theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Texts messages about welfare payments are scam, department says

Scammers are texting members of the public and asking for personal details to manage social welfare claims , the Department of Social Protection has said .
It is the second reported scam relating to welfare payments in recent months , with the last scam concerning the pandemic unemployment payment .
In a statement , the department said it has “ become aware ” that some members of the public have received text messages on their mobile phones from an unknown number , purporting to be from the department .
The text messages contain web links which the recipient is told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are made to look similar to the actual web addresses of departmental sites .
When a person clicks on the link in the text messages , they are brought to a site that has been specifically crafted to look exactly like the department ’ s MyWelfare or MyGovID websites .
The person is then asked to provide their name , PPSN and bank account details .
“ These are sophisticated scams .
We urge our customers to be cautious when managing claims online and to ensure that they are using official Departmental websites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The real website addresses for the official welfare websites are www.mywelfare.ie and MyWelfare.ie and www.mygovid.ie .
The Department has urged customers and the public to be extra vigilant and only use one of the above addresses when wishing to access either MyWelfare or MyGovID websites .
“ Please do not click on or reply to links which appear suspicious , or are not one of the above links , ” the department said .
The department added that it “ wishes to make it absolutely clear ” that it never requests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details from customers by text message or on social media .
“ Neither do we clarify or check this information over the phone , ” it added .
The department said it wants to ensure that customers and the public are made aware of this scam activity and that they keep their bank and other financial account information safe .
“ When the department becomes aware of phishing sites it takes this very seriously and makes every effort to have these sites removed as quickly as possible , ” it said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to these fraudulent text messages should contact their bank immediately .
”

The text messages contain web links which the recipient is told to click on. Photograph: iStock
Scammers are texting members of the public and asking for personal details to manage social welfare claims, the Department of Social Protection has said.
It is the second reported scam relating to welfare payments in recent months, with the last scam concerning the pandemic unemployment payment.
In a statement, the department said it has “become aware” that some members of the public have received text messages on their mobile phones from an unknown number, purporting to be from the department.
The text messages contain web links which the recipient is told to click on. The web links are made to look similar to the actual web addresses of departmental sites.
READ MORE
When a person clicks on the link in the text messages, they are brought to a site that has been specifically crafted to look exactly like the department’s MyWelfare or MyGovID websites.
The person is then asked to provide their name, PPSN and bank account details.
“These are sophisticated scams. We urge our customers to be cautious when managing claims online and to ensure that they are using official Departmental websites,” a spokesman for the department said.
The real website addresses for the official welfare websites are www.mywelfare.ie and MyWelfare.ie and www.mygovid.ie.
The Department has urged customers and the public to be extra vigilant and only use one of the above addresses when wishing to access either MyWelfare or MyGovID websites.
“Please do not click on or reply to links which appear suspicious, or are not one of the above links,” the department said.
The department added that it “wishes to make it absolutely clear” that it never requests bank account or other financial institution account details from customers by text message or on social media.
“Neither do we clarify or check this information over the phone,” it added.
The department said it wants to ensure that customers and the public are made aware of this scam activity and that they keep their bank and other financial account information safe.
“When the department becomes aware of phishing sites it takes this very seriously and makes every effort to have these sites removed as quickly as possible,” it said.
“Anyone who thinks they provided personal information in response to these fraudulent text messages should contact their bank immediately.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Q&A: The new Garda powers for pubs and restaurants

After a day of confusion , not for the first time in the Government ’ s efforts to combat Covid-19 , it has been decided a get-tough attitude should be taken to pub and restaurant owners who do not comply with the public health measures in place .
However , mooted new laws to prohibit house parties have been very much watered down .
What are the new rules ?
When pubs serving food and restaurants reopened at the start of June it was decided gardaí would inspect pubs and restaurants serving alcohol to ensure they were adhering to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to only serve drinks to customers having a meal .
Since then gardaí have carried out thousands of inspections , and while they have detected 165 breaches they had no powers to act .
The new legislation agreed by Government will give gardaí those enforcement powers .
What are those powers ?
Firstly , a Garda superintendent can sanction the immediate closure of a premises serving alcohol for the remainder of a day .
Secondly , gardaí can apply to the District Court for a three-day “ emergency closure order ” if more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gardai can apply for a “ temporary closure order ” in cases where businesses fail to act on a notice to comply with regulations and where such breaches are likely to continue .
A first temporary closure order could close a business for up to seven days , while second or subsequent orders could extend to 30 days .
The new Bill also includes specific grounds on which gardaí can object to a liquor licence .
While it was mooted house parties would be included in the new Bill , this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would give gardaí the power to enter a private home on suspicion a gathering is taking place .
This was seen as an erosion of civil liberties and probably at odds with a section of the Constitution that declares a person ’ s home is “ inviolable ” .
That means when gardaí want to raid or even enter a person ’ s home they require a warrant .
Not quite .
First of all , the public health advice is that people should limit gatherings in their homes to not more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being formulated which would result in a civil process taken by the Minister for Health against those organising parties .
Gardaí would have no role and holding a party would not be a criminal matter .
Garda sources said their hand was now strengthened and that publicans and restaurants could be in no doubt what their responsibilities were .
However , they pointed out there has been overwhelming compliance found during recent inspections , so they expect these new powers will be used only occasionally .
Gardaí were also reluctant to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief in the force that that idea came to nothing .
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has welcomed the fact the new laws do not extend to gatherings or parties in private dwellings .
It believed reaching into the home was a step too far , and that clearer public health messaging was required instead .

After a day of confusion, not for the first time in the Government’s efforts to combat Covid-19, it has been decided a get-tough attitude should be taken to pub and restaurant owners who do not comply with the public health measures in place. However, mooted new laws to prohibit house parties have been very much watered down.
What are the new rules?
When pubs serving food and restaurants reopened at the start of June it was decided gardaí would inspect pubs and restaurants serving alcohol to ensure they were adhering to the public health measures, especially the requirement to only serve drinks to customers having a meal. Since then gardaí have carried out thousands of inspections, and while they have detected 165 breaches they had no powers to act. The new legislation agreed by Government will give gardaí those enforcement powers.
What are those powers?
READ MORE
Firstly, a Garda superintendent can sanction the immediate closure of a premises serving alcohol for the remainder of a day. Secondly, gardaí can apply to the District Court for a three-day “emergency closure order” if more than one breach is discovered. Thirdly, gardai can apply for a “temporary closure order” in cases where businesses fail to act on a notice to comply with regulations and where such breaches are likely to continue. A first temporary closure order could close a business for up to seven days, while second or subsequent orders could extend to 30 days. The new Bill also includes specific grounds on which gardaí can object to a liquor licence.
What about house parties?
While it was mooted house parties would be included in the new Bill, this was seen as fraught with legal difficulties because it would give gardaí the power to enter a private home on suspicion a gathering is taking place. This was seen as an erosion of civil liberties and probably at odds with a section of the Constitution that declares a person’s home is “inviolable”. That means when gardaí want to raid or even enter a person’s home they require a warrant.
So parties can continue?
Not quite. First of all, the public health advice is that people should limit gatherings in their homes to not more than six people. A new regulation is being formulated which would result in a civil process taken by the Minister for Health against those organising parties. Gardaí would have no role and holding a party would not be a criminal matter.
What’s been the reaction?
Garda sources said their hand was now strengthened and that publicans and restaurants could be in no doubt what their responsibilities were. However, they pointed out there has been overwhelming compliance found during recent inspections, so they expect these new powers will be used only occasionally. Gardaí were also reluctant to begin raiding suspected house parties. There was relief in the force that that idea came to nothing.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has welcomed the fact the new laws do not extend to gatherings or parties in private dwellings. It believed reaching into the home was a step too far, and that clearer public health messaging was required instead.


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--The ‘big, big changes’ James Power has seen, as he turns 104

By the time he was 10 James Power had lived through the Great War , Spanish Flu , the War of independence and the Civil War .
He had also confronted the Black and Tans and spent months being force fed a cocktail of goat ’ s milk and stout as doctors fought to stop his young lungs being ravaged by TB .
As he celebrated his 104th birthday in his daughter ’ s south Dublin home on Friday , the man who is older than an independent Ireland expressed amazement at all the “ big big changes ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the summer of 1916 .
One of his earliest memories is of the Black and Tans .
When he was just five years old he and his father were building a wall on a country road in Kilkenny but were interrupted as a truck pulled up alongside them and decanted a group of men in paramilitary fatigues .
Immediately they started shouting and pointing guns in the boy and his father ’ s faces .
“ They thought my father was building a road block , ” he told The Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scared and then they wanted to arrest my father and it was only when I went into convulsions that their commander told them to leave us alone and off they went , ” he said .
“ Then in the late 1920s I got consumption and was in hospital in Kilkenny for a month , ” he recalled .
“ For months after that I had a tonic of stout and goat ’ s milk , the two of them mixed .
It was an awful thing to drink but you got used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ And it was great tonic.
” His grim experience in a medical setting back then may explain his loathing of all medicines today and apart from a daily dose of cod liver oil he stoutly refuses to take so much as an aspirin .
The goat ’ s cheese and Guinness cocktail did not , however , turn him off the black stuff and he remains fund of the occasional bottle of Guinness and the odd drop of whiskey in his tea but apart that he has never been one for vices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
He has been living with his daughter Rita at her Shankhill home for the last seven years and she said the only impact coronavirus has had on her father ’ s life so far has been to meddle with his summer plans .
She has been looking after him and getting groceries delivered since the middle of March .
“ I ’ d be very nervous about the virus ” she said .
“ I am in my seventies as well so we all have to take care .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his home place of Thomastown for the summer but that has not been possible this year as the family continues to cocoon as he waits for the curtain to come down on the latest dramatic chapter in the story of his life .

By the time he was 10 James Power had lived through the Great War, Spanish Flu, the War of independence and the Civil War. He had also confronted the Black and Tans and spent months being force fed a cocktail of goat's milk and stout as doctors fought to stop his young lungs being ravaged by TB.
As he celebrated his 104th birthday in his daughter's south Dublin home on Friday, the man who is older than an independent Ireland expressed amazement at all the "big big changes" he has witnessed since his birth at the end of the summer of 1916.
One of his earliest memories is of the Black and Tans. When he was just five years old he and his father were building a wall on a country road in Kilkenny but were interrupted as a truck pulled up alongside them and decanted a group of men in paramilitary fatigues.
Immediately they started shouting and pointing guns in the boy and his father’s faces.
READ MORE
“They thought my father was building a road block,” he told The Irish Times. “I remember being very scared and then they wanted to arrest my father and it was only when I went into convulsions that their commander told them to leave us alone and off they went,” he said.
“Then in the late 1920s I got consumption and was in hospital in Kilkenny for a month,” he recalled. “For months after that I had a tonic of stout and goat’s milk, the two of them mixed. It was an awful thing to drink but you got used to it,” he said. “And it was great tonic.”
His grim experience in a medical setting back then may explain his loathing of all medicines today and apart from a daily dose of cod liver oil he stoutly refuses to take so much as an aspirin.
The goat’s cheese and Guinness cocktail did not, however, turn him off the black stuff and he remains fund of the occasional bottle of Guinness and the odd drop of whiskey in his tea but apart that he has never been one for vices. “I have never smoked,” he said.
He has been living with his daughter Rita at her Shankhill home for the last seven years and she said the only impact coronavirus has had on her father’s life so far has been to meddle with his summer plans.
She has been looking after him and getting groceries delivered since the middle of March. “I’d be very nervous about the virus” she said. “I am in my seventies as well so we all have to take care.
Every summer the family have decamped to his home place of Thomastown for the summer but that has not been possible this year as the family continues to cocoon as he waits for the curtain to come down on the latest dramatic chapter in the story of his life .


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Anti-facemask activist arrested as gardaí remove banners in Wicklow

An anti-facemask activist has been arrested in Co Wicklow for a public order offence while hanging up signs directed against public health advice on Covid-19 .
The woman , who is aged in her early 50s , has attended several anti-lockdown protests in recent months .
Gardaí in south Dublin received several complaints from members of the public about a group of people hanging large banners over the edge of the footbridge on the N11 at Kilmacanogue .
Gardaí attended the scene just before 4pm where , according to footage shared on social media , they began removing and seizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small group of protesters .
A garda asked one of the protesters for her name and address under the Public Order Act which she refused to give .
She called the gardaí “ traitors to the Irish people ” and warned them they will “ go viral ” .
The footage , which was shot by the woman , appears to show a brief scuffle involving the her and a garda before she is placed under arrest .
It is understood she was arrested under Section 24 of the Public Order Act which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refuses to give their name and address if they suspect an offence has been committed .
“ Gardaí were alerted to an incident on the N11 flyover footbridge at Kilmacanogue as a result of a number of complaints received from members of the public earlier this afternoon , Friday , 28th August , 2020 shortly after 4pm , ” a Garda spokeswoman said .
“ Gardaí attended the scene and arrested one female ( early 50s ) under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act , 1994 .
She is currently in Bray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigations are ongoing .

Gardaí in south Dublin received several complaints from members of the public about a group of people hanging large banners over the edge of the footbridge on the N11 at Kilmacanogue. Image: Google Maps
An anti-facemask activist has been arrested in Co Wicklow for a public order offence while hanging up signs directed against public health advice on Covid-19.
The woman, who is aged in her early 50s, has attended several anti-lockdown protests in recent months.
Gardaí in south Dublin received several complaints from members of the public about a group of people hanging large banners over the edge of the footbridge on the N11 at Kilmacanogue.
Gardaí attended the scene just before 4pm where, according to footage shared on social media, they began removing and seizing the banners over the objections of a small group of protesters.
READ MORE
A garda asked one of the protesters for her name and address under the Public Order Act which she refused to give.
She called the gardaí “traitors to the Irish people” and warned them they will “go viral”. The footage, which was shot by the woman, appears to show a brief scuffle involving the her and a garda before she is placed under arrest.
It is understood she was arrested under Section 24 of the Public Order Act which allows gardaí to arrest a person who refuses to give their name and address if they suspect an offence has been committed.
“Gardaí were alerted to an incident on the N11 flyover footbridge at Kilmacanogue as a result of a number of complaints received from members of the public earlier this afternoon, Friday, 28th August, 2020 shortly after 4pm,” a Garda spokeswoman said.
“Gardaí attended the scene and arrested one female (early 50s) under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, 1994. She is currently in Bray Garda station.”
The Garda spokeswoman said investigations are ongoing.


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--‘You have some hope when the door is open, none when it is shut,’ says publican

“ This is a time to be as open minded as possible , to try anything and to be ready to try again , ” says second-generation publican Emmet Lynch , who believes the pandemic has advanced the death of the traditional Irish pub .
The owner of what was , for decades , Hugh Lynch ’ s pub on Tullamore ’ s Kilbride Street – named after his father who ran it from 1971 until he died four years ago – has transformed it over recent weeks into Hugh Lynch ’ s Burger Bar .
There was already a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only used in the past to cater functions in the upstairs room – beef stroganoff and rice was a popular dish for funerals , christenings and birthdays .
But when Covid-19 struck and the lockdown of so-called “ wet pubs ” – those that don ’ t normally serve food – looked increasingly indefinite , Lynch knew he had to try something radically different if he were to keep the family business alive .
Looking to gourmet burger offerings in Dublin , he decided to try out the concept in Offaly ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a front bar of regulars , or the back lounge popular with younger crowds at the weekend , customers are now greeted at the front door and guided to a socially distanced table , where they must remain unless going to the toilet or leaving .
Diners make their order by ticking boxes on a business card-sized menu which floor staff pass to the chef in the kitchen .
So far , it has been a success , but it ’ s not for everybody .
“ Some of our older customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was difficult at the beginning trying to explain to them that they can ’ t do that with the regulations , ” says Mr Lynch .
“ A lot of them would have been daily customers , who come in for a pint and read the newspaper , and maybe join five or six more .
It was their social hub – some are quite lonely.
” Those who decide to stay for a burger are adjusting to the movement restrictions and having to pay a bill rather than pay for each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours have also changed .
Gone is the 10.30am to last orders day , replaced with a strict 5pm to 10pm operation .
Lynch relaunched the pub on the August bank holiday weekend but was shut down again after just nine days trading when restrictions were tightened in Offaly , Laois and Kildare amid a spike in coronavirus cases .
As restrictions eased again , he reopened this week .
Crucial to the venture ’ s survival will be , of course , demand – he is worried it may wane in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now of the government ’ s wage subsidy scheme , which is due to be wound down in the spring .
Before lockdown , one person could operate the bar and adjacent off licence .
For the burger bar , Mr Lynch needs two people on the floor , one behind the counter and one in the kitchen .
On Saturdays , he needs at least ten staff .
Despite all the challenges , he prefers it to the alternative – ongoing closure as insurance , energy , alarm monitoring , maintenance and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You have some hope when your door is open , you have no hope when it is closed.
” Mr Lynch says pubs will go to the wall over the coming weeks and months but if publicans can offer something more than a pint they might have a chance of riding out the coronavirus storm .
“ If you can do that , there could be a future in the industry , but I don ’ t think it will look like how it once looked , ” he says .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
I don ’ t know but I ’ d like to think I ’ ll keep trying and if one idea doesn ’ t work I won ’ t give up , and try another idea .
”

"This is a time to be as open minded as possible, to try anything and to be ready to try again," says second-generation publican Emmet Lynch, who believes the pandemic has advanced the death of the traditional Irish pub.
The owner of what was, for decades, Hugh Lynch's pub on Tullamore's Kilbride Street – named after his father who ran it from 1971 until he died four years ago – has transformed it over recent weeks into Hugh Lynch's Burger Bar.
There was already a kitchen on the premises, although it was only used in the past to cater functions in the upstairs room – beef stroganoff and rice was a popular dish for funerals, christenings and birthdays.
But when Covid-19 struck and the lockdown of so-called “wet pubs” – those that don’t normally serve food – looked increasingly indefinite, Lynch knew he had to try something radically different if he were to keep the family business alive.
READ MORE
Looking to gourmet burger offerings in Dublin, he decided to try out the concept in Offaly’s county town.
Rather than ambling into a front bar of regulars, or the back lounge popular with younger crowds at the weekend, customers are now greeted at the front door and guided to a socially distanced table, where they must remain unless going to the toilet or leaving.
Diners make their order by ticking boxes on a business card-sized menu which floor staff pass to the chef in the kitchen.
A 6oz fresh beef burger costs €6.95, a double cheeseburger €9.50 and fries are €3.
So far, it has been a success, but it’s not for everybody.
Emmet Lynch, owner of Hugh Lynch’s pub on Kildare Street, Tullamore: ‘What do the next few weeks bring? I don’t know.’ Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Social hub
“Some of our older customers just want to have a drink and it was difficult at the beginning trying to explain to them that they can’t do that with the regulations,” says Mr Lynch.
“A lot of them would have been daily customers, who come in for a pint and read the newspaper, and maybe join five or six more. It was their social hub – some are quite lonely.”
Those who decide to stay for a burger are adjusting to the movement restrictions and having to pay a bill rather than pay for each pint as it is served.
Opening hours have also changed. Gone is the 10.30am to last orders day, replaced with a strict 5pm to 10pm operation.
Lynch relaunched the pub on the August bank holiday weekend but was shut down again after just nine days trading when restrictions were tightened in Offaly, Laois and Kildare amid a spike in coronavirus cases.
As restrictions eased again, he reopened this week.
Crucial to the venture’s survival will be, of course, demand – he is worried it may wane in the autumn – but also the continuance for now of the government’s wage subsidy scheme, which is due to be wound down in the spring.
Before lockdown, one person could operate the bar and adjacent off licence. For the burger bar, Mr Lynch needs two people on the floor, one behind the counter and one in the kitchen. On Saturdays, he needs at least ten staff.
Despite all the challenges, he prefers it to the alternative – ongoing closure as insurance, energy , alarm monitoring, maintenance and other costs all continue to mount.
“You have some hope when your door is open, you have no hope when it is closed.”
Mr Lynch says pubs will go to the wall over the coming weeks and months but if publicans can offer something more than a pint they might have a chance of riding out the coronavirus storm.
“If you can do that, there could be a future in the industry, but I don’t think it will look like how it once looked,” he says.
“What do the next few weeks bring? I don’t know but I’d like to think I’ll keep trying and if one idea doesn’t work I won’t give up, and try another idea.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--‘No evidence’ to suggest anyone else involved in death of Noah Donohoe – Coroner

There is currently “ no evidence ” to suggest that any other person was involved in the death of Belfast teenager Noah Donohoe , a court has heard .
Coroner Joe McCrisken told a preliminary inquest into the death of the schoolboy that he wanted to set out “ fact against fiction ” in order to “ dispel the many baseless and inaccurate rumours which continue to circulate ” .
The 14-year-old was found dead in a storm drain near the M2 motorway in June , six days after he went missing in north Belfast .
Police believe he entered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of north Belfast .
He had cycled to the area from his home in south Belfast and , shortly before he went missing , was seen with no clothes on .
Prior to that he was seen falling off his bike in Shore Road .
His disappearance prompted a major search operation , with hundreds of people from across Belfast involved .
Noah ’ s mother Fiona and aunt Niamh attended the second preliminary inquest hearing at Belfast Coroner ’ s Court on Friday .
At the last hearing in July the coroner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s death .
On Friday , he expressed regret that “ some individuals have chosen not to respect my request and the request of the family and rumours , speculation and conspiracy theories continue to be circulated ” .
“ Today , in conjunction with the police and my counsel , I am providing some details which will dispel the many baseless and inaccurate rumours which continue to circulate , ” he said .
The coroner said police have compiled video footage which covers Noah ’ s journey from his home off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ To me , it seems likely that Noah entered the storm drain to the rear of 85 Northwood Road by lifting a metal drain cover , which at that time was not secured , ” said Mr McCrisken .
“ I have examined the drain cover , as have police officers , and it seems entirely possible for Noah to have been able to lift that cover and enter the drain system at that location.
” The coroner described the drain as running underground from Northwood Road to Shore Road to Seaview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Translink cleaning facility , under the M2 motorway before discharging close to Duncrue Road .
“ Noah ’ s body was found by specially trained police officers between two drain access points within a section of the tunnel running under the Translink access road , ” said Mr McCrisken .
“ The environment within the drain system can be described as challenging , with the drain system backfilling with water during intervals between low and high tides .
“ I consider that , based upon all of the evidence before me at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CCTV footage and witness statements , that Noah acted alone when he travelled to Northwood Road and entered the drain system .
“ Investigations however are ongoing and I have reassured the family this morning that further evidence will be assessed as it is received .
“ But that is my preliminary view based upon the evidence that is before me presently .
“ At present there is no evidence linking Noah ’ s death to the death of any other individual or with an attack on any other individual or individuals in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northwood Road .
“ There is no evidence at present to suggest that any other person was involved in Noah ’ s disappearance and death.
” He added that the police team charged with investigating Noah ’ s death continue to gather evidence , and that he is awaiting the full post-mortem examination report and findings , along with further forensic evidence .
Solicitor Niall Murphy , representing the family , said Ms Donohoe had watched the compilation of nine minutes of CCTV footage of her son ’ s last movements .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harrowing experience of Fiona Donohoe ’ s life , to view the last recorded moments of Noah , she is appreciative of having had the opportunity to do so , ” he said .
He added that Ms Donohoe wishes to express gratitude to businesses , public authorities and residents who volunteered the footage .
“ No warrants were required to obtain any of it .
“ Fiona acknowledges that the compilation is not a constant continuous video track of Noah ’ s movements and notes that there are blind spots in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relevant , the sensitive part of the journey from Skegoneill Avenue to his final sighted destination .
“ Fiona accepts and respects that this is an ongoing investigation and she hopes and prays that the vacuum that currently exists from 1801 onwards will be filled .
“ And again she appeals to the residents to exhaust their memories and CCTV if any is still held to help complete the evidential picture.
” Ms Donohoe recently started an awareness campaign in her quest to get answers around what happened to her son , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belfast where City Hall was lit up blue in the teenager ’ s memory .
“ Fiona again seeks to thank the wider community for how they have taken Noah to their hearts ; the acts of civic solidarity and sympathy by local councils in Belfast , Lisburn , Strabane and further afield have been of immense comfort , ” Mr Murphy said .
“ Fiona wants Noah ’ s name to survive as a testament to the qualities he possessed as a vibrant and intelligent young boy .
“ Fiona is working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an enduring and fitting legacy to her beautiful son and hopes to be in a position to present that in the future.
” A further preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 2nd .
A full inquest is due to be heard on January 18th next year .
– PA

There is currently "no evidence" to suggest that any other person was involved in the death of Belfast teenager Noah Donohoe, a court has heard.
Coroner Joe McCrisken told a preliminary inquest into the death of the schoolboy that he wanted to set out “fact against fiction” in order to “dispel the many baseless and inaccurate rumours which continue to circulate”.
The 14-year-old was found dead in a storm drain near the M2 motorway in June, six days after he went missing in north Belfast.
Police believe he entered the drain in the Northwood Road area of north Belfast.
READ MORE
He had cycled to the area from his home in south Belfast and, shortly before he went missing, was seen with no clothes on. Prior to that he was seen falling off his bike in Shore Road.
His disappearance prompted a major search operation, with hundreds of people from across Belfast involved.
Noah’s mother Fiona and aunt Niamh attended the second preliminary inquest hearing at Belfast Coroner’s Court on Friday.
At the last hearing in July the coroner urged an end to speculation about Noah’s death.
On Friday, he expressed regret that “some individuals have chosen not to respect my request and the request of the family and rumours, speculation and conspiracy theories continue to be circulated”.
“Today, in conjunction with the police and my counsel, I am providing some details which will dispel the many baseless and inaccurate rumours which continue to circulate,” he said.
“Today I will set fact against fiction.”
The coroner said police have compiled video footage which covers Noah’s journey from his home off the Ormeau Road to Northwood Road.
“To me, it seems likely that Noah entered the storm drain to the rear of 85 Northwood Road by lifting a metal drain cover, which at that time was not secured,” said Mr McCrisken.
“I have examined the drain cover, as have police officers, and it seems entirely possible for Noah to have been able to lift that cover and enter the drain system at that location.”
The coroner described the drain as running underground from Northwood Road to Shore Road to Seaview, under an access road at a Translink cleaning facility, under the M2 motorway before discharging close to Duncrue Road.
“Noah’s body was found by specially trained police officers between two drain access points within a section of the tunnel running under the Translink access road,” said Mr McCrisken.
“The environment within the drain system can be described as challenging, with the drain system backfilling with water during intervals between low and high tides.
“I consider that, based upon all of the evidence before me at this stage, and the evidence includes extensive CCTV footage and witness statements, that Noah acted alone when he travelled to Northwood Road and entered the drain system.
“Investigations however are ongoing and I have reassured the family this morning that further evidence will be assessed as it is received.
“But that is my preliminary view based upon the evidence that is before me presently.
“At present there is no evidence linking Noah’s death to the death of any other individual or with an attack on any other individual or individuals in that area or in close proximity to Northwood Road.
“There is no evidence at present to suggest that any other person was involved in Noah’s disappearance and death.”
He added that the police team charged with investigating Noah’s death continue to gather evidence, and that he is awaiting the full post-mortem examination report and findings, along with further forensic evidence.
Solicitor Niall Murphy, representing the family, said Ms Donohoe had watched the compilation of nine minutes of CCTV footage of her son's last movements.
“While this nine minutes represented the most harrowing experience of Fiona Donohoe’s life, to view the last recorded moments of Noah, she is appreciative of having had the opportunity to do so,” he said.
He added that Ms Donohoe wishes to express gratitude to businesses, public authorities and residents who volunteered the footage.
“No warrants were required to obtain any of it.
“Fiona acknowledges that the compilation is not a constant continuous video track of Noah’s movements and notes that there are blind spots in the journey, particularly, and perhaps most relevant, the sensitive part of the journey from Skegoneill Avenue to his final sighted destination.
“Fiona accepts and respects that this is an ongoing investigation and she hopes and prays that the vacuum that currently exists from 1801 onwards will be filled.
“And again she appeals to the residents to exhaust their memories and CCTV if any is still held to help complete the evidential picture.”
Ms Donohoe recently started an awareness campaign in her quest to get answers around what happened to her son, which was supported by several councils, including Belfast where City Hall was lit up blue in the teenager’s memory.
"Fiona again seeks to thank the wider community for how they have taken Noah to their hearts; the acts of civic solidarity and sympathy by local councils in Belfast, Lisburn, Strabane and further afield have been of immense comfort," Mr Murphy said.
“Fiona wants Noah’s name to survive as a testament to the qualities he possessed as a vibrant and intelligent young boy.
“Fiona is working to harness the good will to ensure an enduring and fitting legacy to her beautiful son and hopes to be in a position to present that in the future.”
A further preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 2nd.
A full inquest is due to be heard on January 18th next year. – PA


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Close to €1 million raised for healthcare workers by Mayo cottage raffle

A raffle for a postcard pretty holiday cottage in Mayo to raise funds for healthcare workers had raised close to €1 million on Friday afternoon - with six hours to go before the curtain came down on the draw .
As the raffle drew to a close , the couple who own the home near Foxford described the level of interest in it in recent weeks as “ unreal ” .
The house was put up for raffle in June by a Canada-based Irish couple who are both Covid-19 survivors .
They have asked to remain anonymous .
The retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world wanted to do something to give back after surviving the deadly virus , and decided to use their Mayo home as a prize to raise funds .
The tickets cost €10 and the money has been rolling in for weeks having long since surpassed the couple ’ s initial target of €250,000 .
Contributions to the raffle website have come from all quarters - mainly from people with links to Ireland .
The couple have said all of the money raised will go towards those who were not medics at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same risks as doctors and nurses , such as cleaners , porters and kitchen staff .
The decision to raise money for healthcare support workers sprang from a combination of their own recent experience of the virus , seeing friends and family around them affected by cancer , and a lifelong belief that support staff in hospitals don ’ t get the recognition they deserve .
The majority of ticket buyers have purchased in small amounts , while a few spenders have stretched to 25 tickets for €250 .
The 150-year-old cottage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mountains , had been placed on the market through local agent CK Auctioneers earlier this year and attracted offers of up to €90,000 .
The fund is being administered by a Dublin-based accountant who plans to liaise with Siptu to dispense the money across the health sector fairly .
Plans to give money directly to health care workers were scrapped because of tax implications and other complexities for the recipients and the money will now be used as an education fund .
The winner will be getting an idyllic holiday escape upgraded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a solid fuel stove .
They will also receive rights to cut their own turf in the nearby bog .
The retired businessman says he came close to death after contracting coronavirus en route from Mexico to Canada in early March .
The draw will take place at 10pm Irish time ( 5pm US time ) .

The winner will be getting a holiday escape upgraded in recent years to include storage heating and a solid fuel stove. They will also receive rights to cut their own turf in the nearby bog.
A raffle last night for a postcard-pretty holiday cottage in Co Mayo to raise funds for healthcare workers has been won by a woman living in Dublin.
The couple who own the home near Foxford which raised close to €1 million in the raffle described the level of interest as "unreal".
A Canada-based Irish couple, who are both Covid-19 survivors, decided in June to raffle their house because they wanted to give something back after surviving the virus.
The decision to raise money for healthcare support workers sprang from a combination of their own recent experience of the virus, seeing friends and family around them affected by cancer, and a lifelong belief that support staff in hospitals do not get the recognition they deserve.
READ MORE
The retired businessman and former doctor, with homes around the world, wanted to raise funds for healthcare workers.
The retired businessman says he came close to death after contracting coronavirus en route from Mexico to Canada in early March.
They have asked to remain anonymous.
The tickets cost €10 and the money rolled in for weeks and quickly surpassed the couple’s initial target of €250,000.
Contributions came from all quarters but mainly from people with links to Ireland.
The majority of ticket buyers purchased in small amounts, while a few stretched to 25 tickets for €250.
The 150-year-old cottage, on the Mayo side of the Ox Mountains, had been placed on the market through local agent CK Auctioneers earlier this year and attracted offers of up to €90,000.
In a statement on its website on Saturday morning CK Auctioneers said the “winner of the cottage is a Dublin lady. Under GDPR we are awaiting permission from winner to publish their name.”
The fund is being administered by a Dublin-based accountant who plans to liaise with Siptu to dispense the money across the health sector fairly.
Plans to give money directly to healthcare workers were scrapped because of tax implications and other complexities for the recipients. The money will now be used as an education fund.
The winner has secured idyllic holiday escape upgraded in recent years to include storage heating and a solid fuel stove. They will also receive rights to cut their own turf in the nearby bog.
The draw took place at 10pm Irish time.


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Covid-19: Median age of people with virus hits record low of 30 years – CSO

The median age of new confirmed Covid-19 cases last week at 30 years is the lowest level since figures have been recorded during the pandemic .
New figures published by the Central Statistics Office indicate that more than half of all new confirmed cases in the week ending August 21st were among individuals aged under 30 for the first time .
The CSO figures also reveal that the average number of contacts per positive case among young adults has become significantly higher than other age groups .
While there was very little difference in the number of contacts across different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the situation has changed in recent months .
An analysis of contact from the HSE ’ s Covid Care Tracker system shows the average number of contacts per case has more than doubled over the past three months .
The average number of contacts per positive case was more than six in the week ending August 14th compared to less than three in May .
However , the figure for 15-24 year olds who tested positive for Covid-19 is an average of more than 11 contacts .
In contrast , the average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those aged over 80 years has remained stable at just over two .
The CSO figures show there have been more than 600 new cases in each of the three weeks up to August 21st with more than half of all cases linked to an outbreak or cluster .
The number of new weekly cases in Dublin exceeded 150 in the past two weeks for the first time since May .
According to the CSO , Dublin and Kildare account for almost three-fifths of all new cases , with 361 individuals in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fewer than ten cases each week have been recorded for at least the last 14 weeks in Mayo , Westmeath , Leitrim , Longford and Kerry .
Waterford has now gone 17 weeks in a row where the number of new cases is also less than ten per week .
The CSO said the number of people who have died from Covid-19 has been below ten per week for the past eight weeks .
To date , the total number of people who died from the virus stands at 1,525 with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death linked to Covid-19 .
Approximately 65 per cent of all confirmed Covid-19 related deaths to date have been among those aged 80 and older .
More than a third of all 28,036 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic to date are among the 25-44 age group .
Healthcare workers continue to make up almost a third of cases .
A total of 15 people were hospitalised with Covid-19 in the week ending August 21st compared to a peak of 666 at the end of March .
For the past 14 weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted to an intensive care unit with the virus .
Approximately 53 per cent of all cases to date have been linked to an outbreak which is defined as two or more cases in the same location and time .
Hospitals , residential institutions and nursing homes have accounted for 57 per cent of all confirmed cases related to an outbreak .
The workplace now accounts for 12 per cent of outbreak cases – up from 3 per cent in mid-April .
Last week , almost three-quarters of all cases linked to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The CSO said the latest figures indicate a trend of the movement of cases from cities to independent urban towns .
It also highlighted an increase in the proportion of new cases in recent months in areas which had high welfare-dependency rates and where the median household income was between €40,000 and €50,000 but a decline in areas where average income was over €60,000 .

The average number of contacts for cases among those aged over 80 years has remained stable at just over two. Photograph: NEXU Science Communication/via Reuters
The median age of new confirmed Covid-19 cases last week at 30 years is the lowest level since figures have been recorded during the pandemic.
New figures published by the Central Statistics Office indicate that more than half of all new confirmed cases in the week ending August 21st were among individuals aged under 30 for the first time.
The CSO figures also reveal that the average number of contacts per positive case among young adults has become significantly higher than other age groups.
While there was very little difference in the number of contacts across different age categories in May, the CSO said the situation has changed in recent months.
READ MORE
An analysis of contact from the HSE’s Covid Care Tracker system shows the average number of contacts per case has more than doubled over the past three months.
The average number of contacts per positive case was more than six in the week ending August 14th compared to less than three in May.
However, the figure for 15-24 year olds who tested positive for Covid-19 is an average of more than 11 contacts.
In contrast, the average number of contacts for positive cases among those aged over 80 years has remained stable at just over two.
The CSO figures show there have been more than 600 new cases in each of the three weeks up to August 21st with more than half of all cases linked to an outbreak or cluster.
The number of new weekly cases in Dublin exceeded 150 in the past two weeks for the first time since May.
According to the CSO, Dublin and Kildare account for almost three-fifths of all new cases, with 361 individuals in the two counties confirmed with Covid-19 last week.
Fewer than ten cases each week have been recorded for at least the last 14 weeks in Mayo, Westmeath, Leitrim, Longford and Kerry.
Waterford has now gone 17 weeks in a row where the number of new cases is also less than ten per week.
The CSO said the number of people who have died from Covid-19 has been below ten per week for the past eight weeks.
To date, the total number of people who died from the virus stands at 1,525 with a further 251 cases cited as a probable death linked to Covid-19.
Approximately 65 per cent of all confirmed Covid-19 related deaths to date have been among those aged 80 and older.
More than a third of all 28,036 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic to date are among the 25-44 age group.
Healthcare workers continue to make up almost a third of cases.
A total of 15 people were hospitalised with Covid-19 in the week ending August 21st compared to a peak of 666 at the end of March.
For the past 14 weeks, fewer than five people have been admitted to an intensive care unit with the virus.
Approximately 53 per cent of all cases to date have been linked to an outbreak which is defined as two or more cases in the same location and time.
Hospitals, residential institutions and nursing homes have accounted for 57 per cent of all confirmed cases related to an outbreak.
The workplace now accounts for 12 per cent of outbreak cases – up from 3 per cent in mid-April.
Last week, almost three-quarters of all cases linked to an outbreak were among those aged under 45.
The CSO said the latest figures indicate a trend of the movement of cases from cities to independent urban towns.
It also highlighted an increase in the proportion of new cases in recent months in areas which had high welfare-dependency rates and where the median household income was between €40,000 and €50,000 but a decline in areas where average income was over €60,000.


theirishtimes--2020-08-29--Coronavirus: Second Irish lockdown cannot be ruled out if virus surges, de Gascun says

The health authorities want to avoid a second national lockdown but the measure could not be ruled out if there was a surge in the spread of Covid-19 , according to one of the country ’ s leading public health experts .
Dr Cillian de Gascun , the chairman of the National Public Health Expert Team ( NPHET ) advisory group said the reintroduction of stay-at-home restrictions would be avoided “ if at all possible ” .
It followed a warning by the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly on Wednesday that the country was close to a second national lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tipping point ” .
A further 127 cases in the State were confirmed on Friday .
This brings to 28,578 the total number of cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began , and leaves the death toll in the Republic at 1,777 .
Of the cases confirmed on Friday , 52 are in Dublin , 13 are in Monaghan , nine are in Tipperary , eight are in Meath , eight are in Wexford , eight are in Roscommon and the remaining 29 are located in Carlow , Cavan , Clare , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kilkenny , Limerick , Longford , Louth , Offaly , Waterford , Westmeath and Wicklow .
Around 80 per cent of the cases are people under 45 years of age , while 70 of the confirmed cases are men and 57 are women .
Speaking on RTÉ Radio One ’ s Brendan O ’ Connor Show on Saturday , Dr de Gascun acknowledged the country was at a “ critical phase ” as the Government waited to see the impact over the next week of additional national restrictions on the gathering of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s really important that people continue with the enhanced measures and the enhanced public health guidelines , ” said Dr Gascun , who is also director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory .
However , he said the reintroduction of a national lockdown could not be ruled out as the stay-at-home restrictions had been shown to work in suppressing the spread of Covid-19 .
“ It ’ s a tool in the armoury that you never exclude definitively , ” he added .
Dr de Gascun acknowledged that a lockdown while effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant impact on the Irish economy and people ’ s mental health .
He said NPHET was very conscious that the planned last phase of the reopening of the economy , which included pubs , had not been able to go ahead because of Covid-19 levels in the community .
Dr de Gascun said the way people went to pubs in the past was one of the highest risk environments for the spread of the virus but that there might be measures that the industry could put in place to reopen safely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ give gardaí greater enforcement powers against pubs that do not comply with Covid-19 public health guidelines .
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said there was a €16 million package being made available for pubs that were being prohibited from reopening next week .
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said on Friday there would be enhanced enforcement powers for pubs and restaurants after an increase over the summer in the number of non-complaint premises .
She said with the sanction of a superintendent a gardaí can order the closure of a pub for one day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with this seven days , and then 30 days .
Mr Varadkar said he could not say with any certainty whether pubs would reopen this year .
Further regulations are being considered by the Government which would see workers in premises that serve drink and food be obliged to wear masks .
The Cabinet also agreed to ask the Attorney General to examine options for further regulating house parties .
Under the proposals discussed by the Cabinet on Friday afternoon , it will be an offence to organise or attend a gathering in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visitors either indoors or outdoors .
This measure was introduced as a guideline last week .
Ireland still in the first wave Asked where Ireland was in the course of the pandemic , Dr de Gascun said he thought the State had interrupted the first wave through the introduction of stay-at-home restrictions and “ the fantastic effort by everyone in the country ” .
While it was difficult to know exactly from a virology perspective , he said he believed Ireland was still in the first wave as there had not been any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de Gascun said it was “ disappointing but not hugely surprising ” that the summer weather did not have any great effect on the virus .
“ So really people ’ s behaviour is what we have to count on to control it for the coming months until we do have an effective treatment or hopefully an effective vaccine in the next year , ” he added .
He praised the public for taking the public health message to heart so well and for “ continuing to do the right thing the majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second surge of Covid-19 could be expected in the winter season , Dr de Gascun expressed confidence that the ongoing use of physical distancing , hand hygiene and wearing face masks would have an impact on all respiratory viruses , including the flu , over the coming months .
He pointed out that Australia had already experienced a very mild influenza season because of all the public health measures that had been in place to combat Covid-19 .
“ I think it ’ s important that we reassure people , to a degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he added .
Dr de Gasucn said there was no major difference between a zero Covid policy - the elimination of the virus rather than its suppression - and the one being pursued by the Government .
“ Ultimately you want to suppress the virus as much as possible in the community while allowing people to get back to school and to get back to work and to protect our vulnerable , ” he said .
As Ireland was an open economy which was impacted by the stay-at-home restrictions , Dr de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society as much as possible .
However , he stressed that people needed to be aware that aspects of daily life needed to be done in a different way and that such a required change in behaviour that could last for several years .

Dr Cillian de Gascun believes Ireland is still in the first wave as there had not been any significant change in the virus. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
A further 142 cases of coronavirus were reported in the State on Saturday as one of the country’s leading public health experts warned a second national lockdown could not be ruled out if there was a surge in Covid-19.
Dr Cillian de Gascun, the chairman of the National Public Health Expert Team (NPHET) advisory group said the reintroduction of stay-at-home restrictions would be avoided "if at all possible" but they had been shown to work in suppressing the spread of the virus.
It followed a warning by the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly on Wednesday that the country was close to a second national lockdown because the State was at “a tipping point”.
NPHET reported a further 142 cases of coronavirus and no further deaths on Saturday.
READ MORE
This is the seventh day in a row there has been no additional coronavirus-related deaths reported.
This brings the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases to 28,720, with 1,777 deaths from the virus to date.
Of the 142 new cases reported on Saturday, 74 are men and 66 are women, with 69 per cent of the cases under 45 years of age.
Some 32 of the cases are linked to an outbreak or were close contacts of a previous confirmed case, and 19 of the cases arose from community transmission.
Fifty-nine of the cases were in Dublin, 20 in Kildare, which remains under a local lockdown, and 14 cases were in Donegal and Limerick. There were eight confirmed cases in Wexford, and six in Tipperary.
The remaining 21 cases were spread across counties Carlow, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth, Mayo, Meath and Wicklow. Over the last two weeks there has been confirmed cases in every county in the country except for Leitrim.
In a statement, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said Saturday “marks six months since our first case of Covid-19. It has been a very difficult time for many and few have been left untouched in some way by the negative effects of this pandemic”.
Dr Glynn said during that time “our frontline workers have stepped up again and again. But underpinning it all has been each person playing their part by making the right choices, many times, each day. Together, we have broken the chains of transmission and flattened the curve,” he said.
“As cases rise again, it is these same behaviours that will once again make the difference, protecting ourselves, our families and our communities,” he said.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Brendan O’Connor Show on Saturday, Dr de Gascun acknowledged the country was at a “critical phase” as the Government waited to see the impact over the next week of additional national restrictions on the gathering of people imposed last week.
“It’s really important that people continue with the enhanced measures and the enhanced public health guidelines,” said Dr de Gascun, who is also director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory.
However, he said the reintroduction of a national lockdown could not be ruled out. “It’s a tool in the armoury that you never exclude definitively.”
Dr de Gascun acknowledged that a lockdown while effective in controlling the virus had a very significant impact on the Irish economy and people’s mental health.
He said NPHET was very conscious that the planned last phase of the reopening of the economy, which included pubs, had not been able to go ahead because of Covid-19 levels in the community.
Dr de Gascun said the way people went to pubs in the past was one of the highest risk environments for the spread of the virus but that there might be measures that the industry could put in place to reopen safely.
Greater Garda powers
On Friday, the Government agreed to give gardaí greater enforcement powers against pubs that do not comply with Covid-19 public health guidelines.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said there was a €16 million package being made available for pubs that were being prohibited from reopening next week.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said on Friday there would be enhanced enforcement powers for pubs and restaurants after an increase over the summer in the number of non-complaint premises.
She said with the sanction of a superintendent a gardaí can order the closure of a pub for one day, and if there is still no compliance with this seven days, and then 30 days.
Mr Varadkar said he could not say with any certainty whether pubs would reopen this year.
Further regulations are being considered by the Government which would see workers in premises that serve drink and food be obliged to wear masks.
The Cabinet also agreed to ask the Attorney General to examine options for further regulating house parties. Under the proposals discussed by the Cabinet on Friday afternoon, it will be an offence to organise or attend a gathering in a private house with more than six visitors either indoors or outdoors. This measure was introduced as a guideline last week.
Ireland’s case incidence surpasses Sweden
Meanwhile, the incidence of Covid-19 cases in the Republic has surpassed the level in Sweden for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Updated figures published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on Saturday show that the infection rate in Ireland over the past 14 days is 32.3 per 100,000 compared 28.9 per 100,000 in Sweden.
Health authorities have focused on figures from Sweden as the country adopted a softer approach to combating the virus, although it has experienced comparatively higher infection rates and death rates than neighbouring countries like Norway and Finland.
The highest current rate of infection is in Spain where there are 205.5 cases per 100,000 over the past fortnight, with the heaviest concentrations in the northern part of the country.
Other countries with current high infection rates are Romania, Malta, Croatia and France.
Almost 2.17 million cases of Covid-19 have been reported in EU/EEA countries and the UK to date.
Spain has the highest number of cases at 439,286 followed by the UK (331,644), France (267,077) and Italy (265,409).
Ireland is ranked 12th in the most number of cases, although it is only the 22nd most populous nation among the 30 European countries whose figures are collated by the ECDC.
Ireland also has the 12th highest number of deaths linked to Covid-19 at 1,777.
The total number of deaths in the EU/EEA and the UK has reached 181,531 with the largest single number in the UK at 41,486.
Italy has the second highest number of deaths at 35,472, followed by France (30,596), Spain (29,011) and Belgium (9,886).
Ireland still in the first wave
Asked where Ireland was in the course of the pandemic, Dr de Gascun said he thought the State had interrupted the first wave through the introduction of stay-at-home restrictions and “the fantastic effort by everyone in the country”.
While it was difficult to know exactly from a virology perspective, he said he believed Ireland was still in the first wave as there had not been any significant change in the virus.
Dr de Gascun said it was “disappointing but not hugely surprising” that the summer weather did not have any great effect on the virus.
“So really people’s behaviour is what we have to count on to control it for the coming months until we do have an effective treatment or hopefully an effective vaccine in the next year,” he added.
He praised the public for taking the public health message to heart so well and for “continuing to do the right thing the majority of the time.”
Although a significant second surge of Covid-19 could be expected in the winter season, Dr de Gascun expressed confidence that the ongoing use of physical distancing, hand hygiene and wearing face masks would have an impact on all respiratory viruses, including the flu, over the coming months.
He pointed out that Australia had already experienced a very mild influenza season because of all the public health measures that had been in place to combat Covid-19.
“I think it’s important that we reassure people, to a degree, that we can control this,” he added.
Dr de Gascun said there was no major difference between a zero Covid policy - the elimination of the virus rather than its suppression - and the one being pursued by the Government.
“Ultimately you want to suppress the virus as much as possible in the community while allowing people to get back to school and to get back to work and to protect our vulnerable,” he said.
As Ireland was an open economy which was impacted by the stay-at-home restrictions, Dr de Gascun said the aim was to reopen society as much as possible.
However, he stressed that people needed to be aware that aspects of daily life needed to be done in a different way and that such a required change in behaviour that could last for several years.


theirishtimes--2020-08-29--US company to close Ballinasloe plant with loss of 115 jobs

A US manufacturer of pumps and dispenser systems for beauty and personal care products has confirmed is to close its facility in Ballinasloe , Co Galway , with the loss of 115 jobs .
Aptar said it was ceasing production at the plant in December following a review of its Irish operations .
The company said its industrial equipment and machinery would be transferred to other facilities around the world between September and November .
Aptar , which has headquarters in Illinois in the United States , employs over 14,000 staff across its operations in 18 countries .
Although employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business park in Ballinasloe had put forward alternatives to the plant ’ s closure , Aptar said they did not meet the company ’ s criteria for making the necessary changes to address changing market conditions and competitive challenges .
In a statement , the company said : “ Aptar management do not take these decisions lightly and will uphold our core values and treat all employees with dignity and respect as we support them through this difficult change.
” The company , which has operated in Ballinasloe for over 20 years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assist staff with social measures including extended healthcare insurance and retraining and outplacement support .
“ We are committed to giving employees all the possible means to help them find new employment , ” it added .
News of the closure was not unexpected as Aptar had signalled in the summer it intended implementing cost-saving measures across its global operations with a particular focus on its manufacturing facilities .
The Co Galway factory produces pumps and dispenser systems for perfume sprays and other beauty products .
During the Covid-19 pandemic , it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plant had normally operated on a 24/7 basis but had scaled back its output significantly over the past few months Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon-Galway Claire Kerrane said news of the closure was “ hugely disappointing ” .
Ms Kerrane said she was calling on Tánaiste and Minister for Trade , Enterprise and Employment , Leo Varadkar , to provide information on the Government ’ s plans for job creation in the town .

Aptar is to close its facility in Ballinasloe, Co Galway
A US manufacturer of pumps and dispenser systems for beauty and personal care products has confirmed is to close its facility in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, with the loss of 115 jobs.
Aptar said it was ceasing production at the plant in December following a review of its Irish operations.
The company said its industrial equipment and machinery would be transferred to other facilities around the world between September and November.
Aptar, which has headquarters in Illinois in the United States, employs over 14,000 staff across its operations in 18 countries.
READ MORE
Although employee representatives at the plant in the IDA business park in Ballinasloe had put forward alternatives to the plant’s closure, Aptar said they did not meet the company’s criteria for making the necessary changes to address changing market conditions and competitive challenges.
In a statement, the company said: “Aptar management do not take these decisions lightly and will uphold our core values and treat all employees with dignity and respect as we support them through this difficult change.”
The company, which has operated in Ballinasloe for over 20 years, said it would meet employee representatives to assist staff with social measures including extended healthcare insurance and retraining and outplacement support.
“We are committed to giving employees all the possible means to help them find new employment,” it added.
News of the closure was not unexpected as Aptar had signalled in the summer it intended implementing cost-saving measures across its global operations with a particular focus on its manufacturing facilities.
The Co Galway factory produces pumps and dispenser systems for perfume sprays and other beauty products.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, it has also been making hand sanitisers.
The plant had normally operated on a 24/7 basis but had scaled back its output significantly over the past few months
Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon-Galway Claire Kerrane said news of the closure was “hugely disappointing”.
Ms Kerrane said she was calling on Tánaiste and Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment, Leo Varadkar, to provide information on the Government’s plans for job creation in the town.


theirishtimes--2020-08-29--Gardaí begin investigation following unexplained death of man in Cork city

A Garda investigation has begun following the unexplained death of a man in his 20s who was discovered unconscious outside @ @ @ @ @ in the early hours of Saturday morning .
The man was found outside a property @ @ @ @ @ on the southside of Cork city shortly after 1am .
Gardaí and the emergency services @ @ @ @ @ being alerted to reports of an unconscious man outside a house .
The man was @ @ @ @ @ where he was pronounced dead .
A postmortem will be carried out at the hospital @ @ @ @ @ of the investigation .
The scene in Wilton has been preserved for a technical examination @ @ @ @ @ investigations are ongoing .

Gardaí have begun a criminal investigation following the unexplained death of a 28-year-old man who was discovered unconscious outside a house in Cork city in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The man was found outside a property at Eagle Valley in Wilton on the southside of Cork city shortly after 1am.
Gardaí and the emergency services rushed to the scene after being alerted to reports of an unconscious man outside a house.
The man was taken to Cork University Hospital where he was pronounced dead. A postmortem was completed and gardaí said they were not releasing the results for operational reasons.


theirishtimes--2020-08-29--Man arrested over theft of 116 bicycles worth estimated €250,000

Gardaí have arrested a man in connection with the seizure of a container of 116 bicycles in Dublin last year .
A male in his 40s was detained during a follow-up search operation in Cavan on Saturday morning as part of the investigation into the discovery of the bicycles in a container stored at allotments in Newcastle , Co Dublin on December 28th , 2019 .
The container was examined as part of ongoing investigations by gardaí from Pearse Street into the theft of bikes in Dublin city centre .
It is estimated the combined value of the stolen bikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , found in the container was about €250,000 .
At 6.30am on Saturday morning , gardaí attached to the Street Crime Unit and District Detective Unit at Pearse Street carried out a planned search of a residence in Drumgola Wood on the outskirts of Cavan town .
During the course of the search , gardaí seized €7,000 in cash as well as a large amount of financial documentation and memory sticks containing photographs of suspected stolen property , including bicycles .
Following examination of the documents , gardaí arranged to have €122,500 frozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further €6,000 was discovered in a follow-up search of the house .
The suspect was arrested at the scene and is currently being detained at Pearse Street Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 .
Gardaí believe a large quantity of bicycles stolen in Dublin each year are taken as part of an organised criminal network .
An average of 14 bikes were stolen in the Republic each day last year according to official crime figures , although cycling campaigners believe the true figure could be up to three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garda Pulse system show a total of 5,258 bicycles were reported stolen during 2019 , with 71 per cent of all thefts recorded in Dublin .
Last year ’ s figure represents a 2 per decrease on the number of bicycles stolen in 2018 and it is the lowest annual total in the past five years .
Theft of bicycles peaked in 2017 when almost 6,000 were stolen .

The stolen bicycles were found in a container in Newcaslte, Co Dublin in December. Photograph: An Garda Síochána
Gardaí have arrested a man in connection with the seizure of a container of 116 bicycles in Dublin last year.
A male in his 40s was detained during a follow-up search operation in Cavan on Saturday morning as part of the investigation into the discovery of the bicycles in a container stored at allotments in Newcastle, Co Dublin on December 28th, 2019.
The container was examined as part of ongoing investigations by gardaí from Pearse Street into the theft of bikes in Dublin city centre.
It is estimated the combined value of the stolen bikes, many of which were hi-spec models, found in the container was about €250,000.
READ MORE
At 6.30am on Saturday morning, gardaí attached to the Street Crime Unit and District Detective Unit at Pearse Street carried out a planned search of a residence in Drumgola Wood on the outskirts of Cavan town.
During the course of the search, gardaí seized €7,000 in cash as well as a large amount of financial documentation and memory sticks containing photographs of suspected stolen property, including bicycles.
Following examination of the documents, gardaí arranged to have €122,500 frozen in various bank accounts, while a further €6,000 was discovered in a follow-up search of the house.
The suspect was arrested at the scene and is currently being detained at Pearse Street Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
A Garda spokesman said investigations were continuing.
Gardaí believe a large quantity of bicycles stolen in Dublin each year are taken as part of an organised criminal network.
An average of 14 bikes were stolen in the Republic each day last year according to official crime figures, although cycling campaigners believe the true figure could be up to three times higher.
Figures based on the Garda Pulse system show a total of 5,258 bicycles were reported stolen during 2019, with 71 per cent of all thefts recorded in Dublin.
Last year’s figure represents a 2 per decrease on the number of bicycles stolen in 2018 and it is the lowest annual total in the past five years.
Theft of bicycles peaked in 2017 when almost 6,000 were stolen.


theirishtimes--2020-08-29--Elon Musk’s neuroscience startup unveils computer chip in pig’s brain

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk ’ s neuroscience startup Neuralink on Friday unveiled a pig named Gertrude that has had a coin-sized computer chip in its brain for two months , showing off an early step toward the goal of curing human diseases with the same type of implant .
Co-founded by Tesla Inc and SpaceX CEO Musk in 2016 , San Francisco Bay Area-based Neuralink aims to implant wireless brain-computer interfaces that include thousands of electrodes in the most complex human organ to help cure neurological conditions like Alzheimer ’ s , dementia and spinal cord injuries and ultimately fuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implantable device can actually solve these problems , ” Mr Musk said on a webcast Friday , mentioning ailments such as memory loss , hearing loss , depression and insomnia .
Mr Musk did not provide a timeline for those treatments , appearing to retreat from earlier statements that human trials would begin by the end of this year .
Neuralink ’ s first clinical trials with a small number of human patients would be aimed at treating paralysis or paraplegia , the company ’ s head surgeon Dr Matthew MacDougall said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ presentation indicated that Neuralink had made great strides but cautioned that longer studies were needed .
Mr Musk presented what he described as the “ three little pigs demo.
” Gertrude , the pig with a Neuralink implant in the part of its brain that controls the snout , required some coaxing by Mr Musk to appear on camera , but eventually began eating off of a stool and sniffing straw , triggering spikes on a graph tracking the animal ’ s neural activity .
Mr Musk said the company had three pigs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed a pig that previously had an implant .
They were “ healthy , happy and indistinguishable from a normal pig , ” Mr Musk said .
Mr Musk said the company predicted a pig ’ s limb movement during a treadmill run at “ high accuracy ” using implant data .
Mr Musk described Neuralink ’ s chip , which is roughly 23mm ( 0.9 inch ) in diameter , as “ a Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires.
” “ I could have a Neuralink right now and you wouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ ... Maybe I do.
” One comment from a webcast viewer described the animals as “ Cypork.
” Graeme Moffat , a University of Toronto neuroscience research fellow , said Neuralink ’ s advancements were “ order of magnitude leaps ” beyond current science thanks to the novel chip ’ s size , portability , power management and wireless capabilities .
Stanford University neuroscientist Sergey Stavisky said the company had made substantial and impressive progress since an initial demonstration of an earlier chip in July 2019 .
“ Going from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several pigs they showed is impressive and , I think , really highlights the strengths of having a large multidisciplinary team focused on this problem , ” Dr Stavisky said .
Some researchers said longer studies would be required to determine the longevity of the device .
Neuralink ’ s chip could also improve the understanding of neurological diseases by reading brain waves , one of the company ’ s scientists said during the presentation .
Mr Musk said the focus of Friday ’ s event was recruiting , not fundraising .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diverse experts to drastically accelerate the development of innovations previously limited to academic labs , including rocket , hyperloop and electrical vehicle technologies through companies such as Tesla and SpaceX .
Neuralink has received $ 158 million in funding , $ 100 million of which came from Mr Musk , and employs about 100 people .
Mr Musk , who frequently warns about the risks of artificial intelligence ( AI ) , said the implant ’ s most important achievement beyond medical applications would be “ some kind of AI symbiosis where you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Small devices that electronically stimulate nerves and brain areas to treat hearing loss and Parkinson ’ s disease have been implanted in humans for decades .
Brain implant trials have also been conducted with a small number of people who have lost control of bodily functions due to spiral cord injuries or neurological conditions like strokes .
Startups such as Kernel , Paradromics and NeuroPace also are trying to exploit advancements in material , wireless and signalling technology to create devices similar to Neuralink .
In addition , medical device giant Medtronic PLC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s disease , essential tremors and epilepsy.–Reuters

This video grab made from the online Neuralink livestream shows Gertrude the pig implanted with a Neuralink device during a presentation on Friday. Photograph: Neuralink/AFP via Getty Images
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s neuroscience startup Neuralink on Friday unveiled a pig named Gertrude that has had a coin-sized computer chip in its brain for two months, showing off an early step toward the goal of curing human diseases with the same type of implant.
Co-founded by Tesla Inc and SpaceX CEO Musk in 2016, San Francisco Bay Area-based Neuralink aims to implant wireless brain-computer interfaces that include thousands of electrodes in the most complex human organ to help cure neurological conditions like Alzheimer's, dementia and spinal cord injuries and ultimately fuse humankind with artificial intelligence.
“An implantable device can actually solve these problems,” Mr Musk said on a webcast Friday, mentioning ailments such as memory loss, hearing loss, depression and insomnia.
Mr Musk did not provide a timeline for those treatments, appearing to retreat from earlier statements that human trials would begin by the end of this year. Neuralink’s first clinical trials with a small number of human patients would be aimed at treating paralysis or paraplegia, the company’s head surgeon Dr Matthew MacDougall said.
READ MORE
Neuroscientists unaffiliated with the company said the presentation indicated that Neuralink had made great strides but cautioned that longer studies were needed.
The Neuralink disk implant held by Elon Musk during the presentation on Friday. Photograph: Neuralink/AFP via Getty Images
Mr Musk presented what he described as the “three little pigs demo.” Gertrude, the pig with a Neuralink implant in the part of its brain that controls the snout, required some coaxing by Mr Musk to appear on camera, but eventually began eating off of a stool and sniffing straw, triggering spikes on a graph tracking the animal’s neural activity.
Mr Musk said the company had three pigs with two implants each, and also revealed a pig that previously had an implant. They were “healthy, happy and indistinguishable from a normal pig,” Mr Musk said. Mr Musk said the company predicted a pig’s limb movement during a treadmill run at “high accuracy” using implant data.
Mr Musk described Neuralink’s chip, which is roughly 23mm (0.9 inch) in diameter, as “a Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires.”
“I could have a Neuralink right now and you wouldn’t know,” Mr Musk said. “... Maybe I do.”
One comment from a webcast viewer described the animals as “Cypork.”
Graeme Moffat, a University of Toronto neuroscience research fellow, said Neuralink’s advancements were “order of magnitude leaps” beyond current science thanks to the novel chip’s size, portability, power management and wireless capabilities.
Stanford University neuroscientist Sergey Stavisky said the company had made substantial and impressive progress since an initial demonstration of an earlier chip in July 2019.
“Going from that to the fully implanted system in several pigs they showed is impressive and, I think, really highlights the strengths of having a large multidisciplinary team focused on this problem,” Dr Stavisky said.
Some researchers said longer studies would be required to determine the longevity of the device.
A drawing of the different steps of the implantation of a Neuralink device seen during the presentation Friday. Photograph: Neuralink/AFP via Getty Images
Neuralink’s chip could also improve the understanding of neurological diseases by reading brain waves, one of the company’s scientists said during the presentation.
Mr Musk said the focus of Friday’s event was recruiting, not fundraising. Mr Musk has a history of bringing together diverse experts to drastically accelerate the development of innovations previously limited to academic labs, including rocket, hyperloop and electrical vehicle technologies through companies such as Tesla and SpaceX.
Neuralink has received $158 million in funding, $100 million of which came from Mr Musk, and employs about 100 people.
Mr Musk, who frequently warns about the risks of artificial intelligence (AI), said the implant’s most important achievement beyond medical applications would be “some kind of AI symbiosis where you have an AI extension of yourself.”
Small devices that electronically stimulate nerves and brain areas to treat hearing loss and Parkinson’s disease have been implanted in humans for decades. Brain implant trials have also been conducted with a small number of people who have lost control of bodily functions due to spiral cord injuries or neurological conditions like strokes.
Startups such as Kernel, Paradromics and NeuroPace also are trying to exploit advancements in material, wireless and signalling technology to create devices similar to Neuralink. In addition, medical device giant Medtronic PLC produces brain implants to treat Parkinson’s disease, essential tremors and epilepsy.–Reuters


theirishtimes--2020-08-29--What’s this unusual butterfly called? Readers’ nature queries

I noticed this unusual butterfly , which I hadn ’ t seen many of before .
What type of butterfly is it ?
– Eoin O ’ Flynn , Termonfeckin , Co Louth It ’ s the green-veined white butterfly .
Not a pest of brassicas like its cousin the small white .
We saw this wood louse-looking insect while walking in Clontarf along the sea wall .
It was about an inch long .
– Laura Mulvey , Drumcondra , Dublin The sea slater is found on rocks or walls above the intertidal area of the shore .
Club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a sun fish , Mola mola , at Dundaff Head on the eastern tip of Lough Swilly , Co Donegal during the first week in August .
The sun fish is a late summer visitor to our waters and this is the first one we ’ ve seen this year .
–Dearn McClintock , Sheephaven Sub Aqua Club , Co Donegal I spotted this beautiful butterfly on the Liffey banks in Chapelizod .
What is its name and is it common ?
– Marion Rogan , Chapelizod , Dublin 20 The peacock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from July to autumn .
It hibernates over winter in crevices in trees , in woodpiles and outhouses .
I spotted this slug on my early morning walk in my garden .
I ’ m hoping you ’ ll be able to identify it for me .
– Michael Cussen , Shana kiel , Co Cork .
It ’ s one of the commonest slugs , Arion ater .
It can be black , brick-red , orange or grey .
The common name is the red slug .
I saw this insect at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ River Barrow Walk , and I can not identify it .
– Sandra Fee , Dundalk , Co Louth It ’ s the black and yellow longhorn beetle .
The larvae develop in decaying wood and the beetle is attracted to flowers .
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn , Louisburgh , Co Mayo , F28 F978 , or by email at viney @ anu.ie .
Please include a postal address .

I noticed this unusual butterfly, which I hadn't seen many of before. What type of butterfly is it? – Eoin O'Flynn, Termonfeckin, Co Louth
It's the green-veined white butterfly. Not a pest of brassicas like its cousin the small white.
Sea slater
We saw this wood louse-looking insect while walking in Clontarf along the sea wall. It was about an inch long. – Laura Mulvey, Drumcondra, Dublin
The sea slater is found on rocks or walls above the intertidal area of the shore.
Sun fish, Mola mola
Club member/diver David McGloin, took this photo of a sun fish, Mola mola, at Dundaff Head on the eastern tip of Lough Swilly, Co Donegal during the first week in August. The sun fish is a late summer visitor to our waters and this is the first one we've seen this year. –Dearn McClintock, Sheephaven Sub Aqua Club, Co Donegal
Peacock butterfly
I spotted this beautiful butterfly on the Liffey banks in Chapelizod. What is its name and is it common? – Marion Rogan, Chapelizod, Dublin 20
The peacock is a common native butterfly that flies from July to autumn. It hibernates over winter in crevices in trees, in woodpiles and outhouses.
READ MORE
One of the commonest slugs, Arion ater
I spotted this slug on my early morning walk in my garden. I'm hoping you'll be able to identify it for me. – Michael Cussen, Shana kiel, Co Cork.
It's one of the commonest slugs, Arion ater. It can be black, brick-red, orange or grey. The common name is the red slug.
Black and yellow longhorn beetle
I saw this insect at Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny, on the River Barrow Walk, and I cannot identify it. – Sandra Fee, Dundalk, Co Louth
It's the black and yellow longhorn beetle. The larvae develop in decaying wood and the beetle is attracted to flowers.
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, F28 F978, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address.


theirishtimes--2020-08-29--Another Life: Our waders are growing fewer year by year

In the many years of this column , I ’ ve explored much bad news about Ireland ’ s birds – species after species shown as “ threatened ” or “ vulnerable ” in the lexicon of decline .
Looking for causes points often to man-made changes , especially the loss of nesting habitat in the intensifying human use of land .
This is especially true of waders in farming lowland .
In Northern Ireland over the past 30 years , pairs of lapwing have declined by 70 per cent , curlew by 80 per cent , redshank by 76 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent .
In the Republic , too , many of our home-bred waders are now so few that the little flocks they form in late summer are quite lost in the autumn inrush of migrants of the same species from Europe .
Even these , however , are growing fewer year by year .
On the coastal land of Ireland ’ s west , stretches of grassland behind the dunes , and on uninhabited offshore islands , have offered refuge to Ireland ’ s native ground-nesting waders .
But a new survey for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought arresting confirmations of decline .
The machair land of the coast has been held in fitful balance between flocks of grazing sheep and conservation .
But overgrazing is now matched by concern about the appetite of predatory wildlife .
Sheskinmore , Co Donegal , is a thrilling coastal wilderness of highly protected dunes , machair grassland and lakes .
But nesting lapwing have been facing a hazardous existence , along with the little dunlin , which once bred there abundantly .
To restore lapwing breeding , BirdWatch Ireland volunteers fenced off grassland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well into the ground .
This spring , three pairs duly nested , with at least two broods of chicks .
At the end of May , however , badgers tunnelled under the fence and wiped out the little colony .
This is the sort of thing badgers do , and what ground-nesting birds have always had to suffer .
But when human disturbance has already narrowed the numbers in particular bird populations , predation can be a “ primary driver ” of critical loss .
Further down the Wild Atlantic Way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peninsula in Co Mayo , BirdWatch Ireland saw a decade of decline in breeding lapwing due to attacks by foxes .
Even “ active predator control ” failed to stop them .
Another fence has turned things round – but again at considerable cost .
The panicky cries of nesting lapwings are still part of early summer on the machair shore below me , at Doogary , with a reported rise to 16 pairs last year .
They may be helped by the severe war on foxes on a hillside full of sheep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graze the machair , they leave the grass nibbled to a lawn , robbing it of the tussocks in which many species make a nest .
The new survey notes a near-tripling of sheep at Dooaghtry since 2009 .
While its breeding lapwings have increased , breeding dunlin , redshank , common sandpiper and ringed plover have all been lost .
The declines on offshore islands are just as alarming .
Each wader species has declined by some 70 to 90 per cent .
In 2009 , Mayo ’ s Inishkea Islands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most breeding waders : 377 pairs .
But by 2019 only 68 pairs were found .
Again , sheep numbers had doubled on the north island , the favourite nesting ground of waders and terns .
With less grass to hide them , common gulls had stepped up the theft of eggs from nests of lapwing , ringed plover , dunlin and redshank .
Dunlin has fared worst , down by 90 per cent even on the Inishkeas .
Here , too , even the robust oystercatcher had fallen from 109 pairs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but possibly mink ) only sheep overgrazing seems left to blame .
The survey is online as the NPWS Irish Wildlife Manual 119 .
It ’ s followed , in Manual 120 , by a survey of another wader on the peaty heights of the Nephin hills , seen as an important breeding area for the beautiful golden plover .
This makes some fascinating reading , as BirdWatch Ireland ’ s Dave Suddaby and Cathal O ’ Brien bring exact methodologies to counting breeding plover in 27 separate square kilometres of their boggy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight-line walks a kilometre long with parallel walks spaced out across the hill , they found five pairs of plover in breeding territories ; down from eight since 2006 .
These are tiny figures compared with the great flocks of foreign migrant plover in winter , wheeling dramatically above the coastal wetlands of the west .
Ironically , their native decline may be due to inclusion of the Nephin hills in the Ballycroy National Park , with consequently fewer sheep and an increased growth of heather .
Part of the plover survey took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age and shape .
Golden plover , it seems , are choosy about its height .
And do Google pictures of the plover in breeding plumage .
You ’ ll see why it ’ s called “ golden ” .

In the many years of this column, I’ve explored much bad news about Ireland’s birds – species after species shown as “threatened” or “vulnerable” in the lexicon of decline. Looking for causes points often to man-made changes, especially the loss of nesting habitat in the intensifying human use of land.
This is especially true of waders in farming lowland. In Northern Ireland over the past 30 years, pairs of lapwing have declined by 70 per cent, curlew by 80 per cent, redshank by 76 per cent and snipe by 71 per cent.
In the Republic, too, many of our home-bred waders are now so few that the little flocks they form in late summer are quite lost in the autumn inrush of migrants of the same species from Europe. Even these, however, are growing fewer year by year.
On the coastal land of Ireland’s west, stretches of grassland behind the dunes, and on uninhabited offshore islands, have offered refuge to Ireland’s native ground-nesting waders. But a new survey for the National Parks & Wildlife Service has brought arresting confirmations of decline.
READ MORE
The machair land of the coast has been held in fitful balance between flocks of grazing sheep and conservation. But overgrazing is now matched by concern about the appetite of predatory wildlife.
Sheskinmore, Co Donegal, is a thrilling coastal wilderness of highly protected dunes, machair grassland and lakes. But nesting lapwing have been facing a hazardous existence, along with the little dunlin, which once bred there abundantly.
When human disturbance has already narrowed the numbers in particular bird populations, predation can be a 'primary driver' of critical loss
To restore lapwing breeding, BirdWatch Ireland volunteers fenced off grassland with a double wall of netting dug well into the ground. This spring, three pairs duly nested, with at least two broods of chicks. At the end of May, however, badgers tunnelled under the fence and wiped out the little colony.
This is the sort of thing badgers do, and what ground-nesting birds have always had to suffer. But when human disturbance has already narrowed the numbers in particular bird populations, predation can be a “primary driver” of critical loss.
Further down the Wild Atlantic Way, at Annagh Marsh reserve on the Mullet Peninsula in Co Mayo, BirdWatch Ireland saw a decade of decline in breeding lapwing due to attacks by foxes. Even “active predator control” failed to stop them. Another fence has turned things round – but again at considerable cost.
The panicky cries of nesting lapwings are still part of early summer on the machair shore below me, at Doogary, with a reported rise to 16 pairs last year. They may be helped by the severe war on foxes on a hillside full of sheep.
But when a lot of sheep graze the machair, they leave the grass nibbled to a lawn, robbing it of the tussocks in which many species make a nest. The new survey notes a near-tripling of sheep at Dooaghtry since 2009. While its breeding lapwings have increased, breeding dunlin, redshank, common sandpiper and ringed plover have all been lost.
The declines on offshore islands are just as alarming. Each wader species has declined by some 70 to 90 per cent.
In 2009, Mayo’s Inishkea Islands, a special protection area, held the most breeding waders: 377 pairs. But by 2019 only 68 pairs were found. Again, sheep numbers had doubled on the north island, the favourite nesting ground of waders and terns. With less grass to hide them, common gulls had stepped up the theft of eggs from nests of lapwing, ringed plover, dunlin and redshank.
Dunlin has fared worst, down by 90 per cent even on the Inishkeas. Here, too, even the robust oystercatcher had fallen from 109 pairs to 34. Without foxes or badgers (but possibly mink) only sheep overgrazing seems left to blame.
Part of the plover survey took note of heather's quantity, age and shape. Golden plover, it seems, are choosy about its height
The survey is online as the NPWS Irish Wildlife Manual 119. It’s followed, in Manual 120, by a survey of another wader on the peaty heights of the Nephin hills, seen as an important breeding area for the beautiful golden plover.
This makes some fascinating reading, as BirdWatch Ireland’s Dave Suddaby and Cathal O’Brien bring exact methodologies to counting breeding plover in 27 separate square kilometres of their boggy and heathery habitat.
Following slow, straight-line walks a kilometre long with parallel walks spaced out across the hill, they found five pairs of plover in breeding territories; down from eight since 2006. These are tiny figures compared with the great flocks of foreign migrant plover in winter, wheeling dramatically above the coastal wetlands of the west.
Ironically, their native decline may be due to inclusion of the Nephin hills in the Ballycroy National Park, with consequently fewer sheep and an increased growth of heather. Part of the plover survey took note of heather’s quantity, age and shape. Golden plover, it seems, are choosy about its height.
And do Google pictures of the plover in breeding plumage. You’ll see why it’s called “golden”.