theirishtimes--2020-08-22--Coalition rocked by resignations amid public fury over golf dinner

The Coalition was plunged into the worst crisis of its eight-week life on Friday after being rocked by the resignation of Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary following controversy over the Oireachtas golf dinner .
Politicians in all parties reported a wave of intense public anger following the revelation that the Oireachtas golf society held a dinner in Clifden , Co Galway attended by more than 80 people in apparent contravention of Covid-19 restrictions .
TDs said they had rarely witnessed such a depth of feeling on a political issue .
The three party leaders held an emergency meeting on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to maintain a joint approach to the crisis .
Later the Green Party issued a statement calling for the Government to put the affair behind it .
Senior figures in the three parties stressed the event had nothing to do with the Government , though sources conceded the impact on public trust in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael politicians generally could harm co-operation with lockdown restrictions .
The event is now the subject of a Garda investigation for possible breach of restrictions .
Under Covid-19 regulations it is a criminal offence to organise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people than is permitted by the regulations .
Mr Calleary resigned on Friday morning after it was revealed he attended the event organised by the Oireachtas Golf Society , a group of current and former politicians and friends .
He became the second Cabinet minister to depart since the Government was formed less than two months ago .
The leas-cathaoirleach of the Seanad , Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer , also resigned , while Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Senators who attended were told they would lose the party whip .
But European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resign , insisting he believed the event had been organised in accordance with Government guidelines .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Mr Hogan should apologise and acknowledge public outrage about the event , but did not call for him to resign .
In a statement later on Friday , Mr Hogan ’ s spokesman said the commissioner “ does apologise for any distress caused by his attendance ” .
The newly appointed Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe also issued a statement expressing his apologies for attending , as did the former RTÉ broadcaster Sean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other attendees .
The acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said there was a “ very justifiable and understandable anger today over what happened in Clifden and it is not misplaced ” .
It was very clear what happened was not in line with public health guidance , he added .
Since late June , indoor gatherings have been restricted to 50 people under the Government ’ s public health controls in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19 .
Further restrictions announced this week identified only weddings and artistic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups of up to 50 .
A further 79 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in Republic on Friday , with no new deaths reported .
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the event was “ the last straw ” and the Government had “ descended into new levels of chaos ” .
Labour leader Alan Kelly said the Dáil had to be recalled .
“ I ’ ve never seen such public anger on an issue so quickly.
” But the Taoiseach rebuffed opposition demands to recall the Dáil , saying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a safe reopening of schools at the start of September .
Meanwhile , the Garda public order unit is being put on standby ahead of an anti-lockdown and anti-facemask protest due to take place in Dublin today .
Gardaí fear public anger at the Oireachtas Golf Society scandal , combined with the possibility of left-wing counter-protests , could lead to disturbances and clashes .

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and former minister for agriculture Dara Calleary. Mr Martin rejected opposition demands to recall the Dáil, saying the Government’s priority was to ensure a safe reopening of schools in September. Photograph: Collins
The Coalition was plunged into the worst crisis of its eight-week life on Friday after being rocked by the resignation of Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary following controversy over the Oireachtas golf dinner.
Politicians in all parties reported a wave of intense public anger following the revelation that the Oireachtas golf society held a dinner in Clifden, Co Galway attended by more than 80 people in apparent contravention of Covid-19 restrictions. TDs said they had rarely witnessed such a depth of feeling on a political issue.
The three party leaders held an emergency meeting on Friday morning as the controversy raged and agreed to maintain a joint approach to the crisis. Later the Green Party issued a statement calling for the Government to put the affair behind it.
Senior figures in the three parties stressed the event had nothing to do with the Government, though sources conceded the impact on public trust in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael politicians generally could harm co-operation with lockdown restrictions.
READ MORE
The event is now the subject of a Garda investigation for possible breach of restrictions.
Criminal offence
Under Covid-19 regulations it is a criminal offence to organise an event with a larger number of people than is permitted by the regulations.
Mr Calleary resigned on Friday morning after it was revealed he attended the event organised by the Oireachtas Golf Society, a group of current and former politicians and friends. He became the second Cabinet minister to depart since the Government was formed less than two months ago. The leas-cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer, also resigned, while Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Senators who attended were told they would lose the party whip.
European Commissioner Phil Hogan said he would not resign, insisting he believed the event had been organised in accordance with Government guidelines. Photograph: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images
But European Commissioner Phil Hogan said he would not resign, insisting he believed the event had been organised in accordance with Government guidelines. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Mr Hogan should apologise and acknowledge public outrage about the event, but did not call for him to resign. In a statement later on Friday, Mr Hogan’s spokesman said the commissioner “does apologise for any distress caused by his attendance”.
The newly appointed Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe also issued a statement expressing his apologies for attending, as did the former RTÉ broadcaster Sean O’Rourke and a number of other attendees.
The acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said there was a “very justifiable and understandable anger today over what happened in Clifden and it is not misplaced”. It was very clear what happened was not in line with public health guidance, he added.
Restricted
Since late June, indoor gatherings have been restricted to 50 people under the Government’s public health controls in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19. Further restrictions announced this week identified only weddings and artistic and cultural events as being allowed to have groups of up to 50.
A further 79 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in Republic on Friday, with no new deaths reported.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the event was “the last straw” and the Government had “descended into new levels of chaos”. Labour leader Alan Kelly said the Dáil had to be recalled. “I’ve never seen such public anger on an issue so quickly.”
But the Taoiseach rebuffed opposition demands to recall the Dáil, saying the Government’s priority was to ensure a safe reopening of schools at the start of September.
Meanwhile, the Garda public order unit is being put on standby ahead of an anti-lockdown and anti-facemask protest due to take place in Dublin today.
Gardaí fear public anger at the Oireachtas Golf Society scandal, combined with the possibility of left-wing counter-protests, could lead to disturbances and clashes.


theirishtimes--2020-08-22--Covid-19: Kildare restrictions working but ‘need more time’

Local Covid-19 restrictions implemented in Co Kildare “ are working but they need more time ” , Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said on Friday as the Government extended the county ’ s lockdown by two weeks .
Similar measures in Laois and Offaly have now come to an end , but despite the extension for Kildare , Mr Donnelly said schools in the county would reopen as planned from next week .
Social and movement restrictions were put in place with a view to curbing a spike in cases in the counties that was linked to outbreaks of Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Minister said the number of new cases in Laois and Offaly had fallen in the past week , and while the situation in Kildare had stabilised , the number of infections “ is still high ” and at a rate of about 40 a day .
The acting chief medical officer , Dr Ronan Glynn , said he was hopeful that the number of cases in Kildare would begin to decline , but that the county needed “ a little bit more time now to turn the corner ” and get infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would be cautiously optimistic that we are going in the right direction , ” he said .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) on Friday night said a further 79 cases of Covid-19 had been confirmed and no new deaths had occurred .
A further 20 people in Northern Ireland tested positive for the disease , bringing total cases to 6,576 .
No further deaths were reported by the North ’ s Department of Health .
Mr Donnelly told a press briefing at Government Buildings that the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost 200 in Kildare compared with a national figure of 27 .
Dr Glynn said Kildare accounted for one third of all cases in the country last week .
The Minister said that the people of Kildare , Laois and Offaly has shown the country that “ targeted measures can suppress this virus ” and how to “ avoid more aggressive restrictions ” .
“ I know this is difficult news for families , businesses and communities across Kildare but make absolutely no mistake : your efforts are working , your efforts are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sort of measures being needed that we all lived through earlier this year.
” Dr Glynn said that a high number of new cases continued to be reported daily in Kildare , with infections widely distributed across the country .
The seven- and 14-day incidence rates have been at “ several multiples of the national average , ” he said .
He said there was “ cause of cautious optimism ” in Kildare given that the rate of unexplained community transmission was not out of line with national levels , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care units remained low .
“ This indicates that measures appear to be working , but due to the overall volume of active cases , more time is required to reduce the number of cases in Kildare.
” Mr Donnelly said he was “ very aware ” of the anxiety of parents with schools reopening , but that a “ huge amount of work ” has been done to prepare for a safe reopening .
Dr Glynn said that international evidence is that children do not commonly transmit the virus to each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that schools do not drive community transmission .
He said that four key workplace clusters in the county and a number of clusters in direct provision centres “ do seem to be largely brought under control ” , but the measures were being extended in Kildare to stop the virus spreading more widely into people ’ s homes .
Asked whether he was worried that the public anger over the flouting of Covid-19 guidelines by Oireachtas members at a golf society dinner in Cliften would undermine requests to adhere to public health advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am naive but I am not concerned.
” He said “ public buy-in ” had been at the heart of the pandemic response , and he felt there was an understanding of the importance that people had to protect themselves and their families .

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn at a press briefing at Government Buildings on Friday. Photograph: Julien Behal
Local Covid-19 restrictions implemented in Co Kildare "are working but they need more time", Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said on Friday as the Government extended the county's lockdown by two weeks.
Similar measures in Laois and Offaly have now come to an end, but despite the extension for Kildare, Mr Donnelly said schools in the county would reopen as planned from next week.
Social and movement restrictions were put in place with a view to curbing a spike in cases in the counties that was linked to outbreaks of Covid-19 at a number of food plants.
The Minister said the number of new cases in Laois and Offaly had fallen in the past week, and while the situation in Kildare had stabilised, the number of infections “is still high” and at a rate of about 40 a day.
READ MORE
The acting chief medical officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, said he was hopeful that the number of cases in Kildare would begin to decline, but that the county needed "a little bit more time now to turn the corner" and get infections in line with other counties.
“I would be cautiously optimistic that we are going in the right direction,” he said.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Friday night said a further 79 cases of Covid-19 had been confirmed and no new deaths had occurred.
A further 20 people in Northern Ireland tested positive for the disease, bringing total cases to 6,576. No further deaths were reported by the North's Department of Health.
National figure
Mr Donnelly told a press briefing at Government Buildings that the total number of cases per 100,000 people stood at almost 200 in Kildare compared with a national figure of 27.
Dr Glynn said Kildare accounted for one third of all cases in the country last week.
The Minister said that the people of Kildare, Laois and Offaly has shown the country that “targeted measures can suppress this virus” and how to “avoid more aggressive restrictions”.
“I know this is difficult news for families, businesses and communities across Kildare but make absolutely no mistake: your efforts are working, your efforts are saving lives and your efforts are preventing the sort of measures being needed that we all lived through earlier this year.”
Dr Glynn said that a high number of new cases continued to be reported daily in Kildare, with infections widely distributed across the country. The seven- and 14-day incidence rates have been at “several multiples of the national average,” he said.
He said there was “cause of cautious optimism” in Kildare given that the rate of unexplained community transmission was not out of line with national levels, and the numbers being treated in hospitals and critical care units remained low.
“This indicates that measures appear to be working, but due to the overall volume of active cases, more time is required to reduce the number of cases in Kildare.”
Mr Donnelly said he was “very aware” of the anxiety of parents with schools reopening, but that a “huge amount of work” has been done to prepare for a safe reopening.
Dr Glynn said that international evidence is that children do not commonly transmit the virus to each other or to adults in schools, and that schools do not drive community transmission.
Clusters
He said that four key workplace clusters in the county and a number of clusters in direct provision centres “do seem to be largely brought under control”, but the measures were being extended in Kildare to stop the virus spreading more widely into people’s homes.
Asked whether he was worried that the public anger over the flouting of Covid-19 guidelines by Oireachtas members at a golf society dinner in Cliften would undermine requests to adhere to public health advice, Dr Glynn said: "Perhaps I am naive but I am not concerned."
He said “public buy-in” had been at the heart of the pandemic response, and he felt there was an understanding of the importance that people had to protect themselves and their families.


theirishtimes--2020-08-22--Covid-19: Concerns growing recent controversies undermining State response

Concerns are growing in Government that serial controversies , culminating in the resignation of Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary on Friday , are undermining the State ’ s response to the Covid-19 crisis .
Multiple sources across Government on Friday expressed the view that a series of errors this week risked the stability of the Government as it faces into a challenging period .
“ I thought yesterday the Government had had the worst possible week it could have had , ” one Cabinet Minister said on Friday , after Mr Calleary and Seanad leas cathoirleach Jerry Buttimer resigned due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society event that appeared to breach pandemic rules on gatherings .
“ I am genuinely struggling to comprehend how colleagues can even do this , ” said the Minister , adding that social solidarity was already being tested as restrictions wore on and were intensified .
“ Hash tag ‘ in this together ’ was getting a bit jaded anyway.
” “ We are facing huge hurdles ; the Leaving Cert is a potential trip hazard , the budget , the next phase of dealing with Covid and the Brexit landmine , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do need to get our house in order , do our business professionally , communicate crisply with the public .
You can ’ t sustain endless weeks like this , something will give.
” The Taoiseach said there were no plans to recall the Dáil next week , but senior sources said Friday evening there had been no final decision made on whether the House would be recalled before it is due back on September 15th .
Michael McGrath , the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform , told The Irish Times that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message that we are trying to convey to the public ” .
“ I fully accept that as a member of Government this shouldn ’ t have happened if we want to retain the trust and confidence of people , ” he said .
Mr McGrath argued that “ the government will dust itself down and it will recover from this setback and provide a good government into the future , but there ’ s no getting away from the fact it has been a difficult week.
” He said that the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July stimulus and the plan for reopening schools .
“ There are too many people working incredibly hard on this for us to in any way accept defeat or give up .
We will win this battle against Covid-19 and we need to focus all efforts on bringing people with us.
” Mr Calleary ’ s resignation followed a week which saw a fractious cabinet meeting over renewed restrictions due to a rise in Covid-19 viruses , strong criticism of communications over what cultural activities were permitted , as well as of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a midweek broadcast interview .
A Fine Gael cabinet member said there was a need for a “ real and sincere mea culpa ” from the Taoiseach and the wider Government .
Another Fine Gael minister said there had been a “ litany of different things and if that continued there ’ d be a problem ” .
“ [ There have been ] so many different errors and if another thing happens , it ’ d be very hard to have faith , ” the Minister said .
“ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” A senior Government source expressed scepticism about the capacity of the administration to function effectively .
“ I get no sense that there is any shared understanding on how to fix the dysfunction at the heart of this government , ” the source said .
A Fianna Fáil minister of state said they were “ horrifingly embarrassed ” after the week , especially the golf society dinner .
“ Anything that was ever wrong with a Fianna Fáil tent in Galway was wrong with the Station House in Galway , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that voters were losing patience with the Government , with the controversy over the golf dinner escalating things further .

Concerns are growing in Government that serial controversies, culminating in the resignation of Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary on Friday, are undermining the State's response to the Covid-19 crisis.
Multiple sources across Government on Friday expressed the view that a series of errors this week risked the stability of the Government as it faces into a challenging period.
"I thought yesterday the Government had had the worst possible week it could have had," one Cabinet Minister said on Friday, after Mr Calleary and Seanad leas cathoirleach Jerry Buttimer resigned due to their attendance at an Oireachtas golf society event that appeared to breach pandemic rules on gatherings.
“I am genuinely struggling to comprehend how colleagues can even do this,” said the Minister, adding that social solidarity was already being tested as restrictions wore on and were intensified. “Hash tag ‘in this together’ was getting a bit jaded anyway.”
READ MORE
“We are facing huge hurdles; the Leaving Cert is a potential trip hazard, the budget, the next phase of dealing with Covid and the Brexit landmine,” said another cabinet member. “We do need to get our house in order, do our business professionally, communicate crisply with the public. You can’t sustain endless weeks like this, something will give.”
Dusting down
The Taoiseach said there were no plans to recall the Dáil next week, but senior sources said Friday evening there had been no final decision made on whether the House would be recalled before it is due back on September 15th.
Michael McGrath, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, told The Irish Times that “events like this can undermine the message that we are trying to convey to the public”.
“I fully accept that as a member of Government this shouldn’t have happened if we want to retain the trust and confidence of people,” he said.
Mr McGrath argued that “the government will dust itself down and it will recover from this setback and provide a good government into the future, but there’s no getting away from the fact it has been a difficult week.”
He said that the Government had achieved a lot, including the July stimulus and the plan for reopening schools. “There are too many people working incredibly hard on this for us to in any way accept defeat or give up. We will win this battle against Covid-19 and we need to focus all efforts on bringing people with us.”
Mr Calleary’s resignation followed a week which saw a fractious cabinet meeting over renewed restrictions due to a rise in Covid-19 viruses, strong criticism of communications over what cultural activities were permitted, as well as of the Minister for Health’s performance in a midweek broadcast interview.
‘Horrifingly embarrassed’
A Fine Gael cabinet member said there was a need for a "real and sincere mea culpa" from the Taoiseach and the wider Government.
Another Fine Gael minister said there had been a “litany of different things and if that continued there’d be a problem”. “[There have been] so many different errors and if another thing happens, it’d be very hard to have faith,” the Minister said. “We’re almost at breaking point as it is.”
A senior Government source expressed scepticism about the capacity of the administration to function effectively. “I get no sense that there is any shared understanding on how to fix the dysfunction at the heart of this government,” the source said.
A Fianna Fáil minister of state said they were "horrifingly embarrassed" after the week, especially the golf society dinner. "Anything that was ever wrong with a Fianna Fáil tent in Galway was wrong with the Station House in Galway," the junior minister said.
The minister added that voters were losing patience with the Government, with the controversy over the golf dinner escalating things further.


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--Thinking Anew – ‘Who do you say that I am?’

Whenever the Golan Heights are mentioned , many think of that disputed territory on the Israeli/Syrian Border where Irish soldiers have served with distinction on UN missions for many years .
In doing so they have given this nation a sense of pride in their work for peace .
Tomorrow ’ s gospel reading takes us there , to an archaeological site known as Banias where , in the time of Jesus , the Roman city of Caesarea Philippi stood .
Scholars believe it might have been the town of Baal-Gad mentioned in the Old Testament .
Just before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , King of the Jews , built a temple there , dedicated to the godhead of Caesar , a gesture to his political masters in return for favours .
The city also hosted a diversity of other cults and divinities .
That is significant for our understanding of the exchanges that took place there between Jesus and his disciples when he asked them where their loyalties lay : “ And you – who do you say that I am ?
” One wonders what the reaction was : a stunned silence perhaps , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one who asked the question ?
Was it an uncomfortable moment for them as it might well be for any of us ?
Peter breaks the silence : “ You are the Christ , the Son of the living God ” – a response that has had huge implications for the way the church is organised and led to this day .
Peter speaks up but what did the other disciples think ?
Two points worth noting .
The words attributed to Peter are hugely important theologically , but Peter was limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who he was : a man living in a patriarchal society , steeped in Jewish tradition and shaped by his cultural environment .
To him the gospel was a Jewish “ thing ” intended for that community .
We see that in his halfhearted acceptance of St Paul ’ s mission to the Gentile world .
The two men had an argument about it , as Paul records in his letter to the Galatians : “ When Peter came to Antioch , I told him face to face that he was wrong.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen as the Jewish Messiah was the cosmic Christ with universal significance .
The pages of the New Testament and church history show that our understanding of who Jesus Christ is must always retain the capacity to expand as we seek to apply his teaching in an ever-changing world .
This leads to the second point .
It has been suggested that Peter ’ s declaration seemingly made on behalf of all the disciples in effect silences them .
What might they have said given the opportunity ?
They would likely have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was/is just like people today both within and without the church .
We must not be afraid to live with questions about the One we know as Jesus Christ who is so rich in mystery and meaning that he is beyond words .
Deep-freeze theology leaves little room for the activity of the Holy Spirit , given to lead us into all truth because we haven ’ t got it yet .
When we focus instead on Jesus ’ question rather than Peter ’ s answer , the dialogue becomes much more open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s authority , which churches understandably do , the question invites each one of us – regardless of religious denomination , ethnicity , gender , or class – to reflect on the relationship between Jesus and ourselves because personal circumstances and experiences matter .
So , who is this Jesus ?
Archbishop Desmond Tutu suggests that he is certainly not someone to be afraid of , whoever we are : “ He said he had come to find those who were lost .
He even said , quite unbelievably that these prostitutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious teachers and leaders into heaven .
Jesus revolutionised religion by showing that God was really a disreputable God , a God on the side of the social pariahs .
He shows us God as one who accepted us sinners unconditionally .
”

Whenever the Golan Heights are mentioned, many think of that disputed territory on the Israeli/Syrian Border where Irish soldiers have served with distinction on UN missions for many years. In doing so they have given this nation a sense of pride in their work for peace. Tomorrow’s gospel reading takes us there, to an archaeological site known as Banias where, in the time of Jesus, the Roman city of Caesarea Philippi stood. Scholars believe it might have been the town of Baal-Gad mentioned in the Old Testament. Just before the time of Jesus, Herod the Great, King of the Jews, built a temple there, dedicated to the godhead of Caesar, a gesture to his political masters in return for favours. The city also hosted a diversity of other cults and divinities. That is significant for our understanding of the exchanges that took place there between Jesus and his disciples when he asked them where their loyalties lay: “And you – who do you say that I am?” One wonders what the reaction was: a stunned silence perhaps, a looking away, anywhere but at the one who asked the question? Was it an uncomfortable moment for them as it might well be for any of us? Peter breaks the silence: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” – a response that has had huge implications for the way the church is organised and led to this day. Peter speaks up but what did the other disciples think?
Two points worth noting. The words attributed to Peter are hugely important theologically, but Peter was limited in his understanding of them because of who he was: a man living in a patriarchal society, steeped in Jewish tradition and shaped by his cultural environment. To him the gospel was a Jewish “thing” intended for that community. We see that in his halfhearted acceptance of St Paul’s mission to the Gentile world. The two men had an argument about it, as Paul records in his letter to the Galatians: “When Peter came to Antioch, I told him face to face that he was wrong.” Paul would insist that the Jesus first seen as the Jewish Messiah was the cosmic Christ with universal significance. The pages of the New Testament and church history show that our understanding of who Jesus Christ is must always retain the capacity to expand as we seek to apply his teaching in an ever-changing world. This leads to the second point.
It has been suggested that Peter’s declaration seemingly made on behalf of all the disciples in effect silences them. What might they have said given the opportunity? They would likely have had a range of opinions about who Jesus was/is just like people today both within and without the church. We must not be afraid to live with questions about the One we know as Jesus Christ who is so rich in mystery and meaning that he is beyond words. Deep-freeze theology leaves little room for the activity of the Holy Spirit, given to lead us into all truth because we haven’t got it yet.
When we focus instead on Jesus’ question rather than Peter’s answer, the dialogue becomes much more open and challenging. Instead of affirming Peter’s authority, which churches understandably do, the question invites each one of us – regardless of religious denomination, ethnicity, gender, or class – to reflect on the relationship between Jesus and ourselves because personal circumstances and experiences matter.
READ MORE
So, who is this Jesus? Archbishop Desmond Tutu suggests that he is certainly not someone to be afraid of, whoever we are: “He said he had come to find those who were lost. He even said, quite unbelievably that these prostitutes, these sinners, would precede the religious teachers and leaders into heaven. Jesus revolutionised religion by showing that God was really a disreputable God, a God on the side of the social pariahs. He shows us God as one who accepted us sinners unconditionally.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--Kildare lockdown: ‘We just want to be married and get on with our lives’

On Friday morning Lorna O ’ Driscoll and Declan Flynn nervously awaited news on whether Kildare would be released from lockdown .
For them the implications were huge - could they get married or not ?
“ This is our second go at it , ” Declan explained , hours before the news came down that the county would remain under tighter restrictions for a further two weeks .
“ We were [ originally ] due to be married on the 5th of June .
Moyvalley [ Hotel in Kildare ] were really , really supportive .
Our original numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are down to 45 ; we had to make some quite difficult calls.
” The Dublin couple , who met four years ago , were due to be married next Thursday .
Now everything is up in the air again - the wedding , the honeymoon , the costs .
Theirs is just one of many stories of how lockdown disrupts life .
“ At this stage we have planned and re-planned so many times , ” said Lorna .
“ We don ’ t know if we need to plan another wedding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what to do .
“ I thought I would be worried about silly things like the weather and my hair and now we are worried about , can we get married.
” In April , they rescheduled for a smaller service at the end of August and began to look forward to it again .
Friends and cousins , removed from the guest list in order to stick to social distancing requirements , understood .
Aunts and uncles graciously volunteered to drop out .
There is also the unknown financial implications of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply do not know what costs they are facing .
Earlier this year they cancelled their honeymoon in Greece and now its replacement , a week in Kerry , is also uncertain .
Their wedding bands each have the wrong date engraved .
Currently refurbishing their first home , they know others who have postponed their nuptials but it is not a course they want to take .
But with the extended lockdown announced on Friday , the one certainty is that their planned wedding will not proceed , again .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on with our lives , ” says Lorna , “ to do all of the things that you are supposed to get to do.
” Simon Mooney , general manager of the Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort on the Balyna Estate where next week ’ s wedding was supposed to take place says he has had 45 postponements and five cancellations so far this year .
His turnover will be cut by at least 70 per cent .
“ It ’ s more than a bit of a blow , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said of the ongoing localised restrictions .
“ We are absolutely disgusted and even more angry now considering the scandal with golfgate which is just a kick in the teeth.
” He was , of course , referring to the controversial Oireachtas Golf Society dinner in Galway , the fallout from which consumed the Government on Friday .
For many in Kildare , it raised further frustration as to why they should put up with more pain from Covid-19 restrictions .
“ That event not only should not have taken place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotels , the Moyvalley had stuck rigidly to national guidelines ahead of the three county lockdown , even at the cost of turning away business .
“ Kildare ’ s reputation has been completely targeted here , completely affected , ” he said .
“ It ’ s ruined for the foreseeable future ... who wants to stay in Kildare at the moment ?
There is a total stigma.
” It is a sentiment shared by Mary Supple , owner of the Finesse Weddings shop in Rathangan who says people lose interest when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A planner and decor provider , she has moved 130 weddings into 2021 and 2022 .
“ The diary list filtered out within a matter of weeks , ” she said .
“ We have a small amount of weddings hanging in for the rest of the year .
The uncertainty is a big thing for couples .
“ I don ’ t blame them postponing until next year , how can you make a plan ?
” The renewed restrictions mean the content of her showroom - flowers , linens , table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unavailable for inspection by potential clients .
As for the Galway controversy : “ I was angry ... it makes a mockery of Irish people who have stayed at home and adhered to the guidelines.
” Sorcha O ’ Neill , a Kildare-based civil celebrant for the last four years , has also seen many weddings rescheduled .
“ Most of my bookings that have tried to push out for later in this year have gone to 2022 because it ’ s impossible to find anything , ” she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something in the same venue .
Usually the venue means something to the clients .
”

On Friday morning Lorna O'Driscoll and Declan Flynn nervously awaited news on whether Kildare would be released from lockdown. For them the implications were huge - could they get married or not?
“This is our second go at it,” Declan explained, hours before the news came down that the county would remain under tighter restrictions for a further two weeks.
"We were [originally] due to be married on the 5th of June. Moyvalley [Hotel in Kildare] were really, really supportive. Our original numbers were 160 to 170. Now we are down to 45; we had to make some quite difficult calls."
The Dublin couple, who met four years ago, were due to be married next Thursday. Now everything is up in the air again - the wedding, the honeymoon, the costs. Theirs is just one of many stories of how lockdown disrupts life.
READ MORE
“At this stage we have planned and re-planned so many times,” said Lorna. “We don’t know if we need to plan another wedding again. We just don’t know what to do.
“I thought I would be worried about silly things like the weather and my hair and now we are worried about, can we get married.”
In April, they rescheduled for a smaller service at the end of August and began to look forward to it again. Friends and cousins, removed from the guest list in order to stick to social distancing requirements, understood. Aunts and uncles graciously volunteered to drop out.
Declan Flynn and Lorna O’Driscoll whose Kildare wedding has been put off for a second time due to Covid-19 restrictions. Photograph: Lorna O’Driscoll.
There is also the unknown financial implications of a possible third attempt - the couple simply do not know what costs they are facing. Earlier this year they cancelled their honeymoon in Greece and now its replacement, a week in Kerry, is also uncertain. Their wedding bands each have the wrong date engraved.
Currently refurbishing their first home, they know others who have postponed their nuptials but it is not a course they want to take. But with the extended lockdown announced on Friday, the one certainty is that their planned wedding will not proceed, again.
“We just want to be married and get on with our lives,” says Lorna, “to do all of the things that you are supposed to get to do.”
‘Fuming’
Simon Mooney, general manager of the Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort on the Balyna Estate where next week's wedding was supposed to take place says he has had 45 postponements and five cancellations so far this year. His turnover will be cut by at least 70 per cent.
“It’s more than a bit of a blow, it’s absolutely devastating. We are fuming,” he said of the ongoing localised restrictions.
“We are absolutely disgusted and even more angry now considering the scandal with golfgate which is just a kick in the teeth.”
He was, of course, referring to the controversial Oireachtas Golf Society dinner in Galway, the fallout from which consumed the Government on Friday. For many in Kildare, it raised further frustration as to why they should put up with more pain from Covid-19 restrictions.
“That event not only should not have taken place,” he said.
Stigma
Like other hotels, the Moyvalley had stuck rigidly to national guidelines ahead of the three county lockdown, even at the cost of turning away business.
“Kildare’s reputation has been completely targeted here, completely affected,” he said. “It’s ruined for the foreseeable future...who wants to stay in Kildare at the moment? There is a total stigma.”
It is a sentiment shared by Mary Supple, owner of the Finesse Weddings shop in Rathangan who says people lose interest when they hear they are Kildare based. A planner and decor provider, she has moved 130 weddings into 2021 and 2022.
“The diary list filtered out within a matter of weeks,” she said. “We have a small amount of weddings hanging in for the rest of the year. The uncertainty is a big thing for couples.
“I don’t blame them postponing until next year, how can you make a plan?”
The renewed restrictions mean the content of her showroom - flowers, linens, table centrepieces - will remains behind closed doors, unavailable for inspection by potential clients.
As for the Galway controversy: “I was angry...it makes a mockery of Irish people who have stayed at home and adhered to the guidelines.”
Sorcha O’Neill, a Kildare-based civil celebrant for the last four years, has also seen many weddings rescheduled.
“Most of my bookings that have tried to push out for later in this year have gone to 2022 because it’s impossible to find anything,” she said.
“They are praying that they can get something in the same venue. Usually the venue means something to the clients.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--Irish Hotels Federation was awaiting clarification on new guidelines at time of golf dinner

The Irish Hotels Federation has said it was awaiting clarification from the Government on updated guidelines for the hosting of functions in hotels announced last Tuesday at the time a controversial dinner was hosted by the Oireachtas Golf Society in a hotel in Connemara on Wednesday .
The IHF indicated it believed that the event , which led to the resignation of the Minister for Agriculture , Dara Calleary , complied with Government guidelines under a protocol agreed with the Department of Tourism .
In a statement issued on Friday , the IHF said current guidelines around capacity at an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permitted a maximum of 50 people at any one time including hotel staff and other event support workers .
Although that condition pertained at the time the event was first organised , stricter guidelines were announced by the government on Tuesday which stated that “ no formal or informal events or parties should be organised ” in hotels , with the exception of weddings .
The Oireachtas Golf Society ’ s 50th anniversary dinner at the Station House Hotel in Clifden , Co Galway was attended by 81 guests split between two rooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one room and 36 in the other .
The IHF said it had sought clarification on the updated measures announced on Tuesday from Government officials .
The organisation said it had advised its members at the time that the “ status quo ” in terms of operational procedures remained in place until further notice as part of an agreed protocol with the department with responsibility for tourism .
“ Multiple gatherings are allowed in venue facilities provided they are in separate defined spaces and there are systems to prevent intermingling in common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities , ” the IHF said .
The IHF said it was the responsibility of individual hotels to ensure compliance with published operational guidelines .
“ We encourage all hotels to ensure that they are fully compliant with the operational guidelines , ” it added .
In a second statement on Friday the IHF said it had received “ interim guidance ” from Fáilte Ireland on Friday afternoon which set out the new measures restricting indoor gatherings to six people and outdoor events to 15 , with the exception of weddings where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federation said it was expecting additional guidance on “ urgent points of clarification ” next week .
It observed that the guidelines which were developed by Fáilte Ireland were “ detailed and complex and evolve with changing public health advice ” .
The IHF said there was an established process that the Department of Tourism circulated guidelines following the announcement of any changes to existing restrictions .
The federation did not respond to a series of further questions put to it by The Irish Times seeking further comment on its attitude to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on numbers attending single events .
The main organiser of the golf dinner , Donie Cassidy , a former Fianna Fáil senator and president of the Oireachtas Golf Society , was not contactable .
However an informed source said Mr Cassidy had advised guests that the hotel had sought advice and were content that the event could proceed while operating within Government guidelines .
A person staying at the hotel with his family told The Irish Times he saw no evidence of social distancing when he witnessed the attendees arriving .
“ No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the witness who asked that his name not be used .
One of the attendees at the Oireachtas Golf Society event , a county councillor , said he had personally asked the hotel ’ s manager about arrangements and had been informed that the function was in compliance with Government guidelines .
“ He said they have been reassured by the Irish Hotels Federation that everything was OK , ” the councillor said .
He added : “ If we had a whiff that we were not in compliance with the guidelines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the door.
” The councillor insisted that only “ three to four per cent of the partition ” was open between the two rooms , while the only people passing through it were a few recipients of prizes .
According to the Station House Hotel , its management liaised with the IHF prior to the event and were advised to ensure that there were no more than 50 in a room at any one time .
“ We would never try to exceed the guidelines .
We wouldn ’ t do anything to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is not something we take lightly , ” it added .

The Station House Hotel in Clifden where the golf dinner was held said it “wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise the hotel or the people dining”.
The Irish Hotels Federation has said it was awaiting clarification from the Government on updated guidelines for the hosting of functions in hotels announced last Tuesday at the time a controversial dinner was hosted by the Oireachtas Golf Society in a hotel in Connemara on Wednesday.
The IHF indicated it believed that the event, which led to the resignation of the Minister for Agriculture, Dara Calleary, complied with Government guidelines under a protocol agreed with the Department of Tourism.
In a statement issued on Friday, the IHF said current guidelines around capacity at an indoor event were “clear” and permitted a maximum of 50 people at any one time including hotel staff and other event support workers.
Although that condition pertained at the time the event was first organised, stricter guidelines were announced by the government on Tuesday which stated that “no formal or informal events or parties should be organised” in hotels, with the exception of weddings.
READ MORE
The Oireachtas Golf Society's 50th anniversary dinner at the Station House Hotel in Clifden, Co Galway was attended by 81 guests split between two rooms separated by a partition with 45 diners in one room and 36 in the other.
The IHF said it had sought clarification on the updated measures announced on Tuesday from Government officials.
The organisation said it had advised its members at the time that the “status quo” in terms of operational procedures remained in place until further notice as part of an agreed protocol with the department with responsibility for tourism.
“Multiple gatherings are allowed in venue facilities provided they are in separate defined spaces and there are systems to prevent intermingling in common spaces like entrances, exits and toilet facilities,” the IHF said.
The IHF said it was the responsibility of individual hotels to ensure compliance with published operational guidelines.
“We encourage all hotels to ensure that they are fully compliant with the operational guidelines,” it added.
In a second statement on Friday the IHF said it had received "interim guidance" from Fáilte Ireland on Friday afternoon which set out the new measures restricting indoor gatherings to six people and outdoor events to 15, with the exception of weddings where the maximum permitted number is 50.
The federation said it was expecting additional guidance on “urgent points of clarification” next week.
It observed that the guidelines which were developed by Fáilte Ireland were “detailed and complex and evolve with changing public health advice”.
The IHF said there was an established process that the Department of Tourism circulated guidelines following the announcement of any changes to existing restrictions.
The federation did not respond to a series of further questions put to it by The Irish Times seeking further comment on its attitude to the use of partitions to circumvent the limit on numbers attending single events.
The main organiser of the golf dinner, Donie Cassidy, a former Fianna Fáil senator and president of the Oireachtas Golf Society, was not contactable. However an informed source said Mr Cassidy had advised guests that the hotel had sought advice and were content that the event could proceed while operating within Government guidelines.
A person staying at the hotel with his family told The Irish Times he saw no evidence of social distancing when he witnessed the attendees arriving.
“No masks. No distancing,” said the witness who asked that his name not be used.
One of the attendees at the Oireachtas Golf Society event, a county councillor, said he had personally asked the hotel’s manager about arrangements and had been informed that the function was in compliance with Government guidelines.
“He said they have been reassured by the Irish Hotels Federation that everything was OK,” the councillor said.
He added: “If we had a whiff that we were not in compliance with the guidelines, there would have been a rush out the door.”
The councillor insisted that only “three to four per cent of the partition” was open between the two rooms, while the only people passing through it were a few recipients of prizes.
According to the Station House Hotel, its management liaised with the IHF prior to the event and were advised to ensure that there were no more than 50 in a room at any one time.
“We would never try to exceed the guidelines. We wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise the hotel or the people dining. This is not something we take lightly,” it added.


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--Anti-mask, anti-lockdown protest planned for Dublin on Saturday

The Garda public order unit is being put on standby ahead of an anti-lockdown and anti-facemask protest due to take place in Dublin on Saturday .
The protest , which is being organised by the group Health Freedom Ireland with support from Yellow Vest Ireland , has attracted support and publicity from far-right figures , although Health Freedom Ireland has said it is a “ non-political organisation ” .
The group is led by Maeve Murran , a “ kinesiologist ” and anti-vaccination campaigner , and Kelly Johnson , a homeopath who has claimed vaccines can cause autism .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a complete end to the Covid-19 lockdown .
The issues being protested on Saturday include “ insistence on using the store-provided hand sanitisers , even when people bring their own ” and “ discussion of social distancing , mask wearing and other measures in school , ” according to a statement .
The group said it has planned a peaceful protest which will be addressed by , among others , Dolores Cahill , the chair of the Irish Freedom Party and Ben Gilroy , a self-described anti-eviction campaigner who has been banned from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts .
The group has been organising buses from around the country and selling branded merchandise .
Gardaí also believe a significant number of people may be travelling from abroad to attend .
The German group Querdenken which has organised large anti-lockdown protests in Berlin , have been involved in providing buses from the continent .
Gardaí fear public anger over the Oireachtas Golf Society scandal , combined with the possibility of left-wing counter-protests could lead to disturbances and clashes Officers in Store Street have been told to prepare for possible violence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from around the city , is expected to be on standby .
However , as per standard protocol it will remain out of sight unless needed .
“ There is worry that the anger generated by the controversy in Galway [ surrounding Wednesday ’ s golf dinner ] and the possibility of more [ Covid-19 ] restrictions will lead to a large turnout and heightened temperatures , ” a senior garda source said .
“ That comes with public safety risks.
” It is understood no formal counter-protest has been organised but there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small groups opposed to the far-right presence at the march .
Several recent far-right protests , including a demonstration against Minister for Children Roderic O ’ Gorman over false accusations he endorsed child abuse , have resulted in minor skirmishes with counter-protesters .
A Garda spokesman said the event will be policed in line with standard procedures .

‘Alt-right’ protest in July in Dublin resulted in scuffles with opposition protestors and the arrival of the Garda public order unit, which was not deployed. Photograph: Alan Betson
The Garda public order unit is being put on standby ahead of an anti-lockdown and anti-facemask protest due to take place in Dublin on Saturday.
The protest, which is being organised by the group Health Freedom Ireland with support from Yellow Vest Ireland, has attracted support and publicity from far-right figures, although Health Freedom Ireland has said it is a “non-political organisation”.
The group is led by Maeve Murran, a “kinesiologist” and anti-vaccination campaigner, and Kelly Johnson, a homeopath who has claimed vaccines can cause autism.
In May, Health Freedom Ireland called for a complete end to the Covid-19 lockdown.
READ MORE
The issues being protested on Saturday include “insistence on using the store-provided hand sanitisers, even when people bring their own” and “discussion of social distancing, mask wearing and other measures in school,” according to a statement.
The group said it has planned a peaceful protest which will be addressed by, among others, Dolores Cahill, the chair of the Irish Freedom Party and Ben Gilroy, a self-described anti-eviction campaigner who has been banned from acting as a legal adviser by the courts.
The group has been organising buses from around the country and selling branded merchandise.
Gardaí also believe a significant number of people may be travelling from abroad to attend. The German group Querdenken which has organised large anti-lockdown protests in Berlin, have been involved in providing buses from the continent.
Gardaí fear public anger over the Oireachtas Golf Society scandal, combined with the possibility of left-wing counter-protests could lead to disturbances and clashes
Officers in Store Street have been told to prepare for possible violence and the public order unit, including members from around the city, is expected to be on standby. However, as per standard protocol it will remain out of sight unless needed.
“There is worry that the anger generated by the controversy in Galway [surrounding Wednesday’s golf dinner] and the possibility of more [Covid-19] restrictions will lead to a large turnout and heightened temperatures,” a senior garda source said. “That comes with public safety risks.”
It is understood no formal counter-protest has been organised but there is concern about clashes with individuals or small groups opposed to the far-right presence at the march.
Several recent far-right protests, including a demonstration against Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman over false accusations he endorsed child abuse, have resulted in minor incidents with counter-protesters.*
A Garda spokesman said the event will be policed in line with standard procedures.
*This article was edited on August 24th 2020


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--‘Golf-gate’ overshadows lottery win during a mad week in Clifden

It ’ s always crazy in Clifden at this time of year .
Any fears that this summer might be different in the Connemara town because of Covid-19 have most certainly been swept aside this week .
It all started with a €7 million lottery win last week .
Then Storm Ellen saw locals tying down everything that could be tied down .
And , lastly , the Oireachtas Golf Society came to town .
Locals say this has been Clifden ’ s busiest summer in years .
While the usual influx of US and continental European tourists has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dublin , have filled every bed in the town .
Most townspeople were unaware that a political delegation attending the Oireachtas golf outing had visited the Station House Hotel until a media storm broke on Thursday night .
But politicians and celebrities are not rare in Clifden in the summer .
“ It ’ s a disgrace .
I haven ’ t been further than the beach with my dog since this started and they have come from all over the country this week , ” said Paddy Howard , a chef in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We have been doing everything right and most of the tourists who have come here have been compliant , and then you have this sort of behaviour this week .
It ’ s the talk of the town.
” The Station House Hotel is owned by businessman John Sweeney .
Having employed hundreds of people in the area over the years in his various ventures , including an oil distribution business , there is considerable sympathy for him and anger at the politicians .
Lisa King , president of Clifden Chamber of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paper & Gift Shop in the town , said it was vital that everybody followed the same rules .
“ From a business point of view we would like everybody to follow the same rules .
It is unfortunate that these [ politicians ] broke their own rules , ” she said .
“ We don ’ t believe there should be one rule for them and one rule for us.
” The golf society was celebrating its 50th anniversary this week and Geoff Tucker , captain of Connemara Golf Links in Ballyconneely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plays the course in August .
He did not know when this year ’ s booking was made , but the event usually takes place around the same time .
He did not attend the dinner on Wednesday evening but met society president Donie Cassidy and captain Noel Grealish during the day .
Mr Tucker said the family of the late TD and MEP Mark Killilea , to whom tributes were paid at the dinner , had a mobile home at the back of the club .
“ They have been a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the last 45 years , ” he said .
Only basic catering facilities are available at the golf club as they adhere to the Covid-19 restrictions , and it would not have been able to host the prize-giving dinner , Mr Tucker added .
Back in the town Joe Rogan , who sold the winning Lotto ticket at his Gala service station shop , might have expected to see out the week as the top news story in the region , let alone the town .
“ This story has trumped me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ It has been non-stop chat today about it .
It ’ s not good at all .
”

It’s always crazy in Clifden at this time of year. Any fears that this summer might be different in the Connemara town because of Covid-19 have most certainly been swept aside this week.
It all started with a €7 million lottery win last week. Then Storm Ellen saw locals tying down everything that could be tied down. And, lastly, the Oireachtas Golf Society came to town.
Locals say this has been Clifden’s busiest summer in years. While the usual influx of US and continental European tourists has been halted, Irish visitors, mostly from Dublin, have filled every bed in the town.
Paddy Howard of Off The Square restaurant in Clifden, Co Galway. Photograph: Aoife Herriott
Most of the tourists who have come here have been compliant, and then you have this sort of behaviour
Most townspeople were unaware that a political delegation attending the Oireachtas golf outing had visited the Station House Hotel until a media storm broke on Thursday night. But politicians and celebrities are not rare in Clifden in the summer.
READ MORE
“It’s a disgrace. I haven’t been further than the beach with my dog since this started and they have come from all over the country this week,” said Paddy Howard, a chef in the popular Off the Square restaurant.
“We have been doing everything right and most of the tourists who have come here have been compliant, and then you have this sort of behaviour this week. It’s the talk of the town.”
Sympathy
The Station House Hotel is owned by businessman John Sweeney. Having employed hundreds of people in the area over the years in his various ventures, including an oil distribution business, there is considerable sympathy for him and anger at the politicians.
Lisa King, president of Clifden Chamber of Commerce and operator of King’s Paper & Gift Shop in the town, said it was vital that everybody followed the same rules.
“From a business point of view we would like everybody to follow the same rules. It is unfortunate that these [politicians] broke their own rules,” she said. “We don’t believe there should be one rule for them and one rule for us.”
Only basic catering facilities are available at the golf club as they adhere to the Covid-19 restrictions
The golf society was celebrating its 50th anniversary this week and Geoff Tucker, captain of Connemara Golf Links in Ballyconneely, said that most years the group plays the course in August. He did not know when this year’s booking was made, but the event usually takes place around the same time.
He did not attend the dinner on Wednesday evening but met society president Donie Cassidy and captain Noel Grealish during the day.
Mobile home
Mr Tucker said the family of the late TD and MEP Mark Killilea, to whom tributes were paid at the dinner, had a mobile home at the back of the club. “They have been a long time coming to the golf club – over the last 45 years,” he said.
Only basic catering facilities are available at the golf club as they adhere to the Covid-19 restrictions, and it would not have been able to host the prize-giving dinner, Mr Tucker added.
Back in the town Joe Rogan, who sold the winning Lotto ticket at his Gala service station shop, might have expected to see out the week as the top news story in the region, let alone the town.
“This story has trumped me now, so it has,” he said. “It has been non-stop chat today about it. It’s not good at all.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--Man arrested over lucrative international fraud activities in Ireland

A man has been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the activities of an international crime gang whose money laundering operation has been using Irish bank accounts to receive money that has been stolen all over the world .
The Irish Times understands the gang carrying out the frauds is West African , though it has used the bank accounts of people from a large number of countries .
The gang specialises in invoice redirect fraud , with suspects arrested in recent weeks in counties Louth and Dublin .
It is believed to have stolen hundreds of millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portion of the money has been routed through Irish bank accounts .
In the latest phase of the inquiry , codenamed Operation Joggle , a man in his 30s was arrested for questioning in west Dublin by members of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau ( GNECB ) .
The suspect , who is from Eastern Europe , was taken to Blanchardstown Garda station on suspicion his account was used to receive the proceeds of two frauds .
“ This arrest is in relation to two international invoice redirection frauds , totalling €36,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts , ” gardaí said .
The suspect was being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act .
He was the fourth person arrested as part of Operation Joggle .
Gardaí believe he is a minor figure in what is a global criminal network .
Invoice redirect fraud involves crime gangs tricking companies into lodging money into accounts controlled by the criminals .
They send invoices to companies purporting to come from one of the targeted companies ’ trading partners .
In order to carry out a fraud successfully that gang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have obtained through hacking or from the firms ’ websites or social media accounts .
When the invoice is paid the money is transferred into a bank account controlled by the fraudsters rather than into the account of the legitimate company owed the money .
Fraudsters gain control of accounts by opening them under false identities or paying the account holder for access to their account for the purposes of receiving and transferring money .
Operation Joggle has been ongoing for over a year and is investigating the Irish bank accounts being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is suspected the cash received into Irish accounts has then been rerouted back to West Africa .
A significant porting of the money has been laundered through companies to disguise the criminal origins of the cash , in a practice known as “ trade-based ” money laundering .

A man has been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the activities of an international crime gang whose money laundering operation has been using Irish bank accounts to receive money that has been stolen all over the world.
The Irish Times understands the gang carrying out the frauds is West African, though it has used the bank accounts of people from a large number of countries.
The gang specialises in invoice redirect fraud, with suspects arrested in recent weeks in counties Louth and Dublin. It is believed to have stolen hundreds of millions of euro globally, though only a portion of the money has been routed through Irish bank accounts.
In the latest phase of the inquiry, codenamed Operation Joggle, a man in his 30s was arrested for questioning in west Dublin by members of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB).
READ MORE
The suspect, who is from Eastern Europe, was taken to Blanchardstown Garda station on suspicion his account was used to receive the proceeds of two frauds.
“This arrest is in relation to two international invoice redirection frauds, totalling €36,000, which were received into Irish bank accounts,” gardaí said.
The suspect was being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. He was the fourth person arrested as part of Operation Joggle. Gardaí believe he is a minor figure in what is a global criminal network.
Invoice redirect fraud involves crime gangs tricking companies into lodging money into accounts controlled by the criminals. They send invoices to companies purporting to come from one of the targeted companies’ trading partners.
In order to carry out a fraud successfully that gang often uses information about both companies that they have obtained through hacking or from the firms’ websites or social media accounts.
When the invoice is paid the money is transferred into a bank account controlled by the fraudsters rather than into the account of the legitimate company owed the money. Fraudsters gain control of accounts by opening them under false identities or paying the account holder for access to their account for the purposes of receiving and transferring money.
Operation Joggle has been ongoing for over a year and is investigating the Irish bank accounts being used by the international gang. It is suspected the cash received into Irish accounts has then been rerouted back to West Africa. A significant porting of the money has been laundered through companies to disguise the criminal origins of the cash, in a practice known as "trade-based" money laundering.


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--Covid-19: Minister tells parents schools will be ‘safe and welcoming’

Parents can be assured that schools are taking all necessary precautions to ensure children will return to “ safe and welcoming ” classrooms from next week , Minister for Education Normal Foley has said .
The recent increase in Covid-19 cases and challenges involved in putting safety measures in place has led to many calls from parents and teachers on social media to delay the start of the academic year .
The Association of Secondary Teachers , Ireland ( ASTI ) said some of its members had safety concerns ahead of schools reopening and that it had sought a meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) to outline its views .
“ Understandably there is much trepidation amongst teachers as they begin what will no doubt prove to be an extremely challenging school year .
The ASTI is seeking this meeting to have the concerns of teachers addressed , most especially teachers suffering from serious underlying illnesses , ” ASTI president Ann Piggott said .
“ Given the evolving situation and the recent reappraisal of some of the advice provided by NPHET and HPSC , teachers have been expressing concerns about the health implications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ASTI said it was “ seeking an expansion of accommodations ” from the department to provide for teachers who fall into at risk categories , including remote teaching .
Ms Foley said enormous work is being undertaken in school communities to provide a safe environment for the return of children to schools .
“ For parents , I understand that you may feel anxious about your child ’ s return to school , ” she said .
“ We are living in a new normal .
However , we have put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the dedication of the principals and teachers at a local school level , you can be assured that your child will return to a safe and welcoming classroom.
” Meanwhile , Ms Foley confirmed Leaving Cert and Junior Cycle candidates are to be given greater choice in next year ’ s State exam papers to help ease pressure on students who have lost out on months of school .
It means that students completing the Leaving Cert higher level English exam , for example , will have a wider selection of poets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Similar changes with greater choice and fewer mandatory questions are being made to all State exams due to be held next year .
A subject-by-subject document outlining the changes for State exam candidates is available on the Department of Education ’ s website .
In Leaving Cert subjects where students are given project briefs , these will be issued about a month earlier than normal to ease pressure on students .
In addition , subjects with course completion dates late in the school year will have the deadline brought forward by about two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For Junior Cycle students , the number of classroom based assessments which students must complete has been reduced from two to one .
The date for the completion of this assessment has been extended into the new school year .
In addition , Junior Cycle students taking the final exams in 2021 will not be required to complete assessment tasks for relevant subjects .
As a result , the grade descriptor awarded for these subjects will be based on the exam paper only .
The changes were been arrived at through discussions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Examinations Commission , the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment ( NACH ) and key stakeholders .
Ms Foley said the decision to give students more choice in exams was the most appropriate way to take account of the challenges facing State exam students who have out of the classroom since last March .
She said the changes will play to student strengths by leaving intact the familiar overall structure of the exams while incorporating additional choice .
Adjusting or tapering curriculum would not be effective , she said , given that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courses .

Minister for Education Norma Foley: ‘we have put in place all the precautions necessary and along with the dedication of the principals and teachers at a local school leve.’ Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Parents can be assured that schools are taking all necessary precautions to ensure children will return to “safe and welcoming” classrooms from next week, Minister for Education Normal Foley has said.
The recent increase in Covid-19 cases and challenges involved in putting safety measures in place has led to many calls from parents and teachers on social media to delay the start of the academic year.
The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) said some of its members had safety concerns ahead of schools reopening and that it had sought a meeting with the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) to outline its views.
“Understandably there is much trepidation amongst teachers as they begin what will no doubt prove to be an extremely challenging school year. The ASTI is seeking this meeting to have the concerns of teachers addressed, most especially teachers suffering from serious underlying illnesses,” ASTI president Ann Piggott said.
READ MORE
“Given the evolving situation and the recent reappraisal of some of the advice provided by NPHET and HPSC, teachers have been expressing concerns about the health implications of a return to the classroom.”
The ASTI said it was “seeking an expansion of accommodations” from the department to provide for teachers who fall into at risk categories, including remote teaching.
Ms Foley said enormous work is being undertaken in school communities to provide a safe environment for the return of children to schools.
“For parents, I understand that you may feel anxious about your child’s return to school,” she said.
“We are living in a new normal. However, we have put in place all the precautions necessary and along with the dedication of the principals and teachers at a local school level, you can be assured that your child will return to a safe and welcoming classroom.”
More choice
Meanwhile, Ms Foley confirmed Leaving Cert and Junior Cycle candidates are to be given greater choice in next year's State exam papers to help ease pressure on students who have lost out on months of school.
It means that students completing the Leaving Cert higher level English exam, for example, will have a wider selection of poets and other questions in the exam. Similar changes with greater choice and fewer mandatory questions are being made to all State exams due to be held next year.
A subject-by-subject document outlining the changes for State exam candidates is available on the Department of Education's website.
In Leaving Cert subjects where students are given project briefs, these will be issued about a month earlier than normal to ease pressure on students.
In addition, subjects with course completion dates late in the school year will have the deadline brought forward by about two weeks as a “contingency measures”.
For Junior Cycle students, the number of classroom based assessments which students must complete has been reduced from two to one.
The date for the completion of this assessment has been extended into the new school year.
In addition, Junior Cycle students taking the final exams in 2021 will not be required to complete assessment tasks for relevant subjects.
As a result, the grade descriptor awarded for these subjects will be based on the exam paper only.
Clarity
The changes were been arrived at through discussions between the Department of Education, the State Examinations Commission, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NACH) and key stakeholders .
Ms Foley said the decision to give students more choice in exams was the most appropriate way to take account of the challenges facing State exam students who have out of the classroom since last March.
She said the changes will play to student strengths by leaving intact the familiar overall structure of the exams while incorporating additional choice.
Adjusting or tapering curriculum would not be effective, she said, given that schools are at different stages in teaching courses.


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--New €37m flood relief works ‘not to blame for Skibbereen flooding’

The new €37 million flood relief scheme for Skibbereen was not at fault for the flooding which affected up to a dozen homes and businesses in the town , Minister of State Patrick O ’ Donovan told flood victims during a visit to the town today .
Mr O ’ Donovan , who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works , visited the Bridge Street area of Skibbereen on Friday where premises such as the Eldon Hotel ended up under two feet of water after flood water came gushing down the street during Storm Ellen on Wednesday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ any concerns among the residents and business people that the main OPW flood defence works , now substantially completed , had in failed or were to blame for the flooding on Bridge Street .
“ Having witnessed the terrible damage from flooding in other areas of west Cork only last week and now here again in Skibbereen as a result of Storm Ellen , I am seeing at first hand the havoc and destruction that severe weather and intense rainfall can cause to communities , ” he said .
“ It has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bridge Street on Wednesday was caused by a capacity issue and blockage in a storm drain at the Cutting/Rossa Road and was not in any way connected with a failing in the main OPW flood defences now installed in the town .
“ I would like to assure the people of Skibbereen that I and my officials are fully satisfied that the main flood scheme is working effectively and has ensured that more widespread flooding and damage in the town has been avoided.
” Mr O ’ Donovan said flooding which occurred on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellen was again completely separate from the main flood relief scheme and occurred due to an undersized culvert under the main N71 road .
Earlier , Ezra MacManamon of the OPW told The Irish Times the flooding on Bridge Street stemmed from minor works not being completed on time on a culvert on the Cutting which caters for a stream whose existence only came to light during the major flood relief scheme .
“ The major flood relief scheme did its job on Wednesday night but very late on in the construction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this very minor local water course in the Cutting when it flooded some 16 properties on the Main Street in 2016 - it just wasn ’ t on our radar until then .
“ We had a public consultation period but nobody brought this minor water course to our attention but since then Cork County Council has worked to improve the design and construction of the inlet into culvert and we have provided funding to them to carry out that work.
” Cork County Council said in a statement that the Skibbereen Flood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main river , the Ilen and its tributaries while also taking account of tidal effects .
It said this scheme was substantially complete and had fulfilled its purpose .
However , during the delivery of the main flood relief scheme , a number of areas in the town were identified where surface water drains had the potential to cause flooding and one of these locations was the Cutting just off Bridge Street .
Cork County Council said the OPW provided funding for a minor works project to build a screen chamber where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drain but the work was interrupted by Covid-19 though the screen has since been completed and was due for installation this week .
“ Unfortunately it was not possible to complete this work before Wednesday night ’ s unusually severe summer storm , where the rate of rainfall reached 40mm an hour resulting in exceptional rainfall which overwhelmed the storm drain system at the Cutting , ” said the Council .
The result was this stream overflowed on to Bridge Street causing flooding to a number of premises in the early part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Louise O Donovan of The Eldon Hotel in Skibbereen pointing out how high the flood waters reached during Storm Ellen.
The new €37 million flood relief scheme for Skibbereen was not at fault for the flooding which affected up to a dozen homes and businesses in the town, Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan told flood victims during a visit to the town today.
Mr O'Donovan, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works, visited the Bridge Street area of Skibbereen on Friday where premises such as the Eldon Hotel ended up under two feet of water after flood water came gushing down the street during Storm Ellen on Wednesday night.
He said he was anxious to allay any concerns among the residents and business people that the main OPW flood defence works, now substantially completed, had in failed or were to blame for the flooding on Bridge Street.
"Having witnessed the terrible damage from flooding in other areas of west Cork only last week and now here again in Skibbereen as a result of Storm Ellen, I am seeing at first hand the havoc and destruction that severe weather and intense rainfall can cause to communities," he said.
READ MORE
“It has been explained to me that the flooding in Bridge Street on Wednesday was caused by a capacity issue and blockage in a storm drain at the Cutting/Rossa Road and was not in any way connected with a failing in the main OPW flood defences now installed in the town.
“I would like to assure the people of Skibbereen that I and my officials are fully satisfied that the main flood scheme is working effectively and has ensured that more widespread flooding and damage in the town has been avoided.”
Mr O’Donovan said flooding which occurred on the Cork Road in Skibbereen during Storm Ellen was again completely separate from the main flood relief scheme and occurred due to an undersized culvert under the main N71 road.
Earlier, Ezra MacManamon of the OPW told The Irish Times the flooding on Bridge Street stemmed from minor works not being completed on time on a culvert on the Cutting which caters for a stream whose existence only came to light during the major flood relief scheme.
“The major flood relief scheme did its job on Wednesday night but very late on in the construction of the scheme, we became aware of this very minor local water course in the Cutting when it flooded some 16 properties on the Main Street in 2016 - it just wasn’t on our radar until then.
"We had a public consultation period but nobody brought this minor water course to our attention but since then Cork County Council has worked to improve the design and construction of the inlet into culvert and we have provided funding to them to carry out that work."
Cork County Council said in a statement that the Skibbereen Flood Scheme was focused on preventing flooding from the main river, the Ilen and its tributaries while also taking account of tidal effects. It said this scheme was substantially complete and had fulfilled its purpose.
However, during the delivery of the main flood relief scheme, a number of areas in the town were identified where surface water drains had the potential to cause flooding and one of these locations was the Cutting just off Bridge Street.
Cork County Council said the OPW provided funding for a minor works project to build a screen chamber where the overground drain entered into a piped drain but the work was interrupted by Covid-19 though the screen has since been completed and was due for installation this week.
“Unfortunately it was not possible to complete this work before Wednesday night’s unusually severe summer storm, where the rate of rainfall reached 40mm an hour resulting in exceptional rainfall which overwhelmed the storm drain system at the Cutting,” said the Council.
The result was this stream overflowed on to Bridge Street causing flooding to a number of premises in the early part of the night, said the Council.


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--Séamus Woulfe apology fails to quell criticism over ‘reckless actions’

The recently-appointed Supreme Court judge , Séamus Woulfe , has apologised for his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society event in a hotel in Clifden , Co Galway .
Mr Woulfe , who served as Attorney General in the previous government , said he was not aware in advance that there was to be a dinner after the organised golf outing in Ballyconneely , which he attended as an invited guest .
However , his statement on Friday did not quell public criticism of his decision to attend the event , with one leading public health expert saying Mr Woulfe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office would do to trust in Ireland ’ s judiciary .
Dr Anthony Staines , professor of health systems at Dublin City University , said Mr Woulfe — as the Government ’ s leading legal advisor at the time — wrote the Covid-19 restrictions .
In attending the golf dinner “ his actions were reckless and dangerous ” and he has “ serious questions to ask himself ” , Dr Staines told the Irish Times .
“ There is a process for getting rid of judges if they misbehave , but it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it would be an appalling end to what has been a very distinguished career if Séamus Woulfe had to be thrown out of office , ” he said .
Dr Staines said Mr Calleary and Mr Buttimer had done “ the right thing ” by resigning and that Mr Woulfe needed to consider “ what his staying in office will do to public faith in the judiciary ” .
“ I think it is very important that respect in the Irish judiciary is maintained and I don ’ t think what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect in the judiciary , ” he said .
Attendees and organisers of the golf dinner were “ recklessly stupid ” , Dr Staines said .
“ I really hope nobody falls sick because of this : either staff of the hotel or visitors , ” he said .
“ This is the kind of event where you get 40 cases , ten days later .
I sincerely hope that doesn ’ t happen .
Those 40 cases spread to other people.
” More than than 80 people attended the dinner in breach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indoor events during the Covid-19 pandemic .
In his statement , Mr Justice Woulfe said on learning of the proposed dinner during the course of the day , “ my understanding was that the organisers and the hotel had satisfied themselves that they would be operating within Government public health guidelines.
” He said he attended the dinner -held in the in the Station House Hotel on the understanding it would be within Covid-19 guidelines .
“ But I do apologise for any unintentional breach of any of the new guidelines on my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governmental or health authorities ’ advice regarding public health , and have been at pains to follow rules and guidelines since their introduction in March .
“ That I ended up in a situation where breaches may have occurred , is of great regret to me , for which I am sorry .
I unreservedly apologise.
” It has been reported that the hotel room where the dinner was held was partitioned into two sections so as to comply with Covid regulations that no indoor event should be organised that involved a gathering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when a number of speeches were being made , the partition was pulled back , according to reports .
A seating plan published on social media shows Mr Justice Woulfe sitting at a table of eight , with other guests including the Moroccan ambassador to Ireland .
Since June 29th indoor gatherings have been restricted to 50 people under the Government ’ s public health controls .
Further restrictions announced this week identified only weddings and artistic and cultural events as being allowed to have groups of up to 50 .
Moreover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants should not exceed six people from no more than three households .
The Courts Service has greatly reduced the range of court hearings that are being held because of social distancing rules that have seen an almost complete halt to jury trials .
The service , and the judiciary , have over recent months been intensively involved in devising systems that would allow for a greater level of work to be conducted in the context of the ongoing pandemic .
The Supreme Court has been able to maintain its workload by way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not hear witness evidence .
While the Taoiseach can sack a member of his Cabinet , the Chief Justice can not force a member of the court to resign .
Such decisions are a matter for the individual judge .
Mr Justice Woulfe is highly-regarded lawyer who is reported to have a good relationship with Chief Justice Frank Clarke .
A judge can only be removed from his position if the Oireachtas votes to do so but nobody has suggested Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s attendance at the Clifden dinner would justify any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provides for complaints to be made against members of the judiciary , but that section of the new regime has yet to become law .
A Judicial Conduct Committee set up under the legislation that established the council , is currently drafting guidelines for how the system will work .
The section of the law governing the complaints system will not be commenced until the guidelines have been adopted by the council .

The recently-appointed Supreme Court judge, Séamus Woulfe, has apologised for his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society event in a hotel in Clifden, Co Galway.
Mr Woulfe, who served as Attorney General in the previous government, said he was not aware in advance that there was to be a dinner after the organised golf outing in Ballyconneely, which he attended as an invited guest.
However, his statement on Friday did not quell public criticism of his decision to attend the event, with one leading public health expert saying Mr Woulfe needed to consider what his remaining in office would do to trust in Ireland’s judiciary.
Dr Anthony Staines, professor of health systems at Dublin City University, said Mr Woulfe — as the Government’s leading legal advisor at the time — wrote the Covid-19 restrictions.
READ MORE
In attending the golf dinner “his actions were reckless and dangerous” and he has “serious questions to ask himself”, Dr Staines told the Irish Times.
“There is a process for getting rid of judges if they misbehave, but it has never to my knowledge been activated. I think it would be an appalling end to what has been a very distinguished career if Séamus Woulfe had to be thrown out of office,” he said.
Dr Staines said Mr Calleary and Mr Buttimer had done “the right thing” by resigning and that Mr Woulfe needed to consider “what his staying in office will do to public faith in the judiciary”.
“I think it is very important that respect in the Irish judiciary is maintained and I don’t think what Séamus Wolfe did has contributed to maintaining respect in the judiciary,” he said.
Attendees and organisers of the golf dinner were “recklessly stupid”, Dr Staines said.
“I really hope nobody falls sick because of this: either staff of the hotel or visitors,” he said.
“This is the kind of event where you get 40 cases, ten days later. I sincerely hope that doesn’t happen. Those 40 cases spread to other people.”
More than than 80 people attended the dinner in breach of the Government’s regulations controlling indoor events during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In his statement, Mr Justice Woulfe said on learning of the proposed dinner during the course of the day, "my understanding was that the organisers and the hotel had satisfied themselves that they would be operating within Government public health guidelines."
He said he attended the dinner -held in the in the Station House Hotel on the understanding it would be within Covid-19 guidelines.
“But I do apologise for any unintentional breach of any of the new guidelines on my part.
“I would never disregard governmental or health authorities’ advice regarding public health, and have been at pains to follow rules and guidelines since their introduction in March.
“That I ended up in a situation where breaches may have occurred, is of great regret to me, for which I am sorry. I unreservedly apologise.”
It has been reported that the hotel room where the dinner was held was partitioned into two sections so as to comply with Covid regulations that no indoor event should be organised that involved a gathering of more than fifty people.
However, when a number of speeches were being made, the partition was pulled back, according to reports.
A seating plan published on social media shows Mr Justice Woulfe sitting at a table of eight, with other guests including the Moroccan ambassador to Ireland.
Since June 29th indoor gatherings have been restricted to 50 people under the Government’s public health controls. Further restrictions announced this week identified only weddings and artistic and cultural events as being allowed to have groups of up to 50.
Moreover, the latest regulations say tables in restaurants should not exceed six people from no more than three households.
The Courts Service has greatly reduced the range of court hearings that are being held because of social distancing rules that have seen an almost complete halt to jury trials.
The service, and the judiciary, have over recent months been intensively involved in devising systems that would allow for a greater level of work to be conducted in the context of the ongoing pandemic.
The Supreme Court has been able to maintain its workload by way of remote hearings, as it does not hear witness evidence.
While the Taoiseach can sack a member of his Cabinet, the Chief Justice cannot force a member of the court to resign.
Such decisions are a matter for the individual judge.
Mr Justice Woulfe is highly-regarded lawyer who is reported to have a good relationship with Chief Justice Frank Clarke.
A judge can only be removed from his position if the Oireachtas votes to do so but nobody has suggested Mr Justice Woulfe’s attendance at the Clifden dinner would justify any such proposal.
The recently-established Judicial Council provides for complaints to be made against members of the judiciary, but that section of the new regime has yet to become law.
A Judicial Conduct Committee set up under the legislation that established the council, is currently drafting guidelines for how the system will work.
The section of the law governing the complaints system will not be commenced until the guidelines have been adopted by the council.