadg O ’ Sullivan ( 59 ) and his son Diarmuid ( 23 ) were involved in the killing of his other son , Mark ( 26 ) , who was shot dead in his bedroom at the family home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on October 26th .
However , they are now investigating whether Tadg may have hatched the plan to kill Mark and recruited Diarmuid to help him carry it out in the days prior to the shooting after a letter arrived at the home , addressed to his wife , Anne O ’ Sullivan ( 60 ) , from a Dublin solicitor whose services she had engaged .
The contents of the letter , which set out the proposed division of assets , may have prompted Tadg to begin planning the sequence of events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardaí believe .
Anne and Mark had come back to Castlemagner in mid-October following the former ’ s discharge from hospital in Dublin , where she had undergone surgery .
But they had stayed with relatives rather than returning to the family home amid the growing tensions between the couple .
Gardaí are also examining the contents of a letter sent by a Cork solicitor to Anne on behalf of Tadg in which the latter indicated that , although they had their differences , he was confident they could resolve the dispute and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is understood Anne received the letter on October 23rd and , interpreting it as her husband extending her an olive branch , returned with Mark to the family home at Raheen two days later , on the evening of Sunday , October 25th , a day before the crime began to unfold .
Gardaí have already begun taking a detailed statement from Anne , whom gardaí believe was spared by her husband and younger son so she could live with the torment after they killed Mark in a row over who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Anne .
It ’ s understood that Tadg and Diarmuid told Anne in the yard of the family farm , as she tried to escape , that she could live with the consequences of what had happened to Mark and that they would be found in a field near a fairy fort after they took their own lives .
The bodies of both men were later found with single gunshot wounds to the head beside two legally held rifles in the field at about 1.40pm on October 26th , and gardaí are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man shot himself in an apparent suicide pact .
Officers have spent several hours spread over a number of days taking a detailed statement from Anne O ’ Sullivan , who has not returned to the family home but is continuing to stay with relatives locally , as they seek to piece together the exact sequence of events leading to the gruesome events .
Gardaí hope to receive the results of ballistics and forensic tests on the two guns used in the killings within weeks for inclusion in a file to be sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gardaí will prepare a file for the DPP even though they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the deaths .
Once the DPP is satisfied no charges can be brought , gardaí will then send the file to North Cork Coroner Dr Michael Kennedy for an inquest , which is unlikely to be heard before 2021 .
Gardaí declared the family farmhouse , where the body of Mark was found , a crime scene , along with the field where the bodies of Tadg and Diarmuid were found .
Search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the farmhouse for any evidence that might assist them .
Writings by Tadg as well as a lengthy note found strapped to Diarmuid ’ s leg have led them to the view that the killings were prompted by a dispute Tadg had with his wife over the inheritance , which had been festering for months .
And they are investigating the theory that Diarmuid did not have any particular grievance with Mark but rather with his mother over plans to leave him only one field , known as the bog field , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the farm , which is good-quality tillage land .
Gardaí have dismissed as incorrect some media reports that Mark and Diarmuid had exchanged solicitors ’ letters but informed sources have confirmed that gardaí did find legal correspondence in the house between Tadg and his wife dating from February .
And gardaí are also studying a note written by Mark and found in his room , in which he set out concerns about what might happen to him and his mother amid fears that his father and younger brother were still highly aggrieved over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources have pointed out that , irrespective of what Anne had set out in her will regarding the family farm , if Tadg had outlived her and contested her will , he would have been entitled to at least a third of the estate under the Succession Act .
Anne had not actually transferred ownership of the 115-acre farm into her own name ; it was still listed on the Land Registry as belonging to her late father , Timothy Cronin .
Tadg owned a smaller holding of about 30 acres at Lohort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had worked as a care assistant at Teach Altra nursing home while at college , had graduated with a degree in law and business at University of Limerick in 2017 and had since completed a master ’ s degree at University College Cork .
He was working with a firm in Limerick .
The involvement in the plot of Diarmuid , who had completed a degree in accounting in Cork Institute of Technology in June and was due to graduate in a virtual ceremony in early November , was described by people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He was a quiet country boy but very hardworking , ” said one acquaintance .
“ He used to work on Saturdays at Burton ’ s hardware store in Kanturk , and he had set up his own business selling and delivering firewood .
He used to advertise it every week in the Corkman newspaper.
” Another acquaintance said it was “ hard to reconcile what happened with the Diarmuid that I knew .
There was no malice in him from what I could see , he was just getting on with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to get my head around him being the instigator of all this terrible tragedy.
” If you are affected by any issue in this article , please contact Pieta House on 1800 247 247 or the Samaritans by telephoning 116 123 ( free ) or by emailing jo @ samaritans.ie

Gardaí are investigating suspicions that the farmer at the centre of last month's murder-suicide on a Co Cork farm, which left three members of the same family dead, persuaded one of his sons to join a pact to kill his other son in a row with his wife over a will.
Detectives believe that both Tadg O'Sullivan (59) and his son Diarmuid (23) were involved in the killing of his other son, Mark (26), who was shot dead in his bedroom at the family home at Raheen, Kanturk, around 6.40am on October 26th.
However, they are now investigating whether Tadg may have hatched the plan to kill Mark and recruited Diarmuid to help him carry it out in the days prior to the shooting after a letter arrived at the home, addressed to his wife, Anne O’Sullivan (60), from a Dublin solicitor whose services she had engaged.
The contents of the letter, which set out the proposed division of assets, may have prompted Tadg to begin planning the sequence of events that ultimately led to the murder-suicide, gardaí believe.
READ MORE
Anne and Mark had come back to Castlemagner in mid-October following the former's discharge from hospital in Dublin, where she had undergone surgery. But they had stayed with relatives rather than returning to the family home amid the growing tensions between the couple.
Gardaí are also examining the contents of a letter sent by a Cork solicitor to Anne on behalf of Tadg in which the latter indicated that, although they had their differences, he was confident they could resolve the dispute and that she and Mark should return home.
The coffin of Mark O’Sullivan is carried into the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kanturk, Co Cork. Photograph: Andy Gibson/PA Wire
It is understood Anne received the letter on October 23rd and, interpreting it as her husband extending her an olive branch, returned with Mark to the family home at Raheen two days later, on the evening of Sunday, October 25th, a day before the crime began to unfold.
Gardaí have already begun taking a detailed statement from Anne, whom gardaí believe was spared by her husband and younger son so she could live with the torment after they killed Mark in a row over who would inherit the 115-acre farm, owned by Anne.
It’s understood that Tadg and Diarmuid told Anne in the yard of the family farm, as she tried to escape, that she could live with the consequences of what had happened to Mark and that they would be found in a field near a fairy fort after they took their own lives.
The bodies of both men were later found with single gunshot wounds to the head beside two legally held rifles in the field at about 1.40pm on October 26th, and gardaí are satisfied from preliminary postmortem results that each man shot himself in an apparent suicide pact.
Diarmuid O’Sullivan. Photograph: Family handout/PA Wire
Detailed statement
Officers have spent several hours spread over a number of days taking a detailed statement from Anne O’Sullivan, who has not returned to the family home but is continuing to stay with relatives locally, as they seek to piece together the exact sequence of events leading to the gruesome events.
Gardaí hope to receive the results of ballistics and forensic tests on the two guns used in the killings within weeks for inclusion in a file to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Gardaí will prepare a file for the DPP even though they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the deaths. Once the DPP is satisfied no charges can be brought, gardaí will then send the file to North Cork Coroner Dr Michael Kennedy for an inquest, which is unlikely to be heard before 2021.
Gardaí declared the family farmhouse, where the body of Mark was found, a crime scene, along with the field where the bodies of Tadg and Diarmuid were found. Search teams spent a number of days combing the farmhouse for any evidence that might assist them.
Tadg O’Sullivan. Photograph: Family handout/PA Wire
Writings by Tadg as well as a lengthy note found strapped to Diarmuid’s leg have led them to the view that the killings were prompted by a dispute Tadg had with his wife over the inheritance, which had been festering for months.
And they are investigating the theory that Diarmuid did not have any particular grievance with Mark but rather with his mother over plans to leave him only one field, known as the bog field, with Mark due to get the remainder of the farm, which is good-quality tillage land.
The farm in Kanturk, northeast Co Cork, where the bodies of Tadg O’Sullivan and his two sons, Diarmuid and Mark, were found. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Solicitors’ letters
Gardaí have dismissed as incorrect some media reports that Mark and Diarmuid had exchanged solicitors’ letters but informed sources have confirmed that gardaí did find legal correspondence in the house between Tadg and his wife dating from February.
And gardaí are also studying a note written by Mark and found in his room, in which he set out concerns about what might happen to him and his mother amid fears that his father and younger brother were still highly aggrieved over the proposed division of assets.
Mark O’Sullivan. Photograph: Family handout/PA Wire
Legal sources have pointed out that, irrespective of what Anne had set out in her will regarding the family farm, if Tadg had outlived her and contested her will, he would have been entitled to at least a third of the estate under the Succession Act.
Anne had not actually transferred ownership of the 115-acre farm into her own name; it was still listed on the Land Registry as belonging to her late father, Timothy Cronin.
Tadg owned a smaller holding of about 30 acres at Lohort in nearby Cecilstown.
Mark, who had worked as a care assistant at Teach Altra nursing home while at college, had graduated with a degree in law and business at University of Limerick in 2017 and had since completed a master's degree at University College Cork. He was working with a firm in Limerick.
The involvement in the plot of Diarmuid, who had completed a degree in accounting in Cork Institute of Technology in June and was due to graduate in a virtual ceremony in early November, was described by people who knew him as difficult to comprehend.
“He was a quiet country boy but very hardworking,” said one acquaintance. “He used to work on Saturdays at Burton’s hardware store in Kanturk, and he had set up his own business selling and delivering firewood. He used to advertise it every week in the Corkman newspaper.”
Another acquaintance said it was “hard to reconcile what happened with the Diarmuid that I knew. There was no malice in him from what I could see, he was just getting on with life, so I find it very hard to get my head around him being the instigator of all this terrible tragedy.”
[ jo@samaritans.ie ]


theirishtimes--2020-11-20--Legal profession views Woulfe affair damaging to perception

The overwhelming consensus of legal opinion about the controversy surrounding the Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe is that it has damaged the public perception of the judiciary in general and the Supreme Court in particular .
Legal sources say there is a clear sense of relief among the judiciary that the crisis appears to be approaching some form of conclusion with the Government decision not to initiate a process to remove the judge apparently clearing the way for Mr Justice Woulfe to sit on the Supreme Court bench from early next year .
“ Many judges were concerned about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the Government was to lower the bar for removal of a judge , ” a senior source said .
“ There is a sense of relief that has not happened and that the Taoiseach has stressed the importance of the constitutional protection of the judiciary.
” “ Judges don ’ t like this kind of attention .
Although they are a diverse group , if one of them is in the limelight , that usually reflects on all of them .
Most of them are happy with being unknown , they don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they really just want to be good , but forgettable , referees.
” Several sources indicated the prevailing mood is to get back to work without the distraction of the controversy .
An informed source doubted there would be any official publication of other communications between Mr Justice Woulfe and the Supreme Court .
“ The positions of both sides have been well set out and the view appears to be , if you ’ re still explaining , you ’ re losing .
The situation now effectively amounts to a workplace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they have to work together .
They don ’ t have to like each other .
Other Supreme Courts in the past included one or two judges who couldn ’ t stand each other.
” A number of sources suggested some form of conciliation process may be helpful in finally concluding the matter .
Lawyers remain divided in their views about how the controversy has been handled to date , both by Mr Justice Woulfe and by the Supreme Court .
Many were critical from the outset about the judge ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hotel in Clifden on August 19th , the day after the Government announced new guidelines aimed at limiting indoor social gatherings to six people to curb the spread of Covid-19 .
They were even more critical of how he handled the controversy which followed , his apparent lack of insight into the impact of that as disclosed in a published transcript of his interview with Ms Justice Susan Denham , and an apparent reluctance to accept certain proposals advanced by the court to informally resolve the situation .
There is also criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Frank Clarke , and the Supreme Court approached the matter following the publication on October 1st of a non-statutory review by former chief justice Denham of Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s attendance .
A senior barrister said : “ The Supreme Court on the one hand said it accepted the views of Judge Denham , which included her view there was no basis for resignation , but then it tried to get Judge Woulfe to agree to measures such as waiving his salary , which the court had no power to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correspondence released to the media was another step too far .
One group of judges simply do not have that kind of power over a colleague.
” Several sources considered the Chief Justice should not have published correspondence between him and Mr Justice Woulfe , in which the Chief Justice expressed his belief Mr Justice Woulfe should resign “ to avoid continuing serious damage to the judiciary ” .
Others disagreed , saying it was important that the public know the position of both sides .
“ The Supreme Court was clearly frustrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” one barrister said .
A judicial source expressed some concern about the potential future impact of the publication and the controversy in general on the Supreme Court .
“ What happens if a litigant asks Mr Justice Woulfe to recuse himself from hearing a Supreme Court appeal because the litigant has read the published correspondence outlining the Supreme Court ’ s views on the judge ’ s handling of the golf matter ?
This may not be over .
”

Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe: Some of the judiciary are concerned about the potential future court impact of the controversy around him. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
The overwhelming consensus of legal opinion about the controversy surrounding the Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe is that it has damaged the public perception of the judiciary in general and the Supreme Court in particular.
Legal sources say there is a clear sense of relief among the judiciary that the crisis appears to be approaching some form of conclusion with the Government decision not to initiate a process to remove the judge apparently clearing the way for Mr Justice Woulfe to sit on the Supreme Court bench from early next year.
“Many judges were concerned about the implications, including for judicial independence, if the Government was to lower the bar for removal of a judge,” a senior source said. “There is a sense of relief that has not happened and that the Taoiseach has stressed the importance of the constitutional protection of the judiciary.”
“Judges don’t like this kind of attention. Although they are a diverse group, if one of them is in the limelight, that usually reflects on all of them. Most of them are happy with being unknown, they don’t want to be household names, they really just want to be good, but forgettable, referees.”
READ MORE
Several sources indicated the prevailing mood is to get back to work without the distraction of the controversy.
An informed source doubted there would be any official publication of other communications between Mr Justice Woulfe and the Supreme Court.
‘Couldn’t stand each other’
"The positions of both sides have been well set out and the view appears to be, if you're still explaining, you're losing. The situation now effectively amounts to a workplace dispute. The judges are a team, they have to work together. They don't have to like each other. Other Supreme Courts in the past included one or two judges who couldn't stand each other."
A number of sources suggested some form of conciliation process may be helpful in finally concluding the matter.
Lawyers remain divided in their views about how the controversy has been handled to date, both by Mr Justice Woulfe and by the Supreme Court.
Many were critical from the outset about the judge's attendance at the Oireachtas golf dinner in a hotel in Clifden on August 19th, the day after the Government announced new guidelines aimed at limiting indoor social gatherings to six people to curb the spread of Covid-19.
They were even more critical of how he handled the controversy which followed, his apparent lack of insight into the impact of that as disclosed in a published transcript of his interview with Ms Justice Susan Denham, and an apparent reluctance to accept certain proposals advanced by the court to informally resolve the situation.
There is also criticism of how the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Frank Clarke, and the Supreme Court approached the matter following the publication on October 1st of a non-statutory review by former chief justice Denham of Mr Justice Woulfe's attendance.
‘Frustrated and annoyed’
A senior barrister said: “The Supreme Court on the one hand said it accepted the views of Judge Denham, which included her view there was no basis for resignation, but then it tried to get Judge Woulfe to agree to measures such as waiving his salary, which the court had no power to do. Publicly calling for his resignation in correspondence released to the media was another step too far. One group of judges simply do not have that kind of power over a colleague.”
Several sources considered the Chief Justice should not have published correspondence between him and Mr Justice Woulfe, in which the Chief Justice expressed his belief Mr Justice Woulfe should resign “to avoid continuing serious damage to the judiciary”.
Others disagreed, saying it was important that the public know the position of both sides.
“The Supreme Court was clearly frustrated and annoyed and who could blame them?” one barrister said.
A judicial source expressed some concern about the potential future impact of the publication and the controversy in general on the Supreme Court.
“What happens if a litigant asks Mr Justice Woulfe to recuse himself from hearing a Supreme Court appeal because the litigant has read the published correspondence outlining the Supreme Court’s views on the judge’s handling of the golf matter? This may not be over.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-20--Brexit border checks may cause Dublin traffic problems

Congestion caused by delays from Brexit border checks on trucks arriving into Dublin Port from the United Kingdom could result in major traffic disruption on motorways and roads across Dublin , the State ’ s roads agency has said .
The likelihood of potential delays at the country ’ s busiest port has increased with two ferry operators declining to stagger multiple ferry arrival times from Holyhead to avoid potential congestion issues in the port after checks begin when Brexit comes into effect on January 1st .
Dublin Port had asked Irish Ferries and Stena Line , which each have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time four times a day , to consider spacing out their arrivals at three-hour intervals to avoid delays after EU-UK border checks begin in the new year .
Transport Infrastructure Ireland , which manages the Dublin Port Tunnel and the State ’ s road network , said congestion spilling out of the port could quickly disrupt traffic into the tunnel , the adjoining M50 ring road , and motorways and the road network across the Dublin region .
Stena Line has raised concerns about the location of border checkpoints and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ferries in and out of the port before Brexit checks start .
Mornings are the most congested time at the port with about 12km of lane space worth of vehicles arriving at the port on four ferries from Liverpool and Holyhead in just one hour .
About 6,000 heavy goods vehicles travel through Dublin Port every day with about 400 accessing the port southbound through the tunnel at the morning peak hour for traffic .
The timing of this peak traffic is determined by the sailing schedules of the ferry companies .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dublin Port Tunnel to the port allows limited scope to absorb congestion outside the port as traffic jams are not permitted in the tunnel .
TII said that , if this happened , it would have to stop traffic entering the tunnel from the north and traffic disruption could congest the nearby M50 and routes leading to this major road artery .
“ We would be concerned because we can ’ t have standing traffic in the tunnel and we would have to stagger traffic entering and exiting which could have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can back up to the M1 and the M50 , ” said a spokesman for the agency .
Asked about the knock-on effect of congestion in the port from ferry arrivals , the spokesman said that any traffic issues within the port would have a “ domino effect ” on to the roads network .
“ The left hand needs to know what the right hand is doing because we all have an impact on each other .
This is why we have plans to deal with the potential for any issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council said that it notified TII on Wednesday that it had granted the State agency permission to turn part of the long-term blue car park at Dublin Airport into an emergency lorry park to accommodate trucks if there were Brexit delays at the port .
The council has given the agency permission to hold up to 250 lorries at the park and to build offices , canteen , bathrooms and showers to accommodate truck drivers delayed entering the port .
In response to possible Brexit-related traffic congestion at the port affecting adjacent roads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up a traffic management group that includes TII , Dublin City Council , the Garda Síochána , Dublin Port Company and the Revenue Commissioners .
The department is updating an earlier contingency plan devised to manage knock-on effects on city traffic management in a no-deal Brexit scenario to take account of recent developments .
Despite an overall reduction in traffic volumes during the Covid-19 pandemic and public restrictions , heavy goods vehicles are still running at 97 per cent of normal volumes .

Congestion caused by delays from Brexit border checks on trucks arriving into Dublin Port from the United Kingdom could result in major traffic disruption on motorways and roads across Dublin, the State's roads agency has said.
The likelihood of potential delays at the country’s busiest port has increased with two ferry operators declining to stagger multiple ferry arrival times from Holyhead to avoid potential congestion issues in the port after checks begin when Brexit comes into effect on January 1st.
Dublin Port had asked Irish Ferries and Stena Line, which each have ferries arriving into the port at roughly the same time four times a day, to consider spacing out their arrivals at three-hour intervals to avoid delays after EU-UK border checks begin in the new year.
Congestion
Transport Infrastructure Ireland, which manages the Dublin Port Tunnel and the State's road network, said congestion spilling out of the port could quickly disrupt traffic into the tunnel, the adjoining M50 ring road, and motorways and the road network across the Dublin region.
READ MORE
Stena Line has raised concerns about the location of border checkpoints and the possibility of congestion delaying quick turnaround of ferries in and out of the port before Brexit checks start.
Mornings are the most congested time at the port with about 12km of lane space worth of vehicles arriving at the port on four ferries from Liverpool and Holyhead in just one hour.
About 6,000 heavy goods vehicles travel through Dublin Port every day with about 400 accessing the port southbound through the tunnel at the morning peak hour for traffic.
The timing of this peak traffic is determined by the sailing schedules of the ferry companies.
The close proximity of the southern exit of the Dublin Port Tunnel to the port allows limited scope to absorb congestion outside the port as traffic jams are not permitted in the tunnel.
TII said that, if this happened, it would have to stop traffic entering the tunnel from the north and traffic disruption could congest the nearby M50 and routes leading to this major road artery.
“We would be concerned because we can’t have standing traffic in the tunnel and we would have to stagger traffic entering and exiting which could have a residual impact across the roads network because that can back up to the M1 and the M50,” said a spokesman for the agency.
Delays
Asked about the knock-on effect of congestion in the port from ferry arrivals, the spokesman said that any traffic issues within the port would have a “domino effect” on to the roads network.
“The left hand needs to know what the right hand is doing because we all have an impact on each other. This is why we have plans to deal with the potential for any issues,” he said.
Fingal County Council said that it notified TII on Wednesday that it had granted the State agency permission to turn part of the long-term blue car park at Dublin Airport into an emergency lorry park to accommodate trucks if there were Brexit delays at the port.
The council has given the agency permission to hold up to 250 lorries at the park and to build offices, canteen, bathrooms and showers to accommodate truck drivers delayed entering the port.
In response to possible Brexit-related traffic congestion at the port affecting adjacent roads, the Department of Transport has set up a traffic management group that includes TII, Dublin City Council, the Garda Síochána, Dublin Port Company and the Revenue Commissioners.
The department is updating an earlier contingency plan devised to manage knock-on effects on city traffic management in a no-deal Brexit scenario to take account of recent developments.
Despite an overall reduction in traffic volumes during the Covid-19 pandemic and public restrictions, heavy goods vehicles are still running at 97 per cent of normal volumes.


theirishtimes--2020-11-20--Concern over low level of Garda referrals to Tusla deemed to need ‘urgent action’

More than 80 per cent of child protection referrals made to Tusla in 2018 and last year were deemed “ not necessary for urgent action ” , despite some 40 per cent of these coming from gardaí in both years .
The figures , provided to Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke , show fewer than 10 per cent of referrals received social worker “ action ” .
She described as “ highly concerning ” the “ apparently low number of cases that are receiving social worker attention ” and the absence of data on how many are multiple referrals about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A review of Tusla ’ s staffing by the Department of Public Expenditure this month highlighted that recruitment and retention of social workers was one of the greatest challenges facing the agency , while an internal Tusla audit earlier this year found a lack of social workers in north Dublin was putting vulnerable children at “ serious risk ” .
The most recent data shows there were 56,561 referrals to Tusla last year , of which 9,181 ( 16 per cent ) “ required an initial assessment following preliminary inquiry ” .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) of last year ’ s referrals was “ action recorded following initial assessment ” .
A preliminary inquiry , according to Tusla , involves gathering basic data on a child , and contact with the child ’ s parents or guardians .
The figures for 2018 are similar , with 55,136 total referrals , of which 10,318 ( 18.7 per cent ) were deemed to need an “ initial assessment ” following preliminary inquiry and 4,698 ( 8.5 per cent ) received “ action ” .
Garda figures show the force made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23,467 in 2018 – 46 per cent and 42 per cent of all referrals respectively each year .
A Tusla spokesman , asked how many referrals were multiples about individual cases , said : “ We do not collate the data you have requested nationally .
However , that information is available to social workers when considering a case.
” He said all referrals were reviewed by a duty social worker through preliminary inquiry within 24 hours of being received .
“ It includes engagement with parents/guardians to develop danger statements , safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Where an immediate risk to a child is identified , an immediate protective response is taken .
“ If a referral does not meet the threshold for social work involvement , with no evidence of harm , they are closed at this stage .
Some referrals may require a welfare response , and this can involve a number of agencies.
” Following a preliminary inquiry , if necessary an initial assessment would recommend whether the child or children required a safety plan or whether “ the harm to the child is at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the care of their parents until such time as a safety plan can be established ” , he said .
It was a “ huge worry ” , said Ms Clarke , that so many referrals were coming from gardaí , “ who obviously felt the protection concerns were urgent ” and yet “ more than 80 per cent of referrals get little more response that a phone call to the parents ” .
“ Whether it is a case that Tusla does not have the necessary resources , or can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern that needs to be addressed by the Oireachtas , and by the Minister [ for Children Roderick O ’ Gorman ] , ” she added .
“ We are dealing with people ’ s lives here – little people who may be in grave danger , and parents who are under pressure and in desperate need of support.
” The data released to Ms Clarke shows the Waterford-Wexford area last year had the lowest proportion of child referrals followed up with an assessment .
Of 3,504 referrals , just 247 ( 7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In all but one , action was taken .
In Cavan-Monaghan 205 ( 10.4 per cent ) of the 1,970 referrals were assessed , and action was taken in 113 ( 6 per cent ) of cases , while in Dublin north city , 416 ( 12 per cent ) of 3,489 referrals were assessed , and in 208 cases ( 6 per cent ) action was taken .
In 2018 , Cavan-Monaghan had the lowest assessment rate ( 96 cases out of 1,725 , or 5.5 per cent ) , followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or 7.5 per cent ) , and the midlands ( 571 out of 6,680 , or 8.5 per cent ) .

More than 80 per cent of child protection referrals made to Tusla in 2018 and last year were deemed “not necessary for urgent action”, despite some 40 per cent of these coming from gardaí in both years.
The figures, provided to Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke, show fewer than 10 per cent of referrals received social worker “action”.
She described as “highly concerning” the “apparently low number of cases that are receiving social worker attention” and the absence of data on how many are multiple referrals about one child or group of children.
A review of Tusla’s staffing by the Department of Public Expenditure this month highlighted that recruitment and retention of social workers was one of the greatest challenges facing the agency, while an internal Tusla audit earlier this year found a lack of social workers in north Dublin was putting vulnerable children at “serious risk”.
READ MORE
The most recent data shows there were 56,561 referrals to Tusla last year, of which 9,181 (16 per cent) “required an initial assessment following preliminary inquiry”. And in just 4,863 (8.6 per cent) of last year’s referrals was “action recorded following initial assessment”.
A preliminary inquiry, according to Tusla, involves gathering basic data on a child, and contact with the child’s parents or guardians.
The figures for 2018 are similar, with 55,136 total referrals, of which 10,318 (18.7 per cent) were deemed to need an “initial assessment” following preliminary inquiry and 4,698 (8.5 per cent) received “action”.
Garda figures show the force made 26,499 referrals to Tusla last year and 23,467 in 2018 – 46 per cent and 42 per cent of all referrals respectively each year.
Not collated
A Tusla spokesman, asked how many referrals were multiples about individual cases, said: “We do not collate the data you have requested nationally. However, that information is available to social workers when considering a case.”
He said all referrals were reviewed by a duty social worker through preliminary inquiry within 24 hours of being received. “It includes engagement with parents/guardians to develop danger statements, safety goals and the scaling of harm ... Where an immediate risk to a child is identified, an immediate protective response is taken.
“If a referral does not meet the threshold for social work involvement, with no evidence of harm, they are closed at this stage. Some referrals may require a welfare response, and this can involve a number of agencies.”
Following a preliminary inquiry, if necessary an initial assessment would recommend whether the child or children required a safety plan or whether “the harm to the child is at a level where the children should be removed from the care of their parents until such time as a safety plan can be established”, he said.
‘Huge worry’
It was a "huge worry", said Ms Clarke, that so many referrals were coming from gardaí, "who obviously felt the protection concerns were urgent" and yet "more than 80 per cent of referrals get little more response that a phone call to the parents".
"Whether it is a case that Tusla does not have the necessary resources, or cannot retain social workers, this is a concern that needs to be addressed by the Oireachtas, and by the Minister [for Children Roderick O'Gorman]," she added.
“We are dealing with people’s lives here – little people who may be in grave danger, and parents who are under pressure and in desperate need of support.”
The data released to Ms Clarke shows the Waterford-Wexford area last year had the lowest proportion of child referrals followed up with an assessment. Of 3,504 referrals, just 247 (7 per cent) received an initial assessment. In all but one, action was taken.
In Cavan-Monaghan 205 (10.4 per cent) of the 1,970 referrals were assessed, and action was taken in 113 (6 per cent) of cases, while in Dublin north city, 416 (12 per cent) of 3,489 referrals were assessed, and in 208 cases (6 per cent) action was taken.
In 2018, Cavan-Monaghan had the lowest assessment rate (96 cases out of 1,725, or 5.5 per cent), followed by Waterford-Wexford (344 out of 4,549, or 7.5 per cent), and the midlands (571 out of 6,680, or 8.5 per cent).


theirishtimes--2020-11-20--Ireland not on track to hit key emissions targets in spite of fall

Ireland achieved a significant 4.5 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 in spite of a growing economy , marking the largest decline since 2011 , according to provisional EPA figures .
The year saw significant reductions in the energy sector due to reduced coal and peat use in power generation – renewables , mostly wind , accounted for 37.6 per cent of electricity generated – while there was a 3.9 per cent reduction in agriculture .
Residential emissions fell by 7.3 per cent , largely due to a warmer winter compared with 2018 .
Despite the decreases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pathway required to meet future targets and a climate-neutral economy ” , the EPA warns .
Further reductions in 2020 due to Covid-19 will not be sufficient to get the country back on track , it concludes .
The EPA has responsibility for charting Irish emissions , a complex process that means the latest data is from 2019 .
Decreases in the energy , agriculture and residential sectors coincided “ with modest growth in the domestic economy of 1.7 per cent over the year ” .
Rising emissions have all too often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past .
The figures , however , indicate Ireland will exceed its 2019 annual EU emissions allocation by 6.98 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent , “ which makes it highly unlikely Ireland will meet its overall 2020 targets , even taking the impact of Covid-19 on emissions in 2020 into account ” , according to the EPA .
This is likely to result in “ compliance costs ” for the State running to tens of millions of euro .
EPA director general Laura Burke said : “ This much-needed reduction in greenhouse gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right direction .
The figures show emissions reductions can be achieved.
” But if the 2020s are to be the decade of climate action , “ this level of emission reductions , at a minimum , will be required annually ” , she said .
“ Therefore , these reductions need to be built on to achieve continual , substantial , year-on-year emissions reductions .
It will take the implementation of effective measures , including all those committed to in the climate action plan , to put Ireland on the pathway to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emission reductions have been driven by the following : Energy Industries : Emissions in the sector showed a decrease of 11.2 per cent in 2019 , attributable to a 69 per cent decrease in coal and an 8 per cent decrease in peat used in electricity generation .
Electricity generated from wind increased 16 per cent .
“ After 2020 , a continued increase in renewable generation levels will be required to meet ambitious future greenhouse gas targets , ” the EPA says .
Agriculture : Emissions associated with farming decreased in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down 10 per cent ) and reduced lime added to soils ( down 25.4 per cent ) .
“ Other key drivers of emissions in agriculture , such as the number of dairy cows , continued to rise.
” Residential : The warmer winter resulted in decreased use of fuels in homes .
However , emissions per household have plateaued in recent years , “ which indicates a need to step up energy efficiency retrofit activity to achieve future emission reduction commitments ” .
Transport : Emissions reduced only marginally despite an increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ requires a blend of measures such as more cycling and walking , as well as new technologies such as electric vehicles and biofuels ” , the EPA says .
EPA senior manager Stephen Treacy said the 2019 figures illustrate where the economy and emissions were heading before the Covid-19 pandemic .
“ While 2020 is likely to see a reduction in emissions caused by the impact of the pandemic , this does not negate the need for long-term and sustained action , ” he added .
Focusing on climate action as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opportunity to respond to climate change while rebuilding the economy and generating new jobs , he believed .
The greenhouse gas emission inventory 1990 to 2019 is available at epa.ie .

Ireland achieved a significant 4.5 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 in spite of a growing economy, marking the largest decline since 2011, according to provisional EPA figures.
The year saw significant reductions in the energy sector due to reduced coal and peat use in power generation – renewables, mostly wind, accounted for 37.6 per cent of electricity generated – while there was a 3.9 per cent reduction in agriculture. Residential emissions fell by 7.3 per cent, largely due to a warmer winter compared with 2018.
Despite the decreases, “Ireland is still not on the pathway required to meet future targets and a climate-neutral economy”, the EPA warns. Further reductions in 2020 due to Covid-19 will not be sufficient to get the country back on track, it concludes.
The EPA has responsibility for charting Irish emissions, a complex process that means the latest data is from 2019.
READ MORE
Decreases in the energy, agriculture and residential sectors coincided “with modest growth in the domestic economy of 1.7 per cent over the year”. Rising emissions have all too often been linked to economic growth in the past.
The figures, however, indicate Ireland will exceed its 2019 annual EU emissions allocation by 6.98 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, “which makes it highly unlikely Ireland will meet its overall 2020 targets, even taking the impact of Covid-19 on emissions in 2020 into account”, according to the EPA. This is likely to result in “compliance costs” for the State running to tens of millions of euro.
Goals ‘achievable’
EPA director general Laura Burke said: "This much-needed reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is a welcome step in the right direction. The figures show emissions reductions can be achieved."
But if the 2020s are to be the decade of climate action, “this level of emission reductions, at a minimum, will be required annually”, she said.
“Therefore, these reductions need to be built on to achieve continual, substantial, year-on-year emissions reductions. It will take the implementation of effective measures, including all those committed to in the climate action plan, to put Ireland on the pathway to a carbon-neutral future,” she added.
Emission reductions have been driven by the following:
Energy Industries: Emissions in the sector showed a decrease of 11.2 per cent in 2019, attributable to a 69 per cent decrease in coal and an 8 per cent decrease in peat used in electricity generation. Electricity generated from wind increased 16 per cent. “After 2020, a continued increase in renewable generation levels will be required to meet ambitious future greenhouse gas targets,” the EPA says.
Agriculture: Emissions associated with farming decreased in 2019, driven by reduced fertiliser use (down 10 per cent) and reduced lime added to soils (down 25.4 per cent). “Other key drivers of emissions in agriculture, such as the number of dairy cows, continued to rise.”
Residential: The warmer winter resulted in decreased use of fuels in homes. However, emissions per household have plateaued in recent years, “which indicates a need to step up energy efficiency retrofit activity to achieve future emission reduction commitments”.
Transport: Emissions reduced only marginally despite an increase in biofuel use. Reducing transport emissions “requires a blend of measures such as more cycling and walking, as well as new technologies such as electric vehicles and biofuels”, the EPA says.
‘Sustained action’
EPA senior manager Stephen Treacy said the 2019 figures illustrate where the economy and emissions were heading before the Covid-19 pandemic. "While 2020 is likely to see a reduction in emissions caused by the impact of the pandemic, this does not negate the need for long-term and sustained action," he added.
Focusing on climate action as part of a “green” recovery offered the opportunity to respond to climate change while rebuilding the economy and generating new jobs, he believed.
The greenhouse gas emission inventory 1990 to 2019 is available at epa.ie.


theirishtimes--2020-11-19--South Dublin hospital reports Covid-19 outbreak as more than 20 patients test positive

A south Dublin hospital is dealing with a significant outbreak of coronavirus after 22 patients tested positive , with a number of staff also self-isolating awaiting test results .
St Columcille ’ s Hospital , Loughlinstown , confirmed to The Irish Times that a number of patients had contracted Covid-19 following an outbreak within the facility .
The outbreak has been traced to a patient on a ward who was initially asymptomatic , later developed symptoms and then tested positive for Covid-19 .
St Columcille ’ s Hospital is an acute hospital with over 100 beds serving south east Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently 22 patients with Covid-19 which stemmed from an outbreak within the hospital , ” a spokeswoman for the Ireland East Hospital Group said .
“ A patient who was asymptomatic on a ward in the hospital developed symptoms and was subsequently tested for Covid-19 , ” she said .
“ The surveillance process was immediately implemented by the infection control and microbiology teams and all patients and staff deemed as close contacts were subsequently tested , ” the spokeswoman said .
“ A number of staff who have had close contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are currently self-isolating as outlined by the Covid-19 safety and contact tracing protocols , ” the statement said .
It is understood some staff in the hospital had expressed concerns over the initial management of the outbreak , and the potential transmission between different wards .
The hospital ’ s injury unit , medical assessment unit , and outpatient services remain open and have not been affected by the outbreak , the spokeswoman said .
“ The Hospital Covid Outbreak Committee , which is led and informed by our consultant microbiologist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hospital consultants , HSE occupational health and HSE public health department have met on a daily basis since the outbreak and progress has been made to stabilise the situation , ” the spokesman said .
Speaking on Thursday at a Health Service Executive ( HSE ) briefing , Professor Martin Cormican , national lead for healthcare associated infection and antimicrobial resistance , said the number of patients acquiring Covid-19 in hospitals had increased in recent weeks .
There were 38 cases where patients acquired Covid-19 while in hospital the week ending November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 patients in the week ending November 8th .
Speaking at the briefing , Prof Cormican said preventing the spread of infection in hospitals “ is always hard , ” because the nature of the setting required “ intense person-to-person interaction ” .
“ When a hospital has an outbreak you can get a large number of cases in a very short space of time .
We know that Letterkenny , Limerick and Naas have been struggling with large outbreaks and so the numbers came up quite quickly , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at University Hospital Limerick and at Ennis Hospital , in Co Clare , resulted in the cancellations of all routine outpatient appointments , and the majority of elective procedures .

A south Dublin hospital is dealing with a significant outbreak of coronavirus after 22 patients tested positive, with a number of staff also self-isolating awaiting test results.
St Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, confirmed to The Irish Times that a number of patients had contracted Covid-19 following an outbreak within the facility.
The outbreak has been traced to a patient on a ward who was initially asymptomatic, later developed symptoms and then tested positive for Covid-19.
St Columcille’s Hospital is an acute hospital with over 100 beds serving south east Dublin and east Wicklow.
READ MORE
"There are currently 22 patients with Covid-19 which stemmed from an outbreak within the hospital," a spokeswoman for the Ireland East Hospital Group said.
“A patient who was asymptomatic on a ward in the hospital developed symptoms and was subsequently tested for Covid-19,” she said.
“The surveillance process was immediately implemented by the infection control and microbiology teams and all patients and staff deemed as close contacts were subsequently tested,” the spokeswoman said.
“A number of staff who have had close contact with the patients have been swabbed for Covid and are currently self-isolating as outlined by the Covid-19 safety and contact tracing protocols,” the statement said.
It is understood some staff in the hospital had expressed concerns over the initial management of the outbreak, and the potential transmission between different wards.
The hospital’s injury unit, medical assessment unit, and outpatient services remain open and have not been affected by the outbreak, the spokeswoman said.
“The Hospital Covid Outbreak Committee, which is led and informed by our consultant microbiologist, the hospitals infection prevention and control team, hospital consultants, HSE occupational health and HSE public health department have met on a daily basis since the outbreak and progress has been made to stabilise the situation,” the spokesman said.
Speaking on Thursday at a Health Service Executive (HSE) briefing, Professor Martin Cormican, national lead for healthcare associated infection and antimicrobial resistance, said the number of patients acquiring Covid-19 in hospitals had increased in recent weeks.
There were 38 cases where patients acquired Covid-19 while in hospital the week ending November 1st, and this had increased to 100 patients in the week ending November 8th.
Speaking at the briefing, Prof Cormican said preventing the spread of infection in hospitals “is always hard,” because the nature of the setting required “intense person-to-person interaction”.
“When a hospital has an outbreak you can get a large number of cases in a very short space of time. We know that Letterkenny, Limerick and Naas have been struggling with large outbreaks and so the numbers came up quite quickly,” he said.
Earlier this month multiple outbreaks of Covid-19 at University Hospital Limerick and at Ennis Hospital, in Co Clare, resulted in the cancellations of all routine outpatient appointments, and the majority of elective procedures.


theirishtimes--2020-11-19--Northern Executive agrees to extend lockdown with two-week 'circuit breaker'

Northern Executive Ministers on Thursday night reached consensus on new Covid-19 restrictions that will extend the current ones past the first week in December and well into the start of the Christmas holiday period .
On a day when 12 more Covid-19-related deaths were recorded in Northern Ireland , taking the death toll to 901 , Ministers agreed a new two-week “ circuit breaker ” that will extend the lockdown to Friday , December 11th .
On Thursday , Minister for Health Robin Swann presented Ministers with proposals that will involve a shutdown of hospitality , churches , non-essential retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and beauticians and the leisure and entertainment sectors .
All five Executive parties – including the DUP , which previously resisted such proposals – endorsed the measures , which will begin on Friday , November 27th .
Schools and childcare centres will remain open .
Off licences can remain open up to 8pm .
Takeaways and deliveries will be allowed .
Weddings and funerals can take place with a maximum attendance of 25 in churches .
Universities are advised to provide distance learning , except where face-to-face lessons are essential .
The Executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the coming days to assist those affected by the restrictions .
Mr Swann had warned fellow Ministers that failure to take action would result in a “ significant increase ” in Covid and non-Covid deaths by mid-December and hospitals being “ overwhelmed ” .
Following four days of wrangling last week the Executive finally settled on a compromise whereby , rather than an extra two weeks of lockdown from November 13th – as recommended by Mr Swann and his advisers – restrictions would run for a further week followed by a phased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this Friday , cafes and coffee shops as well as hairdressers and beauticians were due to reopen , while the following Friday , November 27th , pubs , hotels and restaurants were scheduled to be back in business .
The coffee shops and hairdressers can open for a week from this Friday but must close for two weeks from next Friday , November 27th .
That initial compromise resulted from a DUP refusal to sign up to the extra two weeks of restrictions , as proposed by Mr Swann on advice from chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientific adviser Prof Ian Young .
Over Wednesday and Thursday , however , the DUP moderated its position .
Senior party members such as MPs Jeffrey Donaldson and Gavin Robinson indicated that , as the R number had increased from 0.7 to 1 , the party now could tolerate extended restrictions to try to curb the spread of the virus .
East Belfast DUP MP Gavin Robinson denied that the party was performing a U-turn .
“ You have to operate on the basis of the information that is available to you at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be agile with the information that is available , ” he told BBC Radio Ulster .
On Thursday the North ’ s Department of Health recorded 487 new confirmed cases of coronavirus , bringing the total since the outbreak of the pandemic in Northern Ireland to 48,716 .
The latest figures showed that hospital bed occupancy was at 100 per cent , with 456 patients being treated for the virus .
Of these , 41 are in intensive care units , with 32 on ventilators .
The overall seven-day Covid figure for Northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population .
Meanwhile , the Department of Health said Northern Ireland was expected to receive up to 4.3 million doses of two coronavirus vaccines once they received official authorisation .
The department said the North would take 2.85 per cent of the total amount of vaccine provided to the UK .
The North ’ s chief pharmaceutical officer , Cathy Harrison , told the Assembly health committee that she didn ’ t anticipate any post-Brexit problems over getting Covid-19 vaccines into Northern Ireland when they come on stream .
“ We don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU exit in terms of handling the vaccine and getting the vaccines into Northern Ireland .
The vaccines will be coming directly into Northern Ireland , ” she said .
Ms Harrison also did not expect any all-island distribution of the vaccine , although some co-ordination on the issue between the two jurisdictions was thought likely .

Northern Ireland Minister or Health Robin Swann with chief nursing officer Charlotte McArdle at the opening of a Nightingale hospital in Whiteabbey, Belfast. Photograph: Michael Cooper/PA Wire
Northern Executive Ministers on Thursday night reached consensus on new Covid-19 restrictions that will extend the current ones past the first week in December and well into the start of the Christmas holiday period.
On a day when 12 more Covid-19-related deaths were recorded in Northern Ireland, taking the death toll to 901, Ministers agreed a new two-week "circuit breaker" that will extend the lockdown to Friday, December 11th.
On Thursday, Minister for Health Robin Swann presented Ministers with proposals that will involve a shutdown of hospitality, churches, non-essential retail, close contact businesses such as hairdressers and beauticians and the leisure and entertainment sectors.
All five Executive parties – including the DUP, which previously resisted such proposals – endorsed the measures, which will begin on Friday, November 27th.
READ MORE
Schools and childcare centres will remain open. Off licences can remain open up to 8pm. Takeaways and deliveries will be allowed. Weddings and funerals can take place with a maximum attendance of 25 in churches. Universities are advised to provide distance learning, except where face-to-face lessons are essential.
The Executive also pledged to provide a financial package over the coming days to assist those affected by the restrictions.
Mr Swann had warned fellow Ministers that failure to take action would result in a “significant increase” in Covid and non-Covid deaths by mid-December and hospitals being “overwhelmed”.
Compromise reached
Following four days of wrangling last week the Executive finally settled on a compromise whereby, rather than an extra two weeks of lockdown from November 13th – as recommended by Mr Swann and his advisers – restrictions would run for a further week followed by a phased reopening of the hospitality sector.
On this Friday, cafes and coffee shops as well as hairdressers and beauticians were due to reopen, while the following Friday, November 27th, pubs, hotels and restaurants were scheduled to be back in business.
The coffee shops and hairdressers can open for a week from this Friday but must close for two weeks from next Friday, November 27th.
That initial compromise resulted from a DUP refusal to sign up to the extra two weeks of restrictions, as proposed by Mr Swann on advice from chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride and chief scientific adviser Prof Ian Young.
Over Wednesday and Thursday, however, the DUP moderated its position. Senior party members such as MPs Jeffrey Donaldson and Gavin Robinson indicated that, as the R number had increased from 0.7 to 1, the party now could tolerate extended restrictions to try to curb the spread of the virus.
East Belfast DUP MP Gavin Robinson denied that the party was performing a U-turn. "You have to operate on the basis of the information that is available to you at any one time. You have to be agile with the information that is available," he told BBC Radio Ulster.
Full bed occupancy
On Thursday the North's Department of Health recorded 487 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the total since the outbreak of the pandemic in Northern Ireland to 48,716.
The latest figures showed that hospital bed occupancy was at 100 per cent, with 456 patients being treated for the virus.
Of these, 41 are in intensive care units, with 32 on ventilators.
The overall seven-day Covid figure for Northern Ireland is 181 cases per 100,000 of population.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health said Northern Ireland was expected to receive up to 4.3 million doses of two coronavirus vaccines once they received official authorisation. The department said the North would take 2.85 per cent of the total amount of vaccine provided to the UK.
The North's chief pharmaceutical officer, Cathy Harrison, told the Assembly health committee that she didn't anticipate any post-Brexit problems over getting Covid-19 vaccines into Northern Ireland when they come on stream.
“We don’t foresee any issues in relation to EU exit in terms of handling the vaccine and getting the vaccines into Northern Ireland. The vaccines will be coming directly into Northern Ireland,” she said.
Ms Harrison also did not expect any all-island distribution of the vaccine, although some co-ordination on the issue between the two jurisdictions was thought likely.


theirishtimes--2020-11-19--Father of four who admitted sexually abusing child is jailed for seven years

A father-of-four who admitted sexually abusing and “ prostituting ” a child has been jailed for seven years .
John Lewis ( 52 ) of Foxborough Road , Lucan , Dublin , admitted to having sexual intercourse with the then 16-year-old girl on 10 to 20 occasions .
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the victim signed a purported “ contract ” which committed her to obey any instruction of Lewis “ without hesitation or prejudice ” and under which terms she was obliged to perform 128 different sexual acts .
Lewis lodged payments into a bank account for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual activity with other adult men .
The court heard evidence of one occasion during which the victim was sexually abused by Lewis and four other men .
Lewis pleaded guilty to charges of defilement of a child and the sexual exploitation of a child at unknown locations in the State on October 12th , 2018 .
He also pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography at his address on October 18th , 2018 .
The court heard that the offending behaviour took place between February 2018 and October 2018 and other counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consideration in sentencing .

A father-of-four who admitted sexually abusing and “prostituting” a child has been jailed for seven years.
John Lewis (52) of Foxborough Road, Lucan, Dublin, admitted to having sexual intercourse with the then 16-year-old girl on 10 to 20 occasions.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the victim signed a purported “contract” which committed her to obey any instruction of Lewis “without hesitation or prejudice” and under which terms she was obliged to perform 128 different sexual acts.
Lewis lodged payments into a bank account for the victim which she received for engaging in sexual activity with other adult men. The court heard evidence of one occasion during which the victim was sexually abused by Lewis and four other men.
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Lewis pleaded guilty to charges of defilement of a child and the sexual exploitation of a child at unknown locations in the State on October 12th, 2018.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography at his address on October 18th, 2018.
The court heard that the offending behaviour took place between February 2018 and October 2018 and other counts from within this period were taken into consideration in sentencing.


theirishtimes--2020-11-19--Father wins case against agent that reneged on deal over Hap payment

A father who challenged a letting agency after it reneged on an agreement to let him a property on discovering he was a Housing Assistance Payment ( Hap ) recipient , has won a discrimination case at the Workplace Relations Commission ( WRC ) and has been awarded €8,500 in compensation .
The 32-year-old shared custody of his then two-year-old daughter with his former partner when , in spring 2019 , he moved to Dublin for work .
Having spent the first month staying with friends , finding housing so he could have his daughter to stay was a priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hap budget of €1,500 a month on a website and arranged to view it .
Having done so , and having sent his references , the agent agreed to let him the property .
He got an email asking him to pay a deposit , a month ’ s rent and telling him he could move in “ straight away ” once contracts were signed .
The man transferred the deposit and was asked when he could sign contracts , collect keys and pay a month ’ s rent .
The man responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that the rent would be paid from the time he signs the Hap forms , which he would bring the following day .
According to the WRC judgment : “ The letting agent , Ms A , phoned him and said that he ought to have mentioned his Hap status sooner as the landlord did not like Hap .
“ The complainant sought to counter this exclusion and eventually Ms A agreed to the tenancy on payment of the first month ’ s rent up-front .
He paid the amount on April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office the next day to sign the contract and pick up the keys .
“ Following a five-minute period , an agent informed him that the landlord had allocated the property to someone else .
His Hap form was returned to him.
” The man was “ aghast ” and “ faced with the immediate challenge of not being able to provide a base to host his daughter and he faced losing her .
His mental health suffered greatly as a result , says the judgment .
He had been through a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afresh .
“ As a direct consequence of walking into the respondent premises on April 30th , and experiencing the outright rejection of his agreed tenancy , he experienced an emotional setback and trauma which caused him to leave his job , suffer increased anxiety , move home and a complete withdrawal from the world .
This has taken him a considerable period to recover from .
He contended that he was treated badly simply because he was a Hap client.
” In June 2019 , the man filed a complaint to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The letting agent ’ s solicitor sought and was granted a postponement of the hearing until February 2020 .
On January 24th , 2020 , the agent ’ s side offered the man €1,400 and told the WRC their side would not be available to attend a hearing on the matter .
“ Despite a firm invitation to apply for an adjournment , the respondent neglected to engage further with the WRC .
I found this to amount to a staggering disrespect for a statutory tribunal by the respondent , ” said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am satisfied that this turn of events was directly attributed to the complainant ’ s disclosure of his Hap status , ” he decided , and ordered that the man be paid €8,500 compensation by the letting agent .
“ To have a housing need carries a certain vulnerability .
.
.
Hap is a stop gap between homelessness and housing and is an empowerment for tenants and a commercially sound transaction for landlords .
A universal declaration of dislike of Hap coupled with withdrawal of service constitutes a blanket ban .
@

A father who challenged a letting agency after it reneged on an agreement to let him a property on discovering he was a Housing Assistance Payment (Hap) recipient, has won a discrimination case at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and has been awarded €8,500 in compensation.
The 32-year-old shared custody of his then two-year-old daughter with his former partner when, in spring 2019, he moved to Dublin for work.
Having spent the first month staying with friends, finding housing so he could have his daughter to stay was a priority. He saw a property within his Hap budget of €1,500 a month on a website and arranged to view it. Having done so, and having sent his references, the agent agreed to let him the property.
He got an email asking him to pay a deposit, a month’s rent and telling him he could move in “straight away” once contracts were signed.
READ MORE
The man transferred the deposit and was asked when he could sign contracts, collect keys and pay a month’s rent.
The man responded telling the agent he was on Hap, that the rent would be paid from the time he signs the Hap forms, which he would bring the following day.
According to the WRC judgment: “The letting agent, Ms A, phoned him and said that he ought to have mentioned his Hap status sooner as the landlord did not like Hap.
“The complainant sought to counter this exclusion and eventually Ms A agreed to the tenancy on payment of the first month’s rent up-front. He paid the amount on April 30th, 2019.
He called to the office the next day to sign the contract and pick up the keys. “Following a five-minute period, an agent informed him that the landlord had allocated the property to someone else. His Hap form was returned to him.”
The man was “aghast” and “faced with the immediate challenge of not being able to provide a base to host his daughter and he faced losing her. His mental health suffered greatly as a result, says the judgment. He had been through a difficult time and was trying to start afresh.
“As a direct consequence of walking into the respondent premises on April 30th, and experiencing the outright rejection of his agreed tenancy, he experienced an emotional setback and trauma which caused him to leave his job, suffer increased anxiety, move home and a complete withdrawal from the world. This has taken him a considerable period to recover from. He contended that he was treated badly simply because he was a Hap client.”
In June 2019, the man filed a complaint to the WRC under the Equal Status Act. The letting agent’s solicitor sought and was granted a postponement of the hearing until February 2020.
On January 24th, 2020, the agent’s side offered the man €1,400 and told the WRC their side would not be available to attend a hearing on the matter.
“Despite a firm invitation to apply for an adjournment, the respondent neglected to engage further with the WRC. I found this to amount to a staggering disrespect for a statutory tribunal by the respondent,” said the adjudication officer in his report.
“I am satisfied that this turn of events was directly attributed to the complainant’s disclosure of his Hap status,” he decided, and ordered that the man be paid €8,500 compensation by the letting agent.
“To have a housing need carries a certain vulnerability . . . Hap is a stop gap between homelessness and housing and is an empowerment for tenants and a commercially sound transaction for landlords. A universal declaration of dislike of Hap coupled with withdrawal of service constitutes a blanket ban.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-19--Family who turned down four housing offers not entitled to ‘veto’ – court

A family who had turned down four separate offers of accommodation in Ennis from Clare County Council has lost its case in the Court of Appeal .
The family , according to Justice Máire Whelan , was not entitled to effectively assert a veto by turning down what she stated were “ reasonable ” offers of accommodation by the council .
In her recently published judgment , Justice Máire Whelan dismissed an appeal involving the respondent , Clare County Council and appellants Bernard and Helen McDonagh .
This case involved an appeal against the orders made by the High Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interlocutory injunctions were granted pending the trial of the action .
The orders restrained the appellants from placing and retaining their caravans , vehicles and associated property on Clare County Council ’ s land at Cahercallamore , Ennis .
The court granted a further interlocutory injunction , compelling the parties to remove their caravans and vehicles and associated property from the land .
Justice Whelan stated that on December 7th , 2017 the council offered the appellants a tenancy of a newly acquired and refurbished four-bedroom dwelling house at The Woods , Cappahard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was declined by the appellants .
They also declined the council ’ s offer of November 30th , 2017 , to nominate them to Co-operative Housing Ireland for standard housing accommodation at Ashling , Shanaway Road in Ennis .
This was in addition to the refusal of two offers of a house at Beechpark .
The appellants ’ stance as outlined on affidavit and in the oral evidence of Mr McDonagh was that such offers of accommodation would not be acceptable because they were not Traveller specific and could not accommodate the extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stance confers no rights upon them .
“ The accommodation offers made by the council were reasonable and it is clear that the appellants formed an intention to refuse all offers , insisting that the council provide them forthwith with six dwelling houses for the exclusive use of the appellants and five of their sons , with the latter ’ s partners/spouses and children , ” she said .
“ This demand , made in the middle of a national housing crisis , was not reasonable and could not readily be met by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its limited resources , as the evidence clearly demonstrated .
The conduct of the appellants was tantamount to asserting a veto over accommodation offered , a right which was not established to exist .
”

A family who had turned down four separate offers of accommodation in Ennis from Clare County Council has lost its case in the Court of Appeal.
The family, according to Justice Máire Whelan, was not entitled to effectively assert a veto by turning down what she stated were “reasonable” offers of accommodation by the council.
In her recently published judgment, Justice Máire Whelan dismissed an appeal involving the respondent, Clare County Council and appellants Bernard and Helen McDonagh.
This case involved an appeal against the orders made by the High Court on October 15th, 2019, when interlocutory injunctions were granted pending the trial of the action.
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The orders restrained the appellants from placing and retaining their caravans, vehicles and associated property on Clare County Council’s land at Cahercallamore, Ennis.
The court granted a further interlocutory injunction, compelling the parties to remove their caravans and vehicles and associated property from the land.
Justice Whelan stated that on December 7th, 2017 the council offered the appellants a tenancy of a newly acquired and refurbished four-bedroom dwelling house at The Woods, Cappahard, Tulla Road, Ennis, which was declined by the appellants.
They also declined the council’s offer of November 30th, 2017, to nominate them to Co-operative Housing Ireland for standard housing accommodation at Ashling, Shanaway Road in Ennis.
This was in addition to the refusal of two offers of a house at Beechpark.
Traveller specific
The appellants’ stance as outlined on affidavit and in the oral evidence of Mr McDonagh was that such offers of accommodation would not be acceptable because they were not Traveller specific and could not accommodate the extended McDonagh family. The judge stated that stance confers no rights upon them.
“The accommodation offers made by the council were reasonable and it is clear that the appellants formed an intention to refuse all offers, insisting that the council provide them forthwith with six dwelling houses for the exclusive use of the appellants and five of their sons, with the latter’s partners/spouses and children,” she said.
“This demand, made in the middle of a national housing crisis, was not reasonable and could not readily be met by the council given the demands upon it and its limited resources, as the evidence clearly demonstrated. The conduct of the appellants was tantamount to asserting a veto over accommodation offered, a right which was not established to exist.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-19--We are Solitary exhibition: The art of enforced loneliness

An exhibition that almost did not happen , exploring our need for connectedness at a time of enforced solitude , opens at the Rua Red gallery in Tallaght , Dublin , on Friday .
Titled We are Solitary , the event showcases the work of 12 final-year masters fine arts students at the National College of Art and Design .
Due to take place in April it was cancelled and then rescheduled .
Happening online , it will run until November 27th at ruared.ie .
It includes a provocative video piece representing woman , perhaps hunted , on the margins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personalities within each of us and how these connect with our world ; and a mosaic of photographs of trees , planted during the colonial past , which are “ alien ” to , yet now very familiar in , an Irish landscape .
Maree Egan ’ s piece , Quest , is a breathtakingly beautiful photograph of a Buddhist monk ’ s saffron robe fluttering on the wind .
Taken on a beach in north Dublin it is a tribute , she explains , to a deceased friend Alexander Ogden DiMeo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His robe was the only possession he owned .
The piece I suppose represents the transitory nature of life , the fact that we come into the world with nothing and alone and we leave the world with nothing and alone .
And his absence is shown , a step even beyond being solitary.
” Ann Marie Kirwan usually works in sculpture and had planned sculptures made with dried seaweed .
Based in Kilkenny , during lockdown however she could not get the to sea to gather material .
Forced to pivot to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four-minute video , Split , which shows a woman underwater , rising to the surface sporadically to breathe .
It is about endurance , staying the course and a need we all share – to breathe and be our true selves .
Jimmy Leonard , a survivor of industrial schools and the prison system , has two pieces – an untitled portrait and a field of flowers titled Summer Breeze – both vibrantly coloured .
He wants to bring the exhibition into Mountjoy Prison , explaining art was for him a therapy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of his past , he began to connect with himself .
“ We all need to feel connected .
Art is a language and a way of connecting , especially at a time when a lot of us are feeling alone .
”

Kitsch Doom’s The Clothes Wear You: She is dressed in character as Meryl Daze for the We are Solitary exhibition. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
An exhibition that almost did not happen, exploring our need for connectedness at a time of enforced solitude, opens at the Rua Red gallery in Tallaght, Dublin, on Friday.
Titled We are Solitary, the event showcases the work of 12 final-year masters fine arts students at the National College of Art and Design. Due to take place in April it was cancelled and then rescheduled. Happening online, it will run until November 27th at ruared.ie.
It includes a provocative video piece representing woman, perhaps hunted, on the margins; a performance-based exploration of the multiple personalities within each of us and how these connect with our world; and a mosaic of photographs of trees, planted during the colonial past, which are “alien” to, yet now very familiar in, an Irish landscape.
Sole possession
Maree Egan's piece, Quest, is a breathtakingly beautiful photograph of a Buddhist monk's saffron robe fluttering on the wind. Taken on a beach in north Dublin it is a tribute, she explains, to a deceased friend Alexander Ogden DiMeo, who was himself a monk.
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“His robe was the only possession he owned. The piece I suppose represents the transitory nature of life, the fact that we come into the world with nothing and alone and we leave the world with nothing and alone. And his absence is shown, a step even beyond being solitary.”
Maree Egan: Her work, Quest, is part of the We are Solitary exhibition. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Ann Marie Kirwan usually works in sculpture and had planned sculptures made with dried seaweed. Based in Kilkenny, during lockdown however she could not get the to sea to gather material.
Head above water
Forced to pivot to another medium, she has made a four-minute video, Split, which shows a woman underwater, rising to the surface sporadically to breathe. It is about endurance, staying the course and a need we all share – to breathe and be our true selves.
Ann Marie Kirwan: She made a four-minute video called Split, for the We are Solitary exhibition. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Jimmy Leonard, a survivor of industrial schools and the prison system, has two pieces – an untitled portrait and a field of flowers titled Summer Breeze – both vibrantly coloured.
He wants to bring the exhibition into Mountjoy Prison, explaining art was for him a therapy and medium through which, though brutalised by much of his past, he began to connect with himself.
“We all need to feel connected. Art is a language and a way of connecting, especially at a time when a lot of us are feeling alone.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-21--Oliver Bond flats regeneration to take 15 years

A regeneration programme for Oliver Bond House , one of the largest and oldest flat complexes in Dublin city will take up to 15 years to complete , according to Dublin City Council architects .
The 14 blocks of 391 flats between the river Liffey and the Liberties in the southwest inner city , built in 1936 , have been beset with social and structural problems for decades , with residents enduring persistent rat infestations .
Attention focused on the complex last September when a large-scale outdoor rave was held in the complex , in contravention of coronavirus restrictions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taoiseach Micheál Martin subsequently visited the complex and said the Government was committed to supporting its regeneration .
Preliminary redevelopment proposals have now been produced by the council ’ s architects division .
Short-term work will focus on improving the outdoor areas by blocking the circulation of cars through the estate and creating new green areas , playgrounds and clothes-drying areas .
Under the plan , cars would no longer be permitted to park in courtyards or on the internal streets in the estate , but would be restricted to a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas and playgrounds .
New bin-storage facilities and a recycling programme will be introduced to combat fly tipping to help eliminate the food source for rats .
Work on these measures will commence shortly .
However , the regeneration of the buildings would be a considerably longer project .
Oliver Bond House was designed by renowned city architect Herbert Simms and is a protected structure .
Instead of demolishing and rebuilding the estate , the council will retain the buildings , but upgrade them to modern standards .
This will involve replacing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heat pumps and replacing the internal facilities such as bathrooms and kitchens .
This would be done through an “ amalgamation programme ” , council architect Martin Donlon said .
The existing flats , which do not meet size standards , would be combined to make a smaller number of larger homes .
The number of flats in the estate would be reduced by about a third , but the number of bed spaces would not see the same reduction as there would not be a duplication of kitchen or bathroom facilities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the estate and the need to retain the external building fabric meant the project would be extremely lengthy , Mr Donlon said .
“ An amalgamation programme of this nature could take up to 15 years , or longer , to deal with decanting , the works , de-tenanting and re-tenanting , so it ’ s an incredibly long programme.
” However , he said , the only way to achieve modern living standards while retaining “ buildings of historic interest ” was to undertake the amalgamation project .
“ The only way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the building – address the fabric , the windows , the walls , the thermal upgrade , improving the heating – the only way is through an amalgamation programme .
”

A regeneration programme for Oliver Bond House, one of the largest and oldest flat complexes in Dublin city will take up to 15 years to complete, according to Dublin City Council architects.
The 14 blocks of 391 flats between the river Liffey and the Liberties in the southwest inner city, built in 1936, have been beset with social and structural problems for decades, with residents enduring persistent rat infestations.
Attention focused on the complex last September when a large-scale outdoor rave was held in the complex, in contravention of coronavirus restrictions and to the distress of many residents. Taoiseach Micheál Martin subsequently visited the complex and said the Government was committed to supporting its regeneration.
Preliminary redevelopment proposals have now been produced by the council’s architects division. Short-term work will focus on improving the outdoor areas by blocking the circulation of cars through the estate and creating new green areas, playgrounds and clothes-drying areas. Under the plan, cars would no longer be permitted to park in courtyards or on the internal streets in the estate, but would be restricted to a number of dedicated parking areas away from the green areas and playgrounds.
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New bin-storage facilities and a recycling programme will be introduced to combat fly tipping to help eliminate the food source for rats. Work on these measures will commence shortly.
However, the regeneration of the buildings would be a considerably longer project. Oliver Bond House was designed by renowned city architect Herbert Simms and is a protected structure. Instead of demolishing and rebuilding the estate, the council will retain the buildings, but upgrade them to modern standards. This will involve replacing the windows, insulating the walls, installing heat pumps and replacing the internal facilities such as bathrooms and kitchens.
‘Long programme’
This would be done through an "amalgamation programme", council architect Martin Donlon said. The existing flats, which do not meet size standards, would be combined to make a smaller number of larger homes. The number of flats in the estate would be reduced by about a third, but the number of bed spaces would not see the same reduction as there would not be a duplication of kitchen or bathroom facilities in the amalgamated flats.
The size of the estate and the need to retain the external building fabric meant the project would be extremely lengthy, Mr Donlon said. “An amalgamation programme of this nature could take up to 15 years, or longer, to deal with decanting, the works, de-tenanting and re-tenanting, so it’s an incredibly long programme.”
However, he said, the only way to achieve modern living standards while retaining “buildings of historic interest” was to undertake the amalgamation project.
“The only way we can address all of the issues with the building – address the fabric, the windows, the walls , the thermal upgrade, improving the heating – the only way is through an amalgamation programme.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-21--Treasure trove of Jack B Yeats watercolours discovered

It ’ s the gift that keeps on giving .
Two years ago a mystery donor presented the Model Arts Centre in Sligo with a quirky mix of Yeats family artefacts .
Among them were nine model boats made by Jack B Yeats , as well a wooden travelling case belonging to the artist , which had 19 of his original watercolour drawings pasted on to the inside lid .
When the Irish Heritage Council recently provided funding to the Model to have conservation work done on these , staff at the Paper Conservation Studio in Dublin were amazed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 drawings .
Several prints were also discovered , including one of a John Butler Yeats drawing of his son Jack from 1875 , when the artist was a four-year-old .
Moreover , the hidden surprises did not end there .
Wood conservators at Conservation Letterfrack in Co Galway discovered a model of a Jack B Yeats creation , Theodore the Pirate , in one of the toy boats they were restoring .
Theodore featured in some of the artist ’ s early drawings and also in A Broadside , the publication edited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Butler Yeats , and published by their sister , Elizabeth in Cuala Press .
“ The conservator was blowing air into the hull to remove dust and he appeared , ” says Emer McGarry , director of the Model .
“ It ’ s a cardboard figure with the word ‘ help ’ written on his back .
It is really sweet.
” The artefacts and watercolours , which experts say underline Jack B Yeats ’ s playful nature and love for seafaring tales , were just part of a special acquisition following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s , London in 2017 .
When paper conservator Patrick McBride and his colleague Ciara McQueirns started removing the 19 watercolours from the travelling case lid , they were thrilled to discover there was more to the donation than met the eye .
“ It was a lovely project to work on , a real fairy-tale story , ” says Dr McBride .
“ We are so privileged , we are the first people to see these since he pasted them here over 100 years ago.
” While the drawings recovered were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was some damage from wood resin and hinge rust .
A decision has been made to mount them and replace them on the lid with facsimile images .
“ The colours were still relatively strong given that they are over 100 years old , probably because the lid was closed so they were not exposed to the light.
” The drawings are of Boatswain Hardtack ( “ a reckless swashbuckler ” ) and Piney on the Gara River .
In a sales catalogue , Sotheby ’ s noted that when British poet laureate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ B Yeats at their Devon home in 1903 , the two men amused themselves by making model boats and sailing them .
“ It ’ s lovely to think that these two men , who were in their 30s at the time , were enjoying sailing model boats on the river , ” says Ms McGarry , who is planning an exhibition as soon as Covid-19 restrictions permit .
She says it will be geared at children , with watercolours hung at an appropriate height .

The wooden travelling case belonging to artist Jack B Yeats which had 19 of his original watercolour drawings pasted on to the inside lid. Photograph: Sotheby’s
It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Two years ago a mystery donor presented the Model Arts Centre in Sligo with a quirky mix of Yeats family artefacts.
Among them were nine model boats made by Jack B Yeats, as well a wooden travelling case belonging to the artist, which had 19 of his original watercolour drawings pasted on to the inside lid.
When the Irish Heritage Council recently provided funding to the Model to have conservation work done on these, staff at the Paper Conservation Studio in Dublin were amazed to find two more originals hidden behind the 19 drawings. Several prints were also discovered, including one of a John Butler Yeats drawing of his son Jack from 1875, when the artist was a four-year-old.
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Moreover, the hidden surprises did not end there.
Wood conservators at Conservation Letterfrack in Co Galway discovered a model of a Jack B Yeats creation, Theodore the Pirate, in one of the toy boats they were restoring.
Theodore featured in some of the artist’s early drawings and also in A Broadside, the publication edited by Jack and later his brother William Butler Yeats, and published by their sister, Elizabeth in Cuala Press.
“The conservator was blowing air into the hull to remove dust and he appeared,” says Emer McGarry, director of the Model. “It’s a cardboard figure with the word ‘help’ written on his back. It is really sweet.”
Theodore of the Gulf by Jack B Yeats. Photograph: Heike Thiele
Piney on the Gara River by Jack B Yeats was found in a donation to the Model Arts Centre in Sligo. Photograph: Heike Thiele
The artefacts and watercolours, which experts say underline Jack B Yeats’s playful nature and love for seafaring tales, were just part of a special acquisition following a Yeats family sale at Sotheby’s, London in 2017.
When paper conservator Patrick McBride and his colleague Ciara McQueirns started removing the 19 watercolours from the travelling case lid, they were thrilled to discover there was more to the donation than met the eye.
“It was a lovely project to work on, a real fairy-tale story,” says Dr McBride. “We are so privileged, we are the first people to see these since he pasted them here over 100 years ago.”
While the drawings recovered were in good condition, Dr McBride says there was some damage from wood resin and hinge rust. A decision has been made to mount them and replace them on the lid with facsimile images.
“The colours were still relatively strong given that they are over 100 years old, probably because the lid was closed so they were not exposed to the light.”
Wood conservators at Conservation Letterfrack in Co Galway discovered a model of a Jack B Yeats creation, Theodore the Pirate, in one of the toy boats they were restoring. Photograph: Heike Thiele
Model boats made by Jack B Yeats donated to the Model Arts Centre in Sligo. Photograph: Heike Thiele
The drawings are of Boatswain Hardtack (“a reckless swashbuckler” ) and Piney on the Gara River.
In a sales catalogue, Sotheby’s noted that when British poet laureate John Masefield spent two weeks with Jack B Yeats at their Devon home in 1903, the two men amused themselves by making model boats and sailing them.
“It’s lovely to think that these two men, who were in their 30s at the time, were enjoying sailing model boats on the river,” says Ms McGarry, who is planning an exhibition as soon as Covid-19 restrictions permit. She says it will be geared at children, with watercolours hung at an appropriate height.