theirishtimes--2020-02-21--Ireland ranked 10th in EU for achieving UN’s sustainable development goals

Ireland ranks tenth out of 15 EU countries in this year ’ s sustainable progress index , commissioned by Social Justice Ireland .
The index ranks countries based on their delivery of the UN ’ s sustainable development goals ( SDGs ) and comprises of three dimensions ; economy , society and environment .
Ireland scores last on the environment index , 11th on the economy and 7th on the social index , resulting in an overall ranking of 10th .
The index was written by Prof Charles Clark of St John ’ s University , New York , Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UCC ) and Niamh Lenihan of Cork Institute of Technology ( CIT ) .
Greece scores last on the overall sustainable progress index , ahead of Portugal , Spain and Italy .
Denmark ranks first , followed by Sweden , the Netherlands , Austria and Finland .
Dr Seán Healy , chief executive of Social Justice Ireland said there are certain areas “ where we are seriously underperforming ” .
“ Addressing the complexities of sustainable development requires a joined-up thinking approach , ” he said .
“ It requires a balance between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planet ’ s environment and resources as well as combating climate change.
” In terms of the economy , the index finds that Ireland ’ s GDP ( gross domestic product ) per capita and unemployment is good .
Its low scoring ( 11th out of 15 ) is influenced by low pay and the proportion of youths not in employment , education or training .
On the social index , Ireland scores highly on goals relating to education , peace and justice and less well on those reflecting poverty , inequality , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland ’ s ranking of last on the environmental index “ suggests Ireland is facing significant challenges in meeting our environmental targets ” , Social Justice Ireland said .
Poor performance on goals relating to responsible production and consumption , clean energy and climate change are the key factors which brought down its environmental ranking .
Dr Catherine Kavanagh said the UN ’ s sustainable development goals have given governments clear economic , social and environmental standards “ against which established policies should be judged and prospective policies should be measured ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for guidance and accountability our Government has the opportunity to lead the way towards a new generation of politics shaped by the economic , social and environmental demands of a truly healthy society , ” she said .
Social Justice Ireland has put forward a number of national and local level policies aimed at achieving the targets of the UN ’ s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development .
These include introducing a living wage , implementing Sláintecare , increasing the number of community beds , home care packages and support to carers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remote working .
The proposals also set out to make 20 per cent of all housing social housing , investing in the country ’ s wastewater system , regulating harvesting and ending over-fishing as well as developing environmentally sustainable farming practices .

Ireland scores last on the environment index, 11th on the economy and 7th on the social index, resulting in an overall ranking of 10th. Photograph: iStock
Ireland ranks tenth out of 15 EU countries in this year’s sustainable progress index, commissioned by Social Justice Ireland.
The index ranks countries based on their delivery of the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) and comprises of three dimensions; economy, society and environment.
Ireland scores last on the environment index, 11th on the economy and 7th on the social index, resulting in an overall ranking of 10th.
The index was written by Prof Charles Clark of St John's University, New York, Dr Catherine Kavanagh of University College Cork (UCC) and Niamh Lenihan of Cork Institute of Technology (CIT).
READ MORE
Greece scores last on the overall sustainable progress index, ahead of Portugal, Spain and Italy. Denmark ranks first, followed by Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria and Finland.
Dr Seán Healy, chief executive of Social Justice Ireland said there are certain areas “where we are seriously underperforming”.
“Addressing the complexities of sustainable development requires a joined-up thinking approach,” he said.
“It requires a balance between economic and social progress and sustaining the planet’s environment and resources as well as combating climate change.”
High scores
In terms of the economy, the index finds that Ireland’s GDP (gross domestic product) per capita and unemployment is good. Its low scoring (11th out of 15) is influenced by low pay and the proportion of youths not in employment, education or training.
On the social index, Ireland scores highly on goals relating to education, peace and justice and less well on those reflecting poverty, inequality, gender equality, health and well-being.
Ireland’s ranking of last on the environmental index “suggests Ireland is facing significant challenges in meeting our environmental targets”, Social Justice Ireland said.
Poor performance on goals relating to responsible production and consumption, clean energy and climate change are the key factors which brought down its environmental ranking.
Dr Catherine Kavanagh said the UN’s sustainable development goals have given governments clear economic, social and environmental standards “against which established policies should be judged and prospective policies should be measured”.
Policies
“Equipped with these goals as tools for guidance and accountability our Government has the opportunity to lead the way towards a new generation of politics shaped by the economic, social and environmental demands of a truly healthy society,” she said.
Social Justice Ireland has put forward a number of national and local level policies aimed at achieving the targets of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
These include introducing a living wage, implementing Sláintecare, increasing the number of community beds, home care packages and support to carers, and introducing legislation to support flexible and remote working.
The proposals also set out to make 20 per cent of all housing social housing, investing in the country’s wastewater system, regulating harvesting and ending over-fishing as well as developing environmentally sustainable farming practices.


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--Galway hospital kitchen closes after dead mouse discovery

The kitchen at University Hospital Galway , which caters for hundreds of patients , has been indefinitely closed following the discovery of a dead mouse .
The hospital said pest control contractors had recently detected the possible presence of rodents when bait was interfered with .
Last Sunday , “ a single dead mouse was found ” , it said , following recommendations by the HSE that a deep-clean and further inspections be carried out on site .
The mouse was discovered in the kitchen near an emergency exit .
“ This has been an isolated incident and all inspections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” it said in a statement .
However , it gave no specifics on when kitchen operations might resume but said works were ongoing to achieve this as “ quickly as possible ” .
“ Following advice from the HSE ’ s Environmental Health Team and to minimise the impact on patients and for continuity of service we moved food production to the other hospital site in Merlin Park last Sunday , ” it said .
“ Patients continue to receive a full selection of hot meals in UHG with one change which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served in the evening , rather than at lunchtime .
“ Our priority is to ensure the highest environmental standards while minimising the impact on our patients.
” The Food Safety Authority of Ireland ( FSAI ) said it is not aware of the incident .
Mary Daly , managing director of The Food Safety Company , a nationwide consultancy , said the response was entirely proportionate and in keeping with legislation .
She said rodent infestation or activity was “ one of the predominant aspects of food safety ” and that almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FSAI last year were related to the problem .
“ There is never a mouse on their own .
They are highly prolific and difficult to catch , ” she said .
In such cases , she explained , business owners typically follow a three-step process : eliminate shelter and food ; pest-proof the building ; and destroy the problem .
“ It should really just be a 24-hour [ process ] .
I would think it wouldn ’ t take any longer than that , ” she said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent times is that there is very strict regulations about pesticides .
That ’ s quite a new development and I think it ’ s why we are seeing more and more cases of rat infestation around the country.
” In January last year , a closure order was served on a kitchen at Our Lady ’ s Hospital in Navan after a dead rodent was found trapped underneath a sink unit and fresh rodent droppings were discovered in a press .
University Hospital Galway said it has a significant level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an important programme as many of the buildings on both campuses were constructed originally in the 1950s , ” it said .
The FSAI said food service outlets including hospital kitchens are inspected by the Environmental Health Service of the HSE .
“ Where necessary , enforcement orders can be served to stop non-compliant or unhygienic activities ; enforcement orders are then notified to FSAI , ” it said .
“ FSAI has not been notified to date by the Environmental Health Service of the service of an enforcement order on this @ @ @

Patients continue to receive a full selection of hot meals in UHG with one change which is that the main hot meal is served in the evening, rather than at lunchtime. File photograph: Eric Luke
The kitchen at University Hospital Galway, which caters for hundreds of patients, has been indefinitely closed following the discovery of a dead mouse.
The hospital said pest control contractors had recently detected the possible presence of rodents when bait was interfered with.
Last Sunday, “a single dead mouse was found”, it said, following recommendations by the HSE that a deep-clean and further inspections be carried out on site.
The mouse was discovered in the kitchen near an emergency exit.
READ MORE
“This has been an isolated incident and all inspections since this date have been clear,” it said in a statement.
However, it gave no specifics on when kitchen operations might resume but said works were ongoing to achieve this as “quickly as possible”.
"Following advice from the HSE's Environmental Health Team and to minimise the impact on patients and for continuity of service we moved food production to the other hospital site in Merlin Park last Sunday," it said.
“Patients continue to receive a full selection of hot meals in UHG with one change which is that the main hot meal is served in the evening, rather than at lunchtime.
“Our priority is to ensure the highest environmental standards while minimising the impact on our patients.”
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said it is not aware of the incident.
Mary Daly, managing director of The Food Safety Company, a nationwide consultancy, said the response was entirely proportionate and in keeping with legislation. She said rodent infestation or activity was "one of the predominant aspects of food safety" and that almost half of all enforcement orders issued by the FSAI last year were related to the problem.
“There is never a mouse on their own. They are highly prolific and difficult to catch,” she said.
In such cases, she explained, business owners typically follow a three-step process: eliminate shelter and food; pest-proof the building; and destroy the problem.
“It should really just be a 24-hour [process]. I would think it wouldn’t take any longer than that,” she said.
“It’s environmental. What has happened in recent times is that there is very strict regulations about pesticides. That’s quite a new development and I think it’s why we are seeing more and more cases of rat infestation around the country.”
In January last year, a closure order was served on a kitchen at Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan after a dead rodent was found trapped underneath a sink unit and fresh rodent droppings were discovered in a press.
University Hospital Galway said it has a significant level of pest-control measures in place.
“This is an important programme as many of the buildings on both campuses were constructed originally in the 1950s,” it said.
The FSAI said food service outlets including hospital kitchens are inspected by the Environmental Health Service of the HSE.
“Where necessary, enforcement orders can be served to stop non-compliant or unhygienic activities; enforcement orders are then notified to FSAI,” it said.
“FSAI has not been notified to date by the Environmental Health Service of the service of an enforcement order on this premises.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--‘Outsourcing’ processing of international protection applications lawful - Supreme Court says

The Supreme Court has upheld a significant finding that the practice of using a panel of independent contractors to assist in processing applications for international protection is lawful .
The five-judge court ’ s unanimous decision on Friday was given on a number of appeals following the High Court ’ s rejection of challenges to the use of the panel comprising self-employed barristers .
The appeals were by an Albanian mother and her two children who were refused asylum ; an Albanian man who failed to get asylum or subsidiary protection and a Brazilian man also refused protection .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officer and the Minister for Justice .
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal was a notice party in the cases by the Albanian and Brazilian men .
The mother and children alleged the Refugee Applications Commissioner ( RAC ) had unlawfully outsourced consideration of their asylum applications to outside contractors .
It was claimed the outsourcing process in place since 2015 meant the only investigation of whether to recommend they get asylum was by an outside contractor drawn from a panel of law graduates in breach of the Refugee Act 1996 .
The statutory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performed , not by a member of the staff of the RAC but by the panel member , it was submitted .
In their case , the panel member who interviewed them had provided a summary of draft findings in a draft report recommending refusal of their applications .
A second document was in very similar terms to that draft report .
It was signed by an executive officer in the public service as “ investigator ” and by a higher executive officer in the Office of the RAC “ for and on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Albanian and Brazilian man made similar claims concerning the new statutory procedure under the International Protection Act for deciding asylum and protection applications .
Giving the Supreme Court judgment , Mr Justice Donal O ’ Donnell said the appellants accepted it was permitted to use panel members for some purposes in determining applications under the Refugee Act 1996 and the International Protection Act 2015 but they argued the practice adopted had exceeded lawful authority in each case .
In the case of the mother and children , he said the interview between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carefully structured ” and the role of interviewer is defined .
The interviewer is required to elicit responses to a series of questions and is not at large as to how that should be conducted or as to what other matters may be investigated .
It also made sense that an interviewer could be usefully employment in assessment of a claim .
The respondent evidence was that a panel member can not act independently outside the control and direction of ORAC staff and , “ crucially ” , can not make any decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker , an executive officer in the public service , is familiar with the same sources as the panel member and the respondents evidence showed that the case worker , and therefore the Commissioner , conducts an investigation which is an investigation for the purposes of section 11 of the Refugee Act 1996 , he held .
In the case of the Albanian man , he said the evidence adduced concerning the procedure under the 2015 Act was very similar to that in respect of the procedure under the 1996 Act .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more accommodating ” to the panel member system than the 1996 Act .
This was because , as well as expressly contemplating employment of persons under contract for services to assist the Minister , the statutory obligation was to conduct an “ examination ” of the application rather than an investigation .
It would , if anything , be more difficult to contend the process described in the detailed application sworn on behalf of the respondents did not amount to an “ examination ” of the application by the relevant International Protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal must be rejected for the same reasons , he ruled .

Mr Justice Donal O’Donnell said the appellants accepted it was permitted to use panel members for some purposes in determining applications under the Refugee Act 1996. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien
The Supreme Court has upheld a significant finding that the practice of using a panel of independent contractors to assist in processing applications for international protection is lawful.
The five-judge court’s unanimous decision on Friday was given on a number of appeals following the High Court’s rejection of challenges to the use of the panel comprising self-employed barristers.
The appeals were by an Albanian mother and her two children who were refused asylum; an Albanian man who failed to get asylum or subsidiary protection and a Brazilian man also refused protection.
They were brought against the Chief International Protection Officer and the Minister for Justice. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal was a notice party in the cases by the Albanian and Brazilian men.
READ MORE
The mother and children alleged the Refugee Applications Commissioner (RAC) had unlawfully outsourced consideration of their asylum applications to outside contractors.
It was claimed the outsourcing process in place since 2015 meant the only investigation of whether to recommend they get asylum was by an outside contractor drawn from a panel of law graduates in breach of the Refugee Act 1996.
The statutory function of the RAC was effectively being performed, not by a member of the staff of the RAC but by the panel member, it was submitted.
In their case, the panel member who interviewed them had provided a summary of draft findings in a draft report recommending refusal of their applications.
A second document was in very similar terms to that draft report. It was signed by an executive officer in the public service as “investigator” and by a higher executive officer in the Office of the RAC “for and on behalf” of the Commissioner.
The Albanian and Brazilian man made similar claims concerning the new statutory procedure under the International Protection Act for deciding asylum and protection applications.
Giving the Supreme Court judgment, Mr Justice Donal O’Donnell said the appellants accepted it was permitted to use panel members for some purposes in determining applications under the Refugee Act 1996 and the International Protection Act 2015 but they argued the practice adopted had exceeded lawful authority in each case.
Mother and child
In the case of the mother and children, he said the interview between the panel member and the applicant is “carefully structured” and the role of interviewer is defined.
The interviewer is required to elicit responses to a series of questions and is not at large as to how that should be conducted or as to what other matters may be investigated.
It also made sense that an interviewer could be usefully employment in assessment of a claim.
The respondent evidence was that a panel member cannot act independently outside the control and direction of ORAC staff and, “crucially”, cannot make any decided findings on any investigation.
The case worker, an executive officer in the public service, is familiar with the same sources as the panel member and the respondents evidence showed that the case worker, and therefore the Commissioner, conducts an investigation which is an investigation for the purposes of section 11 of the Refugee Act 1996, he held.
In the case of the Albanian man, he said the evidence adduced concerning the procedure under the 2015 Act was very similar to that in respect of the procedure under the 1996 Act.
The statutory background was, “if anything, more accommodating” to the panel member system than the 1996 Act. This was because, as well as expressly contemplating employment of persons under contract for services to assist the Minister, the statutory obligation was to conduct an “examination” of the application rather than an investigation. It would, if anything, be more difficult to contend the process described in the detailed application sworn on behalf of the respondents did not amount to an “examination” of the application by the relevant International Protection Officer.
The Brazilian man’s appeal must be rejected for the same reasons, he ruled.


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--Patricia O’Connor murder case: Jury expected to begin deliberations on Monday

A jury is expected to begin deliberations on Monday in the trial of a 35-year-old man accused of murdering a retired grandmother , whose dismembered remains were found scattered across the Dublin and Wicklow mountains nearly three years ago .
Mr Justice Paul McDermott will finish charging the jury on Monday in the Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene , who has pleaded not guilty to murdering Patricia O ’ Connor ( 61 ) at her home in Mountainview Park , Rathfarnham , Dublin 14 on May 29 , 2017 .
The deceased ’ s daughter Louise O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Connor ( 22 ) , both of Millmount Court , Dundrum Road , Dublin 14 , and Louise O ’ Connor ’ s ex-partner Keith Johnston ( 43 ) , of Avonbeg Gardens , Tallaght , Dublin 24 are all charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mr Greene , knowing or believing him to have committed an arrestable offence , to wit the murder of Mrs O ’ Connor on May 29 , 2017 .
The six-week trial has heard that the body of Mrs O ’ Connor was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found at nine different locations over a 30km range in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains between June 10 and 14 , 2017 .
Former Depute State Pathologist , Dr Michael Curtis , has given evidence that Mrs O ’ Connor ’ s head was struck a minimum of three blows with a solid implement and the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head .
Mr Greene has given two accounts of Mrs O ’ Connor ’ s death .
In an interview with gardaí in June 2017 , Mr Greene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mrs O ’ Connor walked in and hit him with a hurl on the wrist , saying ‘ Get out , Get out ’ .
Mr Greene said he grabbed the hurl from her , hit her and did not know want happened next as when he woke up there was blood everywhere and he panicked .
The trial has heard that six months after he was charged with her murder , Mr Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner ’ s mother .
He told gardaí in December 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and felt he was being set-up , as his girlfriend Louise O ’ Connor subsequently started going back out with her ex-boyfriend Mr Johnston .
Mr Greene also told detectives in his December interview that Mrs O ’ Connor attacked him with a hurley .
However , he said Mrs O ’ Connor ’ s husband , Augustine ‘ Gus ’ O ’ Connor , came into the bathroom after he fell to the ground and admonished his wife saying : “ What the f**k are you doing ?
” .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connor had killed his wife using a crowbar and he [ Mr Greene ] had taken the blame .
Continuing his charge to the jury on Friday , Mr Justice McDermott said if they reached a conclusion that Mr Greene had told lies in his second statement in December 2017 , they were then entitled to ask themselves why such lies were told and if it was for the purpose of avoiding guilt .
However , the judge said the jury was aware that tools were not thrown out of Mr Greene ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out by him in his first statement in June .
The judge pointed out that two hacksaws and a hatchet had been found in Dodder Valley Park on January 2 , 2018 as a result of Mr Greene ’ s interview to gardaí in December 2017 .
These lies favoured the defence ’ s suggestion that Mr Greene ’ s second statement is to be relied on , he said .
The judge told the jury that they knew Mr Greene was a “ slower person ” and had been described as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s defence team have said it was impossible to believe he was a person who could have dealt with the situation in the way he claimed in his June statement .
He reminded the jury that they knew Mr Greene was also a “ slow learner ” , who had required assistance in school .
Mr Greene ’ s mother Joan Greene gave evidence that her son was assessed when he was about seven years old and found to be about “ two and a half years behind ” .
Mr Justice McDermott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had also criticised gardaí for “ the lack of follow up ” after he made his December statement .
It was a matter for the jury whether these criticisms were warranted and justified , said the judge , and they should decide the weight to be attached .
In his closing speech , Conor Devally SC for Mr Greene , said 273 jobs appeared in the “ garda jobs ’ book ” before Mr Greene gave his “ utterly different ” account to gardaí in December .
He pointed out that the jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his client ’ s December confession .
The lawyer submitted that gardaí were saying “ don ’ t trust the December interview and trust the ones in June ” and all the steps taken from then on concerned Mr Johnston , despite Mr O ’ Connor taking centre stage in Mr Greene ’ s December interview .
The judge said what was at issue in Mr Greene ’ s interviews concerned “ the motivation ” to tell a “ whole pack of lies ” in June and then tell gardaí the truth in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jury to consider each count separately in respect of all four accused .
The prosecution ’ s case was said to be the subject of “ building blocks and various strands ” that , when taken together , created a conclusion of guilt to the standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt , he outlined .
He explained that this was known as “ circumstantial evidence ” and the State ’ s case was that the “ combined weight of the evidence ” was important .
However , the judge said if there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” that pointed to the accused ’ s innocence , they had to adopt this .
He also emphasised to the jury that they should not have regard to anything Mr Greene said about the other three accused in his interviews .
He again advised them to compartmentalise each case .
The jury can return three verdicts in relation to the murder charge against Mr Greene , namely ; guilty of murder , not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter or not guilty .
There are three verdicts the jury can return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Stephanie O ’ Connor and Keith Johnston allegedly impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mr Greene , knowing or believing him to have committed an arrestable offence .
These are : not guilty , guilty of knowing that Mr Greene had committed murder or in the alternative , guilty of knowing that Mr Greene had committed manslaughter .
Mother-of-five Louise O ’ Connor has pleaded not guilty to agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O ’ Connor disguising herself as Patricia O ’ Connor at Mountainview Park , Rathfarnham , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to conceal the fact that Patricia O ’ Connor was dead .
Stephanie O ’ Connor has pleaded not guilty to disguising herself as Mrs O ’ Connor at Mountainview Park , Rathfarnham , Dublin 14 at a point in time after her murder on May 29 , 2017 in order to conceal the fact that she was already dead .
Mr Johnston has pleaded not guilty to assisting Mr Greene in the purchase of various implements at Woodie ’ s , Mr Price , B & Q and Shoe Zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 , 2017 , which were to be used in the concealment of the remains of Mrs O ’ Connor .
Mr Justice McDermott told the jury that he would “ leave over the very last element ” of his charge until Monday .
It would take “ a relatively short time ” and they could then retire to consider their verdicts , he said .

A jury is expected to begin deliberations on Monday in the trial of a 35-year-old man accused of murdering a retired grandmother, whose dismembered remains were found scattered across the Dublin and Wicklow mountains nearly three years ago.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott will finish charging the jury on Monday in the Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering Patricia O'Connor (61) at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29, 2017.
The deceased's daughter Louise O'Connor (41) and granddaughter Stephanie O'Connor (22), both of Millmount Court, Dundrum Road, Dublin 14, and Louise O'Connor's ex-partner Keith Johnston (43), of Avonbeg Gardens, Tallaght, Dublin 24 are all charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mr Greene, knowing or believing him to have committed an arrestable offence, to wit the murder of Mrs O'Connor on May 29, 2017.
The six-week trial has heard that the body of Mrs O’Connor was dismembered into 15 separate parts that were found at nine different locations over a 30km range in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains between June 10 and 14, 2017.
READ MORE
Former Depute State Pathologist, Dr Michael Curtis, has given evidence that Mrs O'Connor's head was struck a minimum of three blows with a solid implement and the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.
Mr Greene has given two accounts of Mrs O’Connor’s death. In an interview with gardaí in June 2017, Mr Greene said he was in the bathroom when Mrs O’Connor walked in and hit him with a hurl on the wrist, saying ‘Get out, Get out’. Mr Greene said he grabbed the hurl from her, hit her and did not know want happened next as when he woke up there was blood everywhere and he panicked.
Changed his account
The trial has heard that six months after he was charged with her murder, Mr Greene changed his account of killing and dismembering his partner’s mother. He told gardaí in December 2017 that he had taken “the rap” and felt he was being set-up, as his girlfriend Louise O’Connor subsequently started going back out with her ex-boyfriend Mr Johnston.
Mr Greene also told detectives in his December interview that Mrs O’Connor attacked him with a hurley. However, he said Mrs O’Connor’s husband, Augustine ‘Gus’ O’Connor, came into the bathroom after he fell to the ground and admonished his wife saying: “What the f**k are you doing?”. Mr Greene told detectives that Mr O’Connor had killed his wife using a crowbar and he [Mr Greene] had taken the blame.
Continuing his charge to the jury on Friday, Mr Justice McDermott said if they reached a conclusion that Mr Greene had told lies in his second statement in December 2017, they were then entitled to ask themselves why such lies were told and if it was for the purpose of avoiding guilt.
However, the judge said the jury was aware that tools were not thrown out of Mr Greene’s car on Military Road as set out by him in his first statement in June. The judge pointed out that two hacksaws and a hatchet had been found in Dodder Valley Park on January 2, 2018 as a result of Mr Greene’s interview to gardaí in December 2017. These lies favoured the defence’s suggestion that Mr Greene’s second statement is to be relied on, he said.
‘Fool’
The judge told the jury that they knew Mr Greene was a “slower person” and had been described as a “fool”. Mr Greene’s defence team have said it was impossible to believe he was a person who could have dealt with the situation in the way he claimed in his June statement. He reminded the jury that they knew Mr Greene was also a “slow learner”, who had required assistance in school.
Mr Greene’s mother Joan Greene gave evidence that her son was assessed when he was about seven years old and found to be about “two and a half years behind”.
Mr Justice McDermott said Mr Greene’s defence team had also criticised gardaí for “the lack of follow up” after he made his December statement. It was a matter for the jury whether these criticisms were warranted and justified, said the judge, and they should decide the weight to be attached.
In his closing speech, Conor Devally SC for Mr Greene, said 273 jobs appeared in the “garda jobs’ book” before Mr Greene gave his “utterly different” account to gardaí in December. He pointed out that the jobs in the book ended at 290 following his client’s December confession. The lawyer submitted that gardaí were saying “don’t trust the December interview and trust the ones in June” and all the steps taken from then on concerned Mr Johnston, despite Mr O’Connor taking centre stage in Mr Greene’s December interview.
The judge said what was at issue in Mr Greene’s interviews concerned “the motivation” to tell a “whole pack of lies” in June and then tell gardaí the truth in December.
Verdicts
Mr Justice McDermott reminded the jury to consider each count separately in respect of all four accused. The prosecution’s case was said to be the subject of “building blocks and various strands” that, when taken together, created a conclusion of guilt to the standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, he outlined.
He explained that this was known as “circumstantial evidence” and the State’s case was that the “combined weight of the evidence” was important. However, the judge said if there was another “rational and innocent explanation” that pointed to the accused’s innocence, they had to adopt this.
He also emphasised to the jury that they should not have regard to anything Mr Greene said about the other three accused in his interviews. He again advised them to compartmentalise each case.
The jury can return three verdicts in relation to the murder charge against Mr Greene, namely; guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter or not guilty.
There are three verdicts the jury can return in relation to Louise O’Connor, Stephanie O’Connor and Keith Johnston allegedly impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mr Greene, knowing or believing him to have committed an arrestable offence. These are: not guilty, guilty of knowing that Mr Greene had committed murder or in the alternative, guilty of knowing that Mr Greene had committed manslaughter.
Mother-of-five Louise O’Connor has pleaded not guilty to agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O’Connor disguising herself as Patricia O’Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29, 2017 in order to conceal the fact that Patricia O’Connor was dead.
Stephanie O’Connor has pleaded not guilty to disguising herself as Mrs O’Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 at a point in time after her murder on May 29, 2017 in order to conceal the fact that she was already dead.
Mr Johnston has pleaded not guilty to assisting Mr Greene in the purchase of various implements at Woodie’s, Mr Price, B&Q and Shoe Zone, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on June 9, 2017, which were to be used in the concealment of the remains of Mrs O’Connor.
Mr Justice McDermott told the jury that he would “leave over the very last element” of his charge until Monday. It would take “a relatively short time” and they could then retire to consider their verdicts, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--Creche owner where girls allegedly assaulted had wanted ‘male role model’ for children

The owner of a creche where four girls were allegedly sexually assaulted by a childcare worker has said she was unsure if the children were being “ fanciful ” when the allegations first came to light .
The creche owner , who can not be named for legal reasons , gave evidence in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial of the 29-year-old man on Friday .
The man has pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of sexually assaulting the girls between February 2015 and December 2016 .
They were aged between five and eight at the time .
The offences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the creche , including in an afterschool room and a bathroom , as well as on a bus owned by the creche , the court heard .
No parties in the case can be named for legal reasons .
The creche owner told Orla Crowe SC , prosecuting , that the allegations about the man came to light on December 12th , 2016 .
The court heard one girl approached a staff member and said she had heard from a friend that one of the complainants in the case said she had “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privates and then laughed ” .
“ We weren ’ t quite sure how to take it , ” the creche owner said .
She told the court she asked the member of staff to verify with the other child if this is what she had been told by the complainant .
The child confirmed this is what she had been told .
“ At that stage ( the manager ) and I discussed what to do , ” the creche owner said .
“ We were unsure if it was a genuine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being fanciful , talking about such matters .
But we decided to notify the parents of the children involved.
” The parents were notified and the accused man was also told a complaint had been made against him , the court heard .
The following day , the gardaí were notified by one of the child ’ s parents .
The man was suspended from work pending the outcome of the criminal investigation , the creche owner said .
The jury has heard the man started working in the creche in 2013 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ general care and supervision of the children , providing dinner , homework support and “ making sure everybody was okay ” .
He also helped to deliver the children to school and collect them in the creche bus , along with one other colleague .
The man was undertaking formal childcare training but had not completed it in time and was due to be let go from the creche at the end of 2016 due to a tightening in childcare regulations , the court heard .
The court heard that in the summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the complainants contacted the creche manager with a query relating to the man pushing their child off his knee .
The creche owner told the court she was on holidays at the time and heard about it upon her return .
She said the manager said she had a five-minute conversation with the parents and it was just a “ misunderstanding ” .
“ It was to do with ( the man ) pushing ( the child ) off his knee because he was uncomfortable with her trying to sit on his knee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The manager said she explained to the parents that there was a policy relating to afterschool children not sitting on workers ’ knees .
The creche owner confirmed this was part of the creche ’ s interaction policy .
The creche owner agreed with Sean Guerin SC , defending , that when she first employed the man , she felt it would be good to have a male role model in the creche .
“ At the time there was a big push in the sector to recruit more men , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feedback about the man from parents and other staff members in relation to his work .
The trial continues on Monday before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury of seven men and five women .

The creche owner told Orla Crowe SC, prosecuting, that the allegations about the man came to light on December 12th, 2016. File photograph:Frank Miller /The Irish Times
The owner of a creche where four girls were allegedly sexually assaulted by a childcare worker has said she was unsure if the children were being “fanciful” when the allegations first came to light.
The creche owner, who cannot be named for legal reasons, gave evidence in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial of the 29-year-old man on Friday.
The man has pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of sexually assaulting the girls between February 2015 and December 2016. They were aged between five and eight at the time.
The offences allegedly took place in various locations within the creche, including in an afterschool room and a bathroom, as well as on a bus owned by the creche, the court heard. No parties in the case can be named for legal reasons.
READ MORE
The creche owner told Orla Crowe SC, prosecuting, that the allegations about the man came to light on December 12th, 2016.
The court heard one girl approached a staff member and said she had heard from a friend that one of the complainants in the case said she had “kissed (the man) on the privates and then laughed”.
“We weren’t quite sure how to take it,” the creche owner said. She told the court she asked the member of staff to verify with the other child if this is what she had been told by the complainant. The child confirmed this is what she had been told.
“At that stage (the manager) and I discussed what to do,” the creche owner said. “We were unsure if it was a genuine concern or if it was the children being fanciful, talking about such matters. But we decided to notify the parents of the children involved.”
The parents were notified and the accused man was also told a complaint had been made against him, the court heard. The following day, the gardaí were notified by one of the child’s parents.
Suspended from work
The man was suspended from work pending the outcome of the criminal investigation, the creche owner said.
The jury has heard the man started working in the creche in 2013. The creche owner said his duties included general care and supervision of the children, providing dinner, homework support and “making sure everybody was okay”.
He also helped to deliver the children to school and collect them in the creche bus, along with one other colleague.
The man was undertaking formal childcare training but had not completed it in time and was due to be let go from the creche at the end of 2016 due to a tightening in childcare regulations, the court heard.
The court heard that in the summer of 2016, parents of one of the complainants contacted the creche manager with a query relating to the man pushing their child off his knee.
The creche owner told the court she was on holidays at the time and heard about it upon her return. She said the manager said she had a five-minute conversation with the parents and it was just a “misunderstanding”.
“It was to do with (the man) pushing (the child) off his knee because he was uncomfortable with her trying to sit on his knee,” the creche owner said.
The manager said she explained to the parents that there was a policy relating to afterschool children not sitting on workers’ knees. The creche owner confirmed this was part of the creche’s interaction policy.
The creche owner agreed with Sean Guerin SC, defending, that when she first employed the man, she felt it would be good to have a male role model in the creche.
“At the time there was a big push in the sector to recruit more men,” she said. She said she received positive feedback about the man from parents and other staff members in relation to his work.
The trial continues on Monday before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury of seven men and five women.


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--Men held over Kevin Lunney abduction to face additional charge

Four men remanded in custody in connection with the abduction and false imprisonment of Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney last year are to face an additional charge .
Kieran Madigan , State solicitor for Roscommon , told Harristown District Court that the four men would be charged with causing serious harm under Section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act .
The offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment .
The four men were charged with assault causing harm and false imprisonment when they were arrested in November .
Luke O ’ Reilly ( 66 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Co Cavan ; Darren Redmond ( 25 ) , from Caledon Road , East Wall , Dublin and Alan O ’ Brien ( 38 ) , of Shelmalier Road , East Wall , were remanded to appear before Harristown District Court again next Friday .
A fourth defendant , who can not be named for legal reasons , was also remanded to appear before the same sitting .
A book of evidence was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) on January 31st in connection with the case .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remanded in custody for a month when a date would be set to move the case back to Cavan District Court for the additional charge and the serving of the book of evidence .
The maximum period a defendant can be remanded in custody , after an initial hearing , is 15 days unless the defendant and prosecutor consent to a longer period .
Judge James Faughnan was told that none of the four men consented .
Defence solicitor Alan Gannon said the defendants wished for the case to proceed as quickly as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in custody for a week as there is no sitting of the court in a fortnight ’ s time .
Mr Madigan said the DPP has indicated that the matter will proceed by indictment .
Mr Madigan previously told the court outlined that it was a very complex case with more than 1,000 lines of enquiry , 400 statements , extensive CCTV footage and a large amount of phone data .

Four men remanded in custody in connection with the abduction and false imprisonment of Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney (pictured) last year are to face an additional charge. Image: BBC Spotlight.
Four men remanded in custody in connection with the abduction and false imprisonment of Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney last year are to face an additional charge.
Kieran Madigan, State solicitor for Roscommon, told Harristown District Court that the four men would be charged with causing serious harm under Section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. The offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The four men were charged with assault causing harm and false imprisonment when they were arrested in November.
Luke O’Reilly (66), from Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, Co Cavan; Darren Redmond (25), from Caledon Road, East Wall, Dublin and Alan O’Brien (38), of Shelmalier Road, East Wall, were remanded to appear before Harristown District Court again next Friday. A fourth defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also remanded to appear before the same sitting.
READ MORE
A book of evidence was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on January 31st in connection with the case.
Mr Madigan requested that the four men be remanded in custody for a month when a date would be set to move the case back to Cavan District Court for the additional charge and the serving of the book of evidence. The maximum period a defendant can be remanded in custody, after an initial hearing, is 15 days unless the defendant and prosecutor consent to a longer period. Judge James Faughnan was told that none of the four men consented.
Defence solicitor Alan Gannon said the defendants wished for the case to proceed as quickly as possible.
The judge then remanded them in custody for a week as there is no sitting of the court in a fortnight’s time. Mr Madigan said the DPP has indicated that the matter will proceed by indictment.
Mr Madigan previously told the court outlined that it was a very complex case with more than 1,000 lines of enquiry, 400 statements, extensive CCTV footage and a large amount of phone data.


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--Man stalked woman for weeks before climbing into flat armed with hammer

A stalker used a scaffolding pole to climb onto the balcony of a woman ’ s apartment before walking in an open door and assaulting her sleeping flatmate with a hammer , Galway Circuit Criminal Court has heard .
Igor Lewandowski ( 20 ) , of Monasterevin , Co Kildare , and formerly of Dunaras , Bishop O ’ Donnell Road , Galway , was studying electronic engineering at NUI Galway when he became obsessed with Eve McDowell ( 20 ) .
Lewandowski pleaded guilty in November to harassing Ms McDowell at Dún na Coiribe , Headford Road , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10th and May 27th last .
He also pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated burglary by breaking into her apartment on May 27th last , while in possession of a silver claw hammer which he used to assault Ms McDowell ’ s flatmate , Alison Buicke .
The accused , who moved from Poland to Co Kildare with his family 10 years ago , has been refused bail a number of times sinces his arrest .
In a victim impact statement , read into evidence at Lewandowski ’ s sentencing hearing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from night terrors , could not go out alone at night and was continually looking over her shoulder .
“ My trust in everyone , especially men , has been completely destroyed .
This has distorted my view of people ’ s intentions , shattered my confidence and has stripped me of my independence , ” she said .
“ Once my stalker gets out , I will have to leave Galway along with my friends and the life that I have worked so hard to build here .
I won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court process had been long but she encouraged other victims of stalking to contact gardaí .
The court heard that Lewandowski had followed Ms McDowell as she went to and from college , her accommodation , her place of work , when she met friends and went out at night .
Her friends confronted him during a night out but he ran away and hid .
They told him he was easily recognisable because of his hair , eyebrows and beard .
Det Garda Bernard McLoughlin said after that incident , Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 17th and she could see Lewandowski pressed up against a window at her front door .
She became extremely concerned and upset when she realised he had shaved off his beard , eyebrows and hair , and dialled 999 .
Ms McDowell made a statement recounting the stalking and gardaí circulated Lewandowski ’ s details to all Garda units in Galway .
However , he could not be located .
Lewandowski returned to the apartment complex on May 27th armed with a hammer and used a scaffolding pole to reach her first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open door and attacked Ms Buicke as she slept .
She used a duvet to fend off the blows but suffered defensive injuries .
Lewandowski jumped from the balcony when she raised the alarm .
He injured his ankle doing so and was found crawling some 500m away by gardaí , who arrested him .
Det Garda McLoughlin said the accused told him he did not bring his phone to the apartment because it could have been used to trace his movements .
Lewandowski admitted that he calculated the best vantage points in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which to watch her movements and found a spot that afforded him a clear view of her bedroom window .
Det McLoughlin said the accused had several opportunities to speak to Ms McDowell but always ran away when confronted .
Patrick O ’ Sullivan BL , defending , said his client had written a letter of apology to his victims and would undertake to move to college in Dublin and stay away from Galway .
Judge Rory McCabe adjourned sentencing to May 21st to allow Lewandowski to be assessed by a psychiatrist .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ probation reports handed into court did not answer questions regarding the risks posed by the accused in the future .

Igor Ledwandowski (20) pleaded guilty in November to harassing Eve McDowell at Dún na Coiribe, Headford Road, and other locations around Galway between May 10th and May 27th last. Photograph: Hany Marzouk.
A stalker used a scaffolding pole to climb onto the balcony of a woman’s apartment before walking in an open door and assaulting her sleeping flatmate with a hammer, Galway Circuit Criminal Court has heard.
Igor Lewandowski (20), of Monasterevin, Co Kildare, and formerly of Dunaras, Bishop O’Donnell Road, Galway, was studying electronic engineering at NUI Galway when he became obsessed with Eve McDowell (20).
Lewandowski pleaded guilty in November to harassing Ms McDowell at Dún na Coiribe, Headford Road, and at other locations in Galway between May 10th and May 27th last.
He also pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated burglary by breaking into her apartment on May 27th last, while in possession of a silver claw hammer which he used to assault Ms McDowell’s flatmate, Alison Buicke.
READ MORE
The accused, who moved from Poland to Co Kildare with his family 10 years ago, has been refused bail a number of times sinces his arrest.
In a victim impact statement, read into evidence at Lewandowski’s sentencing hearing on Friday, Ms McDowell said she suffered from night terrors, could not go out alone at night and was continually looking over her shoulder.
“My trust in everyone, especially men, has been completely destroyed. This has distorted my view of people’s intentions, shattered my confidence and has stripped me of my independence,” she said.
‘Won’t feel safe
“Once my stalker gets out, I will have to leave Galway along with my friends and the life that I have worked so hard to build here. I won’t feel safe here.”
Ms McDowell said the court process had been long but she encouraged other victims of stalking to contact gardaí.
The court heard that Lewandowski had followed Ms McDowell as she went to and from college, her accommodation, her place of work, when she met friends and went out at night. Her friends confronted him during a night out but he ran away and hid. They told him he was easily recognisable because of his hair, eyebrows and beard.
Det Garda Bernard McLoughlin said after that incident, Ms McDowell’s doorbell rang early on May 17th and she could see Lewandowski pressed up against a window at her front door. She became extremely concerned and upset when she realised he had shaved off his beard, eyebrows and hair, and dialled 999.
Ms McDowell made a statement recounting the stalking and gardaí circulated Lewandowski’s details to all Garda units in Galway. However, he could not be located.
Lewandowski returned to the apartment complex on May 27th armed with a hammer and used a scaffolding pole to reach her first floor balcony. He entered through an open door and attacked Ms Buicke as she slept. She used a duvet to fend off the blows but suffered defensive injuries.
Crawling
Lewandowski jumped from the balcony when she raised the alarm. He injured his ankle doing so and was found crawling some 500m away by gardaí, who arrested him.
Det Garda McLoughlin said the accused told him he did not bring his phone to the apartment because it could have been used to trace his movements.
Lewandowski admitted that he calculated the best vantage points in the complex where Ms McDowell lived from which to watch her movements and found a spot that afforded him a clear view of her bedroom window.
Det McLoughlin said the accused had several opportunities to speak to Ms McDowell but always ran away when confronted.
Patrick O’Sullivan BL, defending, said his client had written a letter of apology to his victims and would undertake to move to college in Dublin and stay away from Galway.
Judge Rory McCabe adjourned sentencing to May 21st to allow Lewandowski to be assessed by a psychiatrist. He said issues raised in psychological and probation reports handed into court did not answer questions regarding the risks posed by the accused in the future.


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--More than 25 people to sue over circulation of images taken at Dublin Garda station

More than 25 people intend to sue over the circulation on social media of images containing their names and photographs on a Garda notice board .
The actions arise out of claims that a person , believed to be a contractor employed by the Garda , was permitted access to a room in Kilmainham Garda station in March 2019 which contained briefing bulletins .
It is claimed one bulletin displayed various details , including photographs of their faces , names and addresses .
They claim they were described on the bulletin boards as being active criminals from Ballyfermot/Labre Park or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim they have either no convictions or very minor ones , meaning that they could not be described as criminals or active criminals .
Some of the applicants were in their late teens when the images were circulated .
They also claim they were photographed alongside multiple notorious criminals involved in murderous feuding , an Islamic extremist , and a convicted sex offender .
It is claimed the contractor took pictures of the bulletin boards and circulated the photographs on a Whatsapp group and online .
As a result , the 25 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defamation , breach of privacy and breach of the Data Protection Act , against the Garda Commissioner and the contractor .
Applications in respect of their intended claims came before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds at the High Court on Friday .
Following an application by Mark Lynam BL , for more than 20 of the applicants , the judge made an order requiring the Commissioner provide them with the name and address of the person who photographed the bulletin boards at Kilmainham Garda station in March 2019 .
The order was made on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conor Power SC , and includes an undertaking by the applicants not to use the contractor ’ s details other than to pursue their claims .
The order was sought to allow the applicants bring their actions against the contractor .
It was claimed his name and address had been in the possession of the Commissioner but , despite several requests for those details , the Commissioner failed to provide them .
An order was made last year directing the Commissioner to provide another person suing over the circulation of the photographs with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hoped the Commissioner would co-operate in respect of the other persons who wish to bring proceedings .
When that did not happen , the other intended litigants had no option but to seek an order aimed at compelling the Commissioner to provide them with the contractor ’ s details .
There was a high degree of urgency in the matter as applicants suing for defamation need to bring their claims within 12 months of the pictures being published , Mr Lynam submitted .
Earlier this week , the High Court granted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their application for such an order against the Commissioner .
When the matter returned before Ms Justice Reynolds on Friday , she was told the matter had been resolved .

Claimants say they were described on the Garda bulletin boards as being active criminals.
More than 25 people intend to sue over the circulation on social media of images containing their names and photographs on a Garda notice board.
The actions arise out of claims that a person, believed to be a contractor employed by the Garda, was permitted access to a room in Kilmainham Garda station in March 2019 which contained briefing bulletins.
It is claimed one bulletin displayed various details, including photographs of their faces, names and addresses.
They claim they were described on the bulletin boards as being active criminals from Ballyfermot/Labre Park or criminals from Kilmainham and Inchicore.
READ MORE
They claim they have either no convictions or very minor ones, meaning that they could not be described as criminals or active criminals.
Some of the applicants were in their late teens when the images were circulated.
They also claim they were photographed alongside multiple notorious criminals involved in murderous feuding, an Islamic extremist, and a convicted sex offender.
It is claimed the contractor took pictures of the bulletin boards and circulated the photographs on a Whatsapp group and online.
As a result, the 25 people intend to bring proceedings, including alleging defamation, breach of privacy and breach of the Data Protection Act, against the Garda Commissioner and the contractor.
Applications in respect of their intended claims came before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds at the High Court on Friday.
Following an application by Mark Lynam BL, for more than 20 of the applicants, the judge made an order requiring the Commissioner provide them with the name and address of the person who photographed the bulletin boards at Kilmainham Garda station in March 2019.
On consent
The order was made on consent by the Commissioner, represented by Conor Power SC, and includes an undertaking by the applicants not to use the contractor’s details other than to pursue their claims.
The order was sought to allow the applicants bring their actions against the contractor.
It was claimed his name and address had been in the possession of the Commissioner but, despite several requests for those details, the Commissioner failed to provide them.
An order was made last year directing the Commissioner to provide another person suing over the circulation of the photographs with the contractor’s details and it was hoped the Commissioner would co-operate in respect of the other persons who wish to bring proceedings.
When that did not happen, the other intended litigants had no option but to seek an order aimed at compelling the Commissioner to provide them with the contractor’s details.
There was a high degree of urgency in the matter as applicants suing for defamation need to bring their claims within 12 months of the pictures being published, Mr Lynam submitted.
Earlier this week, the High Court granted the applicants permission to serve short notice of their application for such an order against the Commissioner.
When the matter returned before Ms Justice Reynolds on Friday, she was told the matter had been resolved.


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--L’Arche report says founder sexually abused six women

L ’ Arche International , which assists people with intellectual disabilities and has four centres in Ireland , said on Saturday that an inquiry it commissioned last year into allegations of sex abuse carried out by its late founder Jean Vanier had “ received credible and consistent testimonies from six ... women without disabilities , covering the period from 1970 to 2005 ” .
Vanier died last May aged 90 .
L ’ Arche has more than 10,000 members in 149 communities in 39 countries worldwide .
It has four communities in Dublin , Belfast , Cork and Kilkenny , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for .
It also provides day services to more than 100 others here .
L ’ Arche International said “ the women each reported that Jean Vanier initiated sexual relations with them , usually in the context of spiritual accompaniment .
“ Although they had no prior knowledge of each other ’ s experiences , these women reported similar facts associated with highly unusual spiritual or mystical explanations used to justify these behaviours .
“ The relationships were found to be manipulative and emotionally abusive , and had a significant negative impact on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ These actions are indicative of a deep psychological and spiritual hold Jean Vanier had on these women and confirm his own adoption of some of Father Thomas Philippe ’ s deviant theories and practices.
” In its statement on Saturday , L ’ Arche International stressed “ the inquiry found no suggestion that Jean Vanier had inappropriate relationships with people with intellectual disabilities ” .
The inquiry into L ’ Arche founder Jean Vanier was undertaken by UK-based GCPS Consulting , which “ specialises in helping organisations ensure the safety of children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , L ’ Arche International ’ s leaders Stephan Posner and Stacy Cates Carney said they were “ shocked by these discoveries and unreservedly condemn these actions , which are in total contradiction with the values Jean Vanier claimed and are incompatible with the basic rules of respect and integrity of persons , and contrary to the fundamental principles on which L ’ Arche is based .
“ We recognise the courage and suffering of these women , and of those who may remain silent .
We also want to express our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few years ago , broke the silence about Father Thomas Philippe and thus helped others to speak out about the undue burden of shame and pain .
Because these events took place in the context of L ’ Arche and some were brought about by our founder ; to all of you , we ask forgiveness ” .
It was emphasised that L ’ Arche was “ committed to making sure that its ... communities across the world are places of safety and growth for all its members , with and without disabilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a thorough and independent evaluation of safeguarding [ and ] wellbeing policies and procedures .
“ In addition to the safeguarding and wellbeing regulations , already existing throughout its federation , L ’ Arche International has created a commission , composed in part of people from outside its organisation , to allow all its members to speak out and to follow-up on any reports in complete confidentiality.
” In a separate statement , L ’ Arche Ireland and Northern Ireland paid “ tribute to the women who gave us their testimony and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This inquiry is being taken with the utmost seriousness by our international organisation to better understand its history and improve all safeguarding procedures and policies .
“ We will be working with them to implement any recommendations that arise from the process.
” It was emphasised that what had emerged “ in no way reflects the ethos or operations , current or historical of L ’ Arche in Ireland , Northern Ireland or in any part of L ’ Arche International .
Our utmost priority is the safety and welfare of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support them through this news .
“ L ’ Arche has undertaken a thorough review of well-established and recognised safeguarding policies and procedures across Ireland and Northern Ireland .
We remain fully focused on our mission to ensure all community members realise their full potential.
” Fr Thomas Philippe , a Dominican priest who died in 1993 , was Vanier ’ s mentor and spiritual director .

L’Arche International, which assists people with intellectual disabilities and has four centres in Ireland, was founded by Jean Vanier. Photograph: Getty Images.
Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has described as "particularly reprehensible" the actions of the late L'Arche founder Jean Vanier after a report found Vanier had sexually abused six women.
L'Arche International, which assists people with intellectual disabilities and has four centres in Ireland, said on Saturday an inquiry it commissioned last year into allegations of sex abuse carried out by Vanier had "received credible and consistent testimonies from six . . . women without disabilities, covering the period from 1970 to 2005".
Expressing “great sympathy with those who were inspired to genuine caring in the L’Arche movement”, Archbishop Martin said: “I appreciate their disillusionment and encourage them to keep alive the extraordinary witness they give. We all have an obligation to be at their side at this moment of sadness.”
He continued: “Naturally I think of those who have been exploited and abused sexually. The abuse is particularly reprehensible in that it took place in the context of spiritual guidance and seemingly used false spiritual motivation to justify abuse.
READ MORE
“Those women who came forward showed courage and have rendered a real service to saving the integrity of the L’Arche movement and its care for those with special needs and disabilities.”
Spiritual accompaniment
Vanier died last May aged 90. L'Arche has more than 10,000 members in 149 communities in 39 countries worldwide. It has four communities in Dublin, Belfast, Cork and Kilkenny, where up to 60 people are cared for. It also provides day services to more than 100 others here.
L’Arche International said “the women each reported that Jean Vanier initiated sexual relations with them, usually in the context of spiritual accompaniment.
“Although they had no prior knowledge of each other’s experiences, these women reported similar facts associated with highly unusual spiritual or mystical explanations used to justify these behaviours.
“The relationships were found to be manipulative and emotionally abusive, and had a significant negative impact on their personal lives and subsequent relationships.
“These actions are indicative of a deep psychological and spiritual hold Jean Vanier had on these women and confirm his own adoption of some of Father Thomas Philippe’s deviant theories and practices.”
Fr Philippe, a Dominican priest who died in 1993, was Vanier’s mentor and spiritual director.
In 2015 Fr Philippe was found by a Catholic Church investigation to have sexually abused 14 women, many of them associated with the L’Arche community, with some incidents back to the 1970s. It is understood that no people with disabilities were abused.
In its statement on Saturday, L’Arche International stressed “the inquiry found no suggestion that Jean Vanier had inappropriate relationships with people with intellectual disabilities”.
The inquiry into L’Arche founder Jean Vanier was undertaken by UK-based GCPS Consulting, which “specialises in helping organisations ensure the safety of children and other vulnerable groups”.
‘Shocked’
On Saturday, L'Arche International's leaders Stephan Posner and Stacy Cates Carney said they were "shocked by these discoveries and unreservedly condemn these actions, which are in total contradiction with the values Jean Vanier claimed and are incompatible with the basic rules of respect and integrity of persons, and contrary to the fundamental principles on which L'Arche is based.
"We recognise the courage and suffering of these women, and of those who may remain silent. We also want to express our gratitude to the women who, a few years ago, broke the silence about Father Thomas Philippe and thus helped others to speak out about the undue burden of shame and pain. Because these events took place in the context of L'Arche and some were brought about by our founder; to all of you, we ask forgiveness".
It was emphasised that L’Arche was “committed to making sure that its...communities across the world are places of safety and growth for all its members, with and without disabilities”.
It has undertaken to conduct “a thorough and independent evaluation of safeguarding [and] wellbeing policies and procedures.
“In addition to the safeguarding and wellbeing regulations, already existing throughout its federation, L’Arche International has created a commission, composed in part of people from outside its organisation, to allow all its members to speak out and to follow-up on any reports in complete confidentiality.”
L’Arche Ireland
In a separate statement, L'Arche Ireland and Northern Ireland paid "tribute to the women who gave us their testimony and our thoughts very much remain with them. This inquiry is being taken with the utmost seriousness by our international organisation to better understand its history and improve all safeguarding procedures and policies.
“We will be working with them to implement any recommendations that arise from the process.”
It was emphasised that what had emerged “in no way reflects the ethos or operations, current or historical of L’Arche in Ireland, Northern Ireland or in any part of L’Arche International. Our utmost priority is the safety and welfare of all our community members, and we will support them through this news.
“L’Arche has undertaken a thorough review of well-established and recognised safeguarding policies and procedures across Ireland and Northern Ireland. We remain fully focused on our mission to ensure all community members realise their full potential.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary under fire for comments on Muslim men

Ryanair chief executive Michael O ’ Leary is facing criticism after he was quoted as claiming terrorists “ will generally be males of a Muslim persuasion ” .
He has subesquently apologised “ for any offence caused ” .
The outspoken airline boss ’ s comments have been branded “ very irresponsible ” by the Islamic Centre of Ireland .
The 58-year-old told the Times newspaper that families with young children should be waved through airport security because there was “ virtually ” zero chance of them being bombers .
“ Who are the bombers ?
They are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ If you are travelling with a family of kids , on you go ; the chances you are going to blow them all up is zero.
” He added : “ You can ’ t say stuff , because it ’ s racism , but it will generally be males of a Muslim persuasion .
Thirty years ago it was the Irish .
“ If that is where the threat is coming from , deal with the threat.
” On Saturday morning , referring to the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The headline in today ’ s paper is simply inaccurate .
No call for extra checks on any group or persons was made .
“ Michael was only calling for more effective airport security checks which would do away with much of the unnecessary queues at airport security today for all passengers .
He apologises sincerely for any offence caused to any group by today ’ s inaccurate headline.
” Earlier , the Head Imam of the Islamic Centre of Ireland , Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri , said : “ In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the right , to give general statements like this is disappointing because it tarnishes the whole community and justifies racism and discrimination against the community , ” he said .
“ Terrorism is not only confined to one community .
We find extremist elements in every community - recently a white German killed nine innocent people in Germany .
“ I ’ m a frequent traveller .
I fly frequently with Aer Lingus and Ryanair .
Already as Muslims , particularly single men , we have to go through many checks when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on for a number of years .
At the moment , I ’ m not calling for a boycott of the airline .
Hopefully , if he clarifies his comments there will be no need for that.
” Meanwhile , a spokeswoman for the Muslim Council of Britain said : “ Michael O ’ Leary should be under no illusion : his comments are racist and discriminatory .
“ He openly advocates discrimination against ‘ males of a Muslim persuasion ’ , which presumably is not based on specific intelligence but solely whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muslim ’ .
“ This is the very definition of Islamophobia.
” The spokeswoman said Muslims already face challenges in airline travel and added : “ It is a shame that such racism is being expressed so openly , and that the CEO of a large airline would so want to discriminate against his customers so brazenly.
” Meanwhile , British Labour MP Khalid Mahmood said Mr O ’ Leary was “ encouraging racism ” .
“ If he can tell me what colour Muslims are then I ’ d be very happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t judge a book by its cover , ” he told the Times .
He added : “ In Germany this week a white person killed eight people .
“ Should we profile white people to see if they ’ re being fascists ?
He ’ s being very blinkered and is actually encouraging racism.
” Mr O ’ Leary ’ s remarks came the day after a white female Muslim convert admitted plotting a suicide bomb attack on St Paul ’ s Cathedral in London .
Safiyya Amira Shaikh ( 36 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Islam in 2007 and is believed to have become radicalised in 2015 after following extremists online .
The airline chief is no stranger to controversial remarks , particularly his comments on environmentalists and travel agents , using the phrase “ shoot them ” in reference to both .
He has also famously proposed coin-operated toilets on flights and dressed up as the pope to launch Ryanair ’ s route from Dublin to Rome .
- PA/Bloomberg

The Muslim Council of Britain has criticised Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary for his remarks. File photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary is facing criticism after he was quoted as claiming terrorists “will generally be males of a Muslim persuasion”. He has subsequently apologised “for any offence caused”.
The outspoken airline boss’s comments have been branded “very irresponsible” by the Islamic Centre of Ireland.
The 58-year-old told the Times newspaper that families with young children should be waved through airport security because there was “virtually” zero chance of them being bombers.
“Who are the bombers? They are going to be single males travelling on their own,” he said.
READ MORE
“If you are travelling with a family of kids, on you go; the chances you are going to blow them all up is zero.”
He added: “You can’t say stuff, because it’s racism, but it will generally be males of a Muslim persuasion. Thirty years ago it was the Irish.
“If that is where the threat is coming from, deal with the threat.”
Apology
On Saturday morning, referring to the story in the Times, Ryanair said: “The headline in today’s paper is simply inaccurate. No call for extra checks on any group or persons was made.
“Michael was only calling for more effective airport security checks which would do away with much of the unnecessary queues at airport security today for all passengers. He apologises sincerely for any offence caused to any group by today’s inaccurate headline.”
The Dublin City Interfaith Forum (DCIF) has condemned “unreservedly, and with one unified voice” comments by Mr O’Leary that terrorists “will generally be males of a Muslim persuasion”. He subsequently apologised “for any offence caused”. The DCIF represents people from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Baha’i, and Sikh, religions in the city
The DCIF said his comments only served “to fuel an atmosphere already rife with unjustified anti-Islamic feeling and Islamophobia”.
In a statement it said such “racial and religious profiling condemns and tarnishes a whole community for the actions of a few, and is by its very nature racist and discriminatory. O’Leary’s comments suggesting that Muslim males should be singled out by security at airports only serves to fuel an atmosphere already rife with unjustified anti-Islamic feeling and Islamophobia.”
The DCIF called on all public persons, with an audience for their words and statements, “to moderate their language, and to be mindful of the harm that they can do with careless and racist comments”.
There was “no place for the kind of racist and inflammatory language used by O’Leary in civilised public life” it said, and hoped Mr O’Leary would “reflect and learn from this shameful incident.”
He should, the DCIF said, “make some kind of real gesture to indicate that he has learned from his careless speech.”
In the current climate it was “more important than ever that the kind of language and opinions voiced by O’Leary are challenged, condemned and widely acknowledged as being unacceptable,” it said.
The statement concluded with an offer of “support and solidarity to our Irish Muslim brothers and sisters at this time, and to all the fine Muslim citizens that count Ireland as their home”. It said it would “never remain silent in the face of such racism and bigotry”
Current climate
Earlier, the Head Imam of the Islamic Centre of Ireland, Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, said: “In the current climate of anti-Muslim sentiment and Islamophobia on the right, to give general statements like this is disappointing because it tarnishes the whole community and justifies racism and discrimination against the community.
“Terrorism is not only confined to one community. We find extremist elements in every community – recently a white German killed nine innocent people in Germany.
“I’m a frequent traveller. I fly frequently with Aer Lingus and Ryanair. Already as Muslims, particularly single men, we have to go through many checks when we travel. This has been going on for a number of years. At the moment, I’m not calling for a boycott of the airline. Hopefully, if he clarifies his comments there will be no need for that.”
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Muslim Council of Britain said: “Michael O’Leary should be under no illusion: his comments are racist and discriminatory.
“He openly advocates discrimination against ‘males of a Muslim persuasion’, which presumably is not based on specific intelligence but solely whether someone ‘looks or acts like a Muslim’.
“This is the very definition of Islamophobia.”
The spokeswoman said Muslims already face challenges in airline travel and added: “It is a shame that such racism is being expressed so openly, and that the CEO of a large airline would so want to discriminate against his customers so brazenly.”
Book covers
Meanwhile, British Labour MP Khalid Mahmood said Mr O’Leary was “encouraging racism”.
“If he can tell me what colour Muslims are then I’d be very happy to learn from him – you can’t judge a book by its cover,” he told the Times.
He added: “In Germany this week a white person killed eight people.
“Should we profile white people to see if they’re being fascists? He’s being very blinkered and is actually encouraging racism.”
Mr O’Leary’s remarks came the day after a white female Muslim convert admitted plotting a suicide bomb attack on St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Safiyya Amira Shaikh (36) was born Michelle Ramsden but converted to Islam in 2007 and is believed to have become radicalised in 2015 after following extremists online.
The airline chief is no stranger to controversial remarks, particularly his comments on environmentalists and travel agents, using the phrase “shoot them” in reference to both.
He has also famously proposed coin-operated toilets on flights and dressed up as the pope to launch Ryanair’s route from Dublin to Rome. – Additional reporting PA/Bloomberg


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--Man arrested after shooting rifle in direction of gardaí in Co Donegal

A man in his early 20s has been arrested after shooting a rifle in the direction of gardaí in Glenties @ @ @ @ @ night .
Gardaí were called to Mill Road shortly after midnight following reports of shots @ @ @ @ @ with a rifle .
During a brief stand-off the man shot in the direction of @ @ @ @ @ car but not injuring anyone .
The man was apprehended by armed gardaí and taken @ @ @ @ @ A rifle , a hunting knife and a number of rounds of ammunition were seized @ @ @ @ @ at a house on Main Street , Glenties , a second firearm was seized and @ @ @ @ @ 20s and 40s , were arrested and taken to Ballyshannon Garda Station for questioning .
@ @ @ @ @ Garda press office said no shots were fired by gardaí during the incident and there @ @ @ @ @ any injuries .

During a brief stand-off the man shot in the direction of gardaí, hitting a patrol car but not injuring anyone. Stock photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images.
A man in his early 20s has been arrested after shooting a rifle in the direction of gardaí in Glenties, Co Donegal on Friday night.
Gardaí were called to Mill Road shortly after midnight following reports of shots being fired by a man with a rifle.
During a brief stand-off the man shot in the direction of gardaí, hitting a patrol car but not injuring anyone.
The man was apprehended by armed gardaí and taken to Ballyshannon Garda Station. A rifle, a hunting knife and a number of rounds of ammunition were seized.
READ MORE
During a follow-up search at a house on Main Street, Glenties, a second firearm was seized and two men, in their 20s and 40s, were arrested and taken to Ballyshannon Garda Station for questioning.
A statement released by the Garda press office said no shots were fired by gardaí during the incident and there have been no reports of any injuries.


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--Teenager arrested after three-day barricade incident in Co Donegal

A teenager has been arrested in Co Donegal after he barricaded himself into a house in Letterkenny over three days with a shotgun and ammunition .
Nobody else was in the house at the time of the incident , which started around 5pm on Wednesday .
It was resolved peacefully at around 12.30am on Saturday .
Gardaí followed protocols for a barricade incident , with the Garda Emergency Response Unit intervening .
Uniform and plain clothes gardaí , crisis negotiators and the armed support unit all assisted in “ containing the incident , preserving life and beinging the incident to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement said .
Consultant psychiatrists , the central mental hospital in Dundrum , Tusla staff and Adolescent Mental Health Services are working with family and the wider community .
The teenager is receiving medical assessment at a Garda Station in Co Donegal .
A media blackout had been observed during the incident at the request of gardaí .
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said he was pleased the incident had concluded peacefully .
“ I want to commend all the members of An Garda Siochana , the other dedicated public service professionals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who worked tirelessly for the past two days to successfully resolve a sensitive incident in Donegal and bring matters to a safe conclusion , ” Mr Flanagan said .
“ The outcome is a testament to the professionalism and expertise of all those involved .
I also want to express my gratitude to the media for their responsible attitude and cooperation with the authorities during the incident .
”

Gardaí followed protocols for a barricade incident, with the Garda Emergency Response Unit intervening. File photograph: Cyril Byrne
A teenager has been arrested in Co Donegal after he barricaded himself into a house in Letterkenny over three days with a shotgun and ammunition.
Nobody else was in the house at the time of the incident, which started around 5pm on Wednesday.
It was resolved peacefully at around 12.30am on Saturday.
Gardaí followed protocols for a barricade incident, with the Garda Emergency Response Unit intervening.
READ MORE
Uniform and plain clothes gardaí, crisis negotiators and the armed support unit all assisted in “containing the incident, preserving life and beinging the incident to a peaceful conclusion”, a Garda statement said.
Consultant psychiatrists, the central mental hospital in Dundrum, Tusla staff and Adolescent Mental Health Services are working with family and the wider community.
The teenager is receiving medical assessment at a Garda Station in Co Donegal.
A media blackout had been observed during the incident at the request of gardaí.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said he was pleased the incident had concluded peacefully.
“I want to commend all the members of An Garda Siochana, the other dedicated public service professionals, along with vital family and community support who worked tirelessly for the past two days to successfully resolve a sensitive incident in Donegal and bring matters to a safe conclusion,” Mr Flanagan said.
“The outcome is a testament to the professionalism and expertise of all those involved. I also want to express my gratitude to the media for their responsible attitude and cooperation with the authorities during the incident.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--162 students have competed in the 2020 Irish Times Debate

Irish students have always approached competitive debating in a slightly different way from the rest of the world .
Our best speakers are gifted in combining facts and logic with wit and charm .
However , in recent years , there has been a drift towards a more international style .
University debates increasingly reward a more impersonal approach , with many speakers placing the emphasis on beating their opponents rather than on trying to convince the audience .
That tendency was evident in several exchanges in the recent general election campaign , with some political leaders concentrating more on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than on engaging in constructive debate about policy .
As convenors this year , we have tried to ensure that The Irish Times competition continues to uphold the uniquely Irish style of debating .
We have worked hard to build on the 60-year legacy of the competition by ensuring the motions before the competitors keep up with political , social and economic change and give them a chance to deploy all their skills .
Participants in the heats and semi-finals in recent months have discussed issues ranging from the morality of ecoterrorism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Possibly the most heated debate was on the motion “ This house would open up GAA grounds to other sports.
” Being able to watch the current crop of students so brilliantly engage with our debates , while also upholding the highest standards of rhetorical skill , has been incredibly rewarding , and is a great source of optimism for the future of Irish debating , both in universities and in society at large .
This year ’ s competition kicked off in October , with 162 third-level students bidding to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two , they faced off in the debating chambers of universities throughout the country , including Queens University Belfast , University College Cork , and University College Dublin .
Four semi-finals , each producing one team and one individual winner , were held earlier this month to decide the finalists .
None of these debates would have been possible without the help of debating societies who agreed to host us , including the Literary & Debating Society in NUI Maynooth , the Solicitors Apprentice Debating Society of Ireland , and the Law Society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are judged by former winners and competitors who give up their afternoons and evenings without any financial reward .
The competition truly relies on their fondness for the debate .
We are eternally grateful for their time , and their help in choosing the best speakers from each debate , often an unenviable task .
The most difficult experience as a non-competitor is hearing the judges ’ call and seeing the speakers ’ reactions .
Many are third- and fourth-year students , on their last chance to reach the final .
For those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their only comfort is that others have been through the same before .
For those who go through , the relief and joy at finally getting their chance in the final quickly turns to nervous anticipation .
The grand final will be held on Friday , February 28th at 7pm in the The Public Theatre , Trinity College Dublin .
The motion is : “ This house believes that the Irish criminal justice system is too weak on crime.
” Speakers will compete for the Demosthenes Trophy for best team , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A spot on a month-long tour of the US for the three winning speakers acts as further incentive and serves to make the competition one of the most prestigious in the world .
We look forward to seeing who will make their mark on the long history of this incredible competition this year .

Darren O’Reilly (opposition) and Sylvia Julius (proposition) during The Irish Times Debate 2020 semi-final at Maynooth University. The motion was: ‘this house believes that eco-terrorism is morally justified’. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Irish students have always approached competitive debating in a slightly different way from the rest of the world. Our best speakers are gifted in combining facts and logic with wit and charm.
However, in recent years, there has been a drift towards a more international style. University debates increasingly reward a more impersonal approach, with many speakers placing the emphasis on beating their opponents rather than on trying to convince the audience.
That tendency was evident in several exchanges in the recent general election campaign, with some political leaders concentrating more on scoring political victories and creating viral soundbites rather than on engaging in constructive debate about policy.
As convenors this year, we have tried to ensure that The Irish Times competition continues to uphold the uniquely Irish style of debating. We have worked hard to build on the 60-year legacy of the competition by ensuring the motions before the competitors keep up with political, social and economic change and give them a chance to deploy all their skills.
READ MORE
Rhetorical skill
Participants in the heats and semi-finals in recent months have discussed issues ranging from the morality of ecoterrorism to the recent controversy over State commemorations. Possibly the most heated debate was on the motion “This house would open up GAA grounds to other sports.”
Being able to watch the current crop of students so brilliantly engage with our debates, while also upholding the highest standards of rhetorical skill, has been incredibly rewarding, and is a great source of optimism for the future of Irish debating, both in universities and in society at large.
This year’s competition kicked off in October, with 162 third-level students bidding to be crowned champions.
Paired into teams of two, they faced off in the debating chambers of universities throughout the country, including Queens University Belfast, University College Cork, and University College Dublin. Four semi-finals, each producing one team and one individual winner, were held earlier this month to decide the finalists.
None of these debates would have been possible without the help of debating societies who agreed to host us, including the Literary & Debating Society in NUI Maynooth, the Solicitors Apprentice Debating Society of Ireland, and the Law Society in University College Cork.
The debates are judged by former winners and competitors who give up their afternoons and evenings without any financial reward. The competition truly relies on their fondness for the debate. We are eternally grateful for their time, and their help in choosing the best speakers from each debate, often an unenviable task.
Last chance
The most difficult experience as a non-competitor is hearing the judges’ call and seeing the speakers’ reactions. Many are third- and fourth-year students, on their last chance to reach the final. For those who don’t make it, their only comfort is that others have been through the same before. For those who go through, the relief and joy at finally getting their chance in the final quickly turns to nervous anticipation.
The grand final will be held on Friday, February 28th at 7pm in the The Public Theatre, Trinity College Dublin. The motion is: "This house believes that the Irish criminal justice system is too weak on crime." Speakers will compete for the Demosthenes Trophy for best team, and the Christina Murphy Memorial Trophy for best individual.
A spot on a month-long tour of the US for the three winning speakers acts as further incentive and serves to make the competition one of the most prestigious in the world.
We look forward to seeing who will make their mark on the long history of this incredible competition this year.