theirishtimes--2020-07-01--‘I wouldn’t fly if I didn’t think it was safe’ says passenger boarding flight at Dublin Airport

Dublin Airport ’ s Terminal One began to show the first signs of a return to normal on Wednesday , with queues , passengers struggling to work the Ryanair self-check in kiosks , and hair pulling over missed flights .
When the country went into lockdown in March the airport was like a ghost town , with only a tiny number of repatriation flights arriving to bring Irish citizens home from abroad .
At 9am on Wednesday there was a small but steady trickle through the departure gates , with flights heading off to Malaga , La Rochelle , Alicante @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parnell from Ballyfermot , Dublin , was part of a group of young lads heading to Amsterdam for three days .
The 26-year-old said he was sick of being “ locked up the last four months ” and as other restrictions eased he decided to “ just get on it ” and book a holiday .
Mr Parnell and two others missed their flight on Wednesday morning and had to book a second one in the airport .
None of the three were wearing face masks , and Mr Parnell said he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ ll be renting out my pushbike and that ’ ll be it .
I ’ m mad into my sightseeing and my cycling , you know what I mean , ” he said .
Alan Hill , his partner and their two young children Johnny and Hannah were catching a flight to Toulouse , France .
From Lisburn , Northern Ireland , the family will be in France for 12 days , and were “ pretty excited to get on a holiday , ” he said .
“ I wouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think it was safe , the airlines and the airport will do their best to keep it as safe as they can , ” he said .
Working in retail during the pandemic Mr Hill said he was “ ready for a break.
” The two young children had been at home for the past four months , “ so they ’ re ready for a change of scenery , ” he said .
There are 960 hand sanitiser dispensers in the airport , 620 flexiglass screens at touch points , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advising people to adhere to social distancing guidelines .
Paul O ’ Kane , head of communications for the DAA , said 4,000 passengers came through Dublin Airport on Monday , between departures and arrivals .
This would compare to 116,000 passengers on the same day last year .
“ There has been an increase in flights today , you ’ ve seen Ryanair add a significant number of new services today .
.
.
but the numbers are still going to be very very low , ” he said .
“ Aviation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after Sars , after the oil crisis in the 70s , after the last recession , ” he said .
“ If someone decides that they do want to travel we ’ re going to make their journey as smooth as we can and protect them at every step of the way , ” he said .
Dr Tony Holohan , the State ’ s chief medical officer , has warned of the risk of foreign travel importing new Covid-19 cases into Ireland .
He has advised people who have booked overseas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the risk to themselves , their families and wider society .
The Department of Foreign Affairs travel advice remains that people should avoid non-essential travel overseas .
Many of those making their way through departures were on flights from Britain connecting through Dublin , and immigrants travelling home for the first time in months .
Paola Invernizzi ( 28 ) was flying to Milan to visit her family who she has not seen in 11 months .
“ I ’ m living in Dublin since less than two years .
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ HOME ] in February , ” she said .
“ Of course it is a difficult situation , where I fly it is a little bit dangerous because everything started there , ” she said .
Her family live in Ivrea , a small town outside of Milan , which has no known Covid-19 cases , and she will return to Ireland in six weeks , she said .
One deflated group of four young people travelling home to America missed their connecting flight by five minutes .
Sitting in a corner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making frantic phone calls to rearrange their journey home , they painted a familiar scene of frustration as old as air travel itself .

People are flying again from Dublin Airport but in small numbers. There were two hundreds flights in and out of the airport today. This time last year that figure was approximately eight hundred flights. Video: Bryan O'Brien
Dublin Airport's Terminal One began to show the first signs of a return to normal on Wednesday, with queues, passengers struggling to work the Ryanair self-check in kiosks, and hair pulling over missed flights.
When the country went into lockdown in March the airport was like a ghost town, with only a tiny number of repatriation flights arriving to bring Irish citizens home from abroad.
A passenger using the Ryanair self-check in kiosks in Dublin Airport on Wednesday. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill
At 9am on Wednesday there was a small but steady trickle through the departure gates, with flights heading off to Malaga, La Rochelle, Alicante, Amsterdam, and Toulouse.
Luke Parnell from Ballyfermot, Dublin, was part of a group of young lads heading to Amsterdam for three days. The 26-year-old said he was sick of being "locked up the last four months" and as other restrictions eased he decided to "just get on it" and book a holiday.
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Mr Parnell and two others missed their flight on Wednesday morning and had to book a second one in the airport.
None of the three were wearing face masks, and Mr Parnell said he had two masks but had lost them. “I’ll be renting out my pushbike and that’ll be it. I’m mad into my sightseeing and my cycling, you know what I mean,” he said.
Alan Hill, his partner and their two young children Johnny and Hannah were catching a flight to Toulouse, France.
From Lisburn, Northern Ireland, the family will be in France for 12 days, and were "pretty excited to get on a holiday," he said.
“I wouldn’t fly if I didn’t think it was safe, the airlines and the airport will do their best to keep it as safe as they can,” he said.
Passengers at Dublin Airport on Wednesday prepare to fly to various locations. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Working in retail during the pandemic Mr Hill said he was “ready for a break.” The two young children had been at home for the past four months, “so they’re ready for a change of scenery,” he said.
There are 960 hand sanitiser dispensers in the airport, 620 flexiglass screens at touch points, and 10,000 pieces of signage and regular announcements advising people to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Paul O'Kane, head of communications for the DAA, said 4,000 passengers came through Dublin Airport on Monday, between departures and arrivals. This would compare to 116,000 passengers on the same day last year.
“There has been an increase in flights today, you’ve seen Ryanair add a significant number of new services today . . . but the numbers are still going to be very very low,” he said.
“Aviation always recovers, it recovered after 9/11, after Sars, after the oil crisis in the 70s, after the last recession,” he said.
“If someone decides that they do want to travel we’re going to make their journey as smooth as we can and protect them at every step of the way,” he said.
Dr Tony Holohan, the State's chief medical officer, has warned of the risk of foreign travel importing new Covid-19 cases into Ireland. He has advised people who have booked overseas trips to not travel at present, due to the risk to themselves, their families and wider society.
The Department of Foreign Affairs travel advice remains that people should avoid non-essential travel overseas.
Many of those making their way through departures were on flights from Britain connecting through Dublin, and immigrants travelling home for the first time in months.
Paola Invernizzi (28) was flying to Milan to visit her family who she has not seen in 11 months.
“I’m living in Dublin since less than two years . . . I was planning to go [HOME]in February,” she said.
“Of course it is a difficult situation, where I fly it is a little bit dangerous because everything started there,” she said.
Her family live in Ivrea, a small town outside of Milan, which has no known Covid-19 cases, and she will return to Ireland in six weeks, she said.
One deflated group of four young people travelling home to America missed their connecting flight by five minutes. Sitting in a corner of the airport among a pile of suitcases making frantic phone calls to rearrange their journey home, they painted a familiar scene of frustration as old as air travel itself.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Court rejects conviction appeal of IRA man recorded assisting in ‘interrogations’

An IRA man who was secretly recorded assisting in IRA “ interrogations ” over leaks to gardaí has failed in an attempt to have his conviction overturned on appeal .
The Court of Appeal on Wednesday rejected all the grounds of Damien Metcalfe ’ s appeal and found that the evidence against him , excluding the opinion evidence of a detective chief superintendent , “ was cogent in the extreme ; it might be described as crushing ” .
However , in a judgment returned electronically on Wednesday , President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entitled to have regard to the evidence of Chief Superintendent Anthony Howard .
He said no “ remotely credible basis ” for suggesting that the court was obliged to exclude it from consideration had been advanced .
Lawyers for the man argued before the appellate court last May that the trial evidence of Chief Supt Howard , who told the Special Criminal Court of his belief that Damien Metcalfe was a member of the IRA , should have been “ disregarded completely ” as it was not proven .
They said attempts were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blanket claim for privilege and he did not engage with the cross-examination in a meaningful way .
They also submitted that the defence ’ s cross-examination of Chief Supt Howard had been obstructed and that the witness demonstrated evasiveness .
Metcalfe ( 34 ) , with a last address at Monastery Park , Clondalkin , Dublin 22 was found guilty of membership of an unlawful organisation , styling itself the Irish Republican Army , otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann , otherwise the IRA , on November 24th , 2015 .
In May 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Special Criminal Court for two years and six months .
The offence of membership has a maximum prison sentence of eight years .
The three-judge court previously heard that the IRA was carrying out interrogations of other members following a series of IRA operations that were foiled by gardaí .
The IRA ’ s Dublin and Belfast brigades wanted to know who was responsible for leaking information to gardaí and brought a number of men to a house in Castleknock in Dublin to interrogate them .
Passing sentence , presiding judge Mr Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Metcalfe suggested that he played a “ supporting and logistical role ” in IRA inquiries .
His primary purpose was to bring people “ to and from the inquiry ” and he had “ remained around the house ” when inquiries were ongoing , said the judge , and had participated in one of the interviews .
Furthermore , he said that supporting evidence suggested that Metcalfe was willing as well as trusted by the IRA to assist in their inquiries and had visited the premises on four separate occasions over two days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence which included audio and video footage recovered from a Garda surveillance operation at Riverwood Park , Castleknock , Co Dublin on August 7th and 8th , 2015 .
Dismissing Metcalfe ’ s appeal against conviction today , the Court of Appeal found the trial court had dealt with Chief Supt Howard ’ s evidence with “ some care ” and had recognised that “ some real headway ” had been made by the defence in cross-examination , and that this had served to weaken the opinion/belief evidence somewhat .
It said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this was a case where a conviction could have resulted , even absent belief/opinion evidence ” .
Mr Justice George Birmingham said that the court would dismiss the grounds of appeal relating to the opinion/belief evidence of Chief Super Howard .
Furthermore , Metcalfe ’ s barrister argued that the trial court went a step too far in concluding , not only that IRA operations were being discussed , but that the appellant had been present at the location as an interviewee .
However , the State argued that the findings made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warranted and came against the background of the trial court having listened to three days of recordings .
Dismissing this point of appeal , the Court of Appeal agreed with the State ’ s submissions and said it was quite satisfied that the conclusions of the trial court were unimpeachable .
Mr Justice Birmingham , sitting with Mr Justice John Edwards and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy , said they were not persuaded to uphold any ground of appeal , nor had any doubt been raised in their minds about the safety of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accordingly dismissed the appeal .
In his appeal against conviction last May , the man ’ s barrister , Hugh Hartnett SC , said Chief Supt Howard had asserted privilege on general matters and completely “ insulated ” himself from cross-examination .
His evidence was defective to such an extent that it should not have been relied on and ought to have been withdrawn from the jury prior to the conclusion of the case , he argued .
Mr Hartnett called the evidence given by Chief Supt Howard “ bare ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cross-examination was obstructive , evasive and he refused to answer any questions at all , ” he said , adding that it was unacceptable for a witness to come to court and not assist counsel .
Furthermore , Mr Hartnett argued that certain things are expected from a Chief Superintendent and it ’ s a “ worrying place ” if this is what is to be expected .
“ The contradictions and failures in this evidence are such that to rely on it would be wrong and to allow it to be mended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by circumstantial evidence ] should not be allowed in law , ” he concluded .
In reply , counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) , Anne-Marie Lawlor SC pointed out that the corroboration in the case was so strong and so unequivocal that it eliminated any doubts that might otherwise have arisen over the belief evidence .

An IRA man who was secretly recorded assisting in IRA “interrogations” over leaks to gardaí has failed in an attempt to have his conviction overturned on appeal.
The Court of Appeal on Wednesday rejected all the grounds of Damien Metcalfe’s appeal and found that the evidence against him, excluding the opinion evidence of a detective chief superintendent, “was cogent in the extreme; it might be described as crushing”.
However, in a judgment returned electronically on Wednesday, President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham also said the Special Criminal Court was fully entitled to have regard to the evidence of Chief Superintendent Anthony Howard. He said no “remotely credible basis” for suggesting that the court was obliged to exclude it from consideration had been advanced.
Lawyers for the man argued before the appellate court last May that the trial evidence of Chief Supt Howard, who told the Special Criminal Court of his belief that Damien Metcalfe was a member of the IRA, should have been “disregarded completely” as it was not proven. They said attempts were made by the witness to advance a blanket claim for privilege and he did not engage with the cross-examination in a meaningful way. They also submitted that the defence’s cross-examination of Chief Supt Howard had been obstructed and that the witness demonstrated evasiveness.
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Metcalfe (34), with a last address at Monastery Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 was found guilty of membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on November 24th, 2015.
In May 2019, the defendant was jailed by the non-jury Special Criminal Court for two years and six months. The offence of membership has a maximum prison sentence of eight years.
The three-judge court previously heard that the IRA was carrying out interrogations of other members following a series of IRA operations that were foiled by gardaí. The IRA’s Dublin and Belfast brigades wanted to know who was responsible for leaking information to gardaí and brought a number of men to a house in Castleknock in Dublin to interrogate them.
Passing sentence, presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt said that the evidence against Metcalfe suggested that he played a “supporting and logistical role” in IRA inquiries. His primary purpose was to bring people “to and from the inquiry” and he had “remained around the house” when inquiries were ongoing, said the judge, and had participated in one of the interviews. Furthermore, he said that supporting evidence suggested that Metcalfe was willing as well as trusted by the IRA to assist in their inquiries and had visited the premises on four separate occasions over two days. The State had relied on supporting evidence which included audio and video footage recovered from a Garda surveillance operation at Riverwood Park, Castleknock, Co Dublin on August 7th and 8th, 2015.
Dismissing Metcalfe’s appeal against conviction today, the Court of Appeal found the trial court had dealt with Chief Supt Howard’s evidence with “some care” and had recognised that “some real headway” had been made by the defence in cross-examination, and that this had served to weaken the opinion/belief evidence somewhat. It said the case went “well beyond being arguable that this was a case where a conviction could have resulted, even absent belief/opinion evidence”. Mr Justice George Birmingham said that the court would dismiss the grounds of appeal relating to the opinion/belief evidence of Chief Super Howard.
Furthermore, Metcalfe’s barrister argued that the trial court went a step too far in concluding, not only that IRA operations were being discussed, but that the appellant had been present at the location as an interviewee. However, the State argued that the findings made by the non-jury court were justified and warranted and came against the background of the trial court having listened to three days of recordings. Dismissing this point of appeal, the Court of Appeal agreed with the State’s submissions and said it was quite satisfied that the conclusions of the trial court were unimpeachable.
Mr Justice Birmingham, sitting with Mr Justice John Edwards and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, said they were not persuaded to uphold any ground of appeal, nor had any doubt been raised in their minds about the safety of the conviction or the fairness of trial and accordingly dismissed the appeal.
In his appeal against conviction last May, the man’s barrister, Hugh Hartnett SC, said Chief Supt Howard had asserted privilege on general matters and completely “insulated” himself from cross-examination. His evidence was defective to such an extent that it should not have been relied on and ought to have been withdrawn from the jury prior to the conclusion of the case, he argued. Mr Hartnett called the evidence given by Chief Supt Howard “bare” and “formulaic in fashion”. “The cross-examination was obstructive, evasive and he refused to answer any questions at all,” he said, adding that it was unacceptable for a witness to come to court and not assist counsel.
Furthermore, Mr Hartnett argued that certain things are expected from a Chief Superintendent and it’s a “worrying place” if this is what is to be expected. “The contradictions and failures in this evidence are such that to rely on it would be wrong and to allow it to be mended like a puncture in a tyre [by circumstantial evidence] should not be allowed in law,” he concluded.
In reply, counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Anne-Marie Lawlor SC pointed out that the corroboration in the case was so strong and so unequivocal that it eliminated any doubts that might otherwise have arisen over the belief evidence.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--O’Donoghue succeeds in joining Kerry’s Eye publishing arm in defamation action

Former minister for justice and ceann comhairle John O ’ Donoghue has succeeded in joining the publishing arm of the Tralee newspaper Kerry ’ s Eye in defamation proceedings .
At the Circuit Civil Court in Killarney on Tuesday , Judge Helen Boyle said she was allowing “ forthwith ” Kenno Ltd , also of 22 Ashe Street , Tralee , to be joined in the defamation proceedings against Kerry ’ s Eye Ltd , and was extending time to allow this .
The case involved allegations in relation “ to conduct in public office ” , and this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in court last week – and the defendant too had written a robust defence letter early “ pleading public interest ” , the judge said .
It was “ in the interests of justice ” , the plaintiff should be allowed to vindicate his good name and the defendant too should be allowed to pursue his defence that this was in the public interest , she said .
Last week the court heard how defamation proceedings had been initiated by former minister for justice and ceann comhairle , against the Tralee-based newspaper over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 alleging he had been forced from political office because of lavish expenses ,

Former minister for justice and ceann comhairle John O’Donoghue has succeeded in joining the publishing arm of the Tralee newspaper Kerry’s Eye in defamation proceedings.
At the Circuit Civil Court in Killarney on Tuesday, Judge Helen Boyle said she was allowing “forthwith” Kenno Ltd, also of 22 Ashe Street, Tralee, to be joined in the defamation proceedings against Kerry’s Eye Ltd, and was extending time to allow this.
The case involved allegations in relation “to conduct in public office”, and this was the differentiating factor from case law opened in court last week – and the defendant too had written a robust defence letter early “pleading public interest”, the judge said.
It was “in the interests of justice”, the plaintiff should be allowed to vindicate his good name and the defendant too should be allowed to pursue his defence that this was in the public interest, she said.
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Last week the court heard how defamation proceedings had been initiated by former minister for justice and ceann comhairle, against the Tralee-based newspaper over articles published in an edition of October 2018 alleging he had been forced from political office because of lavish expenses,


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--BBC must provide more information for Gerry Adams defamation case, judge rules

The High Court has ordered the BBC to provide more information to lawyers for former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams for his pending defamation action against the UK broadcaster .
He is suing the BBC claiming it defamed him when it falsely alleged he had sanctioned the killing of former SF official Denis Donaldson who worked for decades as a spy for the British .
His action is being brought in the Dublin High Court over a 2016 BBC Spotlight programme in which the allegation was made .
There was also a follow-up article on the BBC website in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
The BBC denies defamation and says it can provide certain research materials it used in the making of the programme as part of the pre-trial preparation process but says other categories of court-discovery sought by him are too broad .
Mr Adams claimed the material provided to him so far was too vague and inadequate and he asked the High Court to rule on the matter .
He also sought another order compelling the BBC to reply to certain questions put to the BBC by his legal team , a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ notice for particulars ” .
On Wednesday , Mr Justice Charles Meenan refused the order in relation to replies to particulars .
He was satisfied Mr Adams had not established a basis for him to direct the defendant to do so .
However , in relation to material sought by him as part of pre-trial discovery , he directed the BBC to make discovery of seven categories of documents .
There had been agreement between the parties in relation to three of those categories .
The judge said for ease of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide all documents evidencing and/or recording the circulation and extent of publication of both the programme and the article “ within the jurisdiction of Ireland .
” It must provide all documents evidencing and/or recording all editorial decisions bearing on the decision to publish the programme and article as well as documents created up until September 21st , 2016 , related to research investigation analysis , inquiries , interviews , meetings and/or communications made for the publications .
It must also furnish all document created up until September 21st , 2016 comprising source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular , the claim that the IRA was responsible for the murder of Denis Donaldson and the allegation Mr Adams sanctioned the murder .
It must further provide all documents up until the same date evidencing attempts made to verify the allegations and in relation to efforts made to obtain and convey Mr Adams ’ position before the publications were made .
The BBC must also provide all documents evidencing Mr Adams ’ alleged involvement with the IRA and his alleged responsibility for IRA atrocities on which the BBC intends to rely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he suffered damage to his reputation as a result of what he says is the false allegation made by an anonymous source in the programme that he sanctioned the killing of Donaldson ( 55 ) who worked for Sinn Féin in Stormont but also was a spy for M15 for two decades .
Donaldson was shot dead at his isolated cottage near Glenties , Co Donegal in April 2006 .
The anonymous source , referred to as “ Martin ” in the programme , said he ( Martin ) was also a paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IRA .
The BBC denies it was defamatory and claims the programme/publication was put out in good faith and during the course of discussion on a subject of public and vital interest .
It constituted responsible journalism which was the result of careful investigation , it says .

The High Court has ordered the BBC to provide more information to lawyers for former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams for his pending defamation action against the UK broadcaster.
He is suing the BBC claiming it defamed him when it falsely alleged he had sanctioned the killing of former SF official Denis Donaldson who worked for decades as a spy for the British.
His action is being brought in the Dublin High Court over a 2016 BBC Spotlight programme in which the allegation was made. There was also a follow-up article on the BBC website in which the same allegation was made, he says.
The BBC denies defamation and says it can provide certain research materials it used in the making of the programme as part of the pre-trial preparation process but says other categories of court-discovery sought by him are too broad.
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Mr Adams claimed the material provided to him so far was too vague and inadequate and he asked the High Court to rule on the matter. He also sought another order compelling the BBC to reply to certain questions put to the BBC by his legal team, a part of the pre-trial process known as a“notice for particulars”.
On Wednesday, Mr Justice Charles Meenan refused the order in relation to replies to particulars. He was satisfied Mr Adams had not established a basis for him to direct the defendant to do so.
However, in relation to material sought by him as part of pre-trial discovery, he directed the BBC to make discovery of seven categories of documents. There had been agreement between the parties in relation to three of those categories.
Documents
The judge said for ease of the parties he was directing the BBC must provide all documents evidencing and/or recording the circulation and extent of publication of both the programme and the article "within the jurisdiction of Ireland. "
It must provide all documents evidencing and/or recording all editorial decisions bearing on the decision to publish the programme and article as well as documents created up until September 21st, 2016, related to research investigation analysis, inquiries, interviews, meetings and/or communications made for the publications.
It must also furnish all document created up until September 21st, 2016 comprising source material for the programme and, in particular, the claim that the IRA was responsible for the murder of Denis Donaldson and the allegation Mr Adams sanctioned the murder.
It must further provide all documents up until the same date evidencing attempts made to verify the allegations and in relation to efforts made to obtain and convey Mr Adams’ position before the publications were made.
The BBC must also provide all documents evidencing Mr Adams’ alleged involvement with the IRA and his alleged responsibility for IRA atrocities on which the BBC intends to rely.
In his action, Mr Adams says he suffered damage to his reputation as a result of what he says is the false allegation made by an anonymous source in the programme that he sanctioned the killing of Donaldson (55) who worked for Sinn Féin in Stormont but also was a spy for M15 for two decades.
Donaldson was shot dead at his isolated cottage near Glenties, Co Donegal in April 2006.
The anonymous source, referred to as “Martin” in the programme, said he (Martin) was also a paid State agent while a member of the IRA.
The BBC denies it was defamatory and claims the programme/publication was put out in good faith and during the course of discussion on a subject of public and vital interest. It constituted responsible journalism which was the result of careful investigation, it says.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--‘A beautiful soul with a beautiful mind’: Funeral of Noah Donohoe takes place

Noah Donohue was an “ inspiration ” who was “ full of the joy of living ” , mourners at his funeral in Belfast have been told .
“ So much has been written and said about Noah that has touched the hearts of everyone in this city , ” Fr Michael McGinnity said .
But the words that had stayed with him , he said , were those of Noah ’ s mother , Fiona , the day after her son ’ s body was found .
“ She said : ‘ I have been so blessed .
Noah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind .
He poured a whole lifetime of love into my life in 14 short years ’ .
” The funeral of the 14-year-old took place at St Patrick ’ s Church in Donegall Street in central Belfast on Wednesday morning .
Due to the coronavirus restrictions , Requiem Mass was restricted to a small number of friends and family only , but more mourners gathered outside the church to pay their respects ahead of the service .
A bunch of flowers was fixed to the church railings , along with posters bearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words “ Rest in Peace Noah ” .
The hearse was escorted by a guard of honour led by members of his former basketball team , Belfast Phoenix , and by school friends wearing their St Malachy ’ s College uniforms .
Inside was a large framed photograph of Noah and his mother Fiona , with the St Malachy ’ s school crest above it .
A black and green ribbon - the St Malachy ’ s school colours - was tied to the handle of the white coffin .
Members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look for Noah stood outside the church during Mass .
In his introduction to the funeral , Fr McGinnity acknowledged the “ countless people ” holding the Donohoe family in their thoughts and prayers , and the “ tangible sense of shock and disbelief has gripped the community ” since Noah ’ s body was found .
“ So many people are consumed by a sadness that can not be put into words , ” he said , adding Noah ’ s family were grateful to all those who had reached out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including local people and community rescue teams , the police and all those at St Malachy ’ s College , as well as his friends .
“ We remember them with gratitude today , ” he said .
Noah ’ s body was found in a storm drain in north Belfast on Saturday , six days after he went missing .
Noah had cycled across the city to the Northwood Road area of north Belfast , where he was last seen just after 6pm on Saturday , June 21st .
Much remains unclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe he may have fallen off his bicycle and hit his head .
He was then seen discarding his clothing and cycling naked , actions that police and his family said were “ completely out of character ” .
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Saturday there was “ no evidence to suggest foul play ” .
Fr McGinnity , who is the priest at the Donohoe family ’ s home parish of St Malachy ’ s in central Belfast , had been asked to celebrate Requiem Mass at St Patrick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his mother had a personal connection with the church , which was , Fr McGinnity said during his homily , their “ spiritual home ” .
It was at St Patrick ’ s , he said , where “ they were often drawn to pray before the image of Mary our mother as depicted in the beautiful triptych of the Madonna of the Lakes down on the right hand side of the church .
“ It was here , in this church that Fiona taught Noah as a child to thank God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he , like every child , has been sent into the world to share God ’ s love with everyone.
” Fr McGinnity said that Noah had “ a sense of wonder ” and a “ natural curiosity ” about life .
“ Every day he wanted to know more about the world and his place in it .
“ Noah was the kind of boy who was just full of the joy of living .
Whether he was on the basketball court or playing his cello , or just having fun with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He was passionate about everything he turned his hand to , and he wanted everyone to share that passion with him.
” One of Noah ’ s close friends , Fr McGinnity said , had described him as someone with “ so much potential in everything he did ” .
What had endeared him to his friends , he said , was that he “ carried that potential so lightly and so humbly .
“ As a natural leader he wanted everyone to appreciate their own gifts and talents .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the joy in living that he had found .
During Requiem Mass , a prayer service was held by Noah ’ s form class at St Malachy ’ s College .
After the funeral , the hearse left the church escorted by motorbike driven by volunteers from the Community Rescue Service , who had helped in the search for Noah .
Several thousand people lined the streets from St Patrick ’ s church to Noah ’ s school , St Malachy ’ s , on the Antrim Road in north Belfast , applauding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released balloons , and others laid white roses on the pavement in tribute .
Many gathered outside the gates of St Malachy ’ s College , where flowers , candles and messages of tribute have been left .
The cortège made a special detour into the school grounds allow students and staff to pay their respects .
As it approached the college , healthcare workers from a nearby nursing home were among those who came onto the street to applaud ; St Malachy ’ s students and members of the Peace Players cross-community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the street .
Sean McCarry , the regional commander with the Community Rescue Service , said he had been “ totally overwhelmed ” by the reaction of local people .
The whole community , he said , had taken the search for Noah to their hearts , and this allowed them to display “ an outpouring of their feelings ” towards him and his family .
Some of those who gathered were wearing masks , but the majority were not , and social distancing was not always observed .
Mr McCarry said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing guidelines , and the public had heeded their requests to social distance when asked and had dispersed quickly .
Earlier this week , the family said that “ sadly ” the Mass would be private because of the Covid-19 restrictions .

People line the Antrim Road as the hearse bearing Noah Donohoe’s coffin is brought to his school, St Malachy’s College. The funeral of the 14-year-old took place at St Patrick’s Church in central Belfast on Wednesday. Video: Freya McClements
Noah Donohue was an “inspiration” who was “full of the joy of living”, mourners at his funeral in Belfast have been told.
“So much has been written and said about Noah that has touched the hearts of everyone in this city,” Fr Michael McGinnity said.
But the words that had stayed with him, he said, were those of Noah’s mother, Fiona, the day after her son’s body was found.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 3 Floral tributes for Noah Donohoe outside his school, St Malachy’s in Belfast. Photograph: PA
“She said: ‘I have been so blessed. Noah was a beautiful soul with a beautiful mind. He poured a whole lifetime of love into my life in 14 short years’.”
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The funeral of the 14-year-old took place at St Patrick’s Church in Donegall Street in central Belfast on Wednesday morning.
Due to the coronavirus restrictions, Requiem Mass was restricted to a small number of friends and family only, but more mourners gathered outside the church to pay their respects ahead of the service.
A bunch of flowers was fixed to the church railings, along with posters bearing the teenager’s picture and the words “Rest in Peace Noah”.
The hearse was escorted by a guard of honour led by members of his former basketball team, Belfast Phoenix, and by school friends wearing their St Malachy’s College uniforms.
Inside was a large framed photograph of Noah and his mother Fiona, with the St Malachy’s school crest above it. A black and green ribbon - the St Malachy’s school colours - was tied to the handle of the white coffin.
Members of the community search-and-rescue team who had helped to look for Noah stood outside the church during Mass.
In his introduction to the funeral, Fr McGinnity acknowledged the “countless people” holding the Donohoe family in their thoughts and prayers, and the “tangible sense of shock and disbelief has gripped the community” since Noah’s body was found.
“So many people are consumed by a sadness that cannot be put into words,” he said, adding Noah’s family were grateful to all those who had reached out to them in their hour of need, including local people and community rescue teams, the police and all those at St Malachy’s College, as well as his friends. “We remember them with gratitude today,” he said.
Noah’s body was found in a storm drain in north Belfast on Saturday, six days after he went missing.
Noah had cycled across the city to the Northwood Road area of north Belfast, where he was last seen just after 6pm on Saturday, June 21st. Much remains unclear about his final movements, but police believe he may have fallen off his bicycle and hit his head.
He was then seen discarding his clothing and cycling naked, actions that police and his family said were “completely out of character”.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Saturday there was “no evidence to suggest foul play”.
Fr McGinnity, who is the priest at the Donohoe family’s home parish of St Malachy’s in central Belfast, had been asked to celebrate Requiem Mass at St Patrick’s by the family.
Noah and his mother had a personal connection with the church, which was, Fr McGinnity said during his homily, their “spiritual home”.
It was at St Patrick’s, he said, where “they were often drawn to pray before the image of Mary our mother as depicted in the beautiful triptych of the Madonna of the Lakes down on the right hand side of the church.
“It was here, in this church that Fiona taught Noah as a child to thank God for his life and to remember that he, like every child, has been sent into the world to share God’s love with everyone.”
Fr McGinnity said that Noah had “a sense of wonder” and a “natural curiosity” about life.
“Every day he wanted to know more about the world and his place in it.
“Noah was the kind of boy who was just full of the joy of living. Whether he was on the basketball court or playing his cello, or just having fun with friends, he savoured every moment.
“He was passionate about everything he turned his hand to, and he wanted everyone to share that passion with him.”
One of Noah’s close friends, Fr McGinnity said, had described him as someone with “so much potential in everything he did”.
What had endeared him to his friends, he said, was that he “carried that potential so lightly and so humbly.
“As a natural leader he wanted everyone to appreciate their own gifts and talents. More than that, he wanted them to find the joy in living that he had found.
During Requiem Mass, a prayer service was held by Noah’s form class at St Malachy’s College. After the funeral, the hearse left the church escorted by motorbike driven by volunteers from the Community Rescue Service, who had helped in the search for Noah.
Several thousand people lined the streets from St Patrick’s church to Noah’s school, St Malachy’s, on the Antrim Road in north Belfast, applauding as the hearse passed. Some people released balloons, and others laid white roses on the pavement in tribute.
Many gathered outside the gates of St Malachy’s College, where flowers, candles and messages of tribute have been left.
The cortège made a special detour into the school grounds allow students and staff to pay their respects. As it approached the college, healthcare workers from a nearby nursing home were among those who came onto the street to applaud; St Malachy’s students and members of the Peace Players cross-community basketball team formed a guard of honour along the street.
Sean McCarry, the regional commander with the Community Rescue Service, said he had been “totally overwhelmed” by the reaction of local people.
The whole community, he said, had taken the search for Noah to their hearts, and this allowed them to display “an outpouring of their feelings” towards him and his family.
Some of those who gathered were wearing masks, but the majority were not, and social distancing was not always observed. Mr McCarry said police and their volunteers had followed social distancing guidelines, and the public had heeded their requests to social distance when asked and had dispersed quickly.
Earlier this week, the family said that “sadly” the Mass would be private because of the Covid-19 restrictions.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Sinn Féin leadership criticised following large attendance at Bobby Storey funeral

The Sinn Féin leadership has been accused of making deliberate and very different choices about how social distancing rules should apply following the funeral of Bobby Storey , former IRA member and later senior Sinn Féin figure .
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and the North ’ s Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill were among high-profile party members in attendance at the service in Belfast .
The North ’ s First Minister Arlene Foster called on Ms O ’ Neill to “ apologise ” and “ make amends ” , when she spoke to BBC Radio Ulster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She later told reporters : “ There has to be a recognition that there was wrongdoing yesterday and when that recognition comes forward there needs to be an apology.
” Ms Foster said she needed to hear from Ms O ’ Neill why she felt it was alright not to abide by the guidance .
Ms Foster said there was “ anger and upset right across the community ” from people who had lost loved ones during the pandemic .
It was not an “ Orange or Green ” issue .
Asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which in April announced it was cancelling its annual July 12th parades , Ms Foster said : “ Nobody enjoys the marching season as much as I do.
” The Orange Order wanted to protect the community that they lived in and wante to celebrate in a safe way , she said .
Butm she added : “ Two wrongs don ’ t make a right.
” Meanwhile , Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill , speaking on Newstalk Breakfast , said : “ To knowingly and willingly participate in an event that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be very large and to not remove yourself from that , it just smacks of making deliberate and very different choices about how the rules are applied.
” Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy responded that using a funeral to make a political point was “ a new low ” .
He said : “ There ’ s an attempt by people like Jennifer to dehumanise Republicans and Sinn Féin members as if we haven ’ t been through the exact same stresses and anxieties as every other member of the community .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are using the funeral of a very well-liked and much-loved man for political ends .
I think that ’ s really disappointing and people will see through it.
” Ms Carroll MacNeill said she had a sense in recent days that Sinn Féin were taking a different approach about regulations and rules .
Senior party figures had gone to Belfast to participate in a funeral that always had the potential to be a very large funeral .
“ That follows up Saturday at the Convention Centre where Michelle O ’ Neill travelled down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed to be completely unnecessary when you think about Micheál Martin not even bringing his own family , his own wife and children , to come and celebrate with him on the day that he comes Taoiseach , ” she said .
Mr Carthy said that the organisers of the funeral did everything they could to try and ensure that all the regulations and guidelines were adhered to .
“ There was a requiem Mass at which 30 people were in attendance and that was where Mary Lou McDonald , Michelle O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that small group , the organisers had arranged that only that 30 would follow the hearse .
They had made arrangements that if people wanted to attend at some point along the line , they would be in place.
” But the number of people that showed up had surprised the organisers who had broadcast the funeral online to try and minimise the number of people in attendance .
On Tuesday , the North ’ s health minister said the presence of Sinn Féin leaders among thousands of mourners who congregated for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ Dominic Cummings moment ” .
Robin Swann said the scenes in west Belfast on Tuesday , where roadsides were packed with people as the cortege carrying Mr Storey ’ s remains passed by , was a clear breach of Stormont restrictions limiting public gatherings to 30 people .
Mr Swann said the Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) was investigating .
PSNI Superintendent Melanie Jones said on Tuesday : “ We were made aware of the plans for today ’ s funeral and have engaged with the celebrant and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health advice and risks around Covid-19 , and the requirement for those attending to adhere to social distancing .
“ We had assurances that those attending would observe the health guidelines and that marshals would be in place to encourage those lining the cortege route to observe social distancing .
“ We will now review footage gathered during the funeral and will consider any suspected breaches of the Health Protection ( Coronavirus Restrictions ) Regulations NI 2020.
” Ms O ’ Neill in particular has faced strong criticism from political rivals in Northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joint head of a Stormont Executive that has been instructing people to limit the size of funerals during the lockdown .
Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister insisted Ms O ’ Neill ’ s position was no longer tenable , while DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley raised a point of order in the Assembly questioning whether she had broken the members ’ code of conduct .
Mr Swann ’ s weekly Covid-19 media conference was later dominated by the issue , with the health minister challenged on whether the executive ’ s credibility had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident could lead the public to question the point of abiding by the rules — the way some people did after the Prime Minister ’ s top adviser Mr Cummings was accused of breaching regulations during a trip to the north west of England during lockdown .
“ I ’ m concerned with what I saw this morning in west Belfast , ” he said .
“ What we are seeing today was a breach of the guidance that has been issued and has been worked on by the executive and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : “ I sincerely hope that this isn ’ t the Dominic Cummings effect in Northern Ireland because in our health service we can ’ t afford it to be .
“ We are in a position in Northern Ireland where we had zero deaths today , with zero people in our intensive care units because of the actions of the people of Northern Ireland .
“ So I have a very clear ask — please don ’ t let this weaken your resolve or your ability to follow the guidance that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are today.
” Mr Swann urged people to continue to comply with the guidance , making clear that “ two wrongs don ’ t make a right ” .
Sinn Féin finance minister in the North Conor Murphy , who also attended the funeral , insisted organisers had done their best to ensure guidelines were observed .
He said numbers in the cortege that followed the coffin were limited to 30 and only a small number of people attended the church service .
He said Sinn Féin had also live streamed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to watch it online .
“ This clearly is a very , very popular figure within republicanism , it was clearly going to be a very significant funeral and all efforts were made to try to manage that in line with the guidance , ” he told UTV .
- Additional reporting PA

June 30th, 2020: Thousands of people have congregated in west Belfast for the funeral of leading republican Bobby Storey, who died on June 21st, 2020. Video: Sinn Féin
Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill has said she stands over her presence at the funeral of former IRA member Bobby Storey, which appeared to breach regulations on social distancing and numbers of attendees at funeral Masses.
The First Minister, Arlene Foster, said “our message has been damaged as a result of what happened yesterday [Tuesday], but I hope people will look at it and say two wrongs don’t make a right”.
Ms O’Neill has repeatedly appeared alongside Ms Foster at the daily Covid-19 media briefings, urging the public to follow the coronavirus regulations.
Explanation needed
Ms O’Neill faced calls for her resignation from the Ulster Unionist and Alliance parties on Wednesday, with Ms Foster saying she needed an explanation from Ms O’Neill as to why she felt it was acceptable not to abide by the coronavirus guidance.
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Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, former party leader Gerry Adams, and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill attending the funeral of senior republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey, in west Belfast, on Tuesday. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
“There has to be a recognition that there was wrongdoing yesterday, and when that recognition comes forward there needs to be an apology,” Ms Foster said.
Ms O’Neill was one of a number of senior Sinn Féin figures, including party leader Mary Lou McDonald, who attended the funeral of the prominent republican in west Belfast on Tuesday.
Several thousand people gathered along the route of the cortège and hundreds of republicans, each standing at a distance from each other, formed a guard of honour. About 30 people were allowed to walk behind the hearse in an attempt to follow coronavirus regulations. Under the current rules, a maximum of 30 people are allowed to meet outdoors.
It is also understood social distancing arrangements were put in place inside the church, with mourners spread three to a pew, but more mourners were in attendance on Tuesday than were permitted under the regulations in force.
On Wednesday evening, the diocese of Down and Connor issued a statement clarifying that at the time of the funeral the rules were that only 10 people were permitted inside the church for the funeral Mass, and that notification of changes to the guidance was not received until after the funeral, on Tuesday evening.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland has said it will review footage gathered during the funeral and will consider any suspected breaches of the regulations.
Ms O’Neill was challenged over her actions when she and Mrs Foster appeared before a meeting of the North’s Executive Office committee on Wednesday. She refused to apologise, and said opponents were “playing politics” over her attendance at the funeral.
Asked by DUP MLA Christopher Stalford why she had attended the funeral when other family members had not been able to, Ms O’Neill replied: “I don’t think it’s for you to decide or to determine or to be any sort of arbiter as to what funeral I may or may not attend.
A crowd listens to former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams speak during the funeral. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
“I stand over that my actions were within the regulations and the public health guidance, so I can only control what’s within my gift,” she said, adding: “I can say very clearly I stand over and can very clearly say that I was within the guidance and the regulations.
‘Credibility’s shot’
“I put it to you that your credibility’s shot,” Mr Stalford said, with Ms O’Neill replying, “That’s your viewpoint, not mine.”
The committee chair, the SDLP’s Colin McGrath, said there seemed to be “one set of rules for some people and different set of rules for other people, and that’s very difficult for people to digest”. He asked Ms O’Neill: “Have you considered, can you discharge the role of joint head of government with any authority after this?”
“I absolutely can,” Ms O’Neill replied.
Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson, who also attended Mr Storey’s funeral, defended her party colleague, saying “Michelle, you had to be there yesterday. The republican family needed you there yesterday because you gave us comfort and guidance, to the family of Bobby Storey and to the wider republican family.”
Ms O’Neill did accept that what was happening in a photograph taken after the funeral and shared on social media – of herself and two men, one with his arm round her shoulder – “shouldn’t have happened”.
“I’m absolutely okay to say that,” she said, “but everything else, as I said, was done as per, what was in our control was done within the public health guidance.”
The North’s Justice Minister, the Alliance Party MLA Naomi Long, said on social media that “when those who make the rules break the rules, it is more hurtful still for all who made huge sacrifices to obey the regulations”.
Health Minister Robin Swann of the Ulster Unionist Party said on Tuesday that he hoped Ms O’Neill’s actions were not “the Dominic Cummings effect in Northern Ireland”, a reference to the controversy over the British prime ministerial adviser’s travel to a different part of Britain during the coronavirus lockdown.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Government criticised for mixed messages on overseas travel

The Government will strengthen its warnings about travelling abroad but is unlikely to tell airlines to cancel flights or ban foreign travel , despite warnings from senior public health officials about the dangers of holidaymakers coming here or returning from trips abroad .
Senior health officials will brief Ministers on Thursday , and the Cabinet committee on Covid-19 is due to meet on Friday , ahead of a full Cabinet meeting next Monday that will decide whether to ease the 14-day quarantine .
Despite officials ’ concern about the effects of easing the travel restrictions , there is pressure from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the requirement for incoming travellers to quarantine for 14 days after their arrival in Ireland .
Officials are also concerned that the quarantine requirement is not effectively enforced in many cases .
It emerged last night that not every passenger arriving into the country is receiving a follow-up call to check that they are self-isolating for 14 days following their arrival into the State .
The Department of Justice said that since early last week it has only been in a position to make 60 to 70 per cent of the follow-up calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check up on their 14-day quarantine because of the increase in passenger numbers arriving .
The department said Covid-19 Passenger Locator Forms , which passengers are required to fill out , are randomly selected and a “ large cohort ” from every flight but not every passenger is called .
Figures released last week show that of the follow-up calls made between May 28th and June 21st more than a third of calls to passengers contacted in follow-up calls went unanswered .
The department said that as the passenger numbers increase significantly over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making the follow-up calls will fall to the HSE as the department ’ s border management unit “ will need to focus exclusively on their core function of immigrating passengers.
” Some want the Government to cancel flights , so that people who have booked holidays abroad can be compensated .
On Tuesday the Irish Travel Agents Association chief executive Pat Dawson said that giving permission to fly and yet saying not to fly was unfair .
Government advice is currently not to travel abroad , but it is expected this will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if people chose to go abroad , they should be aware that the quarantine requirements could change while they are on holidays if the rate of pandemic infections increases .
On Tuesday night the new Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin encouraged people to holiday in Ireland .
She said that the advice of the chief medical officer “ right now .
.
.
is to continue with existing travel restrictions .
In the meantime I would encourage people to take this time to holiday at home and enjoy the wonderful natural , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own country has to offer.
” Meanwhile , EU member states yesterday approved a list of 15 countries around the world that are deemed safe for travel , agreeing that member states should open their borders to them for all travel from Wednesday .
Unusually among EU member states , Ireland is not part of the agreement because it is not in the Schengen area of free travel and has a Common Travel Area with the United Kingdom .
Ireland was invited to take part in the joint agreement , but could only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the open Border , and it opted not to do so , The Irish Times understands .
Denmark is also opting out .
The countries deemed safe are : Algeria , Australia , Canada , Georgia , Japan , Montenegro , Morocco , New Zealand , Rwanda , Serbia , South Korea , Thailand , Tunisia and Uruguay .
China is also to be included , as long as Beijing agrees that EU citizens will also be allowed to travel there in turn .
The United States was not included due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Government will strengthen its warnings about travelling abroad but is unlikely to tell airlines to cancel flights or ban foreign travel, despite warnings from senior public health officials about the dangers of holidaymakers coming here or returning from trips abroad.
Senior health officials will brief Ministers on Thursday, and the Cabinet committee on Covid-19 is due to meet on Friday, ahead of a full Cabinet meeting next Monday that will decide whether to ease the 14-day quarantine.
Despite officials' concern about the effects of easing the travel restrictions, there is pressure from airlines and the tourist industry to relax the requirement for incoming travellers to quarantine for 14 days after their arrival in Ireland. Officials are also concerned that the quarantine requirement is not effectively enforced in many cases.
It emerged last night that not every passenger arriving into the country is receiving a follow-up call to check that they are self-isolating for 14 days following their arrival into the State.
READ MORE
The Department of Justice said that since early last week it has only been in a position to make 60 to 70 per cent of the follow-up calls to passengers arriving into the State to check up on their 14-day quarantine because of the increase in passenger numbers arriving.
‘Large cohort’
The department said Covid-19 Passenger Locator Forms, which passengers are required to fill out, are randomly selected and a “large cohort” from every flight but not every passenger is called.
Figures released last week show that of the follow-up calls made between May 28th and June 21st more than a third of calls to passengers contacted in follow-up calls went unanswered.
The department said that as the passenger numbers increase significantly over the coming days, the task of making the follow-up calls will fall to the HSE as the department’s border management unit “will need to focus exclusively on their core function of immigrating passengers.”
Some want the Government to cancel flights, so that people who have booked holidays abroad can be compensated. On Tuesday the Irish Travel Agents Association chief executive Pat Dawson said that giving permission to fly and yet saying not to fly was unfair.
Government advice is currently not to travel abroad, but it is expected this will be relaxed after July 9th.
Sources said that if people chose to go abroad, they should be aware that the quarantine requirements could change while they are on holidays if the rate of pandemic infections increases.
‘Holiday at home’
On Tuesday night the new Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin encouraged people to holiday in Ireland. She said that the advice of the chief medical officer “right now . . . is to continue with existing travel restrictions. In the meantime I would encourage people to take this time to holiday at home and enjoy the wonderful natural, cultural and outdoor recreational amenities that our own country has to offer.”
Meanwhile, EU member states yesterday approved a list of 15 countries around the world that are deemed safe for travel, agreeing that member states should open their borders to them for all travel from Wednesday.
Unusually among EU member states, Ireland is not part of the agreement because it is not in the Schengen area of free travel and has a Common Travel Area with the United Kingdom.
Ireland was invited to take part in the joint agreement, but could only do so if Britain also agreed due to the open Border, and it opted not to do so, The Irish Times understands. Denmark is also opting out.
The countries deemed safe are: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.
China is also to be included, as long as Beijing agrees that EU citizens will also be allowed to travel there in turn.
The United States was not included due to pervasive level of coronavirus infections there.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--State labs to start deep analysis of Covid-19 genetic make-up

The State ’ s virus-testing laboratories plan to start testing the genetic make-up of coronavirus in confirmed Covid-19 cases in a move that could help suppress emerging clusters of infection .
The additional testing could help public health officials better tackle a potential second wave .
Analysing the genetic sequence – a kind of barcode that identifies the make-up of the virus in each positive case – could help map how the virus is spreading and prevent further transmissions .
Viruses evolve over time , and assessing the genetic sequence in a Covid-19 case could help trace how the person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to a cluster in a workplace or hospital or to travel if there are similarities to the sequence of the virus in another country .
The State ’ s labs have until now been testing to diagnose whether or not a person is infected but , given the low number of cases , they intend to start looking in more detail at the genetic make-up of the virus found in individual cases to find the source of the infection .
“ We have been intending to do this for a while but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnostic perspective , just getting through the numbers , that we weren ’ t in a position to do this additional analysis earlier , ” said Dr Cillian De Gascun , director at UCD ’ s National Virus Reference Laboratory .
“ We were hoping to add the genetic data from the virus and pair that with the surveillance information or the contact-tracing information and try to put all of that together , ” said Dr De Gascun , who is chairman of the expert advisory group to the State ’ s National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis would be a “ significant piece of work ” but that he was hoping it could be done “ in real time ” to add to the public health investigations into the virus .
Genetic sequencing could identify whether infections were similar and help trace the virus to a geographical area , which would in turn manage the public health response to suppress the spread .
“ It is likely it won ’ t help in every situation but it may help in particular outbreaks , ” he said .
Dr Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is leading a separate State-funded research project assessing the genetic make-up of Covid-19 viruses circulating in Ireland , said that the virus undergoes small mutations as it moves that serve as a barcode for its origins to places or countries .
“ If there were to be a second wave , this would be even more powerful in tracking things down in real time rather than using people power and phoning people in contact tracing , ” he said .

Genetic sequencing could identify whether infections were similar and help trace the virus to a geographical area
The State’s virus-testing laboratories plan to start testing the genetic make-up of coronavirus in confirmed Covid-19 cases in a move that could help suppress emerging clusters of infection.
The additional testing could help public health officials better tackle a potential second wave.
Analysing the genetic sequence – a kind of barcode that identifies the make-up of the virus in each positive case – could help map how the virus is spreading and prevent further transmissions.
Viruses evolve over time, and assessing the genetic sequence in a Covid-19 case could help trace how the person became infected and whether the virus is related to a cluster in a workplace or hospital or to travel if there are similarities to the sequence of the virus in another country.
READ MORE
The State’s labs have until now been testing to diagnose whether or not a person is infected but, given the low number of cases, they intend to start looking in more detail at the genetic make-up of the virus found in individual cases to find the source of the infection.
"We have been intending to do this for a while but the laboratories were so busy from a diagnostic perspective, just getting through the numbers, that we weren't in a position to do this additional analysis earlier," said Dr Cillian De Gascun, director at UCD's National Virus Reference Laboratory.
“We were hoping to add the genetic data from the virus and pair that with the surveillance information or the contact-tracing information and try to put all of that together,” said
Genetic sequencing
Dr De Gascun, who is chairman of the expert advisory group to the State’s National Public Health Emergency Team, said the analysis would be a “significant piece of work” but that he was hoping it could be done “in real time” to add to the public health investigations into the virus.
Genetic sequencing could identify whether infections were similar and help trace the virus to a geographical area, which would in turn manage the public health response to suppress the spread.
“It is likely it won’t help in every situation but it may help in particular outbreaks,” he said.
Dr Paul Cotter, a microbiologist at UCC, who is leading a separate State-funded research project assessing the genetic make-up of Covid-19 viruses circulating in Ireland, said that the virus undergoes small mutations as it moves that serve as a barcode for its origins to places or countries.
“If there were to be a second wave, this would be even more powerful in tracking things down in real time rather than using people power and phoning people in contact tracing,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Hundreds of inspectors to monitor pub restrictions

The restrictions on newly reopened pubs will be monitored by hundreds of health-and-safety inspectors and Fáilte Ireland staff but premises will face no criminal sanctions for breaking the rules .
Where there are breaches , pubs may be inspected by the Health and Safety Authority ( HSA ) or face difficulty in renewing their licence , the Vintners Federation of Ireland ( VFI ) has said .
But there will be no criminal penalties .
About 60 per cent of pubs in Dublin and 40 per cent in the rest of the country reopened on Monday , 15 weeks after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the coronavirus pandemic .
In order to reopen , pubs must follow a strict rules including ensuring one-metre social distancing , limiting customers to a 105-minute stay and serving a hot meal worth at least €9 to all customers .
There has been some confusion about how the regulations will be policed and what sanctions pubs could face for defying them .
Some publicans have said they will defy the guidelines , including the owner of Oscars Bar in Dublin who said he would allow drinkers to stay for up to three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The measures are to be monitored by more than 500 inspectors .
These will be mainly drawn from the HSA with some coming from the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Health Service Executive environmental health service .
The inspections are being overseen by the Department of Transport , Tourism and Sport .
A department spokeswoman said the inspectors have been actively monitoring other businesses since phase one of reopening began .
The department estimated that more than 5,000 inspections have been carried out to date .
“ This intensive inspection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the spokeswoman said .
She said that analysis of inspections so far in relation to other businesses had indicated a high level of compliance and that “ businesses are generally taking a responsible and proactive approach ” .
Phase three of reopenings will also see inspections by Fáilte Ireland staff “ who will carry out a series of spot checks across various sectors on businesses that are successfully granted the Fáilte Ireland safety charter , ” the department said .
Tourist and hospitality businesses can sign up for the charter by agreeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , despite the inspection regime , pubs will not face immediate sanction for breaches .
A Garda spokesman said it has no role in enforcing the pub guidelines as they are not penal provisions under the emergency coronavirus legislation passed in April .
However , gardaí can still bring criminal charges against the owner of a premises if it contains more than 50 people .
A spokesman for the VFI said that while there were no criminal sanctions for breaching most of the restrictions , there were other risks .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t comply you run the risk of a HSA inspection or a risk to your licence renewal in September .
“ Publicans and staff should comply with the rules because it ’ s for the greater good .
That ’ s our position.
” He said for the most part compliance would “ effectively be self-policed ” .
“ If people aren ’ t complying with the rules it will show up on social media and there will be a huge backlash , so it would be a very self-defeating stance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner of the Boar ’ s Head pub in Dublin , which opened on Monday , agreed .
“ It will be the public who do the monitoring .
Everyone has a camera on their phone now .
”

A Garda spokesman said it has no role in enforcing the pub guidelines as they are not penal provisions under the emergency coronavirus legislation passed in April.
The restrictions on newly reopened pubs will be monitored by hundreds of health-and-safety inspectors and Fáilte Ireland staff but premises will face no criminal sanctions for breaking the rules.
Where there are breaches, pubs may be inspected by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) or face difficulty in renewing their licence, the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) has said. But there will be no criminal penalties.
About 60 per cent of pubs in Dublin and 40 per cent in the rest of the country reopened on Monday, 15 weeks after being ordered to close their doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In order to reopen, pubs must follow a strict rules including ensuring one-metre social distancing, limiting customers to a 105-minute stay and serving a hot meal worth at least €9 to all customers.
READ MORE
There has been some confusion about how the regulations will be policed and what sanctions pubs could face for defying them.
Some publicans have said they will defy the guidelines, including the owner of Oscars Bar in Dublin who said he would allow drinkers to stay for up to three hours as he believed this was safer.
Inspectors
The measures are to be monitored by more than 500 inspectors. These will be mainly drawn from the HSA with some coming from the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Health Service Executive environmental health service.
The inspections are being overseen by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. A department spokeswoman said the inspectors have been actively monitoring other businesses since phase one of reopening began. The department estimated that more than 5,000 inspections have been carried out to date. “This intensive inspection regime will continue during phase three,” the spokeswoman said.
She said that analysis of inspections so far in relation to other businesses had indicated a high level of compliance and that “businesses are generally taking a responsible and proactive approach”.
Phase three of reopenings will also see inspections by Fáilte Ireland staff “who will carry out a series of spot checks across various sectors on businesses that are successfully granted the Fáilte Ireland safety charter,” the department said.
Tourist and hospitality businesses can sign up for the charter by agreeing to abide by strict infection-control measures.
However, despite the inspection regime, pubs will not face immediate sanction for breaches. A Garda spokesman said it has no role in enforcing the pub guidelines as they are not penal provisions under the emergency coronavirus legislation passed in April.
However, gardaí can still bring criminal charges against the owner of a premises if it contains more than 50 people.
A spokesman for the VFI said that while there were no criminal sanctions for breaching most of the restrictions, there were other risks.
“What we say to members is if you don’t comply you run the risk of a HSA inspection or a risk to your licence renewal in September.
“Publicans and staff should comply with the rules because it’s for the greater good. That’s our position.”
He said for the most part compliance would “effectively be self-policed”. “If people aren’t complying with the rules it will show up on social media and there will be a huge backlash, so it would be a very self-defeating stance to take.”
Hugh Hourican, the owner of the Boar's Head pub in Dublin, which opened on Monday, agreed. "It will be the public who do the monitoring. Everyone has a camera on their phone now."


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Next year’s Leaving Cert students ‘need latitude’ after school closures

Education authorities are being urged to give next year ’ s Leaving Cert students a greater choice of questions in the exams to help make up for lost teaching time .
Teachers ’ unions have warned some schools will struggle to complete the curriculum by the end of next year due to school closures and say students should be given greater flexibility in light of this .
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment ( NCCA ) , the State ’ s advisory body on the curriculum , is examining Leaving Cert subjects to identify whether changes may be needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Séamus Laharte , president of the Teachers ’ Union of Ireland , said a “ common sense ” solution involved providing more flexibility for students at exam time .
“ Sixth year is going to be a crammed year with mocks , orals , aurals and second components in 25 subjects .
If a school is behind on the curriculum , it will put students under added pressure , ” Mr Laharte said .
“ Teachers have worked hard to keep education going , there have been inevitable constraints and completing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask this year .
“ The common-sense approach is to give students ’ more latitude in the exams on the understanding that everyone will have , for example , 80 per cent of the curriculum covered .
That could mean giving students more options in the exam and not making every aspect of the exam compulsory.
” Deirdre McDonald , Association of Secondary Teachers ’ Ireland ( ASTI ) president , said next year ’ s Leaving Cert exams should be tailored by taking into account students ’ learning experiences , while ensuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This work needs to be completed well in advance of the commencement of the next school year .
It must also be flexible and take into account the conditions , as yet unknown , under which the return to school happens , ” she said .
The Irish Second Level Students ’ Union supported calls for exams to be adapted to ensure students do not have the added pressures of having to catch up on months of missed coursework .
Union president Reuban Murray said mental health and career guidance would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and called for funding for guidance counsellor posts to be fully restored .

‘It could mean giving students more options in the exam and not making every aspect of the exam compulsory.’ Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Education authorities are being urged to give next year’s Leaving Cert students a greater choice of questions in the exams to help make up for lost teaching time.
Teachers’ unions have warned some schools will struggle to complete the curriculum by the end of next year due to school closures and say students should be given greater flexibility in light of this.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), the State's advisory body on the curriculum, is examining Leaving Cert subjects to identify whether changes may be needed in light of disruption caused by Covid-19.
Séamus Laharte, president of the Teachers' Union of Ireland, said a "common sense" solution involved providing more flexibility for students at exam time.
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“Sixth year is going to be a crammed year with mocks, orals, aurals and second components in 25 subjects. If a school is behind on the curriculum, it will put students under added pressure,” Mr Laharte said.
“Teachers have worked hard to keep education going, there have been inevitable constraints and completing the full curriculum may be too big an ask this year.
“The common-sense approach is to give students’ more latitude in the exams on the understanding that everyone will have, for example, 80 per cent of the curriculum covered. That could mean giving students more options in the exam and not making every aspect of the exam compulsory.”
Robust exams
Deirdre McDonald, Association of Secondary Teachers’ Ireland (ASTI) president, said next year’s Leaving Cert exams should be tailored by taking into account students’ learning experiences, while ensuring the exams are as robust as ever.
“This work needs to be completed well in advance of the commencement of the next school year. It must also be flexible and take into account the conditions, as yet unknown, under which the return to school happens,” she said.
The Irish Second Level Students’ Union supported calls for exams to be adapted to ensure students do not have the added pressures of having to catch up on months of missed coursework.
Union president Reuban Murray said mental health and career guidance would also be a key challenge for schools and called for funding for guidance counsellor posts to be fully restored.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Global trends causing U-turn on overseas trips

Barely a week after Leo Varadkar promised overseas travel would resume on July 9th , that commitment appears to be in major doubt over concerns about a resurgence of Covid-19 .
With Ministers in the new Government barely having time to get the feet under their desks , public health officials have been doubling down on their opposition to any relaxation of overseas travel restrictions .
Though our new case figures are relatively stable despite weeks of easing of restrictions domestically , officials say they are “ more than nervous ” and “ gravely concerned ” about any corresponding relaxations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has called on people with flights booked to cancel their holiday plans , supercharging his appeal with a “ green jersey ” plea for national solidarity .
So what has happened in the space of a week to bring about the change in sentiment ?
And are the concerns of public health officials justified by the facts on the ground ?
Foreign travel is where our epidemic began last February , when travellers , especially those returning from Italy , imported the disease into Ireland .
It took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic that has killed more than 1,700 people ; it is a repeat of this nightmare that many scientists fear .
But hasn ’ t so much changed since then ?
Aren ’ t we better prepared ?
Yes and no .
Yes , we now have a high-capacity testing system , better treatments in hospital and a greater awareness of the need to protect those most at risk .
But there remain doubts about how fast the testing and contact tracing system would respond in the event of another spike in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenged by the high number of contacts likely to result from cases acquired overseas .
Think about all those airports and busses in far-flung places a person carrying the virus might travel through , and how difficult it would be to trace all their contacts .
Yet there has not so far been any major rise in cases .
There were three new cases on Sunday , and 24 on Monday .
There were just four new travel-related cases in the week up to Saturday .
Monday ’ s case-load included six related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries connected to recent cases is disparate – Iraq , Pakistan , Spain , the US , Sweden , the UK .
Wider trends across the world are causing officials here to fret .
More than one million new cases have been diagnosed in the past week .
The head of the World Health Organisation has predicted “ the worst is yet to come ” .
Countries such as Croatia and Portugal , which did well earlier on , have suffered surges as restrictions were eased .
New Zealand , which thought it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , imported from other countries No one should be surprised at a rise in cases where restrictions are being lifted ; the question is whether the increase can be controlled .
Irish public health officials clearly don ’ t think we can , which is why , once again , their answer involves shutting things down or placing obstacles to travel that are so high that it amounts to the same thing .
In May , the National Public Health Emergency Team called on Government to introduce mandatory quarantine for 14 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , a proposal that would effectively kill off the travel industry for some time to come .
Ironically , these same officials declined to ask Italian fans , many of them from virus-ridden provinces of the country , not to travel to Dublin in March after the rugby internationals were cancelled .
Australia and New Zealand operate mandatory quarantine , but , generally , other European countries are not so exacting .
Germany allows travel with European states that have fewer than 50 cases per 100,000 in the last 14 days ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
Finland ’ s threshold is eight cases , and Denmark ’ s 20 in the previous week .
By now , most other EU states allow their neighbours to come and go , even the Brits .
With the EU trying to move uniformly to greater travel freedoms , the choice for the Government here is not whether or not to ban overseas flights , but to decide where to set the bar for agreements with countries that have similar rates of infection .
Either way , the continuing confusion will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector and a brake on levels of overseas travel – which is probably what officials want to achieve anyway .

Ireland’s epidemic began last February, when travellers, especially those returning from Italy, imported the disease into Ireland. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
Barely a week after Leo Varadkar promised overseas travel would resume on July 9th, that commitment appears to be in major doubt over concerns about a resurgence of Covid-19.
With Ministers in the new Government barely having time to get the feet under their desks, public health officials have been doubling down on their opposition to any relaxation of overseas travel restrictions.
Though our new case figures are relatively stable despite weeks of easing of restrictions domestically, officials say they are "more than nervous" and "gravely concerned" about any corresponding relaxations of curbs on foreign travel. Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has called on people with flights booked to cancel their holiday plans, supercharging his appeal with a "green jersey" plea for national solidarity.
So what has happened in the space of a week to bring about the change in sentiment? And are the concerns of public health officials justified by the facts on the ground?
READ MORE
Foreign travel is where our epidemic began last February, when travellers, especially those returning from Italy, imported the disease into Ireland. It took only a few seed cases to start a pandemic that has killed more than 1,700 people; it is a repeat of this nightmare that many scientists fear.
But hasn’t so much changed since then? Aren’t we better prepared?
Yes and no. Yes, we now have a high-capacity testing system, better treatments in hospital and a greater awareness of the need to protect those most at risk.
Doubts
But there remain doubts about how fast the testing and contact tracing system would respond in the event of another spike in cases. The system would surely be challenged by the high number of contacts likely to result from cases acquired overseas. Think about all those airports and busses in far-flung places a person carrying the virus might travel through, and how difficult it would be to trace all their contacts.
Yet there has not so far been any major rise in cases. There were three new cases on Sunday, and 24 on Monday. There were just four new travel-related cases in the week up to Saturday.
Monday's case-load included six related to foreign travel. The list of countries connected to recent cases is disparate – Iraq, Pakistan, Spain, the US, Sweden, the UK.
Wider trends across the world are causing officials here to fret. More than one million new cases have been diagnosed in the past week. The head of the World Health Organisation has predicted "the worst is yet to come". Countries such as Croatia and Portugal, which did well earlier on, have suffered surges as restrictions were eased. New Zealand, which thought it had eliminated the virus, has cases again, imported from other countries
No one should be surprised at a rise in cases where restrictions are being lifted; the question is whether the increase can be controlled. Irish public health officials clearly don’t think we can, which is why, once again, their answer involves shutting things down or placing obstacles to travel that are so high that it amounts to the same thing.
Mandatory quarantine
In May, the National Public Health Emergency Team called on Government to introduce mandatory quarantine for 14 days for travellers at a “designated facility”, a proposal that would effectively kill off the travel industry for some time to come.
Ironically, these same officials declined to ask Italian fans, many of them from virus-ridden provinces of the country, not to travel to Dublin in March after the rugby internationals were cancelled.
Australia and New Zealand operate mandatory quarantine, but, generally, other European countries are not so exacting. Germany allows travel with European states that have fewer than 50 cases per 100,000 in the last 14 days; this excludes only Swedes from entering that country. Finland's threshold is eight cases, and Denmark's 20 in the previous week. By now, most other EU states allow their neighbours to come and go, even the Brits.
With the EU trying to move uniformly to greater travel freedoms, the choice for the Government here is not whether or not to ban overseas flights, but to decide where to set the bar for agreements with countries that have similar rates of infection.
Either way, the continuing confusion will put a dampener on the foreign tourism sector and a brake on levels of overseas travel – which is probably what officials want to achieve anyway.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Small businesses are dying and need €15bn bailout, Covid committee hears

Small and medium enterprises ( SMEs ) across the country are dying and need a €15 billion bailout , the chairman of SME Recovery Ireland has argued .
John Moran told the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee yesterday the sector required an immediate cash injection of €6 billion to survive the impact of the pandemic .
He said existing support schemes must be restructured to provide grant aid and not debt .
He said firms were afraid to take on further borrowings .
He said firms would not take up support if it came in the shape of loans at 5 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lengthy application forms .
“ Saving and investing in SMEs is an investment to save jobs .
It should be used to modernise our SMEs and create new well-paid 21st century jobs in our indigenous sector .
That is the only way to pull us out of the recession .
The July stimulus package ( planned by the Government ) must make lower cost liquidity available immediately for firms and include a major fiscal grant scheme.
” He said the €6.5 billion support package announced by the previous government two months ago had @ @ @

“Saving and investing in SMEs is an investment to save jobs. It should be used to modernise our SMEs and create new well-paid 21st century jobs in our indigenous sector. That is the only way to pull us out of the recession.” File photograph: Getty
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the country are dying and need a €15 billion bailout, the chairman of SME Recovery Ireland has argued.
John Moran told the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee yesterday the sector required an immediate cash injection of €6 billion to survive the impact of the pandemic. He said existing support schemes must be restructured to provide grant aid and not debt. He said firms were afraid to take on further borrowings. He said firms would not take up support if it came in the shape of loans at 5 or 6 per cent (interest) and lengthy application forms.
“Saving and investing in SMEs is an investment to save jobs. It should be used to modernise our SMEs and create new well-paid 21st century jobs in our indigenous sector. That is the only way to pull us out of the recession. The July stimulus package (planned by the Government) must make lower cost liquidity available immediately for firms and include a major fiscal grant scheme.”
He said the €6.5 billion support package announced by the previous government two months ago had not worked.


theirishtimes--2020-06-30--‘Extensive damage’ caused by mudslides in Leitrim

People in Leitrim have suffered “ extensive damage to their land and property ” following mudslides over the weekend with some forced to leave their homes , the Dáil heard on Tuesday .
Independent TD Marie Harkin requested on Tuesday that greater support be made available to Leitrim County Council after thousands of tonnes of bog slipped down from Shass mountain near the village of Drumkeeran .
Ms Harkin underlined the lack of resources available to people affected by the weekend ’ s landslides and called on Tánaiste Leo Varadkar to provide greater support to the community .
On Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Drumkeeran left their homes fearing the buildings could be demolished by the thousands of acres of bogs that had “ slipped down ” the nearby mountain , chairman of Drumkeeran IFA Tommy Drugan told RTÉ radio ’ s News at One .
Mr Drugan said it was believed the prolonged dry spell during spring had created cracks in the bog which filled with water during the recent torrential rain and resulted in tonnes of peat sliding down Shass mountain .
He said the main concern was that if more rain arrives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Dawn of Hope bridge , which dates back to the 1800s and is in the path of the bog slide , has so far withstood the pressure of the mudslide .
However , if the bridge collapses the results could be “ catastrophic ” , added Mr Drugan .
“ It is hard to imagine the severity of it till you see it , ” he said , adding that there had been no landslides in the area in living memory .
There are still many cracks on the bogs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while farmers are concerned about livestock roaming in the area .
A spokesman for the Irish Farmer ’ s Association said it planned to contact the Department of Agriculture to ensure any damage was considered “ force majeure ” and that no farmer had land deemed ineligible which could impact payments .
It also said a “ hardship fund ” would be needed to assist those affected .
“ The farms in question are small holdings , ” said the spokesman .
“ It ’ s the time of year when farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For farmers who can not harvest their fodder , a hardship fund will be needed to assist them .
”

Independent TD Marie Harkin asked the Dáil for greater support to be made available to Leitrim County Council. Photograph: Alan Betson
People in Leitrim have suffered "extensive damage to their land and property" following mudslides over the weekend with some forced to leave their homes, the Dáil heard on Tuesday.
Independent TD Marie Harkin requested on Tuesday that greater support be made available to Leitrim County Council after thousands of tonnes of bog slipped down from Shass mountain near the village of Drumkeeran. Ms Harkin underlined the lack of resources available to people affected by the weekend's landslides and called on Tánaiste Leo Varadkar to provide greater support to the community.
On Sunday night between five and six families living near Drumkeeran left their homes fearing the buildings could be demolished by the thousands of acres of bogs that had "slipped down" the nearby mountain, chairman of Drumkeeran IFA Tommy Drugan told RTÉ radio's News at One.
Mr Drugan said it was believed the prolonged dry spell during spring had created cracks in the bog which filled with water during the recent torrential rain and resulted in tonnes of peat sliding down Shass mountain.
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Dawn of Hope bridge
He said the main concern was that if more rain arrives, more peat would slide down the mountain. The Dawn of Hope bridge, which dates back to the 1800s and is in the path of the bog slide, has so far withstood the pressure of the mudslide.
However, if the bridge collapses the results could be “catastrophic”, added Mr Drugan.
“It is hard to imagine the severity of it till you see it,” he said, adding that there had been no landslides in the area in living memory.
There are still many cracks on the bogs and forestry that has moved, he said, while farmers are concerned about livestock roaming in the area.
A spokesman for the Irish Farmer’s Association said it planned to contact the Department of Agriculture to ensure any damage was considered “force majeure” and that no farmer had land deemed ineligible which could impact payments. It also said a “hardship fund” would be needed to assist those affected.
“The farms in question are small holdings,” said the spokesman. “It’s the time of year when farmers would be saving fodder for the winter. For farmers who cannot harvest their fodder, a hardship fund will be needed to assist them.”