theirishtimes--2020-04-03--International Space Station returns to Irish skies on Friday and Saturday

Earth may be in chaos , but the heavens remain as imperturbable as ever , and they will provide quite the show over the next week .
The International Space Station ( ISS ) will pass overhead again on both Friday and Saturday nights , for the last time in this mission .
It will be visible low down in Irish skies on Friday night between 9.36pm and 9.39pm , and on Saturday night between 8.48pm and 8.52pm .
It will pass close to Sirius , which is easily spotted in the southwest sky as it is the brightest star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orion .
The ISS will be accompanied by another celestial treat which can be spotted nearby .
The planet Venus will be in alignment with a star formation called the Pleiades or Seven Sisters , which is diagonally opposite Sirius in the far corner of the constellation of Orion .
The Pleiades looks like a hazy cloud studded by six stars visible to the naked eye .
It was dubbed the Seven Sisters as the Greeks could apparently see seven stars in the formation .
The giant star formation area is also known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Subaru car manufacturer ’ s logo is inspired by it .
The full glory of the conjunction of Venus and the Pleiades can best be seen in dark skies away from built-up areas and through a pair of binoculars , though it should still be visible to everybody if the skies are clear .
Venus will be at its brightest between 8pm and 10pm in the coming nights .
As well as all this , on Monday at about 5am the planets Jupiter , Saturn and Mars will all be in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should look to the direction of where the sun is starting to rise to catch a glimpse .
A word of warning , however .
Astrologers blamed the Black Death in the 14th century on a conjunction of the same three planets in 1345 .
No such portents of doom accompany the sight of the “ golden handle ” of the moon , which will be visible on Friday and Saturday nights .
The “ golden handle ” is the name given to a view of the Jura mountains on the moon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ left-hand corner of the moon when it is partially full .
Again , a pair of binoculars or a small telescope will show the mountains clearly .
This will be followed by a supermoon on Wednesday .
A supermoon occurs when the moon is at perigee , or closest to the Earth .
This particular supermoon is called the pink supermoon as it corresponds with the spring flowering of the moss pink in North America .
This supermoon is also the Paschal full moon , which is the name given to the full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The moveable feast of Easter is held on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox in March .

A view of the city lights at the intersection of Europe and Asia as the International Space Station orbits above, in March 2020. Photograph: Nasa handout/AFP via Getty Images
Earth may be in chaos, but the heavens remain as imperturbable as ever, and they will provide quite the show over the next week.
The International Space Station (ISS) will pass overhead again on both Friday and Saturday nights, for the last time in this mission.
It will be visible low down in Irish skies on Friday night between 9.36pm and 9.39pm, and on Saturday night between 8.48pm and 8.52pm.
It will pass close to Sirius, which is easily spotted in the southwest sky as it is the brightest star. It is under the constellation of Orion.
READ MORE
The ISS will be accompanied by another celestial treat which can be spotted nearby.
The planet Venus will be in alignment with a star formation called the Pleiades or Seven Sisters, which is diagonally opposite Sirius in the far corner of the constellation of Orion.
The Pleiades looks like a hazy cloud studded by six stars visible to the naked eye. It was dubbed the Seven Sisters as the Greeks could apparently see seven stars in the formation. The giant star formation area is also known by its Japanese name, Subaru. The Subaru car manufacturer's logo is inspired by it.
The full glory of the conjunction of Venus and the Pleiades can best be seen in dark skies away from built-up areas and through a pair of binoculars, though it should still be visible to everybody if the skies are clear. Venus will be at its brightest between 8pm and 10pm in the coming nights.
As well as all this, on Monday at about 5am the planets Jupiter, Saturn and Mars will all be in the southeastern sky. Anybody up that early should look to the direction of where the sun is starting to rise to catch a glimpse.
Planetary warning
A word of warning, however. Astrologers blamed the Black Death in the 14th century on a conjunction of the same three planets in 1345.
No such portents of doom accompany the sight of the “golden handle” of the moon, which will be visible on Friday and Saturday nights.
The "golden handle" is the name given to a view of the Jura mountains on the moon. It appears in relief in the top left-hand corner of the moon when it is partially full. Again, a pair of binoculars or a small telescope will show the mountains clearly.
This will be followed by a supermoon on Wednesday. A supermoon occurs when the moon is at perigee, or closest to the Earth. This particular supermoon is called the pink supermoon as it corresponds with the spring flowering of the moss pink in North America.
This supermoon is also the Paschal full moon, which is the name given to the full moon that appears before Easter Sunday.
The moveable feast of Easter is held on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox in March.


theirishtimes--2020-04-03--Covid-19: Cocooning elderly over 70 at risk of vitamin D deficiency

Adults over 70 who are cocooning under coronavirus measures could be at “ high risk ” of vitamin D deficiency as they may lack opportunity for sun exposure .
Recent research shows vitamin D helps prevent respiratory illness and benefits immune function .
The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing ( Tilda ) report says that “ maintaining a sufficient vitamin D status may therefore be of benefit in the Covid-19 pandemic ” .
One-in-four people aged over 70 are likely to be deficient the vitamin , according to the Tilda research .
The analysis reviews vitamin D deficiency in older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of additional concern is the fact that only 10.5 per cent of those aged over 70 report taking a supplement despite the “ usefulness of vitamin D for immune function particularly at this time ” .
“ If vitamin D status is sufficient , it could benefit vulnerable adults in particular those 70+ years and older who are ‘ cocooning ’ during the Covid-19 outbreak , ” the Tilda report notes .
Each year in Ireland , one-in-eight older adults are deficient in vitamin D. The number of older adults deficient in vitamin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number is expected to be much higher now due to restrictions on movement following the outbreak of Covid-19 .
Professor of Medical Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin and director of Mercer ’ s Institute for Successful Ageing Rose Anne Kenny said : “ It ’ s extremely difficult for people cocooning in their homes to get enough exercise and vitamin D is good for muscles and bone health.
” Prof Kenny said Irish people should now “ assume they are deficient ” in vitamin D and take supplements .
Those most at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with chronic disease and lung conditions , as well as smokers , the obese and inactive .
There are three main sources of vitamin D – sunlight , food and supplements .
It can be produced from 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure ( before application of sun cream ) from late March to late September , through rich food sources like oily fish , eggs , liver and fortified foods or through supplements .
“ Only 4 per cent of men and 15 per cent of women take a supplement and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have mandatory food fortification and even though they ’ re at a higher latitude than us – meaning less sunlight – less than 1 per cent of their population are vitamin D deficient .
We don ’ t have mandatory food fortification here , so we should be supplementing , ” said Prof Kenny .
What are the benefits ?
Recently , a large meta-analysis of 10,933 people from 25 trials conducted in 15 countries investigated whether taking a vitamin D supplement helped to prevent colds , flu and chest infections .
Overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of having at least one acute respiratory infection .
Vitamin D had a significant protective effect when given daily or weekly to people with lowest vitamin D levels .
The risk of having at least one acute respiratory infection was reduced from 60 per cent to 32 per cent in these people .
In a separate trial with patients at risk of respiratory infection , those who received vitamin D supplements for a year experienced a reduction of respiratory symptoms and consequential antibiotic use .
In 2019 , a newer analysis using 21,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those with a low blood vitamin D level had a 64 per cent increased risk of community acquired pneumonia .

One-in-four people aged over 70 are likely to be deficient in vitamin D, according to the The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing research. File photograph: Getty
Adults over 70 who are cocooning under coronavirus measures could be at “high risk” of vitamin D deficiency as they may lack opportunity for sun exposure.
Recent research shows vitamin D helps prevent respiratory illness and benefits immune function. The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (Tilda) report says that “maintaining a sufficient vitamin D status may therefore be of benefit in the Covid-19 pandemic”.
One-in-four people aged over 70 are likely to be deficient the vitamin, according to the Tilda research. The analysis reviews vitamin D deficiency in older people and its implications for Covid-19.
Of additional concern is the fact that only 10.5 per cent of those aged over 70 report taking a supplement despite the “usefulness of vitamin D for immune function particularly at this time”.
READ MORE
“If vitamin D status is sufficient, it could benefit vulnerable adults in particular those 70+ years and older who are ‘cocooning’ during the Covid-19 outbreak,” the Tilda report notes.
Each year in Ireland, one-in-eight older adults are deficient in vitamin D. The number of older adults deficient in vitamin D almost doubles in winter. This number is expected to be much higher now due to restrictions on movement following the outbreak of Covid-19.
Professor of Medical Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin and director of Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing Rose Anne Kenny said: “It’s extremely difficult for people cocooning in their homes to get enough exercise and vitamin D is good for muscles and bone health.”
Prof Kenny said Irish people should now “assume they are deficient” in vitamin D and take supplements.
Those most at risk of deficiency include the housebound, people with chronic disease and lung conditions, as well as smokers, the obese and inactive.
There are three main sources of vitamin D – sunlight, food and supplements.
It can be produced from 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure (before application of sun cream) from late March to late September, through rich food sources like oily fish, eggs, liver and fortified foods or through supplements.
“Only 4 per cent of men and 15 per cent of women take a supplement and that’s not enough. Finland have mandatory food fortification and even though they’re at a higher latitude than us – meaning less sunlight – less than 1 per cent of their population are vitamin D deficient. We don’t have mandatory food fortification here, so we should be supplementing,” said Prof Kenny.
What are the benefits?
Recently, a large meta-analysis of 10,933 people from 25 trials conducted in 15 countries investigated whether taking a vitamin D supplement helped to prevent colds, flu and chest infections.
Overall, vitamin D supplements reduced the risk of having at least one acute respiratory infection. Vitamin D had a significant protective effect when given daily or weekly to people with lowest vitamin D levels. The risk of having at least one acute respiratory infection was reduced from 60 per cent to 32 per cent in these people.
In a separate trial with patients at risk of respiratory infection, those who received vitamin D supplements for a year experienced a reduction of respiratory symptoms and consequential antibiotic use.
In 2019, a newer analysis using 21,000 participants from across eight studies showed that those with a low blood vitamin D level had a 64 per cent increased risk of community acquired pneumonia.


theirishtimes--2020-04-03--Court orders home detention of man with dementia amid Covid-19 concerns

A High Court judge has ordered the effective detention in his own home of an elderly man with advancing dementia due to concerns he does not properly understand the risks to himself and others from Covid-19 .
The man , aged in his 80s , does not understand the importance of “ cocooning ” , hand-washing and social distancing , is continuing to go shopping and attempting to call to people ’ s homes , and is putting himself and others at risk as a result , the court was told .
While his GP and other medical professionals are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind and lacks capacity to make decisions about his person and finances as a result of advancing cognitive impairment , he is physically very mobile , David Leahy BL said .
The man lives alone and there is no need for him to leave home because he has carers calling three times daily and other supports , counsel said .
Mr Justice David Keane said on Friday he was satisfied , on the evidence and submissions , he should make the orders and returned the matter to next Tuesday .
Mr Leahy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the man with a view to registering an enduring power of attorney , sought the orders under the High Court ’ s wardship jurisdiction .
The application was supported by the man ’ s GP and a friend in daily contact with him who expressed serious concerns about his vulnerability to Covid-19 and that he may also be putting others at risk .
His doctor expressed the view the risk is such he should not leave home under any circumstances .
Mr Leahy said he wanted orders authorising the man ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a healthcare professional decides it is in his best interests to leave and provided he is accompanied by a nurse , doctor or paramedic .
He also sought orders appointing a medical visitor to carry out a further capacity assessment and to report on that and how he can be managed during the Covid-19 crisis .
The orders are in the best interests of the man and also in the interests of public health , counsel said .
Attempts to persuade the man to stay at home by his doctors , friends and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date , counsel outlined .
While there is an issue whether the man has capacity to understand the orders , it was hoped , when he was informed of the orders , he would comply with them .
The orders also provide , should he leave his home , gardaí have permission to search for and return him there .
Counsel noted the recently introduced emergency legislation – the Health ( Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest ) Act 2020 – provides that medical officers can direct detention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 risk .
Mr Leahy also said the man ’ s carers have reported he does not let them assist him with personal hygiene and they had concerns about his ability to maintain that to an appropriate level .
The carers also expressed concerns about deteriorating cognitive ability and his ability to manage at home and appreciate the dangers of Covid-19 .

Man continues to go shopping and attempts to call to people’s homes, and is putting himself and others at risk as a result, the court was told. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
A High Court judge has ordered the effective detention in his own home of an elderly man with advancing dementia due to concerns he does not properly understand the risks to himself and others from Covid-19.
The man, aged in his 80s, does not understand the importance of “cocooning”, hand-washing and social distancing, is continuing to go shopping and attempting to call to people’s homes, and is putting himself and others at risk as a result, the court was told.
While his GP and other medical professionals are of the view he is of unsound mind and lacks capacity to make decisions about his person and finances as a result of advancing cognitive impairment, he is physically very mobile, David Leahy BL said.
The man lives alone and there is no need for him to leave home because he has carers calling three times daily and other supports, counsel said.
READ MORE
Mr Justice David Keane said on Friday he was satisfied, on the evidence and submissions, he should make the orders and returned the matter to next Tuesday.
Mr Leahy, on behalf of a solicitor previously appointed by the man with a view to registering an enduring power of attorney, sought the orders under the High Court’s wardship jurisdiction.
The application was supported by the man’s GP and a friend in daily contact with him who expressed serious concerns about his vulnerability to Covid-19 and that he may also be putting others at risk.
His doctor expressed the view the risk is such he should not leave home under any circumstances.
Mr Leahy said he wanted orders authorising the man’s detention at home pending further order unless a healthcare professional decides it is in his best interests to leave and provided he is accompanied by a nurse, doctor or paramedic.
He also sought orders appointing a medical visitor to carry out a further capacity assessment and to report on that and how he can be managed during the Covid-19 crisis.
The orders are in the best interests of the man and also in the interests of public health, counsel said. Attempts to persuade the man to stay at home by his doctors, friends and a community Garda had not worked to date, counsel outlined.
While there is an issue whether the man has capacity to understand the orders, it was hoped, when he was informed of the orders, he would comply with them.
The orders also provide, should he leave his home, gardaí have permission to search for and return him there.
Counsel noted the recently introduced emergency legislation – the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 – provides that medical officers can direct detention of people believed to be a potential Covid-19 risk.
Mr Leahy also said the man’s carers have reported he does not let them assist him with personal hygiene and they had concerns about his ability to maintain that to an appropriate level. The carers also expressed concerns about deteriorating cognitive ability and his ability to manage at home and appreciate the dangers of Covid-19.


theirishtimes--2020-04-03--Anorexic woman discharged from hospital over risk of ‘alarming’ rise in Covid-19

A severely anorexic young woman who unsuccessfully pleaded some 10 days ago for her hospital discharge because she feared she would contract Covid-19 and die will now be discharged .
The discharge order was made on Friday after the High Court heard her risk of contracting the virus in hospital has “ significantly ” increased .
Should the 19-year-old woman contract the virus , the medical view is it could prove fatal given her weakened state , Mr Justice David Keane was told .
The woman is a ward of court and the hospital , in an emergency application , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its counsel Sarah McKechnie described as an “ alarming ” increase in Covid-19 cases , posing an increased risk to the woman of contracting the virus .
This was a “ finely-balanced ” and difficult decision by a multi-disciplinary team at the hospital because the woman ’ s discharge to her brother ’ s home with a community care plan also carries risk , including whether she will comply with it , counsel said .
The hospital favoured discharge because it now considers there is a probability she will contract Covid-19 if she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at “ much less risk ” from Covid-19 at home .
Ms McKechnie agreed with Mr Justice David Keane the hospital had told the court on March 24th , when it opposed the woman ’ s bid for discharge with a community care plan , it considered that could only be for palliative , end of life , care for reasons including it could not , for example , continue naso-gastric feeding in a community setting .
Counsel said the hospital is no longer saying discharge would be only for palliative care for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care plan .
In the absence of naso-gastric tube feeding , the plan is aimed at weight maintenance and its success depends on the woman ’ s co-operation with it , counsel said .
It provided for face-to-face meetings and monitoring of the woman with several professionals , including her GP , psychiatrist and a dietician .
This is not an optimum situation and , if there were no Covid-19 concerns , the hospital would not be seeking discharge , she added .
David Leahy BL , for the general solicitor for wards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s interests , said , given the changed situation , his side was supporting discharge .
The HSE is involved in the case because it had hoped to secure a specialised placement in a UK eating disorders unit for the woman but the Covid-19 crisis means such a placement is not available , its counsel said .
Mr Justice Keane said the situation had changed in two key respects since March 24th , when the High Court refused to discharge the woman .
The first was that the hospital was no longer saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only .
The second was that the hospital is saying , despite having put in place necessary precautions , the woman now has a high likelihood of contracting Covid-19 there but was at much less risk of that in the home placement .
Other difficulties included the general pressures on the hospital in dealing with Covid-19 , providing the necessary levels of nursing care and monitoring for an anorexic patient and because the woman is struggling with protocols requiring her to stay in her room and comply with other risk reduction measures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition deteriorates or she contracts Covid-19 at home , she would be assessed and readmitted , he noted .
In light of the changed situation , the judge made orders for the woman ’ s discharge and various other orders , including requiring her to comply with the treatment plan .

A severely anorexic young woman who unsuccessfully pleaded some 10 days ago for her hospital discharge because she feared she would contract Covid-19 and die will now be discharged.
The discharge order was made on Friday after the High Court heard her risk of contracting the virus in hospital has “significantly” increased.
Should the 19-year-old woman contract the virus, the medical view is it could prove fatal given her weakened state, Mr Justice David Keane was told.
The woman is a ward of court and the hospital, in an emergency application, sought orders for discharge arising from what its counsel Sarah McKechnie described as an “alarming” increase in Covid-19 cases, posing an increased risk to the woman of contracting the virus.
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This was a “finely-balanced” and difficult decision by a multi-disciplinary team at the hospital because the woman’s discharge to her brother’s home with a community care plan also carries risk, including whether she will comply with it, counsel said.
The hospital favoured discharge because it now considers there is a probability she will contract Covid-19 if she stays in hospital but she is is at “much less risk” from Covid-19 at home.
Ms McKechnie agreed with Mr Justice David Keane the hospital had told the court on March 24th, when it opposed the woman’s bid for discharge with a community care plan, it considered that could only be for palliative, end of life, care for reasons including it could not, for example, continue naso-gastric feeding in a community setting.
Counsel said the hospital is no longer saying discharge would be only for palliative care for reasons including the nature of the community care plan. In the absence of naso-gastric tube feeding, the plan is aimed at weight maintenance and its success depends on the woman’s co-operation with it, counsel said.
It provided for face-to-face meetings and monitoring of the woman with several professionals, including her GP, psychiatrist and a dietician. This is not an optimum situation and, if there were no Covid-19 concerns, the hospital would not be seeking discharge, she added.
David Leahy BL, for the general solicitor for wards of court, representing the woman’s interests, said, given the changed situation, his side was supporting discharge.
The HSE is involved in the case because it had hoped to secure a specialised placement in a UK eating disorders unit for the woman but the Covid-19 crisis means such a placement is not available, its counsel said.
Mr Justice Keane said the situation had changed in two key respects since March 24th, when the High Court refused to discharge the woman.
The first was that the hospital was no longer saying discharge would be only for palliative care only. The second was that the hospital is saying, despite having put in place necessary precautions, the woman now has a high likelihood of contracting Covid-19 there but was at much less risk of that in the home placement.
Other difficulties included the general pressures on the hospital in dealing with Covid-19, providing the necessary levels of nursing care and monitoring for an anorexic patient and because the woman is struggling with protocols requiring her to stay in her room and comply with other risk reduction measures.
The hospital had said, if her condition deteriorates or she contracts Covid-19 at home, she would be assessed and readmitted, he noted. In light of the changed situation, the judge made orders for the woman’s discharge and various other orders, including requiring her to comply with the treatment plan.


theirishtimes--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Some items in new PPE supply ‘not suitable’, HSE says

Some of the new supply of personal protection equipment ( PPE ) secured last weekend by the HSE is not suitable for use , the health service has confirmed .
Prof Martin Cormican , HSE national clinical lead for healthcare associated infection and antimicrobial resistance , said the equipment received from a new supplier at the weekend had been looked at by health authorities and that “ some of it is suitable for use , some of it has limited use and some of it is not suitable for use ” .
“ It is useful for us to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told RTÉ ’ s News at One .
“ A good deal of the material will be useful for us .
That is really important as it is quite hard internationally to secure this.
” The evaluation of the equipment revealed some items were “ not suitable ” , he said , adding that the HSE would continue to work with the supplier to ensure all items reach the necessary high standards .
“ …Those items that do not meet our standards , we don ’ t want to receive any more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are useful to us , we need to keep that supply line open.
” Responding to the news that some equipment delivered would not be suitable for use , China ’ s ambassador to Ireland He Xiangdong said it was “ quite understandable that from time to time issues might come up ” around PPE consignments given the scale of the international demand .
He told The Irish Times that his embassy , the HSE and the IDA remained in regular contact with Chinese PPE suppliers about the “ size and specification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The scale of this procurement is so large and the suppliers in China are under huge pressures with demands from almost all the world , ” said the ambassador .
“ The important thing is that all stakeholders are on the same page and continue to work closely together .
“ This is a war against the virus so there will be a lot of issues coming up .
The most important thing is we work together to resolve these issues in a spirit of cooperation.
” Mr He said there might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using Chinese manufactured PPE given “ different habits of use ” .
“ There are so many varieties of these products that it ’ s totally within expectations that there will be minor issues from time to time .
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said the Government would continue to source alternative PPE but that some of the equipment arriving into the country was different to what Irish health workers might be used to .
The consignment , said to have cost € 200 million , comprised enough equipment to last 11 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ good use ” would be found for the shipment from China and that the Government would “ continue with our efforts to source alternative equipment that will meet everybody ’ s need.
” The Government is operating in a situation where PPE was being sought by nearly every country in the world and the purchase of PPE had become “ exceptionally competitive ” , he said .
Dr Eavan Muldoon from the Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland agreed that some PPE consignments would be very different to what Irish healthcare workers might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks different challenges arise and there ’ s the need to re-educate around this , ” she said .
“ On a practical level sometimes you wear a gown and sometimes you wear a whole suit .
There ’ s nothing wrong with one versus the other , one may be used in one scenario versus another.
” “ With PPE it ’ s so important you ’ re doing things in the correct order and ensuring you ’ re not putting yourself at risk .
That ’ s where our concerns lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using equipment safely and not putting themselves at risk.
” Ms Muldoon underlined that the Government was trying to procure PPE in an “ extreme environment where there is worldwide shortage and America are soaking up all the equipment ” .
“ The HSE is working within that global situation right now.
” President of the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine Dr Emily O ’ Connor told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland there was “ huge anxiety ” among frontline healthcare staff around access to PPE and guidance on how to use it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will depend on the level of care required with some staff exposed to “ droplet contact ” when dealing with patients who are “ coughing , sneezing , bleeding ” .
Other patients will need “ multiple aerosol generating procedures which is where virus is sprayed into the environment , under high pressure ” , she said .
“ They ’ re the ones where the highest level of PPE is required.
” Different advice in different hospitals on how to use protection equipment has caused confusion , said Dr O ’ Connor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this for staff , ” she said .
“ We ’ re simply trying to keep up with the best advice that we can.
” Dr O ’ Connor said she expected the overall surge in numbers to occur within the next fortnight but added that the surge in nursing homes was already taking place .

A medic wearing personal protective equipment in Bergamo, Italy. Some of the consignment of PPE to Ireland last weekend was found by the HSE to be not suitable for use. Photograph: Piero Cruciatti/AFP via Getty
Some of the new supply of personal protection equipment (PPE) secured last weekend by the HSE is not suitable for use, the health service has confirmed.
Prof Martin Cormican, HSE national clinical lead for healthcare associated infection and antimicrobial resistance, said the equipment received from a new supplier at the weekend had been looked at by health authorities and that “some of it is suitable for use, some of it has limited use and some of it is not suitable for use”.
“It is useful for us to have this new supply line,” he told RTÉ’s News at One. “A good deal of the material will be useful for us. That is really important as it is quite hard internationally to secure this.”
The evaluation of the equipment revealed some items were “not suitable”, he said, adding that the HSE would continue to work with the supplier to ensure all items reach the necessary high standards.
READ MORE
“…Those items that do not meet our standards, we don’t want to receive any more of those items. But for the items that are useful to us, we need to keep that supply line open.”
Chinese suppliers
Responding to the news that some equipment delivered would not be suitable for use, China's ambassador to Ireland He Xiangdong said it was "quite understandable that from time to time issues might come up" around PPE consignments given the scale of the international demand.
He told The Irish Times that his embassy, the HSE and the IDA remained in regular contact with Chinese PPE suppliers about the “size and specification” of equipment needed in Ireland.
"The scale of this procurement is so large and the suppliers in China are under huge pressures with demands from almost all the world," said the ambassador. "The important thing is that all stakeholders are on the same page and continue to work closely together.
“This is a war against the virus so there will be a lot of issues coming up. The most important thing is we work together to resolve these issues in a spirit of cooperation.”
Mr He said there might be initial confusion among Irish healthcare workers using Chinese manufactured PPE given “different habits of use”.
“There are so many varieties of these products that it’s totally within expectations that there will be minor issues from time to time.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said the Government would continue to source alternative PPE but that some of the equipment arriving into the country was different to what Irish health workers might be used to.
The consignment, said to have cost € 200 million, comprised enough equipment to last 11 years in a non-pandemic environment.
He said “good use” would be found for the shipment from China and that the Government would “continue with our efforts to source alternative equipment that will meet everybody’s need.”
The Government is operating in a situation where PPE was being sought by nearly every country in the world and the purchase of PPE had become “exceptionally competitive”, he said.
New equipment
Dr Eavan Muldoon from the Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland agreed that some PPE consignments would be very different to what Irish healthcare workers might have used previously.
“When equipment looks different challenges arise and there’s the need to re-educate around this,” she said. “On a practical level sometimes you wear a gown and sometimes you wear a whole suit. There’s nothing wrong with one versus the other, one may be used in one scenario versus another.”
“With PPE it’s so important you’re doing things in the correct order and ensuring you’re not putting yourself at risk. That’s where our concerns lie, we want to ensure people are using equipment safely and not putting themselves at risk.”
Ms Muldoon underlined that the Government was trying to procure PPE in an “extreme environment where there is worldwide shortage and America are soaking up all the equipment”. “The HSE is working within that global situation right now.”
President of the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine Dr Emily O’Connor told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland there was “huge anxiety” among frontline healthcare staff around access to PPE and guidance on how to use it effectively.
The type of PPE used will depend on the level of care required with some staff exposed to “droplet contact” when dealing with patients who are “coughing, sneezing, bleeding”. Other patients will need “multiple aerosol generating procedures which is where virus is sprayed into the environment, under high pressure”, she said. “They’re the ones where the highest level of PPE is required.”
Different advice in different hospitals on how to use protection equipment has caused confusion, said Dr O’Connor. “There is huge anxiety about this for staff,” she said. “We’re simply trying to keep up with the best advice that we can.”
Dr O’Connor said she expected the overall surge in numbers to occur within the next fortnight but added that the surge in nursing homes was already taking place.


theirishtimes--2020-04-03--Murder of Cameron Blair has ‘shattered our lives’, mother says

The mother of a college student who was murdered outside a house party in Cork city has told the Central Criminal Court that her family has been “ shattered ” by his “ unnatural ” death .
The court heard that Cameron Blair ( 20 ) , who was acting as a “ peacemaker ” after a dispute that arose outside the party , did not realise he had been stabbed in the neck and told his friend “ don ’ t worry , lad , I don ’ t want to be fighting ” .
The 17-year-old defendant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a minor , appeared at the court on Friday for his sentence hearing after pleading guilty last month to murdering Mr Blair on the Bandon Road on January 16th last .
Mr Blair , a native of Ballinascarthy in west Cork and a second-year chemical engineering student at Cork Institute of Technology , died at Cork University Hospital as a result of his injuries .
The court also heard that Cameron had “ extended the hand of friendship ” to his murderer earlier in the night when he suggested the teenager and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party .
Cameron had told them they were “ sound ” , the hearing was told .
In a letter of apology to the Blair family , the 17-year-old boy wrote : “ Cameron was nothing than nice to me on the night , he did nothing wrong to me .
It was never my intention for this to happen.
” At the defendant ’ s sentencing hearing on Friday , three victim impact statements were read to the court by Mr Blair ’ s mother , father and younger brother .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deceased ’ s mother Kathy Blair said that no parent expects to bury their child and called it “ unnatural ” .
She said it was something she would never come to terms with .
Mrs Blair said she received a call on the night of January 16th to say that her son had been stabbed in the neck , a call that “ has been described as every parent ’ s worse nightmare ” .
She added : “ Cameron ’ s murder has shattered our lives .
My heart aches everyday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The loneliness can sometimes be overwhelming .
Often when I am alone in the house I scream at the injustice of this .
How could someone so cruelly take the life of our beautiful boy ?
Why has this happened to our family ?
We are not bad people ” .
“ When I go into his bedroom I cry at the sight of his empty bed , the unfinished book on his locker , phone credit and a voucher on his table – Christmas presents that he never got to use , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s untimely and senseless death I am no longer living .
I simply exist .
I can not think about the future , it is too painful .
The price of immense love is unbearable grief when that person is taken from you .
We will be paying that price for the rest of our lives , ” she concluded .
The victim ’ s father , Noel Blair , said the ripple effect of his son ’ s murder had been felt far and wide .
“ The death of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Unfortunately , I now know this to be true , ” he said .
“ Cameron was adored by us .
The emptiness that is now in our lives is horrendous .
His name will light up on my phone no more .
His place at the table is vacant .
I will never see his smile again .
My darling son is gone forever , ” he said .
The deceased ’ s younger brother , Alan Blair , also read a statement saying : “ When I go to my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disbelief at his name on the plaque .
How can Cameron be dead .
It doesn ’ t seem real .
He had so much to live for .
I had so much to ask him and get his advice on ” .
At today ’ s sentence hearing Det Sgt Martin Canny , of Togher Garda Station , summarised the facts of the case .
He told prosecuting counsel Anne Rowland SC that Cameron Blair was a keen sportsman and played rugby with Bandon Rugby Football Club .
He also had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular in his wide circle of friends , he said , adding that he possessed leadership qualities and was thought of in very high esteem .
He was also a very well-rounded and solid young man with an infectious personality , who drew people into him and was always smiling , said Det Sgt Canny .
Mr Justice Paul McDermott asked the deceased ’ s family if they had a photo of Mr Blair and a large framed picture of him was handed up to the court .
Outlining the events that led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gda Canny said Mr Blair and his friends went to a house party at Bandon Road which was occupied by a number of students .
The accused and his two teenage friends met up with a drunk homeless man on the evening and they were walking with him past the house on Bandon Road when it became apparent to them that there was a house party on inside , said Det Sgt Canny .
Mr Blair and his friend were monitoring who was coming in and out of the house party and had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them away , said Det Sgt Canny .
The homeless man was banging on the door and was asked to go away but persisted to push on the door .
The accused and his two friends started to remonstrate with the students in the house and Mr Blair suggested to his friends that the three teenagers be allowed come into the party , said the witness .
The students were not happy but Mr Blair told them they were “ sound ” and allowed the three boys come into the house party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of Mr Blair ’ s friends if he could go to the off-licence with him to buy some alcohol .
As they were walking back from the off-licence , the defendant told the student he had a knife on him , said the witness .
When the accused arrived back at the house , his two friends were outside along with a number of other people .
“ Cameron was one of the people holding fort and blocking people from coming back in , ” said Det Gda Canny , adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acting as a shield at the door .
The youngest of the three teenagers was trying to push his way back into the house and produced a knife , said the detective .
One of the students in the house described Mr Blair acting as a peacemaker by trying to control the situation .
A number of calls were made by students in the house to gardaí looking for help .
At one point , one of the girls in the house went outside and got in between the two groups to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the smallest of the three teenagers hit her with his closed fist to the side of the face and she stumbled , he said .
The detective said that the accused was visible on CCTV footage wielding a knife across the road around 9.17pm and “ tapping ” the knife off the back of his leg at various times .
He then walked back towards the house and lunged forward in a downward motion and stabbed Mr Blair once in the neck , he said .
The teenager then ran away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before dumping it in a nearby field along with a pair of gloves he had been wearing .
The witness said Mr Blair did not initially realise that he had been stabbed before he stumbled and lost consciousness .
Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him at the scene before he was brought to CUH .
He was declared dead at 10.20pm that night and the cause of death was a single stab wound to the neck .
The knife used to murder Mr Blair was produced to the court and measured 21cm in length @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media and visited by gardaí the following day .
Traces of blood were found on the accused ’ s jacket as well as DNA belonging to the deceased .
The teenager has no previous convictions , the court heard .
Defence counsel , Brendan Grehan SC , said a few worlds from different social circles had collided on the night .
However , Mr Blair had appeared to be friends with everybody and had acted in a non-aggressive way , he said .
Under cross-examination , Det Sgt Canny agreed with Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends had seemed to develop a paranoia as to whether somebody else had a knife at the party .
The witness further agreed that the accused had “ launched himself forward ” in a split second and , in an incredibly impulsive action , had caused the most appalling consequence , bringing about the death of Mr Blair .
In cross-examination , Det Sgt Canny told Mr Grehan that Mr Blair ’ s last words to his friend were : “ Don ’ t worry lad , I don ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed his eyes .
The detective agreed with the defence counsel that the knife had gone in a downward thrust into Mr Blair ’ s neck and then into his lung .
A psychological assessment and probation report were made available to the court .
The lawyer said his client had acted in a totally impetuous way which was absolutely uncalled for and he struggled to explain his behaviour on the night .
“ It was a moment of madness and his conduct was extreme to whatever threat his friend was under which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In mitigation , Mr Grehan asked the court to consider his client ’ s early guilty plea to murder and to deal with the defendant on the basis that he is a child .
In his submissions , the barrister said that his client had started drinking at a very young age and was unable to explain what he had done in any rational way .
Mr Grehan told the court that Mr Blair had extended the hand of friendship to his client by inviting him into the party .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Good Samaritan ” when he brought a drunk sleeping homeless man , who was on the step next-door , into the house on the night because he was concerned about him .
“ There is no doubt about it , Mr Blair ’ s death not only caused unbelievable grief to a family but a life full of promise has been extinguished , ” he said .
Following this , the defence barrister read aloud to the court a letter of apology written by his client to the Blair family in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Blair ’ s life in the way he did and it should never have happened .
“ Cameron was nothing than nice to me on the night , he did nothing wrong to me .
It was never my intention for this to happen .
It ’ s the first thing I think about every morning and the last thing I think about at night before I go to bed , ” he said .
Mr Justice McDermott remanded the defendant in custody to Oberstown Children Detention Centre until April 20th , @ @ @ @ @ @

A teenager is to be sentenced on April 20th after pleading guilty to the murder of student Cameron Blair in Cork last January. Photograph: Denis Boyle.
The mother of a college student who was murdered outside a house party in Cork city has told the Central Criminal Court that her family has been “shattered” by his “unnatural” death.
The court heard that Cameron Blair (20), who was acting as a “peacemaker” after a dispute that arose outside the party, did not realise he had been stabbed in the neck and told his friend “don’t worry, lad, I don’t want to be fighting”.
The 17-year-old defendant, who cannot be named because he is a minor, appeared at the court on Friday for his sentence hearing after pleading guilty last month to murdering Mr Blair on the Bandon Road on January 16th last.
Mr Blair, a native of Ballinascarthy in west Cork and a second-year chemical engineering student at Cork Institute of Technology, died at Cork University Hospital as a result of his injuries.
READ MORE
The court also heard that Cameron had “extended the hand of friendship” to his murderer earlier in the night when he suggested the teenager and his friends be allowed come into the party.
Cameron had told them they were “sound”, the hearing was told.
In a letter of apology to the Blair family, the 17-year-old boy wrote: “Cameron was nothing than nice to me on the night, he did nothing wrong to me. It was never my intention for this to happen.”
At the defendant’s sentencing hearing on Friday, three victim impact statements were read to the court by Mr Blair’s mother, father and younger brother. In an emotional victim impact statement, the deceased’s mother Kathy Blair said that no parent expects to bury their child and called it “unnatural”. She said it was something she would never come to terms with.
Mrs Blair said she received a call on the night of January 16th to say that her son had been stabbed in the neck, a call that “has been described as every parent’s worse nightmare”.
She added: “Cameron’s murder has shattered our lives. My heart aches everyday for the loss of my son. The loneliness can sometimes be overwhelming. Often when I am alone in the house I scream at the injustice of this. How could someone so cruelly take the life of our beautiful boy? Why has this happened to our family? We are not bad people”.
“When I go into his bedroom I cry at the sight of his empty bed, the unfinished book on his locker, phone credit and a voucher on his table – Christmas presents that he never got to use,” she said.
“Since Cameron’s untimely and senseless death I am no longer living. I simply exist. I cannot think about the future, it is too painful. The price of immense love is unbearable grief when that person is taken from you. We will be paying that price for the rest of our lives,” she concluded.
The victim’s father, Noel Blair, said the ripple effect of his son’s murder had been felt far and wide. “The death of your child is described as the ultimate grief. Unfortunately, I now know this to be true,” he said. “Cameron was adored by us. The emptiness that is now in our lives is horrendous. His name will light up on my phone no more. His place at the table is vacant. I will never see his smile again. My darling son is gone forever,” he said.
The deceased’s younger brother, Alan Blair, also read a statement saying: “When I go to my brother’s grave I stare in disbelief at his name on the plaque. How can Cameron be dead. It doesn’t seem real. He had so much to live for. I had so much to ask him and get his advice on”.
At today’s sentence hearing Det Sgt Martin Canny, of Togher Garda Station, summarised the facts of the case. He told prosecuting counsel Anne Rowland SC that Cameron Blair was a keen sportsman and played rugby with Bandon Rugby Football Club. He also had a black belt in karate and was very popular in his wide circle of friends, he said, adding that he possessed leadership qualities and was thought of in very high esteem. He was also a very well-rounded and solid young man with an infectious personality, who drew people into him and was always smiling, said Det Sgt Canny.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott asked the deceased’s family if they had a photo of Mr Blair and a large framed picture of him was handed up to the court.
Outlining the events that led up to the fatal stabbing, Det Gda Canny said Mr Blair and his friends went to a house party at Bandon Road which was occupied by a number of students.
The accused and his two teenage friends met up with a drunk homeless man on the evening and they were walking with him past the house on Bandon Road when it became apparent to them that there was a house party on inside, said Det Sgt Canny. Mr Blair and his friend were monitoring who was coming in and out of the house party and had responsibility for letting people in or turning them away, said Det Sgt Canny. The homeless man was banging on the door and was asked to go away but persisted to push on the door. The accused and his two friends started to remonstrate with the students in the house and Mr Blair suggested to his friends that the three teenagers be allowed come into the party, said the witness. The students were not happy but Mr Blair told them they were “sound” and allowed the three boys come into the house party.
At around 9pm, the accused asked one of Mr Blair’s friends if he could go to the off-licence with him to buy some alcohol. As they were walking back from the off-licence, the defendant told the student he had a knife on him, said the witness. When the accused arrived back at the house, his two friends were outside along with a number of other people.
“Cameron was one of the people holding fort and blocking people from coming back in,” said Det Gda Canny, adding that Mr Blair was described by witnesses as acting as a shield at the door. The youngest of the three teenagers was trying to push his way back into the house and produced a knife, said the detective. One of the students in the house described Mr Blair acting as a peacemaker by trying to control the situation.
A number of calls were made by students in the house to gardaí looking for help. At one point, one of the girls in the house went outside and got in between the two groups to try to calm the situation down. However, the smallest of the three teenagers hit her with his closed fist to the side of the face and she stumbled, he said.
The detective said that the accused was visible on CCTV footage wielding a knife across the road around 9.17pm and “tapping” the knife off the back of his leg at various times. He then walked back towards the house and lunged forward in a downward motion and stabbed Mr Blair once in the neck, he said. The teenager then ran away from the scene with the knife in hand before dumping it in a nearby field along with a pair of gloves he had been wearing.
The witness said Mr Blair did not initially realise that he had been stabbed before he stumbled and lost consciousness. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him at the scene before he was brought to CUH. He was declared dead at 10.20pm that night and the cause of death was a single stab wound to the neck.
The knife used to murder Mr Blair was produced to the court and measured 21cm in length.
The accused was quickly identified on social media and visited by gardaí the following day. Traces of blood were found on the accused’s jacket as well as DNA belonging to the deceased.
The teenager has no previous convictions, the court heard.
Defence counsel, Brendan Grehan SC, said a few worlds from different social circles had collided on the night. However, Mr Blair had appeared to be friends with everybody and had acted in a non-aggressive way, he said.
Under cross-examination, Det Sgt Canny agreed with Mr Grehan that his client and his two friends had seemed to develop a paranoia as to whether somebody else had a knife at the party. The witness further agreed that the accused had “launched himself forward” in a split second and, in an incredibly impulsive action, had caused the most appalling consequence, bringing about the death of Mr Blair.
In cross-examination, Det Sgt Canny told Mr Grehan that Mr Blair’s last words to his friend were: “Don’t worry lad, I don’t want to be fighting” before he smiled and closed his eyes.
The detective agreed with the defence counsel that the knife had gone in a downward thrust into Mr Blair’s neck and then into his lung.
A psychological assessment and probation report were made available to the court. The lawyer said his client had acted in a totally impetuous way which was absolutely uncalled for and he struggled to explain his behaviour on the night. “It was a moment of madness and his conduct was extreme to whatever threat his friend was under which was clearly none,” he said.
In mitigation, Mr Grehan asked the court to consider his client’s early guilty plea to murder and to deal with the defendant on the basis that he is a child. In his submissions, the barrister said that his client had started drinking at a very young age and was unable to explain what he had done in any rational way. Mr Grehan told the court that Mr Blair had extended the hand of friendship to his client by inviting him into the party. He said Cameron had played the role of a “Good Samaritan” when he brought a drunk sleeping homeless man, who was on the step next-door, into the house on the night because he was concerned about him. “There is no doubt about it, Mr Blair’s death not only caused unbelievable grief to a family but a life full of promise has been extinguished,” he said. Following this, the defence barrister read aloud to the court a letter of apology written by his client to the Blair family in which he said he was remorseful for ending Mr Blair’s life in the way he did and it should never have happened.
“Cameron was nothing than nice to me on the night, he did nothing wrong to me. It was never my intention for this to happen. It’s the first thing I think about every morning and the last thing I think about at night before I go to bed,” he said.
Mr Justice McDermott remanded the defendant in custody to Oberstown Children Detention Centre until April 20th, when he will be sentenced.


theirishtimes--2020-04-03--Mother tells court she is denying ex-partner access to son over Covid-19 fears

A mother has told a court that she is denying her ex-partner access to their son because she is protecting the boy and her family from coronavirus .
The couple are estranged and live in separate homes a number of miles away from each other in Co Clare .
The father hasn ’ t seen his 12-year-old son since March 4th and solicitor for the father , Frank Doherty stated he has been denied access on 13 separate dates in March in breach of a court order in place for access to the child .
Mr Doherty stated there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mother said she was denying access because “ the HSE is telling us not to mix with other people – that is why I am protecting my family from people coming into my house from other houses ” .
She told Judge Mary Larkin at the family law court in Ennis : “ I am being sensible , I am protecting my child.
” She added , it “ would not be safe ” for her son to live at his father ’ s house .
The woman said that along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older family relative lives with them at the family home .
She stated : “ We don ’ t mix .
We stay at home .
We are living on a farm in a very isolated environment .
For that reason , I am keeping my son with me because it is just too risky .
None of us wants to get this virus into our home.
” The mother stated that if she allowed access , her son would be mixing with other people , as his father would bring him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address in rural Clare .
The father told the court he lives by himself and has been self-isolating during the coronavirus pandemic .
Judge Larkin told the mother : “ I don ’ t accept that the child is any safer in your house than his father ’ s house.
” She added : “ I have no difficulty sending someone to jail for breach of access .
This is a breach of a court order and you have to comply with court orders.
” Judge Larkin stated the law of the land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
.
.
The law in Ireland is based on what the law is and there is a court order in place.
” Judge Larkin told the mother : “ You are going to have to come to terms with managing this access ” .
Judge Larkin stated she didn ’ t believe it is the intention that children should not see their other parent during the course of the coronavirus .
She commented : “ The other alternative is that the child would live with his father.
” The mother ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hearing and Judge Larkin told Mr Doherty to inform the solicitor that “ her client is in jeopardy as she is in breach of a court order and could be sent to jail ” , adding : “ This will have to be resolved ” .
The judge told the mother she has the option of making an application to have the current access order varied , asking : “ Surely , your son wants to see his father ?
” The mother responded : “ My son has access to Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t speak with him .
He doesn ’ t want it.
” Judge Larkin stated that she expected the matter to be resolved by the next court date on April 16th .

Judge tells mother, “This is a breach of a court order and you have to comply with court orders.” Photograph: Alan Betson / THE IRISH TIMES
A mother has told a court that she is denying her ex-partner access to their son because she is protecting the boy and her family from coronavirus.
The couple are estranged and live in separate homes a number of miles away from each other in Co Clare.
The father hasn’t seen his 12-year-old son since March 4th and solicitor for the father, Frank Doherty stated he has been denied access on 13 separate dates in March in breach of a court order in place for access to the child.
Mr Doherty stated there are 16 access dates scheduled during April.
READ MORE
The mother said she was denying access because “the HSE is telling us not to mix with other people – that is why I am protecting my family from people coming into my house from other houses”.
She told Judge Mary Larkin at the family law court in Ennis: “I am being sensible, I am protecting my child.”
She added, it “would not be safe” for her son to live at his father’s house.
The woman said that along with her husband and their baby, another older family relative lives with them at the family home.
She stated: “We don’t mix. We stay at home. We are living on a farm in a very isolated environment. For that reason, I am keeping my son with me because it is just too risky. None of us wants to get this virus into our home.”
The mother stated that if she allowed access, her son would be mixing with other people, as his father would bring him to meet with his own parents at another address in rural Clare.
The father told the court he lives by himself and has been self-isolating during the coronavirus pandemic.
Judge Larkin told the mother: “I don’t accept that the child is any safer in your house than his father’s house.”
She added: “I have no difficulty sending someone to jail for breach of access. This is a breach of a court order and you have to comply with court orders.”
Judge Larkin stated the law of the land “is not based on HSE directives . . . The law in Ireland is based on what the law is and there is a court order in place.”
Judge Larkin told the mother: “You are going to have to come to terms with managing this access”.
Judge Larkin stated she didn’t believe it is the intention that children should not see their other parent during the course of the coronavirus.
She commented: “The other alternative is that the child would live with his father.”
The mother’s solicitor wasn’t in court for the hearing and Judge Larkin told Mr Doherty to inform the solicitor that “her client is in jeopardy as she is in breach of a court order and could be sent to jail”, adding: “This will have to be resolved”.
The judge told the mother she has the option of making an application to have the current access order varied, asking: “Surely, your son wants to see his father?”
The mother responded: “My son has access to Facebook messenger and the phone and he doesn’t speak with him. He doesn’t want it.”
Judge Larkin stated that she expected the matter to be resolved by the next court date on April 16th.


theirishtimes--2020-04-03--Students call on universities to ensure grades do not suffer in online exams

Thousands of third-level students have signed petitions calling on their colleges to ensure their grades do not suffer as a result of disruption to education linked to the coronavirus pandemic .
Universities which had been closed since mid-March are to hold alternative online exams or remote assessments to replace traditional end-of-year exams in study halls this year .
However , many students who have limited quiet space in their homes , unreliable wifi or substandard laptops say they face being considerably disadvantaged .
Conall Williamson , a UCC student , started a “ no detriment ” petition at his college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure students do not receive grades that are lower than ones they were awarded during the academic year .
Almost 5,000 students at UCC have since signed the petition , along with 4,300 at UCD , 3,500 at Trinity College Dublin and 2,700 at DCU .
Mr Williamson said : “ These are unprecedented times and students are faced with an absence of face-to-face learning , no university resources , variable working environments at home , time-zone differences in the case of international students , as well as mature students who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ These people can not be expected to perform as they would have done under normal circumstances.
” The Union of Students in Ireland ( USI ) said it supports the campaign and is working with education stakeholders to ensure no students are disadvantaged as a result of the coronavirus fallout .
“ We strongly believe that higher education institutions , in partnership with their students , need to develop policies that are suitable for , and supportive of , their students and align with other arrangements within their institution , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it said there was no “ one size fits all ” approach that could be applied equally across all institutions due to the many different forms of alternative assessments .
The Irish Universities Association said its members were working to ensure students “ suffer no academic disadvantage ” by introducing flexible arrangements in relation to exam formats , marking and resits if required .
The Technological Higher Education Association , which represents institutes of technologies , has also given an assurance that “ no student will be disadvantaged ” as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Minister of State for higher education Mary Mitchell O ’ Connor said she welcomed moves by both the higher education and further education and training sector to protect students ' best interests .
“ Department of Education officials and I have been working daily with various stakeholders to ensure students in tertiary and further education and apprentices have certainty about their end year assessments and the format of these assessments , ” she said .
“ This is evidently a very stressful and challenging time for students and their families and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the students ’ unions of Ireland , the academic community , their representative bodies and public officials for their commitment and the huge amount of work over recent weeks to ensure that we continue to support and enable our young people in achieving their potential , ambition in out tertiary , further education system.
’ ’ Wiliamson said that while these moves were a step in the right direction , many students still face significant disadvantages .
Those with poor internet access or students who have job offers contingent on their results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a position to defer their exams – are among those who risk losing out , he said .
Some students who have contacted The Irish Times have also complained about the quality of online support they are receiving .
“ There are some lecturers who should be highly commended for their actions in this situation and are doing lectures over Zoom , providing support over email and so on , ” said one DCU student , who declined to be named .
“ However , there are many , many lecturers who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , ridiculous updated requirements and have yet to take into consideration that we do not have the capabilities to keep up with the same work level .
The same lecturers are not providing the equivalent of in-class support in order to answer questions .
.
.
A lot are making it harder rather than easier .
”

Conall Wiliamson, a UCC student, started a “no detriment” petition calling on the university to ensure students do not receive grades that are lower than ones they were awarded during the academic year.
Thousands of third-level students have signed petitions calling on their colleges to ensure their grades do not suffer as a result of disruption to education linked to the coronavirus pandemic.
Universities which had been closed since mid-March are to hold alternative online exams or remote assessments to replace traditional end-of-year exams in study halls this year.
However, many students who have limited quiet space in their homes, unreliable wifi or substandard laptops say they face being considerably disadvantaged.
Conall Williamson, a UCC student, started a “no detriment” petition at his college in recent days calling on the university to ensure students do not receive grades that are lower than ones they were awarded during the academic year.
READ MORE
Almost 5,000 students at UCC have since signed the petition, along with 4,300 at UCD, 3,500 at Trinity College Dublin and 2,700 at DCU.
Mr Williamson said: “These are unprecedented times and students are faced with an absence of face-to-face learning, no university resources, variable working environments at home, time-zone differences in the case of international students, as well as mature students who are balancing jobs and childcare.”
He added: “These people cannot be expected to perform as they would have done under normal circumstances.”
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) said it supports the campaign and is working with education stakeholders to ensure no students are disadvantaged as a result of the coronavirus fallout.
“We strongly believe that higher education institutions, in partnership with their students, need to develop policies that are suitable for, and supportive of, their students and align with other arrangements within their institution,” USI said in a statement.
However, it said there was no “one size fits all” approach that could be applied equally across all institutions due to the many different forms of alternative assessments.
Flexible arrangements
The Irish Universities Association said its members were working to ensure students "suffer no academic disadvantage" by introducing flexible arrangements in relation to exam formats, marking and resits if required.
The Technological Higher Education Association, which represents institutes of technologies, has also given an assurance that “no student will be disadvantaged” as a result of its contingency plans for remote assessments.
Minister of State for higher education Mary Mitchell O’Connor said she welcomed moves by both the higher education and further education and training sector to protect students' best interests.
“Department of Education officials and I have been working daily with various stakeholders to ensure students in tertiary and further education and apprentices have certainty about their end year assessments and the format of these assessments,” she said.
“This is evidently a very stressful and challenging time for students and their families and I would like to express my deep appreciation to the students’ unions of Ireland, the academic community, their representative bodies and public officials for their commitment and the huge amount of work over recent weeks to ensure that we continue to support and enable our young people in achieving their potential, ambition in out tertiary, further education system.’’
Wiliamson said that while these moves were a step in the right direction, many students still face significant disadvantages.
Those with poor internet access or students who have job offers contingent on their results – and who will not be in a position to defer their exams – are among those who risk losing out, he said.
Some students who have contacted The Irish Times have also complained about the quality of online support they are receiving.
“There are some lecturers who should be highly commended for their actions in this situation and are doing lectures over Zoom, providing support over email and so on,” said one DCU student, who declined to be named.
“However, there are many, many lecturers who are not. They are piling on additional work, ridiculous updated requirements and have yet to take into consideration that we do not have the capabilities to keep up with the same work level. The same lecturers are not providing the equivalent of in-class support in order to answer questions . . . A lot are making it harder rather than easier.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-03--‘Lagging wifi, internet freezes, distractions’: Students on the reality of online classes

As a result of the public health restrictions facing the entire country , higher education institutions have moved to host their classes and lectures online .
Face-to-face exams are also being replaced by alternative online and remote assessment procedures .
However , many students who face challenging and stressful circumstances worry that they are falling behind and their grades will suffer .
The Irish Times asked students to share their experiences of online learning so far .
Here is a selection of their responses : What are your experiences of online learning so far ?
“ Online classes aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lagging wifi means missing out on chunks of conversation when the internet freezes , and the atmosphere and learning environment is not the same as sitting in a classroom with lecturers and classmates.
” Caileigh Ryan , creative writing M.Phil student at TCD “ I ’ m finding it very difficult to concentrate in them [ online lectures ] .
Being in a non-designated space like a classroom means I get easily distracted , go on my phone more , might open new tabs in the computer .
They ’ re a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , it ’ s the best that we can do , but there is definitely a different energy.
” Niamh Elliott-Sheridan , gender and women ’ s studies M.Phil student at TCD “ There are some lecturers who should be highly commended for their actions in this situation .
For example , there are some that ensure all lectures are occurring over Zoom , providing support over email , providing additional support through forums , replacing office hours with Zoom meetings and accommodating larger groups by doing 1-3 Zoom sessions .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lecturers who are not .
They are piling on additional work , ridiculous updated requirements and have yet to take into consideration that we do not have the capabilities to keep up with the same work level .
Furthermore , the same lecturers are not providing the equivalent of in-class support in order to answer questions , or to provide digital versions of office hour meeting times , or to provide sufficient support by email .
A lot are making it harder rather than easier.
” Anonymous final year student , DCU “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classes really helpful .
I like that they come with the added ability of being able to look over the slides multiple times .
I think the college and the lecturers have been exceptional at providing the best possible education that they can in these circumstances , so I think they deserve credit for that .
The interactivity varies by class , as some are not live streaming and instead uploaded with voice overs for slides , so that is a small issue .
“ I think that while this is sufficient for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interactive and social experience .
People ’ s home life is also not always suitable for productivity or concentration , and while mine is not the worst , houses can be noisy and distracting places .
I ’ m writing my dissertation at the moment , and I really miss the library , getting up and going somewhere quiet , and having a mental and physical separation between academic and home life.
” Brian Mac Court , economics , politics and law student at DCU “ I currently live in the suburbs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes me on average about an hour to get to college .
Therefore , having online classes at home gives me less stress in the morning and helps me to organise my daily schedule more efficiently .
“ Also , each class is recorded and uploaded to the college site , so I can look up the classes again whenever I need them .
However , I find myself getting easily distracted by my surroundings , especially on the laptop .
If I am losing interest in the class or if I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I can access different tabs while I attend the online classes.
” Minhwa Shin , business student at CCT “ Zoom classes are great but not having the workshops and specialised tutors there to help us is tough .
Especially in final year , we have our degree show at the end of this college year , and it looks like that won ’ t be going ahead which is making it hard to have any motivation to work .
“ It ’ s also so hard as an art student to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get our creative juices flowing being stuck in our house all day .
I know for me , and most people in my year , we won ’ t be able to achieve what we wanted to in our final end of year pieces which is devastating for us .
After 3-4 years of working towards this , it ’ s hard to not be able to put our best work forward at the end of it all , because we couldn ’ t access our studio and workshops.
” Anonymous student at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course hasn ’ t started any online lectures , although we do have our first one in the morning .
We ’ ve received some emails from some of our lecturers telling us some topics we should revise while the college is closed .
We have also received some emails from staff in the college basically telling us that they are working on solutions to finish our learning and exams for this semester .
“ At the moment we have been told that a couple of our summer exams will be held online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are waiting to be updated on .
The situation is a little bit stressful , and although there are still some questions unanswered , we have still been kept up to date with the fact that the lecturers are holding daily meetings to come up with solutions that will benefit us.
” Ryan Jones , mechanical engineering student at TUD , Bolton Street “ The potential complications that lie with virtual classes are unfortunately , largely out of the control of universities .
These classes are entirely dependent on a strong internet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual ’ s broadband package and proximity to a router , as well as how many people are online at one time ( both within the app , as well as across the internet ) .
Internet providers all over the world are struggling right now to accommodate this sudden surge online as we all switch to working and learning remotely , not to mention the increased usage of streaming services like Netflix .
“ I find it helps my Zoom connection when I disconnect my phone and other devices from the WiFi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solve the problem of network latency .
On the other end of the spectrum entirely , some students may lack adequate internet access altogether , or even a home computer .
In these scenarios , maintaining any semblance of a learning environment would be nearly impossible.
” Sela Garza , Trinity College Dublin “ Colleges and universities have ceased in-person operations and are very efficaciously delivering online teaching .
While online teaching affords an increased degree of flexibility and draws heavily on personal intuition , it seems sub-optimal as a substitute for in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of medical conditions vicariously , while it is our best bet for the time being , often does not suffice , since doctors are trusted to discern physical findings very adeptly , and virtual exposure therefore feels insufficient .
Thus , the efficacy of online teaching , in my personal view , depends on two significant variables : the degree of personal motivation , and the field of study , both of which are invaluable in determining the benefit that countless students like myself can derive from virtual learning.
” Talal Almas , @ @ @

As a result of the public health restrictions facing the entire country, higher education institutions have moved to host their classes and lectures online. Face-to-face exams are also being replaced by alternative online and remote assessment procedures.
However, many students who face challenging and stressful circumstances worry that they are falling behind and their grades will suffer. The Irish Times asked students to share their experiences of online learning so far. Here is a selection of their responses:
What are your experiences of online learning so far?
"Online classes aren't a great substitute for in-person seminars. Lagging wifi means missing out on chunks of conversation when the internet freezes, and the atmosphere and learning environment is not the same as sitting in a classroom with lecturers and classmates."
Caileigh Ryan, creative writing M.Phil student at TCD
"I'm finding it very difficult to concentrate in them [online lectures]. Being in a non-designated space like a classroom means I get easily distracted, go on my phone more, might open new tabs in the computer. They're a good effort and I'll take it, it's the best that we can do, but there is definitely a different energy."
Niamh Elliott-Sheridan, gender and women's studies M.Phil student at TCD
READ MORE
“There are some lecturers who should be highly commended for their actions in this situation. For example, there are some that ensure all lectures are occurring over Zoom, providing support over email, providing additional support through forums, replacing office hours with Zoom meetings and accommodating larger groups by doing 1-3 Zoom sessions.
"However, there are many, many lecturers who are not. They are piling on additional work, ridiculous updated requirements and have yet to take into consideration that we do not have the capabilities to keep up with the same work level. Furthermore, the same lecturers are not providing the equivalent of in-class support in order to answer questions, or to provide digital versions of office hour meeting times, or to provide sufficient support by email. A lot are making it harder rather than easier."
Anonymous final year student, DCU
“I’m actually finding the online classes really helpful. I like that they come with the added ability of being able to look over the slides multiple times. I think the college and the lecturers have been exceptional at providing the best possible education that they can in these circumstances, so I think they deserve credit for that. The interactivity varies by class, as some are not live streaming and instead uploaded with voice overs for slides, so that is a small issue.
"I think that while this is sufficient for now and necessary, college is an interactive and social experience. People's home life is also not always suitable for productivity or concentration, and while mine is not the worst, houses can be noisy and distracting places. I'm writing my dissertation at the moment, and I really miss the library, getting up and going somewhere quiet, and having a mental and physical separation between academic and home life."
Brian Mac Court, economics, politics and law student at DCU
“I currently live in the suburbs, and commuting by bus in the morning takes me on average about an hour to get to college. Therefore, having online classes at home gives me less stress in the morning and helps me to organise my daily schedule more efficiently.
"Also, each class is recorded and uploaded to the college site, so I can look up the classes again whenever I need them. However, I find myself getting easily distracted by my surroundings, especially on the laptop. If I am losing interest in the class or if I want to have a look at something else, I can access different tabs while I attend the online classes."
Minhwa Shin, business student at CCT
“Zoom classes are great but not having the workshops and specialised tutors there to help us is tough. Especially in final year, we have our degree show at the end of this college year, and it looks like that won’t be going ahead which is making it hard to have any motivation to work.
"It's also so hard as an art student to find the inspiration and motivation and to get our creative juices flowing being stuck in our house all day. I know for me, and most people in my year, we won't be able to achieve what we wanted to in our final end of year pieces which is devastating for us. After 3-4 years of working towards this, it's hard to not be able to put our best work forward at the end of it all, because we couldn't access our studio and workshops."
Anonymous student at NCAD
“At the moment, my course hasn’t started any online lectures, although we do have our first one in the morning. We’ve received some emails from some of our lecturers telling us some topics we should revise while the college is closed. We have also received some emails from staff in the college basically telling us that they are working on solutions to finish our learning and exams for this semester.
"At the moment we have been told that a couple of our summer exams will be held online, but there are still some subjects we are waiting to be updated on. The situation is a little bit stressful, and although there are still some questions unanswered, we have still been kept up to date with the fact that the lecturers are holding daily meetings to come up with solutions that will benefit us."
Ryan Jones, mechanical engineering student at TUD, Bolton Street
“The potential complications that lie with virtual classes are unfortunately, largely out of the control of universities. These classes are entirely dependent on a strong internet connection, which varies depending on an individual’s broadband package and proximity to a router, as well as how many people are online at one time (both within the app, as well as across the internet). Internet providers all over the world are struggling right now to accommodate this sudden surge online as we all switch to working and learning remotely, not to mention the increased usage of streaming services like Netflix.
"I find it helps my Zoom connection when I disconnect my phone and other devices from the WiFi network - but this does not always solve the problem of network latency. On the other end of the spectrum entirely, some students may lack adequate internet access altogether, or even a home computer. In these scenarios, maintaining any semblance of a learning environment would be nearly impossible."
Sela Garza, Trinity College Dublin
“Colleges and universities have ceased in-person operations and are very efficaciously delivering online teaching. While online teaching affords an increased degree of flexibility and draws heavily on personal intuition, it seems sub-optimal as a substitute for in-person clinical training.
"Seeing a slate of medical conditions vicariously, while it is our best bet for the time being, often does not suffice, since doctors are trusted to discern physical findings very adeptly, and virtual exposure therefore feels insufficient. Thus, the efficacy of online teaching, in my personal view, depends on two significant variables: the degree of personal motivation, and the field of study, both of which are invaluable in determining the benefit that countless students like myself can derive from virtual learning."
Talal Almas, medicine, RCSI


theirishtimes--2020-04-03--Supreme Court dismisses man’s appeal over murder conviction

A man has lost his Supreme Court appeal over his conviction for the murder of another man who was shot outside a house in Co Tipperary .
The five-judge court , in a judgment delivered electronically on Friday , dismissed Maurice Power ’ s appeal aimed at overturning his conviction for the murder of Shane Rossiter on October 17th , 2012 .
Power ( 36 ) , of Dranganbeg , Kilmoyler , Cahir , had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Rossiter following a house party , where illegal drugs were being taken , in Church Lane , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a majority Central Criminal Court jury verdict in 2014 and jailed for life .
The prosecution relied on confession statements made by him while in custody at Clonmel Garda Station between December 11th and 15th , 2012 .
After his conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal , he secured a further appeal to the Supreme Court on points of law of general public importance .
One related to the extension of his detention by a District Court judge after he was arrested on suspicion of Mr Rossiter ’ s murder .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardaí he had shot Mr Rossiter , saying he had feared Mr Rossiter intended to kill him .
He claimed his detention by the District Court was unlawful and , as a result , that statement was not admissible .
A second issue concerned interpretation of section 10 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1993 , which provides , where evidence of a confession is uncorroborated , the trial judge should advise the jury to have due regard to that fact .
Giving the unanimous judgment , Ms Justice Iseult O ’ Malley said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2012 and detained until December 13th , in accordance with law , on foot of decisions by senior gardaí .
This appeal related only to the lawfulness of the further extension of his detention on December 13th by the District Court .
The defence argued that extension was obtained on the basis of incomplete and factually unsound information because the fact Power had begun earlier that day to make admissions in detention had not been taken into account .
Ms Justice O ’ Malley said the District Judge was obliged to make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before him , and neither side informed him Power had begun to make admissions .
If the District Judge came to a rational conclusion on the material before him , it was difficult to see how that could be characterised as unlawful simply because some other piece of evidence might , theoretically , have cast a different light on the issue .
The District Court decision was reasonable having regard to the evidence and submissions and the trial judge was thus entitled to find the decision was lawful , she ruled .
Addressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it obliges a trial judge to give particular advice to the jury if evidence of a confession is uncorroborated .
The provision goes beyond the evidence the confession was made by the accused and is also concerned with the factual content of the confession .
What is to be assessed is whether or not there is objective and relevant confirmation of that material , she said .
The distinction sought to be drawn by Power between the truth of the confession and the commission of the crime is not valid , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial judge correctly decided a warning concerning uncorroborated confessions was appropriate and correctly informed the jury the case rose or fell on the confession .
She also gave an appropriately worded explanation of the need to examine the other evidence to see whether it confirmed the truth and reliability of the confession but made clear the jury were entitled to convict if satisfied beyond reasonable doubt the confession was true .
On the basis of those and other findings , she dismissed the appeal .

The five-judge court, in a judgment delivered electronically on Friday, dismissed Maurice Power’s appeal aimed at overturning his conviction for the murder of Shane Rossiter on October 17th, 2012. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
A man has lost his Supreme Court appeal over his conviction for the murder of another man who was shot outside a house in Co Tipperary.
The five-judge court, in a judgment delivered electronically on Friday, dismissed Maurice Power’s appeal aimed at overturning his conviction for the murder of Shane Rossiter on October 17th, 2012.
Power (36), of Dranganbeg, Kilmoyler, Cahir, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Rossiter following a house party, where illegal drugs were being taken, in Church Lane, Golden. He was found guilty by a majority Central Criminal Court jury verdict in 2014 and jailed for life.
The prosecution relied on confession statements made by him while in custody at Clonmel Garda Station between December 11th and 15th, 2012. After his conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal, he secured a further appeal to the Supreme Court on points of law of general public importance. One related to the extension of his detention by a District Court judge after he was arrested on suspicion of Mr Rossiter’s murder.
READ MORE
While in detention, Power admitted to gardaí he had shot Mr Rossiter, saying he had feared Mr Rossiter intended to kill him. He claimed his detention by the District Court was unlawful and, as a result, that statement was not admissible. A second issue concerned interpretation of section 10 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1993, which provides, where evidence of a confession is uncorroborated, the trial judge should advise the jury to have due regard to that fact.
Giving the unanimous judgment, Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley said Power was arrested on December 11th, 2012 and detained until December 13th, in accordance with law, on foot of decisions by senior gardaí. This appeal related only to the lawfulness of the further extension of his detention on December 13th by the District Court. The defence argued that extension was obtained on the basis of incomplete and factually unsound information because the fact Power had begun earlier that day to make admissions in detention had not been taken into account. Ms Justice O’Malley said the District Judge was obliged to make a decision on the evidence and submissions put before him, and neither side informed him Power had begun to make admissions.
If the District Judge came to a rational conclusion on the material before him, it was difficult to see how that could be characterised as unlawful simply because some other piece of evidence might, theoretically, have cast a different light on the issue. The District Court decision was reasonable having regard to the evidence and submissions and the trial judge was thus entitled to find the decision was lawful, she ruled.
Addressing the interpretation of section 10, she said it obliges a trial judge to give particular advice to the jury if evidence of a confession is uncorroborated. The provision goes beyond the evidence the confession was made by the accused and is also concerned with the factual content of the confession.
What is to be assessed is whether or not there is objective and relevant confirmation of that material, she said.
The distinction sought to be drawn by Power between the truth of the confession and the commission of the crime is not valid, she said.
In this case, the trial judge correctly decided a warning concerning uncorroborated confessions was appropriate and correctly informed the jury the case rose or fell on the confession.
She also gave an appropriately worded explanation of the need to examine the other evidence to see whether it confirmed the truth and reliability of the confession but made clear the jury were entitled to convict if satisfied beyond reasonable doubt the confession was true.
On the basis of those and other findings, she dismissed the appeal.