theirishtimes--2020-10-11--Covid-19: 814 new cases and two further deaths reported as Taoiseach warns of ‘challenging weeks ahe

Covid-19: 814 new cases and two further deaths reported as Taoiseach warns of ‘challenging weeks ahead’

A further two people diagnosed with coronavirus have died and 814 new cases have been reported , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) said on Sunday .
Sunday ’ s figures bring to 1,826 the number of people who have died of the disease in the Republic of Ireland with a total of 42,528 cases confirmed in the State since the start of the pandemic .
Of Sunday ’ s cases 432 are men and 381 are women , 70 per cent are under 45 years of age , while the median age is 32 years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in Dublin , 77 in Cork , 64 in Galway , 56 in Donegal , 48 in Meath and the remaining 343 cases are spread across all remaining counties .
As of 2pm on Sunday 204 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised , of which 30 are in ICU with 16 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours , Nphet said in its daily update .
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said : “ It is vital that the entire population consistently implement public health advice into their daily lives ; keep your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep physical distance when you need to be out of your home .
“ Twenty two out of 26 counties have seven-day incidence rates as a percentage of 14-day incidence rates above 50 per cent .
This shows rapidly increasing growth rates across the country.
” On Saturday Nphet reported 1,012 new cases of the disease .
This was the highest number of cases in a single day since the height of the pandemic on April 15th , when 1,068 were recorded .
Over the weekend , public health officials issued stark warnings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people in hospital with the disease passed 200 .
As of 8am on Sunday there were 201 Covid-19 patients hospitalised , of which 30 were in ICU .
At 8pm on Saturday night there were 198 confirmed cases in Irish hospitals and 103 suspected cases .
According to the HSE ’ s daily operations update , of the confirmed cases , the highest number ( 22 ) was in Cavan , followed by Beaumont ( 21 ) , Tallaght ( 18 ) and Cork University Hospital ( 15 ) .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change their behaviours so “ we can make Level 3 work , protect lives and livelihoods ” and stop Covid-19 spreading .
Mr Martin said in a statement on Sunday the move to Level 3 involved tightening coronavirus restrictions on people and society , which particularly affected the hospitality sector .
“ Covid-19 is challenging countries across Europe and throughout the world , ” he said .
“ The coming weeks will be challenging but working with Nphet , we will respond firmly and appropriately .
We have the capacity and resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said that “ for next few days and weeks the figures are going to get worse ” for Covid-19 .
“ New cases are doubling about every 16 days ” Mr Donnelly said on RTÉ radio ’ s This Week in Politics programme on Sunday .
At the height of the pandemic the rate doubled every five or six days .
Mr Donnelly said it was important “ not to look at any individual day but to look at trends ” .
The reproduction or R0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dublin has a reproduction rate for the virus of 1 .
He said an “ extra push for Dublin could produce positive results for Dublin ” .
He added : “ The R0 for the rest of the country is 1.6 , which is very high and that is why we are in Level 3 for the country.
” “ The initial indications in Dublin are positive and we now have the opportunity working together to say we ’ re going to embrace this.
” Mr Donnelly said the State also planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a possible alternative to quarantine for some arriving passengers , although it is not clear when the capacity will be ready .
Airlines Ryanair and Aer Lingus have heavily criticised the Government for imposing some of the strictest travel restrictions in Europe , with 14-day quarantines advised for almost all incoming travellers .
Questioned about the Tánaiste ’ s suggestion of a “ circuit breaker ” lockdown , which is a short national lockdown , Mr Donnelly said “ it ’ s not being considered right now ” .
He said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a reflection of whether we should be in the so-called circuit breaker.
” Mr Donnelly said some time ago Singapore trialled the Level 5 circuit breaker for about three months and it seemed to have worked .
Israel is the only country doing it now at Level 4 and the indications are positive .
“ The fact that Level 4 and 5 are in the framework it ’ s implicit that at some point we might have to go there ” but he said they were not considering it now , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tony Holohan said on Saturday night : “ I am very worried about the numbers we are seeing and how quickly they are deteriorating .
“ All of the important indicators of the disease are deteriorating .
For example , there has been a consistent increase in test positivity over the past week .
The test positivity rate up to midnight Friday October 9th was 6.2 per cent , which has more than doubled in less than a fortnight .
“ Case numbers are growing across all age groups and throughout the country.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ circuit breaker ” ... “ may well be needed at some point , ” writing in the Sunday Independent .
“ I know some say that a circuit break could save Christmas .
I am not so sure .
The problem is that when you ’ re in full lockdown it ’ s difficult to get out of it , ” he wrote .
On Monday , the Government rejected the Nphet ’ s advice to move the country into a national lockdown for four weeks .
Instead opting to put the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 plan , which entails restrictions on restaurants , pubs , and movement between counties .
Senior medical leaders believe that while the hospital system is challenged it is not overwhelmed at this stage , the head of the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) has said .
Paul Reid said that the HSE ’ s chief clinical officer as well as lead consultants across the country in intensive care and emergency medicine had advised him up to Sunday morning that the hospitals were “ coping ” .
He said their advice was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch ” .
Mr Reid told RTÉ on Sunday that the advice to him was that the “ system has not been overwhelmed right now ” .
He said that situation could change very quickly and it needed to be monitored carefully .
“ I will take my lead ultimately from our senior consultants and that it how they are decribing it right now.
” Mr Reid said HSE senior management would be taking a site-by-site look at the situation in hospitals on Monday morning .
The HSE chief said the health service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which either had already been introduced on a temporary basis earlier this year or promised under the new winter plan to be “ sustained throughout next year ” .
He said this was being discussed as part of the current financial estimates ahead of the Budget next week .
Mr Reid said the HSE in the first phase of the Covid-19 pandemic had put in place about 800 additional beds – 400 in level four hospitals and 400 in level two hospitals .
He said under the winter plan a further 590 beds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister of State for Further Education Niall Collins of Fianna Fáil said Government would consider moving other counties where the virus continues to spread rapidly , like Donegal , to stricter levels under the plan .
“ The figures are trending in the wrong direction , they are stabilising in Dublin that being said , so let ’ s see how it goes over the next number of days , ” he said on RTÉ ’ S This Week programme .
“ If we have to go on different levels for different counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be taken , or if we have to move the entire country up a level or two levels , that will be a decision , which will be taken based on all the best advice .
”

A further two people diagnosed with coronavirus have died and 814 new cases have been reported, the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) said on Sunday.
Sunday’s figures bring to 1,826 the number of people who have died of the disease in the Republic of Ireland with a total of 42,528 cases confirmed in the State since the start of the pandemic.
Of Sunday's cases 432 are men and 381 are women, 70 per cent are under 45 years of age, while the median age is 32 years. A total of 226 of the cases are in Dublin, 77 in Cork, 64 in Galway, 56 in Donegal, 48 in Meath and the remaining 343 cases are spread across all remaining counties.
As of 2pm on Sunday 204 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 30 are in ICU with 16 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours, Nphet said in its daily update.
READ MORE
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: “It is vital that the entire population consistently implement public health advice into their daily lives; keep your social contacts to an absolute minimum and keep physical distance when you need to be out of your home.
“Twenty two out of 26 counties have seven-day incidence rates as a percentage of 14-day incidence rates above 50 per cent. This shows rapidly increasing growth rates across the country.”
On Saturday Nphet reported 1,012 new cases of the disease. This was the highest number of cases in a single day since the height of the pandemic on April 15th, when 1,068 were recorded.
Over the weekend, public health officials issued stark warnings about the spread of Covid-19 and the number of people in hospital with the disease passed 200. As of 8am on Sunday there were 201 Covid-19 patients hospitalised, of which 30 were in ICU. At 8pm on Saturday night there were 198 confirmed cases in Irish hospitals and 103 suspected cases. According to the HSE’s daily operations update, of the confirmed cases, the highest number (22) was in Cavan, followed by Beaumont (21), Tallaght (18) and Cork University Hospital (15).
Earlier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin asked the public to change their behaviours so “we can make Level 3 work, protect lives and livelihoods” and stop Covid-19 spreading.
Mr Martin said in a statement on Sunday the move to Level 3 involved tightening coronavirus restrictions on people and society, which particularly affected the hospitality sector.
"Covid-19 is challenging countries across Europe and throughout the world," he said.
“The coming weeks will be challenging but working with Nphet, we will respond firmly and appropriately. We have the capacity and resources to come through this and we will.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said that "for next few days and weeks the figures are going to get worse" for Covid-19.
"New cases are doubling about every 16 days" Mr Donnelly said on RTÉ radio's This Week in Politics programme on Sunday. At the height of the pandemic the rate doubled every five or six days.
Mr Donnelly said it was important “not to look at any individual day but to look at trends”.
The reproduction or R0 number for the country is 1.2. Dublin has a reproduction rate for the virus of 1. He said an “extra push for Dublin could produce positive results for Dublin”.
He added: “The R0 for the rest of the country is 1.6, which is very high and that is why we are in Level 3 for the country.”
“The initial indications in Dublin are positive and we now have the opportunity working together to say we’re going to embrace this.”
Airports
Mr Donnelly said the State also planned to introduce coronavirus testing at airports as part of a possible alternative to quarantine for some arriving passengers, although it is not clear when the capacity will be ready.
Airlines Ryanair and Aer Lingus have heavily criticised the Government for imposing some of the strictest travel restrictions in Europe, with 14-day quarantines advised for almost all incoming travellers.
Questioned about the Tánaiste’s suggestion of a “circuit breaker” lockdown, which is a short national lockdown, Mr Donnelly said “it’s not being considered right now”.
He said: “This week’s figures are not a reflection of whether we should be in the so-called circuit breaker.”
Mr Donnelly said some time ago Singapore trialled the Level 5 circuit breaker for about three months and it seemed to have worked. Israel is the only country doing it now at Level 4 and the indications are positive.
“The fact that Level 4 and 5 are in the framework it’s implicit that at some point we might have to go there” but he said they were not considering it now,” he said.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said on Saturday night: “I am very worried about the numbers we are seeing and how quickly they are deteriorating.
“All of the important indicators of the disease are deteriorating. For example, there has been a consistent increase in test positivity over the past week. The test positivity rate up to midnight Friday October 9th was 6.2 per cent, which has more than doubled in less than a fortnight.
“Case numbers are growing across all age groups and throughout the country.”
‘Circuit breaker’
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said a "circuit breaker"... "may well be needed at some point," writing in the Sunday Independent.
“I know some say that a circuit break could save Christmas. I am not so sure. The problem is that when you’re in full lockdown it’s difficult to get out of it,” he wrote.
On Monday, the Government rejected the Nphet’s advice to move the country into a national lockdown for four weeks. Instead opting to put the country on Level 3 of its Living with Covid-19 plan, which entails restrictions on restaurants, pubs, and movement between counties.
Senior medical leaders believe that while the hospital system is challenged it is not overwhelmed at this stage, the head of the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said.
Paul Reid said that the HSE's chief clinical officer as well as lead consultants across the country in intensive care and emergency medicine had advised him up to Sunday morning that the hospitals were "coping".
He said their advice was that the situation was “continuously on watch”.
Mr Reid told RTÉ on Sunday that the advice to him was that the “system has not been overwhelmed right now”.
He said that situation could change very quickly and it needed to be monitored carefully.
“I will take my lead ultimately from our senior consultants and that it how they are decribing it right now.”
Mr Reid said HSE senior management would be taking a site-by-site look at the situation in hospitals on Monday morning.
The HSE chief said the health service wanted to see 1,400 additional beds, which either had already been introduced on a temporary basis earlier this year or promised under the new winter plan to be “sustained throughout next year”. He said this was being discussed as part of the current financial estimates ahead of the Budget next week.
Mr Reid said the HSE in the first phase of the Covid-19 pandemic had put in place about 800 additional beds – 400 in level four hospitals and 400 in level two hospitals.
He said under the winter plan a further 590 beds were to be provided.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Further Education Niall Collins of Fianna Fáil said Government would consider moving other counties where the virus continues to spread rapidly, like Donegal, to stricter levels under the plan.
“The figures are trending in the wrong direction, they are stabilising in Dublin that being said, so let’s see how it goes over the next number of days,” he said on RTÉ’S This Week programme.
“If we have to go on different levels for different counties of course that is a consideration that can be taken, or if we have to move the entire country up a level or two levels, that will be a decision, which will be taken based on all the best advice.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-11--Marine body welcomes end of ban on 18m boats fishing inside six-mile limit

A leading fishing organisation has welcomed a High Court ruling which has effectively led to a Department of the Marine ban of vessels over 18 metres fishing within the six-mile nautical limit being overturned .
Mr Justice Michael MacGrath this week ruled that the ban , introduced by way of a department directive in March 2019 , was “ void and had no legal effect ” following an earlier ruling in July .
Fishermen Neil Minihane from Castletownbere in Co Cork and Tom Kennedy from Dingle in Co Kerry had taken a judicial review in the High Court against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this year .
In that ruling , Mr Justice MacGrath found the policy directive was a national measure designed to further the interests of inshore fishermen and protect ecosystems and he didn ’ t accept it was “ disproportionate ” in its impact .
However , he did find that the Department of the Marine had failed to properly consult with affected owners of vessels over 18 metres before introducing the directive and he found for Mr Minihane and Mr Kennedy in their challenge .
And this week he confirmed that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to render the directive void and without any legal effect , paving the way for the owners of vessels over 18 metres to resume fishing inside the six-mile limit .
The directive had stated that licences granted to sea-fishing vessels over 18 metres included a condition that such vessels were precluded from operating trawl or seine nets inside the six nautical-mile zone from January 1st , 2020 .
The directive prohibited the fishing for species such as herring and mackerel , which are subject to quotas , but did allow fishing for sprat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but subject to catch limits that could be set by the minister .
Mr Minihane and Mr Kennedy had argued their trawlers The Celtic Quest , the Fiona K III and the Ocean Venture II , all of which exceed 18 metres , were prohibited from fishing for herring and bull mackerel inside the six-mile limit .
This week ’ s ruling has been welcomed by Patrick Murphy , CEO of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation ( IS & WFPO ) , saying that the organisation had argued from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Mr Justice Michael McGrath has found in favour of the two applicants , Neil Minihane and Tom Kennedy that the ban on over 18 metre vessels fishing inside the six-mile limit was not good law , ” he told The Skipper magazine .
“ He has agreed with the applicants on seeking an order quashing the directive issued on March 5th , 2019 and that the directive was made in breach of fair procedures and/or natural justice and is void and/or of no legal effect.
” The directive had been specified by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the ruling will now require the recalling of licences and the issuing of new ones , returning the right to fish once again in their traditional grounds , he said .
Mr Murphy pointed out that the IS & WFPO submitted in 2019 to then-minister for the marine Michael Creed that the consultation process initiated by him was , in their view , fundamentally flawed .
“ We noted in our submission to minister Creed ’ s public consultation that the scientific information being relied upon to enquire into any possible change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view , quite deficient , ” he said .
“ We requested specific individual studies be carried out on the activities of all fishing vessels which had traditionally fished in the waters lying inside of the six-mile limit and that were proposed to be excluded from fishing in that zone.
” And he said the IS & WFPO was now willing to assist the new Minister for the Marine Charlie McConalogue and his officials to introduce measures that will not discriminate against fishermen on the basis of their trawler size .
The IS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaluation to calculate the biomass of all commercial stocks within the six-mile zone and until this was completed , “ no quota figure should be set for this important fishery , ” he said .
And he said they were seeking any future decision to take account of the socio- economic impact on coastal communities of any decision which forces vessels to tie up if they can no longer land fish into established local markets .

The directive from the department had banned trawlers over 18m from fishing within the six-mile limit. File photograph: Donall Farmer/The Irish Times
A leading fishing organisation has welcomed a High Court ruling which has effectively led to a Department of the Marine ban of vessels over 18 metres fishing within the six-mile nautical limit being overturned.
Mr Justice Michael MacGrath this week ruled that the ban, introduced by way of a department directive in March 2019, was “void and had no legal effect” following an earlier ruling in July.
Fishermen Neil Minihane from Castletownbere in Co Cork and Tom Kennedy from Dingle in Co Kerry had taken a judicial review in the High Court against the directive and were successful in that action earlier this year.
In that ruling, Mr Justice MacGrath found the policy directive was a national measure designed to further the interests of inshore fishermen and protect ecosystems and he didn’t accept it was “disproportionate” in its impact.
READ MORE
However, he did find that the Department of the Marine had failed to properly consult with affected owners of vessels over 18 metres before introducing the directive and he found for Mr Minihane and Mr Kennedy in their challenge.
And this week he confirmed that the effect of his ruling in July was to render the directive void and without any legal effect, paving the way for the owners of vessels over 18 metres to resume fishing inside the six-mile limit.
The directive had stated that licences granted to sea-fishing vessels over 18 metres included a condition that such vessels were precluded from operating trawl or seine nets inside the six nautical-mile zone from January 1st, 2020.
The directive prohibited the fishing for species such as herring and mackerel, which are subject to quotas, but did allow fishing for sprat, which is a non-quota species, but subject to catch limits that could be set by the minister.
Mr Minihane and Mr Kennedy had argued their trawlers The Celtic Quest, the Fiona K III and the Ocean Venture II, all of which exceed 18 metres, were prohibited from fishing for herring and bull mackerel inside the six-mile limit.
This week's ruling has been welcomed by Patrick Murphy, CEO of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation (IS&WFPO), saying that the organisation had argued from the outset that the legislation was flawed.
“Mr Justice Michael McGrath has found in favour of the two applicants, Neil Minihane and Tom Kennedy that the ban on over 18 metre vessels fishing inside the six-mile limit was not good law,” he told The Skipper magazine.
“He has agreed with the applicants on seeking an order quashing the directive issued on March 5th, 2019 and that the directive was made in breach of fair procedures and/or natural justice and is void and/or of no legal effect.”
The directive had been specified by the department on the licence of vessels and the ruling will now require the recalling of licences and the issuing of new ones, returning the right to fish once again in their traditional grounds, he said.
Mr Murphy pointed out that the IS&WFPO submitted in 2019 to then-minister for the marine Michael Creed that the consultation process initiated by him was, in their view, fundamentally flawed.
“We noted in our submission to minister Creed’s public consultation that the scientific information being relied upon to enquire into any possible change in policy was, in our considered view, quite deficient,” he said.
“We requested specific individual studies be carried out on the activities of all fishing vessels which had traditionally fished in the waters lying inside of the six-mile limit and that were proposed to be excluded from fishing in that zone.”
And he said the IS&WFPO was now willing to assist the new Minister for the Marine Charlie McConalogue and his officials to introduce measures that will not discriminate against fishermen on the basis of their trawler size.
The IS&WFPO was calling for immediate scientific evaluation to calculate the biomass of all commercial stocks within the six-mile zone and until this was completed, “no quota figure should be set for this important fishery,” he said.
And he said they were seeking any future decision to take account of the socio- economic impact on coastal communities of any decision which forces vessels to tie up if they can no longer land fish into established local markets.


theirishtimes--2020-10-12--Explainer: Covid-19 restrictions may be working in Dublin

There are signs that the spread of coronavirus may have begun to slow in Dublin , as rates of the disease continue to increase sharply elsewhere in the country , in particular near the Border .
Dublin was moved to Level 3 of the Government ’ s phased Covid-19 plan three weeks ago , with those restrictions extended nationwide at the start of last week .
The measures included prohibiting indoor dining in pubs and restaurants , a ban on many sports fixtures , and restrictions on movement between other counties , unless for work , education or essential reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it generally takes a number of weeks before the impact of new restrictions can be seen on the growth of the disease , and in metrics like the daily number of new cases .
Government sources are hopeful that initial signs are showing the situation in Dublin has begun to stabilise following the third week of restrictions .
The first indicators of whether the nationwide Level 3 measures have been effective or not may start to be seen towards the end of this week .
There were 1,826 additional cases reported between Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ located in Dublin .
Speaking on Sunday , Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the R-number , which is the reproductive rate of the disease , was estimated to stand at 1 in Dublin .
So for every person who contracts the virus it is estimated to pass on to one other individual , which would mean the path of the virus is stabilising and not rapidly spreading through the community at present .
Latest figures show the incidence rate in Dublin increased only marginally to 174.6 , and is currently lower than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst affected county , with an incidence of 344.9 cases per 100,000 people over the past 14 days , according to figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) to midnight on Saturday .
Cavan is the centre of a large spike in the disease with an incidence of 338.7 , following a 12 per cent increase in a day .
On October 1st , the county had an incidence of 67 .
Monaghan , another border county , also currently has a high incidence with 319.3 cases per 100,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of this month the five hospitals with the highest numbers of Covid-19 patients were all located in Dublin .
St James ’ s Hospital had 16 Covid-19 positive patients , followed by the Mater ( 14 ) , Beaumont ( 13 ) , Connolly ( 10 ) and Tallaght Hospital ( 10 ) .
While the rest of the acute hospitals across the country were treating single digit numbers of patients with the disease .
On Sunday night , Cavan General Hospital had the most coronavirus patients ( 28 ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Tallaght Hospital ( 19 ) .
Cork University Hospital had 16 confirmed Covid-19 patients , and Letterkenny had 15 .
Rather than the number of new cases on a given day , the hospitalisation rates are a key metric watched closely by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) .
The steadily growing number of Covid-19 patients in acute hospitals – now at 216 nationwide – is one of the factors Nphet is most concerned about .
Particularly given the well documented lack of capacity in the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rate of spread inside the capital , south Co Dublin continues to have a lower incidence of the disease , with higher rates in the city centre , south-west and northside .
Based on epidemiological data for each local electoral area , Blackrock , south Dublin , had an incidence rate of 77 , the lowest in the county .
Rathmines-Kimmage had the highest at 306 .
This data is for the previous 14 days up to 5th October , so comes with a health warning as it is a week old @

There are signs that the spread of coronavirus may have begun to slow in Dublin, as rates of the disease continue to increase sharply elsewhere in the country, in particular near the Border.
Dublin was moved to Level 3 of the Government’s phased Covid-19 plan three weeks ago, with those restrictions extended nationwide at the start of last week.
The measures included prohibiting indoor dining in pubs and restaurants, a ban on many sports fixtures, and restrictions on movement between other counties, unless for work, education or essential reasons.
Hospital Report
Public health officials have previously stressed it generally takes a number of weeks before the impact of new restrictions can be seen on the growth of the disease, and in metrics like the daily number of new cases.
READ MORE
Government sources are hopeful that initial signs are showing the situation in Dublin has begun to stabilise following the third week of restrictions. The first indicators of whether the nationwide Level 3 measures have been effective or not may start to be seen towards the end of this week.
There were 1,826 additional cases reported between Saturday and Sunday, with 467 of those located in Dublin.
R-number
Speaking on Sunday, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the R-number, which is the reproductive rate of the disease, was estimated to stand at 1 in Dublin. So for every person who contracts the virus it is estimated to pass on to one other individual, which would mean the path of the virus is stabilising and not rapidly spreading through the community at present.
Latest figures show the incidence rate in Dublin increased only marginally to 174.6, and is currently lower than seven other counties.
Donegal remains the worst affected county, with an incidence of 344.9 cases per 100,000 people over the past 14 days, according to figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) to midnight on Saturday.
Cavan is the centre of a large spike in the disease with an incidence of 338.7, following a 12 per cent increase in a day. On October 1st, the county had an incidence of 67. Monaghan, another border county, also currently has a high incidence with 319.3 cases per 100,000 people over the last 14 days.
At the start of this month the five hospitals with the highest numbers of Covid-19 patients were all located in Dublin.
St James’s Hospital had 16 Covid-19 positive patients, followed by the Mater (14), Beaumont (13), Connolly (10) and Tallaght Hospital (10). While the rest of the acute hospitals across the country were treating single digit numbers of patients with the disease.
Cavan General Hospital
On Sunday night, Cavan General Hospital had the most coronavirus patients (28), followed by Beaumont Hospital (22), and Tallaght Hospital (19). Cork University Hospital had 16 confirmed Covid-19 patients, and Letterkenny had 15.
Rather than the number of new cases on a given day, the hospitalisation rates are a key metric watched closely by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).
The steadily growing number of Covid-19 patients in acute hospitals – now at 216 nationwide – is one of the factors Nphet is most concerned about. Particularly given the well documented lack of capacity in the country’s intensive care system.
Looking at the rate of spread inside the capital, south Co Dublin continues to have a lower incidence of the disease, with higher rates in the city centre, south-west and northside.
Based on epidemiological data for each local electoral area, Blackrock, south Dublin, had an incidence rate of 77, the lowest in the county. Rathmines-Kimmage had the highest at 306. This data is for the previous 14 days up to 5th October, so comes with a health warning as it is a week old.


theirishtimes--2020-10-12--Laois nursing home battling Covid-19 outbreak reports three resident deaths

A nursing home in Co Laois battling a coronavirus outbreak has said three residents infected by the disease have died and a fourth has been hospitalised with Covid-19 .
A spokeswoman for Kilminchy Lodge Nursing Home in Portlaoise confirmed the deaths of three residents related to Covid-19 .
Two died in the home and a third in hospital in Portlaoise .
The nursing home said there are two other residents in Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise , one of whom is Covid positive and the second who does not have the disease .
The spokeswoman said no further residents or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week when it initially reported 31 Covid-19 cases , with 21 residents and 10 staff testing positive .
Residents in the nursing home are being isolated and the facility is closed to visitors in line with the Level 3 restrictions introduced last week to try to suppress rising numbers of infections .
The care home , which is owned by private nursing home operator Brindley Healthcare , can accommodate up to 52 residents .
It is working with HSE public health officials and the health service regulator , the Health Information and Quality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The HSE said last Friday there were 10 outbreaks in nursing homes over the previous week with 68 Covid-19 cases .
This compares with five outbreaks in the week to September 26th .
The State ’ s chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has warned that if community transmission of the virus is not reduced , it will not be possible “ to keep this out of nursing homes.
” Nursing home residents account for more than half the 1,826 deaths from the virus since the first outbreak was a reported in a @ @ @ @ @

Kilminchy Lodge Nursing Home in Portlaoise has confirmed that three residents infected by Covid-19 have died. Photograph: PA
A nursing home in Co Laois battling a coronavirus outbreak has said three residents infected by the disease have died and a fourth has been hospitalised with Covid-19.
A spokeswoman for Kilminchy Lodge Nursing Home in Portlaoise confirmed the deaths of three residents who had tested positive for Covid-19. Two died in the home and a third in hospital in Portlaoise.
The nursing home said there are two other residents in Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise, one of whom is Covid positive and the second who does not have the disease.
Hospital Report
“The management, staff and community within Kilminchy Lodge Nursing Home express our sincere sympathy and condolences to the families and relatives of our deceased residents,” the nursing home said in a statement confirming the three deaths.
READ MORE
The spokeswoman said no further residents or staff had contracted the virus since last week when it initially reported 31 Covid-19 cases, with 21 residents and 10 staff testing positive.
A second round of testing was conducted at Kilminchy Lodge on October 8th and the results were returned on October 10th. No additional positive cases were found.
Residents in the nursing home are being isolated and the facility is closed to visitors in line with the Level 3 restrictions introduced last week to try to suppress rising numbers of infections.
The care home, which is owned by private nursing home operator Brindley Healthcare, can accommodate up to 52 residents.
The HSE said last Friday there were 10 outbreaks in nursing homes over the previous week with 68 Covid-19 cases. This compares with five outbreaks in the week to September 26th.
The State's chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan raised the National Public Health Emergency Team's concerns about the increasing number of Covid-19 cases and clusters in nursing home residents and staff in a letter to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly last week.
Nphet stressed in the letter that “reducing overall community transmission is an essential prerequisite to the protection of those living and working in nursing homes against Covid-19”.
The Minister was told there had been 11 new clusters in nursing homes and community hospitals in the week leading up to October 3rd with a further 86 cases linked to outbreaks of the disease and that there had been 397 healthcare workers testing positive.
The letter emphasised the importance of continuing the fortnightly serial testing of staff in nursing homes that is aimed at detecting asymptomatic cases of the virus to prevent outbreaks among residents.
Nphet also referred to an information campaign on infection prevention and control measures being developed to help nursing homes through the next phase of the pandemic.
Nursing home residents account for more than half the 1,826 deaths from the virus since the first outbreak was reported in a care facility in mid-March.
Kilminchy Lodge said that the best practices identified from the onset of the pandemic have continued at the home in line with public health and World Health Organisation guidelines.
The nursing home said that it continued to work closely with public health officials, the HSE and Hiqa, the health service regulator.
The care facility said that its family liaison officer was available to all families and is providing support where required.
“We want to sincerely thank our hard-working staff who have given their selfless and tireless dedication to the care of our residents at this time,” the nursing home said.
“We also want to acknowledge the medical support given by Portlaoise General hospital.”
The nursing home added that the management and staff at Kilminchy Lodge “are grateful for the support of the families and friends of all our residents during these difficult time.”
“The goodwill, support and kindness of the local community and local businesses has been incredible,” the care facility said.
“We are humbled by the generosity and kindness of so many people who have sent the staff and residents flowers, gifts and cards with messages of support and best wishes.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-12--Number on pandemic unemployment payment increases by 23,265

The number of people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment has increased by 23,265 over the last week following the extension of Level 3 restrictions across the country .
The number of people receiving the benefit now stands at 228,858 , the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said on Monday .
The new figures show that the number of people receiving the Government ’ s pandemic unemployment payment increased in every part of the country over the past week .
In Cork , the numbers receiving the payment increased over the past week from 16,995 to 20,566 .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 5,769 on October 6th to 7,630 this week .
According to the new figures in Galway the number of people receiving payments under the scheme increased also by around 2,000 to 11,578 this week .
In Limerick there are 8,300 people receiving the payment this week compared with 7,122 on October 6th .
Overall the number of people in the accommodation and food service sector receiving the pandemic unemployment payment increased by 18,249 since last week .
There are now 69,535 people in this sector are currently receiving the pandemic unemployment payment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Humphreys said over €61 million would be paid out in pandemic unemployment payments this week which would support almost 229,000 people .
“ The increase in the number of recipients reflects the seriousness of the impact of the pandemic on the economic life of the country .
“ “ I know it has been difficult for many businesses particularly in the hospitality sector who have been impacted by Level 3 restrictions.
” “ My priority is ensuring that we get payments to impacted workers quickly , this is the very reason Government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) open for applications .
Over 95 per cent of people who applied for the pandemic unemployment payment this week did so online .
This meant that it was possible to process the claims immediately and issue payments without delay .
“ The 228,858 people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment are in addition to the 211,492 people who were reported on the Live Register as of the end of September .
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said that while there was an increase of 23,265 in the number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , during the same period 4,931 people closed their claim for the benefit to return to work .

The number of people receiving the benefit now stands at 228,858.
The number of people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment has increased by 23,265 over the last week following the extension of Level 3 restrictions across the country.
The number of people receiving the benefit now stands at 228,858, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said on Monday.
The new figures show that the number of people receiving the Government’s pandemic unemployment payment increased in every part of the country over the past week.
In Cork, the numbers receiving the payment increased over the past week from 16,995 to 20,566.
READ MORE
In Kerry the numbers receiving the benefit increased from 5,769 on October 6th to 7,630 this week.
According to the new figures in Galway the number of people receiving payments under the scheme increased also by around 2,000 to 11,578 this week.
In Limerick there are 8,300 people receiving the payment this week compared with 7,122 on October 6th.
Overall the number of people in the accommodation and food service sector receiving the pandemic unemployment payment increased by 18,249 since last week.
There are now 69,535 people in this sector are currently receiving the pandemic unemployment payment.
The Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said over €61 million would be paid out in pandemic unemployment payments this week which would support almost 229,000 people.
“The increase in the number of recipients reflects the seriousness of the impact of the pandemic on the economic life of the country. “
“I know it has been difficult for many businesses particularly in the hospitality sector who have been impacted by Level 3 restrictions.”
“My priority is ensuring that we get payments to impacted workers quickly, this is the very reason Government has kept the pandemic unemployment payment (scheme) open for applications. Over 95 per cent of people who applied for the pandemic unemployment payment this week did so online. This meant that it was possible to process the claims immediately and issue payments without delay. “
The 228,858 people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment are in addition to the 211,492 people who were reported on the Live Register as of the end of September .
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said that while there was an increase of 23,265 in the number of people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment in the last week, during the same period 4,931 people closed their claim for the benefit to return to work.


theirishtimes--2020-10-12--Dublin mayors call for greater effort from Dubliners in fighting Covid-19

The leaders of Dublin ’ s four local authorities have appealed to the public to “ redouble their efforts ” in combatting the spread of our “ dangerous enemy ” Covid-19 and to “ take personal responsibility ” for their actions in fighting the virus .
Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu was joined by the mayors of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown , Fingal and South Dublin on Monday in signing an “ open letter to the citizens of Dublin ” which urges people to take all necessary measures to stop the spread of the virus .
The letter acknowledges the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in helping to bring down coronavirus numbers but warns that this “ dangerous enemy ” is again threatening to take the lives and jobs of our fellow citizens .
Frontline workers deserve more than platitudes if they are to win the fight against Covid-19 , says the letter .
“ They need us , the citizens of Dublin , to take effective action to dramatically slow the rate at which the Covid-19 virus is spreading .
“ We already know that this disease shows no respect for your age , gender , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live .
We have got to view it as a dangerous enemy and work together to stop it sweeping through our communities and affecting the lives of our loved-ones , neighbours , colleagues and friends.
” The letter reminds people to continue washing their hands regularly , observe social distancing , wear face masks and reduce social contacts .
“ Take personal responsibility for your actions , follow the HSE guidance at all times , and let ’ s continue to work together to protect ourselves , our families and our communities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council called on Dubliners to “ redouble their efforts to reduce social contacts ” and to “ do the easy things right ” .
“ Wear a mask , wash your hands properly , maintain social distance , ” said Ms Power .
“ The virus is spreading and we need to count on each other to do the right thing.
” Ms Chu underlined the economic implications of the pandemic and noted that everyone had a family member or friend who had lost their job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Please think about what you can do to help tackle this virus so we can get back to the Dublin we all know and love.
” Councillor David Healy , mayor of Fingal , highlighted the need to follow public guidelines to support the most vulnerable in society while councillor Ed O ’ Brien , mayor of South Dublin County , called on people to “ give up those social interactions , visits to our favourite places and impromptu social events so that we can again flatten the curve ” .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Dublin on Monday morning and will be disseminated to the public through local authority social media platforms and websites .
The four local authorities are also running a radio and online audio campaign aimed at changing the behaviour of 15-34-year-olds in Dublin , according to Dublin City Council .

Grafton Street at the weekend. Dubliners have been urged to redouble their efforts to keep coronavirus under control. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
The leaders of Dublin’s four local authorities have appealed to the public to “redouble their efforts” in combatting the spread of our “dangerous enemy” Covid-19 and to “take personal responsibility” for their actions in fighting the virus.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu was joined by the mayors of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin on Monday in signing an "open letter to the citizens of Dublin" which urges people to take all necessary measures to stop the spread of the virus.
The letter acknowledges the efforts made by people earlier this year in helping to bring down coronavirus numbers but warns that this “dangerous enemy” is again threatening to take the lives and jobs of our fellow citizens.
Frontline workers deserve more than platitudes if they are to win the fight against Covid-19, says the letter. “They need us, the citizens of Dublin, to take effective action to dramatically slow the rate at which the Covid-19 virus is spreading.
READ MORE
“We already know that this disease shows no respect for your age, gender, for who you are, or where you live. We have got to view it as a dangerous enemy and work together to stop it sweeping through our communities and affecting the lives of our loved-ones, neighbours, colleagues and friends.”
The letter reminds people to continue washing their hands regularly, observe social distancing, wear face masks and reduce social contacts.
“Take personal responsibility for your actions, follow the HSE guidance at all times, and let’s continue to work together to protect ourselves, our families and our communities,” it writes.
Councillor Una Power, cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council called on Dubliners to "redouble their efforts to reduce social contacts" and to "do the easy things right". "Wear a mask, wash your hands properly, maintain social distance," said Ms Power. "The virus is spreading and we need to count on each other to do the right thing."
Ms Chu underlined the economic implications of the pandemic and noted that everyone had a family member or friend who had lost their job and was struggling to get by. “Please think about what you can do to help tackle this virus so we can get back to the Dublin we all know and love.”
Councillor David Healy, mayor of Fingal, highlighted the need to follow public guidelines to support the most vulnerable in society while councillor Ed O’Brien, mayor of South Dublin County, called on people to “give up those social interactions, visits to our favourite places and impromptu social events so that we can again flatten the curve”.
The letter was signed at the Mansion House in Dublin on Monday morning and will be disseminated to the public through local authority social media platforms and websites. The four local authorities are also running a radio and online audio campaign aimed at changing the behaviour of 15-34-year-olds in Dublin, according to Dublin City Council.


theirishtimes--2020-10-12--Border counties could move to Level 4 Covid-19 restrictions if NI CMO’s lockdown advice followed

Border counties could be moved to Level 4 restrictions if the North goes ahead with introducing a lockdown as advocated by the chief medical officer there this morning , Dr Michael McBride .
Dr McBride is advocating a six-week lockdown to halt the sharply rising infection rate in Northern Ireland , according to reports this morning .
There is growing alarm in Government about the rise in cases in the North , where there were 1,066 new cases on Sunday and 902 on Saturday .
The Derry and Strabane region now has the highest rate of new infections in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are concerned about importing new cases over the Border .
Sources said there have been discussions in Dublin about a rapid move to Level 4 for the Border counties in a bid to limit cross-border infections .
It is understood that the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) has been in contact with Government regarding the possibility , and the three leaders of the coalition parties , Fianna Fáil , Fine Gael and the Greens , are likely to discuss the issue later today .
There is particular concern about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cavan and Monaghan .
Donegal remains the worst affected county , with an incidence of 344.9 cases per 100,000 people over the past 14 days .
However , Cavan , where the incidence increased by 12 per cent in a day , to 338.7 , looks set to overtake Donegal in the coming days .
Monaghan has the next highest incidence , on 319.3 .
In Dublin , the incidence increased only slightly to 174.6 , lower than in seven other counties .
Earlier , a senior DUP MP questioned the need for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeffrey Donaldson ’ s comments came amid reports that Dr McBride is advocating a six-week lockdown to halt spiralling infection rates .
Mr Donaldson said such a proposal was far more extensive than what was in place or being considered elsewhere in the UK or Ireland .
“ A six-week full lockdown , back to where we were last March , would I think take us way , way ahead of anywhere else , ” he told BBC Radio Ulster ’ s Nolan Show .
“ And the rate across Northern Ireland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such measures at the moment are appropriate for all of Northern Ireland .
“ I ’ d be wanting to know why we ’ re abandoning the policy of focusing in on the areas where the infection rates are highest.
” Mr Donaldson said Dr McBride needed to produce the data that justified the imposition of a six-week lockdown .
“ What we ’ re asking the chief medical officer , why do we need a full lockdown in those areas where the infection rate is much lower so as to combat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Strabane ?
” he said .
The DUP ’ s Westminster leader also challenged Health Minister Robin Swann on why Covid-19 contingency measures — such as the reopening of a Nightingale hospital at Belfast City Hospital — had not been rolled out , if the situation facing the local health service was so grave .
In the Republic , the number of patients with Covid-19 in intensive care has increased by half in the space of a week .
There were 30 virus patients in ICU this morning , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one from yesterday but up 10 on a week ago .
Hospitalisations are up 80 per cent over the past week , to 221 this morning from 120 a week ago .
The Health Service Executive says it had 38 critical care , and 420 general , beds available on Sunday .
Covid-19 cases continue to rise in all but four counties in the Republic , according to the latest figures .
The incidence of the disease fell in Louth , Mayo , Roscommon and Tipperary on Sunday , compared to the previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Health Protection Surveillance Centre .
Carlow , with a 14-day incidence of 59.7 , has the lowest figures in the Republic .
Overall , 7,548 people tested positive over the fortnight up to Sunday , giving a national incidence of 158.5 .
There were 223 Covid-19 related hospitalisations , 14 admissions to ICU and nine deaths over the period .

The North’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride has advised that Northern Ireland should go into lockdown. File photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA
Border counties could be moved to Level 4 restrictions if the North goes ahead with introducing a lockdown as advocated by the chief medical officer there this morning, Dr Michael McBride.
Dr McBride is advocating a six-week lockdown to halt the sharply rising infection rate in Northern Ireland, according to reports this morning.
There is growing alarm in Government about the rise in cases in the North, where there were 1,066 new cases on Sunday and 902 on Saturday.
Hospital Report
The Derry and Strabane region now has the highest rate of new infections in the UK, and public health experts here are concerned about importing new cases over the Border.
READ MORE
Sources said there have been discussions in Dublin about a rapid move to Level 4 for the Border counties in a bid to limit cross-border infections.
It is understood that the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has been in contact with Government regarding the possibility, and the three leaders of the coalition parties, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens, are likely to discuss the issue later today.
There is particular concern about the current figures for infections in Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan.
Donegal remains the worst affected county, with an incidence of 344.9 cases per 100,000 people over the past 14 days. However, Cavan, where the incidence increased by 12 per cent in a day, to 338.7, looks set to overtake Donegal in the coming days.
Monaghan has the next highest incidence, on 319.3. In Dublin, the incidence increased only slightly to 174.6, lower than in seven other counties.
Earlier, a senior DUP MP questioned the need for a region-wide lockdown in Northern Ireland.
DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said he would want to know “why we’re abandoning the policy of focusing in on the areas where the infection rates are highest”. File photograph: James Forde
Jeffrey Donaldson’s comments came amid reports that Dr McBride is advocating a six-week lockdown to halt spiralling infection rates.
Mr Donaldson said such a proposal was far more extensive than what was in place or being considered elsewhere in the UK or Ireland.
“A six-week full lockdown, back to where we were last March, would I think take us way, way ahead of anywhere else,” he told BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show.
“And the rate across Northern Ireland, I would need to be convinced that such measures at the moment are appropriate for all of Northern Ireland.
“I’d be wanting to know why we’re abandoning the policy of focusing in on the areas where the infection rates are highest.”
Mr Donaldson said Dr McBride needed to produce the data that justified the imposition of a six-week lockdown.
“What we’re asking the chief medical officer, why do we need a full lockdown in those areas where the infection rate is much lower so as to combat the spread of infection in places like Derry and Strabane?” he said.
“I think that’s a fair question.”
The DUP's Westminster leader also challenged Health Minister Robin Swann on why Covid-19 contingency measures — such as the reopening of a Nightingale hospital at Belfast City Hospital — had not been rolled out, if the situation facing the local health service was so grave.
In the Republic, the number of patients with Covid-19 in intensive care has increased by half in the space of a week.
There were 30 virus patients in ICU this morning, according to the Government’s data hub, down one from yesterday but up 10 on a week ago.
Hospitalisations are up 80 per cent over the past week, to 221 this morning from 120 a week ago.
The Health Service Executive says it had 38 critical care, and 420 general, beds available on Sunday.
Covid-19 cases continue to rise in all but four counties in the Republic, according to the latest figures.
The incidence of the disease fell in Louth, Mayo, Roscommon and Tipperary on Sunday, compared to the previous day, according to an update from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
Carlow, with a 14-day incidence of 59.7, has the lowest figures in the Republic.
Overall, 7,548 people tested positive over the fortnight up to Sunday, giving a national incidence of 158.5.
There were 223 Covid-19 related hospitalisations, 14 admissions to ICU and nine deaths over the period.


theirishtimes--2020-10-12--High Court set to rule on French extradition request involving Ian Bailey

The High Court is set to rule on the extradition request involving Ian Bailey , who is facing a 25-year prison sentence in France for the murder of filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier .
Mr Justice Paul Burns is expected to deliver judgement at 2pm .
Mr Bailey has been remanded on continuing bail since Friday , July 17th .
On that date , lawyers for the State told the High Court that “ in a bizarre way ” Ireland has become a “ safe haven ” for Mr Bailey .
Counsel for the Minister for Justice , Mr Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the family of Ms du Plantier feel they have not achieved justice .
Mr Barron also said the court had a “ prima facie ” obligation to surrender Mr Bailey and there was a strong public interest in surrendering the Englishman , who has been suspected for 24 years of killing the mother-of-one .
He said there was a risk of losing sight of this .
This is the third time French authorities are seeking Mr Bailey ’ s surrender in relation to the death of Ms du Plantier , whose badly beaten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Schull in December 1996 .
The former journalist ( 63 ) , of The Prairie , Liscaha , Schull , west Cork , was convicted of the French woman ’ s murder in his absence in a Paris court in May 2019 .
The three-judge Cour d ’ Assises ( criminal trial court ) in Paris accordingly imposed a 25-year prison sentence on Mr Bailey in his absence .
Mr Bailey , who denies any involvement in Ms du Plantier ’ s death , did not attend the French court and had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he has described as a “ farce ” .
In his sworn affidavit , Mr Bailey said he had nothing to do with the murder of Ms du Plantier .
He said that whilst he has not been the subject of criminal court proceedings in Ireland , he has been subject to the criminal process and his standing had suffered greatly in the small rural community where he lives .
He tries not to dwell “ on being hunted ” and writing poetry has had a cathartic effect on him , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Criminal Courts of Justice Building on foot of a European Arrest Warrant in December 2019 .
He was remanded on bail after a High Court judge subsequently endorsed the third European Arrest Warrant ( EAW ) seeking his extradition to France .
On the final day of the extradition hearing , Counsel for the State , Mr Barron , said Mr Bailey had said in his affidavit that the effect of the EAW against him meant he was effectively confined to Ireland and could not leave the jurisdiction .
Mr Barron said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his mother ’ s funeral in May 2013 in the UK was because French authorities were looking for his surrender .
“ Ireland has become a safe haven for Mr Bailey in a bizarre way because he can not travel anywhere outside the European Union for risk of being arrested , ” he said , adding that the former journalist had chosen not to surrender himself to French authorities .
He added that the family of Ms du Plantier felt they have not achieved justice .
In a sworn affidavit opened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15th , Mr Bailey said he had been greatly restrained and unable to travel freely since the issuing of the EAW in 2010 .
He explained in the affidavit that he was unable to visit his mother in a nursing home in the UK or attend her funeral , something he said “ had been one of the cruelest aspects of this entire process ” .
The judge presiding over the extradition hearing Mr Justice Burns interjected at this point and said that he interpreted this as meaning that Mr Bailey would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to go through another process of being extradited .
Furthermore , Mr Barron said that the Irish High Court does not know what evidence would be available to the French authorities in the case of a retrial for Mr Bailey in France and what issues would likely arise .
“ It is impossible to make a judgement of fair procedures until we actually know who turns up for the trial .
We are completely in the dark , ” he submitted .
He asked how could the High Court decide if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one knows nothing concerning what the retrial would be about .
Mr Barron said the decision from the trial in Mr Bailey ’ s absence in the Paris court last year should not be parsed and analysed .
They had applied their rule of procedure and ended up with a result , he said .
The lawyer submitted that one does not know what the investigative procedure was nor the steps taken .
In summary , Mr Barron argued that there is a “ prima facie ” obligation to execute the EAW and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ du Plantier was killed and there is a strong public interest in Mr Bailey ’ s surrender and one runs the risk of losing sight of this , he added .
The barrister submitted that Mr Bailey has been suspected of the killing of Ms du Plantier for 24 years , has been the subject of an investigation by gardai , his suspected involvement has been considered by the DPP and he was twice arrested for the purpose of the consideration of the execution of the EAW .
These are important and weighty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he noted .
As sad and tragic as this case is , it has been determined in accordance with the law of the land and prohibition to surrender had not been established , he concluded .
In reply , Ronan Munro SC , for Mr Bailey , said the absence of an appeal by the State from the High Court ’ s decision not to extradite his client to France in 2017 and their conduct in response to the judgement was “ extremely important ” .
Counsel said Mr Barron was a party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now claimed the judge got it all wrong on the issue of abuse of process .
Mr Munro said it was “ perfectly open ” to the State to appeal the 2017 High Court decision and having not done that created “ an issue of estoppel ” [ a legal principle that prevents someone from arguing something or asserting a right that contradicts what they previously said or agreed to by law ] .
Mr Munro said Mr Barron had suggested referring the issue to Europe but the lawyer argued that further proceedings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on persecution ” .
French authorities previously sought the surrender of Mr Bailey in 2010 but this application was refused by the Supreme Court in 2012 , which held that section 44 of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 prohibited surrender because the alleged offence was committed outside French territory and Irish law did not allow prosecution for the same offence when committed outside its territory by a non-Irish citizen .
Mr Bailey is a British citizen .
A second French extradition request in respect of Mr Bailey was dismissed as an “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court in July 2017 .
On that occasion , Mr Justice Tony Hunt held that the “ unique features ” of the case justified “ termination ” of the proceedings .
He said the Minister was “ estopped ” or halted from obtaining an order for Mr Bailey ’ s surrender in light of the Supreme Court ’ s judgement in 2012 on identical relevant facts .
Mr Bailey was present in court for the hearing on July 17th .
Filmmaker Jim Sheridan had also attended each day of the hearing .
Following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burns said some very important and difficult issues had arisen , which he wanted to give full consideration to and if he came to the conclusion that he needed additional information he would recall both sides .
The judge reserved judgment and said he would deliver it on October 12th at 2pm .

The High Court has ruled that Ian Bailey cannot be extradited to France to serve a 25-year prison sentence imposed on him by a French court for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in West Cork 24 years ago.
Mr Justice Paul Burns delivered his judgement on Monday rejecting the State’s application for the extradition of Mr Bailey, ruling that his surrender remains precluded under Section 44 of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003.
The judge also found that surrender of the Englishman was prevented because of an “accrued or vested right” on the part of Mr Bailey “to the benefit of the previous judicial determinations refusing such surrender”.
Sophie Toscan du Plantier who was found murdered in West Cork in 1996.
Speaking outside the Criminal Courts of Justice following the judgment, Mr Bailey's solicitor, Frank Buttimer said his client was "extremely relieved" by the decision and the impact on his life over the past 24 years had been "extremely challenging".
READ MORE
Mr Bailey (63) was arrested at the Criminal Courts of Justice Building in December 2019, on foot of a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by French authorities.
This was the third attempt by French authorities to seek Mr Bailey’s surrender in relation to the death of Ms du Plantier, whose badly beaten body was found outside her holiday home in Schull in December 1996.
Supreme Court
French authorities previously sought the surrender of Mr Bailey in 2010. The High Court ordered his extradition but this ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2012, which held that section 44 of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 prohibited surrender because the alleged offence was committed outside French territory and Irish law did not allow prosecution for the same offence when committed outside its territory by a non-Irish citizen. Mr Bailey is a British citizen.
A second French extradition request in respect of Mr Bailey was dismissed as an “abuse of process” by the High Court in July 2017. On that occasion, Mr Justice Tony Hunt held that the “unique features” of the case justified “termination” of the proceedings. He said the Minister was “estopped” or halted from obtaining an order for Mr Bailey’s surrender in light of the Supreme Court’s judgement in 2012 on identical relevant facts.
The former journalist, with an address at The Prairie, Liscaha, Schull, west Cork, was convicted of the French woman’s murder in his absence in a Paris court in May 2019. The three-judge Cour d’Assises (criminal trial court) in Paris accordingly imposed a 25-year prison sentence on Mr Bailey in his absence. Mr Bailey, who denies any involvement in Ms du Plantier’s death, did not attend the French court and had no legal representation in the proceedings, which he has described as a “farce”.
Three-day hearing
The Englishman had contested his surrender during a three-day extradition hearing at the High Court last July, with his lawyers submitting that a request to extradite their client to France for a third time was “an abuse of process”.
Opposing an application for Mr Bailey’s surrender to France, Ronan Munro SC argued that Mr Bailey had an “ironclad and unassailed right” not to be surrendered to France, which had not been threatened in any way by subsequent developments in law.
The lawyer said there was a binding judgment from the Supreme Court in 2012 prohibiting the surrender of Mr Bailey based on section 44 of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, which remained untouched and intact. Furthermore, the Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Act 2019 had not materially affected the decision of the Supreme Court in 2012 and therefore the High Court was bound by that.
The law has changed since the High Court decision in 2017, allowing someone who is an Irish citizen or ordinarily resident in Ireland to be prosecuted here for an offence committed outside Ireland.
Mr Bailey’s legal team had also objected to the Englishman’s surrender based on the absence of an appeal by the State from the High Court’s decision not to extradite the respondent to France in 2017, which they said created “an issue of estoppel” [a legal principle that prevents someone from arguing something or asserting a right that contradicts what they previously said or agreed to by law].
David Conlan Smyth SC, also for Mr Bailey, invited the court to find that there had been “inordinate, excessive and culpable delay” on the part of the issuing State to put the former journalist on trial, which he said remained unexplained. The barrister highlighted that it had been 24 years since the criminal investigation had commenced and seven years since the application was refused by the Supreme Court. “At what point does the EAW become so oppressive and burdensome that there is a breach of Article 6 fair trial rights. We say that date has long since passed,” he argued.
‘Safe haven’
In reply, counsel for the Minister for Justice Robert Barron SC, said that “in a bizarre way” Ireland had become a “safe haven” for Mr Bailey because he could not travel anywhere outside the European Union for risk of being arrested. He said Ms du Plantier’s family felt they had not achieved justice and the High Court had a “prima facie” obligation to surrender the Englishman, who has been suspected for 24 years of killing the mother-of-one, to France.
Ian Bailey arriving at the High Court in Dublin today. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images
The Irish High Court did not know what evidence would be available to the French authorities in the case of a retrial for Mr Bailey in France and what issues would likely arise, submitted Mr Barron.
At the outset of his judgement returned on Monday afternoon, Mr Justice Burns said that he would simply deliver the “lengthy” judgment and not make any formal orders. He adjourned making a formal order for two weeks to allow the State to seek leave to appeal the matter.
In the 63-page written judgement, Mr Justice Burns emphasised that the guilt or innocence of Mr Bailey in respect of the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier was not an issue in the proceedings and instead the High Court was solely concerned with whether the applicant was entitled to an order for the surrender of the respondent to France on foot of the EAW before the court.
Amended
Regarding section 44 of the EAW Act 2003, the judge noted that Irish law had now been amended so that Ireland now exercised extraterritorial jurisdiction in respect of murder not only where the alleged offender is an Irish citizen, but also where the alleged offender is ordinarily resident within the State. Mr Bailey is, and was at all material times, ordinarily resident within the State, and therefore Ireland could exercise an extraterritorial jurisdiction over him as regards a murder committed outside of Ireland, he said.
“However, that amendment has not brought about a reciprocal basis as between France and Ireland in respect of the exercise of extraterritorial jurisdiction for the offence of murder in this case,” said the judge. He further pointed out that the French basis for extraterritoriality in this case remains the nationality of the victim, whereas the Irish basis for any such extraterritoriality is the nationality or ordinary residence of the alleged perpetrator. “That being the case the surrender of the respondent remains precluded by virtue of section 44 of the Act of 2003,” he said.
Mr Justice Burns said the amended statutory provision indicated no intention to deprive persons to whom a benefit or right has accrued through an earlier judicial determination. “In the absence of any such intention the respondent is entitled to retain the benefit or the right not to be surrendered to France as determined by the Supreme Court in Bailey No 1 and the High Court in Bailey No 2,” said the judge.
Costs
Mr Bailey was present in court for the hour-long hearing and used a scarf to cover his mouth.
The matter was listed for October 27th next. Mr Bailey was remanded on continuing bail until then but the judge said his attendance was not necessary on that date.
Conlan Smyth, for Mr Bailey, said his client intended to apply for costs on October 27th.
In a statement following the judgment, Mr Bailey’s solicitor, Frank Buttimer said: “Mr Bailey is extremely relieved at the decision that has been made today. The impact on his life of the entire situation has been extremely challenging for him for the past 24 years. He always expresses his sadness and his sympathy for the late Madame Toscan du Plantier, whilst at the same time always maintaining his innocence in relation to anything or any connection to that dreadful crime ... The matter is not of course finalised because the judgement has to be formalised and the State then have to take a position as to whether they will proceed further. That is entirely a matter for the State and other than that Mr Bailey intends to return to west Cork to attempt to get on with the rest of his life as best he can subject to any other decision that is made by the State in relation to any appeal entitled.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-12--Covid-19: Number in hospital for virus up 80% on last week

The number of patients with Covid-19 in intensive care has increased by half in the space of a week .
There were 30 virus patients in ICU this morning , according to the Government ’ s data hub , down one from yesterday but up 10 on a week ago .
Hospitalisations are up 80 per cent over the past week , to 221 this morning from 120 a week ago .
The Health Service Executive says it had 38 critical care , and 420 general , beds available on Sunday .
Covid-19 cases continue to rise in all but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the latest figures .
The incidence of the disease fell in Louth , Mayo , Roscommon and Tipperary on Sunday , compared to the previous day , according to an update from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre .
Donegal remains the worst affected country , with an incidence of 344.9 cases per 100,000 people over the past 14 days .
However , Cavan , where the incidence increased by 12 per cent in a day , to 338.7 , looks set to overtake Donegal in the coming days .
Monaghan has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed by Clare , at 260.1 .
In Dublin , the incidence increased only slightly to 174.6 , lower than in seven other counties .
Carlow , with a 14-day incidence of 59.7 , has the lowest figures in the Republic .
Overall , 7,548 people tested positive over the fortnight up to Sunday , giving a national incidence of 158.5 .
There were 223 Covid-19 related hospitalisations , 14 admissions to ICU and nine deaths over the period .
The World Health Organisation ’ s ( WHO ) special envoy on Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is going to be “ a lot of sickness and death in Ireland in the next two months ” if people are not careful .
He said Ireland should focus on getting everyone to adhere to preventative measures .
Dr Nabarro told Newstalk Breakfast that there was a middle path between a complete lockdown and the easing of restrictions .
A national lockdown should only be considered when figures were “ very bad ” .
He also said that he did not like fines ( for noncompliance to regulations ) , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do the right thing .
A robust system to test , trace and isolate needed to be in place for every county so that outbreaks could be identified and dealt with as they arose .
There also needed to be a system of financial supports so people did not fear losing money if they did not go to work because they were sick .
Senior Government figures have stressed there were no immediate plans for a short lockdown , known as a “ circuit breaker ” , despite the deteriorating coronavirus metrics over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a national lockdown may be the next step taken by the Government if action is needed to halt sharply rising case numbers .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Sunday urged the public to change their behaviours so “ we can make Level 3 work , protect lives and livelihoods ” and stop Covid-19 spreading .
Dr Nabarro said not moving from Level 3 to Level 5 was risky , he said .
It would be a month to six weeks before it would be known if that had been the “ right pathway ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been real build up of the virus in other parts of Europe , there was no reason to believe that Ireland was going to escape .
“ If you ’ re going to stay at Level 3 then please do everything to stop the spread of the virus , ” he urged .
The HSE ’ s chief operations officer , Anne O ’ Connor has said that the health service is building capacity across the system for Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 pathways .
The aim is for patients to be treated at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals , she said .
Ms O ’ Connor told RTÉ radio ’ s Today with Claire Byrne show that it was important that specialised services were available for those who needed them .
“ We ’ re worried because [ Covid ] numbers are increasing so rapidly.
” It was important to look after people with other serious illnesses and a significant amount of work had gone into ensuring that people were safe , she added .
Ms O ’ Connor acknowledged that 700 health workers were still working on testing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The aim was to get health and social care workers who had been deployed for testing and tracing back to their positions , meanwhile building capacity re staff for contact tracing .
It would be important to have those staff back in their positions shortly as they will be needed going into the winter .
On the same programme , intensive care consultant , Dr Catherine Motherway said that the health care system is not yet overwhelmed , it is “ normally stretched.
” While it was good that the R number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still rising outside Dublin .
“ We all need to buckle down and find new ways of living .
”

Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer, Department of Health, pictured at a press conference at the department on Monday evening. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
There have been 825 new cases and one further coronavirus-related death confirmed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).
The latest figures on Monday evening bring to 43,531 the number of confirmed cases in the State since the pandemic began, while the death toll now stands at 1,827.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Department of Health on Monday evening, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan urged everybody to act and “break the chains of transmission” of the virus as soon as possible.
Hospital Report
With 224 Covid-19 patients in hospital including 32 in intensive care, Dr Holohan said positivity rates of the virus are “rising rapidly” in all counties.
READ MORE
Almost 8,000 cases have been notified over the past 14 days, and there is a 14-day incidence of 168 cases per 100,000, up from 108 at the beginning of the week.
With the number of nursing homes affected by outbreaks increasing to 11 last week from seven the week before, Dr Holohan said there was “no question” but that the further deaths would occur in these settings if community transmission continued to rise.
He was critical of the “creep” of people back to working in offices and appealed to the public to continue to work at home if this was possible.
Now was not the time for house parties, playdates or birthday parties, he said, adding that “social activities” had grown up around some sporting activities.
Some people had “gone that bit too far, met that bit too many people and drunk that bit too much” and this had help transmit the virus.
Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn was again critical of the way people wore masks, saying there were too many either being worn on the chin or off the nose, or else being constantly taken on and off. Other masks were to be seen “hanging on the car mirror, sticking out of people’s pockets” and in some cases, were shared when people took turns entering a shop.
Asked about Halloween, Dr Holohan said clearly it was not going to be a normal Halloween later this month and “we can’t have children and families moving from house to house” on the night.
Of the latest cases in the Republic, 254 were in Dublin, 147 in Cork, 39 in Cavan, 38 in Donegal, 37 in Kildare and the remaining 310 cases are spread across 20 other counties.
Some 78 per cent of new cases were under 45 years old and the median age was 30.
Cross-border infections
The figures come as discussions continue on whether added regional or national restrictions are required to slow the rising Covid-19 case numbers.
Government sources said there had been discussions in Dublin about a rapid move to Level 4 for Border counties in the Republic in a bid to limit cross-border infections.
This follows news on Monday that the North’s chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride is advocating a lockdown of four to six weeks to halt spiralling infection rates in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland recorded three more deaths and 877 new cases of Covid-19 on Monday as Stormont Executive Ministers met to consider Dr McBride’s recommendation.
The death toll in the North from Covid-19 has now risen to 591, while there have been 21,035 confirmed cases.
In the Republic, Border counties were shown to have had the highest increase per capita in the last fortnight.
In Cavan, the 14-day incident rate per 100,000 population was 385.9. In Donegal, it was 354.9 and in Monaghan it was 330.7. The next highest counties were Clare at 266 and Roscommon at 199.9.
The national average was 167.8 per 100,000, covering the period September 28th to October 11th.
Meanwhile opposition parties were briefed by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Dr Holohan on Monday about the unfolding situation around the pandemic.
Dr Holohan cautioned TDs that the figures in relation to Dublin were “not yet conclusive” and that this could cast doubt on the effectiveness of the current Level 3 measures which were in place.
He was also questioned on delays in approving rapid testing kits. Dr Holohan is understood to have told the opposition parties that he had received a paper on antigen testing but wanted to go through it and test its validity.
Furthermore the Taoiseach undertook to consider a proposal from Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall to keep “summer time” and not change the clocks at the end of this month. Ms Shortall told the meeting that this would give more daylight in the evenings and make it easier for people to get out for exercise and sunlight.
The meeting also heard that there was a €25 million “bridging fund” in place should private hospitals be needed again if public hospitals become overwhelmed. A draft agreement with individual hospitals had been finalised and a larger pot of money would be put aside at that point.
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett asked health officials if a “Zero Covid” strategy to crush the virus would be put in place. It is understood he was told that eliminating Covid entirely would not be possible given the open border but that cases needed to drop dramatically for testing and tracing to be effective.
Two-month window
Earlier, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) special envoy on Covid-19, Dr David Nabarro said there was going to be “a lot of sickness and death in Ireland in the next two months” if people were not careful.
He said Ireland should focus on getting everyone to adhere to preventative measures. Dr Nabarro told Newstalk Breakfast that there was a middle path between a complete lockdown and the easing of restrictions. A national lockdown should only be considered when figures were “very bad”.
He also said that he did not like fines for non-compliance to regulations, saying he preferred if people to chose to do the right thing.
Senior Government figures have stressed there were no immediate plans for a short lockdown, known as a “circuit breaker”, despite the deteriorating coronavirus metrics over the weekend.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Sunday urged members of public to change their behaviours so “we can make Level 3 work, protect lives and livelihoods” and stop Covid-19 spreading.
Dr Nabarro said not moving from Level 3 to Level 5 was risky. It would be a month to six weeks before it would be known if that had been the “right pathway”.
Dr Nabarro pointed out that there has been real build up of the virus in other parts of Europe, there was no reason to believe that Ireland was going to escape.
“If you’re going to stay at Level 3 then please do everything to stop the spread of the virus,” he urged.
Building capacity
The HSE’s chief operations officer, Anne O’Connor has said that the health service is building capacity across the system for Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 pathways. The aim is for patients to be treated at home, in the community and in hospitals, she said.
Ms O’Connor told RTÉ radio’s Today with Claire Byrne show that 700 health care workers were involved in Covid testing and a further 100 on contact tracing. The aim was to shortly get these workers back to their positions, while building capacity for contact tracing, as they would be needed going into the winter to treat patients with Covid and non-Covid illnesses.


theirishtimes--2020-10-12--The God Squad author and ‘fearless campaigner’ Paddy Doyle dies at 69

Paddy Doyle , the author of The God Squad and disability activist , has died at the age of 69 .
Mr Doyle , who developed the neurological condition dystonia , a movement disorder characterised by muscle contractions , spent many years in St Michael ’ s Industrial School in Cappoquin , Co Waterford .
He was born in Wexford Hospital in May 1951 , and his early years were happy , but his life was blighted by the death of his parents when he was four .
His mother died from breast cancer at the age of 43 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks later .
In August 1955 he was deemed by Wexford District Court as being without a “ guardian to exercise proper guardianship ” .
Mr Doyle was then sent to St Michael ’ s , an experience he wrote about in The God Squad which was published in 1988 .
The book was an immediate bestseller , winning the Sunday Tribune Arts Award for literature and the Dublin Lord Mayor ’ s Award .
It preceded by more than a decade the States of Fear documentary , which was broadcast on RTÉ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raftery is widely credited with beginning the process of exposing the regime of abuse and cruelty in residential institutions in the State .
Mr Doyle said he endured a brutal and cruel regime and suffered frequent beatings in the school .
“ You were beaten with a bamboo cane until you screamed , and then they believed the devil was out of you.
” He told The Irish Times in 1988 that the Sister of Mercy nuns in St Michael ’ s tried to prevent him from finding out about his father ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horror of being beaten until it was no longer possible to stand up , ” he said .
When he was nine , he was sent to hospital and diagnosed with “ post-polio ” and underwent leg and brain surgery .
In his book Mr Doyle maintained that his condition was a psychosomatic one brought on my the trauma of his childhood .
He became a strong advocate for people with disabilities and survivors of abuse .
He is survived by his wife Eileen , his three sons , Niall , Ronan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funeral arrangements have yet to be made .
His middle son , Niall , said The God Squad was “ groundbreaking stuff ” when it was first published and marked his father out as a fearless campaigner .
“ He was not afraid to speak his mind on anything .
He could be quite stubborn in his opinion .
He was never afraid to have his voice heard or be the voice of something he believed in , ” he said .
“ One of his mantras in life is that we should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t believe that someone with disabilities should be ruled out of anything .
That was a family mantra.
” He said his father , who settled in Saggart , Co Dublin has had difficulties breathing in his latter years and his situation had deteriorated in recent weeks .
He died in Tallaght Hospital on Friday .
“ For me as a his son , I fully appreciate all the work that he did around disabilities , but to me he was my dad , ” he said .
“ For me to sum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is very difficult .
From the get-go , you could say that life was a struggle .
From our perspective as a family , it was never something that was dwelled on .
“ He was able to compartmentalise parts of his life .
In the main , it was all very normal .
We did not even think of him being disabled.
” Fellow author Dermot Bolger , who first published The God Squad , said : “ Of all the books I published as editor of Raven Arts Press , Paddy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one that I ’ m most proud of because the book – and , more importantly , Paddy ’ s insistence of finally making his voice heard – played a part in transforming Ireland .
“ His memoir broke so many taboos of silence that not only did bigger publishers refuse to touch it but I actually had problems finding a printer willing to print it for me .
It is a book about injustice and ill treatment by powerful institutions within the state .
Having just purchased a house with my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we would almost definitely lose it in legal costs if these institutions took an injunction against publication .
Such was the affect that Paddy had on her ( and on everyone he met ) that she immediately said “ publish and be damned ” .
“ Paddy was a courageous and undauntable spirit , combining great humanity and wicked humour with a fierce quest for justice not just for himself but for all victims of institutional abuse and anyone who faced daily discrimination because of disability .
He could have been embittered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visited him to work on this book , in the bustling nest of love he shared with his wonderful wife and children , I left enriched by their company , by his humanity and his laughter .
I was privileged to have known him.
” Rónán Hession , author of Leonard & Hungry Paul , said : “ It ’ s fair to say that my reading of The God Squad while at secondary school was something of an awakening .
It not only affected how I felt about the world , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is an essential book , written with great humanity and honesty .
Paddy Doyle made a major contribution to the opening of discourse within Ireland.
” Liz Nugent , the bestselling crime novelist , tweeted : “ Very sad to hear this .
Paddy and I attended the same clinic for many years .
He never stopped fighting for what he shouldn ’ t have had to ask for .
Such a brave soul , and a tortured one .
Rest now , Paddy .
”

Paddy Doyle, the author of The God Squad and disability activist, has died at the age of 69.
Mr Doyle, who developed the neurological condition dystonia, a movement disorder characterised by muscle contractions, spent many years in St Michael's Industrial School in Cappoquin, Co Waterford.
He was born in Wexford Hospital in May 1951, and his early years were happy, but his life was blighted by the death of his parents when he was four.
His mother died from breast cancer at the age of 43 and his father took his own life five weeks later.
READ MORE
In August 1955 he was deemed by Wexford District Court as being without a “guardian to exercise proper guardianship”.
Mr Doyle was then sent to St Michael’s, an experience he wrote about in The God Squad which was published in 1988.
The book was an immediate bestseller, winning the Sunday Tribune Arts Award for literature and the Dublin Lord Mayor’s Award.
It preceded by more than a decade the States of Fear documentary, which was broadcast on RTÉ in 1999.
That documentary by Mary Raftery is widely credited with beginning the process of exposing the regime of abuse and cruelty in residential institutions in the State.
Mr Doyle said he endured a brutal and cruel regime and suffered frequent beatings in the school. “You were beaten with a bamboo cane until you screamed, and then they believed the devil was out of you.”
He told The Irish Times in 1988 that the Sister of Mercy nuns in St Michael’s tried to prevent him from finding out about his father’s death.
“I knew the horror of being beaten until it was no longer possible to stand up,” he said.
When he was nine, he was sent to hospital and diagnosed with “post-polio” and underwent leg and brain surgery. In his book Mr Doyle maintained that his condition was a psychosomatic one brought on my the trauma of his childhood.
He became a strong advocate for people with disabilities and survivors of abuse.
He is survived by his wife Eileen, his three sons, Niall, Ronan and Shane and his six grandchildren. The funeral arrangements have yet to be made.
His middle son, Niall, said The God Squad was “groundbreaking stuff” when it was first published and marked his father out as a fearless campaigner.
“He was not afraid to speak his mind on anything. He could be quite stubborn in his opinion. He was never afraid to have his voice heard or be the voice of something he believed in,” he said.
“One of his mantras in life is that we should all be equal. He didn’t believe that someone with disabilities should be ruled out of anything. That was a family mantra.”
He said his father, who settled in Saggart, Co Dublin has had difficulties breathing in his latter years and his situation had deteriorated in recent weeks. He died in Tallaght Hospital on Friday.
“For me as a his son, I fully appreciate all the work that he did around disabilities, but to me he was my dad,” he said.
“For me to sum him up in any way, it is very difficult. From the get-go, you could say that life was a struggle. From our perspective as a family, it was never something that was dwelled on.
“He was able to compartmentalise parts of his life. In the main, it was all very normal. We did not even think of him being disabled.”
Fellow author Dermot Bolger, who first published The God Squad, said: "Of all the books I published as editor of Raven Arts Press, Paddy Doyle's The God Squad is the one that I'm most proud of because the book – and, more importantly, Paddy's insistence of finally making his voice heard – played a part in transforming Ireland.
“His memoir broke so many taboos of silence that not only did bigger publishers refuse to touch it but I actually had problems finding a printer willing to print it for me. It is a book about injustice and ill treatment by powerful institutions within the state. Having just purchased a house with my late wife, I remember telling her that we would almost definitely lose it in legal costs if these institutions took an injunction against publication. Such was the affect that Paddy had on her (and on everyone he met) that she immediately said “publish and be damned”.
“Paddy was a courageous and undauntable spirit, combining great humanity and wicked humour with a fierce quest for justice not just for himself but for all victims of institutional abuse and anyone who faced daily discrimination because of disability. He could have been embittered by his past, but whenever I visited him to work on this book, in the bustling nest of love he shared with his wonderful wife and children, I left enriched by their company, by his humanity and his laughter. I was privileged to have known him.”
Rónán Hession, author of Leonard & Hungry Paul, said: “It’s fair to say that my reading of The God Squad while at secondary school was something of an awakening. It not only affected how I felt about the world, but changed the way I looked at it. It is an essential book, written with great humanity and honesty. Paddy Doyle made a major contribution to the opening of discourse within Ireland.”
Liz Nugent, the bestselling crime novelist, tweeted: “Very sad to hear this. Paddy and I attended the same clinic for many years. He never stopped fighting for what he shouldn’t have had to ask for. Such a brave soul, and a tortured one. Rest now, Paddy.”