theirishtimes--2020-05-19--Life satisfaction for Irish teens ranked among lowest in Europe

Irish teenagers are among the least satisfied with life compared to their counterparts in 45 countries , according to a major new study .
The country ’ s 15-year-olds ranked second from the bottom when it came to life satisfaction in a table of European countries , above only Malta .
And 13-year-olds here reported lower than average satisfaction with life , ranking 35th in the survey .
Only 11-year-olds seemed more content , ranking 25th in their age group for life satisfaction .
The World Health Organisation ( WHO ) study featured survey responses from more than 227,000 children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from 44 different European countries and Canada .
When it came to alcohol consumption , Irish 13-year-olds ranked among the least likely to say they had tried alcohol before , 39th out of 45 countries .
Greece topped the table , followed by Wales , France and then England .
Similarly , Irish 15-year-olds surveyed ranked below the average .
Irish teens and tweens were also among the least likely to state they had smoked tobacco before – 11-year-olds were third from the bottom out of 42 other countries , 13-year-olds were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were eight from the bottom of the table .
The Irish component of the study , published on Tuesday , was led by Prof Saoirse Nic Gabhainn in NUI Galway ’ s Health Promotion Research Centre .
Ireland ranked in the middle of the table when it came to 15-year-olds who had smoked cannabis before , with Bulgaria at the top .
The survey shows Irish teenagers rank high for problematic social media use compared to other countries .
Problematic use of social media relates to an over-reliance on platforms , or where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not online , or if their social media use created other problems in their life such as family disputes .
Irish 13-year-olds were the fifth highest in the survey of European countries to report problematic social media use .
And they also experienced higher than average cyberbullying , with both teenage groups ranking 10th in the table when it came to having been cyberbullied in recent months .
Girls were more likely than boys to have experienced online abuse .
Irish 15-year-olds were less likely to report having had sex , ranking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of diet , Irish adolescents were among the most likely to eat breakfast and reported low levels of sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption , compared to peers in other countries .
And Irish 11-year-olds surveyed also reported the third-highest levels of moderate or vigorous physical activity .
Prof Nic Gabhainn said the higher levels of problematic social media use and cyberbullying among Irish teenagers was one area of “ concern ” .
“ It is positive to note we retain comparatively low rates of substance use and high rates of physical activity , @ @ @ @

The World Health Organisation (WHO) study featured survey responses from more than 227,000 children aged 11, 13, and 15, from 44 different European countries and Canada. Photograph: Alan Betson
Irish teenagers are among the least satisfied with life compared to their counterparts in 45 countries, according to a major new study.
The country’s 15-year-olds ranked second from the bottom when it came to life satisfaction in a table of European countries, above only Malta.
And 13-year-olds here reported lower than average satisfaction with life, ranking 35th in the survey. Only 11-year-olds seemed more content, ranking 25th in their age group for life satisfaction.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) study featured survey responses from more than 227,000 children aged 11, 13, and 15, from 44 different European countries and Canada.
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When it came to alcohol consumption, Irish 13-year-olds ranked among the least likely to say they had tried alcohol before, 39th out of 45 countries. Greece topped the table, followed by Wales, France and then England. Similarly, Irish 15-year-olds surveyed ranked below the average.
Irish teens and tweens were also among the least likely to state they had smoked tobacco before – 11-year-olds were third from the bottom out of 42 other countries, 13-year-olds were fifth from the bottom, and 15-year-olds were eight from the bottom of the table.
The Irish component of the study, published on Tuesday, was led by Prof Saoirse Nic Gabhainn in NUI Galway's Health Promotion Research Centre.
Cannabis
Ireland ranked in the middle of the table when it came to 15-year-olds who had smoked cannabis before, with Bulgaria at the top.
The survey shows Irish teenagers rank high for problematic social media use compared to other countries. Problematic use of social media relates to an over-reliance on platforms, or where the young person felt unhappy when they were not online, or if their social media use created other problems in their life such as family disputes.
Irish 13-year-olds were the fifth highest in the survey of European countries to report problematic social media use. And they also experienced higher than average cyberbullying, with both teenage groups ranking 10th in the table when it came to having been cyberbullied in recent months. Girls were more likely than boys to have experienced online abuse.
Irish 15-year-olds were less likely to report having had sex, ranking 32nd out of 43 countries.
In terms of diet, Irish adolescents were among the most likely to eat breakfast and reported low levels of sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption, compared to peers in other countries. And Irish 11-year-olds surveyed also reported the third-highest levels of moderate or vigorous physical activity.
Prof Nic Gabhainn said the higher levels of problematic social media use and cyberbullying among Irish teenagers was one area of “concern”.
“It is positive to note we retain comparatively low rates of substance use and high rates of physical activity,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-19--Covid-19 taking ‘emotional toll’ on frontline staff, says ex-Rose of Tralee

Former Rose of Tralee Dr Elysha Brennan has spoken of the toll that Covid-19 has taken on medical staff who have contracted the virus .
Dr Brennan ( 27 ) , who graduated top of her class from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland ( RCSI ) last year , had hoped to start her paediatric training in Galway in July .
Instead , she is helping to treat healthcare staff who have tested positive for Covid-19 .
Almost 7,500 healthcare workers have contracted the Covid-19 virus , amounting to almost 30 per cent of all cases in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevalence of anxiety and low moods among frontline staff .
I found it quite tough offering support and reassurance .
They are really struggling with their mental health and self-isolation .
They are worried about family members .
They are worried about infections , ” she says .
“ A lot of people are being redeployed out of their normal jobs .
No one is having an easy go of it in the hospitals .
There is an emotional toll of dealing with patients that are so unwell , coming into work and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Brennan was working on the wards when the pandemic began but was moved off frontline medical services on the advice of other doctors .
In 2012 she was diagnosed with Hodgkin ’ s lymphoma just before her Leaving Certificate .
She got into medical school after successful treatment .
In October 2016 she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis , a debilitating condition which led to her hospitalisation for 10 days and for a further 2½ weeks in February 2017 .
The cumulative effect of chemotherapy she received having been diagnosed with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colitis .
She came through that too , often bringing her medical textbooks to her hospital bed .
She is currently receiving the autoimmune suppressant drug Vedolizumab , and her fellow doctors said it was too risky for her to remain on the frontline .
The drug is keeping her well , but as a cancer survivor she is in a high-risk category .
“ I have been quite anxious going to the shop .
When I am out and I see people congregating in groups , I get so worried because I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Dr Brennan is now doing diagnostic work and running lab tests in a large Dublin hospital , talking remotely to healthcare workers who test positive .
She asked that the hospital not be named to protect the staff but notes their experiences are being replicated in tertiary hospitals around the country .
The 2015 Rose of Tralee was one of 300 medical students to graduate from the RCSI last May .
In the time-honoured tradition , the top student was revealed in front of the class gathered in the foyer of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleagues and later invited to give the valedictorian speech in which she told her former classmates : “ As the next generation of doctors , we go our separate ways after today and venture out into the world .
This is my prayer for our future : may we use our minds to challenge the boundaries of modern medicine and be at the frontier of cutting-edge research.
” On graduating , Dr Brennan said she wished to specialise in paediatrics .
She successfully applied for a position in University Hospital Galway ( UHG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start in July .
“ Everything is up in the air .
You can ’ t plan next week .
Nobody can anticipate what way the hospital systems will be in Ireland during the summer , ” she says .
“ Myself , and my colleagues who are at the same grade as me , never did we anticipate that we would be finishing off our intern year in the middle of a global pandemic .
“ It has obstructed and impacted all different aspects of our lives .
Many of us haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and weeks .
I know the situation is the same for people around Ireland but I suppose , for a lot of us , we have had to move out of home for fear of infecting other people.
” In her own case , she lived with three other doctors and she moved out to reduce the risk of cross-infection .
She could not go back to live with her mother as her mother is in a vulnerable category so she moved in with her boyfriend in Skerries .
“ It has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While you are in it , you are in that flight or fight mode getting through it .
When all this does pass , we are all going to come out of it a little bruised and reflecting on what has happened .
”

Dr Elysha Brennan graduated top of her class from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland last year. ‘Never did we anticipate that we would be finishing off our intern year in the middle of a global pandemic.’ Photograph: Alan Betson
Former Rose of Tralee Dr Elysha Brennan has spoken of the toll that Covid-19 has taken on medical staff who have contracted the virus.
Dr Brennan (27), who graduated top of her class from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) last year, had hoped to start her paediatric training in Galway in July.
Instead, she is helping to treat healthcare staff who have tested positive for Covid-19. Almost 7,500 healthcare workers have contracted the Covid-19 virus, amounting to almost 30 per cent of all cases in the State.
“There is a huge prevalence of anxiety and low moods among frontline staff. I found it quite tough offering support and reassurance. They are really struggling with their mental health and self-isolation. They are worried about family members. They are worried about infections,” she says.
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“A lot of people are being redeployed out of their normal jobs. No one is having an easy go of it in the hospitals. There is an emotional toll of dealing with patients that are so unwell, coming into work and not knowing what you are facing.”
When I am out and I see people congregating in groups, I get so worried because I am in that high-risk group
Dr Brennan was working on the wards when the pandemic began but was moved off frontline medical services on the advice of other doctors. In 2012 she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma just before her Leaving Certificate. She got into medical school after successful treatment.
In October 2016 she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a debilitating condition which led to her hospitalisation for 10 days and for a further 2½ weeks in February 2017.
Medical textbooks
The cumulative effect of chemotherapy she received having been diagnosed with the cancer was a factor in her developing colitis. She came through that too, often bringing her medical textbooks to her hospital bed.
She is currently receiving the autoimmune suppressant drug Vedolizumab, and her fellow doctors said it was too risky for her to remain on the frontline. The drug is keeping her well, but as a cancer survivor she is in a high-risk category.
“I have been quite anxious going to the shop. When I am out and I see people congregating in groups, I get so worried because I am in that high-risk group and vulnerable.”
Dr Brennan is now doing diagnostic work and running lab tests in a large Dublin hospital, talking remotely to healthcare workers who test positive. She asked that the hospital not be named to protect the staff but notes their experiences are being replicated in tertiary hospitals around the country.
The 2015 Rose of Tralee was one of 300 medical students to graduate from the RCSI last May. In the time-honoured tradition, the top student was revealed in front of the class gathered in the foyer of the college.
Speech
She was cheered by her colleagues and later invited to give the valedictorian speech in which she told her former classmates: “As the next generation of doctors, we go our separate ways after today and venture out into the world. This is my prayer for our future: may we use our minds to challenge the boundaries of modern medicine and be at the frontier of cutting-edge research.”
It has impacted all different aspects of our lives. Many of us haven't seen our families in weeks
On graduating, Dr Brennan said she wished to specialise in paediatrics. She successfully applied for a position in University Hospital Galway (UHG) in February and was due to start in July.
"Everything is up in the air. You can't plan next week. Nobody can anticipate what way the hospital systems will be in Ireland during the summer," she says.
“Myself, and my colleagues who are at the same grade as me, never did we anticipate that we would be finishing off our intern year in the middle of a global pandemic.
“It has obstructed and impacted all different aspects of our lives. Many of us haven’t seen our families in weeks and weeks. I know the situation is the same for people around Ireland but I suppose, for a lot of us, we have had to move out of home for fear of infecting other people.”
In her own case, she lived with three other doctors and she moved out to reduce the risk of cross-infection. She could not go back to live with her mother as her mother is in a vulnerable category so she moved in with her boyfriend in Skerries.
“It has been really tough on myself and my friends. While you are in it, you are in that flight or fight mode getting through it. When all this does pass, we are all going to come out of it a little bruised and reflecting on what has happened.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-20--Government was advised against recommending cloth face masks

Scientific experts advising the Government on its Covid-19 response recommended against the use of cloth face masks by the public due to concerns over their effectiveness and the risk of harm .
Instead , the Government ’ s Expert Advisory Group on the pandemic recommended the use of “ medical face masks ” in settings such as public transport and shops where “ physical distancing can not be maintained ” .
However , its advice was changed because of concerns over the effect this might have on the supply of masks for healthcare workers , minutes of the National Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved the subsequent recommendation from NPHET and from last Monday , the wearing of “ face coverings ” , including home-made and cloth versions , has been recommended in locations such as shops and public transport .
According to NPHET minutes from May 1st , Expert Advisory Group chairman Dr Cillian de Gascun said it recommended guidance be made available to the public explaining the appropriate use of a medical face mask .
Consideration should be given as to how this recommendations could be equitably implemented , as requiring people to buy their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequalities , he said .
The group recommended the public be advised that medical face-masks and respirator masks should be prioritised for healthcare workers and that the recommendation could only be made if “ sufficient confidence ” existed in their availability for the foreseeable future .
The group also recommended against the wearing of latex or nitrile gloves as these could increase the risk of transmitting Covid-19 if worn inappropriately for long periods .
According to the minutes , NPHET noted the “ caveat ” from Dr de Gascun ’ s group about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the need to increase the indigenous supply of all grades of masks .
The meetings agreed , “ applying the precautionary principle ” , to recommend the use of “ face coverings ” in the community as part of the reduction of public health social distancing measures .

Scientific experts advising the Government on its Covid-19 response recommended against the use of cloth face masks by the public due to concerns over their effectiveness and the risk of harm.
Instead, the Government's Expert Advisory Group on the pandemic recommended the use of "medical face masks" in settings such as public transport and shops where "physical distancing cannot be maintained".
However, its advice was changed because of concerns over the effect this might have on the supply of masks for healthcare workers, minutes of the National Public Health Emergency Team show.
The Government approved the subsequent recommendation from NPHET and from last Monday, the wearing of “face coverings”, including home-made and cloth versions, has been recommended in locations such as shops and public transport.
READ MORE
According to NPHET minutes from May 1st, Expert Advisory Group chairman Dr Cillian de Gascun said it recommended guidance be made available to the public explaining the appropriate use of a medical face mask.
Consideration should be given as to how this recommendations could be equitably implemented, as requiring people to buy their own masks could “exacerbate” health inequalities, he said.
The group recommended the public be advised that medical face-masks and respirator masks should be prioritised for healthcare workers and that the recommendation could only be made if “sufficient confidence” existed in their availability for the foreseeable future.
The group also recommended against the wearing of latex or nitrile gloves as these could increase the risk of transmitting Covid-19 if worn inappropriately for long periods.
According to the minutes, NPHET noted the “caveat” from Dr de Gascun’s group about the availability of medical face-masks and discussed the need to increase the indigenous supply of all grades of masks.
The meetings agreed, “applying the precautionary principle”, to recommend the use of “face coverings” in the community as part of the reduction of public health social distancing measures.


theirishtimes--2020-05-20--Like HIV, Covid-19 affecting most marginalised, says leading consultant

Much like the HIV/Aids pandemic of the 1980s , Covid-19 is hitting the most marginalised and vulnerable in society the hardest , one of Ireland ’ s leading authorities on infectious disease has said .
However , according to Prof Mary Horgan , consultant at Cork University Hospital and president of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland , society ’ s response this time has been far faster due to the widespread reach of the virus .
“ They are on a different scale , the two pandemics , but it is the power of the people that makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
As a 26-year-old eager to specialise in infectious disease , Prof Horgan went to work at the Barnes Hospital in St Louis , Missouri , part of the renowned Washington University School of Medicine .
In 1990 the US was in the middle of the HIV/Aids crisis – people were dying in their thousands from a highly stigmatised illness for which there was no treatment or cure .
Forty years on , many comparisons are drawn with Covid-19 , widely considered the greatest threat to public health since then .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the first Aids case in the US only came to attention in about 1980 , and the first reported cases the following year .
Prof Horgan pointed out key differences in scientific responses between both pandemics .
It took two years to identify HIV as the cause of Aids , while identifying coronavirus as the cause of Covid-19 took just 10 days .
Doctors faced with the HIV/Aids outbreak had to wait four years before an approved test was rolled out in 1985 .
In the meantime the death toll mounted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was essentially no effective treatment and all you could do was treat the infections the virus caused .
So it was fairly doom and gloom , ” she said of her time in St Louis .
“ You built up relationships with all of the patients you cared for and the vast majority of them died.
” She saw hundreds perish , but the case that springs to mind was a young African-American mother who had acquired a brain infection .
“ It stood out how sick she was and how unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had a young family to look after .
Those were the home truths of what was happening.
” Drawing some comparison between the 1980s and now , Prof Horgan noted that Aids particularly hit gay people , poor urban African-American communities and intravenous drug users , the more marginalised corners of society .
Covid-19 is similarly affecting the most vulnerable people in society .
While the mortality rate was far higher among Aids victims , it did not have anything like the same reach .
In fighting and understanding Covid-19 , Prof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same stigma not be allowed to take hold .
“ People [ with HIV ] were often afraid to tell their families or their friends in case they may have been ostracised , which often happened .
“ Sometimes I think they didn ’ t worry about dying .
I think they worried about people finding out they had HIV/Aids , I think that was more of the worry.
” There is of course similar misinformation or “ folklore ” around the new illness , Prof Horgan pointed out , but she noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , both socially and scientifically .
“ In HIV/Aids in a different sense communities came together but they would be the gay advocacy groups and were hugely important in pushing the whole research agenda.
” Although the political response was slower in the 1980s ( US president Ronald Reagan would not use the term Aids publicly until 1985 when more than 5,000 people had died ) as was sufficient research funding , the stepped-up response in 2020 is largely considered to be a reflection of how widespread the crisis has become .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy with HIV/Aids , ” Dr Hogan said .
“ That is a probably a marker of how everybody can be potentially touched by this [ Covid-19 pandemic ] .
”

Prof Mary Horgan: ‘People [with HIV] were often afraid to tell their families or their friends in case they may have been ostracised.’ Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Much like the HIV/Aids pandemic of the 1980s, Covid-19 is hitting the most marginalised and vulnerable in society the hardest, one of Ireland’s leading authorities on infectious disease has said.
However, according to Prof Mary Horgan, consultant at Cork University Hospital and president of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, society's response this time has been far faster due to the widespread reach of the virus.
“They are on a different scale, the two pandemics, but it is the power of the people that makes the difference” in each, she said.
As a 26-year-old eager to specialise in infectious disease, Prof Horgan went to work at the Barnes Hospital in St Louis, Missouri, part of the renowned Washington University School of Medicine.
READ MORE
You built up relationships with all of the patients you cared for and the vast majority of them died
In 1990 the US was in the middle of the HIV/Aids crisis – people were dying in their thousands from a highly stigmatised illness for which there was no treatment or cure. Forty years on, many comparisons are drawn with Covid-19, widely considered the greatest threat to public health since then.
Although HIV had been quietly circulating for years, the first Aids case in the US only came to attention in about 1980, and the first reported cases the following year.
Key differences
Prof Horgan pointed out key differences in scientific responses between both pandemics. It took two years to identify HIV as the cause of Aids, while identifying coronavirus as the cause of Covid-19 took just 10 days. Doctors faced with the HIV/Aids outbreak had to wait four years before an approved test was rolled out in 1985. In the meantime the death toll mounted.
“I came into an era where there was essentially no effective treatment and all you could do was treat the infections the virus caused. So it was fairly doom and gloom,” she said of her time in St Louis. “You built up relationships with all of the patients you cared for and the vast majority of them died.”
She saw hundreds perish, but the case that springs to mind was a young African-American mother who had acquired a brain infection.
“It stood out how sick she was and how unlikely she was to get better. And she had a young family to look after. Those were the home truths of what was happening.”
Drawing some comparison between the 1980s and now, Prof Horgan noted that Aids particularly hit gay people, poor urban African-American communities and intravenous drug users, the more marginalised corners of society. Covid-19 is similarly affecting the most vulnerable people in society.
While the mortality rate was far higher among Aids victims, it did not have anything like the same reach. In fighting and understanding Covid-19, Prof Horgan stressed how crucial it is the same stigma not be allowed to take hold.
“People [with HIV] were often afraid to tell their families or their friends in case they may have been ostracised, which often happened.
“Sometimes I think they didn’t worry about dying. I think they worried about people finding out they had HIV/Aids, I think that was more of the worry.”
Misinformation
There is of course similar misinformation or “folklore” around the new illness, Prof Horgan pointed out, but she noted a more positive repetition in community response, both socially and scientifically.
“In HIV/Aids in a different sense communities came together but they would be the gay advocacy groups and were hugely important in pushing the whole research agenda.”
Although the political response was slower in the 1980s (US president Ronald Reagan would not use the term Aids publicly until 1985 when more than 5,000 people had died )as was sufficient research funding, the stepped-up response in 2020 is largely considered to be a reflection of how widespread the crisis has become.
“There was no crash in the global economy with HIV/Aids,” Dr Hogan said. “That is a probably a marker of how everybody can be potentially touched by this [Covid-19 pandemic].”


theirishtimes--2020-05-20--Dundalk nursing home lost 60% of staff to coronavirus at peak of outbreak

One of the worst-hit nursing homes in the coronavirus pandemic lost 60 per cent of staff to illness or isolation at the peak of its outbreak and had to rely on a volunteer , the grand-daughter of a resident , to manage its phonelines .
Dealgan House Nursing Home in Dundalk , Co Louth – where 22 residents have died with coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 , since April 1st – revealed details of the impact of its outbreak on the home in a letter , sent in recent days to the relatives of residents who died at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Dealgan House , told relatives that at the height of the nursing home ’ s virus outbreak only seven of the home ’ s 24-strong nursing staff were available .
The private nursing home has 84 beds .
Mr Farrelly revealed how the staff was severely depleted as he explained why relatives often had difficulty communicating with staff at the elderly care facility .
The RCSI Hospitals Group temporarily took over the management of the nursing home on April 17th due to the staffing shortages , in an effort to contain the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dealgan House had 22 nurses on our payroll , in addition to a director and deputy director of nursing , that is 24 nurses in all , ” he wrote .
But he said at the height of the outbreak only seven members of the nursing team were available .
“ Overall , 60 per cent of our staff were unavailable for work , some of them ill or in isolation , others fearful for themselves or for a family member with underlying conditions.
” Some managers were also unavailable .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office was “ manned alone , by a wonderful volunteer , the granddaughter of a resident ” .
The volunteer had to try to manage 2,500 calls in one week where , prior to the pandemic , Dealgan House would only receive about 300 phone calls per week .
“ Due to infection control procedures , the volunteer answering the calls could not move around the nursing home and the nurses , prioritising the care of residents and dressed in full PPE [ personal protective equipment ] , could not take phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know it was very distressing not to be able to speak to a nurse about your loved one at that critical time and I sincerely apologise for this.
” Despite several appeals for PPE gear throughout March , the home did not receive any shipments from the HSE until after their first confirmed case on April 4th .
A week later , three residents had tested positive for the virus , with several others showing symptoms .
On Tuesday , a spokesman for Dealgan House said it had not recorded a transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 days .
The nursing homes regulator , the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) , has said that it will carry out an inspection of Dealgan House to determine the standards of care and support provided to residents and that it will review the nursing records of residents and those who had died .
Mr Farrelly said the nursing home had promised full co-operation and support to the inspection by Hiqa .
He said that he was confident “ the inspection will identify any shortcomings in preparing for and dealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House or elsewhere , and that lessons will be learned to ensure it does not happen again ” .
He said he and his staff “ can not understand ” how the virus took such a toll on the residents of what he described as a “ well-run nursing home with excellent qualified and caring staff ” .
“ We want answers to that and other questions as much as you do , ” he said .

Dealgan House Nursing Home: 22 residents have died with coronavirus since April 1st at the nursing home in Dundalk, Co Louth. Photograph: Padraig O’Reilly
One of the worst-hit nursing homes in the coronavirus pandemic lost 60 per cent of staff to illness or isolation at the peak of its outbreak and had to rely on a volunteer, the grand-daughter of a resident, to manage its phonelines.
Dealgan House Nursing Home in Dundalk, Co Louth – where 22 residents have died with coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, since April 1st – revealed details of the impact of its outbreak on the home in a letter, sent in recent days to the relatives of residents who died at the home.
Eoin Farrelly, managing director of Dealgan House, told relatives that at the height of the nursing home's virus outbreak only seven of the home's 24-strong nursing staff were available . The private nursing home has 84 beds.
Mr Farrelly revealed how the staff was severely depleted as he explained why relatives often had difficulty communicating with staff at the elderly care facility.
READ MORE
Staffing shortages
The RCSI Hospitals Group temporarily took over the management of the nursing home on April 17th due to the staffing shortages, in an effort to contain the outbreak.
“Prior to the outbreak, Dealgan House had 22 nurses on our payroll, in addition to a director and deputy director of nursing, that is 24 nurses in all,” he wrote. But he said at the height of the outbreak only seven members of the nursing team were available.
“Overall, 60 per cent of our staff were unavailable for work, some of them ill or in isolation, others fearful for themselves or for a family member with underlying conditions.” Some managers were also unavailable.
Mr Farrelly said that the crisis had meant the office was “manned alone, by a wonderful volunteer, the granddaughter of a resident”.
The volunteer had to try to manage 2,500 calls in one week where, prior to the pandemic, Dealgan House would only receive about 300 phone calls per week.
“Due to infection control procedures, the volunteer answering the calls could not move around the nursing home and the nurses, prioritising the care of residents and dressed in full PPE [personal protective equipment], could not take phone calls,” he wrote.
“I know it was very distressing not to be able to speak to a nurse about your loved one at that critical time and I sincerely apologise for this.”
Despite several appeals for PPE gear throughout March, the home did not receive any shipments from the HSE until after their first confirmed case on April 4th. A week later, three residents had tested positive for the virus, with several others showing symptoms.
Inspection
On Tuesday, a spokesman for Dealgan House said it had not recorded a transmission or new case of the disease in 25 days.
The nursing homes regulator, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), has said that it will carry out an inspection of Dealgan House to determine the standards of care and support provided to residents and that it will review the nursing records of residents and those who had died.
Mr Farrelly said the nursing home had promised full co-operation and support to the inspection by Hiqa.
He said that he was confident “the inspection will identify any shortcomings in preparing for and dealing with the outbreak, whether in Dealgan House or elsewhere, and that lessons will be learned to ensure it does not happen again”.
He said he and his staff “cannot understand” how the virus took such a toll on the residents of what he described as a “well-run nursing home with excellent qualified and caring staff”.
“We want answers to that and other questions as much as you do,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-20--Last Moore Street cafe may be turned into bookmakers

Bookmakers Ladbrokes is proposing to turn the last cafe on Dublin ’ s Moore Street , Ann ’ s Bakery and Restaurant , into a betting office .
While there are two other bookmakers operating on the street , Paddy Power and Boyle Sports , Ann ’ s was the last cafe operating on the street .
Local businesses , Moore Street market traders and representatives of an advisory group on the future of the street have objected to Ladbrokes ’ plans .
In a submission , Tom Holbrook , chairman of the Moore Street Traders Committee , said market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to having a business of this nature in Moore Street ” .
He said the street was “ overrun with anti-social activity , eg street drinking , contraband , undesirables , loitering etc ” .
These problems deterred shoppers from “ an already suffering street ” , he said .
“ Moore Street is famous worldwide for its food and character .
We feel this proposed business would take away from that.
” Stephen Troy , a Moore Street butcher and a member of the Dublin 1 Business Alliance , said another bookmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to develop a 1916 commemorative centre on the street .
“ There are plans to implement a national monument within the Moore Street terrace to commemorate the heroes and events of 1916 which will become a huge tourist attraction , and it would look absolutely hideous to have another gambling outlet adjacent to such a building.
” It would also alter the character and custom base of the street , he said .
“ I am a member of the expert group appointed by Minister [ for Heritage ] Josepha Madigan with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the addition of another gambling outlet completely undermines the efforts of this expert group.
” Sharon Greene , appointed to the expert group to advise on market management , said a “ good diversity of retail uses ” is needed to draw customers to markets , and cafes in particular caused them to “ linger ” in the area .
“ For this reason I would strongly oppose the change of use sought for a Ladbrokes betting shop on Moore Street , which would bring the number of betting shops on the street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Dublin City Council , consultants acting on behalf of Ladbrokes said another bookmakers on Moore Street would not constitute an intensification or proliferation of betting shops in the area “ Betting offices represent an appropriate city centre service which serves to attract people into the area and add to the mix of uses which we submit will aid the vitality and vibrancy of the area.
” While Ann ’ s Bakery is closing its Moore Street outlet , it remains in business on Mary Street and North Earl Street .
The building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre , is owned by UK property group Hammerson which plans to develop a mixed-use retail , office , hotel and residential scheme on the opposite side of Moore Street , and Irish Life Assurance plc .
The companies granted consent to Ladbrokes to make the application .
A spokesperson for the Department of Culture , Heritage and the Gaeltacht said the Ladbrokes application related to a “ modern commercial building ” and therefor the proposed change of use was a matter solely for the city council to determine .
Submissions on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until June 25th .

Ann’s Bakery: market stall holders are “strongly opposed” to the outlet being made into a bookies. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Bookmakers Ladbrokes is proposing to turn the last cafe on Dublin's Moore Street, Ann's Bakery and Restaurant, into a betting office.
While there are two other bookmakers operating on the street, Paddy Power and Boyle Sports, Ann’s was the last cafe operating on the street.
Local businesses, Moore Street market traders and representatives of an advisory group on the future of the street have objected to Ladbrokes’ plans.
In a submission, Tom Holbrook, chairman of the Moore Street Traders Committee, said market stall holders would be "strongly opposed to having a business of this nature in Moore Street".
READ MORE
He said the street was “overrun with anti-social activity, eg street drinking, contraband, undesirables, loitering etc”. These problems deterred shoppers from “an already suffering street”, he said.
“Moore Street is famous worldwide for its food and character. We feel this proposed business would take away from that.”
Stephen Troy, a Moore Street butcher and a member of the Dublin 1 Business Alliance, said another bookmakers would have a detrimental effect on plans to develop a 1916 commemorative centre on the street.
Heroes of 1916
“There are plans to implement a national monument within the Moore Street terrace to commemorate the heroes and events of 1916 which will become a huge tourist attraction, and it would look absolutely hideous to have another gambling outlet adjacent to such a building.”
It would also alter the character and custom base of the street, he said.
"I am a member of the expert group appointed by Minister [for Heritage] Josepha Madigan with the sole aim of revitalising Moore Street and the addition of another gambling outlet completely undermines the efforts of this expert group."
Ladbrokes is proposing to transform Moore Street’s Ann’s Bakery and Restaurant into a betting office. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Sharon Greene, appointed to the expert group to advise on market management, said a “good diversity of retail uses” is needed to draw customers to markets, and cafes in particular caused them to “linger” in the area.
“For this reason I would strongly oppose the change of use sought for a Ladbrokes betting shop on Moore Street, which would bring the number of betting shops on the street to three.”
‘Vitality and vibrancy’
In their planning application to Dublin City Council, consultants acting on behalf of Ladbrokes said another bookmakers on Moore Street would not constitute an intensification or proliferation of betting shops in the area
“Betting offices represent an appropriate city centre service which serves to attract people into the area and add to the mix of uses which we submit will aid the vitality and vibrancy of the area.”
While Ann’s Bakery is closing its Moore Street outlet, it remains in business on Mary Street and North Earl Street.
The building, which is part of the Ilac centre, is owned by UK property group Hammerson which plans to develop a mixed-use retail, office, hotel and residential scheme on the opposite side of Moore Street, and Irish Life Assurance plc. The companies granted consent to Ladbrokes to make the application.
A spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht said the Ladbrokes application related to a “modern commercial building” and therefor the proposed change of use was a matter solely for the city council to determine.
Submissions on the application can be made to the council until June 25th.


theirishtimes--2020-05-20--Coronavirus heroes: ‘Ireland has looked after us so it’s time to return the favour’

In December 2019 , Jerry Jincy was called to a meeting at Dublin ’ s Mater hospital where she learned preparations were to begin immediately for the possibility of a coronavirus outbreak in Ireland .
As assistant director of nursing in infection prevention and control , she was assigned a lead role in guiding the Dublin hospital through the pandemic .
“ We have the national isolation unit in the Mater so we knew when the first case hit Ireland we would be the ones taking patients , ” says Jincy who is originally from Kerala in southern India .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Covid-19 was first reported in China and worked hard to create a strategy to protect our staff and patients.
” Jincy has spent the past few months providing expert advice on infection control to colleagues across the hospital , while also assessing the hospital ’ s personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and providing training in how to use the gear .
“ The last few months my role has changed a lot and there has been an exponential increase in workload .
National guidelines on PPE have changed multiple times ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide PPE training to more than 3,500 employees in line with these changes.
” She admits balancing her personal life with work demands has become extremely difficult and is grateful for the support of colleagues .
A mother of three , including a teenage son with autism and an 18-month-old baby , she works 13 hours a day Monday-Friday and stays on call over the weekend .
“ I ’ ve missed milestones with the baby .
The nine-year-old understands he needs to be supportive and has taken on the role of minding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing a brilliant job , I ’ m really proud of him .
“ I ’ m also lucky to have an incredible husband who is the king of multitasking .
When I reach home , I ’ m extremely tired .
If he wasn ’ t there , I wouldn ’ t be able to work like this .
“ I ’ ve had great opportunities here and Ireland has looked after us – so it ’ s time to return the favour.
” Jincy is just one of the thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic in Irish hospitals .
Most come from India and the Philippines , with smaller numbers coming from Africa .
Foreign doctors have also played a vital role in the fight against Covid-19 in Irish hospitals .
Ireland ’ s share of foreign-trained doctors is the third-highest among western countries , at 42.3 per cent , according to the OECD .
Dr Waqas Rehman , an intensive care unit registrar at the Mater hospital who has worked in Ireland for 10 years , says all health workers are carrying an “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus home .
Rehman , who has two children , showers after every shift and keeps his work clothes in a special bag .
“ It was overwhelming at the start .
There was all this data coming from China about the disease that nobody knew anything about .
“ I tried to warn my children and my daughter understands , but my son is special needs and can ’ t understand what ’ s going on or why dad isn ’ t playing with him .
But this is the life we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be serving humanity in this way.
” Treating Covid-19 patients in the ICU is a constantly evolving process , says Rehman .
However , he feels confident working alongside a team of doctors he describes as “ some of the best people in the country ” .
Rehman also worries about his parents who are cocooning in their home in his native Pakistan .
His mother has asthma and many people are not taking the lockdown restrictions seriously , he says .
Dr Taciane Alegra , a paediatric registrar at the emergency department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Hospital , Crumlin , says the number of sick children presenting has dropped noticeably since March .
“ Our main attendances are usually viral infections but , with the schools closed , the spread of common viruses among children has stopped , ” says the Brazilian doctor .
However , she worries that children who do need medical treatment are staying home .
“ We believe people are afraid to come to the emergency department because of Covid .
But a lot of adaptations were done around the hospital to respect social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Like many non-EU , foreign-trained doctors , Alegra is not allowed to join specialist training schemes and says opportunities for job progression are scarce .
Becoming a consultant “ is almost impossible ” for a Brazilian doctor , she adds .
“ I have a PhD and extensive experience in research but I feel that doesn ’ t make any difference so it ’ s a double loss .
I ’ m not able to reach my full potential and Ireland is not using my skills properly.
” Despite these barriers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her husband ’ s job , is happy in her work .
“ My colleagues are lovely , they give me opportunities whenever they can .
I ’ ve never felt diminished at work .
”

Jincy Jerry, assistant director of nursing in infection prevention and control at the Mater: “We knew when the first case hit Ireland we would be the ones taking patients.” Photograph: Tom Honan
In December 2019, Jerry Jincy was called to a meeting at Dublin's Mater hospital where she learned preparations were to begin immediately for the possibility of a coronavirus outbreak in Ireland.
As assistant director of nursing in infection prevention and control, she was assigned a lead role in guiding the Dublin hospital through the pandemic.
"We have the national isolation unit in the Mater so we knew when the first case hit Ireland we would be the ones taking patients," says Jincy who is originally from Kerala in southern India. "We started developing algorithms and guidelines when Covid-19 was first reported in China and worked hard to create a strategy to protect our staff and patients."
Jincy has spent the past few months providing expert advice on infection control to colleagues across the hospital, while also assessing the hospital’s personal protective equipment (PPE) and providing training in how to use the gear.
READ MORE
“The last few months my role has changed a lot and there has been an exponential increase in workload. National guidelines on PPE have changed multiple times; it’s a real challenge to provide PPE training to more than 3,500 employees in line with these changes.”
She admits balancing her personal life with work demands has become extremely difficult and is grateful for the support of colleagues.
A mother of three, including a teenage son with autism and an 18-month-old baby, she works 13 hours a day Monday-Friday and stays on call over the weekend.
“I’ve missed milestones with the baby. The nine-year-old understands he needs to be supportive and has taken on the role of minding both his brothers. He’s doing a brilliant job, I’m really proud of him.
“I’m also lucky to have an incredible husband who is the king of multitasking. When I reach home, I’m extremely tired. If he wasn’t there, I wouldn’t be able to work like this.
“I’ve had great opportunities here and Ireland has looked after us – so it’s time to return the favour.”
‘Invisible fear’
Jincy is just one of the thousands of foreign nurses currently working on the frontline of the pandemic in Irish hospitals. Most come from India and the Philippines, with smaller numbers coming from Africa.
Foreign doctors have also played a vital role in the fight against Covid-19 in Irish hospitals. Ireland’s share of foreign-trained doctors is the third-highest among western countries, at 42.3 per cent, according to the OECD.
Dr Waqas Rehman, an intensive care unit registrar at the Mater hospital who has worked in Ireland for 10 years, says all health workers are carrying an “invisible fear” they will bring the virus home.
Dr Waqas Rehman, an ICU registrar at the Mater: “This is the life we have chosen and I feel distinguished to be serving humanity in this way.”
Rehman, who has two children, showers after every shift and keeps his work clothes in a special bag. “It was overwhelming at the start. There was all this data coming from China about the disease that nobody knew anything about.
“I tried to warn my children and my daughter understands, but my son is special needs and can’t understand what’s going on or why dad isn’t playing with him. But this is the life we have chosen and I feel distinguished to be serving humanity in this way.”
Treating Covid-19 patients in the ICU is a constantly evolving process, says Rehman. However, he feels confident working alongside a team of doctors he describes as “some of the best people in the country”.
Rehman also worries about his parents who are cocooning in their home in his native Pakistan. His mother has asthma and many people are not taking the lockdown restrictions seriously, he says.
Fewer presentations
Dr Taciane Alegra, a paediatric registrar at the emergency department of Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, says the number of sick children presenting has dropped noticeably since March.
“Our main attendances are usually viral infections but, with the schools closed, the spread of common viruses among children has stopped,” says the Brazilian doctor. However, she worries that children who do need medical treatment are staying home.
“We believe people are afraid to come to the emergency department because of Covid. But a lot of adaptations were done around the hospital to respect social distancing and to be prepared for patients.”
Like many non-EU, foreign-trained doctors, Alegra is not allowed to join specialist training schemes and says opportunities for job progression are scarce. Becoming a consultant “is almost impossible” for a Brazilian doctor, she adds.
“I have a PhD and extensive experience in research but I feel that doesn’t make any difference so it’s a double loss. I’m not able to reach my full potential and Ireland is not using my skills properly.”
Despite these barriers, Alegra, who moved to Ireland because of her husband’s job, is happy in her work. “My colleagues are lovely, they give me opportunities whenever they can. I’ve never felt diminished at work. ”


theirishtimes--2020-05-19--Threats against NI journalists broadly condemned

A wide range of political and civic society has come out in condemning recent threats against journalists in Northern Ireland .
In April , dissident republicans threatened an Irish News journalist while earlier this month all journalists in the Belfast-based Sunday World and Sunday Life were threatened by Ulster Defence Association members in southeast Antrim due to their coverage of their alleged criminal activities .
Politicians such as Ulster Unionist Party leader Steven Aiken , Sinn Féin Assembly member Linda Dillon , SDLP Assembly member Patsy McGlone and Alliance MP Stephen Farry also were threatened by the UDA for supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be threatened is DUP East Antrim MLA David Hilditch .
On Wednesday , three daily Belfast-based papers , the Irish News , the Belfast Telegraph and the News Letter are to publish statements standing up for journalists and for press freedom and asserting the right of reporters “ to work without threats , intimidation or harassment ” .
Their statements are supported by First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill , by Northern Ireland MPs and MLAs , by the National Union of Journalists , by church leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artists and human rights groups .
Signatories to the statement also include Northern Secretary Brandon Lewis , Oliver Dowden , the UK ’ s secretary of state for digital , culture , media and sport , the World Association of News Publishers , the International Federation of Journalists and the International Trade Union Confederation .
Séamus Dooley , the NUJ ’ s assistant general secretary , said members welcomed the “ strong stand taken by political and community leaders and look forward to a renewed drive to ensure journalists can safely carry out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Irish News editor Noel Doran said the increase in the number of serious threats was “ deeply alarming ” .
He said the support for journalists “ sends out a strong message that all the attempts at intimidation will have no effect on our coverage , that the perpetrators need to be robustly pursued by the authorities and that civil society is firmly behind freedom of the press ” .
Sunday Life editor Martin Breen said everyone must “ stand up against these vile threats , as their sole aim is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public ’ s right to know about those gangsters operating in their communities across Northern Ireland ” .
Sunday World editor Brian Farrell said the threats highlighted “ the risk and importance of exposing the criminal menace that plagues our society ” .

Irish News editor Noel Doran said the support for journalists “sends out a strong message that all the attempts at intimidation will have no effect on our coverage”. File photograph: Getty
A wide range of political and civic society has come out in condemning recent threats against journalists in Northern Ireland.
In April, dissident republicans threatened an Irish News journalist while earlier this month all journalists in the Belfast-based Sunday World and Sunday Life were threatened by Ulster Defence Association members in southeast Antrim due to their coverage of their alleged criminal activities.
Politicians such as Ulster Unionist Party leader Steven Aiken, Sinn Féin Assembly member Linda Dillon, SDLP Assembly member Patsy McGlone and Alliance MP Stephen Farry also were threatened by the UDA for supporting the journalists.
The latest politician to be threatened is DUP East Antrim MLA David Hilditch.
READ MORE
On Wednesday, three daily Belfast-based papers, the Irish News, the Belfast Telegraph and the News Letter are to publish statements standing up for journalists and for press freedom and asserting the right of reporters "to work without threats, intimidation or harassment".
Their statements are supported by First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, by Northern Ireland MPs and MLAs, by the National Union of Journalists, by church leaders, trade unionists and business leaders, artists and human rights groups.
Signatories to the statement also include Northern Secretary Brandon Lewis, Oliver Dowden, the UK's secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, the World Association of News Publishers, the International Federation of Journalists and the International Trade Union Confederation.
‘Strong stand’
Séamus Dooley, the NUJ’s assistant general secretary, said members welcomed the “strong stand taken by political and community leaders and look forward to a renewed drive to ensure journalists can safely carry out their work on behalf of the public”.
Irish News editor Noel Doran said the increase in the number of serious threats was "deeply alarming".
He said the support for journalists “sends out a strong message that all the attempts at intimidation will have no effect on our coverage, that the perpetrators need to be robustly pursued by the authorities and that civil society is firmly behind freedom of the press”.
Sunday Life editor Martin Breen said everyone must "stand up against these vile threats, as their sole aim is to silence investigative journalism and curtail the public's right to know about those gangsters operating in their communities across Northern Ireland".
Sunday World editor Brian Farrell said the threats highlighted "the risk and importance of exposing the criminal menace that plagues our society".


theirishtimes--2020-05-19--Ombudsman sees spike in complaints about public bodies

A doctor discussing another person ’ s medical history with a patient and a local authority censuring a tenant over a tweet were among the cases the ombudsman intervened in last year .
Peter Tyndall ’ s office , which examines complaints about public services and authorities , received its highest number of complaints in a decade , according to its annual report , published on Wednesday .
There were 3,664 complaints to the office last year , up 9 per cent on 2018 ( 3,364 ) and the highest number since 2010 .
Increases were largely driven by complaints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12.6 per cent on 2018 ) and the education sector – including grant-awarding bodies – which were up 17 per cent .
Of the 1,186 complaints made about government departments , 806 related to the Department of Social Protection , 106 to Revenue , 84 to the Department of Agriculture and 52 to the Department of Justice .
There were 708 complaints about the health and social care sectors , including 261 about hospitals .
In a case involving Letterkenny General Hospital , “ Deirdre ” complained after a doctor , while speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , discussed that of someone else .
“ She then discovered a letter on her file belonging to a different patient but with the same name as hers ... Deirdre complained to the hospital but was unhappy with how it responded.
” The ombudsman discovered the doctor had read from another patient ’ s record , which was misfiled on Deirdre ’ s medical chart .
Following the ombudsman ’ s investigation , the hospital apologised to Deirdre .
It committed to delivering refresher training on the correct filing of documents in medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management of medical records .
Mr Tyndall received 990 complaints about local authorities .
More than half ( 546 ) were about housing allocations and repairs .
In a case involving Cork County Council , “ Conor ” complained the council had breached his tenancy agreement .
“ The council said Conor had used abusive and insulting language in a tweet he had sent about a court case involving the owner of a neighbouring property , and that he had published a photo of the owner , without her consent , on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .
“ Conor said that the tweet was factual , and that he did not publish the photo.
” The ombudsman found the allegations concerning the tweet and the blog had not been put to “ Conor ” to allow him to respond , and the tweet itself contained information already in the public domain .
“ In addition , the council did not have a social media policy for its tenants.
” The council removed its allegations from Conor ’ s tenancy file .
There were 65 complaints about private nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tenure .
Mr Tyndall said in a number of cases , “ providers have threatened to terminate a resident ’ s contract due to the actions or behaviours of family members .
The residents ’ own behaviour was not a problem ” .
“ I am of the view that the resident should not be adversely affected by the actions of their relatives , ” he said .
Mr Tyndall highlights the “ particular injustice ” on the continued failure of government to legislate for a new scheme to replace the Mobility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These schemes , which fund adapted cars or taxis for some people with disabilities , have been closed to new entrants since 2013 .
“ Despite numerous promises to introduce new legislation , there has been no evidence of any progress on the matter.
” Urgent action was needed “ to remedy this particular injustice ” , he said .
The number of complaints from or on behalf of people in direct provision increased to 168 last year , up from 152 in 2018 .
Most were about accommodation providers .

A doctor discussing another person’s medical history with a patient and a local authority censuring a tenant over a tweet were among the cases the ombudsman intervened in last year.
Peter Tyndall’s office, which examines complaints about public services and authorities, received its highest number of complaints in a decade, according to its annual report, published on Wednesday.
There were 3,664 complaints to the office last year, up 9 per cent on 2018 (3,364) and the highest number since 2010. Increases were largely driven by complaints about housing and local authorities (up 12.6 per cent on 2018) and the education sector – including grant-awarding bodies – which were up 17 per cent.
Of the 1,186 complaints made about government departments, 806 related to the Department of Social Protection, 106 to Revenue, 84 to the Department of Agriculture and 52 to the Department of Justice.
READ MORE
There were 708 complaints about the health and social care sectors, including 261 about hospitals.
In a case involving Letterkenny General Hospital, "Deirdre" complained after a doctor, while speaking to the patient about her medical history, discussed that of someone else.
“She then discovered a letter on her file belonging to a different patient but with the same name as hers ... Deirdre complained to the hospital but was unhappy with how it responded.”
The ombudsman discovered the doctor had read from another patient’s record, which was misfiled on Deirdre’s medical chart.
Following the ombudsman’s investigation, the hospital apologised to Deirdre. It committed to delivering refresher training on the correct filing of documents in medical records and reviewing its policies on the management of medical records.
Local authorities
Mr Tyndall received 990 complaints about local authorities. More than half (546) were about housing allocations and repairs.
In a case involving Cork County Council, "Conor" complained the council had breached his tenancy agreement. "The council said Conor had used abusive and insulting language in a tweet he had sent about a court case involving the owner of a neighbouring property, and that he had published a photo of the owner, without her consent, on his blog," according to the annual report.
“Conor said that the tweet was factual, and that he did not publish the photo.”
The ombudsman found the allegations concerning the tweet and the blog had not been put to “Conor” to allow him to respond, and the tweet itself contained information already in the public domain. “In addition, the council did not have a social media policy for its tenants.” The council removed its allegations from Conor’s tenancy file.
There were 65 complaints about private nursing homes, including about overcharging and security of tenure. Mr Tyndall said in a number of cases, “providers have threatened to terminate a resident’s contract due to the actions or behaviours of family members. The residents’ own behaviour was not a problem”. “I am of the view that the resident should not be adversely affected by the actions of their relatives,” he said.
Disability legislation
Mr Tyndall highlights the "particular injustice" on the continued failure of government to legislate for a new scheme to replace the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Schemes. These schemes, which fund adapted cars or taxis for some people with disabilities, have been closed to new entrants since 2013 .
“Despite numerous promises to introduce new legislation, there has been no evidence of any progress on the matter.” Urgent action was needed “to remedy this particular injustice”, he said.
The number of complaints from or on behalf of people in direct provision increased to 168 last year, up from 152 in 2018. Most were about accommodation providers.


theirishtimes--2020-05-19--Coronavirus: Sharp rise in meat plant cases ‘concerning’ – health officials

A sharp rise in the number of coronavirus cases related to outbreaks in meat processing plants in the past week has been described as “ concerning ” by health officials .
The number of cases in meat plants has increased by more than 300 to 828 , according to latest figures from the National Public Health Emergency Team .
There are now 16 clusters – defined as two or more cases – across meat processing plants .
Dr Ronan Glynn , deputy chief medical officer , said the rapid increase in cases related to meat plants over the last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed at a meeting of the emergency team on Friday .
Sixteen more people with Covid-19 have died in the State , bringing the total number of deaths to 1,561 , the team reported on Tuesday .
The number of known cases increased by 51 to a total of 24,251 .
This is the fourth day in a row there have been fewer than 100 cases .
Some 295,626 coronavirus tests had been carried out by midnight on Monday .
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in direct provision centres increased by 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are also six clusters of the virus among the Travelling community , accounting for 46 cases .
Some 849 deaths in nursing homes account for 54 per cent of the total number of fatalities from the virus in the State .
There are clusters of the virus in 459 residential care facilities , 258 of which are nursing homes .
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan told the daily briefing that society could be dealing with coronavirus for years .
“ Nobody is in a position to put a finite period , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this will be at an end , ” he said .
Ireland was among the quickest countries in the world to implement visitor restrictions for nursing homes , he said .
The State announced restrictions for nursing homes on March 12th , 14 days after the first confirmed case here .
“ No country introduced visitor restrictions more quickly that we did , relative to when it had its first case of infection , ” he said .
In New Zealand the time between the first case and care home restrictions was 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Netherlands 22 days , in Spain 41 days , and in Germany 48 days , Dr Holohan said .
On March 6th , Nursing Homes Ireland introduced a ban on visits .
When asked about this on March 10th , Dr Holohan said the blanket restrictions were “ not necessary ” at that time .
On Tuesday Dr Holohan said the number of cases jumped significantly on March 11th , which led to a snap meeting of the emergency team that night , and the announcement of school closures and nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taoiseach Leo Varadkar .
Dr Colm Henry , HSE chief clinical officer , said it was “ difficult to attribute one reason ” to the spread in nursing homes .
In a statement , Meat Industry Ireland said its figures showed that 496 workers who had tested positive had gone through the appropriate self-isolation , recovered and were back at work .
It said the rise in cases was disappointing and welcomed a HSE guidance note to assist the industry .

Rosderra Irish Meats plant in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, where, according to Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley, by April 30th 140 workers were out sick and 120 had tested positive. Photograph: Diarmuid Greene
A sharp rise in the number of coronavirus cases related to outbreaks in meat processing plants in the past week has been described as “concerning” by health officials.
The number of cases in meat plants has increased by more than 300 to 828, according to latest figures from the National Public Health Emergency Team.
There are now 16 clusters – defined as two or more cases – across meat processing plants.
Dr Ronan Glynn, deputy chief medical officer, said the rapid increase in cases related to meat plants over the last week was "concerning" and would be discussed at a meeting of the emergency team on Friday.
READ MORE
Sixteen more people with Covid-19 have died in the State, bringing the total number of deaths to 1,561, the team reported on Tuesday.
The number of known cases increased by 51 to a total of 24,251. This is the fourth day in a row there have been fewer than 100 cases.
Some 295,626 coronavirus tests had been carried out by midnight on Monday.
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in direct provision centres increased by 22 over the past week to 171. There are also six clusters of the virus among the Travelling community, accounting for 46 cases.
Some 849 deaths in nursing homes account for 54 per cent of the total number of fatalities from the virus in the State. There are clusters of the virus in 459 residential care facilities, 258 of which are nursing homes.
Long haul
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan told the daily briefing that society could be dealing with coronavirus for years. "Nobody is in a position to put a finite period, nobody in the world, around when this will be at an end," he said.
Ireland was among the quickest countries in the world to implement visitor restrictions for nursing homes, he said.
The State announced restrictions for nursing homes on March 12th, 14 days after the first confirmed case here. “No country introduced visitor restrictions more quickly that we did, relative to when it had its first case of infection,” he said.
In New Zealand the time between the first case and care home restrictions was 22 days, in Norway 16 days, in the Netherlands 22 days, in Spain 41 days, and in Germany 48 days, Dr Holohan said.
On March 6th, Nursing Homes Ireland introduced a ban on visits. When asked about this on March 10th, Dr Holohan said the blanket restrictions were "not necessary" at that time.
On Tuesday Dr Holohan said the number of cases jumped significantly on March 11th, which led to a snap meeting of the emergency team that night, and the announcement of school closures and nursing home visitor restrictions the next day by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
Dr Colm Henry, HSE chief clinical officer, said it was "difficult to attribute one reason" to the spread in nursing homes.
In a statement, Meat Industry Ireland said its figures showed that 496 workers who had tested positive had gone through the appropriate self-isolation, recovered and were back at work. It said the rise in cases was disappointing and welcomed a HSE guidance note to assist the industry.


theirishtimes--2020-05-19--Irish Coast Guard evacuates sick seaman from Norwegian navy ship

The Irish Coast Guard has successfully completed a long range rescue operation off the south west coast this afternoon to bring a sick seaman from a Norwegian naval ship to hospital in Cork .
The Shannon based Irish Coast Guard Sikorski helicopter , Rescue 115 was tasked to remove the sick seaman from the Royal Norwegian navy frigate , HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl some 300km off the Cork coast .
The Norwegian ship had contacted the UK rescue authorities to request a medical evacuation and the UK authorities in turn relayed the request to the Irish Coast Guard as the ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl was almost at the furthest limit of the Irish Coast Guard ’ s helicopter ’ s range so Rescue 115 refuelled in Castletownbere in West Cork before proceeding to rendezvous with the ship .
Weather conditions were described as reasonable at the time and the casualty was winched aboard Rescue 115 which proceeded to Cork Airport where the casualty was transferred to Cork University Hospital for treatment .
The entire rescue operation was co-ordinated by the Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre at Valentia in Co Kerry and the Waterford-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flew to Castletownbere to provide back-up .
The HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl , which is named after the Norwegian explorer who led the Kon Tiki expedition across the Pacific , was commissioned in 2011 and is the newest of the Royal Norwegian Navy ’ s four frigates currently in service .

The Norwegian ship had contacted the UK rescue authorities to request a medical evacuation and the UK authorities in turn relayed the request to the Irish Coast Guard as the ship was within the Irish sphere of operations. Stock photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
The Irish Coast Guard has successfully completed a long range rescue operation off the south west coast this afternoon to bring a sick seaman from a Norwegian naval ship to hospital in Cork.
The Shannon based Irish Coast Guard Sikorski helicopter, Rescue 115 was tasked to remove the sick seaman from the Royal Norwegian navy frigate, HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl some 300km off the Cork coast.
The Norwegian ship had contacted the UK rescue authorities to request a medical evacuation and the UK authorities in turn relayed the request to the Irish Coast Guard as the ship was within the Irish sphere of operations.
The HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl was almost at the furthest limit of the Irish Coast Guard's helicopter's range so Rescue 115 refuelled in Castletownbere in West Cork before proceeding to rendezvous with the ship.
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Back-up
Weather conditions were described as reasonable at the time and the casualty was winched aboard Rescue 115 which proceeded to Cork Airport where the casualty was transferred to Cork University Hospital for treatment.
The entire rescue operation was co-ordinated by the Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre at Valentia in Co Kerry and the Waterford-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 117 flew to Castletownbere to provide back-up.
The HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl, which is named after the Norwegian explorer who led the Kon Tiki expedition across the Pacific, was commissioned in 2011 and is the newest of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s four frigates currently in service.


theirishtimes--2020-05-19--Charities fear for finances and survival as Covid-19 pandemic continues

More than half of surveyed Irish charities have expressed fears that they will be unable to offer services in six months time if the Covid-19 pandemic continues .
More than half of all charities too are either facing or could face financial difficulties as a result of Covid-19 , a survey of the sector has suggested .
The Charities Regulator received responses from 2,223 charities operating in the State in response to a request for information .
Of those who responded , 54 per cent stated that their charity may be unable to continue providing services for more than six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group , approximately 9 per cent of respondents were concerned that they may not be able to provide services for more than one month , 28 per cent for more than three months and 17 per cent for more than 6 months .
Charities are facing serious difficulties when it comes to fundraising as they can no longer raise money face-to-face while businesses and individuals have also been hit hard in the pocket by the pandemic .
Some 90 per cent of respondent charities said they have had to cancel or postpone fundraising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to fundraise but 29 per cent stopped .
Charities Regulator chief executive Helen Martin said it was clear the Covid-19 pandemic was “ having a very serious impact on registered charities ” .
Ms Martin said many charities were having difficulties offering services as a result of the pandemic .
“ Charities on the front line and others are being called upon to provide services in response to a significant increase in demand from those in need , while at the same time trying to protect their volunteers and staff , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we appreciate the considerable challenges facing the sector and we are taking steps to provide guidance to charities as they try to deal with this crisis.
” Despite the pandemic , 45 per cent of those surveyed said their charity ’ s finances were reasonably secure , 73 per cent of respondents said their charity trustees continued to communicate via email or by meeting remotely ; and 52 per cent said that they had reached out to other charities to discuss plans to deal with the current situation .
“ A number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embracing technology and new practices to continue to deliver much needed services where possible and as an alternative means of fundraising , ” she said .
In response to the crisis , the Charities Regulator has published a Covid-19 FAQs page on charitiesregulator.ie .
It has also extended the deadline for charities that were due to file annual reports with the Regulator over the next few months to June 30th .
The Government has sought to protect the charity sector by a number of funding arrangements .
The Department of Rural and Community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of supports for community and voluntary organisations , charities and social enterprises .
This consists of a €35 million Covid-19 stability fund and a €5 million government commitment to a Philanthropy Fund .

The Charities Regulator received responses from 2,223 charities operating in the State in response to a request for information. Photograph: iStock
More than half of surveyed Irish charities have expressed fears that they will be unable to offer services in six months time if the Covid-19 pandemic continues.
More than half of all charities too are either facing or could face financial difficulties as a result of Covid-19, a survey of the sector has suggested.
The Charities Regulator received responses from 2,223 charities operating in the State in response to a request for information.
Of those who responded, 54 per cent stated that their charity may be unable to continue providing services for more than six months as things stand.
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Within this group, approximately 9 per cent of respondents were concerned that they may not be able to provide services for more than one month, 28 per cent for more than three months and 17 per cent for more than 6 months.
Charities are facing serious difficulties when it comes to fundraising as they can no longer raise money face-to-face while businesses and individuals have also been hit hard in the pocket by the pandemic.
Some 90 per cent of respondent charities said they have had to cancel or postpone fundraising events, 71 per cent of respondents continued to fundraise but 29 per cent stopped.
Serious impact
Charities Regulator chief executive Helen Martin said it was clear the Covid-19 pandemic was “having a very serious impact on registered charities”.
Ms Martin said many charities were having difficulties offering services as a result of the pandemic.
“Charities on the front line and others are being called upon to provide services in response to a significant increase in demand from those in need, while at the same time trying to protect their volunteers and staff,” she said.
“As the Regulator, we appreciate the considerable challenges facing the sector and we are taking steps to provide guidance to charities as they try to deal with this crisis.”
Despite the pandemic, 45 per cent of those surveyed said their charity’s finances were reasonably secure, 73 per cent of respondents said their charity trustees continued to communicate via email or by meeting remotely; and 52 per cent said that they had reached out to other charities to discuss plans to deal with the current situation.
“ A number of respondents detailed how their charities were embracing technology and new practices to continue to deliver much needed services where possible and as an alternative means of fundraising,” she said.
Stability fund
In response to the crisis, the Charities Regulator has published a Covid-19 FAQs page on charitiesregulator.ie.
It has also extended the deadline for charities that were due to file annual reports with the Regulator over the next few months to June 30th.
The Government has sought to protect the charity sector by a number of funding arrangements. The Department of Rural and Community Development has launched a €40 million package of supports for community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises.
This consists of a €35 million Covid-19 stability fund and a €5 million government commitment to a Philanthropy Fund.


theirishtimes--2020-05-19--Gardaí step up investigation into man’s death in Dublin fire

A postmortem has been concluded on the body of a man found at the scene of a house fire in west Dublin on Monday .
He has been named locally as Alan Hall ( 45 ) .
Although it is not a murder investigation , gardaí stepped up their appeal on Tuesday for further information that might help explain what led to the death .
One line of inquiry is that he may have been attacked before his death .
Mr Hall is understood to have lived alone at the house on Bluebell Avenue in west Dublin and was receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the postmortem examination have not been released by gardaí for operational reasons .
Mr Hall is understood to have previously worked as a butcher .
He returned to the house at some stage on Sunday but his body was only discovered the following morning after neighbours were alerted by the fire alarm .
The cause of the fire has not been released , although it is believed only smoke damage was caused .
Dublin Fire Brigade attended the scene and discovered Mr Hall ’ s remains .
At a briefing on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening , Superintendent Seamus Dalton said officers “ are conducting a criminal investigation into all the circumstances ” surrounding the case .
“ The Garda Technical Bureau remain at the scene this evening and the scene remains preserved , ” he said .
“ I am appealing to anybody who was in the vicinity of Bluebell Avenue or the Old Naas Road , Dublin 12 on either the evening of Sunday the 17th of May or the morning of Monday the 18th of May to contact gardaí.
” Road users in the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been requested to make that available to investigators .
Initially it appeared that Mr Hall did not live at the address but it has since been established that he did .
Gardaí have conducted searches of the area around a nearby canal and have examined the remains of a burnt out mattress found at the scene .

Alan Hall (45) is understood to have lived alone at the house on Bluebell Avenue in south Dublin and was receiving assistance from homeless services. Photograph: Facebook
A postmortem has been concluded on the body of a man found at the scene of a house fire in west Dublin on Monday.
He has been named locally as Alan Hall (45).
Although it is not a murder investigation, gardaí stepped up their appeal on Tuesday for further information that might help explain what led to the death.
One line of inquiry is that he may have been attacked before his death.
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Mr Hall is understood to have lived alone at the house on Bluebell Avenue in west Dublin and was receiving assistance from homeless services.
The results of the postmortem examination have not been released by gardaí for operational reasons.
Supt Seamus Dalton pictured at a media briefing at Clondalkin Garda Station into the unexplained death of Alan Hall (45). Photograph: Colin Keegan / Collins Dublin
Mr Hall is understood to have previously worked as a butcher.
He returned to the house at some stage on Sunday but his body was only discovered the following morning after neighbours were alerted by the fire alarm.
The cause of the fire has not been released, although it is believed only smoke damage was caused. Dublin Fire Brigade attended the scene and discovered Mr Hall’s remains.
At a briefing on the case at Clondalkin Garda station on Tuesday evening, Superintendent Seamus Dalton said officers “are conducting a criminal investigation into all the circumstances” surrounding the case.
“The Garda Technical Bureau remain at the scene this evening and the scene remains preserved,” he said.
“I am appealing to anybody who was in the vicinity of Bluebell Avenue or the Old Naas Road, Dublin 12 on either the evening of Sunday the 17th of May or the morning of Monday the 18th of May to contact gardaí.”
Road users in the area who may have dash cam footage have also been requested to make that available to investigators.
Initially it appeared that Mr Hall did not live at the address but it has since been established that he did.
Gardaí have conducted searches of the area around a nearby canal and have examined the remains of a burnt out mattress found at the scene.


theirishtimes--2020-05-19--Pensioner (75) tied up for 15 hours after burglary, gardaí allege

A 75-year-old man was tied up and locked in a room for 15 hours by burglars who broke into his home , gardai alleged on Tuesday .
Det Garda Sean Stack told Cork District Court that gardai were objecting to bail for accused , Angelique Arundel ( 34 ) from Shannon Lawn in Mayfield in Cork because of the seriousness of the burglary charge .
Ms Arundel is charged with entering the pensioner ’ s home on Blackrock Road and stealing a watch , a mobile phone , a bank card , a cash box and €15 in cash on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the State would allege Ms Arundel called to the man ’ s house during the hours of darkness , claiming to be looking for her dog but the man refused her entry .
The man returned to bed but some time later was awoken by banging and was confronted in his bedroom by a man and a woman who had gained entry by breaking a window at the rear of the house .
He said the State would allege Ms Arundel and a male co-accused broke into the house where the man hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and demanded money before the couple stole various items .
The State would allege Ms Arundel and her co-accused then tied the pensioner to a bed and locked him in a spare bedroom where he remained until he was released by gardaí after he was found by his sister at 1pm on May 2nd .
He said that gardaí believed that there was strong evidence linking Ms Arundel to the crime including the discovery of the pensioner ’ s mobile phone , bank card and cash box in her house when they searched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that Ms Arundel also made certain admissions in relation to the burglary when she was questioned so gardí believed they had a strong case to link her to the charge .
He said that the State believed that Ms Arundel would seek to intimidate witnesses in the case including the 75 year old man if granted bail while they also had concerns she would commit further crime if released on bail .
He said that Ms Arundel was a self-confessed heroin addict and he believed that if she was granted bail , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to support her heroin addiction , he said .
Ms Arundel said that she had started taking heroin two months ago when she was involved in a car crash and her life went off the rails but she was not a heroin addict and was not on a methadone programme while on remand .
Questioned by her solicitor Donal Daly , Ms Arundel said she would never attempt to intimidate the elderly man or any other witnesses in the case and she pledged to turn up for court if granted bail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live wherever the gardaí wanted her to reside , abide by a curfew , sign on twice a day and provide daily urine samples for testing to show that she was drug free .
However Judge Olann Kelleher noted Ms Arundel had accepted what Det Garda Stack had said in evidence and he refused her bail , remanding her in custody by consent to appear again on June 16th for the DPP ’ s directions .

Ms Arundel is charged with entering the pensioner’s home and stealing a watch, a mobile phone, a bank card, a cash box and €15 in cash on May 1st. Photograph: iStock
A 75-year-old man was tied up and locked in a room for 15 hours by burglars who broke into his home, gardai alleged on Tuesday.
Det Garda Sean Stack told Cork District Court that gardai were objecting to bail for accused, Angelique Arundel (34) from Shannon Lawn in Mayfield in Cork because of the seriousness of the burglary charge.
Ms Arundel is charged with entering the pensioner’s home on Blackrock Road and stealing a watch, a mobile phone, a bank card, a cash box and €15 in cash on May 1st.
Det Garda Stack said the State would allege Ms Arundel called to the man’s house during the hours of darkness, claiming to be looking for her dog but the man refused her entry.
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The man returned to bed but some time later was awoken by banging and was confronted in his bedroom by a man and a woman who had gained entry by breaking a window at the rear of the house.
He said the State would allege Ms Arundel and a male co-accused broke into the house where the man hit the pensioner with a metal spirit level and demanded money before the couple stole various items .
The State would allege Ms Arundel and her co-accused then tied the pensioner to a bed and locked him in a spare bedroom where he remained until he was released by gardaí after he was found by his sister at 1pm on May 2nd.
He said that gardaí believed that there was strong evidence linking Ms Arundel to the crime including the discovery of the pensioner’s mobile phone, bank card and cash box in her house when they searched her home some days later.
He said that Ms Arundel also made certain admissions in relation to the burglary when she was questioned so gardí believed they had a strong case to link her to the charge .
He said that the State believed that Ms Arundel would seek to intimidate witnesses in the case including the 75 year old man if granted bail while they also had concerns she would commit further crime if released on bail.
He said that Ms Arundel was a self-confessed heroin addict and he believed that if she was granted bail, she would commit further burglaries and thefts in order to support her heroin addiction, he said.
Ms Arundel said that she had started taking heroin two months ago when she was involved in a car crash and her life went off the rails but she was not a heroin addict and was not on a methadone programme while on remand.
Questioned by her solicitor Donal Daly, Ms Arundel said she would never attempt to intimidate the elderly man or any other witnesses in the case and she pledged to turn up for court if granted bail.
She said she was willing to live wherever the gardaí wanted her to reside, abide by a curfew, sign on twice a day and provide daily urine samples for testing to show that she was drug free.
However Judge Olann Kelleher noted Ms Arundel had accepted what Det Garda Stack had said in evidence and he refused her bail, remanding her in custody by consent to appear again on June 16th for the DPP's directions.


theirishtimes--2020-05-19--Air ambulance to resume service as communities raise needed funds

Ireland ’ s first charity air ambulance service is to resume operating on a seven day basis from next month after communities across Munster managed to raise the finance necessary to get it working again , the service has confirmed .
Operations Manager with the Irish Community Rapid Response Air Ambulance Service ( ICRR ) , Ruth Bruton said that a constant stream of donations and virtual fundraisers will allow a return to a seven day operation from June 1st , 2020 .
Ms Bruton explained that the service had operated a five-day only service due to cost saving measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unprecedented amount of missions and Covid-19 put financial pressure on the service .
“ A return to seven-days service has been a huge focus for the ICRR team and we are thrilled to finally see this critically needed Air Ambulance be where it should be ; in the air when we need it most .
“ We sincerely thank the public for making this possible .
However , the ongoing challenge of keeping it there is our priority and continued support from those than can give is vital .
Every mission counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Bruton revealed that the ICRR service , which is based at Rathcoole near Millstreet in north Cork , had flown over 383 missions since its commencement in July 2019 with each mission costing on average €3,500 .
The ICRR covers all flying related costs while the medical personnel ’ s wages are paid for by the National Ambulance Service which also covers the cost of medical equipment and medical consumables .
The flying costs for the service includes the cost of the helicopter , pilots , fuel , air base facilities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ originally projected to amount to €2.5 million per annum .
Ms Bruton said the response of communities across Munster during the Covid-19 pandemic had been extraordinary as they had rallied around to hold virtual fundraising events that has allowed the ICRR return to a seven day service .
She instanced a recent case where the ICRR was tasked to a serious medical emergency in Adrigole on the Beara Peninsula where a local woman , Marian O ’ Neill suffered , suffered an anaphylactic shock after being stung by a bee .
Ms O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told how her father , John immediately rang the emergency services and Castletownbere Ambulance and the ICRR responded with the ICRR airlifting her mother to Bantry General Hospital for treatment .
“ Only for the vital , life-saving services which the Castletownbere Ambulance an and the ICRR Air Ambulance provided , our family could have had a very different outcome that day , ” said Maeve O ’ Neill .
Maeve O ’ Neill and others set up a GoFund Me page and have already raised almost €10,000 for the ICRR Air Ambulance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping the service resume operations seven days a week , said Ms Bruton .
Meanwhile up in north Cork , some 23 local GAA clubs in Duhallow Division competed for the title of Duhallow ’ s Fittest Club and raised almost €35,000 for the ICRR Air Ambulance service .
Organiser Sean Linehan said of their fund-raising efforts : “ We chose the ICRR Air Ambulance as we see it as a vital service , not only for the Duhallow area , but for the entire Munster region .
“ Participants were delighted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help raise vital funds .
Some age-old rivalries also surfaced of course , but it was all very much good natured !
”

Cpt John Murray (centre) with crew Paul Traynor and Brian O’Callaghan and the air ambulance at Rathcoole aerodrome in north Co Cork. Photograph: Don MacMonagle
Ireland's first charity air ambulance service is to resume operating on a seven day basis from next month after communities across Munster managed to raise the finance necessary to get it working again, the service has confirmed.
Operations Manager with the Irish Community Rapid Response Air Ambulance Service (ICRR), Ruth Bruton said that a constant stream of donations and virtual fundraisers will allow a return to a seven day operation from June 1st, 2020.
Ms Bruton explained that the service had operated a five-day only service due to cost saving measures put in place earlier this year after the unprecedented amount of missions and Covid-19 put financial pressure on the service.
“A return to seven-days service has been a huge focus for the ICRR team and we are thrilled to finally see this critically needed Air Ambulance be where it should be; in the air when we need it most .
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“We sincerely thank the public for making this possible. However, the ongoing challenge of keeping it there is our priority and continued support from those than can give is vital. Every mission counts, so every donation counts too.”
Costs
Ms Bruton revealed that the ICRR service, which is based at Rathcoole near Millstreet in north Cork, had flown over 383 missions since its commencement in July 2019 with each mission costing on average €3,500.
The ICRR covers all flying related costs while the medical personnel’s wages are paid for by the National Ambulance Service which also covers the cost of medical equipment and medical consumables.
The flying costs for the service includes the cost of the helicopter, pilots, fuel, air base facilities, insurance and other operational needs and was originally projected to amount to €2.5 million per annum.
Ms Bruton said the response of communities across Munster during the Covid-19 pandemic had been extraordinary as they had rallied around to hold virtual fundraising events that has allowed the ICRR return to a seven day service.
She instanced a recent case where the ICRR was tasked to a serious medical emergency in Adrigole on the Beara Peninsula where a local woman, Marian O'Neill suffered, suffered an anaphylactic shock after being stung by a bee.
Ms O'Neill's daughter, Maeve told how her father, John immediately rang the emergency services and Castletownbere Ambulance and the ICRR responded with the ICRR airlifting her mother to Bantry General Hospital for treatment.
“Only for the vital, life-saving services which the Castletownbere Ambulance an and the ICRR Air Ambulance provided, our family could have had a very different outcome that day,” said Maeve O’Neill.
Competition
Maeve O’Neill and others set up a GoFund Me page and have already raised almost €10,000 for the ICRR Air Ambulance and it is such initiatives that is helping the service resume operations seven days a week, said Ms Bruton.
Meanwhile up in north Cork, some 23 local GAA clubs in Duhallow Division competed for the title of Duhallow's Fittest Club and raised almost €35,000 for the ICRR Air Ambulance service.
Organiser Sean Linehan said of their fund-raising efforts: "We chose the ICRR Air Ambulance as we see it as a vital service, not only for the Duhallow area, but for the entire Munster region.
“Participants were delighted to get some fun exercise in whilst also help raise vital funds. Some age-old rivalries also surfaced of course, but it was all very much good natured!”