theirishtimes--2020-12-29--ICU nurse who received Covid-19 vaccine pleads for public vigilance

An intensive care nurse at Cork University Hospital ( CUH ) , who was among the first people in the State to receive the Covid-19 vaccine , is pleading with “ lax ” members of the public to reduce their face-to-face contacts .
Berni O ’ Sullivan , a mother of two from Rochestown in Cork city , said she felt like a child on Christmas Day travelling to work to get her vaccine on Tuesday .
However , the Longford native , who has worked at CUH for 29 years , is very concerned about how casual some people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small to contain the spread of coronavirus .
“ The first lockdown , everyone abided by the rules .
I thought it was so good .
I think now people have gotten very lax about it .
You would nearly be wondering is it lockdown ?
“ Because the pubs and gastropubs are closed , is it lockdown ?
The roads are full of cars .
“ People need to double down on their efforts .
We all need to obey the rules .
Lockdown is lockdown .
People should not be having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be encouraging people to take the vaccine when it is offered to them .
That is vital.
” Ms O ’ Sullivan , who worked in New York for 10 years prior to starting at CUH , described the past nine months as the toughest of her career .
She has witnessed terrible suffering as relatives despaired at losing loved ones to the virus .
“ It was so upsetting to see people dying .
The junior staff were genuinely devastated .
I found it very difficult but this was something the younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people die in a terrible condition .
It was horrendous .
“ People dying and everyone in full PPE and not able to hold their hand .
It was horrific.
” She paid tribute to the co-workers she calls her “ family ” for their solidarity over the past year .
“ Thank God , 2021 is going to involve real change .
I know it is not going to happen overnight .
So , in the meantime , we need to be vigilant .
After I get the vaccine I will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her daughters , Éimear , a nurse in Liverpool , was unable to come home over Christmas and the family are keeping in touch through Facetime .
Meanwhile , more than 500 frontline staff at CUH will receive the vaccine over the next three days including nurses , doctors , porters , receptionists and those employed in catering .
Dr Orla Healy , public health specialist and interim chief operations officer with the HSE South and South West , said there was a palpable sense of relief at the hospital with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she insisted there would be no room for complacency .
“ There is a level of relief but I wouldn ’ t confuse that with complacency .
It is early days .
”

Berni O’Sullivan ICU Clinical Nurse Manager, Cork University Hospital pictured after receiving one of the first doses of the Covid 19 vaccine. Photograph Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
An intensive care nurse at Cork University Hospital (CUH), who was among the first people in the State to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, is pleading with “lax” members of the public to reduce their face-to-face contacts.
Berni O’Sullivan, a mother of two from Rochestown in Cork city, said she felt like a child on Christmas Day travelling to work to get her vaccine on Tuesday.
However, the Longford native, who has worked at CUH for 29 years, is very concerned about how casual some people have become about keeping their social circle small to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Hospital Report
“The first lockdown, everyone abided by the rules. I thought it was so good. I think now people have gotten very lax about it. You would nearly be wondering is it lockdown?
READ MORE
“Because the pubs and gastropubs are closed, is it lockdown? The roads are full of cars.
“People need to double down on their efforts. We all need to obey the rules. Lockdown is lockdown. People should not be having house parties.
“I would also be encouraging people to take the vaccine when it is offered to them. That is vital.”
Tough nine months
Ms O’Sullivan, who worked in New York for 10 years prior to starting at CUH, described the past nine months as the toughest of her career.
She has witnessed terrible suffering as relatives despaired at losing loved ones to the virus.
“It was so upsetting to see people dying. The junior staff were genuinely devastated. I found it very difficult but this was something the younger staff never expected. Having to see people die in a terrible condition. It was horrendous.
“People dying and everyone in full PPE and not able to hold their hand. It was horrific.”
She paid tribute to the co-workers she calls her “family” for their solidarity over the past year.
“Thank God, 2021 is going to involve real change. I know it is not going to happen overnight. So, in the meantime, we need to be vigilant. After I get the vaccine I will be helping out with other vaccinations.”
One of her daughters, Éimear, a nurse in Liverpool, was unable to come home over Christmas and the family are keeping in touch through Facetime.
Meanwhile, more than 500 frontline staff at CUH will receive the vaccine over the next three days including nurses, doctors, porters, receptionists and those employed in catering.
Dr Orla Healy, public health specialist and interim chief operations officer with the HSE South and South West, said there was a palpable sense of relief at the hospital with the roll-out of the vaccine.
However, she insisted there would be no room for complacency. “There is a level of relief but I wouldn’t confuse that with complacency. It is early days.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-29--Group who ‘destroyed’ Laois house during illegal rave plan Dublin new year’s eve event

A group of people who held an illegal rave that caused extensive damage to a rented Co Laois house are planning another event in Dublin for New Year ’ s Eve .
Videos from the rave , seen by The Irish Times , showed more than 80 people dancing without facemasks and with no social distancing .
The owner of the home was unaware of the rave , which took place on December 12th , and said extensive damage was caused to the property .
They had rented the property via Airbnb to an individual claiming he wished to rent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with work colleagues .
Lisa Wilkinson , whose partner owns the home , said the property was “ absolutely destroyed ” after the rave .
She said the inside of the home was littered with empty beer cans and bottles , used nitrous oxide ‘ laughing gas ’ canisters , and other rubbish strewn across the floors .
A number of mostly empty bags , which appeared to have been used to carry other drugs , such as cocaine and ecstasy pills , were also found amid the mess .
The group behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via a private Instagram and Snapchat social media account .
The group has since advertised tickets for a rave in Dublin on New Year ’ s Eve , in breach of public health restrictions .
In a post on a private Instagram page last week , the group began selling €35 tickets to a rave in a Dublin “ warehouse ” , with techno and house DJs and a “ fully stocked bar ” .
People can only view the posts , or message the accounts , after requesting to follow the account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through an online link and after providing proof of purchase are added into a WhatsApp group chat .
For the rave in Co Laois the organisers informed people an initial pick-up spot would be provided in the group chat , and from there attendees would be transported via coach to the location , which was not disclosed beforehand .
Speaking to The Irish Times , Ms Wilkinson said the house in Co Laois had been “ utterly destroyed , ” with furniture and crockery broken , and the entire house left smelling like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor is a lovely tile floor that was buffered , and it just had mud , and grit and glass ground into it .
They churned the whole garden around by doing doughnuts in the car , all the way around the property , ” she said .
“ I got cleaners up from Dublin who work for me ... it took us three days to clean the house .
We cleaned up a skip full of rubbish , ” she said .
She estimated there had been thousands of euro worth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place at the time no organised indoor gatherings were permitted .
It is an offence to organise gatherings in contravention of public health guidelines , with fines ranging from €500 up to €2,500 , or six months in prison on conviction .
The Garda Press Office did not respond to queries about whether a criminal investigation had been opened into the event .
A spokesman for Airbnb said it had “ zero tolerance for this type of behaviour , and have removed the guest from the platform ” .

The organisers of an illegal rave that caused extensive damage to Lisa Wilkinson's Co Laois house are planning another event in Dublin for New Year’s Eve.
A group of people who held an illegal rave that caused extensive damage to a rented Co Laois house are planning another event in Dublin for New Year's Eve.
Videos from the rave, seen by The Irish Times, showed more than 80 people dancing without facemasks and with no social distancing.
The owner of the home was unaware of the rave, which took place on December 12th, and said extensive damage was caused to the property.
Used nitrous oxide ‘laughing gas’ canisters, and other rubbish strewn across the floor. Photograph: Lisa Wilkinson
They had rented the property via Airbnb to an individual claiming he wished to rent the house for a weekend hiking trip with work colleagues.
READ MORE
Lisa Wilkinson, whose partner owns the home, said the property was "absolutely destroyed" after the rave.
She said the inside of the home was littered with empty beer cans and bottles, used nitrous oxide ‘laughing gas’ canisters, and other rubbish strewn across the floors.
A number of mostly empty bags, which appeared to have been used to carry other drugs, such as cocaine and ecstasy pills, were also found amid the mess.
The group behind the rave organised the Co Laois event via a private Instagram and Snapchat social media account.
Used nitrous oxide ‘laughing gas’ canisters, and other rubbish strewn across the floor. Photograph: Lisa Wilkinson
The group has since advertised tickets for a rave in Dublin on New Year’s Eve, in breach of public health restrictions.
In a post on a private Instagram page last week, the group began selling €35 tickets to a rave in a Dublin “warehouse”, with techno and house DJs and a “fully stocked bar”.
People can only view the posts, or message the accounts, after requesting to follow the account and being approved.
People buy tickets through an online link and after providing proof of purchase are added into a WhatsApp group chat.
For the rave in Co Laois the organisers informed people an initial pick-up spot would be provided in the group chat, and from there attendees would be transported via coach to the location, which was not disclosed beforehand.
Speaking to The Irish Times, Ms Wilkinson said the house in Co Laois had been “utterly destroyed,” with furniture and crockery broken, and the entire house left smelling like “rancid beer.”
“The whole floor is a lovely tile floor that was buffered, and it just had mud, and grit and glass ground into it. They churned the whole garden around by doing doughnuts in the car, all the way around the property,” she said.
“I got cleaners up from Dublin who work for me ... it took us three days to clean the house. We cleaned up a skip full of rubbish,” she said. She estimated there had been thousands of euro worth of damage.
Under Level 3 restrictions in place at the time no organised indoor gatherings were permitted.
It is an offence to organise gatherings in contravention of public health guidelines, with fines ranging from €500 up to €2,500, or six months in prison on conviction.
The Garda Press Office did not respond to queries about whether a criminal investigation had been opened into the event.
A spokesman for Airbnb said it had “zero tolerance for this type of behaviour, and have removed the guest from the platform”.


theirishtimes--2020-12-29--Covid-19 pandemic ‘not necessarily the big one’, says WHO

World Health Organisation experts have warned that even though the coronavirus pandemic has been very severe , it is “ not necessarily the big one ” , and that the world will have to learn to live with Covid-19 .
The “ destiny ” of the virus is to become endemic , even as vaccines begin to be rolled out , says Prof David Heymann , the chair of the WHO ’ s strategic and technical advisory group for infectious hazards .
“ The world has hoped for herd immunity , that somehow transmission would be decreased if enough persons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO ’ s final media briefing for 2020 .
But Prof Heymann , who is also an epidemiologist with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , said the concept of herd immunity was misunderstood .
“ It appears the destiny of Sars-CoV-2 [ Covid-19 ] is to become endemic , as have four other human coronaviruses , and that it will continue to mutate as it reproduces in human cells , especially in areas of more intense admission .
“ Fortunately , we have tools to save lives , and these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permit us to learn to live with Covid-19.
” The head of the WHO emergencies programme , Dr Mike Ryan , said : “ The likely scenario is the virus will become another endemic virus that will remain somewhat of a threat , but a very low-level threat in the context of an effective global vaccination programme .
“ It remains to be seen how well the vaccines are taken up , how close we get to a coverage level that might allow us the opportunity to go for elimination , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine , even at high efficacy , is no guarantee of eliminating or eradicating an infectious disease .
That is a very high bar for us to be able to get over.
” That was why the first goal of the vaccine was to save lives and protect the vulnerable , Dr Ryan said .
“ And then we will deal with the moonshot of potentially being able to eliminate or eradicate this virus.
” Dr Ryan warned that the next pandemic may be more severe .
“ This pandemic has been very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this planet .
But this is not necessarily the big one , ” he said .
“ This is a wake-up call .
We are learning , now , how to do things better : science , logistics , training and governance , how to communicate better .
But the planet is fragile .
“ We live in an increasingly complex global society .
These threats will continue .
If there is one thing we need to take from this pandemic , with all of the tragedy and loss , is we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need to honour those we ’ ve lost by getting better at what we do every day.
” WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan told the briefing that being vaccinated against the virus did not mean public health measures such as social distancing would be able to be stopped in future .
The first role of the vaccine would be to prevent symptomatic disease , severe disease and deaths , she said .
But whether the vaccines would also reduce the number of infections or prevent people from passing on the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t believe we have the evidence on any of the vaccines to be confident that it ’ s going to prevent people from actually getting the infection and therefore being able to pass it on , ” Dr Swaminathan said .
“ So I think we need to assume that people who have been vaccinated also need to take the same precautions.
” The WHO director general , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , said the end of the year was a time to reflect on the toll the pandemic had taken , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the year ahead would see new setbacks and new challenges .
“ For example , new variants of Covid-19 , and helping people who are tired of the pandemic continue to combat it , ” he said .
“ New ground has been broken , not least with the extraordinary cooperation between the private and public sector in this pandemic .
And in recent weeks , safe and effective vaccine rollout has started in a number countries , which is an incredible scientific achievement .
“ This is fantastic , but WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everywhere have access to the new vaccines and are protected.
” – Guardian

World Health Organization experts described the Covid-19 pandemic as a "wake up call" in their final news briefing of the year on Monday, saying worse pandemics could likely be ahead and urging the world to get serious about preparedness.
World Health Organisation experts have warned that even though the coronavirus pandemic has been very severe, it is “not necessarily the big one”, and that the world will have to learn to live with Covid-19.
The "destiny" of the virus is to become endemic, even as vaccines begin to be rolled out, says Prof David Heymann, the chair of the WHO's strategic and technical advisory group for infectious hazards.
“The world has hoped for herd immunity, that somehow transmission would be decreased if enough persons were immune,” he told the WHO’s final media briefing for 2020.
But Prof Heymann, who is also an epidemiologist with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said the concept of herd immunity was misunderstood.
READ MORE
“It appears the destiny of Sars-CoV-2 [Covid-19] is to become endemic, as have four other human coronaviruses, and that it will continue to mutate as it reproduces in human cells, especially in areas of more intense admission.
“Fortunately, we have tools to save lives, and these in combination with good public health will permit us to learn to live with Covid-19.”
The head of the WHO emergencies programme, Dr Mike Ryan, said: “The likely scenario is the virus will become another endemic virus that will remain somewhat of a threat, but a very low-level threat in the context of an effective global vaccination programme.
“It remains to be seen how well the vaccines are taken up, how close we get to a coverage level that might allow us the opportunity to go for elimination,” he said. “The existence of a vaccine, even at high efficacy, is no guarantee of eliminating or eradicating an infectious disease. That is a very high bar for us to be able to get over.”
That was why the first goal of the vaccine was to save lives and protect the vulnerable, Dr Ryan said. “And then we will deal with the moonshot of potentially being able to eliminate or eradicate this virus.”
Dr Ryan warned that the next pandemic may be more severe. “This pandemic has been very severe – it has affected every corner of this planet. But this is not necessarily the big one,” he said.
“This is a wake-up call. We are learning, now, how to do things better: science, logistics, training and governance, how to communicate better. But the planet is fragile.
“We live in an increasingly complex global society. These threats will continue. If there is one thing we need to take from this pandemic, with all of the tragedy and loss, is we need to get our act together. We need to honour those we’ve lost by getting better at what we do every day.”
WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan told the briefing that being vaccinated against the virus did not mean public health measures such as social distancing would be able to be stopped in future.
The first role of the vaccine would be to prevent symptomatic disease, severe disease and deaths, she said. But whether the vaccines would also reduce the number of infections or prevent people from passing on the virus remains to be seen.
“I don’t believe we have the evidence on any of the vaccines to be confident that it’s going to prevent people from actually getting the infection and therefore being able to pass it on,” Dr Swaminathan said. “So I think we need to assume that people who have been vaccinated also need to take the same precautions.”
The WHO director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the end of the year was a time to reflect on the toll the pandemic had taken, but also the progress made. He said the year ahead would see new setbacks and new challenges.
“For example, new variants of Covid-19, and helping people who are tired of the pandemic continue to combat it,” he said.
“New ground has been broken, not least with the extraordinary cooperation between the private and public sector in this pandemic. And in recent weeks, safe and effective vaccine rollout has started in a number countries, which is an incredible scientific achievement.
“This is fantastic, but WHO will not rest until those in need everywhere have access to the new vaccines and are protected.”– Guardian


theirishtimes--2020-12-29--Annie Lynch (79) looking forward to ‘turkey dinner and a pint’ after getting first Covid-19 vaccine

Annie Lynch , the 79-year-old Dublin grandmother who became the first person in the Republic to receive the Covid-19 vaccine , is looking forward to a “ turkey dinner and a pint of Carlsberg , ” her daughter has said .
Shortly before 1.30pm on Tuesday , Ms Lynch received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in St James ’ s Hospital .
Ms Lynch was born in the Liberties and grew up in Inchicore , south inner-city Dublin .
She moved to Drimnagh after marrying her husband John , who was in the Army .
The couple were married for over 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandchildren and two great grandchildren .
Paula Lynch , one of her daughters , told The Irish Times her mother was someone who “ loved a laugh , ” and was looking forward to getting out of hospital and having a “ turkey dinner and a pint of Carlsberg ” .
The family were “ over the moon ” when they got the call on Monday informing them she would be receiving the vaccine .
“ I was in the car park in SuperValu , it was lashing rain , I got out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at last some good news , ” her daughter said .
In the spring her husband John was admitted to hospital as the country went into a nationwide lockdown .
“ She couldn ’ t see him , we couldn ’ t see him .
He deteriorated very badly in hospital , by the time the lockdown was over he was dying , ” Paula said .
He died on September 2nd , aged 87 .
“ With the sadness and the grief around the funeral my mam took a stroke , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hospital Ms Lynch had another stroke , and only regained the ability to walk and talk following physiotherapy , she said .
Ms Lynch is currently a resident of the Mercer ’ s Institute for Successful Ageing in St James ’ s Hospital .
“ She is so , so determined to get better .
I miss my dad so badly , we didn ’ t want this to happen to my mother … As a family we have been very sad , very down , ” her daughter said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be going through is heartbreaking .
This is hope , the beginning of the beginning , if you know what I mean , ” she said .
The hospital visiting restrictions had been very difficult on the family , “ if I could live in the car park of St James ’ s I would , ” Paula said .
At the moment her mother was on a high protein diet to regain weight lost since the stroke , so she was looking forward to a “ turkey , ham and pudding ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also looking forward to a pint of Carlsberg , “ as she hasn ’ t had one in a while ” .
Ms Lynch had worked in a Lyons tea factory for over 20 years .
“ If you ever went up to my mammy ’ s house , you ’ d get a packet of Lyons tea , ‘ there you go love ’ she ’ d say , ” her daughter said .
In a statement on Tuesday , Ms Lynch said she felt “ very privileged to be the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
“ Like everyone else , I have been waiting for the vaccine and I really feel like there is a bit of hope there now .
It ’ s brilliant that it ’ s here , ” she said .
Before she received the jab Ms Lynch was given a HSE vaccine information leaflet , and a detailed leaflet from the drug manufacturer .
“ Everything was explained very clearly to me beforehand , ” she said .
After she received the dose she was given a vaccine report card which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine she had been given .
Speaking after receiving the vaccine she told nurse Deborah Cross she “ didn ’ t feel a thing , ” before giving those looking on a thumbs-up to a round of applause .
Ahead of receiving the vaccine Ms Lynch ’ s biggest concern on Tuesday morning “ was what colour lipstick to put on ” for the cameras , her daughter said .
“ That ’ s her biggest Christmas gift , this vaccine , she did this for my Dad .
”

Dublin grandmother Annie Lynch (79) became the first person in the Republic to receive the coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday afternoon. Video: Marc O'Sullivan
Annie Lynch, the 79-year-old Dublin grandmother who became the first person in the Republic to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, is looking forward to a "turkey dinner and a pint of Carlsberg," her daughter has said.
Shortly before 1.30pm on Tuesday, Ms Lynch received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in St James's Hospital.
Ms Lynch was born in the Liberties and grew up in Inchicore, south inner-city Dublin.
Hospital Report
She moved to Drimnagh after marrying her husband John, who was in the Army. The couple were married for over 50 years and had three children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
READ MORE
Paula Lynch, one of her daughters, told The Irish Times her mother was someone who “loved a laugh,” and was looking forward to getting out of hospital and having a “turkey dinner and a pint of Carlsberg”.
The family were “over the moon” when they got the call on Monday informing them she would be receiving the vaccine.
“I was in the car park in SuperValu, it was lashing rain, I got out and ran around the car park; at last some good news,” her daughter said.
In the spring her husband John was admitted to hospital as the country went into a nationwide lockdown. “She couldn’t see him, we couldn’t see him. He deteriorated very badly in hospital, by the time the lockdown was over he was dying,” Paula said. He died on September 2nd, aged 87.
“With the sadness and the grief around the funeral my mam took a stroke,” her daughter said.
While receiving treatment in hospital Ms Lynch had another stroke, and only regained the ability to walk and talk following physiotherapy, she said.
Ms Lynch is currently a resident of the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing in St James’s Hospital.
Annie Lynch at St James’s Hospital in Dublin, Ireland. Photograph: Marc O’Sullivan/EPA/Pool
“She is so, so determined to get better. I miss my dad so badly, we didn’t want this to happen to my mother … As a family we have been very sad, very down,” her daughter said.
“The loneliness all the old people must be going through is heartbreaking. This is hope, the beginning of the beginning, if you know what I mean,” she said.
The hospital visiting restrictions had been very difficult on the family, “if I could live in the car park of St James’s I would,” Paula said.
At the moment her mother was on a high protein diet to regain weight lost since the stroke, so she was looking forward to a “turkey, ham and pudding” dinner, she said. She was also looking forward to a pint of Carlsberg, “as she hasn’t had one in a while”.
Ms Lynch had worked in a Lyons tea factory for over 20 years. “If you ever went up to my mammy’s house, you’d get a packet of Lyons tea, ‘there you go love’ she’d say,” her daughter said.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ms Lynch said she felt “very privileged to be the first person in Ireland to receive the vaccine”.
“Like everyone else, I have been waiting for the vaccine and I really feel like there is a bit of hope there now. It’s brilliant that it’s here,” she said.
Before she received the jab Ms Lynch was given a HSE vaccine information leaflet, and a detailed leaflet from the drug manufacturer. “Everything was explained very clearly to me beforehand,” she said.
After she received the dose she was given a vaccine report card which listed the name and batch of the vaccine she had been given.
Speaking after receiving the vaccine she told nurse Deborah Cross she “didn’t feel a thing,” before giving those looking on a thumbs-up to a round of applause.
Ahead of receiving the vaccine Ms Lynch’s biggest concern on Tuesday morning “was what colour lipstick to put on” for the cameras, her daughter said. “That’s her biggest Christmas gift, this vaccine, she did this for my Dad.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-29--North reports 14 deaths and record 1,566 new Covid-19 cases

Northern Ireland recorded its highest daily total of Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began on Tuesday , with more than 1,500 people testing positive for the virus .
The North ’ s Department of Health ( DoH ) said 1,566 people had been confirmed to have coronavirus between 10am on Monday and 10am on Tuesday .
It is the highest number of positive tests reported in the North in a single day .
The figures reported daily by the Department may include samples taken over several days , and there may have been additional reporting delays because of the Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths of an additional 14 people , bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,305 .
According to data published on the department ’ s dashboard , which was updated on Tuesday afternoon for the first time since December 22nd , a total of 51 deaths were recorded between 10am on December 23rd and 10am on December 28th .
The highest rate of infection is in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area , which between December 22nd and 28th had an infection rate of 410.8 per 100,000 of population .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A total of 5,686 cases of the virus have been confirmed in the North in the last seven days , with the greatest number - 852 - in Belfast , followed by 703 in Armagh City , Banbridge and Craigavon and 619 in Derry and Strabane .
Three of the North ’ s hospitals were operating at over capacity on Tuesday , according to the department , with the overall hospital network at 98 per cent occupancy .
A total of 462 people with Covid-19 were receiving hospital treatment , with 34 in @ @ @

Near empty streets and a ‘stay safe’ sign are seen on Arthur Street in Belfast on Monday. Photograph: PA
Northern Ireland recorded its highest daily total of Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began on Tuesday, with more than 1,500 people testing positive for the virus.
The North's Department of Health (DoH) said 1,566 people had been confirmed to have coronavirus between 10am on Monday and 10am on Tuesday.
It is the highest number of positive tests reported in the North in a single day.
The figures reported daily by the Department may include samples taken over several days, and there may have been additional reporting delays because of the Christmas holidays.
READ MORE
The Department also reported the deaths of an additional 14 people, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,305.
According to data published on the department’s dashboard, which was updated on Tuesday afternoon for the first time since December 22nd, a total of 51 deaths were recorded between 10am on December 23rd and 10am on December 28th.
The highest rate of infection is in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area, which between December 22nd and 28th had an infection rate of 410.8 per 100,000 of population.
The average in the North is 302.
A total of 5,686 cases of the virus have been confirmed in the North in the last seven days, with the greatest number - 852 - in Belfast, followed by 703 in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon and 619 in Derry and Strabane.
Three of the North’s hospitals were operating at over capacity on Tuesday, according to the department, with the overall hospital network at 98 per cent occupancy.
A total of 462 people with Covid-19 were receiving hospital treatment, with 34 in intensive care.


theirishtimes--2020-12-29--Rise in packaging waste as Irish shoppers buy online during Covid-19 crisis

Over 81,000 tonnes of packaging waste is expected to be generated in Ireland over the Christmas period , a seven per cent rise on the 2019 season , according to a leading Irish environmental organisation .
New research by Repak found that 27 per cent of Irish people bought all of their Christmas presents online this year .
Packaging waste generated from increased online sales during the coronavirus pandemic will create a heavy influx of materials for waste operators to process over Christmas , Repak has said .
The survey of 2,600 individuals also found that 86 per cent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the environment when purchasing Christmas gifts this year .
With that in mind , 28 per cent of people bought their presents solely from Irish retailers , while another 33 per cent bought more gifts from Irish shops than they had in the past .
Meanwhile , a third of people surveyed said they would not be able to give their gifts in person this Christmas .
The festive period is a time when recycling bins are at their fullest , but this year packaging waste from online retailers increased by 15 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With most of this waste expected to be disposed of over the coming weeks , Repak is encouraging Irish people to better understand their recycling duties to ensure the country continues to reach its recycling targets under the EU ’ s Circular Economy Package .
For the last 22 years Ireland has surpassed the recycling targets in every category , and the volume of recycling waste has increased by 9.1 per cent since Repak ’ s Team Green recycling initiative launched in 2018 .
The not-for-profit ’ s CEO , Séamus Clancy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show leadership and responsibility for protecting the environment by recycling more and correctly at home ” .
He is also reminding the public that many waste collectors across the country are accepting extra bags of recyclables if people find their recycling bins are full over the festive period .
Repak is also encouraging members of the public to shop local with one of 3,400 Repak members , whose fees fund the recycling of the packaging they place on the Irish market .
All Irish businesses generating over 10 tonnes of packaging per year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than €1 million are obliged to join Repak to comply with EU packaging waste legislation .

Over 81,000 tonnes of packaging waste is expected to be generated in Ireland over the Christmas period. File photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Over 81,000 tonnes of packaging waste is expected to be generated in Ireland over the Christmas period, a seven per cent rise on the 2019 season, according to a leading Irish environmental organisation.
New research by Repak found that 27 per cent of Irish people bought all of their Christmas presents online this year. Packaging waste generated from increased online sales during the coronavirus pandemic will create a heavy influx of materials for waste operators to process over Christmas, Repak has said.
The survey of 2,600 individuals also found that 86 per cent of people believed it was important to consider the environment when purchasing Christmas gifts this year. With that in mind, 28 per cent of people bought their presents solely from Irish retailers, while another 33 per cent bought more gifts from Irish shops than they had in the past. Meanwhile, a third of people surveyed said they would not be able to give their gifts in person this Christmas.
The festive period is a time when recycling bins are at their fullest, but this year packaging waste from online retailers increased by 15 million parcels, according to Repak data. With most of this waste expected to be disposed of over the coming weeks, Repak is encouraging Irish people to better understand their recycling duties to ensure the country continues to reach its recycling targets under the EU’s Circular Economy Package.
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For the last 22 years Ireland has surpassed the recycling targets in every category, and the volume of recycling waste has increased by 9.1 per cent since Repak’s Team Green recycling initiative launched in 2018.
The not-for-profit’s CEO, Séamus Clancy, is calling on the public to “show leadership and responsibility for protecting the environment by recycling more and correctly at home”. He is also reminding the public that many waste collectors across the country are accepting extra bags of recyclables if people find their recycling bins are full over the festive period.
Repak is also encouraging members of the public to shop local with one of 3,400 Repak members, whose fees fund the recycling of the packaging they place on the Irish market.
All Irish businesses generating over 10 tonnes of packaging per year that have an annual turnover of more than €1 million are obliged to join Repak to comply with EU packaging waste legislation.


theirishtimes--2020-12-29--Met Éireann issues yellow warning for snow and ice over 13 counties

A snow and ice warning has been issued for 13 counties in the southeast and northwest of the country .
The Status Yellow warning issued by Met Éireann comes into force from midnight and will remain in place until midday on Wednesday .
There is a risk of snow accumulations to smaller levels in counties Carlow , Kildare , Kilkenny , Laois , Wexford , Wicklow , Offaly , Donegal , Leitrim , Sligo , Cork , Tipperary , and Waterford , Met Éireann has warned .
A snow and ice warning issued by the UK Met office is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fermanagh , and Tyrone from 3pm on Tuesday and will lift at 11.59pm on Wednesday .
The UK Met Office has warned that snow and ice could lead to some disruptions from Tuesday evening and into Wednesday .
Met Éireann has predicted frost and ice from early on Tuesday evening with lowest temperatures reaching minus 3 degrees .
Rain will develop over western coastal counties and extend eastwards over central and southern counties , turning to sleet and snow in some areas .
Many will wake up to an icy morning on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and snow across the southern half of the country will clear during the day to “ bright spells and scattered wintry showers ” .
It will be a “ cold day with temperatures generally only rising a little above freezing ” , with the coasts getting slightly warmer weather , according to Met Éireann .

Met Éireann has warned parts of Ireland may be hit with snow. A snow-covered Croagh Patrick in Westport. File photograph: Paul Mealey
A snow and ice warning is in place in the north of the country on Wednesday.
The yellow warning is in place from 6am on Wednesday to 7am on Thursday morning in Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo.
Earlier, another yellow warning was in place for Cork, Tipperary and Waterford. This ended at midday.
A snow and ice warning issued by the UK Met office is also valid in Derry, Armagh, Antrim, Fermanagh, and Tyrone until midnight on Wednesday.
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Wednesday will be very cold with frost and icy conditions gradually clearing throughout the day. Rain and sleet, mostly due in Munster, and snow clearing in late morning.
It will be brighter in other parts of the country with scattered wintry showers, especially in northern and western coastal counties.
Highest temperatures will be between just two and three degrees.
Showers, some wintry, will continue in northern and western coastal counties on Wednesday night, while the rest of the country will remain relatively clear.
Showers will become more frequent towards dawn on Thursday in the north and northwest with sleet or snowfalls.
Lowest temperatures will be between minus two and zero degrees with a moderate northwest breeze.
Thursday will be breezy with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, some turning wintry in places. There is a risk of hail and isolated thunderstorms.
Showers will become more frequent in the afternoon, especially along eastern coasts. Highest temperatures will be between three and six degrees but feeling colder with fresh and gusty northerly winds.


theirishtimes--2020-12-29--Covid-19: Nine deaths and record 1,546 cases reported in State

A further nine deaths of Covid-19 patients have been reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) .
This brings to 2,213 the total number of deaths in the pandemic .
Nphet also reported 1,546 confirmed cases of the disease , bringing to 88,439 the total number of cases in the Republic .
This is the highest daily number of cases yet recorded in the pandemic , though the figure is likely to have been inflated by delayed reporting over the Christmas period .
Of the new cases , 444 were in Dublin , 203 in Cork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Limerick and 85 in Donegal with the remaining 616 cases spread across all other counties .
The median age is 34 years and 66 per cent are under 45 years of age .
On Tuesday afternoon , 411 Covid-19 patients were hospitalised , of which 34 were in ICU .
There were 47 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours .
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan urged people to remain vigilant , given the increasing spread of the disease , but also highlighted the prospect of better times ahead with the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached a significant milestone in our collective response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland , with the launch of our national vaccination programme .
“ To see the first recipients of the vaccine gives us hope for better times ahead , particularly for those of us who are the most vulnerable to the virus , including those over 70 and with underlying medical conditions .
“ As the vaccination programme rolls out , particularly given the increasing spread of the disease and the concerning rise in the number of hospitalisations – up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember to remain vigilant to the ongoing risk of the spread of Covid-19 and follow the public health advice in our everyday lives.
” Chief nursing officer Rachel Kenna pointed out that many nurses and midwives will be among the first to receive the vaccine so they can continue to provide care to patients .
“ It is vital however to support them and all our frontline staff by continuing to adhere to the public health measures advised as the vaccine programme rolls out.
” Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has confirmed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take place on Wednesday because of concerns about the rapid and “ exponential growth ” in the number of Covid-19 cases in recent days .
Last week 234 people had been hospitalised with Covid-19 , that figure had risen to 409 on Tuesday which was further cause for concern , he said .
Ireland did not want to be in the same position as the UK where the NHS was overwhelmed with Covid-19 cases .
The Cabinet will be looking at the advice of Nphet , which remained that there should be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions which would mean the closure of non-essential retail along with gyms and leisure centres .
However , the Minister said that regardless of what level of restrictions the country was at , the advice remained to limit the number of contacts .
Some people diagnosed as positive in recent days had “ up to 30 close contacts ” .
Social events were happening with too many people attending , he said .
The Cabinet ’ s position remained that schools should open next week as school was a safer place for children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Irish College of General Practitioners , Dr Nuala O ’ Connor said she was expecting a big rise in the number of Covid cases in the coming days as GPs had noticed a 65 per cent increase in referrals for Covid tests in the past week .
By the afternoon on Tuesday , Dr O ’ Connor said 14,000 referrals had been made by GPs across the State for patients to receive Covid-19 tests .
During the first week of December GPs made 25,000 referrals for the whole week , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risen to 70,000 , she said .
The number of people being hospitalised with coronavirus has “ increased sharply ” in the last two days , according to Dr Holohan .
The current seven-day average rate of positive tests had risen to 9.2 per cent , up from 5.2 per cent on December 18th .

A further nine deaths of Covid-19 patients have been reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet). This brings to 2,213 the total number of deaths in the pandemic.
Nphet also reported 1,546 confirmed cases of the disease, bringing to 88,439 the total number of cases in the Republic.
This is the highest daily number of cases yet recorded in the pandemic, though the figure is likely to have been inflated by delayed reporting over the Christmas period.
Hospital Report
Of the new cases, 444 were in Dublin, 203 in Cork, 111 in Louth, 87 in Limerick and 85 in Donegal with the remaining 616 cases spread across all other counties.
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The median age is 34 years and 66 per cent are under 45 years of age.
On Tuesday afternoon, 411 Covid-19 patients were hospitalised, of which 34 were in ICU. There were 47 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan urged people to remain vigilant, given the increasing spread of the disease, but also highlighted the prospect of better times ahead with the first vaccinations administered today.
"We have reached a significant milestone in our collective response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland, with the launch of our national vaccination programme.
“To see the first recipients of the vaccine gives us hope for better times ahead, particularly for those of us who are the most vulnerable to the virus, including those over 70 and with underlying medical conditions.
“As the vaccination programme rolls out, particularly given the increasing spread of the disease and the concerning rise in the number of hospitalisations – up to 411 today – we each need to remember to remain vigilant to the ongoing risk of the spread of Covid-19 and follow the public health advice in our everyday lives.”
Chief nursing officer Rachel Kenna pointed out that many nurses and midwives will be among the first to receive the vaccine so they can continue to provide care to patients. “It is vital however to support them and all our frontline staff by continuing to adhere to the public health measures advised as the vaccine programme rolls out.”
Cabinet meeting
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has confirmed that an “unscheduled” Cabinet meeting will take place on Wednesday because of concerns about the rapid and “exponential growth” in the number of Covid-19 cases in recent days.
Last week 234 people had been hospitalised with Covid-19, that figure had risen to 409 on Tuesday which was further cause for concern, he said.
Ireland did not want to be in the same position as the UK where the NHS was overwhelmed with Covid-19 cases.
The Cabinet will be looking at the advice of Nphet, which remained that there should be a return to “full” Level 5 restrictions which would mean the closure of non-essential retail along with gyms and leisure centres.
However, the Minister said that regardless of what level of restrictions the country was at, the advice remained to limit the number of contacts. Some people diagnosed as positive in recent days had “up to 30 close contacts”. Social events were happening with too many people attending, he said.
The Cabinet’s position remained that schools should open next week as school was a safer place for children than the community.
Cases to GPs
The Covid lead for the Irish College of General Practitioners , Dr Nuala O’Connor said she was expecting a big rise in the number of Covid cases in the coming days as GPs had noticed a 65 per cent increase in referrals for Covid tests in the past week.
By the afternoon on Tuesday, Dr O’Connor said 14,000 referrals had been made by GPs across the State for patients to receive Covid-19 tests.
During the first week of December GPs made 25,000 referrals for the whole week, by the fourth week of December that had risen to 70,000, she said.
The number of people being hospitalised with coronavirus has “increased sharply” in the last two days, according to Dr Holohan.
The current seven-day average rate of positive tests had risen to 9.2 per cent, up from 5.2 per cent on December 18th.


theirishtimes--2020-12-30--Kinahan served with summons in US case taken by boxing manager

Gangland figure Daniel Kinahan has been served with a summons seeking a response to a US court action in which he is accused of using a boxing company to launder drug trafficking money .
Mr Kinahan has 21 days to respond to the summons sent to him in Dubai , where he currently lives , in the legal action taken by US boxing manger Moses Heredia in a Californian court .
Mr Heredia has accused Mr Kinahan and MTK , the company he founded in 2012 , of interfering with his contract with boxer and super-featherweight champion Joseph “ JoJo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Mr Diaz became a world champion in 2020 , MTK offered him an advance of $ 100,000 ( €81,500 ) in breach of his five-year contract with the fighter , signed in 2017 .
He claims that Mr Kinahan and MTK are in breach of the US federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act , otherwise known as the Rico Act , which is used by US prosecutors to take on organised crime but can also be used in civil legal actions .
Under the summons , Mr Kinahan must file his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court for the Central District of California or else face judgment being entered against him by default .
Claims against the Irish gangland member , who is regarded by the Garda as the head of the Kinahan organised crime group , are contained in a 32-page legal complaint filed this month .
Mr Heredia alleges that Mr Kinahan co-founded MTK as a “ front business ” to launder illicit proceeds from drug trafficking .
He claims that even though MTK has said it severed ties with Mr Kinahan in 2017 , he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company and that the “ more boxers ” signed under MTK allows the Kinahan organised crime gang to launder more money from drug trafficking .
The boxing manager , citing several law enforcement agencies , describes the Kinahan gang as “ one of Europe ’ s largest drug trafficking and money laundering networks ” and that MTK , which is based in Dubai and a British company , presents itself as the “ biggest force in business of boxing.
” The complaint alleges that in September 2018 US immigration officials banned Mr Kinahan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gang from entering the US due to “ narco-terrorism concerns.
” Mr Heredia claims that MTK is trying to expand its activities in the US and that it has in recent months signed “ over eight US boxers and several dozens across the globe ” .
The manager claims Mr Kinahan continues to arrange boxing matches and to act in a management capacity to MTK .
The manager claims Mr Kinahan ’ s attempt to launder illicit proceeds from drug trafficking “ through a seemingly lawful business ” failed in 2016 with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associate David Byrne was murdered during a boxing match promoted by Mr Kinahan .
Mr Heredia argues in his case that he signed his current boxer manager agreement with Mr Diaz in February 2017 and that he has won nine bouts , including his title fight , under this contract .
He claims that his company Heredia Boxing Management became aware that MTK signed a management contract with Mr Diaz through social media .
He argues that the $ 100,000 advanced paid by MTK to Mr Diaz caused the 28-year-old Mexican-American boxer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager claims that MTK has sent threatening letters to declare Mr Diaz ’ s 2017 promotional agreement with another boxing company “ null and void ” and that it has engaged in a smear campaign on social media against Mr Heredia and his company .
In 2018 an Irish High Court judge stated that Mr Kinahan , who has no previous convictions , controlled an organisation involved in drug and weapons smuggling on a global scale .
Shortly before this , a Spanish police officer told a court in Marbella that Mr Kinahan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gary Hutch on the Costa del Sol in 2015 .

Gangland figure Daniel Kinahan has been served with a summons seeking a response to a US court action in which he is accused of using a boxing company to launder drug trafficking money.
Mr Kinahan has 21 days to respond to the summons sent to him in Dubai, where he currently lives, in the legal action taken by US boxing manger Moses Heredia in a Californian court.
Mr Heredia has accused Mr Kinahan and MTK, the company he founded in 2012, of interfering with his contract with boxer and super-featherweight champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz.
The manager claims that after Mr Diaz became a world champion in 2020, MTK offered him an advance of $100,000 (€81,500) in breach of his five-year contract with the fighter, signed in 2017.
READ MORE
He claims that Mr Kinahan and MTK are in breach of the US federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act, otherwise known as the Rico Act, which is used by US prosecutors to take on organised crime but can also be used in civil legal actions.
Under the summons, Mr Kinahan must file his response or motion with the US District Court for the Central District of California or else face judgment being entered against him by default.
Claims against the Irish gangland member, who is regarded by the Garda as the head of the Kinahan organised crime group, are contained in a 32-page legal complaint filed this month.
Mr Heredia alleges that Mr Kinahan co-founded MTK as a “front business” to launder illicit proceeds from drug trafficking.
He claims that even though MTK has said it severed ties with Mr Kinahan in 2017, he is still “influencing and controlling” the company and that the “more boxers” signed under MTK allows the Kinahan organised crime gang to launder more money from drug trafficking.
The boxing manager, citing several law enforcement agencies, describes the Kinahan gang as “one of Europe’s largest drug trafficking and money laundering networks” and that MTK, which is based in Dubai and a British company, presents itself as the “biggest force in business of boxing.”
The complaint alleges that in September 2018 US immigration officials banned Mr Kinahan and about 26 other members of the gang from entering the US due to “narco-terrorism concerns.”
Mr Heredia claims that MTK is trying to expand its activities in the US and that it has in recent months signed “over eight US boxers and several dozens across the globe”. The manager claims Mr Kinahan continues to arrange boxing matches and to act in a management capacity to MTK.
The manager claims Mr Kinahan’s attempt to launder illicit proceeds from drug trafficking “through a seemingly lawful business” failed in 2016 with the Regency Hotel shooting in Dublin when an associate David Byrne was murdered during a boxing match promoted by Mr Kinahan.
Mr Heredia argues in his case that he signed his current boxer manager agreement with Mr Diaz in February 2017 and that he has won nine bouts, including his title fight, under this contract.
He claims that his company Heredia Boxing Management became aware that MTK signed a management contract with Mr Diaz through social media.
He argues that the $100,000 advanced paid by MTK to Mr Diaz caused the 28-year-old Mexican-American boxer to “mortgage his future away.”
The manager claims that MTK has sent threatening letters to declare Mr Diaz’s 2017 promotional agreement with another boxing company “null and void” and that it has engaged in a smear campaign on social media against Mr Heredia and his company.
In 2018 an Irish High Court judge stated that Mr Kinahan, who has no previous convictions, controlled an organisation involved in drug and weapons smuggling on a global scale.
Shortly before this, a Spanish police officer told a court in Marbella that Mr Kinahan had ordered the murder of gang rival Gary Hutch on the Costa del Sol in 2015.


theirishtimes--2020-12-30--Man shot by gardaí in Co Dublin following standoff

A man is being treated at the scene after being shot by Gardaí in Clonlee , Co Dublin .
It @ @ @ @ @ a passerby in the area on Wednesday morning .
Unarmed gardaí were called to the @ @ @ @ @ the man was armed with a knife they called the Armed Support Unit .
The @ @ @ @ @ lengthy standoff in the Manorfields area of Clonlee , on the Dublin/Meath border .
The @ @ @ @ @ round from a Garda weapon on Wednesday afternoon and suffered serious injury .
A Garda @ @ @ @ @ Garda Ombudsman is to be alerted in line with standard procedure .

The Armed Support Unit was called to the scene after reports that a man involved in a standoff with gardaí was armed with a knife. Photograph: The Irish Times
Garda Ombudsman investigators are to examine a video capturing the fatal Garda shooting of a man in his front garden in west Dublin on Wednesday.
A man in his twenties was shot at least three times by members of the Blanchardstown Armed Support Unit (ASU) while allegedly brandishing a knife and threatening gardaí.
A 13 second mobile phone video shot by a passer-by, and confirmed by The Irish Times, shows a man in a blue jumper surrounded by ASU members on Manorfields Drive in Clonee.
A gunshot can be heard before the man in blue is seen swinging his arm towards the officers. It is not clear if there is something in his hand.
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Another four shots are then heard. The man appears to stumble before falling to the ground on the fifth shot.
Sources say the shots all came from an official Garda weapon. At least three hit the man. ASU members administered first aid before Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics arrived and began CPR. The man was taken by ambulance to James Connolly Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
A State postmortem will be carried out on Thursday.
The Garda said in a statement it implemented a “a graduated policing response” after being threatened with a knife. It is understood this involved the use of pepper spray followed by the firing of two Taser guns.
Gardaí also verbally ordered the man to drop the knife several times before using force, one source said.
The incident began just after midday when, according to eyewitnesses, the man entered the Eurospar supermarket in Hartstown were he punched a manager in the face, injuring the victim’s nose. He then produced a large knife from his pocket and brandished it towards staff.
The man then walked into the post office section of the supermarket as unarmed Gardaí began to arrive. The supermarket manager was taken to hospital for treatment.
At least 12 unarmed gardaí followed the man out of the shop and through several housing estates, while instructing him to drop the knife.
By 12.30pm, the ASU had arrived from Blanchardstown Garda Station and took over the operation. This is when the fatal shots were fired.
The deceased and his family had been living in the area for many years. Some family members were in the house at the time. They have since been relocated to a friend’s house.
Inquiry
Gardaí have obtained the video of the shooting which will be passed onto investigators from the Garda Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc).
Gsoc is obliged by law to carry out an inquiry into any fatal incident involving a garda. Its investigation is likely to focus on whether the use of force was proportionate to the threat and if gardaí engaged in the correct tactics to attempt to de-escalate the situation.
A source familiar with Garda firearms response said Tasers can be ineffective if a person is wearing thick clothing. Pepper spray may also not work if a suspect is in a highly agitated state, they said.
Local people who knew the man gathered at the Garda cordon on Wednesday afternoon, including some who expressed anger at the Garda response.
One woman said the man suffered from mental health issues. Another woman, who said she knew the deceased’s family, shouted at gardaí that they could have disabled the dead man by firing at his legs.
“At approximately 12.15pm, today Wednesday 30th December 2020, Gardaí responded to reports of a public order incident at a business premises in Hartstown,” the Garda said in a statement.
“Reports were that a male, in his late twenties, armed with a knife was at the scene.
“Uniform, unarmed Gardaí responded to the scene and a foot chase ensued. The male threatened unarmed Gardaí with the knife.
“Members of the Armed Support Unit arrived at a scene in Manorfields Drive, Dublin 15.
“The Armed Support Unit were also threatened with a knife and implemented a graduated policing response where the use of less-than-lethal force options was initially administered in an effort to resolve the incident. The less-than-lethal use of force options were unsuccessful, and a number of shots were discharged from an official Garda firearm at approximately 12.35pm.
“The male was treated at the scene by Armed Support Unit paramedics, Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics. He was transferred to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown, where he has pronounced dead this afternoon.
"The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission have been notified of the incident and are currently in attendance at the scene."
An Garda Síochána are appealing to anyone who was in the Eurospar, post office or general vicinity of Hartstown Shopping Centre at approximately 12.15pm on Wednesday; anyone who was in the vicinity of Cherryfield and Manorsfield Estates, Dublin 15 between noon and 12.35pm ; or anyone with CCTV or other video footage of the incidents to contact them at Blanchardstown Garda Station 01-666 7000, or on the Garda confidential line 1800 666 111.


theirishtimes--2020-12-30--Huntsman killed by stag at hunt kennels in Co Cork

Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority are investigating the death of a professional huntsman who was killed by a @ @ @ @ @ understood the man died when he was attacked while feeding a pet stag at at @ @ @ @ @ Liscarroll , in north Cork .
The alarm was raised when he did not return @ @ @ @ @ been named locally as Ger Withers , a married man in his forties and the @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Withers was well known in the area and highly regarded as a skilled @ @ @ @ @ hounds .
The body was removed to the mortuary in Cork University Hospital .

Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority are investigating the death of professional huntsman Ger Withers. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien
A professional huntsman was killed by a stag on Tuesday.
It is understood Ger Withers died when he was attacked while feeding a stag at at the Duhallow hunt kennels in Liscarroll, north Cork.
A married man in his 40s, Mr Withers had three young children.
The alarm was raised when he did not return home. He was found unresponsive on the ground at the kennels.
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Pat Fleming, chairman of the Duhallow Hunt, said Mr Withers was employed at the kennels and was doing his job when tragedy stuck.
“He was a great husband and a professional man. He did a great job. You couldn’t have had better than Ger. I spoke to him a few times a week and we would talk about his beloved kids. We never had a cross word in 20 years and I don’t think we would have had in another 20. We are devastated.”
His friend, Catherine Power, said he was a wonderful person who would be sorely missed by all those who knew him.
“A wonderful father and huntsman. He was a young man who has left behind a very good legacy in the hunting fraternity. The whole country is in shock. It happened out of the blue. You can’t anticipate something like this happening. We are devastated. We have lost a good man and a good huntsman,” she said.
Gardaí and paramedics attended the scene and Mr Withers’s remains were removed to the mortuary at Cork University Hospital. The Health and Safety Authority was investigating the death, which is being treated as a tragic accident.
Mr Withers was regarded as a expert huntsman and houndman who hunted with Old English Hounds. He had hunted his pack of English hounds for 14 seasons.


theirishtimes--2020-12-30--More than €17m in refunds for public transport passes paid out

Commuters who use annual tax-saver Leap cards on public transport have until the end of the year to claim refunds stretching back to April , the National Transport Authority has confirmed .
The authority accepts that many commuters are continuing to pay for their cards through automatic salary deductions even though they have been working from home for months due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
Some 17,000 annual tax-saver tickets to the value of more than €17 million had been refunded up until November 25th , the latest date for which figures were available .
The authority is offering extensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months missed due to travel restrictions as well as cash refunds where requested by commuters and applied for through their employers ’ schemes .
For those who do not apply for a cash refund , their cards will be extended for the amount of time they have been unused since April 1st .
Refunds are also backdated to April , which means the €17 million already refunded was spread over less than eight months .
On a pro-rata basis this would suggest demand for refunds is likely to amount to about €19 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be considerably more than that as commuters move to address the issue before the end of the year .
The refunds will be paid with the aid of an increase in subsidy provided by the exchequer through the Department of Transport .
The exchequer is also undertaking to cover the shortfall in fares collected due to the pandemic .
According to the authority , Dublin Bus processed 3,769 applications for refunds by November 25th , Irish Rail processed 10,228 , Bus Éireann processed 342 and Luas processed 2,800 .
The amounts involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bus , €11.3 million for Irish Rail , €528,411 for Bus Éireann and €1.5 million for Luas .
Annual tax-saver Leap cards incentivise people to use public transport to travel to and from work with the cost being deducted directly from their gross salary .
The deduction means the employee pays for the ticket out of untaxed earnings , effectively getting a 28.5 per cent or 52 per cent discount .
For example , an annual ticket for Dublin Bus costs €1,450 .
To add Luas travel to the ticket brings the price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticket is €1,450 while adding Luas would bring it up to €1,800 .
Multiple combinations of public travel modes are also available in other cities .
In August , the National Transport Authority said customers who have an annual tax-saver ticket for the public transport services provided by Dublin Bus , Luas , Iarnród Éireann , Bus Éireann and Go-Ahead Ireland would have their tickets extended for a period of six months .
The authority said this effectively gives customers back the portion of the ticket that they could not use as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel restrictions and “ acknowledges the changes in travel and work that have come about since ” .
It said where the customer wishes to receive a refund rather than avail of the extension , it is open to them to make such a request via their employer under existing terms and conditions .
A spokesman confirmed , however , that the cut-off point to opt for a refund instead of an automatic extension is December 31st .
These measures do not apply to customers of commercial bus operators who are making their @ @ @

The National Transport Authority accepts many commuters are continuing to pay for their cards through automatic salary deductions while working from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Commuters who use annual tax-saver Leap cards on public transport have until the end of the year to claim refunds stretching back to April, the National Transport Authority has confirmed.
The authority accepts that many commuters are continuing to pay for their cards through automatic salary deductions even though they have been working from home for months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some 17,000 annual tax-saver tickets to the value of more than €17 million had been refunded up until November 25th, the latest date for which figures were available.
The authority is offering extensions to the validity of the cards for months missed due to travel restrictions as well as cash refunds where requested by commuters and applied for through their employers’ schemes.
READ MORE
For those who do not apply for a cash refund, their cards will be extended for the amount of time they have been unused since April 1st.
Backdated
Refunds are also backdated to April, which means the €17 million already refunded was spread over less than eight months. On a pro-rata basis this would suggest demand for refunds is likely to amount to about €19 million by December 31st. However, it could be considerably more than that as commuters move to address the issue before the end of the year.
The refunds will be paid with the aid of an increase in subsidy provided by the exchequer through the Department of Transport. The exchequer is also undertaking to cover the shortfall in fares collected due to the pandemic.
According to the authority, Dublin Bus processed 3,769 applications for refunds by November 25th, Irish Rail processed 10,228, Bus Éireann processed 342 and Luas processed 2,800. The amounts involved were €3.9 million in relation to Dublin Bus, €11.3 million for Irish Rail, €528,411 for Bus Éireann and €1.5 million for Luas.
Incentive
Annual tax-saver Leap cards incentivise people to use public transport to travel to and from work with the cost being deducted directly from their gross salary. The deduction means the employee pays for the ticket out of untaxed earnings, effectively getting a 28.5 per cent or 52 per cent discount.
For example, an annual ticket for Dublin Bus costs €1,450. To add Luas travel to the ticket brings the price up to €1,800. An annual Dart ticket is €1,450 while adding Luas would bring it up to €1,800. Multiple combinations of public travel modes are also available in other cities.
In August, the National Transport Authority said customers who have an annual tax-saver ticket for the public transport services provided by Dublin Bus, Luas, Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann and Go-Ahead Ireland would have their tickets extended for a period of six months.
The authority said this effectively gives customers back the portion of the ticket that they could not use as a result of the Government’s Covid-19-related travel restrictions and “acknowledges the changes in travel and work that have come about since”.
It said where the customer wishes to receive a refund rather than avail of the extension, it is open to them to make such a request via their employer under existing terms and conditions. A spokesman confirmed, however, that the cut-off point to opt for a refund instead of an automatic extension is December 31st.
These measures do not apply to customers of commercial bus operators who are making their own arrangements.


theirishtimes--2020-12-30--Approval of AstraZeneca paves way for ‘acceleration’ of vaccine programme in the North

Approval of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in the UK paves the way for a “ significant acceleration ” of Northern Ireland ’ s vaccination programme , the North ’ s health minister Robin Swann said on Wednesday .
Mr Swann said that 50,000 Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines are currently available to Northern Ireland , with delivery arranged in advance of Wednesday ’ s announcement about its approval .
Further supplies are expected early in the new year .
Already in Northern Ireland more than 33,000 people have been vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine which was approved in the UK on December 8th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely welcome news and helps us look forward to the new year with optimism and hope , ” said Mr Swann .
It would mean a “ significant acceleration ” of the vaccine rollout in the North .
But the minister also warned that the coming weeks will be among the “ most challenging yet ” in the pandemic , with the North ’ s health service under immense pressure .
“ The vaccine programme will transform the situation but that will take time , ” said Mr Swann .
Urging people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added , “ Between now and then , we need another big push to get through these next few months .
We can all play our part in supporting the health service and in protecting each other from Covid-19 .
Please follow the public health advice to stop it spreading.
” The approval of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine means Northern Ireland GPs can begin the first phase of population vaccination from January 4th , starting with those aged 80 years and over .
The programme will then be rolled out based on age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be guided by the British Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation ( JCVI ) .
The rate of progress will depend on the availability of the vaccine , in terms of both manufacture and supply .
The initial phase of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccination programme was focused on care home residents and staff , which were the number one priority as recommended by JCVI .
Health and social care staff in direct contact with vulnerable patients also were offered vaccination .
The health department said that 80 per cent of care homes have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home residents , 10,484 care home staff and 14,259 health and social care staff have been vaccinated .
The North ’ s chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride said the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine could be “ more readily ” taken to people .
“ It will make the task of vaccinating those most at risk and then the entire population over 50 years much more achievable , ” he said .
Patricia Donnelly , head of the North ’ s Covid-19 vaccination programme , said the “ characteristics ” of the Oxford/AstraZeneca meant the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccination programme roll-out , staying in line with the JCVI priority recommendations ” .

The emergency approval of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine is a "game changer" as it can be distributed easily, says Professor Andrew Pollard, trial chief investigator at Oxford University. Video: BBC
For the second day in succession Northern Ireland reported a record number of confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday.
On a day when a new Covid-19 vaccine received approval the department reported 2,143 Covid-19 cases, following on the record 1,566 positive cases it reported on Tuesday.
This brought the total number of cases there since the outbreak of the pandemic to 70,905.
Over the past seven days of the Christmas holiday 7,100 positive cases were reported in Northern Ireland – more than 1,000 each day.
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The department in its daily bulletin on Wednesday afternoon also recorded six more coronavirus deaths taking the death toll to 1,311.
Hospital bed occupancy in the North stands at 96 per cent. There are 492 patients receiving Covid treatment with 35 in intensive care and 24 of them on ventilators.
Schools
The Northern Ireland Assembly has been recalled to discuss next week’s planned reopening of schools amid strict lockdown measures.
SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan welcomed support for his party’s Assembly recall petition, saying pupils, parents and teachers “need answers”.
Mr McCrossan said: “With a huge rise in Covid-19 levels across our community, the fact that schools across the North are due to return in just days is deeply concerning.
“Pupils, parents and teachers are extremely anxious and there has been a lack of clarity and support to reassure them and assist.
“It is now essential that the Minister for Education outlines the medical and scientific evidence he has used to dogmatically rule out an extended school holiday.”
The NASUWT teaching union has welcomed the recall. Justin McCamphill said: “There are no excuses for not now taking every step necessary to protect the wider community, school staff and young people and their families.”
Gerry Murphy of the teachers’ trade union INTO wrote to First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill calling for online learning to be introduced.
Mr Murphy said the Minister must act to protect pupils and teaching and non-teaching staff.
“INTO is now demanding that online learning be introduced from day one of the second term in the interests of school communities and society generally. We urge him to act while time remains.”
Vaccine
Meanwhile, the North's health Minister Robin Swann said on Wednesday that approval of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in the UK paved the way for a "significant acceleration" of Northern Ireland's vaccination programme.
Mr Swann said that 50,000 Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines are currently available to Northern Ireland, with delivery arranged in advance of Wednesday’s announcement about its approval. Further supplies are expected early in the new year.
Already in Northern Ireland more than 33,000 people have been vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine which was approved in the UK on December 8th.
“Today’s announcement is extremely welcome news and helps us look forward to the new year with optimism and hope,” said Mr Swann.
But the Minister also warned that the coming weeks will be among the “most challenging yet” in the pandemic, with the North’s health service under immense pressure.
“The vaccine programme will transform the situation but that will take time,” he said.
Urging people to abide by the current six-week lockdown he added, “Between now and then, we need another big push to get through these next few months. We can all play our part in supporting the health service and in protecting each other from Covid-19. Please follow the public health advice to stop it spreading.”
The approval of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine means Northern Ireland GPs can begin the first phase of population vaccination from January 4th, starting with those aged 80 years and over.
The programme will then be rolled out based on age and other clinical vulnerability factors. Prioritisation will be guided by the British Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The rate of progress will depend on the availability of the vaccine, in terms of both manufacture and supply.
The initial phase of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccination programme was focused on care home residents and staff, which were the number one priority as recommended by JCVI. Health and social care staff in direct contact with vulnerable patients also were offered vaccination.
The health department said that 80 per cent of care homes have been visited. So far 8,940 care home residents, 10,484 care home staff and 14,259 health and social care staff have been vaccinated.
The North’s chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride said the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine could be “more readily” taken to people. “It will make the task of vaccinating those most at risk and then the entire population over 50 years much more achievable,” he said.
Patricia Donnelly, head of the North's Covid-19 vaccination programme, said the "characteristics" of the Oxford/AstraZeneca meant the department could "more rapidly scale up the vaccination programme roll-out, staying in line with the JCVI priority recommendations".
While the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine must be stored and transported at -70 degrees and can only be stored in regular medical refrigerators at 2 degrees to 8 degrees for up to five days, the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine can be transported and stored at 2 degrees to 8 degrees for up to six months, making it much easier to move around. – Additional reporting by PA


theirishtimes--2020-12-30--Vaccine rollout in Ireland taking place amid heightened litigation concerns

All medical interventions in Ireland occur against a backdrop of “ heightened concern ” about possible litigation , the Tánaiste , Leo Varadkar , said earlier this week when talking about roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine .
Whether it be immunisation programmes , screening programmes , or maternity care , it is “ particularly the case ” in Ireland that medical procedures take place in the context of a heightened awareness of the possibility of litigation .
This in itself is not a bad thing , as it “ helps ensure that we take a little bit more time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said , speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 ’ s Morning Ireland .
Among the reasons why Ireland may be more likely to see recourse to the courts than other jurisdictions , is that we have not put in place a no-fault compensation or redress scheme for certain types of medical claim , according to legal sources .
In some countries there are schemes that make support available to people who claim they have suffered because of the administration of particular medicines , including vaccines .
These schemes offer an alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to court .
In a report published earlier this month , an expert group on “ the Law of Torts and the Current Systems for the Management of Clinical Negligence Claims ” , came down in favour of a vaccine compensation scheme being established here “ as a matter of urgency ” .
There is , the group said , “ a strong moral argument that the State , which actively encourages vaccination , should accept responsibility for those who suffer harm as a result.
” None of this is to suggest there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is just that no medical intervention is entirely without risk .
The Taoiseach , Micheál Martin , said in the Dáil earlier this month that the Government intends to introduce a vaccine compensation scheme .
The scheme would be for all vaccination programmes , such as the yearly flu vaccine campaign , and not just the Covid-19 vaccines .
Mr Martin explained that the Covid vaccines that Ireland is getting by way of the advance purchase agreements that have been negotiated at EU level with their manufacturers , include the provision of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is required “ to provide legal support costs and payment of claims arising from any damages associated with administration of the vaccine ” , he said .
The administration of vaccines , as with all medical care , is conducted on the basis of “ informed consent ” , which means that the person receiving the vaccine has to be told clearly about the benefits and risks associated with the vaccine , by the healthcare worker providing the product .
A document prepared by the HSE for the Covid-19 vaccination programme outlines how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told about the risks associated with not taking the vaccine , must not be acting under duress , and must have the capacity to make the decision ( even if requiring support to do so ) .
It is not the case , as may be widely believed , that for people incapable of giving informed consent , the task falls to their “ next of kin ” .
In cases where a person is not capable of making an informed decision , the decision falls to their healthcare professional , who should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best interests ” principle , while also taking into account the person ’ s values and preferences , and the views of those who have a close relationship with the person , as to what that person would opt to do were they capable of giving informed consent .

All medical interventions in Ireland occur against a backdrop of “heightened concern” about possible litigation, the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, said earlier this week when talking about roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Whether it be immunisation programmes, screening programmes, or maternity care, it is “particularly the case” in Ireland that medical procedures take place in the context of a heightened awareness of the possibility of litigation.
This in itself is not a bad thing, as it “helps ensure that we take a little bit more time to make sure we get everything exactly right,” he said, speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland.
Among the reasons why Ireland may be more likely to see recourse to the courts than other jurisdictions, is that we have not put in place a no-fault compensation or redress scheme for certain types of medical claim, according to legal sources.
READ MORE
In some countries there are schemes that make support available to people who claim they have suffered because of the administration of particular medicines, including vaccines.
These schemes offer an alternative to the very expensive option of going to court.
In a report published earlier this month, an expert group on “the Law of Torts and the Current Systems for the Management of Clinical Negligence Claims”, came down in favour of a vaccine compensation scheme being established here “as a matter of urgency”.
There is, the group said, “a strong moral argument that the State, which actively encourages vaccination, should accept responsibility for those who suffer harm as a result.”
None of this is to suggest there is anything particularly unsafe about vaccines. It is just that no medical intervention is entirely without risk.
The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said in the Dáil earlier this month that the Government intends to introduce a vaccine compensation scheme.
The scheme would be for all vaccination programmes, such as the yearly flu vaccine campaign, and not just the Covid-19 vaccines.
Mr Martin explained that the Covid vaccines that Ireland is getting by way of the advance purchase agreements that have been negotiated at EU level with their manufacturers, include the provision of an indemnity.
Each EU member state is required “to provide legal support costs and payment of claims arising from any damages associated with administration of the vaccine”, he said.
The administration of vaccines, as with all medical care, is conducted on the basis of “informed consent”, which means that the person receiving the vaccine has to be told clearly about the benefits and risks associated with the vaccine, by the healthcare worker providing the product.
A document prepared by the HSE for the Covid-19 vaccination programme outlines how the person receiving vaccine must also be told about the risks associated with not taking the vaccine, must not be acting under duress, and must have the capacity to make the decision (even if requiring support to do so).
It is not the case, as may be widely believed, that for people incapable of giving informed consent, the task falls to their “next of kin”.
In cases where a person is not capable of making an informed decision, the decision falls to their healthcare professional, who should make the decision based on a “best interests” principle, while also taking into account the person’s values and preferences, and the views of those who have a close relationship with the person, as to what that person would opt to do were they capable of giving informed consent.


theirishtimes--2020-12-30--Covid-19: Government urged to consider ‘circuit breaker’

The Cabinet is meeting to decide on whether to move the country to full Level 5 restrictions with Taoiseach Micheál Martin due to address the country later in the day .
The unscheduled meeting comes after the State reported its highest number of daily Covid-19 cases ( 1,546 ) on Tuesday , since the start of the pandemic .
The meeting was hastily arranged yesterday following what was described as an “ exponential ” increase in the number of cases , the highest number of hospitalisations since May and a massive rise in referrals of suspected cases in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue to grow sharply over the coming days reflecting increased social contacts at Christmas .
“ This is perhaps the most dangerous moment for the country since Covid-19 began , ” said one Minister , speaking on the basis of anonymity .
The Cabinet is expected to reintroduce all Level 5 restrictions including the closure of non-essential retail as well as the reimposition of people being restricted to within 5km of their homes .
It will also end two days early the concession that allowed two families socialise in one home until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce the opportunities for New Year ’ s Eve celebrations .
The duration of any new restrictions is unclear .
The leaders of the three coalition parties met in advance of the Cabinet meeting to discuss the measures that may be taken .
An official statement in the new measures is expected at around 5pm .
Earlier Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath said the Government had to respond to the growing Covid-19 case numbers .
He said the Cabinet will take advice from Nphet and the removal of amendments to Level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain open - will have to be considered .
Mr McGrath also said that while the arrival of the vaccine into the State was positive , the last part of the journey could be “ the most treacherous.
” “ We are at a very serious juncture , ” he said .
Mr McGrath said the first responsibility of Government was to protect its people .
“ The best thing all of us can do is to follow the rules and get this under control , ” he said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under control.
” The Minister also acknowledged the work of teachers and SNAs , but said that the intention was that schools would reopen next week as planned .
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said yesterday that Ireland found itself in a “ dark and worrying place ” in relation to Covid-19 .
Dr Ronan Glynn , the deputy chief medical officer , said while the start of the Covid-19 vaccination programme is “ a very significant positive milestone ” , vaccines will not “ positively impact ” on the profile of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
“ Tonight , there are more people in hospital with # COVID19 ( 411 ) than at any point since last May and admissions are rising very quickly , ” Dr Glynn said on Twitter on Tuesday .
He urged the public to stay at home , not to meet up with others , not to go to work if you have any “ concerning symptoms ” and if you are identified as a close contact to restrict your movements and get tested when it is offered .
Also speaking yesterday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the near doubling of hospitalisations in the past week as a significant concern , and said he did not want to see the health service overwhelmed .
Meanwhile , seven cases of the new , more transmissible variant of Covid-19 first identified in the UK have been sequenced in the Republic , along with one in Northern Ireland , according to a new risk assessment from the European Centre for Disease Control .
Ireland stated its vaccine rollout on Tuesday and Annie Lynch , a 79-year-old Dublin grandmother , on Tuesday became the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccinated against Covid-19 .
She was among 2,000 people , mostly frontline health workers , who received the first supply of the vaccine in four hospitals in Dublin , Galway and Cork .
Ireland is set to receive an additional one million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine after the EU responded to surging case numbers by ramping up orders for the one treatment it has so far authorised .

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced the return of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions for "at least one month", warning that measures to combat the spread of coronavirus are likely to continue after January 31st. Video: AFP
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced the return of “full scale” Level 5 restrictions for “at least one month” and warned many of the measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 are likely to continue beyond January 31st.
He said schools would remain closed until January 11th while all non-essential retail will shut from close of business on Thursday.
The 5km limit on travel will be reimposed and households visits will be banned from midnight, unless people are providing care to children, the elderly or vulnerable, or are part of a support bubble.
Hospital Report
“We will be having a New Year’s Eve like no other,” Mr Martin said.
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Up to 10 mourners will be permitted to attend funerals.
Up to and including January 2nd, a maximum of 25 guests can attend a wedding ceremony and reception, whether indoors or outdoors. From January 3rd, up to six guests are permitted.
Universities are being asked to continue operating primarily online, while creches will remain open “with protective measures”.
Preschools or early learning services will resume from January 4th.
The Department of Housing has confirmed that a moratorium on evictions will be reintroduced from midnight until February 10th due to the curbs on travel.
Sports matches and events are banned, except for elite levels. Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools will close and golf and tennis should not take place. Exercise or dance classes will not be allowed.
The ban on flights and ferries coming from Britain into the Republic will be extended until January 6th, while travel from South Africa will also be prohibited.
The travel ban had been put in place over fears of a new Covid-19 variant identified in southeast England, and was previously extended until December 31st.
The new variant, which is believed to be significantly more transmissible, has since been detected in the Republic.
New arrangements would be put in place after that date, and “limited repatriation” of Irish residents left stranded in Britain would continue in the meantime, the source said.
A different mutant variant of Covid-19 is prevalent in South Africa.
‘Deteriorate’
In his address to nation, Mr Martin said the new UK strain of Covid-19 was here and the virus was spreading at a rate faster than even the most pessimistic modelling, putting the health service under strain. On Tuesday, 18 per cent of positive cases were this strain.
We are already seeing a sharp rise in hospitalisations, he said, almost doubling in one week. The R number is now between 1.6 and 1.8.
“The numbers will deteriorate further over the coming days,” he said, and that we will “do what we need to do” to suppress it.
This now includes “full scale Level 5 restrictions for at least one month”.
He said we now have safe and effective vaccines and factories working around the clock to produce them.
“For the first time since this awful disease landed on our shores we truly have an end in sight.
“The virus can still do immense damage until we have progressed much much further with the vaccination programme.”
Until then, we have to continue protecting the vulnerable, he added.
“Right now this is what we must do. We must stay at home and eliminate contacts with others now.”
In a press conference after his announcement, Mr Martin said: “I think it’s fair to say that quite a lot of these restrictions will continue on beyond the end of this month.”
“[But] if we have the vaccination rolled out to the most vulnerable achieved by the end of the month that just might give us room for manoeuvre on some fronts. But I think people have to psychologically get into our heads that this is a different era we are now entering into in relation to the evolution of this virus.”
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said: "The next three months in Ireland are going to be difficult, they will be as difficult as the last nine months were", adding that while he was optimistic about vaccines it was important not to give people false hope.
Mr Varadkar said 50,000 people were laid off on Christmas Eve when hospitality closed but that supports remain.
On economic cost, Mr Martin said this was “significant”. Last week’s measures made 50,000 people unemployed and Wednesday’s measures could add 40,000 more.
The National Public Health Emergency Team reported 13 coronavirus-related deaths and 1,718 new cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday, more than the previous record reported on Tuesday.
A Cabinet meeting was hastily arranged on Tuesday following what was described as an “exponential” increase in the number of cases, the highest number of hospitalisations since May and a massive rise in referrals of suspected cases in the past week.
Minsters said they expected numbers to continue to grow sharply over the coming days reflecting increased social contacts at Christmas. “This is perhaps the most dangerous moment for the country since Covid-19 began,” said one Minister, speaking on the basis of anonymity.
Vaccine rollout
Ireland started its vaccine rollout on Tuesday and Annie Lynch, a 79-year-old Dublin grandmother, on Tuesday became the first person in the Republic to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
She was among 2,000 people, mostly frontline health workers, who received the first supply of the vaccine in four hospitals in Dublin, Galway and Cork.
Ireland is set to receive an additional one million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine after the EU responded to surging case numbers by ramping up orders for the one treatment it has so far authorised.