theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Varadkar denies he pushed for Dara Calleary’s resignation

The Tánaiste has said any suggestion he pushed for Dara Calleary to resign is “ not remotely grounded in truth ” .
Leo Varadkar was reacting to a section of the transcript of the interview with Supreme Court Justice Séamus Woulfe about his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner in August .
In the transcript , Mr Woulfe states he was told that Mr Varadkar “ was insisting ” that rules brought in limiting attendance at indoor functions to six people were in place at the time of the function .
“ One of the organisers [ of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a meeting was insisting that the relevant rule was six people on that Wednesday night and that ’ s why Minister Calleary was forced to resign , ” the transcript reads .
He later said Mr Calleary was “ forced out on a false premise ” .
On Sunday , a spokesman for Mr Varadkar said : “ This is not remotely grounded in truth .
Dara Calleary had resigned as minister for agriculture before the Tánaiste had the opportunity to speak to him , the Taoiseach , the leader of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” A review of Mr Woulfe ’ s actions by former Chief Justice Susan Denham found that it would be disproportionate for him to leave his position due to his attendance .
In the transcript he criticised the media ’ s report of the event as “ completely fake ” .
Mr Woulfe also suggested that Mr Calleary may have been “ forced to resign by the Taoiseach ” .
A spokeswoman for Taoiseach Micheál Martin had no comment .
The transcript was roundly criticised over the weekend .
Former minister Shane Ross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Supreme Court judges to express open criticism of both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste , and that his remarks “ tell us more about the dim views held by some judges about certain politicians than is normally revealed ” .
“ Normally politicians and judges hide behind the so-called doctrine of separation of powers to avoid comment on each other ’ s failings , ” he said .
“ The separation of powers is undoubtedly exposed as an empty doctrine by these conversations where it is apparent that the views and standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Justice Woulfe has let the cat out of the bag .
”

The Tánaiste has said any suggestion he pushed for Dara Calleary to resign is "not remotely grounded in truth".
Leo Varadkar was reacting to a section of the transcript of the interview with Supreme Court Justice Séamus Woulfe about his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner in August.
In the transcript, Mr Woulfe states he was told that Mr Varadkar “was insisting” that rules brought in limiting attendance at indoor functions to six people were in place at the time of the function.
“One of the organisers [of the event] told me that the Tánaiste at a meeting was insisting that the relevant rule was six people on that Wednesday night and that’s why Minister Calleary was forced to resign,” the transcript reads. He later said Mr Calleary was “forced out on a false premise”.
READ MORE
On Sunday, a spokesman for Mr Varadkar said: “This is not remotely grounded in truth. Dara Calleary had resigned as minister for agriculture before the Tánaiste had the opportunity to speak to him, the Taoiseach, the leader of the Green Party or anyone about the matter.”
A review of Mr Woulfe's actions by former Chief Justice Susan Denham found that it would be disproportionate for him to leave his position due to his attendance.
In the transcript he criticised the media’s report of the event as “completely fake”. Mr Woulfe also suggested that Mr Calleary may have been “forced to resign by the Taoiseach”. A spokeswoman for Taoiseach Micheál Martin had no comment.
Dim views
The transcript was roundly criticised over the weekend. Former minister Shane Ross said it was "highly unusual" for Supreme Court judges to express open criticism of both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, and that his remarks "tell us more about the dim views held by some judges about certain politicians than is normally revealed".
“Normally politicians and judges hide behind the so-called doctrine of separation of powers to avoid comment on each other’s failings,” he said.
“The separation of powers is undoubtedly exposed as an empty doctrine by these conversations where it is apparent that the views and standards of politicians and judges are at variance. Justice Woulfe has let the cat out of the bag.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Threats of arrests, fines not helping combat Covid-19 spread

Threats of arrest , fines or quarantine do not encourage people to behave in line with public health advice on Covid-19 , research from NUI Galway as part of a global study of attitudes towards the pandemic has found .
But one of the “ starkest warnings ” in the latest tranche of findings from the iCARE study is that a “ fatigue ” is setting in with the public over following strict measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus , researchers have warned .
The analysis of more than 65,000 responses to date in the ongoing international study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being shared with the National Public Health Emergency Team , which is advising the Government .
Dr Hannah Durand , iCARE collaborator and behavioural science researcher at NUIG , said the data contradicts calls for harsher measures to be imposed for those flouting guidelines .
Amid controversy over students partying at Galway ’ s Spanish Arch last week , Senator Ollie Crowe had called for the Army to be deployed .
In the UK , fines of up to £10,000 have been introduced for refusing to self-isolate when ordered by healthcare officials .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , paternalistic approach , such measures will make it less likely to encourage people to adhere to the guidelines , ” Dr Durand said .
“ It might cause people to disengage and have the opposite effect .
“ We have concrete data now that threatening people with the likes of arrest is not going to work .
The data is really clear that that is not the way to go .
“ It is much more effective to encourage good behaviour .
It is just human nature.
” Dr Durand said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in getting the public to follow guidelines is to “ remind people their behaviour is saving lives , rather than penalising very small minorities who are not adhering ” .
The study further suggests that a “ one size fits all message ” on coronavirus needs to be tailored to different groups , who are in turn mostly worried about either the health , economic or social impact on their lives .
“ Based on the results so far , we believe targeted messaging is key to getting populations to follow public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Government-sponsored efforts at encouraging adherence must be customised to the group they are designed to reach.
” The research also shows that just over 16 per cent of people who tested positive for Covid-19 or who suspected they had the virus reported not self-isolating .
Dr Simon Bacon , co-lead on the study , said “ it tends to be men more often than women , usually in their 20s and early 30s , who are not following the isolation measures in full ” .
“ There are several explanations for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men , ” he said .
“ However , we must acknowledge that young people are more likely to work in low-paid , public-facing jobs that make it difficult to adhere to restrictions .
They are a key group of people we need to re-engage with.
” Other key findings to date include that the vast majority of people are following Government and health authority directives for the pandemic , however less rigorously now than in March .
Wearing a mask has the poorest uptake , with less than half ( 49 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most people said they are adhering to physical distancing guidelines – specifically staying two metres away from others ( 84 per cent ) – and avoiding large gatherings ( 90 per cent ) most of the time .
Adherence to hand-hygiene guidelines ( 89 per cent ) and good coughing etiquette ( 86 per cent ) was also high .
Eight in 10 people are somewhat or greatly concerned that a relative who they do not live with would be infected with Covid-19 , while more than half of the people surveyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or greatly concerned about being isolated .
The International Covid-19 Awareness and Responses Evaluation ( iCARE ) research is being carried out in collaboration with the Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre in Canada .
More than 150 researchers from 40 countries are working on the study .

Wearing a mask has the poorest uptake, the study found, with less than half (49 per cent) of respondents practising the measure.
Threats of arrest, fines or quarantine do not encourage people to behave in line with public health advice on Covid-19, research from NUI Galway as part of a global study of attitudes towards the pandemic has found.
But one of the “starkest warnings” in the latest tranche of findings from the iCARE study is that a “fatigue” is setting in with the public over following strict measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus, researchers have warned.
The analysis of more than 65,000 responses to date in the ongoing international study, which began in March, is being shared with the National Public Health Emergency Team, which is advising the Government.
Dr Hannah Durand, iCARE collaborator and behavioural science researcher at NUIG, said the data contradicts calls for harsher measures to be imposed for those flouting guidelines.
READ MORE
Amid controversy over students partying at Galway's Spanish Arch last week, Senator Ollie Crowe had called for the Army to be deployed. In the UK, fines of up to £10,000 have been introduced for refusing to self-isolate when ordered by healthcare officials.
Hardline approach
“If the Government takes a hardline, paternalistic approach, such measures will make it less likely to encourage people to adhere to the guidelines,” Dr Durand said. “It might cause people to disengage and have the opposite effect.
“We have concrete data now that threatening people with the likes of arrest is not going to work. The data is really clear that that is not the way to go.
“It is much more effective to encourage good behaviour. It is just human nature.”
Dr Durand said the latest findings show the most effective strategy in getting the public to follow guidelines is to “remind people their behaviour is saving lives, rather than penalising very small minorities who are not adhering”.
The study further suggests that a “one size fits all message” on coronavirus needs to be tailored to different groups, who are in turn mostly worried about either the health, economic or social impact on their lives.
“Based on the results so far, we believe targeted messaging is key to getting populations to follow public health guidelines,” said Dr Durand.
“Government-sponsored efforts at encouraging adherence must be customised to the group they are designed to reach.”
Isolation measures
The research also shows that just over 16 per cent of people who tested positive for Covid-19 or who suspected they had the virus reported not self-isolating.
Dr Simon Bacon, co-lead on the study, said "it tends to be men more often than women, usually in their 20s and early 30s, who are not following the isolation measures in full".
“There are several explanations for this, including greater risk-taking propensity among young men,” he said.
“However, we must acknowledge that young people are more likely to work in low-paid, public-facing jobs that make it difficult to adhere to restrictions. They are a key group of people we need to re-engage with.”
Other key findings to date include that the vast majority of people are following Government and health authority directives for the pandemic, however less rigorously now than in March.
Wearing a mask has the poorest uptake, with less than half (49 per cent) of respondents practising the measure.
Most people said they are adhering to physical distancing guidelines – specifically staying two metres away from others (84 per cent) – and avoiding large gatherings (90 per cent) most of the time.
Adherence to hand-hygiene guidelines (89 per cent) and good coughing etiquette (86 per cent) was also high.
Greatly concerned
Eight in 10 people are somewhat or greatly concerned that a relative who they do not live with would be infected with Covid-19, while more than half of the people surveyed (58 per cent) are somewhat or greatly concerned about being isolated.
The International Covid-19 Awareness and Responses Evaluation (iCARE) research is being carried out in collaboration with the Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre in Canada.
More than 150 researchers from 40 countries are working on the study.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Almost 8,000 higher Leaving Cert grades issued in error

Almost 8,000 Leaving Cert grades issued this year were higher than they should have been due to coding errors in the calculated grades process , according to new figures .
In addition to Saturday ’ s announcement that 6,100 students received lower grades than they should have , the Department of Education confirmed on Sunday evening that about 7,943 grades were higher than they were supposed to be .
Students with these higher grades will not be downgraded on the basis that it is established practice that exam candidates are not penalised for such errors .
However , the disclosure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in error will likely spark controversy among students who fear they were unfairly squeezed out of their chosen CAO course by others with inflated grades .
The department was unable to say how many students received these higher grades in error .
Solidarity TD Mick Barry has called on the Minister for Education to disclose how many students may have lost out on college places due to higher grades issued in error .
The total number of grades issued in error has now reached almost 15,000 .
Meanwhile , it has emerged that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calculated grading process which led to thousands of students receiving the wrong results focused only on a sample of coding used in the process .
The disclosure has prompted calls from the Labour Party for a full , comprehensive and independent inquiry to establish if there are further errors which may affect other students .
The department confirmed that US firm ETS has been commissioned to review “ aspects of the code ” , in order to provide reassurance that the model was operating as intended .
The spokeswoman said the department and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the calculated grades process when the process was completed .

Students with these higher grades will not be downgraded as exam candidates are not penalised for such errors.
Almost 8,000 Leaving Cert grades issued this year were higher than they should have been due to coding errors in the calculated grades process, according to new figures.
In addition to Saturday’s announcement that 6,100 students received lower grades than they should have, the Department of Education confirmed on Sunday evening that about 7,943 grades were higher than they were supposed to be.
Students with these higher grades will not be downgraded on the basis that it is established practice that exam candidates are not penalised for such errors.
However, the disclosure of the volume of higher grades issued in error will likely spark controversy among students who fear they were unfairly squeezed out of their chosen CAO course by others with inflated grades.
READ MORE
The department was unable to say how many students received these higher grades in error.
Solidarity TD Mick Barry has called on the Minister for Education to disclose how many students may have lost out on college places due to higher grades issued in error.
The total number of grades issued in error has now reached almost 15,000.
Sample of coding
Meanwhile, it has emerged that an independent review of errors in the calculated grading process which led to thousands of students receiving the wrong results focused only on a sample of coding used in the process.
The disclosure has prompted calls from the Labour Party for a full, comprehensive and independent inquiry to establish if there are further errors which may affect other students.
The department confirmed that US firm ETS has been commissioned to review “aspects of the code”, in order to provide reassurance that the model was operating as intended.
The spokeswoman said the department and Minister had committed to a comprehensive review of the calculated grades process when the process was completed.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--State faces significant challenges as NPHET recommends Level 5 lockdown

The bombshell news that the National Public Health Emergency Team has recommended a return to full , Level 5 lockdown , presents fundamental challenges for how Ireland ’ s economy , society and political system will now confront the pandemic .
It is probably the biggest moment in the Irish pandemic experience since then-taoiseach Leo Varadkar outlined the first stage of lockdown on the steps of the naval observatory in Washington , DC , in March .
Then , the State was faced with a novel , terrifying threat .
Acceptance of the measures announced , and those that followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved to suppress the spread of coronavirus – to flatten the curve .
That mission was accomplished ; but for weeks now , it has been clear that this battle against the virus will not progress in a linear fashion .
It is not a battle that is fought , and then won , and consigned to history .
It must be refought – but the rules of engagement have changed .
For a start , the economic impact of lockdown measures is undeniable .
Hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented role in people ’ s lives , pumping billions of borrowed euros into the economy in order to mitigate the impact of the virus .
The societal trauma of lockdown , and of the loss of life associated with the virus , has frayed the social fabric of the State .
There is growing resistance to the reintroduction of restrictions , both from the political fringes , and from the mainstream .
Many are struggling to grasp how cases , deaths , hospitalisations and intensive care occupancy would justify a return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the spectrum , there are elements who wilfully disregard public health advice ; the pandemic has accelerated the process of some voters and citizens being flung far from the political centre , and losing faith in the capacity or interest of the political system to act for them .
The Government ’ s occasionally shambolic handling of many challenges has undermined public confidence .
The power of NPHET has proved unsettling to many , with questions now being asked of a model that sees the political pace set by an essentially technocratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broke into this increasingly fractured vista .
It may lead to a split between Government and its advisers – it will inevitably lead to wider questioning of policy steps taken , and those still to come .
It is undoubtedly a watershed moment .
Against all this , health officials will counter that one thing has remained constant : while the threat seems less novel , the virus is just as menacing .
Its impact on the human body is visible and measurable in a way which contrasts sharply with how its management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and social measures fall unevenly among the population , with younger people , and poorer people feeling them the most .
Meanwhile , older people face the greatest risk of death and serious illness .
The virus is as much a public policy and social crisis as it is a medical one , and balancing that dynamic falls on the shoulders of a uniquely challenged Government .
The State is at a crossroads – but the route , if there is one , out of its current difficulties is not clear .

The bombshell news that the National Public Health Emergency Team has recommended a return to full, Level 5 lockdown, presents fundamental challenges for how Ireland’s economy, society and political system will now confront the pandemic.
It is probably the biggest moment in the Irish pandemic experience since then-taoiseach Leo Varadkar outlined the first stage of lockdown on the steps of the naval observatory in Washington, DC, in March.
Then, the State was faced with a novel, terrifying threat. Acceptance of the measures announced, and those that followed, was guaranteed, as the country moved to suppress the spread of coronavirus – to flatten the curve.
That mission was accomplished; but for weeks now, it has been clear that this battle against the virus will not progress in a linear fashion. It is not a battle that is fought, and then won, and consigned to history. It must be refought – but the rules of engagement have changed.
READ MORE
For a start, the economic impact of lockdown measures is undeniable. Hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost, and the State has taken an unprecedented role in people’s lives, pumping billions of borrowed euros into the economy in order to mitigate the impact of the virus.
Societal trauma
The societal trauma of lockdown, and of the loss of life associated with the virus, has frayed the social fabric of the State. There is growing resistance to the reintroduction of restrictions, both from the political fringes, and from the mainstream. Many are struggling to grasp how cases, deaths, hospitalisations and intensive care occupancy would justify a return to full lockdown.
At the other end of the spectrum, there are elements who wilfully disregard public health advice; the pandemic has accelerated the process of some voters and citizens being flung far from the political centre, and losing faith in the capacity or interest of the political system to act for them.
The Government’s occasionally shambolic handling of many challenges has undermined public confidence. The power of NPHET has proved unsettling to many, with questions now being asked of a model that sees the political pace set by an essentially technocratic group.
Watershed moment
Sunday night’s news broke into this increasingly fractured vista. It may lead to a split between Government and its advisers – it will inevitably lead to wider questioning of policy steps taken, and those still to come. It is undoubtedly a watershed moment.
Against all this, health officials will counter that one thing has remained constant: while the threat seems less novel, the virus is just as menacing.
Its impact on the human body is visible and measurable in a way which contrasts sharply with how its management impacts on human societies. The economic and social measures fall unevenly among the population, with younger people, and poorer people feeling them the most. Meanwhile, older people face the greatest risk of death and serious illness. The virus is as much a public policy and social crisis as it is a medical one, and balancing that dynamic falls on the shoulders of a uniquely challenged Government.
The State is at a crossroads – but the route, if there is one, out of its current difficulties is not clear.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Dating during Covid-19: ‘It’s on pause. It’s like you’re spectating your own life’

Rachel O ’ Neill ( 25 ) has been single for the past few years , but Covid-19 has brought how lonely it can be into sharp relief .
“ The thing about the pandemic is , it ’ s made us realise what ’ s really , really important in life : friends , family , good support systems and things like that , ” says O ’ Neill .
“ You can explain to yourself that there is a pandemic and it ’ s not really about you , it ’ s just the circumstances you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t make it any easier when you ’ re having a really [ bad ] day , and you want to chat with someone and have a laugh.
” She hoped to start dating again this year , but public health restrictions , she says , have made it next to impossible .
“ I kind of feel like I ’ m just sitting here waiting for something .
I don ’ t know what it is but waiting for a sign .
It ’ s on pause .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life.
” The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in an increase in the number of Irish people turning to dating services , as restrictions on socialising and movement cause a sense of isolation among the population .
Jennifer Haskins , dating expert and director of matchmaking service Two ’ s Company , has seen a 30 per cent increase in the number of people enquiring about her service , and could receive up to 50 calls a day .
“ Not all of those people will sign up for the service now , maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the pricing doesn ’ t work for them , but it still shows a desire to meet new people , ” says Haskins .
“ I think Covid has hugely influenced people in their search for a partner and highlighted the need for that in their lives .
If someone is single and living alone , their sense of isolation became much more heightened.
” Haskins adds that people in their 30s and more “ high-end ” individuals who travel for business have particularly been keen to find love .
“ Time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start a family then every month counts , every year counts , ” she says .
“ And if there are no prospects , because we have no idea how long it will be until society returns to normal ... that ’ s why there has been a lot of people reaching out.
” Dating app Bumble has seen a 41 per cent increase in the number of Irish users opting for video chats on its app in the last few months , with the average video chat lasting 30 minutes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent increase in the number of messages sent between users , with the greatest increase seen in users aged 23-29 .
Naomi Walkland , Bumble ’ s head of UK and Ireland , says a number of trends have emerged in Ireland , with Irish users now preferring to date locally , and an increase in “ slow-dating ” .
“ What we ’ re noticing in Ireland , in particular , is people are really getting to know their prospective matches before meeting .
I think a lot of people are looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve noticed that a lot of people want a proper relationship , ” says Walkland .
However , with the closure of pubs and restaurants for much of the past six months , the way in which people can date has also been altered .
Walkland says she has seen some innovative ways in which people have dated digitally .
“ They ’ ve been doing things like following a recipe and cooking while on a video call , or they ’ ve done things like ‘ meet the pets ’ nights and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then even like having a drink together on a Friday night through video calls , ” she adds .
For 23-year-old Vicki McCormack , however , the pandemic hasn ’ t changed how she dates all that much .
“ I was picky before the pandemic and I ’ ll be picky afterwards , ” she says , with a laugh .
“ I definitely am missing out on opportunities to meet people .
Humans are social creatures and you do miss people whether you just want to chat once and never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you plan on having a once-off with them , or if you plan on being friends with them .
You do miss that.
” She added : “ For people who are used to picking people up in bars and clubs , that ’ s just not happening .
I feel sympathy for them.
” O ’ Neill agrees that the closure of bars and restaurants in Dublin again has made things difficult for single people to connect with others .
“ With the closure of the pubs , you kind of realise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based around going for a pint .
If someone is just asking me to go to theirs for cans , that ’ s an immediate red flag for me , ” she says .
“ We can go for a socially-distanced walk , or we can go for a coffee but all the usual routes are closed down .
The cinema is gone , the restaurants are gone , the pubs are gone , the pool halls are gone .
The options are very limited and people have to get creative but that @ @ @ @ @

Rachel O’Neill (25) has been single for the past few years, but Covid-19 has brought how lonely it can be into sharp relief.
“The thing about the pandemic is, it’s made us realise what’s really, really important in life: friends, family, good support systems and things like that,” says O’Neill.
“You can explain to yourself that there is a pandemic and it’s not really about you, it’s just the circumstances you’re living in, but it still doesn’t make it any easier when you’re having a really [bad] day, and you want to chat with someone and have a laugh.”
She hoped to start dating again this year, but public health restrictions, she says, have made it next to impossible.
READ MORE
“I kind of feel like I’m just sitting here waiting for something. I don’t know what it is but waiting for a sign. It’s on pause. It’s like you’re spectating your own life.”
The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in an increase in the number of Irish people turning to dating services, as restrictions on socialising and movement cause a sense of isolation among the population.
Jennifer Haskins, dating expert and director of matchmaking service Two's Company, has seen a 30 per cent increase in the number of people enquiring about her service, and could receive up to 50 calls a day.
“Not all of those people will sign up for the service now, maybe it doesn’t suit them, or the pricing doesn’t work for them, but it still shows a desire to meet new people,” says Haskins.
“I think Covid has hugely influenced people in their search for a partner and highlighted the need for that in their lives. If someone is single and living alone, their sense of isolation became much more heightened.”
Haskins adds that people in their 30s and more “high-end” individuals who travel for business have particularly been keen to find love.
“Time is important. If people are looking to start a family then every month counts, every year counts,” she says.
“And if there are no prospects, because we have no idea how long it will be until society returns to normal ... that’s why there has been a lot of people reaching out.”
I think a lot of people are looking for more meaningful relationships
Dating app Bumble has seen a 41 per cent increase in the number of Irish users opting for video chats on its app in the last few months, with the average video chat lasting 30 minutes.
The company also saw a 35 per cent increase in the number of messages sent between users, with the greatest increase seen in users aged 23-29.
Naomi Walkland, Bumble's head of UK and Ireland, says a number of trends have emerged in Ireland, with Irish users now preferring to date locally, and an increase in "slow-dating".
“What we’re noticing in Ireland, in particular, is people are really getting to know their prospective matches before meeting. I think a lot of people are looking for more meaningful relationships. We’ve noticed that a lot of people want a proper relationship,” says Walkland.
However, with the closure of pubs and restaurants for much of the past six months, the way in which people can date has also been altered. Walkland says she has seen some innovative ways in which people have dated digitally.
“They’ve been doing things like following a recipe and cooking while on a video call, or they’ve done things like ‘meet the pets’ nights and showing their pets on video calls, and then even like having a drink together on a Friday night through video calls,” she adds.
For people who are used to picking people up in bars and clubs, that's just not happening. I feel sympathy for them
For 23-year-old Vicki McCormack, however, the pandemic hasn’t changed how she dates all that much.
“I was picky before the pandemic and I’ll be picky afterwards,” she says, with a laugh.
“I definitely am missing out on opportunities to meet people. Humans are social creatures and you do miss people whether you just want to chat once and never speak to them again, or whether you plan on having a once-off with them, or if you plan on being friends with them. You do miss that.”
She added: “For people who are used to picking people up in bars and clubs, that’s just not happening. I feel sympathy for them.”
O’Neill agrees that the closure of bars and restaurants in Dublin again has made things difficult for single people to connect with others.
“With the closure of the pubs, you kind of realise how much of our dating culture is based around going for a pint. If someone is just asking me to go to theirs for cans, that’s an immediate red flag for me,” she says.
“We can go for a socially-distanced walk, or we can go for a coffee but all the usual routes are closed down. The cinema is gone, the restaurants are gone, the pubs are gone, the pool halls are gone. The options are very limited and people have to get creative but that can be difficult.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Galway woman makes history as first deaf person to deliberate on Irish jury

Irish legal history was made last month when a deaf person sat on a jury and deliberated on a verdict .
Patricia Heffernan became the first deaf person to take part in deliberations after a criminal trial when she and her fellow jurors acquitted a man of indecent assault on September 21st in the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin .
When it came time to decide a verdict , she was accompanied into the deliberations by two Irish Sign Language ( ISL ) interpreters who took an oath not to interfere with the debate .
It was the third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service .
On the two previous occasions she had been excused due to her condition .
“ This time I filled in a form saying I would need an ISL interpreter and I got a response saying that would be no problem at all , ” said Heffernan .
“ So I thought , maybe I ’ ll go for the experience.
” Covid-19 restrictions meant it was already an unusual experience .
Instead of sitting in the jury box , the 12 jurors were dispersed around the courtroom in Dublin ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing .
The Court Service assigned two interpreters , Vanessa O ’ Connell and Michael Feeney , who took turns translating the evidence into ISL for Ms Heffernan during the six-day trial .
It soon became obvious a third interpreter was required to accompany her during breaks .
This allowed O ’ Connell and Feeney time to discuss how to accurately interpret certain legal terms which may be confusing .
“ ISL is my first language .
English is my second language .
So there were terms in English that would mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean something different , ” Heffernan said .
“ There was a lot of terminology used that I would not be familiar with , like reasonable doubt .
The interpreters were really good about explaining it.
” Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin had to occasionally tell the parties not to talk over each other for the sake of the interpreters .
According to one source familiar with the trial , this had the effect of making proceedings easier to follow for everybody involved , not just Heffernan .
“ There were absolutely no issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I didn ’ t feel under any type of pressure , ” Heffernan said .
Heffernan , who works in the Passport Office and is originally from Galway , is the second deaf person to sit on a jury but the first to deliberate on a verdict .
In 2017 , Richard Dudley became the first deaf person to sit on a jury , but the trial collapsed at an early stage .
She is prevented by law from discussing the content of the deliberations but said they ran “ smoothly ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to other people ’ s point of view .
There was no pressure , no difficulty.
” In the beginning the other jurors felt “ a bit awkward ” as they got used to talking to Heffernan through an interpreter .
“ But it became so natural .
After a bit we were cracking jokes and having fun.
” One of her interpreters , O ’ Connell , said at first she was nervous about the deliberations , despite having 15 years ’ experience as an ISL interpreter .
“ After hearing all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be silent during the deliberations was very difficult.
” After they returned a verdict , Judge Ní Chúlacháin noted the historic landmark and told Heffernan she was free to talk about her experience as long as she complied with the in-camera rule which applies to sexual assault cases .
It was the second time Heffernan has made history this year .
In March she became the first deaf person to swim the “ ice mile ” – a one-mile open sea swim in minus-five degree water .
“ The deaf community need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do whatever everybody else is doing in society .
We ’ re all equal .
The only thing is we have a different language .
”

Patricia Heffernan outside the Criminal Courts of Justice. ‘There was absolutely no issues around communication.’ Photograph: Laura Hutton
Irish legal history was made last month when a deaf person sat on a jury and deliberated on a verdict.
Patricia Heffernan became the first deaf person to take part in deliberations after a criminal trial when she and her fellow jurors on September 21st in the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin considered an indecent assault case.
The jury acquitted the accused on seven counts and were unable to reach a verdict on three counts.
When it came time to decide a verdict, she was accompanied into the deliberations by two Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreters who took an oath not to interfere with the debate.
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It was the third time Heffernan had been called for jury service. On the two previous occasions she had been excused due to her condition.
“This time I filled in a form saying I would need an ISL interpreter and I got a response saying that would be no problem at all,” said Heffernan. “So I thought, maybe I’ll go for the experience.”
Covid-19 restrictions meant it was already an unusual experience. Instead of sitting in the jury box, the 12 jurors were dispersed around the courtroom in Dublin’s Criminal Courts of Justice to comply with social distancing.
The Court Service assigned two interpreters, Vanessa O'Connell and Michael Feeney, who took turns translating the evidence into ISL for Ms Heffernan during the six-day trial.
It soon became obvious a third interpreter was required to accompany her during breaks.
Legal terms
This allowed O’Connell and Feeney time to discuss how to accurately interpret certain legal terms which may be confusing.
“ISL is my first language. English is my second language. So there were terms in English that would mean one thing but in a legal sense mean something different,” Heffernan said.
“There was a lot of terminology used that I would not be familiar with, like reasonable doubt. The interpreters were really good about explaining it.”
Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin had to occasionally tell the parties not to talk over each other for the sake of the interpreters. According to one source familiar with the trial, this had the effect of making proceedings easier to follow for everybody involved, not just Heffernan.
“There were absolutely no issues around communication. Everything ran so smooth. I didn’t feel under any type of pressure,” Heffernan said.
Heffernan, who works in the Passport Office and is originally from Galway, is the second deaf person to sit on a jury but the first to deliberate on a verdict. In 2017, Richard Dudley became the first deaf person to sit on a jury, but the trial collapsed at an early stage.
She is prevented by law from discussing the content of the deliberations but said they ran “smoothly”.
“It was very interesting listening to other people’s point of view. There was no pressure, no difficulty.”
‘A bit awkward’
In the beginning the other jurors felt “a bit awkward” as they got used to talking to Heffernan through an interpreter. “But it became so natural. After a bit we were cracking jokes and having fun.”
One of her interpreters, O’Connell, said at first she was nervous about the deliberations, despite having 15 years’ experience as an ISL interpreter. “After hearing all the specifics of the trial, to be silent during the deliberations was very difficult.”
After they returned a verdict, Judge Ní Chúlacháin noted the historic landmark and told Heffernan she was free to talk about her experience as long as she complied with the in-camera rule which applies to sexual assault cases.
It was the second time Heffernan has made history this year. In March, she became the first deaf person to swim the “Ice Mile” challenge at the Wild Water Pool in Co Armagh, in water at a temperature of under 5 degrees.
“The deaf community need to know we’re all well able to do whatever everybody else is doing in society. We’re all equal. The only thing is we have a different language.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Vitamin D deficit link to Covid-19 severity ‘considerable’

People have “ nothing to lose ” , and much to gain , by taking vitamin D supplements as protection during the Covid-19 pandemic , according to a new paper by Irish and UK scientists .
Evidence linking vitamin D deficiency with severity of Covid-19 disease is “ circumstantial but considerable ” , according to the paper co-authored by professor of medical gerontology at Trinity College Dublin , Rose Anne Kenny .
“ There seems nothing to lose and potentially much to gain by recommending vitamin D supplementation for all , making it clear that this is to help ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and muscle health , ” she says .
“ This should be mandated for prescription for vulnerable adults and children , such as those in care , prisons , or other institutions where people are likely to be inside for much of the time during the summer.
” Prof Kenny says new US research indicates that virus patients are four times less likely to require admission to ICU if they have normal levels of vitamin D. But in addition , for the first time the research suggests people with good levels of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected , according to Prof Kenny .
Last May , she called on the Government to immediately change recommendations by advising people to take vitamin D supplements during the pandemic .
While no change was made to public health advice , Prof Kenny has sent the new position paper prepared for the Royal Society of Data Analytics in the UK to the Irish authorities .
Almost half the Irish population is deficient in vitamin D , which is produced in the skin from UVB sunlight exposure and also available in foods such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter approaching and the result of randomised controlled trials unlikely to be ready before the pandemic ends , Prof Kenny says people urgently need to ensure they get enough vitamin D through supplementation .
Vitamin D is one of the treatments used by US president Donald Trump , who is currently being treated for the disease .
Prof Kenny says people should be taking 800 IU ( international units ) of vitamin D daily , twice the recommended level in England , Scotland and Wales .
In August , the Lancet said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promote regular intake of the vitamin , adding “ there is a chance ” this might reduce the impact of the virus in populations where vitamin D deficiency is prevalent .

Prof Rose Anne Kenny of Trinity College Dublin called on the Government last May to immediately advise people to take the vitamin supplement during the pandemic. File photograph: Dara Mac Donaill
People have “nothing to lose”, and much to gain, by taking vitamin D supplements as protection during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new paper by Irish and UK scientists.
Evidence linking vitamin D deficiency with severity of Covid-19 disease is "circumstantial but considerable", according to the paper co-authored by professor of medical gerontology at Trinity College Dublin, Rose Anne Kenny.
“There seems nothing to lose and potentially much to gain by recommending vitamin D supplementation for all, making it clear that this is to help ensure immune health and not solely for bone and muscle health,” she says.
“This should be mandated for prescription for vulnerable adults and children, such as those in care, prisons, or other institutions where people are likely to be inside for much of the time during the summer.”
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Prof Kenny says new US research indicates that virus patients are four times less likely to require admission to ICU if they have normal levels of vitamin D.
But in addition, for the first time the research suggests people with good levels of the vitamin may be less likely to become infected, according to Prof Kenny.
Change recommendations
Last May, she called on the Government to immediately change recommendations by advising people to take vitamin D supplements during the pandemic.
While no change was made to public health advice, Prof Kenny has sent the new position paper prepared for the Royal Society of Data Analytics in the UK to the Irish authorities.
Almost half the Irish population is deficient in vitamin D, which is produced in the skin from UVB sunlight exposure and also available in foods such as oily fish and cheese.
Winter
But with winter approaching and the result of randomised controlled trials unlikely to be ready before the pandemic ends, Prof Kenny says people urgently need to ensure they get enough vitamin D through supplementation.
Vitamin D is one of the treatments used by US president Donald Trump, who is currently being treated for the disease.
Prof Kenny says people should be taking 800 IU (international units) of vitamin D daily, twice the recommended level in England, Scotland and Wales.
In August, the Lancet said it would seem “uncontroversial” to enthusiastically promote regular intake of the vitamin, adding “there is a chance” this might reduce the impact of the virus in populations where vitamin D deficiency is prevalent.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Public subsidy for some air routes among support options being considered

A public subsidy for some internatisonal air routes is among the options being considered by the Government as part of a suite of measures to assist the aviation and travel sector , The Irish Times has learned .
A package of support measures for the sector will form part of the budget , to be announced next week .
However , specific policy details such as an extension of the public service obligation support for under-pressure routes may not be announced on budget day , sources said .
The Department of Transport is looking at a range of measures to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent , Ireland ’ s connectivity with the rest of the world is maintained .
There is already public support for some air routes within the State , including between Dublin and Donegal , and the capital and Kerry .
A source said that an “ envelope ” of support for the aviation sector is being discussed as part of the budget , but that exact measures may not be finally decided at that stage .
Any public support would also have to be signed off by European competition authorities .
It comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week of budget negotiations , with mounting pressure to introduce a VAT relief for the hospitality sector , which has been severely impacted by restrictions associated with Covid-19 .
Government sources indicated on Sunday that there is a “ good chance ” that a special 9 per cent VAT rate for the sector would be introduced , especially as there are doubts over how effective a wider VAT rate cut introduced earlier this year has been at supporting the most hard-hit industries .
Nonetheless , a VAT cut would likely face significant resistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hostile to the measure .
There are concerns that repeating the policy intervention , which was deployed to support the sector during the financial crisis , could see a repeat of political difficulties that emerged when the Government tried to curtail it as the economy picked up again .
A spokesman for the Minister for Tourism , Catherine Martin , confirmed that she had received the report of a Government-appointed taskforce on tourism , which reportedly has recommended the reintroduction of the special VAT rate .
The spokesman said it is expected the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He added that budget matters , including VAT , are a matter for the whole of Government and that , in the coming days , Ms Martin “ will be discussing details on a range of matters with her colleagues as she seeks to secure the best possible supports for sectors under her remit that have been severely impacted by the pandemic ” .
Budget negotiations are expected to intensify this week , with pandemic supports for workers and businesses set to form a core part of discussions .
Government sources indicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic unemployment payment being returned to the top rate of €350 per week , while the cost of an extension to the local authority rates waiver – some €300 million per quarter – also counts against its inclusion on budget day .
The Government is also likely to face calls for increased capital spending , including on social housing and infrastructure , with a higher budget for Irish Water among items to be discussed this week .
Speaking on RTÉ ’ s This Week programme on Sunday , Minister for Public Expenditure and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown a “ willingness to take bold steps ” so far .
“ It isn ’ t the time to withdraw vital supports for the economy .
We are determined to pursue countercyclical policies ; this is a time for the Government to step up and support the economy , support businesses and support jobs – that is going to be the overarching purpose ” alongside protecting the health service , he said .
Asked about the VAT cut for the hospitality sector , he said nothing had been ruled out .

The Department of Transport is considering measures to ensure that, where possible, Ireland’s connectivity with the rest of the world is maintained. Photograph: Artur Widak/PA Wire
A public subsidy for some internatisonal air routes is among the options being considered by the Government as part of a suite of measures to assist the aviation and travel sector, The Irish Times has learned.
A package of support measures for the sector will form part of the budget, to be announced next week. However, specific policy details such as an extension of the public service obligation support for under-pressure routes may not be announced on budget day, sources said.
The Department of Transport is looking at a range of measures to ensure that, to the greatest possible extent, Ireland's connectivity with the rest of the world is maintained. There is already public support for some air routes within the State, including between Dublin and Donegal, and the capital and Kerry.
A source said that an “envelope” of support for the aviation sector is being discussed as part of the budget, but that exact measures may not be finally decided at that stage. Any public support would also have to be signed off by European competition authorities.
READ MORE
Mounting pressure
It comes as the Government faces into a crucial week of budget negotiations, with mounting pressure to introduce a VAT relief for the hospitality sector, which has been severely impacted by restrictions associated with Covid-19.
Government sources indicated on Sunday that there is a “good chance” that a special 9 per cent VAT rate for the sector would be introduced, especially as there are doubts over how effective a wider VAT rate cut introduced earlier this year has been at supporting the most hard-hit industries.
Nonetheless, a VAT cut would likely face significant resistance from officials, who have traditionally been hostile to the measure. There are concerns that repeating the policy intervention, which was deployed to support the sector during the financial crisis, could see a repeat of political difficulties that emerged when the Government tried to curtail it as the economy picked up again.
A spokesman for the Minister for Tourism, Catherine Martin, confirmed that she had received the report of a Government-appointed taskforce on tourism, which reportedly has recommended the reintroduction of the special VAT rate.
VAT
The spokesman said it is expected the report will be submitted to Government shortly. He added that budget matters, including VAT, are a matter for the whole of Government and that, in the coming days, Ms Martin “will be discussing details on a range of matters with her colleagues as she seeks to secure the best possible supports for sectors under her remit that have been severely impacted by the pandemic”.
Budget negotiations are expected to intensify this week, with pandemic supports for workers and businesses set to form a core part of discussions. Government sources indicated there was very little chance of the pandemic unemployment payment being returned to the top rate of €350 per week, while the cost of an extension to the local authority rates waiver – some €300 million per quarter – also counts against its inclusion on budget day.
The Government is also likely to face calls for increased capital spending, including on social housing and infrastructure, with a higher budget for Irish Water among items to be discussed this week.
‘Bold steps’
Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week programme on Sunday, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath said the Government had shown a “willingness to take bold steps” so far.
“It isn’t the time to withdraw vital supports for the economy. We are determined to pursue countercyclical policies; this is a time for the Government to step up and support the economy, support businesses and support jobs – that is going to be the overarching purpose” alongside protecting the health service, he said.
Asked about the VAT cut for the hospitality sector, he said nothing had been ruled out.


theirishtimes--2020-10-04--Youth feel ‘unfairly scapegoated’ for Covid spikes

Young people feel “ undervalued ” , “ unfairly scapegoated ” and feel the sacrifices they have made during the pandemic are not taken seriously , a report published on Monday warns .
They report that they have had neither “ timely ” nor “ clear ” communication about “ important matters ” in their lives , such as the Leaving Certificate and college accommodation , while one in 10 could not name a single positive about their pandemic experience .
Many , however , found positives , including more time with family and pets , more rest and self-care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be changed for the better by the pandemic .
The report , How ’ s Your Head : Young Voices During Covid-19 draws on detailed questionnaires from 2,173 people aged between 15 and 24 .
It is published by the Department of Children in conjunction with youth mental health charity , Spunout.ie .
A youth advisory group informed the process and gave feedback .
In all 751 ( 35 per cent ) said not being able to see friends , including boyfriends and girlfriends , was the “ hardest thing ” about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of friendships ” to young people , a 16-year-old girl said : “ Not being able to do simple things such as seeing friends , going to the movies , going for food etc was really weird and made me more unhappy than I can explain.
” A significant 424 respondents ( 20 per cent ) said lockdown impacted their mental health with many mentioning overthinking , worry , anxiety , depression and a sense of hopelessness .
“ The rate [ of mental distress ] for LGBTI+ people was also far higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report .
A total of 384 ( 18 per cent ) said missing school or college was difficult both educationally and socially .
“ Online learning was deemed a poor substitute , especially for those with hardware and internet access issues.
” A sense of confinement or being trapped , as well as isolation and loneliness , was cited by 16 per cent .
One young woman said her father had “ started to lash out and hit [ her ] again ” and she could not “ escape ” as she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Others worried about money as summer jobs fell through , as well as missing sports .
Among the main positives were more time for exercise and eating healthily , cited by 534 ( 25 per cent ) ; self-care including more rest and more time for meditation/mindfulness mentioned by 368 ( 17 per cent ) , and , more time with family and pets for 321 ( 15 per cent ) .
“ It is important to note , however , that almost one in 10 survey respondents could not name a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Covid-19 period .
.
.
.There was a notable yearning among some respondents for pre-pandemic life.
” In its feedback , the youth advisory group said young people had been “ unfairly scapegoated ” for spikes in Covid cases and “ blame and finger-pointing .
.
.
does not recognise the huge sacrifices that young people have had to make .
“ The group also felt that – during a time of great uncertainty – the lack of clear and timely communication about important youth matters , such as the Leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of making young people feel undervalued.
” Spunout.ie can be reached by text at 50808 , 24 hours a day , or email hello @ spunout.ie

Young people feel “undervalued”, “unfairly scapegoated” and feel the sacrifices they have made during the pandemic are not taken seriously, a report published on Monday warns.
They report that they have had neither “timely” nor “clear” communication about “important matters” in their lives, such as the Leaving Certificate and college accommodation, while one in 10 could not name a single positive about their pandemic experience.
Many, however, found positives, including more time with family and pets, more rest and self-care, and were optimistic the world might be changed for the better by the pandemic.
The report, How’s Your Head: Young Voices During Covid-19 draws on detailed questionnaires from 2,173 people aged between 15 and 24. It is published by the Department of Children in conjunction with youth mental health charity, Spunout.ie. A youth advisory group informed the process and gave feedback.
READ MORE
In all 751 (35 per cent) said not being able to see friends, including boyfriends and girlfriends, was the “hardest thing” about the crisis. Illustrating the “immense importance of friendships” to young people, a 16-year-old girl said: “Not being able to do simple things such as seeing friends, going to the movies, going for food etc was really weird and made me more unhappy than I can explain.”
Mental health
A significant 424 respondents (20 per cent) said lockdown impacted their mental health with many mentioning overthinking, worry, anxiety, depression and a sense of hopelessness. “The rate [of mental distress] for LGBTI+ people was also far higher than that for heterosexuals,” says the report.
A total of 384 (18 per cent) said missing school or college was difficult both educationally and socially. “Online learning was deemed a poor substitute, especially for those with hardware and internet access issues.”
A sense of confinement or being trapped, as well as isolation and loneliness, was cited by 16 per cent.
One young woman said her father had “started to lash out and hit [her] again” and she could not “escape” as she usually would by going to college.
Others worried about money as summer jobs fell through, as well as missing sports.
Among the main positives were more time for exercise and eating healthily, cited by 534 (25 per cent); self-care including more rest and more time for meditation/mindfulness mentioned by 368 (17 per cent), and, more time with family and pets for 321 (15 per cent).
“It is important to note, however, that almost one in 10 survey respondents could not name a single thing that they wished to carry forward from the Covid-19 period. . . .There was a notable yearning among some respondents for pre-pandemic life.”
In its feedback, the youth advisory group said young people had been “unfairly scapegoated” for spikes in Covid cases and “blame and finger-pointing . . . does not recognise the huge sacrifices that young people have had to make.
“The group also felt that – during a time of great uncertainty – the lack of clear and timely communication about important youth matters, such as the Leaving Certificate or college accommodation, had the result of making young people feel undervalued.”
Spunout.ie can be reached by text at 50808, 24 hours a day, or email hello@spunout.ie


theirishtimes--2020-10-04--Moving to Level 5 restrictions is ‘a no-brainer’, says specialist

Infectious diseases consultant Prof Sam McConkey has described as “ really shocking ” the rise in Covid-19 cases outside Dublin .
“ We have to do something as a nation as we can ’ t allow the rise to continue , ” he said on Sunday night .
Encouraging people to take voluntary action to reduce incidence of the virus and to test and trace “ have not worked ” which left Level 5 restrictions looming , he said .
It was , he added , “ a no-brainer ” but would “ require a massive public by-in.
” Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy should realise that “ if the virus continues to spread the economy will be shattered anyway.
” It was also the case that “ there has to be co-operation with the authorities in Northern Ireland .
The area around Derry and Strabane has the highest rates ( of Covid-19 infection ) in the whole of the United Kingdom .
” He felt “ there is a need for political leaders ( in both jurisdictions ) to come out together on this and they should keep it simple , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe “ we can fix this .
It ’ s not as bad as it was last March and by May , June it was fine .
We can do it again.
” Where schools were concerned he felt the under 15s were not at risk or a risk .
However “ 15 to 25 years olds are a bigger risk ” .
At third level this was probably less so , with masks and online .
The question was how 14 to 18 year olds at secondary school might comply .
Where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned he emphasised that was its role .
“ Nphet gives advice but the politicians decide , ” he said .
The Irish National Teachers Organisation ( INTO ) said should the country be taken to Level 5 restrictions this week , “ INTO demands an immediate review of the public health landscape for schools.
” “ Such a review must determine if it is safe for our schools to stay open .
It is imperative that the education stakeholders convene early this week to explore the issues which may need to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary John Boyle .
Reacting to the Nphet ’ s recommendation Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said given the seriousness of it for the economy and society , the Government ’ s Senior Officials Group must seek , review and publish the evidence that is underpinning these recommendations .
“ It is intolerable that after six months we are still receiving both vague and changing criteria to advance such serious restrictions , ” he said .
Level 5 restrictions mean people will be asked to stay at home , except for when taking exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with no visitors or social/family gatherings .
Up to six guests can attend a wedding ceremony and reception while up to 10 may attend funerals but no other indoor or outdoor gatherings may take place .
Unless involved with an essential service people should work from home .
Where sport is concerned there may be individual training only with no matches , exercise or dance classes , with gyms/leisure centres/swimming pools closed .
Religious services will be held online with places of worship open for private prayer .
Bars and restaurants will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only .
Hotels will be open only for essential non-social and non-tourist purposes .
All shops closed , except for grocery and food supplies , with hairdressers open but face coverings must be worn .
Public transport reduced to 25 per cent capacity and for essential workers .
Masks must be worn .
Over 70s and the medically vulnerable should exercise judgement regarding the extent to which they engage with others and in activities outside home .
Visits to nursing and care homes suspended .

Ibec has called for publication of the evidence that is underpinning the latest recommendations. File photograph: Douglas Magno/AFP via Getty
The recent rise in Covid-19 cases outside Dublin has been described by an infectious diseases consultant as “really shocking” .
“We have to do something as a nation as we can’t allow the rise to continue,” Prof Sam McConkey said on Sunday night.
He said efforts to encourage people to take voluntary action to reduce incidence of the disease and to test and trace confirmed cases to slow the spread “have not worked”, which left a move to Level 5 restrictions looming.
It was, he added, “a no-brainer” to make the move but would “require a massive public by-in .
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Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne on Monday, Prof McConkey added: “My view is that we need to take dramatic action quickly, to prevent the gradual ongoing rise in cases, not just in Dublin, in all the other 25 counties.
“It’s not even a case of whether we do this or not, if we don’t do it now, we’ll be doing it in two or four weeks when you’ve more people in hospital and more deaths. We could wait for 900 people to be hospitalised rather the 150 we have now. That would probably replicate the number of deaths and chaos that we had back in March and April.”
Prevention better than cure
Prof McConkey said that even if the State had three times the number of ICU beds, treatment of Covid-19 “is not good enough to solve this problem, it’s a prevention issue, prevention is better than cure”.
“We’ve got to prevent this epidemic spreading widely through large numbers of our population in my view rather than just saying let us all get it we’ll get sick and the health system will look after us, it’s not possible to have a good enough hospital system to look after everyone.
“I’ve been saying for weeks, we’re at the beginning of a second wave, we need to take dramatic action to stop this, we need to be effective at preventing the increasing number of cases ... we need to take action that is adequate enough to stop the rise. So far we haven’t done that.”
Prof McConkey said those who had said severe restrictions would further damage the economy should realise that “if the virus continues to spread the economy will be shattered anyway”.
He said that "there has to be co-operation with the authorities" in Northern Ireland also on the matter.
"The area around Derry and Strabane has the highest rates (of Covid-19 infection) in the whole of the United Kingdom, " he said, adding that "there is a need for political leaders (in both jurisdictions) to come out together on this".
Prof McConkey encouraged people across Ireland to believe “we can fix this”.
“It’s not as bad as it was last March and by May, June it was fine. We can do it again.”
Absolute reality
Dr Mary Favier, a former president of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) and a member of NPHET, said that the “absolute reality” and “inevitable truth” of the current Covid-19 figures was that a lockdown would be necessary because of the vulnerability of the healthcare system.
“Something needs to be done to protect it,” she told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland on Monday.
She said that if the case numbers continued at their current trajectory, there could be 1,500 cases per day by the beginning of November and hospitals would be at full occupancy. The health system is already under strain dealing with Covid-19 cases and other forms of healthcare, she said.
“GPs are concerned at what this winter is going to look like. It’s not just a fear, it’s a reality,” she said.
Dr Favier said there was a concern that if there was a serious traffic accident or a cardiac incident that there would not be an ICU bed available due to the number of Covid-19 patients.
Not enough difference
Moving to Level 3 in Dublin and Donegal had made “some difference” but not enough, she added. However, Dr Favier said she was particularly concerned about the impact of a further lockdown on vulnerable groups and those with mental health issues.
Prof Anthony Staines, a Dublin City University academic and public health expert, said it was clear “Covid-19 is out of control and is rising across the whole country.”
“That’s been clear for some time, but whether we should be starting with Level 5 is a different question,” he told Newstalk Breakfast.
“I think the public is much less concerned about this than some elements within the business community and at least one element within the Cabinet, we’re going to need to do something because the number of cases is rising steadily, the number of admissions is rising steadily.”
Infectious diseases expert Prof Jack Lambert said the enforcement of preventative measures was very important and that people needed to be compliant.
He told Newstalk Breakfast that the wearing of masks, maintaining social distance and all preventative measures needed to be enforced.
Teaching unions have raised questions about the prospect of schools remaining open during Level 5 restrictions as they have called for safety reviews.
The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI), the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI), and the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) have all called for clarity on what protection is available to their members.
Reacting to the NPHET's recommendation, Ibec chief executive Danny McCoy said given the seriousness of it for the economy and society, the Government's senior officials group must publish the evidence that is underpinning these recommendations.
The Restaurants Association of Ireland said recommending a move to Level 5 was “surprising, unexplainable and economically unreasonable” given many counties were doing well to contain the disease.
Fianna Fáil TD Jim O'Callaghan criticised what he said was inconsistency from NPHET in its advice and questioned why it had recommended such a sudden move to Level 5.
Retailers have said they fear Christmas could be derailed if the Government accepts the recommendation from NPHET, which would force all but essential retail to close for the rest of October.


theirishtimes--2020-10-04--Grind schools call for greater transparency around algorithm

The Government should publish the algorithm used to calculate Leaving Cert grades and clarify how Junior Cert results were used in the standardisation process , the directors of two of the State ’ s grind schools have said .
Peter Kearns , director of Dublin ’ s Institute of Education , and Patricia McGrath , principal of Hewitt College in Cork , have called for greater transparency around the coding used to calculate grades , saying the process employed by the Government was “ seriously flawed ” .
The call for further information on the grading system comes after 6,100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awarded improved Leaving Cert marks following a review of the calculated grades system which was found to contain errors .
Ms McGrath said on Sunday evening she had not yet come across any student who benefitted from the grade increases and warned that “ every student in every type of school ” had been impacted by flaws in the grading system .
“ Initially it seemed private schools like ourselves were the most impacted but the whole system is flawed , ” Ms McGrath said .
Until the “ set of rules behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was impossible for principals and teachers to comprehensively question the grades their students received , she added .
She also expressed concern that students who did not study Irish at Junior Cert level may have been unnecessarily penalised by the coding system and said the aggregation of Irish , English and Maths as the subjects for grade calculation was also problematic .
Institute director Peter Kearns said a “ completely independent review of the entire grading process ” was urgently needed to restore people ’ s confidence in the Irish education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around how grades were processed when students had sat their Junior Certificate in a different school or not at all .
Students who will be sitting the Leaving Cert in 2021 need clarity on how their exams will progress , according to Ms McGrath .
“ They need to know now whether they ’ ll be sitting an exam online or in the classroom so they ’ re not faced with a similar stressful situation in a time of uncertainty.
” Minister for Education Norma Foley said on Saturday that 5,408 students would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leaving Cert subjects increase , 621 students would receive a higher grade in two subjects and 71 students would receive a higher grade in three or more subjects .
Saoirse Corbett Fitzpatrick , who studied at the Dublin Institute of Education but did not score enough points for her dream college course of medicine , was hopeful for an upgrade on Saturday .
However , she was not one of the 6,100 who saw their points go up .
“ I know no one from my school who received an upgrade , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s disappointing and frustrating .
The Government is still saying the system was fair but it clearly wasn ’ t , it ’ s disadvantaged so many students .
It feels like the Government is just ignoring us .
Most of my friends got severely downgraded in September and only got their fifth or sixth CAO choice .
”

The Government should publish the algorithm used to calculate Leaving Cert grades and clarify how Junior Cert results were used in the standardisation process, the directors of two of the State’s grind schools have said.
Peter Kearns, director of Dublin's Institute of Education, and Patricia McGrath, principal of Hewitt College in Cork, have called for greater transparency around the coding used to calculate grades, saying the process employed by the Government was "seriously flawed".
The call for further information on the grading system comes after 6,100 Leaving Cert students across 610 schools were awarded improved Leaving Cert marks following a review of the calculated grades system which was found to contain errors.
Ms McGrath said on Sunday evening she had not yet come across any student who benefitted from the grade increases and warned that “every student in every type of school” had been impacted by flaws in the grading system.
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“Initially it seemed private schools like ourselves were the most impacted but the whole system is flawed,” Ms McGrath said. Until the “set of rules behind the algorithm” were made fully public, it was impossible for principals and teachers to comprehensively question the grades their students received, she added.
She also expressed concern that students who did not study Irish at Junior Cert level may have been unnecessarily penalised by the coding system and said the aggregation of Irish, English and Maths as the subjects for grade calculation was also problematic.
Independent review
Institute director Peter Kearns said a “completely independent review of the entire grading process” was urgently needed to restore people’s confidence in the Irish education system. He also called for clarity around how grades were processed when students had sat their Junior Certificate in a different school or not at all.
Students who will be sitting the Leaving Cert in 2021 need clarity on how their exams will progress, according to Ms McGrath. “They need to know now whether they’ll be sitting an exam online or in the classroom so they’re not faced with a similar stressful situation in a time of uncertainty.”
Minister for Education Norma Foley said on Saturday that 5,408 students would see the grade of one of the Leaving Cert subjects increase, 621 students would receive a higher grade in two subjects and 71 students would receive a higher grade in three or more subjects.
Saoirse Corbett Fitzpatrick, who studied at the Dublin Institute of Education but did not score enough points for her dream college course of medicine, was hopeful for an upgrade on Saturday. However, she was not one of the 6,100 who saw their points go up. “I know no one from my school who received an upgrade,” she said on Sunday. “It’s disappointing and frustrating. The Government is still saying the system was fair but it clearly wasn’t, it’s disadvantaged so many students. It feels like the Government is just ignoring us. Most of my friends got severely downgraded in September and only got their fifth or sixth CAO choice.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-04--Grandfathers’ quiet protest against racism finds its voice

As they unfurled their banner of protest under the shadow of Dublin ’ s Spire , the three men behind it did not shout , leaving their poster to say it all .
Ten grandfathers have been carrying out a dignified and largely silent protest at locations across the city for more than six months .
Their aim is to “ bear witness to human values ” and stand up against a tide of racism that continues its creep across the world .
Each week they choose a different location and gather in a socially distanced fashion to roll out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise their voices or carry megaphones but , despite the relative silence , they have found their voice and have found that their message is being heard .
“ We generally get a very positive reaction , ” Kevin Crian said .
“ Young people in particular seem to relate to older people coming out and making a statement like this.
” The group – many of whom have been activists fighting injustice for decades – came together during the referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment and back then their poster read “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way when you are a grandfather , you are deemed by society to be irrelevant , ” Mr Crian said .
“ There is this perception that you don ’ t count for anything much but we have been lucky in life and we want to stand up and be counted.
” He was speaking in the aftermath of the chaotic US presidential debate when the current incumbent Donald Trump controversially declined multiple opportunities to condemn white supremacist groups .
“ It is unbelievable what has been happening in the US and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least being very slow to condemn them and I would be very worried about the aftermath of the election there , ” he said .
He stressed that while xenophobia-fuelled populism as witnessed in other countries may not be as pronounced in Ireland , it was present all the same .
“ There are groups of disaffected and angry people and we can ’ t be complacent and say we are going to be untouched by the spread of racism.
” Standing two metres away was Benny McCabe .
“ Most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we need anything , bottles of water or cake and they beep their car horns in support as they drive past.
” He paused .
“ There are some who are suspicious and some who are angry .
I remember one time in Ballsbridge , near the US embassy , a person rolled down the window of their car and shouted ‘ Go home you old f**kers.
’ But that doesn ’ t happen often.
” A psychologist by profession , Mr McCable said : “ Racism can be very subtle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to do is just bear witness to human value .
I think framing this as a left versus right thing is too simplistic .
This is not a political thing , it is a human thing .
And we need to have a conversation about racism and we need to bear witness and say that as a group of grandfathers , racism is simply wrong.
” As to the future , the group has no grand plans to see their movement get bigger although they do appreciate support .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The important thing is to bear witness .
”

Grandfathers Against Racism formed after the murder of George Floyd and hold a small protest in different parts of Dublin every week since. Video: Enda O'Dowd
As they unfurled their banner of protest under the shadow of Dublin’s Spire, the three men behind it did not shout, leaving their poster to say it all.
It read simply “Grandfathers Against Racism.”
Ten grandfathers have been carrying out a dignified and largely silent protest at locations across the city for more than six months.
Their aim is to “bear witness to human values” and stand up against a tide of racism that continues its creep across the world. Each week they choose a different location and gather in a socially distanced fashion to roll out their poster.
READ MORE
They don’t raise their voices or carry megaphones but, despite the relative silence, they have found their voice and have found that their message is being heard.
“We generally get a very positive reaction,” Kevin Cronin said. “Young people in particular seem to relate to older people coming out and making a statement like this.”
The group – many of whom have been activists fighting injustice for decades – came together during the referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment and back then their poster read “Grandfathers Say Yes.”
“In a way when you are a grandfather, you are deemed by society to be irrelevant,” Mr Cronin said. “There is this perception that you don’t count for anything much but we have been lucky in life and we want to stand up and be counted.”
He was speaking in the aftermath of the chaotic US presidential debate when the current incumbent Donald Trump controversially declined multiple opportunities to condemn white supremacist groups.
“It is unbelievable what has been happening in the US and how Trump seems to be defending racists or at least being very slow to condemn them and I would be very worried about the aftermath of the election there,” he said.
From left, grandfathers Benny McCabe, Kevin Crian and Ronan Wilmot near the Spire in Dublin. Photograph: Enda O’Dowd
We can't be complacent and say we are going to be untouched by the spread of racism
He stressed that while xenophobia-fuelled populism as witnessed in other countries may not be as pronounced in Ireland, it was present all the same. "There are groups of disaffected and angry people and we can't be complacent and say we are going to be untouched by the spread of racism."
Standing two metres away was Benny McCabe. “Most of the time people are great and ask if we need anything, bottles of water or cake and they beep their car horns in support as they drive past.”
He paused. "There are some who are suspicious and some who are angry. I remember one time in Ballsbridge, near the US embassy, a person rolled down the window of their car and shouted 'Go home you old f**kers.' But that doesn't happen often."
A psychologist by profession, Mr McCable said: “Racism can be very subtle. It is a societal issue and what we want to do is just bear witness to human value. I think framing this as a left versus right thing is too simplistic. This is not a political thing, it is a human thing. And we need to have a conversation about racism and we need to bear witness and say that as a group of grandfathers, racism is simply wrong.”
As to the future, the group has no grand plans to see their movement get bigger although they do appreciate support. “The aim is not to see this grow. The important thing is to bear witness.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-04--Pope says older people ‘cruelly abandoned’ to Covid-19

The deaths of so many elderly people in the Covid-19 pandemic has been criticised by Pope Francis in his third encyclical , published on Sunday .
“ They did not have to die that way .
Yet something similar had long been occurring during heatwaves and in other situations : older people found themselves cruelly abandoned , ” he said .
In Ireland approximately 53 per cent of those who have died with Covid-19 were elderly .
Pope Francis hoped such deaths “ may prove not to be just another tragedy of history from which we learned nothing ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all those elderly persons who died for lack of respirators , partly as a result of the dismantling , year after year , of healthcare systems ” .
By “ isolating the elderly and leaving them in the care of others without the closeness and concern of family members , we disfigure and impoverish the family itself ” , he said , adding that it deprived “ young people of a necessary connection to their roots and a wisdom that the young can not achieve on their own ” .
On the rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremist , resentful and aggressive nationalism ” world-wide , he said that “ in many countries , hyperbole , extremism and polarisation have become political tools .
Employing a strategy of ridicule , suspicion and relentless criticism , in a variety of ways one denies the right of others to exist or to have an opinion ” .
Political life “ no longer has to do with healthy debates about long-term plans to improve people ’ s lives and to advance the common good , but only with slick marketing techniques primarily aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There were those “ vicious attitudes that we thought long past , such as racism , which retreats underground only to keep re-emerging .
Instances of racism continue to shame us ” , he said , while “ certain populist political regimes , as well as certain liberal economic approaches , maintain that an influx of migrants is to be prevented at all costs .
For Christians , this way of thinking and acting is unacceptable ” .
It bred “ a kind of ‘ local ’ narcissism unrelated to a healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and culture .
It is born of a certain insecurity and fear of the other that leads to rejection and the desire to erect walls for self-defence ” , he said .
He warned against “ destructive forms of fanaticism ” which can also be “ found among religious believers , including Christians ” .
Even “ in Catholic media , limits can be overstepped , defamation and slander can become commonplace , and all ethical standards and respect for the good name of others can be abandoned ” .
On war he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to invoke the rational criteria elaborated in earlier centuries to speak of the possibility of a ‘ just war ’ .
Never again war !
” Concerning the death penalty he said “ the Church is firmly committed to calling for its abolition worldwide ” but Christians were also called “ to work for the improvement of prison conditions , out of respect for the human dignity of persons deprived of their freedom .
I would link this to life imprisonment .
.
.
A life sentence is a secret death penalty.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follows his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si , which addressed the global climate crisis , and Lumen Fidei in 2013 , which celebrated the Christian faith and was co-written with retired Pope Benedict XVI .

The deaths of so many elderly people in the Covid-19 pandemic has been criticised by Pope Francis in his third encyclical, published on Sunday.
“They did not have to die that way. Yet something similar had long been occurring during heatwaves and in other situations: older people found themselves cruelly abandoned,” he said.
In Ireland approximately 53 per cent of those who have died with Covid-19 were elderly.
Pope Francis hoped such deaths “may prove not to be just another tragedy of history from which we learned nothing” and that we might remember in particular “all those elderly persons who died for lack of respirators, partly as a result of the dismantling, year after year, of healthcare systems”.
READ MORE
By “isolating the elderly and leaving them in the care of others without the closeness and concern of family members, we disfigure and impoverish the family itself”, he said, adding that it deprived “young people of a necessary connection to their roots and a wisdom that the young cannot achieve on their own”.
On the rise of “instances of a myopic, extremist, resentful and aggressive nationalism” world-wide, he said that “in many countries, hyperbole, extremism and polarisation have become political tools. Employing a strategy of ridicule, suspicion and relentless criticism, in a variety of ways one denies the right of others to exist or to have an opinion”.
Political life “no longer has to do with healthy debates about long-term plans to improve people’s lives and to advance the common good, but only with slick marketing techniques primarily aimed at discrediting others”, he said.
Racism
There were those “vicious attitudes that we thought long past, such as racism, which retreats underground only to keep re-emerging. Instances of racism continue to shame us”, he said, while “certain populist political regimes, as well as certain liberal economic approaches, maintain that an influx of migrants is to be prevented at all costs. For Christians, this way of thinking and acting is unacceptable”.
It bred “a kind of ‘local’ narcissism unrelated to a healthy love of one’s own people and culture. It is born of a certain insecurity and fear of the other that leads to rejection and the desire to erect walls for self-defence”, he said.
He warned against “destructive forms of fanaticism” which can also be “found among religious believers, including Christians”. Even “in Catholic media, limits can be overstepped, defamation and slander can become commonplace, and all ethical standards and respect for the good name of others can be abandoned”.
On war he said it was “very difficult nowadays to invoke the rational criteria elaborated in earlier centuries to speak of the possibility of a ‘just war’. Never again war!”
Concerning the death penalty he said “the Church is firmly committed to calling for its abolition worldwide” but Christians were also called “to work for the improvement of prison conditions, out of respect for the human dignity of persons deprived of their freedom. I would link this to life imprisonment . . . A life sentence is a secret death penalty.”
Fratelli Tutti (Brothers All), follows his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si, which addressed the global climate crisis, and Lumen Fidei in 2013, which celebrated the Christian faith and was co-written with retired Pope Benedict XVI.


theirishtimes--2020-10-04--Two remain in serious condition in hospital after bus and car collide

Two people remained seriously injured in hospital on Sunday evening after a serious road crash in which a bus and a car collided before the double decker bus hit a tree and railings in south Dublin late on Friday .
The front of the bus was very badly , with the top deck windscreen broken and a section of the roof destroyed after the vehicle hit a large tree on the roadside , knocking down part of it .
The Garda investigation into the incident was focused on the driver of the car , who was carrying at least one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gardaí had received reports that the man driving the car was acting suspiciously in the vehicle on Friday night in the period before the crash , which happened at the junction of Northumberland Rd and Haddington Rd , in Ballsbridge , Dublin 4 .
Gardaí on patrol in the area were looking for the driver at the time he collided with the bus .
The driver was seen in the south inner city in his car several times by gardaí before the vehicle was driven away again .
Because gardaí were looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his car to a stop around the time of the crash the incident has been referred by Garda Headquarters , Phoenix Park , Dublin , to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission ( Gsoc ) .
The Garda ombudsman is legally obliged to investigate any incidents that result in injury to any person at or around the time they have had dealings with Garda members , including being sought or pursued by gardaí .
The car overturned in the collision and the bus was shunted towards a building , hitting railings around the property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line of inquiry is the driver of the car may have broken a red light at the time the bus was crossing the junction while carrying passengers on the Number 7 route towards the city centre .
Eight people were injured and seven required hospital treatment including the bus driver , four of his passengers , the male driver of the car that overturned and his female passenger .
The man driving the car and the woman who was also in the car were among those taken to St Vincent ’ s Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was badly injured , was also treated in hospital .
However , it is understood the worst injuries were those sustained by passengers on the bus .
One passenger who was sitting upstairs at the time appears to have suffered the most serious injuries , though he was expected to survive .
Dublin Bus said in a statement there were eight passengers on the bus at the time of the crash , adding the driver and four passengers were taken to St Vincent ’ s Hospital .
“ The matter is under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bus has also commenced an internal investigation , ” it said .
Garda Headquarters said the scene of the crash was sealed off on Friday night when gardaí arrived and had since undergone a technical examination as part of the investigation now underway .
Garda in Irishtown station were investigating and were appealing for anyone with information , including dashcam footage , to contact them .

The Dublin Bus vehicle is towed away from the scene after the crash. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien / The Irish Times
Two people remained seriously injured in hospital on Sunday evening after a serious road crash in which a bus and a car collided before the double decker bus hit a tree and railings in south Dublin late on Friday.
The front of the bus was very badly, with the top deck windscreen broken and a section of the roof destroyed after the vehicle hit a large tree on the roadside, knocking down part of it.
The Garda investigation into the incident was focused on the driver of the car, who was carrying at least one passenger at the time of the crash.
Gardaí had received reports that the man driving the car was acting suspiciously in the vehicle on Friday night in the period before the crash, which happened at the junction of Northumberland Rd and Haddington Rd, in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
READ MORE
Gardaí on patrol in the area were looking for the driver at the time he collided with the bus. The driver was seen in the south inner city in his car several times by gardaí before the vehicle was driven away again.
Because gardaí were looking for the driver and trying to bring his car to a stop around the time of the crash the incident has been referred by Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin, to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc).
The Garda ombudsman is legally obliged to investigate any incidents that result in injury to any person at or around the time they have had dealings with Garda members, including being sought or pursued by gardaí.
The car overturned in the collision and the bus was shunted towards a building, hitting railings around the property and a tree outside it.
One line of inquiry is the driver of the car may have broken a red light at the time the bus was crossing the junction while carrying passengers on the Number 7 route towards the city centre.
Eight people were injured and seven required hospital treatment including the bus driver, four of his passengers, the male driver of the car that overturned and his female passenger.
The man driving the car and the woman who was also in the car were among those taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for treatment. The bus driver, who was badly injured, was also treated in hospital.
However, it is understood the worst injuries were those sustained by passengers on the bus. One passenger who was sitting upstairs at the time appears to have suffered the most serious injuries, though he was expected to survive.
Dublin Bus said in a statement there were eight passengers on the bus at the time of the crash, adding the driver and four passengers were taken to St Vincent's Hospital.
“The matter is under investigation by An Garda Síochána and Dublin Bus has also commenced an internal investigation,” it said.
Garda Headquarters said the scene of the crash was sealed off on Friday night when gardaí arrived and had since undergone a technical examination as part of the investigation now underway.
Garda in Irishtown station were investigating and were appealing for anyone with information, including dashcam footage, to contact them.


theirishtimes--2020-10-04--Journalist and author Chris Ryder dies aged 73

The Northern Ireland journalist , Chris Ryder who covered the Troubles virtually from their outset , has died at the age of 73 .
His wife Genny in a tweet on Saturday said the former Sunday Times , Daily Telegraph and Belfast Telegraph journalist died “ peacefully and pain free after a short illness ” .
She said he was looked after with “ exemplary care ” by the Northern Ireland Hospice and that his cremation would be private .
Mr Ryder was an expert in policing matters and wrote a number of books on issues such as the Royal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Drumcree protests of the mid-1990s and the Northern Ireland prison service .
He was a member of the North ’ s Police Authority during a period in the 1990s until he and fellow member , David Cook , who died recently , were sacked by the then Northern Secretary Sir Patrick Mayhew .
Mr Ryder said at the time they were sacked from the police watchdog because they were seeking “ intelligent , evolutionary changes ” to make the RUC more accountable .
He also covered the Troubles during its bloodiest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of protagonists and at one stage it is believed that the IRA wanted to murder him because they were angered by some of his reporting in the Sunday Times .
RTÉ Northern correspondent Vincent Kearney , formerly of the Sunday Times , who wrote a book on Drumcree with Mr Ryder , described him as a journalist with a “ ferocious appetite for stories and a contacts book his rivals could dream of ” .
“ He was among the first to expose racketeering and financial fraud by the IRA and loyalist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was made aware of a plan by the IRA to kidnap him .
Undaunted he kept writing stories he believed had to be told , ” he added .

The Northern Ireland journalist, Chris Ryder who covered the Troubles virtually from their outset, has died at the age of 73.
His wife Genny in a tweet on Saturday said the former Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph and Belfast Telegraph journalist died "peacefully and pain free after a short illness".
She said he was looked after with “exemplary care” by the Northern Ireland Hospice and that his cremation would be private.
Mr Ryder was an expert in policing matters and wrote a number of books on issues such as the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the Ulster Defence Regiment, the Drumcree protests of the mid-1990s and the Northern Ireland prison service.
READ MORE
He was a member of the North's Police Authority during a period in the 1990s until he and fellow member, David Cook, who died recently, were sacked by the then Northern Secretary Sir Patrick Mayhew.
Mr Ryder said at the time they were sacked from the police watchdog because they were seeking “intelligent, evolutionary changes” to make the RUC more accountable.
He also covered the Troubles during its bloodiest periods. He was threatened by a number of protagonists and at one stage it is believed that the IRA wanted to murder him because they were angered by some of his reporting in the Sunday Times.
RTÉ Northern correspondent Vincent Kearney, formerly of the Sunday Times, who wrote a book on Drumcree with Mr Ryder, described him as a journalist with a "ferocious appetite for stories and a contacts book his rivals could dream of".
“He was among the first to expose racketeering and financial fraud by the IRA and loyalist paramilitaries. He received many threats and was made aware of a plan by the IRA to kidnap him. Undaunted he kept writing stories he believed had to be told,” he added.