theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Garda begin 24-hour operation targeting speeding

Two motorists were caught driving at nearly twice the legal speed limit by gardaí on Friday morning , as part of a 24-hour Garda operation to target speeding .
The Garda operation involves 1,300 speed camera zones across the country .
One driver was found to be travelling at 97km/h in a 50km/h zone on the R680 Cork Road , Co Waterford .
Another driver was detected driving at 94km/h in a 50km/h zone on the N20 Commons Road , Co Cork .
Gardaí caught another driver on the N6 Baile An Phoill Gaillimh , Co Galway , travelling at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motorist was recorded travelling at 137km/h in a 100km/h speed limit on the N7 Brownsbarn , Dublin 22 .
The national Slow Down day includes higher-visibility roads and speed enforcement policing from 7am on Friday , until 7am on Saturday .
During the first five hours of the operation gardaí detected 237 drivers travelling above speed limits , from a total of 41,035 vehicles checked .
To date there have been 137 people killed on Irish roads this year , compared to 128 people last year .
The number of deaths on Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 56 drivers , 24 passengers , 17 motorcyclists , and 11 cyclists .
The increase in the numbers killed in traffic collisions this year comes despite markedly lower traffic levels for extended periods during Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions on travel .
The number of drivers caught speeding by gardaí has also increased by 26 per cent when compared to the same period last year , with 151,055 speeding detections up to the end of October .
During a previous GoSafe Garda campaign targeting speeding in May this year , 1,072 drivers were caught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 126,001 vehicles checked .
In February , 900 new speed cameras were added to the national network now covering 1,300 areas .
A Garda spokesman said the 24-hour operation would be supported by increased speed enforcement checks by roads policing units nationwide .
“ An Garda Síochána has continued the roll-out of new speed detection devices to our Roads Policing Units .
An additional 80 devices have been rolled out for use as part of this operation , with a further 70 devices to be rolled out prior to year-end , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and inappropriate speed ” was a contributory factor in around a third of fatal road traffic collisions , the spokesman said .
“ The aim of Slow Down Day is to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding , increase compliance with speed limits and act as a deterrent to driving at excessive or inappropriate speed , ” he said .
The penalty for speeding is three penalty points and an €80 fine if paid within 28 days .

National ‘Slow Down’ day will include higher-visibility roads and speed enforcement policing from 7am on Friday until 7am on Saturday. File photograph: The Irish Times
Two motorists were caught driving at nearly twice the legal speed limit by gardaí on Friday morning, as part of a 24-hour Garda operation to target speeding.
The Garda operation involves 1,300 speed camera zones across the country.
One driver was found to be travelling at 97km/h in a 50km/h zone on the R680 Cork Road, Co Waterford. Another driver was detected driving at 94km/h in a 50km/h zone on the N20 Commons Road, Co Cork.
Gardaí caught another driver on the N6 Baile An Phoill Gaillimh, Co Galway, travelling at 83km/h in a 50km/h zone.
READ MORE
Another motorist was recorded travelling at 137km/h in a 100km/h speed limit on the N7 Brownsbarn, Dublin 22.
The national Slow Down day includes higher-visibility roads and speed enforcement policing from 7am on Friday, until 7am on Saturday.
During the first five hours of the operation gardaí detected 237 drivers travelling above speed limits, from a total of 41,035 vehicles checked.
To date there have been 137 people killed on Irish roads this year, compared to 128 people last year. The number of deaths on Irish roads this year includes 29 pedestrians, 56 drivers, 24 passengers, 17 motorcyclists, and 11 cyclists.
The increase in the numbers killed in traffic collisions this year comes despite markedly lower traffic levels for extended periods during Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions on travel.
The number of drivers caught speeding by gardaí has also increased by 26 per cent when compared to the same period last year, with 151,055 speeding detections up to the end of October.
During a previous GoSafe Garda campaign targeting speeding in May this year, 1,072 drivers were caught travelling above the speed limit, out of 126,001 vehicles checked.
In February, 900 new speed cameras were added to the national network now covering 1,300 areas.
A Garda spokesman said the 24-hour operation would be supported by increased speed enforcement checks by roads policing units nationwide.
"An Garda Síochána has continued the roll-out of new speed detection devices to our Roads Policing Units. An additional 80 devices have been rolled out for use as part of this operation, with a further 70 devices to be rolled out prior to year-end," he said.
Last year “excessive and inappropriate speed” was a contributory factor in around a third of fatal road traffic collisions, the spokesman said.
“The aim of Slow Down Day is to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding, increase compliance with speed limits and act as a deterrent to driving at excessive or inappropriate speed,” he said.
The penalty for speeding is three penalty points and an €80 fine if paid within 28 days.


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Public servants in line for 2021 pay rise under new deal reached with unions

Staff across the public service are to receive a one per cent pay increase in October next year under a proposed deal negotiated with trade unions .
There would also be the equivalent of a further one per cent award in February 2022 .
This will be be based on sectoral bargaining rather than an across-the-board increase for all 340,000 State employees .
The proposed agreement would also see a further one per cent rise for all in October 2022 .
However , there is a sting in the tail for higher-earning personnel - those receiving more than €70,000 - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elements of austerity-era cuts restored over the next year or so .
The new document suggests that they may not receive the proposed general across-the-board increases .
“ Where an individual is due an amount of pay restoration by July 2021 under section 19 and by July 2022 under section 20 of the Public Service Pay Pensions Act 2017 , they will not benefit from the general round increase in that year , ” the document says .
“ Where the amount of restoration is less than the general round increase , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the balance on the date of the general round increase.
” Issues such as the additional unpaid working hours for staff introduced originally under the Haddington Road agreement in 2013 , which unions had wanted addressed , will be examined as part of a new review to be established in March .
A €150 million fund is to be established to deal with issues arising from this review .
There is also a new mechanism to deal with lower pay for teachers recruited in recent years .
Proposals for a new two-year accord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions representing State employees in the early hours of Friday morning .
Unions said the proposed agreement , which would run from January 1st , 2021 , until December 31st , 2022 , if ratified , was substantially weighted towards lower-income civil and public servants .
Unions said they had achieved solid progress on the three priorities set by the public-service committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions ( Ictu ) at the outset of the talks .
They said these were : a mechanism to address issues outstanding from the Haddington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address sectoral issues ; and a realistic and acceptable approach to pay .
On pay , the proposed agreement would see a general round increase worth one per cent of gross pay or €500 a year , whichever is the greater , on October 1st , 2021 .
Unions said this would mean those on lower incomes would receive a significantly larger percentage increase than higher-paid staff .
There would also be a second general round increase worth one per cent of gross pay or €500 a year , whichever is the greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed agreement also contains a provision for the equivalent of a per cent increase in annualised basic salaries which would be paid out through a new sectoral bargaining fund in February 2022 .
The proposed new deal would also see the establishment of an independent body by the end of March 2021 , to make recommendations to begin the process of returning to pre-Haddington Road hours .
A sum of €150 million will be made available to commence implementation of the outcome during 2022 .
Under proposals on recent entrant teachers , those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move from point 11 to point 13 of the pay scale , or move up one additional point .
Separately , overtime and premium payment levels will return to those that applied prior to the cuts introduced in 2013 during the recession .
A new feature of the proposed new agreement is the establishment of new sectoral bargaining arrangements .
A new sectoral bargaining fund , initially worth one per cent of basic pensionable pay during the lifetime of the agreement , will aim to to deal with outstanding adjudications , recommendations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public service .
Alternatively the sectoral fund could be used for a pay increase to staff in particular areas .
However the document suggests that any group that engages in industrial action will be shut out of the proposed new sectoral bargaining process .
The proposed new accord also seeks to “ maintain momentum for reform ” in the public service and acknowledges “ the recent “ unprecedented display of commitment , flexibility , hard work and agility in public service provision ” .
In the proposals the parties pledge “ to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges of 2021 and 2022 including the continuing response to Covid-19 , a return to normal delivery of health services , ensuring that schools remain open and addressing challenges that arose for children during the crisis , managing the response to Brexit , establishing the public service as the driver of best practice on remote working , and addressing digitisation ” .
The new document proposes measure to harness the potential for technology to improve service delivery .
It also proposes new reforms to work practices including enabling temporary reassignments where necessary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public service where necessary .
It suggests that there could be longer opening hours for some services .
“ Where necessary in response to public demand , working arrangements for teams could include extended opening hours for public-facing services , to deliver increased and more accessible services to the public .
Where needs are identified parties will engage on starting and finishing times to meet business needs to ensure cost effective delivery of services.
” “ There will be greater movement of staff across the public service where this is necessary to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Where currently applicable the guideline redeployment distance will continue to be 45km from the current work location or the home address , whichever is the shorter commute .
“ However , there will be no redeployment distance applied where an employee is working ( and so long as they continue to work ) mostly remotely .
Parties will engage with a view to developing guidelines in relation to this issue .
“ Learning from recent experience , the parties will work to agree mechanisms for the temporary reassignment of staff to meet critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help ensure a swift response to critical demands and evolving priorities including delivering services required during times of crisis.
” The proposed new agreement retains existing arrangements and safeguards sought by unions against outsourcing of public services .
There would also be new details dispute resolution mechanisms under the proposed new agreement including an industrial peace clause in line with those in previous such accords .
The proposed agreement also contains a provision for a review of its terns “ where the underlying assumptions of the agreement need to be revisited.
” Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee of Ictu , its chairman Kevin Callinan , said the proposals were the best outcome that could be achieved over the relatively short lifetime of the proposed deal .
“ This agreement builds on recent momentum to improve our public services and the lives of those who depend on and deliver them .
The pay terms represent a realistic and acceptable approach to incomes , and they are substantially skewed towards lower earners in a very challenging context of limited resources .
“ The Ictu team has also achieved a process to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mechanism that will make real and substantial progress on the issues outstanding from the Haddington Road agreement , including its introduction of longer working hours that fell most heavily on women workers , ” he said .
The Public Service Committee represents all Ictu-affiliated unions with members working in the civil and public service .
Its officers , and lead negotiators , are Fórsa General Secretary Kevin Callinan , Siptu Deputy General Secretary John King , INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha , and INTO General Secretary John Boyle .
The committee is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider the detail of the proposals .
Each of the PSC unions is then expected to consult their members on the package .

The proposed new pay agreement for State employees will cost more than €900 million over three years, the Department of Public Expenditure has said.
Under the proposed accord staff across the public service are to receive a 1 per cent pay increase next October or €500, whichever is greater.
A further 1 per cent rise, or €500, would follow in October 2022 under the proposals which were agreed between trade unions and Government representatives on Friday.
A further sum of €237 million - the equivalent of a further 1 per cent award - will be earnmarked for a new sector fund to deal with awards, commitments and claims within particualr parts of the public service. It could also be used for a general increase for personnel in specific sectors.
READ MORE
However, there is a sting in the tail for higher-earning personnel - those receiving more than €70,000 - who were scheduled to have the final elements of austerity-era cuts restored over the next year or so. The document suggests that they may not receive the proposed across-the-board increases.
“Where an individual is due an amount of pay restoration by July 2021 under section 19 and by July 2022 under section 20 of the Public Service Pay Pensions Act 2017, they will not benefit from the general round increase in that year,” the document says.
“Where the amount of restoration is less than the general round increase, the individual will be eligible to be paid the balance on the date of the general round increase.”
‘Affordable’
Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath said the overall cost of the proposed deal was “affordable”. He said the proposals were “fair, taking account of both the dedication and experience of public sector workers while recognising the economic challenges which we face as a country”.
Issues such as the additional unpaid working hours for staff introduced originally under the Haddington Road agreement in 2013, which unions had wanted addressed, will be examined as part of a review due to commence in March. A €150 million fund is to be established to deal with issues arising from this review.
The proposed deal also includes a mechanism to deal with lower pay for teachers recruited in recent years. Those recruited since January 1st, 2011 would move from point 11 to point 13 of the pay scale, or move up one additional point.
Separately, overtime and premium payment levels will return to those that applied prior to the cuts introduced in 2013 during the recession.
“It was a firm objective of the Government to secure agreement to maintain the momentum of reform and change exemplified by the public service during this public health emergency and this has been embedded in the agreement,” Mr McGrath said.
Unions said the proposed agreement, which would run from January 1st next until the end of 2022 if ratified, was substantially weighted towards civil and public servants on lower-incomes.
Unions said they had achieved solid progress on the three priorities set by the public-service committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) at the outset of the talks - a mechanism to address issues outstanding from the Haddington Road agreement; a separate means to address sectoral issues; and a realistic and acceptable approach to pay.
Bargaining
A feature of the proposed agreement is the establishment of sectoral bargaining arrangements. A sectoral bargaining fund, initially worth 1 per cent of basic pensionable pay during the lifetime of the agreement, will aim to to deal with outstanding adjudications, recommendations, awards and claims in different parts of the public service. Alternatively the sectoral fund could be used for a pay increase to staff in particular areas.
However the document suggests that any group that engages in industrial action will be shut out of the proposed sectoral bargaining process.
The proposed new accord also seeks to “maintain momentum for reform” in the public service and acknowledges the recent “unprecedented display of commitment, flexibility, hard work and agility in public service provision” .
In the proposals the parties pledge “to harness this momentum to meet the immediate challenges of 2021 and 2022 including the continuing response to Covid-19, a return to normal delivery of health services, ensuring that schools remain open and addressing challenges that arose for children during the crisis, managing the response to Brexit, establishing the public service as the driver of best practice on remote working, and addressing digitisation”.
The document proposes measure to harness the potential for technology to improve service delivery.
Temporary reassignment
It also proposes reforms to work practices including enabling temporary reassignments where necessary and increasing the movement of staff across the public service where necessary. It suggests that there could be longer opening hours for some services.
“There will be greater movement of staff across the public service where this is necessary to ensure the delivery of high-quality public services. Where currently applicable the guideline redeployment distance will continue to be 45km from the current work location or the home address, whichever is the shorter commute,” the proposed deal states.
“However, there will be no redeployment distance applied where an employee is working (and so long as they continue to work) mostly remotely. Parties will engage with a view to developing guidelines in relation to this issue.”
The proposed agreement retains existing arrangements and safeguards sought by unions against outsourcing of public services. There would also be new dispute resolution mechanisms including an industrial peace clause in line with those in previous accords.
The proposed agreement also contains a provision for a review of its terms “where the underlying assumptions of the agreement need to be revisited”.
Kevin Callinan, chair of the ICTU Public Service Committee, said the proposals were the best outcome that could be achieved over the relatively short lifetime of the proposed deal.


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Two charged over murder of Dublin criminal Robbie Lawlor

Police in Belfast have charged two men with the murder of Dubliner Robbie Lawlor who was shot dead in the Ardoyne area in April .
The two suspects , aged 37 years and 45 years , were being questioned by the PSNI in recent days and have now been charged with his murder .
They were set to appear before the courts in Belfast on Friday .
Lawlor ( 36 ) was originally from north Dublin but had lived in Laytown , Co Meath , for a period and was involved on the drugs scene in the northeast , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drogheda feud erupted 2½ years ago the gang Lawlor and Carberry were aligned to gained the upper hand , carrying out a series of gun attacks that wounded , but did not kill , its rivals .
However , when a leading criminal aligned to the “ losing side ” in this feud returned to the north-east last year , the tide turned .
That man is suspected of three gun murders predating the feud .
His re-emergence after a period away was followed by the shooting dead of Keith Branigan at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , and the shooting dead of Richard Carberry outside his home in Bettystown , Co Meath , in November , 2019 .
Lawlor , who was freed from prison late last year after avoiding conviction on serious charges , was intent on seeking revenge for his brother-in-law ’ s murder .
He was the chief suspect for the killing and dismembering in January of Drogheda teenager Keane Mulready Woods ( 17 ) .
Lawlor was shot dead outside a house on Etna Drive in the Ardoyne area on Saturday , April 4th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ definite line of inquiry since the murder .

Robbie Lawlor was shot dead in Belfast in April of this year. Photograph: via Facebook
Police in Belfast have charged two men with the murder of Dubliner Robbie Lawlor who was shot dead in the Ardoyne area in April.
The two suspects, aged 37 years and 45 years, were being questioned by the PSNI in recent days and have now been charged with his murder. They were set to appear before the courts in Belfast on Friday.
Lawlor (36) was originally from north Dublin but had lived in Laytown, Co Meath, for a period and was involved on the drugs scene in the northeast, with his brother-in-law Richard Carberry.
When the Drogheda feud erupted 2½ years ago the gang Lawlor and Carberry were aligned to gained the upper hand, carrying out a series of gun attacks that wounded, but did not kill, its rivals.
READ MORE
However, when a leading criminal aligned to the “losing side” in this feud returned to the north-east last year, the tide turned.
That man is suspected of three gun murders predating the feud.
His re-emergence after a period away was followed by the shooting dead of Keith Branigan at a Co Louth caravan park in August, 2019, and the shooting dead of Richard Carberry outside his home in Bettystown, Co Meath, in November, 2019.
Lawlor, who was freed from prison late last year after avoiding conviction on serious charges, was intent on seeking revenge for his brother-in-law’s murder.
He was the chief suspect for the killing and dismembering in January of Drogheda teenager Keane Mulready Woods (17).
Lawlor was shot dead outside a house on Etna Drive in the Ardoyne area on Saturday, April 4th. The PSNI has been following a definite line of inquiry since the murder.


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Are you a student nurse? We would like to hear your views on pay and allowances

The issue of pay and allowances for student nurses and midwives has been the subject of discussion in recent weeks .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has started a short-term review , expected to be completed by the end of December , of the allowances paid to student nurses in first to third year , and any increase in allowance will be paid from January .
First- , second- and third-year nurses are not paid and are eligible only for a weekly €50 accommodation allowance .
A longer-term review is under way into payment of fourth year students who work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 36 weeks between €21,000 and €22,000 .
On Thursday , Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that where student nurses were acting up , they should be paid , after it emerged some were being asked to do “ inappropriate tasks ” .
But he hit out at the Opposition over a Dáil motion calling for student nurses and midwives to be paid , which the Government rejected .
Mr Varadkar said it was “ party politics , it was non-binding , it was unfunded .
If it had passed it would not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single student nurses .
Opposition TDs claim to have received hundreds of emails that students from first year onwards have had to work in wards .
The Irish Times would like to hear from student nurses on the issue .
Have you had to work on wards during the Covid-19 pandemic ?
Have you had to do “ inappropriate tasks ” ?
What has your experience been ?
Have you been doing the work of a staff nurse ?
Do you believe you should be paid for the work you are doing ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ box below or by email , newsdesk @ irishtimes.com .
If you are reading this on The Irish Times app , go here to make your contribution .

Student nurses and midwives who are doing the work of staff nurses but not being paid has become a political controversy. Photograph: iStock.
The issue of pay and allowances for student nurses and midwives has been the subject of discussion in recent weeks.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has started a short-term review, expected to be completed by the end of December, of the allowances paid to student nurses in first to third year, and any increase in allowance will be paid from January.
First-, second- and third-year nurses are not paid and are eligible only for a weekly €50 accommodation allowance.
A longer-term review is under way into payment of fourth year students who work in their final year and are paid for 36 weeks between €21,000 and €22,000.
READ MORE
On Thursday, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that where student nurses were acting up, they should be paid, after it emerged some were being asked to do "inappropriate tasks".
But he hit out at the Opposition over a Dáil motion calling for student nurses and midwives to be paid, which the Government rejected. Mr Varadkar said it was “party politics, it was non-binding, it was unfunded. If it had passed it would not have been worth a single euro to a single student nurses. Opposition TDs claim to have received hundreds of emails that students from first year onwards have had to work in wards.
The Irish Times would like to hear from student nurses on the issue. Have you had to work on wards during the Covid-19 pandemic? Have you had to do “inappropriate tasks”? What has your experience been? Have you been doing the work of a staff nurse? Do you believe you should be paid for the work you are doing?
Please let us know in the response box below or by email, newsdesk@irishtimes.com.
If you are reading this on The Irish Times app, go here to make your contribution.


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Coronavirus search: How is Covid-19 spreading in your area?

Three of the top five worst areas in the country for the 14-day incidence rate of coronavirus are in Co Donegal , with Carndonagh ’ s rate more than six times the national average , latest official data shows .
The 14-day rate per 100,000 population is a useful measure of how the virus is spreading , and the Government tracks it across the country ’ s 166 local electoral areas .
The 14-day rate across the Republic is 80.2 per 100,000 population .
The updated figures on the Government ’ s data hub show the Covid 19 incidence rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The figure in the Inishowen town has more than doubled from last week ( 271.2 ) and is almost 6.5 times the national rate .
Second worst hit for transmission , according to the figures , is Letterkenny , also in Co Donegal , with a rate of 322.2 - up from 288.7 last week after having dipped - followed by Claremorris in Co Mayo , which stands at 257.9 .
Callan/Thomastown in Co Kilkenny has a rate of 232.7 while Buncrana , again in Co Donegal , has a rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 216.5 ) , Longford town ( 211.9 ) , Muinebeag in Co Carlow ( 211.1 ) , Ardee in Co Louth ( 205.4 ) and Lifford/Stranorlar in Co Donegal ( 200.9 ) make up the rest of ten local electoral areas with the highest rates .
On the other end , Moate , Co Westmeath , Belmullet , Co Mayo , Killarney , Co Kerry , and Wexford town all have rates described as “ less than five cases ” where the virus is not spreading at all .
Here we have taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a table allowing you to search by area or county for comparison .
If you are reading this on The Irish Times app , go here .

Carndonagh, Co Donegal has the highest 14-rate of coronavirus this week, according to the latest data. Photograph: Google Street.
Three of the top five worst areas in the country for the 14-day incidence rate of coronavirus are in Co Donegal, with Carndonagh's rate more than six times the national average, latest official data shows.
The 14-day rate per 100,000 population is a useful measure of how the virus is spreading, and the Government tracks it across the country’s 166 local electoral areas. The 14-day rate across the Republic is 80.2 per 100,000 population.
The updated figures on the Government's data hub show the Covid 19 incidence rate in Carndonagh at 518.7 per 100,000 population. The figure in the Inishowen town has more than doubled from last week (271.2) and is almost 6.5 times the national rate.
Second worst hit for transmission, according to the figures, is Letterkenny, also in Co Donegal, with a rate of 322.2 - up from 288.7 last week after having dipped - followed by Claremorris in Co Mayo, which stands at 257.9.
READ MORE
Callan/Thomastown in Co Kilkenny has a rate of 232.7 while Buncrana, again in Co Donegal, has a rate of 228.
Adare/Rathkeale in Co Limerick (216.5), Longford town (211.9), Muinebeag in Co Carlow (211.1), Ardee in Co Louth (205.4) and Lifford/Stranorlar in Co Donegal (200.9) make up the rest of ten local electoral areas with the highest rates.
On the other end, Moate, Co Westmeath, Belmullet, Co Mayo, Killarney, Co Kerry, and Wexford town all have rates described as "less than five cases" where the virus is not spreading at all.
Here we have taken the Government data and presented it in a table allowing you to search by area or county for comparison. If you are reading this on The Irish Times app, go here.


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--‘Potentially fatal’: Scientists warn children over Dahl concoction in George’s Marvellous Medicine

Researchers have warned children cooped-up in lockdown against experimenting with a ‘ cure ’ made famous in the Roald Dahl book George ’ s Marvellous Medicine .
A peer-reviewed study , published in the latest edition of the British Medical Journal , looks at the ingredients of the eponymous tincture and cautions it could lead to “ fatal catastrophic physiological collapse ” .
With unintentional poisonings a leading cause of accidental child death – most happening at home – two UK-based medical researchers and their five children read George ’ s Marvellous Medicine to detail the makeup of the concoction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the University of Nottingham School of Medicine , then examined the ingredients against Britain ’ s National Poisons Information Service poisons database .
The medicine – administered to an unsuspecting grandma with some unfortunate consequences in the popular children ’ s caper – contains 34 everyday household staples .
Potentially life-threatening effects – including kidney injury , convulsions and damage to the stomach lining – were linked to 13 of the ingredients , the academic study notes .
The toxic effects of 16 include nausea and vomiting , diarrhoea was linked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart rhythm problems .
In the book , Grandma initially “ shot up whoosh into the air ” after taking the tincture and on landing shouted suddenly “ my stomach ’ s on fire ” before having “ landed neatly on her two feet on the carpet ” .
She grew as tall as the house but did not die .
However , the study authors said while Dahl was accurate about some of the effects it would have had , their findings suggest , far from being marvellous , George ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ It is unlikely that children will recreate each step in the making of a marvellous-type medicine , but it is worth being cautious as some of the household ingredients used by George are considerably dangerous and commonly cause severe morbidity in children , ” they wrote .
“ Although parents might encourage scientific exploration and experimentation in their children , it would be wise to check any medicinal ingredients for potential toxicity before use.
” The study concluded : “ Scientific exploration and experimentation should be encouraged in children , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for potential toxicity before being administered-to grandmas or anyone else .
”

Researchers have warned children cooped-up in lockdown against experimenting with a ‘cure’ made famous in the Roald Dahl book George’s Marvellous Medicine.
A peer-reviewed study, published in the latest edition of the British Medical Journal, looks at the ingredients of the eponymous tincture and cautions it could lead to “fatal catastrophic physiological collapse”.
With unintentional poisonings a leading cause of accidental child death – most happening at home – two UK-based medical researchers and their five children read George’s Marvellous Medicine to detail the makeup of the concoction.
Graham Johnson and Patrick Davies, of the University of Nottingham School of Medicine, then examined the ingredients against Britain’s National Poisons Information Service poisons database.
READ MORE
The medicine – administered to an unsuspecting grandma with some unfortunate consequences in the popular children’s caper – contains 34 everyday household staples.
They include toothpaste, lipstick, shoe polish, washing powder, “extra hot” chilli sauce, engine oil and antifreeze.
Potentially life-threatening effects – including kidney injury, convulsions and damage to the stomach lining – were linked to 13 of the ingredients, the academic study notes.
The toxic effects of 16 include nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea was linked to 11, while six were associated with heart rhythm problems.
In the book, Grandma initially “shot up whoosh into the air” after taking the tincture and on landing shouted suddenly “my stomach’s on fire” before having “landed neatly on her two feet on the carpet”. She grew as tall as the house but did not die.
However, the study authors said while Dahl was accurate about some of the effects it would have had, their findings suggest, far from being marvellous, George’s medicine “is in fact incredibly toxic.”
“It is unlikely that children will recreate each step in the making of a marvellous-type medicine, but it is worth being cautious as some of the household ingredients used by George are considerably dangerous and commonly cause severe morbidity in children,” they wrote.
“Although parents might encourage scientific exploration and experimentation in their children, it would be wise to check any medicinal ingredients for potential toxicity before use.”
The study concluded: “Scientific exploration and experimentation should be encouraged in children, although any medicinal ingredients need to be checked for potential toxicity before being administered-to grandmas or anyone else.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Just 10-30 minutes a day for children's remote learning amid lockdown, says study

Most primary school children had very limited remote tuition during school closures earlier this year , a new survey indicates .
The findings are contained in Children ’ s School Lives , a landmark study which is following 4,000 children across almost 200 schools .
It was carried out by researchers at University College Dublin ’ s school of education .
The research contains new insights into the experience of children , teachers and parents during the Covid-19 prompted lockdown period from March onwards .
The most common amount of time children spent on remote learning at home , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day .
Teachers and principals expressed particular concerns over the engagement of children and families in marginalised communities .
Parents recounted experiences of working long hours themselves and struggling to get into a routine for home learning .
The activities that children most frequently spent most time on during the day , as rated by parents , were home learning , playing games on a digital device , playing outside , watching TV and playing with toys .
Activities that were less frequent included reading for pleasure , doing arts and crafts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and indoor fitness .
The researchers say it is difficult to quantify what degree of learning loss may have occurred during school closures , but this will be the subject of future reports .
Teachers reported spending the same or more amount of time teaching maths , English and PE during the lockdown .
However , other subjects were taught less , while drama , art , religious education and music were more often temporarily postponed .
Most parents surveyed were satisfied with the amount of work set by teachers , but in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not replace learning at school and that their children could be falling behind .
Most teachers and principals said they felt stressed by their jobs during the lockdown , although they also felt a high degree of job satisfaction at the time of the survey .
Many principals reported working much longer hours than normal and described the challenges of multi-tasking and managing the school in line with Government guidance .
Teachers were more evenly split between working longer hours , shorter hours , and the same hours as normal .
Nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the week , with around two thirds using an online teaching platform such as Seesaw or Padlet .
A minority of teachers – about a third – used video technology with children in their class .
Less than half of principals said their school was sufficiently resourced with digital technology in advance of the lockdown .
Most parents , teachers and principals had never or hardly ever used video conferencing before the school closure , and most parents and teachers had never or rarely used an online educational platform .
The research was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Assessment and led by Prof Dympna Devine , Associate Prof Jennifer Symonds and Assistant Prof Seaneen Sloan .
Prof Devine said the study provides a robust evidence base , rooted in the voices of children , of what is happening in our primary schools .
“ It highlights the centrality of primary schools to community in Ireland , including during times of national crisis , and the breadth and diversity of experiences that exist across our primary school sector , ” she said .
“ It provides a unique window with which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiences over time that will be instrumental to evidenced-based curriculum reform.
” Minister for Education Norma Foley said the “ innovative research gives a unique insight into the experiences of primary school children and will further inform policy making within this crucial area ” .

Most primary school children had very limited remote tuition during school closures earlier this year, a new survey indicates.
The findings are contained in Children's School Lives, a landmark study which is following 4,000 children across almost 200 schools. It was carried out by researchers at University College Dublin's school of education.
The research contains new insights into the experience of children, teachers and parents during the Covid-19 prompted lockdown period from March onwards.
The most common amount of time children spent on remote learning at home, as reported by parents, was 10-30 minutes a day.
READ MORE
Teachers and principals expressed particular concerns over the engagement of children and families in marginalised communities. Parents recounted experiences of working long hours themselves and struggling to get into a routine for home learning.
The activities that children most frequently spent most time on during the day, as rated by parents, were home learning, playing games on a digital device, playing outside, watching TV and playing with toys. Activities that were less frequent included reading for pleasure, doing arts and crafts, helping with chores, musical activity and indoor fitness.
Learning loss
The researchers say it is difficult to quantify what degree of learning loss may have occurred during school closures, but this will be the subject of future reports.
Teachers reported spending the same or more amount of time teaching maths, English and PE during the lockdown.
However, other subjects were taught less, while drama, art, religious education and music were more often temporarily postponed.
Most parents surveyed were satisfied with the amount of work set by teachers, but in interviews they expressed concerns that remote learning could not replace learning at school and that their children could be falling behind.
Most teachers and principals said they felt stressed by their jobs during the lockdown, although they also felt a high degree of job satisfaction at the time of the survey. Many principals reported working much longer hours than normal and described the challenges of multi-tasking and managing the school in line with Government guidance.
Teachers were more evenly split between working longer hours, shorter hours, and the same hours as normal.
Nearly all teachers set work for children during the week, with around two thirds using an online teaching platform such as Seesaw or Padlet.
A minority of teachers – about a third – used video technology with children in their class.
Less than half of principals said their school was sufficiently resourced with digital technology in advance of the lockdown.
Most parents, teachers and principals had never or hardly ever used video conferencing before the school closure, and most parents and teachers had never or rarely used an online educational platform.
The research was commissioned by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and led by Prof Dympna Devine, Associate Prof Jennifer Symonds and Assistant Prof Seaneen Sloan.
Prof Devine said the study provides a robust evidence base, rooted in the voices of children, of what is happening in our primary schools.
"It highlights the centrality of primary schools to community in Ireland, including during times of national crisis, and the breadth and diversity of experiences that exist across our primary school sector," she said.
“It provides a unique window with which to capture change in children’s experiences over time that will be instrumental to evidenced-based curriculum reform.”
Minister for Education Norma Foley said the "innovative research gives a unique insight into the experiences of primary school children and will further inform policy making within this crucial area".


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Family issues and exam stress behind rise in anxiety in primary school children

Teachers are concerned about rising levels of anxiety among primary school children linked to issues such as parents ’ working lives , family breakdown and the growth of standardised testing , according to a major survey .
The findings are contained in Children ’ s School Lives , a landmark study which is following 4,000 children across almost 200 schools .
It was carried out by researchers at UCD ’ s school of education .
It shows that about half of teachers feel standardised tests – which are mandatory in second , fourth and sixth class – are causing anxiety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of digital technology was also noted as a concern in terms of the impact of extensive screen time on learning and safety .
“ There ’ s a huge rise in anxiety and it ’ s related to family issues , family problems ... just little children unsure of their arrangements in the evenings , worried about a lot of things , ” one teacher told researchers .
When asked about their home lives , two-thirds of second class pupils reported that they were “ never ” or rarely read to .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counting at home .
The survey found that more than one-third of second class pupils had a mobile phone , while the vast majority said there were more than two computers or digital devices at home .
Only 2 per cent of children said they had no access to a computer or device at home .
Many children reported having access to a range of out-of-school activities , with about half involved in team sports while slightly fewer were involved in music , art , dancing or swimming .
The research was commissioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assessment ( NCCA ) and led by Prof Dympna Devine , associate professor Jennifer Symonds and assistant professor Seaneen Sloan .
Arlene Forster , chief executive of the NCCA , said the findings will feed into a review of the primary curriculum by ensuring full account is taken of children ’ s experiences .
She said it will help ensure the new curriculum can provide a “ strong foundation for children to thrive , flourish and realise their full potential during childhood and into the future ” .

The Children’s School Lives study found that about half of teachers feel standardised tests are causing anxiety among children and parents. Photograph: iStock
Teachers are concerned about rising levels of anxiety among primary school children linked to issues such as parents’ working lives, family breakdown and the growth of standardised testing, according to a major survey.
The findings are contained in Children's School Lives, a landmark study which is following 4,000 children across almost 200 schools. It was carried out by researchers at UCD's school of education.
It shows that about half of teachers feel standardised tests – which are mandatory in second, fourth and sixth class – are causing anxiety among children and parents.
The impact of digital technology was also noted as a concern in terms of the impact of extensive screen time on learning and safety.
READ MORE
“There’s a huge rise in anxiety and it’s related to family issues, family problems... just little children unsure of their arrangements in the evenings, worried about a lot of things,” one teacher told researchers.
When asked about their home lives, two-thirds of second class pupils reported that they were “never” or rarely read to. A similar proportion reported never or rarely practicing counting at home.
Mobile phone
The survey found that more than one-third of second class pupils had a mobile phone, while the vast majority said there were more than two computers or digital devices at home.
Only 2 per cent of children said they had no access to a computer or device at home.
Many children reported having access to a range of out-of-school activities, with about half involved in team sports while slightly fewer were involved in music, art, dancing or swimming.
The research was commissioned by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and led by Prof Dympna Devine, associate professor Jennifer Symonds and assistant professor Seaneen Sloan.
Arlene Forster, chief executive of the NCCA, said the findings will feed into a review of the primary curriculum by ensuring full account is taken of children's experiences.
She said it will help ensure the new curriculum can provide a “strong foundation for children to thrive, flourish and realise their full potential during childhood and into the future”.


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Anxious, tech-savvy, diverse: A glimpse inside modern classrooms

Is the school around the corner still the same ?
A new landmark study published today shows just how much primary school has changed – and stayed the same .
The Children ’ s School Lives study followed 4,000 children across 189 schools through their primary school years .
Anxiety among pupils appears to be a very modern phenomenon and an issue of rising concern .
Teachers , but especially principals , referred to increasing levels of worry among children arising from changing family and societal structures , including poverty , family breakdown and working life .
Standardised tests were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , parents and teachers alike .
The impact of digital technologies was also noted as a concern in terms of the impact of extensive screen time on learning and safety .
There are also concerns about how pressure on parents may be negatively affecting children ’ s education at home .
Most second-class pupils surveyed reported that they were never or rarely read to at home .
One teacher commented : “ I think it ’ s dying [ going to bed with a story ] ...
There ’ s such a wealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology comes at a huge price , because if they don ’ t have the words , feelings , everything is through the same prism.
” Classrooms , like society , are much more diverse than in the past , and this is seen as one of the hallmarks and strengths of schools .
The vast majority of principals indicated they had some children from immigrant families in their schools , as well as refugees and Travellers .
Most principals also reported having some children with learning or intellectual disabilities in their schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerges strongly : many feel they are consulted and have a meaningful input into their learning and wider school rules .
The closure of schools earlier this year during the lockdown prompted a move towards online learning .
The report shows how this changed learning environment impacted positively and negatively on children , their families , teachers and school leaders .
On the plus side , most were motivated to use digital technologies and enjoyed doing so .
Most children were very positive about the quality of communication they received about remote learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of subjects being taught .
However parents , teachers and principals were less positive overall .
Parents struggled to make time for children to do work .
Teachers spoke of their uncertainty over how parents or children were engaging with learning material , and of their reluctance to follow up given concerns over pressuring them .
Teaching hours are similar and , physically , schools are largely unchanged .
Schools are still at the very centre of local communities .
The quality of relationships between children and their teachers , and teachers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important .

Standardised tests were also cited as a worry for pupils, parents and teachers alike. Photograph: iStock
Is the school around the corner still the same?
A new landmark study published today shows just how much primary school has changed – and stayed the same.
The Children’s School Lives study followed 4,000 children across 189 schools through their primary school years.
So, what’s different ?
READ MORE
Anxiety among pupils appears to be a very modern phenomenon and an issue of rising concern.
Teachers, but especially principals, referred to increasing levels of worry among children arising from changing family and societal structures, including poverty, family breakdown and working life.
Standardised tests were also cited as a worry for pupils, parents and teachers alike.
The impact of digital technologies was also noted as a concern in terms of the impact of extensive screen time on learning and safety.
There are also concerns about how pressure on parents may be negatively affecting children’s education at home.
Most second-class pupils surveyed reported that they were never or rarely read to at home.
One teacher commented: “I think it’s dying [going to bed with a story] ... There’s such a wealth of language and repetition of phrases – technology comes at a huge price, because if they don’t have the words, feelings, everything is through the same prism.”
Classrooms, like society, are much more diverse than in the past, and this is seen as one of the hallmarks and strengths of schools.
The vast majority of principals indicated they had some children from immigrant families in their schools, as well as refugees and Travellers.
Most principals also reported having some children with learning or intellectual disabilities in their schools.
Children’s voices
The voice of the child also emerges strongly: many feel they are consulted and have a meaningful input into their learning and wider school rules.
The closure of schools earlier this year during the lockdown prompted a move towards online learning.
The report shows how this changed learning environment impacted positively and negatively on children, their families, teachers and school leaders.
On the plus side, most were motivated to use digital technologies and enjoyed doing so.
Most children were very positive about the quality of communication they received about remote learning and happy with the pace and spread of subjects being taught.
However parents, teachers and principals were less positive overall. Parents struggled to make time for children to do work. Teachers spoke of their uncertainty over how parents or children were engaging with learning material, and of their reluctance to follow up given concerns over pressuring them.
And what hasn’t changed?
Teaching hours are similar and, physically, schools are largely unchanged. Schools are still at the very centre of local communities.
The quality of relationships between children and their teachers, and teachers and parents, emerge as highly significant and important.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Doctors frustrated and confused about their role in Covid vaccine plan

Doctors say they are increasingly frustrated over “ delay and confusion ” about their role in the State ’ s Covid vaccine plan .
Irish Medical Organisation ( IMO ) GP chairman Dr Denis McCauley said there was a lack of clarity on the role to be played by family doctors .
GPs want to play a role but “ the longer our keenness is held on tap , the more frustration will actually develop ” , he said .
The Covid vaccine taskforce was expected to issue its plan to the Government last night .
It is expected the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including GPs , nurses and pharmacists be considered in helping administer the vaccine programme , while sources indicated that recently retired qualified people could be re-employed .
Securing volumes , managing delivery of the vaccines and the timing of regulatory approval will be key milestones , with no expectation that meaningful volumes of vaccine will be administered this year , even if regulatory approval comes quicker than December 29th .
The HSE is already engaged in negotiations with GP groups over winter planning and Covid-specific issues .
An implementation group focused on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting on Monday “ but that appears to have stalled ” , Dr McAuley said .
He raised concerns about the development of software used to track the vaccination programme .
“ If they are going to develop a brand new software , let ’ s hope there ’ s no “ northside Luas/southside Luas ” moment where they say the tracks aren ’ t the same ” .
The Irish Pharmacy Union ( IPU ) also urged the HSE to engage with it about plans to roll out the vaccine .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless the HSE sits down and talks to us about how it will work , ” said Darragh O ’ Loughlin , general secretary of the IPU .
“ What we don ’ t want is a repeat of what happened with the flu vaccine where people made appointments and when they came in there was no vaccine available because the delivery system had let them down.
” Government sources said all categories of health professionals were expected to play a role in the programme .
A spokeswoman for the HSE said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what have been complex negotiations ” and would not comment .
She said the HSE had worked well with GPs and pharmacists throughout the pandemic and their contribution had been “ essential ” .
“ We hope that this collaboration will continue and that we will achieve a successful outcome to these deliberations.
” The expectation on Friday was that both mass vaccination centres and the GP and pharmacist network would be used , while the Government has sought assurances from drug companies manufacturing the vaccine that they were taking a no-trade-deal Brexit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results for a Covid vaccine were confirmed by Sanofi and GlaxoSmithCline , which showed an insufficient immune response .
Meanwhile , senior gardaí are in consultations with the Government ’ s Covid-19 taskforce on providing security for delivery of vaccines next month .
The discussions follow warnings from Europol and Interpol that shipments are possible targets for organised criminals who will seek to sell them on the black market .
No final decision has been made on the extent and nature of the security .
It is likely to include physical escorts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threats .
It is understood no credible threat to vaccine shipments has been identified to date , although there is evidence from the US of attempts by foreign adversaries to hack into “ cold-chain ” systems necessary to store the vaccine .

Doctors say they are increasingly frustrated over “delay and confusion” about their role in the State’s Covid vaccine plan.
Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) GP chairman Dr Denis McCauley said there was a lack of clarity on the role to be played by family doctors.
GPs want to play a role but “the longer our keenness is held on tap, the more frustration will actually develop”, he said.
Hospital Report
The Covid vaccine taskforce was expected to issue its plan to the Government last night.
READ MORE
It is expected the report will recommend all healthcare workers, including GPs, nurses and pharmacists be considered in helping administer the vaccine programme, while sources indicated that recently retired qualified people could be re-employed.
Securing volumes, managing delivery of the vaccines and the timing of regulatory approval will be key milestones, with no expectation that meaningful volumes of vaccine will be administered this year, even if regulatory approval comes quicker than December 29th.
The HSE is already engaged in negotiations with GP groups over winter planning and Covid-specific issues.
An implementation group focused on the rollout was due to have its first meeting on Monday “but that appears to have stalled”, Dr McAuley said.
He raised concerns about the development of software used to track the vaccination programme. “If they are going to develop a brand new software, let’s hope there’s no “northside Luas/southside Luas” moment where they say the tracks aren’t the same”.
Pharmacy union
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) also urged the HSE to engage with it about plans to roll out the vaccine. “The campaign can’t happen successfully unless the HSE sits down and talks to us about how it will work,” said Darragh O’Loughlin, general secretary of the IPU.
“What we don’t want is a repeat of what happened with the flu vaccine where people made appointments and when they came in there was no vaccine available because the delivery system had let them down.”
Government sources said all categories of health professionals were expected to play a role in the programme.
A spokeswoman for the HSE said it was “at a sensitive point in what have been complex negotiations” and would not comment. She said the HSE had worked well with GPs and pharmacists throughout the pandemic and their contribution had been “essential”.
“We hope that this collaboration will continue and that we will achieve a successful outcome to these deliberations.”
The expectation on Friday was that both mass vaccination centres and the GP and pharmacist network would be used, while the Government has sought assurances from drug companies manufacturing the vaccine that they were taking a no-trade-deal Brexit into account.
It comes after disappointing results for a Covid vaccine were confirmed by Sanofi and GlaxoSmithCline, which showed an insufficient immune response.
Garda security
Meanwhile, senior gardaí are in consultations with the Government’s Covid-19 taskforce on providing security for delivery of vaccines next month. The discussions follow warnings from Europol and Interpol that shipments are possible targets for organised criminals who will seek to sell them on the black market.
No final decision has been made on the extent and nature of the security. It is likely to include physical escorts and the use of intelligence sources to determine threats. It is understood no credible threat to vaccine shipments has been identified to date, although there is evidence from the US of attempts by foreign adversaries to hack into “cold-chain” systems necessary to store the vaccine.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Higgins wrote to care home ‘neighbour’ at height of Covid outbreak

President Michael D Higgins wrote to St Mary ’ s Hospital , his “ neighbour ” in the Phoenix Park , to express sympathies at the deaths of residents at the height of a Covid-19 outbreak last spring .
The HSE-run nursing home close to Áras an Uachtaráin lost 24 residents to coronavirus in one of the worst outbreaks to affect a facility for older people during the first wave of the pandemic .
In a newly released letter that was addressed to the staff and residents at the nursing home , Mr Higgins said he and his wife , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ on hearing of the life losses at St Mary ’ s Hospital , our neighbour , and convey our support for you ” .
The letter was sent shortly after news reports appeared detailing the number of Covid-19 fatalities at the home .
The President said he and his wife offered their “ heartfelt sympathies to all the family and friends of those who have passed away in St Mary ’ s Hospital in the throes of this terrible virus , which is impacting so cruelly on older citizens ” .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mourning across our community and country , as we come to terms with the losses that we have endured , since this deadly virus erupted , and the necessary limitations on our need to grieve for loved ones , ” the President wrote .
“ As a nation , exposed to our vulnerabilities in such a cruel way , it is the support and solidarity that we show each other that will get us through this , together.
” The President expressed his “ profound gratitude ” to all staff at St @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working tirelessly and selflessly to support the vulnerable people in their care , at a very difficult time for all ” .
During elections , the hospital is used as a polling station and is where the President casts his vote .
Reference to the letter emerged in internal HSE minutes of meetings that have been released under the Freedom of Information Act .
The President ’ s office later released the text of the letter after a request from The Irish Times .
Nursing homes have been at the front line of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than half of over 2,000 deaths from the disease .
Older people are more vulnerable to the virus .
In May , Mr Higgins , in an appearance on RTÉ ’ s The Late Late Show , paid tribute to frontline and essential workers , and to work and home carers whom , he said , were not paid enough .
“ We should come out of the Covid having completely re-thought out the importance of caring , ” he said .
At the age of 79 , Mr Higgins said he adhered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticised the language around cocooning guidelines for older people , saying the word could be infantilising .

St Mary’s Hospital in the Phoenix Park lost 24 residents to coronavirus during the first wave of the pandemic. Photograph: Crispin Rodwell
President Michael D Higgins wrote to St Mary's Hospital, his "neighbour" in the Phoenix Park, to express sympathies at the deaths of residents at the height of a Covid-19 outbreak last spring.
The HSE-run nursing home close to Áras an Uachtaráin lost 24 residents to coronavirus in one of the worst outbreaks to affect a facility for older people during the first wave of the pandemic.
In a newly released letter that was addressed to the staff and residents at the nursing home, Mr Higgins said he and his wife, Sabina, wanted to express their sadness “on hearing of the life losses at St Mary’s Hospital, our neighbour, and convey our support for you”.
Hospital Report
The letter was sent shortly after news reports appeared detailing the number of Covid-19 fatalities at the home.
READ MORE
The President said he and his wife offered their “heartfelt sympathies to all the family and friends of those who have passed away in St Mary’s Hospital in the throes of this terrible virus, which is impacting so cruelly on older citizens”.
“It is a time of great sadness and mourning across our community and country, as we come to terms with the losses that we have endured, since this deadly virus erupted, and the necessary limitations on our need to grieve for loved ones,” the President wrote.
“As a nation, exposed to our vulnerabilities in such a cruel way, it is the support and solidarity that we show each other that will get us through this, together.”
The President expressed his “profound gratitude” to all staff at St Mary’s “who have been working tirelessly and selflessly to support the vulnerable people in their care, at a very difficult time for all”.
During elections, the hospital is used as a polling station and is where the President casts his vote.
Reference to the letter emerged in internal HSE minutes of meetings that have been released under the Freedom of Information Act. The President’s office later released the text of the letter after a request from The Irish Times.
Vulnerability
Nursing homes have been at the front line of the coronavirus pandemic, accounting for more than half of over 2,000 deaths from the disease. Older people are more vulnerable to the virus.
In May, Mr Higgins, in an appearance on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show, paid tribute to frontline and essential workers, and to work and home carers whom, he said, were not paid enough.
“We should come out of the Covid having completely re-thought out the importance of caring,” he said.
At the age of 79, Mr Higgins said he adhered to HSE guidelines during the pandemic but criticised the language around cocooning guidelines for older people, saying the word could be infantilising.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Suspected child abuse: Tusla delay ‘may have thwarted’ inquiry

Delays by Tusla reporting cases of suspected child abuse to the Garda in Co Kerry “ may have thwarted a criminal investigation ” into alleged abuse , an internal audit by the State child and family agency found .
The audit said the quality and safety of the current service in the Co Kerry area “ was in question ” due to a number of shortcomings .
It found there was a “ significant delay ” in Tusla notifying cases of suspected child abuse to An Garda Síochána .
“ The undue delay in notifying suspected abuse may have thwarted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Four incidents of suspected physical abuse of a child were referred to gardaí together , 11 months after the first incidence of alleged abuse took place .
The audit noted there was a statute of limitations in investigating physical abuse , and the delays by Tusla “ may compromise the capacity ” of gardaí to open a criminal inquiry .
A summary report of four audits into the Co Kerry area , completed in August , was released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act .
Concerns about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year after initial reviews by Tusla uncovered significant under-reporting of alleged abuse to gardaí .
Previously The Irish Times reported that Tusla had failed to refer 365 cases of suspected abuse to Garda in the area , including 161 cases of adults disclosing childhood abuse , which had been left unaddressed .
On foot of the concerns Tusla conducted audits into four different aspects of the service in Co Kerry .
The subsequent report found issues with the management and oversight of the service , which it said was “ not sufficiently robust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the area was “ inconsistent ” , and , in a number of cases , Tusla policies and procedures were not followed , it said .
Tusla ’ s internal audit team examined 60 open child protection and welfare cases , and escalated about half of them to the attention of the Kerry area manager , due to “ quality and safety concerns ” .
Initial assessments of cases “ was often of poor quality ” , with examples of incomplete record-keeping and delays , it said .
The audit found “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection and welfare service failed to notice that something was wrong ” .
Due to the concerns the audit recommended a “ deep-dive ” analysis be undertaken of current open child protection cases .
Tusla chief executive Bernard Gloster later decided a deep-dive analysis was “ not necessary ” , however , a number of cases would undergo independent reviews to help improve standards .
The audit team reviewed a further 80 cases which had been closed by social workers , and escalated nine to the area manager .
The audit said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and existing safety , was not satisfactorily analysed prior to the decision to close these cases ” .
Reviewing the cases of children in State care , in one instance a child with a disability was left without a social worker for “ significant periods of time ” in 2019 and 2020 , which the audit said was “ concerning ” .
A Tusla spokeswoman said the issues in Kerry had been identified following an “ internal proactive audit ” by the agency .
The audit unit had observed that a delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have led to a delay in investigation of alleged abuse ” , she said .
Immediate action was taken on foot of the concerns , which included identifying all outstanding notifications of suspected abuse to be made to gardaí , the spokeswoman said .
Other changes included a restructuring of the local teams and additional staffing , she said .

Delays by Tusla reporting cases of suspected child abuse to the Garda in Co Kerry "may have thwarted a criminal investigation" into alleged abuse, an internal audit by the State child and family agency found.
The audit said the quality and safety of the current service in the Co Kerry area “was in question” due to a number of shortcomings.
It found there was a "significant delay" in Tusla notifying cases of suspected child abuse to An Garda Síochána. "The undue delay in notifying suspected abuse may have thwarted a criminal investigation," it said.
Four incidents of suspected physical abuse of a child were referred to gardaí together, 11 months after the first incidence of alleged abuse took place. The audit noted there was a statute of limitations in investigating physical abuse, and the delays by Tusla “may compromise the capacity” of gardaí to open a criminal inquiry.
READ MORE
A summary report of four audits into the Co Kerry area, completed in August, was released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act.
Concerns about the Kerry area were first raised late last year after initial reviews by Tusla uncovered significant under-reporting of alleged abuse to gardaí.
Previously The Irish Times reported that Tusla had failed to refer 365 cases of suspected abuse to Garda in the area, including 161 cases of adults disclosing childhood abuse, which had been left unaddressed.
On foot of the concerns Tusla conducted audits into four different aspects of the service in Co Kerry.
The subsequent report found issues with the management and oversight of the service, which it said was “not sufficiently robust”. The standard of social work in the area was “inconsistent”, and, in a number of cases, Tusla policies and procedures were not followed, it said.
Tusla’s internal audit team examined 60 open child protection and welfare cases, and escalated about half of them to the attention of the Kerry area manager, due to “quality and safety concerns”.
Initial assessments of cases “was often of poor quality”, with examples of incomplete record-keeping and delays, it said.
The audit found “the local arrangements for overseeing the child protection and welfare service failed to notice that something was wrong”.
‘Deep-dive’ analysis
Due to the concerns the audit recommended a “deep-dive” analysis be undertaken of current open child protection cases.
Tusla chief executive Bernard Gloster later decided a deep-dive analysis was "not necessary", however, a number of cases would undergo independent reviews to help improve standards.
The audit team reviewed a further 80 cases which had been closed by social workers, and escalated nine to the area manager. The audit said “the likelihood of harm to a child, and existing safety, was not satisfactorily analysed prior to the decision to close these cases”.
Reviewing the cases of children in State care, in one instance a child with a disability was left without a social worker for “significant periods of time” in 2019 and 2020, which the audit said was “concerning”.
A Tusla spokeswoman said the issues in Kerry had been identified following an “internal proactive audit” by the agency.
The audit unit had observed that a delay in Tusla notifying gardaí of cases “may have led to a delay in investigation of alleged abuse”, she said.
Immediate action was taken on foot of the concerns, which included identifying all outstanding notifications of suspected abuse to be made to gardaí, the spokeswoman said. Other changes included a restructuring of the local teams and additional staffing, she said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Covid whistleblower: Investigator to examine handling of emails after complaint

An investigator examining a whistleblower ’ s concerns about Covid-19 protections at a HSE-run nursing home in Dublin has been asked to examine whether emails were removed from an IT system after their concerns were raised .
Minutes of a HSE meeting covering the Dublin area on May 14th show that during a discussion about an investigation into claims made the previous week by a staff member at St Mary ’ s Hospital nursing home in Phoenix Park , health officials were told to “ take emails off the system ” .
A staff member at the care facility , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country with 24 confirmed coronavirus-related deaths at the time , raised concerns over access to personal protective equipment ( PPE ) early in the pandemic in a protected disclosure on May 6th .
The May 14th meeting was attended by HSE staff from community health organisation ( CHO ) covering the Dublin city area and staff from St Mary ’ s .
According to the minutes , everyone in attendance was responsible for the direction and that it was to be carried out immediately .
The minutes also state that the concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set [ sic ] of Covid-19 and PPE ” and that officials were to “ reinsure [ sic ] staff on management rounds ” .
One member in attendance “ advised to take any emails off the system ” , the minutes state .
In response to queries from The Irish Times , a HSE spokeswoman said the action arising from the meeting of the Covid-19 team at the May 14th meeting was “ to ensure all staff were aware of their obligations to comply with the HSE ’ s procedure for protected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no request was made to remove emails and no emails were deleted .
St Mary ’ s Hospital has fully co-operated with the investigation team and provided all information requested , ” said the spokeswoman .
She added : “ We accept that the wording as highlighted does not reflect this clearly and we apologise for any confusion caused.
” The minutes were included in records released by the HSE to the Fine Gael TD Fergus O ’ Dowd under a Freedom of Information Act request .
Mr O ’ Dowd has asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assigned to examine the whistleblower ’ s concerns , to seek a full explanation of what transpired at St Mary ’ s following the May 14th meeting and to interview all appropriate staff .
“ It is essential to fully address the issue of the possible removal of significant emails from the systems in St Mary ’ s , ” the Fine Gael TD told Mr Rooney in an email .
“ I would ask you therefore to take whatever steps are necessary to secure and protect any possible other written records and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer systems and laptops , phones , etc and have them examined by independent experts in this field.
” Mr Rooney , managing director of Co Dublin-based mediation and dispute resolution company Acrux Consulting , told Mr O ’ Dowd the investigation would consider the matter .
Two days before the May 14th meeting , the HSE appointed Mr Rooney as an independent investigator to examine the whistleblower ’ s claims after their protected disclosure was made to the HSE , the Department of Health and health service regulator , the Health Information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation .
Mr O ’ Dowd told The Irish Times the issue around the purported direction at the May 14th meeting must be “ fully and properly examined ” to check whether emails may or may not have been removed and if the emails tie in with the protected disclosure .
Dublin solicitor Caoimhe Haughey , who represents the whistleblower , described the minutes of the meeting as “ highly suspicious ” .
It was important for the integrity of the disclosure that the emails issue be examined because there had to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disclosure and the disclosee , she said .
“ The emails may not have been deleted but what are these emails they are referring to and how do they feed into the investigation of St Mary ’ s ?
” she asked .

A staff member at Mary’s Hospital in the Phoenix Park raised concerns over access to personal protective equipment early in the pandemic in a protected disclosure on May 6th. Photograph: Eric Luke
An investigator examining a whistleblower’s concerns about Covid-19 protections at a HSE-run nursing home in Dublin has been asked to examine whether emails were removed from an IT system after their concerns were raised.
Minutes of a HSE meeting covering the Dublin area on May 14th show that during a discussion about an investigation into claims made the previous week by a staff member at St Mary’s Hospital nursing home in Phoenix Park, health officials were told to “take emails off the system”.
A staff member at the care facility, one of the worst-hit nursing homes in the country with 24 confirmed coronavirus-related deaths at the time, raised concerns over access to personal protective equipment (PPE) early in the pandemic in a protected disclosure on May 6th.
Hospital Report
The May 14th meeting was attended by HSE staff from community health organisation (CHO) covering the Dublin city area and staff from St Mary’s. According to the minutes, everyone in attendance was responsible for the direction and that it was to be carried out immediately.
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The minutes also state that the concerns were raised “around the initial on set [sic] of Covid-19 and PPE” and that officials were to “reinsure [sic] staff on management rounds”.
One member in attendance “advised to take any emails off the system”, the minutes state.
In response to queries from The Irish Times, a HSE spokeswoman said the action arising from the meeting of the Covid-19 team at the May 14th meeting was “to ensure all staff were aware of their obligations to comply with the HSE’s procedure for protected disclosure”.
“I can confirm no request was made to remove emails and no emails were deleted. St Mary’s Hospital has fully co-operated with the investigation team and provided all information requested,” said the spokeswoman.
She added: “We accept that the wording as highlighted does not reflect this clearly and we apologise for any confusion caused.”
Freedom of Information request
The minutes were included in records released by the HSE to the Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd under a Freedom of Information Act request.
Mr O'Dowd has asked investigator Gerry Rooney, who has been assigned to examine the whistleblower's concerns, to seek a full explanation of what transpired at St Mary's following the May 14th meeting and to interview all appropriate staff.
“It is essential to fully address the issue of the possible removal of significant emails from the systems in St Mary’s,” the Fine Gael TD told Mr Rooney in an email.
“I would ask you therefore to take whatever steps are necessary to secure and protect any possible other written records and, in particular, IT records on computer systems and laptops, phones, etc and have them examined by independent experts in this field.”
Mr Rooney, managing director of Co Dublin-based mediation and dispute resolution company Acrux Consulting, told Mr O'Dowd the investigation would consider the matter.
Two days before the May 14th meeting, the HSE appointed Mr Rooney as an independent investigator to examine the whistleblower’s claims after their protected disclosure was made to the HSE, the Department of Health and health service regulator, the Health Information and Quality Authority, under 2014 whistleblower legislation.
Mr O’Dowd told The Irish Times the issue around the purported direction at the May 14th meeting must be “fully and properly examined” to check whether emails may or may not have been removed and if the emails tie in with the protected disclosure.
Dublin solicitor Caoimhe Haughey, who represents the whistleblower, described the minutes of the meeting as "highly suspicious".
It was important for the integrity of the disclosure that the emails issue be examined because there had to be open disclosure for the benefit of the disclosure and the disclosee, she said.
“The emails may not have been deleted but what are these emails they are referring to and how do they feed into the investigation of St Mary’s?” she asked.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Thinking Anew – Our desire for community is instinctive

Clergy in churches up and down the country worked hard to keep in touch with people during the recent lockdown .
Online services and other forms of distance engagement were developed but , as one serving colleague said , it just wasn ’ t the same without people .
Talking to a camera in an empty building is not easy .
We miss each people not only in church but everywhere and not just because we like each other but because we need each other .
Our desire to be with others is instinctive .
Throughout this pandemic our leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guided by science and we are fortunate to have the benefits of such expertise .
But medical science does not have all the answers when it comes to understanding what it means to be a person and it is arguable that not enough attention has been paid to people ’ s spiritual and social needs .
Juvenal , a first-century Roman poet wrote , “ Orandum est ut sit mens sana in corpore sano ” ( You should pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body . )
There has been too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by isolation and loneliness these past months .
Our shared experience of isolation ought to give us a better understanding of what it means for those who live full-time on the margins of society .
Their plight is compounded by the fact that some of them find it difficult to fit in and that can be a problem for those wanting to help .
However , it is made worse when wider society dismisses them as unworthy or undeserving .
They deserve to be treated with respect .
The German theologian Dorothee Sölle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place when we look upon others not as gift , blessing or stimulus but as threat , danger , competition.
” For most of us with the new year promise of a vaccine , there is light at the end of the tunnel but for the outsiders , “ the least of these ( our ) brethren ” , normality means further isolation and loneliness .
There is little light ahead for refugees , homeless people , and those among us struggling with addiction .
When Jesus was invited to read from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chose the passage from the Book of Isaiah ( Ch .
61 ) , which we read in church tomorrow : “ The spirit of the Lord God is upon me , because the Lord has anointed me ; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed , to bind up the broken-hearted , to proclaim liberty to the captives , and release to the prisoners .
.
.
” He would later be driven out of town by the churchgoers because they did not like the challenging words of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hostility did not prevent him from making clear where his priorities lay .
In tomorrow ’ s Gospel reading we meet John the Baptist , “ a man sent from God ” .
We are reminded that “ he himself was not the light , but he came to testify to the light ” – the light being Jesus Christ and his gospel – a warning to churches and individuals not to put themselves centre stage or compromise the message .
The Christian gospel makes sense because it addresses the real needs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which make for peace ” – love , compassion , justice , truth and more – exactly what a broken world needs .
The fact that self-serving humanity resists does not invalidate these truths ; they are self-authenticating .
The Benedictine writer Dom Hubert van Zeller wrote : “ The world may be in darkness , but this should not upset us .
Christ is the light of the world .
If we bring this truth into the context of our own experience , we must know that light inaccessible has invited us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has asked us not merely to reflect it but to be it .
Otherwise his words ‘ you are the light of the world .
.
.
the salt of the earth ’ , are no more than an oratorical flourish .
Jesus did not go in for oratorical flourishes .
”

Clergy in churches up and down the country worked hard to keep in touch with people during the recent lockdown. Online services and other forms of distance engagement were developed but, as one serving colleague said, it just wasn’t the same without people. Talking to a camera in an empty building is not easy.
We miss each people not only in church but everywhere and not just because we like each other but because we need each other. Our desire to be with others is instinctive. Throughout this pandemic our leaders have assured us that they have been guided by science and we are fortunate to have the benefits of such expertise. But medical science does not have all the answers when it comes to understanding what it means to be a person and it is arguable that not enough attention has been paid to people’s spiritual and social needs. Juvenal, a first-century Roman poet wrote, “Orandum est ut sit mens sana in corpore sano” (You should pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body.) There has been too much hidden and sometimes tragic cost caused by isolation and loneliness these past months.
Our shared experience of isolation ought to give us a better understanding of what it means for those who live full-time on the margins of society. Their plight is compounded by the fact that some of them find it difficult to fit in and that can be a problem for those wanting to help. However, it is made worse when wider society dismisses them as unworthy or undeserving. They deserve to be treated with respect.
The German theologian Dorothee Sölle wrote: “Death is what takes place when we look upon others not as gift, blessing or stimulus but as threat, danger, competition.”
READ MORE
For most of us with the new year promise of a vaccine, there is light at the end of the tunnel but for the outsiders, “the least of these (our) brethren”, normality means further isolation and loneliness. There is little light ahead for refugees, homeless people, and those among us struggling with addiction.
When Jesus was invited to read from the scriptures in his local synagogue, he chose the passage from the Book of Isaiah (Ch. 61), which we read in church tomorrow: "The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners . . ."
He would later be driven out of town by the churchgoers because they did not like the challenging words of their own Hebrew scriptures, but their hostility did not prevent him from making clear where his priorities lay.
In tomorrow's Gospel reading we meet John the Baptist, "a man sent from God". We are reminded that "he himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light" – the light being Jesus Christ and his gospel – a warning to churches and individuals not to put themselves centre stage or compromise the message. The Christian gospel makes sense because it addresses the real needs of our world by promoting "the things which make for peace" – love, compassion, justice, truth and more – exactly what a broken world needs. The fact that self-serving humanity resists does not invalidate these truths; they are self-authenticating.
The Benedictine writer Dom Hubert van Zeller wrote: "The world may be in darkness, but this should not upset us. Christ is the light of the world. If we bring this truth into the context of our own experience, we must know that light inaccessible has invited us to enter into this light. He has asked us not merely to reflect it but to be it. Otherwise his words 'you are the light of the world . . . the salt of the earth', are no more than an oratorical flourish. Jesus did not go in for oratorical flourishes."


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Taoiseach marks centenary of the Burning of Cork in 1920

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has urged Irish people to view the events of the past through “ the measured eye of the discipline of history ” as a means towards reconciliation .
Mr Martin was speaking as he participated in a commemoration on Friday night to mark the Burning of Cork by British forces 100 years ago .
The ceremony featured a light projection which recreated the razing of Cork City Hall on the night of December 11th , 1920 .
He said it was important Irish people not only remember the momentous events that occurred in Cork during the struggle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homage to the revolutionary generation who helped make Ireland ’ s one of the world ’ s oldest continuous democracies .
“ There are certain events in a nation ’ s history that stand out in its struggle for independence .
The burning of this city 100 years ago to this very evening is one such moment , ” said Mr Martin at an event at Cork City Hall .
“ It is embedded into the memory and consciousness of all Corkonians , and stands there along with the murder of Tomás MacCurtain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funeral of Terence MacSwiney , as elemental reminders of Cork ’ s contribution to Ireland ’ s struggle for Independence.
” Much of Cork city centre , including much of Patrick Street and adjoining streets down to Oliver Plunkett Street , was set ablaze , as was Cork City Hall across the south channel of the River Lee , when auxiliaries went on the rampage in the city , looting and burning buildings .
Auxiliaries equipped with cans of petrol set fires and shot dead Jeremiah Delany ( 20 ) and his brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an IRA ambush at Dillon ’ s Cross near Victoria Barracks which led to the death of cadet Spencer Chapman ( 28 ) .
A former lord mayor of Cork , Mr Martin said great credit was due to the revolutionary generation of Irish men and women that , from the ashes of the city and all the broken dreams and painful legacies , they went on to build the dynamic independent country that Ireland is today .
“ The burning of Cork was an iconic moment in a period of great tumult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the past , we should do so not through rose-tinted glasses , but through the measured eye of the discipline of history , ” said Mr Martin .
“ We share an island where contested history , selective memory , and provocative assertions of identity can be barriers to mutual accommodation and the reconciliation necessary to our shared future , ” he added , at a ceremony where numbers were limited due to Covid-19 guidelines .
“ We stand on the shoulders of that revolutionary generation , they are our inspiration and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us summon the courage and resilience of the past to meet the challenges of now , to build a better future for tomorrow.
” Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Joe Kavanagh noted that historians had identified Cork as “ the cockpit of the Irish Revolution ” and while the city and county accounted for just 9 per cent of the population of the island of Ireland in 1920 , it accounted for 34 per cent of all active IRA volunteers in the fight for freedom .
Cork saw more IRA ambushes and raids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of 1920 , the RIC had abandoned two-thirds of its barracks in Cork city and county because of the people ’ s resistance , he said .

Taoiseach Micheál Martin: ‘Let us summon the courage and resilience of the past to meet the challenges of now, to build a better future for tomorrow.’ Photograph: Francisco Seco/Pool/EPA
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has urged Irish people to view the events of the past through “the measured eye of the discipline of history” as a means towards reconciliation.
Mr Martin was speaking as he participated in a commemoration on Friday night to mark the Burning of Cork by British forces 100 years ago.
The ceremony featured a light projection which recreated the razing of Cork City Hall on the night of December 11th, 1920.
Something very special is beginning at City Hall as we mark the devastation that beset this city on this night 100 years ago #BurningofCork #Cork1920 pic.twitter.com/rVA8Zcl8tQ — Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) December 11, 2020
He said it was important Irish people not only remember the momentous events that occurred in Cork during the struggle for freedom but that they also pay homage to the revolutionary generation who helped make Ireland’s one of the world’s oldest continuous democracies.
READ MORE
“There are certain events in a nation’s history that stand out in its struggle for independence. The burning of this city 100 years ago to this very evening is one such moment,” said Mr Martin at an event at Cork City Hall.
“It is embedded into the memory and consciousness of all Corkonians, and stands there along with the murder of Tomás MacCurtain and the hunger strike, death and funeral of Terence MacSwiney, as elemental reminders of Cork’s contribution to Ireland’s struggle for Independence.”
Rampage
Much of Cork city centre, including much of Patrick Street and adjoining streets down to Oliver Plunkett Street, was set ablaze, as was Cork City Hall across the south channel of the River Lee, when auxiliaries went on the rampage in the city, looting and burning buildings.
Auxiliaries equipped with cans of petrol set fires and shot dead Jeremiah Delany (20) and his brother Cornelius (25) in retaliation for an IRA ambush at Dillon's Cross near Victoria Barracks which led to the death of cadet Spencer Chapman (28).
A former lord mayor of Cork, Mr Martin said great credit was due to the revolutionary generation of Irish men and women that, from the ashes of the city and all the broken dreams and painful legacies, they went on to build the dynamic independent country that Ireland is today.
“The burning of Cork was an iconic moment in a period of great tumult and sacrifice. As we look back on the past, we should do so not through rose-tinted glasses, but through the measured eye of the discipline of history,” said Mr Martin.
‘Reconciliation’
“We share an island where contested history, selective memory, and provocative assertions of identity can be barriers to mutual accommodation and the reconciliation necessary to our shared future,” he added, at a ceremony where numbers were limited due to Covid-19 guidelines.
“We stand on the shoulders of that revolutionary generation, they are our inspiration and we remember them this night. Let us summon the courage and resilience of the past to meet the challenges of now, to build a better future for tomorrow.”
Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Joe Kavanagh noted that historians had identified Cork as "the cockpit of the Irish Revolution" and while the city and county accounted for just 9 per cent of the population of the island of Ireland in 1920, it accounted for 34 per cent of all active IRA volunteers in the fight for freedom.
Cork saw more IRA ambushes and raids than anywhere else on the island and by the end of 1920, the RIC had abandoned two-thirds of its barracks in Cork city and county because of the people’s resistance, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Woman dies after being hit by vehicle near Strokestown

A woman has died after being hit by a vehicle while walking on a main road in Co Roscommon on @ @ @ @ @ occurred between Strokestown and Scramogue Cross on the N5 Longford to Westport road at around @ @ @ @ @ pedestrian , aged in her 50s , was fatally injured at the scene and her @ @ @ @ @ Hospital Roscommon where a postmortem would be conducted at a later date .
The driver @ @ @ @ @ 60s , was not injured in the incident .
Local diversions are in place as @ @ @ @ @ has been closed to allow for an examination by forensic officers .
Anyone who witnessed @ @ @ @ @ contact Castlerea Garda station on ( 094 ) 9621637 , the Garda Confidential Line on @ @ @ @ @ garda station .

A woman has died after being hit by a vehicle on the N5 Longford to Westport road near Strokestown, Co Roscommon at around 5.30pm on Friday.
A woman has died after being hit by a vehicle while walking on a main road in Co Roscommon on Friday evening.
The incident occurred between Strokestown and Scramogue Cross on the N5 Longford to Westport road at around 5.30pm.
Gardaí said the pedestrian, aged in her 50s, was fatally injured at the scene and her body was taken to University Hospital Roscommon where a postmortem would be conducted at a later date. The driver, a woman in her 60s, was not injured in the incident.
Local diversions are in place as a stretch of the road has been closed to allow for an examination by forensic officers.
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Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Castlerea Garda station on (094) 9621637, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.