theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Coronavirus: Technical issues and errors slowing down testing, tracing

Ireland ’ s testing and tracing system for Covid-19 has been slowed by a range of technical issues , including data entry errors , a lack of automation and systems that can not interact with each other .
These issues , including the absence of unique patient identifiers and a system for laboratory information management , have pushed the timeframe for testing and tracing beyond expert recommendations .
“ There ’ s no single fundamental issue , ” said Cillian De Gascun , chair of the Coronavirus Expert Advisory Group .
He said errors were occurring during manual processes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including missing contact details for GPs or patients .
Hospitals also operate on different computer systems .
“ They don ’ t all talk to each other .
.
.
so that takes time to build into place and make sure it ’ s robust .
We don ’ t have a unique patient identifier yet , we don ’ t have a national laboratory information management system.
” The HSE is hopeful of automating some processes by next Monday , including informing close contacts that they have been in touch with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , chief clinical officer at the HSE , said a “ great majority ” of people being referred for testing are swabbed within a day and a half .
The median time between swabbing and contact tracing starting , he said , was at five days and coming down .
More complex cases , such as those involving healthcare workers who would be in contact with a large number of vulnerable people , or people who do not speak English , or in some cases have passed away , were also affecting turnaround @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicate when the process will be completed within 72 hours , generally seen by experts as the upper limit by which the process should be completed .
Dr De Gascun said : “ We know we need to get better , but it ’ s a huge improvement on where we were , ” he said .
Last night , a further 107 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed , the lowest number since March 21st , alongside another 24 deaths .
The total death toll is now 1,488 , with 23,242 cases confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a testing and contact tracing system is expected to cost about €500 million .
This is in addition to the €1 billion annual bill for personal protective equipment in the HSE .
Sources said the €500 million includes the cost of swabs for testing individuals and lab analysis .
It is also likely to include costs of IT upgrades .
About 1,000 staff may be needed in the future to carry out tracing .
At present Defence Forces personnel and Revenue Commissioners staff are involved .
Sources said at some stage they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new personnel to come in .
Last Sunday , head of the HSE Paul Reid said a “ future model ” of testing and tracing is needed , beyond the current “ wartime model ” .
The Department of Health said on Tuesday night the HSE ’ s testing plan has been agreed by its board and implementation was under way .
Estimated costs will be subject to review by the Department of Health , the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure , and subsequently submitted to Government for approval .
Elsewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that the UK government ’ s decision to exempt visitors from Ireland from a planned 14-day quarantine is a “ serious loophole ” .
The group , chaired by the former chief scientific adviser David King , warned : “ It will be perfectly possible for someone to fly from somewhere where the level of infection is extremely high , such as New York , to Dublin and then change planes to travel to London .
”

Dr Cillian De Gascun, chair of the Coronavirus Expert Advisory Group: ‘We know we need to get better, but it’s a huge improvement on where we were.’ Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
Ireland’s testing and tracing system for Covid-19 has been slowed by a range of technical issues, including data entry errors, a lack of automation and systems that cannot interact with each other.
These issues, including the absence of unique patient identifiers and a system for laboratory information management, have pushed the timeframe for testing and tracing beyond expert recommendations.
Health chiefs on Tuesday night defended progress, but promised improvements.
"There's no single fundamental issue," said Cillian De Gascun, chair of the Coronavirus Expert Advisory Group. He said errors were occurring during manual processes, while data gaps had also slowed progress, including missing contact details for GPs or patients.
READ MORE
Hospitals also operate on different computer systems.
“They don’t all talk to each other . . . so that takes time to build into place and make sure it’s robust. We don’t have a unique patient identifier yet, we don’t have a national laboratory information management system.”
The HSE is hopeful of automating some processes by next Monday, including informing close contacts that they have been in touch with a confirmed case.
Median time
Dr Colm Henry, chief clinical officer at the HSE, said a "great majority" of people being referred for testing are swabbed within a day and a half. The median time between swabbing and contact tracing starting, he said, was at five days and coming down. More complex cases, such as those involving healthcare workers who would be in contact with a large number of vulnerable people, or people who do not speak English, or in some cases have passed away, were also affecting turnaround times.
A medium-term plan for a testing and contact tracing system is expected to cost about €500 million
However, he could not indicate when the process will be completed within 72 hours, generally seen by experts as the upper limit by which the process should be completed.
Dr De Gascun said: “We know we need to get better, but it’s a huge improvement on where we were,” he said. Last night, a further 107 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed, the lowest number since March 21st, alongside another 24 deaths. The total death toll is now 1,488, with 23,242 cases confirmed.
Elsewhere, a medium-term plan for a testing and contact tracing system is expected to cost about €500 million. This is in addition to the €1 billion annual bill for personal protective equipment in the HSE. Sources said the €500 million includes the cost of swabs for testing individuals and lab analysis. It is also likely to include costs of IT upgrades.
Defence Forces
About 1,000 staff may be needed in the future to carry out tracing. At present Defence Forces personnel and Revenue Commissioners staff are involved. Sources said at some stage they would return to their substantive roles, requiring new personnel to come in.
Last Sunday, head of the HSE Paul Reid said a "future model" of testing and tracing is needed, beyond the current "wartime model". The Department of Health said on Tuesday night the HSE's testing plan has been agreed by its board and implementation was under way.
Estimated costs will be subject to review by the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure, and subsequently submitted to Government for approval.
Elsewhere, a panel of scientific experts have warned that the UK government's decision to exempt visitors from Ireland from a planned 14-day quarantine is a "serious loophole". The group, chaired by the former chief scientific adviser David King, warned: "It will be perfectly possible for someone to fly from somewhere where the level of infection is extremely high, such as New York, to Dublin and then change planes to travel to London."


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Warning on future of A&E departments in wake of Covid-19

Emergency departments ( EDs ) in hospitals can not be allowed to become “ reservoirs ” for future outbreaks of Covid-19 due to a lack of investment in infrastructure , doctors have warned .
While EDs are segregated to create a separate pathway for suspected Covid-19 cases , the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine has warned that investment is required to enable sufficient levels of future physical distancing .
If that is not done , they have said , there is a real danger of crowded departments becoming a breeding ground for the virus .
“ If it happens it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said a spokesman .
On Tuesday the association called for investment in EDs , a treatment area under less pressure since the outbreak but one they feel could come under particular threat in the future .
While they have said safeguards such as increased space and additional isolation capacity are required to reduce the risks posed by infectious diseases in general and particularly seasonal flu , Covid-19 is now the obvious focus of concern .
The body also said staffing “ must be adequate to compensate for the extra time required in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and taking off personal protective equipment.
” Although EDs have been less busy since the emergence of the coronavirus , the level of admissions to hospital wards has remained more or less the same , said the association .
For now the departments have effectively been cut in two to isolate suspected cases from other hospital patients .
But the association says the virus will be here for some time and its services , much like transport , will have to adapt safely .
Until now , said the spokesman , the normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ packed tightly in waiting areas and separated only by a curtain once assessed by medical staff .
In recent weeks the number of people waiting on trolleys in public hospitals has fallen dramatically .
But the fear is that this number – a key indicator of stress on the system and physical presence in EDs – could begin to creep back up once relatively normal hospital activity resumes .

Although emergency departments have been less busy since coronavirus emerged, admissions to hospital wards have remained more or less the same. File photograph: The Irish Times
Emergency departments (EDs) in hospitals cannot be allowed to become “reservoirs” for future outbreaks of Covid-19 due to a lack of investment in infrastructure, doctors have warned.
While EDs are segregated to create a separate pathway for suspected Covid-19 cases, the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine has warned that investment is required to enable sufficient levels of future physical distancing.
If that is not done, they have said, there is a real danger of crowded departments becoming a breeding ground for the virus.
“If it happens it would spread like a bush fire,” said a spokesman.
READ MORE
On Tuesday the association called for investment in EDs, a treatment area under less pressure since the outbreak but one they feel could come under particular threat in the future.
While they have said safeguards such as increased space and additional isolation capacity are required to reduce the risks posed by infectious diseases in general and particularly seasonal flu, Covid-19 is now the obvious focus of concern.
The body also said staffing “must be adequate to compensate for the extra time required in certain patient encounters in safely putting on and taking off personal protective equipment.”
Are people still tightly packed?
Although EDs have been less busy since the emergence of the coronavirus, the level of admissions to hospital wards has remained more or less the same, said the association.
For now the departments have effectively been cut in two to isolate suspected cases from other hospital patients. But the association says the virus will be here for some time and its services, much like transport, will have to adapt safely.
Until now, said the spokesman, the normal scene in a typical ED is people packed tightly in waiting areas and separated only by a curtain once assessed by medical staff.
In recent weeks the number of people waiting on trolleys in public hospitals has fallen dramatically. But the fear is that this number – a key indicator of stress on the system and physical presence in EDs – could begin to creep back up once relatively normal hospital activity resumes.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Can’t wait for that tattoo? How the North’s lockdown exit differs from the South

Everything about the differences between the plans produced in Stormont and Dublin to lift the lockdown caused by the Covid-19 crisis on both sides of the Border comes down to dates .
The Irish Government ’ s plan came 12 days ago .
Stormont ’ s came yesterday .
Dublin favours a five-stage plan , starting on May 18th and continuing on June 8th , June 29th , July 20th and August 10th .
Stormont also favours a five-stage plan , but prefers to act slightly later .
Its first phase starts on May 28th , 10 days later than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prefers not to fix dates now for the rest of its plan .
Here is how each of the phases differ , creating a two-speed approach that could affect people living and working on either side of the Border .
From the off , Northern Ireland is encouraging people unable to work from home to return to their jobs on a phased basis .
The Republic , however , is only permitting a phased return for outdoor workers – construction workers and gardeners , for example – in the first phase .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A return to work for people in the Republic who can not work remotely is not due to occur until the fourth phase on July 20th .
The reopening plans North and South are broadly similar , though cafes and restaurants can reopen earlier in the Republic ( phase three , from June 29th ) whereas they will not reopen until later in the North ( phase five , date unknown ) .
In the North , large outdoor-based retail outlets such as garden centres can open in the first phase .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardware stores and farmers ’ markets can open in this phase .
Other outlets such as homeware stores , opticians , motor and bicycle retail and repair businesses , office product retailers , electrical , IT and phone shops and repairers can also reopen .
Tattoo and piercing will be permitted in the North from the fourth phase , but not until the fifth phase in the Republic .
The North is planning a more detailed phasing-in for the reopening of schools than in the South .
The Government in Dublin is permitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a phased basis from the new academic year .
The Belfast government is moving faster , permitting more children to attend school earlier , specially the children of “ key workers ” within an extended definition of that term , from the second phase .
From the third phase , more children of “ priority cohorts ” can return to school on a part-time basis .
From the fourth phase , schools will reopen to accommodate all pupils on a part-time basis with a mixture of in-school and remote teaching .
From the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a full-time basis to “ early years provision ” .
In the South , creches , childminders and pre-schools can reopen from June 29th on a phased basis with social distancing and other requirements ; the North ’ s reopening plan has no details on creches and childcare .
In the North , outdoor spaces and public sports amenities will open from May 28th with walking , running , cycling , some water activities , golf and tennis permitted ( as well as drive-through cinemas ) .
Dublin is more restrictive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permitted in the first phase , but only where social distancing is maintained and the 5km travel limit obeyed .
The North will permit groups of four to six people who are not from the same household to meet outdoors in the first phase of its reopening as long as they maintain social distancing ; the Republic limits this to just four from the first phase on May 18th .
The North has more specific details than the Republic on later phases of reopening : it says that up to 10 people can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 30 people gathering outdoors in the third phase and , in the fourth phase , a wider range of gatherings including church services subject to social distancing and other cleaning requirements .
Extended groups can meet in the fifth phase subject to social distancing or “ other suitable mitigations ” .
Northern Ireland is permitting visits to immediate family indoors in its first phase of reopening where social distancing is possible .
People who are cocooning – the Northern Ireland Executive calls this “ shielding ” – are excluded from this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to other households until the second phase on June 8th .
From then , in the South up to four people may visit another household for a short period with strict social distancing .
Some indoor activities will open in earlier phases in the North : open-air museums will reopen in the second phase but not until the fourth phase in the South .
The North and the Republic offer limited detail on what is to happen over the phases of reopening on those deemed to be vulnerable to serious illness from Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the South , from the second phase on June 8th , there will be designated hours in supermarkets and other retail outlets to permit the over-70s and medically vulnerable to shop with strict social distancing , the wearing of gloves and , ideally , face masks .
From this date , visits to the homes of over-70s and medically vulnerable will be permitted for a small number of people for a short period of time as long as they wear gloves and face masks , and maintain strict social distancing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar advice but urges older people who are shielding for 12 weeks to contact their Covid-19 community helpline for support .
Funeral services have not been banned in Northern Ireland but government guidance limits attendance to up to 10 people .
This is the same as in the Republic .
In the South , the reopening plan permits slightly larger numbers to attend funerals from the second phase on June 8th whereas no changes are given in the North ’ s reopening plan other than gatherings at church services being permitted from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ drive through ” church services and churches to open for private prayer with appropriate social distancing and the cleaning of shared contact hard surfaces in its first phase .
The Republic is not permitting religious places of worship to open until the fourth phase on July 20th .

Everything about the differences between the plans produced in Stormont and Dublin to lift the lockdown caused by the Covid-19 crisis on both sides of the Border comes down to dates.
The Irish Government’s plan came 12 days ago. Stormont’s came yesterday. Dublin favours a five-stage plan, starting on May 18th and continuing on June 8th, June 29th, July 20th and August 10th.
Stormont also favours a five-stage plan, but prefers to act slightly later. Its first phase starts on May 28th, 10 days later than the Republic. However, it also prefers not to fix dates now for the rest of its plan.
Here is how each of the phases differ, creating a two-speed approach that could affect people living and working on either side of the Border.
READ MORE
Work
From the off, Northern Ireland is encouraging people unable to work from home to return to their jobs on a phased basis. The Republic, however, is only permitting a phased return for outdoor workers – construction workers and gardeners, for example – in the first phase. All workers are encouraged to continue remote working. A return to work for people in the Republic who cannot work remotely is not due to occur until the fourth phase on July 20th.
Retail
The reopening plans North and South are broadly similar, though cafes and restaurants can reopen earlier in the Republic (phase three, from June 29th) whereas they will not reopen until later in the North (phase five, date unknown). In the North, large outdoor-based retail outlets such as garden centres can open in the first phase. In the South, garden centres, hardware stores and farmers' markets can open in this phase. Other outlets such as homeware stores, opticians, motor and bicycle retail and repair businesses, office product retailers, electrical, IT and phone shops and repairers can also reopen. Tattoo and piercing will be permitted in the North from the fourth phase, but not until the fifth phase in the Republic.
Schools
The North is planning a more detailed phasing-in for the reopening of schools than in the South. The Government in Dublin is permitting schools and third-level institutions to reopen on a phased basis from the new academic year. The Belfast government is moving faster, permitting more children to attend school earlier, specially the children of “key workers” within an extended definition of that term, from the second phase. From the third phase, more children of “priority cohorts” can return to school on a part-time basis. From the fourth phase, schools will reopen to accommodate all pupils on a part-time basis with a mixture of in-school and remote teaching. From the fifth phase, schools will be reopened on a full-time basis to “early years provision”. In the South, creches, childminders and pre-schools can reopen from June 29th on a phased basis with social distancing and other requirements; the North’s reopening plan has no details on creches and childcare.
Exercise
In the North, outdoor spaces and public sports amenities will open from May 28th with walking, running, cycling, some water activities, golf and tennis permitted (as well as drive-through cinemas). Dublin is more restrictive, with sports such as tennis and golf permitted in the first phase, but only where social distancing is maintained and the 5km travel limit obeyed.
Groups of people meeting outdoors
The North will permit groups of four to six people who are not from the same household to meet outdoors in the first phase of its reopening as long as they maintain social distancing; the Republic limits this to just four from the first phase on May 18th. The North has more specific details than the Republic on later phases of reopening: it says that up to 10 people can meet outdoors in the second phase, up to 30 people gathering outdoors in the third phase and, in the fourth phase, a wider range of gatherings including church services subject to social distancing and other cleaning requirements. Extended groups can meet in the fifth phase subject to social distancing or “other suitable mitigations”.
Indoor visits and activities
Northern Ireland is permitting visits to immediate family indoors in its first phase of reopening where social distancing is possible. People who are cocooning – the Northern Ireland Executive calls this “shielding” – are excluded from this. The Republic is not permitting visits to other households until the second phase on June 8th. From then, in the South up to four people may visit another household for a short period with strict social distancing. Some indoor activities will open in earlier phases in the North: open-air museums will reopen in the second phase but not until the fourth phase in the South.
People who are cocooning/shielding
The North and the Republic offer limited detail on what is to happen over the phases of reopening on those deemed to be vulnerable to serious illness from Covid-19 infection, the over-70s and medically vulnerable. In the South, from the second phase on June 8th, there will be designated hours in supermarkets and other retail outlets to permit the over-70s and medically vulnerable to shop with strict social distancing, the wearing of gloves and, ideally, face masks. From this date, visits to the homes of over-70s and medically vulnerable will be permitted for a small number of people for a short period of time as long as they wear gloves and face masks, and maintain strict social distancing of two metres. The North offers no similar advice but urges older people who are shielding for 12 weeks to contact their Covid-19 community helpline for support.
Funerals
Funeral services have not been banned in Northern Ireland but government guidance limits attendance to up to 10 people. This is the same as in the Republic. In the South, the reopening plan permits slightly larger numbers to attend funerals from the second phase on June 8th whereas no changes are given in the North’s reopening plan other than gatherings at church services being permitted from the fourth phase.
Church services
Northern Ireland is permitting “drive through” church services and churches to open for private prayer with appropriate social distancing and the cleaning of shared contact hard surfaces in its first phase. The Republic is not permitting religious places of worship to open until the fourth phase on July 20th.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Death of celebrated landscape painter Cecil Maguire

Maguire was born in Lurgan , Co Armagh , in 1930 , and worked as an English teacher before eventually dedicating his time to the pursuit of painting .
He became a regular name in auction catalogues and listings , with his landscapes and figure paintings highly sought after .
According to Whyte ’ s auction house in Dublin , Maguire had spent time with fellow artist Maurice C Wilks in his formative years , accompanying him on painting trips to Cushendun , Co Antrim .
He later enrolled in evening art classes , joined the Lurgan Art Club , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regularly with the Royal Ulster Academy .
He resigned his teaching post in 1981 , giving his complete attention to art .
“ Much of his work shows a passion for the west of Ireland capturing scenes of Connemara landscapes , harbours and horse fairs , ” according to Whyte ’ s .
In 2018 , founder Ian Whyte included the painter in a collection of artists whose works he himself had wished he might have owned personally .
“ One can not be a gamekeeper and a poacher at the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I would love to have acquired.
” President Michael D. Higgins paid tribute to Maguire saying his painting Clifden Fair , Winter was the first one he bought with his first salary from UCG .
“ That painting was much loved , and one all my children grew up with , ” he said .
“ Cecil Maguire ’ s work , oil on board , captured images of the west coast of Ireland in a quite wonderful way , ” he said .
He had a lovely warm personality , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times , including last summer in Roundstone .
He will be missed by his family , his many friends and admirers , ” Mr Higgins added in a statement .
On Tuesday , the Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan described Maguire as “ one of our finest landscape and figure painters ” .
“ Cecil spent much of his time in the west of Ireland and painted the Connemara landscape where he lived in Roundstone and its environs with such fondness .
I know that he felt very much at home there , @ @ @ @

Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan: she described Maguire as “one of our finest landscape and figure painters”. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Cecil Maguire, a celebrated landscape painter, has died.
Maguire was born in Lurgan, Co Armagh, in 1930, and worked as an English teacher before eventually dedicating his time to the pursuit of painting. He became a regular name in auction catalogues and listings, with his landscapes and figure paintings highly sought after.
According to Whyte's auction house in Dublin, Maguire had spent time with fellow artist Maurice C Wilks in his formative years, accompanying him on painting trips to Cushendun, Co Antrim. He later enrolled in evening art classes, joined the Lurgan Art Club, and by the early 1960s was exhibiting regularly with the Royal Ulster Academy. He resigned his teaching post in 1981, giving his complete attention to art.
"Much of his work shows a passion for the west of Ireland capturing scenes of Connemara landscapes, harbours and horse fairs," according to Whyte's.
READ MORE
In 2018, founder Ian Whyte included the painter in a collection of artists whose works he himself had wished he might have owned personally.
“One cannot be a gamekeeper and a poacher at the same time. What is in this catalogue is what I would love to have acquired.”
President Michael D. Higgins paid tribute to Maguire saying his painting Clifden Fair, Winter was the first one he bought with his first salary from UCG.
“That painting was much loved, and one all my children grew up with,” he said.
“Cecil Maguire’s work, oil on board, captured images of the west coast of Ireland in a quite wonderful way,” he said.
He had a lovely warm personality, which I had the experience of encountering many times, including last summer in Roundstone. He will be missed by his family, his many friends and admirers," Mr Higgins added in a statement.
On Tuesday, the Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan described Maguire as "one of our finest landscape and figure painters".
“Cecil spent much of his time in the west of Ireland and painted the Connemara landscape where he lived in Roundstone and its environs with such fondness. I know that he felt very much at home there,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Parks and wildlife agency to deploy drones as firefighters’ eye in sky

Drones are to be used by the National Parks and Wildlife Service ( NPWS ) and Coillte to combat forest and wild fires at “ hot spots ” in Dublin , Wicklow and the midlands in the summer months .
The semi-state commercial forestry company and the NPWS said the “ state-of-the-art technology ” allows the drones to become “ firefighters ’ eyes in the skies ” helping to protect the environment and save lives .
The initiative is to be rolled out in Dublin , Wicklow and the midlands , regions that are at high risk of fire and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , detect and fight forest and wild fires ” during high-risk summer season This will be the second year the technology will be used to monitor designated hot spots across the high-risk areas .
Minister for Heritage Josepha Madigan said wild fires were “ not a natural phenomenon ” in Ireland .
“ As well as having severe localised impact on flora and fauna , setting fires during this time of a national public health emergency is particularly reckless as it places unnecessary additional pressures on our emergency services whose services are critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged members of the public , including landowners , farmers and recreational users of publicly accessible land “ to act responsibly at all times , to be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others , to be mindful of the need to protect property , both publicly owned and privately owned , and to appreciate the value of our natural heritage , particularly in our National Parks , Nature Reserves and designated lands ” .
NPWS regional manager Wesley Atkinson said fire caused “ huge environmental damage to protected habitats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to establish fire outbreaks and keep wild fires from spreading.
” Deborah Meghen of Coillte said the system , which is operated by a network of drone professionals , had already helped reduce fires .
“ Last year we used this technology for forest fire protection , which resulted in a significant reduction in forest fires with just over 50 reported , down from 150 in 2018 .
This represents a very good year in terms of forest damage with only 25 hectares affected , compared with over 600 hectares damaged in @ @ @

The National Parks and Wildlife Service said the drones ‘will help us establish outbreaks and keep wild fires from spreading’. File photograph: Getty
Drones are to be used by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Coillte to combat forest and wild fires at "hot spots" in Dublin, Wicklow and the midlands in the summer months.
The semi-state commercial forestry company and the NPWS said the “state-of-the-art technology” allows the drones to become “firefighters’ eyes in the skies” helping to protect the environment and save lives.
The initiative is to be rolled out in Dublin, Wicklow and the midlands, regions that are at high risk of fire and will be used to to “predict, detect and fight forest and wild fires” during high-risk summer season
This will be the second year the technology will be used to monitor designated hot spots across the high-risk areas.
READ MORE
Minister for Heritage Josepha Madigan said wild fires were "not a natural phenomenon" in Ireland.
“As well as having severe localised impact on flora and fauna, setting fires during this time of a national public health emergency is particularly reckless as it places unnecessary additional pressures on our emergency services whose services are critical to managing the Covid-19 pandemic.”
She urged members of the public, including landowners, farmers and recreational users of publicly accessible land “to act responsibly at all times, to be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, to be mindful of the need to protect property, both publicly owned and privately owned, and to appreciate the value of our natural heritage, particularly in our National Parks, Nature Reserves and designated lands”.
Containing the problem
NPWS regional manager Wesley Atkinson said fire caused " huge environmental damage to protected habitats and wildlife. The drones will help us to establish fire outbreaks and keep wild fires from spreading."
Deborah Meghen of Coillte said the system, which is operated by a network of drone professionals, had already helped reduce fires.
“Last year we used this technology for forest fire protection, which resulted in a significant reduction in forest fires with just over 50 reported, down from 150 in 2018. This represents a very good year in terms of forest damage with only 25 hectares affected, compared with over 600 hectares damaged in 2018.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Bloom at home: A flavour of the festival in your own back yard (or on your sofa)

Organisers of this year ’ s cancelled Bloom festival are inviting people to get green at home – it is where your garden is , after all .
While the highly anticipated Phoenix Park event is one of many that fell foul of the coronavirus pandemic , flower beds still require attention , grass must be cut and hedges trimmed .
“ Covid-19 has brought us many challenges but it has also given some of us more time to experience the joy of gardening at what is the most exciting time of year for growing and planting , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In defiance of the virus , and unfortunately requiring a little time spent indoors , the alternative June bank holiday weekend festival will this year include a series of online events , including Q & As and talks .
There will be cookery demonstrations and entertainment from some of Bloom ’ s long-time participants , “ bringing a flavour of Ireland ’ s largest gardening and lifestyle festival directly into people ’ s homes ” .
Tailoring the event to a more domesticated audience in 2020 , organisers have shifted focus to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meadows at home , and preparing back garden picnics .
“ A gardening project is a great way to fill your time at home and get your creative juices flowing , ” Mr Graham said .
“ Try building a bug hotel and re-wilding an area for wildlife , or plant some pollinators and make some space for birds .
We ’ re encouraging everyone , no matter what space they have available , to get out there and give it a go !
” The public are invited to follow the various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its social media platforms .
Similarly , following the cancellation of the Ulster in Bloom Competition 2020 , the Northern Ireland Local Government Association ( NILGA ) has launched ‘ ’ Homegrown ” , a digital horticultural showcase to “ help raise community spirits during the Covid-19 emergency ” via social media .

“A gardening project is a great way to fill your time at home and get your creative juices flowing,” says Bord Bia Bloom show manager, Mr Gary Graham. Photograph: Johnny Bambury / Fennell Photography
Organisers of this year’s cancelled Bloom festival are inviting people to get green at home – it is where your garden is, after all.
While the highly anticipated Phoenix Park event is one of many that fell foul of the coronavirus pandemic, flower beds still require attention, grass must be cut and hedges trimmed.
"Covid-19 has brought us many challenges but it has also given some of us more time to experience the joy of gardening at what is the most exciting time of year for growing and planting," said Bord Bia Bloom show manager Gary Graham.
Shades of other Bloom festivals... Photograph: Iain White/ Fennell Photography
In defiance of the virus, and unfortunately requiring a little time spent indoors, the alternative June bank holiday weekend festival will this year include a series of online events, including Q&As and talks.
READ MORE
There will be cookery demonstrations and entertainment from some of Bloom’s long-time participants, “bringing a flavour of Ireland’s largest gardening and lifestyle festival directly into people’s homes”.
Tailoring the event to a more domesticated audience in 2020, organisers have shifted focus to things such as house plants, wildflower meadows at home, and preparing back garden picnics.
“A gardening project is a great way to fill your time at home and get your creative juices flowing,” Mr Graham said. “Try building a bug hotel and re-wilding an area for wildlife, or plant some pollinators and make some space for birds. We’re encouraging everyone, no matter what space they have available, to get out there and give it a go!”
The public are invited to follow the various strands of Bloom’s re-imagination across its social media platforms.
Similarly, following the cancellation of the Ulster in Bloom Competition 2020, the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) has launched ''Homegrown", a digital horticultural showcase to "help raise community spirits during the Covid-19 emergency" via social media.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Bail and curfew for youth who lives in Covid-19 positive house

A teenager who lives with two people confirmed to have coronavirus and is charged with breaking Covid-19 movement restrictions was granted bail on Tuesday .
Aaron Tyrell ( 19 ) from Woodhazel Close , Ballymun , Dublin , is charged with four counts of breaching the Health ( Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest ) Bill 2020 .
He denies the charges .
Mr Tyrell was told by a garda on April 8th , a day after the laws were introduced , that he could not be away from his home unnecessarily .
The accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around ” at the Omni Shopping Centre in Santry , Dublin , on April 8th and he allegedly breached the law again on April 13th and 21st .
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 , Dublin District Court previously heard .
The High Court heard on Tuesday that two members of Mr Tyrell ’ s household tested positive for Covid-19 .
Counsel for the accused man , Ronan Prendergast , told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visited were within the allowed 2km distance from his home .
Garda Keith Alford agreed with Mr Prendergast that gardaí had concerns and suspected the accused had travelled outside the allowed 2km radius .
At the High Court on Tuesday Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty said that given the current circumstances the alleged offences are very serious .
The judge said it was a matter of huge concern that on several occasions Mr Tyrell had allegedly breached the law and that was a concern for the public .
She said that on one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law knowing the danger he imposed on the public by leaving the house .
Mr Prendergast told the judge that there were provisions at Ballymun Garda station for those remanded on bail to sign on .
But the judge said she would prefer if Mr Tyrell didn ’ t sign on considering the situation in his home .
She said she expected Mr Tyrell would not be signing on in the immediate future , but said it was not up to gardaí to tell him when he can sign on .
That was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a surety bond of €200 and set Mr Tyrell a curfew between 10pm and 8am .
She warned him , appearing on Tuesday via video link , that bail would be revoked if any of the conditions were broken .
Garda Ross Brierly previously told Dublin District Court he spoke to the accused on April 8th , a day after the laws were introduced , and explained that he could not be away from his home unnecessarily .
Det Garda Gerard Malarky said he also saw the accused on April 8th “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centre in Santry with another male and they gave no reason for being in the area , he said .
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 .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go home but he did not .
Garda Brierly said , in relation to the alleged offences , the accused did not say he was exercising or going shopping and had no explanation for being out .

The court heard that the accused on April 8th was ‘hanging around’ at the Omni Shopping Centre in Santry. Photograph: Google Street View
A teenager who lives with two people confirmed to have coronavirus and is charged with breaking Covid-19 movement restrictions was granted bail on Tuesday.
Aaron Tyrell (19) from Woodhazel Close, Ballymun, Dublin, is charged with four counts of breaching the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020. He denies the charges.
Mr Tyrell was told by a garda on April 8th, a day after the laws were introduced, that he could not be away from his home unnecessarily.
The accused was also seen by gardaí "hanging around" at the Omni Shopping Centre in Santry, Dublin, on April 8th and he allegedly breached the law again on April 13th and 21st.
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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, Dublin District Court previously heard.
The High Court heard on Tuesday that two members of Mr Tyrell's household tested positive for Covid-19.
Counsel for the accused man, Ronan Prendergast, told the court that the locations Mr Tyrell had visited were within the allowed 2km distance from his home.
Garda Keith Alford agreed with Mr Prendergast that gardaí had concerns and suspected the accused had travelled outside the allowed 2km radius.
At the High Court on Tuesday Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty said that given the current circumstances the alleged offences are very serious.
The judge said it was a matter of huge concern that on several occasions Mr Tyrell had allegedly breached the law and that was a concern for the public.
She said that on one of the occasions he allegedly breached the law knowing the danger he imposed on the public by leaving the house.
Mr Prendergast told the judge that there were provisions at Ballymun Garda station for those remanded on bail to sign on. But the judge said she would prefer if Mr Tyrell didn’t sign on considering the situation in his home.
She said she expected Mr Tyrell would not be signing on in the immediate future, but said it was not up to gardaí to tell him when he can sign on. That was his responsibility.
The judge granted bail on a surety bond of €200 and set Mr Tyrell a curfew between 10pm and 8am. She warned him, appearing on Tuesday via video link, that bail would be revoked if any of the conditions were broken.
This article was amended on May 14th, 2020


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Fundraising drive for Galway girl who can’t move unaided raises €67,000

A fundraising campaign set up less than a month ago for a baby girl in Co Galway who suffers from a severe genetic condition that means she will never walk has already raised over €67,000 .
Molli Ní Mháille de Búrca of Rosmuc , Co Galway is 17 months and 17 days old .
Born a sturdy 7lb 6oz , her parents Amanda and Michael were delighted by her arrival , as was older sister Shayna ( 11 ) , but soon they noticed all was not well .
Last June , Molli was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease .
It causes her muscles to waste .
She began treatment at Temple Street Children ’ s Hospital in Dublin last July .
It involves a lumbar puncture procedure every four months .
The dieaese is incurable so it is now all about making Molli as comfortable as possible .
She can not move around and has limited arm movement but she is still strong enough to drink and feed herself .
She can ’ t roll around or lift her head but she does sleep well at night , but needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes inhales foods she is on thickened fluids , and needs between three to five medical appointments a week .
A “ Le Chéile do Molli - Let ’ s get Molli Moving ” GoFundMe campaign was launched to boost Molli ’ s quality of life .
One of the people behind it is Máire Caitriona Ní Dhonnacha .
She said they had been overwhelmed with the response to date .
“ We didn ’ t expect it to do so well , so quickly.
” People had been contributing from all over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cumann Micheál Breathnach and Cumann Sacair Chois Fharraige raised €12,000 towards the fund .
Overall it hopes to raise €150,000 to ensure Molli has a comfortable life .
More immediately funds will go towards a special procedure which should help extend her life .
“ She is an incredibly bright little girl who is full of life and devilment .
All we want is that she can move around freely on her own and get the most out of life , ” said Ms Ní Dhonnacha .

A fundraising campaign set up less than a month ago for a baby girl in Co Galway who suffers from a severe genetic condition that means she will never walk has already raised over €67,000.
Molli Ní Mháille de Búrca of Rosmuc, Co Galway is 17 months and 17 days old. Born a sturdy 7lb 6oz, her parents Amanda and Michael were delighted by her arrival, as was older sister Shayna (11), but soon they noticed all was not well.
Last June, Molli was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 1, also known as Werdnig Hoffman disease. It causes her muscles to waste.
She began treatment at Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin last July. It involves a lumbar puncture procedure every four months.
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The dieaese is incurable so it is now all about making Molli as comfortable as possible. She cannot move around and has limited arm movement but she is still strong enough to drink and feed herself.
She can’t roll around or lift her head but she does sleep well at night, but needs to be turned regularly. As she sometimes inhales foods she is on thickened fluids, and needs between three to five medical appointments a week.
A "Le Chéile do Molli - Let's get Molli Moving" GoFundMe campaign was launched to boost Molli's quality of life. One of the people behind it is Máire Caitriona Ní Dhonnacha. She said they had been overwhelmed with the response to date. "We didn't expect it to do so well, so quickly."
People had been contributing from all over Ireland and last Sunday local GAA clubs Cumann Micheál Breathnach and Cumann Sacair Chois Fharraige raised €12,000 towards the fund.
Overall it hopes to raise €150,000 to ensure Molli has a comfortable life. More immediately funds will go towards a special procedure which should help extend her life.
“She is an incredibly bright little girl who is full of life and devilment. All we want is that she can move around freely on her own and get the most out of life,” said Ms Ní Dhonnacha.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Mentally ill man loses case over refusal of conditional release after 14 years

A mentally ill man serving life for murder , who was transferred from prison some years ago to the Central Mental Hospital ( CMH ) , has lost his Supreme Court bid to be considered for conditional release having served some 14 years .
The man , who can not be identified , accepted release might lead to his detention under the Mental Health Act in a psychiatric facility but said that was better than facing an indefinite life term in the CMH because of his mental illness .
The man , who had admitted murder , was transferred several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment for schizophrenia .
His condition appeared to regress each time he was returned to prison , for reasons including non-compliance with medication , and he has remained for several years now in the CMH .
His lawyers argued , under the current legal framework , he faced indefinite detention in the CMH with no prospect of being assessed by the Parole Board or considered for temporary release .
His detention is reviewed twice a year by the Mental Health ( Criminal Law ) Review Board and all reviews over the past eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CMH and should not be returned to prison .
In a judgment on Tuesday , a five judge Supreme Court dismissed his appeal over the lawfulness of refusals by the Parole Board to assess him for parole and by the Minister for Justice to consider him for temporary release .
Ms Justice Iseult O ’ Malley said , while he remains transferred to the CMH , the relevant law means he can not be considered for release .
The CMH is not a prison but rather a “ designated centre ” under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1960 , as amended , ( empowering the Minister to make rules providing for temporary release of prisoners ) was never intended to apply to prisoners transferred to the CMH , she said .
The problem here was not that the law relating to life sentences precludes the possibility of the man ’ s release , she said .
The “ real difficulty ” is that his state of mental health precludes his return to prison for assessment for parole and , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the relevant legislation he could be released for the purpose of being transferred to another psychiatric facility for ongoing treatment .
The CMH has been designated as a centre for detention and treatment of persons transferred there under the Act but , although the Minister for Health and Children can designate other psychiatric centres , no designation had been made when this appeal was heard , she said .
The court could not say whether the man ’ s situation will be affected by the Minister ’ s designation earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters stand , a life prisoner who develops a serious and chronic mental illness requiring in patient treatment could , as a result , “ end up indefinitely ” in the high-security CMH .
That may , unfortunately , be necessary in some cases and a review board had considered this man represents a significant risk of violence outside such a setting , she said .
The judge dismissed claims of breach of the man ’ s rights under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights which prohibits grossly disproportionate sentences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one that expressly sets the prisoner ’ s life as the term to be served , would breach Article 3 but Irish law does not provide for such a sentence , she said .
The difficulties that arose in this case were “ not unique ” to prisoners serving life sentences , she remarked .
They had also arisen in the case of a man made a ward of court solely for the purpose of seeking his continued detention in the CMH because there is no other psychiatric facility here that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in an appropriate case , that the current framework is unlawful because there is no prospect of release for a transferred prisoner who requires in-patient treatment and is not well enough to return to prison but who is not considered so dangerous they could not be accommodated in an appropriate hospital in the community , she said .
That issue , she stressed , did not arise in this case because it was argued purely as a basis of statutory interpretation .

A mentally ill man serving life for murder, who was transferred from prison some years ago to the Central Mental Hospital (CMH), has lost his Supreme Court bid to be considered for conditional release having served some 14 years.
The man, who cannot be identified, accepted release might lead to his detention under the Mental Health Act in a psychiatric facility but said that was better than facing an indefinite life term in the CMH because of his mental illness.
The man, who had admitted murder, was transferred several times from prison to the CMH for treatment for schizophrenia. His condition appeared to regress each time he was returned to prison, for reasons including non-compliance with medication, and he has remained for several years now in the CMH.
His lawyers argued, under the current legal framework, he faced indefinite detention in the CMH with no prospect of being assessed by the Parole Board or considered for temporary release.
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His detention is reviewed twice a year by the Mental Health (Criminal Law) Review Board and all reviews over the past eight years concluded he required in-patient treatment in the CMH and should not be returned to prison.
In a judgment on Tuesday, a five judge Supreme Court dismissed his appeal over the lawfulness of refusals by the Parole Board to assess him for parole and by the Minister for Justice to consider him for temporary release.
Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley said, while he remains transferred to the CMH, the relevant law means he cannot be considered for release.
The CMH is not a prison but rather a “designated centre” under the Criminal Law Insanity Act 2006, she said.
Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended, (empowering the Minister to make rules providing for temporary release of prisoners) was never intended to apply to prisoners transferred to the CMH, she said.
The problem here was not that the law relating to life sentences precludes the possibility of the man’s release, she said.
The “real difficulty” is that his state of mental health precludes his return to prison for assessment for parole and, to date, there has been no possibility under the relevant legislation he could be released for the purpose of being transferred to another psychiatric facility for ongoing treatment.
The CMH has been designated as a centre for detention and treatment of persons transferred there under the Act but, although the Minister for Health and Children can designate other psychiatric centres, no designation had been made when this appeal was heard, she said.
The court could not say whether the man’s situation will be affected by the Minister’s designation earlier this year of a facility in Portrane.
As matters stand, a life prisoner who develops a serious and chronic mental illness requiring in patient treatment could, as a result, “end up indefinitely” in the high-security CMH.
That may, unfortunately, be necessary in some cases and a review board had considered this man represents a significant risk of violence outside such a setting, she said.
The judge dismissed claims of breach of the man’s rights under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights which prohibits grossly disproportionate sentences. A “whole life” sentence, one that expressly sets the prisoner’s life as the term to be served, would breach Article 3 but Irish law does not provide for such a sentence, she said.
The difficulties that arose in this case were “not unique” to prisoners serving life sentences, she remarked.
They had also arisen in the case of a man made a ward of court solely for the purpose of seeking his continued detention in the CMH because there is no other psychiatric facility here that is sufficiently secure.
An argument might arise, in an appropriate case, that the current framework is unlawful because there is no prospect of release for a transferred prisoner who requires in-patient treatment and is not well enough to return to prison but who is not considered so dangerous they could not be accommodated in an appropriate hospital in the community, she said.
That issue, she stressed, did not arise in this case because it was argued purely as a basis of statutory interpretation.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Provisional plan to be unveiled for return of tourism in Europe

A tentative road map for the return of tourism to Europe will become clearer on Wednesday when the European Commission publishes a strategy paper aimed at ensuring member states restart leisure-travel sectors in a safe and co-ordinated manner .
The commission will also issue guidance on if and how airlines , tour operators and travel agents can offer credit notes instead of cash refunds for cancelled flights and holidays .
The strategy will outline a three-step approach to reopen EU borders for tourists and will mean member states “ with similar overall risk profiles ” working in a co-ordinated fashion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first instance – on information from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control .
The report also outlines how social-distancing and sanitising measures should be deployed by all transport operators including airlines .
And it sets out the steps it believes travel companies should take to ensure “ consumer protection while addressing the issue of reimbursement claims ” .
The proposals will say that while a legal entitlement to a refund in the event that a flight is cancelled remains in force , it will suggest all companies and states offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more attractive .
What about a second Covid-19 wave ?
Among the commission ’ s suggestions will be insolvency protection , greater flexibility when transferring a voucher from one person to another and a guarantee that vouchers can be exchanged for a full cash refund if not used within a one-year expiry date .
The commission will also call for “ preparedness plans ” so that actions can be taken speedily and effectively in the event that the EU is hit by a second wave of coronavirus .
“ This will strengthen European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , travel and tourism industry should rebuild their recovery , ” states the draft document .
The document also includes new measures aimed at preventing discrimination based on a person ’ s nationality .
It makes it clear that if the border between two countries is opened then those measures will have to apply to all EU citizens living in both countries rather than just citizens of the two countries involved .

A tentative road map for the return of tourism to Europe will become clearer on Wednesday when the European Commission publishes a strategy paper aimed at ensuring member states restart leisure-travel sectors in a safe and co-ordinated manner.
The commission will also issue guidance on if and how airlines, tour operators and travel agents can offer credit notes instead of cash refunds for cancelled flights and holidays.
The strategy will outline a three-step approach to reopen EU borders for tourists and will mean member states “with similar overall risk profiles” working in a co-ordinated fashion.
This will be based – in the first instance – on information from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
READ MORE
The report also outlines how social-distancing and sanitising measures should be deployed by all transport operators including airlines. And it sets out the steps it believes travel companies should take to ensure “consumer protection while addressing the issue of reimbursement claims”.
The proposals will say that while a legal entitlement to a refund in the event that a flight is cancelled remains in force, it will suggest all companies and states offer consumers vouchers with incentives to make them more attractive.
What about a second Covid-19 wave?
Among the commission’s suggestions will be insolvency protection, greater flexibility when transferring a voucher from one person to another and a guarantee that vouchers can be exchanged for a full cash refund if not used within a one-year expiry date.
The commission will also call for “preparedness plans” so that actions can be taken speedily and effectively in the event that the EU is hit by a second wave of coronavirus.
“This will strengthen European citizens’ confidence on which the transport, travel and tourism industry should rebuild their recovery,” states the draft document.
The document also includes new measures aimed at preventing discrimination based on a person’s nationality. It makes it clear that if the border between two countries is opened then those measures will have to apply to all EU citizens living in both countries rather than just citizens of the two countries involved.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Covid-19: Large spike in use of spit hoods by gardaí in past week

The use of spit hoods by the Garda has increased almost 70 per cent in the past week , according to new figures on the force ’ s enforcement of Covid-19 restrictions .
There were also a further 53 incidents of enforcement of the emergency movement restrictions last week – a 38 per cent increase on the total number .
Since the emergency regulations came into force on April 8th , gardaí have initiated enforcement proceedings against 192 individuals who were found in breach of the movement restrictions and refused to comply with garda directions to abide by them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and thousands of interactions ” with the public , the Garda said .
Some of these cases resulted in the person being arrested .
In other cases , the person ’ s name and address was taken and a case referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) .
Gardaí have also made arrests or initiated prosecutions in 1,432 incidents where non-Covid-19 offences were detected in the course of public health enforcement , up from 1,172 the previous week .
“ These range from incidents such as drink driving or disqualified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and weapons seizures to public order offences , ” a Garda spokesman said .
According to the latest weekly figures , which cover the period up to last Saturday , gardaí have been deliberately spitted or coughed at on 64 occasions since the start of April .
They have used spit hoods – wire and mesh face coverings which are secured over prisoners ’ heads – 47 times , including 19 times in the past week .
“ Unfortunately , we continue to see these disgusting and despicable spitting and coughing attacks on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ These are a significant health and safety risk to our members in the current environment .
We must protect them from such attacks .
“ This includes having the option of using anti-spit guards in very limited circumstances .
We have made it clear these anti-spit guards are to be used only as last resort and in line with the Garda Decision Making Model , which includes at its centre human rights and our code of ethics.
” The Garda has said the spit hoods will be deployed only for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their use will be reviewed in September .
The Policing Authority and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties have previously expressed concern about their use .
The Garda said overall compliance with the movement restrictions continued to be very high and the “ vast majority ” of people were adhering to the rules .
“ We thank the public for the continued high level of compliance with the health guidelines .
Working together , we can reduce the spread of Covid-19 to help protect our family , friends , neighbours and colleagues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outset of the Covid-19 situation , I said that An Garda Síochána would continue to operate as a community-based policing service with a focus on protecting the vulnerable .
This approach will not change .
“ Recent independent surveys show very high levels of public satisfaction with how An Garda Síochána is operating in this challenging situation .
This is testament to the work being done by Garda personnel across the country in difficult circumstances.
” The Garda National Vetting Bureau has now processed 21,542 vetting applications for Covid-19-related roles , mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was now fully up to date with its workload and that applications were being turned around in a day .

The use of spit hoods by the Garda has increased almost 70 per cent in the past week, according to new figures on the force’s enforcement of Covid-19 restrictions.
There were also a further 53 incidents of enforcement of the emergency movement restrictions last week – a 38 per cent increase on the total number.
Since the emergency regulations came into force on April 8th, gardaí have initiated enforcement proceedings against 192 individuals who were found in breach of the movement restrictions and refused to comply with garda directions to abide by them.
This was out of “the hundreds and thousands of interactions” with the public, the Garda said.
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Some of these cases resulted in the person being arrested. In other cases, the person's name and address was taken and a case referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Gardaí have also made arrests or initiated prosecutions in 1,432 incidents where non-Covid-19 offences were detected in the course of public health enforcement, up from 1,172 the previous week.
“These range from incidents such as drink driving or disqualified drivers detected at checkpoints, to drugs and weapons seizures to public order offences,” a Garda spokesman said.
According to the latest weekly figures, which cover the period up to last Saturday, gardaí have been deliberately spitted or coughed at on 64 occasions since the start of April.
They have used spit hoods – wire and mesh face coverings which are secured over prisoners’ heads – 47 times, including 19 times in the past week.
"Unfortunately, we continue to see these disgusting and despicable spitting and coughing attacks on our personnel," Commissioner Drew Harris said. "These are a significant health and safety risk to our members in the current environment. We must protect them from such attacks.
“This includes having the option of using anti-spit guards in very limited circumstances. We have made it clear these anti-spit guards are to be used only as last resort and in line with the Garda Decision Making Model, which includes at its centre human rights and our code of ethics.”
The Garda has said the spit hoods will be deployed only for the duration of the health crisis and their use will be reviewed in September. The Policing Authority and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties have previously expressed concern about their use.
Compliance
The Garda said overall compliance with the movement restrictions continued to be very high and the “vast majority” of people were adhering to the rules.
"We thank the public for the continued high level of compliance with the health guidelines. Working together, we can reduce the spread of Covid-19 to help protect our family, friends, neighbours and colleagues," Mr Harris said.
"At the outset of the Covid-19 situation, I said that An Garda Síochána would continue to operate as a community-based policing service with a focus on protecting the vulnerable. This approach will not change.
“Recent independent surveys show very high levels of public satisfaction with how An Garda Síochána is operating in this challenging situation. This is testament to the work being done by Garda personnel across the country in difficult circumstances.”
The Garda National Vetting Bureau has now processed 21,542 vetting applications for Covid-19-related roles, mostly in the health system. The bureau said it was now fully up to date with its workload and that applications were being turned around in a day.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Man jailed after robbing cafe where he was a regular customer

A father of one who robbed money from a cafe in which he was a regular customer has been jailed for two-and-a-half years .
Dylan Brophy ( 22 ) of Reuben Street , Rialto , Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery at Arch Cafe , Reuben Plaza , Dublin 8 , on June 25th , 2018 .
Garda Kevin Cassidy told Elva Duffy BL , prosecuting , said on the afternoon in question , Brophy approached the counter with his face covered and his hood up , holding a knife up by his chest .
Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give me the f**king money ” and was told to press the green button on the till .
He reached over , took €650 from the till and left the cafe .
Gardaí obtained CCTV footage which showed Brophy sitting in the cafe an hour before the offence .
Further CCTV footage showed him subsequent to the robbery changing into the clothes he had been wearing while sitting in the cafe .
The court heard that Brophy was a regular customer at the cafe .
Brophy has 43 previous convictions , including convictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possession of drugs for sale or supply .
Garda Cassidy agreed with Dean Kelly BL , defending , that his client was a user and abuser of street drugs at the time of the offence .
He agreed that Brophy fully co-operated with the investigation once he was arrested .
Mr Kelly said his client began taking drugs in his teenager years and said he has a son with his “ childhood sweetheart ” .
He said Brophy is currently serving a sentence for another offence and asked not to extend his time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 2021 .
Judge Martin Nolan said that any robbery was serious , but it was noteworthy that there was no actual violence in this case .
He said it was to Brophy ’ s credit that he made admissions upon his arrest .
Judge Nolan sentenced Brophy to a term of imprisonment of two-and-a-half years starting from Tuesday .

A father of one who robbed money from a cafe in which he was a regular customer has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Dylan Brophy (22) of Reuben Street, Rialto, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery at Arch Cafe, Reuben Plaza, Dublin 8, on June 25th, 2018.
Garda Kevin Cassidy told Elva Duffy BL, prosecuting, said on the afternoon in question, Brophy approached the counter with his face covered and his hood up, holding a knife up by his chest.
Garda Cassidy said Brophy told staff to “give me the f**king money” and was told to press the green button on the till. He reached over, took €650 from the till and left the cafe.
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Gardaí obtained CCTV footage which showed Brophy sitting in the cafe an hour before the offence. Further CCTV footage showed him subsequent to the robbery changing into the clothes he had been wearing while sitting in the cafe.
The court heard that Brophy was a regular customer at the cafe.
Brophy has 43 previous convictions, including convictions for robbery, assault causing harm and possession of drugs for sale or supply.
Garda Cassidy agreed with Dean Kelly BL, defending, that his client was a user and abuser of street drugs at the time of the offence. He agreed that Brophy fully co-operated with the investigation once he was arrested.
Mr Kelly said his client began taking drugs in his teenager years and said he has a son with his “childhood sweetheart”. He said Brophy is currently serving a sentence for another offence and asked not to extend his time in custody beyond his release date in July 2021.
Judge Martin Nolan said that any robbery was serious, but it was noteworthy that there was no actual violence in this case. He said it was to Brophy’s credit that he made admissions upon his arrest.
Judge Nolan sentenced Brophy to a term of imprisonment of two-and-a-half years starting from Tuesday.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Car park owners oppose pedestrianisation and Liffey cycle measures

Banning traffic from College Green and other Dublin city streets would be “ potentially highly damaging ” to the Government ’ s plans for a phased reopening of society and business , car park owners have said .
Dublin City Council intends to make College Green traffic-free , and ban cars from other streets after 11am daily as part of its “ temporary mobility plan ” to ensure the city is ready to reopen as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted .
However , the Irish Parking Association said these plans were “ counter-intuitive ” and workers were more likely to want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a letter to the chairman of the council ’ s transport committee , Christy Burke , parking association chairman Keith Gavin said he was “ very dismayed ” by the proposals put forward by council chief executive Owen Keegan to facilitate walking , cycling and public transport in the city , by restricting private cars .
“ The proposed measures are , in our opinion , counterintuitive and potentially highly damaging to the Government ’ s plans for a phased reopening of society and business , ” Mr Gavin said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ begun to ease Covid-19 related restrictions has clearly shown a marked and natural reluctance of people to use public transport and indications are that is very likely to be the case here also , ” he said .
“ Essential workers will make use of their private cars to access the city centre and , while the proposed measures are to be encouraged for those who can avail of cycling and walking alternatives , they seriously discriminate against those who are unable to do so and ignore the needs of large sections of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burke to “ oppose these measures as currently outlined until proper consultation with all of the affected stakeholders is conducted , and a thorough review and consideration of the relevant issues involved takes place ” .
Mr Burke said Mr Gavin had made “ valid points ” and he believed there should be consultation with affected businesses and other groups .
However , he said he would not oppose Mr Keegan ’ s measures .
“ If you don ’ t have consultation , you get aggravation .
We do need to engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s one thing I ’ ve learned from the past is that if you ostracise people , if you leave them out in the cold , you will get people militating against you.
” However , he said : “ I won ’ t be opposing the manager [ Mr Keegan ] but Mr Gavin has made some valid points , and questions do need to be answered about where the traffic is going to go , how will shops get deliveries and what about the people who can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Separately Noel Smyth , chairman of Dublin City Centre Traders Alliance , said the start of work on the Liffey cycle lane was an “ illegal act ” .
In recent weeks the council has begun installing a segregated cycle path on the north quays of the Liffey .
The path , first planned more than 12 years ago , will eventually run from Phoenix Park in the west to the 3Arena in the east .
Mr Smyth , whose group also represents car park owners , wrote to Mr Keegan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop work on the project immediately .
“ In this instance , it is our view that under cover of Covid-19 the council are pressing ahead with what we consider to be an illegal act and , therefore , should cease and stop immediately , ” the letter said .
“ If you continue with those said works , we intend to seek orders from the court for those works to be reversed and for appropriate sanctions to be made against those involved in carrying out those illegal acts.
” The council should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry out the cycle lane work and not use the provisions of the Road Traffic Act , the letter said .
“ In addition to the above mentioned legal matters , the public announcements that the installation of this cycle lane in this manner is in the best interest of the public as it gives additional space to cyclists is again clearly wrong and misleading , ” it said .
“ By cutting off a further limb of traffic at this time , it is clear that the council ’ s long-term intention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are entering the city despite what the consequences may be for car users in the city.
” Mr Keegan said there had been “ one or two legal challenges , I intend that we will deal with those ” .

Banning traffic from College Green and other Dublin city streets would be "potentially highly damaging" to the Government's plans for a phased reopening of society and business, car park owners have said.
Dublin City Council intends to make College Green traffic-free, and ban cars from other streets after 11am daily as part of its "temporary mobility plan" to ensure the city is ready to reopen as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
However, the Irish Parking Association said these plans were “counter-intuitive” and workers were more likely to want to use cars to access the city.
In a letter to the chairman of the council's transport committee, Christy Burke, parking association chairman Keith Gavin said he was "very dismayed" by the proposals put forward by council chief executive Owen Keegan to facilitate walking, cycling and public transport in the city, by restricting private cars.
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“The proposed measures are, in our opinion, counterintuitive and potentially highly damaging to the Government’s plans for a phased reopening of society and business,” Mr Gavin said.
“Experience from other jurisdictions which have begun to ease Covid-19 related restrictions has clearly shown a marked and natural reluctance of people to use public transport and indications are that is very likely to be the case here also,” he said.
“Essential workers will make use of their private cars to access the city centre and, while the proposed measures are to be encouraged for those who can avail of cycling and walking alternatives, they seriously discriminate against those who are unable to do so and ignore the needs of large sections of the public.”
He called on Mr Burke to “oppose these measures as currently outlined until proper consultation with all of the affected stakeholders is conducted, and a thorough review and consideration of the relevant issues involved takes place”.
Mr Burke said Mr Gavin had made “valid points” and he believed there should be consultation with affected businesses and other groups. However, he said he would not oppose Mr Keegan’s measures.
“If you don’t have consultation, you get aggravation. We do need to engage with these concerned bodies, because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from the past is that if you ostracise people, if you leave them out in the cold, you will get people militating against you.”
However, he said: “I won’t be opposing the manager [Mr Keegan] but Mr Gavin has made some valid points, and questions do need to be answered about where the traffic is going to go, how will shops get deliveries and what about the people who can’t use a bicycle or walk into work?”
Liffey cycle lane
Separately Noel Smyth, chairman of Dublin City Centre Traders Alliance, said the start of work on the Liffey cycle lane was an "illegal act".
In recent weeks the council has begun installing a segregated cycle path on the north quays of the Liffey. The path, first planned more than 12 years ago, will eventually run from Phoenix Park in the west to the 3Arena in the east.
Mr Smyth, whose group also represents car park owners, wrote to Mr Keegan in recent days advising the council to stop work on the project immediately.
“In this instance, it is our view that under cover of Covid-19 the council are pressing ahead with what we consider to be an illegal act and, therefore, should cease and stop immediately,” the letter said.
“If you continue with those said works, we intend to seek orders from the court for those works to be reversed and for appropriate sanctions to be made against those involved in carrying out those illegal acts.”
The council should obtain permission from An Bord Pleanála to carry out the cycle lane work and not use the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, the letter said.
“In addition to the above mentioned legal matters, the public announcements that the installation of this cycle lane in this manner is in the best interest of the public as it gives additional space to cyclists is again clearly wrong and misleading,” it said.
“By cutting off a further limb of traffic at this time, it is clear that the council’s long-term intention is to thwart and ensure less cars are entering the city despite what the consequences may be for car users in the city.”
Mr Keegan said there had been “one or two legal challenges, I intend that we will deal with those”.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Covid-19: High Court to rule on John Waters and Gemma O’Doherty challenge to laws

The High Court will rule on Wednesday on the application by John Waters and Gemma O ’ Doherty for permission to challenge laws introduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
In judicial review proceedings against the State and the Minister for Health , the applicants seek to have various pieces of recently enacted legislation relating to the virus , which they say are unconstitutional and flawed , quashed .
They also want the court to make a declaration the legislation is unconstitutional .
On Wednesday Mr Justice Charles Meenan , will decide whether the journalists have an arguable case entitling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State , and lawyers acting for the Dail , Seanad and the Ceann Comhairle who were notice parties to the proceedings , have argued permission for judicial review should not be granted .
Ms O ’ Doherty and Mr Waters , who represented themselves , want leave to challenge legislation including the 2020 Health Preservation and Protection and Other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act , the 2020 Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act Covid-19 Act , The 1947 Health Act ( Affected Areas ) Order .
Their proceedings are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought due to Covid-19 under the 1947 Health Act .
They claim the laws , and the manner in which they were enacted , are repugnant to several Articles of the constitution including rights to travel , bodily integrity and family rights .
The claims are denied .
The two-day leave hearing , and earlier preliminary hearings , saw a large number of Gardaí around the Four Courts complex to ensure that social distancing regulations , which including limiting the number of persons that can attend court hearings , were maintained .

John Waters and Gemma O’Doherty arrive at the High Court in Dublin on Wednesday May 6th. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA
The High Court will rule on Wednesday on the application by John Waters and Gemma O'Doherty for permission to challenge laws introduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In judicial review proceedings against the State and the Minister for Health, the applicants seek to have various pieces of recently enacted legislation relating to the virus, which they say are unconstitutional and flawed, quashed.
They also want the court to make a declaration the legislation is unconstitutional.
On Wednesday Mr Justice Charles Meenan, will decide whether the journalists have an arguable case entitling them to a full hearing.
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John Waters and Gemma O’Doherty arrive at the High Court in Dublin last week. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA
The State, and lawyers acting for the Dail, Seanad and the Ceann Comhairle who were notice parties to the proceedings, have argued permission for judicial review should not be granted.
Ms O’Doherty and Mr Waters, who represented themselves, want leave to challenge legislation including the 2020 Health Preservation and Protection and Other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, the 2020 Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act Covid-19 Act, The 1947 Health Act (Affected Areas) Order.
Their proceedings are also aimed at striking down temporary restriction regulations brought due to Covid-19 under the 1947 Health Act.
They claim the laws, and the manner in which they were enacted, are repugnant to several Articles of the constitution including rights to travel, bodily integrity and family rights . The claims are denied.
The two-day leave hearing, and earlier preliminary hearings, saw a large number of Gardaí around the Four Courts complex to ensure that social distancing regulations, which including limiting the number of persons that can attend court hearings, were maintained.


theirishtimes--2020-05-12--Man charged with sexual abuse of nephews seeks to halt trial

An elderly man accused of sexually abusing four of his nephews many years ago has brought a High Court challenge aimed at halting his trial .
The man , aged in his late seventies , can not be identified for legal reasons .
He is facing more than 350 charges of sexually abusing the complainants on dates between 1967 and 1984 .
The assaults are alleged to have occurred in and around the accused man ’ s family home .
The complainants , who claim they were abused while on holidays with their families , were all minors at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the allegations , was sent forward for trial late last year before the Circuit Criminal Court , after a complaint was made to gardaí in 2016 .
He claims he is at risk of not receiving a fair trial on grounds including prosecutorial delay .
He also claims he can not get a fair trial due to his poor health and cognitive difficulties .
Represented by Michael Bowman SC , the man further claims the trial is prejudiced by the passage of time and in particular the deaths of persons , including his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been important witnesses in his defence .
Counsel said allegations of abuse were known and discussed within the family during the early 1990s and in 2002 when the man was confronted with the allegations .
No complaint was made to the gardaí until 2016 , said counsel .
Counsel said evidence that would have been available to his client had he been prosecuted at a much earlier point in time is no longer available to him .
There was also a lack of detail concerning the vast majority of the allegations , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DPP , the man seeks various orders and declarations including an order prohibiting his trial .
The High Court had previously directed his application for permission to bring his challenge be brought on notice to the DPP .
The leave application was not opposed by the DPP when it came before Mr Justice Michael Quinn on Tuesday .
The judge said he was satisfied an arguable case for judicial review had been made and that leave should be granted .
The judge put a stay on the prosecution pending the outcome of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter to next month .

The judge said he was satisfied an arguable case for judicial review had been made and that leave should be granted. File photograph: Collins Courts
An elderly man accused of sexually abusing four of his nephews many years ago has brought a High Court challenge aimed at halting his trial.
The man, aged in his late seventies, cannot be identified for legal reasons. He is facing more than 350 charges of sexually abusing the complainants on dates between 1967 and 1984.
The assaults are alleged to have occurred in and around the accused man’s family home.
The complainants, who claim they were abused while on holidays with their families, were all minors at the time.
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The man, who denies the allegations, was sent forward for trial late last year before the Circuit Criminal Court, after a complaint was made to gardaí in 2016.
He claims he is at risk of not receiving a fair trial on grounds including prosecutorial delay. He also claims he cannot get a fair trial due to his poor health and cognitive difficulties.
Represented by Michael Bowman SC, the man further claims the trial is prejudiced by the passage of time and in particular the deaths of persons, including his parents, who he claims would have been important witnesses in his defence.
Counsel said allegations of abuse were known and discussed within the family during the early 1990s and in 2002 when the man was confronted with the allegations. No complaint was made to the gardaí until 2016, said counsel.
Counsel said evidence that would have been available to his client had he been prosecuted at a much earlier point in time is no longer available to him.
Application not opposed by DPP
There was also a lack of detail concerning the vast majority of the allegations, said counsel.
In judicial review proceedings against the DPP, the man seeks various orders and declarations including an order prohibiting his trial.
The High Court had previously directed his application for permission to bring his challenge be brought on notice to the DPP.
The leave application was not opposed by the DPP when it came before Mr Justice Michael Quinn on Tuesday.
The judge said he was satisfied an arguable case for judicial review had been made and that leave should be granted.
The judge put a stay on the prosecution pending the outcome of the High Court action and returned the matter to next month.


theirishtimes--2020-05-13--Funeral held for Cork pensioner who fought armed robber in 2018

A pensioner who drew international headlines when he fought off raiders in a bookies shop in Cork city in 2018 is being laid to rest on Wednesday .
Mourners engaged in social distancing lined the route as the hearse containing the remains of Denis O ’ Connor passed his son ’ s pub to go to his native Kiskeam for his funeral .
In 2018 the-then 83-year-old great-grandfather rushed to help staff and took on three armed men who were trying to rob a bookies .
Mr O ’ Connor , a father of five who lived in Glanmire in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Racing in the area on September 15th , 2018 , at about 6pm when three men in their teens or early 20s came in armed with hammers and a shotgun demanding money from the safe .
Two men , who were wearing balaclavas , jumped over the counter and attacked the manager .
A third man carrying what appeared to be a shotgun held up the customers .
Mr O ’ Connor , who trained regularly in a Cork gym and walked and swam several times a week , immediately went to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He tackled one of the men , and the raiders left empty-handed .
In an interview with the Irish Sun at the time he said he didn ’ t think twice abut assisting the manager .
“ I just didn ’ t think about what I was doing .
Sometimes you can just sit down and do nothing or you can stand up to people like these and that ’ s what I did , ” he said .
Mr Murphy said the robbery , which was caught on CCTV footage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young men , who were shouting and bashing their hammers , ignored the till takings and demanded he open the safe .
He described the situation as “ intimidating ” .
Meanwhile , Mr Murphy gave radio and print interviews where he said he was extremely grateful for the actions of Mr O ’ Connor .
“ I was just being threatened by the two fellas with the hammers .
Denis tackled one of them and I thought ‘ I will have to tackle this fella as well.
’ “ I tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total blur .
They totally backed down .
I remember Denis just shouting : ‘ Ye are cowards .
Ye are total cowards.
’ “ Denis is a total hero .
When I saw him taking one of them on he totally inspired me .
He is very fit , ” Mr Murphy said .
Mr O ’ Connor , formerly of Kiskeam and London , is survived by his wife Teresa and his children Mary , John , Elaine Katrina and Clare .
He will be laid to rest in Kiskeam following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church .
John O ’ Connor , son to Denis , is the owner of the Idle Hour pub in Cork city .
Up to 300 customers and friends lined the road outside the pub from 11.45am today to pay their respects as the hearse containing the octogenarian passed .

The hearse carrying the remains of Denis O’Connor pauses at The Idle Hour pub on Cork City docks, applauded by friends and customers, before burial in Kiskeam, Co. Cork. Photogtraph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision
A pensioner who drew international headlines when he fought off raiders in a bookies shop in Cork city in 2018 is being laid to rest on Wednesday.
Mourners engaged in social distancing lined the route as the hearse containing the remains of Denis O’Connor passed his son’s pub to go to his native Kiskeam for his funeral.
In 2018 the-then 83-year-old great-grandfather rushed to help staff and took on three armed men who were trying to rob a bookies.
Mr O’Connor, a father of five who lived in Glanmire in Co Cork, was in Bar One Racing in the area on September 15th, 2018, at about 6pm when three men in their teens or early 20s came in armed with hammers and a shotgun demanding money from the safe.
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Two men, who were wearing balaclavas, jumped over the counter and attacked the manager. A third man carrying what appeared to be a shotgun held up the customers.
Mr O’Connor, who trained regularly in a Cork gym and walked and swam several times a week, immediately went to the aid of the manager, Tim Murphy.
He tackled one of the men, and the raiders left empty-handed.
In an interview with the Irish Sun at the time he said he didn’t think twice abut assisting the manager.
“I just didn’t think about what I was doing. Sometimes you can just sit down and do nothing or you can stand up to people like these and that’s what I did,” he said.
Mr Murphy said the robbery, which was caught on CCTV footage, was quite shocking. He said the young men, who were shouting and bashing their hammers, ignored the till takings and demanded he open the safe.
He described the situation as “intimidating”.
Meanwhile, Mr Murphy gave radio and print interviews where he said he was extremely grateful for the actions of Mr O’Connor.
“I was just being threatened by the two fellas with the hammers. Denis tackled one of them and I thought ‘I will have to tackle this fella as well.’
“I tried to grab the hammer. It was a total blur. They totally backed down. I remember Denis just shouting: ‘Ye are cowards. Ye are total cowards.’
“Denis is a total hero. When I saw him taking one of them on he totally inspired me. He is very fit,” Mr Murphy said.
Mr O’Connor, formerly of Kiskeam and London, is survived by his wife Teresa and his children Mary, John, Elaine Katrina and Clare. He will be laid to rest in Kiskeam following a 2pm funeral mass at the local church.
John O’Connor, son to Denis, is the owner of the Idle Hour pub in Cork city.
Up to 300 customers and friends lined the road outside the pub from 11.45am today to pay their respects as the hearse containing the octogenarian passed.