theirishtimes--2020-09-17--Woman loses appeal against sentence for smuggling €2m of heroin

The Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal by a woman against a seven-year jail term imposed on her after she was caught trying to smuggle almost €2m worth of heroin through Dublin Airport .
Lawyers for Samina Sajjad , ( 52 ) a retired postmistress with an address in Middlesborough , England , but from Pakistan , claimed the sentence imposed by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in May 2019 was unduly severe and failed to take into account her lack of previous convictions and guilty plea .
Sajjad , who was accompanied by her eight-year-old niece , was stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organised Crime Bureau after coming off a flight from Doha , having originally travelled from Lahore in Pakistan on November 16th 2018 .
She was subsequently charged with the possession of 13.69kg of heroin with an estimated street value of €1,916,000 for the purpose of sale or supply which was discovered in a hidden compartment of her luggage .
Delivering the court ’ s ruling , Mr Justice John Edwards , presiding , with Mr Justice Aileen Donnelly and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy , said the Court of Appeal had heard no evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken into account all the mitigating factors in Sajjad ’ s favour .
Mr Justice Edwards remarked the headline sentence of 10 years imposed on Sajjad might have been higher before mitigating factors were considered in the case .

The Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal by a woman against a seven-year jail term imposed on her after she was caught trying to smuggle almost €2m worth of heroin through Dublin Airport.
Lawyers for Samina Sajjad, (52) a retired postmistress with an address in Middlesborough, England, but from Pakistan, claimed the sentence imposed by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in May 2019 was unduly severe and failed to take into account her lack of previous convictions and guilty plea.
Sajjad, who was accompanied by her eight-year-old niece, was stopped by gardaí from the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau after coming off a flight from Doha, having originally travelled from Lahore in Pakistan on November 16th 2018.
She was subsequently charged with the possession of 13.69kg of heroin with an estimated street value of €1,916,000 for the purpose of sale or supply which was discovered in a hidden compartment of her luggage.
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Delivering the court’s ruling, Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, with Mr Justice Aileen Donnelly and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, said the Court of Appeal had heard no evidence to suggest the sentencing judge had not taken into account all the mitigating factors in Sajjad’s favour.
Mr Justice Edwards remarked the headline sentence of 10 years imposed on Sajjad might have been higher before mitigating factors were considered in the case.


theirishtimes--2020-09-17--Covid-19: North’s ‘wet pubs’ to reopen next week as 149 new cases recorded

Bars and pubs which serve drinks only will be able to reopen in the North from Wednesday , September 23rd .
The North ’ s ministers gave the go-ahead to the reopening of so called “ wet pubs ” following a meeting of the Executive on Thursday .
The date is two days later than originally planned .
The Executive said this was to “ enable new regulations for the hospitality sector to be put in place to support their safe operation.
” The Executive also agreed a number of measures which must be in put place before a venue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stations , the wearing of face coverings and the collection of customer details for contact tracing .
Premises must offer table service only , and must calculate the number of people who can safely be accommodated in line with social distancing requirements and put this figure on public display .
The regulations will apply to any venue serving alcohol or where alcohol can be brought in and consumed by customers , the Executive said .
Localised restrictions which are in place in Belfast , Ballymena and some other postcodes were also extended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Armagh City and runs from Markethill to Keady and the border with Co Monaghan .
Police issued seven Covid-19 fixed penalty notices of £60 ( €65.65 ) each to young people breaking the localised coronavirus regulations in Belfast ’ s Holyland area early on Thursday morning .
The North ’ s Health Minister Robin Swann on Wednesday described scenes of house parties and on-street drinking in the area of south Belfast , which is popular with students , as “ deplorable ” .
Three prohibition notices were also made on properties hosting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20-year-old man who had previously been arrested in the area was detained again on suspicion of breaching his bail conditions .
Chief Insp Gavin Kirkpatrick said that in addition to “ robustly addressing all incidents of antisocial of criminal activity , where appropriate , we will be sharing the details of students have failed to follow the Covid regulations with the universities , who will then consider a range of sanctions ” .
In the 24 hours to Thursday , 149 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 were identified by the Department of Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing the total number of cases to 8,780 .
This includes 689 new cases which have been confirmed in the last seven days .
There were no further coronavirus related fatalities .
The total number of deaths recorded by the department since the beginning of the pandemic remains at 573 .
The North ’ s First Minister Arlene Foster attended Thursday ’ s Executive meeting via Zoom after she revealed on social media she was unwell with what sources described as a “ bug ” .
“ I ’ ve been ill ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she wrote on Twitter .
“ Technology allows us to proceed remotely.
” The department said on Thursday that the R - or Reproduction - number of the virus in the North was currently around 1.2 , and there had been , on average , 90 new positive tests every day over the last seven days .
The 14-day incidence of the virus based on new positive tests was 64.9 per 100,000 of population .
The North ’ s Chief Scientific Adviser , Prof Ian Young , said this figure had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic of Ireland and in the UK as a whole , though he added that testing was also higher in Northern Ireland .
“ Over the last week , we have seen a plateauing in cases and an increase in hospital admissions , ” he said .
“ The current increase in cases in younger people is likely to lead to increasing cases in the over sixties with resulting pressure on the hospital system and , tragically , increasing deaths.
” Provisional quarterly data released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Covid-19 was the underlying cause of 732 deaths between April 1st and June 30th .
This was fewer than the number recorded in the statistics produced weekly by NISRA - which count the number of fatalities which mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate , whether or not it was the primary cause of death .
However , Thursday ’ s figures show that Covid-19 was the underlying , primary cause of death in 91 per cent of all deaths which mentioned coronavirus on the death certificate .
The NISRA figures are higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released by the DoH because the department counts only deaths were a patient has previously tested positive for Covid-19 .

Premises must offer table service only, and must calculate the number of people who can safely be accommodated in line with social distancing requirements and put this figure on public display. Photograph: iStock
Bars and pubs which serve drinks only will be able to reopen in the North from Wednesday, September 23rd.
The North’s ministers gave the go-ahead to the reopening of so called “wet pubs” following a meeting of the Executive on Thursday.
The date is two days later than originally planned. The Executive said this was to “enable new regulations for the hospitality sector to be put in place to support their safe operation.”
The Executive also agreed a number of measures which must be in put place before a venue can reopen.
READ MORE
These include hand sanitising stations, the wearing of face coverings and the collection of customer details for contact tracing. Premises must offer table service only, and must calculate the number of people who can safely be accommodated in line with social distancing requirements and put this figure on public display.
The regulations will apply to any venue serving alcohol or where alcohol can be brought in and consumed by customers, the Executive said.
Localised restrictions which are in place in Belfast, Ballymena and some other postcodes were also extended to addresses in BT60, which includes part of Armagh City and runs from Markethill to Keady and the border with Co Monaghan.
Penalty notices
Police issued seven Covid-19 fixed penalty notices of £60 (€65.65)each to young people breaking the localised coronavirus regulations in Belfast’s Holyland area early on Thursday morning.
The North’s Health Minister Robin Swann on Wednesday described scenes of house parties and on-street drinking in the area of south Belfast, which is popular with students, as “deplorable”.
Three prohibition notices were also made on properties hosting parties, police said, and a 20-year-old man who had previously been arrested in the area was detained again on suspicion of breaching his bail conditions.
Chief Insp Gavin Kirkpatrick said that in addition to “robustly addressing all incidents of antisocial of criminal activity, where appropriate, we will be sharing the details of students have failed to follow the Covid regulations with the universities, who will then consider a range of sanctions”.
149 new cases
In the 24 hours to Thursday, 149 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 were identified by the Department of Health (DoH) in the North, bringing the total number of cases to 8,780. This includes 689 new cases which have been confirmed in the last seven days.
There were no further coronavirus related fatalities. The total number of deaths recorded by the department since the beginning of the pandemic remains at 573.
The North's First Minister Arlene Foster attended Thursday's Executive meeting via Zoom after she revealed on social media she was unwell with what sources described as a "bug". "I've been ill (just the flu) since Monday evening," she wrote on Twitter. "Technology allows us to proceed remotely."
The department said on Thursday that the R - or Reproduction - number of the virus in the North was currently around 1.2, and there had been, on average, 90 new positive tests every day over the last seven days.
The 14-day incidence of the virus based on new positive tests was 64.9 per 100,000 of population.
The North's Chief Scientific Adviser, Prof Ian Young, said this figure had increased and remained higher than in the Republic of Ireland and in the UK as a whole, though he added that testing was also higher in Northern Ireland.
“Over the last week, we have seen a plateauing in cases and an increase in hospital admissions,” he said. “The current increase in cases in younger people is likely to lead to increasing cases in the over sixties with resulting pressure on the hospital system and, tragically, increasing deaths.”
Provisional quarterly data released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) earlier on Thursday found that Covid-19 was the underlying cause of 732 deaths between April 1st and June 30th.
This was fewer than the number recorded in the statistics produced weekly by NISRA - which count the number of fatalities which mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, whether or not it was the primary cause of death.
However, Thursday’s figures show that Covid-19 was the underlying, primary cause of death in 91 per cent of all deaths which mentioned coronavirus on the death certificate.
The NISRA figures are higher than those recorded in the daily statistics released by the DoH because the department counts only deaths were a patient has previously tested positive for Covid-19.


theirishtimes--2020-09-17--Catholics demanding Communion on the tongue a threat to public health, says priest

A Waterford priest has criticised as selfish the behaviour of Catholics who demand Communion on the tongue despite Covid-19 restrictions .
Fr Liam Power , former communications officer with the diocese of Waterford and Lismore , said such people did not seem to “ respect the danger this represented to others ” and were a cause of “ very serious embarrassment for priests , many of whom are elderly ” .
While the number making such demands was “ not huge , reports were fairly consistent from parishes across the country ” , he said .
It was also the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open to negotiation ” .
Fr Power referred to an incident in a Waterford church recently .
“ One member of the congregation crossed from one section of the church , climbing over a barrier separating the two pods of 50 , and then demanded Holy Communion on the tongue.
” “ It was an embarrassing situation as the congregation witnessed this stand-off during a most sacred moment of the service .
When challenged afterwards , the person refuted the constitutionality of the Covid-19 regulations , inferring that the right to religious liberty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened involving an elderly priest with underlying health issues .
He too refused .
“ In neither of these incidents was any concern shown by the protesters for the health and safety of others .
Priests and other communicants could have been exposed to Covid infection , ” Fr Power said .
More generally , he referred to the “ aggression ” of such people and their growth across the Catholic world , with a seeming determination “ to undermine Vatican II and remove Pope Francis .
It ’ s the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a campaign to remove a Pope from within the Church .
It ’ s very unsettling for Catholics , ” he said .
He agreed with those who felt that attention given to such ultra-right groups by Church authorities in Ireland as elsewhere was now “ reaping a bitter whirlwind ” .
Fr Power recalled how , when Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin attended Eid celebrations in Croke Park last July , “ he was met with screaming protestors , his car surrounded and banged on , and people shouting traitor and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent “ torrent of abuse hurled at Fr Stephen Farragher , parish priest of Ballyhaunis in Co Mayo , during protests at his decision to allow two members of the Muslim community to say the final blessing and prayer at a Sunday ceremony in the church ” .
“ The blessing was planned to show solidarity with frontline workers and to pray for the eradication of Covid-19.
” It was the case that such people also “ oppose vaccines and refuse to wear masks and they wantonly contravene other HSE guidelines ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cocktail ” was “ symptomatic of what is happening on a more global level , particularly in the USA ” .
“ Extreme alt-right media groups claiming total fidelity to the Catholic church ( such as Church Militant , Lifesite News , Breitbart and the most influential of all Catholic media , EWTN ) , are unabashedly partisan in their support for extreme right wing politics , ” Fr Power said .
Where Ireland ’ s Catholic bishops were concerned , Fr Power felt that “ in their attempt to accommodate the alt-right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political implications of extreme views which , in my opinion , serve to undermine the pontificate of Pope Francis ” .
“ There must be limits to appeasement .
”

While numbers demanding communion by mouth were ‘not huge, reports were fairly consistent from parishes across the country’, Fr Liam Power said. Photograph: iStock
A Waterford priest has criticised as selfish the behaviour of Catholics who demand Communion on the tongue despite Covid-19 restrictions.
Fr Liam Power, former communications officer with the diocese of Waterford and Lismore, said such people did not seem to "respect the danger this represented to others" and were a cause of "very serious embarrassment for priests, many of whom are elderly".
While the number making such demands was “not huge, reports were fairly consistent from parishes across the country”, he said. It was also the case that people involved were “not open to negotiation”.
Fr Power referred to an incident in a Waterford church recently.
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“One member of the congregation crossed from one section of the church, climbing over a barrier separating the two pods of 50, and then demanded Holy Communion on the tongue.”
The priest refused.
“It was an embarrassing situation as the congregation witnessed this stand-off during a most sacred moment of the service. When challenged afterwards, the person refuted the constitutionality of the Covid-19 regulations, inferring that the right to religious liberty was being undermined.”
A similar incident happened involving an elderly priest with underlying health issues. He too refused.
“In neither of these incidents was any concern shown by the protesters for the health and safety of others. Priests and other communicants could have been exposed to Covid infection,” Fr Power said.
‘Aggression’
More generally, he referred to the "aggression" of such people and their growth across the Catholic world, with a seeming determination "to undermine Vatican II and remove Pope Francis. It's the first time in my lifetime I ever heard of a campaign to remove a Pope from within the Church. It's very unsettling for Catholics," he said.
He agreed with those who felt that attention given to such ultra-right groups by Church authorities in Ireland as elsewhere was now "reaping a bitter whirlwind".
Fr Power recalled how, when Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin attended Eid celebrations in Croke Park last July, "he was met with screaming protestors, his car surrounded and banged on, and people shouting traitor and other abuse".
There was also the recent "torrent of abuse hurled at Fr Stephen Farragher, parish priest of Ballyhaunis in Co Mayo, during protests at his decision to allow two members of the Muslim community to say the final blessing and prayer at a Sunday ceremony in the church".
“The blessing was planned to show solidarity with frontline workers and to pray for the eradication of Covid-19.”
It was the case that such people also “oppose vaccines and refuse to wear masks and they wantonly contravene other HSE guidelines”, he said.
Their “toxic politico-religious cocktail” was “symptomatic of what is happening on a more global level, particularly in the USA”.
"Extreme alt-right media groups claiming total fidelity to the Catholic church (such as Church Militant, Lifesite News, Breitbart and the most influential of all Catholic media, EWTN), are unabashedly partisan in their support for extreme right wing politics," Fr Power said.
Where Ireland’s Catholic bishops were concerned, Fr Power felt that “in their attempt to accommodate the alt-right Catholics the hierarchy need to appreciate the political implications of extreme views which, in my opinion, serve to undermine the pontificate of Pope Francis”.
“There must be limits to appeasement.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-17--‘Give him time,’ mother urges court about severely brain-injured child

A mother who is opposing a hospital ’ s bid for orders effectively permitting it place her severely brain injured son on a palliative care regime has appealed to the High Court to “ give him time ” .
Her son , whom doctors say is in a vegetative state since he suffered catastrophic injuries in a road collision during the summer , and from which they believe he will not make any meaningful recovery , is “ a fighter ” , she said .
The boy is her youngest child , all she wants is the best for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she told High Court president Ms Justice Mary Irvine on Thursday .
“ I know he is not able to talk but he has a heartbeat and a pulse.
” “ It is way too soon for him , ” she said , adding he would want more time .
She is his carer on a 24/7 basis , she said , and it was like looking after a newborn baby .
“ He is my child .
I want the best for him .
Give him time .
He overcame everything .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The boy ’ s father , who is estranged from the mother , said both parents wanted their son to have more time .
When the boy hears his voice , he opens his eyes , he said .
“ He needs time .
That is all he needs .
“ Ms Justice Irvine is conducting a hearing to decide whether or not to grant the orders sought by the hospital .
Arising from the dispute between the parents and the hospital as to what is in the best interests of the child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wardship proceedings .
The parents opposed wardship .
The judge earlier this week decided the boy should be taken into wardship and will give her reasons for that decision later .
The judge has received several medical reports , including from doctors not attached to the hospital asked by the boy ’ s court appointed guardian to give their views concerning the orders sought .
Earlier this week , three doctors gave evidence they believe the boy is in a vegetative state , he will not make any meaningful recovery and his best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimally conscious state .
A neurologist who is part of the child ’ s treatment team said she is 90 per cent sure the boy is experiencing pain as a result of dystonic episodes .
The boy ’ s parents say it is too soon after the accident to say what will happen in terms of recovery and they oppose orders which would effectively allow the hospital administer a palliative care regime and to withhold life prolonging interventions such as CPR if doctors consider those are not in the boy ’ s best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back home to be cared for by her and nursing care professionals or to a nearby hospital .
The court has also heard doctors have concerns that if , in exercising their clinical judgment not to apply invasive interventions when the parents wish them to do so , that might potentially expose them to legal action unless the court has made the orders sought .
The hearing has been adjourned to resume on Tuesday .

Ms Justice Irvine is conducting a hearing to decide whether or not to grant the orders sought by the hospital.
A mother who is opposing a hospital’s bid for orders effectively permitting it place her severely brain injured son on a palliative care regime has appealed to the High Court to “give him time”.
Her son, whom doctors say is in a vegetative state since he suffered catastrophic injuries in a road collision during the summer, and from which they believe he will not make any meaningful recovery, is “a fighter”, she said.
The boy is her youngest child, all she wants is the best for him and he wants to be home, she told High Court president Ms Justice Mary Irvine on Thursday.
“I know he is not able to talk but he has a heartbeat and a pulse.”
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“It is way too soon for him,” she said, adding he would want more time.
She is his carer on a 24/7 basis, she said, and it was like looking after a newborn baby.
“He is my child. I want the best for him. Give him time . He overcame everything. He just needs a long time.”
The boy’s father, who is estranged from the mother, said both parents wanted their son to have more time. When the boy hears his voice, he opens his eyes, he said.
“He needs time. That is all he needs. “
Ms Justice Irvine is conducting a hearing to decide whether or not to grant the orders sought by the hospital.
Arising from the dispute between the parents and the hospital as to what is in the best interests of the child, the orders are being sought in wardship proceedings.
The parents opposed wardship. The judge earlier this week decided the boy should be taken into wardship and will give her reasons for that decision later.
The judge has received several medical reports, including from doctors not attached to the hospital asked by the boy’s court appointed guardian to give their views concerning the orders sought.
Earlier this week, three doctors gave evidence they believe the boy is in a vegetative state, he will not make any meaningful recovery and his best prognosis would be a move to a minimally conscious state. A neurologist who is part of the child’s treatment team said she is 90 per cent sure the boy is experiencing pain as a result of dystonic episodes.
The boy’s parents say it is too soon after the accident to say what will happen in terms of recovery and they oppose orders which would effectively allow the hospital administer a palliative care regime and to withhold life prolonging interventions such as CPR if doctors consider those are not in the boy’s best interests. His mother wants him moved back home to be cared for by her and nursing care professionals or to a nearby hospital.
The court has also heard doctors have concerns that if, in exercising their clinical judgment not to apply invasive interventions when the parents wish them to do so, that might potentially expose them to legal action unless the court has made the orders sought.
The hearing has been adjourned to resume on Tuesday.


theirishtimes--2020-09-17--Covid-19: ‘Significant’ outbreak in Waterford meat plant, union says

There has been a Covid-19 outbreak involving more than 20 cases in a meat processing plant in Co Waterford , according to trade union Siptu .
Greg Ennis , Siptu organiser for meat plant workers , confirmed he was aware of a “ significant outbreak ” in a Co Waterford plant run by Dawn Meats .
Mr Ennis , who said he was in contact with workers in the plant , said he understood the outbreak was connected to “ 20 to 30 cases ” .
In response to queries on the outbreak from local TD David Cullinane , Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cluster linked to a workplace had resulted in 28 coronavirus cases , without identifying the premises .
In a statement , Dawn Meats declined to comment on the reports of an outbreak at the Co Waterford plant .
“ We do not plan to publish updates or give commentary on test results at specific plants , where positive tests are identified we will ensure all staff , close contacts , and the HSE and relevant authorities are fully informed , ” the statement said .
“ Dawn Meats approach is that any staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in line with HSE guidelines , will continue to be paid , ” it said .
The company said all its facilities “ undergo weekend deep cleaning as part of our Covid control program ” .
Mr Ennis said he welcomed the fact workers who were required to self-isolate would continue to be paid .
The Siptu official criticised the lack of information provided on the outbreak by the company .
“ There are restrictions from the meat plant in releasing information , and that ’ s not good enough , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service Executive ( HSE ) said it did not comment on individual outbreaks or clusters .
Serial testing of workers in meat plants was paused last week , but has resumed again in recent days .
Mr Ennis said he was “ extremely concerned ” about the testing situation in meat plants , which had been shown to be “ unprecedented vectors of the virus.
” The union official said he welcomed the fact mass testing of plant workers had resumed this week .
Large outbreaks of the virus in food processing plants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdowns in Kildare , Laois , and Offaly in early August .
In recent days the State ’ s acting chief medical officer , Dr Ronan Glynn said apart from Dublin , he was also concerned with increasing Covid-19 cases in a number of counties , including Waterford .
Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday , Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty said the lack of information on the outbreak in Waterford and similar workplace clusters “ is not good enough.
” The Donegal TD called for the HSE to publish the details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister for Enterprise Leo Varadkar said the HSE and the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) “ should be as transparent as possible in putting out details of where clusters are located ” .
However , he said that should not result in “ stigmatising people ” or situations where individuals could be identified .
“ If public health doctors and officials dealing with the cluster believe a place has an outbreak and should be closed , the Government supports any decision to close a business , meat plant , school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right thing to do in public health terms , ” Mr Varadkar said .

Large outbreaks of the virus in food processing plants contributed to the decision to introduce local lockdowns in Kildare, Laois, and Offaly in early August. File photograph: Dave Sleator
There has been a Covid-19 outbreak involving more than 20 cases in a meat processing plant in Co Waterford, according to trade union Siptu.
Greg Ennis, Siptu organiser for meat plant workers, confirmed he was aware of a "significant outbreak" in a Co Waterford plant run by Dawn Meats.
Mr Ennis, who said he was in contact with workers in the plant, said he understood the outbreak was connected to “20 to 30 cases”.
In response to queries on the outbreak from local TD David Cullinane, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly confirmed a recent cluster linked to a workplace had resulted in 28 coronavirus cases, without identifying the premises.
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In a statement, Dawn Meats declined to comment on the reports of an outbreak at the Co Waterford plant.
“We do not plan to publish updates or give commentary on test results at specific plants, where positive tests are identified we will ensure all staff, close contacts, and the HSE and relevant authorities are fully informed,” the statement said.
“Dawn Meats approach is that any staff member who may be obliged to self-isolate in line with HSE guidelines, will continue to be paid,” it said.
The company said all its facilities “undergo weekend deep cleaning as part of our Covid control program”.
Mr Ennis said he welcomed the fact workers who were required to self-isolate would continue to be paid.
The Siptu official criticised the lack of information provided on the outbreak by the company.
“There are restrictions from the meat plant in releasing information, and that’s not good enough,” he said.
A spokesman for the Health Service Executive (HSE) said it did not comment on individual outbreaks or clusters.
Serial testing of workers in meat plants was paused last week, but has resumed again in recent days.
Mr Ennis said he was “extremely concerned” about the testing situation in meat plants, which had been shown to be “unprecedented vectors of the virus.” The union official said he welcomed the fact mass testing of plant workers had resumed this week.
Large outbreaks of the virus in food processing plants contributed to the decision to introduce local lockdowns in Kildare, Laois, and Offaly in early August.
In recent days the State’s acting chief medical officer, Dr Ronan Glynn said apart from Dublin, he was also concerned with increasing Covid-19 cases in a number of counties, including Waterford.
Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday, Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty said the lack of information on the outbreak in Waterford and similar workplace clusters "is not good enough." The Donegal TD called for the HSE to publish the details of clusters in workplaces.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Leo Varadkar said the HSE and the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) "should be as transparent as possible in putting out details of where clusters are located". However, he said that should not result in "stigmatising people" or situations where individuals could be identified.
“If public health doctors and officials dealing with the cluster believe a place has an outbreak and should be closed, the Government supports any decision to close a business, meat plant, school or anything else if that is the right thing to do in public health terms,” Mr Varadkar said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-17--Covid-19: Thirteen outbreaks in schools since early September

A total of 35 cases of Covid-19 have been identified after students at 96 schools were tested , according to the Health Service Executive .
Some 2,100 staff and students have been tested at day zero and day seven after symptoms , HSE chief executive Paul Reid has said .
Children aged up to 10 years accounted for 17pc of all tests carried out in late August , rising to 36 per cent in the first week of September .
However , the proportion of positive tests dropped by half to 0.5 per cent .
With a 39 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fortnight , Mr Reid said the trend in new cases was “ consistent , rising and concerning ” .
If we stay on the current path , things “ will only get worse ” , he said .
Equally , though , it would not be good for the health service to go back to lockdown , he said .
There are now 73 cases in hospital including 14 in ICU , the highest level since mid-June .
Hospitals were beginning to see wards “ frozen ” due to virus cases , thereby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while some nursing homes are struggling to find staff .
Mr Reid urged people to “ take stock ” , to “ think as if you were a positive case ” , wear a mask , radically reduce their social contacts and follow public health messages as part of the national effort to curb the rise in cases .
Separately , figures contained in a weekly report on coronavirus clusters compiled by the Heath Protection Surveillance Centre show 13 confirmed outbreaks in schools since they reopened .
A breakdown of the 2,679 positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 15th show that children still account for a very small proportion of overall cases .
Children aged four or under accounted for 4 per cent of overall cases , while 5-14 year olds accounted for 9 per cent of cases .
It was a different picture among teenagers : 15-25 year old accounted for 22 per cent of cases , the highest of any age group .
The figures come amid warnings from a teachers ’ union that delays getting Covid-19 test results may make it unsustainable to keep schools open .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ TUI ) has called for teachers and other school staff to have guaranteed access to a test on the day that they first experience possible Covid-19 symptoms .
The HSE has said that median Covid-19 testing and tracing times for positive cases in the community are in excess of three days .
The union said teachers were experiencing delays in accessing testing and receiving results , which meant teachers affected were unable to attend work .
It warned that the situation will worsen in the coming weeks and months unless action is taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s general secretary said : “ This is not sustainable if schools are to remain open .
Given traditional trends in terms of colds and flu over the winter months and the additional burden that will be put on any testing regime , it is certain that the problems we are seeing now will greatly worsen unless a robust testing system is put in place.
” He said school principals were finding it “ extremely difficult ” to recruit substitute teachers at short notice to replace those teachers who are awaiting either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A survey carried out among principals last month found that 98 per cent had experienced difficulties employing substitute teachers in the previous 12 months .
This trend is continuing in the new school year , he said .
“ When appropriate substitute cover is not available , students experience a diminished education service , ” he said .
“ In economic terms , we believe that the additional investment required to make the testing system fit for purpose would be money well and wisely spent and would be offset by savings in terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) show that the median end-to-end turnaround time for community cases where Covid is detected is 3.5 days .
This has come down from 3.9 days in the last seven days .
Experts recommend that the entire process should take no more than three days , and ideally closer to two days .

An empty primary classroom in Israel which has closed its schools as part of a lockdown in Tel Aviv. There have been 13 outbreaks of Covid-19 in Irish schools since September which have led to some classes being as to self-isolate. Photograph: Sebastian Scheiner/AP
A total of 35 cases of Covid-19 have been identified after students at 96 schools were tested, according to the Health Service Executive.
Some 2,100 staff and students have been tested at day zero and day seven after symptoms, HSE chief executive Paul Reid has said.
Children aged up to 10 years accounted for 17pc of all tests carried out in late August, rising to 36 per cent in the first week of September. However, the proportion of positive tests dropped by half to 0.5 per cent.
With a 39 per cent increase in positive cases over the past fortnight, Mr Reid said the trend in new cases was “consistent, rising and concerning”.
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If we stay on the current path, things “will only get worse”, he said.
Equally, though, it would not be good for the health service to go back to lockdown, he said.
There are now 73 cases in hospital including 14 in ICU, the highest level since mid-June.
Hospitals were beginning to see wards “frozen” due to virus cases, thereby impacting their capacity as winter approached, while some nursing homes are struggling to find staff.
Mr Reid urged people to “take stock”, to “think as if you were a positive case”, wear a mask, radically reduce their social contacts and follow public health messages as part of the national effort to curb the rise in cases.
Weekly report
Separately, figures contained in a weekly report on coronavirus clusters compiled by the Heath Protection Surveillance Centre show 13 confirmed outbreaks in schools since they reopened.
A breakdown of the 2,679 positive Covid-19 cases recorded between September 2nd to September 15th show that children still account for a very small proportion of overall cases.
Children aged four or under accounted for 4 per cent of overall cases, while 5-14 year olds accounted for 9 per cent of cases.
It was a different picture among teenagers: 15-25 year old accounted for 22 per cent of cases, the highest of any age group.
The figures come amid warnings from a teachers’ union that delays getting Covid-19 test results may make it unsustainable to keep schools open.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has called for teachers and other school staff to have guaranteed access to a test on the day that they first experience possible Covid-19 symptoms.
The HSE has said that median Covid-19 testing and tracing times for positive cases in the community are in excess of three days.
The union said teachers were experiencing delays in accessing testing and receiving results, which meant teachers affected were unable to attend work.
It warned that the situation will worsen in the coming weeks and months unless action is taken now.
‘Not sustainable’
Michael Gillespie, the TUI's general secretary said: " This is not sustainable if schools are to remain open. Given traditional trends in terms of colds and flu over the winter months and the additional burden that will be put on any testing regime, it is certain that the problems we are seeing now will greatly worsen unless a robust testing system is put in place."
He said school principals were finding it “extremely difficult” to recruit substitute teachers at short notice to replace those teachers who are awaiting either tests or the result of tests.
A survey carried out among principals last month found that 98 per cent had experienced difficulties employing substitute teachers in the previous 12 months. This trend is continuing in the new school year, he said.
“When appropriate substitute cover is not available, students experience a diminished education service,” he said.
“In economic terms, we believe that the additional investment required to make the testing system fit for purpose would be money well and wisely spent and would be offset by savings in terms of required substitution cover.”
Data released by the Health Service Executive (HSE) show that the median end-to-end turnaround time for community cases where Covid is detected is 3.5 days. This has come down from 3.9 days in the last seven days.
Experts recommend that the entire process should take no more than three days, and ideally closer to two days.


theirishtimes--2020-09-18--Bobby Storey funeral: Police ask some mourners to interviews

Police in Northern Ireland are seeking voluntary interviews with those who attended the funeral of veteran republican Bobby Storey in Belfast in June .
Detectives are investigating potential breaches of Northern Ireland ’ s coronavirus regulations on gatherings .
Mourners on June 30th included senior Sinn Féin representatives like Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill and Finance Minister Conor Murphy .
Deputy Chief Constable Mark Webster of Cumbria Constabulary was appointed to oversee and direct the Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) inquiry .
He said : “ Today an initial number of letters were issued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present on 30th June in potential breach of the health protection regulations .
“ The letters are inviting these individuals to participate in a voluntary interview with investigating officers at a local police station .
“ Upon receipt of a letter , individuals will have 14 days to respond should they wish to take part in an interview.
” Ms O ’ Neill and Mr Murphy have denied breaching social distancing measures while at the funeral .
Hundreds of people lined the streets in west Belfast as Mr Storey ’ s funeral cortege @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marshals being present .
A row with the DUP over the matter prompted the suspension of joint briefings with Sinn Fein during the health emergency.–PA

A crowd listens to former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams speak during the funeral. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Police have sought interviews with leading Sinn Féin figures, including Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Minister for Finance Conor Murphy, who attended the June 30th funeral of veteran republican Bobby Storey in Belfast.
Police Service of Northern Ireland detectives are investigating potential breaches of Northern Ireland's coronavirus regulations, which laid down at the time that only 30 people could attend funerals.
Deputy Chief Constable Mark Webster of Cumbria Constabulary has been appointed to oversee and direct the PSNI inquiry. Sinn Féin has already said it will co-operate.
“Today an initial number of letters were issued to individuals who were identified as having been present on June 30th in potential breach of the health protection regulations,” he said.
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Individuals have 14 days to respond. Ms O’Neill and Mr Murphy have denied breaching social distancing measures while at the funeral, which brought large crowds on to the streets of west Belfast.
The row over the funeral led to a major clash between Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party and the suspension of joint briefings between Ms O’Neill and First Minister Arlene Foster.
Calling for progress in the inquiry, DUP MLA Mervyn Storey said 81 days had passed since the funeral. Everyone was equal under the law and equally subject to it, he added.


theirishtimes--2020-09-18--Public health doctors threaten strike action over pay row

Public health doctors , who are at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19 , have warned they will ballot for strike action before Christmas if the Government does not resolve a long-running pay issue .
It is understood that at a meeting on Thursday night the doctors who are represented by the Irish Medical Organisation decided on a strategy which would set a two-month deadline for the Government otherwise they would carry out a ballot for industrial action up to and including strike action .
It has been established health service policy that public health specialists should be afforded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Crowe Horwath report on the specialty in December 2018 .
The Irish Medical Organisation said last week that public health doctors were playing a crucial role in the battle against Covid-19 but were just getting “ lip service ” for their efforts .
Public health doctors play a key role in protecting the public from health threats such as communicable disease and environmental hazards .
On Monday sources within Government indicated that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform would draft amendments to the existing financial legislation which currently prohibits pay increases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a move would facilitate the payment of higher salaries to public health doctors .
It is understood that a memorandum will be prepared for the Cabinet before the end of September .
However a key issue will be the timeframe and criteria under which public health specialists would be afforded the status of consultants .
The Irish Medical Organisation ( IMO ) has been campaigning for some time for public health to become a consultant-led service and for public health specialists to be awarded consultant contracts “ to reflect their expertise and specialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ € 113,822 at present .
Hospital consultants with a type-A contract - which permits them to treat only public patients - and have a pay scale that ranges from €141,026 to €195,653 .
The Department of Health last week told The Irish Times that it , the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and the HSE were “ committed to the early introduction of a new model for public healthcare , as provided for the Programme for Government , and to the model incorporating consultant status for public health specialists ” .

Public health doctors play a key role in protecting the public from health threats such as communicable disease and environmental hazards.
Public health doctors, who are at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19, have warned they will ballot for strike action before Christmas if the Government does not resolve a long-running pay issue.
It is understood that at a meeting on Thursday night the doctors who are represented by the Irish Medical Organisation decided on a strategy which would set a two-month deadline for the Government otherwise they would carry out a ballot for industrial action up to and including strike action.
It has been established health service policy that public health specialists should be afforded consultant status following the the publication of the Crowe Horwath report on the specialty in December 2018.
The Irish Medical Organisation said last week that public health doctors were playing a crucial role in the battle against Covid-19 but were just getting “lip service” for their efforts.
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Public health doctors play a key role in protecting the public from health threats such as communicable disease and environmental hazards.
On Monday sources within Government indicated that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform would draft amendments to the existing financial legislation which currently prohibits pay increases for serving public servants. Such a a move would facilitate the payment of higher salaries to public health doctors.
It is understood that a memorandum will be prepared for the Cabinet before the end of September.
However a key issue will be the timeframe and criteria under which public health specialists would be afforded the status of consultants.
The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has been campaigning for some time for public health to become a consultant-led service and for public health specialists to be awarded consultant contracts “to reflect their expertise and specialist skills”.
Public health specialists earn € 113,822 at present. Hospital consultants with a type-A contract - which permits them to treat only public patients - and have a pay scale that ranges from €141,026 to €195,653.
The Department of Health last week told The Irish Times that it, the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and the HSE were "committed to the early introduction of a new model for public healthcare, as provided for the Programme for Government, and to the model incorporating consultant status for public health specialists".


theirishtimes--2020-09-18--File into murder of Garda Colm Horkan with local State solicitor, court hears

The file into the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan in Castlerea is with the local State Solicitor , a court has been told .
Sergeant Mark Mahon told Harristown Court in Castlerea on Friday that the file ’ s preparation has involved a “ complex investigation ” .
He said gardaí have carried out more than 350 house-to-house enquiries , taken over 200 written statements , and viewed 70 pieces of CCTV footage .
He requested that Stephen Silver , of Aughaward , Foxford , Co Mayo , be remanded in custody until October 7th .
Detective Garda Colm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Castlerea , Co Roscommon on June 17th .
Mr Silver ( 44 ) was due to appear before Harristown Court by video link on Friday .
It is the seventh time he has been deemed unfit to appear by video link .
Previously the court heard that he has been receiving ongoing treatment in the Central Mental Hospital .
Defence solicitor Martina Moran said she was “ anxious ” that progress is made in relation to the file .
The court heard four weeks ago that the file was nearly complete , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told it would be with the Director of Public Prosecutions within a week .
Judge James Faughnan remanded the accused in custody to appear before Harristown Court via video link on October 7th .

Detective Garda Colm Horkan was shot dead while on duty in Castlerea, Co Roscommon.
The file into the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan in Castlerea is with the local State Solicitor, a court has been told.
Sergeant Mark Mahon told Harristown Court in Castlerea on Friday that the file's preparation has involved a "complex investigation". He said gardaí have carried out more than 350 house-to-house enquiries, taken over 200 written statements, and viewed 70 pieces of CCTV footage.
He requested that Stephen Silver, of Aughaward, Foxford, Co Mayo, be remanded in custody until October 7th.
Detective Garda Colm Horkan was shot dead on Main Street, Castlerea, Co Roscommon on June 17th.
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Mr Silver (44) was due to appear before Harristown Court by video link on Friday . It is the seventh time he has been deemed unfit to appear by video link. Previously the court heard that he has been receiving ongoing treatment in the Central Mental Hospital.
Defence solicitor Martina Moran said she was "anxious" that progress is made in relation to the file. The court heard four weeks ago that the file was nearly complete, while two weeks ago the court was told it would be with the Director of Public Prosecutions within a week.
Judge James Faughnan remanded the accused in custody to appear before Harristown Court via video link on October 7th.


theirishtimes--2020-09-18--Judge orders gardaí be given material on ‘traumatised, dangerous’ woman

The High Court president has directed the disclosure to gardaí of material concerning the “ imminent ” risk posed by a “ highly traumatised and dangerous ” 18-year-old woman who could be released into the community on Monday because there is no legal basis to continue her detention in a secure children ’ s facility and she has refused to move to an aftercare placement .
The material includes a “ very disturbing ” note of a meeting this week at which the woman told her guardian and a Child and Family Agency ( CFA ) officer she believes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way that will drive her towards murdering her mother or perhaps some other vulnerable women , Ms Justice Mary Irvine noted .
The material also includes a summary of the views of four psychiatrists which added weight to the risks identified in relation to the woman , she said .
She was satisfied the material should be disclosed to gardaí and rejected arguments on behalf of the woman it should not .
Some of it is already in the public domain but gardaí should not have to get information from the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take any steps they consider necessary concerning any bail application for the woman , she observed .
The woman , who has a personality and medical disorder , is currently on bail from the District Court in relation to assault charges .
A condition of that bail is that she remains in the children ’ s unit but her detention there is on foot of High Court orders in wardship proceedings the CFA has now withdrawn .
The judge disagreed the material was confidential , noting it did not involve actual medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong about that , the right of life of the mother and other vulnerable women who may be at risk outweighed any right to confidentiality , she said .
Where the CFA , a State agency , has credible evidence that the woman poses an “ imminent risk ” to the life of her mother and other women , including contemporaneous evidence the woman has considered how she might actually perpetrate these crimes , that information must be released , the judge said .
Addressing arguments by John J. Fitzgerald SC , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ material might affect the woman ’ s rights against self-incrimination and a fair trial in any possible future criminal proceedings , the judge said any such issues could be addressed by a trial judge .
The CFA had initiated wardship proceedings for the woman last December as she was about to turn 18 and she has remained detained in the children ’ s unit pending an inquiry into whether she should be taken into wardship .
She had opposed wardship and , in light of recent psychiatric reports she has capacity to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the effect she does not meet the criteria for wardship , the CFA confirmed on Monday it was withdrawing the wardship proceedings and it applied to have the detention orders lifted .
It had arranged a bespoke onward placement for the woman but that was dependent on her voluntary participation , Barry O ’ Donnell SC , instructed by solicitor Conor Fottrell , for the CFA , said .
The woman ’ s position had fluctuated in recent days and Mr Fitzgerald told the judge on Friday she feared the possible consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released into the community and wanted to be in a secure place to protect herself and the community .
He accepted his instructions have changed radically but what is abundantly clear is , if she is freed , a highly traumatised and dangerous 18-year-old will be released onto the streets , presenting significant risks to herself , her mother and others ” , he said .
He would be seeking to argue , possibly in new proceedings , the court ’ s wardship jurisdiction could be expanded to include a person with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who paid a brief visit to the onward placement this week , had said she did not wish to go there .
The judge expressed reservations whether an argument for an expanded wardship jurisdiction was stateable but said that was not before her on Friday .
When Mr Fitzgerald queried what steps the HSE has taken to address the situation as the woman became an adult last December , the judge said that was not a matter before her and note the CFA had approached between 36-38 care units about placing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for the woman ’ s mother , said she was neutral on the information disclosure application as she recognised there were issues of her own and the public ’ s safety as well as her daughter ’ s confidentiality .
The court previously heard the mother recently moved out of her council home because of her daughter ’ s threats .
The case will return before the judge on Monday to deal with the CFA ’ s application to lift the detention orders .
The CFA says the registration of the children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jeopardy while the woman remains there .

The material includes a “very disturbing” note of a meeting this week at which the woman told her guardian and a Child and Family Agency officer she believes, if released, she will respond in a way that will drive her towards murdering her mother . Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/Collins
The High Court president has directed the disclosure to gardaí of material concerning the “imminent” risk posed by a “highly traumatised and dangerous” 18-year-old woman who could be released into the community on Monday because there is no legal basis to continue her detention in a secure children’s facility and she has refused to move to an aftercare placement.
The material includes a “very disturbing” note of a meeting this week at which the woman told her guardian and a Child and Family Agency (CFA) officer she believes, if released, she will respond in a way that will drive her towards murdering her mother or perhaps some other vulnerable women, Ms Justice Mary Irvine noted.
The material also includes a summary of the views of four psychiatrists which added weight to the risks identified in relation to the woman, she said.
She was satisfied the material should be disclosed to gardaí and rejected arguments on behalf of the woman it should not.
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Some of it is already in the public domain but gardaí should not have to get information from the media in order to protect human life and to take any steps they consider necessary concerning any bail application for the woman, she observed.
The woman, who has a personality and medical disorder, is currently on bail from the District Court in relation to assault charges. A condition of that bail is that she remains in the children’s unit but her detention there is on foot of High Court orders in wardship proceedings the CFA has now withdrawn.
The judge disagreed the material was confidential, noting it did not involve actual medical or psychiatric reports. If she was wrong about that, the right of life of the mother and other vulnerable women who may be at risk outweighed any right to confidentiality, she said.
Where the CFA, a State agency, has credible evidence that the woman poses an “imminent risk” to the life of her mother and other women, including contemporaneous evidence the woman has considered how she might actually perpetrate these crimes, that information must be released, the judge said.
Addressing arguments by John J. Fitzgerald SC, for the woman, that disclosure of the material might affect the woman’s rights against self-incrimination and a fair trial in any possible future criminal proceedings, the judge said any such issues could be addressed by a trial judge.
The CFA had initiated wardship proceedings for the woman last December as she was about to turn 18 and she has remained detained in the children’s unit pending an inquiry into whether she should be taken into wardship.
She had opposed wardship and, in light of recent psychiatric reports she has capacity to make decisions about her person and finances, with the effect she does not meet the criteria for wardship, the CFA confirmed on Monday it was withdrawing the wardship proceedings and it applied to have the detention orders lifted. It had arranged a bespoke onward placement for the woman but that was dependent on her voluntary participation, Barry O’Donnell SC, instructed by solicitor Conor Fottrell, for the CFA, said.
The woman’s position had fluctuated in recent days and Mr Fitzgerald told the judge on Friday she feared the possible consequences for her and others of her being released into the community and wanted to be in a secure place to protect herself and the community. He accepted his instructions have changed radically but what is abundantly clear is, if she is freed, a highly traumatised and dangerous 18-year-old will be released onto the streets, presenting significant risks to herself, her mother and others”, he said.
He would be seeking to argue, possibly in new proceedings, the court’s wardship jurisdiction could be expanded to include a person with a personality disorder.
He agreed the woman, who paid a brief visit to the onward placement this week, had said she did not wish to go there.
The judge expressed reservations whether an argument for an expanded wardship jurisdiction was stateable but said that was not before her on Friday.
When Mr Fitzgerald queried what steps the HSE has taken to address the situation as the woman became an adult last December, the judge said that was not a matter before her and note the CFA had approached between 36-38 care units about placing the woman without success.
Michael Lynn SC, for the woman’s mother, said she was neutral on the information disclosure application as she recognised there were issues of her own and the public’s safety as well as her daughter’s confidentiality. The court previously heard the mother recently moved out of her council home because of her daughter’s threats.
The case will return before the judge on Monday to deal with the CFA’s application to lift the detention orders. The CFA says the registration of the children’s unit with HIQA is in jeopardy while the woman remains there.


theirishtimes--2020-09-18--Covid-19 will ‘spiral out of control’ if we don’t stop people mixing in Dublin’s bars and restaurant

Covid-19 will ‘spiral out of control’ if we don’t stop people mixing in Dublin’s bars and restaurants, says NPHET expert

Bars , restaurants , gyms and households are all contributing to the spread of coronavirus in Dublin and unless we stop people mixing in these settings it will “ spiral out of control ” , the chair of the National Public Health Emergency Team ’ s epidemiological modelling advisory group , Prof Philip Nolan , said on Friday .
In a series of Tweets on Friday , Prof Nolan explained the decision of NPHET to recommend that indoor dining be banned and pubs not serving food should stay closed saying : “ We know that in Dublin at least one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Where is this happening ?
Wherever we mix socially : our houses , gyms , bars , restaurants .
Sadly , unless we stop mixing in these settings , we know the disease will spiral out of control.
” NPHET met on Thursday and recommended that Dublin move to Level 3 of the Government ’ s Living with Covid strategy .
They have also recommended that pubs and restaurants which serve food will only be permitted to open in the capital if they have outdoor dining facilities or for takeaway services .
So-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t serve food have already been told the will have to stay closed when similar premises open on September 21st .
The Cabinet is expected to sign off on the NPHET recommendations on Friday at a meeting starting at 2.30pm .
The Government was accused earlier of making the hospitality sector “ pay for the sins of others ” and of being “ on the verge of destroying ” its own plan with restaurant owners pointing out the spread of the virus in Dublin was in households .
Adrian Cummins , chief executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RAI ) said “ we ’ re not the problem , the problem is in households ” .
However , Prof Nolan Tweeted : “ It is reasonable to ask : why close restaurants and pubs if there are so few outbreaks associated with those environments ?
However , this is misreading and misinterpreting the data on outbreaks and cluster .
“ If I went out 5 days ago and caught the virus in a restaurant , it will have multiplied silently inside me for 3 days ; then I will have started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for 2 days ; today I become symptomatic , self-isolate , and get a test .
“ Public health only ask me about my contacts for the 48 hours before I developed symptoms .
They don ’ t need to know where I got the virus ; that happened 5 days ago .
They want to know where the virus is going , who I might have infected , and prevent onward transmission .
“ My contacts are tested , and unfortunately two of my family are infected .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am a case of community transmission .
Even though I got it in a restaurant and brought it home.
” He said there was no time or resource to trace back such cases to find out where people are getting the virus , but added : “ We have lots of international evidence from better resourced systems on how the virus transmits : we know that social settings , including bars and restaurants , drive community transmission .
“ We know that in Dublin at least one in three cases are community transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we mix socially : our houses , gyms , bars , restaurants .
Sadly , unless we stop mixing in these settings , we know the disease will spiral out of control.
” Meanwhile Minister for Media , Tourism , Arts , Culture , Sport and the Gaeltacht Catherine Martin said that the Government ’ s priority was to save lives , but that any measures introduced must strike a balance and health has to come first .
The public health advice was that unless steps were taken to reduce the level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalisations and even deaths would increase exponentially in the coming weeks , she told Newstalk Breakfast .
“ We must stop the virus taking a hold of this country , we must prioritise saving lives.
” The Minister said she had huge empathy for businesses “ already on their knees ” but the health advice was compelling , she said and that was what the Government would have to follow .
“ If the experts are saying there ’ s a danger with people gathering , then we have to listen to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will ultimately save lives - that ’ s where we are right now with this pandemic.
” Ms Martin said that many of the sectors she represents were being “ horrifically impacted ” by the pandemic and if a decision was taken for further restrictions then she would be seeking “ strong financial supports ” .
Mr Cummins said the restaurant sector was shocked at the restrictions and that there had been no consultation .
“ We had no indication of what the restrictions would be , ” he said .
With winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dining would not mean anything , he said as the Irish hospitality sector was not “ geared up ” for such a service .
“ This is about livelihoods .
Businesses are now staring down the banks looking for loans to be paid , landlords looking for rent and suppliers looking to be paid .
The industry is in crisis , ” he added .
“ The Government needs to step up to the plate and come up with an aid package if the restrictions come in tonight.
” Mr Cummins said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part with regard to public health but they felt that the Government was targeting the sector with the least amount of cases .
“ This will have huge ramifications for the industry , ” he said .
Mr Cummins warned of job losses of between 30,000 and 50,000 in the county of Dublin adding “ many small businesses will not recover ” .
The Licensed Vintners Association ( LVA ) , which represents publicans in Dublin , accused the Government of undertaking a “ pick and mix approach ” to its Living with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
The LVA has pointed out that Level 3 of the plan states there will be “ additional restrictions for indoor dining ” for bars , cafes and restaurants , while Level 4 specifies “ take away food or delivery ” and “ no indoor dining.
” It also states that ‘ wet pubs ’ can remain open at Levels 2 and 3 ( with additional restrictions ) .
The Government has already said that Dublin ’ s ‘ wet pubs ’ will not open with those in the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keeffe , chief executive of the LVA , said if the Government proceeds with the restrictions to limit pubs and restaurants in the capital to outdoor seating only , “ effectively they will have destroyed their own plan within three days of publishing it.
” “ They said this new plan was to offer the country and businesses certainty .
At the announcement they said the country was at Level 2 but they were putting the non-food pubs of Dublin into Level 5 by keeping them closed .
Now it looks like they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Level 3 but the pubs and restaurants will be put in Level 4 , ” Mr O ’ Keefe said .
“ Effectively the Government and NPHET are adopting a pick and mix approach to the new national strategy which renders it meaningless .
How is Irish society meant to function if the levels outlined in this plan are disregarded by it own authors within a matter of days ?
” Mr O ’ Keefe said they are also seeking clarity from NPHET and the Government as to why they are “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector when the latest HSPC data clearly shows this isn ’ t where the problem lies ” .
“ There are zero open outbreaks in pubs .
Compare that with the number of outbreaks in other workplaces or private houses , ” he added .
“ Yet it is pubs and restaurants who have abided by the regulations since the outset of this crisis which are the focus of additional restrictions .
On what basis does that approach make sense ?
They are doing all they can to keep the pubs closed by @ @

The State’s public health emergency team has warned the Government that the profile of coronavirus in Dublin is at an “extremely critical juncture”.
Recommending more severe restrictions to curb the spread of the virus in the county, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn told the Government that there was no further opportunity to bring the disease under control in Dublin without further measures.
Dr Glynn informed the Government by letter that the National Public Health Emergency Team believes "the window of opportunity to bring the disease under control in the county without significant additional measures is no longer available".
Hospital Report
It is reasonable to ask: why close restaurants and pubs if there are so few outbreaks associated with those environments? However, this is misreading and misinterpreting the data on outbreaks and clusters. 1/10 pic.twitter.com/REEUqoin12 — Professor Philip Nolan (@President_MU) September 18, 2020
He said NPHET considered a number of alternative additional restrictions to avoid restricting indoor dining in restaurants and gastropubs, including limitations on groups, reduced capacity and earlier closing times.
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“However, given the severity of the epidemiological situation in Dublin, NPHET concluded that on balance there was a necessity to apply measures at the limit of the options available under Level 3, which is to no longer permit indoor dining,” he said.
‘Out of control’
Earlier on Friday, chair of NPHET’s epidemiological modelling advisory group, Prof Philip Nolan, said bars, restaurants, gyms and households are all contributing to the spread of coronavirus in Dublin and unless we stop people mixing in these settings it will “spiral out of control”.
In a series of Tweets, Prof Nolan explained the decision of NPHET to recommend that indoor dining be banned and pubs not serving food should stay closed saying: “We know that in Dublin at least one in three cases are community transmission. Where is this happening? Wherever we mix socially: our houses, gyms, bars, restaurants. Sadly, unless we stop mixing in these settings, we know the disease will spiral out of control.”
NPHET met on Thursday and recommended that Dublin move to Level 3 of the Government’s Living with Covid strategy. They have also recommended that pubs and restaurants which serve food will only be permitted to open in the capital if they have outdoor dining facilities or for takeaway services. So-called ‘wet pubs’ that don’t serve food have already been told the will have to stay closed when similar premises open on September 21st.
The Cabinet is expected to sign off on the NPHET recommendations on Friday at a meeting starting at 2.30pm.
Prof Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
‘Hospitality lockdown’
The Government was accused earlier of making the hospitality sector "pay for the sins of others" and of being "on the verge of destroying" its own plan with restaurant owners pointing out the spread of the virus in Dublin was in households. Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) said "we're not the problem, the problem is in households".
“This is effectively a hospitality lockdown,” Mr Cummins told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland on Friday.
However, Prof Nolan Tweeted: “It is reasonable to ask: why close restaurants and pubs if there are so few outbreaks associated with those environments? However, this is misreading and misinterpreting the data on outbreaks and cluster.
“If I went out 5 days ago and caught the virus in a restaurant, it will have multiplied silently inside me for 3 days; then I will have started shedding virus, and potentially infecting others, for 2 days; today I become symptomatic, self-isolate, and get a test.
“Public health only ask me about my contacts for the 48 hours before I developed symptoms. They don’t need to know where I got the virus; that happened 5 days ago. They want to know where the virus is going, who I might have infected, and prevent onward transmission.
“My contacts are tested, and unfortunately two of my family are infected. It’s now a household outbreak, and I am a case of community transmission. Even though I got it in a restaurant and brought it home.”
He said there was no time or resource to trace back such cases to find out where people are getting the virus, but added: “We have lots of international evidence from better resourced systems on how the virus transmits: we know that social settings, including bars and restaurants, drive community transmission.
“We know that in Dublin at least one in three cases are community transmission. Where is this happening? Wherever we mix socially: our houses, gyms, bars, restaurants. Sadly, unless we stop mixing in these settings, we know the disease will spiral out of control.”
Priority to save lives
Meanwhile Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht Catherine Martin said that the Government’s priority was to save lives, but that any measures introduced must strike a balance and health has to come first.
The public health advice was that unless steps were taken to reduce the level of contacts then the number of cases and hospitalisations and even deaths would increase exponentially in the coming weeks, she told Newstalk Breakfast.
“We must stop the virus taking a hold of this country, we must prioritise saving lives.”
The Minister said she had huge empathy for businesses “already on their knees” but the health advice was compelling, she said and that was what the Government would have to follow.
“If the experts are saying there’s a danger with people gathering, then we have to listen to the experts. The decisions we take now will ultimately save lives - that’s where we are right now with this pandemic.”
Ms Martin said that many of the sectors she represents were being “horrifically impacted” by the pandemic and if a decision was taken for further restrictions then she would be seeking “strong financial supports”.
Mr Cummins said the restaurant sector was shocked at the restrictions and that there had been no consultation. “We had no indication of what the restrictions would be,” he said.
With winter approaching the proposal in relation to outdoor dining would not mean anything, he said as the Irish hospitality sector was not “geared up” for such a service.
“This is about livelihoods. Businesses are now staring down the banks looking for loans to be paid, landlords looking for rent and suppliers looking to be paid. The industry is in crisis,” he added.
“The Government needs to step up to the plate and come up with an aid package if the restrictions come in tonight.”
Mr Cummins said that the hospitality sector wanted to do its part with regard to public health but they felt that the Government was targeting the sector with the least amount of cases.
“This will have huge ramifications for the industry,” he said.
Mr Cummins warned of job losses of between 30,000 and 50,000 in the county of Dublin adding “many small businesses will not recover”.
‘Pick and mix’
The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA), which represents publicans in Dublin, accused the Government of undertaking a “pick and mix approach” to its Living with Covid strategy which “renders it meaningless”.
The LVA has pointed out that Level 3 of the plan states there will be “additional restrictions for indoor dining” for bars, cafes and restaurants, while Level 4 specifies “take away food or delivery” and “no indoor dining.”
It also states that ‘wet pubs’ can remain open at Levels 2 and 3 (with additional restrictions). The Government has already said that Dublin’s ‘wet pubs’ will not open with those in the rest of the country on Monday.
Donall O’Keeffe, chief executive of the LVA, said if the Government proceeds with the restrictions to limit pubs and restaurants in the capital to outdoor seating only, “effectively they will have destroyed their own plan within three days of publishing it.”
“They said this new plan was to offer the country and businesses certainty. At the announcement they said the country was at Level 2 but they were putting the non-food pubs of Dublin into Level 5 by keeping them closed. Now it looks like they are about to move most of Dublin to Level 3 but the pubs and restaurants will be put in Level 4,” Mr O’Keefe said.
“Effectively the Government and NPHET are adopting a pick and mix approach to the new national strategy which renders it meaningless. How is Irish society meant to function if the levels outlined in this plan are disregarded by it own authors within a matter of days?”
Mr O’Keefe said they are also seeking clarity from NPHET and the Government as to why they are “continuing to take action against the hospitality sector when the latest HSPC data clearly shows this isn’t where the problem lies”.
“There are zero open outbreaks in pubs. Compare that with the number of outbreaks in other workplaces or private houses,” he added.
“Yet it is pubs and restaurants who have abided by the regulations since the outset of this crisis which are the focus of additional restrictions. On what basis does that approach make sense? They are doing all they can to keep the pubs closed by default.


theirishtimes--2020-09-18--Infant hurt after scrambler crashes into stationary quad in Dublin

An infant is in a stable condition in hospital after being injured in an incident involving a scrambler in Ballyfermot @ @ @ @ @ evening .
A woman in her 20s was seated with the male infant , believed @ @ @ @ @ on a stationary quad bike in Cherry Orchard Park at 7pm when a scrambler struck @ @ @ @ @ .
The infant was taken to Crumlin Children ’ s Hospital with serious injuries and @ @ @ @ @ .
The suspected driver of the scrambler , a man in his late teens , @ @ @ @ @ Hospital with non-life threatening injuries .
The scene has been preserved for technical examination .
@ @ @ @ @ collision had been removed from the scene before gardaí arrived .
Gardaí are appealing for @ @ @ @ @ for anyone with information on the location of the scrambler to contact Ballyfermot Garda station @ @ @ @ @ Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 , or any Garda station .

An 18-month-old infant is in hospital after the incident in Cherry Orchard Park. Photograph: Google Street
An infant is in a stable condition in hospital after being injured in an incident involving a scrambler in Ballyfermot, west Dublin on Thursday evening.
A woman in her 20s was seated with the male infant, believed to be 18-months old, on a stationary quad bike in Cherry Orchard Park at 7pm when a scrambler struck the bike, gardaí said.
The infant was taken to Crumlin Children's Hospital with serious injuries and is in a stable condition.
The suspected driver of the scrambler, a man in his late teens, was taken to St James Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
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The scene has been preserved for technical examination. The scrambler involved in the collision had been removed from the scene before gardaí arrived.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incident or for anyone with information on the location of the scrambler to contact Ballyfermot Garda station on 01 6667200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-09-18--Dublin lockdown: Cabinet to meet in person as capital prepares for new restrictions

A meeting of the Cabinet has been scheduled for Friday afternoon to discuss the proposed new Covid-19 restrictions for Dublin , it is understood .
Ministers have been asked to attend in person in Government Buildings , with an option to dial-in for those not in a position to attend .
It is expected that ministers will approve the recommendations from public health experts in the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) , that were being discussed at a meeting of the cabinet committee at lunchtime on Friday .
Ealier , the head of the HSE Paul Reid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ significant pressure ” from the rise of coronavirus cases .
Ireland ’ s hospitals are not being overwhelmed but “ we are seeing the impact of the rising cases ” , Mr Reid said .
The Government is expected to approve the proposal to move Dublin to Level 3 of on the Government ’ s five-level scale of restrictions revealed on Tuesday as part of its Living with Covid plan .
The Level 3 restrictions will come into operation at midnight on Friday and were expected be in place for a period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , health officials reported that one more person had died of Covid-19 and a further 240 cases had been reported .
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said half of the cases ( 119 ) were in Dublin , while there was also a growing age profile among those catching the virus .
The latest figures mean the death toll in the State has risen to 1,789 .
Confirmed cases have now breached the 32,000 mark , climbing to 32,023 .
“ If we keep going on the road we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a road that could get us back to the point where we have to take more restrictive actions , ” Mr Reid told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
“ Right now the hospitals are coping , but we will see our hospital system coming under pressure and it doesn ’ t take a large number of cases to start freezing wards and beds.
” Mr Reid explained that wards have to be ‘ frozen ’ and put out of use when a case of Covid is identified .
This was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant they could be out of use for days .
When asked about the hospitality sector being impacted when more cases are coming from the community , he explained that the cases were brought into the community from where people had gathered or congregated .
“ It is about where people meet , ” he said .
Meanwhile , an emergency medicine consultant has warned that the HSE needs to urgently address the issue of the shortage of intensive care beds rather than trying to reassure people that there isn ’ t a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even before Covid the health care system was “ critically short ” of intensive care beds “ at the best of times.
” For any one to claim there were sufficient intensive care beds was incorrect , he said .
Speaking on RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland , Dr Hickey said that the evidence contradicted any claims about sufficient critical care bed capacity .
While some areas in hospitals could be turned into extra critical care capacity , the reality was that there was a shortage , he said .
“ As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalisation and critical care .
We are seeing an increase in older people , who are more vulnerable , getting infected and they will require critical care as will some young people , ” he said .
Under additional restrictions for Dublin , dining , restaurants and pubs which serve food will only be permitted to open if they have outdoor facilities , or for takeaway services .
Authorities have already decided that pubs that do not serve food , so-called ‘ wet pubs ’ will stay shut in Dublin when they re-open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Dublin , social and family gatherings outside the home are likely to be prohibited , while visitors to the home should be restricted to people from one other household .
Sports matches will also be discontinued , though there is an exemption for elite sport , which includes club championship games .
No organised indoor events such as conferences and events in theatres , cinemas or arts venues will be allowed to take place .
Outdoor events will be confined to 15 people .
Gyms will be permitted to open for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of worship will remain open for private prayer only , though funerals will have an exemption .
Even here , however , only 25 mourners will be permitted .
The Government ’ s public health experts made the latest recommendations on Thursday night , amid growing alarm at the rise in cases in the last seven to 10 days .
An announcement will likely be made by the Taoiseach , Micheál Martin , and Tánaiste , Leo Varadkar , later today .

In a live address to the nation, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the new restrictions for Dublin would leave “many people angry” but it was necessary to protect life. Video: RTE
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned that Dublin is at a “very dangerous place” and without action, could return to the worst days of the crisis.
In a live address to the nation, Mr Martin said he knew the havoc the virus was causing to the economy, to sports, to arts and culture.
“I know this, my first and most important obligation is to protect you. This virus kills. It kills old people but it kills young people too,” he said.
He said that the new restrictions for Dublin would leave “many people angry” but it was necessary to protect life. Mr Martin was speaking after the Government decided that from midnight tonight, Dublin city and county would move to Level 3 alert for the next three weeks.
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Mr Martin outlined some of the new restrictions that would impact on the capital.
Visitors from one other household will be allowed into homes. Training will be allowed to take place but no matches. Weddings and funerals will be confined to 25 people. People have been asked not to travel outside or into Dublin city and county.
“Many will be upset by what we have to do but please be assured these restrictions are recommended by our leading medical experts (in this field).”
He said questions had been asked about the pause on indoor dining for the next three weeks.
“The fact is that while we are seeing a lot of infection in people’s homes, the initial infection is taking place in the community,” he said.
He argued that the Government needed to “act now and in common purpose.”
“We owe it to the memory of all those taken by this virus.”
He added: “We are a resilient people. As a nation we have come through every manner of trial and hardship and this too will pass.”
Positivity rate
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that many people do not want to believe it but that Covid-19 was getting serious again.
Mr Varadkar was the first speaker in a press conference with Mr Martin, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and the Chief Medical Officer Ronan Glynn.
He said the positivity rate had increased to well over 2 per cent and the rate had tripled.
“It’s not all bad. There is hope. If we compare ourselves to many of our neighbours we are doing relatively well,” saying that Dublin was doing better than Belfast, or Amsterdam or Paris.
Turning to the impact on business and employers, he said some people would be laid off “sadly” for a second time this year and some businesses would close.
He said people would be entitled to the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) if they were not working. He said that an additional € 30 million would be released for Dublin in the form of restart grants, as well as € 5 million for sport.
Mr Varadkar repeated all the individual protocols that individuals should observe, including handwashing and wearing of face masks.
‘Hard decisions’
Minister for Transport and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said the incidence of the disease in Dublin was twice that of other parts in the country and was rising by between 5 per cent and 7 per cent each day.
“For each 1,000 extra people who get the virus, we get 50 people who are hospitalised and five to ten people admitted to ICU and between 5 to 10 deaths,” he said. That, he said, why the “hard decisions” had to be made.
“We need to take three weeks to stop this disease in its tracks and get back to Level Two and Level One,” he said.
Asked about the high incidence level of community transmission, Dr Glynn said: "There is no country that does not have a significant proportion of cases that are community transmission."
He said the State had to take measures to reduce congregations and on this occasion it was social congregations.
Outdoor dining
The Taoiseach told the press conference the Government would work with the four Dublin councils in Dublin to ensure that outdoor dining could take place.
Asked about the role of the new oversight group, which acts as a buffer between NPHET advice and Cabinet, the Taoiseach said no change was made to the advice received from NPHET.
Asked if NPHET had considered imposing a Level 4 restriction in Dublin, Dr Glynn said: “We considered the levels in the round and there was consensus that Level 3 was the appropriate level.
“The whole purpose of moving now is to avoid moving to something more severe in a few weeks’ time.”
From left: Minister Eamon Ryan, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Taoiseach Micheál Martin at this evening’s briefing. Photograph: Julien Behal
Asked about lower rates of hospitalisations in Spain and France compared to last March, Dr Glynn said the profile of the disease now compared to then was different in it trajectory, and also somewhat different in terms of hospitalisation and mortality.
“What is very clear is there is no evidence that the virus has changed.
“Nothing has changed in the way we prevent it or treat it. There is no evidence to suggest the outcome will be any different.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-18--Trump envoy to Northern Ireland warns against hard border

US president Donald Trump ’ s special envoy to Northern Ireland , Mick Mulvaney , has warned against creating a “ hard border by accident ” on the island of Ireland .
British prime minister Boris Johnson is proposing new legislation that would break the Northern Ireland protocol of the Brexit divorce treaty that seeks to avoid a physical customs border between Northern Ireland and the Republic .
“ The Trump administration , State Department and the US Congress would all be aligned in the desire to see the Good Friday Agreement ( Belfast Agreement ) preserved to see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Mulvaney said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Friday .
His remark comes two days after US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden warned Britain that it must honour the 1998 agreement as it withdraws from the European Union or there would be no separate US trade deal .
Mr Biden said : “ We can ’ t allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit .
Any trade deal between the US and UK must be contingent upon respect for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hard border .
Period.
” Meanwhile , the UK government said a round of informal EU trade talks this week were “ useful ” , as European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told the Financial Times she ’ s “ convinced ” a deal is possible .
The discussions “ covered a broad range of issues and some limited progress was made , ” the UK government said in a statement late Thursday .
Even so , the UK said “ significant gaps remain in key areas , including fisheries and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach a trade deal to take effect once Britain ’ s post-Brexit transition period closes at the end of the year .
But they ’ ve become snarled over the UK ’ s desire to curb the access of EU fishing vessels to its waters , and over the so-called level playing field - in particular , what EU state aid rules the UK will have to follow after leaving the bloc .
“ We will continue to work hard to bridge those gaps in talks next week , without compromising our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the UK government said .
Dr von der Leyen told the newspaper that while Mr Johnson ’ s decision to introduce legislation allowing his government to breach the terms of the withdrawal agreement struck between the two sides was “ a very unpleasant surprise ” and a “ distraction , ” the focus should remain on striking a trade deal .
“ I am still convinced it can be done , ” she said .
Negotiators are trying to come to an agreement by mid-October in order to provide time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – Reuters/Bloomberg

US president Donald Trump's special envoy to Northern Ireland, Mick Mulvaney, has warned against creating a "hard border by accident" on the island of Ireland.
British prime minister Boris Johnson is proposing new legislation that would break the Northern Ireland protocol of the Brexit divorce treaty that seeks to avoid a physical customs border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
"The Trump administration, State Department and the US Congress would all be aligned in the desire to see the Good Friday Agreement (Belfast Agreement) preserved to see the lack of a border maintained," Mr Mulvaney said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Friday.
His remark comes two days after US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden warned Britain that it must honour the 1998 agreement as it withdraws from the European Union or there would be no separate US trade deal.
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Mr Biden said: “We can’t allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit. Any trade deal between the US and UK must be contingent upon respect for the Agreement and preventing the return of a hard border. Period.”
Trade talks
Meanwhile, the UK government said a round of informal EU trade talks this week were “useful”, as European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told the Financial Times she’s “convinced” a deal is possible.
The discussions “covered a broad range of issues and some limited progress was made,” the UK government said in a statement late Thursday.
Even so, the UK said “significant gaps remain in key areas, including fisheries and subsidies.”
The two sides are trying to reach a trade deal to take effect once Britain’s post-Brexit transition period closes at the end of the year. But they’ve become snarled over the UK’s desire to curb the access of EU fishing vessels to its waters, and over the so-called level playing field - in particular, what EU state aid rules the UK will have to follow after leaving the bloc.
“We will continue to work hard to bridge those gaps in talks next week, without compromising our fundamental position of being an independent country,” the UK government said.
Dr von der Leyen told the newspaper that while Mr Johnson’s decision to introduce legislation allowing his government to breach the terms of the withdrawal agreement struck between the two sides was “a very unpleasant surprise” and a “distraction,” the focus should remain on striking a trade deal. “I am still convinced it can be done,” she said.
Negotiators are trying to come to an agreement by mid-October in order to provide time for it to be ratified by year-end. – Reuters/Bloomberg


theirishtimes--2020-09-18--Man due in court over robbery of wheelchair user in Cork

A 39-year-old man is due to appear in court in Cork on Friday charged in connection with a robbery during which a 50-year-old amputee was pulled from his wheelchair and left lying on the street .
The robbery happened after the wheelchair user had attended the Mercy University Hospital for a medical appointment on Monday afternoon and was resting in his wheelchair at nearby Gravel Lane .
The wheelchair user was approached by a man who demanded money and when he went to get some coins from his wallet to give to the man , the man made a sudden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensued and the wheelchair user was pulled from his wheelchair and left lying on the ground as the thief made off on foot with the man ’ s wallet and about €100 in cash .
A passing taxi driver heard the man ’ s cries for help and he and several members of the public helped him back into his wheelchair before alerting gardaí who were quickly on the scene .
Gardaí carried out a search of the area but did not find the man .
Gardaí identified the man , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken from the area .
A team of gardaí from Cork city travelled to Mallow on Thursday morning backed up by members of the Armed Support Unit .
The 39-year-old man , originally from West Cork , was arrested in the town .
The man was brought to the Bridewell Garda station where he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act for questioning about the robbery on Monday .
Gardaí have since received directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge the man with robbery from the wheelchair user @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cork District Court later on Friday morning .

A 39-year-old man is due to appear in court in Cork on Friday charged in connection with a robbery during which a 50-year-old amputee was pulled from his wheelchair and left lying on the street.
The robbery happened after the wheelchair user had attended the Mercy University Hospital for a medical appointment on Monday afternoon and was resting in his wheelchair at nearby Gravel Lane.
The wheelchair user was approached by a man who demanded money and when he went to get some coins from his wallet to give to the man, the man made a sudden grab for his wallet.
A struggle ensued and the wheelchair user was pulled from his wheelchair and left lying on the ground as the thief made off on foot with the man’s wallet and about €100 in cash.
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A passing taxi driver heard the man’s cries for help and he and several members of the public helped him back into his wheelchair before alerting gardaí who were quickly on the scene.
Gardaí carried out a search of the area but did not find the man. Gardaí identified the man, who was known to them, through CCTV footage taken from the area.
A team of gardaí from Cork city travelled to Mallow on Thursday morning backed up by members of the Armed Support Unit. The 39-year-old man, originally from West Cork, was arrested in the town.
The man was brought to the Bridewell Garda station where he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act for questioning about the robbery on Monday.
Gardaí have since received directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge the man with robbery from the wheelchair user and he is due to appear at Cork District Court later on Friday morning.