theirishtimes--2020-02-22--The difference between Irish and American debaters

We ’ re in a tiny basement in Lubbock , Texas .
The walls are lined with more than 30 rifles and their owner – a grizzly local called Randy Scott Free – is handing around bullets he ’ s made himself , right there in the basement .
The rifles are for hunting , he explains .
But he always keeps a handgun by the front door and another under the seat of his car , “ because there are a lot of crazy people out there ” .
We are three Irish university debaters , not known for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d quite happily have argued for stronger gun control in front of an audience of hundreds .
But just now , we ’ re a bit hungover and a bit out of our depth .
I mumble that the bullets are “ yeah , really nice ” and shuffle towards the door .
Two months earlier , Niall Sherry , Sean O ’ Quigley and I had won the Irish Times Debate .
Like every set of winners since 1980 , we were invited on a three-week debate tour of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best prizes on offer in university debating anywhere in the world .
The destinations change from year to year .
In 2010 we hit Lubbock , Denver , New York and Miami .
This year ’ s winners will see Tennessee , Miami , Washington State , LA , Denver and Chicago .
We have at least one debate in every city , including a showcase at one of the country ’ s biggest national tournaments , against three of the best speakers competing .
The American debaters are phenomenally intense .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ style that promotes a ruthless logic almost completely removed from real life .
The goal of any speech is to prove that your opponents ’ arguments – on any topic – will ultimately lead to human extinction .
And they speak unimaginably fast , sucking in huge gasping breaths every hundred words or so .
If you combined chess , online conspiracy forums , and free diving , you ’ d end up with something a bit like a debate at NPDA nationals .
It ’ s a long way from the emotion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debating at its best .
And part of the motivation for the tour is to inject a little of this Irish style into the American circuit .
We bring a lot of enthusiasm to the task , a little too much if anything .
In our showcase debate , we ’ re told we have a few moments for opening remarks before the clock starts on our seven-minute speeches .
As the final speaker Sean delivers seven minutes of wall-to-wall jokes – then turns to the timekeeper and asks him to start the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks were an extraordinary experience of American hospitality , and an insight into the immensity of American university budgets .
We ski in the Rockies , jet-ski in the Florida Keys , see a Broadway musical and Denver ’ s best cabaret .
We play basketball in a 6,000-seater arena ( thankfully empty ) and beer pong at a house party thrown in our honour .
In destinations where there isn ’ t much in the way of entertainment , we get crash courses in local culture , which is how we end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basement .
In hindsight , some of this feels almost uncomfortably extravagant .
University debating on both sides of the Atlantic has always been overwhelmingly middle class and white , and disproportionately male .
So for most Irish Times winners – including me - the tour is a privilege built on privilege .
When it comes to making debating more inclusive , we still have a long way to go .
But the work is worth doing .
Because Ireland ’ s debating tradition has never existed in a vacuum .
Over hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shape more reflective and engaged citizens , to reach across barriers and borders through argument , and to tell some good jokes along the way .
At heart , that ’ s what the Irish Times Debate and the winners ’ tour are all about .
And in the face of weakening democracy , climate crisis and gaping inequality , we need a diverse , internationalist , radical debating tradition more than ever .

We’re in a tiny basement in Lubbock, Texas. The walls are lined with more than 30 rifles and their owner – a grizzly local called Randy Scott Free – is handing around bullets he’s made himself, right there in the basement. The rifles are for hunting, he explains. But he always keeps a handgun by the front door and another under the seat of his car, “because there are a lot of crazy people out there”.
We are three Irish university debaters, not known for staying quiet in any situation. We’d quite happily have argued for stronger gun control in front of an audience of hundreds. But just now, we’re a bit hungover and a bit out of our depth. I mumble that the bullets are “yeah, really nice” and shuffle towards the door.
Two months earlier, Niall Sherry, Sean O’Quigley and I had won the Irish Times Debate. Like every set of winners since 1980, we were invited on a three-week debate tour of the United States. It’s one of the best prizes on offer in university debating anywhere in the world.
The destinations change from year to year. In 2010 we hit Lubbock, Denver, New York and Miami. This year’s winners will see Tennessee, Miami, Washington State, LA, Denver and Chicago.
READ MORE
We have at least one debate in every city, including a showcase at one of the country’s biggest national tournaments, against three of the best speakers competing.
Intense
The American debaters are phenomenally intense. They’ve been trained in a style that promotes a ruthless logic almost completely removed from real life. The goal of any speech is to prove that your opponents’ arguments – on any topic – will ultimately lead to human extinction. And they speak unimaginably fast, sucking in huge gasping breaths every hundred words or so. If you combined chess, online conspiracy forums, and free diving, you’d end up with something a bit like a debate at NPDA nationals.
It’s a long way from the emotion, humour and audience engagement of Irish debating at its best. And part of the motivation for the tour is to inject a little of this Irish style into the American circuit.
We bring a lot of enthusiasm to the task, a little too much if anything. In our showcase debate, we’re told we have a few moments for opening remarks before the clock starts on our seven-minute speeches. As the final speaker Sean delivers seven minutes of wall-to-wall jokes – then turns to the timekeeper and asks him to start the clock.
Debating aside, those three weeks were an extraordinary experience of American hospitality, and an insight into the immensity of American university budgets.
Privilege
We ski in the Rockies, jet-ski in the Florida Keys, see a Broadway musical and Denver’s best cabaret. We play basketball in a 6,000-seater arena (thankfully empty) and beer pong at a house party thrown in our honour. In destinations where there isn’t much in the way of entertainment, we get crash courses in local culture, which is how we end up in Randy Scott Free’s basement.
In hindsight, some of this feels almost uncomfortably extravagant. University debating on both sides of the Atlantic has always been overwhelmingly middle class and white, and disproportionately male. So for most Irish Times winners – including me - the tour is a privilege built on privilege. When it comes to making debating more inclusive, we still have a long way to go.
But the work is worth doing. Because Ireland’s debating tradition has never existed in a vacuum. Over hundreds of years, our goal has been to shape more reflective and engaged citizens, to reach across barriers and borders through argument, and to tell some good jokes along the way.
At heart, that’s what the Irish Times Debate and the winners’ tour are all about. And in the face of weakening democracy, climate crisis and gaping inequality, we need a diverse, internationalist, radical debating tradition more than ever.


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--Thinking Anew – ‘I am with you always’

Thinking Anew – ‘I am with you always’

When we see something amazing like a beautiful sunset or go to a special family event like a wedding , we often try to capture the occasion with photos and videos .
A personal adventure of a few years ago – paragliding from a 6,000m peak in Turkey – was recorded on a video at the time yet in no way does it capture the excitement or the emotions of the occasion : the anticipation , the nervous hesitation and that amazing first leap into an unknown .
While the thrill and excitement could be described to friends afterwards in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was over and done .
That can be true also for religious experience .
We can not always share another person ’ s spiritual experiences .
Indeed , we are often more likely to question them if they are outside our own experience or comfort zone .
In tomorrow ’ s gospel we read about that strange event called the Transfiguration : “ Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain , by themselves .
And he was transfigured before them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sun , and his clothes became dazzling white.
” As the event unfolds , the disciples are aware not only of the presence of Jesus but also of Moses and Elijah , pillars of the Jewish faith and ultimately God himself .
Peter wants to freeze the moment ; he could not imagine a better place to be , but his desire is overtaken by events .
He and his companions must come down from their spiritual “ high ” and face the everyday world .
It is tempting to dismiss religious experiences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the celebrated Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst , urges caution in his book Psychology and Religion : “ Religious experience is absolute .
It is indisputable .
You can only say that you have never had such an experience , and your opponent would say : ‘ Sorry , I have.
’ And there your discussion will come to an end .
No matter what the world thinks about religious experience , the one who has it possesses the great treasure of a thing that has provided him with a source of life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him a new splendour , to the world and to mankind .
He has pistis ( the personification of good faith , trust and reliability ) and peace.
” This is an important affirmation of the benefits of religion at a personal and social level and it is arguable that the current decline in religious practice is a factor in the troubled uncertainty of contemporary society .
For the Christian , however , the Transfiguration points to the stability of the divine reality we call God who has been experienced by countless people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one such : “ Christ in us and we in Him !
Why should the activity of God and the presence of the Son of Man within us not be real and observable ?
Every day I am thankful to God that I have been allowed to experience the reality of the Divine Image within me.
” At the end of their Transfiguration experience the disciples “ saw no one except Jesus himself alone ” .
They had to leave the mountain top experience and come down to earth as it were to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they did so in the company of the ever-present Jesus .
For Christians the accompanying presence of Jesus is affirmed in a special way in the Eucharist .
That has been the case since two disciples travelling along the road to Emmaus on the first Easter Day were joined by someone they did not immediately recognise .
They were troubled after what seemed like the disastrous events of Good Friday but they offered the “ stranger ” hospitality .
It was then we read that Jesus made himself known in the breaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way ever since .
The promise made by Jesus is the promise kept : “ I am with you always , to the end of the age .
”

When we see something amazing like a beautiful sunset or go to a special family event like a wedding, we often try to capture the occasion with photos and videos. A personal adventure of a few years ago – paragliding from a 6,000m peak in Turkey – was recorded on a video at the time yet in no way does it capture the excitement or the emotions of the occasion: the anticipation, the nervous hesitation and that amazing first leap into an unknown. While the thrill and excitement could be described to friends afterwards in some measure, the reality was non-transferable. It was over and done. That can be true also for religious experience. We cannot always share another person’s spiritual experiences. Indeed, we are often more likely to question them if they are outside our own experience or comfort zone.
In tomorrow’s gospel we read about that strange event called the Transfiguration: “Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.” As the event unfolds, the disciples are aware not only of the presence of Jesus but also of Moses and Elijah, pillars of the Jewish faith and ultimately God himself. Peter wants to freeze the moment; he could not imagine a better place to be, but his desire is overtaken by events. He and his companions must come down from their spiritual “high” and face the everyday world.
It is tempting to dismiss religious experiences of this kind but Carl Jung, the celebrated Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, urges caution in his book Psychology and Religion: “Religious experience is absolute. It is indisputable. You can only say that you have never had such an experience, and your opponent would say: ‘Sorry, I have.’ And there your discussion will come to an end. No matter what the world thinks about religious experience, the one who has it possesses the great treasure of a thing that has provided him with a source of life, meaning and beauty and that has given him a new splendour, to the world and to mankind. He has pistis (the personification of good faith, trust and reliability) and peace.”
This is an important affirmation of the benefits of religion at a personal and social level and it is arguable that the current decline in religious practice is a factor in the troubled uncertainty of contemporary society. For the Christian, however, the Transfiguration points to the stability of the divine reality we call God who has been experienced by countless people down the centuries. Carl Jung is one such: “Christ in us and we in Him! Why should the activity of God and the presence of the Son of Man within us not be real and observable? Every day I am thankful to God that I have been allowed to experience the reality of the Divine Image within me.”
READ MORE
At the end of their Transfiguration experience the disciples “saw no one except Jesus himself alone”. They had to leave the mountain top experience and come down to earth as it were to face the challenges of everyday living, but they did so in the company of the ever-present Jesus.
For Christians the accompanying presence of Jesus is affirmed in a special way in the Eucharist. That has been the case since two disciples travelling along the road to Emmaus on the first Easter Day were joined by someone they did not immediately recognise. They were troubled after what seemed like the disastrous events of Good Friday but they offered the “stranger” hospitality. It was then we read that Jesus made himself known in the breaking of bread and it has been that way ever since. The promise made by Jesus is the promise kept: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--Young ‘doctors of the sea’ can often need a helping hand

There ’ s a light breeze and intermittent sunshine on the beach north of Courtown Harbour in Co Wexford .
About 400 people have gathered to witness the release of four grey seal pups back into the wild following their rehabilitation at Seal Rescue Ireland .
Adults and children alike are genuinely excited to see the four seal pups – whose recovery many have observed on videos and photographs – manoeuvre their way along the beach into the water .
After flopping along the sand , the seals immediately become agile swimmers , staying close to the shore for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crowds – and then bobbing up and down across the waves out to sea .
It ’ s a gentle yet captivating encounter with these wild animals , and people are keen to explain what brought them here from various parts of Ireland .
“ I came because I adopted Pine [ one of the seal pups released ] for my five cousins at Christmas time , ” says Dublin-based Fabio Valle .
Grace Hughes ( 9 ) from Dublin adopted Pine too , opting to spend her Christmas money “ saving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toy .
Local Wexford children drop into the Seal Rescue Ireland centre behind the Leisure Centre at Courtown Harbour regularly to see the injured seals , and then join the celebrations when they are released into the Irish Sea weeks or months later .
Parents with children in buggies and by the hand are joined by teenagers and older people .
Claire Bealin from Co Kildare says that it was very sad to see from videos and photos how Pine had got caught up in discarded fishing net off the Waterford coast .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his neck .
I adopted him for my mum at Christmas .
“ It gladdens your heart to see so many people here .
We watched the videos of the tiny seal being fed intravenously and gradually getting healthier , and now we ’ re here to see him being released back into the sea today , ” says Siobhán Russell , Claire ’ s mum .
“ We love wildlife and conservation .
When children see how the seal pups can get injured by eating plastic it helps them see the reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beaches clean , ” says Bealin .
The Kildare family has also adopted another seal , and will return to Wexford for its release .
Melanie Croce , executive director of Seal Rescue Ireland , explains how the centre takes in up to 150 seals during a year , and has about 40 at any one time .
“ The public report a seal in distress , and our animal care team will assess the information based on photographs and descriptions .
Then we ’ ll contact some of our 100 rescue network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely lift and transport the seal here.
” Ann and Isabelle Wood from Co Wicklow are often called on to rescue and transport a seal to the centre .
“ It ’ s so rewarding helping the seals because most of the time they are injured because of humans , ” says Isabelle Wood , who is studying animal care .
Her mother , Ann Wood , adds : “ I ’ ve always loved seals since my Dad used to fish on the beach .
I ’ m fascinated with seals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff and international interns at Seal Rescue Ireland bring a dynamic energy to their work .
The Seal Rescue Ireland centre has an intensive care unit for tube-feeding , individual kennels with baths and heated mats for recuperating seals , and four pools when they recover their strength and learn social skills .
“ We bring in the pups that fail to flourish .
This can be because they have ingested plastic , become entangled in fishing nets or become ill due to a disease , ” says Croce .
Seal pups can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Although the population of grey seals around Ireland is currently healthy , having recovered from very low numbers in the early 19th century due to seal hunting , Croce argues that it is important to keep them well , not least because they are a bio-indicator species – which means their presence indicates clean waters .
“ There are fewer grey seals in the world than African elephants , and just because they are not on the verge of extinction doesn ’ t mean we shouldn ’ t try to protect them.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for eating their fish .
Croce argues that they “ are the wolves of Irish waters and the doctors of the sea ” .
“ They are opportunistic feeders which mean they eat the weakest fish , leaving the stronger fish to reproduce and evolve .
They also recycle nutrients through their waste , which feeds phytoplankton – the basic of the food chain.
” The highest incidence of seals in the bycatch [ unwanted fish ] happens in Irish seas , according to Croce .
Seal Rescue Ireland is currently treating an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported arrival of this species in Ireland .
The seal ( which has been called Cloudberry ) was rescued off the Co Mayo coast in January 2020 .
It may have to be shipped to Iceland or Denmark for release when it has recovered .
See also sealrescueireland.org The 24/7 rescue and information line is 087-1955393 THE ATLANTIC GREY SEAL AND THE COMMON OR HARBOUR SEAL The Atlantic grey seal and the common or harbour seal are the two types of seals found in Irish waters .
Grey seals are much larger and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seals are mainly found on the west coast , but with significant numbers on the east and southeast coasts too .
Male grey seals ( bulls ) weigh up to 300kg .
Females ( cows ) , which give birth to one seal pup each year , weigh about 180kg .
Their fur is grey-brown with blotches of lighter or darker colours .
They breed between September and December .
The pups are born with a white coat , which they shed at about six weeks before they enter the water for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend hours resting along rocky shoreline on so-called haul-out sites .
Common seals , which weight up to 130kg , breed in May/June in isolated but sheltered estuaries or mudflats along the western seaboard .
The distinguishing features between the two types of seals – apart from size – are that grey seals have parallel nostrils and a large dog-like snout while common seals have V-shaped nostrils and a shorter snout .
Grey seals come ashore in February and March to moult .
This is a good time to observe grey seal colonies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go close to them as they can attack if they feel they are under threat .
Dogs should also be kept on leads as seals/dogs can bite each other .
“ Seals are sociable , curious and intelligent .
Closely related to dogs , they will go towards you which can get them into trouble , ” says Croce of Seal Rescue Ireland .
Seals also abandon their young if threatened or disturbed by humans , and up to 50 per cent of grey seal pups don ’ t survive .
Common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish and European law .
There are approximately 10,000 grey seals around Ireland , and 2,000 common seals .
Lambay Island in north Co Dublin ; Inishbofin , Co Galway ; Inishshark , Co Galway ; the Saltee Islands , Co Wexford ; and the Blasket Islands off Co Kerry are special areas of conservation for grey seals in Ireland .
Lambay , Glengarriff Harbour in Co Cork , Donegal Bay , Killala Bay and Clew Bay , Co Mayo , are among the special areas of conservation for common/harbour seals .

There's a light breeze and intermittent sunshine on the beach north of Courtown Harbour in Co Wexford. About 400 people have gathered to witness the release of four grey seal pups back into the wild following their rehabilitation at Seal Rescue Ireland.
Adults and children alike are genuinely excited to see the four seal pups – whose recovery many have observed on videos and photographs – manoeuvre their way along the beach into the water. After flopping along the sand, the seals immediately become agile swimmers, staying close to the shore for a few minutes – as if to acknowledge the crowds – and then bobbing up and down across the waves out to sea.
It’s a gentle yet captivating encounter with these wild animals, and people are keen to explain what brought them here from various parts of Ireland.
“I came because I adopted Pine [one of the seal pups released] for my five cousins at Christmas time,” says Dublin-based Fabio Valle.
READ MORE
Grace Hughes (9) from Dublin adopted Pine too, opting to spend her Christmas money “saving a seal” rather than buying a toy.
Local Wexford children drop into the Seal Rescue Ireland centre behind the Leisure Centre at Courtown Harbour regularly to see the injured seals, and then join the celebrations when they are released into the Irish Sea weeks or months later. Parents with children in buggies and by the hand are joined by teenagers and older people.
Claire Bealin from Co Kildare says that it was very sad to see from videos and photos how Pine had got caught up in discarded fishing net off the Waterford coast. “He still has a scar on his neck. I adopted him for my mum at Christmas.
“It gladdens your heart to see so many people here. We watched the videos of the tiny seal being fed intravenously and gradually getting healthier, and now we’re here to see him being released back into the sea today,” says Siobhán Russell, Claire’s mum.
“We love wildlife and conservation. When children see how the seal pups can get injured by eating plastic it helps them see the reason behind not throwing plastic away and keeping beaches clean,” says Bealin.
The Kildare family has also adopted another seal, and will return to Wexford for its release.
Care team
Melanie Croce, executive director of Seal Rescue Ireland, explains how the centre takes in up to 150 seals during a year, and has about 40 at any one time.
“The public report a seal in distress, and our animal care team will assess the information based on photographs and descriptions. Then we’ll contact some of our 100 rescue network volunteers who are trained in how to safely lift and transport the seal here.”
Ann and Isabelle Wood from Co Wicklow are often called on to rescue and transport a seal to the centre.
“It’s so rewarding helping the seals because most of the time they are injured because of humans,” says Isabelle Wood, who is studying animal care.
Her mother, Ann Wood, adds: "I've always loved seals since my Dad used to fish on the beach. I'm fascinated with seals and their fascination with us."
A grey seal pup which is about to be returned to the sea at a beach north of Courtown, Co Wexford. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
The 25 staff and international interns at Seal Rescue Ireland bring a dynamic energy to their work. The Seal Rescue Ireland centre has an intensive care unit for tube-feeding, individual kennels with baths and heated mats for recuperating seals, and four pools when they recover their strength and learn social skills.
“We bring in the pups that fail to flourish. This can be because they have ingested plastic, become entangled in fishing nets or become ill due to a disease,” says Croce. Seal pups can also drown or become injured in storms.
Although the population of grey seals around Ireland is currently healthy, having recovered from very low numbers in the early 19th century due to seal hunting, Croce argues that it is important to keep them well, not least because they are a bio-indicator species – which means their presence indicates clean waters.
“There are fewer grey seals in the world than African elephants, and just because they are not on the verge of extinction doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to protect them.”
Doctors of the sea
Seals are often berated by fishermen for eating their fish. Croce argues that they “are the wolves of Irish waters and the doctors of the sea”.
“They are opportunistic feeders which mean they eat the weakest fish, leaving the stronger fish to reproduce and evolve. They also recycle nutrients through their waste, which feeds phytoplankton – the basic of the food chain.”
The highest incidence of seals in the bycatch [unwanted fish] happens in Irish seas, according to Croce.
Executive director of Seal Rescue Ireland Melanie Croce: “There are fewer grey seals in the world than African elephants, and just because they are not on the verge of extinction doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to protect them.” Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Seal Rescue Ireland is currently treating an ill Arctic Ringed seal, the first reported arrival of this species in Ireland. The seal (which has been called Cloudberry) was rescued off the Co Mayo coast in January 2020. It may have to be shipped to Iceland or Denmark for release when it has recovered.
See also sealrescueireland.org The 24/7 rescue and information line is 087-1955393
THE ATLANTIC GREY SEAL AND THE COMMON OR HARBOUR SEAL
The Atlantic grey seal and the common or harbour seal are the two types of seals found in Irish waters. Grey seals are much larger and more common than harbour seals.
Grey seals are mainly found on the west coast, but with significant numbers on the east and southeast coasts too. Male grey seals (bulls) weigh up to 300kg. Females (cows), which give birth to one seal pup each year, weigh about 180kg.
Their fur is grey-brown with blotches of lighter or darker colours. They breed between September and December.
The pups are born with a white coat, which they shed at about six weeks before they enter the water for the first time. The adult grey seals spend hours resting along rocky shoreline on so-called haul-out sites.
Common seals, which weight up to 130kg, breed in May/June in isolated but sheltered estuaries or mudflats along the western seaboard. The distinguishing features between the two types of seals – apart from size – are that grey seals have parallel nostrils and a large dog-like snout while common seals have V-shaped nostrils and a shorter snout.
Grey seals come ashore in February and March to moult. This is a good time to observe grey seal colonies, but people are strongly advised not to go close to them as they can attack if they feel they are under threat. Dogs should also be kept on leads as seals/dogs can bite each other.
“Seals are sociable, curious and intelligent. Closely related to dogs, they will go towards you which can get them into trouble,” says Croce of Seal Rescue Ireland.
Seals also abandon their young if threatened or disturbed by humans, and up to 50 per cent of grey seal pups don’t survive.
Common and grey seals are protected species under Irish and European law. There are approximately 10,000 grey seals around Ireland, and 2,000 common seals. Lambay Island in north Co Dublin; Inishbofin, Co Galway; Inishshark, Co Galway; the Saltee Islands, Co Wexford; and the Blasket Islands off Co Kerry are special areas of conservation for grey seals in Ireland.
Lambay, Glengarriff Harbour in Co Cork, Donegal Bay, Killala Bay and Clew Bay, Co Mayo, are among the special areas of conservation for common/harbour seals.


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--Woman in her 70s dies after being struck by a car in Co Cork

A female pedestrian in her 70s has died following a road traffic incident in Co Cork on Friday evening .
@ @ @ @ @ pedestrian was struck by a car on the R580 , Kanturk to Buttevant Road , @ @ @ @ @ 7pm .
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene following the incident .
Her @ @ @ @ @ the mortuary at Cork University Hospital , where a postmortem will be carried out .
@ @ @ @ @ for a technical examination .
Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information , particularly any @ @ @ @ @ dashcam footage of the area from the time of the incident , to contact gardaí @ @ @ @ @ the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111 .

A female pedestrian in her 70s has died following a road traffic incident in Co Cork on Friday evening. File photograph: Eric Luke
A female pedestrian in her 70s has died following a road traffic incident in Co Cork on Friday evening.
Gardaí are investigating after the pedestrian was struck by a car on the R580, Kanturk to Buttevant Road, Co Cork, at approximately 7pm.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene following the incident. Her body has been taken to the mortuary at Cork University Hospital, where a postmortem will be carried out. The scene has been prepared for a technical examination.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information, particularly any road users who may have dashcam footage of the area from the time of the incident, to contact gardaí in Mallow on 022-31450 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111.


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--Waterford hospital not to accept new urology referrals for six months

The main regional hospital in the south east of the country has said it will not accept any new referrals from GPs for urology out-patient services for six months .
University Hospital Waterford ( UHW ) said in a letter sent on Friday to GPs in counties Waterford , Wexford , Carlow , Tipperary and Kilkenny that the move was to allow it to deal with the number of patients already on the waiting list to see a urologist .
The letter sent to GPs on Friday said : “ Given the increasing demand for urology services in University Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risks associated with delays in access to care and treatment , University Hospital Waterford will not accept any new out-patient referrals for a six-month period effective 1st March 2020.
” The hospital said that rapid access prostate referrals would continue to be accepted as normal .
“ It is intended during the six-month period to focus on those currently waiting in the service , seek to further build capacity and be in a position to accept new referrals again thereafter and provide patients with safe and timely access to the service.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would be caused by the move to not accept any new urology referrals until the autumn .
It is understood that the decision will affect patients in the region who live outside of Waterford .
Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane told the Irish Times that he spoke to hospital management about the decision , which he described as “ regrettable ” and a sign of a lack of capacity at UHW .
“ It ’ s another example of how the hospital doesn ’ t have the staff and it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take decisions based on the capacity and I have no quarrel with them on that but it will affect people obviously .
”

University Hospital Waterford (UHW) said in a letter sent on Friday to GPs in five counties that the move was to allow it to deal with the number of patients already on the waiting list to see a urologist.
The main regional hospital in the south east of the country has said it will not accept any new referrals from GPs for urology out-patient services for six months.
University Hospital Waterford (UHW) said in a letter sent on Friday to GPs in counties Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Tipperary and Kilkenny that the move was to allow it to deal with the number of patients already on the waiting list to see a urologist.
The letter sent to GPs on Friday said: “Given the increasing demand for urology services in University Hospital Waterford, the current capacity constraints and the risks associated with delays in access to care and treatment, University Hospital Waterford will not accept any new out-patient referrals for a six-month period effective 1st March 2020.”
Apology
The hospital said that rapid access prostate referrals would continue to be accepted as normal.
READ MORE
“It is intended during the six-month period to focus on those currently waiting in the service, seek to further build capacity and be in a position to accept new referrals again thereafter and provide patients with safe and timely access to the service.”
UHW said it apologised for the inconvenience that would be caused by the move to not accept any new urology referrals until the autumn.
It is understood that the decision will affect patients in the region who live outside of Waterford.
Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane told the Irish Times that he spoke to hospital management about the decision, which he described as “regrettable” and a sign of a lack of capacity at UHW.
“It’s another example of how the hospital doesn’t have the staff and it’s just not good enough. Management have to take decisions based on the capacity and I have no quarrel with them on that but it will affect people obviously.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--Michelin chef posits a remedy for the age-old problem of bad hospital food

A chef who worked in Michelin-starred restaurants in Ireland and the UK before moving into hospital kitchens in Dublin has what she says is a simple solution to the age-old problem of bad hospital food .
Although “ bad ” might be too gentle a word .
“ The smell of hospital food would turn my stomach , ” Joyce Timmins says as she recalls her early days as the executive chef in the Rotunda Maternity Hospital .
“ I simply said it had to change .
And it did change and it is easily done.
” She worked at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quat ’ Saisons in Oxfordshire and Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud in Dublin before taking up her position at the Rotunda in Dublin in 2017 .
In recent months she has moved her mini food revolution to the Marymount Care Centre , also in Dublin .
One of the first things she noticed when she arrived in the Rotunda was how the chefs had lost their passion for food and were just doing a job , a job that no one thanked them for .
So she set about reigniting that passion .
Simple , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same day .
Out went hot boxes that kept food warm and congealing in kitchens before making its way to wards and in came fresh food which was carved and plated up on wards and delivered to patients immediately .
“ At the end of the day it is just food , but if it is something you are looking forward to and it gives you five or 10 minutes ’ happiness a day , then it will give you a lift and that can only be a good thing , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than that ?
” Timmins was speaking in the week a piece of research was published by Cork-based academics which emphasised the importance of good food for better health .
Eating a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits , vegetables , nuts , legumes , olive oil and fish and low in red meat and saturated fats promotes gut bacteria linked to healthy ageing and may help curb the advance of frailty and cognitive decline , according the researchers at University College Cork .
Sticking to the so-called Mediterranean diet for 12 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gut .
It stemmed the loss of bacterial diversity ; and spurred an increase in the types of bacteria previously associated with several indicators of reduced frailty , such as walking speed and hand grip strength , and improved brain function , such as memory .
The research can be added to a considerable volume of previous work showing that a poor diet – common among older people , particularly in long-term residential care – can make people sicker , faster .
But if we know food can make such a difference , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it better ?
“ It is the million-dollar question , ” says Galway-based Michelin-starred chef and food writer JP McMahon , who has long had an interest in tackling the problem .
“ When food can actually restore health , why is it so bad in hospitals ?
” he asks .
“ There are budget constraints and other factors , but I don ’ t know if there is a willingness to change and when the willingness is there , then I think things can change very quickly.
” He points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture reluctant to change .
“ Hospitals are one of the few places where you will see toast made with white bread .
Even if they swapped that out for wholemeal it would make a difference .
“ But we don ’ t join the dots between education and sickness and food , and I think what we need is holistic thinking .
What if we gave people food that was better for them – wouldn ’ t they get better faster ?
” Restaurant owner and food writer Domini Kemp certainly thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big problems we have is our doctors are not properly educated in nutrition or dietary lifestyle , ” she says .
“ Culinary medicine is becoming a thing in the US and I think we need to see a culture shift here too .
I am not saying the diet can cure cancer , but it certainly can do more in terms of people ’ s health and I think a culinary medical programme for doctors is a crucial piece of the puzzle.
” In the US , changes to curriculums have taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into doctor training in Harvard and Tulane universities , and some US hospitals .
Over the last 20 years £50 million has been spent in the UK on bids to improve the quality of hospital food .
Reports suggest 17 separate government initiatives since 2000 have led to no discernible improvement .
Some of the reasons are easy to identify .
Hospitals operate on strict budgets and food supply is often seen as a nuisance and outsourced to companies specialising in high volumes at low cost .
The focus is also on “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a food to specific nutrients ; taste , texture and appearance are often secondary .
Timmins does not buy the line that making things better in hospital kitchens is costly and complicated .
“ What I think is needed is for every hospital in the country to sing off a single menu .
This could be a menu that would operate on a two-week cycle .
All hospitals could have the same recipes with the same calorie counts , the same allergen information and the same costings.
” She says it could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of four executive chefs covering the whole country , visiting hospitals , overseeing the kitchens and training the chefs .
“ We have dieticians operating within the public system – why not executive chefs ?
” She says they could be “ a fresh pair of eyes and would not just think : ‘ Oh this is hospital food so it has to be this way.
’ When I went into the Rotunda it was obvious it wasn ’ t working .
It isn ’ t working anywhere .
”

A chef who worked in Michelin-starred restaurants in Ireland and the UK before moving into hospital kitchens in Dublin has what she says is a simple solution to the age-old problem of bad hospital food.
Although “bad” might be too gentle a word.
"The smell of hospital food would turn my stomach," Joyce Timmins says as she recalls her early days as the executive chef in the Rotunda Maternity Hospital. "I simply said it had to change. And it did change and it is easily done."
She worked at Michelin-starred restaurants, including Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire and Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud in Dublin before taking up her position at the Rotunda in Dublin in 2017. In recent months she has moved her mini food revolution to the Marymount Care Centre, also in Dublin.
READ MORE
One of the first things she noticed when she arrived in the Rotunda was how the chefs had lost their passion for food and were just doing a job, a job that no one thanked them for. So she set about reigniting that passion.
Simple, fresh meals were cooked and served on the same day. Out went hot boxes that kept food warm and congealing in kitchens before making its way to wards and in came fresh food which was carved and plated up on wards and delivered to patients immediately.
Patients loved it.
“At the end of the day it is just food, but if it is something you are looking forward to and it gives you five or 10 minutes’ happiness a day, then it will give you a lift and that can only be a good thing,” she says. “Why complicate things more than that?”
Research
Timmins was speaking in the week a piece of research was published by Cork-based academics which emphasised the importance of good food for better health.
Eating a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, olive oil and fish and low in red meat and saturated fats promotes gut bacteria linked to healthy ageing and may help curb the advance of frailty and cognitive decline, according the researchers at University College Cork.
Sticking to the so-called Mediterranean diet for 12 months was associated with beneficial changes to the gut. It stemmed the loss of bacterial diversity; and spurred an increase in the types of bacteria previously associated with several indicators of reduced frailty, such as walking speed and hand grip strength, and improved brain function, such as memory.
The research can be added to a considerable volume of previous work showing that a poor diet – common among older people, particularly in long-term residential care – can make people sicker, faster.
But if we know food can make such a difference, why isn’t more done to make it better?
“It is the million-dollar question,” says Galway-based Michelin-starred chef and food writer JP McMahon, who has long had an interest in tackling the problem.
We don't join the dots between education and sickness and food, and I think what we need is holistic thinking
“When food can actually restore health, why is it so bad in hospitals?” he asks. “There are budget constraints and other factors, but I don’t know if there is a willingness to change and when the willingness is there, then I think things can change very quickly.”
He points to one very simple example signposting a culture reluctant to change. “Hospitals are one of the few places where you will see toast made with white bread. Even if they swapped that out for wholemeal it would make a difference.
“But we don’t join the dots between education and sickness and food, and I think what we need is holistic thinking. What if we gave people food that was better for them – wouldn’t they get better faster?”
Restaurant owner and food writer Domini Kemp certainly thinks they would.
“One of the big problems we have is our doctors are not properly educated in nutrition or dietary lifestyle,” she says. “Culinary medicine is becoming a thing in the US and I think we need to see a culture shift here too. I am not saying the diet can cure cancer, but it certainly can do more in terms of people’s health and I think a culinary medical programme for doctors is a crucial piece of the puzzle.”
Culinary medicine
In the US, changes to curriculums have taken place and culinary medicine is being incorporated into doctor training in Harvard and Tulane universities, and some US hospitals.
Over the last 20 years £50 million has been spent in the UK on bids to improve the quality of hospital food. Reports suggest 17 separate government initiatives since 2000 have led to no discernible improvement.
What I think is needed is for every hospital in the country to sing off a single menu
Some of the reasons are easy to identify. Hospitals operate on strict budgets and food supply is often seen as a nuisance and outsourced to companies specialising in high volumes at low cost. The focus is also on “nutritionism”, which reduces the value of a food to specific nutrients; taste, texture and appearance are often secondary.
Timmins does not buy the line that making things better in hospital kitchens is costly and complicated.
“What I think is needed is for every hospital in the country to sing off a single menu. This could be a menu that would operate on a two-week cycle. All hospitals could have the same recipes with the same calorie counts, the same allergen information and the same costings.”
She says it could all be overseen by a small team of four executive chefs covering the whole country, visiting hospitals, overseeing the kitchens and training the chefs. “We have dieticians operating within the public system – why not executive chefs?”
She says they could be “a fresh pair of eyes and would not just think: ‘Oh this is hospital food so it has to be this way.’ When I went into the Rotunda it was obvious it wasn’t working. It isn’t working anywhere.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--US attorney general to challenge retrial of convicted killers of Jason Corbett

The attorney general of North Carolina in the US is to appeal a decision to allow a retrial of the convicted killers of Irish man Jason Corbett .
Legal papers were filed with the State ’ s Supreme Court on Friday formally requesting a stay on the decision by the court of appeals earlier this month .
Mr Corbett ( 39 ) , a Limerick father-of-two died from head injuries after a sustained assault with a brick and a baseball bat at his family home in the town of Wallburg .
Molly Martens , his second wife , and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were convicted of second-degree murder at 2017 trial .
This month they successfully won an appeal seeking a retrial .
Mr Martens ( 69 ) had argued that it was “ unfair ” to block him entering specific statements in support of his claim he had been acting in self-defence during the incident in which Mr Corbett was killed .
The case was due to return to Davidson County Superior Court on February 24th although prosecutors had 15 days from that date to lodge a petition to appeal the ruling .
In papers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish Times , attorney general Joshua Stein signalled his intention to do exactly that .
“ The State intends to timely file a notice of appeal as of right .
.
.
based on Judge Collins ’ dissent within fifteen days of the Court of Appeals ’ mandate , ” they said .
“ Issuance of [ a writ ] is needed to stay enforcement of the judgment and mandate of the Court of Appeals pending this Court ’ s consideration of the State ’ s appeal.
” Mr Stein ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court of appeal decision in order to determine its next steps .
The indications of a potential appeal should be of comfort to Mr Corbett ’ s family in Limerick who had previously said the decision to allow a retrial had come as a shock .
Molly and Thomas Martens are serving 20 to 25 year sentences and will remain in prison pending the potential appeal .
In its ruling the court of appeal had found that due to “ compounding evidentiary and instructional errors ” both before and during the three-week criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were “ prevented from presenting a meaningful defence or from receiving the full benefit of their claims of self-defence and defence of a family member.
” “ As a result , the jury was denied critical evidence and rendered incapable of performing its constitutional function.
” A Corbett family spokesperson said : “ In essence [ this ] is a motion to temporarily halt the effect of the opinion of the appeals court decision on the 4th February 2020 .
“ In the absence of a temporary stay being granted , Molly Martens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceed to trial court .
“ The Attorney General intends to file a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court based on Judge Collins ’ dissent within fifteen days of the Court of Appeals ’ mandate .
“ We are grateful for his decision .
Thank you for your continued support.
” The Court of Appeals made their ruling just under three weeks ago .
Lawyers for the pair said they did not get a fair trial , held in July and August 2017 , and that the trial judge had excluded critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal , lawyers for Molly and Thomas Martens argued that the judge in the case had excluded key evidence that would have corroborated their client ’ s claims .
This included information which they said might have explained Thomas Martens ’ state of mind on the night of the murder .
They argued that statements Mr Corbett ’ s children had given to social workers should have been allowed as evidence .
The three judges , In the Court of Appeal ruling , described its ruling as “ deceptively simple ” , boiling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly force to defend themselves and each other during the tragic altercation with Mr Corbett .
“ Having thoroughly reviewed the record and transcript , it is evident that this is the rare case in which certain evidentiary errors , alone and in the aggregate , were so prejudicial as to inhibit defendants ’ ability to present a full and meaningful defence , ” the court ruled .
The judges also found that “ the trial court erred in instructing the jury on the aggressor doctrine as to Tom , given the absence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Speaking from the US on Friday , Mr Earnest , an uncle of Ms Martens and family spokesperson explained that legally it can take two to three weeks before the ruling is “ mandated ” made fully legal ( this has not now been allowed to happen due to the Attorney General ’ s intervention ) .
“ After that period of time the ruling can be appealed to the Supreme Court of North Carolina by the other side .
“ The Supreme Court can decide to uphold the original second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if an appeal is made .
It is unusual for a retrial not to be allowed .
“ We don ’ t know if Tom and Molly will be released at some stage on bail if the Court of Appeal ruling is referred to the Supreme Court .
“ But we as a family have complete confidence in the Appeal Court ruling as they spent an incredibly long time over their deliberations .
“ We as a family had this naive expectation that the truth would be told fairly for our family .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what the Attorney General is going to do next.
” He added that he has been able to visit his niece but not his brother-in-law .
“ Molly is doing as well as anyone would could knowing that she is innocent and did not carry out a crime she is convicted of .
“ We have always had faith in the law and we had been thankful it has found in our family ’ s favour by the Court of Appeals.
” A hour-long CBS documentary , aired last April in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing entitled , In the Name of Jason , revealed that key evidence was allegedly not put before the jury which convicted them resulting in the potential for a new murder trial .
Ms Martens was Mr Corbett ’ s second wife and the couple met when the American woman worked as a nanny in his Co Limerick home .
Mr Corbett ’ s first wife Mags Fitzpatrick died of an asthma attack in 2006 .
When Sarah was four-years-old she moved to America with her father Jason and brother Jack then six-years-old @ @ @ @ @ @

The attorney general of North Carolina in the US is to appeal a decision to allow a retrial of the convicted killers of Irish man Jason Corbett.
Legal papers were filed with the State’s Supreme Court on Friday formally requesting a stay on the decision by the court of appeals earlier this month.
Mr Corbett (39), a Limerick father-of-two died from head injuries after a sustained assault with a brick and a baseball bat at his family home in the town of Wallburg.
Molly Martens, his second wife, and her father, former FBI agent Thomas Martens were convicted of second-degree murder at 2017 trial. This month they successfully won an appeal seeking a retrial.
READ MORE
Mr Martens (69) had argued that it was “unfair” to block him entering specific statements in support of his claim he had been acting in self-defence during the incident in which Mr Corbett was killed.
The case was due to return to Davidson County Superior Court on February 24th although prosecutors had 15 days from that date to lodge a petition to appeal the ruling.
In papers filed on Friday, seen by The Irish Times, attorney general Joshua Stein signalled his intention to do exactly that.
“The State intends to timely file a notice of appeal as of right . . . based on Judge Collins’ dissent within fifteen days of the Court of Appeals’ mandate,” they said.
“Issuance of [a writ] is needed to stay enforcement of the judgment and mandate of the Court of Appeals pending this Court’s consideration of the State’s appeal.”
Mr Stein’s office said it was continuing to review the court of appeal decision in order to determine its next steps.
The indications of a potential appeal should be of comfort to Mr Corbett’s family in Limerick who had previously said the decision to allow a retrial had come as a shock.
Molly and Thomas Martens are serving 20 to 25 year sentences and will remain in prison pending the potential appeal.
In its ruling the court of appeal had found that due to “compounding evidentiary and instructional errors” both before and during the three-week criminal trial, Mr Martens and his daughter were “prevented from presenting a meaningful defence or from receiving the full benefit of their claims of self-defence and defence of a family member.”
“As a result, the jury was denied critical evidence and rendered incapable of performing its constitutional function.”
Not a fair trial
A Corbett family spokesperson said: “In essence [this] is a motion to temporarily halt the effect of the opinion of the appeals court decision on the 4th February 2020.
“In the absence of a temporary stay being granted, Molly Martens and her Father would be entitled to proceed to trial court.
“The Attorney General intends to file a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court based on Judge Collins’ dissent within fifteen days of the Court of Appeals’ mandate.
“We are grateful for his decision. Thank you for your continued support.”
The Court of Appeals made their ruling just under three weeks ago.
Lawyers for the pair said they did not get a fair trial, held in July and August 2017, and that the trial judge had excluded critical evidence in their case.
In their appeal, lawyers for Molly and Thomas Martens argued that the judge in the case had excluded key evidence that would have corroborated their client’s claims.
This included information which they said might have explained Thomas Martens’ state of mind on the night of the murder.
They argued that statements Mr Corbett’s children had given to social workers should have been allowed as evidence.
The three judges, In the Court of Appeal ruling, described its ruling as “deceptively simple”, boiling down to whether the defendants lawfully used deadly force to defend themselves and each other during the tragic altercation with Mr Corbett.
“Having thoroughly reviewed the record and transcript, it is evident that this is the rare case in which certain evidentiary errors, alone and in the aggregate, were so prejudicial as to inhibit defendants’ ability to present a full and meaningful defence,” the court ruled.
The judges also found that “the trial court erred in instructing the jury on the aggressor doctrine as to Tom, given the absence of evidence to support such an instruction”.
‘Complete confidence’
Speaking from the US on Friday, Mr Earnest, an uncle of Ms Martens and family spokesperson explained that legally it can take two to three weeks before the ruling is “mandated” made fully legal (this has not now been allowed to happen due to the Attorney General’s intervention).
“After that period of time the ruling can be appealed to the Supreme Court of North Carolina by the other side.
“The Supreme Court can decide to uphold the original second degree murder charge or allow the retrial if an appeal is made. It is unusual for a retrial not to be allowed.
“We don’t know if Tom and Molly will be released at some stage on bail if the Court of Appeal ruling is referred to the Supreme Court.
“But we as a family have complete confidence in the Appeal Court ruling as they spent an incredibly long time over their deliberations.
“We as a family had this naive expectation that the truth would be told fairly for our family. We know very little so far now about what the Attorney General is going to do next.”
He added that he has been able to visit his niece but not his brother-in-law. “Molly is doing as well as anyone would could knowing that she is innocent and did not carry out a crime she is convicted of.
“We have always had faith in the law and we had been thankful it has found in our family’s favour by the Court of Appeals.”
A hour-long CBS documentary, aired last April in the US, on Mr Corbett’s killing entitled, In the Name of Jason, revealed that key evidence was allegedly not put before the jury which convicted them resulting in the potential for a new murder trial.
Ms Martens was Mr Corbett’s second wife and the couple met when the American woman worked as a nanny in his Co Limerick home. Mr Corbett’s first wife Mags Fitzpatrick died of an asthma attack in 2006.
When Sarah was four-years-old she moved to America with her father Jason and brother Jack then six-years-old to begin a new life.


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--Garda Commissioner signals new drive against drug dealing

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has signalled that a new drive against drug dealing is to commence later in the year which will extend far beyond the Garda ’ s national and local drugs units .
He added that the money spent by casual drug users on illegal drugs was strengthening drugs gangs , who were often also involved in crimes like human trafficking , sexual slavery and child abuse .
While local Garda drug units are already situated across the Republic , and have been for many years , Mr Harris said drug dealing had spread into all parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an issue in urban areas .
Addressing a class of 201 new Garda members at their passing out ceremony at the Garda College , Templemore , Co Tipperary , on Friday he said all of them would be involved in his new plans to redouble the Garda ’ s efforts this year to tackle the drugs trade .
The new gardaí bring to 14,467 the number of sworn members in the force – the highest level since it peaked in size at more than 14,500 in 2009 following an accelerated recruitment process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result of the economic crash and the Garda College was mothballed for a period .
When the next class of recruits passes out at the college later this year , the previous record number will be surpassed and there will be more gardaí than at any time since the foundation of the State .
Mr Harris told them that “ so-called street-level drug dealing is becoming more prevalent and is no longer confined to city and urban areas ” .
“ This drug dealing is corrosive .
It is corrosive to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the communities where it takes place .
Corrosive to the families and individuals facing intimidation and violence as a result of their loved ones involvement in the drug trade .
“ In the coming months , we will be introducing a major operation and every one of you will have a part to play in it .
But we won ’ t solve this problem alone .
This is a societal issue requiring a societal response .
Tackling this will not be confined to our drug units - every Garda member , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Commission on the Future of Policing had recognised that other State agencies had a role to play in working collectively to tackle drugs .
And people “ who think their use of so- called casual drugs has no real harmful effect need to think again ” .
“ There is no such thing as consequence-free drug taking .
It is not an abstract issue that can be forgotten about the next morning or excused , ” he said .
“ It results in addiction , misery and death .
Every cent they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power of crime gangs who terrorise families and communities .
“ Every cent they spend on drugs supports gangs involved in the most terrible of exploitation and violation of the human rights of our fellow human beings through human trafficking , sexual slavery and child abuse .
“ For communities , this is not just a criminal act , but a quality of life issue , particularly when it takes place in public .
This is happening in our towns and villages and it has to stop .
Mr Harris welcomed the growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that 2,976 Garda staff , or civilian workers , were not part of the force but brought skills required for modern policing and also allowed gardaí to get away from administrative jobs and fill frontline policing roles .
Some 602 sworn Garda members have to date been freed up from desk jobs as part of the ongoing civilianisation process .
Mr Harris said that when the number of sworn members reached a target of 15,000 , it would be an ideal time to reflect on policing demands and assess where these members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any additional skills were required in the organisation .
Asked what the growing demands on policing in the State were , Mr Harris said : “ There ’ s a number of things that have happened over the last 10 years .
We ’ ve seen a growth in cyber crime , a growth in fraud and low level fraud .
“ We ’ ve also seen a growth in attacks on the vulnerable ; be it domestic abuse or serious sexual assault and human trafficking .
“ These are serious crimes requiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look to is what the next five to 10 years might look like and how we resource appropriately ; not only in numbers but also in terms of the skills within the organisation .
”

Graduating at the Garda College in Templemore was Garda Michael O’Grady, Newmarket on Fergus, Clare with his children Caitlin(6) and Darragh (3). Photograph: Liam Burke/Press 22
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has signalled that a new drive against drug dealing is to commence later in the year which will extend far beyond the Garda’s national and local drugs units.
He added that the money spent by casual drug users on illegal drugs was strengthening drugs gangs, who were often also involved in crimes like human trafficking, sexual slavery and child abuse.
While local Garda drug units are already situated across the Republic, and have been for many years, Mr Harris said drug dealing had spread into all parts of the country and was no longer solely an issue in urban areas.
Addressing a class of 201 new Garda members at their passing out ceremony at the Garda College, Templemore, Co Tipperary, on Friday he said all of them would be involved in his new plans to redouble the Garda’s efforts this year to tackle the drugs trade.
READ MORE
The new gardaí bring to 14,467 the number of sworn members in the force – the highest level since it peaked in size at more than 14,500 in 2009 following an accelerated recruitment process.
Recruitment to the force was stopped as a result of the economic crash and the Garda College was mothballed for a period.
When the next class of recruits passes out at the college later this year, the previous record number will be surpassed and there will be more gardaí than at any time since the foundation of the State.
Mr Harris told them that “so-called street-level drug dealing is becoming more prevalent and is no longer confined to city and urban areas”.
“This drug dealing is corrosive. It is corrosive to those who take the drugs. Corrosive to the communities where it takes place. Corrosive to the families and individuals facing intimidation and violence as a result of their loved ones involvement in the drug trade.
“In the coming months, we will be introducing a major operation and every one of you will have a part to play in it. But we won’t solve this problem alone. This is a societal issue requiring a societal response. Tackling this will not be confined to our drug units - every Garda member, including you, will contribute.”
‘Working collectively’
He added the Commission on the Future of Policing had recognised that other State agencies had a role to play in working collectively to tackle drugs. And people “who think their use of so- called casual drugs has no real harmful effect need to think again”.
“There is no such thing as consequence-free drug taking. It is not an abstract issue that can be forgotten about the next morning or excused,” he said.
“It results in addiction, misery and death. Every cent they spend on drugs helps to solidify the power of crime gangs who terrorise families and communities.
“Every cent they spend on drugs supports gangs involved in the most terrible of exploitation and violation of the human rights of our fellow human beings through human trafficking, sexual slavery and child abuse.
“For communities, this is not just a criminal act, but a quality of life issue, particularly when it takes place in public. This is happening in our towns and villages and it has to stop.
Mr Harris welcomed the growth of the force. And he pointed out that 2,976 Garda staff, or civilian workers, were not part of the force but brought skills required for modern policing and also allowed gardaí to get away from administrative jobs and fill frontline policing roles.
Some 602 sworn Garda members have to date been freed up from desk jobs as part of the ongoing civilianisation process.
Mr Harris said that when the number of sworn members reached a target of 15,000, it would be an ideal time to reflect on policing demands and assess where these members should be deployed and to decide if any additional skills were required in the organisation.
Asked what the growing demands on policing in the State were, Mr Harris said: “There’s a number of things that have happened over the last 10 years. We’ve seen a growth in cyber crime, a growth in fraud and low level fraud.
“We’ve also seen a growth in attacks on the vulnerable; be it domestic abuse or serious sexual assault and human trafficking.
“These are serious crimes requiring specialist resources and what I have to look to is what the next five to 10 years might look like and how we resource appropriately; not only in numbers but also in terms of the skills within the organisation.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--UK commitments on legacy issues must be honoured, Coveney tells new NI secretary

Commitments on legacy in the North must be implemented in full , the acting Tánaiste has told the new Northern Secretary during their first meeting .
Simon Coveney and Brandon Lewis met for the first time at Stormont House on Friday .
Mr Lewis was appointed last week after his predecessor as Northern Secretary , Julian Smith , was sacked by the UK prime minister , Boris Johnson , weeks after reaching the deal which restored the North ’ s power-sharing Assembly .
Speaking to reporters afterwards , Mr Coveney said they had a “ good ” and “ cordial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was “ easy to talk to and get along with.
” He said that , as had been the case with Mr Lewis ’ predecessor , “ it ’ s really important that the two governments work together closely on a lot of very awkward and difficult political issues.
” He said he had spoken to Mr Lewis about the need to implement the legacy provisions of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement .
Mr Coveney and Mr Lewis also discussed the progress made by the North ’ s Executive and Assembly since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the future negotiations over the relationship between the EU and the UK and the unique position and challenges faced by Northern Ireland now the UK has left the EU .
The New Decade , New Approach document , which restored power-sharing in Northern Ireland , includes a commitment to bring forward legislation to do so within 100 days .
Among these measures is the creation of a Historical Investigations Unit ( HIU ) , a new , independent body which will investigate outstanding Troubles-related deaths .
“ A number of the domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to be very challenging for the new Secretary of State , ” said Mr Coveney , “ and I want to work with him on that , in particular in relation to legacy , the legacy of the past , how we deal with that .
“ We have an agreement of course , the British and Irish Governments in Stormont House , And I spoke to him today about the need to implement that agreement in full and I think we ’ re going to work on that , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Northern Ireland as Northern Secretary last week , Mr Lewis said the UK government was “ absolutely committed ” to implementing the New Decade , New Approach deal .
On Friday , Mr Lewis also met the family of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane .
Mr Finucane was shot dead in 1989 by loyalist paramilitaries who were working in collusion with the security forces .
Twelve months ago the Supreme Court ruled that investigations into Mr Finucane ’ s murder had not been effective and fell short of international human rights standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Mr Lewis , Mr Finucane ’ s his widow Geraldine said they had come “ to hear the response of the government and what they intend to do .
“ We did not hear anything from the government .
They have not made up their mind what they ’ re going to do .
“ The Secretary of State has said he has a report to read and when he has read that he will speak to the Prime Minister and they will make a decision in the case .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of weeks , not months .
I hope that is the case , ” she said .
Mrs Finucane added that while Mr Lewis had not made the excuse that he was new in the job , “ we did point out that in the past year there have been three Secretary of States and no decision has been made and it ’ s about time.
” Her son John , the Sinn Féin MP for North Belfast , said that while the family was “ no further on ” in regard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ we have been given a commitment that their response will be forthcoming within weeks .
“ We have been through this for 31 years so we will judge , if and when , the response comes within those weeks , ” he said .

Acting Tánaiste Simon Coveney said he and new NI Secretary Brandon Lewis had a ‘good’ and ‘cordial’ meeting in Belfast on Friday. File photograph Nick Bradshaw the Irish Times
Commitments on legacy in the North must be implemented in full, the acting Tánaiste has told the new Northern Secretary during their first meeting.
Simon Coveney and Brandon Lewis met for the first time at Stormont House on Friday.
Mr Lewis was appointed last week after his predecessor as Northern Secretary, Julian Smith, was sacked by the UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, weeks after reaching the deal which restored the North's power-sharing Assembly.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Mr Coveney said they had a “good” and “cordial” meeting and Mr Lewis was someone who was “easy to talk to and get along with.”
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He said that, as had been the case with Mr Lewis’ predecessor, “it’s really important that the two governments work together closely on a lot of very awkward and difficult political issues.”
He said he had spoken to Mr Lewis about the need to implement the legacy provisions of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement.
Mr Coveney and Mr Lewis also discussed the progress made by the North's Executive and Assembly since its restoration last month, as well as the future negotiations over the relationship between the EU and the UK and the unique position and challenges faced by Northern Ireland now the UK has left the EU.
The New Decade, New Approach document, which restored power-sharing in Northern Ireland, includes a commitment to bring forward legislation to do so within 100 days.
Historical Investigations Unit
Among these measures is the creation of a Historical Investigations Unit (HIU), a new, independent body which will investigate outstanding Troubles-related deaths.
“A number of the domestic challenges here in Northern Ireland I think are going to be very challenging for the new Secretary of State,” said Mr Coveney, “and I want to work with him on that, in particular in relation to legacy, the legacy of the past, how we deal with that.
“We have an agreement of course, the British and Irish Governments in Stormont House, And I spoke to him today about the need to implement that agreement in full and I think we’re going to work on that,” he said.”
During his first visit to Northern Ireland as Northern Secretary last week, Mr Lewis said the UK government was “absolutely committed” to implementing the New Decade, New Approach deal.
On Friday, Mr Lewis also met the family of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.
Mr Finucane was shot dead in 1989 by loyalist paramilitaries who were working in collusion with the security forces.
Twelve months ago the Supreme Court ruled that investigations into Mr Finucane's murder had not been effective and fell short of international human rights standards.
Speaking to reporters afterward their meeting with Mr Lewis, Mr Finucane’s his widow Geraldine said they had come “to hear the response of the government and what they intend to do.
“We did not hear anything from the government. They have not made up their mind what they’re going to do.
“The Secretary of State has said he has a report to read and when he has read that he will speak to the Prime Minister and they will make a decision in the case.
“He said that will happen in a matter of weeks, not months. I hope that is the case,” she said.
Mrs Finucane added that while Mr Lewis had not made the excuse that he was new in the job, “we did point out that in the past year there have been three Secretary of States and no decision has been made and it’s about time.”
Her son John, the Sinn Féin MP for North Belfast, said that while the family was “no further on” in regard to a response from the British government, “we have been given a commitment that their response will be forthcoming within weeks.
“We have been through this for 31 years so we will judge, if and when, the response comes within those weeks,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--Woman found living in squalor with flies coming from blanket she was using

The HSE has secured an emergency High Court order allowing it detain and treat a woman in hospital after she was found living in “ squalor ” .
The President of the High Court , Mr Justice Peter Kelly , said the woman had been living in “ truly awful ” and “ dire ” conditions before she was admitted to a hospital .
Doctors treating the woman , aged in her 60s , are concerned about her feet which have become infected and gangrenous .
The judge said those who attended the woman ’ s home reported seeing swarms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were seen coming from a blanket the women had been using .
Litter was strewn all over the interior of the property and the floors were “ drenched with urine ” .
The situation was so bad those attending at her home had to use face masks and protective clothing , the judge added .
The woman ’ s children had described her as being “ stubborn ” , he noted .
Such was the woman ’ s level of self neglect that one of her doctors had stated that , in 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen a patient in such a debilitated or unkempt state .
Patricia Hill BL for the HSE said orders were being sought over fears the woman , who had been admitted to hospital earlier this month , may try to leave the facility .
She had not been co-operative since been admitted and also required to be moved to another hospital where she can be assessed by a specialist in vascular surgery , counsel added .
Mr Justice Kelly said he was satisfied , from the evidence before the court , the woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity to make decisions for herself .
On an ex-parte basis and in the context of intended wardship proceedings , he granted orders allowing for detention and treatment of the woman in the hospital where she is currently a patient .
The orders will also apply if she is transferred to another hospital .
The judge also directed that an independent medical visitor assess the woman ’ s capacity and appointed a guardian ad litem to represent her .
The matter was adjourned to next week for mention .

Such was the woman’s level of self neglect that one of her doctors had stated that, in 30 years practicing medicine, they had never seen a patient in such a debilitated or unkempt state.
The HSE has secured an emergency High Court order allowing it detain and treat a woman in hospital after she was found living in "squalor".
The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, said the woman had been living in "truly awful" and "dire" conditions before she was admitted to a hospital.
Doctors treating the woman, aged in her 60s, are concerned about her feet which have become infected and gangrenous.
The judge said those who attended the woman’s home reported seeing swarms of flies and maggots there.
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Flies were seen coming from a blanket the women had been using.
Litter was strewn all over the interior of the property and the floors were “drenched with urine”.
The situation was so bad those attending at her home had to use face masks and protective clothing, the judge added.
The woman’s children had described her as being “stubborn”, he noted.
Such was the woman’s level of self neglect that one of her doctors had stated that, in 30 years practising medicine, they had never seen a patient in such a debilitated or unkempt state.
Patricia Hill BL for the HSE said orders were being sought over fears the woman, who had been admitted to hospital earlier this month, may try to leave the facility.
She had not been co-operative since been admitted and also required to be moved to another hospital where she can be assessed by a specialist in vascular surgery, counsel added.
Mr Justice Kelly said he was satisfied, from the evidence before the court, the woman may have cognitive issues and lacks the capacity to make decisions for herself.
On an ex-parte basis and in the context of intended wardship proceedings, he granted orders allowing for detention and treatment of the woman in the hospital where she is currently a patient.
The orders will also apply if she is transferred to another hospital.
The judge also directed that an independent medical visitor assess the woman’s capacity and appointed a guardian ad litem to represent her.
The matter was adjourned to next week for mention.


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--Waste materials to be airlifted from MV Alta wreck

Oil and other waste materials are due to be airlifted from the wreck of the MV Alta in Cork next week .
Cork County Council ’ s oil spill assessment team met on Friday afternoon to discuss the next stage of the process in which environmental safety is being prioritised .
Efforts are now underway to secure the waste materials which are stored in barrels and which are scheduled to be lifted from the ship ’ s deck by helicopter on Tuesday .
“ Cork County Council ’ s marine contractor is progressing well with preparations for the removal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could pose a pollution risk in the event of their spillage , ” the local authority said in an update on Friday .
The MV Alta , a 77m Tanzanian registered cargo ship which had been abandoned and drifting in the Atlantic Ocean for 17 months , washed up on rocks near Ballycotton in east Cork last weekend .
While environmental concerns have been raised , the council has previously said there are no visible indications of pollution along the coast , some of which is designated a special protection area .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to ensure all these materials are ready for their safe removal by helicopter on Tuesday , should weather conditions be suitable , ” it said on Friday .
However , despite efforts being made by the council , Coastwatch , the international environmental organisation , has said not enough information is being given to the public .
Co-ordinator Karin Dubsky said more detail should be forthcoming on the decision making progress .
Particularly , she said , to what extent cost and environmental concerns were informing decisions .
She said of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ecologist to examine local sea life for signs of pollutants .
“ It ’ s a simple thing .
Maybe they have done all of this but there isn ’ t enough information available , and if they haven ’ t done it , why not ?
” Ms Dubsky said despite local restrictions , efforts would be made by environmentalists to examine limpets , a marine mollusc , on rocks in the area to see if they are falling off .
“ That would worry you because you actually have a visible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am hoping that that would not be the case , ” she said .
Members of the public have again been urged to stay away from the wreck which is on a dangerous and inaccessible stretch of coastline and in an unstable condition .
As part of the operation , access to a local cul-de-sac road has been restricted to residents .
The council has also said that lands along the shoreline are private .
Under law , it is an offence for anyone to interfere with a wreck or to attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been appointed Receiver of Wrecks by the Department of Transport , a function necessary to manage the possession and disposal of vessels which wash ashore .

The MV Alta, a 77m Tanzanian registered cargo ship which had been abandoned and drifting in the Atlantic Ocean for 17 months, washed up on rocks near Ballycotton in east Cork last weekend. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/AFP via Getty
Oil and other waste materials are due to be airlifted from the wreck of the MV Alta in Cork next week.
Cork County Council’s oil spill assessment team met on Friday afternoon to discuss the next stage of the process in which environmental safety is being prioritised.
Efforts are now underway to secure the waste materials which are stored in barrels and which are scheduled to be lifted from the ship’s deck by helicopter on Tuesday.
“Cork County Council’s marine contractor is progressing well with preparations for the removal of the oil and other materials identified which could pose a pollution risk in the event of their spillage,” the local authority said in an update on Friday.
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The MV Alta, a 77m Tanzanian registered cargo ship which had been abandoned and drifting in the Atlantic Ocean for 17 months, washed up on rocks near Ballycotton in east Cork last weekend.
Barrels are delivered onto the ship as part of the operation to mitigate pollution risks. Photograph: Cork County Council
Public information
While environmental concerns have been raised, the council has previously said there are no visible indications of pollution along the coast, some of which is designated a special protection area.
“This work will continue throughout the weekend in order to ensure all these materials are ready for their safe removal by helicopter on Tuesday, should weather conditions be suitable,” it said on Friday.
However, despite efforts being made by the council, Coastwatch, the international environmental organisation, has said not enough information is being given to the public.
Co-ordinator Karin Dubsky said more detail should be forthcoming on the decision making progress. Particularly, she said, to what extent cost and environmental concerns were informing decisions.
She said of particular concern was the need for an ecologist to examine local sea life for signs of pollutants.
“It’s a simple thing. Maybe they have done all of this but there isn’t enough information available, and if they haven’t done it, why not?”
Keep away
Ms Dubsky said despite local restrictions, efforts would be made by environmentalists to examine limpets, a marine mollusc, on rocks in the area to see if they are falling off.
“That would worry you because you actually have a visible impact [of potential pollution]. I am hoping that that would not be the case,” she said.
Members of the public have again been urged to stay away from the wreck which is on a dangerous and inaccessible stretch of coastline and in an unstable condition.
As part of the operation, access to a local cul-de-sac road has been restricted to residents. The council has also said that lands along the shoreline are private.
Under law, it is an offence for anyone to interfere with a wreck or to attempt to board it.
A Revenue official has been appointed Receiver of Wrecks by the Department of Transport, a function necessary to manage the possession and disposal of vessels which wash ashore.


theirishtimes--2020-02-21--Man who crashed stolen bicycle into English tourist jailed for eight years

A man who crashed a stolen bicycle into an elderly English tourist , shattering her elbow and leaving her with life-changing injuries , has been jailed for eight years .
Jeffrey Crowley ( 23 ) pleaded guilty to cycling into Christine Booth at Smithfield Square , Dublin on August 2nd , 2019 , causing a substantial risk of death or serious harm .
He also pleaded guilty to damaging a bike lock and stealing a phone at Smithfield Square on the same date .
Crowley of Blackhall Parade , Dublin also pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quay on October 24th , 2018 .
He further pleaded guilty to stealing a phone at Queen Street on July 24th this year and damaging a phone at Georges Lane on December 11th , 2016 , during which he pushed a woman to the ground and kicked her .
He has 92 previous convictions .
Handing down a sentence of nine years and three months with the final 15 months suspended on Friday , Judge Elma Sheahan noted it was “ not an inconsiderable sentence ” .
“ But it would be an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties to further reduce the sentence , which I believe reflects the totality of the offending , ” she said .
She said the sentence “ reflects what can only be described as a sequence of egregious individual acts , ” noting that many of Crowley ’ s offences involved “ gratuitous violence ” .
Judge Sheahan said he had refused help on a number of occasions from state bodies , including refusing to accept visits in custody from a probation officer .
Det Gda Shane Connolly previously told Ger Small BL , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Booth was injured , Crowley stole a bike belonging to a Brazilian student staying in a hostel in Smithfield Square .
He then stole a phone from a man walking through the square .
As Crowley made off at high speed on the stolen bike , he crashed into 72-year-old Ms Booth who was crossing the road with her family .
Ms Booth had just arrived in Ireland with her daughter and three grandchildren the day before the incident .
The family had had an “ idyllic holiday ” up to that point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zoo and the Phoenix Park , the court heard .
Ms Booth landed heavily on the ground , shattering her elbow and breaking her hip .
The court heard she was in immediate “ agony ” following the fall .
She was taken by ambulance to hospital where she underwent surgery later that night .
Doctors described it as the worst shattered elbow they had ever seen and Ms Booth has been advised she will need an elbow replacement .
She will never be able to regain full strength in her arm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact statement handed into court , Ms Booth said the total financial loss was €3,878 .
She described how her daughter and grandchildren were extremely upset and how she can still hear her grandchildren “ screaming and crying ” in the aftermath of the incident .
She said she often thinks about how one of the children could have been seriously injured instead of her .
The family never wishes to return to Ireland , the court heard .
The court also heard that on October 24th , 2018 , Jason Kidd was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a colleague when three men approached him at Merchants Quay .
Crowley , who was one of three men , hit Mr Kidd in the head without warning .
He was left with a broken nose .
Crowley was identified by gardaí from CCTV .
When asked by gardaí why he hit Mr Kidd , he said he was on drugs and “ frustrated ” .
Crowley has been in custody since he was apprehended by gardaÃ shortly after the incident involving Ms Booth .
He is currently serving a suspended sentence for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was reactivated when he failed to engage with Probation Services .
Keith Spencer BL , defending , said his client was “ disgusted ” at his behaviour and acknowledged the harm he had caused .
He said that Crowley now wished to receive residential treatment for his addiction issues .
He has a two-year-old son .

Jeffrey Crowley of Blackhall Parade, Dublin also pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Jason Kidd at Merchants Quay on October 24th, 2018. Photograph: Collins Courts
A man who crashed a stolen bicycle into an elderly English tourist, shattering her elbow and leaving her with life-changing injuries, has been jailed for eight years.
Jeffrey Crowley (23) pleaded guilty to cycling into Christine Booth at Smithfield Square, Dublin on August 2nd, 2019, causing a substantial risk of death or serious harm. He also pleaded guilty to damaging a bike lock and stealing a phone at Smithfield Square on the same date.
Crowley of Blackhall Parade, Dublin also pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Jason Kidd at Merchants Quay on October 24th, 2018.
He further pleaded guilty to stealing a phone at Queen Street on July 24th this year and damaging a phone at Georges Lane on December 11th, 2016, during which he pushed a woman to the ground and kicked her. He has 92 previous convictions.
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Handing down a sentence of nine years and three months with the final 15 months suspended on Friday, Judge Elma Sheahan noted it was "not an inconsiderable sentence".
“But it would be an injustice to any of the individual injured parties to further reduce the sentence, which I believe reflects the totality of the offending,” she said.
She said the sentence “reflects what can only be described as a sequence of egregious individual acts,” noting that many of Crowley’s offences involved “gratuitous violence”.
Judge Sheahan said he had refused help on a number of occasions from state bodies, including refusing to accept visits in custody from a probation officer.
Tourist’s injuries
Det Gda Shane Connolly previously told Ger Small BL, prosecuting, that on the day Ms Booth was injured, Crowley stole a bike belonging to a Brazilian student staying in a hostel in Smithfield Square. He then stole a phone from a man walking through the square.
As Crowley made off at high speed on the stolen bike, he crashed into 72-year-old Ms Booth who was crossing the road with her family.
Ms Booth had just arrived in Ireland with her daughter and three grandchildren the day before the incident. The family had had an "idyllic holiday" up to that point and had spent that day in the zoo and the Phoenix Park, the court heard.
Ms Booth landed heavily on the ground, shattering her elbow and breaking her hip. The court heard she was in immediate “agony” following the fall. She was taken by ambulance to hospital where she underwent surgery later that night.
Doctors described it as the worst shattered elbow they had ever seen and Ms Booth has been advised she will need an elbow replacement. She will never be able to regain full strength in her arm, the court heard.
In a victim impact statement handed into court, Ms Booth said the total financial loss was €3,878. She described how her daughter and grandchildren were extremely upset and how she can still hear her grandchildren “screaming and crying” in the aftermath of the incident.
She said she often thinks about how one of the children could have been seriously injured instead of her. The family never wishes to return to Ireland, the court heard.
‘Frustrated’
The court also heard that on October 24th, 2018, Jason Kidd was walking home from a night out with a colleague when three men approached him at Merchants Quay.
Crowley, who was one of three men, hit Mr Kidd in the head without warning. He was left with a broken nose.
Crowley was identified by gardaí from CCTV. When asked by gardaí why he hit Mr Kidd, he said he was on drugs and “frustrated”.
Crowley has been in custody since he was apprehended by gardaÃ shortly after the incident involving Ms Booth.
He is currently serving a suspended sentence for a previous conviction for assault causing harm that was reactivated when he failed to engage with Probation Services.
Keith Spencer BL, defending, said his client was “disgusted” at his behaviour and acknowledged the harm he had caused. He said that Crowley now wished to receive residential treatment for his addiction issues. He has a two-year-old son.