theirishtimes--2020-10-17--State to begin testing rapid Covid-19 antigen kits for national rollout

The State is to begin testing new rapid Covid-19 antigen kits in the hope of rolling them out nationwide by the end of the year .
It is understood that groups undergoing routine Covid-19 testing with the standard polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) swabs will also be asked to take a rapid antigen test along with it .
Senior sources have indicated that this “ validation exercise ” will be undertaken over a period of weeks and the results of both standard and rapid tests will be compared .
Depending on the outcome and results of the exercise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of the year .
This could prove to be vital in terms of Ireland ’ s response to growing coronavirus numbers , enabling people to test themselves regularly and get quick results , depending on the cost of the kits .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Friday acknowledged that some European countries were “ moving faster on antigen testing ” than Ireland .
“ I know it is being clinically validated in Ireland following the Hiqa study .
I know the French are moving on that , the Greeks have moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so I think that is significant .
That is something that we will have to accelerate in terms of our consideration because many countries think that has a role to play alongside the PCR testing.
” In France , blood tests are available without prescription in pharmacies , which check for coronavirus antibodies .
On Thursday , Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said he wanted the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) to decide quickly on the introduction of rapid testing , and not to take as much time as it did to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the Dáil chamber , Labour leader Alan Kelly held up an antigen test kit which he said cost €5-€10 and asked : “ Why has it taken so long for the expert advisory group to sign off on these ?
” He said : “ They are not a panacea but they are part of a mix as regards population testing to help organisations and to help with travel.
” Mr Varadkar acknowledged that the PCR swab being currently used costs nearly €150-€200 per test while rapid testing was much cheaper and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they were in use in German and other airports .
Mr Varadkar said Nphet and the Government ’ s advisory committee were considering the issue .
“ I will , however , encourage them to make that decision as quickly as possible .
Decisions were made slowly on face coverings .
They should not be made slowly on this.
” Meanwhile , the Cabinet is next week expected to discuss again the European “ traffic light ” system for international travel .
Under that plan , international passengers will be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PCR tests , and possibly an antigen test , when leaving and entering EU states .
Passengers arriving from countries deemed Green – having fewer than 25 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 population – will not need to quarantine nor take tests .
However , those entering and leaving Orange or Red countries with higher infection rates will be required to take a PCR test three days before leaving the country .

The State is to begin testing new rapid Covid-19 antigen kits in the hope of rolling them out nationwide by the end of the year.
It is understood that groups undergoing routine Covid-19 testing with the standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swabs will also be asked to take a rapid antigen test along with it.
Senior sources have indicated that this “validation exercise” will be undertaken over a period of weeks and the results of both standard and rapid tests will be compared.
Hospital Report
Depending on the outcome and results of the exercise, rapid testing kits could potentially be approved by the end of the year.
READ MORE
This could prove to be vital in terms of Ireland’s response to growing coronavirus numbers, enabling people to test themselves regularly and get quick results, depending on the cost of the kits.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Friday acknowledged that some European countries were "moving faster on antigen testing" than Ireland.
“I know it is being clinically validated in Ireland following the Hiqa study. I know the French are moving on that, the Greeks have moved on it and the Portuguese have, so I think that is significant. That is something that we will have to accelerate in terms of our consideration because many countries think that has a role to play alongside the PCR testing.”
In France, blood tests are available without prescription in pharmacies, which check for coronavirus antibodies.
Quick decision
On Thursday, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said he wanted the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) to decide quickly on the introduction of rapid testing, and not to take as much time as it did to endorse the use of facial coverings.
In the Dáil chamber, Labour leader Alan Kelly held up an antigen test kit which he said cost €5-€10 and asked: "Why has it taken so long for the expert advisory group to sign off on these?"
He said: “They are not a panacea but they are part of a mix as regards population testing to help organisations and to help with travel.”
Mr Varadkar acknowledged that the PCR swab being currently used costs nearly €150-€200 per test while rapid testing was much cheaper and “you get a result quickly”, and they were in use in German and other airports.
Mr Varadkar said Nphet and the Government’s advisory committee were considering the issue. “I will, however, encourage them to make that decision as quickly as possible. Decisions were made slowly on face coverings. They should not be made slowly on this.”
‘Traffic light’ system
Meanwhile, the Cabinet is next week expected to discuss again the European “traffic light” system for international travel.
Under that plan, international passengers will be able to bypass quarantine requirements if they take PCR tests, and possibly an antigen test, when leaving and entering EU states.
Passengers arriving from countries deemed Green – having fewer than 25 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 population – will not need to quarantine nor take tests. However, those entering and leaving Orange or Red countries with higher infection rates will be required to take a PCR test three days before leaving the country.


theirishtimes--2020-10-17--Derry and Strabane top a league table that nobody wants to win

Derry and Strabane are the top of the league table nobody wants to win .
In the past month the rate of coronavirus infection in this council area in the northwest has shot up to one of the worst on these islands , if not further afield ; a fall from grace made all the starker by the fact that for most of the past six months its rates were consistently among the lowest in the North .
On Friday , the rate of positive tests over the last seven days in the BT48 postcode area – the west bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the North at 1,156 per 100,000 or approximately one in every 86 people ; the rate across Northern Ireland as a whole was 357 per 100,000 .
“ It ’ s very straightforward , ” says Derry GP and chair of the British Medical Association ’ s Northern Ireland Council Dr Tom Black .
“ Complacency set in , people thought they had the Covid pandemic beaten , and they let their guard down and they socialised , and they had parties in houses and they went out and ate meals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties and they did it cross-Border , here and in Donegal .
“ They created a problem , and now they have a problem to fix.
” Such behaviour was not exclusive to Derry ; the difference was , he says , that “ we started off from such a low level ... we had a very successful first wave of the pandemic .
Success leads to complacency , complacency leads to failure.
” He describes “ weddings where there were a lot of people who turned up and there were big outbreaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hen parties , the same with christenings ” , and socialising by young people in the city centre and at house parties where there was “ flagrant disregard ” for the transmission of Covid-19 .
“ The town knows what happened , and the town knows what they did , ” says Dr Black .
“ They were just over-confident , and let their guard down.
” Dr Gerry Waldron , the head of health protection at the North ’ s Public Health Agency ( PHA ) , looks at the question in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Derry and Strabane ?
What was happening beforehand that kept it relatively safe compared to everywhere else ?
” For Dr Waldron the change was travel to their neighbour Donegal , which also experienced a sharp rise in cases after a relatively quiet first wave , and moved to Level 3 restrictions on September 25th .
The interconnectedness of people ’ s lives on both sides of the Border , he says , then spread the infection throughout the area .
Behaviours are also similar .
“ In other areas [ of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clusters ... accounting for high proportions , ” says Dr Waldron ; in Derry and Strabane there are “ very small clusters associated with workplaces , hospitality , parties ” .
“ My understanding is it ’ s exactly the same on the other side of the Border .
They ’ re not seeing huge big outbreaks , they ’ re seeing just generalised household , small clusters.
” In total PHA has recorded 44 clusters of more than five people since the beginning of the pandemic ; three of these were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Belfast and nine in Newry , Mourne and Down .
The North ’ s chief scientific adviser , Prof Ian Young , told BBC Radio Foyle this week that “ almost certainly there were one , two , maybe three what we call super-spreader events ” where somebody who was particularly infectious came in contact with a large number of people .
Exactly when and where these took place , experts are unsure .
Sources cited a wedding in Co Donegal attended by people from both sides of the Border ; small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracted the virus ; and house parties .
As of October 11th , the police have fined 232 people for breaching the Covid-19 regulations in Derry and Strabane , the majority of whom are understood to have been young people attending house parties .
Six prohibition notices have been issued to licensed premises , and 18 to householders for gatherings in private homes .
Wakes have also been held which breached the Covid-19 rules , but there is no indication these have resulted in a large number of cases .
Those family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalist Eamonn McCann describes the west bank of the Foyle as a “ very together place ” and , though stressing that this is speculation , asks if there is “ something cultural about the way people stick together , and literally stick together , for all sorts of historical reasons ?
” Others have made a similar observation ; said one son of an elderly parent , “ The advice might be to stay away , but I couldn ’ t hold my hand up and say I would ” .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a place apart anyway ” , with a “ sort of a genial disrespect for authority ” – whether from Stormont , London or Dublin .
The fallout following the presence of the Sinn Féin leadership and party members from the northwest at the funeral of Bobby Storey in June – which breached both the regulations and the guidance in force at the time – and its impact on public messaging has been well-documented ; people have also absorbed the controversies around Dominic Cummings , and the Clifden golf dinner .
The opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a popular retired GP and Aontú councillor in Derry , may have had an impact , though to what extent is difficult to quantify .
The answer is “ never simple ” , says Dr Waldron .
“ These things are always multi-factorial , and how much it is , how much it isn ’ t , will we ever know ?
” The current rates in Derry and Strabane , he says , are “ an indicator of generalised prevalence within the population , as opposed to a proportion of the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Probably the “ root cause ” , he says , is people failing to follow the guidance , “ because if everyone was keeping a social distance and everyone was isolating when they should be then we wouldn ’ t be in the situation we ’ re in now ” .
He says it is too early yet to see if the restrictions introduced in Derry and Strabane on October 5th have allowed the area to turn a corner ; anecdotally it appears that the more relaxed attitude of the summer is long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that they ’ re in deep trouble , and they ’ ve copped on to it , ” says Dr Black .

Dr Tom Black: “The town knows what happened, and the town knows what they did. They were just over-confident, and let their guard down.” Photograph: Trevor McBride
Derry and Strabane are the top of the league table nobody wants to win. In the past month the rate of coronavirus infection in this council area in the northwest has shot up to one of the worst on these islands, if not further afield; a fall from grace made all the starker by the fact that for most of the past six months its rates were consistently among the lowest in the North.
On Friday, the rate of positive tests over the last seven days in the BT48 postcode area – the west bank of Derry City – was the worst in the North at 1,156 per 100,000 or approximately one in every 86 people; the rate across Northern Ireland as a whole was 357 per 100,000.
"It's very straightforward," says Derry GP and chair of the British Medical Association's Northern Ireland Council Dr Tom Black. "Complacency set in, people thought they had the Covid pandemic beaten, and they let their guard down and they socialised, and they had parties in houses and they went out and ate meals and had christenings and First Communions and hen parties and they did it cross-Border, here and in Donegal.
“They created a problem, and now they have a problem to fix.”
READ MORE
Such behaviour was not exclusive to Derry; the difference was, he says, that “we started off from such a low level...we had a very successful first wave of the pandemic. Success leads to complacency, complacency leads to failure.”
He describes “weddings where there were a lot of people who turned up and there were big outbreaks from the weddings, the same with hen parties, the same with christenings”, and socialising by young people in the city centre and at house parties where there was “flagrant disregard” for the transmission of Covid-19.
“The town knows what happened, and the town knows what they did,” says Dr Black. “They were just over-confident, and let their guard down.”
Different way
Dr Gerry Waldron, the head of health protection at the North's Public Health Agency (PHA), looks at the question in a different way. "Why not Derry and Strabane? What was happening beforehand that kept it relatively safe compared to everywhere else?"
For Dr Waldron the change was travel to their neighbour Donegal, which also experienced a sharp rise in cases after a relatively quiet first wave, and moved to Level 3 restrictions on September 25th.
'Derry is sort of a place apart anyway', with a 'sort of a genial disrespect for authority' – whether from Stormont, London or Dublin
The interconnectedness of people’s lives on both sides of the Border, he says, then spread the infection throughout the area.
Behaviours are also similar. “In other areas [of the North] we’ve seen large clusters...accounting for high proportions,” says Dr Waldron; in Derry and Strabane there are “very small clusters associated with workplaces, hospitality, parties”.
“My understanding is it’s exactly the same on the other side of the Border. They’re not seeing huge big outbreaks, they’re seeing just generalised household, small clusters.”
In total PHA has recorded 44 clusters of more than five people since the beginning of the pandemic; three of these were in Derry and Strabane, compared to 12 in Belfast and nine in Newry, Mourne and Down.
The North's chief scientific adviser, Prof Ian Young, told BBC Radio Foyle this week that "almost certainly there were one, two, maybe three what we call super-spreader events" where somebody who was particularly infectious came in contact with a large number of people.
Wedding
Exactly when and where these took place, experts are unsure. Sources cited a wedding in Co Donegal attended by people from both sides of the Border; small local bars packed with regulars who subsequently contracted the virus; and house parties.
As of October 11th, the police have fined 232 people for breaching the Covid-19 regulations in Derry and Strabane, the majority of whom are understood to have been young people attending house parties.
Six prohibition notices have been issued to licensed premises, and 18 to householders for gatherings in private homes.
Wakes have also been held which breached the Covid-19 rules, but there is no indication these have resulted in a large number of cases.
Those family and community ties are strong here; veteran journalist Eamonn McCann describes the west bank of the Foyle as a “very together place” and, though stressing that this is speculation, asks if there is “something cultural about the way people stick together, and literally stick together, for all sorts of historical reasons?”
Others have made a similar observation; said one son of an elderly parent, “The advice might be to stay away, but I couldn’t hold my hand up and say I would”.
For McCann, “Derry is sort of a place apart anyway”, with a “sort of a genial disrespect for authority” – whether from Stormont, London or Dublin.
The fallout following the presence of the Sinn Féin leadership and party members from the northwest at the funeral of Bobby Storey in June – which breached both the regulations and the guidance in force at the time – and its impact on public messaging has been well-documented; people have also absorbed the controversies around Dominic Cummings, and the Clifden golf dinner.
The opposition to mask-wearing by Dr Anne McCloskey, a popular retired GP and Aontú councillor in Derry, may have had an impact, though to what extent is difficult to quantify.
The answer is “never simple”, says Dr Waldron. “These things are always multi-factorial, and how much it is, how much it isn’t, will we ever know?”
The current rates in Derry and Strabane, he says, are “an indicator of generalised prevalence within the population, as opposed to a proportion of the population behaving badly and ignoring the guidance.”
Probably the “root cause”, he says, is people failing to follow the guidance, “because if everyone was keeping a social distance and everyone was isolating when they should be then we wouldn’t be in the situation we’re in now”.
He says it is too early yet to see if the restrictions introduced in Derry and Strabane on October 5th have allowed the area to turn a corner; anecdotally it appears that the more relaxed attitude of the summer is long gone.
“I think Derry ones know that they’re in deep trouble, and they’ve copped on to it,” says Dr Black.


theirishtimes--2020-10-17--Women ‘far from achieving gender equality’, says Citizens’ Assembly

The # MeToo and Waking the Feminists movements demonstrate how far women are from achieving gender equality , Dr Catherine Day has said .
Dr Day , chairwoman of the Citizens ’ Assembly on gender equality , said both movements had “ brought back to people ’ s consciousness ” that the issue was far from settled .
She maintained the # MeToo movement , which began with allegations of sexual harassment against the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and has grown to be a worldwide movement , demonstrated that sexual harassment remained a widespread problem in society .
Speaking in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assembly on Saturday , Dr Day said there was a feeling from the citizens involved in the assembly that gender equality was going backwards , not forwards .
She said people were “ shocked ” when the Waking the Feminists movement demonstrated in 2016 just how underrepresented women were in Irish theatre .
The movement was founded by a group of women following the announcement of the Abbey Theatre ’ s Easter Rising centenary programme in 2016 which included only one work by a woman out of 10 commissioned plays .
Dr Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Commission , said the Waking the Feminist campaign underlined the importance of having verifiable information to back up claims of gender inequality .
She drew attention to the Waking the Feminist slogan – See it , say it , call it , count it .
“ They want to provide the data , point out where the problem is , attribute responsibility and accountability , and change things .
People often don ’ t realise things until they see the data .
When you look at the data , you realise how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Dr Day said .
Although there has been equal pay legislation for 50 years “ we don ’ t have it in reality ” , she said and women were still disproportionately overrepresented in lower-paid positions .
“ Childcare and home care are all heavily feminised and they are all much worse paid , ” she said .
“ Even in healthcare , men still seem to rise up to the management posts and be better paid than the women.
” The second weekend of the Citizens ’ Assembly – the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held online and will focus on women in leadership .
The assembly was set up by an Oireachtas resolution in 2019 calling on citizens to bring forward proposals that challenge the “ remaining barriers and social norms and attitudes that facilitate gender discrimination ” .
Video submissions have already been received from a range of voices on the issue of gender equality including Women in Sport , Women on Air , Lian Bell , one of the founders of the Waking the Feminist movement , Maria Joyce of the National Women ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UN , Geraldine Byrne Nason , and Anna May McHugh , managing director of the National Ploughing Championships .
There will be discussions on gender balance in politics and Gary Kennedy from the 30 % Club , which is looking for a minimum of 30 per cent of women on corporate boards , has made a submission .
The 99 citizens will also hear from the Australian group Male Champions of Change which is campaigning for greater representation of women in leadership positions .
Dr Day stressed that the assembly was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society but was looking at ways of making gender less of an issue in general .
All members of the assembly have been sent the videos in advance .
As a consequence , the usual two-day session has been condensed into two-hour sessions on Saturday .
In advance of Saturday ’ s session , the Women on Air organisation released its submission stating there remains a “ serious underrepresentation of women on the airwaves ” .
Women , according to the organisation , were often characterised on air as being “ shrill ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” while men ’ s voices tend to be described as “ deep ” and “ authoritative ” .
It points out that women are not a minority , but a majority of the population .
“ It is obviously of concern that minority groups are underrepresented on Irish broadcast media and that also needed to be addressed ; they are two separate issues – women are the majority in Irish society , ” it states .
“ The classification of gender inequality under the moniker of diversity allows the issue to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many inequalities rather than a specific one affecting the majority of the population .
And , of course , women may be doubly discriminated against by being ‘ female and a member of the Traveller community ’ , for example .
”

Dr Catherine Day, chairwoman of the Citizens’ Assembly, says there is a feeling from the assembly that gender equality is going backwards, not forwards. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
The #MeToo and Waking the Feminists movements demonstrate how far women are from achieving gender equality, Dr Catherine Day has said.
Dr Day, chairwoman of the Citizens’ Assembly on gender equality, said both movements had “brought back to people’s consciousness” that the issue was far from settled.
She maintained the #MeToo movement, which began with allegations of sexual harassment against the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and has grown to be a worldwide movement, demonstrated that sexual harassment remained a widespread problem in society.
Speaking in advance of the latest sitting of the assembly on Saturday, Dr Day said there was a feeling from the citizens involved in the assembly that gender equality was going backwards, not forwards.
READ MORE
She said people were “shocked” when the Waking the Feminists movement demonstrated in 2016 just how underrepresented women were in Irish theatre.
The movement was founded by a group of women following the announcement of the Abbey Theatre’s Easter Rising centenary programme in 2016 which included only one work by a woman out of 10 commissioned plays.
Dr Day, the former secretary general of the European Commission, said the Waking the Feminist campaign underlined the importance of having verifiable information to back up claims of gender inequality.
She drew attention to the Waking the Feminist slogan – See it, say it, call it, count it.
“They want to provide the data, point out where the problem is, attribute responsibility and accountability, and change things. People often don’t realise things until they see the data. When you look at the data, you realise how far we are from gender equality,” Dr Day said.
Although there has been equal pay legislation for 50 years “we don’t have it in reality”, she said and women were still disproportionately overrepresented in lower-paid positions.
“Childcare and home care are all heavily feminised and they are all much worse paid,” she said.
“Even in healthcare, men still seem to rise up to the management posts and be better paid than the women.”
The second weekend of the Citizens’ Assembly – the first was held in January – will be held online and will focus on women in leadership.
Proposals
The assembly was set up by an Oireachtas resolution in 2019 calling on citizens to bring forward proposals that challenge the "remaining barriers and social norms and attitudes that facilitate gender discrimination".
Video submissions have already been received from a range of voices on the issue of gender equality including Women in Sport, Women on Air, Lian Bell, one of the founders of the Waking the Feminist movement, Maria Joyce of the National Women's Traveller Forum, the Irish ambassador to the UN, Geraldine Byrne Nason, and Anna May McHugh, managing director of the National Ploughing Championships.
There will be discussions on gender balance in politics and Gary Kennedy from the 30% Club, which is looking for a minimum of 30 per cent of women on corporate boards, has made a submission.
The 99 citizens will also hear from the Australian group Male Champions of Change which is campaigning for greater representation of women in leadership positions.
Dr Day stressed that the assembly was not just about women’s role in society but was looking at ways of making gender less of an issue in general.
All members of the assembly have been sent the videos in advance. As a consequence, the usual two-day session has been condensed into two-hour sessions on Saturday.
Airwaves
In advance of Saturday’s session, the Women on Air organisation released its submission stating there remains a “serious underrepresentation of women on the airwaves”.
Women, according to the organisation, were often characterised on air as being “shrill”, “high-pitched” and “emotional” while men’s voices tend to be described as “deep” and “authoritative”.
It points out that women are not a minority, but a majority of the population.
“It is obviously of concern that minority groups are underrepresented on Irish broadcast media and that also needed to be addressed; they are two separate issues – women are the majority in Irish society,” it states.
“The classification of gender inequality under the moniker of diversity allows the issue to be downplayed by treating it as one of many inequalities rather than a specific one affecting the majority of the population. And, of course, women may be doubly discriminated against by being ‘female and a member of the Traveller community’, for example.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-17--Dramatic mountain handover strikes the right note for National Harp Day

On a stretch of invisible border where Dublin meets Wicklow , as cyclists turned their bikes around to keep within Covid-19 travel restrictions , 10-year-old Muireann Ní Mhuirthile waited to collect her harp .
The wooden instrument , hand-carved by Roundwood expert Kevin Harrington , had been several months in the making , but the pandemic had conspired to frustrate its delivery between two counties .
Then , as National Harp Day approached , just as the young musician was about to travel to Wicklow , Level 3 restrictions shut down all hope again .
Almost all hope .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we could go to the border and have a handover , ” said Muireann ’ s mother Barbara .
It began as a joke , but the joke grew legs .
Barbara ’ s brother , a cyclist , knew of at least 11 crossing points on the mountain roads and they settled on the Featherbeds , a heathland near the Glenasmole Valley on the Old Military Road .
Last Wednesday , just after 3pm , the instrument-maker handed over the prized possession – a €4,500 cherrywood carved , 34-string modern Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish music at its best .
“ Kevin rang us and said we can do this , ” said Barbara .
“ The harp for us , it ’ s a symbol of Ireland .
As a family it ’ s a huge privilege that we have someone who wants to play it .
“ As we were driving away [ from the rendezvous point ] my daughter actually cried and no one saw that .
.
.
she absolutely loves it.
” Inspired by a Disney cartoon , Muireann took up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over the pandemic she has kept up with online lessons and passed her grade four exams with distinction through the Royal Irish Academy of Music .
Because of the cost of harps , her family had rented her an instrument for years until seeing Kevin ’ s work at a harp event in Dún Laoghaire ’ s Lexicon library last year .
However , as Kevin explained , when the pandemic took the country by force , his working time was disrupted and there was difficulty securing parts from as far away as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What would normally take about a month turned into several .
And while there will be no National Harp Day events to play it at on Saturday , Kevin eventually got the instrument to the young musician , who plans a quiet performance with family .
“ It ’ s actually quite emotional , ” Barbara said of their dramatic pick-up .
“ We didn ’ t realise the emotion until afterwards .
”

Due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, harp maker Kevin Harrington from Roundwood recently travelled over the mountains to the Wicklow - Dublin border to deliver a new harp to ten year old Muireann Ni Mhuirthile from Dublin. Video: Bryan O'Brien
On a stretch of invisible border where Dublin meets Wicklow, as cyclists turned their bikes around to keep within Covid-19 travel restrictions, 10-year-old Muireann Ní Mhuirthile waited to collect her harp.
The wooden instrument, hand-carved by Roundwood expert Kevin Harrington, had been several months in the making, but the pandemic had conspired to frustrate its delivery between two counties.
Then, as National Harp Day approached, just as the young musician was about to travel to Wicklow, Level 3 restrictions shut down all hope again. Almost all hope.
The harp for us, it's a symbol of Ireland. As a family it's a huge privilege that we have someone who wants to play it
“We were having a laugh with Kevin that we could go to the border and have a handover,” said Muireann’s mother Barbara. It began as a joke, but the joke grew legs.
READ MORE
Barbara’s brother, a cyclist, knew of at least 11 crossing points on the mountain roads and they settled on the Featherbeds, a heathland near the Glenasmole Valley on the Old Military Road.
Prized possession
Last Wednesday, just after 3pm, the instrument-maker handed over the prized possession – a €4,500 cherrywood carved, 34-string modern Irish harp, painstakingly shaped to perform traditional Irish music at its best.
"Kevin rang us and said we can do this," said Barbara. "The harp for us, it's a symbol of Ireland. As a family it's a huge privilege that we have someone who wants to play it.
“As we were driving away [from the rendezvous point] my daughter actually cried and no one saw that . . . she absolutely loves it.”
Inspired by a Disney cartoon, Muireann took up the harp at the age of six. Over the pandemic she has kept up with online lessons and passed her grade four exams with distinction through the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
Because of the cost of harps, her family had rented her an instrument for years until seeing Kevin’s work at a harp event in Dún Laoghaire’s Lexicon library last year.
However, as Kevin explained, when the pandemic took the country by force, his working time was disrupted and there was difficulty securing parts from as far away as France and the US in particular. What would normally take about a month turned into several.
And while there will be no National Harp Day events to play it at on Saturday, Kevin eventually got the instrument to the young musician, who plans a quiet performance with family.
“It’s actually quite emotional,” Barbara said of their dramatic pick-up. “We didn’t realise the emotion until afterwards.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-17--Covid-19 impact on mental health will ‘come to fore’ in coming months

Anxiety , depression and work-related stress are common issues , but counsellor Bernie Hackett says that , due to Covid-19 , they ’ ve become the predominant reasons people are seeking help .
“ Anxiety and depression would be quite prevalent in the presenting issues for clients at the moment , ” she says .
“ It may not present initially .
Somebody might ring you about a work issue , or a family issue or whatever , but then the anxiety is continuously there and it magnifies everything in the client ’ s life.
” Hackett ’ s practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wexford , operated mostly online sessions throughout the pandemic , but resumed face-to-face services three weeks ago .
She now runs what she describes as a “ hybrid model ” .
She says working from home , while welcomed by many , often induces more stress in workers than if they were in the office .
“ The stress of trying to work from home , particularly if they don ’ t have a room that they can go into and close the door and focus on their work , maybe there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understanding of the need to be able to focus on your work , ” she explains .
“ They ’ re pulled in a lot of directions , they ’ re trying to do their best , while meeting the needs of the family.
” She adds that the removal of casual conversation between colleagues , also heightens this stress .
“ A lot of what affects clients as well is isolation and loneliness .
They miss that peer contact with their colleagues .
On Zoom meetings , you might have a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starts , but the minute the meeting ends , it just ends , so you don ’ t have that bit of chat or connection.
” The counsellor , who is also the vice-chair of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy ( IACP ) , said some practices are seeing “ substantial ” increases in demand for services .
She says she has not had a “ huge increase ” in clients , but attributes this to the fact she works mostly in the private sector , and many people are experiencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an instance where two partners have lost their job , they ’ re under severe financial pressure .
It may be then that the cost of counselling is just not viable for them , ” she adds .
She says transitioning to online counselling posed challenges in the beginning , but overall , it has proved to be satisfactory .
“ A lot of clients didn ’ t want to come online for various reasons .
There were some difficulties with maybe not having a confidential space , maybe some with young families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the house where they wouldn ’ t be interrupted , ” she explains .
“ One of the biggest positives of online counselling is that it ’ s making it more available to a lot more people.
” In its pre-budget submission , the IACP called for investment in improving accessibility to counselling and psychotherapy , a VAT exemption for counsellors and psychotherapists and the introduction of therapeutic counselling supports for second-level schools .
Hackett said that many school guidance counsellors are under pressure to meet demands , adding that teenagers especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the emotional implications of Covid-19 .
“ They ’ re gone back to school now and there are strict protocols in place .
They ’ re missing out on being able to go out and plan a night out , as young people should be able to do .
Their lives are impacted .
Some are dealing with it well and some aren ’ t. ” Hackett believes the true demand for mental health services as a result of the pandemic will only be seen in the coming months .
“ The long-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to come to the fore for more and more people .
The interesting thing about all of this is that we ’ re all in this storm , but we may be in different boats.
” She says that while some clients have a lot of resilience and have managed to cope quite well , others may really need help .

Anxiety, depression and work-related stress are common issues, but counsellor Bernie Hackett says that, due to Covid-19, they've become the predominant reasons people are seeking help.
“Anxiety and depression would be quite prevalent in the presenting issues for clients at the moment,” she says. “It may not present initially. Somebody might ring you about a work issue, or a family issue or whatever, but then the anxiety is continuously there and it magnifies everything in the client’s life.”
Hackett's practice, Oasis counselling in Gorey, Co Wexford, operated mostly online sessions throughout the pandemic, but resumed face-to-face services three weeks ago. She now runs what she describes as a "hybrid model".
Hospital Report
She says working from home, while welcomed by many, often induces more stress in workers than if they were in the office.
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“The stress of trying to work from home, particularly if they don’t have a room that they can go into and close the door and focus on their work, maybe there’s family around and not everyone is understanding of the need to be able to focus on your work,” she explains.
“They’re pulled in a lot of directions, they’re trying to do their best, while meeting the needs of the family.”
She adds that the removal of casual conversation between colleagues, also heightens this stress.
“A lot of what affects clients as well is isolation and loneliness. They miss that peer contact with their colleagues. On Zoom meetings, you might have a little bit of chat five minutes before it starts, but the minute the meeting ends, it just ends, so you don’t have that bit of chat or connection.”
The counsellor, who is also the vice-chair of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), said some practices are seeing "substantial" increases in demand for services.
She says she has not had a “huge increase” in clients, but attributes this to the fact she works mostly in the private sector, and many people are experiencing financial hardship.
“If you have an instance where two partners have lost their job, they’re under severe financial pressure. It may be then that the cost of counselling is just not viable for them,” she adds.
She says transitioning to online counselling posed challenges in the beginning, but overall, it has proved to be satisfactory.
“A lot of clients didn’t want to come online for various reasons. There were some difficulties with maybe not having a confidential space, maybe some with young families and there wasn’t a space in the house where they wouldn’t be interrupted,” she explains.
“One of the biggest positives of online counselling is that it’s making it more available to a lot more people.”
In its pre-budget submission, the IACP called for investment in improving accessibility to counselling and psychotherapy, a VAT exemption for counsellors and psychotherapists and the introduction of therapeutic counselling supports for second-level schools.
Hackett said that many school guidance counsellors are under pressure to meet demands, adding that teenagers especially will need additional help to deal with the emotional implications of Covid-19.
“They’re gone back to school now and there are strict protocols in place. They’re missing out on being able to go out and plan a night out, as young people should be able to do. Their lives are impacted. Some are dealing with it well and some aren’t.”
Hackett believes the true demand for mental health services as a result of the pandemic will only be seen in the coming months.
“The long-term impact of what is happening to us is going to come to the fore for more and more people. The interesting thing about all of this is that we’re all in this storm, but we may be in different boats.”
She says that while some clients have a lot of resilience and have managed to cope quite well, others may really need help.


theirishtimes--2020-10-16--Covid-19: Cases confirmed or suspected in 170 nursing homes

There are 170 nursing homes currently dealing with confirmed or suspected cases of Covid-19 among staff and residents , according to figures compiled by the State ’ s healthcare watchdog .
As the spread of the virus has increased rapidly in recent weeks , nearly one-third of the 575 nursing homes in the country are now facing confirmed or suspected cases .
A spokeswoman for the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) said as of Friday it was aware of current confirmed or suspected cases in 170 nursing homes .
The regulator said it had also been notified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing home residents in the last three weeks .
As in many cases , providers often later clarify if a fatality was coronavirus-related , Hiqa said it was not yet possible to say how many of these were linked to Covid-19 .
Tadhg Daly , chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland , which represents private and voluntary providers accounting for about 80 per cent of all homes , said the sector was now “ hyper-vigilant ” .
The spread of the virus was “ pretty rampant ” in the community and as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , he said .
The Health Service Executive has said it is currently dealing with an outbreak of “ significant concern ” in one nursing home , and 25 further outbreaks classed in the “ amber category ” of its traffic-light warning system .
Kilminchy Lodge , a Co Laois nursing home , said this week it had 31 confirmed coronavirus cases , with four residents dying from the recent outbreak .
A spokeswoman for the home said on Friday there had been “ no changes in the situation ” in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Convoy , Co Donegal , said last week it was dealing with an outbreak of 30 confirmed cases .
Another facility in Swords , north Co Dublin , AnovoCare nursing home , has also confirmed it is responding to an outbreak .
Nursing home residents account for more than half the 1,838 deaths from the virus to date .
Many facilities faced significant outbreaks during the early weeks of the pandemic , with long delays awaiting test results , major staff shortages , and lack of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) contributing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Daly said there were a number of “ lessons learned ” from the first wave , which would mean nursing homes were better able to respond to current cases .
“ The testing is crucial and it means you can react swiftly and know what ’ s going on , ” he said .
Previous testing delays meant the virus had been unknowingly spreading through homes , and facilities suddenly found themselves in the midst of large outbreaks , he said .
Along with improvements in the rate of testing , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” with the supply of PPE , Mr Daly said .
“ Staffing will be the big issue for winter , that ’ s going to be a challenge .
.
.
The last week we ’ ve seen an escalation from members about staffing , ” he said .
Delays of even a number of days or a week in responding to emerging problems in the nursing home sector would have “ devastating ” consequences , as seen in April and May , Mr Daly said .

There are 170 nursing homes currently dealing with confirmed or suspected cases of Covid-19 among staff and residents, according to figures compiled by the State’s healthcare watchdog.
As the spread of the virus has increased rapidly in recent weeks, nearly one-third of the 575 nursing homes in the country are now facing confirmed or suspected cases.
A spokeswoman for the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) said as of Friday it was aware of current confirmed or suspected cases in 170 nursing homes.
Hospital Report
The regulator said it had also been notified of 28 “unexpected deaths” among nursing home residents in the last three weeks. As in many cases, providers often later clarify if a fatality was coronavirus-related, Hiqa said it was not yet possible to say how many of these were linked to Covid-19.
READ MORE
Tadhg Daly, chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland, which represents private and voluntary providers accounting for about 80 per cent of all homes, said the sector was now "hyper-vigilant".
‘Pretty rampant’
The spread of the virus was “pretty rampant” in the community and as a result nursing homes would inevitably face more cases, he said.
The Health Service Executive has said it is currently dealing with an outbreak of “significant concern” in one nursing home, and 25 further outbreaks classed in the “amber category” of its traffic-light warning system.
Kilminchy Lodge, a Co Laois nursing home, said this week it had 31 confirmed coronavirus cases, with four residents dying from the recent outbreak. A spokeswoman for the home said on Friday there had been “no changes in the situation” in recent days.
Brindley Manor Nursing Home in Convoy, Co Donegal, said last week it was dealing with an outbreak of 30 confirmed cases. Another facility in Swords, north Co Dublin, AnovoCare nursing home, has also confirmed it is responding to an outbreak.
‘Lessons learned’
Nursing home residents account for more than half the 1,838 deaths from the virus to date. Many facilities faced significant outbreaks during the early weeks of the pandemic, with long delays awaiting test results, major staff shortages, and lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) contributing to the virus spreading within centres.
Mr Daly said there were a number of “lessons learned” from the first wave, which would mean nursing homes were better able to respond to current cases.
“The testing is crucial and it means you can react swiftly and know what’s going on,” he said. Previous testing delays meant the virus had been unknowingly spreading through homes, and facilities suddenly found themselves in the midst of large outbreaks, he said.
Along with improvements in the rate of testing, there was now “no issue at all” with the supply of PPE, Mr Daly said. “Staffing will be the big issue for winter, that’s going to be a challenge . . . The last week we’ve seen an escalation from members about staffing,” he said.
Delays of even a number of days or a week in responding to emerging problems in the nursing home sector would have “devastating” consequences, as seen in April and May, Mr Daly said.


theirishtimes--2020-10-16--Thinking Anew – Faith is a journey of discovery

‘ My face shall not be seen.
” It sounds like the latest Covid-19 masking instruction from the chief medical officer but is in fact a line from tomorrow ’ s Old Testament reading of Exodus 33 .
Moses addresses God : “ Show me your glory , I pray.
” In response he is told that although God will be gracious and merciful , he can not see God ’ s face : “ You shall see my back ; but my face shall not be seen.
” There are times in life when we desperately need reassurance that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems to suggest that sometimes God ’ s presence can only be seen retrospectively .
The idea is captured in the poem Footprints in the Sands , which describes a person who sees two pairs of footprints side by side in the sand , one of which belongs to God and the other to himself or herself .
At one point the two become one and God , unseen , carries that person .
But clever words do not help when as a prayer puts it the world seems empty of God ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ When I try to raise my thoughts to heaven there is such convicting emptiness that those very thoughts return like sharp knives and hurt my soul .
I am told God loves me and yet the reality of darkness and coldness and emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul.
” That will shock some people – her of all people – but anyone familiar with the lives of the spiritual greats will know that questioning and doubting are part of any faith journey .
And Jesus was aware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this post-resurrection exchange with Thomas who insisted on seeing : “ Thomas , because you have seen Me , you have believed .
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
” The notion that as young people we receive a spiritual vaccination called confirmation that protects us from doubt for life is unrealistic and can lead to disillusionment .
St Augustine knew that restlessness was a continuing part of the process : “ Thou hast made us for thyself , O Lord , and our heart is restless until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abraham has been described as the father of faith but note what the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews said about him : “ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance ; and he set out , not knowing where he was going.
” Faith is not about hoping for the best .
It is a journey of discovery based on promise and sometimes not knowing where we are going .
At one level it enables us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life as we contemplate the wonders of creation and our part in it .
But for the Christian , it rests even more on the specific promise of an inheritance , a future , revealed in the life , death , and resurrection of Jesus Christ .
This assures us that every one of us matters irrespective of who we are or what we have done , that truth and justice will prevail , and that nothing that comes our way in life , no matter how terrible , can in the words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
” That is not easy to hold on to but then faith is not about certainty ; it is about informed and reasonable hope .
The deaf-blind author Helen Keller , who faced enormous challenges all her life , said this about her own faith : “ It need not discourage us if we are full of doubts .
Healthy questions keep faith dynamic .
Unless we start with doubts , we can not have a deep-rooted faith .
One who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a belief .
He who has a faith which is not to be shaken has won it through blood and tears – has worked his way from doubt to truth as one who reaches a clearing through a thicket of brambles and thorns .
”

‘My face shall not be seen.” It sounds like the latest Covid-19 masking instruction from the chief medical officer but is in fact a line from tomorrow’s Old Testament reading of Exodus 33. Moses addresses God: “Show me your glory, I pray.” In response he is told that although God will be gracious and merciful, he cannot see God’s face: “You shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.”
There are times in life when we desperately need reassurance that God is for real but that line seems to suggest that sometimes God’s presence can only be seen retrospectively.
The idea is captured in the poem Footprints in the Sands, which describes a person who sees two pairs of footprints side by side in the sand, one of which belongs to God and the other to himself or herself. At one point the two become one and God, unseen, carries that person.
But clever words do not help when as a prayer puts it the world seems empty of God's presence, something Mother Teresa experienced: "When I try to raise my thoughts to heaven there is such convicting emptiness that those very thoughts return like sharp knives and hurt my soul. I am told God loves me and yet the reality of darkness and coldness and emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul."
READ MORE
That will shock some people – her of all people – but anyone familiar with the lives of the spiritual greats will know that questioning and doubting are part of any faith journey.
And Jesus was aware of the difficulty, as we see in this post-resurrection exchange with Thomas who insisted on seeing: “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The notion that as young people we receive a spiritual vaccination called confirmation that protects us from doubt for life is unrealistic and can lead to disillusionment.
St Augustine knew that restlessness was a continuing part of the process: “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.”
Abraham has been described as the father of faith but note what the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews said about him: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.”
Faith is not about hoping for the best. It is a journey of discovery based on promise and sometimes not knowing where we are going.
At one level it enables us to explore the meaning and purpose of life as we contemplate the wonders of creation and our part in it.
But for the Christian, it rests even more on the specific promise of an inheritance, a future, revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This assures us that every one of us matters irrespective of who we are or what we have done, that truth and justice will prevail, and that nothing that comes our way in life, no matter how terrible, can in the words of St Paul, "separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
That is not easy to hold on to but then faith is not about certainty; it is about informed and reasonable hope.
The deaf-blind author Helen Keller, who faced enormous challenges all her life, said this about her own faith: "It need not discourage us if we are full of doubts. Healthy questions keep faith dynamic. Unless we start with doubts, we cannot have a deep-rooted faith. One who believes lightly and unthinkingly has not much of a belief. He who has a faith which is not to be shaken has won it through blood and tears – has worked his way from doubt to truth as one who reaches a clearing through a thicket of brambles and thorns."


theirishtimes--2020-10-16--Blood matching DNA of accused and victim found on knife, murder trial hears

A forensic scientist who examined a crime scene where a man died after he sustained 28 stab wounds found blood stains matching the DNA profile of the accused and the victim on a knife recovered from a toilet cistern in the house , a trial has heard .
Rita O ’ Driscoll of Bridge Street , Bandon , Co Cork is charged with the murder of Timmy Foley ( 44 ) and with assault causing serious harm to his brother , Jason Foley , on October 8th , 2018 at Dan Corkery Place in Macroom , Co Cork .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Central Criminal Court in Cork , Dr Sandra McGrath of Forensic Science Ireland ( FSI ) gave evidence of the examination she made of the crime scene on October 8th , 2018 .
Dr McGrath , said it was her understanding that an altercation had occurred in the property at Dan Corkery Place and that Timmy Foley had sustained 28 stab wounds and died at the scene .
She said it was her relayed to her that Timmy Foley was found lying on the floor in the house with 28 stab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stab wounds while Ms O ’ Driscoll had injuries to her left arm and head .
Timmy Foley was pronounced dead at the scene .
Dr McGrath did an analysis of blood stain patterns in the house .
She found blood in three areas of the house – the living room , bathroom and hall .
She said Timmy Foley was found on the living room floor .
There was a pool of blood by the couch .
She analysed blood on the couch .
The DNA profile on the right armrest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Timmy Foley while the left and right back cushions matched the blood profile of Rita O ’ Driscoll .
Dr McGrath found various blood stains in the house which matched the DNA profiles of the late Timmy Foley and Rita O ’ Driscoll .
She made an examination of the bathroom and found a drip trail on the floor and left side of the sink basin which matched the profile of Rita O ’ Driscoll .
There was a mixed DNA profile matching Rita O ’ Driscoll and Timmy Foley from blood stains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bowl and cistern lid .
She said her findings indicated that Ms O ’ Driscoll moved around the bathroom and hallway while actively bleeding .
Dr McGrath said Ms O ’ Driscoll also paused at the sink while actively bleeding .
A knife which was recovered from the cistern was also examined .
It had been submerged in water .
There was no blood stain evident on the tip or edge of the blade .
There was a small blood stain in the area where the blade and handle meet .
It showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Rita O ’ Driscoll .
The post-mortem evidence is expected to be heard in the coming days .
In outlining the case last week , prosecuting barrister Siobhan Lankford said it was anticipated the post-mortem evidence would be that Timmy Foley sustained 28 stab wounds to his head , thorax , abdomen and right leg , an incision of the ear and the carotid artery .
He also had stab wounds to the lung and liver .
She said that up to four of the wounds were potentially fatal .
Ms Lankford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consistent with defence wounds .
The trial continues on Monday before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of five men and seven women .

Rita O’Driscoll of Bridge Street, Bandon, Co Cork is charged with the murder of Timmy Foley (44) and with assault causing serious harm to his brother, Jason Foley, on October 8th, 2018 at Dan Corkery Place in Macroom, Co Cork. She denies both charges. Photograph: John Delea
A forensic scientist who examined a crime scene where a man died after he sustained 28 stab wounds found blood stains matching the DNA profile of the accused and the victim on a knife recovered from a toilet cistern in the house, a trial has heard.
Rita O’Driscoll of Bridge Street, Bandon, Co Cork is charged with the murder of Timmy Foley (44) and with assault causing serious harm to his brother, Jason Foley, on October 8th, 2018 at Dan Corkery Place in Macroom, Co Cork. She denies both charges.
At a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork, Dr Sandra McGrath of Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) gave evidence of the examination she made of the crime scene on October 8th, 2018.
Dr McGrath, said it was her understanding that an altercation had occurred in the property at Dan Corkery Place and that Timmy Foley had sustained 28 stab wounds and died at the scene.
READ MORE
She said it was her relayed to her that Timmy Foley was found lying on the floor in the house with 28 stab wounds, Jason Foley had incurred two stab wounds while Ms O’Driscoll had injuries to her left arm and head. Timmy Foley was pronounced dead at the scene.
Dr McGrath did an analysis of blood stain patterns in the house. She found blood in three areas of the house – the living room, bathroom and hall. She said Timmy Foley was found on the living room floor. There was a pool of blood by the couch.
She analysed blood on the couch. The DNA profile on the right armrest and left lower leather cushion matched that of Timmy Foley while the left and right back cushions matched the blood profile of Rita O’Driscoll.
Dr McGrath found various blood stains in the house which matched the DNA profiles of the late Timmy Foley and Rita O’Driscoll.
She made an examination of the bathroom and found a drip trail on the floor and left side of the sink basin which matched the profile of Rita O’Driscoll. There was a mixed DNA profile matching Rita O’Driscoll and Timmy Foley from blood stains analysed on the toilet seat, toilet bowl and cistern lid.
She said her findings indicated that Ms O’Driscoll moved around the bathroom and hallway while actively bleeding. Dr McGrath said Ms O’Driscoll also paused at the sink while actively bleeding.
A knife which was recovered from the cistern was also examined. It had been submerged in water. There was no blood stain evident on the tip or edge of the blade. There was a small blood stain in the area where the blade and handle meet. It showed a mixed DNA profile for Timmy Foley and Rita O’Driscoll.
The post-mortem evidence is expected to be heard in the coming days.
In outlining the case last week, prosecuting barrister Siobhan Lankford said it was anticipated the post-mortem evidence would be that Timmy Foley sustained 28 stab wounds to his head, thorax, abdomen and right leg, an incision of the ear and the carotid artery.
He also had stab wounds to the lung and liver. She said that up to four of the wounds were potentially fatal.
Ms Lankford added that some of the wounds were consistent with defence wounds.
The trial continues on Monday before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of five men and seven women.


theirishtimes--2020-10-16--Prof Philip Nolan criticises Prof Jack Lambert over coronavirus article

Two of the State ’ s high profile medical experts on infectious diseases have sharply differed publicly on the approach the Government should be taking to tackle the coronavirus .
Writing in The Irish Times on Friday , Professor Jack Lambert professor of medicine and infectious diseases at the Mater and UCD School of Medicine , said much of what the Government was doing at the behest of the National Public Health Advisory Team , was ill advised .
Prof Lambert said while there should be “ cause for concern ” over the coronavirus “ there is no reason to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s taken by Government so far had “ sacrificed our economy for poorly thought through decisions , made in a void , without appropriate multi-sector stakeholder engagement ” .
He said the State should be “ finding ways to keep the virus at bay , not to count the numbers and to threaten lockdown measures which cause further erosions to our already fragile society ” .
Outlining a counter- 10 point strategy Prof Lambert said there was too much media focus on “ sound bites ” reporting of numbers and not enough focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has shown to work , the face mask ” .
He instanced Asian countries which have “ adapted to ‘ a new normal ’ and are successfully living with Covid , opening up businesses , minimising Covid transmission , taking holidays safely , and the virus continues to remain controlled ” .
He said “ we need to salvage our travel industry ” , use Covid PCR and antigen tests and bring in Covid swat teams to chase down outbreaks .
However , Professor Philip Nolan whose Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lambert ’ s approach in a number of linked comments on Twitter .
In his initial comment , Professor Nolan who is also President of Maynooth University , said : “ We face difficult decisions if we are to suppress again the spread of SARS-CoV-2 , and different voices should be heard .
However , such contributions should be grounded in the facts , and public health expertise and experience .
This article [ by Dr Lambert ] is neither ” .
He went on to say : “ a public health specialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than I could of the errors and misconceptions in the argument ; I ’ ll confine myself to highlighting some factual inaccuracies.
” “ The article states that ‘ it is reasonable to make an educated assumption that tens of thousands of cases were circulating undiagnosed throughout the country ’ in March and April , implying that 500-1,000 cases now is less of a problem than it seems.
” Prof Nolan continued : “ This ‘ educated assumption ’ does not stand up to any scrutiny .
We know that people with SARS-CoV-2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so a good estimate of active infections is the 14-day cumulative incidence.
” Professor Nolan said the 14-day cumulative incidence is now 207 per 100,000 , “ so if we are detecting , say , 70-80 percent of infections , we have 12,000-14,000 active infections now compared with about 25,000 at peak.
” “ If the basic facts are so badly incorrect , how valid and useful is the opinion ?
” he asked .

Professor Philip Nolan said contributions on Covid-19 ‘should be grounded in the facts, and public health expertise and experience’. File photograph: Colin Keegan/ Collins Dublin
Two of the State’s high profile medical experts on infectious diseases have sharply differed publicly on the approach the Government should be taking to tackle the coronavirus.
Writing in The Irish Times on Friday, Professor Jack Lambert professor of medicine and infectious diseases at the Mater and UCD School of Medicine, said much of what the Government was doing at the behest of the National Public Health Advisory Team, was ill advised.
Prof Lambert said while there should be “cause for concern” over the coronavirus “there is no reason to panic”. He said the measure s taken by Government so far had “sacrificed our economy for poorly thought through decisions, made in a void, without appropriate multi-sector stakeholder engagement”.
He said the State should be “finding ways to keep the virus at bay, not to count the numbers and to threaten lockdown measures which cause further erosions to our already fragile society”.
READ MORE
Outlining a counter- 10 point strategy Prof Lambert said there was too much media focus on “sound bites” reporting of numbers and not enough focus “on the only intervention to date that has shown to work, the face mask”. He instanced Asian countries which have “adapted to ‘a new normal’ and are successfully living with Covid, opening up businesses, minimising Covid transmission, taking holidays safely, and the virus continues to remain controlled”.
He said “we need to salvage our travel industry”, use Covid PCR and antigen tests and bring in Covid swat teams to chase down outbreaks.
However, Professor Philip Nolan whose Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group is advising Nphet was immediately critical of Dr Lambert’s approach in a number of linked comments on Twitter.
In his initial comment, Professor Nolan who is also President of Maynooth University, said: “We face difficult decisions if we are to suppress again the spread of SARS-CoV-2, and different voices should be heard. However, such contributions should be grounded in the facts, and public health expertise and experience. This article [by Dr Lambert] is neither”.
He went on to say: “ a public health specialist would give you a much better critique than I could of the errors and misconceptions in the argument; I’ll confine myself to highlighting some factual inaccuracies.”
“The article states that ‘it is reasonable to make an educated assumption that tens of thousands of cases were circulating undiagnosed throughout the country’ in March and April, implying that 500-1,000 cases now is less of a problem than it seems.”
Prof Nolan continued : “This ‘educated assumption’ does not stand up to any scrutiny. We know that people with SARS-CoV-2 infection remain infectious for 7-14 days, so a good estimate of active infections is the 14-day cumulative incidence.”
Professor Nolan said the 14-day cumulative incidence is now 207 per 100,000, “so if we are detecting, say, 70-80 percent of infections, we have 12,000-14,000 active infections now compared with about 25,000 at peak.”
“If the basic facts are so badly incorrect, how valid and useful is the opinion?” he asked.


theirishtimes--2020-10-16--Steady increase in Covid-19 hospital admissions continue

There are 36 intensive care beds available in the country , as the number of people hospitalised with Covid-19 continues to steadily increase .
On Friday morning there were 244 confirmed Covid-19 cases in hospital , and 30 patients in intensive care .
The number of people with Covid-19 admitted into hospital has steadily increased in recent weeks , amid growing rates of the virus around the country .
Cavan General Hospital has the most Covid-19 patients with 28 as of 8pm on Thursday , according to a Health Service Executive ( HSE ) daily operations report .
Cavan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties , has seen sharp increases in the rate of growth of the disease in recent weeks , and currently has the highest incidence in the country .
Cork University Hospital had the second highest number of Covid-19 positive patients at 22 , followed by Beaumont Hospital ( 17 ) , Tallaght Hospital ( 17 ) and Letterkenny Hospital ( 16 ) .
Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown recorded 15 patients , and University Hospital Galway had 13 patients , five of those who had been admitted in the last 24 hours .
The report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional hospitalisations in the last 24 hours .
There were a further 116 suspected coronavirus cases across the acute hospital system , it noted .
As pressure on the hospital system has increased in recent weeks the number of available intensive care unit ( ICU ) beds has dropped .
There were 36 critical care beds vacant as of 6.30pm on Thursday , the report said .
This is a drop from 39 vacant ICU beds the previous week .
In total , there were 240 patients in critical care beds across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have available ICU bed space , including Connolly , Cork University Hospital , University Hospital Galway , the Mater Hospital , Mercy , Mullingar , Portlaoise , and Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore .
Beaumont Hospital in Dublin has the most spare ICU capacity , with six open and staffed beds free .
There were 29 confirmed Covid-19 cases across all intensive care units , and 20 of those patients were on ventilators on Thursday , according to the HSE report .
One patient who had been in ICU with coronavirus had died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a further 14 suspected Covid-19 cases in intensive care units , and eight of those were on ventilators , the report said .
Public health officials have repeatedly warned in recent weeks that the increasing number of cases would have an impact on the health service ’ s ability to cope .
Hospitals have had to reduce their overall capacity to allow for better physical distancing between patients .
The State ’ s chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has warned that the spread of Covid-19 was out of control , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deteriorating .
He added that the number of hospitalised patients was growing faster than the exponential growth models predicted .

Cavan General Hospital has the most Covid-19 patients with 28 as of 8pm on Thursday, according to a HSE daily operations report. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
There are 36 intensive care beds available in the country, as the number of people hospitalised with Covid-19 continues to steadily increase.
On Friday morning there were 244 confirmed Covid-19 cases in hospital, and 30 patients in intensive care.
The number of people with Covid-19 admitted into hospital has steadily increased in recent weeks, amid growing rates of the virus around the country.
Cavan General Hospital has the most Covid-19 patients with 28 as of 8pm on Thursday, according to a Health Service Executive (HSE) daily operations report.
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Cavan, along with a number of other border counties, has seen sharp increases in the rate of growth of the disease in recent weeks, and currently has the highest incidence in the country.
Cork University Hospital had the second highest number of Covid-19 positive patients at 22, followed by Beaumont Hospital (17), Tallaght Hospital (17) and Letterkenny Hospital (16).
Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown recorded 15 patients, and University Hospital Galway had 13 patients, five of those who had been admitted in the last 24 hours.
The report outlined in total there had been 24 additional hospitalisations in the last 24 hours. There were a further 116 suspected coronavirus cases across the acute hospital system, it noted.
No space
As pressure on the hospital system has increased in recent weeks the number of available intensive care unit (ICU) beds has dropped. There were 36 critical care beds vacant as of 6.30pm on Thursday, the report said. This is a drop from 39 vacant ICU beds the previous week.
In total, there were 240 patients in critical care beds across the hospital system. Eight hospitals did not have available ICU bed space, including Connolly, Cork University Hospital, University Hospital Galway, the Mater Hospital, Mercy, Mullingar, Portlaoise, and Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore.
Beaumont Hospital in Dublin has the most spare ICU capacity, with six open and staffed beds free.
There were 29 confirmed Covid-19 cases across all intensive care units, and 20 of those patients were on ventilators on Thursday, according to the HSE report. One patient who had been in ICU with coronavirus had died in the last 24 hours.
There were also a further 14 suspected Covid-19 cases in intensive care units, and eight of those were on ventilators, the report said.
Repeated warnings
Public health officials have repeatedly warned in recent weeks that the increasing number of cases would have an impact on the health service’s ability to cope. Hospitals have had to reduce their overall capacity to allow for better physical distancing between patients.
The State's chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has warned that the spread of Covid-19 was out of control, and the trajectory of the disease was rapidly deteriorating. He added that the number of hospitalised patients was growing faster than the exponential growth models predicted.


theirishtimes--2020-10-16--Suspended sentence given to woman at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

A woman who caught her husband engaged in sexual activity with her 16-year-old daughter and put them both out of the home has been given a suspended sentence for the reckless endangerment of her child .
The man has been charged with multiple counts of “ defiling ” a child and his case is still before the courts .
The man , who was the teenage girl ’ s stepfather , brought her to a number of Dublin city centre hostels after they were ejected from their home , leading to concerned staff contacting gardaí .
When the man and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the mother who told them she was not concerned about the two of them being together in a hostel .
She also failed to tell them that she was aware the man was engaging in sexual activity with the girl .
The woman ( 39 ) , who can not be named for legal reasons , pleaded guilty to one count of reckless endangerment of a child at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court .
She has no previous convictions .
Sentencing her on Friday , Judge Martin Nolan said the woman “ didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child ” .
“ All parents have an obligation to mind our children and protect our children , ” he said .
“ ... She should have protected and minded her child.
” The judge said the woman should have got the man out of the house but kept her daughter with her and informed the authorities of the allegations against him .
However , the judge accepted the woman was under severe emotional pressure at the time , having just found out her husband was engaging in sexual activity with her teenage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is now 18 , was signed into the care of Tusla with her mother ’ s consent and is living with a foster family .
She was in court for the sentence and a victim impact statement was handed into court , but not read out .
Detective Garda Brendan Casey told Sinead McMullan BL , prosecuting , that the girl grew up with her mother ’ s family and came to live with her mother in 2016 when she was 14 .
The court heard that the man initially had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but in February 2018 when she was just 16 , he started engaged in sexual activity with her .
“ She thought she loved him , ” Ms McMullan told the court .
“ She was a child at the time , but it was in her view consensual.
” Over a two-month period , the man slept with the girl on about 10 occasions , the court heard .
At the time , his wife was pregnant with a baby who had a fatal foetal abnormality .
In April 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find the man engaged in sexual activity with her daughter .
There was an altercation and the man left the house .
The following day , the woman put both the man and her daughter out of the house and they spent the next few nights in various hostels in Dublin city centre .
Staff at a number of these hostels were concerned about the behaviour of the man towards the girl and contacted gardaí , who spent the next three days trying to locate them .
When they found the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the girl was his stepdaughter and her mother knew where they were .
When gardaí rang the mother , she said she was aware her daughter was staying with the man in a hostel and she had no concerns for her safety .
“ At no stage did she disclose there was an ongoing sexual relationship , ” Det Gda Casey said .
As a result of this conversation , gardaí were satisfied and left the hostel .
However , they were contacted again early the next morning by hostel staff who saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same bed .
Gardaí decided there was an immediate serious risk to the welfare of the child and she was taken into care .
The man was arrested .
When questioned by gardaí , the woman told them everything that had happened over the previous days .
She was extremely cooperative with gardaí , Gerardine Small BL , defending the woman , told the court .
“ This is a woman labouring under extreme emotional pressure , ” she said .
“ We have betrayal , confusion , all of these emotions.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with severe health issues and lived for only a few days , the court heard .
Ms Small submitted the woman carried out the offence over a short period of time .
“ She was trying to get her head around it , ” she said .
Ms Small said the woman “ didn ’ t react the way she should have and she deeply regrets it ” .

A woman who caught her husband engaged in sexual activity with her 16-year-old daughter and put them both out of the home has been given a suspended sentence for the reckless endangerment of her child.
The man has been charged with multiple counts of “defiling” a child and his case is still before the courts.
The man, who was the teenage girl’s stepfather, brought her to a number of Dublin city centre hostels after they were ejected from their home, leading to concerned staff contacting gardaí.
When the man and girl were eventually tracked down, gardaí called the mother who told them she was not concerned about the two of them being together in a hostel. She also failed to tell them that she was aware the man was engaging in sexual activity with the girl.
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The woman (39), who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to one count of reckless endangerment of a child at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. She has no previous convictions.
Sentencing her on Friday, Judge Martin Nolan said the woman “didn’t protect the interests of her child”.
“All parents have an obligation to mind our children and protect our children,” he said. “...She should have protected and minded her child.”
The judge said the woman should have got the man out of the house but kept her daughter with her and informed the authorities of the allegations against him.
However, the judge accepted the woman was under severe emotional pressure at the time, having just found out her husband was engaging in sexual activity with her teenage daughter.
The victim in the case, who is now 18, was signed into the care of Tusla with her mother’s consent and is living with a foster family. She was in court for the sentence and a victim impact statement was handed into court, but not read out.
Detective Garda Brendan Casey told Sinead McMullan BL, prosecuting, that the girl grew up with her mother’s family and came to live with her mother in 2016 when she was 14.
The court heard that the man initially had a normal father-daughter relationship with the girl, but in February 2018 when she was just 16, he started engaged in sexual activity with her.
“She thought she loved him,” Ms McMullan told the court. “She was a child at the time, but it was in her view consensual.”
Over a two-month period, the man slept with the girl on about 10 occasions, the court heard. At the time, his wife was pregnant with a baby who had a fatal foetal abnormality.
In April 2018, the woman walked into the sitting room to find the man engaged in sexual activity with her daughter. There was an altercation and the man left the house.
The following day, the woman put both the man and her daughter out of the house and they spent the next few nights in various hostels in Dublin city centre.
Staff at a number of these hostels were concerned about the behaviour of the man towards the girl and contacted gardaí, who spent the next three days trying to locate them.
When they found the man and girl, the stepfather told them the girl was his stepdaughter and her mother knew where they were. When gardaí rang the mother, she said she was aware her daughter was staying with the man in a hostel and she had no concerns for her safety.
“At no stage did she disclose there was an ongoing sexual relationship,” Det Gda Casey said.
As a result of this conversation, gardaí were satisfied and left the hostel. However, they were contacted again early the next morning by hostel staff who saw the man and girl sleeping in the same bed.
Gardaí decided there was an immediate serious risk to the welfare of the child and she was taken into care. The man was arrested.
When questioned by gardaí, the woman told them everything that had happened over the previous days.
She was extremely cooperative with gardaí, Gerardine Small BL, defending the woman, told the court.
“This is a woman labouring under extreme emotional pressure,” she said. “We have betrayal, confusion, all of these emotions.”
The woman’s baby was born with severe health issues and lived for only a few days, the court heard.
Ms Small submitted the woman carried out the offence over a short period of time. “She was trying to get her head around it,” she said. Ms Small said the woman “didn’t react the way she should have and she deeply regrets it”.


theirishtimes--2020-10-16--Security company fined for working without licence after controversial Co Roscommon eviction

A security company whose staff were targeted in a violent attack while guarding a house in Co Roscommon after an eviction has been fined for working in the Republic without a licence .
GS Agencies Limited of Portadown , Craigavon , Co Armagh , was found guilty of six breaches of the Private Security Services Act , which governs the private security sector and sets out the criteria that companies providing security services in the Republic must meet .
Judge Deirdre Gearty at Castlerea District Court on Friday fined the company €500 for each of the six breaches and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The prosecution was taken by the Private Security Authority ( PSA ) after an investigation into the “ provision of an unlicensed security guard service ” at a house in Flask , Co Roscommon almost two years ago .
The prosecution and conviction related to security personnel taking up position at the house after the eviction and did not relate to the eviction itself .
Evictions , or repossessions , are not covered by the Private Security Services Act and under law they can be carried out by anyone , with no licence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once a court order has been granted .
The eviction of farmer Anthony McGann , along with his sister and brother , from their house in Falsk , near Strokestown , in December , 2018 , was ordered by the High Court after a judgment was given against him for an unpaid debt to KBC Bank .
The eviction was recorded by bystanders and proved controversial when the footage emerged , with unidentified men with Northern Irish accents using force .
After the eviction was completed , security guards , working for GS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house to retain a 24-7 security presence there .
However , three days after the eviction , in the early hours of the morning , a large group of people arrived at the house and attacked some of the security guards while others fled .
The group who carried out the attack was estimated to number about 20 people , with six of the security guards ’ vehicles set on fire and destroyed .
After the attack the security workers were either taken to hospital or fled the house in Falsk .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the property and remained there , with their dispute with KBC continuing in the courts .
KBC first obtained a possession order in respect of the property in 2012 and the case first reached the courts in 2009 .
Speaking after the convictions on Friday , the PSA ’ s chief executive , Paul Scallan , said the case arose from the authority ’ s “ investigations conducted around security services which were provided subsequent to a repossession ” .
He added the PSA had no “ statutory role in regulating ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a security guarding service was provided at a location in Falsk in the days following the repossession .
Such services require a PSA licence and in this instance , the security provider , GS Agencies Limited was unlicensed .
”

The scene at the house outside Strokestown, Co Roscommon after security staff were attacked by a vigilante gang. Photograph: Peter Murtagh
A security company whose staff were targeted in a violent attack while guarding a house in Co Roscommon after an eviction has been fined for working in the Republic without a licence.
GS Agencies Limited of Portadown, Craigavon, Co Armagh, was found guilty of six breaches of the Private Security Services Act, which governs the private security sector and sets out the criteria that companies providing security services in the Republic must meet.
Judge Deirdre Gearty at Castlerea District Court on Friday fined the company €500 for each of the six breaches and also awarded costs of €7,500 against it.
The prosecution was taken by the Private Security Authority (PSA) after an investigation into the “provision of an unlicensed security guard service” at a house in Flask, Co Roscommon almost two years ago.
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The prosecution and conviction related to security personnel taking up position at the house after the eviction and did not relate to the eviction itself. Evictions, or repossessions, are not covered by the Private Security Services Act and under law they can be carried out by anyone, with no licence required and force permitted if required, once a court order has been granted.
Eviction
The eviction of farmer Anthony McGann, along with his sister and brother, from their house in Falsk, near Strokestown, in December, 2018, was ordered by the High Court after a judgment was given against him for an unpaid debt to KBC Bank.
The eviction was recorded by bystanders and proved controversial when the footage emerged, with unidentified men with Northern Irish accents using force.
After the eviction was completed, security guards, working for GS Agencies Limited, effectively moved into the house to retain a 24-7 security presence there. However, three days after the eviction, in the early hours of the morning, a large group of people arrived at the house and attacked some of the security guards while others fled.
The group who carried out the attack was estimated to number about 20 people, with six of the security guards’ vehicles set on fire and destroyed.
After the attack the security workers were either taken to hospital or fled the house in Falsk. The next day the McGann siblings moved back into the property and remained there, with their dispute with KBC continuing in the courts. KBC first obtained a possession order in respect of the property in 2012 and the case first reached the courts in 2009.
Speaking after the convictions on Friday, the PSA’s chief executive, Paul Scallan, said the case arose from the authority’s “investigations conducted around security services which were provided subsequent to a repossession”. He added the PSA had no “statutory role in regulating” repossessions.
“In this instance, a security guarding service was provided at a location in Falsk in the days following the repossession. Such services require a PSA licence and in this instance, the security provider, GS Agencies Limited was unlicensed.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-16--Retrofitting homes will assist economic recovery across the country, says Minister

Retrofitting 500,000 Irish homes over the next decade will play a major role in Ireland ’ s economic recovery from the impact of Covid-19 , Minister for the Environment , Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan has predicted .
“ It is a highly labour-intensive sector and can create high-quality , sustainable jobs in local communities throughout the country , ” he told a conference hosted by Irish Green Building Council ( IGBC ) .
This would be kick-started by €222 million in capital funding provided in the budget for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland residential and community retrofit programmes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 allocation , Mr Ryan said .
It would also end a stop-start grants approval process for householders , the Minister added .
Of this allocation , €109 million is provided to support lower-income households to retrofit their homes and to participate in the transition to a decarbonised Ireland – a further €65 million has been allocated for social housing retrofit in the Department of Housing and Local Government ” .
A key mechanism being put in place by a new renovation task force was to enable householders make the right retrofitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval , which would reduce costs and increase speed of delivery , Mr Ryan added .
IGBC chief executive Pat Barry welcomed the scaling up of renovation .
“ The IGBC has long called for certainty on energy renovation .
The retrofitting industry is just finding its feet .
To scale up deep energy renovation , businesses need to train staff , build new business models and guarantee long term work for their reskilled employees .
The move to a multiannual budget should assist this , ” he said .
The IGBC has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the EU Renovation Wave initiative to improve the energy performance of buildings announced this week as “ key steps in the right direction as they show a clear direction of travel ” .
Mr Barry added : “ Now that we have the direction , we must focus on actions .
Better conditions for staged renovation are needed .
This could be done through the introduction of retrofitting roadmaps , which would complement existing building energy rating schemes ( BERs ) .
Addressing labour and skills shortages is also critical .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retrofit 50,000 homes annually .
Re-training suitable workers from hard hit sectors should hence be supported ” .
Campaign director at Renovate Europe Adrian Joyce underlined the importance of Ireland matching EU funding on recovery projects and climate action , given 37 per cent of the recently announced EU recovery and resilience facility must be targeted to climate-related expenditure .
“ Energy renovation is a labour-intensive industry .
Retrofitting our buildings is not only key to reach climate neutrality , it can also create employment and boost SMEs .
That ’ s why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland to use it to invest in energy renovation , ” he added .
As many as 1.5 million Irish homes are considered “ energy inefficient ” and require upgrade work between now and 2050 .
Retrofitting homes and businesses was not only critical to reach national climate targets , it could improve health and wellbeing by reducing air pollution ; reduce fuel poverty and create sustainable construction jobs , the conference heard .

A key mechanism being put in place by a new renovation task force was to enable householders make the right retrofitting choices and to facilitate group applications for approval, which would reduce costs and increase speed of delivery, Eamon Ryan said. Photograph: Alan Betson
Retrofitting 500,000 Irish homes over the next decade will play a major role in Ireland's economic recovery from the impact of Covid-19, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan has predicted.
"It is a highly labour-intensive sector and can create high-quality, sustainable jobs in local communities throughout the country," he told a conference hosted by Irish Green Building Council (IGBC).
This would be kick-started by €222 million in capital funding provided in the budget for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland residential and community retrofit programmes; an 82 per cent increase on the 2020 allocation, Mr Ryan said. It would also end a stop-start grants approval process for householders, the Minister added.
Of this allocation, €109 million is provided to support lower-income households to retrofit their homes and to participate in the transition to a decarbonised Ireland – a further €65 million has been allocated for social housing retrofit in the Department of Housing and Local Government”.
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A key mechanism being put in place by a new renovation task force was to enable householders make the right retrofitting choices and to facilitate group applications for approval, which would reduce costs and increase speed of delivery, Mr Ryan added.
IGBC chief executive Pat Barry welcomed the scaling up of renovation. "The IGBC has long called for certainty on energy renovation. The retrofitting industry is just finding its feet. To scale up deep energy renovation, businesses need to train staff, build new business models and guarantee long term work for their reskilled employees. The move to a multiannual budget should assist this," he said.
The IGBC has welcomed publication of the Climate Action Bill and the EU Renovation Wave initiative to improve the energy performance of buildings announced this week as “key steps in the right direction as they show a clear direction of travel”.
Mr Barry added: “Now that we have the direction, we must focus on actions. Better conditions for staged renovation are needed. This could be done through the introduction of retrofitting roadmaps, which would complement existing building energy rating schemes (BERs). Addressing labour and skills shortages is also critical. We do not currently have the capacity to retrofit 50,000 homes annually. Re-training suitable workers from hard hit sectors should hence be supported”.
Campaign director at Renovate Europe Adrian Joyce underlined the importance of Ireland matching EU funding on recovery projects and climate action, given 37 per cent of the recently announced EU recovery and resilience facility must be targeted to climate-related expenditure.
“Energy renovation is a labour-intensive industry. Retrofitting our buildings is not only key to reach climate neutrality, it can also create employment and boost SMEs. That’s why, the Renovate Europe campaign strongly encourages Ireland to use it to invest in energy renovation,” he added.
As many as 1.5 million Irish homes are considered “energy inefficient” and require upgrade work between now and 2050. Retrofitting homes and businesses was not only critical to reach national climate targets, it could improve health and wellbeing by reducing air pollution; reduce fuel poverty and create sustainable construction jobs, the conference heard.