theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Appeal court adds two years to detention for minor who tried to murder woman

A teenage boy who tried to murder a woman he met on an internet dating app will not have his 11-year detention reviewed until 2025 following an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions .
The Court of Appeal on Wednesday increased the teenager ’ s sentence review date by two years after finding that the original five-year term of detention was too lenient .
President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham delivered judgment , saying that a review of the sentence took place at too early a stage .
He said increasing the 11-year sentence would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant mitigating factors in the case .
“ We are conscious of the fact that the director succeeded in the application must be a source of deep disappointment to the respondent and he may not find it easy to cope with the situation , ” said the judge .
Mr Justice Birmingham , sitting with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy then resentenced the teenager to 11-years detention with a review on January 1st , 2025 .
The now 17-year-old , who can not be named because he is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Michael White at the Central Criminal Court to 11 years detention with a review to commence after five years on January 1st , 2023 .
The attempted murderer has been in custody since December 2017 when he lured Stephanie Ng to an isolated area at the Sea Front , Queen ’ s Road , Dun Laoghaire .
After pleading guilty to her attempted murder , the teenager received his sentence in November 2019 .
The Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) successfully sought a review of the teenager ’ s sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unduly lenient ” , arguing that a review of the 11-year sentence imposed on the teenage boy after a five-year period was too early .
The Court of Appeal found that the element of planning and premeditation meant that , ‘ even as attempted murders go ’ , the offence had to be seen as being at the high end of the spectrum .
The father of the teenage boy yesterday apologised to the victim Ms Ng before the three-judge panel and said : “ There is no excuse for the terrible actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The man told the Court of Appeal that he regretted his son not being hospitalised or being given the correct medication at an earlier stage .
The father said he wished he hadn ’ t allowed his son to have such a high dose of antidepressants , which he gave the boy every night and which he felt may have induced the manic episode during which he attacked the victim .
The father said the attack was not unpredictable and his son had previously attempted to commit suicide “ to avoid attacking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25-year-old victim on the Whisper social media app , where he had pretended to be 19 .
The boy was just 15 years old when he tried to kill Ms Ng during their first face-to-face meeting on December 23 2017 , after suggesting they take a selfie by the water ’ s edge in Dun Laoghaire .
There , he grabbed her from behind and choked her to unconsciousness before slashing her neck with a knife .
Gardaí later found a book of drawings in his bedroom , containing a sketch of someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The words , ‘ serial killer ’ , had been written on another page .
His victim previously gave evidence in March 2019 of taking what she thought was her last breath , as the teenager she met online tried to ‘ choke the life ’ out of her before leaving her for dead .
She later felt that he was frustrated with himself for not having killed her .
Through tears , she told the Central Criminal Court that the boy had ‘ destroyed ’ her life .
* An earlier headline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boy ’ s sentence had been increased .
This error occurred in the editing process .

Sphanie Ng leaving the Central Criminal Court in Dublin last year after a teenager was sentenced to 11 years for her attempted murder. Photograph: Courtesy of RTÉ News
A teenage boy who tried to murder a woman he met on an internet dating app will serve a further two years detention before his 11-year sentence is reviewed, following an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Court of Appeal on Wednesday increased the teenager’s sentence review date by two years to seven years, after finding that the original five-year term was too lenient.
President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham said that increasing the sentence beyond 11 years would not be appropriate having regard to the significant mitigating factors in the case but there was merit in the review mechanism as it gave the boy “a target to work towards”.
“The review mechanism offers what is best for society and is best served to protect society,” he added.
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The judge said the three-judge panel was conscious of the fact that the DPP had succeeded in the application and this must be a source of deep disappointment to the boy, which he may not find easy to cope with.
The now 17-year-old, who cannot be named because he is a minor, was originally sentenced by Mr Justice Michael White at the Central Criminal Court to 11 years detention with a review to commence after five years on January 1, 2023. The teenager has been in custody since December 26, 2017 after he lured Stephanie Ng to an isolated area at the Sea Front, Queen's Road, Dun Laoghaire.
After pleading guilty to her attempted murder, the teenager received his sentence in November 2019.
The DPP successfully sought a review of the teenager’s sentence on the grounds that it was “unduly lenient”, arguing that a review of the 11-year sentence imposed on the teenage boy after a five-year period was too early. The Court of Appeal found that the element of planning and premeditation meant that, ‘even as attempted murders go’, the offence had to be seen as being at the high end of the spectrum.
The father of the teenage boy apologised on Tuesday to the victim before the three-judge panel and said: “There is no excuse for the terrible actions our son carried out that day”.
The man told the Court of Appeal that he regretted his son not being hospitalised or being given the correct medication at an earlier stage. The father said he wished he hadn’t allowed his son to have such a high dose of antidepressants, which he gave the boy every night and which he felt may have induced the manic episode during which he attacked the victim.
The father said the attack was not unpredictable and his son had previously attempted to commit suicide “to avoid attacking people”.
The teenager met his 25-year-old victim on the Whisper social media app, where he had pretended to be 19. The boy was 15 years old when he tried to kill Ms Ng during their first face-to-face meeting on December 23rd 2017, after suggesting they take a selfie by the water’s edge in Dun Laoghaire. There, he grabbed her from behind and choked her to unconsciousness before slashing her neck with a knife.
Gardaí later found a book of drawings in his bedroom, containing a sketch of someone being cut up with a knife. The words, ‘serial killer’, had been written on another page.
His victim previously gave evidence in March 2019 of taking what she thought was her last breath, as the teenager she met online tried to ‘choke the life’ out of her before leaving her for dead. She later felt that he was frustrated with himself for not having killed her. Through tears, she told the Central Criminal Court that the boy had ‘destroyed’ her life.
The boy was accompanied to court on Wednesday by two members of staff from Oberstown Children Detention Campus and his parents sat in the body of the courtroom.
Earlier this month, the Court of Appeal found the sentence imposed on the teenager was too lenient. The three-judge panel concluded that the sentence was simply inadequate, and “while obviously the product of great care and attention, it did not adequately meet the enormity of the offending behaviour”.
Giving judgment in the three-judge court on Wednesday, Mr Justice Birmingham said the Court had concluded on July 2 that the review date had failed to reflect the gravity of the offending and many factors were present in the case which meant that the offence had to be regarded at the upper end of the spectrum. The aggravating factors in the case included the planning and pre-meditation of the offence, luring the victim to the location, the violence of the attack and the very significant consequences this had for the victim who was very fortunate to survive, he said.
Mr Justice Birmingham highlighted that the sentencing judge, Mr Justice White, had been exceptionally careful and conscientious when constructing the boy’s sentence. “The Director has not taken any issue with the headline or pre-mitigation sentence,” he continued.
The judge said significant factors were present by way of mitigation including the youth of the offender, the absence of any previous convictions, the manner in which he met the case and followed up with an early guilty plea as well as his significant mental health difficulties.
He said these factors had reduced the original sentence from 17-and-a-half years to 11 years and a reduction of this order was appropriate and did not involve any error. “Had the trial judge imposed a sentence of 11 years simpliciter [without conditions], it is unlikely that this court would have been minded to intervene,” he remarked.
Mr Justice Birmingham said for the court’s part they did see merit in the review mechanism as it offered the best prospect of a managed and guided reintroduction of the boy back into society. “The existence of a review date means there is a target for the young respondent to work towards. The review mechanism offers what is best for society and is best served to protect society,” he said.
On the review date in January 2025, the judge said there would be a number of options open to the judge such as suspending the balance of the sentence served from that point or into the future.
He said a supplementary report had been provided from consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Richard Church as well as a report from Oberstown Children Detention Campus, which was “broadly positive”. “It appears the respondent has done well there,” he indicated.
Mr Justice Birmingham said it seemed that Dr Church had not changed his opinion regarding the boy’s diagnosis and the risk he posed. “He remains of the view that he is at risk of developing a psychotic mental illness and remains at high risk of serious self harm and suicide. The opportunity to prepare and carry out violent acts increases his immediacy of harm to others and these factors can be managed within the current custodial environment,” the judge said.
The judge said this was a difficult case and there were no easy solutions. “No outcome is entirely straightforward but making provision for a review is the least worst option,” he said.
He said the review had taken place at too early a stage and increasing the sentence beyond 11 years would not be appropriate having regard to the significant mitigating factors in the case.
Mr Justice Birmingham, sitting with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy then resentenced the teenager to 11 years detention with a review after seven years on January 1, 2025. He added that it was realistic to envisage that the review process would take three months.
Following this, Patrick Gageby SC with Niall Nolan BL, for the boy, asked for the review to be in the Central Criminal Court. Furthermore, Mr Gageby said that Mr Justice Paul McDermott had presided over a number of juvenile cases in the last few years and had indicated in these cases that reports should be made available from the governor of the prison as well as probation and psychiatric services on a two year basis. He asked the court to make the recommendation in this case so that when 2025 comes about “there is a good history”.
In conclusion, Mr Justice Birmingham said: “We provide that the matter is listed for review on the date specified before the presiding judge in the Central Criminal Court and that reports provided by counsel be prepared on a two year basis with the first report two years from now.”
The judge finally extended his appreciation to Dr Church, who he said had produced a report against a tight deadline.
In seeking a review of sentence at the “undue leniency” hearing on May 14, counsel for the DPP, Anne-Marie Lawlor SC with Garret Baker BL, submitted to the Court of Appeal that a review of the sentence imposed on the teenage boy after a five-year period was too early.
Ms Lawlor informed the court that the DPP was not taking issue with the sentence of 11 years, but said that the review after five years did not reflect the gravity of the offence. She said that the effect of the sentence imposed was to permit the release of the respondent after five years.
“I say that the minimum time he must spend in custody cannot be five years,” she argued. Ms Lawlor said that one could not quibble with the sentencing judge’s view that the headline sentence was one of life.
In reply, Mr Gageby for the boy, said there was no expectation of release after five years. “The learned trial judge is very experienced in juvenile matters and, in the last few years, we’ve all done more juvenile cases than … in the past 30 years,” he noted.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Man dies following disturbance at house in Kilkenny

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses after a man died following a disturbance at a house in Co Kilkenny early on Monday morning .
The man was also found walking along the M8 motorway several hours before gardaí were called to the house in Kilkenny .
At about 6.30pm on Sunday , gardaí and the national ambulance service responded to a report of a male with a significant injury to his arm at a house in the An Grianan housing estate in Killenaule , CoTipperary .
The man was at the house with a number of other people and was subsequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He later left the hospital and was then found on foot near junction 6 of the M8 motorway in the vicinity of junction 6 at 12.30am on Monday .
Gardaí removed the man from the motorway for his own safety and brought him to the Chapelfield Estate in Urlingford , Co Kilkenny , arriving there at 1.00am .
Gardaí left Chapelfield after the man was observed at the front door of a house .
At 1.49am a report was received of a disturbance at a house in Chapelfield in Urlingford .
Gardaí @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the man was brought to St Luke ’ s Hospital in Kilkenny where he died .
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission ( GSOC ) have launched an investigation into some of the circumstances pertaining to the incident , because gardaí had interacted with the deceased when he was found on the motorway .
Gardaí in Thurles are appealing for information from any members of the public who were in the An Grianan area of Killenaule , Co Tipperary , on Sunday afternoon , particularly any person who attended the house with the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the afternoon .
Gardaí are also appealing to any member of the public who saw a man on foot on the M8 Motorway in the early morning of July 27th and individuals who were in the vicinity of Chapelfield Estate in Urlingford on the between 1.00am and 3.30am on the same day .

Gardaí and the national ambulance service initially responded to a report of a male with a significant injury to his arm at a house in CoTipperary.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses after a man died following a disturbance at a house in Co Kilkenny early on Monday morning.
The man was also found walking along the M8 motorway several hours before gardaí were called to the house in Kilkenny.
At about 6.30pm on Sunday, gardaí and the national ambulance service responded to a report of a male with a significant injury to his arm at a house in the An Grianan housing estate in Killenaule, CoTipperary.
The man was at the house with a number of other people and was subsequently brought by ambulance to hospital for treatment.
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He later left the hospital and was then found on foot near junction 6 of the M8 motorway in the vicinity of junction 6 at 12.30am on Monday.
Gardaí removed the man from the motorway for his own safety and brought him to the Chapelfield Estate in Urlingford, Co Kilkenny, arriving there at 1.00am.
Gardaí left Chapelfield after the man was observed at the front door of a house.
At 1.49am a report was received of a disturbance at a house in Chapelfield in Urlingford.
Gardaí responded, as did an ambulance, and the man was brought to St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny where he died.
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) have launched an investigation into some of the circumstances pertaining to the incident, because gardaí had interacted with the deceased when he was found on the motorway.
Gardaí in Thurles are appealing for information from any members of the public who were in the An Grianan area of Killenaule, Co Tipperary, on Sunday afternoon, particularly any person who attended the house with the man and his friends over the course of the afternoon.
Gardaí are also appealing to any member of the public who saw a man on foot on the M8 Motorway in the early morning of July 27th and individuals who were in the vicinity of Chapelfield Estate in Urlingford on the between 1.00am and 3.30am on the same day.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Irish team reaches semifinals of World Schools Debating Championship

The national Irish schools debating team has progressed to the semifinals of the World Schools Debating Championship .
The team @ @ @ @ @ it to the semifinals and are the last European team left in the competition.This is @ @ @ @ @ team has progressed to a semifinal since 2014 , with 49 countries participating in this @ @ @ @ @ The Irish team comprises Matthew Mallen ( captain ) from CBC Cork ; Adrianne Ward @ @ @ @ @ Stephen ’ s Green ; Jack Mulvihill from Terenure College ; and Jack Palmer and @ @ @ @ @ CBC Monkstown Park .
They are coached by volunteers Christopher Costigan and Rory O ’ @ @ @ @ @ originally supposed to take place in Mexico but the team is now participating online , @ @ @ @ @ , due to Covid-19 .

The Irish team has reached the semifinals of the World Schools Debating Championship. Photograph: Twitter
The national Irish schools debating team has progressed to the semifinals of the World Schools Debating Championship.
The team beat Israel 6-1 to make it to the semifinals and are the last European team left in the competition.This is the first time an Irish team has progressed to a semifinal since 2014, with 49 countries participating in this year's tournament.
The Irish team comprises Matthew Mallen (captain) from CBC Cork; Adrianne Ward from Loreto College, St Stephen's Green; Jack Mulvihill from Terenure College; and Jack Palmer and Leon Reilly, both from CBC Monkstown Park.
They are coached by volunteers Christopher Costigan and Rory O'Sullivan. The competition was originally supposed to take place in Mexico but the team is now participating online, hosted by CBC Monkstown Park, due to Covid-19.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Beacon Hospital reaches deal with insurers to cover per-admission Covid test

The Beacon Hospital in Dublin has said it has reached agreements with the three main health insurers to cover the cost of tests for Covid-19 for their subscribers prior to admission to its facilities .
Beacon Hospital said that VHI , Irish Life Health and Laya Healthcare had agreed that they would cover the cost of the test in the future .
Subscribers who had attended Beacon in recent weeks and who had to pay the €250 cost of the Covid-19 pre-admission test themselves will be reimbursed by the hospital .
Beacon said on Tuesday that it was the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiated an agreement with all three major insurers on the Covid-19 test .
Beacon Hospital said that in line with national guidelines from the HSE some patients were tested for Covid-19 prior to admission .
It said these included patients attending for surgery under general anaesthetic , those that were identified as being in the higher risk categories and those that required admission for overnight stays .
Beacon Hospital chief executive Michael Cullen said : ” The priority at all times for Beacon Hospital is the health and safety of our patients and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 pandemic , we have reinforced and introduced a number of enhanced safety measures , including pre-admission Covid-19 tests for certain patients in line with national guidelines .
While the tests are imperative , we are delighted to have secured agreements on behalf of our patients which will ensure that our partners in the private health insurance sector will cover the cost of tests deemed clinically necessary.
” Beacon Hospital also said on Tuesday that members of the public could avail of testing at a new facility it has put in place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ general public from August 1st for those who wish to be screened for Covid-19 .
“ People who wish to avail of the service do not need to be symptomatic , or may , for example , display mild symptoms.
” “ If they are not a Beacon Hospital patient within the relevant category for pre-admission screening , they will be required to pay the €250 fee for their test as it will not be covered by insurance .
“ The clinic will be open Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Beacon Hospital said that VHI, Irish Life Health and Laya Healthcare had agreed that they would cover the cost of the test.
The Beacon Hospital in Dublin has said it has reached agreements with the three main health insurers to cover the cost of tests for Covid-19 for their subscribers prior to admission to its facilities.
Beacon Hospital said that VHI, Irish Life Health and Laya Healthcare had agreed that they would cover the cost of the test in the future .
Subscribers who had attended Beacon in recent weeks and who had to pay the €250 cost of the Covid-19 pre-admission test themselves will be reimbursed by the hospital.
Beacon said on Tuesday that it was the first private hospital in the country to have negotiated an agreement with all three major insurers on the Covid-19 test.
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Beacon Hospital said that in line with national guidelines from the HSE some patients were tested for Covid-19 prior to admission. It said these included patients attending for surgery under general anaesthetic, those that were identified as being in the higher risk categories and those that required admission for overnight stays.
Beacon Hospital chief executive Michael Cullen said:"The priority at all times for Beacon Hospital is the health and safety of our patients and staff. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have reinforced and introduced a number of enhanced safety measures, including pre-admission Covid-19 tests for certain patients in line with national guidelines. While the tests are imperative, we are delighted to have secured agreements on behalf of our patients which will ensure that our partners in the private health insurance sector will cover the cost of tests deemed clinically necessary."
Beacon Hospital also said on Tuesday that members of the public could avail of testing at a new facility it has put in place.
“ It will be open to the general public from August 1st for those who wish to be screened for Covid-19.
“ People who wish to avail of the service do not need to be symptomatic, or may, for example, display mild symptoms.”
“ If they are not a Beacon Hospital patient within the relevant category for pre-admission screening, they will be required to pay the €250 fee for their test as it will not be covered by insurance.
“ The clinic will be open Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm, by appointment only”, it said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Duffy’s Circus may face final curtain as it celebrates 150 years

David Duffy , the managing director of Duffy ’ s Circus , lives , eats and breathes the big tent , the performers , the noise .
This year , Duffy ’ s Circus , a staple of fairgrounds and festivals , celebrates its 150th anniversary .
It could be its last .
“ There is a very high chance that we will not be coming back when we normally do in March .
I would say there is a 20 per cent chance of us ever reopening , ” said Duffy , the sixth generation of Duffys to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realistically be its last .
I ’ ve never had to have that type of discussion before with my family , especially with my two sons Tom jnr , 27 , and Jamie , 24 , who have followed along into the business.
” For the family , the lockdown has been a bitter blow , since Duffy ’ s continued in business during the Civil War , the War of Independence , even the foot-and-mouth crisis , only to be stopped in its tracks by Covid 19 .
Covid-19 has challenged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Duffy ’ s 91-year-old father , Tom , contracted the coronavirus : “ The only way I can describe the past few months is by saying it has and is a hammer blow to us .
“ It was a scary time for him and all of us his children over the threat to his life .
He managed to pull through , which is miraculous in itself itself .
Now financially , the circus lifeline quite likely may not have any heartbeat left.
” The circus will not return in August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occur , if they occur , following a meeting in recent days between Mr Duffy , who shortly turns 60 , and the family ’ s accountants .
“ We have to look at the realities of the circus industry and it ’ s not good .
I don ’ t want to lose my sons from the business as I want the Duffy legacy to live on but facts have to be faced , ” he said .
With high insurance costs , Duffy ’ s , numerous other circuses and funfairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk if they were to reopen without the numbers needed to break even , he argues .
Once circuses and funfairs restart , their insurance cover , which costs anything from €35,000 up to €60,000 annually , can not be paused again , if they are forced to shut indefinitely if there is a second wave of Covid-19 .
“ We understand many people will be saddened by this news , as are we .
However , to protect both our company , staff and the communities we visit we feel we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will even have a future next year , ” he said .
The circus tent holds 800 people .
Currently , Covid restrictions limit numbers to just 50 .
Next month 100 may be allowed inside : “ Unfortunately with the people involved in the performance we ’ d end up with an audience of 10 .
“ Even if the cap on numbers didn ’ t exist it would be uneconomic for us to proceed with two-metre social distancing inside the big top .
We feel cancelling the rest of the tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charles O ’ Brien of the Irish Showmen ’ s Guild says Duffy ’ s troubles are a sign of the industry ’ s turmoil .
“ A third of all circuses and funfairs , some [ in existence ] for as long as 300 years as they are family businesses , will never reopen after Covid-19.
” Up to 120 families are directly affected : “ Only one of the dozens of such entertainment companies is still operating and is trialling a novel approach of opening as a drive-through entertainment event .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ work out .
There has been no cohesive approach by the Department of Culture and Heritage when it comes to urgent financial help and a decisive way on addressing increasing insurance costs .
“ We are always the poor cousin of the other traditional and even fine arts .
It is forgotten that the industry employs tens of thousands of people annually , ” said Mr O ’ Brien , who represents circus artistes of all types .
Trevor Cullen and his son Timmy , 23 , who runs an antique fun fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last Saturday .
“ I have to remain positive that the season for us will improve , ” he said .
“ I ’ ve taken a calculated risk with my insurance payments by only bringing the Ferris wheel and some of the carousels back into operation.
” The insurance premium has to be paid from July 23rd to February 28th next year : “ If I ’ m forced to shut sooner , or Christmas doesn ’ t happen due to Covid restrictions , then financially the business is facing uncharted water @ @

David and Stephanie Duffy and Tom and Oyun-Erdene Duffy, co-owners of Tom Duffy’s Circus, at their practice grounds near Navan, Co Meath. Photograph: Alan Betson
David Duffy, the managing director of Duffy's Circus, lives, eats and breathes the big tent, the performers, the noise. This year, Duffy's Circus, a staple of fairgrounds and festivals, celebrates its 150th anniversary. It could be its last.
“There is a very high chance that we will not be coming back when we normally do in March. I would say there is a 20 per cent chance of us ever reopening,” said Duffy, the sixth generation of Duffys to run the circus.
“It could very realistically be its last. I’ve never had to have that type of discussion before with my family, especially with my two sons Tom jnr, 27, and Jamie, 24, who have followed along into the business.”
For the family, the lockdown has been a bitter blow, since Duffy’s continued in business during the Civil War, the War of Independence, even the foot-and-mouth crisis, only to be stopped in its tracks by Covid 19.
READ MORE
Covid-19 has challenged the family in every other way, too. Duffy’s 91-year-old father, Tom, contracted the coronavirus: “The only way I can describe the past few months is by saying it has and is a hammer blow to us.
“It was a scary time for him and all of us his children over the threat to his life. He managed to pull through, which is miraculous in itself itself. Now financially, the circus lifeline quite likely may not have any heartbeat left.”
The circus will not return in August after the next phase of lockdown relaxations occur, if they occur, following a meeting in recent days between Mr Duffy, who shortly turns 60, and the family’s accountants.
“We have to look at the realities of the circus industry and it’s not good. I don’t want to lose my sons from the business as I want the Duffy legacy to live on but facts have to be faced,” he said.
With high insurance costs, Duffy’s, numerous other circuses and funfairs would be putting their companies at permanent risk if they were to reopen without the numbers needed to break even, he argues.
Once circuses and funfairs restart, their insurance cover, which costs anything from €35,000 up to €60,000 annually, cannot be paused again, if they are forced to shut indefinitely if there is a second wave of Covid-19.
“We understand many people will be saddened by this news, as are we. However, to protect both our company, staff and the communities we visit we feel we have no other option to see if we will even have a future next year,” he said.
The circus tent holds 800 people. Currently, Covid restrictions limit numbers to just 50. Next month 100 may be allowed inside: “Unfortunately with the people involved in the performance we’d end up with an audience of 10.
“Even if the cap on numbers didn’t exist it would be uneconomic for us to proceed with two-metre social distancing inside the big top. We feel cancelling the rest of the tour is the right thing to do.”
Industry turmoil
Charles O’ Brien of the Irish Showmen’s Guild says Duffy’s troubles are a sign of the industry’s turmoil. “A third of all circuses and funfairs, some [in existence] for as long as 300 years as they are family businesses, will never reopen after Covid-19.”
Up to 120 families are directly affected: “Only one of the dozens of such entertainment companies is still operating and is trialling a novel approach of opening as a drive-through entertainment event.
“No one knows how that will work out. There has been no cohesive approach by the Department of Culture and Heritage when it comes to urgent financial help and a decisive way on addressing increasing insurance costs.
“We are always the poor cousin of the other traditional and even fine arts. It is forgotten that the industry employs tens of thousands of people annually,” said Mr O’Brien, who represents circus artistes of all types.
Trevor Cullen and his son Timmy, 23, who runs an antique fun fair in Dún Laoghaire, reopened the business last Saturday. "I have to remain positive that the season for us will improve," he said.
“I’ve taken a calculated risk with my insurance payments by only bringing the Ferris wheel and some of the carousels back into operation.”
The insurance premium has to be paid from July 23rd to February 28th next year: “If I’m forced to shut sooner, or Christmas doesn’t happen due to Covid restrictions, then financially the business is facing uncharted water.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Majority of Irish children say pandemic homeschooling impaired learning

A majority of Irish children feel their learning was negatively impacted by homeschooling during the pandemic , with learning out of the classroom also negatively impacting the mental health of some second-level students , data from an unpublished study shows .
The data was gathered by academics from NUI Galway working with the National Parents Council , and takes in the views of more than 1,000 primary and secondary school-aged children around the country .
It comes as teacher unions warned that some schools may have to reopen on a staggered basis due to expected difficulties in preparing for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some 52 per cent of primary schoolchildren said they learned less at home than in school , while 71.8 per cent of post-primary students said they learned a lot or a little less .
The secondary school students also reported that their interest in schooling at home had dwindled over the period , with 65.3 per cent saying it had decreased a little or a lot .
Some 14.6 per cent of secondary students said it had a very negative effect on their mental health .
Another 29.6 per cent said it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slightly negative effect .
This compares with 17.2 per cent who said it had a positive effect , to some degree .
The preliminary data from the survey were shared in a draft report with the Oireachtas Special Committee on the Covid-19 Response .
Among second-level students , only 4.4 per cent said they were “ really not looking forward to returning to school ” , whereas 63.9 per cent said they were looking forward to it to some degree – 19 per cent of whom said they were “ really looking forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school students , 79 per cent indicated they were eager to resume school , with 38.6 per cent indicating a strong preference , and only 3.2 per cent saying they were really not looking forward to it .
A large minority of those in primary education also indicated that their enthusiasm for homeschooling had diminished during lockdown , with 42.9 per cent indicating they liked it less at the end than at the start , compared with 17.9 per cent who preferred it at the end of the period to the start .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ school students on their preference for a reshaped school week , with 41.5 per cent expressing a preference for attending two to three days a week , 18.4 saying they would prefer morning or afternoon classes , and 14.5 per cent opting for week-on , week-off attendance .
The full report on the data will be released later this year .

Some 52 per cent of primary schoolchildren said they learned less at home than in school, while 71.8 per cent of post-primary students said they learned a lot or a little less. Photograph: iStock
A majority of Irish children feel their learning was negatively impacted by homeschooling during the pandemic, with learning out of the classroom also negatively impacting the mental health of some second-level students, data from an unpublished study shows.
The data was gathered by academics from NUI Galway working with the National Parents Council, and takes in the views of more than 1,000 primary and secondary school-aged children around the country.
It comes as teacher unions warned that some schools may have to reopen on a staggered basis due to expected difficulties in preparing for a return of students in late August.
Some 52 per cent of primary schoolchildren said they learned less at home than in school, while 71.8 per cent of post-primary students said they learned a lot or a little less. The secondary school students also reported that their interest in schooling at home had dwindled over the period, with 65.3 per cent saying it had decreased a little or a lot.
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Mental health
Some 14.6 per cent of secondary students said it had a very negative effect on their mental health. Another 29.6 per cent said it had either quite a negative effect or a slightly negative effect. This compares with 17.2 per cent who said it had a positive effect, to some degree.
The preliminary data from the survey were shared in a draft report with the Oireachtas Special Committee on the Covid-19 Response.
Among second-level students, only 4.4 per cent said they were “really not looking forward to returning to school”, whereas 63.9 per cent said they were looking forward to it to some degree – 19 per cent of whom said they were “really looking forward” to resuming classes.
Among primary school students, 79 per cent indicated they were eager to resume school, with 38.6 per cent indicating a strong preference, and only 3.2 per cent saying they were really not looking forward to it.
A large minority of those in primary education also indicated that their enthusiasm for homeschooling had diminished during lockdown, with 42.9 per cent indicating they liked it less at the end than at the start, compared with 17.9 per cent who preferred it at the end of the period to the start.
The study also gathered data from post-primary school students on their preference for a reshaped school week, with 41.5 per cent expressing a preference for attending two to three days a week, 18.4 saying they would prefer morning or afternoon classes, and 14.5 per cent opting for week-on, week-off attendance.
The full report on the data will be released later this year.


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Highly educated people more likely to hide racist views – study

People who hold racist views or negative attitudes towards minorities are more likely to conceal them if they are more highly educated , a new study suggests .
Among people with third-level education , more than a quarter ( 27 per cent ) concealed negative attitudes towards black people coming to Ireland , according to the survey , which is published on Wednesday by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the Economic and Social Research Institute ( ESRI ) .
Just under one fifth ( 22 per cent ) of those in this education bracket hid negativity towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the those classified as lower educated ( completed Leaving Certificate or less ) , 8.5 per cent concealed negative attitudes towards black people coming to Ireland , while there was no evidence this group concealed negative attitudes towards Muslim immigration .
More than 1,600 people were surveyed for the study , called “ Hidden versus revealed attitudes : A list experiment on support for minorities in Ireland ” .
The study found the extent to which people conceal their negative views on immigration depends on the group being asked about , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ educational background of the respondents .
Social pressures to exhibit tolerance are much greater when people are asked about black people than when asked about Muslim people coming to Ireland .
Whereas 66 per cent of people openly supported more black people coming to Ireland , this dropped to 51 per cent when respondents could conceal their attitude .
Fewer people openly supported more Muslim immigration , with no evidence that people concealed their attitudes .
While previous surveys have shown that people with higher educational attainment are more positive towards minorities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this is largely because highly educated people who hold negative attitudes are more likely to conceal them , the authors say .
In terms of declared views , 19 per cent of the higher-educated group openly held negative views towards black immigration and 33 per cent regarding Muslim immigration .
In contrast , 43 per cent of the lower-educated group held openly negative views towards black immigration , and 45 per cent towards Muslim immigration .
Concealing negative views is almost twice ( 19 per cent ) as prevalent among those aged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over ( 11 per cent ) regarding the question of black immigration .
However , the younger group are more supportive than the older group even when asked anonymously ( 59 per cent versus 40 per cent ) .
There are no age differences in anonymously expressed support for Muslims coming to Ireland – more than half ( about 53 per cent ) of each age group support this .
In terms of gender , 21 per cent of men conceal negative opinions towards more black people coming to Ireland , compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conceal negativity towards Muslims to a much greater extent than men .
About one fifth ( 21 per cent ) of women hold but conceal lack of support for more Muslim people coming to Ireland , but there is no evidence that men conceal negative attitudes towards Muslims in this survey .

The study found that whereas 66 per cent of people openly supported more black people coming to Ireland, this dropped to 51 per cent when respondents could conceal their attitude. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
People who hold racist views or negative attitudes towards minorities are more likely to conceal them if they are more highly educated, a new study suggests.
Among people with third-level education, more than a quarter (27 per cent) concealed negative attitudes towards black people coming to Ireland, according to the survey, which is published on Wednesday by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
Just under one fifth (22 per cent) of those in this education bracket hid negativity towards Muslims coming to Ireland.
In terms of the those classified as lower educated (completed Leaving Certificate or less), 8.5 per cent concealed negative attitudes towards black people coming to Ireland, while there was no evidence this group concealed negative attitudes towards Muslim immigration.
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More than 1,600 people were surveyed for the study, called “Hidden versus revealed attitudes: A list experiment on support for minorities in Ireland”.
The study found the extent to which people conceal their negative views on immigration depends on the group being asked about, as well as the gender, age and educational background of the respondents.
Social pressures to exhibit tolerance are much greater when people are asked about black people than when asked about Muslim people coming to Ireland.
Whereas 66 per cent of people openly supported more black people coming to Ireland, this dropped to 51 per cent when respondents could conceal their attitude.
Fewer people openly supported more Muslim immigration, with no evidence that people concealed their attitudes.
While previous surveys have shown that people with higher educational attainment are more positive towards minorities in Ireland and elsewhere, this report reveals that this is largely because highly educated people who hold negative attitudes are more likely to conceal them, the authors say.
In terms of declared views, 19 per cent of the higher-educated group openly held negative views towards black immigration and 33 per cent regarding Muslim immigration. In contrast, 43 per cent of the lower-educated group held openly negative views towards black immigration, and 45 per cent towards Muslim immigration.
Age and gender
Concealing negative views is almost twice (19 per cent) as prevalent among those aged 18-49 compared to those aged 50 or over (11 per cent) regarding the question of black immigration.
However, the younger group are more supportive than the older group even when asked anonymously (59 per cent versus 40 per cent).
There are no age differences in anonymously expressed support for Muslims coming to Ireland – more than half (about 53 per cent) of each age group support this.
In terms of gender, 21 per cent of men conceal negative opinions towards more black people coming to Ireland, compared to 10 per cent of women.
Women conceal negativity towards Muslims to a much greater extent than men. About one fifth (21 per cent) of women hold but conceal lack of support for more Muslim people coming to Ireland, but there is no evidence that men conceal negative attitudes towards Muslims in this survey.


theirishtimes--2020-07-30--Stephanie Ng case: Boy who attempted murder has review pushed back

A boy who tried to murder a woman in Dún Laoghaire after meeting her on social media will have to serve at least two more years in prison following a rare appeal from the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) .
The 17-year-old south Dublin boy will now not be released until he is at least 22 after the Court of Appeal pushed back the date of his sentence review to 2025 .
The boy , who can not be named due to his age , was sentenced to eleven years last year for luring Stephanie Ng ( 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choked her into unconsciousness and slashed her throat in a carefully planned attack in December 2017 .
The sentencing judge ordered that the sentence be reviewed after five years .
The DPP argued the date of the first review was too early given the premeditated nature of the crime and expert evidence that the boy would still pose a threat to others if he was released today .
Leniency appeals have been trending upwards in recent years - last year the DPP lodged 46 such appeals compared to 200 appeals taken by defendants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , leniency appeals are still extremely rare in cases where the accused was under-18 at the time of the offence .
Legal sources said they were not aware of any such case in the last decade .
In raising the minimum review period from five to seven years yesterday , the Court of Appeal effectively established a model for how serious juvenile offenders should be dealt with in future .
It ordered assessments be carried out on the boy every two years so the reviewing court has a wealth of information come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to move to an adult prison soon after he turns 18 , is unlikely to be released following his first review .
Instead the court is likely to resentence him based on his treatment progress .

A boy who tried to murder a woman in Dún Laoghaire after meeting her on social media will have to serve at least two more years in prison following a rare appeal from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The 17-year-old south Dublin boy will now not be released until he is at least 22 after the Court of Appeal pushed back the date of his sentence review to 2025.
The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, was sentenced to eleven years last year for luring Stephanie Ng (25) to a secluded area where he choked her into unconsciousness and slashed her throat in a carefully planned attack in December 2017.
The sentencing judge ordered that the sentence be reviewed after five years. The DPP argued the date of the first review was too early given the premeditated nature of the crime and expert evidence that the boy would still pose a threat to others if he was released today.
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Leniency appeals have been trending upwards in recent years - last year the DPP lodged 46 such appeals compared to 200 appeals taken by defendants arguing their sentence was too severe.
Assessments
However, leniency appeals are still extremely rare in cases where the accused was under-18 at the time of the offence. Legal sources said they were not aware of any such case in the last decade.
In raising the minimum review period from five to seven years yesterday, the Court of Appeal effectively established a model for how serious juvenile offenders should be dealt with in future. It ordered assessments be carried out on the boy every two years so the reviewing court has a wealth of information come 2025.
The boy, who is due to move to an adult prison soon after he turns 18, is unlikely to be released following his first review. Instead the court is likely to resentence him based on his treatment progress.


theirishtimes--2020-07-30--Coronavirus: One-fifth of parents fearful of secondary schools reopening

More than a fifth of parents with children in post-primary schools said they would prefer if their child was not returning to school in order to reduce the risk of contracting Covid-19 , according to a survey from Barnardos .
While 16 per cent of parents with children in primary school don ’ t want them to return to school due to fears over the virus , this rises to 21 per cent in relation to parents with children in post-primary education .
The Barnardos Back to School Survey 2020 , published on Thursday , finds the majority of parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to school though 50 per cent of primary school parents and 53 per cent of post-primary school parents are worried .
The survey found that back-to-school costs for this year are on average €330-€365 for primary school students and €735 for post-primary students .
Overall costs at primary level are slightly down on last year while costs at post-primary level remain unchanged .
The survey involved more than 1,760 parents being interviewed earlier this month .
The majority of parents felt they had insufficient information about their child ’ s return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary school parents , 65 per cent of post-primary parents ) .
The majority said balancing work and home-schooling was difficult with a large proportion ( 44 per cent of primary school and 48 per cent of post-primary parents ) finding managing technology for online learning difficult .
About a quarter ( 23 per cent ) of both primary and post-primary parents said they didn ’ t have ready access to the required technology for their child to learn remotely .
While half of parents felt they were sent the right amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter ( 25 per cent of primary and 31 per cent of post-primary parents ) felt they did not receive enough support from their child ’ s school .
Over half of parents also said they incurred additional costs this year due to their child not being in school from March to June .
A significant proportion of parents say they are either cutting back on other costs , not paying bills , or are taking loans to cover their back-to-school costs ( 41 per cent primary ; 50 per cent post-primary ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 31 per cent took a loan from a credit union or bank , 29 per cent used credit cards , 27 per cent borrowed from family or friends while 13 per cent went to a money lender .
Suzanne Connolly , chief executive of Barnardos , said a separate survey of 225 primary and post-primary students revealed that many found learning from home a challenge .
“ Many more had mixed feelings , both about being at home during school closures and going back to school , ” Ms Connolly said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they missed their friends and many missed their teachers too .
Some were excited about the return to school , while others worried whether they would be safe , would they pass the virus on to loved ones , or how would social distancing work .
Some also worried about the impact on their learning and exams.
” Two out of five children said they feel positive about returning to school ; but one in five feel negative .
Three out of five children and young people ( 60 per cent ) said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think of returning to school .
The children ’ s charity has called for implementation guidelines and timelines to accompany the Government ’ s Roadmap for Reopening Schools .
It also said principals and teachers should have access to Continuing Professional Development ( CPD ) , wellbeing training and other resources to enable staff to help children cope with the transition back to school .

Three out of five children and young people (60 per cent) said they are worried about Covid-19 when they think of returning to school. Photograph: iStock
More than a fifth of parents with children in post-primary schools said they would prefer if their child was not returning to school in order to reduce the risk of contracting Covid-19, according to a survey from Barnardos.
While 16 per cent of parents with children in primary school don’t want them to return to school due to fears over the virus, this rises to 21 per cent in relation to parents with children in post-primary education.
The Barnardos Back to School Survey 2020, published on Thursday, finds the majority of parents think it is important for their children to return to school though 50 per cent of primary school parents and 53 per cent of post-primary school parents are worried.
The survey found that back-to-school costs for this year are on average €330-€365 for primary school students and €735 for post-primary students. Overall costs at primary level are slightly down on last year while costs at post-primary level remain unchanged.
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Insufficient information
The survey involved more than 1,760 parents being interviewed earlier this month. The majority of parents felt they had insufficient information about their child’s return to school (73 per cent of primary school parents, 65 per cent of post-primary parents).
The majority said balancing work and home-schooling was difficult with a large proportion (44 per cent of primary school and 48 per cent of post-primary parents) finding managing technology for online learning difficult.
About a quarter (23 per cent) of both primary and post-primary parents said they didn’t have ready access to the required technology for their child to learn remotely.
While half of parents felt they were sent the right amount of work by their schools, over a quarter (25 per cent of primary and 31 per cent of post-primary parents) felt they did not receive enough support from their child’s school.
Over half of parents also said they incurred additional costs this year due to their child not being in school from March to June.
A significant proportion of parents say they are either cutting back on other costs, not paying bills, or are taking loans to cover their back-to-school costs (41 per cent primary; 50 per cent post-primary).
Of those who had to borrow, 31 per cent took a loan from a credit union or bank, 29 per cent used credit cards, 27 per cent borrowed from family or friends while 13 per cent went to a money lender.
Challenge
Suzanne Connolly, chief executive of Barnardos, said a separate survey of 225 primary and post-primary students revealed that many found learning from home a challenge.
“Many more had mixed feelings, both about being at home during school closures and going back to school,” Ms Connolly said.
“Children and young people told us they missed their friends and many missed their teachers too. Some were excited about the return to school, while others worried whether they would be safe, would they pass the virus on to loved ones, or how would social distancing work. Some also worried about the impact on their learning and exams.”
Two out of five children said they feel positive about returning to school; but one in five feel negative. Three out of five children and young people (60 per cent) said they are worried about Covid-19 when they think of returning to school.
The children’s charity has called for implementation guidelines and timelines to accompany the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Schools.
It also said principals and teachers should have access to Continuing Professional Development (CPD), wellbeing training and other resources to enable staff to help children cope with the transition back to school.


theirishtimes--2020-07-30--Covid-19: Top official warned against slow reopening of economy

The Government ’ s chief scientific adviser privately warned a slow easing of coronavirus restrictions would cause “ terrible ” economic damage , and instead proposed a massive programme of random testing be introduced .
The country should test 7 per cent of the population for coronavirus every day , which would allow the entire economy to reopen quickly , chief scientific adviser Mark Ferguson told senior Ministers in emails sent in late April .
Currently , people are referred for testing if they display symptoms of Covid-19 , such as a cough or fever , or are identified as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferguson , who is also the director of funding body Science Foundation Ireland , encouraged the Government to follow an approach set out by American Nobel prize winning economist Paul Romer .
This included a proposal to test the entire population every two weeks , amounting to 7 per cent a day , which would represent an unprecedented scaling up of testing .
Under the strategy people would be allowed to book into restaurants or other services only if they could show they had a recent negative Covid-19 test .
This would allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life and , as a result , boost confidence in the economy .
In an April 23rd email , Prof Ferguson said the “ attractive features ” of the plan would allow for “ a very rapid return to normality thereby lessening long-term effects on the economy ” .
The email was sent to then-taoiseach Leo Varadkar , Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe , Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney , and then-minister for business Heather Humphreys .
The correspondence was released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the emergence of a second or third peak of infection and resultant reintroduction of restriction measures , which would have severe social and economic consequences ” , Prof Ferguson said .
The proposal was “ the most practical , robust , cost-effective strategy I have come across to date ” , he said .
It would also mean the country could return to normal regardless of a Covid-19 vaccine development , “ which may or may not occur in the future ” , he said .
In a separate email to senior Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plan “ is the only strategy that I ’ m aware of that can allow a safe but fast return ” .
The chief scientific adviser said the “ potential economic damage of a slow return is terrible ” .
In May , the Government decided to pursue a phased plan to ease restrictions gradually and reopen the country from the national lockdown .
The Health Service Executive ’ s current testing regime has capacity to process 15,000 tests a day , although to date that level has not been required .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been 624,615 tests processed , and 4,740 in the last 24 hours .
Staff in nursing homes undergo weekly serial testing , with testing protocols also in place for incoming hospital patients .
The proposed massive programme of frequent testing for the entire population would mean more than 340,000 tests would need to be processed a day .
In the email correspondence , Prof Ferguson said testing 7 per cent of the population every day was “ feasible in a small country like Ireland ” .
A Department of Health spokeswoman said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international evidence and practice , and the level of transmission in Ireland ” .
“ It will continue to focus on those areas/populations where the virus is most likely to be transmitting and where it can do most harm , ” she said .

Swab samples: Chief scientific adviser Mark Ferguson believes the country should test 7 per cent of the population for coronavirus every day, which would allow the entire economy to reopen quickly. Photograph: Dimas Ardian/ Bloomberg
The Government’s chief scientific adviser privately warned a slow easing of coronavirus restrictions would cause “terrible” economic damage, and instead proposed a massive programme of random testing be introduced.
The country should test 7 per cent of the population for coronavirus every day, which would allow the entire economy to reopen quickly, chief scientific adviser Mark Ferguson told senior Ministers in emails sent in late April.
Currently, people are referred for testing if they display symptoms of Covid-19, such as a cough or fever, or are identified as close contacts of confirmed cases.
Prof Ferguson, who is also the director of funding body Science Foundation Ireland, encouraged the Government to follow an approach set out by American Nobel prize winning economist Paul Romer.
READ MORE
This included a proposal to test the entire population every two weeks, amounting to 7 per cent a day, which would represent an unprecedented scaling up of testing.
Under the strategy people would be allowed to book into restaurants or other services only if they could show they had a recent negative Covid-19 test. This would allow people testing negative to return to normal life and, as a result, boost confidence in the economy.
‘Return to normality’
In an April 23rd email, Prof Ferguson said the “attractive features” of the plan would allow for “a very rapid return to normality thereby lessening long-term effects on the economy”.
The email was sent to then-taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, and then-minister for business Heather Humphreys. The correspondence was released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act.
The massive testing regime would prevent “the emergence of a second or third peak of infection and resultant reintroduction of restriction measures, which would have severe social and economic consequences”, Prof Ferguson said.
The proposal was “the most practical, robust, cost-effective strategy I have come across to date”, he said.
It would also mean the country could return to normal regardless of a Covid-19 vaccine development, “which may or may not occur in the future”, he said.
In a separate email to senior Department of Business officials, Prof Ferguson said the plan “is the only strategy that I’m aware of that can allow a safe but fast return”.
The chief scientific adviser said the “potential economic damage of a slow return is terrible”.
In May, the Government decided to pursue a phased plan to ease restrictions gradually and reopen the country from the national lockdown.
The Health Service Executive’s current testing regime has capacity to process 15,000 tests a day, although to date that level has not been required.
Since the start of the pandemic there have been 624,615 tests processed, and 4,740 in the last 24 hours. Staff in nursing homes undergo weekly serial testing, with testing protocols also in place for incoming hospital patients.
The proposed massive programme of frequent testing for the entire population would mean more than 340,000 tests would need to be processed a day.
In the email correspondence, Prof Ferguson said testing 7 per cent of the population every day was “feasible in a small country like Ireland”.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said its testing strategy was "informed by international evidence and practice, and the level of transmission in Ireland".
“It will continue to focus on those areas/populations where the virus is most likely to be transmitting and where it can do most harm,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-30--Previous government argued for Coveney to keep State car

The outgoing government argued Simon Coveney should keep his official ministerial car after stepping down as tánaiste because of his frequent visits to Northern Ireland as Minister for Foreign Affairs .
Mr Coveney travelled by car to the North 44 times in 2019 and while the number of trips will be less frequent this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic , Government sources said he travelled across the Border ( mostly to Belfast ) at least once – and sometimes twice – when the Dáil was in session .
It is understood that Mr Coveney himself made no request , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car .
Outgoing taoiseach Leo Varadkar asked Government Secretary General Martin Fraser to contact the Secretary General of the Department of Justice , Aidan O ’ Driscoll , to inquire about retaining the State car .
The Government is struggling to the finish line of a tumultuous Dáil term as it emerged on Wednesday that the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach had approached his counterpart in the Department of Justice and asked him to contact the Garda Commissioner about a security detail for the former tánaiste .
Under a 2011 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available only to the Taoiseach , the Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice .
In the Dáil on Wednesday Labour leader Alan Kelly claimed Mr Coveney was using a State car and Garda drivers “ without permission ” because no Cabinet decision was made to approve the move .
He said a Minister going around in a Garda car “ costing €200,000 a year without permission ” raised “ serious questions ” .
Before he became tánaiste Mr Coveney used his own car with civilian drivers .
However , whenever he crossed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an unmarked Garda vehicle driven by a Garda driver , which was then escorted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland to his destination .
Given the frequency of his travel to the North , it was argued that the practice of using his own car and swapping cars at the Border would not result in significant savings .
Moreover , it would also have security implications , said the sources .
Separately , on Wednesday a review by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection determined that 85 out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payment stopped for leaving the country may in fact be entitled to it .
The department said it would be contacting each of these individuals in the coming days .
The Government U-turned and said it would continue the payment for those who travelled to green list countries .
Several sources insisted that Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys ’ decision to change tack had been communicated to the Taoiseach , Micheál Martin , beforehand .
However , the fallout from the controversy continued .

Outgoing taoiseach Leo Varadkar asked the Government Secretary General to contact the Department of Justice to inquire about retaining the State car.
The outgoing government argued Simon Coveney should keep his official ministerial car after stepping down as tánaiste because of his frequent visits to Northern Ireland as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Mr Coveney travelled by car to the North 44 times in 2019 and while the number of trips will be less frequent this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Government sources said he travelled across the Border (mostly to Belfast) at least once – and sometimes twice – when the Dáil was in session.
It is understood that Mr Coveney himself made no request, formal or informal, to retain the car.
Outgoing taoiseach Leo Varadkar asked Government Secretary General Martin Fraser to contact the Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Aidan O'Driscoll, to inquire about retaining the State car.
READ MORE
The Government is struggling to the finish line of a tumultuous Dáil term as it emerged on Wednesday that the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach had approached his counterpart in the Department of Justice and asked him to contact the Garda Commissioner about a security detail for the former tánaiste. Under a 2011 agreement, Garda drivers are usually made available only to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice.
In the Dáil on Wednesday Labour leader Alan Kelly claimed Mr Coveney was using a State car and Garda drivers "without permission" because no Cabinet decision was made to approve the move. He said a Minister going around in a Garda car "costing €200,000 a year without permission" raised "serious questions".
Garda vehicle
Before he became tánaiste Mr Coveney used his own car with civilian drivers. However, whenever he crossed the Border, he was required to change to an unmarked Garda vehicle driven by a Garda driver, which was then escorted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland to his destination.
Given the frequency of his travel to the North, it was argued that the practice of using his own car and swapping cars at the Border would not result in significant savings. Moreover, it would also have security implications, said the sources.
Separately, on Wednesday a review by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection determined that 85 out of the 2,500 who had their pandemic unemployment payment stopped for leaving the country may in fact be entitled to it. The department said it would be contacting each of these individuals in the coming days.
The Government U-turned and said it would continue the payment for those who travelled to green list countries. Several sources insisted that Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys’ decision to change tack had been communicated to the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, beforehand. However, the fallout from the controversy continued.


theirishtimes--2020-07-30--FAI told to make reforms or face ‘damaging’ consequences

The Government has warned of “ damaging ” consequences for the Football Association of Ireland ( FAI ) if it does not impose reforms agreed during the State ’ s €30 million bailout of the organisation earlier this year .
The State has withheld the vast majority of funds agreed under the deal until it is voted through by an extraordinary general meeting of the FAI ’ s council .
However , some FAI board members have protested against elements of the deal , saying it risks disenfranchising the grassroots game and arguing it may not get the required 66 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it at the egm .
Board members raised this at talks this week between the FAI board , Minister for Sport Catherine Martin and Minister of State Jack Chambers , along with their officials and senior figures from Sport Ireland .
Afterwards , however , Ministers reiterated their demands that agreed changes must be implemented before funds are released .
Following the meeting , the department said that if funding can not be released , “ the alternative will be extremely damaging for the FAI and its members ” .
In a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the department said the Ministers had told the FAI “ they would not reopen for discussion any part of the [ memorandum of understanding ] agreed by the previous government ” .
“ The Ministers affirmed that no funding would be disbursed by the department or Sport Ireland to the association until progress was made on key outstanding issues in the memorandum.
” The contentious aspect of January ’ s bailout deal would give an effective majority to independent directors appointed to the board .
The government is insisting on this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FAI ’ s chairman and independent members of the board appointed since the organisation was gripped by controversy last year , other members are resisting the changes .
Under the deal , there would be an even split of board positions between elected and independent directors , with a casting vote for independent chairman Roy Barrett .
Mr Barrett , along with deputy chief executive and former Ireland striker Niall Quinn , had pushed forward ideas for reform from their self-styled “ visionary group ” from outside the organisation during the tenure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sources said the meeting earlier this week was “ robust ” and “ frank ” , and while one source maintained it was “ businesslike ” , the source conceded that “ people weren ’ t running off to send each other Christmas cards ” afterwards .
Political sources are concerned that the clashes at FAI board level , and the resistance to implementing the deal , could derail the wider rescue programme .
One source said that some elements at the association “ seem to have forgotten how close they were to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haven ’ t actually come back from the edge that much ” .
In a statement , Ms Martin said it is “ critically important ” to move forward with the agreed changes “ to restore public confidence in the FAI ” .
“ The current board of the FAI now has an opportunity to show strong leadership in delivering this change , ” she said .
Mr Chambers said the FAI “ needs to demonstrate to its members , Government and the general public that it is stepping up to deliver a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FAI did not comment following the meeting .

Minister for Sport Catherine Martin: ‘The current board of the FAI now has an opportunity to show strong leadership.’ Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
The Government has warned of "damaging" consequences for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) if it does not impose reforms agreed during the State's €30 million bailout of the organisation earlier this year.
The State has withheld the vast majority of funds agreed under the deal until it is voted through by an extraordinary general meeting of the FAI’s council.
However, some FAI board members have protested against elements of the deal, saying it risks disenfranchising the grassroots game and arguing it may not get the required 66 per cent majority vote needed to pass it at the egm.
Board members raised this at talks this week between the FAI board, Minister for Sport Catherine Martin and Minister of State Jack Chambers, along with their officials and senior figures from Sport Ireland.
READ MORE
Afterwards, however, Ministers reiterated their demands that agreed changes must be implemented before funds are released.
Following the meeting, the department said that if funding cannot be released, “the alternative will be extremely damaging for the FAI and its members”.
In a statement to The Irish Times, a spokesman for the department said the Ministers had told the FAI “they would not reopen for discussion any part of the [memorandum of understanding] agreed by the previous government”.
“The Ministers affirmed that no funding would be disbursed by the department or Sport Ireland to the association until progress was made on key outstanding issues in the memorandum.”
Contentious
The contentious aspect of January’s bailout deal would give an effective majority to independent directors appointed to the board. The government is insisting on this, and, while it is supported by the FAI’s chairman and independent members of the board appointed since the organisation was gripped by controversy last year, other members are resisting the changes.
Under the deal, there would be an even split of board positions between elected and independent directors, with a casting vote for independent chairman Roy Barrett.
Some elements at the association 'seem to have forgotten how close they were to the cliff edge'
Mr Barrett, along with deputy chief executive and former Ireland striker Niall Quinn, had pushed forward ideas for reform from their self-styled "visionary group" from outside the organisation during the tenure of former chief executive John Delaney.
Sources said the meeting earlier this week was “robust” and “frank”, and while one source maintained it was “businesslike”, the source conceded that “people weren’t running off to send each other Christmas cards” afterwards.
Clashes
Political sources are concerned that the clashes at FAI board level, and the resistance to implementing the deal, could derail the wider rescue programme. One source said that some elements at the association “seem to have forgotten how close they were to the cliff edge, and that they haven’t actually come back from the edge that much”.
In a statement, Ms Martin said it is “critically important” to move forward with the agreed changes “to restore public confidence in the FAI”.
“The current board of the FAI now has an opportunity to show strong leadership in delivering this change,” she said.
Mr Chambers said the FAI “needs to demonstrate to its members, Government and the general public that it is stepping up to deliver a strong new governance regime”.
The FAI did not comment following the meeting.


theirishtimes--2020-07-30--Stimulating long-term memory T cells to fight coronavirus

In the search for an effective vaccine against coronavirus , antibodies grab much of the attention .
But there is more to the immune response than antibodies , and Prof Kingston Mills and colleagues at Trinity College Dublin are digging deeper into the body ’ s defence system to see how we could build up a long-term memory of the virus in the body .
Their approach focuses on T-cells , white blood cells that carry out a range of important functions in immunity .
They include cytotoxic T-cells , which kill hapless cells in our body that that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that signal to other cells of the immune system to make antibodies and long-term memory T cells that can potentially stick around for years in the body – like a dog sleeping with an ear out for potential intruders .
The current focus internationally for developing a Covid-19 vaccine is mostly on generating antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus , says Mills , who is professor of experimental immunology and co-director of a strategic research partnership funded by Science Foundation Ireland and AIB to focus on Covid-19 .
“ Most of the vaccines currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus .
They use this to encourage the body to make antibodies that can stop the virus infecting cells .
If you have these antibodies , that would mean when you are exposed to the virus you don ’ t get the disease , ” he explains .
“ But we know from experience with other viruses that sometimes a vaccine that stimulates the body to make antibodies is just not enough to be effective.
” Taking another approach , Mills is looking at how to encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SARS-CoV-2 virus .
He has form in this area – long before this pandemic , he and colleagues had been working on a way to develop a T-cell response to the bacterium that causes whooping cough .
“ My group is particularly interested in making vaccines that encourage the immune system to have a long-term memory of a disease , ” he says .
“ In the case of the whooping cough , we focused on ‘ tissue-resident memory T-cells ’ that would remain in the lung and be specifically primed to recognise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they showed up there .
Now , we are looking at how to do that for SARS-CoV-2 , and because of the previous research on whooping cough , we have been able to hit the ground running.
” The current research at Trinity is looking at ways to deliver vaccines that stimulate these long-term memory cells .
That includes using adjuvants or carriers in the vaccine to bring about a T-cell response and ensuring that the vaccine and responses to it land where they are needed .
“ We think local immunity will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the airways are a big point of entry for this virus , we are looking at delivering the vaccine in through the nose , ” says Mills .
“ Another advantage is that you can deliver a powdered vaccine into the airways , and this vaccine would be relatively stable and easy to transport and store in different climates and parts of the world.
” However , Mills stresses this research is still very much lab-based , and he sees their work on T-cells as part of the longer-term control of Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are around 150 candidate vaccines in various stages of testing , and if any of them work I think we are looking at the middle of next year at least until we have a vaccine in wider use , ” he says .
“ That initial antibody-stimulating vaccine could be a short-term solution , and it would be good to have it .
Where our research would feed in would be later generations of vaccines where you can potentially use T-cells to achieve more sustained immunity and longer-term memory against this disease @ @ @ @ @ @

In the search for an effective vaccine against coronavirus, antibodies grab much of the attention. But there is more to the immune response than antibodies, and Prof Kingston Mills and colleagues at Trinity College Dublin are digging deeper into the body's defence system to see how we could build up a long-term memory of the virus in the body.
Their approach focuses on T-cells, white blood cells that carry out a range of important functions in immunity. They include cytotoxic T-cells, which kill hapless cells in our body that that have been infected with viruses; helper T-cells that signal to other cells of the immune system to make antibodies and long-term memory T cells that can potentially stick around for years in the body – like a dog sleeping with an ear out for potential intruders.
The current focus internationally for developing a Covid-19 vaccine is mostly on generating antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, says Mills, who is professor of experimental immunology and co-director of a strategic research partnership funded by Science Foundation Ireland and AIB to focus on Covid-19.
“Most of the vaccines currently being developed and tested focus on using the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They use this to encourage the body to make antibodies that can stop the virus infecting cells. If you have these antibodies, that would mean when you are exposed to the virus you don’t get the disease,” he explains. “But we know from experience with other viruses that sometimes a vaccine that stimulates the body to make antibodies is just not enough to be effective.”
READ MORE
Another approach
Taking another approach, Mills is looking at how to encourage T-cells to train their sights on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. He has form in this area – long before this pandemic, he and colleagues had been working on a way to develop a T-cell response to the bacterium that causes whooping cough.
“My group is particularly interested in making vaccines that encourage the immune system to have a long-term memory of a disease,” he says. “In the case of the whooping cough, we focused on ‘tissue-resident memory T-cells’ that would remain in the lung and be specifically primed to recognise and respond to whooping cough bacteria if they showed up there. Now, we are looking at how to do that for SARS-CoV-2, and because of the previous research on whooping cough, we have been able to hit the ground running.”
The current research at Trinity is looking at ways to deliver vaccines that stimulate these long-term memory cells. That includes using adjuvants or carriers in the vaccine to bring about a T-cell response and ensuring that the vaccine and responses to it land where they are needed.
“We think local immunity will be important for tackling SARS-CoV-2, and as the airways are a big point of entry for this virus, we are looking at delivering the vaccine in through the nose,” says Mills. “Another advantage is that you can deliver a powdered vaccine into the airways, and this vaccine would be relatively stable and easy to transport and store in different climates and parts of the world.”
Candidate vaccines
However, Mills stresses this research is still very much lab-based, and he sees their work on T-cells as part of the longer-term control of Covid-19.
“On a global front, there are around 150 candidate vaccines in various stages of testing, and if any of them work I think we are looking at the middle of next year at least until we have a vaccine in wider use,” he says.
“That initial antibody-stimulating vaccine could be a short-term solution, and it would be good to have it. Where our research would feed in would be later generations of vaccines where you can potentially use T-cells to achieve more sustained immunity and longer-term memory against this disease,” Kingston points out.


theirishtimes--2020-07-30--Ireland ‘in denial’ about human trafficking, says global expert

Ireland is “ in denial ” about human trafficking , failing to identify and protect victims or to acknowledge that Irish people are being trafficked , a global expert warns .
Sr Kathleen Bryant , a member of the Sisters of Charity who has worked with trafficking survivors in three continents , says the lives of girls are “ worth nothing ” across much of the world .
They are sold , trafficked , raped and murdered and their deaths rarely meriting a line in local media , says Sr Bryant , speaking to The Irish Times to mark World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now based in Dublin , the Californian nun is “ hugely disappointed ” at what she says is Ireland ’ s continued failure to meet key international targets to combat global human trafficking .
In its annual Trafficking in Persons ( TIP ) , published last month , the US State Department put Ireland on a tier-two watchlist , having already in 2019 downgraded Ireland from tier one to tier two .
Ireland is the only country in western Europe to fall so short and joins countries including Armenia , Chad , Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims had been identified here since 2013 “ there have been zero convictions under the anti-trafficking legislation ” , says the report .
“ Of the victims identified in 2019 , 34 were exploited in sex trafficking and six in labour trafficking ... Of the 42 victims identified in 2019 , 38 were female ( seven of whom were children ) and four were male ( two of whom were children ) .
” Children , particularly girls , are expendable to traffickers , says Sr Bryant , pointing to an incident earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , Mexico near the Arizona border .
“ Three weeks ago [ a ] mother was under pressure from sex-traffickers to sell her 12-year old daughter .
So she took her to the orphanage thinking she would be safe there .
“ A few nights later the traffickers broke into the orphanage .
They shot her daughter dead , and three other girls , ” says Bryant , who pays tribute to Cork-born woman Sr Margaret Farrell .
Sr Farrell works with homeless and trafficked young people in Los Angeles , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US-Mexico border .
“ Sr Farrell was instrumental in getting the rest of the girls out to a safe place .
She was so distraught .
I looked online for a news report , even looking at Spanish-language news sites .
There was nothing .
Nothing .
“ No one cared .
The girl child is worth nothing in this world .
The girl child .
How many millions of little girls can ’ t get an education ?
And then we can sell them and torture them and kill them and nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They are expendable .
It is a €150 billion a year industry .
That ’ s why it continues , ” Sr Bryant goes on , passionately .
Those who are not directly affected “ turn away ... people want to think it ’ s nothing to do with us ” .
“ People want to think it ’ s all foreign people .
They don ’ t want to think about it happening in their own back yards .
And there is denial in every country particularly about domestic trafficking.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reads : “ The Government .
.
.
did not report any Irish national victims .
.
.
Traffickers subject Irish children to sex trafficking within the country.
” It continues : “ Traffickers exploit victims of forced labour in domestic work , the restaurant industry , waste management , fishing , seasonal agriculture and car-washing services.
” And we are all responsible , she says , in recognising when someone may be a victim of trafficking , and reporting our suspicions to the relevant authorities .
“ No one wants to admit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own girls for sex .
The girl child is the most abused and overlooked of our human family .
I get so angry – why doesn ’ t she count ?
“ We all have power to identify victims .
Work needs to be done to train hotel staff , emergency department doctors and nurses , airport staff , teachers to notice and to ask the right questions .
“ In the US we did a lot of work with hotels and convention planners on training employees – chains like the Hilton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somebody checks in at the desk and they don ’ t have luggage that ’ s a flag ; or if someone checks in with four young women and they are all looking down and they are afraid .
We train house-keeping to notice for instance if someone is asking over and over for fresh sheets.
” Responding to the TIP report , a Department of Justice spokesman said : “ Combating the terrible crime of human trafficking is a priority for Ireland .
“ A specialised Garda unit – the Human Trafficking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place and there are in the region of 80 ongoing criminal investigations in relation to human trafficking .
While no person has yet been convicted specifically for the offence of trafficking , there have been successful convictions in relation to associated charges .
“ Other measures currently being taken include training of gardaí and immigration officers and awareness raising initiatives which are crucial to early detection of this crime .
”

Sr Kathleen Bryant, a member of the Sisters of Charity, who has worked with trafficking survivors in three continents. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Ireland is "in denial" about human trafficking, failing to identify and protect victims or to acknowledge that Irish people are being trafficked, a global expert warns.
Sr Kathleen Bryant, a member of the Sisters of Charity who has worked with trafficking survivors in three continents, says the lives of girls are “worth nothing” across much of the world.
They are sold, trafficked, raped and murdered and their deaths rarely meriting a line in local media, says Sr Bryant, speaking to The Irish Times to mark World Day Against Human Trafficking on Thursday.
Now based in Dublin, the Californian nun is “hugely disappointed” at what she says is Ireland’s continued failure to meet key international targets to combat global human trafficking.
READ MORE
In its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP), published last month, the US State Department put Ireland on a tier-two watchlist, having already in 2019 downgraded Ireland from tier one to tier two.
Ireland is the only country in western Europe to fall so short and joins countries including Armenia, Chad, Hong Kong and Romania.
Though 471 trafficking victims had been identified here since 2013 “there have been zero convictions under the anti-trafficking legislation”, says the report.
“Of the victims identified in 2019, 34 were exploited in sex trafficking and six in labour trafficking...Of the 42 victims identified in 2019, 38 were female (seven of whom were children) and four were male (two of whom were children).”
Children, particularly girls, are expendable to traffickers, says Sr Bryant, pointing to an incident earlier this month at an orphanage in Sonora state, Mexico near the Arizona border.
Sr Kathleen Bryant, a member of the Sisters of Charity, who has worked with trafficking survivors in three continents. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
“Three weeks ago [a] mother was under pressure from sex-traffickers to sell her 12-year old daughter. So she took her to the orphanage thinking she would be safe there.
"A few nights later the traffickers broke into the orphanage. They shot her daughter dead, and three other girls," says Bryant, who pays tribute to Cork-born woman Sr Margaret Farrell. Sr Farrell works with homeless and trafficked young people in Los Angeles, and with a number of orphanages on the US-Mexico border.
“Sr Farrell was instrumental in getting the rest of the girls out to a safe place. She was so distraught. I looked online for a news report, even looking at Spanish-language news sites. There was nothing. Nothing.
“No one cared. The girl child is worth nothing in this world. The girl child. How many millions of little girls can’t get an education? And then we can sell them and torture them and kill them and nobody carries a news article about it.
“They are expendable. It is a €150 billion a year industry. That’s why it continues,” Sr Bryant goes on, passionately. Those who are not directly affected “turn away... people want to think it’s nothing to do with us”.
“People want to think it’s all foreign people. They don’t want to think about it happening in their own back yards. And there is denial in every country particularly about domestic trafficking.”
Identifying victims
Quoting from the TIP report, she reads: “The Government . . . did not report any Irish national victims . . . Traffickers subject Irish children to sex trafficking within the country.”
It continues: “Traffickers exploit victims of forced labour in domestic work, the restaurant industry, waste management, fishing, seasonal agriculture and car-washing services.”
And we are all responsible, she says, in recognising when someone may be a victim of trafficking, and reporting our suspicions to the relevant authorities.
“No one wants to admit their own people are buying and trading their own girls for sex. The girl child is the most abused and overlooked of our human family. I get so angry – why doesn’t she count?
“We all have power to identify victims. Work needs to be done to train hotel staff, emergency department doctors and nurses, airport staff, teachers to notice and to ask the right questions.
“In the US we did a lot of work with hotels and convention planners on training employees – chains like the Hilton and Marriot. For example, when somebody checks in at the desk and they don’t have luggage that’s a flag; or if someone checks in with four young women and they are all looking down and they are afraid. We train house-keeping to notice for instance if someone is asking over and over for fresh sheets.”
Garda unit
Responding to the TIP report, a Department of Justice spokesman said: “Combating the terrible crime of human trafficking is a priority for Ireland.
“A specialised Garda unit – the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit – is in place and there are in the region of 80 ongoing criminal investigations in relation to human trafficking. While no person has yet been convicted specifically for the offence of trafficking, there have been successful convictions in relation to associated charges.
“Other measures currently being taken include training of gardaí and immigration officers and awareness raising initiatives which are crucial to early detection of this crime.”