theirishtimes--2020-07-30--Human trafficking: ‘I lived in fear . . . I was a broken person’

Laura* arrived in Ireland in 2010 .
Today , she still struggles to talk about the years before she came and those that came afterwards when she was left with no choice but to work as a prostitute to survive .
The mother of two had already spent five years working in prostitution in Holland before being trafficked to Ireland .
In Holland , she had hoped to build a life but her asylum claim was rejected .
“ That part of my life , I block it out .
I don ’ t discuss it at all and told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was doing .
I was trafficked for 10 years , it was the worst time of my life .
“ I lived in fear and and darkness , not just for myself but for my kids back home .
I was a broken person , ” said Laura , who now mentors for women who have left prostitution through a programme run by the Immigrant Council of Ireland .
She left Cameroon in the early 2000s after her partner died in a car accident .
A trained nurse , Laura says her partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her work in Europe so she could continue to support her children .
However , once she had arrived in Holland , she discovered she was expected to sell her body for money .
This she did while she waited for a decision by the Dutch authorities on her asylum application .
When it was rejected , her trafficker moved her to Ireland .
“ He promised I would not be deported because I was undocumented , so no one would know I was here.
” She met most of her “ clients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though she was also brought to rural areas to meet men .
Worries about her children and mother ’ s safety in Cameroon stopped her from alerting the authorities .
“ I didn ’ t want to do anything that might annoy the smuggler .
I was scared if I tried to leave he would attack my family back home , ” she told The Irish Times , saying she was speaking now to encourage others .
Three years later , she met and fell in love with an Irish man .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to marry after they were advised that they might be able to marry in Northern Ireland , even though she was undocumented .
However , on the day of the wedding , Laura was arrested .
While in detention in Newry , she called her trafficker for advice .
When he said he would move her to Switzerland , Laura hung up the phone .
She was released after five days .
Once back in Dublin , and had reunited with her partner , she went to the Rape Crisis Centre , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with women affected by prostitution .
Soon , she was brought to the Balseskin direct provision centre in Finglas .
When gardaí came to take a statement , Laura was immediately uncomfortable , fearing deportation , though Ruhama reassured her .
She spent six months in Balseskin , and never felt safe once , fearing that her trafficker would find her .
Later , she was given a temporary residence permit and a flat in Clondalkin .
Back home , her children are now at university , while she has completed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now studying at Trinity College while working as a healthcare assistant .
“ When I was in Holland I was always scared of the police ; they don ’ t have empathy .
I see that empathy with the Irish police .
I would tell other women to trust the people here who are trying to help them .
Even the police.
” Ireland ’ s system of identifying trafficking victims must be improved , says Dr Nusha Yonkova , gender and anti-trafficking expert with the Immigrant Council .
Housing such victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inappropriate ” and impedes people ’ s recovery , she argues , saying they should be taken care of separately .

Laura* arrived in Ireland in 2010. Today, she still struggles to talk about the years before she came and those that came afterwards when she was left with no choice but to work as a prostitute to survive.
The mother of two had already spent five years working in prostitution in Holland before being trafficked to Ireland. In Holland, she had hoped to build a life but her asylum claim was rejected.
“That part of my life, I block it out. I don’t discuss it at all and told no friends or family about what I was doing. I was trafficked for 10 years, it was the worst time of my life.
“I lived in fear and and darkness, not just for myself but for my kids back home. I was a broken person,” said Laura, who now mentors for women who have left prostitution through a programme run by the Immigrant Council of Ireland.
READ MORE
She left Cameroon in the early 2000s after her partner died in a car accident. A trained nurse, Laura says her partner's brother promised he could get her work in Europe so she could continue to support her children.
However, once she had arrived in Holland, she discovered she was expected to sell her body for money. This she did while she waited for a decision by the Dutch authorities on her asylum application.
I was scared if I tried to leave he would attack my family back home
When it was rejected, her trafficker moved her to Ireland.
“He promised I would not be deported because I was undocumented, so no one would know I was here.”
She met most of her “clients” in the house where she lived, though she was also brought to rural areas to meet men. Worries about her children and mother’s safety in Cameroon stopped her from alerting the authorities.
“I didn’t want to do anything that might annoy the smuggler. I was scared if I tried to leave he would attack my family back home,” she told The Irish Times, saying she was speaking now to encourage others.
Three years later, she met and fell in love with an Irish man. Three years further on, they decided to marry after they were advised that they might be able to marry in Northern Ireland, even though she was undocumented.
However, on the day of the wedding, Laura was arrested. While in detention in Newry, she called her trafficker for advice. When he said he would move her to Switzerland, Laura hung up the phone.
She was released after five days. Once back in Dublin, and had reunited with her partner, she went to the Rape Crisis Centre, who referred her onto Ruhama – an NGO working with women affected by prostitution.
Soon, she was brought to the Balseskin direct provision centre in Finglas. When gardaí came to take a statement, Laura was immediately uncomfortable, fearing deportation, though Ruhama reassured her.
I would tell other women to trust the people here who are trying to help them
She spent six months in Balseskin, and never felt safe once, fearing that her trafficker would find her. Later, she was given a temporary residence permit and a flat in Clondalkin.
Back home, her children are now at university, while she has completed a course in nursing at Ballyfermot College and is now studying at Trinity College while working as a healthcare assistant.
“When I was in Holland I was always scared of the police; they don’t have empathy. I see that empathy with the Irish police. I would tell other women to trust the people here who are trying to help them. Even the police.”
Ireland’s system of identifying trafficking victims must be improved, says Dr Nusha Yonkova, gender and anti-trafficking expert with the Immigrant Council. Housing such victims in direct provision centres is “grossly inappropriate” and impedes people’s recovery, she argues, saying they should be taken care of separately.
*Pseudonym used to protect speaker’s identity


theirishtimes--2020-07-30--Pity the expert in these sceptical times!

These are hard times for experts ; notably scientists and doctors who believe data ( and their interpretation of it ) should be allowed speak for itself and , where appropriate , prompt a response in the best interests of the human race or the world we live in .
For those working on Covid-19 and climate change it can be particularly rough terrain .
Global authorities in their field of endeavour should not be dismissed so easily , especially those with a record of fashioning effective responses to global crises such as AIDS , Ebola or an overheating planet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundamental knowledge .
Too often good science is countered by vitriol ; accusations of lack of independence and instant condemnation with “ yes but ... ” from non-experts .
This is evident in the US , where objectivity has become a matter of opinion .
The plight of the federal government ’ s top infectious diseases expert Dr Anthony Fauci is the prime illustration of this .
President Donald Trump , an exponent of anti-science , constantly adds to the cauldron of social media tyranny and displays little respect for those with greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peter Navarro recently declared Fauci was “ wrong about everything ” – no doubt doing the bidding of his master ; a man who has never admitted a single mistake in office .
The modern phenomenon goes beyond the US .
The Irish environmentalist Prof Terry Hughes , an authority on decline of coral reef systems , highlighted on twitter a photograph of a protester whose placard read : “ At the start of every disaster movie there is a scientist being ignored ” – and added “ I have a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is everyday reality and complicating matters are pigheaded populist leaders , as illustrated this month when UK prime minister Boris Johnson indicated in parliament he had not read a Government-commissioned report warning of a second coronavirus wave next winter which could cost 120,000 lives .
He then insisted unconvincingly he was aware of it .
Fortunately science has a more prominent position within Irish society .
There is widespread recognition of its merits while scientists engender a high level of trust .
Strategic investment in a knowledge-based economy has helped .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public heeded the recommendations of National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) , is proof of this .
Were it always so easy .
“ When you mix science and politics , you get politics , ” according to John M Barry author of The Great Influenza : The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History .
With the coronavirus , the US has proved politics hasn ’ t worked , he believes .
So to “ fully reopen both the economy and schools safely ... we have to return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ireland though resolution is equally difficult to achieve , such is the deviousness of Covid-19 .
The politicians have to balance what the science is saying , economic consequences and wellbeing .
This is typical of modern policy challenges facing governments characterised by a mixture of complexity , uncertainty and ambiguity .
That is why there is a compelling case for an independent network of scientific advisers to advise government “ on the formidable scientific challenges facing Ireland ” as outlined by Royal Irish Academy president Dr Mary Canning .
“ Policymakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues requiring multiple forms of knowledge , including scientific insights , experiential knowledge and local perspectives , ” she explained .
This should be provided by a multi-disciplinary network of specialists in a similar way to NPHET but on a permanent basis .
Just look what might be coming down the tracks : a flu pandemic ; a storm surge driven by a hurricane that heads for Ireland rather than the Caribbean , unprecedented sea level rise caused by melting Arctic ice sheets , and dramatic ageing of our population post 2050 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed the extent of his concern about the disconnect between specialists and the public when asked by the Financial Times , what is the greatest challenge of our time ?
He responded : “ Many would focus on the most immediate : saving the planet from the devastation wrought by human activity .
I ’ d like to add changing the mindset of the public to recognise that the tools of rational investigation , of science , are available to everyone – and have the capacity not only to radically transform the challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enormous opportunities .
The health of democracy requires that every citizen has some familiarity with scientific ideas.
” There is much work to do on this front to bring us all to that better – and safer – place .

Too often good science is countered by ignorance. This is evident in the US, where objectivity has become a matter of opinion. The plight of the federal government’s top infectious diseases expert Dr Anthony Fauci is the prime illustration of this. Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters
These are hard times for experts; notably scientists and doctors who believe data (and their interpretation of it) should be allowed speak for itself and, where appropriate, prompt a response in the best interests of the human race or the world we live in. For those working on Covid-19 and climate change it can be particularly rough terrain.
Global authorities in their field of endeavour should not be dismissed so easily, especially those with a record of fashioning effective responses to global crises such as AIDS, Ebola or an overheating planet – or who have added greatly to fundamental knowledge.
Too often good science is countered by vitriol; accusations of lack of independence and instant condemnation with "yes but..." from non-experts. This is evident in the US, where objectivity has become a matter of opinion. The plight of the federal government's top infectious diseases expert Dr Anthony Fauci is the prime illustration of this.
President Donald Trump, an exponent of anti-science, constantly adds to the cauldron of social media tyranny and displays little respect for those with greater knowledge than himself.
READ MORE
His trade adviser Peter Navarro recently declared Fauci was "wrong about everything" – no doubt doing the bidding of his master; a man who has never admitted a single mistake in office.
The modern phenomenon goes beyond the US. The Irish environmentalist Prof Terry Hughes, an authority on decline of coral reef systems, highlighted on twitter a photograph of a protester whose placard read: "At the start of every disaster movie there is a scientist being ignored" – and added "I have a lot of friends who can relate to this."
This is everyday reality and complicating matters are pigheaded populist leaders, as illustrated this month when UK prime minister Boris Johnson indicated in parliament he had not read a Government-commissioned report warning of a second coronavirus wave next winter which could cost 120,000 lives. He then insisted unconvincingly he was aware of it.
Fortunately science has a more prominent position within Irish society. There is widespread recognition of its merits while scientists engender a high level of trust. Strategic investment in a knowledge-based economy has helped. The response to the emerging pandemic, where the public heeded the recommendations of National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), is proof of this.
Were it always so easy.
"When you mix science and politics, you get politics," according to John M Barry author of The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History. With the coronavirus, the US has proved politics hasn't worked, he believes. So to "fully reopen both the economy and schools safely...we have to return to science".
The dynamic is different in Ireland though resolution is equally difficult to achieve, such is the deviousness of Covid-19. The politicians have to balance what the science is saying, economic consequences and wellbeing.
Independent network
This is typical of modern policy challenges facing governments characterised by a mixture of complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity. That is why there is a compelling case for an independent network of scientific advisers to advise government "on the formidable scientific challenges facing Ireland" as outlined by Royal Irish Academy president Dr Mary Canning.
“Policymakers are increasingly confronted with highly complex policy issues requiring multiple forms of knowledge, including scientific insights, experiential knowledge and local perspectives,” she explained.
This should be provided by a multi-disciplinary network of specialists in a similar way to NPHET but on a permanent basis. Just look what might be coming down the tracks: a flu pandemic; a storm surge driven by a hurricane that heads for Ireland rather than the Caribbean, unprecedented sea level rise caused by melting Arctic ice sheets, and dramatic ageing of our population post 2050.
The physicist and science communicator Brian Greene revealed the extent of his concern about the disconnect between specialists and the public when asked by the Financial Times, what is the greatest challenge of our time?
He responded: “Many would focus on the most immediate: saving the planet from the devastation wrought by human activity. I’d like to add changing the mindset of the public to recognise that the tools of rational investigation, of science, are available to everyone – and have the capacity not only to radically transform the challenges we face, but also to realise enormous opportunities. The health of democracy requires that every citizen has some familiarity with scientific ideas.”
There is much work to do on this front to bring us all to that better – and safer – place.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Almost one-third of 17/18-year-olds ‘risky drinkers’, study finds

Nearly a third of 17- and 18-year-olds would be classed as risky or hazardous drinkers , according to the latest report from the major Growing Up in Ireland study .
Some 49 per cent of the 17/18-year-olds surveyed had tried smoking cigarettes , but only 8 per cent said they smoked daily .
The study is based on interviews with a cohort of more than 6,000 young people , repeated at various different stages of their youth .
The latest report , published on Thursday , found that one in 20 17/18-year-olds ’ alcohol consumption would be deemed high risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent of teenagers ’ parents expected their children to continue to higher education after secondary school , it found .
The study said the rates of adolescents who were overweight or obese was “ concerning , ” with a fifth of 17/18-year-olds overweight , and 8 per cent obese .
Growing Up in Ireland is a long-term study of several cohorts of children , interviewed at different stages of their youth .
The study is led by the Economic and Social Research Institute ( ESRI ) and Trinity College Dublin , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Atlantic Philanthropies .
The research has followed this group of young people since they were nine years old , and the most recent report draws on interviews from 2015 and 2016 .
At the time of the interviews , four-fifths of the cohort were aged 17 , and the remainder were 18 years old .
One third of those surveyed said they had not paid the correct fare on public transport at least once in the last year , and 12 per cent had shoplifted previously .
The study found young men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antisocial behaviour than their female peers .
Children who had reported antisocial behaviour during previous interviews at age 13 were also more likely to report the same behaviour at 17/18 years of age .
Some 20 per cent of teenagers interviewed disclosed depressive symptoms , with a quarter of young women falling into the “ likely to be depressed ” category of a self-reported measure of symptoms .
Just under a third of 17/18-year-olds said they had tried cannabis , while 8 per cent smoked it occasionally , and with 2 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the study found .
Three-quarters of those surveyed said they liked school , and 85 per cent said they felt they could talk to their teachers if they had a problem .
When asked what factors they considered when deciding what to do upon finishing school , 57 per cent said their mother ’ s advice was “ very important ” .
Some 28 per cent of young people interviewed were involved in volunteer work , with the most common activities the scouts , fundraising work or sports-based volunteering .
The study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people from different income backgrounds .
One third of teenagers from families in the lowest income bracket said they disliked school , compared to 16 per cent of teenagers in the top income bracket .
Commenting on the report , Minister for Children Roderic O ’ Gorman said the findings highlighted “ some worrying issues and reveal inequalities in some outcomes by social background and gender ” .
Dr Eoin McNamara , who led the research , said while the interviews were conducted before the coronavirus crisis , the work suggested the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people ’ s lives .
“ Lack of access to school resources during the pandemic , such as career guidance , is likely to have been particularly consequential for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds , ” he said .

Just under a third of 17/18-year-olds said they had tried cannabis, while 8 per cent smoked it occasionally, and with 2 per cent smoking it more than once a week, the study found. File photograph: Getty
Nearly a third of 17- and 18-year-olds would be classed as risky or hazardous drinkers, according to the latest report from the major Growing Up in Ireland study.
Some 49 per cent of the 17/18-year-olds surveyed had tried smoking cigarettes, but only 8 per cent said they smoked daily.
The study is based on interviews with a cohort of more than 6,000 young people, repeated at various different stages of their youth.
The latest report, published on Thursday, found that one in 20 17/18-year-olds’ alcohol consumption would be deemed high risk or very high risk.
READ MORE
Some 80 per cent of teenagers’ parents expected their children to continue to higher education after secondary school, it found.
The study said the rates of adolescents who were overweight or obese was “concerning,” with a fifth of 17/18-year-olds overweight, and 8 per cent obese.
Long-term study
Growing Up in Ireland is a long-term study of several cohorts of children, interviewed at different stages of their youth. The study is led by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and Trinity College Dublin, and funded by the Department of Children, and Atlantic Philanthropies.
The research has followed this group of young people since they were nine years old, and the most recent report draws on interviews from 2015 and 2016. At the time of the interviews, four-fifths of the cohort were aged 17, and the remainder were 18 years old.
One third of those surveyed said they had not paid the correct fare on public transport at least once in the last year, and 12 per cent had shoplifted previously.
The study found young men were more likely to report incidents of antisocial behaviour than their female peers. Children who had reported antisocial behaviour during previous interviews at age 13 were also more likely to report the same behaviour at 17/18 years of age.
Some 20 per cent of teenagers interviewed disclosed depressive symptoms, with a quarter of young women falling into the “likely to be depressed” category of a self-reported measure of symptoms.
Just under a third of 17/18-year-olds said they had tried cannabis, while 8 per cent smoked it occasionally, and with 2 per cent smoking it more than once a week, the study found.
Three-quarters of those surveyed said they liked school, and 85 per cent said they felt they could talk to their teachers if they had a problem.
‘Very important’
When asked what factors they considered when deciding what to do upon finishing school, 57 per cent said their mother’s advice was “very important”.
Some 28 per cent of young people interviewed were involved in volunteer work, with the most common activities the scouts, fundraising work or sports-based volunteering.
The study revealed inequalities in school experiences between young people from different income backgrounds.
One third of teenagers from families in the lowest income bracket said they disliked school, compared to 16 per cent of teenagers in the top income bracket.
Commenting on the report, Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said the findings highlighted “some worrying issues and reveal inequalities in some outcomes by social background and gender”.
Dr Eoin McNamara, who led the research, said while the interviews were conducted before the coronavirus crisis, the work suggested the pandemic would have a large impact on young people’s lives.
“Lack of access to school resources during the pandemic, such as career guidance, is likely to have been particularly consequential for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Liquidators appointed to south Dublin nursing home

The High Court has appointed liquidators to St Mary ’ s Centre ( Telford ) , a south Dublin nursing home , with the transfer of residents elsewhere underway , the care home has said .
In early June , the Merrion Road nursing home said it would be closing as it was unable to meet statutory and regulatory requirements , or fund the costs needed to meet them .
Last Friday directors of St Mary ’ s centre applied for a High Court order to enter voluntary liquidation and wind down the service .
The care home confirmed liquidators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the closure of the service in a statement on Wednesday .
The spokeswoman for St Mary ’ s centre said it had been a “ very difficult decision to make but in the interest of the health and safety of our residents and staff , liquidation remained our only course of action .
“ This decision was reached by the board following a number of meetings concerning the funding of the nursing home and the disability centre - and the ability to acquire the necessary funding to ensure the highest standards of care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety of residents , ” it said .
The nursing home has 35 female residents , whose families were recently informed it would close by the end of the year .
“ The transfer of residents in the nursing home is underway and liquidators Baker Tilly will oversee the winding down of the company ’ s operation , across all its facilities , ” the statement said .
The nursing home has been the subject of critical inspection reports from the healthcare watchdog , the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 and 2019 both criticised the governance and management of the centre , and the lack of privacy in one of the home ’ s units .
St Mary ’ s centre was founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1868 as a school and home for visually impaired girls and women , but the religious order has said it has not been involved in managing the home since 1996 .
The Health Service Executive ( HSE ) said it had been involved in discussions around the “ financial and infrastructural challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the centre announced it would close .
“ These discussions were ongoing with further meetings planned when the HSE became aware that the board of management of St Mary ’ s were intent on closing the nursing home element of the service , ” a spokeswoman said .
The HSE had been “ awaiting further information and engagement with the board of management to discuss the transition of those services which had been advised would be closing , ” she said .
“ Last Friday evening , 24th July , the HSE found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s had sought a High Court order for the voluntary liquidation of the service , including elements of which were yet to be discussed , ” the spokeswoman said .
Staff and residents ’ families are to hold a demonstration outside of the Convention Centre on Thursday afternoon , while the Dáil is sitting there .
Ann Ryan , a former staff member and spokeswoman for the Save St Mary ’ s group , said the planned closure of the nursing home was “ appalling.
” St Mary ’ s centre was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easily taken over by the State ” , and the group were appealing for the HSE to step in and run the service , she said .

St Mary’s Centre (Telford), Merrion Road, Dublin whose directors last Friday applied for a High Court order to enter voluntary liquidation and wind down the service.
The High Court has appointed liquidators to St Mary's Centre (Telford), a south Dublin nursing home, with the transfer of residents elsewhere underway, the care home has said.
In early June, the Merrion Road nursing home said it would be closing as it was unable to meet statutory and regulatory requirements, or fund the costs needed to meet them.
Last Friday directors of St Mary’s centre applied for a High Court order to enter voluntary liquidation and wind down the service.
The care home confirmed liquidators Baker Tilly had been appointed to oversee the closure of the service in a statement on Wednesday.
READ MORE
The spokeswoman for St Mary’s centre said it had been a “very difficult decision to make but in the interest of the health and safety of our residents and staff, liquidation remained our only course of action.
“This decision was reached by the board following a number of meetings concerning the funding of the nursing home and the disability centre - and the ability to acquire the necessary funding to ensure the highest standards of care and regulatory compliance for the health and safety of residents,” it said.
The nursing home has 35 female residents, whose families were recently informed it would close by the end of the year.
“The transfer of residents in the nursing home is underway and liquidators Baker Tilly will oversee the winding down of the company’s operation, across all its facilities,” the statement said.
The nursing home has been the subject of critical inspection reports from the healthcare watchdog, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), in recent years.
Reports published in 2017 and 2019 both criticised the governance and management of the centre, and the lack of privacy in one of the home’s units.
St Mary's centre was founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1868 as a school and home for visually impaired girls and women, but the religious order has said it has not been involved in managing the home since 1996.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) said it had been involved in discussions around the "financial and infrastructural challenges at St Mary's" when the centre announced it would close.
“These discussions were ongoing with further meetings planned when the HSE became aware that the board of management of St Mary’s were intent on closing the nursing home element of the service,” a spokeswoman said.
The HSE had been “awaiting further information and engagement with the board of management to discuss the transition of those services which had been advised would be closing,” she said.
“Last Friday evening, 24th July, the HSE found out that the directors of St Mary’s had sought a High Court order for the voluntary liquidation of the service, including elements of which were yet to be discussed,” the spokeswoman said.
Staff and residents’ families are to hold a demonstration outside of the Convention Centre on Thursday afternoon, while the Dáil is sitting there.
Ann Ryan, a former staff member and spokeswoman for the Save St Mary's group, said the planned closure of the nursing home was "appalling."
St Mary’s centre was a “viable facility that could be easily taken over by the State”, and the group were appealing for the HSE to step in and run the service, she said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Complaints over ‘offensive’ Tampax tampon advert upheld

Complaints from members of the public that a factual television advertisement for tampon products was offensive have been upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland ( ASAI ) .
The advert for Tampax , a brand of tampons , featured a light-hearted discussion of how to use the products , in a studio chatshow-type setting .
More than 80 complaints were made to the ASAI over the advert , which included claims it was offensive , demeaning to women , unsuitable for children , and that it contained sexual innuendo .
Several complaints took issue with phrases used in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ta get ‘ em up there girls ” and “ not just the tip , up to the grip ” , which they found to be vulgar , embarrassing , and crude .
Some of those complaining said they found the language used to be “ over-descriptive , inappropriately expressed and with excessive detail ” , the ASAI said .
Other complaints said the advert was demeaning and belittled women by implying they might be ignorant on how to correctly use tampons .
Some complaints said the advert had the potential to cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be watching it with their father , brothers or male friends .
One parent wrote to the ASAI to complain that their two teenage daughters had been “ mortified ” while watching the advert .
One complainant said the language and imagery used could give young men the impression that if young women were using tampons it was also likely they were sexually active .
In response to the complaints , Tampax said the advert was aimed at educating consumers on how to correctly use the products .
The company said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ periods through awareness , information and education ” .
The advertisement was not intended to have any sexual connotations or innuendo , the company said .
The target audience for the advert was women aged between 16 and 44 , and it had not been placed in slots close to children ’ s programmes , Tampax told the standards authority .
The ASAI complaints committee upheld the complaints over the Tampax Tampons Compak Pearl advert , and ruled it should not run again in the same format .
In its ruling , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature , and “ provided factual information in a manner that was neither explicit nor graphic ” .
The complaints committee “ did not consider that the advertisement had caused grave offence ” , it said .
However , it ruled that on the basis of the large number of complaints the advert had caused “ widespread offence ” , and as such breached section 3.16 of the advertising standards code .
The authority did not uphold the complaints that the advert was demeaning to women , unsuitable for children , or contained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive of the ASAI , said the advert had received 84 complaints , mostly from women .
Over the last four and a half years only seven adverts had received more than 60 complaints , she told RTÉ ’ s Drivetime programme .

The ASAI complaints committee upheld the complaints over the Tampax Tampons Compak Pearl advert, and ruled it should not run again in the same format.
Complaints from members of the public that a factual television advertisement for tampon products was offensive have been upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI).
The advert for Tampax, a brand of tampons, featured a light-hearted discussion of how to use the products, in a studio chatshow-type setting.
More than 80 complaints were made to the ASAI over the advert, which included claims it was offensive, demeaning to women, unsuitable for children, and that it contained sexual innuendo.
Several complaints took issue with phrases used in the advert, including “you gotta get ‘em up there girls” and “not just the tip, up to the grip”, which they found to be vulgar, embarrassing, and crude.
READ MORE
Some of those complaining said they found the language used to be “over-descriptive, inappropriately expressed and with excessive detail”, the ASAI said.
Other complaints said the advert was demeaning and belittled women by implying they might be ignorant on how to correctly use tampons.
Some complaints said the advert had the potential to cause embarrassment to young teenage girls, who might be watching it with their father, brothers or male friends. One parent wrote to the ASAI to complain that their two teenage daughters had been “mortified” while watching the advert.
Sexually active
One complainant said the language and imagery used could give young men the impression that if young women were using tampons it was also likely they were sexually active.
In response to the complaints, Tampax said the advert was aimed at educating consumers on how to correctly use the products.
The company said it believed in “normalising the conversation around periods through awareness, information and education”.
The advertisement was not intended to have any sexual connotations or innuendo, the company said.
The target audience for the advert was women aged between 16 and 44, and it had not been placed in slots close to children’s programmes, Tampax told the standards authority.
The ASAI complaints committee upheld the complaints over the Tampax Tampons Compak Pearl advert, and ruled it should not run again in the same format.
‘Neither explicit nor graphic’
In its ruling, the ASAI said the advert was light-hearted in nature, and “provided factual information in a manner that was neither explicit nor graphic”.
The complaints committee “did not consider that the advertisement had caused grave offence”, it said.
However, it ruled that on the basis of the large number of complaints the advert had caused “widespread offence”, and as such breached section 3.16 of the advertising standards code.
The authority did not uphold the complaints that the advert was demeaning to women, unsuitable for children, or contained sexual innuendo.
Orla Twomey, chief executive of the ASAI, said the advert had received 84 complaints, mostly from women. Over the last four and a half years only seven adverts had received more than 60 complaints, she told RTÉ's Drivetime programme.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Adopt energy policy now to prevent importing of fracked gas, urge campaigners

Anti-fracking campaigners have called on the Government to follow through on commitments to prevent development of new fracked gas importation terminals in Ireland , by promptly publishing a promised energy policy statement .
Controversial liquefied natural gas ( LNG ) terminals are still planned for the Shannon Estuary and the port of Cork , they have warned , and if constructed would import fracked gas from the US into Ireland .
The programme for government states : “ We do not believe that it makes sense to develop LNG gas import terminals importing fracked gas .
Accordingly , we shall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU Projects of Common Interest list in 2021 .
We do not support the importation of fracked gas and shall develop a policy statement to establish that approach.
” It further commits to ending all licences for the extraction of fossil gas in Irish waters .
“ The Government ’ s action to follow through on these pledges represents a key litmus test to show how serious the new Government is on climate action , ” according to the environmental campaigners who have published a road map for legislative change required to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ An Irish policy ban on fracked gas imports was agreed in the programme for government , meaning a ban on fracked gas imports from all sources such as via LNG terminals , and the interconnectors must now be dealt with in the upcoming policy statement , ” said Johnny McElligott of Safety before LNG .
The policy must make it clear that any energy plan to develop LNG infrastructure in Ireland “ would have significant environmental effects and should be submitted to high-level assessment and strategic environmental assessment ” , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of an imminent new planning application by Shannon LNG , slated for September , he said .
If it did not materialise , the project would only be subjected to local environmental impact assessment , “ having gone from a silent policy to project approval without the prior high-level strategic assessment that an explicit energy plan statement on LNG infrastructure development would oblige ” , Mr McElligott claimed .
The US company behind Shannon LNG indicated in May it is preparing a fresh planning application for the project as it awaits a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its existing permission in an action brought by Friends of the Irish Environment .
New Fortress Energy has told US authorities that regardless of the outcome , it is pushing ahead with plans to develop the LNG terminal at Ballylongford in the Shannon Estuary .
LNG and fracked gas in Ireland ’ s energy mix were not conducive to meeting obligations under the Paris Agreement , said Aideen O ’ Dochartaigh of Not Here Not Anywhere .
“ We have heard countless testimonies from communities from all over the world about the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these industries have.
” Kate Ruddock of Friends of the Earth said fossil gas was “ a fuel of the past ” , but a number of regulatory steps were necessary to fully implement commitments by the Government .
“ We have set out these steps in our briefing [ document ] and would ask the Government to follow our recommendations as a matter of urgency , ” she said .
“ We want Ireland to transition to clean energy .
We stopped fracking in our community , so we can not stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exploitation of other communities , including those in Pennsylvania where this fracked gas would come from , ” said Roisín Keegan O ’ Rourke of Love Leitrim .
If a policy statement was published swiftly , it would make Ireland a leader in the fight against fossil fuels and fracked gas , she believed .
“ With a seat on the UN Security Council , the opportunity is there for Ireland to become a global champion for action to keep fossil fuels in the ground and transition to clean renewable energy .
@

The programme for government states: “We do not believe that it makes sense to develop LNG gas import terminals importing fracked gas. Accordingly, we shall withdraw the Shannon LNG terminal from the EU Projects of Common Interest list in 2021.” File photograph: Getty
Anti-fracking campaigners have called on the Government to follow through on commitments to prevent development of new fracked gas importation terminals in Ireland, by promptly publishing a promised energy policy statement.
Controversial liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals are still planned for the Shannon Estuary and the port of Cork, they have warned, and if constructed would import fracked gas from the US into Ireland.
The programme for government states: “We do not believe that it makes sense to develop LNG gas import terminals importing fracked gas. Accordingly, we shall withdraw the Shannon LNG terminal from the EU Projects of Common Interest list in 2021. We do not support the importation of fracked gas and shall develop a policy statement to establish that approach.”
It further commits to ending all licences for the extraction of fossil gas in Irish waters.
READ MORE
“The Government’s action to follow through on these pledges represents a key litmus test to show how serious the new Government is on climate action,” according to the environmental campaigners who have published a road map for legislative change required to prevent development of fracked gas industry in Ireland.
“An Irish policy ban on fracked gas imports was agreed in the programme for government, meaning a ban on fracked gas imports from all sources such as via LNG terminals, and the interconnectors must now be dealt with in the upcoming policy statement,” said Johnny McElligott of Safety before LNG.
‘Significant environmental effects’
The policy must make it clear that any energy plan to develop LNG infrastructure in Ireland “would have significant environmental effects and should be submitted to high-level assessment and strategic environmental assessment”, he added.
The policy statement is time-sensitive because of an imminent new planning application by Shannon LNG, slated for September, he said. If it did not materialise, the project would only be subjected to local environmental impact assessment, “having gone from a silent policy to project approval without the prior high-level strategic assessment that an explicit energy plan statement on LNG infrastructure development would oblige”, Mr McElligott claimed.
The US company behind Shannon LNG indicated in May it is preparing a fresh planning application for the project as it awaits a High Court verdict on the validity of its existing permission in an action brought by Friends of the Irish Environment.
New Fortress Energy has told US authorities that regardless of the outcome, it is pushing ahead with plans to develop the LNG terminal at Ballylongford in the Shannon Estuary.
LNG and fracked gas in Ireland’s energy mix were not conducive to meeting obligations under the Paris Agreement, said Aideen O’Dochartaigh of Not Here Not Anywhere. “We have heard countless testimonies from communities from all over the world about the health, human rights and environmental impacts that these industries have.”
‘Fuel of the past’
Kate Ruddock of Friends of the Earth said fossil gas was "a fuel of the past", but a number of regulatory steps were necessary to fully implement commitments by the Government. "We have set out these steps in our briefing [document] and would ask the Government to follow our recommendations as a matter of urgency," she said.
"We want Ireland to transition to clean energy. We stopped fracking in our community, so we cannot stand by and allow Ireland to participate in the exploitation of other communities, including those in Pennsylvania where this fracked gas would come from," said Roisín Keegan O'Rourke of Love Leitrim.
If a policy statement was published swiftly, it would make Ireland a leader in the fight against fossil fuels and fracked gas, she believed. "With a seat on the UN Security Council, the opportunity is there for Ireland to become a global champion for action to keep fossil fuels in the ground and transition to clean renewable energy."


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Aer Lingus to receive almost €30m for collecting PPE from China

Aer Lingus is to receive almost €30 million from the Health Service Executive for the transport of vital supplies of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) to Ireland from China since March in response to the Covid-19 pandemic .
The airline operated a PPE airbridge for 14 weeks from March 29th to June 26th between Dublin and Beijing where 259 rotations between the two cities represented the largest cargo operation by air in the history of the State .
According to the HSE , Aer Lingus operated up to five flights a day over the 14 weeks and in total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cubic metres or 4,000 tonnes comprising more than 86 million pieces of PPE .
New records released in response to a Freedom of Information ( FOI ) request show Aer Lingus has lodged invoices totalling €30.3 million to the HSE for the 259 flights .
The invoices show the €30.3 million includes Russian over-flight charges made to Aer Lingus of €641,814 for the use of Russian airspace during the trips .
The records show that the HSE had paid €7.2 million by the end of June to the airline and as of July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a further €23.1 million that had not yet been paid .
The average cost per flight to the HSE was €114,751 and the average Russian overflight charge was €3,116 concerning 198 of the 259 flights .
Providing context to the spend , the HSE FOI unit stated : “ The environment in which procurement activity was conducted in response to the pandemic was unprecedented .
All global healthcare systems faced enormous challenges in securing PPE necessary to manage and contain the pandemic .
“ As part of the pandemic response , the HSE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Resource Pharmaceutical Group for the supply of essential PPE .
“ The transportation of this PPE in a timely manner was critical and necessary to the pandemic response .
The HSE agreed heads of terms with Aer Lingus , our national carrier , to open a standing air-bridge between Dublin and Beijing on a cost plus basis .
“ A value for money review has been conducted by HSE and the rates proposed by Aer Lingus were considered competitive in the circumstances .
”

A series of Aer Lingus flights to China to collect PPE supplies required for medical staff during the Covid-19 outbreak took place between March and June. File photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Aer Lingus is to receive almost €30 million from the Health Service Executive for the transport of vital supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) to Ireland from China since March in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The airline operated a PPE airbridge for 14 weeks from March 29th to June 26th between Dublin and Beijing where 259 rotations between the two cities represented the largest cargo operation by air in the history of the State.
According to the HSE, Aer Lingus operated up to five flights a day over the 14 weeks and in total flew 4.75 million km and transported 35,000 cubic metres or 4,000 tonnes comprising more than 86 million pieces of PPE.
New records released in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request show Aer Lingus has lodged invoices totalling €30.3 million to the HSE for the 259 flights.
READ MORE
The invoices show the €30.3 million includes Russian over-flight charges made to Aer Lingus of €641,814 for the use of Russian airspace during the trips.
The records show that the HSE had paid €7.2 million by the end of June to the airline and as of July 22nd, Aer Lingus had invoiced for a further €23.1 million that had not yet been paid.
The average cost per flight to the HSE was €114,751 and the average Russian overflight charge was €3,116 concerning 198 of the 259 flights.
Providing context to the spend, the HSE FOI unit stated: “The environment in which procurement activity was conducted in response to the pandemic was unprecedented. All global healthcare systems faced enormous challenges in securing PPE necessary to manage and contain the pandemic.
"As part of the pandemic response, the HSE concluded an overarching framework agreement with China Resource Pharmaceutical Group for the supply of essential PPE.
“The transportation of this PPE in a timely manner was critical and necessary to the pandemic response. The HSE agreed heads of terms with Aer Lingus, our national carrier, to open a standing air-bridge between Dublin and Beijing on a cost plus basis.
“A value for money review has been conducted by HSE and the rates proposed by Aer Lingus were considered competitive in the circumstances.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Certainty urgently required on reopening, says third-level union

Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris is to establish a new forum to engage with staff , students and institutions on key policy areas for the third-level sector .
The announcement was made following a meeting between the Minister and trade unions representing staff in the sector on Wednesday .
Ahead of the meeting , the Irish Federation of University Teachers ( Ifut ) said certainty was required urgently on the reopening process for higher education institutions .
Ifut stated that an official guidance document issued last week said the response to Covid-19 involved “ a rapid move to emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without impacting on the integrity of qualifications ” .
“ It will not be possible to sustain such an ‘ emergency ’ mode approach for a full academic year , ” Ifut said .
Ifut general secretary Joan Donegan said before the meeting with the Minister that with college reopening now less than two months away , “ clarity on the ‘ new normal ’ of higher education must be provided without delay ” .
The union did not comment after the meeting with Mr Harris .
A spokeswoman for Mr Harris said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to thank the unions for their time today .
The meeting discussed the return to on-site learning , the new Department and the Minister ’ s plans to establish a new forum to engage with staff , students and institutions on key policy areas for the third-level sector .
“ The Minister also took the opportunity to thank the unions and their members for their work throughout Covid-19 and the huge commitment and innovation shown .
”

The Irish Federation of University Teachers (Ifut) said certainty was required urgently on the re-opening process for higher education institutions. File photograph: Getty
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris is to establish a new forum to engage with staff, students and institutions on key policy areas for the third-level sector.
The announcement was made following a meeting between the Minister and trade unions representing staff in the sector on Wednesday.
Ahead of the meeting, the Irish Federation of University Teachers (Ifut) said certainty was required urgently on the reopening process for higher education institutions.
Ifut stated that an official guidance document issued last week said the response to Covid-19 involved “a rapid move to emergency remote teaching and assessment of programmes, without impacting on the integrity of qualifications”.
READ MORE
“It will not be possible to sustain such an ‘emergency’ mode approach for a full academic year,” Ifut said.
Ifut general secretary Joan Donegan said before the meeting with the Minister that with college reopening now less than two months away, "clarity on the 'new normal' of higher education must be provided without delay".
The union did not comment after the meeting with Mr Harris.
A spokeswoman for Mr Harris said on Wednesday: “The Minister wishes to thank the unions for their time today. The meeting discussed the return to on-site learning, the new Department and the Minister’s plans to establish a new forum to engage with staff, students and institutions on key policy areas for the third-level sector.
“The Minister also took the opportunity to thank the unions and their members for their work throughout Covid-19 and the huge commitment and innovation shown.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Sam McConkey: Covid-19 is ‘grumbling’ around young people

Covid-19 is “ grumbling ” around younger people in Ireland threatening a “ big explosion ” again through the older , more vulnerable population , an infectious diseases expert has warned .
Prof Sam McConkey , head of the department of international health and tropical medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland , said less vigilance because of lower numbers of cases risked sending the virus “ wild ” again .
The current trend in confirmed cases is “ very similar to what we had in February and March before we had large numbers of elderly people getting it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ This is the sort of grumbling of the virus among young healthy people , who are often minimally symptomatic .
“ The risk is that they inevitably meet with their parents and grandparents and older people and then in two or four weeks ’ time it all goes wild in older people again.
” Dr Ronan Glynn , the acting chief medical officer , said earlier this week that 75 per cent of cases are now among those under 45 , with a median age of 33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die from the virus , they are likely to spread it around , said Mr McConkey .
“ I think we can ’ t relax .
I think some of us feel there are very few deaths now , the numbers are down a lot from March and April , so let ’ s just relax .
I think that is very much the wrong message , ” he said .
Mr McConkey , who advocates suppressing the virus until there is zero unexplained community transmission , said Ireland is struggling to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not there yet .
And unfortunately as long as we ’ ve got unexplained community transmission on the island , there will still be a risk of it going into a big explosion like we had in February and March , ” he told Newstalk .
Citing New Zealand as an example , Mr McConkey said zero unexplained community transmission could mean sports fans returning en masse to matches and “ we get back more to normal ” .
“ It is a matter of the whole population keeping together , keeping our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so on , ” he added .

In Ireland 75 per cent of Covid-19 cases are now among those under 45, with a median age of 33.
Covid-19 is “grumbling” around younger people in Ireland threatening a “big explosion” again through the older, more vulnerable population, an infectious diseases expert has warned.
Prof Sam McConkey, head of the department of international health and tropical medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, said less vigilance because of lower numbers of cases risked sending the virus “wild” again.
The current trend in confirmed cases is “very similar to what we had in February and March before we had large numbers of elderly people getting it, who sadly passed away from it,” he said.
“This is the sort of grumbling of the virus among young healthy people, who are often minimally symptomatic.
READ MORE
“The risk is that they inevitably meet with their parents and grandparents and older people and then in two or four weeks’ time it all goes wild in older people again.”
Dr Ronan Glynn, the acting chief medical officer, said earlier this week that 75 per cent of cases are now among those under 45, with a median age of 33.
While young people are unlikely to die from the virus, they are likely to spread it around, said Mr McConkey.
‘Not there yet’
“I think we can’t relax. I think some of us feel there are very few deaths now, the numbers are down a lot from March and April, so let’s just relax. I think that is very much the wrong message,” he said.
Mr McConkey, who advocates suppressing the virus until there is zero unexplained community transmission, said Ireland is struggling to get to that stage.
“We are not there yet. And unfortunately as long as we’ve got unexplained community transmission on the island, there will still be a risk of it going into a big explosion like we had in February and March,” he told Newstalk.
Citing New Zealand as an example, Mr McConkey said zero unexplained community transmission could mean sports fans returning en masse to matches and “we get back more to normal”.
“It is a matter of the whole population keeping together, keeping our message, social distancing and masks and so on,” he added.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Gardaí found breaches of Covid-19 regulations in 22 pubs last week

Gardaí inspecting pubs for breaches of coronavirus guidelines and regulations found suspected violations in 22 premises last week .
In most instances the alleged breaches related to pubs not serving food with alcohol , the Garda said .
“ The majority of these cases continue to refer to no evidence of food being served or consumed and no evidence of receipts to show that food had been sold , ” it said in a statement .
Under current regulations pubs must serve a meal costing at least €9 to customers drinking alcohol .
Other regulations include a 105 minute limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing provisions .
Most regulations are not penal provisions , meaning pub owners in breach will not face criminal charges .
However it will be open to gardaí to object to licence-renewals for non-compliant owners .
Pubs are being inspected under Operation Navigation which started on July 3rd .
Since then a total of 80 premises have been found in breach of regulations or guidelines .
“ An Garda Síochána is delighted to see a continued high level of compliance by licensed premises to the Public Health Regulations .
However there are still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failing to adhere to the regulations , ” said Deputy Commissioner for Policing and Security John Twomey .
“ In such circumstances gardaí will continue its graduated policing response based on its tradition of policing by consent and I would appeal to publicans to comply in all circumstances to help stop the spread of Covid-19.
” A decision on the full re-opening of pubs , without the requirement to serve food , is expected next week .
Full reopenings were originally supposed to take place on July 20th but this was delayed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 .
The Government has signalled pubs may not reopen fully on August 10th if conditions are not right .

Pubs are being inspected under Operation Navigation which started on July 3rd. Since then a total of 80 premises have been found in breach of regulations or guidelines. Photograph: iStock
Gardaí inspecting pubs for breaches of coronavirus guidelines and regulations found suspected violations in 22 premises last week.
In most instances the alleged breaches related to pubs not serving food with alcohol, the Garda said.
“The majority of these cases continue to refer to no evidence of food being served or consumed and no evidence of receipts to show that food had been sold,” it said in a statement.
Under current regulations pubs must serve a meal costing at least €9 to customers drinking alcohol. Other regulations include a 105 minute limit on visits and minimum one metre social distancing provisions.
READ MORE
Most regulations are not penal provisions, meaning pub owners in breach will not face criminal charges. However it will be open to gardaí to object to licence-renewals for non-compliant owners.
Pubs are being inspected under Operation Navigation which started on July 3rd. Since then a total of 80 premises have been found in breach of regulations or guidelines.
"An Garda Síochána is delighted to see a continued high level of compliance by licensed premises to the Public Health Regulations. However there are still a minority of licensed premises that are failing to adhere to the regulations," said Deputy Commissioner for Policing and Security John Twomey.
“In such circumstances gardaí will continue its graduated policing response based on its tradition of policing by consent and I would appeal to publicans to comply in all circumstances to help stop the spread of Covid-19.”
A decision on the full re-opening of pubs, without the requirement to serve food, is expected next week. Full reopenings were originally supposed to take place on July 20th but this was delayed to August 10th following an uptick in cases of Covid-19.
The Government has signalled pubs may not reopen fully on August 10th if conditions are not right.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Man accused of Kevin Lunney assault fails to have charges dropped

A Dublin man accused of falsely imprisoning and assaulting Quinn Industrial Holdings ( QIH ) director Kevin Lunney has failed in a bid to have the charges against him dismissed .
Alan O ’ Brien ( 39 ) , with an address at Shelmalier Road , East Wall , Dublin 3 , is charged with false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbrade , Ballinagh , Co Cavan on September 17th , 2019 .
Mr O ’ Brien had on Wednesday applied to the non-jury Special Criminal Court to dismiss the two charges .
Mr Lunney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abducted close to his home in Co Fermanagh on the evening of September 17th .
The businessman ’ s leg was broken , he was doused in bleach and the letters QIH were carved into his chest during the two-and-a-half hour ordeal before he was dumped on a roadside in Co Cavan .
Bernard Condon SC , for Mr O ’ Brien , told the court today his client was making the application under Section 4E of the Criminal Justice Act 1999 .
A Section 4E application is for the dismissal of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court heard submissions from Mr Condon and Sean Guerin SC made submissions for the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) .
Mr Justice Paul Coffey , presiding , sitting with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge Gerard Griffin , said what was at issue was whether there was a sufficient case to put the accused on trial and whether a “ prima facie ” case had been made out by the prosecution .
Mr Justice Coffey said that having carefully considered all the evidence , the court was satisfied that there was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brien on trial for the offences .
Mr O ’ Brien was remanded in custody until January 11th , 2021 , when his trial is expected to take place alongside three co-accused .
The co-accused are Luke O ’ Reilly ( 66 ) , Mullahoran Lower , Kilcogy , Co Cavan ; Darren Redmond ( 25 ) , Caledon Road , East Wall , Dublin 3 , and another man who can not be named for legal reasons .
They are accused of the same offences .
Mr O ’ Reilly and Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April , despite Garda objections .
Granting both men bail at the time , presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Burns said the alleged abduction and assault on Mr Lunney constituted vicious , cruel and abhorrent criminal behaviour .
However , the judge said the accused were presumed innocent and there was an entitlement to bail .

Alan O’Brien (39), with an address at Shelmalier Road, East Wall, Dublin 3, is charged with false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan on September 17th, 2019. File photograph: Collins Courts
A Dublin man accused of falsely imprisoning and assaulting Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) director Kevin Lunney has failed in a bid to have the charges against him dismissed.
Alan O’Brien (39), with an address at Shelmalier Road, East Wall, Dublin 3, is charged with false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan on September 17th, 2019.
Mr O’Brien had on Wednesday applied to the non-jury Special Criminal Court to dismiss the two charges.
Mr Lunney, a father of six, was abducted close to his home in Co Fermanagh on the evening of September 17th. The businessman’s leg was broken, he was doused in bleach and the letters QIH were carved into his chest during the two-and-a-half hour ordeal before he was dumped on a roadside in Co Cavan.
READ MORE
Bernard Condon SC, for Mr O’Brien, told the court today his client was making the application under Section 4E of the Criminal Justice Act 1999. A Section 4E application is for the dismissal of a charge against an accused.
The three-judge court heard submissions from Mr Condon and Sean Guerin SC made submissions for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Mr Justice Paul Coffey, presiding, sitting with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge Gerard Griffin, said what was at issue was whether there was a sufficient case to put the accused on trial and whether a “prima facie” case had been made out by the prosecution.
Sufficient case
Mr Justice Coffey said that having carefully considered all the evidence, the court was satisfied that there was a sufficient case to put Mr O’Brien on trial for the offences.
Mr O’Brien was remanded in custody until January 11th, 2021, when his trial is expected to take place alongside three co-accused.
The co-accused are Luke O’Reilly (66), Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, Co Cavan; Darren Redmond (25), Caledon Road, East Wall, Dublin 3, and another man who cannot be named for legal reasons. They are accused of the same offences.
Mr O’Reilly and Mr Redmond were granted High Court bail in April, despite Garda objections. Granting both men bail at the time, presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Burns said the alleged abduction and assault on Mr Lunney constituted vicious, cruel and abhorrent criminal behaviour. However, the judge said the accused were presumed innocent and there was an entitlement to bail.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Child abuser who assaulted teenage girls jailed for two years

A convicted child abuser who sexually assaulted two teenage girls while he was acting as their Taekwon-Do instructor has been jailed for two years .
Both women , now aged 20 and 23 years old , waived their anonymity allowing Patrick Kelly ( 52 ) to be identified in reporting the case .
Kelly is already serving a nine year prison sentence , handed down in December 2017 , for sexual assault and exploitation of two children .
He is also serving a consecutive term of four years , imposed last month , for rape , sexual assault and exploitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met her at a city bus stop .
Kelly of Ballyfermot Road , Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting the first teenager by kissing her with force and by grabbing her bottom .
These offences took place on unknown dates sometime in mid 2014 .
Kelly also pleaded guilty to assaulting the second victim by grabbing her bottom , placing a hand on her bottom and kissing her neck .
These three offences took place on unknown dates between July 2011 and July 2012 .
On Wednesday Judge Melanie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imprisonment which she said should begin today .
She acknowledged that while the offences before her were for a less serious offence than those dealt with previously , Kelly ’ s crime had a devastating impact on both women .
Judge Greally noted that Kelly had been engaging in “ lewd sexual communication ” with both girls via text message .
She said he had initiated the contact and described it as “ deeply inappropriate ” and totally unwanted .
Kelly began texting one victim at the age of 12 and in one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what an orgasm was and said if she wanted one to come down to his house .
He would also make reference to her body and always told her to delete the messages from her phone .
Judge Greally said the offences represented a gross breach of trust in that he was their Taekwon-Do instructor and also referred to the fact that Kelly was embraced into one of the girl ’ s family from a very young age .
“ Both girls have suffered lasting damage as a consequence of these events .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trust and confidence , ” Judge Greally said , adding that Kelly caused considerable harm at a very sensitive time in their development .
She noted that Kelly had pleaded guilty and co-operated with the garda investigation and said she was also taking into account a five-year post release supervision order which had been handed down during the sentencing in the Central Criminal Court last month .
Judge Greally addressed both women in court and thanked them for “ sticking with the process and giving your victim impact statement.
” She said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole process “ will help you move on with your lives ” .
The first girl , now aged 20 years old , began taking Taekwon-Do lessons with Kelly when she was six years old .
Reading her victim impact statement she said she stood in court not as a victim but as a survivor who is trying to move on .
She said she had been left with scars that she doesn ’ t think will ever go away .
She said the abuse “ began with manipulation before you ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She referred to what Kelly did to her mind and how he made her feel alone .
“ You wanted me to keep your secrets but they were all yours , ” she said .
She added that she will never be able to explain the fear she felt praying that he would not come near her , or when she walked past his home or saw a white van like Kelly ’ s .
“ You made me feel so uncomfortable in my own body because of your snide comments , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting “ inside my head ” .
She described how her whole family thought he was “ an amazing man ” .
The woman described “ night terrors ” and said she couldn ’ t get away from Kelly in her sleep .
“ The feeling of fear still has not left me .
The panic was so much worse when you all of a sudden stopped talking to me , ” she continued .
“ The whole process has nearly broken me , ” the woman continued , referring to the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his trial , she said “ dragging your guilty plea to the last minute ” .
“ Your dirty secrets are out and this is the last time I will speak in your presence , ” the woman concluded .
In her victim impact statement read out by prosecution counsel Gerardine Small BL , the second woman described how the abuse has left her uncomfortable speaking to men .
She said she is glad he has pleaded guilty and owned up to things he has done .

The judge said Kelly had been engaging in “lewd sexual communication” with both girls via text message. File image: Matt Kavanagh/The Irish Times
A convicted child abuser who sexually assaulted two teenage girls while he was acting as their Taekwon-Do instructor has been jailed for two years.
Both women, now aged 20 and 23 years old, waived their anonymity allowing Patrick Kelly (52) to be identified in reporting the case.
Kelly is already serving a nine year prison sentence, handed down in December 2017, for sexual assault and exploitation of two children. He is also serving a consecutive term of four years, imposed last month, for rape, sexual assault and exploitation of a girl he groomed after he met her at a city bus stop.
Kelly of Ballyfermot Road, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting the first teenager by kissing her with force and by grabbing her bottom. These offences took place on unknown dates sometime in mid 2014.
READ MORE
Kelly also pleaded guilty to assaulting the second victim by grabbing her bottom, placing a hand on her bottom and kissing her neck. These three offences took place on unknown dates between July 2011 and July 2012.
On Wednesday Judge Melanie Greally imposed a two year term of imprisonment which she said should begin today.
She acknowledged that while the offences before her were for a less serious offence than those dealt with previously, Kelly’s crime had a devastating impact on both women.
Judge Greally noted that Kelly had been engaging in “lewd sexual communication” with both girls via text message. She said he had initiated the contact and described it as “deeply inappropriate” and totally unwanted.
Kelly began texting one victim at the age of 12 and in one message he asked her if she knew what an orgasm was and said if she wanted one to come down to his house. He would also make reference to her body and always told her to delete the messages from her phone.
Judge Greally said the offences represented a gross breach of trust in that he was their Taekwon-Do instructor and also referred to the fact that Kelly was embraced into one of the girl’s family from a very young age.
“Both girls have suffered lasting damage as a consequence of these events. They have experienced great fear, loss of trust and confidence,” Judge Greally said, adding that Kelly caused considerable harm at a very sensitive time in their development.
She noted that Kelly had pleaded guilty and co-operated with the garda investigation and said she was also taking into account a five-year post release supervision order which had been handed down during the sentencing in the Central Criminal Court last month.
Impact statements
Judge Greally addressed both women in court and thanked them for “sticking with the process and giving your victim impact statement.” She said she hoped that bringing a conclusion to the whole process “will help you move on with your lives”.
The first girl, now aged 20 years old, began taking Taekwon-Do lessons with Kelly when she was six years old. Reading her victim impact statement she said she stood in court not as a victim but as a survivor who is trying to move on.
She said she had been left with scars that she doesn’t think will ever go away. She said the abuse “began with manipulation before you ever put your hands on me”.
She referred to what Kelly did to her mind and how he made her feel alone.
“You wanted me to keep your secrets but they were all yours,” she said. She added that she will never be able to explain the fear she felt praying that he would not come near her, or when she walked past his home or saw a white van like Kelly’s.
“You made me feel so uncomfortable in my own body because of your snide comments,” she continued before she described Kelly as getting “inside my head”.
She described how her whole family thought he was “an amazing man”. The woman described “night terrors” and said she couldn’t get away from Kelly in her sleep.
“The feeling of fear still has not left me. The panic was so much worse when you all of a sudden stopped talking to me,” she continued.
“The whole process has nearly broken me,” the woman continued, referring to the fact that Kelly pleaded guilty on the morning of his trial, she said “dragging your guilty plea to the last minute”.
“Your dirty secrets are out and this is the last time I will speak in your presence,” the woman concluded.
In her victim impact statement read out by prosecution counsel Gerardine Small BL, the second woman described how the abuse has left her uncomfortable speaking to men. She said she is glad he has pleaded guilty and owned up to things he has done.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Leaving Cert student’s challenge over calculated grades gets urgent hearing

An urgent hearing will be held next month of a High Court action by a home-schooled Leaving Cert student aimed at having his application for calculated grades considered by the Department of Education .
After Mr Justice Charles Meenan was told on Wednesday the Minister for Education conceded Elijah Burke was entitled to leave to bring his judicial review proceedings , the judge fixed the case for hearing on August 12th and 13th .
Joseph O ’ Sullivan BL , for the Minister for Education , said very comprehensive issues arose concerning the calculated grades process , which represented an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the system .
Mr Justice Meenan agreed with both sides the matter is most urgent for reasons including the Leaving Cert grades will be issued on September 7th .
Brendan Hennessy BL , instructed by solicitor Eileen McCabe , for the student , also indicated either side may appeal the outcome .
After the judge voiced concern that a proposed August 24th hearing date left little time for delivery of judgment , August 12th was fixed for the opening of what he was told would be a two day hearing .
Mr Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the trial judge but that was not fully decided .
In his action , Elijah claims exclusion of home school students from the calculated grades process breaches his rights under the Constitution , including to be educated in the home .
He also claims breach of his rights under the Education ( Welfare ) Act 2000 , and that his exclusion is arbitrary , unfair , discriminatory and unreasonable .
Unless the court intervenes , he says he can not progress to third level education for another year .
From Cloonsunna , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of ten siblings who have all been educated at home by their mother , a registered teacher who has also worked as an examiner for the State Examinations Commission .
It is claimed Mrs Burke contacted the Minister ’ s office directly , and the calculated grades executive office , several times seeking to have him considered for a calculated grade but no firm reply was received .
On Wednesday , the court was told a decision received that day from the Minister did not affect the proceedings .
In an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diligently for the Leaving Cert , is registered to sit the exam in nine higher level subjects and hopes to attend NUI Galway to study Biomedical Science or History with Music .
The points for those courses were 533 and 318 respectively in 2019 and he expected to get well above that based on his past performance in mock exams , he said .
He has completed all grades in classical piano , has had much success in music competitions , and , with his brother Simeon also won the Mayo Association Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his siblings have averaged points in the Leaving Cert of 520 and all later obtained first class honours degrees in various fields .
Two have postgraduate degrees and one is graduating with a PhD this year .
In his action , Elijah wants various orders and declarations , including quashing parts of the calculated grades scheme imposing a “ blanket ” exclusion on parents acting as tutors for home schooled children .
It is claimed the Minister acted unlawfully in failing to have in place a process for receiving and determining applications for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While the calculated grades guidelines preclude accepting estimated grades for home schooled students from a teacher or tutor who is a close relative , that could be resolved by an independent teacher or principal assessing the evidence to determine if calculated grades could be provided , it is argued .
Having sat his mock exams at home and with a significant body of course work as part of his Leaving Cert studies , Elijah has the same amount of “ credible evidence ” available to him as any other student in school , @ @ @ @

In his action, the 18-year-old claims exclusion of home school students from the Leaving Cert calculated grades process breaches his rights under the Constitution.
An urgent hearing will be held next month of a High Court action by a home-schooled Leaving Cert student aimed at having his application for calculated grades considered by the Department of Education.
After Mr Justice Charles Meenan was told on Wednesday the Minister for Education conceded Elijah Burke was entitled to leave to bring his judicial review proceedings, the judge fixed the case for hearing on August 12th and 13th.
Joseph O’Sullivan BL, for the Minister for Education, said very comprehensive issues arose concerning the calculated grades process, which represented an effort to maintain fairness and integrity in the system.
Mr Justice Meenan agreed with both sides the matter is most urgent for reasons including the Leaving Cert grades will be issued on September 7th.
READ MORE
Brendan Hennessy BL, instructed by solicitor Eileen McCabe, for the student, also indicated either side may appeal the outcome.
After the judge voiced concern that a proposed August 24th hearing date left little time for delivery of judgment, August 12th was fixed for the opening of what he was told would be a two day hearing.
Mr Justice Meenan said it was likely he would be the trial judge but that was not fully decided.
In his action, Elijah claims exclusion of home school students from the calculated grades process breaches his rights under the Constitution, including to be educated in the home. He also claims breach of his rights under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, and that his exclusion is arbitrary, unfair, discriminatory and unreasonable.
Unless the court intervenes, he says he cannot progress to third level education for another year.
From Cloonsunna, Castlebar, Co Mayo, the 18-year-old is one of ten siblings who have all been educated at home by their mother, a registered teacher who has also worked as an examiner for the State Examinations Commission.
It is claimed Mrs Burke contacted the Minister's office directly, and the calculated grades executive office, several times seeking to have him considered for a calculated grade but no firm reply was received.
On Wednesday, the court was told a decision received that day from the Minister did not affect the proceedings.
In an affidavit, Elijah said he has studied diligently for the Leaving Cert, is registered to sit the exam in nine higher level subjects and hopes to attend NUI Galway to study Biomedical Science or History with Music.
The points for those courses were 533 and 318 respectively in 2019 and he expected to get well above that based on his past performance in mock exams, he said. He has completed all grades in classical piano, has had much success in music competitions, and, with his brother Simeon also won the Mayo Association Dublin debating competition in 2017.
Eight of his siblings have averaged points in the Leaving Cert of 520 and all later obtained first class honours degrees in various fields. Two have postgraduate degrees and one is graduating with a PhD this year.
In his action, Elijah wants various orders and declarations, including quashing parts of the calculated grades scheme imposing a “blanket” exclusion on parents acting as tutors for home schooled children.
It is claimed the Minister acted unlawfully in failing to have in place a process for receiving and determining applications for calculated grades for home schooled pupils.
While the calculated grades guidelines preclude accepting estimated grades for home schooled students from a teacher or tutor who is a close relative, that could be resolved by an independent teacher or principal assessing the evidence to determine if calculated grades could be provided, it is argued.
Having sat his mock exams at home and with a significant body of course work as part of his Leaving Cert studies, Elijah has the same amount of “credible evidence” available to him as any other student in school, it is claimed.


theirishtimes--2020-07-31--No money to pay redundancy to nursing home staff – Sisters of Charity

Funds are not available to pay staff statutory redundancy at two Sisters of Charity nursing homes in Dublin which are being closed , the congregation has said .
It was “ extremely disappointed to learn that there may not be enough funds to pay statutory redundancy to the staff ” at St Mary ’ s Centre Nursing Home on Merrion Road and St Monica ’ s at Belvedere Place in the city centre , the order said .
Meanwhile , elderly residents are now being moved out .
In a statement to The Irish Times , the sisters said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directors of St Monica ’ s and St Mary ’ s [ Telford ] have had to make very difficult decisions to close the nursing homes and are in the process of making arrangements to ensure a smooth , timely and safe transition for all the residents to other facilities ” .
A third Sisters of Charity home , the Caritas Convalescent Centre on Merrion Road , is also being closed .
On July 9th the High Court appointed joint provisional liquidators to the company operating the centre , which has 54 beds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous day , July 8th , it was announced that St Monica ’ s , with a capacity for 46 residents and more than 60 employees , was to close .
Last Friday directors at St Mary ’ s Centre applied for a High Court order to enter voluntary liquidation .
It has 35 female residents , whose families were informed in June it would close by the end of the year .
Two Sisters of Charity sit on the board of St Mary ’ s , with one sister on the board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sisters on the board of Caritas .
In court proceedings on July 9th it was disclosed that the Caritas Centre was closed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic .
Decisions to close St Monica ’ s and St Mary ’ s followed critical inspection reports from healthcare watchdog , the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) , over recent years .
The HSE , however , has expressed surprise over developments at St Mary ’ s in particular .
A spokeswoman said it was involved in discussions around “ financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ” when the centre announced it would close .
She said further meetings “ were planned when the HSE became aware that the board of management of St Mary ’ s were intent on closing the nursing home element of the service ” .
It was the case too that “ no formal request for additional revenue funding was received [ from St Mary ’ s ] , albeit a proposed capital investment plan of circa €1.3 million was received as an estimate to upgrade one element of the service on site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had advised the board of St Mary ’ s “ that it was willing to engage jointly with Hiqa to review the specific nature of the plan and potential timeframe for such an investment ” .
It was also evident to the HSE that St Mary ’ s had access to restricted funds of €600,000 which “ would contribute to the overall costs of the project ” , she said .
In their statement , the Sisters of Charity said the decision to close the homes followed “ a detailed review of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds required to bring each premises up to the standards required by Hiqa ” .
The Caritas Centre was closed “ because of Covid-19 and when the HSE informed them they could reopen , it was on the basis of 30 beds instead of 52 which would make it financially unviable ” .
They also pointed out that all three homes were “ separate and independent corporate entities from the RSC [ Religious Sisters of Charity ] ” .
Caritas was set up in 2001 , St Monica ’ s set up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2007 .

St Mary’s Centre Nursing Home is one of two Sisters of Charity nursing homes in Dublin unable to pay redundancy to its staff.
Funds are not available to pay staff statutory redundancy at two Sisters of Charity nursing homes in Dublin which are being closed, the congregation has said.
It was “extremely disappointed to learn that there may not be enough funds to pay statutory redundancy to the staff” at St Mary’s Centre Nursing Home on Merrion Road and St Monica’s at Belvedere Place in the city centre, the order said.
Meanwhile, elderly residents are now being moved out. In a statement to The Irish Times, the sisters said they were “aware that the board of directors of St Monica’s and St Mary’s [Telford] have had to make very difficult decisions to close the nursing homes and are in the process of making arrangements to ensure a smooth, timely and safe transition for all the residents to other facilities”.
A third Sisters of Charity home, the Caritas Convalescent Centre on Merrion Road, is also being closed. On July 9th the High Court appointed joint provisional liquidators to the company operating the centre, which has 54 beds and employs 65 people.
READ MORE
On the previous day, July 8th, it was announced that St Monica’s, with a capacity for 46 residents and more than 60 employees, was to close. Last Friday directors at St Mary’s Centre applied for a High Court order to enter voluntary liquidation. It has 35 female residents, whose families were informed in June it would close by the end of the year.
Two Sisters of Charity sit on the board of St Mary’s, with one sister on the board of St Monica’s and two sisters on the board of Caritas.
In court proceedings on July 9th it was disclosed that the Caritas Centre was closed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Decisions to close St Monica’s and St Mary’s followed critical inspection reports from healthcare watchdog, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), over recent years.
Surprise
The HSE, however, has expressed surprise over developments at St Mary’s in particular. A spokeswoman said it was involved in discussions around “financial and infrastructural challenges at St Mary’s” when the centre announced it would close.
She said further meetings “were planned when the HSE became aware that the board of management of St Mary’s were intent on closing the nursing home element of the service”.
It was the case too that “no formal request for additional revenue funding was received [from St Mary’s], albeit a proposed capital investment plan of circa €1.3 million was received as an estimate to upgrade one element of the service on site”, she said.
The HSE had advised the board of St Mary’s “that it was willing to engage jointly with Hiqa to review the specific nature of the plan and potential timeframe for such an investment”. It was also evident to the HSE that St Mary’s had access to restricted funds of €600,000 which “would contribute to the overall costs of the project”, she said.
In their statement, the Sisters of Charity said the decision to close the homes followed “a detailed review of their financial resources and the lack of financial funds required to bring each premises up to the standards required by Hiqa”.
The Caritas Centre was closed “because of Covid-19 and when the HSE informed them they could reopen, it was on the basis of 30 beds instead of 52 which would make it financially unviable”.
They also pointed out that all three homes were “separate and independent corporate entities from the RSC [Religious Sisters of Charity]”. Caritas was set up in 2001, St Monica’s set up in 2003, and St Mary’s in 2007.


theirishtimes--2020-07-31--Alarm over ‘significant’ increase in coronavirus cases in recent days

A sharp increase in coronavirus cases has caused significant concern among public health officials , with an additional 85 newly-confirmed cases reported on Thursday .
It is the highest number of cases notified in a day since late May , which acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said left officials “ very concerned ” .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) will now monitor the situation “ extremely closely ” over the next two days , he said .
The increase “ may be a blip associated with a number of significant clusters , or it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant ” , Dr Glynn told a press briefing on Thursday .
The spread of Covid-19 in the country was now “ a rapidly evolving situation ” , according to Prof Philip Nolan , chair of the team ’ s data modelling group .
The recent increase included cases connected to several large outbreaks , and “ there is no evidence that these cases are spreading in the community ” , he said .
Dr Glynn said it was “ not the time for a knee-jerk reaction ” , and any steps taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cases reported in the coming days .
“ Next week is very far away at this point , we will be monitoring this on the hour , ” he said .
NPHET is due to make a recommendation to the Government on moving to phase four of easing restrictions , which would see pubs permitted to reopen on August 10th .
The Cabinet is due to meet on Tuesday to make a decision on the matter .
Dr Glynn said he would not “ speculate ” on what they would recommend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happens over the next 24 hours , 48 hours , and 72 hours ” , he said .
Speaking in the Dáil earlier , Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said he hoped the Government would be able to decide to allow pubs reopen , but said he “ can ’ t guarantee that at this stage ” .
Mr Varadkar was responding to concerns raised by TDs about the viability of pubs .
TDs had said the lengthy closure was contributing to a “ massive surge in home drinking and uncontrolled house parties ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related death reported on Thursday , with the total number of fatalities now at 1,763 , and 26,027 confirmed cases .
Of the 85 newly reported cases , 18 were connected to an outbreak at a pet food factory in Co Kildare , which shut down late last week following confirmed cases .

Dr Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical officer, said officials were very concerned about the increase in Covid-19 cases. Photograph: Colin Keegan/ Collins Dublin
A sharp increase in coronavirus cases has caused significant concern among public health officials, with an additional 85 newly-confirmed cases reported on Thursday.
It is the highest number of cases notified in a day since late May, which acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said left officials "very concerned".
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will now monitor the situation "extremely closely" over the next two days, he said.
The increase “may be a blip associated with a number of significant clusters, or it may be a sign of something more significant”, Dr Glynn told a press briefing on Thursday.
READ MORE
The spread of Covid-19 in the country was now "a rapidly evolving situation", according to Prof Philip Nolan, chair of the team's data modelling group.
The recent increase included cases connected to several large outbreaks, and “there is no evidence that these cases are spreading in the community”, he said.
Dr Glynn said it was “not the time for a knee-jerk reaction”, and any steps taken by the team would depend on the number of cases reported in the coming days. “Next week is very far away at this point, we will be monitoring this on the hour,” he said.
NPHET is due to make a recommendation to the Government on moving to phase four of easing restrictions, which would see pubs permitted to reopen on August 10th. The Cabinet is due to meet on Tuesday to make a decision on the matter.
Dr Glynn said he would not “speculate” on what they would recommend, as much would depend on “what happens over the next 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours”, he said.
Kildare outbreak
Speaking in the Dáil earlier, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said he hoped the Government would be able to decide to allow pubs reopen, but said he "can't guarantee that at this stage".
Mr Varadkar was responding to concerns raised by TDs about the viability of pubs. TDs had said the lengthy closure was contributing to a “massive surge in home drinking and uncontrolled house parties”.
There was also one further Covid-19 related death reported on Thursday, with the total number of fatalities now at 1,763, and 26,027 confirmed cases. Of the 85 newly reported cases, 18 were connected to an outbreak at a pet food factory in Co Kildare, which shut down late last week following confirmed cases.


theirishtimes--2020-07-30--Farmer in his 70s dies in accident on Co Limerick farm

Gardaí in North Cork and the Health and Safety Authority are to carry out separate investigations into the death of a 77-year-old farmer on the Cork - Limerick border on Thursday .
The man , named locally as Danny Mullins from Kilbehenny in Co Limerick , was fatally injured when he was caught in a pneumatic gate on the farm at around 4pm .
The emergency services were alerted and paramedics treated Mr Mullins but he was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to University Hospital Limerick for a postmortem .
Gardaí described Mr Mullins ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will now prepare a file on his death for an inquest at Limerick County Coroner ’ s Court while the HSA has also begun an investigation .
Mr Mullins ’ s death is the latest farm deaths in the south and follows the death of five farmers in separate incidents in various parts of Co Cork since the start of the year .
Last month , father-of-five , John O ’ Callaghan ( 66 ) from Monaroe , Minane Bridge in South Cork was died following an accident on his farm on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cronin , who was in his 70s and from Church Road in Bantry , died after an accident involving a quad bike at his farm at Coomanore South in the Mealagh Valley outside Bantry .
John Reynolds ( 74 ) after after he was attacked and knocked over by a bull at his dairy farm at Ballyinaloughy in Ballinhassig between Cork and Bandon on May 9th .
Paddy Curtin ( 64 ) from Knockscovane in Meelin in North Cork died when he was attacked by a bull while feeding cattle on a property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the HSA , farming remains the most dangerous workplace in Ireland in terms of fatal accidents with 18 people dying on Irish farms in 2019 .
According to HSA figures , 214 people died in accidents on Irish farms between 2010 and 2019 with tractors and farm vehicles accounting for 30 per cent of these and machinery and livestock each accounting for a further 18 per cent of fatalities .

Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority have begun separate investigations into the death of an elderly farmer on Thursday.
Gardaí in North Cork and the Health and Safety Authority are to carry out separate investigations into the death of a 77-year-old farmer on the Cork - Limerick border on Thursday.
The man, named locally as Danny Mullins from Kilbehenny in Co Limerick, was fatally injured when he was caught in a pneumatic gate on the farm at around 4pm.
The emergency services were alerted and paramedics treated Mr Mullins but he was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to University Hospital Limerick for a postmortem.
Gardaí described Mr Mullins’ death as a tragic incident and they will now prepare a file on his death for an inquest at Limerick County Coroner’s Court while the HSA has also begun an investigation.
READ MORE
Mr Mullins’s death is the latest farm deaths in the south and follows the death of five farmers in separate incidents in various parts of Co Cork since the start of the year.
Last month, father-of-five, John O'Callaghan (66) from Monaroe, Minane Bridge in South Cork was died following an accident on his farm on June 25th.
On June 3rd, Michael Cronin, who was in his 70s and from Church Road in Bantry, died after an accident involving a quad bike at his farm at Coomanore South in the Mealagh Valley outside Bantry.
John Reynolds (74) after after he was attacked and knocked over by a bull at his dairy farm at Ballyinaloughy in Ballinhassig between Cork and Bandon on May 9th.
Paddy Curtin (64) from Knockscovane in Meelin in North Cork died when he was attacked by a bull while feeding cattle on a property at Tullylease near Charleville on April 2nd.
According to the HSA, farming remains the most dangerous workplace in Ireland in terms of fatal accidents with 18 people dying on Irish farms in 2019.
According to HSA figures, 214 people died in accidents on Irish farms between 2010 and 2019 with tractors and farm vehicles accounting for 30 per cent of these and machinery and livestock each accounting for a further 18 per cent of fatalities.