theirishtimes--2020-04-25--Cocooning from coronavirus: ‘The spring is coming out of my step’

After initial uncertainty , retired school teacher Mary Hanrahan is feeling safe and content in her cocoon .
The widowed mother of three , who is in her mid 80s , is originally from Listowel , Co Kerry , but now lives in an apartment in Blackrock , Co Dublin .
“ I bought it some years back with the idea that I would move up here eventually , ” she says .
“ I have no mortgage .
I feel I am very lucky that at my age I am in a comfortable , quiet place.
” The back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a communal garden reminiscent of Versailles that , as a neighbour explains , has won an award for urban gardening .
Sitting on her terrace , Hanrahan recalls feeling fearful when Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on March 27th that over-70s should stay indoors to limit the risk of infection during this phase of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ I thought , ‘ Well this is it .
This has come to take me ’ .
It was the first thing that struck me , that if I got this I couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk to my son about cremation , that we had a plot and so on , ” Hanrahan says .
Four weeks on , however , she feels less anxious .
“ Now , staying in feels so safe .
I love reading and I have the family calling me ; I have the groceries delivered.
” That love of reading is sustaining Hanrahan , though it is more tiring now as her eyesight has deteriorated .
She still likes to leaf through her old copy of the school poetry book Soundings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Listowel .
“ I am a country girl at heart , ” she says .
“ I like a quiet life and I am very happy where I have ended up living.
” Though she likes French wine , it does not “ suit ” her recently and instead , occasionally , she has a hot whiskey .
She tries to force her worries to the back of her mind .
“ The only thing I want to get rid of now is the feeling we are just waiting .
What are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions ] end , I feel this virus is going to be around for quite a while .
We will have to get used to the idea that we will be confined .
Nobody knows for how long .
You could give way to depression , so I try to live in the present and be grateful that I am so blessed.
” Across the city , in Bulfin , Inchicore , Jimmy Hughes ( 72 ) is reluctantly cocooning .
He is a former painter and decorator , divorced with two children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hughes was born with spina bifida .
He grew up in Fatima Mansions and , having completed primary education in Rialto , went straight to work .
Since retiring in 2005 , he has stayed active .
“ In the local family resource centre we have a men ’ s group on Mondays , ” he says .
Before the pandemic he would go to the local Men ’ s Shed on Tuesdays and “ the old age breakfast on Wednesday mornings ” .
Thursday mornings he attended a men ’ s health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a computer course .
“ They were all free and now all gone .
Everything .
Life just stopped , ” he says .
About three days a week , after his groups , he would meet a friend for “ a pint of Guinness and be home by teatime .
“ I never drink in the house , ” Hughes says .
He phones friends regularly .
“ But it ’ s not the same as having face-to-face banter in a group , ” he sighs .
His daughter is his only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ m reading Ireland ’ s Own .
Its centenary issues are very good .
That , watching TV and the laptop .
That ’ s the extent of my world.
” Hughes lives on the State pension of €237 a week and pays weekly rent of €35 .
While he is spending less at the moment , he does worry about money .
“ You cut your cloth , ” he says .
He is maintaining his routine : getting to bed by 11.30pm , waking at 6.30am and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am still the same but I am becoming indecisive .
I am leaving things to tomorrow and that was never my way .
I was always : ‘ Get up and do it now .
Get it done ’ , ” he says .
“ I know in my own heart and soul the spring is coming out of my step .
I am feeling defeated by the lockdown , the lack of company .
The whole world is stopped for me .
“ The weeks were flying in from Christmas to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours in the day .
Now , there ’ s too many hours .
”

Mary Hanrahan: ‘I try to live in the present and be grateful that I am so blessed.’ Photograph: Tom Honan
After initial uncertainty, retired school teacher Mary Hanrahan is feeling safe and content in her cocoon.
The widowed mother of three, who is in her mid 80s, is originally from Listowel, Co Kerry, but now lives in an apartment in Blackrock, Co Dublin.
“I bought it some years back with the idea that I would move up here eventually,” she says. “I have no mortgage. I feel I am very lucky that at my age I am in a comfortable, quiet place.”
The back of her ground-floor apartment opens on to a communal garden reminiscent of Versailles that, as a neighbour explains, has won an award for urban gardening.
READ MORE
Sitting on her terrace, Hanrahan recalls feeling fearful when Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on March 27th that over-70s should stay indoors to limit the risk of infection during this phase of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I thought, ‘Well this is it. This has come to take me’. It was the first thing that struck me, that if I got this I couldn’t expect to survive. I began to talk to my son about cremation, that we had a plot and so on,” Hanrahan says.
Staying in feels so safe. I love reading and I have the family calling me; I have the groceries delivered
Four weeks on, however, she feels less anxious.
“Now, staying in feels so safe. I love reading and I have the family calling me; I have the groceries delivered.”
That love of reading is sustaining Hanrahan, though it is more tiring now as her eyesight has deteriorated.
She still likes to leaf through her old copy of the school poetry book Soundings, from her days teaching at Presentation Convent, Listowel.
“I am a country girl at heart,” she says. “I like a quiet life and I am very happy where I have ended up living.”
Though she likes French wine, it does not “suit” her recently and instead, occasionally, she has a hot whiskey. She tries to force her worries to the back of her mind.
“The only thing I want to get rid of now is the feeling we are just waiting. What are we waiting for? Even if [restrictions] end, I feel this virus is going to be around for quite a while. We will have to get used to the idea that we will be confined. Nobody knows for how long. You could give way to depression, so I try to live in the present and be grateful that I am so blessed.”
‘Life just stopped’
Across the city, in Bulfin, Inchicore, Jimmy Hughes (72) is reluctantly cocooning. He is a former painter and decorator, divorced with two children, and a social housing tenant.
Hughes was born with spina bifida. He grew up in Fatima Mansions and, having completed primary education in Rialto, went straight to work. Since retiring in 2005, he has stayed active.
Jimmy Hughes: ‘The spring is coming out of my step.’ Photograph: Tom Honan
“In the local family resource centre we have a men’s group on Mondays,” he says.
Before the pandemic he would go to the local Men’s Shed on Tuesdays and “the old age breakfast on Wednesday mornings”. Thursday mornings he attended a men’s health group and on Fridays he participated in a computer course.
“They were all free and now all gone. Everything. Life just stopped,” he says.
About three days a week, after his groups, he would meet a friend for “a pint of Guinness and be home by teatime.
“I never drink in the house,” Hughes says.
He phones friends regularly. “But it’s not the same as having face-to-face banter in a group,” he sighs.
His daughter is his only visitor, dropping in shopping and newspapers.
“I’m reading Ireland’s Own. Its centenary issues are very good. That, watching TV and the laptop. That’s the extent of my world.”
I am becoming indecisive. I am leaving things to tomorrow and that was never my way
Hughes lives on the State pension of €237 a week and pays weekly rent of €35. While he is spending less at the moment, he does worry about money.
“You cut your cloth,” he says.
He is maintaining his routine: getting to bed by 11.30pm, waking at 6.30am and rising at about 7am.
“Mentally I am still the same but I am becoming indecisive. I am leaving things to tomorrow and that was never my way. I was always: ‘Get up and do it now. Get it done’,” he says.
“I know in my own heart and soul the spring is coming out of my step. I am feeling defeated by the lockdown, the lack of company. The whole world is stopped for me.
“The weeks were flying in from Christmas to March and there wasn’t enough hours in the day. Now, there’s too many hours.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-24--Junior cycle exams in September set to be replaced with school assessments in May

Junior cycle written exams planned for thousands of students in September look set to be abandoned in favour of school-based assessments in May .
The move follows concerns that delaying the exams would lead to unnecessary anxiety among students and logistical problems for schools .
Senior sources say an official Department of Education announcement is due next week advising schools to conduct their own junior cycle assessments in line with school policies .
It is likely to include guidance to schools on options for assessing students instead of a traditional written exam .
Schools will likely be given the freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assessments for individual subjects in line with their own policies , according to sources .
Schools in which all students have access to digital devices may opt for a more traditional test , but other schools may opt for project work that students can complete in their own time .
The tests will not be State-certified or marked by the State Examinations Commission .
Instead these remaining assessment components will be graded by students ’ teachers and feed into a school-issued Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement ( JCPA ) , which is given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student achievements in a number of assessment elements undertaken over the three years of the junior cycle .
Instead of traditional grades , students are recorded as having either “ achieved ” or “ not achieved ” an area of learning .
The decision represents a major roll-back from Minister for Education Joe McHugh ’ s announcement earlier this month that junior cycle school-based tests would delayed until the new academic year .
On Monday a secondary school in Co Galway – Coláiste Bhaile Chláir – announced that it would set its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of waiting for exams in September .
It was followed by Presentation Secondary School in Kilkenny , which also announced on Wednesday that it was going ahead with its own exams for its junior cycle students .
Principal Shane Hallahan said the school was taking the move to avoid students being placed under “ extreme pressure ” over the summer .
“ The current circumstances are difficult and stressful for students , especially being separated from their peers as they try to prepare .
I think we have to be conscious that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard for this , ” he said .
This prompted an appeal by Mr McHugh for schools to hold off cancelling junior cycle tests due next September until discussions took place with representatives of students , parents and schools .
This group met on Friday , and is due to meet again before official guidance is issued next week .
In a statement following the meeting , the department confirmed that issues concerning junior cycle assessment were discussed and would continue when the group meets next week .
In a statement , Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress made in several areas today , including issues concerning the junior cycle final examinations .
As I stated earlier this week , I would urge schools not to make any local decisions concerning assessment at junior cycle level until the advisory group has concluded its discussions on that part of its work .
”

Senior sources say an official Department of Education announcement is due advising schools to conduct their own Junior Cycle assessments in line with school policies
Junior cycle written exams planned for thousands of students in September look set to be abandoned in favour of school-based assessments in May.
The move follows concerns that delaying the exams would lead to unnecessary anxiety among students and logistical problems for schools.
Senior sources say an official Department of Education announcement is due next week advising schools to conduct their own junior cycle assessments in line with school policies.
It is likely to include guidance to schools on options for assessing students instead of a traditional written exam.
READ MORE
Schools will likely be given the freedom to decide on how best to arrange assessments for individual subjects in line with their own policies, according to sources.
Schools in which all students have access to digital devices may opt for a more traditional test, but other schools may opt for project work that students can complete in their own time.
The tests will not be State-certified or marked by the State Examinations Commission. Instead these remaining assessment components will be graded by students' teachers and feed into a school-issued Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA), which is given to all students.
This JCPA captures student achievements in a number of assessment elements undertaken over the three years of the junior cycle. Instead of traditional grades, students are recorded as having either “achieved” or “not achieved” an area of learning.
Academic year
The decision represents a major roll-back from Minister for Education Joe McHugh’s announcement earlier this month that junior cycle school-based tests would delayed until the new academic year.
On Monday a secondary school in Co Galway – Coláiste Bhaile Chláir – announced that it would set its own junior cycle tests for students in May instead of waiting for exams in September.
It was followed by Presentation Secondary School in Kilkenny, which also announced on Wednesday that it was going ahead with its own exams for its junior cycle students.
Principal Shane Hallahan said the school was taking the move to avoid students being placed under "extreme pressure" over the summer.
“The current circumstances are difficult and stressful for students, especially being separated from their peers as they try to prepare. I think we have to be conscious that so many young people have worked so hard for this,” he said.
This prompted an appeal by Mr McHugh for schools to hold off cancelling junior cycle tests due next September until discussions took place with representatives of students, parents and schools.
Official guidance
This group met on Friday, and is due to meet again before official guidance is issued next week.
In a statement following the meeting, the department confirmed that issues concerning junior cycle assessment were discussed and would continue when the group meets next week.
In a statement, Mr McHugh said: “I welcome the progress made in several areas today, including issues concerning the junior cycle final examinations. As I stated earlier this week, I would urge schools not to make any local decisions concerning assessment at junior cycle level until the advisory group has concluded its discussions on that part of its work.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-24--Thinking Anew – Communion means fellowship and solidarity

Over the last few weeks I have asked nurses and doctors if there was ever anything in their textbooks about a situation such as this pandemic .
They all replied in the negative .
This is unprecedented in our lifetime .
Talking to a friend , a fellow priest , in recent days , we spoke of the pros and cons of webcam Masses .
He believes that virtual or webcam Mass does not make sense .
It ’ s a valid point and my thoughts go along the same lines .
There is a disembodiment about a televised Mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embodiment .
Surely you can not come to the meal and not taste it ?
My friend kept stressing the importance of experiencing the holy .
And can that happen at a televised Mass ?
He said that Mass is an experience of sharing in the word and the communion of the bread and wine .
In the virtual world , it is only a solitary sharing of the word .
There are many aspects to the Mass .
It has been a subject of theological discussion since the Eucharist was instituted at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the centre of many world-changing historical events .
Tomorrow ’ s Gospel brings us back to a central theme of what the Eucharistic celebration is about .
Yes , it is about sacrifice .
But when we read tomorrow ’ s Gospel ( Luke 24 : 13 -35 ) we see that the Eucharist is also about fellowship .
It ’ s about how people – through their open and honest talking with one another , through their honest and open praying with one another , come to a realisation of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom we as Christians believe is the Son of God .
On that famous road to Emmaus , as the disciples were discussing about all that had happened : “ Jesus himself came up and walked by their side ; but something prevented them from recognising him.
” ( Luke 24 : 15 ) .
It was when they broke bread together that they realised who he was .
Later they go back to Jerusalem .
They tell their friends what had happened on the road : “ and how they had recognised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Luke 24 : 35 ) The Eucharist is at the centre of our faith .
It can never be an empty formulaic event .
Unfortunately , isn ’ t that often what it is ?
I sometimes hear people say that they “ get Mass ” .
I don ’ t think that in any way applies to the story of how the friends of Jesus experienced breaking bread with him at the Last Supper or on the road to Emmaus .
It is highly significant that his presence is always made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The disciples are discussing what had happened , talking openly and honestly about their personal experience with Jesus .
There are times when they don ’ t even know who he is .
But then at the breaking of bread they are made aware of his presence .
The Eucharist is about communion , about our relationship with one and our relationship with God .
We have such a wonderful prayer , such a life-giving celebration in our hands , and then so easily we seem to be able to turn it into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empty ritual ; indeed , so meaningless that people switch off and walk away .
The disciples who were discussing about all that had happened were brought together with one another and Jesus at the breaking of bread .
Communion is about fellowship .
It ’ s about solidarity .
When we say the Eucharist is at the centre of the Christian message , we are saying that it is intrinsically linked to every aspect of our lives and our lifestyles .
At Mass we are never spectators .
The Mass brings us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about our unity .
And in that sense , it ’ s upsetting to hear people talk about “ getting Mass ” .
Mass is a vibrant event in the Christian life and it ’ s up to all of us to play a real and active part in making the Eucharist a true celebration of our Christian faith and then live it in a dynamic manner , as the apostles and disciples of Jesus did .
While these dark times persist , I believe we should explore other forms of webcam worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never be a spectator event .
It is always a lived reality .

Over the last few weeks I have asked nurses and doctors if there was ever anything in their textbooks about a situation such as this pandemic. They all replied in the negative. This is unprecedented in our lifetime. Talking to a friend, a fellow priest, in recent days, we spoke of the pros and cons of webcam Masses. He believes that virtual or webcam Mass does not make sense. It’s a valid point and my thoughts go along the same lines. There is a disembodiment about a televised Mass, whereas the Eucharist is all about embodiment. Surely you cannot come to the meal and not taste it? My friend kept stressing the importance of experiencing the holy. And can that happen at a televised Mass? He said that Mass is an experience of sharing in the word and the communion of the bread and wine. In the virtual world, it is only a solitary sharing of the word.
There are many aspects to the Mass. It has been a subject of theological discussion since the Eucharist was instituted at the Last Supper. It has been at the centre of many world-changing historical events.
Tomorrow’s Gospel brings us back to a central theme of what the Eucharistic celebration is about. Yes, it is about sacrifice. But when we read tomorrow’s Gospel (Luke 24: 13 -35) we see that the Eucharist is also about fellowship. It’s about how people – through their open and honest talking with one another, through their honest and open praying with one another, come to a realisation of their union and closeness to Jesus Christ, whom we as Christians believe is the Son of God.
On that famous road to Emmaus, as the disciples were discussing about all that had happened: “Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him.” (Luke 24: 15). It was when they broke bread together that they realised who he was. Later they go back to Jerusalem. They tell their friends what had happened on the road: “and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.” (Luke 24: 35)
READ MORE
The Eucharist is at the centre of our faith. It can never be an empty formulaic event. Unfortunately, isn’t that often what it is? I sometimes hear people say that they “get Mass”. I don’t think that in any way applies to the story of how the friends of Jesus experienced breaking bread with him at the Last Supper or on the road to Emmaus.
It is highly significant that his presence is always made real in the context of community. The disciples are discussing what had happened, talking openly and honestly about their personal experience with Jesus. There are times when they don’t even know who he is. But then at the breaking of bread they are made aware of his presence.
The Eucharist is about communion, about our relationship with one and our relationship with God. We have such a wonderful prayer, such a life-giving celebration in our hands, and then so easily we seem to be able to turn it into a non-event. It can become an empty ritual; indeed, so meaningless that people switch off and walk away.
The disciples who were discussing about all that had happened were brought together with one another and Jesus at the breaking of bread.
Communion is about fellowship. It’s about solidarity. When we say the Eucharist is at the centre of the Christian message, we are saying that it is intrinsically linked to every aspect of our lives and our lifestyles. At Mass we are never spectators. The Mass brings us together; indeed, it helps bring about our unity. And in that sense, it’s upsetting to hear people talk about “getting Mass”.
Mass is a vibrant event in the Christian life and it’s up to all of us to play a real and active part in making the Eucharist a true celebration of our Christian faith and then live it in a dynamic manner, as the apostles and disciples of Jesus did.
While these dark times persist, I believe we should explore other forms of webcam worship. The Eucharist is precious and can never be a spectator event. It is always a lived reality.


theirishtimes--2020-04-24--Garda investigated after car and uniform stolen outside his home

Gardaí are investigating an incident in which a Garda member ’ s car and some of his uniform were allegedly stolen from outside his house by two men .
The two suspects recorded a video of themselves wearing items of the uniform and shared it on social media .
In the video , they are both wearing Garda hats .
One is also wearing a Garda stab-proof vest and the other is brandishing an extendable baton , part of Garda-issued equipment .
Investigating gardaí believe the men made the video as a practical joke .
The two men were arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car .
The Garda member whose car was stolen from outside his home in the Munster area has made a statement in the local Garda station .
He said his car was stolen and that the two men later spotted in the vehicle did not have his permission to take it .
It is understood the items that were stolen were in the officer ’ s car when it was stolen from outside his home on Monday .
While local gardaí are carrying out a criminal investigation into the theft of the car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disciplinary inquiry is also underway .
One of the two men now under investigation has convictions , including for minor drugs offences .
The internal inquiry is trying to determine the nature of the relationship , if any , between the two men and the Garda member whose car they are accused of stealing .
The inquiry is also trying to establish if the officer was in the company of the two men , perhaps as part of a larger group socialising together , around the time the car was stolen .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the public health measures in place to combat the spread of the coronavirus and gardaí have been dispersing such gatherings when they have been discovered .
However , Garda sources stressed that no findings had yet been arrived at in relation to the conduct of the man whose car was stolen .
Furthermore , it had not been proven he had contravened any Garda rules , with the inquiry set to take some time .
The Garda member appears to have fallen asleep at his home and only discovered his car was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on patrol in the local area spotted two men in the car and stopped them , arresting one of them for drink driving .
It was only some time later that a video emerged showing the two men dressed in the Garda member ’ s items of uniform .
That video appears to have been recorded outside a house .
In reply to queries from The Irish Times , Garda Headquarters confirmed gardaí were “ investigating all the circumstances of a number of connected incidents ” that occurred on April 20th .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing internal disciplinary investigations , ” it added of the internal inquiry .

Gardaí are investigating an incident in which a Garda member's car and some of his uniform were allegedly stolen from outside his house by two men.
The two suspects recorded a video of themselves wearing items of the uniform and shared it on social media.
In the video, they are both wearing Garda hats. One is also wearing a Garda stab-proof vest and the other is brandishing an extendable baton, part of Garda-issued equipment.
Investigating gardaí believe the men made the video as a practical joke.
READ MORE
The two men were arrested by other gardaí who stopped the stolen car.
The Garda member whose car was stolen from outside his home in the Munster area has made a statement in the local Garda station. He said his car was stolen and that the two men later spotted in the vehicle did not have his permission to take it.
It is understood the items that were stolen were in the officer’s car when it was stolen from outside his home on Monday.
While local gardaí are carrying out a criminal investigation into the theft of the car and items of uniform, an internal disciplinary inquiry is also underway.
One of the two men now under investigation has convictions, including for minor drugs offences.
The internal inquiry is trying to determine the nature of the relationship, if any, between the two men and the Garda member whose car they are accused of stealing.
The inquiry is also trying to establish if the officer was in the company of the two men, perhaps as part of a larger group socialising together, around the time the car was stolen.
At present, social gatherings are not permitted under the public health measures in place to combat the spread of the coronavirus and gardaí have been dispersing such gatherings when they have been discovered.
However, Garda sources stressed that no findings had yet been arrived at in relation to the conduct of the man whose car was stolen. Furthermore, it had not been proven he had contravened any Garda rules, with the inquiry set to take some time.
The Garda member appears to have fallen asleep at his home and only discovered his car was gone after he woke up. Garda on patrol in the local area spotted two men in the car and stopped them, arresting one of them for drink driving.
It was only some time later that a video emerged showing the two men dressed in the Garda member’s items of uniform. That video appears to have been recorded outside a house.
In reply to queries from The Irish Times, Garda Headquarters confirmed gardaí were “investigating all the circumstances of a number of connected incidents” that occurred on April 20th.
“An Garda Síochána does not comment on ongoing internal disciplinary investigations,” it added of the internal inquiry.


theirishtimes--2020-04-24--Two Covid-19 cases in home of male accused of breaking movement law, court told

A 19-year-old who lives with two people believed to have the coronavirus , has been refused bail after being charged with repeatedly breaking movement restrictions introduced in response to the pandemic .
Aaron Tyrell , from Woodhazel Close , Ballymun , Dublin , faced four counts of breaching the Health ( Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest ) Bill 2020 at Dublin District Court on Friday .
He denies the charges .
He was arrested on Friday after gardaí received directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge him with breaking the new laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 .
He was brought before Judge Grainne Malone , who noted that gardaí were objecting to bail .
Garda Ross Brierly told the court he spoke to the accused on April 8th , a day after the laws were introduced , and explained in plain language that he could not be away from his home unnecessarily .
Det Garda Gerard Malarky said he also saw the accused on April 8th “ hanging around ” at the Omni Shopping Centre in Santry with another male .
They gave no reason for being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The detective said he advised them about social distancing and they said they were waiting for a taxi .
He agreed with defence solicitor Brian Keenan that this happened within a 2km radius of Mr Tyrell ’ s home , but added that the accused had not given a reason for being in the area .
The witness being called in relation to the alleged breach on April 13th was not available .
Det Garda Rachel Goggins told Judge Malone that on April 21st she saw the accused at Coultry Drive , about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered no explanation as to why he was there .
She said she encouraged him to go home but he did not .
She said she had learned that two members of the accused ’ s household had tested positive for Covid-19 .
They court heard they did not have symptoms .
Garda Brierly said that when he arrested the accused at his home on Friday , he was in a communal part of the house .
He told the court he feared the accused would continue to cause hardship in his community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the list of essential services and reasonable excuses for a person to leave their home were well publicised .
He said , in relation to the alleged offences , the accused did not say he was exercising or going shopping and he had no explanation for being out .
Mr Keenan sought bail , saying his client denies the charges and that he was told the accused was out exercising .
Judge Malone refused bail and remanded Mr Tyrell in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday .

A 19-year-old who lives with two people believed to have the coronavirus, has been refused bail after being charged with repeatedly breaking movement restrictions introduced in response to the pandemic.
A 19-year-old who lives with two people believed to have the coronavirus, has been refused bail after being charged with repeatedly breaking movement restrictions introduced in response to the pandemic.
Aaron Tyrell, from Woodhazel Close, Ballymun, Dublin, faced four counts of breaching the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020 at Dublin District Court on Friday. He denies the charges.
He was arrested on Friday after gardaí received directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge him with breaking the new laws, which aim to prevent the spread of Covid-19. He was brought before Judge Grainne Malone, who noted that gardaí were objecting to bail.
Garda Ross Brierly told the court he spoke to the accused on April 8th, a day after the laws were introduced, and explained in plain language that he could not be away from his home unnecessarily.
READ MORE
Det Garda Gerard Malarky said he also saw the accused on April 8th “hanging around” at the Omni Shopping Centre in Santry with another male. They gave no reason for being in the area, he said.
The detective said he advised them about social distancing and they said they were waiting for a taxi. He agreed with defence solicitor Brian Keenan that this happened within a 2km radius of Mr Tyrell’s home, but added that the accused had not given a reason for being in the area.
The witness being called in relation to the alleged breach on April 13th was not available.
Det Garda Rachel Goggins told Judge Malone that on April 21st she saw the accused at Coultry Drive, about 1km from his home, and he offered no explanation as to why he was there. She said she encouraged him to go home but he did not.
She said she had learned that two members of the accused’s household had tested positive for Covid-19. They court heard they did not have symptoms.
Garda Brierly said that when he arrested the accused at his home on Friday, he was in a communal part of the house. He told the court he feared the accused would continue to cause hardship in his community by spreading the virus. He argued that the list of essential services and reasonable excuses for a person to leave their home were well publicised.
He said, in relation to the alleged offences, the accused did not say he was exercising or going shopping and he had no explanation for being out.
Mr Keenan sought bail, saying his client denies the charges and that he was told the accused was out exercising.
Judge Malone refused bail and remanded Mr Tyrell in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday.


theirishtimes--2020-04-24--Taoiseach acknowledges childcare scheme ‘no good’ for many health workers

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said Government plans to help with childcare for some frontline workers will be rolled out from next week , but he acknowledged the limited scheme is “ no good ” for many healthcare workers .
Under the Government plan , partners of healthcare workers can avail of paid leave if they work in the public sector .
Those who are lone parents or whose partners do not work in the public sector may have to wait until May 5th or beyond for support .
Speaking on Friday , Mr Varadkar said the Department of Public Expenditure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the scheme for paid leave , adding “ we would expect that to be done from next week ” .
He said for households “ where both are public servants , one works in healthcare and the other does not , between flexibility and rostering and also paid leave it should be possible to ease the burden on them but I totally understand how inadequate that is .
“ That is no good to anyone who is at the head of a lone-parent family , no good to a family of two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the private sector.
” He said the Government wanted to provide funding to send childminders into the homes of those workers outside the scheme “ but having taken the advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) and the chief medical officer , they are not comfortable with us doing that at the moment because it does mean mixing households ” .
He said a childminder could potentially bring the virus into the home of the healthcare worker who could then bring it into a healthcare setting .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be implemented now but it could be implemented as part of the first phase of the easing of restrictions , if we are able to do that after May 5th.
” Minister for Children Katherine Zappone said her department will be ready to implement the measure should public health clearance be granted .
“ The proposals are pretty much there .
We will be asking the childcare providers if they are willing to step up to the plate and participate in a voluntary capacity , ” Ms Zappone said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
The childcare plans for frontline workers have been sharply criticised by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation ( INMO ) , which said the proposals would “ do nothing for the vast majority of nurses and midwives ” .

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said Government plans to help with childcare for some frontline workers will be rolled out from next week, but he acknowledged the limited scheme is “no good” for many healthcare workers.
Under the Government plan, partners of healthcare workers can avail of paid leave if they work in the public sector.
Those who are lone parents or whose partners do not work in the public sector may have to wait until May 5th or beyond for support.
Speaking on Friday, Mr Varadkar said the Department of Public Expenditure is working on a circular in relation to the scheme for paid leave, adding “we would expect that to be done from next week”.
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He said for households “where both are public servants, one works in healthcare and the other does not, between flexibility and rostering and also paid leave it should be possible to ease the burden on them but I totally understand how inadequate that is.
“That is no good to anyone who is at the head of a lone-parent family, no good to a family of two healthcare workers or where one person works in the private sector.”
He said the Government wanted to provide funding to send childminders into the homes of those workers outside the scheme “but having taken the advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and the chief medical officer, they are not comfortable with us doing that at the moment because it does mean mixing households”.
He said a childminder could potentially bring the virus into the home of the healthcare worker who could then bring it into a healthcare setting.
“So if that is implemented it won’t be implemented now but it could be implemented as part of the first phase of the easing of restrictions, if we are able to do that after May 5th.”
Minister for Children Katherine Zappone said her department will be ready to implement the measure should public health clearance be granted. “The proposals are pretty much there. We will be asking the childcare providers if they are willing to step up to the plate and participate in a voluntary capacity,” Ms Zappone said, adding that many providers were willing to do this.
The childcare plans for frontline workers have been sharply criticised by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), which said the proposals would “do nothing for the vast majority of nurses and midwives”.


theirishtimes--2020-04-24--Tech giants benefitting from news media content are ‘sort of free riders’ – Varadkar

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has described tech giants such as Google , Facebook and Twitter as “ sort of free riders ” who benefit from content published by other media , such as traditional news outlets .
Mr Varadkar said the next government will want to study a new system mooted by the Australian government which would see Google and Facebook pay media outlets for news content displayed on the companies ’ services .
The Australian government this week moved towards a proposal for a system of compulsory payment after talks with Google and Facebook on a voluntary code stalled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , job losses and closures in the media industry across the world as advertising incomes plummeted .
Such income was already migrating massively to companies like Google , Facebook and others – which do drive online traffic to news websites .
Mr Varadkar said he had read about the Australian idea which he said “ seems to be a mechanism by which they can charge online platforms like Google , Facebook and others for their content and seems to be a very good idea ” .
“ You know I think our tech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all those , are great companies , and obviously create a lot of employment , and a lot of revenue here in Ireland , but they do benefit from content produced by other people .
They are sort of free riders on costs incurred by other people .
I think this Australian approach is innovative , it ’ s interesting , ” he said .
“ The new government will want to study that and see if it makes sense to promote something similar in Ireland .
So , on the face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ As I ’ ve often seen when it comes to things like this in other countries , what seems to be a good idea at first may turn out not to be .
But I definitely think it ’ s something we need to study and it may well be a future approach that we can implement in Ireland and across Europe to share out more fairly , the revenues that media platforms of all sorts make.
” On the back of new EU rules , France last year ordered Google to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ search results .
Before the new copyright measures were brought in by the EU , Google took measures to work around efforts in Spain and Germany to make it pay publishers .
In Spain , it closed its Google News website .

Leo Varadkar said the next government will want to study a new system mooted by the Australian government which would see Google and Facebook pay media outlets for news content displayed on the companies’ services. Photograph: Getty Images
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has described tech giants such as Google, Facebook and Twitter as "sort of free riders" who benefit from content published by other media, such as traditional news outlets.
Mr Varadkar said the next government will want to study a new system mooted by the Australian government which would see Google and Facebook pay media outlets for news content displayed on the companies’ services.
The Australian government this week moved towards a proposal for a system of compulsory payment after talks with Google and Facebook on a voluntary code stalled.
The coronavirus crisis has led to cuts, job losses and closures in the media industry across the world as advertising incomes plummeted. Such income was already migrating massively to companies like Google, Facebook and others – which do drive online traffic to news websites.
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Employment
Mr Varadkar said he had read about the Australian idea which he said “seems to be a mechanism by which they can charge online platforms like Google, Facebook and others for their content and seems to be a very good idea”.
"You know I think our tech companies like Google, Facebook, Twitter, all those, are great companies, and obviously create a lot of employment, and a lot of revenue here in Ireland, but they do benefit from content produced by other people. They are sort of free riders on costs incurred by other people. I think this Australian approach is innovative, it's interesting," he said.
“The new government will want to study that and see if it makes sense to promote something similar in Ireland. So, on the face of it is a good idea.
"As I've often seen when it comes to things like this in other countries, what seems to be a good idea at first may turn out not to be. But I definitely think it's something we need to study and it may well be a future approach that we can implement in Ireland and across Europe to share out more fairly, the revenues that media platforms of all sorts make."
On the back of new EU rules, France last year ordered Google to pay publishers for news content shown in search results. Before the new copyright measures were brought in by the EU, Google took measures to work around efforts in Spain and Germany to make it pay publishers. In Spain, it closed its Google News website.


theirishtimes--2020-04-24--Filling nursing home gaps ‘challenging’, says Minister

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it has been difficult to put into operation some of the supports pledged to the nursing home sector to help it deal with the coronavirus crisis .
Mr Varadkar and Minister for Health Simon Harris defended the Government ’ s approach , with Mr Harris saying it is “ challenging ” to “ get people to volunteer , and I don ’ t mean that in a bad way ” .
The pair were speaking , along with Minister for Children Katherine Zappone and others , on Friday at a Government press conference to mark a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the coronavirus crisis .
The “ In This Together ” campaign encourages people to pick a new activity that could help them to feel healthier or better as the State deals with Covid-19 , with information being posted at gov.ie and on local authority websites .
Mr Varadkar said : “ I understand that people are anxious and they are worried .
Above all , we all need to look after ourselves , whether you ’ re an older person cocooning at home , working at home or laid off during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay physically active , stay connected with friends and family , and look after our mental health.
” The programme includes a “ Let ’ s Play ” initiative to encourage playtime for children and families , gardening tips ahead of a “ virtual Bloom day ” showcasing people ’ s efforts , and an online Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann , for which TG4 is partnering with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann .
Thousands of ebooks and e-audiobooks will also be made available , as well as online classes in dance , meditation and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also draws together advice and support on parenting , mental wellbeing and preparing for Leaving Cert exams , among other things .
In terms of his own mental health , Mr Varadkar said he was “ definitely missing the gym ” .
“ But I ’ m still managing to get some exercise , pretty much every day , and that really helps .
And staying in touch with friends by Skype and Houseparty and all these new apps that I am learning to use.
” He said he was taking part in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
Mr Harris said : “ For me , certainly , when I see my baby daughter in the evening , she doesn ’ t care whether there is a global pandemic on or not if there is a nappy to be changed or a bottle to be fed .
So basic things like that , I think , remind us of the important things in life , including staying connected with our families.
” Ms Zappone said she was taking part in Zoom calls with “ wine , tea or Heineken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot and , since she lived in the country , had “ gate talk ” with her neighbours every once in a while .
Mr Varadkar said the Government hoped to be in a position to lift some of the restrictions to deal with Covid-19 when the current phase of lockdown ends on May 5th .
He confirmed he would announce an exit plan in advance of that date .

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned that a general failure to adhere to the current Covid-19 restrictions could result in the Government having to extend the measures beyond May 5th. Video: RTÉ
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it has been difficult to put into operation some of the supports pledged to the nursing home sector to help it deal with the coronavirus crisis.
Mr Varadkar and Minister for Health Simon Harris defended the Government’s approach, with Mr Harris saying it is “challenging” to “get people to volunteer, and I don’t mean that in a bad way”.
The pair were speaking, along with Minister for Children Katherine Zappone and others, on Friday at a Government press conference to mark a mental health initiative to help the public through the coronavirus crisis.
The "In This Together" campaign encourages people to pick a new activity that could help them to feel healthier or better as the State deals with Covid-19, with information being posted at gov.ie and on local authority websites.
READ MORE
Mr Varadkar said: “I understand that people are anxious and they are worried. Above all, we all need to look after ourselves, whether you’re an older person cocooning at home, working at home or laid off during the emergency.
“We all need to stay physically active, stay connected with friends and family, and look after our mental health.”
The programme includes a “Let’s Play” initiative to encourage playtime for children and families, gardening tips ahead of a “virtual Bloom day” showcasing people’s efforts, and an online Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, for which TG4 is partnering with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
Thousands of ebooks and e-audiobooks will also be made available, as well as online classes in dance, meditation and other activities. The In This Together initiative also draws together advice and support on parenting, mental wellbeing and preparing for Leaving Cert exams, among other things.
In terms of his own mental health, Mr Varadkar said he was “definitely missing the gym”.
“But I’m still managing to get some exercise, pretty much every day, and that really helps. And staying in touch with friends by Skype and Houseparty and all these new apps that I am learning to use.” He said he was taking part in an online quiz with friends on Thursday night.
Mr Harris said: “For me, certainly, when I see my baby daughter in the evening, she doesn’t care whether there is a global pandemic on or not if there is a nappy to be changed or a bottle to be fed. So basic things like that, I think, remind us of the important things in life, including staying connected with our families.”
Ms Zappone said she was taking part in Zoom calls with “wine, tea or Heineken zero”. She was also walking a lot and, since she lived in the country, had “gate talk” with her neighbours every once in a while.
Mr Varadkar said the Government hoped to be in a position to lift some of the restrictions to deal with Covid-19 when the current phase of lockdown ends on May 5th. He confirmed he would announce an exit plan in advance of that date.


theirishtimes--2020-04-24--Human trafficking charge against man (22) wanted in UK over lorry deaths withdrawn

A charge of human trafficking has been withdrawn by UK authorities against a man from Northern Ireland who is alleged to have delivered a trailer in which 39 migrants were found dead in Essex last year , the Court of Appeal has heard .
Eamon Ronald Harrison ( 22 ) , from Mayobridge , Co Down , who is to challenge his pending extradition in May , is wanted to face 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration .
At a brief remote hearing on Friday , Ronan Kennedy SC for the State told the three judges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the UK authorities that they were no longer seeking to prosecute Mr Harrison for human trafficking under the UK ’ s Modern Slavery Act .
Mr Kennedy said that this would shorten the appeal hearing on May 7th .
It is alleged that Mr Harrison delivered the trailer , in which the bodies of eight females and 31 males were found in an industrial park in Grays , Esssex on October 23rd last , to a Belgian port before its onward journey to Britain .
The cargo was recorded as “ biscuits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has heard that the sealed refrigeration unit was not turned on and that the people inside died from oxygen starvation .
Temperatures inside the unit rose to 38.5 degrees before it “ steadily reduced ” , and police discovered “ bloody hand prints ” inside .
Ordering Mr Harrison ’ s extradition to the UK in January , Mr Justice Donald Binchy said the accused is alleged to have been involved in transporting illegal migrants on two previous occasions , and that the trailer at the centre of the Essex discover was used @ @ @ @ @

The bodies of 39 people were found in a lorry in an industrial park in Grays, Essex on October 23rd, 2019. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/Reuters.
A charge of human trafficking has been withdrawn by UK authorities against a man from Northern Ireland who is alleged to have delivered a trailer in which 39 migrants were found dead in Essex last year, the Court of Appeal has heard.
Eamon Ronald Harrison (22), from Mayobridge, Co Down, who is to challenge his pending extradition in May, is wanted to face 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.
At a brief remote hearing on Friday, Ronan Kennedy SC for the State told the three judges of the court that information was received from the UK authorities that they were no longer seeking to prosecute Mr Harrison for human trafficking under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act. Mr Kennedy said that this would shorten the appeal hearing on May 7th.
It is alleged that Mr Harrison delivered the trailer, in which the bodies of eight females and 31 males were found in an industrial park in Grays, Esssex on October 23rd last, to a Belgian port before its onward journey to Britain. The cargo was recorded as “biscuits”.
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The High Court in Dublin has heard that the sealed refrigeration unit was not turned on and that the people inside died from oxygen starvation. Temperatures inside the unit rose to 38.5 degrees before it “steadily reduced”, and police discovered “bloody hand prints” inside.
Ordering Mr Harrison’s extradition to the UK in January, Mr Justice Donald Binchy said the accused is alleged to have been involved in transporting illegal migrants on two previous occasions, and that the trailer at the centre of the Essex discover was used on one of these.


theirishtimes--2020-04-24--Have your say: Are you due to graduate this year?

This year ’ s college graduates were due to enter the strongest job market in years .
Now , research @ @ @ @ @ their peers ’ for up to a decade .
The massive economic fallout from the @ @ @ @ @ of 2020 looks set to graduate into a deep recession .
The downturn threatens jobs @ @ @ @ @ up and looks set to disrupt plans for many to work for study abroad .
@ @ @ @ @ students due to graduate this year on how the economic fallout will affect you .
@ @ @ @ @ career prospects ?
Did you have a job or internship lined up that is now @ @ @ @ @ plan to return to study to try to ride out the recession ?
Are you @ @ @ @ @ your college ?
Should more be done to help students ?
We ’ ll publish @ @ @ @ @ a wider article on what future awaits this year ’ s graduates .
Please attach @ @ @ @ @ you have a suitable picture .

This year’s college graduates were due to enter the strongest job market in years. Now, research indicates graduate earnings will lag their peers’ for up to a decade. The massive economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic means the class of 2020 looks set to graduate into a deep recession. The downturn threatens jobs or internships which were lined up and looks set to disrupt plans for many to work for study abroad.
We want to hear from students due to graduate this year on how the economic fallout will affect you. Are you worried about your career prospects? Did you have a job or internship lined up that is now in doubt? Do you plan to return to study to try to ride out the recession? Are you getting career guidance support from your college? Should more be done to help students?
We’ll publish the responses as part of a wider article on what future awaits this year’s graduates.
Please attach a photograph of yourself if you have a suitable picture.
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Thank you.


theirishtimes--2020-04-24--St Stephen’s Green, closed due to coronavirus restrictions, has reopened

Dublin ’ s St Stephen ’ s Green , closed to the public one month ago due to the Coronavirus pandemic , has been reopened by Office of Public Works ( OPW ) .
While parks operated by Dublin City Council , such as Mountjoy Square and Merrion Square have remained open , St Stephen ’ s Green , governed by the OPW was closed following the announcement on March 27th of additional restrictions on movement .
The council said it had made representations to the OPW to reopen its parks , including St Stephen ’ s Green and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to facilitate local residents and relieve pressure on city council parks ” .
The OPW said it had made the decision to reopen St Stephen ’ s Green following “ consultation with many bodies including Department of An Taoiseach , Dublin City Council and An Garda Síochána ” .
While no decision has yet been made on the reopening of the botanic gardens “ planning is in hand as to how the Gardens can be safely reopened to comply with the official guidance relating to social distancing , ” it said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gardens continue to be maintained to the highest possible standards and that OPW looks forward to welcoming the public back to the Gardens when the time is right.
” The Phoenix Park has remained open to people who live within 2km for exercise only , but sunbathing and parking in the park is forbidden .
Separately , the city council will reopen two recycling centres , closed due to Covid-19 restrictions , on Monday .
The “ bring centres ” at Oscar Traynor Road , Coolock and Gullistan Terrace , Rathmines will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Friday 9am - 1pm , Saturday 10am - 4pm , but will be closed for lunch 1pm-2pm .
“ In anticipation of high levels of demand , extra staff will be on duty to restrict the number of cars allowed entry at any time and to manage social distancing requirements , ” the council said .
The full range of services at each facility is listed at dublincity.ie “ The remaining bring centres remain closed and will be assessed over the coming weeks with a view to re-opening them on a phased @ @ @ @ @ @

A Covid-19 sign points to one of the exits from St Stephens Green in Dublin following its reopening on Friday. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Dublin's St Stephen's Green, closed to the public one month ago due to the Coronavirus pandemic, has been reopened by Office of Public Works (OPW).
While parks operated by Dublin City Council, such as Mountjoy Square and Merrion Square have remained open, St Stephen's Green, governed by the OPW was closed following the announcement on March 27th of additional restrictions on movement.
The council said it had made representations to the OPW to reopen its parks, including St Stephen's Green and the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, "to facilitate local residents and relieve pressure on city council parks".
The OPW said it had made the decision to reopen St Stephen’s Green following “consultation with many bodies including Department of An Taoiseach, Dublin City Council and An Garda Síochána”.
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While no decision has yet been made on the reopening of the botanic gardens “planning is in hand as to how the Gardens can be safely reopened to comply with the official guidance relating to social distancing,” it said.
“The public can rest assured that the Gardens continue to be maintained to the highest possible standards and that OPW looks forward to welcoming the public back to the Gardens when the time is right.”
The Phoenix Park has remained open to people who live within 2km for exercise only, but sunbathing and parking in the park is forbidden.
Recycling centres
Separately, the city council will reopen two recycling centres, closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, on Monday.
The "bring centres" at Oscar Traynor Road, Coolock and Gullistan Terrace, Rathmines will be open Monday - Thursday 9am - 4pm, Friday 9am - 1pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm, but will be closed for lunch 1pm-2pm.
“In anticipation of high levels of demand, extra staff will be on duty to restrict the number of cars allowed entry at any time and to manage social distancing requirements,” the council said.
The full range of services at each facility is listed at dublincity.ie “The remaining bring centres remain closed and will be assessed over the coming weeks with a view to re-opening them on a phased basis,” it said.


theirishtimes--2020-04-24--Increased pressure on night nurses service for cancer patients dying at home

An increase in the number of terminal cancer patients dying in their own homes has put pressure on a service providing night nurses to assist families .
The Irish Cancer Society has experienced a 20 per cent increase in demand while at the same time it has suffered a drop off in available staff .
It says that due to the ongoing impact of coronavirus on hospitals , more patients are being cared for in the community , straining its Night Nursing team .
This , it believes , may be linked to more patients leaving hospital settings early as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up capacity due to coronavirus pressures on the system .
Nurses on the society ’ s roster have also increasingly moved from part time to full time HSE work - again probably as a consequence of the public health emergency - leaving them unavailable .
“ We are really keen to be there for anyone who needs us and that we don ’ t have to turn down any family , ” said the Society ’ s chief executive Averil Power .
“ The vast majority of people want to die at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an awful experience for anyone to lose someone to cancer , it ’ s nice to know they will spend their final days and nights at home.
” The service can provide up to ten nights of care with nurses attending to general medical needs as well as crucial medication and pain management in the final days and hours .
Ms Power explained that the team enable families to spend time with loved ones and to get rest , safe in the knowledge somebody is there to alert them to any developments .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , including 1,000 hours during the recent pandemic .
The Society operates a panel of nurses in each county .
Many of them work part time for the HSE but in recent times have switched to full time roles .
The service is free of charge and is funded via charitable donations .
“ Families tell us that it ’ s an incredibly special service .
I have the privilege as chief executive of getting cards from people all over Ireland who want to say thanks to nurses who supported them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was and how kind.
” Despite the importance of its appeal , the Society is seeking nurses in an era of unprecedented pressure on the healthcare system .
Last month the HSE said it planned to take on as many doctors , nurses and healthcare staff as it could through a massive recruitment drive .
Minister for Health Simon Harris said there would be no financial limits - “ The only constraint will be the availability of people ” .

The Irish Cancer Society says that due to the ongoing impact of coronavirus on hospitals, more patients are being cared for in the community, straining its Night Nursing team. Photograph: iStock
An increase in the number of terminal cancer patients dying in their own homes has put pressure on a service providing night nurses to assist families.
The Irish Cancer Society has experienced a 20 per cent increase in demand while at the same time it has suffered a drop off in available staff.
It says that due to the ongoing impact of coronavirus on hospitals, more patients are being cared for in the community, straining its Night Nursing team.
This, it believes, may be linked to more patients leaving hospital settings early as part of an overall push to free up capacity due to coronavirus pressures on the system.
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Nurses on the society’s roster have also increasingly moved from part time to full time HSE work - again probably as a consequence of the public health emergency - leaving them unavailable.
"We are really keen to be there for anyone who needs us and that we don't have to turn down any family," said the Society's chief executive Averil Power.
“The vast majority of people want to die at home. So while that’s always an awful experience for anyone to lose someone to cancer, it’s nice to know they will spend their final days and nights at home.”
The service can provide up to ten nights of care with nurses attending to general medical needs as well as crucial medication and pain management in the final days and hours.
County panels
Ms Power explained that the team enable families to spend time with loved ones and to get rest, safe in the knowledge somebody is there to alert them to any developments. It provides about 7,000 care nights per year, including 1,000 nights during the recent pandemic.*
The Society operates a panel of nurses in each county. Many of them work part time for the HSE but in recent times have switched to full time roles.
The service is free of charge and is funded via charitable donations.
"Families tell us that it's an incredibly special service. I have the privilege as chief executive of getting cards from people all over Ireland who want to say thanks to nurses who supported them. They tell me how compassionate the nurse was and how kind."
Despite the importance of its appeal, the Society is seeking nurses in an era of unprecedented pressure on the healthcare system.
Last month the HSE said it planned to take on as many doctors, nurses and healthcare staff as it could through a massive recruitment drive.
Minister for Health Simon Harris said there would be no financial limits - "The only constraint will be the availability of people".
*This article was amended on April 25th to change the word hours to nights


theirishtimes--2020-04-24--Coronavirus: 37 more deaths reported as total in State exceeds 1,000

The number of Covid-19 related deaths in the State has risen above 1,000 , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) has confirmed .
A further 37 deaths were reported last night , which will be included in the total alongside 185 probable deaths , where a person died without testing positive but the doctor caring for them believes they had the disease .
This brings the total number of Covid-19-linked deaths to 1,014 .
The change to include probable deaths in the overall figure follows new guidance from the European Centre for Disease Control ( ECDC ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed yesterday evening , bringing the total number of cases in the State to 18,184 .
The growth rate in confirmed cases was just below 3.3 per cent , down from the previous days growth rate of 5.6 per cent .
Dr Tony Holohan , the Chief Medical Officer ( CMO ) , reiterated NPHET ’ s ongoing concerns about compliance with strict travel restrictions and other measures which have been in place since March 27th .
“ We still have a lot of progress to make in terms of the pattern of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We can ’ t , at the last minute take , as it were , our foot off the gas because we will lose a lot of the progress we have made.
” Dr Holohan said the entire NPHET shares a “ sense of concern ” that has grown over the last week regarding compliance .
He said the situation remains that he would not currently recommend measures be relaxed , given the behaviour of the disease .
The Department of Health confirmed there are now 198 clusters in nursing homes around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these settings .
A cluster is two cases of disease or more .
Of those diagnosed persons , 208 have been hospitalised , and a total of 488 confirmed or probable deaths have occurred .
As of last Saturday night , 3,830 healthcare workers had tested positive , 159 of whom had been hospitalised .
Some 24 were placed in intensive care , and five had died .
NPHET has also made a decision in principle to broaden the criteria for people eligible for testing .
From early next week , patients will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They will , however , have to be in a vulnerable group in order to become eligible for testing .
This is likely to cause a significant increase in the numbers being sent forward from its current level of around 1,500 per day .
Previously , the testing system became overloaded under less restrictive criteria , although Dr Holohan said he believed there is sufficient capacity in the system to handle the increased demand .
“ It will increase the rate of testing , and that ’ s what we want .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that within the existing capacity that the HSE has in place now , both in terms of the capacity to take the sample , and to test it in the laboratory , ” he said .
Asked about a suggestion by US president Donald Trump that bleach or disinfectant could be injected into humans as a possible treatment for coronavirus , he said : “ I hope , and expect , that the majority of people will understand that that is not good advice .
It ’ s a very unsafe thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely no evidence whatsoever to support such a claim .
Earlier on Friday , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it has been difficult to put into operation some of the supports pledged to the nursing home sector to help it deal with the coronavirus crisis .
It has been difficult to put into operation some of the supports pledged to the nursing home sector to help it deal with the coronavirus crisis , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said .
Mr Varadkar said the State is attempting to tackle the spread of Covid-19 on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arisen and will continue to do so .
Nursing Homes Ireland earlier this week said the majority of private nursing homes had not received any staffing support from the HSE .
The HSE and trade unions last week announced an agreement allowing health service personnel to volunteer to work in private nursing homes affected by Covid-19 .
However , Nursing Homes Ireland said “ the heralded redeployment of staff is not manifesting on the ground ” .
Mr Varadkar and Minister for Health Simon Harris defended the Government ’ s approach , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to “ get people to volunteer , and I don ’ t mean that in a bad way ” .
The pair were speaking , along with Minister for Children Katherine Zappone and others , yesterday at a Government press conference to mark a mental health initiative to help the public through the coronavirus crisis .
The “ In This Together ” campaign encourages people to pick a new activity that could help them to feel healthier or better as the State deals with Covid-19 , with information being posted on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Varadkar said the Government hopes to be in a position to lift some of the restrictions to deal with Covid-19 when the current phase of lockdown ends on May 5th .
He said he would announce an exit plan in advance of that date .
The Taoiseach and Mr Harris asked the public to adhere to the current measures to ensure that the Government is in a position to lift some restrictions .
“ There is a direction connection between what people do and what we do as a country in the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ease restrictions , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t want to threaten anyone .
I am not trying to wave a big stick or anything.
” He added that there is concern about the “ anticipatory behaviour ” of people who may choose to move more freely in advance of the restrictions being eased .
On the issue of nursing homes , the Taoiseach said a “ lot has been committed to ” the nursing home sector ” .
“ We appreciate the fact that it has been difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many things we ’ re trying to do on so many different levels at the moment .
.
.
, ” he said .
Mr Harris said it is “ desirable ” to have staff working in nursing homes who the residents are familiar with .
“ Our main priority is to try and ensure very quick testing for staff in nursing homes .
“ We have a challenging situation in our long term residential care settings and so quite frankly does pretty much every other country affected by this .
”

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, has warned that failure to adhere to Covid-19 restrictions could see Ireland "lose a lot of the progress" that the country has made in tackling the coronavirus pandemic. Video: RTÉ
The number of Covid-19 related deaths in the State has risen above 1,000, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has confirmed.
A further 37 deaths were reported last night, which will be included in the total alongside 185 probable deaths, where a person died without testing positive but the doctor caring for them believes they had the disease.
This brings the total number of Covid-19-linked deaths to 1,014. The change to include probable deaths in the overall figure follows new guidance from the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC).
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the State is attempting to tackle the spread of Covid-19 on a number of fronts but some difficulties have arisen and will continue to do so. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland/PA Wire
There were an additional 577 cases confirmed yesterday evening, bringing the total number of cases in the State to 18,184. The growth rate in confirmed cases was just below 3.3 per cent, down from the previous days growth rate of 5.6 per cent.
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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the State is attempting to tackle the spread of Covid-19 on a number of fronts but some difficulties have arisen and will continue to do so. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland/PA Wire
Dr Tony Holohan, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), reiterated NPHET’s ongoing concerns about compliance with strict travel restrictions and other measures which have been in place since March 27th.
“We still have a lot of progress to make in terms of the pattern of this disease,” he said. “We can’t, at the last minute take, as it were, our foot off the gas because we will lose a lot of the progress we have made.”
Dr Holohan said the entire NPHET shares a “sense of concern” that has grown over the last week regarding compliance. He said the situation remains that he would not currently recommend measures be relaxed, given the behaviour of the disease.
The Department of Health confirmed there are now 198 clusters in nursing homes around the country, with 2,500 cases in these settings. A cluster is two cases of disease or more. Of those diagnosed persons, 208 have been hospitalised, and a total of 488 confirmed or probable deaths have occurred.
Hospitalised
As of last Saturday night, 3,830 healthcare workers had tested positive, 159 of whom had been hospitalised. Some 24 were placed in intensive care, and five had died.
NPHET has also made a decision in principle to broaden the criteria for people eligible for testing. From early next week, patients will only have to display one clinical symptom. They will, however, have to be in a vulnerable group in order to become eligible for testing.
This is likely to cause a significant increase in the numbers being sent forward from its current level of around 1,500 per day. Previously, the testing system became overloaded under less restrictive criteria, although Dr Holohan said he believed there is sufficient capacity in the system to handle the increased demand. “It will increase the rate of testing, and that’s what we want. We think we should be able to do that within the existing capacity that the HSE has in place now, both in terms of the capacity to take the sample, and to test it in the laboratory,” he said.
Asked about a suggestion by US president Donald Trump that bleach or disinfectant could be injected into humans as a possible treatment for coronavirus, he said: “I hope, and expect, that the majority of people will understand that that is not good advice. It’s a very unsafe thing to do, [there is] absolutely no evidence whatsoever to support such a claim.
Operational difficulties
Earlier on Friday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it has been difficult to put into operation some of the supports pledged to the nursing home sector to help it deal with the coronavirus crisis.
It has been difficult to put into operation some of the supports pledged to the nursing home sector to help it deal with the coronavirus crisis, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.
Mr Varadkar said the State is attempting to tackle the spread of Covid-19 on a number of fronts but some difficulties have arisen and will continue to do so.
Nursing Homes Ireland earlier this week said the majority of private nursing homes had not received any staffing support from the HSE.
The HSE and trade unions last week announced an agreement allowing health service personnel to volunteer to work in private nursing homes affected by Covid-19. However, Nursing Homes Ireland said “the heralded redeployment of staff is not manifesting on the ground”.
Mr Varadkar and Minister for Health Simon Harris defended the Government's approach, with Mr Harris saying it is "challenging" to "get people to volunteer, and I don't mean that in a bad way".
The pair were speaking, along with Minister for Children Katherine Zappone and others, yesterday at a Government press conference to mark a mental health initiative to help the public through the coronavirus crisis.
The “In This Together” campaign encourages people to pick a new activity that could help them to feel healthier or better as the State deals with Covid-19, with information being posted on the gov.ie and local authority websites.
Exit plan
Mr Varadkar said the Government hopes to be in a position to lift some of the restrictions to deal with Covid-19 when the current phase of lockdown ends on May 5th. He said he would announce an exit plan in advance of that date.
The Taoiseach and Mr Harris asked the public to adhere to the current measures to ensure that the Government is in a position to lift some restrictions.
“There is a direction connection between what people do and what we do as a country in the next 10 days and if it is possible to ease restrictions,” he said. “I don’t want to threaten anyone. I am not trying to wave a big stick or anything.”
He added that there is concern about the “anticipatory behaviour” of people who may choose to move more freely in advance of the restrictions being eased.
On the issue of nursing homes, the Taoiseach said a “lot has been committed to” the nursing home sector”.
“We appreciate the fact that it has been difficult to operationalise that. There are so many things we’re trying to do on so many different levels at the moment . . . ,” he said.
Mr Harris said it is “desirable” to have staff working in nursing homes who the residents are familiar with.
“Our main priority is to try and ensure very quick testing for staff in nursing homes. “We have a challenging situation in our long term residential care settings and so quite frankly does pretty much every other country affected by this.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-24--Dublin motorists defying coronavirus distancing measures

Dublin motorists are continuing to park in spaces reallocated to pedestrians to enable physical distancing during the coronavirus pandemic , it has emerged .
Over the last week Dublin City Council has begun installing bollards blocking off loading bays and parking spaces on the north and south sides of the city to give more space to pedestrians at pinch-points which are particularly busy or where the path is narrow .
Council chief executive Owen Keegan said councillors across all political groups had made representations regarding the need for increased provision for pedestrians and cyclists to facilitate greater compliance with social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular problem in certain villages , where there is significant on-street queuing to access supermarkets etc , on narrow footpaths , which gives rise to pedestrian congestion , ” he said .
To date the council has requisitioned road space at five locations : Dorset Street outside Tesco Express ; Stoneybatter outside Centra ; Capel Street outside Centra ; Fairview outside Tesco ; and Rathmines at the pedestrian entrance to the Swan Centre .
Next week , the council will begin installing a contraflow cycle lane on Nassau Street in the city centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form on dublincity.ie to allow members of the public suggest locations where they believe additional road space is required .
The measures , which involve the use of low-rise lane separators known as “ orcas ” along with vertical bollards , have been in place for a week .
Some drivers are ignoring them so they can park directly outside shops .
In some cases , the manoeuvre involves driving over the barrier , while in others the motorist has to mount the footpath to access the space .
“ Motor traffic acts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – it expands into any space afforded to it .
Unless it is made physically impossible it ’ s not going to stop a lot of drivers , ” Dublin Cycling Campaign spokesman Kieran Ryan said .
The measures implemented to date had been done on a “ micro scale ” , Mr Ryan said .
“ We need to develop this at a macro scale , following the type of measures recently undertaken in Milan , Brussels and Berlin , where they are looking at making large parts of their city centres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be essential on narrow city streets , such as South William Street where the pavement is particularly congested , when businesses began to reopen but social distancing measures were still required .
Mr Ryan said he hoped as more sections of road were requisitioned , and drivers became more familiar with the measures , a greater degree of compliance would emerge .
However , he said : “ There is a legacy issue of loading bays being abused by the drivers of private cars , and by the drivers of commercial vehicles who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than to deliver to shops.
” The spaces reallocated to pedestrians on Dorset Street were at noon on Friday fully occupied by vehicles .
The driver of one van said he was aware of the distancing measures and was entirely supportive of them , but felt he had no option but to park in his usual space .
“ I ’ m here every week for a maintenance job for Tesco .
It usually takes a couple of hours , but , and I don ’ t like saying anything bad about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ park around the corner or the van would be vandalised and broken into.
” He said he needed to have quick access to his van , and parking options on Dorset Street were limited .
“ I have to make 10-15 trips out to the van for each job , but I do my best not to get in anyone ’ s way on the path , because I know everyone is very nervous at the moment.
” The council said vehicles parked in a way that did not respect the new measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parking Services ( DSPS ) .
“ DSPS have been instructed to relocate offending vehicles that have parked in loading bays which have been cordoned off to enable social distancing .
”

Dublin motorists are continuing to park in spaces reallocated to pedestrians to enable physical distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, it has emerged.
Over the last week Dublin City Council has begun installing bollards blocking off loading bays and parking spaces on the north and south sides of the city to give more space to pedestrians at pinch-points which are particularly busy or where the path is narrow.
Council chief executive Owen Keegan said councillors across all political groups had made representations regarding the need for increased provision for pedestrians and cyclists to facilitate greater compliance with social distancing
“There seems to be a particular problem in certain villages, where there is significant on-street queuing to access supermarkets etc, on narrow footpaths, which gives rise to pedestrian congestion,” he said.
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To date the council has requisitioned road space at five locations: Dorset Street outside Tesco Express; Stoneybatter outside Centra; Capel Street outside Centra; Fairview outside Tesco; and Rathmines at the pedestrian entrance to the Swan Centre.
The highlighted space has been reserved for pedestrians to help ensure social distancing
Next week, the council will begin installing a contraflow cycle lane on Nassau Street in the city centre and it has also introduced an online form on dublincity.ie to allow members of the public suggest locations where they believe additional road space is required.
Lane separators
The measures, which involve the use of low-rise lane separators known as “orcas” along with vertical bollards, have been in place for a week. Some drivers are ignoring them so they can park directly outside shops. In some cases, the manoeuvre involves driving over the barrier, while in others the motorist has to mount the footpath to access the space.
"Motor traffic acts like a gas rather than a liquid – it expands into any space afforded to it. Unless it is made physically impossible it's not going to stop a lot of drivers," Dublin Cycling Campaign spokesman Kieran Ryan said.
The measures implemented to date had been done on a "micro scale", Mr Ryan said. "We need to develop this at a macro scale, following the type of measures recently undertaken in Milan, Brussels and Berlin, where they are looking at making large parts of their city centres car-free."
He said such measures would be essential on narrow city streets, such as South William Street where the pavement is particularly congested, when businesses began to reopen but social distancing measures were still required.
Loading bays
Mr Ryan said he hoped as more sections of road were requisitioned, and drivers became more familiar with the measures, a greater degree of compliance would emerge. However, he said: “There is a legacy issue of loading bays being abused by the drivers of private cars, and by the drivers of commercial vehicles who will use them as parking spaces, rather than to deliver to shops.”
The spaces reallocated to pedestrians on Dorset Street were at noon on Friday fully occupied by vehicles. The driver of one van said he was aware of the distancing measures and was entirely supportive of them, but felt he had no option but to park in his usual space.
“I’m here every week for a maintenance job for Tesco. It usually takes a couple of hours, but, and I don’t like saying anything bad about any area, I can’t park around the corner or the van would be vandalised and broken into.”
He said he needed to have quick access to his van, and parking options on Dorset Street were limited. “I have to make 10-15 trips out to the van for each job, but I do my best not to get in anyone’s way on the path, because I know everyone is very nervous at the moment.”
The council said vehicles parked in a way that did not respect the new measures would be towed away by Dublin Street Parking Services (DSPS). “DSPS have been instructed to relocate offending vehicles that have parked in loading bays which have been cordoned off to enable social distancing.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-25--Over €1 million worth of cannabis herb found in a ditch by gardaí

Cannabis worth an estimated €1.24 million was found by gardai in a ditch along the Carlow-Laois border on Friday evening @ @ @ @ @ cannabis herb along a secondary road on the border , as part of an intelligence @ @ @ @ @ Arles and Ballylinan were supported by Laois Divisional Drugs Unit during the operation .
No @ @ @ @ @ relation to the find and gardaí said their investigations are ongoing .

Cannabis worth an estimated €1.24 million was found by gardai in a ditch along the Carlow-Laois border on Friday evening.
Gardai recovered 62kg of cannabis herb along a secondary road on the border, as part of an intelligence led operation.
Gardai from Arles and Ballylinan were supported by Laois Divisional Drugs Unit during the operation. No one has been arrested in relation to the find and gardaí said their investigations are ongoing.


theirishtimes--2020-04-25--PSNI welcomes move to clarify rules on exercising during pandemic

The Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) has welcomed a move by the Northern Ireland Executive to clarify the circumstances in which a person can leave the house to exercise during the pandemic .
On Friday night a statement from Stormont ’ s Executive Office said clarity would be provided , including on reasonable travel to exercise .
The statement said : “ For example , a drive to a safe space or facility would be permitted .
“ However , taking a long drive to get to a beach , or resort where numbers of people may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasonable , even for exercise.
” It is thought information on exactly what this means will be provided this week .
So far the PSNI has issued 358 penalty fines to members of the public for breaching the rules on social distancing , with a handful relating to travel for exercise .
Previously the PSNI said its legal advice was driving to exercise was a breach of the rules .
While the government has pushed a message to stay at home except for essential journeys , the PSNI has faced some accusations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over whether driving to exercise is allowed .
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said : “ We said in our statement earlier this week that greater clarity in the regulations would have undoubtedly made our job easier to police this current health crisis .
“ Therefore we welcome today ’ s announcement and the clarity that the change to the regulations and any associated guidance will bring to the public and police officers alike.
” In the Republic , a clearly-communicated 2km limit on movement from peoples ’ homes for exercise has been @ @ @ @ @

In the Republic, a clearly-communicated 2km limit on movement from peoples’ homes for exercise has been in place for weeks. Photograph: iStock
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has welcomed a move by the Northern Ireland Executive to clarify the circumstances in which a person can leave the house to exercise during the pandemic.
On Friday night a statement from Stormont’s Executive Office said clarity would be provided, including on reasonable travel to exercise.
The statement said: “For example, a drive to a safe space or facility would be permitted.
“However, taking a long drive to get to a beach, or resort where numbers of people may gather is unlikely to be regarded as reasonable, even for exercise.”
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It is thought information on exactly what this means will be provided this week.
So far the PSNI has issued 358 penalty fines to members of the public for breaching the rules on social distancing, with a handful relating to travel for exercise.
Previously the PSNI said its legal advice was driving to exercise was a breach of the rules.
While the government has pushed a message to stay at home except for essential journeys, the PSNI has faced some accusations of misinterpreting the legislation up to this point over whether driving to exercise is allowed.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said: “We said in our statement earlier this week that greater clarity in the regulations would have undoubtedly made our job easier to police this current health crisis.
“Therefore we welcome today’s announcement and the clarity that the change to the regulations and any associated guidance will bring to the public and police officers alike.”
In the Republic, a clearly-communicated 2km limit on movement from peoples’ homes for exercise has been in place for weeks.


theirishtimes--2020-04-25--My goldfish are assaulted by frogs. Readers’ nature queries

For the past few years at breeding time some of my goldfish are assaulted by frogs .
They grab the poor fish around the gills and won ’ t let go even when the fish has drowned .
Joe Coates Newbridge , Co Kildare Is this a Reeve ’ s pheasant ?
It appeared in my garden after the grass was cut .
Carol Cleary Geashill , Co Offaly Yes it is .
They were introduced into Europe by John Reeves in the 19th century from China , and are now domesticated and prized as fancy fowl .
I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March and waiting for it to burst forth .
Eleanor Feely , Ennis , Co Clare It ’ s horsetail , an ancient plant , sole survivor over millions of years .
It will eventually produce spiky green fronds .
I got this worm-like thing with a pond plant .
The head is at the narrow end and it uses the other end to adhere to smooth surfaces .
It swims like sea snake and changes length between 20 - 60mm .
Should I allow it in my pond ?
Brendan O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a horse leech which can live on land or in water .
It feeds on water snails , insect larvae and small fish .
Some people like watching them in their ponds , but if you want fish you should take it out .
The false puffball slime mould has appeared again this year in Lecanvy , Co Mayo , Castlederg , Co Tyrone and Milford , Co Donegal .
This photo was sent by Eckhardt Schmidt from Donegal .
Eye on Nature has had dozens of photos of peacock butterflies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some from around the country .
Either the peacocks had a very successful season and hibernation last year or people isolated are keeping their eyes open .
This photo was sent by Noeleen Hussey from Drogheda .
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn , Louisburgh , Co Mayo , F28 F978 , or by email at viney @ anu.ie .
Include a postal address .

“The frogs grab the poor fish around the gills and won’t let go even when the fish has drowned.”
For the past few years at breeding time some of my goldfish are assaulted by frogs. They grab the poor fish around the gills and won't let go even when the fish has drowned.
Joe Coates Newbridge, Co Kildare
Is this a Reeve's pheasant? It appeared in my garden after the grass was cut.
Carol Cleary Geashill, Co Offaly
Yes it is. They were introduced into Europe by John Reeves in the 19th century from China, and are now domesticated and prized as fancy fowl.
I have been observing this roadside plant since early March and waiting for it to burst forth.
Eleanor Feely, Ennis, Co Clare
It's horsetail, an ancient plant, sole survivor over millions of years. It will eventually produce spiky green fronds.
I got this worm-like thing with a pond plant. The head is at the narrow end and it uses the other end to adhere to smooth surfaces. It swims like sea snake and changes length between 20 - 60mm. Should I allow it in my pond?
Brendan O'Donohue, Castledermot, Co Kildare
It's a horse leech which can live on land or in water. It feeds on water snails, insect larvae and small fish. Some people like watching them in their ponds, but if you want fish you should take it out.
READ MORE
The false puffball slime mould has appeared again this year in Lecanvy, Co Mayo, Castlederg, Co Tyrone and Milford, Co Donegal. This photo was sent by Eckhardt Schmidt from Donegal.
Eye on Nature has had dozens of photos of peacock butterflies, mainly from the Dublin area but some from around the country. Either the peacocks had a very successful season and hibernation last year or people isolated are keeping their eyes open. This photo was sent by Noeleen Hussey from Drogheda.
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, F28 F978, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Include a postal address.